Have you ever just gotten dressed without even thinking about it? Literally just picking out pieces and throwing them on because it most likely would look the best. And to not even look in the mirror afterward to contemplate on the overall look. Well that's what today's look was. I just felt in my gut that this was the best combination for this brand new leopard print dress I just bought!

    Nasty Gal was having a huge 60% off sale so I had to shop around a bit and got this cute form grazing slip dress and these cool white flatform sandals. I love layering; so because this dress was already sheer and delicate I decided to put on my sheer black bodysuit underneath. This thoughtless act put together two sheer pieces creating one bold outfit. I love making outfits pop so I had to throw on these bright, clean, white sandals. This not only makes the shoes stand out but it allows the dress to pop as well. I then paired these chic tortoise shell, cat-eye sunglasses just continuing with this sassy animal look. Lastly, my jewelry doesn't actually make any connection with the outfit except the fact that they are gold accent pieces, however these are my two favorite pieces of jewelry so it doesn't matter.

  Now lets just talk about this location! I was out visiting my friend in Fredericksburg, VA because this was a halfway point for us to meet up at. We decided we'd do some thrifting, get something to eat, and just see what was actually here in this city. As we were driving we just both happened to see this gorgeous lilac colored building and we turned to each other and said this is definitely the spot for today. We have to remember this and come back after we eat. Turns out this was just a lighting and electrical supply warehouse that looked like it was kind of abandoned. On the sides they had these stone garden fountains just laying around on the ground but within their gates. It was just weird to me that they decided to paint this entire building this delicate lilac purple. Anyways, it was the perfect location because nobody was around and the lighting was great for each angle of the building.

    Side note: Explore new areas! There's always something you can enjoy from being in a new place outside of your hometown or somewhere you've always gone. Try new things and find out what you really like.

Hey guys!
    I've got a fun look for you all to see this time around! It's super playful and fashion-forward. It's the focus of mixed textures that make this look stand out. Mixing hard and soft, thick and thin, solid and printed; it makes a huge impact to the overall look.

    This look is all about the details and colors. I love to mix prints and I thought how cool would it be to mix these two textures as well to step up the look. This shirt was a new find at Anthropologie by the designer Eva Franco. It was the main focus of this outfit. I knew for sure I needed something very exciting to pair with this top to make it very fashionable and steer away from a clown vibe. This top could have easily gone the wrong way but pairing it with this fringe, mustard color skirt was the perfect choice. This skirt is so playful; the pencil shape fits me like a glove and the fringe moves with such ease as I walk. It was just a natural pairing because black and white can literally go with any color you want. To give the look some edge, as I always do, I added my classic, black, leather jacket to finish off the look and threw on my platform Dr. Martens. This super feminine look needed just a bit of grunge to make it completely me.

    Now this look can be a little more difficult to master, but like I always say, have fun with your looks; take a chance and try something out of your comfort zone. If you feel like you have a handle on mixing prints go ahead and try to mix textures as well. Knits with silks, leathers with wool, rough with soft; the combinations are endless!

Hey guys. So here I have Jasmine. She asked me to help her build her personal style. For me, there is an entire process to developing one's style and it definitely takes time. Most people think they know what they want to look like until they actually have to shop for the items. A lot of times it just takes some refinement and the process of trial and error to figure out what works for different people. So be patient and take it one step at a time. So when I first started with Jasmine I just asked some simple questions like what she likes to wear, the type of look she's going for, what she thinks her best features are, and what are some basic staples she already has. These are major things to think about before making a shopping trip to ensure you are not buying unnecessary things or items that don't compliment the clothes in your current closet. It helps one narrow done what it is that you might need to really complete your wardrobe or enhance it, whatever direction you are looking to go in.

We went to a few different places but we made some purchases at three stores; the thrift store, Zara, and then Forever 21. At the thrift store we found a few tops and a really nice fitted trench coat. The first thing I spotted was that salmon colored trench. I fell in love! It was impeccably kept up by its previous owner, everything about it was perfect. Jasmine is on the shorter side and the jacket was still a great length on her and it just fit her so nicely. The tops we picked out could either be worn for work or an everyday look. She was obsessed with the bright green tropical top, so I let her get it and figure out what she wants to do with it later. Everyone has their own personal style if you don’t have pieces in your closet that make you happy then what’s the point of dressing with a purpose. At Zara, we were focusing on finding some quality staples that could be used to pair with anything. Here, she found a really nice black leather jacket that could be an everyday staple item that could make any outfit feel completed. She also found some really cute black leather loafers. These shoes could be used to dress up a simple outfit, making it polished or even make an outfit sort of quirky. Then at Forever 21 she found two pair of jeans that she really needed; a black pair and a basic blue denim which are both staples for any outfit. She also found one printed midi dress that can easily be thrown on as a quick outfit to run errands or just to go out during the day. We found a nice turtleneck and windbreaker just as filler pieces to layer with and complete an outfit. Lastly, she found some accessories to enhance her outfits. I had her focus on golds because based off of this color palette, it's better if she has accents of gold in her wardrobe creating a rounded and warm look. It also could set a tone for other outfits she may already own in her wardrobe.

