Versatile Blogger? Who Me?

When I was told that I was the recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award, I was delighted.

Going into blogging, I didn't want to get caught up in the popularity contest that social networking can be.

If I got followers, cool...but only on the grounds that they appreciated my originality.... well...I should say authenticity...We imitate each other.

What I didn't want was for people to notice me for how well I duplicate what's already out there or try to top it...

I think my style represents that of the everyday person. ...The one who is not as glamorous as some, but still has fashion sense while dressing like themselves...PERIOD!

So Thank You Shanticka (click the link for her blog) for putting my name on the wind.

Sometimes she is the only person that comments on my blogs, and I admit that I have come to enjoy her presence on my blog. At times I look for it.

Now Seven Random Things About Me...

1. Writing is my therapy...it's something I indulge in.

2. I love it when they have cake for someone's birthday at work, it literally makes my day.

3. I don't really like texting...I feel like I have so much to say that I can't put in a text. ...And its so impersonal.

4. I like how shocked people act when I tell them I'm 30...

5. If I could start my life over and be anything I wanted to be, I'd be a dancer...I love to dance!

6. I love home decor as much as I love fashion...I haven't decorated my apartment because the carpets are HIDEOUS and the color throws my creativity off...Hopefully the next place I stay will have hardwood floors!

7. I was unpopular in high school...you probably can tell, and if so, I just confirmed it...

New Blogs...

[Bonuses]

8. Drake is by Far my favorite rapper now-a-days!

9. My stylist hooked me up with a sew-in with an invisible part this weekend....LOVE IT!

I'm gonna pick all 23 of  those people on the top left sidebar, (my followers), to be the Next Versitile Blogger recipients because they've been so sweet to me...Annnnnd everybody likes winning something.

Ms. Professional...

First of all, let me just say that I've wanted to wear this shirt for a while now!

I saw it when it first hit the store, kept ogling over it during subsequent trips, and then snatched it up when it went on clearance.

When I was getting dressed, I initially wanted to pair the navy hue of this blouse with my red skinny jeans.

When I looked in the mirror at my painted-on bottoms I decided against it for work...(not bad for drinks with the girls though)

I'm glad I reached for these slacks instead, as I am trying to find new and creative ways to sport pants now-a-days.

The leopard loafers I wanted to pair with these pants were too tan for my tastes, so I dug through my mountain of flats to find a pair I could live with.

I'd forgotten all about my snake skin oxfords...Perfection!

With all these fall colors, (and it not being fall anymore), I needed something to give this look a bright and spring-like flair.

Thus I added a pop of white with this belt and some earrings with the same hue... [Side notes, this is my favorite white belt...It will be in CONSTANT rotation in the warmer months! Annnd... I love the way I kept the accessories to a minimum, and they still added the right amount of contrast. As I get older, I try to choose my accessories wisely and not oversell it!]

You couldn't tell me I wasn't cute today!

Annnnnnnnnnnd...I am a glasses wearer as of Saturday!

I forgot how adorable I look in glasses!

Shout out to Lens Crafters for making my vision what it should be and their vast selection of stylish designer frames! Yipee...

Clear and White-Beaded Earrings: Catos

New Specs: DKNY via Lens Crafters

Navy Chiffon Ruffle Blouse: Old Navy

Tan Flared Slacks: Marshall's

Snake Print Oxfords: Steve Madden

Tan Carry-All: Tommy Hilfiger via Marshall's

Color Blocked Denim...

Here lately my uniform has been to throw on a dark pair of jeans, (any shape from skinny to bootcut), a vibrant tee, flats, and top it off with my light denim jacket.

I wish I could say this look was my own concoction...but Art Imitates Life & We Imitate Each Other...

Thus I stole this look from a few of the fashion blogs that peak my interest.

Never-the-less...                                                                    

I made it my own and it has been my go-to outfit that has the same regard to me like comfort food does to the stressed and downtrodden...

Well...maybe not that deep, but this look has gotten the job done for me on too many occasions to number, here lately.

