IVN x SHE Media Partner Network

Happy Fri-yay!!! Big news gang, IVN has joined the SHE Media Partner Network!!! The SHE Media family uses it media muscle to take baby bloggers like myself to the next level. They help brands build, scale, and grow into media powerhouses. This is truly an honor as they don’t accept just anyone into the network, so I must be doing something right.

So how did all of this come to fruition? I recently attended the BlogHer Biz conference in Brooklyn, NY. BlogHer is a part oft he SHE Media family. I’ve been a huge fan of the BlogHer platform for sometime. When they announced they would be doing an in-person conference this year, I knew I had to be there. I registered for the conference to secure my seat at the table. I also applied for the scholarship they offered and as luck would have it, I was selected. Watch the replay here. I made the highlight reel on their IG page too; pats self on the back. It does pay to be well dressed, just saying.

IVN x SHE Media Partner Network

The conference was everything, it surpassed any expectations I had. I met some of my biggest sheros in the fashion and business world. Claire Sulmers- CEO, Editor in Chief, and founder of Fashion Bomb Daily (FBD) was one of the this year’s VOTY spotlights. The VOTY spotlight is one of BlogHer’s newest ways of giving content creators their flowers for the contributions to the industry. Claire’s story resonates with me on so many levels. She’s a native New York, her family hails from the same Caribbean island as mine, the Bahamas, and probably the most impressive fact about Ms. Sulmers is that she built her media empire from the ground up, see a snippet of acceptance speech below. I literally visit FBD’s IG page or website daily. It was literal thrill to see her live and in-person. I can only dream of the level of success she’s achieved.

When you create your own lane
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SWEATER WEATHER

Fall has officially arrived and I’m ready to embrace everything that comes with it. Cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters, and amber and crimson leaves twirling in the wind. And of course there’s everything apple related, apple cider, apple picking, apple pie, I’m here for it all. You can however keep all things pumpkin related, as we’re going to get pumpkin spiced to death until January.

But I digress this post is about stuff I love about Fall and that’s a cozy sweater. I’m on a real tear when it comes to the big comfy sweaters for Fall. This is just the first installment in my sweater weather series so stay tuned!

SWEATER WEATHER

Let’s get into the reason we’re all here, the sweater, specifically the sweater dress. A sweater dress is a Fall must have for me. This Hanifa sweater dress and scarf checks all the boxes. The Olivia, is a Maxi Sweater dress you won’t regret buying. It’s in limited stock and colors at the moment, currently only available in Lime and Raisin.

woman wearing blue sweater weather
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two women having at the poolside

EVERYBODY MATTERS- SWIMSUIT EDITION- THE MATTE COLLECTION

Hey gang! I know the unofficial end of summer was last weekend but me and Amanda are still summering…lol Since we’re all about to be pumpkin spiced to death we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share our annual body positivity swimsuit shoot with you all.

two women at the poolside wearing the Matte Collection- Kai

In our latest installment of the everyBODY matters series, we’re wearing the Matte Collection’s Kai swimsuit. I’m rocking the white Kai-Cheetah print and Amanda is in the black Kai- Snake print. Why did I choose the Matte Collection for this year’s shoot, it should be pretty clear as to why, but I’ll go ahead state the obvious anyway, they make swimwear for everyBODY!!! The Matte Collection swimsuits are super affordable, comfortable, stylish, and just the right amount of sexy. Perfect for the ladies that want to give’em a little razzle dazzle on the beach or pool side.

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IVN TURNS 3

It’s our 3 year anniversary gang! This past year has been A LOT!!! Between you, me and the walls I didn’t wanted to throw in the towel on the blog, for a number of reasons. At the height of the pandemic it seemed silly, dare I say insensitive to post about fashion and fun when some many people were sick, suffering, and quite literally dying. So many people are still struggling just to make ends meet. However instead of throwing the baby in with the bath water I decided to pivot, because that’s what champions do they adjust.

IVN TURNS 3

people Jumping for Joy celebrating ivn turns 3
Jumping for joy!! IVN turns 3!!!

I’m so glad I made the decision not to quit, not to give up on my dreams, not to give up on the community we’ve built. The IVN community is small but thoroughly engaged, something you can’t find just anywhere. It’s really all about the engagement and adding value. It will be so cool to have big brand sponsorships and an enormous following on all my social media platforms one day, but having an attentive and engaged audience is what I’m most proud of and how I measure our success. You guys allow me to experiment and grow without being pigeon-hold to one genre or niche. At it’s core this blog is definitely about fashion but you all let me share everything and I appreciate that more than words can express.

woman leaning on a wall with red and green paint celebrating ivn turns 3
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THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

Hey Gang!!!

Hey gang, I know it’s been a minute. As some of you may or may not know, I recently lost two people extremely important to me, my grandmother (paternal) and my aunt (maternal). They passed within days of each other. Needless to say it was a lot process. Life it keeps moving right along, even when you find yourself in despair and anguish. Sometimes you have to give yourself some grace when you encounter major losses (personal or professional). I took my own advice for a change, I stepped away from the blog and social media for the entire month of June and gave myself some grace. But it’s a new month, it’s actually IVN’s anniversary month!! I’m back like I never left, stay tuned for the anniversary shoot and some more stuff. There are so many life/fashion moments to catch you guys up on!!

