The Black is Back!

Zara's Riding Pants, Leather Jacket (gifted), American Apparel Turtleneck Shirt...sometimes a Dress depending on how much Courage juice I drink/Maxx Studio Shooties (my word), Jones NY Scarf

(Jacket seen here)

*Yes, I mixed brown with black*(These "shooties" make me happy)
I told you it wasn't going to be long before I got back into wearing black! Now that the black out challenge is over, I kind of missed wearing my "safe" color. I've been kind of lazy about taking real pics lately. Now, I just pass a mirror and snap it. I don't even bother acknowledging the stares.


By the way, I saw Michael Jackson's This Is It! Loved it! I was struck by the fact that the man wore glittered pants just because...no reason...just because he was Michael Jackson. Truly talented man.

Click here to win free stuff from Mustard's Seed Collective!

Black Out Challenge...THE FINALE'!

(My Equestrian Look: Thrifted Ralph lauren Vest, Super old jeans, Thrifted Boots, H&M Shirt)

I made it! I did it! I managed to avoid wearing black for an entire week. Actually, a little more than a week. I am so proud of myself. I was able to dig out some clothes from the deep corners of my closet and add color to my life! As we speak, I am sitting alone, stroking my black leggings and singing to all of my black blazers. I've missed them!
(Not the grandest outifit to end the challenge but it satisfied the requirements. This pic was taken at the end of the day. I was so exhausted)


Meet "Christopher"...one of my students.

Black Out Challenge (Day 6)

Not wearing black is getting easier and easier every day...(Not really)...it just sounds like I should say that at this point:) I have no idea how this outfit came together but it was a last minute decision and I liked the gray/red combo. I could have worn my gray tights but wearing hosiery/tights of any kind aren't the best feeling for me. I always feel a tinge of claustrophobia. I went through a phase where I was rocking textured tights a few weeks back but I think I'm over it now. I need to breathe:)

Red American Apparel Circle Scarf, Gray Sweater Dress (gifted), Target Belt, Red Steve Madden Shoes, F21 Cardi/Vest

That zebra bag is not my purse...it's my lunch bag. Isn't it too cute! Although I detest packing lunch in plastic bags, I'm not above it. But when I stumbled upon this lunch bag...I had to have it. It even came with "stay-fresh" containers. Bingo!

I am mentioning the lunch bag only because I actually do eat lunch. I don't know who these bloggers are who are running through the fields taking pictures of themselves chasing butterflies and unicorns all while exposing their rib cage bones, rocking Chanel Booties with the hollows of their cheeks all sucked in. Don't get me wrong, I am uber jealous because I want to frolic and skip for a career but this blogger eats. Sometimes too much.

I have a job where I don't get to go to fancy petite cafes and walk through Time Square (hater alert)...I am packing a turkey sandwich with Frenchy's mustard, cheese, bacon, spinach and tomatoes. I am making my own trail mix out of Cheerios, almonds, sunflower seeds, and raisins all while sneaking an Oreo or four.

So, if I am forced to be just a regular person, I had to show you how regular people rock their lunches:)(he he he)

P.S...My sister just called me to ask if I carry the lunch bag around like a purse....Ummm no...I just was showing it for blogging purpose.

Visit Elaine over at Clothed Much for a fab give away. Check out her scarf swag while you're over there. She rocks scarves and bangs like no other!

Black Out Challenge (Day 5)

So this is day 5 of the Black Out Challenge. Not wearing black is still a challenge for me but I kind of like it. I have no idea why I put forth so much effort...I work at a high school...there is literally not one person there to impress other than myself!

I got a little creative today.Technically I layered two dresses for today's outfit. It was completely unplanned but I kind of like the result. The lighting doesn't do the color contrast justice. The shirt dress is actually navy and striped. I threw the yellow scarf to cover up "the girls" and pulled out my fringe blue suede shoes. Not the greatest pics but you get the idea:)

On a random note, I've been reading about Heidi Montag, a MTV reality personality who has gone out of her way to look a Barbie Doll via 10 surgeries in one day. It got me to thinking that people usually are down on themselves way more than they are "UP". There is so much to be insecure about...what are you SECURE about?

So let's play a little game. Leave a comment and tell me what is your favorite "Physical" attribute.

I'll go first. Outside of the obvious, (my dimples)...I really think I have great calves. I love the shape of my legs. It took me years to realize that.

What's your favorite Physical attribute?

Black Out Challenge...(Day 4)

Pretty boring outfit. I know. I am only posting for full disclosure. I actually wore a colorful scarf with this but I left it in the car.

(Jessica Simnpson painful shoes, Khaki Wrap, Thrifted Kasper jacket)

Nothing special here. This outfit looks way better in person. It's actually a khaki wrap dress that I got from H&M years ago. This is my version of business casual...navy and khaki...with a twist. The dress is a full cut. I had a coworker ask if I was wearing a "crinolin". I just stared at her. I didn't know what the hell she was talking about! She had to tell me that's old school for "petticoat". Tell me something! The jacket is navy and one of my thrifted finds. I love the cut so very much. That's all. Mama is tired!

