Hampton National Historic Site Photoshoot

Hello, everyone!

As the sweltering August heat continues here in Maryland, I recently had the pleasure of visiting Hampton National Historic Site for a photo shoot with my sister and some friends. 

The Hampton House dates back to 1790 and was in the Ridgely family until 1948. In 1948, the estate was designated a National Historic Site, and it has since been managed by the National Park Service.

Though the grounds and house are beautiful, it would be wrong of me not to note that the Ridgely family owned over 300 slaves before slavery was eliminated in Maryland in 1864. The slaves and servants were the ones who kept the household operational, and I think that it is important to acknowledge this fact. I like to take quiet moments to reflect on matters such as these, and I am very glad that on the tour of the grounds, one can tour the slave quarters and learn more about their contributions to the estate. 

On a lighter note, here are some of the shots that my sister captured of me:

If you're ever in the Towson area of Maryland, I definitely recommend visiting this place! I will most definitely go back in the fall to explore when it is not so terribly hot outside. 

Cheers xx

Black and White

Hello everyone,

I just finished watching Mad Men, and I began pondering the use of color versus the use of black and white. It is interesting to me that even though we made the great advancement of having color widely available in media, often times we still use it to edit pictures or even opt to have movies in black and white. What is the real allure of black and white? Is it because it is not used as often that is is now new and exciting? Or maybe it's because we notice different details when a photograph is edited in black and white. Instagram classifies it as a "filter", and I suppose that is true as well. Black and white can easily mask things that are unpleasant to the eye; so really, is black and white just a mask?

For me, I edit occasional photographs in black and white because it provides a nostalgia factor that the original photograph did not necessarily convey. I also edit in black and white so that the focal point of the image can be more easily assessed.

For example,



                                                                   
These two photographs are exactly the same, but I decided to add a black and white edit to the photograph to elicit a more nostalgic feel. I like the pop of the red shoes against the black ensemble that the photo in color clearly shows, but overall, I actually prefer this image in black and white.

Here are some more black and white edits that I like that I have done:

I also chose black and white for this image for nostalgia purposes. I was going for a Marilyn Monroe look, so I felt that a black and white edit would be complimentary to my mood.

I chose black and white here for a completely different reason. The lighting in the room was very poor, so I was unhappy with the colors that were captured. So, why not remove those colors and keep the black, white, and grey? That way, the distracting shadows and colors that were very prevalent in the original photograph are not the focus anymore. 

And finally, your classic couple photograph in black and white. This goes back through the ages. I find that black and white captures both love and sadness really well, so I like to edit an occasional picture of the two of us in black and white. 

That's all I have for now! Do you like to edit in black and white? Why or why not?

I hope that everyone is having a lovely start to August. Cheers xx

Fashion Inspiration: Charlotte York

Hello, everyone.

I hope you all are having a wonderful start to June. We are starting June with some mild weather which is very rare for this state at this time of year. I have to admit, I am loving it.

Today I am going to blog about some fashion inspiration as of late. On June 6th, it will have been 20 years since the premiere of Sex and the City. Many people took away lots of different things from the show, whether it be ideas about feminism, friendship, love, etc. I happen to take away a mix of things; many of the ideas I find dated, but many of the concepts are also still extremely relevant. However, my greatest takeaway from the show has definitely been fashion inspiration. Today I am going to look at a few of my favorite outfits worn by Charlotte York on the show.

1)

PC: Marie Claire

Plaid has always been one of my favorite prints, and I love this neckline. This looks like something I could pick up at a department store today, which speaks to the timelessness of the outfit.

2)

PC: Fanpop

Ordinarily, I am not the biggest fan of pink, and there is A LOT of pink in this outfit. However, I find this suit to be very chic and feminine, so I would definitely add it to my closet.

3)

I love a good LBD, but I am a firm believer that the LWD is just as important. Whenever I'm in a pinch, I throw on a LWD and a huge pair of sunnies, just like Charlotte has done here.

