The Last Hurrah

Like many of you, my spring 2020 was to be very eventful. To start the hubster, Damien’s awards gala for work was the first weekend in March. My job’s Teacher of the Year (T.O.Y.) gala was scheduled for the end of March. At the top of May, I was looking forward  to attending opening weekend of the opera, Porgy and Bess at the Kennedy Center with box seats. 

I went back and forth about what I would wear to each event. In a two week timespan I had been to the malls at least 6 times.I wasn’t finding anything I liked that was reasonably priced.  Initially for my work gala I wanted to wear a dress I already owned, a beautiful cosmic pink Adrianna Papell high low gown that draped a mannequin in my dressing room. I purchased the dress on clearance last summer for under $75 at Macy’s. But that dress needed alterations,  and I was concerned the alterations would cost more than I paid for the dress. 

I tried on other gowns in my closet but wasn’t feeling anything. Seeing how frustrated I was getting, Dame offered to buy me a new dress to wear as his date. He gave me a budget of $130. Eventually, I decided to use the money to get my dress altered for $80. I used the rest of the money to buy these blue sequin Betsy Johnson evening shoes that complimented  Dame’s blue suit.  

After the alterations were completed I knew I wanted  to wear this dress to each event, with different hair and different styling. The color was magnificent on my skin. The ruffle shoulder was just the amount of drama I needed.  

When I stepped into the foyer of MGM I was so pleased with my selection. My dress went perfectly with the cherry blossom display, I was determined  to get photos before the night was out. I received so many compliments at the gala. Dame was proud to have me as his arm candy, as he took home 3 awards that night. 

I flooded my stories celebrating my babe, refraining from posting photos of myself the entire night. I intended to wait to post comparative photos after attending the opera.

The following week social distancing practices started to be enforced and within two weeks the other events had been canceled. 

This was my last hurrah before being quarantined. I’m so glad I didn’t save that dress for the later  events.  

I know sometimes we might buy a piece and say, I’m going to save this look for a special occasion, well tomorrow’s not promised, wear your clothes sis. I’ll be sure to heed my own advice. 

  

  

Blue Block Heel Sandal

Budget Bae

Feb 14th, is a special day I get to shower my Husbster with love. Not just because it’s Valentine’s Day, but because it is also his birthday. This year he turned 40, and wanted to celebrate that milestone with a couple of friends at The Capital Grille. 

After reservations were made at the top of the year, I started thinking about what I would wear. Considering the cost of this fine dining experience, I wanted something new, but budget friendly. The first place I looked on my quest to becoming budget bae was Eloquii.com. Eloquii has quickly become one of my go to shops for fun and unique plus size pieces. I vary rarely pay full price because of the great promotions they have online and in store. 

I purchased the top and skirt online for a total of $36. The boots were an in store purchase from the Pentagon City Mall location. My out of pocket cost was a little over $17 after using a gift card.  

I’m very pleased with how this look came together for under $55 bucks. I even got the eloquii stamp of approval with a like and comment on my Instagram post.These pieces are so strong individually, I can’t wait to style each differently, and show you what fun looks I come up with.

Eloquii Buffalo Check Bodice Tie Tee

Similar Red Print Skirt 

 Similar Red Snakeskin Boot

Sew much Swag.

Since my last post, a few years ago 😬,( I know, I must do better!) I put my sewing machine to work! I surprised myself with some of the pieces I was able to make. Here are some of my favorite pieces.

Puff sleeve swings dress with pockets
  for an “Aftopolitan” themed birthday party.  

Fully lined faux fur coat, made by watching a YouTube tutorial! 

Mustard ruffle top, can also be worn off shoulder.

I loved the mustard color so much I made this top again in denim.
This version is a peplum.

I made this salmon skirt to complete this monochromatic look. 

I created this plaid ruffle hemmed top,
wearing it over a buffalo check button up to complement
my Anna Wintour Vogue x Air Jordan 3s.

Ankara print top for a “Wakanda Forever ” inspired birthday celebration.  

Faith +Fashion, any Given Sunday!

             
I am unapologetically a church girl, any given Sunday you'll find me rejoicing with thanks, praise, and of course a little fashion. Check out some of my most inspired Sunday looks!

Lets start with this bedazzled look of the first Sunday of 2017.  I paired a dark denim ruffle shirt with a $10 gold sequin skirt I scored from Target's clearance last spring! My current bag of choice is a lovely anniversary gift from the hubster,  a red Michael Kors "Carine"  quilted snake-embossed leather shoulder bag. He replaced my red suede Michael Kors 'Sloan" bag that was stolen last year.

 

I sing with the young adult ministry singers (YAMS) at my church, Spirit of Faith Christian Center.  I was given the opportunity choose our color scheme for one of our monthly presentations. Green (navy & white) was the theme! I loved everything about my outfit choice for Sunday's service. I wore a faux fur vest I found at target last season for $11, with a 3yr old blue and white striped button down tunic from Lane Bryant. The tartan pants are Old Navy and the nude Jyssika block heel pumps are Enzo Angiolini.

Smooth & Slim Harper Plus-Size Pants

   What I love even more than my own outfit, is how great the YAMS looked collectively! 

I found this fabulous blush, off the shoulder neoprene number tucked in the back of a seemingly "straight size"boutique. It was the perfect color choice for one of the last YAMS weekend's of summer 16.

Easter Sunday, mixing prints is one of my most favorite things to do when dressing. I paired a white and black striped tee shirt with an african print skirt and zebra print calf hair Michael Kors flats.

 

This was one of the last Sundays of 2015 right before my husband and I moved in to our new home!

I mean faux leather jumper dress, denim shirt, and burgundy faux fur scarf. What's not to love?

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!