Janelle Monae concert at The Greek Theatre!

Happy humpday lovely people!

I realized I never posted my outfit from the Janelle Monae concert I went to a few weeks ago so here it is!

It was amazing seeing Janelle Monae in person because she is a great performer and her new album, Dirty Computer, is so empowering.

It touches on topics such as love, racism, sexuality, America, and so much more. It was my first time going to the Greek Theatre, here in Los Angeles.

It’s an outdoor venue set up where the stage is in the middle of the venue. Below is a sunset above the theatre.

My outfit for the concert was definitely fun and colorful since I know Janelle Monae loves unique and outside-of-the-box looks.

I wore a baby blue, Free People bralette, paired with FashionNova black jeans and yellow Birkenstocks. For my accessories, I wore blue and gold hoop earrings. To complete the look I wore a rainbow cardigan, also from FashionNova, over the bralette.

I also tried out blue-gray lipstick which was a big step outside of my comfort zone, but I think it was a perfect addition to my look.

I was dancing and singing all night and even ending up losing my voice, that’s how you know it was a lot of fun 🙂

Next time your favorite musician is performing at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, definitely try to go. It’s a great concert hall!

Who is your favorite musician/artist right now? What do you think of my outfit? Leave a comment below!

Exploring Santa Monica

Before I get into my Santa Monica exploration, I wanted to say Happy May!

I can’t believe its already been 6, going on 7 months since I’ve been living in LA. I decided that May, and going forward, I want to take more time to explore what California has to offer me!

Since Santa Monica Pier is a hotspot, I made that my first exploration spot for May. Santa Monica is lined with cool shops and restaurants, a lovely beach and the pier full of rides, food spots, and attractions.

The view from the pier is so amazing!

My boyfriend, friends, and I walked the boardwalk and admired the ocean view. We rode the ferris wheel and also ate at Bubba Gump’s; it was my first time ever eating there and it was delicious.

We didn’t swim, but we definitely enjoyed the water and sand on our feet.

I paired a bathing suit top, worn as a crop top, with shorts from Forever 21 and bright yellow Birkenstocks I got from Nordstrom.

It was a perfect beach day outfit. I definitely recommend visiting Santa Monica Pier if you are vacationing to Los Angeles or California.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Date 💕💞

On Valentine’s Day, Shawn and I took a trip to the Natural History Museum of LA and it was wonderful.

There are so many exhibits to explore and sights and activities to partake in, it is truly perfect for any couples, friends, or families who want to have some educational fun.

I’ll be showing pics from a few of my favorite exhibits and pictures of my outfit of course!

Age of Mammals and African Mammals Exhibit

Dinosaur Hall

Gems and Minerals Exhibit

Tattoo Exhibit

 If you are looking for an affordable and fun date in LA, definitely visit the Natural History Museum. We will be back because even though we seen all the exhibits pictured above, there’s even more exhibits to see!

Now for my outfit! I wore a white Misguided blazer dress which I adored.

The dress had gold buttons which popped against the crisp white dress. I paired this look with pearl bracelets and earrings, MAC lipstick, and my red Topshop mules.

 Have you ever visited this museum? Would you rock a blazer dress? Let me know in the comments below and have a wonderful week lovelies!

Pink & Lace Look for a Non-Traditional Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday. I’m such a die-hard romantic where all things lovey dovey, cute, sweet, and couple related makes me extra happy!

Even though every day spent with your significant other should be just as important as Vday, it is still fun to have a day solely dedicated to being over the top romantic!

With Valentine’s Day comes lots of pinks, reds, and whites. I’ve always seen Vday as a day to wear a dress and heels.

To prepare for the holiday this year I tried to go for a non-traditional look that is still romantic, but also a tad bit edgy.

I decided to pair a white, lace crop top from Forever 21, with a light pink poncho from Kerisma. Throughout the day numerous people asked was the top and poncho one piece and complimented my look for styling it as such! 🙂

With my top and poncho combo, I also wore brown Hudson jeans and black, military-style heeled boots from Nordstrom. I feel like this look was a perfect balance of chic, modern, and romantic.

How do you feel about non-traditional Valentine’s Day looks? Leave a comment below!

Kehlani’s ‘SweetSexySavage’ Promotes Self-Awareness, Honesty, and Growth

This isn’t going to be a traditional blog post featured on Coral Buttons, because I couldn’t let another day go by without showing love to one of my favorite artists!

Yesterday, Kehlani released her debut album titled SweetSexySavage! I actually first fell in love with Kehlani and her voice on America’s Got Talent when she went on the show with a group of teens and kids from Oakland as the band Poplyfe.

I rooted for them the entire season to win 1st place, but they got 4th which is still pretty awesome. From AGT, Kehlani eventually went solo and I’ve been following her music and growth ever since. Speaking about her debut album, I believe that she couldn’t have chosen a better title.

All of the songs on the album can fall into one of the categories of either Sweet, Sexy, or Savage. I am not sure if that’s what she was going for, but I love it and made a fun little game out of deciding which song falls into which category.

Now let’s get into why I love this album and love what it promotes. Kehlani is a 21 year old young woman who has been through a lot of heartbreak, drama, chaos, and sadness like a lot of us (I am only 22 myself!). She genuinely poured her heart out into this album and she was an open and honest book with the experiences she discusses.

