Your Pants are Really Bright

My love for stripes and bright bottoms continues! 

Blazer :Old Navy

Top: Old Navy

Pants: F21

Camel Blazer

This look includes some of my favorite pieces. I've gotten so much wear out of each of these pieces, and I feel that they will become staples in my wardrobe.

Scarf: Old Navy

Top: Old Navy

Blazer: Forever 21

Jeans: Forever 21

Boots: JustFab

Homecoming Weekend

This past week was Homecoming at my alma mater, Stillman College. Homecoming weekend is one of my favorite events of the year because all of my friends come to town and we get to hang out while catching up on what's happened since we last saw one another. If you know anything about college Homecomings, then you know that it involves a lot walking as you tailgate, watch the game, and visit your old stomping grounds on campus.

I wore the following look on Friday for dinner and drinks (along with lots of laughs and "remember when" stories): 

Orange Leopard by redchyna

I wore this look on Saturday to the atual game and campus wide tailgate.

Lime & Black by redchyna

Influenster Relaunch

One of my absolute favorite online programs is Influenster. Influenster is "a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products". Simply put, it's a a completely free program that allows me to test different products (some before they even hit the shelves) through different themed boxes (VoxBox). The only requirement  is that you spread the word about the different products through the different social media networks. You can read a review on one of the boxes that I received here.

The latest in Influnster news is that site has been totally revamped! So far, I'm liking all of the updates, especially different tabs for easier navigation. I also like the fact scores are attached to the different badges. I think that this will allow for the weeding out of inactive members who just so happen to hold  the badges that are needed to qualify for certain boxes. My only con is that members like myself will be at a major disadvantage because the badge earning process is more time consuming. Hopefully, I'll be able to earn badges in the limited amount of time that I do have to dedicate to the required badge earning activities.

You can check out the all new site by clicking here.

It's a Dirty Job...

Here are a few shots of my lab at work.

Desk Area

Spectrometer 

Sample Prep Area

X-Ray and Nitrogen Determinator

Glamorous, right?

Pinspiration

I, Sherita, am addicted to Pinterest! I find myself drifting over to the site quite often, and have found lots of inspiration for outfits. Here are just a few looks that I love and plan on recreating:

Stripes Over Plaid

Dark Blazer, Colored Bottom, Animal Print

Chambray and Khaki

Orange Cardi w/ Oxfords

Red, Black, Animal Print

Are you on Pinterest?

Green Animal

Green Animal by redchyna

This is what I wore for a day of running errands, with the exception of the top. I actually wore a green perfect tee from Old Navy. It's my basic uniform, but punched up a little bit with the addition of the scarf.

September Purchases

September Purchases by redchyna featuring old navy

A quick round up of purchases I made this month. The three shirts are Old Navy, the bag and boots are both from JustFab, and the cords and jeans are all from the Rockstar line at Old Navy. I love a good oxford or camp shirt for wearing alone and layering under cardis/blazers/sweaters. I needed a new black bag, and I love the shape and gold hardware on this one from JustFab (it had really good reviews, too). The quilting on these boots jumped out at me, and I can see myself wearing these throughout the fall and winter. I've heard a lot of great things about the Rockstar line of jeans from Old Navy, but never joined the bandwagon because I've found great colored denim/pants for lower prices elsewhere. I finally decided to take the plunge when they recently went on sale. My only suggestion would be to try a pair on in store because they run small (I had to go up two sizes from my normal ON size), and are cut very short (they only carried regulars at my local store, so I ordered longs online). Well, that's it for this month. 

I've been nominated...

I was recently nominated for a Liebster Award by Trinnah of A Style in Progress. She's one of the sweetest, most encouraging bloggers I know, and I absolutely adore her style. You should definitely check her site out.

The rules for accepting the award are as follows:

1. Post 11 random facts about yourself so people can get to know you.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the person that gave you the award asked you.
3. Choose 11 people to award this to.
4. Go to each blog and tell them you nominated them for the award.
5. Make up 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer.

Random Facts about Me

1. My son and I share the same birthday.
2. I was a teacher for 2 years.
3. I went natural a little over 9 years ago (before it became the thing to do). My afro was so Angela Davis/Foxy Brown! 
4. I prefer cheese over chocolate.
5. I've worked in a steel mill for almost 5 years; steel toed boots, hard hat, and all.
6. I don't wear make-up.
7. I didn't own any pink clothing until about 2 years ago.
8. I have a B.S. in Biology.
9. I'm left-handed.
10. I have 10 year old daughter and a 6 year old son.
11. My favorite movie is A League of their Own.

