This month in Afrobella Art, Veronica features insight from Peggy Cooper Cafritz.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz , via O Magazine

Peggy Cooper Cafritz is an internationally recognized art collector, historian and conservator of African and African-American art. Amongst her extremely notable achievements — she founded the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC, and continues to serve the school. From 1979 to 1987, she chaired the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and in 1993 President Bill Clinton appointed her vice chairperson of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

In July 2009, Peggy lost her entire art collection due to a fire at her Washington DC estate. Reports estimate her home alone was worth $5.2 million. Media reports did not list the price of the art collection, although Cafritz notes that it was priceless. She is the perfect person to discuss the finer points of building — and re-building — a stellar art collection.

Veronica Marshall interviewed Peggy to get the finer points on starting a collection of your own. Take it away, Veronica!

I don’t know about you, but I love the month of February. Although I celebrate my “blackness” all year long, I love Black History Month because it always brings with it some of the best music festivals, movie screenings, lectures, and art exhibits. However, this year, I’m celebrating with a little retail therapy – I need art for my new home.

Ealy Mays – Yellow Mama Lisa

Adam Smithmada: Drive By Blues

If you’re like me, you’ve realized that starting a collection can feel overwhelming and it’s not always affordable. The good news – art doesn’t have to be expensive, and finding great artists is easier than you think.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz is an avid collector, advocate of the arts, and patron of young artists. After two decades of collecting African and African-American contemporary art, Cafritz knows how to curate an artful home.

Here are her must-follow tips for getting in the know on up-and-coming artists and how to invest in their work:

1. Develop an eye for what you like. “Anyone can collect art,” says Cooper Cafritz. “Trust your instincts and buy artists who really grab you. It’s also very important not to be intimidated by what someone else collects or someone else’s collection.”

2. Buy from students at art high schools. “Many cities have high schools for the arts and they often have exhibitions where art is for sale and it’s not very expensive.”

3. Start by collecting posters and/or prints. “Look for posters and print reproductions of more expensive, highly sought-after artwork.” Our advice: you can also check out national and local newspaper archives for inexpensive photography worthy of framing.

4. Go to as many local exhibits as you can. “Identify up-and-coming artists that you like and begin to follow them – buy their work and then follow them throughout their careers.”

5. Buy an artist’s work early. “Buying artwork at the start of an artist’s career makes a big difference, the biggest difference. Many of the pieces I own I bought early in the artist’s career; many of them would be out of my reach today.” A few artists topping her list are Nicholas Hlobo, Angel Perez, and Jordan Cash-Cooper.

Brandon C. Cox – Flossin’

Brandon C. Cox – Remix

If you’re looking to buy art on a budget, here are two additional tips that have worked for me. First, negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate. Artists love to create but they love to sell their work more, so ask if there’s flexibility in their pricing. Second, if you can, always buy direct from the artist. Galleries have to pay the bills and to do so they charge a markup on the work they sell.

So now that you know the “how,” here are a few artists we are following:

Tell me who your favorite artists are. We may just feature them on Afrobella.com!

Photo via CNN.com.

Those were the poignant and wise words uttered by Viola Davis tonight, who was resplendent in Marchesa as she shared the stage with the cast of her film The Help. Alongside her cast mates Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek and the legendary Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis was gorgeous and glorious and spoke so eloquently for her cast and in celebration of the women who helped to inspire The Help.

It was a beautiful moment, and that capped off an epic night at the SAG Awards for The Help. It proved to be an extra special night for Viola Davis. When she won her individual prize for Best Actress, she offered words of inspiration to kids who currently attend the middle school and high school that she did in Rhode Island – “Dream big. And dream fierce.”

Photo via facebook.com/essence

Viola may have won the award for best dress of the night, BTW! She looked GORGEOUS!

Octavia Spencer was visibly, genuinely moved by her victory, which came early on in the awards ceremony. Spencer looked beautiful, elegant, and safe in her lilac/greige dress by Tadashi Shoji. I wanted to see a touch of boldness, a pop of color…but she looked lovely nevertheless!

