Dang, what's that you're wearing?

Are you a social butterfly or someone who's just dang lucky? Do you find yourself throwing up the peace sign or do you deserve a spot on The Real Housewives of "All Eyes on Me" City?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then I have just the filler to celebrate making it through this week's hump day.

Tomorrow, Wednesday March 31st, Dang Chicks is hosting a launch party from 7-9pm at the Fab'rik at Lenox. There will be prizes such as Derma-Luxe facials and gift certificates to NY Prime Restaurants. Besides the chance to win prizes, there will be complimentary wine and Chocolate Pink cupcakes. Please, don't tell me none of that tickles your fancy...Well, if you need more of an incentive to check it out, Fab'rik will be putting on a private jean sale AND Dang Chicks will be releasing a new collection of shirts at the party. YOU could be the first to have one of their newest shirts. How dang cool would that be?

I myself would spring for the "Dang Happy" shirt featuring two of my favorite things: heels with a sale tag. Even thinking of that puts a smile on my face.

Now go grab your pocketbook calendar or pull up your iCal and mark the Dang Chicks launch party as the place to be on 3/31 from 7-9pm.

With a dang shirt, you'll be a beautiful thang.

SBX

It's that time of the year when Spring Breakers hit the beaches, the city, and the couch. This year I will be cruising, one of my favorite ways to vacation. Currently, I have less than two hours to pack and then hit the road to my port of embarkment! (I probably shouldn't be writing a blog post at this point but whatevs.) I cannot wait!

The only thing I'm worried about is how I am going to stay on this shopping diet. Our ports of call are in Mexico and from what I've researched there are some cute, cheap shops there, just perfect for a little tease to my fasting. Maybe I should say a quick prayer to the fashion gods..."Dear fashion gods, though my eye may stray to beautiful huipils and modern, patterned quechquémitls, please keep my hands away from my pockets. The magic plastic card may not be swiped...or I guess in this case no spending of my pesos. Sincerely, K." Cross your fingers for me.

Well I better get back to packing, but before I leave here's a little inspiration for those of you hitting the beach and soaking up the sun.

Safe travels to all. Best, Kiki.

Lego to the Fashion Show

Will this be the future of runway shows?

Here is Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Spring/Summer 3001. Complete with our very own Anna Wintour!

So for those who loved Legos as a child and those of you who create videos and like to do things virtually, it looks like you might just have found your niche in the fashion world.

Be Seen in Green

1) Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2) Why is hardly anyone wearing green?

I realize green might not be everyone's favorite color nor their first pick in creating a fashionable outfit, but I promise one day can be spared from donning your usual attire.

Putting a little green into your outfit might just be that breath of Spring that will renew and liven an outfit. And what better day than St. Patty's Day to wear green!

Here some of my favorite fashionable green items:

Just don't turn into the green-eyed monster drooling over other people's green items. That might be taking the green to the extreme.

...And for my Atlantans:

Please take a break from the green to support the red tonight.

Georgia Tech is hosting its annual Red Dress Fashion Show tonight (3/17) at 7:30pm in the Student Center Ballroom.

This fashion show is to benefit the Queen of Hearts Foundation, whose purpose is to spread awareness of women's cardiac health.

Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the U.S? Let's help change this!

Please purchase tickets for the show by clicking here.

Leather or Not

Leather or not you like the rocker-biker look; it's in.

And I LOVE it.

If only I could get my hands on some of these hot leather staples. For now, I will just share with you my leather essentials for the upcoming months so while I cannot buy them, you can let your wardrobes feast upon them.

Leather even with its motorcycle-riding, rock band going image can work in all sorts of styles. For the sophisticated one: a simple cut, form fitting jacket. The wildly romantic: a knee length, body hugging skirt. The one with some edge: a cut-out leather shirt (studs are always a great accent). The modernist: an asymmetrical jacket with broad shoulders.

So today while I daydream about leather, hit the stores and see what creations you can make with some leather accents.

My leather wearing fantasies shall proceed...

Give me leather. Give me a motorcycle. Give me Chanel.

Trend: The Clog

Hog the Clog or Flog the Clog?

When I was in 8th grade, I thought that Birkenstocks were the coolest shoe ever. Anyone who was anyone had a pair. Boys, girls, men, and women alike all wore them. For the longest time, I lusted over them as my dearest mother would not buy me a pair. "Mommy, pleeaaseeeeeeee," I would beg, but still there were no Birks hugging my feet.

Finally, I found a pair for a mere $60 compared to the market price of $135. I got them! I was so happy. Unfortunately, time fast forwarded a year since my first love of them, and to my despair, Birks were no longer the "It" shoe to have (people were sperry into boat shoes instead). Apparently, my high school freshman self did not stay on top of current trends. Needless to say, in retrospect, my more style sensitive eyes gawk at the site of wearing such shoes...

...However, according to some recent style reports the clog is back.

