Chimere Nicole

Beauty Fashion Lifestyle Blog

Why I Volunteer, Mrs. New Jersey America

lifestyle

I sat down one day and thought, what can I do to help others that’s also not self-serving? Meaning, I’m not doing it to gain any business or reward other than the feeling of blessing someone else. At the time I had already started this blog to be able to share moments of my life but I didn’t feel that was enough. I needed more, I wasn’t able to give financially so I decided to give the biggest commodity I have, my time. I choose to volunteer my time because it’s something I value, it can make the biggest impact on the lives of others, and it’s fun. 

One of the tasks I wanted to complete in my role as Mrs. New Jersey America 2020 was to bring awareness to organizations within the state of New Jersey. Food banks in particular due to the high numbers of children not receiving adequate amounts of food during the summer months. Since schools are not open, there is a high percentage of children receiving less than one meal per day. These statistics are alarming, to say the least, and my goal is to change that. This summer I have embarked on a 21 county tour to volunteer at local food banks and distribution centers. My hope is that my sash and crown will become a megaphone to the issue of hunger here in the state. No family should have to go to bed hungry. 

Mrs. New Jersey America 2020 volunteering with TASK and RISE

It will be a huge undertaking however if you know me you are aware that ambitious is my middle name. I will get it done. You will be surprised at the impact you make when you volunteer an hour or more of your time per week. It can help hundreds of people and need. Just think of the amount of time you spent scrolling on social media or watching reruns on tv. 

Yeah, exactly. 

Once I realized the amount of time I was wasting during the day, I knew I could not only be more productive. I could continue to do all of the things I commissioned myself to do as Mrs. New Jersey. 

Mrs. New Jersey America 2020 volunteering at Arm in Arm in Trenton, NJ

How can you help? It’s easy, go to google and type in local food banks in my area. Then you can visit the website and sign up as a volunteer or you can call and ask how you can help. Very simple. I charge you to thinks of ways you can help others within your own community. It’s not always pretty and profitable but the blessings you give to others can’t be measured by monetary gain. I’ve learned so much in this process and it has changed my perspective on many things. I’m sure it will do the same for you. Follow my journey on my pageant Facebook page and Instagram page. 

Charcuterie Board On A Budget: Under $20

lifestyle

 I am by no means a food blogger. In fact, I’m the last person to give out food advice since I am as picky as can be. However, I have become fascinated with luxurious brunches, fabulous charcuterie spreads, and staying on a budget. One night I spent hours on Pinterest trying to learn how to create the perfect presentation that was not only picture worthy but good enough to eat. I didn’t want to invest in foods that I knew I would not eat just because they look aesthetically pleasing. Honestly, I was not in the mood to waste my money just for pictures. I don’t waste food, EVER. So creating a charcuterie board on a budget was my goal.

charcuterie board

 Wanting to spend the day by the water alone, just to relax and refocus for the week ahead a solo picnic was the best option. I could be as extra and boogie as I liked and relax at the same time. This is the recipe for a perfect afternoon. Deciding this would be the perfect opportunity to create my first charcuterie board and keep my budget as low as possible. I decided to stick to a budget of no more than $20, that would include everything I needed for my picnic.

I took a trip to my local Aldi grocery store and picked up everything I needed. Aldi has some great options for an affordable price and amazing quality. I kept my list pretty simple since quite frankly I didn’t have a clue what to buy and what I was doing. Here are the items I choose to include for my picnic.

  1. Water
  2. Wine
  3. Bread
  4. Cheese
  5. Nuts 
  6. Fruits
  7. Deli meats
  8. Crackers

Once I created a shopping list, it was easy shopping. If I would have done this beforehand instead of in the store it would have been a lot faster. I spent way too much time trying to decide what cheese I wanted to use. Aldi had tons of options to choose from and since I’m not much of a cheese connoisseur I kept is basic. Cheddar cheese has always worked for me so that’s what I grabbed. Although I love to eat, I can be very picky at times, so it’s best for me to stick to the safest options available. But I was so tempted to try the spreadable cheese options they had available. 

