Happy First Day of Summer! Top Ten 2013 Summer Essentials!

Hello LeMahogany Readers!  It's the first day of summer!  I'm sure that vacations are planned, BBQ parties and pool parties are scheduled, beach days are set with the main objective of having: Fun in the Sun!  Here are some Summer 2013 must do's and haves to make your summer one of the best, yet!

1. Get Some Fun Sunnies!  Cat Eye and Mirrored Sunglasses!

Mirrored Sunglasses

'Gumpy the Cat ' Style Sunnies

2.  Hydrate with tasty Ice Cubes! 

Mint & Lime Juice Cubes. Your  Ice tea or water will never be the same!

3. Befriend Summer Stripes!

Fun Stripes!

4. Got some summer time! Volunteer!

Whether its at a homeless shelter, senior center, animal rescue center or tutoring your time is needed this summer!
So DO something to help someone else other than yourselves! 

5. Summer Reading is a must!

Books!

Whether its fashion books, autobiography, fiction or for self improvement summer reading is a must!  Turn off the TV and turn on with a book. LeMahogany Summer reading 2013 list coming soon!  Check out last years' Lemahogany's summer '12 reading list : SU' Reading 2012

6.  Dance..... particularly to Daft Punk (#thankmelater)

Crank your favorite summer jams and let yourself go for a bit! Have a dance party moment or two!

7.  Bright Neon Satchels! You will never lose your purse again! 

Great to carry! I'm becoming an over the shoulder strap purse carrying kind of gal!  And they keep you organized many have different compartments to put you stuff in.

 8. Enjoy Summer Life! For those who are live in the Northeast of the United States...we are lucky to get a good at least three months of Summer Sun, so ENJOY it!

You only get one! Make time for the ones you love! 

9. Braid it up!  

Fishtail it, box it, braid it, plait it...no matter how you twist and turn your hair, its the summer look!  (that's me on the lower right)

10. Get a great sandal heel after a great pedi of course!

I am loving the simplistic ankle strap heel right now.  So elegant on and dresses up anything you wear.

So there you have it! Top 10 Summer Essentials! Have a safe and fun summer!

XOXO!

LeMahogany's Closet! Open for Business!

Yes, its finally open and ready for business!  Le Mahogany's Closet is my new resale shop where I sale: Vintage, Gently worn, thirftied store items  http://lemahogany.storenvy.com/

Listen,  I have way too many items that I've worn probably once or twice in my life.  And since my 31st birthday has come and gone I'm getting a bit too old for some the things I had hanging in my closet.   New look and style is needed for me and what better way then to give to you!  

Fierce Heels!

Fun Scarves!

My Black Dress 

(too big no longer able to fit)

And much, much more!

http://lemahogany.storenvy.com/

I just went through my jewelry over the holiday weekend and lets just say I'm down to one jewelry tree and instead of  3. Lol!

So, take a look around, cyber shop, follow! LeMahogany's Closet it the ultimate! http://lemahogany.storenvy.com/
Check out my Facebook Page with fun style tips, trends and other features in and about the shop!  https://www.facebook.com/LeMahoganysCloset?ref=hl

"The Door" A short fashion film featuring Miu Miu Spring 2013

Film directed by Ava Duvernay

Bad Break-up? It's nothing like some good girlfriends to pull you through the rough times. I absolutely loved this short silent fashion film called "The Door" featuring some great starlets: Alfre Woodard, Gabrielle Union, singer-songwriter Goapele, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Adepero Oduye. What a beautiful film featuring some amazing pieces from Miu Miu Spring 2013 Collection!

Winter Floral

Me. 1st Outfit post. ^_^

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is keeping warm from this freezing Arctic air.  This is my first outfit post and have decided to incorporate more of them into LeMahogany Fashionista!  What's a fashionsita blog without outfit posts, right?  I thought about starting in my very own closet.  You will be amazed what you can find to put together with what you have...or maybe that is just me.

I decided to use a color story of Grey, Black and White.  I've had these Floral Skinnies for about a year and never wore them.

  LeMahogany Style Tip: Teaming up a busy pattern at the bottom and leaving the top sort of plain really makes a great look.  

Inspiration for Outfit

A frosty look for inspiration along with this Arctic Cold = A warm and fun outfit to wear out and about.

Stay warm LeMahogany readers!

P.S. Some of these featured items will be on sale in my LeMahogany Closet opening February 18th! 

