DENIM SKIRT AND VINTAGE TOP

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Taking it back, Living Single style with my 90’s button up from Father and Son and denim skirt from Talbots. If you don’t already know, I’ve been on this vintage kick ever since I attempted to give my clothes away for money to a couple of consignment shops and they told me my clothes were old and not worth much. After that nonsense, I decided I would no longer spend tons and tons of dollars shopping for items at the mall and online that would only be worth a few bucks a couple of years down the road. Don’t get me wrong, I occasionally get an updated piece here and there if it’s extremely discounted and available in my size but for the most part, I’m shopping vintage now.

On another note, I’ve been doing more strength training these past couple of weeks because I really want to tone and shape my body so I fit better in my clothes. With all that being said, I stepped on the scale the other day only to find out I’ve gain 11lbs! I was a bit miserable about it as not even 4 months ago I was down 10lbs and fitting real well in my smaller sizes. Had a chit chat with my brother who is a trainer and he told me the scale was not a good idea when I’ve cut back on cardio and increased strength training. He asked me how I was fitting in my clothes and I told him really really well. He said that was because I was losing inches and the increased weight gain was from muscle. Even with all this info, I was still sad about the scale. All that being said, I spent days feeling sad about the scale without even realizing my clothes were fitting better, without even realizing the clothes I couldn’t wear months ago I can now wear with comfort. Ladies we are way to hard on ourselves! Okay, I’m way to hard on myself. I guess I’m still learning to love the skin I’m in and it’s not easy. I have my good days and I have my bad days. I think it’s more good than bad but on the bad days I noticed it’s because I looked at the scale. Don’t get me wrong, the scale makes us aware of where we are at, but don’t weigh in everyday, give the process some time and go off of how you feel and fit in your clothes as opposed to scale that provides a number that doesn’t reflect fit and muscle mass. I’m naturally muscular, I have very strong legs and calves but sometimes I forget the scale doesn’t even care about that.  If your eating right, minding what you put in, taking care of your mental health, getting enough sleep, keeping your stress levels down, that’s all that should matter. Now, this is not to say that I’ve arrived, but I know what to do and I just need to respect the process. Let’s be body positive, ladies. If you don’t like where you’re at, CHANGE IT, but know it’ll take time, effort, and consistency.

I have a bridesmaids dress I need to fit into in the next few weeks so here are a few things I’m doing to make sure this happens:

– Take Measurements weekly
– Workout in the morning
– Eat immediately after working out
– Low carb, high protein
– No Meat, No Sweets
– 60% Strength Training 40% cardio
– 5 Meals a day (Breakfast, Snack, Lunch , Snack, Dinner)
– Weigh in weekly
– At least 8 hours of sleep

I’m hoping my plan works. I’ll keep you updated. I’ve linked the shop where I bought my top and similar earrings. I’ve also linked the exact skirt and shoes. Happy shopping!

Sincerely,

Deidra Craig

THRIFTED FINDS PART II

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A major reality just hit when I had to pay for my school books last week. I held off as long as I could but then just recently started getting some homework assignments that required me to read some chapters from the books for class 😦 

Anyway, starting off this week with another vintage find from one of my favorite thrift shops, Thrift 2 Gift. I hit it big on my last visit. They always have dollar deals on Friday’s and BOGO dresses. I ended up getting 8 pieces for $8 dollars. The top I’m wearing in this post is one of the 8 pieces. Like most of my multi-colored tops, I like to keep it simple with my other pieces. I’ve talked to so many people who have said they are terrified to color block or wear bright colors, and many just don’t know how to wear bright colors and style them, so I’m sharing my 5 tips for color blocking and how to wear bright colors today. 

OPT FOR A SOLID COLOR ON BOTTOM
Bright colors can be a bit overwhemling for many people, especially if you’re wearing a piece that has multiple bright colors on top, like mine. To tone it down, wear a neutral on bottom. For this look, I decided to do white. White goes with everything and is seasons less. I know, you may think you can’t wear white after labor day but YOU CAN. Who came up with that silly rule anyways?

OPT FOR A SOLID COLOR ON TOP
I don’t often wear bright colors on bottom but do own a few bright bottom pieces. They are a bit much for my fuller bottom so I typically wear a solid top or a solid top with a solid layer like a blazer or jacket. 

OPT FOR SOLID COLORED SHOES
If you’re going all in, and you decide you want to wear colors on top and bottom, which sometimes I do, depending on how I feel, opt to wear a solid shoe to tone things down. Some great shoe colors that go with just about any color are, black, nude, white,  and copper or rose gold, gold, silver or metallic. 

MIX AND MATCH COLORS THAT MAKE SENSE
Some colors really just don’t go together or least in my mind I don’t think they go together. Confused on how to color block? Try these color combos for a cute outfit and a fun night on the town:

Green and Pink
Blue and Pink
Orange and Blue
Red and Blue
Purple and Pink
Orange and Pink
Purple and Blue
Red and Yellow
Pink and Yellow
Yellow and Orange

TRY COLORED ACCESSORIES 
Not brave enough for colored bottoms or multi-colored tops. Work your way up to it with some fun colored accessories. I often do an all white dress or all black outfit and let my accessories do the talking. Sometimes all you need is one good statement hat, earrings or shoes to get the job done. 

Hope these color tips work for you! Happy Monday!

Sincerely, 

Deidra Marie

FALL TRANSITIONS

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I’m getting all the warm and fuzzies because my favorite season is almost here! pumpkin spice flavors and food, warm colors, the most beautiful cotton candy sunsets, cute booties and flannel are coming back soon! Yes, I said it, flannel, LOL. This is a no judge zone. I’m patiently waiting. While I wait, I’ll be rocking the most amazing transition outfits and sharing a few tips on how to take your summer wardrobe into fall with grace. For this post, I styled one of my favorite thrifted blazers. It’s perfect for that transition to fall as it is light weight and a nice warm fall color. When styled with shorts and cute sunnies, you look ready for fall but still warm weather appropriate. Check out just a few of my quick summer to fall transition tips below.

ADD SOME JEWEL TONES
Jewel tones like teal, deep lavender, and blue are the ultimate summer to fall transition colors and look great on just about every skin tone. These colors are in the cool family and tranisition easily into the later fall months like October.

LIGHT LAYERS
I know, how could one possibly think of layering when it’s this hot. It’s easy to layer with the right fabrics. Linen mixed blazers like the one I’m wearing in this post is a great way to layer for work. I work in a cold office so having this jacket around helps a lot. You can always just take it off if it gets hot. A nice sleeveless light weight sweater vest is a cute layer piece as well.

COLOR CHANGE
Change your hair color! Yes, darker hair always looks great for the colder months while lighter hair colors are always an option for the warmer months. Of course, you can always shock people and break the rules. I’m good at that. LOL.
TIGHTS FOR COOLER DAYS
You can still wear your flats and peep toes! Add some tights and your feet and legs will stay warm. I in no way support leg warmers, but that is an option as well. LOL You can also rock your tights with a summer transition skirt once temps really start to drop.
HATS
I LOVE a good hat. Fedora’s are a great transition hat and can easily be worn through September. I’d say you can break out a beret hat in cool or even warm colors and that is a great transition accessory that adds flare to any outfit.
DENIM SHORTS ARE STILL A GO
Denim shorts are always a great option. Denim is year around. To put a fall mix to denim shorts, wear with warm colors and 3 quarter length sleeved tops or even full length sleeve tops.
I hope these quick tips help. Denim shorts, sunglasses and blazer are all thrifted finds but please do shop my flats and similar top at the links above.
Happy Monday!
Sincerely,
Deidra Marie