Spike It Up! Body, 'Sole' and Spirit!

Christian Louboutin

Sam Edelman

With the New Year fully up and going, it’s time to really get it going for ourselves.  Let’s just face it, what’s the point of merely, just living.  Too often we wait on circumstances to be PERFECT before we make moves to spice up our lives.  We are waiting for the perfect amount of money, the perfect amount of weight loss, the perfect man, and the perfect woman, the perfect whatever! 

Jeffrey Campbell, (my favorite shoe designer!!)

Zigi Shoes

The time is now spice (spike) it up!  Truth is, that with whatever you want to do, where there is a will there is a way, no matter how much money, time or talent!

Jeffrey Campbell

Jeffrey Campbell

Be spontaneous, seize opportunities as they present themselves to you, how do you know you can, if you don’t.  Don’t make excuses, you know the ones….”I’m to this, I’m to that, and I don’t have anything to wear”…... the list goes on and on.  This is the kind of life that turns into the shoulda coulda woulda’s. It’s that time now and it begins in the mind first, and you must believe that YOU DESERVE IT!!

Betsey Johnson

As a woman, mother, wife, entrepreneur, designer, blogger and stylists, I have been guilty of it all! I find it most difficult to relax! I can be somewhere and my mind soul, body and spirit is really not there.  My mind is always on the next thing, and I found it terribly difficult to be in the moment.  I have even left an event, thinking, what the hell just occurred!? Lol! I was physically present but mentally absent.

Sam Edelman

Kyle Platform Pump

Jeffrey Campbell

"Spike" up your life up with the seasons most dangerous weapons, the spiked shoe, and try at least 5 of the following ways to spike or spice up your life!!

1. Don't make excuses.

2. Be spontaneous.

3. Do the unusual.

4. Spice up your attitude. Be open minded.

5. Be fully present and in the moment.  Unless you have superpowers, you can only be in one place at a time, so enjoy!

6. Know that you deserve to feel good. 

7. Do something different from what every one expects.

8. Change an element in your environment. (designate a room and do small things like change a color of the wall and then go and  buy accents, like pillows, vases or curtains to coordinate the look)

9.  Do something for YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

10.  GO QUICKLY and get a pair of these spiked heels, and fashionably kick some ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!

Tata for Now,

The Retail Therapyst

p.s. sooooooo....... I'm  Spicing up my life by taking a zumba and a salsa class!!! anyone know of any good ones?.......

If the Shoe Fits.....

Vintage bag, paired with a pencil skirt, a great look for work, a date or hanging out.  Shoes...karmaloop.com

Don't hesitate to color block. The key to dressing is NOT being totally matchy matchy, but creating an ensemble with colors that blend and have a common color that pulls it all together.....pencil skirt,Philthy Ragz

 Often times I am indirectly previed to some really crazy conversations and get to witness how women react to one another it various situations.  I have seen other women shrink when other beautiful women enter the room and I have seen women get louder to match the “appearance” of another.  Can’t say I have seen it all but I have seen a lot!!  I must say that the thing that drives me most crazy is listening to judgmental women....by  that I mean, women who make a judgment call based on a twenty second shared moment.

No matter whats paired at the top, slouchy sweatshirt, blazer or sheer blouse, leopard mixes and matches with anything to create the perfect day or night time look......

When I was young, I hated the color burgundy!!! As you can see now, its the perfect color  for color blocking with blues, pinks or greens........shoes, Lamb...Leopard jeans, Philthy Ragz Boutique

I have found that women tend to be quite judgmental and harsh, unnecessarily.  We get to whispering and 

chatting about things we are truly unaware of, I too have been guilty of this!  I mean it’s one thing to give an observation or an honest opinion but when it’s hateful and has no foundation and  unwarranted, we have got to stop it!!   All of us are relative to our experiences, and as long as human life exists, we will all be different.  That is a given.  Difference is not man made, it came from the creator. 

Truth be told, nude shoes were thought to be worn by older women back in the day, fast forward..... you should NOT BE caught dead without a pair, when you are unsure of what color shoe to wear, go nude!!!!!!! (shoes, that is)lol!

