Tough Love

I'm a girly girl. Ever since I can remember I've been a sucker for pretty dresses that I can twirl and play with. So when I spotted this printed dress at H&M, with it's asymmetrical hemlines and purple cheetah print, I knew it had to come home with me...

 Given it's no longer summer, every dress in my closet now needs a companion. I normally reach for this vintage leather jacket I scored last fall. It's the perfect length, it goes with everything and it adds just enough edge to a romantic ensemble.

And of course, nothing adds edge like my favorite Jeffrey Campbell Clinics. I'll have to test drive pairing socks with these for winter looks, Oh boy, we'll see how that goes...

Jacket: Vintage. Dress: H&M. Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell. Jesus Piece: Forever 21. Ring: H&M

P.S. Congratulations to our two giveaway winners thus far this month - Sherine P won our Pink Velvet Breast Cancer Awareness giveaway AND xoxoKeyanna has won our Jamila Jo "Brown Sugar Ring" giveaway. Congrats to you both! Email luvbrownsugar@gmail.com to claim your prizes.

- Photography by Tia Hendricks

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

The Sweet Escape

Took some test shots the other day before a shoot and Tia insisted I take them out on the fire escape. From time to time I come out here to think and just breathe.

Sidewalk Stalker: Precious Stones in SoHo

So street vendors in NYC are my absolute favorite retailers. Not only can you talk them down on prices, but they have some of the hottest stuff that has never and will never see the flourescent light of a bricks & mortar store. There's just something so authentic and original about picking out a piece off the sidewalk. Hence the start of my new weekly column: "Sidewalk Stalker". For all you ladies who ask where I get my fancy jewels, alot of times they come as a result of my "sidewalk stalking" aka scoping out street vendors. Here's one of my faves...

 His name is "G" and his "store" is located in SoHo on Broadway between Prince and Spring. He makes these amazing pieces of jewelry with wire and precious stone. And his prices are so great. I purchased a double finger ring from him with tiny turquoise stones for only about $14.

 Loved these fish scaled necklaces he was selling. The green one was my fave!

He makes all types of accessories with the stones. I thought these metal headbands were really cute and creative. Stay tuned for more Sidewalk Stalker adventures. If you're ever in town and you happen to pay "G" a visit (On Broadway between Prince and Spring) tell him LoveBrownSugar sent ya!