Stylenspiration: 2013 NYEnspire

For us ladies, decorum in our dressing is a physical translation of an inner understanding of the treasure that we are. Our ability to be gorgeous does not hail from pawning the gift that we are and this idiom for me, is translated in today's outfit. I feel joyously gorgeous and confident in my femininity in this outfit. A stylish way to usher in a new year too.

2013 has been the most challenging year of life! Emotionally, physically, financially, relationally and above all these, spiritually challenging. At a point when I felt like my life has been reduced to nothing-ness, God continually asked for my all in my nothings. I reached a point when my prayer became "no more" but God simply did not give up on me. 

In retrospect, I know there has been a supreme purpose to each challenge and surrender, even though I still lack understanding for the need to have had some of these experiences. Yet my complete existence remains in His Will, under His Sovereign Grace. This truth allows me to rejoice in Him, for each challenge that did not triumph over me in 2013.

I know some of you are also journeying through God's valley of promises. I pray that in 2014, we will each successfully arrive at our very own mountain top of fulfillment. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are YES in Christ Jesus. And so through Him, the AMEN is spoken by us to the glory of God the Father." 2CORINTHIANS 1:20

HAPPY NEW 'YOU' YEAR WORLD WIDE WONDERS!!!

Outfit Deets: Bespoke Tailored black and gold knit sequin dress made by me (fabric from Joann / love this one too) // Juicy Couture earrings + Juicy Couture cuff + Armani Exchange watch + Michael Kors wraparound bracelet + Sparkle ring + Steve Madden DARRT metallic pumps are each fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "The joy of the Lord is my strength."Y.S See NEHEMIAH 8:10

Stylenspire: monday blues

My schedule for today requires a more formal attire and I garbed myself in this rich teal pant suit, paired with an embellished top and white shoes. WHITE SHOES??? LOL…I know…it is past Labor Day and fashion has once again embraced a 'wear-white-whenever' sense of style. While the cut of the suit is traditional, the rich blue hue in a knit fabric makes it interesting to wear. For my Monday, the style works well and the color stands out. I do not dress according to the position I have, I attire myself according to the position of Whose I am. 

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised." PROVERB 31:30 

Remember that the fear of the Lord is faith, worship, and the insight to great wisdom. As for me, the  only praise I seek to burst forth from my life is to the glory of my Father Who sits enthroned in splendor.

Happy Monday World Wide Wonders!

Outfit deets: Vince Camuto Blue One Button Blazer (bid or buy) + Vince Camuto Ponte Ankle Pants (bid / buy) + Cynthia Rowley Embellished Neckline top + Michael Kors WrapAround bracelet + Armani Exchange watch are each TJ Maxx fab finds // Pour La Victoire ANTOINETTE pumps (love this color) from Amazon Shoes

Stylenspiration: "Having faith is always in fashion." Y.S 

Stylenspire: simple beautiful

Today's style post is a Flashback Friday, from a few weeks ago.  I have some summer outfit posts that I am yet to put up & I wanted to share these with you while the summer sun shines. I am a style enthusiast & I just love, love being beautiful. Even with the simplest outfit like my fashion pieces in this post. The long summer dress worn with this cropped denim jacket is an easy wear, but the smiles in each picture shares a tale of something beautiful.

Happy Friday World Wide Wonders! 

Outfit deets: Cropped True Religion denim jacket old (like this / options here) // Charlie Jade silk dress (available here / similar here / different here) + ZSpoke Zac Posen bag + Zara Hiver Autome sandals (old) + Ralph Lauren sunnies + Juicy Couture necklace + Swarovski Crystals rings + Armani Exchange watch are each maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Being stylishly outfitted is a love language for me; from simple chic to best dressed, each ensemble speaks volumes in their display."
Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

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: RED - eemed

Today's outfit was defined by this skirt that I have never worn out before. It's one of those pieces that I have taken off & gone with a different piece every time I had tried to wear it. This morning, it was a good match with the same color top & my mood, so I went with it. I thought to style the entire outfit monochrome, but I chose a necklace with green gems & stones, & decided to wear the green pumps too.

The first compliment I received was a "wow! vixen, you look stunning in red". Hmmm, I thought, "me vixen?" I do stunning but I don't do vixen. Don't believe I can ever pull it off. The 'vixen' comment threw me into a loop of thoughts & I started to examine my outfit altogether. What stood out was the color red. Does wearing red come with a vixen tag? Then I thought of siren, sexy, foxy (hahaha...isn't vixen a female fox? I just googled that to confirm it). Yet all of these labels meant nothing to me & in no way represented me or my outfit. I took my mind out of the laugh box & moved on to what red really meant to me.

Blood! As that description popped into my head I thought of red as crimson. The Blood is Crimson.
There are many colors to the nature of His Beauty, but the river that flowed from Calvary is Crimson. That color is RED! How befitting that the color that represents redemption is RED. Yes me, the REDEEMED! Not your siren, not her vixen, not his sexy, or their foxy, simply redeemed. I hope you know the same applies to you too. Yes you!

