Color Collision: Latino Fashion Week at Sisu Uptown Resort

I was honored to be attending and covering Latino Fashion Week on May 1, 2014 at Sisu Uptown Resort in Dallas. So what do you wear to an event that is outdoors, coined "fashion week" and surrounded by a swank and posh pool?  Well here's what I came up with.  I wanted to be colorful, vibrant and cool. I engaged in a little peek a boo action with my bra peeking through my sheer blouse--but all is fair in love and fashion right? Fashion is fun, fearless and all about taking risks. I topped my look off with this colorful and flirty bauble necklace by Prima Donna and I was just one big explosion of color--but they all ended up complimenting each other nicely.  I recommend trying these types of blends out if you tend to be timid with colors...you might just surprise yourself.

Studded Blouse: Daniel Rainn - Nordstrom Rack, Belt - The Limited (old), Floral Cream Skirt - The Limited, Peep Toe Pumps - Fergie Footwear from DSW, Bauble Necklace by Prima Donna, Earrings by Shop Jami / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

A closer look at my Prima Donna bauble necklace! / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

Left: Cesar Rolon, Co-Founder of Latino Fashion Week and me / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

Fabulous Find: All the Wire Jewelry

This week I stumbled upon my newest jewelry obsession: All the Wire. After going to Courtney Kerr's premiere of her new show and meeting her bestie Tori Gonzales (see blog post here for more details), I found out through all of the various social media channels that Tori has her own jewelry company with her sister Desiree. Naturally, me being the nosy fashion journalist that I am...I just had to get the skinny on her jewelry collection. I immediately click on "shop" and the shop-a-holic in me just goes nuts...despite the fact that I should be Christmas shopping for others...OOPS!  Don't you just hate when that happens?

All The Wire Texas Charm Necklace ($25.00)

I see this Texas charm necklace and I immediately purchase it. I'm a Texas girl at heart, born and raised in Dallas and anything that I can wear to let everybody know that Texas is the best...I gotta have it. The jewelry is excellent for layering which is one of my favorite things to do. I can't wait to show you guys how I rock it when it arrives!  WOOP! WOOP!

All The Wire Chevron Midi-Ring ($10.00)

She also has adorable midi rings which have become my favorite jewelry obsession for the past year. Above all, the prices are super affordable. I just purchased both the charm necklace and the midi-ring and both cost me under $50!  SCORE!!!!  HAPPY SHOPPING DIVAS AND ENJOY! LET'S SUPPORT THIS DALLAS DIVA AND HER COMPANY!

Fashion and Faith

I am so excited to blog about my new fashion find through Dallas-based company, Socialite Pink.  Socialite Pink's motto is to "Live on Purpose, Give with Style."  Socialite Pink, through its jewelry trunk shows will reinvest a portion of the profits that it makes into helping people through selected charities. I love the idea that my purchases will actually go towards helping someone else.  Isn't this the core of how God wants us to live anyway?  So glad to see and support a company like Socialite Pink..my hope is that as much seed that is sown through this company in helping others, that it will flourish like no other.

~Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."~

In the picture below, I'm wearing the Charlotte Necklace.  With tax it only cost me $41.00.  The quality is excellent and I'm extremely pleased with this purchase.  The necklace is perfect by itself for a simple look or can also be layered with multiple necklaces.  While others are sporting necklaces such as mine for a fashion statement, I purchased it moreso not to be "in trend", but because it is a testament as to who I am, what and who I represent and how I live my life.  I AM NOT ASHAMED.

~Psalm 34:5: They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.~

My Little Blue Obsession

My blue obsession continues with a Daniel Rainn studded blouse from Nordstrom Rack, jetsetter jewelry by Chelsea Bond and heels by Steve Madden.  I'm also particularly pleased with how my twist-out turned out this time around (Big thanks to my big sis Marquea for giving me a new way to twist my hair) using the L.O.C. method ("Leave-In, Oil and Creme Moisturizer). Love!

Lately, I've been trying a lot of layering with different shades of the same colors.  So...even if I'm wearing one shade of blue with my top, I might do a lighter or a variation of blue for my accessories.  I've received a lot of compliments when I do this with blues and corals.  I'll post my pics of this as I continue to do it.

I've got the blues

So clearly I have an obsession with blue accessories being paired with black and white outfits....I've got the blues.....

Necklace: Jetsetter Jewelry by Chelsea Bond, Top: H&M

Necklace: Lia Sophia, Chain Leather Bracelet: Jetsetter Jewelry by Chelsea Bond, Bottom Bracelet: H&M

Cool, Confident and Collected

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about what we cannot see. ~Hebrews 11:1~

I took these pics fresh off of learning that I had passed the California bar exam. Knowing that all of the odds were stacked against me but that I had God in my corner was just a light that was beaming from inside of me and ready to shine upon the world.

The odds were NOT in my favor...I had to continue to work full-time and study at night. My bar study course administrator pretty much hinted that I would not pass during our first conversation because I continued to work full-time.  I had co-workers who doubted and other horror stories of individuals who took the bar 3 or more times only to see another "FAIL".

I did the best that I could, prayed about it, gave it up to God and rested assured that in my faith, I would pass.  I also had many amazing women from my Covenant Church group who prayed every hour on the hour for two days while I was taking the exam to see me through. 

All that to say, you can do anything that you put your mind to.  This phrase is not cliche'....it's the absolute truth.  Imagine how many people shy away from their desires and dreams because they listen to other people who doubt them.  Surround yourself by people who will support you and your dreams...who will uplift you when you're feeling down.  I guarantee that you will be steps closer to achieving your purpose here in life and experiencing your dreams.

I guess I should talk a little fashion, huh?  In my celebration, these pics were taken.  Are we loving the infamous Angelina Jolie leg action?

• Jewelry - Red[i] by Chelsea
• Belt - NYC and Company
• Skirt - Urban Outfitters
• Black Mesh Cuff - Lia Sophia

Unpredictable and Unconcerned

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful...they trusted God. ~1 Peter 3~

This was probably one of my most simple outfits because this Texas weather is so unpredictable.  It's November and I'm still wearing peep-toe wedges, cropped pants and flimsy blouses!  Can you believe it?  Often times as a lover of fashion I can become consumed by what I'm wearing, my make-up and how my hair is styled.  Why so much emphasis on outward appearances..when all along it's what's on the inside that's most important?  At times when I need to humble myself and go back to what truly should be my foundation of beauty, I reference the verse above.

For this photo, I went sans make-up *STARE* and pulled together my most comfortable pieces.  I left my hair natural and pulled into a simple bun.  Funny how the most simple of outfits turn out to be the most beautiful of photos.  [Jewelry: {Red-i} By Chelsea, Blouse: Nordstrom's, Peep-toe Wedges: Nine West]

This Week's Fashion Obsession...Animal Prints (Unleashing my wild side!)

So just a couple of weeks ago I said to myself "I NEED an animal print scarf!"  Went shopping on Etsy.com then to some other stores and finally found this infinity animal print scarf at Express for $20.00.  SCORE!  I paired it with a plain white tee from Nordstrom's, Boyfriend Blazer (old), mustard-colored jeggins from Express, moto boots by Guess and jewelry by Deborah Gaspar and RedibyChelsea.  I will be rocking this scarf all fall and winter!  I'll try not to abuse it but my wild side is ready to come unleashed!