Aldi’s has the cutest variety pack of crackers to try near the bread aisle and picked that up for only $3.99 and I love them. It features 6 different types of crackers and was great to pair with the cheese. I will definitely purchase this again and a few more cheeses to try. In fact I grabbed some just last night with some wine and cheese. So good for a late night snack and the wine didn’t hurt either. 

Now onto the aesthetics. This was by far the most tedious part of this whole process. Again, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. My goal was for my board to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible using minimum items. If you searched Pinterest before you have seen the amazing options and tons of exotic fruits and jam people use. I’m not that advanced yet so until then I keep it basic.

I found a way to make the deli meat the star of the show. I went onto YouTube and found a video tutorial of different ways to display the meat. One video showed me how to make flowers using salami so that’s what I decided to do. Starting by placing the salami in multiple sections on top of a glass cup. Once you’ve created multiple layers you then turn the cup upside down and remove the meat from the cup. You are then left with a perfectly flower.

This was so easy to make and it was a beautiful addition to my display. Definitely will be trying this technique again using different types of deli meats. I had tons of leftover fruit since I purchased it in bulk so my children were extremely happy to have tons of strawberries and grapes in the house. I even decided to get fancy with the cheddar cheese and use my cookie cutter to make a Mickey Mouse cheese slice. It was so cute and made me extremely happy. 

Once I finished prepping I then packaged everything up in small Ziploc bags to transport. Once I found a nice location near the water, I laid out my blanket and pillows and decided to get to work. It was actually quite soothing to do near the water. I think it was the waves that calmed my nerves and was overall very soothing. Next time I’ll take a bit more photos however this was my first time trying this and I didn’t want to document the bloopers lol. 

Femininity: Five Ways To Become More Feminine

lifestyle

As a woman I never paid too much attention to the concept of femininity and the role it plays in my day to life. I mean I just figured, I’m a woman, hear me roar right? Wrong. I will be the first to say I was very rough around the edges and although I’ve come to love and embrace those aspects of my personality I also wanted to embark on a path of femininity. All of those years of being a tomboy growing up left a huge impact on me.

So I’ve made an effort to not only grow as a person but to embrace my own femininity, and today I am sharing five ways you can become more feminie. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, this year is very personal for me as I am leveling up my entire life. I’m making it a priority to address all the areas of my life in which I feel I can improve and systematically doing so. This is just one of many ways in which to do so.  

Femininity is very subjective and will vary from person to person. As it relates to me and my journey it means embracing my womanhood and everything that encompasses. 

Here are just a few steps I’m taking on my path of becoming more femine.

How to become more feminine-Chimere Nicole

Hat HERE, Shirt Similar, Similar, Jeans HERE, Shoes HERE, Bag HERE

Updating My Signatures

There are many things in my life that are staples or “signatures” to me. This includes my style, my smell, hairstyles, and much more. As I take this journey of femininity I’m embracing chance. This includes all of these areas. My style is very much relaxed with a touch of glam here and there. I mean, I am a queen. However, most days you will find me lounging around in jeans and a t- shirt living my best life. Not to say nothing is wrong with this but I have tons of wardrobe I can wear and I’m going to be doing just that. So if you happen to see me at the grocery store with pearls and a suit just wave lol. 

As a hairstylist I change my looks quite often however lately it has been kind of boring if you ask me. I haven’t added any color or changed the length in a while. I’m definitely going to be changing this asap. You will be surprised what a new hairstyle can do to boost your mood. 

I also have 2-3 perfumes I grab throughout the week and they have become my go to. Even though I own tons I always grab the same ones. I have no idea why.  It’s even gotten to the point my clients know what scents I’m wearing lol. No ma’am, time to switch it all the way up. I recently was gifted the new Chanel perfume and perfect for day to day wear. It’s soft yet, feminine and my husband loves it.

