"I've told whole lies with a half smile"

When I left my college apartment for my parents' house I decided to "pack light" and by pack light I mean only bring the outfit I was wearing. I seriously hate packing. Anyway it's always a fun challenge to find clothing around the house for me to wear! Today's outfit was the product of finding old clothes and trying to make them work:

Wrong choice of shoes, but the only pair I brought :(

Hat- my dad's

T-shirt- I've had since I was 9/10

Slacks- I've had since I was 12

Earrings- my mom's

When I opened my old closet I expected it to be full of old traditional African clothing, and it was, but also something amazing happened! As I was reaching up to an old box of books three items came raining down on my head. I was annoyed for a moment until I discovered they were hats! Awesome hats that I've never seen before. Were they my mom's? My dad's? I didn't know, but they were glorious! Unfortunately I have an unusually small head and none of them fit, but I used my mom's scarf and wrapped it around my head a few times for cushioning haha.

My pants are another story. I found them in a tub under my bed...right where they belong! These pants caused me a lot of distress in middle school. While everyone else had trendy flared pants, I had these baggy, pleated slacks and I definitely got teased for them! Now? I still hate them, but not enough to not wear them when I'm desperately in need of clothing!

I'm slowly starting to like my short hair, it makes hats look so much better!

Have you guys ever resurrected old clothing that you never thought you'd wear again?

Style Inspired: 1960's Africa

Every time I see photos from the 1960's I fall in love with the era all over again! I definitely need some 60's items in shop.

all images from Tumblr

LIONESS is on vacation

Well, the shop is, not me. I'm at my parents' for a bit which means no outfit or product photos for a while. I also don't have access to any clothing I'm selling, or any clothing at all because I like to pack light. Bummer. But in the meantime I'll probably just be doodling. Here are a few quick pictures I've drawn in the past:

I drew this when I was thinking about how there should be an honest to goodness African Disney princess. It's entirely color pencil:

Celebrate yourself!

It's a-ok to think you're great! In these times I feel like women being proud of themselves and their accomplishments is frowned upon. We're so quick to list what's wrong with us we don't even think about what's right. It's like we're not allowed to say "I'm awesome!" but men most definitely can (yes I went there). Think about something you love about yourself and celebrate it. It's definitely not "bitchy" to love yourself and the things that make you, you! 

I used to hate my profile, my legs, my arms. I would tell myself that I'm too awkward, too weird. I'd hide all the quirky things that made me Jacque. I used to secretly blog for fear that people would judge me or laugh. I'd pretend to like things I didn't and I was blunt and brash to hide my sensitivity.

vintage silk top available here

Well all that was tiring..... so I quit! I love my body now. I still need to workout for health reasons but I'm content with how I look. God made me this way for a reason and I think it's horrible to hate something God lovingly made! I also stopped hiding and "came out" as a blogger. I'm not shy anymore when it comes to expressing my passions or emotions. All those people I feared don't even matter. I've received nothing but positivity! If anyone's whispering behind my back I don't even hear it. Am I still just as flawed as before? Yup! But I embrace my flaws along with what I love about myself and I'm very proud of my accomplishments!

If you were in love with someone else wouldn't you show it off? Update your Facebook status? Tell all your friends? So why be shy about loving yourself? Why downplay things you should be proud of? We put so much stock in being loved by others that we forget it starts within. Of course, being conceited doesn't cut it. Celebrate yourself, be happy for yourself and everyone else, and you will be much happier!

P.S. check out Shameless Maya who felt insecure putting herself and her work out there for fear of looking silly or desperate. This is her first vid, after watching go to her channel and watch her latest videos to see how much she's grown and how far she's come by celebrating herself (hint- she has come very very far!):

LIONESS of the week: Simone

Each week I'll be featuring a fierce lady who marches to the beat of their own drum! This doesn't have to only be fashion or hair. A LIONESS is anyone who is brave enough to be themselves!

This week's LIONESS is Simone, a stylish naturalista whose style (and hairstyles) changes with her mood. Check her out!

Where are you from?

I am from Upstate New York.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a 20-year-old, fun loving, and embracing individual who adores all things beauty related. I enjoy spending my free time with loved ones and exploring new things. I am also a junior in college and a communications/public relations major. I've had a passion for blogging and social media since the 10th grade. Today, I manage my own blog (Nappily Ever After) & YouTube channel (NaturalistaNeff) in my spare time. However, it wasn't until college I realized I could make a career out of doing what I enjoy most, helping and connecting others through media networking. 

Hit the link below for more!

My hair story: Yup...I shaved it.

Well not really shaved it so much as came home late from the library, used a giant pair of scissors, and just hacked it off then went to bed....but either way it's gone! Like pretty much all the way gone. I guess this was my second "Big Chop". Click here to read my first hair post.

vintage top available here 

Hit the link below to read what I think about it.