Sadly, I can't say that I am a huge fan despite my previous love of the Birk. I find them too clunky and they remind me of swedish wooden shoes. I might as well don a village woman's dress, put my hair in braids, and sing an old folk tune to complete the part.

Though, I do accept the more modern takes on the clog such as in the following shoes with their wooden soles and pump or boot appeal.

As for these clogs, I cannot make myself wear them even with their designer name. They just scream unsophisticated to me, but hey, if you can rock them, then by all means, rock the clog.

So, dear readers, will you hog the clog or flog the clog this season?

I Used to Get High All the Time

I know what you're thinking... YOU used to get high all the time?!

Well, yes.

On a shopper's high.

Sillies, what were you thinking?

An article was recently sent out to my sorority's email list depicting the similarities between say a smoker's high or an alcoholic's yearning for a drink to a shopper's need to try on and buy clothes. It chronicles how shopping leads to overspending even if an item is on sale and how some may actually need a "shopaholics anonymous" to curb their purchasing habits.

Seeing as how I myself am on a shopping purge, this article tickled my fancy and brought up some interesting points to think about (and kind of makes me wish I were a psychology major). The article is called "Rethinking the Shopper's High: New Ways to Get the Rush Without Laying Out the Cash" by Luanne Bradley and can be found here. Please read it; it's interesting, I Promise. Perhaps, you spenders out there will rethink the ways in which you shop and for what you shop.

Here are my ways to get "high" without shopping and buying:

(mind you this is geared with activities in the Atlanta area but similar places/activities are sure to be found in any city

1) Go for a run or walk at Piedmont Park. Getting fresh air always does me wonders.

2) Chatting with friends at Yoforia in the Highlands.

3) Just Dance! I'm quite the fan of Dance101 but other places in Atlanta are Dance411, Atlanta Ballet, and Gotta Dance Atlanta...or you can always dance in your room like no one is watching.

4) Window Shopping at Phipps Plaza. Most of the stores are way too expensive for me to dish out the bucks on the reg so it's great for me to go there and just browse. I get my fashion fix by seeing what's in without out breaking the bank.

5) Driving through the city with the windows down, music up, and friends at my side.

I just did number one on my list (though not at Piedmont Park). Now it's your time to go get your "high."

Have fun. Be happy. Get high.

Confessional

Oh fashion gods, it has been 20 days since my last clothing purchase. My, how taxing it is for me to resist your stylishly tempting ways! ...However, I (thank heavens) have held steadfast in my vow to not make a clothing purchase for one whole year.

I must confess though that after these past 20 days, I have succumbed to making my first shoe/accessory purchase. Urban Outfitters' free shipping for a select number of days was entirely too enticing to pass up since I had been lazily browsing their website the other day and had a few items eagerly staring at me on my wishlist. The free shipping (eventually leading to a purchase) devil hid itself in the form of a gift seemingly from you oh fashion gods. I thought this was your sign of saying, "K, add some new pieces to your wardrobe. Do not feel guilty for making a purchase as shoes and accessories are not clothing." Though I am allowed to make such non-apparel purchases, I have this feeling of guilt for buying two new pairs of shoes and a couple or headbands as if I'm cheating on my shopping diet.

Dear fashion gods, please help me to stay stylishly creative while attempting to resist any form of fashion shopping even if they are not immediately clothes.

Sincerely,

K

International Women's Day

Join YSL and UNIFEM and Say NO to Violence against Women –www.saynotoviolence.org

"Say NO records what individuals, organizations and governments worldwide are doing to end violence against women. The initial goal is to reach 100,000 actions by March and 1 million actions by November 2010. Whether you volunteer at a shelter, donate, reach out to students or advocate for better policies – every action counts."

Also, YSL shows their Fall/Winter 2010 collection tonight in Paris. I can't wait to see what they have for the F/W season! Lately, I've been obsessed with their Spring/Summer 2010 manifesto.

"I have nothing to wear" as said by all women

Do you ever look at the closet and think you have nothing to wear? If you say no then I don't believe you. Even if you have the largest closet filled with the most exotic and one of a kind pieces in the world or have a closet overflowing with shoes, designer jeans, and beautiful frocks, you will have those days when you just stare blankly into the closet thinking "Good gahh, I have nothing to wear. Everything is so blahh."

As I look at Paris Fashion Week collections, my closet looks more and more bland and outdated, which is not so reassuring for someone who cannot shop for an entire year. What's a girl to do?

I mean I already had a dream last night that I decided to quit my internship at Disney, leave GT, and just jet off to Paris without turning back. I fought my way into fashion shows and somehow convinced designers to let me wear their outfits as my daily attire. Hence, I got new outfits without "buying" them and the designers got publicity by me wearing them...

...Any dream readers out there who can interpret the meaning of my dream? Though I can pretty much guess on my own what it means: I miss being in Paris and I am having serious desires to go shopping and feeling the pain of not being able to.

