What to Wear when meeting his parents...

Earlier today I had an FB chat/conversation with one of my best friends/childhood friends from back home. She was asking me what she should wear to an event that her lovers boyfriend's family was hosting. Normally I would call her a drama queen, but I do feel her pain. Apparently this is a serious dilemma that girls face when it's time to meet HIS parents. I get it, we all want to come off as the Stepford of future daughter-in-laws! Although I have a hard time believing that anyone wants to deal with "perfection" and constant smiling (robot status), however, it does make us feel a billion times better if HIS family actually likes/adores us. When it comes to outfits and future in-laws (possible future in-laws, let's not get ahead of ourselves), one should really consider this "that crucial first impression" moment that people always talk about (no pressure). Also keep in mind that if the family for some reason decides that they cannot stand you...you're still not necessary out. Their approval just determines how much they will or will not torture you in the future. Get it?

Anyway...back to the outfits. A nice safe floral printed dress is probably the easiest way to go...it is the best way to "neutralize" the enemy. Just saying! If his parents are anything like mine, do not wear black or any other Morticia (Adams) like hue (my mother's words, not mine). Make sure that the dress is knee length or maybe slightly above, if you want to go shorter. The model shown in the picture is a perfect example of playing it safe. Trust, you will thank me!

If you're (possible future) in-laws are more on the modern side...you are free to be a little bit more bold. I said, a little bit bold, NOT stripper! This will allow you to play more with colors and length.

A great place to find great pieces is A.S.O.S. Personally I love a great one-shouldered dress for parties/weddings and a skirt with a cute blouse for church/lunch. Do not exaggerate with the accessories and feel free to wear traditional earrings/ring if you are Eritrean. They will eat it up. Just saying!

Smooch!


Ps. I will be expecting an invite to the wedding:)

Adam Tensta ft. Eboi - Dopeboy

Diggy Simmons - You gotta to love this kid!

The Blueprint Project By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

The Buckhead mansion was HOT...not as in Paris Hilton “hot”, but as in hell “hot”. Just so you know, Atlanta is not the place to throw an outdoor party of any kind from June-August. Besides that however, Les Roberts’ BluePrint was one of the most well done events I’ve been to in Atlanta. Great crowd, nice music, interesting local businesses and a beautiful location. Don’t miss the next one.

Beautiful location.  See that sunlight in the distance…oh my!

My shukorina Robyn and I. 
We were “glistening”
from humidity by now.

Who says Atlanta doesn’t have great fashion designers? Check out design team Aman Stovall. They had their collection on display and a few models surfing the party.  Love this dress for myself.  Anyone want to buy it for me?

Robyn and Giancarlo. He’s such a gentleman.

Model wearing Aman Stovall

By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Chatting with Nicole Gibbons of SoHauteStyle.com

Nicole Gibbons is one of those girls who makes it look easy to decorate any space. I don't know if it's just moi but whenever I attempt any renovating project, I immediately start going back and fourth with ideas and end up not getting anywhere. Messy! Nicole is the founder of one of my favorite decorating and lifestyle blogs So Haute Style. Since I'm in this whole moving mode right now, this interview could not have been more appropriate. This New York decorating goddess has all the answers!

VA: I really like your blog. Other than your love for interior design what inspired you to create SoHaute?

NG: I initially started my blog so I could have a place to chronicle all of the amazing people, places and things who inspire me and also to create an opportunity for me to share my point of view on decorating and design with others. Since my blog has gained a following it has evolved into a resourece for great decorating ideas and inspiration. It also has a very "insider-y" angle with profiles and behind-thes-scenes features on top names in the design world.

VA: Who is your all time favorite interior designer?

NG: Narrowing it down to one is incredibly difficult but I absolutely love Windsor Smith. I think she's a genius. I also really admire the work of Peter Dunham and Celerie Kemble and I've gleaned lots of inspiration from designers from the past like David Hicks and Billy Baldwin.

VA: What is your favorite room in your house, and why?

Arm Candy! By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Oh, I would never go out like this. Or would I?

I don't know about you guys but I'm obsessed with accessories. If caught without them, I feel completely naked! No outfit is complete without a ring, necklace or some really chunky bracelets. It's the make or brake factor. In my personal collection I have a little something for every occasion. While I don't mix gold and silver (it's a personal preference) I strongly recommend mixing and matching different styles and colors, especially when it comes to big/chunky bracelets. 

A Small Act - One person CAN really make a huge difference!

This is one of my all time favorite Sundance Film Festival Documentaries. It's a testament to how to how beautiful, uncomplicated, and pure love can really be.

Who doesn't love AKON...

Are Boyfriend's 4 Moi?

