Weekend Love & OOTD

This weekend was my anniversary celebration. Because our anniversary was during the week and we had the little one, we had to postpone our festivites until the weekend. Jason and I went to our favorite restaurant, Ruth Chris Steak House, and we came home to a nice bottle of Easley's Reggae Blush wine. Thanks to the beautiful staff at Ruth Chris for making our anniversary wonderful!

In front of the basis of our fights for the past few weeks, the Great Camero Caper of 2011!

Yes...and I took pictures of what I wore...WHAT?!?! This is one of my favorite outfits. It's so light and comfortable. Plus the whole outfit cost under $25!! Yeah...no lie!

Cardigan: Cynthia Rowley Marshall's Clearance $9.99 Dress: Norma Kamali Walmart (Online) $12.99 Boots: Old Navy ~ Two seasons ago

Fashion doesn't have to be expensive!

On a side note, today is picture day at Kiran's school. Ugh for picture day...getting her dressed in the morning is like a part time job, now just add tights. So here is her OOTD...

So early in the morning...

Janelle

Local & Weekend Love: Indy Fashion Time Competition & Fashion Show

Indy Fashion Time is one of the biggest fashion events here in Indianapolis; so big the Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, proclaimed last week Indy Fashion Time week. During the week long event, there are two fashion shows, two competitions, and workshops taught my fashion professionals from around the country. This year's big guest speaker was Althea Harper of Project Runway fame.

I didn't get to go to one of the fashion shows, the Tuesday show at the Canal, but I did attend the show on Saturday night. I wish I could've gone to some of the workshops, but I was helping a friend/co-worker with hair for her models for one of the competitions. I did a good job for someone who's NOT a stylist whatsoever.

Here are some pics of Saturday's festivites:

Julia popping her head down so I don't get it...sorry Julia!!

Designer DLang

Project Runway's Althea Harper was one of the judges for the competition.

I don't know the name of this designer, but she was in one of the competitions. Her line was inspired by Christian Dior!

Christian Dior inspired line

Designer D.Lamont

Designer Alyssa Benner ( I helped with hair...doesn't she look delightful!)

Designer Alyssa Benner (helped with her hair too)

Alyssa and her models (She didn't win the competition, but she's a winner in my book!)

A client of Aesthetic Design Style House, Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott of Clique Da Cour, also entered the competition.

Both Alyssa & Tiffiany with their models

All the goodies Mahogany Charm bought with them

Tina Jimison of Mahogany Charm dressing one of her models.

The crowd

LOTD & Weekend Love Mash Up: Roc Da Mic Media Day

I don't post a lot of pictures of myself on the blog. You know when I look at my own pictures, I cringe. Not that I don't think I'm gorgeous, I just cringe disbelief...that's what I look like. I can't explain it. AND I can't find my tripod and my fiance is a HORRIBLE photog! I feel left out sometimes...so many blogger routinely do LOTD. I'm going to try!

 

Anyhoo...it was cold and rainy today, but I felt like putting on a mini. I helped one of our (Aesthetic Design Style) clients sell tickets for his fashion show tomorrow. I thought I looked kinda cute.

Shirt: Old Navy, Denim Skirt: Torrid, Necklace: JCPenney, Shoes: Shoe Carnival

I definitely need to work on some LOTD post. I did score some great clearance buys at K&G Fashion Superstore today!!! I can't wait to get into that stuff....PLUS the goods I got from Torrid on Friday from their 50% clearance sale. My fiance says I have an addiction...no I just can't turn down a good sale!

Yep, that's me! WHOOP WHOOP

I cannot tell you how blessed I've been this year! This blog has helped me meet exciting people from all over the world, forced me to be dedicated to something, got me a GREAT job and gave me exposure I can only dream of. It's all because of our wonderful writers and readers. I couldn't have done it without you!

Once again, I've been featured in the Indianapolis Star's Sunday Edition! Take a look at it and thank you all again from the bottom of my heart!

http://photos.indystar.com/galleries/12319-leap-into-spring-fashion

XOXO, Janelle

Weekend Love: Good or Bad Hair?

I've been fighting with my hair for over six years. I went natural for the first time about six years ago. No reason really; just wanted something new. 

