It is with a weighty heart that I leave New York City, the city of my dreams. I truly love New York City, and all it has to offer. However, after 2 years of searching for my next career move, I have made the decision to return to graduate school. More importantly return to the fashion industry, even more specifically, the luxury sector. (Read long hours with little pay.)
I originally left the fashion industry because I was tired of jockeying for positions and proving my worth. Now, Iooking back and realize I was simply fighting for the wrong position. But it took removing myself from the industry I love to find out what position was right for me.
The brief stint in the fashion industry reintroduced me to the job title of Art Director. I first came across this title while looking at a masthead of Seventeen magazine when I was bout 14 years old. I wasn’t sure what exactly the position entailed did but I knew I wanted it.
Due to short staffing, my role of a social media coordinator morphed into a multi-faceted creative role that allowed me to explore photography, videography, art direction, retouching, copywriting, analytics, producing, and even experiential marketing. I mean I pitched, curated and installed a Beautyconbooth! But I am ready for more and I am off to Paris!
These are stressful times and no matter how many hair products or styles you choose to make your self feel beautiful, none of them will work unless you practice the most important beauty regiment of all, self-love. Here are a few tips to get you on your way to practicing self-love 💓
Positive Thinking – Starting your day with positive affirmations and thinking will help set the tone for the rest of your day. Simply saying a mantra of how you want your day to go will make all of the difference for your day. Each day find something to carry you through your day, whether it is, “I will be happy.” or “Today will be a good day.” simple mantras can help you get through your day a lot happier.
Stay Active – 30 minutes of activeness each day can help improve your posture, focus, and of course your overall health. Taking a brisk walk during the early morning or halfway through your day can help break up the mundanity. Find something that works for you and stick to it. Set a goal and then reward yourself once you reach it. If you have a bad day don’t beat yourself up, simply start over the next day. Just remember to “Never Miss a Monday”.
Eat Healthily – Eating healthy is not only expensive but it can sometimes seem like another full-time job, but it does not have to be a drama-filled affair. Taking simple and small steps each day can lead to great lifestyle changes. Try switching all of your drinks during the week to water, saving your favorite soft drinks for the weekends only. Remember Rome wasn’t built in one day so there is no need to beat yourself up over a cheat day.
Meditate Don’t Medicate – Learning to respond and not react to your surroundings is the number one reason to learn how to meditate. Mediating for at least ten minutes each day will help you gain better focus, respond better to situations, and just be plain mindful as to what is going on in your life.
Drink Your Water, Sis. –What is the answer for clearer skin, fresh body odor, and better night’s sleep? Water. 8 glasses are the minimum amount of water that you should consume each day. To find out the actual number of ounces of water you should be drinking divide the number of your body weight in half, really. Dehydration can leave long term negative effects on your body, so put the same energy into drinking water, that you do into perfecting your wing eyeliner.
Unplug and Reflect – In today’s “always on” society we often forget to unplug leaving us frazzled and fried. Turn your phone off, pick up a good book, or run a hot bubble bath. Be sure to take some time to create quiet space around yourself. Set aside some time each week to create this quiet space and give yourself something to look forward to.
Be Thankful – Since you will be meditating every day take some time out to think of the things that are going right in your life and be thankful. If you feel like nothing is going right, then think of the things that have kept you from jumping off the deep end: your parents, kids, your home, friends, job, Jesus. Whatever, it is that makes you happy find time to just say “Thank You” and watch your mood shift.
Hang Out With The Girls –Every once in a while you just need some “girl time” with your best friends, to unwind and recenter yourself. Schedule a mandatory girl’s night once a month. This will give you time to dish out the tea and laugh a bit more than you should. Download Netflix Party to join in a watch a movie with your girls.
Treat Yaself! – Sometimes you just have to eat the cake, buy the shoes, or binge-watch a little Netflix. Whatever, your guilty pleasure it is ok to indulge here and there. The key is not doing it regularly making it a habit. Download Netflix Party to enjoy with a friend.
Cut Off Toxic People and Relationships – The last step towards living your best life is to let go of people and situations that are toxic to your life. Some times this can be the hardest step, however, after your meditation and reflection, you will know who or what needs to be cut off. This will also take care of those stress breakouts you may be experiencing.
So, you want to know how to make this super easy kimono using only 1 yard of fabric? Well, you're in luck.
