Working Overtime: 2020 Reflection

 

Shoutout to everyone that worked overtime this year. Whether that looked like taking on more hours at work, tackling home schooling on top of your responsibilities, finding ways to pour into your children/partner/loved ones even when you felt like you barely had energy to give after long days, or making space to pursue your dreams and goals even when it required you to sacrifice time in other areas of your life. I see you and the work you put in is paying off!

I know this year brought many of us to our knees in anguish, prayer and exhaustion. This year also brought its share of joy along with feelings of accomplishment for many of us.

This year had me questioning multiple times if I can be the mother I want to be with the career I want to have while continuously tacking other goals. While many people were working from home spending extra time with their children, I spent longer days away from my son at work. Mom guilt definitely crept in at times (especially over the last 4 months) but I pushed passed that and kept going reminded that I'm working my dreams, his future and the needs of my family. Yet someone I made progress as a mother and an individual by the grace of God. The progress was not easy to achieve but that's what made me appreciate it even more. Being a young mom with a career and dreams for my family and myself is a lot to juggle but 2020 reminded me that progress is always possible with the strength of God, discipline and determination, even in a pandemic.

How to Style Leather Pants & Things to Remember

It's no secret that leather and faux leather pants, skirts, jackets, basically everything leather are in right now! I've been a fan of leather and faux leather clothing forever so this year is no exception. I styled these Asos pants I bought earlier in the fall with a corset top from a few years ago I bought in Zara. The great thing about leather and faux leather clothing is that there are so many ways to style them and they almost always make your outfit look edgier.

                                          

Top-Zara | Pants- Asos | Shoes- Nine West

Now that we've discussed style, let's talk life. You know I love talking about style but I also always want to make sure I share food for thought that will help us as we navigate through the day, week, and moments ahead.

Things to remember this week:

• You can be nice and not tolerate nonsense. Being a polite person does not equate to a pushover
• You can be strong and exhausted. Listen to the signs your body gives you
• You can be a boss in or a few areas of your life and a work in progress in other areas. It's okay to ask for help.
• You can love the person you are today while taking strides to become a better version of yourself as time progresses
• No is a complete sentence. Everything does not require an explanation.

What would you add to the list to help you through the week?

A Good Kind of Monday Blues+Style

 

Hat- Target | Top-Zara | Jean- Old Navy | Shoes- Nine West

A winning week starts with a winning mindset! When you encounter challenges during the week, remember that success stories are always proceeded by challenges. So don't let temporary setbacks stop you from achieving your goals. Whenever I find myself in a challenging situation, one thing that always helps is pausing to identify what I can control. Then I strategizing a plan of action, seek direction from God and help from any people in my corner to dive into solving the challenge. Pace yourself, and remember that small progress is still progress. You were built to handle whatever comes your way. Let's slay this week!

On a side note, the only blues I like dealing with relate to style and I had fun putting this look together. This top is sold out but if you follow me on liketoknowit, you'll see some similar tops. Have a great week!

Motivation Mindset: Corduroy Mini Dress Snakeskin Boots

Have you ever put on an outfit that gave you an instant confidence boots? Well this is it for me. Something about a mini dress and snakeskin boots just makes me feel powerful. The best part? This whole outfit was under $100. Like the dress is on sale for less than $20 right now and I found these boots on sale for under $60.

Dress-Missguided via Asos | Boots- Steve Madden similiar here | Sunglasses-Forever 21

Sometimes we have to give ourselves a motivational talk to pump ourselves up. So here is my message to you (and me) today:

You are powerful.

You are a blessing.

God is smiling on you.

You are equipped to handle every challenge that comes your way.

Now remember all the above as you walk through this week! 

