Venice - Day 5

To be honest, I just really didn't want to turn around. I assumed I was going in some sort of circle, but I kept thinking that even if I wasn't, I'd hit a hard right at some point and end up back at my hotel. Safe to say that didn't happen. (Confession: my favorite thing in the world to do is get LOST in new places.) I ended up passing family owned vineyards, riding along canals, abandoned farms, and eventually came to a construction site that I just knew would force me to turn around. Luckily a group of bikers I had been playing tag with decided to sneak through the site, and I quickly followed. I hit a highway and chose a direction, only to whip out my phone that was equipped with a slight map of the town and I noticed I was going in the wrong direction. *gasps for air* THEN I turned around and went straight until I realized I was entering my town from the opposite direction. I would have never known that had I not rode to what I now know was the very edge of town just days before. 

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for more photos and the full story!

Venice - Day 4 //Murano

The day started with me taking a bike ride, like other days, but this time I went in the opposite direction. This time I decided to push my limits and explore. This quickly became my morning ritual, but on this day I had to turn around and head back to the hotel. It would be one of my last few days in Venice, and it was only right to spend it around the canals. Only once we arrived at the actual canals, a ferry to the small, colorful island of Murano was #1 on the itinerary. 

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for more photos and details!

Venice - Day 3 //Milan

Original goal: never be caught dead in the U.S. on my birthday ever again.

New goal: When traveling internationally, don't stick to exploring only one city during your stay.

What happened: I SPENT MY BIRTHDAY IN FREAKIN' MILAN!!!

Go over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details and check out more pics!

Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

Check out tons more photos and the FULL blog post, ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com!!!

Venice - Day 1

Let's also pretend that I haven't been back in town for well over a week, and that instead, I just touched down yesterday, and that I am bringing this post to you ASAP because I am just that dedicated. First things first. After an overnight flight, which I've become accustomed to with most international travel, we finally arrived at our family owned hotel in Quarto D'Altino, Italy. It was quaint, charming, and all the words that come to mind when "family owned" fits the bill. We were kind of in the middle of nowhere, but that was just fine because while waiting to check in I realized that the bikes parked right out front, were free. Yes, $free.99 is the best price and will always get my attention. This would turn out to be something to do on the mornings that we didn't run to town (and by town I mean take the 30+ minute ride into Santa Lucia/the Grand Venetian Canals) on the first train.

Head to THEMONIQUEMICHELLE.COM NOW to get the full blog post!!

Shop TheMoniqueMichelle

Hey guys, I told you I was releasing a soft launch of the Shop feature on my site, but I didn't mention all the new pieces I have available. Here's a chunk of newbies:

All orders go out within 2 days! What are you waiting for?!

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

SHOP TheMoniqueMichelle - Soft Launch

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Hey Guys! I've been up to a little bit of everything lately. I just just JUST started my new job and have been getting situated with that AND I've been trying to revamp my site the way I originally intended for it to be....all while trying to touch base with you at least once a week. Once a week isn't hardly enough, I'll shoot for 3x. For some time now I've also been in the process of curating the perfect collection of pieces to make available to you. Most of my favorite bloggers are on the west coast, well actually all of them are. I vicariously live through them and their summer/fall-ish pieces all year round. I know fall is coming up but I want my pieces to still be cute and minimal, and when the chill hits outside, just throw on a jean or moto jacket to seal the outfit. I'm in a West Coast state of mind.

Having said all that...while I'm still curating this collection to perfection (rhyme unintended), I've made a couple pieces and accessories available for purchase! I've styled them with additional pieces from my closet, but you can even put them together and head out the door. Everything will ship within 3-5 business days (it'll be more like 2-3 but shhh don't tell anyone) and only within the United States. There is a flat shipping rate of $6. This is a soft roll out so trust me, more is coming very soon. If you have any questions click the CONTACT link and hit me up. 

XO- Monique

P.S. Here's a glimpse of my America the Beautiful, Floral Flag Tee ONLY AVAILABLE AT TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Creme of the Crop Top

Remember that time I went to NYC to be apart of the audience for The Wendy Williams Show? Well, a little shopping happened during that trip and I found my absolute favorite crop top at a Zara located on Fifth Ave. I specify the location because there may be several Zara's in the area, and having visited more than one in the city, I would have to say that this one is my favorite. 

