Monday, June 30, 2014

#TreatsandTresses - A #RoyalCoils Meet Up!

Helllllo summer, so glad you decided to accompany us. I love summer time for music festivals, hot new lip colors, hipster shorts, box plaits and summer meet ups. Last month I had the pleasure of attending #TreatsandTresses - A #RoyalCoils Meet Up presented by Ankara Miami and Natural Trend Setters. Ladies and gents if you missed this event you missed a treat. Attendees enjoyed special treats from: C&B Sweet Designs, Femmes Royales, Miami Candies, A La Mode Boutique, Luxe Therapy Hair Products, M.A.K Natural, Nefertiti's Secrets, ONLI Beverages, Patsie Girl, Rootspiration, Taliah Waajid amd Von Xavier Wines.
Presenters of #TreatsandTresses

In addition, attendees received natural hair care and makeup tips from the best in the beauty business. Simone Hylton, 1/2 of Natural Trend Setters, a celebrity natural hair stylist and mmmmmy loctician showcased natural hair styles, the flexibility of these styles, treating your tresses, the beauty of being natural and the practicality of it. Her energy is so captivating she possesses the power to make permed girls go natural lol. Select the links below for some hair demonstrations. 

Demo 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_k10Kkgzv8

Demo 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkyaPY4qozk

Demon 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJ2-edy5MU


Makeup Artist @SimplyCre8eve shared makeup tips on how to make your every day look, look effortless.


Throughout the meet up, several vendors showcased their merchandise. I had a chance to meet and shop with some of them.  


AFR Clothing                                                BeYOUteous


 
             Silky Wraps                                       Goddess Fashion Factory

I love the ladies from Goddess Fashion Factory. Check out the clutch I purchased from #GFF and matching earrings (courtesy of Goddess Fashion Factory) that I wore to the #OnTheRun tour. Yesssssss I was there! #OTR #FirstStopMiami #youshouldhavebeenthere Oh yea and by the way you should #shopsmall.

But, I disgress... lol South Florida's movers and shakers were present for the royal occassion. See below.
       

 
Designer Marquita Moore of Wamuiru Couture      Carlos the sound/anythingyouneed man lol

South Florida's #naruralistas were definitely in the building rocking their #RoyalCoils. Check out some of these beauties and what I like to call #MyEyeonFashion Report.




                        


Why #TreatsandTresses??? Answered by the SHEeo's of Natural Trendsetters, "Trudy" and Simone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfDHGS2Pgtw

                                                 Additional Photos from #TreatsandTresses


Natural Trend Setters

If everyone looks like they had a great time, it's because they did! #TreatsandTresses was an amazing event, a great vibe shared with beautiful people. S/o to Evelyn O of Ankara Miami for allowing me to cover this event. Can't wait for the next meet up!



Save the Date: Dec 14 - #RoyalCoils Natural Hair & Beauty Expo. Stay tuned to www.MyRoyalCoils.com for updates! I had the pleasure of interviewing Simone for last year's event. Take a glimpse of what to expect this year. http://notyouraveragemodel.blogspot.com/2013/12/royal-coils-11th-annual-natural-hair.html. It only gets better from here!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Miami Fashion Week: Meet Me In Miami

This past weekend I had the awesome privilege of covering Meet Me in Miami, a four day weekend getaway alongside Miami Fashion Week. The weekend was sponsored by Jones Magazine and hosted by Jambalaya Media Group. Meet Me in Miami (#MeetMeinMiami) was more than a weekend of fashion, beauty and style, but attendees received invaluable pearls of wisdom from powerhouses Cynthia Bailey from RHOA and Sarah Jakes, author and daughter of Bishop TD Jakes to name a few.

#MeetMeinMiami provided attendees who wouldn't normally attend Miami Fashion Week a glimpse of the fashion world, packed with workshops, housed at the illustrious W Hotel on South Beach. The week kicked off on Thursday, May 15 with a round table discussion on WMBM AM 1490 Radio Station "The Life of a PK" show hosted by Victoria Curry with guest speakers Sarah Jakes and other PK's, an ORS press conference and a red carpet event for the 16th Annual Miami Fashion Week at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Friday's schedule provided a series of workshops with leading beauty experts. In "The Hair Affair" workshop the energetic International hair stylist and ORS Ambassador Chris Curse stressed the importance of using organic products on your hair and how the ORS product line meets the needs of consumers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZLXKBpjuwg. I had the opportunity to catch up with Chris and he shared with me some wonderful hair tips: Condition your hair regularly. Moisture happens inside and out. Be sure to oil the roots and ends of your hair. Sleep with a satin or bonnet cap to protect your hair. Don't be afraid to experiment with products. These hair tips are sure to last a lifetime. Can't wait to try ORS Curls Unleashed on my lovely locs. Mmmmh!

