If We Can Just Remember The Good Things

 I woke up this morning LATE (3am); I set my alarm for 12:37am to get up and do some work but apparently my iPhone alarm failed me (code for: I didn’t hear it going off, I slept right through it smh lol).

However, I woke up this morning with a determined mind to complete my tasks that I neglected the previous day. After taking a break from some research and practicing my piano, I began to talk to God. Sitting on my aging piano stool wrapped in my blanket, I walked down memory lane thinking about the things that God has done for me. 

Meeting supermodel Beverly Johnson. 

Moving to Brooklyn. 

Receiving my new hearing aids for FREE! 

The list can honestly go on forever. 

But, I also remembered the mistakes I’ve made because I didn’t understand who God really is, His character. And many times, I was so focused on my circumstances that I would forget all the things He’s done for me, the cool experiences I’ve had, and the things I’ve accomplished. And truth be told, we ALL do that sometimes.

We forget the things that we’ve accomplished. We forget the things that He’s done. Old memories, we call them. But, they are the good things. We must remember them. It’s imperative that we do. Why? Because they are the joys that give us the strength to keep going.

And it’s even more crucial that we remember what God has done (there is a divine plan whether we have possessed all the pieces to them or not). When we do remember those great things God has done, take into account that if He did it before, He’ll do it again! Even so, if God has brought your dreams to life before, then the many other dreams that you have – God is surely able to bring them to LIFE! 

That’s why it’s important to remember those good things. 

The Good Things. Remember them. 😉

    Attire: Dress – Maison Jules

            Sneakers: Gap

Oh for my followers and TALL WOMEN who may live in Denver, remember in my previous blog post discussing my collaboration with Long Tall Sally, the retailer British brand for apparel and accessories for tall women? Well they are having their Grand Opening TOMORROW in Denver which is super exciting! This is definitely something you should attend and add some dope items to your wardrobe, so GO! See below for the deets! 😊

Long Tall Sally – apparel and accessories specifically designed for tall women – will celebrate its grand opening party at the Denver Pavilions on Thursday, June 11th from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Join host Georgia Benjou, fashion expert and also editor of 5280 Magazine, at a ribbon cutting ceremony and party with styling tips and tricks for all guests. Plus, win a $500 gift card, enjoy photo opps and treats, take home a gift bag, and receive special savings throughout the evening.
Long Tall Sally – Grand Opening Party Denver Pavilions / 16th Street Mall / Unit 252 (next to Barnes and Noble) Thursday, June 11th 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm http://us.longtallsally.com/denver

AMOL Designer Interview: Byron Lars Edition

 

         “Originality is….a by-product of sincerity. ” – Marianne Moore

Immediately when I read this quote, I think of American designer Byron Lars. He’s simply an original. There’s no one like him nor his label, Byron Lars Beauty Mark. A quiet storm he is, but with tenacity and confidence he captures the heart of the everyday woman. A San Francisco native, Byron Lars has been known for his exquisite taste in patterns and his ability to accentuate a woman’s silhouette for over 20 years! It was truly an honor and a privilege to interview him – a dream for so many! And I thank him dearly for opening up his world to me in order to share with you! I pray that this candid interview empowers you, encourages you, and INSPIRES you to be all that you are with no limitations and to know that we are ALL models of life 😉

To all of the new people who did you not know but do know you NOW, what do you want to say to them? What do you want them to know about you and your collection?

Well, I think one thing I like, for the ladies out there to know about me, as a designer, I’m really on your side.  I really put a lot of making these clothes to really try and make you look your best.  That’s a very high priority on my list, above fashion and trends and all that because none of that matters if you put these things on and you don’t feel like you don’t look better, don’t feel like you look your best.  So that’s what I’d like for you to know about me honestly AND my product. There’s a lot make in these clothes to facilitate your best self.  Um, it’s sounds so corny but I’m 100% for real with that.  It’s my first and foremost mission statement.

You are amazing at placing a variety of unique patterns together.  Can you take me through your thought process as you place the patterns together?

You know, a lot of times, it’s not really a thought process at all, but like honestly, letting the pieces all come together on their own.  We start with a fabric board here, like we go on fabric appointments and pick things we like that inspire us and move us.  And then we put them all up on the board just to have them away so we can start ordering them. And so often times, things are gonna just naturally be placed to one another, speak to one another and become a garment.  And honestly, I feel like this is like divinity in this whole process where it’s like “I’m not commanding the universe to my will”.  But, it’s honestly from a higher place.  I think sometimes like those things are falling together just by chance.  Then they are falling next together because they need to be something. And I’m listening to that now.  So, that’s my process. I let the Lord do my designing.

Watch this video of Byron Lars giving the details on his Fall/Winter ’15 Collection!

https://vimeo.com/121973900

 

What is your favorite part of the designing process before the clothes hit the shelves? What is your favorite part to do?

There are so many favorite parts of the process for me.  I love fabric sourcing.  I love seeing like what textile designers have been working on and concocting to inspire us and for designers, you know, build on.  I like, I love pattern making.  Although I don’t make the finish patterns from start to finish; I’m very involved in that process because that is what builds the shapes and the clothes that you know ultimately we sell.  Um, I love it when like I’m at the factory and there’s a sample in work in the machine and you can just see this great and you’re like “Oh can I just borrow that for a second” and just put a piece of that on.  Shoot. You know, it’s just all taking shape; it’s all just incredibly exciting.

