Month: August 2019

Neon Biker Shorts

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Personal Style, Style, Trends. Leave a Comment

This past weekend hubs and I did absolutely nothing and it was perfect. Slept late, ate big breakfasts, caught up on movies we never got around to watching, and ate comfort food. Two full days of uninterrupted boo loving was just what the doctor ordered. Our baby girl is back to school, but summer’s not over yet. We still have three weeks till the official start of a new season. Which means y’all gone get these brights until then. Starting with these neon biker shorts.

I’ve gotta be honest, I was leery about wearing such a trendy piece. Especially since Philly jawns neon greened err body to DEATH this summer. But then I remembered I wear what I want (obasha) regardless. Once a decision was made finding these in store proved to be tricky. Forever 21 was sure to have them right? Wrong. I tried all my fast fashion go to’s only to end up where I should’ve started. The hair store.

Yes beloved, if there is anything I’ve learned it’s that the trendiest streetwear pieces can usually be found in the neighborhoods of those who set trends…. the hood. Make no mistake, that’s not shade at all. Black culture is pop culture and black women are trend setters. This is not up for debate. I’m actually mad myself for not going there first. I know better.

After finding a pair for $10 dollars I now had to decide how to style them. All signs pointed to a chunky sneaker and an iridescent fanny pack. Maybe add a visor and denim jacket as well? But failure to purchase said fanny pack eliminated that plan. Instead I opted to get another wear out of my favorite neon sandals. These Rachel Roy sandals circa 2010 are one of my favorite purchases. Perfect for doing the most. I figured why tone down the look when I can amplify it with more color.

To counter balance all the color below, I kept the top simple… so to speak. This fishnet peplum top adds a little edge to the entire look, which keeps it from being too campy. No purse or jacket needed, especially in this summer heat. If you find yourself avoiding a trend because “everyone” is already wearing it, remember that no one is quite like you. There’s room in this fashion universe for all of us to shine!

Top//Grazia , Shorts//Unknown , Shoes//Rachel Roy

Sequin Top + Glitter Pants

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Personal Style, Style. Leave a Comment

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved sequins. Tops, bottoms, bags, accessories, it didn’t matter as long as they sparkled. Years passed and that girl got a desk job, gaduated college, and let her love of all things glam take a back seat to pencil skirts and wrap dresses. Eventually her collection of glam dwindled, until one day she found a thrifted top and it reignited her love. Obviously, said girl is me and this week it’s all about my sequin top and glitter pants.

Adulting makes it incredibly easy to lose your sense of adventure when it comes to wardrobe. Cubicles, dress codes, and seminars pressure you to abandon your bright colors and certainly your sequins. Commuting an hour to work on public transportation doesn’t help. However, this second half of 2019 I’ve reconnected with my happy place.

The fun pieces I’ve worn in times past are coming out of retirement. Well, at least the ones I can still fit. This color block sequin top is one of them. A random trip to my local Goodwill and there it was, for just $5! Seriously, if you’ve never gone thrifting, you’re missing out. There are so many goodies waiting to be purchased. Soon after, a trip to H&M is where I found these glitter ankle pants.

The entire outfit was meant to be worn as my 33rd birthday look. However, that party never took place and I gained weight so the pants just sat unworn. A recent try-on had your girl feeling lovely since they now fit. I honestly couldn’t wait to wear this outfit. Remember those gold mules from last month? Well, here they are in silver. The perfect way to finish off the metallic theme.

Most people shy away from wearing these statement pieces during the day. But the idea that metallics are only for nighttime is ancient. Mix it up and add some pizzazz to your wardrobe!

Top//Thrifted , Pants//H&M , Shoes//Zara

Colorful Romper

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Personal Style, Style. Leave a Comment

Some days I feel super sassy, other days I feel refined and sophisticated. Then there are days I want to curl up in bed and eat chocolate. More often than not, those are usually the same days I’m scheduled for a blog photoshoot. So what do you wear when you’re hot, bloated, and you don’t want anything hugging your belly? My dear you wear a romper. A bright colorful romper to be exact!

After doing some digging I’ve discovered that I only have three posts on this here blog in shorts. You heard me, just three. All you shorts lovers out there, cut me some slack because I’ve only added them to my wardrobe recently. For two years I’ve been actively trying to incorporate shorts into the rotation. This romper has to count right?

This beautiful baby was found on another successful trip to Marshall’s. Although it’s pretty colorful, the bright coral caught my eye. It’s one of my favorite colors to wear in summer. The halter neckline was also appealing since I have few pieces that let me show off my shoulders. One trip to the fitting room and I was sold. The super silky lining feels amazing against the skin. The romper is tiered, making the waistline defined without being too tight. Considering these photos were shot during my period, I seriously appreciated that.

A romper is a great way to ease shorts into any wardrobe. They tend to be less restricting and more forgiving in the abdomen. The beautiful print reminds me of a tropical paradise. Extremely comfortable and affordable at just $16! What say you? Have you added any rompers to your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below.

Romper//Marshall’s , Shoes//Diamond Collection , Sunglasses//CVS

White Button Down Dress

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Personal Style, Style. Leave a Comment

A friend of mine asked me to describe my style last week and it took a moment to give her an answer. After some thought I told her that my style consisted of boardroom and the block. I pride myself on having a healthy blend of haute and hood and I make no apologies. That’s the great thing about style, there are no limits. When I shot today’s look, I was feeling minimal. The focus needed to be all about this v-neck white button down dress.

Summer is all about ease for me in terms of wardrobe. Dresses are always my go to because they require little effort. Just slip one on and go. The perfect routine when temperatures are high and humidity is a beast. With most of my summer white pieces now too small, a new white dress was a necessity. Before heading to Amazon I decided to try Zara.

Clearly that was a great decision. Since the brick and mortar store at 18th and Chestnut closed, I haven’t shopped there lately. But this dress was waiting for me and it was on sale. A cool $20 this lightweight knit dress is a steal. You may be thinking “Isn’t it too warm for knits?” However, the dress is thick enough to keep you warm on a cool night, and thin enough to keep you from sweating buckets.

The shoulder straps on this dress are actually a bit too long for me. A common problem I encounter being a petite woman, but that’s an easy fix. Something one trip to the cleaners will handle. The large round buttons going down the front are what attracted me to this piece. They stand out against the off white and add an unexpected twist to your basic white v-neck dress.

To ensure the dress alone was the center of attention I kept it simple with my accessories. For footwear I opted for low black wedges to match the buttons. Then chose these white and gold statement earrings. They are far from minimal but against this big curly wig, they are somewhat muted. No purse, no bracelet, no necklace. Just me and the dress. What are your thoughts? How would you rock this dress?

Dress//Zara , Shoes/Earrings//Aldo

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