Provider Denmark: Leather & Silk

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Paper Goods: Tam+Sam

Writing is something I’ve always enjoyed but with the popularity of the internet/email,  like everyone else I’ve opted to put down the pen & paper and type my thoughts away. But sometimes you just want to go back to the basics and indulge conventionally! One of my favorite blogger duo’s Tam + Sam have a really cute line of paper goods ByNous, that feature simple but original designs like their mascot Little Miss X(who by the way I am in ❤ with). Why not send a thank-you letter or drop a note to that friend you’ve lost touch with via snail mail on some snazzy stationary! I’m motivated to try and re-incorporate this past-time back into my routine & hope that you are too. Please visit Tam + Sam blog to be visually stimulated daily & don’t forget to check out their ByNous Etsy shop to purchase their line of paper goods!

Candids: Brazilian Model Thiago Santos <3

{All photos & video via The Fashion Spot}

Makeup Tutotrial with Ouxu Cheng

I’ve never talked about makeup here on the blog, partly because I’m not much of a makeup addict. I never really started wearing makeup full-on with foundation until about maybe 2 years ago. And even with that new transition, I never got an accurate lesson on how to apply it correctly. Growing up my mom would always nag me & try to convince me that my flawless skin would be destroyed like hers if  wore makeup, so I followed her advice and stayed away from it. Thankfully I never endured any acne problems & I always naively attributed that to not wearing makeup.

Last week while browsing Ouxu Cheng’s blog (we’ve featured Ouxu in our Grinding series before here), I came across an amazing Makeup Tutorial video that she’d done. I’m all about simplicity, so that is one of the major factors that won me over while watching the tutorial. Aside from the presentation & dope background music, I really felt after watching the tutorial that the look was something I could easily attain on my own which is a major plus! I could also incorporate some of the essential methods into the one and only look that I know how to apply. I hope you enjoy the tutorial as much as I did & don’t forget to visit Ouxu’s blog & show her some love!

Arabella Ramsay: S/S 11 This Side of the Blue

Arabella, Arabella, I am singing you praises LOUD lol! Melbourne based designer Arabella Ramsay’s line has me giddy like a child in a candy store, or in my case it would have been a thrift/vintage store ;). Think The Sound of Music, Little House on the Praire, Woodstock & a hint of  1940’s all eclectically bundled into one and you’ll envision Ramsay’s S/S 11 collection entitled This Side of the Blue.  With a vintage and lady-like aesthetic combined, Ramsays upbringing in rural Victoria Australia clearly influence the organic details & construction visible throughout the line. Various hand embroidered styles & the use of original textiles like heavy silks, metallic leather & slouchy denim are just a few of the unique characteristics that describe the timeless vibe of the line. Ramsays collection is a testament to the power of vintage garments, longlasting, durable & the continued ability to be reworked into today’s fashion unknowingly! Please visit here to view the complete S/S 11 collection & more.

Galeria Mercado Brazil

Afro-latino culture has always fascinated me, I think it partially began when I met my best friend Ana when I was a junior in high school. She was an exchange student from Niteroi, Rio De Janeiro & we became the best of friends and still are to this day(she’s the godmother of my children). Her father is considered black & her mother white, so she has experienced the racial complexities of both sides equally living in Brazil. Although Afro-Brazilians make up the majority of the population in Brazil, because of the negative stigma that is associated with being pardo(black or brown) there is a devastating lack of inequality socially & visibly within the media throughout the country.

Galeria Mercado is a fairly new line based in Brazil, focusing on the urban & contemporary experiences of the culture. For the 2010 Juu collection, founders Daniela Goulart & Josana Matedi enlisted local artist Adriano Paulino to create a series of stencil art depicting contemporary music & photography of the African culture. The t-shirt is the centerpiece in these collections because of its simplicity, versatility, and numerous possibilities when it comes to patterns and shapes. Please visit their site to view the entire collection & to find out how you can purchase these beautiful pieces!

She’s My Mentor (In My Head): Kelly Cutrone

Kelly w/her assistant Andrew Mukamal

About two weeks ago I experienced one of the most memorable & exciting days of my life,  I finally got  the chance to meet a woman who I greatly admire face to face! My partner in grind Aly from Le Modern Girl & I headed up to Bryant Park’s Reading Room to catch a discussion/q&a with  Kelly Cutrone of People’s Revolution. It was a very intimate setting outside in the park with about 100 ppl in attendance not counting all of the onlookers.

