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?"



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

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.

The dress code at my job is business casual .I've always though that to be one of the most ambigious terms within the workplace that I've ever come upon. My first question is always.. "what does that even mean?" I say that because sometimes I feel business...most of the time I feel casual. And if I casual decide to throw on a pair of flip flops with these khaki pants...am I wrong? This was the conversation running through my head as I threw this outfit together, because in an alternate world, I would wear something like this to work. Putting the cropped top and lightly tapered woven pant together created a "casual" work look, along with the dramatic cat frame that screamed, "How can I help you today?" in the most corporate way possible.

My textured crop top is form Forever 21+. I got in during a really big clearance sale for about $10. What's funny is, the model in the picture had it paired with these navy blue linen pants (also on clearance!). So I guess you could say Forever 21 provided a little Sunday outfit inspo for me. I paired the rather straight-up look with some dramatic accessories, including these frames (prescription not included) from Charlotte Russe. That's our little secret. Everyone I saw yesterday thought I bought a new pair of glasses.

My corpoate not-so-fancy Sunday look rose a really big question for me; what's acceptable as "business casual?" I think there's a post coming soon .

Faithfully,
Brieana

Just another thickums rocking a crop top ;)

Chunky bracelet also from Charlotte Russe

 In a world of ever-changing technology and a growing social media platform, entrepeneurs and the like are able to build and maintain a presence with something as simple as picture, 30 second video, or even a hashtag. These items have made doing what you love and walking i your purpose easy with a few late nights and inspired epiphanies. Social media is literally helping so many of us achieve our goals.

#GOALS. I've seen this hashtag float around in many ways across my social media accounts. Normally, I find it attached to a sweet picture of a happily dating or married couple, or to the latest video vixen with a perfect V and killer abs (all white maintaining a butt...jealous). Some of us peruse this hashtag, as well as many others, gazing at where and what they wish they could be. Others of us have decided to take a bit of a different route, and be our own biggest fan.

Insert, CurvyGirlFever, a movement created for those of us who want to create our own personal meaning of loving ourselves, with ten moons of confidence in tow.

Clevona Simmons, CEO IG:curvygirlfever

 CURVY GIRL FEVER is a Limited Liability Company operating in the State of FL. It was created by the CEO Clevona Simons.CGF started off as a simple social media hashtag #curvygirlfever in Oct. 2015. Fast forward to 2016 it has now become a full-fledged business and movement to promote body positivity and women empowerment. With a multitude of women supporting the movement, Curvygirlfever.com is now officially an online store catering to women of different shapes and sizes. CURVY GIRL FEVER's aim is to showcase the diversity of women. What's better than that?

Myself, along with 10 other beautiful ladies were hand picked by Clevona herself to represent the beaty and the melting pot that is women. I have to say that I couldn't be more happy to be amongst like-minded individuals who just want everyone to slay to their maximum capacity.

Please check out my sister in ambassador-hood below and follow them on IG for their everyday lives in fabulosity. They are all shades of fine and divine. And don't forget to check out Curvygirlfever.com and purchase your own "I'm My Own Body Goals" Tee.You can use my code BRIE20 for 20% off your total purchase.  Trust me, there's one for everybody.

Sogand Zakerhaghihi IG: S0gand_

Aspen Cristina IG: aspencristi

Roxanne Antoinette IG: roxieantoinette

Ashley Underwood IG: beachflowergal

Zonyai Sahara IG: itszozotho

Michelle Tez IG: miss_meechyy

Amber Johnson IG: mrsbambij

Michelle Rogers IG:BodyPosiPower

Domi Chnee' IG: domichnee

Several weeks ago, I participated in what was one of the most time-turning and unique experiences of my 25 years; I participated and walked as a curvy model for my first time EVER in a fashion show. When I began my blog in December of 2015, I did it moreso to spread the seeds of confidence God has planted in me to embrace ALL of me as he should have it, according to His glory. I prayed to God to allow me to bear the fruit of His spirit in putting me in positions of prosperity and networking if He saw fit. I never imagined the doors this blog would open for me, in terms of feeling great about me, as well as meeting others who feel great about themselves and were likeminded in spreading messages of self-love and self-worth.

Fast forward not even 4 months later, and the connections I have made have made allof the 'what if's', 'I don't think I can's', and the occasional 'why did I take this on' seem a thing of the distant past. Lehigh Valley Fashion Week was not only a premiere event within the Valley to showcase unique and fine fashions of local business owners, it was also an opportunity for myself and many others to see 1st hand that IT IS POSSIBLE. In our whirlwind lives, we can prevail. And it may not be in the way that the woman beside us did it, but it will be as He saw it.

