Brand Image

I have a friend who is completing a Image Consulting Certificate offered by FIT. This friend ahs long been interested in fashion. I myself wear khaki's and a t-shirt everyday but, I know a thing or two about fashion myself. So I'm gonna put my two cents in.

Are you Branded or do you look like everyone else in your herd? I love scarves I wear one with jackets all the time. However my scarf is not one of those middle eastern inspired jobs. Yes these are no longer in fashion but you get the idea. This friend can put a lot of looks together because she has been buying clothes for much longer than most of us and puts away the things she no longer wants to wear because of style, Silhouette or because she no longer wants to wear it for whatever reason. She mentioned that the "Image Consulting" has her confused about her Brand. My response was yes you do have many looks but your makeup is consistent in style, your hair cut has been relatively the same for a while now. So yes she does have an image that is unique to her. I could spot her in a crowd & know who she is.

This image is not in focus.

I say all that to say how does a person decide what to wear? How can you decide what to wear? I have some pointers.

1. Look to see who's look you admire.
2. Think about what you already have in your "closet".
3. Look in catalogs or visit the stores you like and look in your favorite magazines fashion and others.
4. Decide what pieces you would like to buy based on what you already have and budget.
5. Think about what you want your look to be in he upcoming season

Now here is the fun part.......Go buy the things you thought of from #4. You most likely will not buy everything because it's a work in progress and you will be tweaking this as you go along. Also, do not buy a bunch of different colors. If you are not pulling in six figures then you need to choose 2-3 colors aside from the basic colors so that you can mix and match.

My next advice is to go alone. Yes ALONE. Why? You shop with the herd, you look like the herd. As a person who worked retail for her entire college career I can attest that your friends do not want you to look good on a subconscious level. They believe what they say comes from a genuine place and on the surface it does.

But I like shopping with my friends? Well too bad for you.

They help me! Go back and read my last paragraph.

Did your BFF buy that dress while she was out with you. Nope! Why? Cause you can be negative.

My BFF and I go shopping all the time. In fact she is telling me that I need to buy some clothes because my shit is looking raggedy. She also said ahe wants to come. I did not say yes or no. The answer of course is no. I know what I want and do not want her 2 cents either. I know what I need and what I want to say. I buy things when I'm out with her. We know what the other likes and I will occasionally see something and buy it. My BFF makes purchases of a few things sometimes without me too because she doesn't want me telling her that her cold blooded ass will not wear a mini wool boucle suit in the winter. See negative not supportive.

Here is when to turn to ONE of your "home girls". You bought something and are not quite sure; ask her what she thinks. you will most likely get a fair response.

I say all this to say separate from the herd and dare to define your style on your terms. Don't get too crazy though. These rules apply to all remodels, men, car purchases, hair cuts, and anything else you want to be happy with.

So here are some links I find inspiring:

Que Jimenez
Apricot Tea
Jubella
Wardrobe Remix
Fly

My Shea Butter Mix

About 2.5 cups Shea Butter, 1 cup Olive Oil, a .25 cup each of the following Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, and Essential oils of your choosing. You can add 10-20 drops per ounce.

I use Essential Oils for fragrance. There are EOs that are good for your hair. Life Tea Tree Oil (I do not know what it's good for). You can also add Vitamin E to the mix. Remember that the higher the IU the purer the product and that If the Vitamin E is in a Carrier oil those oils are going into your hair too. So, read the ingredients.

The Going Ons of the Obamas

These are some pictures from the Official White House Photostream on flickr. In case you did not know you can use these pictures within certain guidelines which are posted under each photo on flickr.

Is it me or do they really look like children. Though I do suppose that the view of the pyramids as you descend into Cairo is breath taking. Even for the President.

"Students at Cairo University listen to President Barack Obama during his speech there on June 4, 2009. In his speech, President Obama called for a 'new beginning between the United States and Muslims', declaring that 'this cycle of suspicion and discord must end'. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)" (The Official White House Photo Stream on Flickr caption)

Now check out home girl's head wrap. I will definitely be copying this.

I just love little Sasha. This was taken at Notre Dame. You know they were given privilege to areas you & I wouldn't. This is a beautiful picture btw.

The Centre Pompidou Museum Paris

The Centre Pompidou Museum Paris

I have never been to The Centre Pompidou. However, these pictures make me want to go for a visit.

I think the following pic is adorable. Some people are in an uproar. I think that's their issue. The son of a White House staff member wanted to touch the President's hair to see if it felt like his.

Alma: My Grandma

I called my grandma today and spoke to her for the first time in years. I asked her if she was doing any gardening and she said she has a small 1. This doesn't sound small to me: Collards, turnip, eggplant, tomatoes, okra, squash, green beans. I was like that doesn't sound small.

Here is some photographic stimulation that will hopefully inspire both you the reader and myself to partake in Spring's last dance.

I am going to write a note to myself to visit the Farmer's market this weekend because this pic is from last year and I need some real food in my belly.

Brookly Botanical Gardens

I have been taking a photography course. For my final project I chose the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens emphasizing the Cherry blossoms. Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure:

"Shinto Temple"


"Cherry Blossoms"


"Cherry Blossoms: I used the flash to hi-lite"

It is my plan to visit the Gardens during other times of year. I saw some from the 1920's that were taken after snow had fallen of the Japanese Gardens. Beautiful.

UP-dates!!!!

So, I fell off the wagon but I am going to get back on. The said wagon is losing weight. I'm going to keep trying and when I fall off, instead of stopping, I'll just keep going. Weight is an everyday struggle. I made it a proper noun because in my world it's a real thing.

Also, I made some headbands at M&J Trimming a few weeks ago with a friend from work(Mechelle). They are cool I guess. I will take and post pictures at a later date. For now you just have to take my word for it.

I just had an idea for my giveaway. It will entail some creative mojo on the part of those who are going to want to be included. I am still going to have it. Some things will come from my stash and some I will acquire specifically for the give away.

It was really warm in the city this past weekend. I was walking around in a t-shirt and pants which alludes to my first paragraph. I want to dress in cute (smaller) clothes this Spring/Summer. I also have a case of athletes foot that I need to get in order. I ran out of cream and it came back a little. It your feet are really dry and cracked it may be athletes foot. I know it's a little yucky but it's real.

Mmmmm. What else!. I have a little afro now. This is going to be the first summer in years that I have had hair. Positive: head is protected from the sun because of my hair. Negative: I sweat in my hair(it's one of my extreme sweat areas).

Peace Out!!!

Paloma Faith

I went to the Free People blog and came across this video by Petra Storrs.

I went to youtube and found the actress in the video. Her name: Paloma Faith. My first thought was Amy Winehouse but different and I came across an interview on the VMP site and that was one of their comparisons as well.

I then saw that Ms. Faith is in a movie called St Trinians. Colin Firth is in this movie. It's British and Netflix doesn't have it. It's about the worse girl's school in England. It looks like a fun watch. You can read all about the illustrious St Trinian's School here. Here's the trailer: