Bubblegum PINK

Sunnies: Old, another option HERE| Blazer: c/o HERE 
Shorts: Old| Sandals: Old, another option HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

Are you loving the blazer dress craze as much as I am?!!!

If you aren't familair with the trend, check out these cute options HERE, HERE, and HERE 😍

I'm all about wardrobe versatility, so I decided to wear a blazer from my current stash as a dress!!!

I styled it with a pair of shorts for additional length - otherwise, my valuables would have been on display 😁 There are soooo many options Babes to incorporate current trends into your style, using what you already have! Like, you can easily swap up out shorts, say for a mini dress. 

All in all, I LOVE how this LOOK came together!

Why buy something new if you can utilize what you already have?!

Until next time,

Xx

Fall Dress Rehearsal

Sunnies: HERE| Dress: c/o HERE| Shoes: OLD, another option HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL BABES!!!
Full disclosure: Fall hasn't quite made it's way to LA just yet :) Yesterday it was actually 90 degrees - I spent my day laying out at the beach...However, with the official start of fall here, I know its simply a matter of time before cooler daytime temps set in. I have to make sure that I'm prepared, right?! LOL! Absolutely LOVE this sweater dress which also doubles up as a cardigan. The color, the fit, the buttons, and the sleeves! Did you see the sleeves? SO GOOD! This beauty definitely makes the edit for what I'll be reaching for this fall and winter :) What are your go-to pieces for cooler temps?
Until next time,
Xx

Bold Pursuits

Dress: On SALE HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

Sequins items are often reserved for so-called "special" occasions. However, this summer, sequins options were vast in abundance for daytime wear. Fortunately for us, this trend appears to be rolling right on into fall. Sequins toppers, capes, skirts, dresses - even full on suits made standout appearances during NYFW 😍
I scored this beauty at the beginging of summer, but it was a few months before I actually wore it. Imagine my surprise and admitted dismay when I saw that it is now marked down almost 75% of the original price that I paid 😖
Nontheless, I love its vibrant coral hue and frill detail skirt. I can see this styled with a blazer and knee high boots as the temperatures recede. 
Over to you Babes, how do you feel about rocking sequins pieces on "regular" occasions?
Until next time, 
Xx

Picnic Ready

Lippie: HERE| Sunnies: F21, similar HERE| Necklace: old, J. Crew
Top & skirt: c/o HERE (Use discount code FALLSHOW50)
Shoes:HERE
Photography by A. Robinson

One activity that I have not enjoyed this summer: A picnic! Because I tend to overdress wherever I go (is that really possible?😜) this look struck me as perfection for an afternoon picnic. RED is my favorite color of all time. I have no discomfort whatsoever in rocking it from head to toe in a monochromatic fashion💓 
I styled this two-piece set as a dress because the length of the skirt was longer than what I imagined and the top was too short for my taste. If there's one thing that rings true when it comes to personal style- DO YOU!
Until next time Babes,
Xx

A Standout Piece

Sunnies: HERE| Dress: HERE + Similar HERE| Duster: HERE| Bag: Old

Photography by A. Robinson

Every now and then I snag an item that goes effortlessly with practically everything, and has a high FEEL GOOD factor. The duster in today's post is one such item😍 I purchased it online at an end of summer sale, and to be 100% honest - I wasn't ready!💖💖💖 When I opened up the package and tried it on for the very first time - I smiled from ear to ear!😁 
Not only are the colors  wonderfully vibrant, it boasts a beautiful leopard print. I love, love, love the length and overall ease and flow of it. Needless to say, this duster will be on repeat for some time to come...
Do share, what standout pieces do you own?
Until next time Babes,
Xx

Dress Relief

Sunnies: Juicy Couture| Dress: c/o HERE| Sandals: HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

If you went through my closet today and polled all of my dresses, you'd see that I own more Eliza J. dresses than any other brand. I started shopping the designer 8-10 years ago via my retail fav, Nordstrom. Whenever I am in a bind for an upcoming event/venue, or simply in the mood for a bit of retail therapy - I pop into the retail giant because they never disappoint. I always land something that meets and or exceeds my expectations. Time and time again, I exit checkout with a beautiful Eliza J. design. My choices as of late have been partial to gorgeous floral prints, specifically designs boasting vibrant hues. 
Over to you Babes, what is your favorite designer for dresses?
Until next time,
Xx

Short Stories

Sunnies: Similar HERE| Romper: HERE| Bag: HERE| Sandals: Similar HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

This weekend marks the unofficial end of SUMMER 2019! I'm stepping into a September and FALL 2019 in Leopard Print ❤
Why?

