Inspiration #5

I kinda put myself on a braids ban so I can let my edges breathe.

It seems like that ban is coming to a close.

This compilation of photos is giving me some serious braiding inspiration. Look at those styles! I repeat, look.at.those.styles! Life. She got her braids done in Nigeria. Of course. Hands down the best place I've ever gotten my braids done was in Nigeria. In fact, one of my main reasons for ever travelling back home to Nigeria for Christmas vacations was knowing that I'll be coming back to the States with some fly braids on my head. Trust. Gosh, I can't wait! I'm hoping to head out there this Dec. *fingers crossed*

Anywho, back to the subject: my friend's braids. It's called One Million Pieces because it looks like a good million braids are on the head. Now, is it really one million braids up in there? I mean, who got time to count that ish out? lolol. But even though there are A LOT, the kicker is that the braids are extremely lightweight. Seriously, they are! And even though I keep saying braids, it's actually individual twists. Very tiny, tiny, tiny twists. I can do these myself but then again, that would mean locking myself in a basement for one week straight. And I don't want that. More than likely, I will get them much thicker but the same length.

This photo inspires me to next time try different styles with my braids. Not the same ol' bun I was rockin' late last year (Click here, here and here for proof. SMH).

I'm sure you can also tell from the photos that she has great style, too.

Skirt Suit

A little thrifting tip my sister gave me eons ago was to always check out the skirt suit or pant suit section. Why? Because chances are you will find a great suit in a great print that can be worn in different ways: 1) Together 2) Pant or skirt alone or 3) Jacket or blazer alone. Also, depending on the store, the suits can be quite affordable. I'm talking about $5.99, $6.99, $7.99 affordable. Literally, two items for the price of one. That is definitely a win-win situation.

Such was the case on this vintage skirt suit I got a couple weeks back. The print is amazing! I was blown away. And how much did you get it for, Vivi, you ask. Wellst, it was only $5.99. woop, woop. I don't know if I'm bold enough to wear such a loud suit together just yet. We shall see. But separately? I was all for it.

Jacket -

Necklace: Avenue, Skirt: ASOS (similar here and here), Lace 'Tank Top (similar here and here)': Lane Bryant
The lace tank was originally a long sleeve bodysuit.
I've had it for a while but decided not too long ago to cut the sleeves and make it a sleeveless bodysuit.
Do you peep the sliver of skin? okay, okay. lolol.

Skirt -

Blouse: H&M (similar here and here), Purse: Buffalo Exchange (similar here), Shoes: Evans

Have you bought any skirt suit or pant suit from the thrift/vintage store? If so, how did you style it? 

Be Loud Be You One Year Event

My cousin is town from *Beyonce voice from "Run The World (Girls)"* Houston, Texas, baby and I wanted to show her my lil' world of DC fashion and blogging events.

Cuzzo

Thank goodness Krystin's event came right on time. She was celebrating her blog's 1yr anniversary. It took place at Current Boutique located on 14th Street. For some odd reason, all this time I thought I've been to Current but nope. That Thursday night was my first time there. It's a really nice consignment shop filled with stylish treasures. Anywho, I had a good time. Bummer that I missed the styling challenge. I will say that champagne I gulped sipped took me out the game a bit early. What in the world was in that champagne, though?!! lolol. So serious. And I am no lightweight, either. Clearly.

We were treated to live entertainment.
Rockin' classic R&B tunes like "Doo Wop (That Thing)", "Say My Name", "Are You That Somebody", etc.

Krystin

Raising our glasses to the lady of the hour.

Congratulations, Krystin! Not only does she run her Be Loud Be You blog but she is also co-founder of  8 Vintage, a reconstruct vintage and fine vintage apparel boutique. Check it out!

Seeing everybody celebrating or shouting out their blog anniversary makes me want to do a lil' sumthin sumthin for Heart, Print and Style 2nd birthday which is coming soon in Oct. Since I didn't do shit last year, I gotta make up for it this year, no? I'm seeing a big giveaway in the future.

London 2012 Summer Olympics

London 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony was yesterday.

I'm sad.

I have thoroughly enjoyed these past 2 weeks. I've missed a few events because of these games. My sleeping pattern is all kinds of effed up due to these games. My tweets count is through the roof because of these games (still trying to determine if that is a good thing or a bad thing). I mean, the opening ceremony was 5hrs long, closing ceremony 3hrs long. I was tweeting throughout each one. Yeah. I woke up to see random games that I didn't even know was considered a sport and better yet, you can win a medal from it like darts and horse dressage. Blew my ever living mind.

Congratulations to Team USA for being 1st in the medal count! 46 Gold, 29 Silver, 29 Bronze. 104 medals in total. woop, woop. And I heard a crazy stat that more than half of the gold medals won by the USA were from women! woop, woop.

Gabby Douglas

Fab Five
(l-r) McKayla "Not Impressed" Maroney, Kyla Ross, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Jordyn Wieber

(l-r) Francena McCoroy, Allyson Felix, DeeDee Trotter, Sanya Richards-Ross

Michael Phelps

Ryan Lochte

Nathan Adrian
Move over, Ryan. This is my new swimmer crush. 

Team USA Men's Basketball
(far left) Mike Krzyzewski, Coach.

Carmelo Anthony
My baby.

Team Nigeria didn't do so well. #wompwomp And please do not get me started on the rout that was the  Nigerian vs. USA Men's Basketball game. 156-73.  The only positive from that game were the hilarious tweets from Nigerians on Twitter. My stomach is still recovering from that afternoon. Been a while since I've laughed that hard and long.

