Author: Shakira

Pleated Midi Skirt + Block Heels

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Ever have a weekend that was both AMAZING and draining at the same time? Yeah, totally describes this past weekend. Wedding planning errands, packing, a concert Saturday, followed by church and blog work on Sunday makes for a very tired Kira today.Nonetheless, I’m stoked about this week and everything that’s in store for us!

 

Last week I came across a necklace that I was certain I’d lost. Since I tend to add a statement necklace to most of my outfits you can imagine the horror of temporarily misplacing this baby right here. Happy to be reunited, I paired it with a basic t-shirt and pleated midi skirt.

Normally, I wouldn’t have paired this look with my Aldo block heels, since they’re so similar to the skirt, but I love how this turned out! This skirt fits like a dream and these heels are super comfy, perfect for the office. Cheers to a happy Monday, let’s slay this week loves! XO

Shirt//H&M , Skirt//Forever 21 , Necklace//Burlington , Shoes//Aldo 

Earth Tones

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Maybe it’s the anemia or the fact that I’m a church girl but I still wear tights and stockings. Call it retro, old fashioned, or whatever else I simply don’t care. I say this because today’s look sparked a conversation among my coworkers and I about whether tights are chic or shabby.

It was interesting to sit back and listen to everyone’s opinion. It reminded me of the local fieldwork assignments I’d have in undergrad as an Anthropologist. Listening, observing, taking notes… The older the coworker the more inclined she was to wear them, even on a daily basis. It was seen as inappropriate or risqué to be bare legged in the office.

While the Baby Boomers were calling stockings and tights foundational pieces, some of the Gen X women were more progressive. However, the overwhelming majority of my fellow millennial coworkers felt stockings were the spawn of Satan. An absolute fashion restriction. Tights were tthought only to be worn when cold weather requires such a covering. This is in sharp contrast to the older women I spoke to, most of whom were in stockings themselves.

In any case, I love a good fashion experiment and a good pair of tights lol! I’ve paired these tan tights with a lovely faux wrap dress and simple cardigan for the office. By adding my trench and a pair of neutral heels, the earth tones in my dress pop and I especially love the graphic print. So listen, I’m dying to know, are stockings chic or shabby to you??

Dress & Cardigan//H&M , Trench//DKNY , Shoes//Donald Pliner , Bag//Rampage , Sunnies//Smak Parlour 

 

Vintage Sweater + Kitten Heels

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I don’t know about you, but something absolutely magical occurs when I wash my hair. It’s as if a freshly clean scalp makes the entire body feel rejuvinated!

 

This weekend I said goodbye to my long locks and let my curly bob out of hiding. I achieved this loose curl texture by doing two strand twists and then teased the hair for a tossled effect. This should last all week provided I don’t roll out of my satin bonnet in bed, LOL!

Today’s look is from this past weekend. I kept it casual with basic skinnies and a vintage sweater. I added kitten heels and my favorite spring accessories to top it off. Here’s to slaying this Monday and having an amazing week, XO!

Sweater//Liz Claiborne , Jeans//H&M , Shoes//H&M , Sunnies//Smack Parlour , Tote//Ross 

Leather Sheath + Graphic Blazer

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*Breaking News* Spring is finally here… (for real this time). Flowers are in bloom and the city is full of life. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to see consistently mild temperatures. I can finally pull out my trench coat and favorite spring dresses!

Since spring and fall are both transitional seasons, I love styling leather and suede. These versatile pieces are perfect for me since I work evenings and travel home when the warm temperatures drop at night. Trust me ladies, don’t pack your leather away just yet!

Today’s look took me all of 5 minutes to throw on which is always  a win for me. I paired this comfy leather sheath with a shear blouse and a graphic blazer to add dimension. Super chic without all the fuss! XO

Blazer//H&M , Dress//Banana Republic , Top//Marshall’s 

Love as a Way of Life

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In this last chapter Sally Clarkson shared with us how her son Nathan left home for film school in New York, a city full of temptation and was confronted with his own commitment to the Lord. How would Nathan live his life? How would he use his time on campus to make an impact in the lives of  his classmates? It was simple…Nathan chose to love. God is love and He uses us to express His love to others! 

  1. Love is patient. Are there people in your life who need to see your patience so they’ll have time to grow? As the eldest child of three, I can often taken on the role of sister/parent. This can sometimes result in being demanding and critical. I’m the oldest, I’ve been there done that, just do what I say… This is not how you show your siblings godly patience. Moving forward, I want to create a place of safety for them where they have space to learn, grow, and become their own unique selves.
  2. Love is kind. What do you need to do to give kindness to others? Being kind means that I take the time to consider someone else’s feelings, perspective, and their situation. It is to be selfless and Christlike. To really spread kindness, I can not be self-centered.

To truly love as a way of life means to totally yeild our lives to the leadership of Jesus Christ. To learn and accept his love for us, and to then spread that love abroad. We must invest our time into caring for those around us, as well as ourselves!

We’ve come to the end of our devotional series “You Are Loved: Embracing God’s love for You” and I have to say that I’ve enjoyed these last eight weeks. A healthy relationship with the Lord is one that stands on the foundation of his love for us. His unwavering, unchanging, unconditional love. What an amazing gift!

Wool Cardigan + Gray Ankle Boots

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Happy Friday! Hope all is well with you, I’ve had a busy week full of budget setting and venue hunting in preparation for the big day. Let me tell you ladies, it just got REAL, lol!

I’ve had six weeks of sheer shock and “omg am I really engaged” moments and now I’ve crossed over into “yo…what’s the budget for this jawn”. Needless to say, I will keep you all posted during the process.

So umm…. This March weather? Like, I just can’t you guys. One day it’s 70 degrees and sunny, the next it’s 40 and raining. Gotta love spring right?

