Hello and Happy Friday! 

I can hardly believe that this will be the last post of the year! I always usually love the start of a new year because it is like a chance to begin again. To start over fresh. I also love to pause and reflect on the year. This year was a year of tremendous growth for me. While it was not always the easiest of years -in fact in ways it was far from it- I'm sitting here writing this feeling honestly very at peace with the year and with myself. This is post is a look back at the ups and downs from the year and a look ahead at what I'm working on in the New Year. Enjoy! 

Santi, my love and my friend. Had I known that talking with you on January 3rd would have been the last time I would have said so much more. I miss you so much. So, many things happened this year that I wanted to tell you about, that I wanted to hear your thoughts on, where I could have used one of your 'Family Guy' impressions to make me laugh. I will always cherish our friendship. I thank you for always believing in and encouraging me, your words are constantly in my mind and will always be there. I have been a bit anxious for this year to end because I feel like time will just continue and I will have to let go and move on. But I'm slowly learning how to move forward and bring you with me through memories, through other friendships, through pictures, tv shows we used to watch, inside jokes, and by continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone with this blog. I know you would be so proud of me. Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ask for! I love you so much. This post is for you! 

Breaking My Arm!

Kicking things off with a bang, in early February I fractured my elbow! My first time ever that I have done that! I fell and of course it hurt when it happened, and I expected it to be swollen and sore perhaps the next day. 

What I did not expect was throbbing pain all night long. Or not being able to lift my arm above my chest without extreme pain. Or being able to get dressed. Or finding out that it was, in fact, fractured and having to wear a splint/sling for several weeks. But all's well that ends well, it healed nicely, and is now as good as new! 

This by far is one of two things that I am most proud of myself for this year! I had been wanting and itching to go different places and shoot for the blog for a long time! But the thought of going to these places on my own, setting up my camera and taking pictures of myself in public seemed so daunting and out of reach for me. That is why you almost always saw me in front of my car or around my house -I tried to switch things up even then. But then one day I got a dress in the mail. It was a billow-y summer dress, and I had this vision of posing underneath this enormous tree that I pass nearly every day. I decided to do it and it was such an invigorating experience! A little awkward at first, but I gradually got more comfortable with it. I loved how the pictures turned out, I loved the different backgrounds, I loved the way I felt posting, I loved everything! 

And just like that, I was not afraid anymore! In fact, it really reignited my love for blogging. There is something about bringing a vision to life that is just such a surreal, validating, satisfying feeling! That is the best way to explain it for me. 

The top three pictures are from early this year while I was blogging at and around my house, the bottom three are once I started going different places. The difference in quality is also notable! 

Went to see Lizzo! 

So... I have not been to a concert in years! And I mean even before Covid hit, I had not been to one in a while! When my Aunt -who LOVES Lizzo- sent us (me, my sis, and my cousin) a group text about Lizzo coming to Charlotte in October, I do not think she expected us to all want to go. Truth be told, I was a bit surprised I wanted to go as much as I did. Up to that point I had no real feelings towards Lizzo either way. But the price was not bad, I enjoyed most of the songs that I knew, and I was up for the experience! And what a GREAT experience it was! We had such a great time! We danced and sang our hearts out! Now I am a huge Lizzo fan! I just cannot get enough! 

Charlotte Fashion Week 2022
I was able to attend the full week of Charlotte Fashion Week this year! I have not been able to do that since Covid! It was such a blast! Four nights of friends (both old and new), fun, and fashion! I met some really interesting and creative people like emerging designers, models, and these two lovely ladies who were there because their daughter was in the show. They were so kind and hilarious! I got to hang out with my good friend Vikee (aka Designer Diva!) Some fun collabs came out of it too! For example....


BellaFior Collab
In November I collaborated with BellaFior Jewelry for a post showcasing several of designer, Millie Simmon's pieces. This kind of goes back to what I was talking about when I mentioned bringing visions to life. I had seen her jewelry prior to collaborating and shooting with her, and after a phone conversation where I got an idea of what kind of aesthetic she was going for, I was able to envision and create a great look for the shoot. I scouted out a location -a gorgeous park and three or four spots within the park to shoot at, I brought the burnt-orange scarf so that her jewelry would pop. Even the leaves in the shoot were strategically placed there for a fall-like aesthetic. We spent the afternoon shooting, filming, and gathering great content! This was definitely one that I enjoyed! 

