My Roman Empire: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Romance

My day job is in social media and I wanted to find a unique gift for the consultants that support me throughout the year. I was looking for something humorous, topical, and functional because I love a gift you'd actually want to use. 

I'm not a Taylor Swift fan, but I am a fan of pop culture and the internet... so when I saw this sweatshirt on Etsy it was a must-have for me! 

If you've spent any time on TikTok you've seen the viral "Roman Empire" trend.

TL:DR there's a theory that a lot of men (usually white) spend an incredible amount of time thinking about the Roman Empire. Why? I'm not sure, but if you ask one 9 times out of 10 they'll respond with a date that's within the past 2 weeks 😂 I promise you I'm not spending time or brain cells thinking about the real Roman Empire... but my "Roman Empire" is def celeb relationships. 

I purchased this from The Divine Shoppe Co on Etsy for $46. It comes in 9 different colors and sizes S-5XL, so something to accommodate most sizes and preferences. 

The perfect gift for any pop culture lover in your life. 

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A post shared by 👁️sha (@sixtwentyseven)

 

Brandon Blackwood Fall '22 Collection | Unboxing and First Impression

Brandon Blackwood dropped his Fall '22 collection and I had no restraint. Sharing an unboxing and first impression of 6 of the 7 bags I purchased. I'm still waiting on the acrylic clutch which had a longer lead time to ship, but will add that one once I have it. Also to come, a YouTube video of my full Brandon Blackwood collection. 

 

BRANDON BLACKWOOD BAGS I PURCHASED

1. Arlen Bag in Metallic Cracked Leather 

2. Kuei Bag in tan Suede w/ Shearling Edges 

3. Nia Bag in Black Leather and Green Mink Swirl 

4. Nia Bag in Silver Cracked Leather 

5. Bamboo B Tote 

6. Bamboo B Micro Tote

The Perfect Coat for Fall

Praise God for PTO and being able to take some time off work. I've been feeling very overwhelmed lately, so being able to veg out around the house and catch up on Wendy Show today was awesome.

During the Fall Fashion segment I saw this amazing plaid coat and fell in love... it's seriously everything my fall fashion dreams are made of.

It retails for $229 at Urban Outfitters and can be found online here. I'd need to see it in person and make sure the fit was on point, but it looks like the perfect Fall/Winter coat to get me through the impending grey days ahead of me in the Pacific Northwest.

Review: Forever21 Strapless Floral Skort Dress

Full disclosure: I still shop at Forever21. I'll be 30 next month, and at least twice a month I head into the retail chain and look for cheap, yet fashionable finds. Last week I snagged the cutest skort romper. Yes, you read that correctly... skort. Everything that was hot in the 90s is making a come back and skorts are no different.

I don't usually write reviews on F21's site, but after buying this romper and wearing it out for a recent date night, I absolutely HAD to share with everyone how amazing this dress/skort/romper is.

Most readers know I'm 5'2" and rather petite, but curvy. My official measurements are 34DDD-31-41.5, so it can be hard to find something that fits and is flattering. I bought a size Large and it fits perfectly!!! The added material that drapes over the romper, which makes it a skort, is lovely. The fit is comfortable, while the length is a bit short, but tasteful since this is a skort set. I truly wish they made this in other colors because I would buy one of each.

It's always difficult to find something that flatters my shape, but F21 nailed it with this. It's very cute in person. If I would've only seen it online I may have passed, but seeing it in store was great.

If you're short and busty, give this skort a try. You'll be pleased.The romper is a steal at $22.80 and can be purchased here.

Do you wear Toms?

Living in Seattle is slowly starting to have an affect on me. I've spent the past few weeks trying to find a pair of Toms that I would actually wear. Even as I type this I'm scrunching my face. Like, is this really my life? Scouring the streets looking for a pair of shoes that are only mildly cute at best.

I know proceeds go towards a great cause (you buy a pair, they give a pair to a child who needs it), but y'all... I just can't get over how unsightly the shoes look on. Yes, they look cute (sometimes) on the shelf, but whenever I put my feet in there they just look off. The toe area is borderline hideous and I'm always left wondering "what the fuck are you thinking?" I mean, why do I want to find a pair of Toms so badly? I have no clue. Maybe it's because I have a non existent arch and my feet are terribly flat... or maybe they're just not that hot.

