how to style cutoffs!

If you've logged onto your pinterest lately or you've browsed around the blogging community, you'll know that the cutoff shorts are becoming insanely popular. And, why not? They're cute, perfect for summer, and not to mention incredibly cheap (if you do them right - i found some fun tutorials here & here!). So, I thought I'd share with you guys my favorite ways to style cutoff shorts this summer. Hopefully you can draw a little (or a lot) of inspiration, and regardless, I'd love to hear how YOU'RE styling cutoffs this summer!

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... then the other essentials, of course!

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{ arrow brushes: creature comfort blog | fonts: unknown (but if you notice them, tell me and ill be sure to give you credit! | photos by: Lexi Jensen}

prints, pants + accountability

{ pants & scarf: uo / top: target / sandals: vince camuto {similar style} / purse: thrifted / earrings: be yourself}

My apologies for the background {or lack there of}. This is what happens when you can't reach both of your photographers and you force your 10-year-old sister to take photos of you in the street. I just really wanted to show you all my new favorite printed pants and... all things considered, I think she did a pretty darn good job! 

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I don't know if I've told you this yet or not, but I've really been praying for God to change my heart. I've been striving to be that person that is slow to judge, slow to anger, and quick to love. It's a trying process, let me tell you. The difficulty doesn't lie in my wanting to have a change of heart because my intentions were always pure, I think. What's so trying, is the commitment to that change of heart. This world is filled with a lot of hate and anger and adversity. We all know that, and I think sometimes we let all these things hinder and cripple our growth and our potential for more... for what's better. Not just for ourselves, but for all those we come in contact with. I personally have been mustering up substantial amounts of drive to reach past all that and that's where my prayers have been invested lately, among other things.

This transformation of heart and the journey that it has provided has led me to reflect upon one specific question in particular.

Are these words that I'm putting out there coinciding with my actions?

To be completely honest, I can tell you about how I'm striving for this change of heart until I'm blue in the face. I can essentially tell you whatever I want, but it means absolutely nothing if I'm not living up to those standards that I'm putting out there. What's important to me is not that you merely read that I'm striving for this changed heart. What's most important to me is that at the end of the day, you can say with every ounce of confidence in your being that, "that tiana, she says what she means, means what she feels, and never lacks in accountability."

Words... 

Words are meaningless, empty even. It's the actions you put behind these words that give them life and give them purpose. If I've ever distributed lifeless words without the satisfaction of an action, I apologize. I realize, now, just how much weight that actually carries. 

I think internally, this is all elementary type stuff to us. Maybe we just we get off our paths of self-betterment (if that's even a word!?) sometimes, and forget. That's okay... just as long as we find our way back eventually. 

color blocking + being back in action

  

{dress: f21 / shoes: target / necklace: beyourself / bag: theit / watch & bracelet: michael kors & tobi / photos: lexi jensen}

{i'm back everyone!} so sorry to have taken that minor hiatus. i had a crazy finals week. and on top of that, i had to drive home for the summer, unpack, and get settled. it was all a bit hectic to say the least. but, i'm here. i'm present. and i'm ready to start blogging on a more regular basis. can't wait to share with you all the things that have been on my heart lately.

happy friday loves, t.

insta•t + finals...

1. Revlon Lip Butters in Candy Apple
2. ♥ 

3. something a little abstract at The Modern Art Museum
4. im a certified doodler... 

5. ombre nails, soon to be like my hair! and a couple etsy rings
6. handwritten letters; a lost art

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follow me on instagram! @_tianalewis

you guys... i've got finals on the brain. i have a little less than five days left of my freshman year and i could not be more ready for the summer. posts will pick back up post-finals taking, for sure! 

all my love, t. 

{crown pt.2} // black + white

{dress: lulus // shoes: charlotte russe // belt: f21 // clutch & earrings: be yourself // makeup: MAC // photos: Ashley Circo}

{pressing questions} okay so you guys have heard my thoughts, musings, and ramblings on this blog enough; now i have some serious questions for you! i need a little help...

1. this whole sponsorship thing... how does it all work? is it worth investing time and money into and if so, when is a good time to start sponsoring blogs or having other blogs sponsor me?

2. guest posts; sort of along the same lines... when's a good time to start having other blogs guest post for me? i've done a few... i guess i just don't understand the process entirely.

3. anything else i'm missing? any other advice to give? i love feedback and really want to make this little blog i have the best it can be. i feel like it was kind of a jump into the ocean and now I'm looking for some place to plant my feet. really start calling this blog home. I'm grateful for any and all advice you experienced bloggers may have!

feel free to leave comments or email me at lesthetiqueblog {at} gmail {dot} com ♥

{ i love to just talk too ;) }

Happy May, loves! oh, and by the way... that last picture exemplifies sam and i's relationship perfectly.