Fuchsia and Hot Pink - Casual Thursday?

My new favorite blog is Fashion Bananas, and I was so inspired by her "Royal and Turquoise" post that I wore this very casual outfit. To work. Last Thursday.




In all fairness, I can dress down as long as I don't have meetings, but I usually don't because I'm afraid something will go down on Capitol Hill and I'll have to rush into a meeting (residual paranoia from my days as a lobbyist). Methinks I shall dress down more often.

Don't you just love this fresh take on color blocking? Pick a color scheme and stick to it instead of wearing three or four different colors. It's an easy way to take your bright Spring pieces into late Summer/early Fall.





Sorry for that last face...I'd realized someone was watching me -__-


Round neck tee :: Forever 21
Belt and Trousers :: Zara
Platform Wedge Heels (in black) :: Fly Jane

Hair :: 5 Flattwists Twistout in updo

♡Koos

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Power Lunch

Last week I took a partner to lunch at Ceiba in Downtown D.C. I love that place because it serves fish in so many different ways! I always get the Jamaican Jerk Salmon (which isn't jerk at all, but still tastes great and comes with rice and peas and plantain!)




This was my first time doing a work lunch all by myself, and it went REALLY WELL. I wore these bright colors because it would be easy for me to describe myself to my partner, since we hadn't met in person before.










I wish I had some deep plum shoes to wear with this outfit on days I don't want to lug the Longchamps around, but still want to reflect the same color scheme. I saw this option at Topshop, but I dunno...that's a hefty price. Maybe I can get away with it by calling it an investment piece? Hmmm...


Zipper-back blouse :: Urban Outfitters
Pencil skirt :: H&M
Platform sandals :: Aldo
Shopping Le Pliage tote :: Longchamps

♡Koos

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WEEKLY WORD

Do you cause God to sing?

"The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17


Every morning I listen to Israel and New Breed's Alive in South Africa album. I love it. It puts me in a frame of mind to worship God throughout the day. I listen to it so much, I wake up with the songs on my heart, and it moves me to pick up my Bible and spend time with Jesus. If I don't listen to the album, or some form of worship music in the morning, my mind easily becomes consumed by other things, and before I know it, I've spent the whole day without so much as saying a proper grace.

Anyway...I digress.

On an interlude on the first album (it's a two-disc set), Israel Houghton refers to the verse above, Zephaniah 3:17. The Lord is both mighty to save AND gentle enough to quiet us with His love. What an interesting contrast! This boisterous, booming, all-powerful God can be soft and soothing, and quiet our restless and wicked hearts with His love. Amazing.

But not the most amazing part.

The first time I heard this song, I was struck by the image of a singing God. We always talk about the angels singing, but I had NEVER even thought that God did the same. It has completely changed the way I look at God. Amidst all the praise and worship that goes on in heaven, there is a time when God Himself takes the stage and sings His heart out in rejoicing.

And He's rejoicing over us.

The image is humbling. The God who spoke stars into existence (Genesis 1) and outlined the foundation of the universe (Job 39), the One who knows all, does all, and is everywhere at all times, rejoices over me with singing. Me. I don't deserve it--I'll never deserve it. But Lord knows, I desperately want to live up to His praise. How could I just live my life any old way knowing there's a God in heaven rejoicing over me? I have to walk differently, talk differently, act differently. I need to spread His love to others so that they may know of the God that sings for them...

I want to live like a woman who causes God to sing!

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PANTS

Yesterday I showed you how some bantu knots saved my hair. I was so happy with how it came out that I did the most when I put together my church outfit.








Crochet blouse :: Forever21
Wide-leg pants :: Forever 21
Suede slingbacks :: Urban Outfitters

I really love these pants. I wore them out in New York with a yellow crop top from American Apparel and the same shoes to see The Lion King on Broadway. I didn't post any pictures because my hair was all over the place (to this day, I dunno what happened!) The pants are high-waisted (and I had them tailored) so there was only a hint of skin showing when I wore them with the crop top.

My only issue with the pants is that they aren't that breathable, and my legs were sweating in them. Thankfully there were no sweat marks left behind!

♡Koos

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Something new

Last week I traveled to Maine for three days, and didn't get back home until after midnight on Friday night. I was determined to go to church, but VERY tired, and my hair really needed to be washed. I wasn't about to flat twist that hair AGAIN.

In a desperate move, I randomly set my hair into two-strand twists and then put each twist into a chiney bump/bantu knot.




