4.01.2019

01 April

Small Business Spotlight: STAY by Stacey Williams

Swimwear is a closet staple for the summer. It comes in different shades, fabric, and (these days) sizes. The swimwear game has definitely stepped it up in the style department, with a number of celebrities and influencers trying their hand at some of the hottest swimwear collections, complete with cover-ups, tankinis, and more. As a plus size consumer, I am overwhelmed with love at the strides the swimsuit industry has made in the past few years.

Still, there are some characteristics of of the swimwear industry that fall..flat. After the warm spring and summer months are over, our swimwear hits the back of the closet, not to be seen again for another 10-12 months. Wardrobe longevity is definitely an obstacle not mastered by swimwear...just yet. But sometimes, you run into a line that defeats the odds, doing so in the most unique way. 

Enter STAY by Stacey Angela , a high end luxury swim/resort wear label that caters to the edgy fashionista who loves to travel and express her individuality. Founded in  April 2002 by designer Stacey Angela Williams, each piece is a one of a kind tailored, handmade, custom crochet design where every detail is selected with the customer in mind. The Stay by Stacey Angela has expanded recently to include boy shorts, cover-ups, ponchos, two-tier miniskirts, hats, earrings, gloves, and bowties. 

The STAY brand has reached multi-location notoriety and recognition at a number of fashion weeks, pop-up shops, and magazines. I took some time to sit down with fashion designer extraordinaire to talk about the origins of her brand and her inspiration. 

Why did you decide to choose a career as a fashion designer? I decided to become a fashion designer after being exposed to the fashion industry by my mother and my cousins. My mother took me to tons of Fashion fair/ Bob Mackie  fashion shows. I fell in love with fashion instantly.

What skills are necessary for a successful fashion designer? The most important skill and tool that a designer needs is there mind. You have to be able to be open to all walks of life in fashion and art. Inspiration is everywhere if you pay attention.


Stacey surely draws her inspiration from bright and vivid color canvases, that can be seen illustrated throughout her designs. Always sure to remind us of the warm spring and summer months on the horizon, you can often see yellows, pinks, and oranges through her pieces. As someone who's personally modeled for her, Stacey ensures that all consumers are satisfied and represented through her work,respecting all walk of life and the beauty in it.

What's up next for STAY? Paris City Fashion Week! You can get a sneak peek of the spring/summer line over at staybystaceyangela.com. Take a look and tell her i sent you! You wont be disappointed!






Faithfully,
Brieana


1.19.2019

19 January

ME?Toxic?

When I'm recording my weekly radio show (insert SHAMELESS plug here: It goes by the same name as this blog, Faithandfashion360 Live on WFNKRadio.com, Sundays from 7pm-9pm. Here's the link.), I usually peruse the social media airwaves and timelines for the things people are talking about, the things they may divided on, as well as the things that just need some JESUS. My sites of choice are typically fashion forward, millenial friendly, etc.

I was scrolling down Instagram the other day and I found a post on one of my sites of choice (one that sometimes I'm almost ashamed to say), and I saw a post that had me pleasantly surprised. TheShadeRoom, the place you love to hate, for its constant celeb post and infinite shade, posted a thought provoking question that forced me into a few minutes of self-awareness. It was so much so that here I am, writing to you about it, and eventually asking you to think about as well;

What is a toxic trait that you possess and would like to work on getting rid of in 2019??


Whoa.
1st of all, I felt personally attacked. They asked assuming that I would even have any! *insert fake disgust*

This question spoke to me in a number of ways and there was a wave of emotions and feelings that swept over me as I thought about an answer.

The fact of the matter is, we all have some things that aren't so great about us. We all have traits that have caused an argument. Things about us that people rightfully don't like. Parts of ourselves that, if we're honest, can stand to hit the trash. It was difficult for me to say out loud, but once I got real with myself, I could name a few.

Moment of transparency: I have a spending problem. I mean a forgo-my-car-note kind of problem. It's something I've realized over the years, especially as I've grown my blogging and fashion brand. There were times where I would even make justifications and excuses about why spending money on the latest shoes were necessary.

"My followers need these looks."
"I have a 10 day grace period."
"How can I grow my brand if I don't invest?"


We've gotten very used to justifying our nonsense in this day and age. The world tells us that we are a work in progress, and arms us with resources to halfway fix ourselves for their monetary gain.

We have become so very good at justifying our bad behavior, even our sinful behavior. In reality, we can justify just about anything in our lives to help relieve the pressure of the Holy Spirit bringing things to light for us to deal with them before Him in humility and self-sacrifice.