Walking with a Renewed Mindset & Styling Leopard Print

Life: I woke up today feeling accomplished and grateful to have made it to see another day. This week definitely threw some curveballs, but I have a renewed mindset after reflecting on where I am after the conversation I had with my mom. You see, I was talking to my mom earlier in the week telling her how depleted I felt from juggling so many things at once. After listening to me for a few minutes she said, "okay, but what are you going to put down? You have to put something down! That conversation made me think about the pressure we place on ourselves to carry things we have no business carrying in the first place. So I just want to let you know that if you ever feel like you're sinking under the pressures of life, ask yourself "what can I put down." All burdens are not ours to carry!

Style: Now, let's talk about the fun park of this post, the style! You know I love a good print and leopard is one of my favorites because it can be styled so many ways. This Zara dress has been holding me down for nearly 2 years as it was the first dress I bought after giving birth to my son. While it's long sold out, I thought you would appreciate a few of my leopard print pieces from H&M. I just got the long sleeve top with the asymmetrical neckline and I can't wait to show you several ways to style it. Which piece is your favorite?

    

1. H&M long-sleeved top 

2. Turtleneck top

3. Calf length skirt

4. Draped Bodysuit

How to Style a Chunky Knit Sweater & Selfcare

Sweater-H&M | Jeans-Old Navy | Ankle Boots-Vionic

This H&M sweater is my favorite right now because it's everything a fall sweater should be. It's warm, stylish, and can be worn several ways. You can wear it with mom jeans like I did, or layer it over a slip dress to extend the life of your summer clothes. I think it's safe to say this might be the most popular H&M sweater of the season. I've seen it all over Instagram, YouTube hauls, and even on someone at work! Also, the price is so good that it's worth buying in multiple colors. I also have it in brown and have been trying to get my hands on the cream one in my size. 

I wore this look for a family trip to the Rutgers Gardens during October and it was perfect for the mild fall weather we experienced at the time. This sweater will definitely come in handy on cold winter days as well.

Now that we've discussed the style, let's talk about self care as rhe holidays approach. The holiday season is both an exciting but busy time for many of us. If you work in operations like me or retail, then your workload increases drastically around this time of year. In full transparency, I've been feeling burnt out alot lately from getting 4-5 hours of sleep on the days that I work and working 12-14 hour days. I started realizing a pattern weeks ago, I would go so hard during the work week between my job and planning my creative content snd then completely crash when I got home on my last day of the work week. So I decided to start taking more days off which has been so beneficial to my health. I don't know who needs to read this but use your pto and vacation time even if the only place you plan on going is your bed or living room! Don't be afraid to send the out of office message and not check your work messages when you are off. You cannot pour from an empty cup. So take the time to rest and recharge so that you can return to your responsibilities and give them your best effort!

 

Happy November & How to Style a Knit Dress for Fall

May November bring you many reasons to smile, more blessings, make you wiser, and make you rich in experiences.

Dress- H&M | Shoes-Vionic 

May November bring you many reasons to smile, more blessings, make you wiser, and make you rich in experiences. Things to remember as you walk through this month: 

1. If you feel stuck, you don't have to stay there. If you don't like who you were yesterday, choose to be better today. 
2. Abundance starts with your mindset. Speaking of abundance, I'm committed committed to saving a few thousand dollars by the end of the year by being disciplined, making smarting shopping choices like shopping in my closet more often and saving money as soon as I get paid!
3. Limit activities that do not bring you peace. Many of people suffer from seasonal depression during the colder months. So be mindful of the things that make you feel less than your best. Go outside and try your best to stay active. Even if it's taking a quick walk. I went outside for a walk on Saturday in the 40 something degree weather and it felt so good to be in nature counting my blessings, setting my intentions for the week and talking to god without distractions!

This dress is one of my old favorites from H&M! I've had it for years and I love to wear it during the cooler months. It fits me right and keeps me warm! The Vionic ankle boots are new and have instantly become a staple in my wardrobe!

Puff Sleeve Dress & Pouring into Yourself

Treat yourself like a garden, you have to pour into you and nurture yourself in order to grow and flourish! So I challenge you to do at least one thing each day that brings you joy and nurtures you.

