Working Woman Wednesday - Sarah Nicole

Hey hey heyyyyyyyyyyyyy

It's Wednesday! I know, ya'll have missed my little Wednesday dose of "Girl Power" and I apologize for neglecting you! I'm back though! And to make up for that, I have some awesome ladies to share with you guys! 

I have had the chance to attend a few events in the past few months and I must say.... There are some AWESOME women in the Houston area!!! So many women with different missions, goals and from various walks of life. I gotta share these ladies with you! I don't want my WWW posts to be limited to the Houston area though! I have some great women friends and followers on social media from all over the world, as well! Let's connect, inspire, empower and SUPPORT each other!!!

This week, I bring to you Sarah Nicole; Model and Motivational Speaker. Sarah is a native Houstonian that makes her mark by motivating and encouraging people through her love for fashion, speaking and hosting. You can catch this fashionista speaking, hosting and motivating at various events and happenings.

About 2 years ago, she began to get a vision of what type of business she wanted to create. It wasn't until she began to step out and make moves about 6 months ago, that things began to take off! She has had a variety of speaking engagements as well as modeled in fashion shows, photo shoots and more! Make sure you're paying attention to Ms Sarah Nicole!

Growing up in a single parent home, watching her hard working mother, Sarah knew that she wanted more out of life. Currently perusing her MBA, she believes "There are absolutely no limits to the things that I want to accomplish professionally and I'm truly excited to have all my followers on this journey with me."

She prides herself as well as her brand on being unique because it's pure, transparent, and full of love.

Sarah stated, "My motivation has always been to build a platform where I can use my experiences and voice to motivate others to be great at whatever they do. Pushing through all limitations and arresting their destiny."

In the future, she sees herself on more of a global platform, having an impact on millions of people through fashion, mentoring, & faith. Teaching women and men that living for yourself is the first step to success."

One of the things that Sarah wants her audience to know is, "I'm real just like them. I know what it is to not come from the best of the best, to hurt, to be used & disappointed. However I let those things make me not break me because that's how you see who they see today."

Let's keep up up with Sarah Nicole and support her in any way we can!
Follow Sarah Nicole here
**Make sure you read my previous WWW entries and support those sisters as well!**


Also, if you would like to be featured or know of a woman that should be; email me @ imjuscrysy@gmail.com  

Until next time!!
XoXo
Crysy

NYFW Experience Days 1& 2

Wishing Fabulous Friday to you all!
At last!!!! I can share my experience of New York Fashion week with you guys! I have been super busy since I returned from NYC and am glad I can finally share with you guys! Sorry to have kept you waiting!

So lets dig in! This was my first NYFW, so I was a tad nervous and wasn't sure what to expect. I did go with a fabulous group of bloggers from Houston, so they were a huge help all around. Over all I REALLY enjoyed myself! I didn't network as much as I wanted to, but I did ok for my first go round. Definitely didn't shop as much as I wanted, but I do enough of that at home! Had to stay focused! I DO plan to go next September, yes ma'am! I'll skip February all together for Fall Fashion because I can certainly pass on a the NY cold!!! I doubt if I can bare it! As much walking as I did, I cant even imagine doing that in the dead of Winter! Tuh!

Day 1: 9/8/2016

After I landed in NYC, I was ready to roll! I went and picked up my media credentials for the shows for Style fashion week, window shopped a bit and grabbed a bite to eat.
I started my evening off with drinks at the Monarch rooftop bar of our hotel with some of the ladies. Super cute and New York-ish! No...Sex in The City-ish! Beautiful view and fabulous people! After wards, I attended a show sponsored by Fashion Gallery (#FGNYFW) for Antinoo menswear. A new emerging line, created by a beautiful female designer, Lily Montes from Colombia! Although her offerings were super simple, I loved the colors! Great for Spring/Summer and just enough to make a statement! The line featured button down tops, blazers as well as slacks and board shorts. I liked the collection overall. It wasn't over the top or "too much"...It was just right! I absolutely loved that ombre like blazer! The show venue was small but cute; The Prince George Gallery. Not room for a huge runway and rows of seat like I imagined but it was still a nice setting and actually made way for more meeting other show goers and networking. My girls and I SLAYED(per the other show attendees, lol)! Everyone wanted our pics! Yass for the first night!!!

Waiting on the show with my girls

Antinoo menswear line

Antinoo models on the runway

Day 2: 9/9/2016

More shows! Started off at The Prince George Gallery with another Fashion Gallery show, this time designer Vivienne Pash. Pash is Jamaican born, now based in NYC. Her designs are modern,  ready to wear designs. I absolutely loved that beautiful red dress! What I didn't like about the FGNYFW shows was that there would be a show at 6pm.... For less than 10 minutes and that was it!! Next show like 2 hours later. I want to say that towards the end of NYFW, the location changed and they had more designers with longer shows. 

