Let's Discuss: The Carbon Copy Mafia.

"Great style should invoke a conversation, make people think, and may even offend." 

The wonderful thing about fashion and style is the opportunity you have to express yourself. There are endless options to showcase your personal style with fun designers, thrift stores, online shopping, etc etc. Whatever you desire isn't really that hard to find, but you have to be willing to look for it.

With that being said, this new age of social media and Internet gives us a peek into worlds and places we may not otherwise see. Inspiration level be on ten. But it also restricts many in a way. I'm ok with people recreating what they see on runways or on their favorite celebrities. But when everyone zeroes in on the same concept and totally saturates my eyeballs with non-thinkingness, it's not beneficial for anyone. Just a bunch of  carbon copies of the same look.

I Want to be Kourtney Kardashian When I Grow Up.

...and by "grow up", I mean "have kids".

That chick (whole family) has style that cannot be denied. Kourtney is the ultimate example of someone that constantly looks dope while managing her life with her kids. And she is wearing the hell out of those pink studded Valentino pumps. I can not with her today. I especially can't take Mason's little nautical outfit with the yellow loafers....just adorable. I've enjoyed seeing him grow up. I sound like a stalker but it's not even like that. Yal know the Kardashians are hard to avoid.

Anyway, take a look at the pics and try to tell me she is not killing the game.

Outfit of the Day: DC Love.

I've been having a lot of fun wearing these tennis shoe wedges already this Fall. After the first season I wore them, I had a feeling they may not be in style by the time I would want to wear them again, but apparently, they're still good. We're in the clear. 

I used the wedges in this outfit to make my look more casual.  If I put on a pair of pumps, I would be club ready, but I was just chillin around town, so sneaker wedges seemed optimal.

The graffiti love top is from Rue 21, midi skirt is Forever 21, and the sneaker wedges are from Go Jane.

DIY: How to Style a Scarf.

There are all types of ways to style a scarf. In my latest Outfit of the Day, I'm wearing a turban headband that I tied from a long scarf. I just wanted to give you guys an idea of how easy it is to achieve that look. I've put together a few videos from YouTube where users take you step by step to create very adorable looks with scarves.

This first video shows you how to create the turban headband and it's really simple.


The next video gives an overall tutorial on styling a scarf. She gives at least 5 looks.
 

This last video shows you how to wear a scarf  as a hair accessory to natural hair, even though I believe relaxed hair can achieve the same look (if you pin up the back and create a poof on top.) I love the look, because it accents your face and brings a bold pattern into play.

Outfit of the Day: Royal Blue Sweater and Color Blocked Thigh-Highs.

Old Navy royal blue sweater: I LOVE this color right now. I also appreciate that the sleeves are a little wide. It's funny because when I initially bought this sweater, I wasn't a big fan of the sleeves, but I've grown to like them.

Pink and white checkered readers with a bit of a cat eye. I've had these glasses for years, and I still wear them from time to time.

My color-block zip away boots are from an unknown origin. I bought them online from Ebay last year for a hell of a price that I just couldn't turn away. The pinks and reds are fun with the royal blue top. I feel like it keeps the eye interested without doing too much.

The necklace is one of my recent purchases that I got for only $5. It's the perfect amount of girly glitz.

More pics below:

Let's Break Some Rules and Start Our Own Trends.

First of all, I'm not a big fan of "fashion rules." You know what I mean: no white after Labor Day, don't mix brown and black, and your shoes have to match your bag.

It's pretty evident that when times are changing, fashion is changing. And most of the old fashion rules just don't apply anymore. If you can make it look good, chances are, you should wear it.I have basically never followed rules when it comes to what I liked to wear. Ask my mom, she'll tell you. My mom still pretty much feels like I look like a hobo every time I see her.  But anyway...

I think wearing neon for F/W is pretty dope. I tend to like the neon more as a pop of color paired with darker bases, like black for instance. For some reason, it gives me a city feel.

Here are 10 neon items that I think could easily fit into your fall/ winter wardrobe:
1. Neon tuxedo stripe pants
2. Rhinestone earring
3. Nameless graphic sweater
4. Casio digital watch
5. Neon trim panel skirt
6. Neon touchscreen compatible gloves
7. Shattered heel-less platforms
8. Rhinestone bracelet
9. Georgie neon slingbacks
10. Studded cross blouse

Style Post: The Surprise Party.

We threw a surprise birthday party for the homie Courtney this weekend and these were my digs.

Bought this top from Goodwill a couple weeks ago. The pants are covered in a subtle snake print.Black & white creepers, which make me feel so in the holiday spirit. I'm really excited about my new lighter ring too....thanks Amanze.

Balenciaga: Fall 2012.

Balenciaga 'Wave' Top

Balenciaga is a genius in fashion. So fun and edgy.

So when they revealed their new futuristic designs for Fall 2012, it was love at first sight for fashionistas all over the world. And during Spring '13 Fashion Week, the 'Wave' Rebel Top was all the rave.

Miroslava Duma and Julia Sarr-Zhamoa

They also have this fine ass German Shepard jacket (pictured below) that is just as I said: FINE.
The Balenciaga Iconic Dog Teddy Jacket retails at $3150. The image, the shape, the leather: It's a winner.

Miroslava Duma and Rushka Bergman

You can find the beaut's below at Balenciaga.com.  Even though they are really expensive, they are gorgeous enough to look at and just admire the vision.

I mean, LOOK at them.

I Might Wear Something Like This...