Here are two looks I created that feature Blocked Denim.

Look #1:

Look #2:

In other news, I went to Marshall's to pick up some items I spied on an earlier trip. 

Like a similar version of this Tommy Hillfigure Bag...Mine is more of a Hobo Tote...

I loved the preppy incorporation of the ivy league colors green and blue...Perfect for my green loafers I recently acquired from Old Navy...

But I digress (from being a total outfit HEAD!) ...

I decided to look around before I made my final purchases.

Why did I do that?!

I basically put this outfit together in the store...

To Buy or Not to Buy?

That is the QUESTION....

FEATURED Light Denim Jacket: Old Navy

Bight Red Top: Old Navy

Purple Top: Forever 21

High Waisted Wide-Legged Jeans: New York & Company

Dark Denim Bootcut Jeans: Vigoss Jeans via Marshall's

Copper Metallic Belt: New York & Company

Green Belt: Talbots via Goodwill

Patent Leopard Flats: Cato's Fashions

Multi-Colored Ruffled Flats: Shi by Journey's Shoes (got sooo many complements on these BTW)

Colorful-Finned Token Fish Necklace: Forever 21

Bright Idea...

"Myself Portraits are One Thing I Do for Myself..."

-Me

Once again I was caught by the light of day initially not knowing what I was going to wear...

In South Texas, we are still having that flip floppy weather where it starts out cooler, is hot somewhere in the middle, and ends up cooler again...

C'mon weather! Who does that?!

Anywho, I wanted to wear something Winter/Springish so I thought an outfit featuring this BRIGHT sweater would be PERFECT!

I kept my color pallet simple letting this Neon Green & Black Striped Sweater steal the show.

Wearing it without an undershirt would have been ideal for the warmer parts of the day, but since it's open-weaved, my clients would have seen subtle glimpses of my flesh...

Not work appropriate I'm afraid...

But I thought it was a cool effect that you could see my black studded belt peeking out from under my top... Cool!

When I was editing these pics I thought this is the curviest I've looked in a pants outfit so far...

I like that...

Oh Yeah and the Hat? ... Worn just for the benefit of the shoot...

Silver Hoops & Watch: New York & Company

Neon Green and Black Open-Weave Sweater: The Gap

Dark Denim Skinnies: Old Navy "Sweetheart" Jeans

Pointed Toe Studded Flats: Payless

Wool Newsboy Cap: Gifted...

"You look so Nautical..."

So...

I was looking to try some photos of my outfit tonight after I got off work...

Despite how that's not my preference.

And despite how I was going to try taking them in my humble abode.

But my camera had its own thoughts.

It's now on the Charger.

So I resorted to words...And good ole Polyvore to display  a version of what I wore today.

No matter how I tried, I could not create a look with my Ivory & White Boatneck Top I got from Old Navy a while back.

I would try it on with something I created in my head.

But when it got on my body, I realized maybe that wasn't a good choice and I ended up opting for wearing something else that day.

Well today, I got up the gumption to create a strikingly similar dupe of the one above, with less-expensive gear...

And...it was a last-minute look...

Yay Me!

I was told the phrase I quoted above about my look today added with "...and professional" behind it...

Huh?

I don't dress professional EVERY day? ...I'm thinking the complimentor could have left out that last part.

I digress...

I had another Yay moment when I spied a box from Target, (Tarjay), on my patio.

I opened it only to find the two pairs of loafers I bought online.

Women's Mossimo® Vilda Smoker Flat - Pink

(Again I have to resort to online pics as my camera battery died)

They are amazing and begging to be color blocked!

I bought two sizes, 91/2 & 10 because I didn't know how true to size they ran.

For wide & flat feet like mine, the 10s will do just fine....I might return the smaller size and get a 10 in another color...

My Version of the Ployvore Set Posted Above...

Ivory and White Boatneck Top: Old Navy

Black Skinny Jeans: Old Navy Sweetheart Skinny Jeans

Coniac-Colored Flat Boots: The Avenue

NEW Peanut butter Carry-All: Marshall's

El Fin...

