WOW! It's been almost two years since I've last been here and A LOT has happened. Firstly, for those who are here for the first time...Welcome! This is my lifestyle blog where I share must-haves whether it be in fashion, at home or the office, things with my kids (I had a new baby this year, ya'll!) or anything I find "newsworthy" enough to share!

Secondly, thank you so much for even taking the time out to read anything that lil' ol' me has to say! You all legit make this so interesting and possible and because of your feedback and interactions, I get inspired to continue to do this - so thank you, truly.

This year has been the year where my brand, Maxine Franco, (who I have with my business partner, Amanda maxine) has blossomed! We are definitely coming into our own and have launched a brand that caters to women in business and young professionals alike, whether you're a creative or a corporate cutie. We take the boring out of the traditional work suits and workwear and add a whole lot of flavor to it and guess what?? We do it by up cycling and repurposing! It's like franken-steining the old with modern details! - Brilliant. Check out our latest"Zoot Suits" collection out now.

My partner Amanda and I at our Maxine Franco Happy Hour Launch, Rocking of course #MaxineFranco

Our Maxine Franco Muses in the "Zoot Suits" Fall 2019 Collection

Be sure to visit our site and show us love on our instagram, @maxine_franco



Stay tuned for more! XOXO

Ownership!

I keep taking these month(s) long hiatuses and understandably so, that's not a good look (get-it-together, Icely!). I know, I get it but I've been focusing on another level of accomplishments and that is...ya girl is a homeowner now! Okuurrrrr! Look at me adulting and stuff! LOL...

This year has been a very trying but blessed year. I took time off from doing what I love which is writing (of course in the form of blogging most of all) and wardrobe styling and decided to focus on my new home. What I can tell you all out there (especially at the ripe age of 26 LOL, let me live)... is that I've never felt better now that I own something and highly encourage it! I especially encourage it amongst my black and brown people mainly because we aren't taught, at least in a good amount of Latino or Caribbean homes that I know of personally; about our finances, how to organize budgets nor how to create & maintain credit and understandably so. In general, buying a home can be a lucrative move for the long run, if done right...but it sure takes a lot of time! *As I sip my 2nd cup of coffee trying to organize before my baby gets home from school!*

You have to make sure that the house you decide on is being purchased for what it's WORTH. When we were purchasing our home, it was valued at a much higher price than what we settled for; and that's only because after the inspectors and appraisers came, it was confirmed that we can re-negotiate the price. Our broker wasn't a humongous help (still love you Donna girl), only because I was the one that searched endlessly and found the house but she did give us a run-down of what to expect with contracts and at "closing" (the final step before getting your home); So, she was a great help nonetheless (sorry D, I was kidding before!). I do recommend a great licensed broker/ real estate agent; perks of having a broker is that you'll save time looking, especially if you have a deadline. Your broker (depending on the rapport you have or have built with her/ him) will tell you the In's and Out's of buying/renting and which landlords or neighborhoods to avoid, for whichever reason; and honestly, ASK they'll tell you anyway.

I know what you're thinking..."GIRL BYE, you have no idea how hard it is to come up with the $$ to buy anything, especially in N.Y., So STFU!"..and yes, yes it's hella difficult BUT fear not! There is something called 'FHA loans' which every bank offers (it's a federal loan!). What do you need to qualify for such a thing?! To be a first time home buyer! And it isn't a one time thing. Say you by a house today and 5 years from now, you're ready to rent it out and now want to buy another house...BOOM! *You qualify yet again for an FHA loan! (This may vary from state to state). They even give free classes/ seminars on how to save $$ and what to expect as an owner (I manage a realty so I'm learning these cool ass perks as I go and I just wanna share them all!).

On your conquest for a new home, it's safe to say that you're better off investing in a house that already has a renovated/ updated kitchen and bathroom (if you can). Our bathroom needed to be updated BADLY and it honestly took us three months to fully gut it out and renovate. Pain.In.the.Ass..of a process! BUT very worth it as we just added value to our house by doing so. As long as your exterior "damages" are all set, you'll also be in good standing with your home insurance but thats another story!

It's still undergoing some work but we couldn't be happier! All you really need is 10k (I'm talking from an NYC perspective!) to invest in something good, whether it be a business or home and just follow through with maintenance!

