(Learning to) Manage (my) Mondays

I KNOW, I KNOW! It's been more than a week! I do apologize for the lack of posting - Junior year  is demanding all my attention - but I am trying my best to smooth out all my loose ends and sporadic postings on KayKrew.

This weekend was most CERTAINLY a hectic one, but I'm so grateful for that because I got to see a lot of lovely people.

Friday night, a few of my favorite girlfriends and I went to see Baggage Claim. I think (in other films) the actors are excellent, but I wasn't feelin' the movie too much. On my movie scale, it only mastered a 6.4 :(

Saturday night was definitely one for the books; it was my first time at Harvest America, a crusade that since 1982 has been invited to cities all around the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was such a magnificent experience to see so many people gather to hear the Gospel. The Wells Fargo Center was more full than ANY 76er's game I've ever been to, every seat full, every heart moved as The Katinas, Lecrae, NEEDTOBREATHE and Kirk Franklin ushered in a life-changing message from evangelist Greg Laurie

1. The hundreds of beautiful people walking down to the center of the stadium to receive Christ. 2. Greg Laurie delivering his phenomenal message. 3. The lovely faces of only a few of the 27,500 individuals (2,248 who made commitments to Christ!)

Sunday was another fabulous day. One of my absolute FAVORITE cousins celebrated her 30th birthday

...even though she doesn't look a day over 20 - LOVE you :)

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Falling in Love

Although I'm not a fan of the cold, I am the #1 fan of fall, because fall to me means layering! While fall, for me often means stacked jewelry, blazers and scarves (all in one outfit), I am also finding a love for the simple minimalist look. Sure, the art form of layering is always fun, but what's more challenging - and often better composed - is sticking with a few simple pieces and making it work!

Thank you, summer for your outdoor fun and bug bites, but I bid you adieu until we meet again :)

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Plaid Diamonds and Pleather Dreams

 Forever 21 Plaid Button-Up (OLD), Liquid Skater Skirt, Bagatelle Leather Open Front Moto Jacket, Madden Girl Tan & Red Colorblock Boots (Old), Amber Time (men's) Watch, Guy & Eva Pendant Drop Necklace, Rhinestone Gold Seated Tennis Necklace (gift)

I love this outfit. All day, I felt comfy and classy. Taking a tip from Cupcakes & Cashmere and her checkered state to create this outfit, I enjoyed making it my own. The only problem I have was the fact that I was rushing out the door this morning and completely skipped over finding the perfect shoe to pull this together. While the boot isn't AWFUL, I would have preferred a slimmer fit to finish off this polished look.

 ^^^ I couldn't resist! ^^^

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The Evolution of MY Style

Year 1: Year of the Vests!

Throughout the entirety of my 7th grade, I collated over 25 vests; and I wore those darn vests like it was nobody's business. Year 1 was definitely more of a casual transition into my discovery of fashion; I wore a lot of graphic/band tees with skinny jeans or boot-cut jeans, occasionally ventured into the unknown land of skirts - always topped off with a vest!

Year 2: 8th grade was a year of blending. I still had my vests nearby, but I began to move into the skirt department. I also was in love with shorts and stockings - I wore them constantly! . . . even in the summer.

Year 3: My freshman year was one of many skirts and overflowing jewelry. My skirts got short and my vests grew sleeves as I gained an appreciation for blazers and understanding that everything is good in moderation - vests, I'm talkin about you!

Year 4: The year everything came together. My style really took a stand in 10th grade. I began to understand the elements of fashion that I adore and the principles I'd rather ignore (hey, that rhymed!). It was a great year for me style-wise. I came to an appreciation for my body and what complimented me, and wasn't ashamed to show it. This year, I feel, represents truly my style.

Year 5: until further notice :)

what I can say though, is that the more I come to know myself, the more my style feels natural. I no longer try to portray something I am not. I portray, through my style, who I am

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The Evolution of Style

While on a recent shopping trip with a friend of mine, she mentioned wanting to "switch up her style again", this time from what I would call "California Classy Hood" to a "Trendy Femme". This made me think; is it possible for us to voluntarily "change" our style or is it something that evolves as we - and our personalities - evolve?

I have certainly come a long way in the past 4 years. Along with my personal growth, discovery and understanding, my style has also evolved, at the same time and within the same perimeters of my personal and mental advancement. I believe that your style is a physical representation of your personality; to me, that which isn't said is visibly spoken by one's wardrobe. For this reason, I don't believe it's really possible to "change" your entire style.

For further analysis, I spoke with another fashion friend of mine (whose style sister is 100% a young Olivia Palermo meets Lily Collins) and she agreed with me. She teetered around saying that style is who we are, and it's one thing to try new trends, but style is something that develops on its own - just as we do.

Style by definition is a fashionable or ostentatious mode of existence. Granted, this definition may also be referring to the manner by which we do things, but essentially, style is part of our existence. We breed through our style who we are on the inside. My personality has dramatically shifted throughout the years and now looking back, so has my style.

