tanika Green

It’s blog post time! I thought today I would do a something a little different then my “Style Craving” post and give you a little insight to my personality. I’m an introvert. Yes, an introvert. It may be the “only child” syndrome that started it all, but I really am a little bit of a loner. I do enjoy spending time by myself and don’t necessarily need to be with someone to have a good time. I’m the girl at a restaurant or coffee shop with a book in my hand or on my phone. No, I’m not waiting on a friend to join me, but I’m there alone, by myself having the best time. But, when its time to be social and interact with others, you know mingle and spark witty conversation, I rather not! I don’t know why I struggle with this, but I took this Buzzfeed Introvert Quiz and as hilarious as it is, I can identify with most of the questions.

In being a blogger, I have to be social, attend events, step out and network. Cringe! Now, don’t get me wrong, I can pull it together and manage through just fine, but it takes so much energy and effort to do so. As the quiz says, after a social event, I feel like I need the next day to recharge lol. I decided that I have to come out of my shell and at least meet other wonderful, like minded bloggers in Dallas to connect with. After all, we all have at least one thing in common to talk about, blogging!

I attended a Tea Party here in Dallas at the cutest little shop called Vintage House hosted by Dallas Blogger Collective. Dallas Blogger Collective is a network of bloggers right here in the Dallas area that creates an amazing platform for bloggers to network and present opportunities to work with brands as well. DBC also hosts super fun events such as this Tea Party that I attended this past Sunday. I decided that it was high time for me to attend an event and to have fun! It’s not so many chances I get to dress up (this dress is maternity by the way, unbelievable right?) for a tea party, right? Well, as you can see, I had a good time. I meant to take more pictures as the event was going on but I was busy chatting it up with all of the ladies who were there! Do the ladies in the bottom pic look familiar to you? Yes, thats Taylor from A Pearl Kind of Girl and Melody from Blingaholic88, they are both fashion bloggers I collaborated with here in our “Four Fashionistas, One Store”post. I really had a great time and it was great to be in the company of such wonderful ladies!

Are you an introvert? How do you overcome social situations or do you shy away from it? The best advice I’ve received on this is to give yourself a number of people who you will talk to and make sure you don’t leave until you have met that number. So for all my introverts out there, break out of your shell, be open and give a smile and chat it up! There’s always the following day to recover! See you Thursday for my next post!

Outfit Details: Dress- Asos Maternity (old) but love this, this and this too! Shoes- Guess (old, my wedding shoes! ) similar Clutch- H&M Bracelet- Itchelita Jewelry Red Lips- NARS -Red Dragon

Photo Credit of group picture: Stephanie Drenka Photography

Hello my fellow fashionistas! I told you a post was coming really soon and here it is. I am super excited about this post as I am collaborating with a few Fashion bloggers right here from the Dallas area!! Taylor Thompson of A Pearl Kind of Girl, Melody Sours of BLINGAHOLIC88 and Lauren Richardson of Dressing Dallas!! We bring you, “Four Fashionistas, One Store!!” We’ve teamed up with Rio Ritz boutique, a super cute store right here in Dallas, styling a look based upon our different fashion styles, using at least one piece from the store. My look? Feminine Edge! We all know I like to add a little bit of edge to my look and I am all about a little sparkle and distressed jeans! I picked this fun, sequin top from the boutique and paired it with my own black, ripped jeans and metallic shoes to boot. I love how easy this look is and how you can mix sequins with just about anything!

Please be sure to check out the other ladies who are apart of this collaboration! We have Modern Girly Girl, Chic Glam and you have to have a little BoHo in the mix!! You will be sure to find inspiration in each post!

Outfit Details: Sequin Top- Rio Ritz Boutique (not online, text 214-945-3502 to order) Jeans- Forever 21 (old) similar here in white, here, here (NEED!!), and here! Shoes- Zara (old) similar here, here, here and these too! Clutch- H&M Earrings-H&M and love these and obsessed with this pair! Ring- Sole Society Watch- Michael Kors Lipstick- Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Dragon here!

Photo Credit for my individual look: 103 Studio

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So !

I would like to introduce to you the most beautiful little girl in the whole wide world, Camille!!!! Yes, I may be a little biased because I am her mommy, but this little one holds the key to my heart! These pictures were taken while we were in Chicago for my brother- in- law graduation from college this weekend. So after a little brunch, an impromptu blog photo shoot occurred. I decided to feature my little girl, because after all, she loves the camera and I think she wanted in on the blog lol. What do you think? Future fashion blogger perhaps?

I am often asked by other moms, how do you keep it together? How do you dress and put on makeup and look great? Let’s be real here, being a mommy is HARD WORK! Nothing is done with a snap of a finger or a wave of a magic wand. When I first had my daughter, yes I pretty much wore my fabulous yoga pants and comfy tees. I still do most times! But, I have always lived by that old saying, “When you look good, you feel good!” Let me tell you, the days I was home on maternity leave with my newborn baby, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, wore down etc etc. But, after those quick showers that you sneak in while baby is napping, I felt like a human being. I felt like maybe I had at least six hours of sleep when it was only 2 or 3 total. It was HARD!

I LOVE being a mommy! Its no greater feeling in the world. However, I knew from the start that I did not want to be a mommy who forgot about herself. What made me feel good and what I enjoyed! My mom always taught me to always be presentable and keep yourself looking nice. I truly believe in that! So the days while baby girl was napping and I was wide awake (the whole sleep while the baby is sleeping is a bunch of lies, lol, that happened maybe 3 times?), I did a little makeup, curled my hair, pulled out my “real” clothes and I felt 100% better!!! Who would’ve thought this was even possible with a little baby? Well folks, it is! And lets face it, once you slap on a little makeup and put on a decent outfit, you’ll do a double take in the mirror and give yourself a little high five for not scaring yourself when you walk past. LOL!

Now, I am only speaking for myself and what makes me feel good! Everyone has their own journey and priorities and I respect any mommy who does the very best she can. It’s survival mode out here and we must lean on each other for support. My outfit may look pretty, but somewhere on that pretty maxi skirt is traces of Sweet Potato and Mango puffs, avocado and lots of love juice from the little. Hey, you cant have it all! lol. I hope you enjoyed this post! I think its great to not only see pretty pictures on blogs, but realize that we all have real lives we lead and blogging is just a piece of what bloggers share with our lovely followers! See you soon for another post!

TGIT! I am so excited the weekend is upon us. Every weekend flies by and Monday appears again, uninvited! lol. I wanted to give a little update on how the blog is doing, which is great! I am getting  great response from you guys regarding my posts and how you are inspired by my outfits! I apologize now if your shopping wish list continues to grow on my account lol. But, so happy to see the great feedback from you all!

I believe that  blogging is what I should be doing and I am definitely dedicated to the blog and seeing it manifest in something bigger. I often wonder, if I didn’t start my blog when I did, would the same response and outreach from others have happened? I am not sure, but thankful that I decided to get it done. I feel so excited to put together looks and share with you guys, its an outlet I didn’t know could be so rewarding! Stay tuned for more posts and an upcoming collaboration with a few Dallas bloggers I can’t wait to share!

Outfit Details: Top –H&M Skirt –H&M Bracelets- Lily & Ivory

Ring- Sole Society(sold out) similar here Shoes- Just Fab (sold out in teal) snakeskin and leopard available! Clutch- Nine West (old) love this one

Photo Credit: 103 Studio