So, yeah... this is a first world, hippie shit type of problem. I know that... but whenever I see folks walking the streets of Seattle they look cute in their Toms, thus triggering the cycle of me debating whether or not I should snag a pair. Anyways, we shall see... Seattle is slowing taking over my life force. I feel like my friends in Chicago would've deaded this shit months ago lol.

@Afrobeatnikshop launches online shop

Let me just take a moment to praise God for the small things like having a glimmer of a social life in Seattle! I've been on the hunt for events to cover since moving here, but breaking into the laid back social scene has been quite a feat!

While browsing Fresh Jess (one of the only social Seattle blogs I've been able to find) I came across a flyer for the Afrobeatnik, a Seattle-based online vintage and handmade goods retailer, launch party for Saturday night. It seemed like it'd be a dope event, and I was looking forward to supporting two black women launching a vintage shop. Little did I know Angela Moorer, the creator of the shop, and I were already Twitter friends! Thus, this is another problem with Seattle - - you might actually be connected to the people hosting events, but STILL have no clue what's going on lol.

 Even though I was still battling my cold, I was excited to meet Angela in person since we'd chatted a few times on Twitter. So, I threw on some gear, my emo lip, and headed out to Lucid Lounge for the event.

One perks of living in South Lake Union is being so conveniently located to most places. I was able to hop in the car and be at the venue within 15 mins! Upon entering I was pleasantly surprised at the intimate, cool vibe at Lucid. Despite being the size of a cracker jack box, it was the perfect spot to host a private launch. Icing on the cake? I won a gift bag full of swag! Yay for free stuff... I also caught a dope performance by Seattle MC Turtle T. Check out his music here.

Afrobeatnik features an eclectic mix of vintage finds, all at reasonable prices. Check out the site here and use promo code "LAUNCHLOVE" for 20% off at check out.

Afrobeatnik Swag Bag

Tights with Shorts... in the Winter?

Those that are new to my blog and life might not know that I lived in Arizona for years, so warmer temps in the winter aren't new to me. I mean, I've celebrated Christmas in flip flops.

Moving to Seattle has once again afforded me the opportunity to experience a mild winter, although nothing like Arizona. Still, with temps averaging in the 40s and lower 50s, I have zero complaints and have embraced the ability to ditch winter jackets and snow boots.

With that said, I feel like rocking shorts with tights isn't some brand new concept. I'm not killing hoes with my fashion game or dropping all types of insane winter wear knowledge. I came into work today and a co-worker pointed out to me that I was the "perfect walking contradiction" wearing shorts and a faux fur hat in the winter.

Mind you, it's about 40 degrees outside. O mph wind. The high for today is 48. I'm trying to paint a picture lol...

I'm still dealing with PMS and a fuck deficiency, so I told her that me rocking shorts with tights was no different than someone that put on a skirt or dress with tights. Our legs are still exposed to the same degree. She thought about it for a second and was like, "I guess you're right..." umm.. yeah, I know lol.

Tights with Shorts

Tights with Shorts

Seeing someone rock jean shorts might be more noticeable than a skirt/dress. I even know that my tights being faux otd inspired might be considered edgy... but in theory, it's really not THAT fucking cold outside, so my clothes aren't that outside the box.

What am I supposed to wear? Long johns and a thermal? Oh, Seattle lol...

Anyways, do you rock anything that contradicts the season you're in?

Gold all in my Dress (via @LorenaSarbu)

 

When I saw this Lorena Sarbu dress posted on Fashion Bomb Daily my eyes instantly turned into the emoji with hearts.

This is the manifestation of what my inner life force is draped in! It's breathtakingly gorgeous and something I'd dream of wearing at a wedding reception. To be honest, I could even adjust the bottom part of the dress and wear this as a wedding dress. It's non-traditional and speaks to my soul! I mean, what's more gorgeous than being draped in gold!

Photo Source: Fashion Bomb Daily

Marc Jacobs Gold Silk Dress

Source

This entire look is everything to me! I wish I could not only slink around the house, but saunter around all of Seattle in this fabulous dress!!! I want to live out the rest of my days in this get up. Complete with a fierce updo and bold, dark lip! Yes...

My inner Egyptian delights whenever I see Gold, and my force is jumping up and down at this very moment. How amazeballs does she look?

Okay, I'm off to go dream about this outfit lol...

