Sprinkles and Booze

Fantastic fashion fine enough for a First Lady.

| Reviews For Champions, Style-Nerdgasm

photo

Happy Martin Luther King Day and it is a fine day for a Inauguration! Like a total fashion freak, all I could think about for the past 24 hours is “Omg, what are the Obamas going to be wearing?” So far, during the Inauguration events in which started yesterday the fashions have not let me down.

Everyone talks about the amazing fashion the we see our beautiful first lady Michelle Obama rocking, but her daughters are following in her footsteps.

Screen-Shot-2013-01-20-at-4.24.13-PM-640x486

Yesterday the President was officially sworn into office for the second time in an intimate ceremony that took place in the White House’s Blue Room. To go with all the blue Michelle Obama, older daughter Malia Obama and the President were are all fancy in their blue threads. Younger daughter Sasha went about it the way I would have (can’t keep a girl away from pink) and wore a adorable and bold pink lace dress.

So far during the events taking place today, everyone in the Obama family is still sharp and fashion forward as ever. No one has a clue as to what Michelle has on under this coat, but THIS coat. I think I fainted at how amazingly wonderful this indigo checked Thom Browne coat is. The first lady accessorized today’s look with J.Crew kitten heels and a multi-strand pearl necklace.

US-POLITICS-INAUGURATION-CHURCH

So so ace! I mean, Tim Gunn even jumped in on the fashion action this morning and provided his review. ❤ I definitely look forward to another 4 years of great leadership and definitely fantastic fashion from this stylish and loving family.

What do you think of the Obama’s Inauguration Day looks? I give the looks 4 out of 5 sprinkle filled shot glasses. Happy MLK/Inauguration my beautiful buddies.

 

Still giggling that Katy Perry had a tiny Aretha Franklin Inauguration hat on a stick,

Screen Shot 2012-12-15 at 6.05.55 PM

Losing myself in fashion.

| Style-Nerdgasm

 

The other day the fantasticness of Solange Knowles’ “Losing You” video was brought to my attention. I am more than happy that this video is in my life.

 

We all know that both of the Knowles sisters are completely stunning. Recently, Solange being the DJ, singer, model jetsetter that she is traveled to South Africa for music fashion hotness. The video is seriously like watching a video of a high fashion photo shoot. Brilliant location, loads of bright colors, and lots of movement. 

 

I am a girl that loves bright colors and there was a ton of things in this video that made my eyeballs smile.  I haven’t seen a mainstream video in ages that was so visually artistic and satisfying.

 

Solange loves her prints and she wears them well. I nearly passed out at the sight of this blazer.

 

 

Not only does this woman look amazing in a flared orange pantsuit but she also has a pack of seven over the top stylish dudes. Snow White can keep her dwarves, Solange has her gents.

 

Someone get me that ghetto blaster and everything everyone has on in this hangout session. I’m in love with the amount of color and big hair.

 

So loving this Princess and the Pea moment and the look. It’s so luscious.

 

 

I’m not fully sure how this girl pulled of so much glam on a bike but I need to learn this skill. She actually managed to dance around in the streets, hit up a party, sit around on random items AND jump into a pool and still look fantastic. I need to re-watch the video and practice being fierce at any given time because that is a talent.

After the release of the video, Solange  wrote on Twitter, “So humbled, & grateful for the overwhelming response to ‘Losing you’. Even the lovely Janelle Monae had to go out of her way to congratulate her on a job well done and a new jam for all of us to enjoy.

Solange described the track as being “eclectic with ’80s references and African percussion influences.” The video was directed by Melina Matsoukas and believe it or not there was no concrete concept at first. Solange stated that “When Melina and I decided to film ‘Losing You’ in South Africa, we really didn’t have a real firm concept in place. It was sort of a grab a camera and let’s go moment.” I can definitely feel this in the most positive of ways in the entire video. So much heart and feeling is behind every frame. Kudos to bringing art back to the masses and with dapper dudes, fros, and prints!

Solange isn’t losing me,

Latanya Rene

 

“We’ve got all the shine we need to find”

| Goals, Goals, and more Goals, Life, Self Lovin', Style-Nerdgasm

 

I have always been known as a ‘curvy’ girl. I developed my curves at a very young age (around like 11 or 12) and back then I hated them. I didn’t want to grow up. I wanted to play with Barbies forever and always be a kid. The idea of ‘becoming a woman’ was never exciting for me.

Once I realized that I couldn’t stop science and I could no longer go without wearing a bra, I accepted my body for what it was until about High School where my weight went up and down. I was surrounded by girls struggling to stay as thin as possible and I myself never had that body type. In my early 20s, I think I lost myself almost completely. I wasn’t fully happy with my appearance. I had negative voices coming from all angles in my life. Literally. Family members, guys I have dated, so called friends, it was all around me.

I personally didn’t come out of the fog until about 3 year ago. I have always loved fashion and the world of modeling. Like I mentioned yesterday, I have always been one to love being photographed. I never thought I would have a shot at possibly living my dream as a model since I love food and will never weigh 10 pounds. After being approached at the mall by a woman asking me if I modeled three years ago, I went on a journey for finding fiercely real girls like myself in fashion. In this journey, I discovered Gabi Fresh.

Photo from Gabi Fresh 

Gabi blogged about being full figure, loving fashion and loving who she is. It was the first time I saw someone be so open and candid about their life and struggles. It was lovely and cleared up my fog. Since I discovered this wonderful woman, I have been overwhelmed with inspiration. She knows how to market herself and the idea of loving yourself. To top it all off, her style is on point!

