"Back to the Future" Me…

(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…

(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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casual Friday: Denim, Studs & Scarves

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! 💋

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Casual Friday

Warning: short post!

Brisk air, wind strong enough to mock Chicago’s windy days and not much sun called for the appropriate: a blazer. I bought this blazer a couple years back at a thrift store. It’s so great for the trends this fall and the color screams fall! My jeans are from H&M ($9.99) and my statement necklace & shoes, eBay. The shoes aren’t my favorite, the quality is well…I paid only $14.99 for them so they look and feel like the price. Ugh. Lesson learned. My crop tee is a Forever 21 purchase and the clutch, American Apparel. Let me know what you think! Pics to follow, talk to you Monday cupcakes!!

 

 

 

"Modestly Modifed Maxi"

This is probably the last summer post I will be doing this year. Temperatures are now in the 60s and the wind has picked up with an occasional all day rain fall. For my last summer post, I decided to take a chance and wear a skirt that I had not worn yet. I bought this skirt years ago but because the style had become way too popular, I never wore it. Nothing much behind my idea. I wanted this look to still remain modest while maintaining the sexiness of the look. I decided to modestly modify the skirt by wearing a pair of biker shorts so my whole thigh and crotch area don’t get exposed. The skirt is from Urban Outfitters and the tank is from H&M. The clutch is from the clearance section of American Apparel and the shoes are Jeffrey Campbell. I only spent 40 bucks on them but they are so fab I would have paid more for them. They boast genuine suede, multiple straps up the leg and a zipper up the back for the ease of putting them on. For accessories I decided on a gold slave bracelet, hoop earrings and a vintage inspired gold toned watch. My headband was one dollar at the beauty supply store. It adds a rockstar touch for some edge to this look. Now that you know about the pieces in this look, let me know what you think! Til Friday for another post cupcakes!! 💋

 

"Modestly Modifed Maxi"

This is probably the last summer post I will be doing this year. Temperatures are now in the 60s and the wind has picked up with an occasional all day rain fall. For my last summer post, I decided to take a chance and wear a skirt that I had not worn yet. I bought this skirt years ago but because the style had become way too popular, I never wore it. Nothing much behind my idea. I wanted this look to still remain modest while maintaining the sexiness of the look. I decided to modestly modify the skirt by wearing a pair of biker shorts so my whole thigh and crotch area don’t get exposed. The skirt is from Urban Outfitters and the tank is from H&M. The clutch is from the clearance section of American Apparel and the shoes are Jeffrey Campbell. I only spent 40 bucks on them but they are so fab I would have paid more for them. They boast genuine suede, multiple straps up the leg and a zipper up the back for the ease of putting them on. For accessories I decided on a gold slave bracelet, hoop earrings and a vintage inspired gold toned watch. My headband was one dollar at the beauty supply store. It adds a rockstar touch for some edge to this look. Now that you know about the pieces in this look, let me know what you think! Til Friday for another post cupcakes!! 💋

 

Closet Finds (Thrift Alert)

Lately I haven’t been thrifting because I am in the process of purging. That being said, I have been finding things in my closet that I haven’t worn. In particular, I found a pair of wide leg pants while thrifting last year that I had forgotten about. I centered my entire look around these pants. Not only are they on trend (although I am not a trendy girl) but they are perfect for the heat wave that we have been having in my area, not to mention a great transition piece into the fall season. I so ready for fall. Anyhow, they are cool and comfortable despite the fact that they are a polyester material and having no way to keep them up on my body. I could have used a belt to hold them up but that wasn’t the look that I was going for. They were on sale, I think that I spent about one dollar. I will be adding an elastic band to the waist or taking the waist in more than likely.  I decided on flats because I was considerably tired after a long few weeks (and I am still recuperating). The flats are super comfortable yet still stylish. I purchased these years and years ago from Forever 21. My look is simple but still has plenty of layers to it. Pictures are below, let me know what you think!!

