The best advice on mixing prints and graphic tee’s is to have fun and don’t be afraid to mix up looks that normally wouldn’t go! Play around with your white and colored tees and see how they look with leopard prints, cheetah, snake etc. Using a plain shoe will also help bring out the look and not become to “busy”.
Last week I was invited to the opening night of the House of Beetle Pop-up bar located at Bassline in Chicago.
The popup bar is inspired by the Tim Burton classic movie, Beetlejuice and features a interactive experience with remnants of the movie all over the venue!
Carefully curated cocktails and food were served and movie characters were roaming around taking photos with guests. I met BeetleJuice YA’LL.
I don’t do “Scary” stuff so this was just the right amount of scary for me. Fun fact: When I went to Disneyworld as a kid I always went to the BeetleJuice Graveyard review event. 😂 it has since closed but it was very popular back in the day.
I enjoyed the whole ambiance of the popup and to top it all off my favorite cupcake truck, A Sweets Girl has exclusive cupcakes available for purchase outside of the bar that are all themed.
Did you like the movie Beetlejuice? If your in Chicago you gotta go and check it out!
Tickets can be purchased here and It is selling out so fast!
Every year The African Festival of the arts puts on a amazing mix of fashion, food and live music during the weekend of Labor Day and it holds a special place in my heart as a summertime Chicago staple.
I go to find unique pieces for my closet and I love supporting the local artists from all over. Some of the best items to get at the fest, Art Work ( Mind Blowing) and Accessories ( I always grab earrings).
With foods from all over you can try lots of amazing traditional foods and also some cool new options. I’ve been going to the African Festival of the Arts for years and I always opt for trying something new, that didn’t change this year.
Food gets me excited.My Girl Cherita from Beauty Marked Vintage enjoyed the #AFAchi30Vegan “shrmp”from good2go
Along with seeing the culture, seeing the look and enjoying the #blackgirlmagic and #blackboyjoy energy you can always count on a dope musical lineup.
After the show I can’t stop playing his new song BGM ( Black Girl Magic)
This year had headliners Wale and Rotimi (If you follow my Instagram you know Rotimi and I go together. Just Kidding.🤪
Connect with The African Festival of the arts and head out next year!
Have you ever wondered why people who are successful have confidence around themselves? It’s because they have figured “IT” out. Not the “IT” of getting rich quick or scheming but how to successfully grow their business and also confidently manage all the aspects, number one would be currency, that money, those coins.
Lawyer bae, Ashley Nicole is letting everyone in on the gems she learned to help her grow her business, Mobile General Counsel and lead others the information she has to help you not only manage the business side of creating a business but also being confident in who you are as a person. I had to opportunity to attend the live taping of Ashley Nicole’s podcast and I left with gems for days!
Let’s get into them!
Ashley talking to her parents about how to raise confident Children!
Being there for your children and showing them confidence allows them to understand how much they are worth. (These Gems came from Ashley Nicole’s parents who talked in depth about how confidence plays a big part in raising confident children)
The beautiful clothing from one of the vendors! House of Divahs!
2. Check up on yourself and take care of your mental health! Let’s keep tabs on our mental health concerns and address them. It’s okay sis, you have to take care of you FIRST.
Pretty and Bossed shirt from the Pretty and Bossed Brand! LOOOVed this!
3. Setting Goals and making plans help your business run smoothly which in turn make you confident in your business and hitting each goal you set! This gem was given from Kim Lewis who is the founder of a brand called, Curl Mix! Her story was so amazing!
Myself and the lady of the Hour, Ashley Kirkwood, ESQ.
4. Charmaine J, for Black Ink Chicago, discussed how confidence and honesty plays a huge role in maintaining her relationship with her boyfriend despite all the pressures and criticisms of being on Reality Tv!
PaigesQuinn, unique art!
Ashley gave us information to move forward with and also left us with things to do to complete our “WORK”. In addition, Ashley is also available to help with legal advice, trademark questions etc! When you get a chance check out her Podcast for all of this and more!
Every year I spend Christmas Eve with my grandmother and this year was no different except it was just here and I. Usually it’s my two to other cousins but this year I had my grandmother all to myself!
We usually bake something to eat for the Christmas Festivities but this year I wanted to try a Hot Chocolate bar. Needless to say, it was a hit! I got items from Trader Joes, Dollar Tree, and Marshalls and it was extremely affordable!
Vanilla extract from Marshalls and glass saucers from Dollar Tree.
Cinnamon and, candy canes all from Dollar Tree. In the glass bowls, I crushed up some green candy canes for toppings. I also put honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg in the glass bowls as well. I didn’t do the typical marshmallows because I don’t eat them. (I’m Pescatarian) Mugs from Dollar Tree
Finding a good dress is hard and making sure the fit is right is also important! For me, a Bardot style dress shows off just enough without being too much! I found this cute red dress from River Island and paired it with a fun pearl detailed black pump.
You can always swap out a red dress for another dress in another bold color like yellow, royal blue and add a cool heel to make it stand out!
Here are a few alternative dresses that you can still achieve my look for a very affordable remix. Also, let’s give a shoutout to the beautiful Kenwood Neighborhood for the beautiful background, located in Hyde Park this is one of my favorite places in the city!
