Transitioning to Fall with Julep

Dress: Express / Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors/ Shades: House of Harlow / Sneakers: MICHAEL Michael Kors 

All Summer long I stalked this asymmetrical jersey knit dress from Express but was never quite willing to pay full price for it. As fate would have it, I was in Express a few days ago and happened to stumble across it on the clearance rack for $29.99 plus an additional 30% off the clearance price...so of course I bought it! Though it is clearly a dress made for the summer, I am super excited to spruce it up and transition it into Fall. Though this leather MICHAEL Michael Kors jacket and camo print slip on sneakers will help, it's these three shades of Julep nail polish that will really add the finishing touch. 

So many people think that transitioning a summer look into fall involves actual articles of clothing, but in reality your beauty regimen has a significant impact as well. Weekly manicures are my guilty pleasure and these new fall colors from Julep only give me more of a reason to indulge.Check out more fall polishes from Julep here! 

Werk.

If you follow me on Instagram, you've known for about a month now that I'm officially a member of Corporate America. The transition to 9-5 life has been an interesting one but I think I'm finally starting to figure out the work/life balance and am glad to be back from my  [unanticipated] blogging hiatus! 

My current position is as an executive for one of the nation's premier retailers. That being said my work wardrobe is 95 percent black but, because I work in such a fashion oriented business and will forever be a fashionista at heart, I've made a point to create a work wardrobe that includes more than black suit separates.

 These past five weeks I've had lots of fun experimenting with different textures and fabrics and maybe a bit too much fun buying funky accessories to add some flair to my professional looks.This is a typical work outfit for me - polished, sleek and stylish. I'm particularly smitten with this faux-leather dress because it can easily be transitioned into the fall with boots and tights. These color block wedges are also my latest obsession. Not only are they comfortable but look great with nearly everything. 

Dress: Gianni Bini (similar) / Wedges: Express / Bag: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Charming Charlie / Rings: Express 

 Even though this outfit is for work, something about it screams "Werk." -- and that's exactly how I like it. Who says professional attire has to lack pizzazz? 

Prints & Bow Toes

Blouse: Gianni Bini via Dillards / Shorts: Rachel Roy (Old) / Pumps: Steven by
Steve Madden / Watch: Michael Kors/ Purse: c/o Deb / Shades: Rue21 

When it comes to adding class to a pair of shorts, my rule of thumb is to always balance out the leg being shown on the bottom with a less revealing blouse on top. I know pattern mixing is all the rage right now, but if you haven't quite worked up the courage to pair multiple bold patterns, a simple and stylish way to gather your gumption is by balancing a bold print with a solid. For me, a white button-down blouse is a staple that can make the transition to every season. When I purchased these Rachel Roy shorts last year in Hawaii, I wasn't sure what I would wear with them, but this simple white blouse and my Steven by Steve Madden pumps that I can't seem to get enough of was the perfect combination. 

For the King

Coat: Tracy Reese/ Pants: Express/ Shoes: Jessica Simpson/ Purse: Michael Kors/ Blouse: JcPenny

As much as I would love to step out into the cold wearing my orange Tracy Reese coat on a daily basis, I've had to come to grips with the fact that its not an everyday coat. But, two Sunday's ago I took it off the hanger for the first time in a while and got snazzy for the King. My friends and I made a trip down Tobacco Road to hear former NAACP President, Ben Jealous speak at Duke Chapel for the University's annual celebration the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here lately I've been swamped with school work and one very special application, so baseball caps and beanies have pretty much been my daily uniform. I relished this small break from the hoopla that's been keeping me busy. Underneath my coat I was dressed in a creme blouse and khaki colored slacks, it was too cold for a photo without it. Since this event was at Duke Chapel, I was concerned that my outfit may be a little bold so balancing out the orange and blue I wore the muted colors underneath. 

I had a great time celebrating Dr. King's legacy and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Jealous' message. I heard him speak once before at the 2012 DNC and both times I was a blown away by his speaking skills. Members of the Nubian Message staff and I managed to snap a picture with him (and show him a copy of our newspaper) after the event was over! 

The Nubian Message Staff, Me! and Ben Jealous

P.S. Check out my friend Amanda's ( 3rd from the right) blog! She's chronicling her journey to Grad school and has some good posts! 

Young Professional

Blouse: JcPenny (similar) // Pants: Banana Republic // Shoes: Rainbow (similar) // Bag: Michael Kors 

It's the first day of my last semester of undergrad, so I think today's post title is very fitting. In a few months I will be entering the work force as a young professional. My mom and I have had many conversations about diversifying my wardrobe with pieces that I will be able to wear in a professional setting. I've slowly started taking heed so, I guess this outfit is the result of my doing so. 

