STRIPES! TULLE! PINK! OH MY!!!

SCENARIO: My birthday is coming up in 3 weeks. I'm on the hunt for the perfect BIRTHDAY DRESS. I already have one in mind, but it has to be made and the price tag is $300. Me being the "frugalista" I am....I'm kinda hesitant about placing my order, but I REALLLLLY love this dress. $300 was a STEAL for this STUNNING customized dress! However, I didn't even pay THAT much for my wedding gown!lol So, I decided to sleep on it one more night before contacting the designer (whom is EXTREMELY talented, might I add).  
CUT TO NEXT DAY....
I'm browsing my Facebook newsfeed and scroll past Kerrie of Virtuous Styls pictures of an event she hosted/attended. As I'm looking through the photos, I spot this GORGEOUS gown created by a designer named Dionte (whom I STILL haven't found). All that went through my mind was "MERMAID!!! I'm a Pisces!! I WANT THIS DRESSSS for my birthday!" So, I stared at it for a good 30 minutes trying to figure out how I could replicate this look if I was unable to buy it. I set my sights out to find STRIPE fabric! I found NONE in my local fabric stores, NOR the usual fabric websites I frequent. TIME WAS TICKING...after failing to locate the fabric, I decided to just search for a stripe bodycon(ish) dress. I found a few, but they were all too short or too loose to create this look. My daughter and I went to Ross to get her a new backpack..and WHAT DO YOU KNOW....I FOUND THE PERFECT LENGTH STRIPE DRESS!! I was ECSTATIC! The dress was only 10.99!! I went to Walmart (the only one I know who still has a fabric department) to purchase the PINK tulle. They only had 3 yards and I knew I needed AT LEAST 7 in all for a full tulle bottom. I purchased everything I needed there (listed below). Luckily, Hobby Lobby is in the same plaza as the Walmart. So, I went there to purchase the remainder of the tulle. Below are instructions on how I achieved this GORGEOUS replica!


Supplies:
7 yards of tulle
Scissors
Elastic (at least 2 inches wide)
Needle
Thread
Velcro (if you'd like to be able to wear the dress without the tulle bottom)
A bucket, mannequin, block of wood..(anything you could use to hold the elastic while creating the tulle bottom).

1. Fold the tulle horizontally and begin cutting it into 6inch wide strips.

Tie the elastic around a bucket or something to keep the elastic stretched as you tie on the strips of tulle.

Fold the strip of tulle in half, put the loop part of the fold underneath the elastic and create a knot by pulling the remainder of the tulle through the loop.

As you add the tulle strips, slide them as close to each other as possible, and tighten the knot by pulling it. REPEAT until the elastic is filled with tulle.

AFTER THE ELASTIC HAS BEEN FILLED, grab your needle and thread and velcro (if desired).

You could either put on your dress (the way I did it), or stretch the dress over the bucket/mannequin..




#3 sew one half of the Velcro (the soft, fuzzy part) to the top part of the hem of the dress.
#4 sew the other half of the Velcro to the inside of the elastic/tulle.
#5 stick the tulle onto the dress and trim tulle if it's too long for you.
#6 FINITO!!!

THE ORIGINAL DRESS BY DESIGNER DIONTE

THE TWISTED VIXEN ($20) VERSION

I ADDED MY FAVORITE VINTAGE LEATHER, STUDDED JACKET TO ADD A LITTLE EDGE

 

The only pic I had of me without the tulle. That's my mom being silly. LOVE MY MOMMY!

ME AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTY!! A lot of people said I looked like Barbie...and a few got my TRUE concept...Mermaid?? Pisces?? GET IT??? lol

I hope I made the instructions easy for you Vixens!! Let me know if you try this tutorial. I'd LOOOVE to see your creations!!

