American Apparel – Page 2

…Cause Coachella

Posted on April 20, 2016April 22, 2016 by The Style Cake

Every time around this time of year, the festival of music known as Coachella is highlighted. In instances where those of us from other areas can’t attend, the music and vibes are still shares via social media and air waves. Of course, I’m likely not able to attend this year as I wasn’t able to attend last year due to current circumstances and priorities. However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t wear a Coachella inspired look.

I think we all (who are acquainted with Coachella) know the “typical” attire that seems to be worn to the festival. Well I guess my look today can be Coachella-wear derived. I’m a style chameleon, not allowing people to label me nor try to identify my style. I like what I like, that’s my style. Sometimes a boho look tickles my fancy.

So shopping online, actually on eBay, I happened upon one of my favorite jewelry and accessories seller’s page. That’s where I fell in love with a beautiful necklace (which I’m wearing in this look). My cardigan is also from eBay, and I love it! The color compliments my skin tones and offers that boho pop of color against the nude of my dress. The crochet lace gives softness to the cardigan, offering a feminine touch to the entire look. My glasses are meant to pop against the nude just like my necklace and cooling down the warmth of this outfit. I initially thought about wearing my fringe bag but thought the fringe would detract from the floral design of my cardigan. Instead, I opted for my simple black clutch to sort of ground the look in an underwhelming manner and also bridge the “gap” of my sandals to the rest of my outfit. Needless to say, I was inspired to do this look cause Coachella…

Later Cupcakes! 💋

Cardigan, Glasses & Necklace: eBay. Dress: H&M. Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell. Bag: American Apparel.

L-A-Y-E-R-S-!

Posted on January 14, 2016 by The Style Cake

Preface: I was supposed to upload this post yesterday but the post somehow got erased. I’m sorry guys. Trust me, I was beyond frustrated for the lack of a better word. Regardless, I still will be uploading Friday’s post.

There is no doubt in my mind that winter’s cold somehow forces the unintentional organic act of layering clothes and outerwear. The thing with layering is that it can be stylish regardless of the intentions of keeping warm. The beauty of being stylishly comfortable is that can evoke a major sense of creativity. You can truly find your sense of style in the process of layer clothing. Now, personally my sense of style has been evolving lately by each month but that is to be expected and moods of what you may like to wear for months, maybe even years at a time does indeed occur. My advice when layering is to be willing to experiment. For instance, don’t be afraid to mix not only prints but colors and even “styles”. I will discuss the generalized types of styles that exist in fashion in a (very near future) later post. Perhaps then, I will do my very first look book!!! Layering can involve more than one piece of outerwear, more than one shirt, more than one kind of bottoms and even only layering accessories. I chose to layer with outerwear and a blazer.

The weather has indeed been frightful, in fact it decided to snow on the day I wore this look. That being said, I knew that I wanted to wear my fur vest. This vest is so incredibly warm and allows for the rest of my look to still shine through. My blazer is an old one from Forever 21 and it also very warm. I didn’t feel the need of a coat seeing as that the vest and blazer provides so much warmth from the brisk air. I am wearing thermal leggings…tis the season for cozy (and publicly accepted) pants lol! I wore a ruffled front ribbed tunic to further block the cold air. I opted against jewelry because the focus is truly on my layering and the comfort of this look. I chose my fave clutch, very simple and doesn’t detract from the look at all. My boots add another layer to the look in that it seems to add “weight” to the bottom of the outfit by the look of the wedge. I hope you guys get where I’m going with this. Anyhoo, even the suede of the boots offers a layer sort to speak against the look of the fur. My goal was to create a balance throughout the look and still be cozy. This look is intentionally slightly masculine because I am in the woods (and I wanted to portray a lumber jack effect {insert wink smiley face emoji}) but you can make this look a bit more feminine by simply changing the hat and the color of the plaid shirt or blazer. So let me know what you think of this look!! How do you layer? What is your favorite way to keep warm? I will see you back here tomorrow…yep, I am still uploading Friday’s look!

