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 

Things Money Can't Buy

Hi Loves!

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Lately I've been trying this thing; evaluating my life and making necessary changes. This meant my the way I thought changed, my goals changed and the company I kept changed as well. I tried to stay as positive as possible since I used to always focus on the negative things in my life. Being negative takes a toll on you eventually! Change was definitely a hard thing for me to do, but soooooo necessary. The things I used to value no longer served any purpose in my life.

One of my number one priorities these days is creating memories that will last a lifetime. My grandmother is one of the 3/9 siblings that are still living. I value spending time with them so much that it's become basically a full-time job for me while going to school. I cherish these moments so much as they grow older, that I make sure that we have some sort of family outing at least once a month. Our favorite thing to do together is attend church or go to brunch.

This Sunday we made reservations to one of our favorite places. Our reservations are usually for 8:30am and we don't leave until 2:30pm! We don't usually eat the entire time, but we enjoy the memories that we are making with multiple generations. No amount of money is worth these memories that we create with the people we don't want to forget.

I figured if I can look good when I go out with my friends, I can make sure that I arrive fashionable with my family as well. Sunday I chose a cute sweater and leopard print heels, simplicity for me!

“The best things in life are free; the second best are expensive.” - Coco Chanel 

What I Wore: 

Top Zara | Pants It's Fashion | Bag Target | Shoes Jessica Simpson (Macy's)

What are your favorite things that money can't buy?? 

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 

Where the Wild Things Are

Hi loves!

Does anyone love animal print as much as me?! I think NOT! 

I'm super obsessed with animal print, especially leopard. It's one of those things that will NEVER go out of style for me!

Sometimes we have to take our minds where they wild things are to dig a little deeper. I took myself to the jungle with this leopard print shirt that I wore for Thanksgiving.

Wearing this print is a reminder for me to stop looking at my spots as a weakness and use them as my strength. It's also a reminder to fight for everything I want out of life. It's rare that you will find a starving leopard because they put their fear to the side and fight for the food that they want.

"Inside of all of us is hope, fear and adventure; Inside of all of us is a wild thing."

 ~Where the Wild Things Are 

What I Wore:
Top BCBG | Vest Bebe | Bottoms Macy's | Bag Louis Vuitton | Shoes Lola Shoetique

How do you wear leopard?

XOXO,

Courtney 

Silver Lining

Hi Loves!

Hope you are having a nice week so far.

This outfit happened to be one of my favorites from last weekend. I actually got out for once and enjoyed myself (THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW)! This is rare for me since I'm such a homebody.

I went for a simple, sexy look and as always I started with the shoes. These silver booties were a MUST for me! There's something about a pop shoe that I CANNOT resist.

Wearing silver always reminds me of "silver linings." Sometimes it's hard to see the good in situations that seem dark. I try my best to always remember that there's a lesson in everything we go through to stay positive in hard times. Try your best to look for the good in the bad.

Remember, "Every cloud has a silver lining."

What I Wore:

Top: Cache | Pants IG boutique (can't remember) | Bracelet eBay | 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 :)

Style Crush: Emily B - Silver Sparkles

Hi loves,

I hope you all love all things sparkly as much as I do! I mean really, who can resist a sparkly sequin skirt??? I'm especially obsessed because it can be worn so versatile and cheap (only $20)! I used to think of sequins or sparkly things only for a holiday party or fancy event.

I've had this skirt for over a year, but couldn't fit it at all when I first ordered it. I decided to try it on when I had less than an hour to get ready for dinner reservations and I literally died! There was no way that I could resist the skirt! I didn't have a great shirt to wear it with so I paired it with a grey t-shirt that I tied up to give a casual look.

"Charisma is a sparkle in people that money can't buy. It's an invisible energy with visible effects." 

~ Marianne Williamson 

What I Wore: 

Top Target | Skirt eBay | Bag Aldo | Shoes Target 

I can always appreciate Emily B's effortless looks. I brought the final look together with a little help from Emily B. I remember she wore a similar look last year. Emily has the same exact skirt! She also paired her sequin skirt with a grey top. 

She added icing on the cake to her somewhat casual look. She took her look step further and adding an additional layer, a jean jacket. I'm obsessed, but would've been entirely too hot in 90 degree weather :(

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 :)

True Beauty

Hi loves!

I know I'm super late, but Happy New Year! Everyone always has this "New Year, New Me" thing going, but this year I chose to do away with it. I felt like we are always making goals that we NEVER achieve. (This is true for me anyway because I've had the same goal of losing weight for about 2 years now. lol) I couldn't understand why I couldn't achieve my goal of simply losing weight and getting a little healthier.

I thought losing weight would help me become a little more happier. Boy was a I wrong! I'm the happiest I've ever been and I haven't even lost a pound! lol

This goal taught me a lot. I was so focused on the outside beauty that I wasn't paying attention to my inner beauty.

I learned to understand where true beauty comes from. True beauty comes from within. (see 1 Peter 3:3-4). I saw how society altered where most of us thought true beauty came from. Many of us thought it came from things or even people.

Last year, I can remember spending my last after all my bills were paid to make sure I had the latest everything just to feel a certain way. I partied ALL THE TIME, I drank socially ALL THE TIME and spent money ALL THE TIME.

So far this year I learned to focus on the things that really mattered and things weren't it. I focused a little more on my relationship with God which helped me find the peaceful, beautiful state of mind that I'm in now. And guess what...I lost 7lbs! :)

If the inside, doesn't match your outside appearance, it's false advertisement! Your main focus should be on achieving lasting beauty. Your outside appearance is temporary, but your inner beauty is everlasting! :) (see Psalms 139:13-16).

I started embracing my natural beauty all the way around. Natural hair (hardest thing EVER), natural nails and embracing my curves. For example, today I wore a bun and a printed pencil skirt.

Since the skirt was already printed, I added a black and white printed bracelets to compliment the pattern. (Follow @EurphoricTreasuresCouture on IG to get cute customized bracelets)

It's always ok to go nude when embracing natural! :) jkI love adding nudes to every outfit! They go with everything! 

   

I'm super obsessed with prints! This skirt was only $25 so I had to get it!

What I wore: 

Necklace Thrifted | Top Kohls | Skirt Target | Shoes Lolashoetique 

What have your goals taught you so far??

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 :)