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In the vault

CRUSHED VELVET!

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I recently read quote that said, “a major part of manifesting is believing you’re worthy of what you’re asking for.” This resonated with me not only because I found it to be true, but because not many people talk about the mental gymnastics that are required to chase your dreams and build the life you deserve. Forget outside influence and the negativity of others who may cast doubt. Usually, it’s the inner voice that we all have at times that can be our own worst critic and deterrent in moving forward, past the fear and discomfort, that ultimately holds us back. It’s very easy to fall into this cycle of thinking especially when you see firsthand the amount of effort that goes into your passions, and it seems like you’re barely moving the needle. I personally struggle with this often, but I refuse to believe that all of this was fror nothing and choose to trust the timing of my journey no matter how frustrating it can be. We got this!

On a lighter note, I received this suit during the holidays and unfortunately did not have an opportunity to style it. Despite taking a break from fashion week this season, I still wanted to get out into the city streets and shoot some looks that I would’ve potentially worn had I attended. To no surprise, I was instantly drawn to the rich crushed velvet texture of this set. Everything about it looked so lush, and the added comfort and ease was simply a bonus! A close friend of mine recently said, “co-ords are the best fashion hack” and I couldn’t have agreed more! With both pieces, 85% of the ensemble was nearly complete so all that was left to do was add my personal flare and make it ASM approved! I knew that black would be my contrasting color based on the shadows that flowed throughout the pattern of the textile. I then chose to layer with a sheer ribbed turtleneck for a bit of juxtaposition against the heavier fabric, and ground the outfit with a sleek heeled bootie. For accessories, my go-to classic cat-eye sunnies were the obvious choice as they somewhat mirrored the geometric shape of my earrings. Lastly, I decided to stick with the angular accents by incorporating a croc-embossed bag that also featured silver hardware, effortlessly complimenting the rest of my jewelry. I loved the strength and power that this look emanated and I couldn’t be happier with the images that were captured. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

CARGO CRAZE!

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Unless you’ve truly been living under a rock, or have absolutely no interest in keeping up with fashion trends, it’s been nearly impossible to avoid the explosion that cargos have had over the last year. From runways to retailers, it seems like every brand has produced their own take on this utilitarian style, and have found ways to incorporate it into every type of garment you could possibly think of. While initially only trousers came to mind, the “cargo-inspo” has since merged into denim, skirts, vests, jackets, corsets, jumpsuits, dresses, boots, and even bags! So naturally, it was only a matter of time before I found a piece (or two) that peaked my interest and fit my wardrobe needs. As soon as I saw this set I was immediately intrigued and knew that as long as the quality was up to par, I would not hesitate to bring it home! I loved the overall design of the co-ord, as well as the distinct contrast of the black zippers that really gave an added pop of interest and edge. I also appreciated the versatility knowing that I could easily pair both pieces with other items in my closet if I didn’t want to wear the entire set (though it does look amazing as a whole). To further play up the darker accents, as well as account for the inconsistent temperatures, I chose to layer it with a long-sleeved knit turtleneck. Whoever invented this concept was truly a genius because functionality aside, it also doesn’t take away from showing the best parts of the ensemble! To tie everything together, I chose to complete the outfit with minimal accessories including my favorite sunnies, lace-up heeled sandals, and a bag that mimicked the hardware on the top and pants. A few final touches of silver jewelry were the icing on the cake, and I was quite pleased with the end result. Especially now that we’re finally getting back into the warmer months, it feels great to get excited about expressing myself through clothing again without having to worry about coordinating a piece of outerwear so I don’t freeze. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

PUMPKIN SPICE!

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Pumpkin spice season is officially among us and I’m ready to dive in! I must say, my Fall wardrobe has me beyond excited to create tons of new content and finally enjoy the cooler temperatures (in the most stylish way possible of course)! Additionally, what I love most about some of my latest autumnal closet additions is that I really took advantage of the sales. Believe it or not, so many items were already discounted during the summer from last year, and I did not hesitate to score some absolute gems (that are still full-priced on certain websites, might I add). I’ve been waiting to finally pull this knit set out for months now and as my first blog post of the season, it could not have been a more ideal introduction! The rich, warm color of the garments accented with the perfect amount of tortoise shell buttons had me sold from the very beginning. Also, in terms of versatility, the styling options with this co-ord are endless and I definitely plan to experiment with them all! This look came together seamlessly and simultaneously allowed for a chance to showcase a few more accessories I’ve been obsessed with! To be honest, I was totally gutted when the heel broke on my chocolate croc boots from last year. That said, it allowed me to make room for a new pair that I love even more with impeccable quality! Lastly, I continued to play off of the tortoise accents with my current favorite sunnies, and a top handle box bag which I’ve had for YEARS that never seems to get old! A few pieces of gold jewelry to tie everything together and the outfit was complete! I could not be more thrilled for the crisp air, hot drinks, statement coats, and holiday activities that are quickly approaching! Comment below your favorite thing about Fall and until next time!

