Add to Cart: What to bring into your closet this summer.

Put away the big florals — ASAP.

Summer is back and finding the right pieces to stay “relevant” can be stressful. No, there isn’t anything wrong with continuing last summer’s wardrobe into this summer – in this economy – we don’t blame you. But, if you are looking to find new pieces to mix and match, you are in the right spot. We will be breaking down pieces into four categories: tops, bottoms, shoes and accessories. 

 

Top it off. 

If you are over the basic tees, crop tops or tanks you’ll love these trends. For starters, high cut bodysuits are perfect to style with pants or denim shorts. Start by picking out neutral colored pieces and then slowly incorporating pinks, greens and red pieces. Go from day to night by wearing a blazer over it and then taking it off at night. Plus, who doesn’t love a girl boss moment? To maximize crop tops, switch out basic tops with a crop top with some drawstrings. This adds some detail and makes your casual look turn into casual chic. Finally, a top that has not gotten the love it deserves are bustier tops. The great thing about these tops are they aren’t here to cut out your circulation nor are they corsets. A bustier top enhances your breasts and can be a very sexy look for a girls night out. 

 

All things short. 

Sorry millennials – but low-rise mini skirts are trending.  Whether it may be denim shorts, silky skirts or a patterned skirt this will be the ultimate accessory for your fit. I recommend wearing flat shoes – sandals, sneakers, or low heels – when wearing a mini skirt. Feeling bold? Add dimension with some platform shoes, heels or strappy sandals. If you are older than 25 – do not fret – fashion has no age limit. Aim for monochrome, opt-in for skirts that aren’t too flowy, and avoid a skirt that makes you feel uncomfortable. At the end of the day, the way you style your look is your choice; I am here just to make the suggestions. So style away! 

 

Walking into your hot girl summer. 

Are we surprised that platform shoes are still in? I am not. And I am 100% for it. The higher you are, the closer to the fashion gods you are. This can vary from sneakers, heels, or platform sandals. Another shoe staple that can be transitioned from fall to summer are under the knee boots. Grab an oversized tee, your favorite denim shorts and add dimension to your look with these boots. For my high heels babes, jelly sandal heels are still trending. The best thing about these shoes comes from how minimal they are, yet they elevate your look. Mix and match your style by wearing these heels with dresses, shorts or rompers. 

 

It’s giving sparkle.

Accessories aren’t just jewelry pieces and sunglasses, they can be a mix of different things on your outfit. For starters, silk scarves are perfect pieces to transition from spring to summer. Grab a silk scarf and place it over your head or around the neck, when wearing white linen maxi dresses. Feeling groovy? Buy a silk scarf to wear as a top with a mini-skirt for a girls night out. Shakira was right when she said her hips don’t lie — so why not emphasize yours? Body jewelry is all the rave right now. Wear it around your waist when you wear a crop top, over a silk dress or a plain white tee.  Finally, let’s not forget to add some edge here and there to our looks. Fringe was a big deal on the runways this past spring. Choose fringe hats, chokers or bracelets to spice up your look.

 

What will you add to your cart this summer?

 

Reflecting on Women’s History Month

As we close out Women’s History Month, I have reflected on the women before me, next to me and in front of me.

There is nothing more empowering and painful than being a woman in this world. The women that personally have impacted my life are strikingly inspirational. When I entered my twenties, I would constantly look for women who would share advice about thriving and getting through your twenties. I found myself reading articles, watching Youtube channels, listening to TED talks and attending conferences. The women I met along the way shared their knowledge with me. They had advice about finances, mental health, culture, politics, fashion, education or feminism. Moreover, they all had one thing in common. They conveyed humility and understanding. Generously offering up empowerment and happiness. 

And that to me is what a female community should be built on – it should reflect oneself. But you also should want more for the women next to you. 

I remember watching the Nina Simone documentary and being absolutely inspired with her selflessness. Simone was a woman that gave her talent and grace to the world, but it was all given with sacrifice. That word – sacrifice – has such a heaviness in a woman’s day to day life. Simone was a singer and an activist, who spoke out on the Civil Rights movement, and spoke about what crimes were done against Black folks in America. And Simone is someone that I am truly inspired by. Because she left us with her art and her vision. And at a price that she paid for. For all women in America, and the world. 

Women nowadays have the privilege and power to use their platforms – big or small – to make a change in this world.

There is still so much to do, but we cannot forget the progress we have made as women. 

Growing up in the Midwest, as a Latina woman, I often found myself craving to see a powerful woman (besides my own mother) on a platform. Oftentimes I questioned whether or not I would see a brown woman in office, speaking at conferences, or even just on a children’s book cover. Ultimately it was small steps forward that I witnessed. Moments that accumulating throughout my childhood til now. 