Check out Mish Dish, she is killing it with the challenge!
I clearly need to step up my fab game because Mish is clearly not playing with this "no wearing black" challenge:)

Here is my theme song one more time ...just in case you forgot:)

Black Out Challenge (Day 3)

(I got this slouchy top and winged cardi from JC Penney...I totally feel like Diana Ross with those winged arms...which is always the point of getting dressed, isn't it? Who doesn't want to be a diva like Diana? By the way, the prices on JCP online for the shirt/cardi were more than what I paid. Both were under 12 bucks)



(Aldo Shoes)

I'm back on track. After the mishap yesterday, I believe I am redeeming myself with this ensemble. If you are just dropping by, I am punishing myself to wearing no black for a week because that's all I ever wear. Don't even ask me about my poses! I saw a park...pulled over and started posing. One thing led to another and pretty soon I'm running through the fields taking pictures! Just laugh at the pics...I did!

By the way, this is my theme song until I decide to change it. This is the song I want played any time I enter a room!

....well...it plays in my head when I walk in the room anyway!

Black Out Challenge...Sorta

Okay. Let me explain. I know I'm not supposed to wear black all week...I know, I know. I KNOW!! It was an accident! I didn't realize that this dress was black! I SWEAR!! I completely thought this was NAVY BLUE! Honest! This dress has been hanging in my closet for weeks and I've never worn it until today. I was under the assumption that I was wearing a navy blue dress. It wasn't until I got to work, sitting in a meeting... bored to tears that I realized that this was BLACK PLAID, NOT BLUE PLAID!! AGGH!! I felt disgusted at myself!
How in the hell am I going to initiate a challenge and FAIL at it!Ralph Lauren Taffeta Wrap Dress, Kate Spade Shoes, Old Gap Jean Jacket

Yes, I could have run home to change into something all colorful and challenge worthy but that's just psycho and an honest mistake. Doesn't it look navy to you? It does right.



(Are you wondering if I am actually standing in the frozen yogurt shop posing for pictures? The answer is yes. I was thinking it was a cute place, why not take a picture there...lol)

Since I am confessing...let me go ahead and tell it all. I didn't wear that jean jacket to work. Because I thought I was wearing a navy dress, I wore my Navy blazer with it. When I was in the meeting and made the horrible discovery, I felt dirty. I hate not matching...well not matching in an ugly way. All of a sudden, I started feeling paranoid. I kept thinking people were pointing and laughing at me. My left shoulder started twitching as if I was having an allergic reaction to the discovery that I was wearing navy and black together...not that I'm against that combo...but this was not one of those cases where it was cute. I finally just took the damn jacket off because I kept scratching like ants were crawling over me(not really)...ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I WASN'T MATCHING THE WAY I THOUGHT I WAS! So just may be I am a little psycho.
(Kate spade Shoes)
As soon as I got home, I knew I had to take pictures but I couldn't handle wearing the wrong jacket any longer. For your sake, I threw on the jean jacket. Ay de mi'!!. Extreme mental exhaustion today...all behind the color NAVY!

(Here is the dress posted on Ralph Lauren's site. Overlook the fact that the model doesn't do the dress justice like I do...but doesn't it look navy? LOL)

So, I'm guessing I failed at this challenge today? In my defense, I really believed I was wearing navy. Really I did. That's got to count for something? In my heart, I was wearing navy:) God knows my heart! LOL

Black Out Challenge (Day 2)

No black today!! I am proud of myself. I will even venture to say that the color in my wardrobe might have encouraged me to put an extra dip in my hip when I walked today. My mom hooked me up with this leather jacket ...it only took a whole two seconds before I ripped out of her hands, ripped the tags off with my teeth and was on my way home to introduce it to the rest of my closet.

Speaking of challenges, I have a few other personal challenges that I've inflicted upon myself this week. First of all, I am not listening to any secular music for a week....straight gospel music in the car. Now, if I just happen to zone out while driving and Usher's Daddy's Home song comes on...and I started grinding in my seat...that's the only exception.

But in general, I could use some extra inspiration/motivation in these days. The songs on the radio are just getting plain stupid anyway, so it's not like I'm missing much. Plus, I get tired of looking like Oprah during worship service at church...singing along to songs when I KNOW I don't know the words! (don't act like you've never seen Oprah lip sync to songs that knows she has never heard before.)

I've also challenged myself to pack my lunch every day this week. Not only is it more budget friendly but it's healthier too. Besides, my students are tired of me collecting money from them like I'm taking up offering so I can buy a honeybun from the vending machine everyday. My all time low is when I busted one of my kids for eating in my class. I told her to bring her bag to me. When I saw that they were animal crackers, I told her she could eat them only if she shared them with me. Shameful! LOL.

