Oh My Goodness!! The winds today were ridiculous!! I was almost blown away…..literally.

The forecast was moderate for this time of year – 48 degrees – so I decided to ease up on the winter clothes. Was I wrong!?! I was completely underdressed, the winds made it feel like it was 12 degrees, my eyes were streaming, my nose was running, my scarf almost blew away…… I was a mess!! Thank goodness the train pulled up just as I got to the platform and I was able to regain composure in the warm confines of the train.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Rachelle – the original leather store long black leather jacket, Vintage Havanna cream cowl neck babydoll dress, Stewart Weitzman black patent leather platform booties, and Vince Camuto camel pebbled leather cross body bag. Black paisley lace hosiery, black rayon scarf, Coach black leather gloves, cowry shell choker, and brown wooden earrings accessorized today’s look.

My daughter Ade suggested I ‘do as I used to’ and wear coloured lipsticks, as opposed to sheer glosses I’ve been rocking these past few years. So yesterday, I took a trip to the MAC store and got a few. The responses so far have been pretty good!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a dark grey wool blend Luca Milani oversized cardigan, Zenana light grey heather t-shirt tunic, dark grey heather zippered leggings, NaNa gold distressed leather boots, and a

Joseph Charles grey leather handbag. A large grey floppy wool flannel Fubu hat, black Coach leather gloves, a burgundy silk paisley scarf, and a rather obnoxious grey silk and rhinestone necklace accessorized today’s relatively monochromatic outfit.

I wear this hat "tipped" but it cast to large a shadow for my pictures tonight so I had to pull it  back some to show my face - and the new lipstick.

Tip: To tie today's look together (not tough since everything is grey) the burgundy silk scarf picked up on the burgundy lipstick. It wasn't absolutely necessary, but it didn't hurt either :).

The lighting.............again! My skirt DID NOT show through my sweater today -  really.........I promse!! 

Today Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Patrizia Pepe red cashmere turtleneck asymmetrical hem tunic, Kathleen Hamnett red snakeskin print pencil skirt, Dana Buchman leather trim tweed jacket, Stuart Weitzman black patent leather booties and Joseph Charles grey leather handbag. Hue red ribbed leg warmers, large red seed bead earrings, black patent leather gloves, and a papier mache hand painted bangle are today’s accessories.

Another Ms. Aikasha  original. I call this my "Pilgrim" dress

It's a bit comely: no splits, no cleavage, it's not fitted, but I just love it. It's warm and comfy and just one of my favorites

Ms. Aikasha is wearing another original Ms. Aikasha creation. This time it’s a dark grey wool jersey knit long sleeved ‘caped’ dress – cinched in the back with an elasticated ‘clip’ belt. Identify cream leather jacket, Italian made (designer unknown) green & tan patent leather cap toe boots and Tous leopard print hair calf and brown leather bag. A grey silk burnout scarf, silver and gold tone filigree earrings,  Renee’s red and cream leather gloves and Timberland grey wool knit skull cap accessorized today’s outfit.

I've had these boots for a good 12 years. They've been heeled, soled,  stitched, glued, painted - you name it - all in the name of preservation - and it's worked!

Renee red leather gloves - just for a touch of colour.

Note: I was supposed to wear brown boots/booties today (to go with the brown bag), but when I heard the weather forecast, I had to make a quick plan change. Patent leather is waterproof, and this square block heel is relatively sturdy and far more practical in this wintery, rainy, slushy weather than my usual stilettos.

Yes, it's freezing, and snowing, but I just couldn't resist getting my pictures done tonight - and it was a good night. Why? because it's Friday night!! Here, Ms. Aikasha is wearing her DKNY brown wool double breasted maxi coat, Mad Bomber brown leather trapper hat with white rabbit fur trip and pom-poms, Joan & David black leather pointy toe booties with black shearling trim, and Mazzini cream pebble grain leather handbag.

the snowflake in front of my nose looks like
the pom-poms on my hat, lol!! - I had to post it

Where would I be without Victoria Secret's turtleneck knitted dresses? I absolutely love them. Here, underneath it all (referring to the DKNY coat) Ms. Aikasha is wearing yet another one - Moda International black rayon knitted turtle neck knee length dress accessorized with a multicoloured glass bead and silver necklace, a 14 carat gold rope chain necklace, silver 22mm ball earrings and two black, and one green/purple acrylic bangles

Tip: I made an interesting discovery today to which I have to give my daughter Mo, the credit. I got dressed but when I put on my hoisery, it 'cinched' my waist too much and made me look bulgy - even with my shaper/smoother on. I reluctantly put on thigh-hi's, thinking something disastrous must've happened (like them falling to my ankles in the middle of Penn Station) which would explain why I haven't worn them. Nonetheless, as I put the thigh-hi's on, Mo just happened to walk into my bedroom and suggested I pull them up under the legs of my shaper/smoother (I was putting them on over). It worked like a charm. The thigh-hi's stayed in place the entire day!!

