My Summer Thus Far... In New York City!

Top of the Dream Downtown Hotel, NYC

I am just a small town boy with big city dreams. Growing up I always knew there was something different about me. I have always been attracted to things that were big, bold, and fancy. I knew that I didn't belong in the small conservative town that I grew up in (although I love visiting now). Moving along, I just recently graduated college and moved to New York 15 days following. I'm in Manhattan and I'm loving the hustle and bustle of this crazy place. I often thank God because I feel so blessed and privilege to be able to follow my dreams. I'm currently at Jones magazine and I'm learning so much there plus loving it as well. The publication has great potential to go far, and I'm glad I'm able to be apart of it. I'm a social and lifestyle writer, but I'm able to work on other projects as well. It was so coincidental when my editor asked me to produce the society section of the magazine, "Keeping Up With the Joneses" for the summer issue. While growing up my mother used to always tell me"Carl, you can't keep up with the Joneses." lol and look what happened. I'm excited to see my work published in a national magazine that will hit newsstands at the end of this week. I have always dreamed of working for a magazine since I was younger, but it wasn't a career that was really encouraged in my hometown. Most people become teachers, nurses, working in the medical field, criminal justices field, sales of some sort or a coach (not that there's anything wrong with that). I can not see myself doing a job that I hate for the rest of my life. I understand that the world of media doesn't come with the highest payed salary, but I am HAPPY!! (That's all that matters right?) I feel as if I'm more on the creative side and I belong here. Each day on my commute to our office (on Fashion Avenue) I get this tingly feeling that I'm dreaming. It's so surreal to be in this city where dreams come true (and I'm able to work towards mine). I can say that I miss the southern food and economic standards, but this is what I wanted. I wanted some of my aunts barbecue today, but because I'm in New York this also another thing I had to sacrifice. If I said I didn't miss the south I'd be lying because I do. I was talking to Jamari (my nephew) on the phone the other day and he just thinks I'm the coolest uncle ever. It really made me smile as well as reminded me while I was here. I had to follow my dreams so that when he gets older I can help him follow his dreams.

Since I've been here I must say my favorite places are Williamsburg Brooklyn, Chelsea, The Meatpacking District, Harlem, and Soho. I've noticed that in each neighborhood you can find the good, the bad, and the ugly. Which makes this city so unique. I'm going to start exploring those areas a bit more for restaurants (I'm a foodie), vintage boutiques, and potential apartments. Just wanted to catch you guys up on my summer so far. Thanks for reading!

-Cheers from Carlton

Photo Credit: Vogue.com

Memorial Day Simplicity

LOVE LOVE LOVE this simple but Fancy Patriotic look for men! Enjoy your Memorial Day and give thanks to a Veteran when you see one!

-Cheers from Carlton!!

Fancy Wedge Sandals $125 or Less

It's spring time, which means it's time to put on your floral print or vibrant colored sundress and enjoy the weather. What better way to complete your look, than with a pair of fancy high wedge sandals. Below you will find variety of sandals all priced $125 or less from different department stores! Now you can't tell me being FANCY comes with a price tag. ENJOY!

-Cheers from Carlton!!

Affina Wedge Sandal $90 at Aldo Shoes

Alsidia Wedge Sandal $80 at Aldo Shoes

Chinese Laundry Wedge Sandal $59 at Macy

DWELLE  Wedge Sandal $100 at Aldo Shoes

Kendall Wedge Sandal $39.99 at Bakers Shoes

Riddgge Wedge Sandal $99 at Macys

Stolt Wedge Sandal $59.98 at Aldo Shoes

Turnpyke Wedge Sandal $89.95 at Steve Madden

Wynne White Patent Leather Wedge Sandal $99.95

Fancy Tune of The Day: Who You Are by Jessie J

Fancy Men's Sandals under $100

Two Buckle Roman Sandal $79.90 at Zara

Cross over sandal with toe loop $59.90 at Zara

Roman Sandal $79.90 at Zara

Classic Roman Sandal $69.90 at Zara

Luzell Sandal $69.98 at Aldo Shoes

Gyllensten Sandal $85.00 at Aldo Shoes

If you are like me, then you love a good spring/summer sandal. The sandals above are all $100 or less.  My two favorite spots that I found fancy men's sandals were Zara and Aldo. I love Aldo and Zara because they are both economically friendly for a FANCY KID on a budget like myself. I was also mindful of my readers and chose these two brands because they  have a store located in cities all over. If you do not have one in a city near you do not hesitate, just visit http://www.aldoshoes.com/ or http://www.zara.com/. I hope you love them, and have a fancy weekend.