Now looking at these receipts, she did spend a pretty penny, but that doesn't always have to be the case. If you don't have the money at the time you can definitely wait until stores are having big sales or special promotions going on. You also don't have to buy in bulk when you go shopping; it's definitely ok to buy one or two pieces at a time. Another option, if you don't have the free time, is to consider shopping online, where most brands have deals going on. But if you're a person who worries about online clothing fitting properly, pay attention to those sites that offer free shipping/returns so that you don't have to worry about paying to ship items back if they don't fit. Also this gives you the opportunity to see all your options on one screen and all together. You can easily shop three different places and sort of make outfits between them all because you can easily flip back and forth through the sites to make sure you are making a cohesive look. This too lets you see what you have at home and then make your decision without buying something too similar to what you already own. However, if you truly are the one that needs to see clothing in person, just pay attention to when stores are having sales so that you can possibly make a list of what you are potentially looking for so that you can stay on track and shop with a purpose.

So what's on your shopping list? Are you looking to refresh or revamp your entire wardrobe? I'm willing to help so let me know!

It's the new year! And a new year always consists of lists to become new beings of oneself. This year I plan to go into the new year with a new mindset. A mindset that is working towards a better version of myself. Every new year should be started with a reason to better oneself so that you have something to look forward to in the future if not just a reason to keep going in the present.

2019 is what i'm calling my "Transition Year." I plan to make this year a year to transition into who I really believe I can be. In order for me to do that I decided to stick to a set of words: Consistency, Dedication and Motivation. This goes for everything I do in life; Fashion, photography, health, fitness and all other things creative.

Today's outfit was much inspired by this new year mindset. I wanted to be bold, creative, and assertive. That's what this outfit gave entirely. These wide leg pants are everything I could ever imagine. These pants are by Byron Lars, who makes so many bold pieces, from pants to fancy dresses. These pants are a new standout piece in my wardrobe. They can be paired with so many things, whether I am looking to dress up an outfit or make the pants super casual. I decided to dress this outfit with a mixed-stripe peplum top, mixing different types of stripes. Because the striped top is so low cut, I decided to layer it with a black mesh turtleneck. To complete the outfit, I just threw on a contrasting jacket which complemented the navy, light blues and white. I personally love to mix prints and layer, so this outfit is an epitome of who I am and what I love.

So to start off the year, I plan to keep up with the bold and creative outfits as per usual. To continue through the year, I plan to bring out the creative aspects of everything I do. What's everyone else's plan for the year? How do you propose to keep the year going in your favor? How do you plan to be a better you? Start thinking about these things before the year goes by too quickly. It'll help you better assess what you want in life for yourself.

    Denim on denim is definitely still a thing! Denim never gets old, no matter what the style of it is. Light wash, medium wash, dark wash. Skinny, jegging, bootcut, flare, wideleg. Jeans, tops, dresses, shoes, accessories. The options are endless! Denim has been used for anything you could possibly think of.

    Personally, denim is one of my favorite neutrals. I love to just throw on a pair of jeans and dress it up with a cute shoe and top. But I also love to pair denim with denim. It just feels like more of a challenge to match the right shades of denim. For this particular outfit, I paired these dark wash jeggings with a bold newsprint buttondown dress and denim ankle boots. My newsprint dress is a new staple in my closet. It can be worn on its own or paired with anything you could think of, like a skirt or pants. These denim boots were a last thought. I just wanted to keep the outfit simple since the top did all the talking. I paired these lightwash denim boots with the darkwash jeggings to showcase the denim on denim. For me, when it comes to matching denim on denim the shades have to compliment each other if they're different shades or be the exact same shade, (I'll make another post solely about denim on denim and how they can be matched). I feel like this is an easy way for me to make wearing denim look elevated.

So if you're ever thinking of elevating your denim think about the dressier items in your closet and see if you can dress it down a bit with a nice pair of jeans or denim jacket. Or if you want to think of it the other way around, start with a pair of jeans or whatever kind of denim piece you want and see what shirt, pair of shoes, etc., could really dress it up. When wearing denim, you still want to have that relaxed, careless kind of look so don't go overboard with the dressy item. To elevate the look you don't need to do too dressy of a piece because that can make the outfit look overdone. 

