How many times have you said to yourself, “things were so much more simple when we were younger?”
Even though I embrace all the complexities of life because of the growth that comes with it, sometimes I wish things were just a bit more black and white when it comes to friendships and relationships. In Prep School, the Best Friend was:
–  the person you sat and ate lunch with every day
– the person who was always number two in your three-way telephone calls
– the person who would always know the guy you were crushing on before you even knew you had a crush
– the person who was probably a little bit more feisty and outspoken than you were, so you made a great pair.
Things were just that simple!

My Prep School best friend stayed the same until High School.
I thought that my permanent move to the U.S. was when I lost her, but in thinking back, we grew up and just grew apart.

We went from two peas in a pod to two very different girls, with different goals and different ideas of our grown-up life and achievements.

Have you ever seen that movie Beaches with Bette Midler? Well, let’s just say I started out as Hilary Essex but blossomed into CC Bloom, always landing on my feet. Currently, I have three best friends. One is a childhood friend, we grew up together because our parents are best friends to this day. Another, who I claimed because we went to St. Andrew High School for girls and formed a bond by both moving to the US right afterwards. My third best friend I stumbled upon later in life because of his outstanding loyalty and I’ve grown to realise that this is my KEY ingredient for a lasting friendship. Wait, there’s a fourth, who I met once I moved to Manhattan. She’s more like a sister, mother girlfriend combo, who’s actually taught me to be a better person. She’s living testimony to the phrase “a friend in need is a friend indeed,” so reliable and always there when I need her.

Over the years I’ve learned that you may not find every single quality that you are looking for in a best friend in one person. There isn’t a build-a-best-friend store where you just manufacture this amazing person that is going to be all that you want them to be and never let you down.

People are human, and the most human quality is that “we f@#k up.” There’s no other way of putting it!

The thing that separates good people from bad people, well…..I don’t even really want to use the term “bad people,” it just sounds like it holds so much weight and judgement on my part. Instead, let’s say the distinction between people who are genuine and holds your friendship in high esteem VS. people who you should probably stay the hell away from is their ability to :
– take ownership of when they are wrong
– apologise
– take the steps necessary to move the friendship forward
– respect your choices and opinions, even if they are unable to always agree with them.

A friendship is a two-way street; traffic flows both ways. There are times when I’m wrong, and other times when my friends are wrong, The fundamentals of a lasting friendship is the ability to move forward. It’s impossible to move forward if :

– you escalate situations
– try to get even or malicious
– you seek to make the other person hurt because you are hurting.

These things may sound simple, but its a lot harder in reality when you are face to face with these options.
I’m a Scorpio woman so learning to walk away from confrontation and conflict came with weighing the value of my time against the implication of putting energy into something. I know, that sounded like a super complicated philosophical life equation.

What it boils down to is: if I put energy into something, I’m giving it life, allowing it to thrive and grow. Meaning that I care about anyone or anything that I devote my time to. Naturally I would like to see it/them grow and produce a positive result. I know it sounds a bit self-centered, but that’s the simple reality of it for me.  Dedicating your time to people who deserve it.

I’m thankful for the people I call friends and my intuition in choosing them. Not everyone is going to be a best friend and those who are may not be your BEST FRIENDS FOREVER.

I’ve learnt to accept people for who they are, believe them when they show me who they are and forgive them if they’re unable to be the friend that I want them to be. It took me a while to get here, but I’m here now, and it’s a very light, airy and positive place, I’m never turning back,

Happy Monday Lovies, have a fantastic week. xoxoSB

 GET THE LOOK

Topshop Rainbow stripe knit sweater

Topshop Amy stud mini skirt

Topshop Boutique cobalt blue coat (old)

Gucci beaded Dionysus bag (Spring/Summer 2016)

Gucci pink oversized crystal sunglasses (  larger handles  )

Gucci stacked heel platform pumps

Photographer : Michelle Ester

 

Marvellous March,
Yet it feels like my January; my year is just beginning right on the verge of my tax season nonetheless.

I spent 6 of the first 8 weeks out of the country. Ten days of which, was a much-needed baecationso not a completely sad story.

