It's Very Necessary

GYM READY LIPS

We all know when we look good, we feel AMAZING!! A large part of feeling good is self-care and living a healthy lifestyle. It’s no wonder someone got the bright idea (note to self come up with a bright idea) to bring the feel good vibes to the gym for the ladies. That someone in this scenario is my good friend Terrell Givens.

I recently caught up with Terrell, owner and operator of Soza Wellness and the beauty brand Gym Ready Lips at the Prince George’s County Chapter of the Links, Inc. The Links recently hosted their 40th Annual Anniversary Gala at the MGM Grand hotel at the National Harbor. Terrell was there doing what he does, promoting Gym Ready Lips. He and other small business owners served as vendors in the curated market place created especially for the gala attendees. I couldn’t want to miss the opportunity to cover the event and catch up with Terrell in his element.

We chopped it up about what his vision for Soza Wellness is and how Gym Ready Lips came to fruition.

Take a look at the video

Oh the Blossoms…Shop Your Closet 2.0

So I’m still in full spring cleaning mode. It’s going at a snails pace for several reasons. I just got back from a fun filled trip to Vegas with the kids and hubby. Hence no post earlier in the month, planning, packing, traveling… As most parents know there’s a difference between a “vacation” and a “trip”.

Trip= Almost non-stop activities that involve very little consumption of alcohol or downtime. The focus is almost entirely on the little people, with one goal, keep them going until they’re too tired to ask to do anything by 10/11 pm so you can enjoy a glass of wine and some grown up time.

Vacation= A state of complete and total relaxation, a faux Nirvana, if you will. A place where copious amounts of alcohol are consumed. Sleep isn’t optional, it’s a requirement and breakfast in bed is pretty much the standard. This place does exist, I promise you it does.

Now that everyone’s clear on that point, the other reason I’m moving so slow is because I’ve just been plain ole tired after work. I zero incentive to clean after a long day at work. And I know what you’re thinking, what about the weekend Andrea? What about it? Who’s spending their two day weekend cleaning? Not this girl! So slow it goes!

During my marathon spring cleaning event, cause it’s marathon at this point not a sprint, I continue to find gems in my closet. Am I surprised by this no, but delighted just the same. Kaneisha and I decided a while back we wanted to capture the beauty of the Cherry Blossom trees this year, can I just say mission accomplished.

Let me just say there were an ungodly number of people (myself included) up at 6:30, roughly 7:00 am in Washington D.C. on the Saturday morning we decided to shoot this. I get it, totally, you get the best shots of the Cherry Blossom Trees when they are in full bloom and what a sight they are to see when they are in full bloom. The days the trees are actually in full bloom are limited hence the crowds. And there’s a whole festival, it’s an event I get it but the people traffic was totally unexpected that early in the AM.

We literally circled around the basin several times before we could find parking semi-close. We ended up parking near the African American museum and catching an Uber back to where we wanted to shoot. Now this may seem a bit wasteful and maybe a bit lazy but I assure it wasn’t. The parking angels were looking down on us and said these ladies need a break; so they hit us up with a little blessing. As I stood in line to pay for parking at the meter machine, the women in front of me mistakenly paid for parking twice and gave us the extra ticket, WINNING!! Hence the Uber and we avoid sweating unnecessarily. I’m all about the sweat but for the right reasons. Le Struggle was real my friends. But it was definitely worth it.

SHOP YOUR CLOSET

So spring has finally sprung but she’s playing peek-a-boo with us per the norm. As you transition into spring, cleaning out the old closet and begin to think about all of the new and beautiful pieces you want for the season; shop your closet first! Before you run out and buy a new outfit for your next event, take stock and reimagine the gems you already have.

Recycling or re-inventing a look with existing pieces is becoming quite the trend; even if you’ve been photographed in it. As designers are being slammed for literally destroying perfectly good pieces to preserve the exclusivity of their brands (Nike, H&M, Burberry), perhaps not contributing to the world’s ginormous carbon footprint one party dress at a time isn’t such a crazy idea.

