Month: July 2018

ON THE RUN WITH JAY & BEY

This weekend I had the opportunity to see, not one, but two of the best artist on the planet perform: Beyoncé and Jay-Z!!!  So of course I had to show up and show out for the King and Queen. This post will feature my twin sister, Alexzandria, she was my date for the evening. I styled her for the concert as well. Sorry guys we didn’t twin on the outfits this time around but that’s coming soon.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Concert Outfits

I wanted to be cute and comfy for the show so I opted for jeans and a simple top, well this is my version of simple, hahaha. The top is actually a bathing-suit I picked up at the Nordstrom anniversary sale, which is still in full swing until August 5th ladies and gents. So don’t walk run to the sale, online and in stores.

The top is from Topshop (that’s the brand, Nordstrom’s carries their line), it sold out within minutes of my purchase. Have no fear ladies I’ve found you alternatives as usual here and here. The jeans are an Amazon find. I wanted something edgy to go with my “subdued” top…lol

Amazon never disappoints, you can find the jeans here. If distressed jeans don’t give you the edge you need, I don’t know what does?!?! These jeans are a great fit which isn’t always easy to find given my new found curves. The tears/rips in the jeans are well placed, I think they will hold form after a few washes.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The bag was an Amazon Prime Day purchase. Yay Amazon Prime Day, because I snagged this baby at 30% off! It’s currently back at it’s retail price but still well worth it in my humble opinion, you can find it here. This bag is so on trend without the trendy price tag. Circular bags are all the rage these days if you haven’t noticed. This girl will definitely have this one on repeat for the rest of the season and beyond.

Last but certainly not least, the crown jewel of this whole look are THE SHOES!!! These shoes are by Alejandro Ingelmo. One of my favorite designers. I love, love, love his shoes, super sexy, not necessarily in the budget, but Very Necessary, wink, wink. You can find them here.

I always have fun styling my twin sister because I’ll know exactly what I will look like when I borrow her clothes…lol

Alex wanted to keep it “simple” and within budget, I did my best. She is sporting a duster I found at Revolve.com . Sadly it too was a hot ticket item and sold out very quickly. But have no fear you can find a similar and affordable alternative here.

Her cut off shorts are by Old Navy, see I can do budgets when necessary, that’s an easy enough find. The shoes are Sam Edelman, you can find a similar style here. I love Sam Edelman shoes because they are very comfortable; some of the most comfy high heels I own. He places extra padding at all the right places, the ball of the foot and the heel making his shoes a go to for me. Yes we wore our heels the entire time.

We showed up for the King and Queen and they did not disappoint. They gave us some of everything, some of their greatest hits, together and apart, and of course their most recent collaboration Ape Sh%t; that’s how we ended the night. I had the pleasure of witnessing, arguably one of the most talented husband and wife acts’ ever perform LIVE!!!  Words can not express just how exciting it was to see, the greatest entertainer alive and the greatest rapper alive perform for me (and the other 80,000+ people in the stadium)!!! It was an experience I will remember forever.

Xoxo,

Andrea

Photo credit goes to the ladies at Dynamic Duo Images.

OFFICE HOURS

Hail to the Chief, CEO and Queen, is what they’ll say when you walk into the boardroom in this dress. This is most certainly how you slay the boardroom. I picked this dress up on whim at bcbg.com. A whim that just happened to be 40 % off sale with a discount code. Always find a discount code ladies and gents, paying retail price is for losers! Retail Me Not is a trusted friend.

The BCBG Dress

This show stopper isn’t for the faint of heart, you’ll really have to own it when you rock this one. And speaking of owning the look for a hot second I felt compelled to straighten my hair. Playing into the thinking that straight hair might look more “professional.” I talked myself right out of that idea and I’m glad I did. My natural curl is ok, it’s what God gave me and as long as it’s neat and well groomed, JUST DO IT, like Nike. The right self talk is so important ladies, I’m realizing that more than ever these days.

Now back to the dress.

