Flawless

Today the creative force that is Beyonce celebrates her 35th birthday and it made me think about the evolution of her music. Her new visual album Lemonade was a very powerful statement but the 2013 track 'Flawless' is equally as powerful for budding feminists or an inspirational anthem for girls challenging them to rise and accept themselves.

We teach girls to shrink themselves

To make themselves smaller

We say to girls

"You can have ambition

But not too much

You should aim to be successful

But not too successful

Otherwise you will threaten the man"

Because I am female

I am expected to aspire to marriage

I am expected to make my life choices

Always keeping in mind that

Marriage is the most important

Now marriage can be a source of

Joy and love and mutual support

But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage

And we don't teach boys the same?

We raise girls to each other as competitors

Not for jobs or for accomplishments

Which I think can be a good thing

But for the attention of men

We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings

In the way that boys are

Feminist: the person who believes in the social

Political, and economic equality of the sexes

This is so great considering her platform to reach young women and remind them of 2 things:

1) The meaning of Feminism and to ponder social constructs that continue to limit women.

2) That they, as is, are indeed FLAWLESS and empower them in the physical realm.

You wake up, flawless

Post up, flawless

Ride round in it, flawless

Flossin on that, flawless

This diamond, flawless

My diamond, flawless

This rock, flawless

My rock, flawless

I woke up like this

I woke up like this

We flawless, ladies tell 'em

I woke up like this

I woke up like this

We flawless, ladies tell 'em

Say I, look so good tonight

God damn, God damn

Say I, look so good tonight

God damn, God damn

From a style perspective her look in the video is quite a departure for her. First of all it makes me want to chop my hair and give it texture and take a second look at a button down with a statement brooch. I believe she paired her plaid button down with a necklace but I personally prefer a brooch. Wear it YOUR way ... necklace or brooch .. or necklace AND brooch .. or nothing at all. Wear with jeans or follow Queen Bey into short, short jean shorts (even for fall maybe with a fun fishnet) with a metal chain belt of our choice. Think androgyny meets grunge chic with a side of moto boot! 

GET THE LOOK

Vintage Charm Brooch

Vintage Printed Men's Shirt

Vintage Printed Button Down

Vintage Metal Coin Chain Belt

LEVIS (Size 0-15 - SALE)

Plaid Pocket Cutoff Denim (S/M/L - SALE)

Shoe STYLE: Ruthie Davis

I LOVE FASHION! but I have a special place in my SOLE for SHOES!! I am always interested in searching for what's new and what's old to re-style new. I have to say that in the high-end shoe biz there is a MAJOR stand out in shoe designer Ruthie Davis.
She is university educated and has had her feet firmly planted in the fashion biz since her days with Reebok in the mid-late 90's. She was then the VP of design and marketing for for UGG Australia, making the UGG boot chic and fashionable on a global scale. She moved onto the position of VP of Women's Footwear Design and Marketing at Tommy Hilfiger. She has since moved on to launch her own brand in 2005.

Cactus Pump (A Ruthie Signature)

Her futuristic, youthful and sexy designs have caught the attention and fab feet of many celebrities and fashionistas around the GLOBE! Beyonce & Ruthie

Fergie

Paula Abdul

Kim Kardashian

She uses a unique mix of materials, textures and colors in her designs. I love her use of color and texture; she makes STATEMENT SHOES! Shes passionate about a Peep-Toe (As I am) and I love the neon pink signature sole. She loves a high heel but also gets the functionality of a flat. She has some really sassy sneakers in her collection!


Spikette Flat in Rose Gold


Did I mention she also has an exclusive Hand Bag Collection???




I had a chance to ask Ruthie a few questions about her personal and professional style.

LISA: What inspires you and your shoe designs?

RUTHIE: I'm inspired by architecture, pop culture, girls on the street, fashion editorial and all things that push the envelope - not in a dark edgy manner, but more in a sporty, sexy and racy eye catching way.


LISA: Describe your personal style aesthetic? What are the key components in your closet?

RUTHIE: I am all about sleek, minimal and aerodynamic fashion. I love the lines of buildings and lines of the human body. I like clothing and shoes that become one with the body - like a glove that moves with you. I don't take fashion too seriously and like to mix up a high-low look - with the shoes and bags being the "high" and the clothing being simple and affordable. While being girlie and glam, I also love a menswear or military flair in the mix - a little tom girl to the girlie. My closet is chock full of shoes and bags, skinny jeans, hot pants, mini dresses, fitted leather jackets and ski jackets, fitted tanks and some sexy silk buttons downs that I of course push up the sleeves and unbutton very low. I have to wear clothes that move with me or I get claustrophobic. lol.

