Tribal Print OOTD

"You a bad girl, and your friend's bad too! You got that swag sauce, you dripping Swagu"

Kanye West

Shout out to the new followers of Classic.Raw.Beauty!! With that being said, I would love to introduce you into a world of curvy acceptance! This past month I have been promoting self appreciation and love, and I would love for you lovely ladies to join me in this movement. I so appreciate the wonderful comments you guys have left, it is just the right motivation I need day by day! Last night I wanted to post a super casual fit, since I was just in that chill kinda mode.

I have a secret I would love to share with you ladies, PLAY WITH YOUR CLOTHES. Trust me you can never go wrong with wearing a dress as a skirt one day, or wearing your jumpsuit as pants the next. Go for it ladies!

Live Life Freely

Fit Rundown:

Necklace: Jewelry Store in New Orleans

Tribal Tank: Torrid

Jumpsuit (Turned Pants): Rainbow

Box Purse: Clothing Swap in Winston-Salem, NC

Shoes: Doll House

Smooches

When in Doubt....

Wear Coral & Lace

My go to this summer has been lace, there is no doubt about that! Lace makes me feel extremely regal and sophisticated! Lately I've been inspired by Solange Knowles, so I have been sporting my for a lot lately. Dare to be different my loves!!! Without you guys, I would not find the inspiration to post from day to day!

Live Life Freely!

Fit Rundown:

Necklace: Banana Republic

Lace Top: Charlotte Russe

Coral Dress(turned skirt): Faith21 (before it became Forever21+)

Shoes: Shoe Store in Winston-Salem, NC

Vintage Box Purse: Goodwill

Solange Knowles

Fashion Stomping Ground

Fashion is Limitless: Embrace your Curves

"Beauty is in the eye of the fashionable beholder"

Billie M.

Love yourself and those around you, this is the mantra of my life right now. I refuse to look like the stick figure models in the magazines, thank god that CURVY WOMEN are ruling the scene and inspiring young women like me! With great dreams to be a plus size model, I know that the first step is to be confident in myself no matter what!! So this OOTD, is dedicated to the curvy girls who love their luscious curves, and encouragement of our fellow curvy ladies to show off what nature has blessed them with.

Love.Live.Life

Fit Rundown:

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Bandeau (DIY): Charlotte Russe Scarf

Skirt: Forever21 (dress)

Eat and be merry!

The Power of Daring to be Different

"I am not my hair"

India Arie

I would love to thank all of the wonderful individuals who have supported Classic.Raw.Beauty when it was first launched in 2009, and to those who have just started to follow my blog. I am so appreciative of the time and patience you all have placed into CRB, it has truly become a pleasure to get to know the people who help keep this blog running.

During the course of Classic.Raw.Beauty, I had just went through a major hair transformation. In 2009, the same year CRB was launched, I had been transitioning to the natural state of my hair and chopped it all off into a low cut. Both scared and unsure of what I did the night before, I sucked it up and took the picture on the left! Despite what others thought about me, I kept on my natural hair journey and almost two years later I come up with the picture on the right!

Remember ladies, your outward appearance does not make who you are, you make you :)

Live. Life. Freely

Dare to Be Different, Dare to be Great

"Fashions fade, style is eternal"

Yves Saint Laurent

For the past week and a half, I have come across the most intriguing bloggers all over the world (literally!!). After posting this Bloggers Do it Better Post , I had no idea there was an actual site that challenged bloggers to interpret certain trends as their own. Kristina, the brainchild behind Pretty Shiny Sparkly, has created a worldwide blogger challenge to push the envelope of what style really is! So being the blogger I am I tweaked the challenge by adding my own spin to the "All-American" look, Prep School Fashion. I've never considered myself to be a preppy kinda blogger, but I think the turn out of the challenge was pretty successful!

Sooo, How do I look lovelies?

Prepping for my mini photoshoot, thanks to my niece.

Fit Rundown:

Earrings-Thrifted (Goodwill)

Shirt Brother Thrifted-Nautica

Distressed Jean- Torrid

Shoes-Jessica Simpson

"Bend Down Auntie and Pose"

Prep School Challenge

Live Life Freely

Fashion Chronicles: Style Runs Deep

"Your beauty is deep inside, beautiful people."

