BEAUTIFUL BOWS

It is no secret that I adore bows. Whenever I see bow detailing on clothing, shoes, accessories or even home decor, I have to have it IMMEDIATELY. Bows are one my favorite details in fashion because of their delicate appearance and are the usual sign of femininity.

Recently, I have learned the symbolizing behind bows thanks to an instagram post from Nicola Bathie McLaughlin. Not only are bows adorable, they also symbolize strength and loyalty. Which makes sense really since bows are pretty ribbon tied into a lovely knot.

Now let's go ahead and swoon at these darling bow detail pieces below, shall we?

1. Gold Bow Earrings- These stunning bow studs are the perfect accessory to add subtle glam. The yellow gold is forever timeless.

2. Bow Floral Headband- It would not be a blog post without mentioning a cute hair accessory. This floral one is no exception.

3. Bow Shoulder Dress- This dress is just wow. It is absolute perfection with the blush hue, the beautiful floral pattern and of course the bow shoulder tie detail is "chefs kiss". This would be a pretty summer outfit with a pair of espadrilles and basket bag.

4. Pink Bow Top- Great top to go with a pair of white high waisted shorts for the summer. If you look closely, the top has an adorable gingham pattern.

5. Bow Satchel- A satchel handbag is a staple accessory for a classic work wardrobe. So why not add a bow(s) to it?

6. Bow Mules- Again, perfection. These would be easy to slip on with any outfit, dress it up or down. They are made out of a gorgeous organza fabric.

7. Bow Ruffle Skirt- This frilly mini skirt is too sweet to pass up. Best part? It is on sale for under 20 dollars!

8. Bow Phone Case- This charming bow phone case is amazing way to personalize your phone and showcase your feminine style.

BLACK OWNED FASHION BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT

Following the recent tragic events of police brutality against innocent black people, protests, and the on going negative effects on the economy due to the pandemic, it is important now than ever to support black businesses. There are tons of amazing fashion brands that are created by brilliant people in the black community. I researched and created a list of some of my favorites that I came across online.

1. Tayma Martins-First, I want to give a special shout out to my dear friend Tayma, who will be launching her brand this upcoming spring/summer! If you love all things romantic, feminine and dreamy florals like me, then you will adore her clothing brand. I admire her for designing her own collection and beyond excited of what she has in store!

2. Maguy de Chadirac-Why sleep in boring pajamas, when you could go to bed in luxurious sleepwear like these instead? French designer Maguy de Chadirac creates elegant lingerie and sleepwear that brings glamour to the bedroom. Fun fact: She had the experience of working with luxury brands such as Valentino, Dior and Alexander McQueen.

3.Hope For Flowers by Tracy Reese-Not only does Tracy's brand have beautiful designs, but she also makes sure to incorporate sustainability practices into the business. With Hope For Flowers, you can still look stylish and protect the planet. Pieces such as this dress would be perfect wear at the park on a nice spring day.

4. Mateo New York-Mateo that creates beautiful well-made bags, intoxicating scented candles and pretty fine jewelry, like this diamond pearl ring. I would describe the brand as classic, sophisticated, sleek and luxurious-everything I love when it comes to the finer things in life. Matthew Harris, the designer, is a son of a seamstress and launched his business after he moved to the United States from Jamaica.

5. Brother Vellies-Ok, now it's time to talk about SHOES! Over the past few years, I've been having an obsession with adorable shoes, these ones are no exception. Just look at the cute linen bow on the raffia mules! This brand is known to make luxury accessories that incorporate African design practices.

6. Lisou-Tanzanian native designer Rene Macdonald created Lisou in London. She uses stunning silk fabrics for her clothing. Her clothing is feminine with a fun, whimsical touch to them. This pink heart skirt is too cute to pass up!

7. Andrea Iyamah-Summer is coming up, so we need to talk about swimwear. If you are looking for flattering swimsuits in vibrant hues, vintage and modern silhouettes, then this brand is for you. This bikini set that has a retro style with a modern twist is definitely my favorite from the website. The one strap across the shoulders adds elegance while the belted bottoms create a nice shape.

Like mentioned earlier, there are a lot more black fashion businesses on the market. Some honorable mentions include:

1. Nubian Skin-Nude undergarments to match actual skin tone

2. Undra Celeste New York-Contemporary clothing

3. Lola by Alyssa Simone-Handbags

4. Lorraine West-Jewelry

5. Fenty Beauty-My girl Rihanna's makeup line

Which ones are you excited to check out? XOXO

ESSENTIALS FOR A FEMININE WARDROBE

Throughout my blog, I have mentioned my feminine sense of style. Over the years, I have analyzed what has been consistently in my closet to determine on what I like to wear. Ruffles, florals, romantic silhouettes and a light color palette are just some of the elements that are incorporated into the outfits that I adore. Today, I thought I would compile a list of items that are essential for any feminine wardrobe.

1. Floral Dress- Dresses are very versatile and are easy to create an outfit. A floral dress, such as this pink number, is a timeless piece for anyone who loves to dress girly and elegant.

2. White Blouse-Just like dresses, a white blouse is very versatile and classic. Adorable details such as ruffles and puff sleeves elevates any white blouse.

3. Midi Skirt-Personally, I find midi skirts to be more demure than shorter skirts. A midi skirt like this one has a flattering silhouette that would be perfect to wear with beautiful tops.

4. Neutral Crossbody-A crossbody bag in a light neutral shade is an absolute must-have when you are out and about. Not only is it convenient to use, it will work easily with all of your outfits and there are tons of options on the market.

5. Bow Flats-Flats can easily dress up or down any outfit. The ones with bows adds a subtle feminine touch.

6. Dainty Jewelry-Dainty jewelry such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings are pretty accessories to add some glamour without going overboard.

7. Perfume-The first (maybe second) thing that somebody notices when someone walks into a room is their scent. I like floral and sweet scents such as Gucci Bloom. It is a beautiful fragrance that leaves a light scent, which is perfect for daily use.

8. Pretty Hair Accessory-Of course I had to include hair accessories, like this darling hair bow. I have a collection of bows, headbands and barrettes that I like to wear to complete my outfits. They are fun to utilize due to the variety of colors, fabrics, sizes and embellishments they come in.

What are your favorite essentials for your personal wardrobe? XOXO