Happy New Year!

I have been very blessed, over the past year and I am very grateful! I have made stronger friendships and new friendships; I have learned a lot, spiritually; I have progressed in my academic and music studies; and I have had the privilege and enjoyment in enhancing this blog, over the past months. Thank you for your interest and support in this blog. I cannot wait to see what the new year brings! Happy New Year and Happy 2014!

Tips & Secrets: How to Mix Different Prints

Prints can be challenging to mix-and-match. Therefore, people like to avoid this task. However, if they know how to overcome this challenge, new and exciting opportunities are available, when it comes to piecing together the next perfect outfit. This post is intended to help inform people on how to mix-and-match new outfits.

Chevron Print
Chevron is a very popular print, however, it can be difficult to mix with another print.

Floral Print
One of the best prints to mix with a colorful Chevron Print is a black & white Floral Print.

Here is how I pieced these two prints together....
(I used a bright-colored Chevron Print and a black & white Floral Print.)











                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                      Stripes Print

                                              A couple of suggested prints to mix Stripe Prints with, include              Polka Dot Prints and Floral Prints.

Heart & Polka Dot Print
It is suggested to make sure, that when mixing two different prints, that there is at least one common color, between the two prints.

Here is an example of how I pieced a Stripes Print with a Polka Dot Print.... (The common colors between the two prints are black and white.)

Here is another example of how I paired a Stripes Print with a Polka Dot Print....
(The common color between these two prints is black.)













Stripes Print












Floral Print
(The common colors between these two prints are black & white.)








                                                                                                                                                                     
http://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2010/05/07/c7090c597833.jpeg
http://www.vinylwarehouse.co.uk/ekmps/shops/vinyl/images/-floral-print-sticky-vinyl-45cm-x-2m-[2]-507-p.jpg

http://content.mycutegraphics.com/backgrounds/pink/pink2.gif
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1WnOdhTu7fzUVtVRIUb2FxinCoT840kNDP2j2Qoc3oa2_McZAXrbLV_HklYISF6Tz1fyuaQAJErZ8zsNGiqrP9yarOrT-SNmD6RdZQNhOPMwMDqKAXBB5E6SwtOXl7KwG9q0uSdwjfg/s1600/100_1698.JPG
http://img0.etsystatic.com/006/0/5791803/il_570xN.355852488_97r9.jpg

Monday Outfit

Outfit
Blue Sweater: Gift
Black Dress: JCPenny; $20
Black Winter Leggings: Gift

Accessories
Gold Earrings: Gift
Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift
Bracelets: Gift; Part of a set
Gold, Sequen Flats: JCPenny; $10

Hair
Simple Bun

Church Outfit

I love how these two prints (chevron and flower) compliment each other, so well!

Outfit
Black & White Flower Print Blouse: Borrowed
White Tank Top: Target; $8
Black Skirt: Target; $15

Accessories
Feather Earrings: Part of a set
Orange & White Chevron Print Infinity Scarf: Gift
Black Belt: Gift
Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Friday

Outfit
Gray Blazer: Gift
Black Blouse: Gift
Light Teal Tank Top: Borrowed
Jeans: Bealls; $20

Accessories
Light Teal Scarf: Gift
Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Hair
Simple Bun

"Twas The Night Before Christmas..."

"...there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12'This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

      14'Glory to God in the highest,
          And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'

~Luke 2:8-14

Outfit
Pajama Set: Stocking Stuffer
Sweater: Gift

Annual Christmas Eve Church Service

I went a little bold with this outfit! I researched fashion trends for Christmas 2013 and put this outfit together...

Outfit
Nude Half-sleeved Sweater: Gift [Stemmed off of suggested color (cream)]
Black Dress: JCPenny; $20 (Suggested color)

Accessories
Bronze-colored Earrings: Part of a set
Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift (Suggestment: Statement necklace)
Gold Glitter Pencil Skirt: Gift (Suggestment: Gold/Sequins)
Red Pantyhose: Gift (Suggested color)
Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Hair
Curled

Christmas Progressive Dinner

Outfit
Black & White Dress: Target; $8

Accessories
Cross Earrings: Gift
Chain Necklace: Gift
Jean Jacket: Gift
Red Belt: Gift
Green Bracelet: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Casual Outfit

Outfit
Floral-print Dress: Gift
Black Lace Tanktop: Rue21; $5
Gold Glitter Pencil Skirt: Gift

Accessories
White Leggings: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Monday Outfit

Braving the mixing of patterns!

