Summer Wrap Up: Part 1

 Sadly, summer is coming to a close. In honor of these last few fancy-free moments, I decided to let my hair down (more like...out) and snap as many pics in the sizzling sun as I could squeeze in. These outfit posts I'm releasing over the next few days pretty much sum up my summer. Fun, crazy, hectic but overall...beautiful. This is my summer wrap up...what's yours?

This summer I moved to historic Harlem. Huge for me since it's my first apartment in NYC, and ironically, I live only a block away from the building my mom grew up in. All things come full circle I guess. I don't live in this beautiful Strivers Row brownstone I'm posing in front of. I'm not too far away though...

I really love my neighborhood. One of the great things about summer is the fact that there's no excuse to stay inside. 

 I did alot of walking this season, strolling through my neighborhood, trying out new restaurants, discovering new shops, etc. I learned alot.

 There's an old saying that goes something like "You have to know where you've been to know where you're going..." It's something to that effect. Anyway I got a tattoo this summer of an Adinkra symbol called Sankofa which essentially means "Learning from your past to build for your future". The entire summer was filled with life lessons. Anyway, the "past" piece is super important to me. Might be why I like vintage so much. Like this bag, something that's old and worn and has been through alot (despite popular belief) can be the most beautiful.

 But of course we all love "new" stuff too. This little trinket was probably my favorite accessory this summer. Got it from this street vendor in Soho. His name is "G" and I passed by him everyday on my lunch hour. I don't think he knows how much he's touched my life. Another important lesson from this summer.|

Top: Forever 21, Shorts: H&M, Jesus Piece: Forever 21, Double Finger Ring: Street Vendor, Silver Cuff: Street Vendor, Bag: Vintage, Shoes: Kelsi Dagger

- Photos & Video courtesy Brandon Haynes Photography

Behind The Scenes Video

So the inspiration for this outfit came from a challenge given by my dear friends at Kelsi Dagger. I did a video on how to rock the same Kelsi Dagger Karina shoe two different ways. I've never posted to Youtube before so this is all very new to me (and scary...yikes!), so show me some love and spread it if you like. And stay tuned for Summer Wrap Ups Part 2 & 3...