Later Cupcakes!!

Black Ribbed Tunic: DOTS, (similar here). Vest & Blazer: Forever 21 (similar blazer here). Boots: Justfab (similar here). Leggings: . Hat: Boohoo (similar here). Earrings: H&M (similar here). Clutch: American Apparel.

Impromptu Post…

Posted on December 15, 2015 by The Style Cake

I’ve had a lot of inspiration lately. Any and everything inspires me. Life has run a muck sort-to-speak in my world. I’ve been swamped and haven’t had the chance to post so quite frankly, this is an impromptu post. I wasn’t going to post this until tomorrow but since I’ve been too swamped to post in a while, I thought posting today is only fair. There will still be another post tomorrow as well, all posts will get moved up. I wish I had more to say this time but honestly I’m exhausted. I have a few reviews posting this week and three more outfit posts this week. Things in life are not back to normal and they never will be but I learned a lot this year. I’ve formed closer bonds with loving friends, closed chapters and been forced to become stronger than I thought I ever could be. This post is a bit more emotional than normal but I will back to my style explaining self tomorrow.

I love the darkness in this look. It offers so much depth and mystery but is till feminine. It’s a bit cool but my adrenaline allowed for me to wear this sheer trench coat style cardigan over my outfit. I’m sporting a crop top from Forever 21. This is weird fitting top. I’m hoping to find this color in a turtleneck shirt. Anyhoo, my shorts are black and white plaid, vintage and thrifted. I love the contrast against my crop top. Now I know you must be thinking, “why didn’t she show skin” but I have two good reasons. One, I wanted a layered look. Two, I was just not loving the look of this fit without something underneath. Regardless, I think that the look came together. What do you think? Check the blog for another outfit post tomorrow….

Bye Cupcakes!

Shorts: Thrifted. Crop Top: Forever 21. Hat: Gadzooks (Or Forever 21). Boots: Shiekh Shoes (I think). Cardigan: Naked Wardrobe.

La Fourrure

Posted on November 30, 2015 by The Style Cake

Despite what my calendar says, the weather says it’s officially winter. It’s about 45 degrees and to me, that’s fur weather. Well, almost. I decided to go against the grain a bit and wear a fur shawl instead of a full on fur. Furs are extremely warm for bitterly cold climates and you won’t need much more outerwear coverage than that.

I bought this fur a couple years back while thrifting. The only thing I don’t like about it is the bit of shedding it does. I need to get the fur conditioned (treated) and it’ll be fine. To have that 1930’s bit of flair, I thought the fur would look awesome with a big floppy hat, a clutch bag, fur booties and simple basic outfit. Turtlenecks are my “thing” this season so this navy blue one is perfect against my “lace down the leg” leggings. Pretty simple right? That’s the point. I’ve been trying to show that you don’t need much to put together a haute look. I promise I’ll complicate my looks starting with the next look!! *wink* My hat color is intentional to give some nudeness to an otherwise dark look. The brightness of the shawl gives the perfect tinge of elegance on an otherwise casual look. I didn’t want to take away or add anymore to the look so wearing my favorite black American Apparel clutch. Let me know what you think!! I’d love to hear from you!!!

Until tomorrow for another “Style Lusts” post….

Bye Cupcakes!!! 💋

Shirt: JCP. Pants: Karmaloop (old). Booties: Shoedazzle (old). Hat: Gadzooks (old). Shawl: Thrifted. Earring Studs: H&M.

"Back to the Future" Me…

Posted on November 18, 2015 by The Style Cake

(Warning: This post is long and full of honesty, proceed at your own risk lol.)

I had the opportunity to meet with an amazing blogger and to pick her brain about some things. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that one little meeting helped me get back to me.

