The Grey Sweater Dress

I’m honored to collaborate with Macy’s and I was so excited to be attending their annual media banquet. Each year they incorporate an extravagant theme and this year’s was an out of this world flower show experience, literally. The flowers and gardens were space themed and it was so unique. If you’re on State Street, definitely check out their events (like baby raves) as well as workshops. 

Dress: I recently purchased this sweater dress from Urban Outfitter’s sale. I am obsessed with turtlenecks so whenever I see one with amazing fitting and style, you bet I’m all over it. Unfortunately they sold out of the grey pretty quickly, but pink is still available and perfect for spring. I love wearing sweater dresses, but obviously I love them more with a nice turtleneck because of how chic it looks. This dress is very comfortable and kept me very warm in Chicago’s springy and gloomy weather. I really do appreciate the grey just because this color is easily interchangeable for Chicago’s in-between seasons, spring, fall and of course winter. You can easily dress up this sweater like I did and to bring out my figure, I paired it with a waist belt. This dress is so versatile as you can wear it casually with a pair of distressed jeans.

Tights: I am obsessed with the quality of Calzedonia tights. They’re made in Italy and they’re extremely durable. I am not the best at wearing tights without making a little knit or hole, but I have yet to encounter any of these issues with their quality and I own 3 pairs! The sizing of these tights run smaller, so I recommend ordering a size up.

The Soft Lavender - Alishba’s Style Sponsored

One aspect that I truly appreciate about social media and I have mentioned this repeatedly over time, is the connection of individuals it provides. As life gets busier and we all work harder, it’s difficult to meet new individuals. Social media changes that. I’ve been able to connect with so many amazing people because of it and I’m thankful for this journey!  

Photography by Jamaal Shoots

Outfit:  I love this lavender outfit by Alishba’s Style. Not only is this color so soft and flattering, but it’s unique. What’s not pictured is the quality of the stitching and how unbelievably comfortable this is. With all the heavy handwork, it’s very common for Pakistani designers to create uncomfortable and pinching outfits. Unlike most designers, Alishba’s Style lines the outfit with the softest fabric to ensure the utmost comfort. You could easily take your Eid nap in this outfit and this is exactly why I love it—comfort and style!

Shawl: I am in LOVE with this hot pink shawl by Alishba’s Style. The quality of the fabric is perfect! It keeps all the beautiful handcrafted work in tact as well as the shawl is not too heavy and not too light. It’s perfect to pair for your upcoming spring looks when the weather gets chilly or in the winter to add a pop of color. I highly recommend this shawl.

Photography by Jamaal Shoots

Photography by Jamaal Shoots

The Modern Pink Bride - Nabeela’s Boutique Sponsored

I’m thankful that modern brides became a thing right before my wedding. All my life I had found the perfect red to wear on my wedding day, only to throw that out and choose a modern bridal dress. I don’t regret it, I think red is a beautiful color, but shouldn’t be mandatory. It was wonderful to work with this beautiful team of hard working ladies to recreate this gorgeous bridal look. 

Makeup and Hair by Madi

Photos by Filzah

Outfit: This gorgeous bridal dress is available at Nabeela’s Boutique. She has so many options available at her studio, it was hard to decide which one to go with! We finally made the decision to go with the beautiful pink. It was so comfortable to wear. I adore  heavy embroidering and premium quality handwork. Nothing fell off while putting this outfit together, which proves its high quality in the Pakistani fashion industry. 

Jewelry: The stunning bridal jewelry is by The Nacre. I love the pearls that go so well with the soft pink. In order to be a bride, the jewelry truly makes the bride stand out. The Nacre has such reasonable pricing and a beautiful selection to choose from!  

Henna: The beautiful Mandala Style Henna design is done by Amara. She is very sweet and so easy to work with. She created this design in about an hour. Took no time at all and the stain came out flawless. I’d recommend her for all your henna parties, special events and Eid!

