The Lady and the Dancing Pink Elephants

Have you ever walked in a room or been in the company of someone and it's uncomfortably obvious that there is something going on that's not being addressed? Like there is a big pink dancing elephant in the room and everyone is pretending that all is well and normal? Well there's usually a negative connotation to that phrase because those types of scenarios generally require some level of confrontation or discourse in order to resolve. In my case, the pink elephant is not only patterned on my shirt (how cute right??!!!) but all over my lips!!! Lol. So luckily for me, to address the pink elephant in my room requires no uncomfortable confrontation but just some acknowledgment and explaining on my part. Here goes...

I am sooooo not a makeup girl. By any stretch of the imagination. In the past, all attempts at wearing makeup have made me feel, and in my eyes, look like RuPaul or some other glorious drag queen. And while that is somewhat complimentary I'm not necessarily trying to look like a drag queen. So I, like many black women, have shyed away from makeup. A pretty nude gloss (MAC's Spite is my favorite), a perfect strong brow and a little mascara (I die for Lancôme Definicils) with some good skin (love Clarins Hydraquench moisturizer and serum, as well as Clinique's MoistureSurge gel cream) and that's it for me. Pretty lips, bold brows, long, natural lashes and healthy, dewy skin. However, this past year I've managed to work foundation and a bit of concealer into my routine, particularly when going out on the town. The days of my RuPaul insecurity are behind me and the feeling that a little makeup is unnatural are so immature to me now. But the issue with my lips have remained unchanged, until just recently. I was still pretty hung up on pretty Nudes and clear glosses b/c color scared me. So that brings me to my biggest pink dancing elephant debacle and that is overcoming my insecurity about my lips and forcing myself to add a little color on my lips.

For a long time (until recently) I was foolish enough to think that my lips were too full and awkward... just problematic and no need to highlight them. But after being told how ridiculous and silly that is by anyone who heard my complaint, I've started to like them more. And with liking them more I've started to get bold enough to experiment with colors. I've tried the new wine color lip trend and I love it but it's so über vampire sexy that I'll reserve that one for evenings, but certainly a new favorite. Maybe I'll wear it when the new twilight movie is released. Lol. So to not look like a vampire during the day I decided to turn it up and try a bold red alternative (the dancing pink elephant in my room). :-) I'm kinda liking it! It sort of makes me feel and look like a grown up but it's bright and playful enough to not take me too serious. I thought it was a perfect combination for this lady-like retro pinup girl inspired look. What do you Honeeyz think? What's your take on women of color and makeup??

Pleated Skirt: BCBGeneration; Elephant Top (new) and Clutch (old): Gap; Heels: L.A.M.B.; Earrings: UrbanOutfitters; Bracelet: H&M; Lipstick: Rimmel Kate (as in Kate Moss) #01

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Short and Sweet

Not only does the title of this post aptly describe this little outfit I’m working with but it also describes my weekend…short but sweet. It never seems like it's enough but I try to make the best out of my weekends no matter what. This past weekend I hung out with my little princess and any time with her, especially one on one is always the sweetest (my man child didn’t tag along b/c he has more important things to do than hang with his mom and sis *rolls eyes*)!  On Saturday, the Princess and I did some very necessary shopping, we rented some movies and had some bad/good Chinese food while watching (that was awesome).  On Sunday I had brunch in Philly with a group of fab ladies that I’ll be going to Italy with in October (can NOT wait for that trip) and then we were off to a BBQ in NJ on Sunday with some of my absolute favorite girls.  The food was delicious and the company was irreplaceable.  I love those ladies.  Lots of laughter, good times, and sweetness. :-)

 Anywho, is there anything sweeter than hot pink, red, pleats and polkadots all mashed together in one outfit? I think not!!  I initially was just gonna throw a white tank on with this but figured to go with red instead to make things extra sweet and a little unexpected.  Aside from Valentine’s day décor, we’ve been told that red and pink shouldn’t be mixed together but I actually think it’s a cute and sweet combination. Of course you honeeyz know that I like breaking rules just for the sake of breaking rules! :-) I paired the shorts and tanks with a new favorite, my strappy black snake skin sandal with corkscrew heels...the icing on the sweet cake! 

FUN FACT: The striped blazer is actually my daughter’s.  I bought it for her from Marshall’s this past fall and she was sweet enough to let momma borrow it. Don't you just love her?? The blazer fit in perfectly with the hot pink lining and contrasting stripes.   And Im kinda loving the fact that we can fit some of the same things, of course that’s until she starts trying to wear my heels. :-) 

Shorts: Forever21; Tank Top: BCBGeneration; Blazer: via Marshall's; Sandals: Manolo Blahnik; Bracelet: Anthropologie; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Name Plate Gold Necklace and White and Yellow Gold Mesh Necklaces: My own 

**Click below for the rest of the pics from this weekend's "shoot!!!!"

Independence Babe

Am I the only chick who sees red, white, blue and stripes and instantly thinks about Independence, as in Independence Day, but specific to one's status?  Probably so, and I guess that just has to be ok.  I've told you that I already know that I'm crazy so I'm totally ok with it.  Anywho...moving on from my admitted craziness... 