-Chris Brown

Family is the most important thing in my life. Fashion isn't something I came across on my own. I come from generations of fashionable women and men. With the recent graduation of my baby sister Dominique, our family from all over came to Charlotte to celebrate! This was the perfect opportunity to take beautiful pictures with my family and share with you lovely followers. Family photos are worth a million and one words, and I cherish every memory they are worth!!

Beautiful Family Photo

My three lovely siblings

Undeniable Beauty

My gorgeous Aunts and Cousins

Pose for the Camera:

Thick beauties

Three Generations of Fashion

Smooches!

Enter the Fox Hole

"1-2-3 we're Musical Refugees, and If you wanna study up on we then you can check the history."

-Thee Red Fox ("Music Refugees")

The Red Fox is back on the scene once again showcasing her amazing talents at the Juneteenth Fest here in Charlotte, NC, by featuring her wonderful vocals for local artists. If you guys are familiar with the face and the musical talent of The Red Fox with her April Artist Profile, then you won't be surprised with the second mixtape she has produced titled You Big Dummy. Her melodic voice is both power and subtle voice will move your soul, no doubt about that!

Makeda (aka Thee Red Fox) blessing the mic in Charlotte, NC

The Cipher Recreated (left to right): Jopedo(producer), Wr. Dice(rapper), Thee Red Fox(singer), and Deyzo(singer)

The Queen Rocking the Mic with Wr. Dice

Be sure to check out her new mixtape here: You Big Dummy

Bloggers Do it Better Challenge: Color Blocking

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely

ridiculous than absolutely boring."

-Marilyn Monroe

After aimlessly scrolling down my Tumblr Dashboard, I come across this interesting blogger DIY project on the blog Ashley4Emergy . I'm all for revamping anything in my closet, so I was instantly drawn into her take on Color Blocking for the summer season. Instead of representing this dope trend with her clothing, she decided to show this trend in her amazing foot work. Ashley mixes both neutral tones and fierce neons to dominate the pavement. The shoes she has on were painted neon yellow on the back heel with fabric paint.

Check out her take on this color blocking trend here on her site: Ashley4Emergy

Ashley's Color Block Zara Shoes

Ashley's Tip:

Just a tip, if your shoes have plastic on them it's best to use acrylic paint on those parts and not fabric paint.
I'd also recommend using Tulip Soft Fabric paint, it works well on fabrics (even suede) because of it's opacity.

With this inspiration in mind for "Bloggers Do It Better" I plan on revamping my Doll House Strapped Wedge. Wish me luck loves! I'm am so anxious to go to the craft store and pick out my neon paint!

In the mean time, take the time out to check her amazing personal fashion blog!

Australia's First Lady of Thrift:

"Go Cinderella, go Cinderella

Orgasm Blush, lipstick, and concealer.

Oh, you fancy, huh?"

-Drake

Drake's "Fancy" is definitely the appropriate introduction for this young fashionable woman! Hailing from the beautiful continent of Australia, Yeliz is an amazing spirit that destroys the barriers of the fashion industry. This dedicated First Lady of Thrift, what I love to call her, is a sweet woman who loves to uplift those around her. After meeting Yeliz on LookBook, we finally had the chance to connect and collaborate on this wonderful feature together. Yeliz is not only a gorgeous fashionista, but she is an intelligent journalism student striving to make a difference in the international fashion industry. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to connect with such an amazing young woman!! Please check out her amazing blog, Aint So Serious, and please do not believe her modesty....it is indeed that serious :)

Blogger Rundown:

Name: Yeliz

Age: 21

Occupation: Student/Receptionist

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Blog: Aint So Serious

"I'm a journalism student & want-to-be writer from down under. I have an obsessive love of fashion, food, & music, greeting cards, photography, travel, good humour, classic novels & classic movies. I have crazy faith in literature as a means of peace, & human imagination as a form of resilience."

Since your a gorgeous thrifter from Australia, what is the most unique item/piece of clothing/ect. that you have found?

Oh, you are a bit too kind. Well, unique finds would definitely have to be from my ridiculous bag and belt collection. But I would say it’s my multi-floral satin blazer with it’s make-me-happy shoulder pads! HA!

In your opinion, how do vintage pieces spice up your personal style? How does blending modern and vintage pieces add flair to your look?

