The Vince Camuto Heel

Recently, I have been very fond of Vince Camuto shoes and I actually purchased a Vince Camuto jacket that I got for sale at Nordstrom Rack for $49, which was an AMAZING price!

SUPER CUTE...As soon as I saw it on the rack I had to try it on and it was the PERFECT size for me.  XS.

Here's a pic of me wearing my new jacket...(Coming Soon)

And here's some of my fave Vince Camuto shoes:

This red ankle boot can be worn with a cute skirt (pencil or a-line) and a blouse or t-shirt.  It can be dressed up or down and is perfect as a winder suede shoe with a bit of a hedge and a pretty heel.

The Elvin Shoe, $89.99
Source

Or you can try this sleek black ankle boot with gold buckle.  Match it up with a skirt to create the same effect as the red ankle boot, toned down and possibly a bit more classic.

VC Signature Evalina, $239.99
Source

And for a more summery approach, but still sleek, casual and elegant, you can try the Golden VC Signature Greta Shoe.  I absolutely love this version of VC.  So beautiful with a pop of gold, almost sporting an urban feel.

VC Signature Greta, $250.00
Source

This is a beautiful VC Bootie, resembling a sharp, gold buttoned suit jacket.  And I would be remiss to add the gold plated feature on the bottom of the shoe:

Huxley, On Sale for $99.99 (was $149.00)
Source

These are so lady-like, made of lace and bows.  Gorgeous:

VC Signature Rosabel, On Sale for $149.99 (was $295.00)
Source

And finally, look at this gold plated bootie/heel to live for!  Lovely.  Imagine all this shine and glisten of gold from 3 different directions when you walk into a room.  Such great attention to detail:

Louise et cie Vivah, On Sale for $124.99 (was $179.00)
Source

And this is just a sampling of what Vince Camuto has to offer.  Enjoy!

What's your favorite shoe?

By the way, you can save money by outlet shopping at a Vince Camuto Outlet store or buy directly online by clicking the links above.

The Beauty of Africa

African Inspired Chic-Beauty
Source

I've been to Africa a few times now and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  I love traveling from time to time.  I enjoyed the people, I enjoyed their joy and contentment in life.  Sometimes we in the Western World miss out on the simplicities of life do to our own busyness but the Africans I met didn't seem to have this problem.  With little they loved much, lived much, prayed much and were more happy than many with 3 x's their income.

Africa was such a fresh and touching experience.  I felt like I was home away from home and found a piece of myself that I needed to redeem as an African American.  I was walking back through my own history.

But as a fashion-lover one of the aspects I love most about Africa is the unique pieces of material that I cannot find in the U.S. and how the distinct African looks can be brought into my current life as an American.

This is my Africa:

I love shopping in the markets and walking through the busy city streets full of beautiful brown faces!

Street Life through the Streets
Source

Nairobi, Kenya
Source

And the ethnic clothes of Africa take us to another world:

Asymmetrical Dress in Bold Vibrant Colors
Source

The elegance we cherish dearly as ladies is exuberant in African attire:

Dazzling African Gown with Bold Blue Pumps
Source

The Beautiful Bold Blue Reflects the Colors of Africa's Sweeping Shores:

Mombassa, Kenya
Source

And you can Americanize it by using African Print with American Cuts:

Fresh & Cute, Light Colors
Source

Or go for the super-traditional look:

African Wedding Gown
Source

Bright & Fab
Source

Ashanti Heels

Buy Here

36 Ways to Wear Head Wrap
Source

I will always carry a piece of Africa in my heart, never forgetting the tears that gently flowed down my face as I drove away from the beauty of this life changing experience.

What's your favorite dress?

My Natural Hair Journey

Hey ladies!

This is me over the summer!

I wanted to share with you my natural hair journey thus far...It's been a really fun but challenging process as I am attempting to continue in keeping my natural hair.  Just in case you are wondering, my hair is currently being transitioned from permed hair to natural hair and to tell you the truth I do not have the exact date of when I started going natural.  It just kind of gradually happened as I was going to the hair salon.  My stylist started straightening my hair- perming it less and less.

Summer 2013

Before you knew it, I was getting used to the process!  I stopped wanting perms and the damaging effect they were having on my hair.  I started to become interested in growing my natural hair back and after much deliberation decided to go for it.

So today I wanted to show you how long my hair has grown from the summer (around July of this year) until now.  Yesterday when I got another straw set (the perfect transitioning style for me) I realized how long my hair had truly grown and I am LOVING it!


