Whitney James

Mini Hiatus…❤

Whitney James — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:44:34 +0000

I’ll be back soon! Lots of NEW & EXCITING things to share. I’m on “wedding recovery” mode so, see ya soon! XO!!

~Whitney

Friday Favorites

Whitney James — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:50 +0000

I told myself I was just going to focus on fashion, thrifting and styling on the blog but sometimes it’s okay to switch it up a bit, right? Well today we’re going to talk about some of my current “favorites”. It’s something I may do regularly on the blog but for now, I’m just trying it out. So here goes…

I’m such a HUGE fan of music, all genres, and I listen to it all day everyday. I’m also a huge fan of inspirational sayings and quotes. Of course I love fashion, but I’m also a reality & DIY TV lover. I never catch a show when it actually comes on because I’m so busy. But on the weekends or during the mornings when I get ready is usually when I catch up on my shows. If you follow me on Twitter, you can catch me ranting about the women of the Real Housewives franchise (I watch them all), The Gossip Game on VHI and especially Basketball Wives. I don’t think me loving reality TV will even change, lol. It can sometimes be ratchet and a bit classless but hey, we all have our quilty pleasures. I’m also all about HGTV and TLC. I love a good home improvement show!

With that being said, enjoy a few of my faves and be sure to let me know what some of your current “faves” are. It can be music, fashion trends, celeb looks….anything. Let me know! Thanks for reading, enjoy and be blessed!

~Whitney

Fave Songs

Celeb Looks

Fave Quotes

Fave Shows

The Gossip Game Cast

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Whitney James — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:26 +0000

Mother’s Day is coming up and if you’re having a hard time thinking of what to get your Mother, look no further! I’ve complied 2 sets that I’m sure will help you make a choice. When it comes to gifting Mother’s Day gifts, I get so excited! Although I buy little things for my mother here and there throughout the year, I like to give a little extra on this day. My little sister and I usually think in terms of themes when giving gifts to her. Below is a Floral Themed gift guide. I love the cute ring and the straw bag; so lady-like and pretty!

Click HERE to find out where to purchase items!

The next gift guide is more random; it’s got a little bit of everything. These gifts are similar ideas that my sister and I have for this year. My mom is super trendy and loves music so we can never go wrong with the latest R&B (or Jazz) CD, as well as a cutesy phone case. She also likes to take long hot baths to relax so a nice smelling candle is always a plus!

Click HERE to find out where to purchase items!

If you’re still having trouble or you’re budget won’t allow you to buy what you want, here are a few other ideas:

1. Cook your mother her favorite meal and invite her over for dinner.

2. Take her to see an early matinee; you can see a great movie earlier in the day to avoid the regular movie ticket prices.

3. If your mother is a reader, head to the thrift store and grab a few good books for (usually) under $2 a book.

I hope these ideas help you with your Mother’s Day shopping. As corny as it may sound, remember that it’s the thought that counts. Happy shopping and be blessed!

~Whitney

Me, Lil Sis & Mom (’04 or ’05)

Purple Snake Print

Whitney James — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:24:06 +0000

Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty good! I had a Pop-Up shop in DC on Saturday and the event went very well. In case you all don’t know, I sell vintage and unique items and during the Spring/Summer months I usually have a few shows lined up. Saturday was my 1st show of the year and I had so much fun selling, networking and seeing a few of my blogger buddies. I have two more shows coming up so I’ll be sure to post the details in the EVENTS section of my blog. (Shop my items, HERE)

Now, let’s get on with today’s outfit. This purple snake print maxi dress is not only a perfect fit, but a perfect print as well. I’m used to wearing leopard but I’m beginning to love this print as well. This is my second time wearing a snake print dress as a matter of fact. I think prints are so much fun and they seem to never go out of style. I paired this dress with bronze accessories and threw my hair up in a ponytail to finish off this cute, stylish, and hassle free look.

Enjoy the pics and be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram as well. I’m always updating and posting there. Be blessed and I’ll ttys!

~Whitney
Dress: Signature by Robbie Bee; Sandals: Target; Earrings & Watch: Thrifted; Bracelet: (Borrowed)

Today’s Linkups:

Girl in the Green Dress

Whitney James — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:00:58 +0000

Happy Friday, friends! I’m going to keep it short and sweet today and just share with you a few looks in what has become my “go to dress”. I’ve worn this dress with flats, sandals, and now heels. It’s the perfect dress to dress up or down, and it’s a great dress for curvy girls. It just falls so nicely. The cutesy polka dot shoes are comfortable and fun and the strap on the shoe makes these heels very easy to walk in!

I hope you enjoy the outfit and enjoy your weekend. If you’re in the DC area and you’re looking for a GREAT shopping event, check the link HERE. I’ll be selling some of my vintage items and there will be several other wonderful vendors as well. I hope to see you there. Be blessed!

