2013 Fashion Resolutions

2013 is going to be my year! I am claiming so many new and exciting things this year and I am ready for all the success this year will bring (I completely believe in the law of attraction - CLAIM IT!). I've already come up with the longest list of general New Years Resolutions (you know the usual - save more, exercise more - as I do every year with little success), but I AM going to make it work this year! The sky is the limit!

On to my 2013 FASHION NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS...

1. My number one resolution is to BLOG MORE!!
Last year when I started this blog with excitement I expected it to take off immediately. Boy, was I wrong. The fact of the matter was that I didn't have enough content/material. This year I'm getting more serious about this platform. I'm hoping to get out a lot more and get dressed a lot more so that I have things to share with you! Bare with me. Things will be rolling smoothly before you know it!



2. Accessorize! Accessorize!! Accessorize!!!

Jewelry. I said I was going to do this last year and, well, I didn't. [#epicfail] Honestly though, I lose every piece of jewelry that I buy!! I have made a promise to myself to get with it and step my game up once and for all!

 

Handbags. I have to seriously step my purse game up. In my previous life carrying a purse around just slowed me down. Now - on my list of "just can't get enough" accessories. One day I will own a Celine handbag!!

 



3 Take more fashion risks, step outside this little box, and challenge myself.

This year I will take more risks. Go bigger, bolder; prints, and textures. Prime example.. Rih Rih. "Girl Next Door" to "Rated R".

Okay maybe not so scandalous... More Carrie Bradshaw.



Okay... You get the point. Take more risks!!


4. Get thrifty, but know it is OK to splurge every now and then.

I must admit... In the past my response to a thrift store would be "OH HELL NO". Besides donating my oldies, I would have never thought about actually stepping foot in one. Boy have times changed. This year I vow to visit more thrift stores. At the same time, understand that sometimes you have to treat yourself. It is OK to splurge sometime, as long as it doesn't mean your lights will be cut off at the end of the month. 

 

 

5. Show my nails some love!

I grace Beautiful Nails with my presence regularly, but always default to solids - usually pinks, reds, and nudes. This year I'm going wild with colors and designs, and channel my inner artist for a little DIY nail art.

6. And while I'm at it.. Just more DIY!

I've always figured that deep down inside there is a creative genius inside of me, but I have not yet been able to find her. This year I will search for more inspiration and create!
 

 

7. TRAVEL MORE!!!

Last year I managed to visit so many beautiful places. I traveled to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, New York, California, and Hawaii all in the same year. Blessed! I love love love new places, different people, amazing food, and exciting culture. Each one of those places, though some domestic, are each so different from the next. I fell head over heels for LA, California. Before, I was convinced it wasn't possible love another other city more than NY, but I was so wrong. I loved every single place and can not wait to go back to each one. I am hoping this year takes me to more exciting places. Already on the schedule: BAHAMAS!!!! Then back to California (I'm becoming a west coast chick)! Stay tuned!

 

 

8. Beautiful, Stronger, Healthier, Longer Natural hair.

I started my natural hair journey in late 2010 accidentally. I was wearing weave after weave and eventually just stopped getting relaxers. Since, I have grown out 95% of my hair. No big chop for me. I wasn't so bold and had already grown out a lot of my hair under the weaves. LOVE LOVE LOVE my natural hair, but I feel like it grows to a certain length and stops. For the past couple months I've been wearing box braids as my protective style. I can't wait to see if its made a big difference in my length. This year I will not only grow healthier, longer hair, but rock my natural hair more.

This year I'm going for Oprah hair. The secret? Moisturizing, weekly deep conditioning, routine clipping, protective styling to protect my ends, and NO HEAT. Okay.. no heat at all is a stretch for me, but I can vow to cut back to once or twice a month.
 

 

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON ALL OF YOUR 2013 RESOLUTIONS!!

Currently Craving: The Wedge Sneaker

Okay... It took me a while to get with this wedge, but it has recently become an obsession. I have fallen in love with the wedge sneaker! I've been seeing them for a while now - Ciara, A.Keys, tons of celebs), but it wasn't until this past week that I truly fell in love with them (I put them on MY feet) and now seriously - I'm obsessed! It's something about a girly-rugged outfit that gets me going. I'm such a girly girl, but I appreciate comfort! Don't get me wrong.. I have a complete weakness for heels. Still, I'm quick to throw on a skirt and sneakers. The combo of this gym shoe (Midwest) and heel is genius. They can be worn so many ways! Anyway I am now on a hunt for the hottest of the hot!

Guilty Pleasure - Ruthie Davis

SHOEGASM!

How hot is Ruthie Davis's summer collection?! Though these won't make it past the "wish list" I had to share this with you.

Baby Blue Ivy Carter

The world, at least 95% of it, has awaited this moment since Beyonce and Jay Z's big VMA announcement. If Blue Ivy's extravagant birth didn't stop the world from spinning, I think this just might bring it to a hault! PICTURES! I have to be honest and say I didn't expect to see this little girl until her 10th, maybe 16th, birthday. I just knew there was the possibility of poor Blue Ivy having to go through what the Jackson kids did, being covered by blankets and all. The Carters are so private, and rightfully so, that I thought we'd never see her.

THANK GOODNESS I WAS WRONG. The Carters finally released photos of their new princess - and they did it the right way. They didn't sell for as much as they could get (and I'm sure they could have gotten alot). They released when they were ready, and she was ready. Baby Blue Ivy Carter has to be one of the most perfect babies ever. Bey is glowing and so is Papa Carter. These photos touched my heart tonight and I wish Jay, Bey, and Blue many many many blessings!

Wednesday Inspiration - Solange Knowles

How gorgeous? Solange Knowles has finally escaped the shadows of her older sister. Her style has evolved fabulously! This Vera Wang dress is beautiful on her. It was brilliantly modified and perfectly paired with the suede platform pumps. My natural hair sister completely rocked this!

And I must mention Momma Knowles is also looking fabulous in the back!

Guilty Pleasure - The Trench

Sorry it has been sooooo long! I promise it will never again take me 6 days to post.

I had to share my new guilty pleasure. The Trench - feminine, chic, sleek, timeless. I came across a few this week that made my jaw drop with a little envy.

O...M....G...
Kim Kardashian stunned me in  the most gorgeous coat I have ever ever EVER seen. I am almost speechless. Kim was in New York city last week to co-host LIVE! with Kelly Ripa. The red lace number underneath paired with the red sole was great, but she could have hosted in this coat! It is simply amazing!

Kim Kardashian also rocked the hell out of a black studded gold leather trench by Versace for H&M ($399).

And a few other trench coats to die for...

Yves Saint Laurent


Burberry


Burberry


Francis


 Valentino


Valentino

What do you think about my trench picks for 2012?



Guilty Pleasure - Iris van Herpen

So there is just something about a BANGIN' shoe that puts the biggest smile on my face. I have a serious love affair with shoes of ALL kinds. They just seem to have supernatural effects. When you put an amazing heel on don't you automatically feel super sexy? Or when you put on a HOT pair of sneakers (gym shoes for my mid west ladies) don't you feel crazy cool? Or a chill day paired with a cute pair of flats - it just feels good. #deepbreath.

Yes. I'm obsessed.

I just wanted to share a pair that I stumbled upon today for by Iris van Herpen.

****WARNING****

#SHOEPORN

Hot right? Okay, so if your not convinced look at them and other van Herpen creations on the ladies below..

 

 

These all range from $995 - $1,295 (Hey a girl can wish can't she?) You can find these and other styles at unitednude.com.