1920'S LADY SINGS THE BLUES

Let me first say Happy Hollow's Eve stylistas!!! Its so funny that I'm able to share this shoot with you guys on Halloween.  You can take this as a costume shoot but for me it was much more than that. 

I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with a fellow stylist and a new photographer. This was my first time collaborating with a stylist with me as the model.  The stylist and I threw around a few idea and came up with a 1920's theme.  I was excited about the theme and called on designer GATSBYLADY for a dress.  I never had anyone coordinate a photoshoot for me.  Being a stylist I have always coordinated other or my own shoots. The control freak in me was a bit hesitant but you have to try new things right?


What I got was nothing I suspected....

First lets talk about this dress!!! I cant say express how amazing I felt in this dress.  Well constructed well made ad fit me right in all the right places.  The moment I put the dress on everyone was saying how great it looks. 

GATSBYLADIES creation was to die for.  I could dance and move all night in the dress.  Red isn't really my color of choice but it worked well with everything.  The flapper was also from designer and a shall can also be purchased for my stylistas that want arm cover!!!

When I received the photos back I was very impressed.  Lighting, color, the play with shadows and props.  They really made everything come together.  Our mission was to show that women of all sizes can be beautiful. we have to push to show that women of all sizes can style and rock a shoot.  I'm so impressed by what we have come together to make.  This shoot shows it can be done!!!!

You guys know I do a outfit breakdown right about now but I'm going to change it up a bit.  Instead of a outfit breakdown, I'm just breakdown the people who made this photo shoot possible. 

Dress & Flapper: Gatsbylady

Makeup: Jay Manuel Beauty Products

Stylist: Mr. Gumby

Assistant: Tan Bee

Photographer: Powardbysoul

CIRCLE OF SISTERS: ASHLEY STEWARTS HOLIDAY LINE PRESENTATION

At NYC Circle of Sister event I was able to see Ashley Stewart Holiday 2016 lineup.

The collection was filled with everything you need for the Christmas Holiday.  Red sequins, fur trim, gold bomber jacket and sexy boots!!!

Below are some photo of the collection.  So get your money ready ladies.  Your going to love what AS has in store for you this Christmas!!!

Ashley celebrated there 25th Birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

photos by: Matey Ghoslow (photomgp)

FALL INTIMATE COLORS WITH ADORE ME

Hey Stylistas!!!

Its time for us to get sexy under our clothes.  The temperature is dropping but that doesn't mean we stop being sexy. No way girl!!!
Intimate's are about feeling sexy no matter what the temperature is.  Its also about feeling sexy under your clothes. 
I know a lot of fashion bloggers don't talk about bra's and panties in the Fall but not this one.  I want to keep my girl (no pun intended) all year long.  Also just because its cold doesn't mean you cant be sexy. 

With help from Adore Me I have put together some sexy and fun intimates for the fall.  Also, I paired some of the makeup from my  "Top10 Makeup under 10" with the Adore Me  intimates sets.   Dont't worry ladies....all of these sets are apart of the extended sizes (44DDD).
So here you go....

INTIMATE ROCK STAR

These vivid color on the eye palette pairs perfect with this Long Line Lace Bra Set to keep you sexy

Bye Bye Berries

Berry lip color is the style for fall but with the Contour Bra Set,  you'll feeling sexy and sweet.

Nude not Naked

.  Like this nail poppin polish, nude can complement your skin tone if your light or  complement it if your dark.  Rather dark or light the Dalis Bra Set is light and nothing will feels more sexy.

If you like what you see visit Adore Me and sign up to their VIP membership.   

Get your fall sexy set today for only 24.99. 

 

OOTD: ASHLEY N. TIPTON OUTFIT @ CIRCLE OF SISTERS

I attended the fashion show at Circle of Sisters Expo in NYC this past weekend. 

Circle of Sisters is a event catering to black business women.  Its a place to network, shop and discover new businesses.  This year I attended the fashion show sponsored by Ashley Stewart. 

