Style Post: Mismatchy.

"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”

Does this match? No. Do I care? No. :)

I think it's the artist in me that makes me want to throw all of the conventional style rules out of the window and express myself however I feel. I'm a firm believer in you wearing the clothes, not letting them wear you. And even if your outfit doesn't work for someone else, wear what works for you.

Peace.

Outfit Post: Fall Pastels.

Sweatshirt: Thrift,DIY / Skirt:  Mr. P / Sneakers: Walmart

"Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure." -Oprah Winfrey

 Fall is in full swing right now, and I love it. With the leaves changing colors and that crisp air, it's perfect sweatshirt weather. If you love sweatshirts like me, why not take your sweatshirt game up a notch and opt for a cropped version? You can find them in some trendier stores now, or you can take an old sweatshirt and cut it yourself. I found this one at a second hand store. They always seem to have some retro/goofy sweatshirts that I find myself attracted to.

Peace,
Leslie Anne

Style Post: Blue Cut-Out Dress.

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." -Audre Lorde

I've found myself in a bit of an Afrocentric vibe lately, and my style has definitely reflected that. In this look, I took this short dress with cutouts (which I found at the thrift store) and added bold accessories to make the look better fit my style. The big elephant necklace and turban headband each add elements to this look that are more Afrocentric in nature.

Style Post: Black and White

Dress: Thifted / Shoes: GoJane

"Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure."  -Oprah Winfrey

Style Post: 4th of July.

Top: Wet Seal / Shorts: thrifted / Shoes: Go Jane

“Freedom lies in being bold.” ― Robert Frost

Happy Independence Day! There's nothing I love more than a holiday that gets you off work...praise the Lordt. This isn't exactly a red, white, and blue outfit, but it has hints of reds, blue, and nude, which on a scale of 1 - Patriotic, is about a 5. And I'm ok with that because America's been tap dancing on my nerves lately anyway, lol. :)

I wore these thrifted Hawaiian print shorts with a denim crop top and finished the look with a bold nude necklace and jelly sandals. I love getting old shorts because they're usually high waisted with a modest length, and if you want them shorter, a pair of scissors is all you need.

So what are you guys up to this weekend? I may go party in DC, but I'll probably stay at home with my fiance and Penelope (pup) and grill, pop fireworks, and drink some tasty ass rum. :)

Celebrate. And keep it peaceful, friends!

-Leslie Anne

How to Style: Short Bodycon Dress

Dress: Foerver 21 / Wrap: Unknown / Shoes: Nine West 

The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within - strength, courage, dignity. -Ruby Dee

 Happy Monday!

This outfit is definitely channeling Mother Africa. It's a fun, summertime outfit for the beach, a funky festival, or any type of eclectic crowd. To me, short bodycon dresses can sometimes come off like you're two seconds from going to the club, especially if you're wearing heels. So I decided to throw this wrap I bought while on vacation in Antigua around my waist, paying special attention to position the opening right at the top of my thigh to show a little leg....cuz I'm fancy like that.  

Style Post: Afro Puffs

Jeans: Levi / Top: Ebay / Sandals: F21 / Visor: F21

"Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong." - Ella Fitzgerald 

Style Post: Overall Love.

Top: Rue 21 / Overalls: Thrifted / Heels: GoJane

"I was a young woman with an evolved mind who was not afraid of her beauty or her sexuality. For some people that’s uncomfortable. They didn’t understand how female and strong work together. Or young and wise. Or Black and divine." -Lauryn Hill

It's that time of the week again....Monday! For most of us that means it's time to get back to work, but for bloggers, work never stops. I took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend, and styled these thrifted overalls. I really like the way the outfit came together, though a solid color crop top in the same style would look great as well.

Overalls have grown in popularity this year, with the denim trend booming, but I generally see them styled in only one way. And that's form fitting pants-overalls with a nice top and heels. I prefer the baggier style more reminiscent of the 90's, so when I found these at the thrift store, excitement level was on 10. Check out more pics after the link and let me know what you think!

Are you loving the recent denim trend? How do you style your overalls?

Style Post: Palazzo Pants.

Turban: UO / Top: F21 / Pants: UO / Shoes: Christian Siriano for Payless

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping it's dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.” -Tupac Shakur

Solange's Japanese-Inspired Shoot for The Ground Magazine.

Photog: Seiji Fujimori

Styled by Nick Nelson, Solange is giving major Japanese glam in The Ground magazine's Issue #4. In the issue, she talks about her music journey, fashion, natural hair, and inspiring others. She says:

“It’s interesting that genres even still exist. How do you define pop or indie or R&B when the Internet gives us exposure to so much these days? I don’t see the point of trying, but it’s exciting to experience the beautiful evolution of music and I’m honored to be part of it,” Knowles reflects. “Even as a young girl, I listened to so much. I went through an angsty Alanis Morissette phase, and then I had an electronic phase, [and] then my Rasta phase. I would listen to Houston rappers like Kiki and Big Moe at the same time as Björk. I’d get teased at school but it’s great … that sort of thing isn’t questioned anymore.”

I can definitely relate! Head over to thegroundmag.com for the full interview, and check more pics from the shoot below.

