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Style + Lifestyle Feature: Isaiah of A Collected Gentleman

July 9, 2014 by Whitney 5 Comments

Today’s featured blogger has been featured on WNJ before as part of my Thrifty Friend features. He’s actually the only male blogger I’ve the pleasure of working with so far. Isaiah, the style blogger behind A Collected Gentlemen, is not only an expert thrifter, but he’s also an inspiring young man who loves his family, photography and has a “thing” for timeless style. I admire his style, drive and passion and I think after reading his inspiring life + style interview, you’ll feel the same way. 😉 My favorite part of the interview is his words of wisdom to those wanting to start a style blog – his advice is dead on! But enough of what I think, lol. Scroll down and check out A Collected Gentleman for yourself…enjoy!

Where are you from and what’s your occupation?

I was born in New Jersey and raised in North Carolina. I’m a freelance photographer as well as a blogger.

How do you define your personal style?

My personal style is all over the place. I consider myself a melting pot. I like to take different styles and mix them into my own. I take elements of street-wear and prep.

What are your 5 must have wardrobe items for the summer?

– A white tee

-Denim jeans

-Grey Sweatshirt

-Oxfords

-A floral print shirt

Name 5 must have wardrobe staples every man should own?

-A grey suit

-Denim jeans

– Light blue oxford cotton button down

– Cologne

– Brown Wingtips

*A Navy Blue Knit Tie

ABOUT A COLLECTED GENTLEMAN (ACG)

How long have you been a blogger & what inspired you to start ACG?

I’ve been a blogger for 3 years now and my inspiration to start ACG came from wanting to change my image. I loved the timeless look of people wearing suits and oxfords.

What are are you feelings on male representation in the blogging community?

I think it’s great. One thing I will say about the blogging community – everyone looks out for each other and they’re always happy to support you. I’ve never felt negativity or hate form male bloggers. Since day one of certain ACG, I was embraced and given advice on becoming a better blogger.

I notice you have a passion for photography. What about photography do you like?

I love to capture the essence of beauty, weather it’s of a person, nature, or architecture.

What’s you vision for ACG?

My vision for ACG is for it to inspire pope the way I was inspired when I was first introduced to bloggers Street Etiquette and The Style Blogger. Those guys changed the way I looked at clothes, self-acceptance, and art.

ABOUT ISAIAH’S LIFESTYLE

What inspires & motivates you?

My family inspires and motivates me 100%. We’ve been through so much, and just to see my 3 little brothers graduate from high school and attend college is amazing. Also having my Mom see me graduate meant the world to me. They’re’ so proud of what my blog has become and that keeps me going. Every time my Mom calls me she reminds me to never loose my passion.

Who are some of your style-spirations? (family member, bloggers, celebrities, ect.)

I really don’t have any, but I really admire and draw a lot of my inspiration from women’s style – they make it look effortless.

Any advice for someone who wants to start a style blog?

Don’t do it for the fortune or fame. Just do it because it’s something you love to do. People always say that everything is so saturated. The people who are really passionate about it will stand out. Figure out what you want to do and work on it day and night – enjoy every minute of it, the good and the bad. You shouldn’t let negativity stop you. The worst thing you can do is let yourself get in your own way. Just keep pushing, work hard on your dreams and don’t give up. Enjoy your journey.

How can we keep up with and contact you?

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Style + Lifestyle Feature: Karen of Your Stylist, Karen

July 2, 2014 by Whitney 23 Comments

Happy Wednesday! Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the 1st blogger in my #summerwithnic featured bloggers series. 🙂 Karen of Your Stylist, Karen is a style blogger and stylist here in the DMV area. I’ve had the pleasure of working and hanging out with Karen on several occasions. She’s a wife, a stylish entrepreneur and above all she’s a woman of faith. I’ve been a fan of her blog and style for a while, so it’s my pleasure to introduce her to you all. Check out her full interview below…enjoy!

ABOUT KAREN + HER STYLE

Where are you from?

I am originally from North Carolina but currently live in my husband’s hometown of Washington, DC.

How do you define your personal style?

My personal style is feminine and bright. My style is an outward reflection of how I generally feel internally!

