All About the Amber necklace

Most people who know me also know that orange is my favorite colour. Ok - I get we're not in kindergarten and the whole favorite colour thing is really a thing you'll hear from children. But this grown woman right here just loves colours and orange is at the top of her colour chart!!

Why the back story? Just so I can introduce this beautiful amber necklace which, ironically, is orange. Real amber is natural - it's actually tree sap that has hardened over hundreds (or million) of years and then formed/chiseled by craftsmen. I bought this piece from a vendor at a street fair this Spring, and while I doubt that it's real, I had to have it, and I  knew that it absolutely had to be the focal point my outfit - hence the all black ensemble.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Moda International by Victoria Secrets long sleeved rayon swing sheer sweater with vinyl patch pocket;   a large Lucite neon orange bangle; Ci Sono black velvet leggings; Tous  leopard print hair calf and brown leather handbag; and black leather Gucci loafers.

Tom Ford  over sized cat eye sunglasses, and a pair of over sized gold tone hoop earrings topped off the outfit, literally! 

The Niceness of Navy

I am blessed, grateful, and I feel truly privileged to be a daughter of God.
I've experienced hardship, suffered physically, emotionally, and financially - but my God pulled me through - Everytime!!
Sometimes when I'm praying, I get so emotional because I'm so moved by His power and His love.

I try not to loose perspective of my current circumstances - which, by the way - are very, very good. I  remind myself how things were..................and now............how things are - and I get all warm and fuzzy inside :)
God loves us unconditionally - and trust - we really have no idea what that means!!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Transit navy blue poly/rayon 'slip' dress; Sergio Rossi navy blue pointy toed sling back high heeled pumps, and Tom Ford gold tone sunglasses;  

A unique amber/bone necklace; oversized coil gold tone hoop earrings; a large orange Lucite cuff; and an orange & brown silk 'tissue' weight  scarf.

Prada  brown leather 'Danio' rings satchel and Latico brown and beige oversized handbag (used here as an overnight bag), finished off today's ensemble

Note: A few posts ago I made reference to my white Sergio Rossi sling backs being a sad shade of mushroom! So I took them to the cobbler; had them dyed navy blue and "Voila"!! My SR slingbacks are reincarnated!! and I love, Love, LOVE them just as much!!

Just a touch of Red...........

"Hm!" That' the look on my face - as if I'm about to knock somebody out!!.........hahaha!
I've changed my diet up a bit and I've been a little more adamant about going to the gym so, therefore,  I'm a little bit more defined.............and I like that!

Ms. Aikasha is wearing an oringinal Ms. Aikasha floor length, full bias cut muslin skirt with diagonal red seaming; red & grey horizontal striped tube top and Valentino red leather and leopard print handbag.

Beverly Feldman  white leather jeweled kitten heeled thong sandals, multiple red beaded and porcelain bangles, 

............and a Cleopatra inspired red & gold neck adornment finished off today's ensemble 

Tip I: Good quality fruit is in abundance right now: peaches; mangoes; cherries; plums; melons. I highly recommend replacing one meal a day with fresh fruit - try it for a weekend, then just the week days, then for a whole week. You'll be surprised at the outcome. Your body will feel lighter and run far more efficiently (sounds like I'm talking about a car hehehehe!) But honestly, you'll feel better for it and lose a few unwanted pounds.
Tip II: Of course, working out, along with the diet change works wonders!!

Accordian Pleated Elegance

I usually like to wear a pendant or some kind of  necklace with a plunging neckline, but I thought my cleavage looked quite ample in this dress, so I decided against the neck adornments.

Ms. Aikasha is carrying a Juicy Couture 'ring bling' mauve leather handbag, and wearing a pair of Schutz tan suede wedge sandals with mauve patent leather ankle strap. (the strap on the shoes were the exact colour of the dress).

This  Max & Cleo mauve  poly blend, hi-lo accordion pleated maxi dress really spoke tons for itself - and it blew so gracefully in the wind - I love it!!

.........and when I saw the back detail of this dress - I was sold!!- how cute is that?!?

Nicely Neutral

As much as I love, Love, LOVE colours - my love for neutrals is probably just about equal

Granted, it's not often that you'll see me in beige, but sometimes, I like to change things up just a bit and chill out with an outfit that's nicely neutral

In all actuality, considering the current fashion trend, there's absolutely nothing neutral about neutral

Ms. Aikasha is wearing  Etro gold frame wayfarer sunglasses, chunky gold tone hoop earrings, chunky brown wooden bangles,  a nylon striped tank top (brand unknown)................