~Whitney

Dress: Marshall’s (no tag when purchases); Earrings: Borrowed; Shoes: Nine West

Today’s Link Up:

Spring Weddings, Prom Season & All White Parties

Whitney James — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:37 +0000

Springtime is perfect for parties, weddings and of course, proms! I remember going to my Jr. & Sr. Prom and fortunately finding a dress was no hassle. I purchased my Jr. Prom gown from White House Black Market and my Sr. Prom dress at David’s Bridal. Nowadays, girls want custom-made gowns with all the bells and whistles. I still think it’s OK if you play it safe and wear something classic and elegant, with a touch of your own personality. And as I’ve told a few young ladies, purchase a gown that you can wear again. There is NOTHING wrong with re-purposing a prom dress for a wedding, a pageant or any other classy affair. Below are two looks that are budget perfect, as well as on trend and fashionable!

Click HERE for info on where to purchase items!

Spring Weddings are also popular. Depending on the location of the wedding (in or outdoor), you can go with a nice cocktail-like dress or a flirty and flowy mini dress. If the wedding is in the evening and it’s indoors, the 1st look would be my choice. The black and white flowers are timeless and the sheer neckline is super sexy without showing too much. If the wedding is during the day and it’s outside, go for a pretty flowy dress. Going for a shorter dress is best because it just looks more “dressy”. Keep it simple with the accessories, and add a high heel, strappy sandal to finish off the look.

Click HERE for info on where to purchase items!

Now switching gears a bit. I love an all white party just like the next person. But being the mini-rebel that I am, I don’t see a problem with adding a splash of color to an all white look. A colorful purse or pair of shoes will do the trick! Or, you can look for accessories pieces that include gold/or silver hardware. For example, the Dorthy Perkins clutch below is white, but has gold hardware to give the bag an edgy/trendy look. You can also take a not form Kylie Jenner and do a chunky gold necklace and bracelet!

Click HERE for info on where to purchase items!

Wearing nude or white pumps is a perfect finishing touch. Halle Berry and Rihanna did so in the looks below. I love a pant suit as an option for an all white party or event. It’s super classic and chic, yet comfortable and stylish. The masculine pant details in a pant suit is so sexy to me. It screams, “Powerful Woman”. Idk…maybe that’s just me, LOL! Which pant suit would you prefer; Halle or Rihanna?

Click HERE for info on where to purchase items!

Lastly, wearing all white in a casual way is great for a day party. Dressing the look up with a fedora, vintage sun glasses and killer heels is the best way to go. The look below shows how to style those pieces. The look also shows how to style classic pieces such as a white t-shirt, a hat and a pair of black (sandal) heels. You can mix and match those pieces in MANY ways, which is yet another reason why it’s important to always have those “wardrobe essentials” in your closet.
So if you’re headed to the prom, a wedding, or an all white party, I’ve got you covered! I plan to keep all these looks in mind for summer; especially the casual white look. It’s my fave!

Until next time, be blessed. TTYS!

~Whitney

Today’s Linkups:

My Mother’s Closet

Whitney James — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:55 +0000

So by now you’ve probably guessed that a lot of my outfits are courtesy of my Mother. I’m not ashamed to admit that one of my favorite places to “shop” is her closet LOL! She has such great taste and style that it’s hard not to take a peek sometimes. Whenever I need a figure flattering dress or some amazing accessories, that’s my first stop. This amazing, colorful and bold dress is yet another gem form Mom’s closet.

While she and I are shaped differently, we can often wear similar sizes, give or take a few inches. The way something fits her will look different on me, and vice versa. I must say that shopping her closet has allowed me to become more comfortable with my shape/size. She’s a fan of showing and flaunting your curves, in a tasteful way. This dress is no different. It’s almost a perfect fit, and the colors are just brilliant! It’s an outfit I piece I can wear to work, date night, as well as a special occasion.

The shoes and accessories are mine. I felt they were the perfect touches to complete my look. Although the shoes are high, they’re super comfortable because of the platform sole. These beauties were only $19.99 so of course, I couldn’t pass up such a sweet deal. I honestly don’t wear a lot of heels but lately I’ve been finding some amazingly comfortable (and cute) pairs. Maybe the shoe gods are trying to tell me something, huh?

I hope you enjoy the photos! I had a great time taking them. Blogging is so much more fun with a great camera, right?? Take care and be blessed!

~Whitney

Dress: Macy’s; Shoes: Nine West (Ross, $19.99); Bracalet: Bakers; Earrings: Macy’s

(Late) Trend Alert: Camo

Whitney James — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:53 +0000

Are there ever days when you just want to throw on a pair of sweats, a hoodie and some sneakers and call it a day? Well, I have those days quite often. Don’t get me wrong though because I love looking cute and dressing up. But I’m a simple girl at heart so being comfy and casual is always my fave.

