Let me tell you guys a story-

There is this awesome light installation near my apartment (as you can see) and I knew I had to shoot in front of it. So minding my own business, just shooting for my petty little blog, a security guard comes busting out of his big, tall luxury building shooing us away. Hey guy, we’re not 12 years old. Use your words. He then tells us we need to leave, keep in mind we’re a good 100 meters away from him, and he then tells us he’ll call the cops. May I remind you, I’m on a public sidewalk, in a public area in THE PUBLIC. I didn’t go inside the building, I didn’t utilize my fine graffiti skills across the installation- I merely took photos like a tourist. He won’t stop being an arrogant asshole, so I decide to go inside the lobby to this DOORMAN and share a few words with him. The conversation goes something like this:

BLOGGER IN BLUE: I’m sorry, what’s the problem?
DOORMAN WHO TAKES HIS JOB TOO SERIOUSLY: You can’t take photos in front of our building, it’s private property.
BB: We live here.
DOORMAN: Oh yeah, what apartment number?
BB: Not here, in the building down the street.
DOORMAN: Okay, so you can’t take pictures here. And anyway, it’s inappropriate. There are babies and strollers and people walking around. It’s just inappropriate.
BB: UM, what? Inappropriate? I’m in a public space, no one else’s photo is being taken, I’m on a sidewalk, I look like a tourist.
DOORMAN: I don’t care. This is private property, you can’t do that. I’ll call the cops. They will side with me.
BB: (laughing) Call the cops? Are you serious? We aren’t doing anything but taking photos IN PUBLIC. Go ahead and call them.
DOORMAN: You are on private property, you need to leave. If you want to take pictures in the park, you can do that. But not out here.
BB: So you’re saying I can go take pictures in the park, and still have the building as my backdrop and that’s okay?
DOORMAN: Yup.
BB: Well that’s just stupid. Either situations are the same.
DOORMAN: You’re using the building as your backdrop. It’s not right.
BB: Okay, this is ridiculous. Do you have a notice of some kind? We aren’t shooting a documentary or filming the next SIXTEEN AND PREGNANT… we’re taking photos because the wall is pretty.
DOORMAN: No I don’t have a notice.
BB: Give me a contact.
DOORMAN: Go ahead- call my boss. He’ll tell you the same thing.
BB: (giving him MAD side eye) (laughing) Oh. Okay. (takes card and starts to walk out)
DOORMAN: Don’t do it again or I’m calling the cops.
BB: (silence, walks to the installation and finishes the shoot)

-END SCENE-

I swear, it was like having a conversation with a teenager who’s going through their moody-talk-back phase. Relax homie.
I may just write the building an email, simply stating that if they would like to preserve their prestigious art installation, here are the following links to provide red velvet ropes to protect such an entity. DOING IT.

Besides all that craziness, I really am putting in the efforts to be more chill. I originally woke up, put a polka dot vintage 60′s dress worn as vest, with polka dot shorts, this striped top and a blue mullet sheer top over it and walked to the mirror and literally said, WHAT. THE. FUCK. I mean, don’t get me wrong guys. You know as well as I, how much I adore fashion and individuality and personal style but I’ve reached my breaking point. I love my wardrobe. But I think what I’ve done now is curated a closet for historical purposes rather than actual pieces to wear. So, cheers to baggy jeans, pumped up kicks and sloppy top knots. I’m diggin’ it.

After multiple “I-hate-what-I-have-in-my-closet!” moments and also realizing half the clothing I own doesn’t fit or have a place in my wardrobe, I felt it was time for an intervention of sorts. But more or less, a reinvention of a similar look I’ve donned before but not quite in the best light. I was all about hip hop, based on movies and what I saw in the mall back in high school and into college. So on came the Baby Phat sweatsuits, Rocawear hoodies and Timberland high heel boots. Don’t forget about the bamboo hoops, gold chains and denim jumpsuits courtesy of J.Lo.

But after I realized that style was outdated and not cool, I went through multiple phases of style and have yet to settle on what I love. I had a conversation recently about being defined by style stereotypes or trying to categorize yourself as one persona or another. I realized that although I don’t have a defined style personality, I have a strong sense of style that changes daily. And I think that’s pretty cool.

So as of late, I decided I want to reach into my past and take some of the moments in my hip hop era and bring them back to life. Just updated. On top of that, I’m starting my self-defense classes AND I’m getting back into dance which I’m SO EXCITED about. I based my soon-to-be active lifestyle on what I’d want to be wearing: from work to dance class.

Designer sneakers, comfy harem pants, simple tops or tees and the flyest accessories possible, make up my new look or what I’d like to look like. Stay tuned next week, I’ll be continuing my reinvention journey with you guys. It’s going to be good.

And a special treat for you (I will definitely be regretting posting these) but take a special look at my style of my past I’ve been describing. I couldn’t find the really intense ones but I figure I’d spare you the horror… not that the following isn’t horrific.

Question for you: Do you know any celebrity or personality who embodies this hip hop of 2012 style? I’d love to know so please share! I’m much better with visuals than words so speak up and share!

You know the moment you wake up and you decide to throw on all the metallic you own in your closet– then realize that gold lamé pants kill the outfit so pulling on your baggiest pair of jeans should make this look work? Yeah, that happened to me this morning.

