WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE

Anyone who doesn't believe in perfection obviously hasn't seen Oprah's Next Chapter featuring John Legend. BEYOND PERFECT.

Love In The Future June 25th

#BBC DECADE

CONGRATS to a true inspiration in the industry! Long live that BBC ICE CREAM! Skateboard.

            

"It's all about individuality. Fashion is great, the followers are cool but I love individuality. I love when people take things & make it themselves." 

DREAMING OF DITA

From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one. I've never been able to apply that saying to actual human being, but I have been able to use it when it comes to sunglasses. And I'm not talking about just any kind of sunnies. I'm talking about none other than the infamous DITA LEGENDS. You may have seen a few celebs rocking them in the trashy mags we all hate to love to read, (only on airplanes for me). You may have seen me rocking them over the past few summers. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I forgot my case, threw them into my H&M crossbody bag, and went on about my business. I may or may not have been having a few cocktails that evening??? Irrelevant either way. I woke up the next morning to find my beloved Dita's broken....(insert every F bomb imaginable). I called the nearest Dita hospital and spoke a Dita Doctor by the name of Jacob. He told me to bring her in right away so he could asses the damage. Without any hesitation, I phoned my cousin and told her we needed to pack up the baby and drive to Newport Beach ASAP! Fashion Island is super kid friendly and my cousin always loves to shop with me, who doesn't? We arrived at the Dita Legends store, (a.k.a the Dita Hospital), and I was happily greeted by Dr. Jacob. I was taken aback by how amazing the store was and all of the deliciousness oozing from the wall cases inside. Dr. Jacob noticed I was distracted and reminded me of why I was there in the first place. He took a look at my bruised and broken girl, then said he needed to keep her for further observation. Once that was handled, I began to do what I do best - SHOP. Meanwhile, my cousin was trying to land the next spot on The Real Houswives of O.C. by spotting Taylor Armstrong next door. Yes, her lips are just as big if not bigger in person. By this time I had narrowed down my options to three fabulous pair of Dita's. I really couldn't decide, until the AMAZING Dr. Jacob pulled a new pair named AMANT off the shelf and told me to try them on. Do you hear that? Angels singing. Harps playing. DITA HEAVEN. And that was it. She was the one! 

Taxon

Paradis

Special thanks to Jacob for the AMAZING customer service! These bad boys are a life changer! 

SUNDAY RITUALS

Sunday. Some like to dedicate this day to family. Some like to dedicate this day to God.  Young-ins in SD have re-named this day "Sunday Funday", where they wear scantily clad apparel to pool parties and listen to fist pumping music, while taking shots and popping "Molly's". Still thinking they are living the Cali Dream and looking cool at the same time. For me, Sunday is MY day to do whatever my little heart desires. Sleep in? Sure. Clean out closets and accessory drawers? Why not. Shop? ABSOLUTELY. There happened to be a marathon going on in SD today, which actually freed up my mall and made for an extremely peaceful shopping day! They run while I shop. Perfect. There's nothing I hate more than having to share my mall with "Sunday Shoppers". You know, the ones who are hunting for the markdown racks and manage to bring their entire family along for the ride. Do you purposely drag your 90 year old Grandma along with you because she enjoys walking in crowds and waiting in line to use the restroom?? Stop doing that to your Nana! 

Soooo...if you follow/stalk me closely, you will remember the Rachel Roy shoes I posted on one of these freakin social media accounts a couple of weeks ago. Black wedges with gold details. STUNNING. Well, you see, the way it works for me is I find a piece and build around it. The RR shoes were my muse and I needed to build a few looks around them. In my mind I had a vision of a black pencil skirt, dark denim button up and my RR's. Where could this vision become a reality? H&M of course! I walked in and noticed the sale toppers everywhere, pulling me in every direction. But I somehow managed to walk out with one dress, one skirt, one pair of trousers, and two tops. The pants and skirt were $15 each! Everything works back to one another and of course each look can be finished with my RR wedges! This is what I like to call SUNDAY FUNDAY BMC STYLE!

 p.s. STILL obsessssssed with Denim! It just works so well for Summer....denim rehab soon!

Macys

H&M

H&M

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 ;)

Q&A WITH JAE

I'm always excited to talk about my love for the fashion industry, so when I was asked to be interviewed by an aspiring fashion student, I was beyond thrilled! I mean, let's just keep it real, who doesn't enjoy talking about themselves?? I think that's how blogs were conceived. Blogs give people who love to talk a platform and they somehow make our nonsense seem more relevant. Anywhozies, back to what I trying to say. See, that's what happens on here. No rules to follow and no one to tell you to shut up! Jaelyn Rosales is her name and fashion is more than just a game. She is SERIOUS about fashion and her style is truly inspiring. She isn't afraid to step out of the box and set her own trends. She sees fashion as way to express herself and let me tell you, take one look at her and you would be interested in anything she has to say. See, that's the beauty of fashion, you can make so many different statements without saying a single word.