    Hey guys, so today I'm here to showcase this beautiful coat I made! An overdue project that finally made it's way up in the queue of other projects that overload my mind. I am absolutely in love with this coat and so is everyone else I pass by when wearing it!
    This is a sherpa suede waterfall coat. This gorgeous fabric I found at Joann Fabrics, circa. 2013, has been traveling around with me from home to Philly while in college and back home. It's amazing how well it has kept up its shine for 5 years going on 6. The fabric is so soft and warm, it is the PERFECT coat for this winter we are about to have. Right before I went to college I said I was going to make a coat to last me through the cold weather especially not having all my clothes with me in college, but little did I know I would procrastinate this long. When I finally came around to making it, it only took me two days! All the warmth I was missing out on for so long could've been cured in two days of dedication. All those times I went to New York for Fashion Weeks in February when it was absolutely frigid cold could have been a bit better with this cozy coat. Lesson from the procrastinating, dream-filled Piscean I am, put the work in right now and you will be rewarded in the future.
    More into details of the coat; The outer fabric is a light camel colored suede with a lining fabric of beige sherpa fur. I made the coat with a simple pattern by See & Sew which is very easy to understand and create from. The coat has VERY deep pockets to protect from the cold winds. It does not have any closures to keep the wind from hitting your body, however, the waterfall collar can easily be opened up and draped over one another. I believe a closure would've diminished the look of the waterfall and especially with this fabric it would've given robe vibes, lol, if I added a belt or some kind of button closure. So, more to come on when I'm ready to sell these babies! 
    Enjoy!

    Hey guys, so today is all about that pop of color! Whether that color comes in through an article of clothing, a shoe, or makeup, I believe a pop of color is very playful and bold. It shows confidence and that's what fashion should be all about.
    So of course if you want a pop of color in your look, you could either start with that color or throw it in at the end by figuring out what color would look best with the already completed outfit. In this case, I went with the latter option of throwing in the color at the end. I felt as though this outfit wasn't anything spectacular unless it had a bright color added to it. I wanted to be comfortable so I started with a simple t-shirt and my leather jacket as my usual added layer for warmth and then I knew I wanted to wear my snakeskin booties. At this point, I was about to just throw on a pair of jeans but it was missing that exciting piece, in my opinion, so I had to put this bright salmon pink skirt on. It really made my outfit stand out. Lastly, are my accents of gold. Gold is my favorite jewelry, I'm not really a fan of silvers. So the gold just helps pull in all the warmth of the salmon color, making my entire outfit feel rounded and completely thought out.
    So the big question is how do you wear pops of color? Just know that there are plenty of options to consider when you want to create a wow factor in your outfit. Like I said earlier, it can be an article of clothing, which is the case of this outfit. It can be incorporated by the shoe, which is another favorite of mine, like a bright, bold royal blue or red. Or it could be by makeup, like a bright eyeshadow or configuration of eyeliners and highlights, however you possibly can. The options are endless; truly have fun with it! It shouldn't make you think too hard. Enjoy!

Hey guys, so today is all about the DETAILS!
    You ever just want to be super chill and throw anything on? I'm sure some of you are thinking to yourself, "uh duh" or "that's what I do all the time". Well for me, it is so hard to do! I feel the need to be dressed up all the time and rarely think to dress down even if I'm just going to the grocery store or getting my car worked on. I have to literally take a moment to second guess my outfits and say to myself, "Taisha, just throw on a pair of jeans and a top. You're not going anywhere special." So this post is for those like-minded people who don't know how to keep it simple. However, it's also for those people who need key pieces to make their outfits stand out.

    For me, this is a very chill outfit, but I still had to make sure there were elements that stood out. Had I just put on some sneakers this outfit would have felt so street-like and I most likely would've felt unbalanced. When seeing how others dress, a chill look would not have included this trench windbreaker either, because it is quite extra, leaving the outfit at just a pair of jeans and a top.