Trinnah's Questions

1. What is your favorite pair of shoes? I'm loving my leopard flats right now.
2. What color shoes do you not own and would like to? I really need a pair of red shoes.
3. What is your favorite shoe for this fall? Riding boots. I plan on wearing them with everything from skinnies to skirts.
4. How many pairs of shoes do you own? 37. (SHOCKING)
5. How do you store your shoes? I don't have a set method of storage. Some are in the original boxes under my bed, flat sandals are in a clear storage shelf thing, boots are in big bin, and I have a shoe rack that hangs on my closet door.
6. Does your significant other support your love for shoes? I'm not that big of a shoe girl (yet), so there's really no need for support.
7. What’s your favorite designer / brand for shoes? I'm so in love with Tory Burch (even though she's way out of my price range). 
8. Are you a heels or flats girl? I love the look of a fierce pair of heels, but I'm a flats girl.
9. How old were you when you first bought heels? I think I was around 16 or 17; I needed them for a military ball. 
10. Do you like skinny stilettos or chunky heels? I like the look of both depending on the outfit.
11. How do you feel about wedges? Love, love, love! I get all of the height and style that I want without the fear of breaking my neck or looking like a baby giraffe trying to walk for the first time, lol. 

My Nominees

1. Mimi G.
2. Erica B.'s D.I.Y. Style
3. bonbonrosegirls
4. Cover Up Chic
5. dimeonadime
6. lookingflyonadime
7. Stylish Curves
8. Girl with Curves
9. Penny Pincher Fashion
10. I wanna be...fierce
11. Kibibi Hair

My 11 Questions

1. How would you describe your style?
2. How do you handle trends?
3. What is your favorite article of clothing?
4. How has your style changed over the years?
5. Statement jewelry. yay or nay?
6. What fall trend are you most looking forward to wearing?
7. Where do you look for fashion inspiration?
8. Who is your favorite fashion icon?
9. What's your no fail look?
10. Do you prefer neutrals or bold colors?
11. Cardigan, blazer, or jacket?

Red and Leopard with a Side of Humidity

One of my best friends decided to have an impromptu birthday dinner, and this is what I came up with. I think I'm the absolute last person to try the animal print trend, even my daughter rocked it before me (which makes it even sadder because I buy her clothes). No worries, I plan on fully embracing my wild side from here on out.

I linked up this week!

Yellow Leopard

Since I'm not currently wearing anything other than my work uniform, I figured I could brainstorm some outfit ideas and save myself a little time on down the line.

Yellow Leopard by redchyna featuring skinny jeans

 This has fall written all over it, from the boots to the scarf to the yellow top. I like this because I can go from the warmer days to the cooler evenings by adding the jacket. I'm definitely looking forward to wearing this outfit. 

Do you pre-plan your outfits or just pick things on the fly?

Loving Leather

Am I the only one that's in fall fashion mode? I keep finding myself drawn to layering pieces, riding boots, and jackets. I've been on the hunt for a great leather or faux leather jacket for the last few weeks, ans here are a few that I've come across.

I'm seriously in love with the Reiss jacket (middle, bottom row), but it is definitely out of my price range. I like the style of the Old Navy (top right, bottom left) and Express(middle corners, bottom right) jackets, but I'll have to see them in person first. Is a leather or faux leather jacket on your list of fall must haves?

Five Question Friday

1. If you could have been (could be) any profession you wanted (brains and $$$ no problem) what would it be? 

A bio-medical researcher, there are so many diseases that need cures. (Is my inner science geek showing?)

2. How often do you clean out your car?

Never!! I make my kids or husband do it (they're the ones responsible for the mess).

3. Do you wish there was such a thing as fashion police or are you deeply relieved?

I'm on the fence with this one because while I'm no fashionista, there are some people that need to be ticketed!!

4. What's your go to food/drink/activity when stressed?


Sipping on a nice glass of wine while reading or watching a movie.

5. If you had twins, what would you name them?

Anything that doesn't rhyme!!!

Always & Tampax Always Radiant Collection (Review)

The last set of products from my Summer Beauty Voxbox from Influenster. 

The Deets:


There’s a new, stylish collection out in stores this season, designed to help girls stand out and keep their periods invisible. For the first time ever, Procter & Gamble’s leading feminine protection brands Tampax® and Always® have come together to premiere the all-new Radiant Collection, a complete offering of premium tampons, pads, liners and wipes that meets all of a woman’s feminine care needs. The new Collection stands out on shelves and features packaging and wrappers that compliment any girl’s unique style, making these products must-have accessories any time of the month. Learn more at the Always and Tampax websites.

