Aztec and Ankle Boots

"Real style is never right or wrong. It's a matter of being yourself on purpose."

It's Thumping Thursday which means we are one day closer to the weekend. That along is reason enough to smile!  I've had a very busy and trying week but I decided to take a quick moment to snap a quick phone pic.  As you can see, I have not done a very good job maintaining my blog.  **insert look of shame**  Instead of making excuses, I will just make more of an effort to get here and get to posting!  If for nothing else to keep a journal of my personal style.

Today I wanted to be dressy yet comfortable so I decided to wear a dress.  I absolutely love wearing dresses.  I can't explain why but for some reason I just feel prettier in a dress....well...most dresses.  I snagged this cute little peplum hem dress from one of Ann Taylor's awesome 60 or 70 percent off sales.  My first thought was to pair it with a blazer but I went for comfort and threw on my aztec cardigan.  I was actually pretty pleased with the look.  I added a few minimal accessories and a pair of ankle boots and I was out the door.

Wearing:  Ann Taylor Sweater Dress|  Hue tights|  Random Aztec Cardigan| Jessica Simpson Denver Booties

Speaking of ankle books, let me just say, this time last year I would have never worn a pair of ankle boots.  I have always been a little self conscious about my legs.  I hated seeing a gap of any size between my legs/ankle and the boot.  As I viewed more fashion blogs and magazines, I decided to give it a try.  Now I can't stop buying booties!  I absolutely love this look.  When I think of all the cute booties I have left at the store over the years because of a silly insecurity, I could slap myself.

What about you?  Do you find a particular fashion trend appealing but are afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone?

Lipstick Anyone?

Before I had my son, it was nothing to get up in the morning and fix myself up before work.  After my son arrived, I could not figure out how on earth I had the time, energy or even desire to do that.  Soon I started just putting on clothes that were clean and wearing my hair in a ponytail.  I went from putting effort in my appearance to really not caring.  I don't know about you but when I look better I feel better.  After my son got a little older, I challenged myself to find my way back to Ton before she was too far gone.

One of the challenges I have given myself is to get back to wearing makeup.  Although I used to wear makeup often before my son, I have never had a nice variety of lipsticks.  I usually stick with a nude Mac lipglass such as Spite or C-Thru and wear that baby with everything.  Well lately, I have started stepping out of my comfort zone.  I will admit, when I first apply the lipstick, I feel like Homey the Clown.  I've had to force myself not to remove it on a few occasions.

Here are two of my recent experiences with lipstick.  I have had NYX Shocking Pink lipstick for quite sometime.  I believe I may have gotten it while I was expecting.  I believe I read somewhere that it is a dupe for some Mac lip color (don't make me lie). Any who, on Thanksgiving I was wearing dark colors with a colorful scarf.  I decided to give Shocking Pink a try.  I am glad I did!  I was very pleased with the results.

Today I decided to step WAY out of my comfort zone and try something totally different.  A few months ago I saw one of my fav IG chicks wearing a very pretty shade of brown.  I stalked and stalked but I could not find the particular shade and brand she was wearing.  My search lead me to my beloved Pinterest and I discovered another NYX lipstick Maison.  Apparently this shade is very popular, I was searching for Maison and two other shades for a little longer than I anticipated.  I am happy to have found Maison but I will be even happier to find the other two. But back to Maison, when I got home and tried on the lipstick, I felt foolish.  A brown lippie looks very different on people and mine certainly did NOT look like the inspiration picture.  I decided to try the lipstick again after applying a foundation and eyeliner.  I will admit that I am not head over heels for this color but the longer I wore it today the more I liked it!  Now how special is that? Any who, here is a pic of me this morning in my NYX Maison.

What about you?  Do you have a favorite lippie?  Who is it by?  Help this milady resurrect her swag style. 

Neon and Zebra Print: Styling my Favorite Skirt

Happy Sunday!

"A Sunday well spent is a week of content"

I don't know where this quote originated but I have found it to be true.  I got my week off to a great start by attending church with my children.  After a beautiful service, I ran a few errands and came home to enjoy my favorite shows.

I wore one of my favorite skirts today.  This zebra print full skirt is very forgiving in the hip and belly area.  What girl wouldn't appreciate that?!  I stalked these BCBG boots for a few months before coming up on a great sale while on vacation.  I could not check out quick enough.  I can think of several ways to style this skirt.  I have to admit this is definitely one of my favorite.

Another thing I am currently obsessing over is photography.  My husband gifted me a Nikon DSLR as a graduation gift a few years ago.  I have finally started seriously studying photography.  I hope to save some money and take our family holiday pictures this year.  I am going to admit...they will probably look a little bootleg because I still have so much to learn...but hey...it's just a little photo card right?

Well, it's time for me to prepare for the week!  Have a lovely Sunday evening!  I know I will **grabs the wine glass**

Update: Well Would You Look at That?

Oh my...I am ashamed to post here.  It's been almost three years since I have "shown my face" around these parts. It certainly wasn't intention but I am sure you can understand how life can sometimes just take over.  I am going to try to get back into the swing of things...and hopefully this time "life" stays in her lane.

Let's Get Reacquainted...

January of 2012, when I last posted here, I was loving my natural tresses.  While pregnancy (yes,I snuck a whole human in there) was very kind to my hair, postpartum was a nightmare.  Breastfeeding my son for 8 months postpartum did not make an already bad situation any better.  Just before my son turned one this past April, I cut my hair off and got a relaxer.  I can honestly say I have no regrets about cutting my hair.  IF I were to say I was sorry about anything it would be that I didn't cut it sooner.

Short hair is SO much easier.  If I am having a day when I am feeling frump, I can wash and curl my hair and feel like a million bucks a little over an hour later.  A friend of mine often says that it is not hard to make short hair look good.  I have to agree.  Whether I curl my hair over or under, it still looks chic.  The secret to pulling off a short cut is getting a GOOD cut.  A good cut looks good both curled and flat.

Just as I am still a hair fanatic, I am also still very "weight" conscious.  Notice I said weight and not health.  I am big enough (no pun intended) to admit that although I am very motivated in regard to my workouts, I struggle daily with my diet.  I am in a very passionate relationship with cookies, cake and wine!    In spite of my very persistent sweet tooth, I have managed to lose my baby weight and get a tad smaller than my pre pregnancy weight.  I make an effort to workout at least three times weekly.

Alright, I have provided a brief update of where I am and where I have been.  Let's move forward with fashion, home decorating, marriage, parenting and whatever else crosses my random little mind.