Someone who I slowly began admiring because of her work ethic and charisma was Jennifer Lopez. Lopez has this saying of “Making something from nothing.” She expresses how she was working for the man, getting where she is at with grit, clarity, vision and of course hard work. Lopez is an entrepreneur, actress, singer, dancer and mother. She has built herself up by working twice as hard as the person next to her, in front of her and of the opposite gender. Women like Lopez being on the screen, in award shows, or in the White House continue to inspire me. 

I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by women who have created a life of their own by the beat of their own drum.

And they have been able to be on platforms.  (big and small) lending a hand by sharing their love, knowledge and power with me. Some are singers, artists, business women, mothers, teachers, friends and sometimes strangers. Their common thread is that they all shared ways to lift other women up – the same way the women before them did. 

I would encourage you to share this article with the women that you admire. And express your gratitude towards them. Because you should thank them, support them, and most importantly listen to them. We women have one another to uplift and encourage. So let us continue to bring love, humility and empowerment into this world for all of the unique and amazing women to come. 

 

15 ways to honor Black History Month

 

1.Support a Black owned business 

A simple way to give back and honor Black lives, starts by shopping at your local Black owned business. Buy your Valentine’s Day gifts there, leave a generous tip and promote their business on your social media. The more people know about the business the more support they are receiving. 

2. Donate money or time to a Black organization

If you want to donate money or time towards a Black organization, check out Charity Navigator. There you can find many different Black organizations ranging from health, culture, civil rights or community development. No matter the amount that you give, it is the thought that counts towards helping our communities. 

3. Learn from Black educators 

If you are a student or wanting to get educated on certain history, culture or movements surrounding Black lives, reach out to a Black educator. Listen, take notes and study their lectures. The more informed we are and the more we listen to our Black educators, the more awareness we can spread and share. 

4. Support Black creatives in your hometown 

There are many talented people in our hometowns that are working to get their art or services out in the open. Look for photographers, bakers, models or influencers that you could promote or book. 

5. Support Queer Black Folks 

Find organizations, seminars or podcasts that support queer Black folks. Learn and unlearn about history, movements and culture that can help our fellow queer folks. 

6. Purchase and Read books by Black authors 

Take a day off and visit your local library or Barnes and Noble to purchase novels written by Black authors. Find poetry books, history books or recipe books to discover or gift to friends or family. 

7. Learn about the Black Lives Matter movement 

Take some time out of your routine to listen and learn about BLM. What is this movement? How can I support it? How can I give back to BLM organizations or charities near me? There are endless YouTube videos and podcasts that can educate us about this movement. 

8. Understand the stereotypes and micro-aggressions Black people have and continue to face in America 

 The best way to begin to learn and unlearn about these topics is by doing some research. Starting with reading books, articles, listening to podcasts or watching documentaries. It is a baby step to understanding these topics. 

9. Learn about Black musicians and their impact on society 

Music is all around us and little do people know the different genres that Black people created. Genres like House, Rap, Jazz, R&B and Rock n Roll are a few that were started by Black artists and creatives. 

10. Inform your friends and family about Black History Month 

The more you vocalize for Black issues, movements and lives the more people are in the loop of things. These topics are great to expand our knowledge and awareness for Black History. 

11. Visit a local Black History Museum 

If you like to be around art and read about history, try researching local museums that display Black history. You can make it into a road trip, a date or a self-care day for yourself. What better way to educate yourself and do something fun at the same time? 

12. Invite friends over to make an authentic recipe 

For anyone who likes to try out new dishes or make new recipes this one is a great starting point. Look for recipes by Black authors, Youtube content creators or influencers that you could try out. 

13. Watch films celebrating Black lives 

A few films you can watch during the month of February are Soul (Disney+), Really Love ( Netflix), The Photograph (HBO Max) or Becoming (Netflix). 

14. Listen more, talk less when Black people vocalize their thoughts and ideas.

Throughout the years I have learned to talk less and listen more to others. As simple as it seems, it can be hard for people to really listen to what Black folks are saying. The more we sit down and listen to people talk about their ideas, thoughts, goals or micro-aggression the more we can educate ourselves and others. 

15. Celebrate Black Lives every day, not just in February 

Just because its February does not mean that we will only honor and educate ourselves on Black history. This isn’t a trend, a hype movement or a hashtag. This is a part of our history as a whole. Black History is American history

 

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Gorgeous Gorgeous Girls create vision boards for 2022

Hello 2022! I welcomed this fabulous year with an open mind and heart.

If you are looking for realistic advice to create real goals and dreams for your 2022, look no further because I am breaking down how to create the best board for you. I will not be speaking about health goals, because I am not a nutritionist, dietician or a fitness trainer. Those goals are left for you to decide to tackle and there is no shame in how we look entering our “post pandemic” era. 