• For starters, it is a timeless classic!
• It is wonderfully neutral and bold all at the same time.
• It pairs lovely with red, my favorite color 💓

I snagged this short romper at an end of summer sale. I'm wearing it in a size 12, the fit is true to size. I do wish that the sleeves were a closer cut & that it had functional pockets - but we can't have everything can we?! LOL!
Until next time,
Xx

5 Things I've Learned Living Alone

Earrings: J. Crew, sold out| Dress: HERE| Shoes: TopShop, old

Makeup by: NESS MUA

Photography by: K. Gill Photo

Shot at: FD Photo Studio

As I wrap up my very first year of living alone, I feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude. Despite challenges and unexpected events, I would be remiss if I didn't share that I have felt the guiding hand of my God and the universe supporting me at every single turn. No need has been left unfulfilled. Even my wants have been supplied for generously ❤ I am forever grateful.
If someone had told me 5, even 10 years ago - that I would be living on my own in a strange city, I would never have believed them. You see, I went directly from my parent's house to my husband's house - before I was even 20 years old. This wasn't unusual where I'm from, in fact - it was pretty much expected.  Fortunately for me, I fell in love with my best friend and spent many years indescribably happy with him. I lived out my dreams, I traveled the world, and I evolved into the version of myself that stands before you today. 
Sometimes things change. It's no one's fault. It just is. I found myself in a position where I felt compelled to make a number of difficult choices. Nonetheless, I have absolutely NO REGRETS!!! I am so very THANKFUL for the journey of my life!
I was thinking about the past year the other day, I realized I've learned quite a few things living on my own, LOL! 😁😁😁

Here are 5 highlights:

1. Bills come  e v e r y single month. Actually, let me back up- bills come about every 20 days. Now that I have the joy of paying all of my own bills, I cannot help but notice their relentless frequency 😦 I told my great aunt, 'Paying bills is for the birds!' 😬😣😵 
2. The greatest and only fear of my adult life has been BUGS. Yet, this year I learned that I am capable of killing a bug, even an extremely large one 👀.... A large bug ventured into my apartment via an open window. It was HUGE, like the length of it was almost the width of my hand! Thankfully, my protective kitty companion Cotton Candy spotted it before I did, and in capturing it she did quite a bit of damage to its mobility before dropping it at my feet as some sort of gift... When I tell you that my heart raced, that would be the understatement of the year...Long story short: I finally mustered up the courage and strength to step on it and kill it. After a few minutes of prayer and deliberation, I picked it up and promptly deposited it into the trash outside. The moral of the story is: You have the ability inside of you to conquer your fears.
3. Making your home your sanctuary is priceless. When I moved into my apartment, I made a promise to myself that I would protect the energy of my home, that I would not allow anyone to visit that could possibly disrupt the peace that I feel here. I kept that promise, and as a result, no matter what stresses seek to invade my mind - when I arrive home, in the stillness of my sanctuary, I feel a complete sense of peace. The energy remains undisrupted.
4. Being an independent woman is overrated 😘 I have always had a measure of independence, however, doing everything all by myself for myself is also for the birds! I would happily delegate car maintenance, trash removal, and a host of other miscellaneous tasks to someone else! WHEW! It ain't easy out here!
5. Being patient with yourself is essential. I am learning to be comfortable in discomfort. So many experiences are entirely new to me. For instance, I now take walks alone. Sometimes I dine out alone. Other times I find myself feeling low. It's not shocking - my entire life has changed. I've learned to allow time and space for myself to feel and work through the process. 

Enough about me Babes! It's your turn! I'd love to hear about some of the highlights of your SUMMER 😍

Until next time,

Xx

Summer Swag with MAZDA

This post is sponsored by Mazda. All opinions belong to me.

With the final days of SUMMER 2019 upon us, now is the perfect time to recap a few highlights of the season.  
June went by in a total blur 💨, however- I did manage to enjoy a few outdoor venues, glorious summer nights, and I tried a number of new restaurants. 
I spent a good chunk of July away on travel, including a trip to Tennessee to visit my family 😍 My friends at Mazda were kind enough to arrange for me to have the cutest vehicle to knob around town in. 
Have you seen the MAZDA 3? I had one in "Polymetal Gray" with a GORGEOUS red leather interior. How did they know that red was my favorite color?! LOL! I received a number of compliments on how cute it was when I was out &  about. 

Here's a rundown of some of the features of the 2019 MAZDA3 Hatchback w/ premium package that I drove:

• 186 horsepower
• electric power-assisted steering
• 18-inch black Alloy wheels
• LED headlights/taillights
• Daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• driver seat memory
• dual-zone auto climate control
• 8.8 color display
• AM/FM Bose premium audio w/ 12 speakers
• SiriusXM satellite radio capability
• HD radio + 2 USB ports
• Bluetooth/handsfree
• rearview camera
• power sliding glass moonroof
• active driving display on the windshield

My personal favorites were the:

• red leather interior (the hue was so vibrant and popped nicely against the dark gray exterior) with stitching and perforated design
• AM/FM Bose premium audio w/ 12 speakers (the sound system was 👌 )
• 18-inch black Alloy wheels ❤

Do share Babes, what did you get into this SUMMER?! And - have you driven a MAZDA?
Until next time,
Xx