By Faith...!

At the culmination of 2013, I vowed that I was taking 2014 by force. With this force I created a motto, "I am walking in faith, love, style, favor, happiness, joy and prosperity." I needed to speak this mantra daily, setting the atmosphere for what I believe God to do in my life. Each area represents where I have struggled, in need of improvement or should maintain, but the most important area for me was faith.

I must be completely transparent, there are some days where my faith is strong and other days where I feel defeated and powerless because of current circumstances called life. This past week was one of those weeks. In the mist of my faithless state God sent what I call faith agents, total strangers to my internal struggle to remind me of His goodness and deposit seeds of encouragement. It is not that I am unaware of His goodness, grace and mercy towards me, but what I see now is contrary to where I want to be and opposite to what He has shown me. 

I have been told that you have to give God something to work with and this is true. Our faith is what God uses to activate our blessings. If we serve a God who is all powerful, and I do, why are we faithless? Do we REALLY believe that God will do what we ask for? In an effort to get this faith thing right I started reading Mark 11:24 daily and it states, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." What are you believing God for?

This week I decided that I would increase my workout regime to 5 workouts and challenge myself to one spinning class. Previously, I made up all these excuses as to why I wouldn't be able to attend the spinning class; I need new tennis shoes, My heels are going to hurt, I haven't attended a spinning class in years, I'm not physically fit. Basically I allowed fear to consume me. I am so elated to report that I reached my goal of 5 workouts this week and I attended 2 spinning classes. Wooohoooo! #teamfit One of the classes I attended a faith agent was waiting for me, all I needed to do was take the step. God is telling us that all we need to do is take the first step... It's your time. All God wanted was for you to make up your mind. 

Looking at the facts things seem impossible, but reading God's word we learn that God specializes in making the impossible possible, just trust Him! T.D. Jakes Ministries posted this quote this week, "It's not necessary to see His entire hand but as you move forward in faith and prayer, be assured that God has a blessing moving to meet you."

I challenge you today to believe God and watch His favor, goodness and mercy follow you. 

Got Fear?

Last week I dealt with the subject of waiting and the purpose of waiting. I'm elated that many of you all were blessed by this post. This week I am lead to touch on the subject of fear. 

On May 2, 2011,  I started my company Styling Purpose, LLC then a wardrobe and personal shopping company and now July 2014, a multi-facet creative firm (I invite you to visit our website http://www.stylingpurpose.com/) . Excited about this new chapter in my life, I booked my first paid styling gig with Sunnie Morrison of First Class Productions and started the planning phases of my first fashion show, The Great Switch with the assistance of my parents, my best friend Victoria Curry, former runway model Stephanie Warthen and a host of other supporters. Check it out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0VUVI624b8&list=UU45UyFWvQq4LcLtNbYR3weg As God would have it, June of 2011 I was laid off my job as an accountant; a job I had worked for close to 3 years. Notice I said job and not career. If you have never been laid off this feeling is comparable to a heartbreak. Consumed with mixed emotions - devastation, confusion and a sense of relief; what would I do now? Do I search for more accounting jobs or do I pursue styling full time? Prior to my lay off, I had lived such a structured and well planned life. I knew every two weeks how much I would receive and what that would pay for. I was and still am a budgeter. I didn't have the courage to quit my job, for fear of what my parents would say, what others would think and financially I couldn't afford it, but God divinely intervened. Also during this time I was in the middle of saving to purchase a home and now I was walking or should I say styling in unfamiliar territory. There was no road map or set of books on how to obtain clients or how to become a successful wardrobe stylist. I couldn't call up celebrity fashion stylist, June Ambrose and ask her for advice. However, when I built up enough courage I did tweet her once for advice and she responded in a direct message. #SHOUT To be honest the greatest feeling I felt from this experience was freedom. I was now able to pursue my dreams full time, what a blessing! 

