Dear Girlfriends,

On Friday January 6 we had the pleasure to hear, listen, meet and interview an expert in the field of beauty and style – the one and only Mikki Taylor.  As Editor-at-Large of Essence Magazine and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on fashion, beauty and style Mikki Taylor herself is a ‘commander’.  She entered the room with such style and grace wearing a chic LBD and colored designer wine pumps. With her confidence, joy and genuine love in tow, Mikki shared her inspiration for her book, “Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady”.

Before we share our candid conversation, we must say we are looking forward to the potential of a new book inspired by Mikki’s anecdotes for bits of style – famously known as “Mikki-isms”.  Even before the book is born, we will be the first in line when this book hits the shelves.

When asked ‘how can the everyday woman carve out an effortless (quick) routine to make sure they walk out the door ‘on’ point?’ Mikki discussed the importance of carving out time to do things that are important to you. Style really begins with us.  We should all make our style effortless.  And as women we should have checklists.  Get used to having your name show up on your schedule (i.e. make yourself important).

When writing “Commander in Chic”, Mikki’s target audience is simply women.  The book doesn’t have age or demographic limitations.  The book is for every women who wants to own her life. For women who want to be better, be healthier and spend money wiselessly.

Commander in Chic Book Signing (Washington, D.C.)

Girlfriends, she wants all of us to consider the book as your personal style diary.  Though style is unique for each of us, we have common threads that inspire us.

The book has several chapters from style, beauty and health; and it delves into important things women should wear/carry from a smile, healthy lifestyle to defining your personal style and what makes you – you.  She knows that we all want to own a signature look and a wardrobe of ‘bankable’ pieces that define our style. In this colorful style guide, Mikki’s cover to cover advice, chic tips and photographs allow us to be our own ‘commander’ in chic.

Personally, we at Charm Chat can relate to Mrs. Obama’s style because she makes it realistic and attainable – in the words of Mikki Taylor its “effortless”.

We look forward to diving into this ultimate beauty and style resource guide!

Until the next style adventure,

Monica

Can’t wait for more and want to stay in touch, follow Mikki Taylor on Facebook: I Am Mikki Taylor and Twitter @IAMMikkiTaylor

{Photos by Cheriss May}

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Dear Girlfriends,

We’ve discovered the best stocking stuffers well under $100.  We love these options;

This Little Piggy Went To Prada book: For the woman more accustomed to singing Missoni’s praises than singing lullabies comes Amy Allen’s ‘This Little Piggy Went to Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade’. Filled with sumptuous full color illustrations by Eun-Kyung Kung, this book presents classic nursery rhymes with a thoroughly modern and charmingly ironic spin that will make the most sleepless fashionista mom smile. ($20)

This Little Piggy Went To Prada

Sugar Boudoir Candle: A throwback to the golden age of Hollywood. Perfect on a dressing table, nestled between her perfumes and potions. This clean-burning soy wax candle rests in a heavy cut-glass base and lid. A scent-dipped tassel finishes the exquisite piece. Burns for 60+ hours. ($40)

Sugar Boudoir Candle

Theodora Scarf: This gauze scarf features fringed ends. ($62)

Theodora Scarf

Lunares Stiletto Bookend: The perfect punctuation for a row of fashion tomes. Made of Lunares’s signature metal alloy, this bookend has a convincing weight and sleek lines. Natural nicks and texture make each piece unique. ($62)

Lunares Stiletto Bookend

Grapesicle Watch: This water-resistant watch features a flex silicone band and a tonal acrylic case. Adjustable length and buckle closure. Japanese movement.

Grapesicle Delancey Watch

Don’t hesitate this season and purchase these fab stocking stuffers today!

Until the next adventure,

Monica

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Dear Girlfriends,

Wearing bright maxi dresses during the end of spring and beginning of the summer season is ideal! Bright colors feel good, are light and give you that extra “vibe” to take you throughout your day. 

Summer is the perfect time to make a style statement with a maxi dress.  We would recommend some of these options for you to consider. This chiffon long dress from Halston Heritage features a deep V neck and accordion-pleated overlays and offers 19″ side slits, hidden back zip, spaghetti straps tie at shoulders and its even lined.

