SPRINGING FORWARD

"See I'm just forward looking, that's how I really see,
See while you Valentines, I'm thinking Christmas trees."- Lupe Fiasco, "Beamin"

Though it is still very much winter around my parts, as evident by my heavy scarf and thick gloves, I have been anxiously waiting for Spring so I can try out some new looks. Here are just a few: 

Baby-pink makeup palettes (and clothes)

Big bangs

Tribal head scarves interwoven in braids

Orange lipstick+orange nail polish+specs=yes, please (have adored this L'OReal ad for some time by the  by)

My obsession with nail art is sure to continue, only in brighter, bolder designs 

ORGANIZED CHAOS

      The jewelry station

                                                         

Ok, so judging by the looks of my vanities, I may need to bump my yearly Spring purge up a few weeks...

The beauty station...after I cleaned it.

Eh, actually I think I will wait until April to dive into this project lol #overwhelming 

BEAUTY EDITOR MIKKI TAYLOR SPEAKS AT LADIES DAY PROGRAM

                                                             Photo from: Trendy Africa

This weekend,  Essence  beauty and cover director turned editor-at-large Mikki Taylor spoke to a group of over 400 hundred women Saturday morning at Russell Road Church of Christ's 23rd annual Ladies Day Program in Louisiana. 

With over 30 years as the magazine's beauty editor, Taylor has had the opportunity to follow some of the most beautiful, stylish African-American women around, including First Lady Michelle Obama, who is the inspiration of her latest book "Commander In Chic: Every Woman's Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady."  In her speech, she stressed the importance of having your priorities straight and firm grasp on your self worth and spirituality.  


"It has all to do with what we will and what we won't concede to turn your truth," Taylor has said. "I don't wish to see us do more, we wish to see us be more." 


Taylor is also the spokesperson for AMBI skincare, a division of Johnson & Johnson. 

To find out more about Taylor's beauty advice, career, and motivational speaking , please visit: http://www.mikkitaylorenterprises.com/

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL IN JAPAN

I know people feel a certain way about this, but I think this is kind of dope. First of all, I have an ongoing affinity for Japanese girls anyway; their style is just crazy creative and inspiring. [Insert one of my favorite blogs JapanStreets]...Dreaming about the day I go to Japan.

I thought it was quite fascinating the extent to which African-American features-hair, skin, lips-and swag quite frankly are coveted in Japan among its young people. They are beyond dedicated to cosmetically alternating their appearance to look like African-Americans. I am fan of cultural cross blending, so I had to share.

TWISTED BUT EVOLVING

"Twisted Elegance" Interlude-Velvet Rope


                                                 

" There's nothing more depressing 
than having everything, and still feeling sad...
You must learn to water your spiritual garden."- Janet Jackson from the Velvet Rope

Velvet Rope  album art, 1997 via Janet Global 

                       
                                         
Here we are again at the brink of another new year. I recently came across one of my favorite albums ever, Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope. I can't tell you how many times I played that album when I first got it back in high school. Love me some Janet Jackson. She's just simply iconic.


I now have a deeper appreciation for the work on this project, an audible diary of all the life transitions she was going through. Even just looking at the photography from the album was a clear crystallization of her emotional space at the time-raw, vulnerable, brash, and disjointed even. This is definitely my favorite Janet incarnation. That red hair, really her whole vibe, was so avant-garde at the time.


Now much older on my own journey of personal growth and reflecting on the this past year, I realize the importance of being mentally and spiritually sound. As much I love looking fierce with my makeup, hair, and clothes in check, I've learned it is nothing more than a fleeting facade if we do not invest in ourselves spiritually and mentally in the same ferocity as we do on our outer selves. Afterall, what we manifest internally is what the world really sees.


So this holiday season, amidst the height of mass consumerism and consumption, I challenge you to really take a moment to reflect inward on ways you can improve yourself on a more personal, internal level. Remember each and every day, each and every moment of our lives can be a new year if we so choose.

Blessings to you and yours.

Have a happy New Year!