A Diva State of Mind

The Boston Marathon explosion: another tragedy where innocent people were targeted. My heart aches again. I sat on the train speechless after hearing the news trying to comprehend how something like this could happen. After all, it’s the Boston Marathon; one of the most popular events of the year.  And this year at the marathon, the victims of the Newton shooting were being honored; a tragedy many are still mourning. Can’t we get a break from something bad happening??

In our lifetime, we have experienced some immense tragedies: Newtown, Virginia Tech, Columbine High School, movie theatre and military base shootings, Oklahoma City bombing, and 9-11 and more.

Source: www.961wodz.com

While sitting in silence on the metro yesterday, I was sad but also frustrated.  Why is there so much evil in this world? Why is it no longer safe for us to be at schools, movie theatres and marathons? Why do others feel the need to destroy our sense of security? Is there something we should be doing differently to help avoid these types of tragedies in the future? Why is there so much hate and not more love?

Every time an incident of this magnitude is reported on the news, I sit in shock. My heart aches for the victims and for those families whose lives will never be the same.  I’m not sure what we can do to try and prevent things like this from happening in the future.  While we all deal with our own way of internalizing, these events also put things in perspective. Some people in other countries experience incidents like this on a daily basis. I know the sadness I feel when something happens here. I can’t imagine the emotional suffering those in other countries face continuously. We as a world need healing.  All I can do is express how I feel and pray for those affected by these horrible tragedies both nationwide and worldwide.

Let this tragedy, like all others, be a reminder to live a full life. One filled with love, laughter and compassion.

By now you’ve probably heard about Rick Ross’ and his rape lyrics. In rapper Rocko’s song “U.O.E.N.O,” Ross raps “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it/ I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.” Although the rapper defends his lyrics stating he didn’t use the word rape, these lyrics clearly allude to the fact that he rapes her. The reason a person drops a molly (or ruffie) in someone’s drink is so they can take advantage without the victim knowing it. And last time I checked, if she didn’t consent, it’s called rape. You can see his first half ass apology here and his second attempt to apologize here.

In response to the petitions and protest outside Reebok headquarters, the company announced yesterday that Rick Ross will no longer be a spokesperson:

“Reebok holds our partners to a high standard, and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand.  Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so.

While we do not believe that Rick Ross condones sexual assault, we are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse.”

Some praised Reebok for their decision while others, including some rappers, have come to Rick Ross’ defense (I won’t even repost the ignorance stated by Meek Mills and Slim Thug). After all, artist like Biggie rapped about worse things in the 90s. But does that make it ok??? Rap culture is one that has been degrading women for years. And we now live in a society that has become numb to rape.  Victims are harassed and bullied while the media tries to make us feel bad for those that committed the crime.

Someone made a great point on twitter yesterday. People have to pick what issues they stand for. If rape is one of them, then folks have every right to protest messages that promote rape. Let this be a lesson to brands and entertainers; your consumers are paying attention! If you are promoting a message that is not in line with their moral compass or in this case, just WRONG, they will protest you and stop supporting you. It’s that simple!

This morning Toni of House of Haute tweeted a link to a post she wrote on her site in response to hearing about Rick Ross’ new lyrics.  If you think it’s cool for Rick Ross or any artist to rap about putting a molly in a woman’s drink, I challenge you to rethink that after reading Toni’s story. This is one that probably happens more often thank we think, we just don’t hear about it. That is until now.  I guess we can thank Rick Ross for the lyrics; they have encouraged women like Toni to share her story and push other victims of sexual assault and rape to speak up.

Below is an excerpt from Toni’s post:

With immense subtlety, one of the many faces of Molly introduced herself and that’s when everything faded to black and Molly took me on a date. It was as if it were the beginning of a new scene in my own horror movie. With vague and blurred moments, I here a cell phone ringing but it sounds as though it was under water. Fighting to just open my eyes and focus, I saw flashes of light and felt cold bursts of air. No, I wasn’t dying. Through piecing intricate pieces together, it became clear I was left laying face down on the concrete on a private street. Just a few steps away from the censored sliding door of a motel in a small town outside of Dallas, I was roughly 20 miles away from where I lived. Each time the censors were triggered, a burst of cool air and rays of light covered my seemingly lifeless body.

An alarmed employee of the chain motel, called 911. Unsure of why I was laying in the street, I can only guess the clerk assumed that I was a drunken person trespassing on their private property. It took me years to come to that conclusion, otherwise why would the police department arrive without the complement of medical help.

PLEASE READ HER ENTIRE POST here.

I was excited when I saw these photos for the VIBE 2013 “Big List” issue! Miguel and Kendrick Lamar are two of my favorite artists and they are changing the R&B and Hip Hop game right now! During their interview, Miguel and Kendrick Lamar discuss their impression of each other’s music, which artists keep them on their toes, what they hope to accomplish and more. Check out pictures and some excerpts from the interview.

Miguel on Kendrick: I just like that it’s an honest perspective. Sometimes you listen to MCs and you’re like, This sh-t sounds cool, the verse and the cadence or whatever, but when you look at the artist, it just doesn’t translate. I don’t get that from Kendrick. Younger artists, we’re all striving to be ourselves. He’s one of the best examples of that.

Kendrick on Miguel: Likewise. As far as Miguel, one thing I said these past couple of years, from an R&B perspective, I always felt like it’s been missing the depth of actually telling a story. Everything on the radio has been cliché. But when you get a body of work like Miguel’s, you hear actual intricate details and lines where it’s not just saying, Come here girl, blah blah blah. [MiguelLaughs] You’re hearing the steps to get there. And that’s the part of R&B that’s been missing for a long time. To actually hear somebody new doing it and taking pride in such intricate details that make the song that much better, it makes you wanna ride to it all day. I come from that world of oldies and gangster rap. My pops probably played more R&B and vocalists in the house than gangster rap, so I always listened for lyrics and the sh-t that make the women feel good. Once they like it, you know the dudes gon’ follow it right after, so you gotta be up on your sh-t.

The Artists That Keeps Them On Their Toes

KENDRICK: My partner J. Cole is always keeping it to the point where you have to show and prove. My partner Drake kills it.

MIGUEL: What’s f-cked up about R&B is that that camaraderie doesn’t exist. I don’t really know why.

I wish I could be like “my partner” or “my homie,” but it’s not really like that. You could have a 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and A$AP Rocky record; they’re all different, but they’re new and dope. You can have that and everyone’s confident in their own uniqueness and appeal. I hope we can do that. In R&B, I have to pay attention to every male artist. Usher is a friend. Vocally there’s no one f-cking with Usher right now in mainstream R&B. I’m always paying attention to his riffs, ’cause he’s always pushing himself. I’ve never heard Usher do one take of vocals the same. He’s insane. Obviously I’m paying attention to Frank or the Weeknd. Jesse Boykins, who is a friend as well, is another artist who’s doing something different, fresh and new.

What They Hope To Accomplish

MIGUEL: Kendrick is poised to be the next staple in hip-hop and I certainly intend on becoming that for R&B, working my ass off and taking risks.

KENDRICK: Definitely. The biggest goal is to say, “Damn, we did it.” Think about Jay-Z and R. Kelly and everything they accomplished. I don’t know if they’re on talking terms now, but I’m sure they’d say, “Damn, we did it,” 20 years down the line. That’s the ultimate high—to accomplish what you sought after, just like those two did.

Miguel and Kendrick Lamar teamed up for Miguel”s “How Many Drinks” Remix. Check it out below. You can also see them perform at the Budweiser Made In America Festival this Labor Day Weekend (I need to be at that festival)!!

These two are definitely the New Classics!

Source: VIBE.com & Necole Bitchie

Yodit of Favored by Yodit contacted me and Shakirah of Style Atelier on Twitter yesterday inquiring about cost saving ideas to update one’s closet for spring. I thought to myself “this would be a great blog post!”

Many are on a tight budget, but that doesn’t’ mean you have to forfeit your style and /or the opportunity to update your wardrobe.  You can do both on a budget!  If you’ve been wondering “what can I do to spruce up my wardrobe without spending a lot of money” check out these tips below:

Source: www.sheknows.com

1. Change the way items are worn - Do you always wear your favorite coral top with tan pants? If so, switch things up!!! If you wear the same shirts and pants together, break up the combination. Pair that coral top with the navy skirt in your closet and animal print pumps. Pair those tan pants with the printed top you’ve been scared to wear because you weren’t sure if it was “too much.” Step outside your comfort zone! Changing how items are worn will make you feel like you have a lot more options.

2. Pair blazers with shorts and linen pants - Shakirah provided this great tip on Twitter. Blazers can be worn all season long. I paired my bright orange one with navy blue shorts last summer just to try something different. It became one of my favorite outfits! Have fun with your blazers. By the way, if you don’t have a blazer, it’s a Diva Must Have. Get one ASAP!

3. Cut old jeans to create shorts  – If you don’t have old jeans to cut up, you can purchase jeans at a thrift store (they cost no more than $5 per pair) and cut them to create shorts.  Cut-off shorts and destroyed denim have become a summer staple. Instead of paying $30+ for a pair at stores like Urban Outfitters or American Eagle, create your own for less than $10?! I plan on taking a trip to the thrift store this summer. For instructions on how to create shorts like the ones pictured below, click HERE.

Source: www.edgemagazinesite.com

4. Change the hemline & details on dresses - Changing the hemline on dresses will change the way a dress looks. If you have dresses that you are tired of wearing but don’t have the means to purchase new ones, shorten the hemline and change the day dress to one you’d wear at night.  If you’ve worn the same black belt with a dress, change the belt for a different color or pattern. If the dress has buttons, change them! Small changes can make a huge difference.

5. Change buttons on jackets and cardigans - That jacket you’ve had in your closet for YEARS can probably use an upgrade. Have fun with details like buttons. Ask a seamstress to change the button or you can do it yourself; head to your local fabric store like Michaels and search for buttons that represent your style. Same goes for cardigans.

6. Shoes polished & heel taps changed - Do your pumps look run down? They probably don’t need to be replaced just yet.  Instead, they can be polished and shine like new. Also, change the heel taps if the metal of the heel is sticking out (this is one of my pet peeves). A little shoe maintenance will keep your favorite heels in great condition for years to come.

Source: www.living.msn.com

7. Shop trend accessories - Instead of purchasing new clothing, purchase fun statement jewelry. Wear a bold necklace with your favorite sheath dress. Brighten up an outfit with a bold color shoe. Use accessories to take an outfit to the next level.

8. Shop Consignment Shops and Thrift Stores - There’s nothing wrong with shopping while on a budget. You can use coupons, shop sales and also check out consignment shops and thrift stores for some serious savings.

What are some other ways fashionistas can update their wardrobe for less?

A$AP Rocky is the latest entertainer to cause quite a stir with misguided comments about women.

In a recent interview with The Coveteur, A$AP Rocky shared his thoughts on red lipstick:

“But for real, for me, I feel like with the red lipstick thing it all depends on the pair of complexion. I’m just being real. You have to be fair skinned to get away with that. Just like if you were to wear like-f*cking for instance, what do dark skin girls have that you know fair skinned girls cant do…Purple lipstick? Naw, that looks stupid on all girls! Purple lipstick, guys! Like, what the f*ck…”

I really hate reading rapper interviews because they never speak in complete sentences. But I digress…

Does anyone else think this is a form of colorism?? A$AP Rocky needs to leave beauty advice to the experts because he clearly knows nothing about red lipstick. Last time I checked, red lipstick comes in a variety of shades that compliment every skin tone! And don’t get me started on purple lipstick. Purple lipstick is gorgeous; especially a dark plum shade that can be worn during the fall and winter season. I LOVE my purple lipstick. It’s a great alternative to red and looks gorgeous against dark skin women.  As the Huffington Post pointed out, ASAP’s Rocky’s fellow Harlem-native rapper Azealia Banks is making a pretty penny off her purple-hued pout.

