Hey all! Happy Monday! 

Just a quick post for today and -unintentionally- another stripes post! I did not plan this at all! In fact I was running behind today and looking for an easy look to recreate when this dress caught my eye. I have had it for a few years now and I just love it so much! I love the fit, I love the stripes, I love that the colors are neutral  enough to be paired with a variety of different things. The material is pretty thick and solid. Basically, everything about this dress I love! 

I have not used these wedges as much as I should and I don't have a good reason for you. Honestly, part of it is that I don't feel super comfortable in wedges typically. It is probably because I don't wear them that often. The two probably go hand in hand. But this particular pair I have really come to love. There is a intricate beaded detail on the front strap. Then it cris-crosses around the ankle. 

But it also goes so perfectly with this dress! For such an effortless, chic look. For cooler nights, throw a denim jacket around your shoulders! Perfect for a date night! 

I hope you enjoyed this! And thank you for reading! 

See you later this week!

XOXO!

Dress: Forever 21
Wedges: Versona
Bag: Versona 
​Shades: Hashtag Sunglasses  

Hey all! Happy Friday! 

This look excited me! You guys know how I love patterns and mixing them. Well when they are the same pattern it makes things even more interesting! So I was texting with a friend and he thought it was a dress.  Hence the title, 'Optical Illusions,' things that are not as they seem. Its not! It is a shirt/skirt combo. The skirt I have had for several years now and honestly I love it all the same. It is comfortable, bold, and I have restyled it mannny times! So it has definitely paid itself off! (Best part? I believe I found it at Target! So it was already a great deal!)

The shirt is also from Target, but they were not sold together. I just had a funny urge to pair them together. I like the small difference in the stripes. And the way it flows so naturally, it does look like it could be a dress! 

Then to add a bit more intensity to the look, I have a striped bag that I just couldn't resist pairing! The different directions of the stripes add a stark contract, while continuing on with the stripe pattern. 

This makes for a very bold look! I'm looking forward to wearing to shows or events -once we are good for that! 

I thank you for reading! 

XOXO


Shirt: Target
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Target
Bag: Versona
​Shades: My Mom! 

 First of all, Happy Birthday to my beautiful friend, The Poetry Guru, Ms.Tasia Hawks! I am hoping you have the most special day! 

And today is a special post, focusing on her and her journey as a poet! 

Tasia's story began in Jacksonville, NC outside of the Camp LenJune military base. "Both of my parents were very different in a lot of ways" she explained, "but they did teach me individual lessons growing up" They encouraged her creativity and supported Tasia as a singer. Her heart though was in poetry and it is only recently that they learned about that. "They have both influence me in different ways," she explained.



Well, I have seen and heard some of Tasia's work. It is remarkable! The flow is so effortless and the content meaningful. That kind of art inspires me so much. It FEELS like it is coming from the heart. And I respect and enjoy it so much. But those types of poems don't just come to you... do they? Well for Tasia, her life experiences have been an influence on her writing.. "I will literally go through things, grow from them, and write about them. To me nothing is to small to be left out." And man on man did that line hit me hard! 

​We all have stories! Every part is important. Every part is a part of our journey. And it can be scary sometimes. In fact Tasia was not always open to sharing her poetry with others. "I am actually a very private person and have never been fully comfortable sharing with other people, unless we were close," she said. Understandable for sure. Poetry in particular is a very raw and emotional form of art. That is your heart and soul coming through. I remember being so anxious to post my blog. It got easier, but man at first it was terrifying. So I can certainly relate. The beautiful thing about Tasia is that she recognized that her words were healing people and kept on writing. I'm so glad you did my friend. 

So, the curiosity in me wanted to know more. I wanted to know about the first poem she ever performed. Was it easy? Is anything that pushes us out of our comfort zone easy? No. And the same was true for Tasia. Well this is what makes her so remarkable to me. She was not afraid! She felt courage and a release from anxiety She felt truly seen on stage. What is beautiful to me is that she felt so much more comfortable. There was that sense of belonging and acceptance that she felt in front of the mic, going forward. "Now I am a completely different person," she told me. No, it wasn't an easy journey. "Finger Paint for example was an emotional poem for Tasia. It was one that released anxiety and was a "truth that she did not have the courage to face" at the time. when she was younger. 

But what a beautiful outlet? Something so raw that you can share with others? For me it feels so special. 

One thing I feel like I connect with Tasia is when she told me that she does not really have a writing process. "Some of my best ideas/poems come to me at 2 or 3 in the moring," she said. I won't lie, that rings true for me as well. "Whenever I have something on my spirit.

This type of beauty. This type of talent. You do not get this every day. My girl Tasia -The Poetry Guru- she is something special. I feel that you guys will hear so much from her this year! She has a website dropping today! And additionally, a clothing line dropping this fall! 

Hey all! 

