In The Fashionista's Closet: Blessed and De-stressed

I spent Christmas at my mom's and I always feel so safe when I'm there. All of my worries go out the window when I'm home and I'm able to relax and enjoy my time with my family.

This is my first Christmas tree ornament I ever made, it's pipe cleaners with glitter on it. I think this was either a kindergarten or first grade project. My mom makes sure it's on the tree along with the ones my sisters made every year. My nephew's ornament is on the left, it's his artwork from school made into an ornament.

Wanted to be comfy and eat a lot without my pants getting too tight!



I asked (begged) my sister braid to my hair in two braids. This was before I pinned it under.

I was going to go outside but it was soooooo cold yesterday so I decided pics in the domicile would have to do.

My nephew was so excited about my tripod, he couldn't figure out how I was taking pictures and no one was pushing the button on the camera. He told his dad that I'm a model now, lol.

I know that people will start to make New Year's resolutions soon but I have always used my birthday as a marker for goals and reflections. I have some projects that I am working on and I'll share some of those things in the coming weeks.

Hair: Braided by sister

Earrings: I can't remember

Sweater: Zara (Does this look black in the pics? It's navy)

Leggings: Forever 21

Bracelets (mixed): Forever 21

Boots: Juicy Couture

In The Fashionista's Closet: A Word From Our Sponsor

I love coats. Even though I live in Texas and it doesn't get as cold but I am always on the lookout for a great coat. Coats in a colder climate would be more about function than fashion so I'm glad for our not as cold but still cold to me weather.

Vintage coat: Thrifted

I had a meeting with a client today and I truly wish that personal shopping and thrifting were my full time, everyday job. It's so fun for me and people respect and love what I do for them. Busy moms, businesswomen, people who want to change their look or have a special event, call Fashion Nette-work!

Boots: Juicy Couture

Services include closet cleanouts, personal shopping, wardrobe revamps and fashion seminars for those who want to step up their game and step outside outside the box or are just too busy or hate (gasp!) to shop.

Necklaces: Forever 21

Email me for rates and requests at juanette@fashionnettework.com

 Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft 

Long sleeve tee: Zara

Jeans: Calvin Klein

Now back to our regularly scheduled program....

I'm looking forward to spending time with my family for the holiday, I pray that everyone has a blessed and happy holiday season!

Whenever I hear this song, it reminds me of my aunt, I remember her singing it and cleaning the house when I was a little girl. I miss her.....

In The Fashionista's Closet: Borrowed From the Boys

I met a friend for lunch and we ended up staying for about four hours, we had so much fun catching up. She has the most calming spirit, I thought that immediately when I first met her. (I guess opposites really do attract, I can be a little exciteable.)

Ralph Lauren blazer: (making another appearance!) Thrifted from Reiko

Men's shirt: Bill Blass (from rummage sale)

Men's belt: Thrifted

Men's jeans: Rummage sale

I have had these shoes for two years now, I shamelessly asked for them here and this is their first appearance on the blog! Say hello everyone!

  Things that I KNOW I know but needed to revisit:

1. Life is not a competition. Stop comparing yourself to other people, you don't know the sacrifices that they have had to make to get what it is you think you want. You don't have to have what they have, be your most authentic self and challenge yourself to get what it is God has in store for you. 

 

2. Focus on the positive. Be aware of and stop all negative self-talk. Write out and repeat positive affirmations and surround yourself with POSITIVE people.

 

  

3. Keep it moving. When setbacks happen, don't dwell or wallow in it, realize that there could be a lesson in it (sometimes God is trying to get your attention) dust yourself off and keep pushing forward.

We all need encouragement from time to time so take a moment and give someone a kind word, you never know who may need it....

 

In The Fashionista's Closet: Rinse and Repeat

Yes I wore my birthday jacket again, I'm still feeling under the weather so no witty banter today.....

Skirt: Thrifted

Boots: Juicy Couture

I discovered this song a little over a year ago and I wanted to share it. I was in the process of forgiving myself for things that happened in the past so it was and is still so true:

In The Fashionista's Closet: Scarves and Sniffles

I've had a killer sore throat for a couple of days so I've been feeling lousy. I wore this to go run errands and was told that I looked "spiffy" while I was out. 

sunglasses: Giorgio Armani
blazer: Giorgio Armani (thrifted)
grey long sleeve tee: Walmart
scarf: Forever 21
jeans: 7 For All Mankind
boots: Nine West
bag: Chloe

This is what I wore Wednesday:

Not too crazy about this outfit, I think it's the shoes but I had to do a flat boot with the way that I was feeling...

turtleneck: Zara
vest (with pockets): Zara
skirt: Zara
(See a trend here?! I used to shop at Zara faithfully and hopefully will be seeing them again real soon when my funds are replenished!) 

