lifestyle – A Styled Mind

In Collabs

2021 FIT! (ft. Adidas)

January 18, 2021 No Comments

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!

In ASM Shop

SELF-LOVE

February 8, 2019 No Comments

With Valentines day quickly approaching, many single people tend to want to hibernate until February 15th; and though I’ve personally had similar feelings in the past, I would much rather dedicate the 14th as well as the rest of the year to embracing self-love. Below I’ve rounded up a few items that can hopefully motivate us all to pamper ourselves more, regardless of our relationship status. Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks and until next time! <3

In Collabs

ASM X SUDIO

January 30, 2018 1 Comment

Each year, as I continue to grow as an individual and a brand, I like to showcase the new facets of my life and have it reflect in the content I create. This year more than ever, I’m trying to maintain a firm grasp on my goals, block out the noise, and stay focused. One thing that has definitely helped me to do that, was incorporating a gym regimen into my weekly routine. I don’t think a lot of people realize how important exercise is to not just your body, but your mind as well. Though true, I’d be lying if I said it was always easy forcing myself into the gym especially during days when I feel the most exhausted. For me, music is a huge necessity when exercising as it really allows me to get lost in the moment and forget any ounce of lingering stress, even if it is just for an hour or so. I am so grateful that I was offered the opportunity to collaborate with a brand that creates premium quality headphones for every scenario life has to offer. Sudio is a Swedish brand, whose main objective is to provide studio quality sound through various styles of earphones made for any occasion. As a resident of NYC, I find myself reaching for my earbuds most often while on the train, in the gym, or those late nights in my apartment went I don’t want to disturb my roommates. Luckily, their sleek styles and practical construction, allow for an overall experience of high quality technology as well as an elegant accessory for your day to day style. I thought it would be cool to switch things up by pairing my new Regent headphones with an active wear ensemble as it is something I have never done, and because fitness is slowly but surely becoming a consistent part of my life. I loved how the gold accents brought out the detail in my leggings, and the wireless design allowed them to be easily functional with no hassle when taking them on and off. I chose the classic black because to me, they were the most timeless and can be paired with anything whether at the gym, or on the go. Sudio was also generous enough to provide me with a 15% off coupon code: ASTYLEDMIND, that is valid forever on all of their products and add-ons. Please let me know in the comments below if you’re interested in seeing more lifestyle posts in addition to the style blogs we all know and love. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Heaphones- Sudio

Jacket- Champion

Sports Bra- Calvin Klein

Leggings- Calvin Klein

Sneakers- Nike

In diary

“THEY”

April 25, 2017 2 Comments

“Nothing worth having comes easy,” is what they say. That said, the impatient part of me can’t help but feel as though I will never reach the level of success I am striving so hard for. So what does one do? “Never give up,” is what they say, but being terrified of failure and disappointment sometimes distracts me from my goals. So, now what? ‘”Good things come to those who wait,” is what they say, yet at this point the frustration is unbearable. As a creative, it becomes draining when you begin to feel as though your efforts are never being recognized and appreciated in the way that you think they should; but then you realize why you started. I started my blog to give myself and others an outlet that can provide positive inspiration and hopefully fairly useful information on a topic that I am passionate about. That being said, I am also human; and trying to thrive in an over-saturated, highly competitive industry can sometimes breed feelings of insecurity and doubt. I heard an individual say once, “In order to be successful, you must learn from your peers and compete only with yourself.” That stuck with me because a lot of times, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to get thrown off your course by following someone else’s progression and losing sight of your own. Coming into the second year of running A Styled Mind, I can proudly say that I have learned so much and grown in ways that I never could have predicted; all from doing something that I love. While I continue to be a work in progress, I will remain focused and optimistic about my blogging journey and appreciate all of the checkpoints (no matter how minuscule they seem, lol) along the way. Because like they say, “if everything came easy, there would be nothing to appreciate;” right? Until next time!

In the vault

HOODED CHIC

January 17, 2017 1 Comment

Lately I’ve been noticing a reoccurring trend of incorporating athletic wear with day to day street style looks. I am definitely a huge fan of this and personally think it makes dressing during the colder months much easier. I have always looked up to the women and men who remained effortlessly chic in the winter without drowning in layers of knits and heavy jackets. Unfortunately, I always seem to end up looking like the Michelin man when faced with those below freezing temperatures, LOL. This season however, I have been steadily growing the collection of hoodies in my wardrobe and whether I’m styling them as a dress with my thigh high boots or as just another top layer, they never seem to fail me in terms of being comfy, cool, & casual. We shot this look right after an unexpected snowfall and while I usually don’t mind not being dressed appropriately for the weather, I was adamant about being warm for this one. One of the other habits I tend to fall into during this time of year, like most people, is wearing all black or neutrals. My roommate was actually the one who brought this hoodie to my attention and I instantly knew it would be a great addition to my closet and this look. I definitely wanted to break up the black on my lower half with something a bit more eye-catching, and the rich wine color and velour texture of this piece did just that. I also wanted to showcase this amazing long-line denim coat I purchased months ago. In my history of rocking denim jackets, I have never once owned anything like this– I mean, the fur trim and shearling lining alone screamed “must-have” for me! With so many bold elements on the top I didn’t mind keeping the rest of the look dark. In terms of footwear, I chose to grab one of my Christmas gifts and might I add that these heeled booties fit like dream, no break-in required. So that about sums it up for this one! I’d love to hear your opinions about mixing athletic wear with more formal pieces in the comments below, until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Hoodie- Adidas

Jeans- All Saints

Coat- Zara

Shoes- Cole Haan

In ASM Shop

PARISIAN PIECES

January 12, 2017 No Comments

When I think of women’s Parisian style, I immediately envision tailored outerwear, mini skirts, and statement heels. Being that I recently did a blog post in a French-inspired cafe, I thought I’d round up a few clothing pieces that I felt would be appropriate for that type of posh environment. Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks, and don’t forget to grab your beret! LOL. Happy shopping!

