Guess? (Blue Sky Tag)

I have a lot of oversized men/s graphic t-shirts and one of my favorite ways to style them in the summer is knotting the center so it's much more tailored. By doing so, a large tee transforms into a more cropped look, which is perfect for an effortless, relaxed summer outfit such as this. In this outfit, I am wearing a Guess logo tee layered underneath a boyfriend blazer and paired with a dark green pair of cropped joggers.

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Not too long ago, my lovely blogger friend, Jessica of Diary of a Toronto Girl, challenged me to take the Blue Sky Tag. So here it is!

1. What is your guilty pleasure?

There is nothing I feel really remorse after...except for when I indulge a little too hard in the sweets. I loveeee food and I do have a sweet tooth. Now that it is quite hot out, I find myself always craving ice cream or water ice, especially late at night, which is the worst time to eat!!

2. Who is your blogging role model?

Definitely Aimee Song (Song of Style). I have been following her for so long and she never fails to inspire me. I am sure she has help, but despite her busy life, she always provides such good, frequent blog content. I also admire her as a person and business woman too.

3. Why did you begin blogging?

When I had my previous blog in middle school, I was not really involved in many extracurricular activities, but I was really drawn to the internet. I started a blog as a hobby and a way to express myself. With Enclothed Cognition today, it was incepted upon the same terms, but this time I utilized it as a creative outlet, while also making it more professional because I knew I wanted to try and pursue a career in fashion.

4. What's your favorite pastime besides blogging?

YouTube videos (Recently, I have been loving H3H3Productions and PAQ), as well as Netflix (Currently watching 30 Rock). I also really enjoy reading!! 

5. If you had to be another animal, what would you be?

This is tough because I have a lot of favorite animals. Any other day, I would probably say a wolf or an elephant. However, right now I have this weird fascination with raccoons??? Idk I think they're so cute LOL

6. What is one fashion or beauty trend you never want to see return?

Drop crotch pants. *shudders*

7. What is one thing you hate most in this world?

I don't hate a lot of things, but I'd have to say one of my biggest pet peeves is when you clearly go out of your way to hold open a door for someone and they don't even say thank you. Just me?

8. What is your favorite social media platform and why?

Instagram is my favorite, although it is a love/hate relationship. I really enjoy posting and browsing other people's visual content! 

9. If you were to start your blogging career over, what would you do differently?

I would put a lot more effort into it from the start. When I first started out, I did not have a big focus on quality like I do now!

10. What three things would you bring to a blogging retreat (assuming laptops, internet, and food/drinks are covered)?

Definitely my camera and phone so I can document the event, duh haha!

11. What is your favorite quote of all time?

To be honest, I can't recall any motivating quotes, but the only one that could come to my head was, "Why is the rum gone?!" from Pirates of the Caribbean. That's my all time favorite movie, haha! I promise I am not an alcoholic..

I tag anyone who wants to do it! I would love to get to know you guys more through this tag! 🤗

Kid at Heart (and in Dress)

This is not a sponsored post, I promise. I just have this obsession with Depop, an app where the average consumer can open their own online shop. Y'all already know how much I adore thrifting, so this is essentially thrifting online. I have sold (my username is @mskeri) and purchased quite a few things on this app and it is a great place to find some unique fashion pieces you cannot find anywhere else.

Recently, I purchased this green dress that was originally from Zara Kids. I absolutely love the way this fits on me (because I am built like a child, lol). I just paired a plain black tube top underneath and chucked on these black & gold sandals. I thought it was such a fun, easy look and a great seasonal tradition piece. Do you have a Depop? I would love to check out your items!

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In other news, I hope you enjoyed the first day of summer yesterday! I honestly could have sworn it was summer already, haha. I do not really have any major summer plans or travels, but am definitely open to something...hm. The boyfriend and I were thinking of spending a few days in NYC again. Do you have anything major planned for summer?


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Wishlist: Night Out

*Click product top shop it!*

Cheers to yet another week, babes! I have been scavenging the stores left and right for something to wear our for my friend's birthday at the end of this month. Here are a couple of the things I have been eyeing online. We plan on dressing a bit up since we might hit up a club, so I thought a crop top and skirt combo or a dress would be perfect attire. Obviously, I tend to always fall back on black and white, but I've been attracted to this bright red color. I think that red leather mini skirt would look absolutely killer with a black tank or even an oversized graphic tee. I've also been totally feeling those silk dresses for a night out look too! Which piece would you rock?

