Orchid in Winter

Ah, I've teased with the two previous posts so I guess it's outfit time, huh?

Not so fast! You gotta head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com and check out my latest post in "le damn blog" for outfit details! Go on....check it out :)

Paris, Day 2 - Tradeshow Fever Pt. 2

 Capsule Capsule Capsule PARIS! We literally hopped in a cab - right after a brief, impromptu, mini-photoshoot of course - and jetted from Tranoi Homme Paris to the Capsule Show, and what we ran into was yet another beautiful venue to showcase fashion. I'll just slam you with a slideshow...

AHHHHHH DID I GET YA AGAIN? TheMoniqueMichelle.com is the only place the slideshow will be available. Click that link!

In the mean time, here are a couple pics...

Paris, Day 2 - Tradeshow Fever Pt. 1

       

   Hmmmm, where to start, where to start? Well, how about here...

I knew well before I actually made it to Paris that playtime would involve a little "werk". It was Paris Fashion Week for christ's sake. Even though all fashion/tradeshows during that time were for menswear, I couldn't resist schmoozing with designers and attending previews of Autumn Wear 2014 all in the name of TheMoniqueMichelle.com. Uh, hello, you're welcome? Enjoy the following slideshow of pretty much everything *smize* You are about to enter...TRANOI HOMME

JUST KIDDING: Head over to my site to check it out! TheMoniqueMichelle.com :)

Dressy Casual (1st Day in Paris)

EXCERPT!...

          I think that for my first day in Paris, I just wanted to be extra. It was one of the first couple days of Paris Fashion Week, and I wanted to be slightly over the top. Does that make sense? Slightly, over the top? Anyways, I decided to pack one of my favorite, dressiest, dresses that was still simple in a way. 

Be sure to go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for THE FULL BLOG POST as well as outfit details and more pics! Enjoy ;)

Paris, Day 1

EXCERPT...

          Has it been forever? Nope, just almost a week. So...SURPRISE! I went to Paris *wide grin* and although I could have found time to blog, I chose not to. It didn't cost much to simply pay for an international phone plan to be able to stay connected, but I chose not to. It would have been nothing to take 3000 photos of every single thing, but, yep, you guessed it, I CHOSE NOT TO. Although I got several hundred (lol) it turned out to be way more than I wanted and even more than I needed. What I chose to do was enjoy the moment...each and every one. Yeah you'll still see everything through a camera lens, but I wanted to see it head on. I wanted to be in awe of something. I wanted my mental photos more than digital ones. I got them ;) So let's hop right into it...

Go the "Le Damn Blog" over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com to check out this full detailed post including photo captions, tons more photos, a gallery, where I stayed, and most importantly, what I did.

All I want for my birthday...

          Well, it was months ago, but I've yet to update you on my adventures. I told you that I vowed to never be in the US for my birthday, so 2013 was no different. Cancun was the destination of choice. Now, it wasn't the first choice, but I am so glad that I went. It was gorgeous, everyone was super nice, and the food wasn't half bad.

          Because my big sisters birthday is 2 days after mine, she was my travel partner. We states at the Westin. Because there are actually 2 Westin's on the main hotel strip, ours was called the Westin Regina. We were at the very end of the hotel strip (a lot like my Las Vegas trip, but hey, trial and error, right?) but there were buses that cost about $2 that went to the very end of the hotel zone well into downtown (Walmart etc.). First things first, I was told by a friend that there was no need to convert my money. DO EXCHANGE YOUR CURRENCY. It is well worth it. So many places exchange currency but end up exchanging it for different amounts. Luckily I scoped out a place that offered the most (as far as I knew) and stuck with them. My friend had the luxury of staying at an All Inclusive resort, so she probably didn't realize the value of a peso.

          The hotel was gorgeous with one of the most beautiful private beaches, and my favorite, beachside service. Nothing like having food and drinks brought to you while you are lounging in a beach chair...