To curate the best vision board for yourself begin with three to six big goals. For example, they could be labeled “financial” or “personal”. This helps create a foundation for our overall board. Figure out which three areas in your life you want to focus on all year. 

 

The next step is creating a realistic timeline for each sectional and adding one to three goals under that section. For example, if your sectional is “personal” what two personal goals would you add? It could be regarding traveling twice a year by yourself or spending time with family. 

Once you have three to six big goals and the smaller goals written down, find an appropriate timeline for each goal. Using the traveling example, avoid writing things like, “Travel to Europe and Mexico before October”. Instead, write down things like “travel to Mexico during the spring” and “end of summer trip to Europe”. Personally, I like to have an end of the year goal and a half-way point goal. This motivates me to get to my June goal and once I have hit that goal, I know I have six months left to achieve my end of the year goal. 

Once all of your goals are written down, timelines are set and you have a clear understanding of your goals, it is time to pull inspiration. Start by choosing your color of the year. Find a color that makes you feel calm, motivated and excited all at once. If you can’t pick one then find two more. At the end of the day, this vision board is for you to look at and feel inspired. 

The next step is finding two or three fonts that fit your aesthetic. If you are just using pictures, you can skip this step. The reason texts are important for a vision board is to motivate and want us to look back at our boards. I think fonts are just as important as the pictures we decide to use. 

The final step is finding the photos you want to collage and placing them on the board. My advice is working your pictures from the edges into the middle. Find your big goal pictures and section them around the edges. Then, add the smaller goal photos and any texts you want to go alongside. And do not forget to incorporate your 2022 color (or colors) to make your board cohesive. 

A vision board is a fun way to tackle those big goals and the small goals we all want to achieve. If you have a hard time finding inspiration, look for articles, videos, and podcasts that talk about healthy goals to create. Everyone has something they are looking forward to each year and it is a way to do something for yourself. 

I hope that my advice can help you create a beautiful vision board for 2022. Send this article to your friends for a fun wine and vision board night. Or send it to someone who needs some creative inspiration for 2022. 

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21 Songs that got me through 2021

If you are looking to add to your playlist, start organizing your Spotify wrapped or just need new music recommendations – look no further. As a Gen-Z college student, my music taste is constantly evolving and I find comfort in finding new music. Whether your year was amazing, crazy or you are just ready for a fresh start, I hope these songs can change your mood for the better. 

I have curated this playlist with seven upbeat songs, seven mellow songs and seven “just because I like this” songs. I will state that some of these songs will be in Spanish, so don’t knock them until you listen to them. Who would I be if I didn’t include my culture in the mix? 

7 songs for when you want to dance, sing, or get ready for a night out. 

  1. Get Into it (Yuh) – Doja Cat 
  2. Racecar (feat. Clairo, Coco & Clair Clair) – Deaton Chris Anthony 
  3. Whole Lotta Money – BIA 
  4. En Mi Cuarto – Jhay Cortez & Skrillex 
  5. Sad Gurlz Luv Money [Remix] – Amaarae & Kali Uchis (feat. Moliy) 
  6. Todo de Ti – Rauw Alejandro 
  7. Lo Siento BB:/ – Tainy, Bad Bunny, & Julieta Venegas 

 

7 songs to drive to, cook, clean or just vibe to. 

  1. Money – ZHU 
  2. Heaven up there – Palace 
  3. Haciendo Que Me Amas – Bad Bunny 
  4. Your Power – Billie Eilish 
  5. Call U Tomorrow – Montell Fish 
  6. Drugs N Hella Melodies – Don Oliver (feat. Kali Uchis) 
  7. No Love – Summer Walker & SZA 

 

7 “just because I like this” songs for whatever, whenever and to discover. 

  1. No Pegamos –  Pol Granch 
  2. La Fama – ROSALIA (feat. The Weeknd) 
  3. To Be Loved – Adele 
  4. Traitor – Olivia Rodrigo 
  5. Hurricane – Kanye West 
  6. Fue Mejor – Kali Uchis (feat. SZA) 
  7. Wrecked – Imagine Dragons 

 

As the year comes to an end, music has been a great outlet for the changes in my life. I hope that this list inspires you to share your music with your loved ones and explore new genres.

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Dia de Los Muertos – Day of the Dead

El Dia de Los Muertos is a beautiful holiday to remember those who are no longer with us. A rich celebration full of food, art, decorations and tradition.

