Denim on Denim x 30 Day Water Challenge

 So I am headed to Vegas for the fight weekend in May. I go to Vegas all of the time, so I rarely go hard when I go, but I am expecting to go hard this time around.

 I once went so hard, that I ended up with a kidney infection and in the hospital for a week. After three days of drinking, lack of water, and horrible diet it was expected. Also spring is here and it is already in the 90's, so I want to hydrate my body properly.

 I decided to do a 30 day water challenge, drinking a gallon of water a day for 30 days. I drink about half of that now, but I want to make a conscious effort to drink a minimum gallon. With almost 30 days before the trip, I have enough time to detox and get my body prepared for all day shots and champagne.

Water is my accessory today and the denim on denim blue hues to match. 

High Winds x Marilyn Vibes

The other day I had Marilyn moments in this beautiful skirt. It is hot as hell here already, but this was right before the heat came in. Probably the last of cloudy weather I will see in a long time. My hair was blown all over the place and it was a little cold, but I faked it til these pics came out.

Now that I look at them, I despise the necklace. Since I don't wear much jewelry, it is  hard for me to get used to seeing it on me.

 This wind though was helping this skirt be great! (In my Jay Z Voice)

And I thank my mama for my legs...bless her! (In my Beyonce Voice)

Six Reasons to Thrift

So as you know I have been in the thrift stores none stop the past few months. I have a ton of mutual bloggers and fashionistas who live in the thrift store and I just never truly went. I always stayed in the mall or department stores. Mainly because I didn't know the treasures that the thrift stores carried. All I could think about was cross colors and worn out wool.

Lately I seem to lose inspiration with clothing. I look at it as an art form, not just clothes, so when I lose inspiration, I have nothing. The malls and online shopping tend to have all of the same shit, just in different colors. Then I constantly look at clothing, so it sometimes blurs all together.

Thrifting gives me a breath of fresh air, gives me a lot of inspiration, and helps me love what I do again. Especially for the price. Last night I purchased 14 pieces of clothing for $35. Crazy.

Oscar De La Renta x Trap Art

First Spring look is Marigold and Olive, because Marigold is a neglected color of Spring and Olives bloom. Which is also Vodka season...right? It has been a minute since I served some street art, so I found a bando covered in it. If I had a trap house, this is what it would look like. 

Also 70's is back they say, so I took some inspiration from the era by tying the shirt by my waist and rocking my rounded frames. I wore my Oscar De La Renta flare pants, which is the opposite of street. I wonder if Oscar De La Renta ever saw a hood?

I just wish I had gold accessories dripping around my neck and ears. LOL. The fact that I don't even own any is quite depressing. But I put on all my rings and my D&G watch. *kanye shrug*

LAFW Spotlight - Get to Know Welcome Companions

So, I know I haven't posted some of the runway pics from LAFW, it is because I am still trying to find out if I want to post about the shows. The best and most positive thing about the week was networking and meeting new friends.

The shows, especially at night, involved it being over crowded, hot, stickers stuck on the model heels, some lace dress that fell off the model ass, and hip hop shiny ass fashion. So while I still go through pictures and decide, I will share my favorite designers and what I loved about them. 

One of the first  designers I wanted to share is Welcome Champions based out of Los Angeles. They make really cute handbags and accessories that remind me a little bit of Sophia Webster. 

They are fun and a bit quirky. 

Hawaiian Shirt Turns Chic

It's summa time, yes! It was 88 degrees outside yesterday. I almost went for a swim. I have tried to keep up with real winter looks for everyone else, but it is too hot to pretend. Plus it is March and Spring is practically here.

In-between my 24 hour resting period over the weekend, I decided to play with my camera a little bit more. I still feel like need another lens. Make things a little more crisp. But I am still figuring it all out.

I used a tripod this time. It was a bit awkward, but I want to see how well I could capture my own images. Running back and fourth after 10 continuous shoots, playing with lighting and poses.

This white wall has been my go to background for pics, it is at a church, but when the heat really hits I need quick crisp pics. Sometimes I feel horrible about it because I am literally at a church wearing a just a t-shirt. *kanye shrug*

LAFW Part 1 - New Friends x Random Pics

This weekend I slept a total of 24 hours! It was like a vacation. I had mid-terms and was still sleepy from my California trip. Besides a cool thrifting trip, I sipped wine and went to sleep. So I will admit that I wasn't able to go through all of the hundreds of pics from L.A., but I did go through the personal ones, that doesn't show the designers. I will share the designer/runway pics tomorrow. 

So here are a few pics between my phone, camera, and Instagram. I also tried to post in order. I only went for two days and I did a lot. The first day events were hosted by L.A. Council, featuring numerous designers.

