ALBANY FASHION WEEK UPDATE

The creators of AFW 2K13 have been working on the brand since the end of the last event.  Last year laid down a strong foundation, which means that this years is guaranteed to be EPIC!  The wheels of production have officially started turning and from now until the last light goes out you can expect nothing but the best.   In addition to all of the traditional components of AFW, the finale event will be a huge hair show and hair battle.  This event will be held on Sunday September 23, 2013.  I am personally excited about this event because in my opinion hair and makeup play a huge role in fashion. They are to fashion, as jewelry  is to clothing. Honestly, what good is a fly outfit when your hair is looking bad? Although we know that this is not the case with any of you we want to make sure you are able to see,appreciate and Learn what is new in hair and where you can go to get the look that you want.  

 If you are a hair stylist or barber who wants to build your audience and isn't afraid to display your talent, sign up now at http://www.albanyfashionweek.com/. 

Natural Hair

October 25, 2011 was the last time I received a relaxer. I had previously made the decision to make that my last time with the "creamy crack". Honestly the only reason why I relaxed it that time was because Albany State University's homecoming was happening and God forbid I be amongst my friends and former classmates looking a hot mess. I had lost the vast majority of my hair while taking Chemotherapy, you would think my transition would have been easy but it was.  I was holding on to the little bit of hair I had left for dear life.  I was until April 2012 that I felt comfortable enough to snatch that wig of and reveal my natural beauty to the would.  However, since that time, I haven't looked back.


Since I started my natural hair journey, I have learned a lot. Although being natural pales in comparison to spending hundreds each year on hair weave, being natural is not as cheap and easy as I thought. I have several friends who are natural as well, not to mention I have visited a number of sites, read books and sampled products. What I have found is that your head will explode with all the options... Lol!!! What I did was A LOT of product testing, to find something that complimented this bush!! All hair types are different so please be advised that a product that works for me, may not work for you.

I have found a number of great product that work wonders on my hair in the midst of quit a few no-no's. I have also come up with the right routine for me. Since so many people comment on and ask about my hair, I will share.

I wash my hair every two weeks with Creme of Nature sulfate-free shampoo with Moroccan Argon oil. In between washes, I do a co wash with As I Am's Coconut CoWash and Creme of Nature's intensive moisturizing conditioner with Moroccan argon oil. I dry my hair with a white tee shirt(towels absorb your hair's oil). I then add Creme of Nature's leave in conditioner with Moroccan argon oil and a mixture of oils(coconut,tea tree, melted Shea butter and vitamin e), while my hair is damp. I then divide my hair into sections and place it in small pig tails(a method used to stretch curls), if I am not pressed for time. Once my hair is dry, I add Jamaican Castor oil to my roots. Once I take my hair a loose, I apply Design Essential's natural curl stretching cream and pick thru my hair. When it is time to style my hair, I used Hawaiian Silky's gel activator and/or Design Essential's Curl Definer. AND THERE YOU HAVE!!!

All of the products that I used are things that work for me. However, things may be different for you. I will be doing some reviews of other products as time progresses. How so you care for your natural hair?
  

BAG LADY

It is so important that woman learn not to be bag ladies.  Many of us tend to carry the baggage of our men, family and friends.  When we aren't carrying that baggage, we are carrying the baggage of the past. It doesn't matter what type of woman you are or from what social status you hail............... WE HAVE ALL HAD SOME SORT OF BAGGAGE!!!!  Many women who consider themselves "classy and/or high dollar" tend to think that their struggle is different from the common woman.  However, it is not!!! BAGGAGE IS BAGGAGE, WHETHER IT IS IN A GUCCI BAG OR A PAPER BAG.... Baggage will do one of two things or both.  It will either SLOW YOU DOWN OR WEIGH YOU DOWN!!!

 I myself and one of those women that carries a lot of other peoples baggage.  I am a very caring and concerned person when it comes to my loved ones.  Many times I get entangled in their lives and their problems.  I am working very hard to bring this to a minimum because it is damaging.  I have lost
connections with a few key people because of this.  It isn't that I am nosy or controlling but I want the best for them.  I just want to help my loved ones.  I want them to be as happy as I am if not happier.  However, I have learned that it isn't my job nor am I capable of doing this. I have learned that you have to let people find their own peace in whatever situation they are in.  You can not create happiness for those that you love.........  Happiness comes with the security and comfort that each individual finds with themselves.   People evolve in their own time, not the time that we want them to.  Hell, If you spend too much time worrying about what they have going on, you will neglect your star player................. You!!!  So now when people come to me with issues, I listen and give advice but I don't get all entangled in it.........  As a friend my job is to be there for them no matter what, not to take over the situation and solve the problem.

