Green cashmere sweater, Nordstrom. Sleeveless rayon button down, Marshalls. A-line mini, Old Navy Black & gray striped tights, Macy's Silver ballet flats, Target
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I’ve been a bit blocked lately. Two weeks ago Romney announced his running mate as Paul Ryan then Todd Akin made asinine claims of “legitimate” rape, and the topic burning a hole through my mind was women’s health care. Then I got extremely disturbing news that my sorority sister was the victim of a fatal car accident. Her death is all I could think about for days. On August 18th Krissy Dix left this physical world to be in a better place where she will remain in the hearts of so many people who knew and loved her. Memories of Krissy and the meaning of life were constantly going through my mind but I hesitated on writing. I didn’t want to journal about it and I definitely didn’t want to blog for the sake of keeping Krissy’s memory sacred. The memorial viewing for Krissy was this past Saturday and members of Kappa Beta Sigma arrived in car loads to celebrate Krissy’s life. Some sisters I haven’t seen since they graduated before me and other’s I’ve never met in person. It was unfortunate to get so many sisters in one place under the circumstances; however the fact that so many members came together for the collective of sisterhood put my mind at ease about losing a friend. I came across an essay that I wrote in 2008 about my reasoning for joining Kappa Beta Sigma. Originally a class assignment for my essay writing graduate class, I’ve revised it, published as a PDF, and would like to share it with you. On Saturday I was pulled back into the feelings that I had almost forgotten. I hope Krissy felt the love as well. We will miss her.
Squeezed in the middle.
This weekend Diva’s N’ Stilettos produced the first plus size fashion weekend in the DMV titled Curves Rock Weekend. I found out about this event through Plus Model Magazine’s twitter news and checked out the Curves Rock website. The company was also producing The Vagina Monologues in Baltimore for VDay this year and I just knew I had to be a part of both of these events. After months of correspondents, meetings, and hella tweets about Curves Rock Weekend, the day finally came Saturday July 28. The night before I packed my model bag, being extra careful that I had my portfolio and comp cards and got to bed early. Saturday morning I arrived at the BWI Hilton and patiently waited. Hurry up and wait is a model’s entire career. I was the first model to arrive and hair and makeup hadn’t set up yet. I got an access code to the wifi from the front desk, connected my Kindle and got up to date on some feminist reading. Slowly other models started showing. Some models I had met and seen at the audition, various model meetings and The Vagina Monologues, but most of the models didn’t give me more than a ‘good morning’ and a wave. Models continued filing in and the noise of chatter and comradeship got louder. I smiled, but I just got looks; confused looks. Looks that read “Who is she?” or “What’s she doing here?” When I first arrived one of the team members for the event was reluctant to label me as a model, even though I was dragging a giant bag heavy with runway shoes. She assumed at first, then sucked her words back in and then shyly asked, “You’re not one of the models? Are you?” *** I have archived this post because I don't want this blog to be about my rants and I don't want my writings to come across as insensitive in any way. I wrote about people having more than one baby shower if their children are close in age. My thought process on the subject was more about my opinions about waste and consumerism than it was about parenthood and child birth. Honestly I believe the former grouping is a result of the latter grouping but my previous post focused mainly on the latter. I'm not a parent so I felt that my opinion wouldn't have been read well. I have lots of friends who are and I don't plan on offending parents just because I have a problem with over-spending and products that loose value and usefulness. I'll try to construct more cautiously next time.
Isis King. Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty ImagesSurprise surprise. Last year I volunteered as a model for the fourth annual Baltimore Fashion Week. I came across the opportunity while searching for local fashion events and casting calls and being linked to different modeling boards. I had never heard of BFW before I decided to attend the casting last May at the Enoch Free Library downtown. Once I was chosen I was very excited to be involved because the event bared the name Baltimore, and I love my city. But once the event got underway my excitement turned into annoyance. If you know me personally than you've already heard about the experience that I had with BFW last year. The proud creator, Sharan Nixon was... well she was no Miranda Priestly although she probably wishes she was. Instead of being a Devil wearing Prada she was just a nut probably wearing whatever she had laying around her apartment. I never officially met with Sharan but fitting after fitting after rehearsal I heard her berate and belittle tons of volunteer models. A lot that was going on during the pre-production of BFW I did not agree with. Such as: requesting models to be at a location at a certain time and the staff (minus the interns who were always punctual) rolling in 25 minutes later, calling out models on their walks AFTER they had been cast for the show, and emails the day of to inform models that they were walking for a specific designer. There was also a major venue change for the event less than a month before the fashion show. And all the hype I heard about "The Man with the Golden Voice" Ted Williams being the host of the fashion show quickly faded about a week before show time. I asked myself many times "What does Ted Williams have to do with fashion anyway?" Packing for a weekend getaway can be a bit stressful for a girl. Especially if you're traveling for a wedding. In this month's issue of Lucky Magazine there is a packing guide editorial that was right on time for my weekend trip to Dallas. The guide came with a check list of essentials to mix and match for a weekend. I love conservative styling, so packing a few choice items instead of my entire wardrobe made my weekend dressing easy. After landing and checking into the hotel I was definitely ready for dinner. Friday Night Dinner Sunglasses, Dolce&Gabbana. Dress, Tinley Road, piperlime.com. Necklace, layered chains, Nordstrom. Cardigan, Forever 21. Clutch, Forever 21. Sandals, Wal*Mart. Stuffed from a great Nigerian Dinner it was time to party with the groom-to-be. Friday Night Bachelor's Eve Party Tank top, Charlotte Russe. Ruffled skirt, I.N.C, Macy*s. Heels, Steve Madden. Saturday was the big day. ***I'm totally obsessed with this skirt because it's a thrift store find that still had the original tags attached. The skirt was the central piece to putting together my wedding outfit. Wedding and Reception Small Flowers, Bracelet, Earrings, Clutch, Crop Top, and Tank, Forever 21. Large Flower, Sally Beauty Supply. Lace Pencil Skirt, Value Village. Heels, Steve Madden. So Dallas is on average about 90 degrees. You might be thinking "what are you doing with that jacket on girl?" but because the weather is so warm outside A/C in any building is always blasting. My skin is super sensitive to A/C and I get goosebumps. Sunday Brunch and Shopping Necklace, Rue 21. Jacket, Tulle, piperlime.com. Tank, Forever 21. Ruffled skirt, I.N.C, Macy*s. Sandals, Wal*Mart. A short nap later it was time to eat, again. Fogo De Chao for the first time was incredible. Sooooo yummy. Note: skinny jeans were barely holding on after that meal. Sunday Dinner Necklace, Nordstrom. Cardigan,Clutch Forever 21. Belt, Wal*Mart. Skinny Jeans, GAP. Heels, Steve Madden. |