Take Some Time to Smell the Flowers

The weather projections for today were mid 70s and sunny.  In actuality, the weather turned out to be closer to mid 60s, cloudy, cool and misty.  Total opposite.  In preparation for what the weatherman originally predicted, I decided to wear this floral skirt I picked up from H&M this past weekend (only $18 by the way). Everyone is going bonkers for floral print these days and I’m always in love with a great pattern and bright contrasting colors so this skirt fit the bill. Anywho, back to taking time to smell the flowers… on a very small scale of things I could’ve been easily frustrated with the inaccurate weather predictions or allowed for the gloomy day to put me in an equally gloomy mood, and of course that would’ve been so ridiculous b/c that’s such a trivial issue.  But people do it all the time with even more substantive things.  They often allow for frustrating and unpredictable circumstances to negatively color their mood and their feelings...

 

Life can be complicated and no one said it would be a perpetual cakewalk, but there are also so many opportunities and situations where you can be much more appreciative, much more reflective and much more grateful b/c on the other side, things can always be way worse.  There is something or someone out there experiencing things beyond your comprehension and no matter what is happening to you, you have the opportunity and choice to stop and smell the flowers.  Flowers don’t stop blooming just bc of what is going on in your life.  They even say a rose can grow out of a crack in a sidewalk.  Of course, I’m speaking mostly metaphorically when I’m talking about 'smelling flowers'… I’m really just saying that there’s always a brighter side; there’s always a miracle before you and there’s always beauty around you, no matter what you are going through.  Take the time to tap into that, particularly when things are less than desirable.  Some days may be more irritating, more complicated and more challenging than others.  Some days seemingly don’t work from start to finish but try to keep things in perspective and remember that you have the option to smell the roses, pick the flowers, and play in the garden no matter what else is going on.  

Lately, I’ve been constantly thinking about Trayvon Martin and his family since hearing about his murder and how senseless and meaningless it was; how devastating it must be to lose a child and for no reason at all... and then to be mistreated by the same system that you rely on for justice and protection is unbearable.  I think of that and there is nothing, not one single thing, going on in my life that could be worse than what I imagine that child experienced in the last moments of his life and what his parents and family are enduring now.  It breaks my heart everyday and with that tragedy, I’m reminded (particularly as a mother to a young black boy that’s no different than Trayvon and as an attorney who knows that the case is not being handled properly), I have no reason…not one single reason…to complain. I CAN see the flowers blooming. RIP Trayvon Martin. 

Flower Pencil Skirt: H&M; Cardigan: Old Navy; Belt: Forever21; Black Scalloped Pumps: Prada; Pink Diamond Watch: AquaMaster; Studded Bracelet: BCBGeneration; Beaded Turquoise Necklace: Forever 21; Bag: Juicy Couture; Earrings: Gifted from Mom; Short Trench; H&M

 CLICK BELOW FOR MORE PICS AND DETAILS OF THIS LOOK!!!

Finally, Geometry Makes Sense (Fashion Sense)

Before I even get into the wonderfulness of this dress, let me first address the nonsense of this day, Monday. In typical Lee fashion, I woke up 5 seconds before I was supposed to be out the door and on my way to work (I gotta do better... at this rate, I will be late to my funeral for sure).  Considering the limited time I had and the cooperating weather (clearly mother nature is off her period this week), this dress was an easy pick.  I hadn't wore it since last summer and it requires no effort to wear b/c the print works the whole thing by itself. DONE. Anyways, I almost always commute to work via the Metro (DCs subway/rail line) which is about a 10 minute walk from my apartment so I often wear flats or a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors and I carry my work shoes (heels, but of course) in my work bag.  So far everything is making sense and falling into place, right? Right, until I get to work and find that I packed two mismatched shoes.  Sweet baby Jesus. How that happen is still a mystery to me b/c the picking of the shoes happened in clear daylight and these two shoes were not even slightly similar.  They were different colors, shapes and styles (I swear I gotta do better...SMH).  With that, I was stuck in a dress, with my Chuck Taylors at the work.  Ironically (or not), it turned out to be the cutest little fun little unexpected outfit (nevermind the fact that it's so ridiculous to walk around the office in Chucks all day but whatever, sh#t happens...I got my work done regardless)! It even put me in the most carefree relaxed mood and I survived Monday!! Yaayyy! :-) 

The Milk and Honeeyz of it: 'When life gives you lemons, make the bestest strongest strawberry lemonade margarita you can find and have yourself a good ole' time!!!

I not only love the geometric print (which is trending big time in the fashion world) and colors, but I also love the shape of the dress, the tie neck, the 3/4 bishop sleeves and the flirty length (it's a little on the shorter side but it's not tight or clingy so it works).  More importantly, this was another fabulous find from Forever 21 that I happened upon for $30 tops! :-)  I swear things are just looking up!! LOL. 

