Super Trife

Top - F21; Skirt - J. Crew; Shoes - Borrowed from Mom

Date: Sunday, July 17, 2011

Is it super trife that I'm posting this outfit OVER a week late? I mean - I'm literally without the belly and everything now. This was my last pic preggo. It's funny looking at my pics - I think my face was definitely swollen in the last few weeks. Let me also just say that I think my hair looks a little crazy here, and it kind of has been crazy the past week. It's just been WILD! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. Depending on the time it takes these first few weeks, I'm considering a big chop. I know - I've been growing it, blah blah, but seriously - I don't want to spend HOURS on my hair. I have a whole hair update post drafted, I just need to tweak it a bit (for those who care). I missed 3 days of posting last week, but I still have a lot of good stuff backed up - food specifically! I may also throw in a post-baby outfit pic too...maybe. :)

Remix
I wore the top here.

Oxymoron

Shirt - Anthro; Skirt - H&M Maternity; Necklace - Borrowed from mom; Sandals - Steve Madden

Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Wednesday was a travel day since I drove back home for a work conference I had Monday and Tuesday of this week. Work conferences are quite the oxymoron. Typically, they're meant to do a few things: 

• Re-energize
• Contribute to your personal development needs
• Fix a problem
• Discuss a new venture/generate new ideas

Somehow, in the positivity of all of the previous mentions, everyone I know leaves conferences tired, with more work left than when they arrived. What an oxymoron - you put up your "Out of Office" automatic reply, and people think you're on vacation, when you're really just traveling somewhere to add to your plate. Ah life. I still enjoyed the conference, and am happy that I went!

Chameleon

Shirt - Anthro; Shorts - Anthro; Bracelet - Anthro; Earrings - Hand Me Down; Sandals - Sam Edelman

Date: Saturday, July 9, 2011

If you're wondering why I missed my Friday post, you can blame it on two things:

1. Amazon - my package was late, and that was one of my 'smile' items, SMH - it WILL be featured this week!
2. My hair - This is my new look for the summer! I'm not sure how long it will last, but it works for the time being. I actually did the braids myself. I did these braids over the course of Thursday and Friday evenings, they probably took me about 12-14 hours total. They are LONG - waist length long - and they will most likely be wrapped up in a bun!

My look is super dramatic with all this hair. Folks like Solange and Stephanie were my inspiration for the braids. I think both of them look lovely rocking the braids. These waist-length Poetic Justice-like braids are just gorgeous to me. Styles like this help me remember why I love my hair - it allows me to be such a chameleon. So - how do you like my new look?

Wild Thing

Dress - Vintage; Belt - Vintage; Shoes - Urban; Tank - Urban; Accessories - ??? Old (2004)

Date: Saturday, July 2, 2011

I was so pleased with how this "wild thing" outfit turned out. I've actually worn this dress a couple other times during my expectancy, but I have yet to take a picture in it. I normally layer it with a different tank and change up my belt for a different look. I really love how this belt in particular looks with it. Yesterday I was Mother Nature, and today I'm a Wild Thing!

PS - For my hair, I was aiming for a flat twist out, highlighted here. However, I didn't let my hair dry, so it just went afro on me. I still loved it!
PSS - That last picture of my scrunched up face...I practice that face to see where my wrinkle lines will be when I get older - true story. REAL STORY - a bug flew into my eye right when the timer went off, smh.

Mother Nature

Dress - Urban; Turban - Skirt borrowed from mom; Earrings - Hand Me Down from Cousin; Sandals - Sam Edelman; Lips - MAC (Satin)

Date: Friday, July 1, 2011

For this outfit, I felt like I was channeling "Mother Nature." I don't know if it was the turban, or the rustic silver earrings, or the matte dark lips, but when I looked in the mirror I said, "Hello Mother Nature!" LOL. I often will come up with names for myself if my outfits make me feel a certain vibe. I've been everything from Angela Davis, to a a groovy hippie, to Parisian chic. Let's just say I celebrate Halloween on plenty of honorary days throughout the year!

Over it

Dress - H&M; Turban Headband - Anthro; Shoes - Borrowed from Mom; Earrings - Gift

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2011

It's so hard to go back to work during the summer after a long vacation weekend. When you know teachers and kids are out, and everyone else is taking vacation. I haven't taken any vacation at all this year, because I needed to save my vacation for Naja's arrival. I'm at the point now where I want Naja to just come on.

It's hard to sleep comfortably now, and I wake up every couple of hours to use the bathroom. I have my first sign of stretch marks right above my belly button. To be frank - I'm kind of "over" this whole being pregnant thing. I just want my child to come. So that I can have something like a vacation, and hold my little baby, and dress her. I guess I'll still be waking up in the middle of the night, but for some reason - it seems that it will be better when she's here. Oh well, here's to waiting...3 weeks and 3 days til D-Day! Others are telling me to enjoy these last few weeks, and I've been enjoying this stuff for 9 months - I'm really just over it now.