Here are a few of my new favorites, 

Chanel Chance

Baccarat Rouge 540

YSL Black Opium Eau

 Silk and Satins

When you have kids, cotton is king lol. My kids love touching me while they’re eating cheetos lol. As a result, I’ve stayed away from fabrics that stain easily. Recently I’ve been falling in love with satin and silk materials. These fabrics are breathable, can be worn dressed up or down, and so extremely femine. They just hug the body so effortlessly, and accentuate your curves. 

Silk is a material I use for my investment pieces. These are items that I will never sell and continue to wear for 5 years or more. These are often my shirts and dresses. They will cost you a bit more however, they are staples in your closet. You will be able to average the cost of each piece over the year span. 

 My go to at the moment is satin as it is available everywhere, and has a really great price point for any budget. If you want to level up your wardrobe this year I recommend adding these fabrics to your closet asap. You will be seeing tons of these pieces here on the blog as well as my instagram very soon. 

 Here are a few of my favorite pieces. 

 Hygiene Routine Overhaul

Your beauty routine is something that is very personal and can vary each day or each week. I needed to overhaul my beauty routine to include better quality products for my skin and products for my mental health. Yes, your beauty routine can aid in your overall well being. When I look my best, I feel my best. So investing into my hygiene is a must. 

It’s all about embracing everything that makes you feel fabulous. 

I take one day out of the week and focus on everything that will help me relax, detox, and much more. Long hot soaks in the tube, bubbles and champagne. Yes, even if that means a Wednesday. The day doesn’t matter just as long as you make it a priority. 

Oh and don’t forget the candles. 

This means detoxing my body by fasting. Detoxing my mind by unplugging from social media and praying.  I also detox my skin. Exfoliating and steam treatments are my go to each week and I upgraded the products I’m currently using. 

Some of my current beauty favorites will be listed below. 

Literature Is Queen

When was the last time you read a book for pleasure? I read a quote that said “If you want to hide information from people, place it in a book”. I think this holds true, especially in today’s digital age. We don’t read anymore. So I decided to include at least one book to read for pleasure each week. For me it is harlequin novels. Don’t judge my life choices lol, this is my personal favorite at the moment. I’m a sucker for a love story. But the fact remains the same, reading helps with better brain function, vocabulary, and can be very stimulating. 

There is something to be said about spending quality time with yourself getting lost in your thoughts that we don’t praise enough. As women we often give of ourselves quite a bit to the point we have nothing left. So on my path to femininity I am learning to pour back into myself as often as I can.  Reading is a great way to do so, adding a glass of wine also makes it 10x’s better.. 

Building A Mysterious

I’ve been on social media for quite some time, especially YouTube. Sharing my life, my beauty tips and everything in between. As of late my goal is to work a bit more behind the scenes and become more of a mystery. I find that the key to becoming more femine is not sharing or exposing so much about ourselves. Leave a bit to the imagination. This includes our personality, character, and yes, even our bodies. 

I may not speak for everyone when I say this but, why would anyone want to buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? 

Am I aging myself when I say this lol? Simply put, if you are showcasing everything to the world then what is the incentive to get to know you? What else can you offer that is exclusive? Give them something to chase and inquire about. As it relates femininity, I find that the the opposite sex, or even the same sex finds it very appealing when you leave a bit to the imagination. 

Think of it this way, when you shop you don’t shop with the mindset I want to wear what everyone else wears. I want something exclusive to me. So when I wear it it’s new to everyone else. That way I can show it off knowing no one has seen or experienced it before.  Right. Same thing applies to this scenario, keep a bit of mystery about yourself, that way you have so much more to offer people who deserve to be a part of your inner circle. Everything isn’t for everyone. 

