A Glimpse into My World: Spring Break

I know this post is soooo late!
I actually feel like Spring Break just ended for me though.
In my 30-somthing years of existence; never, had I ever experienced Spring Break like this.

My good friend Toni came to visit.

I felt it befitting that we kick off the opening night of her trip at my FAV restaurant!

...Love the posh atmosphere and ambiance!
Their grilled pork chops are AMAZE!

Toni declared she couldn't be in my neck of the woods without visiting a beach!
She got a glimpse into my "I'll take pictures anywhere," attitude and agreed to let me shoot some of her.

She took some of me as well.

...Feet in the sand








Of course I had to hit up some of my fav stores...

Screen Tees are the BEST!

I conquered a SHARK!

...And this is my facial look for a night out with my homie.

She got a promotion and we went out & got "turnt up" to celebrate!

And to welcome me back into a reality of the day-to-day grind of being an adult...I found oatmeal pancakes that DON'T need a blender! 








The End!

On My Suit & Tie SHHHHHHHH ....

Don’t say that!

I WILL say that I felt uberly fab in this menswear inspired ensmeb.

All I was missing was a jacket and a rad-looking neckpiece, but the esthetic was definitely there.

Earrings: Stand-Alone Boutique

Button-Down: Old Navy

Pleated Peg-Legged Britches <3: Forever 21 +

Patent Heels: Calvin Klein via Ross (the heel of the shoe is shaped like a triangle, so unique)

Men’s wear Inspired Watch: Thrifted at Goodwill

Belt: Target

I couldn’t wear my heels to work so I thought it only fair to show what graced my feel all day! My Lifestride Peep-Toe Flats! Cute Right? …And of Course my Steve Madden Carry-All that goes with Er’thang (or do I just wear it with earthing?)!

I feel like I haven’t done an outfit post in FOREVER…

For that, I apologize.

Been going through the ebs and flows of life, some of which I have documented…

Aside from this outfit post, I’d like to share some new developments in my lil ol day-today…

I embarked on some self-care which led me to get this blue-green pedi…

I LOVE these sandals with the gummi t-strap and leather-ette trim…They are the perfect neutral summer shoe and a steal for $10 and some change at Burlington!

I CUT MY HAIR…shorter…

I love my short pixie.

I took my stylist through changes to get here proclaiming I wanted to go natural, then grow it out for a flexi-rod set, then I finally said “I want it cut!”

I also told her to give me something “funky but managelble…”

That she did…

I love this color on my nails as well…I’m a stigler for matching nails and feet!

And this is random.

They’re berry bags to keep the sugar cravings at bay.

Until Next Time…

You Don't Know How Good You Had It ...

 Till its gone!

I feel like I’ve struggled with my weight all my life.

When I was younger it was about perception. I didn’t know I was fine as I was until I got up to a size 18 a few years ago.

After seeing myself in some pics, I decided the least I could do for myself is exercise.

I got down to a 16 and stayed there consistently.

Fast forward to a year ago,

I was more focused than ever and was even starting to grace the like of a size 12.

These are things my readers have heard before…It’s nothing new.

It’s also nothing new that I took you all on a 30-day journey with me where I shed 5 pounds.

This month I discovered I gained the five back and then some.

I am at the position to write this blog because I am slowly but surely being more proactive about my weight-loss goals.

By May, I want to shed 10 pounds.

So far I consistently lost 2…8 more to go.

I was telling my mom I know I am really shedding the pounds when at the end of the day, (when your body retains fluids, water and you just weigh more), I am at a significant deficit.

I get tired of seeing people I inspired to set weight-loss goals surpass me while I’m steady falling off the wagon before their eyes.

I am happy for them…but sad for me.

The good thing is I don’t have to live that way.

I can change.

And unfortunately, I’m going to have to adjust my ways for life…

That’s the hard part.

Thanks for Listening….