Oscar de la Renta beige alligator peep-toe sling back sandals, Tous brown leather and leopard print hair calf handbag

and an original Ms. Aikasha  beige raw silk pleated, wrap/bow waisted midi skirt

 Note: I call this skirt 'midi' because it's above my ankles. In my book, to qualify as a 'maxi' skirt, it would have to fall below the ankle.

I was a bit distracted as I was being photographed. It was a little windy and................

my son and photographer has graduated high school and will be heading off to college so I asked that he show my youngest son, the ropes......they were each being a bit moody.....I tell you......teenage boys - Arrrrgggghhhhh!!

Anyways, the weather has been amazing and I'm just loving it!! It'll take more that grumpy teenagers to affect my mood!
Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Cable & Gauge off white halter top with large gold tone chain link detail at the shoulder......

Silk Box  long green silk with gold  Chinese embroidery pencil skirt

Tom Ford over sized 'cat eyed' sunglasses; large gold tone hoop earrings

Swiss Legend white porcelain watch; bamboo, brass/wood bangles

Dolce & Gabanna  yellow canvas banana handbag with lime green leather trim; and Prada gold leather wedged thong sandals.

Tip: Summertime dressing allows you to keep it simple. A dress, or a long skirt and basic top is all you need. Add one or two chunky bangles, a pair of over-sized earrings and a touch of metal and you're good to go!!

Not-So-Basic Black & White

There's black & white everywhere so I had to give my take on the popular trend - with just a touch of colour.

Ms. Aikasha is wearing a Body by Victoria  black rayon lace-back blazer;  zippered and stitch seam leggings (brand unknown - I had to remove the tag because it irritated me); 

Ali & Kris white cotton  halter back/peplum hemmed/button down sleeveless blouse; Valentino red leather and leopard print "Nella" handbag

and Sergio Rossi white satin high heeled sling back pumps. Oversized chunky gold mesh earrings and Gucci black sunglasses topped off this ensemble

Note:  I'm a sucker for high-heeled/pointy-toed/sling-back pumps (as above)..........that's one of my all time favorite type of shoe. I've had these white satin Sergio Rossi pumps for years, but over time the colour has gone from a brilliant white, to a sad shade of mushroom (which isn't so apparent in contrast to the grey pavement and black slacks - but please take my word for it). I've since had the shoes dyed - they're now a stunning navy blue. I'll be sharing the new incarnation in the not too distant future - I think you'll be impressed!!

Summer is finally here and I'm absolutely thrilled!

I can essentially leave the house any day, at any point during that day,  and not be concerned that it'll be cold,  requiring me to bring a sweater or jacket - and that makes me smile :).  I will, however, have one of my many, many scarves.
Ms. Aikasha is wearing an original Ms. Aikasha long red linen bias-cut, hi-lo dress with flutter sleeves and rounded hem

BCBG  red/nude/silver suede/leather platform sandals; Michael Kors nude leather handbag;  Swiss Legend white porcelain watch; 

(when I made this dress ten years ago, I realized I couldn't streamline it unless I put in a zipper - and I'm no fan of putting in zippers. Hence the 'tie-backs', to taper the waistline just enough while still allowing me the freedom to just pull the dress over my head)

Tom Ford oversized cat-eye sunglasses; 

Chunky faux rose gold chain necklace; oversized rose gold hoop earrings, and a Craft House 100% linen red plaid scarf (a gift from my boss's sister) 

Tip: You can tell a bias cut item because the fabric is cut on a diagonal. A dress cut 'on the bias' tends to be far more flattering and forgiving than a dress cut 'on the straight'.

Tip II: Bias cut items tend to cost more because the manufacturer has to use (waste) more fabric in production of these pieces.

Transitioning from spring to summer can be a bit of a challenge on the east coast................

the temperature is so unpredictable.................which is why Everyone and their mama has a runny nose!!

One day it's 85 degrees, the next its 55! Between allergies, and colds, it's a mess!!

 To compensate for the irregular climate, I highly recommend layers. You can add or remove to adapt to the temp.
Ms. Aikasha is wearing a black leather Robert Rodriguez oversized vest; Derek Heart off-white turtleneck 'slit' sleeved sweater; C-Sono black velvet leggings.............

Charles Jourdan orange and tan alligator embossed handbag and  Patrizia Pepe black suede 'spikey' d'orsay high heel pumps. Thierry Mugler black cat-eye sunglasses, over-sized gold tone chunky earrings, and Gucci gold leather belt accessorized today's outfit

Sometimes I like to hide behind my shades. But I'm just as comfortable without them :)