Dreamlight: Awkward Black Girl

Are you awkward? Aren't we all just a little? Even if you won't admit your awkwardness, you will love this online show. The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl follows the life of J, and her everyday experiences with personal-space-invading coworkers, overbearing bosses, interracial dating, making new friends, and more. A friend of mine put me on to the show and now I'm hooked. It's laugh-out-loud funny and so true. Check out all of the episodes at www.awkwardblackgirl.com.

New Fall Lookbook: Lulu's "Crossing Sunset"

Lulu's newest fall lookbook, "Crossing Sunset" has some cute ideas. Funky prints, autumn-weather shorts, and plenty of texture. Check it out here.

DIY Dreams: Neon Shoe Updates

As we head into the end of summer and fall items begin to flood our fashion consciousness, we look at our summer wardrobes and try to find new ways to wear what we already have. (I have to save pennies for new fall boots, coats, and more!)
I came across a Refinery29 post that I loved. Creative blogger Ashley4Emergy was featured in a DIY piece on how to update your shoes with cool neon accents. It's a cheap-chic way to update your things without splurging on something new.
Check out her how-to blog post here.

**Note, photo and idea belong to Ashley4Emergy. See previous link for her info.

In Your Dreams: T.J.Maxx

You've got to love it when you find great things for a price that is too good to be true. The places I most often find such deals are at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. My first job at 16 was actually at a Marshalls in Richmond, VA. I think that's why I'm so good at knowing how to look for things there. This week I found some really great things at T.J. Maxx, including an adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs swimsuit. The suit, normally $94 each piece, was $45 total.



Dreamy Duds: Eastern Market

Anyone who loves accessories knows that they can become the focal piece of the entire outfit. So anytime I come across fun or unique pieces at a reasonable price, I want everything! Such was the case for me on a recent trip to Eastern Market, a weekly, weekend flea market in Southeast D.C.

My favorite booth there so far belongs to the ladies of Be You Fashions (above). Their jewelry, both affordable and fabulous, made me swoon. Many of their pieces mimic current pricier designer looks, and others are more vintage-looking.  They also have a fabulous selection of hats as can be seen in the photo above. Check out my great finds after the jump.

Can You Spot A Fake? The Wall Street Journal Shows You How

You thought you were getting a "great" deal. Turns out that street vendor or E-Bay sale suckered you, BIG TIME.  The Wall Street Journal explains how to tell if the person selling those "designer" duds is giving you a steal, or if they are stealing from you. Check out the video...

The Thrift Store Tour: ROCK IT AGAIN

Fashion is ever-evolving, growing, and repeating itself. Making fashion into your own personal style involves getting to know all of the types of fashion out there. One way to upgrade your style in a funky new way is to try thrift, vintage, and consignment shops for "new" finds.

My very first store on the Thrift Store Tour was Rock It Again in Washington, D.C. On U Street NW, this store is comfortably situated between several quaint shops, several of them also vintage. This makes my job a little easier too. The first thing one will notice when entering the boutique is how neat and organized it is. Carrying both men's and women's items, shoes, bags, hats, and more are all neatly displayed.

Back at it!!!

I've been gone for a minute, but I'm now back better than ever for you guys! I have so much to share. The best of which is my new regular feature entitled "The Thrift Store Tour" where I will be visiting thrift, vintage, and consignment shops to see what truly great finds can be uncovered.

Look out for this new regular feature and many more great things from the I Dream of Labels blog!

See you soon~

Idreamoflabels

Shoe Dreams: Alejandro Ingelmo Python Pump

These Alejandro Ingelmo Python Platform Pumps are alllll I need right now. #sigh. Retail: $525. Get them at Intermix.

Shoe Dreams: Pura Lopez Peach Suede Platform Wedge

I like this one so much I think I think I'll make it my new logo shoe. #POW.

Photo courtesy of Intermix. Price $395. Shop online here.

Dreamlight-- Vogue Spread: The Life Rhapsodic

I wanted to do a post on the stunning March 2011 Vogue photo spread entitled "The Life Rhapsodic" because I was blown away by the gorgeous images of all the beautiful brown-skinned models and artists featured in vibrant S/S 2011 fashions. The photographs, taken by Norman Jean Roy, are gorgeous, happy, and, more importantly, make me want those clothes!

In researching this spread I came across a post on POSHGLAM! that said so eloquently all that I had planned to say. So, check out the article and more photos here.

Here is a list of models and artists featured in the spread:
Savion Glover (Dancer, Broadway and film Actor)
John John Legend (Grammy-winning Recording Artist)
Antonio Douthit (Dancer, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)
Colson Whitehead (Writer)
Anthony Mackie (Broadway and film Actor)
Ajak Deng (Model)
Anais Mali (Model)
Arlenis Sosa (Model)
Chanel Iman (Model)
Jourdan Dunn (Model)
Joan Smalls (Model) - see my post on this popular young model here.

