Wedge Fund

My wedge collection thus far

Because a girl can never have too many wedges...and I definitely want more More MORE! Like these...

More Aldo...

More L.A.M.B....

More Boutique 9...

More Elizabeth and James...

More Aldo...

More Sam Edelman...

More NYLA...

I could go on but...

I'm a souljah

Dear Chicago,


I love you, but we need to talk. As you know, I'm a sunshine loving woman. When the sun is shining high in the sky tickling me with its warm loving rays...I feel alive. I feel loved and safe and chock full of scrumdiddlyumptious joy. But lately, Mr. Golden Sun seems to have joined the witness protection program. I've not seen him in so long that my internal sunflower is starting to wilt. Now, I know we all have our days Chicago, I understand. But really, this long tall beautiful brown skinned Sun loving souljah needs those rays. Please oh please oh please...won't you let Mr. Golden Sun come out and play? I would greatly appreciate it. OkThanksBye.


Yep, that's how I was feeling today. The day was long, gray, chilly and forbidding. Despite it all though, I had an awesome day :-)


Why you ask? Well because I'm on a roll. Two days in a row, two outfits outside my box makes me a very happy camper, lol. I am all kinds of proud and pleased with myself, you just don't know *giggles*


I have to be totally honest, my LOTD was inspired by God's Favorite Shoes and her Rumble in the Jungle blog post. GFS was inspired by this picture of Mary J. Blige. Had I not seen GFS's and MJB's pictures, I may not have ever thought to put my look together.

I draw inspiration from many of the wonderful "every day woman" personal style bloggers I read. I love high fashion and haute couture, but so much of that is way out of my league. What I love are the thrift store haunting, Ebay adventuring, Etsy searching, Target shopping, H&M harvesting, in-their-own-lane-but-outside-anybody's-box style having regular woman bloggers that populate my blog roll. The women I read about are unapologetic, fiercely loyal to their own visions and will blaze a burning path through any and every "fashion rulebook". They wear what they want, when they want, how they want and they are the captains of their fashion choices. Gotta love that. I'm learning this. I'm learning that there is no wrong way to wear what you like. What I wear doesn't have to make sense to anyone else...it's all about what makes me feel good. Because when you feel good, you look good...and vice versa, lol. At any rate, here's my take on GFS's and MJB's look...

I LOVE THESE SHOES!!!!!!!

BDU Shirt = Gift from an Air Force friend

Leather jacket = Wilson's

Clutch = Crossroads Trading Company

Black T = Old Navy

Black leggings = F21

Leopard wedges = F21 (Gift from my bestie Shan)

Belt = Gap

Necklace = Gift from Grandmother (it was my Great-Grandmother's R.I.P.)

Bracelets = Alloy and Delia's

Keyhole ring = Crossroads Trading Company

Cracked turquoise ring = Charlotte Russe

Gold flake ring = Charlotte Rusee

Earrings = Gift from my Mommy (R.I.P.)

Plum Perfect nail polish = Essence

Jade nail polish = L.A. Colors (gift from my bestie Shan)

Mixing Mediums...sorta :-)

Soooo, since I haven't done a LOTD post in a minute (I blame my lack of a photographer), I thought I'd share...because you care, lol.


Today was real blah. The weather was mild for the most part, but the day was so very gray and dreary. I probably should have gone bright with my outfit but I was in a more neutral mood. As I am prone to do, I played it safe, not really taking any chances, not doing anything overtly exciting. I blame it on the anal retentive straight laced Virgo in me, lol. One thing I am enjoying though is mixing different patterns. I'm actually proud of today's outfit because though very casual and neutral, I played around in a way the old me would never have done. There's hope for me yet :-D




Without further ado...like to see it, here it is...

Jacket and jeans = Gap


Infinity scarf and headband = F21


Green henley = Delia's

Sparrow ring = F21

Keyhole ring = Crossroads Trading Company

Brown plastic sparkle ring = Charlotte Russe

Nail polish = You Hue by Finger Paints

I love shirts with thumb holes

DIY key necklace


Bag = Delia's

Olive, khaki & yellow Converse One Stars = Alloy




And there you have it. Basic, comfy, neutral but still cute IMO. I loved putting the black/white plaid bag with khaki and Leopard and denim and oatmeal and olive....it gave me a real thrill, lol. What do you think? Progress?

Election Day

 
Though I'm a few days late and several dollars short (and the Dems/Obama are SOL), I thought I'd share my laid back election day look. Most folks were at the polls looking harried, hurried and worried. Post election day, I'm thinking perhaps folks should have taken more time to research candidates before casting a vote. Ah well, c'est la vie. On to the out of it outfit...

I've always loved African prints and my BFF knows this so I was elated when he gave me this Kente print Dashiki for my bornday back in 2007. I've worn this Dashiki as a dress, as seen here...

(albeit a very short dress). I also wear it over jeans/leggings, tucked into jeans, under cardis, belted, etc. It's gorgeous and versatile and I LOVE it! 

 

My lighting was oh so bad but I made lemonade with those lemons.

Ring = F21

Dashiki = Gift

Old Leather Jacket = Wilson's

Scarf = TJ Maxx

Earrings = Gift

Glasses = Versace

Boots (unseen) = Chestnut Classic High UGGS

That's all folks.

XOXO

Bornmonth Buys and Shop Therapy

Been a long time. I shouldn't have left you, without a new blog to...oh never mind, lol.



How is everyone? I'm pretty good and getting better all the time :-)


Today Chicago was sooooo beautiful! It was warm, sunny, easy, breezy and all around wonderful. It's hard to believe that soon October will be over and we'll be that much closer to the biggest shopping season of the year. Are you ready? I must admit that I did a lot of shopping (didn't pay full retail for ANYTHING) at the end of the summer, through my birth month and right on into October. I caught some great sales, found some damn good deals and did very little damage to my wallet. I'm right proud of myself :-) Add to that, I deserved to splurge because the past 18 months have been pretty difficult. All the more reason to treat myself (and my children) and not cheat myself...right? I knew you'd agree, lol. At any rate, would you like to see what I got? I know you do ;-)

Slithering serpent ring and serpent encased Ankh ring from Ebay.

Cocktail rings from F21.

Cocktail rings from Charlotte Russe.

More F21 cocktail rings.

Medusa cuff & scissor necklaces from Lulu's. Studded cuff from Delia's. Earrings from F21.

Infinity scarves & headbands from F21.

Wedges from GoJane. Black suede Converse from Delia's.

Oversized sheer black cardigan, splatter patterned tank dress, shirred skirt (I got it in purple) & zebra tank with cropped tee from Yesstyle.

Broken stripe F21 top.

Barry M. Crackle effect & Dusty Mauve nail polish.

Sephora complexion brush, L'occitane Red Rice skin care travel set & Giovanni Dtox soap.

Mabelline CorlorSensational Lipstain, Mabelline Falsies Mascara & Sephora small eye shadow brush.

$4 one year subscription to Glamour magazine.

And thus concludes the things I bought myself over the past few months and for my bornday (which was September 6th).

Last but not least are the very awesome bornday gifts My bestie got me...

Sleek Original & Storm Palettes.

Okay that really is it, lol. Until next time, ciao bellas.

XOXO