Target Tuesday One Year Anniversary

This month marks the ONE year anniversary of my Target Tuesday posts!! How exciting. I never expected that it would pick up as much speed as it has, but I'm so glad that I decided to dedicate and feature such fashionable pieces at a low cost! Here are my favourites throughout the last 52 weeks of the year. I may have to split this post into two since there are so many favourites ;D Click through to recap the highlights of Target Tuesday this past year! (there are definitely some hair transformations as well which is certainly another blog post in itself!)

My Very First Target Tuesday Post

(how could I forget where it all began)

 Journey to the Caribbean

(who doesn't like a good vacation?!)

 Coachella Inspiration

(THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAV!!)

 Colour-Blocking Cabana!

(the basics of colour-blocking)

Next week I'll choose a few more that are my favourites to close out my celebratory Target Tuesday anniversary!

 

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Loving Memories

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a remembrance service for a beautiful soul…

As many of you may (or may not know), my fellow vlogger buddy from She Sings Lovely is a close friend of mine. We grew up together and I couldn’t have been more proud to see that she’s been such an inspiration to many people through her beauty, make-up, and accessory videos. A few days ago she posted a commemorative video about her mommie entitled Heaven Just Gained an Angel. As she mentions in her video, people went to her mom before the counselors and the principal to deal with any issues. She was always well put together and was known for humming a song to melt any bitterness and heartache away (as if our high school troubles were that life threatening).   

I can only think of the great things that her mommy did when I knew her in high school including a wall of pictures that she kept near her desk that was filled with pictures of all her adopted babies. It was our mini wall of fame. The number of people waiting outside yesterday to get into the church was only proof of her amazing ability to reach so many people. Her infectious laugh and singing will always echo throughout the hallways, community, and in our hearts...

Skirt H&M

Belt: Vintage

Shoes: Nine West

Stockings: Rainbow

Purse: Wilson's Leather

Necklace: Charming Charlie

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2011 Reflection: Highlights Throughout the Year

The last day in December always gives us sometime to ask ourselves what have I done this year? The good, the bad, and the ehh yikes that did happen! Well for 2011 I must say it's been a crazy ride but I think I am finally getting into the groove of it and will ride the wave into 2012. I celebrated my one year blog anniversary in October (which I definitely forgot to write about, booo). I'm sure as you know blogging can be quite time consuming and sometimes I feel like shutting it down but then I realize how much I've accomplished in a short span of time! Here are this year's highlights that kept me going on an all time high!

1. Ebony Magazine Feature: Who would have thought I would land myself in a nationally recognized magazine? Very cool. And the fact that Mary J was on the over makes it oh-so-even-more-legit! My hubster surprised me for Christmas and framed the front cover and the page I was on to hang on my home office wall. Very cool.

2. Target Tuesday Recognition: It all started with my first Target Tuesday back in April as a personal style challenge. Sometimes I think it isn't worth doing anymore but the comments keep me motivated to do more! I also got featured in Target's new online monthly mag which is edited by Nina Garcia! I just found out..will post details soon.

3. Fashion Bomb, TeenVogue and Ciaafrique features: Totally cool!

4. Favourite Outfit (ok, one of them..because I just couldn't choose!)

5. TeenVogue Fashion Click Blogger: I love being in the community with other bloggers who luv teen vogue (even though my teenage years are far gone).

In addition to the top 5 highlights on my blog I also purchased a home, became a grad student, and adopted a nephew which has been pretty cool. So for 2012 my blogger resolution is to be consistent, post more personal style, and shed light on upcoming people in the fashion industry. I also want to continue my DIYs! Have a great New Year's Everyone!!

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Potential NYE Outfit: Sequins, Tweed, and Blazer

I keep seeing everyone with their suggestions for NYE outfits and I haven't a clue as to what I'm going to do yet (booooo). One of these days I'm going to celebrate on a jet as me and my hubster city hop to celebrate NYE in every time zone. But that's probably a little further off than I would hope so I'll just stick to partying it up in one spot for now. haha. Ugh why am I so last minute? ohwell... here's a potential outfit that I may wear. I threw this on in the house because baby it's too cold outside! The only thing about taking pictures indoors is that my dobbie Maddie thinks she's a model as well {^_^}

Random sidnote: I just re-did my floors and they look amazing in these photos!

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Target Tuesdays: Clever Khakis and Creamy Cardigans

Hello my fashion conscious fashionistas! Today's Target Tuesday outfit is relaxed and low-key. Ever have those days when you want to be comfortable but don't have the option to just throw anything on? I was kind of feeling this way when I chose my Target Tuesday outfit. I love neutrals because of their sheer versatility and the fact that it never screams overkill or too glam on the days when I just feel like taking it easy for the day. It's still appropriate enough for work without feeling stuffy or restrained. 

The metallic sequins that are woven into this knit cardigan adds a really nice texture to the fabric and off sets the gold within the necklace to pull this classic low key look together. Not to mention the cardigan is a nice layering piece for an already cool outfit. The coin necklace ties the entire look together so that you can still  feel relaxed while looking polished and professional at the sametime. I have to say that this heather grey and oatmeal tee blend not only fits and feels good, but I love how the sleeves are actually long! Too many of my t-shirts are barely covering my shoulder with the 2 inches of fabric that they call a sleeve! I'm thinking about investing in some more of these tees in different colours.

cardigan: Merona Collection, $32.99

khakis: Mossimo, $24.99

tee: Mossimo, $9.99

necklace: $12.99

belt: $12.99

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myStyle Challenge:Target Tuesdays

Many of us aren't as fortunate to live near a major city with an abundance of shopping areas in trendy neighborhoods where shops and dinning places are tucked away beneath the cast iron architecture of SoHo, for example. Does that mean the rest of us have to remain less fashionable than the rest of the world? Or worse nude? No, its not that extreme. It just means that people living outside of cities such NYC and LA like myself, have to tap into additional resources to stay current by visiting other cities, shopping online, or rub shoulders with magazine editors to snag free stuff. Ok the last statement is rather unlikely, but its still an option.

