So You're Going To See Beyoncé...Now What?

Editor's Note: Parts of this post were written prior to the debut of Mrs. Knowles-Carter's fantabulous documentary, which I am sure has upped the ante for you music lovers.

Now that tickets have gone on sale to the general public and you've asked your cousin, best friend, girl you know from college for the hook up bought them through Live Nation or Ticketmaster, I'm sure you are all doing the 'Single Ladies' wave in prep for The Mrs. Carter Show!

Short story: I don't think Beyonce's website was prepared for the amount of traffic/people who wanted tickets a few weeks ago. Her site was shut down for 40 minutes and at 10:05, the tickets were sold OUT. I looked like this at my desk: 

BUT THEN  after watching the 'sold out' sign hovering next to the Chicago show, I refreshed the page (x100) and magically 4 tickets became on sale in one of the best sections.... and I got them!! I was all:

And of course my next question was..what am I going to wear?! This isn't just a concert. By the title of this concert tour, her show stopping promotion of a woman we all wish was our BFF in "Life Is But A Dream", you can tell Beyoncé did not come to play so neither should you. Below are my top suggestions for you to show up and show out at the Mrs. Carter Show:

Lamé
Lamé is a knit fabric that usually is produced in gold and silver metallic tones. It's stiffer and outlines your shape, attracting light in flattering places. In "Lamé -ns" terms, it's shiny and makes you look more sophisticated than the average twentysomething-clubgoer. Sequins are out, Lamé is where it's at.

Anthony Vaccarello Gold Tone Pants, Egypt Leggings, Lame Silk Striped Blouse, Witchery Lame Tee, Vionnet Wrap Top 

Heels

I know; going to a concert means you'll be standing most of the time, but this is unfortunately a burden we carry as women. Heels are a must. No Flip Flops, no Flats, no cute Gladiator Sandals. NO! Come as the best version of yourself to this affair, and if you need tips on how to make your shoes comfy before wear, click here.

Miss Maze Peep Toe, Ellie Lace Up Stiletto, Iron Fist lip and Hear Boots , TopShop Lace Wing Boots,  Jeffery Campbell Mapmaking Boots, River Island Cage Bootie

Hair
Try a style you've never tried before. The pros: it's a dark concert and the only photo's you'll have are the ones you take before you go. The rest will be of 'Crazy In Love' or your favorite Bey performance.

Color

Stand out-- it's a concert after all, and regardless of when this tour hits your city, be a walking Pop Of Color!

I hope to see all my fellow Chicagoans at the July 17th show! You can look for the girl wearing all of the above, and working it out in the United Center seats:

Happy Monday!

-TLW

Photo Credit: BellaSugar, Gorgeous Hair, Fashion Bomb Daily, African American Wedding Hair ,Princess Hairstyles, A Cup of Chic

Cerulean, Cobalt & Indigo..Oh My!

Happy Leap Day!! It seems strange doesn't it that we have this extra day of the year, and for those of you in Chicagoland, this 60 degree day? In any case, it's a day to celebrate and what better way than to spoil yourselves and your closets with a new Spring trend.

Does anyone remember this show-stopping explanation?

Fabulous Meryl; I hope to be a Silver Coiffed Fox in my late Fashionista days, too. Nevertheless this video is the essence of Spring. Bright may be in, but Blue is definitely back.

Billy Reid NYFW 2012

Photo Source: The Ultra Bright.com

Here's the good bad news about Blues & Brights: there is no way to be subtle. Color is going to make you stand out and your figure will look much fuller with a block of color. That's just the principal of not wearing black. It brings attention to the peaks and valleys of your curves and I need you ladies to be OK with that! Because guess what? All this doesn't mean you can't wear it ;) Embrace it! Color is in, and who are you to not to put your own sassy spin on this solstice?


Time for some Blue Clues:

•  First and foremost, this is your new Spring/Summer Bestie:

This color wheel shows you exactly which colors compliment your hues. That's not to say you cannot pair Blue with any other color, but it does show you the best fit and helps avoid looking like Crayola. (Google Images)

•  Cuts, cuts, and more cuts! The color is one statement - the cut of the garment is entirely another. Like you may have read in other posts on The Last Word it's all about how you style yourself. With Blue's I would stick with something simple and structure. Remember, the garment is to for your body to fill out, not overpower your beauty!
• For accessories - stick to metals! For special occasions of course have a ball, but for every day wear I would stick to Silver or Gold. All eyes on Blue!

