High Bun x Mesh

It't hot out here B. Sweat was rolling down my legs wearing this at 5pm yesterday. I know it's Arizona, but blogging in Arizona heat is a challenge. I guess I can't complain because most cities have snow and more weather challenges. At least it's sunny 80% of the time.

Which brings me to my new high bun. I went relaxer free about 7 months ago. I tried it once before last year and lasted only 3 months. I figured if I can make it a year, I can make it all the way. Even though my hair isn't that long and I keep it shaved, it's still a challenge.

Its too hot here to have long protective styles and I am tired of my forehead sweating. So this bun will be in my hair for most of the summer. 

My "It's hot as hell" stance. 

At first I wasn't sure about the bun, but now I love it. It opens up my face and I don't have to do shit to my hair. Yet, stills gives me that edgy look. Anyway, you will be happy to know this dress didn't come from the thrift store. Yes, its a dress.

Guns x The Blues

One more week away before my best friend flies into town and we travel to two cities in four days. Birthday festivities and I am finally going to try to relax. Least for half a day lol. It's also Cancer season. A beautiful season, that is always good to me. If you have snap chat, I will be recording most of my travels. My Snap Chat name is Justmariklo of course.

I wasn't going to post these pictures because the sun was blazing so hard, that my camera over heated. I don't care for my hair and there was zero shade. But since the street art is so dope and I didn't plan the color combination, I didn't want to waste such a legit moment.

Plus its too hot and ain't nobody got time for dat!

Nars vs Mac - Breakout Rant

It’s been a long time since I wrote anything about beauty products, but I recently had a breakthrough moment. I am not a beauty guru at all. In fact I think less is more and I am really simple when it comes to a full face look. I consider a full face lip stick, mascara, and blush. I also despise eye shadows, I think because I have a small pallet to work with, every time I get involved I look like a clown.

As an adult woman, I feel we need to upgrade certain things in our life. Investing in certain products and everyday beauty needs. Foundation for me was one of them. I never felt I needed foundation, but it does complete the look. Whenever I did use foundation it was just for going out or special occasions. I always used drug store foundation, which didn’t last long or just looked cheap.

My mom used Mary Kay all of her life, but who wants to order shit from catalogs? So I went where every woman went, MAC right? People swear by MAC and it is everywhere, a trend at best. Makeup gurus, celebrities, they mama, they grand mamma. I didn’t do any research at all, thinking if it matches and felt than anything Walgreen's sells me, I was good. 

Black Suit x Warhol

I am warning you now, there are a lot of pictures in this post. This weekend was very eventful for me, but yesterday I was finally able to go see my favorite artist exhibit, Andy Warhol. Not too many people like Warhol, but I am obsessed by any form of pop art.

 Actually I love most art made during the late 60's throughout the 80's. When everyone was high and made the best shit from emotions. 

Now everyone is sober and mimics others...I digress. I am warning you now that some of the pics are not that great in quality. They wouldn't allow pictures, so me and my friend Akeem had to sneak them all on his phone. Except a few that were not part of the exhibit. 

I also went in a suit after almost having a break down of not knowing what to wear. Akeem suggested that I wear a suit. What other outfit would I wear to honor my ex-husband Warhol? The suit didn't help me blend in though, that was almost a mistake.

Social Inspirations

It's Friday y'all. A long week still decorating and what not. I have outfit pictures to share, but I haven't had a chance to edit them. My Wifi is getting hooked up this Saturday, so I should be back in action. I wanted to share a few inspirations that I have been storing anyway. 

I want to start off with one of my new friends that I made from blogging. I had a contest a few months back, which reminds me I should have another one soon. If you don't remember the winner I chose was Ashley, from Chicago, who has a blog called Striped and Anchor. Ever since she won, we have talked almost every day. We laugh, motivate, and inspire each other. 

I gave out a $50 Nordstrom gift card and she used it at Nordstrom Rack and purchased those dope heels she is wearing above. Everything happens for a reason and I am so happy we met. She said some really kind words about our friendship and more about her look here. 

Anyway, check out a few things inspiring me this month. Including some home inspirations and my cactus plants that I finally put together.

