Paris bike tour

This week I've been feeling very nostalgic & full of wanderlust. So, I decided to write about my recent trip to Paris. I was fortunate enough to go with my dad:) Who, BTW, had the time of his life! It was so great to travel and see my dad see things for the first time. While in Paris we took a private bike tour. Not just any bike tour, an electric bike tour! When I first learned we were going to do this, outwardly I smiled and showed excitement, but internally I was hyperventilating and having a panic attack. The reason being, I am deathly afraid of riding bikes. I mean I love spinning and can ride a stationary bike like no ones business! But riding out in the street, park, sidewalk, etc, completely scares me. I've thought a lot about this, and I think it's from a bad fall as a kid. Also, I get super nervous as a driver when I have to share the road with bikers. So, you can imagine my terror when we met our guide and he ecstatically told us what we were in store for and how far we were going to ride. I listened intently, then immediately pulled him aside and shared my fears. He put me at ease and told me to ride next to him, for he would let nothing happen to me. I went from screaming "HELP" to anyone who made eye contact, to screaming "this is the best day of my life" & taking selfies!(It was 4.5 hours) We got to see the secret places of Paris. So so SO amazing!  Stepping outside our comfort zone can bring such happiness. I'm thankful we did this and I got to experience it with my dad(who taught me how to ride a bike). I'm missing this day as I write this, but so grateful it's part of my story. A MUST if you find yourself in Paris. Oh, ask for Olivier(he's THE best). Also, I advise wearing overalls, a striped top, red lipstick and a scarf. It made me feel very Parisian;)

Summer Leather

Black leather is finding its way into my closet more and more. It can make an outfit edgy, classic, pretty, fun and so much more. I love it! I find leather to be extremely versatile, which is why I decided to do a few looks for summer with it. You can totally wear it during the day and not sweat to death by doing what I did in my first 2 looks. I wore leather shorts with a thin breezy top, and then I wore a leather bustier with shorts under a thin chambray button down. Both looks kept me perfectly cool. Lastly, for more of a night time look I wore leather sweats with a flowy top and nude pumps. I'm seeing pieces like these more and more in my favorite stores like Tj.Maxx, Marshall's, Piperlime, Shopbop, etc. Whats better, I was able to use a gift card I had to finish off a couple of my looks. This is why I'm loving Raise.com. A site that specializes in buying and selling gift cards to our favorite stores! I'm participating in their Closet Swap Campaign. So, showcasing my favorite summer trend with them was a no brainer:) Plus, who doesn't have a gift card they won't use? MEEE! (maybe because its at a store we never go to). Well, you can sell it and keep the cash(and go buy something HOT! Or, get one for a store that you actually like). Btw, I love gift cards;) (hint hint). Check it out and go add some LEATHA(I know it's misspelled, but that's how I like saying it) to your summer wardrobe:)

1.Top-RD Style, shorts-BCBG, shoes-Pour la Victoire 2.Bustier-Express, Shorts-Forever21, Shoes-Schutz 3.Top-Tj.Maxx, Sweats-Blank, Pumps-BCBG

Sunset Orange

Today I wore orange! The reason for my excitement is because I NEVER wear orange. Ever! I don't even think my mom put orange on me as a baby. I have no idea where my phobia of orange came from, but I've always steered clear of it. I guess apart of me always felt it just did nothing for my complexion. So, since I'm trying new things, I decided to give this pretty color a shot. This dress from Splendid was perfect. The color is called Roja, but it's more of a orangey red. With that in mind, I  picked up a new lip color in Sunset Orange from Bobbi Brown. I love that its an art stick that comes with its own sharpener(I'm not a fan of traditional lipstick). Orange is a fun and happy color. As a matter of fact, everyone I know who's favorite color is orange, are all really happy bubbly people. For example Rachael Ray;) (love her). I'm happy I now have this color in my wardrobe. Oh, please excuse my very pale and scraped up legs(they don't get out much and I'm clumsy). Tomorrow I self tan.

Silver & Snake

I was excited to finally have a hot sunny day so I could break out these fun silver Coconuts! I love these sandals! The gladiator style is different from all the other ones I've seen, these are dressier and in my opinion, just prettier. My M.A.C clutch with silver hardware looked great with them. The snake skin print with a hint of purple,teal and blue made me smile every time I looked at it. Accessories can turn any normal and otherwise basic outfit into so much more! Pretty things make me happy, so why not wear them? These sandals, and this handbag definitely make me happy. So, my simple tank and cute shorts were spiced up with silver and snake skin. I'm already thinking of what to accessorize these babies with next!;)

Tank- Victorias Secret, Shorts- American Eagle (I cut jeans), Watch- La Mer , Bracelet- Tai, Ring Bracelet- BCBG

Flawsome shoulders

It's been a while since I've last done a Flawsome post. So I figured it was time. Time to let it out. This month I'm highlighting my broad & boney shoulders. These pictures don't do them justice! Seriously, you can just call me Ray Lewis. I could pretty much jump into any football game sans the shoulder pads and be fine. I just naturally look like a linebacker from the shoulders up. In fact, growing up my best friend would say "put me in the game coach" when my shoulders were out. HaHa! I thought and still think that's hilarious. Laughing at myself helps. When I was little, and even sometimes still I can't stand my shoulders. We have a love hate relationship. I love them mostly when I'm in athletic wear and hate them when I cant pull off a strappy dainty look. Also, those fun edgy strong shouldered jackets are a definite NO NO! (Which makes me sad cuz I want one, Lady Fozaza to be exact). Sometimes I'm even apprehensive to go sleeveless(especially if my legs are showing, but thats another story). However, looking on the bright side, I don't have to do that many push ups;) And, they make my waist seem smaller(I think). All in all, I really do appreciate my naturally strong and broad shoulders and, depending on the day, I'm happy to let them out. Also, no one can shoulder shimmy like these bad boys can;) Summer time here comes my Flawsome shoulders!

Comfortable travel style

For my last few hours in Rome I needed to be comfortable and ready to hop on my flight. So my outfit needed to withstand the heat, and, also be comfortable enough for my long flight home. I decided my loose fitting Free People T over my Nike dri-fit leggings, and my Zara cap was perfect! I like to incorporate workout wear in my everyday attire whenever possible. These leggings are perfect for walking around, and, keeping you dry and cool. Another double duty item(I love two-fers)! A good T is necessary for any and every outfit if you ask me. So, this cool cranberry one was PERFECT! I love the V neckline and how flowy it is.  During our last stroll in the city, I popped into Zara and grabbed this adorable cap. Don't you love a fun quote you can show off all day? It makes me feel bubbly and people smile when they read it. I love when I can dress according to my mood AND be comfortable all at the same time( cuz that doesn't always happen). I hope to get back to Rome one day very soon. Especially now that I know exactly what to pack;) Btw, my dad took these photos, so some are a bit tricky:/;)