Stylenspire: black, white and snow

Happy Monday World Wide Wonders!

It seems like I finally got pulled out of the vortex of snow, ice, and rain that has been a nightmare. Thankfully, the horrors of frigid temperatures are behind us now. Through this past week, I kept thanking God for the least simple things; things we easily overlook with entitlement while we go on with life. For one heat and warmth - I was continually grateful for a sanctuary I could call home. For hot water - I was always moved to tears every time I took a hot long shower. 

Do you ever wonder what would happen/who you would be if all the little essentials that provide you daily comfort were taken away? The fact that I have these provisions and much more simply spurs my heart on in gratitude to the One Who supports and supplies my needs on all sides. It also confirms my need and belief to be the difference/make the difference for another. Since His Promise is to meet all our needs according to the riches of His Glory in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19

The pictures from this post did not come out clearly to showcase today's style make up of turtle neck dress, overlaid with a strapless organza dress, and tall boots. But I chose to share it because of the beauty of nature resplendent in the background. It seemed poignant that my silhouette was framed this way; It speaks the truth of my story, that I am only found in the reflection of God the Creator.

P.S. It was fun to be out in the sun and frolic in the snow. Enjoy!

Outfit Deets: Ralph Lauren Collection Jacket (old) (similar here) + BCBG MaxAzria Strapless Organza Dress (good find / fab find / maxxinista find)) + Susana Monaco Cat Turtleneck Dress (top option) are each this maxxinista finds from TJ Maxx  // Vera Wang Lavender LARISSA boots are oldie goodie fab found from Marshall's (similar here / love this one) // Gucci sunnies

Stylenspiration: "When life gives you snow, stylishly layer up for warmth,then go play in it." Y.S

I tell you, old is always new when you have a fab timeless piece to style. Ralph Lauren Collection Runway picture curtesy FABSUGAR

Stylenspire: Elysha

World Wide Wonders, Elysha is our first gorgeous street style feature & I am super excited to share this post. I spotted her across the street as her hair style caught my eye. A thorough look & I beheld this chic beauty. Everything she was wearing was on point & uniquely styled. 

From the color-block dress, to the aztec-print tights & lace-up oxford pumps, to her choice of tan shoulder bag with the color combo she had going on hints at a woman who wears her own style boldly. Her necklace also adds an oomph to her perfectly styled outfit, but my envy of the entire outfit was her sunnies. How fab are they! 

Enjoy!

Oh, what this girly would do to have gorgeous hair like this.... 

Stylenspiration: "Fashion is an instant language; what you wear is how you present yourself to the world." Miuccia Prada

Stylenspire: iLove New York

iLOVE

Like seriously, I really do love New York City. I talk about loving New York, moving to New York, & living in New York all the time. Like seriously, New York is the place for me; I am in love with New York. I mean, have I mentioned New York enough times for you to at least have an idea of how much I love New York & want to be a New Yorker? LOL! While I think, & wish, & dream, & talk New York, God is working behind the scenes to make New York happen for me in the All-Confirming Name of Jesus! 
(can I get some AMEN?)

If I could be any where in the world for the next ten days, New York would be the place. 

Drum roll please......................

WORLD WIDE WONDERS, IT'S NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Y'ALL!!! 

Where else would any style enthusiast rather be in these coming days than in the heart of the city that births all things fashionably fantastic, & demands that we each create style with it, then own it or go home? Whew! It is indeed New York.

I thought to wear my NY homage tee in honor of celebrating the start of the Spring/Summer 2014 NYFW. When choosing what to pair it with, I spotted the red of this ankara skirt & thought to give it a try - what a mix. I love how my indigenous ankara skirt styled with my love NY tee. For the now cold mornings & even colder offices, I added the trapeze cut faux leather jacket for a stylish cover up (scrunching/rolling up long sleeves give your look added edge); matched the ensemble with good ol' booties plus arm candy & I was stylishly set to conquer today.