From hair tips we transitioned to "Walking in Confidence" with the sensational Cynthia Bailey, CEO of the Bailey Agency, producer Tyrone Barrington and agent Marcus Jackson. This workshop was one of my favorites. Cynthia's transparency was so inspirational. Simply stated, believe in yourself and believe that you are worthy of a good life. Surround yourself with people who are supportive, understand your vision and have their own vision. The rest of the panel encouraged us to be obedient. Listen to God's instruction.This workshop was so awesome that we went over time. Here's a snippet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHFcb4380ec How can you not walk in confidence after this? After I got myself together, because God was DEFINITELY speaking to me through this panel we received some useful makeup tips from MUA Rory in the "Beauty: Inside Out" workshop.

We concluded the day of workshops with an "Hour of Power" hosted by author Sarah Jakes. Sarah is on a nation wide tour promoting her new book, "Lost & Found." She shared with us her testimony through her life's detours. Through her words of hope we were encouraged that life can happen after a bad situation. One detour doesn't change your destination and there is strength in brokenness. #SHOUT When Sarah uttered that statement I almost shouted, actually I did internally lol. I was told this past week from a mentor of mines after a personal breakdown that God can really use you when you are broken. Isn't that powerful! When we are feeble that is when He is strong and can have his way in our life. Most importantly, Sarah instructed us to let God have our life. This is where I am in my life. Really giving my life over to God, not just in word, but in deed. Singing, "my life is not my own to whom I belong. I give myself. I give myself to you." I encourage you to purchase her book, "Lost & Found." I sure did. Can't wait to read it on tour this summer.

LET THE FASHION SHOW BEGIN. After the workshops we all headed to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the Jones Emerge Fashion Show hosted by Cynthia Bailey. Guess who had front row seats *raises hand*.  #FOGLife (Favor of God). The fashion show featured designers: the Wilbourn Sisters in ready to wear and swimwear designers Allusions by A. Lekay and G Saints. This fashion show was epic, because it featured all African-American designers. As an African-American wardrobe stylist this was a proud moment.

Saturday, Sonia Jackson Myles, founder of The Sister Accord presented "Teen Empowerment" Sisters Destined for Greatness, a workshop designed to cheer 100 girls toward their God-Given path to greatness and sisterhood. Upon my arrival I was asked to be the speaker alongside Sonia. What an honor and a privilege. Who would have known that the trails I have encountered these past two moths and past couple of years would prepare me for this moment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMNKBRqlqS0 Definitely a move of God.

While the teen workshop was undergo in another workshop radio personality Jill Tracey of Hot 105 Love, Life and the 411 was hosting the Breathe Panel with panelist Tomi Tose  Sr. VP Sports & Entertainment Divsion at Opulence International Reality and author "Why Shouldn't Single Mothers Have It All, Lauriann Stepp, Holistic Professional Organizer and Khadija of Khadija's Wholistic Fitness, LLC, certified personal trainer and Nutrition Consultant. These ladies provided us with expert advice on how to live healthy lives by de-cluttering and turning anger into action and anguish.

Later that afternoon we enjoyed a Fashion Infusion Trunk Show featuring the designers from the Jones Emerge Fashion Show. Select the link for a live demonstration by Wilbourn Sisters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKxGIx2b99Q

A weekend getaway is not complete without tea and girl talk. #MeetMeinMiami attendees enjoyed Living Your Life's Purpose, High Tea and a book signing with vision surrogate Brenda Hill. Followed by a Meet & Greet with Bravo's Fashion Queens Bevy Smith.

The weekend closed on Sunday, May 18 with a Royale Brunch and a day of inspiration with Bevy Smith, Sonia Jackson Myles, ORS Executive Shannon Skipper Green and Patricia Boswell.
#MeetMeinMiami was a weekend of sharing, uplifting and inspiring women to position ourselves for greatness. A major s/o is extended to Jilllll Tracey for making this weekend happen for me. Love you mean it!

ORS Ambassador Chris Curse

Cynthia Bailey

Makeup by Rory Lee

Lost & Found by Sarah Jakes 


At Miami Fashion Week Jones Emerge Fashion Show

Designers
                           





At the VIP Reception with Cynthia Bailey

Teen Empowerment Workshop with Sonia Jackson Myles

Jillllll Tracey at the Breathe Panel

Tomi Rose at the Breathe Panel

Fashion Infusion Trunk Show

Wilbourn Sisters Designs

            
Allusions by A. Lekay                          G Saints Swimwear                            Renee Fredrique


                                                  Meet Me in Miami next year!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

A Mother's Love

Compassionate, selfless, fearless, bodacious, and virtuous are all characteristics that describe my mother, Ernestine Mike-Petit. Affectionately known to many as Momma Petit, my mother is strength, courage under fire and a mother to many. 


