2014

It's been a minute since I've posted anything. Lots of changes have happened in the last few months! One of my goals for this year is to completely re-vamp this blog, my website, and start working seriously towards my long term goals. Please bear with me, I want to make this blog very interesting.

Hope everyone is having a great new year so far, and go for your dreams! I know I am.

Naturally Me

Hey lovelies!

I decided to do a post on my hair regimen. For anyone reading who is also natural, I may be able to help you narrow down some products you've been thinking about trying. I stick to the same hair care lines; Shea Moisture, Kinky Curly, Aubrey Organics, Darcy's Botanicals, and I use Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner as my rinse out/detangling conditioner.

In regards to hair texture and type, I have fine hair. I have a lot of it, but it's not thick. My hair stretches/straightens easily, especially when I put it in a bun, the Pineapple or braids. In regards to the typing system, I would say I have some 3b and mostly 3c hair. Very curly yet loose. Currently, my hair when stretched is a little past bra strap length. I haven't straightened my hair since 2011, and that didn't last very long lol. I don't use heavy products that much in regards to leave-ins, stylers or moisturizers because they weigh my hair down. The smoothie from Shea Moisture is the heaviest product, and even with that I don't use a lot.

Typically, this is what I use/do:
Deep Treatment- Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
Shampoo- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Conditioner- Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner
*Put cold Aloe Vera Gel on my hair before LI or right after I put my LI/styler in*
Leave-In- (whatever I'm currently using)
Styler- (if necessary, usually either Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie or Kinky Curly Curling Custard)
Sealers- Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Argan Oil or Grapeseed Oil

This is the order in which I do things. Yes I deep condition before I shampoo and YES it's great! Since I use all natural, organic items for my leave-ins/stylers/moisturizers, it's perfectly fine to do this. Pretty much enhances what they already do. I wash my hair once a week, and try to co-wash (conditioner used to cleanse hair) once or twice a week. I cut out split ends and single strand knots when I see them. I only professionally trim my hair once a year.

I recently colored my hair from Shea Moisture's line (Bright Auburn color). I had a few pieces come out wavier, and my ends need more attention than before but all in all I'm very happy with the application process and color. I plan to do a touch up later this month, and then decide whether or not to keep it or color it jet black.

If anyone wants a review on a certain product, I'd be more than happy to make one or send you an email about it. Just let me know in the comments section. If you have any tips or products you love that you want to share, let me know as well. Hope this helped!

Swing

Tuesday a friend and I decided to grab a bite to eat at one of our fave spots. It was last minute, and I had about 15 min to throw something together.

Enter ASOS Curve to the rescue!

I loooooove the dipped hem tunics they've been putting out over the last 2 years in various colors. They're simple, trendy, comfy and look good over everything from skirts to leggings to jeans to dresses. Belt or no belt, they're the best!

I threw one of mine over my F21 denim leggings, boots and nipped it in with my fave leopard belt. My riding boots and scarf brought it all together.

Tip: Always have a trusty outfit/pieces that you can fall back on at a moments notice. It'll make life easier when you need something good to throw on!

Latest outfits!

Hey lovelies! Here are a couple of outfits I've worn recently!

The color block one is when I went out with friends for dinner. Top: Dorothy Perkins Skinnies: F21 Belt: NY and Co. Booties: Steve Madden

My "grandma chic" outfit (floral print dress with combat boots) was worn to work. I thrifted the dress, and had it altered down to look more modern. Dress: Thrifted Blazer: F21 Belt: Target Boots: Steve Madden

Next outfit was worn when I was meeting a friend for brunch one day! I looooove breakfast foods. Striped Top and Necklace: F21 Brown Skirt: Evans Booties: Steve Madden Watch: NY and Co.

Last outfit was worn to church a couple weeks ago when it was that weird, too cold for bare legs but too hot for a coat weather. Yuck. Knit Beret: Target Chambray Button Up: Old Navy Striped Dress: F21 Boots: Steve Madden Belt and Eternity Scarf: NY and Co.

Canary Yellow

Last fall I bought 4 different colored sheer shirts from Forever21+. They're all bold, punchy colors; bright red, canary yellow, fuschia, and cobalt blue. They go great over tanks, dresses or sweaters in the colder months.

I paired mine with my purple cardigan and some slacks from Lane Bryant. Added my fave gold watch from New York & Co., my leopard slippers from Target and a necklace from Forever21. I was pleasantly surprised at how it came together.

My hair wasn't cooperating so I swept it over to one side and popped on some coral colored lipstick. Not sure if any natural hair or beauty fans read this but I'll be posting some fave products for both soon. Hope everyone had a beautiful Sunday!

Nail Polish Obsession

Happy new year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve, and has some new goals set up for the year. I made my first vision board and I'm super excited to make things happen in 2013.

Anyway, in case you're as obsessed with nail polish as I am, you should definitely give Forever21 a chance! Majority of my colors come from there, and with as much typing and hair detangling that I do, they last pretty long. The price is about $2.80, and they have a TON of colors, shades, and tints to choose from. I always get compliments when I wear one.

I'm currently rocking a cobalt blue color, but have everything from neon yellow to brick red to forest green with everything in between (that rhymed, I should be a rapper). Next time you're looking for an affordable color, run on over or order some online! You won't be sorry.

Winter Blocking

Just wanted to show ya'll what I wore today to work! Unfortunately my FAVE beaded necklace broke, you can kind of tell here. Almost had a meltdown but hopefully these last few strands will hold it together until I can get another.

This is actually a mini red shirt dress from Forever21+ tucked into one of their skirts. I finally got to break out my new Steve Madden booties! They're pretty comfy, and immediately jazz up an otherwise ordinary outfit. If only I had thrown on a little lip color...

