Step In ...

Sunday, March 31 my parents celebrated 35 years of marriage. Who new that on the very next day, April 1 my dad would drive himself to the ER, be asked to stay for observation and not leave until Tuesday night. Emphasis on LEAVE!

While I waited with my daddy on Tuesday, he couldn't understand why the doctors and nurses were taking so long with his test results. He felt like he was fine and was more than ready to be in the comfort of his home. It had gotten to a point where he almost removed the IV from his arm and threatened to walk out. At this juncture, I had to call upper management, my momma to get him to relax and be patient! 

Eventually my poppa was discharged and I drove him home. On the way home,  I was providing my mother an update on the discharge when God illustrated a significant point. He showed me the lesson he was trying to show me through my father. The patience I needed my father to have with his hospital situation, was the very same patience God was requiring of me in my season of singleness. Really God! So you're going to use one of my heartbeats to make a point. I get it! I need to patient. I need to trust the process. I need not to take matters into my own hands. I need to trust you whole heartedly. I need to wait for the results to come back after you have diagnosed my heart, healed it, and directed me to a safe space to love again.

Last week God dropped in my spirit, that my singleness journey was not a punishment, but a process. A process that can't be overridden or overlooked, but necessary for the victory on the other side of this temporary season! Ladies and gentleman, it's how you wait that matters! How will you wait for God to send your mate? What does waiting for your mate look like for you? Are you traveling, investing in your personal and professional development? Are you living your best life? Will you wait for them with expectancy? I dream and expect a love so pure, honest, loving, divinely connected, intimate, romantic, meaningful, purposeful, empowering, uplifting and perfect for us. I speak as if I'm boo'd up already! "I look forward to bae and I traveling together and I can't wait for bae and I to try this new brunch spot". That's how I'm speaking prophetically in this second quarter of 2019!

I realized recently that I was attracting the quality of men in my life according to the value and worth that I saw in myself. Now that was moment! Let me get these vibes together, so my honey can walk into my life with his fine, smart, Godly self!

As I invest in my personal development, I'm reading the book "Believe Bigger" by Marshawn Evans Daniels. In one of her aha chapters (because the entire book is fye), she states,  "He will show up when you step in".  I am stepping fully into my calling of empowering men and women in the area of love and business. 

On Sunday, March 31 God not only showed his had in my parents marriage, but He also provided me with hope on my own personal journey. Love is for me and I will obtain the love I desire in His timing. 

Feelings, Navigation & Singleness

A lot has transpired in my world since my last blog post of catching flights and not feelings. Let me fill you in!

I celebrated Black History Month at the NoMi Fest with artists: Chantae Moore, 112, Teenarr, Crystal Waters and Az Yet and enjoyed a wonderful evening of live music and good company! 

NoMi Fest photos by Godfrey Mead @jr_photo

Rolling over into the month of March and it was as busy as it could be! I worked the 14th Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival presented by the City of Miami Gardens and was afforded the amazing opportunity to meet one of my favs - fellow Rattler Rashan Ali from Sister Circle, Stephanie Mills and so many other boss babes. 

The 2019 Jazz in the Gardens

 

Women's Impact Luncheon                            Stephanie Mills

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       Behind the Scenes                        With some of the Cox Media Personalities

Got my groove on, as if I lost it lol at Groove Thang Miami with the T.R. L. Group. Good vibes all around!

Groove Thang at Lounge 35 in Midtown Miami

Took Momma Petit to the Miami Open for her birthday and while I searched for Qai Qai, we watched Venus Williams win her match at the grandstand. We were even blessed with stadium tickets. Won't He upgrade you!

