Doing Me

”Hey Girl!!
 My fashion questions for you are: what made you choose fashion and how do you keep up with the trendz to know what's hot and what's not?” 
 - Kimberly M. 

 Hey Girl.... 
I have been in love with clothes,beautiful jewel tones and everything fashion since before I can even remember. (My older sister reminds me of all these super embarrassing early ”fashion”moments she is eagerly awaiting to unleash at random gatherings. Oh geez I can't wait.. Total sarcasm) I just love the feeling I get when I know everything looks impeccable and it has my own personal spin. As I got older, my body changed and I had a hard time finding jeans, slacks... Practically any bottoms to fit my bottom. No pun intended!! This totally drove me crazy and I enrolled into a sewing class. One class led to another and another. The more classes I took, the more I wanted the bigger picture....Fashion Designer. 

 As far as trends and knowing what to try and what to skip... I start with tear sheets. Tear sheets are basically tearing looks(clothes, possible outfit combinations, makeup, shoes, or accsesories) from magazines, art clippings etc that I feel inspired by. I keep them in files and use when I need inspiration. I call this my research. Fashion magazines or websites are also great tools for keeping current on what the trends are. Fashion trends come and go super fast, so I tend to keep my basic staple pieces stocked. It makes adding trends so much more fun and sensible. When it comes to choosing what trends to add to my wardrobe and which ones to leave alone... I try things that work well for my body shape, which is a pear, and my skin's yellow undertone. If any color or silhouette doesn't work well with these two things, then I automatically toss it. Grabbing pieces or trends that work against what I have going on is counter-productive. If it catches my eye, then I make minor tweaks so it goes with my body. I try to keep it super simple. 

"see my style it varies like drugs in an alley..." -Lil' Wayne 


Smooches
Xoxo,

Tina



For all of your fashion, style or natural hair questions email me @jadedkisses2523@gmail.com for a chance to have your questions featured 

Black Out

”Dear Jk, 
I am a self proclaimed diva in training. I love shopping and getting the best deals but I always end up with the same pieces or it's all black. How can I jazz up my clothes and keep my wardrobe fun? Smooches, Cassie J. "


 Good Morning, Cassie!!! 
Many people have this same issue. So, don't feel alone. As a stylist, the first thing I do when taking on a new client is do a closet inventory. Taking a strict inventory of all that you have allows you to get a physical number of how many ,what you have and what you may be missing. I encourage everyone to do this once a year at minimum. Knowing exactly what you have and keeping record of what you do not have is a tool that can be used when you go shopping. If you have 12 black Cashmere sweaters then grabbing another would defeat your shopping mission. 

 As far as having an all black wardrobe, that could be your style signature. Most fashionable people have one or two things that they keep as a staple. Whether it be a cocktail ring, turtlenecks, white tees etc. So, wearing all black could be yours. If you want to add more color, I suggest starting with your accessories and shoes. It gives you freedom to be as eccentric or as calm as you wish. You can also see how you like the colors or patterns before you buy that new dress or whatever. Next, just add color gradually. You can swap out a black blouse for a sapphire blue one. Keep switching pieces and you will not only update your closet but also eliminate the all black. Side note: If you are a diyer, you could embellish a few of your pieces. For example, If you have several black skirts, grab one and add sequins or rhinestones to embellish the waitband. Boom!!! Immediate jazziness!! 


Hope this helps 
 Xoxo, Tina 


 For all your style and fashion questions, email them to jadedkisses2523@gmail.com

Changing It Up A Bit

I have been natural for a while now and finally decided to do a sew-in weave myself. I decided this would be an additional tool to allow my hair underneath to remain protected and still look great for the upcoming holidays. I will leave this in until I either grow tired of this straight look or lose my mind from beating my head.... It itches like none other. Trust. I have had sew-ins before and I full well know the pros and cons. I am happy with it. What do you think? Xoxo, Tina

Lakewood's Designed to Shine Fashion Show

 
As time eased closer to the start of the show, people poured in by the hundreds to get to their seats. Smoked filled the air and the lights were bright. I was escorted to the media section and received a special pass to skip all the lines and hoopla in the front. I had never been inside of Lakewood Church before so every step I took was an awesome one,like Dorothy on the Yellow Brick road except I didn't have a little cute dog hanging out with me... But I digress.... Here's the pictures of my night, from start to finish!!! Enjoy

People beginning to arrive

 

The EVER Gorgeous Pastor Victoria Osteen

 

 

Our Lovely Mc of the Night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Awesome color blocking in the most fabulous way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Channel 2 News Anchor Dominique Sasche

 

 

 

 

 

Who doesn't love a little fur!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Duncan singing, This little Light of Mines

 
 

 

 

After the show... is the VIP lounge area

 

 

 

 

 These ladies were so fun and great to be around!!

 

 

 

Posing for the camera with Pastor Osteen!!! She was great to be around. Her love just beams over you... I love it!!

 

 

 

Pastor Victoria Osteen with Imani

 

The Designed to Shine event proceeds help get the word out about literacy. The numbers are staggering of people who can't read or can't read on their appropriate levels. Child and adults as well are having a chance through programs like this to read and get better paying jobs. I totally love it. After seeing people in my immediate circle who struggle with reading and then attending this event. It makes me ask,"What can I do to help?" I came to the show for fashion and left with a purpose...

