Sweat Equity

We have all been there. You are straight chillin on the couch, when your friend calls last minute with something fun that you just can’t pass up. You only have moments to get ready and are currently in sweat mode. What to do? Remix those sweats boo!

You can add some very small things that will make a big impact on a chic athleisure look. In this case, I added a simple faux leather jacket, hoops and some nude pumps. Seriously, thats it. I guarantee you already have accessories that you can add. No purchase necessary. Just go in that closet and mix it up.

ASOS DESIGN Tall Hoodie & Jogger Set (shown in size L)/Faux Leather Jacket - ASOS (similar here)/Glasses and Hoops - Forever 21/Pumps - Calvin Klein (shown in size 12)

Photos by Alina Mamlyuk

If you are looking for sweats, I highly recommend the ASOS loungewear line but if you already have them, there are simple, easy and free ways to pump them up 20 notches. Try some things out. The worst thing that can happen is you have to buy a new pair of sweats and the best is unlocking new looks you didn’t even know you had in your closet. That doesn’t sound like much of a risk to me. Besides, you need that emergency look on hand for that one last minute friend that we all have, know and love. Stay ready so you wont have to get ready. Period.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

These jeans are only $39.99. I could just leave that right here and stop the blog because when have you found a jean that fits, with a 37” inseam, at that price lately? But where I am at right now, I can’t just talk about the clothing because there is SO MUCH going on in my life. Jeans are great. We need to clothe our body. These are fabulous, have amazing stretch and beautiful embroidery but I can’t just stop at the denim.

I want to use the rose detail to convey a truth that has revealed itself in my life:

every rose has its thorn.

I am happier than I have been in years but there are a lot of unknowns in my life that sometimes keep me awake. I am still single, building an unseen empire, hustling like I never have before and mourning some of the changes that have happened over the last 8 months. It’s been a cornucopia of emotions. Incredible highs and odd lows that I had never felt before all wrapped up in a beautiful package of purpose. I hang on to my vision knowing that is is strong, prosperous and regardless of the current foggy view, will prevail.

When I followed God’s prompt to move and begin, I thought that meant a flawless walk in the steps He had created for me but the truth is, there is no such thing as flawless. In fact, when you follow God more often than not, all of the rough spots become intense. When you are walking in what you were made to be, opposition is at it’s strongest. You can call it a test. You can call it distraction. You can call it an attack from Satan himself. Whatever you want to call it just know that you have to push through it. It’s not an end, it’s a lesson that needs to be learned in order for you to continue down the path that was made for you.

When it comes to anything in life, expect the thorns and embrace them. Nothing you will ever experience that is real and true will be without the prick of something that is perceived as unpleasant. Don’t run from the growth, feel every part of it and use it to strengthen your design.

Currently growing. Currently feeling. Currently becoming who He needs me to be. 

You gotta love a dusty booty from the concrete wall lol. I could have photoshopped it out but it was too much work and plus, who cares that I have dust on my butt from the wall (insert shrugging emoji here).

Photos by Lakeela Smith

Tall Powerstretch Sofia Skinny (shown in size 13 with a 37” inseam) - Alloy Apparel

So Nice to Meet You

Video by Karina Anglada. Photos by Nikki Notarte.

I may already know you but a refresher wouldn't hurt:) If this is our first time, it's so nice to meet you! We also need to talk about My Giant Life, my reasons for doing it and what you should NEVER say to a tall girl.

Please press play and don't forget to tune in to TLC this Sunday at 10/9c. See you there!

VICARIOUSLY

This guy right here is Luke Wiatt Gilbert. We worked at the Warriors together and as you can see, he definitely lives life to the fullest. I have always admired him for his ability to shed fear and go after his dreams full force.

His latest endeavor is a great one! He launched his Vicariously podcast yesterday! It's a series where Luke interviews unique entrepreneurs that are successfully pursuing their passions. I can't stop listening to them!

