A Diva State of Mind

It’s that time of year again! Check out details below for the “Project Impact”Toy Drive!

WHO: Kimesha Nicole, Kimberly Rene, The Fellaz Youth Foundation, and Mindstream Radio

WHAT: The team behind the community service initative program “Project Impact” is asking patrons to donate unwrapped toy for a child or an article of clothing this holiday season (2-17 age range). Donations will be given to children from the S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat) Organization.  

So Others Might Eat is the only interfaith, community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the city.   

WHEN: Thursday, December 5th, 2013

DROP OFF LOCATION: Avery’s Bar & Lounge - 1370 H Street, NE Washington, DC 20002

DROP OFF TIME:5PM-9PM

If you follow me on social media, you may have seen the quote below.

While at the nail salon on Saturday, I came across this quote from Ivanka Trump in the February 2013 issue of O Magazine. When you’re chasing your dreams, you may sometimes feel as if you’re not good enough: you don’t know enough, you don’t have enough experience for people to want to give you a chance, etc.

This quote really stuck to me. As I pursue turning my stylist business into my career, I often feel that I’m not good enough because things don’t APPEAR to be going in the direction I envision as quickly as I’d like. I didn’t grow up wanting a life in fashion. I didn’t attend a fashion school or intern with a fashion magazine. I often think ”will I ever get there? Is it really possible?”

Whenever you start to doubt yourself, remember that the drive you have is what sets you apart from the rest.  There are a lot of smart people in the world that talk about doing x,y and z, but there are only a few that actually take a chance and work towards making their dreams a reality. Those that we see living their dreams are ones that are PASSIONATE and kept pushing forward with they faced failure and doubt from others.

I pray that we, through passion and faith, succeed in reaching the goals that have been placed on our hearts!

Tuesday, December 3rd serves as #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving that celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. In honor of that day, Dress for Success is hosting its annual #GivingShoesDay!

Dress for Success will be collecting professional, new or gently-worn shoes on Tuesday, December 3rd.  For those in the DC area, a collection box will be placed on the landing outside of the Arbor Offices at 101 Q Street NE, on the second floor. You can drop off donations between 8:30am and 5pm. Donation receipts will be available for all donors.

Please clean out your closet and make a donation if you can!

In honor of World AIDS Day, you’re are invited to join the Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for their annual World AIDS Day Symposium: Getting to Zero on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:30pm at the downtown Silver Spring Civic Center.

The event will emphasize the impacts of living with HIV/AIDS, including medical insurance, senior citizen statistics, mental health, family, and caregiver considerations.  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will deliver the keynote address. The event will also feature free on-site, confidential HIV testing, a panel discussion, viewing of the Maryland State AIDS Quilt, a documentary film, a host of exhibitors, and a World AIDS Day Remembrance Ceremony. 

The event is FREE. Please RSVP at  http://mcac-worldaidsday13.eventbrite.com/

hope to see you there! Please share this event with your family and/or friends that may be interested in attending

Learn more about the Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter and their activities at www.mcacdst.org

Fellas, if you’ve been searching for bold ties, bowties, pocket squares and cufflinks, Dwyane Wade’s new collection is just for you! The Miami Heat guard teamed up with The Tie Bar to create an exclusive collection of men’s accessories that will surely add some flair to your outfit.   The ties are made of 100% silk. Prices range from $15 to $30.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Sartorial DNA

Helix

People’s Plaid

Dali’s Paisley

Abstract Nation

Technocolor Chevron

Camo Conspiracy

Houndstooth

Here’s Dwyane Wade talking about his collaboration:

Click HERE to shop the collection. Limited quantities of all items are available. Items from this collection would serve as great gifts this holiday season!

If you haven’t heard, there’s a new outlet opening up in the DMV! This Friday, Tanger Outlets at National Harbor will open, featuring more than 85 outlet stores.

Click HERE for the coupon ad. Bring the ad to Tanger Shopper Services for a sheet of 20% Savings Coupons (valid at participating stores) and a free Tanger coupon book. Limit one per household. Offer valid 11/22-11/24. Code 3015313A.

Happy Shopping! 

In July, I introduced you to #HashtagLunchBag, a movement that started in LA with the goal of feeding the homeless (click here to read about the movement.) After taking a hiatus in October, #HashtagLunchBag DC returns this Sunday, November 24th. At 11am, volunteers will gather at Lima (1401 K Street NW) to prepare lunches. At noon, volunteers will hit the streets of DC and distribute the lunches to the homeless. If you signed up before, you don’t need to sign up again. If you are interested in participating and haven’t signed up, please sign up here!

