Where there is love, I'll be there

So, I'm going to take a break from the usual fashion world postings to post something a little more intimate. As it's coming close upon Thanksgiving, I wanted to write a post giving thanks. It's funny because I actually have a gratitude journal where I try to write daily all the things I am thankful for. It helps me appreciate people and things and to put things in prospective. In this world where everyone just wants wants wants, it's nice to sit back and actually want what you already have. I remember as a child, everytime around this time of the year, I had to write a paragraph at school of what I was thankful for. . . I usually said the generic "family, friends and toys" or what not. I think its good to write those paragraphs but at the same time, I wasn't really aware of what being thankful truly meant. It's not until you have more experience in life and you've been down and out that you realize what you have. But I'm not saying I don't think children should write thankful paragraphs, I think they should, just to raise their awareness of what being thankful really means. So, getting back to the point of this post, I want to say thanks to everyone and anyone who has made a difference in my life. Even if you think you haven't, trust me, you have.

1. My family. I get so emotional when I think of my family because growing up isn't easy and I've made mistakes and I've pushed my family away but they've always stuck by me. They've never turned their back on me although at times I wanted them to just leave me alone. They truly love me and I am extremely lucky to have them in my life because without them I would be alone and lost. They've never ever given up on me although many times I'm sure they threw up their hands in surrender. I've learned sooooo much from them and can't express enough how lucky I am. I get so excited and just content when I'm with them and hope they know how much they mean to me. I'm extremely lucky to have a family to spend the holidays with and to have a family who is there for me when I need them most. Especially now more than ever and they're here. And I know they always will be.

2. My boyfriend. The most amazing man I've ever met (besides my father). He is teaching me how to be strong and how to be a better person and I can't thank him enough for that. Your family tends to look past your flaws and accepts them as part of who you are but my boyfriend knows that those flaws are just flaws. That I'm not too old to learn and grow and he's been by my side the whole time. He may be across the ocean in another country but doesn't mean he isn't in my heart with me everyday. It's extremely unfortunate that we cannot spend Thanksgiving this year together but I know we have many more Thanksgivings to come and I look forward to them. I'm just so lucky to have someone like him in my life because he will always be there for me and I can't thank him enough for doing all he can to make this situation we are in a little easier. He's one of a kind.

3. My friends. I know I'm not a real open and outgoing person so making friends for me isn't easy. With the help of my very outgoing and friendly boyfriend, I've made some amazing friends. The people in my life who know when I need to just get out and have some fun. They are always there for me and always make me feel as if I'm part of some big family of crazy people haha. During this year and half I have left being apart from the man I love, they are there for me and make sure I have a great time when I'm with them. I can't thank them enough for being there when I need them and for letting me be when I just want to be alone. I think they feel for me right now but at the same time they know that life goes on and I can't just hole up in my apartment for a year and a half. And just when I think that I can't do this alone, I remember that I'm not alone. My friends never forget me.

4. My job. Although it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life, I'm thankful I have a job in general. With the unemployment rate at an all time high, I feel guilty that I have a job and a mother of two or a family of 5 does not have a job. It's such a hard process finding and applying and getting a job, so I know that I'm lucky to have a job in times like these. One day, I hope to own my own company and I will employ these honest and genuine people who have families like mine who just want to live life and enjoy each other. And I'm thankful to a former manager and co-worker who emailed me when they found out I was out of a job to offer me a new one just a week after being laid off. I can't thank them enough for helping me out at a time when I was just ready to give up.

5. A roof over my head and a bed. I LOVE being in bed, warm and cozy, watching TV and falling asleep. It's my favorite thing after a long day and I can't be thankful enough that I have those things in my life. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have a place to lay my head and keep warm at night. Yet, millions of Americans do it every night. So, I can't complain that my apartment is small or that we barely have any furniture or that my neighbor below likes to blast his music at 3am every night. I am lucky to have a warm place with running water, a bed, TV, food and an awesome roommate (my brother)!