Once I realized that wearing all red (almost) was an opportunity for anyone to tag me, I consciously chose to represent today's color style in the currency of my redemption. Through the day, no labeling compliment came my way again until someone mentioned that they usually think of ChristMas whenever they see a 'red & green' combo. "Nothing about your outfit is christmas-sy though", she said. 

I could not help but have a good roaring laugh at this point. What a day! 
Vixen led me to the Cross, while christmas-sy confirmed The Son that was born to solely journey on to Calvary for the Crimson River that flows just as powerfully in this day as it did thousands of years ago. World Wide Wonders, aren't you glad to be REDEEMED? & stylishly so in the color RED!

Enjoy!

Outfit deets: Catherine Malandrino pintuk ponti skirt + Kate Spade  arielle top (good offers) + Leslie Danzis neclace (option) + Dooney and Bourke wristlet (good finds) each maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // Armani Exchange watch // Chinese Laundry pumps (option)

Stylenspiration: "...for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine." ISAIAH 43:1

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: providence orange

Good up-bringing & decorum instills in us modesty & humility to graciously accept compliments, but I find that there are different categories of accepting compliments (if we'll take a moment to be truthful). The me that honestly accepts the compliments with gratitude; the me that cringes about it & walk faster away; the me that returns the compliment with one of my own to the giver; the me that brushes it off with a tinge of pride & a 'what else is new' attitude.

Someone I greatly admire recently complimented me on how beautiful I always look. He finished his compliments saying "the beauty of who you are is a testament to God's Providence in your life & I thank God for you!" Wow!!! I walked away hearing his voice over & over in my head.

I love creatively styling with different fashions; for me it is as in-bred & natural as breathing. I know that I am fruitfully blessed by God but I have never seen His Providence in me with what I wear or how I look. If asked, I will tell you of those gorgeous shoes I desire, or the boots I am working hard to justify buying. When I think of God's Providence, I think on all those blessings I don't have now; & I am not talking about material things. I mean this is my Heavenly Father, & His Providence is beyond what I can put into words. Yet, is it not from this same storehouse of His that He provides & fills our simplest needs? My littlest needs? 

How often do we cross the line by belittling God's Grace in our lives in the name of humility? Or without conscious thought like, "the blessings I have are far too small & I am waiting for the bigger ones"? Which of the 'compliment accepting' category do you fall in? No judgment, not even to myself, but how about we start with a heartfelt whisper/shout of thanks for little blessings in our lives; more so for the bigger ones & the ones that are about to manifest.

I am thankful for this beautiful orange tux-styled jacket that only cost me ten bucks off the clearance rack (grateful that my friend Flo did not snatch it from me ...lol); for this dress that is an oldie goodie & continues to serve its purpose; for my gorgeous shoes that I just love wearing; for this hairstyle that I can proudly say I did by myself; & for the priceless smile that testifies to good health, good life & the abundance of God's Grace.

Enjoy!

Outfit deets: Dress & Gucci platform pumps are oldies but goodies from Marshalls // Orange tux-style jacket was an awesome maxxinista find from TJ Maxx @$10.00 // Handbag Rebecca Minkoff 

Stylenspiration: "let the world see the purity & reverence of your lives. ³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles & the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1PETER 3:2-5

"It is not about the beauty of who you are. It is in the blessing of Whose you are." 
Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge 

Stylenspire: yello? denim

Colored denim is so easy to wear. It is a fun way to infuse color with no hassle. The yellow summery shade of this pair beckoned to be paired with a light affair, so I chose this chiffon top. The outfit seemed to need no statement jewelry & I opted for arm candies.

Now I love summer, & I love summer, & I love, love, love the summer season, but I am kinda wishing for the next 'wardrobe call' i.e FALL. I don't know if it is because I started this style editorial, or that I am just in love with the feature fall trends that my favorite designers are broadcasting. It could also be because I almost have all the trendy fall features in my closet & I am itching to flaunt. Hahaha! There is ever a plus to buying what you love as I do. 

Earlier in the Spring, my friend PJ had encouraged me to buy these sandals & I have quite enjoyed it through the summer. My hesitation on getting the sandals at that time was a matter of "another pair of shoes?" LOL! I mean at what point will I ever say no to shoes? NEVER! Even with all the hesitation I can muster up. 

The sandals & purse I chose nicely complemented my outfit as they each had yellow hues in their color make up. Most people find it easier to choose colors that complement each other as opposed to color blocking or radical color combination (as I am prone to do). When unsure, I say you stick to colors with the same color hues to complement one piece to the other. Key to that is to work your knowledge of Primary colors.

Enjoy!

I once again removed the shoulder strap of my bag to carry it as a clutch.

Outfit deets: Top + Tank + Paige Jeans + Michael Kors belt + Nine West Sandals + Resin & Gold bracelets + Swarovski ring all TJ Maxx fab finds // Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C Shoulder Bag // Armani Exchange watch

Stylenspiration: "Style is a sum of so many things - beginning with a sense of who you are & having self confidence." Kate Spade

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.