While living in Miami, I was introduced to this gorgeous, raven-haired china doll with a killer sense of style and undeniable aura of cool that surrounds her. Tamara Sky, a fierce yet feminine DJ/Model is climbing to the top of her ranksand beating out the boys in the very male dominated music industry.  Her passport has more stamps than you can imagine from jetsetting around the globe for gigs in places like: Switzerland, France, Mexico, London, Indonesia, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Canada and much more.  You may have caught a peek of her on E!’s reality hit TV show, The Girls Next Door, as the infamous Playboy Bunny DJ or while flipping through the pages of Ocean Drive in a editorial or perhaps in Nylon, Paper and ELLE as the spokesmodel for clothing brand, Luxirie.  Tamara may be petite, but packs a punch as she’s apart of the creative collective of The Overthrow. Tamara won the award of Miami’s Best DJ for 2010. If you think she’s just another pretty face, think again as she’s DJed and headlined events with the Hiltons, Kardashians, and Jacksons. Those credentials still not enough to convince you of her ridiculous skills, well Tamara’s shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest DJs and performers like: The Crystal Method, Paul Van Dyk, Kaskade, Passion Pit, Kid Sister, and oh you know, Tiesto. 2011 is a New Year, and Miss Tamara Sky is on her way to dominate it.

After growing up in Puerto Rico, then living in Miami and jetsetting around the world for gigs, how would you say it has affected your style in fashion and music?
Puerto Rico is very small and contrived, especially when it come to fashion and music. I did what I could to look beyond and see what the rest of the world was up to, specifically in those two things. I started djing and traveling soon after I moved to Miami. That alone affected who I am today in a good way. On the fashion side, lets just say I went from being chachi (tacky or tastless) to casual goth. On the music side, I’m inclined to Disco influenced music and indie. I dislike commercial music. In Puerto Rico, everyone listens to reggaeton and sadly knows little to nothing about anything else.

Who are your fashion inspirations and favorite designers?
I’m inspired by Tim Burton’s quirky, gothic, asymmetrical, playful fashions and anything styled by Kattaca. Some of my favorite fashion designers are Betsey Johnson, Alexander McQueen and Balmain.

Who do you think is at the top of the music game currently?
Hard to tell because in my opinion sometimes the most successful in the music industry are just doing the usual, making music for the masses. I rather hear something new, refreshing and interesting like Gatekeeper, Steve Moore, Crystal Fighters, Zombi, Miami Horror and anything with a killer bass.

What 5 songs are on you listening to at the moment and on repeat?
Chains by Gatekeeper
Game and Performance by Deux
Silver Clouds (Dexter Remix) by Photocall
Big Boss by Doctor P
Faithful (GLOVES ‘China White’ Club Mix) by World’s End Press
BONUS!: After Dark ft Mystery Jets by The Count & Sinden

What’s a day in the life of Tamara Sky like – the norm and the crazy?
When I’m not on the road I just relax in Miami. Anything I need to do, I do it on my computer. There’s a lot of packing and unpacking every week. Waking up early is not part of my schedule unless I have a flight to catch. Theres not much sleeping when I travel, only disco naps. Its all: fly, nap, dress, play, pack – on repeat all in what I call “Zombie Mode”.

What’s your favorite outfit to wear while spinning?
Leggings, Ankle boots, Vintage top and leather jacket all in black.

Which career has been more fun for you – modeling or DJing and why?
I haven’t been pushing modeling at all since djing. My priority is music. Ironically, modeling started pursuing me after I became a DJ. I like both but I am not a model im just good at it (*wink*).

So you’re a rockstar in fashion and DJ world, but what other talents and superhero powers do we not know about?
Its not a secret that I’m a vampire robot with amazing ninja powers who is also a zombie with a flesh eating sex demon alter ego.

What does Full Time Fabulous mean to you?
Being yourself, smart, interesting and confident without overdoing it.

Thank you, Tam for an awesome interview and the new mixtape! xo.
Images Courtesy of: Tamara Sky

Some call New York City the Big Apple, Gotham, even Center of The Universe; while others just call it home.  The city of bright lights and big dreams serves as a source of inspiration to the fashion obsessed, artists, designers and frankly to the entire world. New York possesses significant impact on global commerce, the fashion industry and media; with its influence from magazines, editors, buyers, shoppers, designers, manufacturers, photographers, models, and PR houses.  The world is watching its every move.  Whether there is a flash of genius from the streets, people watching, architecture, food, culture, or even that strange smell emanating from that subway grate; it’s undeniable that New York City is an influential force to be reckoned with.

