I’m sure many of you saw this on the blogosphere yesterday. But just in case I’m the only blog you read (tee hee hee), Solange Knowles has been tapped to appear in  Madewell’s next ad campaign, “Mix Well. Madewell”.  Knowles will be featured in Madewell’s ads and catalog which will debut in September. Although I see they have already posted the looks on their site. You can shop them here.

Check out a behind the scenes video of the production shoot. You guys already know I heart Ms. Knowles.

It’s so good to see brands reaching out to more women of color. I love seeing the diversity.

Most of you know that Nicole Richie is one of my style muses. If you don’t know, then now you do! I have posted about her several times on this blog.  So of course I was too geeked when I found out that she is designing a collection for Macy’s Impulse.

The collection is launching in September and will be sold in 100 select Macy’s stores as well as online. It will include Nicole’s signature style of flowy fabrics keeping to the aesthetic that she uses in her House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate collections.

Who would have thought the girl who was a walking fashion disaster during her stint on The Simple Life would turn into such a fashion maven? I can’t even be mad.  Get your money girl!

To see more about Nicole Richie’s upcoming collection, check out the full story on WWD and take a look at the recently released sketches.

Image source

Target is known for its great collaborations with high end designers such as Rodarte, Jason Wu and Missoni. But now they have added luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus, to their list of designer collaborations.  The two retailers have included 24 American CFDA designers to create limited-edition gift items.  Prices will range from $7.99 to $499.99, with most items under $60. Although the prices will be reasonable, the designers will not be skimping on the materials.  The materials will include real leather and silk, hand beading, hand-blown glass and 18K gold.

The collection will include items from the following designers:

Pencil this into your calendars! All of the 50-plus Holiday Collection will be available for sale on December 1, at Neiman Marcus stores, Target stores, NeimanMarcus.com and Target.com. This is so exciting. I love that I will have more than one place to shop at from the designers.

Image Source

It’s not a teen-weeny afro, but it is a teeny afro. I’m not into stretching my hair like many naturals, so I just let my hair do what it wants to do. Since I only wash it once every week, this is how it ends up looking the closer I get to wash day. It shrinks up more and more everyday after washing.  My hair would shrink up back into its cuticle if it could.

I love my hair in all its stages.  When it has hang time, when it’s in a puff, when it’s rocking a fro-hawk, wet & go and of course a teeny fro.

Outfit: Route 69 Top | Lauren Conrad Denim Shorts | Swatch Watch | Forever21 Sunglasses | Vintage Bracelet & Earrings

Check out my new shoes I picked up from Payless Shoe Source.  I hope they aren’t too Pamela Anderson-esque.  They were such a bargain that I couldn’t leave them at the store.  I paid around $35 total for both pairs.  Payless is having their BOGO sale and I used a 20% off coupon that I quickly found on my iPhone while I was standing in line.  This is a little trick I use whenever I’m shopping in a store.  I search “printable coupons” for whatever store I need.  Most stores will honor the coupon and take the code right from your phone.  Try it next time you are shopping.

The first day of summer came in a scorcher. The temperature in NYC peaked at 90 degrees.  I finally had a chance to wear the lovely Tracy Reese dress I picked up from her sample sale. Since I don’t have a boo thang to take my pictures like most of the fashion bloggers, I did a little self photography on my rooftop with my remote in the heat. 

Tracy Reese Dress | Express Tank | Forever 21 Wedges | Michael Kors Watch

The below pictures are of me playing around with Photoshop.  They turned out pretty snazzy.

How did you keep cool on the first day of summer?

Oscar and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson is slated to launch a new clothing line on QVC.  The line geared for women of all shapes and sizes will debut in September according to WWD.

"I feel like I represent every woman," she’s said of her new product line, which will be available in sizes 6 through 16. "I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I’ve been a big girl and now whatever this is, the average size, whatever you want to call it. But I wanted the clothes to be where any girl could wear it – no matter what size you are – and you could feel comfortable in it." said Jennifer.

J-Hud is a self proclaimed fan of leggings, so there will be some in the mix.

“I’m the legging queen. What I love about a legging is, again, it’s a piece you can dress up or down and it’s still comfortable,” said Jennifer.

I really like the look with the sheer skirt and black tank.  Will you be checking out J-Hud’s line?