I've been really into wearing trousers lately. It might be the whole turning thirty thing, ya know? I used to hate pants, but now a good comfortable pair is my go-to in the morning or in the evening for cocktail events. I'm probably just over buying so many pairs of tights and stockings during the cold weather seasons. Can we talk about wearing a pair of stockings once then having to discard them because they seem to always rip no matter how careful we are? I'm not even talking about the two-dollar kinds!
Read MoreAt the table, the calm air danced around us. A cat brushed past Regine's ankles, and she froze. She's terrified of them I learned that day. I dug in my plate of akra (malanga fritters), and waved the server over for more pikliz (a condiment made of picked shredded cabbage and hot peppers that I can't live without.) I had a bottle of cold Prestige just a few inches away from my big plate of Haitian fritay. That afternoon was to be cherished for a long time.
Read MoreI got this grey hat from my local hats store in Harlem about a week before my 30th birthday. I find pleasure in going in a men's shop to try on various hats. I always tip each hat to the side and stare at my profile for a little Paola drama. There's just something about buying things made for men, from men, that I love. I get this strange feeling of freedom and power. Is that weird?
Read More I love pieces that pull me, and seem to tell me that they belong in my closet for a very long time. Pieces that my daughter would love to borrow. And this trench kimono yelled that to me from all the way across the room. I swear it did. And then, when I got closer, it whispered sweet nothings in my ear, and the next thing I knew, I was folding it to take it home with me, where it clearly belonged.
Read MoreI scored this Chanel vintage blazer at JBBORN, a second hand shop founded and operated by television hit series Born To Style, in Harlem right before it closed. When I tried it on, I loved the fit so much, I didn't even realize it was a Chanel piece. Double win! I kept it in my closet for a while. Why do I do this? I find a blazer. I get thrilled! I buy it, and then it sits there for a while... Because I'm waiting on Michelle Obama to invite me out?
Read More“While making the press rounds for her new film Queen of Katwe, Lupita Nyong’o added majestic head wraps to her signature red carpet look.
Nyong’o told People magazine that her “crowns” are inspired by the character she plays on the big screen. Working with her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, and her hairstylist, Vernon François, Nyong’o creates statement-making head wraps with fabrics sourced from as far as East Africa.
Read MoreBlock heeled ankle boots are a must have. They're comfortable, versatile, and accentuate legs with the right amount of height. I wear them with jeans, cropped trousers, mini or midi skirts. They're simply a necessary. I've compiled a list of nine eye-catching ankle boots starting at $129 that will compliment pretty much any outfit your heart desires.
Read MoreUp the hills in Petion-Ville, I zigzagged through Place St. Pierre, hunting for familiar things. Ah yes! Asterix, the bookstore, I remember that place. It got me in so much trouble as a child. I used to escape in the aisles, sitting on the floor with a pop magazine on my lap. I remember reading about Jennifer Aniston and other celebrities whose work I'd never even heard of. They all seemed so far away. In a land I'd never reach. I'd spend hours there, then later to be met by my mother's belt at home. She thought I used to sneak around to meet boys. And no matter how many times I told her I was terrified of them, I'd be punished either way because I made my little brother wait. Instead of picking him up from school on time, I went to small bookshop to escape.
Read MoreYou know what I love about transition weather? I find it pretty darn cool that I can wear fall colors without all the layering, which means I can still stroll about town showing off my ankles and hand accessories. YAAAAASSS. I've been feel super casual lately by playing with basics, loose jeans, and adding a statement shoe or stacking up bold rings!
As you know, I'm a comfort lover so mom and boyfriend jeans are my go-to when it comes to denim. I like it loose, baby! Another thing... I'm obsessed with men's inspired shoes. It's not even funny anymore. I don't care what's on trend or not, if I come across a pair that make my heart sing, I grab it! These metallic babes pulled at my heart strings...
Read MoreMy mother turned 51 this year. As part of her birthday gift, I told her I wanted photograph her. The thought came to me on the bus from Vermont one random morning. I called her immediately with the idea, and I could tell she was just as excited as I was. I wanted to make her feel beautiful and special, and I figured this would be a great way to connect.
