Act Like A Ladi...Dress Like A Diva: Birthday!

Today is my 25th birthday!

I woke up to my sweetie baking me a birthday cake and then later went out for brunch with family where I literally stuffed myself at the Cheesecake Factory. 

Hair Randoms

 ponytail=growth!

• I've been using Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Caster Oil on my scalp and eyebrows to help with growth. After a month I had to stop because the itching was unbearable!  I read that the itch comes from the oil detoxifying your scalp, but I can't say I buy that explanation (and I am not willing to wait to find out if it stops when my scalp "detoxifies").  I do feel that my eyebrows have gotten a lot darker since I've been using it, and my hair has grown since I've taken out my weave--but I can't say for sure that the growth is due to the castor oil, or the fact that I had a low-manipulation style.

• As you can see from my wedge sneaker post, I straightened my hair for the first time this year! Instead of following my usual straightening routine, I used a sample of Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum. I had reservations about using this product because the advertisements and the packaging states that it was made specifically for relaxed hair (as if a heat styled natural wouldn't need an anti-reversion product) and I felt the claim about results lasting 6-weeks was a little confusing/misleading. In order to last 6-weeks, the product must be used weekly after every shampoo. Maybe I think too much, but I feel if it works as well as it claims to (and I'm using it weekly), then I should be able to use it for months and it would still keep new growth from reverting! Anyhoo, I used the product as instructed and didn't use any other products except a little Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade at the end.  By the time I finished my whole head, the hair on the side I started with already looked poofy so I doubt this product alone would keep my hair straight for an entire week. I did like that the cream/serum didn't feel heavy, and it made my hair feel really soft after blowdrying.  I am on Day 5 and with nightly rolling or wrapping and a little bit of the Aveda pomade in the AM, my hair is still straight!

• This Fall, I'm going to focus more on hair styles where my hair is stretched, such as banding or lightly blowdrying my hair before doing twist-outs and braid-outs. As the temperature gets cooler I want to limit my wet styling and maybe straighten my hair more often since I don't have to worry as much about reversion. 

Ladi Life: Uptown Charlotte

Happy Monday! 

Last week I got a much needed break from work and joined my fiance' on a business trip to Charlotte NC. He had training to attend, but I was free to spend my days exploring Uptown Charlotte. I got a chance to visit the Levine Museum of the New South which chronicled post-civil war southern history, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, and roamed a huge CVS pharmacy where I picked up a few beauty goodies!  Here are a few snaps from my trip.

 

"shopping" for 1920's fashions!

Act Like A Ladi: Dress Like A Diva: Wedge Sneakers

As an (early) birthday present to myself, I bought two pair of shoes- a pair of black combat boots and a pair of wedge sneakers!  

I know in the blog world there are mixed feelings about wedge sneakers, but as a former teenage sneakerhead, I love them!  They are super comfortable and I love having a little extra height from the hidden wedge while the shoes just appear to be regular high top sneakers.  I stepped out of my comfort zone by getting the gray/blue colorway instead of the basic black, but my closet is full of neutral colors so I'm sure I will be wearing these quite a bit! 

Cardigan: Worthington (JC Penney's) / V-neck Tee: Target / Jeans: Elle (Kohl's) / Sneakers: Steve Madden "Hilight"

Would you rock a pair of wedge sneakers? 

Fall Prequel Look

As you may have noticed from my Fall wardrobe post, I'm excited for Fall. I'm ready for the cool breezes, jacket-wearing weather, and my Birthday :)  

The temperature has cooled down a little bit where I live, but it is still pretty warm, so I put together a transitional look that is inspired by Fall wardrobe but still comfortable for the warm weather.  This sheer top from Dorothy Perkins was the perfect choice, and I can't wait to layer it under a blazer or a nice leather jacket (*on my birthday wish list) in the Fall!

