Normally I’m surprised at how fast the weekend arrives but this week I found myself counting down the days. It’s been one of those weeks and I can’t speak for you but I’m most definitely looking forward to sleeping in late tomorrow!
In the meantime I’ve decided to change scenery a bit and head to Dilworth Park at City Hall. Today’s look is all about this beautiful plaid blanket scarf, one of my favorite wardrobe pieces from Uniqlo. In fact, my entire ensemble is courtesy of Uniqlo. I have to say they’ve become my go to place for warm winter apparel. It’s a Godsend for someone anemic like myself. Well, cheers to the weekend loves, I hope this week has been a blessed one. Stay warm! XO
This winter I’m trying something new, a lace front wig. I seldom have the patience to sit long enough for braids or sew in weaves so wigs are my go to protective style. I’ve been wearing this unit for about a week and I’m loving the look. The lace itself can be scratchy if you don’t cut it off well enough but overall I’m impressed. Prepared to see this wig until Spring arrives. No, seriously. As for the rest of today’s look it’s all about these olive corduroys. I love this shade of green on my complexion! I’ve decided to pair them with a camel colored turtleneck and my olive cowgirl boots. This cord/turtleneck combo might just be my winter uniform… XO
Turtleneck//H&M , Pants//UNIQLO , Boots//NINE WEST
This week I’ve been browsing a few stores in town and I have to say I find myself sincerely missing Daffy’s department store. Usually this time of year I’d be finding little one of a kind gems in the sale section of the coat and shoe departments. I always managed to find dope pieces, such as this featured coat. This faux fur number from DKNY is at least 10 years old. It’s become my go to winter piece when I’m in the mood for a little drama. Today’s look is centered around this coat. Since it’s also a work day I’ve played it down by pairing it with a monochrome ensemble. Perfect way to add dimension to all over winter white! XO
Coat//DKNY , Sweater//H&M , Pants//UNIQLO , Shoes//Donald J. Pliner ,
This weekend we saw a few flurries here in Philly and I have to say I was psyched! For the past four years, without fail, it has snowed on my boyfriend’s birthday. Like seriously, every single time. It’s weird but we hardly ever see snow anymore prior to the Martin Luther King Jr holiday. Now that we’re in the heart of the winter season with two more months to go, I figured I can pull out the corduroy pants. Today’s look features a fabulous sweater I found while thrifting, my comfy cords, and my even comfier Nike’s. Here’s to the start of another fabulous week! XO
We are currently halfway through the first month of this new year and to be honest, I started the year with no clue of what I wanted. All I could think about was recovering from last year. That was my one goal. It’s taken me a little longer than I’d hoped but I finally have some clarity and a vision for the year ahead. I have six goals, five I’ll share publicly with you all.
Healthy mind & body – This should go without saying but I actually don’t take care of my health like I should. After spending literally half of 2014 in the hospital or on laid up in bed due to kidney stones and infections, I should have made radical dietary changes. While I started off strong in 2015, by mid year I slipped back into old habits of high salt and sugar consumption. Not to mention stress and financial issues meant I wasn’t sleeping well. This time around, I want both mind and body to be in alignment. Daily prayer and exercise this year are nonnegotiable.
Get my Driver’s License – I really have no explanation for why this goal wasn’t accomplished at age sixteen other than pure laziness. At thirty-two years of age I’ve had plenty of time to achieve this goal. Time to stop stalling and just do it already!
Clear credit card debt – The reason 2015 was so rough was largely due to the debt I’d accumulated the two years before. Unexpected medical expenses along with already increasing credit card debt all compounded at once. Not to mention recent student loan wage garnishment this past fall. Listen loves, ain’t nothing glamorous about looking good while being flat broke. This ends now!
Plan 4 Getaways – I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, if you broke stay ya butt home!” I totally get it, but by getaway I don’t mean a trip to Australia. Instead maybe a weekend in Atlantic City or a trip to New York or Boston. Yes folks, I fully intend to pay off my debt AND get my Groupon on in 2016.
