Author: Shakira

5 Ways to Closet Cleanse

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Well folks, we are two weeks into this new season. The introduction of spring is often synonymous with spring cleaning. A time to reevaluate your surroundings and make the necessary adjustments. For many of us this means it’s also time for a little wardrobe purge so to speak. Here how to quickly and successfully cleanse your closet:

  1. START – This may sound obvious, but as someone who is notorious for procrastinating, I know first hand how easy it is to delay the inevitable. No matter how much work needs to be done, it’ll never get done if you refuse to start! Start with your shoes and accessories if need be and work your way up to clothing.
  2. TRY IT ON – I hate trying on clothes; especially clothes I already own, but I’m a weirdo that way. However, since gaining 20 lbs last year (intentionally but now somewhat regretfully) I’m forced to currently try on everything! Think about it, it’s literally been a year since you’ve worn some of these pieces. You need to know if they still fit at all or just need to be tailored for your present weight.
  3. KEEP IT REAL – Let’s be honest, you have no intention of wearing that tiered mini skirt no matter how big ruffles are this year. Let it go! On the other hand, those bell bottoms you’ve been holding onto since 11th grade would be clutch right now. My point is that by putting your emotional attachments to certain garments aside, you can be more decisive when purging.
  4. ORGANIZE – Now that you know what’s staying and what’s leaving it’s time to organize your clothing. Keep some transitional items (sweaters, ankle boots, lightweight leather, etc..that can be styled for spring) in reach all month as temps tend to vary. Pack away heavy winter items neatly and make room for your spring/summer wardrobe. If you store your shoes in bins or boxes, I recommend leaving your go-to shoes out for easy access. 
  5. REPAIR & REPURPOSE – Take the items you no longer want and be a blessing to someone who can use them. Whether it’s someone you know or at the local salvation army but don’t trash anything unless it’s completely ruined. Inspect the clothing and accessories you’re keeping to see if anything needs to be hemmed, taken in/out, buttons replaced, soles fixed, etc… The key to getting the most from your clothes lies in your care and creativity!

So there you have it, my quick and easy tips for closet cleansing. I hope your spring cleaning is a success, comment below and let me know if this was helpful. Talk to you soon, XO!

Burgundy Argyle Skirt

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Although we are about two weeks into this Spring season many of us here in Philadelphia have learned to keep those sweaters and coats handy. It’s good to be prepared just in case a snow storm should come our way just in time for Easter. March and April are always wild card months in the Delaware Valley. By the time we reach May we’ve gone from bitter cold, to cool, to summer heatwave…all in the span of eight weeks.

As a result, I’ve decided to slowly transition into spring by pairing some of my heavier winter pieces with lighter fabrics. My anemia prohibits me from going bare legged this early but pretty soon the tights and stockings will be put away in favor of open toe shoes and ballet flats.

Today’s look is entirely centered around this beautiful argyle sweater skirt. Similar to the green one I wore a while back, this pencil skirt fits like a glove while being totally comfy. The sweater material is super soft and the bubble gum pink looks amazing in contrast with the burgundy and black.

I decided to pair it with a matching quarter sleeve sweater and keep the footwear simple with black stilettos. I added dainty pink jewelry with my staple rose gold pieces for an extra feminine touch. I promise you that I can wear this outfit all day without feeling restricted or stiff. Chic and comfortable is always a win in my book. Here’s to the start of a new season and the beginning of an awesome week, XO!

Sweater//H&M , Skirt//New York & Co , Shoes//Zara , Purse//Rampage , Jewelry//Burlington Coat Factory 

JORD Giveaway

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Guess who’s back?! It’s been quite some time since my last post but the time away was necessary as I am still recovering from an accident. However, today is a new day and I’m finally well enough to sit up at my desk and share with you all. That being  said, happy International Women’s Day to all my fabulous lady bosses! Kudos to those of you who are off duty or wearing red today in support of “A Day without a Woman”. I’ll admit I have some personal thought on this “strike” but I will save that for another time, possibly a culture post.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram know that I received a gorgeous gift for Valentine’s Day. I now have a beautiful new time piece courtesy of JORD Watches. Founded in 2013 with a focus on crafting designer watches from all natural materials, JORD timepieces offer sustainability and efficiency to fit a modern lifestyle.

I recently wore my emerald and zebra-wood watch and it was truly a conversation starter! I’ll admit initially I had some reservations about how to style this piece for dressier occasions, given it’s wood bracelet, but I was pleasantly surprised by the result. I found the perfect sheath dress by NY & Co from their Eva Mendes Collection to accompany my new accessory.