Circle of Sister fashion show was entertaining.  I got to see some great  female designers from NYC show their designing talents. There were so many designers and so many beautiful clothing that I cant share all but here are a few pieces I really enjoyed.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

COSTUMES INSPIRED BY "THE WIZ"

 The highlight of the show was watching R&B singer Joe hit the sage as models walked in these amazing knitted outfits. 

Back to my outfit....

The weather is holding up so I decided to wear my Ashley N. Tipton skirt and fly away crop top to the event. I paired with an ombre belt and rocker clutch.  Because this is an expo I wanted to walk about and meet some of the vendors.  We can't do that comfortable in heels so opted for boots which a great idea.

All in all I had a great time.  Thank you to Ashley Stewart for inviting me.

Ashley showcase the Holiday line....one word...sexy!!!! But that's a whole other post coming soon.

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Crop Top & Skirt : Ashley N. Tipton

Belt: Lane Bryant

Boots & Tights: Torrid

Bag & Jewelry: Thrift store find

photos by: Matey Ghaslow Photography

10 FALL BEAUTY PRODUCTS UNDER $10 BUCKS

I am not a huge makeup girl.  I don't have tons and tons of overprice makeup cluttering my leather knapsack.  I like to keep it simple and chic but I always update my colors and or tools for each season. I wanted to share what I am adding this season with you all.

Here are 10 items I have added to my makeup bag that you will also need in yours as well.

1. e.l.f. Eyebrow Treat & Tame

With Vitamin infused gel to help thin lashed become full on one side and eyebrow mascara filler on the other this is the perfect combination for my fellow thinner lash girls.  The gel also helps to growing trend of full eye browns this fall.  ($3, elf.com)

2. Rimmel Volume Colourist Mascara

Another trend this fall is spider lashes.  I am not big on wearing lashes so I find it easier to apply mascara that darken and gives my lashes volume.  ($8.49, Walgreens)

3. Gold Bond Healing Foot Cream

Feet tend to take a backseat when we know they will be in swede flats, boots and booties.  To keep my feet nice and smooth between sparing winter pedicures this is great lotion for your foot to keep feet  and heels soft. ($7.99, CVS)

4. NYX Make Up Setting Spray

Say Bye-bye to the dew face.  Fall is all about a matte finish face.  I use this spray and as long as the weather is cool I never find the need to re-apply powder foundation. ($7.99, NYX.com)

5.   Maybelline Graffiti Nudes Eye Shadow Palette

With so many trends having a 90's retro feel this color pallete fits right in.  Ranging from gold glitter to fuchsia to teal you bound to find a few combinations in the pallet you will wear all Fall into winter. ($9.99, ultra.com)

6. Zoya Noah Nude Nail Polish

Depending on my skin tone it can go from a simple nude to a high contrast color.  But the one thing you will know...its not your average nude.  Its actually far from it!!! ($10, Zoya.com)

7. China Glaze Rebel Fall Collection

This chocolate metallic look is hard to describe but goes great with military green bomber jacket. Try this or any of the Rebel Fall colors ($8, ultra.com)

8. Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme: Obsession

I love love love matte lip and the vamp lip trend is just what I needed in my life.  Trendy colors I don't like to spend a lot on so get this if you want to try the vamp lip this fall. ($7.99, target.com)

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lip: Love is On

If your not feeling the matte lip trend then a super soft red lip stick is also a trend is winter.  This Revlon color is not the supper wet look of the summer but has a simple classic look.  If red is a new thing for you having a low cost red will make you feel better if it doesn't work out.  ($4.99, target.com)

10. Revlon Colorstay Cream Gel Eyeliner

With heavy eye liner being another beauty trend, this is something that is easy to use.  The best thing is if  you mess up or don't like this trend you won't feel like you broke your bank to achieve the look. ($10.99, ultra.com)

STYLE EYE ON PLUS MALE MODEL BENJAMIN MONTANEZ

Hello Stylistas!!!!
Taking a bit of a break to prep fore events later this year but I wanted to highlight a few people this week that I following and who I think you should follow as well. 
Say hello to Benjamin!!! He is an emerging male models and all around nice guy.    Now you guys know how much I stand for the plus male models so when I got the opportunity to ask him a few questions I felt I had to share him with you all. 

