OOTD: LETS GET FLORAL!!!

Its Winter and its been hard to shoot looks in these winter NYC streets.  BUT, I had to share this look with you all.  I love to shop semi anal sales at the beginning of the year and I lucked up on this suit for 60% off.  Yes that's right 60%!!! Now, this is not a normal for me because my size is always the first to go but sometimes things just work out for the best.

In order to finish off the look I added a bag and tassel earrings.  I fell in love with these earrings from when I first saw them online.  Plus this cold weather required a hat in order to stay warm. 

If you want to shop this outfit and many other things on sale click HERE

OUTFIT DETAIL

Accessories & Clothing from Eloquii

Shoes from Avenue

SET GOALS NOT RESOLUTIONS

We are a few weeks in to the new year and I'm already sick of the gym and weight watcher type commercials.  Aren't you???? I understand that a lot of people choose the new year to set resolutions so that they can change themselves for the new year and that is great.  Resolutions come with great starts but usually trickle off by Valentines Day. I'm happy people want to better themselves but sad to see they never stay with it. 

Now, I set goals NOT resolutions.   

You may have notice I went a bit dark for the first 15 days of the new year.  I took the time to reflect on 2017 and set goals for 2018.   Here are my tips on how I set New Year goals and not just resolutions. 

5 Tips to Set New Year Goal NOT Resolutions

1. Goals should be clear, specific, and measureable
When we focus on what we want the way to get there becomes evident
For example. if your goal is to loose weight don't say "I want to loose weight"  say "I want to loose 20lbs in 3 months by working out with a trainer and getting my meal plan together with a nutritionist"
See...specific, clear and measurable with a how to do it.

2.Make it your own goal
You may see others reaching for higher goals but that's not important.  These are for you.  You have to set goals that are attainable.  This way you won't fail.

3.Speak on your Goals
Don't make your goals and keep to yourself.  Tell your friends and family. By speaking what you want into the world it makes your goal more realistic.
You want to quit your job and start your own business?...let friend and family know.  You never know if someone hears your goal and want to help or better yet they want to partner with you to make it happen.

4.Take action. Now.
This is why I call this "Set Goals NOT Resolutions".  Resolutions are set to start at a specific date, goals start NOW!!!Get a pad and write down what you want for 2016 today
Post it (on social media and your wall), figure out how to get it done.  Don't wait until after New Years Day.  Remember that line from House Party 2 "Time waits for no man!!!"

5. Reward yourself
When you hit a milestone along the way, reward yourself. Plan each milestone, and your reward will help keep you focused.
Lost 5 lbs...get your nails done.  Lost 10...get a facial.  Lost 20, then its time to shop for a new outfit and celebrate with a night out.

What are some of your goals and how do you plan on making them achievements by the end of the year?

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: TORRID FALL 2017

“The collection is about art and expression—and the fusion of those two things. We also explored the idea that apparel should reflect the many sides of a woman—she’s never just one thing. The overall result is a juxtaposition between feminine and hard-edge artistry,” -Torrid designers Liz Munoz and Kim Sippl.

Torrid, fashion brand for women sizes 10-30, debuts its first New York Fashion week collection, heralding a bold new move towards increased diversity and inclusiveness in the fashion industry. This is not the first time a plus size fashion retailer has shown during NYFW (anyone remember Lane Bryant with Anna Nicole Smith on the runway) BUT its the first time in a very VERY long time.  

 The front row had your usual celebrity and high profile bloggers like Adrienne C. Moore, Actress, Orange is the New Black; Britney Young,Actress, GLOW; Shannon Purser, Actress, Stranger Things; Miss Jay Alexander, TV Personality, America’s Next Top Model; Ashley Nell Tipton, TV Personality, Project Runway Winner.  It was nice to see that famous people were in attendance but I would have liked to see influential individual of nyfw there.  I think they are needed in order to report on the show as well as the changes to NYFW but that is just my opinion.  

