Neutral

T-Shirt: Forever 21 | Jacket: Banana Republic | Skirt: Banana Republic | Shoes: Zara | Clutch: Bijuju Boutique

Last night, I had a much needed night out with the girls. It's been a hectic week already, spilling over from last week's insanity (but good insanity), and it's only Wednesday. Sometimes, with all of the non-stop demands of everyday life and the never-ending to-do lists, it's necessary to take your foot off of the accelerator and stay in neutral for a while.

Speaking of neutral, I'm falling in love with blacks, whites, greys and navys again. (As if we ever broke up.) I'll admit, I wander off to "brighter side" every now and then – and I enjoy it, but I always find a way to slip back into my comfort zone. It's just easier here.

Isaiah 32:17-18

Psalm 91:1

Something Sweet

Shirt: Forever 21 | Skirt: ASOS (try it in blue) | Shoes: Vintage by Jeffrey Campbell via Nordstrom Rack (similar) | Clutch: Love,Cortnie

I'm not normally a "sweets" person. When I do happen to have a sweet tooth, I crave pies, cheesecake and pastries more so than cupcakes and candies. 

I suppose I'm also that way with getting dressed. On the regular, I tend to stick to the basics in unsurprising color palettes, so bright pops of color are always a nice sweet treat.

Psalm 19:7-10

Comfort Clothes

Dress: Ross | Shoes: French Connection | Clutch Forever 21

You've heard of the term "comfort food," yes? Well, I'm coining the term "comfort clothes." My favorite thing to wear is an easy-breezy dress in a comfy material that doesn't require layering or fussy accessories. I guess you can also call it "worry-free dressing." Whatever you want to call it, it's my favorite.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

A Moment of Gratitude

I spent the entire weekend in a conscious state of gratitude. Lately, I've come across one too many tragic stories that have transformed my perspective on life. Naturally, I'm the type of person who tends to put a lot of thought into "what's going to happen" or "what should happen" without fully embracing the now. I can honestly say, having a son has totally changed that for me. Life for me now is a series of moments that are meant to be cherished as they are happening. What's better is that my son and I are blessed to have my husband Dwayne in our lives who makes embracing each moment that much more enjoyable.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you caught my boastful explanation of why Dwayne is such an noteworthy husband and father. I won't reiterate all of what I expressed here, but let's just say (*flips hair*), my "baby daddy" is worth boasting about. As I was going through these photos we took on Saturday morning at the park near our house, I kept thinking to myself just how amazing my little family is. The only word I can use to describe what my heart feels when I think about them is "grateful." Really... I'm just so grateful.

Transition

Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: ShoeMint (similar) | Bag: Jessica Simpson via Marshalls (similar)

Before you ask, I did not cut my hair. Well, not within the last six weeks or so. It looks extra short here perhaps because I haven't combed it out for a few days. Please don't start a petition. I'll comb it soon enough... maybe.

Just wanted to do a quick outfit post before the weekend. Nothing fancy. I may or may not have mentioned it before around here, but I'm realizing more and more that I'm in a transition phase as it pertains to my personal style. I think a lot of current factors in my life are contributing to this including my age, motherhood, and my post-pregnancy body (which I keep meaning to work on... le sigh). The good thing about this blog is that you will be with me every step of the way.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

20 Random Facts About Me

About 11 weeks ago (I know this because I checked Instagram), Chandra tagged me to do this. I forgot, then remembered, then forgot again. This pattern repeated about five or six times. So, this week after a few days of feeling too uninspired to blog, I remembered again and decided I would use it as an opportunity for you – my lovely readers – to learn a little more about me. I learned a lot about myself as well. Here goes:

1. My favorite drink is water.

2. I like to iron, but it takes me weeks to gear up to actually do it.

3. I feel awkward when people help me with stuff.

4. I'm convinced that I kiss my son hundreds of times a day.

5. Sometimes I belly dance in the bathroom mirror. I mean, who doesn't?

6. I got straight A's all throughout middle and high school, except for that one "B+" in Spanish 3 Honors when I was in the 10th grade.

7. I'm in a borderline abusive relationship with food, but I love it too much to break up.

8. I really enjoy reading, but rarely make the time for it. Any book suggestions?

9. I don't think I'm photogenic, and, as such, I'm the worst at selfies.

10. I like to shop alone... Actually, I like to do most things alone.

11. I have three brothers. No sisters.

12. Lately, I prefer lifestyle blogs over fashion blogs. I would have a lifestyle blog if I was confident that I wouldn't bore you to tears.