Once again I am faced with the challenge of creating something new out of something old. Perhaps, I will make my way to the craft store to update my clothes with new embellishments such as the popular stud or black feathers and fur for a modern rocker look or maybe I will cut up an old sweater for the tattered and torn look that's currently seen in fashion look-books.

Whatever I decide to do, remember that you too can create a hip outfit without having to break the bank. Look at your clothes and see what alterations you can do to update it or maybe all you need is a statement piece of jewelry or an eye-catching shoe to add some character to a lackluster outfit. Be bold, mix things up and remember to be classy...and sassy.

For now, I will have to recreate my favorite PFW looks DIY style.

Trend: Pastel Hair

Has Easter arrived early? Has a bag of cotton candy exploded on their hair?

No, it's a new trend among celebrities thanks to inspiration from Proenza Schouler's Spring/Summer 2010 line. This bold look will certainly turn eyes. Try a few streaks in a cool subtle color for a more subdued look or be flashy with bright neon pink highlights. This is a look for the daring no matter what shade they choose. *A word to the wise: you better have the attitude and the confidence to pull this off or else you'll end up looking like wannabe hipster without your own personal style.

This trend may be featured on present day style blogs, but will this look be a part of your future beauty endeavors? Oui ou Non?

Crown Jewel

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and feel like a princess? As sun shines through the window, a new and fresh day has begun. You feel like the world is smiling at you.

Being here at Disney should entitle me to one of those princess days for sure. Right?

Today, I surprisingly woke up with that feeling. Mind you, I do know that my day has been less than charming with a marketing session early this morning, an apartment inspection this afternoon, and work this soon to be evening. Despite those not so glamorous events, I find myself waltzing through the apartment, breezing through my workout like I'm running on air, and eating yogurt like it's some gourmet concoction at the royal table. I don't know what it is but I feel like a jewel.

Every woman should feel like a gem even when sitting around the house. Remember to always dress in a way that boosts your confidence. You don't have to be miss à la mode with the latest crazes, you just need to be yourself in the clothes you wear. Try adding an interesting piece of jewelry to make you feel more feminine and to give your outfit that finishing touch. Put on a dress to make a little impression on that man standing next to you. Even in workout attire, wear fun colors and pieces that highlight your favorite areas (and yes, ladies, you all have beautiful bodies even if all you see is fat).When relaxing at home, take a bubble bath. It may sound childish but you will feel calm afterward. Try a new recipe out of that cookbook that's been sitting on the shelf. You will feel accomplished after doing so and all princesses deserve a delicious feast after a day of her royal duties...maybe her prince might even help with the feast. Last but not least, enjoy your time with the people around you. Nothing is better than having the company of others who give you a sense of belonging and of love.

With that, be your girly self, throw on that dress, hop in your royal carriage, and seek the things that make you smile and leave you feeling like a crown jewel.

My Princess Outfit:

Lady Like by KikiAnkrom featuring Lanvin dresses
Items in this set:
Tiered silk-gazar dress, $4,960
BL441 Coral Shoes, 95 GBP
Floral Spring chanel bag
kate spade ‘garden party’ floral link bracelet, $155
Fabric Domed Ring, $22

My Royal Carriage:

Mercedes CLS 550

My Gourmet Meal:

I'll need some help from the people at Gourmet Magazine to plan my tummy treat.

Things that make me happy:

My family and friends, dancing, running, shopping, a good book, walks in the park, laughter, discovering new music and revisiting old tunes, traveling and finding adventure, warm gooey cookies, and lots and lots of other things :)

xoxo, Kiki

Denim After Dark

Fan of Madewell? Then be sure to make a trip over to your local store this Thursday March 4 from 7-9pm. They're having their springtime celebration of all things denim. Click here to see where the closest store is to you.

Things to look forward to are 20% off all jeans, denim styling tips, denim hemming, custom embroidery, and complimentary sweets and treats.

And speaking of denim, one of the predicted trends for 2010 is a return to patchwork denim. It'll soften up the hard military looks and lattice patterns that have been spotted on the runways. Give it a whirl. Just please don't end up looking like a new breed of the Beverly Hillbillies.

Trend: Pattern Mixing

A hot and eye-catching trend this Spring is the use patterns and lots of color. What better way to make a statement than to mix things no one would ever think possible of mixing? It's like arts and crafts for fashionistas. Let your creative minds come up with different combinations to have new and exciting outfits.

This whole no shopping business pushes me to rethink outfits and how to rework them without getting bland and being the routine same old-same old. Yesterday, as I delve into my closet in search of a fresh outfit, I put my pattern combining skills to the test and the following is what I produced.

Bretton Stripe 3/4 length Tee with slate blue stripes

Black Body Con Skirt with Gold Polka Dots

Small Fish Net Tights

Navy Blue Blazer

The Toy Soldiers saluted my outfit. I'm now their general in all fashion faux pas missions.

For more pattern and color inspiration, check these outfits.

Happy Mixing!