Dress For Success Pittsburgh

Dress For Success Pittsburgh is one of the many organizations I love to volunteer for. This organization helps women enter into the workforce and re-enter into the workforce. They provide clothing from donations to woman who are entering the workforce or re-entering due to lay offs, maternity leaves, etc., etc. They provide a suit for your initial interview and then two-three work outfits once you receive the job. They also offer daily job development classes in their Downtown location and have a Professional Women's Group (which I am proud to be a member of) that meets every last Tuesday of the month. The PWG is very rewarding with speakers to help enhance every aspect of a woman's life. So DFS not only dresses you for work but they prepare you and nurture you into and throughout your career! If you work with a non-profit organization, your church, a recovery or self-development program or such and need clothing, you can be referred to Dress For Success. The clothing, jewelry, handbag, shoes and cosmetics are all donated by wonderful retailers and individuals.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is only one of the GREAT supporters of Dress For Success Pittsburgh. This weekend, as a Volunteer Image Consultant for Dress For Success Pittsburgh, I got the opportunity to work with the wonderful Cosmetic Consultants at the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics counter at MACY's in Monroeville Mall. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics partnered with Dress For Success for a fundraiser called "Beauty That Gives Back." It was such a great experience for me and a co-worker Andrea Festa whom I was excited to see was a DFS volunteer as well.

The Beauty Consultants at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics were so friendly and upbeat and beautiful and eager to make you beautiful!!! My consultant Richard made me up before my volunteer shift and he did some things that shocked and amazed me and had his colleagues looking on for tips and tweaks. I'll admit, I have very dark circles under my eyes at times which is a huge problem for a lot of people. Hopefully Richard doesn't mind me sharing his secret as it only proves how much of a genius he is at his craft. He used red lipstick...yes "RED LIPSTICK" under my eyes blended with a Bobbi Brown Foundation Cream Stick for my complexion and then softened it with a Bobbi Brown loose powder! How's that for a Cosmo Tip??? He admits that that technique was not a "Bobbi Brown" technique but for some dark circles like mine...desperate eyes call for desperate measures!!! Even after the concealer which is wonderful, there was still a little darkness that Richard got rid of so well for a glamorous look for pictures which I knew I would be in for a fashion show I had to attend that evening. He used an Electric Blue eyeshadow (in observance of Autism Awareness Day) and a nude lip for this Fierce but Fresh look!

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics had a special make-up kit for sale that customers could buy for $60 and all the proceeds would go to Dress For Success Pittsburgh. This kit is a nice blend of neutral colors to smokey eye colors to go from an everyday clean look to a night out on the town!

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Monroeville Mall Manager Heather did a lot of pre-sales of the kit so most were sold out by the time my shift started! They were down to one kit left at the Monroeville location. The same event was going on in South Hills and Ross Park Mall locations. They also provided complimentary make-overs at the event.

This wasn't the first event of it's kind and it won't be the last. As I said, Bobbi Brown is one of the BEST supporters of Dress For Success Pittsburgh and they have a lovely crew of Consultants so as you go through the mall, stop by the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics counter and say hello, check out their cosmetic's line and ask how you can help support their efforts to give back to Dress For Success. Other than that you can visit any of the Dress For Success Pittsburgh locations listed on the website http://www.dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org/ to drop of donated clothing, sign up to volunteer and/or make a monetary donation right on the site. All donations are tax deductible.

SPRING has finally arrived! And although April brings showers...you won't see anything like Armani's Showers of Color Fashion Show! This 10 year old Designer has fashions and colors that can rock any prom, wedding or colorful event you have planned this season!

The show will be at the exclusive Lexus Club Lounge at PNC Park on the North Shore. And it's more than fashion, it's an event with live performances by NUP sounds of Steel, Smooth Groove Band, Shelly Lavelle, a Patti Labelle impersonator and even includes dinner!

Armani's Nejor Designs will be joined by fashions from:Leslie Harris, Carla Anderson, NU2UKidz, Levelle Designs, New Attitude Dress Salon, and A Woman's Touch.

