It's My Wardrobe, I Can Wear What I Want To

As a stylist, I know that there are colors for every season as well as different materials, textures and wardrobe options that are more seasonally appropriate than others. Even though I know that these things still exist, I frankly could care less. Why, you ask?  Because I live in Texas!  The seasons themselves are confused, therefore my wardrobe options and day-to-day attire is even more confusing.

Apparently, the first day of Fall was on September 22nd, but the Texas weather Gods missed that memo. So in an effort to just embrace the season that I'm in and to rebel against Fall, I'm going to continue to wear my bright Spring and Summer colors. This is what I wore to my church women's conference, Flourish Lite...it looks like Miami in Dallas! I love it! What do you think? The motto: don't be afraid to mix and match colors, even if you feel like they will not go together. You never know what you'll come up with!

Outfit Details: Off the Shoulder Blouse by Gianni Bini (Dillards), Pants from Nordstrom Rack and Peep Toe Pumps by Fergilicious (DSW)

All Photos to be credited to: Meagan Frazier

Color Collision: Latino Fashion Week at Sisu Uptown Resort

I was honored to be attending and covering Latino Fashion Week on May 1, 2014 at Sisu Uptown Resort in Dallas. So what do you wear to an event that is outdoors, coined "fashion week" and surrounded by a swank and posh pool?  Well here's what I came up with.  I wanted to be colorful, vibrant and cool. I engaged in a little peek a boo action with my bra peeking through my sheer blouse--but all is fair in love and fashion right? Fashion is fun, fearless and all about taking risks. I topped my look off with this colorful and flirty bauble necklace by Prima Donna and I was just one big explosion of color--but they all ended up complimenting each other nicely.  I recommend trying these types of blends out if you tend to be timid with colors...you might just surprise yourself.

Studded Blouse: Daniel Rainn - Nordstrom Rack, Belt - The Limited (old), Floral Cream Skirt - The Limited, Peep Toe Pumps - Fergie Footwear from DSW, Bauble Necklace by Prima Donna, Earrings by Shop Jami / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

A closer look at my Prima Donna bauble necklace! / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

Left: Cesar Rolon, Co-Founder of Latino Fashion Week and me / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

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

Jay-Z in Dallas: The Carter Takeover is Now Complete

*Sigh* What can I say? I'm with Kid Fury on this one.  The Carters combined for 2013...have snatched my edges completely this year and left me bald.  I mean...first was Beyonce's concert in July and it was EVERYTHING!  It was non-stop dancing and singing for at least a couple of hours.

Then came the shocker on December 13, 2013 when Beyonce secretly dropped her album. It's a moment I will never forget.  I was late to work because I wasn't leaving until I downloaded all 32 items off of her visual album.  My productivity that day...was at an all-time low.  I drove to work in a daze....in shock that Beyonce had released an album and I had no clue.  At this point, I didn't need a Christmas present because Beyonce had just given me the ultimate Christmas gift...her album.

And then...came the Jay-Z concert on December 21, 2013. The last time I saw Jay-Z was when he came with Kanye for the Watch the Throne concert.  I have videos on my iPhone STILL from the concert it was so great. My last phone was at the brink of having zero memory and shutting down....it came between me losing my contacts or losing my Watch the Throne concert videos...and let's just say I deleted contacts.  The concert was just that great.

So what to wear to the newest Jay-Z concert? It was a little cold in Dallas but not cold enough for tights or anything so I opted to go balls to the wall with no tights and peep toe booties.  I think the outfit turned out pretty good.  And knowing that I would be completely turned up at the concert and probably sweating, I opted to layer just in case I needed to shed a layer or two. I think that a faux fur vest goes great over anything (t-shirt, blouse, dress, etc.) so you really can't go wrong.  You should definitely invest in one if you don't have one.

Layered a faux fur vest from Nordstrom Rack over a cowl-necked sweater dress; paired with Marco Santi peep toe boots purchased on sale from Hautelook.com / Clutch by Coach

I went to the concert with my girlfriend Marquea and as always, we screamed all of the lyrics at the top of our lungs and Jay-Z rocked it out.  One of the best concerts of 2013 for me.  He really knows how to get the crowd hype and the energy was just amazing.  If you missed the concert, then I'm sorry...it was crazy good!