 

 

 

XOXO, Tina 

Disney On Ice-Treasure Trove Flash Giveaway

c 2012 Money Saving Parent/Lisa Carey - used by permission[/caption]

Weighing In

Hello Lovelies!!!


Is anyone on a lifestyle change journey? I am not happy with where I am currently. I can't even  use the excuse that I just had a baby anymore.  GG is almost 3 years old and running around having full conversations. Most people seemed shocked when I tell them my current size or weight. My cholesterol, blood pressure and etc are great. So, it's not a "I'm on the verge of a heart attack" thing. I just want to do better. I truly enjoy cooking and eating a diverse menu of foods and spices. With all the things that I enjoy, I am quite sure I can come up with healthier options. Learning what to eat and better ways of preparing my and my families meals is just as important as anything else in my life.
As a designer, I know how to dress my body to hide my imperfections but enough is enough... Knowing how to disguise what I don't like is one thing and my health is another. Here's to health and long life.


With all this said, I will be starting a healthy lifestyle change...


Anyone else out there that feels the same as I do?

Monday Blues

The question that I got this week was a pretty cool one.

Dear JK,
I love trendy pieces but never know how to get my look together. How can I incorporate trends into my everyday look without looking stupid. Getting dressed in the mornings take forever and I never feel like I look pulled together.

Yours truly,
JS


The answer is super simple. I say start with your basics and build from there piece by piece.In most cases, all you need is a little tweak here and there....

When you look into your closet, you should see a great foundation of organized pieces that you can easily mix and match together. If not, here's where the issue lies.

                    My go to staples

Jeans in dark denim. These should in a classic straight leg cut and undistressed. These transition super easy from day to night and all in between. You should have some for your heels and some just in case you choose to wear flats.

Proper Undergarments; This goes without saying... If your goodies aren't in the proper baskets then the rest of the outfit goes downhill super fast.
Bras;Get the girls measured once a year and have a stash of black and nude/flesh colored bras that won't show under lighter colored fabrics.
Sweetie, there is nothing worse than seeing bunched up panties thru some slacks or jeans. They make no-show undies for this sole purpose...

Trench coat in basic colors like Black, Khaki or Navy. These are easy grab and go items.  Trench coats aren't just for the rain or cold weather. INSTANTLY!!


3 piece suit that can be broken down into separates because you never know when you will need a blazer or etc. These work great together but can also work independently with other items. This should be in basic colors as well. The skirt should be a straight skirt or a simple A-line skirt.

T-shirts,blouses and camisoles:  No explanation needed here


Scarves: these are multi-use pieces... This can go from a scarf to a shrug to a head wrap or belt in a matter of minutes. All this takes is some creativity


White Button Down Shirts: No explanation needed here either. Just think of this as a staple and that you just need it in your closet


Shoes: a black closed toe pump, a wedge and a flat

Most important piece of jewelry ever: a stud type earring



             Now, let me explain why..


With you basics together it makes it  easier to bring in additional trendier pieces to go with and it gives your ensemble more depth.

Having a good base just makes it easier to add fun pieces.

In my honest opinion, what good does it do to have a gazillion trendy items if you have nothing

to pair it with? Having you closet organized by what you love the most and already put into possible outfits can help take a hunk of time from your getting dressed in the morning....

Happy Monday

XOXO, Tina

Katy Mills Celebrates Women Fashion Show

My night in pictures! I had such a great time hanging out with the ladies of Houston Fashion Bloggers.

This show showcased fall trends from stores within the mall. Here are my favorite looks.

                                           
         Aren't these the cutest!! I had mines on lock!!

YUM! These were THE BOMB.com!!

DRANKS!!! MMM HMMM!!

Liquid Leggings!!! I Die!!! LOVE!!!

Faux fur vest was so HOTT!!

And I definitely mean in a GREAT way

I had such a great time

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them!!

Until Next time...

XOXO, Tina

Wearing Winter Whites

I have been on the edge of my seat just waiting for the questions to roll in. And roll in they did!! Majority of them pertained to wearing white during this upcoming winter season. White!!!! White!!!! White!!! Omg, I love it.

1. Can you wear white during the fall/winter season?

2. If you are not wearing white, what other colors can be respectfully worn?

3. What's the deal with no white after Labor Day?

After seeing so many great designers who have fearlessly used white in their F/W 12-13 collections, I am pleased to say YES WHITE IS STILL IN!!! If wearing white just isn't your thing, then there are several other colors that are equally FIERCE!! In my arsenal of color crayons,(... Just Kidding) acceptable shades include but aren't limited to: bone, eggshell, cream, ivory, vanilla, khaki,camel and even gold... YES GOLD!! You can also add loads of texture. I say go for it. Changing things up a bit is fun at any age.

The whole hoopla surrounding no white after Labor Day is a big toss up. Some say it started as a way to separate social classes, due to the fact that most middle and low class citizens couldn't afford to change their clothes several times a year. The wealthy had 2 sets of wardrobes; one for the spring/summer and another for fall/winter. It has also been said that it was just that white got just too dirty to wear because of the weather. And again this goes back to social class status. Working class people wearing white while doing their day to day work just was not ideal to continue to wear white.

 Chanel

 Alexandre' Vaultier

All in all, I believe that if you are fearless enough to wear white this Fall/Winter season... Do it!! Fashion rules are meant to be broken!!

XOXO 'til next time Lovelies!!!
Tina

HAPPY MONDAY LOVES!!

Photo Credits
www.chinadaily.com/cn
www.benjaminkanareblog.com