Tag: philly blogger

Reflections: Life Lessons from the last Decade

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Inspiration, Life, Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

Happy New Year!! This is my first official blog post of the new year and the new decade. I pray that you enjoyed your holiday season and were able to spend time with those you love. I’ve spent lots of time reflecting on life these last two months. As a result, I’ve decided to compile some of my takeaways in a new series. This week’s installment is all about Life Lessons from the last Decade.

1. Adulting is infinitely harder without Christ

Call me churchy, idc idc idc! The fact remains life would be much harder without Jesus Christ. I could eat all the gluten free, juice all the veggies, do all the pilates, say all the affirmations, buy all the crystals, burn all the sage and NOTHING would be as effective as the transformative power of salvation. Why? Because accepting Christ includes receiving the “helper” aka the Holy Spirit. The one who leads me and guides me into all truth. This means I always have access to peace, resources, healing, wisdom, & hope.

2. Apply for ALL the scholarships

I racked up so much unnecessary student loan debt in undergrad because I was ignorant about just how many scholarships were available to me. And the few scholarships my guidance counselors did suggest? I was too lazy to write the necessary essays to earn free funds. BIG mistake. In the days of old college was the place to explore, be curious, “find yourself”. Frankly, there are less expensive ways to discover your passion. If college is indeed necessary for your career, I suggest starting with a 2 yr community college first and by all means, get some FREE money!

3. FEAR is the root of Self-Sabotage

Procrastination has always been my biggest challenge. Many instructors from high school to college have said that I was an A student who would get C grades only because I procrastinated. This applied to both subjects I excelled and ones where I was failing. The fear of actually succeeding made me avoid certain work. Why? Because then I couldn’t hide that I was capable of more. Then there were subjects like chemistry where the fear of failing became a reality. I didn’t understand the material and was to stubborn to prioritize tutoring. Pride will keep you from asking for help. All of these behaviors are rooted in fear. Fear of failure AND success.

4. Growth is never Comfortable

The wisdom I’ve gained over the past 10 years is not a byproduct of time, because you can be older and not wiser, but a product of growth. The reality of life is that decisions are the building blocks of destiny. Some of the decisions I’ve made have produced good fruit, some produced bitter fruit, both produced newfound wisdom. We learn from our mistakes and then make better choices. Some things I was able to avoid all together thanks to God’s word, wise counsel, and witnessing another’s plight. The last 5 years especially were full of personal growth. They were also some of the roughest… but it was just the refining fire. The pruning of my leaves so I can bear Godly fruit. That growth may be uncomfortable because you end up in unfamiliar territory. But that’s where the magic happens!

I’m sure there are more but I wanted to leave you with these for now. Check back same time next week when I discuss love lessons! Xoxo

Top//HM , Skirt//Burlington, Boots//Go Jane , Bag//Warrior Princess Closet

5 Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal

Written by Shakira on . Posted in Inspiration, Life. Leave a Comment

Ever since I was a pre-teen I’ve kept a journal. My mother purchased my first one in middle school. In her spare time, she was a writer. Poetry and songs written in beautiful penmanship tucked away in stacks of dusty notebooks. She encouraged me to write as a way to be creative. I don’t think she realized just how therapeutic it would be also. Nowadays I begin every entry with gratitude. Naming at least 3 things for which I’m grateful. Doing so has changed my perspective. In this post we’ll discover 5 benefits of keeping a gratitude journal.

1. Shifts Our Focus

One can certainly argue that journaling in general relieves stress. Keeping one allows us to identify problems by writing through our thoughts and feelings. Thus, we are more likely to uncover the solutions. However, a gratitude journal not only helps organize thoughts, it helps increase mindfulness. How? By shifting the focus from problems to blessings. We arw are suddenly more aware of what’s going right in our lives. Not what’s wrong.

2. A More Positive Mood

Now more than ever it appears our society is hypersensitive to the perils of this world. Doom and gloom are front and center in the media along with our own individual challenges. The simple practice of naming all the things we’re grateful for trains our brain to be more aware of positivity. This daily reprogramming will increase our overall happiness over time.

3. Greater Satisfaction

I have seen firsthand that expressing my gratitude has given me greater satisfaction. Even scrolling through social media I no longer feel “behind” or “unaccomplished” or “covetous”. Why? Because I am satisfied with my present. Each day I’m reminded of how much I have. How much I’m loved. How far I’ve come as a person. This fills me with thankfulness and that leaves little room for comparison.