Ombre Bodycon Dress: @EKINEYO vs @Forever21

I've been completely obsessed with the ombre bodycon dress made by Ekineyo for quite some time now, but the $188 price tag kept me at bay. Imagine my shock when I saw Forever21's version of the popular dress on their site for $15.50!! Yes, Forever21 comes through for the win once again. I'm all about supporting up and coming designers, but it's hard to break the bank for something so trendy when retailers like F21 and Zara crank out decent versions for a fraction of the cost. So, let it be known that while I love Ekineyo's version, I'll be rocking the F21 version. I can put that $172.50 I'll save towards my vacation fund!

What do you think of the dress? Will Ekineyo get your $188 or will you opt for Forver21's $15.50 version?

Ekineyo Lotus Dress - $188

Forever 21 Ombre Bodycon Dress - $15.50

Inside the world of @Simone_Vivian

A year ago I blogged about personal stylist and published author Julia Miles-Davis of Simone Vivian LLC. Recently Ayanna Cobham, a student at American University, was able to sit down with Julia and pick her brain on all things fashion and how she got her start.

By way of North Carolina Julia Miles-Davis, owner of Simone Vivian LLC, is the district’s best-kept secret in the world of fashion and image consulting. We recently sat down to discuss her dynamic personality and intriguing life story, but by the end it was her effortlessly chic style that made me apply for an internship.


 Personal shopper, closet editor, wife and super glam mom to a 15-month old, it's safe to say Miles-Davis is wearing many hats. When the door first opened, there stood a beautiful 5’9” woman in cut off shorts, a plaid shirt around her waist, a loose t-shirt and draped in jewelry.  “I just came from a play group with my son” she says as she welcomed me into her home.  If you were to see her closet, you would see her clothing coordinated by category; all blouses together, all pants, skirts…then by color.  All hangers are hung properly with matching hangers, “which makes everything look neat and easy to see.”

Julia Miles-Davis

When I asked her to explain her style she described it as “on trend.”  Julia is both feminine and edgy and she has her style down to a science.  Not only is she fashionable (I love the Christian Louboutin platform sandals she wore for the interview) she also has the brains to back it up.   Julia attended Howard University, studied at the London College of Fashion and founded her own image-consulting agency by the time she turned 25.


Last year, Julia published her first book, “Mani Pedi (Success is Defined By You),” which is currently available at Barnes and Noble books stores.  “It’s been quite a whirlwind,” she said, “I can hardly believe I’ve done it all.  I’m very familiar with humble beginnings and also a firm believer that nobody starts as the CEO.  I started working retail at Neiman Marcus on the sales floor, folding tees and hanging dresses.  Between starting fitting rooms for customers and my internships is where I found my passion as an image consultant.”  Only time can tell you what is next for this fashionista who can conquer all that life throws at her.  One cannot help but admire this chick’s drive and goal to expand and conquer.  The best part of my job she says is that I’m never bored.  My clients and I have great relationships; after all I am conducting my business in their bedrooms.

In addition to Ayanna's interview, I was able to pick Julia's brain about a few more things:

Q. What has the last year been like for you since publishing your book? Have you seen a growth in your business?
Since publishing my book "Mani Pedi: Success is Defined by You", I've had a book signings, my most recent last month at Grambling State University. I have definitely seen growth in my business since it's inception. I went from a one person business in AZ to a business with several employees and interns. My clientele has also increased from AZ only to now including clients in AZ, CA, FL, and NY. 


Q. Are you still living in Arizona or have you permanently relocated to DC? How do the two markets differ in terms of fashion?
Simone Vivian has permanently relocated to DC. AZ and DC differ a lot since the fashion in DC is more conservative than in AZ. This is because DC is a work first place rather than AZ, which is a vacation/retirement place. 


Q. What are your 5 essential items for Summer?
The five essential items for this summer are floral print, neon colors, denim, platform sandals, and a great pair of shades. 


Q. How do you balance being a new mom and business woman?
Balancing motherhood and being a business woman is a mission for sure. Technology has played a key role in staying connected and accessible to my clients. Without my Ipad3 or blackberry I would be lost. Since relocating my office hours are much earlier in the morning and much later into the night. I try my best to make it work because it's my goal to be both a great mom and a great business woman. 


