Goodbye Two Thousand and Ten!

Two thousand and ten sure was a doozy but I loved every minute of it. I lost a few friends to the Lord or just by circumstance. Fortunately he blessed me with tons of new friends that I have already formed great relationships with. Most importantly after 30 plus years I realized how to be happy. Or better yet what makes me happy. So beginning in 2011, I will spend the reminder of my years doing things that make me happy.

 

 

 

Since I started my creative journey with photography, I wanted to share 10 of my fav images. Some personal, some of places, some pictures I took, some not.

Have a looksie!

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1. This is my new mantra! - Just let go, just be!

2. Nope I didn't draw this illustration below, but my friends know that I can draw. I will hone on my skills in 2011. I hope I still have it?!

3. This picture has so much character for obvious reasons. But the one thing you would never know is we have no memory of this moment other than this picture. I only know that I took this picture based on how we are all positioned. In 2011, I plan to be just as happy and smile just as big!

4. I look super crazy in the picture but it too has character that you would never know. This is a picture of one of my fav bloggeristas, Kee, and I right before the L.A.M.B show during NYFW. What you would never know is that I totally goofed and mistakenly under booked our hotel stay. Meaning we had to be out a day earlier than expected. I scrambled frantically around the internet (on my phone) to look for another place to stay. The place I found was in Manhattan and we were currently staying in Bedstuy (on the train that equals about 45 minutes). We dragged 6 heavy suitcases through that darn Tornado that hit Brooklyn in September. So when I returned to the Lincoln Center my hair was - SHOT! Sweater was hanging almost to the floor. I was so unfab! But when I saw Kee and how excited she was to be there for the first time.. it made everything better!

5. I love the Ravens. #ThatsAll

6. Pools are my favorite. No fish, no seaweed - just drinks and the chicas!

7. My little 5 quotes was posted in the B newspaper in Baltimore. You would have thought I was in Time Magazine or something. I was elated. I am sure being published feels that same big or small.

8. I love her! Iconography The Magazine that is. It's been a struggle, a learning process, and most importanly an honor to be a part of an amazing publication. And now I can FINALLY how it in my hands! *fist pump*

9. I waited all 2010 for Common to tweet me! It was only an "LOL" and definitely not exactly what I wanted him to say but .. he tweeted me nonetheless.

10. One of my favorite images. Two ladies showing their support at the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer walk/run. This year I will attempt to run it again in October.

So enjoy your New Years. Be safe and no drinking and driving. This is my last blog post for 2010 (teardrops fall, LOL) see you in 2011.

How to tie Your Boyfriends Bow Tie!

A man in a well tailored suit suddenly turns into a drop dead gorgeous creature. But a man in a bow tie, tells me that man has character. That he doesn't give a hoot what people think, he knows his style, and he knows that style is personal. That perhaps his grandfather spent Sunday afternoons teaching him how to dress and what ladies call "accessorize" (Umm, what do men call it).

 

Or maybe he's just been watching YouTube vids of How to tie a bow tie, LOL!

Check out this video on "How to tie a bow tie" and ladies you can also re create this style favorite of mine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Uber special thanks to Dwayne finding this video and inspiring this blog post!)

Cuties With A Vision {Creating Vision Boards}

You might be asking, what's a vision board? I was introduced to vision boards years ago while watching a movie. They became popular after the release of the movie The Secret (please rent this dvd, its an awesome concept).

A vision board, also called a Treasure Map, Visual Explorer, or Creativity Collage, is usually a poster board on which you paste or collage images that you’ve torn out from magazines or books. However it's yours, so you can use whatever you want.

The idea behind "the secret" and the vision board is to surround yourself with the images of the things you want, who you want to become, where you want to go, etc. For example if really want to vacation in Paris, you would find images of people in Paris, or restaurants, or events that usually take place in Paris. Your visions can be big or small, again they are your visions!

Supplies you’ll need for creating a Vision Board:

 

- Posterboard

- Inspiration sheets from magazines, books, or even internet print outs.

- Glue (Use glue sticks or rubber cement. Do not use Elmers glue because it will make the pages ripple.)

 

Five Quick Steps to Create a Vision Board:

1: Go through your magazines and tear out images. But don't paste just yet! Have fun with browsing and make a party of tearing up things. Be sure to make a big pile of images, and don't forget the phrases and words.

2: Go through the images and begin your layout. Place your favorites on the board and trash any images that no longer fit. As you begin to place the images you will get a feel for how your vision board should look according to your taste.

3: Connect your vision. Glue everything onto the board. Remember this is yours to keep and reflect on so you can add anything you want.

