NFL Game Day Style: Making Fan Gear Stylish

So what do you do when you have your favorite NFL team's jersey or tee but want to spice it up just a bit for an extra added style factor? Ditch the ordinary jeans and tee recipe and go for a more edgier and feminine approach by adding statement jewelry, heels and of course leather!

Image Credit: NFLShop.com

I was asked by Vogue to come up with an NFL game day style for my home team which would be the Dallas Cowboys! As I drew inspiration from how celebrity Jordin Sparks styled her game day look (pictured below), I came up with a sweet and edgy combo.

Shades: Tom Ford from Hautelook

Jacket: H&M

Liquid Leggings: TopShop

Studded Heels: Shoedazzle

Statement Necklace: Black Beauty Accessories

How would you style your favorite NFL team? Would you go fun and flirty in a skirt like Jordin or edgy and rebellious in leather like me?

Photo Credit: Meagan Frazier

Bey-Inspired: Beyonce In Dallas Inspiration for the On The Run Tour

It's Bey-Day!  It's finally here and I can't wait!  I am a huge Beyonce "stan" and in honor of the On the Run tour coming to Dallas today, I decided to do a special blog post dedicated to Bey. I wanted to mix a little bit of my own style into the pieces as well as channeling what I thought Beyonce would do if she were here in Dallas doing a photoshoot in Deep Ellum. I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I had fun shooting them. "Leah-Yonce'" all on ya mouth like liquor!

"Partition"

"SuperPower"

"Flawless"

"Party"

"Independent Woman"

"Haunted"

"Mine"

"I Miss You"

"Naughty Girl"

"XO"

"Fin"

and of course, I found an excellent lip balm at Piermarini Boutique labeled "XO" that I'll be wearing to the concert and may even start applying once Beyonce sings her "XO" song...just sayin'!!!!

XO Lip Balm purchased at Piermarini Boutique in Snider Plaza

All Photos Taken By: Ashleigh Ray

Outfit Details:

Hat by H&M, Studded Bracelet by RedibyChelsea Jewelry (Happy Hour Edition), Shirt by: Madison and Berkeley available at Nordstrom Galleria Dallas, Shorts by 7 for All Mankind purchased at Saks Off Fifth, Sexy Thigh Highs by Vienne Milano, Boots by Charles David, Chain Necklace by TopShop and Shades by Karen Walker purchased at Nicole Kwon Concept Boutique

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

This Chic is Bananas, No Really She Is: Shirin Askari Spring Summer Collection Tee

I was first introduced to Dallas designer and previous Project Runway Season 6 contestant Shirin Askari as I toured the different showrooms during Market Week at Dallas Market Center. Shirin showed us her new Spring/Summer 2014 collection which included a ton of colorful prints and patterns and then I saw this shirt "This Chic is Bananas"...which stuck out like a sore thumb but I loved it! When you're at the showroom, it's typically for buyers or retailers to purchase apparel..not just regular ole Joe Shmoe's like you and me to go in and buy.  So I left the showroom with this shirt on my mind.

Yes, I'm sitting on a teddy bear in the middle of the park..straight randomness! / T-shirt, Shirin Askari / Skirt, H&M / Studded Heels, Nine West (old)

  Fast forward to several weeks ago, when Front Door Fashion announced that Shirin was going to have a trunk show at their showroom. SCORE! I already knew I was buying this shirt. It totally explains me to a "T". All of my friends know that I am completely cray...or bananas as either Rachel Zoe or the shirt would explain it.

So I bought the shirt and while it was a splurge for a basic tee, you really can't beat the quality and the softness of this t-shirt.  It's not 100% cotton so I don't have to worry about it shrinking and only getting one use out of it.  Also--I probably should have gotten the tee in a size smaller...it's super roomy, but hey...just in case I fatkid it up and gain weight, I have room, right?

It's easily paired with jeans or with a leather studded skirt like I have on.  Put on a colorful bauble necklace to add color and you're good to go!

Anyways, check the Shirin Askari collection out and let me know if you're feeling the newest addition to my t-shirt collection.

*All images taken by Thomas Garza for Thomas Garza Photography*

Does This Skirt Make My Butt Look Big?

So I went into H&M several weeks ago to get this sweater that I had my eye on.  I've been into this big print movement and just wanted to try it out.  It's a huge oversized sweater that I can wear with a skirt or with leggings/jeggings.

All H&M Everything...Large Over-sized sweater, Leather skirt with Studs and textured tights

So of course I go into H&M and the sweater is only $14.95...so excited! If I'm going to wear a large oversized top then I always make sure to slim my bottom so that I don't look large.  It's a way of balancing the whole look out. So this leather studded skirt from H&M was perfect in mixing in a more fitted bottom and balancing out the huge sweater on top. If I ever want to slim it out, I can add a belt around the middle. The whole look was under $50, so score!

J. Brand Jeans, Tootsies Blogger's Brunch and New Friends

Tootsies Blogger's Brunch 12.4.2013 - featuring a special presentation by J. Brand Jeans (Model wearing: Blouse by Alexis and J. Brand Jeans)  PHOTO CREDIT: LEAH FRAZIER

Tootsies invited roughly 20 Dallas fashion bloggers on December 4, 2013 inside its store for a special bloggers brunch and I was so excited to be one of them.  We received first hand tips from J. Brand's guru, Oscar--who has fitted J. Brand jeans for Madonna, Serena Williams, Kelly Ripa and Beyonce.

My name tag from the event...they spelled my name wrong but who cares...it's still a pretty big deal!

After the event I am officially in LOVE with J. Brand's jeans and I can not wait to get my first pair.  There is a pair called "Photo Ready"...it has 4 times the amount of stretch (Thank god!) and makes you look 1 to 2 sizes skinnier.  I can't wait to get these jeans and to take pics for this blog!  Especially since I have been going SUPER HARD on the holiday eating. (oops!)

Tootsies treated us like royalty...an awesome swag bag with a $50 gift card to Tootsies, Nicole Miller iPhone 5 case cover, sunglasses, etc. Also, I really enjoyed meeting all of the other Dallas fashion bloggers. They were all friendly and so super excited to network and to connect with other bloggers.  There was no competitive air and I was so encouraged that these women looked at me as a friend rather than rolling their eyes in envy or jealousy as women can get when we are all after the same thing.  There was nothing but DALLAS BLOGGER LOVE in the air!

Me and Dallas writer, Teia Collier (My Outfit details: Necklace, Express; Polka-Dotted Blouse, H&M; Jeggings, Express; Boots, Nine West)

Me and Dallas fashion blogger, Meredith Govea of Create That Outfit (she was super sweet and will always get my support here in town!)

Welp...just another day and another fashion event in Dallas..until next time!  Ciao fashionistas!!!

I've got the blues

So clearly I have an obsession with blue accessories being paired with black and white outfits....I've got the blues.....

Necklace: Jetsetter Jewelry by Chelsea Bond, Top: H&M

Necklace: Lia Sophia, Chain Leather Bracelet: Jetsetter Jewelry by Chelsea Bond, Bottom Bracelet: H&M