She's Here!

(We had no idea that two days later we would get an early surprise!)

Sorry to leave you guys hanging! Zara was born 3 weeks early on May 6. I updated on Instagram and Facebook but I am just getting around to even looking at my laptop.

She was born at 7 lbs, 2 ozs. We are both doing well...now. I didn't do so well after I delivered her. Hop on over to my Facebook page to catch up on that:)

The above pics were taken on her birthday.

The pics below are the most recent at 2 weeks old. You know I couldn't resist putting her in her first turban! 

She is really a joy and I am surprising myself with how much I love being her mother! 

I am such a cliche' now!

No surprise at those big cheeks. She got them honestly. 

Daddy, mommy and baby are all doing fine.

We're all just trying to figure a compromise for the whole sleep issue...:)

GFS Series: She's A Friend In My Head...The Werk! Place

You've got to get to know her. I will be honest. The green dress in the first two pics did it for me. I saw this outfit and went around slapping people in the face. She killed it! Just killed it! I've been following The Werk! Place for a few months now and I found myself smiling at each outfit because SHE DID THAT! It's high time that Tiffany becomes a "Friend in Your Head!"

1. How do you get dressed first? Do you build your around accessories, shoes, mood, etc?

It’s usually one “inspiration piece” that will get the party started. It will either be the shoe, the necklace, the shirt, or the piece of the moment that will be the catalyst for creating the look.

 

2. You get invited last minute to a birthday party. You don’t want to spend money on a new outfit…what would you wear?

I have several little rompers that I would throw on. It really depends on where we’re going. Romper + Blazer/cardigan + Flat Sandal = Cutesy Birthday Swag

3. Choose: Kim Kardashian’s style BEFORE Kanye or Kim’s style AFTER Kanye?

Definitely 112% Kim Kardashian PRE Kanye.

4. What do you wear now that you never fathomed wearing even five years ago?

Platform shoes! But they redesigned them such that they elongate the leg, add a few inches and look absolutely fabulous!

5. What piece of clothing do you have in your closet that you refuse to get rid of even though you KNOW you aren’t going to wear it? Why are you holding on to it? (If it’s cute, can I have it…Kidding…unless you gonna do it:)

I’m pretty good about doing regular closet dumps to my local consignment store and Goodwill center. So, whatever is in there is game to wear.

6. You have ten minutes to get dressed for a surprise date. All he says is to dress nice. What do you wear?

My closet stays stocked with cute little dinner dresses. I would just close my eyes, spin around in my closet and pick one. Once I have the dress, I would accessorize with a statement necklace, cute clutch and some banging heels. Then I’m out the door!

 

7. How would your friends describe your style?

Unique, a little quirky and unexpected.

8. Your friend calls you and begs you to meet her at a restaurant to secretly check out her blind date. What do you put on?

I’m going for cute and casual: Blazer, pants, top, heels and statement accessories. I want to be cute enough to remember just in case the blind date has any eligible cute guy friends.

9. Does your occupation as an engineer influence your style in any way? Do you dress differently at work to be “work appropriate?”

Nope not at all, if it did, I wouldn’t have my blog and no one would like anything that I was wearing! Engineers usually have a different little uniform…whatever is clean, comfortable and readily available.

10. Complete this sentence: You know I’m having a bad day if you see me wearing the same sweats pants and t-shirt multiple days in a row.

Bonus: If you could have the wardrobe of any celebrity, who would it be and why?

Hands down SOLANGE KNOWLES! She has grown to become one of my favorite style icons. I love the way that she effortlessly mixes patterns and prints. I always look to her for fashion inspiration.

Tell the truth. You're hooked on her too?!?

Umm hmm.

Told you!

Check out other Friends In My Head that you may have missed here!

My Baby Shower Style!

Here is a better look at what I wore to my baby shower. 

Remember last year I had my cousin in the Ivory Coast send me a bunch of material?

This is one of the results of the African wax prints she sent me.

I went to a seamstress and explained I needed a maxi dress and here it is. 

I loved it! 

It was fitted perfectly. 

Simple earrings, a few bracelets, Steve Madden Sandals. 

That's it.

And I'll be able to wear this dress all summer post baby. 

P.S...only 5 more weeks! 

What do you think?

As soon as I get back in shape, I can't tell you how many African Wax print skirts, dresses and tops I will have made!

My Maternity Photos



My sister and my friends threw me a great baby shower yesterday.

I'm not really into maternity photos and the rubbing of the naked belly so at the last minute I decided to do a few shots before the baby shower.

The hubby and I went to Barnes and Nobles book store literally 30 minutes before the baby shower and took a few shots in the children's book aisle.

I convinced Rocquelle of Consider Me Lovely to bring her fancy camera along:)

Here are a few shots.

I thought it was funny to be in the kid's book aisle and the hubby had smut magazines.

We never take anything too seriously.

I don't have a lot of shower pics but I will round some up later this week:)

 

I will have better shots of the dress that I had made for the shower.

I had some African material sent to me last year and I just had a simple maxi dress made out of it:)



New Sponsor! Tendrils and Curls

God's Favorite Shoes is proud to welcome/spotlight Tendrils and Curls as a sponsor for the months of April and May!

Tendrils and Curls is a one stop shop for all things curly hair.

Houston has an advantage because this is the only store of its kind in town.

Everyone else will be lucky enough to shop online at the beginning of May 2013.



We all lurk online looking for the perfect hair product but always wonder how will they work.

