Bold Patterns

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Earring: Similar HERE & HERE| Striped blouse: Ashley Stewart, sold out
Ankara dress: c/o HERE| Pink sandals: Vince Camuto, old| Purse: Coach, old

We just took a glimpse into Fall with my last post, but today I’m back into summer mode with a fun print ankara print midi dress. Not only is its P I N K hue EVERYTHING, but the print offered me yet another opportunity to delve into the mixed prints game. At times I read that mixed prints can be intimidating to some, one of the easiest ways to transition into the print toss game is by way of black & white. I’ve shown a few examples here on the blog of how to mix patterns/prints solely using black & white (see HERE, HERE, HERE). Today’s post is an example of how to do so while incorporating other colors. 
This dress is perfection for casual summer wear, but for the office I opted to add in sleeves. Or shall I say statement sleeves? 😊 Have I mentioned recently exactly how cold my office is?! Seriously, like the north pole ⛄ Nonetheless, I digress… 
Over to you: How are you playing with mixed prints this summer?
Until next time,
XO

Forget Me Knot

Earrings: Genie Mack| Chambray top: Old, Men's Nordstrom-thrifted| Skirt: c/o HERE| Pink metallic sandals: HERE

I'm a fan of over-sized shirts, dusters, and layering pieces. Sometimes the best place to look for over-sized tops is an entirely different department than you normally shop in. For instance, let's take this chambray shirt as an example (previously styled HERE). To pair it with this ankara skirt, I styled it knotted at the waist. I scored it at a thrift shop, in the men's section. It's originally from Nordstrom's line for men. I really like the sizing on it, it's perfect for tying in a knot and when worn buttoned up it fits like a slim cut tunic. I also like the two pockets on the front of it. All in all it's totally not bad for less than $5.00! 
Yes, thinking outside the box also includes shopping in other departments 😉
Wondering about this beautiful skirt?! It's from Grass-fields (check out another piece from them HERE), they aim to fill a need in the market for well-made clothing inspired by African heritage. I've been swooning over their bold, eye catching designs this year, and felt excited to have the opportunity to feature another one of their designs here on the blog!
Which reminds me, I still need to have a few pieces made from the ankara fabric that I brought back from our trip to Kenya last year! 
Until next time,
Xx

Statement Check

Hey Loves! Today’s style story features a fantastically unique top from Grass-Fields. They call it ‘Royal’, and I must say- I concur!!! This beauty was/is an absolute pleasure to wear, it turns heads at every corner. I wore it to the office and a co-worker commented on how beautiful it was, stating that I looked like a peacock. I took that as a compliment, although I am not entirely clear on whether or not she meant it as one-LOL!!!

My blog provides ample evidence that I totally bat for Team Bold Color and Team Vibrant Prints (often mixing them up whenever possible). When I saw this top online, I was immediately smitten. Made of fabulous Ankara, boasting a glorious high-low hem, and n adjustable waist cincher- come on, what’s  not to love?!

Thus far I’ve only styled it with denim pants, but I can also see myself wearing it with a pencil skirt, and shorts. I open to additional ideas, how would you style this number? Grass-Fields services sizes small-4X - I love their size inclusive options!

Did you notice the beautiful “Journey” pendant that I’m wearing? It's from Kevin Jewelers, I snagged it over the weekend for this month’s blog feature. I previously announced here that I am working with KJ as a Brand Influencer. An awesome perk of our partnership is that I get to check out their fab inventory each month! Kevin’s provides a number of value pieces for the price conscious customer. For example, they offer blue diamond earrings, 1 carat flower diamond earrings, and 1 carat solitaire earrings ranging in price from $29-$995! Get this: For the entire month of October, Kevin Jewelers is having a “Clear the Case” sale---> That means you can score BIG right now! An added bonus --> Kevin Jewelers is a proud supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness month! For certain purchases, KJ will donate 10% to The Breast Cancer Fundraiser ;)

Until next time,
XO

Top: c/o Grass-Fields|14K diamond pendant c/o Kevin Jewelers (1622658)| Denim jeans: NYDJs| Stilettos: Victoria’s Secret Catalog

About Purple

Today’s post features a double dose of genius by way of designers A Leapof Style & K. Jones! Can we discuss this beyond fantastic purple-licious ankara “Garden Midi” in Aztec Berry?! If you follow A Leap of Style on Instagram, no doubt you’ve been swept away by her exhilarating designs and color implosions. I have several personal favorites...