As I began blogging several years back, I started it to just share things that I loved and things that I was (not really but kind of) obsessed with. I actually called that blog “Simple Obsessions”. That blog was about me and it shared my thoughts and interests. Before then, I had a blog on Blogspot. For some reason, I wasn’t the slightest bit interested in what I was blogging about at that time but that was way before social media and before blogging became “this thing”.

Fast forward to now, I must say that I enjoy blogging now. I truly do. I had gone through a period of discouragement because I had lost who I was in the process of this blogging thing. Blogging is an outlet for me because as a wife and mom, I had gotten swallowed up in my responsibilities. I wanted to be able to express myself again as a woman. I want to share my thoughts, my experiences and my interests. I’m doing that. Along the way however, I allowed myself to become irritated and discouraged. Blogger competition, copying (without giving credit), insincerity and pettiness drained my spirit. I mean some bloggers will literally follow you just to watch and mimic almost everything you do. Sort of like keeping a finger on your pulse sort of speak. Some want to use you for their convenience. I’m just not into blogging for all of that. I’m not a cocky person (at all) and am actually working on my shyness so I at times I was quiet and unsure afraid of hurting someone’s feelings or being judged. I let that go!! No more!! I had to find and pick myself up again. I’m a confident individual who will not apologize for who she is. My life mission is not to have everyone like me. It’s been my experience that the most honest and true-to-themselves people ARE NOT liked. I’m definitely okay with that. I’ve conquered being alone and not needing a bunch of people to tell me I’m awesome in order to believe that I am special.

Most people think there are strength in numbers. I learned to find my own strength as a teen. I could care less what people think of me because regardless, my life will go on. I’m way past my teen years, I’m old enough to have a teen of my own. But I digress lol. That pep talk with that very special and talented blogger brought me back to me. My thinking is so clear. This blogging thing is that, a thing. It is not what consumes me. I don’t care what the next person is doing (although I never have) nor do I care what support I don’t have from people that I know. When I first started my Instagram for this blog, no one (that knew me personally) knew that I had it. I did that on purpose and some eventually organically found me. I’m happy that that is the way that things went. That peace of mind, while building my Instagram was something that I loved. On Instagram, people come and go, numbers rise and fall (how dramatic did that sound?) lol but what matters are the people that stick around to watch the movement. Let me tell you, I have experienced some pettiness. I had a blogger get mad because I missed her comment. I’ve even had a blogger who must have talked about me so much that her family member sent me a friend request on Facebook, just to see what I was about and then unfriend me after their nosy “quest”. Trust that I notice more than what people think!! That’s pretty messy and juvenile right?! I have no time for that!! Smh. I just don’t care about what someone else is doing like that.

Through all the mess, I emerge again as myself, a person that happens to blog what she loves. Not everything will be fashion over here. I am a jack of all trades and want to share that. I can’t wait to show you guys pictures of my beauty room!! Yes, I design and decorate home interiors too!! I have been asked about tips and products for hair growth because I make my own hair products and have grown my hair out in three years from a big chop. I will be sharing my “secrets” and products soon! I have a few things that I am working on. I will reveal when they are into fruition. Anyhoo, all of us need a pep talk back to reality. I had that and am forever grateful. I’m having fun again and it feels so good. I call myself the “little engine that could” because I am and I will always be “doing” and moving forward until I’ve accomplished my goals! Thank you to all that follow my journey!!! (Insert heart emojis here.) This post has been refreshing and liberating at the same time. Check out my picture below, they depict that! Carefree babes!!! Until, Friday…

Bye Cupcakes!

Shirt: Target (hubby’s, it’s so big lol). Skirt & Sunnies: eBay. Shoes: Sam Edelman. Bracelets: Aldo Accessories. Bag: American Apparel. Necklace: MyNameNecklace.

"Back to the Future" Me…

Posted on November 18, 2015 by The Style Cake

(Warning: This post is long and full of honesty, proceed at your own risk lol.)

I had the opportunity to meet with an amazing blogger and to pick her brain about some things. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that one little meeting helped me get back to me.

