7.25.2016

25 July

Model Mondays: Photo Shoot Fashions

Happy Monday everyone! I come to you today off the heels of an extremely productive weekend. It was full of meetings, thought provoking discussions, and fun photoshoots! My body is sore,but in a good way. I don't mind being tired so much when I enjoy what I'm doing.

My photo shoot yesterday was a huge thank you from the pioneers and visionaries of Lehigh Valley Fashion Week. What better way to say 'thank you for your hard work' than to add to my portfolio. I had an amazing time picking out my look for this shoot and getting dolled up. Its every girl's dream.

The look I chose for the shoot was a bit of an ode to Marilyn Monroe, queen of bodaciousness and curves. I've always admired her for her unique take on what she wanted to look like, even if that wans't like everyone else. From my hair, straight down to my shoes, I used Marilyn as my muse to create this sexy and flirty commercial look, that showed off my best curves and assets.

Check out some shots of my photo shoot below.Professional shots coming soon!
Also don't forget to check me out  at Season 3 of Lehigh Valley Fashion Week, happening in a couple of weeks on Friday August 12-Sunday August 14. You can get your tickets here.

Similar /Similar






Faithfully,
Brieana
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7.22.2016

22 July

Casual Friday: July 22,2016

Happy Friday everyone! And a hot one it is. Today's 90 degree weather called for flowy fabrics and forgiving trapeze tees. My outfit consists of a unique designed maxi skirt from boohoo, an online shop that was originally based out of Manchester, U.K. They've built such a fanbase there that their US shop is just as cutting edge, for a fraction of the price. If you're ever looking for current and previous fashions. they have got you covered!

This maxi skirt features a button design down the middle of the skirt. Though the buttons are not functional, they're still an important part of the skirt by adding some life and pizazz to the flowy fabric. What I also like about the skirt is the high waist effect it has, cinching in my waist and accentuating my hips for a boho chic look on this hot and hazy Friday. Check boohoo.com out today and take a look at their collection of maxi skirts, maxi dresses, and other staple closet pieces for the summer. You won't be disappointed!






Faithfully,
Brieana
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7.15.2016

15 July

Summer Midi Skirts

Summer is in full swing! To celebrate, I donned this textured midi swing skirt I got form Forman Mills last summer.Anyone who's not familiar with Forman Mills should get familiar ASAP. Think Burlington Coat Factory crossed with Rainbow Shops. They keep up with the trends and make nice with your pockets at the same time.  It's funny how we women buy something in the moment and then cast it away to the nether-regions of our closet for a WAY later date. Either way, this skirt was comfortable, cute, and classic with its texture, style, and color. The waist band is an elastic, perfect for tucking a longer top into it. I paired the ensemble with this cross strap open toe cork wedges I got from Charlotte Russe, also a few summers back. No worries though! I've put the link to some similar items. 







Floral earrings: Similar



Don't forget to comment and subscribe to the blog to get the lastest trends and updates. I love hearing from you!

Faithfully, 
Brieana
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7.13.2016

13 July

I Was Angry Too...

It was about 2:30AM when I stumbled upon the 2nd most disturbing video I had ever seen. It was only 2 days after the murder of Alton Sterling, and I had done my best to avoid the gruesome video at all costs. I got an idea of the nature of it from my FB and Instagram friends and I knew I wouldn't be able to stomach it. But at 2:30 in the morning,my inhibitions weren't as alert to be able to look away from the bloodied body of Philando Castile,as a visibly shaken cop (or from what I could see, gun),screamed out from what Philando's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds described as 4 rounds to the chest for complying with orders.

I wanted to look away. So badly. But I couldn't.

So what ensued was another 20 minutes of looking through the hashtag #PhilandoCastile, as my eyes looked through news snippets, more pleasant pictures of Philando,and a video that originally came from Facebook of Diamond Reynolds and who I later found out to be a 4 year old child, in the aftermath of their loved one's shooting by a Minnesota police sergeant.
I couldn't believe it. And what I did next wasn't something familiar to me in the wake of killings of Black men by police officers.

I cried.

For hours. I cried and I screamed as the visions of these two men swirled around in my head as I put the faces of my boyfriend, brother, and best friends on the bodies of other Black citizens whose lives were gone so soon.

For a busted tail light.
For selling CD's with permission.
For Skittles and an Arizona Iced tea.
For [insert justification here].

I mourned the death of these two strangers so violently at 2:30 in the morning that when the well of tears had run dry...the only feeling I had left was anger.

Another black man. Another hashtag.
WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?

That seething and relentless anger didn't really allow me to function for the rest of the day. I went to work with a headache. I cried some more. And I looked at all of the Caucasian people at my job like they held those guns themselves. I became cynical. I locked myself in my office. I didn't care who noticed.

But then something happened...
My office manager came into my office after a Facebook post that called for no debates, just empathy. She came into my office and said "I just watched the video of that man and I am so pissed off. These cops are getting out of control."
I looked at her for a quick second. And beneath the tears I began to cry again,I saw a few of her tears. It was then that I realized...I wasn't alone.
Now when I say I wasn't alone, I mean it in more of an ally sense. The notion that a white woman could empathize with how I felt definitely wasn't a far-fetched notion, but at that time, in that mindset, it was what I needed. Because after seeing one of my black brothers killed and the idea of the same happening to the other, the only person who could understand my pain would be someone Black, right?

