Hair: Circa 2009

Hola! Have I said that I can be a very random person? Well, now I'm letting it be known! Sometimes I think of random thoughts and have to express them either verbally or written. This blog may seem a bit random, but I think it relates to fashion totally! Let's face it, what's an outfit without the hair? You don't see actresses wearing beautiful gowns at the Oscars with their hair frizzy and in a rough looking ponytail. The hair matches the clothes in some way, shape, and yes, form! How we wear our hair on a daily basis reflects our personalities and our appearance.

This week for me thus far is what I like to call a semi-bad hair week! It is partially a bad hair week because I can at least style it to the best of my ability without looking like a complete crazy chick! It just so happens that on the week I start a new job, my hair is playing games, but I am eager to win! My thoughts on my hair and my outfits I have been wearing so far this week have been: "I'm trying to look halfway decent and not hide under a HUGE rock!" Thank whoever invented "jam," a hair gel, because I would be out of luck, trust me! Hair for me is always essential in every look I show. And it is also the hardest thing to deal with.

This is "year two" of my natural hair journey. I say journey because it has been. My first relaxer was probably around age six and I clearly remember that "Just For Me" box it came in! After I reached my pre-teens, I was never consistent with getting a relaxer. My mother didn't really enforce it, it was more if you are unable to comb your hair or the "naps" are beginning to show, she would slap a relaxer in my hair. Yes slap, and sometimes an occasional burn :-). When in high school, I was never consistent with relaxing my hair, I would get one here and there or not anywhere! I frequently just wore my own hair out the best way I could. Only a few times did I get braids or some weave. Finally, I had enough!

When I entered my college years I was dealing with a lot of emotions. I didn't know if I wanted my hair long, short, cut, dyed, permed, nothing! I was all over the place. Soon enough, by the end of my sophomore year and the beginning of junior year, I decided it was time to go natural! My idea of natural is no chemicals, just me, my hair, and the ability to do different styles to it without burning my hair off. That didn't literally happen, but it sure felt like it! I feel that my hair is more healthier than its ever been. It's trained, versatile, and I love it!

My "Hairshion" (play on Fashion) journey has been an ordeal that made appreciate these strands of hair. Before I felt like I was mis-matched. Now, I feel that everything collaborates and I feel a complete style transformation. I have been going to a hair-dresser for a year now, October will mark my one year fabversory (play on anniversary lol) with Lawrence! He clipped all the damaged hair last year and continued to style and pamper my hair by pressing it out with a straightening comb and then curling it. My hair is shinier, bouncier, and did I say healthier! The great thing about my hair, I can do a lot with it. I can braid it up with or without weave. I can get a weave sewn in if I want. I can wet my hair and wear it my tight little curls, or do a twist out. It all depends on how I am feeling. Clothes are the same way, I love having the freedom to switch up my look!

I have been missing my hair guru Lawrence. I didn't go to him this summer because a pressed out look does not cooperate in hot temperatures. I've tried it, and ended up looking like a little poodle who got caught in the rain! This Saturday, Lawrence and I will re-unite, I cannot wait!

My hair journey circa 2009 is one that I am testing out. Today someone asked me if I was a teenager, like 16 or 17! The woman was a little neither here, nor there if you know what I mean. :-). But I honestly did feel a bit younger this week. I never try to look older, but 16 or 17, I can't have that! Anyway, hair is hair whether you have a lot of it, not much of it, too much of it, a relaxer, weave, dye job, whatever! As long as you are happy with yourself, be you! Hair is your fashion. Fashion is your hair.

India Arie said it best, "I am not my hair.....I am the soul that lives within!"

Que Pasa?

Fashion IS what's up!

Love,

Lish

The Design of my Walk

This evening my sister and I went for a walk around our neighborhood. It was a pretty random walk since we normally don't go on casual walks where we live :-). But this walk today was proof that we need to take more walks like this. My sister found herself very energized after a long day at work, and I noticed that I need to put more pep in my step! The walk allowed a change in both of us to surface. After taking the walk, I tried to think of a way to relate the exercise to fashion. I think I figured it out.

