The #1 Way to Add Instant Style to Any Look

“You have witchcraft in your lips....”

— Henry V

Sweater: Zara

White shirt: H&M

Lipstick: MAC Rubywoo

Doing this one thing will add instant style and glamour to your look, no matter what you’re wearing or how you’re feeling. You could be dressed to the nines, out on the town in your best outfit, or running errands in leggings, a t-shirt and a baseball cap, having had only a couple hours of sleep. It doesn‘t matter. Doing this one thing will pull your entire look together, no matter the situation.

So, what is it, you ask?

Well, the next time you want to snazz up your look, simply add a red lip. Yes, it‘s truly that simple! Find a color that suits you, (Mac’s Ruby Woo is fabulous on ANY skin tone…..like, I’m serious…) line your lips in a lip pencil that is a similar shade (this will ensure the staying power of your red lippie..), and then rock your lipstick.

The great thing is, whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup, or nothing but moisturizer, this red lip will not only look fabulous, but make you feel fabulous, too. (Hidden Bonus: Red lipstick makes your pearly whites appear even whiter!) Now, what’s not to love about that!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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Damn! You are so skinny!

Recently, I went to a Thai restaurant to have lunch. I’d been to this particular restaurant several times in the past, however, this was the first time I had seen this particular waitress. As she was taking me to an available table, she exclaimed quite shockingly, “Wow, you are sooo skinny!” I’m going to assume that because English wasn’t her first language (it was quite obvious), that she didn’t realize using the term skinny has a negative connotation. And using it with strangers can come across as off-putting and rude. However, while taking all of that into consideration, and assuming she had no intentions of being rude to a paying customer, I simply smiled and said, “Yes, that’s true.”

Dress: Athena procopiou (I don’t think dress is available anymore.)

Shoes: Gucci Ace Sneakers

Purse: Gucci

Photo credit: BT

You see, this has been happening my entire life. I am really very, very naturally thin. I basically have been the same size my entire teenage, young adult, and now middle-aged adult life. I cannot tell you the countless times I´d been teased growing up because of my weight. As a child I was called Olive Oyl…remember her? :-) I was also a cheerleader from age 7-18 and of course those skimpy cheerleader uniforms just accentuated my skinniness even more. All of the other cheerleaders had curves by then, and I was still “straight up and down” as they used to say back when I was young. My mother even thought that after I had a baby, I would do as she did, and gain a lot of weight. She, too, had been thin as a child and as an adult before she had children. However, after I had my child, I snapped right back to the exact same size I had always been.

I guess people who know me and have known me my whole life aren’t really fazed by how thin I am. They don’t even notice. And quite frankly, most times, neither do I. But, in today’s society of enhanced body parts, my lack thereof, may seem strange to some people. And the fact that I embrace how I am, and don’t strive to look like what society deems is “perfect” at whatever given moment may also be a factor. I am naturally the way I am. And that suits me perfectly.

The quote above is Shakespeare´s Sonnet 130, and it is mainly discussing people’s perception of what beauty is. What is our standard of beauty? Why are we always striving to fit a standard that is ever-changing, and is quite frankly a hollow template that cannot possibly contain all of the greatness we are? This lady (the Dark Lady, she’s called) that the person in the poem is describing has none of the attributes that make a woman “beautiful”, and yet he is deeply in love with her. He basically is putting his middle-finger up to society and it’s bogus beauty standards.

I’m not putting my middle finger up to society in this blog post…lol…but I do want to stress that we should all be comfortable the way we are. If you want to change something for you, that’s great, but don’t try and fit into society’s fickle perception of who you should be at any given time. When those thoughts start creeping in…that’s when you get those middle fingers ready!!! ;-)

Thank you for stopping by….XOXO!

What if knowledge is LITERALLY power?

“He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.”

— Julius Caesar, Act II, i

WARNING: I’m an out-of-the-box thinker kinda gal.

Carry on.

Have you ever considered this? Good ole Merriam Webster has nine definitions for the word power. In the above quote, Brutus was referencing the second definition: A position of authority, control, or influence over others. There is no need to expound upon that definition. We constantly experience the effects of it in various aspects of our lives. I, however, want to discuss definition number 6: A source or means of supplying energy: especially electricity. From this point on, open your minds and let me give you something to ponder.

Since childhood, we’ve all been inundated with the platitude KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that. And trying to gain more control and power in our lives is a big money maker in our society, Whether it’s paying for knowledge gaining esteemed letters after your name, paying for workshops and buying self-help books from other people who seem to know you better than you know yourself. Or better yet, joining the infinite amount of groups that require you to take an oath, perform a ritual of some kind to gain some “secret” knowledge the rest of us don’t know..i.e…Shriners, Knights of Malta, those Rosicrucians, or any of the other numerous fraternal orders out here. Or perhaps going to yoga, learning to meditate is more your thing (which is a good thing) all in an effort to gain more control and knowledge in your own life in order to manifest a life that society says you need. The only thing is, you’ll NEVER get the true answer that will free you and give you the power to empower you, which is your/our birthright.

