Black Ink

My tattoos mean a lot to me, more than people realize. I got a tattoo that I had been wanting for a couple of years, and I swear I fall more and more in love with it every time that I look at it because it's so beautiful.

 

Peep the Latin finger tattoo, and Chinese symbol for humble.

 

 

What's Love?

As of lately, I've been questioning if I even really know what love is. These days it seems like it's a term that's thrown around so loosely. So loosely that it's lost its meaning. So loosely that we can't even define it anymore.

What is love? I don't know. But one day I'll find that person that shows me what real love is like. And until then...

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.



 

Diss Me & You'll Never Hear A Reply For It

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.

Follow us on Twitter! @TheRADShop

Like us on Facebook! The RAD Shop

Can You Do It?

This is a lesson that I had to learn. The past two years have been an incredible journey and I'm thankful for every opportunity I received and every setback that I suffered.

I'm happy to say that I really think I'm coming into my own and I firmly believe I'm on the path to success. I just have to stay motivated and focused.

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

Don't Wait.

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!

Keep It Simple

Halloween Mixer

If you currently work or want to work in the fashion industry then make sure you come out to PrimetimeX magazine's Halloween Mixer at Havana Club, on of course, Wednesday October 31. It starts at 8 PM.

So make sure that you come out in your best costume with tons of business cards!

A Shoot

So I teamed up with PrimetimeX magazine for a shoot on Saturday.

The shoot was six hours long && the models modeled costumes as well as regular clothing. I was there to keep costumes covering flaws && to of course style the models when it came time for them to model street clothing.

Despite the long shoot due to my lack of sleep && also being ill, I enjoyed myself && can't wait to continue working with PrimetimeX on their upcoming shoots, mixers && fashion shows.

It's So Important

"Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve && desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight." - Hannah Arendt

 The older I get the more I realize how important it is to be in touch with yourself, to take those few moments to yourself to reflect on how you feel, what's bothering you etc. I appreciate the little things so much more && I'm learning how to let things AND people go that no longer make me happy, or in other words, take away from my peace of mind.

Today I decided to go on a Twitter break. Twitter has become nothing but a bunch of bitter people crying about their failed relationships, how their life sucks, and I felt like that negativity was starting to affect me. So I deleted my Twitter app && immediately after I felt so free, like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.

I don't know how long I will be taking a break from Twitter but I know that I'll be dedicating that time to growing as a person, making sure I get a 4.0 this semester, working on my brand and business, and basically just being productive.

Super Shoot at Club Havana

On Saturday I went to Club Havana to network at a fashion show and super shoot. I was there, enjoyed one (-_-) drink from the open bar and then I was forced asked to model. I had fun shooting with all the different models and photographers and the designers were all really nice. I can't wait to see the pictures from the shoot.

While there I did get some networking done. I agreed to do a couple of more photo shoots (the concepts the photographers have in mind are AMAZING && I'm so happy they want me to be a part of them) and I met another wardrobe stylist. She invited me to work on a fashion show with her and said that she wanted to help me get into personal shopping.

It was a great night && I can't wait for the next super shoot!

Check out a couple of photos below:

I'm all the way on the left with the up-do. :)

Effortlessly Stylish

I am now a published writer! I write a fashion column for PrimetimeX magazine now! You can check out my first article, 'Effortlessly Stylish' at http://primetimex.com/?page_id=504. :)

Always

An Inspirational Vitamin

This is exactly how I feel about what I'm doing now. The possibility of what I can be makes me wake up every day at 9 AM so I can start working or wake up at 6 AM so I can be at a photo shoot by 8. I'm not guaranteed to be successful in this business but when I dream of my life in 5 years && I see how successful I COULD be && all the amazing things I COULD do for the people who have supported me, THAT is what keeps me motivated.