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The Price of Style

It's New York Fashion Week. Fashion mavens line the streets of Manhattan's Lincoln Square, bloggers snap pics of their front-row view at DKNY, J. Crew or Michael Kors, a few pedestrians wait outside the entrance to get a glimpse of  any celebrity to step foot in or out of the Lincoln Center onto 62nd or 65th street, but Buzzfeed is doing a street style survey on the REAL price of outfits of show attendees.

How. Brilliant!

It's such a blatant and honest question that (let's be honest) we all want to know! . . . it's also a question some of us are occasionally guilty of wanting to share. 

I love this idea! Not only does it ask the question on seemingly everyone's mind (at NYFW), but it also breaks down the wall of wonder and competition because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter that her Celine bag costs more than my Chanel knockoff or that he put down more on his Varvatos oxfords than I did on my entire outfit. What matters is, in the name of fashion, we are all united because we respect the transformation it gives each of us . . . and because money can only buy the clothes, it can't buy style!

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Happy 28th, P!

Happy HAPPY Birthday, brother :)

I hope and pray that this year be one of joy, understanding and prosper.

I love you and Jamaica with you was an experience like no other!

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You're gonna hear me ROAR!

Charlotte Russe Crop Top, Gap Printed Maxi (last seen here), Vintage Gold Pendant Necklace, Call It Spring Sandals

I LOVE this maxi skirt, it's flowy and has such a great black and white bamboo print . . . and apparently doesn't just have to be a maxi! The last time I wore it on KayKrew, it was with the same top, a vest and chunky belt. This time, I was inspired by Katy Perry's getup in "Roar", although mine isn't a leaf-and-flower mini, I felt the vibe of the video in my own outfit: strong, independent, a lot of leg :)

P.S. I've been in transition mode since school's started back up, so please forgive the inconsistent posting!

P.P.S. FINALLY put KayKrew on Facebook!

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Wishful Wednesday

^^^ Click me ^^^

1. Necessary Clothing Charcoal Triangle Layer Skirt

2. Nasty Gal Ivory Kiss Me Dress

J'adore the accents in this dress: the pointed neckline and draping straps...perhaps a contestant for homecoming? :)
3. Shalom Y'all Tee

Paying homage to my Jewish relatives on Rosh Hashanah :)

4. Dara Ettinger Bobbi Earings

These - along with every other pair I've been seeing this season - are really making me question why my ears aren't pierced yet

5. Make The Money Tank Top

"Make the money, don't let the money make you. Change the game, don't let the game change you!" One of my favorite Macklemore verses

6. Saint Laurent Mini Y Ligne Pochette Crossbody Bag

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Stripes & Highlights

Love Riche Distressed Denim Vest, H&M Striped Jersey Dress (old - similar here), Forever 21 Faux Leather Skater Skirt, Aldo Seidenbecker Tote, All-White Converse, Vintage gold Necklace & Gifted Disney World Turtle Necklace

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Melancholy Monday

This past week was an especially difficult one; from leaving Jamaica to watching some of my closest friends depart for college.

A goodbye dinner at the diner (an impromptu photo shoot) for the cutest Towson Tiger I know!

Kisses from the only two beauties staying home with me :)

*Vintage Chain Necklace, Forever 21 3/4 Sleeve High-Low Dress, All-White Chucks, Wrecked Acid-Wash Denim Vest from South of SoHo Boutique*

A "Last Hurrah" Potluck that turned into a Clueless viewing party for my departing friends!

Helping the most beeeautiful Ramapo Class of 2017 student pack up her things . . . after taking a few fabulous shots

Annd, if you noticed in the last two pictures . . . I'M BLONDE!

Ultimately, this week was one of change; from realizing my best buddies won't be living in the same zip code to going from jet black to a caramelized blonde. I couldn't be more proud of my college-bound friends, who've each played such a major part in making my Sophomore year my favorite, drying my (dramatic teenager) tears, and putting pains in my stomach after bellowing laugh sessions and a constant smile on my face. I love you all; we've made it through a beautiful year together, and although we won't physically be together for the upcoming school year, the spirit of our late-night hangouts and hallway talks will always be present. I can't wait to see what college makes of each of you and what you will make of yourselves now that high school is a thing of the past!

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Tied Denim and Margaritaville Madness

H&M Striped Jersey Dress (old) (similar here), H&M Denim Button-Up (old) (similar here), Forever 21 Cutout Geo Necklace, Headwrap from Alldo Seidenbecker Bag

This was my second-fave look/outfit of our Jamaican vacation (first-fave to be posted soon)! I initially brought it as a cover-up after getting out of the beautiful ocean water seen behind me - just something to throw on after drying off - but it turned out to be something so much more! I love the comeback trend of the waist-tied shirt (seen here), and this was my first attempt at it! I'm so excited and I love how relaxed and effortless it all looks . . . it seems that's all I'm interested in these days is relaxed, effortless and clean, and I do think this look does exactly that

^^^ my fave!! ^^^

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