Pay Attention to the Signs

Dress Macy's | Shoes Jennifer Le | Bag Target 

Hey everyone, 

"It's always up to you to find beauty in the ugliest days!" This quote was right on time for me! I have been one of those people that tries their best to "pay attention to the signs" whenever possible lately. For example, I saw this quote and really decided to dig deep.

In all honesty, I was really having a hard time adjusting to everything going on in the world right now. However, seeing this quote knocked my senses right back into place! I had been turned off completely from blogging during this pandemic. I was focused too much on what I "couldn't do" instead of the paying attention to the things right in front of me. "I can't even do this!" "I can't even do that!" I focused too much on the negative things going on instead of focusing on the positive things. 

I celebrated my 29th birthday two weeks ago after coming across this quote. Since I try to pay attention to the signs, I decided that I should write down the affirmations that my friends/family surprised me with as decorations. I copied them onto sticky notes and say them daily just to make sure "I'm finding beauty in these ugly days." Doing so made me feel a little more positive than I've felt during this time. See the affirmations below:

Birthday affirmations: 

1. I am worthy.

2. I am becoming more confident every day.

3. My possibilities are endless. 

4. I am proud of myself. 

5. I believe in myself everyday.

6. I am in love with myself and my body. 

7. I am doing my best.

8. I am brave bold and beautiful. 

9. I am talented and intelligent. 

10. I chose to be happy and love myself today. 

Let me know below if you state affirmations or the things you do to find beauty in the ugliest days? 

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

The Yin Yang Look

Hi ladies!

Happy New Year!

Have you ever been in a mood where you picked your lipstick shade before deciding what to wear?? This is totally opposite for me! I'm usually the girl who goes for shoes first before picking any look. Today I went straight for my red lipstick before anything!

The first step to wearing red lips is choosing the correct shade. It will definitely take trial and error, but please don't come out your house looking like you belong in the circus. There are plenty of cosmetic counters willing to assist you with finding the right shade for you! Ladies, I also cannot stress how important it is to keep a mirror with you while wearing red lips. Please don't be the girl with red lipstick on her teeth while showing all 32!

When in doubt, wear black and white with it! Since red lips are classy, bold and sophisticated, it's only right that you go for a yin and yang look; two opposing forces that are complementary. I'm seriously obsessed with red lips, a black and white outfit and silver accessories.

Just like this outfit, you must take the good with the bad in life. Soak up all the good and throw the bad away!

"In the black, there is some white.

In the wrong, there is some right. 

In the dark, there is some light. 

In the blind, there is some sight."

~Abhimyana

What I Wore:

Vest Bebe | Top It's Fashion | Bottoms BCBG | Shoes Aldo

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

Fur Sweater

Hi Ladies!

It's been SO long since I've blogged! Sometimes you have to reboot and adjust your goals. Your 20's are definitely a learning/growing experience. I've just been enjoying the ride.

However, I'm back and focused like never before!

The place that I've enjoyed going lately has been church. On those days, I'm always sure to look my absolute best! Over the weekend I went for the most comfortable look that I could find!

The shoes were so comfy that I didn't have to bring an extra pair! (Rare occasion for me).

Let's not even get into how obsessed I've been with this sweater!!! I need a moment of silence for this sweater....This sweater is honestly the reason why I got my groove back as far as posting blogs again. OMG when I saw it, I COULD NOT leave the mall without it.

Since the sweater was kind of big, I opted for a curve-hugging skirt.

"Your 20's are your 'selfish' years. It's a decade to immerse yourself in every single thing possible. Be selfish with your time, and all the aspects of you. Tinker, travel, explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground." 

~Kyoko Escamilla

What I Wore: 

Top H&M | Skirt Kohl's | Shoes Aldo 

XOXO, 

Courtney :)

Celebrating Magic in Pink

Hi loves, 

It's been so long! I'm back :)

As I get older, my favorite season has become wedding season. It's just so good to be around love with great music and great people. It gives me so much to look forward to with my love life. 

The hardest part is always picking the right attire. I literally went to the mall for 2 hours and walked out with NOTHING. Of course it's my fault for waiting until the night before, but stillllll; how can you go to the mall and come out with nothing??  

I only found white dresses. I learned my lesson early after going to a wedding with my mother who NEVER explained the golden rules for ladies: NEVER WEAR WHITE!  In fact, she even took my picture for me after I got dressed. I have never been side-eyed so many times in my entire life. Put it this way, I'll never make that mistake again, EVER! White takes away from the bride.

I came home and decided to try on all the things I kept, hoping to one day be able to fit again. OMG this literally made my night! I was finally able to fit so many things again! Can you say happy girl??? 

This pink dress was one of the very few dresses I kept and boy was this a great decision. This was so perfect since I avoid black and white, fun and bold for the win! 

"The only magic I still believe in is love."

What I Wore:

Dress BCBG | Bag Aldo | Shoes Zara

 If you don't take away anything from this post, please remember to NEVER WEAR WHITE!!!!!

XOXO, 

Courtney :)

Black, White & Cheetah

Hi loves,

 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVEEEE a sexy, sophisticated look. A white blouse under a sweater screams sophistication to me! (I cheated, mine is really one shirt!) Combined with animal print is definitely a match made in heaven!