    In this particular outfit, I wanted to be extremely laid back, yet elevated with a fashion-forward outlook. I based my outfit around these super dope jeans from LF, which is a store located in only a few major cities. It carries a bunch of different brands within its store, geared towards fashionistas who look for trendy, unique pieces. These jeans are actually by the brand Carmar Denim, which focuses on premium denim for the free-spirited generation we live in today. I instantly fell in love with these jeans because of the zippers! They are functioning zippers, meaning they actually zip and unzip the sections of denim, allowing me to remove parts of the leg if I wanted to make them into shorts or a cropped jean. Because these jeans were so sporty, I wanted to continue that vibe with this trench windbreaker. This is my all time favorite jacket to make any outfit really sporty and edgy. From here, I needed filler pieces to complete the look so I started with my shoes because I feel like that really pulls a look all together. So keeping in mind that I had rolled up my jeans, I needed a shoe that would hit right at the end of the jeans and look great with this wash of denim. My snakeskin boots were the obvious choice because I still wanted to look relaxed and truly be comfortable. These boots have the perfect heel height and comfort for walking all day long. Lastly, I just threw on this striped bandeau because stripes go with anything and it matched my color scheme.

    If you haven't noticed by now, I always have to start with a major piece and work everything around that. I rarely start with a set outfit and accessorize it; it's all about the individual pieces and their details. So if you're one to "dress to the nines" it's very possible to just throw on a t-shirt and jeans, then work in your fashionable, unique pieces to feel more like yourself. For those who live in that t-shirt and jeans look, don't be afraid to buy a printed shoe or find a unique one-of-a-kind jacket that can truly elevate your look. Like I always say, have fun with it and take chances. 

    My all time favorite look is a high-lo outfit. I love to be dressed up but include a fun, quirky piece to my outfit to dress it down. It feels nice to be comfortable but all put together for work and then going out later in the day. High-lo outfits are very stylish, showing that you know how to have fun and still look good.

    In this particular outfit I chose to go with this dressy, paper-bag waist trouser and paired it with a simple graphic tee. My favorite kind of graphic tee is anything that has a very minimal saying or graphic on it. Anything too busy takes away from the classiness in my opinion. Like the saying, "less is more!" When I picked this outfit out it was all about the color scheme which helped me choose the right pieces. I don't usually wear navy blue, but these pants were so cute I could not resist. The pants are navy blue with tan grid lines, so I went with a tan graphic tee that had white writing so that I could pull in my white boots. The white boots really brought in the pop I needed to brighten up the neutrals.

    So if you're thinking of trying out the high-lo look or just trying to perfect it, take your time to figure out what piece you want to start with and then go from there. There are so many other ways to create a high-lo look, for example, a feminine maxi dress and combat boots/sneakers or a super dressy silk blouse with extremely distressed denim and a simple bootie. Play around with it and like I always say, have fun!

Versatility (adj.): capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.

Versatility (adj.): capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.

    Many of the pieces I own in my closet are extremely versatile. When I shop, I shop for things that can be worn many times and in many different ways. I search for things based on color and versatility. I like for my clothes to last a lifetime and each outfit I wear to make a statement. Some people think they are shopping smart, but are they really? When you shop, what's the first thing that attracts you to an item?

    For me, the very first thing that attracts me is the color. Then comes the print, if it has one. Lastly, the shape/style of it. I need pieces to jump out at me when I am shopping. When it comes to color, it has to be a bold, bright and an interesting color that I love, don't have, or just find very enticing. When it comes to the print, I love quirky, ethnic and bold prints. I look for prints that stand out and can be mixed with other prints. I love small prints on my clothing, however, I do love loud, big prints on bottoms (skirts, pants, jeans). When it comes to the shape/style of an item, it all depends on the type of article I'm looking at. If it's a top, I want to find something that will be super flattering and have a slightly different shape to it than a regular t-shirt or basic button-down blouse. I need something that has a cool length, sleeve detail, or something that just looks completely different from other tops in my closet. However, when it comes to bottoms, I look for things that will fit perfectly on my waist, since I'm so skinny. Also, I look for something that has a cool new detail you wouldn't see on an everyday basis.

    With this particular outfit, it's all in the versatility of this shirt dress. Today, I decided to wear it as a dress. To start, IT HAS POCKETS! Pockets are the deal breaker for me when it comes to buying dresses, and this one had hidden pockets. The great thing about this dress is that it is like a basic button down so I can easily pair it with some jeans and a cute shoe, creating a completely different look. I also like the fullness of the sleeves and bodice, making the top very breathable and comfortable. Lastly, the fact that it is black and white, with a cute little floral print makes this top super easy to pair with anything in my closet.

    Next time you go out shopping, think about what you already own and what you need. Think about what you are missing that would’ve made that one outfit you wore two days ago stand out. Think about the styles you wish you had. Think about those outfits that are missing the key piece and then start your journey.

