Sensible Stylista

4 Mantras Girl Bosses Live and Breathe

For those of y'all who know me well, you know firsthand that my work means the world to me. I'm passionate about all the different hats I wear, and I'm proud to say that I give everything in my life 200% all day, every day. However, that wasn't always the case.  It was definitely difficult getting here mentally and emotionally, but I wouldn't trade it for anything because it's shaped me into the woman I am today.  So, I'm extra excited for my latest because I'll be tackling topics I'm SUPER passionate about.  We'll be addressing 4 quotes that every BAMF girl boss lives by today on SS.

1.  "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."


When I was growing up, I had a lot of big opportunities come my way, but I would often self-sabotage.  I'd try, but I wouldn't try my hardest so if I had failed, it'd be because I didn't give it my all. It was a way for me to protect myself and my pride - I mean, looking back at it now, I honestly can't think of anything stupider, but it made sense to me back then.

We're human so it's natural to fear failure.  No one wants to eff up or be rejected, but you won't move forward unless you put yourself out there.  Take advantage of whatever opportunity comes your way, but don't sit back and wait for them to come knocking at your door because you'll be asking for failure. I hear so many people bitch and moan about others and their successes.  "That guy totally didn't deserve that position" or "how did SHE book that concert" or "how is that blogger working with that company, she's not even that pretty."  Girl bosses don't think that way.

If you don't like where your career's at, do something about it.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Go meet people and make genuine connections.  Ask for help!  Pitch collaborative ideas to brands, artists, or whoever/whatever's applicable.  The worst you'll ever hear is "no," and trust me, it won't kill you.  You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.


2.  "We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough."


Grit is everything.  We all know the story about the tortoise and the hare, and although I didn't know it back then, that shit was deep.  Slow and steady really does win the race.  When I was in college, I used to work in spurts.  I'd feel super motivated one day and pull an all-nighter working on a project, only to wake up late the next, feeling too groggy to function.  It's better to do small amounts daily rather than binge-work, especially if you're working towards a long term goal.  For example, if you want to run a mile in 8 minutes or less, you'll need to schedule jogs several times a week for an extended period of time to build your endurance. Consistency. Is. Key.

Now, on top of that, expect to hit a wall at some point.  Actually, scratch that! Expect to slam into SEVERAL walls that seem unbreakable - the key word being "seem."  If you give up when the going gets tough, you're never going to succeed.  Regardless of how talented or how smart you are, you're going to plateau or straight up fail at some point.  I've hit rock bottom MANY times in my life, and I'm not afraid to admit it.  I've played concerts where I've forgotten lines of music, or worse, competed and totally bombed after months and months of excruciating preparation.

There's nothing more disappointing than investing your blood, sweat, and tears into something only to have it explode in your face, BUT it's all a learning experience and you need to embrace it as such. When things get hard, girl bosses push themselves harder.  They fall seven times and get up eight because behind that wall is a revelation that'll help them get THAT much better.  Always think long term, and stick with whatever it is you're doing because things will get easier at some point.

3.  "A lion doesn't concern himself (or herself in this matter) with the opinions of sheep."


When I first started Sensible Stylista, people talked so much shit!  Fashion blogging wasn't as common back then, and I had just started my doctorate at school so I felt pretty self-conscious about it all.  Friends would come up and tell me that so and so was saying this and that about my style or my writing, and it sucked.  It hurt my feelings to hear bitchy things, BUT it helped me develop a much thicker skin so at the end of the day, I'm grateful for it all.

If you're putting yourself out there, people are going to talk.  Be prepared for it and stay strong.  Keep your eye on the prize and focus on your goals because at the end of the day, negative words mean absolutely nothing.  Like Eleanor Roosevelt eloquently said, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  Fast forward 5 years, with 500k+ followers and 100k+ monthly views, I'm so beyond glad that I ignored all the haters and powered through.  Don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dreams!  You're a girl boss, therefore you shouldn't give a damn what anyone thinks. 

4.  "Comparison is the thief of joy."


Social media's great on so many different levels, but it can be discouraging and even depressing at times. Everyone's putting their best foot forward without acknowledging their hardships out in the open so the grass almost always seems greener on the other side.  Girl bosses don't deal with that bullshit though! They stay focused and only concern themselves with their own progress.  They also respect other people and their successes and realize that their accomplishments (however impressive they might be) don't detract from their own.  

Alright everyone, that's it for today!  Do any of these mantras resonate with you?  If yes, which one /s and why? I hope you enjoyed this post.  It took me a while to write up so hopefully it was helpful.  If you enjoyed it, please take a second to share it with friends!  

Find of the Day: The Ruffle Maxi ($40.50)

Alright guys, it's time for another fab find of the day!  Today's featured item isn't as affordable as usual, BUT it's seriously one of the cutest and most flattering skirts I've ever worn or seen for that matter.  ASOS, you did it again!  The high-rise waist makes you look hella fit and creates the illusion of longer legs (!!!) On top of that, the semi-sheer mesh detailing is beyond cute - oh, and don't worry, the piece is lined up top so you're keeping it PG. But seriously though, aren't the tiered ruffles totally adorable? I love how they cascade down!  
I paired the skirt with a black crop and belted it with yet another ASOS find. For those of you interested, the belt's still available for $28.  You can adjust the length and wear it on your hips or waist.  Yay for versatility!  To finish things off, I threw on sky high heels and carried my fave Chanel.
Other cute maxi skirts for your lusting pleasure:

 Skirt:  ASOS (40.50) || Belt:  ASOS ($28) || Shoes:  Aldo || Bag:  Chanel || Top:  BCBG (similar)
Photos shot by the amazing Sung Shin!

January Beauty Favorites

1.  RG Collagen Shampoo + Mask:  I've been using this shampoo + hair treatment for the past 2 months now, and it's helped my mane tenfold.  It smells like heaven and smoothes like a boss. The formula contains argan oil and silk amino acids that treat and protect your strands, leaving you with ridonkulously soft hair.  If you're looking for new hair products, give this line a try!

2.  Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme ($25):  Hands down, the most amazing hand creme I've ever used!  It pretty much cured my cracked skin overnight, which is all sorts of awesomesauce.  Plus, it smelled magical so there's that!  Also, you can feel good about splurging on this product because $4 of it goes to support cruelty-free research through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (!!!)

3.  Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation ($12.99):  I can't even begin to tell you guys how awesome this product is!  It works JUST as well as Amore Pacific's version yet costs a fraction of the price.  It gives my skin good coverage, and it's convenient for touch-ups on the go.  I use warm nude, and it matches my skin perfectly.  I'm definitely sold! I'll be repurchasing this over and over again.

The following products were sent to me to review as a judge for the AOL lifestyle winter beauty awards.  Click to see a list of all the judges!

4.  Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches ($48): If you guys have dry skin like me, you've probably experienced a strange tightness around your eye area.  It's not super uncomfortable or anything, but it's hella annoying.  These patches have really helped though, and they conveniently stay fixed on my face so I can go about doing stuffs!  Hashtag hustler problems. TIP:  Put them in your fridge for a cooling effect that feels great + helps with puffiness.

5.  Super Goop CC Cream ($32):  I absolutely loved this CC Cream.  I got it in light/medium, and it complemented my skin tone beautifully.  I'm all about this product because it gives me a natural but flattering finish - think my skin but better, ha.  If you need extra coverage, correct spots with dabs of concealer on top!  
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