Memo 075: Shopping My Closet

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 30, 2013

Subject: Fashion Rule! of the Moment
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Aren't you proud of me?

Just nod your head "yes".

I've been following this Fashion Rule! to a tee!:

DO shop your closet. Sometimes, all you need to add is a new piece here and there to create a completely new look with some pieces that are already in your very own personal boutique.

I've had this Zimmermann (I know...) Jumpsuit, the ASOS Clutch and the Report Signature Sandals for a couple of years. The MCB Shop turban and ASOS Regal Dog Necklace are newer pieces that have given this jumpsuit a different look.

What's your favorite Fashion Rule? Have you discovered any new rules? 

Feel free to share!

Jumpsuit: Zimmermann

Turban: The MCB Shop, Necklace: ASOS

Clutch: ASOS

Memo 074: The END!

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 24, 2013

Subject: That's It! It's the END...
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Yup, it's the END! Of what, I'm not exactly sure of right at this moment. But get back to me in a few. I guess when you wear t-shirts with words on them, they must stand for something.

Well, my shirt doesn't mean a thing to me! I just liked that it was black and had large white letters on it. It literally could have said anything but we'll just go with "END". *Kanye shrug*

Sometimes, stuff is just cute and that's all the reason you need. I have nothing more to say about it. 

Vest: Zara, Shirt: Zara, Shorts: Mink Pink

Vest: Zara, Shirt: Zara, Shorts: Mink Pink

Clutch: H&M

Vest: Zara, Shirt: Zara, Shorts: Mink Pink, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Shoes: Vince Camuto, Cuff: Armani Exchange

Memo 073: Inspire Yourself

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 15, 2013

Subject: Hats Off to You!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

A couple of days ago, StyledOn.com featured me in their Community Round Up here (yay!) and the outfit that they chose as the main picture is from Memo 012: I Fedora Michael. 

There are so many times that we look to other people and other things to motivate and inspire us. That's totally not a bad thing. However, sometimes you can look over the things that you have already done, the tests that are already testimonies and inspire yourself.

When I perused the look from Memo 012, I was completely inspired and it birthed the look for today. 

Skipping and singing Donald Lawrence's "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself..."

Shirt: Club Monaco, Pants: Corey Lynn Calter

Shirt: Club Monaco, Pants: Corey Lynn Calter

Shoes: Burak Uyan, Clutch: BCBG, Belt: French Connection, Hat: BCBG

Memo 072: Hey Friday, I'm Plaid You Came...

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 12, 2013

Subject: Plaid Fridays
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I live and breathe for Fridays. I love Fridays like I love shoes. I spend all week thinking about how I'm going to start my Friday. I often times hope that my non-Fridays could speed up so that I can get back around to Friday. 

And then I read this:

“Instead of wondering when your next vacation (or next Friday) is, maybe you should set up a life you don't need to escape from.” - Seth Godin

Hmmm, Seth, you might be talking about something here...

Dress: Zac Posen

Dress: Zac Posen

Shoes: Nine West, Clutch: BCBG, Harness: ASOS, Necklace: H&M

Memo 071: Earning My Stripes

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 10, 2013

Subject: Horizontally and Vertically Speaking 
_____________________________________________________________________________________

So, during one of the many sales over at ASOS, I spotted these striped shorts available in black/white and orange/fuchsia. Naturally, I ordered both pair. For some reason, although super fabulous, the black and white pair were not a good match for me. I tried to date them for a couple of days but it just didn't work out and we broke up.

I am, however, now in a committed relationship with the orange and fuchsia pair. They were made for me.

Jacket: H&M, Blouse: J. Crew, Shorts: ASOS

Blouse: J. Crew, Shorts: ASOS

Necklace: J. Crew, Clutch: Kenneth Cole

Memo 070: Get Your Independence!

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 4, 2013

Subject:  Happy Independence Day
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I can bet exactly 13 cents that you were expecting red, white and blue? 

See that's the thing about expectations, they make an "expect" out of "a" and "tions". Wait...

So, what I'm saying is that we put a lot of expectations on each other. Parents to children, teachers to students, siblings to one another, spouses or partners to each other, and so on. At some point you have to live YOUR life according to YOU. I don't mean live a selfish life but live one that is uniquely yours.

Free yourself from the expectations that other people have put on your life. Cut yourself free of the mold. Make your own path. Take the road less traveled. Do something that is against the norm. 

I did! I wore orange, black and white on Independence Day! (Gasp) What will the people think?! Throwing expectations to the wind...

Be free to be YOU! 



Scarf/Turban: Marni for H&M, Swimsuit Top: H&M, Sunglasses: H&M, Lip: Dior Blazing Red

Clutch: Nasty Gal, Sunglasses: H&M

Swimsuit Top: H&M, Sunglasses: H&M, Swimsuit Bottoms: Victoria's Secret, Clutch: Nasty Gal

 Links:

Marni for H&M Scarf - Similar here

H&M Swimsuit Top - Similar here and here

H&M Sunglasses - Available In Stores

Nasty Gal Clutch - Sold out here (keep checking for re-stock)

Victoria's Secret Swimsuit Bottom - Similar here and here

Rouge Dior Blazing Red Lip Stick - Sold here

Memo 069: Year Half Empty or Year Half Full

To: All

From: Me

Date: July 2, 2013

Subject:  Mid-Year Review
_____________________________________________________________________________________

By now, you've probably figured out that the warp speed at which my life is passing me by freaks me out a little. So, quite naturally for me, when July rolled up on a sista, I had a couple of choices to make. I could either beat myself up for not accomplishing all that I said that I would at the beginning of the year OR I could reflect on what has gone amazingly well and what I have worked hard to complete.

I'm going with the latter. It makes me feel better about my life and it gives me permission to eat cupcakes from time to time. 

So, at this mid-point in the year, it's great time not only to evaluate what has gone well but also a good time restart or re-focus on some goals that have gotten left behind. Don't freak out. You can start from today!

Now that we've avoided a total melt down, let's take a look at the top looks for 2013, so far.