Messages like this by folks like A$AP Rocky only emphasizes why campaigns like ImREDy are so important. Women of ALL complexions need to embrace their beauty and not be afraid to wear whatever they want. Red lipstick is fun, fierce, bold, sexy and helps women exude a confidence they may not always show (At least it does that for me. I hadn’t worn red lipstick for over 10 years until I decided to participate in the ImREDy campaign). All it takes is a little trial and error to find the correct shade.

In response to this foolish statement about dark-skinned women and red lipstick, Clutch Magazine offers some great advice on finding the perfect shade:

• If you have a warm, golden undertone (think Gabrielle Union), reds with a yellow or brown base will work for you.
• If your skin is more cool and you have a red undertone (think Viola Davis) or blue undertone (think Alek Wek), deep reds with a blue base are your best bet.
• If your skin is olive based (think Lauryn Hill), reds with a neutral undertone are the best way to go.
• Bonus: If your lips are dark, dab some concealer on them to even out the tone before applying lipstick.

In the words of Tamar Braxton, A$AP Rocky “TRIED IT!” My advice to him: stick to rapping and modeling in magazines.

Read his full interview here.

In honor of it’s most recent launch of Shop It To Me Threads, Shop It To Me is giving away a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps!

Shop It To Me Threads is a website you can visit to shop your favorite styles (brands, trends, specific prices and more) the day they go on sale. Plus, everything’s in your size!  Shop It To Me Threads makes it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for you in your size and for a great price!

Check out this video to see how it works!

To Enter the giveaway:

1. Sign up for Shop It To Me Threads

2) Follow @ShopItToMe on Twitter and tweet the following phrase:

Enter to win #Louboutins c/o your free personal shopping assistant @ShopItToMe Threads! Just visithttp://bit.ly/14RBh4T & RT

GOOD LUCK!!

This is hilarious and so accurate; at least it is for me and some friends *hey Stephanie!*

The spring season is upon us (although the winter weather is trying to stick around)! A change in season warrants a closet clean-out. It’s a great time to evaluate your current wardrobe: are there pieces that no longer fit? Are there items that are outdated? Do you feel like you’re missing some key wardrobe pieces? Have you lost weight and now need new clothes?

While most people can clean out there closet on their own, others prefer some guidance. If you need help getting your wardrobe in order, contact me! I met with a new client last month and we went through her closet to create a shopping list of items she needed.  I’m meeting with a new client this weekend to do a closet clean-out and create a new shopping list. She recently lost weight, so over the next few weeks we’ll use the list to go shopping for a new wardrobe.

If your wardrobe is full of clothes, but you need new ideas on how to put looks together, closet shopping appointments are also available. No time like the present to get your wardrobe in order!

For more information about personal styling services and rates, please contact me at keri@adivastateofmind.com or 301-836-1451. If you have any style questions, send me an email!!

The ladies of 8 Vintage, Alicia of Endless Touch and I are hosting a summer networking event and fashion presentation. For the presentation, we need models!!! If you are a model interested in participating in the model call on Monday, April 8th, please email Alicia at flawlessU_8575@yahoo.com.

Please share this model call with anyone you think may be interested!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen some behind the scene photos from a Façon Magazine photo shoot. Façon Magazine is the voice of emerging fashion.  For the cover, the editor wanted to highlight a vintage boutique, so she tasked me with styling a photo spread featuring pieces from Zoubeck boutique in Old Town Alexandria. Talk about pressure!

The photo shoot was on Sunday, March 17th bright and early at 7am.  We wanted to capture the great offerings at Zoubeck against the beautiful backdrop of Old Town.  Shoutout to the model Jessica! I think the high that day was 42 degrees; she was cold but she rocked it!  The fabulous ladies of Flawless U were responsible for hair and makeup.

Below are photos from the shoot. Some are featured in the magazine and others are some of my favorites that aren’t included in the publication:

Please check out the Spring 2013 issue of Façon Magazine available online at www.faconmagazine.com to see the full photo spread and other great features! For more information about Zoubeck visit www.zoubeck.com. They have some really nice pieces. Every time I’ve stepped foot in that store, I have walked away with something