Festival Ready with Torrid | Part 1

Hat: Similar HERE| Bell sleeve blouse: c/o HERE| Black fringe purse: c/o HERE

Denim bermuda shorts: c/o HERE| Leather mules: c/o HERE

FESTIVAL SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED BABES!!! Indeed it has become synonymous with spring, and with it comes denim pieces, flowers of every variety, tie die, fringe, poms, tassels, and all things bohemian💗  
What has been dubbed the ‘most stylish festival of the year’ actually kicks off today… 
It’s 💥💥💥C O A C H E L L A time💥💥💥
Thanks to my friends at TORRID, I’m ready to kick off festival season in style!!!

Oftentimes festival street style seems somewhat impractical for the everyday woman.  I love that this look and the one to follow (stay tuned) contains pieces that are totally interchangeable and ideal for warm weather wear in general. Like seriously, I cannot wait to style these pieces again, and here's why:

• Top- A fabulous peasant style blouse,crisp white with subtle print, trumpet sleeves, worn on or offf the shoulders
• Denim bermuda shorts- Fits your curves life a glove
• Black fringe purse- Seriously this bag can go with just about everything
• Leather mules- Mules/sildes have made a major comeback, these are genuine leather with a wood sole and guarantee comfort + style

Do share Love, what’s your favorite thing about festival season fashion?!

Until next time,

XO

A Color Story

I find inspiration in practically every facet of my life. One day while perusing a home décor site I came across a glorious color combination. Immediately I was taken by it, and I thought of how I might be able to play it out in real life, not in my décor- but in my wardrobe- LOL! Yes this duo of pastel pink and rich green was love at first site! I saved it to my ‘to-do’ list on Pinterest to be executed as soon as possible.  

As it just so happened, my friends over at The Perfect Pair Boutique sent me this dreamy top – serious pastel pink perfection.  I was so excited because shortly after receiving it I had the realization that the acquisition of this top meant that I was  finally going to have the opportunity to play out my color adventure in real life 😊

Since this top is over-sized, I opted to style it with a pencil skirt- as a balancing act, but I’m also considering this pair of pants to pair it with in the future. I just love it when a plan comes together! Plus, I have one less thing on my ‘to-do’ list, and we all know how checking tasks off as completed feels wonderful!

Until next time,

XO

Suede top: c/o HERE| Pink faux fur scarf: ZARA (worn here) |Green pencil skirt: Similar here

Purse: ZARA| Leopard print shoes: Options here, here, and here

Fall Reboot

After a few weeks of basking in Summer-like temperatures once again, Fall weather has finally returned to my neck of the woods! In fact, we actually had a gloomy/rainy day over the weekend- a true rareity in SoCal. I literally have to seize cool weather moments to dive into Fall fashion, because warm temperatures are always not to far behind! 

When it comes to Fall fashion this year, over the knee boots- AKA- thigh high boots are on trend in a major way. I've read that some feel they can be a bit of a challenge to incorporate/style in real life, despite their effortless appeal on the catwalk. I snagged my very first pair of OTK books c/o The Perfect Pair Boutique and even I felt a bit of hesitation with regards to exactly how I would style them. In my opinion, they look best when they are the focal point of a look. Additionally, as a lifetime member of the ‘Thick Thighs Club’, I was most curious as to whether or not I would successfully procure boots that fit my legs properly. As it turns out, my fears were completely unfounded! I pulled on this pair of soft faux suede boots with total ease :)

For the first time around, I styled my thigh high boots casually- with denim jeans and a classic wool blazer. Did you notice the gold tone accents on the rear of the boots? So fun! I figured that added bonus would ensure perfect  style alignment with my fun fur bag, which also has gold tone accents. I was right- I LOVE how this look came together!

Have you embraced the OTK boot trend yet? If so, what's your favorite way to style them?

Until next time Loves,

XO

Headband: H&M, similar here | Wool blazer: Vintage, thrifted| Silk blouse: Ralph Lauren, similar here

Jeans: NYDJ, similar here | Handbag: Aldo, sold out| Over the Knee Boots: The Perfect  Pair Boutique

An Epiphany

Today’s look features a faux suede button-up dress by GITI online (see previous feature here) styled in two ways. Although it is a dress, I opted to style it as a cardigan. We often think of wearing suede solely during cooler months, but I find that it actually can be incorporated into the warmer weather months as well. 

For me, it takes a bit of forethought- which is no biggie, as I plan out my wardrobe 85% of the time! I couldn’t make up my mind on which look I liked best, so I decided to blog both of them for you. Which look is your favorite?

I had an opportunity to escape from city life for some R&R (rest and relaxation) for a few days, I now find myself feeling renewed and determined =) While away I had time to pamper myself each day, which felt wonderful because self-love is one of the most important kinds.

One of my favorite ways to pamper myself whether I’m away or at home, is by way of a long hot bath, with lots of bubbles, shortly followed by a full body exfoliation. I use a number of products, including a homemade mixture of granulated sugar, olive oil, and water. For several nights I indulged in a recently purchased chocolate scrub made with real cocoa (I discussed it on Snapchat/InMyJoi). It smells ah-mazing, and makes my skin feel fantastic!

One night during a bath I found myself deep in thought; A hot bath always helps me to sort out things in my mind and to eliminate toxic subject matter. I reflected on personal personality changes and my perception of the changes that I’ve undergone in the past few years. I realized in that moment, that within myself, I have resisted and even felt a measure of resentment in reference to some of the changes that I’ve observed in myself. It’s as if I’ve somehow told myself that the ‘old’ me was better and or superior to who I am today.

Internal change is often the result of personal growth and life experience(s). It occurred to me that there was nor is any valid reason for me feel resentment of any kind about the woman that I have become. This woman has weathered tall challenges and notable life changes. She has emerged no longer inexperienced, but brimming with wisdom, and a deeper understanding of who she is at her core. In fact, I realized that the woman that I am today is actually on the path to becoming the absolute best possible version of “me”! 

Change is an inevitable fact of life, and it is the only thing that is forever consistently constant. Instead of resisting changes within myself, I am on the path to understand them, and in turn: embrace them. Does that make sense? Well it most certainly did to me, at least during my ‘Aha’ moment with a glass of wine- LOL!!!
I look forward to reading your thoughts below!

P.S. You may take 5% off your order with GITI online by using code “joi” at checkout.

Until next time Loves,
XO

Sunnies: Tildon & Forever 21|Dress: Express, worn previously here |Suede button-up dress: c/o GITI online, here (size 1X)

Top: Forever 21, worn here |Skirt: Vince Camuto, worn here |Shoes: Pour La Victoire, worn here & Market

Bangles: H&M, worn here |Watch: c/o JORD Wood Watches, see here & here |Clutch: Vintage, thrifted