I Spy Pink

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Drama in my world today, could it be because of Friday the 13th (cue spooky music). Let’s lighten up the mood with a discussion about Pink. Not the artist, although I did see her perform her behind off last week. Take a look 🙂
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Pretty in Pink, I was told today. I Spy a few people wearing pink.  Not my favorite color, but I will try anything once, in the realm of fashion that is.

I woke up this morn, “without” a spring in my step and I reached for my pink sweater and a pair of what I call peachy pink pants I bought from Just Fab over a year ago.  I put these pants on several times but never liked the look, so never wore them.  I needed something bright, not requiring an iron and easy for what I had to get done this morning.  I admit the two  are of different shades of pink but it works in my eyes.  Balance it all out with a brown boot and in the words of Elephant man you are good to go.  What’s my motto?  Say it with me, keep it sexy and simple!

Let’s take a look at some Pink looks to warm up your look, check out these sites ladies Modcloth, My Wardrobe, Lulus

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Men, check out Mr. Porter for these great pink finds:

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How hot are these, what!! The price is hot also 🙂

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Love,
Pinky aka Danalee Francesca

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Erykah Badu New Face of Givenchy

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Does it always have to be Black vs White?  Apparently, the answer is yes for some people.  In that battle of races, white wins more times than not in the Fashion Industry, more specifically amongst models.  Surprising, in an environment that is driven by creativity and uniqueness there is still a lack of diversity.  For Riccardo Tisci he dances to a different tune.  He is the creative director of Givenchy and believes in supporting black models and hopes other labels will embrace the idea and do the same. 

Erykah Badu, although not known for being a model is certainly known for her beauty, great music and strong sense of style.  I applaude and congratulate her in this new endeavor.

Read more about it at Daily Mail!

Happy Friday the 13th,
~Danalee Francesca

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Velvet Inspiration

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I wore my DKNY velvet blouse today. Oversized, comfy goodness!  Was feeling for something with room,  warm and a tinge of cute. Ran into another lovely colleague with a like-minded wardrobe approach today wearing velvet slacks, looking very chic I might add. Attorneys are very stylish, contrary to the old style of how a traditional lawyer should look.

Velvet is a hot look during the holiday season.  For some reason, I think it gets a bad rap like its friend lace.  It can be worn both sexy and casual in my opinion.  You just have to make sure you buy the correct quality. Here’s a quick fabric lesson, velvet is traditionally made of silk, which makes it a better quality. However, it can be made with a mixture of many fabrics, synthetics, like polyester, viscose, acetate and others. It can also be made with cotton, usually called Velveteen, supposedly less luxurious but can still look great, just make sure it looks good in your eyes.

Here are some ideas from Polyvore, my eight picks range in price from $30 to $625, yikes! The white Ter Et Bantine dress is the higher priced one, chic but no need to break the bank, unless you absolutely must have it.

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Try it out, you won’t be disappointed!

Fashionably yours,
~Danalee Francesca

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Fashionable Relationships…Questions You Should Be Asking Before You Commit

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I picked up the November issue of Ebony Magazine on which the beautiful ladies of the Best Man Holiday adorn the cover. Great movie by the way that provided the audience with lots of lessons about relationships, choices and the consequences of those choices. Go see the movie if you haven’t already. While browsing through articles, I stumbled across an article about relationships and questions you should be asking your partner before you commit.

After reading the article I checked out the website, where the author, Mary Pender-Greene has 260 Questions that you should be asking yourself about your significant other or questions you should work into a conversation with him/her before you even consider marriage or a commitment.

I am by no means an expert but here are some lessons I have learned over time from talking to wiser people such as friends, family etc. that have lived and learned:

-Make sure you know the person for at least four seasons, because that allows you enough time to see all angles of a person, that way you know more about what they are like…4 seasons people! Don’t start off walking around like Bey & J, then end up like Naz & Kelis.

-You know that old saying (my Mom has it on replay in my ear) “when a person tells you who they are believe them!”  I agree, for example if they are outgoing social individuals they will most likely be like that throughout the relationship or if they have certain habits, the core of a person will unlikely change. If they are selfish, they will continue on that path. If they are generous, they will continue to be that way etc. etc

-Date, date, date & then date some more!!  If you have yet to meet the one, then date. The more you date the wider your pool of people so that you are not boxed in to one type of individual and also you develop a keen sense of spotting bull$!@ if and when it arrives, by then you will know how to diplomatically shut that door.

– A person being too perfect scares me! Obviously nothing is perfect, if it seems too perfect then you will soon find out about the imperfections. But the whole point of relationships is figuring out what imperfections you are willing to deal with for the sake of love, the relationship and ultimately marriage. Figure out your deal breakers!

