Best of Brooklyn: Restoration Rocks 2011

This past weekend marked the beginning of the seventh annual Bed-Stuy Alive here in my hood. Bed Stuy Alive! is a week of activities (October 8 - October 15) that celebrates the community’s many treasures, from its history, commerce and culture. This year’s theme is Live Healthy, Live Well, Live Green.

A major highlight of the week is probably the best free concert series to come to Bed-Stuy, Restoration Rocks! This year's line up was spectacular, Pharoahe Monch , Idle Warship (Supergroup featuring Talib Kweli, and Res), Mos Def with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (DOPE!!!) and a lot more local artists showcasing their talents. While I was super excited to see all the act, I must admit, Chris and I left the house super late, so I only had the opportunity to see Mos Def perform.

I don't have to tell you he killed it, right?!?! LOL

After enjoying Mos (It's going to take some use to calling him Yassin Bey next year!), Chris and I walked around the festival, checking out the various vendors, seeing our options for lunch (the variety of food was bananas!!! Soo many choices!), and people watching...

I met Veronica at the food court area, enjoying some delicious smelling yummies. We talked food, blogs and she hipped me to some great vendors at the event.

I also ran into my friend (and Badass Blogger), Michelle.. whom I literally had not seen since grade school! LOL

She was even kind enough to snap a picture of Chris and I!!!

I had such an amazing time, but I knew I had some henna-ing to get started, so we called it a day and headed back to the casa, and managed to snap a few more pics in the process.

(Finally! An outfit post! LOL) What I'm Rockin':

Tuxedo Jacket: Torrid
Tunic: Lane Bryant
Jeggings: Old Navy
Boots: Torrid
Scarf & Bracelet: Street Vendors in BK
Earrings: Butterfly Earrings from Bella Duafe
Nails : Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicures in Gray by Gray

:::drools::: Tracee Ellis Ross-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

Miss Moon's Musings is on vacation next week.... I will be going on my very first cruise!! I am all packed and ready to go!!! Whoo Hoooooooo!!!!

The first :::drools::: post of 2011 is a very special one, as I will be recreating it for my first day of traveling!!



To begin, I selected the Black and Cream Stripe Chiffon Tank Top ($38, Torrid)



My choice for jeans and jacket are strictly from my closet, but you can't go wrong with these beauties!!


Women's Plus Double-Weave Blazers ($39.50, Old Navy)


Divine Denim Skinny Jean ($39.50, Avenue)

Since I am traveling, I will probably finish this look up with some lovely hoop earrings and a pair of sneakers.. gotta be comfortable!!! I will be sure to be back with pictures!!! Bon Voyage!!!!!!

:::drools::: Cha Cha Shoes (and what to wear with them!)

Andiamo Woman's Stunning Bootie 

My Mum is the Catalog Queen.... I know I have mentioned in a previous post that she's the Avon Queen... but she reigns over both kingdoms equally. LOL

My favorite pair of boots from Torrid (Seen here worn by me) has gone to shoe heaven (in a remarkably short time - major side eye to Torrid), so with fall here and the temperature dropping, I need to get a new pair of boots. Stat.

On the train ride home tonight, Mizz Lennid pulls out the Massey catalog, and I feast my eyes on a gorgeous pair of boots that I will be ordering this weekend. I also felt an immediate adoration for a pair of booties that are SO NOT my normal style.

I call these types of shoes Cha Cha Shoes, after Cha Cha Digregorio from "Grease", primarily because they look like the type of shoes she would wear, in my mind.



Cha Cha is sexy, alluring, bold and daring. In the "Grease" universe, I'd most likely be  "Brusha Brusha Brusha", Jan.... But I really wanna let a bit more Cha Cha into my life, and these shoes are a reflection of this.

So I pointed the shoes out to my Mum she looked at me like I had three eyeballs. Without going into everything I just wrote here, I said I liked them and thought they were fun. She asked, "What would you wear those with?", which inspired me to come home and put together at least three outfits: one for work, one for the weekend, and one for a special occasion.


Women's Plus Pleated Jersey Tops - $19.50, Old Navy
Black Multi Seam Pencil Skirt - $29.99, Torrid
Ponte Knit Jacket - $79.50, Lane Bryant


Peacock Feathered Top - $19.80, Forever 21
Stretch Denim Jegging - $25.90, Avenue
Brixton Gain Cap - $48.00, Urban Outfitters


Midnight Dream Dress - $48.00, Alight
Linear Diamond Pointelle Tights - $9.90, Avenue
Red White and Black Hair Flower - $10.00, Bohemian Soul
Yvette Clutch by Melie Bianco - $55.00, LuLu's

Of course I may chicken out when it comes to rocking these Cha Cha shoes, but if I do decide... at least I know that I will have a few ideas on what to wear with them. What do you guys think? Should I splurge?!?