Wow. It’s hard to believe that the pictures above are from 7 months ago. It feels like a lifetime. Another lifetime at that. Since I stood in that Anthropology fitting room, taking what I had hoped would be the first of many pics for my budding blog and YouTube channel, the entire world has changed. Especially here in America. After recent events, I no longer even support The Anthropology brand, which includes Beholden, their sister store that specializes in Boho-inspired wedding gowns. Not to mention, shopping malls, and the shopping experience as a whole is completely different. Fitting rooms are a thing of the past. So goodbye try-on videos, hello at-home try-on via online shopping. That’s a huge chunk of my preplanned content gone in what seemed like a blink of an eye!
That’s the thing about life. One must always be prepared for the unexpected. Even the best laid plans can be thwarted at a moments notice. This worldwide pandemic, better known as COVID-19, has literally stared all of our plans in the face and laughed! It reminds me of this old school rap song by Kool Moe Dee, “How Ya Like Me Now?” And that’s exactly what I’ve learned to do through all of this: like myself. Prior to quarantine, I constantly felt under pressure to keep up the pace. Be it my job, or peers, or social media influencers. Having been in quarantine with no one but my children, I was forced to not only take a hard look at the world around me, but also, a deep look at myself. And I found that I didn’t truly like who I was, nor who I was becoming. It was honestly my kids that showed me how to not just love myself, but also LIKE myself. They taught me that I was actually way cooler than I thought I was. And, that I was smart, and could take on any obstacle at a moments notice ( and believe you me, we’ve definitely had our moments being bound under one roof for over 3 months). Their generational confidence and ultra cool ambience projected itself onto me. And I took it and ran with it. I came to terms with myself: turning 40 in a few months, launching multiple businesses like a crazy person, and giving no fucks like the savage that I’ve always been, just on a more refined, elevated level. Pretty dope, huh?

So, as we continue to live say-to-day in this even more unpredictable world, I invite you to follow me along this journey. I will be posting snippets of this adventure along the way here on my blog, through fashion, food, beauty, and lifestyle. I will also shoot footage for my YouTube channel, aptly titled Chicago Style Cult, and on my social media @chicagstylecult via Instagram and Facebook. I also own a resell shop, LeRevival Haus, an online clothing boutique, Infamy, and produce events ( which obviously will be virtual until further notice). There’s no way possible you can ever say you’re bored. NOTE: my closest friends and family all day my life should be either a book, movie, or reality tv show. (More about that later…) Stay tuned, as this is just the beginning.

Yours in Style,

Monique