I just wanna take this time to shout out my God Jesus Christ. I wanna thank Him for all the grace and mercy He’s shown me, for this blog, my singing and fashion design career. It has been a long time coming and now without even trying, just being, things are coming together. That’s God’s grace.
Even in the midst of, and in spite of, my humanity He still loves me. That’s God’s Grace.
To be alive still, breathing, a stable job, perks and my family is God’s grace.
We all need it. It is what our hearts cry for and my prayer for all of us today is that we heed it and not take advantage of it.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
I had to update this post. In the last two months since writing this post, just as much as things are looking up, I’ve had some disappointment. I applied for a scholarship that was denied and to be an about.com editor for teen fashion that was also turned down. Both these things are things I really wanted. An immediate yes for the scholarship means that I could be carefree about the money for my schooling in Paris. The about.com job could have served as backup if the scholarship was denied.
I know that I have what it takes to susceed so why the turn downs? U know what? I’ve found that the most sucessful people today have a story to tell. They were faced with MANY setbacks and disappointments but they kept at it. They didn’t give up and they just kept trying new doors and avenues. One will open up. Just as I’m writing this two have opened up for me. I’m still going to have to save the money for Paris but I got a client for Deborah Estelle (maybe three), a possible writing gig, a way to advertise my business and two singing opportunities. See? You’ve gotta keep going forward.
I’ve learned a tremendous amount this year, one being opportunity is NOT a rare find. Rather you just need to have your eyes open to see the doors when they open. CLICK TO READ PART I (FROM OCTOBER 2006)(more…)
I’m reposting this because I’ve gotten so many hits for this one. It’s really a hot song. Give God the praise and check it out.
Okay y’all. A U ready? Coko, Fantasia, Lil’ Mo and Fiath Evans don’ come out with a remake of the Clark Sisters song Endow Me. Can we say kill it? Who? Here is the you tube link of the song. It is not the official video (just a slide show) but you can hear the song.
So, now that the holiday season is almost hear, many people are dancing and leaping into debt. NOT CUTE!!!
I hate to be this candid but I must ask why? Whywould we (in the name of G-D, holiday cheer or holiday spirit) wanna go into debt? Why would you wanna be happy for one day, 12 days or 7 only to be crying the next year?
I, for one, just worked very hard to dig myself OUT of debt. Personally, it feels good to have money in the bank “just in case”. Now, this isn’t a plea to get people to believe one thing or another. It isn’t a religious or moral rant about what you should or shouldn’t believe.
*(Some don’t celebrate ANY holidays. Some celebrate Christmas. Some Hanukkah etc.)*
My point? IF YOU’VE GOTTA SPEND THIS SEASON, BE WISE!!! And remember the season of 70% off starts December 26th.
Here are some ways to save BIG for the holidays.(more…)
Now is the time of year you can spice up your wardrobe no fuss. Got fur you are dying to wear? Chandelier earrings you wouldn’t normally put on? A low back dress that would be inappropriate for just dinner and a movie?
Just recently I became a fan of lace and have done some research to see which pieces were good picks for holiday dressing. Lace is a way to add sophistication and a little sizzle to most any special occation. I’ve viewed a tonof lace clothing and posted my fav of the bunch.
Some key things to remember about dressing in lace.
Keep accessories simple.
Don’t go head to toe lace. (Got one lace piece? It’s enough)
Know lace doesn’t have to be fussy. (Check out some of the pieces below. Ballet flats, tops and pieces with only lace accents.)
Lace doesn’t have to be black.
Have fun!!!
You know the drill… We’ll showcase both higher and lower price points.(more…)
More often than not we take time to build, and or, take care of everything (or everyone) other than ourselves. A wise man once told me that if I am a mess I can’t be of service to anyone else. I believe this is very true!
While I truly do believe we have a purpose that extends FAR beyond ourselves (and circles), I also believe that we will NEVER fully reach our potential until we step back and work on us.
Are u satisfied with your life? Do u know why? If not you should take time to get to know why. I journal. Don’t be afraid of what you see. You are who you are and will never progress until facing facts. (more…)
There are a lot of fun and easy ways to start building wealth… Or @ least to have enough money for the gas fiasco we are facing. Ha! I opened a high intrest account via ING DIRECT. I love it! My current intrest (yeilded) is 5.00%, it’s secure and easy to use. U can get the money directly deposited from your employer paycheck or a checking account from your bank. This way it is automatic. You get used to not having the money “in hand” and thus create a spending plan without it.
