FOREVER 21 MUSIC FESTIVAL GETAWAY GIVEAWAY: STYLE INSPIRATION

Spring is upon us and that usually means another season is here as well. MUSIC FESTIVAL SEASON! From my excessive use of caps lock, you would swear that I was going to Coachella or something. Unfortunately I don't have the funds to travel and experience something that is no doubt on my "Before I Turn 30" list. Pity not! It will happen eventually. Not all hope is lost for this year though. 

My favorite clothing store FOREVER 21 is giving away a MUSIC FESTIVAL GETAWAY! Forever 21 scored even more points in my book because they actually acknowledge the United States of the Virgin Islands as part of the United States of America by making us eligible for the giveaway.  I just had to spell everything out because a lot of US companies either ignore the USVI all together or consider us to be in the "International" category. So it's so refreshing to know that we're not completely invisible! Anyways, I digress.

All the details on how to enter are in the link above, but I wanted to share with you all my Pinterest board entry for the giveaway. 

Here are 21 items I would bring along if I were to ever go to a music festival this year. A lot of the pieces can be mix and matched into so many different looks! My style is definitely comfy casual, but you better trust and believe that a whole bucket of dark and edginess is mixed all up in there too.

Follow LuvMika87's board #F21FESTIVAL on Pinterest.

Be inspired! Xoxo

PLUS SIZE THRIFT HAUL: Coverups, Crochet Tops, & Camouflage

Hey there! I briefly talked about thrifting in some of my earlier posts, but I only got one or two items from the Goodwill store. Of those couple of  items , the only thing that I've actually worn is a floral print skirt as a head wrap. 

 

I have since found another thrift store, a Salvation Army actually, and I absolutely love this one. Tuesdays are the best days to go shopping there because mostly everything is 50 cents. With spring and summer in mind, which is basically all year round weather for me,  I scored quite a few pieces and shared them in this Thrift Haul video below. This is my 1st Thrift Haul (successful one anyways) and I hope you like it! 

 

 

Plus Size Thrifting Haul Misconceptions/ Stigma

I've always been curious and interested in thrifting, purchasing clothing from second hand stores like Goodwills and Salvation Armys. Last month I dived head first into the world of thrifting and I only regret that I didn't start thrifting sooner. My silly over-thinking tendencies and a stupid stigma were what contributed to my hesitation in taking the plunge sooner. In the video below, I  share these little thoughts that were in my head and give my encouragement to anyone that is interested in thrift shopping and hasn't taken the plunge yet. 

TROPICAL CHIC PLUS SIZE OUTFIT! feat. Forever 21 Plus Size Swimsuit

This outfit was created around the GORGEOUS floral corset bikini top that Forever 21 released this month. I thought it was so cute that I just had to style an outfit around it. The black triangular lines created in the bikini top complement the black vertical lines in the trousers. The trousers are high waisted so they provide the right amount of tasteful tummy coverage. The black cardigan is a great way to keep this look somewhat modest, with a little bit of peek-a-boo sexy back tease with the crochet paneling in the back. Perfect for the fashionista's that are so ready for spring. 

 

Forever 21's - Tropical Print Corset Bikini Top , Striped Trousers , Crochet Paneled Cardigan , Side Zip Envelope Clutch

Affordable Beyonce 7/11 Outfit Recreation : Plus Size Edition

I have been absolutely loving one of Beyonce's latest songs called "7/11". What I love even more is the energetic, fun-filled, and meticulously edited (pat pat on the editing team's backs) 7/11 music video!

 

 

With lots of clothing changes in three and a half minutes, the video was also filled with very chill, urban fashion. One look that stood out to me was during the elevator scene where B is in a full on Lotus Pose (a yoga thing).

I love the Playboy Black & White Checkered Sweater , but it costs $141 which is way out of Mika's (that's me, hi ) clothing  price range. So I thought it would be an awesome idea to put together a re-creation of this look that I would absolutely  love to rock. Here's what I came up with.

 

Torrid Kiss Print Sweater , Asos High Waisted Leggings, Forever 21 Bamboo Hoops - Sold Out, Forever 21 Box Link Chain Necklace , Forever 21 Heirloom Bangles

 

The black and white lip graphic print on this sweater is just as sexy as the Playboy sweater. The gold chains, bangles, and bamboo hoop earrings give this look that urban vibe. Although this outfit is casual, there's still a chicness about it. The reptilian skin embossed slip-ons  compliment this casual chic look really well!

As for that custom made visor Beyonce's rocking upside down on her head, a nice beanie, a New Era hat, or your hair at it's best will make this look complete! I'm so tempted to recreate that hat as a DIY project (we shall see).

