MIMIC HER LOOK-GROWN & SEXY

How many times have you seen a cute look but thought, "I'm too old for that? "  Or "My stomach is not in shape to wear that." Don't think like that.  Just try to find a way incorpate a piece that will work for your style and body type.  I found this cute look on stylelustpages.com.   The crop top with a high waist skirts/pants/shorts is a major trend this summer.  Don't let your age or body shape stop you from trying this look. I will state that this look should be kept for nightime/weekend wear.  Do not try to get away with this at the office.  The blazer will cover what you don't want to show in the middle but you'll still get that little flash of skin.  If you're still slightly uncomfortable pick a short that sits higher on your waist and/or a longer length crop top.  And lastly if that fails just add a shirt under the crop top that is similar in color or to your skin tone.  I hope this has helped you try something a little daring and realize that your age or body shape doesn't have to be the factor in stopping you from trying a new trend.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

MIMIC HER LOOK by goofygyrl21

DIY - BEFORE & AFTER

I haven't talked to much about my pregnancy but once the hubby & I get my blog more organized there will be a section dedicated to motherhood/parenthood.  If you didn't know already we are expecting the arrival of our first daughter in 6 weeks or less.  We've been scrambling around trying to get everything ready for her birthday.  This past weekend we shopped for two days looking for the perfect travel system (a stroller & carseat combo) and crib.  I found the perfect crib at Ikea a few weeks back and we went there to pick it up.  Well needless to say it's on back order. 

So we continued looking around and found a closet.  We didn't intend to purchase a closet for her but it made sense to do so since all her 0-12 month clothes have already over taken our personal closet.  The closet (STUVA) we liked cost over $250 (more than the crib).  So with a little imagination we got creative.  We decided to forgo the door panels and the matching drawers.  This saved us $145 right away.  We decided to build her closet with four pull out wire bins, one shelf, and two closet rods.  So for a $105 (+tax) our lil Contessa has her own personal closet space.  This will grow with her because we can always change the rods, the wire bins, and the shelf to accommodate what we need to store in it. 

After building this unit we loved it so much we think we will get a second one for the extra storage for when she starts accumulating a lot of toys.  We love Ikea.  I was going to make a curtain to cover the closet but for now we are leaving it to showcase how cute all her tiny clothes are.  If your a parent of just looking for tips on how to stretch your dollar Ikea is the place to go.  You can click here to see how our simple closet can look with the change of the doors.  Here are options that are more sophisticated.  Another idea is buying a large bookcase from a yard sale.  You can re paint it and take the shelves out to install rods, bins, etc to make it your own.  I hope this was helpful.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

P.S. We taken one night stand out to accommodate her closet space.  There is a lot more storage space than a two drawer night stand.

GLAM GOTH

I'm not a slave to fashion trends. I see something that I like and I work with it. You don't see too many African American girls dressing in goth but that's ok. Dressing 100% goth isn't my cup of tea but there are elements to it that I've always loved. It's hard core, yet feminine. It can be very sexy and provocative yet demure. When putting together this look my inspiration was the black booties. I pictured wearing it with black leather leggings. But then I found the shorts, which wouldn't be considered goth at all. The rest of the pieces just came together.  I love how the red jacket ties the entire look together.  It makes it a little less reveling.  This is how I would do goth. See a style is what you make it not what someone tell you it is. I hope this has inspired you to try something you've been wanting to try but felt you couldn't pull off. Just remember to always incorporate your elements of style into the look. You will feel more comfortable pulling off the look.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

P.S.  I know I used this photo of the black girl recently but I love her hair.  The other look was more a '70's look.  You can see it here.  This is a perfect example on how you can incorporate your personal element of style into anything.  Enjoy!

GLAM GOTH by goofygyrl21

WHICH WAY?

Which way would you wear this red jumpsuit?  Red and gold or red and black?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

Без названия #2680 by alexandragoga

Seeing Red by keyshia16

TRENDY NEW NAILS

I really haven't been a big fan of the all the nail art going on this year.  To me it's a little excessive. But I pick at my nail polish after a day or two so I can't fathom paying $30+ to get my nails done just to chip away the polish.  Today I cam across this set on Polyvore that stood out to me.  I wouldn't do each nail differently but I would paint one nail with the silver glitter.  The bow is exceptionally beautiful. Since my fingers are too swollen to wear my wedding ring at the moment I would get the bow on ring finger nail.  What do you think, are you in love with nail art?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

Trendy New Nails! by ealkhaldi

DIY- HAIR COMBS

Here is a little something I found on Pinterest.  Believe or not these combs are DIY.  So pretty.  I tried finding the link that shows in detail how to make these but didn't have any luck in doing so.  My personal fave is the long gold leaf hair comb.  I would take some old jewelry or embellishments from a shirt/purse/etc and create one.  All you need are the pieces, a glue gun w/sticks, and a few hair combos.  Let your imagination run wild.  Enjoy!