This is starting to get very lengthy, so I am going to wrap it up! The only other notable thing that happened, which was kind of a bummer, was that I came down with Covid not long ago. It was not too bad and I recovered quickly and for that I am very grateful! 

It has been a year for sure! Sometimes great and other times dark. The thing I am full of this year though is gratitude! Just all around! Grateful for my family, my friends, my life, my health (mental and physical), for the opportunities, the moments, the new friendships, all of it! I'm grateful for this blog and I am looking forward to the new year. I am planning to continue to get out of my comfort zone more and more. Stay tuned to see what lies ahead! For now, I will just thank you so much for reading and being on this journey with me! I love you and I will see you next year! 

Be safe! Enjoy! And Happy New Year! 

Hello and Happy Monday!

Is everyone starting to thaw out a bit from the weekend!? 

Last week was ROUGH for shooting! It was just SO cold! I know, I know cue the small, sad violin playing for me -lol! 

It has been rough for everyone I pray everyone was able to stay safe and warm inside! 

I took these last Thursday, and the bitter cold was setting in, so it really took everything in me to force myself out of the house to get pictures. My mood was not 100%, it was cloudy, it was getting late, it was crowded, it just seemed like the odds were a little bit against me. (I guess we better keep that small violin nearby!) 

That said, I'm really happy with how everything came out! 

​I really love that the colors of this look pop against the grey skies. It adds a bit of its own warmth to the pictures. 

This outfit kept me very warm while I was out and about that afternoon! The peacoat has been a staple in my closet for a while now, and it really came through with this look. 

The sweater is a newer piece, from Loft. I just could not resist it. The colors are neutral so it will go with everything, it is warm, soft, and versatile! What is not to love? 

In the end, I think we can put that violin away. I am done feeling sorry for myself! I pushed through the challenges of the day and came out better for it! I am going to work towards really maintaining that mentality going forward. Thank you for listening! xD 

I hope you enjoyed this post and had a Merry Christmas! 

Hope you have a great week! 


Sweater: Loft (this is as close as I could find on the site)

Hello and Merry Christmas! 

I hope you guys are having a great week and are ready for the holiday! 

I am! I'm fully and wholly ready. 

I am ready and excited to spend time with my family and my work family, I'm ready for good food, I am ready for the laughs we will have. 

I'm not sure I'm ready for how cold it is about to get though! D:

This was another look that I froze while shooting! In fact, it began to sleet towards the end of this shoot! 

I could not have asked for a better background for this look! I was driving home from running an errand when I passed the pocket park -remember it from this post!?- and saw how cute it had been decorated! 

So, I hurried home, changed, and headed back for pictures. On the way, I saw the huge tree in the middle of the shopping center and of course I couldn't resist! It matched the look so perfectly! 

The look itself is simple: the focal point was the velour jumpsuit, which already has a very dressy feel to it. But adding small gold and red accents really enhanced the look. It makes it really feel special and Christmas-y! 

Thank you all so much for reading! I really hope you all have a great holiday! Indulge in the good food! Make a lot of special moments and reminisce on old memories! Stay warm and stay safe! 

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! 



Jumpsuit: Target
Belt: Versona Boutique
Shoes: Versona Boutique
​Bag: Goodwill

Hello and Happy Wednesday! 

I wanted to share another post of three of my favorite places! Today it is my three recommendations for where to get a great cup of coffee! Ironically enough, I am not really much of a coffee drinker typically! But about this time of year when it gets cold and I'm in the holiday spirit, it seems like a good idea. So, while I have been out shopping, shooting, and freezing, I kept an eye out for some coffee shops that looked interesting to try out! And this is what I found! 

Dilworth Coffee

This was my first stop! And it is a place I have passed every day for years! But this was my first time stopping in! 

But it will not be my last!

