Madame's Look Book: Park in California Vintage

A couple of weeks ago while waiting for my friends in downtown Brooklyn, I spot a girl hauling a cab. She seemed pretty frustrated not being able to get one right away and it's hard to believe one would miss her. She has on the only jacket, a colorful oversized delight paired with blue jean shorts, socks and shoes. Her look is amazing and I couldn't help but to go and chat with her to find out who she is. Her name is Park from LA, a student studying Spanish and dance and she is visiting a friend for the summer here in NYC.

My Favorite Piece: her vintage jacket

Inspiration:

Ms. Park by madameq featuring Miu Miu shoes

xoxo Madame Q

Video Spotlight: Rockstar by Rihanna

People can say what they want about Rihanna but her Rockstar 101 video is the ish...

Cancers this is for you because we are rockstars... It's our Month!

xoxo Madame Q

The Month of the Crab (June 21- July 22)

We're 10 days into July and only 10 days away from my birthday. Yes I'm a Cancer! Turning 26 creeps me out big time because Its usually the age when people measure their accomplishments. There is a lot more I have to do and with God's Blessings I'm sure 'll keep making things happen. For the past two years I've grown a lot and I'm constantly challenging myself to become a better me. Trust me there is lots of bumpy roads but I keep pushing knowing there would be a great outcome. Before I get back into the groove of things I'm taking a 10 day vacation spending some of it with the boyfriend in Miami, going wild with the girlies around town (not snoop dogg wild) and jazzing it up with family events.

Happy Bday by madameq featuring Avalaya brooches

I read a lot about my zodiac sign and I was pretty impressed about what I discovered. Everything just makes perfect sense of why I do the things I do. Go out and get Astrology Gems by Monte Farber and Amy Zerner, their work is amazing!

The Cancer

savvy
warm
compassionate
nurturing
intuitive
possesses a shrewd business sense
enjoys good food and wine
protective of friends and family
easily gets her feelings hurt
don't like to throw things away
overpowering
defensive
crabby

"Cancerians are legendary for their ability to nurture people and projects, for they sense the needs of others on an emotional level", Farber and Zerner.



xoxo Madame Q

Social Butterfly

This summer I want to have fun and meet as many people as possible. It seems that everything I've been apart of happen because of the meeting random people. For example, I got my first college summer internship at the New York Film and Art Festival ( now New York Film and Video Festival) by simply talking to a stranger while waiting in a bathroom line. Weird right? That summer was awesome because I learned NYC to the fullest and a lot about the arts and the entertainment world. At the time of the internship I was studying Journalism and had goals of being an NBC reporter to cover war stories in Iraq or Africa. However after seeing lots of documentaries about journalist overseas I made the decision to cover entertainment and lifestyle.

Another one of my favorite bazar experiences is about partnering with a co-worker on an outside project. We both had dreams of doing a fashion show in the subway and within 2 month we gathered friends and sashayed from 14th street to Time Square. The list goes on about my encounters with strangers who are now some of close friends or mentors. Now forget about me, It's about you so go out and be the greatest stranger. Help someone with a project, give someone a chance or simply say hi to the person next to you. You never know!



Some great places to go: Habanna Outpost, Brooklyn and Bronx museum weekend events, Central Park free concerts, Lincoln Center summer festivities and there is so much more so stay tuned.

(picture of myself and Jamie from Writer's Block)

xoxo Madame Q

Barging Hunters: Great Finds

While in Albany I had to stop by one of the best vintage shops, Great Finds. As soon as I entered one of the sales associates tell me there is 40% off most merchandise. You know I was in my glee and no one could ruin my moment not even when my sisters decided to leave me without a ride home. I didn't care I was in vintage heaven and I knew my mom will come for me sooner or later. While browsing through fabulous garb, I am approached by two lovely fashionistas, Petra and Navada. We spend the rest of the hour picking out pieces for each other, taking pics and talking about randomness. What a blast we had, you would think we've known each other for years. Too bad I was leaving for NYC, we could've carried the night away. At least I left the Great Finds shop, with not only amazing pieces but two more fashionistas in my network.


Petra and Navada, you Rock!

xoxo Madame Q

Madame's Notes: The laughing Drought

I went to Albany to visit my family and to attend my nephew Nakiem's kindergarden graduation. Boy oh boy is Nakiem a trip and a half, at only five he knows more than some adults. His free spirit and bright smile gives me inspiration to look at my life a little differently. Why do we as adults loose the feeling of being free and bright? Are we taking things too seriously and forgetting to have fun? In the moments of Nakiem's laughter I remember the affect joy has on a person's soul. Recently I've done a lot more fussing than laughing and find myself overwhelmed. I thought about it and some of my best laughs have been by myself and now I've waited for others to give the invitation. Sound crazy? I think many of us rely on people to make us feel complete and over the moon. Why would we ever do that? No one in the world but the higher power knows what makes us truly happy. Everyone else around us is just there to celebrate.


p.s. Now I know there are people out there who will try to kill your joy but the fact that they try and fail is comical itself. When you have family and friends celebrating life with you it makes a great difference and I love mines for that. Especially my mom who knows me best.

xoxo Madame Q

Madame's Notes: Investing In You

It's almost 2 years since moving out on my own (college campus doesn't count) and It's been great. Of course I've could of had 24 pairs of Christian Lous but nothing can compare to having your own space. Can you believe I asked my friends before moving out what was better, a pair of Christian Loubs or an apartment? Now don't go making faces, C.Ls are power women shoes and at that time I thought I was. Truth be told after making the right decision, I felt more powerful than ever. Things started to fall right in place and trust me there are many ups and downs but surviving (Thank God) does a lot for my soul.


P.S. I'll take my hardwood floors over any shoe, any day.

xoxo Madame Q

For My Bargain Hunters!

bargainista by madameq featuring Bourne shoes

Hey I'm a super promoter on creating a good wardrobe because it's one of the many fundamentals of branding yourself. Let's face it, you have to look the part to get the part. Presentation goes a long way and I take it very serious. Now shopping for your special look doesn't mean you have to drop thousands. I'm a bargain shopper so I simply buy classic yet fun pieces for great prices. I encourage you all to do the same. Don't get me wrong it's okay to spend major dollars on certain things but not every item.

Your Treat: Designer Sample Sales:

Diane Von Furstenberg, 260 fifth Ave, 212-725-5400
June 8, 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
June 9, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
June 10th, 10 a.m - 7 p.m
June 11th 9 a.m - 3 p.m.

Escada 110 W. 19th St. 212-852-5446
June 13th-15, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.



xoxo Madame Q

Last Weekend!

Last weekend was very looooong but the girls and I had non stop fun. We went from from Sex and the City, to art and fashion exhibits at the Met, to Brooklyn dining and back yard parties to beaches on the Island and finally mellowing it out in Queens; we lived the weekend like it was our last.

Oh and by the way, The Smoke Joint in Fort Green, Brooklyn has the best mac and cheese.


xoxo Madame Q