The green sequins with subtle metallic gold work so well together in this striped pattern. They offer just the right amount of glam for a daytime ensemble and bring out the emerald face of my watch. I added my trusty leather jacket and black heels to keep things simple, but opted for gold jewelry and a vintage black chain purse to complete the look.

As a way to say thank to you, my amazing online family, I’ve partnered with JORD to give you a chance to score your own fabulous watch! One lucky reader will receive $100 off a JORD watch of their choosing and ALL who enter receive a $25 off any JORD purchase. Contest ends 3/10 so don’t sleep, enter by clicking here  Good luck ladies, talk to you soon!

The Love Letters: Dear Groom to Be

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First, I want to thank you. Thank you for taking a moment to have this conversation with me. SO you have made the decision, beyond all doubts and emotions, you have made the decision… CONGRATS. No matter what the price of the ring or how insignificant YOU try to make it (because of course you told yourself “this is the best I can do” secretly hoping she will accept it and wear it proudly), CONGRATS.

The one thing you didn’t recognize (and she would never know) this is the most vulnerable moment you’ve experienced with her to date. She’ll never truly know how much this means to you & if you’re honest with yourself, it means a lot more then even you realize. You are baring your all to her and with a few simple words both of you’re lives may change forever. “Will you marry me?”

The greatest thing about this moment is this was all intentional. The ring, proposal, the expectation of her reaction. Now what’s next? Do everything else with the SAME intentional passion!! Love, biblically lead, & listen to her in a way that’s indescribable. If she has dreams encourage, excite, & champion for her in ways that only she’d understand. Surround yourself with righteous future grooms & current husbands who think/show the type of Godly love that reflects your type of love for her.

Word from the wise, DO NOT LISTEN listen to those who have “general advice” about marriage. Save YO SELF homie! If not I got a song for you called “Did it to yoself”currently unreleased, but burning up the charts in all major markets, lol.  Secondly, whatever word you do accept, be sure to test them by the fruit of the giver. What do I mean by this? Everyone has advice for you based on THEIR experience with THEIR mate. Decide if you want your marriage to bare the same fruit.

Third, she is your friend & soon to be wife; your words & actions become her security blanket so your consistency will win every time. Lastly, NEVER forget you are husband & wife FIRST! Doesn’t matter how many kids you have, what the rest of your family demands of you, or what the world says you OWE to each other first. If either of you find yourselves negotiating “husband & wife time” based on outside demands, its time to stop, drop, & roll (book title is free, the rest you have to pay for). Be the man she learned to love & grow together. I wish you both God’s best & once again congrats on the engagement. We’re all here championing for you both!

Sincerely,

Jason

 

Moto Jacket + Neutrals

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TGIT loves and a hello to you! Ya girl is certified tired from working overtime all week, but I thank God in advance for the paycheck that is soon to come, lol. It’s Thursday and I’m counting down the hours until I get to curl back up in bed and watch HTGAWM to find out what Annelise has to say to the Keating four (five if you count Oliver). Until then I figure I’d get back to business and share today’s look with you all.

My favorite wrap skirt is back and this time I’ve paired it with some cool grays and taupes. In my opinion gray is one of the most under appreciated neutrals in the spectrum. It’s unbelievably versatile and can be worn in various shades all year round.

This multicolor scarf, which I’ve had for years, literally pulls the entire outfit together. It adds some dimension and even brings out the color of my suede booties.

Since the weather is on the milder side this week I opted for my go to quilted leather jacket. A pair of big sunnies and my gray tote complete the look.

For fun I chose a dark brown lip to break up all that gray. No ironing neccessary for today’s look, which is a win when you’re pressed for time. Here’s to a happy Thursday loves, go be great!

Jacket & Tote//Zara , Top & Skirt//Uniqlo , Shoes//Urban Outfitters , Scarf//H&M 

The Love Letters: Dear Bride to Be

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Phillipians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” 

Whether you have 8 weeks or 18 months until you say “I Do” you may currently find yourself getting overwhelmed. If so, let me say this plainly, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Having been engaged for a year this Sun, I’ve been there and even as I write this I may have obstacles yet to overcome. However, I want you to pause for a minute and meditate on the scripture above. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you don’t have to succomb to the madness. You can delight yourself in the Lord and receive His peace.