13. My favorite sitcom of all time is The Cosby Show.

14. I collect random facts in my mind, so when I came across @UberFacts on Twitter, I was like, "Hey, somebody gets me."

15. I prefer online shopping over shopping in-store, but I hate the waiting part. So, I usually check the store before I actually purchase online.

16. No matter how much I love a particular perfume scent, when it runs out I almost never replace it with the same one.

17. I'm not afraid of needles/injections. (I figure that is rare and random enough to share.)

18. I'm a horrible singer... but I can imitate singers pretty well.

19. I call bloggers whose material I read often my "blogger friends."

20. I surprised myself by thinking of 20 random facts about me.

I'd love to get to know you better as well. Tell me something random about yourself in a comment below or shoot me an email.

Orange Is The New Black

Blazer: J.Lo, Thrifted | Top: Marshalls | Skirt: The Limited | Shoes: Zara | Clutch: Love,Cortnie

With all the #OITNB talk, I'm considering getting Netflix just to see what the fuss is about. I know, I know - How and why don't I have Netflix? It's possible, trust me. So until then, it'll just have to make for a 

good blog post title.

Wearing a bright blazer like this is new for me. I've never considered bright reds and oranges to be my colors – still don't – but my mom picked up this blazer for me at a thrift store, and I couldn't break her heart and not take it. We all know how it goes when our parents are so proud of themselves after they pick out and buy us something all by themselves and then we turn it down. It's just easier to fake happy and graciously accept the gift. This time, though, I really did like it! The fit is decent, and I love the slight peplum hem of the blazer. Plus, I found that I can work it into my closet nicely with quite a few pieces I already have. So, who knows, maybe orange really is the new black after all.

Daniel 12:3

I've Got The Power

Dress: Gift (similar) | Jacket: Forever 21 | Belt: Thrifted | Shoes: JustFab | Clutch: Love,Cortnie

Is it just me, or did you automatically hear the tune from that 1990 song by Snap when you read the title of this post? It's like my mind is a non-stop Shazam app that has to associate a song with everything it hears.

On another note, I'd like to thank all of you who participated in the latest discussion, "Is modesty still relevant." The question was first posed on the blog, however it continued on Instagram as well as in a few emails and text messages I received. The feedback yielded a general consensus that, although not the most popular, modesty is still relevant and can be empowering. All in all, I learned a lot and hope to do a lot more posts that prompt interesting discussions. You'll be able to find them under the label/category "discussions."

Thanks so much to all of you for reading!

Acts 1:8

1 Corinthians 4:20

Let's Discuss // Is Modesty Still Relevant?

Don’t worry, this is not another rant about Rihanna’s recent look for the CFDA Awards – although it did inspire this post. I’ve read so many opinions on social media written by people who either loved Rihanna’s dress of choice for her risqué approach to expressing herself through fashion – perhaps the very reason why she received a Fashion Icon award – or people who hated it due to her seemingly rude and blatant disregard for social norms and views on modesty. Whether said views are conservative or liberal, she smashed both as she showed 99% of it all making sure that there was no confusion about what she was going for. And, by the way, she wasn't the first. (Check past looks worn by Cher, Barbra Streisand and countless others.)

Although I have my own personal convictions about style and public decency, I hold firm to the belief that those convictions are indeed that – personal. So, I do my best not to pin them on others, especially ‘others’ like Rihanna who could care less anyway. Now, if someone puts up a front that leads people to believe they subscribe to a certain standard and then deviates from that standard for a different audience or occasion, they are not being true to themselves or accepting responsibility for being deceptive and fickle, thus asking for judgment. I’m just saying.

With that long intro out of the way, let’s discuss the meat of the matter: Is modesty still relevant? I am quite aware of the audience this blog reaches, and while many of you have responded with a resounding “YES,” most of you aren’t really sure anymore. Further to the point, most of you in the “unsure group” will ask the probing question, “Well… It depends. How are we defining ‘modesty’?” Good question.

What is modesty? Is modesty subjective? Is it a personal decision? I hate to disappoint, but I don’t plan on answering any of those questions here. Quite frankly, I don’t have the answers. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t think the questions are important. I do support obedience to God, your church assembly’s leadership (if you attend church), and your personal convictions – in that order – because, well, it’s Bible. Why obey the Bible? Now, that’s a question I can answer, but I won’t get into it here. Feel free to email me.

