We always get so introspective this time of year.  There’s something about a fresh start that makes us feel motivated to go after what we want and improve our lives.  One factor that we often overlook is the role that being around friends and family during the Holidays plays.  That energy gives you energy, and when life returns to normal that motivation somewhat fades, and we fall back into old habits.  Determined not to do so, I took a long hard look at myself and thought about what I really need to do to see things come to fruition this year.  After much deliberation within my own head I concluded that I have to find balance.  It seems to me that we can find a place of internal peace and happiness if we can strike a good balance between the conflicting aspects of our lives.

I had the pleasure of witnessing life unfold for some of the people I love the most this Holiday season.  My niece was born, my best friend got engaged, and I got a real adult job to name a few.  Looking at these life changing events, combined with the looming approach of the new year made me realize that I want someone in my life now. I have shied away from it, because for the past couple of years the few people I have loved haven’t really loved me back the way I wanted them to.  I honestly still feel drained from the thought of going through unrequited love and admiration again.

It’s a hard pill to swallow when the person you want so bad simply does not feel the same way.  You try not to internalize it, but truthfully it hurts more than we want to admit to ourselves or our friends.  The fear of enduring that again is paralyzing to an extent.  These thoughts lead me to deduce that I have to find balance in order to allow someone in, because I’m such an extremist in love.  After a few years you realize that everyone’s intentions are not as pure as yours and you don’t have the freedom to love everyone the way you want to without being bruised as well. But I think that if I can find a balance between being open to the possibility of someone new and not giving my all too soon, that I should be fine.  I’m literally terrified to do this, but no risk no reward, right?

Pantone, who is pretty much the authority on color has announced that the color for 2015 is Marsala.  Not to be mistaken for the tasty Italian chicken dish, but for the wine from which it is made.  This gorgeous dark chocolate red color is one of my favorites and I am thrilled about the possibility of seeing it everywhere. I encourage you to incorporate this color into your life.  If you’re really bold and committed try the hair color.  If you’re a tad more reserved try a nail polish or lipstick in the dark hue.  Its richness lends it to looking good on most skin tones.  As far as clothing is concerned you should know that I love a monochromatic look, but if you’re not interested in making that much of a statement try pairing it with a neutral like navy or black.  Marsala also pairs really well with mustard yellow.  Here’s some inspo for you.

 Photo: Not Carrie Bradshaw Polyvore

On Wednesday Nicki Minaj released what she is calling the intro track for her highly anticipated album “The Pink Print,” titled “All Things Go.”

This has to be the most revealing track I’ve ever heard from Nicki since her mixtape days, which makes me all the more excited for the release of the “Pink Print.”  It also needs to be noted that her vocals sound exceptionally good on this track.  She goes back to address the abortion she discussed on her Sucka Free Mixtape track “Autobiography.”  Nicki also tells us about her ten year engagement to who we can only assume is her now ex Safaree Samuels, the death of her cousin, and feeling distant from her family.

Honest music makes  good music, and this is what real Nicki fans have been waiting for.  We have always known what she’s capable of lyrically, but I understand an artist’s desire and need to diversify their streams of income.  I look at her pop phase as her securing her financial future, and her features as her telling her fans ‘just wait I’m coming back.’

I’m expecting a very personal, very authentic quintessential Nicki album come the 15th.

Alexander Wang refuses to sit down, and I am thrilled about it.  Following his highly coveted H&M collection, Wang is releasing a denim line slated to be sold online and in stores next week, and the ads are hot to say the least.  Of course “Clutch Your Pearls America” is in an uproar claiming that the pictures are too suggestive and misogynistic, to which I say leave us alone.  Fashion ads have always been provocative with strong sexual undertones and overt sexual images.  I don’t even see how/why the photos are offensive and I’m a woman.  But back to the denim.  Wang assures us that his black denim lasts eight weeks before fading, in comparison to the standard three weeks from other brands.  Denim is a difficult category to go into, because it is as American as Coca Cola and the flag, and therefore an old fashion concept.  Hence, this should be a great selling point for the collection, because as he stated: it’s a hard [category] to revolutionize.

I am quietly obsessed with Wang’s Pre Fall 2015 collection.  As you may or may not have read, I love minimalist glam.  This line executes that to perfection.  It is a happy medium between classic silhouettes and simple, clean, modern detailing.

Here are some of my favorite looks, but you can view the collection in its entirety here.

I randomly discovered the icon that is Iris Apfel a few years ago.  Her eye catching style is only one of the many reasons why I think she’s the shit.  This 93-year-old woman is by far one of the coolest people I have made my best friend in my mind.  Her interview with Style.com further solidified my admiration for her.