Let me explain to you the reasons the following were adorning my body today:

1- My latest find comes from the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale and it’s pretty much my life. MY. LIFE.
2- I own these baggy jeans. No, not like own. But like, “I run you mofos!” You know, like a pimp. BAD. MIND.
3- These ankle strap sandals MURDER my bunions but I can’t help it. They just shine in my face when I wake up so putting them on is the only way to avoid… them… not… burning my eyes? Whatever.
4- A gal pal of mine came over this weekend and brought to light my sequin obsession so I was inspired to rock some sequins. I recommend you letting someone gallivant in your closet. They might find things you completely forgot about.
5- Since I’m wearing all metallic, I had to slap on a arm fiesta- in all metals.

Now the baggy eyes- they have no relation to the metallic party going on.

HAPPY “bloated” (belated) MOTHER’S DAY! I know I’m a day late but hey girl hey, I had to get my tan on and the video was taking a million years to upload so priorities were divided and conquered through an equation of alochol vs. watching the upload percentage increase. Oh life.

My mom is a pretty cool lady if I must say so myself. She’s sassy and cray cray- extra special and full of love. I don’t deserve all the support she gives but I am so very thankful. My step-mom is also a great lady who I will always love and appreciate as a mother, nothing less.
I have two pretty AWESOME women to look up to- both from different upbringings and practices with wise minds and open hearts. This post is dedicated to the mothaaas y’all. LOVE YOU.

Somewhere in my mind I thought I was stylish.

I read a great quote the other day that fulfilled a lot of emptiness I felt.

We can’t control what happened, we can’t control what has been lost. What we can control is how we fight to take that control back, and the voice within us is powerful in doing so.

I refuse to continue on being sad or depressed about something I can’t change. The best way to move the needle is to make this a positive situation. This could of been worse and I’m sure all of our imaginations can run with this. But I’m here and I’m safe- I want to make this an awareness for all women. I want my story to help at least one person and hopefully, more.

Love you all and thanks for stickin’ around. I’ll be back to norm in no time, holla.

Someone needs teeth whitener.

Besides products to buy at Duane Reade, I co-hosted a lovely little function with my gal pals Caroline, Christine, Jessie, Bonnie and Laura with Poshmark at the Ace Hotel last week. Not only did I talk about my tits all night long, I sold some of my crap precious belongings courtesy of the Poshmark app. Tits and dolla bills, sounds familiar.

I donned a custom-made floral crown by my dear friend, Augusto. He is a magic man let me tell you. One day, I’ll convince him to make a website. Until then, only my girl Lauren (He made her a bridal floral crown for her wedding day) and I are the only ones to own his custom made creations.

If you haven’t checked out what I’m selling, go download the Poshmark app and buy my shit lovely belongings. You know what that means? It means I’ll buy more stuff, I’ll get sick of it and I’ll sell it again for half the cost. LOVE IT RIGHT?!

Oh and P.S. for those who bought something, I’m totally lagging at sending out your purchases. Work has been cray cray but don’t you worry- I’ll hopefully have them out this week!

Thank you Poshmark for hosting us- I had a great time with my gals and yummy tequila!

Photos courtesy of Poshmark & Instagram

Oh hello folks- it’s another round of “PROFRESH GUIDE TO…“!

I’m really excited to share this with you because I’m talkin’ about LUCKY FABB y’all. Yesterday was the magazine’s west coast conference and I tuned in via livestream which served me well all day, in my earphones of course. The conference inspired today’s Profresh Guide To- and it’s a good one so I hope you enjoy. Let’s just say I had A LOT to say once the conference signed off for the night.

After you’re done watching, I’d love for you to chit chat! Let me know what you think, share your thoughts with everyone and let’s get this convo going. I’m interested to hear what you guys think, good and/or bad. I’m happy to say that you, readers, inspired this post. Watching the conference reminded me of why I blog and that’s you.

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On a completely unrelated side note: HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to my little brother!! More on my Tumblr!

Check the awesome little feature on Eat, Sleep, Denim today- I’m wearing my new fav denim, David Kahn. I’m wrapped in crosshatch denim stretch. It’s beautiful.

Now that I’ve seduced my denim, let’s party! Tonight is the Poshmark party at the Ace Hotel! Starts at 7PM folks- I can’t wait to see you all! For those who can’t make it, it’s cool. I promise not to take it out on your blog (jokes). You can follow along by checking out my Poshmark closet and downloading the app here. Enter in this code, HBSVJ, and you’ll get $5 credit to shop with. So basically, I’m paying you to shop! HA, I kid. But seriously, join us online if you can’t get your butts to NYC.

If you’re following along on Instagram and Twitter, you’ll be seeing everything that’s going down at the Ace Hotel as well as sneak peeks of what I’m wearing. It’s epic.

Love you all and can’t wait to drink the night away. 

[Photo courtesy of Crissie Fuller]

My all-time favorite pants with my all-time favorite print. Heaven in an outfit? Yeah, I think so.

Once upon a time, I wanted to be a stylist. Then, I realized the reality of such a thing. Say hello to your desk job.

No but really, my fabulously gorgeous roommate and I have been doing trade for trade. I help her by styling her and taking photos for her book and in turn, she takes my blog photos. Perfect right? I wanted to dress Alex darker than how she normally shoots, as it was a perfect test to both her expansion and my creativity expression. And whoa, when did I become so technical?

Alas, it’s just a hobby. A really, really, really fun hobby.