Stylenspire: faithful friday

It's is the end of the week and frankly I am most glad it's Friday. Not so much for the weekend, but for the blessing I have had to survive this week and the grace to turn each heartache into hallelujahs. To finish it on a non-too-casual note, I styled my outfit with this interesting mohair ombre dress and a fur vest for warmth in style. I pictured two shoe options to share with you how you can style a dress like this in heels or flats. (I went with the flats for the day)

While looking for what to wear this morning, I realized that I have collected a few furry staples in the last year or so. That was an interesting discovery and I look forward to stylishly curate each piece this season. For now, do enjoy your viewing and have a FAB FRIDAY!

Outfit deets: ALICE+OLIVIA Macie Ombre Boatneck Dress (bid for it / fab option) + THEORY Evlyn Fur Vest (bid for it / buy it / fab find option / more fab options) + Steve Madden DARRT Metallic Pumps + KATE SPADE fur flats (sold out) + KATE SPADE Dome Ring + Prada Sunnies + Cara Necklace + Gold Cuff are each this maxxinista's fab finds from TJ Maxx

Stylenspiration: "Style should be an innate part of going at life with all your heart." Y.S 

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

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)

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'