Chimere Nicole

Beauty Fashion Lifestyle Blog

The Beginning Of A Beautiful Ending

beauty, fashion, lifestyle

Mrs New Jersey 2020

The time has come, the beginning of the end. It is now time for me to crown the next Mrs. New Jersey, America. But the question still remains, who is Mrs New Jersey America 2020. She is Chimere Nicole Haskins, wife, mother, author, social media influencer, and entrepreneur. 

However these titles do not define me, what I do with these titles does. 

mrs new jersey 2020, Chimere Nicole Haskins

Although I wear many hats, the crown I wear each day defines who I am as a women. I am a woman of strength. What I have been able to overcome throughout my life is worthy of a best selling novel. The things I’ve faced during my reign as Mrs New Jersey where meant to derail not only my year but possibly my life. I gone through life saving surgeries, death of family members, and financial hardships that almost closed my business. Through it all I remained steadfast on the things God promised me and continued to walk the path of a true queen. I kept my head held high and continued to serve others.

 

My reign feels as though it has flown by. In actuality it has been quite the year. I shared on my pageant Instagram page so many highlights from my year of service.

I have been blessed with so many opportunities, faced with many highs and lows, and honored to continue the legacy that is Mrs. New Jersey, America.  

One of the many things I set out to do was to impact my community as a whole. Not only with my title but with my time and resources. Pageantry allows for advocacy, this is how I choose to spend my year. Helping others who weren’t in the position to help themselves and bring attention to the issues faced across New Jersey. One of which was poverty. 

This was not an easy task. 

During my reign the state was still shut down and businesses that were open were operating a 40-60 percent capacity. Families were running low on basic supplies and struggling. Additionally, covid numbers were at an all time high and I was doing most of my community service virtually. However, I am a firm believer that when there is a will there’s a way. 

Instead of making excuses, I pivoted my plans. The number one goal was to be of service and that’s what I set out to do.

My plans then changed and I decided to do what I could to help. 

My Year In A Nutshell

I partnered with local food banks, community organizers, and government officials to donate and serve food and supplies to people in need. I honestly think I may have found my calling as I learned I’m able to pack hundreds of grocery bags in under an hour. I’m a woman of many talents, lol. I was even able to attend fundraisers and contribute hundreds of dollars to local causes. It is something about a crown that makes people listen. And when you’re in a position to help impact lives you speak with love and generosity. I am honored to wear it as Mrs New Jersey America 2020. 

One of the many highlights was competing at Mrs. America. I was able to speak about my legacy project #GirlYes and share my heart on stage. A memory I will cherish forever. 

chimere nicole haskins with her book Girl Yes

As I reflect over my year I am filled with so much gratitude. Thanks to the people who have helped me achieve the dream, grateful for the memories, and I remain optimistic about the future. I know this is only the beginning for me. 

As I begin to close this chapter, I am filled with joy and my heart is full. Being a queen is about leadership and servitude. I served those in need, inspired other women to do the same, and it has forever changed my life. What this year has meant to me can not be expressed with words so I will forever hold the memories in my heart. 

I charge you to dream bigger, give selflessly, and shine. You have the capacity for greatness and in you there is a gift that can change the world around you. 

who is mrs new jersey america 2020,

What Does The World’s Largest Beach Hat Look Like

fashion

I purchased the world’s largest beach hat. Why you may ask, I though it was funny actually. Turns out, I was right!

What happens when you purchase the world’s largest beach hat? Well I would definitely say you will get tons and tons of looks and stares in public. Inquiring minds want to know, what’s up with this hat. Over the weekend I took a short trip to Miami Florida just to unwind and relax for a bit. Knowing I wanted to spend most of my time on the beach so I decided I needed a new beach hat. I recently did a post featuring some inexpensive food options on the beach here, so check that out if your looking for a beach vibe on a budget. I went online and I didn’t really see anything that I liked. I thought about getting  a beach umbrella instead. When I looked at the prices and compared it to the hats I previously looked up in I realized that I can have the best of both worlds. This is when I decided I wanted the world’s largest beach hat that would also pair as an umbrella. 

It wasn’t as hard to find as I initially thought. I started my search on Etsy and was amazed to find such a large selection of beach hats that were the size I was looking for. I knew it would take a few weeks to arrive because it would be shipped from outside of the country, so I decided to order a month before my trip. When my hat arrived three weeks later at my house I was astounded by the size. I could not believe that this hat was as large as it was. It was definitely the world’s largest beach hat. It came wrapped like a mini burrito and all I could do was laugh. As extra and over the top as I am, I  was still shocked at how large this hat is. 