1) The Pace of Fashion

In NYC, life is constantly moving at a rapid fast pace that it becomes the pulse of which the fashion industry lives and moves by. It’s the city that never sleeps; so ideas are constantly generating, creativity a buzz, business ebbing and flowing, and the fashion market is always on the move.  The city houses some of America’s major media and magazines (hello Conde Nast!) that are reporting fashion worldwide at an energized and electric rate.  New York Fashion Week, which occurs twice a year in the Fall and Spring, sets the pace and the tone for the rest of the weeks to come in other countries.  NYFW is the industry leader; think of it as a Balmain-sporting drum major of a fashion forward marching band.

2) Hard Work and Dedication

A little hard work never killed anybody and New Yorkers make this mantra their livelihood.  Designers working around the clock, PR girls schlepping from event to event, photographers capturing the next big campaign, models sashaying and vogueing, reporters writing endlessly and the rest of the city that works tirelessly with them to bring the nation and the rest of the world the latest and greatest American ideas.  Alexander Wang doesn’t dress all the coolest “it” girls because he’s an overnight sensation, but through countless hours and blood, sweat, and tears.  While one fashion season may seem to end, it’s nonstop work into the next.  New Yorkers are determined to achieve their dreams, even with spacial constraints (have you seen how tiny the closets are?) they think outside the box are are always pushing the limits of their creativity.

3) Cultural Melting Pot

New York is a meeting place of minds and with it’s undeniable magnetism that draws people in from around the world.  NYC is known as the cultural melting pot, where all walks of life come to live.  Different cultures mix, but still remain distinct in their own ways and influence the overall attraction of New York fashion.  There is a universal appeal because it is an immigrant mix of backgrounds, cultures, ages and everyone can see a piece of their heritage – their former homes and history.  There’s worldwide appreciation for the Center of the Universe and everyone wants a piece of the Big Apple.  So next time you’re rocking that turban, shibori tie dye prints, French chic stripes, or obi belt; remember to thank New York for the harmonious whole with a common culture influence.  Could you imagine another city to be the host of the United Nations, but I’ll stop before I get all Schoolhouse Rock on you.

4) American Pride

New York City is always showing fashion and offering to the rest of the world a view of what’s bigger, better, and bolder.  We’re the land of super-sizing and Freedom fries, so you know New York has an over the top display of American pride.  The fashion industry sees American pride synonymous with the classic lines of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.  People flock by the hoards to move to New York City to venture out their way to their dreams.  This is where people come to begin their careers, hone their skills , showcase their designs, become the next “it” model, and break out into the fashion industry.  Emerging new designers vet for their time to shine, classic American designers show what makes this nation great and New York brings people together to celebrate the Americana lifestyle.  NYC has a “can’t stop, won’t stop” attitude, and it translates loud and clear into the fashion world.

5) Rebuild and Rebirth

Life happens.  Events occur.  Fashion and more so, people change.  New York City is a strong and resilient place, and it’s sentiments of recovery resonate loudly throughout the world.  New York and all its great people do not shut down and close up shop, but forge forward and continue on to change their lives, the fashion industry, and the world for the better.   Major retailers have their flagship stores on some of the most expensive and historic real estate, because it literally makes cents and sense. Boutiques add their value to the retail industry by adding their own unique flavor to the mix.  Headquarters and showrooms fill those sky high skyscrapers with cutting edge lines and designs, which the rest of the world are waiting to see.  Anna Wintour rallied up the consumer troops and created Fashion Night Out in order to jump start retail sales during the recession, which now has a global presence.  A unified New York City commemorates it’s past, present, and fashionable future.

6) Street Style and Arts Inspiration

You have your starving artists, hipster kids, models off duty, businessmen and women, tourists, shopkeepers, and everyone has their own unique style and flavor.  The notion of dressing up in hopes of being snapped by The Sartorialist and other street style photographers doesn’t seem so crazy after all.  The fashion industry and the rest of the world has its eye on NYC’s streets not only for the unique urban street style, but also for the art sprawled on every surface imaginable.  Museums, galleries, and spare walls house some of the most inspirational and influential art.  Bloggers eat up NY street style with a viral hunger that translates into worldwide acknowledgement.

7) The New Yorkers Uniform

New Yorkers also influence fashion with their own uniform of the quintessential black.  They are the experts of effortless layering, uptown glamour, masters of accessorizing, and pulling it all together for a simple chic look that no other city can replicate. While you always hear season to season that  _________ is the new black, well, New York City invented black.  Here’s my take on the New Yorker’s Uniform - The vintage leather jacket, Kain tissue weight sheer tee, Express sequin skirt for a bit of sparkle, studded booties to stomp around in, Christopher Kane for Versus hobo bag for lugging around city essentials, classic Ray-Ban shades and Chanel Black Satin nail polish to pull it all together.  All black everything.

