As a hairstylist and owner of De La Casa Salon & Spa on Monroe Road, DeShonda Lanier feels it’s important to give back. So the 40-year-old volunteers her salon services to organizations such as the United Family Services shelter for battered women.

She enjoys making others women feel good about themselves.

She also loves shoes. She owns so many pairs that she wasn’t willing to share the exact number, but she’s preparing to lighten her load by donating clothing and shoes to earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Read what else she enjoys below.

Q. How would you describe your style?
I love to push the button. Edgy is the best way to describe me. I feel that key pieces are what make an outfit. If you have on banging shoes and purse, all you need is a crispy white shirt and some Gap skinny leg jeans with the distressed holes and your outfit is complete. Ladies, I gave you that information for free. Lol!

Q. What celebrity’s style do you most admire?
Michelle Obama. She has her own style, and she could care less if you like it or not. That sums it up on how I feel. No two people dress alike, so having your own style is a must.

Q. Where do you shop?
Nowhere in particular, although I often purchase fabulous shoes at the boutique Step by Sloan on East Boulevard. Whether shopping in TJ Maxx, Family Dollar or Target, confidence is the key to pulling any outfit together, no matter where it came from. You have to make the clothes; clothes do not make you.

Q. Are you into specific designers?
Yes, for jewelry, purses, sunglasses and shoes: David Yurman, Gucci, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Giuseppe and Emilio Pucci.

Q. What’s your favorite accessory?
A woman can’t name just one accessory because you need several special ones to make an outfit complete. 1. Purse 2. Shoes 3. Sunglasses 4. Jewelry 5. Scarf, if the weather permits.

Q. I never leave home without my….
Bankcard. How can one shop without the necessary tools. I can’t go too far without it.

Q. Are you a shoe fanatic?
Yes. A woman NEVER reveals how many pairs of shoes she has. The IRS might be watching! Lol!

Q. What item in your wardrobe can’t you live without?
Pocketbooks and shoes. Oh, who am I kidding? Sunglasses are very important also.

Q. What piece of jewelry do you wear most?
Tiffany & Co. necklace and bracelet.

Q. What is your favorite color?
Black. It is very forgiving and slimming.

Q. What’s your latest fashion obsession?
David Yurman jewelry

Q. I wouldn’t be caught wearing…
Last season’s fashions!!!!!

Q. What’s in your handbag?
Necessary items a woman needs for daily survival. That is for me to know and for you to try to find out.

Q. What’s your latest fashion splurge?
A Gucci bag.

Q. Name three items every stylish woman should own?
Sunglasses, a fabulous purse, and some key pieces of jewelry.

Q. What’s in your make up bag?
Mac lip glass and other Mac products, Posner translucent powder and my old faithful face sponge; you never know when a shine on your face may appear.

Q. Do you wear perfume?
That’s one thing I never leave home without. I have several favorites. Just to name a few -- David Yurman, Miss Dior Cherie, Angel, Coco Chanel Mademoiselle and Lola, which is the newest favorite.

Q. How do you maintain your hair?
Weekly shampoos, conditioners and roller sets. Avlon products are my favorite.

Q. How do you pamper yourself?
By getting my nails and hair done. Pedicures, facials and waxing treatments are a must, not to mention I get a massage every three weeks. It does your body good.

Q. What style rules do you live by?
Always be fabulous from head to toe when you walk out the door, you never know who is watching. This I know: You see I’m in this article. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!!!!

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