Presenting: Guest Feature in Fashions for Now

In honor of all the wonderful future fashions going on all over world, and the presently adorable, edgy, and fairly expensive lines that are out and available today. I’ve decided to do little dedications throughout the week (maybe longer, who knows with me)! Now the designers that I’m featuring are all mostly high end, although I’ve added some low end pieces. Because we should all look expensive no matter what we’ve paid for our items of clothing or accessories.

However, I’ll try my very best to have lux looks covered in different budgets for the next couple weeks, so do not fret. JUST try to grin and bear it until then, please! 😉 Now let’s get through this present quest happily and most of all fashionably frugal. Depending on your budget for these next few designers it will not be so frugal, but I like what I like, and love what I love. So maybe we’ll be happily fashionable in our journey through today’s honorable guest.

Who just happens to be….

YAAAAYYYY!!!

Here we go, look Number 1.

Because it’s still on and off warm/hot, and we really don’t want summer to end. I’ve added two looks to end the summer (up North anyway) off cute and classy!!

What she’s wearing is HYPERLINKED;

Shirt: Mark Jacobs, Skirt: Marc Jacobs, Unsmiley Face Bag: Marc Jacobs, Watch: is also Marc Jacobs, but sold out. Link is a close match, Earrings: Charming Charlie, Sneakers: Chuck Taylors @Kohls

Look Number 2 is one of my favorites. Effortless beauty, upscale yet comfortable.  With the switch of a heal and eye makeup, you can transition from day to night easy!

What she’s wearing is HYPERLINKED;

Dress: Marc Jacobs, Purse: Marc Jacobs, Watch: Marc Jacobs, Earrings: Charming Charlie, but sold out too. Link is a pretty close match. Necklace: Charming Charlie, Shoes: Michael Kors

Look Number 3 is taking us right into my favorite season of all time, Autumn! I love everything about this outfit, starting with the color palette. Second thing would have to be the back view with zipper detail. Yes, lawd! Lastly would have to be that it’s some of everything from everywhere. That’s how I shop in real life, and am glad that I have the chance to show how I’d do it with Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Money. Hahahaha. Super hype with it, I am!!

What she’s wearing is HYPERLINKED;

Sweater (Front & Back View): Marc Jacobs, Satchel: Marc Jacobs, Shirt: House of Holland, Pants: Levi’s @Kohls, Watch: Marc Jacobs, Earrings: Charming Charlie, Boots: Timberland

Look Number 4 is by far my Most Favorable. This look really makes me feel like she’s stylish, but relatable. Not too casual, but not too fashionable either. I dig her play on expensive tailoring, but also will take a ride on an ATV if the day takes her there. You Go Girl!!

What she’s wearing is HYPERLINKED;

Wool Coat: Marc Jacobs, Sweater: Marc Jacobs, Pants: Levi’s @Kohls, Backpack: Marc Jacobs, Watch: Marc Jacobs, Earrings: Charming Charlie, Necklace: Charming Charlie, Boots: Timberland

There you have it, and let me tell you, I want it all! There are Sssooooo many more Awesome pieces on Marc Jacobs’ Official website I could die in there! Although I wouldn’t live to show you our next guest, and give you what I’ve been working on. I guess I’ll live. Hope to you come back for more.

And as always, I hope that you’ve enjoy this post.

Please comment and share what you feel!

PEACE!!

Fashion & Focus

I’m in the mood to write a little, maybe a lot. Who knows with me?

What brought me here was a picture/post that I put up on Instagram late last night. I talked about how in Africa Cacao bean pickers and Diamond miners already see beauty in the item that they are working to obtain. It didn’t take chocolate to make the bean delicious, the natives enjoy the bean as is. The cut of the diamond doesn’t give the rock more value, it’s already worth someone’s life over in Africa. They get it, believe me! Thus the story of my life.

Raw Black Diamond

Raw Cacao Bean

 

As every Fashion & Beauty blogger knows, it’s NYFW (New York Fashion Week), for those of you who happen to just be humans. Lol :-)!  Do I enjoy a spectacular fashion show just as much as the rest? Yes, if I must say so myself. Would I love to be working as a Wardrobe Stylist to some of the designers on the runway from day to day, picking out outfits, snapping pictures everywhere, posting them on all of my social media sites, and blog, of course! Let’s be realistic though, there are levels to this ish in the wonderful words of Meek Mill (a rapper from Philadelphia). Unless you are born into “the business” and given that silver spoon, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK BISH!

