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Being a Winter Baby...I enjoy the season of cold weather. I am a proud homebody so of course hibernating this season it's imperative to hunker down n be away from the chaos with essentials to stay cozy and the excitement I get at any chance of snow means it's time to sound the alarm n break out the Cozy Kit to get in my comfort zone. I'm here to share my Top 5 Must Have's for getting snow'd in... I don't live in Colorado...Minnesota...Chicago n nem spots that have blizzards of snow. Here in the good ol' DMV, the city will shut down for less than 2 inches. I am a survivor of what we called in 2010- Snowmaggedon ! I remember leaving work ON MY BIRTHDAY from the fire dept to driving home to when a 30 min drive took over 3 hrs ** cue horror screams** yes, horrible. Being in a less essential position has led me to the perks of NOT risking my life going into the office and so I take advantage of staying home n extend my experience with essentials to get me through the winter n calls for snow. Now first n foremost...lemme harken back to this Nike Phoenix Boucle becuz I will DEFINITELY be cuddled up on the couch in this set n randomly scrolling social media's, catching up on youtube's n podcasts but more importantly...napping! I get up early enuff in the day to where I can squeeze one in, lol. One of my necessities for Winter is a lounge set. This boucle couture is pretty much sold out but I have a great alternative u can move around in here . Definitely pass up on the dingy t-shirt n sweats to elevate to being a baddie in loungewear. Two be successfully snow'd in, u should curate a soft space set by fragrance. I absolutely LOVE to indulge in anything that will enhance the home experience. The mood shifts with how the home smells. In the daytime, I'll use light scents and anything floral n citrusy. In the evenings I go to a sexier vibe with ouds n lavenders. I have 2 candlemakers who supply the needs to light up n each room gives a different experience based on the scent. My suggestions for both day n night: Elevated Scents : Gleaux Candle, Orange n Clove Incense n La Lune Diffuser oil (day) LeneNicole : Rose Room Spray, When Life Hands You Lemons Candle or Gemini (day) Three: I have been addicted to utilizing is a weighted blanket . YALL...this is a MUST HAVE!! I keep it folded at the bottom part of my bed but also have extra's in case I want an elongated nap on the couch. The way this blanket wraps u iiiiiiiin....a warm embraaaace, lol. Do urself a favor u get chew one of these...or 2...ok I got three!! Four all yall know...I am not a drinker but I do partake in a sip of wine here n there. In order to maximize the downtime of a snow day, I am LESS in the kitchen so I'm totally a snacker. A small char-coo-ter-ri n glass of red wine gives a recipe for a relaxing day as u gaze outside to falling flurries. The wine tends to go with a lot of great snacks...like popcorn which can easily be lunch lol. Speaking of popcorn...this leads me to FIVE!! Once you have set the tone for the home n u are well relaxed, I loooooove a good binge watch. My favorite shows to overly watch would be Twilight Zone, 227, Martin, Three's Company n Fatal Attraction (on BET) but when I need a binge break, I resort to vintage movies that tickle my funny bone. Care to share? don't mind if I do... Serial Mom (1994) will have u 2nd guessing wearing white after Labor Day but this joint is a sleeper classic for me. Anyone who irk'd the kids was doomed haha. She Devil (1989) is always a chuckle n one liners tickle me. A dumped housewife seeks revenge on the ex-husband n his rich mistress who's a romance novelist. I'm lowkey cracking up typing this thinking of when she dropped the kids off at Bob's new spot n the get back was just epic. It's FREE on Tubi if you'd like to check it out. Death Becomes Her (1992) : Ain't no way in hell ** pun intended** ur a fan of pop culture in the 90's and did NOT see this cult classic. Watching this gives everlasting life as these beauties seek to be young forever. The comedic story is relevant to how we chase youth n aging backwards and like Madeline tells Helen...I can see RIGHT...through you, lol. Harlem Nights (1989 ): I need no description nor listing if prominent characters to explain the love of this movie. If don't get the references of this movie...just unfollow me now lol. RIP Tommy The Naked Gun (1988) : Yall...I know these types of movies can't fly in today's climate but I can't fake...the humor n parodies of the 80's n 90's will forever have me in chokeholds. I can remember going to the movies to watch Frank Drebin n cracking up as a kid cuz I love goofy movies that shaped my own comedic abilities lol. The best parts of the slapstick one liners n taught me to pay attention to the unobvious which are also hilarious when u catch on. I know I gave u 5 movies but I can't not give an honorable mention and a CLASSIC I can watch (more than likely now) cuz it never gets old to me and it had many life lessons not to OD off gold, lol. I'm only gonna drop a pic to see if u can guess cuz IFYKYK: Can u guess the movie? I'm laughing just thinking bout it cuz just top to bottom it was funny ** sings** when the Say-YANTS go marchin..in and in and in...LOL!!! I hope yall enjoy'd my cozy essentials to get through a day inside for winter and a way to weather the storm **pun intended** Let me know in the comments what you bunker down with in cold months or what u MUST HAVE in preparation for a snow day.