This probably wouldn’t be my first choice for a conservative office setting, but I’m a risk taker, wear a blazer just case you get the side-eye from the boss. In a creative office setting this look would receive major kudos. And you will feel like Andy in the Devil Wears Prada when she finally got it together…lol You know where you work, use your best judgement. Light khaki is perfect for the summer months and into early fall if you’re the daring type and I am. I’m a huge risk taker when it comes to fashion. This dress is somewhat sheer, no lining, so a slip or nude seamless undergarments are a must.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pair this dress with the perfect print, preferably cheetah, as shown below, and it’s a look guys. The shoes are Giuseppe Zanotti, an anniversary gift purchased by me on Amazon but my husband bought them; ladies we all know how that goes. The clutch was purchased so long ago I can’t remember where I picked it up, but a cheetah print clutch is an easy find. In fact one of my favorite IG designers, Cortineelizabeth, makes the most darling clutches and purses. Check her out here. This isn’t one of her designers but I’m a huge fan of her bags.

This dress also transitions well from day to night.

It’s perfect for cocktails or a rooftop affair. The only con to this dress is… it wrinkles quite a bit when you sit as shown in the last shot below. Normally I’d edit that out but I wanted you guys to see the dress in its truest form. Not a deal-breaker for me at all, still worth the buy in my humble opinion. Just sit “pretty” as my grandmother would say.

Until next time ladybugs,

xoxo

Andrea

As usual photo credit goes to the incomparable ladies at @dynamicduoimages.

SPOTTED

Twinning in polka dots

So I have a thing for polka dots, big, small, medium, large, I’m here for it all. The more creatively done, i.e. contrasting colors or inventive placement I’m sold. My recently purchased Converse platform sneakers feature’s polka dots on the soles, how ingenious! As you know I also have a thing for coordination. So when I found my top and Laila’s dress, yes I did do a little dance. Check out the details below.

Mommy

My top is currently on sale at Revolve. The pants are an Old Navy find, in their Pixie Fit. These pants come in variety of colors, they’re affordable, well made and a great fit. I own several pair. The bag is a Cult Gaia dupe. Yes you’ve seen it before here, and you’ll see again that’s for certain. The shoes are Vince Camuto currently on sale at Amazon. The bangle is a Banana Republic purchase; they do the bracelets just as well as the necklaces.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Mini Me

Laila’s dress is a Zara find. It’s linen, which is a hard fabric to find in the mini-me size. It’s super breathable and most importantly it isn’t itchy in her words. Sadly it’s sold out online but Zara is having a major sale, the kiddies are included, check it out here.

Until next time ladybugs.

XOXO,

Andrea

Photo credit: Dynamic Duo Images.

Denim: Work & Play

WERK, WERK,WERK,WERK, WERK…

We recently adopted a denim everyday dress code at work, YAY, RIGHT, WRONG!! Since the rollout I’ve witnessed some of the saddest mom and dad jean tragedies to my fashion forward little eyes.

To be fair the firm rolled out the plan with very little guidance other than, no holes, rips, or tears. What they neglected to say is, please do not wear any balloon booty, baggy knee, saggy crotch, worn out things you mow the lawn or garden in jeans. That little piece of advice didn’t make the company memo.

So in the spirit of sharing and caring here’s my take how to do white denim on the J.O.B (workwear) and another option for when it’s time to have a little fun. Look at you winning, two looks, one post! How’d you get so lucky?!?!

White Denim Workwear

If it wasn’t clear by now I’m somewhat partial to white, especially during the Summer. There’s something so cool, clean and effortlessly sophisticated about it, I love it!

  

Full Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Let’s start at the top.

Who doesn’t love a good pair of aviator’s. This particular pair is by Michael Kors. The earrings are Kate Spade, may she may rest in peace. These studs are the perfect size for work. Big enough to get you noticed, and just the right amount of color for that wow-factor you want. And small enough your boss isn’t giving you the side-eye, not the look you want.

Can we talk about this necklace?!?!