The Review

I received a tampon, pad, and two liners. As someone who has used different brands of all of these products at some point in my life, I can't say that I was particularly blown away by any of the three items. The tampon and pad met my expectations based on their respective brands. I didn't experience any leakage or discomfort from the tampon, and I did think that the resealable package was a good idea for discreet disposal. The pad was also comfortable with no shifting or bunching, and remained dry to the touch throughout use. My favorite of the three was the liner because it provided great everyday protection while being extremely thin.

The Verdict:

These products worked well, but I really didn't expect anything less from Tampax and Always products. I wasn't blown away, but I would definitely still recommend the products. Be warned, though, that this line is priced slightly higher than the previous releases from both brands.



( I received these products complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster)

Five Question Friday

Happy Friday!! I'm trying to get into link ups. This one is from My Little Life. 

1. What's the one thing you buy every time you walk into the store?
I can't think of anything that I buy every time, but I do pick up gum quite often.

2. If you had a day all to yourself how would you spend it?
I would sleep in (of course), then get in an uninterrupted workout. Then, I'd have a DIY spa day (scrub, facial, mani, etc.). My day would end with a glass (or two) of Moscato and my DVR.

3. Are you a speed limit driver? If not, over or under?
Over, but never more than five.

4. What's your favorite dessert to make, homemade or from a mix??
Chocolate chip cookies without the chips (I only like the cookie part). Homemade.

5. Would you rather have a spider or a mouse scurry across your face (no copping out and saying "neither!!")?

I would have to choose spider because I find mice absolutely revolting!! Plus, I could probably kill the spider before I completely freaked out.

Orange Tribal

I wore this to a quick dinner with the family. I'm just noticing that this is more fall than summer, but I've always been drawn to warmer tones. I'm also trying out the belted cardi look that I've seen a lot of people wearing. I think it turned out okay, but I probably need more practice to get it just right for my body shape. It's all about trial and error, right?

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color

Here's another one of the goodies that I received in my Summer Beauty Vox Box from Influenster. 

Shade that I received.

The Deets:

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color is summer’s hottest nail trend that allows you to create a gorgeous 3-D nail art effect in just seconds. This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles – just hold the built-in magnet over wet polish to reveal a unique design on the nail. Seal with a topcoat for extra shine! Learn more at www.sallyhansen.com.

The Review:

This was actually a pretty cool concept, I liked the idea of creating nail art without having to pull out tiny paintbrushes and other stuff. The product was easy to use (apply two coats, hold the magnet over wet polish for 10 seconds), and was very pigmented. I didn't experience any streaking, and if I wasn't going to do the magnet part, I think I could have gotten away with just the one coat. The magnet designs were cute, but I just couldn't seem to get all of my nails to look uniform like in the photo (I think my hands were too shaky). I am in love with the gunmetal shade, though. I can see myself wearing it throughout the fall and winter. 

The Verdict:

If you are a polish fanatic, then I think this would be good polish to have in your collection. Even though I loved the color, I just can't see myself paying $9.99 for a bottle of nail polish. 

Fall Wardrobe Wishlist

Now that I'm done with back-to-school shopping for the kids, I can focus on my own fall wardrobe. Since the Spring and Summer were all about trends, I've decided that I need to add more staple pieces to my wardrobe that can go from year to year. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely holding on to my colored denim and prints. I just think that it's high time I started actually building a wardrobe versus buying pieces that probably won't see the next season, let alone the next year. I know that the riding boots, wool blazer, and leather jacket are going to make my inner Scrooge McDuck come out, but I'll just have to keep reminding myself that they are long term investments that I will get my money's worth out of in the years to come.

What items are you looking forward to adding to your fall wardrobe?

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen (Review)

Here's a little known fact about me: I get sunburned, and very easily at that. For example, if I don't wear sunscreen during long car rides on a sunny day, I can literally feel my face burning and that one side of my face will be darker. With that being said, I am always on the lookout for the latest in sun care products and was really excited about trying this product. 

The Deets:

With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun. Also available in SPF 12, 30, 50!

The Verdict:


I absolutely LOVE this sunscreen lotion! I previously used Eucerin's SPF 15 Lotion as my everyday protection. It worked well and was moisturizing, but it had that horrible sunscreen smell. Enter Hawaiian Tropic with it's coconut-y smell, non-greasy feel, and long lasting moisture. I've been wearing this product on my off days and I haven't felt a single twinge of a burn. I even wore it to a family bbq (an event where I would have normally worn heavy sunscreen) and it performed extremely well. I was really happy about this because normal sunscreen is so heavy that it usually make me sweat. I am an official convert, and would highly recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a good everyday lotion with added SPF.

( I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster)

Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar

I received this yummy little bar as an extra in the Summer Beauty Vox Box from Influenster.

