Wanna be

The aphorism "clothes do not make the man" strongly applies to today's post. Wearing nice clothes are never a bad thing and no one should be made to feel bad for taking pride in their appearance, but once you strip away your clothes; who are you? I take pride in being able to say I know my inner self. It took me a long time to get here and be comfortable in my own skin. After all, in my eyes I'm still the buck toothed girl who is terribly bow legged. But, I've had strong/positive female influences in my life who taught me about self love, so that may have something to do with me being able to walk with my head held high. Often times some people confuse those who dress nicely and are self aware with being conceited or stuck up, which is not fair. Especially when you know the humility that lives within your heart. I'm a middle child who grew up in a single parent house hold, that alone should tell you I had to grow up with a sense of humor all while maintaining a stiff upper lip.

I definitely do not take myself or the clothes I wear seriously. Yeah I like nice clothes, who doesn't? But, clothing can only take you so far. A sense of self is what makes the overall look come together. Case in point: if the shirt I was wearing didn't say BALMAIN and was a basic T-shirt, I would still be the same person. I know that when I throw this shirt back in my closet I'm still the girl who used to stuff her training bra with her mom's shoulder pads until puberty hit. I know I'm still the person who sobs while watching certain Disney movies.

Clothes and designer labels do not make you who you are. They're nice, but they are things. And beauty is only skin deep. True beauty comes from the core of one's self.  Remember, you are the main piece to your wardrobe. You wear your clothes, not the other way around.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Shirt: Balmain H&M
Belt: F21
Pants: H&M
Jacket: F21
Necklace: F21
Watch: Michael Kors

Walk in the park

I would love to say the weather has been consistently cool and the Fall season never looked prettier, but I live in Southern California and that is a luxury we do not have. So on days like this when the weather permits a cool breeze and you actually see the leaves change colors; that is the moment when you HAVE to take a minute for yourself and go for a walk. Now, of course you would want to be wearing something season appropriate and fashionable. I don't know about you, but I can't get in a good meditation state without feeling cute.  Weird... I know.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: when leisurely walking through the park, I like to listen to certain songs on my playlist, sit on a bench or swing set with a cup of coffee and imagine little scenarios. Really weird... I know! Right now my song and scenario is "Life in Mono" and I'm in New York, Central Park, and I'm wearing today's outfit choice (obviously) and I'm watching life happen. Watching elderly couples be affectionate with each other, watching kids play and watching the sun set off the lake. As you already know from posts I've done in the past, I like to bring some of my scenarios to life. Why limit yourself to imagining when you can make it happen?

The only thing to make this whole scenario come together would be me actually in New York, but sometimes the best of things come later. At least that's what's always proven to be true to me.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Jacket: H&M
Sweater: Zara
Jeans: F21
Purse: F21
Strappy heels: Aldo
Necklace: H&M 

September Issues

As you've already gotten to know based on my previous posts; I have zero act right when it comes to fur and anything shiny. Now, I know it's way too early to break out the faux fur and other heavy layering pieces for the Fall season. It's 98°F outside as we speak... in September! But, who said anything about being outside? I've stated before that I enjoy playing dress up in the comfort of my home. Today's post is no different. While lounging around, I like to still keep it classy with a nice robe and some sort of jewelry. Today I opted for this fur coat I bought a while back. I never really have the chance to wear it because I don't have anything in my daily wardrobe that goes with it. So now I just wear it around the house. I have air conditioning, I can strut around in fur if I want to.

Trust me when I say I'm not high maintenance. I just remember this one nice lady I admired when I was young who would strut around her house in kitten heels, fur, red long nails and all of her gold jewelry. Her name was Ms. Lula. I loved that lady! She would take me to Bible Study with her and she taught me how to pray. She was the nicest lady and she was absolutely fabulous!

Just when you thought I was this 'bougie'  chic; now you see I'm simply emulating one of my favorite people who was dear to me.

Thanks for stopping by and tuning in.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Fur coat: H&M
Sweat pants: F21
Tank top: Hanes
Necklace: F21

Fabulous Too

On today's post I'd like to feature my beautiful daughter, Millie, with her amazing self. Yes, this 2 year old with wild curls and that devilishly beautiful smile holds my entire heart! I know she's only been on this earth for only a couple of years, but I'm very certain she's an old soul. She's very much her own person; she knows what she wants and doesn't take no for an answer. Or wait... maybe I'm just confusing her ability be so strong minded with her just being really good at throwing tantrums. Yes, terrible twos are a real thing! But, I challenge anyone to resist her charm when she kisses you after one of those world class tantrums. All is forgiven in my book.

