Velvet Crush

Black Skinny Jeans on sale for $38. Shop by clicking on the photo. 

Black Skinny Jeans on sale for $38. Shop by clicking on the photo. 

Velvet Platforms $79.95 Click on the photo to shop!

Velvet Platforms $79.95 Click on the photo to shop!

Turtleneck Sweater now for $39. Shop by clicking on the photo.

Turtleneck Sweater now for $39. Shop by clicking on the photo.

All photos by Wilson Josue Diaz

All photos by Wilson Josue Diaz

How many of you have a thing for velvet? It's ok to admit it, Passionistas! Well, It's been my latest craze and I love incorporating little bits of it in my outfits, whether it is in my shoes, jacket, purse or even just in a velvet choker. There is something about how velvet feels and how it looks so comforting and comfortable. 

I love sharing this outfit with you Passionistas. It's a casual, understated, cozy and stylish look I tend to lean towards when dressing 'down'. I picked the base of the outfit to be all black, from my skinny black jeans and an oversized turtleneck sweater, which has beautiful knitted details on it (on sale now for $39). There's nothing more I love than oversized sweater during winter.  Literally, they are my life savers, because 95% of time I am always freezing. 

From there, I paired up all back with a jean jacket that has velvet detail sown in the top and back of this stunning piece. It's from Gap and it sold out so quickly, but I've linked few other super awesome jackets you should check out. And then...the shoes. I mean those platform sneakers are KILLER. They are Steve Madden Bertie-V and come in many other wonderful colors, and I can't take them off. Which color should I get next? Oh the dilemmas of a fashion and shoe lover! I dressed up the look with Maison Valentino's studded black cross-body bag and a pom hat. Let's face it, it's still cold and I'm not risking getting sick this winter. 

Recently I read a book by Chip and Joanna Gaines "The Magnolia Story". If you are not familiar with who they are....well to sum them up....they are entrepreneurs in a house flipping business and owners of Magnolia home market. They live on a farm with 4 kids in Waco, Texas and are stars on a hit HGTV show "Fixer Upper". It's been my favorite show since my eyes saw Joanna Gaines designs few years ago, heard Chip's humor and most importantly I adore their spirits and the love for their family and God. I read their book and fell in love even more with this amazing couple. They are true testament to every believer and dreamer out there, that dreams really do come true...not overnight, but with sweat and tears and after many trials. What Joanna describes at the end of the book pretty much sums up why I love this incredible couple, their inspiring life story and this book:

"It was such a blessing to find myself thriving in the middle of the pain. Unless you find a way to do that, there's always going to be this fake illusion that once you get there - whatever 'there' is for you - you'll be happy. But that's just not life. If you can't find happiness in the ugliness, your'e not going to find it in the beauty, either" - Joanna Gaines

This resinated with me on a very deep level, as I found myself deep in the ugly season(s) last year. I've made it through, because I never gave up and trusted God in the process. I found joy in little things and that made me appreciate even the ugliest of and most painful seasons of my life.

Thank you Chip and Joanna for giving me the inspiration and the hope to never give up, work my hardest and be the best person I can possibly be to myself and those around me. Thank you.

And to my Passionistas...read this book, wear velvet and never give up on your dreams!

Love,

Style Your Passion

Outfit Details:

Jean Jacket / Jean Jacket 2 / Platform Velvet Sneakers / Black Skinny Jeans / Turtleneck Sweater / Pom HatValentino Bag / SheIn Studded BagSunglasses / "Magnolia Story" book