The Design of Comfort 

With the weather change comes what seems like awkward choices in wardrobe. The change of seasons is a transition period for most wardrobes. Trying to figure out what pieces in your closet to keep and what to fold I and put away might be tricky. Beyond the season change comes changes in emotion. Perhaps during fall we tend to feel more cozy, often choosing comfort over style. You can have both style and complete comfort in one look. 

I found this very comfortable and stylish striped blouse while thrifting by Calvin Klein. The material is so exquisite against my skin. No snags on my skin and it flows beautifully on my silhouette. Perfect for those comfy outfits. The style of stripes and button detail add for a contemporary look. I paired the blouse with a pair of high waisted jeans. I didn’t want low rise jeans and feel uncomfortable, maybe at some point having to tug on my jeans. I added my favorite pair of flat sandals and new fave fall handbag for a finishing and transitional touch! 

The key to transitioning smoothly from one season to another is to find those pieces that can be worn in warm and cold weather. That’s what the Calvin Klein blouse does for my look. It helps to accomplish a cool transitional outfit. Your “in between seasons” piece can be anything from a dress to a scarf. Yes, a scarf. There are even versatile accessories. For example, a burgundy scarf made of light knits and fabrics can help build a great between season look! Anyhoo, let me know what you think of my look! What are some of your favorite transitional pieces? 

Later Cupcakes 💋 

Shirt: Calvin Klein. Jeans: Fashion Nova. Bag: Justfab. Shoes: Target. 





The Tropic of Summer

This year I have yet to go on vacation and yes, I’m jealous of all of the vacation pics that I see on social media. I still plan on going somewhere this year! My inspiration for my outfit is my imagination of being somewhere in the tropics enjoying a nice cocktail and beautiful views. I bought the perfect bodysuit, a swimsuit that I thrifted a year or two ago. Side note: I always get the crotch area together before I wear them. I love wearing a good swimsuit as a bodysuit. It can actually serve the true purpose of a swimsuit if need be. 

I paired my bodysuit with a fishtail, mermaid like skirt for an extra tropical effect. I’m having a bad hair day so I threw on a modern hat and then a gold belt for a bit of glam. My accessories are fairly simple so as to not overshadow or overwhelm my outfit. The tropical print is busy and colorful enough to “carry” the entire look. The gold accents my skin tone and highlights my summer bronze glow. I grabbed a very simple chic pair of leopard single sole sandals for a pop of wild. This is where leopard can double for both a neutral against bold colors (my bodysuit) and also a pop of color against a “nude” (my skirt). Believe it or not, my outfit is extremely comfortable and I can easily throw on flats for even more comfort. Let me know your fave summer look! Let’s chat! 

Until Wednesday,

Later Cupcakes 💋

Bodysuit: Thrifted. Skirt: Laced W/Style, similar. Shoes: Charlotte Russe (sold out). Hat: Boohoo. Bracelet: eBay. Choker: Neon Wild (sold out). 


Mixed Prints, Colors & Moods

Warning: short post…

One fashion trend that seems to never go out of style is mixing prints, patterns and colors. We see mixing all the time. Actually, not only are prints often mixed but so are fabrics. 

I bought a micro-pleated skirt from Etsy a few months back and it’s a silk skirt that is bold with undefined color. It pretty much projects a rainbow of pinks, purples and other colors that of a reddish hue. There are turquoise and yellow that pop against the pinks. I LOVE multi colored prints that offer versatility in styling. 

I grabbed my taupe and black striped bodysuit to pair with my multi-colored skirt. The black and taupe acts as a base against the color. My bodysuit is a bit off the shoulder and I just wore it with one shoulder out for a bit of sass. My heels are gladiator style to balance the look as well as the color and my handbag solidifies the look with a modern, sophisticated touch. I didn’t want the look to project as vintage so the bag detracts from that style. I have minimal accessories so as to not overwhelm the outfit with too many details. Check out the pics!

Happy Monday Cupcakes! 🎈

Skirt: Etsy (one of a kind). Bodysuit: F21 (similar). Shoes: Topshop (similar). Handbag: H&M (similar). 

   

    

  

 

The Concept of Color Block

So with the back and forth of warm and cool weather, dressing and planning a look is like playing the guessing game. I like to keep a good coat in my wardrobe in case of style emergencies so I grabbed a trench I had to round out the concept of this look. 

One of the hardest concepts to pull off successfully is color blocking. Why? Well, it’s definitely easy to pile on too many colors and to appear too matcha-matchy. The key to color blocking (for beginners) is building around a color that you want to “pop” or stand out with neutral colors. I would suggest grabbing a color that is your favorite bold color and allow that to take “center stage” while blocking with colors that are absolutely neutral. I say absolutely because nude is neutral however it has “tones” that can be hard to figure out which goes well with your own skin tone. Try starting with black, white, or another primary color. If you are unsure about color blocking, you can also contrast colors for ease of manipulation of color. If you have a question, please ask me! (smile)  I’ll explain more in my pictures….

