You know what REALLY grinds my gears???

When I splurge on something cool, and then see an imitation at some store like Forever 21!!

Now, I am a true frugalista, meaning I know a good bargain and I take advantage of them regularly!!

However, I also like quality in my clothing, so I try to find deals on nice things.

Lately, Nordstron has become one of my favorite stores.  I was there yesterday....impulse shopping!!

A few months ago, I purchased these babies at Nordstrom.

Jessica Simpson

They look great on, and it's a great shoe for bar-hoping, clubbin, or just a fun night out!

They were approx. $85 on sale. Usually I won't pay that much for a Jessica Simpson shoe, b/c you can get them at Marshalls and on sales at Department stores, like Macy's.  However, I really wanted them so...purchased : )

When I was in NY for fashion week, I made a trip to Century 21, which has discounted designer clothing and such.... I saw the same shoe for approx. $68.  Wasn't too upset, because by that time I had mine for a couple months.

THEN, the other night I was at a local mall and decided to stop in Charlotte Russe, a store similar to Forever 21 or Wet Seal. I don't usually shop Charlotte Russe because I know 1.) a lot of things don't meet my 'quality' standards & 2) I know that a lot of girls shop there, and the last thing I wanna do is be running around in something everyone has or everyone knows where I got it! Ya dig? No offense to Charlotte Russe shoppers. I did buy some bracelettes from there, and I shop Forever 21, but you get my drift!

Anyway while I was there I saw these...

This is Charlotte Russe's version of my Jessica Simpson shoe (in white). UGHHHHhhhh!!
At FULL PRICE, they are only $14.99 or $29.99 (I can't remember!).

Grrrrr! Makes me mad! I can just see me out and some lil' girl saying "Cute shoes! Did you get them from Charlotte Russe?" My reply would be: "Umm...NO!"

I mean the Charlotte Russe version is OBVIOUSLY not leather, or of the same quality as my Jess. Simp's, but some people can't tell the difference!

LOL, just venting!

This happens all the time i.e. This Steve Madden situation.

I knew this was a BAD idea!

If you missed the Spring 2010 Chanel runway show, please click here to view it!

Ok so you know that clogs were a major trend via Chanel.

Clogs can be done cute & quirky as seen in the Chanel show, but in the wrong hands they can go SO wrong. Unfortunately, many of us have the wrong hands for clogs. I am not feeling this trickled-down version of clogs that were displayed in the Teen Vogue March issue.

Icky, Icky, Yuck, Yuck!!

Please stop the madness. Clogs are NOT cool... especially for Spring...especially when they are made of rain boot material and are purple with polka-dots!

I think the Chanel clogs are cute, and the high heels make them more fashionable!

What has happened in this Teen Vogue issue, however, is that people saw this runway trend and it is now trickling down to ready-to-wear and moderately priced versions. During the trickle-down process, designs are often altered. I'm not feeling these alterations.

Please don't fall for the idea that clogs, just any kinda clogs, are cute just because they are 'trendy' right now.  If you find some that are actually nice....work it out & more power to you. BUT, please don't fall victim to this trend.

Here is former model/tv host, Alexa Chung, rocking clogs.

She looks great. I kinda feel like she just did this because it was a trend on the Chanel runway....like she may not have done this before! Buy hey, that's fashion!!

Have fun with it, but PLEASE don't fall victim!

Turbanista

I spotted this pic of June Ambrose, celeb stylist, a few weeks ago rocking this ultra-chic turban, and it struck a nerve.

I LOVE IT!!

Then I saw this image in a BCBGMaxazria catalog, that I recieved today.

(Sorry for lack of image sharpness)

Are turbans back from the 30's-50's era?? I sure hope so! So chic.

You must be bold to wear one, though. So many of us hide behind the safety of our hair.  If we don't have enough, we add more. To cover most, if not all of the hair, and reveal the features of the face is a bold move. It seems now, however, the modern girl's turban is worn with her hair down in the back or showing in some way. Us modern girls love our locks!

Either way, I'm all for it  = D

I think I NEED a turban!

(gorg)

(werk)

; )

STUNNING

Room for 1 more??!

Ok so....I follow Paris Hilton on Twitter. LOL, why you ask?? IDK, just thought it would be interesting to see what she has to say! 

So, she just posted pics of her animals in their 'doggie mansion!'

I'm freakin' jealous OK!! I mean their (the dogs/cats) house is nicer than mine!!

LOLOLOL

outside view

Wait...Marble floors??

Exquisite leather furniture....WHAT??

They have stairs to?? Who do they need to get away from? Gosh, they have their own house!!