We all know that God created women to be nurtures and we are very emotional as well.  This is why many times we find ourselves fighting battles that are not ours, especially with the men in our lives.  Often men use the caring nature of some women to their advantage.  They latch on to women that are "good" and that will be good to them.  Men come with baggage, drama and an assortment of issues just like woman.  Many times they enter into relationships or situations with women knowing that their affairs are in total disarray.  And because we (woman) are such nurturing creatures, we put it in our bag......... All that baby mama drama, the woos of not being able to find a job, not having the money needed for certain things, family issues, friend issues, illegal activities............................. AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON!!!!  We have to learn when to say when.  It is one thing to support your man but it is another to carry all of his burdens. Be mindful about loading your bag up with his shit because you may get stuck with it all.  I mean honestly what can you expect from a man that enters into a relationship with bags and bags of bullshit? 

Often it is hard for woman to be happy because of the baggage that they carry from the past.  You can not hold an individual accountable for the actions of another.  You have to learn from each experience that you have and move on when it is time.  This holds true for both friendships and relationships.  I know that I have opted out of being friends with co-worker and other females for years.  For no reason other than the fact that I have had bad experiences with a great number of woman.  Now that I think about it, that is baggage from my past too.  The same thing holds true for relationships...... You can not enter into a relationship placing your new man under the same umbrella that your old men are under.  If you want to find true happiness, you have to let go of your past.  Your past can and will haunt you if you allow it to.  All of that baggage will keep you from being happy with yourself.  All that baggage will make you unlovable.  All of that baggage will cost you friends and family.  Most of all, I will take away your peace.

WOMAN WE ARE POWERFUL BEINGS AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ACT AS SUCH.  NOTHING AND NO ONE SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO SLOW US DOWN AND/ OR HOLD US DOWN.  IF IT IS SOMEONE ELSE'S TRASH, IT WILL NEVER BE YOUR TREASURE!!!  WHETHER IT IS A GUCCI BAG OR A PAPER BAG, EMPTY THAT SHIT...... YOUR BACK WILL THANK YOU!!

DUM DUM FOR YUM YUM

Me rocking Candy Yum Yum

I am sure that by now you all know that Candy Yum Yum is back.  We whined, complained and wrote in until M.A.C answered our cries.  Candy Yum Yum is back for good, MUA's and lippie lovers couldn't be happier. In the group Makeup Matters, the news feed was filled with comments about Candy Yum Yum's return.  When I logged on to Instagram, I was greeted with even more photos and excitement.  Since Candy Yum Yum"s return, I see at least two post per social site per day about it.  Sometimes it is a picture, some times it is a comment, complaint or comparison and occasionally it may be a person in search of or displaying what they think is a dupe.  Either way, It is obvious Candy Yum Yum's return is sweet enough to leave us all with a mouth full of cavities. 

Tyme's comment about Candy Yum Yum.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE ME SOME CANDY YUM YUM!!!  However, I don't know if it is the ultimate pink lipstick.  I love both pink and red lippies, the brighter the better and I own/have owned a wide variety of them.  I just can't resist, if they are cute.... I am throwing it in the bag. Which is why I just can't deem Candy Yum Yum the all time greatest pink lippie.  During all the excitement about the return of Candy Yum Yum, Tyme The Infamous posted a pic of a comment she made in one of her videos.  She had done a vlog on Youtube about Candy Yum Yum and she stated that she, "didn't want to see any comments about dupes for Candy Yum Yum because there was none.  This will be the best $15 you will ever spend!"  Well if you read, you know the word dupes in not one that frequents my mouth, so I am not going there.  However, I know for a fact that there are a lot of hot pink lippies that have proven to be just as FRESH.

Candy Yum Yum

Spellbound by Covergirl

Dollhouse Pink by Wet n Wild

Snob & Outrageous by M.A.C

Icing and Flamingo Pink by Pearl Ex

Nikki M.A.C Viva Glam

Neon Rockstar by Ka'oir Cosmetics

P.H.A.T GIRL FRIDAY

Me and Model Jessi sporting the latest FRESH TEE'S.

 HAPPY P.H.A.T GIRL FRIDAY TO ALL OF YOU!! I hope that today brings you lots of joy and relief, knowing that that weekend is upon us if nothing else.  I am especially happy today because I have two huge things to present to you.  It brings me such joy to know that my dreams are becoming reality and that in the midst of that I am helping others to come closer to their dreams.  I thank God for all that he has done and is doing in my life, simply because I know that it could have been another way.   I am the first to admit that I am perfectly imperfect, I know that there is someone out there some where who deserves God's favor far more than I do.  However, He has chosen me!!!  I am in no way trying to preach on this good (P.H.A.T GIRL) Friday, but I have to give honor where it is due.  I also have to reiterate something I have been saying for a while..... "It is time for us to activate our dreams in order to make them our reality.  

