my my modcloth { video }

photo by modcloth

(angela vest & corrie blouse: riyka, shorts: vintage, heels: elizabeth & james)

It has come and gone, and all that is left of NYFW is a blur! But one thing that I was really excited about collaborating on is this awesome video with ModCloth! I was so HONORED when they asked to be apart of their street style series! Lil ole me! Haha! Anyway, I thought you guys might enjoy seeing the true nerd in me! So check it out! And special thanks to Riyka for providing this awesome outfit AMIRITE? Making my tomboy dreams come true and all...

(see the whole feature here!)

These Dreams

(ugh I miss my long hair + warmer weather)

Blazer: Vintage
Sweater: Opening Ceremony
Trousers: Top Shop
Flatforms: H&M

I remember picking up an issue of BUST magazine and saying to myself "man I hope to be in this one day" who knew that day would be today. I really feel overwhelmingly blessed these past couple of days, and I feel really grateful and I appreciate all that read my blog.

Taking the pictures to be featured in BUST was super fun, but a little nerve wrecking. I wanted to look cool and profesh while still keeping my iconic annoying charm. I hope it came off and I don't look like a pink nightmare! Haha!

I really hope this feature opens some doors to some more acting opportunities. I know most of you don't know, but I train at Second City and I would love to do more acting (it's my secret dream) so if any if you guys has some connections or tips to share I would to hear them!

I'm excited for whats to come in this journery! And I'm so thrilled to share it with you all!

exes and oohs

hey ho hey!

I MUST TELL YOU GUYS A LIL SECRET (well it isn't much of a secret anymore) The lovely people at Facets Magazine asked me to be apart of their winter issue, and not just be a part BUT BE THE COVER GIRL! I am so honored and excited to share this issue with you guys, I hope you all enjoy it!Its weird to see people appreciate what I do, from being the weird kid to being...well still the weird kid!

 

(click to read!)

Ps I drew this comic the other day, I've been out sick recently for health reason and I returned to work this week after missing a week! I was nervous! I miss making comics, I find it therapeautic, I think I'm going to get back into illustrating! :)

thank god its....tuesday?

silk blouse: vintage 
high waist silky trousers: UO
creepers: f21 
sweater: thrifted 
bolo: old 

Finally my last look with my partnership with The Urbaness. This one is probably one of my faves because it contains all my favorite things...

high waisted pants....button ups....bolo ties...and sweaters tied around thine neck!

Plus dusty rose/oxblood, my favorite color of all time!

This is my "Friday" look, I wanted to combine the casualness of Friday with the ability of if still being a work look, PLUS the versatility of something you can wear to a night out, especially if you're like me and shudder at the idea of wearing a Kardashian style bodycon dress non ironically. I rather be dressed like one of the boys...than to have to deal with stripper style heels... For The Urbaness I wrote "I always dress for both work and play on Fridays, just in case my boyfriend or the girls want to hit the town afterward. The sartorial look is so in, and if you put the right pieces together, you'll be just as cute as the girls in their mini dresses."

 Ah yes, dressing for fridays...If only Friday was today!

Jumanji

silk shirt: vintage
shorts: american apparel 
scarf: vintage 
red flats: vintage 

Oops! I missed a day! I was out sick yesterday guys, but I'm bringing you Thursdays Urbaness look today! Which in contrast on how it looks and feels outside today, this may not be the right choice..(ITS FREEZING...)...But yesterday was almost 80 so this look is actually quite perfect for those sudden heat waves. Besides who doesn't like looking they just got off the set of Jumanji

In the feature I wrote "Sure it's not Friday but why don't we have lunch outside today? Before the weather becomes unforgivable. Breathe a little; the week is almost through." I always bring my lunch, I like to save money and lunch in the city all the time can be $$$ (and I honestly can't stand over processed meals) But I do feel that its important to leave the building for lunch every once and a while to clear your brain and restart. Even if the only place to go is sitting in your car!

Anyway, aren't we glad that it's not Thursday?

Back to Work

silk shirt: vintage 
cashmere cardigan: thrifted 
tie: vintage 
high waisted trousers: American Apparel 
belt: H&M 
loafers: F21 
briefcase: mother's LV (vintage) 

It's just another rainy day in Chicago, and all I want to do is hide under the covers and sleep to the lullaby of droplets of water hitting my window. But we're grown up now. Can't take "mental health days" like my mom would let me as a child. I remember sitting in her studio in my jammies and workong by her side not having to go to school. Best way to get over a hump day funk, dressing the part.

Today in 5 days of silk shirts with The Urbaness, I felt like instead of giving up midweek, its time to pull it back together "We had fun on Tuesday, but nothing gets you over hump day like putting yourself in the work mindset. Focus on those projects and get them done; the week is nearly through!" I have to keep reminding myself this, because as the clouds envelope my building, they seem to seep into my mind, making my creative energy...fuzzy.

One thing I really like this look, its sooo...Wes Anderson. PLUS I also look like Richard Ayoade from IT Crowd (my secret twin!)

Happy Wednesday!

Hey! what a wonderful kind of day!