When I found these camo pants, I think a hallelujah chorus went off in my head. Sure, I may be a little “late” on the trend but it takes me a while to get used to certain trends. I don’t always jump on the bandwagon with everything but, this trend is one I’m glad I’ve embraced. I’ve been on the hunt for these pants for about a month or so. I wanted a baggy pair, not the tight fitted kind. So as I browsed the section of the Laurel (MD) Value Village one day, I stumbled upon them in the men’s section. The fiance didn’t think they’d fit. He said they seemed a little big. Boy did I prove him wrong, lol! These camo pants were made for me.

Now onto the photography. These pics were taken at night with my new Nikon. It’s the first time I’ve tried taking nighttime pics and I must say, they came out pretty nice. I’m going to make a photographer out of my boo if it kills me! He’s super patient with me when we’re snapping pics and he enjoys finding new locations to shoot. He actually suggested this location because he liked the graffiti on the truck. I think it’s a PERFECT background for the outfit. Good look babe! I’m also learning and trying to feel out different poses. That’s always fun!

So tell me, what outfit do you go to when you want to be comfy? Are you feeling the camo trend? And where do you usually take your blog pics? One spot or do you “travel around” for different locations? Let me know! Enjoy the pics and be sure to check out the other ways I like to see this camo trend worn. Thanks for reading and I’ll ttys. Be blessed!

~Whitney

PS Don’t forget to follow me on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM. I’m always updating there! XO!
Sweatshirt: Hanes (Goodwill); Camo Cargos: Bugle Boy (Laurel, MD Value Villiage); Sandals: Target; Purse: Arcadia; Necklace: Thrifted (Columbia, MD 2nd Avenue)

Other Ways to Wear Camo

(click on the pics to find out wear to purchase the items)

Celebs in Camo

Lala in casual camo cargos.

Khloe in camo skinnies.

Parrel in a Camo 2-piece short suit.

Today’s Linkups

Flowers & Sunshine

Whitney James — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:56 +0000

The weekend has come and gone and I must say mine was not that eventful, LOL! I was in the house Friday, Saturday and Sunday with my mom because we were both under the weather. I think I watched more TV in those three days than I have in months! It was actually nice having a few days to really rest and relax. I’m feelin about 90% better so I think the R&R and meds paid off.

Because my weekend was a bit blah, I decided today’s post would be all about flowers & smiles. Corny, huh? Well, I must say I LOVE this outfit and it certainly brightens up my mood!

As I’ve said in previous posts, I am LOVING florals at the moment. I found the top at JcPenny’s a few weeks ago. I was walking through the department store to head out but I saw a few colorful tops on the way. So I sashay over to the Clearance rack and there it was…”Floral Perfection”! I immediately looked through the racks to see what else was there and to my surprise, I found some more goodies. That evening I found this top, another (black) floarl top and a pink, fishnet-like sweater. You’ll see them soon because I already have outfits planned for them, lol!

Well, I hope you enjoy the pics and I hope you have a wonderful day. Be blessed & see ya soon! XO

~Whitney

Top: JcPenny’s (Worthington); Denim: Baccini (Thrifted for $4.50); Shoes: Anne Klein; Purse: Marshalls; Jewelry: Bakers Today’s Linkups:

Wrapped Perfectly

Whitney James — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:58 +0000

Happy Friday, friends!! As I sit here typing, I can only breathe out of one nostril and and my throat is super itchy. Hello, Spring! Lol. As much as I look forward to this time of year, I can’t stand the affect it has on my allergies/sinuses. But hey, at least it’s the weekend, right??

Let’s move on to today’s post, shall we? I’ve never been a huge fan of wrap dresses. However when I found this one, I was a believer. I walked into Ross to look for a few things and there it was…hidden in between a size 12 and a size 6. Neither of those sizes are mine, but something told me to grab the dress from the rack and look. You know how it is when you’re shopping from the clearance racks!

The colors were perfect and the fit, even more perfect! Did I mention the price was $9.99??? Can’t beat that! I paired it with nude pumps, gold accessories and just like that the wrap dress was brought to life. My mom saw me in the dress and complimented my curves. I must say that wearing (appropriate) fitted clothing does something to me. When the curves are displayed and everything is in place, you can’t tell her nothing! Her meaning me, she, I! (in my Tamar Braxton voice, LOL)

So what about you? What are your thoughts on wrap dresses? And what piece of clothing or style makes you feel super confident? Let me know! Until next time, be blessed!

~Whitney

Dress: Ross (Intriguing Threads); Shoes: Nordstrom (Ellen Tracy); Purse: Arcadia; Jewelry: Thrifted