STYLE SKINNY

Curls & Clothes 5/19/13

 

Blazer: H&M * Jumpsuit: Forever 21 * Purse: Target * Earrings/Shoes: ALDO * Belt: BCBGMaxazria Watch: Michael Kors

Keep Calm and...

As soon as the clock struck 12 and 2013 was ushered in, God started throwing interesting situations and experiences at me- one after another.  Within a 4+ month span, I experienced unexpected and expected death, birth, loss of friendship, gain of new friendships, changes in my job, my relationship... If you can think of it, I experienced it... twice or more times in some categories. 

...and honestly, I'd be fibbing if I acted as if I just accepted each event or occurrence with open arms and honest gratitude.  I certainly did none of the before mentioned at first. When you're in the midst of a whole bunch of happenings, it can often feel like you're trying to walk against the wind.... sometimes you feel a slight breeze as you happily walk down the sunny pollution free streets of life... While other times you find yourself fighting through a pseudo hurricane, holding onto a lamppost, dodging trashcans, and silently cursing yourself for forgetting to X-tape your house's windows in preparation. 

Needless to say, each situation was different and therefore brought forth a different reaction.  It was hard at times to understand what was happening all around me.  This is why I choose to use "interesting" as my adjective of choice, because that word neither has a negative nor a positive connotation. 

Life can seem strange at times...and 'interesting' to say the least. But it just is what it is.  Life is happening now...it has been happening way before me and you, and it will continue to happen in the future.  You and I cannot control 100% of what happens to us within our lives. Surprise Surprise... seriously... WE CANNOT CONTROL EVERYTHING. 

I know that I personally don’t have all of the answers and I often times have trouble hearing the Voice that is there to tell me, "Go to the Left...or Go to the Right." But, it is in these times that I have learned to remain still.   Reacting to situations with fear or anger isn't going to do anything but add undesired stress to your life. 

When you find yourself in times where the wind feels like a hurricane-or a tornado for that matter-, just be still.  Don’t resist the wind... So be it, if it carries you into the eye of the storm... With God, there actually is absolute rest in that place.

Sunday Funday - Problems and One's Purpose

Have you ever found yourself in a sequential series of moments where you feel as though everything is happening in perfect domino effect for some unknown paramount reason?  If your answer is YES... then know... I FEEL YOU.  This happened to me on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago...  

Nothing was particularly different on this Sunday as opposed to other Sundays.  Reggie came to pick me up and per usual I wasn't ready, and so began my usual frantic motions of attempting to finish putting myself together in the car.  Reg was driving with one hand on the steering wheel while attempting to fluff out the back of my fro with the other.  I simultaneously attempted to puff up the top while applying lip-gloss, buckling my shoe strap, and taking a sip from my water bottle.  Yes.  This is normal for us.

'too cool for school in the car' photo  

Either way, we got everything together and as we headed inside a woman stopped me to compliment my recently fluffed fro.  I thanked her, and she replied something to the affect of, "I wish I could introduce you to my student!  Her self esteem has been so low since I've known her, and it’s all connected to her hair.  She consistently wears wigs, sew ins (weave), glue ins... anything to hide her own hair.  I finally talked her into wearing twists and the kids at school made fun of her terribly..." 

My heart fell for this young girl... I found out she was a junior in high school, which is so surprising for me, because I figured that this was far past the stages/ages of bullying.  I was wrong however, as I found out just how bad the bullying was.  They called her names and compared her to celebrities who’s names I won’t mention…but just know, that they were not even women celebrities.  I was angry, but what could I do.  Service was about to start, and I felt more than 7 degrees of separation from this woman, and helplessness for her student. 

   photo via AlexNabaum

So anyway, fast forward to the service.  I couldn't concentrate. I just couldn't. Reg nudged me and whispered, "You cool?" 

I looked at him.  I wasn't cool. I wasn't ok.  I couldn't stop thinking about this young girl.  I wasn't upset that she wore extensions or weave...my issue was that she wore all of these things to HIDE what she thought was an unattractive human being.  I couldn't begin to imagine the image of what she saw in the mirror vs. what actually was looking back at her.

As I sat in my seat thinking, our pastor began to speak about matters of Problem Solving. He said something that really struck me...

photo via HERE

The things that bother you the most are the things that you are destined to solve...  He went on to convey a message that encompassed the notion that we are all predestined problem solvers... when God wants to solve an issue, he births a person.  

What a concept! It may sound funny or strange to you, but this was interesting news to me! I began to think about my "problems"...the things that really get under my skin.

