Tell it all Tuesday...

The beautiful Kiah over at From the Rez to the City created a blog post about who she is as a person. I felt like it connected me to her on a whole different level, and for that I am grateful. Judging from all of the sweet comments on her post, I know I'm not the only one. Kiah and I had a brief Twitter convo and she said something that rings so true... "We all know we love fashion, but that does not define us." I loved her post so much that I decided to jump on in and share a few things about myself (I got her blessing =D).  I've done a similar post previously, but it didn't dive as deep (see here). I decided I would start a new segment titled, "Tell it all Tuesdays". This is all very random and all over the place, but hang in there with me y'all. Here it goes...

I was born in Chicago (Cabrini Green) and raised by my great grandmother and great aunt. My granny passed away when I was 12 years old, but I feel like I learned so much from here in the short time that I was blessed with her in my life. I moved to Minnesota when I was 14 years old. I hated it like crazy. I never would have guessed that I would meet some amazing people, and have such wonderful life long friends.

I like a good game of paintball. Nothing like shooting your friends in the leg with a semi-automatic paintball gun. =D

I have one tattoo. I tattoo'd myself like a big old fool at the tender age of 12. Before you ask, yes it says "Fe-Mac". Anybody remember the rapper chick MC Smooth?? I finally got it covered at the ripe old age of 33. Bout time! HA!

Before

After

This is my first haircut (8th grade). It was supposed to be like Salt N Pepa, but ended up every bit of horrible. BTW,  I was in my late 20's when I finally waxed my eyebrows. I was so bushy!! lol! Don't judge me!                            

                                     

I loved my high school years. Some of the best times were had. I never went to college, and that's not to say that I won't go in the future. I was just one who got right to work after high school.

                                     

I'm outgoing and I love to laugh. I found out from my husband that I laugh just like my mother. LOL! Now when I laugh, all I hear is her. She'll be happy to know that.

My Momma                                      

People say I'm an old soul. I feel like it sometimes too, but I sometimes I don't like being a voice of reason. Sometimes I just want to let go and do stuff!!

I have 3 brothers and one sister. I'm the oldest, so I'm in charge wether they know it or not.

I do not like pets of any kind. Not even fish! I don't want to take care of them.

I don't like people that much. **wait let me explain** I have a huge family. A lot of which I lived with until I moved from Chicago. Even though I love my family, I always wanted to be by myself and have my own space. With a family so big and so close, there was never a need for too many friends.

I feel like I'm at my best when I know my family is happy.

I don't wear make-up other than a little eye shadow and lip gloss.

My first application of eye shadow

I have been married to the most wonderful husband a gal can have for almost 10 years (this February). Together for almost 15 (this March).

Although I love Minnesota for it's diversity, school system and NO CLOTHES TAX, I want to retire in a warmer climate. North Carolina preferrably.

I work in the insurance industry, and have since I graduated from high school in 1997, except for the few months that I worked at Comcast. Hey, it was free cable and internet!! I love the service aspect of my job. Even though I said I don't like people (don't judge me), I love building business relationships and seeing that customers return because of a service that I provide.



I think I may have rambled on for too long, that's all for now. Join me next week for another edition of "Tell it all Tuesdays". I'm going to try to keep doing this until I run out of things to say about myself. I hope to learn more about each and every one of you who take the time to stop by my little space and check up on me. Thanks for reading!! Until next time...

Happy Holidays!

Heeeyyyyy!! First, let me say that it's been really nice so far in Minnesota this winter!! I'm lovin it! So, it's been a full week since my last post. Man, have I been lazy! Recently, I've seen so many posts in the blog world about what people are wearing to holiday parties and events. I'm living vicariously through other people right now because I don't have a fancy party to attend this year. Due to budget cutbacks, the company I work for hasn't had a fancy party in years. =( Well, my blog stalking reading has prompted me to search my closet and put together a few looks that I thought would be appropriate for a holiday/New Years Eve event. Please excuse the picture heavy post. My daughter and I got picture happy. I'm not a red kind of girl so personally, I like the black and leopard. Which look do you like best??

The first dress is from Torrid. This summer, I bought it on clearance for a whopping $14!! I didn't have anywhere to wear it at the time, but at that price, it was a like a waste if money not to buy it! It fits me like a glove in all the right places. I love the sheer shoulder strap on one side.

The second dress is from Baby Phat. I LOVE this dress. I bought it around two years ago. It makes me feel like such a diva. I like the blazer over it for when I'm not trying to have all of my curves out and about. lol! The shoulders of the dress can be worn all the way up, half off the shoulder, or completely shoulder baring. I prefer the half off of the shoulder look.

P.S. At the request of the lovely Sacramento over at Mis Papelicos (love her blog), the pics today are a bit bigger. 

