Holiday Wishlist: Dazzling Black & Gold

Black and gold are a color combination that can do no wrong. It is classy, sophisticated and everything about it represents luxury. Black and gold are also the perfect color scheme for this up-coming holiday season. From looks that we've spotted on the runway to street style inspiration from around the world, find out how you too can incorporate these two holiday colors into a chic wishlist to die for.

The trick to pulling of black and gold for the holiday season is to keep it within your accessories. The light shimmer of the gold will pop even more when it is only restricted to certain aspects of your outfit, such as your shoes and handbag, while the black will help tie your overall look together. Upgrade your standard all-black look with accentuated gold flecks in your nails or necklace, for example. Remember, though, to keep the color scheme to a minimum of two items, for a holiday look that's ready to dazzle the crowds!

New York City Street Style: Laid Back Looks

Spotted this fashionista downtown near 28th street.

Her edgy take on a transitioning fall to winter look pairs well with a striped crop top, ripped jeans and lettermen jacket.

OOTD: Bowery Grunge

Edgy Youth.

I sought out inspiration from this marked down wall outside of a warehouse in Bowery.

ALEXANDER WANG X H&M Collection

The highly anticipated Fall collection by coveted fashion designer, Alexander Wang and retailer, H&M has arrived.

Trend-seekers everywhere are in line for one of the year's most anticipated and sought after fashion collections. The collection, which features dark hued military-inspired pieces for both men and women, debuted in H&M stores nation-wide on November 6th and is expected to, if it has not already, sell out in stores within days. H&M has collaborated with well-known fashion designers, like designer, Victoria Beckham, in the past for other similar designer-meets-retailer partnerships.

Head on over to www.alexanderwang.com for more of the designer's pieces.

ESSENCE Magazine + MACY'S Holiday Beauty Celebration

Essence Magazine, in collaboration with department store Macy's, held a beauty celebration event in honor of the upcoming holiday shopping season on November 5th at Macy's in Herald Square, New York. The guests of honor for the evening were Essence magazine's beauty editor, Ni'Kita Wilson, celebrity make-up artist, Dilokrit Barose and Grammy-nominated singer, Elle Varner. Make-up artist, Dilokrit Barose demonstrated beauty demos on flawless foundation, bold lips and shared all of his beauty secrets from Hollywod Insiders whilst beauty editor, Ni'Kita Wilson and singer Elle Varner talked about some of their favorite Holiday season beauty trends.

Check out pictures from the night below!

MFQ (Morning Fashion Quote): Oscar De La Renta

Need a style pick-me-up?—especially when an all out shopping spree isn’t on the menu. Write down this quote, tape it to your closet door and it’ll pretty much guarantee a good day.

Stay tuned for more MFQ's

Fall Looks: Princeton University

Ivy League Fall Looks At Princeton University

2014 Circle Of Sister's Expo

Circle of Sisters is an annual exposition that is the largest expo for women of color in New York City. The event hosts a variety of panel discussions, seminars, inspirational services, R&B and gospel concerts and a fashion show in addition to the 200+ vendors and small businesses selling unique items and services to event-goers. This event is sponsored by WBLS-FM, HOT 97, WLIB – AM and Emmis Communications.

This year's festivities saw a huge turnout of celebrity guests, speakers and performers. Amongst them listed are Singer Jennifer Hudson, Singer Tyrese Gibson, New Edition's Johnny Gill, Actress Niecy Nash, Actor Lance Gross, Reality Star Yandy Smith, Actor Terry Crews, Reality Star Traci Braxton and an array of new, up-and-comers.

Chocolate Cashmere Closet was on site at this year's Circle Of Sister's expo for all behind the scene's scoop with you favorite celebs.

Check out pictures from the event below!

Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese and Johnny Gill on the interactive panel.

Yandy Smith on the HOT97 Live Broadcast.

Traci Braxton performing on stage.

Terry Crews and wife, Rebecca Crews.

Niecy Nash

Lance Gross.

Yandy Smith.

HOT 97's Ebro.

High Fashion, Low Budget

Looking fashionable on a budget can often be a tricky and sometimes daunting task. Your style should never have to suffer from a lack of funds, so I will be showing you how you too can rock your favorite celebs pricey, high fashion look in a duplicated, limited fashionista budget way.

Queen B has been killing the fashion game for some time now, and her “On The Run Tour” off-day ensembles prove to be just as chic as her on-stage performance pieces.

Emulate B’s high fashion style with this easy to find, affordable replicated look.

Channel your wild side with some flower power with this synchronized look with items all from TOPSHOP.

Petite Photo Floral Tee $20

Fantasy Floral Lace Runner Shorts $46

RATED Metal Tip Sandals $64

Floppy Wool Fedora Hat  $46

What do you think of Beyoncé’s re-created look?

CoSign Bloggers Event

CoSign is a brand new, revolutionary digital fashion company and brand that is giving tools to the everyday fashionista to be able to showcase her/his fashions to the world, all while giving the rest of the public, in return, the chance to purchase those delectable fashion finds!

The CoSign website and app allows user to sign up (its free!) and take snaps to be posted on the site, where thousands of people are able to locate, and purchase, your exclusive clothing pieces.

The bloggers event took place Saturday, September 20th at the L Lounge on the West Side of Manhattan.

Chocolate Cashmere Closet was, of course, on the scene getting insider deets on all of the bran new aspects the company has to offer to online fashion-seekers. 

Check out pictures from the event, below!

NYFW: Kids Rock! Fashion Show

New York Fashion Week saw a plethora of star-studded models and shows but there's one in particular that was unlike the others.

