Sassy and Comfy . . .

Check out these two sassy and comfy must haves at Kiser. Just thought I'd put it out there for you to see.

Your Shopping Dollar

Dear Shoppers - for the new year, we should all check our dollars, pesos, yen, pounds, euro, Benjamins, whatever you like to call it for several reasons: Saving and spending wisely now, let's your money grow, so you can spend more later. :) More importantly, your money is very powerful. We spend billions of dollars in fashion yet we're underrepresented on the runways or mistreated at stores we regularly shop. Check out the Model Blackout which Tyra covered last week, and also in Essence magazine. Also, check out the posts and discussion of improper customer service at Average Bro. Don't stand for mistreatment and don't spend your money at places or on brands you feel don't represent you.

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The Perfect Black Pants

I'm on the search for a new pair of versatile black pants. I've had a wonderful pair for years and now it's coming apart at the seams. It was a pair by Express I got years ago. High waisted, no pockets which gave it a seamless line through the hips, stretch material, and flare legged. I'd wear it to the stores shopping over the weekend and to work on a casual day with a long sweater. I could even wear it with a cute top and banging shoes, head out to the club, which I did last month. I could pig out with these pants too because of the stretch material. Much more comfortable than jeans. I could travel in them too. They wer perfect!! Best of all, I got these Express pants at Ross. I know it's hard to believe that the extravagant luxury-seeking TILshop girl shopped there. Don't sleep on Ross. Anyhow, I've tried to find backups to give these pants a break and nothing was comparable - the potentials would be too low waisted, too short, woven in a way that it'd succumb to fuzz balls, or it was too light and my legs would be cold. So here are my options so far. I'll let you know when the search is over.

INC International Concepts® Classic Wide-Leg Pant $79.00 (This is close but I definitely did not pay that much)

INC International Concepts® Fit-And-Flare Pant for $59.00 (Another close one)

Victoria Secret's Slip-on pants for $49.00 (close but too loose at the thigh)

Alice + Olivia's High Waist Pants for $279.00 (has pockets and a 3 figure price, so that's a no)

Newport News Wide-leg pants on sale for $17.00 (too flouncy)

Do you see how hard this is?

After Holiday Sales!

I hope you had a great Holiday!! Now it's time for the sales. Retailers are hoping that Christmas is coming again soon with the deep discounts! Unfortunately, the really cute stuff isn't on sale. Check this bag which has been in my shopping bag at Neiman Marcus since September (see post Wishlist: It's a grey line). It's stil $26,995. But this other one - Nubuck & Shiny Crocodile Bag - is on sale for around $8,000 (when added to your shopping bag). That's a $5,000 savings!

Okay seriously though, this is the best time of year to buy wedding gowns, cars, tech items or plan to in the next few weeks and it's really the best time to donate to charity. ENJOY!!

Bright beads

If you are dreaming of laying on the beach in white linen, don't forget to accessorize. Bright colored beads go with everything from white shirt to a simple black dress. Check these out
Stephen Dweck's Three-Strand Beaded Necklace for $1,785.00




Mimi Design Necklaces for around $100 or more (she can make similar necklaces for you - check out Boutique Mix Jewelry)

Venetian Glass Necklace at LilyLily for $275 (glass is also a nice alternative!)

Beach Resorts

Some of you are lucky enough to spend the entire holiday season in a beach resorts. If so, I'm sure you are rocking the floral and bright color trends. This is what I'd be rocking:

Glisten Floral Clutch for $3,595.00




Manolo Blahnik's Floral Thong Sandal for $630.00

In my dreams!

Mary Kay Trend?

When I see two designers do something, I start thinking a trend in happening. Would you wear a bright pink bag? VOTE THE RIGHT!
Marc Jacob's Standard Supply Tote for $98

Nancy Gonzales Small Croc Tote in Fuchsia for $2,600

More of a resort trend, see above.

What a boy wants

In case you thought bags were just for women, check out Carrying Contraption for items like this.
Mulholland Brothers Alligator Backpack for $10,600

POLL: Party Clutches

It's been a busy week for TILshop girl. Mama was trying to make some money so she could do some more shopping. I got the money in my pocket and ready to go.
With New Year's coming, we're in the height of party season. Which clutch would you grab on an evening out? VOTE TO THE RIGHT!

Hollywood Mansfield Clutch Satin Black Clutch at Target for $19.99

Beaded/Sequined Clutch at Boutique Mix for $60.00

Ashcombe Clutch for $620.00

Elliott Lucca Socialite Clutch for $198.00

Shopping Season

'Tis the season to spend on others to show how much you care. Unfortunately, if you are a shopaholic you purchased more for yourself than others. I did. I couldn't help it. Check out these Sassy purses at Boutique Mix one of which I nabbed. Again I just couldn't help myself.

Luckily there's still time to spread the joy to others. Check out post Holiday Gifts for Your Sweetheart at OnlineDatersAnnonymous. So many gifts not just for your sweetheart but for friends, family, colleagues, etc. Also check out Boutique Mix. Hopefully you'll be good and buy only for others.

