Flawless

Shades: Rue21 / Shirt: Ebay / Skirt: c/o Deb Shops/ Sandals: ZooShoo / Jewelery: Old Navy 

In December, Beyonce released her self-titled album, Beyonce, and many people were shocked by the edgier sound of her music. Pundits like Bill O'Rielly did all but call the songstress out of her name and argued that "Yonce's" new music made her a bad role model to "girls of color." 

I couldn't disagree more. 

The first song I heard off of the album was Flawless, a musical tirade against misogynistic values and ideals that oppress women. In the four minute song, Beyonce, along with Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,speak out against social mores that confine women to submissive and subordinate roles to men.I remember hearing Flawless for the first time and being filled with a powerful surge of energy that bordered rage. At the time of the album's release I was going through a Britney Spears-esque "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman" phase and this song  helped me realize that the awkward stage I found myself in, was natural. Just as Beyonce had progressed as an artist and displayed a matured sound, so too have I matured and progressed in my life. A primary way in which I display this is my style. 

Though post graduation I still find myself having to get used to the fact that I'm "grown," the idea of being a full fledged adult is not as scary as it once was. To mirror the transformation I've undergone in the past four years I decided to redesign the blog. Some of you may have noticed that things look a little different, a little more sophisticated, and that is why. This new design reflects the evolution of my style, maturation as a person, and me attempting to embrace grown womanhood.

This outfit was inspired by Beyonce's Flawless as, "I woke up like this," is a popular line from the song.I dressed up the cotton tee with a black pencil skirt, my strappy sandals and black cat-eye shades.Here lately I've been wearing a lot of black and white and this ensemble fits the bill of my current style.   

Kierra as Kiki Homemaker

I guess the title of this post could be a little misleading given that I'm not a homemaker, but something about this outfit did make me feel Joan Cleaver-esque. 

Dress: Gap

Blazer: Nordstrom (Thrifted) Shoes: Madden Girl (similar) Bag: Kate Spade

Largely because of the A-line shape of my dress and the bold bright colors, I feel like I could have easily fit the role of a 1960s housewife ...too bad I can't cook. I wore this outfit to church on Sunday, and because it can get a little cool in the building, I threw on my sherbert colored blazer. I accessorized with a baby pink and gold spiked necklace I got from the flea market while on vacation in Hawaii, my Michael Kors watch, and multi-colored snake print pumps. My favorite accessory of the day however had to be my new hot pink Kate Spade purse, also one of the goodies I brought back from Hawaii! 

I think subconsciously I knew what I was doing as I was putting this outfit together, because one of my favorite music videos just so happens to be Beyonce's Why Don't You Love Me, in which she portrays a 1960s (scorned) housewife, by the name of  B.B. Homemaker. I've watched it a million times. Check it out below. 

 

 

You a Bad Girl and Your Friends Bad Too.

While it's undeniable that Beyonce is a bad girl and her friend Kelly Rowland is too, let it be known, that  they're not the only ones dripping Swagu. Because, in case you didn't know, I'm a bad girl and my best friend A'storia is a bad girl too.

So, Saturday night in preparation for the New Year, I stockpiled up on some Swagu, and stepped out on the town with my bestie. What can I say, #weliketoParty!

Ok, so who am I kidding? I'm definitely not the World's biggest Party Animal, but every now and then I like to get all dolled up in a pretty dress and strut my stuff. Which, is exactly what I did Saturday night December 31, 2011. 

The last 365 days of my life were filled with some major accomplishments, a little sadness surrounding the unexpected death of a friend, and a year in which I was placed in some difficult situations that ultimately made me a stronger, wiser, and better person. All in all, I think 2011 deserved from me a heartfelt goodbye and 2012 was deserving of a smashing grand entrance! 

To ring the NewYear in right, I splurged on this Herve Leger inspired multi color dress from Express. Although I really liked this dress, I can't lie-- I really wanted to dazzle in a sequined mini but I had a strong inclination that a lot of other girls would be wanting to do the same.

Therefore I stuck with this baby, and if I do say so myself, it was a knock out! I think this dress was also fitting for the night given that one of the top designer brands of the year was Herve Leger.

Christinia Milian, Kelly Rowland, and Victoria Beckham are just a few of the celebs spotted out in these figure flattering dresses in 2011. And though my dress was barely even a fraction of what one of the infamous bandage dresses cost....

                                                        
                                                      ...I still think it looked just as good!
                                                              
                                                                     That said, 

                                 Happy New Years!

From One Bad Girl and her Friend, to another! 

-xoxo

Kisses from Kierra