No one will be fresher than you in this look!

Affordable Plus Size Swimwear : Forever 21 Swimwear 2015

Now is definitely not the time to sleep on Forever 21! Forever 21 has begun releasing new swimwear pieces for 2015. Here a some of my favorites...so far. :)

Forever 21 Plus Size Swimwear 2015

I love that they are all very affordable at about $30 each. Even though they are at such an affordable price point, the sexiness was not sacrificed. Hello it is possible to save and still be sexy! Thank you Forever 21!

Forever 21 Fringed Tribal One - Piece

The beautiful black fringe makes this seductive neckline to die for. Crazy prints on anything can go so wrong, but this one is done so right! 

Floral Print Ruffled Bikini Top & Bottom

The ruffles on this two-piece and the delicately colored rose print are giving me Latin romance. The height of the waste on the bottoms are great for tummy coverage! What's also great is that it's not sold in a set, so you can purchase different sizes for each piece so that both pieces fit you best!

Forever 21 Mesh Paneled One - Piece

This swimsuit is a smart "meet in the middle". It's like you're wearing a two-piece, but you're not. #MINDBLOWN The mesh in the middle is a demure touch.

I'm so ready to see more of what Forever 21 is bringing out for Spring and Summer 2015!

HOW TO: CON BODYCON DRESSES

Hey everyone! I noticed, via daily stalking, that Forever 21+ has started putting out more Body Conscious aka Bodycon Dresses. While I do love my body, there are some parts that I would rather not have starring in an outfit when they shouldn't be. Here are some tips to make sure your bodycon dress purchase doesn't leave you feeling conned. 

Available at Forever 21+

1. Read the reviews. It's always a good idea to read the reviews, but especially for a form fitting dress.  However, don't take the word of one reviewer that's obviously disgruntled or has ordered a size that couldn't fit at all.  Most tips about a dress would be reported consistently by many customers.  I find that the more that an issue with a dress is reported the more likely it is to have some truth to it.


2. Look at model details.  Most clothing websites provide the height, body measurements, and the dress size that the model is actually wearing. You can use this information to help you determine how the dress may fit on you.  If the model appears to have a flatter tummy area than you, you can expect the dress she's wearing  to reveal your tummy a little more than you'd like. If the model is 5'9" and the dress hem is right above her knees, you can use that to determine if the dress will be shorter  or longer on you based on your height. I'm 5'3" so it'll definitely be a bit longer on me. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing as form fitting dresses tend to ride up as you move. 

Available at Forever21+

3. Check the size chart.  Every online clothing site should have some type of size chart. Take your own measurements and use them to see which size you fall under. In the case of bodycon dresses, you probably shouldn't get the size you fall under if all your body measurements are almost tipping into the size above it. It may mean that the dress will fit, but it won't be a comfortable fit. 

4. Size up!  Usually wearing a dress a size too big can  be unflattering, but it's a completely different story when it comes to bodycon dresses. Sizing up can be the difference between wearing an uncomfortable, snug  dress with constant fear that the seams may rip and breathing easy in a bigger dress that is still form fitting.

BONUS TIP

HOW YOU LOOK IS UP TO YOU! At the end of the day (or night), how you carry yourself in a bodycon dress or any outfit affects how you look and feel in it. You're beautiful! If you feel it, everyone will see it.

OOY(Outfit of Yesterday): BLACK AND GREY IN SPRING

I attended Lockhart Elementary School's Spring Concert yesterday. I attended as a kid. GO DOLPHINS! Other than church I haven't had many opportunities to dress fancy lately so I seized the chance for this concert. I haven't come across a Forever 21+ dress that has done my body wrong (fingers crossed), and this one is no exception.   

Dress - Forever21+ - No longer available

  I love 3 things about this dress: 1. the pattern, 2. the neckline, and 3. the peplum flare. The pattern is a strategic collage of lots of different shapes  that come together without looking busy. The neckline looks very retro to me. I love the way it features "the ladies" without being too provocative.   

Peplums are a trend that I pray will never go out of style! Even if it does I will be rocking it because I'll still love it. The placement of the peplum flare on this dress does wonders for curves. It could be just me but I feel it gives the booty an extra pop! lol  
The dress is the statement in this look so I just complimented it with simple strap wedges, and minimal jewelry. I can always count on Forever 21+ for edgy, eye-wear that is my style. This pair looks great with dark outfits.

Oh yeah! The concert was great too!  

