Editor's Log 1: Confidence

Confidence is often an overused and underestimated term. At face value most people we meet strike us as confident or even arrogant. The reality is that most people if not all people struggle with confidence. Personally, my most difficult internal battle has to do with believing in myself and behaving accordingly.

It always sounds so much easier than it is to execute. Something that I think is ingrained in us at a young age is to be humble but personally the lines of humility and low self-esteem seem to blur leaving me with a distorted image of myself and my self-worth. That is why my magazine means so much to me. As I am working on myself, I hope to encourage others to look at themselves through kind eyes instead of critical eyes.  So here are a few things that I have learned so far that seem to be helping me. 

1. Being kind to others makes it easier to be kind to yourself. 

   Think of it as you are conditioning your mind to be in a constant state of kindness. This has been a little difficult for me only in the sense that when I am kind to others it is normally followed with dig at my own inadequacies so the goal is to be kind to other without tearing myself down. 

2. Focus your energy.

    I recently read this quote that really simplified things for me. "Don't put your energy towards fighting old habits. Put your energy towards building the new." For a long time I struggled with the idea that it took me years to learn how to be so critical of myself that it would more than likely take years to learn how to be kind to myself. NOT TRUE. It's crazy how important perception is. Don't look at it like you are fighting against the old you. Look at it like you a re building a new you. 

3. Surround yourself with kind friends

   This one is hard because we all have those friends who are great fun but have a sword-like mouth that tends to cut us when they speak. Often times these are the people we have known for years and they are super hard to shake off. But in the end, it is in your best interest to at the minimum distance yourself from them. By allowing yourself to hang out with them your very actions imply that you agree with the mean things that they say to you. It doesn't help you in any way. I am learning that I am responsible for my happiness. It is not anyone else's responsibility to nurture my sensitivity. So it may sound childish but if they are not helping my growth, or if they are constantly critical without my soliciting for their opinion, it's not in my best interest to hang out with them. 

4. Nurture yourself

   This may sound silly. But taking care of yourself and rewarding yourself actually does make it easier to like yourself. So this may be my most favorite and least favorite lesson that I am actually trying to implement this week. I am going back to exercising. I find that getting through a workout does something for my ego. But the actual work out is sooooooooo torturous. But the idea of treating myself to little things I like such as a movie (Netflix or sushi) is always fun. 

This was a long post. Hopefully it was helpful. I will be posting again soon. 

XOXO

Fashion Diary: Currently seeking inspiration

“Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the same horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly.” - Zora Neale Hurston

 I feel like Zora set a high standard for women in her novel THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD. But that is one of my favorite quotes in her book. It's never easy to see our dreams as the truth but I think the obstacles that we endure make us appreciate our dreams even more when we achieve them.

I am currently in a place where I am seeking inspiration and daring to be bold enough to believe in my own dreams. It can be frustrating sometimes because you often are the only one who understands your ultimate goal. But that is all that is required. I am learning that we don't have a responsibility to make people understand our vision. We have a responsibility to manifest our visions.

Style Note: Custom tunic polka dot dress courtesy of BSAMS, cowgirl boots gifted from my aunty. Handbag from Just Fab. Shades and necklace from Forever 21. + Energy bracelet by Alex and Ani gifted. Shield ring and skull band Fashion Footwear

I am a work in progress. What are you working on?
XOXO

Fashion Diary: Excited about MADE by Macy's

Hello again,
I hope all is well. I have a few updates that I want to stretch out into a couple posts. But the first update that I want to focus on is my Fashion Diary post. I have been handling a lot of things (not particularly well). So when I received an awesome dress from Macy's, my entire week-- really my entire month-- was MADE. I had to share my excitement about the Macy's Made 4 Impulse collection.

The collection is a result of an initiative co-founded by Jenné Lombardo, Mazdack Rassi and Keith Baptista during Macy's MADE Fashion Week. All pieces are available exclusively in 150 Macy's department stores: Macy’s Boca Raton Town Center, Broward Mall, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, City Place, Aventura, Pembroke Lakes, South Beach and Dadeland locally.

The collection is designed to encourage personal style. It references “modern school boy,” feminine grunge” and “graphics” in its interpretation of silhouettes, which include “perfect” tanks, skater skirts, and classic outerwear, as well as new looks in pants, tops and dresses. The MADE Fashion Week for Impulse collection range in price from approximately $39 to $139, which is something that I love!! 

About MADE
"MADE was born from the successful Fashion Week collaboration that started in 2009. Now in its seventh season, MADE Fashion Week continues to showcase outstanding design talent and harness the energy of the global creative communities. The impressive list of events includes over 40 fashion shows and presentations, events, concerts, plus an unrivaled digital presence at MilkMade.com. MADE is a year-round, dynamic platform which connects emerging talent in fashion, music, art and pop-culture with visionary brand partners. MADE’s vibrant atmosphere encourages creativity, fosters growth and challenges conversation. MADE’s innovators are a powerful voice in the international creative community and leaders in their respective industries." 