History

Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that involves food, drinks, art and celebrations. Families welcome back the souls of their deceased through this holiday on October 31st – November 2nd. The days are broken down as,  October 31st the day the gates of heaven are open, where the spirits of the children are let out for 24 hours. The next day, November 1st, is called the Día de Los Inocentes (or Day of the Children). The final day, November 2nd, is officially the Day of the Dead. 

Tradition

How this beautiful holiday is celebrated is through traditions of dance, music, food, art,  and decorations. The families will make their deceased favorite foods or drinks, take them to their gravesites or on the ofrendas they built. There are beautiful arrangements of flowers, candles and art around these altars. Popular foods and drinks that are made for this holiday are tamales, conchas (sweet bread), atole (cornmeal drink), spirits (alcohol), Mole (traditional Mexican dish), and sugar skulls.

photo courtesy: Anna Sullivan 

Makeup

The makeup that is used for this holiday has a hidden meaning. The sugar skull makeup was influenced by José Guadalupe Posada. He was a printmaker, political lithographer and he played a big part in 20th century art. When individuals paint their faces, they are channeling a loved one and some even write their name on their forehead. There are many different styles, colors and features in sugar skull makeup. As I did some research, I found out that each color has a hidden message. The color yellow represents the sun and its unity. The color white represents spirit, hope and purity. The color red represents blood and life. The color purple represents mourning, grief and suffering. And the final color, pink, represents happiness.

photo courtesy: Danie Franco

Food

The Day of the Dead could not be more beautiful without its delicious, traditional dishes. There are five common authentic dishes that Mexicans prepare for their deceased loved ones. The first is the famous chicken with tomatillo-cilantro salsa tamales and/or mole tamales. Both tamales are either placed at the gravesite or served for guests who visit the home of the host. The second food would be the “pan de muertos” (Day of the Dead bread). This bread is made up of a soft consistency with sugar, it is often found in panaderias (bakeries) leading up to the celebration. The third sweet treat is “Calaveras de Azucar” (sugar skulls) these are skull-shaped hard sugar candies. They are used as decorations and are very popular among children. The fourth most popular food item are the delicious atole’s. Atole is a thick, cornmeal beverage that consists of cinnamon and vanilla. Finally, the fifth food item is the authentic red pozole. This is a stew that has meat, corn and it is garnished with cabbage, chile peppers, radishes or limes. There are many types of Pozoles in Mexico, but the most common one for this holiday is the red one. 

photo courtesy: pixabay

As this holiday is approaching, remember this is not a “Mexican Halloween” holiday, but a holiday that is estimated to be over 3,000 years old. It is a celebration deeply rooted with Aztec and Mesoamerican rituals.

 

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7 of the Best Creative Photographers in the Kansas City Area

For the last two weeks,  I had the privilege to sit down and speak with these creatives about their process, failures and journey as artists in a city like Kansas City. We spoke about what brought them behind the camera, how they grew their platform, what inspires them and everything in between. 

Stephanie Alba | IG handle: stephaniealbaphoto

Stephanie Alba has grown up in the local photography scene. Her father Octavio Miranda has been a Kansas City photographer for the last fifteen years. 

“I have pictures of myself when I was ten years old, holding a camera, so I have been in it for quite a long time,” said Alba. 

Although Alba has grown up seeing her fathers work, she has stayed true to her own style of photography throughout the last six years of being a freelancer

“A lot of people like his photography, but you also have the other side, where it’s great to see his tips and tricks — but we still have two different styles of photography,” said Alba. 

Alba recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City — and has brought her modern-portraiture photography — to a local KC Art Gallery and Photo Studio. 

“Just getting involved with 610 Creatives and local creatives…because when I was in college.. I kind of stepped back, but I wasn’t actively involved in the creative community…so I am excited to get back out there,” said Alba. 

Alba’s work isn’t just behind the camera, she aims to make her photography accessible to all first-generation graduates and the community. 

“I try to keep photography accessible to everyone; it can be expensive. I wanted to focus on first-gen students, and I understand the importance graduation is to our families,” said Alba. 

Jordan Brown | IG Handle: jaayybrown

Jordan Brown is notorious for using film cameras to tell his story through photographs. He aims to portray emotion, music and is deeply influenced by Black culture. 

“I try my best to show the world and what I experience through my eyes. The way my art and myself in general resonate with music, I try to bring my audience on a journey, the vibe and feeling I get specifically to each concept I shoot,” said Brown. 

Brown’s journey into media has been an all-around experience. He studied broadcasting and public relations at Hastings College in Nebraska. Brown constantly added his own perspective into this work. 

“I anchored, practiced journalism, reported on stories, created my own visual content, worked as the head of social media in multiple departments, and a lot more — even put on sports broadcasting alongside NAIA and ESPN,” said Brown. 

Nevertheless Brown can take a concept and add pungency to his work. He is deeply influenced by vintage looks, ancestoreal storytelling and 90’s streetwear. 

