Winter Weather Wear

This is a pic I took outside today of all the snowfall - so beautiful.

 Overall, I'm in my floral fitting overalls :-), and they're super comfy and cute during this time of the year, don't you think? :-), especially with the brisk of the weather as it is right now - snow, snow, and more snow. It's so cold that if you're not wearing gloves you can easily get frost bite, and I went outside oblivious to this fact trying to clear the snow off the car, and in little to no time, my fingers were near frozen. I quickly cupped my fingers and put them up to my mouth and blew hot hair from my body onto them. It worked as it enabled me to finish the job, but they really got thawed out inside the car after I was through scraping icicle cubes from the car windshield, sides and rear view windows. So, survival thinking kicked in as it always does when we're in dire straits, so I placed my fingers directly in front of the heat vents - ahhhhh! I was so relieved.

Anyway, for the life of me, I really don't know where my leather pair of gloves are, and I really didn't have time to look for them. I was simply trying to get out the door to go do some grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market to get us through the next few days of  the winter storm that has taken out power and water for many in our county. Thus, I'm so grateful that's not the case for us on this side of the fence.

Anyhoo! Here's to gearing up for this winter chill the right way - be sure to pull out the big guns, like your heavy coats, scarves, gloves/mittens, hats, boots, sweaters, undergarment thermals, tights, etc..

Well, that's all she wrote until next time...take care, guys and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!  Be safe too.

Peace + Blessings + Success! :-)

WHAT I'M WEARING:

My big chop...lots of laugh :-)....Fur hooded goose down, mid-calf coat and cardigan by Calvin Klein - bought them some years ago at Macy's while on sale, Tory Burch suede/fur winter boots - a great steal that I bought from Neiman Marcus' "Last Call" store, a necklace and bracelets made by yours truly - me. More of my designs can be found at Style Haberdashery. I'm aslo wearing Mineral Fusion eyeliner and lipstick, by color name - "Alluring", bought them from Whole Foods Market, hand painted earrings by Wild Heart Bliss, and my floral jumpsuit by Zara. 

Perspectively Styled In The Green, With The Attitude Of Gratitude

This year started off slow and perpetually sped by like lightning in its last few months. So much, that we're just a month away from crossing over and closing out this baby. Well, I hope it's been a great run for all of you, either as means to realizing and accomplishing your dreams/goals, or you've learned a lot along the way, taking note of what didn't work and that have now allowed you to plan effectively for the one ahead of us, 2014. So, whether you've planned or achieved massive amount of success or little thereof it, you've definitely come a long way, so, be proud of that, as a little can go very far when you look at it with the right perspective - a gain instead of a loss.

Should the merits of your gain is the latter of a little, then take the cons of this year and turn them into pros for next year. Rework, revise, and renew your plan to stand strong next year where it fell weak for this one. Remember, life is about lessons learned. Therefore, don't take things so seriously. Shake it off. Rise up from the ashes of what didn't work and grab hold of what little success you did gain and soar like an eagle with it to higher heights to the calling of your heart's desires and where you want to be - that happy, joyous, peaceful, and abundantly flowing and glowing and beautiful place in life.

It's also good to keep yourself reminded that "The race is not for the swift, nor the strong but for the ones who can endure it 'til the end". It is that sort of thinking that'll keep you from being so hard on yourself and get you through your challenges in life. Nothing is ever a failure if you keep that in mind and know that there's a positive within every negative. There's a yin to every yang and vice versa. Therefore, it's wise to take the good from the bad and make the best of it. So, take it easy. Take it light and plan ahead and let 2014 (7) take you to higher heights.

Nonetheless, it's not about how you started. It's about how you finish, and with that, you still have a month to go in making things happen. So, plan ahead, but don't close out so soon. There's still time left where alot can be done to be achieved. There are folks that have turned their lives around in just one month, with the making of just one decision that came at the opportune time. Therefore, timing is everything, and this last month may just be your time to finish strong. Whether it's as little as kicking a bad habit of drinking, smoking, or partying too heavily, writing that book, making those phone calls. It could be to still lose some unwanted pounds, even if it's 5lbs or 10lbs, etc., the list goes on and on; at least, it'll move you closer to your dreams. So, don't stop here now. The key is not to quit - don't give up. Don't check out so soon. You're near the finish line. There's still time left to turn it around. It all depends upon how you perceive it through your mind's eye. So, go get 'em tiger! :-) I'm rooting for you every step of the way. You can more than do it.

