Crosswalk or Catwalk?

Hey y'all its 2020 and the motto is "We got outfits at home!"  So here am I with another post showing you how to style a staple item in your closet - The Military Jacket.

This is a post I've been meaning to write for a while because my love for the Military Jacket runs deep.  It's one of my most worn items and I've had it in my closet for a few years.  You can literally wear this jacket any season because it's transitional.  Hence why I'm wearing it in January (also it was 60 degrees in Washington, DC last weekend.)

When styling the jacket try layering it with sweaters, flannel, or denim shirts.  You can also put something like a hoodie underneath and dress it down with sneakers.  Pictured above I'm wearing it with a black dress from Forever 21 and an old Off-White belt I found in my closet.  Accessories can be minimal since the military jacket accessorizes itself.  I opted for a clear Yeezy PVC pump (totally not cheap, Kanye West keeps taking all of my money) to compliment the look. 

Play around with the jacket and I'm sure you'll make a statement wherever you go.  I've added a few links below to help complete your look.  Go for it and soldier on!

XOXO,

Cherise Lavalle

My Birthday!

 

It's my birthday!  Well, it was December 1st.  But who doesn't love birthday's?  My friends and I had dinner in the city at a restaurant called Succotash and popped a bottle of bubbly while dancing the night away on the rooftop lounge at the W Hotel.  More about my birthday festivities later.  Can we talk about these boots?

I was so excited to wear my new Fendi Logo Stretch Knit Boots that I bought on sale at Saks for under $?...lets not talk about the price.  To be honest it was a drunk splurge purchase I made really late at night while watching old episodes of Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Remind me to never drink home alone and online shop again!

Since the boots were such a splurge I opted to wear an old little black dress with a coat I purchased from H&M three years ago.  I tend to normally wear a fancy dress on my birthday but this year I opted for something simple since my boots were a show stopper.

No matter how old you're turning putting together a birthday outfit can be tough.  Especially when you want to keep the night's focus on you.  These boots definitely made me feel like the star of the night.  Catch them while they are still on sale!

XOXO,

Cherise Lavalle

Ciroc Week: Washington, DC

Ciroc Week DC is always something I look forward to.  It’s always good to see DC coming together for a great cause.  The annual week is jammed packed with so many events, and the brand always has fun and creative ways to showcase their products.  This year I attended the event at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley.  But of course, I was in a panic to figure out what to wear!  

I always want to know that anything I pull together at the last minute will not only be comfortable but also stylish without overthinking it.  The military jacket is a staple for me for anytime I’m going out. The simple look never goes out of style, which makes it an easy go to.  Above I’m wearing it with a black tee and biker shorts.  But throw this oversized military jacket over a feminine dress to dress it down or over a t-shirt and jeans for a quintessential fall look.  A military jacket is a great addition to any outfit.  They are super versatile and with this oversized one you can fit some layers, say a chunky sweater, underneath too. 

What are the ways you wear a military jacket?  Is this a staple in your closet?  Check out some of the styles pictured below.

XOXO,

Cherise Lavalle

Black Alumni Ball

Imagine a space filled with men in the sharpest suits and tuxedos, and ladies in their most elegant evening gowns.  This can only be experienced at the Black Alumni Ball.  The 5th annual event was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC and was hosted by The Massive Host, King Flexxa.  DJ’s Nate Hopp and Jerome Baker III heated up the turntables all night.  Along with live entertainment by Johnny Graham & the Groove. The Black Alumni Ball’s mission is to bring black alumni from all universities throughout the nation, including both PWI’s (Predominantly White Institutions) and HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), for a night of sophistication, style, and fun.

The event takes place during the summer, and formal attire is required.  Men sport tuxedos or dinner jackets.  While some women wear jeweled gowns and can even get away with shorter dresses if they are embellished.  Most formal social occasions call for black tie, but dress codes are no longer as clear cut as they used to be.  So, I figured I can get away with not wearing a long gown, which never would have been acceptable a few decades ago.  Still, there are unwritten rules particular to each party, which only an in the know person would be privy to.

This was my first year attending so I opted for a dramatic sequin pearl backless dress for the evening.  Below is my look for the night from ASOS.com.  Thankfully it was a hit!  The perfect outfit to wear to some of the most important balls of the year can be hard to find.  I’ve tagged it so you can be sure that you will never look out of place and don’t have to break the bank.

XOXO,

Cherise Lavalle

Diner En Blanc: Washington, DC

Diner En Blanc is an event spanning six continents in which people have dinner dressed in all-white in a public space.  Guests are required to provide their own food, tables, chairs, and tablecloths.  The concept originated in Paris in 1988 when the organizer of a fashionable outdoor dinner told attendees to dress in all-white to find each other.  What was a "friends and word-of-mouth only" event has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.  

Registration for the unique experience happens in three stages:

    Phase 1 - members who attended the previous year
    Phase 2 - new members who have been sponsored by Phase 1 attendees
    Phase 3 - guests who signed up on the waiting list

While the event may have changed over the years, the principles have not.  Guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces.  For the past five years, Washington, DC has hosted the all-white linen affair at several landmark locations including Yards Park, Carnegie Library, Henry Bacon Park, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Nationals Park.  This year the secret location was Freedom Plaza.

Before figuring out what to wear I always try to imagine the vibe I want to go for.  Is it rustic and garden-esque, formal and chic, or just casual?  Formal and chic, seems to always be my go-to look.  But let’s be honest white is not my best color.  I couldn’t find anything in my closet, so I went out and bought this.  It’s a pretty long sleeved, embellished mini-dress.

The dress I wore is currently out of stock but below is a similar version.  Have you ever been to Diner En Blanc? What did you wear?

XOXO,

Cherise Lavalle