HAPPY WEEKEND!!
When it comes to hair care, I am your all around low-maintenance, sensitive to everything damsel in distress. Since my big chop in December 2014, I've tried experimenting with a few products here and there, with my main focus being something that was gentle enough to not irritate my scalp eczema but still has the potency to keep my hair moisturized. Most recently I discovered and tried a new hair care line called Boucleme that did just this and since I havent seen many reviews on their products I decided to share my thoughts with you!
Hey Loves! Today my post will be very different. I've decided to share with you all my struggles with cystic acne and the new series of treatment I've decided to try in my desperate attempt to finally have clear skin.
Happy Weekend Dolls (& Gents)
I must admit, I dont recall looking forward to the weekend more than I have these past few months. During these well needed downtime it is all about ease, being relaxed and comfy and my wardrobe is no exception....
I must admit, I dont recall looking forward to the weekend more than I have these past few months. During these well needed downtime it is all about ease, being relaxed and comfy and my wardrobe is no exception....
Hey dolls (& gents)! I've been trying to make my way back from the 70s since last week's post but apparently my Afro hair feels too much at home....
In case you missed it, the 70s is back baby and this S/S season has gone in full retro mode. Forecast shows signs of hipster wide-leg pants, groovy prints, funky suede and all sorts of good-vibes-boho-chicness.
There is a certain element of magic found in every piece of garment that allows it to tell a story. That's always my favorite part about dressing up. No matter which side of the bed I wake up on, I can choose an outfit to manipulate my mood and tell a different tale. Role playing a chic-modern day warrior for example, on a day when you're going through the motions and feeling a bit defeated, is always a good idea.
On March 12th 2014 I decided to take the plunge and create a fashion blog. I had no sense of direction, no camera or photographer for that matter, a non-existent budget and no sense of technical efficiency to manage the back end of a website. Today however I am proud to celebrate ONE YEAR of growth, style and blessings. SwankxTAR's TURNS ONE y'all!!!
Looking back on some of the looks I've featured this past year (all photos click through to respective blog post)
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What a year. What a learning experience. What a struggle. What a joy. This past year has been a lot of things, but easy certainly wasnt one of them. Hats off to all the bloggers who have spent years perfecting this craft, I have so much respect for you all. Remaining consistent and relevant is no small task especially with limited resources at your disposal but I have found that passion, commitment and a great team can carry you a LONG WAY!
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Thank you to each and everyone of you who visit my blog each week and for leaving such sweet comments! I cannot begin to explain how appreciative I am. Lord knows how many days I have thought about throwing in the towel but your compliments along with the continued support of friends and family has kept me going!
There are a few special persons I owe MASSIVE THANK YOUs - who so graciously helped me to make this blog a reality; My friend/ consultant Jacquie J. thank you for giving me that kick in the butt at the right moment to finally create a space to catalog my love affair with fashion. My adopted sister, Jessica H, blogger of JessicaInTheKitchen.com for always being available to share your blogging wisdom. Allison, long time friend, hair crush and blogger of Candid Cinni for giving my blog a much needed facelift and never saying no when I ask for technical support. Thank you also to Alex M for your expert advice on websites, Swankxtar was finally able to drop the "blogspot" training wheels because of you!
Steven "Saving Grace" Smith.Thank you for seeing my potential and volunteering to capture my outfits in spite of your hectic med school schedule. I cannot thank you enough! Most of all, Thank you to my beau Gavin. Waking up so early on a weekend, patiently waiting while I try to get the right shots and jumping in as creative director or assistant photographer on occasions and never complaining even for a second; you are really one of one. There really would be no Swankxtar without these two men.
Again, thanks to everyone who has played a big or small part in making this milestone possible. I hope you will all continue with me on this journey as it has only just begun.....
until next time
Do Good, Dress Well
xTAR
Photography by: Steven Smith
Hey Dolls (& Gents!)
