Model Bites: The Holiday Edition

The days leading up to Christmas are always a busy time at my family's home. The kids are all running around talking about Santa Claus. The boys are all sitting around watching football and eating my sister's cookies. My mom is baking her famous Red Velvet Cakes. Meanwhile, my friends and I are watching mom bake waiting for a little piece of deliciousness. Oh, and somehow my mother convinces us to help her wrap Christmans gifts. These are the holiday traditions that I look forward to every December.

It used to be that I was only a spectator in the sport of holiday cooking. All that baking and making a turkey just seemed like too much work for little ol' me. But recently I've surrounded myself with good people who enjoy cooking as much as they enjoy life itself. During Thanksgiving, we concocted the feast of all feasts. Each person was asked to bring a dish and we pulled out all the stops. For some strange reason, I was in charge of the turkey. I've never done this before, and in order to feed everyone I had to cook not one, but two birds! I tried to play it cool, but the day of the party I was freaking out. Much to my surprise, the turkeys were perfect. Days after that success, I made a sweet potato soufflé and two sweet potato pies. I don't know what's gotten into me.
On my quest to becoming a domestic goddess, I picked up a few tricks that may be helpful to you too. First of all, start early. Find a recipe you love and make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start cooking. I'm really into fusing family recipes with new things I find on Epicurious or the Food Network. Next, pace yourself. When you have a lot of cooking to do, a simple recipe that should only take 30 minutes might end up taking over an hour. If you're feeling overwhelmed, recruit some help. Every chef needs a sous chef, a line cook, and all that the usual staff of a five star restaurant even if you're just in your own kitchen. Finally, I like to cook with music. If I'm singing and dancing, then I'm putting love into the food. You can taste the difference between someone who just follows a recipe and someone who really put their foot in it, if you know what I mean.

Share the gift of good food this holiday. Cook from your heart. Eat enough that your tummy is full, but make sure you have enough for leftovers. Spread the love.

I got 99 problems, but a gift ain't one

Oh holiday shopping. While I love exchanging gifts and all, I despise actually going to a store and finding presents for my loved ones. You never want to be that girl who gives her sister an ugly sweater that ends up getting donated to the Goodwill after a few months. Or the daughter who gives her dad a tie every year, but you know he doesn't ever wear one. Enough is enough. Let's break those bad gift giving habits. Here are few of my favorite things to put under the Christmas tree this winter season.

1. The Coveted Graphic T - If you really know my style, then you know that I live for graphic tees. If it says something witty or has amazing artwork, then you know your girl's rocking it. My latest obsession are these County of Milan shirts by the amazing Marcelo Burlon. Swoon! These babies are hard to come by unless you're in one of the fashion capitals of the world. It's one of those gifts that if you do actually manage to score one, whoever you're giving it to will appreciate the quest you went on to get it.

2. Statement Jewelery - What a way to say I love you! Every woman likes things that sparkle and I'm totally into this crystal ear cuff from ASOS. I've been eyeing this ear cuff for months waiting for the right time to profess my adoration of it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to make some noise wearing this statement piece. The important thing to remember about buying jewelry as a present: the price isn't as as important as the bling factor. This ear cuff is less than 20 bucks!

3. Books With Style - Who doesn't appreciate a good coffee table book. It's got great photography and wonderful writing that will hold your attention while you relax on the couch with a cup of eggnog. And anyone who's claims to be into fashion with love this 3-volume set about the history of one of the most famous brands in the world, Chanel. Written by ELLE magazine contributor Francois Baudot, the books include a valuable background about Chanel, Chanel Fine Jewelry, and Chanel Perfume.

4. Chic Gadgets and Accessories - Silicon Valley meets Upper Westside. One of last year coolest gifts is making a return this season. The Jonathan Adler Smartphone dock is a porcelain homage to the old school rotary phone.  It's elegant and will fit in with any decor whether your home is modern or retro. If white isn't your color, the smartphone dock also comes in black. I'm totally getting this for someone. Tre chic.

5. Anything Sorta Goth, But Not - Skulls and crosses are so in this winter. You see them on scarves, jackets, and on so many accessories. I've even seen little kids sporting skulls. Which is why these Diamond - Studded Skull Earbuds are so right for right now. They're shiny and functional. Cha-ching! Another great gift for the chick who's a little goth but not are these metallic print cross leggings. I saw one of my girls wearing them and knew they would be a hot ticket item. I'm sure you can find similar ones at Urban Outfitters, but I found these on my new fave online boutique Lusts for Life. Hopefully, someone's gifting me a pair. Wink wink.

Now I know we only have a few days left until Christmas, but you still have time to get something awesome for the people you love. If you can't order online, shop local. What matters the most isn't the amount of money you spend or what you buy. It's all about giving from your heart. Happy Holidays!

A Man's Story

When a man has a vision and the drive to get him where he wants to go, there's no stopping him. He is a force to be reckoned. British menswear designer Ozwald Boateng is that very man. He's achieved many milestones in his career including being the first tailor to show at Paris Fashion Week. Ozwald is also the youngest and first black tailor to open a store on the famous Saville Row. He has been at the creative helm of Givenchy and dressed many of Hollywood's leading men. But Ozwald's success comes with a hefty price tag of heartache and struggle. A new documentary "A Man's Story" explores Ozwald's triumphs and tragedies for over a decade of his life.

In 1998, filmmaker Varon Bonnicos set out to shoot up-and-coming menswear designer Ozwald Boateng. What originally started as a six-month project turned into 12 years with Bonnicos bearing witness to many of Boateng's dilemmas both personal and professional. The film opens with Ozwald ending his first marriage and beginning his trek to fame.

If you're familiar with Ozwald's history, then you know the facts. You know that his talent is undeniable. Ozwald's approach to design marries traditional tailoring and detail with the spiritual form of the man who wears his artistry. He is a strong, determined man who won't let anything get in the way of his vision. The film allows you to see this powerful force is his most vulnerable moments. Ozwald sees things falling apart around him and realizes that he can do nothing about it but move forward.

While watching the documentary, I started thinking about the people I know who have sacrificed so much for their dreams. The hours spent working hard at their craft, but away from the people who love them. The missed birthdays and holidays. The apologies for just not being there. I wonder if Ozwald Boateng would do anything differently knowing that he would go bankrupt, almost lose his business, and nearly lose his family. It really just comes down to believing in yourself despite all odds. Ozwald's determination is inspiring. Even through the tough times, he knows he's going to come out on top.

