Something New

So as many of you have noticed my blog received a much needed upgrade.  Thanks to the lovely and talented Maria Isabel my blog now looks a lot more professional.  She is truly talented and I appreciate everything that she has done for me and this blog.  You can find out more about her and her completely awesome blog designs at http://misabel5.blogspot.com/.

If you're in the market for spectacular blog design please look her up.

Invisible Child

Generally I reserve Wednesday's for a Fit Chick post but while prowling the status updates on my Facebook timeline I came across a story in the New York Times that just grabbed my attention and would not let go.  The article is called "Invisible Child-Girl in The Shadows:  Dasani's Homeless Life" written by Andrea Elliott (photographs by Ruth Fremson).  Dasani's Homeless Life is the tale of 11 year old Dasani, her everyday struggle in an ever-changing city and her fight to overcome a life riddled with homelessness.

This story is moving, sad, filled with hope, and nonetheless needs to be told.  Along with Dasani there are millions of other homeless and hungry children that need their stories to be told.  This article gives us a small glimpse into their lives.  Their stories and circumstances may be different but they all are just as heart-wrenching.   I encourage as many as possible to read this article, it is poignant and beautifully written.

Girl in The Shadows:  Dasani's Homeless Life 

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/invisible-child/?smid=pl-share

Thank you for reading.

Photos courtesy of nytimes.com

Beauty Bit: The Perfect Nude

One of the few things that I've always had a hard time finding in my never-ending search for all things that are pretty is the perfect nude nail polish.  Well,  I'd like everyone to know that I've finally found one that I love.  It's by NYC and it's called Fashion Safari.

 It's all I've been wearing on my nails.  It's just perfect for the office and it's very classy. Also, it only cost me a little over $1.  It was an awesome deal.  It only took two coats to achieve that all-over even coverage that I love (even with my clumsy technique) and it actually does dry pretty quickly.  So if you ladies are looking for a great nude polish I'd say that this is it, well at least in my book.

Thanks for reading.
XOXO

Support Cassy Renee

"A really great talent finds its happiness in execution."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Every so often in life we are fortunate enough to come in contact with people who are intelligent, talented, and an agent of positivity.  While pursuing my undergraduate degree at Columbia College I had such an opportunity when I met Cassy Renee.  She is an awesome friend and as I've stated she is insanely talented.  She sings and after putting in so much hard work to garner a local following she is finally ready to begin recording in the studio.  She needs to raise $2000 by the end of March and she needs our help doing that.  You can help her by going to http://www.gofundme.com/5ndgwk.  No donation is too small or unappreciated.  Thank you.

Think I'm being biased...check her out for yourself.

Thanks for reading.

XOXO

Reflection: A True Hero

As many of you already know Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday at the age of 95.  His passing is not just a loss for South Africans but for the entire world.  However, there is much to celebrated in terms of what he accomplished and those that he inspired.  He was courageous and there is much to be learned from the life that he lived.

I chose not to post my typical post today because I would like to take the time to reflect on not only the life of such a valiant man but also on my life as well.  What can I take from the lessons that he taught?  How can I be a better person?  Yesterday we lost a visionary.  Someone who dedicated their life to teaching peace and love.  I lost someone that I admire immensely.  

"No one person is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion.  People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

-Nelson Mandela

Dee

Style Inspiration: Kerry Washington

Lately Kerry Washington's style has garnered her the amount of praise that many women would die for.  Not afraid to go bold with bright colors but equally unafraid of wearing an all white ensemble, she is a true style icon (in my opinion).  She's classy, smart, and sophisticated and she exudes that very well in her choice of dress.  Check out some of her looks...

This ensemble alone spawned my love of red lipstick. 

Oh, Kerry you're so chic and Scandal is such an amazing show.  Well hope you enjoyed.  Check out Scandal tonight at 10 pm Eastern on ABC.  

photos credit:  www.glamour.com & www.essence.com

Try Something New

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things.  The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions:  could have, might have, 

and should have."

-Louis E. Boone

The unknown is a scary place.  We fear the unknown because it brings the possibility of failure but how often do we reminisce about a situation and what the outcome could have been had we tried something new?  My mom always said that people don't mind trying new things as long as they're exactly like the old ones.  Trying new things is important and intricate in the human experience.  It's garners growth, creativity, and keeps you from becoming bored.  That rut that a lot of us go through is a rut that we've created by staying in our normal mundane routine.  Trying new things is our key to getting out of that rut.  So where should you start?  Well I compiled a list of 5 small things you can do that will allow you to venture into the unknown so read up and go forth young grasshoppers.  

1.  Start small.  Do something that makes you nervous, like going to the movies by yourself or going to dinner alone. 

2.  Take a class to learn a new skill. Karate maybe or even ballet just sign up for it.  Your goal isn't to become an expert you're just trying something new.

3. Hang out with new people.  You know that coworker that you always decline when she invites you out, well next time don't decline. 

4.  Compliment a stranger.  It's a great way to start a conversation and everyone likes to be complimented. 

5.  Volunteer somewhere.  First of all you're helping others and you'll get the added advantage of meeting new people.  

Trying new things may not always lead to something monumental but it's better than nothing.   So get up, get out, and just try something new.  

Until next time...XOXO