I found myself trying to think of the concrete beneath my feet as my personal runway. Each step was my time to face the world and reveal a person who is confident and ready to show what I got! For instance, as a model in a fashion show, your job is to not only display the merchandise you are wearing, but to strut with all your might and give it your all. More importantly, hold your head high and give a great face. No matter if you choose a serious look or one with a partial smile, bring the face! As your high heels or whatever shoes you are wearing touch the stage and you gracefully walk the runway, remember to believe in yourself and make it work!

As I walked on the pavement, I imagined I was on that runway, a very LONG runway! I kept my face a very serious but pouty look and kept my stride. Even when I was tired and wanted to pass out where I stood, I kept going. My legs were burning like a match had been lit to my calves. But that didn't stop me. I envisioned that instead, I was wearing a very hot pair of shoes, so fierce that as I walked, I left flames behind me. My hair blew in the wind as I glided and made my pose at the end of the runway.

As I walked back to where I started I still kept the same enthusiasm as I did on the walk down. With my sister as my partner, we kept it flashy and fabulous and killed it on our runway of good things to come! As we got closer to the end, we praised our progress and continued to our destination.

Soon enough, we made back to the beginning of the runway of good things to come and made our final poses. With smiles and some pain of burning legs, I mean hot shoes that left flames, we were proud that we had completed the task.

I am simply saying, the journeys we take can be our very own runway. What is important is that we walk through life remembering that there will be times when we want to fall out and quit. But with positive thoughts and possibly someone to help you along the way, you CAN make it. So the next time you take a walk, whether it be for exercise purposes or just a walk down a street, keep in mind that it is your runway. A runway that doesn't have to be cut short and forgotten. It can be one that is endless and memorable. The runway of good things to come is a fashion statement, so let's move forward!

Que Pasa?
Fashion IS what's up!

Love,
Lish

VIVA GLAM

I've been thinking a lot about the word fashion. Sometimes I wonder if there is a certain type of fashion. Or do I even qualify to explain it? What is it about fashion specifically that allows labels to be placed on people? How does one become fashionable? Is it something that naturally happens or do you have to make it happen? So many questions run through my mind as I try to process what fashion actually is.

These past few days I have been thinking a lot about icons who have come before me. The likes of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe are at the top of my list. These women WERE fashion when they were in the limelight. People looked for what trend they would start and women wanted to be like them, and some still do. But as I think about how fabulous they were, I think it was more than clothes, jewelry, and shoes. To me, there was something from within them that proclaimed their appealing nature. Yes, Marilyn wore some gorgeous dresses and Audrey took the cake on her huge stylish hats. But their glamorous appearances was contributed by their personalities. They expressed a certain confidence when in the spotlight that it made them well liked.

What I am trying to get across is that it takes more than a hot pair of shoes and a beautiful wardrobe to be fabulous. In my generation, Beyonce' Knowles is a perfect example. She obviously brings about fashion trends that some women try to follow and imitate. Though, her dazzling gowns at award shows and classy attire at talk shows wouldn't be half as fabulous if she didn't have that spark from within. Her confident stature make women of all ages want to copy her look or simply wonder where she got her outfit. Beyonce' may make being fabulous hard to do, but honestly it isn't.

Presentation is the key to being fabulous. There are days when I feel like I am the most fabulous looking girl on the block with a pair of jeans, a white short sleeves t-shirt, and a handmade scarf draped beautifully around my neck. But the clothes don't make me, I think I allow my inner confidence to believe I AM hot! It's not necessarily being conceited. But it is me being comfortable in my skin and owning what I have on. I take full responsibility for the way I look!

So, are you fashionable? Is anyone? I may not have all the answers, but one thing is for sure, fashion is fashion. It's how you interpret it. Fashion to you could mean something totally different than what I believe. And that is ok. Fashion allows all of us to create different looks and attempt to look our best! I would like to end with a quote from Carrie in a "Sex and the City" episode. It's one of my favs!

"The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you, you love, well, that's just fabulous."

Que Pasa?

Fashion IS what's up!

Love,

Lish

Something Old, Something New!