For Pleats Sake...Can A Girl Get A Break??!

Pleated Skirt: Calvin Klein; Peplum Shirt: French Connection; Small Hobo Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Cut-out Booties: L.A.M.B.; Sunglasses: Balenciaga; Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I've been working like an absolute crazy woman this week so my dress attire has been relatively subdued, as it is taking the back seat to being a grown up in a professionally demanding world.  The reality is, even with a relaxed work environment and all the creativity in the world, you can only go but so far with the fashions during business hours (not to mention that it becomes even more difficult when all your hours seemingly are business hours and there's no time to play or think too hard about what to wear!!) Anyways, I promise this weekend I'll take some time to dip back into the fun play world, including playing dress up, and I'll have some new fun posts for you Honeeyz next week!  For now, see how I called on some accordion pleats (and bright colors) to bring just a little bit of action in the work day... I mean for pleats sake...can't a girl have just a little fun??!! :-) 

Just Me and My Peplum

There's nothing particularly special about this outfit... a simple black/grey speckled sheath dress with a cute little peplum, accessorized with a ribbon belt, black wool bolero, black tights and black pumps. Simplistic, modest and classic. But what I liked about these photos was the authenticity and candidacy of the pictures, the story behind the "shoot," the memories that were jogged when I saw the pictures, and the moment stole.  I took a walk on my lunch break with my favorite coworker/friend, Sadarie, and she shot me in different poses (with an iPhone no less) while we were just chatting, laughing and acting silly... just for a moment before we got back to being grown ups. It was a good time. Beautiful weather, hearty laughs. After we were done and I looked at these pictures, I instantly saw my mother when she was younger and I was just a kid.  I reflected on different memories in my childhood.  Just for a moment.  I smiled. Then I went back to work.  

So this post is not about fashion, but just about good times and good memories created and jogged with just a camera phone. On my lunch break, stealing a moment, with a friend.  That easy.  That simple. Not complicated. Not materialistic (except for that peplum though...how cute?? LOL). 

Dress DOWN Friday Turned UP!!

Just b/c the word "down" is included in the term doesn't mean you have to (or should) take it literal when it comes to Friday attire at work.  My whole philosophy about Dress Down Friday (and work in general) is that I don't have a choice about whether or not I have to go to work (somebody's gotta pay the bill; momma needs a new pair of shoes; babies need to eat...and all that); but I do have a choice about what I wear while working (to some degree). Since I love clothes and fashion, and a great outfit always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, there is no better time than dress down Friday at work to utilize clothes to turn me all the way UP!

Jeans, Rock and Republic; Blazer, Asos Black Label; Polka Dot Tie Shirt, LK Bennett London; Bag, L.A.M.B.; Watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs; Wooden Ring, H&M

*By the way I just saw this pic of Keri Hilson online today right before I drafted this post, courtesy of Concreteloop.com, and it looks like she and I were sort of on the same page today with the white blazers, button up dress shirts, and jeans.  :-) Go Keri! You look hawwtt, but of course! LOL.

Click below after the break to see the rest of my dress DOWN, turned UP photo shoot!!! :-)

C

T.G.I.F. (And What That Means To Me)

My gear for the day. 

T.G.I.F.!!! Yup, Thank God I'm Fabulous!!! LOL.  I learned that mantra from my girl, Kimora Lee, and I recite it religiously and so far so good! :-) You have to love yourself and your fabulosity more than anybody else will or does because that's how they learn to appreciate and love you back!!! Don't accept what the next person has to say about you and never, ever follow the rules if they aren't conducive to your freedom and success! Do what makes you feel good about yourself and makes God proud of you.  Those are the essential ingredients to fabulousness!! Trust me.

Anyways honeeyz, here are a few candid pics of me from today. Just playing around at work with the iPhone, and my fav co-worker/photog, Sadarie Holston, Esquire!  I kept my attire pretty relaxed and simple considering I was freezing my butt off, it was dress down Friday, and I was running late to work (again).  Even still, I was CA-YUTTTEEEE and FAB (b/c I said so)!!!  I'll be on rest mode this weekend and trying to reorganize my life so I can start next week off on a better foot than I did this week (Lord knows this week that I fell out the bed on the wrong side and bumped my darn head bc I was a hot @%$ mess) and I likely won't touch base with you guys until Monday but I'll be putting together some more substantive posts for you guys (and honeeyz) so don't worry! Just a little encouragement for now.  Enjoy your weekend, MLK Holiday and your FABULOSITY!!

It was beautiful outside but much warmer inside... click below to see>>>