I CAN"T believe it but 2016 is almost over and I've learned sooooooooooo much!!!! The first being that I can actually stay awake for 48 hours conducting business, I need a new keyboard for my laptop, God redeems the time we lose if we trust that he can, I'm worth more than I strive for, I think and dream MUCH smaller than I should, My faith and Trust in God has grown so much in the last year to the point that it shocks me and the people around me. I'm more patient and loving than I've ever been in the history of my existence, LOL, I've realized how important my mommy is to me, french fries are on my list of AMAZING inventions.....except if you belong to the sweet potato family....you should NOT be fried, opportunities are for everyone if you can just believe, and my skin color is a BEAUTIFUL addition to who I am, not all that I am, and most importantly 2017 is OUR YEAR OF VICTORY, so cast out your nets!!!!

With everything that's happening now in the world it appears the times we're living in are becoming more and more hopeless. The problems are all over the news, the topic on the tips of everyone's tongues, the headlining discussion at most public events, on the television, and in the hearts and minds of the people. So I asked God what can we as a body of people do to change this? With most of the world being hurt, angry, and afraid how can they believe that YOUR LOVE DOES CONQUER ALL, and that if we just spread a little more of that each day rather than fear and hate, things CAN turn around for our GOOD?  Everyone has there own way, but I believe the ONLY WAY is CHRIST, which is the word LOVE manifested into flesh. The miracles performed in his lifetime and on the cross of calvary changed the way we exist today, and gives us a promise for a hopeful future. My aim in life is to let the winds of the Holy Spirit lead me and not the fear of this world. I want to spend the rest of my life uniting with my brothers and sisters praying with/for one another and loving the human race back to life!

Having this Blog has placed me one step closer to achieving that dream. I've met so many people and companies along this journey that make it possible for this "Love Train" to stay in motion. lol!  I've recently collaborated with a company called  THE MINT JULEP they created their online shop in 2012 and since then it has taken the world by storm, and with a mission of   "We had an idea that would solve a problem, be fun, be social, and, when it boils down to it, make people happy."  how can they not succeed!!!!!!? Spreading love and being FABULOUS while doing it is what I'm alllllllllll about! 

The look I chose from their collection is the "Make it Mine Jumpsuit" because you all know that I was created to wear jumpsuits lol, paired with a vintage sleeveless jacket, and double necklaces.  Check it out below and go shop the look RIGHT NOW, you won't regret it!


Photos by: @thegenuineminimalist

Anyone who knows me knows that progression in life is one thing that I thrive on, minister to others, minister to myself, talk about on social media and try to practice daily.  Some days are better than others (lol) but for the most part I try to apply what I learn to my daily life.  Since the beginning of the year the Lord taught me about the value of time (DARE TO DREAM) and how our utilization of it will determine our output.  If you follow my blog or any of my social media you'll see that I'm an entrepreneur, not because I'm so fancy, but simply because I have a dream in my heart that HAS to be fulfilled, to be honest with you I believe that everyone has the potential in life to be great and achieve something we just have to start somewhere.  I recently attended an event called The Other Festival .

Happy Friday Beauties!!

     You know that feeling you get when you meet someone new?  Its like opening up a new book with eager eyes ready to explore its pages, anticipating what God wants to do with the relationship.  That's how it was for me when I met my new friends Rujing and Ian of this amazing company called Silkstaq.  We met at a Nolcha Fashion show for New York Fashion Week; Rujing introduced herself to me with such a lamb like demeanor that I immediately identified with.  She began to explain who she was and what she did.  She told me about her company and how she was looking for bloggers to feature and wanted me to be a part of it.  I agreed with  such peace in my heart, and because of that peace I knew God put this together.
    We talked about the company,  Silkstaq.com, which is an online source for Women and Men to source out tips from experts in their field, which include bloggers, vloggers, and writers in fashion, beauty and food.  Of course we can think of a few sites that do that now with instagram, twitter, snapchat and all of these outlets being used for such creative purposes, but this company is different.  I love how everything is in one place, you just click through the search widows which breaks down Height, Weight, and Total Body Measurments and it matches you up with an expert who you can pull inspiration from, on instagram, youtube, blogger, wordpress, and  find answers to questions about style or just get inspired. It is literally a One-stop-Shop!  I feel so connected to this company because they invested in me and so many other bloggers across the nation to help us share our stories with the world.  It goes beyond fancy clothing, hair and makeup this is a industry changing company that is ready to build and unify people through the love of fashion!
      Silkstaq and I did a blogger collaboration and the photos came out AMAZINGGGG thanks to Ian :-) who's so skilled behind a camera that I don't think anyone could look bad behind his lens!!  My look consists of pieces (jacket, top, hat, and bag) from my fall/winter collection "Ankara"...Enjoy










   

With anticipation on my heels and one focus in mind, I've preconditioned myself to fly. I don't need any fancy luggage or even a boarding pass G class luxury in the sky.  I knew from the moment I stepped my feet onto this earth I would eventually give birth to nations, with one denomination and a single determination to succeed no matter what I SEE!

Something we have to remember is that we are all created for a purpose, just because you currently can't see IT does not mean it's not there.  There will come a time in life when God aligns your faith with his purpose, dreams, and desires for you.  So DO NOT GIVE UP, because the last time I checked quitters DON'T WIN!

This look is my definition of casual chic, with it still being cold outside and me running out of winter gear, I just pulled some pieces from my Fall/Winter16 collection titled "Ankara" the Sweatshirt and convertible floor length hoodie and tights are made by me (check out more on www.cadeolabychinaza.com) My pants are from a vintage store in Texas, Hat is Hieronymus and my Converse are from L Train vintage in Brooklyn!

The Face:  Makeup- Face powder: Sephora 8hour Mattifying Powder in Deep 60, Concealer: Kevin Aucoin SX13,   Highlight Powder: Laura Mercier; Candlelight , NYC: black liquid eyeliner, Mascara: Psychians Formula Lash Extensions , Blush: Ruby Kisses: All over Glow Bronzing Powder

We are in a NEW YEAR, NEW SEASON, with NEW DREAMS I'm really happy to be a part of this thing called life.  2015 helped me to be a more transparent person with the people that I LOVE and that LOVE me.  2015 also taught me the true value of TIME and exactly how precious it is.  I realized that time is given to all of us and the people that the world looks up to as leaders in their industries were NOT born with two heads, (lol) they just utilize their time differently/ more effectively than most of the human race.  So there is one thing that I learned in 2015 that has paved the way for my 2016, and that is valuing the time that The Lord has given me!  We all have big dreams and goals that we want to achieve in life and a new year means another year to give it a TRY.  This is the year of the UNSTOPPABLES, the YES and AMEN, but only if  you DARE TO DREAM!!!!


The Look: Coat-  Chinaza     Blouse- Stanley Blacker     Pants:  Alice and Olivia

The Face:  Makeup- Face powder: Sephora 8hour Mattifying Powder in Deep 60, Concealer: Kevin Aucoin SX13,   Highlight Powder: Laura Mercier; Candlelight , NYC: black liquid eyeliner, Mascara: Psychians Formula Lash Extensions , Blush: Ruby Kisses: All over Glow Bronzing Powder Lips: Absolute NY: Cadmium Red

Photos: Joyce Davies