stylewatch – Page 3 – The Style Cake

"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.

Black Friday

Posted on November 13, 2015 by The Style Cake

So I apologize for the false alarm upload earlier, it was certainly a faux pas on my part. This post, like most posts on Fridays will be a very short post so that you can get off the internet and get the weekend started…*wink*

I have been enjoying the fall season because I love to wear dark colors. (In the winter I love pinks, whites, nudes, etc., but I digress.) Dark colors tend to be very seductive and mysterious for some reason. I wanted to wear all black but was going to go against that thought initially because I will be wearing all black again Saturday under a different setting. Who says that you can’t wear a lot of black two days in a row? Since it is causal Friday, I thought my very own “Black Friday” would be perfect.

I’ve been itching to wear my spiked Litas by Jeffrey Campbell for a couple of years now and I am finally pulling them out to play!! I love these booties, they’re so comfy and stylish. My mother calls them “Herman the Monster” shoes lol but I still think they are a perfect statement piece for a hot look. Very simply put, I wanted to be in all black so grabbed a basic tank from H&M and my ashy black cuffed shorts from Forever 21 over some decorative tights. I put them both together with my cardigan from Naked Wardrobe and a statement necklace from Aliexpress. I threw on an oversized cashmere houndstooth scarf to balance the look so it didn’t appear to be a grunge fit (although I do love a grungy look). Let me know what you think!! I guess Black Friday is a great name for this look seeing as that I want to go shopping so bad and all the sales have already started lol. Anyhoo, I have a special post on Monday, so be sure to be back here and I will talk to you guys then!!

By Cupcakes!

Shopping My Closet: Fur Boots

Posted on November 11, 2015 by The Style Cake

Since it has gotten increasingly colder these past couple of weeks, I have been grabbing for my boots. I have only purchased one new pair this year because honestly, I have my own shoe store lol. That being said, I recently pulled out my rabbit fur and leather boots, purchased from Bakers…you guessed it…years and years ago! These boots boast a pointy toe and a silver buckle detail on the shaft. The boots are calf height boots and are so warm and comfy. This was one of my first big wardrobe purchases as an adult. I can’t tell you how excited I was about these boots. To actually purchase “genuine leather” anything nowadays costs and arm and a leg, so these boots were truly an investment when I purchased them. They’ve held up quite nicely and at the time that I purchased them, they weren’t more than a hundred bucks!!

I love to shop my closet and I am finding myself leaning towards purchasing investment items for my wardrobe now more than ever. That is what finding your own style is all about. Now, lets get into the “deets” of this outfit. So, I chose another staple piece that I purchased years ago for this look and that’s my hat from Forever 21. I thought that this would be cute with some plain ole jeans and a cropped top that I wore underneath a thrifted sheer, sleeveless blouse that I instead utilized as a short cardigan. My jewelry is quite simple, arm candy is from Aldo and my necklace is from Neon Wild. I chose a lighter lavender lip to brighten up the look. My bag was handmade by Turquoise Soul Bags. They have great stuff and not just handbags!!

I hope you like my fit! Always shop your closet first before you hit the stores. When shopping, purchase statement pieces and essentials as well as investment pieces that continue to come back around in the fashion world…but only according to your own style of course. Don’t be afraid to use pieces for other than their intended purpose and remember to have fun with your style!! You can’t go wrong, style is your personality and your expressed opinion of fashion!! Until Friday…

Bye Cupcakes!!

Top: Naked Wardrobe (old). Sleeveless Blouse: Thrifted. Jeans: Fashion Nova. Boots: Bakers Shoes (old). Necklace: Neon Wild. Arm Candy: Aldo Accessories. Hat: Forever 21 (old) Bag: Turquoise Soul Bags

What Bloggers Do…

Posted on November 9, 2015 by The Style Cake

Initially, I was going to title this post by another name but I thought that it would just be fun to highlight some of the mishaps that happen to us bloggers…or at least happens to me as a blogger lol. So this is a behind the scenes sort of information post with the final results in pictures.

I got ready for this shoot, and as always, I do my makeup first. My hair is under this hat secretly (not so much a secret now lol) because it was wash day. Since I have so much hair to wash, I need HOURS to do this hair and I didn’t have that time appropriated, the hat that I am wearing became more than a fashion statement. I opted for a bold statement necklace from Purple Love (that I LOVE, not pun intended) and no earrings because every other accessory I am wearing is so bold. My bracelet is a coin charm style bracelet that I purchased from Forever 21 some ten years back. My bag is from JustFab and I think this particular style of bags is still on the site right now. My shoes were purchased from Urbanog.com years ago but this style came back around and you should be able to find something very similar on the site. I wanted to be warm but add a little funk to the outfit so I decided to wear some foot in leggings. My husband knew I had been looking for some and bought them from Target for me.

