Stylenspire: CHRISTenspire

The joy of Christmas is singularly the most beautiful gift that has ever been given to us. 

It is the only gift of love that keeps on giving in every season, every high, every low, and at every turn through out our life's journey.  

May the Love that makes Christmas true fill your hearts, homes and lives, today and always!

MERRY CHRISTMAS WORLD WIDE WONDERS!!! 

Outfit Deets: Bespoke Tailored Skirt by Me // Kate Spade Top + Michael Kors Belt (oldie goodie) + Michael Kors Bracelets + Swarovski Crystals Rings + Crystal & Jeweled Earring + Steve Madden are each FAB FINDS from TJ Maxx // Movado Bold Series Watch

Stylenspiration: "The beauty of the Christmas' gift is in the every day glory of life." Y.S

"….I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY which will be to ALL PEOPLE. For there is born to you this day in the CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD." LUKE 2:10-11

Stylenspire: noir

Last week, someone asked me if it was okay to wear all black. In my head, my immediate response was "I do wear black, I only always compliment it with color". She continued on to explain why she asked, which had nothing to do with whether or not I wear all black. So I canned my 'inside Yemi's mind dialogue' and paid attention. Nevertheless, she had me thinking about wearing all black, so here goes.

I chose to build on this black dress as I was attracted to the mixed-media blend of knit and leatherette, I added the tights to protect my legs from the cold and went for these comfortable heels. To keep the mixed-media theme going, I topped my leather jacket with a fur jacket. Adding the fur on the jacket gave the finished look an added oomph that I enjoyed. 

Mixed-media is a form of art where varied forms of materials are used to create a single artwork. This term is often used to identify art and in this case, style art, as my whole look has a varied mix of materials like knit/leatherette/leather/fur.

 For jewelry, I chose to compliment the look with my newest fab finds, these Swarovski Crystal necklaces. I often get asked why I write about my faith on a fashion blog and what is fast becoming my famous answer is that "for me, fashion and faith translates in my style". A perfect example are the thoughts that prompted the purchase of these two necklaces. At the TJ Maxx jewelry counter, I never ignore any Swarovski Crystals jewelry that I see. Even if all I do is admire it, I will still ask to see it. 

When I picked up the Circle Crystal Pendant Necklace, the first word that came to life in my mind was 'infinity'. I knew I was starring at a circle shaped piece, and a circle is an infinity shape. No beginning no end. With these thoughts, to the best of my knowledge, an infinity goes on forever, it is eternal, and indisputably, only God is eternal. See ISAIAH 26:4, JEREMIAH 10:10 and DANIEL 4:3 He is the Eternal Rock of Ages, the Eternal King Whose kingdom is eternal!

With the second necklace that I admired, it was the Crystal Key Pendant Necklace, and I automatically thought 'the Key of David'. Bearing in mind two things: I already ascribed the infinity shape of the first pendant to an eternal God; second to that I am currently going through a season of learning how praise is the Key of David with which God opens or shuts doors for our benefit. See ISAIAH 22:22 and REVELATION 3:7 Him Who is Holy and True, Who holds the Key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts, no one can open.

Viola!!!  The two pieces became must haves for me and truth be told, I needed the little retail therapy pick-me-up. Being that I style my way, the inner me is always represented, hence my faith. Do not get the wrong idea, there is no spiritual revelation that has to transpire with what I buy or what I wear. But my style story is my true story, and my story is written according to God's will for therein lies the truth of my being.

I hope these few words will give you pause to consider how your style represents you. Does it tell the story of the beauty of the One Who is at the center of it all? Or are you lost on the corner of 'high street' where fashion fails to fulfill what you do not allow God to fill?

Outfit deets: Calvin Klein Three Quarter Sleeve Quilted Faux Leather Skirt Dress (find here) + Kate Spade Dotted Tights + DKNY Leather Motto Jacket (similar here) + Dena Fur Jacket (find here / color option / similar here) + Nine West Booties (similar here) + Swarovski Crystal Key Pendant Necklace (steal / fab find) + Swarovski Circle Crystal Pendant Necklace (color option) + Swarovski Crystals bracelets and rings + Juicy Couture Watch + Prada Sunnies are each fab finds from my local TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Fashion and style are not to the exclusion of faith and God's prompting. The talents that produce style are also gifted by Him." Y.S

Stylenspire: color rush

In the past three Autumn seasons, we have not had the joy of such richly colored days as we have been enjoying these days. The varying hues of the trees, some with their staying green; the red leaves, the orange husks, the brown limbs, and all the varying colors in between. Oh how I am loving and enjoying the Master CraftsMan display His splendor. 

