Growing Up

coat: vintage men's YSL (similar) (similar)
gingham: old navy (similar)
necklace: mother's
culottes: asos
illustration: mine

I don't really update this little ole blog anymore do I? Not to say I don't miss it, but as life passes on and we get older (and busier) I don't have the same ample amount of time as I did in college. My photographer can't shoot me at every whim anymore now that he works full time and no longer a block away from my home, and my health has been so topsy turvy that moments of silence on this blog are natural. I also noticed my own cynicism towards blogging that I never had in the beginning. I used to love telling stories posting my looks, but then it became a game of likes, comments, popularity. I no longer liked blogging I just tried to keep my stats up to impress...myself? I stopped dressing for myself and became a caricature of myself + "blogger style" I've decided from this point forward I will dress when I want, how I want, and post whenever I want to. I have made you my lovely readers into people I was afraid of. People I worried would hate me or leave me if I took time for myself. But now I understand. We all continue to grow, we all flourish, we all can't spend days and days taking pictures of ourselves and neglect the responsibilities that lay ahead off the computer. I love you guys, I will continue to blog, I will continue to dress...just know some days are filled with yoga pants, sweatshirts, and illustration deadlines. 

Take a chill pill

Good news guys! I WON THAT TRIP TO LONDON!! I've been so busy and excited about it, I totally forgot to tell you. (that's why you should follow me on instagram) I've been so so soooo busy finishing up work, taking on new jobs, making jewelry.  I've been doing anything and everything accept one viable thing. RESTING. My mom recently told me that "going to London will do you no good if you're sick" Which she's right. I'm exhausted. I've been up to 4am everyday for the past week or so, campaigning and working double shifts. But today I think I'm going to thrown in the towel! Even for my birthday, and all I wanted to do is grab a bottle of wine (like this champange blend from JJ Buckley, how celebratory!), turn on my favorite show on netflix and just veg out! Or maybe even a nice Chianti with my bubble bath. Whatever it is, I know I need rest! And if you're feeling like a candle that's burning on both ends maybe you should TREAT YO SELF too! (I reccomend moscato for girls night, I mean its lovely)  We aren't made to go on endlessly and forever. Let's not forget to R E L A X. Let tomorrow worry about itself!

peace with that

So it's week three of the juice cleanse. And I'll have to say after the second year of doing this, I'm honestly learning to accept my body as is. I've never been little, I was the tallest kid in class until high school, shot up to 5'5" in fourth grade. Plus I've never been "thin" either, or whatever your definition of what thin is. I've always been a bit hippy, even in childhood photos are always the most adorable when I have on ruffled bottoms on. For years, decades even, this bothered me, but recently as I cleanse my body of toxins and one too many Christmas cookies and or Valentines, and possibly Halloween Candy, I've learned to simply love the skin I'm in. Honestly I've been the same size since I was 14 I've may have danced up a size or down but no matter what I do I seem to always land right here where I belong. This use to frustrate me, but now I'm learning to accept it, but not just accept it, LOVE IT. Maybe I am made this way, maybe we aren't all born naturally waif, maybe it's okay to be a blogger and not be the fabulous plus sized mama, or the off duty model. 

Regardless of how thin I can get, I always try to stay active or in shape. It's weird though, even when I'm all svelte my hips are still like bow chica bow bow, maybe I don't fully understand the black woman shape because there's a lack a diversity in the media (cough cough) but I digress! I love love love pilates and yoga! I don't know why! Perhaps its the idea of working out but finding inner peace in the along with it. Abs and a sound mind? Sounds like a win win! I've been admiring some of these looks at Sweaty Betty because they are an active wear line that meets somewhere between cute girl and spunky tomboy, which I feel like I land most days. Some days you feels kawaii, some times you don't. Plus some of these yoga pants they have, like the Calypso Yoga Pants are kinda cute enough to wear outside of the studio on your way to Trader Joes because we can only shop Whole Foods on paydays! The Rhythm Sensitive Dance Pants, is also kind of neato because it brings out my inner Misty Copeland (mega diva inspiration!) The local pilates studio offers ballet inspired ballets, and perhaps my inner child would be totally copacetic with this idea! All I need to spruce of my workout gear is to swing by Sweaty Betty, pick out some yoga clothes and I think I'm good to go! I always like the idea of feeling good even when I work out, because why not feel proud of the body we’re born with in every aspect of the day!

