I will never leave the house without ____. (Pick only ONE item.) Why?
Coordinating purse: My purse is the cherry on top of the outfit, my cocktail dresses need clutches and my jeans need hobo chic bags. It's a must.
At your wedding, you said your husband was equal to a "black dress." Why?
Every woman must own a timeless piece and that is a little black dress. It's not a trend. It's timeless and can be worn during any season to anyplace. Just like my husband.
Every woman does have a cute, black dress in her closet, but what do you think women should start stocking in their closets?
Great undergarments. If your bra doesn't fit, your shirt looks a mess and if you don't have your spanks to calm that jelly, then no one notices your outfit. I think all women should be professionally measured and know that great undergarments make great looks.
What matters more — your hair, your outfit or your shoes? If one isn't up to par and funds are low, what are your go-to tricks for fashionable days?
Your shoes! If your shoes are hot you can throw on jeans and a crispy white blouse with a ponytail and banging earrings. My go-to is dressing from the bottom up. If I can buy one item it's the shoe.
Your favorite magazine is Vogue. Why read Vogue magazine over all other fashion magazines?
Vogue has created such a legendary name for itself, that if you're a designer or a stylist you want to ensure your seasons' looks are in Vogue. Therefore I feel like I am getting the good stuff when I turn those pages.
Who is your fashion icon? Why?
June Ambrose, stylist to the celebrities. I love her, she doesn't confine herself to one type of look. I've seen her in mens' wear, boho chic, couture and everything looks amazing. She is an an advocate for thinking outside of the box and being a risk taker, and I admire that.
Are you all about being "natural" or into makeup? Any makeup tricks you learned that you'd like to share?
I love makeup, but I never want to have to "put on my face." My trick is MAC-tinted moisturizer. All people should have daily moisturizers, but MAC has created a tint that provides a sleek overlay that blends your color and gives you a flawless glow. I throw that on with some mascara and lip gloss and I'm ready to go. I can save the shadows and blush for when I'm really playing dress up!
Sometimes it's difficult to find fashionable clothing for plus-sized figures. How have you made shopping work for you? Being honest about my size. The worst thing anyone can do is try to make something work. Either it fits or it doesn't. Go to the plus size section, and ask the stores if they carry your size with confidence. It is what it is. You're beautiful so don't stuff it and make it ugly.
You went to Belize for your honeymoon and you were also on the swim team in high school. What's your advice on plus-sized figures and swimwear?
I love Macy's plus-size swimwear line that hits the shelves in March. I have also gotten a lot of cute suits from Target.
What are your thoughts on health versus fashion? The Surgeon General Regina Marcia Benjamin has already pointed out the love/hate relationship black women have with their hair and aerobics. Two-time Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Douglas was criticized for being more focused on Olympic goals rather than hair trends, too.
I thought the Gabby Douglass issue was ridiculous, but there are healthy hair care options for athletic, African-American women. As African-American women we do have hair issues, but in 2012 we have so many solutions to hair problems. Since I swam, I am an advocate for wet and wavy sew-ins as well as braids. It is quite the task to sweat your hair out and then wake up and go the next day. I have noticed that wrapping your hair with two scarves and using the edge wraps keeps your hair from sweating as well.
Coordinating purse: My purse is the cherry on top of the outfit, my cocktail dresses need clutches and my jeans need hobo chic bags. It's a must.
At your wedding, you said your husband was equal to a "black dress." Why?
Every woman must own a timeless piece and that is a little black dress. It's not a trend. It's timeless and can be worn during any season to anyplace. Just like my husband.
Every woman does have a cute, black dress in her closet, but what do you think women should start stocking in their closets?
Great undergarments. If your bra doesn't fit, your shirt looks a mess and if you don't have your spanks to calm that jelly, then no one notices your outfit. I think all women should be professionally measured and know that great undergarments make great looks.
What matters more — your hair, your outfit or your shoes? If one isn't up to par and funds are low, what are your go-to tricks for fashionable days?
Your shoes! If your shoes are hot you can throw on jeans and a crispy white blouse with a ponytail and banging earrings. My go-to is dressing from the bottom up. If I can buy one item it's the shoe.
Your favorite magazine is Vogue. Why read Vogue magazine over all other fashion magazines?
Vogue has created such a legendary name for itself, that if you're a designer or a stylist you want to ensure your seasons' looks are in Vogue. Therefore I feel like I am getting the good stuff when I turn those pages.
Who is your fashion icon? Why?
June Ambrose, stylist to the celebrities. I love her, she doesn't confine herself to one type of look. I've seen her in mens' wear, boho chic, couture and everything looks amazing. She is an an advocate for thinking outside of the box and being a risk taker, and I admire that.
Are you all about being "natural" or into makeup? Any makeup tricks you learned that you'd like to share?
I love makeup, but I never want to have to "put on my face." My trick is MAC-tinted moisturizer. All people should have daily moisturizers, but MAC has created a tint that provides a sleek overlay that blends your color and gives you a flawless glow. I throw that on with some mascara and lip gloss and I'm ready to go. I can save the shadows and blush for when I'm really playing dress up!
Sometimes it's difficult to find fashionable clothing for plus-sized figures. How have you made shopping work for you? Being honest about my size. The worst thing anyone can do is try to make something work. Either it fits or it doesn't. Go to the plus size section, and ask the stores if they carry your size with confidence. It is what it is. You're beautiful so don't stuff it and make it ugly.
You went to Belize for your honeymoon and you were also on the swim team in high school. What's your advice on plus-sized figures and swimwear?
I love Macy's plus-size swimwear line that hits the shelves in March. I have also gotten a lot of cute suits from Target.
What are your thoughts on health versus fashion? The Surgeon General Regina Marcia Benjamin has already pointed out the love/hate relationship black women have with their hair and aerobics. Two-time Olympic Gold medalist Gabby Douglas was criticized for being more focused on Olympic goals rather than hair trends, too.
I thought the Gabby Douglass issue was ridiculous, but there are healthy hair care options for athletic, African-American women. As African-American women we do have hair issues, but in 2012 we have so many solutions to hair problems. Since I swam, I am an advocate for wet and wavy sew-ins as well as braids. It is quite the task to sweat your hair out and then wake up and go the next day. I have noticed that wrapping your hair with two scarves and using the edge wraps keeps your hair from sweating as well.