Summer is officially here, which means now is the time to experiment with warm weather looks, ditching our stiff and bulky denim jeans for breezy alternatives to keep us cool and comfortable inside and out. As temperatures begin to swiftly rise and we shed those stay-at-home knits, we are in dire need of cooler alternatives. Chic yet conservative, the midi skirt is a personal favorite that continues to stand the test of time, becoming more chic and playful as fashion trends continue to come and go.
The best midi skirts are those that are dressed up or down depending on the day's scheduled events, easily transitioning from day to night with a quick shoe and accessory change. Knowing no age limit, the midi ranges in a variety of prints, colors, and textures for every type of woman. Not only a favorite summer staple, this skirt can also be worn year-round from one season to the next, allowing even more style for your buck.
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 1: The Uniform
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
An alternative to the plaid mini skirt is of course the midi! I love this style because of the not-so-common blue-colored fabric, which gives a unique twist to the traditional plaid color palette. When shopping for midi skirts, look for styles with side slits for a chic yet feminine approach to compliment the longer hemmed silhouette. Pair with a cute white top and a sneaker for a bold yet comfortable summer look.
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 2: Pale Yellow
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Yellow is such an underrated color slowly making its way into mainstream fashion. It's perfect for women with darker skin tones. With this silk midi skirt, I decided to tie it in a side knot to give it an extra flair, paired with a yellow knit crop top for a stylish monochromatic daytime summer look. Perfect for a picnic date in the park, this warm-weather outfit will instantly become a favorite.
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 3: The Textured Midi
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
One of the biggest trends predicted to dominate 2020, mesh detail is a sexy and sophisticated summer style that can be easily incorporated into fun daytime looks. As to not distract from the mesh and textured design, pair with a casual top such as a lightweight tied white button-down for a swim cover-up or add a flat sandal for an eye-catching tropical look out and around town. Add statement gold earrings and a canvas bag to complete this beachy chic ensemble.
Photo by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Featured image by Shahirah Ahmed
RELATED
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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What Is a Praise Kink?
The concept of praise kinks isn't new, but thanks to TikTok, a lot of people are now realizing they might identify as praise kinksters. Currently, the hashtag #praisek1nk is trending with 568.9 million views, with tons of creators posting about their love for compliments and words of affirmation during sex. I, too, love a good compliment during sex. I once had a lover sing my praises about how good I was at a certain bedroom activity. His affirmations gave me WAP, but does that categorize me as having a praise kink?
How To Know if You Have a Praise Kink
Just because you love receiving praise doesn’t mean you have a praise kink. Someone with a praise kink experiences an intense level of sexual excitement from being praised or verbally affirmed by their partner during sex. You might have a praise kink if hearing your partner tell you how pretty you are makes you cum or if the thing that makes sex go from good to great is hearing your partner's thoughts about how good you are at giving head. And if, during solo play, the thing that gets you all hot and bothered is recalling the times your partner called you a good girl, it’s probably a praise kink.
Generally, a kink is a sexual activity that is needed for someone to enjoy sex. When it comes specifically to praise kinks, if you need reassurance from your partner that you're sexy, or good in bed in order to orgasm, you have a praise kink.
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Examples of Praise Kink Phrases To Try With Your Partner
If you’re new to the term and looking to explore, you probably have questions about what phrases to use. It may take a lot of communication and some trial and error to figure out what phrases work best for you and your partner. Ultimately, the best phrases to use vary from person to person and are based on what sex acts you and your partner enjoy, or what parts of their body they like complimented.
To get you started, here are some generic praise kink examples to try out with your partner:
Praise Kink Examples:
- You're such a good girl/boy.
- You're so good at [insert skill].
- You look so hot when you [insert activity].
- Your [insert body part] is irresistible.
- You taste so good. I can't get enough of you.
- You just have the perfect [body part].
- Just like that… you’re doing so good.
- Who taught you how to be so good at [something?]
While many examples of praise kink involve specific verbal affirmations, praise can also come in the form of brief words or phrases like “yes,” “keep going,” or simply a moan. No matter what type you prefer, praise kink is all about finding what feels good and exciting, and turns you and your partner on the most.
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Originally published on November 4, 2022