7 OUTFITS 'TIL CHRISTMAS- LOOK 1

CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS! While most believe it's a pagan holiday and others are tied to another religion, I believe Christmas should be an excuse for ALL to dress up, treat oneself, spoil a loved one and just plain love on each other!!

I adore this time of year, it brings back so many memories. My family and I growing up would always have the longest lie in and coincidently wake up around the same time to open presents before watching all the classic movies on TV. Sister Act, Home Alone, Matilda, Mrs Doubt-fire... and lets not forget the most exciting part of this day... the fooood!!! My mom would literally cook all day, I would help decorate the table while my Dad and brothers ensured the ''TV was working'' haha.

The best part about Christmas day was hopping from family to family. 

We would start at my Grandmas where there was even MORE FOOD!! I don't know how my Grandma would do it, there was literally always enough for around 30 people to eat, and go back for seconds! Most of the time we would arrive to Aunties, Uncles and cousins. If we did not get to see everyone altogether, my family and I would try to make an effort to stop by each relatives home, throughout the Christmas holiday period.

Now Christmas is 7 days away! I'm sure many of you have already been invited to work parties, friendly dinners etc. etc... Need a little inspiration?  7 days, 7 posts 7 outfits!!! 

Look 1. THE CASUAL

JACKET- Cow Vintage

TOP- Primark

TROUSERS- Papaya

SHOES- United Footwear

GLASSES- Giantvintage.com

LIPSTICK- Colourpop (Limbo)

A pair of fussy trousers paired with an embroidery top is the perfect little combo when going out for a "casual" dinner. I slipped on a strappy silver sandal to bring out the hint of silver in these soft shimmered trousers. To keep it 100% casual, my men's sized leather biker jacket did the trick. Tying my hair back and adding a dark lip colour keeps this whole look season appropriate.

STYLE TIP- Celebrate Christmas is style!

FASHION?

Throughout my childhood I have always been given the option to choose what I want to look like and how I'd like to dress! My mama installed a lot of confidence in me... She told me I always have options!

From birth my mama made a huge effort and would take pride in dressing me and my brothers well. We weren't little dolls to her lol but she ensured we looked just as grand as she did.

Going to nursery I would wear hand made clothes by my mum. I had a few favourite dresses that I would literally never take off. There was one particular dress my mum would ensure was washed and ready for school the next day, knowing I'd throw some sort of fit if I couldn't wear it :).

I owe a lot of my creativity and expression to my mum, she never limited my crazy choices in style and found diplomatic ways to encourage better options lol...as I got older that all changed! My mum soon gave me her opinions when I didn't ask for them hehe quite bluntly and direct too! Her allowing me to find myself, my taste and my style has given me the confidence to be sure about what is I want my outfit to say when getting dressed. It's not always that deep haha... but I do dress to my mood as well as the occasion.

Because I had been given so much freedom growing up, (to an extent) I would get easily bored with the same look and want 'a change'. 

I did go through a phase in secondary school where I felt I lost my personal taste and wanted to look like my friends. I was shorter and lot more curvy than a lot of them, which meant that certain clothing they wore didn't quite sit the same on me.

Fashion is a popular and generic way of looking OR behaving. Being that I found fashion so interesting so young, I didn't quite understand I had my own style before wanting to fit in with the trends.

School was THE place I latched on to the trends and tried to "fit in". The years when the Academiks tracksuits were the "IT" thing, Tommy Hilfiger coats, skirts worn over trousers lol, Pony trainers, rings on every finger, jelly shoes,(which are still on trend) etc etc.

Growing up it was so easy to decide that I wanted what everyone else wanted, before actually giving it any thought, because I was sometimes the only person who didn't have the latest. It was only when I pulled away from constantly being around friends (as well as my mum pointing out my look was 'off!') that I discovered my taste.

Not everything everyone is wearing or doing is going to suit you. 

What I soon realised as I continued to experiment in finding myself, was that style is ME, INDIVIDUAL... ORIGINAL!! Wearing or doing what I personally wanted was a reflection of me. 

I have made many fashion faux pars... I wish I had pictures to share with you all... It'd be a lot of fun to look back and laugh! I do actually look back at recent pictures wandering how and why I chose to put certain pieces together, but I guess that's the beauty of growing up and figuring yourself out.

I am a firm believer in the world of fashion...its creative, its different, engaging, spontaneous, interesting, inspiring... it is a world of it's own!! 

Style however is timeless...it's apart of who you are and who you intend to be. It's the past you, the present you and the evolving you...it'll always be a reflection of you, as long as you stay true to YOU!

STYLE TIP- Style over Fashion... it's a personal statement! Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself throughout YOUR journey!

NUDES AND NEUTRALS

Basic items along with neutral colours are a great basis to work around a statement piece of clothing! 

I am a sucker for soft colour palettes as well as pastel colours. It (for me) is the epitome of femininity, along with floaty textures. Silks, satins and delicate furs teamed with heavy denim or leather-like materials, creates a cool edgy look. I love the idea of mixing the two to create some androgyny. 