I hope you like the pics!! Many thanks to Macy's for sending over the amazing dress which I rocked the same day that I got it to the Fashion Designer Expo in Miami (I will cover that in a upcoming post).

Make sure you check out the collection, which is available online and in Macy's department stores now. 

XOXO

Fashion Diary: Fashion show and brunch

My weekend was pretty nice. I saw Beautiful Creatures on Saturday with my friend Ciera (Heavenly Brat) and on Sunday I went to brunch and a fashion show. Needless to say I felt like a real Miami lady. The show was for celebrity designer Tanya-Marie who is known for her work with celebs like Rihanna and many others. 

 I found myself in Miami's Design District at Egg and Dart with a few people I know.

 The beauty behind the jewelry line (Infinite Style Jewelry) which I am becoming obsessed with Cheztara Lachair was also in attendance and I had to snap a picture with her. She was wearing a few of her custom pieces.

 Her ring left me speechless. 

 My stylish editor friend, Clover Matthews, stopped by. 

My outfit for the day was all courtesy of my mother's closet A.K.A my favorite place to shop. The skirt and top are hers. Shoes: Just Fab. Necklace: My aunt's jewelry collection. Blazer: Express. Purse: Cambridge Satchel (JCREW- a gift from my big bro). Chain Bracelet: Mista X Sir + (a gift from a friend). Skull Bracelet: Fashion Footware (local shop). 

See more pictures from the fashion show on Worthy Magazine. Photo credit for the show goes to  Miami Rebel (www.miamirebel.com)

Hope you like
XOXO

Fashion Diary: Miami Spice Luncheon

Hello again,

I had a pretty good weekend. I was fortunate enough to meet up with an amazing group of Miami bloggers at a Miami Spice luncheon hosted by Ashley Lorraine of "A Sassy Woman," and Shilesa Chandler of "Hey Girl Friend," at City Hall restaurant.  It was an amazing event and I look forward to seeing more of what these two women have in store for the blogging community in Miami. 

If you are not familiar with Miami Spice, it is a large culinary event in Miami. From the months of August and September some of Miami's finest restaurants offer three course meals at a flat rate. Lunches are $19 or $23 dinners are $33 or $39. Read more about the month long showcase of fine cuisine here. 

Here a few pics of the luncheon and of what I wore to the get together. 

With one of the hosts for the luncheon, Ashley Lorraine of "A Sassy Woman."

With the founder of "Hey Girlfriend" I can not wait to interview her for Worthy. 

As my entree I had the meat loaf. It was delicious. My appetizer was seafood gumbo it was pretty tasty. 

I can't get enough of this dress.
 Dress: Nicole Richie for Impulse at Macy's, Shoes: Gifted,  Necklace: Forever 21, Clutch: Gifted, Skull Bracelet: Gifted and Shades: Macy's gift bag. 

Many thanks to my aunt for the AMAZING clutch. 

So happy that Whit could be there with me. Worthy magazine had a nice presence at the blogger  lunheon.

This was Whit's entree.

This was our perfume mash-up. I am team Chanel and Whit is team Gucci. 

I hope that you like!! 

You are worthy XOXO

Fashion Diary Randomness

So my friend Whitney came out to visit me down in Miramar and she brought my other friend Selena with her. We decided to have a semi-girls night in the beginning of the week. It was HILARIOUS. We saw Magic Mike (LOL). I encourage all women to go see it. There was this woman there with her husband it got a little awkward. But either way, we had a great time. We concluded our evening with reciting our favorite lines from  "How High" and "Friday After Next."

My top was a gift from my mom!!! My blazer is a "go to" blazer for me it's from Express, Killah Jeans and JC's. 

Good Times

XOXO

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013

One of the indescribable perks of my new job was attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013. The press treatment was amazing. I was fortunate enough to interview two stand-out designers of the week: Mercedes-Benz presents Vitamin A and Vanessa Simmons. I thought both designers presented some amazing pieces. Vanessa Simmons described her swim line Rose by Vanessa Jean as affordable avant-garde. I absolutely loved it. It was amazing to just see. Vitamin A's fashion show was extremely amazing. It was my first front row experience and I will never forget it. I loved the story of colors and patterns that she told with each swim suit.

I will be honest, while there is an insane amount of respect for Mercedes-Benz, I doubted the possibility of bathing suits being interesting enough to merit an entire week. I was happily proven wrong. The colors, patterns and accessorizing seriously left my mind spinning. I am just happy that I was fortunate enough to witness it.

My pics are not that great- but hopefully you get the idea- it was an amazing experience.
Much Love,
XOXO