It’s a Banana Republic purchase. They know how to do a statement necklace and this one is a stunner; non-stop compliments. The details to a necklace I’ve had my eye on can be found here.

There’s nothing like a crisp white button down.

The tuxedo ruffles on this one give you a little something extra. Yes this is another Banana Republic purchase! Stop by BR’s shirt shop for the ladies; they have four different fits. I’m sure you’ll find something that works.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my on trend bamboo purse. No it isn’t a Cult Gaia (the brand that started the bamboo accessory trend) simply because like most things I found a perfectly acceptable dupe on Amazon, here.

Old Navy White Jeans

It’s rough trying to find the perfect pair of “work jeans”, so when I found these jeans at Old Navy’s, in their Rock Star fit I was over the moon. Thru the years I have developed a few curves and this particular fit compliments the junk in the trunk and my child-bearing hips very well. So if you have a peach like mines get a pair. You can’t beat the price either, super affordable.

And last but certainly not least, the shoes.

The metallic yumminess of these oxfords give me so much life. A another BR purchase, sadly they’re no longer available, sorry ladybugs. I’ll update you all if and when something similar becomes available. Bask in the beauty that is them (follow me on Instagram for the update).

PLAY

If you’re anything like me, you like to look good when you dress down as well. The centerpiece of this look is the top. You simply cannot beat the price for the amount of style you get for this top, the one-shoulder bolder is a look I enjoy. I picked this up at H&M and I’m so glad I did non-stop compliments. You can find the details here.

I am a certified sneaker-head, athletic, fashion, I’m hear for it all! I picked these up last summer during Nordstrom’s annual mega sale, $23.99, by TopShop. Sadly these are no longer available but a perfectly suitable pair of similar kicks can be found here.

Until next time ladybugs!

xoxo

-Andrea

Photo credit goes to the lovely ladies at Dynamic Duo Images.

Well Hello Summer!!!

I LIVE for coordination. It gives me the warm and fuzzies to see things in perfect harmony. If you follow me on Instagram (you should if you don’t, mom_id_like_to_follow_m.i.l.f, could the underscores be more obnoxious) you’ll see a trail of well coordinated frocks.

This is the first of many Mommy and Me shoots with my darling Laila.

Mommy and Me Summer Shoots

Laila and I are welcoming summer with all the love in our little HEARTS, pun intended!

It’s sunhat and charming dress season and we’re here for it all! YOU HEAR ME?!?!Laila is wearing a dress I picked up at Target. Isn’t it the cutest thing ever. I love me some ruffles and these ruffles are done just right. The sun hat which I wanted for myself was a snag from H&M. Oh please do click on the pictures to enlarge and see the detail on the dress, functional pockets and  zipper; did I mention the ruffles?!

Winters in the North can be unforgiving and this past winter was no exception. So I promised myself I would not complain one little bit when it gets hot! This is me not complaining and enjoying the sun, so much so I could barely keep my eyes open the sun was so bright 🤗. Not complaining just stating facts.

My dress is an oldie but a goodie for me, well last season old, but Milly (one of my favorite ready to wear designers) never disappoints.

I love this dress because it’s fun, flirty, and feminine. The waist line is forgiving and the best part, it has pockets! This was an Amazon splurge (you’ll be hearing a lot more about my splurges, stay tuned). You can find something just as cute here and here.

The shoes are a new cult fave Steve Madden’s Carrson sandal also an Amazon find. If you haven’t figured it out yet I’m a proud Amazon Prime Member and associate. The clutch was a Banana Republic steal, no longer available, but you can find something similar if not cuter clutches here.

It should be noted that Laila was somewhat uncooperative during this shoot until an offer/bribe of LOLs and Poop-a-roos was made and we got the shots I needed. Yes your reading that right there are Poop-a-roos now folks (that’s a post for another day trust me).

Till next time ladybugs!!!

XOXO-

Andrea

P.S.- Photo Credit goes to the very talented ladies at Dynamic Duo Images, thanks Kaneisha!

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.