I say HELL YES!!! But before I go in-depth on this latest little number, I just want to say I'm sorryyyy for being such a bleak poster as of late! I know y'all have been missing my bitchin' like craaazy, so my New Year's resolution will be to be a more active MariahJournal.com columnist! Yay me!!

OK, so let's get down to business: Miss Mimi brought sexy-yet-sophisticated back at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley-on-Klip, Johannesburg, South Africa on January 2, a look that sadly went out of style for Mariah around December -05. Hopefully, MC's resolution for -07 was to be a better dresser!

But folks, it's a new year, so let's focus on the positive, because Mariah sure is looking bangin' in this slimming animal print mini! Basically everything about this dress is right; it has short sleeves which cover her arms and make them look leaner, it's showing just the right amount of cleavage to avoid that Barbie doll look, and it's just the perfect fit, not too tight.

The only downside is that ugly flounced hemline, but as it isn't really showing in this particular photo, I'll just pretend it never existed. Also, it's almost made up for by the pretty pearl necklace and earrings, that only add to the classy appearance.

Having said that, you can now disregard everything I just said about the dress and focus on the primary - THE HAIR, and more specifically, THE COLOR! MC has finally gone back to that lovely and flattering medium/dark brown with a few gold highlights, the look that has always been the best for her. Stunning indeed!

Grade: B

First of all, I want to thank all of you for all the great feedback, both positive and negative! I'm really pleased to see so many of you visiting and enjoying my blog.

I’ve been reading through all the comments and e-mails from you guys and have come to the conclusion that an adjustment might be in order. I figured doing a relative grading system based on occasion, type of ensemble ('tour', 'event gown', 'casual', etc) would be a good idea, but a lot of you seemed to think otherwise. So from now on I will be using a GENERAL grading system, based simply on the ensemble itself and nothing else (see revised grades below). I hope this will help clear out some of the confusion!

Again, thanks for all the feedback and letters, and keep checking back for the latest scoop on everything fashion, hair and make-up - Mariah style!

Phew! These are busy times!

Miss Mimi (or perhaps "Mini" is more appropriate these days! ) steps out for the 7th Annual Wish Night Awards Gala in this cute burgundy mini, which beautifully complements her tanned complexion. A definite step up from last week's black nightmare, this one actually does her figure a few favors!

First off, the more demure neckline works wonders for her breasts, keeping them a little more covered up and less in-your-face than usual. Her legs are looking better than ever, although the hemline could be a bit lower for a more elongating effect (whatever happened to her "certain length" philosophy she explained on MTV Cribs - that was pure science right there!). And those metallic Christian Louboutins are simply to die for!

So, why the "mixed bag" title, you may ask. Well, there are few things that bring down the overall appearance, the most glaring being her make-up.

WHAT is up with that shiny, uneven, orange foundation, paired with those pale pink lips (which don't at all match the color of the dress, by the way)?! That skin make-up doesn't do her any favors, it only makes her look sweaty and helps to accentuate the fine lines under her eyes. Why is that make-up artist of hers around 24/7, if not for touch-ups? A real shame since her hair color looks the best it has in years!

Secondly, a not as big a deal, but still very noticeable; the jewelry. It looks quite tacky, especially combined with this type of ensemble.

A simpler necklace, a lighter shade of foundation and perhaps a burgundy-colored lipstick to match the dress would have made a world of difference.

Grade: B-

Hello to all my little fashion victims!

FINALLY Mimi is emancipated from her what feels like year-long vacation (haven't we missed her?!), just like a butterfly from its cocoon. Sooo, to the question on everyone's mind..! Did our favorite diva stun her ex, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, at last week's Joe Torre Stay At Home Foundation Gala? Well, let's just say I hope this, what looks to be a leftover from her tour collection, was just her arrival/departure ensemble...

Okay, first off, the good: the top surely frames those two big stunners well. And... okay, that's all I got.

This dress looks cheap, thanks to those unflattering side cutouts. Why she keeps insisting on those is way beyond me. The thing is, you can't really go wrong with a long black gown, IF you just choose to accentuate your advantages. Why not ditch the Barbieish cutouts and opt for a nice long slit to show off those gorgeous legs (and what looks to be a pair of fabulous matching pumps)?

A lovely black ensemble also gives you the fabulous opportunity to really go all out with the make-up - so where are the dramatic, seductive smoky eyes? With such a demure lip make-up, you really need a sharper eye make-up to avoid that washed out look. Also, with a halterneck cut, sweeping up the hair (think "Don't Forget About Us" video) would leave the shoulders exposed, which would make for a more slimming effect.

Grade: C-

Mimi goes go-go dancer in this smoking hot tour number that so strikingly displays those "legs of a Goddess". No one can pull off the tube top/matching skirt (or in this case, tube top/matching tube top ) like Mariah, but as with most of her outfits, she likes to add a personal touch to it, and what's a better, or more "Mariah", way of doing that than adding some sparkling sequins spelling out, what else, but "MIMI".

Grade: D-

Photo credit: Jacob

Hey, sometimes black really is the only way to go when you want to keep it casual, but chic, which Miss Mariah proves excellently in this comfy yet slimming travel getup. Paired with a set of cooler-than-thou shades and a simple cut designer heel that adds to the slimmed-down effect, Mimi was sure to turn heads upon arriving in Narita, Japan on October 13 for one of the few international stops on her current world tour.

Pros: the length of the pants, the thin shoestraps, and the overall chicness of the ensemble.

Cons: the hair. Sideswept bangs in combination with the cute ponytail would've made for a more flattering look.

Grade: C-