I am looking forward to what the oracles of fashion have to show/say for what is to come in our style future. Look below for the link to the shows that I will be viewing far, far away from my beloved New York city, in this no, no land where I for now reside. (lol)

Enjoy!

Outfit deets: DIY Mesh with Ankara skirt (bespoke tailored by me) // iLove Nueva York tee + Prada sunnies + Swarovski bracelets/rings + Michael Kors bracelet + Armani Exchange watch + Elie Tahari bag + Cole Haan booties are each fab finds by maxxinista me at TJ Maxx

                                  Stylenspiration: 

"Need I say more?"

Y.S

NYFW SS2014 - LIVE STREAMING

September 05: 

NICHOLAS K @ STUDIO

BCBGMAXAZRIA @ THEATRE

RICHARD CHAI @ STAGE

TADASHI SHOJI @ STAGE

CANDELA @ BOX

THE ART INSTITUE OF NEW YORK CITY @ STAGE

September 06: 

FASHION LAW INSTITUTE @ BOX

PROJECT RUNWAY @ THEATRE

CARMEN MARC VALVO @ STAGE

REBECCA MINKOFF @ THEATRE

NICOLE MILLER @ STUDIO

ELLE FASHION / NEXT @ DAVID H. KOCH THEATRE

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY @ THEATRE

These are the first two days, more update on schedule & our favorites picks will be posted to update.
Schedule & links provided courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

Stylenspire: bow-tifully

A friend of mine once asked me why I wear a lot of bows. I laughed & thought on it for a moment. I do wear a bow often enough & it is mostly when I have a Kate Spade design on.

Kate Spade is notorious for her colorfully lively efeminate & poetic designs. Everything they create screams cute & pretty & beautiful all at the same time. Today's outfit is reminiscent of this with effortless chic.

My skirt determined the makeup of how this outfit was put together. This skirt is soon en-route to London & for one last wear, I paired it with a mesh mimick-collar top, a beaded bow tie, adding the belt & the flats made the look come together.

Choice of colors came in the beads of the bow tie, my Ray Ban sunnies, & shoulder bag which I carried as a clutch (I removed the straps). Working the bow theme gave a unique aesthetic to the whole look. Each piece on its own was simple & could have been ordinary, but bringing them together as a whole gave it the oomph.

Enjoy!



The bow tie I am wearing is one of my 'see art - see style' designs. It was snipped off a thrift store hat that I paid 50cents for. Talk about a FABFIND!

Outfit deets: Top + Pleated chiffon skirt + Kate Spade belt + Kate Spade  flats (similar here + Ray Ban Wayefarer + Juicy Couture watch + Swarovski crystals rings are all TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds //  Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C shoulder bag // bow tie is a thrift store find

Stylenspiration: "Enjoy the little things." Y.S

Stylenspire: dress possibilities

This dress screams "have fun & enjoy wearing me". The summer brights makes me think I should be on my way out to some fun place where I can bask in the sunshine & smell the flowers. This summer pretty dress also transitions into a fall/winter joy; the key to that is layering. 

My pretty neon cardi is one of my favourites. I like to scrunch up the sleeves whenever I wear it. But not all fabrics (especially certain knits) can withstand many wash & wear without crumbling. Since the ribbed hem of the sleeves no longer bounce back after wash, my answer to that is a neat fold of the sleeve. I even like the styled look. Sometimes you do something out of necessity, but you get a 'stylish do' as a result.

Having much is always a blessing, but when prudence takes precedence, you make the the gift of creativity work for you. Possibilities are endless when you open your mind to style art. I hope these pictures stylenspire you to spruce your staples in various ways. 


Enjoy!

