Style on the Go…

Joy Bryant,Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles attend the 40/40 Club Hosts Jay-Zs Exclusive After Party at The 40/40 Club in New York on May 6, 2008.

Paula Patton at the 2nd annual Allure magazine "Most Alluring Bodies" exhibit on May 7, 2008 at Skylight Studios in New York.

Rashida Jones at Stella McCartney’s screening of Peter Sellers’ “The Party” on May 6, 2008.

Ashanti onstage during the MTV Networks Upfront at the Nokia Theater on May 8, 2008 in New York City.

Joy Bryant looked nothing short of stunning at Jay Z’s recent bash at his 40/40 club. Though the dress is a little Fredericks of Hollywood, she somewhere makes it work! After 13 years of wearing makeup, I still can’t get my eyes to look that neat and defined. Liquid eyeliner just burns my eyes! I'm also still looking for a natural lipstick color - suggestions welcome :)

Paula Patton is wearing my favorite color and she’s doing it justice. I think the shoes are a little boring but I guess you can’t go wrong with a classic black Christian Louboutin pump. Both Paula and Joy are sporting heavy bangs which is such a cute look with layered hair. No, I don't know where to get this dress but I know Target has a cute, affordable purple dress for $23.

Rashida Jones is ready for summer! She flaunted her shoulders and legs in a sexy, one strap chiffon dress a recent Stella McCartney evemt. Rashida’s style is never offensive, but I wish she would take more of a risk with her hair and/or makeup. How about a chin length bob? She’d also better keep an eye on that clutch…

Ashanti is slowly making her “come back”. Though I doubt the music scene has missed her, her style evolution has been great to watch. This black and white dress is a classic. Twenty years from now, body shape permitting, you could still pull out this dress and wear it like it was a recent purchase. Now if only we could get Ashanti to try another lip gloss color. That frosty pink is so 1982!

Credit: TheYbf.com for photos of Ashanti.

Color Block…

Beyonce arriving at Melbourne Airport on April 25, 2007 in Australia.

Maggie Betts with Rachel Roy, in Diane von Furstenberg at the Environmental Lecture and Luncheon at the Museum of Natural History.

Rashida Jones arriving at the 2005 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California.

Rihanna arrives at the 20th Annual Kid's Choice Awards held at the UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 31, 2007 in Westwood, California.

Now is as good a time as any to confront your natural aversion to bright colors. I know it may seem a little frightening to wear luminous yellow or hot pink in the evening (never mind at work) but trust me, it is possible. Why not wear a bright coat over neutrals to ease you into the trend like Ms. Roy or invest in stand-out accessories like a clutch bag or statement earrings. If you’re up to the challenge then make like Beyonce and wear color with pride during the daylight hours. Leave the leopard print bag at home though ;)

Oscar Fashion… Be Kind!

Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose

Beyonce and Jada Pinkett-Smith

Keisha Whitaker and Queen Latifah

Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez

Oprah and Mary J. Blige at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Tracey Edmonds and Shaun Robinson

Rashida & Quincy Jones and Will & Jaden Smith

Tanika Ray and Forest & Keisha Whitaker

Djimon Hounsou and Eddie Murphy

623 seamstresses beaten and whipped, 537 stylists cursed, 469 shoes re-dyed, 313 nails chiseled and 165 curling irons burnt-out and it was, for the most part, worth it. Many will debate the necessity of Ms. Hudson’s gold jacket but if nothing else, she’s been reading this blog (see below!) No one dress blew me away but I loved the way Oprah, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce and Penelope Cruz looked.

Jada’s dress was disappointing. I’m not too sure what the bodice was all about. Keisha Whitaker's dress was ugly to me in the back with the roses but she still worked it and can someone explain to me who Shaun Robinson and Tanika Ray are?! Seriously, I see them all the time and I have no idea what they do.

Lasty, the men were sharp in their tuxes, bar Quincy. Wasn't Jaden so cute presenting an Oscar? I’m mad that Djimon didn’t win but at least he looked yummy. Don’t worry Djimon, you can always come cry on my shoulder!

