Playing with Colors: Neon Orange Against a Warm Pink

Peace to all, and happy Tuesday!

As I was breaking my shopping hiatus with an online order from the J.Crew sale section, I was already plotting to pair this orange sweater with this pink pencil skirt.  The sweater was a lot more orange in person, and even more neon orange in photos, but I enjoyed the contrast against the warm, pink tone of the skirt.  I also love how deeply, evenly brown I look while wearing such a vibrant, orange color.

The Tippi sweater, aptly named neon flame, is a sweater I already can't wait to wear again!  It's lightweight but warm and the cut is amazing.  I kinda want another one...

The double serge pencil skirt in heather sorbet will be even more fun once I get the waist taken in and I can wear it as a high-waist pencil skirt.

The boots are Matisse via DSW.

The black and cream polka dot bracelet is vintage and the cloth leopard one is A Gypsy's Junk.

The necklace is from H&M.  I decided to wear neutral accessories in warm tones to bring the outfit together.  Brown leather boots on the bottom, and shades of gray-brown up top as well.  Oh, and the glasses are Warby Parker (ordered some new frames that I'll be debuting very soon!)

For makeup, I'm wearing Exhibit A blush by NARS.  It's a super-pigmented red blush, that I love.  Check out its dopeness (and how red it is) here.  I'm also wearing M.A.C. eyeshadow in mulch.  I haven't worn eyeshadow for a long while, but this one is inspiring me right now.  On my lips, I'm wearing stone with a Viva Glam lipgloss over it.

I just finished this book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah and wow.  The story is very powerful, especially considering the fact that he survived not just with his body either, but he was also able to reclaim his mind.  It is definitely a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

On that note, I'm off to work.
<3
M

Today's affirmation: I embrace my light.  I allow my light to shine fully.

Socks and Pumps, Pink and Green

Happy Friday!

I scheduled this to post just as I am en route to a glamping trip upstate with colleagues and yup, you guessed it, high school students.  It's called glamping because it's pretty much a lodge with all the utilities that the last camping experience I went on didn't have.  So glamorous camping it is!  I'm sure I'll have some stories after this weekend, some to share and some to mull over during 'book clubs' with co-workers.

As you all know, I love a good socks and pumps combination.  This one came about so randomly and I almost hesitated to go along with it, but then with each step I took out the door  towards work, I felt even more right about this bold choice I was making.  But by the time I got to the subway, I was over it, and was just another person doing and wearing whatever they want in this great metropolis of New York City.

Here's what I wore:

From the side, it looks pretty simple: gray sweater from J.Crew Factory, green pencil skirt with zipper detailing from J.Crew, pointelle socks that before this day I thought were peach and not pink are from ASOS, and go-to leather pumps by Frye via Zappos.  I mentioned the importance of a skilled, affordable cobbler yesterday... well, these pumps have been 'worked on' about three times in the last three year plus years I've owned them.

Yup, my ankle socks are pink!  And my polish is gray-- I love American Apparel polish by the way.  Great colors and it actually wears well.

And that is a bicycle on my sweater.  I love bikes.  Makes me think of Brooklyn and strong legs.

Not sure what this pose is about, but after a long day at work, anything goes!

Notice I kept my accessories very simple-- no earrings and just my nameplate.

Oh, and I had to get an action shot.  Here's my point of view.  And yup, I've worn this skirt before and blogged about it!

On that note, happy Friday!
<3
M

Today's affirmation: In this moment, I am just the way that I am intended to be.

Yes to Fall and Yes to Headwraps!

Good morning everyone!

This headscarf is the inspiration behind this outfit I wore recently.  The headscarf was gifted to me by a colleague about five years ago though I first wore it this past summer.



The colors in this pattern make me happy.  Even though I found it perfect for summer, I am also finding it even better for fall with the warm tones of purple, orange and green.

As I am on this fabulously fall kick, here's a look I styled inspired by this headwrap:




The dress is from H&M a few seasons ago, the chunky sweater is from J.Crew, the tights that are dark gray but sometimes look dark green are by Hue, the ankle boots are Frye via Zappos and the suede leopard bag is by J.Crew.