Madewell Jeans

Up until now I haven't really dabbled or even been interested in the whole boyfriend jeans situation/phenomenon; as I find it to be completely ill-fitting for the ol' badonk-a-donk. I tried it and it made me look very graaaandioso! Just saying...My sister actually sent me the shorts version of it...and that would have been lovely and all had they not been super fitted on moi.

Sooo...what's a girl to do. I love the look, but I don't appreciate the Hulk Hoganess that comes with it. This is something that actually deserves research and careful analyzing. It is my baby-mission in life right now to invent a way where "hippie/curvy" girls will be able to wear boyfriend jeans or jeans in general and walk tall and proud, ok I'm exaggerating...but only a little bit. You know exactly what I mean. Right?!!??

I'm really serious about this. It's simply not fair:) ok, ok, ok...let me not turn this into first class drama, but you will thank me later/once I've figured it out.

Who's your daddy?:) Just kidding!

I am officially launching the Denim Police campaign. I will search high and low for the perfect jeans...may be coming to a city near you (soooooon). Mohahahaha!

Anyway...feel free to send me any input or tips to viktorya@shukorina.com with the subject "Denim Police".


Smooch Lovers!

The Key to Success. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Fashion. One of my loves. 

Michelle with her easy sophistication and her beautiful mind

People are always writing and reading and thinking about the key to success. We all want to know why some people get there and others don’t; why some ideas work and others won’t; why some people enjoy their lives and others struggle not to jump off of something day to day. At the risk of sounding Pollyanna…the key to life is love. Wait, don’t go! Hear me out. Not love as in romantic love. I’m not talking about that. 

Vi sörjer med våra Norska bröder och systrar / Our condolences goes out to the Norwegian people

Till mina Norska vänner:

Jag beklagar det hemska som har hänt i ert land. Ni finns i mina tankar och jag ber att Gud tröstar alla familjer som berörts utav den här hemska tragedin!

Good Night Amy W:(

I really liked your music. It's really sad that her life had to end the way it did.

Estelle's Private concert @ Reign & Vanquish

Blazer: Zara
Dress: Vintage
Bag: Chanel
Shoes: Christian Louboutin 
Hair: Messed Up!

For some reason I totally messed up with this posting. Sorry:( Thursday night I went to the private Estelle concert at Reign nightclub in midtown (Atlanta). I really like Estelle:) who doesn't, right? Rrrright?? After Reign we went to Vanquish, which is Alex Gidewon's new lounge next to the club. Super cool. Both places are designed by my buddy Michael Habachy of Habachy Designs. More than anything I really loved the crowed at Vanquish...such a great mix of great people. You have to love it!

Simply Put!

Earlier today I was walking around and taking inspirational pictures around the Westside Market (yes, I love my life) I discovered a little treasure located next to Room & Board. Simply Put. Confused? Don't be! The name of the little shop I literally stumbled into is called Simply Put. It's located on a cute little corner in the shopping district on Howell Mill. This adorable little boutique card designing company was founded in 1999 by Amanda Toporek Woodman.

Karl Lagerfeld + Coca Cola = I missed this!

How did I miss this??? I heard about this, but I never saw it...I'm definitely slipping! Karl Lagerfeld, mr. Chanel himself has created a limited edition (France) of Coca Cola light. The ad campaign features his favorite models Coco Rocha (one of my all time faves as well) and Baptiste Giacobini. The bottles are white with his famous silhouette printed on as well as a hot pink cap. You have to love it.

This Marchesa Dress is making me happy:)

Style alert @ girls night out...

Stylist Sabah Essa...how adorably lovely!

Coulda, woulda...and of course, shoulda!

I just found an email I wrote myself, dated November 1st 2009. Obviously I'm not going to read what I wrote, but the subject said "I promise to..." and the email was basically a long list of promises that I made myself. As I went through the list (just now...17 minutes ago, to be exact) I realized that I have only been true to three of the promises. Three is not that bad, however, there are over 25 of these written down. I'm extremely bothered by this. I do have until I turn 30 to materialize these promises, so I have a little bit to go, but it is worrisome that I wrote them all down, sent them to myself, and forgot all about them. What is my problem??

Greg Lotus+Thornton Dial+Bill Lowe+Moi...

This past weekend we attended the 22nd year anniversary of the Bill Lowe gallery in Buckhead. Over the years the Lowe has served as a pioneer in the southern art world. The party featured Thornton Dial, who is one of the most noted artists to come out of the south, as well as photographs from fashion photographer (and my new personal favorite) Greg Lotus. I am such a sucker for beautiful high fashion photos. I could stare at them for hours. These particular photos were inspired by stories, you'll understand once you get you're cute little tush over there to check it out...

Michael Jackson ft. Akon - Hold my hand

I just realized that I've only heard bits and pieces of this song.