My style choice today is tribute to the beauty around me. I specifically chose the batik fabric of my skirt, influenced by the colors of nature and designed as a midi skirt, which is an on going trend this season also. I enjoy making skirts as they are such versatile fashion pieces and are fun to style. I paired the skirt with a bright silk tee, added the leather jacket for warmth and oomph, the nude platform heels and blue glass necklace topped off the style for the day. Enjoy! 

Outfit deets: DIY Indonesian Batik Print Skirt (bespoke designed by me) // BCBG Max Azria bias cut leather jacket + Kate Spade ARIELLE top + B Brian Atwood BAMBOLA Nude Patent Peep Toe Pumps (fab finds / love this) + Cara necklace are each a maxxinista's fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Much more than fashions changes with seasons, the glory remains with He Who changes times and seasons." Y.S

Stylenspire: faithful friday

It's is the end of the week and frankly I am most glad it's Friday. Not so much for the weekend, but for the blessing I have had to survive this week and the grace to turn each heartache into hallelujahs. To finish it on a non-too-casual note, I styled my outfit with this interesting mohair ombre dress and a fur vest for warmth in style. I pictured two shoe options to share with you how you can style a dress like this in heels or flats. (I went with the flats for the day)

While looking for what to wear this morning, I realized that I have collected a few furry staples in the last year or so. That was an interesting discovery and I look forward to stylishly curate each piece this season. For now, do enjoy your viewing and have a FAB FRIDAY!

Outfit deets: ALICE+OLIVIA Macie Ombre Boatneck Dress (bid for it / fab option) + THEORY Evlyn Fur Vest (bid for it / buy it / fab find option / more fab options) + Steve Madden DARRT Metallic Pumps + KATE SPADE fur flats (sold out) + KATE SPADE Dome Ring + Prada Sunnies + Cara Necklace + Gold Cuff are each this maxxinista's fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Style should be an innate part of going at life with all your heart." Y.S 

Stylenspire: fall hued

In these early days of cold mornings and warm daytime, it is easy to remember all the reasons why I love fall. Though the leaves are falling, the trees and earth are yet to birth the jewel tones of nature that brings such rich beauty as it yields to the oncoming season. What I dread about this time of the year is that it is a prelude to a nightmarish season for me - winter (I still contend with God on the need for winter).

Oh how I fear those endless dark, brittle, and cold days. Yet I know not to "worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself." In the mean time I will enjoy the pleasant weather fall brings and the opportunity it offers us to style creatively. 

Like my outfit for today; the rich jewel tones and textured fabric contrast kept an extra spring in my step. I was inspired by a tee shirt I saw the day before to wear this skirt today. The jacket I am wearing was a gift from my friend PJ and it feels like butter. The few times I have had it on, I caress it wondering what phantom technology they used to make the leather so, so buttery soft. 

 

If you are looking to style these early days of fall fabulously, be sure to wear and or accessorize with rich jewel tones, and layer up with a mix of textured fabrics. These days, your body is a canvass for style art with no fashion restrictions. The only rule is to do you! 

Enjoy!

Outfit deets: Alice & Olivia cropped leather jacket (to die for in red / splurge)  + Kate Spade ellis bow sweater (fab find / bid for it)  + Nanette Lepore button-front skirt (sold out / blue option) + Rebecca Minkoff quited bag are each awesome fab finds from TJ Maxx // Juicy Couture Karina booties are maxxinista fab found from Marshalls 

Stylenspiration:

"The story of my style is also told in the colors that I wear. It is an expression of a life richly lived as I seek to do each blessed day." 

Y.S

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." MATTHEW 6:34

Photo credit: joyfully by V.Dodge

  

Stylenspire: dear beauty

Today's style combination was quite spontaneous & I love the result. 
Wearing print on print is quite the rage right now & leopard prints are the foreword to that trend. The top & the skirt are each chiffon & the softness of the fabrics adds lush to the way I feel dressed up like this. My outfit leads me to share some thoughts with you as I see beautiful in these pictures I am about to share. 
Yet what I deem beautiful could very well be the opposite for you. 