Tome S/S 2016

Ohne Titel S/S 2016

Ohne Titel S/S 2016

Tome S/S 2016

Tome S/S 2016

Ohne Titel S/S 2016

Ohne Titel S/S 2016

 

I don’t knock anyone’s hustle on how they get to where they’re trying to go. I’m cut from a different kind of cloth. The “Please do you! ‘Cause I’m going to do me!!” cloth. If your dream is to become some sort of scientist, you’ve studied every book in that field, graduated with honors, and nobody is trying to hire you because you’ve had little to no hands on experience, so you improvise on your LinkedIn page or resume’. WHY NOT?!  You are qualified. It’s just that no one was willing to take a chance on you until your profile became colorful. I applaud that kind of thinking. If you’re aspiring to be a singer, and all you do are covers of other artist’s songs, or maybe background sing for some random artists. But you know how to sing! Do what you need to do in order to get where you need to go. As for myself as a Fashion Stylist, I have other things on my plate that will get me to my final destination as well.

 

Styling comes Ssssooooo easy to me that it’s really quite scary sometimes. I don’t post all of what is in my head because I’m NOT READY, there are levels to this ish. In the meantime, I’ll work on my master plan. Tweak what needs to be done on a weekly basis. Keep track of what’s been done, and what I still need to do, as well as continue to take care of my home. All the while behind the scenes building beneficial relationships, and tearing down the ones where people question my vision/nonbelievers. None of that, that we as artists tend to do sometimes, care about how people view us, what others think, and/or if we are on the “same path” to success as the one before us. Not I! We don’t even eat the same foods, we don’t hang with the same crowd, we don’t watch the same shows. So how, better yet, why would I bother to compare? Stunting my growth, for what? I’m just typing from an honest place right now, and I say NO to that foolishness.

All that matters to me right here, right now, are faith, family, vision, focus, follow through, my believers, and my end goals. (I’m sure that there are more, but y’all get it!) No limits, just endless opportunities!! The rest will fall into place. Therefore don’t worry about me, my makeup is to naturally see darkness from time to time. That doesn’t stop me from opening up to the inevitable light. Fully aware of my value, what I bring to the table, my worth, and that my beauty inside and out is undeniable. I’m going to get there, and in my raw or polished state those who know me will surely understand & accept what’s to come.

 

Now to all of those who are obsessed about someone else’s trajectory, do yourself a solid and find the sun beneath your fog. Not for me, nor anyone else, but for you! Let’s build up each other up, and forget tearing one another down. Life will be so much more enjoyable that way, in my humblest opinion anyhow.

I hope this reaches someone who needed it, more than I needed to write it! Now go and make your dreams come true. And as always I sure do hope that you enjoyed this post.

Peace!!

 

All runway fashion photos are courtesy of Vogue Magazine online. The Tome S/S 2016 collection & Ohne Titel S/S 2016 collection.

Quiet Storm

Have you ever heard successful people, or celebrities say, “Surround yourself with the people who you aspire to become.” Or project what you want out of life until it becomes a reality for you”, (fake it until you make it).  I’m sure that we all have at one time or another, be it through reading a book, watching a show, or listening to some song. The general consensus is to put/throw yourself out there. Contact people, go to social events, attend some seminars, write down what you want out of the week/month/year, pray, meditate, buy this, wear that, and so forth, and so on.

Here’s my question, what good is any of it if you don’t get a return call/email? You mingle and network, but can’t get out a clear message of what you do? That seminar gave you the boost/jolt of energy that you needed for the week, but now reality is settling in comfortably and the spark is gone. Your plan for the week/month/year is going awesome, although now your kids/wife/husband/ mother/father is sick, or in some shape or form need YOU! You’re praying, but are you acting on what you’ve prayed for? Faith without works is dead, no? Meditated on calm, stressless (not a real word), and productive days, just to fizzle out when the smoke hits the fan. Better yet, you’ve spent (or charged) all this money to present yourself as “successful” when you have no food to eat, or place to live! Is it safe to say that we all know one of these feelings or another similar to it?

What you do when faced with any of these obstacles, adversities, and wrenches in the game determines your outcome more than anything else in the world. That’s what I believe anyway.

I’m having a lot of situations like this happen to me in my quest to make a better life for my family and me. People looking down on me for lack of experience, instead of trying to help. Reaching out to certain individuals, not for a hand out, but to work, and being rejected. Feeling ready for the world after some strong encouragement from people in the business that I aspire to be in, just to get hit with the reality that what they’ve done will not work for me. Of course I get it. In this life, one size doesn’t fit all! One size fits one person, because nobody has the same journey. And some people aren’t trying to assist you, because they’re too busy with their own. May I NEVER be like that. My circumstances can (and will) change for the better in due time. Although who I am deep down inside as a person should not. Unless I’m evil, and in that case change away!!