In celebration of Mother's Day I wanted to honor my mother in a special way. As I think about my mother's love, I am reminded of my childhood traveling with the Miami-Dade Youth Council of the NAACP to the National Conventions without my mom. Momma Petit would place my daily allowance in a white envelope for each day that I was away, this is where the concept of being a steward over my finances and learning the purpose of a budget was developed. While growing up, my brother and I never went without anything. We had the best of everything! I have watched my mother work as a teacher, balance a household, participate in extra-curricular activities, endure countless eye surgeries all while maintaining a level head. Momma Petit kept us involved in extra-curricular, stressed the importance of education and taught us to effectively prepare for the future. My mother has always been a leader, often walking alone on issues that she felt was right. She has taught me to be courageous, possess my own mind and most importantly walk in my own lane.

Nothing can compare to a mother's love. I am grateful to my mother for keeping our family together, covering my dad and surrounding us with the best life had to offer. Even today I watched her work a miracle for me. 


No matter how old I get I will always treasure my mother's love. It is my prayer when God blesses me to be a wife and a mother I will be like Momma Petit, a relentless woman of God.

Happy Mother's Day to my cheerleader and grandmother of Styling Purpose. Thank you for your unconditional love and continued support!





Sunday, April 13, 2014

I'm Coming Out - Spring 2014 Shoe Trends

Whenever I purchase new accessories I feel like Diana Ross in her 1980's classic, "I'm coming out" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mjl63e0ms#aid=P-fAY5i_8bI. I am a believer that the right accessories (jewelry, hats, purses, scarves, shoes, etc) can elevate your look from normal to extraordinary and who ever had fun JUST being normal??? Speaking of extraordinary, last week Sunday, I attended the South Broward Alumnae Chapter's Red Shoe Affair where members of the greatest sorority in the land Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Delta supporters and red shoe lovers congregated through song and dance to raise funds for scholarships and other programs. One time for my Soror's holding it downnn. OO-op! For this occasion, I chose to rock a pair of red Carlos Santana wedges, accompanied with a Jessica Howard pocket dress, African inspired clutch by Goddess Fashion Factory and rings from Lola Black Boutique, perfect for a Sunday afternoon event. Check me out!

Nevertheless, with my new fond love affair with shoes, I hope the boo doesn't get jealous teehee.   This spring has really captured my attention, from wearable art to cool crops; ladies there is no excuse for fashion mishaps. Just in chance you missed my spring fashion trend post from last week here it goes  http://notyouraveragemodel.blogspot.com/2014/04/spring-forward-into-new-trend.html.Coupled with spring fashion trends step into style with these spring selection of shoes: slingbacks, block heels, embellishment heels, bohemian slides, flats, sleek mules, caged booties, gladiator shoes and eccentric sneakers.

Now let's put a face to these shoes, so when you're enjoying some retail therapy you know what to look for:

SlingBacks



Block Heels


Embellishment Heels


Bohemian Slides

Flats


Sleek Mules


Caged Booties


Gladiator Shoes

Eccentric Sneakers

Until we meet again, have a fashion forward week!

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Spring Forward into a New Trend

In my Muhammad Ali voice, "Spring is here." As we embrace a new season in fashion some of my viewers might be wondering how to incorporate Spring fashion into your daily wardrobe. Well wonder no more! This spring is calling for fashionistas to go beyond the classic floral print, maxi dresses and skirts and into a more chic'er, unique and fresher look.

Take a look at 2014 Spring Fashion Trends.

Wearable Art - (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)



Blush Crush (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)


Sporty Chic (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)


Cool Crops (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)



Sheer Addiction (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)



The Tailored Tee (Photo Courtesy of The Zoe Report)
Caftan Crazy (Photo Courtesy of Michael Kors)



Eyelet Ease (Photo Courtesy of Michael Kors)

Jumpsuit Just Right (Photo courtesy of Michael Kors)

My Favorite Trend

My favorite fashion trend for this season and probably every season is the sporty chic look. You can create so many looks with this style. One look in particular is the overalls look. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!  Check out the belle below (Photo courtesy of Adventures in Her Stile). This beauty is working the overalls look. To add a touch of Styling Purpose, I would pair this look with a funky fedora hat, canvass kicks, some colorful chunky bracelets, an ankara printed clutch and wah-la you have a great look! 


But enough of what I would do lol. In the words of my soul sister, Lauryn Hill, "Everything is everything. After winter must come Spring, change comes eventually." Don't be afraid to try new trends this Spring. Based on the information I provided you should have a better idea of what to purchase on your next shopping excursion. Attempt to choose one item from this list and infuse it with your wardrobe and see what happens. If you're still confused then consult with a stylist, that would be me :). For fashion consultation and wardrobe styling contact LaShannonPetit@gmail.com. It would be my pleasure to service you. 

Until we meet again. Spring Forward -----> Don't be afraid to change.