So in the wise words of Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind:

“If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York!!!
These streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
Let’s hear it for New York”

So I heart NY, and hope to call this great influential city my future home.

Photo Credit: All images were taken by me!

Miami Art Basel is one of the city’s finest moments, where the fashion and art world collide in beautiful form.  I unfortunately won’t be making it to Miami for Art Basel this time around; however, here are my favorite 5 picks to see and be seen at.

1. Refinery29 Double Vision – An Artistic View on Sharing Stories – Dec. 2 & 3,  11am-7pm
Gansevoort Rooftop, 2377 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139

When one of your favorite fashion sites pairs up with Art + Culture Editions to unveil a showcase of how art can be viewed through multiple lenses, you should sashay your way up to the Gansevoort Hotel Rooftop ASAP to mingle with Starbucks VIAtinis in hand.  Find a new favorite emerging artists such as Poppy de Villeneuve, Leslie Shows, Amelia Bauer, Brion Nuda Rosch, Kava Gorna, Tina Tyrell and Brent Steen through the curation of R29′s style director, Piera Gelardi.

2.  FriendsWithYou Presents Rainbow City -Dec. 2-5, 10am – 10pm
140 NE 39th St Miami Design District

Every year, the FriendsWithYou boys do not disappoint; one year I kicked off my Louboutins to jump with joy in their bounce house playland.  This year, a forty piece environmental interactive installation inspired by Holi, a festival effectuated by Hindu followers throwing brightly colored water and powder at each other, FriendsWithYou presents a vibrant collection of mutable, air- filled sculptures.  Interact, explore, and enhance your sensory experience in a psychedelic scene that will truly bring out your inner child.

3.  Sanrio Presents Small Gift Miami – Dec. 2-5, call 1-877-705-8571 for hours
173 NW 23rd Street, Miami, FL 33127

Hang with Hello Kitty and show your serious love for the kawaii kitty by taking home some permanent ink memorabilia with the on-site tattoo artists.  Sanrio is continuing their 50th anniversary celebrations by featuring renditions of fave Sanrio characters by 50 internationally-recognized artists such as: Shepard Fairey, Niagara, Jason Alper, Adam Wallacavage, Mark Mothersbaugh, Richard Colman, Mike Shinoda and Seonna Hong.  Stop by the Small Gift, Big Smile gift shop and pick up specialty anniversary items that will have everyone grinning this holiday season.

4.  The Overthrow Presents Basel Castle - Dec. 4, 5pm -4am
Overthrow Castle, 41 NW 20 Street, Miami, FL 33137

If you haven’t experienced one of The Overthrow’s epic parties where everything is done in excess, start mentally preparing for a nonstop 12-hour funfest.  Features a plethora of music to keep you raging on by Theophilus London, Amanda Blank’s new band Sweethearts, Jesp, DJ Heroes + Villains, Tamara Sky, Damaged Goods, Troy Kurtz, and Pirate Stereo.  Revel in carnival game art installations from TOTT Global and Greg Mike’s Atlanta-based ABV Galler.  Enter Han Cholo’s retro jewelry and apparel pop-up show slash freak show.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

5.  Veuve Clicquot Presents Once Upon A Dream – Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 4pm -6pm
Meridian Avenue & 19^th Street at Miami Beach Convention Center P-Lot, Miami Beach

Champagne bedtime stories, need I say more?  Take some downtime at Design Miami inside one of the innovative sleep capsules created by famed designer, Mathieu Lehanneur.  This exhibit is based on the research of noted professor René Quinton, and findings of sleep specialist Alain Nicolas, to create a space that evokes resynchronization through touch, sight, smell and sound.  This dream land will kick off the upcoming re-opening of Veuve Clicquot’s Hôtel du Marc in Reims, France. RSVP for your naptime at: DesignMiamiVC@LSagency.com

So after you’re all Baseled out, party your ass off at Le Baron, the Art Basel Miami Beach pop-up nightclub, who’s spending their third year at the Florida Room. Tuesday, November 30, through Sunday, December 5. Florida Room, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Admission by guest list only. Call 305-674-6152 or visit clublebaron.com.  Then fuel up with the fine dining of my favorite restaurant, Michael’s Genuine Food and Drinks and then hammam at the Standard Hotel.

Hermès knocks it out of the skatepark by taking it next level and upping their game with their new social media viral sensation.  While aimed at younger demographic, still Hermès beautifully depicts all their classic product offerings with literal twists and turns.   Nollies, grinding, and kick flips are all avid skater moves around fragrances, clic clacs and enamel bracelets, the pleated scarf, ties, and oh my is that a Birkin?