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In the vault

WORK MODE!

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Life is unpredictable. There are periods of ups and downs and moments that will make you question everything you thought you already knew. What I’ve learned over the years is that while there is no way to prepare or plan for everything that is to come, if you stay focused, everything will eventually fall into place. At this point in my life, the time to put my all into creating my desired reality is now and I refuse to miss my opportunity! When styling this look, I didn’t know how much strength and power I would feel. It’s no secret that a suit is a classic garment that is normally structured and often worn with regards to business. That being said, I love the modern takes on tailoring and how even options that have more of a relaxed fit, or use lighter materials such as linen, can still command the same attention. When figuring out what color to pair this khaki set with, it all came down to my bag choice. After waiting MONTHS for this gorgeous leather tote, I knew I had to style it immediately! Recently, I’ve also found myself gravitating towards all/majority black outfits. Why I waited until the hottest month of the year to experiment with this is beyond me, but I have yet to be deterred. It’s almost as if the details on dark items pop more, especially in the Summer, when most people are staying far away from those shades. To complete the ensemble, I layered a cropped t-shirt featuring a tie-waist detail and a simple pair of mules. Another theme I’ve noticed in my wardrobe is my affinity for classic pieces that have unexpected elements to them; and I personally think this particular look conveyed that seamlessly! For one final touch, I added a neutral pair of chandelier earrings and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. Wearing this, I was absolutely in “deal closing” mode and even more excited to put in that work! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

SALMON SET!

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Despite the temperatures steadily rising, there has been no shortage of knit garments rolling out from various designers and retailers. I’ve often given thought as to why this could be considering we usually associate this textile with the colder months. That being said, I personally am a fan of the subtle texture and structure that knitwear provides; especially during a time where most people are wearing more common lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, and chambray. When I initially saw this salmon colored co-ord, I was intrigued by the hue but highly skeptical of the fit. Needless to say, I proceeded to place my order and simply hoped for the best. To my surprise the thin and rather clingy fabric was of good quality, and the pieces were extremely comfortable (not overly constricting in any way). This bright shade of coral made the ensemble perfect for the current season and while I was fairly confident wearing it as is, I decided to layer an oversized blazer on top for added elevation and chicness. For shoes, I almost went with something neutral but at the last minute decided to color-block with lime green mules, which created more of a “watermelon-like” palette. To balance the brighter tones and tie in my muted outerwear piece, I added an iridescent pair of sunnies and chandelier earrings featuring pearl accents. Overall, this outfit is more on the preppy side of what I’m used to and definitely had me considering taking up golfing (LOL!). Jokes aside, I’m excited to wear this look out and about and potentially add similar polo-style sets to my wardrobe collection. Comment below if this is something you would personally rock, as well as your favorite featured item. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Shorts- Zara

Blazer- & Other Stories

Mules- Mango

Sunglasses- Dezi

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In the vault

HOT COCOA!

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When it comes to color combinations, brown and blue is one that I personally love and have styled in a variety of ways on several occasions. It’s no secret that the chocolate shade was one of the biggest trends last year, and though more vibrant tones have taken over for the time being, I have no doubt it will resurface again towards the end of 2021. During an online retail therapy session, I came across this bodycon matching set and instantly knew I had to have it! Aside from the fact that it was giving all of the 90’s Mariah Carey “Butterfly” album cover vibes, it was also unlike anything I currently own in my wardrobe. Though I absolutely love statement pieces, I also genuinely appreciate garments that are simple enough to create an effortless, yet eye-catching ensemble. Because my foundation was so plain, I knew I had to include some striking elements that would really make my look pop! Towards the beginning of Spring, I purchased a tweed plaid blazer featuring gorgeous abstract shaped tortoise buttons. This striking accent detail matched perfectly with my co-ord, while also adding a balance of light, since I was working with a fairly dark base. My outerwear piece also incorporated teal threading in the pattern, which I chose to highlight with a bucket bag in a similar hue. For shoes, I kept it simple with a pair of black heeled sandals and was ready for brunch, date night, or an evening on the town with the girls. With the sense of normalcy steadily returning, the excitement of getting dressed up is also at an all time high! I look forward to recreating this look IRL and enjoying the simple moments we took for granted over the last year. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Top- & Other Stories