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Soooo I must admit; I felt rather bashful about doing this post but it's special to me so I resolved that the world should know. Today marks 3 years of the most BLISSFUL journey of my life. No, this isnt my engagement photos LOL, its a shoot my bf Gavin and I did on our first anniversary of dating. I thought I would do a throw back post and share this memory with you all (: ....
Hey Dolls (and Gents)!
This week I am throwing it back to an outfit I wore last November that I didnt get a chance to share. I had attended a fashion show and decided on making my cape blazer the statement piece since at the time it was a "must-have" /trending garment.
This week I am throwing it back to an outfit I wore last November that I didnt get a chance to share. I had attended a fashion show and decided on making my cape blazer the statement piece since at the time it was a "must-have" /trending garment.
This day marks my 24th year of existence on the planet. *throws confetti* More than anything else, I am grateful.
Happy Valentine's Day Loves!
This is officially the second time I've ever worn a dress on this blog; I'm really not a dress person and never been. Infact, I dont believe I owned a skirt until I was in the 8th grade :|. Give me a tailored pants, skinny jeans or shorts and I will feel right at home.[tomboy in recovery lol] Valentine's Day aka break out that grown and sexy dress day however calls for a CHANGE!
Today marks, what would have been, the 70th birthday of the King of Reggae, BOB MARLEY! Like December 25th is to Christians, so is February 6th to the Jamaican music industry and many persons across the world, a day to celebrate the life and legacy of a GREAT emissary who, in some way or another, impacted every life that came across his message.
As we reflect on the musical icon's wisdom and talent on this day, I would like to invite you to also take a minute to appreciate the Rastaman's equally iconic and (equally ironic) fashionable moments.
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| This very well could have been his Vogue or GQ debut. Am I wrong? |
Hey Loves! I want to start by wishing you all a great week (: Hope you've managed to kick the Monday blues and are motivated to kick ass once more.
I recall someone asking the question "What do you consider your personal style" and it was probably the easiest question I've ever had to answer.
This week an old schoolmate and fellow blogger Chaz of The Chaz Dean Blog and I shared our views on the London and Milan fashion week collections that have been presented so far for the Autum/Winter 2015 season. Here are some of our thoughts:
London Fashion Week|London Collections Men
Chaz Deans: Tanaka, it's that time of year again where the major fashion cities are showcasing their upcoming season collections and first up on the chopping block is, London. I will admit I always get excited for Fashion Week (month) but I feel a little let down by London. The highlight for me was Burberry Prorsum, and Alexander McQueen. Mostly because they appealed to my personal aesthetic and not in the ‘usual’ London way of an obsessive repetitive presentation of outerwear and suiting options, though still very present. Which in essence is what London Fashion is… Though I’ll say this, individual Moschino pieces added to any of the more tailored presentations would call for a major style moment. Moschino styling was difficult to digest, but the merit in each individual piece was evident. All in all, LFW and LC:M wasn’t much to talk about, in my estimation. Side note: street style during this time was more attention-grabbing than the actual collections.
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| (from left: Alexander McQueen and Moschino) |
This woman's style is LETHAL! Meet Drew Ginsbury, creative director of Dylanlex, the jewelry brand of my dreams. I stumbled upon one of her pieces some time last year on Tumblr and then later found her instagram account: Dylanlex, which pretty much fueled my infatuation. The gaudy minimalist, because only an oxymoron could do her justice, her style is a fresh marriage of vintage and edgy with a kiss of glam. Instead of going on about how obviously amazingly fabulous she is though, I will let her images do the talking:
In case you missed it; Pantone (aka THE Colour Authority) has officially announced 'MARSALA' as the colour of the year for 2015. Prior to this announcement, I only knew of "Masala", an Indian food spice that I LOVE! Channa Masala with garlic naan and tamarind sauce! ....getting hungry just thinking about it- so delicious! ....but, I digress.
Marsala, the colour, is described as a naturally robust and earthy wine red. Based on the description, it is a tone we are quite familiar with however we would probably have just identified it as burgundy or a paler oxblood. What really sets Marsala apart from these colours though is the deep brown undertone that gives it its rich, lusty appeal.