I can take key items that I’m almost certain no body else has seen and mesh them with more common and on-trend items of clothing. Anything bold is a statement, I have found that most of my thrifted items are bold items and to me, mixing them with basics and bits and pieces is how I make my own personal statement. At the end of the day it makes the look something I am comfortable with because I know my style has a little something unique. At the end of the day, if you are comfortable in your skin, it shows, regardless of how much awesomeness you wear ;)

Ok, what is your staple thrifted piece/item you wear, carry, accessorize with on a weekly/daily basis? What is the first piece you go for when putting an outfit together?

A staple piece that has been on my shoulder for nearly two years now I a vintage brown leather draw string satchel/bucket bag. I picked it up at a market in Istanbul on my second day there; it cost me $4 dollars and literally did not leave my side from that moment.

The first piece I go for will usually be a vintage button up shirt, something slinky and light and I tend to layer from there. Cardigans are my guilty pleasure so I’ll work them in some how. It does depend on the occasion, if I have a staple piece that I want to dominate and outfit with I will keep things extremely simple, that way you don’t overpower the part of the outfit that means the most to you. Gosh, does that even sound right? HA!

When did you start thrifing? What fascinated you about the art of thrift?

I started thrifting a little under four years ago. My friend really got me hooked. She worked part-time at a second-hand chain store and had been thrifting from her early teens. When I realized it could be a new means of expression I discovered I had my own little knack for it. After buying some seriously silly things on my first few attempts I started to learn what I enjoyed and how I might wear them.

But my mother fascinated me too, her and her sisters were thrifters (or opp-shoppers as we call them) back in the late 70s and early 80s, they made retro ultimately amazing. I have been able to use some of their pieces they kept. I respect that there can be a history attached to what we wear. So it’s the ultimate walking story.

What bit of advice would you give to first time thrifters when hunting for vintage pieces?

Well the cliché comment here would be ‘do not be afraid to try,’ my advice is rather to find something or a style you are comfortable with and go from there. But find a style you actually LIKE, not something that is on ‘trend’ or common. Yes, do not be afraid to try, but do realize that if you are confident in your self, your style will follow suit and you may start to find your eyes dart to pieces that you never thought you could pull off. Be patient and be kind, if the items are right they will find you and look fabulous. You will be fabulous.

Play With Your Clothes: Color Explosion

"Living my life like its golden!"

Jill Scott

My choices in color have began to creep out more and more everyday!

Interestingly enough, this gorgeous top is actually a silk dress I bought on clearance from the Gap. Though it was too small, I made it work like Tim Gun would advise me to do. Along with the top, I hemmed this thrifted skirt that used to hit me at the knee, to give it a modern twist i made it a tad bit shorter. Of course the Jessica Simpson Danys were a must for this summer fit, along with my new feather earrings (a summer staple this year)! I have been lacking in OOTDs, and I hope you lovely ladies enjoy this one.

Fit Rundown:

Feather Earrings: Mandee

Silk Dress (worn as a top): Gap

Vintage Skirt: Thrifted

Dany Heels: Jessica Simpson

Smooches,

Chakayla

The Curvy Canadian Chronicles

To the Lovely Ladies of Canada and Beyond,

I would love to introduce this witty and absolutely gorgeous plus size fashion blogger from Canada, Karen Ward. With the wonderful avenues that the internet can provide, I had the awesome opportunity to connect with Karen through PLUS Model Magazine's Blog's Fashion Friday Feature. Only the dopest curvy girls are featured, and Karen is definitely one of those IT girls that caught my attention. After emailing back and forth I finally got the chance to feature her on CRB! I know you ladies will show mad love and appreciation for this Curvy Canadian Diva!

Peek into the Curvy World of this Canadian Fashionista:

Blogger Rundown:

Name: Karen Ward

Age: 27 (In about three years, I will start lying about my age)

Hometown: Mississauga, Canada

Blog: Curvy Canadian

What inspires you to blog daily?

My readers and myself. I am always so deeply moved when I am contacted by a women who has found empowerment through reading my blog and embracing how fashionable she can be. Being curvy, it's so easy to just give up on your appearance because society doesn't typically view you as beautiful or sexy. By dressing my curvy body the way I do, I am challenging that societal view and encouraging others to do so as well, either in their thoughts or in the way they dress themselves. There is something truly subversive about being plus size and at the height of fashion, and I love that! Learning to love myself has been a big part of this process for me, and dressing well is really helping with that, so I have to make sure I keep my fashion on-point at all times!

