Sick Site Spotlight: TheStyleSample.com

Tamia, creator of TheStyleSample.com

 Once every few weeks I find myself spending an all-nighter in front of my computer, heavily engrossed in the world of fashion blogging and social media until the wee hours of the morning (it's really addicting). Most recently, I stumbled upon what will undoubtedly be my newest obsession: TheStyleSample.com.

LoveBrownSugar's Guide to Thrifting Trends

 I'm sure you fashion lovers have already done your fair share of research regarding this season's hottest trends. From military chic to capes & ponchos down to mininalism, there's a trend to fit every personality this season. What I personally won't do is flock to the luxury department stores and load up on all these trends because 1) they might not be in style next season and 2) I want my pieces to be unique. This is where a good trip to your local thrift comes in handy! The pieces I get complimented most for are inevitably my vintage pieces, so I decided to compile my first Guide to Thrifting Trends. Shopping your local thrift can be intimidating but these tips should help you get a jump start in the right direction:

Military

Authentic Army Jacket, Thrifted

 Tip: No one army jacket is totally like another. Look for military pieces with unique detailing. Patches and buttons are a plus. Check closely for wear and tear around the sleeves, and for missing buttons or broken zippers. Check your local thrift shop or even army surplus stores for interesting options. And remember, don't leave home without trying these on!

Leopard

Leopard Wrap Dress, Thrifted

 Tip: Know what you're looking for. Animal print is a fairly easy trend to scour for at the thrift because the prints are so iconic, they ultimately stand out. If it's a blouse you seek, go to that particular section and only pick out options with recognizable animal print. Look for silhouettes that are versatile for the most wearability. Wrap dresses like the one above can easily be worn open for a loose, coverup feel. Major things to look out for: quality material. With vintage, stray away from cheap materials. You want something that will hold up to wear and tear. Especially with iconic prints, check for fading and excessive pulling of fabric.


Ladylike

Silk Button-Down Blouse, Thrifted

 Arguably the most fun trend to shop thrift! When it boils down to it, our predecessors were very ladylike, so there are tons of cool feminine pieces to play dress up in at the thrift. Tip: Tailoring is everything. There some amazing tweed suits, and blouses at the thirft but if they don't fit ust right, they'll look frumpy. Super important to try these on in store. Found this top that puts me in the mind of Chanel. Great material, romantic print and cute gold buttons. Ruffles and prints can be fun, but wear in moderation and pair with more updated basic classics for a well-rounded look.

Menswear

Don't be afraid to check the men's section ladies! Some of my favorite pieces have been picked up in that section. For curvy girls especially, you can find some pieces in the men's section thst give you just enough room for the baggy menswear effect without swallowing you up or making you look like you have no shape. Tricks of the menswear trade: scrunch, pull, tug, roll up! I easily transformed this flannel shirt from frumpy to fab just by rolling up the sleeves...

 Also important for meswear - mixing proportions. I would never wear two menswear-inspired pieces together. If I rock an oversized oxford, I'll wear skinny jeans or a mini skirt down below. If I wear boyfriend jeans, I rock a tighter silhouette up top. Balance and proportions are the way to go with menswear. Best menswear items to score thrft: Boyfriend blazers, plaid flannel shirts, and jeans!

Happy thrifting! LBS wants to know - what are your top thrifting tips? Post them below...

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LoveBrownSugar + Jamilo Jo "Brown Sugar" Ring Giveaway

 In the spirit of fall fashion and all things fab, LoveBrownSugar.com and Jamila Jo Jewelry are bringing you another fun giveaway! In case you don't remember, I raved about Jamila Jo not too long ago HERE. The Brooklyn-based jewelry brand is described by it's founder as "a mixture of masculine and feminine, trendy and classic, hip hop and gospel, natural and industrial."

Above: Brown Sugar ring, Jamila Jo Jewelry, $40.

With eye-catching natural elements like turquoise, wood and druzy quartz, Jamila Jo is a versatile line of jewelry with a little something for everyone. For the month of October, LoveBrownSugar is partnering up with Jamila Jo to bring you the "Brown Sugar" Ring Giveaway. 

Not only do I love the name, but I love the versatility of this piece. You can easily take it from day to night and it gives an authentic, rustic yet sweet feel to any ensemble.

 One lucky reader will get their hands on the signature Brown Sugar ring pictured above at a retail value of $40! See below for details...

RULES FOR ENTRY:

1. 'Like' Jamila Jo Jewelry on Facebook HERE

2. 'Like' LoveBrownSugar on Facebook HERE or Follow on Twitter HERE

3. Post a comment below with a brief description of an outfit YOU would rock with the "Brown Sugar" ring.

Contest entries end at 9pm on Thursday, October 21st. Winner chosen at random. Good luck!

