Tag: zara shoes

Seasons of Change

Posted on by lavishcafe

Hello Lavish Land!

Summer is ending and Fall is quickly approaching.  Some  (including me) are excitedly awaiting this change of season while others dreading are less sunny days and more layers of clothing.

As I  prepare my closet for the impending weather change…adding cardigans and scarfs while subtracting sleeveless maxis and short sexy shorts…you know, tedious stuff like that… I began to think how life is just like my ever exploding closet (Sorry Husband). Adjusting myself to meet the needs of the season.

Just as passing months bring the change of seasons, life brings about seasons of change.  There are times when life throws so many lemons that you don’t have the energy to make lemonade.   Everyone says “enter lemons…exit that sweet tarty drink”.  What if you don’t like lemonade?!  What is supposed to happen then?!

Then there are times when life is so fabulous that everything you touch turns to gold, sterling silver, or rose gold (whichever you prefer).  So good that, when you enter a room time stops, the winds begin to blow, and your theme music starts.  These are are glorious times indeed!

Well, with both of these times have one thing in common.  They will change.

There are a few things that keep me balanced in times of famine and time of feast. First, exercising my faith.  Faith.. a word so small; however, the meaning is so huge.  It helps me to stay grounded, humble, grateful, and prepared.  Secondly, taking time for me. Taking time to be quiet and wait on clarity for my next move or a voice that says…stay where you are.  Finally, have a good laugh with family, students, or girl tribe.  Laughter will always change the atmosphere!

Just as you must prepare for the changing of the natural seasons….you must do the same for the changes in your life.  How you do that is totally up to you. Just do it!

Also, May I add that including a great Moscato, an awesome bag, or fabulous new ensemble always make a gloomy day bright and a bright day shine even brighter.  Ooooooh, I just imagined all three at the same time…my soul can not contain the joy!!

Let’s toast to all seasons of the life and a magnificent fall warbrobe! Clink…Clink…Clink

Until the next time…Stay Lavish

 

Hash It Out or Hush It Up?

Posted on by lavishcafe

Hello Lavish Ones!!!!

I am having a debate with one of my friend girls (that is my grandmother’s word for…girlfriends).  We are discussing whether it is better to “hash it out” after an argument/disagreement or to completely hush.  Friend Girl says “talking it out” is the only way to truly solve an issue plus it limits the possibility of creating a larger problem. She thinks hashing it out right then and there with no time lapse is the answer!

Of course, this would be too easy if I agreed with her.  There would be nothing to write about!

My stance is to go COMPLETELY mute (Insert Husband’s eye roll).  But that is the nature of my personality…I am an internalizer. I believe one should hush until ALL hearts and minds are clear (Southern church talk y’all…Hallelujah).  Then the pathway to clarity can begin. Cooler heads always prevail.

Amazingly, Friend Girl and I both agree one thing. The amount of passion used to resolve a conflict is dependent on how much you value the relationship and visa versa.  The desired result should not just to be proven right or seen in a positive light.

Sadly, some relationships add no value to your world and it is best to say your peace…with silence.  Let them see your lavishly detailed back as you move forward.

How you choose to settle uncomfortable situations with another is totally up to you. But…ALWAYS….do it with respect.

Are you a hasher or a husher?  Whatever you are…ALWAYS REMAIN LAVISH!

 

 

Shirt~Zara HERE // Shorts ~(OLD) White House Black Market  SIMILAR HERE or HERE  // Shoes~ Zara HERE

Instantly Beautiful

Posted on by lavishcafe

Hola, mujeres hermosas (In other words….Hello Beautiful women).  As part of my “goal getter” mentality, I am learning Spanish, BUT it is going very very slow (Ugghhhhh…Me)

One day I was having a chat with my friend, C.  During the conversation, she asked me an amazingly prolific question. “What is the one thing you can put on that will INSTANTLY make you feel beautiful?” Huh…Crickets.  Well this caused me to really think.  I am so so much with an enormous beauty routine, and multiple rituals (so I have been told).  How in the world could I choose ONE thing?  But my one instant beauty came to mind…a turtleneck (do not judge… Ha Ha Ha).  When I slip that contraption on, I immediately feel like a classic beauty.  I love a turtleneck in ALL forms.  Give me long sleeve, sleeveless, 3/4 length sleeve, ribbed, cotton, racerback, chunky, no matter the form, just give them all to me.  However, I really love black, but I will take whatever I can get my hands on (LOL).

Once again, this was a question was too delicious to keep to myself.  So you know I surveyed my gorgeous girls (hey y’all).  Here is what some of them said.

C – Banana Republic Classic Perfume

La’Missy – A good fitted jacket (Indeed)

Wife – Serious pair of fitted jeans

Mom – Earrings

Bestie – A new pair of zapatos (shoes) I am bilingual…remember

Old E – Lip Gloss

Kat – A fresh weave (Amen)

When I asked the question and received the answers, I was simply amazed because not one of these lavish ladies said the same thing.  Seriously!  I loved getting more insight into the women that I adore. Isn’t it mind boggling how many different things we consider beautiful and the great thing is that we are all correct. I have come to the conclusion through my many years of living and conversing with the wonderful women who surround me is the most beautiful thing is being YOURSELF.