 

Animal print is one of my absolute favorite classic styles! (Especially anything with a cheetah print). Animal print always adds a sexy touch to any outfit.

 

When wearing animal print, there a few rules you must follow:

1. You must wear a solid/simple look to allow it  to stand out. Usually best to wear as an accessory.
2. You must keep your jewelry simple to make sure your animal print is not overpowered.
3. Add a neutral color to bring out the print, similar to how the animal usually blends well with nature.

See below for how I followed these few simple rules to get the perfect sophisticated, sexy look.



 



 

What I Wore:

Hat Zara | Coat Asos | Necklace Macy's | Top New York & Co | Pants White House, Black Market | Shoes Jessica Simpson | Bag Tory Burch

 

How do you rock animal print??

 

Xoxo,

 

Courtney



Wear it, Style it, Repeat: Denim on Denim

Hi Loves!

Who doesn't love a denim on denim look? This look will NEVER get old to me!

My favorite denim on denim outfit is a top I got from Nordstrom and jeggings that I ripped at the knee from Express.

Below I put together a few different ways to style this look.

Look #1: Denim and Mixed Prints

When you're obsessed with mixed prints and equally obsessed with denim on denim, it's a must that you pair them both together!

With this weather, I love getting cute scarves to add as accessories to my outfits.

 

What I Wore:

Scarf Target | Shoes Jessica Simpson

Look #2 Denim and Red

I have also been obsessed with wearing these shoes since messing up my ankle. I thought it would be appropriate for me to buy these since they are bright, stylish and comfy at the same time.

 

Why not pair them with one of my favorite looks, denim on denim??

 

 

What I Wore:

Shoes Nike Huaraches

Look #3 Denim and Black 

It's so easy to make a look super stylish by adding a hat and matching shoes.
 

For this look, I chose to wear this black hat and So Kates!
 

What I Wore:

Hat Aldo | Shoes Christian Louboutin

 

How do you style denim on denim??

 

Xoxo,

 

Courtney :)

Simplicity ~ Less is more

Happy Friday,

 

I've been on a really positive journey lately. I wake up with a happiness that I can't explain. I just wish that everyone could feel the way I feel about myself and my life lately. There are many  life lessons that I went through that helped me reach this level of peace. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that in life, "less is more."

 

I'm still learning that it's the little things that actually make life big. I laugh at the fact that I originally caked make-up on too early for self esteem issues. I wore make-up (like a lot) to cover acne. I was working so hard to cover it that I made it look even more noticeable! All that hard work for absolutely nothing. Now, I'm the total opposite; only on special occasions! I want people to know the REAL me, not my facade that I put on. Something so small was HUGE to me. I realize that my big heart, strong mind and huge personality will take me further than a cake face anyday!

 

When I was younger, I thought MORE meant better. More friends, more drinks, more partying, more E V E R Y T H I N G. Quality is far more valuable than quantity. Now I have less friends, but the ones I have mean the world to me; I'm drinking and partying less to get the old me back (including size). I work less. At one point I literally had NO life! I worked so much that I didn't see my gram!

 

I  started carrying that "less is more" thinking into all aspects of my life including my closet. My closet diet consisted of decluttering shoes, jewelry and other accessories. It's so much easier to buy simple pieces and put them together well.

 

Below, I wore a simple outfit. I just made sure my shoes were cute. To add the icing on the cake for this look, I wore a fun, red lip (OMG it looks so good with black hair!)

"Simplicity is the key note of all true elegance."

 

~ Coco Chanel

 

 

For this outfit, I tried to wear less accessories. The shoes and purse did enough! I usually wear the same gold accesories now. A watch and a few Alex and Ani bracelets makes a simple, yet cute arm candy look.

 

What I Wore:

Top Nordstrom | Pants Burlington Coat Factory | Shoes Jessica Simpson | Bag Tory Burch

When we look at the things that really mean the most to us, we truly grow. "A tree is big, but when we look back, it actually started from a seed."

Try following these to carry out "less is more" in your life:

Xoxo,

Courtney =)

Wear it, Style it, Repeat: Grey is the New Black

Hi ladies :)

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a HUGE fan of neutral/soft tones right now, especially grey! I feel like I've been having a love affair with my love for colors or black.

If I could wear some form of grey every S I N G L E day, I soooooo would! Instead of reaching in my closet for something black, I'm usally grabbing something grey! I'm currently obsessing over this trend, especially because most of my grey pieces were $6-$15! (can you say winning!)

I can't lie, I wear this grey t-shirt literally as soon as it comes out of the dryer! I promise you'll catch me wearing it once a week.

My favorite way happens to be all grey. Something about monochrome grey that I just can't resist!

Below you will find my favorite outfit from my favorite store, Target! I paired a grey t-shirt with grey leggings. I literally wear this outfit like once a week but in a different way.

Look #1: Grey and Black

What I Wore:

Shoes LolaShoetique | Bag Michael Khors | Hat Aldo

Look #2: Grey and Red

What I Wore:

Shoes LolaShoetique | Hat American Apparel

Look #3: Grey and Camel

What I Wore:

Shoes Christian Louboutin | Bag Thrifted | Jacket ASOS

Look #4: Grey and Olive

 

What I Wore:

Shoes Jessica Simpson | Bag Louis Vuitton | Necklace Macy's | Jacket Macy's