4)

I will be the very first to tell you that I hated the second SATC movie. However, this is probably my favorite outfit that Charlotte every wore. Red is my favorite color, and I love the white floppy hat. So chic.

What do you guys think? Were you a fan of Charlotte's wardrobe or did you prefer the wardrobe of Carrie, Samantha, or Miranda?

I hope everyone has a lovely Monday! xx

Outfit Inspiration: Princess Diana

Hello all,

I just finished my last assignment of my undergraduate career! I am so excited yet nervous for the next chapter of my life (graduate school). Now that I am finished with everything, I have more time to blog, which brings me great pleasure.

With the royal wedding coming up on Saturday, I thought I should take a second to recap some of my favorite outfits that Princess Diana wore throughout her life. I really adore Princess Diana in all aspects of her character. Not only was she extraordinarily fashionable, but she was, more importantly, a great humanitarian and mother. Meghan Markle reminds me of her, and I hope she can bring that human aspect back to the royal family.

Here are a few of my favorite outfits:

The revenge dress. Such a timeless piece. Sexy, yet so elegant. 

I love the colors of this dress, and her accessories were so well matched. I would have never thought to wear silver shoes with this outfit, but it works incredibly well.

Another timeless outfit, very Audrey Hepburn. I love the cute loafers that she paired with the checkered pants. The raspberry color is also perfect for summer.

This dress resonates with me because it is so modern. This is something that I would buy at the store today to attend a fancy event. The blue color is beautiful as well.

What do you guys think? What inspires you about Princess Diana? Will you be watching the royal wedding this weekend?

I hope everyone is having a lovely end to the week. Cheers x

Something Different

Hello everyone!

Once again, it's been a hot minute. I feel like so much has happened since I last posted, especially with my undergraduate graduation happening in May! Let me catch all of you up on a few things that have happened in my life.

      1. I rediscovered my love for Earth, Wind & Fire.

Growing up, my mom played a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire, which I absolutely loved as a child. As a teenager though, I fell into mainstream mania and only really listened to the music that was popular with my friends. It was not until a few months ago that one of their songs randomly popped into my head, and I was filled with nostalgia. Since then, I have been playing them on repeat.

One of my favorite songs by Earth, Wind & Fire is "Fantasy." You can listen to it below:

      2. I've been changing up my style. 

For a little bit, I was struggling with a lack of inspiration in my style. I will always love my classic pieces, but some of them have started to become uninspiring to me. Thus, I have been trying to add pieces and accessories to my wardrobe that bring some life to my outfits. Big hoops have been a favorite of mine as well as denim everything. Here is what I wore today:

Check out my fashion blog which features pictures of my outfits as well as outfits that my sister has worn: https://fashionablylink.weebly.com/

      3. I've tried to be more politically active.

I haven't posted much on the blog about this, but I am extremely left-leaning politically. I will not stand for injustice against ANY group of people. I believe that the people we have in office right now need to go, and I will be extremely happy if Robert Mueller can speed up that process. Basically, Bernie for office, and socialistic policies are beneficial for the well-being of ALL people. No hierarchy, no nonsense. Everyone deserves the chance to lead a happy and healthy life. To conclude: here's a picture of me at the Women's March. 

Again, sorry for the hiatus. I will keep posting here; I just tend to get very busy during the school year with homework and volleyball. I hope that everyone has a lovely first day of spring!

Honoring Dr. King

Hello all,

Today, a legend was born. This post is dedicated to honoring the remarkable work of Dr. King, particularly about how it pertains to my life. 

I come from an interracial marriage, and I am currently in what is considered to be an interracial relationship. My father is black, and my mother is white. Did you know that interracial marriage was not even legalized in the United States until 1967?

Early family photo

Kyle and I

As you know, Dr. King was a strong advocate for minority equality, and he took major steps into assuring that people of color have the same rights in this country as their white counterparts. 