"Belief is a cornerstone of being a man. You don't have belief, you don't have anything."
-Ozwald Boateng
Get more details on A Man's Story HERE.

In the Spotlight

Boy, oh boy! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind with no sleep but so much work. I'm actually waiting at audition as I write. It's such a blessing to be grinding. But I realize I have been M.I.A. I have missed you so!

A little over a month ago, I was invited to do a shoot with photographer Allen Henson in conjunction with Modelwire Network. We created and laughed together. I've got so much respect for the whole team. To my surprise after the shoot, I was asked by Modelwire Network to be featured as the December Model member of the month. Hurray! If you think you know everything there is to know about me, you have no idea. Check out the feature like NOW!

xoxo,
Nikia

Blank Like Bond

Dashing. Charming. Sexy. Three words that I use to describe one man who's style has captured the hearts of moviegoers for 50 years. I'm talking about Bond, James Bond. This British secret agent is who men imagine they could be with his witty one-liners and dangerous escapades. When I was was trying to think of topics for this month's column, I would've ended up writing about being a male model. Well, you can watch Zoolander for that one. So let's take a departure from the usual Blank Like A Model and live like Bond.

Oh James Bond. Your immaculate sex appeal. Your fantastic suits. Your taste for suspense. I just can't get enough of you. Daniel Craig's 007 is truly a complex character that battles many personal demons but still manages to look fly doing it. Besides the fact that his life is constantly at risk, why wouldn't you want to be this dude? After ooing and aahing my way through the new movie Skyfall, I came up with a few simple rules so that you too can be a debonair super agent.

1. Make An Entrance - When James Bond walks into a room people notice. He doesn't have to announce himself, but all eyes are on him. Even if he crashes through a door or a train, he dusts himself off and keeps it moving. Push aside that social anxiety. The key to making an entrance is confidence. Let it breathe through your pores and let everyone catch a whiff.

2. Dress for the Occasion - 007 never looks shabby. For goodness sake, the man wears suits while chasing bad guys. He puts on a tux and ends up dodging fists and bullets. He's not afraid to get his clothes dirty. Daniel Craig's Bond sports menswear that moves with his body. Every thread looks and feels like it was tailored especially for him, and it was. In fact, Bond's suits for Skyfall were designed by none other than Mr. Sexy himself Tom Ford. Swoon. The lesson to be learned here is that if you're wearing anything by Tom Ford, you're always dressed for the occasion.

3. Accessorize - Maybe it's a gun that only fires to his touch or even a classic roadster to speed around town. Bond is never without his shiny toys. He finds the right watch or pocket square to complement his look. Bond never over-blings. When you're a secret agent, you can't be too flashy but you've got to fit in with your surroundings. So no huge gold chains or diamond rings. Remember, don't let the accessories wear you. You wear the accessories.

4. Mix Business with Pleasure - James Bond is a ladies' man who works hard and plays hard too. Somehow in his busy schedule (pronounced shhedule), he makes time for the occasional romantic rendevous. Who cares if the chick is working for the enemy. Bond is a player. As long as he doesn't get too emotionally attached, he's good. The trick to this game, as long as there's mutual respect you have nothing to worry about... unless of course someone gets killed.

5. Be Cool - Have you ever seen Bond break under pressure? Sure, he's an emotional guy who's lost the love of his life and even come back from the dead, but you've never really seen him lose his cool. Even with his hands tied behind his back with a gun pointed in his face, 007 keeps it together. How does he do it? This all goes back to confidence. If you act like you've got a lot on the line and something to lose, you will lose. But if you live like tomorrow isn't promised to you and nothing matters but that moment, you'll break out of those ropes a true champion.

Alright, my little secret agents. You've got the rules of engagement. Now go conquer your own adventures.
Style + Risk + Confidence = 007

Dear Fairy Model Mother: Follow My Head or My Heart?

Photo by Jake Merrill
There's a line in the movie A Bronx Tale that goes a something like this: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever." I was reminded of this while having a serious conversation with one of my best guy friends. He was in quite a predicament. On one hand there's this great professional opportunity and on the other his natural talent. It's a super tough decision, so which do you go for? Do you follow your head or your heart?

Here's the back story. My friend was a marketing major in college. He's an idea guy who knows how to get things done and also has a way with words. He's great at it, but he's an even better model. He's the dude who just wakes up looking photogenic even with the crust still in his eyes. After graduating, he continued to juggle modeling while still working in marketing. One day the modeling gigs slowed down and he was offered a great position at a marketing company, so he took it.

Everything was fine until his agency started calling him again. On his lunch break, he'd sneak off to castings. Like Clark Kent changing into Superman, he'd transform into sexy male model with the quickness and return back to work just a normal guy. The whole time, the people at his marketing company had no idea he's a model. The situation got even worse when he began booking big jobs. He was running out of sick days and reasons why he couldn't come into the office. Jump to a co-worker seeing his face in a commercial and on a billboard. The cat's officially out of the bag.

My personal opinion: men seem to have an especially difficult time in these situations. They are taught that they are supposed to lead the way and bring home the bacon. Logically, the marketing job is a good choice. The income is reliable and the schedule is predictable. Modeling is a gamble. You never know when you're booking anything and when you'll actually get paid. What advice did I give my boy? Go with your heart. Even though he's good at marketing, modeling is where his passion is. You can hear the difference in the way he talks about his 9 to 5 compared to how excited he gets when talking about a gig he just shot. An office job is something you can always come back to, but with modeling and anything super creative you've got to ride the train while you still have the hutzpah to do it. Balls to the wall.

Sometimes going with your gut is the only way to fly. Don't waste your talent. You may never recover from that loss. Good luck, my man. As always, if you have any questions the Fairy Model Mother hotline is always open.

So Necessary: Style Protocol

Since I was a kid, I've been surrounded by men who get their hands dirty, but who also clean up pretty nicely. They know that you don't wear ripped up jeans to brunch. They never go somewhere important looking like they just rolled out of bed. And most importantly, they know how to tie a neck tie. These guys were taught how to carry themselves as men. But as I get older, what I thought was a standard is actually an anomaly. When did dressing like a slob become attractive? It's obvious that dudes these days need help and how! Enter celebrity fashion stylist Reinaldo Irizarry...