I was honored to be one of the people that he picked to be a guest. We talked about height, virginity, leaving your corporate job for your dreams, equality, working in sports and just about everything else. I hope you enjoy it, as much as I enjoyed recording it. 

Click on the picture above or link below for the full cast and click HERE to subscribe to VICARIOUSLY!

Easy Like Monday Morning

Madison Faux Leather Trim Straight Leg in 37" inseam - Alloy Apparel/Tall Ruched-Side Boatneck Tee - Alloy Apparel/Amber in Metallic Silver (shown in size 12) - Smash Shoes/Crossbody Satchel - The Limited

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith

I'm tired y'all. I mean...TIRED.

Right now I am in the middle of the busiest part of the season. We are blessed to be in the Finals again and with every blessing, there is great responsibility. With great responsibility there is a lot of work and with a lot of work there is a lack of sleep.

Don't get me wrong...I will take the tired all day. The outcome is worth far more than any amount of sleep I could get but when times get busy, you have to think of ways to be more efficient and one of the ways I do this, is in the execution of my work outfits.

When on #TeamNoSleep you need something that is easy to put on, comfortable and requires little to no effort to put together, To me that all equates to all black. It's chic, instantly looks put together and you can't see the wrinkles as easily if you don't have time to iron or steam.

I absolutely love these tall pieces from Alloy Apparel. The pants fit like a glove, are long enough and have a hawt little faux leather detail at the waist. I paired it with the tall ruched-side boatneck tee that is long in the body and shapes you just right. It's also versatile. Easily go from work to fun in the time it takes to take the shirt off your shoulders.

Now you can take the black all the way to the shoes but I wanted a little pop, so I added these fun metallic pumps from Smash Shoes. There certainly is nothing wrong with a pop of metal hunni.

So, next time you wake up tired and need to get ready in a hot minute, throw on some black, a pop of something and watch the compliments on your effortless fit roll in!

IMPERFECT

Ibena Laser Cut Heels (shown in size 12) - Eleanor Anukam Footwear/Tall Long Sleeve Jersey Body - TTYAXLTS/Tall Shift Dress - ASOS/Sunnies - Collage Clothing Lounge/Cross Body - Thrifted

Photo Credit: Meg Russell Photography

Perfection is something that can’t be attained. It’s impossible to be perfect however our society is constantly trying to push the perfect agenda on us. You must be a certain size, a certain height, have your hair a certain way, make-up on point etc. As a blogger, I find myself unconsciously doing this, especially when it comes to shooting looks. Often, I will prepare for a shoot longer than it takes to shoot the looks themselves. Furthermore, any blogger who says that they don’t do this, isn’t completely telling the truth. Shooting looks for a blog is a production, plain and simple.

With that said, I go back and forth with continuing to shoot these looks because I don’t want to set a standard that one cannot attain. I definitely wear all of the clothes that I shoot on my blog but do I continually look this polished on a daily basis…

heck no.

That would be impossible. I am incredibly busy (especially during the season) and prepping every day, in the way that I do for shoots is unrealistic. I am a complicated, dynamic ball of beautiful imperfection and that is what we need to share with each other.

Do I wear make-up and add hair to my look? Ya darn skippy. These are things that I enjoy and will continue to do but they don’t define me and I have permission to change them as I please.

The truth is, my hair has flyaways, my nails break and are not always done, I have varicose veins on my feet, my legs are not always tanned and my weight fluctuates (among one hundred other sporadic things). We are all REAL women that are amazing, one-of-a-kind works of brilliance.

With that said, I am going to shoot looks…but I will no longer obsess about perfecting them. I am in a season on growth right now and this is one of the ways I am developing. I am made specifically in every way, as are you. I will no longer mold any part of me into being what society has conditioned me to aspire to be. I am ready to share all of me with you and I apologize for the delay.

Let’s take the pressure off and happily stand tall in our gorgeous, vibrant, imperfect selves shall we?