Of course I've been in the mood to design and decorate everything, so decided to put together a collage of 'dream rooms' I've been thinking of. (see below)

I hand selected, adjusted, and positioned EVERY item in each room, down to this striped "paint"
above which were just lines that I jazzed up!

I love a neutral color living room w/ a pop of color and small designer or corky details!

I'd like for the art in my actual home to be cultural & social relativity pieces, commissioned pieces by friends or
a bunch of Frida Kahlo pieces.

Can you tell I have a real life baby girl? I tried to cram all of my ideas into this one room, LOL.

Mens/ Boy room - Although I'm allll about gender neutrality! I'd def. take this room!

*Go to any of your local banks or any of your preferred banks to find out about FHA loans.

Want details on these rooms and items? Check out my Polyvore page at IcelyXo

Have any questions for me? Feel free to message me: Iceleefox@gmail.com

Ciao! xo

My Styling Shoot

I've been honestly procrastinating to put my much-awaited and anticipated photoshoot pictures which I teamed up with Melanie Gonzalez ART and Skool Lunch Media's Stefen Ayobe to make happen. I wanted to make sure that I had the photographer's approval (Melanie Gonzalez) and that everything was perfect and beautiful..just like I imagined it. I swear I felt like an editorial princess (even though we ran into some mishaps with clothing, LOL) but I managed to put together two of my favorite looks and was directed and shot by an amazing team!

Icely Franco (That's meee!)

Styled by: Me
(All clothes were my own)

Another one *in my best DJ Khaled voice*

Holding this pose was painful but obviously worth it! *Jaw drops*

One of my favorite shots, by far.

I really had an amazing time styling, doing my own make-up and doing my own hair (although I looked like a wet chicken at one point) for the entire process. Melanie did an amazing job shooting me and Mr. Ayobe brought such an incredible energy to his set along with Daniel! I'd like to thank all of those who contributed into making my 'fits come to life and for making me have so much fun on set! And stay tuned because this for surely isn't the last time that I'll be working with them!

If anyone has any questions about the clothing or anything about the shoot, feel free to send me an e-mail at Iceleefoxx@gmail.com :) Toodles!

- xo

MelanieGonzalezArt x SkoolLunchMedia

Hope this past weekend treated you all so well and so blessed like it did to me! I was able to spend it with family but also had an amazing time shooting for my blog with #SkoolLunchMedia x #MelanieGonzalezArt.

After struggling on the train from Brooklyn to Harlem (next time my behind will be driving but I was honestly in a rush), we were able to make some magic. Melanie, my dear sister and photography genius shot some amazing looks along with Stefen from Skool Lunch Media which I had the pleasure of styling!

Here are some behind the scene looks:

Make-up and hair done by myself as well (after much wetting and primping and looking like a wet chicken, Melanie's pins came through and held a sista' down, literally..haha).

*Melanin poppin'*

The exclusive pics are coming soon. I'm so excited about these looks and more upcoming projects! I'm so honored to work with such talented and diverse individuals.

Hope you all stick with me to ride this insanely dope wave that's just going to continue to grow.

For more awesome visuals from Melanie, you can check out her Instagram: @Melanokis 

or visit her site: www.melaniegee.com

- xo

Muva Moves

I find it that as a young mom, I get asked a lot of questions or even suggestions about how I handle certain things with Kam, on a lifestyle basis and even on a fashion basis. I'm the type of person that I'm very nurturing and I want to see people do well, no matter what. So if that means giving advice for what's worked for my child and I, I'm open to share.

With that being said, this product literally saved Kam and I when she was just three months. She had a very bad cold and couldn't breathe because she obviously couldn't blow her nose. I used the Nose Frida Snot Sucker (I know, sounds super gross but it really isn't that icky and awful) and it was like the gates of Heaven itself opened!

   

Before you get extremely grossed out, NO, you don't taste the boogers. It actually has a spongy filter which prevents you from transferring germs...and eating snot.

The packaging comes with 4 filters. The pack of filters pictured above was actually purchased separately.

Kam currently has a cold (story of a mom of a toddler in school) and it's been helping me get that extra sticky mucus (barf) right out, making my sleepless nights a whole lot better.

If you have a little one, this is a must-have! It's available at any Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Babies R' Us or Duane Reade or at Drugstore.com

Much luck to my beautiful moms and dads out there!

- xo