In Collabs

ASM X BON VIVANT

January 10, 2017 1 Comment

One of the reasons why I love the blogging industry, is because of all of the amazing connections and opportunities that are able to be made in an instant. For this collaboration, I was contacted by one of the amazing sponsors of a networking event I attended back in November; Bon Vivant. This French inspired cafe is known for its luxe ambiance and beautifully hand-crafted artwork that adorns each one of their cube shaped pastries. These mini-cakes are created using traditional French techniques and are infused with layers upon layers of flavor that work as the perfect partner to accompany your favorite tea, coffee, or champagne. While they first began as online-only brand, they have since expanded their market and can now be found in a brick & mortar location, on a quaint road on the Manhattan island. As soon as I stepped foot into the cafe, I instantly felt like I had been transported into a European hot spot. Even before tasting the delicious desserts, I got a clear sense of the amount of detail, time, and effort that went into making each treat an experience to be desired and remembered. This is definitely the kind of place that you take your time enjoying. From the intoxicating scents, light music, and mouth watering flavors, your 5 senses will be completely stimulated like never before! In terms of my outfit, I tried to dress for the occasion and maintain a posh vibe that matched my surroundings. I felt like the mock neck dress, fur vest, and thigh high boots definitely reminded me of the chic Parisian style, while my stark white backpack brought a NYC street style element. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant experience and am so grateful that I get to collaborate with creative brands that take their craft just as serious as I do. If you are in the NYC area, definitely check out Bon Vivant, to get a taste of European luxury, or take advantage of their shipping options and experience these mouth watering cakes in the comfort of your own home. Au revoir!

Outfit Details & Links:

Vest- Michael Kors

Dress- Zara

Boots- Marc Fisher

Backpack- Zara

In diary

NYE RESOLUTIONS

January 5, 2017 3 Comments

Today I felt compelled to write, and with the start of the new year, what would be a better topic to tackle than resolutions?! Whether you love them, hate them, plan to stick to them, or don’t even bother, in some form or another I think we all subconsciously set “resolutions” or goals for ourselves at the beginning of each year. Since I can only speak for myself here, I figured I’d disclose some of my resolutions and how I personally felt about them. For starters, I am definitely challenging myself to save more this year than I ever probably have in life (lol). I have always been responsible with money and have managed a savings account since I first began to learn about banking and personal finances, but with this year being my quarter century milestone, I feel more compelled than ever to really start putting more away for the future. Ironically, that brings me to my next resolution which is to live in the moment! As cliche as this one is, it’s something that I’ve always struggled with. Because I am a planner and quite the go-getter when I have my heart set on something, I tend to become a bit of a control freak instead of just letting things manifest naturally. To be honest, this hasn’t always worked as a disadvantage, but I’m now finding out more frequently that the more time I spend dwelling on the future and what hasn’t happened yet, the more time I miss enjoying the fruits of my labor. Of all of my resolutions, this one will definitely be the hardest to tackle but hey, I’m a work in progress! Lastly, I have decided to maintain an overall sense of focus, positivity, and faith this year. For me, remembering these key things will help me to stay sane in the midst of everything that is bound to go wrong in 2017. Let’s face it, life is full of ups and downs and no matter how much we try to avoid the negative it’s inevitable. With these 3 things in the front of my mind though, I know I will be able to get through anything that this year throws at me..I hope. Lol. I think this is the first year that I am avidly, participating in creating resolutions with the intention of seriously sticking to them. I’m excited for what this year has in store, and the new opportunities and memories that are to come. Bring it on!

In the vault

CLOSET TREASURES

November 22, 2016 1 Comment

It’s no secret to those who know me that I have a slight issue when it comes to departing with older pieces in my wardrobe. It’s not that I’m a hoarder (I swear) it’s just that the way fashion recycles trends, you never know when that older piece may come in handy– and that’s EXACTLY what happened. Statement footwear has made a huge impact on most fashion lovers in the recent months. From velvet to funky prints and patterns, I just couldn’t pass on experimenting with this trend and I knew that I had the perfect piece! I purchased these wild wedges about 3 years ago and sadly, have only worn them maybe twice before. However, there was something so unique about them that I was determined to keep them in my arsenal. I mean…who doesn’t love a shoe made out of your grandmother’s tapestry??? As soon as I pulled them from the depths of my closet I instantly knew that they would make an amazing featured piece. Because they are so eye-catching I wanted to keep the rest of the look simple, yet edgy. I purchased this t-shirt dress and long-line bomber jacket on a fairly successful trip to the mall and knew they would make a great pairing for this ensemble, but it wasn’t enough. I felt like something was missing and figured what better way to add an extra bit of interest than with fishnets. To be honest, these were beyond annoying to get on but they definitely helped complete the look. I accessorized with my go-to choker, leather tote, and new favorite aviators that I literally have not taken off since I bought them. This may actually be me my favorite post of 2016; but don’t quote me. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Forever 21

Dress- Forever 21

Tights- Urban Outfitters

Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell

Bag- Baggu

Choker- Urban Outfitters

Glasses- NYS Collection