Supplies
1 Yard of Body Fabric
1/4" Contrasting Fabric
Matching Thread
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Pins
Measuring tape/ Ruler
Step 1
Layout and measure fabric. (Make sure the fabric is evenly cut by aligning fabric grains.) If you are using a guide garment, lay it on top of the folded and measured fabric.
Step 2
Pin outline of the desired shape. I have included the measurements of my garment below. This is for a size US 4-6 or Medium. You can have fun and let your mind go crazy. Make super long sleeves by adding length. Or have a dramatic kimono by adding length to the bottom hem.
Step 3
Measure twice cut once. Cut out around your pieces once you are sure the measurements are right.
Step 4
Sew each of the contracting sleeve pieces to the sleeve of the body. There should be four pieces, two for the front and two for the back. Hem the sleeve by turning back the raw edge 1/2".
Step 5
Sew the front body and back body together at the shoulder and side seams. If you want to add slits, simply roll your hem back to the desired height. Hem the slits then sew the rest of the side seam for a clean finish.
Step 6
Attach the contrasting neck facing to the body of the garment. Clean finish the neck by folding back 1/2" seam allowance on the raw edge, pin in place from the outside of the garment. Stitch in the ditch on the front of the garment.
Step 7
Hem the kimono body by folding up the raw edge 1/2".
**Be sure to press your seams open as you go for a professional finish.
Check out this easy to follow Youtube Tutorial on my channel for more help.
Let me start by saying you can wear whatever you want in Morocco with that being said how you dress will determine how the locals treat you. Morocco is an Islamic state and the locals have become accustomed to the warmer weather. They often can be found in puffer jackets and vests in the middle of an 80°+ day. You will stand out as a tourist unless you are of middle eastern/ Arabic descent. They having tourist honing radar on their noses. Sike, you'll probably just end up getting in their way and they'll know you are not from around town.
Morocco is a busy and sassy place that is full of life and culture. I did not observe public transportation systems when I went, this does not mean they do not exist, which means a lot of walking. I would suggest packing comfortable denim and walking shoes or boots. Roads are paved but a trip into the desert tinted my perfectly white PUMAs, so be mindful of the activities you will be doing.
There will be a million places for photo ops and you should dress in things that make you feel good because you will want to show everyone your photos when you return home.
Suggested Packing List:
- Good Denim Pants
- Older Denim Pants (For sporting activities)
- Maxi Dress
- Lightweight Jacket
- Walking Shoes
- Head/ Shoulder Scarf
- Crossbody Purse
- Oversized Sweater
- Sunglasses
- 2-3 Tee Shirts
- Tank Top
- Sport
- Sports Bra (For sporting activities)
Sometimes, I stand in the middle of the street because I can. JK, you should always practice safe pedestrian practices, especially at dusk and dawn when it is harder for drivers to see you. With that being said, you should also wear something nice, so drivers can admire you from their cars.
Outfit Details:
Satin Jumpsuit: Forever 21Satin Button Front: Forever 21
Pumps: Aldo Shoes
This quarantine life has definitely been taking a toll on me. I have been more active in doing home workouts and going for long walks. However, it has been a mental struggle. I have found the idea of possible financial instability unsettling. Especially, during this time of transitions for me. (Stay tuned to see where I am going next).
One thing has become very clear to me, to be secure in your future you must have more than one source of income and own the residence you live in. I have been interested in owning a home but never in a position to do it. This pandemic has shown me that I have to force myself into that position, asap.
Outfit Details:
PJs: SheIn.com
I absolutely love Marvel films. They have the ability to transport you to a far off place in space and time or even an alternate planet. Black Panther was definitely one of my favorite installations of the Marvel family. And if I’m being honest it’s always been a bucket list item of mine to act in a Marvel film. I would make a grand villain or adversary. I have had a chance to do some background acting on a few Marvel sets and I knew my big day will come.
Outfit Details:
Tee-Shirt: Walmart
Joggers: Mad Rag
Sneakers: Walmart
Sunglasses: H&M
Outfit Details:
Blazer: Mandee
Lace Bodysuit: Rainbow Shops
Wide Leg Pants: Mandee
Mules: Aldo
Clutch: The 10 Spot/ Mad Rag
Hat: Found in the Trash :)
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