I don’t always layer my clothes but when I do I make sure I am super comfortable. Layered looks I feel are my specialty. It’s basically my secret for extending my summer clothes into the fall and winter. A little sweatshirt here, tights underneath there, a plaid shirt (possibly stolen from my oldest) and you have an layered look to love.
Sweatshirt: Target
Dress: Muurswagg
Simone Doreleijers X Myself Germany
I spy with my “fashion eye” a Spring 2020 style trend.
Do you see it?
In the first picture, look at the model Simone’s pant legs and how the straps of the heels are wrapped fashionably around her legs.
If you did not notice this initially, watch, you are going to start seeing this trend in photos and fashion editorials. That’s just how life works.
I actually experimented with this concept last summer with a pair of lace pants that were way too short for my liking. Once I wrapped the straps of my heels around the outside of the pants, “Voila!” instantly stylish.
Do you see any other trends from this ultra-glam fashion editorial?
My 5 Blogging Mistakes
“Learn. Grow. Become” is a quote I stand by because it’s basically the secret of living your best life. I add “Repeat” at the end because you never stop learning. Now in the learning process it’s impossible to not make any mistakes. Some are called “Life Lessons” others are “hard pills to swallow” but whatever the case may be a mistake will be made and you will learn from it.
Hence the title of this post because I have made a few mistakes in my 10 years of blogging and I am going to share with you a few. Let’s be transparent. Shall we?
1.) Who is Challebrown? Yes, the psuedo name ChalleBrown (which would eventually evolve to The Bohemian Cosmopolitan) may have been a mistake.
I started my blogging career back in 2011 when everyone’s blog had a pseudo name or a name the perfectly represented the brand they wanted to portray.
I believe I was following the crowd and did not know what the hell I was doing and just thought “Hey, why don’t I contribute to one of the biggest fashion blogs under a fake name instead of my own!” Yes, I want to eventually grow my brand and yes, I want to start my own blog but I’m scared and I don’t know what I’m doing so I will just hide in the background. 0_o Big mistake. If you are reading this learn from it.
Your God given name is important and don’t try to hide it because of insecurities or whatever the case may be. Plus, if you are contributing to a popular blog people might remember you when you start your own.
2.) Stay Consistent. Now you hear this time and time again from everyone who gives you blogging advice but it’s true. If you want to gain any amount of success at fashion blogging you have to put in the work and it must be consistent. One of the reasons why consistency is so helpful is because you are learning and growing with each photo and every post. You are learning your camera, your poses, how to write. Just everything. The more consistent you are the better you will become. Trust me. It has taken me many years to come up with some type of organized schedule due to the many excuses of why I could not be consistent. Don’t be like Michal. 🙂
3.) Learn your true individual style. Fashion Blogging is strategic and because I treated this passion of mines as a hobby, I didn’t really take the time to learn who I was and more importantly who was my target audience. There are millions of bloggers. What makes your style unique? What’s your story? If you asked me this 5 years ago that exact question I would have shrugged my shoulders and embarrassingly said “I just like to take pictures.” O_0
Thank God for growth. Your individuality is special and needs to be displayed. Learn who you are and what group of people you want to target and consistently dress the part.
Create your own style. Let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” – Anne Wintour.
4.) Focus. This section of the post is for those of us with ADD and who happen to be mothers working whole full-time jobs (Squirrel!!!!!). Yes, please stay focused on your dreams.
What you focus on will grow.
Now, you may be wondering “Well, Michal. What’s going on with your blog? Why isn’t it growing?”.
Please refer to the title of this post for the answer. I am not perfect, I just know there are laws of the universe that work in your favor if you focus on your dreams.
5.) It’s a collabo. Building your brand and working with other brands is the ultimate goal as a fashion blogger. The key is to always use collaborations to your advantage. If you are not gaining anything from the collaboration please stop immediately and ask yourself “Why?”. Your time, effort and talent is valuable. Make sure you use it wisely. Know your worth especially if you are an experienced blogger.
Learn. Grow. Become.
Halima Aden X Essence Magazine
(Via)
Femme Luxe Finery Lookbook
I love styling clothing and tailoring it to fit my style. What’s my style? Just in case you are wondering. It’s easy rockstar chic (atleast that’s what I like to call it). It’s the kind of style that makes you feel sexy but comfortable.
When I was drawing inspiration for how to style this lookbook, I kept thinking “If I were a stylist, how would I want to convey my style?”
I am a working mother so comfort is key
which is why you see a lot of tshirts from Target that I paired with the slinky dresses from Femme Luxe Finery shown in both pink and brown.
When I want to feel sexy like on date night, I generally wear jeans with boots or a maxi dress. The “Pretty in pink” velvet party dress is a midi dress that I paired with a sheer maxi skirt from Free People. Yeah, I kinda had to pair that skirt into the ensemble since I don’t wear many short dresses.
No matter what I always have to stay true to my kind of style.
Follow me on Instagram to get more up to the minute style updates.
John Mellencamp’s Industrial Loft
Singer, John Mellencamp’s Industrial Soho loft looks more like an art galleria than a home. It’s one of those houses where you just stand around, sip wine and have deep discussions about the artistry. I dare not sit down. Would you?
His home is “beautiful eclectic” nonetheless.
NYE Photo Fun Session
The little 7 year old boy named Cameron (pictured in the photos) knows he has his mother’s heart. The best way I can explain it is in a math equation.
Cameron recently had to start wearing glasses. Within the first week, he lost his glasses 6,754 times and I threatened him with a spanking all 6,754 times. How many spankings do you think said little boy received? Solve for x.
A mother’s love. Happy New Year.
Dress: Broad Ripple Vintage
Balmain Pre-Fall 2020 Menswear
Instead of the boxed shoulders, glitzy-glamorous embellished pieces that we expect to see from Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the Pre-Fall 2020 Menswear collection displays classic, timeless apparel that is gender neutral all the while offering the same level of sophistication.
“Streetwear is important, but luxury needs to be based on timeless pieces, not trends,” – Olivier Rousteing
Personally, I loved each piece but if I could imagine myself in a Balmain boutique and had to choose my favorites I would definitely select all the maxi length outerwear and the sequin jacket. Seriously though, have you ever met a Balmain collection you did not love?
Femme Luxe Finery Corset Tops
The photos in this post were taken sometime in the summer; hence the reason you see the shorter hairstyle (that I generally rock because it’s low maintenance and summer friendly).
Why am I so late posting it? Who knows?
…..but to give you the honest details on my tops, I began collaborating with an online retailer, Femme Luxe Finery this year who has a vast selection of fast fashion apparel.
A lot of trendy, bodycon and laidback pieces that seem to target women with an array of body types
That’s one of the things that I love.
The corset tops (both in the black and the wine ) can be paired with high waist “Mom jeans” or how I styled them with flares. I was feeling the whole 1970’s retro flow.
I highly suggest you stay true to what makes you feel comfortable as a lot of their clothing tends to conform to your natural curves.
Denim jeans: Free People
Wine flares: Rainbow Shops
Vintage Snapshot
New York City, 1975
