The Good Life

A big shoutout to my homie, my ace, God's Favorite Shoes on the arrival of her precious little one,

Zara Kye!
So happy for my Sister from Another Mister and my Brother From Another Mother!

You can see photos of her little one on her God's Favorite Shoes Facebook page.

Living for the Weekend

My weekends as of late have been the awesomest and I am here for them..

Assume the Position

People make lots of assumptions about me and my life....

Apparently word on the street is that I am some jet-setting social butterfly with lots of options for male companionship. Now the social butterfly part is correct but the rest of it...

A Welcome Break

I am thoroughly enjoying my Christmas Break. I stayed a couple of days at my home away from home (Houston, for those of you who didn't know) which as usual was filled with lots of laughs, good times and bacon (mustn't forget the bacon!) I'm now spending a few days at my mom's house and kissing on my niece.   

   

Here are some of my thoughts as of late....

 

Dating Defined

According to Wikipedia (so you know it's true if it's on Wikipedia) Dating is defined as a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse.

Pink & Pampered Pedicures

I have been slacking....

To Do List:

Things on my To Do List:

2Kool4Skool ~ Playlist

You guys know that I love music. I listen to everything but lately my musical taste leans toward the

" urban contemporary"...

New Beginnings

All good things are coming to an end. Yesterday was officially my last day of my summer vacation and next week is the finale of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. Speaking of Love and Hip Hop, I have many issues with this week's episode...

Growth Spurt

I have been trying to get my head wrapped around a lot of things that have happened in the past two weeks. I guess the recurring theme is that people are fallible. We all mess up, we make mistakes, we act out when we feel vulnerable or afraid and we sometimes hurt people that we care about.

I Guess I AM Here For That

Remember my "I Ain't Here For That" post?

In The Fashionista's Closet: Small Town USA

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life." ~Joel Osteen

I ventured to my hometown to visit my family for the 4th of July holiday. I am from a small town and now I can appreciate the smallness of it, it reminds me of why I believe that people are inherently good. And it's always a good time when I can spend time with my family, they had me in stitches from laughter...but then I gotta get back to the metroplex, the shopping there leaves something to be desired, lol.

In The Fashionista's Closet: Maya's Words

I was going to title this post "No Words" because I don't really feel like talking right now....But I figured I would use some quotes from Maya Angelou to describe what I'm feeling.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ~Maya Angelou

Adventures In The A: Part 3 Waffles, Wedges and Earrings

What do you do when there is a 45 minute wait at Gladys Knight Chicken & Waffles and you're a blogger? Why, take pictures of course!

When putting together this outfit I knew I wanted to let my earrings and wedges be the focal points so I kept everything else simple. I'm so glad I was able to stuff pack this jacket in my carry-on since it was a tad cooler in Atlanta than I thought it would be. It's been a great addition to my wardrobe.

Earrings: Nappy Rútz (These designs should be up shortly, just email Cherie and she'll hook you up!)

I was stopped and asked about my earrings on the way to the car and we sold 4 pair. 

*WAIT! Where's my cut?!?!*

Jacket: Thrifted by Reiko

Tank: Forever 21

Skirt: H&M (A.S.S. another short skirt, lol!)

Bag: Prada

Shoes: Aldo (Ultimate score at half off!)  

I'm not sure what I was doing here, mixing and scratching maybe? I do fancy myself as a dj some days...

Check out Antonia of Passions On Top of Passions we kidnapped 

coerced her into hanging out with us all day! We talked fashion, music (She actually saw Turquoise Jeep in action, I'm so jealous, lol!) and semi-planned our next girl trip destination! And she smells good too!

I met another fellow blogger, Lynn of L.A. Lynn and she was kind and thoughtful enough to bestow us with gifts. Isn't that sweet??? She had to leave early to go help feed the homeless. I tried to be on my best behavior around her, I think I saw a halo in her back pocket! 

(Me, Antonia, Reiko, Lynn, and Cherie of Nappy Rútz.)