The kicker is to not mind any of those “setbacks”, keep going! Be persistent, consistent, reliable, hardworking, optimistic, and ready for THAT yes! Because it’s on its way. Yes there’ve been days that I’ve gone into a “funk”, but I was never out of the game. I’d readjust and find another way. Have courage, passion, follow thru, and loved ones who believe in you. Oh those people who believe in you, they make it ALL worth while! Make “it” work for your situation, your family, your stage in life. Will it be easy? No! If it comes easy, it’ll go just as quickly. Will it be worth it? I surely hope so! I’d suggest that you make it last, and worth while. Appreciate all that you had to learn and go through to finally be able to reap the benefits of what you’ve sown. That’s all I ask of me & you today, as well as from here on out.

And, oh YES, I’ll be ready to embrace the opportunities as they come.

It’s time to make more money, less excuses. Be a quiet storm.

2015

India

2015

India

2015

 

 

As always, I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post!

Please feel free to like, comment, and share yourself with me. 🙂

PEACE

l Watched a Person Drown…

I watched a person drown because I couldn’t swim. Their arms were flapping wildly, splashing water everywhere. She seemed to be without legs, as her head bopped up and down. I’m absolutely terrified! She disappears for a second and then resurfaces, it happens again. So quickly this is all happening, and my heart is racing. Am I the only person seeing this? What the heck should I do? I can’t swim, or at least I don’t remember the last time I’ve actually tried. I remember taking classes as a youth. Ahh, nevermind any of that, what is going on right now? This is a joke. I’m sure of it! This isn’t even real. She’s going to resurface again, although this time she will not disappear. She’ll swim to shore, and laugh from the depths of her soul from this sick & unbelievable joke…

I once read on another blogger’s (kelzbelzphotography.wordpress.com) page that I follow, say that she wrote so well when she was in a “rut”. When she was happy, it was harder for her to get accurate feelings out because of the euphoria that her body felt. I kind of agreed, but not really. I thought to myself, I can always write. I may not always be able to share, but I can definitely write. Reminds me of my real life at times. I can always express myself in my day to day with what I’m wearing. There, is where I feel like I can be anybody in the ENTIRE world through my clothing. However, when it comes to saying what I feel needs to be said at times to certain individuals, I hold back. I drown…

Yes, it’s clear that I’ve been away for some time, did a lot of cool things whilst I was away too! Went to Florida, had a fairly decent time I must say. Hershey, Pennsylvania ran through that Amusement Park with my family like I would never see that place again. Had the pleasure of hosting my BEST teenage niece (well actually my only niece), for a month at our house this summer before she had to go back to school down South. Attended some WONDERFUL art shows. And also got to see a Janelle Monae, and her Wondaland Records artists perform a concert for absolutely free!

The Eephus Tour ’15

The Eephus Tour ’15

Hershey 2015

FL 2015

The Eephus Tour ’15

The Eephus Tour ’15

FL 2015

The Eephus Tour ’15

Hershey 2015

FL 2015

It’s been AWESOME!! I mean by no means should I feel suffocated, right?

This is where it gets complicated. If you’ve been following me for some time (THANK YOU), you know that my family is my EVERYTHING! So much so, that I’ve been feeling perplexed. ‘Cause there is also this passion inside of me that I have for LifeStyling, Helping, Mingling, Meeting Entrepreneurial People, and Seeing New Places, that makes me feel good. *Takes a deep breath & exhales softly* Really good! It’s like every time I rise in the morning, that day is the day for a new opportunity, and it drives me to execute a master plan to make my families lives much better than what I had to endure growing up. So, on one hand I have my family that constantly needs me. And I go hard for them, without a doubt! How can I “abandon” them? Now on the other hand I have my goals, dreams, skills, talents, and gifts. I should be able to share those, no? I’d go just as HAM on accomplishing all of them, as I would for my family. This is for all of us, right? Or is it for my own happiness? If only I didn’t have this feeling, this feeling that in some way I’d be doing them a disservice by going for mine. What am I doing to myself if I keep on the route that I’m currently on?

Occassionally, I feel like there somehow is water in my lungs, taking small breaths from me. As I gasp for air these out of body experiences are keeping me alive, or getting a kick out of how I’ll react. Is this going to work? Can I make any of “it” happen? Will I lose my mind in the process? Or does this quest that I’m on continue to give me the intense feeling of drowning? Maybe I return to the shore fine and well, with a big smile on my face in the end.

I pray that it’s the latter, looking and living The Lifestyle of the Fashionably Frugal.

FL 2015

FL 2015

FL 2015

FL 2015

As always, I thank you for reading and hope that you enjoyed!