So Cool: See It Through Shirt

Ellison: Tiered Shirt Dress

Lush: No Going Back Hi-Low Dress

Dolce Vita: Daisy Belted Wrap Silk Romper

Cameo: Box Sleeve Dress

Flying Tomato: Lace Tank Dress

ASOS: Blue Denim Ski Pant Jeggings

Another Blue Fact: New Arrivals from Tobi.com featured in this blogpost are 30% off today only! How cool is that?!


So take a Leap this day and score some Blue!

-TLW

V-Day: Let's Do It For The Girls!

Hello my Sweets, and Happy February! It is officially the second month of 2012 and also the month of LOVE. For those of you who celebrate, it is also the kick off of Black History Month and I know I will be paying homage to my Icons, including Ms. Sarah Breedlove. Look her up ;)

As you all know I am all about Women/Self Empowerment on this blog, and when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day, I am no different. A tradition I have started with my girlfriends is to go out for Valentine's Day Dinner. Whether you have a special someone in your life or not, I think it's important to celebrate all the Love in your heart.

See what I mean?

With that being said- this post is dedicated for a night out with the girls! A time to be sexy, flirty, and fun. I put together 4 themed outfits below that would be a V-Day treat:

Outfit #1: Rock It Out (Click on photo to enlarge)

With this 'fit, I had the edgy girl in mind. Someone who will play up the theme, but add a twist. You can't go wrong with classic colors in the pants, the spiked shoes will put you in a category of your own, and the Hi-Lo top goes perfect with the V-Day celebrations. Hi-Low tops show off your front and cover your back. It's flattering and most importantly draws more attention to them hemline, than the hip line.

Top: Mink Pink - The Bad Romance Cape Shirt

Pants: Tripp NYC - The Split Pant

Shoes: Sole Boutique - The Cenobite Shoe in Black

Outfit#2: The Sweetheart (click on photo to enlarge)

For the more demure celebrator, I thought this dress would be a funky update to the LBD. It has a natural waist and hints of sexy with the Mesh, and it also gives the illusion of a Mini. The Peep Toe Pump add a POC (pop of color) and - it's colorblocked!


Dress: Final Stretch Navy Blue Dress
Shoes: My Delicious Rainer Coral Multi Color Block Platform Heels

Outfit #3: Pink Me (click on photo to enlarge)

 Platforms are one of the best things to come back from those Disco Days. They make you look taller, and your legs look longer, so for this outfit I started with the shoes. I love the color and they are suede sandals a.k.a year round shoes! The mini is Denim and the chiffon top takes it to the perfect level of dressy for a night out.

Top: Lace Pocket Blouse - Berry
Skirt: Chipper Zipper Denim Skirt
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Dressen Purple Fuchsia & Red Suede Sandals

Outfit #4: Candy Stripe (click on photo to enlarge)

With this outfit, I wanted to do something very traditional to Valentine's Day. Not only is Red the hot color of the season, high waisted shorts are also here to stay. PS- High Waisted anything is great! It's the same idea from the Natural Waist and give you that sexy hourglass shape. Couple them with the ankle strap platforms, and sheer striped shirt, you can easily turn this into a 'Pin Up' girl glamfest.

Top: Malt Shop Memories Striped Pink Top
Shorts: Button Up Tap Shorts
Shoes: Sole Boutique The Eye Doll Shoe in Red

For accessories, I am a firm believer in Bling. Anything that sparkles will perfect these frocks. 

So start shopping! V-Day, or D-Day is next weekend, Ladies. Dress up in Love ;)


-TLW!

Jumping-On Point

I have to admit- as much as I love fashion, sometimes there is so much gong on. Mixing prints, colorblocking you name it; after a while if you leave those trends up to the imagination sometimes they go too far. And matching? Forget it. These days pairing an outfit is not as easy as it used to be (OK, maybe it is, but you get where I am going with this). One of the unmistakable trends I love, and am a huge fan of its comeback is: the Jumpsuit! I personally own 5 (4 of which I designed myself) and I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. Jumpsuits are flawless. You don’t have to worry about the fit, since most jumpsuits are cut straight up and down for the entire body to fill. More importantly and more often than not, these suits aren’t a snoozefest! Jumpsuits make a bold statement since this garment gives itself one shot to get it right. 

Here are a few of my favorites, including one designed by yours truly:

Feel the Piece- Pump Jumpsuit

Lorelai Beige over Black Lace Romper

Out with the Girls Color Block Romper

What Goes Around Comes Around- Racquel Jumpsuit like it What Goes Around Comes Around Racquel Jumpsuit

Zimmermann - Calm Jumpsuit with Leather Trim

Assata Designs Silk Jumpsuit - 1.18.11

Let's hear it Ladies, is this one trend that should have died with our Disco Lovin' ancestors? Let me know what you think of these suits & my creation :)

Jump Around!

TLW