From C&C California, this striped jersey long dress features a scoop neck and a racer back. Drawstring waist and deep side slits. Ribbed banding at neckline and arm openings.

Designer Rory Beca showcases this silk-chiffon maxi dress features ruching at the V neck and a drawstring at the waist with a 2′ slit at front and spaghetti straps.

Haute Hippie takes you from inner to outer, day to night, and metropolis to sanctuary by emphasizing the art of layering and by embracing eclectic style and sophistication. As a single destination for fashion basics, layering items, and loungewear with a designer aesthetic and contemporary price, Haute Hippie provides inspired everyday looks and attainable luxury. Look sexy, be confident, and feel relaxed with an air of independence, freedom and style.

This scoop-neck silk maxi dress features a drawstring tie at the neckline and a keyhole at the bust. Flounce hem. Seam at waist and hidden zip at side with 1″ straps and double-layered.

Maxi dresses are trendy, stylish and comfy pieces for the summer!

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Are you ready, set … then motion!

As a Motions woman, you radiate confidence the moment you step out of the salon. You’re fun, fierce and fashionable – and everyone knows it.  The Motions collection of salon-tested, superior quality products feature a powerful combination of naturally-derived ingredients and revolutionary technology. Motions offers fully customizable solutions to keep hair gorgeous, silky and manageable. Discover your hair’s ultimate shine – and your limitless possibilities – with Motions.

Motions At Home Foaming Wrap Lotion is a product a few stylists I know live by!  “First and foremost it is not messy and easy to apply to achieve the look you want and or need. The product is light and doesn’t wear your hair down with alot of product. Not only does it provide the look, the product smells very good. Best if used when wrapping the hair or when you are trying to achieve a roller set. …. professional stylist in metropolitan Washington, D.C.”

Whatever your style sensibility, looking fab, fierce and fashionable is always on the agenda – go with Alberto-Culver Motions!

To learn more, visit Motions!

Until the next style adventure,

Monica

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Dear Girlfriends,

Have you heard about L’Oreal Go 360 Clean products? Yeah!  From the Deep Facial Cleanser to the Deep Exfoliating Scrub, I love love love these products.  It’s really amazing! The packaging is easy and the cleanser scrubby makes it east to clean your face!

Starting from head to toe with your facial palette, I would seriously recommend L’Oreal Go 360 Clean products to all my girlfriends and fashionistas.  Once you have your “face” in order, it’ll help you feel good, get ready to look good and style like a true fashionista!

After a girls night out, try L’Oreal Deep Facial Cleanser for sensitive skin.  The fragrance-free, foaming formula features glycerin and shea butter to condition skin while gently and effectively cleansing skin of dirt and makeup.  We all know that its sometimes hard to remove our glam look after a night of mocktails with the ladies, but this product will take you back to clean!

When it comes to new and innovative products such as L’Oreal Go 360, I somehow always get sucked into trying them. For me (…and many of my girlfriends), trying a new product for me is like opening up a new toy on Christmas morning; I just get super excited.

Begin your style palette with your face and try L’Oreal Go 360 products today ~ bringing fashion, beauty and style to life!

NEW L’Oreal Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Cleanser removes acne causing bacteria in just onewash pore-by-pore! Pores look smaller and skin is cleaner, smoother and softer. It is also thewinner of the 2011 Self Magazine Healthy Beauty Award for Best Acne Cleanser!

Go 360 Clean is a line of deep pore-by-pore cleansers. There are five different formulas fromwhich to choose. Every Go 360 Clean cleanser is designed with the innovative super softScrublet™ to help you reach deep into every last pore for the cleanest clean.
http://www.lorealparisusa.com

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 To learn more visit AMBI.

Girlfriends remember the mission!  The AMBI Brand is commited to developing scientifically proven skincare solutions to meet the unique skincare needs of women of color, while celebrating their strength and beauty.

Until the next beauty adventure!

Have you seen how fabulous and flawless your skin can be with AMBI?  A few girlfriends and I tried the AMBI Even & Clear Mark Minimizer. Again, another product that does exactly what it says, we’ve been using this product for a little over a month and WE LOVE IT!.  Our skin tone is more even  and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. We applied it twice a day after washing with Ambi Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash.  We like that its lightweight and doesn’t leave build-up on your face. It’s a keeper! coming in at $12.49 you couldn’t ask for anything more in a skin toner and fade cream. You can buy Ambi Even & Clear products at www.ambiflawlessskin.com/products, or CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target or your local beauty discount store.