4. Better Sleep

First let me say that I work evening shift. So in general, I don’t fall asleep right away when I get in from work. However, I’ve certainly noticed that taking time to write in my gratitude journal before bed has calmed my spirit. After a hot shower, this allows me to refelct and relax. No anxious, worrisome thoughts keeping me awake all night. Instead I am at peace.

5. Increased Generosity

The more we shift our perspective to our blessings, increase positivity, find greater satisfaction, and get better sleep we will inevitably become more generous. Think about it – the more grateful I am, the more likely I am to lend a helping hand to someone else. When I stop thinking about what I don’t have and praise God for what I do… the more I give to others.

I’m sure there are more than 5 ways gratitude journaling has been beneficial , but these are a great place to start. I encourage you to take up this practice with me. Examine all the beauty in your life and document it in a daily journal. Watch yourself uncover more blessings than you ever realized!

Jacket//Kmart , Sweater/Jeans//H&M , Boots//Thrifted

Stripes + Spots

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

It’s been over a month since my last blog post and guess what? I’m okay with that. Blogging from a place of anxiety is no good. Don’t get me wrong sharing your experience with anxiety can help others, but the blog itself should never be the source. So a good seven weeks of being still was just what I needed. Also, I’ve missed you friends! Your girl has been working hard on the 9 to 5 (aka 2 to 10) but doing it fashionably nonetheless. Take this stripes and spots mixed print ensemble for example.

Last month we discussed my desire to begin mixing prints. It’s an area of style I ocassionally attempt but avoid overall. Of course there is no other way to remedy such a problem than to dive head first. When choosing to wear my pleated leopard midi skirt I resisted the urge to grab a black tee. Truth be told it was nowhere to be found, but I digress. This black and white striped shirt wasn’t my first choice. Which is why I knew it was the right choice.

Mixing prints is about not making the obvious style choices. Letting the color palette guide you into a fun adventure. These colors are all complimentary. The contrast is only between two elements; the shirt and skirt. Adding this tan blazer isn’t absolutely necessary but my office is cold. The leopard lining of the blazer is an added bonus.

Ditching heels for this look just felt right. These tassel loafers are super comfortable. I love wearing them with skinny jeans but they easily work with skirts. It’s perfectly fine to wear flats to work. You don’t have to sacrifice ypur personal comfort for a look. Hard to believe coming from a fashion blogger, but it’s true! These are the only feet I have. Why punish them? Simple gold accessories and this outfit is complete.

Have you tried pairing stripes with another print? Tell me in the comments below!

Blazer//Zara , Shirt//H&M , Skirt//Zara , Shoes//Ross

Printed Headwrap + Trousers

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

September is one of my favorite months of the year because it gives us all four seasons in one month. This can easily be seen in the streetstyle looks worn by fashion mavens all across the country attending NYFW. Slip dresses, leather pants, suede miniskirts, knee boots, and more filled the streets of NYC last week. Swooning over killer looks I noticed a lot of print mixing. While this isn’t my specialty I’m trying with this week’s printed headwrap and trousers.

These pants from H&M are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down. Having previously styled these with sneakers, as seen here, I felt heels were in order. Mules are all the rage this year and these criss cross beauties fit perfectly. A pearl buckle adds the cutest touch to the black satin.

A loose fitting tank in cobalt blue gives a simple yet playful feel to balance out the bottom. Very thin cotton calls for a tighter tank underneath. Which is more appropriate for my dress code at work. Tying a knot in front keeps it laid back. Finally I took this printed headwrap, which was part of a skirt set, and used it to accent the print of my trousers. The orange, yellow, and blue colors are vibrant againt the black and white print.

The combination of these deep waves with the headwrap guve such a carefree feel. To accessorize I went with a cute bucket bag and my go to sunglasses. These sandals are seriously just what the doctor ordered in this steamy weather.How do you style mixed prints? Let me know in the comments below!

Top/Trousers//H&M , Shoes//KG Fashions , Headwrap//Cici’s Boutique

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

Gold High-Low Dress

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

After wearing headwraps every day for two weeks I felt the need to switch it up… and do the most. This new “Game Changer” lace wig from the Sensationnel Curls Kinks & Co line is just that, a game changer!! The texture is bomb but the volume is what won me over. I’m in a big hair mood and this is as big as it gets. Its synthetic and can easily be washed and air dried. What do you wear with a wig like this? A dress that’s equally as eye catching; something like this gold pleated swing dress.

