WHATS YOUR INSPIRATION?

I've been wanting to write this post for a while but my baby girl has been keeping me busy.  It's better late than never.  I'm a visual person so when I see something or write it down I can remember it.  Vision/inspiration boards are great for seeing what it is you want to accomplish.  There are sites like Pinterest and Tumblr that allow you collect images in one place but I need something that I can see every time I walk by.  I had inspirational boards before baby girl arrived but taken them down since it was right above her crib.  Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things I realized I need my boards back.  I searched Pinterest for some inspiration on inspiration boards (lol).  I love the organized boards (I love organization) but when it comes to this kind of stuff I like to have images everywhere.  This is project would be great for you.  You can create one big board with everything or break it up into several categories.  Here are a few ideas for creating your vision/inspiration board(s).
1. Fashion-What you like now/How you want to dress?
2. Savings-What are saving for/What do you want to save for?
3. Hobby(s)-What is your hobby now/What is a new interest you would like to pursue?
4. Fitness-Whats your fitness goals/Whats your ideal body image (Please be realistic on this one.  If you have a Beyonce body shape don't put up images of women who have a Chanel Iman body shape.  Lets not set ourselves up).
5. Home-What home improvements do you want to do?
6. Personal-Do you want to spend more time with family/travel more?
This is just a few ideas for getting your boards together.  When you see an image, a color, a piece of fabric, etc that you like put it on your board(s).  You can use anything to create your board(s).  Cork boards, card stock, or just your wall will do fine.  Let me know if you create your board(s).

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

 

all images above from Pinterest.com

NEW YEARS EVE

The new year is upon us again.  The older I get the faster the year seems to go by.  Now is the time to reflect and see if I have accomplished my goals for 2013 and to figure out what needs to change for 2014.  One of my new goals is to dress up more.  I love glamour.  There's no need to wait for special occasions to wear something fabulous.  Here are three dress inspirations for you.  Sequins is all that is needed to stand out at the party this year.  Which look is your favorite?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

NEW YEARS EVE by goofygyrl21

NEW YEARS EVE by goofygyrl21

NEW YEARS EVE by goofygyrl21

THE HOLIDAYS

I love this time of year.  The weather starts to cool down, eggnog is sold in stores, & everyone tends to be a little nicer.  Each year my cousin and I look forward to Starbucks Sea Salt Carmel Hot Chocolate.  This drink is so popular where we live that most of the time they run out of the sea salt before the new year.  It's such a bummer.  Well it's time to change things.  Since having JuJu I want to make sure we start our own traditions.  Making my own signature hot chocolate is one tradition I will start in my home.  I found this recipe from How sweet it is and fell in love.   Never-mind it's loaded with calories, it's HOT CHOCOLATE!  This recipe will sure be a favorite of JuJu's (my daughter) and MT's (my husband) for years to come.  MT loves coconut.  I'll just personalize it to make it my own.  You can find the full recipe here.  Enjoy!

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

Ingredients:

4 (13 oz) cans full-fat coconut milk
2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk
8 ounces high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup dutch process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons coconut extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut
frosting to rim the mugs
whipped cream or
coconut whipped cream for topping
marshmallows for topping

SHE'S HERE!!!

My baby girl is finally here.  She is nine weeks now.  Wow how time flies. The days are passing by so fast that I miss days of the week.  All my time and energy goes to her.  We still haven't set a routine and don't believe we will for a few more weeks.  I am really living one day at a time, enjoying this precious gift God has given us.  I normally like to rush to the next thing but I am taking my sweet time with baby girl.  She will never be this age again and I will never be a new mom again.  Because I have this wonderful edition to my life I will post articles about baby stuff and parenthood.  If you're not at this point in your life feel free to skip post relating to baby girl/parenthood.  But hopefully you will be along for the ride of this wonderful journey.  Want more photos?  Follow me on Instagram @Teatodd2.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

 Baby Girl & Me at 2 weeks old.

VOGUE BAD

Be bad and wear a graphic tee, short shorts, sky high heels, & a chunky sweater. The weather is cooler now so this outfit is very unexpected.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

VOGUE BAD by goofygyrl21 featuring giuseppe zanotti booties

BRIGHTEN UP BASICS

It's getting cooler now. To keep your basics looking fresh add a pop of color. This long sleeve yellow shirt brightens up everyday denim and neutral blazer. Keep your bag and shoes in a neutral color as well to keep the eyes on the pop of yellow.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

BRIGHTEN UP BASICS by goofygyrl21

FASHION NOW

While searching the internet tonight I seen a very daring cutout dress on a woman (the second dress below). This dress is hot, a little too hot. I must admit this cutout is too much for me.  I believe you can't wear panties with this. I did  find the site that made this custom dress and found that there are more demure yet original styles available. These styles I could wear to the appropriate events. The designer started off by making clothing for herself to fit her unique body shape. Others loved her designs and the rest is history. With the holiday season upon us it would be nice to walk into a party and not see three other girls wearing your dress. You are bound to turn heads. With uniqueness comes a price. However it's well worth it since the garment will fit only you and it's handmade. Would you wear any of these, if so whats your favorite?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