Photo via facebook.com/essence

She first explained why this was an honor greater than herself by saying “these women represent our mothers and grandmothers. By honoring me, you’re honoring them.” She then dedicated her award to slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers, and to women like those she portrayed in the film: “…the downtrodden, the under-served, the underprivileged, the overtaxed — whether emotionally, physically, or financially.”

I haven’t yet seen The Help. I’ve avoided seeing the film in the wake of all of the controversy. But now I am in full on Academy Awards preparation mode, and predictions are already being made for Oscar victory for these incredible actresses. So I’ll be seeing it soon!

What do you think, bellas? Did you love or loathe The Help? How did you feel about the film? How do you feel about the amazing awards for the cast? Do you love Viola’s dress as much as I do??

As a tote bag aficionado,  I must protest. There are fancy totes only available to a few, that will be instantly recognizable to those in the know, but that’s about it. And then there are really fly totes made by artists, that will make even more of a style statement than the inside baseball totes touted by the Times.

From left to right -- bags by Swarthy Daisy, Quelly Rue Designs, and Amanda Diva

Like these.

Tote bags are small, light, easy to carry, and essential for everyday living. I usually have at least one folded up in my purse, just in case. I take tote bags out with me in the city, and especially on vacation. They’re just so handy! Headed to the beach or pool? Don’t forget to bring a tote bag! Going to a fancy fashion event? Definitely try to bring a tote for your heels when you wanna take them off, and to stash your gift bag in on the way home. Save the environment when you shop! Take your own bag!

Allow me to share some Afrobella approved tote bags, and I hope you like them as much as I do!

Actress, musician, artist, renaissance woman and former Afrobella of the Month Amanda Diva is now known as Amanda Seales, and is performing a one woman show called Death of the Diva. Click to learn more via her website. While she isn’t acting, Amanda is creating art! And super fly tote bags, available at DivaWorksofArt.com.

(Photo by Chuck Olu-Alabi)

Here I am rocking her hand painted Soul Fro bag, which retails for $30. Clearly Max is a fan! So cute, right?

Want to look literary without saying a word? Rock one of these beautiful tote bags by Out Of Print Clothing. $18 and they reference your favorite classic work of writing, including The Great Gatsby, Animal Farm, A Clockwork Orange or Pride and Prejudice. Chic and clever!

I adore the afrocentric, funky totes by Quelly Rue Designs! I have the Afro Woman tote, which is $36 — see it at the top of the post? But how cute is her J Monae tote bag? Love that!!

I too put my toe into the tote bag game — via my Zazzle store, I sell tees AND totes! The Afrobella Orange Accent bag is $26.

Are you a (tote) bag lady, like me? Where’d you get your favorite?

Help me choose a dress, bellas!

Tamika Martell-Price is a wardrobe coach and personal stylist, and the executive director of the Dangerous Curves Ahead fashion show. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

I think there is a definite difference between what a correspondent would wear versus what a celeb guest would wear. Since you are working and ‘on duty’ you have to look fab but also be ready for anything like chasing down Halle Berry for an interview Also, everyone unfortunately is fair game to be listed/mentioned on the Fashion Police Show on E! whether they are plus size, tween actor, or seasoned pro.

Comfort & fit are definitely your top priorities in finding your red carpet look as a full figured correspondent. A great option is a jersey gown which is not only comfy but it drapes beautifully. Another stylish yet functional option is an empire or shirred waist chiffon dress that screams elegance while still maintaining comfort.

Here is a dress that would look great on you I would suggest it in Spruce or Earth.

(Sidenote — I found a similar dress in plus size! Love this Adrianna Papell in emerald or eggplant

Aramide Esubi is a fashion stylist and blogger at TheSassyPeach.org. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

For the Oscars I would love to see you in a long gown, flowy at the bottom for some drama and movement. My top 3 color choices are emerald green, purple and red. If I had to pick a celebrity muse it would definitely be Queen Latifah. She always looks beautiful in gowns and dresses and in my opinion it’s when she looks her best. As far as designers go, Pamella Roland and Georges Chakra are who I would call up first on my batphone! The design aesthetic of both Pamella Roland and Georges Chakra are very flattering to a woman’s shape and curves and Queen Latifah has actually worn designs by them both on several occasions!

