Sick Site Spotlight: Yannique.com

 This week's Sick Site Spotlight goes to Yannique.com: "...an online boutique that features chic clothing and accessories by up-and-coming, independent designers. Yannique aims to discover and showcase innovative,  fashion designers for the funky, chic, and stylish fashionista."

 Well, mission accomplished! They have some amazing designers showcased on their site. I absolutely love seeing new, undiscovered designer with unique and covet-worthy pieces. The pictures featured here are courtesy designer Cowgirl Heaven, showcased on their homepage.

 Cowgirl Heaven has some really amazing pieces from dresses to tops- really romantic lace and ruffles abound from this particular designer.

Best part about Yannique.com? None of these designer pieces are over $200. As someone who's always looking for a great bargain, I was pleasantly surprised...

Check out Yannique.com and keep up with them @shopyannique on Twitter.

LoveBrownSugar Feature: Stylish Curves Blog

 Special thanks to Alissa of Stylish Curves blog for featuring me in the "Stylish Curves of the Day" feature yesterday. I'm honored and truly appreciate all the lovely comments. Here's what I had to say about embracing my curves:

"As a curvy fashionista, I always look for pieces that accentuate my positive points and won't make me uncomfortable. In the fall/winter, I tend to live in black leggings and standout blazers/tops, but come summer it's all about the one-piece! This summer in particular, I'm really into rompers and floral prints. I'm also loving printed mini-skirts with pockets. I throw a black or white tank underneath and my favorite flats, and I'm good to go. In general, the best piece of advice I can give to all curvy fashionistas out there, is to wear confidence with every outfit. It's my absolute favorite accessory. After all, when you look good you feel good, and vice versa!"

Check out the full feature HERE

Celebrity Fashions: Serena Williams Pre-Espy Party

Serena Williams threw a pre-ESPY Awards party the other night and the celebs were out in full effect. Serena graced the party floor in a green leopard printed strapless dress. On her arm are Brandy and Selita Ebanks, both in equally glam looks...

I really like Brandy's color-blocked dress. And her accessories are on point as well. I must give props to her styling team. They've been doing a great job with her as of late...

What do you guys think of the looks here? Which is your fave?

Image Source

Confessions of a Shopaholic: H&M July 2010 Product

I was perusing over at Nitrolicious the other day and stumbled on these awesome images of H&M's product lineup for July; most of which are now available in stores. Here are the new pieces:

I'm not huge on pastels, but the dress is a cute one for a summer wedding, or even Sunday service with a lace cardigan. 

Really love the faux leather vest. The v-shaped cut at the buttom gives it an updated twist.

These prints are sick! I'm feeling both. I think the print on the right is more my style though. I can so see myself rockign this with my straw fedora and gladiator flats at a festival...

The lace top on the right is so perfectly on trend. Loose-fitting, cropped and neutral. Perfect. 

Surprisingly, I haven't seen any of these in stores yet. Have you?

LBS Fashion Countdown: Lala & Carmelo's Wedding

 So some of you may know celebrity VJ Lala Vasquez and super star baller Carmelo Anthony got hitched this past weekend. They got married at Cipriani's on 42nd St in New York City and the event was jam packed with celebs so of course I have to voice my critique on the fashions. Let's start with the yacht pre-party:

 Carmelo and Lala had a yacht pre-wedding party in NYC the night before the wedding. The bride-to-be showed up in a black party dress with exposed seams and gold neckline...

I will say I like the neckline and the cutout at the shoulder, but I wasn't really impressed with this look on Lala. I thought, given it's a summer wedding, a brighter colored dress would've suited her well. On the contrary, Carmelo looked amazing!

 The celebs were out and about on the yacht cruise. Kim Kardashian in particular catches my eye. I love the assymetrical dress she chose for the boat ride. So, did they just give everyone a sailor hat? Cute!

Next, we're on to the wedding arrivals. First up, Kim K...

Of course upon first glance you think - wow, her body looks amazing! But what's new? I was really hoing Kim would give me a fashion moment outside of her usual body conscious Herve Leger look. But again, she defaults to the skin tight. If it ain't broke don't fix it,I guess. On another note, the shoes are FIERCE. Louboutin strikes again...

 I have to say I love this classy look on Kelly Rowland but I'm also yearning for a pop of color and a little more skin. I know it's an evening wedding, but it's still summer! For Kelly's look, I might have cut off the sleeves and added a bright coral statement necklace to the ensemble. I also would've gone for jeweled heels instead of leopard. It's a little too heavy for me...

So I was truly disappointed by Ciara's look for the wedding. I thought this look was giving more of a night on the town with the girls, instead of summer wedding chic. I'm not a fan of the color or the print unfortunately. I'm gonna have to give this look a foolish vote.