Forever 21: Style on a Dime…

In my last post, I wrote about beauty on a dime…

That thought has crossed over to fashion as well.

I know I’m not saying anything new when I cite Forever 21 as a place to buy all things fashionable as well as budget-friendly. On a recent trip to my local store, I overheard an older sister turn to her younger one and say; ‘Oh you’re gonna love this store when you grow up…”

Touché!

And let me just add that even though they were giving the plus section a face-lift and all the items weren’t stocked, I found some staples that I took home with me anyway.

Every now and then I share my recent purchases from my favorite store to shop online, Forever 21.

To my utter amazement, when I visited their site this week, I noticed some FABULOUS items priced even lower than their average price point of under $30.00!

I snatched them up quick before they sold out!

That not only gave me more bang for my buck, but it helped me to stick with my personal preference not to spend too much cash on items that are trendy.

So…Here are the goods that I purchased for:

Under $15.00

-Knit A-Line Dress in Red: $12.80!

Perfect for work, date night, or happy hour…

I don’t have a casual red dress…now I do

Under $20.00

-Tribal Print Dress: $17.80

This is another dress I could wear to work with a cute blazer and oxfords or loafers, with a denim jacket for a Movie Date or Ditch the layers and add heels in a POP-color for a night out with my girls!

-“Perfect” Message Tee: $15.80

Not only do I love the message on this graphic tee, but its also decked out with some dope embellishments! Throw on my black skinnies, magenta cap-toe heels and statement earring and I am Ready to take on the world!

-Knit Hi-Lo Dress: $15.80

Great for those days you just want to throw something on and get on with life!

For more fuss it can be belted or worn with metallic jewelry; featuring a long necklace and strappy-heeled sandals

Under $30.00

-Aloha Print Maxi Dress: $29.80

When I saw this all I could imagine is my skin being bathed in that wonderful mint green! I’d pull this off with a denim jacket and nude sandals for work and ditch the jacket with some metallic heeled sandals and statement jewels for play…I sure would!

-Gladiator Wedge Sandals in Red: 29.80

Maybe I can pair them with my red dress and go monochrome! They are definitely a work shoe and I will probably dawn them with my flared jeans that are too long!

…Whelp, that’s all folks!

I KNOW these pieces will make great outfit posts!

Black Radiance: Beauty on a dime…

First let me just say there is nothing NEW under the sun!

I thought I was being innovative by buying dime store beauty products.

But the countless of Youtube tutorials featuring products that have made their way into my makeup bag have proven me wrong.

I think my obsession with extending my product repertoire started with my birthday last year. In a rush, I found myself in Victoria’s Secret buying a few things from their beauty line.

Also, one of my friends got me more into lipstick in that she always looks fabulous in hers.

Annnd sometimes when I find myself bored, I look at tutorials about anything from how to put on lipstick to eye shadow the correct way.  I even follow along with the steps to see if the technique is as easy as the tutor makes it seem.

I’ve had success so far…

But my journey has just started.

So without further ado, here two looks with some products I stumbled upon at the hair store (aka black beauty supply), in the clearance end-cap at the market or by infamous dime-store brands like NYC and Wet & Wild and NYX that can be found anywhere from Wal-Greens, to CVS to Wal-Mart.

(Just foundation & Eyes)

Foundation, Eyes, & Lips...

I still wouldn’t do make-up every day…takes me EnTIRELY too long to apply it.

But on special occasions…definitely!

Products Used:

• ·      Smash box Photo Finish Primer
• ·      Nicka K New York Mineral to Cream Pressed Powder
• ·      NYC Dark Brown Eye Pencil (Brows)
• ·      Cover Girl Clear Mascara (Brows)
• ·      NYC HD Color Eye Trio “Streets Paved in Gold”
• ·      Victoria’s Secret Eye Shadow Quad
• ·      Black Radiance Lipstick in #5113
• ·      Beautique Lip Crayon in “Frosted Caramel”
• ·      NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colors in “Harmonica”