The first time I met Fetty jewelry designer and Semi Precious Weapons front man, Justin Tranter, we were both backstage during New York Fashion Week. Enjoying ourselves separately in the MAC Lounge, a mutual friend introduced us. After the Diane von Furstenberg show, we were chatting, and as he gets up to leave, I notice that he's wearing the most amazing pair of silver, pointy toed ankle boots and leggings. I teased, saying "That's so Gaga of you!"

At the time, Gaga was in her Just Dance/Poker Face days - the thought of Justin actually knowing her seemed a little unlikely. Undoubtedly seeing expression on my face, and he goes on to explain how in her early days, she actually opened for them at shows.

In September of 2008, the band's indie debut, We Love You, was released. They received critical acclaim and moderate success, even capturing MTV Logo's ArjanWrites.com's Brink of Fame Award (over Lady Gaga). In fact, Gaga even appeared in the band's first video for their single, Magnetic Baby.

Fast forward a couple of years - Semi Precious Weapons have traveled around the world as the opening act for Lady Gaga's Monster Ball. Keeping her promise, Lady Gaga even executive produced their major label debut, You Love You. The album features six all new tracks (some they've been playing for months on tour) and new versions of Semi Precious Weapons, Magnetic Baby and Rock n Roll Never Looked So Beautiful.

The band's sound has evolved since their We Love You days, losing a bit of the rough and tumble sound, in favor of bringing Justin's voice to the forefront. During Leave Your Pretty To Me and Look At Me, Justin's voice is more gentile (and at times vulnerable), attributes that can get lost within more uptempo songs like Magnetic Baby.

While the band's core sound is rock & roll, these ballads add dimension to the album, making it a complete package. Pick up the album from Amazon and iTunes (it's currently the #62 most purchased album) or catch them this summer on tour with Lady Gaga at the Monster Ball. PS - they'll be giving away tickets the day of every show. Catch the location by following Semi Precious Weapons on Twitter.

Have you listened to the album? If so, what's your favorite song?

Who doesn't love the look of of a loose top knot? There's something so effortless about it, in a way that feels effortless and put together at the same time. For her Resort 2011 show, Cynthia Rowley turned to Rodney Cutler to create a hairstyle that would perfectly complement her collection. To recreate the look, try the following steps:

1. Start by applying Redken spray starch 15 versatile ironing spray on damp hair, follow by blow-drying the hair using a flat brush in an upward direction to get the roots moving away from the hairline.

2. To create your ponytail, apply quick dry 18 instant finishing spray as you are brushing the pre dried hair up into a high-top ponytail.

3. Create a high-top ponytail that is clean but not slick allowing some of the texture in the hair to be visible.

4. From the ponytail, twist tightly into a high knot pinning as you get to the base and allowing the ends of the ponytail to poke out. This is to give the appearance of a do it yourself homemade look.

5. Finally secure the finished style with quick dry 18 instant finishing spray.

Do you love this look? Have you worn it before?

(Warning: This post is a self-indulgent and has absolutely nothing to do with fashion. It is, however, the story of how I began to listen, love and respect myself again. If you read this post in it's entirety, I owe you a cupcake.)

Today, June 26, 2010, marks the one year anniversary of the day I moved into my own apartment. It is also the one year anniversary of the end of my previous relationship. It's funny how much my life has changed and how much I have changed over the past year. Thinking through the obstacles I've overcome and the moments that I almost gave up on my career, my passions and myself, it's a miracle that I'm still living in NYC.

The day that I moved out of "our" apartment and into MY apartment was the day that changed everything. I stopped having to question every decision I made (or wanted to make). I stopped having to wonder how someone else would feel about my opinions, my choice of friends or even my weekly nail polish. I had reached a level of emotional exhaustion I didn't know I was capable of and certainly don't ever want to experience again. Sitting on the floor of my apartment, next to a single air mattress, and holding my dog, I sank into the silence. All was quiet & still. I had moments (even hours) to be alone with...me.

Since that day, I have gone through an array of emotions. Sure, I've felt insecure and lonely but I've also felt exhilarated, creative and incredibly in touch with myself. No longer do I have to wonder "what if?" - I can instead ask myself "why not?". I've been able to dive deeper to understand who I truly am and considered who I want to be. No one tells me who I am, who they want me to be or how I should feel. It's in these moments that you begin to hear your own voice. Once you begin to listen to your own voice, there's no limit to what you can do.