Miami Open 2019 | Hard Rock Stadium

   Living my Best Life            Searching for Qai Qai

As I work through my feelings and navigate this season of singleness, I am adamant about not allowing my relationship status to prohibit me from enjoying life. People always say to me that your everywhere Lala. Yea, I'm everywhere I'm supposed to be! I can't sit home and sulk. I can't afford to. There is too much life and love inside of me to be dormant, sad or depressed. The biggest lesson that I've learned through this season is that God would not hold anything good from you. If He hasn't released it maybe it's not good for you or the right time for it! I have been friend zoned soooo many times. Too many to count, but every single time I have witnessed God's overwhelmingly protection over my life. He loves me so much that He doesn't give me what I want, but gives me what I need at the exact moment that I need it! The very thought of this brought tears to my eyes and further solidified His love for me. Maybe you're friend zoned because you just need a friend. You need to know that there are good people in this world that are still single, emotionally available and on the market looking for you and me. Give it some time!

I'm maneuvering through this single season and it's not easy folks! Sometimes I'm empowered, other times I'm disappointed and confused, but through the process I have learned to put my full trust in God. I have released how I felt it should play out, how it should look and with whom I thought it should look like with. I'm learning how to date as a believer, as a woman who knows her worth and value. I'm setting boundaries. Fighting for what I deserve and not allowing someone else's confusion or dishonesty stop by purpose. I will continue to create moments, go where I am celebrated, wanted and where love resides. 

Have you ever been in a situation where someone has confessed that they like you, but not ready to be in a relationship and months later their in a relationship and not with you! Go figure! In this instance being in your feelings is understandable, but staying there is not. Sometimes the past comes back for another chance. Exploring it may feel fearful, but maybe God gave you another opportunity, because now is the time for that relationship!

While at Groove Thang Saturday night, my line-sister asked me when am I going to get married. That's the BIG QUESTION! I replied, I'm not sure LS, but I am sure that God is preparing me for it and it for me!

On Sunday, March 31 my parents will celebrate 35 years of marriage. They are my relationship goals, because they have stood the test of times, for better or for worst.

Catch Flights, Not Feelings

On most Valentine’s Day I would feel some type of way about being single, not being in a committed relationship or not having a romantic valentine or date. But, I can honestly say that this year was different. Call it growth, healing, self-love, attitude shift or not choosing to focus on what was lost and not yet discovered. I went within myself (yes that is a thing, according to my line-sister lol) and decided that I wasn't going to allow this day to devalue my worth as a woman or my desire to be loved in an eros type of way. I received beautiful gifts from my parents, my forever Valentines, put on something sexy, paired it with a Michael Kors red lip and celebrated my girlfriends Birthday that night! Happy Birthday Quisha!

Thick thighs saving lives

On Valentine’s Day, we often ponder the romantic love that we have yet to acquire or "that person" we desire to be in a relationship with, but they're not quite ready or simply not interested. As a successful businesswoman and professional you're left to pontificate, if we can maneuver through the marketplace successfully, we should be able to navigate love with the same temperament. Not so much! It's just not that simple for some. Since God is still writing my love story and I keep trying to make edits (no lie), I decided that this V-Day was going to be different for me.

Forget being in my feelings on this LOVE Day and weekend - I'm catching a WHOLE flight to San Francisco, California to spend time with my girlfriend and Soror Petula! Yeaa baby! ... And this was one of the best decisions I could make!

What catching flights, not feelings looks like!

We so eloquently coined this trip as #bosschicksonbreak! And break, dance, laugh, drink wine and more wine was what we did! If I could relive this past weekend, over and over again I would. We had a blast! 

From the scenic views, the beautiful people and their dogs, San Fran has a variety to offer. We enjoyed dinning and eating at Fisherman Wharf, China Live, Park Tavern, Chloe's and shopping in Union Square. We visited Napa Valley on Saturday and with much anticipation made it to three wineries - V. Sattui, Robert Mondavi and Domaine Chandon. V. Sattui gave us so much life! Or maybe it was our server Ed??? He kept the wine flowing and we brought the laughs and twerks.

Our friend Ed

We met a random stranger (a Cauicasian male) at Mustards Grill in the valley who was intrigued by our conversation about love. Who in turn is hopelessly in love himself. I guess love is on everyone's mind - male, female, white and black! Also, I now understand why the people in California are so dxmn happy and friendly! Blame it on the wine! 

