Bootie Calls: A Clog Named Slingback

So I wrote a "Sole Food" feature about these amazing Sam Edelman Falken ($180) shoes that are perfect for transitioning into fall...

You'll know I'm really IN LOVE with something when I bring it over from Honey to here. I call this style "A Clog Named Slingback". These are the perfect way to transition a trendy summer shoe into fall.

With the sling around the back, you have options. Either wear them alone with a dress and cardi or add socks/tights and a chunky sweater when the weather cools down. What do you guys think? Are you gagging like I am?

Spring Fashion Trends: Milk & Honey

 So I haven't done any shameless promotion on here in a while. Ever so often I like to pop in and let you guys know what I'm up to over at Honey. This week I had the privilege of compiling Honey's spring fashion trend story. A major privilege for me. I'm honored. Check out our spring fashion editorial affectionately entitled "Milk & Honey"...

 Stay on trend with a little Honey flavor. Leisure suits were huge on the Spring 2010 runways from Richard Chai to Adam and 3.1 Phillip Lim. Stay on trend with a neutral bottom, but give the look a tribal twist and rock a printed blazer up top.

  Continue the printed trend with another popular silhouette for 2010 – the cropped jumper (left above). Seen on the runways of Honey faves like Charlotte Ronson, Marc Jacobs and DKNY, the cropped jumper carries effortless chic appeal. Add a leather jacket and straw fedora for good measure. Not only is the maxi dress flattering for almost all shapes and sizes, a delicately tailored vest on top adds menswear-inspired edge.

Accessories are everything. Quickly take a plain oxford and cutoffs look into a Hollywood- ready ensemble with over-sized shades and a patterned scarf up top (below right). Never underestimate the power of a statement piece. Bold boyfriend blazers in painted prints give life to an understated ensemble (below left).

Ripped jeans are not only a Honey fave around the office, they are a huge trend this season. Adding bright pops of color to a light colored pair makes an even sweeter impact...

*Sidebar: I absolutely love this products shot...these bags are awesome:

For more pics and spring trends, and more of my fashion features check Honeymag.com! My byline reads "By C.Brown"

Behind The Scenes Video: Janelle Monae for Honey Magazine

For those of you who missed my post about Honey's cover shoot with Janelle Monae, make sure you check out my full-time gig Honey Magazine for the full article. Here's a behind the scenes peek at the making of the cover:

For more on Behind The Scenes with Janelle Monae, check Honeymag.com.

Kickin' It Behind The Scenes: Janelle Monae for Honey Magazine

 So is the life of a budding editorial assistant; steady picking up the pieces and miniscule specks so the finished product is impeccable and flawless. Well at the tail end of Honey's Cover Shoot with futuristic songstress Janelle Monae, one of the photographers caught me doing just that!

The theme for Janelle's shoot was bullfighting. So in true fashion, we had sand scattered across the studio. The photographer thought it was utterly hilarious that I was sweeping up sand off the studio floor in my 4 inch heels once the shoot was over. Cue the Beyonce soundtrack: "I'm a-ah div-ah! I'm a I'm a-ah div-ah..."

Cardigan: Vintage, Leggings: Zara, Booties: Steve Madden, Hat: Street Vendor, Ring: H&M

Cover Girls: Janelle Monae for Honey Magazine

 So not only are they paying the bills but Honey Magazine is just an amazing online publication overall. We've had the opportunity to have some really amazing stars on the cover of our pages over the last year. This month's cover story though is my absolute favorite: "Elle Matador: Janelle Monae"

Let me start out by saying she was an absolute joy to work with. Not always something you can say when working with celebrities. she has this fearless and enchanting spirit about her and SO incredibly humble - another rare characteristic in the entertainment biz.

The shoot's overall theme was "Elle Matador" - cute play on words huh? You know, that's how my boss does it! Anyway, to play off her affinity for tuxes and black/white, we clad Janelle in bullfighting attire...

What I loved about Janelle's shoot was her intensity. She never has a problem smiling with her eyes - I'll say that much. Tyra would be proud. 

And of course, per usual, her fro is FIERCE! Best shoot ever...

Check out more of our shoot with Janelle Monae over at Honey Magazine! There are more amazing pics and an interview you won't wanna miss.

Here's a cutesy photo of Janelle Monae and the Honey fam!