 You can get Lynn's viewpoint from the visit on her blog, be sure to check her out!

I finally got me some chicken and waffles and my new signature drink, the Uptown! Half lemonade and half sweet tea and oh so yummy. *Trying to figure out how to add liquor to it and still have it taste good...*

Adventures in the A: Part 1

THIS is the sight that greeted me on the morning of my first full day in Atlanta. Beautiful view isn't it?
Merci beaucoup to our gracious host!

Cooler weather also met me on the trip and THIS is the particular time that I chose to wear short skirts. In Dallas I'm dressed like a schoolmarm and then in a city with a large Black gay male population all of a sudden I turn into Christina Aguilera during her Dirrty Phase. ('Member that???)

 We met for brunch at The Flying Biscuit, it was THE best meal I had while I was in the A.

I had the Pasta, sausage and eggs...so yummy!

  I also had great hair days during the trip I am happy to report.

 Earrings: Aldo
Jacket: Borrowed from Reiko
Top: Thrifted
Skirt: Borrowed from Reiko

 Other Deets:
Bangles: Assorted
Bag: Prada
Shoes: DSW

 Me with Shandy, the talented artist who created Reiko's wedding portrait (she's a real sweetheart) and Reiko

Finally got to see my ace Cherie, the talented creative force behind Nappy Rútz earrings and tees! Cherie and I met in a vintage store (imagine that!) when she lived in Dallas and since then she has started a now booming business, gotten engaged and moved to Atlanta. I remember when she told me that she wanted to make earrings, I was as excited about it as she was! (Of course I was thinking of what earrings she was going to make ME, lol.) I miss my goofy, tall-drink-of-water friend! She is wearing her own designs and you'll see more in upcoming posts. Check out her site here.


Moral of the story: Don't let anyone try and diminish what you do. I am not only a teacher, people are multi-faceted and talented in all areas, you don't have to focus on one thing in order to be successful.

In The Fashionista's Closet: Classroom Cutup

I debated about doing a post, nothing too inspiring going on with my outfit and location but I figured something was better than nothing.

Trying to get everything ready for school has left me time for little else but decorating my room and lesson plans.

I never thought about how much work goes into decorating to create an inviting learning environment but I'll never look at a classroom the same way again. My co-workers laugh as they see me put up something and stand back an inspect my work. I must admit that I am anal in my execution but I approach this in the same way that I decorate my home.

I have been watching the first two seasons of Mad Men in between cutting out items for my room. I started watching last season and fell in love with the fashions as well as the storylines. Who knew that they were doing so much back in the 60's and that scoundrel Don Draper is SO dashing!

Now I have to go. I've been dreaming of butcher paper, wall border and stenciled letters all night....

Shirt: Zara

Nceklace: Aldo

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind

Bag: Marshalls

Shoes: Michael Kors

Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself....

....Hi.....My name is Juanette and this is my blog.....I've been away for a bit. But I'm bbbbaaaaaaccccckkkkk baby!!!!!! I'd like to say that I've been on a cruise or finding the cure for cancer but no such luck. I've just been...tired.

There's been no real reason for my hiatus, I just haven't really felt up to blogging. I've been pretty uninspired by my outfits this summer since it's been so freaking hot (it was 106 yesterday) and working a retail job doesn't help since I have to wear "work appropriate" attire.

I did venture down to Houston a couple of weekends ago to surprise my ace, my dawg, my Sister From Another Mister, Reiko for her bridal shower. I had the greatest time filled with lots of shenanigans, about 6 hours of total sleep and P.G. 13 ratchetness (on her part, not mine, yall know I'm not telling, I'm a lady.)

Key words from the weekend: loins, bacon and Frenchy's!  

On Reiko: Necklaces: Assorted belts, vintage necklace

Dress: Dillards (It's got pockets!)

