fashion

the fall look

kdavis Leave a comment

according to michael kors’ 2016 fall catalog, the colors plum and moss/hunter green are in this season.  well, i wasn’t ready to splurge on a fabulous handbag or garment (at least not just yet), but i figured i could get creative with how i incorporate these colors into my fall look.

yesterday i was out and about running errands, including a quick stop into ulta for some must-haves and want-to-haves.  i made my way to the nail care area and did a couple laps around the shelves.  the lovely thing about nail polish is that it comes in nearly any shade of the rainbow you can imagine.  this undeniable fact had me hopeful that i’d find just the shade i was seeking.  to no one’s surprise, there aren’t nearly as many green shades of polish as you might find pinks as reds, but i did at least find what i wanted:  a hunter green called front runner by opi.  when i first brushed it on my nails, it almost appeared blue-green.  but in the right light, it’s the excellent fall green i was wanting, especially out in the natural sun.

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now that i had my deep green fix, i enlisted the help of an employee to find a plum lipstick.  she showed me several samples, some too dark and others too pink.  we finally came upon, though, the one i would take home with me:  buxom’s matte big & sexy bold gel lipstick in vampy plum.  the matte is ultra chic, i think, and the color is very sensual against my rather light complexion.  i’m in love with this stuff already!  oh, and did i mention that the lipstick case is magnetic?  when i put the cap back on and realized it, i swear i died and went to makeup heaven.

ps:  if anyone finds they’re in a splurging mood, i’m all kinds of obsessed with mk’s faux-fur peacoat and the mercer tote in cinder.  just saying!  😀

floof! poof! puff! fluff!

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a little bit ago i shared with you all a beautiful necklace that one of my dear girlfriends made.  well, her creative, designer spirit is at work again with this precious keychain!

i think an audible “eek” squeaked out of me when she surprised me with it earlier this week.  i mean, how precious is this little thing?  it’s super girly and super extra and super fun and super fluffy and makes me smile.  and let’s be real:  every girl can use a few more danglies on her keychain.  we’re known for it!

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also, yes, you are seeing correctly that the carabiner says “omhs prom 2005.”  that is the carabiner i got for my junior prom back at oak mountain high school.  man, the memories are flooding back to me now, especially since my ten-year reunion is this fall.  how the time flies!

a romper for curvy girls!

kdavis 2 Comments

i was at target the other day with the sole intent to buy new clothes.  one may typically be in target for the necessities and just so happen to drop a hundred bucks on a new outfit (not that i know anything about that), but this time i was fully prepared to browse the racks in pursuit of something fun and light for these summer months.  it’s been a sticky season down here in hotlanta, and on the weekends i try to avoid anything snug at all costs.  gotta let your body breathe!

among the ten or so hangers i ended up taking to the dressing room, i was overjoyed when i found that the lace romper i’d warily picked from the rack actually fit and, if you can believe it, was flattering!  there isn’t too much material that it looks frumpy, and the elastic waistband hits at the right spot, at least on my body.  the only downside?  the zipper is in the back and isn’t the easiest to undo yourself.  i wore the romper saturday night to a friend’s house for grilling out and games and had some girlfriends who were kind enough to unzip me and rezip me after my visits to the ladies’ room.  hehe!

i’ve always wanted a romper, and i think this one is the one for me.  it has good coverage even though it is a little on the shorter side, and the size i got to accommodate my derriere was comfy without swallowing me up top.  another plus?  it didn’t show my sweat, even after four games of kan jam!  it’s a keeper for sure!

never did i ever

kdavis 2 Comments

well, if that post title isn’t the most open-ended i’ve ever written, i don’t know what is!  never did i ever, in a million years, think i’d spend my hard-earned money on cute loungewear.  first, when i’m relaxing at home, who cares what i’ve got on my body?  second, when i have gym shorts, yoga pants, and oversized t-shirts that i’ve acquired over the years, what’s the need?