     So to start, I am not a concert going kind of person, however I do like to go to a few major events. Especially when I get the chance to hang out with my group of friends, I'll go anywhere! This summer I got to see the On The Run Tour II with my best friends from college. We all met up in Boston to see Beyoncé and Jay-Z there. It was a great show and of course great to see my friends again after such a long time. My favorite thing about concerts, is seeing how people dress for them! Everyone is dressing up to show off for the performers as if they will even see them. To me, it's funny how people try to interpret what the theme of the concert is, based on the performer. For example, for Beyonce, everyone tries to be super sassy and show all the way out. Or, for a soul singer, everyone is super ethnic or afrocentric.

    For OTRII, I thought just being bold and dramatic would be the best way to go. So I decided to start with my skirt which was very edgy with the bold, black and white stripes. From there, I knew I wanted to wear something bright for my top so I went with this bright, neon green crop top. Since I was already on a sporty vibe I paired the outfit with my all white FILA sneakers and pearl-rimmed fishnet socks for an added feminine touch. And then the cutest touches of gold accents in my hair and then face-outlined earrings just brought it all together. As you can see in the last picture, all my friends were also on the same wave; bold, bright and edgy! So we had to get lots of group pictures.

    How do you decide what you wear to concerts/events? Think about it and maybe that will help you figure out your outfit for your next one. It's fun, it should always be exciting and a challenge to figure out how you can stand out.

Hey guys!

    Each and every outfit should have a small detail about it that makes it stand out. Details of an outfit can make your overall look 10 times better. Whether it's a simple embroidery detail on a jean or a certain type of sleeve; it's a detail that matters! 

    In this outfit I have a few details that I think make my outfit pop more than just a simple t-shirt and jeans. First, let's start with my jacket! My oh so beloved Topshop trench that I just got in London from the Topshop store. I love the fact that it's a typical long tan trench but the simple stripe along the sleeve gives it so much style. Next, I want to talk about my jeans. These jeans I got from Urban Outfitters are a very different style than what I normally wear. I honestly only wear skinny jeans and on occasion a boyfriend style jean. These cropped, wide leg jeans are a hot trend this spring/summer and they truly make an outfit refreshing and different. Next, are my fishnet socks. The simplest detail on these socks are the little pearls. I don't know why I like these so much but it adds a dainty look to the outfit rather than just the regular fishnet that can sometimes look very grungy. Lastly, my all time favorite pouch/fanny pack/bumbag, whatever you want to call it. This thing I carry around with me all the time. It literally is the best bag I have because it's so convenient and an easy accessory to pair with any outfit.

    Putting together all these types of details can become a little overwhelming if they are all pretty busy. So my advice is to play around with them and see which pieces can stand on its own and what pieces work well together. Fashion should always be fun, so take a chance and don't be afraid to try something new!

    As this weather is becoming more and more pleasant, I feel the need to start bringing out those colorful and bold outfits! I am all for bright colors and being bold wherever I go. Whether it be at work, out at night with my friends, or just out on the town, I make it a mission to create a statement.

    Today it was 83 degrees and I had to work from 9 to 5. I wanted to be the sun indoors so I decided to wear my newest yellow suit. It's funny because we had just got in these yellow Topshop flare pants and I knew we had a yellow blazer in the store by a brand called Mural. I was trying to convince myself not to buy anything but of course I tried these two pieces on together and the yellows matched perfectly; so I HAD TO BUY IT! I paired these two pieces with a black graphic tee and my all white FILA's.

    I feel like every woman should have a bold pant suit, whether it's for business or pleasure. It's very powerful and makes any woman look extremely put together. I personally like to keep my outfits playful and different so of course I threw my sneakers on and a t-shirt. Had I not put these pieces on with the suit, it would’ve definitely looked quite serious even though the color is so playful. So if you’re ever thinkIng about buying a suit, first and foremost, make sure the shade of the two pieces match and second, it should make you feel great! Also, try to make a statement with a bold color or print. It's fun!

    So today happened to be ​National Stripes Day and what better inspiration than that to happily mix my stripes. I personally have an array of clothes and almost 40% of it has a striped print. I love anything that is a stripe. They make bold statements whether they are small, big, colorful, or plain. Just like mixing any other print, mixing stripes can be a little bit of a challenge but it can be done! Never let anyone tell you that you cannot wear a stripe with a stripe. Here's how you do it and make it more purposeful than a basic t-shirt and jeans.