MY FAVORITE SPRING TRENDS WITH AN EDGY TOUCH

Lace, floral prints, and flower crowns are some of my favorite spring trends! They're everywhere in stores and websites in a plethora of colors and fashions. With such delicate fabrics, colors, and fashions, it can be a challenge to be on trend while still maintaining my edge. My affinity for dark clothing, pyramid studs, spikes, and anything that screams KICK ASS  is something that I am not willing to let go regardless of what season trends I rock.   Luckily I don't have too. I simply have to marry the frilly, softness of spring with my unwavering love for looks on the "dark side".    1. CROTCHET & LACE DOESN'T ONLY COME IN WHITE OR BEIGE! Do not think for one second that the more popular white and beige pieces featured in look books everywhere are your only options for this or any Spring season. There are plenty of crotchet and lace pieces out there in the darker edgy colors that you love. Rustic, silver jewelry with pops of pastel colors are edgy, but they still hint to the vibe of spring.  Here's a look I put together for inspiration. As promised the entire look  is under $100.   

Lace Dolman Top - Torrid - $30.50 Classic Wash Skinny Jeans - Forever 21 - $22.80 American Eagle High Wedge Slings - Payless - $19.99 Worldly Girl Ring Set - Forever 21 - $3.80 Outwest Pendant Necklace - Forever 21 - $12.80 Exotic Disc Earrings - Forever 21 - $4.80  

2. FLOWERS CAN BE EDGY TOO!  Deep purples and even black flower headbands definitely read edgy. I personally love the look of dark flowers and even decaying flowers, but not everyone is into that. A simple tweak of adorning a flower headband with studs or spikes would give it the edge you're looking for. If you're not the crafty type, you can check out this AMAZING Etsy shop called Voxpopulijewelry!

All floral crowns above are made by Voxpopulijewelry on Etsy!

Have no fear naturalistas! We can rock floral crowns as awesome and edgy as the ones above!

3. FLORAL PRINTS : Flowers aren't necessarily what comes to mind when I think "edgy". However,  like with floral crowns, it is possible to stay true to your edgy style with floral prints. Try looking for floral print clothing with dark backgrounds or undertones. Pair up floral print bottoms with studded and/or dark tops that are more you! The looks below range from $75.59 - $86.09 (depending on which top you pick).

Heart of the Matter Peplum Top - Fashion to Figure - $28.00 Studded Skull Crossover Back Tank - Torrid - $38.50 Bob Marley Tee - Torrid - $34.50 Floral Fields Leggings - Forever 21 - $14.80 Arrow Fringe Necklace - Forever 21 - $12.80 Montego Bay Club's Tubular Flat Sling - Payless - $19.99   With every season, new trends come. Just remember that it's always possible to rock them all while still looking like you.   

COMPLETE PLUS SIZE SPRING OUTFITS UNDER$100 :You'll have change to buy ice cream!

Ahhh the birds are chirping, the snow is slowly melting away, and flowers in a beautiful array of colors are blooming... eh who am I kidding it's summer all day every day here in the Virgin Islands. Nevertheless it's Spring in most places by now...right? 

I paused to google the official day of spring and it turns that I'm a few days early! 

Well here's some spring outfits I put together that are actually affordable! I love seeing outfit posts, but sometimes I get annoyed when the one item that I really love costs a week and change of groceries. So I decided to keep these and any outfits I post in the future under $100.

SPRING SOCIALITE

 

Fashion to Figure - Brooklyn Bouquet Dress - $40.50

Forever 21 - Rhinestone Link Necklace - $11.80

Forever21 - Illusion Earcuff and Stud Set - $4.80

Payless - American Eagle Ankle Strap Wedge - $29.99

This entire look sums up to $87.09!  This dress is perfect for cocktail parties or any fancy events where you want to stand out. I love that it's a full on floral dress but the dark background gives it edge. The gold neckace and earcuff amplifies the edge. With a dress that makes such a "BAM HERE I AM" statement, the shoes are sexy enough to compliment the dress but not so much that it distracts from it.

CASUAL CRYSANTHEMUM 

^Trying to keep the headings spring themed here! Don't judge me!^

Forever 21-Relaxed Flounce Cami - $9.80

Forever 21 - Cool Distressed Skinny Jeans - $29.80

Forever 21 - Geo Drop Earrings - $4.80

Payless -American Eagle Crossbody - $12.99

Payless - Montego Bay Club Gladiator Flats - $29.99

This entire look costs $87.38!  A simple white top, distressed jeans, and hoop earrings can be a casual outfit for any season, but the floral embellished shoes and the coral colored cross-body warm up the whole look for Spring.