well, it’s just that, folks.  it isn’t a need at all; it’s merely a want.  why do i want to feel cute when i’m without makeup and stuffing my face with french onion dip as i catch up on the bachelorette and the americans?  honestly, i’ve no reasonable answer for you.  the only semi-understandable argument for it would be if i had my own reality show and each week people tuned in to see my glamorous life.  i am still holding out for andy cohen and the bravo network to discover me.  someday!  someday!

as i sit here and compose this post, the first image that pops in my head is a scene from the sex and the city movie.  it’s new year’s eve, and carrie bradshaw is celebrating by herself at her apartment in pajamas while eating a cup-o-noodles.  but, wait!  do you see?  those are no ordinary pajamas.  she’s got a string of pearls around her neck!  yes, i promise you’re seeing it correctly.  there’s clearly no need for the necklace, but nonetheless, she’s rocking them like a superstar.  now, i only wish i looked so effortless when i’m just existing in my condo, and maybe this quick scene from one of my favorite movies was the unintentional inspiration.

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so, now that we have a back story, what’s the actual story?  well, about a month ago i was moseying around old navy with kari when i spotted a darling lounge hoodie that was unbelievably soft and then, oh yes, just near it was a stylish pair of cuffed sweatpants.  that’s right, i used the words “stylish” and “sweatpants” in the same sentence!  i tried them on in the dressing room and squealed with joy.  how is it possible that simple loungewear can make me happy?  i’ve not a clue why, but i cannot deny my new found love for these two new pieces in my dresser.  i can pretty much guarantee they’ll be worn thin in no time.

now, do we expect i’ll have bags and bags of lululemon swag soon?  i’m thinking no.  i mean, i’ve got to draw the line somewhere, but if we have a slumber party anytime soon, you know what i’ll be sporting, and maybe i’ll even throw on some pearls to dress it up a bit.  😉

san francisco – day 1

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folks, it’s time this hard-working lady treated herself to a few days off from work.  where to, you ask?  well, if the title of this post isn’t a hint, i’m headed to san francisco.  yep!  a four and half hour delta flight brought me to this city on the bay for a long weekend to visit my cousin brian.  i know, how exciting!  he’s been living in this fair city for a little while now, and considering i’ve never spent time here, i figured a trip westward was in order.

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do i have much planned for my days in san fran?  not much besides a wine tour on saturday.  well, i take that back.  i plan to practically eat my way through the city.  i’ve promised myself i’ll do enough walking to justify the obscene amount of calories i’ll probably be consuming.  that order shouldn’t be too tall to keep since the weather in northern california is forecasted to be pretty gorgeous during my stay.  ah, thank you, mother nature, for your kindness!

but first, where does each cross-country journey begin?  an exhilarating flight across the nation, of course!  i hustled down to the airport this afternoon with my brand spankin’ new luggage (thanks to kari for helping me pick it out at tj maxx), left it at the baggage drop, and then patiently waited my turn in the security line.  i was a bit surprised by the number of fellow travelers this time in the middle of the week.  oh well, i was in no real rush, so i shuffled along and through like a good little guest.

after hitting the ladies’ room and filling my water bottle, i leisurely strolled on over to gate a24.  the gate attendants were getting ready to board first class, so i popped a squat and waited my turn.  i am a lazy boarder, so i usually just hop on at the end.  i mean, what’s the rush to squeeze yourself into a cramped airplane seat?  i always check my luggage since it’s free, so i don’t mind the later boarding.  plus, if you stick around the gate, you can be super touristy and take pictures of relatively boring and typical scenes.

isn’t this well-framed photo of my plane and jetway super interesting?

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and how about this one of the gate and all my fellow flyers?  we’ll be best friends long before touchdown in san fran!  oh, except for this lady on the right of the picture.  i’m sure she’d kill me if she knew i’d gotten this sweet shot of her white-washed jean backside.  hehe.

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oh, and here’s my personal favorite.  isn’t this delta sign just so picturesque with the fire hose totally photo bombing the entire thing?

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you didn’t think the simple act of boarding a plan could be this interesting, did you?  ah, just you wait!  i am a woman of many talents, one of them being the gift to make normally routine and bland life events highly entertaining.  i like to think i get it from my parents.  thanks, mom!  thanks, dad!

