Curly Girl Takeover Event | Virginia

Hey guys, check out this event Jonna of Naturally Glam & I have coming up. Check it out and make sure you attend if you can! It's December 21, 2013 and it's FREE!! Make sure you RSVP by visiting this Link

Erykah Badu Concert Outfit

So, if you haven't been following me on Instagram or Youtube (shame on you! just joking-not really :) then you may not have seen my latest outfit post.  Last Saturday (Nov. 2nd) my husband and I went to see Erykah Badu perform live at Chrysler Hall in Va. I wanted to wear something chic yet comfy; I'm all about comfort these days!  So I headed out to Forever 21 with looking for a jumper or faux leather joggers in mind and I noticed the denim overalls.  I've looked at them before and have wanted to pick one up so when I saw it, naturally I grabbed it.  I tried it on and Oh My Goodness it was SOO soft and comfortable.  I wanted to make the look a little more chic so I spiced it up with some Zara heels and a velvet crop top, cute beaded clutch and chic fitted faux leather jacket and headed out.  Take a look here…

See below for my "Get ready with me" video I uploaded yesterday. 

Outfit Details:

Denim overalls/dungarees: Forever21-$35

Faux leather jacket: Sammidress.com- $20

Heels: Zara- $50

Beaded clutch: Aldo (can't remember the price)

VA Fashion Week is Coming Soon!!!!

New York and Minnesota had their fashion week debuts recently, now it's time for VA to host theirs!! On October 11-13, Williamsburg, Va. will showcase the 2013 runway shows.  The opening show will be held in Va. Beach, Virginia on Oct. 10, 2013.

The Colonial Capital will come alive with fashion as VA Fashion Week showcases over 20 designers including some exciting new talent as well as returning favorites.

The lineup this year includes Angela Bacskocky from Richmond who appeared in Season 12 of Project Runway, exquisite DC based designer Michael Carter, the return of Michael Taylor with his Chanle’ Encore collection, Evgenia Luzhina-Salazar, Gohar Ayvazyan Beaver, Lizzi London, Mikasa La’Charles, and Azi Blas.

Also returning to show at VA Fashion Week: Brehon Williams, Willie Charles, Jennifer Carpenter, Carlyle Williams, Gwendolyn Wilson, Christina Grehan and Allyson Ritchie.
Expect to see some new talent among the designers as well. New designers showing include Samantha Smith, Chrissy Crawford, Alli Meraki and Victoria Reed. Also making their Virginia debut is the Yatra Collection, now based in Yorktown but founded by designers from India.

Our Saturday shows will also feature musical performances by Payton Johnson, K’Bana Blaq, and 11 year old Gabrielle Pinkney who will open the Children’s segment which will also feature fashions from C&C Sandbox, Pretty Patty, JAdore’s Closet, and Sweet 16.

Although the majority of events from October 11-13 will be in Williamsburg, the opening night of Runway Shows will be in Virginia Beach on October 10 at the Richard Stravitz Gallery, corner of 30th and Pacific, one block from the Oceanfront. That night will be a “pink” event, part of a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and will feature the “Bra-ha-ha” on the runway as well as runway shows not only spotlighting designers but also locally owned boutiques. 

More details such as schedules, designer bios, as well as ticket sales are available HERE. 

Questions? Please contact Ann@vafashionweek.com or call 757-407-0477. 

Savvy Small Business Sunday | Meet Fawziyyah Abdullah

Whenever I get an email about a feature request I always look up the person's business if I'm unfamiliar; which is what I did for Fawziyyah's boutique.  She creates some really unique pieces of jewelry-- ranging from earrings to bracelets to necklaces.  I have mad respect for any artist/designer because I know it takes patience and tenacity to continue with such a business.  Read more to find out how she started.  You just might be inspired to start working on your dream... Meet Fawziyyah!

What is the name of your business?

 Houseofgems

What does the business do?

 I make handcrafted unique jewelry

Is the business solely online or do you have a location?  

 Yes right now the business is just online the link to my website is www.houseofgemsonline.com-- you can also email me at houseofgemsboutique@gmail.com

When did you start your business?

 We started the business in 1998

Why did you choose to start your own business?

 My mother put this business together for my sisters and I but im the only one who kept the business going so I made it my own.

What advice do you have for someone else trying to start his or her own small business?

 Some advice is to stay focused!  Never give up on your dreams and ideas.  Always strive to do the best and more. Go outside your comfort zone-- it broadens your way of thinking and gives you a vision on where you want to be and take your business.

Is there anything else you would like for our readers to know about you?

I'm a stay at home mom and wife of 3 boys.  I'm also a fashion designer--I make one-of-a-kind pieces in modest wear and headwraps. I'm from Harlem, NY but I currently reside in Charlotte, Nc.  All my pieces are handcrafted and are one of a kind stylish and great quality items. 

How I Styled | Asos.com midi dress

When I attended the Industry Standard Fashion Show in Chicago on Sept. 21st I wore a midi dress I ordered from Asos.com (which is one of my fav places to shop in case you are ever looking for a gift to get me *wink* lol, Jokes).  I do love to shop this spot though so when I spotted this dress online for only $27 I knew I had to grab it!

(Pic taken by @theamandag)

hammered bangle (Forever21)

The dress was a one sleeve print dress that I paired with my Zara ankle strap black open toe heels.  The dress had a lot going on with the print and one sleeve so I didn't want to over accessorize--I paired it with a bangle I found at Forever21 and a pair of dangling earrings (I bought from a vendor at a different event) and coral clutch (same color as the "reddish" color in the dress). 

Here is the link to the dress ---> Click Here

I hope you like! Let me know how you would have worn it!

Blessings,

Dee