This dress is perfect for a Spring wedding or formal function

Met this fab div-o hosting the FG shows

Couture Fashion Week was fab! A real show setup! Yay! Held at the Crown Plaza Times Square, they had shows each night at 4/6/8 with about 3 designers in each show. There was a designated "press pit" with all media, which was great as far as getting a good view of everything. Great for pics and footage. It was a tad crowded though, which made it a bit difficult. My favorite designer this night was Sushma Patel. She had 2 lines! A more modern Americanized line, as well as a traditional East Indian themed line. Loved all the beautiful designs and vibrant colors of the Indian line! The modern line was beautiful as well but y'all know I love color! They also featured 2 other designers, Play Buffalo By Becki Bitternose and Tishynah Buffalo. They are both Native American designers with lines that are more tribal/native themed. Beautiful designs!

In the press pit

Modern Designs by Sushma Patel

Sushma Patel's East Indian inspired design

Becki Biternose and her designs/models

One of Tishynah Buffalo's designs and models

Style Fashion Week was my favorite! Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan is where Style FW was located. Same as Couture FW, Style has multiple designer shows, 3-4 times each day. I loved Style FW because of the energy there! Everything was so ...about FASHION! The set up was awesome, and even though everything was SO busy...everything ran smoothly. Beautiful designs and people....just like the fabulous fashions shows and events you see on t.v! Showing this night were Mario De La Torre, David Tupaz and BBTC Nation(which I missed). Mario had simple but very detailed designs. He used great colors for Spring/Summer. Not your normal orange or hot pink, ya know? The beautiful dresses and pantsuits were my fav!
Ok and besides prints and bold colors, I LOVE black and white stripes! So you KNOW Davis Tupaz's collection was EVERYTHING to me! What I loved is that he created a variety of styles. From cute day time event wear to Kentucky Derby like. Loved, loved, loved OK?

Designer Mario De La Torre and models after his show

These Stripes though!!

Overall, I had an AWESOME experience. I am so thankful and blessed that I was able to go. I stepped out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad that I did. Met some awesome new people and experienced some great new things! Just one move in the right direction! Everything after that fell into place! I didn't think that I would be able to do the majority of the things I did while there. What I did was stopped my "stinking thinking" and just MADE A MOVE! And Crysy went to NYFW! Thank God for that!

 I think next year I will recap while I'm actually in NYC. I didn't anticipate taking THIS long to post! Def learned a few things on this first go round! I hope you guys enjoyed reading! Let me get to working on this 3rd and 4th day post!

XoXo

-Crysy

NYFW Outfit Recap Pt 2

Happy Hump Day guys!

Hopefully you guys are making the best of this week! Can you believe I'm still on a NYFW high!? Yes, I'm home in Houston, my mind is still in NYC. I wanted to go to another fashion show yesterday/today! Something!

Well, as promised...here are the rest of my NYFW outfits!

Outfit 1

I pulled out this old dress from Forever 21 at the right time hunh? I've had it AWHILE but worn it less than a handful of times. The dress is sleeveless, so I paired it with this thrifted stripe top from

NY &Co to add to the little black/white color scheme. These peep toe combat style booties I got from Forever 21 as well, are my absolute fav pair of shoes!

Earrings and clutch purse were made by yours truly!

Purse available here

Outfit 2

This off the shoulder top from H&M is my fav! Dress it up or down and its so cute and comfy! So glad I have a couple....lol. I don't see them on the website, you may be able to find them in stores. The skirt is custom  made for me by my mom! I told her exactly what I wanted and of course she delivered! Yay mom!

Necklace is handcrafted by yours truly and available here

Outfit 3

Man I told ya'll these little wrap tops from Rue 107 are everything! I have 3 in different colors!

You can mix and match them with various outfits. I've had this yellow one the longest and I've never worn it with the same outfit! Same for this skirt from Eloquii! I haven't worn it with the same outfit combo YET! The necklace is a Crysy exclusive as well, lol.

SN:Yes, I stopped by Black Ink, no one from the show was there. lol

NYFW was a dream! I stepped out of my box and I'm so glad I did! I have to keep reminding myself, "Outside of the comfort zone, is where the magic happens"

 Stay tuned for a full recap of my experience. Let me gather myself!

Have a blessed rest of the week!

XoXo

-Crysy

NYFW Outfit Recap Pt 1

Hey Hey Hey!

I'm currently in NYC for New York Fashion Week!!! Yay! I have lots to share with u guys! Everything is moving so fast though! I will do a post once I return to Houston about my overall experience! What I DO want to share really quick are my OUTFITS! For the first 2 days at least, lol. Yes, I'll do another outfit recap as well.

