Neon Green, Tomato Red and White

Shirt: H&M; Skirt: Old Navy (exactly); Belt: H&M; Jewelry: F21/Target

A white shirt brings down the drama of this neon maxi skirt which is a favorite that
I haven't worn since earlier this year.  I definitely plan on styling it a few more ways this season.

Happy Friday! Have a lovely weekend.

Cobalt and Hot Pink

Top: purchased w/giftcard c/o Burlington Coat Factory; Jeans: H&M (similar); Shoes: Zappos (similar); 
Clutch: in giftbag from Winter 2012 IFB Conference; Jewelry: Target & F21

Happy Monday!  Hope you had a lovely weekend! 
After having to make a recent trip to the chiropractor to get adjusted, I've decided that I have to lighten my load literally and definitely plan to reach for clutches and smaller bags rather than my usual heavy shoulder bags for a while. 

I'll have to take a note from Dotty and Allie's clutch packing techniques. Packing lighter will also force me to be more strategic about my shoe choices because my usual bag almost always includes an extra pair of shoes.

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Book Review: 32 Candles

I love books where you can’t help but root for the protagonist to get their “happy ending” and 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter was definitely such a book for me. This sometimes funny, sometimes poignant story is about Davie Jones who lives in a small town in Mississippi and considers herself to be an “ugly duckling” (after being repeatedly told that she was ugly…). Davie’s sad childhood was punctuated by her abusive mother who had various personal issues that prevented her from having a healthy, loving relationship with her daughter.  As a means of escape from her unhappy home life and bullying by classmates, Davie reads books and watches Molly Ringwald movies; 16 Candles is her favorite. Davie also has a secret crush on a popular high school football player named James.

A mean-spirited prank by classmates causes Davie to leave everything she knows in Mississippi and move to California. The compelling story unfolds from there and readers get to see if Davie successfully gets her "Molly Ringwald style" happy ending.  I won’t say anything further about the book’s plot, but I will say that I definitely recommend this original story that was tied so seamlessly to the classic 80’s era teen film. After reading 32 Candles, I added the movie 16 Candles to my Netflix queue; I will admit that I don’t think I’ve seen the movie in its entirety so I really must remedy that soon!  Ernessa T. Carter has a distinctive literary voice and I look forward to seeing what else she writes.

Style Profile: The Fashionista Next Door

Photos courtesy of  Eboni Ifé of The Fashionista Next Door


This month's style profile is from Eboni Ifé of The Fashionista Next Door.  Eboni exhibits a great attention to detail in putting her outfits together.  Eboni also has a fabulous shoe collection!  Her regular feature, "Style Me Friday" really shows off her styling skills and ability to put together outfits that look just as good if not better than the inspiration.  Now let's get to the interview!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with the title?

Eboni Ifé: I started blogging on accident, really. I've always had a love affair with fashion, but my blog started out as a blog all about my general randomness, and the blog's name was "Miss Ifé's World." (My middle name is Ifé). But, the truth is all I wanted to write about was fashion and personal style. I was pretty much obsessed with Love Maegan and Karla's Closet at the time, but I was so intimidated by fashion bloggers who seemed to be so endlessly stylish! Finally, I took the plunge and committed to being a "style blogger." (and my first few posts were pretty bad. LOL!) My blog's title took a little while to come into it's own. It went from Miss Ifé's World to "Frugal Fashionista," which I quickly discovered was already in use on a well established blog. Not to mention, a friend of mine mentioned to me that she hated the name! So, I started thinking about my style, and beyond that, the woman I wanted to be in terms of style, and it just came to me...The Fashionista Next Door. (sorry for the LONG answer. LOL!)

Shen Dove: How would you describe your personal style? Is it influenced by your career/job? 

Eboni Ifé: I think my style is fun...daring...unexpected at times. I really just like to have fun with fashion. Fortunately, I've always had jobs where I was free to wear whatever I wanted, so I can't say that my career has had a strong influence on my style...though, I am thankful that it has allowed my style to blossom and evolve completely unrestricted by dress codes.