-Cheers from Carlton

Fancy Parfait for Breakfast

I enjoy a delicious parfait for breakfast…. I mean what Fancy Kid doesn’t? After my morning jog and shower Thursday I made a homemade parfait! I had to practice because I will be making them for a party of 10 for a pool side brunch in a couple of weeks. I decided to make the parfait in a wine glass because it's different and not expected. The wine glass adds a little fancy touch to it. Do you love it?

Nylon Magazine Host Event at W Hotel Austin

On Friday March 18th I attended the Nylon Magazine event at the W Hotel in Austin for SXSW. Music lovers, fashionistas, hipsters and music executives from all over the world attended this event with excitement and joy of hearing new bands and indie artists. I met people from Europe to San Francisco who were enjoying themselves as they sipped cocktails and danced to an eclectic genre of music the DJ was spinning. The bright sunshine with a drift of wind made the weather a perfect temperature for an outdoor concert on the terrace of the W Hotel. The newly opened W Hotel was so hipped with a lavish contemporary twist. You know when you are at a W Hotel because their brand shows, from the complimentary Acura car service to their professional guest services (Just perfect for a Fancy Kid like myself). After a couple hours spent on the vibrant terrace I met a producer who insisted that I stick around to hear his new band play but they weren't on until later that night. I decided to meet friends for dinner then return later for the show. Thanks to Ray-Ban I was picked up by a complimentary car and taken to freshen up. Upon returning I noticed the long line to get in, but good thing the doormen remembered me and whisked me through the anxious and roaring crowd (Everyone knows the best act comes on last)! I found out that the terrace was only open to V.I.P. guests and music executives during that time. As I made my way up the stairs and back onto the terrace I bumped into the "Queen of All Media" Perez Hilton who was taking pictures with some of his fans and things of that nature. The vibe had totally changed for the evening shows. The crowd had loosened up and the attire had changed to night time but relaxed wear. The bands rocked out and gave superb performances and closed out the three day event. Overall great job Nylon I enjoyed everything about the event and look forward to attending in 2012. Also we can not forget STYLE X which was just recently introduced to SXSW in which I hope gets bigger and better next year! Enjoy pictures below!

--Cheers from Carlton!!

Fancy Tune of the DAY!

Natasha Bedingfield -  Strip Me

This song inspires me to speak out and reminds me that I have a voice that should be heard. So enjoy this FANCY TUNE! :)

-Cheers from Carlton

My Fancy February Thoughts...

As the month of February come to an end I get closer and closer to my big day (college graduation)! Seventy-Five days in counting. I'm the first in my family to graduate from college and I'm very proud of myself. No worries, I will not be the last to graduate college. I will make SURE my nephews receive higher education because it is the KEY to America. Higher education does not only exist in the classroom either... You have to self educate yourself as well and be educated on your rights as a U.S. Citizen as well as some of the benefits that you qualify for in life. This past Friday I started feeling a little rough after returning from New York for six days, I guess my body wasn't ready to adjust back to the warm Texas weather because I became sick. I didn't go to work this weekend at my part-time job because I was too ill, which opened up so many things for me. 