I've been getting perms...or relaxers...whatever you want to call them...since I was 10 years old. The relaxer didn't make my hair break off. Besides the occasional scalp burns, the creamy crack didn't bother me. I got tired of the whole cost factor of getting your hair "did". Some black women spend more money on their hair and hair care products than they spend on their bills. I've seen women go without major necessities in order to get their hair done. I mean women trying to decide on whether to pay their light bill or get a touch up.

I wanted to save money and make a step in the direction of an all natural lifestyle, something I struggle with and still trying to achieve daily. 

Some women and men think that natural hair is nappy hair or bad hair. I have that internal struggle with myself everyday! I get really discourage with my hair. I want my hair to get wet and instantly look like Rachel True's glamorous locks. (Which will NEVER happen...Ms. True is Biracial.) I get discourage, I don't feel "pretty" and go back to the creamy crack. 

Rachel True (pic from actors.com)

When I flirt with natural hair, I'm not comfortable with it, so I hide it with wigs and pieces. Even last night I had a natural meltdown. I changed into four outfits only to realize I didn't like my hair and I slopped my wig back on my head. 

On Sunday, I attended Felicia Leatherwood's Loving Your Natural Hair Workshop here in Indianapolis. Ms. Leatherwood is a hair stylist out of Los Angeles who does hair for Jill Scott, Sanaa Latham, Terrence Howard and many more. So when it was broadcast she would be here in Indy. I was one of the first to buy a ticket. We even got product junkie swag bags!!! I love FREE stuff!

I learned so much from the workshops; techniques, eating healthy, styles. But what I learned most is to embrace my natural hair and LOVE MYSELF. Felicia told us to go home and for the next two weeks, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you love yourself THREE times a day. I challenge you to do the same thing. Let's see how we fill within two weeks time. In the meantime, I'm going to ween myself of my wigs and start being comfortable with what God put on my head; a glorious head of thick healthy tightly coiled hair.

Here are some pics from the Loving Your Natural Hair Workshop:

Felicia Leatherwood speaking to the audience.

Our free product junkie swag bags...A LOT of GREAT stuff!

MC of the festivities, Kyla Williamson.

Felicia demonstrating how to moisturize hair and a quick style remedy.

MC Kyla Williamson with Felicia Yvette Hooks, the woman who brought Felicia Leatherwood to Indy to speak.

Felicia continually told the audience, if we had any questions about our hair or hair products to contact her on her Facebook page and her website (Lovingyourhairworkshop.com). I invite you to do that. She answers her emails personally and is SO knowledgeable about ALL things hair...even Caucasian and Latina hair.

Local Love: Transformations

Friday night, I saw an awesome show. Transformations is an annual show designed and produced by Catherine Fritsch for DivaFest. 

Fristch speaking with the audience

 Fritsch is owner and designer of Mercurious Designs and Sweet Revenge Lingerie. She has 18 years experience in designing, pattern making and sewing services. In my book, she is the one of  the gurus of design AND she is one of the most humble and nicest person you will ever meet. She's also one of our clients at Aesthetic Design Style.

In the Transformation show, Fritsch takes off the wall objects, like styrofoam from bean bag chair and balloons, to make modern Victorian pieces.

Models were supplied by LModelz Modeling Agency. Makeup was done by Aesthetic Design Style's own Julia Rutland and Christopher Thompson of Re-Creations and Kathy Moberly of faces by klm. Hair styling was provided by Geneva Hair Studio and jewelry by Cheeky Couture. 

I was excited all week about this show. Here are a few of my favorite.

To find out more about Catherine Fritsch or Sweet Revenge Lingerie, go to her website.

TGIF! What... It's Not Friday Yet?!

So it's almost the end of the week, so I'm already thinking about what's going on this weekend. I shouldn't be so ready for the weekend considering I was shut in the house last week because of the ice storm.

Friday night, I'm getting a body wrap. Believe me there will be a LOT of pictures on here and my Tumblr documenting that experience. Other than that, I have no definite plans yet.

Last weekend, my bestie from college came down to visit. So we and my friend Tobey went to dinner, followed by a fashion show presented by Mode Magazine and then slammed Irish Car Bombs at Claddagh Irish Pub in downtown Indy. Here are some pics:

Soon as we walked into Claddagh I saw them. I was drawn by his faux mustache.

Tobey

I've known Jenny for over 15 years...we always have a great time, no matter how much time we spend apart.




                         Oh...and I got GREAT news. 

Plus size model Ana Garcia is going to share some of her photos with us from next week's Curvy Revolution conference in Las Vegas.  Stay tuned for that!