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Hudson Snake Embossed Clutch

Dear Fashionistas,

By now we all have seen or heard of Lauren Merkin clutches right?  If not, here’s your change to purchase a Lauren Merkin clutch for the Spring starting at $125.00. 

Designed for women who actually want to carry their bags, Lauren Merkin Handbags are designed for the long haul, with the highest quality materials and hardware, rugged construction and useful details. But, these handbags shouldn’t be confused for the play-it-safe options found in your mother’s closet. Part impish femininity, part urban sophistication, part vintage charm, Lauren Merkin Handbags nod to the times but have a style unlike any other.

From Last Call Neiman Marcus, Lauren Merkin not included in Accessories Sale. Jewelry gift offer valid on jewelry purchases of $50 or more at Last Call® Stores and LastCall.com. Colors available while supplies last. To receive gift online, enter the code BANGLE in the promotion code box in your shopping bag during checkout. Limit one per customer, while supplies last. Value of jewelry order must total $50 before shipping and tax. Offer is nontransferable. Excludes purchases of gift cards. Other exclusions may apply. Interim markdowns may have been taken. No adjustments for prior purchases. Visit Last Call.com for more info!

Eve Metallic Clutch

*Offer expires April 30, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Shipping offer not valid in stores. To receive free standard shipping, enter the promo code LCAPRFS in the promotion code box in your shopping bag during checkout. This offer applies to standard shipping on LastCall.com orders only and does not apply to the Last Call Gift Card, out-of-stock items, monogrammed items, bridal registry items, items shipped directly from the manufacturer, items that state “Delivery & Processing Only,” “Additional Delivery & Processing,” or items that include additional delivery & processing charges. The $8 charge added to each additional shipping address and the additional $5 charge applied when shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or some U.S. territories still applies. This offer cannot be applied to previous purchases. Canadian orders will still be subject to all applicable duties, fees, and taxes. All non-Canadian international orders must be placed over the phone, and free shipping does not apply.

Georgie Popped Metallic Clutch

Hudson Glossy Snake Clutch

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia 18 years or older. Entry deadline is June 30, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Click above for complete rules and details. Void where prohibited.

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Wearing black & white combinations this spring, we have researched and can help with this style trend! When it comes to wearing black and white, the rules are pretty, simple and fabulous, black and white.

Check out these ways to wear the always-chic color combo.

• Don’t tell me you’ve never seen those cows at the circus or the giraffes on the jungle gym! Well then, the Zebra on the Zip Line Strapless Dress is sure to show you a thing or two! With a padded strapless bodice and a scattering of stripes over bust and waist, this snazzy dress is sure to add some pizazz to your wardrobe! Darts and pleats add style and shape for acrobatic appeal.
• Give a nod to that stylish mouse in the Minnie Mouse Mambo Polka Dot Dress. This darling ivory dress is dotted with retro black polka dots from collar to slightly rounded hem, with a retro ascot-like neckline and elasticized puff sleeves for a little extra flair. Wear over a colorful tank and jeans, or pair with a black bandeau and cut-offs!
• Like your favorite airy treat, the Pillow Mint Strapless Ivory Dress is a sweet confection that will just melt in your mouth! Luxurious ivory fabric flows elegantly from lightly padded bodice to classic tulip skirt in a satiny embrace, while three lines of black piping run along left side of dress for a tailored finale. Delectable darts at front and back create the perfect silhouette, and removable black belt cinches for shape.
• If you want sassy and chic, then look no further; the Korina Black and White Striped Purse is here for your every fashion whim! A black and white striped canvas exterior is accented by a vegan leather fold-over flap in rich tan, with matching tan strips down sides and across bottom. Push in black metal lock to reveal a black-lined interior with three compartments.
• It’s going to be hard to put down your binoculars this year, with thousands of snow geese and the Back to Birdwatching Black and White Top to keep you interested for hours! This satiny short sleeve top has a flurry of black bird silhouettes atop an ivory background.

Some fashionistas just love attention, and you’re sure to get it wearing black and white!

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