Style Post: Peter Pilotto x Target Look 2.

Blouse: Peter Pilotto x Target / Skirt: F21 / Heels: Go Jane / Clutch: by me :)

"Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live." — Gianni Versace

Hey guys! If you read Monday's Style Post, you already know that this week, each of my style posts will feature one Peter Pilotto x Target item.  This outfit's item is this amazing button-up floral print and lace blouse. I love the contrasting colors in the blouse and the sheer sleeves! Rather than pair it with bottoms that matched the top, I thought an olive green skirt would be fun with bold, blood orange heels.

Style Post: Peter Pilotto x Target Look 1.

Sweatshirt: Peter Pilotto x Target / White jeans: Target / Heels: Forever 21 / Wallet: Deu Lux

Peter Pilotto creates fun designs with the most amazing patterns that would normally be too expensive for the average gal to afford. Thanks to designer collaborations with stores like Target and H&M, we get high fashion designs that are now also affordable. Just as a reference point, a Peter Pilotto sweatshirt is normally $800, while this one retails $30. Bonkers, I know.

I planned on buying something from the Peter Pilotto for Target collection, maybe an item or two, but I ended up walking out of there with 4 things. I've styled each of those pieces in the way I thought was best for me. Be sure to check back throughout the week to see each look.

Did you get anything from the Peter Pilotto x Target collection? 

Style Post: T.G.I.Spring.

"It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together." - Alexander McQueen 

Hey! Here's my latest style post: Thank God It's Spring! For this outfit, I'm wearing a mixture of thrift store finds and Forever 21. My hat and shirt are vintage, and my peach pants and "What Ever" loafers are from Forever 21. I'm still loving crop-tops and high-waist paints, so they'll definitely be staples in my wardrobe this season. Take a look below and let me know what you think.

What are you guys up to this weekend? I'm excited to take it slow and enjoy the lovely weather before we possibly get whacked more snow next week. Have a good one! :)

Harper's Bazaar: "Solange: The Cool Girl on the Block."

"For the first time in my life, I'm basing every decision around the idea of whether I want to do it or if I think it will be inspiring. And that's paid off for me." -Solange

Styled in Moschino, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Marni, and Manolo Blahnik, Solange owns her latest shoot with Harper's Bazaar. I'm loving every style, with the Moschino jumpsuit and Chanel dress being my favorites. And that hair is doing everything and more.

Check out the full story here and amazingly vibrant photos shot by Julia Noni below:

Style Post: St. Patty's Day.

Sweater: H&M / White shirt: Urban Outfitters / Pants: Forever21 / Shoes: Go Jane /
 Bag: Nila Anthony

"Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions." -Coco Chanel

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. Which for me, only brought back memories of The Luck of the Irish on Disney Channel. I wore this outfit to work; throwing together two bold prints. I think it works because both articles of clothing have a solid color with black printed patterns. It's color blocking, just with patterns. Additionally, in my attempt to create a pop of color (with the green), somehow I began wearing the Irish flag. Awkward.

Style Post: East Coast vs West Coast.

Muscle Tee: Urban Outfitters / Tuxedo Pants: Wet Seal / Shoes: Go Jane

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition." -Martha Washington

Tuxedo pants and a Tupac/ Biggie muscle tee? Don't mind if I do. The little bit of red in my shirt was just begging for some red shoes to come along and be it's friend. And with it being so easy to mix and match primary colors, why not? The high today is 74. I'm about to go do cartwheels in the park.

Peace.

Style Post: Sunny Daze.

Shirt and blazer: Vintage / Pants: Urban Outfitters

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -Anthony J. D'Angelo

 This post is my big eff you to today's winter storm here in Virginia. These pictures are from last weekend when it was in the high 60s and right now it's about 10 degrees. Now. How does that even make sense? Global warming I tell ya. Anywho, I can't wait until Spring shows its pretty face. Because I'm over the snow days.

Did you guys get that crazy weather? 

Black in the Day: Betty Davis.

Black History Month has inspired me to start a new year-round series highlighting influential, stylish African Americans from back in the day. I wanted to debut this series with funk queen Betty Davis. She was a model, funk singer, writer, and all around badass. I mean, look at these pictures.

Hair: Hask Product Review + My Wash & Go Routine [VIDEO]

The good folks over at *Hask sent me a whole boat load of products that I was really excited to try out. This included both Argan Oil and Keratin Protein shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, shine oil, and twistbands. And they were all in an adorable blue shower caddy. #schwing

Since I went natural, it's been really exciting to try out new hair products. I'm always looking for great moisturizing products that are also good for your hair. And by "good" I mean sulfate and paraben free. See the sulfates are usually what create the lather in your shampoo, and parabens are essentially cosmetic preservatives. Both sulfates and parabens have been under fire recently because they're linked to cancer, fertility issues, and skin irritation, blah blah blah...which is why many companies, like Hask, are offering sulfate and paraben free products. 

Here are a few key things you should know:

Hair: My Big Chop [Video]

I finally uploaded my big chop video to Youtube. Please check it out, especially if you are considering going natural. I transitioned for about 6 months before I big chopped and it was definitely the right decision for me.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know in the comment section below.