Gone

Top - F21 (2005?); Pants - Motherhood Maternity; Shoes - Steve Madden

Date: Sunday, June 26, 2011

I'm happy to say that my move went very well. I hired Go Go Philly Movers, and they were quick, friendly and VERY economical! My brother snapped these photos of me on our way to PYT for a nice dinner after a long move. He forgot to tell me I had one twist just sticking out, moving with the wind, and that my bulky key were in my pocket - hence I felt the need to put my hand in my pocket - awkward. He also forgot to tell me I look tired as dirt, but I guess that's what one day of moving will do.

Chillin like a villain

Top - Banana; Short - Anthro; Shoes - Steve Madden; Headband - Anthro

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011

I am the queen of using corny phrases. I see absolutely nothing wrong with them - in fact, I love them! I used phrases like, "chillin like a villain" and "see  you later alligator" all the time...then I started losing friends, so I only say these phrases around close friends - just kidding (halfway). Anyway, I spent this weekend surrounded by boxes because this was my "moving weekend." Sadly, my lease is up, and I need more space for my little baby when she arrives. I truly am going to miss living in my box studio apartment.

If you didn't know - I'm delivering in Nothern Virginia where my parents live, and tele-working from there starting next week up until my due date (July 29). I'll be back in Philly after my maternity leave. While I chilled, I watched the entire Season 1 of Drop Dead Diva - it's my new favorite TV series. Seriously - I love the series - I think it's part witty, part funny, part love story and part entertaining. Everything that I need in a quality show!

PS - this headband is the same one for my 2YO Anniversary Giveaway, just in another print. How awful that is it that I got one for myself also because I love it so much? SMH.
PSS - I love how while I don't have cable, Twitter lets me know all the foolishness that goes on in modern day events #betawards, which it seems were mediocre, per usual.

Uncomfortable

Top - Urban; Skirt - H&M (maternity); Shoes - Anthro; Earrings - Anthro

Date: Sunday, June 19, 2011

Things are finally starting to get a little real now that I've creeped into the middle of Month 8. I'll actually be 35 weeks on Friday - 5 more to go til DDay, 1 more week until full-term. I stopped working out last week, and it seems like everything is moving at the speed of light now. I'm having these minor sporadic contractions (Braxton Hicks), which is normal as long as they're not frequent or super painful. They're very mild - but they cause me to feel like doing nothing. They make me feel extremely uncomfortable. Add to that the fact that it's 80 degrees, and I'm done. Adding to that, I wonder if I'm carrying a newborn or a toddler, because this girls' movements pack a real punch. Supposedly, this is all normal (says my doctor...and everyone else). I've come to the conclusion that only during pregnancy is being steadily uncomfortable normal. Trust me - I'm sparing you the details, I didn't even want to get into my boob situation...just uncomfortable.

Fake me out

Dress (worn as top) - Fcuk; Shorts - Arden B; Shoes - Urban; Lips - MAC (Dark Side); Bracelets - Anthro & Gift

Date: Friday, June 17, 2011

I have to make a confession. While I look totally calm and cool in this photo shoot, I was super geeked about this outift. I've explained before that I was upset that I wouldn't get the chance to do any real color blocking this summer. Why? Well - none of my bright-colored clothes fit, and we don't talk about maternity clothes here - it's just not allowed. Obviously I'm not going to buy these adorable orange shorts either in my current state. You can only imagine my excitement when I pulled out these shorts, slipped them on, and found that they fit comfortably under my big 'ol belly! CLEARLY I had to pair this with this dress that I've worn a million times before . I was super excited about all of it. Somehow I maintained a totally calm and cool photo shoot - FAKE ME OUT!

SN: In case you're wondering - I don't have my twists in anymore...so basically I've put locs on hold. I'll explain why later. I know, I changed my mind AGAIN in a two month period, but that just shows the kind of relationship we have. We = me and my hair.

How do they do it?

Top - Anthro; Shorts - J. Crew; Hat - Anthro; Shoes - All Black via Anthro *SN - I got the hat for $12 - score!

Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011

I would say that I'm still fairly new at this whole "personal style blogging thing." Sometimes, I ask myself how other women and men keep up the inspiration and fabulousness 24/7-365.

The weather in Philadelphia has been two things recently: HOT AND HUMID! Those two words can be summarized in one word: DISGUSTING! Do you see what I'm wearing? As close to nothing as humanly possible. I'll admit that I really didn't want to wear the hat, but I felt the outfit needed some spice, so I decided to suffer just a little bit for the sake of style. That statement brings me to my post title - How do they do it?

Now, I don't know if it's just me. But it seems like a lot of personal style bloggers don't react to extreme temperatures. I mean seriously - how DO you accessorize when it's 101 degrees out? Am I adding a scarf? Nope. Chunky necklace? Nope again. How do you wear heels in a winter blizzard?  I thought about that when I took pictures Sunday. I thought, "this is uninspired and just practical, but sometimes it's like that." Honestly, you're lucky you got an outfit pic at all because I really just wanted to lay naked in my apartment. I don't know how they do it, but they are really pushing themselves! Unfortunately, here at Sofull Sista, you're getting straight up practical. Sometimes, I really do just wear a t-shirt and shorts.