It was so warm and inviting! The staff was very friendly and suggested their seasonal peppermint mocha latte -which I got and was very tasty! Their other seasonal drink is a gingerbread latte, which I'm sure is goad but gingerbread is not really for me. 

Dilworth Coffee offers almost any latte you can imagine! Turmeric Ginger latte, Snickerdoodle latte, Spiced Chai latte, and Heavenly Bliss latte just to name a few. 

Not a coffee fan? No problem! They offer hot chocolate and hot tea options as well! 

And for those with certain dietary restrictions, there are also several different milk and/or milk substitute options. 

In addition to coffee, they offer iced coffees, smoothies, drinks for kids, baked goods, and sandwiches! 

It is definitely worth stopping by! 

Brakemans Coffee and Supply  

​Brakemans is another coffee shop that I have driven by several thousand times I'm sure and did not realize it was there! It is a hidden gem in downtown Matthews and now that I have found it, I will definitely be back! 

I actually got hot chocolate here, but it did that trick when I got it! It was delish and warmed me up! Not to mention got me caffeinated through the afternoon when I tend to get groggy. But they offer a variety of coffees, lattes, espressos and hot tea some of these are their own signature drinks. 

In the summertime, you can order shakes and ice cream as well! 

For me it is the aesthetic of Brakeman's that really draws me in! This place is so cozy! It has so many homey nooks to plug up a laptop and get work done or curl up in a chair and read a book while sipping your drink. Catching up with a friend? They have hole in the wall rooms for more privacy. And there is also a really cute sunroom and outdoor sitting area for those summer evenings! It really welcomes you in and invites you stay for a while. 

I'm so glad I stopped in! 

Matcha Cafe Maiko 

​I am fairly certain I have not driven past this gem thousands of times, maybe just a few dozen! It is another place though, that I am so glad I tried! 

Much like Dilworth, Matcha Cafe Maiko was offering a seasonal peppermint and gingerbread latte, guess which one I got?!

Yep, another peppermint mocha latte for the win! 

It was delicious as well and they formed a design in the steamed milk! I was not expecting it and was so giddy about it! It is almost too pretty to drink! ALMOST! ;)

​Matcha Cafe offers a wide variety of teas, frappes, shaved ice, parfaits, gelatins, and floats along with their hot drinks. Their menu is extensive and impressive! I am already looking forward to going back in the summer to try some of those colder options because they look and sound fantastic! 

When I do, I may have to do a whole post on the cafe, because there is so much more to talk about, but I feel like this post is already getting pretty lengthy! So stay tuned for that! =)

From the delicious drinks to the inviting atmosphere, to the warm staff members and the care that goes into preparing each drink, these are three coffee shops that I would highly recommend trying out sometime! You will be glad you did! Check them out and let me know what you think! 

Thanks for reading and I will see you on Friday! 

Hello and Happy Monday! 

I told you that you'd be seeing this blazer a lot! I did not really mean for it to be this soon after my last post using it, but here we are! 

I wanted to style it with skinny jeans to see how I liked it. Spoiler alert: I loved it! 

I knew I wanted to pair the blazer and loafers together again, because they proved to be a killer pair!

My original plan was to style a striped turtleneck shirt with the jeans and the blazer, which still may happen in a future post. But as I mentioned in my last post, it's been so bitterly cold lately that I needed a little extra warmth.

Cue this chunky, knit sweater! 

I have had this for a few years now and it has definitely been kept in constant rotation the last few winters! 

I dressed everything up with this epic statement necklace! I think I got this necklace during a collaboration a site called Newchic.com. It has been years ago, but I still love this necklace! 

We are getting down to the wire now with holiday shopping! How is everyone doing? I'm SO close to being done! I'm almost there! The holiday is almost upon us, and I am excited!

​In the midst of all of this holiday joy though, there may be people who are having a hard time. Maybe they are lonely, maybe this is their first holiday without a loved one. Check in on your friends, families, and coworkers and make sure they are alright. Maybe even give them a hug or baked goodie -something to brighten their day a little! 

Anyway! Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend! 