Here he is...

NEC: Tell me a bit about yourself.  Where you’re from? What you do for work  and or for fun.   

BM:  Lets see. What to say about me...Well I am originally from a small town in California  called Lemoore, but I am currently living in Highlands Ranch Colorado where I work  as an EMT in a downtown Hospital in the Emergency Room. I’ve been in the medical  field for over 13 years now, it’s not always the easiest job but I love it.  As for a social life I am a Single guy, no wife, no girlfriend and no kids so really I  don’t have much of a social life. I do enjoy going to the movies and of course the  gym. I’m super excited about it being Halloween though, it means all the haunted  houses will be opening...so if anyone in the Denver area is trying to go let me  know...haha  

NEC: Love how you use my interview to find your Halloween date....Clever you are!!! So to help with that how would you describe yourself?

  BM:Way too laid back…I’m completely go with the flow, I never really worry too much about time and  schedules...Unless I have to be at work. 

NEC:  What was your personal style? What is  your favorite clothing item?     

BM:  HAHA...My style? I really just wear what I feel comfortable  in. I will wear a button down shirt and a bowties one day and the next day I feel just  as amazing in a pair of holey jeans and a hoodie. I do however stay mainly with  darker colors if that counts.    My favorite article of clothing at the moment is a pair of Flex jeans from Brooklyn  Laundry I got from Maximus Trax. I actually have never had a more comfortable pair  of jeans.

NEC: Any brands you have worked with in the past?  

Any brands you would love to  work with?   

BM:  I am currently working with Large Lad Clothing ​ and ​Maximus Box  both of which have amazing clothing and selection for the plus size men. 

  Brands I would love to work with would be first and foremost Dr. Martens. I wear  Dr. Martens quite often and I absolutely love the comfort and style of them. After  that it would be Adidas, Dockers, Levi, South Pole and Marc Ecko to name a few. 

NEC: Why become a model?    How will Bengamin "the model" help improve the plus size community?

BM: I have spent most my life battling with my weight, I was bullied in school and  verbally abused over it during my previous marriage. I know that there are plenty of  people in the same situation and I know that it’s hard to stay positive

through it all. This is why I want to do it.  I want to be the one to show a  generation of plus size men,and women, that their size doesn’t define the. That  beauty is not a number on a scale.   

I would like to feel that modeling as a plus size man is helping to show others  that looking good can be done at any size. I would also hope that maybe by modeling  the overall outlook of plus size models will change for the better. 

NEC: How do you want to be remembered for?  What is your motto in life? 

BM: Why? Am I dying?  Well if I am, I would like to be remembered as someone that made a difference. I  want to be known as one of the many amazing people that pushed for body  positivity and helped changed the idea that you don’t have to be a size 32 to be  attractive   

NEC: What are some organizations, charities or social issues you work with or deal  with?  Why are these close to your heart?  

BM: I help with an event every year called the 9health fair. It helps people in the Denver  Metro area get affordable health screening and basic blood work.   I do it because I know what it’s like to have thousands of dollars worth of medical  bills you can’t pay. So if I can help someone get the medic care they need for a cost  they can afford then way wouldn’t I.    I am also putting on the first annual “Onesies on Broadway” event in October.  Basically it’s just going to be an annual event that we get people all together at a  local bar to raise a little money for a local charity as we all wear our best onesie  pajamas. This year we will be raising money for “ONE Colorado” an organization  that helps LGBT youth. 

1,000 thanks to Benjamin for giving me the opportunity to get to know him a bit more. 

If you want to see more for him follow him on FB or Instagram @ BenjaminMontanez

Now its your turn!!!! If you would like to be featured on NEC STYLE email me with photos and a bit about yourself or leave comments below