LISA: How do you feel about Vintage clothing and/or accessories?

RUTHIE: I'm not going to lie that I'm not a vintage type girl, however, I love classics. I am into futurism and like new things. But I do love vintage jewelry because it is something that never ages. I have an amazing vintage Gucci bracelet and some Chanel and Hermes vintage that I am totally obsessed with! I also will always love anything from the Mod 60's or 70's Halston era. All of my designs always have some go-go boots and plastic fantastic in the mix!

LISA: Who is the RUTHIE DAVIS woman / client?

RUTHIE: I've always admired women who are confident, smart, funny and feel sexy in their own skin. It's the same unstoppable female that always resonates with me. She's a Bond Girl, an entrepreneur, an athlete or someone you pass on the street that you can't forget. Girls that make me want to want to dream even bigger inspire me.




LISA: What do you feel are the "Shoe Staples" women should have?

RUTHIE: Every woman needs her go to black leather platform bootie. She also needs a platform peep toe pump and a sandal and at least one pair of knee height "go go" type boots. All heels need to be 4" minimum in height. I don't believe in mid height heels. Other staples include flats for running around town in (I prefer tennis shoes and now have my own Ruthie Davis kicks), rain boots (I like Hunter) and Uggs for wearing only in the home or on the slopes. Oh and of course, you can never have enough pairs of heels!!




LISA: What shoes are you wearing for F/W 2011/12?

RUTHIE: My "Avatar" platform pumps in black kidskin and my "Microcompact" black booties are my absolute Fall 11staples. They both encompass a fantastic inherent glam and edge and pair perfectly with everything from jeans to a miniskirt. I also am obsessed with my nude "Ace" peep toe pumps with rosegold hardware details - they make the legs go on for miles! And the huge platform spells all day comfort. Love them all.


Avatar Platform Pump in Purple


Microcompact Bootie in Black/Gold

LISA: If you could give women one piece of style advice what would it be?

RUTHIE: Don't wear what is considered appropriate and normal - take a fashion risk and get your adrenalin pumping - live a little fantasy every day.




Save your pennies ladies as Ruthie's ROCKIN heels come with a hefty price tag ... but don't you think you are worth it??? I DO! Explore Ruthie's world and SHOP HERE

LIKE on FACEBOOK

FOLLOW on TWITTER

MY LOVES (As stated above I'm a sucker for a peep-toe!): The "Ariel Peep-Toe Bootie"

I'll take these three in a size 9 please ....

They Nailed it!

I don't know about you but I am always looking for a new (or "old" in the case of unique Vintage) exciting item to enhance my look; a new accessory, bag, shoe, hat or nail polish shade.

I have found the ultimate nail accessory:

Nail Polish Strips / Stick on Wraps

You have seen the amazing manicures on some celebs recently. It is called the "Dry Manicure" and is reported to last up to 10 days. The big one in "Hollywood" seems to be the Minx Manicure where they use heat to activate the adhesive property and you can drop by the salon for the application (unless you are in full time constraint mode like me and have to DIY). Get more info here: www.minxnails.com








They looked so fabulous I was compelled to find the DIY alternative at my local drug store. Sally Hansen has a product called "Salon Effects" That I picked up for $6.99

I opted for the "Misbehaved" style - it looks like a fishnet stocking over a metallic base.

I also had to grab an animal print. I was not struck on the Sally Hensen offering so I want for another brand called "Broadway Nails - Nail Dress" in metallic leopard print. $5.49 (28 Nail wraps in 14 sizes) - I have terribly short nails and I think this could be the puuuuurfect answer to making them fabulous.

I just got a Jaguar head statement necklace from Patricia Field (www.patriciafield.com) and had to take my metallic MEOW nails for a spin.

Did I mention I am 7mo preg? Style/Fashion NEVER has to take Maternity leave!

The application process is super easy and NOT time consuming:

*PEEL
*APPLY
*FILE

They remove easily with nail polish remover (I peeled mine off). They did not last 10days for me. I think that they should have a multi-tasking mamma disclaimer to say: if you make them last up to 5 days with all the typing, dishes, bathing your children, cleaning and working then you've NAILED IT - ROCK STAR STATUS. Mine started to chip within a few days.

You could also ROCK the chipped nail look a-la Helena Christensen in the 1990's video for Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" ~ CLASSIC! There is still something a little punk rock about the "not so manicured" nail ... with the right rings/accessories of course.

Get out there and get your favorite design on your nails! A fabulous expression for under $7.00. Leave a comment and let me know how you NAILED IT!