Street style

MORE THAN STYLE | PERSONAL STYLE & KEEPING A POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE by EUREKA CALHOUN

Velvet Lope “Style Spotlight” consultations always include a sample of expert styling, where the client and I have a mini makeover session at a local clothing store.  During this process, majority of my client’s become energized, excited, and invigorated during the transformation.  After a few consultations with the same response, I started to realize there is a direct correlation between personal style and having a positive self-image.  People often wonder why personal styling should be considered as a tool to transform self-image.  When a person doesn’t have a positive self-image, it will directly affect their confidence and how they physically view themselves and ultimately how they operate in a sometimes unforgiving world. Expert styling can boost self-confidence, change moods, and give an extra bounce in your step to make you feel like you can do anything!!!   

The media portrays an unattainable standard of beauty making it impossible for people to ever to be satisfied with their look.  Proven studies state over 60% of society has a negative view about their appearance and feel stuck in a sartorial rut!  Majority of working men and women find it difficult to develop their personal style during the work week and it’s just easier to opt for casual lounge wear on the weekends. On more than one occasion there are days I wake up and don't feel like myself causing me to invite in self-defeating thoughts…...I struggle like everybody else.   Is my body perfect, HELL NO, is there room for improvement, ABSOLUTELY!!!   But I always take a moment to asset my negative thoughts and make a choice  to remind myself I’m here to SLAY in MIND, BODY, & SOUL!  You may not always have control over your appearance but you have the power to keep a positive attitude about yourself! 

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The simple act of what I affectionately like to call dressing with "self-love" is a ground breaking power and a constant reminder that I’m in control on how I feel about ME and what I want to present to the observing world.  When you create and cultivate your own personal style this allows you the freedom to have a positive self-image and grants the power to eclipse the human need for validation.  The preconceived notion that “well dressed” people have it all together is nothing more than mastering the act of LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, and DO GOOD CONNECTION.  Something magically happens when clients step into a style and color that makes their skin glow a little more and or enhance their natural assets in the right places.  As a result they start to view themselves in a new light and slowly remove the self-imposed blinders. Experiencing this first hand will make you a believer on how implementing small changes in your clothing can change the relationship with your body and your internal self for the better!  

4 GIFTS OF PERSONAL STYLING & keeping a positive self-image:

1.  A positive self-image through styling grants you the power to eclipse the HUMAN need for validation.  

2.   Personal style is one the easiest ways to transform your self-image. 

3.  Expert dressing is powerful for improving confidence and establishing your uniqueness.   

4.  Focusing on your positive attributes and highlighting what you love through clothing is a vital self-love tool. 

If you have already started making small changes towards your personal style, I would love to support you via social media.  Tag me on Instagram and or Twitter with the hashtag "MORE THAN STYLE" because it's just that. A movement towards buildi…

If you have already started making small changes towards your personal style, I would love to support you via social media.  Tag me on Instagram and or Twitter with the hashtag "MORE THAN STYLE" because it's just that. A movement towards building a society who fully believes and adorns their God given beauty!!!
 

Until next time with love, 

Eureka 

 

CLOSET TREASURES| OOTD by EUREKA CALHOUN

Hi guys! Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is going great so far.  Given that I’m a stylist and fashion enthusiast, I’m constantly inspired by everything and everyone.  The fashion houses, personal street style gurus, or the everyday stylish guy/gal deposit into my fashion bank account daily.  Recreating style inspirations with the Velvet Lope touch (of course) can be a gift and curse. Spending money on expendable clothes with no real value doesn’t feed my spirit animal anymore.  The gift of becoming older and wiser will cause oneself to reevaluate what’s important.  

My focus is to pursue what feeds my spirit like saving, creating memories with family/friends and traveling the world to name a few. Make no mistake I will still invest in pieces that speak to me when the fashion gods shine on a particular item......... only makes logical sense, right? But one of my personal goals this year is to choose well, buy less and shop the TREASURES already in my CLOSET. The fact I have had all the pieces in this post except for the shoes for over a year (the gloves over 6 yrs, smh) and they're just now making an appearance confirms I'm finally on the right track!  

Photographer ~ Shawn Pilgrim

Photographer ~ Shawn Pilgrim

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Sunglasses - Dolce & Gabbana (similar here) * Shirt Dress -thrifted (similar here) * Hot pink blazer - NIC + ZOE (similar here)  * Earrings - Betsey Johnson (similar here) * Cross body bag - Badgley Mischka (seen here) * Shoes - S…

Sunglasses - Dolce & Gabbana (similar here) * Shirt Dress -thrifted (similar here) * Hot pink blazer - NIC + ZOE (similar here)  * Earrings - Betsey Johnson (similar here) * Cross body bag - Badgley Mischka (seen here) * Shoes - Sam Edelman (seen here) * Leather finger-less gloves (similar here) .  

Are you like me and find you need to limit your shopping?  What are your closet goals for the year......buy less, get organized, etc?  

Until next time,  

1 ❤️ Eureka  

CLASSIC BLACK | OOTD by EUREKA CALHOUN

Happy Hump Day!   Wednesday's are sort of a weekly celebration for me. I have a mid-week ritual of reflection which allows me the freedom to figure out what is left to accomplish and relax with friends for dinner and drinks.  In the spirit of reflection, one of my favorite past times, wearing “Classic Black” is sort of my ode to celebrating Black History Month!  The annual celebration is time to recognize Black History and shed light on the precious gift bestowed to this country.  I'm looking forward to diving deep and learning about the accomplishments of famous and lesser-known African-Americans within a rich environment of peers.  African American style is deeply rooted in our heritage and american culture! Complex mag complied an amazing list of "The 25 Greatest Black Fashion Designers" to date, check out the article here.  Black History and the classics will always trend-send time and this post is only a tiny, tiny way I can honor the people who have paved the way for us!

PHOTOGRAPHER ~ Shawn Pilgrim  

PHOTOGRAPHER ~ Shawn Pilgrim  

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Wearing all black will allow even a simple pair of gold hoops to shine against your monochromatic (wearing different variations of one color) ensemble.  

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Trench coat- Eile Tahari (seen here)  * Cashmere turtleneck - Lord & Taylor (similar here) * Skirt - Elizabeth & James (similar here) * Booties - Brian Atwood (similar here) * Sunglasses - Miu Mui (similar here) * Earrings – M…

Trench coat- Eile Tahari (seen here)  * Cashmere turtleneck - Lord & Taylor (similar here) * Skirt - Elizabeth & James (similar here) * Booties - Brian Atwood (similar here) * Sunglasses - Miu Mui (similar here) * Earrings – Michael Kors (seen here) * Lip Stick color - Mac Flat Out Fabulous. 

Black History Month or National African American History Month, is an event that grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. To my surprise other countries around the world, Canada and the United Kingdom recognize the national holiday too.  

Provided below are various events honoring Black History Month in Oklahoma City.  Mark your calendars, grab your friends, and prepare yourself to create memories of enlightenment! 

Don't forget sharing is caring!!!!!!! 

WAKE UP "THE REAL BLACK AMERICA"

THE HISTORY OF NAACP IN OKLAHOMA 

HISTORY SPEAKS - 1968 GOLD MEDALISTS JOHN CARLOS AND TOMMIE SMITH 

AFAM BLACK FILM FESTIVAL - THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE (1967-1975) * DARK GIRLS * FINDING THE GOLD WITHIN

FREEDOM'S HOPE WITH JANA BROWN

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA WITH DR. DONNIE L. NERO SR. 

WOMEN IN WAR ZONES BY EBONY IMAN DALLAS

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION 

Until next time, 

1 ❤️ Eureka