(From left: Me, Editor-in-Chief Shanel Odum, Managing Editor Erika Ramirez, Cover girl Janelle Monae)

Kickin' It: March Madness

No, I'm not referring to the NCAA Championships. I'm talking about my crazy life! Pardon me, as some of these events are wildly outside of chronological order. Madness doesn't even begin to describe my whirlwind March but hopefully some of these pics will...

Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating the bdays of two of my favorite twins: Natalie and Nicole of Nina Sky.They're good friends of Honey and so we hosted their birthday bash at R. Bar in downtown NYC. Fun!

 For the occasion, I opted for something I thought was a little classy, a little fun, but still cool enough for a bar downtown. This blazer is one of my new fave vintage finds. Black leggings and tank seems to be my uniform lately. Switchin' it up for spring though!

 

Earlier that day I also had the chance to interview Mr. Jas Anderson - an amazing actor, recently in Brooklyn's Finest. We met on the red carpet at the Let's Talk About Pep event and so I invited him down to Honey for an interview. He's awesome - definitely big things in the future for him. Make sure you go see Brooklyn's Finest - he's great in it.

 Last week Honey also shot our cover shoot with DTP playboy Ludacris! We shot at ESPN Zone. It was a crazy time, to say the least but of course lots of fun watching Luda play games and be his wild and crazy self.

 I love this sporty chic look on the model. She was styled by my boy Jason Rembert. He does awesome work. He styled our Model City shoot in February. And this amazing blazer is by Laquan Smith. Get to know him - young, black an doing big things in fashion. His stuff's already been seen on Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Check out the full Ludacris cover story with pics at Honeymag.com!

That's all for now folks...the plot in this whirlwind life of mine is yet still unfolding...

Shameless Promotion: Cute on Coins (Nicole Richie)

My "Cute on Coins" column features Nicole Richie this week. I really wish I could've found something that looks exactly like her dress but I got the closet thing I could find! This dress is actually from her own clothing line called Winter Kate premiering in the spring. Can't wait to see it!

Shameless Promotion: Cute on Coins Column

I've decided to do a little shameless promotion today and link to my weekly column at Honeymag.com. It's called Cute on Coins and basically I feature one of our Killer Bees and recreate her look for less. I absolutely LOVE working on the column so I thought I would share. This week's look is from Melanie Fiona. Click the link to see the description of all the items. Feel free to send comments my way via Honeymag or on here! My favorite item is the awesome pair of suede boots for $129. Gotta love a good bargain, right?

Trey Covers Honey: Trey Chic

So I had an AMAZING time at this Honey Cover shoot with Trey Songz. He whisked into the room smelling of sensual cologne giving hugs and kisses upon entrance. I nearly melted to the floor when he touched my cheek...whew!

Anyway, his pics turned out absolutely amazing. I'm not big on Men's fashion, as you guys now, but I must agree with the clever title - Trey Songz was chic at this shoot.

His stylist Rebecca was so incredibly nice and these looks were well-suited for him.

Make sure you guys peep his full interview with my boss and Editor in Chief Shanel Odum. It's extremely well written. I also snagged a few videos on my bberry during the shoot that I will post soon. Stay tuned!

What do you guys think? Is Trey Chic or what? Soundoff below!

Lifestyle Icons: Angela & Vanessa Simmons

Ok, so most of you already know that I'm an Editorial Assistant at HoneyMag.com. In case you didn't, now you know. So consider this shameless promotion at it's best. I actually don't blog about most of my work for Honey, but I absolutely love this article and it took me 5 days to transcribe it, so I must promote:

One of the reasons I really loved this one is because Angela & Vanessa were so personable and down to earth! I listened to an hour long interview via tape recorder of Angela and Vanessa going back and forth answering my boss's questions.

They're so genuine and I truly admire that they're young black entrepreneurs with clear focus and positive image.

And of course, Charles (our fashion director) did an excellent job with styling. Enjoy! And peep the full article here.

Updates: Solange for Honey Magazine

I have more Solange updates for yall! She recently did a spread for HoneyMag.com and she looks amazing. Although I doubted this change at first, I definitely think Solange is starting to grow into the shaved head look. These HoneyMag.com pics are fierce and she seems very confident. She's been loud and proud about her new 'do lately, even making an appearance on Oprah this week to speak about the plight of the Black woman's hair! You can love it or hate it, but when someone is as confident as Solange despite the naysayers and personal attacks, you can't help but somewhat appreciate:

For the full HoneyMag.com interview with Solange click HERE. Enjoy!