Makeup and Hair by Madi

Photos by Filzah

Makeup and Hair by Madi

Photos by Filzah

Makeup and Hair by Madi

Photos by Filzah

Comfy and Chic Street Style

We experienced our first tease of Spring and it was so delightful, I can’t help but anticipate Spring even more. I’m aware living in Chicago, that Spring actually arriving in March is very naive of me, but after this brutal winter could it be possible? We can only find out. Until then, I don’t mind wearing my fall wardrobe until it’s officially spring. Fall attire tends to keep me warm and I’d like to compensate for it since we didn’t experience one this past season.

Top: Introducing my favorite crop hoodie by Zara.  I bought this crop top ages ago on the sale rack and I’m so glad I did. It’s very comfortable and so chic. You can rock this hoodie casually or dressy just like how I did. Pairing it with my leather jacket completes the ultra chic look. 

Bottoms: I was digging through my old jeans and found this gem by 7 For All Mankind Jeans. It’s been hidden for so long just because I haven’t been able to fit into it since I was pregnant. You can imagine my excitement as soon as I put these babies on and they fit. I’ve always been a little hesitant about the color, but as long as you pair it with strong neutrals it’ll look great!  

Shoes: I bought these military style chunk heels by Aldo a decade ago. They’re always fun to pair with leather to complete the bad ass vibe.  

The Hollywood Glam

Working arduously through the beginning of the year truly pays off. In fact if you want to maximize your productivity in January, you’ll receive the most value for your hard work. That being said, once the world picks up on your efforts, it will bring in opportunities for the rest of the year—as early as Spring! Not to mention, it’s very easy to stick with your endeavors because everyone around you is doing the same. Join the NYE Resolutioners of hustle and bustle, it’s worth it.

Dress: I bought this knitted dress from Urban Outfitters ages ago. I love long sleeve dresses, it’s very easy to show the shape of your figure with the sleeves outlining your arms. I love the deep V-neck, which by the way, I’ve pinned the neck to my bra so that I don’t have any accidents. This dress was made for the colder weather so I appreciate the fact the material protects me against Chiberia’s arctic wind blowing right through. It’s very easy to dress this piece casual or formal and as you can see, I went with formal.

Bottoms: I love these polka-dot tights by Caldezonia. If you’re wearing solid colors and prints, then definitely add a little twist to it through some patterns as I did with my tights. I love how the dots aren’t overpowering and add the perfect pop.

Shoes: When I’m exposing some leg, I definitely like to wear shoes that can be noticed ankle on up and I decided to wear my pointy toe suede shoes with lace-up heels by Aquazzura.

Purse: I’m wearing one of my favorite investments, the single flap caviar leather from Chanel’s Cruise Collection. I can always be guaranteed a classy look with the baby hanging off my shoulder.

The Navy Sari - Maheen Jewels Sponsored

I love our culture hence I love wearing our ethnic clothes. Something about sari’s and how it captures a woman’s grace has me going cuckoo for them. I highly recommend wearing all your saris prior to having kids, your life will be so much easier. I have done it once with my son, it wasn’t too difficult, but then again I was very dependent on my support system that night. Cheers to your collection of saris!

Photography by Sukoon Captured

Sari: This is my absolute favorite sari. Both the blouse and the sari are custom and separately. I styled the two together to bring out the utmost elegance in this sari. Midnight blue has its own class and to add majestic jewelry completes it.

Jewelry: This is one of my favorite sets by Maheen Jewels. It’s absolutely stunning and catered for the most elite and classy women. You can pair the jewelry set from simple formals to wedding dresses. I love the premium and high end quality of the jewelry. It’s a great investment and the blue is so versatile, you can wear it with almost anything.

Photography by Sukoon Captured

Photography by Sukoon Captured

The Cute Peplum - Nabeela’s Boutique Sponsored

It’s March. Thank god, I’ve been waiting for this month to arrive and it’s finally here! The next couple weeks are going to fly by and just thinking about it gives me butterflies. My team and I have been tirelessly working on A Blessed Wardrobe. We are so excited for you to enjoy the final production and inshAllah May it be successful for such a great cause, our disabled community. If you haven’t already, we have very limited tickets available so purchase them while you can here. 

