Fashion's Night Out SF x Neiman Marcus

I ventured into San Francisco this evening to partake in what has, in recent years, become one of fashion's biggest nights out: literally, "Fashion's Night Out." An evening that originated in NYC in which boutiques and stores encourage shoppers to enjoy retail therapy by offering incentives, h'ors d'oeuvre, drinks and other goodies. I personally enjoy the networking and inspiration that I gain from seeing the style of the evening and didn't want to miss this night even though I wasn't in NYC. 

San Francisco still proved it had much fun and networking to offer when my roommate and I strutted around Union Square for a night of fashion.

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1 & 2. Tiffanie and I headed to SF for FNO 

3. A fashion stylist, Henny, that I met pictured with her photographer 

4. Three lovely stylists of Evolving Images 

5. Tiffanie and I in front of the Neiman FNO wall 

6. The 180 Magazine from Academy of Art University 

7. An adorable dog that a FNO participant brought along

Elle Varner x Mezzanine San Francisco

Elle Varner came for a cool little performance at Mezzanine in San Francisco for labor day weekend. She was so sultry and soulful, while also putting on a playful and energetic performance. I love her music and her voice, plus her style is so cute! The tie-dyed shirt and pants were super cute for a laid-back performance.

The Wild Wild West

I've been gone a while...Please forgive me? =) Okay, now that we have that out of the way I can explain. I've been MIA for a minute because of a huge move from the east coast to the west coast last week! It's been so exciting to move to the Bay Area in California to start my new job next month but also so busy. I haven't had time to upload posts like I've wanted to but I'll be making up for that with a GIVEAWAY very soon =) . I hope you all like free stuff!!

So anyway, I moved to Emeryville, CA about a week and a half ago and I absolutely love it here so far! The weather is nice, though it took some adjusting on my part, and the neighborhood that I live in is wonderful as I live on Bay St. For anyone unfamiliar with this area, Bay St. is lined with shops such as H&M, the Gap, J. Crew, Lola, Lush, Victoria's Secret and many, many more so it is a fashionista's heaven (or maybe my worst nightmare according to my bank account) But, so far so good =)

Here are some snaps revolving around my move and new city:

1 & 2. Packing for my big move

3. A gift from my boyfriend- A new bookbag to travel with

4. My roommate Tiffanie and I in front of our new apartment

5. Tiffanie and I standing on our balcony

6. My new street.. Bay Street

7 & 8. A cute store on my street, Lola

9. Another view of Bay St.

10. My fortune cookie from PF Chang's 

I should definitely have more time for posts these days as I've set up most of my apt and am able to actually explore and venture out with my Nikon. Please be on the lookout for an upcoming giveaway that I am really excited about!! But I want to know, what would you all prefer to be given away? Take my quick poll and let me know:

What would you like Nia Fashionista to Give Away?
	Jewelry
	Purse/Handbag
	Other Accessory
	Beauty Product
	Gift Card
pollcode.com free polls

Hall's Thrift Shop & Jewelry

For the longest, I've found it hard to find thrift/vintage boutiques that carry a decent selection of jewelry. It must've been fate that my sister stumbled upon Hall's Thrift & Jewelry shop after the gym, because it was a jewelry haven with counters and cork-boards full of button-style earrings, vintage gold chain necklaces,  beaded necklaces, any pin you can imagine, rings..well, you get the idea. Though they have a small selection of clothes, I've found some new favorite pieces in the two times that I've been there already, not to mention I of course stocked up on jewelry. 

Check out the owner, Kyri's, cool thrift shop and if you're in the Fayetteville, NC area it is a MUST to stop by for fashionistas and thrift-seekers.

Rashida Jolley: Play My Heart Video Premiere and Interview

I attended Rashida Jolley's music video premiere for "Play My Heart," featuring Wale on Tuesday evening at Opera Lounge, the kick-off of her official tour. It was a sophisticated evening with the chic and classy, including the likes of Antonia Canon and Jeannie "Kitty of the City' Jones, as we sipped on Pharrell's new drink, "Qream," (Yes, with a Q) and awaited the moment we could finally see the video! Rashida, "the head banging harpist," who may best be known for playing the harp on tour with Lady Gaga, will soon be known for blending various elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, Classical, and Pop to produce her unique, distinct, melodic and ground-breaking style. 

Some of my fellow fashion mates also came to enjoy the festivities:

Arneisha

Chase

Anais, Arneisha and Chase

Anais and Me sipping the delicious "Qream" drink

Lady Gaga's Harpist: Rashida Jolley x Music Video Extra

A few months back I had the awesome opportunity to be an extra for Rashida Jolley's first single, "Play my Heart." In DC's Opera Lounge we convened for a day of shooting, dancing and networking to create her first solo video.

Some, may already be familiar with the talented and beautiful Rashida Jolley but for those who aren't, she is none other than Lady Gaga's harpist. Yep, she plays the harp for Lady Gaga! She was on tour with Gaga for the past year and now she is branching out as her own solo artist to show the world that she too can dominate the spotlight.

I took some behind the scenes footage that I decided to wait until now to release since the video preview was recently released also:

 

Rashida's Stylist and Designer, Deidre Jeffries of Espion, created all of Rashida's fantastic outfits for the video and for all of her appearances. 

As for the sneak peak of the video (Look out for a certain fashionista ;-) ):

Tonight I finally got to see the premiere of the entire video and it was so exciting to go back and see Rashida, the Jolley brothers, Deidre and everyone who made the video possible. Check back soon for my interview with Rashida where she dishes out style advice, more pics and the world premiere video!

Mudam Luxembourg

I visited the Museum of Modern Art in Luxembourg, the Mudam while there this Winter. There were new installations and exhibits, this time focusing a lot on science and reinventing ways of thinking and living. The "I've Dreamt About," collection comprises works of different artists and their visions of the world while the main installation, "The Nervous System (Inverted), from Conrad Shawcross focuses on scientific ideas.

Conrad Shawcross "The Nervous System (Inverted)"

 

City of the Future from the "I've Dreamt About" Collection