A Little [OUTKAST & MARVIN GAYE] for a Saturday Night

I am pretty very strong right about now. Major flexing attitude. I worked my tuchus off this week, and it's only today that I feel like I may be fully recovered from the little dance I had with pneumonia last month. What better way to celebrate feeling this much closer to 100% than with some bona fide swagger music?

Combine the bravado of "So Fresh So Clean" with the sultriness of "Let's Get It On" and there you have my mood at this moment. I am heading to the shower to wash this bird's nest of mine, but you can best believe I will be singing along to this...

:::drools::: Rashida Jones-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

I L-O-V-E love Rashida Jones' style. That woman can rock a blazer with an ensemble like no one's business. Since that has been my style ideal for ages, I've decided she would be a terrific source of inspiration for my latest :::drools::: post...



With such an assortment of options to recreate, each one just as fabulous as the last, it was super difficult to narrow down a single outfit to recreate. After careful deliberation, I fell madly in love with this outfit:



I am going on a Western Caribbean Cruise (Grand Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Belize and Isla Roatan) in a few weeks, and I am thinking that this outfit will be perfect for the trip. This will be my first major vacation in over a decade and this will be my first time leaving the country (I just got my passport last week!!) so I really want to wear something special. Here's how I recreated her look -

This time I am going to start with the blazer, because I am all about blazers for 2011!



I chose the Michael Kors Plus Size Ruched Two-Button Jacket ($91.00, Bloomingdale's). Between you and me, I might end up getting a lesser-priced blazer from Old Navy, but best case scenario... LOL

Instead of the top/skirt combo, I decided to make the outfit a bit more cruise-y and opted for a dress to wear under the blazer.



I went with the Avenue Peacock Print Crossover Smocked Dress ($39.99, One Stop Plus).I love peacock feathers, so this was the perfect choice for me!! And I love the way the colors of the dress are similar to the ones in Rashida's skirt!!

I couldn't get a good look at the handbag, but the strap reminded me of those gorgeous "one day when I hit lotto"quilted chain bags by Chanel (Rashida's been spotted wearing one before). I was so happy to find a super cute (and affordable!) alternative.



I could've very spent double the price on an exact replica of the Chanel bag, but instead opted for the Mango Madell Quilted Small Zip Chain Shoulder Bag ($24.14, Asos)

Last but not least, there's the sandals. The wonderfully adorable sandals. I searched and searched and could not find a perfect replica for the thongs Rashida's wearing. I decided to pick a tried and true source for alternatives.



The Prenger Strappy Flat Sandals ($19.99, Payless) are cute, comfy looking and well within my budget!!!

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

What better way to start the week than with a song that moves your feet and makes you want to dance your way into whatever adventure the next seven days have to offer you?!? I discovered this song this past weekend and promptly fell head over heels!!



I love me some Shingai Shoniwa... Dope hair? Check! Dope voice? Check! And the last thing you all need to check is this fantastic rendition of Miriam Makeba's "Kilimanjaro" the Noisettes recorded exclusively for Shape What's To Come...an online community courtesy of Levi's where women can find (based on shared interests and passions, regardless of age or location.) perspective and support from women like themselves…or perhaps from women nothing like themselves!

I'm REALLY Diggin': Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel Toner

When I wore my hair in braids, I never had a significant skin problem. From the moment I took the braids out in 2006, the hair in my face ushered in a sort of second puberty for me. LOL In the years that have passed since then, I've been trying every type of skin regimen under the sun in the hopes that my skin can be clearer and healthier.

Here's what has always been my problem: my skin is a combination of two extremes - super dry in some places, super oily in other places. Using medicated skincare products dried me out and moisturizing skincare products made me broke out. It's a toughy trying to find a balance, and I think I am closer and closer to finding one, thanks to the newest weapon in my clean face arsenal... Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel Toner.



This alcohol-free formula is light, gentle and smells heavenly!! This coupled with Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser has really improved the over-all appearance of my face, as (I hope) you can see from my picture, taken this weekend... of course it doesn't improve those SCREAMING to be waxed eyebrows, but's that's another tale for another time! LOL



The final tool that I'm searching for is a moisturizer that will not clog my pores and ruin all the work I've done. I am open to suggestions, y'all... what's your must have item for facial care?