Seasonal Favorite

Maxi dress worn as skirt: Beacon's Closet; Belt: Beacon's Closet; Shirt: H&M; Necklace: Target; 
Clutch: Francesca's Collections (similar)
 

The weather in DC has been a bit unpredictable this spring, so I've only recently unpacked some of my spring clothing.  This maxi dress worn as a skirt was one of the items I unpacked.  I had forgotten how much I liked this maxi purchased a few years ago in New York.   I've gotten my wardrobe to the point where I truly love the majority of the items I own and don't mind rotating them regularly.  This maxi is a favorite that will go back into heavy rotation as it has since I purchased it in New York a few years ago.

What clothing item do you wear over and over each spring?

Have a lovely weekend!

Style Profile: Kings Rule Together

All Images from Kings Rule Together

This month's style profile will actually be the first gentleman I've featured in the series.  I was taken with the positive tone of Curran's inspiring and stylish blog, Kings Rule Together.  Curran is a renaissance man that incorporates his passion for fashion, styling, and philanthropy into his blog.  So let's get to the interview!

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

Curran: My biggest inspiration to start a blog came from the people around me. Blogging was something new and a good means to express my fashion opinion, so I gave it a try.  During the time I was doing a lot of things but I wasn't documenting it on a more advanced level but more so promoting my work via social media so starting my blog made me become and appear more official to the naked eye.  My friend referred to me as king as a term of endearment instead of the N word, which is so commonly used amongst the youth. It stuck with me from then on, giving me the esteem to truly respect myself and the people around me.  As I went on working with other kings, I realized that by working together we made a more powerful impact, and we accomplished a lot more aka Kings Ruling Together.

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

Curran: My personal style is really a melting pot of many different styles mixed into one. I like to incorporates many different looks together that typically you may not see the average person wearing. I believe this makes my look and overall appearance unique and I display my own individuality. My style is my career. I wouldn’t be where I am today if people didn’t recognize my sense of fashion. I took my love for fashion and turned it into a business.

Shen Dove: How has the city you live in influenced your style and other creative endeavors? 

Curran: I take a lot of pride in being from Philadelphia. It has made me into the man I am today. I just love the fact that I can stay in my hometown and still be recognized all over the world.

T-shirt from Curran's Kings Rule Together Clothing Store: "Designed to promote an undivided group of men at their peek by showing style and character as they work together and still maintain their King structure." - K.R.T.

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

Curran: I enjoy the freedom of just being me. I can put whatever I want on and say whatever I like and share it with my followers all while inspiring others. Even if they may not like exactly what I have on or may not even wear the things I wear it opens their minds up for new options for their wardrobe or even ideas to help them display their indivduality. I aspire to inspire.

Shen Dove: I see that you have an interest in philanthropy which is great!  How do your philanthropic endeavors tie in with your interests in fashion, photography and event planning? 

Curran: Philanthropy is a huge part of my career.  I have been driven to promote peace amongst my peers both male and females. I want all males to see themselves as Kings and all females as Queens. I feel as though if we greet each other as such, we will act as such. Respect amongst all will be rewarding to me when I look back many years from now and see my effect Kings Rule Together had on the WORLD.

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

Curran: I really just plan to create more. 2012 is all about creating new and innovative work for the world to see.

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

Curran: The only rule I have is for guys just to pull their pants up. Nothing more, nothing less.

Shen Dove: So be sure to bookmark Curran's great blog to see his latest updates.

Preppy

Shirt: Loft (old); Skirt: UO; Jewelry: borrowed; Shoes: Target

I have no problem with giving away clothing that haven't gotten frequent wear, I don't have a walk-in closet after all. As a result of my willingness to part with items, I have had a remorse over some clothing that I gave away or sold that I should have held onto for another season or two until the trend circled back again.  I almost gave this shirt away in a cleaning frenzy last season, but am happy I held onto it. It's a keeper, at least for the time being. 

This outfit was inspired by an outfit in the spring J. Crew catalog. I'm afraid, I can't show you a picture of the inspiration because I have since recycled it; it didn't make the "keep" cut when I recently cleaned off my coffee table...

Bright and Denim

Shirt: Charlotte Russe (similar); Pants: H&M; Necklace: borrowed; Bracelet: F21; Earrings: Target

I love starting off the week with warm weather and sunshine.  It seems like a good omen for the rest of the week even if the weather changes right?

On another note, I enjoy wearing these pants as much in warm weather

 as much as I did during cooler weather.

Happy Monday!

Spring Wish List

1. Mod Cloth Ukulele Band Blazer; 2. Zara Patchwork Clutch Bag; 3.  Bloom Clementine Skirt; 4. Cellular Muscle Etched Earrings - Teal and Gold Metallic; 5. Zara Printed Trousers with Contrasting Waist; 6. J. Crew CeCe Suede Ballet Flats; 7. African Fabric Bangles; 8. Lem Lem Anna Twill Scarf 

I would happily add any of these items to my spring wardrobe...

New to Me

Cropped blazer: Joyce Leslie; Skirt: Swapped; Shoes: Zappos; Belt: UO; Necklace: Target

This silk skirt is a recent acquisition from a clothing swap I attended earlier this month. The skirt is a bit too big but, a wide belt will take care of the skirt's imperfect fit until I make a trip to the tailor. I really enjoy finding clothing items second-hand that fit my taste and shopping budget.

What is your favorite new (or just new to you) wardrobe addition?

Spring Reading List

 

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Here are a few books that I plan to read this spring. 

1. Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster by Dana Thomas
2. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
3. Passing Love by Jacqueline E. Luckett
4. Joan Myers & the Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina by Brenda Dixon Gottschild

I'm currently reading: A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown which is a book from my Winter Reading List that I plan to review soon.

What have you read lately?

Dash of Red

 

On a recent trip to NYC, I lucked out while thrift shopping and found this red blazer.
As a petite person, when I see a blazer that fits my proportions, requires no alterations AND fits in my budget, I scoop it up.  

Blazer: thrifted (similar); Jeans: F21; Shirt: Gap; Necklace: 
H&M; Bracelets: H&M;  Shoes: Shoe Mint

Have a lovely weekend!

Tawny Earth Tones

Blazer: H&M (similar); Shirt: H&M; Skirt: UO; Necklace: Target

It's appropriate to wear earth tones during Earth Month, right?
  I love the bright colors, florals, and prints that are in style for this season, but neutral and earth tone pieces like this skirt and blazer will always be my standbys. 

Have a great day!

Belted Prints and Neutrals

Vest: Swapped (similar); Skirt: H&M; Shirt: H&M; Shoes: Loft; Necklace: Target

I remember a time when I rarely wore belts, but now, on most days I don't feel like my outfit is complete without the addition of a belt.  It's funny how your accessories preferences can change over time...

That's all for now, Happy Monday!

Beauty Wish List - Spring Edition

1. Clarasonic Cleansing System; 2. Essie Nail Polishes: Tour de Finance and Orange It's Obvious;

3. Hana Professional Flat Iron; 4. Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year Eyeshadow Quad;

5. Flowerbomb Viktor & Rolf; 6. Ecstasy Shea Soufflé

Here are a few hair and beauty items that I'm currently wishing for...