I got in Friday morning, September 7th at 3:15am and finally made it to bed by 4:00am. Can you believe I woke up before my 7:00am alarm? Ouch!! So I started my day by responding to a couple emails.......

I needed an outfit that was going to help lift this ‘tired’ cloud that was looming over my head – this is what I came up with - and got some great responses! 

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Transit navy blue polyester slip dress, Vera Wang brown leather ankle wrap/peep toe booties, and Tous leopard print ponyhair/brown leather bag. Accessories include an armful of coordinating bangles, large mesh hoop earring, turquoise necklace, and a gorgeous featherweight silk orange & brown tie-dyed oversize scarf. The outfit was really all about the scarf!!

Tip: Whats Sexy?  Clothes that imitate lingerie (like this slip dress)…….What’s Not so Sexy? – wearing lingerie as clothes. Of course there are exceptions to every rule – but I think underwear and sleepwear construction/manufacturing is what differentiates it from clothing.

Note: As I was getting dressed this morning, my granddaughter said “Grandma – you’re wearing a slip to work?....and that’s it??”. I was tickled that she even knew what a slip was – then again, she is my granddaughter!!

Tip: I love scarves. they can take even the most basic outfit to the next level. I will throw on a scraf in a mad minute and wont think twice!! I find silk scarves to be most versatile - they're not as bulky and you can wrap them in various ways - even tie a "tie" which looks great with t-shirt and jeans or with a cotton button down.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha off white, 100% linen ‘circle’ dress, Gucci wooden mules, and Tousleopard print ponyhair/brown leather bag. Accessories include oversized tribal print fabric earrings, purple iridescent silk scarf and an armful of ‘mixed media’ bracelets

My daughters - From left: Losh, Ny, Nyash, Z, me, Ade & Mo inside Mas La Grillade
 

So the plan was to celebrate my eldest daughter, Z’s, birthday. We had 8:00pm reservations, but there had to be “just a little drama” to hold things up bit – at one point it seemed the whole trip was off!! Finally, 8:00pm became 9:00pm, so I worked until 8:45pm, then jumped in a cab and met up with six of my daughters for dinner downtown.


 A friend of ours upscale restaurant – Mas, La Grillade  - was Z’s choice of venue, and we had an absolute blast!! The food was amazing, the wine and cocktails – incredible, the place is just gorgeous and the company could not be matched!!

After dinner, three of my girls – Ny, Nyash, and Losh – went home, but, Z, Ade, Mo and I went dancing –DLV Lounge in the famed ‘meatpacking district’. It was “Fashion’s Night Out” debut, so all the clubs were jumping and the lines were long. Z’s stylist friend got us “in” and we danced until 2:30am. Then, we went home – completely exhausted – but we most definitely got our “dance on”!

 

It’s my youngest son’s first day back-to-school tomorrow. He’s 13, so I decided he could go by his self this time. Well, while braiding his hair tonight, in not so many words, he expressed that “it would be weird” if I didn’t go with him, so – there goes my morning!

 

 Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Zenana Outfitters white racer-back tank (which fit’s amazingly – I love the cotton and spandex blend), black pinstriped mini-skirt with lace trim (which I added), Coach green/blue snakeskin pumps and (of course), Coach wicker/snakeskin/leather Limited Edition Bonnie handbag. Accessories include a large hammered silver and jade necklace, hammered silver earrings and a plethora of coordinating bangles.

Note: I found the blurry picture above artistic - so I posted it.

Tip: This blurry pic showcases the effectivness of wearing a racerback bra with a racerback top - sorry it's not clear :(

Tip II: Black & White - so simply basic, but so palatable. I personally like to drop some color when wearing black & white - it just works for me

I had an absolutely amazing Labor Day weekend! I cleaned house on Saturday, went to church on Sunday and caught up on all the shows I’ve been missing on Monday – all intermittently interspersed with naps. What a life!! 