Whew...its been a hot sip of a minute since I've shared anything of a #SipTrip which is my weekly Saturday morning stroll to coffee spots. Mainly becuz more times than not, I'm at my local Starbucks or nearby at Grind n Crepe in Occoquan. Like clockwork EVERY wknd, I'm up around 0530a n continue to rest my body to let the vision of what to wear come to me. By 0630a, I am slowly rising with the sun n start the morning routine so I am out the door no later than 0730a. I have a whole series here  and the origin of how I fell in love with coffee---> here Who else do u know gladly waking up on a Saturday morning to dress up for coffee??? I'll wait... So what goes on in my head when I get dressed for coffee? First is the weather! I am NOT a coat person n if the weather is too icky I'll make a Sip Trip to the kitchen n use my Nespresso . But 8 out of 10, I am goin outside for coffee. I've become accustomed to the experience n honestly, look forward to debriefing from the week n engaging with my coffee fam...like...walkin into Cheers!! Here is where I encourage laydeez to get a life n carve out time to self to replenish energy you've put out to others all week. Becuz I'm an early bird, I am in love with the quiet before the storm of being in public to errand run. Elevating the style of Sip Trip Couture's is just me being extra so I craft the #OOTD by mood n it can literally change on a whim since the outfit comes together on its own. I was in a mixed printy mood but didn't want to overthink it. Camo pants ( here in 3x) pair well with anything black n white. I just so happen to toss on this vintage houndstooth poncho (from Forever 21 before they went full teeny bopper). The sweater under the cape is courtesy of Chico's (no longer avail) and of course the cherry on top is accessories. This allows u to werk without working hard, lol. I've shared this cute mini pearl bag before n it made the perfect touch in the clutch **pun intended** No worries of being cold becuz I am in n out. This morning was calling for rain so I dodged a few drops while snapping it up then came right on home after Wegman's. The weekend is where u can truly play around with finding ur style becuz its less pressure than getting dressed for work. Once u get in the habit of getting dressed for absolutely no reason, you'll find urself being the reason. My Sip Trips are practice n I use the feedback from strangers to tweak for later usage but also showcase my personality. Get Snazzy n Have Fun!! I'd looooove to see if u all are as crazy as me gettin up so early to get dressed up-TAG ME!! Next time u wanna make a coffee run, play dress up n make note how u feel afterwards. Happy SaturYAAAAY!!