BUT let me posit this: WHAT IF the phrase in a very popular book Genesis 1:3, Let there be light, actually meant that the people in power at the time actually monopolized how to generate electricity. (Pay close attention the letters in bold.) The descendants from these people, are now the only people to have this knowledge (the knowledge all of humanity once shared), and they now govern us today in the form of royal families and presidents worldwide….a.k.a. governments.

What do you think? Hard to believe? Not really. Without going into an extensive history lesson to cross all of my t’s and dot all of my i’s, it’s more than plausible. Think about it: You essentially go to work everyday to literally pay for power, that is free, so you can go home and flick on the light switch, open your fridge to find something to eat, then turn on your stove to make a nice dinner. Afterwards, turn on your laptops and/or computers to check in on my blogs..;-)..play Nintendo, charge up your electronic devices, etc. Mind you, all the while we are all paying for energy that these huge power plants all around the world are generating for free. Let that sink in a bit.

Most people would equate money with power. They believe the accumulation of wealth will ultimately lead to power.

Unfortunately, money became the poor substitution for true power.

If money = currency, and currency = current, then current = energy, which = power.

Knowledge really used to be power. That knowledge has been hidden.

You can’t be liberated without power...and you can’t have power without knowing how to generate it. And you will never have power if you are paying power companies for energy. Period.

True empowerment comes from more than joining a group and/or subscribing to a particular ideology.

Ok…I’m done soliloquizing….for now..:-)

To be continued at another time. So much more to be deduced through this one thought.

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO!!

Get your clout up- CLOUT CHASIN‘

“Authority has always attracted the lower elements in the human race. They will submit to any indignity, perform any vile act, do anything to achieve power.“

P.J. O‘Rourke, Parliament of Whores

Photo credit: Yours truly

This is the word of the moment. I even think being a clout-chaser is an actual occupation these days. Correction: I know it is. I mean, look at the stats. If you achieve any amount of significant clout (this is a grey area, based on one‘s perspective…like most things), you are guaranteed anywhere from a modicum of money, respect, and power, to cascading throngs of it.

Necklace: Dylanlex (Gilded Phoenix)

Swag, courtesy of me

And isn‘t that what the majority of us humans seem to be socially engineered to crave. Attention. Attention which leads to likes and followers, which you pray to the social media gods will lead you to the Promised Land of Clout. What is causing people from all walks of life to de-value the low-profile aspects of our lives? Does everything need to be seen? Does everything need to be filtered through your Instagram lense? This filtered lense is quickly becoming part of our DNA. We don our filter/template that society has offered us without hesitation. As a matter of fact, we demand it. And heaven forbid if you show up without it. There are quite a few to choose from, too. Which one are you sporting today? I‘m wearing my 80‘s gold chain wearing rapper one today. The aesthetic is cool. I‘m feelin‘ it.

May get „some gold teeth and dance like Michael.“ At least that template is slightly rarer…;-) Hey, in the end, I know this post is ironic to say the least…maybe even sardonic in nature. The irony isn‘t lost on me. But just to put it out there…I‘m not clout-chasing…I‘m just soliloquizing…:-)

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

Comment something nice below…:-)

No affiliate links used in this blog post.

Do you want to be comfy and stylish? Try this trend.

“Love comforteth like sunshine after rain”

— Venus and Adonis by Shakespeare

Not only does love comforteth, but so do these stylish gym shoes! Ok granted, they are not made for hiking treks on the rock of Gibraltar (where I actually wore these Gucci gym shoes), but they are comfy for regular jaunts around town.

Location: Rock of Gibraltar

PC: BT

Outfit details: Gucci Ace Gym Shoes, Fendi iKan bag, Gucci palm cuff

There was a time in my life, over 20 years ago, when I didn’t even own a pair of gym shoes. I literally wore heels every time I went out. (I mean, back then I was in my twenties…..so, that age range alone is enough to justify why I chose that modality of footwear…lol.)

Nowadays, I still wear heels every now and then, but since the explosion of the gym shoe trend that has taken over the last couple of years, I’ve been hooked.

Balenciaga shirt, Gucci skirt, Gucci belt bag, Gucci gym shoes

Location: Seville, Spain

PC: BT

I love mixing metallics or sequins, or anything else deemed “dressy”, and dressing them down with a pair of high end sneakers. Also, if you’re wearing some jeans and a white shirt, and throw on a pair of Dolce and Gabbana gym shoes, for instance, you’ve just elevated your style 1000%.

Dolce and Gabbana Super Queen leather sneakers (Still available as of date of this blog post.)

Give it a try! Be comfy and cute simultaneously! You don‘t have to sacrifice your comfort for style. Just like love…this upscale sneaker trend (which I think is here to stay) will comfort you like sunshine after the rain.

Let me know how you rock this trend!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

No affiliate links were used in this blog post.

So…is it Spring, yet?

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything”

— Sonnet XCVIII

In my neck of the woods, spring hasn’t exactly sprung. I mean, it has been raining a fair bit, which is definitely spring-like….and the sun has been shining a lot, which is great! However, there has been this slightly cold wind that has been killing my springish vibes. While waiting for that cold wind to warm up, I’m getting my mind right for spring my wearing bright colors that warm my soul up!