Blazer: Apricot Lane Boutique
Loafers: Apricot Lane Boutique
Necklace: Newchic.com

Hello friends and fam!  

How are you today? Are you ready for the holidays? 

I was talking with a friend earlier and mentioned that for the first time in a while I actually was really into the holiday spirit! I am fully embracing the decorations, the music, the buying of gifts and wrapping of gifts instead of letting myself get bogged down or stressed out. 

One way I really helped myself out was by starting my Christmas shopping relatively early. I always say that every year and I always end up dragging my feet until it is down to the wire, then I feel stressed trying to get gifts and wrap them and end up not enjoying as much -and I love to give gifts! So, this year, I really stuck to my goal of getting my shopping done early and it has been so much more pleasant! 

On to today's post! I drove past this beautiful tree the other
day while running a few errands and instantly the vision began to form in my mind! 

​I knew I wanted to create a romantic, Christmas look and since this dress is the epitome of romantic it just made sense! 

The only problem? 

It has been bitterly cold the last few days! 

I damn near froze shooting this! But it was worth it! I got so many great shots with the tree, and under this walkway with columns, which is an aesthetic I love! 

This dress is such a dream! I got it at Apricot Lane Boutique for 50% and snatched it up the moment I found my size! The cut outs in the front and the open back are such beautiful and subtly sexy designs!

Because I'm larger in the chest, I often have a harder time with open back styled dresses or shirts, which is a shame because I love them! Especially for summer! Finding a way to support my breasts -because going braless is just not an option for me- is very tricky! But this dress allows me to wear a normal, well-fitting bra without it showing!

Thank you so much for reading! And if you are still looking for gifts or if you want to treat yourself, Apricot Lane is still having their 50% off sale! Head over to check it out! 

Have a great weekend! 



Dress: Apricot Lane Boutique

Hello all! Welcome back! 

Today I have a fun and delicious post for you! I am sharing three of my favorite nearby brunch places! I have been kind of tossing the idea around a bit to do a few posts like this, so if you enjoy this post, let me know! =) 

​Now, on to brunch! 

Poppyseed Bagels

My first recommendation is Poppyseed Bagels! 

I stumbled across this hidden gem last year I believe. I was initially drawn to how cute it was on the outside, but I did not go in. I'm typically the kind of person that only goes to restaurants with someone. But finally, one day I decided to stop by and see what they had. 

I never looked back! 

They serve breakfast and lunch and when I tell you they have a wide selection that is an understatement! They have at least 10 different bagels to choose from, they even have close to ten different types of cream cheese to choose from! 

​Not a cream cheese fan? No problem! You can get eggs on a bagel, you can have sandwiches with bagels for bread (or regular bread), you can get plain bagels, or bagels with jelly. OR you do not even have to get a bagel! They still have a ton of great breakfast items to choose from! 

Additionally, they have a large assortment of desserts and sweets! From cookies, to cupcakes, to frosted brownies, to apple turnovers, and scones you can definitely find something to satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Also, the atmosphere is pleasant! Very casual, but cozy. The staff has always been very friendly and accommodating. I love that they hung up personalized stockings! It gives it such a warm feeling! ​

When I stopped by, I tried their 'everything' bagel with an egg. It was prepared sunny side up and it was very good! I was very impressed with it! The combination of the bagel flavors and the egg was perfect (although as a heads up the 'everything' bagel is a bit on the salty side if you like that). 

I also got their liverwurst sandwich. Go ahead, judge me all you want! It was delicious! It also fed me for a bit, as they are very generous with their sandwich toppings! 

On a side note, their Philly Cheesesteak and Rueben sandwiches are also very good! 

If you're interested in trying them out, they have three locations in Matthews, Monroe, and Weddington! 

​First Watch

First Watch is my second recommendation! 

I recently tried this place for the first time with my friend, Ralf. We had a great time chatting and enjoying the atmosphere of the place. It has a very home-like vibe to it. Very warm and welcoming. 

The aesthetic is very inviting. It has an open design scheme so you kind of feel at home even with the other diners. 

They also offer many breakfast and lunch options. They pride themselves on using "exceptional ingredients" in their dishes. 