Mr. Reyal Fashion is sharing his talent and knowledge in a new book called Style Protocol. It's an impeccable go-to guide for men's style that doesn't read like stereo instructions. Reinaldo realized that men need a little more guidance than women when it comes to clothing. Think about it... the average guy doesn't wear clothes that fit him and really doesn't know when to wear what. They actually have to google black tie affair when they see it on an invitation.
“The indispensable advice in this book will help you gain an understanding of how the different elements of dressing all relate and how you can use them to develop a polished and confident sense of personal style.” - Reinaldo Irizarry

The book covers topics like what to wear for everyday life, instructions on tying both a necktie and a bow tie, and dressing well on a budget. Reinaldo also goes beyond the call of duty and teaches men the ins and outs of suits even down to how to tell the difference between a canvased suit and a fused one. Genius.

Style Protocol is the perfect holiday gift for they men in your life. Hurry! From now through Monday November 26, you get 25% off the book. BONUS ALERT: You can also receive an additional 30% OFF when you use the promo code DELIRITAS (all caps) at checkout. If you're not buying Style Protocol like right now, you've got problems. You know what to do...

CLICK TO SHOP

From Russia With Love... Part Two

Seriously! How does this happen? Someone up there must like me. My dear friends Taye Hansberry, Jae Joseph, and I got an early Christmas gift this morning...

We're in the December issue of Vogue Russia! 

The lovely Laura Djaga shouted out the news via twitter. The photo was taken of us at the Lublu presentation during New York Fashion Week. I think we look fabulous, don't you?

This is such a blessing.  Thanks for the love Laura and everyone at Vogue Russia. I heart you!

Boy Cuts

Fussing over their hair is not something men typically do. Sure they mess with it and say they need a cut, but you'll rarely meet a man as obsessed with his perfect coif as John Travolta's character in Saturday Night Fever. "Ma, watch the hair!" But don't think guys aren't concerned with their hair at all. The right hairstyle can make a man while the wrong one can wreck him. Girls can pick up a thing or two about good cuts from a dude's style book. Don't you just love a woman with a short, sexy haircut? So, grab a seat in the barber's chair and let's getting chopping.

When you're considering cutting your hair like a guy, take a few things into consideration. Can you really rock short hair? Does the style you want fit your features? It really sucks when a girl with fantastic long hair chops it off and loses her appeal. So how do men find the right cut? A guys goes for something that works with the angles of his face. Our features are a little softer, so we need hairstyles that frame our cheeks and bring out our eyes. I'm super partial to cuts that are really cropped on the sides and the back, but a little longer on top. This way you still have length to play with if you want to do something fun with your hair for special occasions.

Getting a guy cut can be tricky. You don't want people to say "Oh, what a cute little boy," so make sure your hair still looks a little feminine. You don't want to look like you just stepped out of a barber shop, so make sure your hairline isn't edged up and precise. Let your hair be a little messy, it will make you appear more easy-going and carefree. Also, scale back on the styling products. Don't you hate it when you go to play with a man's hair and he's got tons of gel in it? Well they feel the same way about ours. Your coif should look awesome, but still be touchable. Instead of overdosing on hair serums and pomade, just use a dab. Remember, a little goes a long way.


The good thing about a short cut is the idea of not fighting with your hair to get it to do what you want. I always pick styles that are easy to handle everyday and won't look weird when when my hair is growing out. My routine is so simple, even a kid can do it. I wash my hair when it feels dirty. While I'm in the shower, I condition everyday with a tea tree conditioner. Once I towel dry my hair, I apply a leave-in conditioner to seal in the moisture. My tiny curls hold perfectly without any extra product, and my hair is still touchable.

And that's it! There's no detailed perfect hair formula when you've got a boy cut. Come on, do you think dudes put a lot of thought into their hair routine? Of course not. So why should you? Snip-snip.

My Style: The Outsider

Shot on a gritty rooftop in downtown LA

Photography by Jonne Johnson

Styling by Pei Lee

Makeup by Sheba Snow

Model Bites: Simplethings

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

I always say you've got to eat to live.  For guys that means an endless smorgasbord of meat, meat, and more meat, unless of course he's vegan or pescetarian. Occasionally they'll throw some veggies or grains in the mix and maybe a dessert or two.  For this edition of Model Bites, I wanted to try something manly which is a little difficult for me since I don't like stuff. And by stuff I mean all the extra fixings dudes like to pile on food especially sandwiches.  It can get messy, but they like it. So I went somewhere with yummy goodness that both guys and dolls can enjoy... Simplethings.

In order to prepare myself to dine like a dude, I had to build up my appetite. Think about it, men can out eat women by a long shot. We take petite bites of food while they stuff their faces as if they've been starving on a desert island.  Simplethings specializes in sandwiches and pies, and I wanted to try everything on the menu. Talk about Mission:Impossible. So my good friend Taye and I devised a plan. She'd order one thing and I'd order something else.  I went for the BBQ Pulled Pork Pot Pie. Mmm, comfort. When you think pot pie I'm sure 1960s tv dinner comes to mind, but this was no frozen food.  Covered in a tangy barbeque sauce, this flaky goodness was stuff with every man's standard meat and potatoes but it was far from bland.  I like to think of it as a quiche for guys but without all the egg fluff we women like. As usual, my eyes were bigger than my tummy and I only got through half of it. 

Moving right along to the Pulled Chicken Sandwich.  This is a guy's sandwich if I've ever seen one. Pieces of chicken smothered in a chipotle barbecue sauce, arugula, pickled onions, garlic aioli with a chevre spread nestled inside a pretzel roll. Please take your time and savor the flavors with this one. Oh and use a napkin, you messy animals! Add the Butternut Squash soup to your meal, and your belly has officially been warmed up just right. Seriously, if your mouth isn't watering, you have issues.


Even though I was so incredibly full after all the food, I always leave room for dessert. Simplethings is known for having the most amazing pies in town from blueberry to this delicious one Chipotle Pumpkin. The bakers make them fresh every morning with seasonal ingredients and with fruits and veggies from local farmers. It's all made with love and from scratch. Guess what? These pies also come in different sizes to fit your appetite: cutie pie, simple pie, and big pie for sharing. Taye and I went for one cutie pie each, and then went back for seconds. What gluttons! 
Simplethings made me realize that chicks and dudes do share the same love for food, it's just that our palettes and portions are a bit more refined.  Rim shot. So stop by this wonderful little shop and try some grub for yourself. Get stuffed!
PS If you're looking for a great place to get desserts for Thanksgiving, Simplethings is the spot for you. Put in your orders ASAP.

