Christmas Giveaway

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." ~2 Corinthians 9:7~

'Tis the season for fantastic giveaways and pampering sessions!  One lucky follower will receive a complimentary hair blowout at the newly opened Hair Bar in Dallas AND another lucky follower will receive a complimentary micro-dermabrasion treatment ($89 value) OR dermaplane treatment ($69 value) at Facelogic Skincare and Spa.

All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment with your email address and fill in the blank.  "All I want for Christmas is ________."  

Winners will be chosen at random and notified by 12/23/2012.  Cheers!

Free Hair Blowouts and Make-up Applications This Week

It's the holidays and if you're as busy socializing like I am, you have multiple holiday parties scheduled.  Who has time to get a different outfit, hairstyle and make-up for each occasion?  Well lucky for you guys, the newest and hottest in hair salons (The Hair Bar Dallas) is offering free hair blowouts and make-up applications for this entire week!  All you have to do is set up an appointment online and show up....it's that easy!  (Sign up for a date and time of your choosing at www.dropinblowout.com.)  Not only does The Hair Bar offer child care services while you're getting pampered but guests will also get to relax and browse the web on a complimentary iPad while receiving the best in hair and makeup services.

The Hair Bar is located in Dallas' Preston Royal Village and Southlake Town Square.

Pause for Reflection

So often we get consumed with life and everything that we have going on.  I myself am guilty...guilty of letting my mind continuously wander as to what all I have to do for the day while someone is talking to me.  Guilty of taking on too much at one time.  Guilty of perfectionism (is that a word?).  But when you take the time to pause....what is God really trying to show you?  On my recent trip to DC, I saw this pic of JFK and wondered what exactly was going on in his mind as he posed for this portrait.  A man deeply blessed, with deep responsibilities, paused for what I can only imagine as deep reflection...

December 2012 White House Tour - Portrait of JFK - Washington, DC
"I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions." ~Psalms 119:55~

If I would only take the time to get outside of myself and my crazy life, I would reflect on the Lord, the path he has paved for my life and truly come into grips as to what life is really about.  As I sat on the Supreme Court steps (below) and watched as my mom beamed as she took my photo I realized (in reflection) that life doesn't get any better than this.  29 years of age, three licenses to practice law...two licenses received in one year...one before the highest Court in the states...man God is good!  To have my mother travel to D.C. with me to get sworn into the Supreme Court was a blessing in itself.  We had the time of our life...and because I was able to put everything aside and to be in that moment with her...it made the experience that much sweeter.

December 2012 - Supreme Court Steps - Washington, DC; Photo Credit: my mama :)

December 2012 - Library of Congress - Washington, DC; Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

So in the midst of life...no matter how crazy it gets, no matter how wrapped up in the "little things" we consume ourselves with...pause for reflection and realize just how blessed you are.  Relish in the smiles of your loved ones...in their laughter...in their joy...and leave tomorrow to take care of the everyday tasks that can wait.

Smile...even when no one is watching

"A glad heart makes a happy face..." ~Proverbs 15:13~

There's something to be said when the light from within can't help but to shine all over one's face. That's how I felt when I took this photo today.

My day didn't start out so great. I woke up today consumed with thoughts about work and other things that easily stress me out. I wore "army" green today purposely because I knew today at work would be a battle for me. Who does that? Yep, that would be me...

When I truly thought of my blessings...how blessed I am to have a job to go to, a family to relay my stresses to and a place of my own to lay my head down at night...I couldn't help but just to smile.

So if ever anyone catches me smiling...even when no one is watching and at times when they can't understand why...I'm smiling because He has blessed me beyond measure.

*For those who always ask me about my hair/clothes.....I did a wet two-strand twist for my hairstyle using Curls Unleashed leave-in conditioner, Entwine styling cream and a setting lotion.*

*For the look (even though you can only see me from the neck up) Classic green button-down army inspired top by Express with gold-button details, tassel necklace by Lia Sophia*

Cool, Confident and Collected

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about what we cannot see. ~Hebrews 11:1~

I took these pics fresh off of learning that I had passed the California bar exam. Knowing that all of the odds were stacked against me but that I had God in my corner was just a light that was beaming from inside of me and ready to shine upon the world.

