Lifenspire: spoken beauty

I have a new Team Lead at work and she is just all kinds of awesome-ness. One of the best things about her is how she speaks life into her team members. Her words are encouraging and joy-infusing that you just want to do more, and do better.

This is what I have noticed about her in the two months she has joined the team. At first I thought her words were simple eloquence (as I was unsure of her affirmation), but as time went on I saw the sincerity and confirmation with which she spoke. When someone continually tells you "you're the best", "I appreciate you", "that's awesome" doesn't that just give you life? She even wishes her team members "Happy Friday" either verbally or with funny emails.

When you have someone encouraging you on with their kind words, and challenging you to  be better with such encouragement, don't you just want to give your all? My old boss/friend/mentor, Dr. Wiebke, has never told me goodbye. His parting words to me are always 'do better!' I was able to visit with him a few weeks back and his parting words were the same life giving ones: with a big hug he said, "Yemi, do better until we meet again." 

Are you a LIFE GIVER? 
Do you speak life to those around you, strangers and loved ones alike? 
Do the words you speak to others encourage you too? 
I cannot claim to have perfected this nature in me (as my sarcastic mouth sometimes precedes me), but it is a character trait that I greatly emulate and strive to be better at.

As we begin a new week, ending the month of September (that has so quickly swept by) and beginning October, I hope we will each find great encouragement in the beauty of life, in the blessing of those around us, and in the cretainty of the Ultimate Encourager - Christ!

Happy Monday!

1 Thessalonians 5:14

"....encourage the disheartened...."

Deuteronomy 3:28

"But commission Joshua(EVERYONE), and encourage and strengthen him(them), for he(you never know what blessing you might impart into the world) will lead this people...."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Philemon 1:7

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you refresh the hearts of the Lord’s people."

Hebrews 3:13

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called TODAY!"

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Finally... encourage one another. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

May our life's goal be to encourage in heart, and be united in love, thereby grasping the full riches of complete understanding, in order to know the mystery of God, namely, Christ!
See Colossians 2:2

Lifenspiration: "Strive to be better and do better, soon enough the best you is revealed!" 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

Stylensire: trench take

Burberry has the blueprint on making the world's best trench coats ever!

 But this sleeveless Marc Jacobs version was a 'must have' for me and my take on styling it as a dress is simply chic. This trench was a 'high end' 'fab find' from last summer, but for the price, I have quite enjoyed wearing it last fall, this past spring and now again this season. The fact that it is sleeveless makes it irresistible and quite versatile to style.

I love buying versatile pieces for my wardrobe as I never like to be constrained on when and how I can wear a fashion item. The best buys are those you can implement into your everyday styling whichever way you choose to. You wear your money's worth but also get to enjoy doing so.

Trendy this season are animal prints which I see on almost everyone each day. From handbags to clutches to scarves and shoes and clothing; animal prints are on everything fashionable. Trends like this make my heart smile as I can daily shop my closet to style this print. It does help to have a matured fashion collection so you don't have to go out and buy, buy, buy.

My choosing to wear these purple suede booties gave my whole look a stylenspired twist that I very much enjoyed wearing. And oh, these booties were a gift from three birthdays ago! It was such a beauty/blessing to receive and I 'ooh' over it now as I did then. Fact is, each of these pieces  are a timeless style that I will enjoy for time to come. 

Happy Tuesday!

Outfit deets: Marc Jacobs sleeveless trench (fab style finds here) + BCBG Maxazria leopard print long sleeve + Michael Kors wrap-around bracelet + Juicy Couture watch + Swarovski Crystals rings are each from my TJ Maxx fab find collection // Purple Suede Bow booties (gift / Bakers) 

Stylenspiration: "Entrench yourself in beauty that is as much the heart of your character as it is of your style." Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

collage of pictures courtesy of 'google images'

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: the skinny

My business-casual work dress code was recently upped to business-formal with no 'denim Fridays'. 

Was I bummed or what? 

A major part of my denim collection lived for those Fridays that I no longer can enjoy on work days, so on 'non-office' Fridays like this, I gladly pull on a much loved denim to strut in. The tank I am wearing is made of a mesh-like fabric and I have it in three colors. They were $6.99 a piece from TJ Maxx and the quality/fit of it is one that will go the mile with me on my style journey. I added the blazer to keep the look from being too casual and the stud pumps gave an overall edge. Much kudos to whoever invented blazers because I tell you, the are a major 'amp and oomph' for any kind of fashion you wish to style.

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth speaks in thankfulness, for I delight myself in Christ's mercies."

1SAMUEL 2:1

Happy Friday! 

Outfit deets: Express mesh tank top + Theory Viviette blazer (love this color) + Rock & Republic skinny jeans (fab find / white option) are each fab finds from TJ Maxx // Sam Edelman S-Roza suede stud pumps (similar here / gold studs) was fab found from Marshall's // Necklace (gift from sister) from Nordstrom Rack

Stylenspiration: 'Casual Chic'

Y.S

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

  

Lifenspire: response

"What then shall we say in response to this?

If God is for us who can be against us?

Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or helplessness or danger or sword?

In all these things we are more than conquerers through Him Who loves us!

Neither death nor life, 

Neither angels nor demons,

Neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation 

can separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"

ROMANS 8:31-39