fashion blog

Fall is Upon Us!

Posted on October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 by tiabanks

Shirt | TJMaxx

Shorts | Thrift Store

Shoes | Macy’s

Shalom everyone,

My latest photo shoot that I finished has been my most successful so far (in my and my photographer’s opinion). The location, lighting, outfit, and positive energy came together to manifest something great.

I was able to shoot two outfits that day, however, I’m only going to speak on one of them for now. The shirt I wore received a lot of compliments and questions about where I got it. Yes, it was yet another TJMaxx find! Just call me a Maxxinista!

I saw this shirt and was slightly hesitant due to how transparent the material was. On the other hand, I knew I didn’t own a shirt like it and I’m grown soooooo….

I paired this top with my strapless bra to cover my goodies and high waisted denim shorts. I found these denim shorts at a PA thrift store a couple of years ago but they were a few sizes too small. Determined, I bought them anyway and motivated myself to get into them and eventually I did so kudos to me.

The boots were a nice fall touch. I can’t tell you I got them for a super cheap price because they weren’t cheap. We’ll just leave it at that.

Back to this shirt though because it was definitely the highlight of the photos. I absolutely adore the detailing and embroidery in it and I can see myself wearing it out and about. Next time, I think I’m going to try a bold lip color with it, like a classic red.

Check out the pics below!

International Wardrobe

Posted on June 24, 2017 by tiabanks

Hey all you people. Hey all you people won’t you listen to meeeeeeee (If you can name where this is from, you get bonus points)

Today I want to do a little something for my subscribers who are in Europe, specifically London. Almost three years ago I travelled to London for my study abroad program and spent a semester at Regent’s University. Obviously, I went shopping during my four months there and there were a couple of stores I found myself coming back to. Those were Primark and New Look. Primark, in my opinion, is one of the best things to ever happen to me. First of all, the store is huge! Like Macy’s Herald Square huge and it’s always busy. Plus, they always have a great variety of clothing styles, keep up to date with trends, and everything is cheap. Now, while everything is cheap, you also get the quality you pay for. As in, don’t expect it to last forever.

New Look was probably my favorite.

I loved all of the clothes I found there and it was affordable. Not Primark affordable, but still great prices. New Look is also where I found these two rompers that I brought home with me from London. The first one is a loose long sleeve romper with a flowery pattern. I like this one for nights out or special occasions. It’s super comfy, but I tend to get warm really fast when wearing it so I like to carry this romper into the fall. It could be because the material is polyester.

The second romper I bought was a bright pink with scalloped bottoms. It is also a very comfortable romper that has a v-neck back and is tailored to be fitted in the waist. I love it because it can be dressed down or dressed up and the color is the only one of it’s kind in my closet. I wear it to little outings here and there ( I think it’s a little too “youthful” to wear to the club”).

So to my international subscribers, I love Primark and New Look! To my fellow American followers, if you ever happen to be in London, check out these stores. Now, I know there is a Primark in Staten Island and Boston but I’ve never been to either of them so I can’t vouch for them. I would assume it’s the same idea though. And to my knowledge, New Look isn’t in the US anywhere. But that’s what online shopping is for!

Here are some more pics from the rest of the shoot:

Snagged both pairs of sunglasses for $10 a piece at a street vendor in Harlem

March Must-Haves

Posted on March 1, 2017March 1, 2017 by tiabanks

*~ ~ ~ H E Y M A R C H ~ ~ ~*

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more luck I have.” -Thomas Jefferson

This is the time of the year when the weather starts to change up on us. We’ll have a week of frigid air followed by a few days of sun, which lets us know that spring is right around the corner. Here a few good things to have this month.

1. Leather Jacket

There are two times of the year when I break out my leather jacket. Fall and the beginning of spring when the weather is cold in the early morning and at night. Leather jackets are essential to a wardrobe. They keep you warm (depending on what kind you buy) and they a good look for a night out or just to add an edge to your attire.

2.Fishnet stockings

Fishnets have been popping up all over my Instagram feed and I must say, I am loving it. The trend is easy and edgy. I rocked the look a few years ago in college (just saying) but I’m glad it is sticking now. I especially like the fishnets that stop at the ankle because I feel like it’s a different take on the trend.

3. Sweatsuit

The athleisure thing is happening right now. Peeps are adding simple track suit bottoms to their look or dressing up their comfiest matching sweat outfit and taking it to the streets. Comfy + fashionable is pretty ideal for anyone. I saw one of those “You can’t sit with us!” track suits and decided not to buy it in the hopes of finding something…honestly I don’t know what I was looking for. But, you know what they say, nothing haunts you like the things you didn’t buy.

*I need an a whole suit like this, with a trench style jacket to match! Where can I get this?!?

The Shirtless Blazer

Posted on February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 by tiabanks

Blazer | Targét

Pants | Targ….wait, this whole look is Targét, except the shoes

Shoes | Shoedazzle

Hey, what’s up, hello

I literally put this look together last minute. I was out and about all day and there was still a couple hours of sunlight left so I challenged myself to put together a look to post.

Now, I’ve ALWAYS been a fan of a great blazer. That’s just something every working woman should have, especially in black. A black blazer is equivalent to a pair of jeans. You just need one. However, the look that spices things up a little is when women, influencers, and celebs wear just the blazer…no shirt. It’s so fab, fierce, and effortless.

So tried it out myself. It was a difficult look to shoot, especially with the breeze that was going on outside (I guess that’s why they make double-sided tape). I also did the look with a bandeau underneath for a more reserved, but still fierce look.

At the end of the day I think I’ll stick to the shirtless blazer look when taking photos and throw on a bandeau when I go out to have a good time. No nip slips over here! But, shoutout to me for trying something out of my comfort zone :]

Try-Day!

Posted on February 15, 2017February 17, 2017 by tiabanks

Dress | TjMaxx

Shoes | Target

Necklace | Somewhere in Ibiza

What’s up everyone —

Today, thanks to Dia&Co., I decided to step out of my boundaries and try an outfit that I normally wouldn’t wear (Hence, my title, Try-day). I, myself, am a girl with curves all over and have never felt comfortable in tight fitting bodycon dresses, so when I was invited to be apart of this project, I knew what look I wanted to pursue.

When I tried on this dress for the first time, I fell in love. I like the simplicity of it as well as the color. Especially the color. The fit wasn’t my favorite at first, however, after looking at myself in the mirror for a few moments, I realized that my curves aren’t going anywhere any time soon (especially with the way I love cookie dough ice cream) so I might as well embrace them. Plus, bodycon dresses are not going out of style anytime soon, if ever. Girls of all different shapes and sizes are wearing them nowadays with extraordinary confidence and it’s about time I hop on that bandwagon.

The necklace I paired with this bodycon dress was a souvenir I bought when I traveled abroad. My friends and I took a trip to Ibiza, Spain and on the last day, there was something equivalent to a flea market going on and I found this necklace at one of the booths. It was the only one they had so I’d like to think I’m the only person in the world with this necklace. A girl can dream right?

My shoes are a treasure I found at Target last summer. I ran in the store for one or two things and found myself stumbling upon the shoe department, which was obviously not on my list. There was one pair of these shoes left + they were my size + they were on sale. Boom. I had great karma that day.

I want to thank Dia&Co. again for inspiring me to step out of my fashion comfort zone. Check out their website and take their style quiz!

Now, I’m curious as to what styles my readers have tried. I want to hear about it!