Blogger Inspiration...

How's everyone's week coming along so far? I didn't work Monday, so that was great, but today was really hectic. Short work weeks are always tough. Almost makes me wish that I had gone to work Monday… well, not really, but you know what I mean. ;)

Today's outfit is totally inspired by one of my favorite bloggers. When I saw that Lexy over at BeautyFash posted the below OOTD, my mind immediately scanned my closet. Lexy is always bringing her A-game. I love her blog because she's a working mom & wife, like myself. I relate to her posts and Twitter updates on a regular basis (she may or may not know this, ha).

http://www.beautyfash.com/

My outfit is not an exact replica, but it's my interpretation of this comfy/casual look. 

Until next time...

On another note: As you can see, these pics debut my afro puff. This puff is very special to me, as I have been trying to accomplish the look for months and months. I took my twists down, and wha-la!! There it was! I will get better at styling it as I get more acquainted with my natural hair. Wish me luck!! LOL!

Button down - Old Navy

Tunic/Tank - Target

Maxi Skirt - Stella Blu (neighborhood boutique)

Flats - Target

Celebrity Inspiration...

I hope your weekend has been going a fabulous as mine. Hubby and I have been kickin it all weekend as if we've had something in particular to celebrate. My weekends are never this packed. Thursday, we went to a Dave Chappelle comedy show. Friday, we went to a club to hear some live music. And Saturday, we went out for a nice dinner at an AWESOME restaurant. Today, I'm on chill mode. I will be taking my Kinky Twists down and relaxing.

Saturday I wore a super cute dress that I picked up on clearance a few months ago from Torrid. When I saw it, I immediately thought of this dress that Alicia Keys wore a while ago. Isn't she FAB?!

 The dress was yet another purchase that I made in a size 16 with the expectation of being able to fit it comfortably sooner rather than later. I'm there y'all(personal victory)!! I am completely in love with this dress!! It's super comfortable. I can't say enough about it! The silhouette that it creates brings out my inner sexy! lol!! (please excuse the lap wrinkles, as it wrinkles easily when I sit)

Until next time…

Dress - Torrid

Shoes - Urbanog.com

It Ain't Easy...

I guess that's why it's called a challenge, right?

This post is #9 of the Big Fat Summer Challenge "Wear Short Shorts". I must say that this is the furthest that I have stepped out of my comfort zone in a loooonng time. My bottom half has always been my biggest half. My legs are just big for no doggone reason. Well, there's a few reasons (pasta, bread, rice, kool-aid, genetics, etc), but I won't get into all that right now. I really want to thank Jaisfer for pushing me, herself, and the other ladies involved with this challenge. I was all kinds of scared, but I must say that these shorts ended up being very liberating for me.

I'm not sure if I can finish the challenge completely by wearing a two piece bikini. I wanted to get to the beach before the challenge was over, but I doubt that will happen in the next day or so :( I will get to the beach by August though. I plan to go with my gurls for my birthday the weekend before the 30th. I will post pics for sure to unofficially finish the challenge.

**ATTENTION any anonymous folks who want to ensure that I am aware of my robustness… I KNOW my legs are big. They have cellulite. Yes, I've heard of a gym, … yadda, yadda, yadda.**

Until next time…

Tee - Target

Shorts - Target

Belt - Removed from a dress

Shoes - Steve Madden - Marshals 

Style Inspired...

It's been around a week since my last post. That's not long at all, but for some reason it feels like forever. My little family went on a road trip to Chicago for my annual Family Reunion. It's ALWAYS a great time getting together with family. I will post a few pics in a future post and introduce you guys to a some of my near and dear family members =D

For now on to the clothes. It's crazy where inspiration comes from sometimes. My outfit was inspired by my baby girl. She got dressed, and I loved the colors that she had on. My mind immediately went through my closet.

