Cover Girls: Kerry Washington Covers ELLE Magazine

Finally the cover we've all been waiting for Ms. Kerry to do! Everyone's favorite Scandal star Kerry Washington (aka Olivia Pope on Thursdays) has landed the coveted slot as cover star of ELLE Magazine's June issue.

The starlet looks absolutely flawless and is flaunting her body and her regal stance on the pages of the premiere US fashion glossy.

Aside from being obsessed with her on and off-camera style, I love some of the nuggets she drops in her interview with ELLE about her career and rise to fame.

On her recent Scandal success:

"I'm the luckiest broad in Hollywood now. To be the lead actor on Scandal and to be in the highest-earning Tarantino movie- I don't get to ask for more."

 On prepping for red-carpet appearances:

"I found out I enjoy the process. All these people show up at my house, they all have kits, someone has dresses. And it's like, Let's have fun. It's not all about me. We're able to create stories on the red carpet."

Sister girl looks super glam - I'm beyond proud of her. Aren't you?

Source: ELLE Magazine

Steal Her Chic: Rita Ora at Elle Women in Music Event

Last night in NYC, Roc Nation songstress Rita Ora showed up to the Elle Women in Music event, sponsored by Covergirl, donning a black high-low dress, a white tie-neck blouse, leather Mary Janes and a floppy suede black hat - all by Saint Laurent. She looked sophisticated with a touch of downtown cool. I loved how she played with classic black and white using trendy silhouettes.

She topped off her look with loose waves, a red lip and a pop of blue nail color. Here's how to steal her chic - both fashion & beauty:

FASHION

Dress: FarFetch | Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo | Nails: Essie Butler Please | Oxford: Gap | Shoes: Shoebuy | Hat: Bailey Western

Get The Look:

BEAUTY

We got the inside scoop directly from Rita Ora's coiffeur, celebrity stylist Cynthia Alvarez on how she achieved Rita's loose waves:

"I prepped Rita's hair with Ojon's Rare Blend Oil Treatment (2). Once dried, I used a 1" Curling Wand (1) to create loose waves. I left some of the ends straight for a not so perfect look," says stylist Cynthia Alvarez.

"Once the whole head was curled, I raked a quarter-sized amount of Tigi Catwalk Session Series Styling Creme (3) through the hair to break up the curls and add definition. A spritz of Oribe Superfine Hairspray (4) completes this look."

Get The Look:

Are you digging Rita's look? Would you try this at home?

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Fierce or Foolish: Kelly Rowland at Elle Women in Music Event

Last night at the ELLE Women in Music event in NYC, Kelly Rowland rocked the red carpet in a white casual tee, leather skinnies, a pink statement necklace, colorful bangles and black & silver high-heeled sandals.

With her blunt bangs and sleek hair, she wore neutral makeup and peach colored nails for a super casual chic look. I'm used to seeing Kelly much more dressed up!

Thoughts on her outfit and overall look? Fierce or Foolish?

Cover Girls: Solange for Elle South Africa

Solange Knowles is on an epic roll this month. She's been spotted giving us glam red carpet moments, singing & dancing all over South Africa in her newest video "Losing You" and now as a precursor to her upcoming album's release, Solo graces the November cover of ELLE South Africa.

Dubbed "Fashion's New It-Girl", the songstress and fashionista is seen sporting her favorite attire - mixed prints! And of course the curls are abundant and she's rocking a statement lip.

Don't you love this look? Can't wait to see the full spread!

UPDATE (10/15): See behind-the-scenes pics from Solange's full spread below!

Source: Elle South Africa

LBS Feature: Elle Magazine

So yesterday I got my LIFE when I saw I was featured on Elle Magazine's online beauty section for my participation in the BlogHer 12 fashion show! I had such an amazing time (as noted in my Instaweek 8.7.12 post) and in the process I was interviewed by ELLE about my blog and my beauty look. Elizabeth Arden was the makeup sponsor and Paul Mitchell was the hair sponsor - loved working with both!

Click HERE for the full story!

ALDO + Elle Launch Party for Julian Louie Wedges

Last night marked the official launch of ALDO’s newest collaboration with designer Julian Louie and creative director of Elle Magazine, Joe Zee. At the ALDO store in downtown Soho, a collection of editors and bloggers were invited out for hors d’ouvres and cocktails to preview the new collection of Ikat wedges, and to meet the brainchild behind the operation – Joe Zee.

Deanna, $125

 I absolutely love the Ikat wedges. They come in 4 different color ways and two different styles. How amazing is this print?

Wendy Lam of Nitrolicious Blog

I bumped into Wendy Lam of Nitrolicious at the event. Love her blog! Isn’t she so petite and chic? Here's a pic of me at the event. 

Me at the ALDO + Elle Mag Launch event

 Right before heading to the event I stopped over at Sephora for some lipstick. The girls in the Makeup Forever area ended up giving me this amazing eye look. I wish I had a closeup of the eyes but needless to say, it was a very easy conversation starter at the event. I never wear this much color, but hey you have to live a little every once in a while, right?

Sobeslava, $125

  Courtesy ALDO Shoes, each guest was allowed a $50 shopping credit to scoop up a pair of their choice. And of course, I grabbed these up for my spring collection.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Joe Zee of Elle Magazine and chatting it up with him for a while. Take a look at what he had to say about the new collection release he spearheaded. 

 Love a good wedge and I love a good print! These shoes are perfection. Snatch a pair for yourself at one of the select locations nationwide. Click HERE for more info. 

UPDATE: Elle Picks & More at H&M

 So after spotting all the cutesy "Elle Picks" at H&M, I went back and decided to try a few of them on, as well as a  few other items. Tried some, loved some, bought some. So is the story of my shopping life...

 I'm not the nautical type, but I tried this sweater on because it felt super soft to the touch. The cowl neck makes for an interesting twist to an otherwise fashion staple and the thin stripes were pretty flattering as well.

Spotted this cluster of bangles in the jewelry section and of course, the romantic in me was instantly drawn to these florals.

 This wooden ring was an eye catcher for me too. Loved the intricate design and it has a vintage quality to it.

I love getting more bang for my buck. This packet of brooches were a steal at $12.95. Pins and brooches are huge once again for Fall, so I'll definitely be stocking up.

The hipster chick on this tee was too cool to pass by without staring at. Would I be weird for rocking a tee with a picture of myself on the front, like Prince at the BET Awards this year? Hmm...

Confessions of a Shopaholic: ELLE Picks for H&M

Yesterday as I was strolling my neighborhood waiting to have coffee with a friend, I wandered into my local H&M and was pleasantly surprised to find that they've stocked up on most of their Fall line already. Even more surprised was I to find a beautifully merchandised front section of the store littered with little tags reading "Elle Picks".

 The editors at Elle Magazine have teamed up with H&M in a nationwide campaign featuring their absolute favorite Fall items this season. I think it's so great when fashion brands and publications team up like this. I mean who wouldn't take a second look at a fashion editor's favorite things?

I fell in love with this metallic faux leather mini on the racks. Not sure if I could pull it off, but I imagine it would be super cute with a tight bustier, a fitted blazer and some killer platforms.

Can you believe this is faux leather?? Neither could I. That's always a good thing...

Not sure if this was one of the ELLE Picks but it's certainly a LoveBrownSugar pick. Cognac lace-up booties are huge for Fall! Currently scouting my own pair. I'm tempted to add these to my "Bootie Calls" installation. If I can find a size 10 in the tri-state area, I'll tweet about it.