The lighting from thing angle wasn't that great, but I loved the view of these beautiful plants that now decorate the halls.



The colors made me feel all warm and fall-y.



Both of these bangles were gifted to me by my friend ten years ago.  They were both her grandmother's.  <3

Let's take a moment and acknowledge one of my favorite fall lipsticks: magnetism by Sephora.  It is absolutely beautiful!  I don't usually go for metallic-type colors, but I'm glad I tried this one because I loved it upon first wear.

I'm also wearing one of my favorite, simple necklaces from J.Crew Factory.  It features my spirit animal, the giraffe of course!

Oh and I was reading this book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, at the time and it was so, so good!  While reading it during my subway commutes, several children commented on how good it was.  

 Until next time!
<3

Today's affirmation: I love myself just the way that I am.  

Greens and Blues from Top to Bottom

Good morning everyone,

I was very excited about these ankle-length pants to start, and then even more so after figuring out a way to wear them throughout the impending winter.  Ankle-length pants + thoughtful socks + booties = fall and winter appropriate.  Even though it's technically fall, several days have felt like straight-up winter days.

Here's a snapshot I took of my pants and boots en route to work.  I just picked up my boots the day before from their first trip to the cobbler's.  I am grateful that a reasonably priced, skilled cobbler is housed a minute away from my apartment.  New York City pavements eat shoes for breakfast, so a shoe person is essential.

 I snapped these after an afternoon meeting on my way back to my office to pack up for the day.  I'm finding those sometimes random moments to enlist the help of folk at work so that I can keep my blog updated.  Things change, the spirit remains the same.

The sweatshirt (still on sale!), pants (also still sale!) and houndstooth socks are J.Crew, the button-down shirt is from Old Navy, the necklace is J.Crew Factory and the boots are Frye.

A close up of my mix of African bracelets.  I really enjoyed the colors against the overall colors in this look.  (On super busy days, I walk around with my clipboard plush my Macbook... and a water bottle.  The water bottle was strategically left out of the impromptu shoot.)

Trying to switch up my poses a bit, though I will admit, I'm most interested in the style aspects.  I really enjoyed the mix of greens and blues.  I love pairing colors in new ways.  Just like I told that one persistent (always with the same question!) student years ago: I don't match;  I go. 

These boots with their rejuvenated heel allow me to walk properly.  Score!

Better lighting.  I love a good print, especially houndstooth, always as much as I look playing with colors.

Selfie was I was leaving school for the day.  This necklace is from H&M.  Most of the strap isn't visible, but it's a bright blue twisted rope instead of a typical chain.  My accessories-- Warby Parker glasses from a few years ago, 'fever' blush by M.A.C. and Viva Glam lipgloss, also by M.A.C.  Yup, makeup is definitely an accessory, at least how I wear it.

Until next time...
<3
M

Today's affirmation: Today, I let my light shine. 

Fabulous Fall: A Cropped Sweater at Work

Good morning everyone!

Here's an outfit I wore and enjoyed lately:

Cropped sweater with built-in statement necklace from H&M, midi a-line skirt from ASOS, leather boots by Matisse, scarf from Calabar Imports years ago, bangles were gifts-- one ten plus years ago and the other more recently.A C

I really enjoyed the fall colors together, with the pop of vibrant colors in the bangle.  

This cropped sweater is super versatile.  I can layer it over a button up shirt, wear it with high-waist jeans for a casual date, or with a high-waist skirt such as this one for work.  Plus the attached statement necklace of sorts takes it to the next level.

I'm wearing one of my go-to fall lipsticks, a deep plum by Sephora, and redish blush.  I love the mix of those colors together.  

Faux pearl earrings from Express.  In this case, I'm wearing them as a color, a neutral one, but a color nonetheless.

I love how my wardrobe-- clothing, shoes, accessories, even nail polish colors-- is like a giant crayon box.  I can mix and match and find new combinations with ease.  The mix of colors in this bangle represents at least 1, 2, 3 or more pieces of clothing that I have in my closet.  I truly live color.

Until next time,
<3
M

Today's affirmation: I'm awake. I'm alive. Thank you Universe for another 24 hours to be myself.