Pouring into yourself can be as simple or elaborate as you like. For me sometimes it looks like being still, reading something uplifting or journaling my thoughts. Other times pouring into myself is spending time in nature enjoying beautiful scenery. Remember to treat yourself like a garden, you have to nurture yourself to flourish and grow!

One positive that has come out of this pandemic is that it has motivated me to do more local and domestic traveling until I'm ready to catch international flights again. These photos were taken in the Colonial Park Rose Garden which is about 20 minutes away from my apartment in New Jersey.  I can't believe I only discovered this Garden a few months ago, but I am glad I did! Also glad that it was actually warm enough to wear this outfit a few weeks ago when it was in the 70s because it's officially getting cold in New Jersey at 50 degrees this week!

For my look I decided to be simple with puff sleeve dress from Target and Bronze Crocodile ankle boots from Vionic. See more of this look and inspirational reminders on my Instagram post here.

Dress- Target | Ankle Boots- Vionic

Career & Personal Style: Make the Room Work for You

One thing I learned in the months and weeks leading up to my promotion earlier in the year is that when you make room for God, He makes room for you. He literally places you in positions and spaces that you prayed for to show you the magnitude of greatness that is only possible with Him. Sometimes insecurity creeps up on me and I find myself striving to prove to others why I deserve to be in the rooms God placed me in. 

As I was journaling yesterday, God reminded me of something I sometimes forget: You deserve to be in every room you find yourself in. You don't need to prove why you deserve to be in the position(s) you're in to anyone. All you need to do is make your position work for you and serve whoever you have been called you to serve. When you cross paths with people in those spaces who try to tear you down with their negative energy, rise above them. Don't concern yourself with matching their energy, just exude your best energy at all times. 

You are a boss woman! You are deserving of goodness and grace. You are powerful, your ideas are powerful, and your voice deserves to be heard! Walk confidently on your journey knowing that you are exactly where you need to be. Make every moment work for you!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I mentioned that I talked about the importance of shopping your closet in this post. I also said I was going to show you how I style older items in my closet so this outfit is the perfect example. I got this dress 3 years ago from the Tracee Ellis Ross collection for JC Penny and styled them with my favorite nude Nine West Caged booties that have been elevating my looks for years.

How to Style the Cut out Top for Fall + Abundance Mindset

 

Style: Can we talk about how there are so many amazing and affordable fall pieces out right now!? The cut out top is one of my favorite trends this fall because it adds instant edge to any outfit. I bought this top from Mango's sale during September and could not wait to wear it! I originally planned on wearing it with red sock booties but decided to pair it with my favorite nude caged booties and wide leg jeans for a neutral look.

Top- Mango also comes in green | Jeans-Uniqlo | Shoes- Nine West (old) similar in black here

Life: My mission is to share stories with style so as I was thinking what to talk about with this outfit, I got writers block. Then my mind wandered on abundance. Many people, myself included, aim to live an abundant life. Sometimes this materializes itself in chasing and forcing things that are not meant for us. I know I've been guilty of striving for things that were not meant for me and in the end I felt frustrated and depleted. Then I realized that walking in your purpose is the pathway to abundance. When you walk in your purpose and live with an abundance mindset, you don't have to force anything because goodness flows in you and from you. How are you curating abundance in your life?

Fall Neutrals and Yellow Vionic Sneakers

As we step into a new month full of fall weather, let's remember that there is beauty in transformation. If you want to change, do it! The easiest way to transform your life is by transforming your mindset. If you don't like where you are or who you are, take the steps to change it. Every time you look at the fall leaves changing color and falling off the branches, remember that the beauty only came because the weather changed. 

I'm really excited about transforming my wardrobe for fall! I love mixing my favorite neutral fall staples like this sleeveless coat and jeans with new items like these Vionic Nana casual sneakers. The best thing about my sneakers is the comfort! They are lightweight yet supportive because Vionic prides themselves in making shoes that are actually good for your feet! If you've been following me for a while then you know I love style and comfort because your outfits should make you feel good!