This is when I decided to record my experience. Seriously, I just could not stop laughing. I thought this was the funniest thing that has ever happened to me. I shared this experience on my Tick Tock account and as many of you have seen that video has now gone viral. At the time of this blog post that video has now received 2.4 million views and I am happy to say that I have millions of people laughing alongside with me at how large my beach hat is. Social media is just the best. 

If there is one thing that I have always set out to do, it would be to put a smile on other people’s faces and to laugh a bit. So, this entire experience has brought me so much joy.

Packing

One of the many questions that I received from this experience has been how did I pack such a large hat to prepare it for the airplane. Since this hat is so large I decided to package it the same way it arrived to me, which is like a burrito. Using a bit of creative licensing by packaging my hat like a chipotle burrito. I folded it in four places and rolled it up to place it in my carry-on luggage tote. I also made a Tick Tock video showing you how the tote was placed inside of my bag. There was also a bit of a compare and contrast as a young lady who was also in the TSA line had a straw hat on her luggage as well. You were able to compare the size of traditional hair with the size of my hat. It is extremely huge in comparison. So funny to see. 

Once on the plane I was able to lay my carry-on tote in the overhead bin compartment horizontally so that my luggage would not get smashed and my hat and would not have too many creases in it.

Preparing for The Beach

Since I did have my hat folded in luggage for a few hours I knew that I would have a few creases in the head. So, in another Tick Tock video shown here, I show the process of me steaming the hat and preparing it for the beach. I wanted to take as many pictures as I could wearing the hat so that you can get an idea of the amount of coverage and sun protection I would receive on the beach.

The process of steaming the hat was pretty simple. All you will need to do is place your iron on medium to high heat. Then place a cotton towel over your straw hat and use the steaming tool on your iron to remove the wrinkles and creases. It took me about 10 minutes to 

Thoroughly iron the entire hat due to the size. Once I was done I simply laid it on the bed to cool down.

On to the beach

Here is when the magic happens. While I was walking onto the beach the amount of people who stopped me to inquire about this hat was astounding. I had absolutely no idea people would take such an interest in a large hat. To my surprise people wanted to order this hat and were asking me if it came in other colors. Who would have thought? Due to the size of the hat and the weather it was a bit cumbersome for me to wear it and take pictures. Since I was seated close to the shoreline and the amount of wind was forcing the head to flop around aimlessly. I did manage to take a few photos wearing the hat. However I still don’t believe I was able to thoroughly show you how large this hat is. So, once I got back to my room I took a photo of me standing up while the hat was fully extending it. For size reference I am 5’9 and as you can see this hat is as large as me. 

large straw beach hat

Sun Protection and Social Distancing

Let’s just say I took social distancing to a new level. Because this hat is such a conversation piece, so many people wanted to talk. However due to the massive size of the hat they were not able to come any closer than 6 feet away from me. LOL. 

This is so funny. 

If you are looking for a full proof way to social distance this hat needs to be your number one purchase. Additionally, being able to place my entire body underneath this hat and be fully covered from the sun was a plus. Although I still wore sunscreen on the beach this hat gave me 100% protection from the sun’s UV rays. Even though the wind tried to fly my hat away I was able to steady the hat so that it would cover me as I relaxed on the beach for the duration of the day.

I’m going to place a link below to the seller in which I purchased my hair as well as some other options available to you. 

If you decide to purchase this hat please make sure you tag me on social media or use my #ChimereNicole so that I am able to see you rocking your hat.  

Hat/HERE,

Blazing It Up In Blue

fashion

Taking a different approach to the traditional suit. I don’t own too many suits in my wardrobe. In fact, I can count on one hand how many pieces I can turn into complete suits in my closet. I do however have tons of dresses. This, lead me to start adding pieces in my collection that were the best of both worlds. The blazer dress, perfect for me. I can mix business casual with a touch of femininity. I am totally in love with this piece. 

Mrs. New Jersey America 2020 wearing blue blazer dress from prettylittlething

I can wear it in business and professional settings and add a few accessories and make it a night out in the town. I actually wore this piece to a speaking engagement for my foundation #GirlYes. It was comfortable and the color is beautiful. I received tons of compliments on this piece. The blue looks amazing with my crown and sash. Something about the blue and red combo just makes me happy.

Chimere Nicole wearing Navy gold blazer dress from prettylittlething

I purchased this and a few more items from PrettyLittleThing.com. They are having an amazing sale and I was able to snag this dress for only $40. It’s an amazing steal. The site has tons of other options to choose from, I did a little bit of damage but the sale was too good to pass up. 

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.