5 Things Chicks Can Learn From Menswear

"The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man..." - from Deuternomy 22:5.
For centuries ladies have been dressing themselves in men's clothing, but it was considered taboo. Not anymore. We've traded in our corsets and bustle skirts for trousers and button-up shirts. Can you imagine trying to run your daily errands let alone breathe in something with that much fabric or that constricting? I'd trip on my dress every few minutes and fall flat on my face. Needless to say, women have gladly adopted some clothing traditionally associated with gentlemen. It's so much more practical. But we still have a ways to go. Here are 5 things chicks can learn from menswear.
1. Suit Up - Nothing says power like a really great suit. Don't get me wrong, dresses are great. But think about the attention you'll command if you're wearing a tailored jacket and pants. No wonder working women in the 80s wore shoulder pads and power suits. Too bad they did it all wrong. The suit presents an image of strength and prowess that used to be reserved for Wall Street types. Channel that energy and dress for success.

2. Keep It In Line - Creating a suit is like a lesson in geometry. There are angles that must be connected with straight lines to create shape and definition. It's all about precision. Even though a woman's body is a little more complicated, we can still apply these same principles to the way we dress. Your clothes should have structure. You should be able to draw an imaginary line from your head going through the buttons of your shirt intersecting your waist and falling in line with the zipper of your pants. You should be perfectly symmetrical and well put together no matter which angle someone sees you from.

3. These Are the Breaks - I doubt that anyone other than true menswear aficionados knows what in the world a break is. So let me give it to you. A break is where the cuff of the pant meets the shoe. The importance of this is the difference between high-waters, slacks that are dusting the floor, and pants that hit just right. Women have to be especially aware of this. Think about how many times you've tried on a pair of trousers in a store then got them home, put on heels, and the length was all wrong. You don't want to look bad or sloppy which leads me to my next point...

4. Oh Tailor, My Tailor - Let's go back to the store scenario. You've found a jacket and a blazer you absolutely love. The price fits your budget, but there's one little snag. The pants are a bit too long. Ok, and maybe the jacket is a little boxy. Don't walk away from a great outfit because of a few inches. Take it to a tailor. I know it sounds like something your grandfather used to do, but it's worth it. Getting your clothes tailored will make you feel like you're in couture. The clothes will hug your body just perfectly instead of looking ill-fitting. It may cost you, but a great tailor is priceless.

5. The Cool Factor - Let's face it. The perfect outfit can make anybody look good. It can transform the cute guy from the coffee shop into a handsome devil with chicks swooning for him. Just imagine what it can do for you. People will see you as the woman who's really got her stuff together but can still hang with the boys. And the guy you've been crushing on will start to imagine what you look like in one of his button-ups the morning after. Oops, did I really say that? We women have a tendency to get ahead of ourselves. Anyway, just remember when it comes to men's duds, play it cool. You're a real classy lady, and not some floozy.

Thanks to Kawai Matthews and the fantastic staff at the J.Lindeberg store in the Beverly Center for the style tips and the great pics. I had so much fun wearing men's stuff for the shopping event we did a few months ago. I think I make a pretty good looking gentleman. Ha! Oh, and I scored the best fitting trousers I've ever had in my life thanks to J.Lindeberg. It hits all the right angles.

Style tip to live by: It's better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Oh Yes: Slim Fit Striped Blazer

We all know how boring black blazers can be. Sure they match everything, but where's the fun in that? Where's the risk? Maybe you should hang that blah jacket in the back of your closet and opt for something with a little more flair. Go for the stripes.

This gray and white blazer is something I'd totally grab from a guy's closet and wear like it actually belongs to me. Wait, is this yours? I could've sworn I let you borrow it.  For men, the slim fit means that it will accentuate your body ever so perfectly without being too tight. For women this means you won't  look like a little girl playing in dad's clothes, but it will still look like a boyfriend cut... well, because it is. Duh.

Oh, and the price has been slashed tremendously. This blazer just keeps looking better and better.
2 buttons + 3 front pockets + too many stripes to count = perfection. So what are you waiting for...

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

HOWTO : Upgrade to Hiawatha 8.6 on Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS

Upgrade to Hiawatha 8.6

If you are upgrading from previous version of Hiawatha to version 8.6, you just follow the following step only.

Download the source code of Hiawatha and compile. Then install the package as normal.

sudo apt-get install php5-fpm

sudo php-fcgi -k -c /etc/hiawatha/php-fcgi.conf

Disable the php-fcgi :

sudo update-rc.d -f php-fcgi remove

sudo nano /etc/hiawatha/hiawatha.conf

Go to the following section and change the "ConnectTo = 127.0.0.1:2005" to "ConnectTo = 127.0.0.1:9000"

The entries at COMMON GATEWAY INTERFACE (CGI) SETTINGS should be looking like this.

CGIhandler = /usr/bin/perl:pl
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/php5-cgi:php
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/python:py
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/ruby:rb
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/ssi-cgi:shtml
CGIextension = cgi

FastCGIserver {
   FastCGIid = PHP5
   ConnectTo = 127.0.0.1:9000
   Extension = php, php5
   SessionTimeout = 30
}

Set the php-fpm.conf file :

Append the following to the php-fpm.conf.

sudo nano /etc/php5/fpm/php-fpm.conf

[www]
user = www-data
group = www-data
listen = 127.0.0.1:9000
pm = static
pm.max_children = 100
chroot = /var/www/
chdir =/

sudo /etc/init.d/hiawatha restart

That's all! See you.

Children of the Revolution

Exercise your freedom and VOTE!
Literally, this is what I'm rocking today. Shirt by Future HereticsJewelry by Stella & Dot

This Is A Man's World

Nothing excites me more than a well-dressed man. He is the definition of cool. The way he carries himself. His demeanor. He knows nothing can phase him. When he is in his element, he has a power no one can touch. You long to be in his presence and you are drawn to his charm. He is a killer. Cold as ice. I am so intrigued by guys whose style is so impeccable that I'm dedicating this month to menswear.

