Accessories

My Favorite New Accessory

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You might think from the title of this post that I’m going to rave about a new scarf I snagged during Black Friday (p.s. I almost never shop on Black Friday) or a beautiful lady handbag I was gifted on my birthday last week. Those are good guesses, but my favorite new accessory is (drum roll please)…my box braids!


I know you’re probably thinking, how can a hairstyle be an accessory? Well, I’ve learned that the right hairstyle can be the perfect complement to any outfit. Think about how a sophisticated updo can elevate the elegance level of a strapless gown or how a high ponytail can increase the sleek factor of a cropped jacket, skinny jeans and pumps. I’ve been experimenting with my new accessory for a little over a month now and before getting them, never really knew how much fun I would have coming up with styles to match my outfits.

From a top bun to a half up and half down style, my box braids definitely get me excited about getting up and getting dressed in the morning. Before getting the braids, I was feeling a little uninspired by the clothing and accessory options in my closet. As crazy as it might sound, my new hairstyle has inspired me to fall in love with my closet all over again.

Now, for a little backstory…I was EXTREMELY hesitant about getting box braids. Working in a corporate environment that lacks diversity really had me second guessing if getting this type of hairstyle would be a good move. I’m not the type of person that likes a lot of attention and I KNEW getting braids would cause comments, questions and stares (all things I wanted to avoid) from my colleagues. After weeks of contemplation, I FINALLY bit the bullet and decided to get my hair braided and I have not regretted it for a minute!

Since getting the braids, I’ve learned two things…

  1. The answer to an uninspired closet isn’t always a trip to the mall
  2. The (potential) reactions from others shouldn’t hold you back from trying a new style

So, if you’re stuck in a style rut or are on the fence about trying something new, don’t be afraid to jump over the fence and look for inspiration in unconventional forms.

Now, I’d love to learn about the new accessories you’re excited about. Leave a comment below and let me know!

Have a great week!

xoxo,
shannon b.

How to Dress for Wishy-Washy Weather

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As I was driving home last week wearing a two-piece wool ensemble in 40 degree weather, I had a quick meeting with God. It went something like this:

“Aren’t we in April? Where’s the warm weather? Why am I wearing wool in spring?”

I’m still waiting on a response from him, but I understand he’s rather busy. I’ll just be patient. In the mean time I started to question myself about how to dress for this crazy weather. And I figured, if I had questions then I’m sure you do too. So I put together a few wardrobe pieces that I think will help us weather this inconsistent season.

Medium-weight scarf

I’m sure I made up the term medium-weight scarf, but I’m trying to emphasize the importance of the material. I wouldn’t recommend a wool scarf nor would I recommend a feather-light weight scarf either. You need something right in the middle. A scarf is a great accessory, but during those confusingly cold spring days, they can provide great warmth. I recommend getting a sweater long enough to wrap around your arms. Since I’m done with stockings for the rest of the year, I even used a scarf to wrap around my legs last week while I was in the office because I’m 100 percent sure the air conditioner was on!

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ASOS Oversized Scarf In Herringbone With Tassels

 

Open-toe booties

Soooo, for many years I was really against open-toe booties. I just didn’t get the concept. Boots were made to keep your feet warm. Cutting a whole at the top, seemed oxymornish to me…until I found a pair that I really fell in love with. Now, I have more than a few open-toe booties in my closet. Now that I’m reformed, I highly recommend open-toe booties for those wishy-washy weather days because they’re perfect in the morning when it’s still rather cold outside and you need something to keep your feet warm. By the time you head out for lunch and it’s warmed up a bit, your little toesies will be grateful to feel the warmth of the sun.

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Vince Addie Sandal

Long sleeveless jacket 

I’ve admired long sleeveless jackets for the past few seasons. They provide just enough coverage on your torso to keep you warm, but don’t extend down to your wrists like a typical jacket or coat. Sleeveless jackets are versatile and allow you to mix textures and colors. For example, the sleeveless jacket might be suede and the long sleeve shirt you wear under it might be satin material. Sleeveless jackets look great with a spring dress, midi skirt, flare jeans, a silky blouse, etc.  The key word here is versatility.

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Glamorous Stone Long Sleeveless Jacket 

Fingers crossed that the weather will stabilize soon, but in the mean time, I think these three pieces will help you get through the inconsistency. What staple item are you relying on during this wishy-washy season?

XOXO,
shannon b.