Skirt- & Other Stories

Heels- Topshop

Bag- Zara

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In Collabs

2021 FIT! (ft. Adidas)

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Like most people, I too enjoy viewing the new year as a fresh start to set goals, create healthier habits, and challenge myself for the better. When it comes to fitness, this is something that has remained a constant in my life for quite some time now; not just for the physical benefits, but the mental as well. 2020 was an extremely trying year full of uncomfortable adjustments and uncertainties, but I can wholeheartedly say that maintaining some form of active routine definitely helped me get through it. That being said, as I get back into my wellness regimen, the timing could not have been more perfect for this Adidas collaboration. What truly resonated with me, was the fact that this line was co-created with actor, Zoe Saldana, to meet the needs of the “modern woman.” Thanks to quarantine, finding reasons to get dressed has become much more of a task so having stylish activewear that can be worn for a variety of purposes is key! It was also touching to know that as another woman of color, Ms. Saldana wanted to use this collection to celebrate underrepresented communities and give a voice to the unheard; which unfortunately have been negatively impacted by this pandemic the most. Though new information seems to be rolling out daily, I find it comforting to focus on the variables that I can control within my own life. Sustaining positive practices like exercising has kept me focused and emotionally strong while continuing to take on 2021 day by day. Upon receiving the pieces, I was instantly intrigued by the bold color scheme and vibrant prints. For me, though most of my workout gear is fairly neutral, I find that brighter garments definitely provide an energy that keeps me motivated to get up and get in the zone. Aside from that, the fit was flattering and the material used was soft yet supportive. The sneakers, though light in weight, provided an incredible cushion that made engaging in high impact movements completely stress-free! I would absolutely look into adding more pieces from the line into my wardrobe and am even more excited to tackle my fitness goals for this year. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

BLACK-ISH!

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In my opinion, the #1 way to look chic with minimal effort is by styling a monochrome outfit. Whether it’s all black, neutral, or whatever color tickles your fancy, this is a sure fire way to look “put-together” with ease. As resident of NYC who has also spent their entire life on the Northeast coast, it’s no secret that as soon as the temperature begins to drop, the color palettes we gravitate towards become darker and darker. Specifically speaking, Black is where it’s at! Wearing an all-black outfit is a fool-proof way to appear stylish, classic, and even a bit edgy. While I am definitely a person who doesn’t mind incorporating other more vibrant hues into my wardrobe, when it comes to my personal favorite, nothing else can compare! It seemed as though we were bombarded with knits much earlier this year, so while I was sprucing up my collection for the months ahead, on separate occasions, I snagged this sweetheart-neck top and ribbed midi skirt. The skirt actually happens to be apart of a co-ord set with a different matching knit, however as I knew I was planning to shoot this look without any outerwear, the long-sleeved option seemed like the better fit for my vision. As stated several times previously, nothing breaks up a monochrome ensemble like a variety of textures! I had been eyeing up these structured wrap-around sandals for quite some time, so when the opportunity finally came to purchase, I quickly made my move! Though I was pleased with how the overall look was coming along, I wanted to add a couple accents that I knew would brighten up the mood. I have recently become obsessed with statement earrings, and this mix-matched neutral pair were no exception. To play off of the lighter pearl accents, I grabbed my nylon pillow-like clutch for a more casual element. Lastly, I threw on my clear rectangular frames and was ready to go! While looks like this may be simple, I tend to rely on the details of the garments to provide the interest I’m looking for. Without the neckline of the sweater, slit in the skirt, wrapping of the heels, and accessories, this look may not have been anything that caught my eye. Luckily, with a few small tweaks, a basic outfit can become an instant showstopper! Comment below your favorite piece and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Lola Rae

Skirt- Topshop

Heels- Mango

Earrings- & Other Stories

Bag- Zara (similar)

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In ASM Shop

TRANSITIONAL PIECES!

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As we move into Fall and the weather begins to cool off, I am excited for the reintroduction of heavier fabrics. Check out the transitional pieces I’ve rounded up below and comment your favorite garment to style. Whether it be leather trousers, heavier knits, or puffer jackets I am truly excited for it all! Don’t forget to click the images for direct links to shop and until next time!

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In ASM Shop

THANKSGIVING LOOKS!

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There are two types of people in this world when it comes to gathering for the holidays. Those who throw on the comfiest thing they own to lounge in, and those who buy an entire outfit just to sit on the couch and take photos while waiting for the festivities to begin; can you guess which category I fall into? Nonetheless, regardless of where you fit in, I’ve decided to round up a few pieces that I could certainly see myself rocking this turkey day! Whether you’re with friends, family, or a mixture of the two, have an amazing holiday and cherish these moments while you can. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

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