I've always been drawn to men's fashion. As a teen, I was such a tomboy that I'd buy Brooks Brothers button-ups and Ralph Lauren sweaters instead of chick clothes. I even went as far as wearing guy's cologne. I dressed the way I wanted my boyfriend to dress. Eventually I gave him some of my stuff and started dressing more like a girl. Even now I still have this habit. This morning, I had Steve McQueen in my head, so that's how I wanted to look. I threw on my fave boyfriend jeans, boots, a tee, leather jacket, and shades and walked hard like a dude. There's a way to look feminine in masculine clothes, but sometimes I just don't give a ...

A well-dressed man isn't all suits and ties, but also about structure. The angles of a guy's face and his body intersect the lines in his jackets, shirts, and pants to create a strong image. It's that strength and power that we're all attracted to.

So for November, I'm pulling inspiration from the best in menswear from film to fashion to music. James Bond. Ozwald Boateng's A Man's Story. My own gentlemen's club photo shoot. We've got so much to look forward to. The swoon factor is about to get out of hand! "Cuz every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man."

HOWTO : Highest secured Hiawatha Web Server 8.6 on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server

Upgrade to Hiawatha 8.6

Hiawatha is a very secure and fast web server in the market. It supports PHP, Perl, Python and Ruby. It is also very lightweight, easy to configure and setup too. How secure? Please refer to the features of Hiawatha.

For the performance, please refer to the study of SaltwaterC at here.

This tutorial is writing for setting up the highest secured web server. Please also to apply the "Optional" steps mentioned below for making the highest secured web server.

Since version 8.3, Hiawatha comes with Reverse Proxy and DAV features.  The DAV features can be used for ownCloud  for example, which comes with version 8.2.

Updated :

According to the Author of Hiawatha, the OwnCloud 4.5.1 can be running flawlessly on Hiawatha. The xcache error can be fixed very easily.

Hugo Leisink 27 October 2012, 11:04
I've got 4.5.1 up and running. Don't use any URL rewriting. To get rid of the xcache errors, in lib/cache/xcache, replace the lines 27, 34 and 39 with 'return false'. Now it all looks oke.

Prerequisite

Select OpenSSH and Mail Server when installing Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS.

Update the fresh install system to the latest status.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Select unattendance update to your system. It will push all the updates to your system when there is some. Or, you can create a cron job later to update your system in a certain of time if you prefer.

If the kernel or kernel modules have been updated, you are required to reboot your system before going further.

Step 1 - Installation of PHP5 and MySQL

sudo apt-get install mysql-server mysql-client php5-cgi php5 php5-cli php5-mysql php5-curl php5-gd php5-intl php-pear php5-imagick php5-imap php5-mcrypt php5-memcache php5-ming php5-ps php5-pspell php5-recode php5-snmp php5-sqlite php5-tidy php5-xmlrpc php5-xsl php5-xcache php5-suhosin php5-ffmpeg apache2-utils mini-httpd php5-fpm

Step 2 - Installation of Hiawatha

Install required dependenices for Hiawatha.

sudo apt-get install libc6-dev libssl-dev dpkg-dev debhelper fakeroot libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev

Download the latest version of CMake at http://www.cmake.org/

wget http://www.cmake.org/files/v2.8/cmake-2.8.9.tar.gz
tar -xvzf cmake-2.8.9.tar.gz
cd cmake-2.8.9
./configure
make
sudo make install

Download the latest version of Hiawatha (the current version at this writing is 8.6).

wget http://www.hiawatha-webserver.org/files/hiawatha-8.6.tar.gz
tar -xzvf hiawatha-8.6.tar.gz
cd hiawatha-8.6/extra

./make_debian_package

cd ..

sudo dpkg -i hiawatha_8.6_amd64.deb

or

sudo dpkg -i hiawatha_8.6_i386.deb

Step 3 - Configure PHP5

The following settings are for making PHP5 more secure.

sudo nano /etc/php5/cgi/php.ini

Make changes as is.

cgi.rfc2616_headers = 1

zlib.output_compression = On
zlib.output_compression_level = 6

Step 3a - Configure PHP5 (Optional for security purpose)

display_errors = Off
log_errors = On
allow_url_fopen = Off
safe_mode = On
expose_php = Off
enable_dl = Off
session.cookie_httponly = 1
disable_functions = system, show_source, symlink, exec, dl, shell_exec, passthru, phpinfo, escapeshellarg, escapeshellcmd
cgi.fix_pathinfo = 0

*** According to the author of Hiawatha, the cgi.fix_pathinfo should be set to 0 at this moment.

*** There will be something at the end of "disable_functions" at Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, you just append the captioned list to the end of the previous list.

*** some PHP applications may require safe_mode = off

Step 4 - Configure php-fpm

*** If you just upgrade to Hiawatha 8.6 from 8.5, please refer to here. ***

Append the following to the php-fpm.conf.

sudo nano /etc/php5/fpm/php-fpm.conf

[www]
user = www-data
group = www-data
listen = 127.0.0.1:9000
pm = static
pm.max_children = 100
chroot = /var/www/
chdir =/

Step 5 - Configure Hiawatha (Part 1)

sudo nano /etc/hiawatha/hiawatha.conf

Uncomment ServerId at GENERAL SETTINGS.

ServerId = www-data

Uncomment the following entries at BINDING SETTINGS.

Binding {
   Port = 80
#   Interface = 127.0.0.1
   MaxKeepAlive = 30
   TimeForRequest = 3,20
}

Step 5a (Optional for security purpose) :

Add the following line at the GENERAL SETTINGS.

ConnectionsTotal = 1000
ConnectionsPerIP = 30
SystemLogfile = /var/log/hiawatha/system.log
GarbageLogfile = /var/log/hiawatha/garbage.log
ExploitLogfile = /var/log/hiawatha/exploit.log

LogFormat = extended
ServerString = Apache
CGIwrapper = /usr/sbin/cgi-wrapper

Make changes for the following entries at BANNING SETTINGS.

BanOnGarbage = 300
BanOnMaxPerIP = 300
BanOnMaxReqSize = 300
BanOnTimeout = 300
KickOnBan = yes
RebanDuringBan = yes

BanOnDeniedBody = 300
BanOnSQLi = 300
BanOnFlooding = 30/1:300
BanlistMask = deny 192.168.0.0/24, deny 127.0.0.1
BanOnInvalidURL = 300

ReconnectDelay = 3
#Reverse Proxy
HideProxy = 127.0.0.1
MaxServerLoad = 0.8

Step 5b :

The entries at COMMON GATEWAY INTERFACE (CGI) SETTINGS should be looking like this.

