Before the Storm

Now this was Minnesota a few days ago before we got the snow storm and accumulated almost a foot of snow. These pictures were taken sometime last week and fast forward to now (a week after) and everything is different. We're still plowing the snow and cleaning up after the storm. I have started driving like a 90 year old lady again; it will take a few more snow falls to get back to the winter rhythm but I hope we never have any more storms. Let's take it nice and easy; a little bit at a time..:-). I know God is listening...:-).

Plaid Jacket: thrifted
Tee and Denim: Loft
Bag: random (old)
Shoes: VS

Did you notice that I took a break from those pointed toe shoes? Well, this is almond toe and pretty old. I purchased it from Victorias secret over eight years ago; old, I know...:-). I don't think they make this style anymore. It's kind of like pointed toe with platforms and a middleman between round toes and pointed toe shoes. I'm not a shoe designer so, I'll leave the rambling at that...:-). I love the color though; that's why I'm still holding unto them.

Plaid is definitely a cool print for fall. Do you know that I thrifted this jacket for $5.99? Well, you know now...:-). I went in to some of my favorite consignment/thrift store recently to look for a leather skirt and I ended up scoring some good pieces. I'll show you what I got soon. I hope everyone is doing great and well?

Thanks so much for stopping by

Beauty Ojo

Bundled up in Plaid and Grey

Yeah, the first snow storm of the season in Minnesota is happening right now and it's also the first snow fall in the twin cities; Minneapolis-St. Paul for the season. There was so much talk about it over the weekend by the Weather forecasters and at midnight, it started pouring down and there are huge snow flakes still flying around now as I type. The temperature dropped a bit too and it's definitely obvious that old man Winter is here.

Well, I thought it was time to start bundling up and I made sure the kids were dressed up nice and warm when I sent them off to the bus-stop too. This Plaid midi skirt and grey sweater seem to be a perfect combination for a snowy, windy and cold day like this. I threw a belt over my old jacket too to achieve a military look; one of the currents trends in jackets and I must say it made me more warm. I'm thinking now of investing in a quality belted jacket. I got to keep an eye out for the end of season sales.

I Played and goofed around in the snow as my three year old daughter took the pictures with her ipad but we didn't stay outside for too long because it was still quite cold...:-). The pictures are blurry too but hey, it was windy, cloudy and snowy..

Jacket and Scarf: Old

Sweater and Shirt: J. C. Penny

Skirt: David and Brooks via Overstock.com 

Bag: Aldo (old)

Shoes: VS (old)

Did you get the first snow fall yet over at your end? Snow can be so pretty to look at but very messy to drive in. I wish everyone a safe Winter season with God's protection and mercy. Stay warm too.


                                                               Thanks so much for stopping by


                                                                                 Beauty Ojo

Birthday dinner Outfit

Hi Friends, so I have the feeling a birthday dinner date is in the horizon and in order not to be caught by surprise, I had to plan the perfect outfit for the occasion ahead of time. I did not want to be rummaging in the closet last minute and I wanted to pick an outfit to complement the beautiful set of jewelry I got from hubby as a gift. This sparkling jewelry is a set of necklace and earrings and a hair piece and I really love the red stones. If I had purchased it myself, I would have picked this exact design amongst others so hubby really scored on this one...:-). What makes it so special too is that it is a very dramatic statement piece and if you want to be noticed in a room full of people, it is the kind of jewelry to wear. Or if you are having the traditional African Cultural wedding celebration, it is the right jewelry to bling yourself up with...:-).

So, I was curious to know what store the jewels came from because I knew I was going to feature it on the blog and I got the information from hubs and it's featured in the outfit details below.

So, I did not want to run off to the store to buy a new outfit and I decided to shop my closet. In order for the jewelry to stand out I thought it was best to wear a simple plain dress but lo and behold, I did not like the style of my other dresses and I ended up picking a one shoulder sparkly dress I bought from T. J. Maxx a while ago. It is some kind of gold or rust color and I thought it is very appropriate for the fall season. This dress is dramatic on its own and is supposed to go with little or understated accessories but I didn't really care...:-). I just think the color is perfect for fall and I was willing to break all the fashion rules in order to wear the jewelry and the dress together. Plus, it's holiday season and the best time to wear sparkly things...:-). Did you notice the heels are also sparkly? Okay, that, I'm willing to change out...:-).

Dress: T. J. Maxx (old) Similar here and here.
Clutch: T. J. Maxx (old)
Shoes: Steve Madden
Jewelry: Kangna jewelry (instagram: Kangna_jewelry) kangnajewelry@gmail.com

And the beautiful thing is that these days, fashion does not really have much rules like back in the day. You can pretty much get away with anything. So, I'm going to pile on all this jewelry for my dinner date because I can...:-)...**eyes rolling** and next time I can wear them as separates. Do you sometimes break fashion rules in order to wear a favorite fashion piece?

Thanks so much for stopping by

Beauty Ojo 

Hi! Where is your Dany?

Does anyone remember the Dany? The cute JS Dany that we could not get enough of? It has been missing in Blogsville for sometime now but it seems to be making a gradual comeback. I have been seeing similar styles if not the same  on other style bloggers lately and I just recovered mine where it was nestling in the closet. Since, I am not too quick to get on trends, I purchased mine years back when it was the hype but I never really got to wear it and I just let it sit and grace the closet all these while. Well, I recovered them now and if the weather permits, I'll wear them out...:-).