[glasses: eBay. Bag: Justfab. Tank: Target. Necklace: Neon Wild. Pants: thrifted. Shoes & Bracelet: F21]

Styling How To: Glam Up Basic Garments 

Summer is officially here and the weather can get H-O-T!! Living in Michigan, eighty to eighty-five degrees is where we typically land on the thermometer plus humidity. If you want to be comfortable but stylish in hot weather, this post is for you!! I found an American Apparel romper at the Goodwill for 99 cents! (A real steal!) This romper is pretty blah on the hanger and not much to look at by itself. It can be dressed up or down obviously. You could make this romper look casual but that would be too easy so for this post, I opted to make it look a bit more glam. The color of this romper is gray and that paired with the basic design of it makes it the perfect canvas. Whenever you want an outfit to stand out, go for accessories that color contrast against the garment. The contrast creates layers but somehow is very complimentary. I paired this gray romper with flashy gold accessories as well as a leopard print scarf. The shoes I chose are snake skin print gladiator sandals for the nude appeal without actually having to wear a nude heel. The wrap part of the romper leaves much room for cleavage so I wore a skin tone camisole underneath for modesty and to avoid taking away from the romper. The gold sequin clutch was my golden goose (pun intended) so it really helped pull this outfit together. P.S. I absolutely LOVE my tan!!! Let me know what you think!! I would LOVE to hear from you all!!

{romper: thrifted. sunnies: eBay. necklace, scarf: H&M. bracelets: Aldo. shoes: Shoedazzle. clutch: Julep.}

Thift & Vintage: Modernizing "Old" Fashion

My love for vintage and thrifting dates back to about year 2000. At that time, I loved being able to find things I liked and needed for a insignificant price point. Cha-Ching!! Well, now I tend to thrift for the fun of it. The thrill of finding cools things for cheap is my kind of shopping. Some people are scared to shop at thrift stores for fear of only finding dirty, old & “outdated” clothing. You can absolutely snag great items for less in the thrift store. If you love thrifting and/or saving money, this two part series is for you!!

I thought it would be fun to do a series that features items that are either thrifted or vintage to show these items can be styled to look youthful and modern. Eventually, I would love to do a video taking you with me on a shopping trip to find an outfit (excluding shoes & jewelry) for less than 15 bucks!! 

Anyhoo, on to the outfit and tips. Thrifted outfits do not have to look ragged, thrifted, nor “old lady” inspired lol. The key to shopping thrift is:

1. Look for items that have a detail that you can center an outfit around. (Ex, sequin, bold prints, etc.)

2. Try to find “timeless” pieces. These never go “out of style” and provide a nice base for a great outfit.

3. Vintage clothing “fits” differently than the current making of clothing. Only buy what compliments your body.*

*I will talk about wearing clothing that compliments the body in the very near future.* Feel free to check out my Instagram and hit that follow button! You never know when I may decide to post a look without blogging it! 

{shirt & shorts: Goodwill, necklace: H&M, shoes: Shoedazzle, handbag: gifted}

 

 

 

Thift & Vintage: Modernizing "Old" Fashion

My love for vintage and thrifting dates back to about year 2000. At that time, I loved being able to find things I liked and needed for a insignificant price point. Cha-Ching!! Well, now I tend to thrift for the fun of it. The thrill of finding cools things for cheap is my kind of shopping. Some people are scared to shop at thrift stores for fear of only finding dirty, old & “outdated” clothing. You can absolutely snag great items for less in the thrift store. If you love thrifting and/or saving money, this two part series is for you!!

I thought it would be fun to do a series that features items that are either thrifted or vintage to show these items can be styled to look youthful and modern. Eventually, I would love to do a video taking you with me on a shopping trip to find an outfit (excluding shoes & jewelry) for less than 15 bucks!! 

Anyhoo, on to the outfit and tips. Thrifted outfits do not have to look ragged, thrifted, nor “old lady” inspired lol. The key to shopping thrift is:

1. Look for items that have a detail that you can center an outfit around. (Ex, sequin, bold prints, etc.)

2. Try to find “timeless” pieces. These never go “out of style” and provide a nice base for a great outfit.

3. Vintage clothing “fits” differently than the current making of clothing. Only buy what compliments your body.*

*I will talk about wearing clothing that compliments the body in the very near future.* Feel free to check out my Instagram and hit that follow button! You never know when I may decide to post a look without blogging it! 

{shirt & shorts: Goodwill, necklace: H&M, shoes: Shoedazzle, handbag: gifted}