4: Leave a space in the center of the vision board for that favorite photo of yourself. Paste yourself in the center of your visions. (Option: include some pictures of yourself throughout the board. For example, glue your pic on a image of a BMW - if that's your vision.)

5: Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it everyday. Each day spend a few moments to look at the vision board and really visualize yourself with the items on your board. (My vision board will be hung near the keys by the door so that I look at this on my way out every day!)

Check out a few of my favorite vision board finds:

 

So join us and get started on your vision board. I want to see your visions too. So take pictures, create vlogs, and I will post my favs (if not all) here! Keep in mind it make take some time (especially if you are picky like me) so lets use January to do this.

(Uber special thanks to my bloggeristas @calicutie and @bethanytownes!)

Friend Friday: Blog Resolutions {New Year, New HeyBella}

Today's #FBFF topic is Blog Resolutions. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I really understood what "Where did the time go" really meant. I mean you look up and out of all the things you said you wanted or should do - you've done 2 or 3. But .. thank God for blogs and the power of recording. Hopefully with the vision boards I plan to create this month and my 35x35 I can get some things done this year.

 

 

 

Check out some of the things I learned and plan to build on with my blog:

1. What's the one thing you vow to learn or do in 2011 to improve your blog? I have to schedule more posts and relevant fashion tweets. I am pretty good at keeping my blog nice and healthy with 3 or 4 posts a week. But I want to do more original content that you guys love like how to's, and fashion/beauty tips. I know we all love gossip of any kind but I want to keep the gossip on twitter and focus on my writing skills here.

2. What did you learn about blogging in 2010 that you plan to put into practice next year? Kinda seems like question #1 but I learned that as long as I love what I write and I am honest, my readers (you) will love it too.

3. Do you have any high-level goals for your blog in the coming year? Monetization? More comments? More connections with other bloggers? A new template? My blog will turn I years old in March 2011. I am in the process of moving to Wordpress and perhaps changing the name of the blog (suggestions are welcome). I want/plan to celebrate my blogiversary with a big social event of some kinda. (now taking donations as well)

4. If you could collaborate with one other blogger within your sphere of influence in 2011, who would you like to collaborate with, and what would you like to collaborate on? I would definitely like to do a photo shoot and vlog webisode series with a number of curvy bloggeristas featuring a few of our favorite brands. Perhaps I will work on that now!

5. What do you plan to do to support other bloggers next year? I definitely want to network more! Go to conferences and events with the mindset of meeting and chatting with as many bloggers as I can in the evening.

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*The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for fashion bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Join the conversation by joining the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Google Group. (thanks GritandGlamour for the "exact" wording)

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Soul Adrenaline @ Select Lounge

Every so often I put down my Prada shoes and pick up the headphones and mic to get in my zone. I've always been a lover of live bands but I admit I don't attend live shows as often as I should. So when one of my twitter followers invited me to a show, I jumped at the chance to support a local band in Baltimore.

Allow me to introduce you to Soul Adrenaline.

Refreshing and dope. Say word! The vibe at Select Lounge tonight was almost unreal. I've been in love with the interior of Select Lounge since the first day I was invited for a sneak peek. But tonight was almost as if I had stepped into a Harlem nightclub. Candles were lit and small tables and foot stools were placed on what I remembered as a crowded dance floor. As I sipped on a Belvedere martini and chatted with my favorite tweethearts, the two lead singers greeted my ears with tunes of Beyonce and Michael Jackson.

My date for the evening was a little antsy so we left right after their first set. But this will definitely be my new Hump Day Relax spot. Hopefully you guys will come out and support this new Wednesday night vibe.

In the meantime check out a few snippets of their performance I taped (with my new Bloggie!). I'll be sitting down with the band next week to get a little intimate interview with them.

(if you have trouble viewing the videos please pause and let it buffer before playing)

 

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ShopBop.com + Sephora = Faces of Fashion

I was totally bummed when I realized I wasn't going to make the Shopbop.com + Sephora press preview for Faces Of Fashion. I didn't hear about this event until Monday evening and I'm still on vacay visiting family for the Holidays. Luckily my friends over at Bollare emailed me so I could share with you what we both missed.

The SEPHORA COLLECTION Palette Color Play 5 in 1 limited-edition palette was inspired by Shopbop’s new “Faces of Fashion” editorial look book. The 5 in 1 limited fashion edition color palette debuted in Sephora stores and on Sephora.com on December 28th. Shopbop’s ‘Faces of Fashion’ look book launched on www.Shopbop.com on today.

(All images courtesy Bollare)

I missed all my bloggeristas! (Misha aka @thefabchick pictured above)

(Christina aka @tineey pictured above)

ShopBop.com's LOOKBOOK >>

I am definitely loving these red pants! What's your favorite look?

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