Do you thrift often if so, where and how often?

LOVE to thrift. Being a student (perpetually - I am entering my 10th year of post-secondary education in September - working on my PhD), it's hard to afford all of the designer stuff that I'd love to buy if I was working full time. So I take to the thrift stores to see what treasures I can find! Sometimes you can find really awesome designer stuff that the store owners weren't aware was designer. I would say I thrift maybe once or twice a month, usually at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village, and Talize.

What was your best find(s) at a thrift store (or any other store)?

My best find in a thrift store was at a Salvation Army in Port Elgin, Ontario. I found a pair of vintage Alfred Sung clip-on earrings from the 80s for 25 cents. I got home and did some research and they were going for over $50 on ebay! Woohoo!

How has blogging changed your perspective on the outside world of fashion?

I would say that starting blogging has just made me more aware of trends in general, and I can sort of predict what will be coming next. New fashions from the UK always give a sense of what will make it to North America for the same season in the following year. Aztec prints will be big next summer - so get a jump on all of your friends and buy some now! I would say that ideologically, blogging has changed my perspective on fashion because it has really helped me to realize that fashion is for EVERYONE (rich, poor, skinny, fat, and in-between). There are some people won't like that you're fashionable and fat, but those people don't matter. Fashion is a form of self-expression that places our body in the position of the artistic canvas. Paint yourself and make a statement.

If you could describe your fashion blog in one word, what would it be?

Wow, one word? You're asking a PhD student in English Literature to describe something in one word? Hmmm... this is hard. I guess it's been the word of the day today - so I would hope that the word "empowering" describes my blog. At least a little bit. I also hope it's a bit subversive. Sorry, had to sneak that one in there!

*Ladies* Please take the time out to check her AMAZING and EMPOWERING blog, it is full of amazing finds: Like This Polka Dot Cobolt Blue Blazer Karen has on (I need to borrow that, like now!) CURVY GIRLS RUN THE WORLD!

Smooches!

DIY: Lace Chandelier Earrings

Hello Lovelies,

If I haven’t share this before I think I should admit it now, I love Seventeen magazine! Since I just turned 20, I think I can still get away with this slight obsession. While flipping through the pages of the February 2011 edition of Seventeen, I came across the Runway, the DIY way section and instantly fell in love with the Dolce & Gabbana inspired lace earring DIY.

Like a true fashionista, I borrowed the idea and created my own interpretation of Seventeen’s lace earrings. If you lovely ladies haven’t seen this DIY project in Seventeen, I will provide the same materials and how-to instructions from the magazine. I will also provide pictures of my earrings, feedback and email submissions to classicrawbeauty@yahoo.com for this post are greatly appreciate it.

Enjoy!!

Smooches,

Chakayla

Materials:

Earrings Posts (I used pearl earrings posts)

Scissors

Lace trim (old lace shirt)

Gold Nail Polish (I used red shimmer polish)

How To:

1. CUT a pretty shape out of a piece of lace trim. Then use that shape as a template for a second piece, so they’ll match.

2. PAINT a few random sections of lace near the edges with the gold nail polish, and repeat on the second piece.

3. ATTACH the earring by poking the post through an opening at the top of the lace. Then it’s ready to wear!

Lovely lace earrings to match any gorgeous outfit!

This Birthday Anthem Pounds in My Ears....

Hello Lovelies,

As June 2, 2011 came to a glorious close, I wanted to share pictures of my 20th birthday that I shared with my beautiful, curvy cousin Alexis. After dinning that night we went to this hype chill spot called Dharma Lounge. With many familiar faces that night, I enjoyed the company I was with. This was one of best birthday celebrations, thus far, that I truly enjoyed!! You only turn 20 once, why not bring it in with a great bang!

Love You All,

Chakayla

Birthday Fit Rundown:

Necklace: New Orleans Jewelery Store

Banded Dress: Charlotte Russe

Shoes (not pictured here): Jessica Simpson Danys

signature pose before it became BeyShoulders :)

caught off guard....imperfection is beauty

big smiles and lovely curves

What a wonderful birthday!!