In his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King stated:

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream…that one day…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

Prior to this, Dr. King had stated:

When any society says that I cannot marry a person, that society has cut off a segment of my freedom.

The importance of Dr King's work can really only be understated; without his work, it is unlikely that society would be where it is today in terms of civil rights. Without his work, I personally would not have the liberties and rights that I have today. Dr. King is a constant reminder that we cannot back down from adversity, and we need to fight for what is right. Especially in the current political climate of the United States, it is very important that we take a stand for equality and justice.

Finally, my favorite quote from Dr. King:

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

Thank, you, Dr. King. I hope everyone has a fantastic week. Cheers xx

A Southerner in the North

Hello everyone,

Throughout my life, it has been reiterated many times that Maryland is a southern state in the United States. Being the northern-most state of the South, Maryland has never seemed to me to be really "southern." It is nothing like Georgia or Florida which are the states that people typically think of when they think "southern", and temperatures can actually get pretty cold in the winter. However, this past weekend after visiting Connecticut, it became apparent to me that Maryland is definitely a southern state, and rightfully so.

There was an arctic blast along the East Coast last week which brought frigid temperatures and snow across the region. In Connecticut, temperatures barely went above 15 degrees during the day, and the nights were in the negatives. Never in my life had I experienced temperatures that cold. Maryland's winters are like spring in comparison to Connecticut winters.

Out of this very frigid experience came two incredible adventures; I was able to walk on a frozen lake, and my boyfriend and I hiked to see a frozen waterfall. The North is truly magical when it is icy cold.

Below are some pictures:

The Frozen Lake

The Waterfall:

All in all, while I love Connecticut, I'm not sure that I could handle the frigid winters for more than a few weeks. I am extremely grateful to have been able to see nature so still and beautiful, but now it is time to return home to a more moderate climate.

I hope that everyone is staying warm and is excited to see more of winter's beautiful spectacles! Cheers xx

Christmas Present: Smoking Loafers

Hello all,

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing day among friends and family! I was so excited about these shoes that I just had to blog about them in the short pause I have today.

I finally got my smoking loafers, and boy are they beautiful. My mom and sister decided to buy me a pair of grey velvet loafers, and they are going to go very well with my wardrobe. They are made by the company "Dolce Vita", and I am absolutely in love. Below I have posted some pictures!

What about you guys; did you receive a gift that you are really excited about? I hope everyone enjoys the rest of this wonderful day, and I hope you are all ready to ring in 2018 with a bang!

Cheers xx

Fashion Inspiration from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

Hello, everyone!

I recently finished watching "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", and if you are a fan of vintage settings, comedy, a strong female lead, or all of the above, you should definitely watch this show. Naturally, I binge-watched it, and it was a bit disorienting coming out of such a beautifully painted 1950's setting back into my 2017 bedroom. Nevertheless, the show is wonderful, and Amazon has already renewed it for a second season and it has two Golden Globe nominations.

One of my favorite parts of the show is the beautiful outfits that the costume designers created for Midge. I love all of the colors and silhouettes, and it would be an absolute dream to wear any of the pieces. I have rounded up some of my favorites below.

Normally I wouldn't gravitate towards a look like this, but Midge pulls it off so well here. I definitely need to invest in a part of shorts like this and tights to match!

This green coat is an absolute dream. Paired with the light blue underneath, it is the perfect outfit come spring time!

This is Midge's work uniform; isn't it an absolute dream? The teal color of the dress combined with the polka-dot satin top underneath is a match made in Heaven.

And lastly, this is my favorite dress on the show. The bows on the sleeves are a wonderful detail, and I have always been a sucker for black satin; it's incredibly elegant. Paired with the black gloves and the pearl necklace, this ensemble is perfect for a more formal night out on the town.

Happy holidays, everyone! Make sure to check this show out while you have some time on vacation!

