The relentless strike of a Fashion Bug

The days have been counting down rapidly toward this special occasion I've been shopping for.  Questions like: What will I wear, what should I pack, and how should I have my hair and makeup have been keeping me up for days. 

Thank goodness I decided to start shopping weeks prior.  One thing I cant deal with is sticker-shock.  It takes away from the whole experience of finding just the right look.  The most important thing I'm taking away from this whole ordeal is that nothing is impossible.

Since my wardrobe hasn't been invested into for years I was having a terrible time deciding if any pieces could be updated to make a new ensemble.  Low and behold I dug up 2 skirts and a blouse from my non-existent wardrobe that would work.


 Just take a look at the wreck I was toward the end of this count down.

 

Thank You

In the honor of the great comedic spirit within,  +Jimmy Fallon has inspired me to compose a post of all the Thank You notes I want to share.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement for me and especially my husband, +Jesse Fearns . 

Video Link: Touring St. Louis 

Without the help of the following people, my journey would not have been possible.  Thank you, associates in Regency Square mall and surrounding shops in Jacksonville.  Without your patience and good fashion advice I would have gone on this trip looking like a complete disaster or just my ordinary self.

Thank you Lady at the desk in the Condo building on Prudential Drive in downtown Jacksonville.  Without your concern and swift response, I would have missed my flight trying to hail a taxi.

Thank you, Checker Cab driver #4550.  I was being a major pain in the ass that day because I didn't want to be late.  As the first passengers were being called to board the flight, I was standing in line with them sipping a cup of ice water from Starbucks.  You got me there in just enough time.

Thank you, people who sat next to me on those flights.  In a hurry that morning I took a shower after packing. When I arrived at my final destination I realized how ripe I was since forgetting to put on deodorant.

Thank you, Stylist next door to Beauty Max on Merrill Rd.  You helped me create the look I wanted to have by securing my hair up in a high pony with gel and hairspray, more gel, more hairspray, and a blast of hot air.  The style lasted 3 nights and 4 long days!

Thank you, Pet Sitters. My dogs and cat would have gone without food, water or potty breaks and clean litter if you didn't visit the house while I was away. 

Lastly, Thank you Jewelers in the Fresh Market Plaza on Atlantic Boulevard near San Pablo.  You checked the settings on my diamonds and made my rings sparkle without charge.

Video Link: Command Coins

 

 

   

The relentless strike of a Fashion Bug

So many great deals were going on.  I couldn't resist taking notes while on this calculated visit to the mall. Trying to do everything at once isn't easy.  Didn't even have time to try on shoes or accessories. 

All the dresses I tried on at JCPenny were between $60-$95.  Of course the black sparkly one that looks the best is the most expensive.

The war within

Picture of a woman having her hair relaxed by a stylist 

Ok.  What is really going on?  I've been ego trippin with myself about a simple decision.  To relax or not to relax. 

For years I've rocked a decent head of hair.  Only needing to go to the stylist twice a year for the somewhat magical chemical treatment known to us black girls as a relaxer.  But for some odd reason, Ive been trying to go without one for the last several months.  I don't know why.  I'm not that good at keeping my natural unprocessed hair from looking like bozo the clown.  I'm tired of wearing hats all the time when i carelessly go to bed without wrapping it.  I don't like the smart elic remarks from my significant other about my hair.  We're both mixed kids; one black parent and one white.  He however came out with the non ethnic hair where Ive been doomed. (lol, j/k not trying to piss anyone off cause i know some girls would kill to have my version of ethnic hair)  I'm not a fan of braided styles because they just dont last that long for me.
I guess I'm fighting over the fact that I like to wash my hair frequently since I go to the gym almost everyday.  I like to go swiming as well.  Its always a big deal having relaxed hair and washing it all the time.  Everytime I go to a stylist and mention relaxing my hair they give me the lecture about how I dont need to.  They don't have to wake up and comb this mess though.  Its like I feel as if I'm failing as a woman when I cant keep my hair looking neat, as shallow as that sounds.  I cant really say why i feel that way.  Why cant i feel the same pride and empowerment about having my hair relaxed as women who decide to go short and natural do?

 Way too much emphasis goes into that visit to the stylist. i never look foreward to that 3-4 hour time block.  S/he needs to be good at what they do or else i dont want to bother.  They deserve to be paid, i just dont like feeling like i'm paying for their services over and over again.  Thats what having relaxed hair is about.  You're a slave to your own hair once the chemicals go in.  Its not the stylists fault. They don't care the texture or legnth of my mane or even how often i show up.  I'm like an easy hundred bucks just because of the ammount of product i'll need since my hair is well past shoulder legnth.

So thanks to Mr. Chris Rock I'm publicly struggling over what to do with my hair.  Do you know how awful it feels to voice this nonsense to a black woman?!  How my sistas with the european hair run in the other direction or chuckle to themselves about this topic?!  Whenever the topic of hair arises i feel like an idiot, a dog, a fool, a sexist and a racist and that is not fair.