For those going back into the office, it can be challenging to get back in the groove of what to wear and how to wear it after working from home soooo long. Business Casual has changed and became the norm making it less "stuffy" in the workplace. No longer is wearing a suit everyday expected n relaxed looks have been the wave. However, let's not get TOO relaxed here. Depending on WHERE u work and who u work FOR, let's consider some options to kinda...trick the eyes a tad. I created #WerkCouture as my diary of creative expressions through what I wore into the office. Growing up, I've watched my mom wear the typical professional attire which consisted of work suits. It was either work trousers or skirts with a white blouse and blazer. After an extensive career period holding down many office jobs and even shift work, I've learned how to play it safe with office attire and still incorporate my quirky personality playing dress up. Aside from my hard working skills to generate great performance reviews, I am quite known for "what will she wear today" and being the sprinkle to the office. In order to pull this off...u have to read the room aka know the culture of the environment n move accordingly. For today's lesson, we put a spin on casual yet still keep it business. This is totally a Friday look becuz the style just isn't boardroom certified lol. The foundation is a relaxed lounge set from Amazon (Size XL) and feels in between suede n velvet. Becuz the top is twisted n cropped, I moved the waist line higher to avoid any peek-a-boo action which is NOT appropriate in the workplace. With the foundation being a tad leisurely, I fool'd the eye to wear mules vs sneakers. HELLO MULES!!! These Andre Assous "Norma Featherweight" mules did the trick. It helps give the illusion of keeping the look professional even though u are totally relaxed from head to toe, lol. Speaking of toes, yall know I'm typically a pointy toe gal but the boxy toe of these mules gave me a good medium n reminded me of coffin nails where u can get the mix between stiletto n boxy at the same time. I was drawn to the minimalistic nature of these shoes (and sale) w/a slight wedge. Being comfortable w/o sacrificing style-I'm SOLD!! Now that we've gotten the basics out the way...lemme give u what u came here for-this reversible jacket. I've had this for a few years now after finding inside Potomac Mills Mall. There's an African Boutique I tend to swing pass when I'm there and I can always find accessories n garments of good quality. The reversibility gives options....eeeeh...like 2 outfits in one...like an abracadabra on u heaux lol. The reversible jacket is a great way to get more value on the dollar. I also have another one of these in a pink/green combo. The design makes it a statement piece so to pair the jacket with leisure takes it up a notch to distract u from thinking I'm running errands or hitting a jazzercise class haha. What does a Casual Friday in the office attire look like for you? Share in the comments!

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday I was letting the cat out the bag, whether I announced it privately or publicly; it seems like **sniff** wow...time moves so fast as we get older n grasp the concept of time. My last hoorah...the terror tot you've all been watching grow up turns a whopping FIVE today!! Can u believe it...me neither-crazy right. I had a pretty good pregnancy...aside from the endless constipation...heartburn n sleepless nights cuz I just couldn't get comfortable after 20 weeks...I have no complaints. Barely endured the belly bump n the infamous wobble and totally skimped maternity clothes. If u are new here, u can be brought up to speed with a rewind to my old blog n read up on: A Tale of Two Babydaddy's Overcoming a miscarriage Trying to conceive Pregnant after 35 Those will give u the rollercoaster rides of how we got here! I still have folks baffled how we do it n make it work. It's totally non-traditional. It's also not for the weak. It takes a special kind of family to do what we've done and I wouldn't trade it for anything. When I sit back n reflect on my life n make peace with missteps n lost opportunities, I regret none of my babies who were truly made from LOVE. Luckily for me, it reflects within their personality. The interesting thing with parenting is...no two kids are the same n to be honest that also relates to me being a mom. I am not the mom I was at 25 n although I apply some of the same practices as I did being a first time mom, the techniques have definitely changed. I am one woman as two moms! Becuz I've studied them so much, I know my kids. The temperaments n attitudes along with the likes n dislikes. They are of two generations yet still similar. It's so funny how Toot reminds me of Mason with certain mannerisms n the flexibility to say the darnest things smh. I meeeeeaaaan surely the comedic side is from ME!!. Toot is a whole FIVE year old. Yall know what that means...Team No Coddle starts NOW!! He's been at the "let me do it" independent stage n this is where I capitalize on the momentum. He has already checked one thing off the box...cooking! Toot makes a mean scrambled egg. As tradition, we are celebrating his birthday in Disney. It was what I did with Mason as I wanted them to be at an age it would be memorable (and for them to be able to walk without them bulky azz strollers). We are totally ecstatic to watch this little tyke grow. He's been such a beam of light within our lives n has definitely been apart of my healing n growth. The responsibility of being a mother n ensuring as the hand that rocks the cradle I give my kids the nurture n guidance to the best of my ability is important to me. There's such an awakening n rebirth ignited through growing n giving life which I appreciate and to have the view from my lens makes life even more grand. His birthday is mines too, lol. Happy FIF birthday to Toot (and us).

