R&B FEVER

You know the feeling when you hear a certain song and it just takes you back to that one special moment. You can visualize where you were, the people you were with, and most importantly what you felt at that time. For example, whenever I hear a Lucy Pearl song, I'm instantly transported to 1999. Sophomore year in college, living in my first apartment, and SINGLE! That was an unforgettable year and Lucy Pearl was the soundtrack for the summer.  Ahhhhh....there's nothing and I mean NOTHING better than R&B music! And no I am not talking about this corny Chris Brown crap, or this Beiber Fever, (p.s. If you are currently suffering from "Beiber Fever" we can't be friends). I'm talking about that good stuff that was created by those who grew up listening to their parents Motown Records. Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, R.Kelly, Total, En Vogue, Keith Sweat, Groove Theory, Toni Toni Tone, the list goes on and on. This is the music that made you feel a certain way. These are the songs that make you think of a certain someone you may have been crushing on. Do these kids even know what it means to have a crush on someone nowadays? You know the song you would just play over and over and over again. When was the last time you did that with a Chris Brownie song? Not never. You play his music and think of him beating on a female or just dancing around. NO EMOTION!

Words cannot express how much I miss and crave the kind of music that was made in the 90s. It makes me so sad to see the younger generation having to grow up without any soul. I am thankful to have grown up in an era where music evoked emotion. Music motivated us and spoke for us most of the time. We didn't need to post on a social media site, we could just play you a song instead.

So, as you can tell, I am extremely passionate about something other than fashion. And seeing as how this is MY blog, I have the freedom to talk about whatever the heck I want. So, thanks for reading this R&B rant. Now, click on the link and download the latest R&B mix from none other than the incomparable, Dennis Blaze! Thanks D! I dare you not to feel good after listening to this! IMPOSSIBLE!

LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD HERE

Super Saucy R&B Volume 28

Sponsored and cosigned by BMC Style.

Dennis Blaze and Mad Fresh iTunes present the latest Super Saucy R&B mix. Packed with feel-good r&b and smooth vibes for the RNB enthusiasts.

GINA THOMPSON, MISSY ELLIOTT – THINGS U DO

TOSHAMAKIA, CLINTON SPARKS – BE YOURSELF

BILLY LAWRENCE, MC LYTE – COME ON

MQ3, REDMAN – EVERYDAY

GABRIELLE – I WISH

BLACKSTREET – BOOTI CALL

LLOYD, FAITH EVANS – DO IT AGAIN (ISR)

LAURYN HILL – SWEETEST THING

SHADES – TELL ME

USHER – WORK IT OUT

MONA LISA – CANT BE WASTING MY TIME

HI-TEK, JONELL – ROUND AND ROUND

TEEDRA MOSES – BE YOUR GIRL

USHER, JERMAINE DUPRI – MY WAY

AALIYAH – ROCK THE BOAT (ISR)

LUCY PEARL – LA LA LA

RYAN LESLIE, FABOLOUS – GOOD LOVIN

SUIT AND TIE

I honestly cannot believe I just used that title. Shame on me! But hey, I gotta make sure these Google searches work in my favor! Business/Hood mentality. So, you should all know by now, my passion for fashion oozes from my pores no matter what kind of environment I may be in. With that being said, while I am a slave to Corporate America by day, the fashionista inside of me cannot and will not be contained at work. In fact, at one of my very first branch meetings, a coworker wrote down "Bernadette = High Fashion" on his notepad. I mean, he was just being honest. Very observant that one is! Now that everyone has gotten to know me on a personal level and learned of my past work in the fashion industry, they can better comprehend my love affair with fashion. They now understand WHY I may be gone for a few hours, across the street, at our newly renovated-gorgeous outdoor mall, on payday. They now understand why I rarely rock the same look twice. The now understand why there are stacks of mags on my desk instead of manila folders. THEY GET ME. The best part is being able to express my true self, while inspiring an office full of fashion weary men to DRESS UP! Menswear will always be my first love, so being able to shop for my boss and coworkers is like me making sweet lemonade out of the lemons I received in 2009. Sorry, I'm still a little bitter. 