This week, I met a few people that I regularly speak to on the phone for work & was quite pleased. Later in the day walking down the hallway, I had an 'omg' moment. One of the ladies I met earlier in the day does not 'look like her voice sounds on the phone'. I wondered about this & humorously mentioned it to one of my colleagues. 

My exact words were "...she sounds like a blonde bombshell but does not look like a blonde bombshell." We laughed at my remark but those words have not left my mind for the last few days. In retrospect, please be aware that I was not trying to be mean when I said what I said.








I do not know why I had a pre-designed idea of how I thought she would look. Maybe because I have always admired & enjoyed listening to her voice (even with the most mundane conversations), & my mind captured some ethereal being to go with the voice. 

There was nothing about her look that was not as beautiful as the God gifted voice she possessed. My mind & misconception had tried to put her in a box that her Creator did not see fit to put her in. How often in our everyday lives does this happen? We each have misconceived preconceived ideas of what ought to be beautiful. When beauty herself refuses to be put in a box that will in any way diminish who she is.

Often we blame mainstream social/fashion/beauty media for this short coming we all possess, when WE choose to narrowly define what beauty is to us. You may never be my/others' conceived idea of beautiful, but the truth is THERE WILL NEVER BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU. Who you are, how you look, is who God created, carved out from the very image of Who He is with His very purpose to fulfill.

You know, the short comings that make us think someone else should look/be a certain way, the blemishes that we each cringe from in our own selves, wishing we can be different, is there with a purpose to fulfill. If not for you, then for someone else. The only perfection with the image of our beauty that will ever truly matter is found only on the inside. While the outward appearance that we admire, love, judge, condemn, is nothing but ephemeral. 

Outfit deets: BCBG MaxAzria print chiffon top + Laundry by Shelli Segal print pleated chiffon skirt (fab find here / similar here & here)+ Cole Haan H belt + Kate Spade feathered bow flats + Cara necklace + Printed Leather & Gems cuff + Juicy Couture watch are each this maxxinista's fab finds from TJ Maxx 

SHOP & STYLE PLEATED SKIRTS

Stylenspiration: "Love beautifully & allow yourself to be beautifully loved."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: lacing linen

On here I am wearing the same Kate Spade Janis Skirt I wore last week, styled with different pieces. I guess I wanted to put in a good wear before the linen-wearing season ends. Share your thoughts on these choices & how you would style it your way.

Enjoy!

  

Outfit deets: Tory Burch Neely Lace top (on sale here) +  Kate Spade Janis skirt (find it here) + Gucci Sunnies + Gold Grommet belt + Gold cuff + Armani Exchange watch are each fab maxxinista finds from TJ Maxx + MICHAEL Michael Kors Cut-Out sandals (old from Macy's) 

Stylenspiration: "Mix or Match, don't just blend in, style you to stand out!"
Y.S

Stylenspire: femme fatigue

I can't believe I forgot to wear this skirt this summer, but that is just what happened. Until I spotted it hanging out with dresses in my closet. I know most of the skirts that I have worn through the summer have been ones bespoke tailored by me, hence the oversight. I purposely chose to pair the skirt with this fatigue shirt. The chambray of the shirt & the cotton-linen blend of the skirt flowed well together. A dab of jewelry with these haute shoes & I was ready to go. 

I could not help but notice that the whole outfit is a play of fabrics & materials. From the chambray to the cotton-linen, the silvery leather of the belt & snake print of the shoes, to the metals, crystals & faux baubles of the jewelry. The blend reminds me of the mesh of our lives. The seasons that come & go, the changes that we experience & sometimes struggle with. Even the norm & saneness of our everyday living reflects this mix mash too. 

Nevertheless, the one truth that comes from it all is the beauty of the living; be it on a high or a low. Life well lived is beautiful! Like the beauty represented in each fashion piece that adorns us through style art.

Enjoy! 

 

Outfit deets: Clothe & Stone top + Kate Spade Janis skirt (find it here) + Calvin Klein belt (came with a dress) + B Brian Atwood Fontenay Platform Sandals (on sale here / similar here / options here) are each maxxinista fab find from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration:

"I feel fatigued after being sickly for three days, but my outfit works as a good camouflage with the pick me up sunshine smiling down at me."

Y.S