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

(photo from Pinterest)

BE FREE...

I sometimes feel like I was born in the wrong decade. I love pretty much all things 1970's but my favorite two things to love is the big hair and the glam fashion. I'm not big on spending lots of money on any item of clothing but these TopShop pants are calling my 1970's inner Diva.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

BE FREE... by goofygyrl21

PACK EASY-THE MAXI DRESS

Packing for a summer vacation can be overwhelming sometimes.  But it doesn't have to be.  Find pieces that can worn throughout your trip (at least twice)  This dress from Lulus is a dress that can be worn many different ways (they show you four ways in the photo below).  I would chose a dress in a solid color this way you can get more wears out of it in one trip and it wont be so noticeable that you've worn that already.  All you need is different pieces of jewelry, a hat, and a few pairs of shoes and you can change the look of this dress many times.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

image from Lulus

COOL SUMMER LOOK-THE CROP TOP

I'm not a big fan of crop tops (on me).  Even when I was skinny I felt I look awkward in this style.  But there are some women who have been wearing this summer trend with confidence and it shows, they look good.  Skinny girls, thick girls, and everyone in between are wearing this look.  The trick is working with your body type.  I could be wrong but from what I've seen the thicker girls are showing less skin.  They are pairing their crop top with high waist pants/shorts/skirts.  I've also noticed the difference in fabrication, fabric that have more stretch to them.  The skinny girls are wearing pretty much everything.  But remember just because someone is skinny doesn't mean they look good in everything.  Know your body type and how to flatter it.  If you ever need help I'm always here to help you solve your fashion questions.  Have you wore this style yet?  What cut/style/fabrication do you prefer?  I picked out a few crops that I wouldn't mind wearing if I dared to wear this trend.  I hope you like them.

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

COOL SUMMER LOOK-CROP TOPS by goofygyrl21

HOW TO ROLL SLEEVES

The art of rolling up your sleeves isn't simply rolling up your sleeves. There is much more too it. J-Crew has a method to perfecting the rolled up sleeve look. This makes sense though, mid-way through the day my sleeves tend to unroll. Enjoy!

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

How To Roll Sleeves by goofygyrl21

BLACK BARBIE

Now knowing that JuJu is a girl I'm starting to realize there will be many Barbie play dates in the future.  I loved Barbie growing up.  In the 80's there were only white Barbie & black Barbie.  I had both colors.  But black Barbie was just a painted version of the white Barbie.  At 5 years old I really did not notice the difference, but when I got older I caught on.  Now Barbie comes in all complexions and hair textures.  I am so happy about this.  There are many options for JuJu to chose from now that I didn't have back in the day.  These dolls are so beautiful that it will be hard for me to let her play with these dolls and not store them as collectors items.  I pulled some images off the web to showcase the many choices young girls have when it comes to Barbie now.  I believe having a doll that looks like you does build self esteem but it's also up to us as parents to build our child's self esteem first.  Whether if JuJu is light, dark, or anything in between, it starts with me and the hubby in telling her how smart, talented, and beautiful she is.  Having a doll that look like her will only add to her self esteem.  What do you think?  Is Barbie a self esteem booster?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd


Here is an interesting article published back in 2009 about Black Barbie.

All images pulled from the web (google)

JULY PHOTO CHALLENGE

My sorority sis posted a photo challenge this morning on FB. I never done one of these before, so I thought it would be fun to try. You can get full details here (http://goo.gl/o6d6K). You will see a little glimpse inside my life with this challenge, even though I will still keep it very fashionable. Follow me on my journey on instagram @teatodd2.  I hope to see you there. 

Much Love & Fashion Fun,
Tea Todd

 

 

4TH OF JULY INSPIRATION

This 4th of July I want to be comfortable but still stylish of course. What better way to do that while preggo than than to wear a free flowly skirt and crisp white top. I love these type of tops for summer. Bare your shoulders and add a little bronzer to show off sexy skin. Wedges are great for walking, they are comfortable and wont skin into the grass. The wicker bag adds a slight 70's feel while the bright blue accessories ties into the Independence theme. And of course the last accessory needed, Big Hair!  Do you plan on wearing red, white, & blue this holiday?

Much Love & Fashion Fun,

Tea Todd

4th Of July by goofygyrl21 featuring a bead necklace