Shoes: JS
Pants: Talbots

This cute pants was also recovered a few hours ago in its nesting place in the closet; I purchased it at Talbots at about the same time I bought my Dany and I haven't worn them that much ever since. Looking at two of them together now, gave me some outfit ideas. It seems the prints go well together. What say you??...:-).


On another styling note, it was my birthday a few days ago and I was not able to go on a date with hubby and friends because I was down with a cold. I feel better now and I'm ready to party!...:-). It seems like there is a dinner date in the works this weekend and I'm trying to pick out an outfit right now; something simple and fun.

Also, I got this gorgeous jewelry for my birthday and I'm dying to wear them. They are so, so pretty! I'm already putting together an outfit in my head and I'm planning a blog post on it which I'll put up soon. I'll like you to check it out and give some thoughts on what you think. Now, back to the JS Dany; did you ever own a pair? And what do you think of me pairing the JS Dany with the pants in the above picture?


                                                                         


                                                   Thanks so much for stopping by


                                                                     Beauty Ojo

Multi color Stripes

My multicolor stripe sweater which has been in the closet since it was purchased last summer, got a chance to breathe the fresh out door air today. It's quite an upgrade to my stripes pieces as this was the first multi color stripes item that I purchased. My few other stripe pieces are mostly neutral black and white stripes. I am  glad that this can be worn in other ways as I can layer it underneath a jacket over pants or skirts. I decided to throw in a punch of color with the lime color shoulder bag; a very simple casual outfit suitable for walking around the mall on a fall afternoon with a light jacket in hand.

Stripped sweater: VS (here)
Jean: Target
Bag: Cole Haan (here)
Shoes: Old Navy (Old)

Do you own any or lots of stripes clothing item and are they just neutral or multicolor stripes? A little stripes here and there does not hurt as it does make wardrobes a bit interesting.



                                                                    Thanks so much for stopping by


                                                                                 Beauty Ojo

Sweater Weather

We are having an awesome sweater weather here in Minneapolis but we are not quite sure how long it's going to last for. The forecasts predict that the big chill is going to start this weekend but you never know with this weather. For now, we are enjoying what we have. The northern parts of Minnesota have already had their first snow fall and we might have ours this night or friday afternoon. However, I am not daunted by the looming snow fall forecast as I'm still enjoying every bit of this great fall weather which does not yet require heavy jackets or boots.

It was just the perfect day to wear my cream over sized sweater and this orange pants which has been in heavy rotation in my closet lately...:-).  In previous years, heavy sweaters like this could only be worn in the confines of the home for scrubbing and cleaning and doing other house chores but fast forward to Fall 2014 and you'll find out that oversized sweaters are trending. So, dig into that closet and bring out the goodies. Don't you just love it when fashion just keeps rotating?

Sweater: Old
Pants: J. C. Penny
Purse: Gifted
Earrings: Gifted
Sandals: Victoriassecret

Sometimes, I think this continuous rotation of trends can encourage hoarding; a situation where we don't want to give or donate items that we do not need at the moment with the hope that the fashion would cycle down again. On the one hand, it helps us save money because we do not have to go shopping again for those trends that keep coming back but again, if we hold unto those items with the hope that we will need them again, we're actually hoarding!...:-). So, what do we do???


In situations, like this, I always research my bible because it is the blue print for everyday christian living and my bible tells me that it is more blessed to give than to receive.


Acts 20: 35

I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring, ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."


So, I'm glad that eighties and nineties trends are back and I'm glad that I do get to dress up my oversized sweaters this fall and I'm even more glad that my bible says it is better to give than to receive. Thanksgiving is around the corner, have you made a shopping or wish list yet? Are oversized sweaters on your list?


                                                                 Thanks so much for stopping by


                                                                          Beauty Ojo

Fall Coats- Part Two

                   
                                                      Sleeveless Coat/Trench

Dressy-Military Inspired by ojomrs featuring mirror aviators

BCBGMAXAZRIA black and white print top
$465 - harrods.com

Topshop Unique grey coat
$345 - net-a-porter.com

Olympia Le Tan black knee length skirt
thecorner.com

Nicholas Kirkwood lime green shoes
theoutnet.com

Reed Krakoff military shoulder bag
reedkrakoff.com

Ray Ban mirror aviator
$275 - selfridges.com

NARS Cosmetics red nail polish
$24 - liberty.co.uk



                                                                   Military Inspired

Stripped Skirt-Military Inspired by ojomrs featuring long shirts

Pierre Balmain long shirt
$480 - youheshe.com

Valentino wool coat
$5,265 - farfetch.com

White and black striped skirt
amazon.com

Gianvito Rossi leather shoes
$610 - farfetch.com

Triangle bag
dareenhakim.com

Carven thick belt
shoplesnouvelles.com

Becca champagne eyeshadow
$57 - theiconic.com.au

Gucci lipstick
gucci.com

OPI nail polish
$19 - thehut.com

Sleeveless trenches and coats and military inspired jackets are in this fall. They are so chic and classy and elevate any look. A good structured jacket in a great color is a timeless piece to have. See Fall Coats-Part One here.



                                           Thanks so much for stopping by



                                                        Beauty Ojo