V. Sattui Winery

 

Robert Mondavi Winery

 

Domaine Chandon Winery

Pretty much sums up our Napa Valley experience - We're Litty Lit!

What was most significant about this girls trip is that we realized, as women, we're experiencing the same struggles in love, career, friendship and family. We must understand that we deserve the love we graciously give to others and must be cognizant that this love is powerful and shouldn't be given away so easily. I'm aware that you should always lead with love, but I'm shifting my approach to not think with my heart, but move with my mind. Moving different all 2019!

Hey P!

On my flight back to South Florida, I sat next to a couple who had been married for 47 years. The wife asked me if I was married and solicited a prayer for her single seat-mate. Yesss, I need all of the prayer warriors for this one! I am declaring and believing that love will find it’s way to me and you, just as everything good and perfect gift from God has made it's way!

What Men Want

Hey boo! It's been a long time since I've written, 2015 to be exact! I only wanted to write when I had something valuable to share with my audience. Since my writing hiatus, I have launched two successful businesses -PrPl Miami and Petit Amour Brand, shameless plug! I have checked off some items on my bucket list, grown spiritually, increased my God-confidence, elevated my sense of style, read Michelle Obama's book Becoming (inspiring to say the least) and experienced a number of failed "situationships", you know those "relationships" that are not quite relationships, but situations because someone is not yet ready to commit. Gotta keep it honest in 2019! 

Last night, I had the privilege to catch an early screening of What Men Want starring Taraji P. Henson with some of my girlfriends at Aventura AMC. We cute or whateva!

 

I wanted to watch this movie to support FAMU's own Will Packer, the beautiful and talented Taraji and to gain some insight, because a sista is not winning in this category. I ask the poignant question, WHAT DO MEAN WANT?  I can hear uncle Steve Harvey purport, "we don't know what we want, you have to tell us what that is!" At 35, I'm still trying to answer this question. I have dated, "talked to", "friended" all types of men - blue collar, men divorced with kids, the cheater, the successful man, so successful they don't have time to date or should I say they don't create time to date, which presents a problem when your love language is quality time! I have been in the friend zone too many times to count, matter of fact I should have stock in the friend zone. Real talk! This phase is important in building a strong relationship built on trust, honesty and communication, but I never transition out of this phase. POR QUE NO? In my head, I'm like so you can talk to me like almost all day about almost everything, but that's it! I'm like Drake, NO NEW FRIENDS! I don't want to just be your friend dude! I have enough of them. I require more out of this situation then what you're giving me! 

I believe you get to the point in your singleness where you're just over it and you have no more ___ (insert explicative) left to give! Where you realize that you're a prize, an asset to any situation. You haven't quite given up on love, you just can't give energy to those who aren't ready to receive the capacity of love you have to give. Either they want to do date you or they don't, either they view you as more than a friend and they decide to pursue more or they don't. We all know that love is a choice. So many times in my past, I have chased after a man. I don't even know why. Because, I love love and at the time I was anxious and felt ready to be in a relationship. At the close of 2017, I decided that those days of chasing are ova honey! Because honestly, if he is led by God, he will be obedient to what God is telling him to do as it relates to me and us and he will allow God to order his steps to me or away from me. I am old fashion in this way. I want a man to pursue me, not because I want to play games, but because I want to know you have consciously made the decision to be in my life romantically. The scripture says that "A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing." Which means that he has to be searching for it! AHA! But what if he's not searching? What if this is the year that he decided to focus on his business and love is not on his calendar for 2019. Then, what do you do?

Whether married, divorced, single or it's complicated, self love is a universal language for women despite your relationship status. To answer the question above, what you do, is to continue to love yourself and put yourself first! You don't settle for a lack luster commitment. You travel, workout, go to brunch, open yourself to receiving the love that you require. I repeat, you don't settle! You live your best life, however that may look for you. You don't worry about society's time table on when you should be married and have kids. You maneuver through life your way and through your terms! 