I will miss a lot about this year's Summer Olympics. But one person that I can not wait to see again is Ms. Aliya "Queen of Devastating Side Eyes" Mustafina of Russia Women's Gymnastics Team. At just the tender age of 17, Aliya already has the bitchface down PACT. Imagine what we will be able to see come Rio 2016 when she's only 21?!! Oh gosh, I'm getting giddy just thinking about this.

Happy Aliya

Don't-eff-with-me Aliya

Speaking of Rio 2016, even though it's 4 years away and a lot can happen during those 4 years, I am excited! If it's anything like the preview we were given during last night's closing ceremony, Rio is going to turn it out! 

A person on Twitter said that the closing ceremony felt like she was watching the MTV Music Awards. LOL! It was definitely a Who's Who in 80s musical artists. The only taste of current music we got was when Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinie Tempah performed. And that was ever so brief. I guess the highlight for me was the Spice Girls reunion. I wasn't a stan of this group back in their heyday (all BSB everything) but I did appreciate their music. 

How did you enjoy London 2012 Summer Olympics? What were your favorite moments? Your highlights?

Pretty in Paint

Yesterday, I went to an awesome event (but more like a spa party!) called Pretty in Pink with S.E.C. This event was the mastermind of three very stylish DC local bloggers: Naseya of Seventh District,  Seereda of eclechick and Sondra of Chic Chocolate.  It was held at Maisie Dunbar Spa Lounge located in Silver Spring. 

Sondra, Seereda, and Naseya

The event quickly sold out online so for us lucky attendees we were treated to free manicures from some of the best manicurists in the DC area, Qream drinks (I tried the Strawberry Cream Liquer and it was delicious!) and tasty cupcakes. I arrived early to this event (and for anyone that knows me, that is a miracle cause I am forever tardy for a party) and that worked to my advantage because I was one of the first ladies to get my nails did. woop, woop. All in all, I had a fantastic time. 

What I wore (also my work outfit) - 

Blouse - thrifted, Skirt - Eloqui, Bag - Gucci

I wished I got a better close up photo of my skirt. The lines are neon green. And the blouse also has  neon green in it.
Complemented great with each other.
The flash took it away. Bummer.

Earrings - vintage

Enjoy the photos!

My nails had the pleasure of being professionally done by Ajahmoure of HerNailsRock.
Ajahmoure has done nails for Angela Simmons, Selita Banks and most recently J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks.
A very funny and talented girl!

I loved this lady's newly done nails! The nail art reminded me of  Dippin Dots ice cream.
The name of what she got is Caviar nail art. I have never heard of this new trend until last night.
#themoreyouknow

Yours/Mine Secondhand Shopping Event

I went to support Nic at the Yours/Mine Secondhand Shopping Event at MOVA Lounge. Nic and Stania of Miss Sassy were chosen by Patrice to be the onsite fashion and styling consultant. I walked inside to see so many lovely vendors carrying awesome clothing items and jewelry waiting to be purchased. I looked out for stuff for my sister and friend but lo and behold, I got myself something, too!

What I wore -

Hey shopping bag for making an appearance! smh.

It was hot (I'll stop mentioning this hot weather when Summer decides to make its exit. So, yeah, it needs to hurry up.) but that didn't stop me from layering this bright ass neon orange ASOS dress with my beloved thrifted oversized denim vest (click here and here to see how I previously worn the vest). I belted the vest for a different kind of look.

I took an up close picture to show the bright neon orange.

Dress: ASOS  (similar here), Jean Vest: thrifted, Bag: Buffalo Exchange, Shoes: Evans

The two consultants -

Stania and Nic

My purchase for myself -

Purchased from Esther Woo Vintage

Enjoy the pictures!

This drink was good...and strong.
Just like how I like 'em.

Beverly Edmonds. Owner of Esther Woo Vintage
I was very, very impressed with her selections.

Saw this lovely lady and her dress and, duh, had to take a photo.
Her name is Stephanie and she's also a blogger.
A Vintage Muse

To view more from this event click here.

"Maxi Skirt"

I had a 'make that shit it work' kinda moment.

Photo taken last year in Vegas.

Eyeing my one shoulder maxi dress from ASOS via Re/Dress, I knew I wanted to wear it in a different way. I didn't really feel like exposing my arms...no matter how humid the weather was that day. So, the obvious next step was to wear it as a maxi skirt. I tucked the sleeve inside the waistband and I cut out the thick lining under the skirt part of the dress. The finish product was a sheer, light-weight skirt that was bounded together by my Lane Bryant tan woven belt. 

I wore this look to the Dream Host Reach Out & Touch You Tour which made a stop at The Hamilton here in DC. I think they definitely picked a great location. The tour was a thank you to all of their customers who uses their service. And 'thank us' they did with open bar, free delicious food and music entertainment. Plus, they had giveaways (which, of course, I didn't win). 

I don't use Dream Host but Sade does and she was the one who invited me to this event. I had a great time with her, Jen, Brea, Oby and Lelita. A very different crowd than what I'm used to (tech world vs. fashion world) but that didn't phase me. In fact, it was much needed. 

T-shirt: Old Navy, "Maxi Skirt": ASOS via Re/Dress, Belt: Lane Bryant
Necklace: Avenue, Clutch: Buffalo Exchange

Have a great week, folks!