6. Being alive. Although right now is very hard for me, being away from the person I love so much, I have to just be thankful I am alive and able to receive and feel his love and my familys' love. There were times when I was so down and out that I thought it would be better to just not be here. I never thought of suicide, mind you, just simply if I was never born, sometimes I just said to myself "wish I was never here". But then I think of my family and I think of laughter and I think of love and I think of everything I have in my life right now, some people have none of these things. Some people wish hard everyday for any one of these things and when I know things aren't going my way I try to think of the things I care about and if I never had any of these. No one can live without love and I'm lucky I have tons of it. I also enjoy nature and being alive lets you enjoy those things you love.

So to health and love and life, I just want to say thanks to everything and everyone in my life for being in my life. I'm very lucky and I always think back to these things when I feel like the world is against me and I can't go on. I know that I have to fight through these hard times because I have alot to live for. Everything in my life is a blessing and life goes on, no matter how hard it gets sometimes. I will never give up, thanks to all the things I already have.

THANK YOU <3

XX Shanette

The best makeup on a woman is passion.

So, I'm a bit obsessed with French style, fashion, culture, history. . . well just about everything! Except the men. I like mine British. :) I've always been fascinated by the way French women look so effortlessly beautiful. It's just the way they are, they don't try too hard or make a fuss over beauty and style. They just do what they feel and it doesn't hurt that they are naturally gorgeous anyways.

So I've been doing a little research and came to a couple of revelations:

1. Less is more. We hear it all the time and for the everyday, normal this is true. Sometimes you wanna get all gussied up and go over the top and that's fne too. But for a workday to evening date, keep it simple. French women use the minimal amount of makeup; mascara, eyeliner OR eyeshadow (never both), a little blush and just enough lip color to get that "lip bitten" pout. Same goes with jewelry. They love love love pearls and who doesn't? They are elegant, sexy and chic. So invest in a strand or two. The longer strand the better.

2. Never sacrifice comfort for style. If you don't feel comfortable in it, don't wear it. Heels as well as flats must be comfortable. They take care of their feet so heels that are too small or squeeze are not for them. Invest in pads and cushions if you buy heels that are not so comfortable. Also, don't try to squeeze into a size too small. You should never feel uncomfortable or insecure because that's not the French way. The more comfortable you are, they more confident you are. But this doesn't mean the French wear jeans and tees or sweats all day everyday. They love dresses and flats and simple, elegant pieces. These will make you feel more comfortable.

3. That leads me to this point, invest in the basics. Black anything is the French woman's go to color. It slims, lengthens and hides everything. They love simple pieces in neutral colors and then pair them with a unique belt, bright shoes or interesting piece of jewelry. So, go for the white tee, black blazer or beige camisole and find fun accessories to pair it with. You will find that your wardrobe will have a longer life if you invest in basics that are in style every season.

4. I heard that there is a small town in south France that has about 7,000+ people but has 15 beauty shops, 8 spas and 4 lingerie shops. This gives you an idea about what French women value. Although, they like to look effortlessly chic, they do so at a price. They are very discreet about their beauty rituals. Admitting you color your hair? No no. It's taboo but it's the French way. They love spas, massages, ma nicures, pedicures, the works. They are women after all and even though they want men to think they are naturally beautiful, its fun to do those girly things to take care of themselves. They have tons of secrets and they try everything! If it claims it gets rid of wrinkles, they will try it. If it claims to get rid of cellulite, they buy it. I have yet to collect any of these secrets but I'm working on it.

5. Which brings me to my last point. Confidence. All the points I made above come down to this one thing. Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can excude. You can be wearing the most revealing outfit but if you look insecure and uncomfortable, you will not exude sexiness. So, starting with the first point of less is more. Who feels comfortable with a face full of makeup that will look like you are melting if you're caught in the rain. Or point number two, don't wear the too high heels if you can't walk in them. Or number three, wear the basics. Leave the OF THE MOMENT trends to younger women. Men will be able to tell the difference. Or the fourth, take care of yourself. You know how you feel when you get your haircut and it's completely styled and looks amazing? That feeling is confidence. Feeling good on the outside is part of feeling good on the inside.

