Brand: Aldo
Style: Sybil Ankle Boot
Current Price: $60
Original Price: $120
For more details click the link above
*Helpful Tips
If you purchase in-store and your size is not in stock, but it is available online, Aldo will ship your purchase free of charge. These are comfy and true to size.
Eiffel Tower
The disproportionate hands of the clock could not tick fast enough as I counted down to July 23, 2014, the day I departed for my European vacation. Germany, Netherlands, France and Italy were all on the itinerary. Of the four countries, guess which one I anticipated most? France, but of course! Why? Because we are like bare feet and warm sand, we belong together.
Montemarte
I credit some of my fascination with France to my French-American father. He lived and attended elementary school there, before his parents returned to “the land of the free and the home of the braaaave”.
Papa named me Roshell after La Rochelle (or so I thought), a city in western France on the Biscay Bay southwest of Tours. Apparently, someone lied to me. Either way, I share a name with a city in France… WE GO TOGETHER.
Fun Fact: La Rochelle is the sister city of New Rochelle in New York… another place I gravitate toward. Coincidence? Not sure.
What I am sure of is crème brûlée, the rich creamy custard topped with a contrasting layer of crispy caramelized sugar, torched to perfection. If you ever want to be my best friend, bring me crème brulee, it’s my favorite dessert.
Crème Brûlée at Cafe Vavin
While on vacation, I stayed in Paris for a week and finally devoured creme brûlée in its homeland. Magnifique! I mentioned before that of the four countries, I anticipated France the most, that’s because of Paris. Paris, the city of love. I anxiously awaited walking the streets of the city that oozes the magical red gooeyness that makes us all warm and tingly inside.
At the mountain peak of my list of “best things in the whole wide world” is LOVE. It is up there next to perfectly tearing out a sheet of perforated paper
I imagined watching couples stroll hand in hand down the Champs Elysees all kissy-faced and googly-eyed. My ears anticipated hearing street singers perform their best renditions of the greatest love songs ever. My eye couldn’t wait to see the most beautiful architecture-lined streets. I awaited being bear-hugged by Paris’ comforting arms of love.
Champs-Elysees
Imagine my surprise when my fellow Frenchmen did not recognize me. No hugs or kisses. No hearts falling from the sky as couples skipped down the sidewalk to the tune of “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie. Whaaaa? I thought, where am I? Should I denounce my love for France and apologize to America for having eyes for another?
No. Just like the bare feet and warm sand, we can’t always be together and we don’t always agree with one another, but that doesn’t mean we don’t go together. France and I are stuck for life. We share a name, dessert, and love… in some weird way. We are stuck until I find a new favorite dessert and trade in La Rochelle for New Rochelle because it loves me more. Until then… j et’ aime, France.
Macarons at Ladurée
Le Petit Dejeuner
Mona Lisa at Musee du Louvre
Salmon Crepe
Egg & Cheese Buckwheat Crepe at Berthillon
Gelato at Berthillon
See more photos on my Facebook page in my “Travel” album. Here’s a quick video of footage I captured in Paris.
Hugs,
Roshell
Europe here we come! This summer me, my sister and cousin will travel through Europe visiting Germany, Netherlands, France and Italy. (insert happiest emoji)
Below are maps with circles highlighting places we will visit within each country. Flights are booked, passports are ready, but there is so much more to be done. My biggest challenge will definitely be packing. One suitcase for three weeks … how will I survive? I have already dreamt about packing, forgetting everything and almost missing the flight trying to pack last minute. The trip is in July, but I should start practice packing tomorrow.
Braids have been in heavy rotation, because I decided to grow my tapered cut out (I want my hair back!). Awkwardness of the awkward-length stage is more awkward when your hair is uneven, so braids have been my crutch.
Growing up, I believed that braids were not appropriate for sophisticated occasions, but it’s all in how you style them. I attended a few events that required a fancy upgrade from the basic everyday top bun I wore.
The video above by Jennifer Olaleye inspired the braided bun i’m rocking below on the left. I added my own twist to the style by crossing a few braids from each side and clamping them with a thin metal barrette. Instead of wrapping the ponytail with hair (as shown in the tutorial), I used a hair tie for a more secure ponytail. I also used a rubber band to secure the final bun and a few bobby pins to hold the bun in place. Pictured on the right is an alternative to the braided bun, I created a regular bun by wrapping the hair in a circle, then pinned it in place.
Make sure that your braids are not pulling your hair, especially around the edges. Loosen hair as needed to stay alopecia free.
Are you confused about how much you should tip? Here’s a quick cheat sheet.
Happy Friday!!!
“Style Is Always In Fashion” is the title of my Pinterest style and fashion board. Have you checked it out? I will be adding new pins over the long weekend.
Let me know if you find any inspiration. xoxo
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There will be a giveaway soon, don’t miss it!!! In the mean time, check out the events below.
xoxo
While driving through Beverly Hills on Tuesday, a red light interrupted my mission. As I sat at the light I decided to people watch. There were so many clothes wearing people that I should call it “clothes watching”.
The price for a single top or pair of pumps could easily feed a small village, yet some looked no different than their less expensive competitors. Don’t get me wrong, I love my luxury brands just as much as the next girl. I know that quality is a factor but some items just don’t fit the bill.
I also know that an inexpensive item can shame an expensive one. We can purchase a $1,000 top, but if we don’t have style it can be mistaken for a 99 cent item from the discount store.
Style is what brings clothing to life, it’s the difference between wearing your clothes and letting them wear you.
I want to introduce you to Lo, she has great personal style. Let’s check out how she throws it on. Read the Q & A below to find out how she does it and connect with her.
Describe yourself in one sentence.
Lo: One open-minded, adventurous, strong, funny, and intelligent female with a slight male demeanor.
Who/what inspires your personal style?
Lo: I wouldn’t say that there is anyone or anything in particular that inspires my personal style. How I am feeling, my mood is what inspires me.
What is your favorite piece and/or accessory right now?
Lo: My boyfriend cut destroyed denim jeans. I can dress them up or dress them down. I can throw on a colorful pump or rock a pair of retro Jordan’s with them. They are so comfortable and I love comfort.
Would you like to share anything else about you or your personal style?
Lo: I never thought I really had “style”. I simply just buy what I like and throw it on.
Connect with Lo on Instagram and Twitter, both handles are @MyLifeAsLo
