…but they’re PRADA!!!

I have the best conversations with my friends. We really need a reality show or something.  Of course, fashion is one of the topics we discuss most frequently. One of my conversations with my good friend, Tes, went something like this:

Me: So, I drank too much last night at the event and fell on my ass – but not necessarily in that order…

Tes: How the hell did you manage to fall? You mean to tell me you really fell? Like, hit the ground?

Me. Yep!  This guy was flirting with me at the bar; he said something witty; and I threw my head back to laugh and landed on my bottom! It hurts like a mother!

Tes: You had on those damn shoes, didn’t you? I thought I told you to get rid of those!

Me: But they’re PRADA!!!

Yes. My friends and I are beautiful and brilliant…but every now and then; we’re shallow! This is one of my shallow moments.  These shoes are fabulous. And they’re Prada! And I cannot walk in them. At all! I have learned that I can only wear them if I’m walking very short distances and I have to walk very slowly and carefully; and if I’m spending all – not most but all – of the event in a seat!

Still, I refuse to get rid of them – because they’re PRADA!!! And they’re quirky. And I love them!

So, of course, Tes posts this on my Facebook wall the next day...

(We are obsessed with Will & Grace.)

So, if I’m out and about with these shoes on and you see me walking very carefully and leaning and sitting and definitely NOT dancing; just do me a favor, friends…

Brace to catch me if I make a misstep!

The things we do in the name of fashion…particularly Prada!

 

Gap Kids Ad

So, let’s talk about this girl power Gap ad that some people have their panties up in a bunch about.

Dear butthurt people: HAVE A DAMN SEAT, ALREADY! Everything is NOT racist! I saw the ad before I read about all of the drama.  I loved it then and still love it now!  I think it is adorable. I did notice the adorable Black girl and I noticed that she was quiet, but that’s because she’s the smallest girl in the ad! That’s what little girls do when they’re hanging out with big girls – they hang around quietly, watch with admiration, and think, “I can’t wait until I’m old enough/big enough/ strong enough to do that!” I know that’s what I did when I was a little girl!

Here is where I cackled and chortled: Business Insider published an article today that the two girls are SISTERS! Come on!  That’s what big sisters do! Little squirts are always the armrest! Always!

As a Black girl (who rocks, by the way), I know all too well that racism and sexism still exist, which is why we need programs that encourage and empower Black People. And Women. And especially Black Women. As a Black women, I was not offended by this ad at all.  I thought it was super cute and was happy to see all of the girls being strong and pretty and smart because it is possible to have it all!

Dear Gap + Ellen DeGeneres: You’re awesome, that ad is amazing, the critics are being just plain dumb! Thank you for celebrating girl power in such a great way!

Click this link to see part of the ad from fortune.com.

About Last Night...NCAA Basketball Championship Edition

I was almost as excited about the NCAA Championship as I was about my outfit last night! My girls and I were long overdue for a night of fun and we were super cute for the festivities!

Shirt: Hard Rock Cafe Memphis
Jeans: 7 for all Mankind
Shoes: Prada
Belt Bag: Gucci

I am also excited to announce that you will soon be able to shop my closet! Details are on the way! 

The luxurylyst reboot will be worth the wait!

Melissa McCarthy is Complete Awesomeness...

This is why I have a blog!  I have been trying for about 30 minutes to find a website that wasn't completely messy and full of links to share these great photos of Melissa McCarthy!She has lost 50 pounds, looks gorgeous, and is showing off her new clothing line!  Way to go, girl! You look beautiful!Photos from Radio One Lebanon and Eonline 

Babydoll Obsessed

Babydoll Obsessed by luxurylyst featuring suede boots

American Eagle Outfitters dress
ae.com

Chloé suede boots
$1,190 - stylebop.com

Givenchy clear bag
barneys.com

China: Through the Looking Glass - Met Gala 2015

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What better time to jump back into the fabulous world of fashion than to talk about the Met Gala?  As I’m sure you know, the Met Gala is a costume ball with a theme, so it is always amusing to me when people criticize the people who dress according to the theme on the red carpet.  That’s the whole point of a costume ball with a theme!

Since the theme was centered around China, red is the obvious and safe choice; then there was plenty of pretty red dresses on the carpet. I, however, want to point out and give my best dressed accolades to those who went all out and took the theme seriously!

Lots of red and dragons were expected for this red carpet, but guess who nailed it without going the safe route! Are you surprised – I’m not surprised one bit! Big Bird memes be damned! Rihanna (and that dress) made the theme come alive!  The memes and other photos poking fun at her dress were funny, though!

Next in my “Nailed it” category is Red Carpet Queen Sarah Jessica Parker!  Twitter is really giving her a hard time about her headdress, but it is absolutely in keeping with the theme of the evening.  It’s not like she wore the thing to the Oscars Red Carpet!   Yes, I said, “that thing” because it is a LOT and she is definitely “doing the most” but that is what you’re supposed to do at the Met Gala! The memes and photos poking fun at her were hilarious, too!  That’s OK, SJP, you owned that carpet as usual!

Those were my two favorite outfits.  Here are some others!  I may reserve commentary to keep from throwing any unnecessary shade!  I do not want my return from hiatus to be snarky!

Anne Hathaway in a Ralph Lauren hoodie! Love, love, love that hood!

Katy Perry got into the spirit of the evening’s theme in Moschino.

I would love to see a photo of the back of this dress, but as always, Solange does “out of the box” with great taste!

Kendall Jenner was super cute in Calvin Klein – I would totally wear that dress! I’d wear that one on the photo bomber, too!  Who is that?