    When mixing prints in general, always consider the color palette you want to go with. Whether you start with the bottom or the top, make sure that the other pieces complement it in color. For my outfit, I started with my double striped navy pants. Because the basis of my pants were navy, I wanted to brighten up the top half, so I chose this light blue and white striped top. The next part of that challenge to ensure that the stripes complement each other is to play with the stripe sizes. The stripes in my pants were very tiny like a pinstripe but because they were white, you could see them. However, my top had a mixture of its own with really tiny stripes and slightly bolder stripes than the pants. An alternative to this is mixing the direction of the stripes. If you want to make a bolder statement you can have the vertical stripes in the pants and then horizontal stripes in the top (or vice versa) and they too could be different sizes. My top just happened to have both mixtures of direction and size of stripes in it so it made my outfit stand out even more. I just finished my outfit off with a tan, trench vest, white sneakers, and my new favorite crossbody pouch. 

    Last but not least, have confidence in your outfit! This is the most important piece about mixing any kind of print. If you do not feel comfortable or you keep looking at the outfit as if something looks off, then change some pieces around. Once you feel like you look good in the outfit, then you are all set to show off to the world. Enjoy mixing!

    Walking around D.C. to visit museums and exhibitions requires stamina, comfort, and style. On an average day like today, most people are at work doing whatever important thing they do in the city, so it's not that many people out and about. D.C. offers so many scenic places to take pictures but I wanted to keep it simple in order to keep my unintentional patriotic stripes as the focal point.

    I wanted to keep my outfit simple, yet chic. So I focused my outfit around this super cute striped shirt dress I just got from Zara. It was very unintentional to look patriotic, as I had on red, white, and blue, but these jeans were the perfect completion to this look. Because this was such a long dress, I needed something to break it up and what better to break it up than some skin. Even though it was just a slit of the knee, these cut outs of my jeans were the perfect amount of skin needed to keep the outfit chic and still composed. To complete the look I just threw on my white FILA sneakers to stay comfortable. Even though it was freezing outside, I surprisingly wasn't too cold with just my leather jacket. Because I had my favorite fur stole wrapped around my neck to keep me warm, I was content for the time I was actually outside walking.

When a new year starts, I always feel the need to do a wardrobe refresh. It's important to keep your wardrobe fresh and updated with the changes of your personal style. Whether it's the new year or going into the new seasons, a revamp is always a good idea. It can keep you up-to-date with your current style and popular trends in the fashion world, allowing you to utilize all of your pieces and not let unwanted items take up space. It also helps you when you want to buy new pieces.

Revamping and refreshing can be a bit intimidating, especially if it's your first time. It's important to start the process off by understanding what it is that you wish to accomplish. Is the purpose to be able to buy new clothing, is it to cut down on things you already own, or is it to be able to stay trendy and sort of cycle your pieces around? There are different things you'll have to do depending on what your purpose is. I'll go into the three I just mentioned to give examples of what to do in that scenario. However, just remember that each step requires patience and dedication!

Scenario 1: 'Cut Down on Current Items'

1. Think off the top of your head your top 10 favorite pieces, whether it's staples, fun pieces, or both.

2. Make three piles/designated areas of clothing items. One being items that you love and wear all the time, the next being the items you would not wear again, and lastly, the items you may have forgotten about but still kind of like.

3. Pack away the items you would not wear to either give away or sell.

4. Sort through the forgotten/maybe pile and truly try these items on to see if the fit is nice. If it is, can you put together at least two different outfits and say that you actually like it? If so, keep it! If not, get rid of it!

Scenario 2: 'Buying New Items'

1. Think off the top of your head your top 10 favorite pieces, whether it's staples, fun pieces, or both.

2. Think of the things you haven't been able to figure out how to wear but love. What are some new pieces that would help complete these looks? Can these new pieces be paired with other outfits as well? If so, buy these items first. It can be purchased all together or over time, but make a list to keep track of what they are and what you’ve gotten.

3. Go after those new purchases that will be good basics and/or add excitement to your current wardrobe. Are these new items similar to some things you already have? If so, move along! Stay away from items you're really prone to buying because 9 times out of 10, you already have a similar item at home.

4. Step outside of your box from time to time, and if you really like it, make sure that you can wear it plenty of different ways.

Scenario 3: 'Staying Trendy & Cycling Through Items'

1. ​​Make sure to pay attention to those major trends that you would be comfortable wearing!

2. Choose trends that complement your own style and can easily blend in with pieces you already own.

3. If you're up to it, take a risk on one new trend and see how you can work it into your current style.

4. Depending on the trend, whether it's ​a color trend or style trend, try to keep these items clustered together when you buy them to make sure that you're buying a variety of styles and silhouettes.