FLOTUS: Inauguration 2013'

"We as a country asked for his hand in marriage and he decided to marry us all over again" - Bill Maher 

That about sums up the 2013' Inauguration.  A great speech, great musical performers including BEYONCE killing the Star Spangle banner and Mrs. O and the Jason Wu dress.....again! FLOTUS is a great believer in recycling designers and I respect and love her fashion choice selections.  She just doesn't go wrong.  This was head on.  Perfect floor length of the gown , the ruby red color showing off her amazing arms and shoulders along with her glowing skin and her hair with BANGS love, love, love the look! She looks younger and fresher.  Ready for another four years?!  My answer is Yes! 

2013 Jason Wu and 2009 Jason Wu.  
Which one do you like better?

Jason Wu's original sketch for FLOTUS

Let's capture the best moment of the day:  Al Green with Jennifer Hudson singing, the undeniable cuteness of the President and the First Lady's PDA and Jason Wu Rudy Red dress flowing as they groove the night away.  Happy Four more Years! And Congratulations, Mr. President! 

Le Mahogany's Closet

COMING SOON!

The Gentleman Theory: My Fall 13' Menswear Favorite Burberry

I absolutely love a man who knows how to dress. A well dressed man really heightens the or my senses.  It's sort of a radar for me: a tailored single breasted slate grey suit with a Windsor knotted tie. (Nostrils flared)  Or a relaxed style of a crisp white button down shirt with a black skinny tie and black creased dress pant....(already drooling).  Men's fashions has really evolved.

Over the past years it seems men are sort of stepping up their game when it comes to how they look. Details are being payed attention to.  Groomings are a must instead of when you would need to go somewhere nice.  The Basketball and Football jerseys are now strictly for the courts or games instead worn out in public.  

Burberry Menswear Fall 13'

Burberry Menswear Fall 2013'

Should we thank Mr. Beckham or Mr. West for making fashion a second sense to have?  Is it now a turn to the modern day dapper?  

I decided to take my turn at illustrating men to see what I come up with......drawing men is more difficult then I thought............. I am practicing. ^_^

Olivia Pope's Style: How a Gladiator in a Suit should look

I will give you 6 reasons why I love this show!

1. Olivia Pope is one powerful Being and this Being..... happens to be a woman

2. Olivia Popes character as a very powerful woman played by  Kerry Washington her delivery's impeccable. 

3. The writing's amazing! So, many catch phrases!

4. Drama, Drama, Drama for a good change no ridiculous and senseless  reality for once

5. Olivia's wardrobe gets better and better in every episode

6. Olivia Pope's style. (period)

Here's the secret equation:  The Utilization of Soft colors + Great Tailoring = a Gladiator in Suit. Polished. Clean. Elegant. Warrior (Woman) 

Bravo to the Costume designer Lyn Paolo who does an amazing job at styling Olivia Pope's character.  Of course with the utilization of great designers of Escada, Valentino, Christian Dior and Armani helps as well.  Olivia's scene: Washington D.C. particularly within the confines of the White House, (Olivia's stomping ground ) is very hard knocks, cut throat and deceiving. With lots of secrets and scandalous details of some affairs mixed with love and/or political issues. Olivia's a fixer. She comes in like a beautiful angel delivering some Cold, Hard Facts of political and some non political issues and Wow! She's good.  I mean really good....ridiculously good because her role as fixer she tends to samurai slay any situation or persons involved to get the job done.  She's direct, cut throat and unapologetic and I love every bit of this character.  And she does her job well.  She's literally a lethal weapon dressed up in Armani and Valentino jacket with bouncy hair and an angel face. A force to NOT be reckoned with.

Her use of neutral colors adds the perfect femininity and power. The great new power suit for women.  Look powerful but at the same time a woman! Yes!

I understand Valentino, Armani and Prada may not be in every body's budget.  Don't fret!  I believe you can still get the look for a great price. An outfit post from me will be featured to get the look for less soon.  Happy Scandal Season!  On ABC on Thursdays at 10 pm EST.  Don't miss it, its a great show!

Pre-Fall 13' Fave: Donna Karan

There's something very alluring about volume in fabrics.  I 'm seeing a lot of shapes forming this Pre-Fall 13' and it makes me wonder what's around the corner from my favorite fashion designers this season.  February just around the bend and NYFW will be set to run its course soon! I have to say that I fell in love Donna Karan pre-fall 13' looks.