Hope that sounds good to you! If I styled you, you would look SMASHING! (Not that you wouldn’t anyway, you’re going to look gorg I just know it!)

Charles Wade is a renaissance man and stylist to the stars whose work has been seen on BET, Vibe, Vibe Vixen, and MTV. I’m especially a fan of his work with Solange Knowles. Charles is very versed in red carpet fashion. Click here to follow him on Twitter!

There’s definitely a difference between working the Oscars red-carpet and “working” the Oscar’s red-carpet! Considering it’s LA and you’ll likely be in the sun in the middle of the day, fabric choice is key and then the sIlhouette for your body type. I’m a huge fan of color and length for this event because I think many of those actually working will simply opt for LBDs or standard cocktail dresses in pretty stock colors. A longer dress will give your more options shoe wise to maximize and/or increase your height and increases your options for shapewear to create a seamless silhouette.

Although this Rachel Pally cotton dress for most would read “casual”, cotton Is not only wearable and comfortable but this dress can be merched up and worn again! I’d love to see this dress or something similar (like one of those legendary Monif C convertible numbers) with jade, turquoise (also super wearable again and can be found reasonably) and a little gold jewelry, a discrete vintage clutch, and a killer platform peep-toe like these or these for an overall funky and a lil forward color block moment…

Back to shape wear, one big tip I’d offer in picking a dress is one that creates a seamless, shapely silhouette enhanced by layered undergarments like Spanx. Stylists in the know say: one to tone, two to tighten, and three to transform. So with a dress like this, a great minimizing or if needed, maximizing bra and as close to a full body shaper over that with one additional lighter and smaller shaper will lift and hold everything in place and allow this sort of dress and lighter weight fabric to fall and skim the bodily sexily. Note: when layering shape wear, stay far away from pantyhose! Overkill and you’ll roast and possibly faint… not chic. It’s all about great, lightweight shape wear and knowing your personal limit. I’ve seen as many as five worn on shoots but out and about, two is a safe bet.

Super helpful insider tips that I’ll be using on the big day. Which dress is your favorite, bellas? What do you think I should wear?

Some of my favorite red carpet looks, on three of the stars I hope to meet on the red carpet!

I’ve been to events where there’s the likelihood of being photographed before, but NOTHING like this will be. I feel a lot of pressure to wear THE perfect dress for the occasion. I need to step it up like never before. Like my dad told me on the phone recently, I need to SHINE.

Some have advised me to reach out to a Caribbean designer, like a dress by Anya Ayoung-Chee, or Meiling (Meiling designed both my graduation dress AND my wedding dress, by the by). I’ve been told I should choose a popular plus size designer, like Monif C (who is also Caribbean, double score)! My mom loves the Samantha sequined dress and that was her number one pick for me! But here’s the thing — an Oscar red carpet dress needs to be floor length. And me in a floor length sequined dress? I love over the top, but that might be too much.

I’ve been looking online at all of the usual retail suspects — Macy’s, Nordstrom, and I did find some beauties at Saks Fifth Avenue Salon Z. There are some beautiful Tadashi Shoji dresses to be found.

What are your thoughts on the front ruffle maxi? I love the style, but the color so isn’t me!

I love the dramatic sweep of the bottom of this dress by up and coming plus size designer Queen Grace, and I’m head over heels for their gold tiger skirt, which I saw on Marie Denee’s blog recently!

I’m a big admirer of classic red carpet fashion. When I think of Oscar glamour and the women who get it right, I think of Elizabeth Taylor. I think of Angelina Jolie. I think of Queen Latifah and Vanessa Williams, both of whom often wear the gorgeous, softly draped looks by Carmen Marc Valvo.

