Here Goes Nothin'

Don't forget about the Fashion Forward event happening on December 10th. It's going to be all kinds of fantastic and I would love for you to be there!

Also, I hope you had a fantastic Turkey day. Mine was full of food and familial chaos, which is the best kind of chaos.

For something un poco different, I decided to try out a studio shoot with a photographer chum of mine. He did a great job!

Being in a studio environment is always so different. I feel I haven't quite mastered it. With nothing to stand on or in front of or behind and nothing to sit by or lean against and nowhere to walk...it just feels a bit awkward. So the above is the pose I came up with. It seems to successfully say, "Hey guys, I'm standing here looking at the camera!" I think that sentiment was captured fantastically.

Perhaps I was going for a "Glamour shots by Deb" type pose here?

As for the dress, it is a great vintage find at one of my favorite shops here in Minneapolis. I gave it a little hem job and made it a bit more modern. I love the colors and the print. That is of course, what caught my eye first. I decided to keep the accessories very simple and for the shoes I went to my go-to place of choice.

If Aldo was a person I swear I'd marry him ya'll.

So there you have it. I'm not quite sure what it is you have exactly as it is late while I'm writing this and I just had a cupcake and the sugar may be having some adverse effects on my ability to write a coherent post.

This one seems to say, "I have a headache, and it's hilarious!"

I'm pretty sure I have said nothing of use in this entire post. Unless you have found something that I said useful, in which case, I totally meant to do that. One thing is for certain though, no more cupcakes before bed.


Photo Credit: Haythem Lafhaj Photography

Dress: Vintage (via Via's Vintage)

Belt/Jewelry: Forever 21

Jacket: H&M (long ago)

Shoes: Aldo

Food for Thought: Fashion Forward Edition

Around this time of year, everyone's brain is on food. Holiday food is, quite possibly, the bestest food ever (although so is summer bbq food, and heck Tuesday food - pretty much any day of the week food). It is sometimes easy to forget, however, that not everyone has the luxury of planning a big family meal. Some folks in our community struggle on the day-to-day for food for their family. For this volunteer opportunity, on Saturday, December 10th from 9-11 a.m. we're linking up with the Emergency Food Shelf Network! And to introduce this food focus post, we decided to go all gorilla style in the grocery store...

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or the dentist. Or the boogie man. Not sure which.

In 2010, there were more than three million food shelf visits statewide and 63 million pounds of
food were distributed to Minnesota families by food shelves.  http://mnfoodshare.gmcc.org/hunger.php
17.2 million households, 14.5 percent of households (approximately one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States ¹ (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v.) http://mnfoodshare.gmcc.org/docs/mfs_hunger_fact_sheet_2011.pdf

Those are startling figures, aren't they? What a blessing it is to be able to worry about what to wear instead of how we are going to eat! Some of us may be going through a hard time or know someone who is, but what  a joy that many of us are in a position to help our fellow stylistas and community members in need!

This is my, "OMG, is the grocery store man coming to kick us out?" face.

The Emergency Food Shelf Network is "An innovative food bank dedicated to serving the hunger needs of our changing communities." The are a full service food bank that provides support to over 200 hunger relief partners. That's pretty dope ya'll.

As for the outfit, I loved this tutu looking confection of a skirt. I bought it in mid-summer, but always envisioned it in fall with tights and whatnot so I saved it until now. I love the lightness of the skirt with the heaviness of all the black. I decided to pair it with a red belt because I enjoy the combination of things that don't really go together.

This fantastically foody post is to kick off the volunteer event for The Emergency Food Shelf Network taking place on Saturday, December 10th from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. More details HERE. We will be sorting and/or packaging food. It's gonna be a good time people, don't miss the chance to get your give back on and bring a friend! To sign up with the group, please email me at K.Mo@thefreshfactorgc.com by Tuesday, December 6th.

If you don't live in MN, no worries!! You can find a foodshelf in your area and volunteer HERE! Make sure to take some pics and tell me all about it so I can post your freshness on the blog!

I'm already pumped to package some food! Woo!

Get pumped party people! Lets give back! Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions! There are a lot of exclamation points down here!!

Jacket: Long time ago at some obscure strip mall
Tank/Skirt/Ring: Forever 21
Tights: Also not sure, they are your standard black opaques
Shoes: Baby Phat via Macys
Belt: Vintage

Purely Presidential

Remember when it was warm? Yeah, me neither. But it only gets worse from here, so that's something to look forward to...wait....

These photos are from a much simpler time. A time of sunshine, great weather and....campaigning??

Try and tell me this doesn't look like I'm running for some type of office! Perhaps Mayor of Awkwardness in America. Or Chancellor of  World Randomness (can you even run for chancellor? Not sure how these things work). Go ahead, try and tell me! I won't believe you. So maybe don't try, it sounds like a waste of time...

The only platform I run on is on my shoes

I kept things pretty simple. My super fave navy pants, white tee, blush shoes. I enjoy the combination of white and nude or blush.

I feel like I should end this with my stance on some important issue to cement my candidacy in your minds (you know, for whatever it is I am pretend running for). I got nothing so, instead, here are photos of me awkwardly flailing  about....who doesn't want that from a candidate!?

Vote for me America & world! I'm pretty sure everyone can vote in pretend elections...

Photos by: K. Diarra Photography

Shirt: Forever21
Pants: H&M
Shoes: Steve Madden via Macys
Bracelets: Vintage
Necklace: Arden B (years ago)
Glasses: The Icing

Mad Style

No, the title is not east coast lingo. I just look really mad in these pictures. Why? Good question. Perhaps because it was cold. Maybe I was really hungry. Maybe there was no one around to turn my frown upside down... I really have no good reason. You would think I would, but you would be wrong.

I'm totally smiling on the inside

 Despite my visage, The outfit was nice on a brisk fall day. The stole kept me nice and toasty and as soon as I saw this shirt, the print captivated me. It's also hand made in Indonesia which I thought was pretty cool. The 70's vibe that's happening here made me joyus too. Even if you can't tell...

Looking slightly less stabby here...

I also am wearing a bracelet that belonged to my grandmother, I believe it was her mother's as well. I love that it has a story - it makes the piece so much more special.

I thought the orange added an nice random pop. Sometimes it's nice to add a little random to the mix. 

This look either says "come hither" or "go away". Not sure which one...

I'm going to smile all day to make up for the stank face present in these pictures. I hope you are smiling today too! Have something awesome making you happy??? Please share!


Stole: Vintage
Shirt: Thrifted
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Belt: Target
Bracelet: Vintage