Beyoncé, Beyoncé

Seriously, why would they do this? My all-time favorite cover of Beyonce' from Vanity Fair's 2005 Hip-Hop issue, has been pilfered and re-used six years later by Cosmopolitan UK for its April 2011 edition. This is also the cover that was controversial due to Vanity Fair being accused of digitally lightening the superstar's skin tone.

This smacks of laziness. Just take a new picture.

No Minorities?...That's fine...

This is one instance where I feel it is perfectly OK that there are no minorities in a particular fashion ad campaign. The new ad for Chanel S/S 2011 depicts a handsome young man spraying 2 young ladies with a water hose in what appears to be a back yard.
Now honestly, no black girl (or Hispanic, etc.) would be giggling demurely while someone wets up her HAIR and her $6000+ Chanel boucle suit and classic quilted Chanel purse.
It just wouldn't be believable. So, I say that's fine...carry on without us. ;o)

Dreamlight: Adele - "Someone Like You"

Words cannot describe how much this song speaks to me. Check out Adele performing "Someone Like You" live in her own home. Breathtaking.

Dreamy: Rihanna's Birthday Dress

I NEED to know who makes this dress! It's sexy, fun, and adorable.

Rihanna sported this lovely creation for her Birthday on Feb 23rd in L.A. at a private residence. Although that mop on her head nearly killed the whole look, the fabness of the dress definitely saved the day.

I'm on a hunt to find out who made this perfectly fitted creation...

If you know please leave a comment!!

UPDATE: A reader brought to my attention that this dress is from the Mark Fast SS/2011 collection! Check out the runway look below.

Dreamlight: OPI New Release-Pirates of the Caribbean and Silver SHATTER!

I swear OPI drops colors like labels drop albums. They have us looking forward to the "release dates" like we're waiting on a Kanye album! I'm not mad. Their choices are FAB. And just like albums, there are bootlegged versions as well (ahem--China Glaze Crackle, lol)...Hey, some of us ARE on a budget.

The black version of OPI's SHATTER clearly did well since it sold out at many locations (I was only able to find mine on Amazon).

Now in May, they are releasing a silver version, as well as a delightful pastel range from their Pirates of the Caribbean collection. Check them out below. The first two are my faves.

Sidebar: I wonder if the recent tragic incidents with the Somali pirates will cause the movie (and the OPI line) to be pushed back. Hmm...

In order: Mermaid Tears, Skull and Gloss Bones, Stranger Tides, Planks a Lot, Sparrow Me the Drama, Steady as She Rose

Shoe Dreams: Giuseppe Zanotti

#dope.

Photo courtesy of Intermix.

Dreamlight: Yanko Design Wall Art Chair

Style and Function? Is there still such a combination? Yanko Design thinks so. Its Wall Art Chairs are pretty genious. Small studio apartments, swanky new-wave offices, art galleries are all places that would benefit from the form and space-saving functionality of these nifty chairs. Great idea. Love the color options too. One is a wood design with a saw pictured on one and a tree on the matching mate. The other is a newspaper-esque collage of words in black and white. Check them out.

Dreamlight: Joan Smalls

This girl is fab! Joan Smalls is rocketing to stardom with over 40 shows booked for this Fashion Week season. Add that to editorials in both US and Paris Vogue, ad campaigns for Roberto Cavalli, Gap, Gucci, and Estee Lauder and you have the makings of a super star career. The black and Puerto Rican beauty was also recently asked by Essence magazine to keep a photo diary of her experiences during Fashion week. Check it out here.

See Joan appear in Ricky Martin's video for "It's Alright" earlier in her career:

Ricky Martin It's Alright
Uploaded by djoik. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Dreamlight: Street Etiquette

So apparently I'm late. Street Etiquette is all the rage and I only today discovered them. Check out this awesome blog. These guys have impeccable fashion sense and fab photography skills! They've been featured in several magazines and ad campaigns as well. I'm already working on finding out more about them. Nice!

Fashion Week F/W 2011

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 is but a few days away. I wonder which collections will peak my interest this season. I'm excited to check out my usuals...Marc Jacobs (all 3 of his lines: Marc by Marc, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton), Chloe, Burberry, Rodarte, Balmain. But I'm also looking forward to checking out some other lines to which I haven't previously paid attention...and that are gaining popularity.

Rebecca Minkoff looks like she will have some fab entries from the previews I've seen. Those envelope clutches with the studs are to DIE for.

Also, London Designer Duro Olowu will be doing his first New York Fashion Week show this season and many are excited to see what he will bring.

And we certainly can't forget about the 30th anniversary celebration for Michael Kors!

Now who's got my tickets to go?? ;o)