Many people inquire about some of the places where I shop because I typically don't have the same outfits that consistently circulate our neighborhood malls and boutiques (Surprisingly, I do shop in the area where I live but I usually choose unique items that women would normally bypass and pair it with an accessory, handbag, or shoe purchased from out of town to make it my own).

Because of this, I've come up with an idea called Target Tuesdays as myStyle Challenge to myself. Popular magazines have toyed with the idea of "Looks for Less" when they realized that the average consumer failed to purchase high end clothing during the years of the recession (so everyone pretty much knows how to shop on a dime...and if not allow me to demonstrate soon!). My challenge is to create cohesive outfits from different stores, with a primary focus on Target which has been known for their fashion forward trends.  I could talk forever about high end looks on a low end budget but I will dedicate that to another post. I'll just stop talking and show you the pics...

Today's Target Tuesday Ensemble is the perfect day-wear look for the woman who has wants to remain polished and professional. It's comfortable, non-restricting, and can easily be paired with cute flats for a more relaxed look on the go.

Play up your outfits with brights and tone them down with neutrals

to create a cohesive look

Acid Yellow Top $19.99
Chained Pendant $14.99
Camel Leggins $19.99
Olive Heather Cardigan $19.99
Faux Snake Skin Pumps $29.99

Which item will you pick to hang on your Physical Canvas?

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My Blogger Feature: Fashion Bombshell of the Day

I had a great weekend but this was the cherry on top! I was featured as the "Fashion Bomb Shell of the Day" on Fashion Bomb Daily on Friday and had absolutely no clue. So it took me by surprise today when I saw that my blog stats spiked in the last two days (because I didn't recall doing anything dramatically different over the weekend) and traced it back to the source-which is the feature you see above. I got a lot of great feed back that honestly made me blush but I understand that not everyone will agree with what I do...there isn't a happy medium to appease people's thirsty appetite. It's the risk you take as a blogger when exposing yourself to the world, as well as an artist, a singer, or any other profession that exemplifies one's work for the love of it only for people to return scrutiny and ridicule. For example, how many times have you heard people say that Beyonce or Mariah Carey can't sing? I presume their bank account says different, don't you?..but I digress.  I've never claimed to be a style expert. I just simply have a passion for it and have been fortunate enough for friends and strangers alike to ask me for style suggestions, tips, and opinions. Thanks to all of those that responded and are now new followers:)

In efforts to reorganize myself and my blog I will start categorizing my posts so that they can become easier to find. #1 on my list of things to do...story of my life.

click  HERE for the feature

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MY WISH LIST: 3.1 Phillip Lim RTW Fall 2011

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Sunday Inspiration

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Alicia Keys in Vogue Italia

 Ok, so I'm pretty much back tracking because I didn't get a chance to post this in November when Alicia was featured in Vogue Italia in 2010 but her pics are so amazing that I can't ignore her gorgeous face any longer-so I'm posting them anyways.

She looks stunning and I don't see any evidence of a baby bump anywhere! I am not mad at her at all...

I love how she's rocking the rock star poofy faux hawk for some shots and then a sleek sophisticated hair 'do in others.

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Spring 2011 Campaign Ad for Giorgio Armani

 

French model Elisa Sednaoui looks stunning in this Armani 2011 Spring Ad Campaign, photographed by Nick Knight. And of course, Creative Director Giorgio Armani, himself, played a hand in bringing it to life as well.

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Spring 2011 Campaign Ad for Miu Miu

I'm getting giddy just thinking about Spring (!!!!) so here's a sneak preview of the newest campaigns for labels such as Giorgio Armani, Chole' and Burberry. But before I dive into the goodies allow me to catch you up on who's modeling for who and who's been dropped from their modeling contracts *womp womp*

Both  Karlie Kloss and Anja Rubik renewed their contracts with Christian Dior and Fendi respectively for the third time in a row. But after a two-season run, Lindsey Wixson lost the Miu Miu campaign and will be replaced by Polish veteran Kasia Struss. I'm sure she'll get work, she's a cute girl.... Meanwhile, Robert Longo, Nan Goldin, and Larry Sultan, Alex Prager shot Karolina Kurkova for Bottega this season in her classic Hitchcock-esque style.As if she did not look like a goddess on the Victoria Secret Runway! 

Check out the Spring campaign ads for Miu Miu and I'll keep posting spring looks. Enjoy!

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New Year's Resolutions into Habits

Research shows that it takes 21-days to create a habit. That's 21-days of incorporating more vegetables into your diet...21-days of consistently going to the gym when all else fails... 21-days to dedicate more free time to develop your passion which you've neglected and let fall by the way side.


No I didn't just take a psych class. I'm prepping myself for all of the Facebook and Twitter updates of everyone's resolution for 2011. But why put it off until January 1st? Because we want the pleasure of knowing that we'll get to it eventually. I know I'm six days too late (for all those sarcastic folks triple checking their calendars *womp womp*), but its not too late to start creating good habits before the aftertaste of 2010 leaves us forever.... 


My goal is to turn my New Year's Resolution[s] into a habit- not a wish on a whim that will fade as quickly as the memories of a tipsy party-goer on December 31st  but into something that will help me develop my own character so that I can look back and see growth and accomplishments.


My theme for 2011 is "Execute and Follow Through". Seems simple, right? It is and if I use it I will have accomplished more resolutions than I could ever list. So I will keep you posted on my new habits. Let's see how this goes!

What's your habit for 2011?!

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