Aside from her curly hair and her stubbornness, she also has my fashion sense.  Style isn't something you can just teach someone, especially someone as young as Millie. She does her own thing when it comes to looking fabulous. Every time we get ready to leave the house, she has to put on her sunglasses and have  whatever her favorite toy is for the moment. For the time being, those toys are her princess car keys and her Pepa Pig. Another staple piece Millie needs to wear almost everyday are her dresses. When I dress her for the day she'll tell me, "Mommy I'm wearing a dress today". Who am I to argue with her when she's talking to someone who wore ruffle panties at the age of two. The killer for me is when I get her dolled up and ready to go, she goes to the full length mirror and does a full inspection of her overall look. As if she has to make sure I styled her accordingly. Yeah... She's a mess. But, I believe it goes without saying that she didn't steal that sass. Now if only I could get her to be as enthusiastic about me running a comb through her hair as she is about getting dressed up. However, that's a whole other topic... something she didn't steal from me, that's for sure.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I may have my work cut out for me with this little one. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for tuning in once again!
Until next time loves,
Xoxo

(Song for this post dedicated to my Millie Pies is One Republic: I swear I lived)

Haven't dedicated a song to a post in a very long while; thought it would be fitting for my baby girl ;)

Dress: H&M
Shoes: Crocs
Sunglasses: H&M
Smile: My Genes :)

Boho Mojo

Feeling a little under the weather? If so, that makes two of us. As the weather changes from extreme heat to cool nights, my body tends to go haywire. Unfortunately, the only thing I can do to shake this cold is take lots of Musinex and drink hot tea. That and put on a pretty dress to mask how I feel. The worse thing you could do when you're sick is dress dowdy. Have you ever noticed when you wear sweats and an over sized shirt your mood is a little on the lazy side. Yes, you're comfortable, but you're also accepting the fact that you're not feeling good. I've noticed that when you wear something that makes you feel good and confident, you're more likely to get over your cold a lot sooner. Trust me!

Today I pulled out this little bohemian number to give me a boost. This dress is easy to wear; it's comfortable and it takes ZERO effort to put the rest of your outfit together. Since this dress has a pattern, I don't have to indulge in accessories to spice things up. Little add-ons  go a long way with this piece. A long necklace, sandals that compliment the colors in the dress and a nice purse give this look the mojo I need.

I may feel feverish, but the rest of the world shouldn't have to witness the horror. We'll just keep that our little secret... wink wink.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Dress: F21
Sandals: Aldo
Purse: Thrifted
Necklace: F21
Sunglasses: Street vendor
Cocktail ring:F21

Mellow Yellow

Nothing brightens my day more than wearing yellow; it's an instant mood booster for me. That and the fact that it's Friday. It's amazing to me how a particular color can do something to your mood and totally uplift you.

In previous posts I've explained how Fridays are meant for easy/casual styles with the sense of looking good without trying too hard. Today's post is me doing what I do best on Fridays. My paisley printed pants give off a fun vibe along with providing me with comfort. Some prints you want to be careful with when wearing them on your lower body, but with this pair I bought a few years back I've always found to be a good look for me. I paired them with this yellow top I got at my local thrift store along with a simple purse and strappy wedges. I kept everything simple so my pants could stand out. My accessories are understated yet go together with my overall outfit without competing with my pants and top.

I think it's safe to say Fridays and anything with the color yellow go nicely together! How about we say, "On Fridays we wear Yellow"? Just a thought....

See you guys soon,
Xoxo

The Weekender

I believe in taking it easy on Sundays. I believe in easy to wear outfits such as one piece rompers. I believe in the freedom of choice to not wear make-up or style your hair. Thank God for baseball caps to cover up all of that "freedom".

On humid days like this particular Sunday, I like to keep my style simple and low key. A trick I like to do is wear something that can be instantly transformed from "no effort casual" to "casual glam". My one piece romper for instance is simple yet stylish. Depending on how you pair you accessories with this romper will determine how your overall look comes off. I paired my baseball cap and fringe purse with this one piece to play it "no effort casual". But say I wanted to grab lunch with a friend; I would simply chuck my cap, flip my hair a little and be on my way looking "casual glam". It's crazy how one thing can completely transform an outfit! I find this trick to be most effective on basic items such as; basic T- shirts with jeans or leggings, basic camisoles with shorts or even just a one piece romper. Simple pieces of clothing that are ordinary at first glance, but can be instantly transformed with accessories. But, let's not forget; no matter what you wear, OWN IT and make no apologies! Accessories or not, YOU make the outfit, not the other way around.

