Aztec Fail

When I saw this outfit on social media, I vowed to own it. I didn't care how much it cost!! It had a few of my favorite things and I was bringing it home! So I logged on to hm.com and what do you know it was not available online. #gofigure We now have 3 locations in Palm Beach and I headed to the nearest store, vowing to visit all 3 to track down this beautiful printed crop top and full midi skirt. 

Lucky for me it was available at the first store. I was informed the Gardens location gets all the special collections. #wasthisfromaspecialcollection? There weren't many sizes to choose from and I almost didn't get the top. But y'all know I'm finally confident enough to crop it. So I did. Despite the blow to my summer funds, both pieces made their way into my closet. I can style them separately and stretch my wardrobe. #gettin'thebangforalotofbucks

I #LOVE everything about these pieces except the way I styled it yesterday. Too much red. And this DELTA girl loves the color red. My plan is to restyle it next week focusing on pulling out the yellow. Black is the other obvious choice or purple. I'm going to play around with it. Your thoughts?

  As I said in my first midi skirt posts, I plan to get my money's worth from this ladylike skirts, LOLOL. 

Hope your Monday was magnificent! 

#BTS - Back to School

Don’t worry I haven’t given up on the blog again. Tomorrow marks my second full week back at work but with the students. So I have been busy. Tired as i type this. If you haven’t heard I am now an 11th grade high school teacher and {{drum roll}} I am loving it. There’s been a few bumps in the road, my classroom isn’t quite yet complete for the required set up and some of the students (especially the girls) wish that I had never transferred to the school. #grownwomanwannabes I’m adjusting to new work hours. Reporting time is 7:20 AM. A BIG difference from my former 8:30 middle school time. It’s the same school that KT attends but I have instructed him to avoid me. Don’t want the kids knowing who my son is. I’m not overly concerned but I want him to have room to navigate hs without me looming or appearing to loom. He even has to call me Ms. Blue. Hasn’t happened yet but the directive has been given. Too far or nah? I’m working with some wonderful people in the reading department. I’m on a team of 3. I was blessed to get upper classman. Keep us in prayer! These students need to pass the old FCAT (final year), the new Fl assessment and ACT or SAT so they can breeze through graduation requirements their senior year. Huge task that God has entrusted to me. So humbled, a bit nervous and constantly praying over my instruction.

Two other positives now that I’m back at work is I’m extremely close to the beach I frequent so I can go after school as needed until we get a cold snap AND I’m dressing up again. Y’all know I love a good teacher look. Unfortunately, my camera isn’t working. I’ve used Duracell rechargeable batteries since purchasing the camera (can’t remember how long ago) and they finally stopped holding a charge. My plan is to get new ones next week and be back in the WIW/OOTD/#teachershavestyletoo game on Fridays as well as Sundays. These are the only two days KT will be able to take my pics when I’m dressed up. I don’t usually my casual weekend looks because I spend most of my time at home in pjs, in the library in a jogging suit or volunteering and wearing the respective organization’s tee.

So I’m still outchea. Just trying to settle into my new role and let go of those long summer days of doing absolutely nothing. #theyareseriouslymissed 

Check out my feature on tenthandfourth.com here! and what I wore on Tuesday to work below.

** Twitter ** Instagram **

LOVE

In the midst of everything going on in the world, I just want to remind us of a powerful scripture on this fine Sunday. 

Matthew 12:31 ESV
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The world really needs love!

Tee: Forever 21

Skirt: ASOS

Pumps: Zara

Clutch: Target

Heavy Load

Today I return to work. I'll be teaching high school and I'm so excited!  But that's not why I'm up at 4 o'clock in the morning. I was making a quick restroom run but I also wanted to catch up on the happenings in Ferguson, MO. If you don't know an unarmed young black man was shot 10 times by police and killed. And now it looks like a war zone on U.S. soil!

Last summer, I was in Washington,  D. C. celebrating 100 years of service with the baddest Greek organization in the land: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. #shamelessplug It was magical!  But what I'll never forget is the day the verdict for Trayvon Martin's  murderer being read.  I was rooming with 3 of my sorority sisters but y'all I wailed so loud as if I had lost my own son. I threw myself on the bed and I cried and cried and cried and cried and cried.....

