Month: August 2018

Da Republic of Brooklyn!!!

So how does one incorporate your home town, love of all things polka dot, a super comfy summer/fall transition look and bunch of unruly balloons into one post?! Like this…

Summer to Fall Transition Look

So many people are trying to end summer prematurely; these people are sad and unfortunate souls who need a hug.

Don’t fret I’m not letting the haters get me down. I’m bringing all kinds of, it’s still very much summer, but fall is around the corner vibes with this one. See I’m having oodles of fun trying to control these wayward balloons. I did have a little too much fun on the swings.

If you follow my Instagram you know I had to incorporate my polka dot Converse into a look at some point.

I love these sneakers for several obvious reasons, first the POLKA DOTS, duh. Second they give me a little height with the platform heel. I’m what they call fun sized, height challenged, petite; I’m short ladies and gents. I come in at a whopping 5′ 3″. If you’re fun sized like me and want a little height or just like Converse you can shop the kicks, here.

You know I had to have this sweatshirt. BROOKLYN, sprawled across just about anything is a must have for me so when I walked into J Crew and laid eyes on this, it was pretty much a wrap; shop the sweat shirt here. Layer this sweatshirt with your favorite button down and issa look or wear it solo! I layered it with one of my favorite polka dot button down’s to give you an idea what you can do with this for fall.

The skirt is the headliner of the show, for several reasons.

First and foremost it’s on the clearance rack at J Crew (in-store on the clearance rack and discounted online), winning!!! I start every shopping expedition at the clearance rack (when I dare enter a store) make no mistake I’m balling on a budget folks.

Second the color is a must have for the season, LILAC!!! And third it’s a midi/maxi (fits like a maxi for the height challenged) so it’s crazy versatile. Take a look at how I wore it to work after the photo shoot, here.

This skirt swishes when you twirl in it and yes for the record I twirled in it several times. It’s also extremely versatile in my humble opinion. You can wear it to work, the beach, school play, the options are endless, if you know what your doing (we know what we’re doing right ;-). It fits true to size and it also comes in Navy, so run, don’t walk to J Crew for this one, because it is sure to sell out soon, shop the skirt here.

The accessories, watch and bracelets are super old but you can shop similar options here: bracelet here and the watch here. You  you can shop the necklace here.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Translation: If you make a purchase via the link provided, lil mama makes a few coins.

Until next time ladybugs…

Xoxo,

Andrea

Photo credit goes to the ladies at Dynamic Duo Images. Everybody needs a Kaneisha  in their lives, get you a Kaneisha, reliable, resourceful, patient and willing to work with a sista on a budget.

FIT-ISH

A few people have asked me why Sanaa (my eldest daughter) hasn’t got a feature yet, well that’s mostly because she’s a budding track star. She spends most of the year running around in circles…lol When we launched It’s Very Necessary she was off running. But she was finally able to fit me into her busy schedule, so here she is all her glory (channeling her inner 2 Chainz), my little track star!

With almost everything I do, I like to look good doing it, even if I’m sitting on the side lines cheering my big head baby on. Full disclosure I’m a total track mom fraud. I only do mild weather events, if it’s over 80 degrees out you probably won’t see me. But my husband is the real super star, he’s at almost every event and sometimes practice. I fundraise. Begging for money can be a chore as well; yes I feel the judging from here or it might just be in my head. In all seriousness I don’t feel an ounce of guilt not voluntarily baking in the sun; NOT ONE OUNCE!!

Jimmy Jazz Athleisure

About the outfits. Well we’re both sporting Adidas head to toe, well almost, Sanaa is rocking Converse Chucks. I found my outfit at our local Jimmy Jazz. Jimmy Jazz is my go to for most of my Athleisure and/or “Streetwear”. Jimmy Jazz has come a long way I remember when they were exclusively a “New York” thing, kudos on the expansion over the years.

Let’s be clear about a few things I’m not a fitness nut, I just like fitness gear…lol But seriously health is wealth and it’s important we make the time to get a few workouts in during the course of the week. And as for this ensemble, it was an immediate yes! First it’s a style trend bull’s eye, palm leaves are so on trend, second the color combo was right up my alley, and most importantly the price was right! Shop the top here and the leggings here.

Let’s just say the struggle is real. It’s kind of sad my kid has a six pack and I don’t, wait no it isn’t, she didn’t have two WHOLE children and can still see her toes over her belly. I’m good, I’m good, well this is what I like to tell myself as I see a muffin top begin to form…sigh

We stayed with the tropical them for Sanaa’s outfit.

How cute are these exotic animals, parrots, zebras, and fish! It was the perfect compliment to my palm leaves. I can’t take all the credit my favorite photographer actually found it for me, thanks Nesh! You can shop her top here and the leggings here.

I had a lot of fun with this shoot. It’s our first Ath-leisure post, there are many more to come, I got to shoot it with my Sanaa, and finally I got to work with my childhood friend Ed Kirkland. From the Stuy (Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn) to Maryland we Brooklyn-nites always find each other some how; “Comfortable Everywhere”, as the saying goes. First let me just say Ed is hilarious, always has been, but he’s also professional, talented, and patient (yup, you guessed it I was late). Find him on IG, his work speaks for itself, Shutter To Think.  I’m so happy he decided to pick up the camera and go for it. Now I have two dope photographers to drive crazy.

Until next time ladybugs…

Peace and love,

Andrea

SOMETHING BLUE

Clearly BCBG and I have a little love affair going on. I took full advantage of their 40% off sale, the end result; I ended up with two new beautiful dresses for the office. Take a look at my Office Hours post and you’ll see what I mean. Yay me right!!! Anywho about this dress, this one will get you noticed, my husband noticed it and he doesn’t pay me any attention. To be clear he thinks I look great all the time and I quote, “You always look good, so I should be saying you look great everyday?” My reply yes, yes you should!!!

But back to the dress, it features a subtle high/low hem (those high/low hems are hit or miss at times) and what I’ve dubbed peek a boo slits just below the shoulder. SWOON, right I know, I know?!?! The devil is in the details and that little twist takes this dress to a whole other level for me.

THE PERFECT DAY TO NIGHT DRESS

It’s another perfect day to night dress; just the right amount of fun and flirty. Perfect for those low key dinner meetings with clients or brunch with your favorite gal pals (Keisha, Liz); versatility is important to me and I’m sure you feel the same.

I literally had to give this dress a twirl! And even if you’re not a girly, girl, twirling in a pretty dress is just fun. The material is light weight, no lining, so dark or nude/seamless under garments are the way to go. I wore a black bra and a black slip underneath and that did the trick. You’ve seen the shoes before, the Steve Madden Carrson. I love these shoes because they come in so many colors. You can dress them up or down and you can wear them for hours without wishing for new feet. The bag is an oldie but goodie by Coach.

I hope this one gives you all a little style inspiration as we head into the last leg of the summer. Till next time ladybugs.

Xoxo,

Andrea

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