Black, White, and Orange All Over

It's Tuesday and the constant running around is finally catching up to me. Several chai teas later, I am still ready for a nap. I could try to take a nap at work in my car, but it is 111 degrees outside and I refuse to die in such a way. I will continue to drink this tea before heading out into the depths of hell to fetch red bull. 

I am also in the middle of decorating my place and decided to purchase cactus as plants. I can only commit to cactus at this point in my life because they only require water merely a few times a month.

Anything else will just die in my house. I am almost already regretting it, as I spent hours pulling out cactus needles from my skin. I have faith that it will look great in the end. 

Warms Winds x Windmills

For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of driving through Palm Springs, it is a wonderland. It seems that I am hitting up L.A. a lot lately and every time I see these beautiful windmills I smile. It could also be that it is my two hour mark to the city lol.

They call it the a windmill farm and I always wanted to get out and capture them, so I took the opportunity. I pulled over on the side of the road and made the best of it. It was windy, rainy, and a lot of damn bugs.

My tripod and I make a good team for 20 minutes worth of snapping time and fucked up lighting.

This look was not planned. I knew I wanted to wear something that would flow with the scene. I found this top in downtown L.A., I just had a quick vision of the windmill farm.

It finally made sense why I pack two weeks worth of shit in my car. Even if I do just leave town for a day.

Get to know artist Kiana Michele

I feel like I should create a separate category for just my favorite Art pieces. It seems like I am writing about it and loving it a little more and more each day. This week is a personal favorite because she is actually a friend of mine. Not only do I know her, but we share similar growth stories. Kiana Michele, of Resilient Art Space, paints different colorful and beautiful murals.

I don't want to get too personal or deep, but she started painting once she found herself a little down. She is a recent breast cancer survivor and her paintings reflect her resilience and strength. Painting has made her happier and soothing for her mind, body, and soul.  

Wide Legs x Catnip

You remember the show CatDog? This street art reminds me a lot of CatDog, a 30 minute show that has a lot of shit that didn't make sense. 80's baby cartoons. Most of my looks I create are not centered around street art, most of the time I drive around and pick whatever I feel flows.

In this situation, the look fit perfectly. The pop of colors, fun, and even that fur ball on my clutch. This is probably my favorite next to the skate park art and my Valentine's Day theme.

A lot of the times I am not able to really appreciate the art until I go through the images. I am always rushing to the next project. I really rushed through these pictures because it was already 90 out at 10am. But I know it is not hot for many others that follow and I did say I was dedicated.

I also rushed because there was a big ass dead cockroach on its back about 2 feet away from me. I assumed it died because he was too damn big to flip over or the street cats got him when someone didn't fill up that bowl in the corner. *sigh*

Shoe Porn - Public Desire

So, I have been searching high and low for affordable and cute lace up heels. I usually see some cheap ass looking brand or something high end. Usually when I get around to finding the ones I like, they are sold out or everyone and they mama wearing them.

Until the other day, another dope ass blogger named Dana, tagged me in a picture of a D.I.Y. shoe design. I ended up stumbling upon this shoe store based in the U.K. By the way Dana has a Fashion and Food blog and she is my favorite. I am not just saying that, she is dope and has amazing recipes. Check out her blog ivegotcake.com.

 

Anyway, most of Public Desire's shoes are sold at $46. They have a lot of options and up to date on trends. Here are a few of my favorites:

Kimono x Brunch

Yo, it's hot as hell here. I know I live in Arizona and should be used to it, but I think it shocked me for a bit yesterday. We've been having really decent weird weather for this time of year here, so I had hope that we had a bit more time. 

I decided to wake up early to get some pictures out of the way. Forgot to eat breakfast, but had plenty of water and graham crackers in the car. Like a true G.

 A few hours pass by and I felt like passing out, while sweat rolled down every inch of me. The pics came out kind of dope though. Can you tell that I was staring death in the face?

All I could think about is if I passed out wearing this Kimono, at least I slayed. Slayed well enough to get one of the medical staffs phone number, after they peeled me from the concrete.