Feature model Samantha Lebbie

The first announcement I want to make is that Full Blossom Magazine has published my very first article.  It can be found in their 7th publishing which was released today, January 11, 2013.  The article is entitled, "The P.H.A.T Girls Guide to Fresh" and it includes photos of the beautiful model Jessi.  I am very proud of myself and the work that I put into this because writing has been a dream of mine since I was 10 years old.  There is a lot of pain attached to my testimony, and there are two things other than God that helped me live through my hardships.  Those things were reading and writing.  Reading was my escape, it introduced me to things I had only dreamed about.  Reading taught me to live outside of my situation.  Writing, gave me a voice!!  Although I wrote secretly, It let me express what I felt and allowed me the freedom of expressing it in the manner I saw fit.   The magazine includes a number of great articles that cater to the needs and wants of full figured women.  It also features the beautiful model Samantha Lebbie.  I have a great amount of respect for Mello E. Andrews for making dreams come to life through this magazine.  I know that tapping into the plus size industry is not always as rewarding as it should be.  However, he works hard and it has proven to be rewarding.  For a man to work as hard as he does in a industry that is geared around women is huge and for that, he has my respect and appreciation.  In addition to Mello, I must say that Shay Rozay, a model and executive for Full Blossom Magazine, has been a God sent.  Our talks and her direction has been a huge asset to me.    Ladies, if you are looking for information, clothing suggestion or a magazine that you can relate to........www.fullblossommagazine.com

My second announcement is that Bigmama's Clothing will be releasing three new FRESH TEE'S,which will be a part of my 2k13 line of FRESH TEE'S.  I am very pleased with the progress that is being made with Bigmama's Clothing as a whole and I am looking forward to all that God has promised to do for me.  In the coming months, The P.H.A.T GIRL CLIQUE will be going out into different communities mentoring to young girls.  I will be attending Full Figured Fashion Week in NYC, and I plan to throw my hat in the ring for the Fresh face contest.  Last but far from least, I am preparing for Albany Fashion Week's 2k13 show.  I am beyond excited about this show because it is an opportunity to show the growth and progress that Bigmama's Clothing and Maui Bigelow have made in 365 days.  So please stay tuned because it is guaranteed to be FRESH!!!!!

MODEL:  BRITTNEY REID sporting FRESH P.H.A.T GIRL CLIQUE SHIRT!!

Makeup Monday feat. Quan Tha Don

 


Well I know that you all have heard me talk about the Facebook group Makeup Matters, not to mention I have spotlighted several of the members.  Well today, I give you the" THA DON"!!    Quan Tha Don is the beautiful makeup artist that created the group Makeup Matters. The group has grown from a small group of MUA's in Texas to a large networking group whose members stretch from one coast to another.  I know personally that the group has been a great tool for me.  It has allowed me to network, promote my business and learn more about the art of makeup.  I love the group because the energy is very good and there is little to no drama.  Quan Tha Don sees to the group operates properly which is why it has grown to the magnitude that it has.  I am very appreciative of the opportunity to feature her because I admire the spirit of a hustler and she is truly a hustler.



 Quan is a highly gifted and creative Makeup Artist with more than seven years experience in interpreting the make-up requirements of clients. I asked her a couple of questions and she had no problem annswering them so here you have it.  This is just a peep into the world of  "THA DON".


QUESTION:  What prompted you to start the group Makeup Matters?

ANSWER:  I started makeup matters because I wanted to network and share my gift with others. I also wanted another platform other than YouTube for others to share their talents. I wanted to give others a chance to ask questions and get a response and have more of a personable interaction.

 QUESTION:  Did you expect it to grow to this magnitude?

ANSWER:  I did not expect it to grow as much as it had, due to the rapid increase in members we had to change the privacy settings and make the group a secret.

QUESTION:   Have long have you been doing makeup?

ANSWER:  I have been doing makeup for 7 years.

QUESTION:   What is you favorite brand?

ANSWER:  I don't have a favorite brand I use everything.

QUESTION:   What is your favorite product?

ANSWER:  My favorite product is the tarte sugar exfoliate and lip balm

QUESTION:   What is your favorite look?

 ANSWER:   My favorite look is a natural/neutral soft look with a bold lip I'm all about reds and purples.

QUESTION:   If you could work with any celebrity who would it be?

ANSWER:   I would want to work with Rihanna.. I Love her lips she has the perfect Cupid's bow.

QUESTION:   What MUA do you admire or like most?

ANSWER:  Hmm that's a tough one I guess Karin Darnell since she does Rihanna's makeup.

