mom jeans



(jeans & top VINTAGE, sandals BIRKENSTOCK)

This spring I am loving the classic denim look, the mom jean cut in particular. I styled this light denim wash VINTAGE pair with a contrasting rust orange top. I love wooden accents from accessories and decided they'd be a great combo against the top. I tied in the classic vibes with silver BIRKENSTOCK sandals. A super simple outfit 
for running errands!









all photos via PINTEREST


the graphic tee



(shirt BANDIT BRAND, jeans THE LOFT, belt BRIGHTON, boots MICHAEL KORS, hat VINTAGE)

One of the spring trends I am into are graphic tees that give off a vintage vibe. I love all the cute sayings printed on them especially this one in particular. I got this BANDIT BRAND one from my bestie TRIXIE thanks girlie!!! I decided to keep the look really boyish and styled the tee with black denim and a wide brimmed VINTAGE hat. I accessorized with a brown leather belt and piled on the bracelets. These tan suede MICHAEL KORS chelsea boots tied in the borrowed from the boys look. 







 photos via PINTEREST

negative distortion vs. positive reality



(dress & cardigan THRIFTED, boots STEVE MADDEN)

It's so easy to get wrapped up in negative distortions of ourselves. Sometimes we just want to dwell in our misery and have a pity party of one but fostering all that negativity will only attract more shitty energy which we don't need. I think it can be so exhausting and draining to beat ourselves up for things that are out of our control. We don't give ourselves enough credit for the amazing qualities we possess. These negative thoughts are distorted views and aren't even true. Try and see the beauty that you bring into this world. You are made uniquely in your own way and have so much to offer. 

MY POSITIVE REALITY

  • I deserve a vacation
  • I am a hard working person
  • I deserve and benefit from relaxation
  • I'm trying my hardest 
  • I'm making the best use of my time at this moment
  • I am grateful for my friends, family, my talents and aspirations
  • I am kind to others
  • I am giving of my time to others, I am caring
  • I am always working on making myself and my life the best it can be


at war





She sat there trying to write but nothing came to mind when was what she was sharing too much? Where would she draw the line? Her black coffee went from scalding hot to warm and now it was just cold. The temperature of her coffee didn't bother her, she would drink it either way. She decided now would be a good time to take a shower. She had been in her pajamas the whole day, sitting at her kitchen table searching for inspiration. It was past noon so she made her way to the shower stripping off her silk lingerie. She always preferred to sleep in soft fabrics, it was comforting for her. She got into the shower and turned the knob far left. Steam started to rise to the ceiling. She threw her neck back and let the water run down her face dripping down the curves of her body. She tried to take her mind off her writing. The shower was always a good place to rinse away any negativity she had floating around in her head. Today wasn't one of those days where she could just shrug it off. She thought she wasn't cut out for it, it meaning producing things, creating, writing things that she wanted to share with the world to any one who cared to listen. She dropped down to her knees in the shower sobbing in frustration. When would she gain the confidence? She thought she was stronger when in fact she never felt weaker. Everyone believed in her so it seemed. Others would always voice it in praise of her writing but why didn't she truly believe these words. Why was she constantly at war with herself?

fear and rejection








 I finally finished putting my portfolio together and all you wonderful people can check it out hereThese are just a few photos of the men's wardrobe styling I did for Photogenics, a modeling agency in Los Angeles. As I was gathering my images doubt came into play and I started to question my line of work and if it would meet the standards of being good enough. There has always been that fear embedded in me whenever I put work out there to be viewed. On the other side of the spectrum it is also liberating because it's something creatively I worked on to hopefully inspire others. I decided I wouldn't let that fear stop me from pursing opportunities. My heart may be beating fast and I may be sweating profusely but SHEDGAF she's taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best because the other option is not trying and I won't even consider it. I may fear the rejection that may possibly happen but what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. In the end everything is a lesson learned. I rather not be saying the dreaded words coulda, shoulda, woulda and lay my heart in the hands of the universe.      



defense mechanisms



(vest NORDSTROM RACK, t-shirt BANANA REPUBLIC, jeans TOPSHOP, boots TBA via SOLESTRUCK)

The last outfit I styled using this black cropped vest. I decided to go for a laid black look and work around this white boyfriend t-shirt from BANANA REPUBLIC. To keep up with the dressed down vibes I  wore my distressed jeans from TOPSHOP, which are super comfy! I kept the jewelry minimal and went for these long cross earrings and a dainty silver cuff. All jewelry worn for all three looks were gifted from my bestie, Lalene. She just seems to have an endless supply of bejewels and tries to find a good home for them and dizz guy right herrrre makes them feel right at home. Tying in the look, adding a bit of edge I chose to go with my studded TBA boots which I also was gifted from yet again Lalene! Cheers to amazingly generous besties!!! P.S I have a big smooch waiting for yah LALA! 