I went to the office early this morning fully refreshed and rejuvenated – and had to literally “tear myself away” this evening……..it just wouldn’t stop.
Ms. Aikasha is wearing Robert Rodriguez black lambskin leather oversized vest, XXI white cotton crew-neck t-shirt, Appraisal black zippered pocket walking shorts, Coach wicker/snakeskin/leather Limited Edition Bonnie handbag, and Oscar de la Renta green patent leather ankle strap platform sandals. Accessories included an armful of fabric, acrylic, and brass bangles, pearl/silver earrings, pearl/silver necklace, and Michael Korsbrown tortoise shell watch.

Note: ok, Ok, OKAY!!.......these shorts are a little short - they really didn't seem so short this morning, but looking at these pictures............If you're going to wear shorts this short, from mature woman to mature woman, make sure your legs are up to par. I'm pushing the envelop - the infrequency of my lunges and squats are beginning to show - so mama needs to step her game up!

Tip: vests are a really versatile layering wardrobe essential. As the season cools down to "good for sweaters, not cool enough for coat" weather, the extra layer of a vest can be just perfect.

Well, I didn’t post last Fri Aug 31^st……….“bad mama! So here I am. It’s Sunday afternoon and I just got back from church. In an effort to stay true to form (I’ll always be honest with you), I’m wearing the dress I wore to work on Friday. Is that wrong? I thought it would be the best way for me to maintain ‘continuity’ – you-know-what-I-mean??  This dress is just too beautiful not to share J

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a BCBG Max Azria burgundy floral silk halter wrap dress, L.A.M.B (Gwen Stefani) cream leather lace-up wedge sandals and carrying her large black suede Gucci handbag. Accessories included pearl and gold shoulder duster earrings, Roberto Cavalli silver watch with brown crocodile strap, and large wooden bangles.

 

 

Tip: Because this halter goes all the way down to the waist, a typical halter bra (cutting across your mid back) would show and look completly wrong. Find a bra that hooks low and comes with an extension strap that allows you to wrap it around the waist and is therefore undetectable.

My day was a bit strange………….made me think to myself, “hmmmmmmm”.

I had to run for the train this morning, run for the train this evening, make repeated edits to the same document, have unusual conversations with two strangers – on separate occasions, listen to the latest on a much discussed conspiracy theory………like I said, it was a bit strange. Had a "Twilight Zone" vibe.   I also had a session with a personal trainer at the gym, which was intense – I’m difficult, when it comes to working out –  really difficult, and I do NOT like to sweat. My session felt like the longest hour in history!! I Hated my trainer!! and he just kept pushing me. After the work-out, he stretched me and gave me an amazing massage - suddenly he was my best friend!

Also on the positive side tip, I gave a lot of compliments – it just seemed as if everyone was wearing something that I liked!!

Ms. Aikasha  is wearing a Walter cold shoulder silk animal print dress, Chloe white scalloped edge high heel peep toe sandals and carrying her Cole Haan large wicker bag with lime green leather trim. Accessories include large mobe pearl earrings, mother of pearl pendant, Michael Kors tortoise shell watch, and an assortment of black bangles.

Note: It's nice to receive compliments. It's even nicer to give a compliment. Think about how good it makes you feel when you're complimented...........reciprocate people!!

Tip: I highly recommend investing in a good strapless bra. It makes the world of difference how a strapless, one shouldered, cut-out, or spaghetti strap dress/top appear.

eth

I made a concerted effort to get some sleep last night, was in bed by 11:30pm, and finally got a good night’s rest. When I got up this morning I felt tons better than I’d been feeling these past two weeks – which was definitely a good thing.

It was a little cool this morning, but the breeze was sooooo refreshing. Reminded me of being in the mountains. The breeze influenced today's outfit.

 

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an Oltre white cotton tonal striped trouser suit, MadRag black and grey striped tube top, Dereon (Beyonce) silver grey leather strappy sandals with mirrored stilletto heel, and Cole Haan large wicker tote with lime green leather trim. Accessories include multiple silver bangles, Michael Kors silver and mirrored sunglasses, and pearl/silver earrings.

Tip: Just the way the pockets are visible through white trousers, so will your panties be. I recommend a thong, or boy shorts that are very similiar to your skin tone - then your undies will be undetected.

TipII: The 'booty shot' affirms the above proven theory.