This season check prints are all the rage. Everything from gingham dresses, to check suits and plaid schoolgirl skirts are all an ABSOLUTE wardrobe YES this season. I’ve never really been much of a plaid person. As much as I love prints, it’s never been hot on my list. However now that I’ve tried it, I’m amazed as to how much fun check prints and plaid can be. If you haven’t thought of trying it before, I’ve added so many fun pieces to my closet that I’m sure you are bound to “check-out” sooner or later.

I’m not sure if Cher Horowitz or Elle Woods would covet it more. LOL. This outfit made me feel like I was having a Legally Blonde and ClueLess moment all at the same time.

Here’s a little story about the best part while shooting this look on Madison Avenue. All the elegant ladies walking by in their mink and sable coats, toting their Birkins and Ostrich Ralph Lauren Ricky bags were obsessed with my look.More importantly, my fuzzy pink purse. Again proving that it’s not the cost of the outfit but IF you own it!

Girls will always be girls, no matter how old or how sophisticated. Pink, cute, soft and fuzzy translates into an obsession in the typical female mind.

Now here’s a little something extra.

How many of you were obsessed with the image below,

of Shionat Turner captured by @missmelanie_  in a perfectly pink Fendi coat at NYFW? This was my fave look from NYFW this past February. It was perfectly pink and also perfectly proportioned considering she was wearing a crop top too.

Meanwhile at Topshop

This little darling is currently in store for $150 bucks! Yes under $200 and it’s pretty warm too. Thank me later lovies.

The coat our Fabulous Shionat is wearing retails for a hefty $3570. OUCH!

Definitely a SERIOUS splurge!

If it’s lucky enough to make it to sale this summer, then 60% off may be something to consider for a designer wool coat. However at the current price I will have to gracefully bow out of this purchase. Then again, at $1500 I probably still would not buy it, I could own 10 Topshop coats at the same value ,LOL.  #DontJudgeMe

Here’s  another little secret?  I was actually wearing the back of the skirt on the front the entire time. I just didn’t like the idea of the skirt having a hook in the front. Although, the hook does lay really really flat. I guess I just like a little quirk or madness to my method. Also how do you guys feel about my curly hair? I’m really enoying how easy breezy it is. I’d love to hear your thoughts in my comments.

Happy Sunday and Happy Shopping!

GET THE LOOK

Topshop Check Jacket

Topshop Check Skirt

Topshop Romance corset tee

Topshop fluffy mini cross body bag

Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps

Photographer : Michelle Ester

PS. For those of you who asked, my daddy is doing REALLY really well and he’s here now in NYC with my mom and just an uber ride away from me. xoxoSB

I’ve been wearing my hair natural since February 28th. So a little over two months now, and I never thought I would fall this much in love again with my OWN hair. I started thinking about it after seeing girls like Lineisy Montero and Samile Bermannelli strut down every high-end designer runways with their tightly coiled tresses; meaning this is NOW a look.

The black girl with natural hair is now an iconic image for the runways of NYC, Paris and Milan and editorial pages of Vogue, Bazaar, W magazine. So why on earth am I covering mine with a lace closure wig/weave?

It’s typical for women to believe that beauty is what you see in the pages of a magazine. This is what girls aspire to, as early as their teenage years. Right now the off-the-shoulder ruffle blouse is all over magazines, the runways of Johanna Ortiz, fashion websites and on the Petersyn racks at Bloomingdales and other big retailers. So naturally it becomes a trend, and a look women aspire to own.

The black woman has been so underrepresented in the fashion industry that it leads us to believe that our natural image is not what is considered beautiful. Even I’ve been guilty of this. It’s not necessarily that I didn’t feel beautiful, or think that I was pretty but more so that I thought to have straight hair or long hair was a better image or look.

I felt that straight hair was more polished, refined or elegant as opposed to a wild, coily, fro-do typical of artists and eccentrics alike.

The question I ask myself now, is why is this bad? The answer: reiterated in an article in W magazine on Ebonee Davis. She quite eloquently states that “as black women – we live in a society based on white privilege, so all of the standards of what is beautiful starts with whiteness.”
It all comes down to wanting to feel accepted and wanting to fit in. This raised another question. How important is social acceptance for me versus being my authentic self? I’ve pretty much been a black sheep all my life, so what am I doing trying to fit in anyway?