The Anniversary Sale of Anniversary Sales – Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I’m sure you’re thinking, didn’t the title say, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?! Yes it certainly does, let me get into this sale. IVN isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary this month, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is on and popping!!! Nordy card holders (guilty) have early access and I’m sharing a few things I have on my wish-list. The sale opens up to the rest of the world July 28th 2021, so mark your calendars and start your wish list. I use the anniversary sale to get a head start on my Fall wardrobe. This sale is one of THEE best ways to get amazing deals on Fall coats. You’re going to see a lot of coats/jackets in this post, enjoy!!!

Coats

  1. Long Wool Cardigan by Ted Baker
  2. Ralph Lauren Quilted Jacket
  3. Bernardo Peaked lapel Coat
  4. Belted Double Face Wool Blend Wrap Coat
  5. Hooded Utility Jacket by BERNIE
  6. Colorblock Trench Coat by Nordstrom
  7. Hooded Faux Shearling Teddy Coat

Skirts and Dresses

  1. Black leather pencil skirt
  2. Paisley Long Sleeve Midi Dress
  3. Long Sleeve Leopard Print Wrap Dress (Plus Size)
  4. The Body Sculpted Dress (Plus Size)
  5. Faux Leather Shift Dress by Theory

Stay tuned for the shoe and accessory edit.

Until next time,

Andrea xoxo

2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT

2 Ways to WEAR a LONG COAT

The temperature has dropped below 50 degrees consistently enough for me to break out the long coat. How about you?! Truth be told I bought the coat featured in this post at the beginning of the pandemic. I anticipated wearing it to the office during the fall (wishful thinking). But I’m not going to let a little pandemic spoil my fashion fun. So I decided to share a few tips on how to style your long coat this season. One day when the world opens up again, this ALL will be very useful information, I promise.

2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT

***Style tip: Traditionally long/dress coats are “formal wear” but they can be dressed up or down by simply switching out your heels for sneakers or your favorite flats. And for the finale switch out your button down with your favorite hoodie… Voila you have a whole new look.***

I’m giving you guys two Instagram worthy looks where I did just that; referring to the style tip. So I hope this gives you some inspo as you think about what to wear, or not wear, all things lounge-wear are completely appropriate given the times. But if you feel like leveling up for the next family get-together aka Zoom call 3,001, let this be your inspiration. I’m not complaining but I’m complaining. I know we have to use technology to communicate with family and friends outside our households, given the state of the world.

However, I log quite a bit of screen time between my 9-5, this blog, managing all my social media accounts, worship, and family calls. So by the end of the week I’m usually pretty burnt out. I say all of that to say, it could be far worst. We could be in the middle of season one of the Walking Dead, we might just be after this vaccine is released, who knows, until then enjoy the fashion folks…

Dressed Up

Items available for purchase:

Pants and Vest, Halogen X Atlantic Pacific at Nordstrom

2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT
2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT
2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT
2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT
2 WAYS TO WEAR A LONG COAT
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Teal Tufted Couch

THE GLOW UP 2020 EDITION

My chic living room

The cleanest my house has been in ages. I actually live in my house… sue me

Full disclosure this post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will be compensated.

Hey guys this one is long overdue. I started drafting this post just as the Coronavirus began interrupting everyone’s lives. For the past week and a half I’ve been adjusting to my new normal and I’ve straight up neglected my baby, my blog.

That happened for a number of reasons. First I felt like who cares about style and fashion right now, as I’ve been living in pjs, sweats, and hoodies myself. But then I read something on social media that said during the quarantine in London several lifetimes ago, William Shakespeare wrote King Lear. Please make no mistake I am not comparing my blog post to the literary gifts of Shakespeare but my words, pictures, and insights might just brighten someone’s day. So I’m back at it, ladies and gents and I’m here for the long haul. Stay safe, healthy, and happy. And say a prayer for all “the essential workforce” out there, cause Corona and Jesus are everywhere…lol

This blog post was drafted pre-Corona

Hey hey hey!!! We’re halfway through March already! Can you believe it?! I know we say this a lot but time is FLYYYYYING!!! I’m loving all the amazing Women’s History Month events, art, music and dope content that’s made its way to my social media timelines. It’s a lovefest for women and I love it. It’s nothing like witnessing a glow-up.

My Chic Living Room

Speaking of glow-ups I’ve had my own miniature glow-up in the form of a mini/major home improvement. I finally bit the bullet and bought an adult couch. Say hello to Betty ya’ll. Yes, I give inanimate objects names; cars, couches, kitchen appliances, it’s what I do 🤷🏽‍♀️. Betty seems like a very grownup name right?! Lol

My chic living room | Wayfair Couch- Teal and Tufted
My chic living room.

I purchased Betty online at Wayfair.

This wasn’t my first purchase on Wayfair. I purchased my dining rooms chairs as well as several other household items from Wayfair. You could say Wayfair and I have some “history.” They never disappoint. I can always expect quality products and on time and careful delivery. They are the best!!!

My chic living room
This is my dramatic and exhausted pose… Am I selling this well or nah?

My chic living room before and after
The chic living room before and after

I deliberated over this purchase for the better part of a year, mostly because I wanted a chocolate brown couch like Betty. But for some reason, the brown couches were way out of my budget; so I settled. I never settle, fatal flaw of mine. If it’s not exactly what I want, how I want it, I seldom cave. But I did in this case and the results weren’t terrible. I was trying to create the magic in the picture, on the left (designed by Maureen Mahon). And I think I nailed it. I protect Betty from my wayward family with this amazing couch cover I picked up from Amazon. It comes in a variety of colors so if you have kids or pets this is a good look.

Interior Design images for Maureen Mahon Interiors
I have grown up living room ya’ll!!

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