Tip II: I reiterate - layers are a necessity to keep warm when dealing with these frigid temperatures. A shaper/smoother/slimmer works double duty by making you look good in the 'body con' knit dresses, and also by  keeping you warm - undetectably.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a DKNY brown wool double breasted  maxi coat, Boutique 9 army green nubuck suede high heeled booties, and a Mazzini cream  pebbled leather handbag. Black fishnet stockings, an orange and brown silk scarf and a sage green shearling & leather aviator cap finished off todays look. (outfit description below)

It was tad bit too chilly to take any more pics outdoors.........like 14 degrees...........brrrrrrr!

 an original Ms. Aikasha camouflage midi skirt with mesh ruffle, Joseph A. black silk shrug,  Energie black velvet bra tank top, Boutique 9 army green high heeled nubuck suede booties

Accessories: black pear drop onyx earrings, a large brown and white acrylic cuff, and two black  Lucite bangles

my favorite print is camouflage. Yes, I love paisleys,  floral's,  animal prints, polka dots, stripes and plaids, tweeds  and gingham's  - but give me camouflage any day!!

Tip: A maxi coat can be a bit cumbersome, but if you're wearing a dress/skirt and it's freezing out - the maxi coat works wonders......your calves, legs, thighs and derriere will thank you!

I know, I know - you saw this coat yesterday!! (Blanc Noir sage green down filled coat with rabbit fur collar and hood), so I tried to change things up a bit by taking my pictures indoors - where it's warm!!

the accessories: the skinny woven belt is by Nixon - they make a nice leather product. the bangles, and earrings are mostly gifts from various people over time.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Charlotte Ruesse beige glitter wool blend shrug, gold glitter racerback tank top, dark blue skinny jeans, and Patrizia Pepe sage green suede and fur boots. 

Note: It's be two weeks and I've been rocking blue jeans "hard"! All good things must come to an end - I'll be back to "my version" business attire really soon - like Friday!!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Blanc Noir sage green down filled coat with rabbit fur collar and hood, a Lulu Bravo black wool turtleneck sweater, Cello dark blue skinny jeans, Coach limited edition gold leather tote, and Patrizia Pepe sage green suede and fur boots. A sage green shearling & leather aviator cap, large gold tone hoop earrings, and purple and gold leather gloves with snakeskin trip were today’s accessories. 

Yesterday, Mon January 21^st was the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and President Obama’s inauguration. I completely missed it!!......and it didn’t dawn on me until this morning when I was on the train. 

My office was open but I took the day off. However, I had caught a draft on Sunday and got sick, I mean really out of it on Monday, so between Nyquil and painkillers, I was in a daze and the day just passed me by – can you believe that? I sent a S.O.S to my offspring, and fortunately one of them recorded it on DVR. So, a few of us have a date this Friday – a bit late, but better late than never. J

It was cold as crap today!! 19 degrees - that's cold. Granted, I look as if I'm off to the Arctic, but I guarantee you - I'm good and warm.
Note: The one issue I have with a  long down coat is how enormous it makes my rear end look!!

Tip: Layer, Layer, Layers, will definitely help handle these frigid temperatures. Underneath it all I'm wearing an undershirt, and hosiery. Hat, gloves and a scarf are also proven winter necessities.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a dark green Lucca Bianca full length shearling coat, Quick Reflex tan tailored cargo pants, Olive & Oak black lace blouse, Coach limited edition gold tote bag, and BCBG black suede pointy pumps. 

Michael Kors black woven belt, gold chandelier earrings, purple and gold leather gloves with snakeskin trim, dark green printed silk/rayon blend scarf, and black & gold mixed media bangles accessorized today’s outfit.

I blame it on the lighting. This lace blouse is not as revealing as it appears here - honestly!

Tues Jan 15^th: Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Calafate baby blue shearling car coat, Rue 21 purple wool blend puff sleeved turtleneck, Paris Blues light blue ‘destroyed’ jeans, Joseph Charles light grey leather handbag and Patrizia Pepe grey suede, down quilted high heel boots.

A grey/purple Nixon leather belt, purple/gold leather gloves with snakeskin trim, and purple/black iridescent earrings were the accessory choices for today

Note: The grey boots/bag light blue jeans/coat blend into my grey porch so it gets a bit lost......not my intention.

Note ii: The logo on the side of the boots (which I bought in 2007) is the exact colour of my belt (which I just got). It always amazes me how certain colour combinations are repeated by different designers over a span of years - the exact colours!!

Mon Jan 14^th: Ms. Aikasha is wearing Roberto Rodriguez black oversized asymetrical front  leather vest, Moda International cream, puff & cuff sleeved turtleneck sweater, grey ‘skinny’ jeans, Via Spiga light grey lizard pointy toe pumps and Joseph Charles light grey handbag. Coach black leather gloves, and oversized gold tone hoop earrings were today’s accessories.

This actually is a 'booty shot'!!

 Sometimes its just nice to put on a good fitting pair of jeans, a great sweater, a pair of sexy pumps, and just "Chill"............

Tip: Wearing boots every day can become a drag in the winter -so if temps are above 45 degrees you can get away with wearing cute shoes!!