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Extraordinary not ordinary!

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The main reason I decided to go natural nearly 3 years ago was simply because I wanted a change. Ever since I took that leap I have been absolutely fascinated with my tresses.

I think of my natural hair as a fun and healthy way to escape the mundane. It allows me the opportunity to go from one look to another without a terrible amount of work.

My natural hair has kept my life and the lives of others just a little more interesting than it would otherwise be. I used to work with a guy who tried to track my hair styles every single day! He finally got to the point where he just couldn’t keep up.

At the end if the day I think of it like this, the Bible says that we are the salt of the earth. Salt ads flavor, which is precisely what I try to do every day. When I walk into a room the atmosphere should change. When people look at me they should see extraordinary not ordinary! Holy Spirit is what truly brings that out. Taking advantage of my natural hair’s versatility offers that extra special something. After all, what’s fine cuisine without garnish?

Be you beauties!

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Pushing the Corporate Envelope

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I LOVE pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing my natural hair at work.  I’m in a corporate environment Monday – Friday 7:30 to 4:30 so every day I do my hair in the morning I’m thinking of yet another way that I can do something a little more outstanding than the day before.  Being one of 3 african american individuals on the floor I work on, blending in isn’t really an option.  And I am truly thankful for that!  Outside of the fact that the Book calls me the salt of the earth, intended to offer a bit of spiritual flavor to an otherwise bland atmosphere, I love the idea of contradicting a corporately correct fit with a curly fro or super high mega bun.  I love being different.  My natural hair affords me the opportunity to be different every single day.  Holy Spirit lives in me and my every day goal is to change the atmosphere he puts me in.  Some love me and others love to hate me.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that I love me.

Don’t be afraid of wearing your natural hair styles at work. Don’t fear that they could potentially hold you back from advancement. God is your source, your job, is just a resource. Love yourself. Be yourself. And the next time you think about wearing that style you’re just not sure is ok for work…go for it. And don’t just wear it, OWN IT!

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Curly Support

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I partnered with an incredible woman tonight who owns a fabulous fashion mobile boutique.  White Tent Runway  is leading the mobile boutique revolution in the Tampa Bay area and stays on the cutting edge of fashion trends.

I had the opportunity to talk to several ladies who are either natural or currently transitioning at the boutique’s first Friday event, Style Studio.  As I encouraged them on their journey’s and offered various natural hair tips based on my experiences I couldn’t help but think about the importance of that kind of interaction when you are in the midst of such a significant change as transitioning.

You may not realize it initially, but not everyone is going to be supportive of your decision.  Unless you are fully committed to your natural hair journey there is a good probability that you will not make it to the point of truly being able to enjoy your natural hair.   During your transition or post big chop people will look at you sideways and make rude remarks, and unless you are confident, know who you are and love yourself completely, you could easily be persuaded to give up on your journey and revert back to your relaxed hair. If you’re going to do this, you’re going to need curly support!

Staying encouraged by surrounding yourself with people who are supportive of your decision to embrace your natural hair texture is critical!  Find inspiration and motivation to stay committed to your journey through other naturals.  Visit YouTube and find channels that keep you positive.  I encourage you to check out my channel here.  Talk to other naturals that you know and trade products and tips.  Keep it fun.  This is an exciting time in your life.  Don’t let people who are  unsupportive bring you down.  The quote below sums it up  It’s only a matter of time before they start asking you how you achieved such gorgeous hair so don’t give up!

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BEAUTY, FASHION

No Better Season for Shoes

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I don’t think there is a season better than fall for rocking ridiculously awesome shoes.  The options and versatility of shoes for fall are endless!  From strappy heels to pumps, wedges, booties, boots and sneakers, it doesn’t get much better for a shoe lover than the beautiful season of fall.

I recently happened upon this incredibly unique pair of Zigisoho wedged booties.  I wore them for the first time today and I don’t think I’ve ever had so many conversations with so many different people in one day about my shoes!  It was crazy.  I absolutely love the color contrast between the gray on the shoe and taupe chunky strap Not to mention the texture of the shoe which also suites the season nicely  I’d definitely say these shoes are well worth the $30 I paid on clearance with my $10 coupon at DSW. Doesn’t get much better than that.  As a Florida girl I welcome the season of fall to the sunshine state just as happily as I welcomed this great pair of booties to my feet!

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

Mirror Mirror in the Handicap Stall

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Sometimes, going to the bathroom has absolutely nothing to do with going to the bathroom.  That’s probably more true for me than most other people.  I go to the bathroom several times a day just to look at myself.   No, I’m not narcissistic and yes, I have a healthy level of self-esteem.  My reasoning is completely rationale, at least for me.

