Tag: Style Advice

Accessories /

Faux Fur Jacket and Seamless Fleece Leggings: #WIW or #OOTD College Alumni Mixer Event

There’s something about getting a bit older that makes you become sentimental.  You began to reminisce about the carefree days of hanging out with your best college crew!

Those days involved hitting the laundry mat, unsolicited dating advice, and last-minute cramming.  To help us stay better connected the alumni group hosted a pop-up event.  As always, I didn’t know what to wear because I was getting over a cold and had a busy consulting week.

The Furget Me Not Jacket I’m seen in is from Zeal Boutique; it was purchased while attending another event.  Don’t be misguided, it’s actually one of the warmest jackets in my wardrobe!  The texture is soft like a blanket and the outer fridge adds a touch of style.

Again, the goal was to stay warm, so I ordered a pair of fleece-lined leggings, draped camisole, and wore my snakeskin booties.

We had a great night and my outfit was fashionable and functional.  Yes, I have several maroon pieces because it’s the colors of my alma mater.

Faux Fur Jacket:  similar | Cami Top:  Amazon | Seamless Fleece Leggings:  Amazon | Snakeskin Booties:  similar

Birmingham /

Headshots & Handshakes Networking Event hosted by FAB Females About Business

FAB Females About Business Birmingham Chapter will host it’s annual Headshots & Handshakes event on Saturday, April 25th.  

This is a networking event targeted towards professional women in business, interns, emerging professionals, and seasoned womenpreneurs.

Hot Topic Chat Sessions will be hosted by the following panelist:

◾ Tonda Thomas – Event Strategist
◾ Ronda Robinson-McKenzie – Brand Strategist
◾ Kimberly West – Image Consultant & Fashion Stylist
◾Tye Miles, Certified Personal and Business Coach
◾ Caryn Terradas, Social Media Strategist
◾ Khaia Wheeler, Radio Personality

Professional Photographer, Tracy Hill Riggs and Professional MUA Takaya Cunningham Maddox will be onsite to update professional photos for business.

Females About Business (FAB) and other select organizations will have informational booths set-up, which will allow each business to showcase their services and/or goods to all guests attending the event.

Click here to purchase a ticket:  Eventbrite

Accessories /

Style 101: Dress According To Your Profession #OOTD or #WIW

As a creative professional, I am often called into meetings that require a stylish flair.  Long gone are the days of wearing the boring, basic black suit.  In this day and age, women are seen wearing pink pencil skirts and vinyl pointy heels.

Back to the post!  I was scheduled for a consultation and needed an upbeat look.  One way to achieve a fashionable but yet professional outfit is to pair traditional clothing pieces with an on-trend pattern or accessory.  For example, wear a striped blazer with a lace camisole.

In the look below, I’m wearing a leopard button-down blouse, high-waisted dress pants, and denim jacket.  To elevate this outfit, I wore my favorite tassel earrings.

Style 101:  Dress according to your individualized profession!

A few additional stylish business dress tips include:

  1.  Wear a wrap dress.
  2.  Select blazers in bold colors or neutral tones such as camel or red.
  3. Purchase a crisp white shirt but select various styles such as puff sleeves.
  4. Great professional accessories include wearing a logo belt or a vintage scarf.
  5. Keep up with the time by wearing a statement watch.

Denim Jacket:  America’s Consignment and Thrift | Leopard Shirt & Tassel Earrings:  Express | Crossbody Handbag:  Louis Vuitton similar

If you like this post click here:  TENTH STREET TRIPOLI FISHERMAN HAT: CASUAL SHOPPING OUTFIT

 

Accessories /

Creating A Signature Style: Moto Jacket, Plaid Ankle Pants, and Quilted Clutch #OOTD or #WIW

The best way to determine if you made a good purchase is when you wear something multiple times.  That’s how I feel about the burgundy moto jacket seen in feature the photo.

I originally bought this jacket as part of my fall capsule wardrobe and has served as a great staple piece!

Creating A Signature Style:

My week normally ends by attending a church service with my family.  Therefore, I need a closet filled with blouses, blazers, dresses, and skirts.

After taking a test, I discovered that my signature style is considered to be chic; meaning I prefer a powerful look and sharp lines.

Understanding your personal style is one of the first steps towards looking your best.  It enables you to shop according to items that catch your eye and not necessarily what’s seen on a store mannequin.

The plaid ankle pants and v-cut mules I’m wearing are from Express.  If you follow my Instagram account, you are right, I shop there very often because they carry Petite sizes.

Remember, clothing and dress communicates your personality, mood, and attitude!

Moto Leather:  New York & Company | Handbag:  YSL Clutch Comparison | Pants:  High Waisted Plaid Ankle Pant

Do you need help in discovering your personal style?  Contact Kimberly West Styling & PR and schedule an appointment.

If you like this post, click here:  Everyday Style and Lookbook Inspiration

Accessories /

Weekend Self-Care Activity and Plaid Peplum Top #OOTD or #WIW

The weekends can become pretty hectic.  Running errands, cleaning your room, and paying bills.  Whew!  The word that I’m searching for is called, “adulting.”

At no matter what age, adulting can be super exhausting.  But, the reality is that we strive to be successful versions of ourselves.  Nobody wants to be the girl who forgot to schedule an oil change.

Despite the spirit of busyness and reality of having limited hours in the day, self-care is a must-do!  While cheering for others, we can’t forget to cheer for ourselves.