I absolutely LOVE the lines of this cobalt couture Carmen Marc Valvo gown! So timeless and romantic and soft. I can see myself floating down a red carpet in something like that!

So what do I want in an Oscar gown? I plan to be out there rocking and represnting big, fabulous natural hair. I plan to wear my signature lip color, All Of My Purple Life. So I think for a dress, I should wear something elegant, classy, long and preferably jewel toned. I’ll know it when I see it, and I’m open to suggestions.

Bellas, what do you think I should wear on the red carpet, on February 26?

What Were The Top Makeup Trends of 2011?

With responses from over 100 of my makeup peers: pro makeup artists, YouTube makeup sensations, major cosmetic brands, celebrity makeup artists, beauty bloggers and fashion bloggers alike I’ve complied a list of the top makeup trends of 2011! Inspired by the runway, print, commercial and even the red carpet, these trends took 2011 by storm. Some are old favorites, others finally got the attention they deserved and some were worn to the ground and may not return as big in 2012.

With over 100 responses from my makeup peers, here’s what some had to say on the hottest trends of 2011:

Celebrity Makeup Artist Kevin James Bennett – “The biggest trend..METALLICS. I love all the fabulous reflective (not glittery) finishes. And not just in the expected silver, gold, bronze- Oh no, they’re showing up in a multitude of rich jewel tones and gorgeous saturated brights.”

Fashion blogger CherrieAmore – “…1) the red lip & 2)neutral looks..”

I wish I could list them all. I’ve tried all of these trends and I see many of them being staples for me in 2012. Without further delay, let’s see what makeup trends made the list!

1) Natural Makeup

Also known as the coveted “no makeup” makeup looks. Highlighting and contouring the face, a bit of blush on the cheeks, soft arched brows, perfect mascara laced lashes, and a flesh toned lip completes the look. The key is to have flawless skin and let your ENTIRE face be the focal point of the makeup look. Tasha Smith pulled it off perfectly for the December 2011 cover issue of Essence.

2) Winged Liner

Amy Winehouse wasn’t the only one who loved this look. Icons like Audrey Hepburn wore this look back in the 1960s and it’s since made another debut. Black eyeliner winged upwards gives the illusion of almond shaped and “lifted” eyes. I ALWAYS wing my liner and I don’t see that ever going away. One of my favorite liquid liners to wing my liner with is Maybelline Ultra Liner in Black.

3) Orange Blush/Orange Lip

This trend literally skyrocketed it seemed overnight. Especially for those of us with deeper skin tones, we rediscovered how awesome coral cheeks and lips could be! With a neutral makeup look, a pop of color on the cheeks is just what the makeup doctors have ordered. Here I’m wearing Ruby Kisses All Over Bronzer with Black Radiance “Soft Honey” blush and Cover Girl Queen Collection Lipstick in “Rush”.

4) Matte Red Lips

Whether matte, satin, gloss, tint, stain or even luster the trend that will NEVER die…RED LIPS! Guerlin, a French cosmetic company, introduced us to our first red lipstick back in 1871 and we have never looked back. We now refer to the matte red lip as “timeless” and “classic” because with centuries under it’s belt, it’s definitely not just a trend, red lips were actually trendsetters! Here I’m rocking MACs Ruby Woo.

5) Bronzer

From the red carpet, tv screens, and print ads to our very own vanities — who doesn’t love a sun kissed glow? With Jennifer Lopez leading the way with her signature bronze look, celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and others showed us that bronze skin can be obtained at any shade. That glow from within works on any skin tone too. From high end to drug store, brands are debuting bronzers for you. Lots of shimmer, subtle shimmer and even matte. There is even bronzer in an airbrush formulation. It’s another trend that here to stay. So long to bronze skin only in the summer time. Wake up tomorrow looking as if you just got off the plane after a week in St.Tropes. Here I’m rocking Ruby Kisses All Over Bronzer.