Welcome Back! Yup...here for 2.0-basically a full review of the WHOLE Nike Phoenix Cozy Boucle outfit. My initial review where I started off with the pants are.... here . I ain't eeeeem gonna front...I've been wearing these mainly IN the house every chance I get this Winter. I can't emphasize the COZY part enuff when it comes to this set. The previous review has shown how I wear it out the house. Once I collected the boucle top (XL) and the cardigan (L) they've since SOLD OUT but may pop back up here n there for returns becuz these do run big. I'm totally satisfied with my chosen sizes becuz it gives room yet still hugs just right. Nap time just ain't been the same inside these n I am totally glad I paid the 5 Gina n didn't wait for a sale becuz rarely will popular items make it that far. Speaking of payin the 5...do I think these were pricey? YES!! Can u find a comparable set? Sure. I have one in my amazon cart as we speak. Are these still worth it? YES! Of course the price is paying for the brand however I paid the 5 for the design itself n that ur not gonna find elsewhere unless u track em down here and here . I'm also a fan of Nike in general when it fits into the aesthetics of my wardrobe to allow me to be sporty AND dainty on u heaux. This is NOT an outfit I'd consider #WerkCouture at all. It's a funky fun weekend outfit to keep it casual. It's pieces like these that keep me young **tee hee** I can surely live in these as I trollop around the house or make a quick pickup nearby-if only these had pockets, lol. Have yall checked out the Cozy Boucle line? What do u think? Let me know in the comments.

I had no idea it's been so long since I'd done a mirror clean n yall ain't eem remind me of such, smh!! Shame! Shame! Shame!! Ok I know it was all me cuz they've been in the tuck for a while. I have no excuse outside of me being in my own way. For those new here...I have a "segment of the show" (series on the blog) called How to Clean Yo Mirror where I use this as a space to become vulnerable n share how I've overcome obstacles of insecurity, uncertainty n doin the hardest thing we tend to avoid-looking in the mirror n taking accountability. I know why these posts have been far n between to non-existent **le sigh** and so here I am ripping the bandaid off...once again. Yes...this post is totally inspired by the adage of Miss Ceelie's moment taking back her power. Until You Do Right by Yourself...everything u do gonna be stagnant, slow to grow, on hold n will basically have u running in place. For whatever reason...u are going nowhere fast until u learn to prioritize urself. This is not to say phk erybody imma do me in a selfish manner yet the self act which will benefit others. How do u honor urself? Meaning...what does it look like for u to recognize ur importance with the thoughts and beliefs of urself and how do u navigate the desires to honor urself at a high level. This looks different for us depending on where we are in life however, no matter the level, u can still esteem urself. It didn't hit me until consistently making my Sip Trips "a thing" that I was performing an honor to myself by carving out time to recharge. If ever u wanna radically change ur life ur gonna have to learn to speak up for urself- Power of NO n create healthy boundaries. Little did I know, I've been crafting how to honor by practicing a lifestyle I now share with u all...anyone remember this one: Being Picky w/my Presence . I've been connecting with people who matter n add value as we pour into each other. One of the biggest tribute's to pay is keeping ur word. This is where integrity makes a major play becuz growing up I've always heard "ur word is ur bond" n I know men take this in high regard. This March will make a full year I've committed to Pilates. I've been going every week, sometimes twice a week with my monthly subscription. I knew once I made the investment from the monthly budget, I'd remain committed-AND DID!!! To honor urself is to respect urself. It's what u also do when nobody's looking. U can't preach to others about affirmations n giving uplifting advice when u urself don't practice the sentiments. You will notice shyt move n shake in ways beyond ur wildest dreams. Remember how Miss Ceelie flourished after she broke free from Mista. Learn to give urself the admiration u deserve n not look for the validation from others first. Also note, the higher up u go to implement such an appreciation for urself you'll need to drop old habits that die hard and even people who won't understand the new language u speak. Creating practices n making healthy choices will help u perform in ways to shift ur mindset to walk in directions thinking highly of urself. There is a cost to everything n the price ur willing to pay is what ur giving. Choose to pay urself first becuz the most expensive cost will be to honor urself.