Speaking of closing out strong and furious, I gained a new skill this year, designing jewelry. I decided to make the best use of some idle time that I had and turn it into something useful and productive. So, I went out one day to satisfy my long thirst to design jewelry, along with learning how to sew using a sewing machine ( Fyi, I already know how to hand stitch with a needle - thanks to my beloved grandmother who've transitioned on to the heavenly realms - blessings to her soul). It's been itching at me to get going with it, and so, I got up and went out to visit a nearby bead shop I'd stumble upon some months before that inclination to now go there and inquire about buying some beads, to at least begin my desire to give it a go and create something from my own  God-given, intelligent, oceanic flow of creativity - the kind that's granted to you from the Universal God. It was out of that curiosity to enter therein that I learned that the shop owner also taught classes, and they were free. I simply couldn't believe it, but after purchasing quite a few semi-precious and precious gems, stones, and beads, strings and cords, etc., she was impressed with my eye for design and the quality from the pieces that I had chosen, as I laid them out and put them together on the table in her store. That is how I design - I see things in the moment, how well they can work with each other, and I then pull them together in just a flash of the light to what I envisioned or see. Furthermore, as means to some type of concrete confirmation from the Divine Guide above that I've come to the right place and is now moving in the right direction, the other customers came around ooohing and ahhing too at my creative vision ( I really wasn't expecting that...I didn't even think anyone was interested in what I was doing there, except me). Anyway, she went on to say, "I teach classes here every Thursday for free. You can stop in anytime, and I'll be more than happy to teach you how to construct those pieces." I was thinking in that moment, wow! Yet again, the Universal God has brought to me that which I need to get done what I want to do, and I'm grateful for being an obedient student at Its guide and will. So, here I am well on my way to honing this skill of constructing pieces that I love and faithing it that the rest of the world will too. So, I went all gungho design-happy wild 'n' crazy, creating now over 20 pieces in less than a month, considering being a newbie, with still more to go before the year is out. So, if I've done nothing else, at the least, I've done that - gain a new and exciting, soul-quenching skill to add beauty the world through the art of jewelry design. You can view them all here at www.stylehaberdashery.etsy.com. However, here's one that's to the tune of what's emerald in the green spectrum of the color of the year. Great way to close out by rocking this gorgeous green number, namely so, the "Heart Blown Bead Knotted Necklace" - simply beautiful!

To say the least, I'm truly grateful that I've gained what I had not before - a new skill of the trade - a new expression of my creativity, and it is through the right perspective that I've come to see it as such, as I could have easily chosen to be down on myself and negative about all that didn't go right, but, instead, I chose to look at what I've learned and what was gained, as "Gratitude is based upon perspective, not possessions, and what we appreciate - appreciates; it rises in value, and what you nourish will ultimately flourish." So, gain the right perspective, appreciate it, and nourish it in order to turn a little gained into a lot, as the attitude of gratitude makes room for you to receive so much more, material and/or spiritual. So, while planning for next year, don't forget to write down as means to give thanks for your wins - your gains, no matter how big or small. This Thanksgiving, for those who do celebrate it, give each person seated at the dinner table a chance to express their thanks/gratitude, telling of what they've learned or gained this year thus far. It'll open up a window of continued blessings to bigger and better things to come for this last month that awaits us and for the year ahead.

See below a stem of my creation from a new skill gained this year and to that I'm grateful for:

This piece, *Heart Blown Bead Knotted Necklace* was inspired by my explore of nature during the Summer months.

Well, with all that's said, I believe you'll close out this year strong and know that nothing's at loss, instead a gain when we look at it all with the right perspective. So, go forth and make the best of what's left of this year. Let the right perspective propel you forward and upward to where your heart desire.

Peace + success + blessings to you all!

Here I Am as I AM - Styled To Be Me

I've never felt more empowered and liberated in all my life than the day I decided to transition from
relaxed hair to going back to the hair that naturally stems from my roots. I have truly come full circle with myself, that I now feel absolutely complete. Though, I've never been the one to conform to society's definition of beauty: fake hair, nails, boobs, lashes, eye color, nose jobs, etc., etc. and as it seems most around me were doing. I simply stood my ground and held fast to who I am and what I strongly believe in - being me to the fullest and naturally too, without any fake additions or facade of myself. I chose to remain me, and that's the woman that you look at today, whether in pictures or in person.