Not Just a Pretty Face...

Not content with being geniuses, Harvard university students are now putting out a national alumni publication called ‘02138.' Gracing their premier cover is none other than Rashida Jones, a Havard alum herself. Inside Miss Jones claims to have once aspired to becoming the “first black Jewish woman president.” Failing that, she’s settled for, “a little acting, modeling and producing [to tide] her over for now.” And why did the magazine choose the name 02138? It’s the zip code of the Ivy League's neighborhood. Visit www.02138mag.com for more info.

Style on the Go...

Nia Long attended the 9th Annual Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Hosted by Matthew Perry at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Jada Pinkett Smith arriving at the Redbook's 2006 Strength & Spirit Awards at Avery Fisher Hall earlier this week in New York City.
Regina Hall attending the fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards at the Orpheum Theater last week in LA. The awards show will premiere on fuse October 22, 2006.
Kidada Jones and Rashida Jones (Quincy’s daughters) attended the Charlotte Ronson Cocktail Party last week.

Congratulations to Jada Pinkett-Smith for being an honoree at the Redbook's 2006 Strength & Spirit Awards. Her work with the organization she started with husband Will was the reason for her accolade. The "Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation" intends to “strengthen and support all families by working with grassroots organizations that promote inner-city development and youth education.” Read more about it here.

Nia Long looks great with her new hair style, she’s another one who can pull off any length and still look fab!

Regina Hall is looking supa cute – she hasn’t really done anything great since her role as Sanaa’s sister in “Love & Basketball,” but look out for her in the soon-to-be-released “The Elder Son” and “Scary Movie 4” due out in 2008 (why?!)

Finally Quincy’s baby girls Kidada and Rashida Jones were spotted out and about last week. I guess they could be considered ‘socialites’ too, right? Kidada definitely has her own unique style and Rashida always looks fresh… Wonder what they do for a living?

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones attending the premiere of "Elizabethtown" at the Loews Lincoln Square theatre in New York City last year.
Rashida Jones never fails to look put together, just look at this other pic of her. A blazer paired with jeans is a classic combination, but she mixed-it-up by picking a cropped sleeve jacket and wearing it over a crisp baby blue shirt. Scroll down to steal Rashida’s complete look.

Steal Rashida’s Style…

Jacket: Wilona Wool Jacket, $32.80, Forever 21
Earrings: Marwan Earrings, $2.99, www.gojane.com
Jeans: Slate Flap Pocket Jean, $44.00, www.hotkiss.com

Left to Right: Black Beauty Leather by Spy Style Tote $44.00, www.akostyle.com; Gunnila, $109.99, Aldo; Brown Leather Whip Stitch Stud Belt by Linea Pelle, $48.00, www.bluefly.com; Long-sleeved Striped Shirt, $34.99, Gap

I opted for these earrings instead of sliver hoops. I think hoops look great with everything, but this pair funk up the outfit a little bit. This look would be great for a casual business meeting or may be dinner with an old acquaintance. Tucking your jeans into the boots is optional...

Poof Poof!!

Rashida Jones looks stunning in her satin puffball skirt at the premiere of "Little Black Book" This skirt is FIYAH!!Beyonce arrives at the Oscar De La Renta Fall 2005 runway show, lovin' this skirt... nobody can lose her in that yellow!
Rachel Roy and Damon Dash attend the Calvin Klein Collection Toast of Francisco Costa last month - Damon is killing this pic, why didn't he at least try to dress up? :(
Aisha Tyler attends a party to celebrate Montblanc's 100th Anniversary at The Newspace in March of this year wearing her cute black, tulip style skirt

Puffball skirts made an instant impression on fashion during the 80's, but had an even quicker exit from the scene... The last year has seen them comeback stronger than ever, with the redefined puffball coming in different lengths and fabrics. Silk and patterned versions work best with basic tops such as black or white wifebeaters or shirts. If the puffball skirt is too much for you, try the tulip style skirts (see Aisha Tyler above) which are far less dramatic!