Be Sweet and Live!

In this blog, we’ve focused on apparel and makeup with a sprinkle of inspiration. In this post, I had to break out of the usual to put highlights on this young fireball; her name is Mikaila. Mikaila is the 11-yr old owner of BeeSweet Lemonade. If you haven’t heard of her or the company, please step out of your cave. We’ll wait. 

I came across an article about her, which led me to her website. After spending a few moments reading her story and glancing through pictures that highlight her speaking engagements, I was reminded of a few things. Consider this: kids teach us to be fearless. Kids remind us that boldness and confidence is innate; fear is not. Kids remind us to be unstoppable. Kids teach us to just try! 

Even for those of us who have taken the launch and are pursuing our visions, life has a way of hardening us and interfering with our freedom to think big; to be confident; to be great; to be powerful; to be positive influencers. At 11 years old, according to her website, Mikaila is already teaching other kids to be business owners! Now, Tamu is not telling you to run around the earth doing childish things. Because if you do and you get picked up, don’t call me and don’t mention Tamu Talks! Prince told all of us to act our age and not our shoe size! What I am saying is this: Let’s be reminding of how free we were, in our early years, to believe we could do anything because we thought we could; and have anything just because we asked. Mikaila once thought she could have a lemonade stand; she now has stands all over the country in health food stores and restaurants.

Check out her website: http://beesweetlemonade.com/pages/about-us
 
 

What's In Your Beauty Bag?

One of my favorite things in life...product samples! My newest samples are a cleanser and mask by fresh Skin Care. Both of these products could be keepers; let me tell you why.  The cleanser at first use seems watery, but after a few seconds, it works into a lather. It's good practice to use make up remover in the form of a liquid or make up remover pads, before cleansing your face. I use makeup remover pads, cleanser, and moisturizer all by Aveeno, as part of my facial care routine. I found that the fresh cleanser maybe heavy enough to remove your makeup, but also gentle enough to avoid stripping the natural moisture from your skin.  Now the mask looks like a lab specimen at first glance, but don't fret! Actual rose petals are left in the mask. This mask is different from any other that I've used because it can be used everyday. Perhaps I'm slightly biased toward these products because they hold some of the same ingredients that Aveeno carries. One that I love is soy. If you haven't heard, soy is an anti-aging ingredient.  Even if you don't care about all of that anti-aging stuff, soy will take away the dullness in your skin. Soy will make your skin look fresh and, for lack of better word, bright.  Really it does! I've seen the difference in my skin after I started consistently using my soy products. Although, I haven't used fresh for a full week yet, I'll say that the products are definitely worth sampling.

Tell me what's new in your beauty bag!

Those chunks are the rose petals!

39 Reasons

I was going to treat this day just like any other. I was going to work, adjust my business plan, make phone calls, order swatches, etc. My reason: "I have no time to slow down. I have to keep working!" I started to think about the losses my family has endured this year and the additions we've had. I looked at the videos and pictures I took at my Mother's surprise birthday party the other day. I looked at how happy our family and friends were. The views were those of family and friends laughing with and embracing each other in long hugs! The images were of conversation between family and friends; listening attentively to each other. No one was in a rush. Everyone was laughing and all smiles for about  5 1/2 hours. I can see it now: Two weeks from now I'll be working and wishing that I had taken time on my day to celebrate my day! No thanks. Life is given to be honored!