Thanks for spending your Sunday with me, loves!

Until next time,

Xoxo

Romper: F21
Sandals: Aldo
Purse: Foreign Exchange
Cap: Lids

Retro Vibes

Something about the summer makes me want to listen to certain genres of music: The Temptations, Jimi Hendrix, The Supremes, and even some " Doo Wop" songs. Even though the late 60's, early 70's is way before my time, I have much admiration for that era. That time had so many changes going on and people were finding their voices and not taking anything less than what they felt they were owed. But, let's be frank here; that generation had some pretty sick fashion moments too! Bell bottoms, platforms, fringe, costume jewelry, etc. It's easy to get carried away with the "Retro" look when putting an outfit together because the overall look starts to get a mind of it's own. For instance; my outfit started off with my bell bottoms. They obviously have a bohemian feel to them so I just played from there. I went for a high-low grey shirt because I wanted to wear something that was going to be cohesive with my look, but not compete with my pants. From there, I just went with the flow (pun intended) and grabbed my fringe yellow necklace, my headband, my Jackie O inspired sunglasses and carried on.  My fringe grey leather purse you've seen me wear in a couple of my previous posts was something I just gravitated towards to complete this look. And finally, the sandals I kept simple because like I said about my shirt, I didn't want anything to compete with my pants. Honestly, I put ZERO thought into this outfit. It put itself together, I swear!! I guess a free spirit came over me (last pun).

Thank you guys for your continued support and for tuning in. I can't thank you guys enough!

Until next time,
Xoxo

PS. I put the descriptions of my outfit in the labels column... I tried to be a little professional... wink..wink..

Prairie Fancy

As you already know, I'm a dreamer. I've explained in previous posts that certain pieces of clothing make me think of different scenarios or themes. When I first saw this dress, "Little house on the Prairie", came to mind. I also had the thought of a woman wearing this dress in a field, having no cares and just taking in the country fresh air that has a hint of Star Jasmine to it. A woman that is so centred with herself that she has this calm sense to her. I'm not that chic...at least not yet anyway. So I hope I translated my vision as close as possible for you guys.

The dress is a busy piece, so I didn't indulge in accessories. I added a vintage statement necklace to add some extra flare to the "Prairie" look. If I was in a country field, I would still want some sort of costume jewelry . I'm weird like that. I didn't include a purse with this look because when you're way off in a field of dreams, do you really need a purse?!

Thanks for tuning in, loves! Have a good Sunday and I'll see you soon!

Until next time,
Xoxo

Dress: H&M
Sandals: Aldo
Necklace: F21

Finish Line

I find it ironic that even though I've been a runner for almost 20 years, I only recently have started to"enjoy" it. I ran track and field as a kid and all throughout my teen years. The events I'd  run were always the 200, 400 and 800. Not going to lie; I was pretty damn fast. For a minute there I had dreams of one day going to the Olympics... don't laugh. But I remember I never really "loved' the sport. I just did it because my family was so proud of me when I would win and it was actually the only thing I was good at. I ran because I had the need to be the best and coming in first at the end of the race was my validation. But, as I grew older in the sport I realized how selfish my way of thinking was. Later in my Senior year of High school I had a couple of team mates that suffered bad injuries and they were never the same. Not only could they not run anymore, but they couldn't be as active again in their day to day lives either. The thought of being young with your body giving out on you for a sport  you didn't have that much interest in anymore  scared me immensely!  I only liked the part when I'd win, (it's okay to laugh at that last statement). After I came to grips with the fact that I couldn't continue on with the sport that I felt gave me a sense of identity, I had to dig a little deeper inside and find what else I was capable of.

Obviously, years later I found my niche. I found my calling in fashion and never regretted my decision to start a new path. It wasn't until after I had my daughter, Millie, that I started back up with running. Selfishly, I needed to lose the weight  I gained while I was pregnant. I knew my body well enough to know that running would be the easiest way to shed the pounds. I would load Millie up in her stroller and go for a  2 mile run about three times a week. Before I knew it, Millie and I were doing 4miles, five times a week. It actually got to the point to where I NEEDED to run! About 3 months back into my running groove, it hit me: "I'm in love with running". How the hell did that happen? I mostly think it's because it's my time to think. I just listen to my music and think about all of the things I'm so grateful and happy about.  That, and the fact that Millie loves it when I go fast. So that pushes me for sure. How funny is it that now I run fast for my daughter's amusement and not for my own validation? Full circle or what!?