CGIhandler = /usr/bin/perl:pl
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/php5-cgi:php
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/python:py
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/ruby:rb
CGIhandler = /usr/bin/ssi-cgi:shtml
CGIextension = cgi

FastCGIserver {
   FastCGIid = PHP5
   ConnectTo = 127.0.0.1:9000
   Extension = php, php5
   SessionTimeout = 30
}

Step 5c :

Add the following line at VIRTUAL HOSTS.

Include /etc/hiawatha/enable-sites/

*Make sure the make a directory enable-sites and disable-sites under /etc/hiawatha.

sudo mkdir /etc/hiawatha/enable-sites
sudo mkdir /etc/hiawatha/disable-sites

Step 6 - Configure Hiawatha (Part 2)

If your domain is mysite.com, you are required to create a file namely mysite.com and place it under /etc/hiawatha/enable-sites/mysite.com.

VirtualHost {
   Hostname = www.mysite.com, mysite.com
   WebsiteRoot = /var/www/mysite
   StartFile = index.php
   AccessLogfile = /var/log/hiawatha/access.log
   ErrorLogfile = /var/log/hiawatha/error.log
   TimeForCGI = 15
#   UseFastCGI = PHP5
   UseToolkit = banshee
   # if ownCloud or alike is installed, otherwise, it should be "no"
   WebDAVapp = yes
   #
   DenyBody = ^.*%3Cscript.*%3C%2Fscript%3E.*$
   DenyBody = ^.*%3CsCrIpT.*%3C%2FScRiPt%3E.*$
   DenyBody = ^.*%3CScRiPt.*%3C%2FsCrIpT%3E.*$
   DenyBody = ^.*%3CSCRIPT.*%3C%2FSCRIPT%3E.*$
   DenyBody = ^.*%3CSCRIPT.*%3C%2Fscript%3E.*$
   DenyBody = ^.*%3Cscript.*%3C%2FSCRIPT%3E.*$
   #
   # e.g.
Please make sure to re-do this step when the logwatch is updated or upgraded as it will overwrite the configure file.

Step 11 - Change the ownership of the log files

cd /var/log/hiawatha
sudo chown www-data:www-data access.log
sudo chown www-data:www-data error.log
sudo chown www-data:www-data exploit.log
sudo chown www-data:www-data garbage.log
sudo chown root:root system.log

* "php-fcgi.log" and "system.log" leave them untouched (root:root).

Step 11a - Change ownership of all directories and files at the /var/www/mysite

Put the web application files to /var/www/mysite and then change the ownership of all directories and files under /var/www/mysite to root:root.

cd /var/www/mysite
sudo chown -R root:root *

Step 12 - Start, Stop and Restart Hiawatha

sudo /etc/init.d/hiawatha start
sudo /etc/init.d/hiawatha stop
suod /etc/init.d/hiawatha restart

Step 13 - Performance tuning for MySQL (Optional)

You can fine tune the MySQL as per this link.

Step 14 - Secure your Ubuntu Server in a passive way (Optional)

Please refer to this link to secure your server in a passive way.

Step 15 - Setup a FTP server on Ubuntu Server (Optional)

This link shows you how to setup a vsFTPd server.

Step 16 - URL Rewrite rules (Optional)

For the url rewrite rules for your PHP applications, please refer to this link

Make sure you add "UseToolkit" at the VirtualHost section.

Step 17 - Send email to GMail via Postfix (Optional)

Please refer to this link

Step 18 - Create normal user for MySQL or MariaDB (Optional)

Please refer to this link

Remarks :

If you encounter "500 Internal Server Error", you may consider to make the Apparmor to "Complain mode".

sudo aa-complain hiawatha

After several days browsing the website, you may consider to turn the Apparmor to "Enforce mode".

sudo aa-logprof

sudo aa-enforce hiawatha

It is because the captioned usr.sbin.hiawatha may not 100% work for you.

In order to further hardened your Hiawatha web server, please consider the following options :

Optional #1 :

For SSH connection security, you also may consider to implement the Port Knocking feature.

sudo apt-get install knockd

Optional #2 :

You may also consider to enable your firewall at your router or on the Hiawatha Web Server with UFW.

If ufw does not exist in your server, you can install it :

sudo apt-get install ufw

Optional #3 :

Consider to place your web server behind this free service at Cloudflare. The main point is you can manage the DNS yourself and have a fixed IP address.

That's all! See you.

Makeovers & Motivation at Cola-Con

Sometimes when you give, you end up getting back more than you bargained for. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of being a special guest at Cola-Con, a hip hop and comic book convention. The organizers of the event invited me to not only speak on a panel about women in entertainment, but I was also able to do my own modeling workshop. I wanted to bring a bit of my world to Carolina... the glamour and the flashing lights. I wanted people from my home to be able to experience what I do everyday. Being creative brings me so much joy, and I want others to know how that feels. Each one teach one, you know. But I wasn't expecting that I'd get so much in return.

Going into this whole thing, I wasn't sure how many people would attend that were really interested in modeling and how many were just curious as to what we were doing. The workshop turned into more of a makeover session, and it was perfect. There were a couple of career women that needed a release from their regular work week, so we hooked them up. There was superstar singer Brittany Bosco who stopped by for support. I had a cute zookeeper come in for a glam session. Turns out her dad was a photographer so she already knew how to work the camera. Go 'head, girl!

A few days before the event, an old college buddy of mine emailed to ask if his 5-year-old daughter could come to the workshop. He mentioned that she was interested in acting and modeling and was hoping that I could at least meet her. I'm always a little funny about kids in this business, but I thought "why not". As soon as I saw little Gabby, I saw the light in her eyes and knew she needed to be at the workshop. The Paul Mitchell School team sat her down and went to work on her hair. We decided her hair should look fun and textured to go with her spunky personality. I wanted to make sure that Gabby's parents at least got a good headshot for her to start her career. And when she got in front of the camera, it was magic. She's such a little star!

One of my most rewarding moments was helping out a mom of two. She walked through the doors a little unsure about if she should stay or go. She wasn't into modeling, but I knew she was in the right place. The workshop was more of a pampering session for this hardworking mom. The Paul Mitchell School team gave her the royal treatment. She came in as this tired, frumpy person and left a glowing confident woman. Her transformation made me tear up. Now I know what Stacey and Clinton feel like on What Not To Wear.

