I‘d rather be naked! (3 things to do when you have NOTHING to wear.)

He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat.
— Much Ado About Nothing Act I, i
PC: meHeadband: Gucci , Dress: Vivetta

PC: me

Headband: Gucci , Dress: Vivetta

How many times a week do you stand in your closet and proclaim “I HAVE NOTIHING TO WEAR”…knowing good and well that this should NOT be the freaking case. (This is definitely a first-world problem,…and the sin of gluttony at the very least…..but don’t judge…lol. Before running to the nearest mall in despair (are malls still a thing)….or your nearest keyboard to order something cute online, check out my three tips.

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TIP #1 PINTEREST

Are you still sleeping on Pinterest? Well, today you are going to get that app and get yo life all the way together. Pinterest is a powerful search engine that you can use for all kinds of inspiration, including fashion. I love to type in a particular looks, such as spring/summer outfits, or transition to fall/winter outfits. You can even get specific and type in boots, or leather coats, etc. Go ahead and create some boards and keep your looks on tap. That’s what I do. Check mine out for all kinds of swagalicious looks.

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TIP #2 SHOP YOUR CLOSET

Don’t underestimate the depths of your closet. First, have a clear out. Donate or sell all of the clothes and shoes you know for sure you won’t don anymore. Take them to your local Goodwill, or sell them at a second-hand shop, or on apps such as DePop, Poshmark, or TheRealReal, for example. Now you’re ready to take a double take at all of those shirts, sweaters, and skirts, that got pushed to the back of your closet. That skirt you bought on sale, it’s a great color, great fit, still has the tags on it,…pull it out! What about that sweater you haven’t worn in a while, pull it out of your drawer and give it some love. Now, lets see what we can do with these pieces that we’re about to give new life to.

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TIP 3 TRY DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS

After perusing Pinterest, you no doubt have several outfit ideas you can’t wait to try out. Instead of pairing the same outfit combinations you normally do, try something different. Pair different patterns, colors, add some new jewelry, etc. Also, try different shoes that you wouldn’t normally wear with the outfit you’re creating. All of this will give you the feeling as if you are wearing a brand new outfit. And the best part is, you didn’t spend any money, and you potentially made some money from the sale of unwanted clothing items. Now that’s a WIN-WIN!

BONUS TIP

There is also an app that I’ve recently discovered called Stylebook. With this you can upload your clothes to the app, and the app gives you wardrobe suggestions that you may not have thought of. There are also other features such as a calendar which can potentially help you take the guess work out of what to wear for the upcoming week. Give it a try! :-)

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Those are my tips on solving the “nothing to wear” problem, and avoiding you just giving up and leaving the house in your birthday suit…lol.

Let me know if this is something you regularly do, or if you decided to give something I mentioned a try. Would love to hear from you!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

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My Bali Travel Guide: Solo traveling

To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.
— The Winter’s Tale

Where I stayed

While in Bali, I stayed in a one bedroom AirBnB located in central Seminyak. The upstairs of the villa consisted of the bedroom, which was the bed, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower. Downstairs was a small kitchen, small dining table, a couch, and a small bathroom with only a toilet and a sink. There were doors that opened all the way to make the inside and outside one space, as well. Outside on the patio were chairs, tables, and a private swimming pool with luscious greenery. Truthfully, this spot was perfect for just me, but for two or more people, it would have been way too tight. The pictures on AirBnB made it appear much larger than it was.

Photos taken by me.

Photos taken by me.

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What’s Bali like?

Language: In Bali, there are many dialects spoken depending on which caste you come from. However, there is a common language called bahasa, that is kind of a newer language used to unite all of the different dialects so everyone can communicate easier. But fear not! Since Bali’s tourism industry is very strong, English is spoken everywhere, so you won’t have a problem in this area.