 

silk blouse: vintage 
sweater: vintage 
linen shorts: american apparel 
loafers: Gap 

I'm glad you guys are enjoying my journey through the silky blouse. For our the "Tuesday" look I decided to be a bit more playful. (Plus how perfect is this look for these transitional weather months) This may be a no go for those who work in a super conservative field, but for us girls in biznez cash, this is right up our alley.

Here's an excerpt from the feature "Is it me or are offices almost always cold? Cheer up your coworkers by topping your classic blouse with a kooky sweater." This sweater is honestly one of my favorites. I don't wear it too often on my blog, but in my everyday life I slap it on nearly too much. It always makes a statement without me having to think about it too long. It goes with everything from a chambray dress to high waisted trousers. Erin was telling me she has a bunch of these bad boys! I hope to see more of these sweaters floating around the blogsphere.

Funny note: I bought this sweater as a costume piece to be Arthur...yes...the aardvark. Continue my silk shirt adventures here at the Urbaness!

just another manic monday

 

silk blouse: vintage 
blazer: vintage 
trousers: french connection
loafers: f21 
belt: h&m 
briefcase: mother's LV (vintage) 

When the Urbaness approached me to be apart of a story to be featured on their site, I couldn't wait to be apart! I love news media, and I love showing that Chicago can be just as fashion forward as any other city. So we collaborated and came up with concept of taking the "ho-hum" out of everyday office wear. I decided to challenge myself by centering a new look for everyday of the week around the classic silk blouse. I also thought it would allow the reader to feel she can easily achieve similar looks at home, because fashion is more than just brands, its about style!

Here's an excerpt of my "Monday" look...

"I know what they say, ‘just another manic Monday,” but I feel like Monday is the best day to put on your shiny suit. No need to break the bank either. The blazer is thrifted to complement the French Connection trousers I already had, and it keeps the look from being too matchy-matchy." 

 Follow me journey throughout this week here and read the rest of the story on the Urbaness!

essen-tially

Like a  bad friend that I am...I FORGOT TO TELL YOU that I was in the April Issue of Essence...lols! I kept slipping my mind like a banana peel because it happened towards finals and I just forgot to mention it. Luckily my friend Bianca (yes I have a friend named...BIANCA...insane!) snapped a picture of the issue for me when her mom no less discovered me. I have been getting phone calls every once and a while of family friends going "Isn't this you! Oh my you've grown sooo much!...Wait your name is Avant Blargh???"

Funny thing is, last weekend on  burger outing they had that issue at the restaurant, and I decided to have dave snap my picture in all its glory! I have to say I was very excited. I now have two very important issues of essence. One with me in it...another with advertisement I worked on. (cause FYI I am a graphic designer :P)  I keep these bad boys mint! Oh and just in case here's a bigger picture of the outfit they choose, which is from this post.

In all honesty, this whole post has really made me want burgers..YUM...Oh by the way, just in case you haven't heard, I'm hosting an event at Madewell THIS FRIDAY in Chicago. COME ON BY!!! (click thru for more details!!!)

oh and ps. I hope you like the new banner! hee hee ;)

L!VE from the windy city

(many of these images are by Kelsey, the purple haired maven)

ho ho ho! what I day I've had! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! By the descendents of angels I was asked to be a model for Refinery 29 for a segment on Windy City Live (which is like Chicago's version of Good Morning America) I got my make up did by Shannon and got my outfit pulled by Shani the Chicago Editor of Refinery29. It was a B-L-A-S-T. I got to meet one of my heroes Val Warner, and prance around in colored jeans and a statement necklace. I felt so super blessed to have had this experience; all the girls I've met were so cute and such ingenues! Watch me walk the runway below..trololo:

I was really nervous at first but everyone was so nice to be around I kind of giggled my way on stage. These are just some images I pulled from all the girl's Instagrams and Refinery29's website!

SPEAKING OF INSTAGRAM, I am officially on board, let's follow! (same user name as my twitter)

the sweetest thing

hey guys, if you haven't noticed I added a few more features to my and cleaned up the layout, it was getting too cluttered from before so I wanted add more negative and positive space. (photos are smaller too) As a graphic designer I'm always cleaning things up!

I also added a features sidebar, a cleaned up links, and added popular posts. I'm working on a more thorough about page so keep your eyes peeled on that number! Along with that news I just wanted to finally share some features I was in with some of my favorite blogs

black girls killing it

& black girls with long hair.
(which talks about my hair routine for those who are curious)

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY check out this fanart from Amber!!! She calls me a muse I find that rather amusing but so lovely! ISN'T IT GREAT??? It's from this look for those who are curious!

makes me want to go back to making comics...I def need too, and now that my ipod got stolen I have nothing but time....:P

featuring...

I'm sad to say hello November! Because October was a pretty exciting, AND humbling month for me. Why humbling you ask? Well because I was featured in 3 style blogs in Oct, THREE OF MY FAVES. I had no idea that little ole me inspired some of my icons, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU. Check out my interviews and reviews by Erin, Belle, and SheRea! Happy Tuesday and Happy Novemeber (ps, whose ready to be bombarded by christmas commercials now :/)


weekly roundup by calivintage


blogger spotlight by natural belle


thrifted fixture (this one's an inteview!!) by My Thrifted Closet