Have you ever heard of the phrase: Recycle and Re-use? Well guess what, there is such a thing! I do it all the time, and it helps! I am a recent college grad and I am pretty sketchy with cash. Even while in school I had to watch how much I would spend on things so that I didn't OVER-SPEND. So, sometimes I have to "make do" with what I have and re-use! I am not saying that everything I wear is from another era, but If I find an old shirt or blouse circa 1997 :-), as long as it is clean and of course, still fits, I will wear it!

In some cases, if it wasn't your clothing to begin with, you may be able to play around with it. For instance, if it was your mom's old dress that "kinda" fits, you'll have to make some adjustments.

You can take just about anything and make it new again, make it your own. It's all about taking the time to create the look and definitely the delivery. If you walk around with a sign on your head that says: I WORE THIS SHIRT IN 7TH GRADE!, it's not going to work for you. So how you present your recycled look, makes it new and improved!

Quite often I re-use and recycle clothes from YEARS ago! My sister sometimes teases me when I whip out a shirt from 1999, but it still fits! I present myself like its brand new and no one but maybe my sister knows :).

How to revamp
To my ladies, you can revamp, let's say a blouse that you haven't worn for awhile, and make it hot! Possibly, add a blazer or a vest with it to jazz it up a bit, or maybe add a cool cardigan. For my fellas, whatever your taste, the same things could apply. Men wear vests and blazers, so if you have an old t-shirt, add your own flavor to it, don't be afraid!

I also discovered a few years ago that jeans I had that were HIGH WATERS, I'd cut them into shorts or some form of carpi's. They always seemed to work out. Or, in the winter, you can wear those too high pants and tuck them into some cute boots. Make it look like the pants are a regular length!

In the video you will see a few ways I recycled and re-used. It all depends on what the occasion is I guess. But this concept can save you time and money!

P.S. Make sure your volume is turned up enough for you to hear it!

Love,

A very StyLISH!

I Smell Fashion

So, my main goal for this blog was to rant about whatever was on my mind, and I still plan to do that. Though I think this blog will be a bit more focused. I plan on becoming a fashion journalist soon and among many other things. So I think its best to start here.

Fashion IS a part of my life in so many ways, and it doesn't necessarily have to do with clothes, it's the BIGGER PICTURE. In my opinion, whether good or bad, fashion is what I like to call C.B.C.: Creativity, Boldness, Comfortable.

Creativity

The biggest fashion icons take risks and therefore become very creative in their look. They rip their jeans in a destructive way and rock out with a pair of loafers. Can you picture it? It may sound weird but to be creative you sometimes have to try what other people have no clue about. When I was younger I would cut the bottom off of my t-shirts that were striped or solid colors, and I'd make accessories with it. I'd make a headband or if it stretched enough, a cool belt. I always try to be creative in my everyday look.

Boldness

You simply cannot rock a purple pair of jeans with a lime green graphic tee without feeling totally confident in your appearance. To be bold does not mean you walk around with a pair of nylon stockings and a baby tee, (Trust me, I've seen it!) or wear a pair of jeans with slits on the back pockets where your butt is. To be bold is all about making a statement that is not too harmful to the eyes :). If you want to be bold and fashionable at the same time, by all means, hold your head up high. Hold it was with class and confidence.

Comfortable

When you decide to take a fashion risk even if it is a fashion DON'T, be sure you are comfortable in what you have on. The last thing you want is to be out for the world to see and you feel so uncomfortable. Last weekend I attempted what I thought was a fashion DO, but once I had the outfit on, I felt uncomfortable. So I had to do a quick wardrobe change that suited me better for that day. I will try the outfit again, but possibly in a different way, we'll see. So, if you feel uncomfortable, trust, you will appear uncomfortable. Whatever the look is, make it your business to feel comfortable. Don't worry about if other people will like the look, as long as you feel secure, that's what counts.

So, what have we learned? Yes, that's right C.B.C.! Fashion eludes this three word acronym. It helps me, and it may for you as well!

Que Pasa? Fashion is What's up!

A few examples of C.B.C. :

*Love,

Lish