...More often than not in my life I have hair on the brain.  I did not get outwardly made fun of in my youth, but at times I did feel the negative energy steming from the fact that I did not look like the other girls in my classes or on TV.  Their hair softly cascaded down their backs, or was pulled up in a neat slick long ponytail...such styles were not foreign to my eyes, but were foreign to my own hair's ability.  I often wondered why I was cursed with the unmovable hair...the hair that never grew past my shoulders, nor blew graciously in the wind. 

photo via pairabirds

Many things happened concerning it-my seemingly problematic hair, but to make a long story short, I transitioned into wearing my own hair in its natural state a few years ago, and I haven't looked back since...I now love my hair, but not because of its style (which I now explore and try out a variety of).  I love it because I learned to love myself...my whole being, regardless of what grew out of my scalp.            

I can sit here and write a full story about this process but the short of it is...on that Sunday, I realized that I had a problem to solve...but not for myself… for other young women.  Whether through education, conversation, or just being an example, I have to be involved in the fight to raise the self esteem of others who are blinded by society and the media's pressures of "what they should or need to look like or be" in life to be considered beautiful or worthy. 

This post may seem choppy to you, out of order, or meaningless.  It’s all good though... my dominos are still falling and the picture won’t seem perfectly clear until the final one lays down.  I'm not sure where my journey will take me, but Psalms 37:5 states, Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.  So, I'm doing what I can to open my ears to hear God's directions on solving one of my predestined problems. *smile* 

Keep up with me... I'm sure something will develop quite soon... and in the mean time, let me know by responding in the comments box below… What’s YOUR PREDESTINED PROBLEM to solve?

Breaking Company Dress Code... One Nail at a Time

Done two days ago...Chipped already, but Ima still rock em like they're fresh! haHA!!

Meeting Sister Souljah

"Real Talk" w/ Sister Souljah and Will Smith at Temple University

How often is it that you get to meet one of your all time favorite authors, get them to sign your book, and hear them debate on stage for over an hr with the Fresh Prince?? One of the best days ever!  I was so excited that I didn't even know what book to bring, so I bought the slew that I owned... Reggie took one look at me as I threw my big MK tote onto his passenger seat....my books spilling over, and said something like, "Choose one... preferably the lighter one so you dont have to carry all of them around."  And thats what I did.  I took Sister Souljah's first book, "No Disrespect," my only paperback, and she signed it..." My Sister Renee... We must blossom into our womanhood beautifully." To my Sister-Sister Souljah... I plan to! :)

Shine on Matte... Black on Black

Winter Maxi Trends

One of my favorite trends right now is the maxi skirt.  This season, you don't have to pack away your favorite long dress or skirt... just throw a cowl neck sweater overtop, some boots, and a couple bangles and you're ready to go!  Check out a few options below on how to wear this look. (there are links below where I was able to provide them) :)  xo-SBG

 

Look From Ruche: Pleated Maxi Skirt $37.99. Emilia Blouse $46.99. Melody Bolero $79.99. Metallic Skinny Belt $14.99.

 

 
Look From Fashionable_J on Chictopia: H&M Sweater. Zara Maxi Skirt $59.90. Black Burberry Flats.

  
Look from Eileen Fisher @ Neiman Marcus: Cowl-Neck Top $198. Merino Knit Maxi $338. Ribbed Cami Orig. $58 Now $34.

 

 

  

Pair these BCBGMaxazria Pieces together for a Chic Holiday Look: Frida Sweater $158. Black Sunburst Maxi $218.

 

    

Look from Urban Outfitters: High/Low Maxi Skirt $59. Cropped Pullover Sweater $59.

 

   

Look from Vince @ Neiman Marcus: Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt $275. Denim Blouse $245. 

 

  

Pair these Fancy Pieces together for a Night-out Holiday Look: BCBG Colleen Lace Sweatshirt $128. Calvin Klein Sequin Maxi Skirt $89.90.

 

Learn more ways to wear this trend by clicking the pic below from blog, Sugar and Spice!

Get The Look!

Love the StyleSkinny header outfit?  Click the following links to shop!

BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway Collection, Ivonka Dress, $328. Want it? Click HERE.

BCBGMAXAZRIA, Pyramid Stud Leash, $48. Want it? Click HERE.

Keep on Dancing...

My father loves this song, and I grew up listening to it all the time.  I love it! Even if the inner meaning is questionable, lol.  Hope it makes your morning full of fun! Keep on Dancinnnn.....(& Scroll down for a bonus!) xo-SBG

 

Today's equivalent...Beyonce's PARTY! This video is so hot! Nothing more! :)