Statement making pieces shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Ashley Nesbitt,  a Baltimore native is the creator of a unique new concept, Jenafer Jewelry Collection. Her line of one of a kind bracelets, earrings, and assorted baubles, mainly her Sweet Junk Collection, are eye catchy enough to jazz up any outfit without breaking the bank.  After a rather usual trip to the hair store a new hobby was conceived and like kismet, Ms. Ashley knew exactly what to do next! Create! Her detailed and colorful designs are all crafted and made with the customer in mind.  No one piece is ever the same which has many followers clamoring for a slice  of “sweet junk” a play on remnants of the past to make vintage treasures for today. These pieces are not only affordable and but fun a created with a hint of whimsical.

Take a peek into Sweet Junk.

  1.  Style & Substance: How long have you been creating these unique gems?
I’ve been making jewelry pieces since March of this year. It started when I was visiting a natural hair salon and I bought a pair of handmade earrings from the owner. From there, I began to come up with ideas for me to make for myself. I was up the rest of the night just going over new ideas. But for the Sweet Kitchen Junk button charm collection, I came across my mother’s old button basket and I knew instantly I had to do something wild with them.

2. Style & Substance: Where do you find inspiration to make everything one-of-a kind?
I’m very creative and if left alone, my mind can come up with some outrageous ideas. Usually, I’m inspired by my customer’s personality and other times a specific button can inspire a whole collection. When I’m making a button charm piece, it starts out normal then I keep adding odd items and charms to make it one-of-a kind. If my husband gives me the” What in the world is this?” look, then I know I have winner.

3. Style & Substance: You have created an online e- site using Esty, was it difficult to bring your creations to the web
More Tedious than difficult. That hardest part is capturing that perfect angel that will highlight my jewelry pieces especially the buttons that I handpick. But Etsy has such a great online community that gives excellent tips and I’ve gotten positive feedback from my customers that use it. Also I’m able to link my Etsy shop to my blog and Facebook page which is another added benefit to promote my work.

4. Style & Substance: What are some the upcoming projects you are currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on turning some of my most popular SKJ button charm bracelets into necklaces, like the “Jungle Machine” army bracelet. I have these children’s toy party favors that I’m itching to place on a necklace too. And in early August, I will launch my SKJ natural button charm pieces featuring wood and earth tone buttons with tribal designs and textures.

5. Style & Substance: Where do you see this line evolving to in the future?
I hope to add on more accessory pieces to my line which I’m currently mapping out. This originally started out as I hobby so any new venture is huge for me and I am appreciative of how it is growing. I’ll take this as far as my mind lets me.

6. Style & Substance: Describe your style & Substance?
It’s funny, because though I can create a lot of funky and crazy pieces my everyday style is very functional and simple. My daily uniform consists of my Threads 4 Thought organic V-neck tee-shirts, which I have in every color, jeans and maybe an oversized sweater. But I always have my Steve Urkle style tortoise colored frames, SKJ button charm bracelet and hot pink or plum nail polish to junk-up my uniform.

To learn more about her designs and purchase click here.

Joi-Marie McKenzie has created her own niche industry. Who knew a blog started 3 years ago would become a go-to guide for partying in and around Washington, DC. This isn’t your average site, Ms. McKenzie gives you a  front row pass into the most coveted  fun nightlife spots in the District. From new lounges, great concerts, Inauguration ’09 coverage, and all that that should be on this week’s radar of activities you should know, she has got all the news.

The Fab Empire was started when McKenzie wanted to spice up her life beyond the usual daily work grind. At the same time DC was reinventing itself as more than  just a political stuffy city. New spots have popped almost overnight, giving the Nation’s Capital more than just the moniker “Chocolate City” but “Party City” as well.As the popularity of her site grew, she created  Fab sites in the cities of, New York, Boston,  and Baltimore  with readership of over 120,000+.  This has also created more prospects beyond her full time job and sprouted a career as an entertainment columnist and reporter. See how one blog entry has created endless opportunity!