Vest: Calvin Klein; Top: Thrift; Skirt: Express; Wedges: Prada; Glasses: Versace

For the day I tied to go casual. Wedges to keep my feet from hurting all throughout the day and my nerd frames lol. My wedges were sequin to help give some flare.

Oh, there was also open bar...five hours of open bar. By the end of the day all you heard was loud laughter and glasses breaking. My type of party. I linked up with a few of my older friends as soon I arrived, after getting my drink of course.

Update on LAFW x Dry Body Oil

Just giving a quick update about L.A. Fashion Week. I literally just drove back home last night around 11pm. I am dead tired and now at work. So I will go through pics and update you on my trip over the weekend. I did enjoy myself a little too much, which is why I am now paying for it. 

Until then I know I just went over a healthy skin regime, but while I was in L.A., my father hooked me up with a shower body oil that I must tell you about. I have used many shower oils in the past, but they always kept me a bit too oily.

They eventually gave me further breakouts down the line, but I used this shower oil the past three days without oily residue, breakouts, and my skin feels like a new born baby. I didn't have to reapply lotion throughout many outfit changes.

It is called Dry Body Oil, by Argan Oil of Morocco and only cost $6

You just rub the oil all over your body, right before getting out of the shower, then rinse. It also said that if you have really dry skin you can just pat dry instead of rinsing.

LAFW x Armani

During L.A. Fashion Week there are day and night events. This look is for one of the night events. Listen, Armani came through for me this evening. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to wear for one of the events, but when you don't stress, things come the way they should. 

I am also loving my hair more and more each day. I need a nick name or something...I'll think of one after a few glasses of wine.

I ordered this skirt about a week ago, it was on sale of course and I actually forgot I ordered it. I knew I wanted to wear a fringe skirt for one of the events.

 I planned to make one as D.I.Y., but the fringe trim I wanted was quite expensive, so until I can find it in wholesale, that project will have to wait.

One Skirt x One Belt x Three Looks - LAFW

So I am headed to L.A. Fashion Week tonight and mid-terms are due this week. Pray for me lol. I will be updating the blog throughout the week, with a few looks I will be wearing in L.A. I am only going for two days, but they will be an amazing two days. Can't wait to link up with my friends and hit up the thrift stores. 

I also changed my hair a little bit, trying to switch things up from my regular routine. I am trying to protect it, while I wait to pick out a new summer color. Not sure which color yet, but if you have any suggestions let me know. This style is growing on me...starting to love it.

Anyway I created a small challenge for myself because I tend to over pack, like all of us do. The challenge was to create three different looks with one skirt. 

The skirt was purchased at Goodwill for $7. Of course!

Rocker Chic

Poncho Tribal Skirt

Two looks in one week, yeah I am trying to make this a common thing. As much as you come to the blog to check for new looks, I am sitting on pictures to post. At times I capture more than one look in a setting, because multitasking is my necessary. 

But sometimes I hold the pictures for each week because I have a true anxiety of running out of looks/pictures and something will happen, where I don't have anything to post. Exhale...it is a serious anxiety issue that I deal with by drinking wine and taking more pictures. This is my life and now you know it. 

So I have to get over that issue and just know that I will never run out of looks to share with you because I am Traci Mari F*cking Smith and I get shit done! Also Happy Friday Eve...

Anyway, I know this isn't a extremely tribal skirt, but it is for me lol. It reminded me of Fall, so I wanted to hurry and capture it before it is past its season. It reminded me of poncho fabric, turned into a skirt.

Melanin Poppin - Summer/Healthy Skin Tips

Since it is March, Spring and Summer is around the corner and I wanted to touch on some personal skin benefits. I have dry skin that sometimes causes eczema being in the desert, so I wanted to give a few tips that have helped me over the years. 

Tanning! Yes, tanning. Black girls tan too boo. Also hydro-derma fusion and Red Light Therapy are my go to favorites to keep my skin in check. I also personally hate using bronzing lotion, it is a waste of my money and time. Plus last only a day.

 

Black x White x Mary J.

Dang, it's March, time is moving so fast. I thought I was done with Winter looks, being that it is relatively warm here, but not yet. I still see snow in my home town and furs draped over fashionistas, so I will continue to capture winter looks until I see you all wearing Spring inspired looks. I think that is fair. 

I had a great Sunday yesterday, I was featured on two fabulous blogs. The first feature is on FrugalShopaholics.com, where you can learn about the meaning behind my blog name and a few shopping tips. 

The second feature is on www.theeshopaholic.com. Where you can learn which trend I dislike the most and if my luggage was lost, where I shop if I only had $200.

Thank you to both ladies for the feature, love supporting other blogs. Go check them out...

Moving on to today's look, I know I recently shared a similar look last week, but I thought a black and white version would be cool to share.

I swear I feel like I belong in a 90's Mary J. Blige video extra lol.