Sooo...honest moment...I've been decluttering n purging my closet since **looks up n around** since maternity leave. Sad right...I know. In my head I have every intention of going through my closet n totes to rid of clothes collected from previous periods of my life. I'm an avid thrifter mixed with hunting department store deals n random splurge seeker sooo my stash has extended into Mason's closet. I am also reminded via Rickey on the weekends I have a boutique aka too much n which I snarl followed by an eyeroll. I. Am. The. Problem!! I hold on to shyt that needs to be let go! Why? It's a safety blanket n brings me comfort to know if n when I need it, I know where to find it. It wasn't until I had a true wake up call to help me get my life together. CLEARLY...I have too much. I was so embarrassed by the closet crash that I didn't call maintenance to fix it for a month. How did I let it get this bad? Coming home to see this hit me to believe-oh noooo my life is in shambles n I need to fix it. First of all...I splurge becuz I can. There are times where I "get em both" n I shop sales but also there's garments without popped tags...I know **hangs head in shame** I've gotta do better!! I was so embarrassed it took me weeks to call maintenance to fix it becuz I didn't wanna be judged-out of ALL the possible emergencies for them to respond to...my closet was on the list smh!! Since the repair of my closet I've parted ways with a few totes and made substantial space not only in my closet but my life. Clothes aren't the only thing we should purge when necessary. Apart of "doing the work" and "healing" is recognizing everybody n everything don't mean u no good. No matter how loyal u wanna remain u will not advance to bigger n better things life has to offer when u holding on to shyt u KNOW serves u no value. After having dinner with a few blogger gals last week, I went home n recognized...the conversations are so different when u are around like-minded people who got some business going on in their lives that don't pertain to gossip or low level "broke" tawk wit scarcity mindsets. By no means do I have millionaire friends yet we don't operate in a space of excuses or playing victim. I love the connections made through my day one's and friends found on social media who motivate and inspire. Man, what a time to be alive You and yours vs. me and mine Oh, we talkin' teams? Oh, we talkin' teams? Oh, you switchin' sides? Wanna come with me? Look at the smile on me... -Drake; Big Rings It's time to purge!! Purge thinking u don't deserve. Purge complaining on shyt u have the ability to change. Purge making excuses for time u don't wanna commit to. While u sitting around wit a notebook full of notes on what u wanna do-could do-should do-put some action to it and DO!! Make the commitment to urself and clean ur closet. Get rid of what don't serve purpose in the direction ur moving in and make room for people n things to add value. It has been refreshing to clear my closet and I honestly haven't missed anything I was able to let go. What a relief...just another life hack to living a life of abundance!!

