Experiencing Ellie Kai: A Must for Every Woman's Wardrobe

Just as Diane von Furstenberg was revolutionary for women's fashion in her creation of the iconic wrap dress, I predict and will stand firm by it that Ellie Kai is not too far behind in being one of the top brands to truly fit a woman's body like a glove. When I first experienced Ellie Kai, I was invited to an exclusive trunk show at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel. I had a million things to do that day (as always), so really only had planned to walk in, browse and pick up a lookbook to go through later. Need I say...this did not happen.

Necklace and serpent bracelet: Stella and Dot, Shoes: Nine West (old), Clutch: Susu Handbags, Shades: Banana Republic (old), Rose Gold Watch: Caravelle New York

I chose two colorful prints from the Ellie Kai collection to try on. One was a bold turquoise dress covered in chevron prints and the other was a blend of navy, cream and pinks in chevron prints. The material was as smooth as butter and included nylon to create the perfect stretch over my body. I'm a rather curvy girl with a little junk in my trunk. When I say that every single dress that I tried on, fit me perfectly with no alterations needed, I was completely in awe.

I began to wonder. Why have I never heard of Ellie Kai?  Then I started thinking of my clients...every one of these women needs these dresses in their wardrobe!  The collection has everything from business casual looks to vacation maxis and even blouses and skirts! 

What I love most about Ellie Kai and what I really try to embed in each and every one of my clients is the concept of individuality and exclusivity. With an Ellie Kai dress, you get to choose the fabric, choose the color, prints and the style. It would be extremely rare that I would walk up and down the streets of Dallas and see another woman in my exact same dress--something that I adore. On top of the fact that the dresses are custom-made to order, it completely ensures that my dress will fit my body perfectly.

As I predicted earlier, once more women catch on to Ellie Kai, it will be a complete domino effect. Pieces are online and available via trunk shows. For more information on this cutting edge brand, please visit www.elliekai.com.

All Photos Taken By: Thomas Garza for Thomas Garza Photography

Making a Crop Top Work For You: How I Conquered My Fear of Belly Exposure

Every woman has insecurities about their bodies, and mine is and always will be my mid-section.  No matter how hard I work out or how many diets I do, I just can't seem to find that happy medium for my belly. (See my Eat Clean Challenge post for more deets on how despite my insecurities, I slimmed my mid-section down) So lately, the crop top trend has made a fierce comeback and they are being spotted everywhere. I would always see them on everybody and think, "That looks cute for them...but not for me."

Standing with my girl Mindy Loll, top luxury consignment seller for Ebay (left) / Photography by Crystal Chatmon

So fancy this...I'm in H&M browsing and I spot this really cute and flowy crop top in white.  My brain starts to go 90 miles a minute on how to style it. So I pick up a pair of high-waisted shorts and head to the fitting room to see how this "trend" would fare on my taller frame and wider mid-section area. The high-waisted look was definitely key. It covered just enough of my belly to keep my most secure lower belly covered but revealed just enough to make the trend work for me. It was sexy and classy all in one...not revealing too much.

Photography by Crystal Chatmon

The next night, I head out to the Ese Azenabor fashion show with some of Dallas' most stylish...and I decide to try the darn thing out.  I ended up pairing it with my striped Limited high-waisted skirt and pops of coral with my necklace by Stella and Dot. It was a hit!  I received so many compliments.  Now I'm rummaging through my closet to find more high-waisted shorts, pants, etc. so that I can wear it again. (Check out my write-up of the Ese Azenabor fashion show here...amazing!)  

Me and Dallas media personality, Vanna Collins / Photography by Crystal Chatmon

All that being said...take a risk!  You may find yourself thoroughly surprised.  Make the trend work for you! For most of us, all we will need to do is pair the crop top with a high-waisted bottom...and for those who have bodies like Jillian Michaels...well, you can definitely sport a low-waisted bottom and expose the entire mid-section. Not me!  All that to say, I've conquered the crop top...I wonder what I can conquer next...the body con dress????  Hmmm......

Mindy Loll and I

Not So Nautical

The trend right now for spring and summer is everything nautical. From navy colors to stripes, I'm seeing tons of nautical-inspired fashions everywhere. Last week, I bought two skirts from The Limited which currently has a huge selection of blouses, skirts and dresses that flow well with the nautical trend. My outfit below started out nautical with my skirt but then I paired it with my cognac colored Via Spiga sandals and cognac belt and then it veered off into a completely different direction. Add in my mustard Brahmin bag and I'm everything but a nautical inspiration.  Oops!  Guess I'll just have to give the nautical look another try, another day.  But for now...I got a TON of compliments on my outfit and especially on my gladiator sandals...so I guess it was a hit after all!

