MamaSolesUp: 2015

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Andiamo!!! (Let's Go!)

No doubt, the highlight of 2015 was the birth of my son....and nothing in my life will ever compare to that event BUT there have been other moments and I am grateful for them all. Reconnecting with family, learning to step out on faith a bit more and living this blog dream are just a few and I am determined to have even greater moments and events in 2016!

I don't typically do resolutions because I find they put a lot of pressure on people to accomplish something in a specific time frame and gives place to feelings of failure if that resolution is not accomplished......instead I have aspirations for 2016, things that I hope to accomplish and steps that I can take towards accomplishing those goals. If I do, great, if I don't, what can I do differently to make them happen the next time I try. Less pressure, more joy! Maybe that's my resolution........less pressure, more joy!!

When I look back and reflect on some of the more joyful moments of the blog and my life (not all from 2015), these are some of the photos that come to mind.......my two photographers are truly the wind beneath my wings (how corny) and they motivate me to do better than the last shoot and to grow as a blogger, stylist, lover of fashion!!
Check out their work here: http://www.photographybyazumi.com/ and here:
http://mgphotographs.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year guys!! Enjoy the opportunities to pursue new goals and dreams but remember most of all to enjoy life!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Holiday Dressing!! K.I.S.S - Keep it simple Sister!!

So I don’t get invited to balls or galas (yet) so my holiday fashion is what I would wear to church, a friend's and or family member's gathering or what I wear to sit home watching the ball drop with a glass of cider (I breastfeed). That is not to say that I don’t enjoy my luxe elements, it just means that I may be slightly overdressed in one way but completely cute and comfy in another. That's pretty much my signature anyway, esepcially since becoming a mom; simple, quick but still cute! For the holidays that means a t shirt & a jacquard skirt with sequined shoes, a shiny top and simple skirt with a luxe coat (courtesy of my uber stylish cousin Karla) and blingy shoes……. you get the picture!!

I also love to dress the looks up with beaucoup accessories, long dangly earrings, embellished clutches or bracelets to the elbow….lol! Ok not to the elbow, but again, you get the picture. Here are a couple of my holiday looks. If I can get a sitter, one of them may make it out the house for New Year’s Eve this year! Merry Christmas guys and a Happy New Year!!!!

P.S How cute is my T-Shirt?? If you like it, contact me for purchase info!!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Dressing the new bod: Classic black & white with a mix…..

Mixed print that is!! Ok so here’s the thing, my “new” body is hard to dress. I am sure many women can relate. I am skinnier than I was before I got pregnant but some things have gone flat and other things have gone curvy, lol!! I am working with temporary alterations now for sizing BUT things just don’t look the same on this body as they did on the pre preggers body. What’s a new mom on a budget to do? Make it work honey!!!

Foundation garments (i.e. girdles) are my friend and jersey/stretchy fabrics also work well for the new bod. Adding interest such as prints and peplums to outfits is also a great way to camouflage problem areas. For today’s post I decided to mix prints and create interest to draw focus away from areas I don’t like, all the while appearing to highlight my new curves……… Mixing prints is not as easy as pro stylists make it seem (lol), but keeping it simple and classic can produce a standout look and I think I did that with this one…if I say so myself.

I kept the palette extremely simple, black and white and kept the prints simple as well. A geometric print on top and horizontal stripes on the bottom…..the print on top camouflaged my stomach area while the horizontal stripe gave the illusion of curvy hips…..TMI I know but I am all about what works!! To bring attention up towards the face I brought in some neon earrings to break up the black and white. I love this look and will be mixing prints more in the future……as always, let me know what you think!!!

Monday, November 23, 2015

One Look, Two Ways Part II: Blazer, check Heels, check....second look on deck!!

A couple posts back I started my one look, two ways series....the response was great and I really love the feedback! For the second "look" I kept the same skirt and tank, added a blazer and some heels with a pop of color and got a look that is office, dinner and or church friendly. The look with the sneakers was my church look *wink* but others may get a bit more dressed up! Not much to say except, here is part deux!! Enjoy!