Coils, Curls & Care with Pattern Beauty

 

Fall 2024 Lookbook: Autumnal Color Theory

 

A Thrifter’s Perspective

 

Happy Hour

 

                                                        Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I think it's safe to say that we are all spending so much time at home. It forces us to stop and look at the little things that we do around the house that make us feel good in our skin, and that make the day worth living fully. Without doing so, we may all just go a little bit insane, and no one wants that. What are part of your simple at-home rituals that are keeping you cheerful and motivated even if you are lacking a sense of direction? For me, it’s giving myself a true time out for some TLC. Stopping to listen to my body helps me rejuvenate, even if it’s something as simple as spending more time at the gym and just paying attention to my breathing. It seems so small, but it actually is a HUGE help. Rituals like this are larger than life, and they most likely will be for a long time to come. To think we overlooked these little actions in the past so many times. Today, they shine.

Another fun ritual I have found myself delving into is being a faux- mixologist. Lately, I've been experimenting with 21Seeds Cucumber Jalapeno tequila. It's a tequila infused with real fruit, all natural, gluten free, keto- friendly, non- GMO and lower ABV(35% vs 40% for most tequilas). Since the flavor is already in the tequila, it's pretty simple to jazz up your own drink, for starters fresh lime juice and simple syrup does the trick. 

Sundress Season

Photos by Jeff Davis 

First and foremost, apologies for the lack of posts! Between stress, building a business, working 9-5 and trying to decorate my home, all I want to do is sleep!!!! As much as I love my job, I've been thinking of ways to create a passive income because I believe it's important to keep an extra layer of security and of course for various life goals. I'll talk more on that in other post, aside from that the weather lately has been quite insane. What is there to do when the weather reads between 100- 110 degrees fahrenheit?! My answer: wear comfortable clothing.

Spring Cleaning

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Winter is finally looking like it's coming to an end, the days are longer, the layers are lighter and i'm sneezing a little bit more! With the dawn of the new spring season comes the daunting task to 'spring clean' and not just your wardrobe but also skin/ hair routine. As a naturally kinky/ coily haired woman, switching up my routine can be quite overwhelming because you don't quite know what to expect since naturally textured hair can have a mind of it's own! Honestly, having coily hair is a lot of work, not even going to lie! Additionally, the fact that people tend to take women of color less seriously when their hair isn’t "maintained" and there you have a nice cocktail of social, societal, and personal pressures to look "decent" at all times. Even today, in 2019, hair is still constantly politicized, which is ridiculous to say the least, but at the same time, we don’t really have a choice but to take good care of our hair because of how different it is. Hair routines are a big part of being a WOC since our hair is part of our identity. You have to take care of your waves, kinks, and curls. And adjusting your hair care routine for the season is just as equally important. This season I'm taking it a bit further by trying to stick to all natural products for my hair, for which i'm secretly telling myself, "Buckle up, cuz this venture is going to be a long ride!"

New Year, New Motivation

Photos by Derrick Hogue 

With the new year ahead of us, and the holidays behind, it's time to focus on yourself. Let 2019 be the year of a healthier lifestyle. Winter can be brutal, but playing catch up on your fitness routine is even worse come spring time! If we're anything like our furry friends, we tend to eat a little extra and pack on the pounds a bit, to stay warm until the warmer seasons. It's understandably scientifically  natural, but it's also imperative that we don't burrow into a cave, aka the couch, and get our bodies moving! Believe me, I understand the logic of not wanting to "suffer" in the cold or feel the least bit of the wintery air upon our skin, thankfully there are options to keep yourself warm and stylish throughout winter!

Summer Hair Hack

Illustrated By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Summer, summer, summmmmertime! We're in the "dog days of summer" where the the temperatures comfortably nestle at 90+ degrees, humidity is out of control, pools are populated, air conditioners are always running and wearing makeup almost seems impossible. But we cannot forget to treat our hair with extra care, all the UV rays, pool chemicals and air conditioners strip hair of it's essential moisture. Especially all the curly/ kinky haired girls like myself! Everyday I'm learning to embrace my hair's tendency to frizz because it naturally happens but I make sure to pay attention to the way it frizzes because that's how your hair tells you it needs more moisture. I've also colored my hair recently and have been using heat styling to my hair. MY hair needs all the love right now! Fortunately i've teamed up with Aussie for their summer Miracle Curls campaign to treat my hair with the love and care that it needs! Check out how I moisturize my strands to the fullest during the summer time to achieve beautiful hair.

Simple Summer Fashion Modifications

Illustrations by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Sometimes you have pieces of clothing that you love soooooooo much, that you just can’t part with. No matter how ratty it can start to look like. These items we love so much vary from being extremely comfortable or perhaps just a classic design, but they might be not as fashionable as they used to be. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to throw them away or relegate them to the back of the wardrobe, with some patience and modifications you can turn them into a more contemporary style.

Hairy Situation

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

As you may have noticed recently, I have colored my hair, technically lightened it! I was admittedly getting bored with my dark kinks and wanted something drastically different, i've never had blonde or at least "blonde-ish" hair and knew that was what I wanted to achieve. I took time out one weekend to try it and 5 hours of grueling intensity with lots and lots of foil. End result, an ombre crown! I totally love it, but I am also aware of the work it takes to maintain lightened hair. The stress of maintenance for naturally coily hair has doubled for me but with a tweak in my routine I can make it manageable!

