June's Mood Board

I know that everyone and their granny is into nude and grey tones and minimalist fit and silhouettes right now but for the past few weeks I've been color blocking like there is no tomorrow. In addition to the color blocked combos I've been wearing a lot of  neon and bold colors and prints which is usually complimented by scarves worn on the head the way women did in the 70's.

Colour blocking is so 2011 but who cares , around here we do things when we feel like and not when the "fashion gods" say we should. If you plan to revisit colour blocking this summer these tricks of the trade will make you feel more confident about your choice of styling.

Monochromatic
The monochromatic styling is pretty straight forward as one colour scheme is employed throughout the entire outfit but in different hues eg. dark blue trousers  , baby blue blazer , powder blue inner shirt etc.

Separates
Mixing garments of 2 - 4 contrasting colors can create either a harmonious look or an ensemble that is loud and stands out.Combining complimentary colors (colors which are opposite each other on the color wheel) will work well if you want to stand out. On the other hand , if you are going for something more harmonious , analogous pairings (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel) is ideal.

Stand Alone
Sometimes the color blocked design of a garment or accessory already did all the work for you and so in this case all you will pretty much need is a complimentary shoe and purse.

Though these techniques will help to create beautiful combinations it is imperative that pieces and color schemes selected are flattering to you!

To all those who might have been a little timid about wearing so many bright colors ; I hope this demystified all your color blocking reservations enough for you to try it.

June's Dopery

Skittles

Its been looking like a bag of skittles around here lately huh? That's because I can't stop colour blocking , its just too easy and best of all I don't need to worry about matching , which makes getting dressed and getting out the door quicker.

Colour-blocking is pretty straight forward ; add 2- 3 different complimentary solid colors to an ensemble. Prints and patterns are typically not used in colour blocking as that would take away from the visual you are going for so bold bright shades are perfect.

I normally colour block when I want to be "dressed down fancy" ; like last weekend when I went out for dinner and ice-cream. As you guys must realize by now all I do on the weekends is go out to eat , its my idea of fun really.

Outfit Repeat Game Strong

If repeating clothing is a crime then I will forever be a repeat offender. I have this one dress I wear to work almost every Friday and my mother always say "people gwen mark you inna dat dress ussi" , but I really don't care , its mine and I'll wear it as often as I want to. Furthermore , one of my 2016 New Year's Resolutions is to buy less and save more and so I've limited myself to only three new pieces per month which means that  pieces I really like will be in constant rotation this year ... like this silk vintage dress. Wore it a few months back in Florida as a robe , wore it to dinner over the weekend as a dress and I'll be wearing it in the near future as a top with high waist trousers. Repeating clothing is really not a big deal , just switch it up and wear it differently.

Lemonade

Since the release of Beyonce's sixth studio album the colour formerly known as yellow is now "lemonade" , the media is so humorous right? But on a more serious note, when I thought I couldn't admire Beyonce anymore she went ahead and humanizes herself by shattering this perfect image we have of her life and exposed her personal experience with love , jealousy and betrayal.

As the words of my favorite song " Pray you Catch Me" echoed in my mind it made me realize that just about any woman (no matter how beautiful I think that person is on the inside and outside) can suffer from the strife and heartache of unappreciated , "un-reciprocated" , deceitful love. Now , the idea that someone as flawless and perfect as Beyonce (in my eyes) can be hurt by a man and become as weak and vulnerable as I've been before isn't so far fetched to me anymore. Beyonce is a star whose World is vastly different from mine , but I realized that in the matter of love and it's mystery , dilemmas and complications , she manages to be just as normal and human as me.

By the end of the the visual album I felt so empowered and wondered to myself why the hell I was so damn heartbroken in the first place , I'm a woman , we bounce back after childbirth , bounce back after pain and embarrassment , bounce back after heartbreak ,  that's just what we do  ...bounce back and bounce to better , stronger , more loving and worthy "D" too.

Anyway , I'm always going off focus on my "fashion" blog , forgive me ,  so on a more fashion related note , I went to dinner the other night clad in what has been my uniform for the past few weeks , a bright colored light weight skirt and a top that doesn't require the annoying contraption known as a bra.

