Summer Snaps

Earrings: HERE| Top & skirt: Old, check out another option HERE| Sandals: HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

Hey Loves,
In a recent closet dive, I came across this summery two-piece lemon print set that I don't wear nearly enough 😲 The crop top is accompanied by a midi-length skirt, both have amazing ease of wear. Although this set sold out rather quickly, I've linked a comparable skirt above.
Fruity prints are the epitome of summer fashion, I wish that this set also came in peach and pineapple 😉
Until next time,
Xx

Midi Mania - 1 Skirt Styled 2 Ways

sunnies: HERE | top: HERE| skirt: c/o HERE| patent leather sandals: similar HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

A classic wardrobe staple is a midi skirt. The one featured in today's post stood out to me particularly because of its fabulous leopard print paired with red and pink hues 😍

I styled it in two simple ways that could totally be ideal for a summer day. 

Which look is your favorite?! I'm forever partial to red...

Until next time,
Xx

LUXE Affair

faux fur stole: similar HERE| top: c/o HERE| skirt: c/o HERE| sandals: old, similar HERE

PSA: Any excuse to play dress up will always be utilized 😉 I'm loving this two-piece set from MPT! I kept it simple for it's grand debut, however next go around I want to split the pieces up and style the bustier with  jeans 😏

Until next time,

Xx

Cooler Days

blazer: similar HERE| blouse: ZARA| skirt: c/o HERE| shoes: HERE
Photography by A. Robinson

Fall blew into Los Angeles over the weekend with gloomy clouds, gusty winds, and steady rain showers. In fact, I had to dodge raindrops to quickly capture a few shots in this look featuring a floral print skirt from the new Draper James for ELOQUII Fall Collection. In case you're not familiar with Draper James, it is a fashion/accessories/home decor brand owned by Reese Witherspoon. Reese says that she started the company 'to honor her Southern heritage, particularly her grandparents who were, and are, the greatest influences in her life'. She also says, "My grandparents taught me everything I know about gracious Southern living. From them I learned to dress and act like a lady, to take pride in my home, to reach out to help a neighbor, and to always invite everyone in for a visit."

I'm wearing the Draper James for ELOQUII Floral Dot Skirt. What I especially love about this midi skirt is that it can easily be styled across seasons! For instance, I can see myself wearing it with a bright yellow tank top during the warmer months 😊 Can you tell I'm missing summer already?! LOL! Since it was chilly, I opted to style it with layers this time around, adding in pops of color by way of red - my lip stain, cape blazer, and shoes.
Until next time Loves,
Xx

10 Things About Life After 35

straw hat: vintage, thrifted| sunnies: HERE| OTS bodysuit: HERE

skirt: old| shoes: similar HERE| purse: ZARA
Photography by A. Robinson

Now that I've officially entered the twilight years of my 30's, I thought it might be 'fun' to blog 10 things about life after 35 that no one told me 😉 As they say: Sharing is caring! In this way, when your time comes, you won't be blindsided like I was 😆 Don't get me wrong, my 30's have been the BEST decade of my life to date 🙌🏽 In fact,  I anticipate every upcoming decade. I love making new discoveries about myself and this thing called LIFE,  I want to do so well into my 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and so on!!! I've never worried about "getting old". From my perspective, it is an inevitable process. The longer that I'm alive, the higher my age number will be. That's logical right?! 

Nonetheless, there were a few things that I did not anticipate... Yes, a few 'special' things began to occur with my body 😜 
Let's dive right on in:
1) The skin on my face changed drastically --> A C N E <--Prior to my mid-30's I had never experienced acne and or blemishes/pigmentation differences on my face. In a word, my skin appeared to be flawless. Right around age 35, I started to notice small bumps/pimples popping up here and there. When they finally cleared up, they left noticeable dark marks on my chin, jawline, and forehead. In fact, during the height of it, I could barely stand to look at my face in a mirror. It was like I didn't recognize my own reflection. Thankfully, I developed a skincare regime that works for me! Now my skin has stabilized, and my acne scars are fading. I'll talk about the fine line that magically appeared across my forehead at another time...
2) Next up? Stray hairs started to grow in mysterious places, like on my chin and neck... The first time I felt one I thought it was a scab! WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I'm not referring to fine hair, like what makes up my mustache, oh no, this is different. Each strand feels hard, wiry, almost like stubble.
3) I've never had a large reserve of patience. However, after I turned 35, the limited amount that I did have, well it basically disintegrated. Presently I have ZERO tolerance for 💩, and to be totally honest, I don't feel apologetic about it, at all 💃🏽
4) The color of your hair changes. As in turns gray or white... This isn't a bad thing, truth be told, I wouldn't mind going gray rapidly all at once. I would love to have pastel gray or white hair... And yet, just because I want all gray hair, well it's coming in painstakingly slow and inconsistently.
5) I almost forgot! I can't leave out random aches and pains. Nowadays, they happen for no reason at all. I am not talking about severe or chronic pain, I'm talking about feeling mild discomfort in places that I never did before.
6) A change in weight gain distribution. My entire life my stomach has been relatively flat. Now, the dynamics have changed. Instead of all miscellaneous weight gain appearing in my hips and rear, I now have a nice cushion across my belly...
7) Also notable: A decrease in the ability to shed weight with minimal effort. In years past, I'd go on a brief diet or juice cleanse, and drop 10-15 pounds with ease. Now, when I'm ready to shed a pound or two, doing what I used to do doesn't work --  AT ALL!
8) So you thought you were done with your wisdom teeth? Not so much! Apparently, your 30's is an ideal time for them to come in. I have a new one, it has shifted my once naturally straight teeth. I've never worn braces, but now I'm considering getting them 😳. A trip to the dentist is in order, but I'm putting it off for as long as possible...
9) The density of my hair is changing...I've had thick hair that could seemingly withstand any type of treatment for as long as I can remember... however now, I've noticed that the density & strength of my hair is different. I don't know how it's going to level out when it is all said and done, as my age increases, but I'm ever so happy that there are so many wig options on the market now. 
10) Last but certainly not least, your sex drive increases in a major way... but then everybody already knows this one right?!