Getting around: OMG!!!!! There are soooo many scooters in Bali! That is the first thing I noticed while I was being driven (in a car) from the airport to my AirBnB. My driver informed me that because there really isn’t a public transportation infrastructure such as buses and trains, people mostly use scooters to get around because it’s cheap and easy. Taxis are also everywhere and easily accessible. However, it is recommended (by myself as well) to use Bluebird Taxis. These taxis are regulated, they use a meter, and you won’t get ripped off. Unfortunately, I was running late for something because my Bluebird Taxi I ordered couldn’t find my AirBnB (that’s another story…lol), so I hailed an unregulated taxi and got taken for a ride, if you get my drift…lol! From then on, it was only Bluebird for me! :-)

Back to these scooters! If you’re brave enough, you too can easily rent a scooter to get around on. But it’s nothing like riding around Mykonos, for example. That’s child’s play compared to Bali. Bali on a scooter is not for the faint of heart. There are very few to zero rules of the road that I noticed…so ride at your own risk, and don’t forget to wear a helmet! You will also get offered rides on scooters for money by the Balinese and their scooters, so that is also an option if you feel adventurous.

Tirta Gangga, Bali

Tirta Gangga, Bali

Must-have Apps: Here are three apps that you need to download for your time in Bali and Southeast Asia period. If you need a taxi or scooter, if you need food delivered from your favorite restaurant, or even groceries delivered, these are the apps you need. You can pay through the app for cashless transactions, which makes everything easier. So, download these apps for a much more enjoyable stay in Bali. I was definitely happy I had them.

App #1 : Grab

App # 2 Gojek

App# 3 My Bluebird

Vegan yumminess! My falafel burger and sweet potato fries with tahini sauce. This was at a cafè called Kimsoo.

Vegan yumminess! My falafel burger and sweet potato fries with tahini sauce. This was at a cafè called Kimsoo.

Currency: Rupiah is the currency used in Bali. You can exchange your home currency for theirs directly in the airport after you grab your luggage. This is safe and easy. You can exchange your money at various other places in Bali, but make sure that it’s an authorized vendor, otherwise you will get cheated. Because Bali is a poor country (in terms of wealth), your money will go far here. For example, 100,000 Rp = approx. $7…(at the time this post was written.) There are also lots of ATM’s around, too.

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Some things to do: Depending on whether you just want to chill, or if you want adventure, you can find it all in Bali. I actually did both. The first few days, I went on some tours that I booked via AirBnB (yes, they also have what they call Experiences for you to book), and Viator. I went to the famous Gate of Heaven, the Water Garden, the Jungle Swing, coffee plantation, and the rice gardens. It was a long tour, but highly worth it. I even took a bike tour (something I do on all of my vacations if available). This tour was more strenuous than I expected…lol…but I loved it because we rode to Canngu, an area that I had wanted to see, and I saw parts of Bali that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I highly suggest tours, especially if you are a solo traveller, because it´s stress-free. Most of the time they even pick you up from your accommodation. You can’t get more stress-free than that! :-)

Of course, if you just want to chill, you can hit up the beaches and the beach clubs. I would recommend Ku De Ta and also Potato Head. Massages are also offered everywhere if you’re in need of one. Also, other spa services are offered at many places on the island. And, these services are very inexpensive, too.

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Miscellaneous: Restaurants are plentiful in Bali. You will find anything and everything, no need to worry about that. I’m a plant-based eater and found tons of eating options to accommodate me.

There are also dogs EVERYWHERE in Bali. One of my Balinese tour guides told me that the Balinese love dogs, and that every household has one. The dogs I saw appeared to be very independent, and didn’t seem to belong to anyone, but maybe that’s just dog- life in Bali……:-). None of the dogs seemed aggressive, they just did their own doggy thing. I did see an unfortunate accident where a poor dog got hit by a truck and became instantly paralyzed….:-(. This ties into the crazy driving situation in Bali that I mentioned earlier. So, just be careful if you do decide to rent a car or a scooter.

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I chose the above quote from The Winter´s Tale, because in this particular scene one character is telling two other characters not to go off to some far away, possibly dangerous part of the world. I often come across people who tell me not to go there, or maybe you shouldn’t go alone, or maybe why are you going for so long, or why are ´not you staying longer, it´s not worth it….blah, blah blah. So many people have opinions about this or that….and because what you’re doing doesn’t seem or feel right for them, they try and deter you from doing what feels right for you. That is when you thank them, or not thank them for their input, and continuing to do you and continue to remember that you are living YOUR life, not theirs.

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Please like, share, and/or leave a comment telling me about your experience in beautiful Bali!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

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Do you have a signature scent?

