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

Styenspire: nothing to wear

This morning, I had a 'nothing to wear' dilemma.

 There was just nothing in my closet for who I thought I should be today. And it's Friday too!!! I felt I had crossed the line of having too much to choose from to nothing for my choices, somewhere between my awaking and shower time.

With no time and mind left to work with, I went for mute solids on a tri-scale; cream blazer+grey denim+waxed black denim=my Friday Fashion. Flustered as I was, I knew today's grace was already apportioned for me as I had put my TGIF in His unfailing love.
"The morning brings me WORD of YOUR UNFAILING LOVE!" PSALM 143:8

Happy Friday World Wide Wonders! xOXo

Outfit deets: Cloth& Stone Grey Wash Denim Shirt + Ralph Lauren SPR ICON Blazer (fab option) + Levi's Waxed Denim (fab options) + B Brian Atwood BAMBOLA Nude Patent Peep Toe Pumps (fab finds / AmazonShoes / love this) + Swarovski Crystals rings are each fab finds from TJ Maxx from this maxxinista // DIY Statement Necklace as seen here

 Stylenspiration: 

Stylenspire: what's fall got to do with it?

Oh Summer, where art thou? And Autumn season, how long will thou stay-est with me that I may possibly escape the Wintery days to come? Sigh*** It has gotten cold with Fall season in full swing and I have resorted to quoting weather-shakespear (what a life! LOL). I cannot help it that as much as I enjoy the cool, sometimes cold-sun days of Autumn, I keep thinking Winter, Winter, Winter. And this little one simply does not enjoy the Winter! 

Okay, so enough of my whining! I have missed out on a few blog weeks while trying to get some things with life on track, and I am glad to be back! During my little hiatus, all I have heard and seen is buy, buy, buy….hence the Fall, Fall, Fall + Winter, Winter, Winter = buy, buy, buy! Chuckles* I mean seriously? Except you are going to be doing a massive haul of your closet from the previous season, if you ask me, there is only so much you can continually buy. 

The best shopping principle that I live by is shopping opposite seasons. At the end of Summer when all the stores are bringing in Fall/Winter trends, they aim to get rid of all current Summer fashion pieces. To this point, they will discount their merch' with a variety of sale events till they are all gone. In reverse, when Spring arrives, traders look to haul out all the Winter pieces which at that time no one will want because most people are looking to shop new for the coming warmth.  This is when I shop! At the end of one season to stock up for the following year. And because I only buy pieces that I love, it never fails to become the IT items in my closet when the new season arrives. 

Like the fur trim collar Vince sweater I am wearing today. It has been my repeat go to since the turn of the weather. I shopped this 'must-have' last Spring and have saved it for now. I paired it with this trendy batik midi skirt I custom made for myself and a cashmere men's sweater. All the pieces I styled my outfit with are very much today's trend with vibrant autumnal colors, shopped from my closet and very much me. 

Enjoy and please share your thoughts with comments below. xOXo!

Outfit deets: Ralph Lauren Black Label Men's Cashmere Sweater (old) + Vince Fur Trim Removable Collar Cardigan (sold out) + B Brian Atwood Fontenay Platform Sandals (metallic gold option) + Elie Tahari fold-over Goat Hair Clutch + Ralph Lauren sunnies are each this maxxinista's fab finds @ TJ Maxx // DIY Indonesian Batik Midi Swing Skirt (custom made by me)

Stylenspiration: "The beauty of a resplendent style, can also be represented in praise in all seasons.
Praise the Lord from the heavens, 
Praise Him all His angels,
Praise Him you highest heavens,
Praise the Lord from the earth,
Let them praise the Name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
In each season,  His Splendor is above the earth and the heavens." Y.S
See, PSALM 148

Homenspire: shoe rack shelving

I'm a little DIY girlie and I love to create and design and organize and create. LOL! You'll often find me fiddling on things to create a beauty. Not just with the clothes I make, but at home in my sanctuary. I believe we should each create the comfort and style of our homes to reflect the beauty of who we are. Not all makeovers require a big reno or refurbishing and that's where DIY comes in. More so for me, it is the joy and satisfaction I get from seeing the art in my mind come to life. Most DIYs are spun from a need, or an inspiration as is the case with this project.

A few weeks back, my friend, PeeJay tagged me on an instagram picture on a DIY shoe rack. I fell in love. She knew I had this need for something to organize my endless number of shoes, and her tag came at just the right moment(a God thing) when I was getting to the point of being fed up. In the period that I made up my mind to purchase a shoe organizing/shelving unit, I came to realize that they fell under two categories: the good-expensive and the flimsy-expensive. Boy was I in above my head or what? Co-blogger SimplyHerLiving graciously emailed me the details to this DIY and I also googled DIY shoe racks/shelving and was led to the blogs below. 

     Courtesy GeniaBeMe

Courtesy ApartmentTherapy

Courtesy OurFifthHouse

I was skeptical about how the shoes laid on the wall with the wall trim/moulding. I am a visual person and I work best once I am able to process a project from start to finish in my mind. I was going to take a couple of heels with me to go trim/moulding shopping but the trim of my dresser caught my eye. It seemed similar to those used in the blogs so I tried it out as seen below. 

When I placed the heel on the trim, the first thing that came to mind was that "this won't work for flats". Also, the heels where not exactly well balanced on the trim (the black shoe on the floor would not stay), and since all heels are differently constructed, I figured this will not be the best option for me. But I was optimistic that this will be the answer to my shoe-organizing woes.

With this wealth of knowledge my next stop was my neighborhood Home Depot. Once I got to HD and was shown the shelving aisle, my eyes lit up. There were a variety of options with endless possibilities. I tried out different ideas in my head with what I saw in the store. Please note that in my mind, I worked with the canvas of the layout of my room to help make the decision of what best fit my need and style.

If you are looking to work on a project like this for yourself, please enjoy viewing these options and then take a trip to your nearest home improvement store to discover a world of DIY possibilities.

Happy creating!

My choice brackets 

Brackets shown here in different styles 

The 11.8x35.8 White Shelf I chose (also available in different sizes and colors)

What it looks like taken apart

The first two tiers.
I allowed enough space between the floor and the bottom rung so I could store my tall boots once they came out of their boxes and are being worn. Could also work for storage.

Six tiers high and I love it!
I chose white shelves as my bedroom furniture is white and I knew it would pop on the blue walls

My choice also allows me to use this as shelving and shoe rack

Deets: Rubbermaid 11x38.5 White Shelf  (smaller size / bigger size) + Decorative Shelf Brackets (option 1 / option 2 / option 3) from Home Depot // Project cost $86.67 (approximately $14.45 per shlef) // Project time 2hours // Bonus: "I had a $40 Home Depot gift card that I got as a house warming gift that I put towards the cost of the project. Plus, I paid nothing for workmanship :).

Homenspiration: "Living a beautiful life requires you to invest in the time to create in and the choice to consciously live it."
Y.S

POINTERS
*Have an idea of what you want before going shopping.
*Take your current room layout and how much space you have into consideration.
*My DIY choice shelf/rack was nailed to the wall, but for equal cost I could have bought a storage shelf, except it lacked character and style. Make your decision if you want it on the wall or on the floor.
*Know that you can achieve this DIY or ask for help (no DIY horrors please)

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