Life Update. 29Rooms. Photography apps.

I’m pretty ridiculous and I’m aware. I’m just completely over myself okay. My last post was in March! Ha, pleaseee. MY LACK OF MOTIVATION HAS BEEN EATING ME ALIVE. Honestly, I can no longer deal which is why I am here right now typing up this post. I have more posts in mind but I thought it’ll be quite tacky to drop a blog post without explaining what’s really going on. SIGH—– (the dramatics LOL)

A LIFE UPDATE:

Well first, I am a graduate! A Howard University graduate that is! I’m thinking of doing a post-grad blog post, but that is a topic for another day! I moved back to Chicago and I am loving it. It feels good to be home after being separated for 4 years! I’m saying this now, but as soon as the weather drop, I’LL BE CRYING ICICLES. Minus the days when the heat is unbearable, I’ve enjoyed the summer and is dreading the climate change.

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Enjoy this graduation picture, until the post-grad post drop!

Dress: Missguided

Shoes: Missguided

The summer has been a time filled with installations and exhibits and I love a good photo opp paired with a good outfit. Refinery 29 is one of my favorite companies, so when I saw their brand, 29Rooms, was coming to Chicago I was eager to buy my ticket! I wasn’t able to go to every room there because of the set up of 29Rooms, but I still managed to get some great pictures in the rooms I did visit. 29Rooms is much different than your typical installation. Despite the name, it is one big room with 29 subsections dedicated to different artists and themes AND LONG LINES. Here some of my favorite pictures from the event:

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T-Shirt: ZARA

Skirt: ASOS

Heels: ZARA

Since I’ve had an iPhone one of my favorite features has been the photography apps. I’ve always enjoyed editing my pictures I thought it would be cool to start a new segment on my blog where I talk about apps and different tech tools I use whether that be to edit my pics or vlogs, etc. Hmmm.. the name of this segment should be something along the lines of “The Tech Tools.” I think I like that enough LOL.

I’ve recently come across the app “Afterlight” and I love it! The app is $1.99 but definitely worth it. They have a variety of tools on the app where you could honestly make it a one-stop shop, but of course, I’m too extra. I use at least 1 other app before going straight to Afterlight. If you’re simple with your editing you’ll definitely get a lot out of use out of Afterlight.

Comment below to let me know you guys favorite editing apps! Also, be sure to let me know if you download Afterlight!

Street Art + Me = A Shoot!

After spending three and a half years in Washington, D.C, I still find myself missing home, Chicago, but having a few months left I decided to take advantage of the city and find cool settings to take pictures. After looking for different places to shoot around the city I found some dope places. I found this alleyway in Northwest named Blagden Alley and it is beautiful. I am a huge fan of street art and street photography, so I knew that shooting here was a must. I hit up Carlissa, at blisswithliss.com, to do a shoot and it was a success! This location was perfect! I’ll definitely be back here to shoot again. There were many different backgrounds that are all great for shooting, but my favorite was the “LOVE” background. I shared some of the photos below and also listed where my outfit is from. Do you all know of any other dope places to shoot in the Washington, D.C or Maryland area?

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Top: BooHoo

Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Zara

Do you see this coat?!

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Coat: ASOS Luxe Teddy Borg

Turtle Neck: Forever 21

Jeans: Zara

Shoes: PUMA by Rihanna Creepers

I am here for Teddy Coats! Teddy coats are big this season and definitely a must-have! Recently I’ve been searching all of my favorite stores for the perfect coat and I found one! Originally I wanted a brown one, but when I came across this pink one it was on sale and I knew I had to grab it! I found this coat at Asos for less than half the price! I LOVE bargains! It is the same coat that I spotted two of my favorite bloggers wearing on Instagram (see below.) Although, the brown coat would have been easier to match other things I couldn’t beat the price of the pink teddy coat. I paired this coat with a simple pair of jeans, cream turtleneck, and my PUMA by Rihanna creepers. Too much thought didn’t go into this look, but it’s definitely a fly casual everyday outfit!

Are you a fan of the teddy coat trend this season? Comment below!

 

SPOTTED! THIS IS A LOOK!

Spotted: Miss Thang herself! I’ve been seeing these pictures all over my feeds! Monica was spotted in Kentucky rocking Monse Maison’s Belted Herringbone Jacket and “FOR WALKING” Knee-high OFF-WHITE boots. My girl literally killed this look and I am SHOOK! Let’s get into this plaid/checked print trend. I am a fan!!! And OFF-WHITE?!?! I am here for OFF-WHITE everything. Virgil is one of my favorite designers right now! How do you guys feel about this look? Hot or not?

 

 

 

Views from Duomo di Milano

During my travels in Europe, one of my favorite things were capturing pictures in fun outfits in front of places I used to google. Check out this edgy chic look in front of the famous Duomo di Milano.

The Jiara ft. Duomo di Milano,

Graphic Tee: Zara

Pants: Zara

Shoes: Vans

Bag: Zara

Issa Look Book!

Homecoming has ended, and I was in my GLO — Chicago lingo being defined as “when one is to “GLO” or “GLO’d Up” his confidence, swag and demeanor are so heightened they cannot be changed by negativity. Here’s a recap of the looks given my last homecoming as an undergraduate.

The Jiara Look Book

Shirt: Zara

Belt: Off-White

Pants: H&M

Sandals: Zara

Bag: Zara

The Jiara Look Book

Sweater: Zara

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Vans

Clutch: Zara

The Jiara Look Book

Leather Camisole: Zara

Pants: H&M

Heels: Nasty Gal

The Jiara Look Book

Dress: Zara

Belt: Off-White

Bag: Zara

 

Happy Halloween!

My favorite time of the year definitely has to be the last quarter.  The weather is breaking and the holidays are the best! I am here for the holiday festivities! However, I didn’t have much time to plan an out of the box Halloween costume, buttttt my costume was purrrrfect (pun intended LOL). Get into my simple foxy black cat halloween look!

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Skirt: H&M

Bodysuit: BooHoo

Belt: Moschino

Shoes: Public Desire

Everyone has been really creative with their costumes this year. Next year, I will be sure to plan a costume ahead of time! Comment below some of the best costumes you’ve seen this year! Enjoy Halloween and please be safe!

3 of my favorite places to shop!

As Homecoming SZN is approaching, I thought it’ll be cool to list a few of my GO-TO places to shop for party/evening clothing. It is important to serve looks all homecoming weekend, so I hope this would serve as a guide to help as you all are gathering outfits for the grand festivities! Here are some of my go-to websites where I shop to secure the looks!

  1. zara.com
  2. missguidedus.com
  3. us.boohoo.com

I am the biggest Zara fan. I think they are the perfect mix of High-end fashion at fast fashion prices. And I am sure my fashion girls can relate. Missguided is another favorite. They have some of the cutest things on their website, and not to mention the great prices and fast shipping. Missguided always has a sale going on so I definitely suggest everyone to browse their website and see what you can find. When it comes to BooHoo you can either find great quality things for a very good price or get what you paid for. BooHoo has a marketing strategy whereas everything on their site is 50-60% off, and I must say thing sucks me right in.

Be sure to check these sites out and slay Instagram all homecoming weekend!