“A lot of storytelling has a vintage taste to it — it has a lot of art — movies, music, fashion, paintings,” 

Brown continuously excerpts Black culture into his inspirations and creative process. 

“Fashion is a big thing for me and a lot of fashion comes from New York — Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem — thats all Black prevalent areas that we stay in, we build our culture, and to be honest a lot of America follows and takes inspiration from all different ethnicities…starts with Black culture,” said Brown. 

Brown has gone from broadcast journalist to a prodigious visual artist in the Kansas City area. Whether mixing song lyrics into his captions, telling a story or his portrayal of skin tones through his work — it is all a part of his creative recipe. 

“It’s like cooking. The concept, the model, scene, and location are all ingredients. Say you are saltating vegetables or meat, what are you going to put on there? Seasoning. The seasoning is me, the film and what am I going to do to add the little spasazz. Mines cajun seasoning — it goes good on everything — it’s not for everybody, but for people who have good taste, they like it a lot,” said Brown. 

Makayla Camille | IG Handle : thedigitalmc

Incorporating brown undertones, empathy and composition Makaylaa Camille captures the ethereal beauties of life. Camille grew up with her grandmother taking photos of her. 

“Cameras were always around me growing up; she used to always have those disposable cameras to take pictures of me…cameras were always in my area — in my vicinity,” said Camille. 

Camille uses different forms of visuals and arts to portray her ideas in her photographs. 

“My process as a creative just goes all over the place; I have a sketchbook…I am a big Pinterest person,” said Camille. 

In one of her shoots she was inspired by her favorite film — Mr. and Mrs. Smith — to recreate a toxic relationship with a twist. And she is inspired by songs and music videos. 

“I am at a point in my life where songs like — Chloe and Halle produced the Ungodly Hour — I want to make a whole visual for that…I don’t know how I’m gonna do it yet…but it’ll get done,” said Camille. 

Camille uses repetitive colors through her work to enhance her illusive images. 

“Brown Sugar Baby. When people notice my work they notice a lot of brown undertones, I like to incorporate it into my pieces; the reason why I put sugar is because my work gives out a dreamy sense; and just baby goes with me — that’s my code thing,” said Camille. 

Yessica Ramirez | Instagram handle: enchiladuhs

Ramirez grew up around cameras and video recorders. At a very young age, she remembers watching her mother film and taking photographs of their family. 

“My mom inspired me, because when we were younger she would always film and take photos,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez’s confidence has grown as a local photographer. From comparison with other artists, she strives to focus on her own style. 

“There is no reason to be so focused on everyone else in Kansas City — everyone has their own unique style,” said Ramirez. 

Scrolling through her Instagram feed there is a transition from lifestyle photos to semi-nudity portraits. The interpretation for the extravagant change roots from Ramirez’s self-love mantra. 

“My own insecurities — I despised the way I looked — the way I began loving myself was capturing other people [bodies],” said Ramirez. 

Ramirez’s neutral style of photography brings out a sense of self-love through her images. 

Ramirez tackled the field by shooting for Chiefs Cornerback Charvarius Ward back in the fall of 2019. 

“It felt unreal. I was overthinking everything, there are so many lines where you are blocked off. But everything turned out great. So many emotions…super exciting,” said Ramirez.

Javier Rivera | IG Handle: riveraeyephotography

Javier Rivera picked up the camera out of the blue. Five years later, his camera and talent have landed him bookings back to back to back. 

“I bought a camera for fun and it just went from there, I learned from my own mistakes, Youtube and other people that I like,” said Rivera. 

Rivera has been growing as a Latino creative in the city. He shares  the components and challenges many photographers face in K.C. 

“I would say growing. Making sure your work is out there, there are a lot of people out there, other than that…we all have different styles to offer,” said Rivera. 

Rivera has been noticed as a professional wedding and portraits photographer. From shooting three to four weddings a week to smaller portrait projects. Rivera’s eye has captured the hearts of his clients and the Latino community. 

“Weddings and anniversaries are my proudest projects. When I take a picture, I think about if my pictures look like a photo you could take from your phone, then I did a terrible job; I want to take advantage of using my camera,” said Rivera. 

Rivera found his own style and signature through trial and error — he encourages Latino creatives to take the chance — one click at a time.

“Make sure you enjoy photography. Because if you have a bad day, you gotta enjoy your work either way. Pick up the camera and practice, you learn from your mistakes, and reach out to other people,” said Rivera. 

Meagan Taylor | IG handle: meagantaylorr

Fashion is another Kansas City staple. Meagan Taylor brings nature and clothing into a contemporary mix. 

Taylor was influenced into pursuing photography because of her love for art and her older sister.

