THE SANTIAGO WAY

"Genuine relationships, over monetary gain, is what I consider to be TRUE success.”  The words of an amazing woman who I admire more and more every day, Melinda Santiago.  I met Melinda a little less than a year ago while preparing for a fashion show that her artist Michael Keith (of 112) was putting together.  It didn’t take long for her to gain my respect both professionally and personally.  Everyone knows that I am all about girl power.  It does my heart good to see my sisters doing big things, living their best lives and helping others.  All of the things that I stated are the things that Melinda’s entire life is centered around, which is why she is truly a success.  To continue reading, click the link http://www.phatgirlfresh.com/#!fresh-life/cute

SPOKEN CURVES!!

Be it songs or poetry, vocal art moves me in a major way.  I can give countless accounts of hearing songs in church that moved me to tears, even when the word of the pastor didn't.  I just love the emotion and expression that comes with singing and spoken word.  That is why, I can honestly say that I am already a huge fan of the certified Phat Girl; Grande.  I recently met her in Columbus at the Rock and Roses hair and fashion show.  Before I had the chance to witness her gifts, I was pulled in by her amazing personality.  However, when she took the stage; I was just like “those wolves”, I cried “GRANDE’!” To continue reading this article, pictures and video click the link http://www.phatgirlfresh.com/#!fresh-life/cute

Black Friday/ After Thanksgiving Sales

I know that many of you divas are out with the masses, fighting for black Friday discounts.  Well not this phat girl. I love doing the smart thing and not the hard thing and that includes shopping. Which is why I am shopping via the world wide web. There are a lot of online sale that you can take advantage of that have equal, if not greater deals.  Below you will find a great list of online deals sure to please and provide a little retail therapy. 

FASHION
Ashley Stewart: 50% off entire online purchase.

Fashion To Figure: 40% off (code: doorbuster).

Lane Bryant: 50% off entire purchase.

Forever 21: additional 50% off sale items(code extra50).

SWAK: extra 30-40% off entire site including sale items.

Jibri: 50% off everything(code: black13)

Monif C: 30% off all black items.

Avenue: 30% off new arrivals.  40, 50 and 60% off other selected items.

Romans: 40% off highest marked item and 40% of 2nd highest marked item(code: rdbfriday)

JAY-Z'S NYC COLLECTION

Its official, Barneys launched its "A New York Holiday" collection with Jay Z. Never mind the discrimination suit, that didn’t stop this luxury retailer and your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper collabo from happening.  While Barneys is accusing the NYPD for its racial profiling woes and Jay Z is attempting to redirect focus (and money) to his Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, the whole world now has the opportunity to partake in all the hoopla by purchasing ridiculously priced items that no one in their right mind actually would purchase.  Anyone in need of cotton t-shirt with a few patches of leather for $995, should call me…….. I can hook you up!!!! Or maybe you've just been dying to get your nuts into a pair of leather boxing shorts, embroidered with gold stars for a cool $2,590. Let's not forget those $675 plastic sunglasses you can't live without. And no wardrobe is complete without a $58,000 crocodile jacket by Rick Owens. Right?............................(waiting for an answer)

You know I love me some Jigga but this is just RIDICULIOUS!!! BUT HAPPY SHOPPING, RICHIE RICH. To see photos of the entire line, click the link http://www.phatgirlfresh.com/#!celebrity-news/c6lh  #PHATGIRLFRESH

HAUTECORE LIPSTICK

It is no secret that I am a M.A.C girl, I love their lippies especially the mattes.  I am extremely excited about the black Friday release of Hautecore lipstick.  I have been rocking the black lippies for a while, so for M.A.C to now introduce a black lippie that is a matte too……. I GOTTA HAVE IT!!!!  I am not sure the pro discount will apply to the lippie but either was I will be engulfed in the madness of trying to order mine.  It will be available online at 12 midnight on black Friday.  For all of you fellow M.A.C girls, you already know that it will be a fight to get it.  However, keep clam…. The lippie will be permanent as a part of the punk couture collection, starting December 26, 2013. #PHATGIRLFRESH

CAKE OR FAKE?

Reality star Deelishis has become notoriously knew for her amazing curves and the fact that she actually kissed Flava Flav(throwing up in my mouth).  Although it is no secret that she is caked up, lately she has been receiving a lot of criticism.  Many of her followers on IG are saying that the bootilicious beauty has been photo shopping her pictures.  Honestly, until I started reading the comments, I never even thought for a second that she would be doing such a thing.  I guess she finally got tired of her assets being questioned, so she posted a video that should silence the haters.  #PHATGIRLFRESH

ROCK N ROSESE HAIR AND FASHION SHOW

Sherrie Walters-Aaron and the Cover Me Gorgeous team hosted a hair and fashion show in Columbus Georgia on Sunday, November 17, 2013.  I must admit, I was not sure what to expect because I have attended quit a few shows and some of them were garbage.  Maybe garbage is too harsh of a word but it is exactly what I mean.  LOL!!!!!!

When I arrived at the venue, the setup was great!!!  Things looked very nice and classy.  The V.I.P area was actually a nice exclusive setup with labeled tables and gift bags.  The runway was long and elevated so that the general admission audience was able to enjoy the show as well.  The vendors were aligned so that as you entered you had to pass them which is extremely important.  Another plus was that the show actually started on time, which is very rare.

Although I think that the host (rapper Rasheeda) and her co host could have done a better job of keeping the momentum going, the D.J was the bomb.com.  I don’t know if he was given a playlist but he kept the energy high.   Whoever was in charge of the show’s order did a good job of spacing things so that the experience was enjoyable.  The fashions were okay, but I must admit I expected a little more from Columbus.  What I loved most was the performance by songbird Tocarra and the Cover Me Gorgeous Curves segment.  Before the scene was introduced, poet Grande blessed the crowd with a poem that celebrated the beauty of PHAT GIRLS.  I LOVED IT!!!!!  This is something I have been trying to incorporate into a show for the longest time.  From the time Grande walked off the stage the energy was high and I was pleased to see one of the Faces of Fresh, Erica Elise WERKING!!!! 

During her closing remarks, I recall Sherrie saying that this was her first event.  That was a surprise to me because she did something that a lot of fashion show vets can’t do.  She put on a successful show without incident and it was standing room only.  She also announced that she will be having another event in April.  I am excited because I think that I am going to inquire about having PHAT GIRL FRESH be a part of the event.  HATS OFF TO SHERRIE WALTERS-AARON, YOU ROCKED!!!!!  TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT CLICK THE LINK BELOW 

http://www.phatgirlfresh.com/#!fashionably-fresh/cnec #PHATGIRLFRESH