She doesn’t take herself or fashion too seriously, and I truly love her views on style.  Often times people ask me what they should wear here or there, and I tell them all the time: it’s not that serious.  Just look put together and polished.  You’re not Beyonce and no one expects for you to be red carpet ready everyday.  I maintain my stance that if my lifestyle provided for it, I would be impaccably dressed everyday, but most of our lives don’t lend themselves to wearing six inch heels to trek through life especially when you live in New York.  Imagine how much it blessed my spirit when I read this quote: “Some women I feel sorry for because they look at the glossies and they see these divine-looking models who are maybe 16 with gorgeous complexions (and retouched!). How could anybody possibly even think of looking like that? Why the heck would you want to? You have to be you! What looks wonderful on somebody else may look ghastly on you. You can’t expect to look like Angelina Jolie.”

For the entire Style.com interview click here.

I wonder if this is that thing guys talk about when they say women are irrational and unpredictable.  Some days I feel like I can conquer the world and some days I feel like I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.  I have this platform and I have no idea what to do with it.

I have a few excuses for why I don’t write on here that often:

1. I don’t feel like anyone is reading it anyway so who am I hurting here?
2. I question my material a lot.  Is this good enough?  Does the site look inviting?  Would anyone care to read this?
3. I get paid to write for StyleBlazer and mama needs her coins honey.

I suppose I should look at this as my outlet to say what I have not been approved to say on StyleBlazer.  I look at a lot of fashion blogs throughout the day and I’m baffled at the content.  I consider myself to be within the world of fashion (albeit as a spectator) and I don’t even find much of it to be compelling or interesting.  I find myself asking: who the hell is this for?  So maybe I should be the change I want to see and write the things I would like to read.  We’ll see.

There are so many opinions coming from so many different places about how women should handle being single.  A number of them seem to come from guys.  This past week my single friends and I read an article posted on Black Girls Are Easy.  We all read it feeling like the author was shading us directly.  Although much of what was written were things that most of us have discovered through failed attempts at relationships, there was still an element of undiscovered truth to his prose.  However, the pseudo feminist in me doesn’t like the idea of a man telling me what I feel or how I should feel, but all that aside there were valid points made.  If you have about thirty minutes to an hour to spare reading the article and then reflecting on your existence in the realm of the single, then I would advise you do it.

My takeaways and overall stance on being single are as follows:

• If you genuinely want to be in a relationship, then don’t lie to yourself about it.  Admit that’s what you want whether you fear the guy doesn’t want the same or not.  You can only pretend to be cool for so long before your real desires come through in the form of a long drunken drawn out text that’s going to turn him off and scare him away anyway.
• You cannot materialize the man you want out of thin air so if he has not revealed himself to you yet, then don’t fret.  There are far worse things to be than single, like say edgeless for example.  Take this time to focus on you.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t abandon yourself when the guy does comes along.
• Don’t let anyone make you feel like there’s something wrong with  you because you’re single.  In the past week I have been accused of being crazy, having bad sex, and being too picky as reasons why I’m single…by two different guys.
• Reflect on yourself and evaluate what your personal insecurities are that may be the cause of failed relationships and situations in the past.  Be secure enough with yourself not to allow anyone to manipulate your feelings.

The best thing about Fall fashion is the versatility of transitional fashion AKA putting on whatever you want from multiple seasons at once, and rocking it.  Layering is a key component to transitional wear, but it can be kind of tricky if you don’t know how to work with proportions.  Never underestimate the power of a belt when layering.  Use them to create shape when you’re wearing multiple layers and your waistline has disappeared.  A button down shirt is always a great first layer to start with, and don’t be afraid to mix patterns.  This is where fashion and function meets, because you add and take away layers as the weather has its mood swings. Here is some style inspo to get you started on the right path. All photos taken from my Polyvore account.

This past weekend I took a brief break from the Big Apple to visit family and friends, and to host an amazing fashion networking event presented by Layllah Style.  They are two very stylish sisters from Atlanta that I’ve known for years, who collaborated to put together an event for women in fashion and beauty in Atlanta to network.  I had the pleasure of hosting a panel discussion composed of some of Atlanta’s up and coming and established entrepreneurs.  I’m so honored to have been a part of such an amazing event.

I’ll be posting the video footage of the panel discussion really soon.  Meanwhile you can shop with Layllah Style at www.layllah.com

Founder of fashion news site Buro 24/7, and former editor at Russian Harper’s Bazaar Miroslava Duma has the best outerwear of the season thus far.  I became a fan of hers last year via Instagram, and she hasn’t let me down since.  Known for her petite frame, Russian lineage, and sickening collection of high end designer clothing, her street style during fashion week reads like a spread in a glossy magazine. One thing that I noticed from observing her style is that she doesn’t have an extensive shoe collection, but she has key pairs that go with  most of her wardrobe, and they tend to be investment shoes.  It’s refreshing to see someone that has access to so much still keep it simple and dress smart.  She really allows her clothes to take front and center, and understandably so. PS she dresses her burgeoning baby bump in some of the best maternity style I’ve seen in a while. Photo: Instagram