As you can see in the photo above, I didn't even use a comb to make nice parts. I just pulled sections of hair together, twisted it with some conditioner (Herbal Essence's Totally Twisted) and put the twists into knots, secured with a hairpin. I was a likkle bit nervous Saturday morning as I got my hair ready for church (this style has ruined my day on more than one occasion), but to my surprise, my hair looked GREAT!












Yeah...just concentrate on the hair texture in that last picture -____-

♡Koos

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Next styling attempt

I was stalking Curly Nikki (the flat twist tutorials have been featured here), and I came across this photo of Corinne Bailey Rae, courtesty of Le Coil.




I'm sorry, but that half-updo is just too cute, and could work for casual days and special events. I'm excited to try it on flat-twist-out. I just wish I had her length!!! But I know I'll get there eventually...

In other news, I am 100% committed to dyeing my hair, and I'm excited. I'm planning on getting it done within the next three weeks! I can't wait!

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Wicked

I went to see Wicked this past Saturday night at the Kennedy Center (it's a good show, but NOTHING like the book, so don't feel bad if you haven't read it). I wanted to do something different with my hair, so I did a roller set.








On Friday, I pre-detangled my hair with EVOO, then washed with Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. I followed that with a cowash/detangling with VO5 Moisture Milks conditioner (I use Kimmaytube's method for washing and detangling in 6 sections, and it's really helped me retain length). Then I deep conditioned with Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Masque, rinsed with cold water and aloe vera juice, and then applied my leave-in.

I let my hair air dry (out, not in braids) until it was just barely damp. Then I sectioned my hair off and set it in rollers using Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. I slept in the rollers and took them out the next afternoon. It would have been a really great, long-lasting set, but it was rainy and humid, so it didn't last past one day.








I judge what to wear to the theater based on the show I'm going to see. If I was going to an opera, I would wear something more formal (and you should always wear something formal on opening night, regardless of what's showing). Since Wicked is a contemporary musical, I figured this outfit would be fine.






Can you believe I got the shirt at Forever21?!?!?! I saw it the same day I found my crochet blouse from this post. I love the shiny gold thread used throughout--it's just a tad sheer and perfect for a night out.




Oversized lamè sweater :: Forever21
High-waist shorts :: Forever21
Reptile-print shoulder bag :: Forever21
Nude patent heels :: Target

♡Koos

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WEEKLY WORD

Truly letting go.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time...no one can understand the work that God does from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

I don't know how many times I've blogged about "letting go and letting God." I probably blog about it so much because I can't ever seem to truly do it until I get to the place where everything is out of my hands and there is no other option. I don't do a good job of relinquishing my will, even though I know that I can't plan my life better than God can.

So this week, I gave it all to God.

My boyfriend has put in for a transfer to his company's NY-based office. That would be SO MUCH CLOSER than where he is now (Malibu!). I'm super excited that he's requested the transfer, and I almost fell into the trap of praying to God for what I want...but I didn't. No, this time, I had the strength and the peace of mind to pray for God to do whatever He wants to do in His time.

I've accepted the fact that this means my boyfriend may not be able to move to the East Coast if that's not what God wants. And it's a little scary. But honestly, if God doesn't want something to happen, I shouldn't want it to happen either. God knows what's best! He knows the end from the beginning! He is ever-present: God exists in the future, and I don't even know what will happen five minutes from now. Five minutes ago, I had no idea that I would be writing this post. We're so limited, and I'd much rather trust God to do what's best just for the plain and simple fact that He knows more than I do!

God knows my heart. He knows that I don't want to be in a long-distance relationship anymore. But I'm going to trust Him and what He decides I need. I'm truly letting go and letting God, and I pray that whatever the outcome, I can be satisfied with God's decision.

♡Koos

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Fresh Face

I really should have thrown on some make-up for these pictures. Not this fresh face...








Anyway, I bought new shoes! I've been looking for a pair of nude heels to wear to work, and I found some at Target. At first I really didn't want to buy them because the heel is only about 3" (maybe even lower), but I'm SO glad I did. These shoes are SO comfortable. I walked all the way from 13th and M to Gallery Place (9th and G), and my felt like they were in flats. And they go with EVERYTHING!


Back-zippered blouse :: Zara
Low crotch trousers :: Zara
Skinny belt :: H&M
Nude patent heels :: Target

♡Koos

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top.knot

I don't really like top knots on me (I style my hair this way because it's uber convenient when I'm being lazy), but on this day, I didn't really mind it as much.