Makeup & Hair by Maria Khan

Photography by Enas Photography

At A Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, IL.

Outfit: I love this cute peplum outfit designed by Nabeela’s Boutique. She has two timeless styles incorporated, which makes this piece a gem. Black will always be flattering on everyone and the best part is, it’s a black you can wear to all occasions. It’s cute for a semi-formal and perfect for the minimal look for formal events as well. The quality of the peplum is very much appreciated. It’s super comfortable and very easy to maintain. The Gharara pants combined with the peplum puts the finishing chic touch on this look and I love it!  

Jewelry: I’m wearing these gorgeous gold and pearl earrings by Enayah’s Jewelry. They’re beautiful statement earrings that don’t appear as bold as you’d think. I love how they’re a perfect amount of glam to add to your outfit, yet still keeping your look sophisticated and elegant.

Makeup & Hair by Maria Khan

Photography by Enas Photography

At A Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, IL.

Makeup & Hair by Maria Khan

Photography by Enas Photography

At A Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, IL.

The Emerald Glam - Nabeela’s Boutique Sponsored

I miss Pakistan quite often and nothing feels more nostalgic then entering a studio with freshly unwrapped clothes from Pakistan. If you know what smell I’m talking about, it immediately takes me back to my grandparent’s house in Karachi. It’s interesting because I wasn’t born there or raised there, but I love it so much it’s almost as if I was. Probably because we did visit Pakistan so often and hopefully continue to do so. How often do you trek back to motherland? 

Makeup & Hair by Maria Khan

Photography by Enas Photography

At A Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, IL.

Outfit: I was absolutely stunned by this emerald green outfit designed by Nabeela herself and is available at Nabeela’s Boutique. The turquoise and tones of blues completely caught my eye and is so flattering on any Southasian skin tone. The gown automatically brings a majestic look and what sets it apart is the elegant work generously done from top to bottom. It’s the ideal outfit for weddings, engagements or your own pre-wedding parties. I love the lining inside as well, it’s very well done and comfortable. It’s never fun to wear heavy outfits that prick on the inside and this outfit proves it can be done comfortably. Nabeela herself is a very cheery and joyful designer, I really enjoyed visiting her studio of the latest Pakistani designs and collaborating her.

Makeup & Hair by Maria Khan

Photography by Enas Photography

At A Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, IL.

Risqué Nights

This winter has been pretty hard on us, but don’t let it stop you from your date nights. Date nights are everything especially after you have children. To be honest, we even bring our son along just so that we can step out and enjoy eating together. It refreshes your marriage and it’s nice to get a little mini break from your arduous daily routine that we get lost in sometimes.

Top: I just purchased this sweater online from ASOS. I wasn’t sure if the color would blend in with my skin tone, but it turned out alright. I actually fell in love with the cut as soon as I put it on. It’s a deep V neck with puff sleeves, and the best part is that it’s very comfortable and mobile. I could sleep in it, but I won’t ruin it. This sweater is so versatile, I can’t wait to show you the many different ways you can wear it.

Bottoms: I’ve paired this with a simple pencil skirt that I bought from Express decades ago. In order to add a bit more jazz to this simple outfit, I bought these adorable polka dot tights from Calzedonia and love them. I ordered XS, but it feels a little too tight,so I’d recommend going on the loose side.

Shoes: I’m wearing my pointy toed suede boots by BCBG.

Purse: I decided to bring out my timeless piece, the Chanel single flap caviar leather from the cruise collection. Any classy black purse would go this outfit, but black works best in the winter.

The Valentine's Look

When I was younger I never really celebrated Valentine’s Day, but as I grew older and experienced more hardships—I came around to appreciating Valentine’s Day. In a tough world like today, where we become so busy and get carried away with our schedules, it is nice to step back and appreciate our loved ones. When else do we get a reason to be so cheesy? It’s hilarious and cute, and you can never love enough. So if it’s as simple as a text or a card, it will be appreciated.