I was so psyched about the opportunity to showcase one her creations that I just had to go double duty and style it in two ways!!! The first look (scroll down for the second look) is my idea of a gander on the casual side- think taking in a meal, meeting friends for Sunday brunch, date night, or even an afternoon of shopping.

I mentioned in my previous post (see here) how I love incorporating suede elements during warm weather versus saving it solely for cool temperatures. I added in a touch of teal by way of suede pumps (previously worn here) and a satin oversized clutch. It seemed like the perfect accompaniment to the purple dominated color palette. 

This custom-made, one of a kind necklace was designed and created by K.Jones. I first discovered it on Instagram. It is exquisite in every single way. I think it goes with this Ankara midi skirt in a way like no other. The necklace is from her “Sienna Sun Collection”. It is made of purple cedrella calantas pods, hand painted wood beads and coconut shells creating a statement in an effortlessly chic way. Visit K. Jones here, and take 10% off your order by using code “JOI10”.

For look number two, I aimed for a more classic approach, but with the unexpected element of a print toss-up. I heart mixed prints!!! See examples here, here, here, and here. This look translates well at the office, for worship, and for an evening out.

Truly, I like this skirt styled both ways, and I already have several additional ideas in mind...which may very well play out on the blog, eventually - stay tuned! 

Separates are made to be mixed and matched; Experiment with multiple ways of doing so, and never forget to have fun with it!!

Until next time Dolls,

XO

Sunnies: Nordstrom & Marshalls |Statement necklace: c/o K. Jones| Tops: Express & Ralph Lauren| Watch: c/o JORD Wood Watches

Skirt: c/o A Leap of Style| Shoes: Audrey Brooke & Victoria’s Secret catalog| Clutch: Thrifted

Ankara in Autumn

I recently seized an opportunity to wear my custom made ankara skirt again, originally worn here.

Don't you just love wearing your favorite pieces again and again? 

I chuckle to myself whenever I read about a non-celebrity saying that they only wear their clothing pieces one time. Why do I chuckle? Because, I personally ENJOY wearing my clothing multiple times, and restyling my looks! I don't purchase clothing that I have no interest in wearing more than once, unless it's a bridesmaid dress...

Dressing is something that makes me feel happy, something that I anticipate and look forward to. My husband teases me that he knows when I really love a new purchase, because I will wear it at least three times in a row! That would be true of the shoes in today's post. 

I had been looking for the perfect pair of navy pumps, and when these arrived in the mail and I tried them on, I was elated! They are in fact excellently made, and fit my feet like a tight, yet comfortable, leather glove.

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson (worn all the time, everywhere)

Striped sweater: Nordstrom

Ankara skirt: Custom made (also worn here)

Navy blue stilettos: Victoria's Secret online (recently worn here)

Tote: Coach (it's been a staple since this summer)

Now it's your turn, do you look forward to wearing your clothes over and over again?

Truthful Thursdays: My style is just that - Mine!