So many thanks go out to the Paul Mitchell School for sharing their love of artistry with us. They worked wonders and I am so in debt to them. Thanks also to Michael Dantzler of Kayode Photo for all his hard work on the pictures. These people volunteered their time and talent out of the goodness of their hearts. Oh, and Preach Jacobs and the crew that put on Cola-Con, you guys should be honored for what you do for the artistic community in Columbia. Continue to nourish what others often neglect.

This is what happens when cool people come together for the greater good. No attitudes. No egos. Just love. Thank you for this and let's do this again soon.

XOXO


P.S. for more photos, click here.

Halloween Glam

The thought of getting dressed up for Halloween is super exciting. I start planning like a month or so in advance. "Ooo, what should I be? I could do this. I could do that." After talking about my ideas amongst friends, I come up with a killer costume. And then a few days before, I ditch the whole idea. This is exactly what happened this year. I was dead set on being George Michael from the Faith album complete with stubble and aviators. Then earlier this week, I wasn't feeling it. So today, I panicked. "What the freak am I going to be?!"

I know I'm not the only one who's done this. Or, even better...you've got the greatest costume figured out in your head, let's just say Karl Lagerfeld as an example. Sorry to any of my friends who are actually dressing up like this.
You've got the wig, glasses, gloves, suit...so you think you're all set. But before you can even vocalize your grand plan your BFF says she's going to be Uncle Karl but she's taking it even further with a stuffed white cat. Ugh. Foiled again. So what do you do now? Don't fret, my little pretties.

Go for what inspires you. Maybe it's a color or an animal. Maybe it's your favorite song or movie. If you're totally into Frank Ocean's album, throw on some tangerine makeup and a dress of the same color and call yourself Channel Orange. If you're an 80s kid, find a cute auburn bob wig and a pink dress and say you're Molly Ringwald from Pretty in Pink. Just make sure you pout a lot. Wink, wink.

Search through blogs or flip through magazines and let awesome style grab you. I was totally moved by Jean Paul Gaultier's Ready-to-Wear Women's collection that honors some of music's biggest icons. Think about how easy it is to pull off Grace Jones or Boy George, but how fun it would be. Or maybe there's just a fantastically dark makeup look you've been dying to try. Halloween is the holiday to do. I really love vamp makeup with deep violet lips and cat eyes. Super sultry.

I wandered around a costume shop for hours today trying on stuff until something moved me. If that's what you have to do to find your Hallow's Eve mojo, then do it. But don't let the lack of an elaborate outfit put you in a funk. Sometimes, you got to get creative. However you decide to masquerade, do it with style.

Blank Like A Model: Essential Beauty

Being a model means that you always have to be camera-ready. Between photo shoots and commercials, there's no room for bad beauty days on my schedule. How do I pull it off? It takes a little dedication, but it's sooo simple. In this edition of Blank Like A Model, I'll give you a few of my essential beauty tips that will keep you glowing all day.

1.Deep clean: Splashing water on your face in the morning to wake you up is just not enough. Faces need a little scrub-a-dub every morning to get rid of the dirt and excess oil that collected during sleep. The same thing goes for a nighttime routine. Make sure to use a makeup remover before you cleanse. I like to scrub with an exfoliant cream every other day and use a facial mask at least once a week. Your face will thank you for taking special care of it.

2. Protect all your skin: Whether it's moisturizing or using sunscreen, it's important to protect all your skin, not just your face. I don't care if you've got skin as soft as a baby's bottom, moisturizing must be a priority. I love cocoa butter infused with vitamin E. It evens out my complexion while also protecting me from the sun. Just stay away from anything too oily or heavy that may clog your pores.

3. Hands off: Every time you bring your hands to your face it spreads germs and dirt that can cause pimples and other irritations. Train yourself to keep your hands off and to use tissues any time you need to dab or wipe something away. This is doubly true if you feel a pimple or blemish creeping up on your face, since the oils from your hand will make it worse. Also: keep your hands out of your hair! It’s a nervous habit for so many people and it just spreads oil and dirt everywhere. If you use your fingers to style your hair, be sure to wash them before and after.

4. Brighten up your eyes: Age and lack of sleep can take a toll on your peepers. Not to worry. Use a calming eye cream or cucumbers to soothe your eyes in the morning and at night. Keep the area underneath your eyes moisturized and dab a little highlighter in the corners to make them sparkle. Finish off with mascara on top and bottom lashes to really open your eyes up.

5. Just blush: I never used to wear color on my cheeks because I thought it looked unrealistic. Then a very cute guy made me blush. Rosy cheeks are a sign of youth and flirtatiousness. Dab a little pink on the apples of your cheeks to keep you looking vibrant.

6. Freshen up: Your face and hair can attract dirt and antioxidants throughout the day. I like to do a mini facial at lunch time that includes using a toner to clean off excess grime and reapplying. You can do the same thing for your hair with Free Your Mane's Reviving Spray. It'll bring life back to your beautiful tresses.

7. Do it with a smile: No matter how you may look on the outside, it's so important to feel good on the inside. When you laugh or smile, your face instantly lights up and you forget your worries at least for a moment. Smiles are infectious, so share that joy with those around you.

You may not be a Hollywood starlet or a catwalk queen, but you are lovely. May all your days be filled with happiness and beauty.

Now Represented By:

Hip hip hurray! Mama's got a brand new agent. I am now represented by Pinkerton Model & Talent. About a year ago, a friend mentioned that I should check out the agency. Even though it took a long time, I did my homework and finally decided to switch up my game.

My booker has me testing like crazy in an effort to update my book. So I'm currently on day five of my mad photo shoot spree. It's a lot of hard work, but my portfolio is going to look great! It's kind of fun to be a new face.

On Point: Guarded Oxford Pump

A classic shoe gets a feminine upgrade. I am literally obsessed with oxfords. When I got into a store, my eyes are immediately drawn to these shoes. Oxfords are perfectly preppy. They can take a plain t-shirt and khakis from drab to Ab Fab with just one click of your heels.

So just imagine how cute you'd look in these Fergie Guarded Oxford Pumps. Seriously, this baby should be a staple in your shoe collection. Peep the signature Oxford detailing. This shoe laces in the front but zips up on the side for easy access. And check out that wing tip pointed toe. Killer! If you're not dying to have these stems, you've got issues.

