3 easy steps how to clean out your closet and score more clothes and cash.

3 easy steps how to clean out your closet and score more clothes and cash.

If you are like me your closet is filled with clothes, shoes, and accessories with tags still on them.  You might have been able to fit into them but since all the fun holidays and family gatherings food was always on the table. Get rid of those what was I thinking pieces. Those are the pieces that you thought was either cute or I can do something with this. But you never did anything with them now you don’t think they’re cute anymore. Return all of those pieces back to the stores.

Step #1 – Go through your closet and find pieces that you want to return.

Step #2 – Create a pile of the pieces that you want to return according to the different stores.

Step #3 – Take the items to the stores. If you have the receipt great the money goes back on your card. Depending on the store you might get cash back. Can’t find the receipt don’t panic. As long as the tag are still on them the money can be put on a store gift card.  There may be some disadvantages of returning clothes without the receipt. If the item have been markdown since purchased the store will give you the amount of the markdown.

Now you have cash and or a gift card to go shopping! You can save the money and just use your gift card for new purchases.

Is hair just hair?

Is hair just hair or is it more? I will be the first to admit that I used to think that  hair was just hair. I am guilty of shaving my head more than once or cPutting it in different styles. Then I would say they say phase that most people say when they cut their hair "It just hair" or "life is too short to wear boring hair."

I used to believed that short hair or women who shaved their head profess an image of strength. It was as if the women was making a statement of power, courage, and freedom. As though they were saying I am in control I am the master of the ship the captain of my soul.  

I too shaved my head and cut my hair to signal change, strength, courage and freedom. My hair is short now but as I become more aware of the essence of having hair and what it means I am on a journey to not cut my hair again. Let me explain why. 

In the bible 1 Corinthians 11 1:16 reads:

     1 Corinthians 11 New International Version (NIV)

       11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

       On Covering the Head in Worship

       2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize                                       

       that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies                                 

       with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the       

       same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a   

       woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the   

       image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man  

       created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the  

       angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man,   

       so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head      

       uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long    

       hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor 

       do the churches of God.

In my understanding or revelation of the passage when the Apostle Paul was writing to church about how they(men and women) should conduct in worship together. The word covering is referring to the head. The head meaning who is over you, the person that you submit too. The bible mentions that if you are married then your head is your husband but if you are not married then the head is God. What Paul is saying is that if you are a believer in Christ then you are not your own. As a single woman you are supposed to be submissive to Christ. A married woman is not her own she is submissive to her husband as well as Christ. I am not saying that you are puppets and don't have a voice. Paul broke that down verses 11-12.

When a woman shave or cut her hair what she is saying  is that I don't need a covering I am my own woman. This goes for single and married women alike that long hair is given to her as a covering. Covering meaning being protected cared for. I am single so my covering is God and when I cut my hair or shaved my head what I was saying to God is that I don't need covering. I need God and I don't ever want him to think that I don't want or need Him. As for me I know that I need all the covering and protection from God. I had to repent and ask for forgiveness.

Back to my original question is hair just hair? My answer to you is no it is your cover it's symbolic to God that lets Him know that you need and want his protection. It also symbols that you are not your own and that you submit to a higher power.

I hope that I have help someone in understanding that yes we as women have power and strength. But without God we are nothing.  Instead of showing freedom of cutting or shaving our hair we can show submission.

New Used Outfit

It's wedding season. You got the invititation now you're in panic mode because you don't have anything to wear. You have to buy them a gift and a new outfit but not a lot of money. Before you go over the edge stop, relax, and breath. 

Before you go out shopping I recommend that you go shopping in your closet first. In these four easy steps you will be wedding day ready without spending extra money. 

First look for pieces that you have bought but didn't have no where to go. If you are  like me I am always shopping on the clearance racks looking for sale items. I am guilty of buying pieces just because it's on sale with no where to wear them yet. My favorite line is "I know but did you see the price?" My motto is buy now wear later. 

Second find pieces in your closest that you can mix and match to create a new outfit. So what if you wore it before but you never wore it with that. New doesn't have to mean new things. New could also mean a new way of doing things. The key is breathing new life into and get creative. 

Third accessorize accessorize accessorize. Grab that statement piece necklace and clutch. Don't stop there if you have a belt and it goes why not put it to use and wear it. 

Last but not least the shoes. Every woman should have some of the basic colors shoes in her closet. These colors are black, nude, and a soft pastel color. 

Now you are looking fabulous and ready to show off your new used outfit. 

Here I am wearing a black jump suit, a statement piece necklace, a floral blazer, a gold belt, and soft pink heels. All from my closet. The jump suit, necklace, and belt I had wore before. But the blazer and shoes are pieces that I bought a while ago because they were on sale.  

Why can't I sleep?

I often find myself waking up in the middle of the night wondering who am I, what am I, and why I am they that I am.  I can’t sleep at so I grab my phone to Google in search to hopefully find the answers to these burning questions that I have. But as I search the Internet looking up different definitions to roles that I believe that I play. I am more confused to who I am then when I started the search. Yes the Internet can be a place to find out a lot about things, people, and places. The Internet failed me it did not help me in my quest to find out who I am. The question still remains a mystery to me. Who am I? What am I? Why am I? When am I? How am I? 

Who am I am? I know that I am a mother to two wonderful and amazing boys. I have a mother that is more than a mother to me she is also my best friend. I have a few closed friends that I can count on one hand that I can trust and love me for me. I know that I am very impulsive. If I think about it then I have to pursue it right away.  I know that I am a person that loves to fix situations and people’s problem. That is one of my biggest downfalls. When someone starts to talk about a situation that they are having immediately I start thinking of ways of how to help them. Even with out trying I step in and solve their problems.  Why? There is that question again. Not to pat me on the back, but I am good at fixing things and solving problems. I love to research any and everything. If I am presented with a problem the first then I do is research. Even if I have an idea of what to do, I research that idea. I could be talking to anyone about anything my mind starts to wonder and all I see is the bigger picture even before it happens. I have already put together a strategic plan of action within minutes of listening to them.