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join the club!

kdavis 3 Comments

i don’t like to call myself a fast food lover, but i think that would be a bit of a lie.  sometimes all i crave is some processed meats and salty potatoes to satisfy my hunger.  is there something so wrong with that?  if you say yes, then i bet you are only denying your own desire to find the nearest drive-thru for some temporary and unhealthy satisfaction.  i’m not sure there are many fast food establishments i’d pass up, but i’d almost drive any number of miles to find a mcdonald’s because, let’s face it, mcdonald’s is practically an international icon in its own right.  those golden arches are recognizable almost all over the world, and there’s always a small tug on my steering wheel whenever i pass by one on the road.

phillip and i were recently talking about eating (something we do often now that i think about it) and somehow mcdonald’s came up in the conversation.  i asked him what his favorite meal there was, and he said that he always gets the quarter pounder burger.  he asked the same question to me, and without much hesitation, i said the big mac.  now, chicken mcnuggets are in a close second, i promise, but the big mac is just so classic!  “you know,” he said, “I’ve never had a big mac myself.”

“WAT.”  i swear the world stopped for a second when he told me he’d never had the privilege of enjoying what is, quite possibly, the most well-known burger in all the land.  how can he never have had a taste of those two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun?  i know!  it’s almost blasphemous!

well, i have good news for you all.  last night phillip joined the big mac club, and it was some of the most fun i’ve had eating a meal.

first, the bag of heavenly goodness.

next, the box.  oh, how the anticipation built!

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oooh, and there it is in all its glory!

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glamour shot!

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and by glamour shot i mean grease shot…

have you ever seen someone so excited about a big mac?

my first big mac, captured in history!

his first big mac, captured in history!

staring it down…

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…and taking the plunge!

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phillip took his time to savor each bite and really review the flavor profile of this classic burger.  he loved the big mac sauce (basically thousand island) slathered on each beef patty.  the pickles and cheese were great toppings as well, and even though the big mac is big, it wasn’t too large for this hungry fellow.  he had brought me one also, and i scarfed mine down between breaths of air.  big macs are a guilty pleasure for me, and considering it had been months since i’d had one myself, i wasted no time in enjoying it.

although the quarter pounder may always be his favorite go-to, i suspect i’ve converted phillip with a new favorite.  thank you, mcdonald’s, for bringing a close couple even closer!

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so, phillip is now a member of the big mac club.  congratulations, dear!  however, another club that he had missed out on for a while but is now a proud member of is the michael kors club.  yes, i have corrupted him and am afraid there may be no turning back.  last weekend phillip did a little spring shopping for himself at macy’s, and you shouldn’t be surprised that i was happy to tag along.

after dressing him up in new shirts and pants in the fitting room, we headed down to the michael kors watch counter.  phillip had taken a look at their selection right when we walked in the mall but decided he wanted to do clothes first and then see how he was feeling.  fair enough.  when we got back to the jewelry case, he kindly asked colleen to let him try on the everest silver-tone watch again.  with his new outfit and puma sneakers on, the watch looked better than ever.  funny how that works, right?  this watch is modern and sleek while also being a beefy, eye-catching piece.  the two-tone blue and black dial is unique like the rubber wristband.  oh, and you want to know what made it an even better buy?  it was on sale, and he didn’t know it until he went to the checkout counter.  sometimes you find everything when you aren’t even looking for it.

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lipstick: my new favorite accessory

kdavis 4 Comments

last night a bunch of us went to the painted pin in buckhead to celebrate valentine’s day.  i don’t have a significant other, so i considered all of my friends that night my date!  i was pumped for a carefree evening and was also looking forward to hearing our friends play in the band velvet runway.  they rocked the place for a solid four hours, playing all of your favorite 70s and 80s hits.  the bartenders kept the 7s and 7s coming, and after several rounds of bocce ball, i deemed the night a great success.

before the festivities began, though, i went to do a little shopping, hoping to find a new outfit, if not maybe a new top, since it was a special occasion.  my closet might be packed, but there’s room for a couple more blouses in there.  ah, my father would be proud!

