Neutrals x The 773

I am patiently waiting for fall to hit. It is almost here. I miss layers and boots. Lately I have been getting a little home sick and I think it has to do with me missing seasons. It just goes from hot to cold here in days, without much of a transition. 

I swore I wouldn't travel back to Chicago anytime soon because I am traveling to other cities in between. Every year I say I won't go, then I go, and then refuse to leave. It's like a horrible relationship that I never want to give up. The type of relationship that you just hang onto and make excuses for. 

Blue Trench x Color Block

Finally I am back with outfit posts. I got some much needed rest and put myself first for a change. I feel recharged. I usually never go a week without an outfit post, but I forced myself to let my mind, body, and soul heal. Sometimes we push ourselves so hard, that we ignore our bodies needs. Even though I just came back from a "vacation", I really didn't have time to rest.

 

The perfect ideal vacation for me is the beach, sleep, and food. That's it! No phone, work, thoughts and a lot of wine. Anyway, I haven't captured my blue trench in a long time or my white wide legged pants, so I paired them together. 

Seven Sale x 27 Hours

It's Friday! This morning has been cray, but as promised, I am having a $7 for the next 27 hours. Everything in my shop is now only $7. Take advantage of my kindness.

http://justmariklo.bigcartel.com/

 All of my faux fur purse accessories are sold out, however I have tons of sunglasses and necklaces to choose from. 

http://justmariklo.bigcartel.com/

Happy Friday!! 

XOXO 

Traci Mari Smith

Get to Know - Jump from Paper

I know I haven't posted any looks this week, I promise next week I will be back in action. Also, tomorrow I am having a $7 everything sale only for 27 hours. I was supposed to do this on my birthday, but I was a bit occupied. Since it is still July, I felt I could squeeze it in. 

Until then, get into these dope bags by Jump from Paper. I spotted them on Instagram the other day and fell in love. The are bags and clutches made to look like that came right out of a cartoon. They look very realistic and a great collective piece to have. 

They are really unique and eye catching on the street. A conversation piece. You know I love conversation pieces.

NYFW Mens Best in Street Style

I think I had one of the best weekends in a long time. I didn't do a damn thing. Not one single thing. I woke up at 10 on Saturday, went to the store to buy enough food for my weekend hibernation, and went right back to bed. I stayed in my pajamas and robe til Sunday. 

Watched Sex and the City and all of the Power episodes. I canceled meetups, invites, and didn't take one single outfit picture. I am now well rested and can continue life as I know it. 

 I did review some great street style looks from last weeks Men's NYFW. I must say that I saw more looks at Men's fashion week than I have with Women's fashion week. The inspiration that I once thought I lost, was given back to me in one single week.

My Boo Askia Abdull, of askiaabdull.blogspot.com, made it to the front page of Complex, Congrats!

I just love everything about New York fashion. Everyone is so effortless, like they rolled out of bed, looked in their closet, grabbed a cigarette, and left. The shit looks so chic and nothing is tight fitted. 

Everyone looks comfortable and fabulous. My kind of fashion. New York knows how to be themselves and it works. I need to take some notes. 

Lets get into a few favorites...

Valentino x Capes

Valentino just had their Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015/2016 show on July 9th. One of the pieces that Valentino is known for are capes. It's pretty dope because I was just in their Vegas showroom trying on capes for my birthday. 

My friend who previously worked at Dior is now at Valentino. Every time I come he always has a few pieces for me to drool over in the back. I swear I wish I could wear a cape every day of my life. 

 

The first cape I tried on had a beautiful floral jacquard print. It was so light and delicate. I would wear this just to the grocery store. Look how happy I am and the my friends expression in the back lol.

The second cape I tried on was a red shearling throw. Which is the perfect piece you want have on to stunt on Peta and they mama. I would wear this with some leather thigh high boots and nothing else. This would be my tea time cape and when I am picking up my kids from soccer practice. L'amour indeed.

When I didn't think Valentino could do any better with the cape trend, they proved me wrong. A few of my favorites capes from the show below:

Hair Nappy x Cosmopolitan

I am finally coming down from my week of adventure and traveling, that just ended Sunday. I am exhausted. I don't know how people do this on a regular. I've been going none stop for some time now and I just want a weekend doing nothing. I guess I can do nothing when I am dead. 

I am going through all of my photos from the trip and posting it at the end of the week. If you are following me on snap chat, you saw some of the ratchet mistakes I posted. I said I wasn't going to work or blog all week, but I couldn't help myself. 

I finally found some street art in Vegas after driving around the city. A ton of art is right on the strip and down the street. It's crazy how much art is just around your neighborhood. Beyonce led me to some of it and the help of friends.

Two weeks of humidity, natural hair, and no time to wash/fix it, means a puffy disaster. *kanye shrug* 

B.Day Dress x Nastygal

I had the opportunity to check out Nasty Gal in Melrose last month. I was looking for a unique dress to wear for my birthday dinner. After hitting up thrift stores, I strolled on in to see what the fuss was all about.

My main goal was to find out my exact size. I see a lot of things on the NastyGal site, but I gained a bit or weight and wasn't sure what size I should order. Still a size 6 though *bats eyelashes*, but barely.

I walk in and the employees were so freaking cute and nice. I actually ended up exchanging contact with a sales rep names Alyssa. I told her what I was looking for and she went to the back to provide me with everything I desired.

 I am getting ahead of myself. The facility is nice, but I must say a bit small. I was expecting the store front to be a bit bigger. But it was very unique. The dressing room is in the middle of the store. Floor to ceiling mirrors and a colorful palette.

Cash Money x B.Day 7/7

"Cash money records taking over for the 99 and the 2000's" *cues beat*. If you're reading this I am somewhere in Vegas, drunk, enjoying my last moments as a 27 year old independent black woman, who occasionally needs a man.

Gambling on the nickel slots because I feel like I am lady luck, with a birthday on 7/7. Yes, nickel slots bih, I don't plan to lose no more than $5...*tuh*. Don't forget to follow my snap chat: @Justmariklo.

I know aging is upon me when I said the words "Player Hater" so casually the other day.

 You remember when ODB wanted his money? "Hey, Dirty! Baby I got yo money, don't you worry..." 

or when Chris Rock asked "How much for one rib?".

Or when Fly Guy had the flyest poetic moment about b*tches betta have his money?

*cues Juvenile*

"You a paper chaser
You got your block on fire
Remaining a G, until the moment you expire
You know what it is, you make nothing out of something
You handle your biz and don't be cryin and suffering" - Juvenile (Huh)

4th of July x Tommy Hilfiger

Yaaaay!! It's the Fourth of July, well tomorrow is. My favorite holiday of the year. Bar B ques, family, drinking, and fireworks. What's not to love? Plus you don't have to exchange gifts with anyone, so there is no pressure. 

I do miss back home in Chicago though. There was always so many barbeques and block parties. Arizona is always too hot to do daytime things, unless you are at the pool. Which is why I am dipping out to L.A. in the morning to be at the beaches all day.

My best friend from Chicago is currently on a plane to see me. She will be here for a week. I have been waiting all month for this. Her first time here and I have so much planned. The best gift I can receive.