Two months later I’m still FROtastic and having so much fun wth my look. Redefining elegance all over the streets of New York City. Having my hair this way gears my outfits towards textured skirts with longer hems, blouses with sleeves, frills and ruffles and shoes that are suitable for a princess or unicorn.

People love, love, LOVE my hair. Women and men alike, all ask me how long I’ve been wearing it this way. When I show them pictures with my hair extensions they believe the hair I have now is so much better.

One Saturday, a beautiful tall, leggy blonde at Harry Cipriani exclaimed ” I LOVE YOUR ENTIRE LOOK!” I as wearing this exact outfit.  “Your hair is so soft and pretty,” she went on, ” it’s like cotton candy, I wish I could have hair like that.”  Now isn’t that something.

All this isn’t to say that I won’t ever be caught dead in a wig or weave again. I love playing with fashion and experimenting with different styles or looks. It’s always great to embrace a more authentic version of yourself, and  I’m just really enjoying being fro-ly-locks right now. xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

StyleKeepers off-the shoulder ruffle blouse

H&M patent skirt

Gucci leather double G buckle belt

Christian Louboutin Explotek

Chanel Boy bag

Photographer : Ramone Reynoneiko

Happy Sunday Lovies,
What a sun-filled and glorious day it is. It hasn’t been as warm as I would like these past few days but not having torrential rainfall is a plus today. Surprisingly I’m pretty productive on rainy days; it’s the snow days that put me in slow motion. Ok, I’m not your weather woman, so let’s move on to our fashion forecast.

You’ve probably noticed that it’s impossible to avoid PINK this season. There are pink shirts, pink pants, pink dresses, pink pumps, pink purses, pretty much pink everything and I love it! I’m totally a pink person. For me, pink is not just a colour but an attitude. It’s bright, upbeat, girly and fun. All things Sherece.

If you feel like a full on pink ensemble is just way too much for you, you can get in on the pink action by incorporating pink accessories into your look. A pink purse, pink velvet mules or pink pumps will instantly recharge any basic look from your closet and give it a very now appeal.

I’m a lean, mean, colour combining machine, so of course, a pink top with exaggerated sleeves and a bow is not enough for me. I went ahead and added, cherry red, asymmetrical flare pants and a Gucci Dionysus covered with beaded: birds, lightening bolts and strawberries (#FAVE )

I suppose when you type it all out like this, it sounds like a lot, but sometimes a lot is so good. I can think of plenty of things that I like A LOT OF! Can you?

I’m obsessed with these pants and how amazing they make my new derriere look (in my Patsy Stone voice) SO VERY SMASHING!

As if this wasn’t enough I topped it all off with a rose pink full-length coat. LOL! So I guess for me, it’s never enough! Haha !

After all, I’m a young single female from Jamaica, living on the Upper East Side. What’s the fun in looking like everyone else?

I typically dress how I feel, and these colours had me and everyone along Fifth Avenue feeling very happy.  Men, women and children, cheered me on in admiration while I shot this look.
Sometimes even if you feel like an outfit is A LOT, it might just be enough to garner the attention of that next special person in your life. A fun outfit is an excellent conversation starter. Just look how much I’ve had to say about pink and red today. xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Pink wrap shirt (old) similar here

Zara asymmetrical flare pants

Zara gold sandals

Gucci beaded Dionysus bag (Spring/Summer 2016)

Celine sunnies (old)

Photographer: Ramone Reynoneikio

Finally, the weather angels have decided to bless women all over New York City with good weather. For a fashion savvy female, good weather is the equivalent of a shot of expresso in the morning for coffee enthusiasts; she’s on ootd overdose.

I just got done watching Billions, “Golden Frog Time”, S2 E11. Is that a cool name for an episode or what? I love love LOVE this show. I don’t know if it’s because of my affection for the “Bobby Axel Rods” in my life or just the drive it gives me for wanting so much more! Unlike these finance wizards, I’m not one for numbers or analytics. Even though I took 9 CXC subjects in high school in Jamaica, additional Mathematics being one of them, I never took a finance course in my life. Unless I guess Economics 101 counts, which was to fulfill a GER requirement. Useful nonetheless because the law of supply and demand is one of the fundamentals of life in New York City.