Dress: This is by far my favorite black dress. I purchased this gem from Zara a couple of years ago. The cut is the utmost flattering cut I own so far and I’m obsessed. Not to mention this dress is extremely versatile, I’ve been able to wear it many different ways over the years. Since this is its first appearance on the blog, I’m excited to show you it’s capability. If you find the perfect black dress, hold onto it— this will be your timeless piece, guaranteed.

Shoes: I’ve been wearing my new babies, Malone Souliers, more often because first off their red so it fits right in with the month, but also because they’re so comfortable. I love the design as well it’s refreshing and unique.

The Lace Jumpsuit

Over the years, especially as you grow older and more boring, your style drastically changes. I recently was inspired by my college self in my peak fashion years and I decided I can’t let that go. Just because I’m a mother, doesn’t mean my style needs to be sobered down. Don’t let the mundane routine bore your wardrobe. Go through your Facebook, MySpace, Friendster albums and take a look at your care-free, youthful self and get inspired. Bring back that vivaciousness into your daily life again.

Top: I’m wearing my embroidered lace top that I purchased from Forever 21 back in high school. I’m not a hoarder, just maybe with clothes. In all honesty, I hold onto the timeless pieces because trends repeat themselves and having a black lace long sleeve top is a necessity.  In order to tie the black lace top and the grey knit look together, I paired it with my black waist belt I bought from Nordstrom. 

Bottoms: I decided to spice up my grey knit jumpsuit by Uniqlo. I got this last winter when it was on sale. I love this jumpsuit for the winter because it’s so loosely fitted and it looks great, but most importantly it keeps me warm.  

Shoes: It’s the month of love and I was inspired to bust out the deep reds. My new favorite reds please meet the Malone Souliers. Unbelievably comfortable and so unique. I love them.  

The Chiberia Co-Ord

Chicago has not had a winter like this since I was in college, which was definitely over 6 years ago. Every winter Chicago secretly hopes and expects another mild winter and prepares for the standard. This year, we were blindly hit with an Artic blast. Yes that’s what the news weather reports refer to it as. To my knowledge, only Chicago is experiencing this miserable weather. Not only are we hit with layers and layers of snow on almost a daily basis, but as well as unbearable temperatures. For example, this coming Wednesday our high is -17 Fahrenheit. Yikes, so while we are trying to make the most of what we can indoors—I can’t help, but notice the restlessness amongst social media. Everyone is jumping on each other, and attacking each other for the most petty things. We all attempt to live by women empowerment, but to be honest some people don’t and we shouldn’t try to force that upon them. Yes it’s extremely unfortunate, personally I let an individual know that I did not appreciate the way she spoke to me as well as her lack of genuine support. I think that’s the best we can do. If it bothers you that much, feel free to politely let them know in private. There is no need to expose them, because you would be stooping down to their level.

Top: I ordered this extremely cozy co-ord from The Boutique Liverpool. I’ve ordered from her before and have always enjoyed the quality and fitting of her clothing line. This year I bought this ultra warm co-ord. By ultra-warm, I believe this is the only outfit that actually kept me warm through Chiberia temperatures without layering. Yes, you heard me correctly— without layering. So this is what the folks in the UK have access to, the quality and winter fabrics necessary to survive outdoors. I’ll be investing in more wool outfits especially for this crazy Chiberia winter.

Bottoms: This skirt by The Boutique Liverpool is amazing with the co-ord or without it you’ve seen me wear it before as I decided to wear it separately here. It’s figure fitting and super thick, so you can pair it with any top and you’ll find your legs super warm as long as they are covered by the skirt. I enjoy wearing the co-ord separately since most of the time I’m indoors and I don’t want to overheat.

Jewelry: I love these beautiful druzy earrings by Enayah’s Jewelry. They’re super quaint and remain elegant. Gold is a beautiful color to wear especially when you pair it with whites in the winter.