What inspires you as an individual?

What inspires me as an individual is people living life with gratitude but on their own terms.  Being fully and proudly the people that God put them here to be, in an uncompromised way.

Do you have faith in God? If so, how has that help you understand who you are?

I do have faith in God.  Um, there’s no way I can do this or anything else effectively without His help and  guidance.  Recognizing that fact in my life, well in my youth, well I wasn’t that young when I recognize that fact.  In fact, when I was young I thought I was doing that all on my own and I can tell you it was a lot more difficult that way.  Once I placed it all in His hands, everything got a lot simpler.  It’s not easy, but it’s a lot simpler.

In life, we have tests and trials, how have you overcome adversity to stay true to who you are?

Again, with God’s help, you can stay the course, and you put a lot of the, a lot of the load on Him. And it’s just a whole lot lighter and easier to carry through.  And when you know that like you’re moving through the world with good intentions and you know.  Honestly and fairly, you just have to know that it will work out for you and whatever your endeavors because that’s just what the design, the grand design is all about.  It may not work exactly how you envision it.  It may work out a lot better than how you envision it or completely different.  But, it will definitely work out, for the better.

Watch this video clip with Byron Lars defining what “A Model of Life” means to him!

https://vimeo.com/121975085

See below for pics of some of my favorite pieces from the Byron Lars Beauty Mark Fall/Winter ’15 collection! You’ll be sure to love them just as much as I do! Also, you can view more collections and purchase items on his website at http://www.byronlarsbeautymark.com/

Can you say CLASSIC?!

Isn’t this skirt darling?! My gosh, the patterns. I actually need this skirt NOW in my closet but it won’t be available until the fall sadly! The buttons on this woven provides a twist that immediately caught my eye! And the color? Yesssss!

Umm where’s my motorcycle to kill these streets?! Mortal Kombat, eh?This dress is to DIE for!! A must need in EVERY girl’s closet!

I hope you beautiful people enjoyed and was touched by the interview as I was! But, I have Part 2 for you coming up next and you’ll be able to win FREE pieces from his collection! So watch out for Part 2!

Testimony Alert!!!!

TESTIMONY ALERT! So, I actually wasn’t going to share this, but I’ll tell of His goodness and encourage someone. Well. On Thursday, I got my BRAND NEW HEARING AIDS in which I totally LOVE! I had been trying to acquire some new ones for over a year, but couldn’t afford them. I swore as a child I would never wear hearing aids again because I thought I looked like a freak and everybody treated me so differently. But, here I am now – wearing the very thing I despised. And here’s the thing, these hearing aids costs THOUSANDS of dollars, more than y’all’s rent for ONE hearing aid but our God is just so good that I didn’t even pay a DIME for them!! Now what type of God is that?! A POWERFUL GOD! #MightyGod #Testimony #ConqueringFears #Inspiration #HearingImpaired #AModelOfLife #Unbothered

Serenity in St. Thomas

When I captured this moment, I immediately sensed God’s presence. Clearly only God can create such magnificence. Serenity at its best. Nothing in life is too hard for God, so find peace within and in Him. ‪

The Dream Continues: Walking in NYFW SS’15

Whoooooo hey darlings!

So life has been in a spin and I’m just NOW starting to catch up to it!

No complaints here, I’m just blessed. However, I haven’t had the opportunity to share some of the fashion highlights of my life for the past months, but now I am! So for starters, I walked in NEW YORK FASHION WEEK AGAIN, by the grace of God!!! I didn’t think I was going to get booked for any shows this season, but I did! My dream is STILL CONTINUING!

But, I booked the show for designer Byron Lars and his collection is just SPECTACULAR for the Spring/Summer ’15 collection. There were some pretty cool highlights of the night in which I will share with you some of my exclusive photos! AND, I stood next to AND spoke with THE LEGENDARY BEVERLY JOHNSON before I graced the runway! This dynamic woman was the 1st African American model to land the cover of VOGUE magazine in 1974!! When I say it was an honor to meet her, it was an HONOR! There was a moment when I was on the runway, she looked at me from the front row and smiled and gave me that “I’m proud of you” look seeing another black model on the runway and began cheering me on! Ahh I’m so humbled. I’ll never forget that moment. This pic below is for all the black girls with dreams of modeling and for all those who dare to stand in their uniqueness and go after their dreams!

Andddddd for all you track and field lovers, I had some photo booth fun with the fastest woman alive Olympian Carmelita Jeter (USA of course duh!)! It was CRAZY sitting next to her while getting our makeup done before the show – I kept looking at her, trying not to stare her down because I knew her from somewhere but I couldn’t think of her name! But, I finally got the boldness to ask her and when she told me who she was, I almost fell out of my chair!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! I NEVER thought I would be sitting next to or even having a conversation with Carmelita Jeter!! For those who don’t know, I LOVE TRACK AND FIELD! It’s the only sport I seriously watch and stalk all the athletes!! I’m a HUGE fan, being that I used to run track in high school. I actually as a kid had dreams of going to the Olympics being a track runner, but I gave that dream up. But, obviously God still loves me because He blessed me with the opportunity to meet a top Olympian, let alone the fastest woman alive right now who’s fulfilling my dreams. I hope this post encourages you all. Sweet dreams!

See below for more footage!

My look for Byron Lars’ SS’15 Collection

Getting my hair and makeup done!

Having fun backstage!

Models have to eat right?

With model Sheila J!

A runway view!