 1. Style & Substance: What was the inspiration behind creating DC FAB and the blogs you have in other major cities?
DC Fab! started in 2007, at a time in my life where I was bored with my day job. I was looking to do something for myself. I’ve always loved to write and have kept a diary since I was in  elementary school so I decided to follow my passion and create a blog.   Still, I had no idea what to blog about or how to blog in general. After starting a failed site called Fab University (since I had just graduated from the University of Maryland), I changed the name to DC Fab!  I decided to focus on nightlife and entertainment in D.C. The name and the idea stuck and I have been blogging about nightlife, society and entertainment ever since.

 2. Style & Substance: DC nightlife has changed so much in the last few years, why  do you think the influx of new lounges  and clubs have begun to increase here?
In any major city you have waves of nightlife increase and decrease because of the economy and other factors. Still, with President Obama being in Washington, a new light has been shown on D.C. An allure has found Washington and everyone wants to be here. Investors are starting to put their dollars in the area, which has caused an increase in restaurants  and lounges.

Joi-Marie (DC Fab!) and Mia (Bmore Fab!) of The Fab Empire

  3. Style & Substance: You have become quite the socialite since starting the blog in 2007, has this lead to new opportunities for you personally and professionally?
Of course! I’m proud of where DC Fab! and The Fab Empire has taken me professionally. My passion has turned into a full-time career where I  freelance for many local publications including NBC Washington and the  Afro American Newspaper. Still, I’m more proud of the fact that The Fab Empire has also brought opportunities to the many photographers,   correspondents and writers that work with me. Everyone who works with The  Fab Empire has benefited professionally and to be able to help my peers  reach their goals means a lot to me.

 4. Style & Substance: Describe your perfect evening out with the girls?
My friends know that my favorite place to chill is the W Hotel. A perfect night with the girls is chilling in the Living Room or the POV Lounge at  the hotel, sipping champagne, saying, “Hi!” to Ed (the general manager)  and talking about whatever comes to mind…then going home by 10 p.m. so  we all can get up and go to work the next morning.

5. Style & Substance: How do you stay abreast of all the hot events and parties that come to  the city?
It’s my job! I’ve been doing this for three years now so I’ve made some great connections and fostered relationships along the way.

 6. Style & Substance:  What is the worst and best thing about partying in DC?
The worst thing about partying in D.C. is looking for parking and not  being able to find a spot in 10 minutes. D.C. has one of the worst parking  situations in the Nation. (The statistic is that 1 in 3 drivers in D.C.  are looking for a parking spot). So, not finding a parking space starts your night off very bad when you’re trying to go out in hot spots (i.e. U Street, Adams Morgan, Downtown etc.)  The best thing is that D.C. has great neighborhood partying that offers a variety of options and flavors. You can party in U Street and have a totally different experience than if you were to party in Georgetown.

 7.  Style & Substance: Do ever grow tired of partying; you can log in hours like a full time job!?
Of course I get tired of partying. But DC Fab! isn’t just about partying…it’s shining a light on the fabulous side of D.C., meaning telling our readers about great restaurants, happy hours, events, fashion shows and parties that they should check out.

 8. Style & Substance: What sets you apart from other bloggers in the area?
I don’t think there is a blog like DC Fab! in the D.C. area. We shine a light on a certain lifestyle in D.C., the yuppies (young, urban professionals), who enjoy going out, great parties, rubbing elbows with  celebrities and enjoying the metropolitan area.

 9. Style & Substance: Describe your style and substance?
My style is classic and elegant. I’m not into fads much and I’m not afraid to wear stilettos one day and a sweatshirt and Uggs the next. It’s about being fabulous inside and out and clothes don’t necessarily make one fabulous.  My substance comes from a strong Christian background that’s also visible through the site with Gospel Fab!

