Inspiration Found: The Totes Have It

By Katrice 

Yves St. Laurent Large East/West Bag | $1,645

Alexander Wang Rocco Duffle | $1,175

Celine Luggage Tote | $1,350

Chloe Aurore Bag | $1,795

Ruthie Davis Dr. Spike II Bag | $2,505

Victoria Leather-Trimmed Suede Tote | $3,250 

Party + A Dash of Sparkle {via Atlanta Tribune}

WANTED: The WALKER 2 WP

By Katrice

WALKER 2 WP  |  Bakers Shoes

Corporate Stripes

By Katrice

Striped Tee | Bitten   Skirt | Merona 

Wool Blazer | Express    Collar Necklace | Loehmann's  

Rhinestone ring | Ashley Stewart

{Quickie} Sachin + Babi Trunkshow

By Katrice 

Thank you to Sachin + Babi for the invite to Friday's trunk show and party at Tootsies {Atlanta}. The design duo, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia, have spent the past few months canvassing the country offering their customers a first-hand look, feel and shop of their 2012 offerings.

A model wearing Sachin + Babi Resort 2012

I was drawn to the navy dresses

Babi Ahluwalia and me

Versace for H&M | Nov. 19th

By Katrice

SILK BUSTIER | $129  PANTS | $69.95

The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we've brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace, such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can't wait to see how H&M's wide audience will make these pieces their own. 

- Donatella Versace

SILK TOP | $69.95  SILK SKIRT | $69.95  LEATHER JACKET | $299

DRESS | $129

LEATHER DRESS | $299  BRACELET | $29.95  SUEDE BOOTS | $149

SILK DRESS | $199  RING | $19.95

SILK DRESS | $149  SUEDE BOOTS | $149

Versace for H&M will be released in select U.S. stores on November 19th.

How Blogs Are Bringing Black Women Together

By Katrice 

I say all the time that I become more of myself every day because of My Vicarious Life. I don't know that I've come to a more refreshing realization in all my life. 

I started this blog with a solid group of women around me cheering me on. I was excited about it but I knew it would be taking me out of my comfort zone of working the background. I'd write a post and scrutinize over the spacing, the word choice and more than anything else -- the photos. I wanted my obsession with excellence to be evident in even the simplest entry. My first several followers were friends and I was so happy to have them. And then, I met Fajr Muhammad of StylishThought.com via Twitter. She mentioned one of my blog posts and I was completely taken aback. I visited her blog and was doubly amazed. She had nothing to gain from chatting with me and expressing any interest in my humble lifestyle blog. {Sidebar: Her blog was ah-mazing.} 

That was the beginning. 

A Touch of Lace

By Katrice 

What I'm Wearing

Yellow tee, H&M

Vest, Old Navy

Levi's TooSuperlow '524s

Shoes, Forever 21

Earrings, Payless

B&R Thrift Mini Haul

By Katrice

Saturday was a staycation type of day for me. I had decided that I wasn't going to do anything but rest ... and thrift. Thanks to a friend, I had a few new second-hand shops to check out and at the top of my list of fall must-haves was a red blazer. I found that and a few other things at B&R Thrift Store in Sandy Springs. The day was a success. 

{Sag Harbor blazer, $4.99}

{Pearls, $1.59}

{Navy blue long pleated skirt, $2.99 plus 50% off}

What You Love About You {Share!}

By Katrice 

I used to spend quite a bit of time staring at my eyes in the mirror as a girl because everyone always talked about how big they were. I guess I never considered it a bad thing, but I did wonder what would happen as I continued to age … Would they get larger? Now, that was a tad frightening! {Lol} But, then one day I went to the Estée Lauder counter for an eye shadow tutorial and the makeup artist said, "Ahhh … you have great eyes," and turned me to the mirror. I thought, Wow! They are very bright and happy. Want to know what I'm feeling? My eyes tell the whole story. 

And then there were my lips. Let’s just say, they were a little full in 7^th grade. Thank goodness I grew to love them too. 

Which of your physical features do you love most and why?

MVL Beauty Chat {In Case You Missed It}

By Katrice

Last Thursday, My Vicarious Life hosted makeup and beauty extraordinaire AJ Crimson for our first virtual beauty chat on facebook. The online gathering gave MVL followers and fans first-hand access to AJ and he didn't disappoint. If you missed it, you're in luck because I've decided to transcribe the entire chat for you as a massive Q&A! This was too much goodness to waste. Thank you again to all who participated!

Q: My question is about foundation. I use foundation everyday but I find that it starts to look faint and I lose coverage by the end of the day? How can I make it last better?

AJ: It all depends on the coverage you’re starting out with and how you’re setting the makeup. From my experience, water-based products tend to lose their coverage faster than cream set with a good powder.

Q: Do you think we need a foundation for summer and the winter?

AJ: I think a little foundation never hurts.

Q: I find I wear tons of neutral tones for lip glosses, etc. What colors are hot for the fall and what would you suggest I try to ease my way into color?

