WRITING

This is a sample of my published fashion writing pieces.  A few articles have appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, (L.S. Allen) some are from fashion websites (fashionablycleveland.) and others are from the now defunct BFLY Magazine where I held the title of Fashion Editor.

PLUS SIZE RUNWAY TRENDS
http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2013/03/spring_trends_can_be_perfectly.html

CLOUD 9 BOUTIQUE
http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2012/06/cloud_9_boutique_in_cleveland.html

WOODEN JEWELRY TREND
http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2011/07/wooden_jewelry_brings_hip-hop.html

PROM 2011 HAIR AND MAKEUP TIPS
http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2011/03/hair_makeup_tips_for_prom.html

WEDDING WARDROBE DILEMMAS SOLVED
http://fashionablycleveland.com/?q=node/883

GUIDE 2 THE GLAM...

Choosing sunglasses can be difficult and frustrating if you don’ know how to pick the proper frame for your face. Find your most  glamorous flattering pair by using this guide.
By Lady Silk

Sunglasses are great because they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, dirt and other particles and they are the one accessory that everyone is guaranteed to look cool in. It’s finally the season to break them out, unless you are like me and wear your glasses year round- rain, sleet and snow be damned!  This is the time when I debut all the fly sunnies I got on sale at the end of last season, I’m partial to all purple everything, but I will wear anything that properly fits my face and compliments my style.  Shopping for sunglasses is similar to finding the perfect pair of jeans, if the fit and style is right then you won’t mind spending extra coins on them because you know they will last you forever- ok, at least a couple of summers.  This guide is meant to hip you to the latest trends and help you figure out what shapes work for you.

Animal print- Nothing says glamour puss like a pair of animal print glasses in a square or oval shape.  Zebra and leopard are cool, but also look out for snake, cheetah and giraffe patterns for an exotic twist.

Translucent: These clear shades are fun to wear and now come in every color in the rainbow, so grab a few of your favorite colors and mix and match them to your outfits according to your mood.

Round: This retro style was last successfully rocked by the Beatles front man John Lennon in the sixties and had a slight resurrection last year when style star Lady Gaga wore them, but now everyone can partake in these fashion forward specs.

Cat eye: These feminine frames are both sexy and versatile and can be worn with casual clothes or add the finishing touch to an ultra glam outfit.  Oversized or classic, there is a cat-eye frame for most face shapes.

Heart-shaped: If you have a wide forehead and cheekbones, and a narrow chin like Rihanna or Christina Aguilera then try cat-eye frames and round shapes.  Stay away from overly embellished styles and wide frames which can make your chin look sharper.

Oblong: Is your face long with narrow chin and cheeks like Kelly Rowland or Sarah Jessica Parker? Then you should stick with oversize frames and wrap styles that flatter, but veto anything too narrow for your face or with hard angles that can make your face look longer.

Oval: Do you have a balanced forehead, cheekbones and jaw? Then your face is oval shaped like Beyonce and Charlize Theron and lucky you can get away with wearing all shapes and bold styles.  Try a bright colored geometric frame for fun and a chunky black butterfly style for drama.

Square: Is your forehead broad with a square jaw line like Janet Jackson or Demi Moore? Then try round, oval and cat-eye frames to soften your jaw- rounded aviators are great too.  Avoid boxy styles with sharp lines that look harsh against your face.

Round: Do you have full cheekbones, and a narrow forehead and jaw like Glee’s Amber Riley or Drew Barrymore? Then stick with wide square and rectangular frames that balance out your face and avoid round frames or colored lenses that exaggerate facial fullness.

Now you know the trends, you know what styles flatter you, it is time to put all the information to use and go shopping.  Great sunglasses can be found everywhere; from mall kiosks, to side of the highway gas stations and truck stops, vintage shops and department stores, it doesn’t matter how much money is spent on a great pair as long as they make you look good. 

SPRING COLOR TRENDS STORY

I know it’s kind of hard to think about spring when the city is still covered in dirty snow and ice. Standing outside right now has you ‘burring’ like Gucci Mane; but the weather will break, and the sun will shine again.  Get ready to put up your dull grays, beiges and other bleak non-colors in exchange for splashes of electric hues, happy prints, and the accessories to match.

You can always count on vibrant, eye popping colors every season, and this one is no different with crisp whites, plush purples, bright blues, reds, oranges and even chartreuse worn alone or with soft neutrals to take some of the edge off.  Spring is the time to experiment with unexpected color combinations and pairings like citrus yellow and khaki, orange and purple, or red and blue. 

Wear one color from head to toe for a fresh spin on the minimalist trend, or you can try color blocking by wearing three different colors at once which can look really good depending on what you have on.  An easy to wear color block ensemble could be as simple as a fitted red t shirt, a blue tank shirt underneath that and a pair of great fitting black skinny jeans; add silver jewelry and a cute pair of flats. 

You can get away with wearing any two colors together as long as your silhouette is simple and you keep your hair and makeup uncomplicated, but don’t go beyond three colors or you will risk looking like Bozo the clown no matter how fly the outfit actually is. Also, print clashing/mixing is still in and better than ever with this season’s take on kaleidoscope botanicals and other graphic prints, if anything this season is all about being bold and taking risks, after all, color is the new black.