LoveBrownSugar Etsy Giveaway: Winner!

 We have a winner folks. Congrats to Vivian for winning the LoveBrownSugar Etsy Giveaway!! 

Her inspiration: Tina Turner...

Vivian says: "I must say this is hard to name just one DIVA there are so many great women to choose from. However I have to choose Tina Turner. She is not only a rocking great singer but the confidence that she exudes on stage and in life is so beautiful. Though she is beautiful on the outside her inner strength has been a driving force in my life. After reading her biography some years ago, I was given the strength to continue on in life's journey. I know from her tenacity that if she can do it so can I. And how can you not love a woman who can hold the title for sexiest legs in her 60's. With her kind of fierceosity she should be leaving burn marks at her every step..."

Congratulations again to our five finalists - your responses were so inspiring. Look out for more LBS contests this month and don't forget to check LoveBrownSugar on Etsy if you're into vintage finds!

Get Like Me: Market Editor Amanda Miller

Aspiring to break into the fashion industry or simply intrigued by it? Well LoveBrownSugar has something for ya! Our “Get Like Me” series highlights exclusive interviews with industry insiders from celebrity stylists to new fashion designers, fashion PR heads & more! This week – Junior Market Editor at luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue - Amanda Miller.

Ever wonder where those sparkly Louboutins in the window on 5th Avenue come from? Amanda Miller might have had something to do with it. As a Junior Market Editor in the Fashion offices at Saks Incorporated, Amanda influences the decisions behind those trendy items that go into the stores on a seasonal basis. Sound interesting? That's only the beginning...

The Fab 5

Name: Amanda Miller

Location: Junior Fashion Market Editor, Saks Fifth Avenue

Personal Style in 3 Words: Bold, Forward, Body-Conscious

Favorite Designer(s): Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, DVF, Altuzarra

Must-Have Accessory: Hoop Earrings

All About Amanda

How did you get started in the industry?

I have worked retail all my life, from store line to corporate. My first job was a sales associate at NINE WEST!!

Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion/retail?

Always, this is what I was born to do.

Describe a day in the fashion office at Saks 5th Ave:

Busy, busy, busy. Traveling to market with the Buyers to select appropriate trend-worthy merchandise for the stores and catalogues, working on advertising for the New York Times and upcoming Saks books, searching the internet and competitive shopping for new and noteworthy designers...

Best part of your job?

Seeing up and coming new designers is very inspiring and that each day I get to come back and do it all over again.

Worst wardrobe malfunction at work?

My belt broke in a meeting with upper management!

Most rewarding experience of your career thus far?

Working on a Fashion Show in conjunction with the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship. I had the opportunity to serve as a representative of Saks on the production committee of the scholarship fund’s annual fashion show. As a former recipient of their scholarship, it was a great opportunity to give back to an organization that helped me along the way.

3 Pieces of advice for aspiring fashionistas?

1. Always have your goal in mind. 
2. Never get discouraged.

3. The fashion industry is a small community so persistence is key!

What's in your purse?

Too much!  I am currently carrying a Treesje bag and I have everything but the kitchen sink in it! MAC Cosmetics - foundation, bronzer, Gleam eyeshadow, clear lip glass - a lock for the gym, Deepak Chopra’s “Ultimate Happiness Prescription”, Tom Ford sunglasses, keys, Gucci wallet, Canon ELPH camera, water and almonds.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Christian Siriano for Payless

I got a peek at these babies over at Nitrolicious. These are Christian Siriano for Payless Spring 2010 designs. That's right, you read correctly - PAYLESS! All I have to say is wow.

These pair are my absolute fave - the details are impeccable. And again....they're PAYLESS! Grab 'em here before they sell out like his last collection...

LoveBrownSugar Etsy Giveaway: Finalists

You guys remember last week's LoveBrownSugar Etsy Giveaway? To be entered for a chance to win the vintage clutch above, you had to answer the following by March 5th:

"If you could come back as any old school diva, who would you be and why?"

Well it brought about some AMAZING responses.There are 5 finalists and I need your help to choose a winner. Vote using the poll on the right side of the page for the following contestants:

 1. Diana Ross - Birdie says "If I could be any old school diva, it would have to be Ms. Diana Ross! She embodies the word diva. Not only is she one of the most successful female artists of all time, she’s an accomplished actress. Plus she’s a fashion icon...." - read her full response HERE 

2. Angela Davis - Angelique says "If I was an old school diva it would have to be Angela Davis. She embodies strength and perseverance. She stood up for what was right..." - read her full response HERE 

3. Donna Summer - Diane says "Who can forget 'Love to Love You Baby' or 'Last Dance'. Besides the ultimate Diva, Diana Ross, Donna Summer had that exotic, sultry Diva voice..." -  read her full response HERE

 4. Tina Turner - V says "I have to choose Tina Turner. She is not only a rocking great singer but the confidence that she exudes on stage and in life is so beautiful..." -  read her full response HERE

 5. Billie Holiday - Jasmine says "If I could be any old school diva it would be Billie Holiday. She's a perfect example of old school glamour, beauty, and plain old raw, amazing talent..." - read her full response HERE

 Congrats to the 5 finalists and good luck! Remember to enter discount code: "SpringLBS" at LoveBrownSugar's Etsy checkout and get 25% off all LBS vintage pieces.

