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,

I Wear My Sunglasses at Night.

love, love, love my Free People Sweater, cant wait to pair it  with many things this fall!!

Red Hot Wedges!!!!! from Wild Pair. Wedges are my favorite  go to shoe for an all day shift at  the boutique!

HEELS, HEELS, HEELS, A MUST....I DON'T EVEN OWN A PAIR OF FLATS!!!, Well flip flops maybe........

Something old something new, always a classic combination, great for my brunch date!!

Philthy Ragz signature tee!! a great piece to complete any outfit!!!!  

vintage skirt, paired with a coral leather jacket. The jacket was the first gift I ever received from my husband, well he was my boyfriend then lol, seven years ago!!! Some things are just timeless!!! Feel free to choose relationships or leather jackets, lol!!!!!!

I'd decided a while ago to start a blog but my super hectic schedule, mixed with a little procrastination, lol, wouldn't permit! But  as I keep living I keep learning, and there's no more space  to contain all that I've lived and all that I am still learning and improving....so sharing is the only natural progression I could see! In this  space we'll explore, inspire and of course make sure our fashion game is tight and RIGHT!!!  Be assured my expressions will be real...I think there's no other way to be..as my oldest daughter Shianne says, it gets real in these streets!!  So.... a little about me I own the boutique Philthy Ragz, quaintly nestled adjacent to the LaDera Heights region of Los Angeles.....there I design and sell clothes that speak without my customer having to utter a word when she walks into the room.  Our designs have been said to give  an inner confidence and the audacity to be sassy at any age! I am  also the buyer as well as the style expert.  Philthy Ragz has become a style haven where women feel comfortable to explore new styles,  indulge in great conversation, vent and get their dose of retail therapy, hence I've been tagged the RETAIL THERAPYST.

 I have five girls, yes five girls, married, Christian, love art, music, SHOES, vintage and thrift shopping, I nicknamed it treasure hunting!!, I love being amongst the company of  family and friends.  I am eclectic and sometimes eccentric, but definitely not over the top...I  LOVE DANCING AND HAVING FUN and as I am getting to be a woman of a certain age (tag Trissa, lol)  I am looking forward to traveling more.  I LOVE BEING CREATIVE  and making something out of nothing.....I could literally be in a room for hours just doing creative things....being alone is also very important to me......I am on a continuous momentum to  inspire women to see the beauty in their journey, by inspiring them to see their journey whether painful or playful not as a flaw or a weakness, but as a beauty mark, a time in their lives when their character was tested and developed, leaving them with the  mark of definition and strength, their beauty mark.  I am fearless, tenacious and relentless, as my kids say, I go hard in the paint!!!! 

While my hips may not suggest that I'm the typical fashionista found gracing the cover of VOGUE or ELLE, I still wear it all!  according to what suits my mood, inspiration and the event.... I consider myself a mixologists of fashion trends and genres.  I LOVE INFUSING GENRES together and making ensembles that make statements, from simple to glamorous but never over spoken.

Perfect for the boutique, stylish harem pants, ( which I love!!) being stylishly comfortable is priority!!! Vintage jean jacket stolen (oooops borrowed! lol) from my daughters closet!!!

Transformed to a night time outfit with a quick  change of jackets, switching up the accessories, adding a vintage clutch and of course change of shoe!!! 

After a long day of meeting with the  production company, choosing fabric, cutting and sewing,  a  photo shoot,  being a mommy, wife and  the retail therapyst, its my time!!!!! Yeah for  Happy hour with the Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't be afraid to mix patterns and prints, being matchy matchy  is out!!!! you are creating an ensemble, not  selecting bridesmaids dresses!!!

Steve Madden glasses and shoes........hot stuff right!?!?!

When it comes to fashion and style I am the top sales agent/advocate for staying true to the AUTHENTIC YOU.  I don't believe that any ones style should be a reflection of the opinions of others.....Style is an outward expression of the inner you which is relative to your experiences and exposures, AND IT CANT BE BOUGHT, BITTEN OR LOANED.Dare to be you explore, don't dress out of a box, do something different. I would wear sunglasses at night if i thought it was the final touch to my ensemble!!!!! neverafraidtobeme.com

So keep up with me and share the spot as i aspire to give you a dose of life. style and inspiration all in the name of fashion!!!!!


 TA TA FOR NOW!



philthyragz.com