Later Cupcakes 💋

   

    

    
 

The “Power” of Thrifting & Vintage (How to Mix Prints)

I am a girl who loves a deal…but I don’t like to look cheap. So you can guess that I’m not willing to pay a bunch of money for something just to look cheap. That being said, there aren’t a lot of places to find inexpensively priced pieces of clothing that are of great quality and in style. I find myself on a serious hunt sometimes to find what I’m looking for. It more than often seems that clothing manufacturers are jilting us consumers out of quality fabric but still pricing items at moderately expensive prices. What can a girl or guy on a budget do?

Thrifting! This is one of several solutions to the problem previously stated. By thrifting, you can grab quality pieces that trend over and over and over again that are of amazing quality for pennies on the dollar! To demonstrate this, I am wearing a thrifted piece with a brand new outfit. The skirt, and shoes are brand new while the leopard blouse was purchased new but I’ve worn a few times. The thrifted item? My denim jacket. The denim jacket is back on trend in the fashion world and you don’t have to spend more than 7 bucks for one of awesome quality. I bought mine from a local thrift store and guess what?! It was half off!!! This jacket is by and is constructed very well. The fact that it’s vintage and is still in awesome shape shows the value in the fabric of this piece. The trick is to find items that are staples to your wardrobe and you can buy the rest brand new and rotate if you like. Thrift for coats, jackets, blazers and some jeans. Need a little inspiration? Check out my pics below!!

Later Cupcakes!! 💋

Shoes: Steve Madden. Jacket: Thrifted. Shirt: H&M (old similar here). Skirt: ASOS.


  
  
  

Casual Monday: Grandpa Cardigan & Denim 

Here it is, one third of the year has almost passed and it’s still less than 50 degrees outside. I know, you haven’t heard me talk about the weather in a while. Lol. Well, I can’t help it this time! It’s the first day of April and it no longer feels like spring. In fact, we actually have snow in the forecast for next week! I guess you’ll be able to see how I feel about that in my look for today lol. 

You guys probably know by now that on Fridays I don’t like to keep you here reading. We’ve got to get out and enjoy our weekends!!! Well, I’m sure you’d like to relax this Monday. So let’s discuss the look for today. Today I’m wearing what I call a “grandpa cardigan”. I love this this thing. It’s warm and it reminds of a sweater that  Grady from the sitcom Sanford & Son would wear. To sass up the look, I decided to wear my Detroit Is The New Black V-neck tee off the shoulder style along with skinny jeans and Steve Madden wedge shoes. I’m wearing a black choker for a simple bit of sexiness above the cardigan. Honestly, the way I’m wearing the DITNB tee, the jeans and the Steve Madden wedge shoes all add sexiness to balance the mature look of the “grandpa cardigan”. Let me know what you think! Deets below… 

Happy Monday Cupcakes 💋

Shoes: Steve Madden. Tee: Detroit Is The New Black. Cardigan: Boohoo. Jeans: Fashion Nova. Choker: Neon Wild. 

   

    
    

    
  

    
  

  

 

Easy Does It…

On Fridays I usually try to incorporate a casual look because most of us are either relax, go grab drinks or can better dress emotionally since we feel so relieved. That being said, I am not relieved that it’s Friday but I’m ready to grab drinks AND relax lol. The downside is that it’s quite cold here (not even 50 degrees) and I’m ready to burst out into color like song lol. I have looks planned out for at least 3 weeks in advance at all times because I’m always creating ideas in my head but I was starting a transition of winter to spring wardrobe. What’s a girl to do? 

Well when life happens, we make the best of it. So I mixed spring and fall wardrobe to create an easy look. I know we’re all ready to hang so I’ll be brief. I needed that “pop of color” so I decided on an all black ensemble with a bright turquoise flare tank. Under the tank I’m wearing an off the shoulder body suit. I know, you couldn’t really see the bodysuit. No worries, you’ll be seeing it in a couple of weeks, (insert winking emoji). My pants are ankle pants. Although considered more of a fall or winter color, the ankle length aspect nibbles at the appeal of spring. I opted for my leopard print Zara booties. They accent my tank AND the black quite nicely, creating balance and cohesion. Being that leopard can be used as a neutral, it doesn’t take away from the boldness of the tank. It actually helps the color to pop. My choker and earrings are easy and simple. That’s the essence of the entire look. How do you dress when you’re trying to be simple but still stylish? 

Happy Friday Cupcakes!!! 

Pants: H&M. Shoes: Zara. Shirt: Urban Outfitters. Tank and Jacket: F21. Necklace: Neon Wild. 

    

   

     

Winter Blues & Plaids

So I think the past few months I have talked about winter so much we’re all tired of winter right? Lol. Well, I’m officially sick (no literally) of winter. Currently, I have an ear ache, sinus infection and a cold but I’m pushing through it. The light at the end of the tunnel is SPRING!!! In the meantime, I’ve become slightly uninspired due to not just the weather and the lingering on of winter but the current state of my health. This swinging weather of 60 degrees one day and 18 degrees with snow the next is very hard to plan by. Guys, I have so many looks lined up for warmer weather, I’m quite uninterested in dressing up to be cold. Regardless, tis life and I must dress for it.