So much so that I started prepping to illustrate two of my favorites tonight.

Loving the va, va, va volume to the coat and the crop jacket with the see through cutout dress. It is Divine!  Let the painting begin.  Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Evening readers

XOXO! 

Mini Fierce Portraits On Sale in my Etsy Shop!

Summer: Mini Portrait Art Illustration by Me (Robin)

Hey Le Mahogany Readers!

Exciting news! For those of you who may or may not know I have an Etsy shop that I sell my original art illustrations out of.  The mini portraits are 4x4 in size so they are prefect for your work desk or at home! Most are fashion oriented in which I started a collection called Fierce Portraits. I have recently decided to make some Minis!  They come with an mini art easel as well. Check out my shop! Many great illustrations I've done and continue to do.  I am constantly moving my art pieces in and out and adding new ones so check daily!

www.etsy.com/shop/lemahogany

Thanks everyone for your continued support of Le Mahogany and Le Mahogany Illustrations!
Much more to come! XOXOXO! 

Top Ten Trends of 2012 ( Le Mahogany Edition)

1.) Caviar Anyone?  Caviar Nails Fun ^_^

I'm sure some of you may have tried this and probably still picking up the micro beads from the kitchen floor or vacuuming them up from time to time.   I have yet to try to do this but, caviar nails looked like so much fun this year.   I hope this trends continues on to 2013. 

check out this video if your looking for a kit by Ciate  you can find it at Sephora or order this UK brand on Ciate website. 

2.)Wedge Sneakers 

It was when I saw the Beyonce Video (Love on Top) that's when  I feel in love.  Who made those amazing black wedge sneakers she's dancing in?  

*Que the lightening thoughts that came in my head as I watched the video. 

"I have to have them" 

"Look at how they are made, they are so fly" 

"They are so adorable"  

"Ahhh! I have to have them!"  

Followed by a bit of drooling I finally got to my senses and went right to researching on-line and found a bit of information on the Isabel Marant  sneakers that Beyonce wore including the $750 to $895 price tags. Pretty steep for sneaks. Way more then Jordan's.  Luckily, I do have some practical senses and decided to get a pair that were more affordable and comfortable.  

I recommend checking out: Aldo, Steve Maddens along with Target and Charlotte Russe

3 and 4)  Ombre Hair and the Fishtail Braid

Ombre meaning: : having colors or tones that shade into each other —used especially of fabrics in which the color is graduated from light to dark

— ombré noun

Or  from dark to light and with hair, not fabric :o)

The Fishtail Braid.  About two years ago I blog posted about The Amazing Braid! 

Who could not love this complicated style of braid.  So chic! 

Stop n' Stare at Blake Lively

Angela Simmons looks adorable. 

Here's a fishtail braid tutorial for any of you brave souls with longer hair that wants to try.
Tutorial By UK beauty blogger: Jennie Jenkins.

5.)  Metallic Tip Heels and Flats

Metallic Tip flats or heels can go a long way with any outfit.  

6 and 7) Collared (Jeweled) Shirts and Statement Necklaces

The bolder the better.

A bit of a lioness...

Statement Necklace, the bolder the better. Love Shala Monroque

Found some great finds at shops like H&M and Charlotte Russe. Check them out! 

8 and 9.) The Bold Lip and The Peplum Top

I believe the bold color lip is here to stay for awhile.  My personal favorite is the Red Lizard NARS lipstick. It can be your bff for the long nights its has a fantastic finish to my lips not too much but not so little that you can't tell what color it is.  

BOOM! Its that "in your face!" that I love.  

The Peplum Top.  So feminine and chic. For a curvy girl like myself I thought the Peplum top would make me look even more wider but its a perfect look. Pictured below is Tanesha, the creator of Girls With Curves Blog. 

10.) The Birkin (like) Bag

True story. For this beautiful pad lock Law Bag....I was on a list.  Like a person who was about to purchase a Birkin Bag.  I didn't know anybody at JustFab.com to pull some strings for me but, man for about a month I waited for this bag to be available.   The color was perfect, the size was everything I needed it for my 9-5.  Just Perfect. So impatiently, I ended up getting a black one instead.  

Still a beauty though. 

And that's it Le Mahogany readers my top ten of 2012.  I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Years' Eve. Be ready for 2013!  The future is evident and in your hands take control, blueprint your dreams and keep it moving forward!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!