What You Need to Buy in July

Just like last week when I was telling you about all the things I love right now we are keeping the thread going. Face Mask Fashion A Social Moms post about face mask fashion and finding a DIY hair mask that is right for your hair.  Slip Dresses, Maxi Skirts, & More I have a few days a week where all I want is to feel totally free in my clothes without any constrictions. Thanks, Coronavirus.  You totally have me wearing skirts and dresses again.  Gone are my cute shorts and tops from summers long gone by.  I want dresses in light fabrics, things with wide pockets, and no waistlines.  I want easy to throw on stuff that feels good against my body but also keeps me looking put together. Muscle Burns Fat (#mbf) I'm REALLY excited about the start of #mbf.  It's a fat-burning … [Read more...]

What I Love This Week

I'm on a mission to find fun, engaging, sustainable, and easy ways to make our life more enjoyable, as well as those that give back.  It's summer and it's Covid Summer #Quarantinelife still (did we really think this would still be a thing?!) so our world is different.  I'm looking for new businesses to support and ways to help my community because we are all suffering, growing (PLEASE!), and finding ways to learn. Social Moms, Social Stuff I write for the website Social Moms on the regular.  Here's the latest from me. 10 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Need to Discover and How to Soothe Irritated Skin (I'm looking at you, face mask). Feeling anxious?  How about eating your way to being anxiety-free?   Shocking No One My Teen is Bored Looking for some fun DIY beauty ideas to … [Read more...]

Holiday Hits

Holy Holiday Season, readers! It's here, it's here.  Thanksgiving week is upon us!  Then Black Friday, Cyber Monday and a million sites offering free shipping. I managed to solve one, just one, holiday outfit conundrum with a cute pair of Free People boots and then found a soft berry-red cashmere dress for our Christmas Eve dinner. Ok, make that two outfits. I feel like I'm batting a thousand already. I only wish I could have waited for the Shopbop Tier Sale to get my items. Bop Basics Cashmere Blouson Sleeve Turtleneck Dress   Free People Marilyn Kitten Heels Guys, these boots are an answer to my prayers. I bought this Eliza J dress back in July and I love it.  It's not my typical style or color and I forgot to wear it.  I think it will work really well with these boots … [Read more...]

Heels That Crafted History

*Disclosure: Guest post by Christine Rudolph.  Opinions are 100% those of the guest post contributor.  Affiliate links are used. Image Source Fashion does not make exceptions for shoes – after all, it’s a $40 billion industry. With every season, we get to see a new breed of all kinds of heels - thin stilettos, satin pumps, black-heel mules, and towering high heels. But as far as the history of high heels is concerned, it takes you back all the way to the 15th century. During those days, heels were not only something associated with only women fashion. There are history pages that talk about Persian men who wore heels, especially while horse riding. As the decades continued, heels were worn and loved by both the genders equally. While high heels have evolved a great deal since the 15th … [Read more...]

How ‘A New Day’ at Target Gave Me Unicorn Pants

Last week I found myself back at the old bullseye also known as Target for what felt like the billionth time in weeks.  Yes, we needed more school supplies (Dear, middle school you can stop now with all the per class special requests) and some items for the girls' new fall activities.  Wouldn't you know it also gave me time to check out the 'A New Day' line in the Target women's department? And there on a rack chocked full of boring black and navy dress pants I found what is now referred to as my "Unicorn Pants".  I swear, I was only looking and not planning to buy.  But then, well, unicorn pants. How do I describe these pants?  They are incredibly soft to the touch.  They look dressy but can be dressed down too. They are a small but sentimental nod to our old life in the … [Read more...]

Beat the Heat: 5 Summer Running Tips

Weather Emoji says: Last week when I was at the beach and wearing this cute re:named floral jumpsuit from Shopbop? Torrential rains and gusty winds. But here we are in August already, it is the dog days of summer and I'm all about restoring myself and trying to take back a bit of what is left of these golden warm months that beckon to me just like my hammock outside. I've started taking yoga in the mornings at an outdoor class in my 'hood.  It's soul refreshing every time and perfect after my early morning runs. See my summer running tips below I had to buy this after my first class.  It makes me laugh every time I wear it and want to head over to yoga class.   Let's not forget the moms with little ones!  When my kiddos were super little one of the best … [Read more...]

The Perfect White Dress

Ah, summer.  You've been a whirlwind. But not so crazy that I didn't have time to find myself the perfect white dress. Meet Ali & Jay 'Kiss Me in the Candlelight', my perfect white dress. It comes in white or black. Both are fabulous.  The dress hugs me in all the right places and I can't wait to wear it for a date night or even dinner out while at the beach.  I love the tassels and the length is short but not too short for my over 40 self. Take a look at the straw bags I included that are all UNDER $50. Linking up with Mix It Mondays /The Pleated Poppy/Style Elixir/Style Nudge/Classy Monday Blog Link Up/Hello Monday Link Up An InLinkz Link-up … [Read more...]

Summer Dresses & Finds

While I know many of us have gone through a shopping frenzy that last week with the Nordstrom Anniversary (Access to the general public begins Friday July 21st, and the NSale is over Sunday August 6th) sale, I purchased a Caslon blazer and Lush blouse because tried and true classics are always a steal. But then I went on a bender of sorts at SheIn.  I haven't shopped there in here so long and with an upcoming beach weekend looming I wanted some cute, fun items that wouldn't break the bank. SheIn Summer Finds by jojobride featuring a drawstring waist dress Striped Curved Hem Tshirt Dress/Green Puff Sleeve Split Chiffon Blouse/Square Neck Drawstring Waist Dress With Fringe/Blackish Green Mock Neck Sleeveless T-shirt Dress/Gingham Open Shoulder Frill Trim Dress/Porcelain Print Crop Top … [Read more...]

Fierce Summer Activewear

Summertime sweat sessions are some of my favorite times to workout. I love getting up before everyone else and getting a good workout in. The only problem is half the time I end up at the pool for the kids swim practice afterwards and I'm still in my summer activewear. I need some fierce summer activewear so to speak to keep my motivation high and to help me continue working out all summer long and look good while doing it. The Nike Free TR7 Cross Trainers offer both stability and flexibility both of which I need when I'm doing my routines. I love the summery blue hues with the yellow streaking through the sole and sides. Add in the lemon tank labeled 'fierce' that makes me feel lighting fast ( I can dream, right?) and I feel fresh and ready to tackle the most challenging work out my … [Read more...]

Travel with the Kate Spade New York Harbor Crossbody

When I went to Alaska last month I knew that my clothing options needed to be more functional versus fashionable. I didn't want to feel weighed down either whether I was running between my three flights there and back or running around the town of Juneau. I needed a lightweight bag that wouldn't allow me to cram piles of stuff into it. The Kate Spade New York Harbor Crossbody made perfect sense. It's elegant, versatile and unlike some bags with chains on the strap, it wasn't heavy or uncomfortable to tote around. I loved using it while traveling through the six airports I had to go through as much as I like using it now on a daily basis. It never stops getting compliments either. Inside there are two pockets to store things. I put my keys in there and my phone in another. … [Read more...]