1. Play

2. Work option 

3. Layer up for fall

Outfit deets: LEIFSDOTTI DRESS can be found here or here or here, but similar here 

OPTION 1.  NY&co Cardi // Joie wrap around skinny belt (off a dress I don't have anymore) // Lauren Ralph Lauren lime Newbury Mini (similar here) + Coach 'C' Sandals + Silver on Tan Leather Michael Kors Darrington bracelet + Ralph Lauren Sunnies + Rings all TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds + Movado Bold Series watch

OPTION 2. Machael Kors belt + Gold on Gold Leather Michael Kors Darrington leather bracelet + BCBG MaxAzria ponte knit skirt + BCBG suede trim pumps all TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds + Movado watch  

Option 3. Michael Kors short sleeve turtle-neck + Silver on Tan Leather Michael Kors Darrington + Rings are from TJ Maxx // Movado Bold Series watch // Frye Melissa Button Boots (a birthday gift I chose in Cognac - has other colors)

Stylenspiration: "Summer blooms can also be fall brights. Less or more can make it work."
*Summer is still in full bloom, yet there are fall whispers in all things fashion. As you fashionably style on through the summer, take mental notes for yourself on pieces that you can incorporate into your fall/winter styles. Before you go hunting for fall pieces, first shop your closet. *

Y.S

Stylenspire: hello sunny

The make up of today's outfit is fresh, simple chic, & uplifting. I love each piece that completes this outfit as they are my favorite go to fashion pieces. The white tee is a constant piece that effortlessly transitions from casual to dressed up. The skirt is bespoke tailored by yours truly, made up of tri-layered cotton, satin, & chiffon fabrics. The hem was finished with white Guipure lace (also known as Venise lace). Working with a mix of all these fabric was quite a delight. & oh, my shoes! These are my oldest pair owned. It is a BCBG Max Azria that I have enjoyed for almost a decade now. Yes! Ten years!!! I have thoughts of taking it in to my shoe cobbler to have it checked & treated because I plan to hold on to this pair for another decade if possible. 

Enjoy! 

Outfit deets: Cynthia Rowley white tee + Jessica Simpson bracelets + Necklace are all my maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // DIY Yellow with white laced skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) with guipure lace trim from Lace Mart // BCBG Max Azria shoes // Multicolored spike ring + Sunglasses were gifts // Movado bold series watch

Stylenspiration: Tee shirts work! Keep it simple by wearing it alone, or infuse flair by adding layers, colors, & jewelry. It's your plain canvas to work your art of style.

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: week ender

There was something about this morning as I walked from the parking lot to my office that just surrounded me with calm. I feel relaxed & at peace. I'm not thinking about the day ahead, the challenges that may come, or the promises of God that I am waiting on. & in this calm, somehow, I feel beautiful! Yes, beautiful! The beauty of the peace of this early part of the day is not in my looks, nor about what I am wearing. Fact is, the weekend's here & my style choice is a casual spin. 

My thoughts led me to the question about how & when people feel beautiful. The beauty of ourselves & our lives should always transcend how you feel, how you look, what you are wearing, & even what you may be going through. Outside of all that, the beauty of you is in you. I'm even enlightened in the story that my outfit tells with its dots on circles. 

I totally know that it is His perfect love that envelopes me this morning with the serenity that allows me to feed on inner beauty on the outside. Christ is the perfect circle & we are the dots that fill it up. & with the nature of a sphere, His love surrounds us all sides in continuous harmony. 

I hope that as you enjoy stylenspiration from the pictures below, you will look within yourself & reflect on the beauty of Whose you are. 

Outfit deets: DIY Swiss Voile Lace Skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) + Polka dot+lace top + Bag by Cromia + Vera Wang Lavender Label black flats + Prada Sunglasses + rings + bracelets are all maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // Sleeveless demin jacket from Levi Jeans // Watch Armani Exchange // DIY Necklce (by yours truly)

Stylenspiration: "Sometimes, the beauty of your style is not in what you are wearing, it is in how you feel about yourself & the world around you. You are fearfully, beautifully, & wonderfully made in the image of God & for a purpose too."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

*moment of truth: "In retrospect, I really needed to feel God's Presence overcome me with His peace. It is not because I am ever without Him, but that the frail nature of my human self needs to feel His revealed presence every now & then. & I am ever so grateful for today's kiss from His throne of grace."

I pray that whoever you are, wherever you may be, God sends you an intimate show of  love from His throne of grace.