Even if you’ve planned your wedding in your mind since the age of 6, nothing compares to the actual task of planning a wedding. There are so many details to consider, so many decisions to make, so many people to accommodate, so many pieces to the puzzle… It can honestly become stressful. You may find yourself disagreeing with your fiancé or having an all out fight. The ideas of family and friends may sometimes drown out your own voice, not to mention the task of blending two families and two sets of expectations. Opinions, however well intentioned, may hurt your feelings and sabatouge your self-esteem. Lastly, you and your fiance will no doubt frequently consider running away from everyone to elope. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so, please be sure it is your genuine desire and not a reaction to the stress of your engagement.

So how can you defeat or avoid overwhelm and manage to make your engagement a time of joy? First things first, you must remember why you said yes. The goal is for both of you to use this season of engagement to receive wise counsel and allow God to uncover, discover, correct, or re-direct. Believing you’ve found the one is not enough. This belief must be confirmed and your profession of love must be proven. I promise you that your love will be tested. However, use those unexpected challenges and hurdles to strengthen your love for each other and forge an unbreakable bond.

There will be those whose comments about the institution of marriage make you second guess your decision to committ. Those who tell you you’re losing your freedom or wasting your time since 50% of marriages fail. There will be those who are jealous (both openly and privately) and their lack of support and their absence during this season may hurt, but stay focused. Let your love for God and your love for each other be your motivation, not the desire to stunt on “haters”. After all, we’ve all been jealous of someone currently in a season we wish to enter. Maintain an attitude of grace and humility. Use this time to beautify your spirit and your appearance. Be like Esther and pamper yourself as you prepare for your king.  Seek the Lord for wisdom on how to properly love your Groom. Ask God to reveal the purpose of your union and how it will impact the Kingdom.

It is my prayer that as you transition from girlfriend to fiance to wife that you will do so with grace and discernment. Refuse to be a bridezilla and an ego maniac. Contrary to popular belief it is not “all about the bride”, it’s about the couple. Lay a strong foundation during your engagement built on love, trust, honesty, and integrity. Do this and I promise you’ll be your own #RelationshipGoals !

With love,

Kira

 

V-Day Gifts for Him under $50

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Well folks, we’ve officially entered crunch time with less than one week until love day. Fortunately, I’m here to help you find just the right gift for your bae, bestie, dad, brother, or any other special man in your life. Here are my top 5 picks :

“1 Million” Paco Rabanne – This cologne has it all fom grapefruit, peppermint, leather, musk, and amber to name a few. Every note of this fragrance adds a new dimension of masculinity and blend in perfect harmony for a fresh, spicy experience. The gold bar bottle design screams wild west and pay tribute to Rabanne’s love of metallics.

Detroit Grooming Co. – For any member of the Beard Gang, Detroit Grooming Co. has just what you need to stay fresh to death without harming the environment. A company for the man with style, DGC produces an entire line of soaps, butters, beard oils, and shaving products. Products range from as low as $19 to $150 and are sure to wow your special guy.

Born Again Apparel – This Philadelphia based company was created for urban young men and women who have no problem representing the Kingdom of God. Streetstyle with a message, BAA is “not just a brand but a lifestyle“. The brain child of young entrepreneur Andre Willis this new clothing line is one to watch as his designs cater to believers of all ages.

Tile App – Thanks to the people at Tile finding lost items has never easier. This tiny is Bluetooth tracker and app helps you find everyday items in seconds. The Tile family consists of a small device for your keys and also one for your wallet. Log into the app and select the item missing, then double tap your tracker to locate your missing item. This is perfect for the tech guy on your list!

Passion Planner – Created in 2013 by Angelia Trinidad Passion Planner is not just another datebook for the man obsessed with organization, instead it ia a mini roadmap to creating the year (and life) you want! Complete with thought provoking questions to navigate each week of the year and a Passion Roadmap to help your guy set goals for himself, this is the gift that keeps on giving.

Mustard V-Neck + Dark Denim

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No Monday blues for Patriot fans today unless you count our patriotic navy, LOL. Yes, ya girl is a New England Patriots fan. Philly is my home but the Eagles have never captured my heart.

The Atlanta Falcons owned last night’s game the entire first half, and well into the 4th quarter with a 28 to 9 lead over New England. In a MAJOR upset the Pats beat the Falcons scoring 31 unanswered points late in the game to win the Super Bowl 51 in overtime. Truly an entertaining game!

