I go through spells when I want to wear a bold red lip every single day. And I won't even mention how many red lip colors — from sheer intense pigment glosses to bright matte options — I've accumulated over the past few years. They're fun and flirty but also make a statement and cause me to feel instantly pulled together. Today, I'm sharing my go-tos for all occasions.
What's your favorite red lip color?
Huda Beauty | Heartbreaker (a pinkish red)
When I decided to let my hair grow back late last year, it was simply because I missed my afro. People have been asking what I intend to do with it and my response is so basic: Wear an afro (LOL). Nevertheless, I thought that it would take a lot longer for it to get to the length it is now (my last hair cut was just about 8 months ago). I was expecting it to take at least a year and a half. But, it grew to nearly the length it was before I cut my original chunky fro four years ago; and of all summers, this is the hottest one we've had since the first year I moved to Atlanta. I love the thought of protective style braids or twists but as soon as I get them, I can't enjoy the style long because of my scalp's sensitivity. So, I leave it in twists a lot which works well to keep it from being stressed and with my love for hats and turbans.
No matter what I'm doing whether going to work, church or exercise, I like to look at least presentable, but really to be well considered. I always think — I never know who I may meet along the way. So, here are a few tips I employ for making any head covering work on the fly.
Baseball Caps | I thought I'd have to give up my ball caps without a cropped cut, but discovered a way that I love to wear them with longer hair. If my style is sporty, I loosen my cap to expose my hair just a bit and soften my look. (Tip: Baseball caps look the best when you take care with the areas of your hair that are exposed whether just your edges or a few strands.)
Panama Hats | For a lazy afternoon, a Panama hat is almost always my go-to. I have to twist my hair for it to fit under the hat, but I take down the twists around the perimeter of my head so that I can pin it up for an organized messy look.
Turbans | I either two-strand twist or plait my hair in medium sized sections, and then tie a satin scarf on it to flatten it and protect it from being dried out by the turban material. I tie turban on it — sometimes exposing my edges, sometimes not. This is a great option because I can dress it all the way up or down.
Fedoras | I love love wide-brim fedoras. No matter what I'm wearing, they are the perfect option for finishing off a look precisely. I generally like to hide all of my hair under a fedora for a classic effect. So, I pin my twists back tightly, so the finished presentation is clean.
Top | Target
Skirt | Forever 21
Scarf | H&M
Sandals | Target
Last night at 10:31 p.m., in the midst of insane sleepiness (this is when I'm hyper determined to get through the many many articles I've bookmarked throughout the day) and I think a solid bout of heat exhaustion from my walk a couple hours earlier, I realized I was lying in bed reading with a huge smile on my face. My mind wasn't settled on any particular thought. I think I'd possibly just read a passage that left me amused. But, sort of abruptly, I noted that my mind wasn't on anything specific but that I was just present in that moment. I think that's when contentment is most concentrated ... For me, these moments are so much more prevalent because of my daily walks. When we forget everything that is outside of our control and not essential to the moment we are in. Sometimes the very best minutes in our day happen when we shoo away the thought of every to-do, wish or anxiety we pull forward or backward into the present that has nothing to do with that very moment.
Don't ever say what you won't do, if you've never been tried or tested in that area of your life. That's the thesis of my life at this very moment. I don't know how many times I've prejudged a scenario or situation ... place or time based on the comfort of my present reality. I say comfort because there's nothing like being snatched out of a familiar space to realize you don't always know what you think you know.
In the past three years, so many things that I considered foundational elements of who I am have either been shaken or have actually crumbled. I've touched on it here and there in other posts. But it took a conversation with a friend last week to bring back to my memory that, at some point, over the last several years I'd pronounced these relationships, fixtures, positions ... all essential to my happiness — and ultimately, my value. The good news: I'm still here; I haven't perished without the things I thought made me who I am. The not-so-good news but also not exactly bad news: It feels like I'm starting over. (Why do we perceive starting over so bad? That's a conversation for another day.)