Happy Monday! I started this post on Friday, and things just got away from me. I try not to let that happen often, but this last week has been a bit of a whirlwind. A lot going on, my nerves got to me a bit off and on. Thankfully, I was able to unwind this weekend. One night with two of my best friends. And then this weekend with my family! 

This look is pretty simple, and unfortunately surprisingly warm. I didn't realize that when I put it together. I would not necessarily recommend it during the middle of summer if you are going to be outside for a long period of time. Now, its perfect for a lunch date or movie date! 

What I like about it is the mixing of textures! To me that detail adds a bit more depth to a relatively simple look. 

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! And I hope you have a great week! 

XOXO

Shorts: KLA Boutique
Top: Old Navy
Jacket: LOFT
Shoes: Fab'rik
Bag: Versona
​Shades: Hashtag Sunglasses 

It is a  super late post but I still wanted to share this post with you!

It has been a crazy weird birthday! I won't lie. Not exactly what I had expected or wanted in some aspects. But I have also learned about myself. 

I'm okay being single. I'm okay being creative. I'm okay. 

I have issues, sure. But who doesn't? I am trying to embrace and acknowledge these issues. I pray for those who are still lost. I still care for them and wish them the very best.

For me. on this birthday. I'm  happy with who I am. 

I am happy with how far I have come. 

I'm sorry for those I couldn't reach. I still am here for you. 

But  I am not going to stop moving forward. 

Here is to a new year! 

Hello and Happy Monday! 

You guys know I love a two-way styling post. Well, I have come to love it any how! Today I'm sharing another one with you! 

Today I titled it 'Denim Shorts and Neon Heels' which is true! Obviously. But I could have also titled it 'When Your Bag Matches Your Top.' I did think about it. 

It was not an intentional match up. At first the blue blazer and graphic tee was my idea. The neon heels caught my eye when I was going for a different pair of shoes. But I loved the color contrast. And since it is such a bold contrast, I decided to stick with the blue when pairing a bag. Kind of the same thought process with the maroon top. I wanted something to coincide with the top and not compete with the heels. The top itself was a spur of the moment idea. 

I really love the outcome of both looks though! 

Also, I'm pretty sure at one point, these shorts were jeans and I just altered them myself. I used to be a big thrift shopper, and I'm almost certain I found them at a Goodwill. 

What do you guys think!? 

Thanks for reading and I'll see you hopefully on Wed! 

XOXO

Outfit 1
Blazer: Versona
Shirt: Forever 21
Shorts: Goodwill (maybe!)
Heels: Target
Bag: Versona as well! 

Outfit 2:
Shirt: Target
Heels: Target
Bag: Also Target! 

Hey All! Happy Friday! 

For me this is the PERFECT Friday vibe look! Sassy, comfy, laid back, and stylish! I LOVE LOVE the color combo. Actually that is what i had in my mind when I planned it. It was one of those looks that worked out perfectly. 

This does not always happen! I've talked about this before. 

Sometimes it is a trial and error situation. I'll have an idea that's PERFECT in my head but in reality... ehh not so much. Sometimes it is far off the mark! I'm left thinking... wtf was I thinking!? -Sorry Mom and Dad! Other times it is not as far off and with some tweaking and restyling I can create a great look! 

Then there are times like today where I have an idea and it really works! I won't lie, I love it when that happens! It certainly makes things easier! ;D 

Everything here is restyled including the button up shirt which was actually given to me by one of my good friends, Amy! I swear I live in this shirt! It is so comfy and has served me so well! I have gotten so much wear out of it! I especially like it with this dress. I felt this color combo would be perfect -and it was! 

Okay, on to a more serious topic. I read something about God talking to you about loving others and it was a back and forth about how a person was kind  but did they really LOVE others. That struck a nerve with me. I feel like I love others, and I try really hard to be kind to others but I DEFINITELY  steer clear of confrontation. But that's not okay. When I hear people saying unkind things about someone, I need to stand up for those people. If someone is in need, I want to be able to be there for them. Kind of the same way I would want them to be there for me. 

We are all in this together. Some of us have it far harder than others. We need to be there for them. Yes, all lives matter. But not all lives are treated equally. Black lives, gay lives, transgender lives, immigrants lives, Asian lives...  the list could go on..... We need reconciliation. We need community. We need love and support. Times are certainly tense, but lets have an open conversation. Try to understand each other. Right now it is our black brothers and sisters who's lives are in crisis. Lets stand up and be a voice for them. 

Loving each other means loving when it is difficult, when it is uncomfortable as well as when things are great. Right now things are difficult and uncomfortable.


​But lets love and stand up for each other all the same. 