The decision to relax my hair was done outside of my will, when my mom felt it was a good idea to relax my hair as a girl upon moving here to the US. She thought it would be easier to manage for her and to the conditioning of the mind regarding what's acceptable as beauty by society. I totally didn't understand that as a child, as I was used to having and wearing my natural hair. It was all that I knew, loved, and embraced. So, of course, naturally, I was resistant to such change.

Anyway, here I was now, on my own terms and after getting used to the idea and action of relaxing my hair, never really thinking or was conscious of the harmful effects it was having on me, I would perm my hair over and over again as I saw just about everyone doing, while my scalp was being burned and bled clear liquids - so much that it left my scalp in agony when touched. My hair was damaged, broke off in places where it was burned/over processed, and then by some sort of automatic programming, I would go back a month later to pay someone (hairstylist) to repeat the same torturous process that I've experienced and unconsciously accepted. It was in that moment last year that it all suddenly became clear to me of how crazy that was to do. So, I stopped. In an instant, I decided to do away with relaxing my hair.

Mind you, when I initially got a relaxer my hair was coily, and when it was relaxed to be straightened, it went flowing down my back. So, I now had all this extra length that I didn't have before and that was truly exciting to me. So, the idea to continue relaxing was enticed by what seemed like such a convenience and effortless way to care for and manage my hair. How joyous was the feeling of inclusionary illusion that carried me further away from the truthful reality of it all, that it was actually of no good to my hair, my brain, and/or my blood, for as we all should know by now, whatever you place on your skin, hair/scalp gets into your blood stream after a few minutes if not seconds of applying it. Therefore, I was pretty much damaging myself to the tune of convenience and  to what was deluded to me as simplicity and beauty.

To the say the least, I am so glad the day I awakened to the truth that relaxers were never a good idea. Thanks but no thanks, Garrett A. Morgan (not Madam C.J. Walter as most believe). Mr. Morgan invented hair relaxers back in 1877 in thinking that he was doing us women of a darker hue a favor. Though, to give respect and show credit where it's due, I do appreciate his other more meaningful inventions, such as the three-light traffic signal. Anyway, my natural hair journey of returning back to my roots began in November of last year (2012). So, this month is actually my one-year anniversary of transitioning. Although, with transitioning from relaxed back to natural, the big mistake I made was not to do the "Big Chop". Hence, why I ended up with so many split ends/breakage from the remaining portions of my relaxed hair that ate up my hair as it was growing out. I kept telling myself that if I took really great care of it that somehow the split ends would magically subside and be no more (like abracadabra, poof be gone, l-o-l) - right, another way of holding on to what I needed to let go of - the mind the mind, will certainly play tricks on you if you let it.

Well, that thinking was an illusion to my hair's demise that left me trimming away at split ends, only to come to the realization of just how bad and far the split ends had traveled up my hair shaft, near the roots. So, Sunday night, November 10, 2013, a year later, I decided to take a rather brave step and  chop it all off and start from scratch the right way. The lesson here is to do things right the first time. It'll save you time and give to you the desired result that you seek. So, the pic above is me, right now, as I am: no foundation, just my skin, some eyeliner, eyeshadow, and lipstick to enhance what I already am in the flesh and in spirit too, as I'm now fully living my truth - the truth of who I AM and what I've become - the natural me, and I couldn't be happier that I've found myself again! Thank God I AM healed. I AM whole. I AM complete - the way it should be. Now, I can move forward totally wild and free to be me. :-)

Take care guys and would you be so kind to like, subscribe, and share what you've found here. It could be of some sort of encouragement or inspiration to others. Don't forget to comment too and let me know what you're thinking or would like to add to this post. Your questions are also welcome.

Remember, "Be you as everyone else is already taken."

Love Is In The Hair, And I See It Everywhere!

In the spirit of the natural hair journey and revolution that's happening now, here are a few fiercely done-up natural hair styled women, including me, from curly to spirally, coily-locks, fro'd, twist-out, blown-out naturalitas, who are rocking it wild, free, and naturally.

