Light as a Feather

Kerry Washington attends the 2nd Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 19, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California.

Jennifer Lopez arrives at American Music Awards after-party on November 22, 2009.

Iman attends the The 2009 Women of the Year hosted by Glamour Magazine at Carnegie Hall on November 9, 2009 in New York City.

Rihanna makes a guest appearance on Norwegian TV show 'Skavlan' on January 21, 2010 in Oslo, Norway.

If you want to stand out form the crowd this Spring, feathers are the way forward. Nothing says, "I'm a fashion risk-taker" like a whispy, feather-tiered skirt or dress. The ladies above are already in the know. Whether it's conservative chic like Kerry Washington or abstract rebellion a la Rihanna, there are a myriad of ways to wear feathers. My favorite inspiration is from Jennifer Lopez. Turn up the glamour by pairing a feather skirt with a sequin corset for extra va va voom!

Smell Like a Star

Sarah Jessica Parker and her new fragrance "Covet."

Left to right: Diamonds by Emporio Armani, $64 for 3.4oz, www.macys.com; Unforgivable for Women by Sean John, $55 for 2.5oz, www.sephora.com; Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker, $52 for 1.5oz, www.nordstrom.com; Usher for Her, $52 for 1.7oz, www.sephora.com

Left to right: L by L.A.M.B. Fragrance By Gwen Stefani, $55 for 1.7oz, www.sephora.com; M by Mariah, $62.50 for 3.3oz, www.shop.elizabetharden.com; Baby Phat Golden Goddess by Kimora Lee Simmons, $52 for 3.4oz, www.babyphat.com; Glow by J Lo Gift Set, $60, www.macys.com

It isn’t enough to have mutli-platinum selling albums or number one movies. Now celebrities are almost expected to leverage their name to seemingly unrelated business ventures. Fashion lines, liquor and even car rims are all fair game, but the fragrance is the ultimate celebrity venture. What could be better than being immortalized into a sweet scent?

If stars aren’t making their own fragrances they're lending their status to promote others, a la Beyonce for Armani’s “Diamonds.” I have and love J Lo’s “Glow” and I’ve smelt Diddy’s “Unforgivable” – very spicy and not in a good way. As for the others I’m no expert, but I’ve heard great things about both Sarah Jessica Parker’s fragrances. Leave comments for your fellow readers about any of the brands above or others you love.

P.S. My all time favorite scent is “Blue” by Dolce & Gabbana. ;)

Yummy Mummy Part II

Garcelle Beauvais arriving at the premiere the film “Gone, baby, gone,” in Los Angeles, California, 08 October 2007.

Halle Berry arrives home after shopping for baby clothes on September 17th, 2007.

Jennifer Lopez shows off her baby bump at a Studio in Hollywood October 21st, 2007.

Keisha Epps and Mekhi Phifer’s wife Oni at Oni and Mekhi’s baby shower on October 7th, 2007.

After weeks of slowly collecting online finds, I finally put together a Maternity Wear post! I actually wrote a post a while back but it wasn’t as extensive as this one. Take inspiration from the ladies above who are effortlessly proving that pregnancy need not strip you of your fashion sensibilities. See below for more inspiration.

Waist Deep

Grey Ant’s Fall 2007 collection featured plenty of high-waisted pants.

Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Kelis are already on to this trend. Not sure what Kelis was thinking though with those Aladdin pants :(

Trend Alert: Forget high-waisted jeans, trousers are the victim of this latest trend. Perfect for the office, the high-waist teamed with a tucked in white wifebeater or crisp shirt make this trend classic and simple. Now if you have no waist this look isn’t best for you. The contrast between the nipped in waist and hips is what makes this look really pop. Never fear, regular waisted pants are still in fashion and I think no one should dare wear high-waisted pants that aren’t flared. Check out Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez for inspiration… Kelis is in a world of her own. Only she could get away with those pants!