i unfortunately had no luck on the racks and felt a teeny tinge of disappointment as i left another store empty-handed.  it’s always that you don’t find something when you’re looking for it, isn’t it?  well, at least that’s what they say.  i turned left and took the stairs down to ulta, for i needed a few beauty supplies.  growing up i was never big into makeup, and there are times these days when i find that i hate “having” to wear it.  i know, i know, i don’t have to, but honey, this face doesn’t look perfect when i roll out of the bed in the morning.  i firmly believe that natural days have their place, as do makeup days.  🙂

i like to think i have the basics of makeup down (somewhat), but one area where i never venture too far from the conventional look is with the lips.  i usually lean more towards subtle glosses or nude shades.  i thought, though, that even if i was going to wear something in my closet, i could easily transform it into a whole new look with a new lipstick.  at least it would feel new to me, and feeling confident is what matters, right?  if you feel confident, you’ll appear confident to others, and according to society today, confidence is the best accessory in your closet.  wait, was that tyra who said that?  or is it your smile that’s your best accessory?  maybe it’s both?  maybe i’ve watched too many seasons of america’s next top model…

so, with that i began the hunt for the new perfect lipstick.  i already had a tarte lipstain that i was in love with, but they didn’t have the right shade i was looking for that day.  i wanted something a little more red-orange, not too pink and not too coral.  i began to peruse the shelves and was finally spotted by an employee who was ready to happily assist.  we walked up and down the aisles, trying out different shades on our hands, and then we finally found it:  urban decay’s revolution lipstick, the bang shade.  it was the perfect shade, super saturated and super rich.  not too glossy but not too matte.  it was a match made in makeup heaven, if such a thing can even exist, and i’ll say it looked killer with the rest of my outfit last night.

it also looks great with baseball tees!

it’s quite amazing how something like a little pop of color on the lips can make you feel like a whole new person.  heck, i even threw some on when i went to starbucks to write this post, just because i can!  the lipstick print on my coffee cup is adorable, and i cannot keep from smiling.  *kiss kiss*

“the death of business casual”

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okay, so i don’t think i would really consider myself a fashionista.  i simply don’t have enough free time to read through style magazines, watch e!, or peruse the racks at tj maxx and marshall’s for steals on designer brands.

but!  i do know how to put myself together, and thanks to my dad’s critical eye, i know what works with what and what needs to be worn where.  after being in the corporate world for nearly five years now, i also have plenty of experience dressing for clients and colleagues and c-level personnel.  i don’t let my personal style suffer too much, but sometimes you do what you gotta do.

now, with all of this being said, i came across a very interesting article on linkedin today for the men in the audience.  mr. rob madelmayer takes a very quick look at what the styles of corporate men once were and how they compare to what you gentlemen are sporting today.  his generalization is just that, a generalization, but it evoked a moment of pause in my afternoon to think a little more on it.

i will never forget my first day at work, back in june 2010, when my then coworker emmanuel showed up to the office in a suit and tie.  this man knew how to dress himself, and he was looking sharp, and even though a couple of more senior folks gave him a little jab about it, i think a certain level of respect was nearly instantaneous because, whether we like to admit it or not, first impressions do matter.  throughout his time at my company, he continued to dress for success, and it is something people continue to remember about him even though he hasn’t worked here in almost three years.

you might want to say that looks don’t matter, but the clothes you put on your body say a lot about who you are.  they tell, or maybe don’t tell, people “hey, i looked in the mirror this morning and was confident this outfit would be an acceptable way to present myself.”  and even if you never meet a person, if they see you in the grocery store or the local sub shop for lunch, what do you think they’d have to say?

just a little food for thought.

hello, shoes

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everyone, i would like to introduce you to my taylor swift kids from tj maxx.  they are dotted canvas with striped ribbon shoelaces.  they are precious and adorable and are the sweetest pair of sneakers i have in my closet right now.  it is their pleasure to have met you as well.

t swift keds.

t swift keds.