Oxfords

Hello Fashionistas! 

Today I'm featuring the very popular on trend oxfords. I know a lot of you are going to disagree with me on this post, but I'm always going to give you my honest opinion here, I don't like flat oxfords. There, I said it.


I don't like the lows....

Classic black & white oxford (anyone feeling nostalgic?)

                                                                                 

 Lots of celebrities are photographed around town wearing oxfords:

(left to right) Keri Hilson, Jessica Alba (see my blog post on Fedoras to the rescue) And Olivia Palermo.

...But I definitely love the highs:

 Oxford (classic black & white) - Aldo

Isola Coralia high heel oxford $210 - Nordstrom

Two tone Oxford (good look for the Fall) - Anthropologie 

 Oxford - BCBgirls;

You can wear this in the Fall with tights, don't let a little open-toe scare you.

Alexandra oxford (perfect for Fall/Winter) $176 - Yoox 

Casadei oxford $780 - Endless

This shoe is ooh la la, love it.

Fendi square toe platform oxford $1120 - Barneys

 You can find oxfords in pretty much every department stores or online; the ones featured here today are ones that I feel are ultra fabulous. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Jacksonville Urban League

This was a wonderful event that benefited knots4kids and JUL Head Start, held at the ultra-fabulous One Ocean Resort Hotel. Cocktail attire was the requirement and these ladies delivered with their own uniqueness. Gone are the days of plain black cocktail dresses; today it's about adding colors and accessorizing.

Local business owner Nereida Herring and Fiechia Crosby enjoying the mixer.

On Nereida: Fitted black dress with flower- patterned detailing.

On Fiechia: Sexy little red number, with black accessories.

Side Note: Nereida is a zumba instructor and it shows.

Nereida Herring and Monica Roberts

The always fierce Monica is wearing a curve-hugging black cocktail dress. Notice the beautiful stone embellishments at the neckline - that added bling is what makes this dress stand-out.

 

       Showstopper, Christina Robinson.



 Necklace: Macy's

Blouse: Forever 21

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Clutch: Target

I loved the color choices here - bright blue blouse with the pink skirt  - then to top it off, the candy apple red Jessica Simpson heels. Overall, fabulous!

For more fashion pictures from this event, check out: 904happyhour

                                                                                    

                                                                                           

Amy's Closet Sale

Amy Albritton, gracious and always stylish host.

Jessica Simpson heels

Guess slingback heels

Keandra Ewing, originally from Dallas, TX is a singer and songwriter. She currently works with Inner-city youths and is "passionate about helping them become all that God has created them to be".

 Unique necklaces by a once local fashion designer:

Small Dooney & Bourke bag

 Kathy Van Zeeland  handbag

 Betsey Johnson handbag

Guess handbag

                                                                    

        Kathy Van Zeeland. I love this bag.

We all had such a fun time rummaging through Amy's closet. She has such a wonderful collection of stylish pieces and designer brands. Tons of unique necklaces, bags, clothes and shoes to choose from. I'm sure all the other ladies will agree with me when I say: let us know when you are ready to purge your closet again :)

Fashion Designer Crystal Cooper

Local fashion designer, Crystal Cooper, makes custom designer dresses and red carpet remakes for a fraction of the cost. Her company is Inspired Life By Crystal; a truly talented seamstress with an eye for detail. I was very lucky to be invited by Darlene Smith, to the closed set photo shoot for her clothing line debut.

(Left to right) Darlene Smith, Martha Tellez (model), Crystal Cooper (fashion designer) and Katelin Shore (model)

Darlene sprucing up Martha's hair before the shoot

Martha knows how to work a camera

Dress: Crystal Cooper, original. This is a fun party/cocktail dress. Colors: black trim, lime green with black and white patterns.

Shoes - Michael Kors

Darlene having a bit of fun on set

Katelin gives great angles

 Dress: Crystal Cooper, original. Greek influenced, modern day toga. Color: cocoa with dark brown glitter string to tie.

