Beauty Style Growth: June 2014

Floor Length Striped Maxi

It's maxi season again and I think Target had me in mind when they designed this dress. Perfect for my apple inverted triangle body type. Not clingy, hides the tummy and enlarges the hips a little, and most importantly, so comfortable. I also love the slits. I'm carrying the bag the second time this week. It is a cross body bag with removable straps and it is my birthday present to myself just because I had ordered it and it showed up on my door step on my birthday. And Speaking of that, I did promise a birthday giveaway and it's coming.

So, have you found your perfect maxi?

Target Merona maxi dress, striped maxi dress, nine west low wedge sandals

Dress - Target / Black and White Option
Bag - Nine West
Necklace - Tiny Dazzles
Sandals - Nine West / Similar / Similar / Similar

Link ups: The pleated Poppy, Random Wednesday, I Feel Pretty, Summer Style, Fashion A La Mode
Look What I Got

Cobalt Bottom and a Lesson on Faith

P.S. my blog is under construction. Excuse the appearance.

How was your weekend?. Mine was awesome. Really enjoying this warm weather. There is just something great about the weather. I spent time with family and the highlight of the week was delivering the sermon in church on Sunday (I do that once in a while to fill in), and how great the service was with everything else that went on. Whatever you are believing God for, step out in faith, act on your faith and press through for your miracle. The true measure of faith is in action, speaking, doing and walking.

I was finally happy to wear this cobalt skirt to church. I keep buying all these colored skirts which are not really appropriate for work and they end up sitting in my closet. I wore it the first time to work (here), but I was conscious the whole time. Our choir uniform was cobalt and blue again and I decided to do cobalt on the bottom and add the pop of pink...or is it orchid? Anyway, I like the way it looks with the cobalt blue. When next you wear cobalt, try it with hot pink or orchid.
Have a blessed week!

The distance between your miracle and reality is action.

Tiny dazzles necklace, J Crew necklace, hop pink bag

Peplum and pencil skirt, the limited pencil skirt, bcgb pumps

Peplum top - Macy's / Similar / Similar / Sleeveless / Cap Sleeve / Polka Dot
Skirt - The Limited / Option / Option
Necklace - Tiny Dazzles
Bag - Nine West / Different Color
Pumps - BCGB

Link ups: Mix it Monday, Monday Bloom, Monday Mingle, I would so Rock this, Style Elixir

Summer Suit and my 9 to 5

We had an event at my job this week and we were told to be in business casual attire. I took it up a notch by making it a business attire. I swapped the jacket that came with the suit with a short sleeved one.

I'm joining the #9to5 Total Social link up with Helene in Between this month to share my day job with you. It's amazing how we call it "day" job and not just " job". Many women today are juggling their real jobs with more creative and fulfilling endeavors. Not to talk of motherhood and everything else. So, I work as a project engineer / manager during the day and I blog, sell Avon and a soon to be consulting business in-between and at night. At my day job, I manage multiple testing projects that come through the door.

I carry this big bag because I take my business everywhere with me....planner, books, notebooks, Avon brochures, phone, iPad and so on...I'm hoping my side hustle becomes my main hustle soon.

What's your 9 to 5 or "day job"? Because I know you do something on the side too.

Click here to see a post I did on running a successful side hustle.

Jacket - AGB via Macy's / Similar / Similar Pants - Target (really old) / Option / Similar Peep toe pumps - Madden Girl / Similar / Similar / Similar / Similar Tote - FranklinCoveyBusiness Lucca iPad Tote (Blue)

Link ups: 9 to 5 Social, Fashion Friday, Style Elixir

Green Gingham and Burgundy

So I turned 40 and this was my birthday outfit. Actually it was work wear for the day I turned 40. I hope you guys will not stop reading my blog because you realize that you've been reading an old lady's blog. I'm thankful for another year and for God's goodness, mercy and protection and all He's doing in my life. Now I'm determined to do even much more and accomplish all my dreams. I wish I had known everything I learned in the past few years many years ago. It looks like I'm going to be doing more now than I've ever done before. I've actually done that over the years. I remember when I was single and working I did nothing but work, church and rest. Now I'm married, working, I have kids, run a blog, run two businesses and serve in the kingdom. Life is so much fun now and I'm determined to make it more fun and fulfilling. Now back to the outfit: The shirt has been sitting in my closet for a while because it never looked right every time I wore it but it worked with this skirt. Again, that's because of my body shape. I bought the shirt to fit over my chest and it's too big everywhere else, so tucking it in or layering it under a jacket or cardigan are the best ways for me to wear it.

merona pencil skirt, gap gingham, brown wedge

Gingham Shirt - Gap / Similar / Dress Option Pencil Skirt - Target / Similar / Polka dot Option Wedges - Payless / Option / Dark Brown / Ankle Strap / Peep Toe Link ups: The Pleated Poppy, I Feel Pretty, Random Wednesday, Mix and Match Fashion

Brown Navy and Burgundy and Birthday Fun

This is not a full outfit post. What you're seeing here is the only portion of the picture, and the only picture out of the many pictures I took that turned out nice enough to post. I'm still learning people...as mentioned in my last post. But I do love these three colors together and thought to share the outfit with with you. I also styled the printed pants in a collage here.