Fun fact! First watch is actually a nautical term. It means the very first shift of the day! 

First Watch is definitely one of the healthier places I have been too. It prides itself on fresh and exceptional ingredients as I mentioned earlier, and it has something for everyone. 

Have a special dietary restriction? No problem! 

First Watch offers a 'healthier side' portion of the menu that caters to those with specific dietary needs.

Avocado toast is one of those options! And happens to be my favorite meal of theirs! It is SO good! The toast is multigrain and thick! The avocado is piled high -as you can see from the picture- and the best part is it is lightly salted and has a little bit of lemon squeezed on it! 

Ughh I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! 

Thankfully I think I have another brunch date coming up with another friend! So, it maybe in my future again really soon! =)

First Watch has several locations in Matthews, Fort Mill, Concord, and Huntersville! 

Super Food Cafe

My final recommendation is Super Food Cafe in Indian Trail! I have only been a couple of times and there has always been a lot of time in between visits but every time I am here, I think to myself 'why do I not come here more often!?' 

They are committed to serving "delicious food that could help people meet their nutritional gals.' 

And it really is a refreshing change! 

They offer Acia bowls, Pitaya bowls, oatmeal bowls, smoothies, super green bowls, and a variety of different toasts. 

Bet ya can guess what I got....

If you guessed avocado toast, you'd be correct! 

I got their Avo Love toast which is topped with avocado, humus, eggs, and olive tapenade. It sounds like a strange combination, but it was really good! 

I also got the the Kale Yeah super greens bowl. It came with super greens, granola, strawberries, bananas, and apple butter! It was also really good! I actually got that yesterday and still have a little bit left! I may have to go get it after this post! ;)

If you want to try it out, Super Food Cafe is located in Sun Vally Commons shopping center in Indian Trail! 



I hope you enjoyed this post, and it gives you some good ideas of places to try! Maybe if you get up early to begin Christmas shopping, why not grab breakfast first? Or treat yourself to lunch later? Meet up with a friend and catch up. Gift cards to any of these places would be a great gift idea if you're stumped on what to get for your family and friends! 

​Have a great week and I'll see you on Friday! 

Hello and Happy Monday! 

I'm starting this week off strong with a fun power outfit! 

A little bit of sad news, one of my favorite boutiques, Apricot Lane, is closing its doors at the end of the month. And right now, everything in the store is 50% off. So, I swung by to check out the sales. I ended up finding a few really nice pieces, including this oversized blazer and the taupe loafers. 

You guys know I love a strong, oversized blazer! So, when I saw this in the store I could not resist! 

While I was playing around styling it, this was one of the first looks to pop in my head. I knew it was going to be a winner! And sure enough it was! The all-black palette really allows for the blazer to pop. 

I actually wore this to a Christmas party/dinner the other night and it ended up being the perfect fit for the night. I knew it was not going to be a really dressy kind of gathering, so the distressed denim kept it casual while the blazer, loafers, and statement necklace give it a stylish edge. 

Speaking of the loafers, I had been looking for a pair for a while now. I really wanted them in black, but I was raised to take advantage of 50% sales! So, I scooped up these bad boys! And I am really glad I did! They are comfortable! They are slightly bigger than I usually wear but they still fit pretty well. I love everything about them. From the color to the platform heel and sole, to the chain-link details on the top -they are a dream! 

While I was at Apricot Lane, trying things on. I noticed the three-way mirror in the dressing room was also for sale for $100!
 
Guess who got herself a three-way mirror?! ;)

Their store will not close until the end of the month, and the sales will continue through then if you are interested in seeing what all they have! It is the location in the Stonecrest shopping center for anyone interested! 

Thank you for reading and have a great week ahead! =)


Blazer: Apricot Lane
Loafers: Apricot Lane

​Hello and Happy Friday! 

TGIF am I right?! 

I cannot tell you how happy I am to see Friday! It has felt like such a long week! Granted it has been a pretty good week, just long and exhausting. I am ready to sleep in! 

