Stylish Thought

When I first read this story on the interwebz, I thought it was a prank. Italian Vogue dedicating an issue to Black Barbie? Somebody’s pulling my leg. But as more images surface, I’m noticing it’s not and I actually think it’s a pretty amazing idea, even if the entire “blacks in fashion issue” has been beat to death.

The supplement for July’s Italian Vogue features Black Barbie in a number of amazing editorials, from retro glamour to street style. My own love and fondness of Black Barbie is deep-seated as my mother only bought my sisters and I black barbies. She wanted us to have reflections of ourselves in our toys and cartoons and I think it did wonders for my self-image. The Black Barbie supplement is fierce and I’m running to Border’s right now to find this, certainly a collector’s item for any Barbie lover .

Here are my favorite images.

Pretty amazing, uh? You can see more here and here

Today is the lucky day, announcing the winner for the first ever Stylish Thought giveaway. It was a tough decision with the comment section swelling to 25 comments. The responses were amazing and I really got to see how creative the readers are, plus I loved everyone’s participation.

The winning response to “What Makes you Chic?” goes to Lisa from San Diego, CA:

“le freak, c’est chic– mais, je suis aussi

i pair ysl’s with distressed tees

i mainly buy thrift cuz new costs too much dollars

if i win this tee all the fine boys gon’ holler!”

Her poem was hilarious and in French (added points)! Congrats Lisa and thanks to everyone that participated! Hopefully, giveaways can become a staple on Stylish Thought.

I’m definitely a heels girl (the higher the heel, the closer to God) but flats are downright necessary as there’s nothing worse than a woman in heels wobbling like the hunchback of Notre Dame from sore feet. So this season’s flats, brogues and oxfords in particular, are my must have shoe for fall.

They meet that style/comfort dichotomy perfectly and the current colors add a touch of femininity to a masculine shoe. Plus, anything with an Annie Hall vibe is on my radar.

I’ve got my eye on the Steve Madden black & white brogues and the stunning color of the Topshop Kameryn shoes is perfect for a pop of color. From hot pink to metallics make this masculine shoe is perfect to pair with dresses as well as skinny jeans. My only fear is that they look better on smaller sized feet (making my size 9 look like boats), I’ll have to do some further investigation.

Key: 1/2/ 3/ 4/ 5/

Are you feeling the Annie-Hall, menswear style of brogues?

Stylish Thought and Chickdowntown.com got together and I did my first giveaway! I decided to have the contestants tell me (and you) “What Makes You Chic?” The comments section is  on and popping (with 25 comments total!!! ) and the entries are phenomenal and had me wondering exactly what makes me chic.

Image From Elbud’s Flickr

At first I didn’t think it was that hard of a question, but the more I think about it, what makes me chic becomes less about clothes and more about me as a person. I came up with my own small list of chic-ness de moi. 

I’m chic because… I tell it like it is
I’m chic because… my determination and drive is unstoppable
I’m chic because… I love and am loved 
I’m chic because… of my awesome shoe collection (ok, it’s fashion-related, sue me) 
I’m chic because… I blog and am damn proud of it
I’m chic because… I’m confident and vulnerable all at the same time. 
I’m chic because… I’m a work in progress

What makes you chic? Is your chic-ness fashion-related or is it more than that? 
Tell what makes you chic and enter to win ST & Chickdowntown Giveaway! Contest ends tomorrow!

The bangin’ Tamia from The Style Sample was tagged in the “6 Little Things I Love” thread and has tagged yours truly to dish on the small things that make my heart go boom.

1. Movie watching on rainy days. I love turning off all the lights, cranking up the surround sound while the rain beats outside.

2.  Taking long walks with my dog Thor, an American Eskimo. Helps me clear my mind and just take in the scenery.

3. Seafood. Crabs, shrimp, mussels, you name it and I’ll eat it. Under the sea, under the sea down where it’s the wetter, the food is better.  Take it from me.

4. Riding out with the Boy. We never have a destination, we just get in the car and go.

5. Playing dress-up with disco music blasting, dancing and acting like a fool while I tear up my closet

6. Talking animals. Like Babe and the Charlotte’s Web. They just tickle my spirit.

I’m tagging Ashley of Breakfast at Saks and Kandace of Fashion is my Girlfriend . Tag you’re it!

I absolutely love your blog and I think it is an excellent example for bloggers looking to get their work published in other arenas, as well as those looking to make a little more money off what they write. I have had my blog for about 5 months and I absolutely love it.

I sit at my day job all day and just write for my blog. I am seriously looking into how to make a substantial living from what I write. I also do a lot of product reviews for various designers, but I don’t charge. I just do it because I love it (is this something I should be charging for?) I’d really like to get my stuff published on a bigger platform and I’d love to figure out how to get paid for what I write. I was just wondering if you had any advice. Thanks!

Sincerely, Funds for Freelancing

Thanks for the blog love!

This is a great and very topical question. With blogs getting the notice from mainstream media, bloggers are using their skills to get noticed in other avenues and that includes publishing and freelancing.

Getting published and launching a writing career is difficult but certainly not impossible as the market for freelancers is swelling. Starting a blog, which you’ve already done, is a first step to getting your work noticed. It’s funny because I started Stylish Thought as a place to showcase my writing, build my portfolio and improve my skills (and garnered several jobs and an internship). Make your blog the best representation of your writing and it will speak for itself.

Once your blog is established you’ll need to get out there and find work. This can be the hardest step for beginning freelancers. But there are job opportunities everywhere. Search job boards, blogging sites, check your favorite fashion website to see if they’re soliciting contributors, print business cards with your blog and hand them out. Keep a moleskin notebook and jot down ideas you have for articles. This will come in handy when websites and publications are looking for pitches. Jobs are everywhere, but you have to search.

Gathering potential clients sets you up to research and decide which opportunities are right for you. If your blog is about expensive accessories, you may not want to apply to an eco-fashion, budget website. When applying to jobs remember to follow ALL GUIDELINES to the letter. There’s no faster way to rejection than not following directions. Also don’t shy away from low-paying jobs (some are great places to get clips, some are not- use your judgment). I wouldn’t suggest charging for product reviews as it may taint the honesty of your reviews.

The great thing about freelancing is that once you start getting published and gathering clips, it’ll be easier to get more jobs. Experience breeds success and the more you write, pitch ideas and apply the greater the chance that you’ll keep getting published. Freelancing takes a lot of motivation and dedication, so don’t quit your day job and keep writing.

Resources:

Jobs @ Problogger
Freelancewritinggigs.com (site down, but will be back up shortly)
Blogger Jobs
Elance.com (a Contract/Bid site)

Got a dilemma, style snaffu, or quick question that Ms. Thought can help with? Email me at stylishthought@gmail.com