I recently featured Armani on the cover of the Soul Pitt Quarterly magazine as a part of our cover story "The Future of Black History in Pittsburgh." Now she is making waves for herself with the beautiful flow of bright colors and silky materials of her designs for this Vibrant Show!

This young entrepreneur show stopper also has a giving heart as a portion of the proceeds will go to the Homeless Ministry, No Walls Ministries - http://t.ymlp119.net/qmbhalajuuakajqyyadahjws/click.php. She is certainly making her mark in the industry and humanity! Armani's Mother Tisha Dolby (seen here wearing one of Armani's original designs) is a proud supporter, seamstress, model and fashion show producer who I'm sure has been a great influence on Armani's early blooming career!

You won't want to miss this Historical event as Armani's first Fashion Show Production and I don't know who YOU know, but I don't know any other 10 year old designers doin' it like this!

Come Dressed in YOUR Best as there will be Door Prizes for the best dressed! For full details go to www.thesoulpitt.com/entertainment and I'll see you there in full bloom!!!

Zang Toi Fall Winter 2011 Fashion Show - Featuring Jill Zarin of Real Ho...

Zang Toi is an excellent designer! I love his one of a kind style and how he sticks to a theme for each line. He's such a humble guy and you can see my interview with him from last year for his Spring Line at Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2010. I'm also happy for Jill of RHONY...although I wasn't expecting to see her on the runway EVER...she is one of my favorites!!!

Valentine's Day Gifts for Lovers...of Christ!

This Valentine's Day give your Sweetheart a gift of Real & Meaningful Love!!! C28 Not of This World Clothing and Accessories has lots to choose from for the one you love! Never know what to get your significant other for Valentines Day? Check out these items... For the Woman in your lifethis Sterling Silver "Love" Ring ($42.00).This "Faith Hope Love" tee will warm her heart! ($19.99) This "Love Is" tee is full of the definition of Love according to God's Word!($19.99) "Jesus" is also hidden in the swirls! My Favorite!!! Buy both and get them 2 for $30. For the Man in your life this Sterling Silver "Nail Design Cross" Pendant ($69.99)and this "Love B. It" V-Neck Shirt ($24.99) will surely get His attention!!! Or this"True Love Waits" Sterling Silver Varsity Ring!($68.00)

For that single friend surprise them with one of these lovely tees for $19.99 each or 2 for $30!
the "Vintage" tee. the "I Am All You Need" tee
the "Jesus Loves Me" tee and the "He Loves You" tee.

For the friend you want to encourage to continue to live Holy, give him this "Real Love Waits" tee for just $12.99 or this "Purity" Adjustable Bracelet for $7.99. The "Pink Purity" Ring for $23.95 or the "Hurricane" tee for $22.99.



Even for the little one in your life whom you love and adore you can give this
lovely 14k Yellow Gold "Children's Double Heart" Ring for $99.99 or these 14k White Gold "Children's Puffed Heart" Earrings for $49.99 or this "Mini Heart Wings" Neclace for $7.99.

And don't forget...with every purchase you're contributing to a ministry of your choice! Spreading love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to even those you don't know should fill your heart with warmth and joy this Valentine's Day!!!

Check out these items and more on my Wishlist! Click below to see what you would like to give to your loved ones this Valentine's Day!!!

View My C28 FAVS - CLICK HERE

Put the CHRIST back in CHRISTmas Gift-Giving

Are you looking and searching for a more meaningful Christmas this year? Well put the CHRIST back in CHRISTMAS and give a meaningful gift that also gives back!!! C28 is a Christian online retailer , offering an alternative to the mainstream mall stores. The Christian clothing, music, jewelry and accessories reflect a clean and positive Christian lifestyle. C28 stands for Colossians 2:8, Not Of This World (NOTW), and all about Jesus!


In this day and age you have to be careful what clothing lines you support and buy from because you never know what they support, what their message is or even what the meaning is behind their name. So I'd rather shop from a site that explains their mission and actually gives to missions and ministry where you can see it, know it and be sure of it! Besides that, in this economy it's nice to know where your money is going and to see rewards from it! Some of these clothing lines that charge an arm and a leg are Truelly a sin!!!