Well, those were just a few things I came across and decided I would implement into my daily routines. It doesn't hurt to try and you could possibly learn something new about yourself in the process. XX

Don't be tardy for the party!

So I cut out the pieces to my Tardy for the Party dress! I have some pictures of my sketches and next time I will have pictures of the pieces. My boyfriend had a great idea which was to document my progress on my blog so that's what I'm going to do. So, you can see my process and progress and then the finished look! I'm so excited. Hopefully it turns out great, if not, I'll either have to start over or go buy a dress! Haha. Anyways, below is just the start. Xx

Nothing to wear

So, I don't really have anything to talk about. . . I mean work is great, the boyfriend is great, my family is great, so far so good. I have one month and 10 days til my honey comes home to visit. I'm tres excited. I went to Salvation Army today and got 5 articles of clothing for $16. STEAL! Pix to come later. Anyways, just chillin at the parents house, house sitting for them for a lil. OH! I decided I'm going to make my "Don't be tardy for the party" dress for my birthday. I've got a few ideas, I know I want an one shouldered short dress. Don't know what fabric or anything yet. Have to go fabric shopping for sure. So, I have a few pix of dresses that I'm using as inspiration. Enjoi!

Pictures!

More to come after this weekend's photoshoot. . . if the rain doesn't screw everything up. It's been raining alot here lately but I love it. I love falling asleep with my window open and the rain falling. . . everyone else is ready for this rain to go away but I want it to keep on coming, except for this Saturday :) Haha, my dad is yelling "MATSUI"! Definitely watching the World Series. Anyways, here are a couple more pictures and then I'm off to finish the rest of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion! EEEEEeeeek! :) Xx

Journal?

So I've decided, in this hard time of mine, that this blog can also be an outlet to my emotions right now. This long distance thing is extremely hard but I think when I need to just vent, this would be a good place to do it. It's easy when I'm not really in the mood to sit with someone and talk. I get to chat with the boyfriend everyday but it's the physical part that gets to me. Not having him sitting next to me on the couch or in the car or cuddling in bed gets to me. I cry myself to sleep sometimes because I miss him so much it hurts. But I know this is just a test of our love and we will prevail. I'll be here waiting when he comes back for good because I've never known a love like this and he makes me the best person I can be. It's at times frustrating because I've been so used to having him with me all the time and never leaving one another's side. And at times I take the frustration out on him and I know it's not right but he is a patient soul and he tries to make things better for me and I love him for that. It means he truly cares for me. I think this was the best time for him to go though because its coming up on the holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving, his birthday, my birthday, Christmas and New Years, there's alot to look forward to so hopefully this season will zoom by! But maybe not zoom by too fast when he comes to visit for Christmas. I have to learn to enjoy every moment I spend with him and with others, because you never know when something can happen that will tear your world apart and hand it back to you and then spit in your face. At the time the boyfriend left, I was losing him for 2 years and then I lost my job and then I got a horrific rash all over my face. So when I say that I got my world torn up and handed back to me and then got spit in the eye, I really mean it. Haha.

Everything is better now though. I'm learning to deal with the boyfriend being in another country for 2 years and I have my days but he is amazing at handling it.

Anyways, I still put some pictures up on this post because it makes me happy to do so. :)

XX

Friday Night - Outfit photoshoot night

So, I wasn't feeling too well Friday night and I stayed in. But once I was in, I looked around my room and saw this mass of clothes on my floor. . . they either needed to be hung up or PLAYED WITH! So, I played dress up and took some photos of outfits I put together. I have this dream that I can be a stylist/fashion designer/fashion editor all in one. Might be a lil more than I could ever chew but you gotta start somewhere. This night I was playing stylist to a fashion editor who just came out with her own collection. :) I'm gonna dream as if I'll live forever......

XX