Part of my Be You Beauty is my love for makeup.  Doing an incredible face beat always makes me feel good.  They say that when you look good you feel good and it really is true!  Despite what may be going wrong in my work day all I have to do is take a trip to the ladies room, lock myself in the handicap stall and look at myself.  I know that probably sounds crazy but in addition to some chat time with JC, it really helps me get through!  I figure hey, it’s ok to have a rough day, but don’t look like it.  And you know what I’ve noticed, the way that I look has a positive affect on the people around me too.  I can’t tell you how many conversations I have a day with different people about my makeup, hair, clothes or nail color.  I think that the effort I put into my appearance inspires others and encourages them to separate themselves from their every day grind.  This is not at all my primary intention but it makes me feel good to have a positive affect on others nonetheless.  Anything I can do, consciously or subconsciously that encourages women to embrace their Be You Beauty is part of me walking in my purpose.

So tomorrow if things get rough, maybe you should take an extra trip to the bathroom.

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

My Color Obsession

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There’s nothing like have a trending style fall totally in line with something you already love.  That’s pretty much how I feel this fall about the trending color of cobalt blue, my absolute color obsession.  This color is so rich, vibrant and beautiful.  I honestly can’t get enough. Spring, summer, fall, winter…whatever!  I wear it year round.  But how awesome it is to actually have it trend for the fall season this year.  As a result, I’ve taken it to the next level because, well, why not! Whenever I have an opportunity to pull this beautiful blue tone into my look, I do it. I especially enjoy using it as a pop of color but am NOT afraid to to pile on the cobalt and pair it with a deep colored lip for a more dramatic look. I am totally looking forward to discovering new ways to wear  this great color. I was inevitably going to bring it into my look for fall anyway, it’s just a bonus that it happens to be trending.  Rocking my Be You Beauty has never been so fashionably colorful and fierce! Here is  a sampling of me styling my ultimate color obsession!

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

My Color Obsession

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There’s nothing like have a trending style fall totally in line with something you already love.  That’s pretty much how I feel this fall about the trending color of cobalt blue, my absolute color obsession.  This color is so rich, vibrant and beautiful.  I honestly can’t get enough. Spring, summer, fall, winter…whatever!  I wear it year round.  But how awesome it is to actually have it trend for the fall season this year.  As a result, I’ve taken it to the next level because, well, why not! Whenever I have an opportunity to pull this beautiful blue tone into my look, I do it. I especially enjoy using it as a pop of color but am NOT afraid to to pile on the cobalt and pair it with a deep colored lip for a more dramatic look. I am totally looking forward to discovering new ways to wear  this great color. I was inevitably going to bring it into my look for fall anyway, it’s just a bonus that it happens to be trending.  Rocking my Be You Beauty has never been so fashionably colorful and fierce! Here is  a sampling of me styling my ultimate color obsession!

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FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

A thrifted jacket & Big hair

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Paired this super nice thrifted jacket with this sort of snake skin patterned dress from Macy’s with pops of cobalt and purple. Topped it off with a beat face of purple tones including this incredible lipstick by Revlon VaVa Violet. And I can’t forget this 5 day old wash and go with tons of volume. Love! Happy Friday :o)

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BEAUTY, SELF LOVE

Red Lips…Scandalous?

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In honor of my most favorite season and my current TV obsession which premiers tomorrow(!!!) I thought it would be fun to talk about the scandalous topic of red lips.

 As we’ve approached the beautiful season of fall I’ve been particularly drawn to red lipstick because really, what is fall without red!?  Now, this is nothing incredibly new for me as I love to adorn my lips in red, but it made me wonder about the translation of a woman in red lipstick and if there is a stigma attached to women who enjoy wearing the bold color on their lips? I did a little research as this seems to be a very popular topic. 

 Here’s what I learned…

People translate red lips in several different ways.  Some think that wearing red lipstick makes a woman intimidating as it tends to exude power, others think that it can enhance your level of confidence and bravery, and then there are those that think red lipstick translates into purse sex appeal and even a heightened likelihood of being more willing to participate in sexual activity.  In short…if you wear red lipstick there’s a chance that you could easy. 

The Huffington Post did a very interesting article about red lipstick earlier this year that included some very interesting studies about how men and women subconsciously respond to women in red lipstick.  Check out the complete article here

PERSONALLY….I think that red lipstick is fabulous. And here are my reasons why:

·        I think it looks nice on me

·        I LOVE pops of color and nothing pops quite like red lips

·        It is timeless and never goes out of style

·        It can offer such a classic look and I love classic

·        It boosts my confidence

So pretty much, all of the reasons I love red lipstick have nothing to do with anyone but me. At the end of the day the various translations of red lips are meaningless unless I give them merit. As far as I’m concerned wearing red lipstick is just another part of me, being me. And my true BeYou-ty starts there.  POW!

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