    ComplexCon was a lifetime experience that I hope to enjoy over and over again each year. If you've never heard of it, it is a festival/convention/exhibition of all sorts meant to bring together enthusiasts of fashion, pop culture, music, art, food, and more. Being that it was in California, the vibe was amazing! The many different types of people and style that gathered all together was unprecedented!

    For this specific reason, it was as if you had to show off your style, or at least that's how I felt. I wanted people to know I had style and a type of style that was cool and edgy. So I put together this look with the intention to look cool, laid back, but still be really cute and feminine. I played around with so many looks trying to figure out what best reflected that idea. So I started out with this FILA sweatshirt because I knew I was going to an event where sportswear and shoes were a major focus. From there, I played around with a few skirts because that would still give me the chance to be feminine. So I ended up with the bright orange mini skirt which complemented the teal in my sweatshirt and then added the fishnets to give the cool edge to the outfit. Then I just finished it off with my bold, white platform sneakers. 

    So many people there were showing off their dope sneakers and really edgy outfits. There was a lot of camo, vinyl in all different colors, athleisure looks, graphic tees, diy constructions, all kinds of cool takes on fashion. It was really fun!

    ComplexCon 2018, I hope to see you next year!

    Throughout Los Angeles, there are so many colorful walls that one will pass on average streets. It was a cool experience seeing so many different walls, some with writing, some just a plain color, and some with graphics such as pictures or prints. I saw these three walls on very basic streets that had nothing else really going on in the area. The printed one was on the side of a garage leading to a lot of warehouse buildings. The last two walls were across the street from each other but the only thing on that street was a restaurant on the corner.

    The great thing about colorful walls is the fact that it helps focus a picture on a specific thing. The main focus should be on your outfit but for this post it was more about the excitement of colorful walls. My outfit was a basic grey canvas that was able to be paired with any kind of background. I wanted to keep my outfit pretty simple with an athleisure focus since our day was all about walking around different areas to explore LA. So I just put together my grey and white striped trousers with a grey cropped hoodie and my go-to adidas.

    The key to photographing with colorful walls is to make sure that your outfit is compatible with the colors of that wall. Your outfit should be able to stand out and speak for itself. The colors in the wall should complement your outfit and not wash you out.

    The iconic Pink Wall on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, California is a must when visiting LA. The funny thing about it is that this is much more than just a pink block on the corner of the street, it's a landmark. This is Paul Smith's LA flagship store for men and women's designer fashion. Most people come here just to take pictures. It is definitely one of the most Instagrammed walls in LA.

    I personally dislike the color pink but it is just one of the coolest buildings to come by and it makes for great pictures just because it's a solid color. So of course I indulged in the Instagramming phenomenon to get the perfect cluster of photos. I was with two of my friends, just like so many other people that came with groups of their friends or family members with no shame or embarrassment to take some pictures. People would spend upwards of 10 minutes trying to get the perfect pictures for everyone they came with, unlike a typical location for many people where they may spend a minute or two just to capture a quick picture and leave. It was like an entire attraction as if one was visiting the Hollywood Sign.

    Since this day was sort of focused on taking pictures all around town and specifically visiting this wall I wanted to be feminine with my outfit . Pink is just so girly to me so I wanted to sort of go along with the feel of my background. I wore this cute mini plaid dress with a black mesh bodysuit for layering and a way to give the outfit some edge. I paired it with my black leather jacket that I didn't wear for too long because it was about 65 degrees and very sunny. I completed the rest of my look with black accents like my shoes, backpack, and sunglasses because otherwise I would have looked like a little barbie doll, which is not my style lol.

    If you're ever in LA make sure to stop by and see what all the excitement is about. It's even fun just watching how other people are utilizing the wall and what kind of poses they are doing for their own pictures.

    Today was all about the beaches! Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach to be exact. The journey started out at Santa Monica Pier where we walked along the pier and then along the beach. We took some pictures and then made our way to Venice Beach along the bike trail. On our way there we passed this cute little spot for pictures that was off to the side of the main trail.

    This outfit was one of my bolder moves throughout the trip only because of these pants, obviously. I bought these flared pants out of pure impulse. I had seen them on a fashion blogger that I follow on Instagram and thought they were cute but little did I know that they would be a little tough to style. These bright pants are high waisted and super long. I wore these pants with a dark grey cropped hoodie and my oversized denim jacket. Even though I am all legs, I still had to put these pants on with my platform white sneakers because these pants are way too long to wear with anything else.

    I got so many stares, yet so many compliments. It was as if everyone was staring at me because I looked like I came right from the 70's. However, because I still kept it very current and trendy with today's time, I got the compliments. I still have a little hesitation wearing them but the way I would switch this outfit up is with a simple graphic tee and leather jacket for another take on a casual look or a loose blouse to dress it up a bit.

