30 Jul
So here’s my attempt at a What I Wore post. Please forgive me and don’t take this for anything other than amateur photography. Top Model I am not. This being a “fashion” blog I figured it needed more fashions. And as Dwight would say, “What’s a fashion blog with no fashion… NOTHING”. Gawd, I love those Real Housewives.
Vintage Dress from Ebay
Cathy Jean Sandals
Random Bangles
Bamboo Earrings (at least 2 pair)
Hair from God
30 Jul
*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.
The Green Eyed Monster. We’ve all experienced those pangs of envy when dealing with friends or other people who possess things that we deem desirable. It’s a natural reaction to feel a little jealous from time to time, but when jealousy (or hateration) becomes a normal part of life then its time to stop and address the root of your envy. This week’s (and Stylish Thought’s first) Friend Friday asks us: How do we deal with jealousy?
I define jealously as feelings of inadequacy when encountering a person who possesses something you wish you could have; whether its a material thing or a personal quality that typically steams from an emptiness or void in one’s own life.
When I first started blogging I experienced blogger jealousy, but not becauase of material things like shoes and clothes. I mostly envied bloggers who had more popularity than me. It’s silly to me now because I know that things like traffic and comments do not make a quality blog, but back then it was something that mattered.
I wouldn’t say that there is a type of blogger that I’m ever jealous or envious of, but there are instances when I do experience pangs of jealousy, mostly when a well-known blogger gets invited to a major designer show or gets a book deal. While my heart of hearts is happy for their achievements, I’m human and do become envious. Good thing is I don’t dwell in those emotions and use them to fuel me to someday achieve the same things.
I agree that a little jealousy can help spur you to greatness. Maybe it’s the Virgo in me. I can’t say that I’ve ever changed my blog because of what others were doing, but just assessing what was working for other bloggers I have evaluated what I need to do in order to be a better blogger. It’s healthy to take notes from our peers and let it propel us to be better.
I think the healthiest way to overcome feelings of jealousy is to simply be real with yourself. Ask yourself, why am I hating or feeling jealous towards someone? What do they have that I wish I could have? And once you can address the root of your feelings you realize that jealousy has less to do with the other people and more about yourself.
28 Jul
The recent hiring of a white fashion director at Essence Magazine, a historic lifestyle and fashion publication for African-American women, has spurred a fashion debate rooted in issues of race, diversity and least of all fashion.
When I first heard the news about the hiring of Ellianna Placas (formerly of O magazine) I didn’t know exactly how to process it. There were so many conversations going on around the issue. Clutch magazine broke the story, the Huffington Post picked it up, Michaela Angela Davis and Nawja Moses responded with upset and heartbreak. What did it all really mean, I wondered?
Essence magazine is a totem in the black community. In its 42 year history, Essence has celebrated Black woman and sought out to represent them in a way they were not previously represented. It bought out our tastes and showed us in our various shapes, colors and lifestyles. It was the essence of us as Black women; varied, distinct and full of heart. It is less an issue of hiring a white woman and more what that hiring of means.
For some it means the whitewashing of our culture to others it means foolishly turning the other cheek while other fashion publications continue to exclude us. And for others Essence has fully betrayed their audience. While I understand these sentiments I don’t fully agree with them.
How can we as black people preach diversity, the need for more inclusion in the mainstream fashion industry and then turn around and close our doors? It’s a move of reverse-exclusion. The hiring of Placas has nothing to do with the audience. Essence will still continue to showcase black women, feature them on their covers and in their pages and show us in a positive light. The minute that changes then we have a problem.
As a black woman, one devoted to fashion and writing, I see both sides of the coin. But instead of looking at it as a betrayal I choose to see it as a step in the direction that the world should be going; less about race and more about talented people integrating. Mainstream fashion magazines need to take note from Essence’s lead and begin to be more inclusive.
27 Jul
I’m walking on sunshine and don’t it feel GOOD! Irregular Choice has always been a shoe lover of mine, but these babies just blew the roof off our love affair. A towering wedge, multi-colored shoe and fluffy orange foot bed, Chica wedges were made to be worn with a floaty white dress, dancing on a Conga Line with a umbrella drink in my hand. I have a birthday a month away so that scenario may not be that far off.