Laughing like never before...

Last night was completely filled with laughter and great times. We went to the Euro circle rooftop event at the Melia hotel (it was slightly below average) sorry...but Ruth and I could not stop laughing. It was just a fun night.

After the Melia (which I don't recommend going to) we went to meet up with some friends at the Tavern on the Green. I had so much fun:) On another note, I have decided to stop forcing people to wish me a Happy Belated Birthday. It's about that time that I retire it.

Once upon a time I wrote this: Valentino - The end of a fairytale

As the show ended I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness.  Not only would I most likely never be able to purchase an original Valentino dress designed by Valentino Garavani himself, but on top of it I had to watch the show on YouTube along with my other fellow mortals.  For some reason my internet had been acting up for days and kept freezing every 30 seconds.  Perhaps my neighbor realized that I usually hack into her network and decided to put some type of voodoo block on it. 

Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had

HIGH on Radcliffe...

First and foremost I have to apologize for the scary raccoon eyes. It even freaks me out to look at myself in these pictures...but non the less, here they are. We were invited to the High Museum to celebrate internationally known artist Radcliffe Bailey and his Memory as Medicine exhibit. It was amazing. The exhibition includes installations, paintings, sculptures, photos on metal, mixed media, and works on paper.

Moi and my sparkling eyes.

The Day of...

The 7th:

As I thought my birthday was going to be simple and spent with dinner and maybe a movie with H, I was pleasantly surprised. At 7 o'clock he picked me up and took me to Star Provisions on Howell Mill and bought me a lollipop. It was the cutest thing ever. We took our stuff to a bench with a view of "my" bridge, aka my favorite place in this city. I'm sure I'm annoying you guys like crazy right now with this drawn out story but <3

We laughed and talked and laughed some more and decided to grab something to eat. Somehow we ended up in downtown at the Sound Table which is one of my favorite eateries in Atlanta (everyone should go there).

We walk in and this is what happened...

Armed & Dangerous Treasures:)

These are my new little addictions. They are a little charm necklaces from Armed & Dangerous New York. I have about six of these. Since everyone is always wondering where I got them, I'm letting you guys know first. I know, I'm such a doll:) 

Not too shabby...

I guess David's Bridal needs a public apology from me...I wasn't too positive about the Vera Wang collection for DB. Not that I doubted Vera!! I've always loved her, although I think she tends to overdue it with the whole "let me take over the entire universe and everything in it with Vera Wang labels" marketing strategy that she's on.

What's not to love about Rachel...

I'm a huge fan of designer Rachel Roy!

Inspiration!!!

My Birthday...

So it's my bday on the 7th. What to do, what to do?? Wish my mami & daddy were here with me:( I miss hanging out with them. I should be in New York in a few weeks...with my little brother for a birthday dinner. I asked him what my present was and he told me. He's such a little weirdo!

Who does that? Why would you tell a person what's in the box? Love my little babi, although he doesn't do the whole anticipating/surprise thing. Whatever, I love my present!

Kind of Ol' School;)

Electrik Red - So Good (I've killed this song, but I still LIKE it)

Don't know if it's the fact that it's 5 am but...

...here comes the sensitive crap that we all hate, but love when other people gush out. I know, I'm gross!

I have to say that I am really grateful to have the kind of friends that I do. Every person that I consider a friend has really proven to be a really great source of comfort and inspiration to me. For a person like myself who is all about being with my mommy and daddy it has been extra difficult to be so far away from them. But good friends are like a shopping spree without a spending limit, they just bring you joy (yes, Gardy! I took it there).

Painting the town PINK w/ my BFF - Ruth

After our walk in the Park earlier I decided to take Big Booth to my all time favorite place in this city (Atlanta). The Sound Table on Edgewood and Blvd, downtown Atl. I'm obsessed with this place. The service is great, the place looks great...and I think this is the first time I'll ever say this but I've had every single thing on that menu and it's all great! Seriously, have you ever been anywhere where you can literally close your eyes and pick whatever off of the menu and be guaranteed that it's amazing. By the way, they have just added a patio with a bar aaaaand a DJ. Pretty cool, huh?!!

The most handsome man I know!

Check my daddy out:) Is he not the most stylish Papi you've ever seen? Seriously...

This picture was taken earlier this summer in New York at Lincoln Center. It's so funny how stylish and modern my daddy is. Everywhere we go people compliment him on what he wears and how fashionable he is. What's even funnier is that he doesn't get it. He genuinely does not know how good he looks. Yes, I'm proud! Everything from Nudie Jeans to Tiger of Sweden to Armani...he even wears a bunch of stuff from Japanese designer Uniqlo and let's not forget his little Converse collection:)