The second annual Kids Rock! fashion show, held at the Jordan Terminal 23 at Cafe Rouge in New York City, saw celebrity offspring strutting their stuff on the runway rocking some of the seasons's most stylish clothing from brands like NIKE, Levi's, Jordan, Hurley and Converse. Some of those proud celebrity parents included NBA players, Carmelo Anthony and his wife, Lala Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and his wife Alexis, Baseball star, Derek Jeter and Radio Personality, Angie Martinez. 

This year, I was lucky enough to volunteer as staff for this unique show.

The eclectic show was opened by "The Voice" finalist, Jacqui Lee and saw the models display the clothing in a series of parts by each brand.

Check out some of the pictures from the night below!

Style Watch: AfroPunk Music Festival

The annual AfroPunk Music Festival, held in Brooklyn, New York, celebrated it's 10 year run and brought about an event-filled weekend of live entertainment and music, dynamic art and crafts and an all around spirited environment.

This year's much anticipated affair bore an array of eclectic up-and-comers and well known acts. Amongst those included, Neo-Soul star D'Angelo and Zoe Kravitz' (Daughter of singer Lenny Kravitz) band, Lolawolf.

The festivals diverse crowd included numerous uniquely-trendy goers. Trends that were apparent amongst attendees included bold prints, tribal patterns, graphic prints and statement pieces.

Check out this year's AfroPunk Festival's chic guests below!

Let me know what you think of these looks below!

New York Street Style: Brooklyn I Dream Fashion Show

This year's annual I Dream Fashion Show & Block Party was held in Brooklyn, NY.

This annually-held event is a lively gathering which draws fashion enthusiasts, models, make-up artists and designers alike to the fashion show. Started by Ms. Irene herself, the event was full of dainty fashionista's strutting their stuff both on and off the runway. Below is a snapshot of the event's host and MC sporting a bold, silk pattern jumpsuit.

Let me know what you think of this look!

My Move To New York City!

I am back in the Big Apple- For good.

It is only fitting that a fashion enthusiast such as myself go on to follow suit at an educational career centered around the fashion industry. I have moved to the city that never sleeps as a fashion student studying at one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the city.

This move will bring about a major expansion and improvements for myself, and Chocolate Cashmere Closet. New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world, so expect a plethora of feature posts on this blog. With anything from street style, direct fashion event coverage (such as New York Fashion Week), feature posts, interviews, style watch and much, much more!

Stay tuned for more and tag along with me for this incredible ride. You want want to miss a thing!

DIY Fashion: Ombré Shorts

Who says that following the hottest fashion trends has to be expensive?

You can indulge your love of fashion without creating a huge void in your wallet with this DIY fashion craft.

Find out below how you can make your very own, personalized tie-dye shorts that you will not want to part with this summer.

With Summer coming to a close, make use of what's left of it with this creative, fun ombré design. Find out how to below!

What You Will Need:

1) A Pair of Denim Jeans

2) Scissors

3) Household Bleach

4) Empty Spray Bottle

5) Tweezers (Optional)

6) Plastic Bags
7) Ruler (Optional)

How-To:

1) Try your jeans on to determine your preferred length.

2) Lay your jeans flat on the floor. No creases.

3) From your determined length, cut an approximate 30 degree angle cut on one leg of the jeans from the inside of the jeans towards the outside. (Optional: You can use a ruler to draw a straight line on the jeans to use as a cutting guideline)

4) Once you have made your cut, flip the leg over onto the other leg of the jean for an identical cut.

5) Distress the jeans by running the blade of your scissors on the hem of the jeans and pluck the material with tweezers for an extra distressed look. (Optional: Cut slits near the pockets and distress the same way)

6) Fill a spray bottle with bleach.

7) Lay the shorts out onto the plastic bags for protection.

8) Spray genorous amounts of bleach onto the bottom half of the shorts.

9) Let the shorts dry over night. Once completely dry, wash shorts with cold water.

Let me know if you'll be trying out this fun, Summer design below!

Fashion Finds- Vintage Rock/Street Skater Style (New York City)

Outfit inspiration comes from all four corners of the world, and today, it is coming straight from New York City. Readers send in their fashion finds, from their location anywhere in the world, and it gets displayed right here on the blog.

Today's Fashion Find is the perfect cross between vintage rock and street skater style.

Check it out!

 High Waisted Flared Skirt- Forever 21

Shoes- VANS

Bra- Calvin Klein

Tank Top- Thrift Store

Oversized Cardigan- Forever 21

(Outfit by Gracie)

Let me know what you think of this look below!

On The Go Beauty Tip: Sun-Kissed Glow

With beauty routines often taking long durations of time, when you are a girl-on-the-go, your beauty routine should never be spared and resolved to hours in front of the mirror just to look your best.

Today's on the go beauty tip is perfect for achieving this Summer's well sought after sun-kissed glow!

Pair your regular liquid foundation with a liquid illuminator with golden undertones (NARS Illuminator - Copacabana is a great option!). Mix half of your usual foundation amount with an equal amount of liquid illuminator. Use your fingertips to massage it all over your face and voila! Sun-kissed perfection in an instant! Top off your radiant with a light-reflecting shimmer powder.

Let me know what you think of this instant beauty trick below!

On Campus Fashion: Electric Blue Casual Blazer

Kick off the end of the year and the start of the Summer season. Check out this vibrant, summer-ready pop of color on today's On Campus Fashionista!

Look below how to take this laid-back day look from cool casual to night-time fab!

Keep your electric blue blazer and switch out your fabric shorts for dark, leather ones to add sultry appeal. For accessories, you can never go wrong with a night time look with black, ankle-strap heels and minimalistic accessories for a night-out-on-the-town-ready ensemble!

Let me know what you think of this bold look below!