You probably didn't give it much thought but ladies, this summer, you NEED a stripe cover-up pants for the beach!
I woke up this morning and I was still not in Palm Springs. Tragic.
hello 25.
I thought a lot about what to say and how to share my sentiments with you on my 25th birthday. Maybe, it would be much easier to tell you how miserable 24 was. How between grieving the death of my mentor and then the demise of my first REAL relationship made life tremendously difficult. How my insecurities felt more crippling than ever before and how affected I became from realizing I didnt really know myself very well.
Instead, I believe it would be of better taste to share something that a brilliant woman once said that changed my perspective a great deal. Diana Vreeland suggested that, “There's only one very good life and that's the life you know you want and you make it yourself.”
So. 25.
Here's to looking ahead and learning from past trials;
accepting what cannot be changed and changing what I can;
taking control and responsibility of my own fate;
dreaming infinitely;
setting goals and actually achieving them;
loving myself;
doing more than just exist;
keeping the faith.
Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I appreciate every single one.
Thank you, always.
until next time
Do Good, Dress Well
xTAR
Photography by Randy Richards
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.
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