And last but not least, the lovely couple: Lala & Carmelo. Lala wore a strapless Vera Wang bridal gown with delicate layered chiffon. I thought it was a classy timeless piece. I actually got tipped off before the wedding that Lala would be wearing Vera. I met Carmelo's fashion stylist Khalilah Williams-Webb for a Honey Mag interview 2 weeks ago and she dished on what it's like styling for Carmelo, as well as a sneak peek at what Lala would be wearing. Peep the video below...

LoveBrownSugar Chic: On the Boardwalk

In case I haven't already mentioned it, I'm obsessed with florals this season. I'm also obsessed with rompers, hence the past few posts featuring floral...well, rompers. Anyway, this is my last I promise! I couldn't resist this vintage piece. I fell in love with the romantic print, so it only made sense to shoot at a romantic location; a private lake boardwalk...

 Something so calming and serene about a boardwalk. The water's close enough for you to dive in, but it's so much more fun just watching the waves collide...

 For a floral ensemble, I tend to go light on the jewelry and accessories, to let the print really take center stage. Neutral heels and delicate jewelry like pearl bracelets and studs.

These have come to be my summer staples. The wooden effect heel is what drew me to them at the store. They're neutrals so I wear them with everything and they're wedges so I can take them from day to night...

So refreshing to get out of the city on the weekends. If I spent my entire week in the concrete jungle I might suffocate. Love it out here...

I love the loose-fitting rompers that can pass for dresses. The floral piece in my blog header is like that as well. If you can't tell, I won't. Double duty!

Always have my denim jacket for those chilly nights near the water. Gives a little rugged edge to an otherwise girly and feminine ensemble...

Floral Romper: Vintage, Wedges: Dollhouse, Bracelets: H&M, Denim Jacket: Old Navy, Ring: Charming Charlie

Photography by Justified Photos

Shop LoveBrownSugar: Summer Cleaning

Hey loves! Life has been super busy these past few weeks and I haven't been able to post (shame on me) so I apologize for the stagnant site. I'm back though, and this time I'm baring gifts! I have two pairs of shoes in excellent condition I must part with. If you happen to be a size 10, you're in luck! Details below:

Condition: Like New - Brand: Rouge - Color: Multi (red, mustard and brown) - Size: 10 - Heel: 5 inches

 PRICE: $34.99

These strappy sandals are super cute but unfortunately I don't get enough use out of them in my closet. They go perfectly with summer dresses and the 2 inch platform makes them surprisingly comfy. Selling for $35.00 to the first person who claims them!

Condition: New/Never Worn - Brand: Lovely People - Color: Multi Black - Size: 10 - Heel: 4.5 inches

 PRICE: $39.99

These peeptoe platforms have some amazing layered detailing around the front. With my exhaustive collection of black heels, I've never had a chance to wear these although they're so perfect and functional. The T-strap and suede on the platform elevates the sophistication. Again, I never get to wear them :(. But you can if you're a size 10!
 

If interested, send an email to LUVBROWNSUGAR@GMAIL.COM with subject line "ShopLBS" specifying which pair you're interested in. It's first come, first served so if you're interested, email asap. Shipping is $10 Domestic US and $15 International.

Updates: Solange for Refinery 29

As a follow up to the Sneak Peek I issued the other day, Solange's shoot with Refinery 29 has finally been released. And the pics are gorgeous. Refinery29 spoke to Solo about her sense of style. Here's what she had to say:

Refinery 29: You've got such unique style, would you ever consider being involved in the family fashion business, House of Deréon?
Solange: "Why thank you very much! It's funny you ask because I initially was involved as the spokesperson, but the clothes just didn't reflect my personal style and I decided to hand that over. That's the great thing about my family. We work together so closely that if something's not working out, we can be honest about it and there won't be any grudges or issues. I wrote a couple of songs on my sister's last album and if there's a line she doesn't like, she changes it and we keep on moving. I will say though, they did just do a bedding line that I am extremely in love with and I was like, 'Can I model that... in my house?'"

Your nails are always a statement. Can you tell us about the wildest nail art you've tried?
"I went through a phase about two years ago where I had an extreme nail art addiction. I had British flag nails, ice cream cones, gold spikes...the whole nine yards. I still rock my nail art but with a little bit more simplicity now."

Do you have anything in your closet that you could never bear to throw away?
"Oh yes! A few things, but one in particular sticks out: A BCBG short, ruffled, floral, baby doll dress I've had since I was 16. I wore it at my wedding reception when I was 17. The waistline comes up to the middle of my boobs now, but I just can't let go of it. It's so perfect."

What's your best cheap score of late?
"A cream leather belt with a gold buckle I found at a vintage store in Santa Barbara for ten bucks. I wear it with everything now."

Read the full interview and view more pics over at Refinery29