Although I enjoy bringing a little drama to an outfit, I mainly like to keep it simple with class, minimalism and faint masculinity.

With cream, taupe, tan, nudes and neutrals (black, white and grey) it is so easy to dash a bit of colour or texture in, to brighten or dress up a look. 

These 3 looks I decided to leave the drama at home and wore each item as is.

THE ONESIE

JUMPSUIT- EBay

NECKLACE- H&M

SHOES- EBay

RINGS/BRACELET- H&M

This is the kind of look that can easily be altered to your liking. A simple jumpsuit like this is wearable in all seasons, created for any body shape or size and ready to throw on for any occasion. 

I decided to dress this up by putting on a few accessories and added heels to lengthen my body. I purchased it 2 sizes bigger for comfort reasons, however it stills hangs nicely. If worn at the correct size, the leg of the harems would be a lot more fitted and every where else would hug my shape.

Adding a belt to cinch in the waist... a blazer to bring in some structure or even worn with trainers and a bomber jacket for a sporty look!

THE MAXI

DRESS- H&M

SHOES- Merry Hill

CHOKER-River Island 

Another easy outfit to work around is this taupe maxi dress. I styled it with a velvet choker and a pair of knee high block heeled boots. This look is also accessible to all shapes and sizes and can be altered to your liking. A voluptuous figure would fill out this dress perfectly allowing the dress to hang onto every curve. It is just as flattering for a tall slim model-esk type figure...worn with stiletto heels, hair scrapped up into a top-knot with dramatic earrings, completed with a tight fitted jacket worn on the shoulders! Honey the pavement is your catwalk!!

THE TAILOR

JACKET- Vintage

BODYSUIT- AQAQ

TROUSERS- Wallis

TRAINERS- United Footwear

A basic suit can be worn in many different ways depending on your creativity. We tend to see a suit and think 'formal wear' or 'work attire' but I like to wear mine with flats. It allows me to feel chic, comfortable yet slightly dressed up.
I teamed a nude body suit with a pair of beige trousers and pulled this vintage taupe blazer out my closet to wear over the top. A simple t-shirt or crew neck jumper would dress this look completely down. A blouse or fitted shirt worn with heels would dress this look up.
A blazer and a great pair of tailored trousers should be in your wardrobe as part of the basic pieces to work around. This look with a change of shoe, a few accessories and the right clutch will take you from day to night real quick :)

STYLE TIP- Basics and neutrals are a MUST!! They will change your life...esp for those days you think you have nothing to wear! hehe

OOTD

SELFIE SUNDAY

Hey guys! 

So as some of you may know, I love to go to church. It feeds my mind, body and soul. When I need encouragement, confirmation for something or just a place to hang out, my church is open to help meet all those needs.

Growing up in a church where the congregation was predominately West Indian, it was apart of our 'culture' to dress up! Even though this was not a requirement, for my family it was.

I now attend a church that is multicultural and quite laid back in terms of attire, which is neither here or there... church certainly isn't about your exterior! I loved dressing up for church growing up and I love that I now have the option.

What I wore

Last Sunday I wanted to be comfortable (as per usual) yet cute. I decided to wear a dress, a pair of trousers and an oversized coat. The colour palette was very neutral with a hint of pastel pink.

This simple crew neck dress is a great mini that can be worn with knee high boots, ankle booties or heeled sandals. I chose to wear it as a long top over the top of these waxed jeans. I liked the slight contrast in textures alongside the patent black boots. To add an Autumn touch I through on a khaki scarf and rocked a plum lip.

I accessorised using my phone case.

DRESS- Neon Rose

JEANS- H&M

BOOTS- River Island

COAT- Jaegar

SCARF- Brick Lane

PHONE CASE- EBay

LIPSTICK- Colourpop (Lax)

STYLE TIP- Come as you are!! Dont worry about being accepted! The man up stairs has got your back!

STYLING!!

HEY LOVE-BUGS!

I'm back with a new post... this is long over due! To all my loyal readers, sorry to disappear for such a period of time. It's been a little hectic over the last couple weeks trying to sort my life out. I hope everyone is well adjusted to the Autumn weather and preparing for Christmas do's! I have a lot of beauty, style and make-up tips to share throughout this season!

So, while I have been M.I.A on the blogging scene, I managed to do an impromptu shoot with blogger, model and YouTube guru Miss Breeny Lee. I met Breeny about a year or 2 ago briefly through one of my best friends. She is very striking and has bone structure for dayssss! Naturally I was drawn to her look, especially her beautiful skin tone wanting to (at some point) style her. The opportunity presented itself and we made magic!!

The initial plan was to do an epic on location photo-shoot ,where I had complete creative freedom to style Breeny. We went for a simplistic approach instead due to conflicting schedules and timing. The end result was still pretty fly. 

• BLACK BARBIE

JACKET- No Name Brand

TOP- Primark

JEANS- Oasis Market 

SHIRT- Descamps

SHOES- Primark

GLASSES- Giantvinatge.com

BAG- SkinnyDip London