For as long as I can remember I was opposed to wearing anything high-low. Being a 5’3 petite woman I’ve never liked the way I look in that style of dress. However, when you find a metallic gold dress that’s lightweight and perfectly pleated, all bets are off. While this dress is at least four years old, it’s still one of my go-to’s for a steamy summer day.

It was 100 degrees during this shoot so I kept my accessories simple by pairing this dress with a matching metallic mule. These high heel mules are by Zara, but I found them at Marshall’s for only $13. Yes hunny, THIRTEEN BUCKS!! I chose a simple black tassel earring and black clutch to complete the look. It’s not my normal practice to play down my accessories but this year I’m trying to vary my approach.

Get used to this wig because you’ll be seeing it all summer. It’s the perfect no fuss protective style for my every day. I make sure I keep my hair moisturized and braided underneath. How about you? What’s your go-to protective style for summer?

Dress//H&M , Shoes//Zara , Purse//H&M

Green Maxi + Headwrap

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

“Summer time and the living is easy…” Ella Fitzgerald had it right with this classic opening verse. Summer is in full swing right now and Philly is in the midst of our third heatwave. You already know I have wigs on deck until summer leaves. I’m not a summer baby at all. I prefer the fall when I’m not sweating my life away! To combat the humidity I’ve been adding more headwraps and turbans to my every day ensembles. Today’s look features this cotton green maxi dress and colorful headwrap.

A while back I ordered quite a few dresses from Boohoo. Cotton, sleeveless, brightly colored, and down to the floor – these dresses were perfect for those smoldering summer days when you just need to be comfy. I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived and were super soft and fit like a glove. However, this was two years ago. Before my weight gain and my myomectomy surgery (I’ll go into more detail about this in a future post). I’ve been apprehensive about wearing them now.

In recent weeks I’ve become more comfortable with where I am physically, so the maxi dresses have come out of retirement. Now I will be needing some spanx of course but I’m no longer apprehensive about wearing them. I grabbed this one for a recent photoshoot. Looking at the finished work, biker shorts were not the best choice underneath. A body shaper would’ve been best, but such is life. I’m allowed to make fashion mistakes.

The printed headwrap is actually apart of a skirt set. It can be worn as a bandeau top as well. I love garments that have multiple use, so this is right up my alley. I shot six looks in one day in 90+ degree weather. This was one of them and wearing a headwrap was a great decision lol. I finished the look with a small bucket bag and black wedges. Silver accessories make the colors pop and an orange lip adds some fun. I’m all about keeping cool in these high temps. What do you wear during a Heatwave? Let me know in the comments below!

Dress//Boohoo, Headwrap//Cici’s Boutique, Shoes//Aldo, Bag//Forever 21

How to move forward when you’re stuck!

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

In case you haven’t noticed, we are halfway through the year. Seems like yesterday we were making vision boards and writing goals. Our adrenaline fueled the first quarter but many lost steam in second, only to come to a hault by summer. Right now you may be asking yourself “Where did the time go” or “Why haven’t I completed more goals”? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone or out of time. Today, I’ll show you how to move forward when you’re stuck!

Make the Decision

Before we can do anything we must first make a decision. You and I need to decide that we’re serious about the goals we have for this year. I know six months ago you were on fire with excitement but there have been some challenges. Since then things have gotten rocky and you’re questioning whether you even want what you professed. Decide if you really want what you claim. Then you can move to the next phase…

Make necessary Adjustments

Now that you’re sure this is what you want, you can analyze your plans and make adjustments if needed. The goal is not changing in this step, but you may need to rethink your strategy. If your goal is to lose weight and you’ve been drinking smoothies only to crash by dinner – it’s time for a change. Perhaps making time to sit and eat a healthy breakfast is a better way to jumpstart your metabolism? The end goal can still be achieved, but the plan of operation may need tweeking.

Identify Time Stealers

All of us are inundated with daily texts, emails, phone calls, etc that need our attention. However, there are certain people, apps, shows that we can afford to hold off engaging. Either because they waste our time or they’re not a priority. Do you really need to take a call from that complaining relative? The one that shifts your mood and causes you to waste 2 hours. Should you really scroll IG first thing in the morning instead of praying? Don’t allow these things to steal precious time.