Monster, I do smell all horse piss, at which
my nose is in great indignation. (IV, i, lines 223-224)
— William Shakespeare, The Tempest

First of all, let me say HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY to me…July 1st…Cancers rule…(ok…I’m done….lol)! And, secondly, let me assure you….I smell heavenly. No whiffs of horse piss, Mr. Shakespeare…lol. This post is all about scents…..signature scents to be exact. Do you have a scent that your friends, family, co-workers, etc. associate with you? Do you tend to go for sweet , floral, leathery, musky scents. or soft , fresh and woody smells? Now, I’m not a “scent specialist”. I’m not well-versed in the perfume lingo, however, I have found the particular oils, trees, and/or flowers that are a part of the scents that I love. I must say, that it took me a long time to find my signature scent. In my twenties, I wasn’t even into perfumes. My thirties were a hodge podge of trendy scents that didn’t appeal to me at all. Believe it or not, it wasn’t until my forties that I began to really hone in on what kinds of scents I really love and what smells good on me. Some of those scents are: patchouli, cardamom, sandalwood, jasmine, fig and vetiver to name a few.

Let me give you some EXCELLENT advice. NEVER buy perfume or cologne for someone that you don’t know very well. Perfumes are really intimate gifts. Giving a scent to someone you don’t really know, may result in said scent lying in the back of a drawer, closet, or gathering dust on a shelf. Or even re-gifted…lol…which actually is better than lying around gathering dust. Pretty bottles don’t make the perfect gift for someone. I cannot tell you how many gifts of perfume I have received, that after one whiff have gone to the perfume cemetery to be laid to rest. Don’t be the that kind of gift giver….lol. Let your gift of perfume live.

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Absolutely LOVE Le Labo´s Santal 33. Apparently, the sandalwood in this scent works divinely with my chemistry. I love it. Also, at the Le Labo counter they custom mix the scent for you and tell you all about their philosophy while you wait. Finally, you can even personalize the bottle. Even though it is a bit pricey, you can take the empty bottle in and get 20% (I think) off your next bottle. How cool is that!

Hat: AsosJeans: Dolce & GabbanaTop: Wayf

Hat: Asos

Jeans: Dolce & Gabbana

Top: Wayf

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This Tom Ford is a really grown up and sexy scent. Apparently they harvest the jasmine flowers at night because that is when they are their most fragrant.

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This scent from Jo Malone is so light and airy to me. The cardamom is divine. I can wear this and never get tired of it. I will say, that out of the two…this fragrance has the least projection…(learned that from YouTube…lol). It also tends to fade after a while.

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Have you found your signature scent? Let me know which scents are your absolute favorites.

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO

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What if knowledge is LITERALLY power?

He would be crowned: How that might change his nature, there’s the question.
— Julius Caesar, Act II, i
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WARNING: I’m an out-of-the-box thinker kinda gal.

Carry on.

Have you ever considered this? Good ole Merriam Webster has nine definitions for the word power. In the above quote, Brutus was referencing the second definition: A position of authority, control, or influence over others. There is no need to expound upon that definition. We constantly experience the effects of it in various aspects of our lives. I, however, want to discuss definition number 6: A source or means of supplying energy: especially electricity. From this point on, open your minds and let me give you something to ponder.

Since childhood, we’ve all been inundated with the platitude KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that. And trying to gain more control and power in our lives is a big money maker in our society, Whether it’s paying for knowledge gaining esteemed letters after your name, paying for workshops and buying self-help books from other people who seem to know you better than you know yourself. Or better yet, joining the infinite amount of groups that require you to take an oath, perform a ritual of some kind to gain some “secret” knowledge the rest of us don’t know..i.e…Shriners, Knights of Malta, those Rosicrucians, or any of the other numerous fraternal orders out here. Or perhaps going to yoga, learning to meditate is more your thing (which is a good thing) all in an effort to gain more control and knowledge in your own life in order to manifest a life that society says you need. The only thing is, you’ll NEVER get the true answer that will free you and give you the power to empower you, which is your/our birthright.

BUT let me posit this: WHAT IF the phrase in a very popular book Genesis 1:3, Let there be light, actually meant that the people in power at the time actually monopolized how to generate electricity. (Pay close attention the letters in bold.) The descendants from these people, are now the only people to have this knowledge (the knowledge all of humanity once shared), and they now govern us today in the form of royal families and presidents worldwide….a.k.a. governments.