pants ahoy

I've recently been feeling like Captain Ahab searching for my white whale, which would definitely be PANTS. Yes, pants! Are any of you guys like me small in the waist but thick in the hips? I've had extra junk in the trunk since I cartwheeled out the womb. And shopping for pants has been nothing but a nightmare. Recently I've been on an online shopping excursion looking for the perfect pantalones for me! I went to the mall this weekend with my mom and remember some of my favorite teenage brands like Delia's or rue21. In fact I still remember the first time I went to rue21, on a family road trip when I was in my early teens. Even then I remember be ecstatic when I found a pair of pants that fit! And on the shopping trip I bought of let’s say 4 pairs, because when they fit, they fit! Now as I get older, I'm no longer sporting the ultra-low rise boot cut jean similar to Britney Spears. But I am loving these trendy pieces like these daisy palazzo pants, carnation harem pants. (Did I mention that I've been on a harem pant binge?) Plus when I don't feel loosey goosey, they also have some high waisted jeans to fit my classic cut needs. It's been a while since I visited these brands that I used to adore, that I could get used to adoring again. Especially at these prices, I can try out trends without feeling like I tried them out instead of paying my light bill. Now that's something we all can be happy about. See more cute thingies at rue21.com!

wishful thinking

(illustration by moi!)

Lately all I can think about is spring. Can you BLAME ME? With frozen mounds of ice and snow across the midwest, I would be so please if I could wear shoes without socks, or simply be able to put my arms down in my jackets. So far the best thing that combating this cold besides warm tea and cranking up the heat, is doing a little online window shopping. I refuse, that's right, REFUSE to shop anything that's not spring or summer. By george, it's going to be spring! Lately I've been putting together illustrated outfits like this. Inspired by Tiffany Ford, I think I sort of like putting together these lookbooks. The pants are from Asos, which I already bought (get the sweater, shoes, and scarf here), and I'm waiting for! But I thought it would be fun to put together possible looks when the weather warms up. Ps I'm loving these NYX matte lip glosses feels like I have nothing on, and lasts nearly all day through meals and kissing my boo. Did I mention that bonlooks spring collection has me dreaming of my days of wearing cat eyes, it's been nearly 10 years since I wore them, maybe it's time I go back, maybe it's time. They are so bold, its far from my days mimicking Enid Coleslaw, even though I'm still dying my hair all types of crazy colors. Maybe something you don't grow out of.

William Okpo Spring 2014

I just got the email, and just like that my heart sank. Got invited again to one of THE MOST AWESOME fashion shows I've been to. But alas I won't be able to go..argh..the cool kids are William Okpo, and if you follow my instagram, you've seen that yesterday I said I was happy to be at home, yet I am bummed that I'm totally missing fashion week, but not just any fashion week, FALL FASHION MY ONE TRU LUV, but alas my pockets are thin, and I decided it was more important to focus on other aspects of my life this year than to jet off on my last dollar to Lincoln Center.

But that doesn't mean I can't still reminisce about , spring 2014 Fashion Week! Last year I got invited to William Okpo, and I was SO EXCITED, and opening ceremony show, so so so so soooo cool! The show was catered with MEXICAN FOOD Yum (plus an open bar!!), and I got to meet with some people I admire like Rog Walker along with his wife Bianca. Plus I made some new friends! The Show was amazing, I scored a tote bag that all the proceeds go to the 14 + Foundation doing awesome things like building schools in Zambia. And did I mention the clothes were awesome sauce? AND ALL THE DOC MARTEN LOAFERS!!! I can only imagine what these girls are doing for Fall 2014, but trust me, I'll be watching!

who doesn't love cats?

(all illustration is by Veronica Fish)

I felt like it was time to bring some more avant art to my avant blog....A while back I had my good friend and illustrator Veronica Fish do these BEAUTIFUL illustration combining the love for cute kitties, and spring trends (for my ol' zine I had back in the day). I can't remember all the brands of the items, but I do know that some are very recognizable! (like them litas! hello!) Are not not totally stoked for neons and pastels?

I'm just reminiscing for spring. It was SO lovely out today felt like 60 degrees HOWEVS...I was being a good designer and doing coding all day. When I finally made a run to the market, it was sadly....40 degrees...in the words of toe jam and earl "total bummer"

Anyways, nothing can cheer me up more than my good friend's art, spring trends, and CATS. Plus this slideshow from Refinery 29, will have us all prepared for when it's FINALLY NICE OUT.