Leather skirts

I remember first seeing a leather skirt on the runway when I was very young and thought I have to be rich enough to buy one of those when I grow up. As I've grown, I've said I'd love to be rich as Oprah (Momma Oprah to some of you). But, leather skirts and Oprah's wealth didn't actually combine in my mind to paint the picture above!! Oh Oprah, how this hurts to say, but I agree with the fug girls. This is not as hot as your shoes (see oprah's shoes post). Deep down inside though, I want to try it on just see how I'd look in. Here are some I can try on.

Donna Karan's Woven Leather Skirt for $2,500 (do it)

Croco-embossed leather pencil skirt for $79.00 (do it well!)

Irreplaceable Louis Vuitton bag

We've all seen bags that were highly overpriced and underwhelmingly attractive. This one undoubtedly takes the cake. It's Louis Vuitton's Tribute Patchwork handbag for $52,500. Yep that's right, the price of an Escalade on your arm to hold your Loreal makeup, Armani perfume, American Express card, B'Phone, and keys to the house and car you took back from dude who didn't know about you. Why the references to Beyonce? Because she owns one of these bags. There are only 14 in the world. I would be a "Beautiful Liar" if I said I wasn't hating. Just a little. I'd like to have that purchase power one day, but let's be real I have "pay my bills." By the way, this bag is "irreplaceable," i.e. I won't be finding "another one [or affordable option] in a minute."

little black dress (UPDATED!!)

I understand - you enjoy the high-end outrageous elegance that TILSHOP is all about, but sometimes you want something really affordable. You want a hot above-the-knee LBD for an evening out, in your price range but still look like Kimora in the post below, well that's not always easy to find for under $100. BUT, if you stretch your wallet add the right accessories, shoes, and bring the I'M HOT, SEXY, and ALL THE BOYS WANT ME attitude you can look like a star on the red carpet!!! and for under $200.



Forever 21's Chiffon Tier Dress for $27.80


Victoria Secret's Alexandra Dillon Curvy jersey ruched dress for $89.00 (available in black)



Newport News Bead-trim georgette evening dress for $49.00

Lane Bryant's Embellished Special Occasion dress for $99.50

London Times Sleeveless Sequined V-Neck Dress for $81.75

INC International Concepts® Embellished Sheath Dress for $149.25

Last but not least, there's this LBD gorgeous dress from Ashley Stewart. You might not have believed me when I said that Ashley Stewart had hot stuff. Since you can't order online, this beautiful model is showing off one the party dresses she purchased for around $80.

I provided you with a variety of styles from chiffon to sequins so go out there and claim the red carpet (or the office carpet or hardwood floor at the holiday party)!!!!!

little black dress

Kimora wore this one of a kind dress to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February. It's vintage and off the rack -I got that line from her show, Life in the Fab lane. I've been keeping my eye for a wannabe and found these - Marc by Marc Jacobs' Essex Faille Mini Dress for $548 (the model is wearing the wrong shoes there) and Bebe's Feather Cocktail Dress for $249 (eye mask and sexy arm candy not included).

I've been tagged!!

I've been tagged by KreativeMix's Sassy !!! AARRRRRRRRR!! Now I have to list 7 random tidbits about myself. Here goes

1. I look up words in the dictionary every couple of days. Not because I don't know them but because I'm a geek. I like to use words appropriately. For example

Tidbits - a choice or pleasing bit (as of information) (Merriam-Webster)

I know you're thinging - this "tidbit" was not choice or pleasing. It is to me! HA!

2. I love Trader Joe's chocolate. It's so much better than Godiva's. picture source

3. When I was little, I wanted to be Whitney Houston when I saw the video "I wanna dance with somebody."

4. I also wanted to be a designer and model. I could have been a Kimora, Alek, Heidi, or Naomi. Maybe one day.

5. I never got drunk in college. I'm trying to make up for that now. (Not trying this one again though)

6. I've had a crush on Boris Kodjoe for years!!! In my mind, I've been married, divorced, and remarried to Boris Kodjoe and now we are currently separated (has nothing to do with the Nicole thing). We got divorced so I could marry Maxwell. We're separated now because in my mind I've been dating Richard T. Jones, Barack Obama, Idris Elba, Derek Luke, and Brian J. White.

7. I love whip cream almost as much as I do chocoloate!!! It's a good substitute for topping desserts with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Now I'm tagging The Tubman Solution, WhatAboutOurDaughters, and The Purse Blog.

Just had to say

Fendi's Net Zucca Palazzo Print Medium Tote for $580.

To Fendi - this Fendi bag is interesting but it's not hot! I'm not really a fan of the traditional FF logo (I know that's a shock to you readers) or this style of bag. And I get that it pays homage to the flagship store. But I'd rather you but that on a scarf. Bring us more banging bags! Thanks.