My fave part of this look happens to be the cardigan and the skater dress. I bought the skater dress a year ago from Forever 21 and they are still being sold on the Forever 21 online if you are interested. My cardigan was purchased from Naked Wardrobe online. I love this site so much as they have trendy items that can also be staple pieces in the wardrobe. The cardigan is a classy piece and adds this class to my outfit. It honestly is the highlight in my opinion. I love it so much I also bought it in black. In getting ready, I tore a hole in my dress (in the seam) trying to pull off a tag and then I also almost tore my cardigan because it got caught on my heel. Between NEEDING my hat, tearing my dress and almost snagging my sheer cardigan, this was one heck of a shoot!! Lol. Some of the things us bloggers go through. Not much but whew! For all of my hard work lol, please tell me what you think of my look!! I’ll be back Wednesday with another look!!

Until tomorrow for a Vox Box review…

Bye Cupcakes!!!

Dress: F21. Cardigan: Naked Wardrobe. Booties: UrbanOg.com. Necklace: HERE. Footed Leggings: Target. Bag: JustFab. Hat: Boohoo

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!

Effortless Style Week: It's Fall But…

Posted on November 2, 2015 by The Style Cake

It has been some real fall weather happening here in Michigan. I’m not mad but the brief influx of warm weather to give us a break from cold, wind and long bouts of rain is quite lovely. I’m taking advantage and dressing for the warmer weather. I have Hashimoto’s disease so sometimes I’m extremely exhausted. Days of sleep wouldn’t seem to satisfy my need for endless rest. That being said, I wanted to style an outfit that would be comfortable and pretty much effortless.

I found everything in my closet, purchased either years or months before. One of the basics of any effortless outfit is a basic tee or tank. I opted for an easy mauve-nude color tank from H&M and a pair of wrap-up-the-legs leggings from Karmaloop (online). My cardigan was purchased from Meijer. My shoes are Steve Madden. Love the simplicity of them, matching the effortless theme of this look. All of jewelry with the exception of my choker is from Layered Chains. Check out my review and get a discount code while you’re at it. I hope you guys like this look, share what you think below. I promise I won’t take offense. (smile)

Until Wednesday,

Bye Cupcakes!! 🍭

The "Purple Love" Experience

Posted on October 27, 2015 by The Style Cake

I had the pleasure of being invited to an event in Detroit that showcases Detroit’s own fabulous designers and business owners. The event, held at the Eastern Market, drew in folks from all over the metropolitan area to see what Detroit’s own had to offer. My invitation was extended by Brittany, owner and operator of Purple Love, a jewelry boutique.

The event displayed fancy, classic, as well as boho statement pieces. I was very impressed with not only the jewelry but the business as a whole. The owner is very sweet and fashionable herself. (I loved her boots btw, I have a similar pair lol). The event offered mimosas, and other beverages among an array of yummy treats. There were gift bags for everyone invited that was in attendance filled with goodies. I thought the event ended at a later time (and arrived at the very end) but the owner was more than willing to still show me around and share what Purple Love had to offer. I got a few pieces after I tried on and fell in love with them. The pieces definitely catch the eye and are true statement pieces. Most necklaces come with earrings to match. If you like, check out Purple Love on Instagram and support Detroit! She included a 15% off coupon for all of my followers to get a discount to shop for great, stylish pieces. I’ve included the coupon code and pictures below! Until tomorrow…

Ciao cupcakes!

Coupon code: thestylecake15

Yay!! You read the entire post and looked at all the pictures. Thank you, I also want to share a code for Lauren Mari Cosmetics. You can get 15% off your first order online with the code: FALL2015 until December 31, 2015. Just in time to buy a bold color for fall…Enjoy!

The "Purple Love" Experience

Posted on October 27, 2015 by The Style Cake

Ciao cupcakes!

Coupon code: thestylecake15

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! 💋

Casual Friday: Early Fall Boots

Posted on October 9, 2015 by The Style Cake

Salut! It’s Friday!!

I am so happy to be able to pop on a sweater, especially in brisk & windy weather. I really wanted to wear a skirt although I opted against that idea. There is plenty enough time for that considering the weather is still feeling like summer some days. (Who am I kidding? I still will wear skirts when it’s cold.) No complaints here since winter will be upon us but it’s just is nice to wear some fall apparel for a change.

I chose faux leather leggings to be instantly stylish but comfy. I paired my faux leather leggings with a nice balance of a (thrifted) basic sweater. I tied a denim shirt around my waist for a little bit of “trend”. The sweater is not bulky (although being a bit big on me) and is perfect for 60 degree weather and no coat. Still incorporating some summer fun into my fall wardrobe, I’m wearing thigh high open toe wedge boots. These Jeffrey Campbell “boots” I purchased years ago….please don’t hate me because I don’t remember where. The sunnies I bought from eBay. My clutch, (which you will be seeing a lot of) I love and it was on sale from American Apparel. I paid 21 bucks including shipping! Please let me know what you think. If you are not already, follow me on Instagram: @thestylecake. If you loved this post, keep a lookout for the new post on Monday!

Happy Weekend Cupcakes!! 💋