For the Love of Pink & Goals

Happy Friday and Happy New Year! 

And yes I know it's mid-February, but my year started February 2023! haha. I like to take the month of January to organzie my goals that I set for the year! 

 

I was very hesitant to make a post again after so long and so many breaks. However, I've been staying committed to obtaining everything I want from life. I started by making a list of 300 things that I want from God in January (thanks to Steve Harvey)! Let's just say I haven't quite made it to 100 yet, but I'm most certainly going to continue this list. 

Soooo... you may be wondering what exactly does this mean for me? What is this list and how can this help me? 

1. Step One. Watch this video - this video has motivated me in so many ways! I have shared it with most of my close friends and family. If I'm not discussing it, I am sending it randomly. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DlMAIYd7-J4

1. Step Two. Buy a Journal - I love a good, pretty journal! I used the journal to create the list of 300 things that I wanted from God. Journaling in general has started becoming one of my favorite self-care tools. It's a great way to decompress at the end of the day or begin your day. 

1. Step Three: Read the list on a daily basis - I love that my journal started this year with this page. It will be easy for me to read the list on a daily basis with the expectation that I am going to receive EVERYTHING I am asking for!

An example of the things I've added to that list is: "I want to blog weekly." Blogging has always been a way for me to share my ideas with others, but also a tool of self-care. I was able to do something I loved and help people at the same time; I was able to write and help with style, but also discuss life lessons that may help others. I'm excited to get back to one of the things I love. 

Preparing for Valentine's Day is the perfect time for me to start getting some of my ideas off list and turned into reality. See below for a fun look for Valentine's Day this year: 

What I wore:

Dress: Naked Wardrobe/Nordstrom | Boots: Asos | Bag: Amazon 

If you know me, of course Valentine's Day means pink for me! One of my forever favorite colors! 

 And of course I am still not over this white boot trend! they make me feel so classy/elegant and literally go with everything! (Sorry not sorry, you will see this combo in many future posts!) 

Long story short, wear pink and make your list of 300! 

Xoxo, 

 Courtney

Work Blues

Happy Tuesday!

Are you feeling blue?? It's easy to have the Monday Blues after the weekend, a holiday or vacation. Either way, the return to work is a real struggle! 

Here are a few ways to get over these blues: 

1. Rest the Day Before Your Return - Some people take every second off, as time to enjoy. However, it is best to relax and get your body and mind ready for the return. 

2. Check your emails slowly - Often times we attempt to rush back into catching up into our emails. This is the easiest way to get overwhelmed... slow down! 

3. Get Organized - if you prepare for your day off in an organized way, you will be prepared to return as well. 

4. Set Goals - Goals for the day, week, month, etc

 5. Breaks - Be sure to pace yourself. Spend time 

 6. Plan a vacation! 

7. Saved the best thing for last... head to Target! 

When I’m feeling blue, I try to through on something blue to remind me to keep fighting through the blues. In this case, this Target X Kahlana Barefield number was perfect! 

What I Wore:

Dress & Jacket - Target (Future Collective Collection by Kahlana Barfield) | Bag - Chanel | Shoes - Lola Shoetique | Bracelets - https://www.euphorictreasures.com 

What do you do when you’re feeling blue? 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 💕

Jumpsuit Addict

Hi, my name is Courtney and I'm addicted to jumpsuits :) If there was a rehab for wearing jumpsuits, I'm pretty sure I'd be the first to attend. They happen to be a match made in heaven, regardless of the person’s shape. How can anyone resist a comfortable one piece, stylish outfit?? You just can't! I literally buy every jumpsuit I see.

On the weekends, I love to go for stylish, comfortable looks, while knocking off new places off of my bucket list! A great jumpsuit and pretty accessories definitely create an effortless look.

What I Wore: 

Jumpsuit, Shoes, Bag - Amazon

I love that there are multiple ways of wearing a jumpsuit. I’ve worn this same grey fit a million times, but styled it completely different each time. I totally understand the intimidation of wearing this outfit, especially as a woman who gained weight. One way I’ve made this look fun, yet a little more conservative is by wearing a yellow blazer! You can add layers, any color or form of jacket or blazer

Another way to make switch up this look is by wearing sandals or sneakers. I’ve worn this same jumpsuit to run errands, in every season - spring, summer, fall and winter! 

There are endless ways to create looks starting with this show-stopping piece. How are you wearing your jumpsuit??? 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

Go Bold or Go Home!

I know it’s February, but happy New Year! 

I think we can all agree that we are going big or going home all 2022! 

If you were anything like me, you became super lax with fashion - Choosing comfort whenever possible. 

I lived for a good sweats/comfy outfit for the past two years! This year I decided I’m going big or going home whenever possible! We are no longer waiting for the perfect time to wear the outfit! 

I chose to wear this super cute/comfy pink dress for a friend date at an upscale restaurant. This dress color was amazing! Who doesn’t love a good hot pink number??? 

