Now let's all face it, Chicago winters are horrible. Being fashionable in subzero weather is not always an option. So, when I went out to do some winterizing, I was thinking how can I make drab winter fashion fabulous. The things I found are to die for! From thick knit infinity scarfs to blizzard ready boots, I should be good to go for this year's polar vortex. Bring it on winter! So here's what I got from left to right! 1.) Knit Infinity Loop in Wine - Akira I wear this thing sooooo many ways. It's been a shawl, a sweater and quick way to warm up! 2.)High Waist Leatherette Pant in Wine - Akira Leather is hot right now. It's everywhere and with these high waist pants I have a trendy way to keep cozy. Not to mention they look GREAT on. 3.)Oversized Studded Bucket - Akira Like most women, I value a bag I can stick my whole arm in. This duffel is huge and perfect for my portable unduly life. 4.)Crop Moto Jacket in Black - Akira I know, I know . How is a crop supposed to keep you warm when facing our winters. I brought this jacket because it is a perfect layer piece. Under a fur vest or lighter jacket, this Moto jacket will work wonders. Being fabulous and warm in this vortex is going to require innovation. 5.)"Filthy" Hat - Villa When I saw this hat I immediately thought of the scripture Isaiah 64:6. I liked the design and I'm gonna need every hat I can get my hands on. 6.) Purple Urchin Coconut Lemongrass Body Butter - Eskell I have very sensitive skin, so finding moisturizer isn't always easy. BUT! I think I found what's going to keep my skin soft in the cold air. This body butter is super smooth and luxurious. It smells amazing and it was only $12 from Eskell on Milwaukee Ave. 7.) Steve Madden "Troopa" Boot - Akira These real leather boots should last me at least 4 years. They are the perfect go to for a winter boot. They'll be like the little black dress for my feet. 8.) 23 Tee - Chi City Tees Soooo let's discuss this tee shirt. Super cool design. Great play off of Jordan's and the Bulls logo and it looks great with my Nikes. 9.) Nike Air Revolution Sky Hi - Nike I am a newly infatuated sneakerhead! I love the fact that Nike finally produced a sneaker wedge that actually looked like a dope sneaker. Hats off to them. These will be great to trudge the snow in and I'll look cute while doing it. 10.) Dr. Marten's AirWair Original - Akira I don't think I could ask for a better blizzard boot lol. The Docs are perfectly fun and functional. 11.) Three Dimensional Necklace - SammyDress This necklace is sooooo fun. I figured it would be great to add some texture to the boring sweaters I will be forced to where when the temperature plummets. 12.) The Love Playbook - LaLa Anthony I told y'all I was newly in love with LaLa. I just got her book. I think it will be the perfect companion in these long winter nights. 13.)The Bar Belt - SammyDress I have seen this belt interpreted so many ways. Thick accessories like this one will be necessary if I am to maintain a shape in the thick winter dresses and sweaters. 14.)I See You Boots - Akira These see through boots by Chemistry are sooooo funky. They're so weird that you have to love them. I am prepared to go sock crazy this winter. 15.)Over the Knee Socks - Akira Did I mention I am prepared to go sick crazy. These socks will be perfect with my winter boots and under some jeans for added warmth. 16.)Oversized Ralph Lauren Monogram Blazer I found this treasure in my aunt's closet! I love, love, love it. It will be perfect on top of just about anything. 17.)Jeffrey Campbell Cassius Boot - Akira These are probably my fave purchase. They are crazy high and fashionable. And who doesn't love a good Jeffrey.
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Today's Prompt is I Thought About It! And don't laugh, but I really have painted an entire scenario of what my life would be like if I was a man for one day! I have thought about it and here's why. One day, after watching a rerun of Scandal I made a declaration, "Oh, if I had a penis for a day." As I watched Olivia Pope secure Fitz professional career after she had a complicated meeting with him, it became clear; Men live by completely different standards than women. Men have a completely different experience. As I do with many matters, I went to my mom, Mama Daisy. We both decided we would only need 24 hours of the experience. So here's how my day would look.
7 am- Wake up and scratch my balls. (I would probably marvel at myself for a while, honestly.) My mother laughingly said she would put her leg on a chair just to boast about herself. HA! This is a little inappropriate, but did you really expect me to leave this out?! 8 am- Shower and leave the house! I would have to get my day started early. I've only got 16 more hours of manhood. 9 am-12 pm- I would get breakfast up North in a very Caucasian restaurant, flirt with the waitress and experience what it is like to be a menace just because I am Black and a Man. I would find some woman to woo during this period too. 1 pm- I would drive around for an hour waiting to be pulled over. If I am left alone, I would gain more hope for my community. If, as expected, I am pulled over for a "rolling stop," I wouldn't be phased. I am, after all, a Black man. *I would wear a sweatshirt and sag for the first half of my day. I would like to know what it is like to be educated and Christian and be stereotyped as a thug.* 2 pm- I would change into much more appropriate clothes for an educated man, like a suit or a fitted slacks. I would then go to the Southside of Chicago and stand on the corner. I would avoid the areas where Black men dressed in slacks at all cost. 3-7 pm- I would spend my evening confounding the stereotypes of Black men, the ones we put on ourselves. I would also find a woman to woo during this period too. 8 pm- Now, I'm sure that most folks would expect me to find a bar or a club. BUT, I would go to a church. I would find out how many thots frequent the Lord's house. I would also fight off these fiendish women with the proclamation that I am abstinent. I would see how many church hoes would try to change that. 10 pm-12 am- I would spend my last hours as a man writing a book about all the times I was accused, accosted, and stereotyped. I would also talk about the many women I wooed during this period too. The next day I would chronicle my day as a woman and compare the difference between my male perspective and my female perspective. I mean, I was just thinking! Haha What would you do as a man? If you are familiar with me, you know that I have a right hand comrade named Natalie. She's the PYT featured in the pic to the left. As she and I were standing in the concert, we noticed that many of the artists paused to have a "do the right thing" moment. From Ty Dolla $ign, to Jeezy to Wiz, artists kept having motivational breaks in their sets. I wondered why the artists felt it necessary to take this time out in their performances. I'm not harping on the lives of any of these artists. Their speeches just helped me have an aha moment. So many of us filter through life pretending to have a united front of peace, when our day to day actions do very little to support the words we speak. It's easy to speak about helping the next generation, living to the fullest, and staying positive. But living up to these words is a whole other matter. |
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More About MkMk is 23 year old Chicagoan. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., studying English. Now back in Chicago, Mk has focused on writing her truths. Outside of ATS, she also writes on Youth Alert, a blog for young Christian believers. Mk is also a stylist at Akira Hyde Park. When she isn't working on the Mag, Youth Alert, or at Akira, Mk is with her family, she spends her time with a good book or cooking.
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