I am beyond grateful for my work family and their acceptance of my sick obsession with all things fashion. They make working in Corporate America bearable. The bar in the lobby of our building makes it enjoyable. So, the lesson here kids is to make the best out of life's situations instead of complaining or wondering the oh-so-hopeless "WHY ME?!". Was that corny enough for you?? Yeah, I thought so. 

My go to for a fresh/modern take on suiting is "The Ludlow Shop" at J. Crew. Fellas, trust me when I say, you cannot go wrong here! I LIIIIIIVE for a man in a well tailored suit, shirt, and tie! To keep things fresh for summer, just remember to try and pair textured ties with patterned shirts. And ALWAYS be sure to buy things that fit you perfectly! Fit makes all the difference. Here are some ideas for you RUE! Put the white shirt and tie away!!! Haha!!!

Ludlow Suit in Italian Linen - Cotton.....GAAAAWD YESSSSS!

Pin Strip Spread Collar Button Down

Knit Tie

Small Gingham Spread Collar Button Down

Navy Mini Herringbone Tie 

Spread Collar Medium Gingham Button Down...Yes, Gingham comes in different sizes.

Linen Tie...MUST HAVE!

BTW...this entire blog was inspired by a screen shot I posted of a text convo between my "Boss Man" and I! #LIFEinLJ

MET GALA 2013

I told my boss I had to leave work early today to rush home and watch the red carpet coverage of this years Met Gala. He, like most people, had no idea what I was talking about. So, I told him to log onto my blog and read all about it - MET GALA 101.  After he read it, he pretended to understand the significance of me being able to watch people walk down a red carpet. I thanked him and immediately left work. The theme for this years ball was "PUNK:Chaos to Couture". This theme posed quite the fashion challenge for many of the attendees. Some of the looks made me feel like I was watching a horror film. Beyond scary. Others made punk look so good, I almost wanted to dust off my Doc Martens and throw on some fishnets. Only for a quick second though. Here are the looks that made feel compelled to write this blog.

Rooney Mara in Givenchy. Punk Perfection. 

Blake Lively in Gucci. I mean could she be any more beautiful? Sickening.

Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors. Are we sure she actually gave birth? Stunning.

Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera. LOVE this. 

Beyonce in Givenchy. B, I thought we were over that whole Sasha Fierce phase?

Lala Anthony in Zac Posen. Girl, were you in a hurry? Unfinished.

Alicia Keys in Jason Wu. Definitely NOT wu-ing anyone in this. 

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in Givenchy. Sad. Disappointing. WHY. Fashion Suicide.

Anna Wintour in Chanel. Can't say anything bad about the QUEEN of FASHION. 

GIRL CRUSH

Home on a Friday night due to the fact that my entire body has become victim to some b**** named PILATES. I blame the swimsuit I have my eye on and the upcoming dreadful summer season. Ugh. Anyway, after cleaning out two closets and re-organizing makeup drawers, (pure joy), I finally sat down to watch Fashion Police and enjoy a glass of wine. I love Joan Rivers. She inspires me to keep my humor intact and my face tight, no matter how old I am. Then like a true angel of fashion, my favorite blondie appears in the most beautiful Reem Acra gown. It was none other than the petite filet, Kate Hudson. I've always liked this chic. Young, funny, and style is always on point. She has a petite frame and a small bust, reminds me of someone I know. Kate always manages to look so flawless and sexy! She just strikes me as the girl who keeps it real at all times. Once again, reminds me of someone I know. I love the fact that she picks a different body part to accentuate in each look. It's always just the right amount of skin, never too much. This is something we as women should always try to achieve when putting a look together. Being able to exude sex while having most of your body covered is quite the achievement! Congrats Kate, I'm officially crushing on YOU! 

Michael Kors

Barbara Bui

Jenny Peckham

Ann Taylor

Reem Acra

Glamour April 2013

BODY PARTY

New routine coming soon ;)