Prepared to be Snatched!

36-24-36……We all would love to have these “Brickhouse” measurements but instead of complaining, it’s time to WERK what you got!

The best way to serve up an hourglass figure is with a snatched waist. This is when you use a wide belt to emphasize your curves or to create the illusion where you wish there were. One gal I know that will be living for this trend is my girl, Kalika. She stays in a belt and has an arsenal that I’m prepared to borrow be jealous of all season.

As usual I want to push you to lead, not chase the trend. In order to turn it up a notch try a peplum waist. A peplum is an extra flare that is usually attached to the waist of a jacket/shirt, this is a ladylike touch that will have fellas opening doors for you all over the city.

So suck it in sista, and put those Spanx on the shelf….Grab a Belt, Toss on a Peplum Jacket & Prepare to be SNATCHED!!!

Tags: spring 2012

Suit Up…

It’s game time and I need you to suit up….head to toe!

Today’s Hump-day treat: Mono (not the kind you get from making out w/random boys) as in mono-chromatic dressing.

This trend is extremely simple as well as effective. Dressing in the same color/print from head to toe will surely make you stand out from the crowd!

On Christmas my little cousin (yes, another cousin…sorry I have a 1 million) Whitney showed up in a red blazer. Straight away I was obsessed and literally stripped it off of her back. Instantly I wanted to pair it with a red skirt for a showstopping suit. Whitney let me in on her secret: the blazer is from Forever 21! This is a perfect example of mixing high and low. I plan on debuting this look at my store’s New Year Night Out @ Public next week.

Below are a few runway looks that are meant to encourage and inspire you to be bold! So I’m showing Chanel and your budget is Charlotte Russe….don’t let that stop you from being a fresh, fly MVP. Now, what are you waiting for…SUIT UP!

DKNY, Alexander McQueen, Viktor & Rolf, Christian Siriano. All SS12

Tomorrow: Prepare to be SNATCHED!!!

Tags: family, Fashion, spring 2012

Ms. Fancy Pants

Gather around children, Professor JennyFresh is back at the podium:

Today’s lesson: Printed Pants

For Spring 2012 prints are EVERYTHING! The most accessible way to take this from the catwalk to your closet is printed jeans. Animal print such as leopard and snakeskin are already in a boutique near you. Grab a pair and wear it with a classic ivory blouse for the perfect balance. For more daring types, complete your look with a sexy, black sheer or lace form fitting shirt, very Doris Howard. If you want to earn extra credit with me go for floral jeans or silk wide leg pants. Current and Elliot’s (pictured below) Mandy is already the talk with me and the girls at the shop. Take a dip in the pool of prints, I promise you’ll l❤ve it!

Alice+Oliva SS12, Joie Shirt/Current Leopard Jeans, Citizen of Humanity Mandy

Tags: Doris Howard, shopping, spring 2012

#FreshApproved for 2012

I’ve given you a week to get recover from party rocking into the New Year….but now it’s time to get down to serious business.  The people have spoken:

*J.M.L* @_Janelle_Little

@JennyFresh Can we get a new blog post soon? We’re dying to know what to look forward to in #2012

Okay:  In all honesty “The people”  is my Fashionable cousin Janelle, but I’m just going to assume that she is speaking for hundreds thousands of you out there!

Everyday this week I’ll give you the breakdown of my obsessions for Spring 2012.

I’m in the business of keeping you fly before the masses so grab a pen and pad, oh yeah no one does that anymore, well….Bookmark this page sista cuz this is your Fresh Fashion Forward cheat sheet for 2012:

Today we cover COLOR:

Tangerine

Color is the easiest way to give your wardrobe life.  If you choose one this season, it must be Tangerine.  The specialists @ Pantone have named Tangerine Tango as the color of 2012.  This color has showed up all over the runway and will be in your favorite store soon. Patent flats are a brilliant, unexpected way to liven up a neutral look.  As usual, I want you to be ahead of the trend so feel free to take a bite.

Jenny Packham SS2012, Essie Tangerine, Michael Kors City Flats

Tomorrow: Pretty in Prints

Tags: Fashion, spring 2012

A Fashionable Favor…

Last week my girlfriend, and fellow retail warrior Kalika called with great news: She’s starting a new job!  Her introduction to the company is attending their yearly conference in the Hamptons .  After filling me in on all the details she ended with, “…And this is where you come in…”.

The mission, if I chose to accept it, was to completely wardrobe her for this 4 day excursion.

The challenge: For Kalika the corporate culture of this new brand is significantly different than her current company.  She wanted to reflect the lifestyle that her new company represents but not lose her own sense of style.

