#mood | sideboob + mustard yellow + other things

collection of instagram photos that inspire me

1. Sideboob
It probably isn't necessary that I speak much on it because I think everyone can appreciate a great low cut armhole. That being said, the past couple of years, with the whole "crop top" craze, the sideboob has become widely underappreciated as a way to "sex up" any outfit. However, as we are feeling out this moment in body suits, sideboob is coming back with a vengeance and I'm a fan of the daring/carefree look. Also, it gives me a reason to not where a bra. #freethenipple #freethesideboob

2, Plants
Over the course of the summer, my little brother and I have been growing a pepper plant in our back yard I've become attached to it as if it were my child. This made me realize that I'm kind of a green thumb (let's ignore the fact that I killed my cactus in college). As I'm planning my big move to a new place with a new job, I'm thinking greenery will be a central focus. I just want to grow a garden. Cover me in ivy.

3. Vintage Furniture
The first step in basic girls anonymous is to admit that I fell victim to the minimalist craze -- and I don't mean the actual lifestyle where you eliminate excess -- I mean wearing only black and white and having a sterile designed apartment. I've admitted my mistake and I'm working to move on. Please accept my apology. As a turn of events, I'm kind of embracing the 70s trend (as far as colors are concerned) and I just want a bunch of eclectic pieces in my home that have meaning and like histories and shit. IKEA is cute and all but why not buy a pink velour chaise to drink wine on in a silk robe? Embrace the gaudy and kitsch.

4. Statement Accessories
The only jewelry I wear at this point are two pairs of silver hoop earrings of different sizes and various chokers (including the denim choker that I sell here). I'm making a change though, as I've been massively inspired by the dangling earring trend and like monochrome colored structured bags. As an adult woman, I feel like I need to invest in statement pieces, not that I was ever interested in the cheap costume jewelry found fast fashion chains.

5. Monochrome Shoes
My shoe game at this point is WEAK. I literally have not bought new everyday shoes in probably almost a year and that's sad; I tear up a bit every time I look at my tragic collection. A lot of the reason why I haven't been purchasing new kicks is because I'm very uninspired by the true trends recently and I have yet to find the right shoe at the right price point. However, I have been eyeing a couple different pairs that are monochrome and in really bright colors like the ones in the collage as well as bright red Adidas. Imagine my whole outfit being the same color or even bright shoes with an all black outfit????? I have chills.

6. Jumpsuits
If all goes well, you guys should be getting a jumpsuit DIY in the very near future because I'm massively inspired and I have a shit ton of thrifted denim fabric. Jumpsuits are truly effortless and perfect, and an especially trend silhouette are the ones with culotte trousers. Honestly, I feel as though every cool, artsy late 20s/early 30s hip chick has at least three  jumpsuits in her closet -- if not more -- and I'm turning 22 next week so I better start my collection, right?

7. Mustard Yellow
So pictured above in the yellow sweater is Mick Jenkins who is an amazing and super conscious but not in a pedantic and pretentious way. He is the embodiment of "woke but chill" so listen to some of his shit here. You're welcome. Anyway, I'm really into the idea of men wearing mustard yellow, especially someone with a complexion like mine or Mick Jenkins -- that color was MADE for us. My previous statement is so the opposite of what I used to believe, like I used to not wear colors like yellow because I didn't like the way it looked with skin tone but that was 100% in my head and stupid. The idea that you can't wear certain colors because of your skin tone is a myth; wear whatever the hell you want!

 I'm really passionate about this color if you couldn't tell.

8. Graphic Tees
I have a love/hate relationship with graphic tees if I'm being honest. I never was a fan of wearing band tees and that goes for bands I actually liked. Nothing made me gag more than that fashion moment we had where it was quirky and cool to wear band tees with skaters skirts and oxford shoes/converse -- PUKE. A trend in the graphic tee style that has really piqued my interest is embroidery and small graphics actually depicting works of art. I'm starting to see these things pop up in marketplaces like Etsy and StoreEnvy as well as fast fashion stores like Zara/Forever 21 and that's a movement I can get behind.



Following small shops and creatives on Instagram have renewed my faith in fashion. So I pose this question to all of you: what would be on your mood-board for this month/season?

What is CNDC?

For those who do not know me personally, my name is Candace. And before you are completely confused by the title of this blog, "itscndc," it's a nod to my past username phase from high school while also incorporating my future brand. CNDC (pronounced not as my name but as C-N-D-C) as it stands right now is a recycle denim accessory line. The thing that is most important to me in pursuing a career in this industry is to continue to be conscious. Being conscious not only includes being environmentally sustainable, but also making sure the rights of humans are upheld (even though it's just me at this point, haha). For me though, human rights does not solely mean not supporting the sweatshop supply chain, but also being conscious of marketing and branding so as to be as inclusive as possible.

CNDC is a brand that is supportive of women first. I hope to feature queer women, women of color, and plus-size women as much as possible because they are often forgotten. As a black woman with a black-owned business, I will never sacrifice ethics for PR. These ethics are the foundation of CNDC, these features of the brand will remain stagnant. That being said, the brand itself will grow and change as I do. The product I sell now will not be the same product I sell in the future in my pursuit to stay current. CNDC is a journey. "ITSCNDC" is my documentation of that journey.

For me, this is a constant reminder to move and create. I hope to not only inspire myself, but to inspire others. That's what "CNDC" is.

Not to mention, you can shop the chokers above here!