Tag Archives: style

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

The Monday Motto

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While the rest of the world seems to be hating on Mondays, here I am taking them on by force!

Monday’s tend to set the tempo for the rest of the week for me. So rather than fight them, I’ve decided to embrace them. This requires three simple things:

1. A positive attitude: this one is fairly easy. I just wake up thankful. Thankful for my family, for life, health and purpose

2. A mean face beat: I always try to make sure my makeup is on point on Mondays. It encourages me throughout the day.

3. DRESS!: My Monday outfits should epitomize the Monday Motto, POW!

Mondays are the beginning of the week. They give me another opportunity to chase my goals and my purpose. Assuring I’ve got these three things handled helps me get out the block strong and on fire like a bullet. POW!!

Happy Monday Beauties!

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

Undercover Deep Condition & Baggy

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I have never been one to leave the house in a shower cap or bonnet. It’s just not my style.  Part of my 6 month natural hair growth challenge is to deep condition once a week .  This tends to be a bit of a challenge with my schedule.  Fortunately, I can still get it done and go about my day without worrying about having to complete the entire  process before going out in public, because I’ve found a simple way to get my weekly deep condition and baggy done undercover!

Yesterday I deep conditioned with Creme of Nature’s Intensive Conditioning Treatment for several hours after co-washing .  I was able to baggy my hair after applying the deep conditioner and topped it off with a beanie for a suitable daytime look.  My hair was able to get the treatment it needed while I did what I needed to do for the day.  A face beat and casual chic outfit helped to complete the day’s style and I was more than satisfied with the overall look.

After my deep condition process was complete I finished the night off with one of my go to protective styles, small twists.  They came out extremely moisturized!

So naturalistas…no more putting off your deep condition routine because you’re too busy.  Just deep condition, baggy, beanie and be you beauties!

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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

A Classic Style for My Bestie’s Wedding

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This past weekend was my best friend’s wedding, and it was perfect.  I felt so honored to be her Matron of Honor.  There was a bit of a struggle on my end as to whether I should straighten my hair for the wedding or go with a natural up do.  So, I left it up to the bride and she wanted me to go with a classic up do, so that’s exactly what I did.  Here are some pics from start to the final look.  She was very pleased which was my number one goal.  I used the Cantu Creamy Hair Lotion and Eco Styler with Olive Oil to achieve this look.

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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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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Done Fearing the Fro

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After being natural for going on 3 years now, I’ve FINALLY started to embrace my hair in its fullest state.  I know a lot of women who are transitioning and terrified of the fro, feeling like it’s a style that they just couldn’t wear and look good.  I felt the same way for a long time.  In addition to not thinking I could pull it off, I was under the impression that the fro hadn’t been in style since the 70s.  I honestly thought, “Who really wears fros anymore?”  Little did I know there was an entire movement of naturalistas fiercely rocking their Be You Beauty.  To my defense, when your hair has been relaxed for more than half your life this is the kind of mentality you can be subject to.  So even after I decided to take the leap and “somewhat” embrace my natural hair I’d always make sure it was prepped so that it had some type of curl definition whether it was in a braid out, twist out, or defining my natural curl pattern with gel.  Well, I am proud to say that the days of feeling the need to do that are gone!  I have officially embraced my fro, adding yet another liberating experience to the book of my natural hair journey.

I have to admit there are some key products that have played a big roll in me embracing and loving my fro.  The Cantu Leave-in Conditioner and Cantu’s new Hair Lotion have made my fro experience incredible. I am loving these products and have gotten tons of positive feedback on my results.  Now, whether it’s actually the look of my fierce fro or the new level of Be You Beauty confidence I’ve achieved that’s bringing this feedback is undetermined and frankly irrelevant.  The point is…I feel fearless rocking my fro!

Fo details on how I achieve this fro, check out my YouTube video below.  Be You Beauties!

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