What are your 5 must have wardrobe items for the summer?

–A kimono for those breezy nights

-A maxi dress that can be dressed up or down

-A statement clutch that goes with everything

-A bathing suit that makes you feel amazing

– A pair of sunglasses that protects your peepers.

Name 5 must have wardrobe staples every woman should own?

– A skin tone camisole (can be worn on it’s own or under something else)

-The perfect pair of black pants

-A thin belt perfect to wear over or under many other staples

– A pair of jeans that makes you look good from all angles (dark denim is universally flattering)

– A plain white tee

About YSK

How long have you been a blogger?

I began blogging in 2012, one year after I got married. Blogging allowed me to express my creative side and also meet new friends, like Whitney! 😉

What inspired you to start YSK?

Your Stylist, Karen is not only a blog but it is also my business. I recently launched my new website that highlights YSK, the business. I am a personal stylist and personal development coach that serves professional women.

Where do you see YSK in 5 years?

In five years, YSK will have successfully helped hundreds of women, on an individual basis, as well as through YSK LifeStyle workshops. YSK will have created at least three more service areas to help women style themselves from the inside out.

What’s the best and toughest thing about being a blogger?

The best thing about being a blogger is having the ability to reach and connect with so many people from all different walks of life. I’ve had Skype conversations with my blogger pals in other countries and collaborated with like minded women after meeting at conference, like Lucky FABB. The toughest thing about being a blogger has to be the pressure to stay consistent. I have so much I want to share with my readers but do not always have the time to make things “perfect.” My need for perfection can get the best of me and it takes me longer to post than I would like. Stick with me and I always come back with something useful!

Karen’s Lifestyle

What makes you happy & what inspires you?

Serving God by using the talents he gave me to draw more people unto him. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, I promise! I just go about my day being open and honest with those that I come into contact with and HE does the rest.

What are 3 things you do daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

1. I am working on portion size because I have learned that

even when eating healthy, there CAN be too much of a good thing!

2. I experiment with new recipes from “Skinny Taste”

and you can find some of my favorites on my Skinny Pinterest boards.

3. I love going to a nearby park and walking the trails.

Enjoying nature and staying fit allows for the perfect weekend combo.

As a wife, professional, and entrepreneur, how do you find balance in your everyday life?

Trial and error taught me some pretty awesome life lessons. My priority is my role as a wife so I know that my actions have to reflect that declaration. I make sure to put the computer down and actively engage with my spouse at the end of the day.

Any advice for someone who’s trying to find their passion and purpose in life?

Pray and ask for guidance if you are seeking YOUR passion and purpose in life. I emphasize YOUR because it is so easy to try and follow the path of someone else that you deem successful. You have a unique life path and nobody can do it better!

How can we keep up and connect with you?

Website – www.yourstylistkaren.com
Facebook – facebook.com/yourstylistkaren
Twitter – twitter.com/yourstylistkar
Instagram – instagram.com/yourstylistkaren

Personal Style | Why You Should Invest in Statement Jewelry

June 16, 2014 by Whitney 59 Comments

Hey there! I hope you’re all doing well. I’m still coming down from a wonderful weekend, so I’m feeling pretty good for a Monday. I want to jump right in and talk about why you should invest in statement jewelry. Let’s chat, shall we?

1. Stand out. Investing in and wearing statement jewelry is a sure way to stand out and make a fashion statement. There’s nothing wrong with following trends and wanting to emulate some popular styles. But adding a unique statement piece will help set your outfit apart.

2. Add the WOW factor. Do you have a few outfits in our closet you aren’t wearing because you feel like it screams, “Blah”? I guarantee that if you add one statement piece, you’ll see the same outfit in a different light. Adding one piece can instantly take something like a plain denim button up shirt and a pair of slacks to another level.

Why you should invest in statement necklaces. #wnjstyle

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3. Express your Personal Style. I enjoy wearing statement jewelry because it’s a way for me to express my personal style. On days when I feel like wearing something simple, throwing on a unique thrifted ring or an interesting cuff with a pair of vintage earrings makes the outfit my own. Little touches like that go a long way when is comes to personal style.