AJ: I love neutrals but I also love warm berries for fall and pinks to brighten up things especially in place that is gloomy! Ease into light pinks.

Q: When you're going from no makeup at all to wanting to start wearing makeup on a more regular basis (but still look natural) what are some basics/essentials to incorporate into your daily routine that can freshen things up a bit?

AJ: Start with mascara; It makes a huge difference! Lip color and bronzer, or blush.

Q: I don't wear foundation, just powder. Is that a good thing or do I need both?

AJ: Depends on the skin... If you don't need to cover blemishes, power can be great just not to heavy! You don't want a cake face.

Q: What's your opinion on correctors (like Bobbi Brown's) versus concealers? And is there potential skin damage from long term use?

AJ: If you mean correctors as in tinted concealers like pink and green, etc., to add to your foundation or concealer, I think those are fine to help match the color properly or diffuse dark circles or blemishes.

Q: Which primers work best for oily skin? Or are there any natural techniques to controlling the oil before applying makeup?

AJ: Good cleansing with a bit of toner is good. I don't regularly use primer, so I can't speak to its usefulness. I use products that work with the skin I'm working on. No sense in putting an oily product on already-oily skin.

Easy Breezy

By Katrice 

Pale Pink Dress, Forever21

Caramel Cardigan, Zara

Ring, H&M

Shoes, Target

Uber Eco Chic {via Atlanta Tribune}

TODAY: Makeup Chat with AJ Crimson

By Katrice 

MVL + You today at 6:30 p.m. equals a front row seat with Celebrity Makeup Artist AJ Crimson for an exclusive virtual Q & A. AJ will be taking your questions first-hand on the My Vicarious Life facebook fan page wall and answering them directly.

Here's how it will work: You pop onto the MVL Fan Page on facebook from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. EST and post a question right on the fan page wall. AJ will answer as many of your questions as possible within the hour {first come, first served}. 

How often do you have the opportunity for a personal consult with a high-profile beauty expert? If you're like me, not often. So, don't want to miss out!! 

RSVP here. 

Swapnista Blogger Fashion Rumble

By Katrice 

Soooo ... I forgot my camera when I attended and participated in Pretty Girls Rock Dresses' and Two Stylish Kays' Fall Swapnista Swap and Day Party this past Saturday at the Hilton Suites Atlanta Perimeter. But, thanks to Trina from BabyShopaholic.blogspot.com, I have a few fantastic photos to share. Swapnista was my first blogger style event in the city and I somehow got up the nerve to walk in the fashion rumble featuring an assortment of bloggers from the region. Each of us competitively styled ourselves in fall trends; my choice was polka dots. Aside from being terrified of the "runway," the event was big fun and the bloggers and vendors -- amazing! I can't wait to actually participate in the swap at the next one.  

{Fellow participants}

{Me with Trina of Babyshopaholic.blogspot.com prior to the show}

What I wore:

Polka dot satin top, Old Navy

Cropped Pants, H&M

Red shoes, Target

Bracelets, H&M and Banana Republic

Clutch, Vintage Louis Vuitton

{Quickie} Litas on My Mind

By Katrice

I feel pretty confident in promising that you can look forward to me circling back to the subject of the Jeffrey Campbell Lita until a pair is in my possession. I made a special trip to Nordstrom on Monday intending to purchase them as a birthday gift to myself -- as I avoid online clothing and shoe purchases at all costs {I like to try things on}. It turns out, Nordstrom only sells a small selection of the sandals in the summer, but nothing else in-store. So, I'm on the hunt for them in Atlanta. {I'm accepting any and all leads.} While I love the black leather or cocoa versions, I do think the latest cheetah and fuchsia option is fun. 

{Stylin' or Stuntin'?}

SWAPNISTA: Fashion Swap & Day Party

By Katrice 

Today's the day. My head is still kind of spinning at the notion that I entered myself in a blogger fashion show but I'm excited that I did. Swapnista Fashion Swap & Day Party is happening today at the Hilton Suites Atlanta Perimeter from 4 to 7 p.m. and will feature Atlanta style bloggers in a fall trend competition. I'll be walking the runway with my spin on Polka Dots along with Nikka of Oh! Nikka and Dominique of The Lipstick Manual.

Other categories include:

the Maxi skirt, modeled by bloggers Alaina of Bustin' Out the Seams, Asiah of Black Pearls and Priiincesss of Let's Talk Fashion.

the Working Girl Dress, modeled by bloggers Kirsten of The Dumpy Duchess, Ebone of The Smiley Effect and Breck of Fashion Without Guilt. 

the High Slit Skirt or Dress modeled by Eboni of The Fashionista Next Door, Mattie of Mattieologie and Jazmine of Fashion Rouge: A Jade Collective.

the Bright Pants modeled by Bianca of The Foxy Blanche Post and Kerrie of Virtous Styles.

This should be great time. And I hope to meet you there. General Admission is $5; Admission & FashionSWAP, $15 each or bring a friend and it's $10 each.