I think I'll like wearing top knots more once my hair gets longer and the bun is bigger. I have a big head, and I feel like an itty bitty bun brings attention to my head -_______-



Blouse :: Urban Outfitters (on sale)
Necklace :: Charlotte Russe
Pants :: Zara
Slingbacks :: Urban Outfitters (on sale)

♡Koos

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Tutorial Posted!

Hello Feisty ladies!

So the tutorials for the 5 Flat Twists and Twistout are up and live on YouTube. I've also posted them below for your viewing pleasure. I started using a new video editing program, so I'm excited about that, but it didn't create HD video, which makes me mad.

I'll work on getting that fixed for next time!

♡Koos

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BO-RED

I'm bored with my hair. I don't want to straighten it, I DEFINITELY don't want to cut it (I just dusted my ends so I'm not looking to trim it professionally until December), and I'm tired of the length.

So...I'm going to color my hair. Yes! COLOR! I've never done any type of processing to my hair in my whole life, and my hair is naturally jet black (henna has changed that a little, but not that much). I want to color my bangs a reddish-brown. Something slight, not too loud, but definitely a noticeable change.

Oh, and I think I'm going to do more roller sets. I used to LIVE in roller sets when I first started my HHJ (as you Faithful Feisties know all too well), and while the 5-flat-twists are convenient and give a great twist-out EVERY TIME, I need some variety.

Sigh...we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I suppose this top-knot will have to do.

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Bodycon.

I love bodycon/bandage skirts and dresses. I wouldn't have thought of wearing a bodycon skirt to work or CHURCH for that matter, but I did, and it was fine.








The tunic made the outfit much more modest, and the length of the skirt balanced out the fact that it's more form-fitting.




Tunic: Zara
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Carryall: Coach

I have two bodycon dresses sitting in my online shopping cart. I think I'll head over to the checkout right now...

♡Koos

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Sinful Colors

No, I haven't turned to the "dark side." That's just the name of the nail polish brand I discovered at Target and INSTANTLY fell in love with. It just so happens to have a really terrible name o_O

At any rate, I like changing my nail color frequently, but it takes so much time, and then it chips in like 5 days, which is a pain. But Sinful Colors nail polish dries in 5 minutes. I promise you, 5 minutes (even less for a thin coat). This makes changing colors, and doing touch-ups mid-week, quick and painless. It does tend to dry with a matte finish, so use a shiny topcoat. This AMAZING blue color is "Aquamarine."









Oh, did I mention each bottle is only $1.99? Probably why I went a little crazy...

♡Koos

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500 Followers!!!! Bring out the confetti!!!

Thanks to all 500 of you Feisty Ladies! This is a really big deal!!! I still remember waaaaay back when we had 4, and 2 of them were Jaye and myself. We really appreciate that you read our blog!

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WEEKLY WORD

The Promise Keeper.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:8-10

Two weeks or so ago, I was feeling really stressed because of some family issues. I'm very close to my immediate family, and when things are shaky at home, it really affects me. I had been praying, but it seemed like nothing was happening. In some cases, it looked like things were getting worse. There's nothing more frustrating then to pray sincerely and have nothing happen!

One day two weeks ago I was on the train heading to work, and I had my iPod on shuffle. I wasn't even listening to the music because my mind was so consumed by what was happening at home. I don't know how many songs had played, but I finally paid attention when I heard these lyrics:

"Seasons come and then they go,/but all You've established shall hold fast, and on that we can rest assured./And beyond imaginations,/every promise You have given me will come true.

I see You so sovereign/You are the only God so wise; in Your hands You hold my times./I can hold You to Your Word./You're never wavering, You won't turn, for I am sure/You are the Promise Keeper."

Oh, Fred Hammond.

I played "Promise Keeper" on repeat for the rest of the train ride, on the Metro, and on the walk to my office. It was hard to hold back the tears as I walked down 13th Street, NW. I realized that things happen, seasons come and go, but God is steadfast and He will not fail to keep His promises to me. God has promised all of us that He will finish the good works He has started in us (Philippians 1:6). I believe God's hand is still on my family, and He's going to make this alright. And God has shown up since that day, and He has proven to me that He is keeping His promises as far as my family is concerned.

It's easy to think that God has forgotten His promises when we can't see Him moving. There are things I've been diligently bringing to God in prayer for years, and there are times I wonder if all the time spent on my knees has been in vain. But I need to have the faith that God is not slack concerning His promises. He has promised us so many things! The next time you're tempted to give up on God, claim one (or all) of the promises below...He is faithful!

• And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
• No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
  
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)
• Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
• If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
  

♡Koos

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