Finding Gabi by the powers of the internet has triggered a bunch of other great things within my life. The past couple years I have developed a confidence I have never had in my life. That might come as a shock to a lot of people that know me personally because even though I know I am the bomb.com I still have moments of self doubt. One of my major life goals is complete self love and to help others realize that we all have this amazing shine within us. Media, negative words and energy prevents us from knowing how radiant and brilliant we all are.

I decided to share some of this with you guys today because today I am starting a 14 day cleanse (Colorado Cleanse). It’s sort of a chance to give my liver a break of all of the holiday drinking and also reconnect with the universe on a spiritual and physical level. If what I said was just too hippy for you, it’s a chance to not be a total asshole to my body for a little bit in hopes that some of the healthy habits stick in the long run.

In order to properly begin a cleanse, you mentally need to be ready to do so. You need to begin the journey with a positive self image and why you’ve decided to move forward in the process. I like to start out by thinking about all of the things my body CAN do. I never go into a cleanse thinking about what my body isn’t but more about the positive that IS my body. I typically go about doing this by making a list of all of the positive things about myself. I make sure not to include physical traits in this list because it’s about the good within myself. Remember kids if you’re beautiful on the inside, you’re beautiful on the outside. Beauty is always a state of mind and not a state of body.

Another way to prep for everything in life is developing a positive circle of friends. I have said it before and probably never will stop saying it. I can not stress how much this has changed my life. I continue to develop stronger and more positive people in my life because like attracts like. Having a kick ass team of positive people is such a major and quick way to get to your mindset in gear to dominate the world.

If you’re going to do a cleanse of any sort, you definitely need to hit the off button to any negative voices within your head. Mute (and completely get rid of) the voices that are telling you that you’re a bad person or you’re not good enough. These ideas more than likely were put there by other influences and are not genuine. Become more critical about the messages you’re getting all around you. Whether it be something someone said to you or within media. That positive shine is within us, we just need to not taint it with others bullshit.

One final cleansing tip that I can give is occupy yourself. Stop worrying about the fact that you’re cleansing and what you’re missing out on because in reality you’re gaining. You’re doing something amazing for yourself and in the long run this will pay off way more than that donut you’re not having. Occupy your time with the projects you’ve been putting off or developing a new hobby. If you’re distracted by something positive, you will benefit more from the cleanse and it is serving it’s purpose.

Don’t fear the cleansing, be one with the cleansing. How do you feel about cleanses?

Eating a apple and excited about it,

Latanya Rene

P.S. Happy December! Being that some believe the end is near, I have made a playlist for us to all dance to until we can point and laugh in those people’s faces! Enjoy!

Welcome to the end of the world 2012 from latanyarene.barrett on 8tracks Radio.

I just wanna have your style up in my life…

| Style-Nerdgasm

Photo by Aimee Han

I am a true nerd and I remember most things that happen in my life to the date. The first song I heard in 2012 was Gotye’s “Somebody that I used to know” featuring Kimbra. This song was basically everyone’s jam for months and hit so extremely close to home for most of us. A huge part of why I love this song is because, I completely fell in amour with the crazy insane awesome pipes of Kimbra. She transformed the song from completely emo to completely independent. This transition plays a huge part in what makes this song so powerful.

Instantly, I began to do a million searches on who this stunning girl was. Upon my research, I discovered the video for her single “Settle Down”. I felt that this New Zealand songbird was speaking directly to me. Not only from the power in her voice but her lyrics were dead on. I don’t know a girl in the world that hasn’t felt exactly the way Kimbra felt when she wrote these lyrics.  On top of being blown away by the music, I instantly fell in love with the styling and wardrobe in this video.

 

Once Kimbra’s album hit the states, her fashion sense quickly became as notable as her amazing talent. Give me a girly dress with loads of volume any day of the week! Everything this girl puts on is ACE! So much lace, and mirrors, and sequins. I can die in her closet a very happy girl.  It’s a serious gift to make a statement without being half naked in today’s pop culture.

 Photo by  Thom Kerr

Kimbra has managed to do something I have been trying to do for years. She has turned herself into a modern day princess. She manages to stick to her style whether its in a photoshoot, at a concert, or just walking about. Most of her looks are very graphic and can often include a tutu-esque skirt. I enjoy anything that has a passive amount of tulle and lots and lots of colors.

 Photo by Shaun Hartas

One would think “I would never have the budget to dress this fantastic!” but realistically, Kimbra has been known to rock a $20 vintage thrift find on more than one occasion. She is also a huge supporter of her local fashion designers such as Jaime Lee . I love a modest girl with kick-ass style!

 I leave you with some photos from the Kimbra Facebook Page  from some her live performances. The girl is not only a ball of walking talent but stylish as all hell! I’ve been reading reviews of her live performances all morning, and from the sounds of it she turns her concerts into giant dance parties. I would imagine it’s easier to bust a move in her fun party dresses instead of  tight, restrictive traditional ‘pop’ attire.  If you aren’t into her music (which I don’t know how you wouldn’t be), at least love her for her fierce, princess, superhero threads.

Are you in love with super girly dresses as much as I am? Do you constantly dream of being a superhero princess unicorn person like I do? If you answered yes to these questions, when do you want to go shopping?

Over and out,

Latanya Rene