                                    Today, I have 39 reasons

                        to acknowledge that today is not just any other day

                        to commemorate that I was given a chance at life

                        to celebrate that I know why I was a given a chance at life

                        to honor the people that I get to live this life with

                        to eat breakfast food all day

                        to make sure I get my birthday gift from Sephora

                        to make sure I use my birthday discount at DSW

                        to get up at the crack of dawn to write this post

A Makeup Minute

Hey You! Did we just end another month?! It doesn't feel like it, although I'm not sure how the end of a month is supposed to feel. Anyway, last night into this morning, I was determined to cross some things off  the February calendar. Needless to say, I lost sleep over those things. I looked like I lost sleep and everything else! Because life continues to move regardless of whether we get enough sleep or not, I needed to redeem myself. Today was going to be a busy one, so I didn't have much time for full glam. I lined by entire eye with black, retractable eyeliner. The retractable eyeliner is easy to use; even if you don't have a real steady hand, it still goes on smooth. Mascara is a given. I lightly dusted bronzer on my forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Then for my lips, I used Revlon's Mauvy Night lipstick and brushed over that with Almay's Rosey Lipped lip-gloss. (Side note: These two lip colors are great to use together to adjust for different skin tones.) Done in five minutes... tops! I hope this brief makeup session gave you some ideas on what to do the next time you need to get your winning life and face back in a hurry! I would love to hear some of your makeup tips and tricks.

Extra note on the eyes: Don't forget the concealer! If you are not used to wearing it, I suggest going to a cosmetic counter to test the product to be sure you are getting the right coverage.

Almay on the left with color #800 and Revlon on the right with color #473

The Beauty Corner!

I hope this post finds you healthy and wealthy! Just wanted to drop in to share a few beauty finds. As you know, I am a cosmetic buff. Unless I plan on making a big purchase, I stay away from cosmetic counters. Every product looks new, even when it's not! So, I'll share with you the two products I picked up. Revlon launched this "new" mascara line called "All In One" that's supposed to give your lashes extra volume, length, and lift. Ok. So you maybe thinking, "Aren't all mascara lines made to do that?" I think Yes. But I can appreciate a product that does what the ads and the package say it's supposed to do. Now to my Smashbox Pure Wine lip color; the color on my lips looks different than how it shows in the tube. Surprise. Albeit, a pleasant one. Life sometimes demands simple makeup.  Both products work together for that early morning plane ride or that last minute date. Even when you want a little more drama, these two are easy to build a dramatic look from when you are short on time.  I'd love to hear about your new beauty finds!

 

 

A Serious Close up!

"Don't End Up Stuck Like Me"

"Tamara, you have your passion that you can't give up on. Don't end up stuck like me. I don't even know what I'm good at anymore." Those words were spoken to me a few weeks ago on a day I woke up asking myself, "Why am I doing this?!" That woman didn't know what type of day I was having because I was all smiles and appeared to be full of energy (due to espresso).  What dream or dreams had this woman dismissed and why?! How do we even get to the point of not knowing what we even want in life?! The answers can go on and on and on. Her words have, obviously, stuck with me. Often, words that energize you, will come to you at the times you really need to hear them! And, just as it was done for you, remember to offer words of energy and life to someone else.

What life words or advice keep you going?! What life words or advice have you given?!

(S/N: Like I promised, I've included a picture of the final dress I did for the Ultra Chic Boutique event I blogged about 3 weeks ago)

Starting w/ the pink print dress to the right, shows the 3 dresses I started with...

C.R.A.Z.Y.

I had my first laugh of 2016 in the form of  a picture or I should say, a list. The headline on this list reads, "Top Crazy Women's Names". Yes. My government name is on the list. Although, I had another brief post I was going to share, that list has compelled me to write and share this post instead, thanks to Mr. Comedy Central. So what does CRAZY mean? Let's review it very carefully:

                                   

                                    COURAGEOUS...

                                                because the alternative would kill her vibe and her vision

                                    RESPECTED...

                                                because when she talks, people find help in the                                                                                 wisdom she shares

                                    ABSOLUTE...

                                                because you never have to guess her angle

                                    ZEALOUS...  

                                                because her love for life is contagious

                                    YOUTHFUL...

                                                because she continually celebrates her born-day with vigor

I hope you have a C.R.A.Z.Y. 2016!

The Dress Flip and You!