Pool Vibes

Chicago has a very strong community. I assumed it was like this in each state, but as I grew older I realized there is a very dense population of Southasians in Chicago. Together we make a strong community, but how often are we together? We’ve assembled ourselves into cliques based on our childhood friends and Illinois universities. The naive out-of-towners whom move into the city, have caught on and created their own group—welcoming anyone from out of town to end their hostile Chicago experience. I’m not proud of it and I would classify myself as a Chicago native. The more I’ve matured, the more I openly greet anyone from out of state. Now it’s to the point where I prefer out of state company just because it’s so refreshing and pure. New life chapters and interests bring our groups slightly closer, but we still like to hold strong to our initial group. Are we setting ourselves back? I’ve seen a tremendous growth in myself just from opening myself to diverse groups and I’m addicted. It’s nice to see you were in a bubble, and feels even better when you’re stepping out of it. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to our comfort zone, growth happens when you challenge yourself and you’d be surprised how great it feels.

Dress: I purchased this silk dress from Aritizia over the summer. I fell in love with the deep rose color as well as the quality of the fabric. Silk is so understated and uncommon to wear, which draws me closer to it. I’ve worn this in multiple ways like under pants like here as well as with a cute blazer here. It’s perfect for warm weather and flatters you figure beautifully. A huge advantage is that it doesn’t hug your gut, it’s a big win for the Mother’s world.

Scarf: I loved this blue polka dot scarf since I got it in high school. It no longer has its tag on it due to me wearing it so often. I love pulling out old gems from my closet and this is one of them. Invest in cute scarves because you can easily pair them with your dresses and outfits for a chic touch.

The Go-To All Black

I just watched the Fyre Festival documentary on both Netflix and Hulu, and I am blown away. It’s unfortunate and ridiculous how much power social media has. This industry needs to be more regulated so that we can avoid such grand fraudulent instances. I mean you think after Enron we would have more checks in place for detecting sociopaths, yet somehow they still make their way to the top. Enron is what really transformed the SEC in the accounting and finance world, so I’m praying FTC of social media will really step in to save the people. The first major step by FTC is mandating everyone to share that they’ve been sponsored or paid for their advertising, which is true— imagine how many young girls would buy out Sephora or other beauty lines just based off major celebrities and influencers. I love social media, but with anything else you need to do your due diligence and research. 

Top: I love this black sweater from Zara. I bought it years ago, but I am constantly wearing it out as well as comfortably inside my house. I love the fact that it’s loose, you can do so many looks with it. Make it trendy by tucking it in or make it about comfort and rocking it with leggings. 

Bottoms: I’m wearing my high waisted black Zara denim. They’re comfortable and high waisted so anytime I’ll be wearing dark denim it will most likely by these jeans. I love combining textures of black to create a comfortable and diversified all black look. That’s the key to all black looks, combining different textures and styles to create your own go to look. 

Shoes: Meet my favorite hi-tops that I purchased a while ago from Prada. They’re made out of leather and the fact that they still look this trendy and in great condition, says a lot about these shoes. The best part about these in between sneakers and boots, they’re comfortable. You don’t have to be a street style person to own these shoes, they can go with a lot more than you think!  

90s baby

I never realized how much I loved the 90s until my friends decided to throw a themed party. The 90s I have realized was one of the greatest times to grow up in. Diversity was thriving, friendship was welcome, kids played in the street safely, and everyone appreciated art. The fashion in the 90s is definitely one of my favorites. Everyone always knew how to have a good time. Unlike today, more and more we bury ourselves in work and playing outside is almost abnormal for kids. It’s very unfortunate, but let’s find ways to bring these values back.

Top: I fell in love with this bubbly pink top from the Aritizia sale. I wondered how soon I would be able to pull off such a cute pink mock turtleneck in such dim and gloomy weather, but the opportunity came fast! It worked perfectly for a 90s party, and to be honest most of my fashion will be reflecting the 90s. It’s been my mood lately and it’s going to be trending, trust me. 90s is one of my favorite fashion eras and so thankful I got to grow up in it!