So tell me, are you a fan of statement jewelry? What are some of your favorite statement pieces to date? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Personal Style | How to Maximize Your Wardrobe

June 6, 2014 by Whitney 27 Comments

I challenged myself this week to style 1 dress 3 ways. I had a lot of fun coming up with different looks and more importantly, this challenge taught me how to make the most of my wardrobe. Which brings me to today’s topic of how to maximize your wardrobe. Let’s take a look at the 5 things I learned from this style challenge.

1. Cute sneakers are a great investment. I’ve been a fan of sneakers for years. As I got older and entered the workforce, my purchasing habits changed and I started buying more flats and comfy heels.Wearing the sneakers and dresses trend was a great reminder that sneakers still have my heart. Maybe it’s the athlete in me or maybe it’s the comfort I feel when prancing around in them. Whatever the case, I think it’s time to invest in a few pair of stylish and reasonably priced sneakers or cute canvas shoes (thanks Glenda). I can definitely see myself putting them to use year round.

2. A pair of nude shoes can take you a long way. I’ve worn my Tahari heels several times over the past few weeks. When thinking about how to maximize your wardrobe, I strongly suggest purchasing a pair of nudes. They go with any and every color or print.

5 easy ways to maximize your wardrobe, any season! #wnjstyle

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3. My jewelry hoarding may not be a bad thing after all. Lol, yes…I have a lot of jewelry and if you let my hubby tell it, I’m a jewelry hoarder. I mean I DO have trouble parting ways with pieces I’ve had for a while, but for this challenge it worked to my advantage. 😉 Just imagine how many different ways a black dress can be styled if you mix up the jewelry! Having a plethora of jewelry to pick from comes in handy when trying to maximize your wardrobe.

When maximizing your wardrobe, being open minded is key. #wnjstyle

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4. Invest in affordable handbags. If your wondering where to look for affordable handbags I suggest visiting your neighborhood thrift store. If you’re trying to maximize your wardrobe, you can still have fun with your accessories. During my style challenge, I wore 3 different handbags to give the (same) dress a different look. While none of them were thrifted, I do have plenty of thrifted purses that could’ve substituted any purse pictured above. You can also shop at stores like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. Their selection is vast and quite affordable.

5. Be open minded. When maximizing your wardrobe, being open minded is key. At first glance, the dress I styled is very busy and some may think it could only be worn one way. Having an open mind one can see the styling possibilities for this dress are endless! Don’t just stick with blacks and other basic colors; have fun and purchase dresses with prints and bright colors. They can easily be toned down with the right accessories. 😉

So tell me, which look is your favorite? Do you have any tips on how to maximize your wardrobe? Let me know!

If you’d like to see me do another style challenge like this, drop me a message below! I’m open to suggestions. 🙂 I hope you’ve all had a GREAT week! Enjoy the weekend and I’ll be back Monday. Until then, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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One Dress Many Ways | Look #2

June 4, 2014 by Whitney 18 Comments

I knew when I started this challenge I’d have to style this dress with my favorite Tahari heels/sandals. I mean for real for real, these shoes are SO comfortable and the fact that they add an instant chic and sexiness to any outfit is a major plus! But back to the dress….LOL. I decided to style look #2 as if I were going on a summer date with hubby.

DRESS: ELEMENTZ, MACY’S (SIMILAR) // HEELS: DSW (SAME)

During the summer months hubby and I seem to get out quite a bit. We go to dinner shows at Toby’s, have a romantic dinners on the waterfront in Columbia, or head to DC for a fun night on the town. Any one of those date night options calls for showin’ a little leg and wearing a pair of heels like these. 😉 Of course I carry a lightweight shawl or wrap with me – I’m always the one to get chilly whenever we go out.

Purse: Giveaway Win c/o Oh to be a Muse // NECKLACE & Watch: Thrifted // Bracelet: Gifted // Vintage Sunnies: Thrifted

So tell me, are you feeling this look? Is it date night worthy in your opinion? Do you like it better than this look? Let me know!

