This spring, I’m all about flowy dresses, dancing barefoot, and stepping out in statement mules. I’ve been keeping my hair in braided extensions. They’re great for easy updos, and headwrap styles. They’re also perfect for adding drama to my fancy dance moves, that often include shaking my head, shimmying, and a little hip shaking. OK, maybe they’re not that fancy, but they’re pretty fun!
I’ve been called “extra” many times before I even realized or maybe accepted that I was. So when Intermix asked me to choose a look for the holiday season, I selected this multilayered bright red two piece work of art by AMUR. When asked where or what occasion I’d wear it to, I answered: The real question is where could I NOT wear this look? I would wear this to eat dinner with my husband for his birthday. Or I would call some friends and tell them that we’re going out for fancy cocktails and dinner, and yes, I would arrive in this ensemble. I’d even wear this to take myself to the ballet and book a table for ONE at one of my favorite French restaurants in New York. But, since we’re talking about the holiday season, I’d wear this to dinner for NYE too.
Aight, so boom! I was minding my business one day, and Anthropologie slid in my DMs and asked me if I wanted to be best friends. I was excited about the offer, but I couldn’t really show my eagerness so I responded: It depends… Are there perks to this friendship? All jokes aside, I was ecstatic to partner with Anthropologie to put together five colorful looks for fall. I live in Austin now, and we have MONTHS of fall unlike my old city, New York City. So hunny, I’m serving: eclectic librarian and cat lover, colorful gangster who helps the elderly, romantic dame, sultry art director on a Friday night, and soulful reader and tea connoisseur.
Fall is my favorite season. It’s the perfect time to play with layers, textures, and statement jewelry. I simply can’t resist a good pair statement earrings! I selected some stunning pieces from KENDRA SCOTT, and even challenged myself with getting some dainty options, like the CROWLY NECKLACE. I decided to use all of the gifted jewelry and styled them THREE different ways for completely different occasions.
White shoes have always been a favorite before they became trendy. And to me, combat boots are a wardrobe classic, just like the denim jacket, the black turtleneck, and the gray blazer. When Frye reached out with the their new lookbook, I spotted these white combat boots, and I was ecstatic! I’m particularly enamored by the fact that they lace up all the way without the zipper on the side, and the shade of white is perfect. I knew I could play with them all fall/winter all the way through spring. The shade white is both refreshing and unexpected.
Sometimes, you're sitting down with your family to have dinner, and you make eye contact with a random woman. She smiles at you, and you smile back. Then she comes closer and keeps smiling without saying a word. So you look at your baby, your mom, take a quick look around for your husband who went to look for another table because someone was smoking near you. Because you were sitting outside, and it's Texas. And your eyes go back to the woman who somehow got even closer with her frozen smile and empty eyes. So finally you say, "hello." Then she squats down beside you, puts her hand on your shoulder, and says, "I just want to say that WE LOVE YOU HERE."
Together, Zuli and I spent one hundred and forty days in the hospital this year. The day before I was admitted in the hospital, I spent most of it vomiting and feeling nauseated, lightheaded. It was a cold day in January, and I was scheduled to speak on a panel at the WeWorks in downtown Austin about social media and branding with Planoly. I came close to cancelling it, but I convinced myself I would feel better once I had my headwrap and bright lipstick on. I mustered all the energy I had, got ready, and showed up.
When I started Fanm Djanm, if my goal was to get rich and scam people, I would have quit four years ago. Starting a business from nothing is incredibly hard. Especially if the business involves art and creativity. Especially if the founder is black. And young. And a woman. You will find people laugh at you (at first). They will say "no" before you even get a chance to present your work. Then they will be inspired, and ask you all kinds of questions about your business. Then some will copy.
So I may or may not have too many basket bags. I will neither confirm or deny. They are definitely a summer staple, and I can already see how they will work into my fall and winter wardrobe. Yes, I plan on wearing some of them with plaid suits and suede boots. DON'T COME FOR ME! Isn't fashion about having fun and expression one's self anyway?