6) Bold Lip Colors

Color, color and more color. The boldest lips have splashed onto the scene. Stepping outside the box was celebrated and encouraged. Fuschias, purples, pastel pinks and even blue and black lips were seen worn all around the world. With so many different shades of lipgloss and lipstick, a bold lip is just the tip of the iceberg on the color wheel and the combinations are limitless! Here I am wearing Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick in “Seduction” and NYX lipgloss in “African Queen”. Patrice is rocking her very own MAC lipglass in “All Of My Purple Life”.

7) Metallic Eyeshadows

Duochromes ruled here! Makeup looks that were amplified by reflective tones, shimmer and brought to life by light. Metallics are not for the faint of heart. We can’t deny that mettallic eyes are attention grabbing. With the holiday season upon us, why not be daring and stand out (in a good way) at the party? All of the eyeshadows used above are by Inglot!

8 ) Luscious Lashes

Mascara commercials were endless this year, revolutionizing the way women “smile with their eyes”. Lashes complimented every look. Individual lashes, lash extensions, strip lashes and natural lashes with generous amounts of kick behind mascara. Lashes now completed every look. Above is a photo of a model from the Gucci Fall 2011 RTW collection — the lead makeup artist for the team behind the scenes was the legendary Pat McGrath. My favorite mascara to achieve luscious lashes is Maybelline Lash Stiletto (Waterproof).

9) Neutral With A Pop Of Color

Neutral looks are awesome — they go with everything! With color bursting onto the scene neutral looks were taken to the next level with pops of colors in the inner tear ducts and/or lining the bottom water line. We saw teals, purples, pinks even orange! This trend put a whole new spin on the “everyday” neutral look.

10) Color Blocked Makeup

Orange cheeks, pinky red lips and teal eyes!! Color blocking was a hot fashion trend, first seen on the runway that infiltrated the beauty scene. Bold eye and bold lip combos that were not for the faint of heart.

11) Strong Brows

Nothing completes a makeup look like a strong brow, perfectly arched with deep color. The time of thin, overly plucked and waxed brows has passed. Above you see work from my very own makeup portfolio.

Last but not least, This list would not be complete without this trend!

12)NAILS! NAILS! NAILS!

Thanks to Shellac, crackle and opaque polish trends, nails ruled far and wide. With many nail polish collections being just as anticipated as some makeup collections, nail trends went crazy! The craze with nail polish brought the hands into the world of beauty as never seen before.

What trends did you try this year? Which trends will you continue in 2012?

The point is, I don’t immediately think Sears = Fashion. But the department store is working hard to change that. Now there are all kinds of new lines and designers and really, surprisingly cute clothes to choose from at Sears! Seriously! Behold — SearsStyle!

In order to prove this to you, some of the top beauty and fashion bloggers were sent gift cards with which to shop for a trendy, super cute outfit at Sears. And this is my outfit!

Also, do you like my Christmas tree?? LOL!

I’m gonna tell you exactly what I bought, and break it down for you.

– For my clothing I shopped the UK Style by French Connection collection which is HOT! On trend, fits well — color me impressed!

I’m wearing the UK Style by French Connection Plus Size Poncho, originally $78, marked down to $30.99. It’s soft and comfy and has a hood, and I’m gonna be rocking this for a LONG time. So easy to wear (and such a great travel garment!)

These are the UK Style by French Connection Women’s Plus Skinny Jeans in beige leopard, RAWR. These are cotton blend jeans so they don’t have a ton of stretch, but they’re comfy and fit me well (I’m a 2X in case you were wondering).

For accessories I turned to the Kardashian Kollection which is ALL. About. The sparkle. I wish their clothes came in plus sizes as well — I totally wanted their tunic with ladder stitch sleeves. Ah well.

I had to settle for the extra large sequined hobo bag which cost me $49 (marked down from $70!)

And the hematite cocktail ring for ~flair~. It’s $14 (used to be $20).

The whole look is TOTALLY me — edgy details, appropriate bling, leopard and black FTW.

Photos by the amazing and incredible Chuck Olu-Alabi, click here to follow him on Twitter!