“I have always loved art. So, my sister would have her camera and we would go out and do photoshoots together,” said Taylor. 

Taylor’s feed is filled with beautiful female models and her interpretation roots from women empowerment. Taylor wants to create a community and safe space for female models, to avoid awkward encounters with male photographers. 

“I want to put myself into this world and be for women, make them feel comfortable and safe around me,” said Taylor. 

The Kindred Shops is a collective boutique in the Kansas City area that Taylor has been shooting for since October of 2018. Taylor has worked closely with — social media manager Ashley Jewell —  on styling shoots and getting a community of women together through clothing. 

“The owner of Kindred reached out to me,  and said to make this [shooting] a regular thing and I was like yeah, a job in this world,” said Taylor. 

Abdul-Amir B. Williams | IG handle: amirabdul_

From using an iPhone 6s to a Canon Canonet G3-QL Amir has grown his devotion with photography. 

He recalls seeing his mother’s images from London, and since then has been inspired to capture timeless images. 

“Life in general. My mom always exposed us to different stuff, seeing she wasn’t from the States, just looking at pictures around the house. It just started from there and I added my own creativity to it,” said Amir. 

Amir’s work shows details and perspective through his choice of color, editing and angles. His main objective is to capture life behind the camera in a calculated and timeless manner. 

“We don’t see the same things. The way I shoot…I don’t want it to be looking the same as any other persons, I want it to be distinguished in a certain manner,” said Amir. 

Amir encourages new photographers to follow their calling and stay true to their art. 

“Be themselves. They can’t be me and I can’t be them. The only way you will get to a certain level is just by doing you — one hundred percent,” said Amir. 

These individuals are brilliant, master minds who portray people, buildings, things and visuals one project at a time. For more of their work check out their Instagram handles and websites. 

 

Six Boutiques To Shop At This Summer In The Kansas City Area

How to source sustainable clothing to support local boutiques.

In this post, I am compiling my favorite local boutiques in the Kansas City area, to encourage anyone and everyone to shop local. I have been shopping locally for about two years now. And these are a few boutiques that I find myself going back to every-time.

 

Array — The Mall of Boutiques

The first time I physically walked into Array, I felt like I could find everything in one place. Because it is like a mini mall of wonders. And they offer a variety of clothing — from dresses to skirts, graphic shirts to sets, athletic wear to denim and a baby clothing line — it’s all there. In addition, Array does a great job including all types of women of different shapes and sizes to model their clothing — via their Instagram page. And that’s something that I will always root for. So you can find a variety of styles for women of all ages. And it is a great boutique to find unique pieces and treat yourself too. 

 

Etiquette — LA to NY fashion 

For the west coast and east coast wardrobe, Etiquette is where you can find just that. They offer the trendiest outfits as seen on Hailey Beiber or Kendall Jenner. And you can find body con dresses, tanks, two piece sets, and a variety of accessories. The two items that I really love to source from them are their bralettes and their dainty jewelry. I had recently purchased a sky blue lace bralette from them and I am in love with it. And they also offer casual clothing like hoodies, graphic tees and basic tees. 

 

Ensemble — Inspired for the everyday woman 

If you are wanting to find a boutique where it caters to the everyday woman, then Ensemble is your go to boutique. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. Because Ensemble strives to make every woman who enters their shop in store or online  feel beautiful.  While also leaving with their favorite curated pieces. Ensemble carries a variety of clothing pieces, home goods, shoes, accessories and jewelry. Also if you are a local to the Kansas City area, you can utilize their open event space catered for baby showers, bridal showers, graduations, or any special event you’d love to celebrate. Kassie Murphy is the owner of this beautiful boutique and what I find the most inspiring about her, was the way that she made it all happen. She had a dream and she made it come true by opening the doors to her ideal boutique in May of 2018. And she has given me the opportunity to create a fashion blog for their subscribers and anyone who likes to stay up to date with their merchandise. I upload every other Sunday sharing how to wear clothing, what is trending, gift guides and I feature local vendors like The Babe Standard.

 

Frankie and Jules — For the Free Spirited Woman 

Frankie and Jules is every boho-loving woman’s dream of a boutique. Their staples are bold pieces like dresses, tops and skirts with a mix of shoes, accessories and local branded clothing. And I absolutely adore seeing their Instagram stories, how engaging they are with their guests and they provide the best customer service in store. You can find a mix of brands like She + Sky, Flying Monkey Denim and Ermish Jewelry. I recently purchased an A-line denim dress perfect for any upcoming summer event and a tie-dye Kansas graphic tee. Frankie and Jules is an in-store and online boutique. So you can shop from the comfort of your own home or you can pop into the store if you live in Kansas City. 

