OOTD: Classic Red and Black

Hello Beautiful!

In March of this year I visited Nashville, and for the first time, I had a hard time finding clothes for Me.

You may not know, but most businesses (especially clothing stores) tailor their inventory to the likes of their consumers and the Forever 21 at the Opry Mills Mall in Tennessee was no different.

Nashville has a boho-chic meets country style, and I’m a city/island girl, so I was having trouble finding clothes that fit my personal style. The selection just wasn’t Me.

That was until I went looking on the clearance rack!

There, I found me the cutest velvet, baroque print, red and black mini skirt for $4.00! Yes, you read right… $4.00.

I was so excited to wear it as I loved the way it looked on Me. So when I decided to attend the Island of the World Fashion Week show this month, I figured it was the perfect occasion.

Here’s what I wore:

A Black  Back Out Body Suit

A Black & Red Velvet Baroque Mini Skirt

Black Strap Up Tassel Heels

A Black Suede Clutch

Minimalist Michael Kors Jewelry

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Look out for more pics and my experience at the Islands of the World Fashion Show this Thursday!

Xo,

Conesha

 

HOW TO: Ball on a Budget at Dinner/Girls Night Out

Hello Beautiful!

First off, I want to thank you for all the “InstaLove” I’ve been getting from You! Picture number 20 (from the top) on Instagram surely got more likes than I expected but I am grateful. So if you’re not following me on Instagram, do so now at @242blqrze!

So this year I have a few goals I want to accomplish that requires me to be smart with my coins (money). However, everyone needs a good time now and again… especially when it’s to celebrate you and/or your loyal friends and family.

So I came up with 5 Tips to “secure the bag” but still have a good time:

1.Plan Ahead:

Let’s say you got invited out to eat, maybe in advance or at short notice, and you’re not sure you can afford it, but you don’t want to decline.

Ask your friend or family the name of the restaurant and quickly look it up on your smart device. Pull up the menu and scan over it for the options you COULD afford.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll already know what to order at the restaurant and won’t become sidetracked by other peoples’ options, pressuring you to order something over your budget.

2.Dress for Less

Have you ever got all dressed up, went out and NO ONE saw you? Or you didn’t take any pictures? Well thats the dress/outfit you want to wear again, but possibly switch up your shoes and/or accessories.

Wearing an old, or less popular item from your closet allows you to look brand new on your night out, without having to buy anything new!

This saves you from spontaneous shopping, buyer’s remorse and going over your budget for one night out!

3.Ask Youtube!

Girlfriend, if this is not your birthday, your party or your dinner, there is no need for you to spend money to get your hair, nails and makeup done.

Simply look up hairstyles, makeup tips, and nail art tricks on Youtube to help you get ready for your night on the town. Sure you may not be as advanced as the beauty gurus, but there are a lot of simple and quick ways you can enhance your beauty for one night.

Now if it is YOUR big night… I say go all out!

4. Carry Exact Cash + Some Change

The easiest way to spend your coins, is travelling with more than you need!

Once you’ve already decided what you’re ordering off the menu, add that plus gratuity and tax… then take about $20-$30 extra incase your calculations aren’t correct. So if your meal  and drink should cost about $50, then you take $70. And no more than that!

Leave your credit cards, and debit cards home! These are temptation to spend more than you want to and absolutely need to.

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Now, if you’re a just in case person and concern about an emergency… take your debit card, “just in case”. But try your hardest to be disciplined and stick to the plan you set up from Tip #1.

5. Drive Your Own Car

This may sound obvious right?… but hear me out!

Unless it is in your plan (and budget) to bar hop all night… you should drive your own car and leave when you plan to. A good time isn’t determined by how late you stay out. It only matters if you had fun.

When you carpool with friends you become obligated to go where they go. Another restaurant, a small bar, or 2 clubs…all in one night and all over your budget.

It’s okay to tell your friends you’re “good for the night” and leave, because more than likely you’ll want to go out again next week, and the week after that.

So beautiful those are my 5 quick tips to BALL on a BUDGET on a night out. Remember we’re “securing the bag” in 2017, and that way we can be Fierce & Fabulous all year long! Not just for one night.

Xx

Conesha

2016… New Year, New Me!

ATTENTION: Before You Read this Post CLICK HERE to Watch My New Year, New Me YouTube Video first!

 

Hi Beautiful,

A few months ago I was not excited about the New Year. Gratefully though, I’ve gotten out of the funk and I’m happy to enter 2016!

I did something that I think everyone should do during the last few days of the year… Life Analyzation.

Not just for a day. I spent almost the entire months of November and December going over 2015 in My head, and what I would do differently in 2016.

Here’s My list of 5 New Ways, I’ll be a New Me in 2016:

  • Deepen My Spirituality:

Although I believe in God, and fear him, I want to believe in Him more and trust his promises outlined in his word the bible. I’ve spent a lot of my pass year stressing over things beyond my control, instead of “casting my burdens” on God and allowing him to “sustain me as promised in Psalm 55:22. These things were pulling me away from Him… but he never pulled away from Me. So now, my goal is to draw closer to Him in spirit and truth.