Top: Dorothy Perkins / Jeans: Elle ( Kohl's) /  Flats: SM New York (Sears) / Bag: Steve Madden 

Doing a little furniture shopping and found a fab animal print chair-I had to take a picture! Hopefully I can talk my fiance into buying it for the house! :)  

Purple Polka Dots

Hey dolls!  (I watch too much Keeping Up with the Kardashians)

While a lot of bloggers are in NY enjoying fashion week, I'm in little old NC serving up country chic.  I bought this cute polka dot top to jazz up my casual Friday looks at work but I thought it was too cute to just wear to the office!

Top: The Limited / Jeans: Old Navy / Flats: Target / Handbag: Steve Madden

I have to say, being a homeowner is a lot of work but I LOVE having a yard. It's so nice to have some privacy, a place to relax, and a change of scenery for pics! :)

Fall Wardrobe Lookbook

With the passing of Labor Day aka the unofficial end of Summer, I've been researching Fall trends to start plan my Fall wardrobe.  Oxblood (or burgundy) is a hot color for Fall, so I want to incorporate it into my wardrobe, along with neutrals, animal prints, and dark florals.  I am starting to like the color navy so I want to add a navy bag to my collection this Fall. I compiled all of my Fall wishlist items into a personal lookbook pairing items I love with pieces that are already in my closet. Items can also be found on my "Fall Wardrobe" board on Pinterest.

(click photos to enlarge)  

Below is my Fall Wishlist that will also serve as my Fall shopping list to focus and simplify my shopping in the next couple of months.
Outerwear

• Blazers
• Navy
• Oxblood
• Neutral with a pattern (striped, contrast lapel, etc)
• Leather Jacket (black)
• Denim Jacket
• Possible: denim with leather sleeves
• Possible: Brown Cargo Jacket

Tops

• Sheer button front 
• 3-5 Solids  (navy, black, white)
• 2 pattern (1 being animal print)
• Crew-neck ¾ or long-sleeved premium tees/ light weight sweaters
• Solid colors
• 1-2 fun print
• Plain V-necks  *already own

Bottoms

• Skinnies
• Colored
• Oxblood
• Blue (other than typical shades of denim)
• Good, stretchy black skinnies/jeggings (ex Old Navy Rockstar jeggings)
• Corduroy in neutral color
• Pencil skirts for work
• Gray
• Navy
• Pop of color or pattern (striped, dot) 

Dresses

• Midi-length dresses
• Solid body-con with  ¾ or long sleeves
• A-line (1-2 solid and 1 print)

Shoes

• Wedge sneakers (black, navy or tan)
• Combat boots
• Black
• Brown
• Booties  *Already own (black suede, tan leather, green canvas)

Have you started preparing your Fall looks? 

Back on The Wagon: September Diet Challenge

Remember those health and fitness goals I set at the beginning of the year? Well about mid-July when I was consumed with the home-buying process my goals fell by the wayside. I have not tracked a single calorie, done any real cardio, or turned down any fast food or restaurant meal since July.  But, I'm trying to get back on the wagon now.  I've been doing one or two 15-20min power walks everyday at work for the past two weeks, and now my coworkers and I have started a diet challenge for the month of September!   Here are the terms:

• For breakfast and lunch, meals will be mainly fruit or vegetable based. 
• Dinner is a full meal including meat.  
• No red meats, only poultry and seafood. 
• Meat has to be broiled, steamed, baked or grilled.
• All drinks will be water or 100% fruit juice. 
• Avoid refined or "white" starches and replace with whole grains.  
• One cheat day is allowed each week.

In addition to the diet, I'm going to slowly start back doing cardio with Zumba on the Wii and maybe around mid-September kick it up and try the Insanity workouts again.  There is going to be a prize at the end of the challenge for the person who loses the most weight, so I'm trying to win!   Wish me luck!

Ladi Life: African American Cultural Festival

Hope you all are enjoying this Labor Day weekend. Saturday I went to an African American Cultural Festival in downtown Raleigh NC. There were so many vendors, performers, and amazing food and drinks (I had some of the best strawberry lemonade ever!) that almost made me forget about how hot and humid it was.  Here are a few snaps from the festival:

Dress: Asos / Chambray Top: Old Navy / Sunglasses: JC Penney