Weekend Girl...

I've kicked back and enjoyed this weekend, because due to the holidays and family coming in town, the next two or three will be hectic to say the least. Did a little shopping...YAY! None for me... BOOOO! Other than that, I chilled at home with hubby and the kids.

I think this outfit is pretty comfy and cute. The boots have just the right heel height to walk around the mall and not have to soak my feet later. I decided to use the scarf more as a layer than as an accessory, so I belted it. It was a pretty nice day out (high 20's in December in Minnesota is considered nice), but the wind was out of control. My curls were all over the place! My baby girl did the best she could with the cold, the wind, and me. Poor thing. =D She's a trooper for Mommy's blog. Until next time...

Color Palette

Long sleeve Tee - Target

Scarf - Old Navy

Belt - Target

Jeans - JC Penny

Boots - Payless

Rock on witcha bad self...

Played it pretty safe with the last post. Now it's time to step out again. This past summer, my sis-inlaw gave these faux leather leggings to me after she thought they didn't work for her. I had been wanting a pair for a while, but didn't know if they would work for me either. I figured this was the perfect way to find out. I absolutely love them, but here's the thing... They're hot (looking & temperature wise lol) my legs were sweating a little bit. They're also a bit noisy. I know some of you don't have this problem, but my thighs do a little rubbing! Maybe it's TMI, but it's true. These leggings don't let you forget it, LOL!

The top, is actually the infamous blog world Old Navy sweater dress. When I first wore the dress, I thought... This is one of those pieces that you only wear once in a while because while beautiful, it's so loud and eye catching. When I looked at it in my closet, I wanted to wear it again so bad and thought, why fight it? PUT IT ON. And I did, but as a sweater, not a dress. I feel all rocker chic in this outfit. Until next time...

Sweater dress - Old Navy

Faux Leather Leggings - Khols (given to my by sis-inlaw)

Shoes - Madden Girl - Herbergers

Lace makes everything better

Because of my recent issues, I decided to play it safe. Black and nude... That's the way to go. I really like this shirt. It's lace and really feminine. It's sleeveless (mad I didn't get pics without the shrug). Of course the shoes are fire. I'm going to stop wearing them for a little while. I promise =D.

I just want to take a moment to thank all of the ladies who gave me advice and added such kind comments on my last post. I was strugglin y'all! lol! Now, on to the pics! Tomorrow, I try my leather pants. Stay tuned! Pray for me! lol! Until next time...

Color Palette

Shrug - Lane Bryant

Lace Top - Gifted from a friend

Pants - Gap Outlet

Shoes - Payless

Imma do me...

The below looks show me trying to step outside of my comfort zone, and having a complete #fail. This is not a post where I'm fishing for compliments or anything close. My apologies for the picture heavy post. I just wanted to document for myself, what I look like when I start to try too hard and end up not being me.

The color palette on this outfit I LOVE, but the combination of pieces together just didn't flow right. I had it in my head, but bringing it to life just didn't prove to be as cute as I imagined. The sweater was bulky, and the gauchos just weren't right. The only thing I like is the shoes with the tights, and not combined with the top pieces. They were just too dressy for the casual look.

Sweater - Herbergers

Button down shirt - Herbergers

Gauchos - Lane Bryant

Tights - Target

Shoes - Payless

This next fit, I could have been "fixed" by something as simple as switching out the grey tights for black ones. Again, trying too hard to incorporate the colored tights into my wardrobe. It didn't flow as effortlessly as I would have liked it to. And the blue/white stripe headband... uh, no. lol! 

Corduroy Dress - Old Navy (years ago)

Tights - Target

Booties - Herbergers

For me, blogging is a journey. I'm learning from my style choices. There will be mistakes along the way. This is not to say that I'm not going to try things that are new to me (still working on faux leather pants and pattern mixing). I'm going to keep on keepin on... and documenting along the way. Until next time... 

Jail house rock...

Today I felt like I had on an old timey jail uniform. I like the stripes, but it's all I could think of when I saw myself in the mirror today. I used to shy away from horizontal stripes because of my frame. Not too long ago I started trying them out, and now I feel that I can wear them... and look good! This top was on the mannequin in the Juniors section at Kohls as a dress. Not on this body! lol! It's also a size L. That didn't stop me from trying it on, and buying it.  I'm also learning more and more to not be so dismissive when it comes to style and sizes. After all, it could work on me. Maybe not the way the designer intended, but the way I want it to. Until next time...

Color Palette

UPDATE!! I submitted this look for the Everybody Everywhere Black + White challenge. It's an older post, but it works nonetheless! =D

Top - Kohls

Jeggings - Merona - Target

Booties - Herbergers (Boston, Carson Prairie Scott)

Black Trench - Walmart