It was also forgiving with the ruched middle! And let’s get into this color combo! Orange and pink are always a match made in heaven 😍

What I Wore: 

Dress Naked Wardrobe | Shoes Steve Madden 

If 2020/2021 taught me anything, it’s that life is short. With that being said.. wear that bold color! Wear that dress! Wear those heels! 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

Becoming

Fun fact about me: I'm OBSESSED with butterflies. I love everything about them, from their beauty to everything they represent! 

Many people pay close attention to the butterfly without paying much attention to the process of it becoming that beautiful creature. A butterfly goes through a not so pretty journey. The butterfly starts out as an egg, then it turns into a caterpillar that overloads itself on leaves in preparation for its new life of growing. Next, it pushes it own body, while slitting the skin open. This sheds "the former self" and rebuilds itself as a cocoon. Finally, it stretches new wings as a beautiful butterfly :)

To me, they represent a journey. Similarly, three years ago, I made the decision to dig deep! I will be the first to tell you that growing is NOT for the weak! It gets really, really ugly. That process is probably the ugliest thing I've gone through (and currently still going through - remember it’s a journey, not a destination!), but that reward on the other side of the ugliness is so rewarding! The reward for me is the beautiful woman I'm becoming. (Physically, mentally, and emotionally)

This showed me that my time as a caterpillar expired! It was time to get my "wings." Since my journey of becoming was soooooo similar, I thought it would be perfect to wear something to remind me of how far I've come with my journey. 

Dress - Amazon | Earrings - TJ Maxx | Shoes Sophia Webster 

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." ~Trina Paulus 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

Champions

 Happy Saturday!  

I hope all of you are having a great start to your new year! Looking on the surface, 2020 was a horrible, unpredictable year for the majority of us! However, when you take a moment to look back at everything, most of us really came out like a "champion!" I say this because although times were hard, we had no choice but to push through like a champion. 

One of my cousin's favorite Harry Potter quotes is, "What is the definition of a victory? It's a measure of progress, not a celebration of wins." This made me take some time to reflect on my goals from last year and decide how I wanted to intentionally move forward in 2021. I made practical goals that were attainable and measurable. I think it's important to set your goals this way so that you are able to measure progress and celebrate yourself. For example, I cut my hair due to impatience, but a goal I set for myself was to grow healthy hair. Today, my hair is in the best condition that its been in since the beginning of my 20s! I felt like I came out like a champion in the end :)

So I know you're probably wondering, how can you feel like a champion with the world we are living in? My solution is to focus on SMART goals for yourself. (Make sure you write them down too!)

S- Specific. So maybe you want to set a goal for yourself to grow healthy hair. How are you going to go about this?? For example, maybe you will deep condition weekly or maybe you will do protective styles consistently.

M- Measurable. This is so important! Sometimes we don't always focus on how far we've come and we aren't able to see our own growth. Be sure you have a way to reward yourself or acknowledge your accomplishment so that you can confidently crush the rest of your goals. Seeing progress is so rewarding! For example, I took picture of my hair at the beginning of my hair cut so that I could see the condition of the before vs after. 

A- Attainable. Make sure your goal is challenging, yet reasonable for you to obtain. Having patience with hair is very challenging to me, but doable. 

R- Relevant. So you've set your goal, but does it align with your other long term goals or other areas of helping you grow?

T- Time-Based. Lastly, can you reach this goal within a reasonable timeframe?

What better way to remind yourself than to wear something to support you thinking like a champion. Lately I’ve been choosing comfort over everything for me these days (well outside of work)! 

What I Wore:

Top: Champion | Leggings: Alo Yoga | Shoes: Aldo 

"Everyone falls, only difference is champions get up!" ~ Matshona Dhliwayo 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 💕

Autumn Vibes

Happy Sunday! 

One of my favorite seasons is fall. Particularly, for the weather! It’s not too hot, not too cold. However, my favorite thing about the season is being able to maximize my wardrobe. I absolutely love this transition period when I’m able to take summer pieces and wear them in the fall by adding layers. 

Follow these steps below for easy ways this to maximize your summer pieces for the fall: 

1. Step one: You always want to start with a basic piece. For example, I started with one of my favorite black dresses. This is one of my staple transition pieces.

2. Step two: Add additional layers. This layer can be a scarf or jacket. This will give you the flexibility to stay warm or cool off.  I added a long cardigan with nice neutral tones. It was kind of cool I’m the morning (high 50s), but wanted up later. I was able to take the cardigan off when it was too hot and add it again later when I got too cold. 

3. Step three: To complete the look, accessorize. You can do this by adding statement jewelry pieces, hats, and/or handbags. For my look, I added neutral colored earrings that I picked up from my cousin that sells paparazzi. I enjoy shopping for cute statement earrings. They make any basic outfit pop! (See https://paparazziaccessories.com/208612/ )

I enjoyed adding one layer (cannot wait to add more as the weather changes!) My first day back in church was warm and stylish without having to buy any new items 😊 

What I Wore: 

Dress Target | Cardigan Target | Shoes Christian Louboutin | Earrings Paparazzi 

How do you maximize your closet for fall? Let me know below in the comments.

Xoxo, 

Courtney 💕