Note: Though I don't usually adhere to standard do's and don'ts of fashion - ie: no white after Labor Day; no white before Memorial Day, etc., I felt compelled to wear this white suit, or else I'd have to wait 'til next year!

Note II: The silver buttons on this suit definitely influenced me to opt for silver jewellry. Seems a bit obvious - right??? but not always.

 I tend to “push the limit”………to the extreme! Since my Atlanta trip, I’ve rarely made it to bed before 2:00am even though I’m up at 6:30am every morning…….going, and going, and going………..just like the energizer bunny.

The days are shorter, the evenings are cooler and I still haven’t worn all my sun dresses – "No, No Bueno!!"

I'm in a mad rush right now to wear as many of my unworn summer clothes before it gets too cold to justify..........and I'll try really hard to justify :)                                       

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Perry Ellis yellow silk/cotton blend satin spaghetti strap dress, L.A.M.B (by Gwen Stefani) yellow peep toe/t-strap platform sandals, and Miu Miu white “coffer” handbag. Yellow flutter drop earrings, oodles of yellow/black/gold bangles, and black Gucci shades complete this super summer look.                                  

 

Note: Every time I wear this dress to work, someone asks if I'm going dancing. Just for the record, my "dancing dresses" are considerably shorter than this!!

 

Happy, happy Monday. What a weekend!

I’d mentioned that I was making a dress for an upcoming event. Well, the event was yesterday – Sun Aug 26^th – and wow!........what an event. Our annual cookout – for family and our closest friends.



The event dress. An original Ms. Aikasha halter dress.
My daughter Z, gave me this traditional African print fabric for my birthday - .

 

 We (as in my seven daughters and I) shut down the block, and provided food and libation for about 120 people. The menu was extensive: jerk chicken, jerk veggie chicken, grilled whole fish, baked mac & cheese, rice & peas, curried rice & peas, baked ziti, stir fried veggies, potato salad, hot dogs, veggie hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, grilled corn-on-the-cob, fruit salad, carrot cake, chocolate cup-cakes, lemon cream cheese pound cake, rum cake, chocolate chip cookies, chips & dip, fruit salad, red and white wine, and the gents provided all the juice, beer andliquor. 

The kids were free to run and ride up and down the street unencumbered and the dj blasted the best music while everyone who wanted to, danced, played cards, and just ate to their hearts content.

After all was said and done, everyone had an absolute blast and our last guests finally left at around 2:00am. Needless to say, my house was a wreck and no matter how many dishes I washed, it seemed I wasn’t making a dent!

I could barely get out of bed this morning and grabbed the first dress that I could get away with not ironing.

Why the back story? I have to justify the poor quality of tonight’s pictures. I got home from work at 7pm, ripped my clothes off and slumped onto my bed. I was exhausted!.....worn out from yesterday, and I couldn’t sleep. After about an hour, it dawned on me – I didn’t take my blog pics and it was way past dark. I had to get dressed, again.                                        Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Nicky B. sheer silk beige/black sundress with braided straps, Patrizia Pepe black suede ankle wrap/kitten heel sandals and Miu Miu white “coffer” handbag. Pearl/gold shoulder duster earrings and beige/black bangles finish off the look.                                           

 

I’m thinking it’s probably best not to mention how long ago I made certain of my pieces. On one hand it can make the item appear ‘timeless’. On the other hand, the item could just seem old!
I think I was channeling the “Little Girl” in me when I made this dress. I mean, I love, Love, LOVE ruffles and bows and sashes and lace and all the girlie stuff!


 But, I didn't want the dress to look like children's wear. The grey chambray fabric, I thought was perfect - being lightweight and flowy, yet still mature.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha grey chambray hooded swing dress, Boutique 9  pale pink cut-out sandals and Michael Kors pale pink bag. Accessories include, multi colored glass/silver necklace, hematite and ruby necklace, silver drop ball earrings, Banana Republic silver cuff.

 Tip: as mentioned in a previous post, watch out for the gust of wind when wearing a 'swing' cut dress/skirt - it can be very very revealing.

Note: I pondered what color shoes/bag to wear with this dress. In the past I've worn red, silver, or black. Even though today's  choice is neutral, and the dress is sorta neutral, I think it works.