LoveBrownSugar Spring Beauty Trends

It's March and we're all gearing up for warmer weather and cooler clothes. But before you slip on that maxi dress and those new jeweled flip-flops, get familiar with this spring's new beauty trends for 2010. Compiled and inspired by my bestie and beauty junkie Jasmine, these trends will complete your fab spring look in a matter of minutes:

1. “Blackberry Bling” Nails

"Blackberry Bling" is definitely a nail trend to watch come spring. It’s a manicure to accompany (you guessed it - your blackberry! Like painting your index finger a different color from the rest, this trend gives your blackberry-typing thumb the spotlight with a metallic or glitter touch. I mean we spend all day texting with them, we might as well give them some shine!

2. Hey, Bright Eyes

The resounding eye makeup forecast for spring: Easter egg colors and pastels. Bright colors are a fun exciting way to ring in the season. To make these colors work seamlessly, try doing a lilac or light green smoky eye seen here on Chanel Iman to switch up your normal look.

3. My Lipgloss is Poppin'

 Always a fan of the bright lip, bold hot pink glosses, red lipsticks and even orange and coral lips are definitely making a statement this season. Outside of MAC’s Viva Glam VI, Pink Poodle is an all time favorite, giving me that bubble gum pink pout that I always wanted. Our suggestion: Sephora’s ultra shine gloss in Glitter Fuchsia or YSL’s Rouge Volupte lipstick in No. 27 Rose Paris.

4. Glam & Glowing Skin

Looking dewy and sunkissed all year round is a dream that most of us farther from the equator have. Until you can get to those tropical vacays, you'll have to rock out with beauty tricks. Our suggestion: a peachy blush or a really great bronzer. Both products leave the face looking fresh, glowy and much more natural than a spray-on tan (no offense to the jersey shore crew). Nars just released Orgasm Illuminator (pictured above) which comes in a peachy color that kills two birds with one stone.

There you have it folks - LoveBrownSugar's spring beauty trends forecast. Have fun but don't try them all at once!

Sick Site Spotlight: Couturious.com

 

 Calling all stylistas - get into this new site for styling looks and fashions: Couturious.com. Similar in functionality to my former sick site spotlight Looklet.com, this site lets you choose and compile looks on a virtual girl of your choosing, nipping and tucking for fit....  

 

Peep my LoveBrownSugar girl - decked out in Tibi top, Catherine Malandrino pants, Tory Burch shoes, and Stuart Weitzman bag. Send links of your amazing Couturious.com creations to luvbrownsugar@gmail.com and you could be featured next week on the site!

Fierce or Foolish: Jessica White

 So Jessica White, supermodel, former Terrell Owens playgirl and recent music video co-star to Trey Songz (for "Neighbors Know My Name") was photographed courtside at a Knicks game last night. The girl's pretty and all, but I don't know about this getup honey...

 Police hat, military jacket AND over the knee boots?! Too much for me but you guys decide:

Fierce or Foolish?

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Cover Girls: Chanel Iman in Spanish Vogue

 Chanel Iman strikes again with another banging editorial spotlight! This time she glams it up for Spanish Vogue and these outfits are to DIE for. They spotlighted one outfit from each of the greatest designers of our time. What an honor! As Lyfe Jennings would say, "Must be nice..."

I love that they put her in some of the hottest spring trends of the season. Well, it's Vogue. Did we expect anything less? The Bottega Veneta jumpsuit to the left is so fun and free and I'm gagging over those Givenchy open-toe wedges to the right - one of the styles at the top of my spring shopping list.

It's the age-old rule of fashion: Once Chanel (design house, not Iman) does it, it's in! Picture to the left is proof that clogs are coming back with a vengeance. If you're a trend hopper like me, watch out! You might actually end up in a pair of these by the end of the season...go figure.

 Sequin jumpsuit. Lanvin. Say no more...*gags and passses out*

Those royal blue pants on the left look divine. Cute enough to take from day to night on the weekdays, and cool enough to run errands on the weekends; an unexpected staple piece.

Image Source