I don’t want to put specifics about each individual song because you may want to listen and form your own opinion, but I will list a few of my personal thoughts 🙂

In her songs she discusses finding and losing love and happiness and struggling with personal issues. You can’t please the world when you yourself aren’t fulfilled and happy.

SweetSexySavage is also a coming of age story where she tells us that she has been through some rough patches and she may not have dealt with all of the issues of her past, but she is still here and stronger than ever before.

It is hard to pick just one favorite song from SweetSexySavage, but I think I will choose “Piece of Mind” as my fave!

I could go on and on about how amazing her album is, but that’s no fun. Go out and listen for yourself! It’s definitely worth listening to! Also, she is coming to perform in Baltimore in April and I am definitely going!  ❤ #SSS

Make Your Own #RelationshipGoals

Everyone has seen pictures on social media of couples hiking, riding bikes, working out together, hugging and kissing each other, and the list can go on and on. Most of the time those pictures have the caption “#relationshipgoals.”

A lot of individuals and couples strive to meet these relationship goals they see across social media. I say, make you own #relationship goals!

Each relationship is different. What works for one couple may not work for your relationship. You have to find what interests you and your significant other and just do it!

Maybe traveling isn’t your favorite activity to do, but maybe you are very creative and artsy. Instead of trying to travel the globe because you saw that was someone on Facebook’s relationship goal, why not have a cute and cozy arts and craft night at home with your partner.

Relationship goals don’t have to be huge, elaborate, and/or expensive. A walk in the park, a nice night indoors making cookies, or even a Netflix movie marathon can be a relationship goal you set.

The only relationship goals that should be standard across the board is finding someone who can make you happy, treat you fairly, and love you unconditionally.

Now I’m not saying that you can’t have the same relationship goals as other couples. I know I do, but majority of the goals should be based on your own likes and interests.

You should be able to have fun in your relationship and be able to communicate with one another about any and everything.

You may not know how to create your own #relationshipgoals. These simple steps to help you out:

1) Make a list of traits/activities that are important to you or fun to do when in a relationship
2) Make sure your goals are reachable
3) Ask your significant other to help you set goals for your relationship
4) Don’t set too many goals, so you won’t get overwhelmed
5) Celebrate when you meet your goals!

What are some of your #relationshipgoals? Know that your goals can change over time and that’s not a bad thing!

ABC Dating! <3

Feel like you are in a relationship rut? Maybe you’ve run out of date night places. Why not try Alphabet Dating to give you and your significant other fresh, fun, and new date night ideas!

A- Afternoon tea
B- bake a cake, cupcake, or your favorite sweet treat
C- create a couple handshake
D- double date with your best friends
E- eat at a new restaurant
F- fishing trip
G- go karting
H- hot air balloon ride
I- ice skating
J- jazz concert
K- karaoke
L- laser tagging
M- movie marathon
N- nighttime hike/walk
O- observatory visit
P- petting zoo
Q- quiz each other on your relationship/likes/dislikes, etc.
R- ride horses
S- see sunset/sunrise
T- trampoline date (checkout Skyzone!)
U- UrbanQuest
V- volleyball game
W- watch the stars/clouds together
X- Xbox gaming
Y- yoga class
Z– Zumba class

Once you complete this list, why not start over. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy your new dates! ❤

What to do for Date Night?

Every couple goes on dates, whether it’s to the movies, the zoo, for a walk in the park, wherever you go, it will definitely be a fun time spent with your significant other. The problem occurs when you don’t know what to do or where to go for your date night and you get in a rut. This list will help you get out of that rut and jump into a whole new era of date night ideas.

1) Cook your favorite meal together

If you love to eat shrimp scampi and your husband loves pasta and steak, why not set aside a few hours and cook both of your favorite meal. The two of you will have fun helping each other cook and you will definitely enjoy the meal! There will probably be food left over and that can be saved for a cute at home dinner date later in the week.

2) Have a spa day

You both have been working hard at work all week and you two really could use some rest and relaxation. Setting aside a Friday or Saturday night for back massages, foot rubs, and facials, could really be beneficial for you. You will feel happier, less stressed, and much more relaxed.

3) Stargaze/Cloud watch

Depending on if it is night or day, stargazing or cloud watching can be a perfect calming date idea. Grab a blanket or two and lay in the grass and just look up at the sky. Tell each other the pictures you see in the clouds or the constellations you can name or just relax and talk about how your day went.

4)  See a comedy/improv show

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Laughter is great for a healthy relationship and going to a comedy or improve show will add a lot of joy to your relationship. Sit back, relax, and be entertained for an evening and just forget about work, the kids, and any stresses you have.

5) Play Truth or Dare

Yes, this may seem a little childish to some people, but who says adults can’t have fun as well. Playing truth or dare with your partner can spice up your relationship and get the two of you sharing secrets and doing fun and silly activities. Whenever you two get bored just start asking the other to do some dares or reveal a secret. This is an easy way to have fun right in your home.

6) Go to a drive-in movie theatre

Put a spin on the traditional movie going date. Why not hop in the car and go to a drive in theatre where the two of you can relax and cuddle in the car and watch great movies. It’s a way to get out of the house and be entertained, while still being able to be comfortable and have some privacy.

7) Take a dance class together

Consider taking an upbeat salsa dancing class or a slow paced and romantic waltz class. The two of you will be learning a new skill together, getting a workout, and having fun! Once you learn the dances, you can have mini dance sessions around the house. Twirling and dancing around can make you feel youthful, vibrant, and bring the two of you closer together as a couple.