    Fall, of course, is any fashionista's favorite season. This is the chance for one to layer and show how they can mix and match pieces to form a cohesive look. That's what my overall style encompasses; the art of mixing unique pieces to form one amazing look.

    Lately, I've been dressing more for a relaxed, chic, and easy feel. Every outfit I've thrown on has evolved from the desire to be comfortable. I feel like fashion should make you feel confident and serene in your own skin. It should be an extension of your personality.

    So to go into detail of this look, I focused my outfit around these pants. These trousers are my newest and favorite piece of my wardrobe this fall so far. Rather than a typical plaid print, this season has been all about 'checked' plaid. A typical plaid is made up of two or more colors in different size lines forming different size squares, whereas check plaid is made up of equal size lines forming equal size squares. These particular trousers have the appearance of a normal plaid because of the way the colors are placed but when looked at closely they're all equal sized lines and squares. Breaking away from my nerdy, technical admiration for textiles and attention to specific details (haha), I paired these mens'-inspired trousers with a very feminine mesh bodysuit layered over a lace bralette. Going back to my desire to be comfortable, I urbanized this look with an oversized jean jacket and classic adidas. And believe it or not, this is the greatest amount of accessories I will ever wear in one complete look. My jewelry is always simple, so with a gold bar necklace and gold watch, I completed the look with my oversized circle glasses and my everyday black backpack.

    Personally, I love to show a little skin in every outfit. I like playing around with femininity and masculinity, seeing what I can get away with and what makes me comfortable. I hope you can take from this that you should always dress to please yourself first and embody how you feel in that moment.

  Have you ever taken a risky path or made a risky decision in your life? If not, you're not living! Even though this isn't about a life or death moment, this outfit is definitely a risky choice for me. If nothing else, I got a whole lot of stares throughout the day, which I expected as soon as I looked in the mirror to see how I looked. Oh well!

   I decided to do a more scandalous look on this hot summer day. This is one of those kinds of outfits where I love each piece individually so I wanted to see how it would look all together. Seeing it all together, I loved it and immediately thought to myself, "risky". So with that thought I knew I needed to be confident, especially since I was headed to brunch and a stroll around the town.

   In detail, I incorporated my sheer overlay dress with a distressed denim skirt and embroidered bralette. I recently got this gold body chain from Asos and loved how simple it was. I think it would be a great piece to add underneath sheer pieces, low cut or crop tops. I also threw on these fun clear glasses that just add an edgy look to my outfits. Lastly, my newest buy from Asos are these hightop white platform sneakers. I am absolutely in love with how they add to my current wardrobe. White sneakers are definitely a staple to any wardrobe, no matter your style. I will literally throw these shoes on with anything I wear. Whenever I'm not pleased with the overall look of an outfit, these will completely turn it around.

   So I am ending my weekend in Richmond, VA in a great way with my college friend Tori Radday! Tori and I have been friends since our freshman year of college in 2013, as she was my roommate. We instantly bonded over our interest in fashion, shopping, and our majors in fashion merchandising. I love taking pictures and having my own pictures taken, so Tori was always my go-to girl. I'm glad to still be able to call her my friend today.

   I love when I am able to expand my horizons and reach new peaks. In regards to my blog, I love getting new inspiration and obtaining new perspectives about how to do certain things. I especially enjoyed working with new people such as this wonderful photographer, Rachel Dwyer, who took these pictures. You can see more of her work through her website here or her Instagram!

   In this look, Tori and I wanted to play off of each others styles. I have a more edgy, urban-chic kind of look, while she has a more 70's inspired, very feminine style. We have very different tastes in fashion but have always had similar tastes in shoes. My outfit consisted of a mid-length floral embroidered dress that I paired with my distressed denim jacket and white booties. These booties were a recent find at Marshalls! I was shocked to see them and for only $25, I could not pass them up! Tori's outfit consisted of a very chic off-the-shoulder black dress with white trim and extravagant sleeves. She paired this dress with these vintage cognac booties. The accessories are always a huge deal for Tori, pairing her look with pink accessories, aviator sunglasses, pom-pom earrings, and vintage purse. However, I am always simple with my accessories so I wore my gold body chain, black flip-up sunglasses and arm cuffs straying away from anything that will distract the already busy embroidered print on my dress. 

P.S. You can check out Tori's blog here as well, as she has always been my inspiration for blogging. She’s been there making sure that I be the best me possible, pushing me to pursue my interests and share with the world as she has.