What do you think of my #alphet? Can you see yourself rocking a look from Sears?

I received samples from the searsStyle Kardashian Kollection to review as part of the Glam Trendsetter Program.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sears. 

Photo via BradsDeals.com

This weekend my husband asked me what I want for Christmas, and I had THE hardest time coming up with an answer. I have an Etsy favorite list and an Amazon wish list…but I still didn’t know exactly what I REALLY want. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s struggled with that lately. It seems that I’ve been hearing it from a lot of my friends, not just those who are bloggers. It’s either that we don’t know what we want, or we want something that’s totally out-of-the-realm-of-possibility expensive. I blame it on a few factors. When we shop for gifts, many of us also shop for ourselves — which then limits the possibility of gifts that our loved ones can buy for us. And also, in a consumerist society we all are so heavily encouraged to spend, spend, spend, more, more, more, buy, buy, buy…that when the time comes to actually sit and consider what we might actually NEED, the honest answer is nothing.

But regardless of all of that, Christmas is around the corner and people feel this need to put something under the tree, right? So when my husband asked me that loaded question, here’s what I told him. And I bet these gift ideas would be PERFECT for the busy on the go woman in your life, too:

– Monthly housekeeping.

I just told Posessionista.com that this is the #1 thing I want. Here’s why. When your day is spent typing at the speed of light and staying up until the wee hours, working; you may not have the time or the presence of mind to make the bed or do the laundry. Just a few months of housecleaning can go a long way to helping you feel like you’re on top of your game again. And there are ALL SORTS of Groupons and assorted other deals for housekeeping services! I’m personally partial to Sweep Home Chicago, but AccessMaids.com works great for anyone who could use an at-home helper once a month or so. I’m not asking for like, a year of housekeeping. Just a few months will do. And ps: most housecleaning places offer gift certificates!

– The PERFECT travel bag.

Lately I’ve been traveling with a big, wonderful tote bag — the Brahmin Anytime Tote which is luxe, bodacious and beautiful. BUT it’s an open tote. Convienient when you’re shopping. Less convenient when you’re traveling and need to shove your big, bodacious, beautiful purse under an airline seat. I need something that closes up completely and keeps my items in place. I’m currently torn between three beautiful bags, each of which can be described as “the perfect travel bag,” according to the women I know who own them.

1 — The OG by Lo and Sons.

OG doesn’t stand for Original Gangsta here — the Lo and Sons version stands for Overnight and Gym. This bag’s got it all for a girl on the go like myself — a side pocket for shoes, a laptop compartment, and a back sleeve to slide over your suitcase handles as you roll through the airport. This bag is beloved by one of the most hardcore travelers I know (that would be the fabulous Johnica Reed), from all reports the OG is the travel bag to have, sensibly outfitted with every pocket and feature you could need in the air. Love it in olive with the gold accents! Normally it’s $295, currently it’s on sale for $250.

– The Alesya Bag.

When my blogging buddy Mae of Natural Chica came to Chicago for the truly awesome Eden Body Works event she co-hosted with The Mane Source, she had the CUTEST purse with her. Her laptop was neatly stowed inside, the bag looked luxe and beautiful and complimented her outfit. I fell in love! Mae was too happy to tell me about the Alesya bag — made in Charleston, South Carolina! Check out this awesome video that shows all the features:

Alesya Bags – Laptop Bag Demo from The Modern Connection on Vimeo.

It’s $265 and I LOVE it in purple the most!

– The Fashion Foie Gras purse by Coach.

This is being described as THE ultimate blogger bag – designed by blogger Emily Johnston for bloggers on the go. The interior multifunctional compartments come labeled “mobile,” “treads,” and “snaps.” There’s a false bottom where you can store a pair of shoes. It zips closed, and can either be a cross body or a tote. I LOVE this bag. Just wish it came in a greater variety of colors! It’s $558.

– The Best E-Reader.