What do you think? Hard to believe? Not really. Without going into an extensive history lesson to cross all of my t’s and dot all of my i’s, it’s more than plausible. Think about it: You essentially go to work everyday to literally pay for power, that is free, so you can go home and flick on the light switch, open your fridge to find something to eat, then turn on your stove to make a nice dinner. Afterwards, turn on your laptops and/or computers to check in on my blogs..;-)..play Nintendo, charge up your electronic devices, etc. Mind you, all the while we are all paying for energy that these huge power plants all around the world are generating for free. Let that sink in a bit.

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Most people would equate money with power. They believe the accumulation of wealth will ultimately lead to power.

Unfortunately, money became the poor substitution for true power.

If money = currency, and currency = current, then current = energy, which = power.

Knowledge really used to be power. That knowledge has been hidden.

You can’t be liberated without power...and you can’t have power without knowing how to generate it. And you will never have power if you are paying power companies for energy. Period.

True empowerment comes from more than joining a group and/or subscribing to a particular ideology.

Ok…I’m done soliloquizing….for now..:-)

To be continued at another time. So much more to be deduced through this one thought.

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO!!

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Get your clout up- CLOUT CHASIN‘

“Authority has always attracted the lower elements in the human race. They will submit to any indignity, perform any vile act, do anything to achieve power.“

P.J. O‘Rourke, Parliament of Whores

Photo credit: Yours truly

Photo credit: Yours truly

This is the word of the moment. I even think being a clout-chaser is an actual occupation these days. Correction: I know it is. I mean, look at the stats. If you achieve any amount of significant clout (this is a grey area, based on one‘s perspective…like most things), you are guaranteed anywhere from a modicum of money, respect, and power, to cascading throngs of it.

Necklace: Dylanlex (Gilded Phoenix)Swag, courtesy of me

Necklace: Dylanlex (Gilded Phoenix)

Swag, courtesy of me

And isn‘t that what the majority of us humans seem to be socially engineered to crave. Attention. Attention which leads to likes and followers, which you pray to the social media gods will lead you to the Promised Land of Clout. What is causing people from all walks of life to de-value the low-profile aspects of our lives? Does everything need to be seen? Does everything need to be filtered through your Instagram lense? This filtered lense is quickly becoming part of our DNA. We don our filter/template that society has offered us without hesitation. As a matter of fact, we demand it. And heaven forbid if you show up without it. There are quite a few to choose from, too. Which one are you sporting today? I‘m wearing my 80‘s gold chain wearing rapper one today. The aesthetic is cool. I‘m feelin‘ it.

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May get „some gold teeth and dance like Michael.“ At least that template is slightly rarer…;-) Hey, in the end, I know this post is ironic to say the least…maybe even sardonic in nature. The irony isn‘t lost on me. But just to put it out there…I‘m not clout-chasing…I‘m just soliloquizing…:-)


Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

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Comment something nice below…:-)



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Do you want to be comfy and stylish? Try this trend.

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain
— Venus and Adonis by Shakespeare
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Not only does love comforteth, but so do these stylish gym shoes! Ok granted, they are not made for hiking treks on the rock of Gibraltar (where I actually wore these Gucci gym shoes), but they are comfy for regular jaunts around town.

Location: Rock of GibraltarPC: BTOutfit details: Gucci Ace Gym Shoes, Fendi iKan bag, Gucci palm cuff

Location: Rock of Gibraltar

PC: BT

Outfit details: Gucci Ace Gym Shoes, Fendi iKan bag, Gucci palm cuff

There was a time in my life, over 20 years ago, when I didn’t even own a pair of gym shoes. I literally wore heels every time I went out. (I mean, back then I was in my twenties…..so, that age range alone is enough to justify why I chose that modality of footwear…lol.)

Nowadays, I still wear heels every now and then, but since the explosion of the gym shoe trend that has taken over the last couple of years, I’ve been hooked.

Balenciaga shirt, Gucci skirt, Gucci belt bag, Gucci gym shoesLocation: Seville, SpainPC: BT

Balenciaga shirt, Gucci skirt, Gucci belt bag, Gucci gym shoes

Location: Seville, Spain

PC: BT

I love mixing metallics or sequins, or anything else deemed “dressy”, and dressing them down with a pair of high end sneakers. Also, if you’re wearing some jeans and a white shirt, and throw on a pair of Dolce and Gabbana gym shoes, for instance, you’ve just elevated your style 1000%.