Alas, Truthful Thursdays have returned! My hubby thought that my last segment (expressing my opinions on natural hair) came off a tad ‘strong’. Since then I’ve shied away from speaking my peace. Until now…
I’m a private person by nature (who just so happens to blog) and I often struggle with how much of the authentic “me” I’d like to reveal for public scrutiny. As I’ve mentioned before, one of the reasons that I started blogging was because I personally didn’t feel that there were enough style/fashion images of women who looked like me (those whom I could readily identify with) when seeking style inspiration on various social media platforms. In my opinion, the present up and coming generation of women need to see images of regular/ordinary women, yes of my color, yes of my size, and yes of my taste/style. Today’s society promotes an unattainable idea, one of physical perfection- an ideal that every woman should seek to “attain”. This notion is utterly ridiculous in my opinion; I promote body positivity and have made the personal choice to love every inch of my physically imperfect plus-sized body. Ah, I digressed…

Moving on to today’s topic: This week I was featured on FashionBombDaily.com as Bombshell of the Day! I was extremely excited to be featured!!! Yet, along with any recognition also comes additional exposure to negativity and unsolicited/backhanded suggestions allegedly given in a complimentary manner.

I am so appreciative for the many positive comments received and I sincerely thank those contributors!

However, I want to take a few minutes to address several comments that appeared derogatory and purposed to shame me by making references to one of my all time favorite movies, The Color Purple.

First off, the movies The Color Purple and The Help (also referenced) represent a part of my cultural history and heritage. I am an African American woman. I am not ashamed to be told that some of my style choices bring those movies to someone’s mind. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that vintage pieces truly resonate with me, and that some of my pieces could very well be from the same eras that both aforementioned films represent.

Secondly, there were a few comments about my selection of shoe choices in the looks that were featured in the write-up, over at FashionBombDaily.com. Not that it’s anyone’s business, but I actually suffered from a broken toe not too long ago (which is still sensitive BTW) and my shoe choices were based not only on what matched what I was wearing, but also on which would provide comfort and stability for my broken toe. In any event, I wear the types of shoes that I want to wear, and that are practical for my lifestyle. 

For the record: “My style is just that- Mine!” I wear and style items in the manner that I personally choose, not according to the preference and or satisfaction of “the public” or even others who may be in the blogging community. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy to inspire women in any way that I possibly can. Yet, I recognize that some women may not be “inspired”, or may not appreciate every single one of my style choices. The thing is, despite possessing strong opinions, when I’m not particularly fond of someone’s style choices, I never see or feel a need nor desire to publicly share specious feedback on social media about how they should change a look to suit MY personal preferences.  I guess I truly am an old soul, I was raised with the concept: If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all =)

I do not value unsolicited negative feedback, and I tend to doubt the sincerity of anyone who makes the conscious decision to publicly present suggestions on how I could and or should re-style a look according to their personal preference. I often benefit from constructive criticism, however I do not allow room for insincere feedback laced with negativity.

Basically, just like anyone else,  I wear what I WANT to wear. I am not in the market for field suggestions on how I can change my personal style to suit anyone else’s preference(s). 

Thanks for stopping by today Beauties! Please do share: 
How do you feel when someone offers negative feedback on how and why you should change an outfit that you’ve styled?

Until next time!
XO

More Ankara Anyone?

So I ventured down to the Fashion District and happened up on a fabric store that sold Ankara. 
Now why did I do that? After I deliberated for nearly an hour, I walked out with two bundles, and had this skirt made with one of them :) This is my very first, yes, one and only, Ankara skirt!

Remember how I said that I'm kinda fond of blue (here)? The blue and yellow in this print captured me! 

Even now as I look at it I wonder: Is it yellow or citron?! On camera it looks more yellow, but in person there seems to be a tinge of a green-like hue to it..

The flow and ease of this fabric is totally perfect for the warm breezy days of summer.

I added a simple yellow tank, gold bangles, and a beaded evening bag.

I was more than pleased that my curly curls decided to behave and I had superb curl definition :) For me as a natural haired gal, perfect hair days can be like finding that illusive needle in the haystack!

Have you tried Ankara? If so, how do you rock it?

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting!

Xx

Sunnies: Tod's (also worn here, here, and here)
Tank top: Amber Sun: Nordstrom
Skirt: Custom made
Sandals: Nina (worn here )
Beaded evening bag: Vintage, thrifted