Bright Color Trouble

And by that title I mean the lack of. As stark as the above picture is, it's just as beautiful to me. I have a thing for landscapes be they lush and green or stripped and stark. I also have a thing for neutral colors that I just cannot seem to let go of...

Browns, tans, greens, khaki...I just can't get enough! I wear neutrals and earth tones allll the time despite the fact that yellow and orange look awesome on me. There's just something so effortless about neutrals and Cheetah/Leopard print though. I'm also guilty of matching my makeup to my outfit...

Eye shadow look features Maybelline's Enchanted Forest quad

I love neutral/natural makeup. Too much color on my face makes me think I look like a clown. Perhaps because I haven't mastered colorful makeup yet. What I have mastered is moss green and brass! I LOVE that combo...

I've also pretty much mastered my eyebrows and blush application...
 

Lancome blush in Rouge Glow

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector (Fawesome stuff!)

Most of all, I'm learning to master my self. I can be very self-critical and more often than not, I don't give myself nearly enough credit. Though still in my box of neutrality, I love this look and think the colors are quite complimentary. This look won't win any street style awards for being daring or avant garde, but that's okay...I'm still learning. In the meantime, I'll keep working my way closer to that "edgy style" precipice and eventually jump off...

Outfit details


Tunic - Target
Jacket - Gap
Jeans - Delia's
Glittery belt you can barely see (but is awesome up close!) - Gap
Cheetah wedges - F21
Bag - Shop Suey
DIY Ankh necklace
Multi-chain brass necklace - Target
Multi-bangle bangle (funny, hee hee) - Cost Plus World Market
Wooden bangle with brass/silver discs - Alloy (or street vendor, can't remember which)
Cheetah print earrings - Gift from my bestie
Rings - Crossroads Trading Co, F21 & Charlotte Russe

Photographs taken by my daughter. She's pretty good :-)

Thrifty Thursday!

When I got word back in the beginning of August about a job offer, I knew I had to stock my rack with some office appropriate outfits. In my previous positions office attire was so casual that I could wear just about anything (and I often did). Not so much with the new job (that I still haven't started). So I cashed in my pennies and headed to Crossroads Trading Company and Goodwill. Let me tell you, I scored better than the captain of a winning football team on prom night! Check out my loot:

J Crew Pinstripe Blouse = $10 (Crossroads)

Button front pinstripe blouses are an absolute must in the business casual wardrobe if you ask me. This blouse can be paired with just about anything...which is why I bought it, lol.

Express Tee = $3.25 (Crossroads marked down from $6.50)

I've had a love thing for stripes for a few years now; horizontal, vertical or diagonal...it doesn't matter. This shirt is actually kinda big on me so I'll have to belt it or something.

Kate Hill Casual Blazer = $13.50 (Crossroads)

I have been looking all over for a cute khaki blazer that hit me at the wrist and goodness gracious was I overjoyed when I found this! I'm 5'10 with loooong arms and legs so sometimes shopping is a hassle I'd rather not endure. This blazer made my day though.

Truly Madly Deeply Tee = $12 (Crossroads)

Here's another tee that fits me kind of big, I loved the Goldenrod color though (it looks amazing against my complexion) so I had to have it. I may alter the neckline a bit so it'll fit better.

BDG Tee = $9.50 (Crossroads)

The color combo and the stripes sucked me in on this one. I haven't worn it, yet but I'm hoping the fit is decent.

Mossimo Blazer = $6.00 (Crossroads marked down from $12)

Although this one isn't a perfect fit I just had to have it! It's a tad shy of hitting me at the wrist but I loooooves it! It's a tweedy fabric with a beautiful purple/gray/tobacco/tealish green colored plaid and it has a nice feminine shape. It's not quite cropped but it doesn't hit the hip either. I LOVE this blazer!

Gap Tee = $8.50 (Crossroads)

Again, kinda pricey for a used t-shirt, but that's just how it is at Crossroads. I really like the color and soft as silk texture of this tee so I grinned and bore it.

Apt 9 Blazer = $6.99 (Goodwill)

 I cannot stay away from earth tones, I just can't. Browns, rusts, tans, mosses, etc. This blazer has a nice feminine shape too thanks to the construction on the back. I'm going to add more bright colors to my wardrobe though and soon...

Josephine Blazer = $4.99 (Goodwill)

Color! My thrifting buddy Naimah actually found this beautiful yellow, cropped 3/4 sleeve blazer (and an identical pink one). I love Love LOVE this blazer! From the silky pinstripe lining to the weave like texture, it is just fab! The buttons are also covered in the same fabric...it's all in the details :-)

Anne Klein Blazer = $6.99

 The minute I laid eyes on this blazer I knew I had to have it! I love the navy color, the electric blue lining and the amazing cut! This blazer is just..it just IS! I can't wait to pair it with a Chartreuse or Fuchsia blouse, it is going to be the bees knees!

Jones New York Blazer = $6.99

 This this this! Before I even went to Goodwill I knew I wanted a blazer that was Chanel like. When I saw this cute little tweed number, it was love at first sight! Now, it fits like a 3/4 sleeved jacket and it's a tad tight in the shoulders, but ask me if I care? I am going to hunt up some gorgeous fancy buttons and rework this baby and then WERK IT! Ya heard?

AK Anne Klein Blazer = $6.99 (Goodwill)

Again with the earth tones...but look at it though. This is an awesome blazer! The contrasting piping on the front and back cinch it in and give it a great feminine shape and it is really well made. This is going to look perfect with some dark wash jeans, satchel bag and riding boots.


Not pictured is the Chartreuse Gap tee (in the dirty clothes hamper) that I picked up from Crossroads. It was an overpriced $7.50. It was brand new with a tag but it had a small hole in it. Yep, I bought it anyway because the color was everything I live for. 

Here's a picture of my Autumn/Winter wardrobe rack:

 Notice the lack of color? Yeah, I'm gonna rectify that soon. 


That's it for this edition of Thrifty Thursday, I hope you enjoyed my finds. When's the last time you scored a great thrift haul? Let a sistah know!


P.S. I went a little overboard with the exclamation marks right? What can I say, I was excited! ;-)

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?