FLORAL FREE SPIRT

Forever 21 - Romantic Rose Kimono - $13.80

Forever 21 - V-Neck Tunic Cami - $4.80

Forever 21 - Cateye Sunglasses - $5.80

Fashion to Figure - That's A Wrap Cuff Bracelet - $8.00

Fashion to Figure - Ponte Pull On Legging - $22.50

Payless - Stud Flat Slings - $15.00

This entire look came up to $69.90! A free spirited look to me is very minimal and effortlessly cool. This look is cute yet comfortable enough for music festivals, movie nights, or running errands all day.

ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SPRING? SHARE YOUR SPRING LOOKS AND OOTD WITH ME ! 

Twitter: @luvmika87

Instagram: @luvmika87 Tumblr: Luvmika87

Plus Size Swim Suits : My Oh My Have They Come A Long Way

Gone are the days of  one piece swim suits with skirts, swimsuits that look like dresses, and those cover ups that never come off at the beach! Swimsuits indeed have come a long way and it's so apparent in Forever 21's latest line of swimsuits!   

 
One new design that I love is the bikini bottoms with the higher waist. It's perfect for us girls that want to or actually do wear bikini's but want that extra coverage in our tummy areas. I usually wear a net top over my bikini as a semi cover up, but I definitely won't need it with these swimsuits. I especially love Forever 21's suits because they are super affordable. $100+  for a swimsuit?!! Pshhh Ain't nobody got time (or money) for dat!
My Personal Favorite  

 

I love love love love and did I say love tribal prints! However, the print isn't the only thing that got me hooked.  When I got a view of the back of this bikini I could swear that I heard angels singing AAAHHHHH in my ears. I'm going to get it! My troubling decision is whether I should get XL or 1X. I think I'll look at the reviews on some of the older swimsuits to see how Forever 21 cuts their swimsuits.

Which is your favorite? Let me know!

A Cultural Family OOTD

I've been working really hard in preparation for Cultural Day (today) at the church  I attend (Memorial Moravian Church). Today is the day where the majority of the church wears African print fabrics of all kinds and in sooo many styles. For at least five years I've been saying that I would buy an outfit and participate, and I finally did it this year!    I decided to make a circle skirt in an African print and wear it with some pieces that I already have in my closet. I must admit I followed many DIY tutorials and YouTube videos along the way to reassure myself that I was doing it properly. I think it turned out great!  I decided to make a kufi (traditional hat of many religions) and bow tie for my son. I also made a brooch for my mom!    

I love how my skirt came out! I'll definitely be making more for work, church, and for everything else. I'll be sure to take my time and make my own DIY Tutorial for them, but if you can't wait here's a link to a couple tutorials that I followed.  Birdee's DIY Circle Skirt Tutorial Tyianna Marie's Circle Skirt Tutorial on YouTube

African Print Brooches are a great way to celebrate your heritage. I made my mom's brooch following a Kanzashi Flower Tutorial on You Tube. She can easily take this brooch off and wear it with any other outfit she has!

I made the kufi and bow tie for my son completely on my own. I may upload a tutorial on them but there are so many DIY's out for both already. 
As fashionable as we all looked in church today, dressing up is not why I go to church.    What I Learned From Today's Sermon?
Cultural traditions are meant to be passed down from generation to generation with the intention of building  the family up. As time passes things change but it is necessary to continue to keep certain aspects of our culture to a certain standard. If we don't do that, degradation (in so many aspects)  amongst our people occurs. 
That's how we got to twerking from traditional African dances of our ancestors. The speaker didn't say that last line (haha), but it's true!

Casual African Print Outfit Post

Hey guys! It's a good thing that blogging doesn't require a quality voice because my voice has been MIA the last couple of days due to a sore throat and cold. Though I don't need a nice voice to blog, I do need a computer and I've been lacking computer access since the last time I've posted. However I've been pretty busy so time share all the things that I didn't get  to.   

African Print Top - Marrianne Stores / Skinny Jeans - Forever 21 / Tan Flats - Lower East Side via Payless

I wore this on the day that I lost my thrifting virginity! I went to a good will to see if what need things I could find for less and upcycle into things I wanted. I actually found some nice pieces. One piece I'm especially excited for because it reminds me of a cardigan that I've been stalking on Forever 21. I'll share what I did in an upcoming blog, don't worry. :)

I really loved my hair that day. I basically wore my hair up in a bun, wrapped it with a few marley hair pieces, and used some more marley hair as a side swept bang. I need to start making actual tutorials for my hair styles. Time management comes into play here I'm sure.

Thrift Shop Shopping in the Virgin Islands!

