This I Know...

Since today is my birthday, I thought I'd combine two of my favorite things (pictures and words) in this post. I'm a woman trying to make my way in this world as a wife, mother, sister, friend, and professional (not an exhaustive list, but you get the picture). I've learned valuable lessons and cultivated some definite "isms" in my journey and with your indulgence, I'd like to share a few with you. I don't profess to know everything but, This I Know...

1. It's never someone else's responsibility to make me happy but it's my duty not to allow someone else to make me miserable. 
2. Not everyone deserves a front row seat in the play that is my life.
3. Please and thank you are the quintessential bookends.
4. Keeping up with the joneses is a misguided endeavor; it's likely the joneses aren't happy.
5. Whether it's my intelligence, style, ambition, or desires, it's never worth "dumbing down" my abilities for someone else. 
6. Pulling off a look is 95% attitude and 5 % everything else.
7. Texting is great, but the tambor, expression, and tone of a voice (whether face to face or on the phone) is IRREPLACEABLE. 
8. It's not always about me.
9. Gentle persuasion is an art form to be mastered at various levels.
10. Change is constant and I'd do better to embrace it.
11. Be good to my body in thought, word, and deed.
12. Approval seeking will always have me on someone else's schedule, thanks but no thanks.
13. Being direct is not the same as being rude.
14. Being secure means I can look at another woman, smile, and compliment her style.
15. Less really is MORE.
16. Attention seeking is a fruitless effort...they see you. 
17. Hard work and a good attitude are the key to advancement. 
18. A dynamic mentor can be a game changer.
19. Know your worth in business, relationships, and life.
20. One monkey don't stop no show.
21. Forgiving is as much for you as it is for the person you're forgiving.
22. Don't wait for someone else to do what you want to do...Just Do It.
23. It's never weak to admit I need Him and him.
24. Stay prayed up.
25. Good friends and laughter are essential to my soul.
26. A lady should always be two things...CLASSY and FABULOUS!

As always...thanks for reading!

Sideways

Skirt: J. Crew (similar here). Top: Abercrombie Fitch (similar here). Shoes: Michael Shannon (old). Flower: Nordstrom. Shades: RayBan

Corpor"IT": Summer Suit

 

Even though it was still feeling like Autumn, I donned a perfect Summer time suit and kept it moving for the day. I love this suit because it's a neutral plaid that's jueged up with orange piping running throughout. 

 

Suit/Top: Banana Republic (Old). Shoes: Michael Shannon (Old). Necklace: Helen Ficalora.

Relish It!

There’s no denying that BIG things poppin’ are the stuff of which our dreams are made! And we all know it’s very easy to go gaga over them. But with so much time and attention placed on attaining the next best thing, it often feels like we’ve lost sight on finding joy in the journey. We’ve forgotten to RELISH IT. Personally, I make it a point to find joy in the small things...

• A warm breeze on a sunny Spring day that carries the smell of fresh blooms as I walk down the street, DELIGHTFUL.
• That right Prince or Teena Marie song coming on the radio that takes me back to a time when life was so simple, PERFECTION.
• A good friend who calls out of the blue and we talk & laugh like we speak everyday, DIVINE (the universe knew what I needed and gave it to me).
• Happening upon old school cartoons like Tom & Jerry or Scooby Doo, having the time to watch them, and laughing out loud at the simplicity, AWESOME.
• A kiss from my guy that strikes the right cord, at precisely the right time and all else be damned, SUBLIME.

As for you my sweets, what and how do you RELISH IT? Leave me a comment and tell me about those things, big or small...

As always thanks for stopping by!

Stripes & Bows

I decided to go casual to work with this look. I mixed patterns with stripes on stripes then paired that with a slouchy boyfriend sweater.

Button down/Pants/Shoes: J.Crew. Sweater: Asos.  

Feathered Friend

Every year I support my sorority sister's chapter by attending their annual fashion show. For me it's a great way to re-connect as ladies who lunch, socialize, and rock a great look! This year I opted for black, white, and feathers...  

I'd love to hear from you, so leave me a comment.

Jacket: The Limited (similar here). Skirt: Asos. Shoes: Valentino. Clutch: Unknown Ghanaian Designer. Cami/Bra: Natori. Shades: RayBan. 

Denim Day USA

Last Wednesday the company I work for participated in Denim Day USA. a sexual violence prevention and education campaign. As an HR professional I'm not in the business of wearing jeans to work but for a good cause, I not only embraced IT, I went with all denim everything!

Shirt/Necklace: J. Crew. Boyfriend Jeans: Current/Elliott. Shoes: Christian Louboutin.