Check out my video interview with Shanika Simmons of Broke2Dope.com! We had a lot of fun filming and I'm glad that Shanika even considered me for this opportunity. I'm definitely not where I was last year and I can only go up from here. Let's work.



 

The RAD! Shop Boutique Launch

On June 23, 2013, I launched my online boutique at 12 PM! This has been in the works for almost two years and I am glad that it has finally grown into what it is today.

The support from my friends and people that I don't know is overwhelming. I've gotten offers for blog features, designers wanting to sell their stuff in the store, and countless offers for people to promote the store through whatever platform they use.

This journey has been a crazy, emotional one so far, and it is far from over. This was only the first step. I still have so much more that I want to and will accomplish. The messages from people telling me that I have inspired them to go for their dreams make me so happy. If I can inspire people now, how many people will I inspire when I "make it"? Don't listen to any naysayers, haters etc. Just continue to do you and focus on yourself. There will be so much negativity thrown at you but you just have to duck and dodge it. You can't expect everyone to understand your hustle when they were not given your vision.

I wish everybody that reads this much success.

RAD! Style. The RAD! Shop. RAD! is life.

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The Lyftd Lyfe Fashion Show

I think life is all about the journey, about setting goals for yourself and taking the steps to achieve those goals. Well, last summer after The Goods Lyfe fashion show, I said that I would be working backstage/ styling at this year's fashion show. After exchanging a few e-mails with one of the coordinators behind the show, I was told that I would be able to work backstage!

I mainly worked on The Good's Clo's set. I had tons of fun but it was definitely a lot of pressure. I got to style in some pieces from The RAD! Shop and some of my friends came out to support which is always great!

I have already set a new goal for next year's fashion show! I'll definitely keep you guys posted on whether or not I achieve it.

Model Germel Silva rocking the The Goods Clo tee and The Bad Gal Skirt from The RAD! Shop which can be purchased here!

The story behind my outfit that night is funny. I had originally selected a cut-out dress to wear but I felt like it was a little too revealing for the fashion show. After one of my guy friends confirmed my suspicions with a round of good-natured, very explicit but still funny jokes, I decided to change. The problem was, I wasn't home and didn't have time to go home. So I ran to my trunk (which due to my photo shoots always has clothing and/or shoes in it) and selected this black jumpsuit. I put on tons of bracelets and cuffs to jazz up my left arm, pulled stacks of rings on my right hand and added a belt and this ended up looking like the outfit I had intended to wear all along. A last minute outfit that gets you tons of compliments? We have a winner!

Jumpsuit: Vintage

Belt: Atlanta Boutique

Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target

Cuffs/Bracelets: Vintage and Forever 21

Pink Geometric Earrings: Forever 21

The RAD! Swimsuit Shoot

On Thursday, I had a photo shoot for the swimsuits that will be available for sale in my boutique, The RAD! Shop! 

This was my third time working with the model, Dior. She's so beautiful and sweet and she's so goofy that the shoots never feel that long or have a dull moment lol. 

I did a little bit of styling work, but not too much because this shoot was more about showcasing the swimsuits. 

Check out some photos below: 

The Little Skater Girl

Yesterday was the celebration for my friend D'Mani's 21st birthday! A bunch of us gathered at the Embassy Suites by Perimeter Mall and had a great time.

I was entirely too excited to wear the dress I had bought from American Apparel earlier this year. The full skirt makes me feel mine a ballerina or an ice skater. I paired the dress with a pair of nude strappy single sole sandals, a few pieces of gold jewelry, and a dark plum lip.

Dress: American Apparel

Shoes: Forever 21

Necklace: RAD! 

Throwback Thursday

I posted this picture on Instagram Thursday for Throwback Thursday and it filled me with joy. These are some of the first pieces I made. I never get tired of looking at my work and when people respond to my work positively and ask when I'm opening up the shop or if they can buy my products now, my heart swells. What started out as a hobby, something to pass the time, and a way for me to have the jewelry I imagined in my head is now going to make me my living. I have complete confidence in RAD! as a boutique, accessories company, and styling company. Thank you all for following me on my journey and I cannot wait for you all to see all that I have in store.

RAD! Life

The RAD! Shop

I've been having so much fun working towards my online boutique opening. It's certainly been challenging (filling out paperwork, receiving and returning samples, and finding merchandise) but I have been loving every second of it. I'm so proud of all the work I've got done and the progress that I'm making and I can't wait to share the finished product with everyone! :)

I got my logo finished up finally and the reception to it was amazing! I'm in the process of getting it copy written and then I will be one step closer to making my dreams a reality and opening up The RAD! Shop.

The RAD! Shoot

This past Sunday, I styled another shoot with Dior. This time I got to style her in some pieces from my upcoming boutique, The RAD! Shop. The scenery was very edgy and I loved playing with the looks so that they meshed with each backdrop.

Check out some photos below!

Look 1: Check out the "Skyscraper" platform heel which will be available for sale in limited quantities when The RAD! Shop opens! 

Black Vintage Jumpsuit with silk lapel detail. Styled with snakeskin wedges and turquoise and silver jewelry. 

"Obscene Cream Tee"styled with distressed and ripped denim, gold wrap cuff, and gold stackable rings.

The RAD! Shop

The RAD! Shop is coming along beautifully! I'm on track for an early summer opening date and I could not be more thrilled!

In addition to my jewelry that I handmade, I will be selling apparel (some of the clothing will be my designs!), footwear, and accessories (including other types of jewelry, handbags, and hats. etc.).

Check out some of the merchandise that will be available!

"Shoe game is awesome..."

Playing around in one of my bikini samples for The RAD! Shop! Yellow is a huge trend this season, ladies!