Apart of a larger viral outreach campaign, you can view the rest of the videos each representing a characteristic of Hermès: craftsmanship, versatility, technology, and for all ages.

Love it or hate it?

To all my philanthropic and fashionable friends in Chicago, the gro – Giving. Real. Opportunity., thrown by the beautiful ladies behind Seeds of Africa, is the event to be at this weekend.

Show your support for the darling children in Ethiopia in need better education and after school program and also the homeless on the South Side of Chicago. Mingle with models over matters that will make a difference in many children’s futures.  Also, enjoy the open bar in the lovely atmosphere of the Orangeskin swank showroom while opening your hearts and wallets for the silent auction.

I personally got involved with Seeds of Africa, a nonprofit organization, for the inspiration and support they provide to children, young adults and their families in Africa. The foundation has created community enhancement and development programs to help shape these young citizens into future leaders.  These underprivileged children are at the top of their class, yet their families do not have the means to provide them with the support for their most fundamental needs.  Sometimes we take for granted the simplest luxuries that these children are not able to have.

Make a difference… and hey, you can also say you got to meet Miss Ethiopia, the founder of Seeds of Africa.  

Orangeskin, 223 West Erie Street, Chicago
Saturday, Nov. 13th, 7-11pm
Silent Auction and Open Bar, $25 tax deductible entry, tickets available at the door
RSVP:gro2010rsvp@gmail.com

Daisy Lowe for British Esquire (i-pad size if downloaded) from Greg Williams on Vimeo.

Wicked behind on posting since my mind & body are still on vacation mode, but here’s a little Thursday treat leading you into the weekend. Not only do I love this song, but I’ve got a mad girl crush on Daisy Lowe. She’s got a body to bite at; compared to all the skinny minis that haven’t bitten into food in years. Can we bring back the T&As? Just sayin’…

Somehow time on Thursdays always seem to escape me, but I wanted to take a moment to share this song with you that’s been been the soundtrack for today.  Sam Sparro is an Aussie turned Angeleno artist that mixes his sultry vocals with some sick electro-pop house beats to get an eclectic, yet smooth sound.  If his vocals aren’t charming enough already, he’s got a face to match… but as they say, “The cute ones are always gay.”  *sighhhhhh*

Sam Sparro – Black and Gold

If the fish swam out of the ocean
and grew legs and they started walking
and the apes climbed down from the trees
and grew tall and they started talking

and the stars fell out of the sky
and my tears rolled into the ocean
now i’m looking for a reason why
you even set my world into motion

’cause if you’re not really here
then the stars don’t even matter
now i’m filled to the top with fear
that it’s all just a bunch of matter

’cause if you’re not really here
then i don’t want to be either
i wanna be next to you
black and gold
black and gold
black and gold

i looked up into the night sky
and see a thousand eyes staring back
and all around these golden beacons
i see nothing but black

i feel a way of something beyond them
i don’t see what i can feel
if vision is the only validation
then most of my life isn’t real

’cause if you’re not really here
then the stars don’t even matter
now i’m filled to the top with fear
that it’s all just a bunch of matter

’cause if you’re not really here
then i don’t want to be either
i wanna be next to you
black and gold
black and gold
black and gold

Watch. Giggle. Lust.

You know when you hear a song and it just resonates with you for a while; possibly to the point of jam dancing in undies nonstop?  Well, The Black Keys “Next Girl” is wearing out my speakers.  Their new album drops on May 18th, entitled Brothers.  It will have their classic twangy, rock with bad ass beats signature sound mixed with a bit of Danger Mouse, who again is producing the album like their last, Attack and Release.

Quite possibly my favorite song at the moment… just replace girl with boy and it’s the story of my life.   Enjoy my loves.

02 Next Girl – The Black Keys

“Well, the look of the cake, it ain’t it ain’t always the taste

My ex girl, she had such a beautiful face, I wanted love

But not for myself, but for the girl so she could, so she could love herself

Oh my next girl, will be nothing like, my ex girl

I made mistakes back then, I’ll never do it again

Oh my next girl, she’ll be nothing like, my ex girl

It was a painful death, nah, I got a second chance

Oh her beautiful face and her wicked ways, and I’m praying for her beautiful face everyday

All that work, over so much time, if I think too hard, I might lose my mind

Oh my next girl, will be nothing like, my ex girl

I made mistakes back then, I’ll never do it again

Oh My next girl, she’ll be nothing like, my ex girl

It was a painful death, I got a second chance.”