MY KEY DEFENSE MECHANISMS 
  • INTROJECTION- the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others
  • DISPLACEMENT- satisfying an impulse with a substitute object
  • SPLITTING- is the failure in a person's thinking to bring together both positive and negative qualities of the self and others into a cohesive, realistic whole
  • TURNING AGAINST THE SELF- involves self-punishment or sadistic behavior directed toward oneself.
We all have ways of protecting ourselves when we feel emotionally unsafe. These are my key defense mechanisms that I have associated with safety for me personally. Just because they are how I sought security doesn't mean they were particularly healthy ways to deal with my problems. Throughout the years they were ways I defended myself for my well-being. One of my defense mechanisms is introjection. I developed this as a child, internalizing the thoughts of other people. I'm not talking about the positive affirmations that I was told but the negative. I believed others when they called me weird I identified weird as different and different wasn't a great feeling as a child. Today I see weird/ different as a positive expression of my individuality. I rather be weird than boring. 
Displacement was a key defense mechanism when dealing with my high anxiety. I didn't know where to turn to so I substituted my anxious feeling with food. I always knew that for a period of time food would calm me down. But this displacement of food turned into an unhealthy eating habit and I gained a significant amount of weight which led to insecurity. I decided I'd channel that energy and impulsiveness with reality checking with myself and those that love me. Food should be viewed as nourishment and not be abused to mend my anxiety instead I found other healthy coping mechanisms such as running. Running is something that challenges me and keeps me fit. 
Splitting otherwise known as all-or-nothing thinking, not everything is black or white there can be grey area in certain situations. I would find myself categorizing my goals as either black or white but this was dangerous because I didn't understand the grey matter. If I accomplished a goal it was white and I was doing something right. If failure resulted when it came to goal setting it was black and I was in fact that, a failure. I didn't comprehend that although I did not reach the goal effort was involved. That effort is just as important to achieving a goal set and is the grey matter. Within time I learned to not be so hard on myself that some goals need more time to be carried through.
Turning against the self involves placing the blame or guilt upon yourself in order to release the hostility towards an individual. When it comes to arguments with loved ones I tend to place the blame  on myself. I view their negative criticism as a reflection of me, when in fact it is a reflection of themselves. I found courage within myself to approach the ones I love with my concerns. It comes down to educating them with what needs to be shared with me and what needs to be kept to themselves. There are boundaries that most people cross because they are unaware of what they are to begin with. I deeply and profoundly love and accept myself. I have experienced that turning against myself is a losing game.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF 
xoxo 
JOBABYY 

me. no one else



(vest NORDSTROM RACK, dress NASTY GAL, bralette CALVIN KLEIN, boots MICHAEL KORS)

This black combo is outfit number 2. I love the lace details of this NASTY GAL slip it has a bit of a plunging neckline but nothing that this CALVIN KLEIN bralette can't fix. The vest added a proper touch to this fun and flirty dress. I absolutely adore mixing and matching two trends together. I accessorized with layering turquoise accent jewelry pieces giving the outfit a bit of a bohemian vibe. For hair I tied it back into pigtails which is a homage to my childhood and can I get a WOOHOO my hair is long enough to tie into pigtails! To stick with that bohemian vibe I opted for these MICHAEL KORS tan suede chelsea boots. 

AN EXCERPT FROM MY PERSONAL JOURNAL

I am alone for the first time since I was 19 years old. Alone in the sense of dating no one. I have no one romantically to run into their arms. I am not hiding and really finally standing on my own, not leaning or finding security in a guy or a relationship. I must love myself completely and know that I am all the security I need. I am strong, I have always been but never fully allowed myself to dive into my independence. It's O.K. to be alone! I will be O.K.! I will be better than O.K. I should enjoy this moment in time and this liberating feeling of not being attached. It's scary and I'm doing a freaking good job of covering it up because the unknown is scary! I don't want to lose my sense of self. I want to only gain a greater understanding of who I am and what I need. Right now I need to love me. No one else. 

vices & virtues




(hat,blouse & denim shorts VINTAGE, vest NORDSTROM RACK, boots TOPSHOP)

I've had this vest hanging in my closet with tags still attached. The question was to return or to keep. I bought it with no idea how I would style it. To get me motivated to wear it I had a styling party and came up with three different ways to wear it, starting off with this look. I paired the vest with this vintage flared sleeve brown blouse and for bottoms I kept it casual with this D.I.Y shredded black denim shorts. I accessorized heavily with this wide brimmed black hat and layered with bracelets and my signature rings in mixed metals. To complement the color scheme I went for a red pout. The patent leather TOPSHOP boots and trouser socks pulled in the entire look. So there you have it look one perfect for a dinner night out with the girls!! 

I leave you with 5 vices to kill and 6 virtues to cultivate 

5 Vices to kill
  1. Arrogance
  2. Quick-temperedness
  3. Drunkenness
  4. Violence (physical and verbal)
  5. Greed

6 Virtues to cultivate
  1. Hospitality
  2. Loving what is good
  3. Self Control
  4. Uprightness (being fair)
  5. Holiness

"Lead by example...Freedom and change is possible"

patience





(trench ASTR, shirt ZARA, jeans VINTAGE, bag ROSS, boots ENZO

I know things don't happen over night and patience is really key when waiting for results. I've been really trying to practice not being so hard on myself when it comes to all aspects of my life. I try to look at where my set backs have led me and turn it into a positive learning experience. In the past I would carry the burden of all my mistakes onto the next day. Where days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and so on. I needed to release myself from having this rain cloud hang over me. With a lot of prayer and guidance from those who love me I was able to see the sunshine over the hill. I know that I won't feel happy and content every day all day and that's O.K., as long as I'm taking care of the things that need to be get done and making that effort I know that's all I can do.  

Here is a list of things that help me on a daily and maybe they can help you too!
  • Think about what you want, write it down and look at it everyday
  • Be specific as possible, clear as possible
  • The more passionate about it the more likely you will achieve it
  • After you come up with your list of things you want, prioritize them
  • Whatever you want put it out into the universe, it will provide for you
  • Getting in touch with your core in the morning
  • Meditate with your core
  • Positive affirmations "I love and accept myself completely for all that I am" 


stacking






all images via PINTEREST

I've been pinning my little heart away on PINTEREST and it's super addicting. I've been drawing inspiration from jewelry lately determining what outfit and style I'll dress up in for the day by which jewelry pieces I want to wear. I love stacking and layering pieces of all different metals, shapes and sizes. It's like putting a puzzle together trying to find harmony and balance. I always say why wear one ring when we have five fingers to adorn!