Happy MLK Day everybody! Oh yeah and Happppy New Year!! Wait…Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving too. Yeah…that’s how long it’s been. Blame life. (work, kids, stuff, and pinterest) I must apologize to my people out there who took the time to follow my lil ol blog. I promise to do better in 2012… I promise!
2012!!!
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited about this year and it’s been pretty interesting so far. I’m looking forward to new beginnings, renewed purpose, and turning 30!!! Something about turning 30 makes you zoom in to your own individuality and what’s most important and necessary involving relationships and family, career goals and paths, and even how you look. And since this is a blog focused on personal style, I’m sharing the deets on my new outlook on fashion, hair health, and beauty as well as some new allies that will be joining my arsenal in 2012. My mantra for 2012: Focus on outwardly reflecting the optimism that I’m feeling on the inside.
Let’s get right into it…
[ Not only am I working on the most obvious resolution, getting my body in shape, but I’m also beginning to realize the importance of creating a more positive mental image of the body I’m working with right now. And that positive body image needs to reflect in my wardrobe…Instead of feeling that “my body makes certain clothes look bad”, I’m choosing to focus on certain clothes that make my body look BADDDD (bad meaning good not bad meaning bad).
FAVORITE WARDROBE ADDITION
THAT WILL ROCK IN 2012!
This black sweater knit cotton skirt from the Sophia Vergara line at KMart is everything to me and probably my favorite clothing purchase of 2011! And from Kmart of all places! Not that I’m a snob about where I buy my clothes…I’m just more of a Targét girl 
Sophia Vergara for KMart
The details make all the difference between this skirt and a regular ol mini. The ruching is very flattering on my curves and forgiving of any lumps and bumps. It can be worn high on the waist (which is how I prefer it because it adds length to my short legs, balancing out my longer torso) or stretched and worn low on the hips to create a near knee length pencil skirt look. It can be dressed down or up, worn with boots, pumps, or flats, and layered over tights or under blazers, tunics, or sweaters. I love to pair this with a billowy flowing top to balance wide hips and hide not so shapely arms. Absolutely perfect addition to the collection! And the price was oh so right. Can you say clearance for $12?!
Here’s me rocking the skirt on NYE…
This skirt seems to be in limited availability and is clearancing out but for some alternatives check out…
Free People black ruched mesh mini Rachel Pally Cinched Front Mini Asos Club L Ruched Skirt
Sale $47.19 $165 Sale $35.81
Honorable Mention: Platform Pumps!!! I’m sooo not a “heels girl”…as a matter of fact I’m not really a big “shoe girl” (I know I should be stoned). But I realize the magic that they can create for an outfit, my posture, and height. Platform pumps can perform miracles with the illusion of extra heel height supported by the platform. Finding the right ones can still require a lot of searching but these babies have definitely come through for me in the clutch and will be rocked in 2012!
[ Next and just as important…I’m focusing on giving my hair the attention it craves. Not too long before the new year I did some major chopping starting about here…
To This…
About a good five inches. Not tooooo drastic. But I hate when I have to chop my hair due to negligence. Yes negligence. Stemming from detangling too infrequently, too many wash n go’s, and not protecting at night. I have recently realized just how fine in texture my hair is. This means that my strands are relatively weak and delicate and MUST be pampered in order to prevent breakage.
FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCT THAT WILL ROCK IN 2012…
Kinky Curly Knot Today!!!! I know, I know…I’m late to this party. It has been a fave amongst natural/kinky/curly ladies since it’s creation years ago. But I love to resist the norm… *shrug*, especially at a borderline high price tag ($12 at Target). For those of you who are like me, let me tell you…this stuff is the BEES KNEES!!! Meaning awesome and definitely worth the cost. Used as a detangler, it simply melts knots and tangles. It’s a dream on my hair as well as my two daughters. And we all have different textures. Life is so much easier since torturing hair combing sessions have been reduced by at least half the time. Used as a leave-in, it defines and shines my curls and leaves them moisturized but not greasy at all. I will definitely be using this to keep my hair detangled more frequently which will reduce unnecessary shedding and breakage. KEEPER!!
Honorable Mention: OLD SCHOOL HAIR GREASE. Yes, petroleum…mineral oil…parabens and all. Old school grease (think Blue Magic, Magic GRO, Indian Hemp) has made a comeback. Surprise Surprise…women are fickle. Warning! While some use this a sealant over oils, I only use it for braid and twist-outs (nothing I’ve seen creates shinier deeper sets). I also wouldn’t recommend putting this on your scalp because of the pore-clogging tendencies of some of the ingredients. Finally, a nice clarifying wash should follow to prevent dullness, dryness over time, and hair that is attractive to lint.
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