I plan on talking a bit more about my journey, and I’ve already done a previous post HERE about some of the other wonderful changes I’ve been making lately. Remember, femininity is very subjective and its going to vary from person to person so keep that in mind if you plan on starting your own journey. 

How To Look Expensive On A Budget

fashion, lifestyle

You want the look for less right? Well, honey I’m here to let you know, money can’t buy style and having a great wardrobe is possible. Designer clothes aren’t always stylish nor does it always make you look put together. You don’t have to spend hours online looking for designer dupes or waiting for sales on you favorite designers. Learn to incorporate some of my tips into your shopping routines to get the expensive look on a budget. Remember style isn’t about designer its about showing your uniqueness and personality.

  1. Quality over quantity

I recently did a complete wardrobe over and realized I had way too many items that were fast fashion pieces. What do I mean by fast fashion? These are items that are trending at the moment but in 6-12 months I would not be able to wear them or better yet, after a few washes they would not hold up. So instead of purchasing so many trendy pieces I know focus on items that are quality material. One quality made dress is better than 5 cheap ones that only last 6 months.

After calculating the cost, yes these items still had tags attached. I could have purchased some blazers from Zara, dress pants, and more. The blazer I’m looking at is a wool blend, very chic and will be in my wardrobe for years to come. Instead, I’m packing up these items to donate because they are out of style and don’t fit my style aesthetic. Staple pieces over inexpensive trendy items.  

  1. Avoid spandex and synthetic blends

I love a good bodycon dress. Especially for date nights and vacations. However, if you want to look expensive try to loosen up the dresses and choose a better quality fabric. Silk and satin fabrics just scream luxury and won’t break the bank. You can dress them up or down depending on the shoe selection and adding layers like an overcoat or blazer will further dress up the look. Also be sure that whatever material you choose flatters your body type. Again, not too tight and not too loose that you can’t see your figure. 

  1. Tailor your wardrobe

One of my top recommendations for being bougie on a budget. Tailoring your wardrobe is by far the best ways to look expensive on a budget. A well tailored pair of pants does wonders to any outfit. I myself have to get my pants tailored due to length and waist measurements. Thus, I need to size up and have the waist taken in. Tailoring your pieces is like applying a fitted blanket to your bed. It just lays beautifully. The perfect fit and looks stunning. 

It’s not as expensive as you may think. Honestly, think about the amount of pants you currently own that you don’t wear because they don’t they don’t fit properly. Add up the cost of each pair. Now do you see what I mean? I usually spend an additional $7- $15 per pair and I wear them for years. Totally worth the investment. 

  1. Change your wardrobe colors. Nudes, gem tone color. Rich with pigments.

I will be the first to admit I am a sucker for black. I mean I wear it to work each day at the salon and it has been a part of my wardrobe for years. But in order to look expensive I have learned to add nude jewel toned pieces to chic up the look. My favorites have been adding fuschia, emerald, and my favorite tone, nude. Depending on your skin tone, nude colors will vary and this is why I love nude so much. 

Let’s imagine for a second, you took those favorite pair of tailored dress pants, added a flowy fuchsia top and paired it with your favorite dress pants. OMG. I can see this look costing you less than $100 minus the accessories and shoes. Add a cute belt and it’s a look. 

  1. Add texture. Wool, Silk, 

Adding different fabrics to your wardrobe also makes your pieces look expensive. You will be surprised what you can find  when shopping during the off season. For example. Shopping for fall and winter items in the spring. When stores are trying to move the previous season’s items is when I score the best prices. So those items you want are now 60% – 70% percent off. 

Eliminate cottons and think silk, linen, chiffon, lace, and satin. Fabrics that move with the body. 

  1. Don’t over accessorize

Ladies, less is more. You will often see me wearing multiple bracelets however, three is my limit and I won’t add any additional statement pieces. I want the eye to look at specific elements of my outfit. Not all over because the look is too busy. Less is more. Find a statement piece and keep the other items to a minimum. Remember this is only if you’re trying to look expensive on a budget. 