For more photos and details head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Rainy Daze

This past Saturday, the Washington Redskins (NFL) Cheerleaders held tryouts at FedEx Field. I had the honor of being a judge. A lot of people don't know, but I cheered for one measly year of my life. People look at my physique and assume I'm athletic and must have played a sport, but nope, the most I did was cheer (aside from karate for a few years when I was little). I think this one year is the reason I have such respect for cheerleaders and the sport. Now NFL cheering seems more like some type of dance to me and does not seem as intense or physical as say, high school or college cheering. However, I took my job as a judge quite seriously. 

The outfit I chose to wear to the judging was a last minute decision. I opted for a cute, fun and flirty look and was on my way out of the door for a mini photo shoot before heading to the Stadium. The rain had something else in mind... SO it turned into a few quick pics at home, lol.

Get the full blog post and outfit details ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

So, what had happened was...

Your presence is needed over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this outfit as well as read about where I was when I took it...Also, find out what in the world Claire Sulmers of FashionBombDaily.com has to do with anything....hmmmm HURRY, check it out!

2014 Must Haves (Camel Coats, Boyfriend Jeans, etc.)

I know we are 2+ months into 2014, but it's never too late for a course in the "must haves", especially since it's still pretty chilly out. You may have noticed the trends I am about to point out, and some have been around for a short while, but sit back and enjoy....

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details of this post! QUICK!

What I Wore

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this jumpsuit and blazer! 

#Hanifa14 SS14 - A Black Tie Affair

Last Saturday I attended a fashion showcasing here...

With pieces like this...

Attended by people like this....

RUN to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get EVERY detail NOW!!

Now you see it! 50 Shades of Blue.

How many times have I said to you that I love to mix prints and patterns? Now, how many times have I truuuuly showed you that I do so? Yeah, I can't answer that either. What I can tell you is that I saw this outfit, well minus a shirt change at the last minute, in my head once I wore these pants for the first time about a week ago. At the time I was at work. I was surprised at all the compliments I got on them so I figured I'd spice them up that same weekend. Yes, I re-wear clothing quite close together. 

Get the deets and more only at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

And the Oscar for best dressed goes to...

Here are just two of my five picks for the best dressed at the Oscars last night. I chose ONE gal who exuberated elegance, grace, and beauty. Check out TheMoniqueMichelle.com to find out who I chose!

Audrey Hepburn X Native American Chic

So Miss Lauren (IG: @laurenislove) mentioned that she's been looking for an outfit that was Audrey Hepburn meets Native American Chic. I definitely took that as a challenge and put my brain to work. Now, I immediately wanted to simply pair an Audrey Hepburn inspired dress with some moccasins. Simple enough. But when I looked at the end product, it was horrible. I mean, you really can't throw on moccasins with anything like you can a pair of chucks, and I'm all for converse + dressy dresses. What I did come up with was this...

Get the details and full story behind this outfit at TheMoniqueMichelle.com!

Pattern Craze

Voila! The outfit you see here is what I dubbed as "pattern craze". 

If you want the details to this bold and funky fit you can only find them in one place, and that's TheMoniqueMichelle.com in the "The Wishi Diaries x TheMoniqueMichelle" section!

Overalls and Pumps

You don't wanna miss the deers on these overalls and pumps. Check em out at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Milan Fashion Week

With Milan Fashion Week in full affect, I couldn't help but wake up to a ton of pictures from shows galore. However, one show was the talk of the town, the Instagram town that is, and it stood out from the rest. Ladies and gentlemen, I present, ROBERTO CAVALLI...

Head on over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get more pics from this collection as well as my review.

Major Stack-age (hashtag NEW RULES)

It has to have been at least a year ago when stacking rings became the fad. Unlike many things, I hope that this one is here to stay. I have been wanting midi rings for months and months, but everyone was charging more than I was willing to pay. The way I look at it is, if I don't even wear jewelry aside from earrings, why on earth would I sell a finger to get a ring. Of course solid gold, luxurious diamond rings sound great, but when they're going to sit on my night stand only to collect dust and tarnish, eh I'll pass. After saying all of this, you must understand my excitement when I was shopping in H&M for some last minute pieces to take with me to Paris, and I see a pack of these rings for about 8 bucks. 

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the rest of the post and a ton of pictures that showcase my #NEWRULES to ring stacking