And, oh yes!! Can't go with out the stripper pole!!

Lil' paws can't even grip it!

J/k, don't really know if that's really a stripper pole, but it sure does look like 1!

All I have to say is when can I move in?? Sheesh, they have a BALCONY! I don't even have a balcony.

I gotta go all they way down stairs, and open the door, to get some fresh air!

Life is so hard...

In all seriousness, I think this lil' doggie palace is too cute! =)

- @IveytheGREAT

Award Show Predictions

Instead of awing over the Oscar gowns, which I didn't find that intriguing, I decided to predict the dresses that will be worn next awards season (via the fall 2010 runway shows).  If I get any predictions correct I'll be happy.

Christian Siriano's ending number @ his fall 2010 show.

Oscars dress
Who I see in this: Zoe Saldana

Balmain gold dress

Grammy dress or Teen choice awards
I see this on: Victoria Beckham, Renee Zelweger

Marchesa always makes a woman look stunning!

I see Charlize Theron in this...going to one of those shows!

Badgley Mischka

This is an Anne Hathaway dress (in my mind) LOL. Either way, I see Rachel Zoe picking this for one of her clients.

A very OPULENT design by Louis Vuitton.

Oscar dress.

IDK who I see in this, but I can see this on the red carpet.

Reem Acra Dresses below!

I can see a starlet in her 40's wearing this! It's elegant, and not too revealing. Very appropriate for an older woman. She MUST have thin arms though. 

You may wear this dress IF and WHEN you have Sandra Bullock chances of winning an Oscar. LOL, it would look good with your little gold man!

Ok, I've grown tired of finding dresses for celebs to wear. Sheesh, they aren't paying me to be their stylist!!

Goodnight ; )

Old style

So the oldest person in America, Mary Josephine Ray, died Sunday.
She was 114 years old.
See her below.

OMG, I think she is so cute.
Seriously for a woman her age, the outfit is kinda rocking!! I know I'm a wierdo, but I can really see her thriving in the ROARING 20's.

Can't you?
She looks like a flapper... retired.
I think it's the short bob and the black fringe on her pocket.
The gold cane is so official too. I mean who do you know, that actually has to use a cane, that has one with that type of flair?? That's definitely not my grandmother's cane!

Feeling a flapper moment coming on!

Yea, that was her time!

And when you do the math, she was 24 in 1920...so I gonna go ahead and say she WAS flapping with the best of 'em!

Ciao

And this is why I ♥ her!!

OK! LOVE this look!

If you don't know already...

Rachel Zoe is one of my style icons.

Technically though, this is a Vera Wang Dress. BUT it's on Rachel soo...

I'm giving her credit for the look!

That is all.

The truth sets in...

Sometimes when tragedy happens, I know it happened, but I can't really accept and conceptualize it until I see it.

Well McQueen's funeral was yesterday, Thursday February 25. After seeing the pictures...I know it's REAL....it has really set in....it is a tragedy.

BUT BOY did the celeb attendees show OUT on the wardrobe level!!I don't want to take away the somberness of the situation, but I feel it's my DUTY to report on the fashion. I mean HELLO Ms. Daphne Guinness! Seen below. She showed out!

OK! Drama,Opulence.

Naomi Campbell

Chic.

Kate Moss

Rocking the fur.

Beyond the glitz and glam, this is a True Story of tragedy. A life stricken with pain and depression; a haunted life.

What's done has been done. May we all pray for his soul, for those affected, and for those others around the world who feel this type of depression and pain in their own lives.

Seek out those who you may be able to help, and I will try to do the same.

Amen.

I've been bitten!!

 By the Twitter bug that is....

Felt like I was missing out!

I use to think twitter was useless, stupid, another simple means for people to talk about themselves...

However, I'm starting to find reasons to join myself, so here I am...

Follow me @IveytheGREAT

Funny I use to think Facebook was stupid & Lame too, now me and Facebook are basically attached at the hip...LOL

Who KILLED Rodger Rabbit?

Yea, I don't think that PETA is really making a mark on fashion designers when it comes to the use of FUR!!

Designers fearlessly showed their affection for the plush, natural fibers of animal fur on the Fall 2010 runways.  I hate to say it, but I am LOVING the fur designs I've seen so far....Check it ↓

Thakoon

I can see Rachel Zoe LIVING in the coat on the left and the vest on the right....LIVING!

How chic is that fur dress. Very cute!

Marc Jacobs

Chanel Iman looks adorable in that look, and the fur skirt is SO bold!

But this black fur clutch was my favorite of this collection!

It is EVERYTHING!!