I came over to her apartment armed with a bag full of dresses/capes/jewels and things of that nature and prepared to WERK!!!

The results were more than we both could hope for and resulted in eight looks that we both were obsessed with, here’s a taste….

Red Hottt

Ladylike Touch!

Perfect for a yacht party.. No really she's going to a yacht party

We were inspired by color, print, drama, and sophistication.

These are the Fall 2011 trends that we used to help pull her creative corporate look together.

• Red Denim- Choose a cayenne pepper shade
• Bow Blouse- This season is the return of the lady: Act accordingly
• White Blazer-An instant update to the “boyfriend blazer”
• Continuation of the Maxi-no need to shave your legs, this trend is going no where
• Capes-Dracula, Wonder Woman, and Me… All fashion trailblazers!

Me @ work

Our Faves

At the end of the day we toasted with a glass of wine and agreed MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !

How to live the Fresh Life:  Fall is a season of transition and change whether it’s a new job, moving to a new city, or finally acting on that idea for a new biz .  We must embrace this BOLDLY!

Xx

Tags: fall 2011, Fashion, wardrobing

You are Cordially Invited…..

I wanted to extend an invitation to you, you and especially YOU to my arm party!

For those not familar with an arm party see definition below:

ARM PARTY: [ahrm pahr-tee] noun, a collection of bracelets of various sizes and shapes layered to come together to form a collective presentation of Fabulousness!

That definition is straight from Webster’s.

Are you more of a visual person then feast your eyes on this SISTER:

Wrist Wars

C$ has her classic look

Sarah's take

Bang Bang-courtesy of HB

 

 

 

 

My personal daily soiree

Here are a few tips to keep this party going:

1.  Choose a color palate:  Are you a down to earth lady, a gold glamazon, or one that thinks: if it’s not bright it’s not right.  As with anything in life you want to have a distinct point of view.  Mine is a mix of earth tones with a touch of luxury.

2.  More is More:  It is said that the legendary CoCo Chanel one said “Before you leave the house look in the mirror and remove one accessory”.  All respect due to CoCo but in this case I completely disagree!  When orchestrating your arm candy remember the soon-to-be legendary Jenny Fresh said “Ghurl, More is More!”

3. Be Fearless: In many of the pictures that you see above these ladies actually got their DIY on (do-it-yourself, okay you knew that right?)  I’m not the most crafty of the bunch but the crew @ Beadniks took care of me (multiple times) and helped me create many of the bracelets I have on.  Find the local bead shop and be inspired.

How to live the Fresh Life:  Use this trend to express yourself! I promise as soon as you stack your wrist you’ll feel like the coolest girl in school!

It’s a Family Reunion…

Hey Y’all! That’s my southern accent from my recent trip to Memphis.

Every other year me and 250 or so of my closest family members  get together to celebrate Love. That’s right Love!

The Kidd- Cotton Family Reunion is named after my grandmother Ora Lee Kidd and my grand-daddy James W. Cotton.

Heading to the south in 101 degree weather, wearing a mandated t-shirt, and saying “Hey Cuz!” 1 million times<—This sounds like heaven to me!

I may be a city girl who loves getting all fancy and enjoying a $20 cocktail by your local Mixologist. But please remember I spent summers in Birdie, Mississippi on the front porch with my cousin Tia shucking corn and snapping fresh green beans.  Now we buppie/yuppie suckas pay big $$$ @ Whole Foods for this “organic produce”.

But I digress……

Here are pixs from my weekend, enjoy:

What? Your family picnic doesn't come w/ a reusable tote...sorry!

My little cousin Kennedy and her arm party....yes I like to start them young

The oldest member of our family (Aunt Sadie, 95) holding the youngest member (Morgan, 5 mo)

This is my Mommy, picture perfect for Mardi Gras night

My Sweet cousin Tiffany and her family. Look @ Jayla giving you her BIGGEST smile

My cousin's Kylan "self portrait". I do believe he's the next Gordon Parks <-Google plz

 

“But wait Jenny, there are no pics of you!”

I have news for you readers: Sometimes it is NOT all about me!  Okay just kidding…

Here I am headscarf and all.

 

How to Live the Fresh Life:   Maybe your family doesn’t have 300 members, or a Facebook fan page but don’t let that stop you from reaching out….. You don’t have to travel 500 miles. Give your mom/aunt/cousin a call/email/text! If you need musical inspiration let the O’Jays lead the way.  If you’re over your family, no worries gurl, feel free to join the Kidd-Cotton Reunion 2013. We’d love to have you! Xx

Tags: family, Trips