A Snippet of Peace & Hope

Okay so I know I've been away for a minute and I do truly apologize for my absence. The break that I took was like none other though, it was really needed. I needed time to sit and just fully embrace all of my thoughts. I learned a while ago that the best company you can have is yourself. It's so funny how God works, during my time of separation from the blog life I was asked by one of my sorority sisters to read one of her books. 

Little did she know her book came just in time. 

Janae Werdlow became a member of the Illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated the Sigma Mu Chapter Spring 2013 at High Point University where she is now a proud alumna having graduated May 2014. She is the founder of Werdart and JWerd enterprises. Her website JWerd.com is launching soon in September. She dreams of creating a scholarship fund in the remembrance of her mom who passed away when she was only two years old. Her desire is for every one of her books to encourage and inspire. She specifically wrote "Surviving Teenage Battlewounds" to show we are all similar and have gone through the same things. She wants to be an example to all that shows that if she made it through so will you. 

Downloading the book I was uber excited to find that it was filled with different topics. As I flipped through the pages I soon found myself highlighting my favorite stanzas and pieces. I felt as if Janae some how read some of my journal and written these pieces just for me. It's so crazy how people in the world are so different but yet so similar. Just think of a quilt. It's sown together with different scraps, different prints, and textures but is sown together so beautifully. We all go through similar situations never knowing it. "Surviving Teenage Battlewounds", is filled with peace and love laying upon each page. It's like a snippet of hope shinning at the end of the very dark tunnel. This book touches on everything one can endure during those trying years of being a teenager even during those confusing young adult years. From love, heartbreak, fears,feeling a sense of emptiness, loniliess, happiness, joy, pain, etc. Anything you can think of Janae has written about it in this book. 

I have a few favorite pieces from Janae's book but there's one in particular that really spoke to me. One being called "Fear". Now those of you who keep up with my blog know this is a topic that I have tackled countless times. This is just something that constantly appears on the road to success. It's a little road block that finds its way in my path constantly. It wasn't until I read this piece that everything came full circle for me. 

"But when we take the forward march and courage to move on. In spite of our destiny, purpose and what we find in the lyrics of our own song It is then we can be great, in the midst of the storm" 

I spent so much time focusing on getting through the storm I never gave myself a chance to fully embrace the storm and be great. I must learn to fully embrace the storm and continue to push through. Where I am is NOT who I am because WHO I am is GREATER than WHERE I am. When you fully understand that concept you will began to dance in the rain. Strap up your rainboots and splash in the puddles during your storm. 

It was nice reading that last stanza because it gave me the little push I needed. The little nudge telling me to continue on my path. 

I would recommend reading "Surving Teenage Battle Wounds". It is a phenomenal book that's filled with encouraging words and comforting pieces. It's nice to read something and nod your head in agreeance the entire time. This book just proves that we are all similar. Janae is able to connect with us all by sharing her own personal experiences through poetry. I definitely give this book a thumbs up!!! Janae's book can be found on Amazon. You can order the hard copy or it can be downloaded on Kindle. This is definitely something you should have in your collection. 

That Aaaaah Haaaa Moment

It's soooo crazy in life how you can become super distracted and caught up with unnecessary things. Negative thoughts, doubt, anxiety, and foolishness. I haven't blogged in a little over month, I easily became distracted by all of these things and I used my moving as an excuse as to why I haven't been doing what I love.

 Telling everyone 

"O you know I've been getting adjusted to Atlanta"

"I'll blog when I get a chance" 

"I've been so focused on other things I'll try to do it tonight" 

These were just excuses that were being given. As soon as I figured out what I really wanted do in life this spirit of procrastination started to creep up. Isn't it funny that procrastination and fear came knocking at my door as soon as I figured out my calling. 

As if I was getting ready to leave my house packing a bag full of dreams and aspirations embarking on this blissful journey. As I opened my door fear and procrastination stood right in my doorway blocking me from the road I should be taking. Now I can do one of two things. I can allow this fear and procrastination to prevent me from getting there. Go back upstairs and unpacks all of my dreams and aspirations, and just gaze out my window at the path I should be taking; Or I can bust right through fear and procrastination holding tightly to my dreams and aspirations. 

One thing I learned about fear is that it's something you gotta bust through. Fear is something that is so micro that we give too much power to. You remember as a little kid those little expandable toys that would grow if you sat it in water. Fear is similar to that, it's something that starts off so micro and expands as our thoughts start to feed it. The doubts we have is the water that's expanding fear. Fear doesn't just come by itself, it brings some friends along. Doubt, Insecurities and Procrastination.  Don't allow these things to fill your mind. Never allow these things to expand because when you do you'll never have any space for those dreams of yours. Dreams, Aspirations, Hope, Love, and Faith can not reside in the same space as fear.