My personal rule of thumb, if wearing a statement necklace or pendant, keep the earrings small. Think pearls or diamond studs. 

These are some of the many ways to look expensive on a budget. Listen, I love my designer brands as much as the next girl. But if I can save a few bucks by implementing the things I shared with you above then I’m a happy camper. Most of the money in my wardrobe is spent on accessories. My handbags and shoes cost the most because I wear them more often. 

Learn how I save up for the pieces HERE. 

What you should know before purchasing the Saint Laurent Canvas Tote Bag

fashion

I was looking for the perfect travel bag for the summertime. I currently have a large Louis Vuitton tote bag that I use while traveling and for everyday wear. Since I’ve been using this bag for a very long time and it was time for me to upgrade. Once I came across the new YSL collection and decided it would be the perfect bag not only for me to travel with but also for the summer. Before making the splurge I needed to do a little bit of research before purchasing. Here are a few things I think you should know before making your purchase of the Saint Laurent Canvas Tote.

Yves Saint Laurent Canvas tote bag

During my recent purchase I took a minute to talk to my sales associate and got some really amazing feedback about the new collection and want to share with you a few things if you were in the market to purchase this tote bag.

PRESS PLAY

Pros

  1. Coated Canvas

At the time of my shopping trip they currently have five different colors available. Upon arriving at the store I immediately fell in love with the army green tote bag. To my surprise this bag did not have the coated canvas. This is very important to note.

Out of the entire collection there is only one tote bag that includes a coated canvas. This is very important because if you are like me and are rough with your handbags it is important to note that the coated canvas. It provides you with an extra layer of protection. A friend of mine also has this tote bag and she told me that when she returned from a traveling trip she needed to clean her tote bag. Because of the coated protective layer, it made cleaning up a lot easier.

To remove stains from your tote bag I would highly recommend you take a magic eraser, lightly wet the area you need to clean and apply your magic eraser. Once that step is complete let your tote bag dry and then your stain will be removed.

  1. Size

The size of the Ysl tote bag is perfect. Since I was planning on using it primarily for travel, I needed it to be large enough to store my laptop, some toiletries, and extra clothes if necessary. This bag has enough room to do just that and more. 

  1. Leather Handles

This tote comes in two handle colors, brown and black. I purchased the black leather handles. This also prevents the back from getting dirty. Makeup, hand creams and more will destroy the handles on any bag. I would also recommend adding cute silk scarves wrapped around the handles for a pop of color and added protection. I’ve even taken charmes from my other handbags and added them to this bag. Just to jazz it up a bit. You have a ton of options. 

  1. The Snap Closures

One of the other highlights to this bag. Most tote bags are designed to stay open and don’t provide adequate security. I love the fact that this page has snaps to keep it closed. They also provide shape to the bag depending on how you would like to wear it. 

5. Price

This bag currently retails for $1,250 USD. This is a great price in comparison to other same sized canvas tote bags in this category. I was looking into the Christian Dior tote bag but for the price and the design of the canvas I knew I would get much better usage out of this tote. Not to mention the price, I can’t see myself spending over 3K for a canvas bag from any brand. That’s just my two preference of course. I just know I will be able to use this bag each and every day if I choose to.

Overall this bag is a perfect day to day bag. It works well as a work bag and great as a travel bag. Compared to the other tote bags on the market I feel this one gives you more bang for your buck. It can be worn with almost every outfit and occasion. And styled multiple ways. Just imagine how cute this bag will be on the beach with a large floppy hat and a nice tropical drink. So chic, and I can’t wait.

Here is where you can purchase the same tote,

https://rstyle.me/+Fg-pbfTKIw2FT9iHIodU3A

In Black

https://rstyle.me/+QBJm8RQ6vD4aB1bfEIi5Qw

If you’re interested in learning how I save money to afford my luxury Items, I will include my previous blog post explains how HERE.