This website is a one-stop-shop for all your gift-giving needs! So if you have teenagers like me where my 19 year old is in college and just basically asks for and wants t-shirts with writing on them and jeans and hoodies you may want to shop for their jeans as low as $12.95, Tees as at $19.99 and Hoodies as low as $30.

Or if you have a grown child (boy or girl) who still likes to be spoiled and wants the most expensive clothes and tennis shoes like my oldest daughter you may want to try these items. The shoes won't break the bank and remember, every purchase goes towards a ministry. So you don't have that broke OR guilty feeling after December 25th!

Or if you have a son or man in your life who is the avid sports fan and likes to wear fitted hats and button ups...or the do it himself fix-it man here's some great looks for them.

Go to http://www.c28.com/394628 for a meaningful Christmas Shopping Experience!

It IS Jesus Christs' Birthday that we celebrate on Christmas, so what better way to show your love for Him then buying for someone or even yourself and wearing this T-shirt on HIS day?They also come in plus sizes which I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely love this site because it not only gives back in the form of donations to ministries such as Mercy, Dicipleship and Evangelism...but it gives back to YOU! YES YOU!!! You can sign up to join the Street Team to do missions right on the site. You don't have to leave your warm computer for the cold outdoors. And it's very rewarding because you get reward credit for every mission you complete! If this doesn't tell you God is good, I don't know what else will! Where have you ever gone to shop straight from your computer and got instant credit?

I'm so excited about my shopping experience on this site that I've already been shopping for music for my Grand daughter, jewelry for my Mom, Dad, siblings and friends and well, it just wouldn't be right for me to shop for myself so I've put together a wish list for anyone who is just baffeled over what to get ME this Christmas! Click on the link below. Enjoy the experience and God Bless You All! Remember JESUS CHRIST is the Reason for the CHRISTMAS SEASON!

View My C28 FAVS - CLICK HERE

Fall In Love with Fashion Again

Fall is here and it always brings a new feel of romance to the air, a longing to be cuddled a little closer, a love of certain foods and the need for a new wardrobe!!! Or your old one! Falling back in love with fashion is rewarding in itself! It makes you feel better and of course look better. This fall here in Pittsburgh is an exciting time to be in love with fashion as we've just had our first Pittsburgh Fashion Week ever! If you attended any of the shows you saw fashions for Fall and next Spring. Don't be left in the wind with the same old dull clothes on, pull out your finest suits, dresses, trenches, capes and hats and join the rest of the fashion fabulous in the Steel City.


Above are fall hats from Fedora Pittsburgh. Fedora Pittsburgh has an array of stylish hats for men, women and children. There are so many styles to choose from to protect your head from the falling leaves and look stunning at the same time. You can also purchase the hats in the Strip District at the corner of 20th and Penn Ave from 9am to 3pm on certain Saturdays. See the list of dates and more fashionable hats at http://www.fedorapittsburgh.blogspot.com/.


In the Trenches this Fall are some pretty bold and wild fall coverings. Animal prints are what's keeping us warm and oh so hot this fall. From Isaac Mizarahi's fall collection is this beautifully styled leather trimmed black & tan zebra print trench coat that can be found on the QVC website and comes in three colors. I just picked up a zebra print trench from Burlington Coat Factory that was less expensive but just as stylish. I also picked up a fushia trench as that bold pop of color that was a bright idea last fall, is still Fashion Forward this year!

Capes are all the rave this Fall! And there are lots to choose from like this Ann Taylor LOFT Donegal Tweed Cape trimmed in Camel for $128 and these Diane Von Ferstenberg victoria-long-glove-in-caramel-rock-leather! This Vintage Style Cape
would look great with a Fedora Pittsburgh hat!!!

Or the new style Caplet with sleeves from Nordstroms for $57.90. This more casual Cape style would look great with one of Lolita Henry's Slouch Hats and this clutch which you can buy at
http://www.artistic-expressions.ecrater.com/


There's also the basic black Sweater Cape from Old Navy (also in Plus Sizes)


that you can pair up with these gathered long gloves from http://www.torrid.com/.

So if you don't want to see someone walking down the street with your coat on this Fall and Winter take my advice and go with a trendy more stylish look that will set you apart from the rest!