Simple steps towards practicing self-care involve reading a book, getting a massage, or taking a walk.  My favorite self-care activity during the week is listening to music.   Another activity that’s on the top of my list is journaling.  As a fellow creative, I enjoy organizing my thoughts and keeping lists of what’s important to me.  My journals range from words to pictures or keepsakes.

Self-care doesn’t always have to involve elaborate practices or high-ticketed experiences.  Some of the most relaxing opportunities involve being present in the moment.  How do you practice self-care in your life?

In the photo below, I was attending The Birmingham Home and Garden Show to support my college sister-friend who was a speaker during the event.  In the spirit of self-care, I threw on my peplum blouse and captured a meaningful break to enjoy the show!

Plaid Wrap Peplum Top:  New York & Company | Matelasse Leather Bag:  YSL or replica Amazon

 

Accessories /

ROMwe Color Block Blouse and Pull-On Bootcut Slacks #OOTD or #WIW

Hello, Spring is that you around the corner?  I am prematurely hoping that the weather will change soon.  Why?  Because for as long as I could remember I love the warmer temperatures.

There’s something about walking around barefoot in the sand or running errands in shorts.  Until that day happens I am still digging for jackets and boots.

The inspiration for this look came from seeking a relaxed outfit on this particular Sunday.  I wanted to play with the design of the blouse and texture of the slacks.

Color blocking is one of my favorite fashion techniques.  It’s the mixing and combining of hues that are opposite on the color wheel.  Lately, I have been sharing the importance of color and how it can elevate your personal style.

The ROMme Color Block Blouse was lightweight and the back draped nicely.  I will definitely wear this blouse again and share an additional photo on this site.

Additional style options:

  • wear with jeans
  • wear with pleated skirt
  • wear with high waist pants

ROMwe Color Block Blouse:  Amazon | Pull-On Bootcut Slacks:  New York & Company | Bracelet:  PANDORA Jewelry

Accessories /

Tunic Dress With Embroidered Bishop Sleeves #OOTD or #WIW

Let’s be clear, I am an avid Amazon shopper.  I order everything from groceries to electronics.  Lately, due to the cold weather, I have been fascinated with their women’s clothing department.  I think it’s because number one, the order comes to my doorstep, number two, there’s a variety of merchandise and sizes, and number three I don’t have to wait in line.  If you follow me on Instagram then you probably know that I share an outfit (or Outfit of The Day hashtag #OOTD) on Sunday afternoons.

This is the day I dress up for church, brunch or family activities.  Either way, Sunday afternoon is my general target day to share outfit inspiration.  Last week I was in a jam because I had no idea what to wear the upcoming Sunday and my fingers instantly typed Amazon.  I found this beautiful Tunic Dress with Mesh Bishop Sleeves!  This dress was appealing because the sleeves are detailed and dress length perfect for a cold day.  I decided to wear it with black tights for added warmth and traditional black heels.

Oh!  The dress price was amazing, basically under twenty dollars.  What is your favorite Amazon find?  I am considering making a section on this site for Amazon finds only!

Accessories /

Sophie & Trey Floral Embroidery Shift Dress: #OOTD or #WIW

Finding the right style of dress is truly a gem.  The process can take hours or days of unlimited searching.  We all keep a running list of stores that suit our individual style needs.

Sophie & Trey is the latest online boutique that offers a diverse range of women’s dresses.  The boutique has cute rompers and maxi dresses.

I received the Floral Embroidery Shift Dress in the mail.  In my opinion, it’s the perfect summer dress because the fabric is light-weight with a fitted top.  This dress is also forgiving because it’s not fitted to the waist or hip area.

Visit Sophie & Trey to view their 2018 Summer Collection and find your perfect dress!

Dress:  Sophie & Trey | Platform Shoes:  Jessica Simpson | Denim Jacket:  Ann Taylor | Sunglasses:  Gucci

Birmingham /

Chenille Dream Cardi from Soft Surroundings Transitional Piece: #OOTD or #WIW

There’s something about building a Capsule Wardrobe that makes every woman smile.  It’s the essence of knowing that basic pieces in your closet can be mixed and matched.

Soft Surroundings launched their new Spring Collection just in time for the seasonal change.  The retailer has transitional pieces such as Trench Coats and Cardigans that can be included in everyone’s capsule wardrobe.

Layering a cardigan over a midi dress or tunic is a chic way to stay warm and fashionable.

The Chenille Dream Cardi has an ultra soft texture with a classic fit.  I wore my cardigan over a leopard shirt and pair of distressed jean leggings.

Visit your local Soft Surroundings to view more of their luxe style sweaters and cardigans!

 

 

Accessories /

Holiday Style Recap and Self Motivation: #OOTD or #WIW

January is the perfect time to get going with a solid list of deadlines and goals.  One of the resolutions on my list is to attend weekly pilates or zumba.  Visiting the gym is an excellent way to eliminate pre-summer weight gain and keep the endorphins circulating.

It’s also a strange month in terms of being self-motivated due to the cold air and limited amount of sunlight.  Moderate exercise can help fight the winter blues!

I wanted to share a few of my holiday looks in the midst of celebrating birthdays and attending church service.

For Christmas, we started a new tradition of wearing pajamas for family brunch.  I coordinated a wool wrap, lounge pants, and cowboy boots.

My youngest son also celebrated his birthday during the month of December.  Some of you can agree that little boys are very active!  My fur mules were a pleasant option due to feet warmth and they gave me the ability to move around.

The last photo was my outfit selection for attending church service.  The peanut butter toned leather jacket was a gift I received during college.

I paired the jacket with opaque tights and high waisted pencil skirt to look chic.

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