 Shoes - Guess (see previous post on Guess)

Darlene showed up on set looking stylish herself; Flower and faux pearl headband; Authentic Pearl necklace (imported). Belt by New York & Company. Dress (A "last minute find") from Burlington Coat Factory.

Brahmin bag

Darlene suggested this photo shoot and coordinated the entire event seamlessly. She is a local Hair Stylist and Kevin Murphy Gold Key Educator. She is one of a few that carry the complete line of products. You can find her studio "Beauty by Darlene", inside Mosaic Salon Studios to purchase any product, including, Color Bug, the latest temporary hair coloring craze. The updos were all done without pins or rubber bands. Darlene has a unique method to make an updo "do what it do".

Sarah Dial, owner and photographer at Dial Photography was amazing!

Contact Crystal Cooper for your one-of-a-kind dress/dresses and for red carpet remakes. You can also call: 904-307-6190. 

Hair by: Darlene Smith of Beauty by Darlene can be reached via her website. She used Kevin Murphy products in the models' hair.

Make-up provided by: Erin, of Artistry by Erin. You can make an appointment via her website or in person at MAC, located at Dillard's (Town Center location). 

Endo Exo

Endo Exo, located in Jacksonville, FL has been revamped. I haven't been in years until just recently...new owners are awesome! Went to support a local band called The Katz Downstairz. Take a listen:

"I'm with the band" 

The drummer for The Katz Downstairz, Don Green

The outdoor seating is great for socializing and listening to the live band. The DJ inside mixes it up with reggae, hip hop and old school.

Avanta Williams, former model - should change her status to current model - is working this dress.

 BCBG one arm dress; Color: Fuchsia

Accessories: Topshop.com (NYC)

                              

 Strike a pose!                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                      

Fiechia Crosby and Monica Roberts 

take a pic with the co-owner, Troy.

                                      Tony, local barber, out to support the band

Shoes: Jessica Simpson
                                 

Necklace: Givenchy

These ladies are always fierce!

Photo of Avanta Williams was provided by Marlen Adams

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Belt
Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag

I was out at a local restaurant the other day, having a few laughs with some close friends when I noticed at the table next to us, a young lady had her Louis bag on the ground. Not on the back of her chair, in her lap or hanging from one of those purse hangers (side note: great invention) but sitting on the dirty floor of the restaurant. Is that anyway to care for a luxury brand item? I had to call my fashionista cousin in New York; she was appalled as I was. No surprise there, she is a Louis Vuitton enthusiast.  

Check out these 2 bags that I think would be great for the Fall:



 Neo Papillon GM, Calf Leather - $3950

Color - Green

Pochette Chaine Renard, Soft Fox Fur - $6300

A lot of designers are using fur for their Fall/Winter collections; I've seen it on skirts, boots and handbags.

Picture at the top of the page was provided by my cousin, a New York fashionista, who shall remain nameless. No worries, she's not in shop-a-holics anonymous (not yet anyway).

Guess?

Guess brings back fond memories of my high school days. Who remembers when a class-mate would walk up to you in the hall and say "guess what?" and you would reply, "what!" excited to hear a bit of gossip; only to have the question repeated, "guess what?" Now in annoyance you would repeat "what!" After a minute of this back and forth you would realize you were the butt of the joke because splashed across your chest would be the words "guess" written for everyone to see. Now Guess is celebrating 30 years, and I have to wonder if founder Paul Marciano, dreamt of this success when he shot his first campaign with Claudia Schiffer back in 1989.

The must-have boots for this upcoming Fall/Winter:

Guess Farnellis boots - $199.00

I love the unusual shade of this satchel. The color is summery, however it makes a nice transition into the bleaker seasons. 



Guess Dream Maker Satchel - $128

Until the weather changes, I will be wearing my open-toe, high-heeled sandals...



                                                                               

 by Guess