Don't ever let anyone make you feel that you aren't good enough or that your dreams are unrealistic (i believe the exact name for mine was a "fairy tale"). Who cares that you're an overweight girl living in Arkansas with dreams of working in fashion? You can achieve any and every thing that you want to achieve in life, as long as you work hard and continue to pursue your passions. The threats of "you'll never find anyone better" or "you'll be miserable for the rest of your life" are unfounded and ridiculous, even though in the heat of the moment, it might feel like the most realistic threat in the world.

Please remember that no one can make you feel any way unless you allow them to. If you are unhappy, only you have the power to change your situation. Make a positive change in your life daily (no matter how small) and you'd be surprised at how much of an impact these changes can make.

One year later, I'm more successful, happier, and confident than I ever could have imagined I would be. Imagine where I may be in a year from now? The possibilities are endless.

Ahh,...its amazing how refreshed I feel on Mondays. Of course, that all goes downhill after Tuesday morning, but that bright-eyed and bushy-tailed feeling is amazing while it lasts. While I love, love, love my double belt, it likes to move around on me. In fact, during the course of taking this photo, it was in at least three different places. Ideally, I'd love for it to sit a bit higher on my waist (it honestly feels like it's always there, I promise) but it doesn't end up looking like that.

Do you have a piece in your wardrobe that you love, but somehow ends up going array in photos?

Skull stud earrings: Rachel Rachel Roy (no longer available)

Twitter nameplate necklace: Twittabling

Dress: IGIGI (no longer available)

Studded belt: Lane Bryant

Studded wedges: Nine West

Photo by Felicia Sullivan

I love when I'm pitched the "return of volume" or "big hair makes a comeback". Having grown up in the South, volume was an essential piece of my beauty routine. In fact, looking back on my college experience, I remember being in awe of my classmates superior teasing skills - Southern girls don't mess around when it comes to voluminous, gorgeous hair.

Thank goodness it has finally made the return to fashion - specifically, the Chris Benz Resort 2011 show, as styled by John Ruidant, a Redken session stylist.To create the stunning look featured above:

Step 1: Apply Redken Body Full Amplifier at the hairline for texture and blow dry in the product with a mason brush.

Step 2: Split the head in half starting at the name and continuing in sections about one inch thick spraying hot sets 22 thermal setting mist on each piece before curling with a 1½ inch curling iron.

Step 3: Pin each curl to the head to set.

Step 4: Finish out the look by pulling hair back into a looped pony tail and secure ends by pinning under the nape of the neck to create the bob Step 5: Tease the hair and apply forceful 23 super strength finishing spray.

Be forewarned before trying this look at home - you'll need to set aside a full hour to achieve maximum va-va-volume.

My mother spent two weeks staying with me in NYC and one of her main objectives was to help me get my life organized (aka cleaning my apartment, doing massive amounts of laundry and helping me organize all the miscellaneous things I've acquired). While her time here is extremely appreciated and I'm thrilled to have every single piece of clothing I own not only clean, but hung, it's caused massive chaos in my closet. Who knew that having clothing cleaned & organized would put my whole dressing strategy into a tailspin?

Needless to say, over the past week, I've been thinking about my closet in a whole new way - my workhorses aren't as readily available and I'm having to reach for items that aren't always top of mind. Although there have been questionable choices this week, I'm delighted that I was able to bring navy & raspberry into the same outfit, with a hint of snakeskin.

Necklace: Subversive for Target (gift)

Top: IGIGI (no longer available)

Navy pants: Lane Bryant

Snakeskin platform peep top pumps: Avenue (no longer available)

Photo by Felicia Sullivan

I'm sure I've mentioned it before - Resort might be my favorite "season". The clothes always have a different edge than collections produced for Spring or Fall. Besides, who doesn't like to imagine they are relaxing on a resort while wearing pieces from a Resort collection?

For Donna Karan's recent Resort collection, Didier Malige for Cutler created a sleek pony that felt fresh, youthful and fun without being severe. To recreate the look, he recommends:

1: Spray dry hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray, as well as Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray to add a base to the hair. Using a Mason Pearson brush and a blow dryer, manipulate the product into the hair for added texture and volume

2: Creating a side part on the right side of the head, take 1” from the front section and tuck it behind the ear. Flat iron hair section by section

3: Take the top section, starting from the side part to the top of the crown, and pin it away, making sure the clip doesn’t kink the hair

4: Gather a ponytail at the crown of the head, and secure with a bungee elastic. Lightly spritz with Redken Workforce 09 Flexible Volumizing Spray

5: Connect the top section with the ponytail so it goes clockwise around the bungee elastic, and secure with french pins

Is this a look you'd recreate for yourself?