Sundance

Dress - Nordstrom (2007); Shoes - Steve Madden (c 2006); Necklace - Borrowed from mom; Belt - Banana

Date: Saturday, June 11, 2011

When I was a little girl, one of my aunt's friends illustrated and authored a book titled, Sundance. She gave it to me as a gift. I remember the book had lots of color, beautiful images and a pretty decent storyline too. This dress reminds me of Sundance, with all of the lively colors, and I feel like I should be dancing in it! I started to do a little dance during the photo shoot. I was free and feeling it in the first picture, then I realized people were laughing at me in the last picture. So I was awkward.

The Evolution of Style

Dress - Anthro (2008); Tank - Urban; Sandals - Sam Edelman via Nordstrom (2008)

Date: Monday, June 6, 2011

This is one of the few dresses that I spent about $50-$70 for, and I still love it to this day. I love the colors, the subtle butterfly print, the comfortability, just everything is LOVE! Back then, I was less frugal with my spending. Now, I rarely spend more than $50 on one item (outside of a good pair of shoes). It's great that I still have this dress, and that I actually WEAR IT three years later...RARE!

I can honestly say that I don't have a lot of clothing items from 2008 left in my closet. Why? Because I was still figuring out what my style was in 2008. In 2008, I bought some things that were cute, but they weren't "me" - or they didn't flatter my shape as I now know certain cuts can. It really wasn't until LATE 2009, and 2010 that I figured out what my look was. For the past year, I have had some consistency in terms of what was "Monique" what was not "Monique", and what was just AWESOME!

This is the cool thing about style is that it really can evolve and change, mine certainly has.

Two act scene change

Dress - Anthro; Necklace - Anthro; Shoes - Target; Hat - J. Crew

Date: Sunday, June 5, 2011

Let me tell you about my Sunday, and let's pretend my day was a play.

ACT I
On Sunday I was scheduled to attend an afternoon tea for the mentoring group that I chair for my sorority. I got up, went to church and put on this lovely silk dress. I realize, silk does not like me. I had a "Silk -friend or foe?" post almost a year ago. Well today silk was my foe! I returned from church, snapped some photos and used the ladies room. When I looked back in the mirror SOMETHING got on the dress. I don't know what, but it was SOMETHING, it was big, apparent and baaaaad. I quickly started telling myself off, saying things like, "OMG Monique, this is just your life! How typical. What are you going to do now?"

We were asked to wear a hat to the tea. Thus, this being the only tea-appropriate hat, I had to find a way to make the hat work, which means I had to find SOMETHING with the color yellow in it. Well, I'm 8 months pregnant, and nothing fits - I mean NOTHING, getting dressed is getting a little rough. Thus, I decided to just try to make the dress work in another way. This is what I came up with...

ACT II

Dress (worn as top)- Anthro; Skirt - Anthro; Shoes - Anthro; Hat - J. Crew

Yep, I just wore this skirt last weekend! I clearly like act one's outfit better. It's almost as if my boobs grew between act one and two also, or they were just more emphasized with the whole "dress as top look." The dress was pulling more than I like, but I just went with it - ugh! Additionally, the skirt would not sit in one place since this blouse was silk (compared to when I wore it with a cotton shirt). Oh well, everyone else said I looked nice, but I think they were just saying that to make me feel better. That's the end to my story.

CURTAIN


ENCORE
Did I mention that I BORROWED the dress from my cousin? Uh...yeh, I did. However, later in the day, I couldn't see a thing on the dress but wrinkles - let's hope I didn't ruin it for life.

Jazzy Lady

Top - Anthro; Pants - J. Crew; Sandals - Steve Madden; Hat - Urban; Bracelet - Anthro; Necklace - ??? (c. 2000)

Date: Friday, June 3, 2011

This darn hat makes me feel so cool! I know that a piece of clothing shouldn't really control how you feel, but I definitely felt jazzy in this after work outfit switch.

On Friday, I met up with a high school friend. We went out to PYT in Northern Liberties and had a good time catching up. She also brought Baby Naja a gift - a handmade blanket from her Etsy shop! All in all, I felt jazzy, we ate great food, and baby Naja got another AWESOME gift. What a great way to end the work week.

Sun-kissed

Top - H&M; Belt - Banana (c. 2004); Skirt - Anthro; Sandals - Urban

Date: Monday, May 30, 2011

Whoever says brown people don't tan is right - we get more brown! HAHA! On Sunday, I did some sight-seeing in DC with friends, and I left DC being kissed by the sun. The glow is solely due to the sun.

I loved playing outside as a young girl, I was a bit of a tomboy. Thus, I remember being much darker as a young child compared to now. Whenever summer rolls around, I always try to get outside because I don't like being cooped up inside. The result is always a lovely dark-brown glow. This is very much so the beginning!

BTW - I'm moving in to Month 8 tomorrow, so this will be my last Month 7 outfit post. Time flies!