My Growth from Summer 2013-December 2013

Hopefully this will encourage somebody to continue in the Journey.  It's worth it in the end!  Let's be patient and wait for our desired goals beautifuls.

Much Love,

JADE

Let's Encourage One Another:

Are You Natural?  What Was/Is the Hardest Part of Transitioning for You?  How Did you Make it through it?

Equestrian Inspiration: The Horseback Riding Skirt

Paris Fashion Week 2012
Source

I am going on vacation this winter and plan to go horseback riding, one of my favorite activities.  I am absolutely fascinated with the culture of horseback riding and wearing skirts.  No, I will not be riding sidesaddle, but I would love to ride a horse with a skirt on for the first time.  Here are a few Equestrian Inspired looks.

This is sidesaddle:

The sidesaddle skirt:

There is such an eloquence and grace that comes with a lady riding a horse in a beautiful skirt.  But it does present its problems, such as burning your legs from rubbing on the horse.  See the video below for a wonderful skirt that will protect your legs and keep you warm- made specifically for horseback riding!

Horse Riding Inspired Looks:

Source

Source

Source

Source

This saddle skirt has been specialized for all weather terrains:

You can buy it here: www.happyhorseriders.com 

Plaid Skirt Winter Wonderland

Plaid is so fun and can make a lot of creative ensembles my mixing an element of plaid.  From a high class fur combo to a relaxed chillin' look, to a city chic outfit, a business suit, office attire or horse rider look...Fur is so versatile and classy. 

You can wear it all types of ways and to all types of functions.

See below:

Okay let's start with fur accessory look: Michael Kors does it right with a A Fur hat, jacket and super cute fur purse.  Combined with a red turtleneck and plaid skirt.  Then he combines brown heels with slouched socks.

Yes, you have to be a true fashionista to rock this look, but maybe you can tone it down with one, two or a few of the elements below!

Michael Kors Fall 2012 Plaid Skirt
www.lyst.com

And, here's a completely different look.  This girl is so street-chic with a plaid wrap skirt, brown shrug and cute hat.  She is keeping it warm, toned down and fun with her bright blue tights/tennis shoes. 

This takes plaid to an everyday casual look whereas the first look was a more upscale, bold yet fun ensemble.

www.loveitsomuch.com

You can also wear a plaid skirt in cool blue.  Are you a pattern mixer?  Well, check out this smart mixture of patterns.  How about a flowery collared shirt, rolled sleeves, black buttons and pink sunglasses.  With a hand held purse, arm candy and leather-black ankle boots. 

Don't forget leather bike rider arm candy!

www.loveitsomuch.com

As a horse rider and lover myself, this dulled down plaid skirt and classic brown rider boots, with cowboy backdrop is right up my alley.

This brings the plaid skirt to another part of the nation and to the outdoorsy girl's lifestyle.

Homespun Plaid Skirt
www.peruvianconnection.com

But, did you know that plaid could be worn as a business suit and work attire?  Who wouldn't love Oscar de la Renta's suit here paired with a solid gold belt and lovely purse?

Oscar de la Renta Plaid Suit
www.asewnwardrobe.blogspot.com

And here's a very cute frayed plaid knee length skirt with high boots and classic sweater vest.  The bow is adorable.  A little girly, yet still mature!

Oscar de la Renta Cashmere Plaid Skirt
www.allwomenstalk.com

Louis Vuitton has a similar approach with a basic sweater, hand held purse and burgundy shoes.

Louis Vuitton Plaid Skirt
www.asewnwardrobe.blogspot.com

This modest take is really nice- a leather tight shirt is paired under a tubeless plaid dress, black belt and feathery fur gloves.

Yet it's still classic even with elements of leather.

Michael Kors Fall 2012 Plaid Dress
www.lyst.com

This calf length skirt is perfect for a holiday look with a fur collared lace sweater and classic pumps.

Go for it ladies!

Don't forget a pencil thin belt.

Michael Kors Fall 2012 Plaid Skirt
www.lyst.com

We'll end super warm for the holidays, just how we began with a gorg fur hooded coat, brown plaid skirt, high necked shirt and leather purse.  You can keep the shoes simple and classic, there's enough going on already...

Michael Kors Fall 2012 Plaid Skirt
www.lyst.com

What is your favorite plaid skirt combination?  How do you recommend wearing plaid?  As an accessory, the main entrée or an entire outfit?

xoxo,

Jade Lee