I got these pants on super sale at Banana Republic while I was Christmas shopping (I'm talking 40% off the sale price!) and loved the fit of them. I paired with them my cream button down blouse and cheetah print flats and just like that I had a cute outfit, perfect for a soon-to-be young professional. 

Blue Suede Shoes

Sweater: Forever21 // Jeggings: The Limited // Shoes: Jessica Simpson// Necklace: WetSeal// Purse: Michael Kors

Two days into the New Year and I still can't believe that its 2014! So much is going to happen this year--I turn 22, graduate and hopefully will be moving away to start the next chapter of my life. To ring in this momentous New Year, my family and I decided to make the short trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. I hadn't intended on taking any blog pictures while away on this trip, but when I saw the bright blue and yellow background of this beach side concession stand I instantly thought of my new blue suede Jessica Simpson pumps and had to take pictures. 

Over the last year I think I have become more comfortable and sure of my personal style. Whereas I used to think that I had to be accessorized to the T, I've grown more comfortable with simplicity. Despite the bright colors of my sweater and shoes, this look was overall very simple.

Here's to more simple but fabulous looks throughout the year...and to Jessica Simpson for these blue suede shoes that I can't get enough of! 

Eye of the Tiger

Sweatshirt: c/o Deb / Jeggings: The Limited/ Boots: c/o Deb/ Bag: Michael Kors/ Sunglasses:The Limited

The entire time that I was writing this post, all I could think of was Katy Perry's song, Roar. I guess it has a lot to do with the roaring tiger on the front of my sweatshirt. I wore this outfit for a casual movie date last weekend. It was pretty chilly outside, so I wanted to be completely covered up and casual, but still cute. My leather jeggings made the look more date appropriate than jeans and a bit of lipstick (not pictured) also spiced things up a little. These boots will be making several appearances on the blog this winter, I am sure. They are super comfy and a cognac brown boot is a staple in any woman's closet. 

Classy and Sassy

Top: c/o deb/ Pants: Marshall's/ Shoes: c/o deb/ Purse: Michael Kors/ Bracelet: Rue21

Maybe it was my glasses, but in this outfit I felt like a classy and sassy little nerd...with puffy hair (The wind was not cooperating with me!) You can never go wrong with cheetah print or black which were the bread and butter for this look. Though often times black pants can be boring and bland, these ones from Marshall's were anything but, mostly because they are super fitted and figure enhancing. I cuffed them on this particular day but un-cuffed they fall right above my ankles and are just as cute. I paired them with this cheetah printed peplum top from Deb along with these delicious nude pumps. Despite the wind and my puffy hair I still say that this outfit was a success. 

I Didn't Get Invited To The White House, But....

Top: Express via Marshall's / Pants: Express via Marshall's / Shoes: Steve Madden/ Bracelet: Rue21 / Bag: Michael Kors 

My Invite! 

I did get an invite to my Chancellor's House for a Student Leader Reception! Never would I have imagined four years ago as a freshman at N.C. State that I would eat dinner with my Chancellor, but last night it happened. As the editor-in-chief of the Nubian Message, a weekly African American newspaper at my university,  myself as well as several other Student Leaders were presented with this cool opportunity. 

I know how difficult it is to get in touch with Chancellor Woodson, (the Nubian has attempted before without luck for quotes) so to receive this invite, was a big deal! When I got it, I had no idea what I was going to wear, but I knew it needed to be polished, classy and most importantly, professional. I eventually decided on this printed peplum top from Express (via Marshall's) and these cropped black slacks (on sale for $15!). I really wanted to wear my Jessica Simpson Cheetah print heels, but ultimately decided that my black pumps with the lower heel were more appropriate for the occasion. 

We had a nice dinner of Spaghetti with cheesecake for dessert, and while the food was good, I was most impressed with the "mature" nature of the conversation my fellow peers and I had with our Chancellor. We discussed everything from the North Carolina Legislature passing a law that allows concealed weapons on UNC-Campuses (check out this article in the Nubian's sister publication, Technician) to Women's Safety on campus, and a Tweet sent by a student at App State that was among other things, racially insensitive and bigoted. 

It made for a fun evening and is just another awesome opportunity that life at N.C. State has presented me. I won't get sentimental, well...at least I'll try not to, but I must say that my school has treated me well and that I will definitely miss it come this May when I graduate! Shout out to the Class of 2014! 

 

p.s. - how bazaar is it that guests at the Chancellor's home park on the grass? o_O haha, check out Miss B chilling on his front lawn!