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/347027098698175/

 

     https://www.facebook.com/quan.thadon.5

PHAT GIRL FRIDAY with DonniNicole

The beautiful ladies that are DonniNicole, Sparkle Hyche(in pink leggings) and Monique Dickinson.

First let me start by saying Happy P.H.A.T GIRL FRIDAY!!! It is important to maintain your happy at any cost, because if mama aint happy............ AINT NOBODY HAPPY!!  So, I hope that you all are able to enjoy your weekend and do something that brings you joy.  I know that most (if not all) of you love fashion and have your own unique styles.  Which is why I am sure that you know fashion tends to back track from time to time and now is one of those times.  Vintage clothing is very big in the fashion industry right now. Consignment shops, Goodwill locations and other boutiques are experiencing a boost in sales.  Some people say that it is due to the economy but I beg to differ.  People are learning to appreciate past fashion and merging it with their own personal style.  Nearly every woman I know is thrift shopping and/or making purchases from vintage dealers or stylist.  I must admit, I love it!!  I hate dressing straight off the rack because it doesn't show any uniqueness, and you are guaranteed to find yourself dressed like someone else. However, when you wear vintage clothing, you get unique pieces that display the classic looks of the past. If you like vintage clothing, there is a name that you must know.................. DonniNicole!!!!

DonniNicole is an online vintage boutique co-owned by Monique N. Dickinson and Sparkle Hyche.  These beautiful, intelligent, talented ladies are celebrity stylist that cater to the needs of fashion forward men and women.  Although the boutique came into existence 3 years ago, these ladies have been styling and working with/in the fashion industry for more than 10 years.  They are not your average stylist, they create looks and do things with clothing that start trends.  Their obvious passion for fashion is displayed in every piece that they carefully hand pick.  I know many of stylist( I aspire to myself be one) but I have the highest regard for what these lady's do and how they do it.  I have been using their pictures as references and learning tools every since they emerged.  Many times it is hard for a smaller frame woman to understand clothing in regards to a women with extra curves.  However, these ladies have mastered that art, their full figured clients are proof of that, because they are all P.H.A.T GIRL FRESH!!!  While many other vintage boutiques struggle to find clothing for P.H.AT GIRLS, DonniNicole finds it easy because they travel and connect with wholesaler all over the country.  To me that spells dedication because they could easily have taken the easier route and just focused of  women with smaller frames.  Both of the ladies have stated that their business has tripled since their humble beginnings.  Some may think that DonniNicole's success is due to the popularity of vintage clothing, but I beg to differ.

I think that Monique and Sparkle are both blessed with the God given ability to connect with women, which is probably how they give birth to such a beautiful friendship/partnership/sisterhood.  They both genuinely care about women, they take pride in making women look and feel good.  They are both goal oriented, driven women, all of these things are the reason that DonniNicole is a huge success. I love a statement that Monique made, "our customers feel like they are buying into DonniNicole's brand as opposed to vintage shopping because we style each piece individually."  I have known Sparkle for years and her light has always shined.  Her star power has been obvious maybe even from birth(the name may be an indicator).  I have never seen her out of character, she is always a beautiful, fun loving ray of light.  Through my Facebook interactions, I can tell why her and Monique are best friends.  Monique displays that same kind, fun loving spirit that Sparkle has.  These ladies have made their dreams reality and in the process did the same for others.  They use their gifts to be a gift which is why their territory is continuously enlarged.

Yours truly and one half of DonniNicole at Albany Fashion Week where she was named "Trendsetter of the Year"

As we all know, fashion is constantly changing and the demand for vintage clothing may decline.  However, these ladies will continue to be at the fore front of fashion.  If you have not had a DonniNicole experience, you are missing out and my advice to you is to do so soon!!!  Size is not an issue, DonniNicole gives the everyday woman a red carpet look for an unmatched price.





 Contact Information:
 www.DonniNicole.com (website)
 https://www.facebook.com/DonniNicole (facebook)
 (678) 926-8719 (phone)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, I would like to take this time to say Happy New Year to all of you!!!  I am very excited about all that this year holds for my both personally and professionally.  Most of all, I am excited about the opportunities that you have the ability to be a part of.  I read a post on New Years Eve in which the author stated that January 1, 2013 allowed us all 365 days of clean slate.  I agree with that 100 percent. This is the time to create the reality that you dream of.   This is not a time to make resolutions, this is a time to create your reality.  What ever it is that you want to come to pass, you have the power to make it your reality.  It may not happen over night or even in the next 365 days but in due time it will happen.  The first step to creating your reality is to start!!!  So many times, we miss out on what we want because we are afraid to get started.    So what I say to you is........ IT IS TIME TO ACTIVELY PURSUE YOUR DREAMS!!!!