Happy New Year!! Our day to reset the year n recharge intentions as we celebrate getting thru a whole 365 days. I am not a party goer so I typically fall asleep before the ball drops. Going into this year was no different. On NYE, I am fully engaged in the Twilight Zone marathon then loosely straighten up n lightly purge. There's no cookin' of black eyed peas (I never ate those) or ancestral traditions here-I snack all day!! I woke up 5 min before the ball drop becuz I doooo like to see that part. I can confidently say I've come into 2024 truly at peace. The calmness within the house was perfection n I have an optimistic energy to conquer whatever my heart speaks. I don't do resolutions but I love a good theme: 2023: Year of Execution Reflecting on my 2023, I think I did a pretty good job adhering to the theme. I was consistent with my blog goals n pulled off taking over Rickflections Radio for my "Man Overboard" Show with the help of my girls. That was fun!! I've been taking greater pride in my baby (blog) n I know it's only UP from here. I've currently been deliberating what my theme this year will be. I start decluttering my brain to make space for clarity so my theme will come to me. This is mainly why I like spending time to self for NYE cuz stillness WILL unbluuurrrr some thangs. I keep TWO planners!! My Book'd n Busy one and a pocket one to keep me organized. I gotta keep em mirrored but fell off from my Book'd one the last few months smh...I'll do better!! I'm using this day to enjoooooy the FIRST of the month n beginning of the year while prepping n planning! I am looking forward to my birthday in 25 days for sure. Anyhoo...are we excited for the "redo" at the top of the year? Any plans u didn't get to knock down that u wanna roll over into this one? Ready to take on the world with a bigger approach n vigor? EEEEK!!! HAPPY NEW YEARssssss (I like the S's lol).

Why yes, the denim craze came back n those bulky cargo joints I skipped cuz I had enuff of them in the early 2000's are off the top trends to think of. I even enjoyed seeing yall pick an adventure to dabble in color. Asymmetrical silhouettes were shown n the delicate bows n oooh midi's which I love as a midi dress or skirt gives a little ooh la la is she gonna hike it up for a peep show or keep it coy! While whimsical florals danced throughout the year there is one trend u heaux finally acknowledged ESP if ur over the age of Thirty Eight: . . . . . Now I've been on this trend most have just now been catching up to for years. Growing up the kitten was left for grannies in church n since then they've come a long way n quite stylish. I think many view it as the end of our youth but on the contrary my dears...now I'm not saying Vogue has been peeping my style...but I AM saying...these articles from Wall Street Journal and Glam are hip n sharing my signatures. Now yall know I play no games when it comes to the Kitty Kommittee as we puuuurrrrr on these heaux who tip toe'n round cuz they feet hurting after 3 hrs of wear in those elongated stiletto's **cue evil laugh** I too used to suffer for the sake of beauty until I discovered a safer option n lesser heel. The part everyone might miss is HOW TO style em n make em ur own. Oh How?? Thought you'd never ask... I love how u can make em casual with jeans as they add an extra oomph than flats n u won't even skip a beat. I can assure u during errand runs you'll stand out. I get compliments all the time when I dress em down cuz its unexpected. The MAJOR key to pulling these off in the World of Kittens is the shape!! The vintage way is those slightly rounded almond shaped joints. Well...now the pointy-er the better. It gives such a sleek finish n so for me, they check the boxes. Pointy Kitts will also elongate ur legs. The intro into the Kommittee typically starts with a basic black bow'd kitten becuz u can test drive em from there. BEWARE...you'll get hooked from there. My Kitties are mainly mules or slingback becuz this is where they keep u young n fresh-another key! Although I am bold with my steppers n go for color, I would definitely recommend