On to today's look! I feel like this has Velma vibes from Scooby-doo. It was not intended but as I was editing that is when I noticed it! 

I LOVE this look! Not only is it a fun, flirty look, it's also warm! 

Fun styling fact: this is actually a sweater layered over a dress! 

Every piece in this look has been loved and restyled over several years! 

Especially the sweater! I have had it for several years and I cannot bring myself to part with it. For one thing there is no reason to! I still wear it, it is in good condition, and it still brings me joy. I love the large leopard print. I find it unique and full of character. 

Secondly and now more importantly, it was one of my close friend's favorite sweaters of mine. My friend, Santi, who sadly passed away earlier this year, loved this sweater! 

I remember vividly going out one night to dinner and wearing it and he kept commenting on how much he liked it! I'm not sure why this sweater stuck out to him so much but that is seared into my memory and every time I wear it, I think of him! 

And finally, if your confused about the location choice of this post, you're not alone! 

It was not my first choice. I actually wanted to shoot at this really pretty pergola that faced a huge pond, but it was closed off for an event. So, I went with this nature trail nearby. I figured I would shoot and see how the pictures turned out and either use them or go back and try to get the pictures I wanted. 

While editing though I found I really like how these turned out. The colors all correspond well, the look itself pops, and the clouds that day create kind of a haunting lighting. 

Thank you so much for reading! I wish you guys a great weekend ahead! See you Monday! =)


Sweater: Forever 21
Dress: LOFT
Boots: New York and Company
​Bag: Target

Hello and welcome back! 

Today's fashion inspo post is all about the fashion queen herself, Sarah Jessica Parker! 

You may have heard of her. She was just the lead role in the iconic 'Sex in the City!' A very fashion centered, and fashion forward show at the time! I can tell you that I coveted Carrie Bradshaw's closet! Every look was so fearless and embodied her personality so accurately! She was definitely a source of inspiration for me when it came to styling. Though it has taken me a while to take on some more bold looks than it did her! XD

More on SJP! She of course is recognized most as an actress of course. Although she has many other titles under her belt for example, she partnered with the American Library Association to create an online platform called Book Club Central for you readers out there. She also runs her own production company, Pretty Matches, since 2009.

She is also heavily involved in the fashion industry. 

SJP has been the face of several brands through a variety of ad campaigns. In 2004, she signed a $38 million contract with GAP to appear in their ads in their fall ads and continue to appear in ads through Spring 2005. Apparently not only was it the first multi seasonal contract for GAP, but it also left some people a bit confused as this contract followed on the heels of the final season of Sex and City wrapping and her character was more high-end fashion and GAP is not as high-end fashion. Regardless though, the campaign was a success!

SJP moved on to create her own lines! Bitten was launched in 2007 which includes fashion and accessories, SJP Collection (her footwear line) hit Nordstroms in 2014, and in 2018 she partnered with Gilt to promote her ready-to-wear bridal collection. 

It was described as being for "modern, non-traditional brides.' I looked it up and I was a fan! Essentially it is more simplistic styles. Not as much frill as traditional gowns can be. 

Off Duty Style

SJP's off duty or street style is pretty low-key -as most of us are. I noticed though that she seems to have a soft spot for boyfriend fit jeans. And most of the pictures I saw as I was working on this post, she seems to love to cuff her pants. The middle picture is the most pronounced cuff I found. It is funny to think that there was such an issue with her being the face of GAP when all of these looks look like they came straight from a GAP ad!

Glam Styles

I feel like this is where SJP really shines with fashion. This is where she takes most of her fashion risks! She definitely knows what she is doing! From vibrant colors to bold fabrics to eccentric head pieces, SJP really keeps people on their toes and guessing as to what she will wear next! I vividly remember when she showed up to the Sex and City movie premier in the green cocktail styled dress with the head piece. It was all over the fashion magazines and entertainment shows with people asking if they thought it was a 'hit or miss?' 

I'll be honest, when I first saw it, I was not completely sure how to feel about it. But she wore it so confidently, that is what ultimately won me over! Now it is considered one of her most iconic looks! 



Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this! Have a great day and I will see you again on Friday! =)