The show represented the Torrid woman as she is today.  Bold, beautiful and badass.  There looks were filled with hard edge corsets, leather moto jackets,  flowy capes, flower tops and other feminine pieces.  This created a contrast of hard and soft  to encompasses the many sides of a woman.

 The collection was also peppered with signature, hand-painted elements. NYX Professional Makeup’s neutral palette and Redken’s loose waves enhanced each girls’ natural features, along with shimmering gold nails courtesy of Essie.

The Torrid runway show also served as a showcase for the brand’s third annual Model Search competition, serving as the semi-final competitive round for the top 10 finalists. These finalists hit the runway before going on to the third and final round of competition, where the winner is chosen by Torrid friends and fans. 

You can see some fear in the girls and their walk but hey this is fashion week...wouldn't you be scared too!!!

These brave ladies who are seeking to earn the “Face of Torrid” title did an great job and their family and friends in the audience must be so proud of them.  Cant wait to see who won the title.  

Overall it was a great to have Torrid show during fashion week.  Could there be some improvement, yes but this is the first showing during fashion week and mistakes in whos invited, whose sitting front row is going to happen.  Yes the show was ready to wear and some may think that is not fashion week like but as a community I think it was a very good show and a very good thing.  Torrid stayed true to their brand of rocker chic and I thought they showed many trends seen in other fashion week shows that would apply to their brand.  

Some may think that is not good because they are not following the status but isn't this the industry that locked us out for TOO MANY years!!!! Lets applaud our effort not compare and give each other a hand praise when women closer to our body type make their way down the runway.  So yes, Torrid showed ready to wear but lets applaud the fact they were at nyfw before criticizing they were at nyfw.

photo credit Dan Lecca &BFA 

NY STYLE FASHION WEEK: DAVID TUPAZ SS18

FASHION IS THE EXTENSION OF OUR PERSONALITIES. IT DIGNIFIES OUR HUMANITY JUST LIKE ART AND MUSIC. I BELIEVE IN CAPTURING ELEGANCE; AN ALLURE OF ROMANTIC FEMINISM WITH A TAILORED TWIST. IT SPEAKS OF A MODERN DIGNIFIED GRACE...-D. TUPAZ

David Tupaz is hailed as couture's new genius!!!! What makes David stand out among other designers is not only his elegant and stylish haute couture work but also his passion for his craft, love for his clients, attention to detail and pursuit of excellence.

This season while showing during Style Fashion Week, David did give couture but also gave items that could be ready to wear.  I was over joyed by his black and white dress coats with black and white head wraps.  His not to modest fashion shows that you can be fashionable was just the write touch to an already amazing show.  Plus,the embroidered flower detail was a great touch.

Overall I loved David's collection of this season. I cant wait to see how is Asian inspired show translate into his ready to wear fashion line.  But most things I can see falling strait off the runway into stores.

NYFWM: GRUNGY GENTLEMAN SS18

Jace Lipstein, CEO and designer of Grungy Gentleman, is back again  with a new collection that can only be described as men's athleisure wear. This Spring 18 collection, off the heals of his New York Knicks collaboration, has a  NYC hip hop style that could be appreciated the world over.  

  

GG is known for giving fashion for the everyday man with style and sophistication and edge, but this collection seem to lack the edge of his previous collections.
Colors was based in grey, black with a splash of blue here and there but if you were looking for bright bold color this was not the collection.  What made this collect interesting was not the colors but the designs.  

A few items that caught this men's wear enthusiast eye was the athletic sports jacket,warped tank top and denim like sweat pants. There seems to be a concentration on giving unique design to athletic clothing through modern cuts and fabric use.  

The stripes on everything became repetitive and sometimes unnecessary.  It also felt like a it threw back to a collaboration with Knicks too much.  But, overall it was a good collection.  

The garments showed great constructions and really spoke to me.  Also,  thumbs up for using a divers models including older gentlemen. This help the audience to know that athletic clothing is not just for the young man.   

Here are a few more photos of the collection.

photos by impression