Bottoms: I am wearing the ultimate mom-jeans by Levi’s. They are the most heavy duty jeans I own only because they truly represent the 90s denim and they’re genuine quality. I can’t say that they’re comfortable, they’re also the most stiff jeans to wear. They’re great for short occasions.

Military Casual

Some days are productive and some days are relaxing. Some days you’re on your A game, ready to take it to the next level and other days you’re reminiscing over the care-free times, thirsty for one of those moments. It’s completely normal to feel this way, you’re on the right path. Keep everything in moderation, but keep self care closer to you. The more you keep yourself healthy and energized, the more you can accomplish and be happy. Self care is your power.

Top: I am wearing my military inspired jacket that I bought from Forever literally decades ago. I purchased it in high school and it’s made me a rockstar since. I’m not a hoarder, but I do have trouble letting go of timeless pieces and why should we? Invest in your closet. You can pair this military-style jacket with almost anything and you’ll look like a boss babe.

 Bottoms: Frankly if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that these are my favorite high waisted jeans. Granted the fit isn’t to the T due to the quality by Forever 21, yet it still manages to look amazing and the bigger bonus is that I can breathe comfortably. You’d be surprised at how often you can’t breathe with a full tummy in high waisted pants! I love how they’re distressed and used that to add to the bad girl vibes.

Jewelry: I love wearing this delicate initial necklace that I got off Amazon. It adds the perfect pop of class to your swag.

Cozy Lunch Fit

In order for me to be productive, I need multiple things on my plate. Fortunately, 2019 has decided to keep my plate bombarded, however, the consequences are impacting me—mentally, physically and emotionally. I enjoy every moment of it, but at the same time I can’t help and feel like an overworked machine. There hasn’t been any self care or much time to even relax. Although that’s typical of January, remember we all need to recuperate and take a step back to take care of ourselves. I’m learning to put my foot down and to ensure I receive that “me” time so that I don’t lose myself amongst work. It’s okay to have a lot on your plate, in fact it’s AMAZING. Taking on unique and multiple items, challenges you in such a way and it helps you grow, moreover, evolve. When it’s taking over your life though, you need to take a step back and remember what you signed up for so that you can prioritize and accomplish your goals in a healthy manner. Don’t be afraid to say no either. You know what you are capable of. Don’t let others try to take advantage of you by squeezing in some work. You know yourself best, you’re only human.

Top: I am wearing a suede crop top from Zara I bought a while ago. I love crop tops. They are paired best with high-waisted bottoms, which depicts the motherhood wardrobe. The rustic orange brings the perfect pop of color to your fall and winter wardrobe. Because we are in winter, I paired the crop top with a wool grey sweater from Uniqlo I purchased recently. Together you have a super cozy fit, which is perfect for a lunch or light dinner.

Bottoms: I recently purchased a co-ord outfit and decided to rock the skirt separately for this look. I purchased the co-ord from Boutique Liverpool. The skirt is unbelievable warm and so comfortable. It’s also high-waisted, so granted I’m all over it.

Shoes: I’m wearing my pointy toed suede booties by BCBG.

NYE Inspo #3

How many times do we go through our closet and think to ourselves, “I have nothing to wear”. The key to knowing what’s in your closet is blatantly, being organized. I like to separate my wardrobe by “light” clothes and “warm” clothes. The next step is to stick the cardigans, jackets, blazers, shawls, basically anything you can layer with on one end of the closet. I like to keep my casual tees and sleeveless tops in another section, yes those easily get paired with the cardigan/blazer section. Then I like to keep my statement or formal blouses on top and by color so that I can spot them out. My skirts and fancy pants are hung and my jeans are folded. I wish I had the fantasy closet we all dream of, but this organization will do for now. What are some techniques that you love?

Top: I recently bought this mock turtleneck from the Aritzia sale. I love how comfortable this blouse is and the fact that it’s cropped. If you know me by now, I pair most cropped tops with high-waisted pants. It’s a great way to showcase your figure as well as stay covered.