I like to think that I'm what you would call an independent babe and I'm sure you honeeyz have noticed that the independent woman movement has been at an all time high this past decade and I think it's great.  However, I think it's important to note that independence is not about being single and it's not about rejecting relationships, partnerships, collaborations, or making good use of available resources and opportunities.  I like to think of it as a state of mind whereby an individual is innovative, self-motivated, and self sufficient.  You can be all those things and simultaneously be in a committed and healthy relationship. In fact, I think when it's well balanced it makes for a more attractive and productive relationship! I just thought it was important to put out there because I think some honeeyz make the mistake of holding onto this ill conceived concept of independence and in turn sabotaging relationships or turning prospects off by screaming out I'm independent and refusing to compromise and learn how to be in a relationship while still being miss independent! It can definitely be done! Do you honeeyz agree? 

Anyways, this little number (the wrap dress) is a Banana Republic oldie but goodie and I love it every time I wear it. I love the simplicity and easiness of this dress.  I can throw it on and look totally pulled together without any effort.  And the contrasting stripe pattern and inverted colors on the underside of the collar and cuffs.  I almost always add a scarf to my outfits and wanted something contrasting to break up the monotony of the dress so I grabbed this scarf b/c it was the same striped pattern but in a different color.  I think it made the look a little more interesting and less uptight.  This day was particularly windy and it made for a sexy little photo shoot up at the work place...totally unintentional! There were a bunch of Marilyn Monroe moments where my dress was flying up all over the place, my leg was all out having it's own little Angelina Jolie type party going on, and my hair was flying all over the place.  See for ya self.... :-) 

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Color OUTSIDE of the Lines

I'm sure you've been told at some point in your life (usually with regards to education, career, relationships and plain old adulthood) that there was a certain road to travel, a certain way things had to be done, and a particular order to do it; but I've been bucking the norm for a long time now so I'm here to say that if you stick to the script with every single thing you need to get done in life, you are bound to get stuck! The "script" generally covers one perfectly made up scenario and since life isn't kind enough to be a perfectly made scenario, that won't work in 99% of the situations you encounter. It's important to create your own path and not to be intimidated or dismayed when the perfectly made script isn't working.  Getting from point A to point B almost always requires backing up, turning right, taking a U-turn and hanging a quick left.  Driving straight to get to the next destination is barely ever an option... and even when it is, it's usually not quite the scenic route. :-) 

The MILK: Learn how to color outside of the lines...it usually makes for quite the masterpiece and quite the testimony. 

This outfit is a perfect example of coloring outside of the lines, but in a fun kinda non-get ya life kinda way! This skirt a birthday gift from my BFF, Shan, and I loves it.  The floral print with the random polka dots and the color pattern just makes my little heart skip a beat and also distinguishes this skirt from the other floral skirt I featured here.  I immediately thought to pair the skirt with this horizontal striped shirt I picked up from Urban Outfitters.  Although the patterns are totally different and traditionally unexpected, the colors in both pieces go perfectly (well at least to me they do).  And because I actually wore this to work (told you I was rebellious), I figured the nude, simple pump kinda calmed it down and tricked some people into believing I was totally normal...sort of.  All in all, I had fun totally coloring outside of the conservative, monochromatic, business lines and wearing something eclectic (shout out to Fly Won...insider), yet totally appropriate for work!  :-)

How do you honeeyz shake up the work place with your attire so that your good to go for work but haven't compromised your personal style? And what are some of the ways you organically mix patterns and colors so you don't look like a clown or totally contrived?

I love the slit open back of this shirt. It's soooo much fun! I added a skin tone camisole to keep from being over exposed but when I wear this shirt for play I definitely wear it out and open... sexxxxy!! LOL

I got these cute little glasses for free from BCBG as purchase giveaway. They kinda have that Ray Ban relaxed Cali feel.  I was going to give them to my daughter because they are not my usual sunglasses style, but in the course of coloring outside of the lines, I decided to rock them.  

Striped shirt: Urban Outfitters; Floral Pencil Skirt: Anthropologie; Nude Pumps: Christian Louboutin; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Necklace worn as bracelet: My own (14K white gold mesh with yellow gold screw details); Earrings: H&M; Sunglasses: BCBGeneration; Wallet as Clutch: Mac and Jac

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