Home Wasn't Built In A Day!

I ended 2015 with a post and a dream. The post was all about shopping my closet to be more fiscally responsible. The dream was to start 2016 in our new home. The third week in January we closed on our very first home! Our home buying experience was tumultuous to say the least. It was a true lesson in patience through process. Since moving in, the aforementioned lesson has helped me settle myself as I dress my new home.

In an ideal world with the ideal coin, I could have everything decorated to my liking in no time. But in my present reality (It won't always be like this) I have to take it one day, room, and piece at a time. ~And that is fine, because Home Wasn't Built In A Day!

I've enjoyed chronicling my process on Instagram, but now its time to share the progression of my favorite space "The Bougie Boudoir" aka "Kima Kave", my dressing room here and now!

January 21 we left the real-estate office keys in hand and headed across the street to Marshalls. I had to see what treasures happened to be in the home goods section. That day we left with two pieces a club chair and a pink bench with acrylic ghost legs. The bench was going to be the first pieced placed in a tiny spare room that was purposed as my dressing room.

Feb 21st, I added my french providential desk and mirror, a shabby chic rehabbed metal chair, and a new large gold ornate standing mirror from HomeGoods. The mirror was only $99 but I had a $25 gift card to sweeten the deal!

                                           

I swooned over a Safavieh Charlene Bordeaux Ottoman for months! The online price point ranged from nearly $800-$350. Just way too rich for my blood!

Fortunately, I caught it on sale at target, where I was able to use two additional coupons and receive my target redcard discount. I paid slightly under $230 for it!  March 10, It became the next addition to my space. 

 

I had been holding off from painting because the paint option that I fell in love with kind of scared me. It was PINK! Not just any pink but a romantically textured  Ralph Lauren Pewter Polished Patina in "Rosa Aurora" If it worked I new it would be gorgeous, but it could also turn out to be an epic fail!

March 31st I completed my painting project and the result was absolutely breath taking!

Finally it was time to put up the shelving. I opted for a couple pieces from the the Pottery Barn online exclusive, New York Closet Shelves Collection in white and pewter.

New York Closet Shelves

The pieces are a bit pricey, $139 for the 2' shelf and $199 for the 4' shelf. By signing up for email updates, I was able to save15%. From time to time Pottery Barn offers other discounts, like right now buy two or more items you can save 25%. I'm so jeally! 

Early May, my brother-in-law meticulously put up my shelves for me! Thanks Domo!!!! As soon as he finished, I started to hang dresses. I'm just so in love with this space. Isn't she lovely? 

The bougie boudoir is still incomplete! I have a few more pieces on my wish list as I recoup my resources. 

These voluminous balloon drapes in natural, from Soft Surroundings are a must. They're priced at 98.95 per panel. That price is a buzz kill for real! Then there is the Rosie Crystal Floor Lamp that is about $150 from various retailers. To house some folded clothing, I'd finally, (after a huge price cut)  like to add the Provence Single Bookcase, by Home Decorators Collection currently priced at $359.

While I honestly want this room to be finished like yesterday, I am enjoying this process as my vision for this space gradually comes to life.

Shopping My Closet; Coin Saving Looks of 2015

It has been over a year since my last post! I've been chillin', enjoying life and dressing nice! All while trying to lower my debt to credit ratio becoming more fiscally responsible. 2015 has been the year of shopping my closet! I'm not saying I haven't hit up my favorite shopping spots here and there, but for the most part I've successfully fought the urge to buy something new for special events. Here is a recap of some of my favorite coin saving looks of 2015.


Earlier this year I started singing with the phenomenal Stellar Award winning, Grammy Award nominated, Dr. Ricky Dillard & New G! For most of our engagements we are strictly uniformed. However there are occasions when we are more coordinated than uniformed. We opened the past season of BET's Sunday Best and were required to wear all black. I knew I would pull this lovely 2yr old  "concert black" Grace Dress. It had been a go to for my classical music performances in the past. I ordered it from eshakti. Originally tea length, I customized it, lengthening the sleeves and the hem. The Grace Dress is available in many variations.

Oct 9-10 2015 was officially love weekend. One the 9th my husband and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. On the 10th we attended the beautiful marriage ceremony of thee "Purity Couple" Tim and Brelyn Bowman. Check out their love story & purity campaign at meetthebowmans.com

The morning of the wedding I still had no clue what I was going to wear. It was a gorgeous day so, I knew I wanted to wear color. I remembered I had a vintage exaggerated shoulder blazer in magenta  tucked in the back of my closet, that I found off ebay. I paired it with a geo tulip print dress also from Eshakti that I'd worn once before as a skirt. I was so in love with this look. I felt like I was attending the wedding of Prince Akeem from Coming to America.  It was the perfect choice because the wedding was very opulent and regal!