Bye Cupcakes!

Shirt: Target (hubby’s, it’s so big lol). Skirt & Sunnies: eBay. Shoes: Sam Edelman. Bracelets: Aldo Accessories. Bag: American Apparel. Necklace: MyNameNecklace.

Effortless Style: It's Gray Outside

Posted on November 4, 2015 by The Style Cake

So….I am honestly elated at the temperatures that southeast Michigan is having in November. It is in the 60s and 70s and there is no need for central air conditioning nor heat. I was for sure that wether would have betrayed us by now and gone back cold but nope, it still feels lovely outside. This post is definitely an upbeat one for me because as much as I wanted fall to get here, I am so excited that spring/early summer weather showed back up instead. Dressing for the fall can be tricky in Michigan if you are trying not to get sick as the weather can consist of snow one day and full on heat the next. Needless to say, I wanted an effortless look again to relax and just enjoy the weather with not a lot of complications in style.

I based this outfit off of a gray top and leggings I purchased from Target and decorated the look with accents and accessories. Gray is a neutral relaxing color that I have been leaning towards these days (along with pinks, nudes, navy, blacks and white). It allows for you to build a color scheme without clashing or creating too much contrast. I love leopard print so I just had to wear my leopard scarf to at least give the illusion of fall being upon us, lol. My shoes although nude add a subtle contrast that allows the gray to pop. I wore my fave clutch from American Apparel and my fave glasses from eBay. My denim shirt around my waist was a Walmart clearance special from years ago (not sure if Ive ever stated that) that I have worn numerous times before. I opted for thin, large gold hoop earrings and my new fave bracelet from Layered Chains. If you want to check them out, use the coupon code I listed in this post. {Thank you for checking out my other post}. Let me know what you think of my outfit after you check out the pics below and I will see you back here Friday for something a little different that I did for the final effortless look!

Shirt and pants: Target. Shoes: NastyGal. Glasses: eBay. Scarf: F21. Bag: AA.

(Sidenote: this is all my hair. I am a natural girl!)

Bye Cupcakes!

Casual Friday: In Real Time OOTD/N

Posted on October 23, 2015 by The Style Cake

So…I know this outfit of the day is a little later than I normally do but I have a good reason. I planned this outfit a week ago for today (10/23/15) but I didn’t want to record it until today…in real time. I’m a mommy so most of my free time is dedicated to my family. However, after great planning, I am finally having date night with my hubby. I couldn’t be more thrilled!!!

Let’s talk fashion and style, shall we?

My outfit, although casual, is sexy yet modest. Side note: Can modesty please come back in style? Anyway, for the sake of the night out I chose a sequin tank that I’ve had in my closet for years. It is made of ribbed material for a more casual effect. My jeans are American Apparel easy jeans. These are high waisted and completely comfortable. They feel like leggings. I searched high and low for the faux leather biker jacket I’m wearing. Honestly, the prices of faux (or vegan, whichever the fashion world chooses to call it) leather anything is quite alarming. I was on the hunt for a nice decent quality jacket and found myself staring at $100 price tags in sheer amazement!! Over 40 bucks for a faux leather jacket is outrageous to me! Fortunately I found mine at Forever 21 for only 23 bucks. That is an awesome price point!! The jacket is rocker chic with an edge but the asymmetrical design of the zipper adds a feminine touch.

The accessories are really simple for this look. My boots are genuine suede boots I purchased about 3 years ago from Justfab. They were apart of the genuine leather and suede line (that is no longer on the site). I wish they were over the knee boots but I’m not complaining and I love them anyway! I chose to wear metal jewelry in silver and gunmetal. My necklace adds a masculine touch to balance the femininity of the sequin tank. I’m wearing knuckle rings and my earrings are a stud/ear cuff set. My hair is a messy ponytail for a sassy bad girl edge and I decided on neutral makeup. All in all, I love how everything in my fit came together. What do think? I’m headed out for drinks so I’ll see you all back here Monday!!

