Southern Maze

Be aMAZEing.

[southernmaze]

My ❤️ for Bomber's Runs Deep I freaking love Bomber Jackets and have before they came back on trend. I now have 15 Bomber's in my closet, obsessed much. I keep saying that I won't buy anymore but I'm basically lying to myself. Like this Bomber by Victoria Beckham for Target. I happened to be in Target shopping for decor. Saw their new display and ran across this jacket. I couldn't say no and I'm happy with my decision. I love it, can't you tell by that huge smile on my face lol. Jacket: Victoria Beckham for Target. Top: Vince Camuto. Jeans: Rag & Bone. Sandals: Steve Madden. Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

BWAFGU

Women are the face of the future. Women have been holding it DOWN for years. I mean duh. Like James Brown said, “This is a man’s world but it wouldn’t be nothing without a women or girl”. 

This past weekend was filled with lots of inspiration for me. From the many images of the Women’s March to watching Hidden Figures. There was definitely something magical in the air. 

Hidden Figures got me reminiscing on my childhood and all the women who raised me. How much adversity they had to overcome in their lives with a strong face and often silent tongue. Wow Black Women are really something. Kinda like a unicorn.

I remember wondering if I would ever feel proud to not only be a Woman but also a Black Woman. Like my Mother and Grandmothers. I wanted to know that feeling to feel that magic. Growing up it often felt like that feeling would never come for me, like I would never get to experience that for myself. 

I’m happy to say that I’ve never been more proud to be a Black Woman. When I think back on my life and all the things I’ve overcome. How many times I proved myself wrong, I can happily say that I know what that magic feels like. It truly is aMAZEing.

I love my blackness! It doesn’t mean that I don’t love or respect another Women’s heritage. A Queen will always recognize a Queen no matter what. #believethat

Shirt: #BWAFGU. Pants: Boohoo. Shoes: Stuart Weitzman. Shades: Celine. 

[southernmaze]

Fashion Meets Art

KAWS Where The End Starts is currently being featured at the Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth. When I first saw the pictures floating around on IG, I KNEW I had to make it to this exhibit. I wouldn’t of known of the artist if it wasn’t for my fellow Lioness, Tanekeya. She loves his work. Anyway when I saw that the exhibit would be in the DFW area I knew I had to make sure my behind was there to see it. Plus I had the perfect outfit in mind. And then it hit me, I was inspired. 

It’s been so long since I’ve been inspired. I’ve let life and everything else get in between my Art. As a Stylist for Trunk Club I often forget how Fashion is MY art. It’s my way of expressing myself, for me to be creative, for me to push myself & for me to keep myself inspired. 

I dedicate this year to my Art. 

[southernmaze]

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things My 1st giveaway & I'm super excited!! Y'all know I love lipstick, nail polish and shades! So I decided to give my favorite items away for this holiday season. Here are the rules: 1. You must be following me on all my social media accounts. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter @southernmaze. 2. You must recreate your favorite outfit from Southernmaze.com, tag me & use this hashtag #southernmazefavthings The winner will be picked on Christmas Day & announced the following Monday 12/28. And now on to the prizes!!! They include: 1. Viva Glam Miley Cyrus Lipstick + Lipglass Holiday Edition by MAC 2. Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara by MAC 3. Four Nail Polishes by Julep, Jamberry & Morgan Taylor 4. Two Shades by Armanceyyy Tint Good luck & I can't wait to see what you guys come up with! Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

DARTing around

My mind lately seems to do nothing but dart around. It’s actually become my new normal. With my new job my mind is constantly going from one place to the next. Did you call this client? Did you remember to do this, to do that? Then from work my mind goes to my personal life. Have you done this yet, did you set up that, did you have time for this? Yea my mind is constantly racing and quite frankly it’s tiring. 

I gotta learn how to find that peace even though my mind is racing. If anyone has a rule book on what it looks like to be successful in a fashion career that doesn’t really have a set path, PLEASE let me borrow it? I promise to return it in excellent condition! Pinky swear.

Jacket: Helmut Lang. Top: Zara. Skirt: Forever 21. Booties: Rag & Bone. Lips: Antique Velvet by MAC. Jewelry Game: Fossil, Aldo.

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Leopard Your Mind

I told a coworker the other day that leopard is a new staple, a neutral piece that matches everything. My 2nd favorite item to wear besides all black in the Fall is...you guessed it leopard. Literally one week at work I had a piece of leopard on every day. Whether that was a jacket, shoe, cardigan, belt or necklace. Legit I wore something leopard for 5 days in a row. Obsessive.

I was doing a closet clean out last weekend & my client asked me if I wanted this leopard piece. At first I was hesitant, like Tamra you know you don’t need another leopard piece. But then I tried it on & decided to keep it. My client wore it as a shirt & of course me being me, I decided to rock it as a dress. I knew my over the knee flat boots would help balance out the look. Voila new outfit on deck!