Keep your Word

Now this is where I am truly guilty, but I know herein lies my greatest success… If you set a date or a timeline for a project, stick to it. So many tumes I find myself moving a deadline up because I didn’t manage my time. In the end, I failed to keep my word – to myself! It’s never about anyone else. Comparison will have us so wrapped up in another’s movements that we end up standing still. Let’s master being consistent by keeping our own promises!

Celebrate every Win

Finally, as we navigate these last six months, let’s take time to actually enjoy the process. Do so by celebrating every success, no matter how “small”. Did you drink eight glasses of water today? Hooray! Made it to the gym as scheduled? Get it girl! Finished your projects ahead of schedule? You rock! Ironed the kids uniforms for the week or meal prepped so you can free up time? That’s awesome! Whatever it is, give it the attention it deserves and watch your motivation increase.

I hope these tips have been helpful. I truly believe we can finish this year strong and satisfied. Leave me a comment below with one goal you’re most excited about achieving this year!

Top//H&M , Skirt//Smak Parlour , Shoes//K&G , Purse//Forever 21

Yellow Flares

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

It’s been two whole weeks and your girl is still feeling some kinda way about the Game of Thrones series finale. I have so many questions for the writers of the show. What was the point of the crop circles from the Army if the Dead? Were there no scenes with both Cersei and Daenerys in the same frame? Y’all really gone play my girl Brienne like that? Bran the Broken though, REALLY?? Let me switch topics before the anger returns. Can we get into these comfy yellow flares?

You may recall seeing these pants before in a rust color here in a previous post. Stretch lycra fabric makes them super soft on your skin. The ribbed detail not only adds dimension, but also gives the illusion of length. To top it all off they are high waisted making them crop top friendly. This is right up my alley right now because my summer body is on layaway.

To compliment the ribbing on these yellow flares I chose a striped top. The chevron pattern and ruffled hem add some more movement to the look. The top is slightly cropped and goes perfectly with the high waistline. These pants are the perfect bottoms for me as I work off this belly weight gain and scar tissue from my surgery last fall. Pesky buttons and itchy zippers are no longer an option.

Being petite at a cool 5’3 I never waste an opportunity to appear taller, so I opted for a platform wedge heel. These white slingbacks are nearly 115 years old. All leather with a cork sole from Aldo shoes. If you’ve followed me for a while you know I LOVE their shoes. A simple white envelope bag and gold jewelry complete the look. These round sunnies were a last minute purchase from CVS because the sun was practically blinding during my shoot.

Hope you all have a dope weekend. Summer is here so let’s get out, off our phones, and enjoy ourselves!

Top//Marshall’s , Pants//Boohoo , Shoes/Purse//Aldo , Jewelry//Kmart , Glasses//CVS

Bubblegum Pink Pantsuit

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

As long as I can remember women have been told never to mix pink and red together. This combination has always been a fashion mistake until now. Old school fashion rules are permanently gone by the wayside. Women are no longer coloring inside the “fashion” lines and I’m here for it all. As I’ve mentioned before, one of my personal goals is to return to the fun I had with fashion in my 20s. I was as extra as I wanted to be with no regard for opinions. While some things were never personally appropriate, I enjoyed being free and creative. This feeling is exactly what emerged while shooting this oversize bubblegum pink pantsuit!

Oversize menswear is very much in trend and I couldn’t be happier. Women have a way of making menswear extremely fluid and feminine, even if it’s loose. Browsing online I spotted this Boohoo suit and immediately added to cart. My size was outbof stock but I felt a baggier fit could be dope – and I was right! A few sleeve pushes and a tightly cinched belt camouflaged the fact that this suit is 2 sizes too big.

The bubblegum pink color is eye catching and perfect for spring. Adding a red blouse and pump didn’t feel wrong at all. I love how they look together. As if these colors don’t make a big enough statement, I decided to go big or go home. I found my color block clutch and paired it with white sunnies. This elevated the look to another level. I have to say I felt more like myself while doing so. I’m excited about reclaiming my style. What a great way to begin May!!

How do you feel about the pink and red trend? Let me know in the comments below.

Suit//Boohoo , Shirt//H&M , Shoes//Zara , Bag//Aldo

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