Dolce and Gabbana Super Queen leather sneakers (Still available as of date of this blog post.)

Dolce and Gabbana Super Queen leather sneakers (Still available as of date of this blog post.)

Give it a try! Be comfy and cute simultaneously! You don‘t have to sacrifice your comfort for style. Just like love…this upscale sneaker trend (which I think is here to stay) will comfort you like sunshine after the rain.

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Let me know how you rock this trend!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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So…is it Spring, yet?

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April hath put a spirit of youth in everything
— Sonnet XCVIII

In my neck of the woods, spring hasn’t exactly sprung. I mean, it has been raining a fair bit, which is definitely spring-like….and the sun has been shining a lot, which is great! However, there has been this slightly cold wind that has been killing my springish vibes. While waiting for that cold wind to warm up, I’m getting my mind right for spring my wearing bright colors that warm my soul up!

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These fabulous pants from Zara are the epitome of spring. I’m absolutely in love with them! I’ve paired them with a light blue sweater from Joos Tricot. (Link is similar sweater.)This sweater serves two functions: warmth and this beautiful blue will brighten up any space you walk into. (FYI: The sweaters from this brand are awesome. The fit is to die for!)

As you can see, I’m not afraid of color. My pink Fendi purse, in my opinion, is the perfect addition to finish off my spring outfit. (This link is similar to my purse. Mine may no longer be available)

So, be brave! Experiment with a pops of color, and be young at heart and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that’s on verge of springing forth!

Comment below and let me know how you add spring colours to your wardrobe.

By the way, no affiliate links are used in this blog.

Thanks for stopping by…..XOXO

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Fakin’ the Funk: My winter blues…

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December’s bareness every where!
— Sonnet 97 (Shakespeare)

I didn’t want to succomb to it. Succomb to the blah feeling, the feeling of zero energy, the feeling of wanting to stay in my pyjamas and pretend that I’m the star of that Twilight Zone episode where I’m, mysteriously, the only person left on this plane(t)…as well as Netflix…:-) I honestly DID NOT. I wanted to embrace this winter season in all of its fluffy white snow, beautiful snow-filled landscapes, imbibe the chilly, crisp air into my lungs….and look stylish all the while doing it. That was my honest-to-goodness plan. Well, it’s already February…and my zealousness has definitely waned….and I’m being very generous with that statement.

My stylish factor, though, has remained high through this loooooong winter, because I believe in that tried but true statement: FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. For me, I find that if my mood isn’t as fabulous as what I look like, looking fab gives my mood a chance to catch up.

Outside of checking my favorite online stores for the new Spring/Summer/Cruise collections that are flooding my inbox, and yes, getting doorbell rings with packages that contain lovely boxes tied with ribbon that contain clothes and maybe shoes from the aforementioned collections, I realize the most important thing: Life is literally a sine wave. It dips….it fluctuactes…it regenerates….it resurrects…it revives…it recharges. Everything is always in motion. Everything. And in that…we can all take comfort in knowing that said funk will be gone!

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Bern, Switzerland (PC: my bestie…S.S.)

I’m a tad bit late…but HAPPY “NEW YEAR!” (Snapchat filter)

I’m a tad bit late…but HAPPY “NEW YEAR!” (Snapchat filter)

Thank you for stopping by…..:-)

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Sequins here, sequins there, sequins everywhere!

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances....
— As You Like it, Act II, iv
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Tis the season to be shiny!! To be fair, any season is shiny season for me. I happen to agree that all the world is my stage (and yours too), and I am the protagonist of my story. J. Cole also paraphrased this same sentiment…”This is my canvas….Ima paint it how I want it..”

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This fabulous skirt is from Vivetta. I paired it with a Karl Lagerfeld T-shirt which dresses “down” the dressiness of the skirt. This type of juxtaposition is something I love to play with. My Gucci fanny pack (whoever thought you’d live to see the fanny pack make a comeback!) ties everything together.

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Don’t be shocked if you ever run into me at the local grocery store dressed in this shiny sequin skirt and some fab gym shoes…because I never “save my best” for a special day. To me, everyday is a special day…and I dress accordingly!

GO AHEAD AND PIN ME! :-)

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Thank you for stopping by! Let me know how you shine! XOXO

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