 

The Kindred Shops– The Collective Boutique 

These three collective boutiques strive to elevate your boutique experience in-store and online. The Kindred Shops offers a variety of clothing pieces — dresses, skirts, shorts, denim, KC Merch and jewelry — alongside home items, vintage apparel and apothecary. And Kindred makes it easy to find pieces you can wear for an everyday look or for statement finds. So I personally love shopping for blouses, graphic tees and denim. And most of my pieces featured on my instagram are from Kindred. I find myself going back to Kindred often because they carry quality clothes that are both sustainable and very affordable. And Kindred is the ideal boutique for any college student looking for an affordable boutique with a variety of pieces. Or for any woman who is on the lookout for a new wardrobe — Kindred should be your first stop. 

 

Luxxe Apparel — The Trendsetters 

If you want a place where you’ll see all of the latest trendy clothing, Luxxe is definitely the place to shop. Because their goal is to make all women feel confident in their apparel. And without breaking the bank. Luxxe boutique is owned by Kassidy Harrenstein and her sister Lucy Harrenstein. And they are two of the most hard working women who treat their customers like royalty. Luxxe Apparel specializes in providing the most popular pieces like wide legged pants, two piece sets, fashionable accessories and Quay Sunglasses.  “We strive for customer service by giving our customers a very personal shopping experience. Which allows us to develop ongoing relationships with all of our customers,” said Kassidy Harrenstein. Luxxe always features local bloggers or models to showcase their new arrivals. And Luxxe has new arrivals every Thursday.  Also they recently launched their app for easy shopping.

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About the Author

Melanie Oliva is a student journalist at the University of Missouri. She is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Magazine Writing and Investigating Journalism and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Melanie loves shopping local, oat milk lattes, and listening to music. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Fashion Pieces You REALLY Need This Spring

It can be so overwhelming after watching endless Tik Toks or reading blogs, so I gladly summarized the iconic pieces in under four minutes.

In the world of fashion, it can be so intimidating to keep up with the trends. Personally, I don’t keep up with each trend, but I do incorporate some of my favorites into my style. Remember that the way you dress does not define who you are and you should not change your style to stay up to date. I compiled a few of my current favorite trends and/or things I already have in my closet that still can be “trendy.” 

Denim 

Denim is so easy! What you already have in your closet you can mix and match, cut up, or wear differently. As most of you know, my generation has called out skinny jeans, so if you want to hop off that trend, here are a few styles you can start with:

Target has a great selection of boyfriend jeans. Most of mine are bought there; the Wild and Fable brand is my favorite. Francesca’s carries the best mom jeans that are actually stretchy for your thighs. I like their Harper brand because they are like a cheaper dupe for American Eagle. My favorite part about Harper jeans is the variety of shades, styles, and lengths they offer. Once you feel comfortable in boyfriend and mom jeans, try out the wide-legged denim by shopping at H&M or Princess Polly. I think they offer a great variety of jeans you can try out and wear this spring season.

Denim jeans are not the only staple you need this spring – you need a denim jacket for layering your looks! A jean jacket can change the entire vibe of your look, taking it from formal to casual chic. I like pairing light-washed denim jackets with pastel, neutral, and darker clothing. If you wear warm tones, blues, or shades of green, try wearing a darker shade of denim. Adding layers to your look adds depth and definition to your figure. My favorite denim jackets are at your local TJMaxx or anywhere that sells Levi’s jackets. 

Neutrals 

Neutrals are great colors to add to your wardrobe. What I have been purchasing lately have been graphic tees, outwear, shorts, and dresses. I love muted and nude tones of neutral colors because they contrast with my olive skin tone. As a Latina, I love colors that can really bring out my skin color when the weather gets warmer.

Find a shade that makes your skin feel the most beautiful and the most confident in. Once you’ve done that, don’t be afraid to reach for ivory and sand tones. These are great colors to mix darker or warmer-toned clothing with. Lighter colors will add dimension to your look and they are great to mimic the light flowers that bloom. 

Chunky Shoes

Before you completely skip this paragraph, allow me to ease you into this trend. I actually was inspired by Rosalia’s chunky white shoes she would perform in. This was a trend I slowly saw unfold at the end of 2019. Well, it made its way back around but with a variety of shoes and styles.

If you have been to your local Target, there are a variety of chunky sandals and wedges on display. Whether you are a sneaker or sandal type of gal, try adding some height to your favorite look with these shoes. I am 5’7 and, although for so long I was afraid of being taller, this trend has helped me come out of that fear. I like to add chunky sneakers to my “running errands” look or to a casual t-shirt dress. My favorite places to shop for chunky shoes are Princess Polly, DSW, or Fila. They offer different styles of shoes and Fila sneakers that are so comfortable. 

