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Unapologetically Ambitious 

Published by vanavain

I came across a post a few weeks ago that had the words “overly ambitious” in it. It was thought provoking for me for many reasons. Since a kid I’ve been told that I’m too confident, too ambitious and received stares  that pretty much said “what the fuck are you so excited about?!” (I still get them) Ambition and optimism is what has kept me daydreaming as a kid believing that I would be the best dressed lawyer(settled for a associates in Criminal Justice). It’s what I use when I don’t get it right the first 20 times. It keeps me curious and fired up to try again. I don’t have a sobby story for why I had to be this way, just trates from my Mother and Grandfather I guess. When they said they wanted something it was done and was never afraid of messing up. See the thing is compliments and achievements are cool, but it’s our attitudes and mental state that really determines if we get there. If we can’t envision it, …

Start where ya at!

Published by vanavain

With what and who you have… A Facebook reminder this morning showed me a picture of when I used to take my own photographs. It was lit! I had fun. It wasn’t always perfect but I made the best of all 200 pics lol. I purchased the camera 2 years prior while still at a 9-5. I rolled my eyes every time I walked in, but I was strategic about how one fed the other. My PTO was used to attend New York Fashion Week and to leave early for vending gigs. My thought was “If I’m going to be here why not use what I’m getting to pour into my business?!” It made coming to work a piece of the puzzle and not the end. Sometimes we wait for the perfect time, job, money etc before we start charging towards our goals, but it’s damaging more than anything. If you’ve always wanted to blog start now! Download WordPress on your phone and blog through there if a laptop isn’t available. Always wanted to get …

Boston Calling Recap

Published by vanavain

Happy Tuesday I mean Wednesday 😩😩 This short week got me all messed up. Anywho let’s take it back to last Friday when Mother Nature had all sorts of mood swings and couldn’t decide if we behaved enough for some sunshine or better yet a dry day. She went left and killed us with rain, but who cares when you get to See Chance The Rapper?!!!! Like his performance was chill giving, soul filled and thought provoking. Like I never cared for another performer like this  besides Beres Hammond.  The kid is going to be a legend. How many rappers ask “How many of y’all want to go to heaven ?” And ask twice because “some of y’all didn’t answer truthfully” that’s dope! Grown Men were in the crown harmonizing with Chance and his group word. For. Word.  This performance was so on time for me for so many reasons. One because I’ve been working not stop for like two months straight and needed some self care time. Second because as I’m in transition phases …

Just chill

Published by vanavain

Yesterday was Day 2 of Boston Calling and it was a super chill day and the vibes were good. I’m certain that Mother Nature bringing us sun was one of the reasons. Barely any room to walk, I tip toed and zigzagged around napping, laying and eating folks on the ground. A good problem to have seeing that the day before laying down wasn’t even an option.  I set out to capture some street style, ask questions and head out, but I ended up having genuine and purposeful convos with folks and made that priority over exchanging an IG or email. Of course that was done once or twice, but the point is sometimes you set out for one thing and end up getting something totally left and heart filling at that.  I’d like to speak for everyone there and say that we were being medicated. Music does something to the soul that indescribable and only a music lover can non verbally understand. In theses last two days, not once was there a fight or …

Boston Calling  Street style

Published by vanavain

Can I just say  that yesterday was like the best day ever?! The best. I had never been to Boston Calling until they this year. I was absolutely bummed that Solange didn’t make it , but there was so much more to look forward to and boy was it lit! I will go deeper into the performers in my personal style post. What I love the most is that the festival is three days and you can buy tickets separately for each day…. even at the gate! 🙌🏾🙌🏾  You know I couldn’t  attend without covering fashion. So yesterday felt like New York Fashion Week again with me approaching people to ask permission to take their pics.  Everyone was so sweet and agreed….Dope vibe dope style. It lives here in Boston …👇🏾 Loved this bomber and how she effortlessly layed the cross body bag. @sal.florentina Yes to all of these colors and the pigtail bun. @shell.yahHow cute is this Coachella Mami @JamieptranIn Living color @flwrsandfernsShe came to slay and stay dry! @juliaathy🦄 eyesCool kid.“I’m from New York” 😎 …

Gingham Mami- all the must buys!