First let me say if you have not read Kelly’s book “If You Have To Cry Go Outside”, please do yourself the favor and read it ASAP! I finished the book in 2 days & would have finished it in one if I didn’t have little distractions here & there, I really did not want to put the book down! I think people watch the City & because of the way they edit the show for the most part, derive that Kelly is constantly more harsh & cut-throat than she is in real life. I mean granted she doesn’t play games & she is very straight forward, after listening to her speak  I learned that she is an extremely selfless & compassionate human being. She answered the audiences questions thoroughly about how she balances her career & personal life-she doesn’t to how you should go on interviews looking like you are apart of the brand. Very practical information that everyone is not knowledgeable of, but that all woman should know.

Meeting Kelly Cutrone at the Bryant Park Reading Room

After the discussion ended, she stayed behind to sign copies of her book & graciously took the time to chat with each person. My friend & I stood in line for about an hour I believe, but it was so worth it(she let us cut the line too ;)). I couldn’t believe how giving she was with her time & knowledge, she really talked without rushing to every person that stood in that line to have their book signed. I took away a lot that day from her discussion & from the brief chat we had, I felt more empowered as a mother & a woman!

Afterwards in Bryant Park Library wearing a floral patchwork Vintage dress from Calico Vintage http://www.shopcalico.com/shop/

On Set: Free Peoples Rebellion Lookbook Shoot

For some time now, I’ve been nagging my good friend & photographer Kwesi Abbensettes to let me tag along on one of his many photo shoots. Finally last weekend I got the chance to see him in action! We met in Brooklyn at a really beautiful brownstone that served as our headquarters for the day. The shoot was for emerging line, Free People Rebellion’s look book.  Designer Sarah Williams creates handmade accessories using various metals &  authentic African textiles from her native Liberia. This recent collection was inspired by British phenomenon Ebony Bones tune W.A.R.R.I.O.R.  Most of my collections are inspired by some music or song that I really love, W.A.R.R.I.O.R influenced my incorporation of metals & more strong pieces throughout this collection which convey a strong statuesque type of woman!

Watching the shoot unfold from beginning to end was pure excitement for me. It was great watching the chemistry between all of the talents involved from the MUA Jennifer Knowlden to the gorgeous model Folasade Adeoso (Naija girls rock!) everyone was in sync (especially since it was the first time the model,designer & mua were meeting). Sarah already knew the creative direction she wanted to go in & Kwesi just vibed off of her energy & direction while shooting. There were about 4-5 looks that were shot, each look getting a subtle upgrade by MUA Jennifer Knowlden another amazing talent to watch. Model Folosade Adeoso blew us all away working the simple green vine backdrop including our never-ending slew of onlookers or should I call them the Fola Fan Club lol. Overall the shoot was a success & a great experience that I’m grateful to have been apart of & look forward to more to share with you here at Nuvany Nice!

Make Me Wanna Buy It: Hampden Clothing

Browsing Hampden Clothing’s site has become one of my sweetest pleasures as of lately! Based in Charleston South Carolina, owner Stacy Smallwood continues to implement the invaluable knowledge and skill she acquired as a former buyer for Neiman Marcus. Hampden offers a diverse selection of emerging & established designers from around the world including Tucker, Smythe, Rodebjer, Kimberly Ovitz & Alexander Wang. Smallwood keeps a more simple aesthetic when styling the merchandise, a white mannequin with a pop of red on the lips against a neutral gray background. These minimal details help the buyer to envision how the garments may look in real time. I’ve compiled a few of my favorite pieces below! Be sure to visit Hampden Clothing to view the entire collection including shoes & accessories, you can thank me later.

(UPDATED) Photo of the Week

I can’t get enough of Amy Martino’s illustrations! Ordering this print on a heather gray t as soon as I post this, you can order & view more of her work here & here. Have a wonderful weekend, world cup starts today are you excited I AM :)!!!!!!

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****UPDATE***

Here I am wearing the “Easy Leo” T  while in Greenpoint, Brooklyn at a photo shoot w/Hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons! Super comfy & lightweight, the image is a little less vibrant than I thought it would be but I still like. It’s definitely visible & compliments the heather gray color of the t-shirt, it’s almost like a faded look. GET YOURS HERE