Bottoms: I am wearing my high waisted stretch denim by Zara. I love these pants because of they’re similar to jeggings, but not quite. Basically, they have the best of both worlds. I really do enjoy wearing Zara denim, they accomplish the look comfortably.

Shoes: I am wearing my suede pointy booties by BCBG.

NYE Inspo #2

It’s the end of the year and the time to re-cap has dawned upon us. I vaguely remember my goals for 2018, but I can let you know that I accomplished a lot more than I could think of and I’m proud of it. I believe setting goals are important, but working towards it is the most important. When you’re too busy working hard, sometimes you achieve more than what you can plan for and that’s the best feeling at the year end.

Top: I bought this glitter jumper from Zara about five years ago. I always steer away from super glamorous tops, but the very chic and classy cuts are the kind to keep in your closet. Pairing glitz and glam, with sober colors is the best recipe for your holiday outfit.

Bottoms: I got these brown suede leggings from Zara last winter. Suede leggings are rare and because of that I decided to buy them in brown and black. I wear them to add texture to the outfit especially when the colors are too dull. These leggings are slightly high-waisted so they look great, feel comfortable and most importantly—keep you warm!

Shoes: I just bought these gorgeous maroon heels from a new and upcoming designer from the UK, Malone Souliers. I love the fit of these shoes, they’re extremely comfortable and perfectly snug. The cut and design is so unique—you can spot these babies out in a crowd. There’s nothing more than I love, then being different.

NYE Inspo #1

The holidays are my favorite time of the year officially. Just the fact that everyone rejoices together and is in a festive mood, makes a significant difference to hanging out. We’ve worked our butts off the whole year and now it’s finally time to kick back and relax.

Top: I bought this off the shoulder top from a small (I can’t remember the name so sorry!) on Venice Beach. They were having a massive sale and I decided to cop this gem. What interested me about this top is the black lace. It’s crucial for every girl to have a black lace top with a flattering cut in her closet. It’s a timeless piece that will always remain elegant.

Bottoms: Given when you’re dressing up for New Years Eve, glam is required. In order to give a little edge to my elegant top, I paired it with black leather leggings that I got from Amazon and then you’re all set for New Years!

Shoes: I’m wearing these combat boots from Aldo. They have chunk heels so it makes it easier to walk in. Initially everyone considered these as ‘dyke’ boots, regardless — they’re the perfection addition to add more of a robust look to your cute outfit!

Purse: I caught this cute little glitter purse from Sapphire in Pakistan. Like I said, for New Years bring out all the glam you can.

Winter Dots

Now that holiday season is officially over, I am so pumped to get back to the grind. Along with getting back into routine, this is the perfect time to get down to business. Most people are hibernating in the winter anyway, so it’s easy to stay focused and have all the downtime you need. If you’ve always thought about laser hair removal, I recommend getting it done in winter months so that 1) you’ll be ready for the summer hair-free 2) it’s preferred to do hair laser removal when you’re not in direct sun exposure to avoid hyperpigmentation and so that the laser works well for your skin. If you’d like to hear about my laser removal journey click here.

Top: I bought this fitted polka dot shirt from H&M a while ago. I’ve always been reluctant towards wearing polka dots, but sometimes they add the perfect pop of print to complete your outfit. I love this shirt, it’s a bit shorter than the average shirt length, which is perfect to tuck into your pants or to pair with high waisted pants.

Bottoms: I grabbed these purple wide legged pants from Uniqlo last year. They’re super comfortable, not to mention actually warm so they are the perfect winter material. I love the slight pleating at the top to keep the pants from looking like pajamas and once you tuck any top into these bottoms, it looks very chic and trendy.

Shoes: I’m wearing the beige wedge booties from J Crew.

Purse: I paired this outfit with one of the timeless and chic purses I have, a single flap caviar leather Chanel bag.