For the outfit choice in this post, I'm not going to go into too much detail because this post is simply dedicated to the sport that taught me how to push through pain, how to keep focus and that you're not done with the race until you've crossed the finish line. And most importantly, NEVER GIVE UP!

Until next time,
Xoxo

Top:F21
Sports bra: F21
Shorts: Fila
Shoes: Nike Flynet 4.0

Mother's Day

This is a late post, I know. But, better late than never, right !?! I hope all the mothers out there had a wonderful Mother's day and your day was full of love and positivity. I hope the new mom's hearts swelled as they received their hand made cards with the glued on macaroni and painted hand prints all over it. And I hope the seasoned mothers got the chance to relax and pamper themselves. And to the mother's that are trying and have yet to receive their bundles from the stork, I especially hope you know this day belongs to you as well. The heart of a woman is enormous and is built to endure more than what we can actually comprehend. Your hearts are, I believe, to be the strongest and most pure. Never lose hope.

I was blessed and most fortunate to be raised by a woman who is both my Mother and Father. A single mother who worked a demanding job as a Paralegal and went to school at nights and still managed to raise three young girls. I know it wasn't easy for her. However, growing up I had no idea that times were hard and that financially we were struggling. And with me being so unaware of the fact that my family was barely getting by, I never felt like I had a disadvantage from the other kids in my neighborhood. I still to this day have no idea how my mother managed to keep me and my other sisters completely unaware to the fact that we were struggling at times. As I write this I am getting choked up because my heart is just so full of love for this woman.  My mother taught me to fight for what I believe in and to never let anyone or anything stand in the way of my vision. God knew I needed you to be my mom.

The outfit for today's post is pretty simple. Chambray tops go with everything and florals are just a must for Sundays. At least that's what I believe anyway. I wore my tribal statement necklace to kind of take apart the girly look the floral skirt gives off. I tied in the colors from the pattern of the skirt with my orange purse to break up some of the business from the overall look. This look is both "Mom" appropriate and "casual lunch date" appropriate. Whatever "appropriate" look you're going for, make sure you wear the best accessory: Confidence!!

Until next time guys,
Xoxo

Chambray top: H&M
Skirt: F21
Heels: Zara
Purse: Michael Kors
Necklace: F21

Day-cation

I've been waiting for the perfect weather to break out my favorite sundress. I was immediately drawn to this little number specifically because of the the Sunflower print. Fun fact: Sunflowers have always been my favorite flower. For some odd reason they're a big mood lifter for me.
It also helps that the style and print of this dress goes perfectly with the upcoming Summer season. I mean, when I think of Summer I automatically think of sundresses and Sunflowers... that and state fairs along with a delicious funnel cake. Since it's not quite Summer yet and state fairs aren't around for the moment,  I could only bring half of my vision of Summer to you guys in today's post.
I also really wanted to pull together a look that was simple and easy because when the weather has you feeling just as good as it looks outside, you find that you don't have to overcompensate.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Sundress: F21
Arm cuff:F21
Purse: gift from Nigeria
Sandals: F21
Sunglasses: H&M

Mesh-n' Around

Mesh is a fabric that I feel is often misunderstood. You often find it in lingerie or other risqué fashion. I wanted to make this post about how you can wear Mesh and not look so provocative. By adding a couple of statement pieces, you can take Mesh to a whole new level of sophistication. My silver statement necklace adds dimension to this outfit. Without the addition of the necklace, this outfit would have fallen flat and we all know I like to do a little extra. I also added a camel coloured blazer, which is another statement piece that adds polish. This look works fine with or without the blazer, but I wanted to show how one simple add-on can change a whole outfit. The strappy heeled sandals keep the overall look cohesive, while the side slung purse gave this sophisticated outfit a playful twist. Life is too short to not have a little twist to it.

Until next time,

Xoxo

Mesh dress: F21
Blazer: F21
Under dress: Vintage
Purse: H&M
Heels: Aldo
Necklace: F21

Low Key

I think I can say with total confidence that we all have those days when we just want to be "low key". Those days when you almost don't feel like putting too much thought into your outfit because you're just taking it easy. While I've never been the type to walk out of the house with an unkept appearance, I do have my days when I want to be as low maintenance as possible. Denim shorts, sandals, a side slung purse and a loosely fitted blouse translates the "no muss-no fuss"vibe for this post. I added the blazer last minute because I liked the way it made the black arrows on my blouse pop. I mean, you really can't go wrong with a simple blazer as the final touch to your outfit.