Small Purses 

Accessories are important for every outfit – whether it’s casual or dressy. They tie the entire outfit together. Small purses have been on my timeline 24/7 lately and I am not mad about it. I grew up wearing small purses like mini clutches, cross bodies, or clear bags. My current obsessions are the small leather purses and jelly crossbodies.

When I am wearing a lounge set or a simple jean and tee look, I always wear my leather crossbody. And, when I am dressing up just a tad more, I pair it with a jelly crossbody. These bags are not hard to find – my current jelly bag is from Aubrey’s Attic Co. (a local Kansas City online boutique). You can also find a variety of bags on Zara, H&M, or Princess Polly.

Shades 

The sun is literally my best friend in the summer. I love getting a good tan, going on a hike, or just having dinner on a patio. Another fun accessory to pair with your outfit is some bold and colorful shades. I love a simple aviator shape, circle shape, or an oversized square shape.

My favorite places to get shades are from Quay, Francesca’s, or a local boutique. They always offer quality and most of them are under $50! I worked at Francesca’s for years, so their two-for-$14 deal is to die for. I have had these aviator pairs since 2018 – they have gone to Central America, Europe, and the West Coast and back. They truly are worth the under $20 hype and you get to choose another pair, too!

Spring is a fun season to mix and match trends, add some bold accessories, and play with new looks. Try something you have been wanting to try out, whether it’s in style or not because, at the end of the day, it’s your style! Express yourself with your clothing and don’t be afraid to show up overdressed.

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About the Author

Melanie Oliva is a student journalist at the University of Missouri. She is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Magazine Writing and Investigating Journalism and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Melanie loves shopping local, oat milk lattes, and listening to music. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

How to Keep a Still Mind Amidst a Chaotic Time

We often try to resolve other issues that we forget to protect our own peace.

In a strange way, I have felt a stillness around me, although the chaos on TV and social media is nothing close to stillness. What brought me here rooted in accepting that I cannot control everything around me.

There are so many issues, unresolved problems, and unanswered questions we all want to know.

We all want answers, we all want stillness, and we all want to see this country and the world in peace. Yet, that weight is far too heavy for an individual. What I did do for my country was vote in November, spread the most accurate information possible, and had conversations that were uncomfortable, but in all ways insightful. 

You might be asking yourself, how did you accomplish this “stillness” during a pandemic, a messy election, and media coverage? I wrote, I cried, and I rejoiced. Not necessarily in that order, but it was the routine I had to do for my mental health.

During the last five weeks of my fall semester, I did not want the outside energy (news, public figures, articles, and so on) to influence my own energy. As a student journalist and a first-generation college student, I have a full plate in my hands all the time. I took initiative and tried every day to ground my emotions, thoughts, and actions. There were days I failed and days I succeeded. The key is to try every day to ground yourself. 

Find your escape or your outlet.

I wrote poetry, I wrote my thoughts, and I wrote articles to help others. I know writing is my way of destressing, but I was not necessarily stressed. I wanted to document the way I felt, my own opinion, and my perspective as a future journalist. I know that there is so much for everyone to learn out there and in no way am I perfect. Writing can help get those thoughts out of your head and on physical paper (or electronically). Find that escape, outlet, or hobby that helps you reflect without leaving you anxious.

It is okay to feel unmotivated (a lot) lately.

For starters, I was against the entire phrase, “You will never get this much free time again.” Is that a threat? So, I have to be overworked and stressed 24/7? It made me so uncomfortable. That is why I think I burnt out after October; I was so busy all year long, even when I could have rested.

Society and social media will trick our minds so easily nowadays. That is why I am here to stop you in your tracks before you burn out. Take a day, a week, or (if you can financially) a month off. Sometimes we need to just reset our routines, brains, and lifestyle. At the end of the day, our lives are a reflection of choices we made. Make the choice today or tomorrow to rest. 

Rejoice on those good days!

When you are having a good day, don’t think too much about the next day or the next week. I think it is so important to soak in all that glory. When I am having a good day, I will watch my favorite show, listen to some upbeat music and write (or read) for fun. It is such a small act for yourself, to appreciate life and how happy days are still there. There are so many reasons to smile in this world – if your day was one, celebrate it! 

As we start a new year, let’s set intentions rather than “resolutions.” It is so important to be intentional with our choices in life. Try being intentional with what you choose to tackle this year. Whether your intentions are for your mental health, physical, or spiritual health. In the end, we are responsible for setting the true vision for ourselves.

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About the Author

Melanie Oliva is a student journalist at the University of Missouri. She is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Magazine Writing and Investigating Journalism and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Melanie loves shopping local, oat milk lattes, and listening to music. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

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