I was so done with the unjust justice system. The one I wanted to be such an impactful part of that I earned a criminology degree at FSU for. I WANT A REFUND. The same one that will kill an African American in cold blood and be declared in the right.

I don't know what the answer is.  Truth be told, I don't even know how I can help. Earlier this year the sorority presented a Stand Your Ground Workshop for young men. The PBC Urban League also addressed this issue. I've had my son's Father talk to him. I've sought advice from other men. I've prayed. I've held my son and cried. This morning I'm fighting off the screaming voices that reminds me how invaluable we are. Nothing much has changed since the cotton fields?  I don't want to believe this.

All of these kids gunned down could be my son! My brothers (I have two). The young males I teach. The men connected to me who are perfectly imperfect. This knowledge is a weight that will NOT make me shed tears that won't bring resolution. Instead, I'm empowered to use my classroom as a platform to build up the young men who should know they are vital to the world. We need our black men. We need them strong and safe.

This is true of our women and children too. Life matters. Black life matters. Today, I'll lift my heavy load and carry it as my assignment to TEACH not only what's in the textbook but from my heart and soul.

Fight the power!

Cropped

My motto is if I like it, wear it again even if I just showcased it on the blog. #clothesaremeanttobeworn

 My closet is a happy space with pieces I can style and refashion. #maximizemywardrobe

Crop top: Forever 21

Cross body bag: Target

Skirt: ASOS

Shoes: Just Fab

Happy Friday divamoms & divas!

The Word for Wednesday: SUCCESS

Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:26 The Message Bible

I've been thinking hard about what success looks like in 2014. I'm an avid Instagram user and there are so many people sharing clips and photos of them #winning with the world from small business owners to life coaches, consultants and celebrity bloggers.  These folks are living their dream. #wowzers They've sacrificed time with family, friendships,  relationships of various kinds, hanging out and sleep to get where they are. I admire them! #withlimitations

There are more self- help books on shelves. The economic hardships have driven more people to start up a business and pushed for more funding to help sustain,  develop and support those desiring to be business owners.  The successful, rich and famous all want more. They also expect you to pay well for their advice.  SHAMELESS PLUG: The Bible is free and full of practical principles to success.   Advice in online groups is all about the almighty dollars.  Even the natural hair community is beyond growing healthy hair successfully. They are selling tickets to sell expensive hair products.   Everyone {and I do mean EVERYONE} is tweeting daily how important it is to speak to the Universe and magic will happen.  

The scripture above reminds me to filter this overwhelming; sometimes dangerous and destructive desire to be successful the world's way through a different lens. Leading me to ask myself if what I'm pursuing is truly what God wants. Don't mistake what I'm saying here PLEASE.  God wants each of us to prosper in every area of our lives. Do I have to function off 2 hours of sleep forever to get there? It seems like a negative impact on my body that I want to be healthy. Do I give up time with my family to make it to this level?  Because once I get there, I'll see them less and less as a result anyway. Right? Makes more sense to soak in their love and security along the way.  Or maybe I could walk away from them because their blocking me? #reallywiththesideeye

I'm not taking about toxic people and roadblocks!  Look at the photos I located on Pinterest.  The message being communicated through these pics is rise "by any means necessary!"  Even life can't stop you. Truthfully, it can't. Just consider if you aren't enjoying living while trying to get on top maybe you are doing it in your own strength.  I've found that my greatest achievements have been when I've surrendered and allowed God to use me. I've been connected to people,  places opportunities and so much more that I could never achieve on my own. 

Be leery of those who have done it according to them on their own. They never give God credit for giving them life amd placing His gifts that are unique to them inside of their being. Be cautious of those who take out God and use love, light and the Universe to mentor your path to success. For what good would it do you to reach the stars and leave all the glow behind? 

Go forth and be great!

Simply the Shoes

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. I'm on the couch watching the final episode of House of Cards, Season 2. I can't wait for Season 3!!! #wineneeded  I'm going to say this and run, this show is dirtier than Scandal. I feel like The Underwoods #powercouple  can teach Bey and Jay #yawn a lot about having power!

Are you a fan?

Wore this to church today. Toodles...

Blazer: H&M

Tank: Forever 21

Skirt: ASOS

Shoes:DSW