Until next time loves,
Xoxo

Blazer: F21
Blouse: H&M
Shorts: F21
Sandals: F21
Purse: H&M

Florals For Spring

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Florals for Spring.... ground breaking". I believe Miranda Priestly put it best in "Devil wears Prada", when she said that same exact thing. Floral prints during Spring season is a pretty obvious staple piece. After all, it is the time of year when flowers bloom and begin to release their natural fragrances. But, I guess it's all about how you choose to wear this season's obvious pattern. If you're 8 years old, then by all means wear that puffy floral Easter dress your mother bought you. However, a person in their 20's would want to be a little more subtle. For this post I wanted to show how you could wear floral without looking like an eyesore. I added a chambray button down and my blazer to level out the pattern of my dress. And my black booties added a hint of modern edge to this over all girly look. So YES,I wear floral in Spring. Not because I'm BASIC, but because I'm girly- girl at heart with a little edge to me.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Floral Dress: F21
Blazer: Thrift find
Chambray top: F21
Booties: F21

Like A Lady

As the Spring season approaches and the heavy coats and layering pieces from Winter get pushed to the back of the closet, I can't help but to feel excited for the change in my wardrobe. This season is about light coloured clothing and balancing textures and proportions. I love the idea of lady like prints and fabrics for Spring: floral prints, chiffons, pastels/neutrals, etc. It's a great change from darker coloured hues from the Winter.
As you already know, I romanticize everything. Call me a dreamer! Certain smells, colours even certain places allow my mind to wander and imagine little scenarios. For instance; this outfit was brought together simply by this scarf. This chiffon printed scarf always makes me think of the early 1940's, when women were class acts. They wore scarves, gloves, hats and killer red lips. That particular era always seemed to have countless romantic and timeless moments. I wanted to recreate that idea with a modern twist. My cropped sweater and pencil skirt played off the vibe I was going for. I wanted to make my outfit neutral and allow for my scarf to be the statement piece. The small hand bag and neutral heels helped play up the modern touch to this look as well.

I hope you all are enjoying this lovely weather this season brings as much as I am. I mean, how could you not, though!?

Until next time guys,
Xoxo

Scarf: Vintage boutique
Sweater: F21
Pencil Skirt: Zara
Heels: Zara
Purse: Louis Vuitton Pouchette
Watch: Michael Kors

Just say YES!

I was one of those teens that suffered from acne all the way into my early adult age. The embarrassment of having several zits front and center for the world to see is definitely not a pleasant feeling. I tried everything under the sun that promised to put my skin in check, but I ended up with loads of products stuffed in my bathroom that did nothing. Sound familiar to some of you reading? I think about those years when my skin really struggled and wish I knew what I know now. The answer to my skin issues was,"YES".

One day I was on one of those,"Pick me up", phases while I was at my local Target. I had just gotten paid so my check was burning a whole in my pocket. I went straight to the beauty isle and I stumbled across they're face and body products. I wasn't really on the hunt for face products this particular day but I just so happened to see a new line they were carrying called "YES". It came in all type of varieties according to different skin issues: Acne, Anti aging, Skin hydration, etc. Obviously my eyes went for their acne based product. They have two lines for acne: their tomato based line and  grapefruit. I went for the grapefruit line because I really just liked the smell and because it said it helped clear old acne spots. Honestly, what went through my mind was," Well... I already tried everything else, I might as well try this for $10." I bought the grapefruit brightening facial cleanser and their spot correcting serum. I didn't expect much being as how  cheap they were. I began using this line day and night and by week 3, I noticed my skin was actually transforming. My old acne scars were fading and I hadn't gotten one zit since starting this product. After a whole 2 months of using this line my skin was brighter, not a zit in sight and little to no traces of old acne scars. I stopped having to use foundation because I was no longer ashamed of my skin, and in addition it cut my morning prep time in half. Even my mom asked me what I was doing differently for my skin to look so good. I told her and everyone else who asked about my skin transformation to try this great product, and they saw results as well. Along with using the "YES" line from Target, I also began using "evian" facial spray. It's a moisturizer, refresher and skin toner. In other words, it makes my skin look and feel incredibly soft. I SWEAR by this stuff!!! It's a quick "wake me up," for your face.

I sincerely hope someone out there who suffers from acne is reading this and finds the answer to their skin problems through this product. I know all too well about the struggle, but there is a solution. This product won't work over night, but it will WORK. Also, this isn't that type of product that stops working when you stop using it. I now only have to use this product during certain changes us women go through. But, even then I only get one zit on my lower chin or on the side of my forehead. I hope this helped some of you or there.

Until next time,
Xoxo

"evian" facial spray: Sephora

"YES" to grapefruit
spot correcting serum: Target

"YES"to grapefruit
even skin tone moisturizer: Target