Anyways, today’s look is my remedy for such sporadic weather. It tends to be chilly in the early morning and evening but warm throughout the afternoon.

So I decided to rock a heavy cardigan and some ankle boots to keep me warm…add some skinnies and I’m weekend ready. Have a great one loves, see you next week, XO!

Cardigan//Vintage , Top & Jeans//H&M , Shoes//Zara 

Glasses//Uptown Swank Boutique 

 

Loving is Our Kingdom Work

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Love is God’s universal language. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves and in doing such, we become more like Christ. Many times people can’t understand God’s love and forgiveness for them because they haven’t felt such love from the humans around them. Here are some facts about real love:

  • Love is an obedient choice
  • Love heals relationships
  • Love is the beginning of friendships
  • Love initiates
  • Love inspires others
  • Love comforts

As I reflect on these truths, I realize that I can surely grow in this area. To show the love of Christ everyday means I need to see every interaction as an opportunity to sow. People should know that I’m a believer after being in my presence or observing how I carry myself and serve others. This will require me to abandon my assumptions, prejudgments, and past grudgrs so that I can effectively be used by God to bring healing and compassion. What a privilege to love and be loved!

Baby Blue Coat + Baby Pink Pants

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TGIF loves! Yes, I know I’m a horrible friend for being mia on the fashion front lately. The honest to God truth is that I totally have some organizing to do both personally and professionally.

That’s certainly no excuse but at the very least you deserve to know why I’ve been slacking. Moving forward, expect more consistency from ya girl!

In other news, spring is here!!!! This is my least favorite season but honey, this year I’ve welcomed it with all my heart, allergies and all. To celebrate, I’ve decided to get decked out in the traditional pastel colors of baby pink and blue.

Here’s to changing seasons and prescription refills. Talk to you soon, XO!

Coat//H&M , Top//Uniqlo , Pants//Uniqlo , Shoes//H&M , Bag//Ross 

You’re Invited

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Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that one small seed is capable of producing a very big harvest. In this same way each of us have the power to plant seeds of faith, hope, and love to the people God has placed in our lives. Our job is to plant, the Lord will send the water.

Last week we finished “You’re Invited”, chapter 6 of our You Are Loved devotional. In this lesson Angela shared the beautiful story of her mother Diana’s salvation. Raised by parents who hadn’t experienced Christ’s redemptive power, Diana received her invitation to discipleship from her childhood friend Peggy. Peggy’s mother was a godly woman who lived a righteous life before her daughter, thus teaching her to extend the gospel of Christ to others. In the seemingly small everyday tasks of being a wife and mother Peggy’s mom changed Diana’s life!

  1. In what ways can you be obedient to God right now in the mundane tasks of your life? Working evening shift means that I have more time before work to devote to spiritual, physical, and professional development. I’ve totally been slacking when it comes to prioritizing my time and maximizing my day. Making these changes will also help me be more present at work and operate in a spirit of excellence on the job.
  2. What are some ways God is calling you to be a light for Him in your community? Most of my day is spent at work, thus making this the primary field in which I can sow. I work in a call center with a fast paced, high stress environment. As a result many of my coworkers are consumed by worry and anxiety. More than ever I often feel the Holy Spirit reminding me to be a voice of encouragement and peace. To wisely insert the Jehovah Shalom wherever he is needed. To live a consistent life before others so that God gets all the glory.
  3. Who can you be a “Peggy’s Mom” to in your life? In what ways can you intentionally introduce them to God? As I prepare to marry my fiancé I am also preparing to become a mother to his daughter. My desire is to live a life that shows her how to be a virtuous, loving, spirit led woman who is determined to live for Christ. Loving her as my own daughter and allowing her to see God’s love in action is a wonderful way to introduce her to Christ.

As you can see, all it takes is a seed. You and I have been put on this earth to be living witnesses who can attest to the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. Let’s always strive to plant seeds wherever we go and allow them to take root that God would produce a harvest for the kingdom. Today we begin week 7 entitled “Loving is our Kingdom Work” below are this week’s meditation scriptures along with the memory verse. God bless everyone, happy Monday!

 

 

You Can Trust Him

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What is trust? Webster’s dictionary defines trust (n) as: “assured reliance on the character, strength, truth of someone or something.” Trust is said to be hard to earn but easily lost. However, when it comes to our relationship with the Lord, we must remember that He is not like man. He is faithful and merciful, even when His methods are mysterious. With this in mind, let’s review a few reflection questions from last week.

  1. How has God been faithful to you in the past? God’s fingerprints are all over my life. Looking back, I can plainly see how He has protected me from unseen danger and heartache. One of the most crucial seasons of my life was during college when my faith and my intelligence was constantly in question. Somehow, God kept his hand on me and I was able to graduate without losing my moral compass.
  2. How does realizing nothing can touch you that doesn’t first come through God help you trust Him? It reassures me that no matter what I am facing the outcome is victorious as long as my faith is in Him. Even things I don’t understand have to work in my favor.
  3. Who has God placed in your life to help you through the hard paths you’ve had to walk? All covenant relationships must be tested. As a result my closest friends are vetted and have been a source of strength and love. Also, my parents ate the most pivotal people in my life. Their flaws and strengths are both vital to my development. Godly parents aren’t perfect, just perfect for their child.

Friend, if you’re facing a season of loss, disappointment, or betrayal please know that with God, your story is always being rewritten to bring Him glory. You are not alone and you are not defeated!

As usual, Monday we began a new chapter, lesson six “You’re Invited”. The focus of this week is sharing God’s love with family and friends. I hope you are finding the lesson helpful; feel free to update me on your progress. Here are this week’s meditation scriptures…

Join the village