Three testaments to that were the powers that be of Lehigh Valley Fashioin Week. I had a chance to chat with Cyrie Jackson, Winsome Cullen, and Kari Holmes after  the excitement had subsided (if only for a little bit) to speak to them about what their successes, struggles, and takeways have been while being involved in Lehigh Valley Fashion Week. And like most of us women, its what you would expect; lots of juggling, some doors slammed in your face, and the will to carry on--
despite the rain.

Kari MC'ing the Premiere event

Cyrie Jackson

Kari, doubling as a model on the finale night.

Winsome Cullen

Welcome baby Quentin!

 

We've all heard our wise Pastors and Deacons say it. "When you ask God for something, don't expect it right away. Be patient. God's timing is perfect." Growing up in an era of social media and everything that's fed to us in a "live" format, we've become so used to getting things at what I call a "microwave" speed. The Bible says many things about being patient and standing firm in the Lord's promises for you, even when it doesn't seem like your prayers (and let's be frank) wishes are being "honored" by Him.

Acts 1:7  He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Lamentations 3:25-26  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,  to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord

More seasoned Christians, or better yet, those of us who have prayed and fasted for the patience and loyalty God desires of us, have experienced the waiting period, and the ultimate receiving of what we have prayed for. One thing we don't normally prepare outselves for is getting what we ask for. How many of us are prepared? And are you fully at a point to receive what you have so fervently asked the Lord for?

This sentiment has rung true for me for almost 2 years. Yes two WHOLE years. I started out in my currnt place of worship, Faith International Church of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, as an "attender-- coming to services, clapping along with the praise and worship portion of service, "ooohing" and "aahing"  at the special ministry performances, and leaving an hour and a half later, apart of the conversation on how blessed the service was.  Also in my mind? "I'm tired of sitting." So from that time, I prayed to the Lord to reveal to me where in the church he wanted me to be, and to help me find the courage to do what he saw fit for me wholy and consistently.

That was not as easy done as I thought.

On my path to becoming a passionate doer, I was met with almost every obstacle one could imagine. Bad timing. No room. Not being a good fit. No answer AT ALL. It was frustrating. It was a test if my faith. And it gave me time to really affirm that this was what I was looking for.

And then it happened....

One ministry after another  started to cross my path. My excitement eradicated the word "no" from my vocabulary, as I took on one hat after another, so much so that I haven't considered myself an attender in almost a year.

More often than not, there have been times where i'm overjoyed at the idea of being someone that immerses myself so deeply into my place of worship. I enjoy being a committed servant for a number of reasons. The lessons I've learned about my walk with the Lord and the golden nuggests of truth I've walked away with in regards to myself as a person and a leader have been  insurmountable. I thank God daily for the opportunities and the will to excel in all areas. ON THE OTHER HAND, a girl can get a little tired! And its the times when I get tired that I say to God, "I know I said I wanted to serve, but I didn't mean ALL LAT!" Why do we do this? Isn't that what I asked for? And did I really expect anything halfway from God?

Patience and waiting is an important (and fulfilling) part of a successful walk with the Lord.  But equally important is the ability to know that God's timing and plan for you is so perfect that he knows just what you need, how much you need, and when you need it. My question for you is: Are you ready?

Faithfully,
Brieana

        When I was about 10 years old,I noticed something about myself;I'd always been pretty tall for my age. Me and one of my sisters were always the Glamazon queens in elementary school and throughout.And it would ALWAYS bother me.My peers could say something as little as "Oh but you're tall, so you don't have the problem." In my head I'd be like, "I have problems!" I wanted to empathize with my shorter counterparts.I would even dread the check ups at the doctor and close my ears to the sounds of me growing another half inch.  In school pictures, we were always in the middle to back row,normally reserved for the pubescent boys. For years,I would ever so slightly hunch my back when I walked or slouch in my seat .It made me look shorter,and thus more girly and feminine because height was something I typically associated with masculinity (as illogical as that sounds).I was usually seen as one of the guys as my shorter my girly looking female counterparts etched hearts on their notebooks and made MASH games of the popular guys in our class(talk about a throwback). That could never be me! I would look others in this adolescent envy because I wanted to be like them and live the life they lived. But because I was tall AND plus sized,that could never be.Fast forward 10 or so years later,that growth spurt has slowed down and my height has actually come into some very good uses.Can't reach that shelf?I GOT THIS! Does my 5'6 frame work perfectly to model those shoes?!Why of course! There were so many great things about being taller that I had never stopped to think about. And it wasn't until I stopped looking at the qualities and characteristics that I didn't have that I was able to focus on my God given assets.

     Merry Christmas everyone! For this is the day that the Lord has made,let us rejoice! I pray that you are all having an eventful Christmas with your families. Remember that today is not about what you receive,but what you can give to those you hold so dear. Despite the busy day, the posts must continue!