Wearing a high waist "lemonade" yellow vintage skirt , my favorite white vintage purse and lingerie worn as a top.

Exposed

Robes are having a moment right now on the fashion scene and I completely endorse the causal effortless , loose airy vibe that robes in 2016 is all about. It has a kind of 70's nonchalance to it and a bit of that old film luxe and sophistication. Back in October 2015 I tried out the lounge-wear trend when headed to the downtown Miami party scene with one of my favorite girlfriends. Wore a long silk vintage dress over a white mini skirt and a barely there bralette ,  the overly sexed up version of the trend clearly .. but that was so not intentional.

Long silk fluid dresses (that completely opens in the front) thrown over camisoles and pants , knee length or mini dresses is a totally doable version of the robe trend if you don't want to buy actual robes.

Physically Fit

Over the past year or so I've loss over 20 pounds and for those who emailed me requesting my routine ,  I'm finally spilling the beans. The key to weight loss is : a clean diet , discipline and self motivation and exercise.

A clean diet: I eat 3 - 4 small meals per day which usually consist of chicken / fish (never fried) , vegetables/ ground provisions and fruits and my last meal is consumed before 6 pm. I only drink water and I drink at least 10 glasses a day. I've limited sugar , flour and I eat rice maybe 3 times a month. To keep myself sane I maintain 1-2 cheat days per week where I just go HAM with all the junk I love to eat. Your calorie intake is also crucial to weight loss and so you need to keep track of same. I researched the amount of calories I should have per day to achieve my weight loss goal (which is roughly 1700 ) and I use the My Fitness Pal app to count my calorie intake each day.

Discipline & Motivation: I can't say that I love working out , actually most days I have to mentally psych myself up by looking at old pictures when I was chunky and pictures of fitness gurus with perfectly toned bodies and what I would like my body to look like.  Another thing that gets me in the mood is looking the part of a fitness guru. My workout attire usually consists of bright matching sports bra and tights sets and Nike sneakers. Its nothing fancy really, but when I look the part I automatically start acting the part which therefore leads to a more productive workout.

Exercise: The benefits of working out goes far beyond dropping pounds and getting toned ; it boosts your metabolism and gives you so much more energy throughout the day. On a good week I work out 4 - 5 days out of the week and I've been doing this routine religiously for almost 2 years. 

Here are a few exercises I do to tone my legs and butt , each move is done is reps of 10 - 15 per leg and in sets of 4.

Lunges: Step forward into a front lunge and press back to start.The work should always be coming from the moving leg (the stationary one is just a kickstand to keep your from toppling over).Do the sequence 10 times with one leg , then do 10 with the other. You can hold weights in your hands to increase the intensity.

Standing Leg Raises: This move can be done with or without resistance bands. Support your body by holding on to a wall or anything sturdy. Extend the leg back out straight so it hovers over the ground and then return to the original standing position , ensure that while you are doing this move your upper body stays in a stationary position. Turn the body to the side and lift the leg out to the side as high as you can then return to the ground. Do this move 10 times using one leg and 10 times with the other.

Squat & Kick: Stand with feet hip -width apart with toes turned slightly out. Lower down into a deep squat so thighs are parallel to the ground (or close) and then press back up to stand while  squeezing the glutes ,  kick one leg out to the side to a 130 degree angle. Do 10 reps with kicks on one side then  10 reps. with kicks to the opposite side.

Glute Presses: Get down on your hands and knees and shift your weight so its on one leg. Lift the other leg off the ground to form a 130 degree angle.Lower back to the ground and repeat. Do 10 reps on one side before switching to the other leg.

The Hip Raise: Lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Brace your core and squeeze your glutes tightly then raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause for five seconds as you keep your core braced and continue to squeeze your glutes then lower your body back to the starting position.  Do 15 reps , weights can also be placed on the hips to increase intensity.

I'm no diet or fitness guru I just shared a few things that worked for me , if you guys found this helpful and would like to see more workout segments posted on here drop me a comment in the comment section. Best wishes on your fitness journey little babies!