For more info on Jamila Jo Jewelry, check out their Website | Online Shop | Tumblr

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Mulberry for Target

Large Tote in Pink Leopard, $49.99

Target, the fashionista's favorite discount store, is at it again with another hot designer collaboration! This month Target launches it's first line with British design house Mulberry. Mulberry for Target, available in stores starting October 10th, features an intriguing array of limited edition Mulberry designed handbags from leopard printed totes to quilted satchels.I don't know about you, but I await the announcement of Target's next designer collab every season. They always pick fresh designers with really amazing concepts in budget-friendly designs! Can't beat that...

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Miss Tina for Walmart

Ruffled Cardigan, $18.00. Denim 5-Pocket Jean, $18.00

 The brainchild behind Dereon, House of Dereon, and mastermind behind the costumes that Destiny's Child became iconic for, Tina Knowles, will be launching a new fashion line affectionately named "Miss Tina" at select Walmart stores nationwide this month. The line is designed to appeal to a widespread female audience of "...size two to twenty," claims Tina Knowles...

Leopard Draped Dress, $18.00

 The line consists of a combination of 30 dresses and separates that will all retail for $20 and under. Peep Ms.Tina talking about the fashion line below...

What do you guys think of the new line? Fierce or Foolish? Will you purchase?

Image Source

LBS Fashion Throwbacks

My mom, circa early 1980's

 This weekend, I went back to my parents' home to spend quality time with the family and to play with my adorable nephew, who you guys met last fall along with Ralph the Russian fur.While home, I went rummaging through some old photos and stumbled on the vintage pic above, of my mother on vacation. It just reminded me of how cyclical fashion is. I don't see anything wrong with taking that dress and those sunglasses right off my mother circa 30 years ago, and wearing it today (minus the jheri curl). Don't you just love that about fashion? I wanted to know from you guys - what are some of your favorite old school trends? Soundoff below!

Tatted Up: Dereon Temporary Tattoos

For those of you who love the look but can’t handle the pain or the permanence of real tattos, the Knowles women have just the solution for you. Taking their cues from fashion powerhouse Chanel, who debuted its own line of temporary tattoos this past March, these fashionable Knowles ladies have decided to bring their version of body art to the masses. The Dereon brand has partnered with the industry’s go-to airbrush makeup company, Temptu, for a limited edition collection of temporary tattoos due out this November. Now you too can recreate the edgy “Biker Girls” look that Bey donned in the Fall/Winter 2010 Dereon print ad above, or rock it your own way. Below, beauty correspondent Jasmine gives her thoughts on the new product line...

 Jasmine Says: I think it’s a great idea on the part of Dereon, given the success of Chanel’s version which I’ve seen on almost every blog and photographed in almost every mag.  It’ll bring a new audience to the brand as well because I personally never venture to the website or the section in the store that houses the Dereon label, but I do love a good accessory (particularly a glammed out, edgy tat).  And these temptats seem low-fuss and almost no hassle, but add that extra touch just like my nail stickers from OPI that I blogged about before..

For those of you who want to hop on the temptat trend here’s the rundown on the temporary tattoo kits:

- Basic kit comes with 8 tats and application aids, deluxe kit is only sold online and comes with a signed photo of Bey and a chance to win a trip to NYC!

- Designs include the brand's signature fleur de lis, rocker bolts, chains, jewels and spider designs and last up to 5 days.

- Basic kit is slated to sell in-store at Sephora and online at Dereon.com and Temptu.com

Itching to get your hands on a kit? Go to the Dereon website and reserve your order now.  http://dereon.temptu.com/waitlist.php

Fierce or Foolish: Celebs at Alicia Keys' Black Ball

Alicia Keys & husband Swizz Beats

 Clicking around over at TheYBF, I stumbled on these pics of some of my fave celebs all dolled up for Alicia Keys' "Keep A Child Alive Black Ball" at the Hammerstein Ballroom last night. Of course, some of these people get more kudos than others. I have to give props to A. Keys. She looked absolutely stunning in this gray strapless lace number. It grazes over her baby bumb beautifully and the jeweled headpiece is really becoming a signature look for her...

Beyonce showed up to the ball wearing a hot pink sating strapless gown from Andrew GN. I honestly can't say she was the belle of the ball. Though I love the ruching and details on the gown, her hair was all wrong for me. I really wanted her in a slightly messy bun, slicked back with just a few tendrils undone around the neckline. But that's just me...

Jennifer Hudson showed off her banging new body in a black velvet mid-length cocktail dress. Hmm. She's gorgeous, per usual. But this velvet dress is quite un-amazing for me. I wish it were floor length, in a jewel toned color, and I wish she had statement jewelry accompanying it. 

I'm not a fan of this look on Ursh. I don't know about you guys, but Usher looks two kinds of crazy to me in this getup. Not a fan of the pants tucked into the military boot (for a black tie ball nonetheless) and I'm also not a fan of the hair...everywhere. But again, that's just me.

Fierce or Foolish? You decide. Soundoff below!