That's the beauty of Tendril's and Curls. The store carries those products that usually can only be found online and there is always somewhere there in the shop to give you advice and point you in the right direction.

Here is a link to just some of the products Tendrils and Curls carry...but the list grows every day.

I really do shop here. Sometimes I even swing by just to say hi if I'm in the neighborhood.

 Paula: Owner of Tendrils and Curls

Photo credit: Douglas Sutton Photography

The real reason I love Tendrils and Curls is because of the beautiful owner above. You must read Paula's journey to making her dream a reality. She inspires me every time I talk to her.
And she is making big moves in the Houston area!

If you 're not in Houston, at least follow Tendrils and Curls on Facebook for great product information!

Welcome Tendrils and Curls!
*Tendrils and Curls is not a hair salon*

People Say The Darndest Things

I remember in my 20's I would meet guys or even friends that I haven't seen in a while and the first question would be "How many kids you got?"

I would say none and then watch as my answer slowly registered in their brain. 

The concept of not having a kid at an early age was/is so foreign to most people.

Note, that no one ever asked,

"Are you married?"

No one ever asked that. 

(Dress from H&M, Steve Madden Sandals, Thrifted clutch/belt, Aldo earrings) 

Well now that I'm 37 and pregnant, I'm getting the opposite end of that questioning. 

A few weeks ago I ran into a family friend. 

I mean she literally remembers when I was born. 

She sees me.

Notices my belly and says, "Girl! You pregnant at your age?"

Ummm. I just looked and stared. 

What the hell kind of question is that?!?

So, I play nice and kind of give her the old "ha ha he he" giggle with no smile. 

That doesn't stop her. 

She goes on to say "Girl, why you wait so late!?! Shoot, you supposed to be over that point."
(I'm thinking, "Umm aren't 3 of your grandkids in jail?")

Now, at this point I have cocked my head to the side. 

I have a choice. 

I can just half ass giggle or I can let her have it. 

The old Reiko (I changed as of November 2012 when I went on a rampage of telling people how I felt but decided in the New Year to bite my tongue more) wanted to say, "Ummm ma'am, just because you had your first child at 12 and was a grandmother at the age of 24 doesn't mean that I'm abnormal."

But that's the old Reiko.
I'm not like that anymore. So I just giggled and cursed under my breath. 

She was a family friend after all.

I suppose she gets a pass because she's known me since birth.

But it really pisses me off that people feel a need to comment on age. 

Nobody was saying "OoOh girl," when I became a homeowner at the age of 25.

Nobody was asking questions when I completed my master's degree.

So people would have been happier if I was 17 and knocked up or had a baby out of wedlock. 

I'm not judging those who went that route but don't judge me because I did it my way.

People say the darndest things. 

But like I said...I'm different as of Nov. 2012:)

''P.S. My theme song is "I'm Different"by Two Chainz. That's been my mantra every time the Old Reiko wants to make an appearance. 

*7 more weeks to go until the baby is here!*

GFS Christ Chic: The Tour

I hope everyone had a peaceful Easter!

Kaftan: Zara

Sandals: Steve Madden

Straw Clutch: Thrift Store

Earrings: Aldo Accessories

Here is a quick little video tour of the baby's room. Remember, I am from the south so you will hear an accent:)

Things I mentioned in the video...
1. Rug and ottaman from Joss and Main
2. Bedding from Target

*Christ Chic Posts are simply what I wore that day to church:)

GFS Christ Chic: You Decide

(That side profile is something right?!? 8 months pregnant)

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This is what I wore to church today. 

It's a thrifted Isaac Mizrahi for Target jacket that I wore as a dress.

Matter of fact everything that I am wearing is thrifted with the exception of the Paris Hilton heels. 

But I need you to help with something. 

While at church, the choir starts to sing "As Long As I Got King Jesus."

A dude next to me My husband nudges me and asks me if they are about to sing "Neutron Dance" by The Pointer Sisters.

Dude. Really!?

You think the choir is singing a song from the Beverly Hills Cop movie!?!?

I was no longer focused. 

Neutron Dance was officially in my head. 
SMH.

So you decide.

Click and listen to the first 30 seconds of each song...what do you think?!?

.






For my new readers...Christ Chic posts are simply what I wore that day to church.

Just Curious

Are you working in a field/career that "fulfills" you? (This does not pertain to hobbies)
	Yes, I love waking up going to work everyday.
	No but it pays the bills.
	I feel like I am working but I am not contributing to my "life's purpose."
pollcode.com free polls

It seems like I am having this conversation a lot lately, so I thought I would ask you:)
Feel free to elaborate in the comments.

Follow Me

Those of you how follow GFS on Google Reader may know that there will be some changes in July 2013.

Apparently they are getting rid of Google Reader altogether.

So if you want to still follow GFS, I think the easiest thing to do is to follow me on Bloglovin HERE.
You may already have a Bloglovin account or you can sign in using your facebook login:)

This does not affect readers who subscribe to my blog through other avenues.

Thanks for following! 

Again this is only for those who follow me through Google Reader.
(Google sure is getting all "uppity" these days, huh?)

(If you're a techy, click here to read a hilarious explanation of the whole Google Reader shakedown and it also offers other RSS feeds that you can subscribe to so you don't miss anything on GFS...but I'm not fancy enough to understand all of that:)

Remember, Subscribe to Bloglovin so that you don't miss my posts/feeds after July!
(Btw, I just imported my google reader to Bloglovin and it was easy as pie...why do people say that anyway? How is pie easy? Does it taste easy? Cause it sure isn't easy to make...)