My birthday is this week and I wanted to have some fun with you guys. Can you guess how old I'm going to be? Let me know and I shall reveal with a giveaway later on this week....maybe on Thursday or Friday. Happy Guessing!

Cardigan - Old Navy

Tank top - Old navy

Printed Pants - Target

Link ups: Style Elixir

Orange and Brown / Monochromatic Brown

The Browns

I had to think twice before posting this. Because the sun is causing shadows on my face and brown seems to be boring. But here it is. I need to learn how to take pictures when the sun is not working in my favor. I guess I haven't mastered that yet. There is so much to learn when you are a blogger. I'm even reading this book right now to learn more about blogging and be a better blogger

Back to the outfit- I purchased the brown pencil skirt for church because brown is one of our choir uniform staples. It is one of the skirts I can tuck into even though I am round in the middle so it's a definite keeper. I own the same skirt in navy. It does run big so size down if you purchase it and It is remixed below for you incase you own a brown skirt pencil skirt and need ideas. You can also wear with black, mint, pink, burgundy...anything, because it's a neutral.

Have a great week ahead!

Brown Printed blouse, AGB macy's skirt, pencil skirt for apple shape, modest pencil skirt

Flounce pencil skirt, nine west color block peep toe

Orange and brown, brown floppy hat, orange and leopard, floppy hat

Do you have a favorite look? Does anyone still wear brown skirts?

Printed Blouse - Target (old)

Skirt - Macy's

Shoes - Nine West / Option

Link ups: Mix it Monday, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, I would So Rock This, Monday Bloom

Summer Reading for the Small Business Owner

I'm joining my kids and making a summer reading list for myself. I must admit that my kids read more than I do. My daughter once accused me of not seeing me with a book. I do read occasionally and listen to books but not as much as I should so I'm getting back on track starting now.

Here's what on my list for growing my life, my businesses and my blog. Developing yourself by learning takes you further in life and grows your business. I am currently reading no. 4. for business and No. 1 at the same time. Let me tell you, #Girlboss is the book to read. It's such an easy read if you can get past some of the swearing (don't know why swearing is creeping into the business world these days) and you will learn a lot.

If you have read the book or plan to read it, and if you are serious about growing your business, I will be facilitating a virtual mastermind group on the key learning points in the book and we will discuss, rub minds together and hold ourselves accountable on implementing them. It will be short and sweet. Please sign up here if you are interested and I will send you more details.

You will notice that there is no fiction listed. I wish I could add one but I honestly don't have time to read fiction right now.

mastermind group, #girlboss, grow your small business, self development, personal development, blogging book

1. The #GIRLBOSS 2. Make Every Day a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week 3. Think and Grow Rich 4. The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential 5. Fashion 2.0: Blogging Your Way to The Front Row Apart from the books listed here, I have so many others I bought years ago but never read or read only half way. I know why...I did not really have a why then, I didn't have a reason, I didn't really have a purpose for reading them, even though I was big on personal development then. My purpose has been renewed and better realized now and I tell you, I've been learning in a lot of ways, including jumping into these books the past few weeks. So, if you don't really have a why or have not come to the realization that you really need to grow, why you need to go grow and improve to be successful, these books or anyone for that matter may not be of interest to you. What's on your summer reading list?

Teal and Leopard and Why You Need a Slip

The Dress

I'm remixing my Avon leopard dress for the Joyful June challenge that I've been participating in. I'm really behind now with this challenge but I'll go at my own pace. A printed dress works wonders to hide any kind of flaw even though the prints may seem too loud. I wore it previously on its own but I wanted to try the leopard and teal combo this time around.

The Shoes

I'm finally showing my toes on a weekday with these peep toe wedges. They are relatively new and I love how comfortable they are. Wedges are great for weekdays; and you will probably see these ones a lot this summer.

The Slip

I'm wearing a slip like this one under the dress. I've started seeing ladies in dresses and all the back side and thigh and belly jiggle that comes with wearing dresses without slips is beginning to get to me (just kidding). But don't forget the slip.

Growth

Well, happy Tuesday and keep trudging along with your goals, dreams and desires. I've been learning a lot these past few weeks and I would love to share but it seems these outfit posts are easier and quicker to share. I will be doing a growth post soon though. Stick around!

......And thank you everyone for following and for your lovely comments

Avon leopard dress, quality of Avon Dresses

leopard, teal cardigan, cropped cardigan, nine west peep toe

Print dress, Nine west peep toe Jelica wedge

Dress - Avon (sold last year) / Similar / Option / Blouse / Skirt
Belt - Style and co / Similar
Cardigan - Target / Similar / Long Sleeve
Peep toe Wedges - Nine West

Link ups: Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom, Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, I Feel Pretty Random Wednesday