Peace

Despite all Odds

There’s something about tailored Menswear that just sends my heart to a warm place. It sort of feels like the sun’s rays are directly on my entire body. Sensations of happiness, mixed in with drowsiness, because sitting out long enough in the summer’s sun will do that to one. Ironically, being in a relationship with a man has the same effect. Lol! 🙂 Nevertheless, I still can’t help but continue to soak it all in, muscle through the pain that is sure to follow if I don’t get up soon. From a very early age, I remember looking at well-groomed adults and thinking, “They look really nice!” You know that “look” from the 40’s & 50’s, right? Sharp, clean, tailored, dresses, suits, suspenders, sweaters, and shoes. Ooh, wee! Never mind the fact that it was not an ideal time for anyone who was of color, or that citizens had little to no say of their attire because of the way “government” subliminally had the majority of say in what you wore back then. As I think about it, not too much has seemed to have changed. Although this is not the time for that conversation, but definitely the place! Take my hand, and let us CONTINUE…

A Girl Can Dream

There are few things in life that can distract me. One of those things is a runway show that just shoots life into my veins, similar to heroin. The other being Candy Crush SAGA, damn that game! *Throws hands up into the air* And as unfortunate as that may sound. It’s true. What am I going to do? *Shrugs shoulders*  There’s a bright side to everything, it could always be worse. 🙂

My intentions were to share with you all a little of Balmain PARIS’s Fall/Winter 2015-16 RTW(ready to wear) collection, as well as a little of H&M’s F/W 2015-16 RTW collection. It REALLY was, although after gathering my emotions from the Balmain show. My hat went off to Oliver Rousteing’s creative genius behind this ensemble of clothing he prepared for our viewing pleasure.

Oh, of course as any aspiring anything, we somehow find a way to absolutely LOVE what we cannot have at that moment. Is Balmain PARIS in my budget? Heck to the NO! But “A Girl Can Dream”, can’t I? Now H&M is heavy in my closet and drawers. I mean really, you could break your back with all of the different stuff that’s from H&M in this house! Here’s the thing though, my mouth watered just a little while watching the Balmain show yesterday. And to be honest with you all, the H&M collection is outstanding! It will most likely end up in my house with the rest of their items scattered around this place. Reason being H&M is in fact in my budget. Lol!

Here’s just a little smidgen of what H&M shared with us yesterday.

Not bad at all, right? I can see myself in at least seven/eight different articles of clothing.                                                                                                                                                                          All of the H&M images are from Harper’s Bazaar’s magazine website. I claim no ownership.

 

Okay, ENOUGH already, let me begin to share with you why I feel Oliver of Balmain’s collection had to get a majority of this post, and hopefully H&M will have their time to shine in a post of mine some time next week. *That is if someone hasn’t already beaten me to it*  Opening credits are on now, let’s all put on our bib as we get to all of this absolute fashion beauty. *Rubs hands together with a slight devilish grin* 

The Details

More Details

Close Details

The Venue

Diverse Balmain Army

Fine Pleat Details

 

The show is now set to begin. I have the gallery set up to two different views, all are my personal favorites. The first show will display how effortlessly the fabric flowed down the runway, and the second will show the structure of the other garments. This is just a peek of what was actually on the runway. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did/do!

 

 

Did you like it? Or did I hype it up too much for your taste? I really enjoyed it! Whelp, I hope that you all got something out of it, that is my wish. 🙂

Last picture, here’s Oliver Rousteing who is the creative director and (I BELIEVE) part owner of Balmain PARIS.

All Balmain PARIS images are from VOUGE magazine’s website. I claim no ownership.

 

Small S/O to another blogger JILW-B life is poetry for guiding me to images for this post.

As always, thank you for your time!

 

PEACE

So Difficult, WHY?????

Good morning, afternoon, evening, to all this may concern!

Of all the things in the world I decide to blog. Did I think it was going to be quite simple? OF COURSE, I did. One question I’d ask myself is, why would I pay for someone to give me a template when they come for free on WordPress? It can’t be that difficult, I’d say to myself & husband. Uh, yes it is, and it doesn’t help that I have yet to talk to a human being to help me on WordPress! Because I’m having one problem after the next. Believe me these Internet, Computer, Software genies know it. 😦 That’s why they have their businesses, smart move IT person, smart move!

All I’m trying to do is get some Fashion Styling pictures uploaded in a beautiful layout. Is that too much to ask? Uh, yes it is because I’m also learning how to use a quality camera, and to take photos of other Awesome stuff along the way. Therefore between learning how to successfully customize a page, figure out what a widget is, uploading a ridiculous header, reading/learning about apertures, f-stops, ISOs, and proper focus. I’m too through!!! PLEASE, don’t forget that I still have my children running through the house fighting over a box full of letters, my husband installing a new toilet, we still need to workout, and think about what’s for dinner. With all of that said, I WILL NOT let these minor setbacks get in my way. I will figure out as much as I POSSIBLY can to give you all a beautiful, quality page, that will make me so happy in the end.

Wish me the best!