I digress.

Assuming we all value what the Bible has to say, in 1 Timothy 2:9, the apostle Paul wrote that Christians should “dress modestly, with decency and propriety.” Based on that scripture alone, we can end the discussion here with the unanimous conclusion that, yes, modesty is and always will be relevant. If only it were that simple in today’s world.

For the sake of this discussion, while we cannot universally define modesty, let’s associate some key elements to the concept and broaden it beyond merely the way we dress:

• Modesty applies to both men and women.
• Modesty implies a reserve about how one carries themselves, including and beyond outward appearance.
• Modesty requires a humility that willingly owns the fact that our actions and choices do affect others whether we like it or not.

It is quite obvious that fashions, culture, and traditions are changing at a pace more rapid than ever, and all that we are seeing around us make us question our core beliefs, whether those beliefs are social or religious (and sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate the two). Knowing this is the first step towards understanding the pertinent revelation in all of this: It’s not the questioning of the beliefs that we must dwell on, but rather why we are questioning them. Before we’re quick to bash or praise Rihanna and people who represent her trend of ideals, we must individually ask ourselves, “What is in my heart?”

Fashions come and go. Skirt hems go up and down. Clothing gets tighter in some seasons and baggy in others. Whatever the current fashion rave, my only suggestion to those of you who are skeptical about the relevancy of modesty would be to think about how powerful it can be by the positive impact it has on those we encounter and hopefully impact if we subscribe to it; consider the power of modesty, decency and propriety – a power that far transcends the power of the alternative. Think about it: Rihanna undoubtedly made history with her recent red carpet appearance, but that’s just what it is – history. The fashion world is just about done talking about it, and it happened less than two days ago.

If my opinion holds any weight, I personally think you can be as fashionable as you want, as long as your heart is clean and clear, your motives are positive and of substance (i.e. bigger than yourself, unselfish), and you don’t receive constant complaints from those you love and trust. This requires a careful reflection of what’s in the heart and at least some level of modesty, thus making it ever-relevant.

Thoughts?

Dreams Do Come True

Top: T.J.Maxx (almost identical) | Skirt: ASOS | Shoes: Zara (similar) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via Marshalls

If Lupita N'yongo (remember her?) has taught us nothing else, we've learned that a little brown girl's 
dreams are valid, too. 

Two of my wardrobe dreams were realized at the coming together of this outfit: (1) the quintessential Rebecca Minkoff bag (at 75% off retail!) and (2) the perfect full midi skirt... in mint! When I first wore this skirt for a previous post, I hadn't yet gotten the full revelation of just how amazingly versatile it is. Let me warn you - I'm officially a believer, so expect to see a lot more of it in the future.

Great – now that I've shared that with you, I can completely change the subject without a justifiable transition.

While writing this post, I was looking for a synonym for the word "perfect." I had a God moment when the results popped up, and I just had to share: Isn't it awesome how God exemplifies each and every 
meaning of "perfect?"

per·fect

adjective

ˈpərfikt/

1. 1.

   having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.

   synonyms:

   ideal, model, without fault, faultless, flawless, consummate,quintessential, exemplary, best, ultimate

   • free from any flaw or defect in condition or quality; faultless.

     synonyms:

     flawless, mint, as good as new, pristine, impeccable, immaculate,superb, superlative, optimum, prime, optimal, peak, excellent, faultless, unspoiled, unblemished, undamaged, spotless, unmarred, picture-perfect

   • precisely accurate; exact.

     synonyms:

     exact, precise, accurate, faithful, correct, unerring, inerrant, right, true, strict

   • highly suitable for someone or something; exactly right.

     synonyms:

     ideal, just right, right, appropriate, fitting, fit, suitable, apt, made to order, tailor-made
2. 2.

   absolute; complete (used for emphasis).

   synonyms:

   absolute, complete, total, real,  thorough, thoroughgoing, downright, utter, sheer, arrant, unmitigated, veritable, in every respect, unalloyed

verb

pərˈfekt/

1. 1.

   make (something) completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible.

   synonyms:

   improve, better, polish (up), hone, refine, put the finishing/final touches to, brush up, fine-tune More

Results from Google. I went with the word "quintessential," by the way.

2 Samuel 22:31-33