The problem with this behavior is, we never quite get around to the issue because we've adopted this really nice pair of rose-colored glasses (or shoes) that are blocking us from seeing our wrongdoing, and eventually getting down to the good things we can be. By not acknowledging that there's a problem...it's almost like it isn't happening?

 I'll share a secret with you: God loves imperfect people.


That's right I said it. He loves all of your binge-spending, binge-eating, eye-rolling, nay-saying, negative speaking ways. We all make mistakes. We will unfortunately (and fortunately depending on how you see i) continue to do so. But because Jesus died and rose from the grave, every mistake we will make or ever make has been paid in full. Don't allow ego and pride keep you from receiving God's love any longer. Don't allow blinders to keep you from acknowledging your sin and moving forward  with God and receive His love and mercy.

I task you today to think about something you could do differently. I then task you to consistently pray and ask God to remove that from every part of yourself. Then, I want you to forgive yourself and do better. Who knows what's on the other side of your awareness? Salvation?Success? 

Sounds like a win  to me.

Faithfully,
Brieana



Scriptures of Reference
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Hebrews 10:24-25
Romans 14:10-19

1.09.2019

09 January

Things I Learned in 2018



Unfortunately for a lot of us, the year 2018 was written off as a total loss, a fail, a meme depicting infinite sorrow, etc. I saw status and quote after quote about re-inventing the wheel of life in 2019,entering anew and refreshed for all of the visions and goals that slipped from our fingertips down the drain in the grueling months of 2018 past.

Personally, I disagree. 

Romans 5:3-5 talks to us about glorifying even in our sufferings, for this produces perseverance and motivation even through the storm. During these times, we're able to truly see the glory of God outside of what WE want, but what HE knows we need for our lives. It's easy to pray, dance, and shout when you got that rent check in the nick of time, but what about when things look a little darker?

No worries, I've gotten some totally relate-able moments I had in 2018, and why you shouldn't look at the past 365 days as a reason to start over, but an opportunity to keep it pushing.

1. People will let you down.
For all of my faithshionistas (do we like it?) that don't know me personally, I got married this year. It was fabulous and everything I could have ever dreamed. Getting a group of reliable people together to ensure that I didn't pull out all of my hair was...pretty difficult to say the least. I learned the hard way that not everyone will be happy for the milestones in your life. I also learned the objective way that not everyone is in a position, mentally, physically, or all of the above, to be there.When I took a moment to speak to God through my anger an disappointment, I was amazed at how he opened my eyes to putting myself in someone else's shoes. It made for a less stressful year, and an easier time meeting people where they were at. #goGod

2. Thing don't always go how you plan.

If you haven't been here for a while, you'll know that my OCD, Type-A behavior truly knows no bounds. This year, I became increasingly aware that my plans just DON'T always cut it. And when I tell you that God is hilarious and comical in reminding us that, you have no idea. I'm talking wedding venue payment plans, savings goals, dress ideas, centerpiece plans, THE WORKS! The thing is, no matter how much you plan, there's always going to be something that doesn't go the way you want it to, for a few reasons;
1-You didn't place God at the center and he's the ONLY one capable of executing perfection.
2-  Sometimes you just have to sit back and appreciate the moment for what it is-- a milestone, a win, a VIBE!

3. YOU are your worst enemy.

Some obstacles that we deal with aren’t even real because we have let our fears, worries, or lies from others keep us paralyzed from dealing with obstacles. Many times the key to overcoming a major obstacle is to first deal with what we allow our minds to focus on and realign our thinking to be on par with the Word of God. I'm ashamed to say that some of 2018 goals I set became a little scary to me as the months started to dwindle in the year. I got scared. I didn't feel ready. And I didn't do them. My biggest regret of 2018 was not that the year was 'tew much", but that I allowed the path ahead of me be so big that I curled up in the fetal position instead of throwing on my gear and getting down to business. These goals have since transferred over to "Bella's Back 2019" goals, but you get the point. 


 The funny thing about scars are that they heal. Slipping, falling, and stumbling are just a part of the process to being your best. Nothing good comes easy, and I learned that in all of the 'easy' ways in 2018. So my pray for you is that wherever you are, you allow the tests of today be your testimonies of tomorrow. After all, what's a harvest without rain? 

   


Happy New Year! Here's to 2019.

Verses of Reference

Isaiah 12:2

Genesis 50:20

Romans 8:28

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Faithfully yours,

Brieana