I decided on this bold and colorful plaid poncho to be the “center” of my look. In true stylist fashion, I “thinga-ma-jigged”  my poncho into a scarf instead. It’s still a poncho but it is much more cozy and beneficial as a scarf. My coat is of a faux wool/felt material. It honestly is a decently warm coat. It boasts an extra large collar that pretty much envelopes my upper half. I’m wearing fleece leggings. They are sooooo cozy and warm!!! My boots, you all have seen a number of times. They’re from Justfab’s Luxe line (now no longer) but there are similar styles on the market. Mine are genuine suede which I love. Since this look is cozy, I have a large handbag I purchased from H&M to store everything I need while out and about to make me comfortable in this cold. I opted for sunglasses because of the brightness of the snow. My accessories are minimal. Let me know what you think! How do you stay inspired in the long months of winter and when it’s cold?

Later Cupcakes!! ❤️💙

Boots: Justfab (similar here). Leggings: Gifted (similar here). Poncho/Scarf: Thrifted (similar here). Denim Blouse: Thrifted (similar here). Jewelry: Neon Wild & Layered Chains. Sunglasses: eBay. Bag: H&M (similar here).

Casual Friday: Sassy Jones Boutique

I am a bit of a fashion jewelry and accessories fan but that being said, I am also very particular about the things that I pick up to include in my wardrobe. So when I was contacted by a company by the name of Sassy Jones Boutique to try out a few of their items. I must say that it is easily any stylenista’s day dream to be able to pick out fashionable pieces to add to their closet! I was ecstatic to say the least. I’ve showcased two of the items in a couple of my most recent looks but this look is my favorite! The necklace inspired my entire look. It’s colorful and bold and has a bit of a tribal undertones. It sort of reminds me of a breast plate. It’s called the Islander Statement Necklace.  Anyhoo, you know how Friday looks go, I’ll be brief so you can enjoy this glorious day of the week. 

The owner of Sassy Jones Boutique is truly a sweetheart and the customer service and shipping times are awesome!! The pieces in this online shop are absolutely beautiful!! The best part? None of the items are over priced! All of the pieces are affordable and practical for the everyday wardrobe even the pieces stand out and make their own statements with any look. I will personally be making a purchase because there are a few other pieces on the site I’ve got to get my hands on lol. 

I paired my necklace with a black oversized top on top of classic blue denim jeans and high heeled pumps. I completed the look with my burnt orange suede trench coat and favorite clutch bag from Turquoise Soul Bags. Pretty simple right? The necklace makes the look seem less simple. I love that! Let me know what you think. If you like the necklace, grab it before it’s gone because it’s only $15!! 

 Later Cupcakes!


Coat: (Old) & Gifted (similar here). Shoes: Justfab. Denim Pants: Fashion Nova. Shirt: Meijer. Necklace: Sassy Jones Boutique (now on sale). Earrings: Neon Wild. Clutch: Turquoise Soul Bags.

SJB Series Part 1: Royal Pains of Winter

I know I have thoroughly complained and expressed my frustration with this season of winter. As a blogger, the colder months can so uninspiring. Quite frankly, I don’t love what the cold does to my skin. Somehow I always neglect to put enough moisturizer on my hands and other 2000 parts (insert eye roll) lol. I personally prefer my hair curly but in the winter I wear it straight. My hair is tailbone length and is quite time consuming to straighten. When I straighten, it’s poofy probably in the first 24 hours. I don’t re-straighten so I end up “bunning” or doing the ponytail thing which isn’t the most glamorous style. I honestly am simply not a fan of boots, I prefer open toe because they offer more detail in design but I digress.  I know what you’re saying “girl those are personal choices that you’re complaining about”. You’re so right but hey, I’m explaining the royal pains right? 

I completely inspired by my beautiful necklace from Sassy Jones Boutique. When I received this necklace I was definitely impressed at how beautiful it was and also the great quality. I LOVE this necklace. Had it been summer, I probably would have styled this look much differently…much more to my personal style but this look is to showcase the royal beauty of this statement necklace. I paired it with a free flowing vertically striped top and a black fur jacket to exaggerate the regal bold “centerpiece”. To bring the look to a casual balance, I wore a pair of jeans and thigh high boots. 

Had it been warmer weather, I would have worn a skirt instead. Not to take away from the necklace, I decided against a belt. I added a headpiece to further emphasize the “regalness” (I made that up lol) of this look. This is a bit out of my personal style but I am showing a style of how to wear this necklace. MY personal style with this necklace will be shown in a lookbook next week! For now, let me know what you think. Link to this gorgeous necklace, click here: (direct link). 

Shirt: Thrifted. Headpiece: Neon Wild. Jacket: Burlington (similar here). Jeans: Fashion Nova