I’ll be sharing my 3rd and final look tomorrow and then Friday, I’ll give you chance to vote on your favorite One Dress Many Ways outfit. 🙂 Don’t forget to link up your recent outfit(s) to my Personal Style Linkup – I LOVE seeing your outfits and who knows, you may be featured as my favorite look next week! Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

P.S. Feel free to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter – I’m always updating and chatting on those social media sites! 🙂

*****

Linkups: WIW, Whatever Wednesday, Weekly Spotlight

#WNJInspired | Using the Gifts God Gave You

June 3, 2014 by Whitney 9 Comments

Are you using the gifts God gave you? I found myself thinking about this question this time last year. I’d just gotten married, I was excited about the future, and I was even more excited about the growth of my blog. I felt like my life was beginning to make (more) sense. However there was still something eating at me. I wasn’t sure if I was using (all of) my God given gifts. Granted I was publishing daily blog posts, but there was something that had me feeling a bit creatively unfulfilled.

After praying and talking to my husband, I realized 3 things; (1) I was ready to take my God given writing abilities to the next level, (2) I was ready to share my gift of personal styling beyond my blog, and (3) I was ready to gain more income. Fast forward a year later, the question was brought up in church a few weeks ago. Of course I thought about it and realized that, YES. I was actually using the gifts God gave me and because of that, I’ve been able to accomplish those 3 things and more!

Now I know there’s still more work to do on my end. You may be thinking, well how can there be more? You just checked off those 3 things….what else is there?! Think about this – when someone gives you a gift for your birthday you hope that it’s something you can use more than once, right? We should think about our God given gifts the same way. When you have certain gifts, you’re expected to use them continuously. That means I still have more to give and more to do.

When you have certain gifts, you’re expected to use them continuously. #wnjinspired

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So why am I sharing all this? It’s simple – using the gifts God gave us is imperative to living a truly happy and fulfilled life. Why be selfish with our gifts? They were given to us to inspire and help others. To “make it plain”, it’s our responsibility to use the gifts that we’ve been given.

So tell me, what are some of your gifts? Are you using the gifts God gave you in a positive way? Let me know!

Thank you for reading and for sharing. As much as I enjoy inspiring you, you all inspire me as well. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJInspired | 7 Tips on Pursuing Your Passion

May 20, 2014 by Whitney 20 Comments

Ever since I was a child, I had a passion for writing. I wrote my 1st short story in 4th grade and having my teacher bind and publish it for the whole school to read was a MAJOR moment in my 4th grade life, lol. I also remember “playing store” with my cousins and friends when I was little. I’d have them act as customers while I rang up their items. The items in this case were Bibles, Encyclopedia’s, pens and whatever else happened to be in my grandfathers office/library. Fast forward years later and I’m still pretty much doing the same things; writing and “playing store”. Granted, the writing and store playing is now on a different level. But I have yet to stray from what intrigued and inspired me as a child. This leads me to sharing my 7 tips on pursuing your passion.

Blouse: Jones New York, Thrifted // Denim Pants: Style & Co.

7 Tips on Pursuing Your Passion

1. Think about what you enjoyed doing as a child. Did you enjoy writing poems? What about telling jokes? Maybe you enjoyed knitting and making crafts with your grandmother. Think about those things to get your mind going in the right direction. Think about how you felt doing those activities. If it made you happy or brought you joy, that’s a good place to start.

2. Write/create an action plan. Get a journal, notepad or notebook and write! Write down your goals, plans, dreams, things that inspire you, etc. Create a plan for yourself and figure out how you’re going to pursue your passion. Are you going to open an online store to sell your homemade items? Write it down. Also, list your short term and long term goals.

3. Keep your day job. It may sound obvious but, don’t quit your day job to pursue your passion if you cannot afford it. Let’s be honest, not many of us have the luxury of working on our passion full-time. But that doesn’t mean it will never happen. Keep working and doing your best where you are, while working towards making your passion a full-time job.

Do your best where you are while working to make your passion a full-time job. #wnjinspired

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Shoes: Lane Bryant // Purse: Thrifted

4. Research. Find articles, blog posts and anything else that has to do with your passion. Become an expert at whatever it is you want to pursue. If you can’t afford to subscribe to magazines, head to the library. They have a ton of magazines and while some may be outdated, they still have useful information on a plethora of topics. Also, sign up form FREE seminars and participate in twitter chats and Google Hangouts that pertain to your passion.