Earn at least 5K Blogging – Of all the goals on my list, this seems like the most impossible. It’s something that I know nothing about and something that terrifies me to death. Which is exactly why I refuse to take this off the list. I love blogging and I know that I haven’t even scratched the surface of what Sing Pray Shop can truly become. I look forward to growing with you all as a woman, blogger, and even entrepreneur in this year ahead!
We’re in the second week of the new year and I pray things are starting well for you all. Lately I’ve really been into chunky knits and suede. These are winter staples that always deliver both style and functionality, perfect go tos for any chic woman. Today’s look features one of the warmest items in my wardrobe, this cable knit sweater dress. I’ve paired it with sparkly tights and suede heels to add dimension to the overall monochromatic look. Stay chic and stay warm loves!
December 31, 2014 I stood in watch night service at church with my family earnestly making declarations for the coming year. 2015 was to be the year I got married, the year I released a short EP, and my year of debt cancellation. Not one of these actually happened. In many ways 2015 absolutely sucked…but it was also the best year of my life! If I could sum it all up in one word it’d be correction.In many ways I’m a control freak and as such, my perfectly made plans became more important than my relationship with God. I began ignoring the holy spirit and charting a new course without my navigator. As a result, God demolished the idols I’d made of weddings and stages, forcing me to confront my fears and character flaws. For this reason, the events of the past year had to happen. They were pretty painful but they produced good fruit. As a result, there are things that I’ve shed and left behind me…
The need to have all the answers – Even in a romantic context, I generally hate surprises. As far back as I can remember I’ve planned my own birthday parties. I plan my outfits for the week. I plan my meals and only pair certain sides and entrees. I plan EVERYTHING and when I can’t control my situation my anxiety goes through the roof. Needless to say, if things don’t go as predicted, it can be very hard to adjust. Such was the case last year and it wasn’t until the 4th quarter of 2015 that I truly became aware that I don’t have to manipulate every detail of my life. As a child of God, my only priority is to submit my plans to Him and seek wise counsel. As I learn His will for my life through His word, my will begins to line up with His and I gain peace resting on His promises. My life is in God’s hands and there is a divine time table for everything He’s ordained for me…this I can unload the weight needing to have all the answers.
Making emotional decisions – Perhaps the most important lesson of 2015 for me was the realization that I don’t always hear from God. I pride myself on having an active prayer life and a personal relationship with God. However, there in was the problem… pride. While there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in something, that pride can easily turn into arrogance and self righteousness. As an intercessor, I failed to realize my growing haughtiness and “I know God hears me” attitude. Intercessors can sometimes become big headed, feeling that whatever we ask/want/desire God will surely bless. Although the bible does encourage us to ask anything in faith and it shall be given, our request must line up with God’s word and His will. Being lead by my emotions last year, specifically frustration and fear, resulted in dullness of hearing. My emotions were louder than the voice of the God.
Fear of failure – Having struggled with fear all my life, I am many times paralyzed from true progress, despite being a control freak. However, having failed big time in certain areas last year, I can now say I’m so glad I did! Failure is apart of success. I am 32 and I have a lot of mistakes yet to make. I refuse to allow fear of failure to keep me from making new plans and taking action. I’ve already survived embarrassment and have learned necessary lessons. God doesn’t want us to stop planning, dreaming, and creating our lives…but as our father, He does wasn’t us to trust His word and seek His guidance.
Well loves, I hope this has been insightful and encouraging. Especially for those who’ve experienced a much different 2015 than expected. I look forward to sharing more inspirational content rooted in my faith. My hope is that my transparency is relatable to you. Let’s get ready for a much better 2016! XO, Kira
No matter what you’ve experienced in 2015 I hope it made you stronger and wiser. I’ll be sharing my personal reflections on this past year along with my goals for 2016 all week on the blog, so meet me back here for that conversation. To kick off the first full week of the new year I’m starting with a style post! I spent my NYE in my favorite place as usual, church. Every year my family spends that evening in worship with our church family bringing in the new year with praise and gratitude.
Dress//Wet Seal , Scarf//K. Vaughn , Boots//Diamond Collection , Accessories//H&M