My nautical meets gladiator look: Flower Necklace by Stella & Dot, striped tank from Nordstrom Rack, striped skirt from The Limited, belt from Nordstrom, gladiator sandals by Via Spiga, mustard shoulder bag by Brahmin

All That Glitters Is Gold

Coming up with this year's New Year's party outfit was a bit difficult because the venue for the party I was attending was between casual and "God knows what."  So I figured you can't go wrong with mixing a little sequin bling with some faux leather and an awesome blazer.  One thing I've learned...you can NEVER go wrong when you fall back on your go-to blazer.  Whether casual or dressy, the blazer can absolutely make the outfit.

Express Clutch, Express sequined camisole and Michael Antonio black and gold shoes from DSW

Arm Candy!!!! Featuring Stella and Dot wrap around serpent bracelet and gold-plated accessories by Jetsetter Happy Hour Jewelry

I ended up attending the NY g(EE) celebration...so thoughtfully named after my good friend and local Dallas musician Larry g(EE).  I couldn't wait to rock it out with him and my friends...so much that I went ahead and packed his CD in my clutch so that I could jam all the songs while I was en route to the venue.

Once I arrived, it was all over.  I was in full party mode and ready to bring in the new year with all of my friends.  I was double sure to wear an outfit that I could dance the night away in and also peel layers just in case I started to get hot and sweat. While at the party, I just kept thinking over and over just how blessed I have been.  God NEVER ceases to amaze me.  I have an incredible group of friends and supporters here in Dallas and one thing that 2013 taught me was that when one door closes, don't sweat it.  God has an even BIGGER and BETTER door that he is preparing me for. I have a list literally a mile long of doors that were shut in my face in 2013 and how God delivered me to even better and greener pastures--beyond my imagination.  And when you're surrounded by great family and friends...what's there to be sour or disappointed about?

Chelsea Bond (Red-i by Chelsea Jewelry), Me and the best Publicist in town, Amber LaFrance (Culture-Hype)

Am I really that tall...or is Chelsea just teeny-weeny?  Good Lord woman!

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...and then dance the night away!

2013 was everything that I could have hoped for.  I've learned so many lessons from God and about myself through failed opportunities and experiences that I am anxious about moving forward into 2014 and never looking back.  I can't wait until this time next year where I can look back once again and see just how far He has brought me.

Life is for the living.  What are you waiting for?  Get out there and make your dreams come true! Happy New Year!

Fashion for Compassion - Love Thy Neighbor

Several days ago, I attended my first Muslim fashion show.  The title was called "Fashion for Compassion" and it was geared towards fashions for the modest and conservative woman.  As I got ready for this event, I ignorantly thought that this was going to be like all Dallas fashion events so I got dressed to the nines in high-waisted shorts from Urban Outfitters, a low v-necked blouse by The Limited and studded ankle-strapped heels from Nine West.  Little did I know, one of my many life lessons was lying ahead of me.

Medina Bib Necklace - Stella & Dot, V-Necked Black Blouse - The Limited, Polka Dot Pleated High Waisted Shorts - Urban Outfitters

Studded Ankle-Strapped Heels - Nine West

Upon arrival to the event, I exited my car and entered the event only to be one of the few with excess skin exposed.  Most women were adorned in embellished tunics and floor-length dresses with their heads covered by some of the most beautiful scarves I've ever seen.  Quickly my idea of what was "dressed to the nines" or what was "beautiful" began to change.

I have NEVER committed a fashion violation, as I always adhere to the recommended attire for the event so this was the first time that I needed to be apprehended by the fashion police.  Could it be that I was too self-absorbed to have actually thought that I would have needed to be more modest for this event?  Could it have been that I was too vain to think that at a Muslim fashion event there would still be American-influenced fashion principles, where at times the less clothes you wear the more beautiful or accepted we are?  In that moment, feeling embarrassed was an understatement.  I'm a fashion writer for SEVERAL publications, so committing a fashion violation is not something that I do...but in that moment I was forced to reflect.

Fashion for Compassion, Dallas Contemporary 6/1/2013; Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

Fashion for Compassion, Dallas Contemporary 6/1/2013; Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

As I watched the fashions come down the runway, I was moved to tears.  These women were the epitome of elegance and beauty.  They were confident, vibrant and shining from the inside out.  I wanted to be that woman.  How is it that they were covered from head to toe but some of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen?  They were being seen without being seen (if that makes since.) This is entirely backwards from everything that has been ingrained in my head for all of these years.

Fashion for Compassion taught me above all, compassion and respect for other cultures; that the old saying "Less is More" is so true.  These women were stunning--only showing the outlines of their faces and leaving much to be desired; but this in itself made them goddesses and some of the most gorgeous women I have encountered.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous... ~1 Peter 3:8

This event started out as just another fashion event that I was covering but literally within hours changed my perception of beauty and what it meant to love my fellow sisters as we all look to achieve the same goals and aspirations for ourselves.  It taught me to step outside of myself, my culture, my spirituality and my lifestyle to embrace others and their quest for self-expression.  Now more than ever, the phrase "Love they neighbor" has taken on a whole new meaning and as I progress through life in this world of fashion and dating, I can rest easy knowing that modesty and conservative approaches with style can speak louder volumes than anything I could have ever imagined.