Jazzy Lady

I'm rocking my favorite fedora again. This hat is great for lazy hair days and being on a "staycation," there are several to go around.

(I toned down the Ruby Woo lippie with a chestnut brown liner)

Alfani Dress - Macy's

Sweater Coat - Nabi

Fedora - Urban Outfitters

Boots - Nine West

Earrings - Random Clark & Wilson Accessory Store

I love the drama of the ruffles on the coat and felt a bit like a jazz singer.

In My Bag

Hi there everyone. I've been wild lazy about taking outfit photos as I'm on vacation until January 3rd. So today I leave you with a what's in my bag post.

I've shown you some of my favorite handbags, and now take a peek at what's inside.

Kenneth Cole Wallet (It's big and holds all my junk)

Chicago Public Transportation Card (Unlimited monthly pass to get to downtown)

Work ID (Access granted)

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Gloss (Love this stuff and the tingly feeling)

Coconut Mango Perfume Oil (You already know I'm obsessed with Coconut)

Verizon Razzle Phone (I hate this phone but will upgrade in a few months)

ELF Shine Erase papers (In the summer these are a must)

Dentyne Ice Gum (Got to keep it fresh)

Heart Mirror (A bridesmaids gift with my name engraved on it, I heart it)

Calendar/Address Book & Pen (Yes I still like to write things down)

Fold Up Tote Bag (For when I shop on lunch and don't want anyone to see where I've been)

Cocoa Butter Lotion (I use a travel size bottle and refill this)

Hand Sanitizer &Tissue Pack

Until later...

This time last year...

...I had the pleasure of visiting Japan for two weeks with a close friend to tour the country and visit her family and friends. We traveled to the country side of Japan as well as Tokyo and Osaka. Here are some of my favorite photos and if you have a question about a picture, just put it in the comment section and I'll gladly answer it. Enjoy!

THE PLACES & THINGS

Some Japanese associate the American Christmas holiday with KFC. It means a very pricey meal from there on that day.

Jeffrey Campbell has nothing on the Harajuku Girls and their funky shoes.

At a Sake Tasting

Random fruit market - Loved the colors

An Osaka Beauty store - The Harajuku Girls rock these fake curly ponytails

Bike & Boats at the bay

Sitting on the dock of the bay

In the middle of the road there is freedom...or something like that.

Yes you can vend beer and sake on the streets until I think 11:00 at night. This could never fly in America. Drunken babies all over the place.

Lanterns lined up

Onsen (Hot Springs) resort room. This is how the room looked when you arrived. Then after dinner they come in and remove the table and chairs and place your beds down on the floor.

Sunset at the Onsen resort - Just beautiful

At a random pit stop beach. This was my most peaceful moment of the trip. The way the sun hit the water and the quiet. I will never forget this moment. I had this photo enlarged and framed for my spa-inspired bathroom.

Bikes and shop shutters in Asakusa

Asakusa Market has a lot of old world charm and sooooo many shops. This was my favorite place to get affordable souvenirs for family and friends.

Trying on a Kimono in a shop in Asakusa. You won't find a lot of women walking around with Kimono's on unless it's for a special event, like a wedding.

On a bridge in front of Don Quixote in Osaka

Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka

On the Inner Bailey Grounds in front of Osaka Castle

We had a great view of Mt. Fuji on our train ride to Osaka. It's rare you see the top of it unless it's a pretty clear day, so we were very fortunate to see it.

THE FOOD

Yokoso (Welcome) Dinner. This was the first meal I had in Japan shortly after I arrived and it was so fresh and good.

Preparing Okonomiyaki ("Japanse Pancake") at Osaka restaurant - My favorite dish of the trip

A lot of traditional soups and dishes are prepared in this pot in homes around Japan. This one featured mushrooms, cabbage, herbs, seafood, to name a few....just yummy.

I took over 400 pictures, but these few bring back pleasant and fond memories...