Outfit 1

I absolutely love the Janine top from Rue 107. I have 3 in different colors. The material is great and it fits perfectly! See top here

Can u believe this skirt is yearssssss old? I purchased from Forever 21 so long ago and just broke it out! Came out cute, hunh?

The shoes are from the Chinese Laundry line, purchased at my fav; Ross!

Outfit 2

I lucked up and found this cute cold shoulder dress at Marshall's for $12.99! Score!!!

The shoes are a cute camo bootie from Go Jane, available here

Of course I had to had my Nubian neckpiece crafted by yours truly and available here
Aren't my glasses super cool? I got them from a street vendor for $8! Yasssss!

 Outfit 3

I discovered this super cute cape jacket on instagram! Even though the designer is all the way in NEW ZEALAND, I had to have it! That print is EVERYTHING! See jacket here .

The skirt is another old purchase from GStageLove. My first time wearing it!  The stripe crop top, I purchased from Dillard's discount store for like $6! Did I mention my 17 y.o son helped me put this together? Yea, he thinks he's fashionable too...lol

Hope y'all have enjoyed my looks thus far! Stay tuned for more from NYFW!

XoXo

-Crysy

❤Welcoming Year 33❤

Hey guys!

Hope all is well with you on this fabulous Friday! Recently, I celebrated turning 33. I can't believe I am 33! Really! What a blessing to be alive and well. I'm so grateful!

Year 32 was definitely a year of reflection, self discovery, realization, change and just trying to fix my life(without Iyanla), ya know?? God is still working on me, but I am definitely trying to be a better Crysy.

The rapper Drake has a new song("Pop Style") with the line, "Turn my birthday into a lifestyle". In an effort to do and be different, I thought I'd have a pop up shop to celebrate my new year! (For those of you that don't know, I have an online vintage clothing boutique-www.iamcrysycouture.com ; as well as create unique accessories.) I decided to do the pop up because I anticipate a new year of various events, pop ups, networking, and building my brand! LEGGO!

My pop up was a success! I had a great turn out! Most of the people I didn't even know! Plus, old coworkers, classmates and of course my girls! The most humbling part, were the customers that said they follow me on social media, love my items and outfit posts and came to see what they could find. I HAVE A FOLLOWING! Yea, I know...I have followers on IG and FB...but a FOLLOWING is different! These are people that actually WANT see what I'm posting, talking about and suggesting!
This is a portion of what I pray for and the greatness that I know God has in store for me. A following!
My mom was also there, selling the African print belts and skirts she has created. They were a hit! People are still requesting them! I'm happy about that because fashion is my mom's THING! I get it from her! I'm glad that I get to give it back to her and make a way for her to "get back out there" and do her thing!
I definitely want to do A LOT more this year. I want to continue to build my "following" as well as my social media presence and brand.
I plan to do a lot more networking and making new associations and acquaintances. Change your circle change your life, right???
And I'm all about change at this point. Besides brand building, I want to be a better person all around! Mother, daughter, friend, mate, employee, no...BOSS ... but you get it! Sometimes I get discouraged and fearful....but those are things I am definitely working on. (praying about that) What's for me, is for ME and NO ONE can block that...BUT ME!
What I want this year is EVERYTHING God has in store for me.
Hey 33! I see you girl! Let's rock it out!
XoXo
-Crysy


Outfit Deets:
Top: Asos here
Skirt: Vintage Crysy Couture
Belt: H&M; no longer available
Necklace: Rainbow; similar one here
Shoes: Call It Spring; no longer available

 

Suggesting pieces to  customer

My mom and I showing a customer

how to wear one of her belts

My girl Kim came thru with her earring she

purchased from me years ago AND she got a belt!



My 1st Eloquii Purchase !!!

So.... I have been low key stalking the Eloquii website and social media pages for awhile now. Ever since I've seen my fav plus size bloggers and social media personalities rockin their threads! For those of you unfamiliar with Eloquii, they are a private plus size clothing label (formally a part of The Limited stores). They offer sizes 14 -28. They have a variety of classic styles of clothing with an up to date trendy twist on them. I love their clothes! There are so many different hot pieces, I couldn't wait to purchase! One day, this skirt (pictured below) popped up on my IG timeline. In case you didn't know..... I absolutely LOVE stripes! I couldn't resist! Plus they had an awesome sale, in which they do often....so that was a plus! 

The skirt is a rayon type material, viscose. Good thing is, the skirt is light weight, very comfy and great for this hot Spring/Summer weather. Bad thing is, it wrinkles easily and the fabric kinda pulls a little at the seams (No, it wasn't too small. It fit perfectly). 