This show reminds me every Sunday to always have a plan and set out goals for myself. It doesn’t matter how small or large they are. I like to list things I’m good at other than the skill set I gained at university. Being creative is a passion for me. Whether I’m planning an event, doing wardrobe styling for a client’s upcoming vacation, choosing fabric for a custom design, or just working on my look for my next blog post, I feel deeply rewarded with the result. According to Taylor ( Axel’s new prodigy ) “action, purpose and the challenges that come along with these things” are what dictate our core or soul so to speak.

Ok, so what’s the point of my great big monologue on Billions?

My point is that I need to work on my core.

Sometimes I get so caught up with my responsibilities and my day to day routine that I give little attention to the things that I’m most passionate about. Case in point blogging more. Five of my readers have recently reached out via email and Instagram requesting more posts because they enjoy reading them and that sincerely warmed my heart and put a whole lot of pep in my step.

Now let us get back to me feeling springy.

I’m eternally obsessed with colour, so colour blocking is always my go to palette when it comes to wearing my feelings on my sleeve. It was a 70 degree Sunday, so this was my look for brunch with a girlfriend who became my on the spot photographer  while we waited for our table at While We Were Young.

PRO : Extremely cute, stylish crowd, yummy instagram-ready food
CON: small, long wait for a table.

I guess the wait was worth it as she did a great job for a first-time photographer. Thanks again girl.

Trousers are my thing now. I’m a SERIOUS skirt girl; I probably own over 12 dozen different skirts, no really, I do. Now by the grace of good old age and my bad eating habits, I’ve somehow come to inherit a BUTT, naturally increasing my affinity to pants.

There is a huge variety of styles to choose from now in stores with the whole 70’s and 80’s trends. So this is just one of many more pants appearances to come. Stay Tuned and Happy Monday my lovies.

THANK YOU: A big thank you to my dear friend who got me this purse as a Christmas gift. Without my pretty pink pouch, I doubt that this look would have come together nearly as good as it has. You’re a great friend, and this was a GREAT gift, much better than the Swarovski crystal tree ornaments I gave you, lol. The best gifts are the unexpected ones; the best people are the ones who cherish you and your friendship as a gift in itself. xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Zara yellow wool coat

Topshop green cigarette pants

H&M sweater

Gucci padlock signature shoulder bag

Topshop cherry necklace (old)

BCBG silver slingback pumps (old)

Photographer: Audit_Instyle

 

Hey my lovies,
I cannot believe that we’ve raced through an entire season, and we’re now preparing for fall. This summer was magnificent. However, I feel like I’m still craving little bullets of sweat running down my neck and back, with this fall chill in the air every evening. Lots to do in New York City this weekend. Both the U.S. Open finals and beginning of Fashion Week all packed into one fantastic weekend. But first, lets backtrack for a second to 2 of my favourite looks this summer.

As much as I crave the heat, the streets of Manhattan was not the place to enjoy it. I spent most weekends in South Hamptons this summer. It’s tricky packing for the Hamps because you never quite know what you’re going to end up doing each day. One of my favourites was the cold shoulder top. I bought a variety. Long sleeved, crop tops, shirts and managed to work them into every occasion out East.

Apart from the heat during the summer, fashion enthusiasts look forward to summer sale season. Intermix was a fave for me this summer.  I found all my coveted Spring items slashed to below 50% of the original price. Everything from Zimmerman to Missoni….YAAAY! I was beyond excited when I scored these Self-Portrait shorts on sale. That little frill/flounce at the bottom had me written all over it.

In the Hamptons you’re never quite sure if you’re going to end up lunching and brunching around town, popping into a BBQ or boating and swimming at the beach. Layering a belted shirt or dress over your bathing suit is a chic and easy way to be ready for everything.

I was obsessed with scarves this season. They made for a chic replacement to my necklaces and added the perfect pop of colour to my outfits. I added cute pins and bejewelled charms I found at Zara, just for a little extra fun on my neck. This look was a huge hit at Sunset Beach. Reminding me that if you love and own your look, it will always work. Confidence is always sexy.