Wide leg palazzo pants can be  worn with fitted tee, long cardigan or crop  top.............

shoes, BeBe, pants, Philthy Ragz

My wish is that  women take the time to get to know one another, or at least give the other person an opportunity to show and prove. You never know how some one's story can have a direct and positive affect on your life.

I cant tell you if its the comfort, the style or the unique qualities, but right now Jeffrey Campbell shoes are my favorite!!!!!!!

 Lets begin to consider what another individual may have been through prior to your arrival. This requires us to be selfless, but consider this:  she may have just had an argument with her significant other, or her child was just mouthing off or hell! She might have just gotten fired! We will never know until we give another a chance....

I am just saying we have all got to take a moment to consider walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. We don’t know what they have been through or what it took to get them to the moment of your encounter.

We have got to take the time to consider someone else’s journey.  You never know what a  "how u doin" (in a Wendy Williams voice) might do for someone else.  Sometimes the load may be so heavy on someone that they are consumed with their own journey they may not realize their aura.  You can break that energy! Smile, compliment or a give a gentle nod............

So like I have heard plenty of old folks say, “if you ain't got nothing good to say, don’t say nothing at all!” ….especially if have haven’t walked a mile in my shoes!!!

(I am sure you get the metaphor, why I chose to post pics of shoes only, right??? I'm just saying..............)

Until you see me again!
The Retail Therapyst  

Mighty Flames Follow a Tiny Spark

Had to break out the  Jeffrey Campbell platforms for a night of old school meets new school beats and of course my DIY long fur vest, soon to be at Philthy Ragz just in time for the holidays...........

Zoom in on those old school Tootsie rolls, no not the dance silly the candy that's been around for ages and you know I had to grab a few, dang I think i paid $1 for three...SMH.....

Real old school platforms! She told me she had those shoes for 18 years,  and they  are right back in style!!! Love it!

I was invited to hang out last night with a friend whose husband is an artist.  She'd briefly described his sound before, but it was the actual experience of listening and grooving to the live band that was transformational.  The sound of the music is best described as old school funk meets new school beats.  As I listened to the grooves, firstly I could not sit down,  and secondly i was immediately drawn back to my teenage years of watching soul train, and the music, dancers and performers would just change my whole day.  I would take my sheet off the bed, grab my pencil (to use as my microphone) and transform into whoever was on the stage.    I'd be later inspired to try and emulate the performers look, taking me AND that days journey on a whole new whirlwind..........................

Artist DAM FUNK, off the chain, beats vibe and all. Just plain good music, soul jerking, thought provoking,  soulful and lyrically sound!! He too explained that his experiences a young boy in South Pasadena  sparked his flame to be the creative person he is now.....

As I drove home, I decided that I would revisit some of those old school things that were free, simple and life changing. I further thought about how those times have influenced my style and how it was those little sparks that molded me into who I am, with beauty marks and all!  IT was those LITTLE SPARKS that developed my sense of style, my love for music and anything vintage!

"Honeysuckles", the drink of the night!!!, Brandy, honey and ginger ale....delicious!!! I'm definitely getting these ingredients and serving this one up at home!!!!

DIY fur floor length vest, Philthy Ragz, boyfriend jeans, Rachel Roy top, accessories, Philthy Ragz... and love my Miss Jessie's product to slick down the pony tail!!

The challenge will be getting back to doing some of the things that brought PURE happiness,  before having the latest phone, or the hottest shoe became priority. In your quiet space reminisce and reflect, take some time and find those things that brought you just a little peace of mind, the little things that sparked you to be the MIGHTY FLAME THAT YOU ARE !

Old school meets new school, style should be effortless, even in a pair of Nike's!

Good friends are like vintage wine, hard to find.............cherish the little things......

Just some old school inspiration, when life was so different than it is now, as for me I'm getting back to the simpler things in life...............where's my soul train videos!!!! LOL.

PHILTHYRAGZ.COM,