Also how aMAZEing is my necklace & ring?!?! Well it’s from Rocksbox, a designer jewelry service that’s everything. You get to rock 3 of your favorite pieces for as long as you want for just $19/month. When you get tired of rocking those pieces you can swap them out for 3 more pieces! Talk about winning!! Use my code southernmazexoxo to sign up! 

Dress: INC. Hat: Mossimo. Boots: Enzo Angiolini. Lips: Diva by MAC. Nails: Guys & Galaxies by OPI. 

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

I love super cute, flashy flats. All the girls at my job have all these really cute flats & they look so cute walking around the office. And since I’m in appointments sometimes during the day flats work well for me. Also they help with the three flights of stairs I have to walk to get to my desk. Yea my a$$ & thighs will be aMAZEing next summer. #bejealous 

If you remember I recently blogged about the need to wear all black during the Fall season. Chic flats like these are paired perfectly with my any all black ensemble. Like I said I love flats, but my feet don’t always love them. I have a really high arch in both feet (dancer’s feet) & flats tend to hurt. Honestly tho, I would sacrifice the pain for these babies!

1. Miu Miu

2. Valentino

3. Ivanka Trump

4. Lucluc

5. Sophia Webster

6. Bebe

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Go Forth & FLOURISH

Today I dare you to go after your dreams. No more hesitation, no more self doubt, no more excuses. Just go after it and don’t have any fear. I know first hand that it’s hard to let go of fear because it’s something that I deal with on a regular. 

I’m constantly talking to myself, encouraging myself to get out of my own way, and to be the Lioness that I know I can be. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is scary. I’m being pushed out of my comfort zones in so many ways. Notice I said zones. I feel the struggle but I am trusting. I keep reminding myself one day at a time, one step at a time, keep pushing forward. Flourish.

Shout out to the good people at Humble Flourish Brand. I appreciate you guys’ & your constant support. Check out their gear here. They got some new pieces, I’ve already got my eye on a couple of em! IG: @humbleflourishbrand

Top: Humble Flourish Brand. Pants: Forever 21. Kicks: Isabel Marant. Lips: Russian Red by MAC. Jewelry Game: G-Shock, Banana Republic.

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

It’s getting to that part of the year where all I want to be dressed in is black. Not because I’m depressed, not because it’s ugly outside but just because it’s the New Yorker in me.***PSA: I’m a Texas girl all the way but remember I lived in NYC for 4yrs so parts of New York are still in me.*** Before I moved to NYC, I said I would never be one of those fashion girls wearing black all the time. Then I moved to NYC and was working at Bergdorf Goodman & couldn’t get enough of the craze, especially when it was cold out. 

Black is so sleek, so sexy, so simple but it makes SUCH a statement. Throw in leather and you have a bad combination. Black leather pieces make me feel sexy when I wear them! No matter if I rock them casually or out on the town black leather speaks to my life! One thing though...if you’re going to be wearing black leather all day long...make sure it’s comfortable. 

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Trunks Up

I started an awesome, new, aMAZEing job recently and I’m super excited about it but I can’t lie. I have NEVER worked this hard at any job I’ve ever had. It reminds me of when I was pledging Delta at Howard. I remember older Sorors would often tell us that Delta would prepare you for life and man were they right. Early mornings, long nights, lots of no’s and maybe one yes. Things may be hard now but I’m built for this. I’ve trained for this. I’m ready, willing and able. Trunks Up!

Also how cute is my outfit?!?! Nothing I have on is over $50. #gems

Blazer: Forever 21. Skirt: Forever 21. Heels: A+ by Aldo for Target. Lips: Orange by Make Up Forever. Jewelry Game: Forever 21, Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Overalls are back in a major way & now for Fall Leather Overalls are making a name for themselves. I’ve mentioned before that I wasn’t quite sure about this look but when I saw Olivia Palermo rocking them in my latest issue of People StyleWatch I knew it was a look I wanted to try out myself! 

Ideally, in my head when I get my body the way I want it, I would rock the overalls with a cute fall colored crop top, a pair of suede booties & over the top jewelry because that’s just what I do. The question is will you rock Leather Overalls this season? And how will you take your spin on the look?

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Fall for You

I love Fall & every year I forget how much I really love this season. I first fell in love with Fall while attending Howard University in Washington, DC. Being from Houston we never really had a Fall season. I remember walking around campus and actually seeing the leaves turn like the way it did on TV. 

I then fell in love again with Fall when I moved to NYC. That was really where this fashion dream of mine was started. There was something special about seeing New Yorkers walking the streets in their Fall fashion. Maybe it was because Fall meant Fall fashion for the whole city not just during Fashion Week. Every damn person who knew anything about fashion were pulling off these looks that I dreamt about. I fell in love with the layering, scarves, colors and was determined to perfect my style for Fall before I left that city. 