Irregular Choice Chica Wedges
27 Jul
I envy chipper people. You know the kind of people who are bubbly at 7am and who don’t rely on caffeinated drinks (coffee, Red Bull, Speed) to get them through the day and say things like “Super Duper”. I salute them and secretly want to drink from whatever fountain of energy they have tapped into. While, my energy is not completely in the can I do find it hard to remain upbeat and motivated without strapping on my wings and/or taking a hit of E on a consistent basis. (I kid, I kid)
Instead of being content with my lack of energy, I’ve been scouring the net and trying new ways to banish restlessness without having to resort to crystals or energy bracelets. With a full-time job, full-time blog, semi-social life it can be difficult to not feel rundown. Here are few tips I’ve found success with and others I plan to try.
You’re already beat and I want you to exercise. Sounds counter-intuitive non? But regular cardiovascular exercise increases oxygen to your cells, lowers blood pressure and decreases body fat; all things necessary to increasing productivity and reducing stress.
Pills and I don’t mix. I forget to take them on a daily basis and wind up wasting money. But healthy, nutrient rich food, that’s something I can get down with. Eating leafy greens, fruits and vegetables are all perfect (and delicious) ways to get your necessary vitamins and minerals. And if your memory is better than mine, vitamin supplements are a perfect way to get the additional nutrients that your body needs. Prevention has a great comprehensive guide to Supplements for Women.
“What’s my motivation?” Discovering the answer to this question may just unlock the door to your energy lulls. Knowing what makes your pulse race, what gets you fired up and makes you spring out of bed will help you to get motivated when your energy dips. Discover what energizes you and strive to do it and do it often.
Even the best of us needs a break every now and then. Pay attention to the times of day when you’re energy is at its lowest and schedule breaks around that time. Go outside and get some fresh air, take a walk or do some simple stretches at your desk.
A surefire way to restore your energy is to get a good nights sleep. Sleep is nature’s magic elixir and getting a sound, uninterrupted, engaged rest can do wonders including relieve stress, help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation and improve your memory. All of that?!? I’ll take sleep for 500 Alex!
I’ll admit my first few attempts at yoga were a beautiful failure. In a gym class full of people I couldn’t relax or get centered. However, I got a few DVDs from Netflix and my living room has become my Zen palace. Doing yoga first thing in the morning stretches your muscles, relaxes your breathing and puts you in a great state of mind for the day.
This is a slippery slope, but since when do I play it safe. Some days we just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, literally. And all the stretching in the world won’t help. If you’re already out on the sleep-deprived ledge a cup of coffee, shot of espresso, energy drink may bring you back to life. I’m a fan of Red Bull, though a only limit myself to 1 a day and only if I desperately need it.
When our energy is low our motivation and goals suffer. Feeling renewed and revitalized is so important to being successful individuals and achieving our dreams.
26 Jul
The world (and Hollywood) has gone comic crazy. Comic-Con has taken over San Diego and if you watch G4 (like the geek I am) there’s non-stop coverage. I mean what’s not to love about superheros, villians and the stans that dress up like them. Comic costumes are magnificently stylish. All the rubber, molded chests and cool utility belts with infinite gadgets. If I were a superhero (and yes I’ve thought about it, the Stylish Sorcerer would be my name) my costume would be gaudy and full of bows that double as ninja darts.
My alter ego aside, here is my top 5 most stylish comic characters:
This one is a given. Who else can pull of a patriotic leotard, powerful metal cuffs and tiara all while lassoing a whip and managing to not have a hair out of place.
In some variations Storm wears all white, a two piece and even all black leather. But her signature that no artist can change is her long white locks. Forget Anderson Cooper, Storm is the original silver fox. Controling the weather at a whim (we really need her during this heatwave) she wore her gray with pride.
The only man to make the list. The Joker had eccentric style by the case load (not to mention mental issues). What man do you know can pull off white Kabuki makeup and red lips? All while being pathologically crazy and rocking a purple overcoat.
She is the one named Sailor Moon. How can you have a style list and not include Sailor Moon. Schoolgirl uniforms that transformed into tart skirts, long blonde pigtails and red go-go boots. Growing up my sisters and I would fight over who was Sailor, I mean she was the only one that mattered.
Black leather, cat ears, tall black boots and I’m talking the original felines (not Ms. Berry, Ms. Berry). Way before fitted black leather was fashion’s staple, Catwoman was the original fierce superhero and she still is.
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