LoveBrownSugar Chic: Sneak Peak

Sneakers, fitted caps and backpacks. Yes, I'm about that Tomboy life this season. As a "girly girl" who normally wouldn't be caught dead without a flouncy skirt and platform wedges on, this is a true testament to the versatility of personal style.

Although I'll never give up on my A-line skirts, dresses or my heels, this winter I'm saving room for boyish staples I otherwise wouldn't be caught dead in.

Why? Because I can. And why the hell not? Our grade school favorites have been given an adult upgrade.

 Trends are all about embracing them with your own personal stamp. So here's mine.

Blazer: Vintage (similar) | Dress: H&M (similar) | Bag: Vintage (similar) | Sneaker Wedges: Forever 21 (similar) | Nameplate: Shame on Jane (similar here for under $90) | Spike Bracelet: c/o t+j Designs | Ring: c/o Stella & Dot | Bangles: Street Vendor | Watch: Michael Kors

Get The Complete Look:

What grade school staples are you embracing this season? Soundoff below!

- Photography by Sharifa S. Daniels

Fall Fashion: Five Curvy Girl Must-Haves

Happy Thursday! Today I'm featured on Essence.com with my girl - friend & fellow fashionista Gabi Gregg of Gabifresh.com - sporting our favorite trends for Fall 2011. Huge shoutout to our photographer Brandon Haynes of B Haynes Photo for these amazing shots. Here are a few items we think are must-haves for the season...

LoveBrownSugar Feature: MTV Style

In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I DIE!" Yesterday MTV Style made my week by posting a feature on myself and two other bloggers rocking our favorite cargo jackets. I'm so incredibly ecstatic! Definitely one of my best features thus far. Feel free to check out the post entitled Top Style Blogger Looks of the Week: Military Cargo Jackets. 

Here's what MTV Style had to say about my look:

"New York City blogger Christina Brown took on the urban trendsetter look with her entire outfit, including her vintage military jacket. With this look, she wore her jacket as she would a blazer, which means on top of an already-amazing outfit. H&M leggings, a chainlink purse, and Anne Michelle chunky booties complete the sleekness of her outfit overall, while her jacket's light green hue adds just a pop of color."

Check out the full article HERE

The Fresh Printsess

This season, for me, is all about being fearless. I'm loving how the trends are a giant mashup of contradictions. Minimalism and animal print, military and ladylike, and the list goes on... 

 I think the greatest thing about fashion is that it doesn't have to make sense. You do what you want with it and at the end of the season, move on to the next... 

 I've been super obsessed with Willow Smith's girl empowerment anthem "Whip My Hair" of late. I love the message, I love the video, and I love that she's only 9 years old! I read a few articles about her after the video's premiere yesterday and writers have officially dubbed her "The Fresh Princess" after her super-star daddy Will Smith. 

 Well, yesterday (in honor of my Willow obsession) I decided to dub myself the Fresh 'Prints'ess. Why? Because it sounds cool. And prints are my official obsession this season...

Leopard Wrap Dress (turned cape): Thrifted. Mesh Top: H&M. Skirt: H&M. Rope Tassel Chain: Thrifted. Suede Boots: Anne Michelle. Belt: Thrifted. Ring: Street Vendor (HERE)

- Photography by Tia Hendricks

Lover Not a Fighter

This season's emphasis on military chic - I'm into it. You won't find me on a real battlefield, but these city streets can definitely be a war zone...

Pictured above is the same military jacket I posted about in my Guide To Thrifting Trends. I scored this sucker for only $5.99. Tip for military jacket thrifting: look for unique detailing...

Military Jacket: Thrifted. Top: Forever 21. Leggings: H&M. Utility Boots: Anne Michelle. Jesus Piece: Forever 21. Silver Cuff: Street Vendor. Turquoise Ring: Street Vendor (posted about HERE). Quilted Bag: Thrifted.

Photography by Tia Hendricks

Sick Site Spotlight: Style369.com

Image from Style369.com

  In the spirit of plus size fashions, I've discovered a brand new site for all you curvy girls (14+) out there. As hard as it is to find brands that actually flatter and don't make you look like a whale, I figured any new tidbits I could pass on would be appreciated. Although I haven't actually ordered from the site yet, Style369.com peaked my interest as a brand new fashion site out of the UK. Similar in style to a number of other UK sites like Miss Selfridge and ASOS, Style369 has a line of chic separates that are pretty well-organized and balanced in product offerings. Take a look...

Tree Print Maxi Dress, £39.50

I really got into the maxidress above. The longer silhouettes are huge for this season and Style369 has a few to boot. I absolutely love the print on this one. Simple flattering silhouette but still an intriguing pattern.

Faux Fur Hooded Gilet, £39.50

Fur has been a neverending trend since about two seasons ago. What can you do? *shrugs* Get with the program and get a piece that's versatile. This faux vest is reversible so you can tame the fur or let it all hang out, whenever you like!

Tapestry Ballerinas, £18.00

I also thought these tapestry ballerina flats were adorable. They have a romantic, vintage charm to them. I'm personally always looking for a cute pair of flats. When I can't wear a heel, flats that stand out with a bold pattern or unique detail always do it for me. Because I tend to stick to classic pieces for day to day clothing, I need a statement accessory to kick the outfit up a notch. Also for the ladies who aren't quite plus size but where size 10 and above, plus size sites tend to do very well with offering larger shoe sizes!

For more pieces, check the website www.Style369.com

Follow LBS on Twitter | Subscribe on Youtube

'Fit Room Flicks: H&M September '10 Lineup

Sales people are evil. Sometimes you really just need some good friends by your side to let you know what pieces work and what outfits need to stay on the rack. Sadly though, you don't always have your best buds with you on impromptu shopping trips.  Next best thing to a good friend? A digital camera. So I can share all these looks with you loves! And you can tell me what looks good, and what looks a hot damn mess...

From left: Striped top, $14.95. Army green tunic, $24.95, Striped oxford, $24.95

 So the first top on the left was super comfy and I really did love the stripes. I know I can be "bland betty" sometimes and stick to the neutral colors, but my turquoise chain really popped against the black and white. And at $15, what a steal! The tunic in the middle stood out to me for it's mesh detailing on the shoulders and front pocket. I'm also in love with army green now - big trend for fall 2010! And the oxford on the right was my fave. It had the perfect fit, went well those fitted slacks I tried on and it was just "me".

So I bought it! I plan on tucking it into some boyfriend jeans with bright colored jewelry and tall wedges.

From left: Cinched dress, $29.99, Lace shoulder dress, $29.99, Red tiered cocktail dress, $39.99

I tried on a few fall dresses as well, but I wasn't super stoked about any.of these. The cinched dress on the far left was a cute neutral piece; a good basic to layer with scarves, tights, fringe vests and other goodies for the season. I'm a sucker for lace, so the tunic in the middle had me at hello. But something about the draping didn't sit right with me so I left it hanging. And with the red dress, I really loved the color but it was kind of flat on me. I'd have to really spruce up the accessories on this one.

Attention: images of the following dress may cause tears of joy...(At least it did for me)

Above: Cocktail dress, $49.95

Cue the Carl Thomas ballad, "It was...love at first sight....I know...from the way she looked at me"

I.Am.In.Love. It doesn't happen that often but when it does, I don't question it. I think with my heart, run to the cash register and purchase! Absolutely in love with this dress and it's versatility. It's 3/4 length, shorter in back than in front and if I wanted I could easily tuck the straps in or pin up the sides for a different look!

What do you guys think about my final choices? Yayy or nayy?

Follow LBS on Twitter | Subscribe on Youtube

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.