          Check out more DO'S and DON'TS over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com under "le damn blog" and ALL my Cancun photos in my "Travel" section. Click the link and enjoy :)

The Year of Traveling.

          As I am sure most of us have vowed, 2014 will be the year...MY YEAR...of travel. This is not just something I want to put out into the universe, but something I will make sure comes true. It is not up to the universe to put me on a plane, boat, train, or even bus every chance I get (or can afford it), it's up to me. So, during a recent shopping trip I picked up a few things to help me begin to document my journey, aside from my blogs and Facebook/Instagram albums.

          I am not one for pictures everywhere. In fact, when I was purchasing my decorations for my new apartment I purposely did not buy frames and things of that nature. I prefer art plastered all over my walls than a million and one photos. However, I could not resist this gorgeous, filagree textured photo album. I plan to document each trip I take by just using 1-2 pages per journey. I hope to fill it up sooner rather than later. This album is solely for my adventures so that if and when I have children, my kids are inspired to live out their dreams and explore the world if that's what they want to do. It would also be cool to have one location to look back on where I've been and see the blank pages and imagine where else I could go.

          The second item is a journal that will begin with my 2014 travels. Each day I am gone from home I want to take time and reflect. I want to go somewhere quiet, with nothing but a pen and this journal and just write. I can write my feelings, what I see, what I've don't that day, it doesn't matter, as long as I write something. The journal also happens to have "Paris" along with a picture of the eiffel tower on the front. This means so many things for me, some of which you will later see, but I will share something... I remember being on twitter once, and following one of my favorite queens (Mr. RuPaul Andre Charles herself) and she was interacting with fans and answering questions. One fan asked him where he thought we went when we die...RuPaul's response was quite simple....all he said was "Paris". That was everything to me. As if I wasn't already obsessed enough with the city I have never been to but always longed to visit, you're telling me that it's heaven? That's all I needed... 

Check out more updates and everything style, fashion, and fun over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Polar Vortex Wear

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22....no, I just wanted to say that. Actually, I don't know about you, but I am ALWAYS excited to receive a package of goodies, especially when said package is from my absolute favorite store. Thanks Lord & Taylor for being spiffy with the delivery. 

Because I'm not yet ready to wear my new shoes, I don't want to spoil the fun just yet. Just know, posts are coming back to back very soon. I just wanted to check in.

P.S. Who knew what a polar vortex was before these last few days? I never want to walk out my front door again and be greeted with 7 degree weather. Quick outfit post though....

I paired a navy blue GAP men's sweater with grey J. Crew pants, then threw on a pair of navy/purple sequined UGGS and my gorgeous mustard yellow North Face jacket. Smart choice. I was warm all day :)  

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

The Big Easy.

          As I lay in bed this morning I found myself with an "itchy foot." You see, I suffer from Wanderlust, in the worst way possible. As I have been chronicling my travels, I have been beyond eager to share my trip to New Orleans with you. Nola, The Big Easy, etc. Well, here it is.

As you can see, my travel attire was the most comfy imaginable. I'm all for leggings, a tank, and sneakers, but I prefer Uggs. 

          This trip was actually for a friends birthday, but I flew down first and was able to enjoy the city solo. I must say, that is the best way to travel. I am the type of person that wants to explore every inch of the globe. I want to see everything, do everything, taste every food, smell every scent... That is hard when you have to make plans with someone else and/or plan around their schedule. I have been dying to start exploring the world alone, but have been quite hesitant. During my first day in New Orleans, and every night thereafter, I got to see what solo travel would be like.

          I first explored the French Quarter and got to take in the historic sites. There is nothing I love more than visual history. I could only imagine the feet that walked those very same streets and the eyes that saw the very sights I was witnessing, decades ago. It was amazing. To this day, New Orleans is one of my favorite cities I will ever have had the pleasure of visiting. I am actually planning a trip back in a few months. It's crazy. All the places left to see, and I am dying to revisit one small area. 

PREVIEW: Read the rest and see more photos over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com under "le damn BLOG" section.