COME BACK, COME BACK… WALK INTO THE LIGHT CAROL ANN…
Seriously not to bore you. Financial planning can be fun. No one can dictate to you how much to save, how often or for what. It is entirely up to you but if you don’t want to join the ranks of the increasing young, fab and broke than man up. Do something for you. A couple of great reads are THE YOUNG FABULOUS AND BROKE by Suzie Orman, THE AUTOMATIC MILLIONARE by David Bach, RICH DAD POOR DAD by Robert Kiyosaki and A GIRL AND HER MONEY by Sharon Durling. No I haven’t read all of them (I have read a couple on that list) but I know from friends, some family and other money makers that they all hold valuable advice in their own perspectives. YOU CAN AFFORD TO SAVE For Some strange reason people (especially young people) are tricked into believing they can’t afford to save. Truth is you can’t afford not too. With the trend of higher intrest rates (on everything from credit cards to cars), souring gas prices, medical expenses and lay offs saving should be becoming a priority for most. However with the influence of pop culture, the green-eyed monster and the gottahaveitnow syndrome people are duped into living it up and living pay check to paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shopping, eating out, going to theathe and the nines but within reason. See you put that stuff within your spending plan. You treat saving like a paycheck to yourself and with intrest! Your money builds over time but with it being out of sight/mind the time creeps up on you and you’ll be moving toward thousandare statis in no time. Gotta love it. I will be blogging about various financial challenges, posting good financial links and advice and in the near future doing interviews with some financial experts. Check out the Don’t Say Budget and Don’t Break The Bank segments to find practical advice on budgeting, saving and styling on any income.
There is nothing like a together woman. Poised, confident, fly… What more could u ask for? Perhaps a rare combination, I am as finance conscious as I am fashion conscious. (Take that Prada!) I love making sure that I, and the women around me, are looking our very best. I marvel @ the opportunity to help my clients look their best and stay within a reasonable budget. For instance taking $300 and coming out with 3-5 outfits or at least 3-5 pieces to greatly enhance their wardrobe. It is really doable!
One of the ways to do it right is to hit the clearance racks up! Depending on your style, price point and what your wardrobe needs this can mean different things. For me it means a really great pair of shoes, coat and accessories. ( U can change a whole look by changing your outerwear, shoes and accessories)
Many stores keep a clearance rack most times of the year and depending on how the excess will have items within that season on sale. If I were shopping I’d start there. This way you can get the best value first and save the “big” spending for items that you can’t find on sale or for pieces that are worth the extra money.
Over the coming weeks I will be giving some insider shopping advice. Here are some tips for shopping clearance: (more…)
So I must showcase this fabulous woman who is also (like Elena Miro) doing something for the plus-sized market in the fashion industry. I have been following her line since it’s Debut in Fall 2005. I especially loved the Brown Sugar collection. In an industry where (again) big is NOT viewed as beautiful, it is good to see a woman who not only flaunts it but helps other women flaunt it too.
I respect her both as a designer and fellow black woman of power! I’m sure she had to overcome many obstacles and challenges to get where she is. Yet she’s doing it! Getting recognition from the likes of What Not To Wear, Essence, MiMi, Glamour, Latina, Jolie and WWD, she is well on her way to becoming a household name.
She and other women in the industry like Tyra Banks, Emme and companies like Lane Byrant and Dove are bringing it and I’m glad to see it! They are paving the way for a niche within the fashion industry that will help those of us who are next keep up the heat! If Beyonce can model a line based on her body type why can’t we? Hmmmm… MY FAVORITE PIECES AFTER THE JUMP(more…)
The wife of music Mogul Damon Dash. Mother. Fashion designer. Did I say fashion designer? I love Rachel’s line. It’s sophisticated, clean and retro. It has sex appeal without being revealing or trashy. It’s a nice mix of bohemian glam meets ’60’s care free. Her clothes are fuss free, easy to match and can add some serious style to what you already have in your closet. Her Fall/Holiday 2006 collection is very romantic. Gotta love it.
Take a look! You can also find her clothing @ www.shopbop.com . bE oN tHE lOOKOUT fOR mORE rACHEL rOY iN fASHION rEWIEWS aND dO yOU oNE bETTER… A FEW OF RACHEL’S PIECES AFTER THE JUMP…(more…)
So, this is my final update about the hoodie. Bee-yonka ain’t paying me no royalties to keep up with this info… Status? SOLD OUT!!! Sorry ladies!!! The good news? You can now purchase these on Ebay for the overprice of $355 (more than TWICE the original $79 price.) Don’t worry, don’t worry… I’m sure that mama Knowles is scrambling to produce more, OR gonna hail this as a “Dereon Exclusive”.
So, Israel Houghton (with the hat on) is my favorite gospel artist of all time! (Kim Burrell and the Clark Sisters are right behind.)
Blessed with the anointing of God, this young man and his group New Breed, bring to us the message of salvation and peace through Jesus Christ infused with his own experiences, worship and jazzy twing. I really can’t say there is a project I’ve heard that I don’t like.
My boy has done it again, and this time with A Timeless Christmas. For those of you who celebrate it, this would be a great album to own. Jonathan Butler, Lela Hathaway and Israel’s own daughter Mariah lend vocals to this project. A cute surprise included is an interlude with Israel’s son singing his own version of a Christmas song. CHECK OUT SOME VIDEOS FROM ISRAEL AFTER THE JUMP.(more…)