Shen Dove: How has the city/town you live in influenced your style? If it hasn't, what has inspired your style? 

Eboni Ifé: I'm a California girl through and through...I grew up moving back and forth from from NorCal to SoCal, and if you've spent much time in either place, you know how different the aesthetic is in both cities. LA is the perfect combination of flip flops, stilettos, and versace shades! The bay area is a little bit preppy, a little bit activist, and a little bit boho...and 100% fabulous! I think my style is influenced by both...I guess that's why I call my style eclectic.

Shen Dove: What do you enjoy most about blogging about style and fashion? 

Eboni Ifé: Honestly, it's become about so much more than fashion. I work full-time and I have a family...I hardly have time to maintain a blog, but I couldn't walk away from the community of amazing, brilliant, beautiful bloggers I've met along this journey. Other bloggers (like you) are a constant source of inspiration. So, thank you!

Shen Dove: Thanks for the compliment! What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of fashion blogging? Do you have any hidden talents? 

Eboni Ifé: I am a major foodie! Love reading cookbooks, watching cooking shows, trying new recipes...and eating, of course! Hidden talents...umm, the hubby says I have musical turrets. I subconsciously know just about every song...or at least every hook ever written. Hehe! Sing a line or hum melody...and I just can't help but to burst out into the full song...and I tend to sing it non-stop until a new song enters my brain. I am also the reigning Def Jams Rap Star!

Shen Dove: Spring is officially here!  What are you excited about wearing this season?

Eboni Ifé: Florals, florals, and more florals! (and polka dots...and yellow!)

Shen Dove: Do you have any blog related goals for 2012?

Eboni Ifé: I have really been working to maintain an "editorial calendar." I really want to be more consistent with my posting schedule and my content.

Shen Dove: Do you have any personal style rules you live by? If so what are they? 

Eboni Ifé: Nope. No rules. Fashion...and more importantly, personal style, is about wearing what makes YOU feel good.

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Eboni!  Be sure to bookmark The Fashionista Next Door to see Eboni's latest updates.

Farewell Winter, Hello Spring

Top: Old Navy; Cardigan: Francesca's Collections; 

Skirt: Francesca's Collections; Boots: Go Jane; Jewelry: Target

Happy first day of spring! Though spring is officially here, this outfit was worn a few weeks ago and never made it onto the blog.  I was going for a spring vibe when I picked out this outfit for work, so it's appropriate that these photos ended up being posted on the first day of spring.  In honor of spring's arrival today, I've started developing spring travel plans, picked books for my seasonal book list (which I will post soon), planned a few spring cleaning projects, and started thinking of ways to add new life to some of my favorite spring time clothing items from last season.

 

How have you started preparing for the spring season?

Tweed Blazer Take Three

Blazer: F21; Jeans: F21: Top: c/o Land's End Canvas; Shoes: Ninewest. Necklace: Target

Hi friends! This is the third and final remix of my tweed blazer before I pack it up until next winter.  The blazer was previously worn in this post and this post.  I wanted to give the blazer more of a springy feel, so I wore it with mustard yellow jeans, an orange top, and the necklace that I've been wearing nearly every day lately.  I'm not really inspired by any of my winter clothing right now, so it's a good thing that spring is nearly here! 

Have a lovely weekend!

Tweed Jacket Take Two

Blazer: F21; Skirt: Target (exactly); Shoes: Target: Top: Banana Republic: 

Necklace: selfmade (items purchased w/giftcard c/o Michaels)

Okay, so I'm not wearing green today for EBEW Green Day.  I'm not wearing green mainly because though it's unseasonably warm in DC, it's not quite warm enough to wear some of my favorite green clothing items featured here, here and here.  But I'm wearing turquoise which may not be festive, but is at least equally as cheerful! I look forward to checking EBEW later to see all of the great ways the color green was featured in outfits. 

