What are you wearing from home?? COVID Edition

Hiya guys, I hope all of you are well and in great spirits. Times are weird. Times are very, very strange. But let’s focus on the positive, and not harp on all of that. I am here to share how a random Instagram challenge led me to finding the fun in getting all dressed up during quarantine.

It all started with me scrolling aimlessly on my phone when I noticed someone that I follow wearing a very bright yellow outfit and tagging the post as the #instarainbowchallenge. I followed the hashtag and to my surprise, there were several dozen posts of women sporting beautiful bright colors topped with enormous smiles. I wanted in on the fun, so I got up and got dressed. Seeing fellow bloggers and stylists doing this challenge was exactly what I need.

(I later found out that this #InstaRainbowChallenge was created by a couple of stylish women from the UK using color on IG feeds as an effort to instantly lift people’s mood as well as show RAINBOW support and love for the NHS).

Although I have been quite busy with other avenues of my company, and doing quite a lot of writing for other publications, I have almost completely deserted my blog. Honestly, I felt like I had fallen into such funk over the past years when it came to getting dressed up and posting pictures here. Upon moving back to the States I gained about 25 pounds. Nothing really fit anymore, and my cheeks were so chunky that smiling became somewhat of a chore for me. The weight gain happened so quickly that I didn’t have the opportunity to fully adjust. I didn’t know my face, I didn’t know my body, I didn’t have the confidence to get dressed and pose it up. So instead of purchasing an entirely new wardrobe, I wore the few things that fit (ALL BLACK EVERYTHING). Thankfully now, since being home in self quarantined, I have been preparing all of my meals and working out regularly. As a result, I have dropped about 10 pounds, and I’m feeling better than ever. So back to the rainbow challenge, I hadn’t really realized that I had dropped a few pounds until I started to reach into my wardrobe styling outfits to post on social media in support of the challenge.

The outfit featured in this post is brought to you by my darling friend, Amanda over at Paulette’s Closet. The best vintage boutique in Memphis. How amazing is this vintage 60s day dress? The jeans are vintage Jordache from Paulette’s Closet as well. I wore the rainbow-colored dress to commemorate the challenge, and to celebrate me regaining self-confidence. It feels amazing to be back in front of the camera, highlighting so of my favorite vintage and thrift pieces from SOSNUThrift.

Over the next few days and weeks, I will continue to post the colorful outfits representing each shade of the rainbow.

Style Evolution - Throwback Thursday

Like many of you who are on social media, we oftentimes are reminded of what we’ve posted years ago in the form Facebook Memories. Personally I love that feature, not only does it post photos that you may have taken but those status’s that you’ve posted on a specific date as well. It’s a nice little flashback in time. Recently I logged into my Facebook account, and saw that I posted the picture below one day in June 2013…

I thought to myself, gosh I haven’t worn that t-shirt dress in years (literally since 2013), and that’s a super cute and comfy piece. Plus it’s actually one of the few designer pieces I own. I was one of the few to get the limited edition piece when Target did a Designer Collaboration with Prabal Gurung. I wanted to get my hands on this dress, and style it up again soon. Looking at the photo I knew that I would never wear this exact outfit again because a) I absolutely can’t walk in heels this high anymore, and b) although I found the t-shirt dress, but I had no ideal where that denim vest was. But this lead me to think, would I want to wear this look exactly as I wore it almost 7 years ago?

My style has evolved so much since back then. Literally night and day. I remember talking to one of my tutors from London College of Style and she saying to just wait until I could dress for the life and job that I wanted, and not the conservative corporate job that I had been working for almost a decade. Things definitely became more relaxed and expressive…organically thankfully. I traded in my suits and heels; for more unique vintage, and brogues and sneakers.

outfit details - dress: Prabal Gurung x Target; windbreaker and earrings: vintage; shoes: Adidas

I think it’s a great idea to exercise your Something Old, Something New magic and create new looks from old pieces in your wardrobe. It’s a great way to gage just how much your style has evolved over the years. Yes there are some things that I wouldn’t dare wear currently, and I really wished I would have been more selective and not as trend focused back then. However, I can say that I have learned from my past, and now I tend to either buy vintage or go with the classics.

Lastly, I want to add that as many of you know I am now a solopreneur with many endeavors that I manage daily. One of those businesses is SOSNUTHRIFT and because I want this business to be a huge success, I have pledged to become a walking billboard for the company. There is never a time that I leave home without wearing something from my brand. My personal style is a conversation starter and free promotion for Something Old, Something New. So back then I may have wore this dress very understyle and sort of plain, now a days it’s unhired for me to not be proudly sporting my very own brand in some form or fashion.

So Long Summer...Sunflower Fields

As we bid summer adieu, I made it my business to get out and have photos taken in a beautiful sunflower fields in my hometown. Also when you have the perfect outfit in mind why not call up your photographer, and go out and make magic happen.

Majority of my outfit is “something old”, but I did recently purchase these white culottes from H&M in the summer sale. They are some of the most flattering trousers I own. I mean you really can’t go wrong with the illusion that a wide leg and high waist line creates - think taller and lean…legs for days!!!

Now on to the rest of the outfit, I paired my vintage robe/kimono with a silk polka dot Escada bodysuit. Fancy right. I wanted my look to compliment my beautiful surroundings, and these pieces fit the bill. I kept my jewelry very simple. Pearls to match the polka dots, and a simple gold necklace.

Until next time guys. Be well. Take care, and trust that all that you desire will be given.