Support Small Businesses in a Posh Way!

Day parties are the new way to party these days.  You can't get more grown and sexy then the Posh Experience.  Today at 2pm at Park Tavern in The Chi (Chicago that it is) it's going down in a major way! What better way to break up all the shopping and holiday festivities than hitting the social scene and supporting small businesses on Small Business Saturday with the beautiful ladies of Posh Entertainment?!?

From left to right: Kisha Keeney, Diamond Ingram, Paris Tyler, Lesley Martin

These dynamic divas make entrepreneurship look effortless.  These ladies are known around the city for bringing the urban community a high-end, sophisticated and classy way to get it in! Posh entertainment holds day parties at different locations around the town, bringing a new and engaging experience each time.

Notorious for selling out venues, the women of Posh draw upscale crowds, filled with some of the city's sexiest, most successful trendsetters and party-goers. This is no coincidence, as the women of Posh have both impressive educational and professional backgrounds:

Kisha, a graduate of Ball State University in Indiana, has a background in radio & television and has
experience hosting as an interactive visual jockey. Kisha coordinated events and managed operation
for Emmis Communications and has dabbled in planning destination weddings.  This marketing professional holds the title of Director of Event Coordination for Posh.

Diamond, a graduate of Northwestern University with a master's in Intergrated Marketing Communications and undergraduate from the University of  Michigan, holds the title of Director of Business Development for Posh.  Her experience working in marketing for Fortune 500 companies allows her to lend her expertise to Posh's growing entertainment business.

Paris, a graduate of Bowling Green State University, has an extensive background in PR, social media management and event coordination.  Her professional experience includes managing events for top brands including McDonald's, Wells Fargo and Sears. Paris holds it down as Director of Operations for Posh.

Lesley, also a graduate of Ball State University, holds the title of Creative Director for Posh. Lesley has a note worthy background in communication and production. She's worked behind the scenes producing television shows for OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Support these ladies today and checkout MISSION IMPOSHABLE! If you can't make today's event follow Posh on Twitter @PoshLifeEvents, visit their FB page Posh Entertainment or visit their website to find out more about upcoming events.

Art & Fashion

The two often intermingle.  Art is easily the inspiration behind fashion, from colors, textures and prints to overall structural design.  Art and fashion stand strong independently but together they can create a masterpiece!

By: Kudzai B. Mutasa

Yes, she is...Kudzai Mutasa was chosen to use her artistic gift to share her inspirational point of view with the world.  Kudzai's paintings send strong messages through subtle, warm tones that encourage stregnth, beauty, self-acceptance and spirituality.

Born in Zimbabwe, Africa, Kudzai made her way to the U.S. at a tender age.  As a child she uncovered not only the American culture but her raw talent as an emerging artist. Kudzai's gift was magnified once she studied under renown portrait painter and teacher, Richard Halstead, who's work is exhibited across the world.  One of his most popular pieces, a portrait he painted of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, resides in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Kudzai says, she continues to perfect her craft and uses her oils, acrylics, pastels and conte' "to get people to look beyond stereotypes and seek out solutions."

 

From the looks of it you'd think Kudzai spends every waking moment creating these beautiful pieces but you're dead wrong if you think her grind ends with a stroke of a paintbrush. Nah! No way!  Kudzai graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.  She served on her community and church boards participating in youth programs and volunteered for Gallery 37's after school program for Chicago Public Schools. In the daytime you can catch her managing brand portfolios for Namaste Laboratories, the makers behind Organic Root Stimulator (ORS).

It seems she does it all and by the way does not sacrifice her cute, to do so.  Kudzai's art undoubtably shuts it down.  You better believe for any event she's walking in to get a picture sold! Her sassy style paired with her spunk and classy demeanor captivates us all and is the exact embodiment of her work as an artist.

Visit Kudzai B. Mutasa to learn more about the artist, see more pictures of her work and chat!

What Mike Brown Inspired That a Guilty Verdict Never Would

A day after the Mike Brown verdict:

As the day went on I grew more angry and more confused. After reading post after post on Facebook my anger turned to anxiety and then I felt the slow roll of a solitary tear that tasted like no other tear I've cried before.

My tear isn't just for Mike Brown or the other brothas being killed unnecessarily...mine fall from the uneasiness I'm feeling after watching video after video of the looting and reading the written reactions that bleed of hate.  I see self hatred, us blaming us for bringing this all on ourselves.  People feeling like things will never change and never get better.  I cry for those that have no hope, those that don't believe we have role models, those that fear police, and no longer believe they are here to protect and serve but rather kill and justify.