2012 is almost over. Did you make the most of the time you were given?

Casual Cool

I went to a Mary Kay event last night with a friend and decided to wear something casual yet cool. These dipped hem tunics from ASOS Curve have been a blessing in disguise! I can throw them on over dresses, skirts, leggings and jeans. Just add some trendy jewelry pieces and shoes and you've got an outfit that looks classic yet fashion forward.

Tunic: ASOS Curve//Jeggings and Bracelets: F21+//Watch and Necklace: New York and Co.//Leopard Smoking Slippers: Target//Earrings: Nordstrom Rack

Wearing White After Labor Day

Yep I did it.

In case you haven't noticed, I don't follow fashion rules. I do what I want. Seriously. So when a cold front blew in to town, I definitely wanted to break out my favorite brown boots for the day. They've been through a LOT with me in the span of a year!

I purchased this dress from ASOS Curve in the early summer and wore it to work where I received many compliments. Seeing as how 1.) It's a creamy white color and 2.) It has horizontal stripes, I'd say I struck gold with this purchase. I wound up buying an ASOS Maternity** dress with a similar vibe, only it's navy blue with bright yellow stripes and a gold zipper in the back.

**I AM NOT PREGNANT, I AM NOT PREGNANT, NO I'M NOT PREGNANT.** (I just liked the colors used in the dress and decided to give it a go. You can't even tell it's made for someone with child.)

I paired it with my trusty knit open vest from New York and Co., ruched leggings from Torrid and my fave boots. Since I wear an identification lanyard at work, I decided no necklace and instead wore 2 bracelets and my gunmetal watch from NY and Co. My hair is growing like weeds, compare these pics to the ones from this time last year. Crazy!

Anyone else breaking fashion rules left and right? I know I'll continue to!

Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good?

I have been obsessing over Solange's new song, "Losing You". The beat, the lyrics, the FASHION, her hair, everything! Anyway, I have been swamped! I got not one but two new jobs since my last post and have been figuring out how to balance everything. Once I sit down and have time to upload my latest outfit looks I will. My hair has also been growing like weeds! If anyone wants to hear about my hair care regimen, let me know.

And now, I leave you with this...

COLORED. SKINNY. JEANS.

I have been on the hunt for colored skinny jeans for MONTHS and I have finally found some! I bought 2 pairs from Overstock, but throughout the day they stretchede almost up another size. Surprisingly, the ones I bought this time were from Forever21. Their jeans are hit and miss for me; sometimes they're almost a size too small, too short, too big and then occasionally, just right. I took a gamble and bought 7 pairs (I know, I know!) online so I could test out two different styles in different colors. According to some of the reviews, depending on which color you purchased would depend on the fit. Crazy right? I wound up returning 2 colors but the rest fit me pretty great. I love pairing them with either neutral tops or tops in the same color family for a slightly monochromatic feel. You can check out the ones I have here and here. Happy shopping!

P.S. Has anyone tried the ASOS Curve skinny jeans? I want the purple and green ones but I'm scared they'll either be super tight or super huge. I tried their chinos last year and they were ginormous on me in my usual jean size! Let me know your experience.

Star Light, Star Bright

Hey ladies

Ever picked out an outfit the night before work, woke up, hated it, spent 20 minutes ripping through your closet, only to return back to the original outfit and notice how good it actually looks?

Me neither.


Top: Dorothy Perkins//Skirt and Bangles: Forever21//Leggings and Sandals: Target

Left Side Drive

Most of my friends know I looooove all things Solange Knowles. I've been rocking with her since she was a backup dancer for Destiny's Child. The above title is one of my favorite songs ever in life that she released around this time last year on the internet. It's my current ringtone and played repeatedly in my car. Anyone else a fan?

I've been steady snapping pictures of myself in outfits over the last few weeks, in between work, my friends graduations, family time and life in general. I've said this before but I use my phone's camera 10 times out of 10 because my regular camera doesn't take pictures quite as well. Hopefully I can scrounge up some moolah and purchase a more professional one. Below you'll find a compilation of my outfits from April. The last ones are from a trip I took to Florida the last weekend of April/beginning of May. And I'm happy to say that my hair is getting longer! I've been sticking to a routine and am reaping the benefits. Anyway, hope everyone is doing well!



Chambray Button Down: Old Navy//Grey T-Shirt and Bracelets: F21//Leopard Maxi Skirt: BCBG//

Grey Striped Top and Mixed Metal Necklace: F21//Sheer Polka Dot Skirt: ASOS Curve



Grey Hi-Low Top: ASOS Curve//Mint Dress, Leggings, Belt and Boots: Target//Gold Tassel Necklace: F21

Chambray Top: Old Navy//Floral Print Dress: ASOS Curve//Leggings, Knit Beret, Belt and Boots: Target (notice my fake smile lol?)

This is similar to the above 2 outfits. I just wore my Tribal Print Skirt from F21 and changed my nail color :) Oh, and switched necklaces. This one is from Target.

Dress, Belt and Colorblock Wedges: Target//Denim Vest: Old Navy//

Lace + Sheer

Lace used to be such a taboo fabric to wear in public. Now, it's used for blouses, red carpet dresses, leggings and even shoes! I bought this lace top from F21 late last year. I should've bought it a size smaller but belting it helps to make it fit better. I decided to pair it with my maxi skirt from F21 as well; the more "affordable" version of my BCBG one. I have been wanting to incorpate scaves and head wraps in my daily wardrobe and picked up 2 scarves from Target. One is this black one, and the other is a black and white printed one. I was running late for work and just decided to tie it in a bow the way I had seen Taren916 on youtube tie one up. Anyone else into turbans, scarves and head wraps?


P.S. June Ambrose is a BOSS when it comes to turbans!