Q. What does Simone Vivian have in store for the rest of 2012? Any plans to write a follow-up book?
Simone Vivian wants to make a huge splash in the DMV and expand it's services. Since our event at Tory Burch in Scottsdale, we've started a new service and that's hosting and styling fashion shows. Our next event we are planning this fall will be with Bloomingdales. As far as another book, I will have to wait for the right time. My top priority is to make a fashion footprint in the here. 







For more information on Simone Vivian LLC: Twitter and Website or check out their YouTube channel.

T-Shirt Time

Last week the Bon Bon Vie tees I ordered finally arrived. Many thanks to Shari (the owner) for reshipping my merchandise after the idiots at the post office lost it. The mail system in South Carolina is a complete clusterfuck... but I digress.

I ordered the "Rep Chi" and "Brown Skin Lady" tees from her line and being a 36DD I thought choosing a Large would be good, but no bueno. My boobs are looking a slight bit smooshed (you know, pancake-ish lol) in the tops so I'm going to have to get my scissors and play around with the neckline a bit. It could be because the shirts don't have a ton of stretch, or that as a busty gal I know better than to rock a crew neck lol... but sizing issues aside, I like the tees and think the quality is good. If you order a size up you'll be a-ok.

New designs were recently debuted on their site so feel free to take a look and order away!

Every N♥tural Needs...

This weekend I came across the cutest t-shirt that I feel every natural needs to have in her wardrobe!


Is this not the most adorable thing ever? It retails for only $29.99 and is available at all Metro Park stores and online.

In Arizona: Scottsdale Fashion Square @ 7014 E. Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - 602.626.9939

In Chicago: 2042 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614 - 773.634.5009

For other locations across the country click here.

One Size Fits All

Marketed as their "Size Issue", the January issue of V Magazine will be dedicated to plus size models (i.e. regular sized everyday women). NY Magazine recently previewed a feature which included two models (1 plus size, 1 skinny - both 5'9") going head to head in similar looks. The aim was to show readers that fashion can flatter any figure and models Crystal Renn (36-31-41) and Jacquelyn Jablonski (32-24-34) did just that.







Outside of the modeling world, Crystal Renn doesn't boast the measurements of a plus size woman - - but is well-proportioned with a nice build. I don't have anything against the skinny model, but the majority of women don't look like that and while it's nice to see someone prance around and basically be a hanger for clothes, I was excited to see a more realistically sized woman able to rock high fashion looks.

I'm not on some plight to have thicker chicks infiltrate the runway, but as for print media, this would be a welcome sight.I hope that ladies around the world will be able to see plus size models portrayed as fashionable, beautiful and desirable.

A world of great guys hiding behind bad hair and outdated clothes...

Thursday's episode of the Oprah show featured husbands that seemed to be stuck in a time warp full of bad hair and clothes and in need of a fashion intervention. I was astonished at how tragic some of these men looked before Tim Gunn was able to get his hands on them and show them the light, fashion wise. Be it ill-fitting jeans, old Bill Cosby sweaters, or hair that looked more biblical than 2009, these men all had issues and needed help.

During the course of the show I noticed that once cleaned up these men all looked pretty good. It became a running joke when Oprah pointed out how excited the wives seemed and how everyone would be having a "good night" later on. Judging by the transformations these guys underwent the panties were for sure going to be getting thrown their way.

Another thing that stood out in my mind was how easy it was to clean up a guy. I hear tons of women complaining about the lack of decent men out there and I think they aren't completely tapping into all of the resources we have. If you meet a great guy give him a chance... the core is what's important. You can always polish a man and get him to wear what you feel accentuates his assets. It's kind of like reupholstering your favorite piece of a furniture or refinishing kitchen cabinets... the surface is easy to change. You can work with a sweet guy that wears lame clothes but you can't change a wack personality. In all honesty though, there are so many amazing guys out there and we hold ourselves back from possibly meeting the man of our dreams because of trivial stuff.

On a different note, after the makeovers I could see the personality overhaul these guys encountered... they all had their swag turned on high! I couldn't help but to eye their wives and think that all of the husbands looked WAY better. Hopefully their makeover would encourage the women in their lives to step their game up too. In relationships it's easy for both people to get stuck in a rut.

Before and Afters:

Josh



Larry


Adam


Aaron


Jason

Daniel


Russell originally received a makeover from Oprah in 1990 which admittedly was awful. In an attempt to make it up to Russell 19 years later, Oprah did a redo.