Beyonce Covers March Issue Of Vogue

I'm sooo excited to get a peep of these photos!! The behind the scene video was mesmerizing. I'm a FOOL for FASHION...and an even BIGGER ONE for Bey! lol I must admit, the cover doesn't even look like Beyonce. Her teeth look funny....STIL GORGEOUS....something's just throwing me off. She's giving me EVERY BIT of Brigitte Bardot! That may have been the inspiration for the cover. HAD TO BE! Anywho, Beyonce SHINES (as usual)...and I've fallen LOOOVE with all the looks! ESPECIALLY, the white fitted gowm, the red, floral ball gown, the lounge/boudoir set, and the peplum top and leggings!! I love them ALL!

Presidential Inauguration 2013

  So, today was President Obama's Inauguration! My husband and I stayed in bed all day and pigged out as we watched it. It was the PERFECT pick-me-up after witnessing the Atlanta Falcons lose the game. Yes, I know I don't like football (I'll explain later, lol). Anywho, I cried, I laughed, I felt overwhelmed with pride, but most importantly, I was INSPIRED! If I experienced all of these emotions from my bedroom...just IMAGINE what the supporters who attended felt. My TOP 4 Boo's are POTUS & FLOTUS...then Hov and Bey...and ALLL OF THEM REPRESENTED in the fashion department. My most favorite was FLOTUS' Thom Browne Silk Coat from his Pre-Fall 2013 Collection. She paired the coat with cornflower hued  J.Crew Valentina Pumps. She was nothing short of GLORIOUS in this ensemble. Though her attire was CLASSIC, her newly chopped bangs added just the RIGHT amount of edge and modern flare. I give this look a TOTAL 10!! HECK, I give the entire family's wardrobe an ABSOLUTE 100! The girls ALWAYS look polished!

  Beyonce sang her HEART out, her gown was gorgeous (a little too formal, but hey, she's Queen Bey). I'm growing tired of the hair, and it's color....but, AGAIN,....she's BEY! lol Anywho, all in all, her attire was HA-HUM...but her voice was SPECTACULAR! Kelly Clarkston brought the HOUSE DOWN!! She gave me CHILLS! I've forgotten how BEAUTIFUL her voice was. I kinda miss her. :-(.. Anywho, back to BEY. She and her hubby's ensemble complemented each other, SEAMLESSLY. Here are a few of my favorite images I scoured the net for. 

 FLOTUS ,Michelle Obama, wearing an Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 blouse, with an Anthropologie Belt at the Kid’s Inaugural Concert. Her hair is FLAWLESS!!

                   LOVE THIS PIC! IT SCREAMS "GIRL POWER"!!!!

                  Beyonce Singing 'Star Spangled Banner'



       Kelly Clarkson Singing 'My Country Tis Of Thee'

BLUE IVY'S BIRTHDAY VACATION

Baby Blue turned 1 on January 7th, and this is the 1st pic I've seen of her lavish birthday vacation in the Bahamas. This adorable pic of Mama Bey (looking STUNNING as usual) and Baby Blue is my absolute FAVE! I just HAD to post it!! Just the sight of Mommy holding Baby's hands, guiding her and teaching her with every step. It captures the TRUE ESSENCE of what being a mother is! Such a BLESSING! Now let's say it altogether...Awwwwwwwwww.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BLUE IVY CARTER!!

BEYONCE LANDS GQ COVER and Pens a "thank you" note to The OMG Girlz

It's HERE!! Beyonce's new GQ Cover! It's no secret how much I ADORE this lady! Her body looks AMAZING...but I'm kinda disappointed in how cheap she looks. She looks a LOT like a video vixen. Yeas, I know it's a Men's Magazine...but WHY would she choose to look like this AFTER she became a wife, but most importantly a mother?? Beyonce REALLY doesn't have to do anything like this..I mean REALLY! There are a million and 1 ways to show off her beautiful body without lookin STANK.lol The pose + the boobage+ leopard print drawers= "RATCHET". I guess she's living up to she and Lady Gaga's new up and coming single. Maybe this cover is to help promote the RACHET single. I still love her though! On that note...let me do some crunches! lol

 BEYONCE'S SUBTLE HINTS FROM HER INSTAGRAM @baddiebey

Beyonce congratulates and thanks The OMG Girlz for naming her IG (awwwww...she's soooo SWEET)!

