TAKE THE YHC STYLISTA CHALLENGE!

Do you have awesome fashion sense? Do you like styling? Then take the "YHC Stylista Challenge"!

How to do it:

• Use the Polyvore Mini Editor (below) to put together a look that revolves around the theme, TOUCH OF TRIBAL!
• All you have to do is click the "Start Styling" and use our hand picked clothing items to make a HOT look!
• When you are done with your look click PUBLISH (located on the top left hand corner). A box will appear asking for a title. Be sure to name your work along with your name!

Oh, and did we mention — the winner will be crowned the best ‘stylista’ on the YHC Blog! So get to it! :)

What do you think of the trend? Hot or Not?

Floral pants are really on the rise this summer and we are going to tell you how to make the look work for you! This trend is hot because it is fun, bright, and very springy and summery. This look can easily be taken from a weekend day shopping to a night out on the town.

“In a city of 1.5 million, where one in every three women is at risk of being battered at least once in their lifetime, we must take action,” said Rashad Corey, owner of Rashad Corey Productions. “At STR we will educate and entertain to increase awareness about the dangers of domestic abuse and fundraise to support WAA's life-saving services currently at risk in State budget.”

WAA is the only nonprofit organization in Philadelphia that provides shelter services; however, these services remain limited to 100 victims due to State budget cuts, which since 2008, have forced the organization to deny 7,000+ shelter requests.

“The statistics are alarming and will continue to increase if we don’t take action,” added Corey. “Vanessa’s death called everyone involved in this production to action and we hope that the city will join our efforts to decrease the number of victims left in violent homes."

STR promises to educate and entertain the 400+ guests expected to attend with with fashion and style, as it will feature top designers in a cosmopolitan runway show headlined by local award-winning couture designer, Autumnlin Kietponglert; a glam bar - sponsored by Philly Minx, Darci by DiCaprio, Spa East, Kia Sterling and Rodney Jon; signature cocktails, exquisite hors d'oeuvres, silent auctions, live entertainment by Philly’s own - DJ Hollywood and more.

Visit www.stomptherunway.com for information and to purchase tickets for this event. General admission is $40. The first 100 people to purchase tickets will receive a premium gift bag sponsored by Spa East.

ABOUT RASHAD COREY PRODUCTIONS Founded in 2006 by Rashad Corey, Rashad Corey Productions is a full service runway show and special event production company providing services in The Greater Philadelphia and Maryland.

Hey Fashionistas:

I am really excited about this event and would love for you to be in attendance. This is YHC APPROVED!!!

Sisters’ Sanctuary LLC, a Philadelphia-based company that provides solutions, tools and methods focused on the holistic development of teen girls and young women,  will host “Phenomenally U: Three Candid Conversations about Sex, Self-Respect and Success in the Reality TV Era,” on Saturday, May 5,  from 9am until 1pm  in the Montgomery Auditorium at the Free Library, 1901 Vine Street in Philadelphia. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be hosted by NBC 10’s Lori Wilson. Registration is required. Visit www.sisterssanctuary.eventbrite.com.

Phenomenally U was conceptualized by Lacey C. Clark!, filmmaker, life coach, lecturer, and educator, in 2012 in response to the proliferation of damaging, demoralizing and destructive  images of women depicted on network and cable television programs. The inaugural empowerment summit, co-sponsored by SCORE  Philadelphia and Rolling OUT Magazine, was designed as a series of daylong activities and interactive discussions led by renowned activists, educators, authors, industry experts and parents. The goal is to enlighten and inspire teen girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 24, their mothers and mentors, and other aspiring leaders to:

• Recognize and repudiate negative media images
• Embrace and replicate principles of self-love and self-respect
• Provide tools and resources for their holistic development
• Expose and encourage images of success
• Identify risk behaviors to eliminate incidences of domestic violence, dating violence, and intimate partner abuse whether it’s emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or financial “Reality TV is a phenomenon that has dominated programming over the last decade,” said Lacey C. Clark!, summit founder and speaker. “The genre is so popular with TV executives and advertisers because production costs are minimal. Networks have used them in highly competitive time slots in place of costly scripted series to maintain their slate of programs without affecting future profits. They can quickly and easily fill the gaps in programming schedules. Industry insiders say that producers encourage certain behaviors and by the time the tape leaves the editing room, the reality in reality TV is edited out. The result is a cesspool of images, content and language that seeps into our daily lives.”

I had the chance to speak with Lacey, and here is what she had to say:

What was the inspiration behind this so necessary event?
Several things inspired me.

My interview with you (http://younghipchic.onsugar.com/GIRL-POWER-Continuing-Conversation-About...) that made me look closer at the potential effects of Reality TV on teen girls and young women. Thank you Tweety!!! My  upcoming documentary, "...And in Search of My Phenomenal" about the effects of Reality TV on teen girls and young women. And the chaos and confusion/madness and mayhem on female-centered Reality TV shows.