Action Plan: Daily Bible Reading and Regular Prayer

 

  • Exercise Gratitude:

Most of the year I focused on things I wanted that I couldn’t have or didn’t have. One day, I realised I was being ungrateful. While I literally cried, throw tantrums, and plunged myself into depression I was not being grateful for the blessings in my life. I had to catch myself and check myself! I started to thank God for things that seemed so simple in my life, that other people didn’t have such as LIFE (itself), a Job, a Car (I didn’t have to walk or catch the bus), Health and Strength, and the list goes on…

I decided to make myself grateful every day! I even made the word grateful My cell phone look screen, so every time I look at it or pick up my cell phone (which is every minute of the day) I will be reminded to be grateful and its working.

 

 

Action Plan: Make Note of One Thing I’m Grateful for Everyday, and Use the word Grateful when Thanking Someone for Something they’ve done for Me or to Me that I Appreciate.

 

  • Take Care of My Body:

I use to pride myself on being a workaholic. I would get off from shifts at the bank, head to a 7 hour photo shoot, sleep for about 3 hours and wake up the next morning to apply makeup! I lacked sleep, I ate once a day, and stopped taking vitamins. I didn’t take breaks even on vacations from work. I was the chocolate energizer bunny!  However although it didn’t show, because I don’t have any vices such as excessive drinking, smoking or partying. No one knew when my back ached, my mind would not go sleep, or when my body would just crash!

Not happening in 2016!

Action Plan: Eat healthier (even attempt cooking), Join a Gym (hire a personal trainer),  Practice Yoga and Schedule Naps.

 

  • Live Life:

I haven’t taken a trip in 2 years. You may say me either, but its not because I couldn’t, its because I wouldn’t. I was scared…

Scared to spend money on vacation, I wanted to save! Scared to travel alone, I always needed someone to travel, no one was available! Scared to fly, yes… I developed a fear of flying. Which I’m no longer claiming!

So this year I plan to travel 3 times, to 3 different places, and even if I don’t accomplish all… I will change course and plan another trip! I’m going to live life… enjoy the Beaches of the Bahamas, the skylines of New York and the stadiums of Miami.

Apart from that, I will go on dinner dates, dance at upscale clubs and laugh so hard with friends until I cry. Cry, tears of joy.

Action Plan: Schedule 3 Trips on My Vacation Dates (1 Family Island in the Bahamas, 2 International in the USA)

 

  • Love Genuinely:

You may wonder what I mean by this, but hear me out…

I don’t think I loved genuinely or “from the bottom” of my heart in the past year, I was too self consumed.

Of course I love my family, because they’re my family I was born to love them. And of course I loved my boyfriend, because he was my boyfriend and we were in a relationship. And I love my friends, even though I would never tell them. But it all felt so calculated. It didn’t feel as if it flowed freely.

I wouldn’t call some people for days, other times I wouldn’t answer my phone if they called. I didn’t take time to express my love through gifts or words or actions. I loved them, but not the way I should’ve.

I’m working on that now (today is Dec 30th, 2015) and I plan to execute that in 2016. This is probably the realest thing I ever wrote.

So there you have it. My 5 ways to a New Me in 2016. If you notice, none of these have anything to do with savings or money or material things. Thats because I’ve conquered that in 2014 and 2015. I’m good…

I’m working on Me this year… the New Me!

I wish You all a Happy New Year filled with prosperity and purpose and love.

Action Plan: NONE! Just let it flow from the Heart…

 

Xo

Co’La💋

 

 

 

 

 

||Hair It Is||… My Hair Regimen!

Hello Beautiful!

I’m so happy My Hair Journey is inspiring so many other beauties to start their own! Although everyone’s journey may be different, a lot of my friends and followers have been asking for My Hair Regimen!

So here goes…

Moisture Shampoo Wash Day: Sunday (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sunday of the Month)

Products Used: Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

Elasta QP DPR – 11+ Treatment

Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner

Elasta QP Leave In H-2 Conditioner

Clarifying Shampoo Wash Day: Sunday (4th or LAST Sunday of the Month)

Products Used: Organic Root Stimulator Creamy Aloe Shampoo

Elasta QP DPR – 11+ Treatment

Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner

Elasta QP Leave In H-2 Conditioner

Co-Wash Day or Conditioner Wash Day: Wednesday

Products Used: V05 Moisturizing Conditioner

Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner

Elasta QP DPR – 11+ Treatment

Elasta QP Leave In H-2 Conditioner

Pre-Shampoo Treatment: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Night

Products Used: Castor Oil

Moisturize and Seal: Every Night

Products Used: Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Growth Oil

There is it! My simple hair regimen, everything I do daily, weekly and monthly. After every wash, I usually let my hair air dry in braids instead of styling with heat. Then the next morning I’ll loose out the braids for a wavy, crimpy or curly look.

If this regimen fits into your schedule, feel free to use it! If not, use it as a guideline and tailor it to your routine.

I hope you enjoy this post! Comment below and let me know what’s on your Hair Agenda!

Stay Beautiful,

Conesha