There are some days where I am secure in my singleness, but this week was not that type of week! I shared this photo on social media, because I wanted to encourage my plus-sized sisters that beauty comes in all shapes, hues and sizes. I can honestly say that I love myself, whether single or dating!

I wanna leave you with this golden nugget.

GAME CHANGED!!!

#OhYesSheDid

Hello my #BMJers, what's the deal pickle is everything kosher? lol...We have been shutting social media down every Tuesday night since season 2 premiered. Woooohooo! I hear Season 3 is going to AWEsome, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Last week on episode 6, BKA #OhYesSheDid the topic of suicide was explored. For many years in the black community we considered suicide to be a "white thing," but it's not. There are so many people across socio-economic statuses, color, faith and gender who battle suicide, low self-esteem, depression and lack of self-confidence. This episode focused on suicide and black males, which was interesting and worthy of applause. In the height of Ferguson and other gun related violence towards our African-American males this episode was right on time. 

I have always been the supportive type of sistah. While dating, I would support whatever project the boo was apart of, whether I was interested in it or not. But MJ, posed a great question while discussing the suicide issue with Sheldon, her new I hope to be beau, (we will discuss that subject momentarily); who will be there for the black woman? Not to say that the brothers don't need our support, but who will uplift the sistahs? Who will tell us that our hair is beautiful whether kinky, curly or loc'd? That our complexion -mocca, caramel,or berry black is rich and pairs well with bright and bold colors. That our curves are to be celebrated and the fullness of our lips kissed daily. Who will be there for the black woman?

I know one brother who wants to be there for MJ and that is David. David is really #TeamMaryJane right now. What's up with that? He is living with another woman and having a baby by her. Hello somebody! In season one we clearly thought that David moved on. But did he? I know this is just a show, but David and MJ situations happen all the time. My question is simple, if you love them why not just be with them? I just don't get it... It's complicated you may say. I don't believe love is that way. Love is free, simple, and easy. It gives what it receives. It's the things surrounding love that make it complicated, like: work and bills. But love, it's so simple. 

Now back to Shaka, I mean Sheldon. I am really liking Sheldon for Mary Jane. He is intellectually astute, direct and sexy. Let's have a moment of silence for Sheldon's sexiness........... But seriously, Sheldon asked Mary Jane on a date and even told her that he would be out of the country for a couple of days. He communicates. YESSSSSS! He knows what he wants. YESSSSS! Well they did say he was 50+, I'm going to need Sheldon to know exactly what he wants at that age, you don't have much time buddy lol. But fellas, we want to be asked out on dates and not through text message either. Call us. We want to hear your sexy voice. Yes we do. We really do. When did calling become so prehistoric anyway???

Nevertheless, right after Sheldon asked MJ on a date, MJ goes back to David. Momma nooooooo. I won't lie, I was sooo disappointed. But that happens. MJ tried to close the door, but it was still open because David still had feelings for MJ. *sigh* Somebody pass me a box of tissue or the bible. I don't know if I should cry or pray, because I'm so confused lol. Does David only want MJ because she is moving on. Does her absence speak volumes? Do you miss MJ? Taking a sneak peek of this week's new episode I am led to believe that MJ possibly had sex with David to get back at him? We shall see..

Can't wait to tweet with you all this week. See you Tuesday night. Follow me on twitter if you like, @Lala_bangs :).

A major s/o goes to Mara Akil and the cast of Being Mary Jane. Thank you for showing me much love this season. Appreciate you! Check out the love :)

3 Years - Clap, Clap Bravo!

Hola! Great day peeps. I woke up this morning with so much faith and trust in God. I was on such a high, that I didn't even realize today marked my three year anniversary as a blogger. Wooohoooo! Somebody say "par-tay." Three years to date, I stepped out on faith and decided to turn my mess into a ministry, my pain into a platform and provide a source of empowerment for people everywhere.

