Let me just start by saying, never in a billion years did I think that I'd be the one to double print, let alone double zebra print. Like, who am I even these days? Thanks to brands like The Attico, Khaite and Ganni, this bold print has made its way into every fashion girls wardrobe, effectively extending onto the street style scene.
We all know fashion trends are repetitious. Animal print was big in the 80's where it was fashionable to be head-to-toe in print with over the top styles and silhouettes (cc Yves Saint Laurent AW '82). Flowing into the 90's where supermodel queens like the mother herself Naomi Campbell and Beverly Peele, strutted their stuff in head to toe leopard print leotards and pencil dresses for Alaia's '91 RTW show. Popularly declared the 90's biggest trend, animal print has now earned its place as timeless and classic, meaning it will always be on trend.
As a timeless print, designers are constantly coming up with new ways to present these evergreen trends. This season, brands have opted for a more minimal way to incorporate these prints in a more neutral and natural color palette. However, fashion houses like Roberto Cavalli who's signature style has always been centered around exotic prints and vibrant colors, have managed to continue their identity throughout the seasons. These boots add a playful, yet sophisticated spin on my outfit against these The Attico dupes from Zara.
Because the look is so busy on the bottom I decided to keep the top very minimal for a more chic approach. But even though I wanted chic, I still wanted to keep it intriguing. This blazer from ASOS has a "subtle sexy" cut out detail in the back that gives it just enough sex appeal. A plain, structured bag in the same color palette as an accessory, not THE accessory.
I'm actually very proud of this outfit. The ratios give me life and are a perfect representation of my personality, if I do say so myself.
Bright colors and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly, cheese boards and wine, me and rooftop bars- you know. And for some reason I've been gravitating to yellow a lot lately. But if, like myself, you enjoy the neutral aesthetic more, color can be a bit overwhemling and intimidating. I'm here to show you it doesn't have to be.
styling bright colors with other items in the same color family for a monochromatic look tends to make color easier to wear.
pairing bright colors with neutral accessories ie shoes and bag adds a more chic approach to doing color.
if you're going to do color, commit to it 100%
These trousers from Lieberskind Berlin grabbed my attention with the color block detail. Yellow and brown together are already tonal colors which made it easier for me to style. The light knit top from Vero Moda is a perfect summer wardobe staple that can easily transition to the fall, and you all know we stan a multifunctional wardrobe piece over here. White strappy heels to keep it daytime chic and my tan Hugo Boss pouch that compliments the whole outfit perfectly. These thick framed Le Specs shades adds a certain je nais ce quoi that elevated this look to newer chic levels.
Maybe because it’s such an obvious piece, or perhaps the focus is more so on the actual outfit as a whole, but tank tops have been an overlooked wardrobe piece for as long as I can remember.
However, as I think back this basics trend has been a constant since the 90’s and probably even before, when supermodels like Naomi would wear plain white tank tops with high waisted denim and a jeans jacket, or when Cher from clueless would do the whole baby tee and tank combo, remember that?
The early 2000’s brought the layering of the tank tops- that I’ve definitely been guilty of wear, as well as the reintroduction of the satin cami.
Tank tops have literally seen every phase of fashion throughout the years. They practically raised us.
This season they’re back bigger, better and way more chic. Long gone are the days where these basics are associated with being basic. Now is the time of asymmetrical and cropped tanks, knitted and ribbed tanks, squared neck, round neck, racer back tanks. Plunging necklines or sleeveless turtleneck, whatever your fancy there is a style for you. These wardrobe basics aren't so basic after all!
This black cut out tank that I'm wearing, is one of my current favorites. Along with what it's styled it with: suits. I love the antithesis of bringing the two together for a chic and minimal look. Pair with white strappy heels and a black structured bag to complete the look.
Below I’m sharing some of the tanks currently on my wishlist (clickable links)…
How are we feeling about the current trend on basics for S/S20? Are you a basics hoarder like me? Or are you all about the statement tops?
This year took me for a loop and I was not ready. What started out as eagerness, enthusiasm, optimism, and overall contentment on turning the big 3-0. Quickly turned into confusion, frustration and a whole lot of adult anxiety. It seemed like I was being tested in all aspects of life.
The confidence that took me years to build came crashing down like a ton of bricks and up to now I still can’t pin point when and where the diversion began. Needless to say, my 30th year was centered around relearning myself, rewiring my thinking, reengaging with my passions and taking on new approaches to things I thought I had on lock. Like motherhood. In the time that I was going through a mental renovation, my toddler decided to assume a completely new personality. Things that were a breeze for us like going to the park or just being with him by myself became such a struggle and mental mind fuck. At the time, I didn’t know what was going on and resentment decided to let itself in the back door.
Resentment toward myself for not being good enough and patient enough to handle my own child, resentment towards the husbae for not taking me seriously and making it seem like I was always overreacting, and lastly toward my son because what happened! You were always so good! What happened? Of course, at the time I didn’t know this is what I was feeling, only now that I’ve had time to process can I put this experience, this time into words. As I type I can’t help but feel ashamed that I allowed these emotions to consume me in this way.