Many times we view closed doors as God's way of punishing us, but in reality it is His method of opening new opportunities for us to conquer. The beautiful thing in this revelation is knowing that God is the only one that can open and close doors for us. Sometimes we take things personal and think that this person doesn't like me or this person is jealous of me that's why this happened to me, which is probably true, but who cares any way. God is using those people, those 'haters', 'frienemies'  to push you into your destiny. In my heart I knew God had something better for me and the only way I would leave that job situation was if I was let go.

Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭1-11‬ KJV states,"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord."

I challenge you today to walk in faith and not in fear. I pray that God will deliver us from the opinions of others and the expectations of others. That we will live our lives not to please others. We will be free! Free to be who God created us to be. Free to be individuals, comfortable in our own skin. Free to love. Free to worship. Free to dance. Free to pursue our dreams without the criticism of others.

I ran across this quote by Joel Osteen Ministries that blessed me .

Fear and faith are mutually exclusive, where one is the other cannot reside. To have faith in God, is to trust Him and to trust his timing. When we fear and worry we are not keeping our responsibility of the relationship. Who wants to be in a relationship where there is a lack of trust? It all goes back to faith. What do you believe? 

Anyone who is an entrepreneur knows that this journey isn't easy. I write this post today three years after starting my business and being laid off. God is faithful and a promise keeper to me. He has continued to order my steps and open doors of opportunity. Earlier I stated there is no road map to success, but the bible is the ultimate tool for success. Combined with His word, prayer, faith, favor, consistency and a positive attitude we are destined for success.

I want to leave you with this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04zvUhA_EkA.

Got Faith?

They That Wait

Goggle defines waiting as the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. For some reason I am lead to write about waiting, the power in waiting and the purpose in waiting. Waiting is nothing new. We wait at the hair salon, barber shop, in line at the movies or at fine dining restaurants. Even if we have an appointment, sometimes that can be delayed by a couple of minutes, which means more waiting. On a deeper level many of us are waiting for spouses, jobs, financial loans to be granted, business opportunities to open, family members to become saved and a host of others.

In the spiritual sense we are taught that while we are in a season of waiting, we should pray, believe and trust God to fulfill his promises. The worst thing you can do while waiting is to worry. When we worry we are essentially telling God that we don’t trust Him, his word and his ability. Instead of worrying, just pray. I’ve learned there is power in prayer. Giving everything over to God and I mean EVERYTHING in prayer and believing he will do it. Sometimes God will have us in a season of waiting to remind us of what He has done for us in the past and to show us that He is ultimately in control. One of my favorite Fred Hammond songs is “They That Wait featuring Pastor John P. Kee

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRbv1I8SQ6w. *grabs tambourine* Lol

What I love most about Google’s definition of waiting is the latter part "delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens". I almost shouted! Let me reiterate that statement again, delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. Until a particular time? Something else happens? We've all heard the saying delay is not denial and this is factual. God's delay doesn’t mean his answer is no, it may mean not now, but later or simply no because He has something else in store for you. Something bigger, better, and greater. God is showing me that he has something else. There were some past relationships that I wanted to work out, jobs that I wanted and God said nope, that’s no it matter of fact he said HECK NO!!!

This past Sunday my pastor, Bishop Curry started a series entitled Advance Praise. While you're in a season of waiting praise God in advance for what He will do. Act like it's already done. Before God blessed me with a new car in May, Faith is what I call her, I acted as if my old car, Diamond Princess (ratchet name yes I know) was a new car with all the new car amenities like, XM radio. I drove DP like she was a beamer, although far from it. I often joke with my friends and family and tell them that I switched phone carriers because if Tyler Perry calls me I need him to be able to get in contact with me with no problems. #RealTalk #FaithTalk

Currently, I’m reading Sarah Jakes book Lost & Found, in the infancy stages of my reading, but a pretty great read thus far. In the foreword of the book Bishop Jakes, states that all storms have an expiration date. While you wait be hopeful and rest assure that trials - unemployment, family issues, singleness, debt, loneliness all have an expiration. I want to end this post with William Murphy's song "It's Working."  This song has truly blessed and encouraged me at a point where my faith was diminishing. Everything is working together for my good and yours too!

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

Be encouraged. God has not forgotten about you.

#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!

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!

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!