Everyone has their reasons for being in a relationship, you would think love and happiness is the ultimate goal (in my world it is) however it’s not always for those reasons, hell some people just need their rent paid, or are looking to upgrade their career or lifestyle via their partner. It’s unfortunate that there is deception lurking in the midst of love, but that’s life. It’s up to you to be proactive about your relationships just as you are in other areas of your life. Regardless of your reasons for your relationship I would read the article and peruse the questions, you may find a new question you never thought about asking or pondering.

Here’s to having the best relationship, regardless of the imperfections, but you have to do the work!

Love,
~Danalee Francesca

“Men always remember a woman who caused them concern and uneasiness.” Coco Chanel

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Hump Day Wednesday’s

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What do you do on a day like this? Shop!  It’s the season for snow, it’s also my kryptonite. How best can you prepare for this enemy you ask? By equipping yourself with the cutest tools.  You can weather the storm and still look hella fabulous!  Here are some snow boots I have in mind for you my winter bunnies.

Women

North Face
$170

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Ugg
$160

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Target
$39.99

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Zappos
$150, these are called Joan of Arctic, how clever.

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Men I never forget about you. Check these out:

Hunter
$150
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DC Woodland
$95
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J Crew
$150
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North Face
$170
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Stay Warm,
~Danalee Francesca

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Embrace Your Fabulous

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You ever feel condemned for who you are, what you wear, how you wear your hair, how high you keep your head up etc.?  Do people make assumptions about what you are about?  Ever feel attacked for no apparent reason, meant to feel shut out?  Ever feel like you are in a competition you never even signed up for?

Listen up ladies and gents, if you answered yes to one or more of the above than welcome to life.  Well, it’s a portion of what goes on in life.  You can do one of two things: give in to the attacks or embrace your fabulous!  I choose and will always embrace my fabulous that encompasses a lot of good, a little bad *wink*, smart, sexy, sarcastic, fiesty, strong, creative, I could keep going, but you get it, everything!  I encourage you to always do the same.  Don’t bother explaining who you are to others, if they don’t get it they don’t get it.  By all means give others the same courtesy, if I don’t understand your fabulousity then it’s not for me to understand, doesn’t make you or me any less fab.  We just don’t mesh or perhaps they never took the time to understand who and what you are, that’s called making unfounded judgments. All the laughing you may hear when you walk by, the snide remarks, the undercuts, don’t mean a thing. Some of those same people would cower if the tables were turned. So, hold your head up high, laugh with them too, why not.

I always say if no one is saying a thing about you, you aren’t doing much. And if they spend all their valuable time minding your business, you know for a fact they aren’t doing much for themselves. If that last line pertains to you or people you know then tell them *subliminally* to “get your life, study your own Fabulous, stop watching mine.”

Embrace Your Fabulous, the good, the bad, the ugly, make no apologies ladies!

Fabulously yours,
~Danalee Francesca

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Skeletons In My Closet…

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Ha!  Did you think I was going to air some dirty laundry, well I am. But, it’s really no surprise that I have a love affair with fashion. I like putting outfits together, I admire how others put themselves together, it is a form of art and expression in my opinion. Confession, I don’t actually like the act of shopping, I like to get in and out of a store as quickly as possible. I don’t enjoy online shopping either. Strange, I know, so it’s a wonder how I have accumulated certain pieces. Purely one-off situations I must admit.

Every so often I take inventory, especially if I happen to add something to my closet. I like to give items away when I add something new. I still have clothes from High School that I wear. I think if you have a classic piece that can be used again, then it is a keeper. I don’t dress according to trend, I dress more according to my feeling so I always think everything is in style that’s why I have kept a lot of pieces throughout my life.

But, if you are anything like me you have a few skeletons in your closet that could be given away. Not because it’s old but because how much should you really keep and do you really need. My father still tells me you have one body…too funny but so true. How much does one person actually need. So pictured above are my bags of goodwill that I pray others can get use from.

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Click on link for info on this Goodwill Store and their mission to empower the community. Check your closet for items you may no longer need, that others can get use from. Oprah just did it, so you are in good company.

Fashionably yours,
DF

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Brooklyn Fashion Incubator @ Pratt Institute

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So, here is one more suggestion to add to the list I gave you in Sunday’s post. I gave designers a list of places they should research for production of their fashion lines at a low cost and within the States. I just read in the Wall Street Journal that Pratt will be opening a Fashion Incubator early next year.  More and more entrepreneurs are coming to Brooklyn.  Go BK!  This is truly the place to be. 

Low-cost rents that will provide mentoring and production space will range from $300 to $1500.  The space will live and breathe creativity and provide the best technology, such as:

-Laser Cutters
-3D Printers
-Sub-dye Printers
-Organic Dye Stations

How great is that!! Go Pratt!

Fashionably On Time,
Danalee Francesca

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