Dressy Winter

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

"Baby, it’s cold outside," but that doesn’t mean that you can’t wear all of those lovely little dresses that you like so much. Sure, winter might not be the optimal time to bare your skin, but if you know the rules of layering then you won’t have to worry about the chill. If you're the type who has a wide variety of sundresses in your wardrobe, and you want to wear them whatever the weather may be - layering is your best friend. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks to ensure you can keep wearing your favorite dresses throughout the winter season.

Fashion Your Winter

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

The Halloween excitement is over and winter will inevitably be ensuing. We officially have less than a month left until Christmas- how crazy is that? Xmas mode is in full gear, every other commercial on Hulu is something to do with Christmas. It seems like only yesterday that cute playsuits and sundress were on full display. But alas, temperate climates are ever changing and one has to go with the flow every season.

Fashion throughout winter is fairly similar to autumn, with the classic tartan prints and pinafores seemingly here to stay, but what we're all about are the new different pieces!

In Sneakers, We Trust

Illustration by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Here in Philadelphia, being on the move is a regular thing and part of your daily routine. Wearing heels doesn't always feel like the smartest choice, no matter how how convenient it might be! Then there's the other option, sneakers. I love wearing sneakers.... while i'm working out, any other time just feels weird. I always have a hard time finding sneakers that I can wear leisurely after a workout. Either the sneakers are too bulky or not minimalist enough to match with my outfits. Fortunately Famous Footwear has a great selection of sneakers for minimalistas like myself to choose from!

The Fall Necessities

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

With the start of a new season, means the start of a new look! During this time it feels like retailers are jumping at the seams to get you to come into their stores and take one last glance at those tie strap tank tops and seer sucker skirts at a discounted rate. But before you count them out entirely, why not consider how you can style it for the fall season? Fall and winter are predominantly known as the layering seasons, might as well start early and not feel like you can't wear your summer sales buys more than once. Put them to good use and embrace the last days of the season.

Spring Things

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

With every new season, we're excited to try new things. Whether it be that awesome new yoga studio in your neighborhood or that celebrity collaborated makeup line, there's something that make us look forward to it during that season! Spring is great because of the new opportunities for wearing dresses and skirts, open toe shoes and more outdoor events. Spring is also metaphorically the time to start fresh, and the beginning of new life. After cleaning out my closet and home to get it ready for spring, I'm ready for new things to inspire me that remind me of this wonderful season. I've compiled a list of my favorite Spring things!

Smart Stylist

illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

We all have those moments in which we wake up and have no idea what to wear for the day. On frequent occasion, I even feel like I don't know what to pair with this or that item of clothing, okay I'll be honest, that tends to be most mornings for me! When it comes to my work clothes, I usually stick with the usual blacks and greys to get myself out of the door fast, it's also easy to think in neutrals. Lately, I realize I don't want easy and that's where the frustration comes from! Fortunately there is an app to help with those fashion woes, called Cladwell!

Festival Style Refresh

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

With the beginnings of the warmer weather marks a brand new music festival scene! From Coachella to Electric Daisy and countless other festivals, there are many opportunities to look boho fresh! This year like the past is no different although the styles are better and bolder. And ofcourse before you grab last year's floral sundress, remember that in 2017 it's all in the details! This year, even if you don't have tickets, take the time to refresh your festival style with some new trends.

The Purge

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Can you believe it, Spring season is almost here! I always associate the mark of Spring with Daylight Savings Time and this year the weather is unseasonably warmer too. Another reminder about the transition is my closet, a wardrobe cleanse is in the works! Also in order to add any new additions to your closet you will have to de clutter and purge it to get rid of items that you no longer love or wear anymore, because your closet just can't take it anymore! Wardrobe overhaul is real and some mornings getting dressed can feel like an episode of "Hoarders!" Purging your closet can feel exciting, relieving, overwhelming and stressful, all at the same time. Fortunately, Tommy John has provided us with a few tips to help with Spring cleaning! 

Pink Panther

Photos by Derrick Hogue

Life can get so hectic and so busy, it can feel like you're moving at lightening speed while everyone and everything is running much slower. I like to define myself as a workaholic, I'm constantly working on multiple projects at once, running from one place to another, squeezing in appointments. I used to think that not being busy was the worst, at the time it felt like I wasn't doing enough with my life. Having a day planner filled to the brim with appointments and deadlines was my dream.... and now that it's a reality, I feel like I should've taken advantage of the free time I had. Believe me, when those days and time frames come by now, I make sure to really enjoy it. And wearing pink feathers is certainly a way to do so! 

For The Love of Shoes

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Every year, thousands of women everywhere, on this specific date dress up in the most seemingly obnoxious or very simplistic ensembles, never in between. Valentines day is just around the corner and many of you probably have already picked out your outfits for that day, figuring out what dress to wear is easy because it's most likely the first piece of item thought of for that event. I, myself have no problem trying to figure out what dress or flirty skirt I'm going to wear, but I challenged my self to think differently this time. It comes to no surprise that i'm obsessed with shoes, I want to make my footwear be the center of attention this year. I'm experimenting with nudes!