You have a really great panel! Why did you choose these people?
Thank you. I wanted a balance of voices, opinions, and perspectives around the issue. I wanted people who would not be afraid to keep  it 100! I wanted to add a fatherhood perspective, that's why I wanted Fatin of Kindred the Family Soul. We need fatherhood voices in our community.

Why is this event so important to young women?
It will help raise awareness about what they are consuming, and it will help young women understand that there are adults who care about how they navigate their world. It will promote healthier ideas around Self-respect, Success and Sex. Phenomenally U (U is short for University) is a movement and learning system that inspires young women of the Reality TV Era to "Create Their OWN Reality." Available through my company Sisters' Sanctuary. The event is just the beginning!!!

The Phenomenally U movement will offer tools like workbooks, seminars, Speaking Engagements, and the like  where young women can learn how to respect themselves, celebrate success, and be responsible around sex. Some of the Coursework include Seminars like P. U.Reality Check:  Success 101: “America’s Next Top Role Model”, P.U. Reality Check:  Self-respect 102: “Flavor of Self-love”, P.U. Reality Check:  Sex 103: “16+ and Responsible.” These are Just some of the courses offered under Phenomenally U.

What are your thoughts on Reality TV? Do you think that it is "reality"? Are young women being influenced in the wrong way?
Check out the flyer and be sure to register if your are in the Phily area!!

Hey Fashionistas!

I had a really hectic week during the Marh 3rd weekend that only you fashionistas could understand!  So I was running around getting the finishing touches on my clothes when we realized that we also had to make sure that my escort was looking fly... That escort was my father, Aalim Elitou. I was so excited to have him with me during this day because he is always so busy working behind the scenes to make all of my dreams come true, that I wanted people to get familiar with the man in my life that I most admire.

This was the first time ever that I went with my father to get a suit! And I have grown to have a greater appreciation for men suit shopping!

So we went to go get a suit that fit his build and style and that was not easy because to me, my mom and my sister, Emerald, they all seemed to look alike! My mom just so happened to pick out a suit by a well-known designer that my dad was pleased with...Thank goodness!!!

So, we were not exactly sure about his measurements so that had to be done. I made sure to write it all down so that we could do this again. After he was measured in the waist and the length, then we went to pick out the perfect shirt and tie. I had no idea that shirts for men were determined by the neck… WOW!!!!

We settled on a really nice Ralph Lauren crisp white shirt that would highlight the accents in the suit. This was interesting to me because I did not know that men looked so carefully at the details of their clothing. 

My dad and I wanted to be sure that we wore something that was turquoise so he got a gold and turquoise tie and a black belt with a gold buckle. He looked stunning. I just never knew that he had to do so much to look so fly!

My dad is very particular about his accessories, so he wanted a watch that would complement his suit. We really liked the leather band with gold accent watch by Kenneth Cole. I think that you can never go wrong with a Kenneth Cole watch, although they can be very pricey.

I think that the difference between shopping for a man and a woman is getting the measurements right. I can usually go into a store and buy a dress and it fits perfectly but for a man, he has to get measured from the top to the bottom! I think the easiest part is getting the accessories and that was just a tie, handkerchief and shoes. Oh yeah, the belt and the watch were a must!

I really did have a great time shopping with my dad and the information that I learned was awesome. Below is the result!!!

What has been your experience shopping for men's clothing??? Was it fun or difficult??? Share your experience…

Hey Fahionistas:

I think that you all know that I LOVE shoes and I found a few pair that I really want to put my feet in!

Natischa Harvey, a young woman, CEO and Executive Designer of FEVER, hand sketches her distinctive footwear collection. Harvey is the sole designer at FEVER and her collection is sold and distributed throughout the U.S., U.K., Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean. Her shoes have been worn by celebrities such as Raven Symone, Meagan Good, LisaRaye, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Rocsi of 106 & Park, among others. Her business is valued at $1.3 million.

Check out some of my favorite finds:

Check out ore of these really cute shoes for the Spring/Summer at www.fevershoes.com

Hey Fashionistas:

I really love the color turquoise and I think that is a great color to wear during the summer. the caftan-like shirt is so carefree and comfortable and I love graphic tees because they can express the person's mood without saying a word. I like the idea of color blocking with graphic tees because it brings about a fly chic. In the summer, I love to throw on the shades and can anyone deny the color tangerine since it is such a refreshing color. What are the colors that you love to put together?

Hey Fashionistas:

Yes, I am late with this but I could not help but share!!! DVF is making clothing for GAP Kids and I think that they are really cute!

The bold colors and the simple patterns are so cute, feminine and petite! I love to see my little sister in dresses and shorts that are age appropriate.

Some of the items are a little pricey but there are a few that are just too irresistible.

Will you be shopping DVF for GAP???

Check out more looks at www.gapkids.com