JR: What is a normal day to day schedule for this job?

BMC: It depends on what I’m working on... An average day in the life of a personal shopper/stylist can vary from meeting with a potential client to discuss which of my services will help them achieve the look/style they desire. Or, I could be meeting a client at the mall for a personal shopping session. I could also be prepping for a photo shoot or fashion show. Pulling looks and fitting models. I also manage to fit in posting on my blog at least once a week. 

JR: What qualities do you need to have? 
BMC: You definitely need to be confident in yourself and your skills. You have to have good time management and be able to multitask. You also have to be able to adapt to change quickly. Be ready for the unexpected to happen at any moment, because a life in the fashion industry is ever changing!

JR: How would you go about starting your own clothing company? 
BMC: I would definitely do my research and partner with people who have started their own successful clothing companies from the ground up. Ask them if you can intern for them, and learn as much as possible. Keep track of the positives and the negatives. Write all of your concepts down. Always seek advice from people whose work ethic you admire. 

JR: What would you say the most exciting part about this job is? And why? 
BMC: The most exciting part of being a personal shopper is seeing my clients transform and become confident with their own individual style. The most exciting part about being a stylist is being able to meet and work with talented individuals who share the same creative passions as I do. (Photographers/Designers/Makeup Artists/Hair Stylists/Models).

JR: How did you figure out that this is what you wanted to pursue in? 
BMC: I had the amazing opportunity to work for Ralph Lauren from 2003-2009. I always had a passion for fashion from a very young age, but working for one of the best brands in the world made me realize how much I was destined to be in this industry. 

JR: What types of advancements are there for this career? 
BMC: There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to a career in fashion. It all depends on where you live, who you know, and the experience you have. 

JR: How do you go about your wages  and hourly rate? 
BMC: Personally, I try to compete with other local personal shoppers by staying affordable and appealing to a broader range of clientele. 

JR: Do you see this job changing a lot in the future? 
BMC: As I mentioned before, I learned early on in my career, that the fashion industry is ever changing. You just have to be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible. 

JR: What type of advice would you give a person going into this type of work? 
BMC: 1. This is a thank-less job. So you have to truly be passionate about this industry in order to survive. 2. Be  flexible. Never get to comfortable. 3. Stay true to yourself. Never compromise your style in order to climb the fashion ladder. 4. ALWAYS put your best effort in any job you do. Even if it’s a non-paying job. You never know who you will meet and this industry is small. People will remember you!

JR: Is it easier to get a job at a clothing store having this type of experience? 
BMC: Yes. But your look and personality won’t hurt either ;)

JR: Is there anything you would want to see different in this line of work? 
BMC: I think I would like to see more gratitude and praise among my peers. We need to support one another and not always try to be in competition. There is enough work to go around!

JR: If you could, would you change your career choice? Why or why not? 
BMC: The only thing I would change would be my college choice. I wish I would have been told to pursue my passion, instead of attending a four-year university. I would have loved the opportunity to attend a fashion or art school instead. I think it's crucial for parents to encourage children to follow their dreams instead of the ones they have for them.



Thank you Jaelyn for the interview and best of luck with all your endeavors! You are the future of fashion! xoB

DENIM DAZE

Spring is in full swing! So corny. Anyway, hope everyone is transitioning their wardrobe accordingly. I have found myself obsessed with the simplicity of denim lately. This coming from a girl who hates "Casual Fridays", a.k.a. an excuse for people to dress how they normally do. I needed a multi functional button down shirt to pair with denim, so I turned to the always trustworthy, Chambray Shirt. I can, and have worn this baby in so many ways it's ridiculous. I actually had to buy another one in a slightly different style, so that I would not fall victim to the "Chambray Uniform". I have turned the dreaded "Casual Friday" into what we now call "Polished Casual Friday". Denim on Denim, sounds so dirty, but feels oh sooooo gooood! If you are having trouble putting together looks that are appropriate for the bipolar weather we like to call "Spring", I suggest you incorporate some denim looks and of course, a Chambray Shirt! I hope you find yourself in a Denim Daze all Spring long! 

Mango

Boohoo

J.Crew

H&M

Madewell

THE BEGINNING

The Beginning

MADEWELL

My love affair with this denim dream store began in Soho, NY. The store is quaint and cozy. Nothing crazy or over the top is happening there. It's like the calm after an H&M and Topshop storm. Madewell is the perfect love child of J.Crew and Anthropologie. Many polished casual looks are born here and please believe, denim dreams do come true at Madewell. I am in LOVE with their Spring Lookbook! Lace, mixed prints, pastels, and denim all living together in perfect harmony. I've found my inspiration for my Spring wardrobe! Madewell will be making it's debut in San Diego later this Spring! Are you excited?? No?? Well, look at the photos below and if that's not enough to have you counting down the days until you can pop your Madewell cherry, then I suggest you log off. Immediately. 

www.madewell.com