What’s the Inspo?

On May 15, I celebrated the wedding of my good friends Rob and Sara at the Westmoreland Country Club. The weather couldn’t be any more perfect than it was on that Saturday. It was a day like today for the most part with sunshine and a few clouds.

After a short ceremony, the wedding party got some pictures and we socialized. We then assembled into the ballroom and welcomed the bride and groom and their party. It didn’t take all of us long to reunite.

During the reception, we’re all outside and everyone is having a great time (drinks and all). I’m decked out in my leopard print cardigan and hat, which Paula and Sara have fallen in love with. While getting a picture with Sara and her friends, she asks me what the inspiration was for my outfit and my inspiration for dressing nice.

What’s the inspiration? Three questions I’ll share in tonight’s blog.

What’s my inspiration for the outfit I put together Saturday? (it was absolutely fabulous)

What’s the inspiration behind me dressing nice?

What inspired me to have a sudden interest in the designer brand known as Coach?

First question. When I was deciding what to wear for the wedding Saturday, I realized I don’t have any good clothes and needed to shop ASAP. Amazon to the rescue. I bought a pair of black pants and a black puffy blouse (my female friend wears trousers 🇬🇧 so it’s all good). I paired it with my red leather jacket during the wedding, put on my leopard scarf during dinner, and later on my leopard print cardigan.

My inspiration for my outfit was that leopard is always fun to wear to an event (I have a couple of nice leopard scarves too). It went really good with my black ensemble and it got a lot of attention. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.

Second question. I’ve always dressed nice. I did so in college. I always managed to look presentable. But it was one night and one person who managed to put this in perspective for me.

The events of 2019 have paved the way for the successes I’m achieving now. Earning my Dinstinguished Toastmaster award, seeing the return of one of my friends who quit that Spring and came back right before Labor Day, and one overnight trip that changed my perspective on fashion. Who’d have thought a cute blonde girl in a pink dress could have an impact on me?

My friends have been supportive of my fashion sense. However, I worry that some might treat me different. I think about how different my family will react. I sometimes doubt myself as well. But for the most part, it’s worked out well. As Mr. Clougherty always says, “Do whatever makes you happy.” As Paula told me yesterday, “Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.” My sis and fashion buddy Sara reminds me that “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Recently, I’ve been buying more stylish clothes like my leopard print cardigan and my mustard colored blazer. I plan on ordering a few more pastel jackets.

Third and final question. Why the interest in Coach?

Back in the summer, I started carrying a bag around at work and when I went out. At first I hid it so no one would make fun of me or look at me differently. Eventually I brought it out more and really no one has said anything. Even one of my managers has shown interest in my purple bag. Even if on Amazon it says it’s for females only, that hasn’t phased me. Like Sara has told me, “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

My interest in Coach came from that same girl who wowed me with that pink sundress a year earlier. Back in September, she’d come to work with her big Coach purse. Eventually, her purse caught my eye along with all the ads I saw on Instagram for Coach. Put two and two together (and the support of my adopted sister and mother) and you have my interest in a designer brand of purse.

I took a trip up to Tanger outlets in February where I purchased some hand lotion from Bath and Body Works, a couple pairs of joggers from Old Navy, and finally what I’ve been waiting for, my Coach. To prep myself for my shopping spree, I window shopped at Kate Spade. I went in very confident and made my purchases. I couldn’t wait to bring it home and take selfies. I got all the attention from Paula and Sara as well as Lisa Sukenik (who loves my crossbody with the red strap). Everyone’s crushing on my crossbody and crushing on my Coach.

Lessons learned from this blog: Be you. Do whatever makes you happy. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful. Lastly, don’t let others shame you. Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.