I'm also wearing my very remixable tweed jacket again because if we continue this warm weather trend, it will be entirely too warm to wear it very soon.

Here's to a great week!

Currently listening to: Thank you by Estelle

Book Review: Half of a Yellow Sun

To be honest, it took me a while to read Half of a Yellow Sun though I've had it on loan from the library for weeks and had heard good things about it.  But once I got into the rhythm of the book, I couldn't put it down.  I felt invested in knowing what would happen to the characters and had to keep reading to find out how the book would end.  The book revolves around five characters during a civil war that took place in Nigeria during the 1960s in which the country of Biafra was formed. 

The characters of the novel include: (1) a teenage boy who later becomes a housekeeper (2) a university professor and employer of the teenage housekeeper with highly charged political ideals, (3) a woman who is in a relationship with the university professor, (4) her twin sister and, (5) a British expatriate who is in Nigeria to write a book about the culture and art of the Igbo people (this is the ethnic group of most of the main characters).  The war that ensues affects the characters in different ways and changes their lives forever.

A lot of the action in Half of a Yellow Sun revolve around war which is always devastating, but it was very well written and compelling.  I enjoy reading books that vividly describe a story within the context of actual historical events.  Before reading this book, I didn't know anything about the socio-political events of Nigeria (and Biafra) in the 1960s, but I'm now intrigued to read more about Nigerian history.  This book has its sad points, but also has the themes of love and perseverance integrated into the story.  I definitely recommend this book. 


Note: Please note that if graphic descriptions of war upset you, this book may not be for you. 

Tweed Blazer Take One

Blazer: F21 (similar); Skirt: Nordstrom (junior's dept); Boots: It's Vintage Darling; Necklace: Target

This tweed blazer is one of those items that has gotten very little attention this season, so I think I'll wear it a few more ways before the weather warms up. I'm happy about the fact that dark florals and tweeds will be a distant memory very soon when spring arrives!

Here's to a positive and productive week! 

Currently reading: Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

Spring Inspired Birthday Wish List

1. Ban.do Chiffon Shoe Clips; 2. Kate Spade iPhone Case;  3. Old Navy Women's Printed Side-Tie Top; 

4. Old Navy Colored Jeans; 5. Nine West Match Up Wedge; 6. J. Crew Scalloped Shorts

7. Love Cortnie Tangerine Dream Statement Clutch

My birthday wish list has a spring bent to it. 

March Goals

image found on Pinterest, originally via

I had previouly been in the habit of recording my monthly goals and thought that the start of my birthday month was a good time to start that habit again. I find that sharing goals adds a layer of accountability goal-setting that I find helpful.  So here are my goals for the month:

• Eat more fruit and veggies.  Eat less bread, caffeine, and sweets. I think my waistline will thank me for some small tweaks to my daily eating habits. I plan to replace my morning coffee with tea at least five days a week and cut back on my bread and sweets intake. 
• Discover new music and musical artists to listen to and create some playlists.  I feel that I'm in a bit of a musical rut, so I plan to seek out new music to listen to and create playlists to match my tasks and moods (happy playlist, exercise playlist, work playlist, etc.)
• Make a piece of artwork. I'd like to try my hand at making a piece of artwork this month.  I'll head to Pinterest and some of my favorite home/decor blogs for some inspiration for that goal.
• Interview someone and share it.  I really enjoy interviewing people (especially creatives and entrepreneurs), so I will do at least one interview (outside of a monthly style profile) and share it with you all.
• Move more.  Exercise has taken a backseat in my daily routine these days, so it's time to change that, warmer weather will be here very soon after all.
• Start contributing to my travel fund.  I'd love to take an international trip this year, so if that's going to happen, I must start contributing to my travel fund. I don't have a specific amount in mind, I just want to establish the habit of regularly saving for travel as I have in the past.

Do you have any goals for the month of March?