I fell in love with Fall for a 3rd time when I moved to Dallas. I never really realized how different the weather was in Dallas than Houston. Honestly, I figured that all of Texas had weather like Houston. Naive I know. Anyways I love outfits like this one because they transition so well from Summer to Fall. Our Fall is warm during the day (80s and 90s) and cooler at night and in the morning. I love that I can still wear my toes out, have some layering pieces on but not be overly hot or cold while doing so. Perfect Texas Fall weather.

Shirt: H&M. Shorts: Zara. Sandals: Go Jane. Lips: Lady Danger by MAC. Nails: Ginger Fire by Tom Ford. Jewelry Game: Michael Kors, Forever 21.  

[southernmaze]

Sooooo have you guys seen the Aldo for Target collection, otherwise known as A+. I know I’m late, I know the collection launched September 6th but I’ve been buried in work the last month. I was walking my neighborhood Target looking for desk supplies for my very naked desk at my new gig and somehow managed to find myself in the shoe aisle. Now if you are a real Target fanatic like I am then you know that the shoe section is not even close to desk supplies. Yeah ish happens.

Anyway I’m in shoes and I see all of these aMAZEing boots and then I remembered that Aldo was set to drop a line for the Fall. I fell in love and had to make myself leave the shoe section immediately because I legit wanted ALL of the shoes from this collection! Super freaking cute options and aMAZEing price points ($24.99-$59.99). I mean honestly where else are you going to find a cute a$$ bootie for $45. 

If you haven’t purchased any of the A+ collection run, don't walk, to your nearest Target and try these babies on! Or you can just buy them all online. Either which way you will be kicking yourself if you miss out on this collection. True Facts!

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

I know it’s Fall but I am not quite ready to give up the bright nail colors. Why you ask? Because it’s still 90 degrees outside! There’s so many Summer colors that will transition well into Fall. Some neons will def still make a statement for Fall, so keep your eye out for those. Look for colors that have a darker undertone. My current obsession is Saturated by Orly! I looooooooove the color! It’s looks so much darker in the shade but when light hits it you see that neon purple...man hold up! 

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Vacation Vibes

First let me start off by saying that I am NOT a swimsuit model nor am I a size 2...clearly. I am a real woman, with a real body and I have curves. Now that we have gotten that out of the way... 

I visited Cancun over the Labor Day holiday with a group of my girlfriends and had a marvelous time! This vacation couldn’t of come at a better time because it fell right before I started my new job. Talk about a great way to transition!

The last month + half has been crazy for me and unfortunately I haven’t been able to work out like I want to. Plus I’ve been traveling & celebrating so basically that means a lot of bad food and drinking. While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself my health regime has suffered but I was determined to have a great time on my vacation! I was NOT going to be depressed because my body isn't where I want it to be. Enter the Sexy A$$ One Pieces.

You may remember my post on Sexy A$$ One Pieces earlier this summer. I was so happy that I was able to find (some new, some old) so many great one piece options! While I still have a lot of work to do I am embracing my body. We only have one and we have to be good to it, physically and mentally. It’s definitely not perfect but it’s mine. And if I do say so myself...I look pretty damn good in these here suits. Ladies we MUST be empowered by our imperfections, after all they make us human.

Pink Suit: Victoria Secret (old but similar option here.) Black Suit: Sold out but similar option here. White Suit: Sold out but similar option here. Coral suit: Sold out but similar option here. Gold Suit: American Apparel.

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

Trust

I’m learning to really trust myself these days. I trust that things will work out as they should. Learning to trust the process instead of having so much doubt. Most importantly I’m learning to trust my gift. As the quote says “It doesn’t matter how many people do what you do. No one can do it like you.” Clearly there are a million and one fashion bloggers in the world. A million and three Stylists but God gave me this gift and I plan to share it. I do not want to dishonor Him by not fulfilling my gifts to the fullest. 

I hope that you trust yourself and your gifts. Trust your intuition. Trust your first mind when it comes to your sense of fashion. Just trust, you got this.

Top: Zara. Skirt: Zara. Heels: Zara. Lips: Flat Out Fabulous by MAC. Nails: Make Some Noise by Essie. Jewelry Game: Michael Kors, Express.

Be aMAZEing

[southernmaze]

I’m headed out of the country with my girlfriends later this week (I’m super stoked by the way) and have been wrecking my brain for the perfect purse while traveling. I mean I have really been stressing about this and all of a sudden it came to me....uh duh Tamra bring your backpack purse. Not only is it super cute, it’s large enough to carry all my junk while traveling. 

Nostalgia hits me when I rock my backpack purse. I always wanted a fly one and now they’re so many to chose from. Another great thing about backpack purses...they will transition well into fall. Even tho it’s still 90+ degrees in Dallas, in the way way back of my mind I’ve started to think about Fall fashion. 

1. John Lewis

2. LucLuc

3. Piper

4. Valentino

5. Alexander Wang

6. Barneys New York

Be aMAZEing