Lazy Luxe by Provocative Expression

Errands to run? A casual lunch with friends? Weekend activities with the little ones?

Being a weekend task-master can be daunting, but you don't have to sport a dowdy look in the process. Ditch the dowdy sweats & go for a polished casual look instead.

Ripped jeans have been a fashion staple for years. I remember wearing them as far back as my junior year in high school (& that dear friends was in the 80's!). Yet in this new millennium they are still in style.... Start with your favorite pair to build a weekend luxe look like the one above.

To round out my version I added a scoop neck long sleeve tee, an open sweater vest, studded mid-calf boots (charlotterusse.com), coordinating studded handbag (justfab.com), and (you guessed it!) handmade jewelry designed by yours truly (Provocative Expression).

Provocative Expression featured in this look is:

leather/feather cuff ~ $20

Copper & Cobalt Rosary ~ $45

Rectangle wooden dangles ~ $18

Visit www.ProvocativExpression.com for these and more great pieces to compliment your signature look.

I Am a Recessionista...

 

The current economic crisis has many of us re-thinking our shopping/spending habits, but I'm honored to say that I’ve always been way ahead of this trend!

Looking good for less is something I’ve prided myself on for years. I’ve just about mastered the “champagne taste/kool-aid budget” lifestyle but I’ve never been gung-ho to openly admit it. I rather appreciated the notion that I was perceived as “fancy” secretly knowing that I literally did it on a dime.

 

In my mind the frugal part was need-to-know information! Now that it’s on-trend to be a frugal fashionista or “Recessionista” as it’s called today, I have no problem openly professing the look of Lux at a fraction of the cost.

How do I do it? Well, long before there were blogs, tweets and facebook I actually read magazines with real articles (not advertisements) that gave useful tips on frugal fashion. From those pages I learned to stock my wardrobe with classic style staples so that only a few new accessories here and there are needed to breathe new life when necessary.

 

 

 Your style staples include:

• A crisp white button down
• Dark slacks
• Dark knee length skirt
• A dark wash jean
• A little black dress
• Black pumps
• A well fitting blazer
• Camisol
• Nice solid crew/v-neck tees
• (the latter 3 are in neutral colors)

With 2 - 3 of each piece you have the base of your style arsenal. These pieces are versatile, classic/trend-proof, top quality and if done properly can yield 50+ looks with just 10 - 12 essential pieces. You should employ the same standards to your accessory essentials; vesatile, classic, neutral colors.

 

Adding these top quality essentials to your style foundation does not have to set you way back either. Use these tricks of the trade and you’ll be well stocked with change to spare…

• Buy off-season
• Shop clearance.
• Designer outlets.
• and yes even shopping thrift stores (but only in the up-scale neighborhoods).
• Don’t be above couponing.

Keep in mind that frugal is not synonymous with cheap! Frugal style choices should be of high quality and low cost. Take your time and shop… this is not a “hurry up & buy” excercise.

Are you a Recessionista? If so, what are your Recessionista tips?

Until next time remember…. Fashion is fleeting but Style is for always.

Spiritual Jewelry or Statement Jewelry?

Everything old is new again…. Well kind of…. We have seen fashion trends come, go, and come again. Some styles have been around for hundreds of years but are just now making a mainstream splash. The latest trend in jewelry right now is the statement piece. Big, bold, and eye-catching, but some pieces are more subtle and have something more profound to say like spiritual jewelry. Spiritual jewelry has infiltrated the fashion world and is taking it by storm. Have you ever wondered if your jewelry has a meaning? Well I have, and this is what I learned. 

  

The Shamballa (also pronounced Shambhala) bracelet has adorned the wrists of many noteworthy celebrities recently.

 Such celebrities as Jay Z, YMCMB moguls Lil Wayne & Baby, Nicole Sherzinger, and even esteemed designer Karl Lagerfeld have been seen wearing the piece.

 In Buddhist philosophy Shambhala is a mythical place revealed to, and inhabited by only the most enlightened of souls and pure of heart. The jewelry represents the quest for spiritual purity. Buddhist philosophy also believes that Shambhala can be found within one's self. It is the place from which we draw inspiration, peace, strength and balance. The Shamballa bracelet has made its mark in fashion and comes in so many variations that can be worn with virtually anything.

 

 

Amid much controversy the Rosary beads are also being worn by some as a fashion statement. The Rosary; emblematic of the Catholic faith is a Devotional in honor of the Virgin Mary. The beads represent the collection of prayers encompassed by the Rosary, and is supposed to worn/held during worship.

Cobalt 5 Decade Rosary by Provocative Expression

My research has yielded views from both schools of thought. It is either reprehensible, or a way to keep Jesus close to your heart.

 

The Ankh as often worn by neo-soul artist Erykah Badu, is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph that means eternal life. Its shape represents the union of woman and man creating life and producing children. The top represents the female, or more specifically the womb. The stem represents the male, planter of the seeds. The two arms represent the offspring, or children.