The odds were NOT in my favor...I had to continue to work full-time and study at night. My bar study course administrator pretty much hinted that I would not pass during our first conversation because I continued to work full-time.  I had co-workers who doubted and other horror stories of individuals who took the bar 3 or more times only to see another "FAIL".

I did the best that I could, prayed about it, gave it up to God and rested assured that in my faith, I would pass.  I also had many amazing women from my Covenant Church group who prayed every hour on the hour for two days while I was taking the exam to see me through. 

All that to say, you can do anything that you put your mind to.  This phrase is not cliche'....it's the absolute truth.  Imagine how many people shy away from their desires and dreams because they listen to other people who doubt them.  Surround yourself by people who will support you and your dreams...who will uplift you when you're feeling down.  I guarantee that you will be steps closer to achieving your purpose here in life and experiencing your dreams.

I guess I should talk a little fashion, huh?  In my celebration, these pics were taken.  Are we loving the infamous Angelina Jolie leg action?

• Jewelry - Red[i] by Chelsea
• Belt - NYC and Company
• Skirt - Urban Outfitters
• Black Mesh Cuff - Lia Sophia

Blissful Black Friday

So let's face it...who REALLY likes Black Friday?  I know that I personally despise the crowds and all of the hustle and bustle just to save some money.  Over the years it seems that Black Friday has become nothing more than just a circus and overall just plain stressful!

Well lucky for you, eBay is putting on a "blissful" online shopping experience at Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in Dallas for Black Friday from 9AM to 9PM.  Drop in on your own time and enjoy a free mani, pedi or foot rub while you shop eBay's online app for all of your Black Friday sales and goodies.

Visit www.buyinbliss.com for details and sign up for your free spa service today!  Download the eBay app on your smartphone for unbeatable deals AND just between you and me, eBay is making their Black Friday deals available to all who download the app exclusively at 5:23PM EST on Thanksgiving evening.

The Scent of a Woman

Discover the new fragrance inspired by all that a woman is. A fragrance created for women. By women. Feminine and sensual. The strength and softness of women is expressed through creamy notes of orange flower that delicately wrap the confident signature of Haitian vetiver and sandalwood. (Credit: Vogue)

Donna Karan is one of my favorite brands because she truly knows how to capture the essence of a woman; whether it is through her clothing line or her fragrances. Her new fragrance "Woman" falls nothing short of the characteristics of her notorious brand.

I'm giving away a deluxe sample of this fragrance to one lucky follower. Hopefully it's you!

Unpredictable and Unconcerned

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful...they trusted God. ~1 Peter 3~

This was probably one of my most simple outfits because this Texas weather is so unpredictable.  It's November and I'm still wearing peep-toe wedges, cropped pants and flimsy blouses!  Can you believe it?  Often times as a lover of fashion I can become consumed by what I'm wearing, my make-up and how my hair is styled.  Why so much emphasis on outward appearances..when all along it's what's on the inside that's most important?  At times when I need to humble myself and go back to what truly should be my foundation of beauty, I reference the verse above.

For this photo, I went sans make-up *STARE* and pulled together my most comfortable pieces.  I left my hair natural and pulled into a simple bun.  Funny how the most simple of outfits turn out to be the most beautiful of photos.  [Jewelry: {Red-i} By Chelsea, Blouse: Nordstrom's, Peep-toe Wedges: Nine West]

Beauty illuminates from within

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. ~1 Peter 3~  (Make-up: Tom Ford, Neiman Marcus counter, North Park, applied by Justina Joseph)

I never quite understood what people meant by loving yourself first and then everything else will fall into place.  It took me 30 years to come to the realization that my spirit, my heart and everything that is unique to me is beautiful.  Not the love of a man, the love of others, but self-love.  I'm now at a point where I am so completely happy with myself and with the presence of God....being able to serve Him daily, being able to share His love with others...my passion for all of these things radiates from within; these things in and of themselves make me beautiful.  So step back Elle, Glamour, Vogue and other misconceptions of what beauty is...my beauty if unfading and neverending. 