One thing is I'm glad this is my college job that allows me extra cash in my pocket while I'm still an undergraduate. Two is I could never be a "professional waiter" although I've been doing it since I moved to Houston two years and six months ago. Is that even a career? No It's a job which I'm very appreciative I am able to do as an undergraduate. My social skills has never been a problem, so I fit right in. I'm able to talk to complete strangers about almost anything... Do I like to do it all the time? NO! It is my job to give our guest good customer service and a great experience and that's exactly what I do. I was once told "Carlton.. Whatever you are, be a good one" and I live by that. What I have learned from this job is that you must tip at least 18% when dining out because you're paying for a service. I have many friends who live off of their tips and some people wouldn't tip anything. How disgusting right? Some people need to learn good restaurant etiquette I swear...smh (stay tuned I will write a post about that at a later date)! The reason I've been there so long is because my Mother always told me to never hop from job to job. She said find a stable and dependable job and make it work. She  also said it doesn't look good to hop from job to job and I'm proud of myself for listening to her advice and applying it. My Mother educated me on my work ethic  years ago for my first job when I was sixteen and I'm so grateful. Although food service doesn't have anything to do with my profession, it has everything to do with it. Since I am going into the wonderful world of fashion public relations I am able to converse with complete strangers because networking is a major factor for any profession. It's not about who you KNOW, but more so who KNOWS you. I am also not afraid to make mistakes (we all know I've had my share of incorrect orders). Making a mistake is the easy part, but I'm good at "Plan B" so fixing the problem while keeping everyone happy is not hard at all. One of my favorite quotes is "The most successful people are those who are good at Plan B"  which is so true. I'm able to sell different items to our guest by using "sizzle words"  (which is necessary  in the public relations world when pitching a story to media outlets) and they are really fun and works. I could honestly go on and on but I will stop there. I mean do you really care how my job relates to PR? Yes? No? Maybe? Never thought about it?.....

Some of my colleagues who graduated previous semesters said that my last semester would be a challenge, only because senioritas kicks in and I'll be so over going to class. This is SSOOOO true on all different levels. I mean I knew it was time to go when I walked in class at the start of this semester and the faces weren't familiar to me (Freshmen, Sophomore, and Juniors are taking over). That's when I realized that my time is up and I need to focus on graduation and getting things in order for my life post graduation. By choice I step down from the National Association of Black Journalists PV Chapter  as the executive events coordinator because I didn't have the time for it with my new internship. I am still a student advisor for any of the students who need help with figuring out what's next. I wish everyone well in the organization because I got so much out of it. Going to the national convention last year in California was everything plus more. I met some amazing people that inspired me.

I'm currently interning at a magazine with offices in Dallas and Houston. My dream for years was to work for a nice publication. I love everything about print and media because it's who I am and it's what I do. Some people argue well you don't get paid very much to start off, which is fine. In my twenties the money is not the most important thing I worry about it's my happiness. If I'm doing what I LOVE then it's not considered work. David McCullough once said "Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love" and that's just what I'll do. You can be whatever you want to be with the proper branding and determination!

As I close this post I just would like to say Thank you God for allowing me to live my life in the way you planned and allowing me to live my dreams. I understand that I'm blessed and I do not take it for granted because I come from humble beginnings that have made me the strong man I am today. Thanks you for my wonderful family and good people you surround me with. Now I'm off to a birthday dinner for one of my colleagues! Be blessed!

---Cheers from Carlton 

Pretty in Yellow

I love everything about New York! The good, the bad, and the gorgeous. Last week I attended the ODD Molly Presentation at Lincoln Center and I wore a mustard yellow v-neck sweater in which I got many of compliments on. Of course in Texas the weather is a little more warmer than New York so I was already wearing my spring colors. There's always something about the spring. The spring season makes me feel more sexier, and I always want to get back in shape for summer. Spring wardrobe is so much more fun to play with because of the vibrant colors and the fabric of the clothes. However one of my readers wanted to see a cocktail look so I decided to feature one. I love this mustard yellow vintage inspired Maxmara cocktail dress. This is the perfect cocktail dress to wear to a daytime luncheon or even an evening poolside soiree. Since this is a spring look, what better way to pair it than with some nice high heel sandals to add a little sexy to it. I decided to go with the Kate Spade round earrings and Jessica Simpson worn gold ring with a purple stone because it goes perfect with the look. You can never go wrong with a chunky ring I must say! It's not to much jewelery but just enough. LESS IS MORE! 

--- Cheers from Carlton