 Leopard Flyaway Blazer, Distressed Levi's Jeans, Spiked Velcro Wedge Sneaks, Black SSUR "Comme Des fuck Down" Beanie, Cross Stud Earrings

I love being a leppy lady.

I've contemplated so many different times getting some type of leopard tattoo, but lord, what a commitment. For now this blazer will do just fine.

Really cute leopard blazer, distressed Levi's boyfriend jeans, spiked wedge sneakers, and a beanie.
A$AP Rocky really popularized this SSUR beanie this year, didn't he?

It's everywhere, but I still like it because beanies in the fall/winter are cute and clutch.
I believe his outfit would be edgy and comfy....and that's a combo that I love to have.

Coat Check.

It all started with this little beaut:

Miroslava Duma was wearing this outside of Louis Vuitton during Paris Fashion Week, and I must say, she looked like a million bucks.

I don't even want to know how much this coat is.
(If you know who makes this coat, drop me a comment below because I haven't been able to find it.)

Anyway, it got me thinking about how important coats are as a fashion statement during the colder months.

If you are looking all types of dope underneath an ugly ass coat, it doesn't really matter much does it? All people are going to remember is that ugly coat you had on.

My point is, get you a really nice coat and some fun accessories like a poofy hat or a fun scarf.
And then if you want to throw it over some sweats and run to the store, people will know that if you wanted to be dressed up, you would be killing it.

I picked out a few coats that I thought were cute for this winter.
Take a look below:

1. ASOS Longline Military Coat  2.BDG Contrast Coat  3.D Collection Wool Coat  4.The North Face Kizamm Jacket  5.Worthington Cropped Peacoat  6. Worthington Mod Coat

Teyana Taylor in Balmain Army Fatigue Pants.

1. Teyana's body is ridic-dic.

2. She slightly resembles a drag queen. (sorry, but meh) I mean, it's just that her facial features are very strong. She's still a pretty girl.

3. I love the way this looks. It probably wouldn't be so damn swaggy if her body was "regular", but she looks awesome.

And I really love these Balmain pants. The illusion is as if they're about to fall right off, but you can tell they're super tailored (no Wiz). I guess that's what $2100 will get ya.

Peace

Work Outfit of the Day: Peplum Top and Green Pants

So you know that fun and quirky Leslie that wears all types of whatever? Yea well she gets up Monday-Friday and goes to work like a normal boring grown up. And when it's time for work, you have to dress the part.

This is me doing just that:

My statement necklace.
I also really like peter pan collars right now.

Peplum Top with gold accents and green pants.
I think colorful pants are so fun at all times of the year.

I Might Wear Something Like This..

Zoe Karsen Creme de la Creme $160, Balmain Floral Print Jeans $2120, Tom Ford Sunglasses $360, Leather Platform Creepers $160, Studded Jean Vest, Aiayu Antonella Hat $125

For me, fall means beanies, boots, scarves, sweats, and plenty of layering. And this season, I'm really excited to add florals to that list.Usually that's something I'd consider a no no, but this year, go for it. And I have been searching for some affordable flat forms for a while now. I'm on the look out, because the ones above are adorable. 

Style Post: Digital Camo.

In a world filled with the regular military camouflage, I've found the digital print is underused.
Which, I'm sure, is why I was excited when I found this jacket.

Style Post: Leopard in Richmond.

Alexander McQueen Mirrored Transparent Visor.

So I figured out that visor I featured in my New York Fashion Week post  is Alexander McQueen.
The mirrored transparent visor. Very futuristic.

I was pretty curious as to how she could see, but I figured it had to be transparent or she'd be bobbling all around the joint.

For the adventurous, and financially stable, you can buy this piece for $465 here.
Happy shopping.

Rihanna Wearing KENZO Paris in London.

Rihanna was spotted in London last night wearing a KENZO Paris tiger logo top and printed medallion orange trousers.

Kenzo has such fabulous things, its ridiculous. The patterns and silhouettes are just...uh. Adorable. I like this look on her: simple orange designer top, and orange trousers to match. A great monochromatic theme that works.

Dark Lip Trend for Fall 2012.

Fall is quickly approaching. How do you suppose you can get ready for it?

One way you can get into the season is by wearing dark lipstick. Dark reds, purples, maybe even black if you're daring enough. Dark lips will be a trend this year, as it usually is in the colder months.

The celebrities above know how to rock the look perfectly. Azealia Banks actually has her own plum lipstick by MAC which she calls "dark, eggplant purple" They teamed up with the feisty female earlier this year to create the sultry shade of plum, which was just released for sale online September 5.

I love lipstick! Most of my purchases come from Walmart honestly. I'm usually want ALL of the colors, so that would be too expensive anywhere else. The brand in the middle above is Wet'N'Wild and I think it works well (not super smooth though.) They have lots of colors too, and they're probably like $2. You can't beat that.

Get the lipstick brand you like and try a dark lip. Just own it, and you won't regret it

Rising Trend: Socks and Sandals.

Don't put your sandals away so soon! Now that we're on the brink of Fall, why not try out a new trend instead? Wearing your sandals with socks is about to be really fabulous this year, and you should want to be a part of that fabulousness.

Doesn't take much effort. Pair up the patterns you like whether you want to be more subtle or really bold. I love the look because sometimes it gives the illusion that you're wearing some type of boot and it also has lots of texture.

Hats Galore.

Hats are practically the easiest way to dramatically alter an outfit.
Aside from being adorable, they cover that head whenever it's looking ridiculous.
These are just some of the hats I'm feeling at the moment. :)