On that note. I’m going to get ready for a little weekend fun myself. Happy Friday my fashion dolls, get out and make the most of your weekend. xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Topshop striped cold shoulder top

Self-Portrait flounced denim shorts

Alice + Olivia red wedges ( old )

Charlotte Olympia watermelon  basket bag

Photographer : Nicole Lyons

Zara striped pocket square

Zara off the shoulder dress

Zara Jewel pins

Gucci leather belt

Vince Camuto wedges (old)

Photographer : CameshePowell

So our white Christmas was 29 days late, but the snow came nonetheless. I think this is the very first snow storm that I’ve looked forward to. In the height of the snow storm at 2:30 pm on Saturday, this little Jamaican butterfly wandered out into the streets of the Upper East Side. I felt like I was reliving the very last scene in Gangs of New York. The streets were like an endless fluffy blanket, making giant knee-high craters with every step you take. Obviously, these pictures were not taken during a snow storm. I shot this look on an indian summer night right before leaving for my winter vacation to St. Barths. All this snow on the ground in the city brought me back to reminiscing about Christmas 2015.

One of my favorite things about this past Christmas were the windows at Bergdorf Goodman. They looked whimsical and magical, glam and glitzy and ultraviolet-ly fashionable. You know you love something when you begin to coin your own words and phrases to capture it.

Now lets talk about my look. In case the windows at Berdorf Goodman did not provide enough fashion foreshadowing, we are finally out of the era of minimalist style. FINALLY! BUH-BYE normcore Welcome to the celebration of maximalist style. Where designers are free to play with as much color, texture and pattern into a single look as they see fit. I’m in love with this idea because it allows for maximum expression not only on behalf of the designers but also the maximum interpretation and eccentric freedom for fashion enthusiasts.

My outfitinspiration came from the Gucci Resort 2016 collection. Gucci has mastered the maximalist look and given birth to the term eccentric aristocratic. Alessandro Michele , the creative director of Gucci, combined, embellished lace, lamé, chiffon, printed silks, embroidery, ruffles, florals, bow ties and even dragon flies all together creating an extraordinarily eclectic and colorful yet cohesive collection. With so many different elements it’s hard not to find something that you love.

Who needs a man this winter when you can have the Gucci Resort 2016 Collection? Don’t trade in those boyfriends just yet until you’ve checked out the prices of the coveted collection in your cystal ball.    We may need those boyfriends yet! LOL!

I hope you guys enjoyed my affordable spin on the eccentric aristocrat. Try to enjoy the snow before it gets all mushy and dirty.   xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Topshop pleated skirt

Gucci belt

Zara printed blouse ( December 2015)

Zara platforms ( old)

Chanel Boy bag

Photographer : Ramone Henry

Watching the Vivienne Tam’s Spring/Summer 2016 runway show was like viewing a film you never want to come to an end. Each and every look was something unique and unexpected. The collection comprised everything from skirts with fun stripes and ruffled hems to jumpsuits with a relaxed fit and embroidery that look like both boys and girls could wear them.

My look for the show combined both feminine and boyish features as well. I paired a lace off the shoulder blouse with an androgynous cut culotte jumpsuit.

Backstage after the show I had to ask Vivienne what was her favorite aspect of incorporating street style fashion into her collection. Vivienne loved the fact that she felt limitless with what she could create. With street style, there are “no rules.” Giving her the freedom of creating the Vivienne Tam Woman as a boundless individual who could be “glamourous, or boyish, just whoever they are, without pleasing anyone.”

Combining fashion trends from the 1920’s, a period when women barely had a voice of their own, with the freedom of street culture today, produced so many fun, colorful and easy to wear additions to the spring closet of both men and women, interchangeably might I add.

Personally I loved the freedom and fluidity of the collection. I can relate to wanting to wear a more boyish outfit but yet still adding girly elements to play up my femininity without looking like a walking sex-bomb.