All volunteers are asked to bring $10 cash donation to cover the cost of food. Lunches will be distributed to homeless shelters and those on the streets.

I participated when #HashtagLunchBag DC launched in August. It was truly a blessing to come together with so many volunteers and make lunches for those in need. If you are seeking to give back to the DMV community and your time permits, I highly recommend participating!

I have concluded that online dating isn’t for me!

In September, I declared I would give it another try. After all, the year wasn’t up yet and I was interested in going on dates.  That week after writing that blog post, I reactivated my account on the same online dating site I signed up on last year.

I updated the “about me” section, uploaded new photos and began searching online for potential suitors. I “winked” at a few guys and also sent emails to those I thought seemed like potential matches. No response…

After being on the site for a few weeks with no luck, I made some minor changes to my profile. It’s good to make changes when things have been idle for a while. Making changes somehow brings a new pool of guys to view your page.

I had listed in my profile that I’m a Redskins fan, so after the Cowboys vs. Redskins game, a guy on the dating site reached out to me with the usually Cowboys/Redskins banter. It was a cute approach. We went back and forth via email for about a week and once the opportunity presented itself to meet in person, he didn’t follow through with plans so we never met up.

Since then, things have been quiet on the site for me. I haven’t come across any new guys that I’m attracted to. Instead, I’ve been contacted by young guys (Gabrielle Union has us believing young is the way to go but I’m not entertaining someone fresh out of college) or I have receive winks from men over 40 (They’re old enough to be an uncle…I can’t).

I have about a month left to go on the site since I paid for three months. I don’t plan on paying for any additional months once my three months are up! I’m not sure online dating is the best avenue for me. It works for some people; a lot of people have met their spouses online. I know for me, meeting potential suitors behind a computer screen right now is not going to work.

Maybe I’ll feel different if I’m still single at age 40…

Join the ladies of Red Sprinkle for an evening of beauty at their 2nd Annual Pop-up Beauty Lounge at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, hosted by Lianne Farbes of The Makeup Girl!

Get pampered with complimentary lash extensions courtesy of Elle Bella Lash Bar, a Dior Polish Bar, nail decals by Jamberry Nails, party pin-ups by Seven & Company. Guests will also enjoy facials, an oxygen bar, hand massages and more from Armani, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Tom Ford & many other participating vendors!

Date: Thursday, November 21 2013

Time: 6-8pm

Location: Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallrie (5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW DC 20015)

Tickets can be purchased here: www.publ2.eventbrite.com. Use PROMO code SAVE5

50% of proceeds will go to benefit the Red Sprinkle Fashion Camp Scholarships, which assists young adults pursuing secondary education in the field of fashion.

Back in August, I discussed why a chambray shirt is a wardrobe must have (for men and women). You can wear this shirt with just about anything.  Because chambray shirts are lightweight, you may have wondered how you can wear the shirt during the fall/winter season when we’re faced with cooler temperatures. No worries, this post is for you!  Below are three ways you can wear your chambray shirt during the fall/winter season.

One of my favorite layered looks is pairing button ups and chambray shirts under sweaters. This first look features yours truly A few weeks ago, I wore my chambray shirt under a LOFT stripe sweater to a client appointment. I completed the look with a bold statement necklace. You can wear your chambray shirt under a sweater OR a luxe sweatshirt. If you want to take this look a step further in terms of layering, you can add a blazer.

My sweater & necklace are no longer available, but you can recreate the look with these pieces:

More C&C California…

After reading my post about chambray shirts, my friend Jovonne asked “Can you wear them with regular denim jeans? Does it matter if the jeans are lighter or darker?” You can absolutely wear these shirts with regular jeans. Denim on denim is definitely on trend. You can transition that look to the fall/winter season by pairing your denim on denim look with a fur vest and boots. You can keep the sleeves long or roll them up to 3/4 length.

Recreate the look with these pieces below:

More Forever 21…

Chambray can be worn under sweaters, vests and cardigans! They’d look great under thick button up cardigans like the Topshop one below. You can pair the shirt and cardigan with a leather pencil skirt and booties. This is a great look for work. This is a prime example of how to incorporate trends (burgundy aka oxblood and leather) into your work attire. For an after work or weekend look, switch out the leather skirt for leather pants.

Get the look below:

More Topshop…

Are you feeling inspired to wear your chambray shirt this fall/winter season?

To view more looks and learn more about styling services visit www.styledbykeri.com