What am I? I have always thought that I knew the answer to this question. What do you mean what am I? I am beautiful. I am smart. I am a leader. I am a mother. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a friend. I am a godmother. I am an auntie. I am strong. I am creative. I am a visionary. I am a makeup artist. I am a researcher. I am nice. I am a giver. I am a survivor. Even with all these wonderful attributes of who I am I am still confused and it takes me back to the question who am I?

What am I? People have told me to just focus on one thing at a time. Sure, no problem this should be easy. So I thought. On the quest again to find out what am I? Let me start off my saying I have been in school with many different majors to find the answer to this question. They say that college is the time to find out whom you are and what you want to do with your life. For the normal person that might be true. You might be the one that discover you like helping sick people so you become a nurse or a doctor.  Easy problem solve you know who and what you are. Great. Not so great for me. I started out by wanting to be a surgeon, then a computer programmer I know what was I thinking about. So I change my major to criminal justice (cue my superhero music) I was going to save the world. So I thought. My plan was to get my criminal justice degree, go to law school and become a lawyer. Sounds good right? I love researching, stating facts, and debating. This should be a no brainer. As I was doing my research and loving my criminal justice classes I discover that I wanted to be judge. Why not? Being a judge means that I would have the power to really change things. Right?

I was told your passion is what you are. My passion? Okay got it. My passion is helping me look and feel good about them. I have a passion for all things glamorous and fabulous. My passion is makeup. I am good at applying makeup on myself and other people. So I did my research about being a makeup artist. I found out that if I wanted to apply makeup on other people and get paid for it then I needed a cosmetologist license. No problem. I decided to get my cosmetologist license. As I was going to cosmetologist school I discover that I love high fashion, Avant grade, editorial hair and makeup. I realize that I did not want to be stuck in a salon just doing the trends but I wanted to create the trends. Again, school was supposed to help me narrow down what I wanted to do. I started my research I wanted to be a session stylist. I graduate and pass the state boards with my license and my career, so I thought.

I focus so much on hair and makeup that I forgot about my passion for fashion. No I cannot sew or draw. But I do have an eye for what looks good and what looks bad   and the ability to see the bigger picture. I back to the Internet to research a career. I found out with my abilities and license I could be an image consultant, wardrobe consultant, and or a fashion stylist. So I was on my quest to make my dreams come true. Finally I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

If that was true then why am I currently enrolled in college to obtain my bachelor degree in communication?  Oh I know because I wanted to be like Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue Magazine.  My love for fashion, beauty, editorial and runway pointed me in the direction of editor. Not only did I want to be an editor I wanted to be the creative director of a fashion magazine. Did I mention that I was impulsive? Again, my need to help people solve their problems in a creative way lead me back in school.

Now, I am back in school taking classes and doing extremely well. Learning things quickly is what I am good at.  So I how did I go from editor to public relations? For me being in school just entice and confuse me more. I enjoyed my communication, marketing, and now my public relations clusters. Again, public relations wanting to help solve people problems lead to me researching crisis management.  I wanted to be Olivia Pope. Well Judy Smith the real Olivia Pope who the character is base off. I want to be a problem solver. But I am also a makeup artist, hairstylist, and an image consultant.

Why am I? Why am I so impulsive? Why do I feel the need to solve people problems? Why was I created? Why do I need to have control? Why do I have anxiety? Why do I wake up in the middle of night with ideas in my head? Why do I want to help people? In my public relations cluster we have are reading this book Rule of Thumb. In this book one of the rules is what gets you up in the morning and keeps you up at night is your passion. What get me up in the morning are the ideas in my head that keep me up all night.  The idea of wanting to start my own business and becoming successful is my desire. The question is why can’t I narrow it down to one thing. To one business adventure that sums it all together? Why am I going from one career to the next? Why can’t I make up my mind?  Why can’t I just focus on one thing at a time?

When am I? When am I going to narrow it down to just one thing to focus one? When am I going to start my own business? When am I going to make my passion my paycheck? I am always told in time. Just be patient and believe in yourself. It is going to happen just wait.  Well I am waiting and believing in myself but truth be told I am having a little problem with the being patient part.

How am I? How am I going to start my own business? How am I going to get clients? How am I going to be able to invest into my business? How am I going to determine what business to start? So, I went back to my good old friend Google and started researching. It suggested that I start a blog. Okay no problem I started a blog. Within a year I was nominated for an award for my fashion blog. Now I see myself on panels, hosting events and workshops, and interviewing people about fashion. The question is how?  How do I go from a to b? Go to school. I did that and I am currently in school right now. I will forever be a student of life.  Know your passion. I have a lot of passion.

The questions that I have may never be fully answer with one quick answer. I might just be one of the not so normal people with different levels to them. I may not fit into the normal mode of having just one career focus. I have to be all right with me knowing that.

Hey that’s it. I am not normal. I was created not to be normal. I am who I am. I have many talents and abilities. I want to use all of skills to help people solve their problems in a creative and fashionable way. That is my business. My business is your business. Whatever my clients needs help with or solving rather it’s makeup, fashion, handling a crisis, or just coming up with a strategic plan to help them and their company. Then I am the one woman for the job. Maybe that’s why God created me to have so many gifts and talents, and the need to continue to further my education. So that whatever the need is I will have some type of knowledge to help with the need no matter what it is.