Outfit
Black & Purple Sweater: Gift
Skirt: Plato's Closet; $5

Accessories
Chain Necklace: Gift
Black Belt: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Christmas Dinner Party

I love how this outfit, hair and make-up turned out! It was perfect for a Christmas party!

Outfit

Black Dress: JCPenny; $20

Sweater: Maurice's; $20

Accessories

Gold Earrings: Gift

Diamond Heart Necklace: Gift

Bracelets: Gift; Part of a set

Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Tuesday Outfit

Outfit
Black Dress: JCPenny; $20

Accessories
Peacock Earrings: Part of a set
Turquoise Necklace: Gift
Black Blazer: Forever21; $15
Turquoise Leggings: Gift
Gold, Sequen Flats: JCPenny; $10

Monday Outfit

Outfit
Navy Blue Dress: Gift

Accessories
Blue Diamond Earrings: Gift
White Jacket: Gift
Navy Blue & Yellow Scarf: Ardene's (Canadian store); Part of a set
Gray Boots: Borrowed

Hair
Simple bun

Church Outfit

Outfit
Black & Purple Sweater: Gift
Black Skirt: Target; $15

Accessories
Black Belt: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Church Outfit

Outfit
Black Blazer: Forever21; $15
Mustard Yellow Tank Top: Papaya's; $3
White V-Neck Tee: Target; $5
Black & White Striped Maxi Skirt: Borrowed

Accessories
Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift
Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Friday Outfit

Outfit
White Sweater: Gift
Eggplant Long-sleeved Shirt: Gift
Jean Skirt: Gift

Accessories
Bronze-colored Earrings: Part of a set
Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift
Black Belt: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Pearls n' Pink Christmas Decor

It is my family's tradition to start decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. However, this year, we got ahead of the game and started decorating for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving Day. Therefore, my sister and I were able to decorate our room ON Thanksgiving Day. Here is an inside look to our room. The Christmas theme is Pearls n' Pink....

 We added a purple pearl wreath to our door.

We strung pink pearls across our window, using tacks.

 We arranged this "Joy" sign with white pearls and fake snow.

             We arranged white and pink pearls and fake snow around an Eiffel Tower piece of decor.

Here is our little Christmas tree! The Christmas tree was originally a baby pink. However, last year, we spray-painted it silver. (In places, the pink still shows, so, it's a really cool mix of colors!)

Here is a close-up of our tree... We added white lights; pink and white pearls; pink, silver, glittery white, glittery silver, a silver icicle and a clear snowflake Christmas ornaments. We skirted the tree with a pink skirt.

The Christmas decorations used to decorate our room, were collected over the past years. Therefore, I cannot give exact specifications as to where all of these decorations came from and their prices. However, here are some details about where you can buy similar Christmas decorations and the prices....

Wreath
6" Mini Purple Artificial Tinsel Christmas Wreath - Unlit: Wal-Mart; $1.99

Fake Snow
2 oz. White Iridescent Artificial Powder Snow Twinkle Flakes for Christmas Decorating: Wal-Mart; $2.99

Tree
3' Pre-Lit Flocked Cupcake Pink Artificial Christmas Tree - Clear LED Lights: Wal-Mart; $64.99
Club Pack of 24 Pink Magenta Glitter Snowflake Christmas Ornaments 4": Wal-Mart; $8.99
20ct Bubblegum Pink Shatterproof 4-Finish Christmas Ball Ornaments 2.75" (70mm): Wal-Mart;              $14.99
8ct Bubblegum Pink Shatterproof 4-Finish Finial Drop Christmas 5.5": Wal-Mart; $6.99
Peach Pink Cultured Round Potato Pearls 5-6mm (15.5 Inch Strand): Wal-Mart; $3.75
6' Tell a Story Elegant Faux White Pearl Beaded Christmas Garland - Unlit: Wal-Mart; $9.99
Darice 18" Pink & White Mini Tree Skirt With Glittered Snowflakes: Wal-Mart; $5.95

Thanksgiving Day Outfit

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that everyone found many things to be thankful for! Personally, a few things that I am thankful for, include my family and friends; God's faithfulness; and my blog viewers.