We planned to meet one afternoon after I was done at the office. I grabbed my makeup "kit" from the bedroom, set it on the kitchen counter, and went to work. While doing her makeup, I felt this strong connection between us. Like my great grandmother was watching us, smiling.
Read MoreShort rompers do not only lengthen the body, but they accentuate the legs. They're super comfortable, gorgeous and fit pretty much any body type. I absolutely love their versatility. You can wear them with long blazers, leather jackets, jean jackets, oversized sweaters, and they're just as flattering and ridiculously cute.
Read MoreThis past weekend was a dream. I celebrated my bachelorette party with eight amazing friends from different stages of my life who all came together to plan a beautiful evening that led to a two day event. I couldn't help but feel full that night. Full of love. Full of light. Full of gratitude. Full of life.
Read MoreThe older I get the more I realize how much I love to wear clothes that don't really cling to my body. I'm not sure if it's because of my body type. I've always been tall, thin with an athletic built. My body literally goes up and down, there is NO curve. Nada. But it's ok, I've come to terms with that. I've accepted it. And you know what? I even love it! When I go shopping, I love to size up, especially when it comes to shirt dresses.
Read MoreMy favorite kind of clothing is easy, breezy, and flowy. They're easier to wear, especially during the heatwave. I actually don't mind the heat much, even when sweat runs down from the center of my boobs, or I can spot sweat bubbles right above my top lip. It's all good! When it's overwhelmingly hot, I don't find myself rushing too much. I walk taking longer, slower strides, and I stop more to admire my surrounding. Just another excuse to daydream on my way to and from work, you know? And so I wear lightweight flowy dresses whenever I can.
Read MoreI met a man outside of a garden on a small street in Harlem yesterday. Let's call him "D". He bent down, pulled out a bag of cat food and made a careful spread on two paper plates, then slid them underneath the fence. He patiently waited as multiple cats appeared from the flowers, rocks, and all kinds of little nooks to attend the feast. Earlier, I noticed when he walk past me from where I was standing, but I was focused on the bee buzzing all over the sunflower I was trying to photograph.
Read MoreLast week, I met up with my old friend Alejandro to discuss the photography for my wedding. Yes friends, we're just a few weeks away from the big day! We started with coffee at Cafeine, then realizing we were actually starving, we continued the party next door at Row House. New York City has been going through a terrible (but wonderful for me) heatwave the past few weeks. It makes getting ready so easy because it forces me to keep it simple. Flowy dresses or tops, or easy rompers like this wonderful Jolie Coquette one are my go-to in my closet.
Read MoreEverything I have, I've earned. I was born in Haiti and raised by a young mother who was figuring out what life was all about just like I was. Although we didn't have much, we were lucky to live in a nice house built by my great grand-mother and uncle, and I was privileged enough to attend a good school. When I think about it now, many sacrifices were made for me in order to live the life I had in Haiti. But everything changed when we moved to the states. We went from living in a two story house with over five bedrooms to a one-bedroom apartment in Newark. Life was tough.
Read MoreI've been working for myself over two years now. And since I've started, I've been able to travel several places to share what I do with different audiences. So far, each trip has been incredibly meaningful and have impacted me in ways that I never thought possible. This one time, I was in Puerto Rico with Fanm Djanm as a vendor for the biggest annual natural hair meet-up event hosted by Diosas Al Natural, and the day before the big event, my friend Kristia and I walked to the beach with a bottle of bubbly and a hula hoop to catch the sunset. Our goal was to really let go and have fun.
Read MoreSome days I wake up, and I want to literally wear all of the prints. I go through my closet in a mad rampage picking out the most vibrant things to see how I can mix them all together. I want to look like an African fairy, damnit! It's no secret that I'm a print and color lover, but what I really aim to do is to find fun ways to wear things that wouldn't typically go together or not too obvious and expected. For example, adding the kente print headwrap to finish this outfit was the icing on the cake for me!
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