I recently took a trip to NYC. The city is a frequent travel destination for me, and is dear to my heart for many reasons! I love the hustle and bustle, I love to shop, I love to eat, I have family there, and if you didn't know... that's where I was born. So whenever I go down to the city it's like being at a second home. However, this time it was different. It was the first time that I had gone since the pandemic hit. New York State got hit pretty hard with COVID-19, and NYC particularly was one of the worst hit cities in the world. So during all that madness traveling to NYC was a big NO.

However, for those who live and have to survive in the city, it's different.  When you really look at NYC, the land is pretty small, but it's home to millions of people trying to navigate through life.  Let's take a second and all imagine how NYC was effected by COVID-19. How easily do you think germs are spread in a place where millions of people are squished together in close quarters, with limited social distancing opportunities? Think about a place where public transportation is LIFE, there's not enough disinfectant in the world to destroy those germs on the subway. Think about all the food options, how many restaurants do you think struggled and went out of business when the shutdown happened? New York City is one of the top travel destinations in the world, but who was traveling during a pandemic? When rates began to spike in New York, even those who were brave enough to still travel, they definitely weren't coming there. NYC is supposed to be the city that never sleeps, imagine watching business after business, shutdown and/or close permanently?  Favorite activities were lost, top schools were closed, jobs were lost, normalcy was lost, and the overall New York City vibe was lost.

The pandemic had a major effect on us all, but NYC was definitely hit extremely hard. In order for things to be safe and migrate towards a form of normalcy multiple adaptions had to be made. It's been a year now and things still are no where near the same but they are making strides to get normal.

Despite all the limitations it was still a great trip to NYC! The worst part for me, was everything shutting down at and/or before 11:00pm. I felt so jipped! But that just means you have to make the most of your time while your down there. This is a great time to take advantage of site seeing! They can't cover up a whole monument right? The best part for me was the lack of people. If you've ever been to NYC, you are just surrounded by a million people at all times. With the lack of tourism you can actually walk around and have a safe little bubble around you. You also don't have to wait in long lines. While I loved that, it also was kind of strange.  We went to Times Square and typically it's always a sea of people but it was just so bare when you looked across...

If you've always had a dream of visiting NYC I suggest you wait until things get a little bit more normal. However, if you are a frequent traveler you can definitely still take the trip, just be prepared to make some adaptations.

-FASHMIRA

Go clovers! Go clovers! Go! Go! Go Clovers!
Our game is fierce, and we are hip
So get on back, you can't touch this!
Our game is bad, we're with our peers
So get that weakness outta here!

Growing up Bring It On was one of my favorite movies. When I found this cute little two piece I instantly felt like a East Compton Clover from Bring It On, so I knew I had to get it. Plus, I think I found a new favorite color combination! There was something about this dark green and goldenrod color that made me feel like a confident queen. No wonder the East Compton Clovers were just some bad behind females!  If this is what this color combo does, I'm wearing it all the time!

I scored this cute set on Romwe for just $9 !! That's right I got an outfit for less than $10! I obviously just couldn't pass that up! Romwe has tons of sets like mine, in different colors and patterns. I definitely see myself ordering more because of how cute, cheap, and versatile they are.

Two-piece sets are simple instant outfits that you don't really have to put much thought into. One of the great thing about sets is that you have the option to wear them together or separately. So I feel like I got a 3 in 1 deal. I can wear the outfit together, I could wear the shorts with another top, or I can wear the top as a shirt  to create various outfit combinations.

TRAVEL TIP: If you're ever traveling for a long time and have limited space for clothes, two piece sets can be the perfect solution for you! You can easily take one outfit and turn it into 3 or more. Purchase a plain solid color set, break it up,  and pair the top and bottom with alternate pieces that compliment it. The outfit combinations can be endless, and you'll save a bunch of space!

This was my favorite outfit that I wore while I was in Atlanta. I just love the look and vibe that it created. It was cute, flirty, fun, and also made me feel like a melanin queen. It really made my skin pop and complemented it.  This was also one of the only days it was hot down there. I really love summer clothes. So, any opportunity to wear shorts and a crop tops, is always a great day to me! Apparently, the month of May, in Atlanta is "spring." Therefore, the rest of my Atlanta trip involved rainy days, 70 degree weather, and jackets. Definitely not that Hotlanta feeling I was looking forward too. So, when the sun and heat finally shined through on this day, I took full advantage with this look!

I went to Lenox Square day, which is a major shopping center/mall in Atlanta. I also walked around Buckhead and took in all the pretty sights. In Atlanta it seemed like everyone dressed so nice at all times. All the ladies had on great outfits, perfectly done full faces of make up,  and every strand of hair was perfectly in place. Luckily this set made me look and feel fashionable, so I fit right in with all the Atlanta ladies.