 "For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power love and a sound mind" 

2 Timothy 1:7

Now I can honestly say that I've fed this monster called fear too long and I've decided TODAY that I will no longer be a slave to it. It's soooooo much in life that I have to accomplish, not just for me but for the girl out there who is struggling to know her worth. It's like a light bulb finally went off in my head and I  realized what I am called to do and it all started off with this blog. Many of you know that this was solely suppose to be about fashion but some how along the way I started to blog about life and everyday things I'm faced with. Different things that were placed on my heart that I felt the need to share. After hearing such positive feed back, some even calling me inspirational I began to think, "Hmmmm I may be on to something here!" 

As time went on I really started to ask God to show me what I'm suppose to do. In this time in the back of my mind I was hoping He wouldn't show me something along the lines of me not working in fashion, but that was me wanting to live for myself and not for Him. Through maturity and understanding I mustered up enough courage to let go of what I wanted and grab onto what He has for me. Over time things started to come full circle and I realized that this dream God placed in my heart directly correlates to what He has for me. Closely examining my life, trials, and tribulations I changed my way of thinking. Everything that I've been through internally wasn't for me but for someone else. 

Struggling with identity crisis,insecuruties, self doubts, and many other things was for Him to get the glory and I share my story with the next person. I want to inspire other people, let them know that they are loved, and that they are who they are suppose to be and what better way to do that than through something I love FASHION. 

I don't want to just be a stylist but a inspiration. Well known blogger and image consultant speaking self love, self esteem, and increasing self worth one hanger at a time!!!! 

I will do so while I share this transparency tea with you all!! Let's all vow to be Great today!! Satan is silly and you've already won. he is no match against MY GOD I got victory and so do you so let's walk in it!! 

With love,

<3 CarrieSierra 

Harvest Season..But Where are My Crops?

Everyone knows farming is not easy. In order to produce good crops you must first wait for the right season. But what do you do when you've waited patiently for the perfect season,planted your seeds and yet you still see no crops?

 Farming can be compared to this dream you've had that you've been constantly working at. You've waited patiently and now you know this is your season. You've plowed up the dirt, got rid of the twigs and weeds, prepared your soil and now you feel like it's a perfect time to plant your seeds. You plant your seeds water it daily and wait. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. Where are my crops? Where are the fruits of my labor? Why don't I see any  progress? Are just a couple of questions you begin to ask yourself. Why is it that I've been working so deligently towards something I can't touch or grasp yet? 

You've been working hard towards this dream because in due time you Will be able to see and grasp it. Imagine how sweet the fruits of your labor will be knowing how hard you worked to get there. How much you will enjoy the sweet taste of success knowing you've been through hell and high waters just to sit at the table of triumph. Don't let what you see now or what you don't see to alter your vision. 

 You have to be so consumed  and wrapped up in your vision that what you see in your peripheral does not matter. PERIPHERAL VISION: all that is visible to the eye outside the CENTRAL area of FOCUS; side vision. This is the season of tunnel vision it is imperative that we focus in on our dreams and goals. 

The more you focus in on your dreams and water the seeds you've planted your harvest will soon come. Just think about it, if we worried so much about the crops and not the actual harvest we wouldn't have anything. Before I could fully grasp that concept I had to do a little research. The true definition of a harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the field. What do you think would happened if we picked our crops and they weren't fully mature? What would happen if we rushed our dreams because we thought we were ready for it now? 

I've learned that this season of watering our crops is imperative. We have to constantly work towards are goals and aspirations so they can become mature enough to be harvested. Every day that goes by is a day that can be used to water your garden of success.  Don't rush it, I guess it really is true when they say patience is a virtue. I'm about to pull out my water hose to give my seeds some life I think you should do the same.

With Love,

<3 CarrieSierra

What's Your Reason?

To be honest some of the blogs I write are just little reminders I need to keep myself on track. Just graduating college I'm left with thoughts of what to do next? How are you gonna get there? Are you even good enough to be there? It's so easy to become overwhelmed with those thoughts. Seems like as soon as you're done demolishing them you deal with a new uphill battle. 