When in doubt, taupe it out

Fall in Texas is super crazy.  It goes from 80 degrees one day to 50 degrees the next.  So how do you cope?  How do you adjust?  Here, I was able to pair a short-sleeved over-sized sweater with fitted Express magenta jeggings.  (Note: if wearing an oversized sweater, always slim your figure back down by pairing with fitted pants.  Otherwise, your shape will get swallowed by both an oversized top and bottom.) 

Since magenta served as my "pop of color", I toned the rest of my outfit out with taupe.  Taupe boots, taupe purse and a taupe scarf.  I've found that taupe balances with just about every "pop of color" and is an essential color for Fall and Winter.  Since taupe drifts into the grey/silver color scheme, make it pop even more by adding gold accessories.  Finish it off with your favorite sunnies (mine are my animal print Jimmy Choo's pictured here) and you're good to go!  While Fall weather in Texas is crazy, your outfit doesn't have to be.

This Week's Fashion Obsession...Animal Prints (Unleashing my wild side!)

So just a couple of weeks ago I said to myself "I NEED an animal print scarf!"  Went shopping on Etsy.com then to some other stores and finally found this infinity animal print scarf at Express for $20.00.  SCORE!  I paired it with a plain white tee from Nordstrom's, Boyfriend Blazer (old), mustard-colored jeggins from Express, moto boots by Guess and jewelry by Deborah Gaspar and RedibyChelsea.  I will be rocking this scarf all fall and winter!  I'll try not to abuse it but my wild side is ready to come unleashed!

Time is of the essence, Seize the day

Proverbs 1:24 ~I called you so often but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you but you paid no attention.~

Today it was revealed to me how precious that thing called "the window of opportunity" is. Often times, we take it for granted. I recently participated in a mentoring program to help law students network with professionals and to possibly put them in contact with professionals who could offer valuable and possible job opportunities that could enhance their career. As a past judicial extern, I recognized the value of working closely with a Judge and offered a student the opportunity to use the relationship that I built with a local judge in order to gain a possible internship. At the time, I advised the student to start preparing her interview materials ( resume, writing sample, etc.). A week after I met the student, I reached out to one of my favorite Judges who immediately requested the information from the law student to which I relayed the information to her. The reply back from the student was rather daunting as she told me that she was busy and would get me her information "in a week or so."

I immediately became furious. There are a million law students scraping for the opportunity to get what she was given so freely yet she did not seize the moment; it was not prioritized, it was not important. By one simple act, she missed her window of opportunity and the door was closed just as quickly as it was opened. Truly my heart ached for her knowing of what a great blessing she missed out on because she was simply unprepared and not ready.

I then let my mind wander to how many times God has opened windows of opportunities for me yet I was unprepared or fearful or prioritizing the wrong things in my life. How much longer did I have to wait to regain that opportunity had I have just been prepared that first time? Time is of the essence when God chooses to bestow a blessing or opportunity on your life. Seize it without fear and without hesitation! Carpe Diem!

Just as my heart ached to know that the student made an ill choice in not taking advantage of her opportunity....so is the same with God. He wants us to be favored, he wants us to receive blessings. So going forward, I will prepare and be prepared when that window raises open once more....I can only pray for the same with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

This week's fashion obsession....

This week I'm obsessed with this mod platform heel from Coach's Spring 2013 collection. All eyes would definitely be on me if I wore this shoe. So chic, so sophisticated, so modern....so me.

Beauty for Ashes - The Intro

"He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." ~Isaiah 61:3~

(Navy Jumper and Fedora from Macy's, Gladiator Sandals by Kelly & Katie from DSW, Dolce and Gabbana Sunnies from Nordstrom's)