Sure Shot…They’ll Ketchup…The Album

I’m very excited about this post for a several reasons. First, I get to do a feature on my friend who just happens to be one of DC’s dopiest lyricist, Sure Shot. Second, we shot the visuals for this feature at the Blind Whino Art Club; very cool spot. Much to my chagrin, it was my first visit.

The Blind Whino is currently featuring a Hip-Hop museum. If you’re a Hip-Hop fan, you should stop by the museum, you’ll definitely enjoy the exhibits, collections, and art work. It was the obvious choice to shoot the visuals.

Sure Shot recently released his first solo project They’ll Ketchup, so I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get the low down on the new project. The connection, he and I share a best friend, my husband, and we’re both creatives. Sure Shot creates dope music and he has a sufficient amount of sauce on the fashion tip; probably the biggest reason I keep him around…lol And as you know I create amazing beauty and fashion looks. Needless to say the shenanigans are endless when he’s around. We’re unpacking a whole lot stuff in this one, hurt, disappointment, struggle, and triumph.

Enjoy the read

Prepping for Spring

It’s March and spring is just around the corner. So imagine my surprise when I still find myself in need of a WHOLE winter coat and gloves. Ok, ok, the gloves weren’t necessary they just completed the look. But seriously winter just doesn’t want to let go. So what’s a girl to do…adjust… because champions adjust!!!

When you’re ready for Spring and Winter won’t let you be great you find a light weight sweater dress to satisfy your passion for fashion. I picked this up from one of my favorite online boutique’s Abi Project. It’s no coincidence I choose a piece from Abi. It’s sista owned and it’s Women’s History month (WHM). In celebration of WHM I’ll be showing all kinds of love to all the sistas/sisters who are making BOSS moves in my post all month long; so stay tuned!

We shot this look at the Blind Whino Arts Center in DC. If you’re in the DC area and looking for something cool to do, stop by the Blind Whino. They’re currently featureing a really dope Hip Hop museum which I visited and will be talking more about in my next post. Fore warned is fore armed, no professional photography is allowed inside the museum area, camera-phone photos and video are allowed. Traditional camera photography is allowed around the exterior of the building.

Shop the look:

Dress

Sunnies

If you’re feeling the shades and want a pair, use discount code Andrea25 for 25% off your order.

Coat

Boots

Until next time ladybugs!!!

Xoxo,

Andrea

Photo credit- Dynamic Duo Images. As usually thanks for a dope shoot Nesh.

MY FIRST LOVE

Love is in the air this month at least that’s what they say. So I decided to twin with my very first love, my Sanaa. We went H.A.M on all things cheetah print. I have to give my husband all the credit on these outfits. He bought every very single piece. However there was a small problem; my broke best friend has to have everything I have.

The Face — My face when she returns my stuff damaged

The problem with a teenage daughters is that they like to “borrow” your things without asking and they also return your things in less than stellar condition. So my husband made sure there would be no arguments; he got two of everything. He knows us so well. And might just be the best husband in the world; don’t tell him I said that he’ll get a big head.

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Drea Does Dallas, Part 2

In my last post I promised to tell you all about my very first experience at an Airbnb. So let me just start by saying I love Dallas. This was my second trip and I’ll be back for sure. Soooooooo about the Airbnb, the neighborhood where the house was located was a little sketchy. I’m not a stranger to sketchy, I grew in Brooklyn in the 80’s, sketchy was abundant, however as an adult I’m not a fan of paying for sketchy.

We pulled up to the house, it was cute albeit in a questionable neighborhood. We opened the doors, the interior was cute as well but the house was freezing. I get you want to save some coins on the heating bill, ok. But as we move through the house and reach the back door you could small the scent of cat spray; it’s a very distinct order. Not the owners fault a bunch of strays are squatting in his back yard. But the flimsy door my nine year old could kick open did lead to me question my safety; there were even talks of finding another spot for the weekend. We talked each other out of that idea but at 3 am we regretted that decision.

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