Click here to check out my "Blog Godmother" (I just made that up just now!). Mish Dish is doing the Black Out Challenge with me. Try to hate her as much as I do for her ridiculous shoe and purse collection.

P.S. I'm friends with Oprah in my head...she is laughing as she reads this right now:) Love you O!

Black Out (Day 1)

This is the first day of my "don't wear black all week so people don't think I am depressed or wonder if I see dead people" challenge. I think most people wear black because of the whole "black makes you look slimmer" theory. As you can tell from the pile of clothes on the floor in the above picture...I just didn't have the juice to take a picture. All I could think about was getting home to rip these clothes off my body and climbing in bed.

(I wore this jacket here and the shirt here and the heels here)

Actually, by the time I turned the corner on my block... I was already barefoot, the bra was already unbuckled and I was on my second shot of Petron.

Sleepy+ dealing with 145 different personalities under the age of 15 +paper work + a 2 hour meeting after work + an hour in traffic + no lunch all day = NO Picture today.

Let's see how I feel about this challenge by the end of the week. For some reason I picture myself at the end of the week rocking back and forth, crouched in the corner of my closet, swaddling all of my black articles of clothing, chanting "Kmart sucks" like Rain Man. (It should be obvious that I'm going through withdrawal:)

(P.S....just kidding about the Petron...I would never drink and drive:)

To avoid being Debbie Downer today, I must say that my mom surprised me with a Leather Fitted Blazer today. I can't wait to wear it:)

Enough Already

(Sorry for the horrible facial expression above.) This is what I wore to church today.

(Vintage belt, Target textured tights, Zara's Trench, Calvin Klein Heels, LV Speedy 35, JC Penney Dress underneath)

This is officially the end of me wearing all black. That's all I've been wearing for the past few weeks or so. I am challenging myself for this whole week to not wear any stitch of black. No black pencil skirt, No black dress, no black shirts...NO BLACK TIGHTS! Oh my god...No black leggings!?!? No Black Pencil Skirt!?!?

Let's see if I can make it. Do you wear something to death?

Who wants to take the challenge with me? It may not be "wearing black" obsessively. Maybe you wear jeans every single day, or heels every single day...challenge yourself to think outside of the box. Let me know what your challenge is in the comment section.

Update: Sounds like people are up for a challenge. The following bloggers are going to do the challenge with me:)

1. Kris Kross Coffee Therapy
2. Mish Dish-I've asked her to adopt me so that I may rummage through her shoes and purses...still waiting on an answer:)

Are you down for the challenge?

Disheveled

"Disheveled" is the best word to describe me right now. Inside and out. The beginning of this year...not so great. Simply put...life is precious. At any rate, God is good and complaining is for suckers.

I don't have any outfit posts as of late, I've been wearing alot of black lately...too much for some reason. On top of that, I felt totally disgusting today. My tights kept falling down and my skirt kept riding up. I wore flats today....just a pure, hot mess.

At any rate...here's another "What's in My Bag" edition to make me feel productive.Here's what my purse looked like before I dumped everything out. This is basically a carryall which means things easily can get lost. I went out of my way to find compartments to simplify my search for things. I totally forgot that I scored that little authentic LV clutch from a little old lady at a garage sale about 5 years ago. (I seem to get lucky with Louis Vuitton merchandise it seems).I never, ever wear it. I had to dig it out actually but now it serves as my cosmetic bag...and it matches. Can't beat that.

Purse contents (gifted Louis Vuitton Speedy 35...!!!)

1. Scrabble cards (I found a "playing card" holder randomly in one of my dungeon drawers this weekend...I'm seriously addicted to the Scrabble Card Game:)

2. Sunnies
3. Hall Pass ( I bought for my classroom)
4. Thrifted gloves

5. Juicy Couture Body Creme
6. Wallet
7. MAC Prrrr Lip Glass/ MAC Lip Liner/MAC Lipstick
8. Burt Bee's Hand oil
9. Mary Kay Mascara (What's up Arianne!)

10. Toothpaste
11. Cocoa Butter
12. I use a magazine to serve as the base for the purse because otherwise it loses shape.

Oh...I created a Q & A page since I am nearing 100 followers via blogger and subscriptions and lurkers. It's my way of thanking all of you for supporting my blog. Drop by and ask me anything. Answering the questions might just possibly save me from putting my eye out with a hot, jagged fork. (lol...I laughed out loud just typing that). Anywho, hater questions will be deleted.

Random question to you...fill in the following sentence in the comment section...

My last dream/nightmare was about ___________________________.

(On another random note...this whole post is random actually...but I am totally obsessed with my circle scarf by American Apparel. You can wear it in over a million different ways. It's really a scarf with the ends sewn together but just like the Snuggie, I consider it a great invention now:) That's me in the red scarf in the above pic montage.)