Inspiration From Atlantic

Style inspiration from Atlantic-Pacific Blog.....

I'm so in love with these Kate Spade neon lime heels. 

Dating: Happiness Comes First by Amber Madison

"Before you can get into a relationship, you should be happy by yourself.” We hear that and mistakenly think it literally means “you should be happy being alone.” We assume the wisdom imparted here is to not want relationships, or even to stop looking for one.  But that’s not what this quote means at all.

Being happy by yourself means you need to take responsibility for your own happiness. This is not just semantics. This means recognizing the areas of your life that don’t’ feel fulfilled — if you don’t feel good about yourself, you’re bored with your job or feel disconnected from your friends and family, or aren't happy with what you've accomplished.  These are all issues that only you can solve; a relationship won’t solve them for you.

We grow up with an idealized notion of romantic relationships.  We’re told that when we find the right person, things will be perfect. We believe that any emptiness or discontentment we feel in any aspect of our lives will disappear once we find the right partner. But the Jerry Maguire idea that “you complete me” just isn’t reality. You have to complete yourself.

Yes, relationships can be amazingly distracting.  In the initial phases when the sparks are flying, nothing else seems to matter.  But this is a temporary Band Aid, because as the sparks calm down you’ll be left with the same unresolved issues you had before the relationship started. Even better, you could peg those problems on your partner, or think there’s something wrong with the relationship because you don’t feel so great (hence the advice to make yourself happy before getting involved).

The point is, sooner or later you have to take responsibility for your own life. Whether you’re single, or involved in something serious, you have to take care of yourself. And while it’s easier to blame our lack of happiness on not having someone or having someone that’s not acting the right way, life is rarely that simple. As important as our intimate relationships are, they will not magically fulfill you.

Amber Madison is a Manhattan-based relationship expert and dating coach. She is the author of “Are All Guys Assholes?” You can follow her on Twitter: @ambermadi.

Personal Retreat

Jhirae T. Original ..Sketches from my 2007 FIDM Application Portfolio

Sometimes you just wanna get away and do some soul searching....that's how I've been kinda feeling lately. Just the chance to sit back and observe life. Life is very beautiful, you only get one, so cherish it well. Time is one thing you will never get back, so choose your time wisely and don't waste it, especially on someone else's B.S. .

Lately I've been doing this thing called a personal retreat. It's just something that I came up with to gear up for my first time at NYFW. I wanted to have a clear mind when I went to focus solely on my work. A personal retreat is a inner personal voyage within yourself. It's no designated time frame to be on the personal retreat, it could last from a week, a few days or even a couple of hours. The main idea of a personal retreat is to not feed into to ANY kind of negativity whatsoever. And just do things that genuinely make YOU happy. Negativity can be toxic when you give it your energy, it can definitely weigh any sane person down. In life there's no way to avoid or get away from negativity, because there always someone saying or doing something plan out stupid, but! It's how you respond to it??? The answer is......DON'T Respond. Your reaction will create a reaction, then in-turn another reaction and then another reaction and so forth. To avoid a huge ulcer or a number raised on your B/P count. Just accept, release and let it go...it's that simple!

Style Investments 101: Chanel Brooch

The Chanel Brooch is a timeless piece, they will NEVER go out of style. Every true fashion girl should have one in their wardrobe (if not you should be saving up to get one>>In my case). Such a classic piece that could never do wrong to an outfit.

The lead of the Russian Rat Pack Miroslava Duma is dangerous when it comes to style ( I mean this in a good way as you can see) she deserves her own post (Coming soon)!!!

c/o Atlantic Pacific Blog

Melanie Fiona "Wrong Side of a Love Song" Video

photo c/o Z Images

She did that! Melanie Fiona just dropped the visuals for WSOALS (definitely in my top five list of favorite songs). You guys know how much I love Mel, but this video right here!!! That Larenz Tate knows what he's doing in that directors chair. And that steamy HOT Omari Hardwick is summertime fine lol. So happy she released it around Valentine's Day, but love can be lethal at times. Peep the amazing video below...

Guest Blogger: P.F. Lewis

"As we are into a New Year we have to allow some things to stay in the past. This message is for ALL women over 35! 

When we have a little more girth in the middle, low rise jeans are not for everyone! We have to do better! Bending over and we're showing our crack...that is WHACK!!! And speaking of WHACK back fat showing is WHACKER. We MUST invest in good bras and undergarments!! Spanx is a must have!! And last but not least, all ladies should keep a lip gloss, lipstick, or lip balm in their purse at all times! Dry lips are WHACK as well!! Until next time lovely ladies be blessed and stay FAB!!" P.F. Lewis

By Guest Blogger: P.F.Lewis



Got something you wanna share? Come be our next Guest Blogger!

Amazing Gold Ceilings

I love Gold Ceilings, the first time I ever seen this done was about 3 years ago when the talented Candice Olsen from HGTV "Divine Design", did a family dining room ceiling "Gold Leaf".

There are many different ways to play out Gold Ceilings (Modern Chic, Royal Traditional). The white medallion sets the classic tone, any guest that come over will admire that royal touch! Many paint or hardware store carries the color, Lowes actually has the Valspar Brilliant Metals color in "Gold Leaf". 

Happy Birthday....Malika

Sending a very Happy Birthday to the second half of LavishLibra, my big sister, my best friend Mali. M!!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday and be blessed with many, many, more happy healthy birthday's to come. Thank you for everything, Malika Love!! Love you sissy. P.S. You guys should blame her for my obsession with fashion lol ;-)

Chip: Mommy I love you so much for caring for me and believing in me. have a happy healthy birthday, I just love you so much!! Love Chip :)

Everyone say Happy Birthday to my sister!!!!!!!!

Favorites from the Maison Martin Margiela Paris Haute Show