Stylenspire: pops of color - loads of charm

World Wide Wonders, 

I know its been ages and I apologize for being amiss. 

A lot has been going on, like I predicted last Spring, and it has been a wonderfully challenging journey. It turns out that I've been having an affair. 

Yup! 

You read it right.

Now it's full blown into a romance that was ordained. 

Truth is I cheated on my fears; broke up with my doubts and married my dreams. 

Once I let go of the nothingness in doubts and fears, my attraction to my dreams started growing incredibly. Not to over romanticize this, but I fell in love with my dreams all over again. Sharing my daily style chronicles on this blog led me back to my love of designing women's fashion. I used to push back designing into the 'some day-one day' slot, until I got to the cross-roads of 'now or never'. 

I chose now in the Spring of 2014 and exactly a year later this Spring of 2015, life has been a victorious journey of pain, passion and praise. 

In the months that have followed since I last blogged, Stylenspire has branded into a full handmade clothing line for women, including the launch of the online shop on Etsy.

Just this past season, I have been able to showcase my debut collection at the RAW-Natural Born Artists GRANDEUR event, the MIDWEST FASHION WEEK opening ceremony of EMERGING ARTISTS, and the POSH FASHION SHOW.

There's so much more to share, so stay tuned and come alongside with me on this Stylenspiration journey!

 

Outfit deets: 

African Ankara Print EMMA MIDI SKIRT - by Stylenspire

African Ankara Mixed Print UNO BLOUSE - by Stylenspire

Cuffed Jeans - William Rast

Cuff Bracelet - Juicy Couture (old)

Ring - My Cousin's (old)

T-Strap Open Toe Pumps - Sam Edelman (old)

Stylenspiration: "She believed she could, so she did." anon

Stylenspire: made to measure

With the turn of the season, fair weather and blossoms inspire us to see newness in everything all around us. Hence, seeking the new in self and style is a sure thing for us world wide wonders. Perhaps, it is a season to take a different approach to seeking our higher self and also how we acquire our fashion. 

Through a decade's experience of custom-tailoring special occasion clothes for women, the trend of bespoke tailored everyday fashion has finally caught on and I thought to share some of my current creations with you.

Be stylenspired to add uniquely tailored custom pieces to your wardrobe. Imagine that you have the say so in all aspects, from the fabrics you use, to how each design is tailored just for you.

Enjoy!

Outfit deets:
Bespoke Tailored by me - (1)Water Color Charmeuse with Sequined Tulle overlay midi skirt
(2) Camouflage Charmeuse with Camouflage Tulle overlay midi skirt
(3) Ankara skirt with Mesh overlay
(4) Ankara off-the-shoulder jumpsuit
Styled with - BCBG Maxazria LIZA knit tank +
BCBG Maxazria EVE top in DUSTY OLIVE +
LYDELL NYC statement necklace +
Juicy Couture mixed metal & rhinestone necklace +
H&M cropped denim jacket +
THEORY blazer

Stylenspiration: "Stylenspired with you in mind - custom tailored just for you."Y.S

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: hallowed eve

Today, a good most of us will be indulging in frivolous dress and fun fare for hallow's eve. While all this can be enjoyable, our choice of fun should evidence the hallowed beings we are. As such, my choice of style for the day is very much simply me, with a dash of flighty fun with my top hat. I am once again sporting my fur trim cardi' for warmth and style, and enjoying wearing this gorgeously rich colored silk skirt. True representation of self is evident at all times without compromise from circumstance or happenstance. I trust that whatever your choice of fun for today, you'll candidly reflect the light that you are. 

Enjoy! xOXo  

Outfit deets: Ruche Mesh Turtleneck top by Sweet Pea (old from Macy's) // Hallow's Eve top hat + Tory Burch KATHLEEN maxi skirt (fab find / bid for it / fab options) + Juicy Couture Black Pyramid Cuff + Steve Madden DARRT metallic pump are each fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Trick or Treat? Hollow or Hallow? Which is your style?" 

Y.S

Stylenspire: plaid play

 

Too often, we all go about our merry way with undue busyness and  no thought to the gift of grace that keeps us at all times. This morning, I cannot help but ponder the fact that "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places". I am grateful for good health, contentment, and the fullness of God's grace. 

Somehow my ensemble also alludes to this fact. It's Friday, I am thankful and I feel playful in my outfit of choice. Even the teasing banter between Victoria and I tells the same story. What about you? Are you thankful it's Friday? More so I hope there are more joys in your life that you are thankful for. 

The pink plaid of my shirt lined with chambray, and its embellishment are a good choice for a stylish and carefree Friday. I love that this plaid top can be dressed up in the simplest way. I opted for waxed denim and watercolored flats to match my mood, yet a pair of heels could have been just as stylish to wear with it. What do you think?

"I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, apart from You I have no good thing...You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. SURELY I HAVE A DELIGHTFUL INHERITANCE!" PSALM 16:2-6

Outfit deets: WhatGoesAroundComesAround plaid top + Levi's Strauss waxed denim + Theory bomber jacket + Michael Kors belt + Juicy Couture watch + Swarovski Crystals bracelets and rings + B Brian Atwood painted snake-embossed smoking slipper (on sale / silver option) are each my TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds

Stylenspiration: "I have never met a color I didn't love. The brights, the hues, the rainbow, including every shade between black and white; each tell a story I always relate to."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: cut25

Happy First Monday of Fall World Wide Wonders!

I had a great weekend basking in God's Grace and I feel strengthened to begin this new week with Him. Yesterday was the first official day of fall and you can feel the chill in the air; which means stylishly layered clothing as evidenced with today's ensemble. I am once again able to incorporate jewel tones with these pieces. My sleeveless mens-styled jacket is another trend piece I shopped from my closet. The price point was an awesome steal when I got it. It is one of those pieces more for your trendy styling than every day wear, so the price point mattered much.

I am not a fan of leggings but I love pants that are a cross between leggings and straight/narrow cut pants. I have a few of these from last fall/winter, one of which I'm wearing today. They are great for work/play and are easily styled tucked into boots or worn with heels or flats.

Bolstered with the goodness of God and styled by His Grace, I look forward to fruitfully enjoying this new week/season and whatever blessings/lessons He has in store. For each of you, I'm trusting Him to be Sovereign in your life in numerous ways through the Person of Christ! 
"As the Father has loved Christ, so does Christ love you! He reminds you to remain in His love so that His joy may be in you and THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE." JOHN 15:9-13

Enjoy!

Outfit deets: Cut25 jacket (similar option / fab find option) + Bejeweled Collar Tip top + Thalian pants (options) + Juicy Couture watch + Michael Kors wrap-around bracelet + Necklace are each maxxinista fab find from TJ Maxx // Boutique9 Jacqueline pumps from Amazon.com // Belt = oldie goodie

Stylenspiration: "Some people choose to style fashion, others just wear fashion; they who wear the clothes & those whose clothes wear them. The difference is how each one is remembered."
Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dogde

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