The kids were so enamored by these earrings. They asked to touch them, if they are heavy (no) and one girl asked if they were clip-ons (they are.) She said her granny wears clip-ons. (Not sure if that puts me in a good or bad category.) I got them at a resale shop for $3.

These aren't "birthday outfits" but hopefully tomorrow I can redeem myself...

In The Fashionista's Closet: Bowling and B'Day (Continued)

Some of you may remember this jacket that Reiko thrifted in the boys department but what she didn't tell you was that it was for ME! The perfect jacket to wear on my birthday!

As I was getting ready for my Birthday Nite Out, I asked myself:

I met some friends for bowling, food and TABs (tasty adult beverages) and had a great time.

Just a little fyi, I am going to wear this jacket again this week to school so don't be surprised!

I haven't been bowling in years but guess what????

I WON!

Yummy italian cream cake (my fave!)

I won't tell you what I wished for but hopefully it involves a new position and something l've been aching to do for a loooooonnnggg time.....

Of course I mean a teaching position, what were YOU thinking, silly?

Jacket: Thrfited from Reiko I.Love.It.The.MOST!

Striped shirt: Thrifted

High waist jeans: Mango

Clutch: Thrifted (I heart it!)

Boots: I cannot remember, honestly, I've had them forever

Thank you to everyone for the well wishes, good thoughts and blessings that were sent my way for my birthday, I can't WAIT to see what 39 brings!

In The Fashionista's Closet: B'Day

It's my 39th birthday today! W-O-W! I am so blessed to have such awesome family and friends and it's hard for me to believe the number because I definitely don't feel 39. (Although the grays that try to keep popping up in my hair tell me otherwise.)

Sunglasses: Giorgio Armani
Silk dress: Thrifted

Owl necklace: Garage sale / long gold necklace (wrapped around twice): Forever 21

Belt: Came with another dress

Boots: Nine West

(after looking at my pics I should have worn some bangles but I was rushing around this morning)

I had something totally different to wear for my "Big Day" but it was too cold out so I am going to see about wearing it on Wednesday since it will be 70 degrees then. I figure I can dress all week in Birthday Outfits to celebrate my birth, nothing wrong with that, huh?

I felt so 70s in this silk animal print dress, which is fitting since I love and was born in the 1970's. I was described as a "doll baby" an "African queen" and "a tiger" so I guess the kids approved.

Meeting friends for drinks later so I will posts that outfit plus there's still 4 more days of birthday outifits, so stay tuned!

This is what I listened to this morning complete with all (well, most) of the dance moves:

Get Me Bodied @ Yahoo! Video

I love the guy who dances with B, his facial expressions crack me up!

In The Fashionista's Closet: Friends Til The End

I went to dinner with one of my very best friends, we have known one another for over 15 years and I love her because she never judges me and always wishes me well in whatever I do. If I told her I was leaving my job(s) to go and join the circus, instead of giving me reasons why I shouldn't, she would exclaim, "Oh that's so EXCITING! You are going to have so much fun!" I think everyone deserves someone like her in their lives. She makes me want to be a better friend.

Tasty Adult Beverage

Me enjoying my tasty adult beverage

Bread pudding for my birthday

I am loving the Ralph Lauren blazer that Reiko thrifted for me, I wore it Friday and again the very next day. I gotta feeling that it's gonna be in heavy rotation....

 leopard top: Zara

layers of necklaces (there are 4 and some have multi-layers): Forever 21

cigarette pants: Gap

bag: shopping party

platforms: Michael Kors

We had a fabulous time! I've learned over the years that I want to surround myself with people who wish me well and who support me when I'm up, down or indifferent and even if that circle gets smaller, the quality of the relationships that I have is far richer. 

Have a blessed (and fashionable) day!

Birthday Wishlist

My birthday is Monday and here are a few things that I wouldn't mind having:

 Not available until April 2011 this streetstyle book has me wanting it already! Style Like U $19.77 @Amazon

Born Again Vintage: 25 ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe Only $16.47 @Amazon

Love these wide leg trouser jeans, they come with an extra 3 inches at the bottom for those who want an extra long jean (like me!) I am 5'8 and I am obsessive about my pant length, they must be loooonnnnggg. Emerson Made Bluebells $188

Full dresses and skirts to wear with my crinolines:

 

All images via etsy.com

A HUGE thank you to Reiko for satisfying my Jay-Z jones and gifting me his new book Decoded!
 I love Jay's swagger, there is something about him that appeals to me and he is so intelligent. (Or maybe it's because his birthday is December 4th so we are both Sagittarius' and like attracts like!)