Fashion Now by goofygyrl21

 

TREND ALERT: PRINTED CARDIGAN

Mattie from Mattieologie.com has a beautiful printed cardigan on by Rachel Roy.  She keeps her pieces basic so focal point of her look is the cardigan.  This is a great go to look for last minute outfit ideas.  The cost is a little pricey for my liking but the quality looks really good.  It can be purchased at Macys for $189.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

TREND ALERT: PRINTED CARDIGAN

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The days are still warm, the nights have a crisp cool breeze, and the tree leaves are a pretty burnt orange color. There is another thing I love about fall, and that is the fashion. Fall means scarfs, hats, jeans, and outerwear. There is one piece that has caught my eye recently, the printed cardigan. The ethnic print craze has carried over from summer to fall. With this piece you can keep it simple by pairing it with your already have basics. Jeans, a white tee, a statement necklace, and booties will put the cardigan on display as the main piece. I've seen very causal printed cardigans to more dressed up pieces. Will you try this trend?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

Trend Alert: Printed Cardigan by goofygyrl21

CHEAP & CHIC

This site has great shoes at affordable prices (heavenlycouture). This is a great way to try out a look without spending too much cash. Love the shoe....find a better quality of it that will last you for seasons to come. Enjoy!

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

CHEAP & CHIC

PREGGO? DON'T BE SUPERWOMAN

My baby girl is almost here!  Her due date is a little more than a week away.  Everything is in place.  Her car seat is installed.  Her crib is set up.  Her clothes are ready to go.  And most important the house is clean.  The first few days of my maternity leave was spent organizing and deep cleaning.  To my blessing a dear friend sent her maid to take over this tedious chore for me.  God bless her & her husband.  Now I'm spoiled.  All throughout my pregnancy I tried my very best to keep up my household but part of me wish I would have thought about getting a maid sooner and ask for more help with the daily chores.  After reading Mommy Noire's article about what not to do when pregnant made me realize I didn't play the pregnancy card like I should have, lol.  Just because I'm preggo doesn't mean I'm immobile.  But I'm the type of person if I want something done I'll just do it myself.  Well lesson learned (for when baby #2 comes).  Don't try to be a superwoman while pregnant.  Enjoy this time to have someone do all the stuff that you shouldn't be doing.  Here is a brief review of what preggos should not be doing:

1. Cleaning with harmful chemicals.  I stayed away from this my first trimester but by time the second trimester rolled around I couldn't take it anymore.  I cleaned but wore a mask.
2. Taking out the trash & bending down.  I couldn't wait for someone to come by to bend down and pick up stuff for me.  I know I've bent down more than I should have though.
3. Moving furniture.  I was so bad at this one.  I would be motivated to do stuff like organize our bedroom/nursery when I was alone.  So I had no one to help.  But I should have waited to do this.
4. Laundry.  There is just no way I could let this go.  I would tell the hubby to put the clothes in the dryer from time to time though.
5.Mopping/Vacuming.  Once agian I just couldn't wait for this to be done if it needed to be done right then and there.

You can read the full article here from Mommy Noire.  What things have you done that you weren't suppose to do while pregnant?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

MAKEUP BRUSHES

I've been getting more into make up recently.  I believe it's because my face is the only thing I still have control over.  The baby is making my belly bigger by the day and can't bring myself to purchase new clothing with only a few more days-weeks left.  I purchased Bare Minerals pressed powder and found myself not liking the way it sat on my face.  So I stopped using it for months.  I went back to Sephora to look for another pressed powder and the beauty consultant worked with me in finding the perfect shade.  Nothing worked so she brought me Bare Minerals.  "I have this already," I had advised.  She then asked what kind of brush I was using.  And to my embarrassment I told her my $5 Target brand brush.  The beauty consultant  advised me that I was using the wrong brush and needed  the correct brush in order for the product to work well.  I purchased the brush and the makeup looked great on my skin.  Lesson learned.  Not all brushes are created equal and the same goes for makeup.

If you're looking to step up your makeup game look on Youtube.  There are great tutorials on everything from eyebrows, face contouring, primer, and much, much more.  I've learned so much from watching these videos.  Just remember to save the tutorials you like because you will get swept up in the world of Youtube tutorials.  These women (and men) are great at explaining and showing what to do step by step. Below is a guide that is useful for creating your brush collection from sparkleandmineblog.  I hope this was helpful for you.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

 sparkleandmineblog

BACK TO SCHOOL

School has already started for many but there is still time to get last minute pieces to complete your fall wardrobe. One key piece needed, sweat pants. You know if you're in college the sweat pant will become your favorite piece around midterms and final time. Don't look sloppy with this look, dress it up a bit. These H&M sweat pants are fitted but yet in the same comfy fabric we all love. Add your summer crop top, loafer, and a blazer to complete the look. You will turn more heads(in a good way) with this look than with your favorite Sponge Bob pj bottoms.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd
 

Bookmark by con-artist featuring H&M