Image via GoodEReader.com
Whatever that is. When you travel as much as I do, you start to feel like you NEED I hear back and forth reviews about the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Color. I don’t expect an iPad by any means (so expensive!) But now the regular Kindle is less than $100, it makes the whole e-reader phenomenon feel so much more immediate. At this point I just feel like I’m postponing the future. Plus, Afrobella is available on Kindle! Shouldn’t I know what it looks like?

– Spa Time.

Literally. There’s SpaWeek.com, where you can buy a gift card applicable to one’s spa of choice. And then there’s the way one of my favorite chain of spas does it — many ESPAs around the world offer a service simply called Time, where you come in for a portion of your day and do as many services as time allows. At the Peninsula here in Chicago, their ESPA offers half and full day journeys. A half day journey would do me so right!

– Gift cards.

Why are people so funny acting about gift cards? I LOVE a good gift card! A gift card to your favorite store is never a bad call. I will happily accept a good Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Homegoods gift card, a Target, Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond gift card…I am open to suggestions! I think the most important thing when giving a gift card is to keep in mind that the store should either be for a store that has a physical location near where the recipient lives, OR a great online selection. And please don’t forget gift cards that give back — Warby Parker and Toms come most immediately to mind, but there are tons more you can find via Shop With Meaning. (PS: an e-gift card is the best way to go. Less waste!)

That’s pretty much all I could come up with, and I’ll let you know what winds up under my tree!!

What do YOU want for Christmas? I hope you get it, whatever it is!

Photo via NYTimes.com

[Photo originally from Holiday Shopping, at a More Subdued Pace]

Guys, I want you to know that present shopping isn’t THAT bad. Or at least, it doesn’t have to be. Allow me to suggest 5 tips to help you get your holiday shopping done to perfection, now that Christmas is 11 days away.

Tip #1 — PLEASE don’t just roll into a store talkin’ ’bout “I’m gonna buy a present,” and then stand there looking all around not knowing where to go. You gotta have SOME KIND of game plan.Before you head out to buy the present, have at least a basic concept of what your wife/girlfriend/it’s complicated or even mother/sister/daughter are into. Don’t walk into the mall without a clue. An “I’ll know it when I see it” outlook to holiday shopping will just prolong the experience.

Tip #2 – But WHAT TO BUY? Clothes can be tough to choose because there are so many brands and sizes to consider, and it sucks to buy someone a present in the wrong size. My advice – stay away from clothing items until you’ve been asked for a specific item! Here’s an idea if you feel truly clueless. When they’re not around, right before you go shopping, look at their stuff. (Please note I didn’t say GO THROUGH their stuff. Just LOOK at it). Do they have a lot of makeup, or just a little? what’s the most dominant color in their closet? What’s the color they wear the most often (that isn’t like, their uniform for work or something). Do they seem to have a big collection of highly fragranced bath items? Have some kind of idea of what you’ll be looking for when you head out into shopping madness.

Tip #3 — Don’t be afraid to ASK someone what they want for Christmas. Your loved one probably has an idea of what they would like to see under the tree, or a thing they’ve been planning to buy themselves. Yes, it’s romantic to buy someone a total surprise gift, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with being upfront and telling someone, “hey, I want to buy you an amazing present but have no idea what to get you! Is there anything you’d really love, or planned to get yourself?” I guarantee you that’s a good way to get some kind of answer. Worst comes to worst, check to see if they have an Amazon wish list. When in doubt, remember that most women love a glorious gift set, or even better, a set that comes with a gift with purchase. You know how every perfume display has a little purse next to it during the holidays? Those! We LOVE those!

Tip #4 — Now, you’re at the store! You’ve got a general idea of what your lady wants. Do you ask for help, or go it alone? Most men would rather go it alone and find the item themselves. BUT this is what greeters and store associates and sales clerks are for. THIS is why retail stores hire extra staff around the holidays. Don’t be afraid to ask a store employee, “hey where are the body wash gift sets?” “Where’s the perfume?” “Do you know where I could find some jewelry with ***insert birthstone here***?” They are being paid to help, and often they’re earning commission on these sales. Help them earn their paycheck. It’s not giving up on your ability to find stuff. It’s delegating authority for effective time management!

