Menswear Makeover featuring Michael-Anthony Spearman

Happy Independence Day!!! In the past I have featured a segment called Parker Style Remix, where I have re-created the looks of some of my favorite female fashion influencers. In the spirit of embracing my independence from the fashion norm, I am finally introducing something to the blog I've wanted to for a long time, Menswear! I know that may sound crazy, as I am a woman, but a fun fact about me is that I actually began my fashion career styling men! I have worked for a few prominent menswear retailers and have always been completely fascinated w/ menswear. I mean seriously, a man can wear the same pair of pants and shirt everyday and just switch up the tie, socks and shoes and have an entirely different look. What's not to love about the intricate simplicity of that?!?!

The year of 2015 has been all about innovation, elevation and evolution for me and I think this new Menswear Makeover segment embraces the spirit of all of these things. The first man to be featured in this segment is fashion powerhouse Michael-Anthony Spearman, better known as The Big Fashion Guy. Imported from Detroit, Michael-Anthony is a menswear blogger, stylist and aspiring designer. I chose Michael-Anthony not only for his impeccable style, but also because his guiding fashion principle is similar to mine. His goal is to inspire gentleman as I inspire women, to embrace fashion and dress their best not matter their size. 

I recently started following Michael-Anthony a few weeks ago on Instagram and became completely enamored w/ 2 looks he featured wearing a boater hat. Seeing these looks is what inspired this whole  new Menswear Makeover segment. 

Now that I've got the inspiration, it's time for the interpretation. How do I dress like a man but still look completely like a woman? Surprisingly, I had most of the elements for the look already in my closet w/ the exception of the hat, tie & pocket silk (all scored on #AmazonPrime). I decided to pull out my fave little red dress from Alloy, a white Talbots button up, navy mens blazer that I scored from the Neiman Marcus for Target collaboration on clearance a couple of years ago and my white, never worn Cole Haan oxfords. 

What do you think? I am so pleased w/ how the entire look came together and I think I captured the essence of his look but still stayed true to my own style and look very much like a woman. I would also like to add that I tied my own Double Windsor knot and did my own hair and makeup! I hope this look inspires you to break out of your shell and embrace your fashion independence! Special thank you to Michael-Anthony Spearman for being the inspiration of the new #MenswearParkerstyle movement. Follow him on Instagram @thebigfashionguy and like him on Facebook. Until next time... "Make the world your personal runway and I'll see you on the front row!"

xo-

<3 Parker S. 

Get in the Groove

Disclosuere: The following giveaway promotion and content has been sponsored by State Farm®

Happy New Year! Yeah, I know that may sound a little crazy, but this month of June, I'm choosing to restart the year.  The first part of the year for me has been very challenging both good and bad. While I've had some really amazing experiences, I have also had a lot of personal struggles. After lots of prayer and a few good cries, I decided not to dwell on the past and move forward and get my groove back.

If you have been following me for a while, then you may remember last year I kicked off 2014 with the #MakeoverParker campaign. I fully threw myself into working out and taking life by the reigns. I lost a little over 40 pounds, I landed a major opportunity with one of my fave brands Henri Bendel, I sat front row during Full Figured Fashion week next to some of my blog idols, I was the featured blogger for the August 2014 edition of Plus Model Magazine & I even landed in a book called Reflections of Style! I was completely on top of the world & winning! 

              

Oh yeah, This totally happened! :)

Blog Royalty Chastity Garner, Marie Denee & I front row during #FFFWeek

I had a 4 page spread in Plus Model Magazine!

With author Courtney Hammonds at the launch of his book Reflections of style. 

Well, sometime near the end of the year, I lost site of everything I was working for. After an unexpected breakup,I just gave up. I felt totally defeated and that attitude spilled over into the first half of this year. 

As I mentioned earlier, I am moving forward. I am no longer letting others dictate my happiness & I am choosing to live for me. I am charting my own life's course & truly making the most of every day & every opportunity. I've only got one life and I am going to live it!

Snapped this shot on Monday, my first day back in the gym in almost 6 months!

In celebration of my new found groove, I am partnering with my friends at State Farm® to help you "Get in The Groove" for a chance to win a trip to the 2015 Essence Festival® presented by Coca Cola®.  The "Get in the Groove" contest is all about becoming uninhibited and embracing the life that you want to live. How awesome is that?!?!

Entering to win is so simple. Post a photo or video of yourself on Instagram dancing and getting in the groove and use the hashtags #StateFarmGroove and #ContestEntry. Then visit http://st8.fm/SFGroove to complete their entry form for your chance to win big!!

One Lucky Winner Will Receive:

• Round-trip coach airfare for winner and one (1) guest to New Orleans
• Four (4) nights, five (5) days hotel accommodations in New Orleans
• Two (2) tickets per night to the ESSENCE Festival® concerts in New Orleans
• Two (2) VIP Experience tickets (tickets to various VIP events provided by the ESSENCE Festival®)
• Transportation to and from the New Orleans, LA, airport
• The winner will appear in an ESSENCE and State Farm video on ESSENCE.com

In addition to your chance of winning the grand prize, I'm going give you a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card to jump start your groove. Use it to purchase a new lipstick that makes you feel gorgeous, or a journal to document your new found groove. Simply enter below & a winner will be randomly chosen. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow me on my journey as I reclaim my groove and I can't wait to share in yours. Remember to always "Make the world your personal runway!"

See you on the front row!

<3 Parker S.

Disclosure: I received compensation for this sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of State Farm.