Later in October I traveled to LA to sing with Dr. Dillard & New G for the last performance of The McDonald's 2015 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour at The Taste of Soul Family Festival. A last minute wardrobe change required that we wear denim tops along with printed skirts. This was one of those events I would have gotten something new for, if I had more time. I did search for a printed skirt to no avail. I was going to wear my tulip print dress again with a denim top knotted in front, when we were told we could also wear bright colored skirts. I had this never worn textured Eloquii skirt folded at the top of my closet. My top is years old from Old Navy.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love a good holiday party or any excuse to dress up. 

Years past I've always attended my husband's company party and always bought something new. This year we attended my holiday party and I didn't buy anything new. I wore a Gabby Skye fit and flare dress, that I feel is a little too fitted around the mid section to wear alone so I added my Eshakti Dahlia Crinoline Skirt . I loved how both pieces came together. 

The hardest task has been trying to find heels that I like and that I can somewhat comfortably perform in. I'm thrilled that block heels are on trend for the extra support. These were purchased within the year specifically with New G in mind. I've gotten good wear out of them and found them all on sale.

The bedazzled clutch, was a repeat from last years holiday party look. 

Silver Shiny Court Shoe Zara

Black Patent Jyssika Enzo Angiolini

Navy NW7IKE2 Nine West

Multi Holt Clutch Nina

Overall this has been a great year, belting the bulge has come to mean more than getting a good pair of spanx and being snatched, but tightening my belt and watching my wallet. 2016 will be more of the same, thinking I have nothing to wear, but forcing myself to wear what I have. As much as I want to build my wardrobe, its more important that I build my future. It won't be easy but it will be worth it! See you next year! 

T'is the Season to be Falley:Sweaters, Sweatshirts, and Scarves!

It's the most wonderful time of year!!! Mild days, chilly evenings, and cool nights, perfect for sweaters, sweatshirts and scarves. I love a good oversized sweater, or large scarf I can wrap for days. Here are a few looks that capture my Saturday feel.

The first look is from anniversary weekend. We were on our way to dine at the restaurant where we had our very first date. I wore a red and black NY Collection sweater I found on sale for a little over twenty bucks, at Macys. My small Michael Kors Sloan bag has quickly become my favorite bag to carry, especially since I've decided this is the fall/winter of fifty shades of red.

Homecoming weekend I represented for my alma mater thee Howard University,  (BISON U KNOW) while running errands, in my 7yr old I <3 being a Howard Girl sweatshirt and the Js my hubster surprised me with not to long ago.  I spy a blue and black sweater at Macys, I might  have to get to go with my Js!

I found a lovely Cynthia Rowley Scarf from Marshals. I paired it with a salmon short sleeve sweater, boyfriend jeans, and my Zara flats, for comfy chic weekend wear. 

                                                    

MICHAEL Michael Kors 
Small Sloan Suede Shoulder Bag 

   Jordan Retro Sport Blue 3  

NY Collection Plus Size Long-Sleeve Patchwork Open-Front Cardigan

NY Collection Plus Size Draped Mixed-Stitch Cardigan

  

From Drab to Fab, Home Addition.

Shortly after our nuptials, Damien and I were gifted a living room set that was a perfect fit for our small apartment. While the grey and off white set was a step up from the oversized chocolate sofa and loveseat previously housed in the bland bachelor pad, it still lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. Slowly but surely I've been adding lots of color, textures, and prints. Sometimes when I come through the door I have to stop and smile because its so cozy and bright! 

There are still some changes to be made. I plan to changeout the coffee table for an ottoman and the french provincial desk for a small buffet table. I've been trying to convince Dame that we needed another piece of furniture on that back wall. So I placed my desk there, after it was purchased to be used as my vanity in our bedroom. My master plan sort of backfired because after a few days of sitting in that space Dame didn't want me to move it. It's fine for now, but as soon as I find the perfect mirror and chair to complete my vanity table it's out of there. In the meantime we've been actively looking for buffet tables at HomeGoods. 

I really love how it's turning out, especially my wall of frames.  I'd say it's gone from drab to fab all while on a budget!

For the most part I had free rein to do what I wanted, but Damien was really proud of the oriental rug he found at Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store and asked me not to change it.  

All teal frames: Marshalls, most Clearance 

I added upholstery nails to the armchair for a little bling

Vintage french provincial desk, Craigslist 

Mainstays Fretwork Decorative Pillow, Gold

Ethnic Cushion Cover

Beaded Cynthia Rowley throw pillow, Marshalls, marked $20 Clearance, but I asked and got it for $7 because the zipper was broken. It was an easy fix!

Cynthia Rowley throw pillow, Marshalls $10

Target Room Essentials™ Set 2 Tribal Triangle Orange

Found in store as a single pillow on clearance for $5

  Better Homes and Gardens Ikat Scroll Curtain Panel 

Garden Stool TjMaxx $30