The Dress Flip and Ultra Chic Boutique are events sponsored by Max I. Walker. The ultimate goal of both events is to raise money for transitional housing for women and their children.  I was chosen as 1 of 10 designers to participate in The Dress Flip challenge. What is the challenge; to create one dress from 4 different dresses. Whomever creates the "best" dress wins that challenge. All of our final pieces will be put into the Ultra Chic Boutique as thousands of women race against time to find their perfect dress! All of the proceeds from sales at the Boutique go to the transitional housing.

I almost did not apply for this event because "I don't have time", "This is not a part of my 2016 plan" All the while giving these reasons, I kept looking at the application because....I really wanted to apply! I finally said, "Ok. What the hell. I'll apply", in that order. Only after I was selected, I realized how special of an event this is. Part of my plan is to connect my business with non-profit organizations that help women. Before I applied for challenge, I had been trying to come up with ways that I can start the connection now instead of waiting for my business to be known. Although this event is an indirect way, it's a start. I'm happy to be a part of it.

 So what is Tamu's unsolicited advice to you? Allow yourself to be "un-rigid" in your plans. I'm not saying to ignore your plans and just say "yes" to anything. I am saying try giving five extra minutes of thought to an opportunity that was not a part of "The Plan". If you look beyond it's surface, it could be the opportunity or the boost you need, it could be the answer to a question you've had, it could be the direction you've been looking for. Now, I have to stop writing. I have dresses to flip and two weeks to do it! Bye! (Wait. Don't leave yet. I've posted the four dresses I have to work with. I will post the final dress in two weeks!)

Turn these dresses into one?? It will be interesting!

Studio Session

So who is the young woman that sings with Stevie Wonder in the Christmas commercial?! You know the commercial where you imagine that you are the third singer! (I know I can't be the only one!) In case you didn't know, her name is Andra Day. I love her voice. Her entire album "Cheers to the Fall" is a jewel. I listened to it over and over again yesterday while I was working. It gave me life, especially that lyric, "I don't know how to never try at all" It made me think of the things that I tried this year that were aka fails, aka "no-go's", aka "wtf's", aka "do-overs". If you are with me, for 2016, let's do-over, try again, but differently. In the meantime, turn your volume all the way up and play your life song, your album, your playlist and get ready to put a lid on 2015 and welcome 2016 with open arms.  Please share your life song with me!

"...We gonna walk it out...and move mountains"~ Rise Up by Andra Day.   

Camouflaged Fashion Corner

This post wasn't a "planned" one, but I got so many compliments off of my outfit the other day, I thought I should blog about it. (Sure, go ahead, call me vain for blogging about my compliments!)  I paired a camouflage jacket with a purple knit, strapless dress.  One of the comments I kept getting was, "I would never think to wear those two together, it looks really cool." Well, camouflage is a print that can be paired with anything...well almost anything. Pairing the print with any solid color works. You an also pair with another pattern that has neutral colors and layer with a solid. Did I post some pics of how camouflage can be worn? Of course I did! Only for YOU. Enjoy.

A November Upgrade

Hello, again, my fellow bosses. Here's a short one, straight and to the point, just for you and me!

Stop diminishing your ambitions with soft words. "I'm trying to build...I'm trying to start a business...I'm trying to get this (whatever "this" is) off of the ground. Upgrade your ambitions with "I AM building..I HAVE a business.." Stop diminishing your talents with soft words. "I have some experience with...I do a little bit of that (whatever "that" is)." Upgrade your talents with "I KNOW how to do ....I AM experienced in..." Outside elements will try to chip away at your ambitions and talents; don't help them!

Take your November.

What's in Your Closet?

If you are lucky enough (and I use lucky loosely) to live in a city that gets to experience all 4 seasons, then you know how iffy the weather can be between seasons, especially between Summer and Fall. One day it will be 75 and sunny with red leaves falling, the next day it can be 55 and windy...with red leaves still falling! Some transitional pieces are fabulous to have to get you through the "wishy-washy" seasonal change. Check out this gem that can either be worn as part of your look or worn just as outer wear. It's a pink fleece jacket that has satin sleeves, with extra fabric that can be fastened at the neck, in place of a scarf,  for added flare. The satin and fleece lining will give you just enough warmth without being too bulky. Even when you are traveling between warm and cold climates, this is a great piece to have. It's heavy enough to keep you warm but light enough to throw in a travel bag when you land on your beach! Here are some looks of how you can add this Blush Cozy Gem to your closet....

