Monday Motivation

Hey Loves .... Today I just wanted to give you a little motivation and inspiration to move forward. So many times we often struggle with image and the constant feeling of having to please others while setting aside our true emotions to do what we feel could bring true happiness to our lives. Well today I just wanted to let you know that life is too short and you shouldn't spend it people pleasing your way through it. Sometimes this world calls for you to let your hair down, be spontaneous, and do something that's just for your pure enjoyment. Book a trip to a place you've always wanted to go, sign up to take a dance class that you've always wanted to take, try out some new recipes and invite your friends over for a dinner party to try it out, run a marathon, go rock climbing, try speed dating, learn how to paint... Whatever is your heart’s desire, forget what others may say or think, grab some Nike's & JUST DO IT!!!  This is your life and it's up to you to figure out what story you what to tell and the picture you want to be painted of you. If you always allow others to influence & determine how you live, it's just like hiring a ghost writer. Learn how to be your own author and illustrator of your life story. Until next time, thanks for having your daily Piece of Pie XOXOXO

You Tube find of the Day

Josh Lebman & Daniel De Bourg 

singing Tank's Celebration 

  1 word: DOPE

Embrace the BEAUTIFULNESS of YOU!!!

"I was beautifully and wonderfully made"

HEY LOVES ....This morning after reading an article by Essence magazine's Editor-In-Chief, Constance C.R. White entitled “Our Own Standards of Beauty” (November 2011 issue of Essence Magazine), I decided that every day I am going to wake up & give myself conformation that I was beautifully and wonderfully made. Everything about me is the way it's supposed to be and the fact that I'm ME is why I DAZZLE. And when I step out onto the court of my life, I'm am not going to hesitate to strut a little, because I am the only the me there is, which makes me the BEST and most VALUED Ashleigh "Leighanton'e" McCurdy there ever will be. After coming to this conclusion for myself I then thought, this should be an attitude that every woman should possess, especially my fellow women of color but I know far too many of them do not. So I wanted to just take it upon myself to tell anyone who just might come across this blog that "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL" because just as Ms. White expresses in the article "Every woman has the right to have her beauty recognized" and should never hesitate to put it on display for the world to admire. Rather than take someone else's assessment of your beauty and attractiveness, learn to trust your own judgment and start forming your own opinions on the matter. We must learn how to appreciate and embrace the person God created us be and remember that He never makes mistakes. So if you're light skin OWN IT , if you're dark skin LOVE IT  and if you fall somewhere in between, never let anyone stop you from being WONDERFUL YOU!!!! Always remember to walk with your shoulders back, head held high, a smile on your face, and little strut in your step because GIRL YOU GOTTA GOING ON!!!! 

Until next time, thanks for having your daily Piece of PieXOXOXO

Model Behavior...Halloween Inspirations

Hello Loves!!!! As you all know Halloween is approaching fast and as promised, I decided to bring you some more costume inspirations that would be perfect for the upcoming holiday; and I thought to myself... who or what would be the best subject to draw inspiration from other then the people who get paid to play dress-up and transform themselves everyday... MODELS of course!!!! So I've selected a few snap shots from some editorial pieces that I feel would be great to try to emulate for this Halloween. S/N: If you are looking for Halloween make-up ideas check out: http://seattlechickshavefashion.blogspot.com/  the site is featuring make-up artist @mariancl who has inspirations such as Lion King, Egyptian Goddess, Animal Prints and much, much more. Make sure you go check her out.

Joan Smalls as Micheal Jackson 

Joan Smalls as Tupac Shukur 

Joan Smalls as Prince

Joan is showing us that with the right outfit and attitude you can pretty much transform yourself into anyone and have fun doing it. And ladies let this be lesson to you... You don't have to just sick to the female influences; step out the box and be creative when choosing your costume. Well until next time... thanks for having your daily Piece of PieXOXOXO

Monday Motivation

Tell him... Baby I'm a STAR tonight

I'm up in the sky tonight

for the world to see 

I aint thinkin bout YOU 

Baby imma do ME tonight

Said Baby I'm a STAR tonight 

I'm up in the sky tonight

So give me one more dream 

Cause I'm SHINING, SHINING, SHINING....

HAPPY MONDAY LOVES!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Today I thought I would give you guys some Monday Motivation through song (you know, switch it up a bit). As I was growing up my mother would always play different songs and call them them her "Life's Theme Songs" and then she would tell me that everyone should have a song that they can always refer to or play that represented them and the attitude they have on life. She told me that when ever this song is played, it should instantly change your attitude for the better and act as your one stop, pick me up... So today I decided to share my "Life's Theme Song"as my mother would call it. It's titled I'm A Star by Chrisette Michele. This is my instant energy and confidence booster. I absolutely ADORE this song. The lyrics just speak to me and brighten my spirit. I hope after listening to it, it too will become one of your favorites. But before I go I want to leave you with my favorite lyrics to the song, I hope it will somehow encourage and motivate you through the day and the rest of your work week. Until Next time, thanks for having you daily Piece of PieXOXOXO 

I'm A Star

Rain starts pouring and it don't stop... Let myself drown no i will not. I just put a smile on my pretty mug. I get right back on my horse and i giddy up. I'm in the sky and I wont drop. Have a piece of my pie no you will not!!! But if you feel like me and it is what it is, then whats it gone be tonight....

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

                                                    Ford Warriors In Pink

Show your support and become a Warrior every time you buy from the Ford Cares website! 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of all Warriors in Pink apparel goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Join Ford in the fight and shop at: www.fordcares.com and make sure you visit their Facebook page and like!

Read more: http://www.essence.com/erewards#ixzz1anu1Kx7r

Friday, October 14 | 5 – 8 p.m. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while you shop.$35 at the door.

Saturday, October 15 | 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
New items and bargains throughout the day! Spend $50, save $5. Spend $100, save $10.

Good Afternoon Loves... So as you all know I am totally about uplifting and supporting women to be the best them they can possibly be, so of course I couldn't just ignore the invitation I received today regarding this event. The 9th Annual YWCA CLOSET TREASURES SALE is a two-day fundraising event benefiting Dress for Success Seattle, a YWCA Clothing Services program. The public is invited to purchase new and gently worn designer and name brand merchandise at significant discounts. 100 percent of the proceeds goes back to the program and helps economically disadvantaged women receive professional clothing, acquire jobs, retain employment, and succeed in the mainstream workplace (something EVERYONE should get an opportunity to do). Some of the amazing retail stores that contributed and donated to the cause are My Dressing Room, Velouria Boutique & Gallery,Labels Consignment Clothing, and Kick It Boots & Stompwear. Some brands and designers that will be represented include Valerie Stevens, Ecru, Dooney & Bourke, Prada, Chloe, J.Crew, Neimen Marcus, Ann Taylor, Michael Kors, Manolo Blahnik, St. Johns, and BCBG, just to name a few. This will truly be a fashionistas dream event and I haven’t even said the best part yet; All items are priced starting at $10 and don’t exceed over $100. You literally can get a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels that usually range somewhere between $150, all the way to $500 (and maybe more depending on the season and style) for $35, WHO CAN BEAT THAT and it’s all for a great cause. So be sure to come out and show your support today and tomorrow at the 9^th Annual YWCA Closet Treasures Sale at The Bravern located in Downtown Bellevue. So don’t miss this treasure trove of designer, name-brand, and vintage clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. A $35 donation/entry fee will be asked at the door tonight but Saturday shopping will be FREE to all who attend. For more information please visit the event webpage at: http://www.ywcaclosettreasures.org/

Until next time....Thanks for having you daily Piece of Pie XOXOXOX