I say to myself, at least once a day (usually while on my walk) — this is a good time to be me. I'll be crossing another milestone on my birthday in October. I am healthy. My family is well. And I feel God actually maneuvering me. (Think *Bird Box.* LOL ... But, the ending!!) It's literally like hearing a voice outside of myself say that "on paper," my life is ideal. And my life is ideal. You've heard me talk about what I prayed for as a young woman launching out into the world, and this is it. At the same time, if I'm honest, it's also a bit of a scary time in that some things I'm releasing have had to be wrestled out of my hands because I had so intertwined them into my feelings of wellness and certainty that I couldn't (and sometimes still can't) imagine who I'd be without them. And yet ... somehow, I'm also feeling a great sense of hope because I'm on the other side of what I said I'd never do or be, and I have survived.
I read a quote on IG yesterday that basically gave me a starting point for getting to my bottom line without miscellaneously tethering myself to people, places and things for the purpose of valuation. The writer suggested figuring out ways and activities that cause you (and me) to feel necessary, loved, capable and whatever else is important to you in a variety of ways that you give yourself. And this is very much a full circle moment for me on My Vicarious Life because it is essentially what inspired me to launch my site ... exploring all the things that make me, me.
My writing here and the relationships I've developed through this platform have given me more fulfillment than I could have ever imagined. So, it seems only natural that this time in my life would bring me back to MVL.
Yes, it is a good time to be me.
A resort may pitch to you the ideal that it, alone, is enough to be what you need in a getaway; here — it is understood. Located on the luxe Palm Beach, the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba engages its natural surroundings to provide guests with exclusive experiences. At the beach, snorkeling, diving, sailing and kayaking draw visitors out into the Caribbean Sea, and two beachfront pools with comfortable cabanas tempt you to spend your whole day in one spot. The edge of the sea is also the setting for complimentary classes including yoga and tai chi, while live music plays in between the sand and hotel’s expansive outdoor lounging area nightly. As soon as the sun starts to set, the upper outdoor deck is the most coveted spot on property. The first night, you’ll want to capture the saturated pink and tangerine backdrop to swaying palms and cresting waves. Thereafter, sunset becomes a necessary element of the Aruba island experience.
When I travel to the Caribbean, I’m generally content with the proverbial thought of ultra-fresh seafood. In my mind, every meal is splendid on an island getaway. However, a friend expanded my thinking about what to expect — telling me before I visited that virtually every cuisine imaginable is available in Aruba. That notion in and of itself was exciting, but I didn’t anticipate that the food at Casa Nonna New York would be as perfect an introduction to the island’s culinary scene as I could get. Casa Nonna, which means “Grandmother’s House” in Italian, is the hotel’s tribute to authentic flavors, fresh ingredients and homemade pasta that are the hallmark of true Italian cuisine. I didn’t taste anything that I didn’t love, but the memory of the Pansotti Di Zucca — Squash Ravioli, Brown Butter, Sage, Walnut Pesto, Amaretti Cookie — has lingered. For lighter fare, Divi Sushi Bar and Lounge is refreshing and indulgent.
When the urge hits you to venture out onto the island, San Nicolas, Aruba’s “Sunrise City,” is a charming and walkable coastal town and home to a thriving art scene of galleries and colorful street art as well as a blend of unique architecture, cafes and shops. Or take a bus tour for sites like Alto Vista Chapel, the California Lighthouse, Bushiribana gold mill ruins and the famous Natural Bridge.
Aruba is just enough of everything you need. And feeling as if the island itself had constantly inquired “con ta bai” (how are you?) throughout your stay, you’ll leave “One Happy Island” with your sights on the soonest return.
A few days ago, a perfect babe top and skirt combo came down my IG timeline in an ad. I was immediately obsessed. I have similar tops that have a bit more structure with straps, but I kept thinking about the relaxed strapless look I saw. My favorite summer style has a far flung, feminine, resort feel. So I set out recreate the top with one of my gauzy scarves. I put my hand on this fabulous, vibrant wrap by It's Me Ashli first, though, and well ... yeah... I love it.
Recreate the Look // Any scarf with a bit of oblong length (even if you have to fold it in half to make it oblong). and material that can be spread will work. Over a bandeu or strapless bra, tie the scarf in a knot in the center of your breasts (a double knot isn't necessary, unless preferred). With the two tails hanging down the center of your stomach, bring one tail up through the bottom of the tied area in the center of your chest and pull up and over. Then, pull the other tail down over and through the center tied area. At this point, if the scarf is long, you can play with how you make the final knot or let the tails hang loose as I did. Lastly, spread the scarf fabric out as necessary round top and bottom of each bra cup and tuck it to secure it.