Lavishites, put on your turtleneck, spray on your perfume, slip on those new shoes, flip that fresh weave…whatever makes you feel beautifully confident and step high! Own your uniqueness and you will never go wrong.

Before I depart, everyone say a collective “thank you” to C for starting this great conversation. She is one smart cookie!

Hasta la proxima vez…ALWAYS remain lavish

 

 

 

Girl Power

Posted on by lavishcafe

How was everyone’s Thanksgiving?!  Blessed…I hope.  As you know from my previous post, mine was full of food, laughter, and dancing (of course). Going to my home state during the Thanksgiving holiday is very important to my family and me. This holiday is our family’s Christmas.  The very short visit provides me with so much.  It gives me wind beneath my wings and the strength to make it the 364 days until we meet again.

Let me provide a tad bit of family history; our traditional Thanksgiving travel began out of tragedy with the death of my brother.  He received his angel wings the weekend before Thanksgiving and he is buried in the state where we were raised.  Our time together began as a grieving, then healing, and now celebration. As a matter of fact, the only males in our family…married into our family.  As a group of girls, we have lost our grandfathers, fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, and cousins.

No No…do not feel sorrow for us. We are stronger for it.  The matriarch of our band of beauties (my grandmother) has lost every man who she loved and she has every right to be bitter. However, with each tragedy she became more tenacious…with every broken moment she became more bolder…with all the set backs she became stronger. She taught those traits to EACH one of us. Where as my mother taught me to embrace who I am; my grandmother taught me to be tough.  For that I am eternally grateful!

My family represents every facet on the spectrum…Middle Eastern, Black, White, Hispanic, LGBTQ, Biracial, Multiracial, business owners, leaders, students, supervisors, health care workers.  You name it; we got!  All women!! Although we are  different in  many ways, one thing is a constant.  We are strong! We are not easily broken! Sometimes we “give out” but we never “give up”! Still we rise!

Lavish ladies…no matter what cards life deals you there is an inner strength that is lying dormant. She will show herself when you least expect it.  I am here to tell you there is no situation that you CAN NOT walk through. Just stay strong because “Girl Power” is alive and well.

The few boys in our family mumble, grumble and complain about our loud estrogen filled Thanksgiving:  however, they are the first ones packed to get the party started…Hmmmm, I have a strange feeling that they secretly love it.

Jumpsuit (OLD) H&M SIMILAR HERE || SIMILAR HERE   Shoes (OLD) Zara SIMILAR HERE || SIMILAR HERE

Bag (GIFTED) Tory Burch  BUY HERE || Necklace (OLD) GET HERE

Dance… like everyone is looking!

Posted on by lavishcafe

While driving along, have you ever looked to the right or left and seen arms flailing, head bobbing, and facial gestures that looked too hilarious for words? That was probably me driving along aside of you.  I was singing and driver’s seat dancing (just in case you did not recognize what it was).

I LOVE to dance.  Standing up, sitting down, in my office, in my head…anywhere there is music.  I have danced backup for Janet Jackson and Beyonce (now, that is in my head…Hee…Hee). Dancing is a release, my form of exercise, and doing it gives me immense joy!  I am free when I dance.  Am I any good? I don’t know…it depends on who you ask?  If you ask yours truly, I say…”Yep”

The person who fostered my love for dance was my mother.  I vividly remember her dancing with my sister, brother, and me.  It brings a smile to my face as I remember her grabbing my hand and we would do the Chicago slide.  Our bodies would twirl and dip as her afro and my tiny ponytails would follow. Many years later,  I would take my beautiful daughter’s hand and we would slide across the kitchen floor.  I would teach her what my mama taught me.

This is not intentional…it was just something my entire family does.  We dance!  We talk loud, we laugh loud, and we dance loud.   Any time we are together, insert music, dancing, and laughing until we literally pass out from happy exhaustion. We dance because we are happy…we dance because we love each other…we dance because when we had nothing or no one else…we had each other.

I am going to home state for Thanksgiving.  My whole family will be there, as we are every Thanksgiving.  You already know what is going to happen…we are going to cut a serious rug.  And while the turkey is baking and the dressing is being mixed, I am gonna grab my mama’s hand so we can twirl and swing while everyone is looking….because she gave me the permission and the ability to truly embrace all that I am (flaws and all)!

The next time you hear a catchy tune, don’t just sit there! Flail those arms, bob that head, and dance backup for your favorite singer! Dance, get lost, and for a moment enjoy being your wonderful amazingly authentic self.

This thrifted bracelet was a gift from heaven.  I has my mother’s, my daughter’s, and my birthstone in it.  Homage to two of the people I love most.