#BendelGirl

Hey Babes! How have you guys been? If you have been following me on Instagram then you already know I have been a busy bee these days. I kicked off my week with a day trip to Miami, which I'll tell you about a little later, but ended on an extreme high note. You may remember around this time last year, I hosted a sip and shop at Henri Bendel Lenox, well, they asked me back and I hosted again this past Thursday! How AWESOME is that?!?!?

My look for the evening was a little bit different for me. My fabulous skirt designer Shang Coleman pushed me outside of the box and created a silouhette I normally would have strayed away from. I paired my fabulous skirt with a one shoulder ASOS peplum top, a few strands of Henri Bendel Pearls ( Debutante 72", Debutante 48", Socialite), woodgrain Bendel clutch and some old mint green shoes from Sole Society. I always get so nervous before I host an event. I totally stress myself out, wondering if people are going to show up and hoping that I'll have the best possible outcome for the brand representing, but as usual, things turned out AMAZING!!! So many of my friends and followers came out to support me, and for that I am truly grateful. I also got to meet some new ladies and introduce them to a brand that I love so much. 

 

The night was so much fun! I styled some of my friends with some of my favorite Bendel things and even sent everyone home with some of my favorite fragrances courtesy of my friend and fragrance specialist William Britton. 

As you can see, fun was had by all! I want to give a huge thank you to everyone that came out to support me, as well as to the the wonderful team at Henri Bendel Lenox for opening their doors to me again this year. I also want to thank my event photographer Genae Banks for capturing the evening and my friends at Macy's & Bloomingdale's for the premium fragrance samples. 

xoxo-

Parker S. <3

Dark, Bold & Spicy

Happy Sunday! How are you this morning? I am up early and feeling inspired after attending the Lavender's Jungle Fashion Playhouse last night. I'll fill you in on the show a little later, but I wanted to share with you what I wore last night.

When I was in Austin a couple of weeks ago, I popped in to a free-standing Toms store. This particular store also had a Toms Roasting Company attached to it. While browsing around, I stumbled upon the most EPIC statement tee. It read "Dark, Bold & Spicy". Of course it was describing the coffee, but I couldn't help but think it also accurately described me!

After tearing up my closet trying to decide what to wear with my fabulous Lavender's Jungle skirt, it dawned on me that I should rock my new tee! I paired my skirt and shirt with and old Forever 21+ moto jacket and my trusty spiked Shoemint pumps.

What to do you think? Is this look spicy enough? Stay tuned for a full recap from the fashion show, coming a little later this morning!

See you on the front row!

<3 Parker S.

Lavender's Jungle Fashion Playhouse

Three years ago I had the pleasure of meeting LaKrisha Joseph-Baker, brainchild behind plus clothing brand Lavender's Jungle. I was immediately drawn to her designs because of the broad range of her aesthetics. From club clothes to formal wear and everything in between, Lavender’s Jungle had a little something for every taste.

                                        

                                     

Before actually I met LaKrisha, my friends at Twelve 24 Boutique emailed me some of the pieces they were considering for the boutique and one piece in particular caught my eye. As you already know, I have a slight obsession with skirts, but what you didn’t know is that this obsession was fueled because of a beautiful, ruby red, Lavender's Jungle ball skirt. 

Never had I seen anything so phenomenal for a plus size woman at such an attainable price point. At that very moment, I knew that I had to have it. One Saturday at the boutique, LaKrisha took my measurements and custom made my fabulous skirt. As if having a designer customize something for me wasn’t fabulous enough, I also could confidently wear this skirt knowing that after me, no one else would have one. Only the original, which was purchased by a fellow blogger, and mine would be the only two in existence. How cool is that? 

With such a successful introductory collection under her belt, LaKrisha has continued to weave herself into the fiber of the plus size community. Her pieces have been spotted on top industry models and officials and she has graced the runways both here and in New York. This Saturday, however, LaKrisha will be taking the reigns and producing one of the largest Atlanta plus size fashion shows of all time.

The Fashion Playhouse, a philanthropic night of fashion, will take place at the Porter Sanford Performing Art Center in Decatur. Elite and esteemed members of the fashion community will view 5 different collections from Lavender’s Jungle with over 50 garments being showcased. VIP tickets sold out in a matter of days, but you can still get in on the action by clicking here to pre-purchase general admission tickets for $25. The ticket price will go to $35 at the door and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to ARTportunity Knocks, a non profit foundation that empowers youth to excel in Positive Arts Self-Expression (P.A.S.E.), Education and Community Service.

This show will be epic and I really hope to see you there. I encourage all of you to step out of ordinary and into the the extraordinary world of Lavender’s Jungle!

xoxo-

<3 Parker S.

Jibri Spring 2015

Good Morning Lovelies! I am up super early because I simply couldn't contain myself any longer. While skimming my emails at 4am this morning, I was pleased to find the latest lookbook from Atlanta Based clothing designer, Jasmine Elder, the brainchild behind Jibri. All I can say is WOW! 

Her Spring 2015 collection was inspired by the everyday woman and how she "wore her heritage". As Jasmine observed women in their natural settings/roles (bank, nail salon, grocery store, etc.), she was able to define who they were at the very core of their being. She "saw their skin, bone structure and poise", she "saw their past". 

Naturally, Jasmine's observations have translated into one of the most breathtaking Jibri collections of all time. She chose fabrics that had an ethnic, tribal feel to them and manipulated the patterns/textures to create a "glamorous blend of contemporary garments for the Goddess in us all".  I am completely blown away by how perfectly executed this collection is and I can't wait to own a few pieces. 

Without further ado, I present to you Jibri Spring 2015 which is available today at www. jibrionline.com. Be sure to follow Jasmine on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter @jibrionline! Happy spring and happy shopping!

xoxo-

<3 Parker S.