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Enclothed Cognition: Claudia Jordan

Enclothed Cognition describes the concept in which the clothes you wear has an impact on your cognitive process. When you wear something you genuinely love, it is an instant confident booster. That being said, this phenomenon is important to me because getting dressed is something everyone faces each morning. If aware of this concept, one would be able to dress more confidently and have a positive impact on his or her own day. This is part of the latest installment on my blog:

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Claudia Jordan is the epitome of all around talent as she is a model, actress and TV personality and host. Her list of accomplishments include winning Miss Rhode Island USA, modeling on Deal or No Deal and The Price is Right, competing on The Celebrity Apprentice, and appearing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Recently, she just finished promoting her latest venture starring in the new movie, Jason's Letter, a powerful film addressing unarmed police shootings in America. In addition, she also has her own business entrepreneurs with her wine, Just Peachy, and Claudia Jordan handbags.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Claudia while she was enjoying her breakfast and recovering from a 2 AM flight to the East Coast. Despite this, she was poised and beautiful as ever.

Congrats on the premiere of Jason’s Letter. Did the fashion from the movie have an impact on your character?

Yeah, especially because of the roles I usually do – pageants, modeling – it’s just about putting on something for them. For this role, I had to dress down because it wasn’t about looks. It was about being a mother who lost her child. So, I had to go back to the basics.

You won Miss Rhode Island Teen USA in 1990. Do you remember what you wore?

I don't know the designer, but it was a light green chiffon dress and my makeup was totally wrong, but I guess it was right for then because it was the late 80s - early 90s. I forget the dress I wore once I got to nationals, but it was like an old school designer. I was trying to be so conservative. Especially, since a black girl won Miss Rhode Island. I thought I had to be extra classy, so no one could say it was inappropriate. It was lavender and strapless with a lacey, glittery bodice. If I could do it over, I would probably go with something a little more sexy because when I got to Miss USA, the girls were really coming with it. And I was so conservative and had the most natural makeup on. 

How old were you then?

I was 22.

You were a model for Deal or No Deal and the Price Is Right. Did you like doing that?

It was so fun! The Price Is Right was only 3 hour days, so you could still go out all night if you wanted to, haha. But a lot of times, with the wardrobe, they would find little, cheap dresses and that's where I learned how important it is to have a good tailor. They would get dresses size 12 and the way they would amend them to make them into a whole different dress was amazing. They looked expensive too! 

Did you have a say in your wardrobe?

No, they had a wardrobe person. In both shows, we always had to dress alike, so that's kind of interesting when you have to wear the same thing as 25 other models or 2 other models. That's where you have to make your personality stand out. 

You have your own handbag collection, Claudia Jordan Handbags. How's that going?

It's okay! I launchd it about a year ago. It's harder than I thought to get going, especially because I am not known to be a style icon. But, they're made in Italy and I partnered with this guy who has done a lot in the fashion world and together we're just trying to figure it out. We're in the really early stages of it.

Thank you to every person that helped make today's 13 hour press run a success! You are appreciated!! #JasonsLetter #Film #Actress #Philly

A post shared by Claudia Jordan (@claudiajordan) on Jun 9, 2017 at 5:35pm PDT

What made you want to start a handbag collection?

People approached me actually and they thought it would be a good idea. It's around the same price point as a Michael Kors bag, but I always want to make things more affordable for the masses. I feel like then you're super big, you have the audacity to have super expensive product. I don't see myself like that. Plus, I want to make it so the average person can buy it.

Who is your style icon?

I love J-Lo and I feel like Halle Berry always gets it right. She is always so feminine and pretty, know what I mean? And J-Lo is just sexy, beautiful, and putting a lot of these young girls to shame. I like that more mature glamour. I feel like everyone is so naked now. You go online to go shopping and everything is about a fake body. Then, you buy that outfit and it looks nothing like it did online. 

What would you tell a girl who is lacking self-confidence?

Do not compare yourself to everyone else. Be proud of who you are and no that it's okay to be different than what you see on TV. I would also say, sometimes people are too obsessed with the name brands. A lot of women on reality TV are dripping in designer brands and the reality is, they might have 3 or 4 roommates in real life. Don't try to break the bank to try and copy these looks. I feel like we should be responsible role models. Personally, I might throw on a nice shoe, but my outfit  is more affordable.

What are you wearing today?

This red jumpsuit is from Pink Boutique UK. Really affordable, yet trendy pieces. I got a really nice dress form there and it was like $50, but it looks red carpet ready. I've done this over and over. You don't have to spend a ton of money to look good. As long as it's the right color and fit, you'll look good. Clothes are also meant to be repeated and not to be worn once just for an instagram photo. 

You definitely look confident in that red jumpsuit. What do you wear when you want to feel more confident? 

Something that flatters the body and accentuate something you do have. I like bold colors and pieces that are sexy, but still classy. An outfit you can still wear around the parents, but still catch someone's eye.

What was your favorite fashion moment in your career history?

 When I hosted the Miss Universe Pageant in 2009, myself and Billy Bush. They gave me this chocolate sequin gown and a beautiful necklace. I felt so glamorous at that moment. 

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