You missed the concert?  So sad for you!

Marquea and I

A Day In The Life of a Charity/Fashion/Lifestyle Writer

I get asked a lot of questions or better yet told of how cool my job is and honestly, I couldn't feel more blessed to be able to do what I do everyday and to meet such an amazing and diverse group of people in the city of Dallas. So since inquiring minds want to know...I figured I would do a post about a typical Saturday OR a day where I'm slotted to cover several events at one time.  And since Dallas is SO huge...it ends up being 3-4 events in one day.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

• 6:30AM - wake up...fix my early morning cup of joe which normally rounds out to about 5 cups of coffee (I know...horrible habit)  Start to think about the events I have to cover, the people I'm going to meet and the questions I will ask.  At this point in time, I actually consider writing 1-2 articles/posts before heading out the door for the day.
• 9:00AM - hit the shower but not before skimming through social media to get a good laugh or to see what I can do to increase readership for the events that I will be covering for the day (What hashtags will I use, who I will tag and what are they already posting about their events)
• In between all of this, I have to carefully select a comfortable yet trendy outfit. Nothing is worse than being photographed as a "fashion writer" and you look everything less than fashionable.
• 10:00AM - bolt out the door to head to the grocery store to get canned goods for the first charity event.  Yes...most people will get things like this the day before...but with my life...I don't have time for that!
• 11:25AM - DETOUR!  Remembers that today is Nordstrom Rack's holiday sale and Kate Spade handbag/tote is on sale for $90!  Heads over to Nordstrom Rack...already knows where the purse is...scoops it up, gives troubling husband advice on what handbag to buy for his wife for Christmas, and is out in less than 10 minutes.

"Isn't she a beaut???" In my Cher from Clueless voice. haha Kate Spade tote for $90 from Nordstrom Rack..what a steal and worth making a detour for.

• 11:35AM - Starts to think....there was a clutch I left at Express and didn't buy last week that will look REALLY cute with my outfit for tonight's charity event...makes another DETOUR across the street to North Park Mall and picks up clutch. SCORE!

Express clutch for FREE 99!  After applying my Express coupon and remaining funds on my Express giftcard. SCORE!  I love the gold detailing on this clutch and its versatility.  It can be dressed up or down. If I didn't have the gift card it would have only cost me $22.

• Noon - arrives at Chili-anthropy charity event in Deep Ellum.  Scopes the scene, finds the organizer to make introductions, finds photographer for arrangements on post-event photos and then makes the room (with a cocktail of course) to get short interviews and gather info for a write-up. After I feel like I have enough content then I par-tay! Chili, Tequila and Fritos...FUNNERS!

Great friends...freezing our butts off for charity...thank God Jarrod's chili could warm us up! From left to right: Larry, Amber, Me and Jarrod at Chili-Anthropy charity event benefiting North Texas Food Bank

• 1:10PM - hauls butt from Deep Ellum to Frisco through traffic to make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Holiday fashion show for Miss Me Jeans. Looks at gas light...nope, can't make it to Frisco...will have to pull over and get gas!  Darn...especially when my GPS shows that I'm gonna get to the event at 2:03PM -  Anyone who knows me knows that I HATE being late...plus the event organizer made it VERY clear that the show was going to start on time promptly at 2:00PM. So....I'm not going to say what I did or how fast I went but....I made it to the event on time. LOL Was also excited to get a V.I.P. swag bag that included a pair of my very own Miss Me blinged out Jeans!

Me and the lovely ladies of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

• 3:30PM - head home for a quick nap before getting ready for the Trend Next charity fashion show benefiting Baylor Health Care Systems. Watched crap reality TV to unwind and tried to get in a quick hour and 15 minute nap before getting glammed up for Trend Next.
• 5:00PM - started getting ready for Trend Next...mulled over whether to go "natural girl", "vampy vixen" or "smokey-eye Kim K-ish". Decided to go with a smokey eye with vampire red lips...it was a hit! Finished up getting ready but couldn't head out the door without taking my journal with me to take notes on the event.  Have to mix business with pleasure!!!