​

You should recognize the name! I have covered him several times; from his Lootswaay Fest  music events to his Lootswaay apparel, I have come to know, love, and appreciate Robert Reasons Brown! We were able to recently connect and chat a bit about what he has been up to. Reasons finished school in May and will be graduating with a marketing degree on June 13th from Bluefield State College. Since finishing school, Reasons has been pushing forward with his music, his designing, his basketball game, and his latest venture -the Honey Comb Experience. 

"The vision is clear," he told me, "to move foward. Now I have more opportunities, I have more resources to pull from. I have a resume and references. Now is the time." Even a pandemic could not slow him down; though his event was initially postponed, he took the time to plan and create. He has new music in the form of Lone Fish 2 -which we will come back to. 

The Honey Comb Experience is Reason's latest endeavor. It is an exclusive, invitation only event. It could be described as a church for creatives in that it focuses on bringing together creative minds to learn, to support, to encourage, to celebrate and to network.. "It is going to be a pure and organic vibe, " Reasons explained, That desire to bring creative minds together is how the Honey Comb Experience began. In fact it already began with a kick off in May. A house was rented and there were split rooms to help social distance. There were screenings with temperature checks, face masks and hand sanitizers were provided. At the end of the night there was a concert! Reasons really thought of everything. It was a laid back way to introduce people to his vision and be confident in his purpose. 

​While it was a success, there was ALOT of behind the scenes work that went into it. "I had to drive three hours away the day of to pick up equipment, drive three hours back and still set up," Reasons explained. That is why, Honey Comb will be invitation only. "I only want people who are serious and driven. The cream of the crop. This is not a party, this is a way to bring people together and to learn. We will provide you with resources you need, it is up to you to use them. There will be time to unwind afterwards, but this is not a party." 

The next event is planned for Sept 19th and it is aimed for a larger scale. For example, artists will host classes, there will be inspirational talks in the afternoon, specifically the first black comic book author will be sharing his journey, his struggles, and how he over came them. There will be chefs and pop up shops -all in all it will be a whole day event. Reasons has a manifester mentality to him. He is a pusher and wants to see people succeed and grow. That is what he is hoping to accomplish with the Honey Comb Experience. 

In addition to preparing for Honey Comb, Reasons has been really pushing his music and his clothing line. I'll start with his clothing line. Now on the Lootswwway site you can find the 'Dreamer' hat, jackets, and shirts -which I am about to order! The meaning behind it is to have a dream and to go for it. That is what Robert -Reasons- is all about. He sets goals, he dreams big, he goes for it. He accomplishes those goals. And what a more fitting time than now to have someone so optimistic, so encouraging, so willing to bring people up. With tensions so high in the country, Robert is exactly the person to turn to. He will make you feel so inspired and courageous. He wants to see everyone be their best and succeed. 

This actually brings me to another wonderful fact about Reasons that he is passionate about. And that is him being a father. "I haven't spoken about it much in the past," he explained, "but fatherhood is a top priority to me and it was a private thing to me for a while. Now, I'm trying to open up more. I want it to be known. I want to be a good example and a leader for other single parents. I want to make my kids proud, as well as cultivate them and give them more opportunities. I want them to be the best versions of themselves."

Reasons, I have no doubt your kids are going to grow up to be unstoppable. And you have a large community here to help you out any time. In this time of distress and uncertainty, you are the type of person we need to lead, to bring together, to inspire. You are truly one of a kind! 

One last thing I want to shout out is that Reasons has new music coming out! Yes! Lone Fish 2 will be coming out on Sept 10th (which just happens to be his birthday!) and if you're interested he will have a concert on June 13th at the Power House Studio  from 6 to 9pm. If you cannot wait that long, his single 'GOTTI' is out now on social media and streaming services like ITunes and Spotify. This new is sure to be a hit! It is letting the world know exactly who Reasons Brown is....


​
Unapologetically.





Lootswaay

Hello and Happy Monday! 

Today I have another two-way styling post for you. I'm using one of my favorite mixed prints combos. This skinny scarf which has a bit of a paisley print to it -which is a little hard to see granted. And a white button down shirt. I think what I like most about it is that the print mixing is subtle, it is the color contrast that I really like. 

The first look kind of grabbed my attention because it almost has an old school, Britney vibe to it. Ya know, the Baby One More Time era. Hey, Britney is amazing and you cannot tell me other wise! But it really does have a school-girl vibe to it or even a men's wear vibe you could argue. 

Now I tried it untied as well with the skirt, but it just did not have the same effect. So I switched the skirt for these red, wide legged pants. I can't really put my finger on what it is about this look that I like so much. But I really do! I like the colors in the mix and again the prints. I think also has a vague men's wear vibe to it. 

I hope you guys like it! Thanks so much for reading! 

Hope you guys have a great week ahead! 

XOXO

Shirt: LOFT
Scarf: Target
Skirt: Forever 21
Pants: LOFT
Heels: Target
Bag: Versona
Shades: Hashtag Sunglasses