Top-Uniqlo | Sleeveless Coat- Missguided (sold out) similar here and here | Jeans-Old Navy | Shoes-Vionic

Colorful Fall Fashion: Printed jumpsuit & Orange Slides

Happy fall! The start of this season is the perfect reminder to embrace change and let go of anything that is not serving you. Speaking of embracing change, my favorite thing about fall is the fashion! I love the colors, the outwear, the long sleeve, and this list goes on and on. I've been doing a bit of shopping at my favorite stores for fall but most importantly I've been shopping my closet! I bought this jumpsuit from Asos last year around this time and never wore it out until now. I'm one of those people that buys something and will either wear it immediately or rotate it either on, but thing is that I'm going to get my money's worth! 

What I love most about this jumpsuit is that it's the perfect blend of fall neutral with the green and pops of color because I plan on embracing both neutrals and color this fall! 

If you want to maximize your wardrobe, invest in jumpsuits that can be transitioned through the seasons. This jumpsuit is light and breathable enough to wear in the summer, cool fall days and can be layered for the cooler days. I paired it with orange slides for the mild day, but would also style this with nude or black caged booties for a different look. Let's have fun with our fashion this fall!

Jumpsuit-Asos | Shoes-Nine West

Living in a Field of Positivity

Make sure you carry your light wherever you go! Did you know that positivity is a power? It can soften hearts, brighten someone's day, and make difficult times easier to bear. Be kind, always.

Walking into stormy situations is inevitable but you can be the positive force that helps others and yourself get through them.

Hat-Asos, similar here | Dress- Urban Outfitters, similar here | Sneakers-Adidas

"You are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14,16

I wore this outfit to a family trip to Sussex County Sunflower Maze. If you live in New Jersey or the Tri-State Area, I highly recommend visiting. This is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever travelled to and I love that it's not far from home.

Stepping in the Right Direction: Puff Sleeved Dress & Mask Style

Small steps in the right direction still count as progress! Don't compare your marathon to what appears to be someone else's sprint. You don't know what everyone's training process entails and all the work they put in that you didn't see. It's easy to lose momentum and run off track when you compare yourself to the people in the lanes around you. 

Discipline and consistency will move you towards your goal faster than speeding in the wrong direction.

Let's get into this look! When I saw this puff sleeved midi dress at Zara, I had to have it! Aside from the dress being on trend, I feel like its flattering on several body types. Also, the quality is really good and it's made from a mid-weight linen. 

I paired this dress with my orange slides from Nine West because I wanted to color block and these tones just go together! Lastly, can we have a moment of appreciation for this mask?! The kind ladies over at Furkat & Robbie gifted me this beautiful mask that I am in love with, Since we have to wear masks for our health, we might as well make them stylish and Furkat & Robbie understands that! 

Dress-Zara, also available in Red | Shoes- Nine West | Mask- Furkat & Robbie

 

Discipline, Consistency & Puff-Sleeved Romper

The space between conceiving a goal and accomplishing it is made up of planning, discipline and consistency. We all have the same 24 hours in a day but each day is not promised. Time is a limited resource so make every moment count. Imagine what you could accomplish if you were disciplined and consistent with your goals? I asked myself this one and it motivated me to get more focused about my goals and journal what I need to do to make them happen. Writing them down, doing the work (actions) and reviewing the plan for my goals often has been working so far. It's easy to be consistent when things are working in our favor, but the true mark of discipline is staying the course when things are going well and when they are not. The road to accomplishing goals will not always be easy or fun, but they strengthen us and help us build momentum through the process.

Now, let's talk about this romper! I got it on sale from H&M over the summer and I'm in love with it. It can be dressed up or down, the quality is good and the price tag is even better. It's really well made! I styled it with my Vionic sandals for an afternoon of wine tasting and farm fun with my family. Use my links below to shop this look if it speaks to your style!

Romper- H&M | Shoes-Vionic