Wrong.

The next few days went by quickly as I wrapped my brain around the fact that others besides African-Americans could be upset and enraged about what they've seen on TV,Facebook,Twitter,etc. What I realized in those few days though, was that my mind went to a place where many of my comrades minds still are.

Anger.
Rage.
Blaming.

Those WELL warranted feelings took me past thinking clearly. I hated cops. I hated the system that bred them. And I was one of those Facebook users silently reading through the comments of people who supported them and hating them too.

My snap back into reality was on July 9th, when a protest claimed the lives of 5 Dallas, Texas police officers. With all of my burning rage, I wanted to be excited that they "got what they deserved." Just typing that today makes me shudder with fear that even for a second, I felt victory over another's death. That was when it hit me.

It's ALL wrong.

Now stay with me. I am an avid Black Lives Matter supporter. It is evident that there is a systematic misfire when officers of the law are dealing with Black men versus White men. I've seen it. I've heard it. My loved ones have been prey to it. The strength of the Black man may likely be the most jarring existence to institutions.

But all cops are not bad. Most cops are not bad. There is an enormous lack of accountability and lack of responsibility on these particular police departments that requires a systemic change. But the change does not come by being anti-cop. The change does not come by being anti-black. The change comes by being pro-justice-accountability, and pro-life. PERIOD.

There's a call to action for us as a nation to account for everyone's life. Because if you celebrated the death of the cops, while morning the lives of your brothers, you’re a part of the problem.

Our nation is in a state of unrest. I call out to all of you to find out how to be a part of the solution. Take that anger and fear and do your due diligence to find out what we can do next. As Blacks. As cops. As human beings. .Do not spread more propaganda of hate. And do not cast down your brother who disagrees with you. Ignorance only breeds more ignorance.  Do not succumb to your anger. Re-purpose it instead. Be educated. Be safe. Be knowledgeable.


"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only love can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.
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7.06.2016

06 July

Working Woman Wednesday: Yona Love

"We do so much as women. We spend our day to day lives being the providers, child rearers,cooks,  and business women. I'm not going to torture myself  trying to find something in my size, with the needed quality. How are we supposed to do it all?-Yona Love



Yona Love may just be the poster woman for a fed-up consumer. Forgotten and under-represented, she took matters into her own hands and created a fashion forward line for the working woman. Sophisticated styling based on the latest trends, structured to fit a fuller figured woman, cuts that drape, fabrics that give and designs that cover but don’t hug the body are all part of Yona’s signature style. Yona New York is the debut collection from deisgner Yona Love, exclusivelt for women sizes 14W-24W.  With stripes, florals, and textures to die for, Yona New York aims to please for the day to night commuter, mom, and all around busy bee. 



I sat down with Yona Love to speak about the originis of Yona New York, her passion behind the fashion, and what's up next.


What drove you to start Yona New York?

 I always loved clothes. But it's so hard to find the quality and price I need as a plus sized business women. They just don't make clothes in my size.  I was tired of being uncomfortable during the day and torturing myself to find clothes that I liked.

 What message does your clothing portray? Is there a theme?

 It definitely is an ode to the different hats we as women wear daily .I try to add stretcy fabrics in all of my pieces (Lycra etc.) You won't feel suffocated or constricted. You're going to be comfy in something that breathes from A.M to P.M. This is something so important because unfortunately there's no time to go home and change. My goal is to make all of the clothing so effortless, that going from work to drinks with your girlfriends is easy. You don't have to do much with the clothing and it is one less thing to worry about.

Do you have any pieces of advice for another entreprenneur lookig to start a business?

 Listen to your people. Keep your ears and eyes open for what your people want. I can never get enough criticisms. You have to take the good with the bad ones, and pick what will be the most beneficial for your business. There will always be haters.

Is there anything new we can look forward to for the upcoming seasons?

 I'm super excited about our fall collection. We might also start including some accessories into the line.

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I for one have never been so excited for the fall! Until then, be sure to check out Yona New York's current stock in skirts, dresses, tops, and wraps. And a special just for reading today, you can enjoy 10% off of your total purchase by using the promo code faithandfashion360.

 Stay tuned for more features of women just like you, living our their dreams one day at a time. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog by providing your e-mail address above. 

 Faithfully,

Brieana  



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7.04.2016

04 July

OOTD: Easy Street

Happy Monday! I hope you're all enjoying your Independence Day with a nice burger,or just a well deserved day off.  My outfit yesterday was simple in throwing on,but chic and effortless in design. Anyone that knows me knows that I love a good jumpsuit. They're not the easiest to find,so when I do, I'm quick to pick one up! This beige number is from my favorite quick stop shop,Rainbow. It was one of the newer items they had in the store. I love the stretchy (and forgiving material) as well as the added plate belt that was included. The deep V made it easy for me to throw a nice statement necklace on. It was practically made for the space! 






What are some of your easy outfits? Leave a comment below. I love hearing from you! 
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