Retro Havana Vibes

They say you dress who you want to be on vacation. I looked at what I packed and honestly someone would question if I knew who I want to be. I love dressing to the environment. As soon as I see the scenery, I envision myself in it and from there I create the outfit I see. Try it out yourself! Knowing that we’re going to little Havana in Miami, I know Cuba is all about color and is still a little retro so I applied that to my outfit and rocked it!  

Top: I’m wearing this fuschia blazer I got from Forever21 a long time ago. I’m wearing a white tank top underneath just to keep it simple and bright. I rarely get to wear this blazer, but it’s the perfect way to add a tropical pop and so I save it for that purpose!  

Bottoms: I just got these bell bottom jeans from Express and I absolutely love them! They’re super comfortable and high waisted, you already know they’re a mother’s best friend. These flare jeans bring out the retro vibes, which I love. You can rock them for a complete throwback look, which is what I did for Little Havana or you can throw a cropped sweater on and keep it trendy!  

Jewelry: I bought this aqua necklace a while back. I save this type of jewelry for vacation as well, because it adds the perfect pop! Trust me, Chicago can’t handle these tropic colors.  

Shoes: when you want to be somewhat comfortable, yet still have a clean look— I love rocking the Converse slip-ons. The white doesn’t fade easily, which I totally appreciate for how much travel I put these through!  

Brunch Fits

It’s important to keep what makes us happy in our lives. It’s also crucial to eliminate anything that takes that away from us. Things happen and people change, don’t feel obligated to remain in a relationship where you feel taken advantage of or it’s not bringing you the joy it used to. Sometimes I feel like I’m being forced to stay in friendships because of how many mutual friends we have, but the truth is if it’s bothering you to this extent then it’s something you need to remove from your life. It’s hard saying that to someone, but hey your happiness does play a major role especially when your loved ones could be affected by it. Confront the bad vibes or distance yourself, it’s not worth letting them constantly ruin your happiness. 

 Top: I purchased this wool purple sweater ages ago from H&M. I love purchasing crop sweaters because in the winter it’s fun layering with them or combining them with high waisted bottoms. Brunches are meant to be casual for the most part so I love bringing out my street fits to the casual game. 

Bottoms: I love these high waisted wide leg khakis from Aritzia. I purchased them over the summer and they’re the perfect summery pants to pair any crop or fitted tops with. How am I surviving in the winter with these pants? I’m wearing heat tech leggings underneath. Winter is not stopping my fashion game folks, layer up!  

Shoes: Prada high tops are my favorite to complete any street look with. Prada shoes are very durable so I use that to justify the price. These babies have lasted me over five years and still look great so they were worth the investment! 

Casual Winter Nights

Since we live in Chicago and there is nothing to do besides eating with your loved ones, we’re all about the quality food scene. Unfortunately our date nights have been rare recently, but this hasn’t stopped us from taking our two year old with us. We take our cheat meals very seriously and pick out a restaurant for the week to release our hunger on. As I’ve grown older, my tastebuds have a stronger appreciation for quality. I no longer enjoy super fatty foods that fill my mouth with oil and dough, I just can’t do it and there’s no reason to go through with it. When you start cooking fresh and clean, you’ll see what a difference it makes in your taste palette and you can spend your money more wisely then on the “junk” that’s out there. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Arby’s now and then (yes I’m aware that’s not a popular fast food spot) but if you’re going to be cheating you deserve to cheat with the best quality. Why waste your calories on oil? 

Top: I just bought this oversized polo shirt from the Zara Black Friday sale. I love oversized shirts and the best way to wear them is by tucking them into your pants. I bought this in teal because the color looks amazing on our olive skin tone and my wardrobe lacks it. 

Bottoms: I’m wearing my mom jeans by Express. They’re actually ankle jeans, but since I’m short these do perfectly. Mom jeans are perfect for that high waisted snug fit to hide your battles. They do make your hips look wider, so just be conscious with what top you’ll be pairing it with in order to achieve the figure you want.  

Shoes: I bought these red suede chuck boots by Steve Madden almost six years ago. They’re comfortable and always fun to add as a pop of color in this season.