Covering topics such as fashion, love, faith and events; I have been privileged to share my world with you all and I am thankful for your continued support. Through these three years, my confidence has been enriched, my desire to please God enhanced and my purpose enlightened.

I have learned many lessons (lifeSTYLE tips) in this period. At this time I am led to share these two: Trust God and be comfortable with being YOU.

Tip One - Trusting God simply means that you trust His timing and the plan He has for your life. Point blank!

Tip Two - Be comfortable with being you. This is so important because so many people are afraid of being themselves for lack of acceptance. You don't have to ask people permission to be who God created you to be! You had a purpose long before people knew you had a talent/gift. Stop explaining yourself. Who is LaShannon Petit, you might ask.? I am a lover of Christ, a purpose influencer, a lover of all things empowering, a source of information, an avid reader who likes rap/hip hop music and someone who loves to dance. I dance in the shower, while washing dishes, in the car, in the mall, no place is off limits. I think you get the point lol...

Now, who are you? I want you to take time out this week, month and year to discover the real you. Hurry the world is waiting.

Creating a New Normal

At the culmination of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 many of us set new year resolutions, affirmations and declarations. We examined our year, the ups, downs, aha moments and decided what we will and won't tolerate. Who we will allow in our lives and most importantly in our space. For me, in 2014, I charted into new territories and worked with some amazing people. I incurred some challenges, but through those challenges God strengthened my character and stirred some gifts. I decided that 2015 will be the year that I start living a limitless life, trusting God wholeheartedly.

Some might question, you're a christian LaShannon, shouldn't you already trust God? I should and I do, but not all of me. There are parts of me that still question, that over analyzes... situations, people, my current circumstances. But despite my need for clarification and attention from Him, He keeps proving over and over to me, that He has my best interest, He has my back and that He hears and understands me. Every cry, concern, doubt, fear, prayer, desire and plea all the way down to the thoughts that I have not voiced, He gets it! One of my favorite quotes by Oprah Winfrey is that," love is in the details" and it is! Last year I wanted to travel to the Bahamas for my Birthday, November 11, (Just in case you wanted a jumpstart on 2015 Birthday gifts lmbo), but it wasn't possible because I was working on a new project as a consultant and it was very demanding. Don't you know, before the year was over I was able to travel to the Bahamas as a guest of my clients. 

                            

                                                     #JesusDidIt 

That was enough for me to say have several seats LaShannon, just let God have His way. All He wants to do is bless you. Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. To give you an expected end." Moving forward, I decided that I'm not going to question the Lord. Just do what pleases Him and keep it moving!

Bishop T.D. Jakes New Year's Eve message was entitled A New Normal. Select the link to view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-VdViSSV14. Simply meaning, creating a lifestyle that is not an answer to a quick fix, but a lifestyle change. A shift in your mind, habits, behavior, thoughts, patterns, this is not life as usual! This year I am approaching a new way of thinking in the areas of fitness, love, my business (www.stylingpurpose.com) and relationships and I implore you to do the same. What is your new normal? 

On a more personal note, on December 23, 2014 I had surgery to remove pre-cancerous cells in my cervix. With much prayer and divine intervention, I am able to report that ALL of the pre-cancerous cells have been removed. #SHOUT I mentioned this to say that God is a healer. He has the power to rectify any and every situation that we encounter. Because of this situation, I was led to create an additional platform of encouragement with my blog, on #YouTube called #ModelBites, like soundbites, pretty dope hunh :). They are weekly words of encouragement for the people. If you missed the past two weeks here it goes.  Be sure to subscribe to the channel as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw6AGYbgpRM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w4tSbvHSEk

SPECIAL NOTE

Big ups to everyone who have supported my platforms throughout the years - My blog, which you are currently reading :), #ModelBites on YouTube and my business +StylingPurpose. Thank you for following #MyEyeonFashion on #Instagram, #Twitter, #Facebook, #YouTube, #Google+, #Pinterest. Much love, blessings and unlimited favor.