Fall Wrap Up

Here are some of my favorite looks from this Fall:

Animal Attraction - September 26th

Beige & Black - October 1st

Multiple Uses - October 3rd

Urban Cowgirl - October 10th

Lucite Love - October 15th

Sweatshirt w/ a Twist - October 20th

Cozy Layer - October 29th

Golden Child - November 3rd

Brown & Gold - November 8th

Mixing Prints - November 21st

Get The Look Challenge - December 1st

Abstract - December 5th

Red Wine - December 14th

Purple Reign - December 16th

Thank you all so much for your comments, following on Google and Bloglovin, and linking Sing'ature Style on your blog rolls! I appreciate it much more than you'll ever know. I hope you continue to stay tuned this Winter and beyond!

Much love to all my fabulous and stylish readers.

Sing

A Flower Grows in Winter

Well it's not officially Winter, but it's felt like it for a few weeks.

I'm getting my SJ Parker from S&C on in this outfit. The flower is huge but I love it. Just the statement I love to make in fashion. Go big or go home right?

When I first saw these shoes a while ago online from Payless I knew I had to have them. It was an inexpensive way to try the clog trend and the pink bottoms were an added touch of cuteness.

Silence & Noise Cardigan - Urban Outfitters

Flower Pin - Ace International Trading Co. (Accessory Store)

Dress - The Limited

Leggings - Old Navy

Alice & Olivia Clogs - Payless

Hope your weekend is going well.

Purple Reign

Another pair of jewel tone suede shoes, I'm obsessed. My mission now is to score a deep green pair and a nice royal blue pair. I think I'll wait for the after holiday sales to start that search.

A little posing, a little dancing...

...and a little relaxing.

Details of the blouse

(They look like little smooches to me)

Silk Blouse - Forever 21

Belt - ?

Relaxed Skinny Jeans - Gap (so comfortable, I need these in a dark wash)

Shoes - Nine West

A special thanks to Economy of Style for the Marc by Marc Jacobs bag I won! I can't wait to feature it on the blog.

Red Wine

Remember these suede shoes I posted right after I purchased them? Well they are here and I love them. The slight platform makes them pretty comfortable to walk around the office in.

I love this cardigan. It can be wrapped so many ways.

See it worn previously here.

Nine West Dress - Macy's

Shoes - Nine West

Cardigan - Upscale (Dallas)

Belt - The Limited

Earrings - African Fest Vendor (Chicago)

Turquoise Ring - Urban Outfitters

Have a great day and stay warm!

Coconut Beauty

Since it's been freezing and crazy snowy and windy here outfit pics have suffered as a result. So today I thought I'd show you some of the beauty products I use. I'm not a product junkie at all, so I'm pretty loyal to what works and is affordable.

THE HAIR

Love the smell of this Coconut Milk sulfate free shampoo by Organix. It comes in a variety of scents as well.

I mostly do a lot of co-washing for my hair, so this Suave Humectant is very moisturizing and creamy for that purpose.

To moisturize my hair since it can get really dry in the winter and because of the hair color, I use African Royale's Hot Six Oil (six different uses including; hair, bath, body). This is a light natural oil that doesn't weigh my hair down.

THE FACE

Only a few of my makeup products are Mac (blush and lipstick) and some of the others are drugstore brands.

I've been using Maybelline's Great Lash mascara forever. I don't have long full eyelashes and the promises from higher end brands never seem to magically create more drama, so I stick with this for that extra pop I can get.

This oil free foundation from L'oreal is one of the best matches to my skin I've found in a liquid form and just leaves a great natural finish on my face.

When I'm not doing the Oil Cleansing Method, I use Neutrogena's Daily Scrub to exfoliate and cleanse my face.

And to moisturize my face, I use a very small amount of Grapeseed oil, which is a light natural oil. In the summer I also use this as an all over body moisturizer.

THE BODY

I love Gold Bond's Foot Cream especially in the winter for dry cracked feet, it really works.

Just a quick tip: I find that applying lotions to damp skin helps the moisture to really sink into open pores and last all day.

I use Cocoa Butter mostly everyday...

...but when I want to be a little more fragrant, I'll layer a coconut body butter...

...with coconut shower gel

Do you have a favorite scent that you are loyal to?