On the job: after a photo shoot with singer, Janelle Monae for Honey Magazine

 1.       Style & Substance:  As an editorial assistant  for the newly revamped Honey Magazine, describe your duties and responsibilities?
Wow, there’s so much to tell! Honey is by far one of the best online destinations for young fearless multicultural women. I do so much for them and I’ve gotten so much experience, its crazy! From celebrity interviews to covering live events for them, to writing daily and weekly fashion columns; I’m a jack of all trades at Honey, slowly but surely becoming a master. I also help manage a lot of their social network accounts like Twitter and Facebook and my favorite of all – product reviews and giveaways! I love free stuff.

 2.      Style & Substance:   Your blog, LoveBrownSugar is one part fashion capsule, photo collective of your massive vintage finds, and  snapshots of your encounters of the fashion elite,  how do you continue to fine fresh content to deliver!?
 Well it definitely helps that I’m engulfed in the media industry by day. I’m constantly inspired by my surroundings. I’ve also just always had a keen interest in the fashion industry and since the blog’s inception, I’ve had major opportunities and random encounters with some pretty amazing people. My blog even granted me press access to New York’s Fashion Week in February which was an absolute dream come true. It was epic for me.

 3.       Style & Substance:  Why did you start your blog, LoveBrownSugar?
As I mentioned before, I’ve always been interested in fashion. I started the blog after I graduated from college because while I was in school I had absolutely no time to start or maintain one. I was taking classes, working 2 jobs, part of countless organizations on campus, dancing in an African dance troupe, my life was crazy! So after graduation, a coworker of mine (while I was interning at BET) noticed I was really into fashion and suggested I start up a fashion blog. Well, I did. It started out with a few random posts and suddenly I was obsessed! I started spending every waking moment on it and so it became my little (yet BIG) project.

 4.      Style & Substance:   Did you always want to be a writer? Where did you attend college?
People ask me this all the time. What’s funny is that I never wanted to be a writer! I’m a proud alum of the University of Pennsylvania. While there I studied business at the Wharton School and like all my other classmates I planned on a lifelong career in business. Well, as an undergrad I was part of the founding staff of Penn’s first fashion magazine – The WALK. I started out as an assistant fashion editor and for 2 years I served as Senior Fashion Editor in charge of editing the fashion articles, all the boutique pulls for the photo shoots, styling the models, etc. It was an amazing experience! I was also Co-Editor for an urban female-focused publication called Little Black Book. That position really helped me transition into my responsibilities at Honey. It’s basically the same audience and the same message.

Styling a shoot, The Walk Magazine, her alma mater's fashion publication

 5.      Style & Substance:   One random fact that most people don’t know about  you?
I was a spelling bee champion in elementary school – hah! Oh, and my sense of style was hindered until Junior High. My mom forced me to wear uniform in elementary even though I went to public school. In the long run, it did help me focus though. (Thanks mama!)

 6.       Style & Substance:  What makes you stand out from the rest of the bloggers?
I think I have a fresh perspective and I actually have a wide range of content. One thing I found about fashion blogs is they all kind of fall into categories. You have the blogs that focus mainly on fashion news, then the blogs that cover celebrity fashion, and then the personal style blogs that highlight the blogger’s wardrobe. I’d like to think of LoveBrownSugar as a random, yet cohesive mixture of all those things. I give you a little of my personal style mixed with my thoughts on what’s going on in the industry. I also throw in some of my personal celeb encounters and my work over at Honey. I like to take my readers on the journey with me. You can’t really get that anywhere else.

 7.       Style & Substance:  What is your style & substance?
My style I would describe as romantic, vintage, sophisticated and chic and that all compliments my substance. I think having style is one thing, but “style and substance” suggests a more complete outlook on a person. When it boils down to it, do I want to be remembered by the clothes I wore, the celebs I interviewed or the bargains I found at my favorite vintage shop? Not so much. I’d much rather be remembered by the grave impact I had on others’ lives. If I can do that with LoveBrownSugar then I’d say I’ve got style & substance!

Creator of MEO, Tiffiny E. Dixon

Looking your best should always be your top priority. But these days time and the daily grind has some people not giving their full attention to how their appearance is perceived to the world. You could have a dated hairstyle, unflattering clothing or just not looking your absolute greatest self. How can you change this? This is more than finding a trendy top or the of moment coveted tresses, it’s about feeling good inside AND out.

