Featured on BET.com

Thursday, Feb 19th, the final day of New York Fashion Week, I was asked by BET to talk about my look for the trends and streetstyle portion of their show Funny Style. I was outside Lincoln Center doing a quick outfit of the day #OOTD shoot with my photographer before attending the Art Hearts Fashion Show.

IMG_0958

I was totally caught off guard! 

I was totally caught off guard! But it was awesome to be recognized for my style and asked to spill the deets on my look. The only challenge was trying to keep it together on camera on the coldest day of NYFW.  Thank you to the BET B*Real crew for the feature. Press play and check me out in the video below.  Be on the lookout for this outfit post on my blog this week!  xoxoSB

 

 

The Look on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day—where to go, what to wear, and how to celebrate? For most girls, this is the challenge that  Cupid has set out for us. If you walk into  Duane Reade, you’re bombarded with heart-shaped chocolate boxes and stuffed animals, wondering which one you’ll receive as a treat. As ladies, we tend to gravitate to all things pink, sweet, and fuzzy…and oh yes, LOVE—we love LOVE!

IMG_0626abvd

 

It’s only worth having a Valentine if your someone special understands that “the most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the YOU that you love…well, that’s just fabulous.” – Carrie Bradshaw

 

IMG_0362

“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the YOU that you love…well, that’s just fabulous.”

– Carrie Bradshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now let’s get down to the important stuff: how to dress. Everyone usually thinks red and sometimes pink when they think of the Vday Date. I think it’s great if you can incorporate hints of red or pink in your outfit versus going for the full-on red dress, but you don’t have to. Wear whatever makes you feel pretty. Have fun with it. Don’t restrict yourself! Wear clothes that you love on Valentine’s Day. People will love you all the more in it if you feel confident while wearing it.

IMG_0266

 

 

IMG_0405

 

IMG_0408

 

IMG_0375

I fell in love with this h&m skirt the first time I saw it. The dress version was really my first love, but the skirt loved me back more when I tried it on. I’m actually wearing the front of the skirt on the sides. I liked having the two big pleats on my side instead of in the front and back.

The seam now goes down the front of the skirt, but it’s not noticeable and actually looks as though it were made this way.  Having the big pleats on the outside gave the skirt a more elegant and fancy look.  So instead of looking like h&m, I could be wearing Oscar De La Renta (in my mind, at least!).

Having the big pleats on the outside gave the skirt a more elegant and fancy look.

IMG_0340 IMG_0338

IMG_0528

I added a belt to the skirt to cinch my waistline more. I wanted to really show off my big floral pleats and the shape of the skirt. The belt added texture and detail to the outfit and sealed the look right up.

IMG_0516

 

IMG_0496

 

IMG_0493

During the shoot, Le Photographerinsisted that I did a shot smelling my roses. However I’m not so much of a smelling-the-roses kind of girl. I’m more the put-them-in-a-nice-vase-with-some-water-and-plant-food type. I tried really hard, and  after about thirty frames, finally got a shot where I didn’t look like  a goat approaching some rose petals! #NomNom  What do you think? How did I do?

IMG_0542Maybe this was a good lesson for me. I need to take the time out to “smell the roses”—literally. Living in NYC, we are always on the go. We seldom find the time to appreciate a lot of things, so we take them for granted. Whether you do some shopping, smell the roses, attend some fashion shows for fashion week, or have a romantic dinner for two at Per Se, be sure to enjoy yourself doing what you love and have a   very happy Valentine’s Day! xoxoSB

IMG_0319A

IMG_0611

 

IMG_0595

 American Apparel turtleneck

H&M skirt

Walford stockings

BCBG belt

Christian Louboutin Shoes – pigalle

 Photos By: Tovah-Marie Bembridge

GOING LIVE !!!!

Today Thursday February 12th, 2015 the The Look By Sherece is LIVE!!! I just wanted to take the time out to thank EVERYONE who supported me and pushed me to do this. Top three motivators, my mom, my aunt and Richard. It has always been an idea of mine but you all really believed in me and my sense of style. I’m truly blessed to have you all in my life and on #TEAMSHERECE. Loudest cheerleaders, ever! James, Alena and Tovah this blog and none of it’s content would not be possible with out you guys. Best team a girl could ask for. THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO VERY MUCH for the time and work you put into The Look By Sherece. xoxoSB

The Do’s of Valentine’s Day if you’re ValentineLESS


Source: Digital Spy

1) Go watch 50 Shades of Grey if even just to see what all the fuss is about. Pick a showtime when you know you will have absolutely nothing to do.  Maybe like dinner time 8pm. Lord knows a great restaurant is the last place you want to be on Valentines Day. We’ve all seen Sex & The City The movie.  Not the best look or feeling if you don’t have a love date….no mattter how much you love your best friends. If you read the book and loved it, this is an opportunity to play out a Valentine Fantasy on the Big Screen. Buy advance tickets online and arrive early to get a good seat.  Personally this is a flick I could watch alone. Me, myself and some candy…..chocolates preferably If I haven’t already convinced you to see it, click here

vday gifts
Source: Naveed Mayo

2) Buy Valentine’s Day gifts or treats for your close friends and/or your family. Just because you do not have a Valentine, do not mean that you does not have people who love you or hold you dear to their heart. Pop into your local pharmacy and pick up some candy, cards and stuffed animals. If you have the time and an extra $20, take them to the gift wrapping department at Bloomingdales and have them beautifully wrapped The thank you text messages alone will warm your heart and give a whole new meaning to this love day.