CLICK TO SHOP

Dear Fairy Model Mother: I'm Not Working

Hello lovelies. I know it's been a while, but Mama's here. With all the traveling and socializing these past few months, I've just been swamped. But enough of that. Let's get to it. I was inspired to write this after a few conversations this week with some fellow models. It seems like these disgruntled beauties have been dealing with agency drama. This leads us to today's question:

What should I do if my agent isn't getting me any work?

Just like businessmen and lawyers, models talk shop too. We see each other at photo shoots and we keep each other informed. "Who are you with? Do you like them?" That's usually how the conversation starts. From there we get down to the dirty-dirty. We begin to open up to each other about issues we're having with our agents. One thing that's been coming up lately is models not going out on castings and not booking any jobs. Oh my gracious, haven't I been there.

When you get signed with an agency, you think you're going to be working nonstop. You're a fresh face and your reps want to make sure they are pushing you as much as possible. For a year or so, you're shooting around the clock, then the work slows down. This could be for a number of reasons. It may be a slow season. Maybe your look isn't hot right now. Who knows. There's a possibility that you need to update your book to gain more lucrative clients. If so, your agent should be encouraging you to test. Whatever the case may be, it's important that you keep an open dialogue with your people. Pick his or her brain to see what's really going on.

And if after all this you still feel like you're still not being given the same opportunities as the other models with your agency, maybe you should move on. When your agents aren't making money for you and you're not making money for them, it's time for a divorce. Don't waste your years, because you're not getting any younger. Take a look at your contract and figure out your exit strategy. Make sure it's an amicable split. Remember, it's not personal. It's just business, and you've got to be in the business of you. But don't rush to conclusions prematurely. Weigh out all your options.

I hope this helps, darlings. We've all been in situations where we feel our talents aren't being appreciated like they should. That's why we have each other to for group therapy sessions. Sharing is caring. As always, if you have any questions your fairy model mother is here.

"Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture"

Just updated these for Rocket Garage Amsterdam.

It's so necessary so that agents and clients know what you really look like at any given time. The thing is, I don't think I've really changed that much.

Thanks Christian Shorter for taking these. You rock.

Keep it simple. Keep it minimal.

Ain't No Shame in My Game

Sometimes conforming to the pop culture's perception of beauty can cause us to feel bad about ourselves. We can look in the mirror, and no matter what size we are, we think we're too this or too that. Body image is one of my favorite topics because it's an issue that will always exist. You can be the most picture-perfect woman in the universe and still find flaws with yourself.

Plus Model Magazine has dedicated an entire issue to discuss this concept of being ashamed of our bodies. Curvy women are often given the side eye by society because of their size. Media would have you believe that in order to be attractive one must be thin. In the spread called "Is Body Shaming Present in Our Lives", Plus Model Magazine challenges this idea by showing images of curvaceous women with nearly nothing on but jewels. They are not hiding themselves underneath clothes, because they don't need to.

Body Shaming is not just an issue for "real size" women, but skinny girls and guys too. We must all learn to love our individual shapes and sizes and be content with what we have. If you take care of your body and live a healthy life, who's to tell you if you're too thick or too thin. Love yourself.

Chime in: Who is at fault for body shaming- ourselves or the media?

Model Bites: Napa Valley Grille

People like to eat. People like to see pictures of food. I like eating food, so this new column is the perfect recipe for my blog. Introducing Model Bites. I was so inspired by all the delicious Instagram photos and the chatter about models and their eating habits that showcasing my appetite for yumminess only makes sense. I hope you enjoy. For the first installment, I visited Napa Valley Grille in Westwood to see what dishes the chef's cooking up this season.

With the changing of the leaves comes a changing of the menu for this rustic piece of heaven called Napa Valley Grille. The restaurant adds dishes that comfort your belly like Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Pancetta, Butternut Squash Soup with Spiced Pepitas, and Garam Masala Rack of Lamb to an already exquisite selection of food. Executive Chef Taylor Boudreaux pulled from an eclectic mix of cuisines including Indian, Italian, and his own creole roots for the fall harvest menu. My mouth was watering just looking at the list of appetizers and entrees, then my stomach started growling, and I knew it was time to order.
I wanted to try some of the new items but still get a taste of the restaurant's tried-and-true staples. First up was the Sweet Corn Agnolotti, a delicious ravioli-like pasta filled with a corn purée. Then came the Black Figs and Prosciutto drizzled in balsamic and extra virgin olive oil with a dollop of buratta. The dish had great texture with savory and sweet flavors, but still light and delicate. The next few dishes had me swirling in a food coma. From Chicken Kale Salad to Blue Crab Cakes...Steamed Mussels with spanish chorizo and white wine... The Larry Turkey Burger with smoked cheddar and a side of sweet potato fries. Oh my gracious! My eyes must have been bigger than my stomach, because I didn't leave room for dessert. This rarely ever happens, I swear. But if I'd had space for anything else, it would have been either the Butterscotch Bread Pudding or the Chocolate-Studded Zabaglione with Chocolate Tuiles.

I highly recommend dining at Napa Valley Grille this fall. Chef Taylor has filled the menu with fresh, seasonal ingredients and created some amazing dishes. So enjoy and feast until your belly says it's satisfied.
Buon Appetito!

Thanks to Wagstaff LA for a most exquisite lunch experience!

My Style: Retro Shapes

Never let a cute outfit go to waste. When I saw this dress hanging in Native Boutique, I knew I just had to have it. The neutral colors and retro pattern just called out to me. So I went to the dressing room, slipped it on, and fell head over heels.

Originally, I wore this outfit in my shoot for It's Hair Magazine. The glossy only used one photo in this look for the shoot. Taye Hansberry's pics were so good that I just couldn't let them sit in the vault forever.

At first glance, this may look like a summery dress. But you can easily convert this into a great look for the fall. Just add a dark tailored blazer, close-toed heels and rich neutral colors for makeup and you've got your perfect autumn look for day or night. I love wearing this dress with a navy blazer and cute caramel chunks heels. I look like a pumpkin spice latte.

What I'm wearing...
Dress: Ark &Co.
Shoes: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: Marni for H & M
Bangles: Target
Necklace: Borrowed from Taye
I'm strolling by these posh stores off Melrose looking like a million bucks but my entire outfit was less than $100. See, you don't have to spend a lot to look fabulous.

Xoxo