Tip #5 – Make it easy on yourself. Bought the lady in your life some perfume or a piece of jewelry you’re not 100% sure she’ll love? No need to worry! Throw in a gift card as well — that way if she’s only 75% in love with your gift, she can go get herself something later. And don’t sweat about gift wrapping — buy a pretty gift box and a card, or a fancy gift bag and tissue paper, so you can display the present without fretting with a scissors and wrapping paper. Place your present under the tree with pride. You did it!!

PS: these tips also work for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries…any gift giving occasion!

I hope this malecentric PSA helps you get your holiday shopping done.

Did I miss any tips, bellas? What holiday shopping advice would YOU like to give the fellas?

Holiday dress trend # 1 — Sequins!

I think it’s safe to say that Monif C’s Samantha Sequined Party Dress is THE most coveted plus size party dress of the holiday season. I’ve seen this dress tweeted, tumblr’d, pinned and bloggid about absolutely everywhere! And with great reason – it’s sparkly and fabulous and FUN! This is the kind of dress that’s sure to turn heads at any New Year’s Eve event or holiday party. It’s $268, currently marked down to $227.80!

Holiday dress trend #2 – Bright jewel tones!

At your holiday party, if you want to stand out from the crowd and make a statement with your dress, go for a bright, bold, jewel color! I LOVE the Gold Party Dress by Eloquii — $118 for this one!

The cabernet colored pleated cowl neck dress is also $118 and combines three smokin hot fashion trends — bold color, an Obi belt, and pleats!

This smokin hot emerald green dress by Stop Staring is just $142 and comes in sizes up to 3X. Could be KILLER with bold, gold accessories.

Holiday dress trend #3 – Velvet!

I can’t think of a fabric that’s more instantly evocative of the holiday season than velvet. Plush, touchable, and so chic, velvet is so perfect right now!

This Tahari Plus Size Velvet Embroidered coat is fly enough to function as your dress at a glam holiday event. At $398 that’s pretty steep (but it IS Tahari!) and there’s one size left. This is mostly to give you an idea of the kind of look you might want to go for!

A more affordable alternative is this velvet blouson dress, in a rich eggplant color. So seasonally chic! And only $109.

If you can’t find a dress you LOVE, you can definitely find a lush maxi skirt or blazer in a rich velvet or velveteen. Check out One Stop Plus for further options.

Holiday dress trend #4 – Fabulous floor length maxi dress

I love a maxi dress in the summer and in winter it’s a great way to layer! Leggings and boots usually go well with the look if a slit isn’t involved, and if you add a belt and a cardigan, your maxi dress will have shape and seasonal relevance. For holidazzle, I am loving the Rebecca gown in Evergreen, by Igigi. It’s dramatic, sexy, and very evening – and the rich green color makes it a winner for the holiday season.

For those of you who prefer a darker hue, check out the Estrella in black. It’s that rare black maxi dress that isn’t totally boring.

Holiday dress trend #5 – The lace LBD

You can’t go to a holiday party — or dare I say, ANY kind of party — without seeing women rocking the classic Little Black Dress. But now, lace is a huge trend and there are ways to make the look distinctly yours. Consider the convertible lace dress at Lane Bryant — $99.95, and a certified scene stealer!

The slash neck lace dress by ASOS Curve also brings the sexy, and I think the Analisa lace column dress by Kiyonna is a grown and sexy way to wear lace for those who don’t love a shorter dress.

For anyone who’s seeing even more guidance on how to dress, what to wear, and where to shop for the hottest plus sized fashions — check out the e book by Marie Denee, The Curvy Fashionista! Keeping It Curvy. Confident. Chic is a great resource for the curvy woman seeking to maximise her style potential, and it’s full of advice, insight, and incentives to step up your fashion game. CONGRATS to Marie for 3 years in the plus size blogging game, and here’s to many more!

What will YOU be wearing for the holiday season? Any hot Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations on your calendar?