in neutral colors to invest in esp since you'd get more usage. U can easily wear them with more looks n not look like u stepped out the office from the 80's. The best part of these cuddly pairs is how u don't sacrifice ur style for comfort n I'm glad to see they are no longer questionable in the fashion world n I've been enjoying watching them sneak up on yall over the years. From streetstyle to the runway; u can find give em a whirl with loungewear n watch how they transform u from sleep walking to street steppin esp if u add structure with the look....liiiiiike a blazer!! Kittens have come a long way n I've always been a tall girl but I've been so relieved from the pressures of stilts to complete the fit. Say what u want n laugh as u may but nothing is funny bout them ankles rollin n walking round in crutches to fancy us with chancing ur life to walk high lol. However u choose to join the Kitty Kommittee...just know despite the tiny gestures they still make a bold statement piece in the wardrobe. These have been happy mediums since my discovery to keep the couture's "off duty sophisticated" so even ur off is still ON-puuuurrrr!! Have yall tried the biggest trend of 2023 yet? Giving it whirl next year cuz the kitties ain't goin nowhere **paws up**

This year has came n gone faster than a female driving an Altima like its a hellcat. I have enjoyed all the fashion finds throughout the year so lets reflect back on some seasons past with trends that had all the heaux in a chokehold shall we... Winter 2023:   Top of the year which is my birthday month :D January kicks its off for erybody: Winter Time had us professional yet playful. I know for my own Werk Couture I am in a professional setting so I do subtle ways to be exuberant whether its black n white with a POP of color or keeping it chic with perky accessories.  Remember when McD's had the option to SUPERSIZE it hahaha wellllll clearly I had no problem partaking in the trend of oversizing. I actually prefer it to be honest but there is a balance to not look so frumpy n dumpy to where ur clothes aren't swallowing u up! Wide legs have NEVER gone out of style for me n an oversized blazer gives the illusion I didn't wake up snackin when I tuck a shirt in haha.  Spring 2023: I will hand to yall...when we see a trend hot off the presses we will hold on to it with alllll our might n them dmn platforms ANYTHING n infamous Bottega teardrops had ERYBODY mesmerized wit a kung fu grip tighter than a starving pitbull u hear me! Now my platform heel days are long gone so I skipped those but did "splurge" on the teardrops via Amazon and Khoi . I do think this will be a trend that carries over into 2024 as it's a classic staple piece.  Summer 2023: Let's be real...the summer belong'd to anything revolving around The Renaissance Tour which means HELLOOOOO METALLICS!! If you attended such as I did WITH a wristband ** hair flip** or if not...then u seen a sea of silvers that would make the Tin Man himself Bow Down-Bytchez ** pun intended** Queen Bee totally muted yall from the cargo's yall ran out to grab from Spring ** tee hee** Fall 2023: My favorite fashion season of em alllll will forever be Fall. I love to see how we transition into slowly adding layers n lookin like sunsets with neutral shades n RED!! Anything Red n Orange makes me giddy for Fall before we go into the oxbloods. This is where I itch to wear sweater dresses but the temps be playin in our faces. Typically for this season we dust off the motojackets n go trench wild. I didn't see too much that varied off our typical Fall attires from previous years. Anything after daylight savings time...I be sleep-literally!!  Please note this was a quick round up of the trendy year I partook in w/u guys! I didn't mention the swift trend of sheer tops n pastels (I am a warm toned kinda gal) n I have an honorary mention that I'll follow up with after this post becuz it deserves a standing ovation of acknowledgement on its own. Can u guess the hottest trend of 2023?? What is ur toss in the hat for a trend that u indulged in this year? Drop the comments below.