Cheers xx

"We Need a Little Christmas"

Hello all,

If you know me, you know that as soon as Halloween was over, I was already singing along to my favorite Christmas tunes. As it stands right now in the United States, we are in rough shape. Thus, I found this particular song perfect for my introduction to Christmas music for the year:

"We Need a Little Christmas" sung by Johnny Mathis

I've never been the biggest Johnny Mathis fan, but I find this version of this song to just be so cheery and warm. If you're feeling a bit down, I suggest turning this song all the way up, having a glass of wine, and just dancing around the room. I promise you that you'll instantly feel better.

That's my little blurb for now! Have you all started listening to Christmas music yet?

Cheers xx

Pieces to Incorporate this Fall

Hi, everyone!

Today I am briefly going to describe five items I plan to incorporate into my wardrobe this fall. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, so I will definitely try to keep this blog updated with the new styles I'm trying out as we go along in the season.

1) Ponchos

My sister and I recently bought this ponchos from Forever 21, and I have absolutely loved wearing it. It brings me back to my elementary school days when I wore ponchos because they felt like wearing giant blankets. Only now, I am going to try and focus on wearing the poncho in a more chic fashion.

2) Thigh-high Socks

I have always been a fan of wearing thigh-high stockings as part of my lingerie collection. That being said, I haven't really experimented with thigh-high socks in a public setting. Thus, I am going to push myself this season to really step out of my comfort zone and try something different.

3) Brown Lipstick

Speaking of stepping outside my comfort zone, I am really going to push it this time by trying out brown lipstick. Brown lipstick has always had a sort of infamy about it, so why not take the challenge head on? I bought a cheap "Double Espresso" shade by Milani, so I'm going to give it a go soon and see how I like it.

4) The Pageboy Cap

I've always loved seeing people wear caps in the fall. However, I was never quite sure how to style them. This year, I am going to make an effort to work these super chic pieces into my wardrobe.

5) The Smoking Shoe

I wear a lot of penny loafers, so I think that a nice pair of velvet smoking shoes will be a good addition to my wardrobe. I have never been the biggest fan of heels, so these will be perfect in order to stay chic but also comfortable through the colder months.

That's all for now! What are some trends you are going to try to embrace this fall? Cheers x

New York State of Mind

Hello, everyone!

I have been completely drained of energy due to my trip to New York City this past weekend. I have been to New York before, but this time was special because I got to experience it with my boyfriend, who had only been once before.

First we went to the Met Cloisters, which is an absolutely beautiful medieval art museum. Admission is pay what you can, and student tickets were only a suggested $12! Plan to commit a few hours at this museum, as there is so much art from so many different countries.

After we finished up at the Cloisters, we went to the World Trade Center and the 9/11 memorial. I would definitely recommend going to this spot, but it is definitely a sobering experience. The one thing that troubled me about this area was that entrance to the 9/11 museum was fairly expensive. Considering what a catastrophic event this was, anyone wanting to learn more about it should be allowed free admission. Just my opinion.

After the World Trade Center, we decided to walk along the Hudson River to get to the Staten Island Ferry. This is one of my favorite walks in New York; the view of Jersey City across the Hudson is absolutely breathtaking! It took a little bit of time to walk all the way to the Staten Island Ferry, but it was well worth the walk.

The Staten Island Ferry was by far my favorite part of this trip. There are a couple things that I love about the ferry: the smell of the water, the wind in your hair, the glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. And it's all free! Everyone should take this ferry at least once, even if it's just there and immediately back. I could ride back and forth all day long!

After the Ferry, we had dinner and took the subway back to Times Square. My boyfriend had never been to Times Square at night before, so he was absolutely amazed by the number of people there. There are more people at night than during the day!

All in all, we had a wonderful day exploring one of my favorite cities! If you haven't been to New York City before, I would highly recommend taking the time to make a trip. There are so many things to see and do, and I can't imagine anyone ever being bored there.

I hope everyone is having a great week! Cheers x