So this started off as a post sharing my last minute holiday look in this gorgeous Eva Mendes by NY&Company dress. However how many of y’all know when we make plans God laughs! Yeah so I decided that I wanted to venture out and instead of taking pictures at my normal spot, which is a hidden park, I went to a busy shopping center in our city. Lawd! It was all a great idea in my head until my daughter, my photographer for the day, and I arrived at the location. I cannot lie y’all!!! I was scared!!! I was already dressed, face beat to the gods but with all eyes on me I was ready to run for the hills. This was a BIG step for me because I am an introvert and I am not comfortable being the center of attention.
Dress and Earrings- NY&Company
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Fur Stole – Forever21
Well with the help of my hype man a.k.a. My child I had to get over it and on with it because she was not here for my antics. She told me I was a grown woman and I looked good so why wouldn’t people look? Well after that boost of confidence (laugh and side eye at the same dang time!) I had to go ahead shake off my fears and work for the camera! And you know what? I love the way these pictures turned out! So coming out of your comfort zone can reap major rewards! I even had a sweet woman stop me on the street and tell me I looked good and she hoped I took pictures. I explained I did and I was a blogger (I actually said that out loud?) and she immediately asked me for my IG name and followed me! Ain’t God good? He will give you confirmation AFTER you take that step of faith! BUT you got to take that step!
So let me quickly spill the tea on this dress! It’s velvet and gorgeous!!! It really did help me to feel beautiful and confidently take these pictures. I will say it was an act of God to get the wrinkles out but it was so worth it! And I told y’all this fur scarf/stole would be making an appearance on the blog! It helped to make the outfit even more glamorous! If you can’t run out to purchase a new outfit for a last minute function a new accessory is the perfect way to change up an old look. Get you a fur hunny and you will turn any outfit up several notches! I went with minimal jewelry since the dress and fur were dramatic enough. And because this dress is floor length I wore low heels and you couldn’t even tell but you would be able to dance all night if you needed to! I hope you enjoy the pictures and the post and more than anything I pray you step out of your comfort zone!!! Your dreams could be on the other side!
Love Ricki
I guess I was too young or hadn’t been thru enough life experiences to completely understand the power that comes from this emotion provoking color. The color red is said to represent strength, power, passion, determination and love. It can even raise your blood pressure!!! (Per Colorwheel pro.com) No wonder this color is trending so much this season. Especially in women’s fashion when the current powers that be want to demean women and minimize our qualifications and capabilities. I love the color because it makes me feel empowered and sexy. Those are feelings I didn’t recognize or experience until I became “seasoned” thru life’s ups and downs. 
Now I wear this color with confidence! I hope you give the color red a try this season, not just because of how you may look in it, but how it makes you feel!
So much like every other fashionista I know or just women in general who love Tracee Ellis Ross I was super excited when her clothing collection with JC Penney launched. Of course we all saw the previews and there was one particular dress I really wanted. It was a black and white striped midi dress but it quickly sold out online and I was unable to find my size in the store. My overall impression of the collection was that I liked it and I loved that it included plus sizes but everything wasn’t my cup of tea and that’s okay because I’ve already said in this 
So I did an Instagram live a few weeks back where I showed how I made my trout for an easy light dinner and I got so many messages asking for a recipe! So I decided to make it again (and my family definitely didn’t mind) and write a blog post. I initially started eating trout by mistake, I thought I had bought salmon (#seasonedwomanproblems) but it turns out we prefer trout because it is lighter in taste and less fishy. You can definitely use this recipe with salmon tho!
If you have looked lately tops and blouses these past few seasons have been all about adding feminine details whether it’s just a touch or boldly. I decided to just go with a touch but after styling this sweater I think I may be ready for the bold! Ruffle sweaters have been seen in all the online fashion sites and brick and mortar retailers. I took a gamble and picked this one up online from Forever 21 in a size large 
severalpeoplesmama.com 