Easy to pair with a any black and white print

Or any grey print

Have fun pairing with multi-color prints!

 

How about pink, blue, and green!

A Rocky Start

There is nothing wrong with stepping away from your business, from your projects, or from whatever has you overwhelmed. (If you are starting October smooth sailing with a free, refreshed mind, congratulations. Maybe you should be writing this blog post and not I!) If you are like me, you have a hard time stepping away, but sometimes you have to push pause to get refreshed. (S/N: To step away does not mean to ignore. Tamu is not telling you to ignore.) Perhaps you can find your refresher in doing/starting something this month that has nothing to do with work or whatever else has your focus 120% of the time.  For me, I've been wanting to support events that I care about. I've been wanting to spend time with family and friends consistently and not so sporadically. This month a friend of mine is holding an event to recognize the importance of mental health awareness. I will be there live and in color. My sisters and I had a plan (last year!) to meet every month for dinner. We did not stay true to our plan. So today, through gliding and texting, starting this month, we've made a plan to stick with our plan! Disrupting that 120% focus and put yourself into a position to focus on other people or other things, can be the refresher that you need to receive direction and be inspired all over again. 

Happy October!

They told you NO? So What?!

I don't care how tough a person may appear, no one, and I mean no one, likes to hear NO. No one likes to be on rejection's receiving end. Raise your hand if the bank said NO to your business line of credit request?! Raise your hand if you weren't chosen to be in the top ten because your product wasn't good enough?! Raise your hand if the manufacturer told you NO because you were too new?! Yep! If you look real close, both of my hands are raised. Even the strongest person will have to admit, after so many times of hearing NO, that she'll start to ask herself, "What am I doing? Maybe I'm just crazy for pursuing this (whatever "this" may be)!" But it's what you do with the rejection that makes the difference. When my rejections starting coming in, it would piss me off. I would rush to throw the emails and letters out. My voice tone would change when I was speaking with someone. I guess you could call this an "emotional reaction." (Insert a smirk here.) I've decided now to keep all of my rejection memories; I'm keeping all letters and emails. I'm making note of conversations. Why?!, You ask. Because those memories force me to keep my eyes on my vision. Those memories force me to keep working and to keep preparing even when it seems like nothing is happening. Those memories force me to celebrate what's already been accomplished. Now, let's make a toast to NO...and go ask someone else!

For your viewing pleasure, check out this link from my Spring/Summer 2016 showcase.

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3iGrlJ9_UwGODNWNnRKU2ItYk0/view?usp=sharing

Makeup Bliss

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of being the makeup artist for the most beautiful wedding I've ever been too! Since each bridesmaid had their own dress style and hairstyle, I chose different looks for each bridesmaids. Although each look was different, I kept the color schemes very natural to create a beautiful sun-kissed glow to complement the coral dresses. I mixed neutral eye shadows with gold and rosy shadows. For blush, I used pink and gold tones, while using bronzer to contour the cheek bones. For the lips, instead of a matte finish, I opted for rose, pink, and maroon glosses. Keep scrolling for pictures of the products and a few of the bridesmaids, including the Mother of the Bride!

Mother of the Bride!

Bridesmaid

Bridesmaid

From left to right: Rosy #19 Sephora gloss, Almay Rosy Lipped, Almay Pink

Makeup Forever Color #804 and #728. Available at Sephora. Can be used as eye shadow and blush!

Makeup Forever Palette 9 Shadow Palette. Available at Sephora. Can create smoky eyes, natural, and chic looks!

Espresso Eyeliner by Loreal for the lash line and brows. Origins GinZing eye cream magically "depuffs" and brightens eyes..magically!..no really!

