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: 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

Stylenspire: lace identity

My lace top is another oldie goodie that I tried on this morning for fit (since I have not worn it in over a year). I liked, so I looked to find what to pair it with. Subconcsiously, I did not think this ankara skirt with lace trim would work. Consciously, I chose to try the skirt on & voila! Perfect pairing!

The skirt is one of my bespoke tailored designs from this summer. The light fabric of the ankara & lace makes it a summer wear, though with layering, I believe the rich jewel tones of the skirt can transition into fall with me. I guess I'll have to work that style & see the result.

I got a lot of compliments about this outfit & it's turning out to be one of those days that I just want to keep the outfit on forever. I'm sure you can identify with that. Yet no matter how lovely & flattered we can be in a fabulously styled outfit, our identity is not in the outfit. It is in Christ the Creator of all things bright & beautiful Who graciously provides for each stylish ensemble.

Enjoy!

I knew my day would be busy with errands, so I chose this kitten heeled pink suede pumps. For oomph effect, I would also wear it with the black d'orsay pumps  for afterhours mingling.

Outfit deets: DIY Ankara lace trimmed skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) // Ralph Lauren lace top + Izabela Nine West suede pumps + Gold on Gold Leather Michael Kors Darrington leather bracelet + Juicy Couture ring + Swarovski Crystals ring all TJ Maxx maxxinista fab finds // Jayra Nine West d'orsay glitter heels (here, here, or here)  // Movado Bold Series watch

Stylenspiration: "Do you ever wonder how others identify with your style? If emulated, what message does it send out? What is your style identity?" 
Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

Stylenspire: ankara + mesh swing skirt

I love to twirl whenever I wear this skirt. It's a fresh & fun twist to ankara. 

Here's another tee shirt look that simply works. 

 

The right accessories always make the difference. Not just with your style, but with your attitude too. Adorn yourself with the garment of praise & behold how everything lights up differently with your thankful heart. 

the slight glitter fabric that you can see best here is the mesh overlay I used for the skirt 

Outfit deets: Cynthia Rowley tee + Jessica Simpson crystal & tri-color bracelets + Necklace + Lauren Ralph Lauren lime Newbury Mini + Levi's denim jacket + Kors Michael Kors ostrich platforms are all maxxinista TJ Maxx fab finds // DIY Ankara swing skirt with mesh overlay (bespoke tailoring by me) // Movado Bold Series watch

Stylenspiration: Find fab fun fashion pieces that mean something to you to style the you that the world sees. The ANKARA FABRIC is indigenous to my native fashion & it is to me one of the best fabrics that can be used to represent me in style. 
Y.S 

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

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.