 

 

Dress~ Nalu Boutique HERE // Shoes ~ Zara HERE // Bracelet ~ (Thrifted)  SIMILAR HERE

 

 

It Wins Everytime…

Posted on by lavishcafe

 

My best friend and I recently spent the weekend together.  Bestie and I have been together for almost three decades.  We pride ourselves on having some “us” time every year.  Since this year has a crazy wonderful rollercoaster ride, we decided to meet in a halfway city and have an extended sleepover.  We went to a movie (which we discovered we had never done), ate ourselves into a coma, and flexed our shopping muscles at the local malls. We really became tickled when we realized we were dating for the weekend.

As Bestie and I were talking and waiting for a particular parking space at an outdoor retail heaven, there was a car of young women waiting to park, as well.  The young lady driver made a gesture that indicated to me that we could have the recently vacated parking space. We pulled in the space and the car of young passengers SPED off in a huff to locate another space.  For a second, Bestie and I looked at each perplexed and then burst out laughing.  OOPS!! I misread her gesture. After the laughter, I began to feel a bit guilty.

The younger me would have not given a second thought about taking that parking space; I would thought I had made a marvelous move.  As I reflect, I would have made a fantastic addition to the Bad Girls Club.  However, the more evolved me tries to live my life through kindness, humility and grace.  The parking lot fiasco sparked a conversation between bestie and me.  We discussed how we used to love to be confrontational, aggressive, and sometimes down right mean.  Back then, I was willing and ready to snap my neck, roll my eyes , and spit out profanities in rapid succession.  Oh boy! I prided myself on the compound curse words I would create.  No one was off limits. Husband, neighbors, retailers, waitresses, dogs, cats, or goldfish…all of them were one second from experiencing my wrath.   Ahhh…young foolish me (I am cringing right now)! And to apologize for my behavior…NEVER.  As a matter of fact, I thought I was owed an apology because of the energy I had to exert.  Youth and ignorance are bliss!

Now that I am a true adult, I realize to be gracious in all situations is an art and a sign of maturity.  I once thought to be taken seriously, I had to be aggressive.  I wanted people to think “Don’t mess with her because she means business.” The actual truth was that some chose not to interact with me because I was a nicely dressed cussing CRAZY mess.

Now, please do not assume that I am a rug waiting to treaded upon. I am an educator, so therefore; I am not weak (shot out to the teachers of the world). I now realize that I can clearly get my point across while leaving myself and the person I am speaking to with dignity…even through the most difficult conversations.

As I continue to mature, I desire to be known as a woman who is kind, sympathetic, elegant, trustworthy, and gracious who takes care of business.  Lavish lovelies, we can strong without being mean and crass. Always, remember KINDNESS wins EVERYTIME.

And to the vehicle full of young shoppers (if you are reading this), my apologies for misreading your gesture.  I didn’t have my “old lady” glasses on.  I thought you were saying “Go Ahead” instead of “Go Away”.  Maybe our paths will cross again and I will happily give up the parking space that we are both vying for because my more lavish behavior dictates that I do.

 

Dress~BUY HERE //Shoes~ (OLD)  Can still BUY HERE /BUY HERE // Handbag~ (GIFTED) Many available on luxury retail sites.

To be or not to be…

Posted on by lavishcafe

A few days ago I was having a wonderful catch up conversation with a dear friend, C.  C ,who also turned 50 this year, has become empty nester and she is embracing her new life wholeheartedly. So much so that she was late for work 3 times out of a five day work week because of peacefully oversleeping! That’s my girl!!!

As we continued to chat, my mind began to drift to our plight as women.  Women regardless of race, nationality, or marital status are conditioned to wear multiple hats… chef, nanny, house keeper, doctor, moral compass, spiritual guide, wage earner…all while maintaining our “eye candy” status. And the world be damned if we drop the ball on one of these important jobs.  We are groomed to be selfless. We are reared to be everything to everyone except OURSELVES. I frown at the thought.

I remember a quote I heard long ago “Men may work from sun to sun, but a woman’ s work in NEVER done.” I existed under this mantra until my beautiful daughter became grown & gone (insert an Irish jig).  After I deemed her a responsible adult, I hopped in my SUV, got a mani/pedi and proceeded to buy out the entire mall.  I have not looked back since!

To be or not to be SELFISH that is the question.  I believe women have to selfish at times to remain selfless.  Listen, I do not suggest that you follow my lead and go insane. However, I do think a girl’s night out, a vacation, spa day, or quite night alone is due considering all the irons women have in the fire. Remember Lavish Lovelies, if you are not at your best you can not give your best. Now…go forth and indulge in a nice massage (ALONE).

 

 

Dress~Anthropologie (OLD) Similar HERE  or HERE  /  Shoes~Zara (OLD) Similar HERE  or HERE or HERE

Clutch~ DSW Purchase HERE or Similar HERE  / Pave Bracelets (GIFTED) Similar HERE or HERE