Today dedicate this song to my sister in my head.... BEYONCE! 

Cuz she's RATCHEEEEEEET!

(photo credits: Google Images, instagram.com/starquality, instagram.com/baddiebey; video: Youtube)

Tamar Braxton Performs LIVE!

      *DOING MY HAPPY DANCE*
I was so happy to see Tamar performing her HIT single "Love And War" on The Wendy Williams show yesterday. If you loved her performance on her HIT show, Tamar & Vince, then this one is gonna BLOW YOUR MIND! Not only did Tamar "JEFFREY DAHMER" her new ballad, (ate it up, lol..I know..that's not good, huh??), she  looked STUNNING doing so! She wore a floral print, turtleneck dress that hugged her amazing figure. In the words of Tamar, "SHE was SNATCHED!" I think she is beautiful inside and out. My favorite part was watching her husband, Vince in the audience bopping his head to the beat. His facial expression shows how proud he is of his wife. It's like he's in HEAVEN when he watches her perform. I just ADORE THEM! It was a BEAUTIFUL performance altogether. It always excites and motivates me when others achieve their lifelong dreams. I'm SO VERY PROUD OF HER! I can NOT wait for the day 
HOT SUGAR hits the airwaves. I LAAAAHVIT! However, I think Love & War will always be my fave! WELL....HERE SHE, HER, TEE is !! ENJOY! 

                         

                         Tamar's Wendy Williams' Performance Dress FOR LESS

                              A'GACI 2tone Tribal Mock Neck Bodycon Dress

                                                $22.50

Talking With Tami’s Christmas Soiree & Toy Drive

   Lastnight I had the pleasure of attending, celebrity blogger, Talking With Tami's toy drive and Christmas Soiree at Nancy's Pizza. There's absolutely NOTHING more fun than partying for cause. We indulged in GREAT MUSIC, GREAT DANCING, GREAT FOOD, GREAT DRINKS all for the sole purpose of bringing GREAT JOY to less fortunate children. It was my 2nd time going to any event since my Bell's Palsy bout, and I must admit, I had a GOOD OLE TIME! I met some NEW super nice people, and reunited with many OLD ones I missed laughing with; Julian Lark of Rollingout Magazine and Carlton "Mr.Couture" Morton.  I REALLY missed chatting with I'na Saulsbery of The Starfire Group. This is the TOP event planning agency of Atlanta...and I'na is the SWEETEST! 
  I was amazed by the TALENTED participants doing karaoke. On another note: I really think people who can REALLY sing should be prohibited from participating. It kinda deters us "NON-SINGERS" from joining in on the fun. You know, the ones who just want to sing to get a good laugh.lol Tammie was REALLY in the giving spirit. Not only did she collect PLENTY of cool toys for the kids, but she also raffled off AWESOME door prizes for the us adults. Some included a makeover with, celebrity hairstylist, Gail  Hudson,  a scholarship from Carlton Morton's Krew of Couture , and a FREE DINNER for four at Nancy's Pizza, and tons of other cool stuff I'm too lazy to mention. lol I sat in my chair and PRAYED that I won the FREE DINNER! Those two words to me are MAGICAL! lol  Nevertheless, I WON IT! I was so excited...but MORE EXCITED for the kids that would receive these awesome gifts.

                Talking With Tami and The Afro Puffs

SANTA TAMI IS COMING TO TOWN

             DELICIOUS CUPCAKES FROM THE INFAMOUS
                         CAMICAKES  (best in town)

THE LOVELY WINNER OF THE REVLON HAIR DRYER

                                           ChaKiva Felder of Spoiled Diva 

                                    I'na Saulsbery, Starfire Group (LOVE HER)

          The Afro Puff Girls, Me, Talking With Tami,
                      & a very Dapper Daddy

KARAOKE IN SESSION

        Tammie's beautiful and stylish daughter, and Aunt

                Tammie and The Afro Puffs Striking A Pose