Published by vanavain

I heard gingham is “trending” aka they pulled it out the classic archives. Here’s the thing… it’s at least the 5th or 6th time it’s been re-trending since I was like 8/9 years old. How do I remember ? Because my aunt who was my fashion icon had a beautiful flowy  gingham red dress that was off the shoulder. That was my intro to gingham and since then have been a fave. BUT let’s talk about quality because some prints are just plain ugly and very cheap looking. Here’s my aunt in “94”with the dress!! She just sent it.(I never forget a dope outfit!) I love you toooo  much to let you go and  pick up just any kind so I picked a few faves that are classic and will live past the “trend season”. When you shop with a purpose there is no going out of style. These two pics are styled by me from an event I had with Shake Shack Newbury called “Shakes & Silhouettes” last month.   *pic credentials on IG* …

Shake Shack & Chill! 

Published by vanavain

If you know anything about me or follow my Instagram you know that after Faith, Family and Fashion comes food! It’s comfort for the soul and when made with love it’s bragging worthy. The only burgers I’ve had the last few years before Shake Shack were homemade ones that my mother makes. The ones that when you bite into actually taste like meat and not some weird substance that’s been refrozen for decades.  I finally tried one outside of home for the first time 2 weeks ago with my business partner and loved it! All I needed to hear was 100% beef to convince me to bite. And let’s be honest, an exposed kitchen  says “We are confident in our food and service” I’m a believer of the motto  “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, so I had the ShackMeister again! This mouth watering  burger  is made with 100% angus beef and topped with seasoned shallots and Shack Sauce. Just right and not too messy(hate a disruptive burger).  Drum roll….. this baby on the …

NYFW FW17

Published by vanavain

Damn near had a blizzard for the first day of New York Fashion Week.  Typically one would look outside and think “stay in”, but nope Fashion week is work for me so the show must continue. And it did.  All 8,000 shows. OK, fine more like 5 0r 6, but it sure felt like a whole lot took place within a short time.  Despite the slush, disrespectful wind and wet feet, It feels good to be back doing what I love. Thankfully I dropped these sneakers in my suitcase. I pretty much worked the outfit around it. Outside was too gray and slush to do all neutrals. You know I can’t just settle for all dark colors! let’s get into this vintage 1951 Parka though……so damn good.  I’m always here for an over sized men’s coat.  MAC Cyber lipstick for a little badassery (and because a bright lip would be  a distraction)  Ok, off I go to tackle day 2. First show is at 10:00 am.  My cold and allergy is saying rest(the devil) and …

Cheerleaders

Published by vanavain

Situation: 16 and pregnant Location: Kitchen Mom: you can still have anything you want Me: 🤔 Bet… I say it’s not the size of the team, but instead the character of the teammate. “You can still have anything you want” is a comment that comes to mind every time I’m met with uncertainty, doubt, fear and mind-blowing opportunities. Being 16 and pregnant is no bleeping joke as you can imagine. Shit gets real, real fast too. Decisions have to be made though. “Roll over, fold and die with self-pity?” Or “Face this shit and make the best out of a bad decision?” Clearly I picked facing this shit. A degree, business, marriage and two kids later I look back and revisit that moment often.  It’s a reminder that half the shit I face and stress about didn’t and doesn’t  even compare to the biggest hurdles I’ve overcome. My….. those 7 words was my invitation, boarding pass and constant motivation I ever needed and will probably ever need after God. Imagine if it was the opposite …

Thank you….maybe

Published by vanavain

You ever give a compliment to someone and their reaction/response or lack there of had you rethinking where you went wrong? Like “No not your social security number or address…..your blouse girl your blouse! it’s cute”. I’m hella friendly, severely talkative and a compliment giver since a kid.  I remember being in Kings Plaza Mall as a kid and my mother literally pulling me behind her  with my sister giving me that “Shut Up!” stare as I try to finish a conversation and a compliment. Compliments do more for me than me trying to do for the person. I realize they make it about someone else for that time and not us or whatever problems we could be facing. So whether I get a response I like or not I’m still gonna dish out genuine compliments. “You get a compliment! You get a compliment! *Oprah’s voice and hand gesture*. No but seriously I’ve learned for some it goes back to upbringing and personality. I’ve met people who expressed that their lack of confidence made it …