Be inspired and begin your journey *back to your roots* too, literally! It's a liberating ride that you simply don't want to miss. Partake in all it's deeply rooted glory! Love, light, and liberation! Peace and enjoy the beauty herein and be inspired too to fully embrace you and let your beauty shine on through.

Variety is certainly the spice of life, and it's of no difference when it comes to hair type and texture too.

The carefree hair stance - there's power with such freedom. Love it!

The thick, fro-licious extraordinaire, and she's obviously feeling it.

With hair so wild and free, you can mold/shape it however you like...

Another gorgeous twist out method and styling - super fly!

Here's another naturally curly golden locks beauty - Chef Ahki - simply gorgeous!

Live Your Passion!

I'm a gal of many passion! I love all things creative. I dream it. I wake up thinking about it. So much, that I couldn't do without it. It's like the air that we breathe for me. I indulge in it freely. It's my line of joy - my niche. The kind that tends to be missing among many, which leads to the question of, how often do we live our passion? Not often it seems, as most are too busy chasing the dollar, instead of their dreams. It's good to remember that success is in your purpose, not the paper. What is it that you love? Figure it out, as it'll lead you to your joy and thensome. So, start with your passion, and if it's not your purpose, it'll surely take you by the heart and get you there.

I was feeling a bit fierce - lol. All in good spirit though... :-)

Never should one feel like they have to succumb to the rat race of money, fame, and power. There's power in passion and purpose. Start there, and your end result shall be a favorable one, beyond your wildest dreams. It is a desired must-do that you put your energy where your heart is; your joy, your happiness, your success depends upon it. Here's a pic to inspire. I know I'm no size two. I'm flowing in the medium sized aspect of proportion and scale, however healthy and fit; though, I know I could drop maybe 25 - 30 pounds. It's why I've delayed starting this side of my blog life, but I decided to put the nonsense thinking aside and just keep it real, as I'm loving me still until I shed those unwanted pounds away - I'm working at it and will keep you in the loop of my progress and process. The truth is that I still feel good about myself even though I've put on a few pounds due to some undue stress in my life - no excuses. I'm fixing it, consider it done.

Anyway, I decided I'm not going to let my challenges deter me and send me down some unhealthy spiraling path to nowhere land, and I can only hope that it shows in my attitude, that I'm fearlessly in love with myself and all the beautiful things life has to offer, that's where my mind is right now. I simply can't afford to let self-consicous thinking get in my way any longer. So, I've willed myself to break out of the psychological/spiritual pitfall of always being so hard on myself. I can honestly say that I've been my worst critique for sure, as I more often than not, strive to do things to my absolute best (nothing wrong with that; it's absolutely a good thing), with that, I may at times be a little too tough on myself along the way - now, that's not a good thing. So, I've kicked that bad habit in the derriere, and I'm pressing forward full speed ahead, with the right thinking that'll get me there, and that is, no one's perfect, this I know, but that it's ok to reach for the healthier rational of it - excellence.

Well, my lovelies, here's to living life carefree and fearlessly too - in this instance, fashionably speaking, as I've always had a passion for fashion and all things creative. I believe each day I wake up and breathe, I breathe into the realm of absolute creativity. It is there that my mind and heart extend and flow therein to. I absolutely live for art, for life is it - an artful expression of who and what we are or can become. So, live it creatively and so be it.

Alright then, enjoy and be sure to share this post with those you love and that are in your social circle. It's really simple, just click on one of the social media widgets at the bottom of the post. Why? Because sharing is caring and is highly contagious too in getting the right messages and pictures out there into the mind's eye to inspire one to reach for the best there is in life for their life and subsequently others, and/or to become it or greater - better than you were yesterday, each and every day - one day at a time.

Ok - wishing you the best of times in life.

Take great care until next time, and be sure to live your life passionately!

WHAT I'M WEARING:
My ever so cool and favorite Caribbean cabana straw hat - I simply can't get enough of it. Gray leopard tights found at HM sometime ago, gray colored and natural straw wedge shoe boot - I can't remember where I bought those from. It was either HM or Zara. A cotton skirt I found at Old Navy about 2 years ago. The scrunch sweater top is a Max Studio brand and buttoned-up cardigan by Kensie that I both found on sale at Macy's, again sometime ago. Mod antique bracelet I got from here, Chloe And Isabel and silver cluster bangles and dangle earrings here, Stella & Dot.