Can We Talk: We're More Than Fashion!

A couple of days ago I was reading the February 2010 issue of Marie Claire, and after I finished I felt overwhelmed. I had gone through such a mixture of emotions and feelings while reading the issue. Initially, I felt only excitement about the clothes, shoes, accessories that I viewed that are going to inspire and elevate my spring/summer wardrobe. There were shoes that took my breath away, dresses that I could live in for weeks, and accessories that made me seriously try to rationalize why I, a graduate school student, should be fine with spending $1000 on single pieces of couture costume jewelry. In contrast, by the end of the issue I felt sad, smarter, more aware, and empowered. My initial feelings need no further explanation but I'm sure you're wondering why I was experiencing the later emotions. Well, as I finished the reading the magazine I realized that for perhaps the second time in my life that magazines geared towards fashion are soooooo much more than look books into the coming season's trends. Fashion magazines provide style AND awareness.

Can We Talk: Behold Your Own Beauty

KUDOS GABOUREY

I was thrilled to read that Gabourey Sidibe will be featured in Harper's Bazaar, and the cover of V magazine's issue #63 which will feature plus size models. The fashion industry is trying to change, but the process will always move at a snails pace. There was Italian Vogue's all black issue, a tribute to the many beautiful black women in the fashion industry who are still struggling to be as successful as their white counterparts in print and runway. And now a plus size (very plus size, not the thinner side of plus size that Tyra picks to be on America's Next Top Model) woman will grace the cover of a fashion magazine, a very fashion forward magazine. (Not to mention the fascination with Chanel Iman, and even Jourdan Dunn and Jessica White. I'm seeing more black supermodels in the making.) Who'd a thunk it??? I began thinking about what this means. In her interview with Harper's Bazaar Gabourey says about her rise to stardom:

"It justifies everyone in my life who told me I wouldn't be anything until I lost weight."

Can We Talk: Filling the Void

For the past couple of months I had been feeling like something was missing, like I wasn't doing enough, but I wasn't sure what was missing and how to fill the void. While being in graduate school is great and it's where I want to be, I also have other goals, desires, and have gifts that I have been ignoring or suppressing. I haven't been reaching my full potential.  Basically, the emptiness I was feeling was from being complacent; not doing enough with my talents, especially my love for writing, and fashion has always been about more than clothes to me, fashion can be in many ways be art. Doing this blog makes me feel very alive and like I'm on the right track. I had been wanting to do a blog for years but could never think of anything that I cared or felt comfortable enough to write about and present to a mass amount of people. NOW HERE I AM. Doing this blog happened at this time for a reason. Is there anything that is coincidental? I don't think so. I'll learn something from doing this, and I hope that it grows into something far beyond its current state.

Even before beginning the blog with ChiomaB I began filling the void by submitting articles to an online blog called "Keeping Up With the Huxtables at Imkeepingup.com. I could go on about why I love the blog but I'll be brief. Simply put, the creator, The Socialite, has made a platform to uplift members of the African American community by showcasing young black professionals and informing and educating others. Everything about the sight reflects an individual who is passionate and serious about what she does. Check out the site's mission statement:

Imkeepingup.com is a blog that focuses on the African American dream. We strive to provide the fastest and easiest way for you to "Keep Up" with what is going on in our community. We bring you a positive spin on our leaders, urban hotspots, hottest events to attend, talent in our own backyard, issues that effect us and solutions to our problems. We hope to inspire and motivate the lifestyles and careers of people all over the world...one post at a time!

Check out the articles I've written so far for Keeping Up With the Huxtables:

Young and Keeping Up: Kyle O'Connor "Graphic Designer"

(A personal friend from college whom I'm very proud of!)

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT: Still Taking Care of Our Own in 2009?

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT:  Kanye's Mental Health

Explore the sight in it's entirety and you will love it as instantly as I did.

I encourage anyone reading this to also pursue what they're passion about and what they've been given a talent to do. Reach your full potential. It's so easy to settle into complacency, however even then you still feel the tug on your heart and hear the nagging in your mind that you could be doing and being something more. We ignore that feeling and nagging for many reasons: laziness, the trappings of our daily life tire us, fear of failure or success, feeling that what we have to offer isn't good enough or that even if it is good enough there's no one who will care to listen and we don't want to try to convince them why they should. We fail to realize, in this instant gratification and individualistic society, that our efforts will be worth it in the end. We may not receive credit or praise for it right away, or even at all, but that's when we have to learn that our peace of mind for doing what we feel we should do or love is all that we should expect and hope for. Anything more is really not guaranteed.

Follow Kyle, The Socialite and I on Twitter!

Kyle @KOCP

The Socialite @Imkeepingup

POSH Powell @vBARBIEv

YOUR THOUGHTS?

Can We Talk: Nigerian Independence Day

A friend of mine recently wrote a note on Facebook about whether or not Nigerian Independence Day should be celebrated. Those who are familiar with Nigeria know of the country's long history of corrupt leaders and the image of "419" (google it lol) that is too often associated with our beloved country, but from my point of view that is no reason not to celebrate how far we've come.

I have to be honest with you, I know little to nothing about Nigerian politics. I remember as a child hearing stories about Babangida, armed robbers, and witchcraft. Hearing these stories made me think there was no way in the world I would ever step foot in the place where my roots were firmly planted. Thankfully, my parents refused to pay attention to my childhood angst and, as often as they could, they took my sisters and I on trips to our home country. With each trip my love for Nigeria and my fellow Nigerians grew.

Then came September 29, 2007, the day I first celebrated Nigerian Independence Day and was first introduced to Nigerian nightlife in the U.S. I had the time of my life that night! I was surrounded by beautiful people who were, for the most part, all Nigerian, and all night I danced to the most unforgettable music by Nigerian artists such as P Square, 2Face and D'Banj. After that night I realized I didn't have to go to another continent, or wait to attend a family function to be reminded of how proud I am to be Nigerian. I could now YouTube the artists whose music I heard playing at the party anytime I wanted and be reminded. I could now converse with the new friends I'd met and be reminded. I could always go back to pictures from that night, and similar nights to come, and be reminded. So in saying that, I encourage my fellow Nigerians to forever celebrate the day of our country's independence. If not for Nigeria itself, do it for its people...your people.

Me, Alexis, and B celebrating Nigerian Independence Day @ LOVE in DC on 10/2/09.

Photo courtesy of http://www.amebor.com/