This is the outfit that I pieced together for Thanksgiving Day...

Outfit
Winter LBD: Gift

Accessories
Feather Earrings: JCPenny; Part of a set
Olive Green Scarf: Gift
Bracelets: Gift; Part of a set
Red Flats: Target; $8

Thursday Outfit

One of my friends helped me come up with this outfit, incorporating cool winter colors...

Outfit
Glittery Gray Sweater: Plato's Closet; About $5
White V-Neck T-shirt: Target; $5
Gray Tank Top: Gift
Jean Skirt: Gift

Accessories 
Gold, Diamond Earrings: Gift
Aqua-blue Scarf: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Eventful Day

Today, I have a variety of events that I am attending. I am very excited about the fact that I found the perfect autumn outfit that can easily and quickly be transformed into the style that I need to fit each activity.

Hair

Simple side twist

Outfit

Nude Half-sleeved Sweater: Gift

White V-neck Tee Shirt: Target; $5

Mustard Yellow Tank Top: Papaya's; $3

Black Skirt: Target; $15/Jeans: Bealls; $20

Accessories

Bronze-colored Earrings: Part of a set

Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift

Belt: Part of a set

Red Purse: Gift

Red Flats: Target; $8 

Monday Outfit

I am really excited about how this outfit turned out!

Outfit
Nude Half-sleeved Sweater: Gift
Green Tank Top: Maurice's; $10
Black Tank Top: Rue21; $5
Jean Skirt: Gift

Accessories
Feather Earrings: JCPenny; Part of a set
Cheetah-print Necklace: Gift
Gold/Bronze Bracelets: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Thursday Outfit

Today, I wanted to try out my blazer with jeans for a casual look. I love how this outfit turned out!

Outfit
Black Blazer: Forever 21; $15
Mustard Yellow Tank Top: Papaya's; $3
Gray Tank Top: Garage (Canadian store); $5
Jeans: Bealls; $20

Accessories
Gold, Diamond Earrings: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Tuesday Outfit

On Tuesday, in addition to going to school, I went to an interview.... I had to interview an executive director of an organization, for a project. I incorporated my blazer- for a more "formal" look- and my boots for the cool and rainy day.

Outfit
Black Blazer: Forever 21; $15
Green Tank Top: Maurice's; $10
White Tank Top: Target; $8
Skirt: Plato's Closet; $5

Accessories
Pearl Earrings: Gift
Pearl Necklace: Target; $15
Black Boots: Gift

Tuesday

I am so excited about my new blazer, that I just bought, this weekend! Here is how I incorporated it into an outfit...

Outfit
Black Blazer: Forever 21; $15
White V-Neck Tee: Target; $5
Green Tank-top: Maurice's; $10
Skirt: Gift

Accessories
Gold, Diamond Earrings: Gift
Gold Cross Necklace: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

With fall already here and winter just around the corner, I found this really neat video tutorial that demonstrates how to wear a scarf 25 different ways. It does a run-through of each style and then, at the end of the video, you can click on any style that you would like, to see a slower and more detailed demonstration. What style are you going to try?

Clavinova Festival

Just about every year, I participate in a "Clavinova Festival". At the festival, each performer gets the opportunity to play on a Clavinova, which is a digital piano, containing a huge variety of features. The performers may choose how they would like to dress (formally, casually or in a costume) This year, I chose to dress in a costume. The song that I am playing is "Music of the Night" from the popular "Phantom of the Opera".

Here is a picture of Christine Daae's attire during the scene of this song...








Here is a picture of the costume that I am going to wear to the festival...

