Coffee: The Fashionable Bean

Photo by Navy B. Rae Photography

“COFFEE MAKES ME HAPPY. IT SURROUNDS MY CONVERSATIONS, EVENTS AND EVEN INFLUENCES MY STYLE.

”

— Denitra

If you know me just a little, you know that I LOVE coffee! I started drinking coffee regularly in 2010 when I was working (in the Human Services field) full time and going to cosmetology school (full time) in the evenings. Blame it on my classmates (or my inner “experience seeker”), but there was something about it…the way they held the cup…the way it seemed to make them feel…the way it smelled…the conversations that took place while drinking it…IT ALL DID SOMETHING to me.

You may be thinking, “Girl, it ain’t that serious!”

…Oh, but it is!

Cosmetology school introduced me to the game. From there, I began to learn about coffee and to really appreciate the gift that it is.

Neutral palette inspired by, you guessed it…COFFEE

For the record: I AM NOT ADDICTED. I choose it mostly everyday. I like the ritual that it provides, however, I can go without it. Really, I can. I just don’t want to! Coffee has become a welcomed part of my life. Just like style.

Coffee and Style; they go together real bad!

In case you didn’t know or never paid it any mind, coffee influences fashion trends.

Say what, Denitra?

Yes, coffee can inspire your style choices! In fact, the intersection of coffee and style is more substantial than you may think. Your style choices usually are the result of other things you like. For instance, if you’re naturally drawn to a neutral palette, your home’s decor probably reflects that and so do the places you frequent (think restaurants or retailers). And so do the coffee shops that you visit.

Coffee-inspired colors are fashion staples. It’s no secret that these colors evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and are soothing, even. And that’s what I feel when I drink coffee. I feel calm, warm and cozy. Talk about a love language! Whew!

When you think of coffee, think of it as inspiration for your wardrobe.

After reading this, I hope that you NEVER think about coffee the same. Again: IT’S JUST THAT SERIOUS! From this day forward, think of coffee as your personal stylist. Well, maybe a styling assistant (cause it can’t take my job! LOL).

Don’t give coffee MY job!!!

Work with me here ;-)

Photo by Calvin McDaniel

Think of coffee as your guide to style. From the shape & texture of the beans, to the colors before roasting, to the colors of roasted beans, to the way it makes you feel, to the aesthetic of each coffee house (dress for where you’re going - remember, we’re all about intentional style). Coffee houses are fashionable places for people to meet and coffee is historically known to be the common ground (pun intended) to great conversations (including dates *wink).

Coffee has even influenced fashion designers in unique ways. Many articles of clothing and accessories are made from coffee grounds (which have several benefits, including UV protection and odor resistant). Hello Blue Economy! Hello sustainable, functional fashion!

You didn’t think coffee was that layered and deep, did ‘cha?

Tuh! I haven’t even scratched the surface…

If you follow me on social media, you’ll notice that I’ve combined coffee and style and I’ve launched a style themed social series surrounding these two things. My first Coffee & Style Social is this Saturday! Stay tuned for the next one, December 14, and if you’re in Metro Detroit, you can join us! Be sure to turn on your notifications for my posts so you’ll be the first to know all the deets!

Just think, this is only the beginning to an amazing journey of my coffee endeavors (spoiler alert)…

SOLD OUT! >

Stay tuned for the December 14 location announcement!

Sultry Lip Season

Me in Rebel by the LipBar

It’s that time of year again! That’s right…it’s Sultry Lip Season and I’m here for it!

Let’s get a few things straight before we dive into some of my favorite shades:

1.) Deeper hues aren’t exclusively for the cooler months! You can wear them whenever you feel like it, because that’s your business *in my Tabitha Brown voice*! However, you gotta admit that richer shades add a hint of chicness, mystery, sophistication, and sexiness to your Fall/Winter looks.

2.) Keeping your lips exfoliated and moisturized during the cooler months is essential! Darker shades tend to show everything, including a chapped lip. WAYOR = Wear At Your Own Risk! Keep it cute and smooth! *wink wink*

3.) Confidence is key! Own the looks you’re giving. Period.

Now, let’s get into some of my favorite Fall Lippies! Of course they are by the LipBar! Duh.

Rebel

It’s giving bougie burgundy vibes with a side of unapologetic confidence. Great paired with an all black outfit from your capsule wardrobe. *Click here to get yours!

Bawse Lady

The red for all! The “I do this with no effort” red lippie that pulls everything together, including that black and white dress you’ve been eyeballing. * Click to get yours!