Big Legged Gal...

I took soooooo many pictures today.

I'm glad I did too because I got some great shots.

And the camera captured different lighting in all of the rounds of shots I took. WOW!

I'm not very fond of doing a shoot/myself portraits after my workday has ended.

I PREFER doing them when I'm feeling freshly made up and ready to take on my day...

Not when I'm fatigued and have faced all I've had to face in a workday.

In these photographs, I couldn't help but notice my legs; specifically my calves...

I've always been thick on the bottom...

I joke that I embrace my voluptuous bottom half because it's my claim to fame.

I also have been told that I have pretty legs.

One lady told me, "If I had legs like yours, I'd wear dresses every day."

How flattering!

Even when I was a little kid, I was quite bony, {...used to eat like a bird}

But my legs were quite thick.

What part of your body is your claim to fame?

Gold Hoops: Cato's Fashions {I <3 that they are wrapped in some sort of material that NOT meatal...No Fading!}

Gold-Toned Rimmed Shades: The Avenue

Gold Watch: New York & Company

Silk Taupe Dress: Old Navy

Gold Double-Wrap Belt: Old Navy

Green Snake-Print Loafers: Old Navy

NEW Peanut Butter Leather Carry-All: Marshall's

The Day in the life of a Shopaholic....1.16.12...

"I know I said I'd quit, but limiting my shopping experiences might be a more Realistic and Attainable goal for me..."

-Me

Here recently I decided to bite the bullet.

Whatever I saw online and my heart desired, I ordered it [within reason, of course].

My birthday is coming in May and I am planning something big [for me anyways] this year.

With that being said, I am looking for potential outfits for my big day.

I can also use some new pieces to wear to work and otherwise.

I also bought some things in-store as well.

Unfortunately, some of the things I recently purchased did not work out for me.

So they had to go back.

Thus I spent today doing so and browsing for some other things that tickled my fancy.

Here's what I wore today.

I kept it super Casual and Comfy with this K.I.S.S. [Keeping It So Simple] Look with a color pallet of navy, white and gold.

I swear these are my FAVORITE "throw on and be done with it" jeans...

They are by Forever 21+ and I believe I've had them since Forever 21+ was Faith 21...

They are their fab skinny jeans that live up to their name, fitting me just fab!

At $13 and some change I've meant to go to my store and get some more... [I always get distracted and find something else I have to have when I'm in Forever 21...]

I picked this fabulous color up at Wal-Greens that I'd been looking for since New Year's.

I normally take some polish to the nail shop from my own collection, but on NYE I decided to use a charming color I saw in the nail shop. The only regret I had about this was not writing the brand name and color down.

I have been on the hunt since then and this is what I came up with.

BTW Walgreens was having an AWESOME sale on nail color! I had to stay focused an only buy what I went in there for...[Btw, the prices are only on SELECT COLORS]

[Hard as Nails Xtreme Color $0.75!]
[Rimmel London $1.09!]

[Sally Hansen Salon Effects Buy One Get One 50% off!!]

Since I was out and about all afternoon, I knew I would not have wanted to paint my own nails and toes. Thus,  I decided to get a polish change.

[The owner of the nails shop also alters my clothes so I took her some of my garments to be altered.]

I was expecting to just snap a few pictures, but my Nail Technician, Mike and I ended up doing a full-on photo shoot of the whole process.

[Before]


[After]

I tell ya, Blogging really opens you up to meet some interesting people....

Here is some of my loot from online shopping as well as in-store!

[Bought these today on clearence for lil over $9...they are being hemmed]

[Saw this...Had to HAVE it...Ordered it today...Forever21.com] 

[ Local Beauty Supply Find!]

[Ordered on OldNavy.Com and Price Adjusted to $20 In-Store]
[Found in Marshall's Today for a little Over $40] [Ordered on Target.Com...I thought it was knit bit it's WOVEN!]

Here are some things on my To Do List...

[Bought it in Magenta, but I wouldn't mind the Cobalt either!]