A Makeup Session...by Younique!

If you are a makeup buff like me, you jump at the chance to try new makeup. For the first time I tried cream eye shadow. The makeup brand, Younique, is making its way around the world, with it's release of Dreamy Splurge cream eye shadow. It is a true cream; very different from the cream to powder eye shadows. This product is silky to the touch, rich in color, with an easy-no mess application. I found applying with a makeup sponge and then blending with my fingers helps to control how dramatic you plan on being for that day. Dreamy Splurge can be worn by itself with some cat-eye action using black eyeliner. When you're feeling adventurous, use it as a base and mix with another color! This "Dream" can be purchased on www.LashesByMalin.com

Here's a simple look I did for myself.......

Who Has Time to Burn Out?!

You took the plunge and started your own business. You were exhilarated. You were proud of your fearless self for pursuing your idea. So where is the exhilaration now? Why are feelings of "burn out" creeping in and you are JUST getting started?! Don't second guess yourself. Read the 6 techniques below that will help you get your groove back.

*Take breaks throughout the day.  Instead of waiting weeks and weeks to take several days of vacation, allow yourself, also, shorter breaks throughout the day. That break could included leaving the cell phone at the office while taking a quiet drive. If the thought of being more than 5 inches away from your cell phone, is sending you into cardiac arrest, then take the phone! But remember, taking a break does not include checking emails, social media accounts, gossip on TMZ, or checking your dashboard for your blog earnings.

*Exercise. Yes. I'm saying this again. Working out has a way of making you feel mentally "light". Even if it's for a short while, exercising can make you feel like you no longer have the weight of world hanging on you! It can put you in a good mood. It can energize you. If you are still one of those people who says of exercise, "I don't have time", well...Bless your heart! For those of you that are not saying that and you are ready to incorporate exercise into your life, start out with 15 minutes of walking. (Side note: There are some days when working out is the only thing I feel I have control over.)

*Re-evaluate your deadlines. Are they realistic? Do you need to push out dates to buy more time? Maybe consider hiring a temp or part time assistant. If you are like me, you do not have the extra income to start hiring...yet. That's where you have to get creative. Maybe partner with a local university to snag an intern.

*Start surrounding yourself with what you love. This can be the simplest thing. Music gives me life. It also has a calming effect.  Maybe you need more color in your work space to brighten things up a little bit. Maybe it's pictures you need. I have this small picture that highlights Paris- the picture makes me smile. Keep it simple people.

*Focus on the task at hand. It's easy to start thinking ahead on your to-do list. Many times the tasks overlap, so it can be a challenge to stay focused on task #6, when task #8 is dependent on it. Guess what? You still have only 2 hands! When you find yourself drifting off, ask yourself "Is my drift giving me special, superhuman powers to complete #6 and #8, simultaneously?" If the answer is "No", then focus!

*Write a Blog Post- That's all.

I use these techniques from day to day. Will these techniques completely rid you of burn out? I don't know, but I do know it will keep burn out at a long distance.  No matter where you are in the process of building your business, you want to benefit from the fruits of your labor; you want those around you to benefit from the fruits of your labor.  You want to be able to enjoy your progress; kind of hard to do when "burn out" has you..out!

#2

Hey Readers! Life stays busy, so thank you for stopping by to say hi! This post is more of a continuation of my last post. If you remember, I mentioned that I'll be posting each of my sample garments for the Summer/Spring 2016 collection as I finish them. Take a peak at the 2nd piece.  6 more to go in 6 weeks. The countdown and the work continues......

Polka Dot Martini

8 looks need to be done in 8 weeks; One down, only 7 more to go. To share my progress, I'm going to post my samples as I finish them. I have my selfish reasons for doing this,  but I'd also like to give people a peek into the new Spring/Summer collection for Iconic by Tamu. I may even model a sample myself, just not today. (Side note: The title of this post is NOT what this Spring/Summer collection is called. I just thought it was clever.)