Michael Kors

Everyone at fashion week was saying that Michael Kors' Fall shows are always GrEaT!

I guess they were right, and it sucks I missed it!

Umm...YES Zac Posen, I will marry you!! LOL

The middle look reminds me of a chic version of Mary Tyler Moore...

just a thought : )

Zac Posen

Final thoughts....Yea, I dig the fur. 

PETA: You should be happy to know that at the current moment I can't afford a nice fur, so I REFUSE to purchase any! Hope I'm still on your good side ; )

WINNER(s)!!

I've chosen a winner for the 'Lacoste: Element of Style' Book

Drum roll please.....

Girl about Business!! You won!!
Good analysis on the show.

BUT WAIT....there's more ; )

I was gonna be greedy and keep two books, but I'm feeling extra generous so I'm giving the other to

Fashionista of the Future!!

Because it's your b-day, and you often contribute your thoughts to my blog! Appreciated!!

So email your mailing address to ivey.fashion@yahoo.com, and I'll get them to you as soon as I can.

Thanks for participating!!

A Stunning Black History Moment

I have much appreciation for this month called February! It is, after all, the month I decided  to grace the world with my presence.  It is also Black History Month.

I was watching 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge' last night on LMN, and thought "what a great representation of Fearless Passion in our black history!"

Oh, and what a glamorous BEAUTY icon!

Dandridge broke down several barriers in the entertainment industry. She scored the leading role in the first all black cast production, Carmen Jones.  From that role, Dandridge was nominated for Best Actress in the Academy Awards. She was the first black woman to receive this honor.

With her success, also came many struggles. She dated the producer of Carmen Jones, Otto Preminger, and it was a troubled relationship. I don't know why she dated him. He was NOT attractive, but I guess it was because of his power and persuasion. See them below with Dorothy's sister Vivian on left.

She had many successes in life, but at the peak of her stardom, her life quickly became very troublesome and ended with an untimely demise.

After watching her story, and reading this excerpt, I have gained much more admiration for Dorothy Dandridge. When you look at someone so famous and beautiful, you tend to think they have it all. That their life is as close to perfect as possible. Sometimes this is true, but in some cases they are suffering with their own personal battles that extend far beyond our imagination. God bless her soul...

If you haven't seen 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge', it is a MUST see!

 In Carmen Jones

In her memory...tear

My Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Experience (Giveaway inside!)

It was AMAZING!!!

I worked about 6 shows; would have done more, but I had to leave NY half-way through the week.

I'm happy that my 1st NY fashion week was the last at Bryant Park. Makes it even more memorable.

It was really interesting to see what all goes into the prepartaion, set-up, and dismantling of a larger scale fashion show.

I swear I haven't done that much physical labor in a while. Carrying heavy stuff, running through the cold to deliver stuff, making sure people are where they are supposed to be and not where they aren't, lifting, tearing, and more. All in all, it was physically draining, but mentally inspiring!! Met a lot of great people. I was constantly walking by celebrities like they were just average joes. Didn't have much time to talk, and...really I'm just NOT into the groupie thing!! It was funny to see how celebs interact though. One thing I learned from body language alone is that Wendy Williams does NOT like Kimora Lee Simons....LOL!!

One show that I wasn't expecting much from, but ended up loving was Lacoste. We all know Lacoste as the classically chic clothing line with LOTS of polos!! I was thinking I was gonna see a bunch of reconstructed polos or something, but the show was pretty good. The first few looks were head-to-toe cream/colorless. The clothes were cute but the color pallete was blah. But then BAM; Color! Pink, red, teal, blue, yellow. It was gorgoeus, and I liked the flow/progression of looks ; )

Color blocking...I also saw that trend in the BCBGMAXAZRIA collection, done differently of course!

GIVEAWAY TIME

Yay! My first blogger giveaway!!

I LOVE it because I worked the show, and I'm into fashion and history...

I'm giving away the Lacoste gift that was given to the guests of the show. Some shows have gift bags; Lacoste gave away 'Lacoste: The Element of Style' books.

Valued @ $50

"This book illuminates the contemporary relevance of the legacy of René Lacoste, who, in his glory days at the end of the Roaring Twenties, was the best tennis player in the world. A conqueror, an innovator, a designer, he always displayed a certain flair. And those qualities endure."

-From the press info.

It's pretty cool. As you can tell, I had to pull out the reader glasses....LOL!!!

Giving the red or green book to whoever wants...

Just let me know which color you want, and what you thought about the Lacoste show!

If more than 1 person is interested, I'll pick someone

on Monday Feb. 22!