She really didn't want me to take the pic, but hey… what mama says GOES! =D

I think I captured the colors pretty well. The tank was just flowy (yea, I said it!) enough for the weather, and one can never go wrong with white pants. On to the shoes. These are my Fergalicious babies! Sometimes wedge shoes with a cork or yarn-like heel throw me off. I didn't care with these shoes though!! I had to have them! When I first saw them, they were $59.99. I really wasn't in the mood to spend that much on shoes at the time. Y'all know I love a good sale and/or clearance!! I left them at the store :( Well wouldn't you know that my sis-inlaw was shopping at another store and saw them on clearance!?! She sent me a text, and I was up there immediately! Copped for $19!! BOOM! They are super comfy, and I love the color.

Until next time…

UPDATE: I've linked up for another edition of Trendy Tuesday with Corie over at Its My Taste! Head on over to check it out!! You should link up too! =D

White Tank - Target

Green Tank - H&M

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes -  Fergalicious - Herberger's (Bostonian, Carson Prairie Scott)

Weekend Girl...

Just a quick post to say "Heeeeyyyyy!!"

You guys have seen this top and these shorts in previous posts. The last time I wore my Marilyn crop was with a high-waisted maxi skirt. Today I wore a tank underneath with my Calvin Klein shorts.  Let me tell you about this tank that I got from Old Navy!!! This bad boy is SUPER comfy. The material just feels so soft against the skin! I love it, and will be going back for more. I can't get enough of my cute little sandals from Target. I bought the black pair first, then went back for these brown babies a week or so later.

Welp, I'm off to see The Amazing Spider-Man movie. Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend!

Until next time…

Crop Top - Target
Tank - Old Navy
Shorts - Macy's
Sandals - Target

BFSC #7 & 8...

Two posts in one day?!?! Whoa!!

I had to take pics of this outfit to get it into the weekly recap of the Big Fat Summer Challenge over at Jaisfer Lions Club. Installment #7 is the high-waisted aspect of this outfit. Love this high-waisted pencil skirt!! Entry #8 of the challenge is the bodycon fit. I threw on the statement necklace just to break up the matchy-matchy-ness of everything. And yes, there are belt loops in the skirt. I wasn't feeling wearing a belt, so I didn't. BOOM!

Date night doesn't get any better than this!! ;)

Eight down, two to go!! Now I need to find the courage to post my short shorts and my two piece swimsuit.

Until next time…

UPDATE: This look has been entered in Corey's Trendy Tuesday link up over at Its My Taste! Check it out!





 This look was also entered into the Everybody Everywear Colorblocking Challenge 

 

Necklace - Eloquii (won in a giveaway)

Tee - Target

Skirt - JCPenny

Shoes - Urbanog.com

Harder, better, faster, stronger...

Happy weekend peeps!! I got in an early work-out this morning, so what better time to post about my workout regimen?!

Over the past month or so, I've been sticking to my plan of working out 5-6 times a week. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I post pics here and there while I'm gettin it in. lol! Shout out to my workplace! They are great because employees are offered an on campus gym membership at a sweet price. I was just too lazy to join before.

Monday - Wednesday its 30 - 45 minutes on the elliptical or stationary bike. Thursday is boot-camp class (on the days that I can make it in time). If I know I can't make it, I will just do the elliptical (last week, I did BOTH). Friday is usually a rest day, and Saturday is strength training with a personal trainer. Last week, I worked out on Sunday as well. I took it easy by walking to a nearby lake, around the lake then walked back home. That took me around an hour or so. If it's not too hot out, I plan to do the same thing tomorrow.

I just want to make exercising a lifestyle for me from now on. My plan is to start strong, and taper off a bit as I start to see progress. Eventually, I want to start running with my husband. I have to work my way up to that though. I am soooooo not a runner. I just look & feel awkward. Ha!!

So, here's a few pics of me and the ladies that help keep me motivated at our Saturday session from last week.


                             **WARNING! This is a picture heavy post**

Until next time…

Nick, our beloved trainer showing off his muscles. Ha!

Danielle getting it in under Nicks watchful eye

Me!! Going strong!

Regina, doing the same

Gotta keep breathing!

That is not a smile people… I was grunting! =D

Regina with the weight vest

Danielle. That girl is STRONG!

In true blogger fashion, picture break!

Shontelle! Look at those arms!!

Shontelle with those arms again

And… done.