The Deets:
Made with real bananas and almonds, Quaker Soft Baked Bars Banana Nut Bread flavor has tasty ingredients and key nutrients to help provide fuel to start your day.

-140 calories

-5g Fiber*
-20% daily value of 5 B Vitamins
-6g of Protein
*Contains 3.5g of total fat per serving

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this bar. I'm usually not a fan of banana flavored anything, but the flavor of this bar tasted authentic. It had a great texture, was dense, and quite moist. It was a bit on the sweet side, but not so much as to be overpowering. These can be eaten hot or cold, but I suggest heating it as the package states. At just 140 calories with the added fiber and protein, I would definitely eat this as a snack (great for your bag, desk, etc.).

(I received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster)

Stripes and Pleats

Sunday evening errand running. It's so hot this tomboy has resorted to wearing skirts. You can look forward to more of this type of look (especially since I bought a bunch of long skirts back when maxis were the latest and greatest).

How do you like my topknot?

Hi-ya!!

Loving my white toes!



My No Fail Look

Guess what I have for you today....

Cardi: Old Navy, Tank: Alloy, Twill Pants: F21, Necklace: F21

That's right, an outfit post!! I call this my no fail look because I don't think you can every go wrong with jeans/pants, a tank, and a cardi. It's simple, but it's also an effortless way to look put together when you are short on time (or in my case short on sleep after working last night). On another note, I think I have a slight obsession with the Skinny Twill Pant from Forever 21. I currently own the navy, yellow, khaki, turquoise, mint, pink, grey, and black (red, orange, and teal are on the way). Once I find an item that I like, I tend to purchase it in every color. For instance, I own this tank in black, white, blue, purple, green, yellow, and red stripe. I have this cardi in black, purple, pink, green, and sea foam green. And I know that if I catch any of these items on sale, I would buy even more colors. Is that wierd?

4th of July Casual

This is my perfect 4th of July look. It's simple and casual, but the addition of the accessories elevates it beyond  your basic jean and tee look. I could see myself staying comfy and cool at the family barbecue and transitioning to the fireworks show later that evening with no problem.

Walking in my footsteps...

Anyone who knows me, knows that my love for all things softball runs deep. I come from a softball family with my mom, aunts, uncles, and a few cousins playing slow pitch every since I can remember. It was basically my destiny to pick up a bat and glove. I started playing at the age of 12, and played all through high school and college. I love the game so much that back in high school I actually played on three teams at the same time! I played for my high school team, a city summer league team, and my mom's women's league team. I know  that sounds like a lot, but I only practiced with my school team and just showed up to play for the other two teams until school let out for the summer. To this day, I still follow college and professional softball. So you can imagine how proud I am of my daughter, Ty, for taking to the sport I love so much. In a previous post I mentioned t hat she had been chosen for her league's All Star Team, so today I wanted to share some pics of her from her last tournament.

Base Hit

Check out her guns!

This girl has speed.

Rounding second base.

Stolen base!

Safe!

She even wears my college number.

This is what happens...

when I get my husband to take pics of me outside, in Alabama, in June:

Blurry, eyes closed, toes cut off...

Don't even remember what I was doing, but it's not even a full shot...

I started sweating and becoming irritated...

Clearly, I need a cool place to take pics and a tripod. The husband is officially fired!

*Floral Tank (F21), Jeans (F21), Bangles (F21), Watch (birthday gift), Sandals (Target)*

June Purchases

Here's a look at the purchases that I made this month. First up is my go to for cute (inexpensive) tops and accessories, F21. I absolutely adore these Skinny Twill Pants!! I already have several colors, but there were still a few colors that I really wanted. I admit to stalking the website in hopes that they would restock one day, and my efforts paid off! I am FINALLY trying the mint trend (I'm super late, as usual), and the other colors are ones that I didn't already have. The dresses will be worn as tunics because there's no way I could get away with actually wearing them as dresses. I'm always buying camis for layering purposes and the floral sandals satisfy my love for all things floral. 

 A couple of items from Wet Seal. I don't frequent this site as often because I feel their clothes run extremely small, but these items caught my eye during a sale. Love the prints on both the cami and dress. The striped top was a no brainer, I mean it's striped and peplum! The sandals were BOGO 1/2 off, and I needed cute, simple sandals for my vacation next month. 

I found this Michael Kors bag on eBay for under $50. I actually just realized last week that I didn't own a bag in this color. Note to self: Buy more basic pieces.

Last, but definitely not least, are these Amrita Singh Gunmetal Bangles. I first saw this line of jewelry on another blog, and I immediately went to the site. Be warned, these baubles are not cheap, but there's a clearance section and they usually have some sort of sale going on. Of course, me being me, I went straight to eBay and scored this set for way less. 

That's it for this month.