You feel like what you're doing isn't good enough. You're not seeing the fruits of your labor. All your hard work isn't being recognize. Everyone is "sleep" on what you got going on. If we let those thoughts hinder our grind we won't get very far. It's imperative that we remember the "WHY" in the grind. Why are we working so hard to get things done? Why do we even want it? If we constantly keep that reasoning in the back of our heads doubts, insecurities, and fears will no longer drive us. If we use our WHY to drive us we no longer are worried about what other people got going on. You can never eat what's on your plate if you're busy looking at the next person. I REPEAT.....YOU CAN NOT EAT WHAT IS ON YOUR PLATE IF YOU ARE BUSY LOOKING AT THE NEXT PERSON. 

Zoom in on what you got going on, activate that tunnel vision, focus on your task at hand. Get in on that grind, I don't mean no mediocre grind. I'm talking about that constant, persistent, unmovable, uphill climb grind. That I've decided imma swim instead of sink grind.

 That dream you have wasn't placed in your heart for nothing. Time to get to work, your hard work will pay off one day. You don't need any validation from anyone when it comes to that vision you have. Always remember why you started and keep pushing!! Let's get it people, I'm focused are you? 

With love,

<3 CarrieSierra  

Forever My Brother's Keeper

Imagine how the world would be if we all had the mindset of “Forever my brother’s keeper”? Forever my brother’s keeper is not just a phrase to be taken lightly just as any other phrase. This phrase is one of substance, a saying that expanded into a vision, a vision in which transcended a clothing line. 

Forever My Brother’s Keeper Clothing was founded by two inner city athletes who resided in Tacoma, Washington.  Brandon Jimenez and Julian Cruell are the two pioneers who took their vision and turned it into an urban clothing line that represents family, loyalty, and brotherhood. What sets this line a part from any other would be its close nit foundation upon which it was built.

 FMBK Clothing is not just a slogan, nor is it just graphics on a T-shirt; it is a way of life, relatable to all beings regardless of age, race, creed, or color.  FMBK clothing brings fashion to the urban world. I got the chance to check out some of their pieces from their newly launched spring 2014 collection. One thing that caught my attention immediately about the line was its simplicity. I am a huge fan of simple. Simple gives you the opportunity to do more with your outfit. The styles in which these tees can be rocked are endless. Below I have featured a couple of my personal favorites from their collection.

The collection can be viewed in its entirety on their website. 

www.fmbkclothing.com

Be sure to check them out on

IG- www.instagram.com/Fmbk_clothing
Twitter- www.twitter.com/Fmbkclothing
Pinterest- www.pinterest.com/fmbkclothing
Facebook- www.facebook.com/fmbkclothing

Unlock Spring & Summer

This weekend I found some keys pieces for summer and spring. 

Charlotte Russe is definitely a GREAT place to find inexpensive jewelry. You can't beat a two for ten deal!!!  Finding simple pieces can bring a simple outfit together. I love to dress up Tshirts and tanks in the  spring and summer. 

Another FABULOUS find I found was this flower head band. Now for a second I contemplated whether to purchase this because I have no hair lol but who cares I'll definitely be rocking this with my tapered afro. 

SHOES•SHOES•SHOES•SHOES

Target never fails me!!! I got these super cute caged sandals for under 40 bucks!!! This super cute trendy sandal is a statement piece can be dressed up or dressed down. I'm so looking forward to incorporating these in my wardrobe. 

The other two pairs I purchased were these taupe & mint sandals. 

•Super Simple

•Super Chic

•Super Comfortable 

The price was AWESOME found them on clearance for $12.99 a piece. 

Every season I have trends that I become addicted to. They're pieces that I MUST have more than one pair of. I've created a small list of the things I HAVE to HAVE  this spring & summer. 

•Graphic Tees

These simples shirts with catchy phrases and pictures counts as one of must haves. 

These shirts can be paired with a pair is cut off shorts, skinny jeans, blazers, or a simple jean jacket. The possibilities are endless!! 

•T-Shirt dresses. 

I AM A SUCKER FOR 

•CUTE

•COMFY

•CASUAL

These simple dresses are definitely a statement piece. You can pair it with a blazer and accessorize. This is the meaning of being cute and trendy without even trying!! 

 

These are a few of my favorite things what are your key pieces you love? Remember to always have fun, fashion is art!! Let's all be Picasso!!

With love,

<3 CarrieSierra 

She Sings the Blues

What's more vibrant then royal blue? This color is so rich and makes a great statement piece. 

This dress of found at my local thrift store for less than three bucks. At first I didn't quite no what color shoes to wear but I remembered I had a pair of royal blue pumps. I decided to be extra matchu this day! 

One thing I love about this dress is the belt, one key thing to wearing flatterinf pieces is finding what works for you. Belts easily pulls in my waist and shows my natural curves.