My new ECO-FRIENDLY journal courtesy of one of my newest partners, Grapevine Mills Mall.  Small enough to throw into my clutch and go!  PERFECT FOR THE JOURNALIST ON THE GO!

• 6:45PM - arrive at the event...ready to see some awesome fashion, eat some gourmet food and support founder, Shamequia Cason, as she educates about organ donations and Baylor Health Care Systems. This event was fantastic!  Elegantly done and I am SO proud of all of the hard work that Shamequia did to have Trend Next (in my opinion) as one of the top fashion events in Dallas for the year.

Me posing at Trend Next.  Outfit Details from Head to Toe.  Earrings by Purple Aura Jewels, Necklace by Lia Sophia, Dress by Express, Clutch by Express, Textured tights and Booties by Steve Madden Girl from DSW
Photo Credit: Eden Russom (Love her!)

• 10:35PM - post updates to social media...eat my cookie from my swag bag from the event, fix a glass of Dr. Pepper 10 and CRASH!!!!!

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DALLAS FASHIONISTA JOURNALIST!  WAKE UP, REPEAT AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

Pretty in Peplum

Peplum is still an ongoing trend and one of my favorites.  I linked up with one of Dallas' top fashion photographers, Thomas Garza, (at a secret location) to showcase one of my favorite Vince Camuto peplum tops.  What do you guys think?

(Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography, Make-up by Melanie Latauska
Vince Camuto lace peplum top from Nordstrom Rack, Express jeggings & Enzo Angiolini peep toe pumps)

B.F.F. - Beyonce, Friends and Fellowship

The Queen Bey landed in Dallas yesterday and it feels like a year that my girlfriends and I have been waiting for the biggest concert to hit Dallas for 2013.  Me and my big sis, Marquea, have been anxiously waiting to enter the "bey-hive" and in preparation...it was an all-day affair.  

Beyonce Backdrop before Beyonce hit the stage. Photo Credit: Leah Frazier  Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas

From a pre-Beyonce brunch, to outfit planning to an all-week Beyonce jamfest...we were anxious for "Bey"-day to come.  True Beyonce fans to the fullest!

Old West Cafe Pre-Beyonce Brunch.  Banana Nut Pancake with Peanut Butter Maple Syrup...THE BEST PANCAKE EVER!

The Beyonce Crew outside of Old West Cafe (From left to right: Marquea, Kaeli and me)  My outfit details: sheer hi-lo blouse by Lush available at Nordstrom Rack, mustard jeggings from Express, Gold-Plated bow flats by Vince Camuto

As I look back on the pictures from our Beyonce Experience...I can do nothing but smile.  I shiver at the thought that people miss out on the simple things in life and what can truly bring happiness.  Don't get me wrong...Marquea and I LOVE to be fashionably dressed and freak out if we can't find the perfect handbag, but at the end of the day...cherishing a day with girlfriends, engaging in fellowship and bonding is one of the many blessings of life.  Developing and maintaining the relationships you have with family and friends is one of the purest ways to bring happiness into your life and is essentially at the root of how God has called us to love.

Waiting for the show to start.  Marquea, Dominique and me!  Outfit details: hi-lo sheer blouse by Lush available at Nordstrom Rack, Mona Leah couture pants available at Nordstrom Rack

Horrible Pic, but Mrs. Carter in the flesh singing Irreplaceable

My Little Blue Obsession

My blue obsession continues with a Daniel Rainn studded blouse from Nordstrom Rack, jetsetter jewelry by Chelsea Bond and heels by Steve Madden.  I'm also particularly pleased with how my twist-out turned out this time around (Big thanks to my big sis Marquea for giving me a new way to twist my hair) using the L.O.C. method ("Leave-In, Oil and Creme Moisturizer). Love!

Lately, I've been trying a lot of layering with different shades of the same colors.  So...even if I'm wearing one shade of blue with my top, I might do a lighter or a variation of blue for my accessories.  I've received a lot of compliments when I do this with blues and corals.  I'll post my pics of this as I continue to do it.