*sings in deepest voice possible* I'm gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket. I'm hunting. Looking for a come up. This is F@#KING AWESOME!! -Macklemore "Thrift Shop" (see video below) It's ok! Scroll down watch the video and come back up here!

This song always comes to my head when I think about thrift shops.

I'm so excited because today is pay day and I'm going to have my 1st thrift shop experience today! I've always been envious of people on the main land because they have access to so much nice finds for oh so very little $. I wished and wished that there were thrift shops here on St. Thomas. Turns out that i wasn't looking hard enough because I found one on a street that I often pass to drop Kem to daycare! I dropped by a couple of days ago to see if it was a shop worthy of losing my "thrifting virginity" to  and my oh my it was!

THE PLAN

I saw some really great pieces and I pray that they are still there. I'm especially excited to get one piece because it remarkably resembles a cardigan that caught my eye on Forever 21 that was for around $25. I really hope no one picks it up. My budget is exactly $20 in tribute to Macklemore for showing that you don't have to spend crazy $$ to be and look great. I'm looking for pieces that I can easily alter and wear with items that I already have. 

WHY THRIFT?

I've always loved the idea of thrift shopping. I think it's super smart to incorporate thrift shop finds with clothing you already have. Like Macklemore says, one man's trash is another man's come up! By the way Macklemore, as successful as they are, still do thrift shop on a regular basis and donate to them too !  Don't believe me? See their interview here!

Happy Thrifting!

WHAT WAS YOUR 1ST THRIFT SHOP EXPERIENCE LIKE?

 Comment Below! 

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People Hating on Your No Name Brand (or Knockoff) Clothing : Why You Shouldn't Give a Sh#@?

I don't know how to really start this topic because it pisses me off so much that I just want to get to the nitty gritty. 

Whether or not a person's clothing has a name brand, should not matter at all! It should not determine that person's worth. They should not be looked at any differently in comparison to someone that wears the latest and priciest. If you think anything to the contrary, I'm sorry to say (no I'm not) that you're a superficial, materialistic, shallow anus of a person. 

The clothing you wear or any worldly possessions you may have doesn't say anything about you other than you obviously liked that piece of clothing so you (or your man, sugar daddy, woman, sugar momma, etc.) bought it for you. Heck I'm assuming that you bought it. You might be a kid and your parent (s) bought it for you.  If you are a kid and you've been lead to believe that you're not anybody if you're not wearing name brand/designer clothes then little one, you've been led wrong!

Woosahh!! 

Let me personalize this a bit more. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, the word for no name clothes was Smeggs (no clue how that word came up). It was never a good thing when kids in school pointed out that you were wearing "smeggy" shoes or just calling you "smeggy" in general. Even shoes from Payless were considered smeggs!  I'm sure the word for it has changed by now, but the unfortunate fact is that this type of mentality about something so insignificant as the brand of someone's clothing is still ravaging society today.



Why You Shouldn't Give a Sh#@ If Your Clothes Don't Have Brands

• Your Bills Are Paid!  Just know that you have your priorities straight. You have priorities  (bills, kids, dreams, business ventures, whatever) and FRONTING like you're a celebrity is not one of them. 
• You Pay Your Bills! Now if you could pay your bills with the opinions of the scum that think less of you because of what you're wearing well you'd be rich!
• You are still you! Nothing has changed. You still have your smarts, your talents, and everything else that makes you YOU! 
• It's What's In! In today's economy it's not such a bad thing to be rocking inexpensive clothing. Even the celebs making $$$$$$ purchase inexpensive clothing at thrift shops.  

I could go on and on about this topic, but I think I've made my point. 

Happy President's Day! : OOY - Outfit of Yesterday

Good Morning! Happy President's Day! I tried to upload yesterday's outfit of the day but it wasn't working out. So here is my  OOY, Outfit of Yesterday!   

I exercised my right to bare arms at church in this Forever 21 Dress. My current style and what I've been attracted to for the most part always seem to be any combination of black, white, and gray. Even clothes with color that I've been stalking lately seem to have a dark edge to it. 

 I figured a high bun (can you tell if it's all mine?) would be a simple enough style so that the loudness of the dress had no competition. I stuck with black and gold accents in my Forever 21 Earrings and Payless Fioni flats. The black stockings definitely made everything come together.   

Jump pics! Just because I can!

 
Through playing with my camera for this quick shoot I realized that a shallow depth of field (focused subject with blurred background) is possible to a certain extent with my simple point and shoot.  It works best on close ups, but I'll keep experimenting with it. So for now I'll be holding off on a better camera purchase since I'm loving the pics I'm getting so far from the point and shoot.