'Change your image, change your life'

This is the famous saying from British interior designer and hair dresser Peter Ishkhan. He’s the Style Networks fairy godfather who transforms failing businesses in America from the inside out with the flick of his wand (or his design team rather). His work is pretty amazing. Not only does he give businesses a complete face lift, but he treats each member of staff to a head to toe make over.

I see where Mr Ishkhan is coming from though; if you’re not feeling your best, all it needs is makeover, new hair cut or a new look to turn things around. Or sometimes painting your nails puts a smile on your face. Recently I was going through a hair rut. I was tired of seeing my hair in one (a bun) all the time. That ran nicely through college and school, even University, with the one or two cornrow styles thrown in here and there. But now, you know those school days are over, I’m an adult now, and there are only so many times I get away with cornrows at 23. I was looking for a more permanent change; something that’ll reflect my maturity, my style and my confidence.

Years ago I had my hair relaxed and had a very bad experience with it, to the point where I’d refer to it as the devil. It was serious; it damaged my hair and just left it weak. So four years ago, I decided to do the ‘Big Chop’ and be natural again. It was great, I sported the afro, twists, cornrows, most natural styles. I loved it, until I came to a point where I was doing the same style over and over again- in one- and I really wanted a change. It was tough. I had to think practically- what did I want my hair to look like on a day to day basis (and considering style) because putting it in one wasn’t cutting it. So I began thinking about getting it relaxed for a second time.

I consulted my aunt, (who’s a hair dresser) and asked every question under the sun about caring relaxed hair. So after much thought I did it. Now I have a short, relaxed bob- and I love it! I’m glad I did it. Something as small as changing my hair, has made a difference; I feel more confident now and more professional.

So Peter knows what he’s talking about…change your image, change your life. Go for the transformation you’ve been thinking about, you’ll enjoy the results.

I Feel Fabulousness

Most of my evenings nowadays are spent watching various treats like Split Ends, Peter Perfect and my favourite (a close second to Runs House) Kimora Lee Simmons – Life In The Fab Lane (Style Network). It’s a 30 minute incite into the life of Ms Simmons, her Baby Phat business and her relationship with her beautiful daughters Aoki Lee and Ming Lee. I admire her creative, hard working and entrepreneurial flair. She’s a talkative, fashionable, driven individual who knows what she wants and goes for it.

According to Ms Simmons the word Fabulous describes a way of life- viewers can see that every part of her daily life is full of ‘fabulosity’ (a word that she regularly uses throughout the show in several variations) She explains that it’s not only how you dress, but how you present yourself. However airy fairy it might sound to some, I have to agree with her. Apart from the fact that she is a multi-billionaire who has a team of people at her beck and call, which means she can afford to look and present herself in a Fabulous way at all times- being Fabulous is a state of mind. I guess you can say that it’s an attitude; enjoying life and making the most of it.

There are a dozen of my friends who I associate with being fabulous. If it’s not their personality, it’s there approach to life, their drive, style or even their talent. Take for instance my good friend Luba, she is fabulous- her style, her personality and her womanly strength. My Best friend Kemi, her warmth, cheer and professionalism is Fabulous. Danielle, Anjuli, Laurah, Christiana, Angela, Natalie O and R, Carolyn, Eleasah, Alison- to name but a few- all of these women are Fabulous.

Unlike many reality shows out there, LITFL- is a pick me up for all women who have ambition and creativity. In today’s episode (17/06/09) Kimora explained that she wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth- she was ‘ordinary’; one of the girls who used to get picked on because of her ‘strange’ features. She said that the kids would call her giraffe because of her height and would not understand her look. This all changed when her mother enrolled her into model school and she was spotted. Suddenly all of the features and physical attributes that people made fun of were what got her to where she is now.

We can do it girls. Whatever others may regard as worthless- use it, make it your own- Own it!

We can be fabulous with what we have- it has no boundaries, no rules.

Stay Fabulous….

x

Finally....I've got round to writing my first post! After seeing that I've had over two people visit my blog, (well 85 to be exact) I realised that you guys out there might be interested in the things I have to say....soo, here goes.

Seasons.
When you think of the word 'seasons', various things may come to mind. The seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, herbs/spices or the changes that a person goes through. At this point you might be thinking 'And.....' Well the kind of seasons I'm talking about are the ones where your problems in your social, work or family life seem like they're getting the best of you, or the one habit you're trying to kick isn't budging. These things may have such a weighing affect on us , that it instead of us changing the situation, the situation is changing us.

Driving down an uneven, bumpy road with my Uncle Ron one Sunday in the suburbs of Guyana, I took a second to really take in the simple, earthly beauty of my country, as I was leaving in 24 hours time. I looked over to the palm trees in the distance and watched the cosy wooden houses as we drove past. The breeze was soothing and silence was in the air. It was one of the first times in a few days that I was thoroughly relaxed, no anxious thoughts, no worries, no nothing. Usually I find my mind over crowded with thoughts and it can be a while before I switch off, however as I continued to observe my surroundings, my eyes looked downward into a gutter full of waste and old drink bottles. I expected to see this, but what caught my eye was a beautiful purple lily that stood boldly amidst the dirt. I was surprised to see this, well not the garbage in the gutter (unfortunately this is common) but that this well nourished, healthy plant had survived in such a polluted environment. I couldn't believe it. Sounds silly but I couldn't, it was the only one there.

I was in awe. My mind started to question why it had survived in its polluted living conditions.

A few days back I was praying and asking God to help me through my challenges and to not allow me to be changed through them, but to come out better, stronger wiser and so on. I was looking at myself and all the situations I had faced past and present and could identify how they had affected me in even the smallest ways. Being intrigued by the juxtaposition of what I had just seen, led me to question God again.... and the answer was as clear as day.

Don't let your circumstances affect your growth, let it enhance it, let it beautify you, even if its hard. Use it to bring out the best in you. Let it refine you.

What a breath of fresh air, literally.

This made a lot of sense, I'm sure many magazines, books and people have said this before. But for me this was my light bulb moment. It made sense. It made me see things differently and made me want to make an active mental change. It also reminded me that God will use anything to communicate with us and driving past that particular gutter and seeing that lily was His way of reminding me of what He says in the Bible time and time again.

So my friends, Seasons. every one of them is for a reason ( sounds like pastorial rhyming but it's not on purpose, I promise :) ) Just like summer in the UK, they are over before you know it. They have their purposes whether rough, easy, challenging or strenuous. The key is not letting them change us but growing beautifully through them, ignoring the waste, pollution and dirt.

God Bless
x