White Costume Robe: Made by my mom
Gold Dress: Gift
Gold Flats: JCPenny; $10

I am really excited to play at the festival and love how my costume turned out!










*The top picture was provided by the following website: http://danzaclas.altervista.org/onthestage/galleria12.htm

Sock Hop

A few weeks ago, my school held our annual sock hop-which was a blast!- This is what I wore to the dance...

Hair
High pony-tail

Outfit
Blouse: Gift
Black Skirt: Target; $15

Accessories
Black Scarf: Borrowed
Red Belt: Gift
Bobby Socks: Wal-Mart; $1
Black & White Flats: Famous Footwear; $15

Tuesday Outfit

I was really excited to break out my winter "LBD" for this year! I love how this casual and comfortable outfit turned out...

Outfit
Winter LBD: Gift

Accessories
Feather Earrings: JCPenny; Part of a set
Olive Green Scarf: Gift
Gold/Bronze/Red Bracelet Set: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

Wednesday Outfit

 Outfit

Glittery Gray Sweater: Plato's Closet; About $5 (I use this sweater all of the time! It is one of the best purchases that I have made.)

White V-Neck Tee: Target; $5

Gray Tank Top: Gift

Black Skirt: Target; $15 

Accessories

Black Boots: Gift

Pink and Gray Scarf: Francesca's; About $28

Monday Outfit

Outfit

Black Dress: JCPenny; $20

White Jacket: Gift

Accessories

Peacock Feather Earrings: Gift

Gold Cross Necklace: Gift

Brown Flats: Famous Footwear; $30

Church Outfit

Outfit

Purple Dress: Gift

Accessories:

Black Bead Necklace: Gift

Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Tuesday Outfit

I love how this outfit turned out!

Hair
Half-up, half-down

Outfit
White Jacket: Gift (I LOVE wearing this jacket! I can do SO many different things with it!)
Mustard Yellow Tank Top: Papaya's; $3
Gray Tank Top: Gift
Skirt: Plato's Closet; about $5

Accessories
Gold, Diamond Earrings: Gift
Gold Cross Necklace: Gift
Brown Flats: Famous Footwear; $30

Monday Outfit

Hair
Brushed

Outfit
Black Sweater: Gift
White V-neck Tee: Target; $5
Tank Top: Garage; $5
Black Skirt: Target; $15

Accessories
Diamond Studded Earrings: Gift
Gray Scarf: Gift (A couple of my best friends gave this to me, last weekend. I am very excited about it! I love it!)
Diamond Studded Cross Bracelet: Gift
Black Boots: Gift

My Art Bin

   














Last week, my art teacher told me that if I wanted, I could keep a box of my art supplies in his classroom. So, this weekend, I went to Target and bought a neat storage bin, organized it and decorated it. I love how it turned out and cannot wait to take it to class, tomorrow!

Necessary Items

• Storage bin (I bought mine at Target for about $8)
• Zipper bag(s) (I used an old make-up bag) 
• Small metal bucket(s)
• All-purpose Markers (I used "Chalk Ink Wet Wipe Markers")

Directions

• Organize art supplies (or other supplies such as scrapbooking supplies/school supplies/etc.) into containers and arrange the containers inside the bin
• Decorate/personalize the lid of the storage bin, using the markers 

Church Outfit

Outfit
Black & White Dress: Target; $8
Emerald Green Sweater: Maurice's; $20

Accessories
Purple Studded Earrings: Gift
Black Jewel & Cross Necklace: Gift
Diamond Studded Cross Bracelet: Gift
Silver High-heeled Sandals: Maurice's; $20

Hairstyle
Brushed

Church Outfit

Outfit
Black Blouse: Gift
Green Tank-top: Maurice's; $10
Lace Skirt: Shasa; $17

Accessories
Peacock Feather Earrings: Gift
Gold Bracelets: Gift
Nude High Heels: Rue21; $20

Hairstyle How-to:
Half-up, half-down twist- Make a half-up, half-down pony-tail. Take the pony-tail and twist and coil the small section of hair and place another pony-tail over the "mini-bun".

Make-up
Foundation; bronzer; brown eye liner; black mascara; pink lip gloss