With the help of an image consultant like Tiffiny E. Dixon, owner of MEO Total Body Beautiful, she and her team of experts can transform you into the person you want to be. MEO isn’t just a company that gives you a quick makeover and sends you on your way, it’s about determining how to project a better you. It’s more than just clothes and lip-gloss it is a state of mind! Ms. Dixon turned an opportunity into a fruitful business. See how BEFORE meets AFTER!

1. Style & Substance: What was the concept and idea behind creating MEO?
I know there was a moment in time where I made a conscious decision to start MEO, the agency, but it’s really always been a part of my life, my lifestyle and me. Of course there were moments along the way that definitely shaped MEO, like working as an instructor at the Ophelia DeVore Etiquette School. But the major turning point was a little over 3 years ago when a woman came to me and told me about problems she was experiencing in her marriage, which she believed were caused by her self esteem issues. In our discussion she told me about specific image issues she was battling with. We spent some time working on these particular issues. A week later she and her husband called to thank me for helping them fix their marriage. This helped me understand the importance of strong self-image in regards to self-esteem, which became the guiding principle of MEO, born 1 week later when I named it.

"Little" Tiffiny (blue dress) imagining MEO, way back when.

2. Style & Substance: How did you get your start in fashion and image consulting?
My start was at Ophelia DeVore when they invited me back as a teacher. Before that I never even considered working in image management and etiquette as an option. I knew I loved it but it never dawned on me that I could make a living doing this.

3. Style & Substance: Why is it so hard for women and men to look good on a daily basis?
I think there are several different reasons for different people. But typically it’s either of the following two:

 1) The idea that they are not the “dress-up” type.
2) Over estimating the amount of time it takes to look decent every day.

4. Style & Substance: Do you have to have a lot of money to look your best?
Absolutely not! Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big advocate for investment pieces, just not when it requires that you spend 80% of your investment portfolio on your wardrobe. In our Wardrobe Planning session we help our clients build fully functional wardrobes and help them maximize the usage they get from every item. The goal is to break the wallet draining habit of buying something new for every function you attend.

Additionally, there are way too many mainstream label chasers out there giving the impression that style is directly related to how much you spend on your clothing, when actually it’s not a major factor. Think about it, let’s say, you give $100 to a label chaser, $100 to a person with true style and tell them they can only shop at Target. Who do you think will look better? Spending more money for higher quality and longer life spans is a great option if you can afford it, but it is not the only way to look your best.

5. Style & Substance: You look fab in a recent Style spotter in Essence Magazine, what is your mantra to looking good on the go?
Thank You! You should always look appropriate for your activity. My biggest style pet peeve is the idea that you have to always wear heels to look good. One of the key elements of a complete wardrobe is weekend and/or casual attire. There’s nothing worse than seeing a woman in severe foot pain at 1pm standing on line at the post office.

 6. Style & Substance: The hardest part about being your own boss?
Each victory only last for a fleeting moment (literally) and within seconds I have to start working on or thinking about the next booking or concept to keep MEO at the forefront of the industry.

7. Style & Substance: The best part?
An overwhelming since of pride at watching something you’ve created take on a life of its own.

8. Style & Substance: Describe a day in the life of Tiffiny E. Dixon.
Meetings, phone calls, emails, sales conferences, client meetings, research, speaking engagements, writing, developing and executing marketing tactics. Many people focus on the glitz of the industry, at the end of the day it’s like running any other business. The fashion shows, shopping and events, that’s all done after a traditional long day at the office.

9. Style & Substance: What is your style and substance?
My style is my mood. If you don’t feel it no one will believe it.What makes MEO substantial is our knack for making our clients feel at ease. Many of them express previous hesitations they had about working with image consultants for fear that some label chasing “fashionistas” turn his/her nose up at them. Here at MEO we appreciate individuality no matter how it’s packaged. As long as its presented well.

For more information on MEO or to inquire about services, click here.