The clothing seemed to be true to size. I wear a 14 and that is what I ordered.  It wasn't tight or too loose. 

I paired this skirt with a top from one my favs, ASOS! Yes! Of course off the shoulder items are in this season(I have worn them for years, though!). This cute flutter top  is a must! It can be dressed up or down and looks so cute on! 

So yea, I'm currently scoping out my next Eloquii piece! Check them out if you already haven't!

XoXo

Crysy

 

I Love Denim!

It is said that your child hood is the foundation for the rest of your life. Man! Let me tell you! The smallest things that I do as well as what I think or say, can be associated with my child hood! Even what I choose to wear! As a Psych minor, I am really just starting to believe that. I guess the older I get, they more I actually pay attention to things.

For example, when I was younger...my mom dressed me in some type of denim 75% of the time! I mean denim, tops, blouses, skirts, jeans, backpacks anything she could find denim...I had it. I can look back on my old school pics and I believe in every one, I had on some form of denim....LOL. Not to mention, I always had some style of denim jacket in my closet. That is still till this day! Needless to say, I got my love for denim honestly!

Over the years, people have always complimented me on how I put things with certain denim out fits and/or the cute denim pieces that I find. I thought I would share some fun denim finds and outfits that will be great for the Spring/Summer season(s).

These outfits are easy to recreate, as well as  mix and match with items that you already have in your closet!

Happy Styling!

                                                                          -Crysy

This super cute and trendy

denim jumpsuit is available at Melodrama Boutique .

It's light, breathable fabric and very comfortable!

 I like to pair denim with loud/bold colors and prints so I

added some accessories from Crysy Couture

 and a funky heel from

Six Inch Heels Shoetique

 

This denim shirt dress from Melodrama Boutique is fun! Its different,

it's trendy and most importantly COMFY! You can dress this up or

down! I played it safe and paired it with some

African inspired, Ankara accessories from Crysy Couture.

This dress doesn't need much to make a statement.

 Of course I had to do mix in a little vintage!

These hi-waist jeans from Crysy Couture are darling!

Such a cute fit!

The striped crop top from Forever 21 gives this outfit a cute

"nautical" look, right?

And that multi colored braided belt gives it just the pop of

color it needs!

Baby, these original vintage Sasson hi-waist shorts

and printed pussy bow blouse from Crysy Couture

 give me LIFE! I love how these 

hi waist shorts make her look taller!

  

Looking Yummy With A Tummy

Ladies!

Let's be real. We all have an area(s) of our body that we'd like to work on or wish there was something we could do to change it permanently.
For ME, it's my tummy! This "problem area" as some call it, and myself definitely have a love/hate relationship.
Fashionably, it makes wearing some items almost impossible (In MY Opinion). Shape wear or foundation is always an option.....BUT those are tricky as well and most times uncomfortable!
As style guru Sarah Shah, wrote about in her book(with the same title), you gotta "Dress Yourself Skinny"!
Often times, when I post pictures on social media, there is at least one person that comments about weight loss. I take it as a compliment, but No, I haven't lost weight... I just know how to "minimize" the appearance of my tummy!
"How do you do that?", you ask.
It's simple! I promise!
-Your bra! Wearing the improper bra size can definitely make you appear larger and more shapeless than you actually are. Dillard's, Victoria Secret, JC Penny and many more retailers offer bra fittings at no cost!
- Wear a (dark) top or an accessory that will take the focus off of your tummy. It also makes your waist appear smaller. I like wearing off the shoulder tops as well as big chunky necklaces. You can also add a belt!
-Wear a bottom that will SMOOTH
the tummy, not SQUEEZE it! We all love a cute form fitting dress/skirt, but honey if that tummy is showing and pooched out because of it being too tight, LIG(Let It Go)!  I love skater and a-line dresses and skirts for THIS very reason! Those styles don't hug at your tummy area and place more focus on your waist! And make your body appear smaller!
-Patterns widen the appearance of your hips!
-A bottom with a gathered waist and/or wide waistband works great as well!
-Jumpsuits and rompers are great, as well as long as they aren't too form fitting in the stomach area. They seem to smooth the tummy area and accentuate your behind! 😉
Get in your closet! See what you can find! Drop a few pounds without the gym.
Thank me later!
XoXo
Crysy

Prints are our friends, ladies!!! When worn properly, might I add. On this model, the black off the shoulder top, gatheted waist and all over pattern make her waist appear smaller, as well as places focus on her shoulders and not her tummy area.

An A-line dress!! Dress has a gathered waist and doesn't hug her tummy! Add a belt and, voila! 😊

A romper! Added a big chunky neclace! It gathers at the waist with the help of a cute belt and smoothed out her tummy area!