U NEED THIS...Moccasins

Happy Friday all...DopeGirlNatalie here. Hope your week is going great and you are enjoying the warmer weather, although currently we are experiencing a little winter in April. Hmmm, wonder where that came from as I tighten the scarf around my neck. LOL. For this post I chose to highlight the marriage of comfort and style in the form of the almighty moccasin.

Yes, ladies & gentlemen, you need a good pair of moccasins in your life! Keeping with the current trend, make sure they are a colorful pair at that. 2 of my favorite things are style and comfort so thank you so very much to the genius that created this wonderful treasure. We have all worn a pair of moccasins in our day whether in childhood years or older. It is no secret these are some of the most comfortable shoes out next to slippers aka house shoes. Often dubbed the driving shoe, numerous companies carry the moccasin as a staple such as Tods, Balenciaga, Tory Burch & Quoddy Trail and one can cost in excess of $600 but trust there are more affordable ones on the market. With summer around the corner, it would be beneficial to stock up on a few. This is my go to shoe for those extreme comfort days when a heel is not needed and a sandal just won't do. The perfect accent for a day of shopping or lunch in the park...pick a pair, a colorful pair and pop that color into your look. To all those that say "oh I have nothing to wear with this," I say to you, get a white or black tank, jeans and have a great day.

For those uber creative beings out there, be different, grab some fabric paint and add some colorful designs to a neutral pair or change the cording/string for a unique touch. Knowing there are some who say they can not do a flat shoe, you should...it will bless your life but thanks to Balenciaga you can have your have heel and moccasin too, see pic below. To be honest with you after seeing these beauties, I would rock them too...what true fashionista wouldn't???

<------ I KNOW RIGHT!!!!! Shoegasm...OK I am good now. I had to have a moment. When I get blessed with these, I promise I will still rock them with a tank and jeans...let the shoe speak by itself. The great thing about the moccasin is its universal and yes, MEN, you can experiment with the bold color trend. It's a beautiful thing seeing a man not afraid to incorporate color in his wardrobe....think white linen with a slate blue, mustard or red shoe. That is hot!!!!

So the moral of the story is experience the comfort & play up your colorful style with a funky pair of moccasins. Remember U NEED THIS N UR LIFE. Have an amazing weekend, I know I will.  -DopeGirlNatalie

U Need This...COLOR!!!!!

Hey everyone, DopeGirlNatalie checkin' in on this last day of March 2012. I hope your Spring is coming into full bloom. Life has been so busy...I have neglected my blogging duties! I can NOT let this happen anymore. I have so much to share with you I may have to post everyday until I get it all out. LOL.

COLOR, COLOR, COLOR is the golden ticket for the season. And not just any color but the boldest, brightest palette yet. I can tell you this season is not for the timid, by far. Greens, Pinks, Yellows, Turquoise, NEON, Corals & more. It seems everywhere you go these days, you are bound to come in contact with a flair of vibrant color or a neon accessory. Haven’t been privy yet, just walk in Target, the visual display says it all...COLOR. You’ve seen the commercial, you’ve heard the French song, Alouette, with the hot air balloon. It’s definitely embracing us this year.

U NEED THIS N UR LIFE...Neons & Vibrants. These hues are surely intimidating for some but its all in how you accent the color into your wardrobe. Color Blocking is also alive & kicking. No you don't have to walk out the door w/ neon yellow pants, a hot pink tee, electric blue loafers and a fluoro green cross the body bag w/ hints of silver & gold. Feel free to do so but don’t be surprised when folk shade their face from all the brightness. My advice, add the color but in pieces, like the skirt below or you could go more subtle with these nude heels which by the way I HAVE 2 HAVE STAT!!!! I don’t know about you but I’m a fashionista on a budget so there is no way I am forking out mucho dollars on a new neon wardrobe....my closet is pretty colorful anyways but that’s not the point. What I’m saying is & will always be my #1 motto...Shop Pieces. You will expand your wardrobe to new limits when shopping in pieces. Pieces, as in a pant here, a scarf there, a shoe here, a top there...piece everything together and your combinations are limitless. Also, don’t be afraid to mix your metals either. Make it an arm party with gold & silver bangles mixed with resin, acrylic & even rope infused baubles, if you like. The main thing here is to step out of your comfort zone & Embrace the Bold. Keep in mind your fashion choices play a role in your attitude...more conservative = more serious...be fearless and showcase the inner bright, bold you. And just in case you need a little inspiration, here are a few more pics to peruse over. Until next time... -Natalie

G from www.whatsmoreimportantthanfashion.com

U Need This...Naturally 2012 by MAC

Though we are 22 days in, let me start off by saying Happy New Year to all. I trust the beginning of this year has proven to be beneficial to each of you. I toyed with what I would choose as my 1st post of the new year and alas... my decision is complete.

Those who know me closely are aware that I have been on a quest to find the perfect nude lip color. And believe me, it has definitely been a serious quest...like a year plus in the making!!!!! I have tried both drug store brands as well as high end. I thought I was close with MAC's Viva Glam Lady Gaga edition but it gave me the marshmellow mouth so I gave it 2 DopeGirlMarcia. Tried their holiday edition-it was nice but a little too pink for the nude I was going for. I kept it and wear it on occasion but still a little too much pink. The quest continues.

Finally, on a trip to Dillards for a killer pair of wedges, which I did not buy, I stumbled upon MAC's 2012 Naturally collection. I did not get excited at first b/c I had been met with so many disappointments before. I tried it on my hand and it gave promise so I tried a few others in the collection. I walked out that day with Pillow Talk (lip color), Naked Space (lipglass) and Hot Spell (lipglass). All are pictured below 3rd from left, 2nd from right and 3rd from right, respectively. I was in a rush so I did not try it on my lips before leaving the store, but was confident this would be the closest I would possibley ever find to the true nude I desired.

Well, well, well let me tell you...the search is OVER!!!!!! I found it!!!!!! Pillow Talk is the PERFECT nude lip color for me. PERFECT, like seamlessly perfect. I am so in love with it. I will do a later post including pics of me wearing the color so you can see final results.

Ladies, if you are looking for a great nude color for this season, I suggest you go check out your local MAC store or counter and see what the Naturally line has for you. I guarantee you will not be disappointed, including my darker hued ladies. It is definitely harder to find perfect colors to match our many hues, but this line is definitely a winner in my opinion. U NEED THIS...but don't let me be the judge, go check it out for yourself.