These fabulous pants from Zara are the epitome of spring. I’m absolutely in love with them! I’ve paired them with a light blue sweater from Joos Tricot. (Link is similar sweater.)This sweater serves two functions: warmth and this beautiful blue will brighten up any space you walk into. (FYI: The sweaters from this brand are awesome. The fit is to die for!)

As you can see, I’m not afraid of color. My pink Fendi purse, in my opinion, is the perfect addition to finish off my spring outfit. (This link is similar to my purse. Mine may no longer be available)

So, be brave! Experiment with a pops of color, and be young at heart and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that’s on verge of springing forth!

Comment below and let me know how you add spring colours to your wardrobe.

By the way, no affiliate links are used in this blog.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

Sequins here, sequins there, sequins everywhere!

“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances....”

— As You Like it, Act II, iv

Tis the season to be shiny!! To be fair, any season is shiny season for me. I happen to agree that all the world is my stage (and yours too), and I am the protagonist of my story. J. Cole also paraphrased this same sentiment…”This is my canvas….Ima paint it how I want it..”

This fabulous skirt is from Vivetta. I paired it with a Karl Lagerfeld T-shirt which dresses “down” the dressiness of the skirt. This type of juxtaposition is something I love to play with. My Gucci fanny pack (whoever thought you’d live to see the fanny pack make a comeback!) ties everything together.

Don’t be shocked if you ever run into me at the local grocery store dressed in this shiny sequin skirt and some fab gym shoes…because I never “save my best” for a special day. To me, everyday is a special day…and I dress accordingly!

GO AHEAD AND PIN ME! :-)

Thank you for stopping by! Let me know how you shine! XOXO

Get you some leopard print, bruh!

Are you elusive and secretive at times? Difficult to trace and locate in the wild? I know I have these qualities at times…and most likely am not alone…;-) Apart from myself, these are characteristics of one of our favorite big cats- the leopard!

Headband: House of Lafayette

Jean Jacket: Blank NYC

Pants: H&M

Bee Ring: Gucci

There’s no escaping it. You’ve undoubtedly seen this trend in the last five minutes scrolling down your favorite social media platform. LEOPARD PRINT!! This style has resurrected itself to mind blowing proportions this season. I mean, face it….it never really went anywhere. You’d see sightings of it….jauntily striding through the mall, or perched on a bench in the park, or at the nearest watering hole at the office. But this season, you see it striding proudly wherever your eyes land.

If you’re not bold enough to be dapper and don that leopard coat….smart small. This headband is the perfect accessory to segue into this trend.

Socks: Gucci

Shoes: Gucci

Like in the photo above, I like to wear mine with items of clothing that traditionally don’t match. These pants from H&M are a perfect example. The red stripe contrasts perfectly with the headband…so much so that the leopard print is actually behaving like a neutral.

The bottom line is, don’t feel like it’s impossible for you to get in on this classic style. There are tons of options out there, from earrings, to shoes, heck…even nail designs. Let me know how you rock your leopard print in the comments below! Maybe we’ll even run into each other in the concrete jungle! ;-)

Thank you for stopping by!! XOXO

P.S. Click on some of the product descriptions, they link to some websites. These are not affiliate links, btw.

Turbans/Headbands...Get into it!

This hilarious, yet oh so true statement was said by Antipholos of Syracuse is the aforementioned, yet doesn't get enough action,  Shakespearean play.  And I'd like to think that it doesn't apply to me either…...LOL.   However, I must admit there are PLENTY of days where I wish that I could get up and go, and not worry about a hairstyle.   Doing this would save me plenty of time, but unfortunately looking like I got electrocuted is not the style I'm currently shooting for.  

The turban/headband trend that has been around for a while, but I'd say heavily for about a year and a half, and it has really spoken to my soul.  I mean, if you want to put minimal effort into styling your hair,  you can add either a turban or headband to your look, and your stylish factor instantly goes through the roof! I mean this is using your wit in the astuteness or perception of judgment sense of the word. You think I'm joking, right?  Take a close look at my pics.  I'm not wearing anything special.  Just some Rag and Bone jeans, a white shoulder free top from Asos, raffia sandals from Asos, and a fabulous straw bag from Etsy,  a fabulous palm cuff from Gucci , and the crowning glory…...DA DADA DAAAAA...….A beautiful green headband from Cult Gaia.  These headbands on their website sell out pretty quickly, and for good reason. They can totally take a bland outfit and turn it and you into a head turner. If you think you can't pull this look off, think again.  They come in many styles and price points. Also, a big plus for me, is that they camouflage my five head and make it appear like I have a (four) head.....LOL.  So, grab one that you are comfortable with, pair it with a simple outfit, and behold the transformation. 

I met up with a friend of mine, and she asked me if this was my new "thing".  I was wearing one of these headbands that I own when she saw me that time, and I also had one on the previous time before that. So, I guess it is my "thing".  I must admit that I own quite a few of them, from Gucci to H&M, and they all look fabulous. 

Photo credit: JG

So, although Antipholos was talking about a lack of hair...we can use our wit and not have a lack of a hairstyle….lol!  Thanks for stopping by! XO

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