Casual Chats with Fashion Phenom Cynthia Rowley

Belk had its Girls Night Out at its new Galleria Dallas location on April 17, 2014 and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley was there for a personal appearance and fashion show.  Belk and Lucky Magazine did an incredible job with cocktails flowing all night, appetizers being passed around and an endless amount of dessert trays...OMG! Add the fact that there was a nail bar for guests to get their nails done AND swag bags...and I was completely sold.

Cynthia Rowley Fashion Show at Belk Galleria Dallas 4/17/2014 / Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

I was so pumped that I was granted the opportunity to interview Cynthia Rowley.  As always before an interview, I was completely nervous like...will she be personable? Will she get "me"? I've done a million interviews but every time I get the jitters.  So I walk in and Cynthia was so nice and so down to earth!  Like literally, she was probably one of my more favorite interviews. (Read the full interview here on DFW Style Daily.)

Me Interviewing Cynthia Rowley / Photo Credit: Shana Anderson Photography

If you don't know about Cynthia, you should.  Her work has literally been in Vogue, Glamour and all of the major fashion publications.  But if you met her, you wouldn't even be intimidated by that.  She just wanted to chit chat with me and talk about how great the food in Dallas is.  (Yeah, that's my girl Cynthia...total foodie!)

Cynthia Rowley (left) and Me / Photo Credit: Shana Anderson Photography

Anyways, I always feel as though God can use people to speak to you, and there was a moment when Cynthia turned to me during the interview...looked me dead in the eye and told me to not put any limits on myself.  If I dream of something and want to do it, then just do it! It was really weird but exciting at the same time. God can work in mysterious ways and can speak through people...but your heart has to be open and your ears ready to receive it.

Cynthia Rowley collection available at Belk / Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

Cynthia Rowley collection available at Belk / Photo Credit: Leah Frazier

I'm excited for this journey in my life right now.  From Sarah Jessica Parker speaking positive affirmations to Cynthia Rowley...maybe I'm onto something here in my fashion career.  Who knows? All I know is that I'm happy in this moment...I'm meeting some incredible people and I'm ready to take charge of my life.  What about you???

Stay plugged to my blog because in the next couple of weeks, I'm getting to interview (are you ready for this?) THE Steve Madden AND I'll be having breakfast with THE Sam Edelman!!!! FUNNERS!

Up Close and Personal With Courtney Kerr

I was so privileged to have been only one of a handful of hand-selected press to attend the "Courtney Loves Dallas" premiere at LOOK Cinemas on December 5, 2013. Although "Ice-Maggedon" was slowly making its way into Dallas, I drove through sleet to go to the premiere (I'm a Bravo TV-aholic so what can I say?) and to obviously see and interview Courtney Kerr. To read my interview click here.

Now....since I am in the fashion circle and on the scene in Dallas...there are many times where I will sit down at shows a seat or two from Courtney or attend special blogger events with Courtney but never have we actually talked face to face.  Can I just say....that she and Tori are hilarious???  Like seriously...they have both been adopted into the family as my home-girls...they just don't know it yet.

Tori Gonzales, Me and Courtney Kerr at the premiere of Courtney Loves Dallas at Look Cinemas on December 5, 2013.  Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

Tori totally tried to jack me for my Kate Spade handbag but I wasn't having it. I told her she could cop one too for $90 at Nordstrom Rack. But in all seriousness, I was just touched with how down to earth Courtney was and the fact that through all of the fame, she still sticks close to the friends that have been there with her since day 1.

Tori Gonzales, best friend of Courtney Kerr and co-star of "Courtney Loves Dallas" cracking me up...I think at this point she was telling me..."Let's not talk about me...let's talk about you...and that handbag!" (See a better pic of my fabulous handbag in another one of my blog post's by clicking here.) Oh yeah...and all that hair is MINE OH MINE! / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

She is also a true testament to the fact God can change your life in an instant. Courtney was in corporate America doing like most of us bloggers...blogging on the side.  I can hardly imagine that she knew that she would be in this place right now.  All of that to say...don't get down on your luck or think that God has forgotten about you. In the blink of an eye He can elevate you and give you so much provision that you are just amazed. Just keep believing and pressing forward.

I pray that Courtney remains humble throughout it all.  This is the second interview that I have done with Courtney and she has remained the same.  Last interview I had with Courtney she said that she prefers to do most of her PR so that she can retain control of her own image and how she is portrayed. You have to respect her hustle.  

Me interviewing both Tori Gonzales and Courtney Kerr / Photo Credit: Thomas Garza Photography

All in all, being there with Courtney was first of all an honor...that Plan B PR thought that I was "special" enough to be one of the select press individuals there to interview the new reality star.  But overall, I gained so much motivation for myself...to keep pushing...to know that what God has for me is coming...and that I need to be prepared...because in an instant, your life can change in the blink of an eye.  Will you be ready when He elevates your life to the next level? How are you preparing yourself? Have you prayed for humility and that His will be done?  If not, these are the questions that need to be asked and ultimately answered. 

Blessings, 

Leah J.