 

 



Ambrosia Necklace

Gem and semi-precious stones have spiritual properties as well. Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets. It is said to bring peace and fortune to your household. Hematite is the primary mineral in iron, and is said to have healing properties. Meta-physicists believe that hematite will heal everyday ailments such as stress and pain. Jasper is also considered a healing stone, and is biblically referenced as a direct gift from God to be used as the first foundation stone of New Jerusalem. Coral has long been considered a protective amulet for children, given to expectant mothers and newborns. Coral is also associated with emotional healing, and fertility. There are many, many more out there too. I encourage you to research your birthstone and find out its spiritual meaning.

 

 

So the next time you want to make a statement with your jewelry, consider what statement your jewelry is making about you.

Relaxed Elegance

 

Vacay... Staycay... or a desire to experience the feeling minus the moment. Whatever the occasion this chic resort look will carry you through.

This look features an off-shoulder, printed, ruffle maxi dress (ShoeDazzle), Ambrosia necklace & earring along with the Effervescent stretch cuff in blue (Provocative Expression), metallic wedges (Mossimo),preforated tote (JustFab)

 

www.ProvocativExpression.com

 

 

Quick Beauty Fix! ~ Breakouts

 

 

We've all had those moments.... The ones where we go to bed beautiful and wake up blemished! Wondering how we'll ever face the day with that unwelcome appendage nestled in the worst possible place on our face.

 

Well don't fret... There are few tried and true quick beauty fixes to handle this and a few other common conditions that threaten our everyday good looks.

 

I suffer specifically from breakouts. I struggle constantly with huge, sore blemishes that never seem to "come to a head" as my mother would say. So I've learned a thing or two about how to remedy this problem.

 

For this particular type of blemish I use a gentle cleanser like Clean & Clear or Neutrogena twice a day. Follow with Witch Hazel (a natural skin astringent), and then a spot treatment. I prefer Clean & Clear spot treatment with salicylic acid. However there are others on the market that contain benzoyl peroxide that are effective as well.

 

For what my mom calls "whiteheads", you should first apply a really warm compress to the area to help expand the pore and draw the head to the surface. Here's where it gets a little tricky... Most people will squeeze to extract the pimple. The problem with this is that it promotes swelling and increases scarring. My mother taught me to "work it out" by placing one finger on opposite sides of the pimple, gently spreading the fingers apart and gently pressing down around the base of the pimple. Then repeating by placing the fingers at the top and bottom.

 

She warns that if it doesn't come popping out, then it's not ready and don't force it! It'll soon be ready and you'll spare yourself that ugly scar that comes with forcing it. 

 

My mom has shared many other beauty fixes with me over the years and I'm more than happy to share them with you as we continue along this blogging journey.

Country Charm

This easy going country chic look features an airy richly colored hi-lo dress, a western mid-calf boot, matching Cognac tote (all from shoedazzle.com), and handmade designer jewelry by Provocative Expression.

Provocative Expression offers a selection of handmade pieces to compliment every look, lifestyle, and budget!
 

Visit www.ProvocativExpression.com today for these and other handmade jewelery pieces to compliment your signature style.

Cognac Chic

Rich Cognac is the foundation for this chic casual look.

 

A lightweight shirt dress and fringed tall boots (shoedazzle.com), studded black handbag (justfab.com), and featuring Handmade Designer Jewelry (Provocative Expression).

 

 

Visit www.ProvocativExpression.com today for exclusive handmade jewelry to compliment your signature look.

Winter Wonder

Winter Wonder 

featuring

Handmade Jewelry by

Provocative Expression

www.ProvocativExpression.com
 

Rocker Glam!

 

Featuring Jewelry by Provocative Expression.

 

The chic side of edgy is easy to accomplish with these handmade pieces.

 

Pictured above are the Victoria Necklace ~ $75, and the Victoria Earrings ~ $25.

Styling options are uniquely endless when you go handmade!

www.ProvocativExpression.com

 

 

Food for Thought....

Thought of the day: Style vs. Fashion.....

FASHION is defined as "a popular trend"; generally offered seasonally.

STYLE is defined as "a distinct manner of doing something"; ergo style is how one interprets & applies fashions.

CONCLUSION: Fashion is fleeting while Style is enduring. So why chase fashions, why not develop Style?

Art Jewelry Accessories by Provocative Expression

Style Collage featuring Art Jewelry Accessories by Provocative Expression

New Year.... New Outlook

"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                             - Jim Rohn

I just found this quote by chance, but its sentiment haunts me daily.

 

I've known for a great while now that being someone else's employee is just not my station in life. Whilst I do realize that the "come up" isn't easy and nobody makes it alone, to just permanently take up root in someone else's plan to succeed is not a desirable course of action for me. Which is why I chose to set out on my own quest for success and financial freedom.

 

So far the journey has been full of twists and turns, amazing triumphs and heartbreaking letdowns, yet I trudge ahead with a consistent determination to make it happen.

 

We are 15 days into 2013, and I find myself still wrestling with old issues. I've made real strides in some areas of opportunity, but have fallen tragically short in other areas, yet I trudge ahead.

 

I have great hopes for what this year has in store for me & all my endeavors. I release all things/actions/behaviors that serve only to sabotage my efforts. I am grateful for every benevolent act or gesture toward me. I acknowledge the greatness within me and the power I posses to bring my desires to fruition. I am open to receiving all of the goodness and great fortune that the universe has to offer me.

 

With that being said.... Here's to the new year and a new outlook!

 

Let's make 2013 one for the books....