Here we are...another day...another month...another season! I embrace all seasons because I love change and to live on a coast to experience all 4 seasons is beautiful so u can pay attention to the mood n energy of nature as the weather shifts, traffic patterns change and a gloss of grey skies n early sunsets dictate our behaviors. I can't imagine being in Alaska from November to January in complete darkness!  If u are a nerd like me ...today is also known as the shortest day n the longest night (hence why its feels like 10pm at 5pm when the sun sets waaaay too early for our liking). This is where Earth is closer to the Sun (in Dec/Jan) n we tilt away from it on its axis (I had a whole science project of this in elem). The weird part is...the Sun is lower in the sky and where we receive less sunlight n warmth...if you've noticed in the last few years, we've had some eerily warm days and/or nights IN Winter. I have no explanation for that n I ain't the one to go into no conspiracies or theories...I just find it a bit...straaaaange!  I will not continue to bore u with #WinterSolstice  Fun Fax lol even tho ur shadow on solstice will be the longest all year around noon time that day becuz of the sun being at its lowest arc across the sky...ok ok ok I couldn't resist. Aside from the foolishness, I am a total astronomy nerd but sadly, my grades for the class didn't reflect it. As a C student, once u incorporate math into the equations you'll lose me . It's a tricky science to studying the universe n galaxies so to use analytical thinking n logic is beyond me . As challenging as it was-book wise...I enjoyed the science n physics to learn the fundamentals of cosmo chatter beyond what our minds can comprehend. If u could understand how minut we are in a space n time so far ahead our biggest imagination...like wow! Humble urself with binoculars n gaze upon a cluster of twinkling stars. If u are still here...thank u for withstanding my quick Kosmic Kisha moment haha. This Winter season is where I will do as always...hibernate but this year I do want to remain connected in whatever capacity that may be; i.e. coffee dates, scheduled FT's, lunch/dinner dates, random hey girl hey's n check in's. It doesn't have to be much but the gesture alone is appreciated. We are in such dark times with so much goin on WE NEED to stay connected. I toss all the jargon of Winter up there to also toss in the idea of paying attention to the shifts in the seasons. I am totally in tune with my body n can tell when a reset n pause is needed. I have been challenging myself to expand the days with being productive in the mornings n incorporating exercise (pilates) has helped tremendously to beat the blues. I am a horrible snacker ESP in the Winter so I do want to look into tips n tricks on a better diet. I AM NEVER GOIN VEGAN...i am too loyal to chicken!!  Welcome to my Birthday season and Happy Winter **tosses scarf across neck**

When I say I am picky with what I pay the 5 for Gina...this is a prime example of that. A method to the madness of how I shop can change depending on my mood, funds, availability n how bad do I want it. Yall know I am a lover of wide legs n I pretty much live in my Nike one's u see me wearing more often than not so when these beauties came across my eyeballs...there was no way I was gonna let em sit in my wishlist to await a sale. Behold...the Phoenix Cozy Boucle Wide Leg Pants from Nike via Nordstrom. Note when I come across a good Nordies find, I don't hesitate to post the link in my IG stories, even if it's something on my radar. The style of these captured my eye n they looked so soft that I could feel the snuggles my thighs would do in these through the screen. Becuz it's a unique design, I knew these wouldn't last long enuff to end up on sale. SO glad I caught em when I did becuz they've been sold out n randomly back in limited stock since mine arrived. My size is an XL but I could've totally sized down to a L but I love how they drag. They come in 2 more shades and you have matching options for tops. Since this pattern dropped, random pieces to match in different shades have been released. A longline cardigan came up but I was too late so since it was in my wishlist, if it comes back in a Size M or L, I know to snatch it. Now of course yall know my dressed down is dressed UP right...there's no way ur just gonna catch me in athleisure without dramatic flare. I have big plans for these pants...toss on a black blazer...matching short sleeve top...contrasting sweater. For today's magic trick, I had something else up my sleeve sure to kick it up a notch... Now this is pretty much Part II of the outfit post which might just get a post on its own as it has a story to tell lol. I'll spare yall n get to the point tho...if you've listened n watched me on Fashion Mabe's podcast where I recently guest starred on style Ep. 1 "Investing in ur personal style " you know where I'm goin with this...if not...take a listen n come back...it'll ALL make sense. I must say **toots own horn** not so shabby if I say so myself. This was a fun look I put together n it meshed well. The style story created itself on a whim as I mainly freestyle an outfit. I wanted relaxed n played into the boucle with tossing on my BLANKNYC Shearling Trucker Jacket (on sale) which kept the look casual even with my slingbacks which added the oomph! The bag can be found on my Amazon Storefront ;) While I do believe these are trendy pants, I do love the versatility of these to be worn in n out the house-hence how I calculate payin the 5 Gina!! Definitely grab em if u can...cuz in the words of Bey...she comfortaaaable!!