Bergdorfs
Source: The Lodown

3)Brunch at Bergdorfs. If you’re a shopaholic like I am, you know there is nothing better than having a bite to eat and a few glasses of prosecco with your favorite gal pal before burning a small hole in your wallet. On VDAY Bergdorf Goodman is the perfect place for a single gal to do that. Chances of you being surrounded by couples canoodling is zero to one. There might just be that one guy who has to take his sugar baby out for brunch on vday since he has to take the wife out at dinner.  Another reason for combining brunch with shopping I suppose. Eat, drink then splurge Seriously though, the view of Central Park is pretty amazing at brunch time and the food is delish also. Make a reservation in advance since VDAY may be a popular day for dining there.

ShereceBennett9
Photo credit: The Look by Sherece

4) SHOPPING! SHOPPING! SHOPPING! Not only is it Valentine’s Day, it’s also Fashion Week in NYC. A number of stores will be having events. Log onto your favorite stores websites, SAKS, MACY’s, Topshop etc and see what’s happening in your area. This is the perfect day to not only go shopping but also dress fab while doing it. Fashion Week is all the excuse you need. Definitely go with a friend, this way you can take each others #OOTD pics PLUS you will need someone there to talk you out of that “if nobody loves me, my credit card loves me” purchase Retail therapy is a girls best therapy. Treat yourself to something that you love   and have been coveting. Choose something that will love you back even more the more you wear it……NO IMPULSE BUYS Make sure you absolutely cannot live without it.

woman-in-bubble-bath
Source: Evo Merja

5) Make time for a long bath. I’m  a huge bubble bath enthusiast. I take baths almost every night before bed because it’s my way of unwinding and relaxing. Take some time out to pamper yourself. If the bubble bath idea is totally brand new to you, here are a few bath time necessities to get acquainted with.

Bath-Time-Relax-Time Starter Kit

1) Get a bath caddy. One that will not rust  but also looks great in your bath tub when you are not using it.  Your caddy will fit anything from a book to an ipad and a glass of wine. Click here to view my favorite bath caddy.

2) Find a comfy bath pillow. If you really plan on relaxing you’re going to need some kind of cushioning for your head and back. This bath pillow was my first, I actually got it as a gift from my neighbor and I fell in love. The best part is that it cushions your head, neck and back and it’s covered in cloth on the side your head rests which only makes it more comfortable to lay on.

3) Now that you are all set up, all you need are some great bath products. I’m  a big fan of Bath & Body works because they are always inventing new fragrances for their bubble baths. I recently started exploring aromatherapy and I must say, I feel like it works.  I’ve started to supplement my usual Japanese Cherry Blossom bubble bath for the Bath & Body works Aromatherapy line. Their aromatherapy products are geared towards sleep and stress relief. I’ve only tried the sleep products so far since right before bed is usually when I have time for a long bath. I feel very relaxed and soothed after a long soak. Your bath essentials are one of the luxuary bubble baths plus the bath soak crystals. For me the bath crystals enhance the scent more than anything else. While the tap is running just add a cap full or two cap fulls. Either one works and the scent is never too overwhelming. Next, sit back relax, enjoy and unwind. You’re sure to feel the soothing effects of these fragrances.

Follow Pinterest’s board Favorite Bath Aromatherapy products.


A Modern Take on Mod

 

This was my favorite look from my first shoot. I was excited about playing with colored patent leather.  This combination gave me a 60s and 70s feel, so I wanted to play up on that vibe in a modern way.  I knew I wanted to do a crop top versus the traditional big sweater of the mod era, but finding a cropped shirt to pair with this skirt was a challenge.

This Topshop crop top was like a divine intervention—everything from being sheer and black combined with primary colored beading was exactly what I was looking for.  The design of the beading made the shirt look almost like tweed, which for me gave it a bit of a sophisticated spin considering that it is sheer and I am pairing it with patent leather.

Playing with this much color and texture is a bit on the adventurous side, which made me feel very much in my element while shooting. Feeling confident in a NOT-SO-SAFE-BUT-FUN-OUTFIT it is a high all on its own. Do you dare to take this ride on the colorful side?  xoxoSB

mod2

 

mod3

 

mod9

 

mod4

 

mod5

 

mod6

 

mod7

 

mod8

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Topshop Top

American Apparel Skirt

Chanel Bag – Jumbo Classic

Christian Louboutin shoes – Pigalle spikes ( similar here )

For a winter take on this look pair the black vinyl mini with a winter knit like this one and black So Kate or Pigalle. If you’re feeling fun and adventurous try these Christian Louboutin Follies.

Photos By: Alena Soboleva