Merlot

The grown woman lipstick. A sweet grown woman, nonetheless. A bit vampy, but still life-giving! * Click to get yours!

These 3 shades are in my top 3! I’ll be sure to share more of my favorite Fall/Winter lip choices soon!

*I am a LipBar Affiliate and receive a monetary reward from your sale/support. So, thank you in advance for not only supporting a great company, but supporting me.

The Wrap Dress + 3 ways to style it!

“Wrap dresses for me are like the ultimate display of femininity. There’s nothing more sexy, sweet or confident than a woman in a wrap dress. Period. ”

Wrap dresses are my favorite for several reasons. At the top of my list: they look good on everyBODY! Really! Below, I show three additional ways to rock the wrap dress besides the traditional way.

• Rock your wrap dress as a DUSTER! This is such a great way to add print, movement, texture, or color to a basic outfit. You can also pair your “wrap dress duster” with another dress (sheath or another straight style).

• Rock your wrap dress as a two-piece with a moto vest or jacket. Another way is to piece with a distressed denim jacket to add some funk.

• I’ve even paired my wrap dresses with graphic tees (below), leggings and jeans (I love dresses with jeans!) to add interest to the classic dress!

Come on! Get creative with your classic items in your closet! I dare YOU!!!

The Crime I Committed While Wearing A Yellow Lace Dress

Kimberly Simmons and Nina Gordon.

I had weeks.

No.

I had months to prepare for my twenty-year high school reunion Honors Gala (King Crusader).  I didn't prepare. You know why don't you? You're right. I didn't because I had months! Don't act like you don't know how that is! You say, day after day, "I got time." Then,you really don't!

It was seven days before the big day. Still nothing. I hadn't even thought about it until I ran into a classmate of mine who began talking about her attire for that evening.  It wasn't that I didn't think it was important. It's just, well, my schedule! No excuse, right?  That's mine and I'm sticking to it. Well, she shared a few pictures of her dress and I loved it! I asked where she found it and her next words made my stomach drop! FASHION NOVA!

I was completely shocked! Shocked for many reasons.  The first being that I'd been hearing about this company a lot lately (and seeing celebrities on the gram advertising their wears) and recently decided to give their infamous jeans a try. Guess what? They fit like nobody's business! Anyone who is shaped like me, knows exactly why this is a win-win situation.  Anyway.  The other reason why I was shocked was because the dress that she showed me looked AMAZING. 

Now before all of you name loving, couture wearing, high fashion loving peeps start judging, know that  I am on a journey to transition my entire wardrobe from fast fashion to slow fashion (I'll talk about these terms in another blog), BUT I - AM - NOT  - THERE - (YET)! Also, check your entire closet stock to be sure that everything was made in organic materials and that the making involved fair employment practices, it's made locally, and that it's not mass produced. Need I go on? If you can answer yes to at least these, then congratulations! If you can't, hush chile!

Jessica LeMelle. We've been friends since 9th grade. Oh the stories!

Now about the crime I committed: I SLAYED IN A FASHION NOVA DRESS! Yes, I slayed the dress honey! I murdered. I killed it. I put to death all the critics (there aren't any of those in real life, right?).  I'll say so myself! LOL. Like I said in my promo of this post, no one was hurt. As a matter of fact, all who encountered this yellow, lace FASHION NOVA DRESS were quite pleased! Ok? Well, at least I was. I enjoyed the color (you'll be hearing more about color in future posts), I enjoyed the ease and comfort and I loved how it hugged my curves just right.  I was worried that my 49.99 dress would unravel as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  IT. DID. NOT.

Latisha Hawkins and Tiffany Cobb.

I created beautiful memories with my high school classmates from twenty years ago in a FASHION NOVA DRESS! We reminisced about the "good ole days" and caught up with each other like we'd never missed a beat. We danced, sang, cried (yes, my eyes started to water a few times), laughed out loud (not the fake "lol" that we text people) and we took millions of pictures!

Jabari Long. "He's the Boss" and "She's the Boss" awardees.

Allen B Williams Photography

Then something happened that was a complete surprise to me. My name was called. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive an award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award in front of about 120 of my lovely peers in MY FASHION NOVA DRESS! Take that.

Here's to creating beautiful, meaningful memories that you shall keep close to you forever, as you wear WHATEVER YOU WANT!

NOW, excuse me while I go take another peek at my yellow, lace dress. IT. JUST. MAKES. ME HAPPY.

Until next time,

Denitra

*Thumbnail Photo Credit: Fancy Flash Photo Booth