-FASHMIRA

Weather
The first thing you should do when you're preparing for a trip, is to check the weather! You have absolutely no idea what the weather just might be. You definitely don't want to pack a bikini for a rainy 50 degree weather situation. Taking this first step allows you to make clothing decisions much easier. Open toe or closed? Hooded Jacket or light sweater? Shorts or pants? Are you going to be sweating from the humidity or enjoying a cool breeze? No matter where you are going, or how familiar you are with their "typical" weather, make sure you take a look at the expected weather forecast. Once you've done this you will be able to make much more informative decisions.

When I was preparing to go to Atlanta I was checking the weather constantly. For the longest it showed sunny clear skies and 90 degree weather. Then a week before my trip it changed! It now showed RAIN!! Which then led to a drop in daily temperature of about 75 degrees. So all of those "perfect" outfits I had been planning for months, now had to be changed.

Itinerary
Next, you want count out the number of days you will be there. Respectively you will need at least that many outfits. Now you also want to take in consideration the events you will be participating in during your trip. Are you going out? Hitting the Beach? Typically activities like these will lead to outfit changes during the day. So make sure you have somewhat outlined the itinerary. You don't want to wind up sitting in wet clothes after leaving the beach, because you forgot to bring an extra change of clothes. And you don't want to be prancing around in an evening gown all day because you forgot an extra set of day clothes. Lay out some simple plans for your trip and keep track of all the needed outfits so you are able to plan accordingly.

Once you do that you can then dive into more specifics. If you're going to a fancy restaurant you know you'll need a nice dress. Planning to hike on your trip? Don't forget your shorts and tank. You don't need to have the exact items picked out in the beginning stages. However, laying out the general pieces you need will help spark outfit ideas, guide you as you shop for pieces, and make packing easier when the time comes.

When you begin to plan your itinerary it truly helps you discover what pieces you need (or don't need) and will make packing so much smoother

Maximize your space!
This was a must for me! For the first time, I was traveling with just a small carry on. Let me reiterate this again. I was spending a week in Atlanta and only had one small piece of luggage. I love clothes and I love to be prepared for any possible occasion. So, packing light just isn't an option for me. But, I'm definitely great at maximizing my space! When you're packing I highly recommend folding your clothes into small squares.This will save so much space, and help you section off your bag. I was able to fit so many articles of clothing in my suitcase by doing this.

Shoes were the toughest part for me. A good trick, is to wear your bulkiest pair of shoes on the plane/while traveling to save space in your suitcase. If that's not an option, put those bulky shoes in your suitcase first, creating a square. This way you can pack your clothes around it utilizing the sections that the shoes created. Then put all your tiny pieces into the empty spaces around your shoes. Socks, undies, tiny pouches, and whatever else can fit. You don't want to leave any open spaces or gaps! For your tiny shoes add those last! I mainly had sandals, so after packing everything else, I slid those in on the side. Since they are so flat it makes an easy squeeze! Most airlines allow a carry on and a "Personal Item" I suggest bringing a big shoulder bag or book-bag. So whatever I couldn't get int my suitcase, things I needed easy access to, and the things I didn't want to squish, wound up in that bag. This included two purses, my snacks, my books, some jewelry, typical purse items, and an umbrella. Your "Personal Item" can truly be your lifesaver.

Those are my top three packing tips! Hopefully these help! By incorporating those three things into your packing regimen it can truly make packing so much easier and alleviate some of that  pre-trip stress! Check the weather, plan out your itinerary, and maximize every drop of space! When you do this it will make packing such a breeze!

-FASHMIRA

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Atlanta! It was my first time going down there and my first real big trip without my family. It was an AMAZING trip and I truly had so much fun! My next couple posts will be highlighting the trip. I'll be discussing travel tips, Atlanta attractions, and of course highlighting my fashion!

I also apologize for the delay in posting! After my trip I've been doing a lot of reflecting on just life in general. Spending time in Atlanta allowed me to see and experience new things. There was always so much to see and do, and there was never a dull moment. I was in such a great place while I was there. When I returned home I was on a Hotlanta High. Then, as the day to day repetition began to kick in I just felt blah. I honestly felt kind of lost and just uninspired. How the heck did I just launch a whole website and then lose my motivation? But don't worry I'm back more focused and driven. Tons of new content will be coming your away. Never allow the expectations of life to keep you from your dreams. Stay focused on what it is that you want and make it come true.

One man who never let go of his dream was Martin Luther King! I had the pleasure of visiting his childhood home, down in Atlanta. Check out the picture below to witness his home. Please excuse my interesting outfit, nothing like 90 degree weather and scattered random rain storms to throw off an outfit. His home was nestled quietly in Atlanta. Something about that area was so serene and sacred. I stood where he was born, walked where he marched, and I gazed where he envisioned a better future. Despite all the adversity that he faced, he never stopped dreaming. I plan to do the same.
-FASHMIRA