The Vivienne Tam girl is unique and limitless. I am her, you could be her, or I could even be a Vivienne Tam boy, all I have to do is get dressed. I can be whoever I want to be, and so can you. xoxoSB

 GET THE LOOK

Zara culotte jumpsuit

H&M lace blouse

Zara box bag

Gucci sandals

Photohrapher: Alena Soboleva

Hello my lovies. It’s fashion week season ! All the department stores and boutiques have already started the turn-over from summer to fall. What’s your favorite trend for the fall season?  Right now there is a huge 70’s trend and army green shades are also on the rise. As usual, don’t ever go trend crazy and buy a bunch of stuff that you won’t ever wear next season. Instead, buy pieces that you love and you’ll be able to combine with all of your other favorites and closet essentials. Like this delightful little army green jumpsuit from Topshop.

Honestly when I bought it, I didn’t expect it to fit like this. It just looked like a cute green jumpsuit on the rack. Once I put it on, it took me and my body to a whole other level

This entire look, from my sunglasses to my sandals, are from Topshop. The amazing part is that every single item is UNDER a hundred dollars. These sandals are pretty old. I’ve had them for a few years, but there are tons of fun tan sandals out now, with fringe and feathers, so it should not be too hard to find similar or better. I would even wear this with a nude pump or ditch the heels altogether and wear some haute sneakers. Check out Schutz shoes for some affordable and similar options.

The rest of this look pretty much boiled down to accessories and attitude. When you feel confident in what you wear, it adds an entire other element to your look. This is why I’m always an advocate for shopping looks that you love and never force yourself into an outfit simply because it’s a new trend.

Hope you guys all love this Topshop look. It’s chic, hot, and affordable!  As usual, all the items are listed below. I was unable to find a direct link to shop the sunglasses online, but I bought them this week and there were lots more in store. Happy shopping, lovies! xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Topshop zip front jumpsuit

Topshop sunglasses

Topshop rope sandals (old)

Zara geometric earrings

Today is the 2nd of the five Sunday Fundays left in the summer. I’m still not ready to say goodbye to my rooftop lifestyle nor outdoor dining.  #SayitAintSo. I feel like I’m living in Game of Thrones and, “Winter is Coming.” That’s how much I don’t look forward to it. The only happy part about the cold season for me is that we get to dress in layers and have so much fun with clothes.  Which brings me to today’s post on the sleeveless vest…

I’m sure you’ve been seeing them pop up in every store from Zara to Bergdorf’s and every brand from H&M to Helmut Lang since the spring. It’s definitely #trending. This pretty pink piece is from Topshop. Originally $75 but now on sale for $40! Hit the sale racks girls!

Now that it’s August, the evenings are a little cooler, so it’s the perfect time to play with light layers that are probably too thin for the winter and maybe even for the Fall. Am I the only one who feels like we BARELY got a summer?

It’s the perfect time to play with light layers that are too thin for the winter !

My plan for this outfit was to put pieces together that were all very different but together made a hell of a summer statement. I don’t know if I’m a bigger shopaholic or clothes hoarder…..lol! I’ve  been itching to wear this patchwork Chanel bag since I got it in May! #Love  So I finally gave it it’s debut.

This H&M romper is super cute, but a message to the busty……definitely TRY ON FOR FIT. I’m usually a size 2 but ended up in a size 6 because of my #BoobSituation. If you’re a B cup or smaller, this fun little baby will probably fit true to size. If you see it and like it, just grab it. At just $39.99 it’s such a steal!

I adored the ruby stone detail in these earrings and these super cute gold midi rings.

I got them all from ROCKSBOX! 

  Did you guys sign up? How exciting has  it been to receive your gift boxes filled with jeweled treats each week?! If you’re not yet a #RBItgirl click here for details on how to subscribe to receive your FREE giftbox today!

So how do you guys feel about this new trend? Have you all tried it? Do you love it?  Looking forward to hearing feedback on the sleeveless vest. Happy shopping, and happy summer my lovies xoxoSB

GET THE LOOK

Topshop Pink Sleeveless vest

H&M Conscious romper

Ray Ban reflective sunglasses

H&M colored midi rings

Rocksbox gold midi rings

Rocksbox gold earrings

Chanel denim patchwork bag (Spring 2015)

Cwonder gold bracelets

Henri Bendel signature compact mirror

Photographer : Ramone Henry