Bye Cupcakes!! 💋

*Update: I changed my shirt. I decided to wear a slit-arm long sleeve black top. It’s more comfortable and fits my style more than the sequin shirt. That’s why I wanted to do a “real time” blog post. I wanted you to see that you can love something and it can “balance” a look but you also need to love the look. It needs to be your style. I think I look much better with the black shirt. That is my style. Nothing wrong with making changes to your look, that’s what styling is truly about: tweaking a look to fit you honestly and perfectly!!!

Not the Average Tulle Skirt…

Posted on October 21, 2015 by The Style Cake

This past weekend I attended a very special event. Months before I was on the hunt for the perfect pieces to complete a look I’d crafted in my mind. I wanted to have a classic look yet still have that little extra flair.

I saw a skirt online that I instantly fell in love with! This skirt can be classified as a tulle skirt as it is made from tulle material but it has netting material as well. The netting material lays as the outermost layer of the skirt and looks just like fishnet (material). The skirt is detailed and accented with a bold red embroidery of flowers to add a feminine touch. Despite all of the detail, the skirt maintains a classic look and is in no way overwhelming. Since the skirt is still modest, I paired it with a belt that is also simple yet stands out to create another “layer” to this look.

My shirt added a tricky “issue” to this outfit. Initially, I happened to be looking for a turtleneck in the stripe pattern that I am actually wearing with this look but I couldn’t find one. Meanwhile, I had a particular tee in my arsenal for a while. The only issue: I’ve been losing weight and this shirt used to fit snug on me and is now loose. The solution: I had to wear the tee anyway because I could not find the turtleneck that I was looking for and there was no sense in buying another shirt in the same pattern when I have this tee that fits the bill. When styling, the whole point is sometimes you have to improvise and use what you have. Always maximize the use of your closet. This “issue” is the main reason that I say having staple pieces in your closet can solve styling issues down the road.

To accessorize my outfit, I chose to wear black fishnet tights, they further complimented the detail of the tulle skirt. My shoes are patent leather to add a “layer” of shine to the look. My clutch is muted so as not to take attention from the rest of the outfit. I chose a gaudy yet elegant all black statement necklace and a quaint pair of black stud earrings. The necklace sort of balances out the top with the bottom half of my look. I chose no further jewelry because the look has enough detail. I love how every piece came together and made the classic look that I was going for. Now that you know the concept behind my look, let me know what you think!

…Til Friday Cupcakes!

Skirt: SheIn, Shirt: Thrifted, Shoes: Shiekh Shoes, Necklace: eBay.

Casual Friday: Denim, Studs & Scarves

Posted on October 16, 2015 by The Style Cake

The fringe craze is seriously upon the fashion world. I initially wanted to wear a pair of boots that I just had to have. They boast fringe decoration along the back of the and the boot (which is faux suede) is thigh high with an open toe. Instead, I changed my mind and decided to wear studded block gladiator heels from Shoedazzle for this look. It gives the look a bit more edge.

Sidenote: The shoes were only $12!!

I’m a lover of contrast so my outfit although almost completely denim, had to have not only different washes of denim but differing colors. My shirt is dark blue vintage washed and the pants are washed gray denim. The jeans are skinny, reminiscent of American Apparel but they are from Forever 21. Way cheaper in price and maybe a little better in quality. I decided on no jewelry and instead wore this scarf that I bought a little while ago. (I plan my outfits almost a month in advance most times). It kept me warm without the need of a jacket or coat. I love the dual sidedness of the scarf and it sasses up the outfit. My clutch is American Apparel (which yo probably know by now lol). My fall lip is MAC Riri “Talk That Talk”.

Oh, and lastly, I finally straightened my hair. I had to cut a few bad inches off but it’s okay. Anyhoo, share your thoughts below and I will see you back here Monday for another ootd!

Bye Cupcakes! 💋