There were many other really cute dresses on the red carpet last night – some were great costumes and others just great dresses. Overall, most of the attendees looked awesome on the Red Carpet. I really liked Madonna, Lady Gaga, Kerry Washington, and Cher, to name a few.  The ones that made my lyst, however, are the ones I kept going back to view several times.  I still can’t stop looking at this Calvin Klein on Kendall! I think it’s my favorite non-costume ensemble.

Until next time…

Golden Globes Gems

Guess who got caught up in a Netflix binge and missed the Globes? I didn't even catch the red carpet!  So, for the last few days, my “FOMO” has kicked in completely and I have been all over the internet looking at dresses…and judging!

Simple and elegant are always my favorite looks.  You have to wear the clothes, not the other way around, especially when it comes to evening wear.  Here are some of the stars that looked good at the Globes.

I am always happy to see this lady on a red carpet! I am a bit biased when it comes to Jen because she is my friend in my head.  She kept it simple and sexy and she looked great in Saint Laurent! Good job, my friend in my head! :) 

Julianne Moore is all sparkly and cute in Givenchy Haute Couture.  I love the sparkle and like that the dress plays with the fringe trend from fall.  This is a great example of including a trend into a classic silhouette!

Prada really should do more gowns.  Ruth Wilson looked really pretty in this modern classic.  I love the clean lines in this dress and the seams in Prada pieces are always impeccable.  

Tiny Fey, in Antonio Berardi,and Amy Poehler, in Stella McCartney

This dress Amy Poehler is wearing on stage should have been her red carpet dress.  I made this same comment about one of her looks last year, too.  Hey, Amy!  I’m available to dress you!  I guarantee, you’ll kill it on the red carpet if I do!  She should have hit that carpet in this piece and just stood there for a good 10 minutes with her hands on her hips like Wonder Woman!  That’s what I would have done, anyway!

I love that these funny ladies are also just that – ladies, and they look incredible all the time.

Pants are a risk, but Lorde made it work in Narciso Rodriguez! She is super cute and Royals is still one of my favorite songs!

I’m just going to go on and say it!  These young girls are having a hard time nowadays because women all over (not just celebrities) are aging fantastically! Just about everybody on my dressed list is over 40 and I did not do that on purpose!

Dame Helen is gorgeous in Dolce and Gabbana! I just love her! 

Lena got it right this time in Zac Posen!  That’s all…

Another funny lady who always nails it on the red carpet is Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  She looked white hot in a custom Narciso Rodriguez.

Katie Holmes looked beautiful in a custom Marchesa gown in my favorite color!

Quvenzhané Wallis steals the show in custom Giorgio Armani. I have heard good things about Annie and can’t wait to see it!  One of my friends keeps calling it “Black Annie” like there’s another version currently out there in theaters or something. 

Christine Baranski was gorgeous in Zac Posen.

Common.  

In  Prada. 

He could have been wearing a jumpsuit from the flea market and still make any list I create!  This just happens to be his first red carpet appearance that I've managed to catch!  #leswoon

Here's to a Fabulous New Year!

Remembering an Icon

It should come as no surprise that window shopping is one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy looking at the stories merchandisers and artists create – especially in Manhattan (think, Louis Vuitton, Spring 2009). The one boutique that never disappoints and is always breathtaking with just one dress is none other than Oscar de la Renta. His beautiful dresses are evidence of his love and appreciation of the female form. Senor de la Renta was a global treasure and will be greatly missed. Thankfully, we will always have the dresses; the glorious and stunning works of art. 

 As I browsed the web and read the tributes from the major media outlets, I was intrigued by how quickly writers and editors could pick their favorite pieces or his “best creations”. I mean, I don’t think I have ever seen an Oscar de la Renta dress that I did not like. I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite or even a collection of favorites. Thank you, Mr. de la Renta, for loving women and making us look and feel beautiful. Rest well!

Emmys 2014

It’s been too long since I've posted! What better way to come back than to dish about the Emmys Red Carpet! It is always a highlight for me to look at the beautiful dresses on the carpet during the glamorous award shows and this year’s carpet did not disappoint. Once again, my best dressed picks are proof of my theory that less is definitely more. When you are putting together your ensembles for any occasion, you want to be wearing your clothes, not the other way around! The great Coco Chanel reminds us, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably, and they remember the woman”. Plenty of ladies got it right on the Red Carpet. Below are a few of my favorites from the night. I had lots of favorite looks. Narrowing it down was hard!

Kerry Washington in Prada! 
Did she really just have a whole baby?

Julia Roberts in Elie Saab Haute Couture 

I really want to hate Camila Alves (Mrs. McConaughey).

But she's gorgeous.
And always owns the Red Carpet.

Here, she's wearing Zuhair Murad.

Mr. Alves is wearing Dolce and Gabbana! 
Love the blue!

Halle Berry in Elie Saab.

Debra Messing, in Angel Sanchez

Julie Bowen, in Peter Som
I'm a sucker for a print gown!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Carolina Herrera.

Natalie Dormer from Game of Thrones, in J. Mendel

Special mention goes to “BLOSSOM”, also known as “Amy Farrah Fowler”, also known as Dr. Mayim Bialik!  I saw her doing an interview and she mentioned that stylists and designers in Hollywood don’t want to dress her because she won’t wear a dress without sleeves.  I wish she would hire me!  I would gladly welcome the challenge! I love a great strapless or halter ball gown, but there is also nothing wrong with a pretty gown that covers a girl’s arms – especially when you have to attend formal events when it’s cold or if you, like Dr. Mayim, simply don’t wish to bare much skin.  Good for you for staying true to yourself.  I was inspired by your words!

As always, I am forever grateful to style.com for their incredible photos!