JustSweet Spring 2008

I wasn’t aware that Jlo had changed the name of her company again. The line Sweetface is now being referred to as JustSweet, unless this is an altogether completely different clothing line but nobody tells me anything. In any case, I really enjoyed this collection. I always try and count how many pieces in a show I would actually wear and I would probably don 80% of what was on offer. Now I didn’t think much of the bowler hats or the spacewalking meets stripper platforms, but I was in love with all the 70s inspired dresses and tailored pants. Whether you’re a girlie-girl at heart or a hardcore diva there was something for everyone. And the best part? All the pieces range from $49 to $99. Who said looking good had to cost a fortune. JustSweet indeed.

Jeans 101: The High-Waist

Jennifer Lopez arriving at the MTV Studios in New York City on March 27, 2007.

Ciara hosts MTV's "TRL" at the MTV Studios in New York City on March 5, 2007.

Jessica Alba backstage at Power 106's breakfast with Big Boy and the cast of "Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer" on June 4, 2007. – Get the exact pair Jessica is wearing from www.shopintuition.com (see below).

Eve spotted in New York City last month.

This trend has me somewhat perplexed. At first I was a complete non-believer, but then I saw Jlo work her style magic outside the TRL studios, I quickly changed my opinion to “neutral.” Oh but soon thereafter Eve surfaced with these ultra high-waisted pair sending me right back into denim-induced anxiety. Now, having watched the jeans evolve and merge with other trends such as the wide-legged pant (see Jessica Alba and Ciara), I’m safely back in style bliss and even considering buying a pair of these controversial jeans. Watch this space.

Get Your Stunnas On...

Kelis rocking her then, new hairstyle and sunglasses… Work it!

Kerry Washington at the Luxottica Group Lounge during the 31st Annual Toronto International Film Festival last September.

Jennifer Lopez Launches Her New Album "Como Ama Una Mujer" in Barcelona over the weekend.

Gabrielle Union posing in the Sunglass Hut sponsor penthouse during the Sunglass Hut Swim Shows Miami at the Raleigh Hotel last Summer in Miami, Florida.

Vanessa Williams in Gucci 2932/s sunglasses at the Solstice Sunglass Boutique during at the 2006 American Music Awards last November.

It’s that time again. It’s officially spring and the sun is starting to peek through the clouds. I’m in desperate need of some new sunglasses. I like to buy a new pair every year but I have a Jackie Onasis pair that I love to death and I'll still be rocking them this summer. Aviator sunglasses are still 'in' but they really are no hard and fast rules when it comes to sunglasses fashion. It’s much more important to find a pair that compliment your face. See below for ideas.

Oscar Fashion… Be Kind!

Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose

Beyonce and Jada Pinkett-Smith

Keisha Whitaker and Queen Latifah

Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez

Oprah and Mary J. Blige at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Tracey Edmonds and Shaun Robinson

Rashida & Quincy Jones and Will & Jaden Smith

Tanika Ray and Forest & Keisha Whitaker

Djimon Hounsou and Eddie Murphy

623 seamstresses beaten and whipped, 537 stylists cursed, 469 shoes re-dyed, 313 nails chiseled and 165 curling irons burnt-out and it was, for the most part, worth it. Many will debate the necessity of Ms. Hudson’s gold jacket but if nothing else, she’s been reading this blog (see below!) No one dress blew me away but I loved the way Oprah, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce and Penelope Cruz looked.

Jada’s dress was disappointing. I’m not too sure what the bodice was all about. Keisha Whitaker's dress was ugly to me in the back with the roses but she still worked it and can someone explain to me who Shaun Robinson and Tanika Ray are?! Seriously, I see them all the time and I have no idea what they do.

Lasty, the men were sharp in their tuxes, bar Quincy. Wasn't Jaden so cute presenting an Oscar? I’m mad that Djimon didn’t win but at least he looked yummy. Don’t worry Djimon, you can always come cry on my shoulder!