POLISHED POPE | STYLES

This mission is now so much bigger than me. I say that because as I reflect and today is what they call black Friday, I can’t help but to sprinkle some Black Girl Magic on your evening. Thursday, November 9th, 2017, Goodwill Industries presented me with an award as the Ambassador of The Year for Goodwill Industries of Middle, TN. What an honor and a lot of you have been on board with me throughout this journey! When I began this journey this time last year I never knew that I would receive such honor. I have honestly been moving in the direction that God leads me and might I say, he has ordered my steps. With November being a month of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to thank and recognize some special people. I want to thank a host of other FAMILY and FRIENDS. You guys know who you are and, and I would name everyone but then this post would be excessively long so just know, I see you and feel the love.

I was interviewed prior to getting the reward, you can see the video here. However, if I had the opportunity to do an acceptance speech this is how it might've gone... I have to thank God of course because without him, I am nothing. I want to thank my wonderfully supportive husband, he is my biggest cheerleader behind the scenes and I couldn’t ask for anything better. I would like to thank my littles. My Angel, Elyssa is officially my editor and chief. She gets in the closet with me when I am prepping for a shoot, helps me accessorize and often reads over my drafter post to make sure that I am keeping things ‘Polished’. She motivates me to be a better person and never hesitates to promote her ‘Stylist Mommy’. My Prince Charming, Eric AKA EP3, never fails to blush with compliments while looking at the final images from my photographer.

I want to thank some special “Girls” in my corner. Beginning with my Business Coach + Sister, Arletta Moore. She continues to coach to keep me in the game when I have my moments. I would like to thank The Coupon Queen of Nashville, Christina Robinson for always being in my corner and coming to just about every Retail Therapy Event that I host every month. She has been down before Retail Therapy was an official Event. I would like to thank The Best Esthetician in Atlanta, GA with the biggest heart, Natasha Cotto for supporting me in so many ways from afar. We got this girl, we are on our way!

I would like to thank my Friend & Realtor Shawnda Dodson-Crawford for always coming up with business strategies to maximize my brand. I want to thank my Fashion Queen friend Marissa Jackson for being so fashion forward and inspiring me to wear whatever I feel comfortable in because she does this without hesitation. I would like to thank my ‘NCCS Mom Friends + Family’ for always rooting + cheering me on and attending my events. You guys are amazing people. I want to thank my Amazing Friend + Hairstylist Keasha Bowlin, this girl not only spreads her magic through her fingers but through her words. I want to thank my followers, every like, love, comment never goes unnoticed. Lastly, I want to thank my friends at Goodwill and the blogger friends that I have made through Goodwill. THANK YOU!!

So with the energy surrounded around this month's theme, I was inspired to go with black for my looks. I don’t usually wear a lot of black often since I am all about pops of color but I always support stepping out of your comfort zone. When we step outside of our comfort zone, we take risk, and open ourselves up to unknown possibilities or insecurities. When you decide to stay in your comfort zone, of course it feels like a “safe place”, but stepping out of your comfort zone into a new and challenging task can provide opportunity for your greatest results. This year has been all about stepping out of my comfort zone, and because of that things have truly flourished in my business. From Goodwill Awards, invitation for features on News Channel 4, an Exclusive Influencer Essence + Ford Event, style segment with Yahoo! Style Beauty and so many amazing opportunities.

Believe it or not, I can be very camera shy, often get anxiety before a shoot and have pushed back my shoots 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time to calm down It was so amazing when I got the photos back from Drae, I was blown away and couldn’t believe it was even ME! I could see the little black girl behind the Black Woman that I have become. The confidence, the creative, the stability, the servant, the leader, the influencer, the focus, the drive and all THE BLACK GIRL MAGIC displayed in each image that my wonderful photographer Drae Brown captured. This was some of our best work yet, I mean we were truly blown away.

In this look, I wanted to show you how you can take one or two pieces and flip them into three different looks, that give three different vibes. I waited all summer long to put on this vintage leather skirt, so I had to wear it few different ways. In the past leather has been mainstreamed. You used to be considered foxy or required to give this certain sex appeal in the past when wearing a leather skirt but once you get past the stereotypes, the leather skirt has unlimited possibilities. I wanted to show you how this skirt can be a classic piece to your wardrobe.

You can definitely get out of your comfort zone and take a risk with this piece. I paired this vintage skirt with a tuxedo shirt, leather jacket, metallic oxfords that are currently my favorite Fall shoe. I added a button and pops of color with my handbag, lipstick and nail color. This look is brunch ready. The second look I used the exact same, skirt, blouse and bag. Switched up the shoes and threw on a sweatshirt for a more comfortable look. I added a sparkly shoe which makes this a good look for a quick happy hour with the girls. The third remix of this leather skirt I used again, the exact same blouse, bag, added a cute flirty cardigan for the work day but slipped on a trendy sock bootie for a modest date night with bae.

Share with me in the comments how your Black Girl Magic would be rocked in this leather staple.

Outfit Details:

LOOK ONE:

Skirt: TOKO Finest Leather; Goodwill

Blouse: Talbots; Goodwill

Jacket: DeLia’s; Goodwill

Handbag: Phillip Lim; Goodwill

Shoes: Express

Sunglasses: Hot Topic

LOOK TWO:

Skirt: TOKO Finest Leather; Goodwill

Blouse: Talbots; Goodwill

Sweatshirt: H&M; Goodwill

Handbag: Phillip Lim; Goodwill

Shoes: Express

Sunglasses: Hot Topic

LOOK THREE:

Skirt: TOKO Finest Leather; Goodwill

Blouse: Talbots; Goodwill

Cardigan: JCREW; Goodwill

Handbag: Phillip Lim; Goodwill

Shoes: Express

Sunglasses: Hot Topic

Photo Credit: dbrown615_photography