Shoes: Betsey Johnson

On me: Earrings: Aldo (Borrowed from Reiko)

Top: Ross

Bangles: Assorted

Skirt: Gifted from Reiko

Shoes: Steve Madden Luxe

We had so much fun getting ready and both of our outfits are a mesh of each other's wardrobes. We would truly be a force to be reckoned with if we both lived in the same city!

Shout out to Tiffany who saw me in the mall and told me I needed to update and the other commenters inquiring about me, thanks yall!

In The Fashionista's Closet: Mama's Gun

Sorry I don't have a more exciting outfit post for you but I am living in short dresses, flats and with my hair up most days to beat this 100 degree Texas heat. The heat is also to blame to for my recent photos on my balcony, it's too hot to schlep my tripod out and stand in the heat to take pics. And going to my part-time, now temporarily full-time job isn't helping my outfit posts because I don't wear heels there and my outfits aren't very inspired. 

 Speaking of my part time job, a customer came in and asked if we had handbags that came with a pocket for concealed handguns. The salesgirl, dumbfounded, said "Excuse me?" and the woman repeated it reeeeeaaaallllyyyy slow like the salesgirl was stupid.

"Do...you...have...any...bags...that...have...a...pocket...for...a...
concealed...handgun?" 

 As if we have people who come in all the time and ask for bags equipped to hide deadly weapons. 

 "This is our selection to conceal guns and to your right are the bags designed to hide knives and hand grenades."

 Dress: Zara

Earrings: Aldo

Bag; Prada

Bracelets: Assorted

Shoes: Target

Sorry maam, I  know this is Texas and all but I guess the retailers haven't made those great strides in handbag design yet...

*Post title inspired by Erykah Badu

In The Fashionista's Closet: Risky Business

This dress looks innocent enough, right? I've had it since January but finally brought it out  on a warm Sunday morning to go to church.

I didn't look at the weather report and today was a windy day here in Dallas. And the ruffles on the dress are not sewn to each other so I was afraid of exposing myself while walking from the parking lot into church. 

But thankfully the shuttle was there to transport me to the front of the church and I didn't have to walk. I didn't want to chance it and rode the shuttle back to my car as well.

Right after church I stopped at the little corner store in the neighborhood to buy me some old school Now & Laters. (Now Laters is actually what I say.)

As I was walking into the store, the wind blew my dress up.

Not just a little bit either. It was like a tornado, every ruffle was going every which way and of course I screamed and was trying to hold the ruffles down down but by then everyone in and around the store was looking at me.

Dress: Vintage
Sash belt: Gap
Bracelets: Assorted
Clutch: Cannot remember (I think Aldo)
Shoes: Guess

I thank God for Spanx...

I loved loved my hair today, full and fluffy! Product Review hair post coming soon....

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (and Pedicures)

I met Elissa from Dress With Courage at the Aveda Salon for our complimentary pedicures from the Park Lane Blogger Event and even though we had to wait over an hour(!) for them to even begin on my pedicure we had a fun time of girl talk.

 Main reasons why Elissa is one cool chick:

She's sassy (you can totally tell that by her red spiky hair, tattoos and she wears sequins almost daily.)

She's definitely a cool mom (see #1.)

She loves thrift stores. (Nuff said.)

She's from Brooklyn (also home of Jay-Z.)

She likes Jay-Z (Need I say more?)

  

 We talked online dating (she thinks I should), favorite thrift/vintage stores, and blogs we love. The only thing missing? Tasty adult beverages!

The unmentionables (it's been waaaaaayyyy too long)

Outfit details: fedora (Target men's dept.), earrings (Aldo Accessories), men's Bill Blass white shirt (rummage sale), assorted bangles (assorted places) cargo pants (JC Penney gifted from Reiko), red peep toes and bag *seen below* (Guess and Kooba)

We weren't done until after 10 pm(!) so if you're going to Aveda, you may want to call ahead and see if there is a wait or book earlier in the day and hopefully you'll be lucky enough to work with Tosha, she was the best!