The Last Word by Karen

 Button Down Shirts

Skirt:White House Black Market

Shirt:Macy's

Jewelry: Baublebar

Shoes:White House Black Market

Glasses:SEE Eyewear

The button down shirt is a must have staple for any wardrobe. Button down shirts can look utilitarian but they can also be very feminine. Many women feel that button down shirts are boring and conservative. I read an article complete with a slideshow written July 16, 2014 by Kristen Bousquet. Http:///stylecaster.com/how-to-wear-button-down-shirts/, that was very interesting.

I have several button down shirts in my closet in white and black and blue.  I have purchased button downs from many stores, but my favorite shirts are  sold at Banana Republic. Banana Republic shirts are no-iron and are made of a beautiful, comfortable material.

The shelf life of a white button down for me is usually about three months.  I try to wash them by hand and they can also be dry cleaned.

Shirt:Banana Republic

Skirt:White House Black Market

Shoes:Sam Edelman

Jewelry: Baublebar
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

Shirt: Caslon Nordstrom
Scarf: White House Black Market
Jeans: Kensie Nordstrom

elle.com

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Carolina Herrera: culturacolectiva.com

So when in doubt as to what to wear with "anything"  try a button down shirt, be it a casual or dressy piece. One day at a time! Karen.

Style Crush

Happy Wednesday! In time for #WomenCrushWednesday, I have one of my favorite women that I follow on instagram. I have been following her since I became active on instagram. Her passion for fashion is like no one else I have come across. She truly has her own unique style. The looks she puts together are creative and fun. I am also a huge admirer of her gorgeous mane. Her hair, some would say, gives me life. She puts thought into all she does, from the creations she designs to the way she curates her photos. Have a look at today's 'Style AND Hair Crush'.

Renita Biddle. 40. Designer/Merchandiser

My take on fashion:

 I believe fashion is an art, an innate ability that some are gifted with. It's an amazing form of expression among other art forms. I created this quote to define how I feel about fashion: "Fashion is a conduit of expression for creative souls." 

Fashion is empowering, sexy, fun, mystical, crazy, cool, edgy, sweet, clean, anything the individual wants to convey. Fashion is spontaneous, a mood, an attitude, a language!! This is why we celebrate icons like Audrey Hepburn, Diana Ross, Rhianna, Sarah Jessica Parker. We celebrate them because they fully express their personalities through their style, choices of clothing.

Where I have been:

From a very early age, I knew fashion was my sphere of expression. It started with creating wedding dresses for my Barbie dolls, then in high school revamping all of my grandmother's old clothes, then eventually I got formal fashion design training at my Alma mater Parsons School of Design. It's funny because fashion has always been the backdrop for everything I've ever done. I was a rapper in high school and won a talent show hosted by Teddy Riley. Even then my fashion sense was what got me noticed. When I first moved to New York, a talent agent spotted me and immediately I got a job for a British Airways advertisement. It was that certain something I exuded that caught the agent's eye. It's amazing how our insecurities or things we've been ridiculed or rejected for are often the very areas that radiate our greatest gifts. I've learned the importance of being yourself even in the face of rejection or opposition.

I am passionate about:

 I get the greatest joy out of creating. Creating scripts, garments, photos, all things creative. I'm loaded with creative ideas. I've created spiritually empowering programs for several ministries in the church environment. I've served as a singles ministry leader, a woman's day ministry. I've always loved being an inspiration to people. Ministry provided me the opportunity to inspire people with my creativity, but most importantly through Gods holy word. I appreciate my gift with fashion most because it attracts people and it's given me the privilege of knowing many amazing people. I live by the scripture that says:

"A man's gift maketh room for him,

and bringeth him before great men." 

Proverbs 18:16

You can find me:

 I totally love exploring new things!! At the top of my favorite things to do is finding the craziest places to eat!! I enjoy trying new and sometimes strange foods. As long as it's not moving, I'll eat it!! Lol!! I can be found shopping some of the coolest vintage shops in East Village and Lower East Side. I often travel to Soho to check out the latest designer frocks. I love Soho as it offers you a cool mix of downtown chic and uptown glam at the same time. I enjoy good horror movies! Horror like you keep the lights on at night!! I'm a coffee connoisseur, I must have a good cup of coffee everyday!! My current fave is a Vente iced coffee with toffee nut syrup and half and half!! A total guilty pleasure!!

Want to know more about Renita?

Website
http://www.cherubim.co

Blog 
www.cherubim.co/#!blog/cioi

Instagram
@cherubimrb 

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,