To keep the party going I’ve decided to sport some celebratory blue in my makeup and outfit. This deep midnight blue by Maybelline is a part of their newest color sensation line. Rich, velvety, and totally out of my normal color palette I’m so glad I took a chance on this lip color.

The blue contrasts perfectly with my mustard sweater and indigo skinnies. I’ve decided to take a multicolored neck scarf and wear it as a head wrap. The colors pair perfectly with my Aria handcrafted African jewelry. One of my favorite recent holiday gifts.

Lastly, I threw on my go to rider boots and grabbed my black tote. I’m Audi 5000, ready to tackle another day. Here’s to the start of an amazing week!

Sweater//Uniqlo , Jeans & Scarf//H&M , Boots//Clarks , Jewelry//Aria 

The Love Letters: Dear God

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Inspiration, Life. 2 Comments

1 John 4:7-9 says:

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

Your love for me is nothing short of death defying. Literally. You move heaven and earth for me. I am Daddy’s little girl and your thoughts for me are good and not evil. I must admit I still don’t understand exactly why you love me so fiercely. So completely. So unconditionally. This love, this amazing love is the air I breathe. What did I do to deserve this kind of love? Why are you so intent on staying committed to loving me when, at times it is unrequited? Surely someone else is more suitable. More worthy of such affection. You see, there are parts of me that bring me shame. Parts that threaten to discredit the woman you’ve always known me to be.

When I tell you this you insist on reminding me that you knew me before creation and how you long to be close to me. You are relentless in your pursuit of me. Though it sometimes makes me nervous, and I fear I will let you down, please don’t ever stop. Your love has changed me. It has made me brave and it has inspired me to love at all costs. Your love has been my armor and my mirror. When the lies of this world threaten my beauty, character, or my worth it is your love that reinforces who I am. My purpose is found in You and You alone. Father, your love for me has shown me what to expect from any man who desires my affection. It has raised the standard for all who claim to love me. Your love has also been the mirror of my character. Showing me the places that don’t quite look like your “selfie”. The parts that are rebellious and stubborn. Holiness is the fruit of loving you and it is your love that pushes me to forgive those who’ve hurt me and love my enemies. Your love is compassion. It is strength. It is the most transformative power I know.

Thank you for loving me. You are a good, good father, full of mercy and grace, justice and truth. I won’t run from it anymore but I will rest in it. I will stand up in it and allow it to remove all my fear. This is a relationship I will never regret. You are the lover of my soul. I am yours and you are mine.

Sincerely Yours,

Kira

 

V-Day Gifts for Her Under $50

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We’re two weeks away from love day and if you’re still searching for the perfect gift for mom, bestie, bae or sissy. From the socialite to the bookworm here are some gifts that will be sure to put a smile on her face.

Belle Marron Beauty – Cortney Love and Tyshia Ingram are the epitome of sisterhood. Besties, bloggers, and brown girl advocates these women have created an all natural skin care and beauty line for women of color. Their unique mineral foundation is divided into “tribes” based on the beautiful assortment that is brown skin. Foundation sets are just $30 & the Belle Box gift set is $50.

Halo by Angel – Actress, Host, Spokesperson, and Entrepreneur Angel Mobley has launched a fabulous new line of luxe lip products and hair extensions called Halo by Angel. Empowering women with the love of God through her unique brand of products Miss Mobley has nemed all of her lippies after arch angels. Featured here are Michael & Gabriel with sparle overlay. Lip paints & liquid lippies start at $15 with sparkles ($11) sold separately.

Samoe Watches – Sporty girls and Girly girls alike all love a great time piece and Ebags.com has some fashinable and affordable otpions for every woman on your list. This denim Samoe brand watch is perfect for the woman who’d rather wear tennis shoes over heels and at only $36 dollars it’s worth every penny.

Rebecca Minkoff Studs – For the dainty, demure young woman on your list a pair of ruby studs are the perfect valentine’s day gift to add to her collection. Now, before you yell about breaking the bank, these designer babies are lab created with sterling silver backing. Quality design and craftsmanship for only $38 dollars.

Lollia Perfume – I know what you’re thinking, “Perfume Kira, really? That’s so cliche”. Before you log off, hear me – no matter who you’re buying for a good bottle of perfume will be appreciated. Sporty, sophisticated, sultry, sexy, whimsical, fresh, etc… there are fragrances for everyone. This $50 Lollia fragrance has notes of vanilla, jasmine, and wood for a delightful scent light enough for daily use.

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