So, motherhood took an unexpected turn, cool. Then self-doubt reintroduced itself, hello old frenemy. Wtf do you want now? Well, let me just say, self-doubt is a bastard. Constantly having mini panic attacks when you’re presented with opportunities you prayed for, only to suddenly feeling like you’re so unworthy and incapable of executing on them has to be one of the worst feeling ever. And then self-doubt comes in with the game winning bucket called comparison and envy. Cringe.
I’ve had to be intentional once I realized what was happening to my mental state. It was deteriorating slowly before me, but I wasn’t sure if anyone else realized it. How could they, after all, no one I know has mind reading powers. Being someone who’s a “don’t worry ill figure it out myself” kind of person, I’ve had to constantly talk myself into communicating my feelings, whether I think they’re trivial or not. By communicating what I was feeling, when I was feeling it, allowed me to acknowledge and expose the source of chaos and give it a name. Progress!
I decided to give going natural another chance. Moment of silence for my confidence. I know you’re probably thinking “okay, and..?” but no one told me the amount of “sitting with yourself” this would need. On top of getting braces! A goofy smile and untamed hair, this was elementary school all over again. Let’s face it guys, I’m a blogger. I take pictures of myself for fun. It’s a humbling, confidence crushing time and I’ve had to figure out different ways to build myself up. We’ve managed to make some progress in that regard and my solution as of now is taking it a day at a time. Ask me again tomorrow and it may be a different story. I’ve always said being a blogger, takes a certain level of self-security (that I thought I had) but it’s brutal y’all. All I’m saying is, if you see me with a new chin, mind your business.
The year of 30 was a revolving door of Instagram vs reality scenarios, to the point where my whole being needed a moment of stillness to come to terms with the changes that need to happen and the work that needs to be done. I would say throw the whole year 30 away but I needed the wakeup call. I feel like this was God’s way of telling me to chill out, be present and stay grateful. Yes, a lot of things happened that left me confused, but a whole lot of amazing things happened too. By focusing on all the negatives, I let all the positives come and go without giving God the recognition and praise He deserves. Everything in my life was being taken for granted and God said “fine, I’ll just take some things away then”.
Faith and spirituality are both such a personal thing, to me, that I would never impose my beliefs onto another. But in the same breath, I’d be a selfish fool to think that I get to skip to the part where He grants me all my hearts desires without acknowledging Him first. Walking into 31, I’d like to first thank God for life. Overall, I am happy, I am healthy, my family- the same. We are all so blessed and we want for nothing. I’ll continue to work on myself with the understanding that I can't do it without Him. I will continue to give God the glory and thank Him for all He has done and for all that He’s going to do. I feel like if I can stay focused on that mindset, everything else will fall into place.
As I reread this thought piece, the word that keeps coming to mind is GRATITUDE. Which is something that we should all be practicing as a verb and not a noun. And so I'll leave you with this quote that writes... “the more you are in a state of gratitude, the more you will attract things to be grateful for.”
Cheers to making 31 one to remember, to staying grateful, to living intentionally, to manifesting abundance, and to praising God in the hallway until He opens the next door.
You ever put on a dress and feel instantly transformed? You stand a little taller, your chin a little higher, shoulders back, chest out. You feel bold, powerful, regal.
Not to sound dramatic or anything, but as soon as the zipper closed on this little number it teleported me to a far away land. Imagine drop top convertibles in the drive way, summer lunches of caprese salads and freshly baked bread on the table in the backyard surrounded by family and friends and lots of Aperol Spritzers. This was the feeling the first time I ever put on this Dolce & Gabbana dress.
D&G designs are bold, bright and printed. The over the top embellishments are all so far out from my comfort zones, yet still, there is this attention to detail and intricacy that is so undeniably fascinating and artistically pleasing. Somehow the silhouettes, so in sync with my personal style. The soft silks, the perfect pleats and the impeccable cut of this particular dress, pays such respect to the woman’s body, that all you can do is really admire the craftsmanship from this fashion power house.
ART. PURE ART.
Dolce & Gabbana is notorious for their daring headbands and bold accessories, so I decided to pay homage to that by styling it with this pearl headband and matching heart shaped earrings from ASOS that I’ve been dying to wear for a while now. The whole combat boot trend has rushed instagram and so happens to be the biggest trend, since the whole neon fiasco. But I do love how it contrasts and gives this look a little edge.
POWER DRESSING: Born in the second half of the 1970s and developed in the 1980s, power dressing is a fashion style that enables women to establish their authority in a professional and political environment traditionally dominated by men. Wikipedia
It was a warm winters day, warm enough to ditch my coat for a couple hours while shooting. Or maybe it was the super powers that this dress seemed to have given me. Either way, this deep brown faux fur coat from &other stories complimented the outfit giving the already lux look a touch more opulence. I mean, it's one thing to look it, another story when you feel like schmoney *Cardi B voice*. And that my friends, is what I call "power dressing".
Leave me a comment, and let me know what your definition of power dressing is. What kind of outfits make you feel unstoppable? It used to be a blazer for me, but I'm seriously reconsidering this dress as a contender. Sending you all the good vibes and excited to catch up with you over on my instagram. Until next time!
Ps the dog was a photobomber lol. He saw the camera a literally stopped to pose.