So did I miss anything Babes? What differences did you notice after 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, and perhaps even 75?! 

Until next time,
Xx

The Rainbow Hour

White tee: Old | Skirt: HERE (sizes xxs-4x)| Embellished sandals: ZARA, old

Rainbow skirts are back in full effect for summer 2018, in fact, I have my eye on a few newbies to build up my virtually nonexistent collection (HERE & HERE). In the interim, I pulled out my only rainbow themed midi skirt, originally purchased last year. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the brand brought it back for another spin this summer! You can shop it HERE.
This skirt has FUN written all over it, I just love its vibrant colors! Initially I was planning to pair it with purple, but at the last minute I changed my mind and opted for a simple white tee instead. 
Meanwhile, I had no idea that my pom-loving sandals were a perfect match! However that did not detract from the thrill that I felt when I put it all together 😁
Over to you Babes- how do you feel about the rainbow hour?
Until next time,
Xx

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

Rainbow Bright

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Earrings: HERE| Top: c/o HERE|  Skirt: HERE| Apple purse: c/o HERE| Red sandals: Older, similar options HERE & HERE

How was your weekend Loves?! Mine was pretty good- I mean just that fact that it was a W E E K E N D makes it GOOD right?!

Today’s style story revolves around this rainbow-like beauty (actually called Vibrant by the retailer) that I spotted HERE a few weeks back. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the rainbow color combination and the full/midi length design. I was skeptical about ordering it because I wasn’t sure how voluminous it would be or if its design would prove to be bulky on me… I read through the reviews and decided to throw my apprehensions to the wind- if it didn’t work out I’d simply send it back! Well it arrived and wouldn't you know that it totally met my best expectations. Don’t you love it when that happens?! 
Sidebar: Reading reviews are super helpful for me when ordering clothing online. I especially love it when I can see pictures of an item on actual customers versus the brand/retailer's model.

Back to the story: I already had an idea in mind to pair this skirt with red (my childhood favorite color – stories of which I’ve bored you with several times) and this OTS top was a perfect companion.

Actually, I have an ample selection of OTS (off the shoulder) tops right now, the thought has crossed my mind of what will I do when I’m tired of this effect (I'm a chronic planner)… The obvious conclusion is that a few favorites will make the cut- while others will be donated during my monthly purge cycle(s). Even still, have you noticed that it is a challenge to find/purchase a top nowadays that isn’t off the shoulder? Hopefully when the times comes, designers/brands/retailers will step up and get back to the business of providing regular old fashioned shirts- LOL! Until then: Long live shoulders!!!!

Ciao for now,

Xx

Nip & Tuck

Top: Sold out, similar here & here| Faux leather pleat skirt: c/o HERE

Straw bag: Vintage, thrifted| Suede sandals: On sale HERE + other options here, here, and here

Today’s look features an example of how I like to nip & tuck my blouses from time to time. It’s a perfect style alternative for when you want to feel put together, minus the formal structure of completely tucking in your shirt the normal way, i.e. all the way around. I’ve found that this option is best employed with an over-sized top, this way you have enough fabric remaining for the top to hang down comfortably with ease.

Confession: I’ve been enjoying this skirt in secret for several weeks now... I figured it was high time that I shared it here on the blog while it is still available for purchase 😊 Good looking out right?! LOL! When the Babes over at ELVI sent it to me, I immediately put it to good use. 

The pleated midi skirt brigade is totally holding down the fort right now, however this beauty takes it to the next level not only b/c of its beautiful golden hue but even more so because of the material: faux leather!!! Yes, it will stand the test of time, and will remain a member of my collection long after the plethora of pleated midi options have faded out.

On this particular day I paired it with a frilly white top that I snagged on clearance online, a vintage straw tote, and neutral suede sandals.  I’ve been turning to statement earrings more and more as of late, this pair has a hint of orange, which encouraged me to wear one of my orange lipsticks that has been neglected for way too long… 

All in all: I am totally smitten with how this all came together!

Until next time,

XO