5. Find a mentor. If you admire someone, reach out to them. Let them know you notice what they’re doing and don’t be afraid to tell them how they’ve inspired you. Build a relationship with that person and be sure to stay in contact through emailing, text messaging, phone conversations, etc. NOTE: Be genuine and speak from your heart. People can sense insincerity and people can spot a suck-up a mile away.

6. Network. Going back to #4, research and find out about networking opportunities in your area. Being around like-minded creatives feeds your passion. This is crucial in pursing your passion. Check out this post for more reasons why networking is important.

7. Don’t give up. Finding and realizing your passion can be exhilarating and tough at the same time. There will be times when you can’t give your all to your passion because of prior obligations. And you may run into people who doubt your passion. Do not let that stop you. Keep going, keep thriving, and remember how great your passion makes you feel.

Go for it! Here are 7 quick and easy tips on pursuing your passion. #wnjinspired

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So tell me, how are you pursuing your passion? Is there something holding you back? Let me know!

Let’s keep the conversation going and let’s inspire and motivate one another! If you have any topics or questions you want me to discuss here on WNJ, feel free to contact me! I’d love to get your feedback/or questions! As always, thanks for reading and until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJInspired | The 1st Year of Marriage & What I’ve Learned

May 13, 2014 by Whitney 12 Comments

Hubby and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary on Sunday (Mother’s Day). It was a beautiful day, spent with family, food and laughter – the same things we were surrounded with last year that time. I really can’t believe it’s been 1 year already – time has flown! This roller coaster ride has been a wild one, but there’s no one else I would have wanted to take the ride with. Check out the 7 things I’ve learned in the 1st year of marriage.

The 1st Year of Marriage – 7 Things I’ve Learned

1. Stay in the Word. Like any marriage, we’ve had our trials. Being in The Word and praying together has helped strengthen Darrius and I when faced with certain trials in our marriage. We both have a strong foundation and we know that with God, all things are possible and all things will work out…in time.

2. Communicate Your Feelings. Even if you don’t solve the problem at that moment, communicate how you feel. If you’re upset say it. If you’re hurt, say it. Don’t play the guessing game. Keeping the communication lines open has helped avoid many disagreements. Speak about it, get it out and don’t leave them guessing.

3. Talk Money. I really don’t like talking about money but, bills have to be paid and thrifting has to be done. Therefore, money talk is necessary. 😉

4. Keep Your Circle Tight. It’s great to have friends and acquaintances but the less people you have in your business the better. I think we’ve both learned that not everyone welcomes a happy marriage (or relationship). Some people want you to have the same problems as they do, which causes them to (directly or indirectly) pass their bad vibes and energy your way. Keeping our circle of friends tight has eliminated that. We know who has our back and we’re thankful for them.

#Marriage Tip: Keep your circle tight & keep people out of your business.

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5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. As I mentioned in this post, husbands will leave the toilet seat up. Let it go…accept it, lol. Darrius comes home some days and just wants to watch silly videos on World Star Hip Hop. That’s “his thing” so, I let him do that. Does he always clean up the kitchen (right) after we’re done dinner? No…but I do, lol. It’s not the end of the world. Let go of the silly stuff and focus on what matters.

6. Date Night is a Must. As I told you in this post, I’m learning how to “dress up” for date night. Our date nights are so much fun, and they’re so necessary. We make it a point to go out for dinner, go for a walk, or even take a quick overnight trip as often as we can. We’re both working hard in our careers and we also have extra circular activities that sometimes cause us to miss one another here and there. Because of that, we really value our date night/alone time.

7. Have Fun. I love my husband and we have SO much fun together. We love to travel and road trips seem to be “our thing”. So when we have a trip coming up, we’re always excited! Finding enjoyable activities to do together is key to a happy marriage.

As we head into year 2 of our marriage, do you have any advice you’d like to share? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading! I’ll be back tomorrow with an outfit post AND a linkup – I’m making up for yesterdays Personal Style Linkup. 🙂 Enjoy today, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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