This spring, I’m all about flowy dresses, dancing barefoot, and stepping out in statement mules. I’ve been keeping my hair in braided extensions. They’re great for easy updos, and headwrap styles. They’re also perfect for adding drama to my fancy dance moves, that often include shaking my head, shimmying, and a little hip shaking. OK, maybe they’re not that fancy, but they’re pretty fun!
I’ve been called “extra” many times before I even realized or maybe accepted that I was. So when Intermix asked me to choose a look for the holiday season, I selected this multilayered bright red two piece work of art by AMUR. When asked where or what occasion I’d wear it to, I answered: The real question is where could I NOT wear this look? I would wear this to eat dinner with my husband for his birthday. Or I would call some friends and tell them that we’re going out for fancy cocktails and dinner, and yes, I would arrive in this ensemble. I’d even wear this to take myself to the ballet and book a table for ONE at one of my favorite French restaurants in New York. But, since we’re talking about the holiday season, I’d wear this to dinner for NYE too.
Aight, so boom! I was minding my business one day, and Anthropologie slid in my DMs and asked me if I wanted to be best friends. I was excited about the offer, but I couldn’t really show my eagerness so I responded: It depends… Are there perks to this friendship? All jokes aside, I was ecstatic to partner with Anthropologie to put together five colorful looks for fall. I live in Austin now, and we have MONTHS of fall unlike my old city, New York City. So hunny, I’m serving: eclectic librarian and cat lover, colorful gangster who helps the elderly, romantic dame, sultry art director on a Friday night, and soulful reader and tea connoisseur.
Fall is my favorite season. It’s the perfect time to play with layers, textures, and statement jewelry. I simply can’t resist a good pair statement earrings! I selected some stunning pieces from KENDRA SCOTT, and even challenged myself with getting some dainty options, like the CROWLY NECKLACE. I decided to use all of the gifted jewelry and styled them THREE different ways for completely different occasions.
White shoes have always been a favorite before they became trendy. And to me, combat boots are a wardrobe classic, just like the denim jacket, the black turtleneck, and the gray blazer. When Frye reached out with the their new lookbook, I spotted these white combat boots, and I was ecstatic! I’m particularly enamored by the fact that they lace up all the way without the zipper on the side, and the shade of white is perfect. I knew I could play with them all fall/winter all the way through spring. The shade white is both refreshing and unexpected.
Sometimes, you're sitting down with your family to have dinner, and you make eye contact with a random woman. She smiles at you, and you smile back. Then she comes closer and keeps smiling without saying a word. So you look at your baby, your mom, take a quick look around for your husband who went to look for another table because someone was smoking near you. Because you were sitting outside, and it's Texas. And your eyes go back to the woman who somehow got even closer with her frozen smile and empty eyes. So finally you say, "hello." Then she squats down beside you, puts her hand on your shoulder, and says, "I just want to say that WE LOVE YOU HERE."
I had a conversation with a cloud once.
I asked: Where are you going?
She said: Who knows? Just passing.
I said: Me too.
Together, Zuli and I spent one hundred and forty days in the hospital this year. The day before I was admitted in the hospital, I spent most of it vomiting and feeling nauseated, lightheaded. It was a cold day in January, and I was scheduled to speak on a panel at the WeWorks in downtown Austin about social media and branding with Planoly. I came close to cancelling it, but I convinced myself I would feel better once I had my headwrap and bright lipstick on. I mustered all the energy I had, got ready, and showed up.
When I started Fanm Djanm, if my goal was to get rich and scam people, I would have quit four years ago. Starting a business from nothing is incredibly hard. Especially if the business involves art and creativity. Especially if the founder is black. And young. And a woman. You will find people laugh at you (at first). They will say "no" before you even get a chance to present your work. Then they will be inspired, and ask you all kinds of questions about your business. Then some will copy.
So I may or may not have too many basket bags. I will neither confirm or deny. They are definitely a summer staple, and I can already see how they will work into my fall and winter wardrobe. Yes, I plan on wearing some of them with plaid suits and suede boots. DON'T COME FOR ME! Isn't fashion about having fun and expression one's self anyway?