As a Sista I don't embody the same type of fear my brothas do, I don't worry as much about the brutality.  Although I'm brown skinned at least I can lean on my womanhood as a way to avoid some of the unjust stereotypes and behavior black men often experience from people of the opposite race. Hell, even the President of the United States can't get a break so who'd ever think a "regular" black man could ever see a day where he isn't judged by the color of his skin.

It's as if we put on this threatening black mask, crawl out from the shadows and spook those that do not look like us.  We are monsters, savages, aliens that do not speak the Kings language so we are treated like animals. We are watched, hunted, shot down...we are prey, we are game.  Is this a game?  It might as well be.  We sit, hundreds of thousands sit and spectate videos and reenactments of black men being slain. Some boo at the sight of injustice while others cheer silently. At the buzzer, the jury decides a verdict and more often times than none, fans of "team black" end up with our heads buried in our hands. Loser, the one word we strive our hardest to never embody because since we were little all we've known in life is that by any means necessary we must prove that we are not losers.

Is it just me and my wild imagination or does it feel like our white brothers and sisters seem to have been born winners and have to do something catastrophic to get to loser status.  Yet black women and men are pushing, shoving, kicking and pulling to make it to the top.  Some try to reach the top by any means necessary and as a result end up dead or in jail.  Others grind it out, find open doors and let themselves in.

This blog was supposed to be about fashion and hair but I want it to be more than that.  I'm a fan of team black and I know a lot of successful black people. I know entrepreneurs, Ivy League graduates, scientist, engineers, models, businessmen and women, politicians, educators, musicians and the list goes on.  This blog will be a platform to expose the truths about our people in a way that is rarely ever publicized.

Help me give the world black role models, we are them and we need to be seen, our stories need to be published and I want to write them.  If you are successful and/or working towards it email me your story and some pics and I'll feature you on my blog.  This will be something I and everyone else in the world can DIGG!

Kesia.king@gmail.com

Crochet Braids | Hair Review | Afro Soul Femi Collection

It's about dang on time! They've been saying I should make some YouTube videos with all the different hairstyles I do.  I finally got around to doing one and it totally says and looks like a "newbie" production but it was totally fun.  Take a sneak peak and let me know what you think!

Expressing your Pressence

Is it just me or do you have at least one friend that you worry about when it's time to go out. I'm not talking about a friend that can't handle their liquor or that friend that has diarrhea of the mouth and is either getting your crew into fights or getting you kicked out of night clubs. I'm talking about the friend you're constantly giving the side eye to because you're wondering where they going looking like that!

Now, in their defense if you are a "good" friend you should let a Sista know, that shirt she has on cannot and does not pass for a dress.  Or you should tell her that you can see her polka dot panties through her transparent pair of leggins.  Hopefully you Brothas are telling your homeboys that they can't get in the club with jeans hanging off their ass and that 2xl's that reach their knees are no longer "in". Okay, now that we're sure we've done our part, what happens when that friend just doesn't get it?

There's something to be said about growth. Like really, we all get older in age, maybe grow some facial hair, get taller, sometimes a little wider (hey just being honest) but at the end of the day growth really should equate to maturity.  Now, I'm not saying that getting older means you have to loose your edge, style or better yet your identity.  I'm not saying you need to conform to what society implies you should look like at any given edge, BUT as an adult you should have the ability to judge what is appropriate to wear and what is just flat out wrong for the occasion.

So to the gym shoe lover and fitted cap connisouer , it's really great that you own every pair of shoes that has Jordan's name embroidered on it but you better also have some casual and dress shoes that you can wear to church, on an interview or on a date!

To the Love and Hip Hop, RHOA lover that wears 6 inch heels to the grocery store, cut-out jeans to meet your man's mother and low cut blouses with the boobs riding high at your kid's bball game think about what message you're projecting to the world about yourself.

You could be the exact opposite of what people perceive you as but we don't always get the chance to stun people with our vocabulary or tell them what we do for a living or the fact that we're raising honor roll students...all people see are those baggy jeans and those booty shorts. There's a time and a place for everything.  You don't have to dismiss these items from your closet but have the ability to switch the game up.  Having a versitle wardrobe sets you up for success because you're always prepared no matter what the event.

Check Charles out and follow him on IG @chargercharles.  He has his own personal style that translates across different occasions.

"I feel like that's the definition of style, expressing your presence." - Charles

Charles first takes color into consideration when building his fits and then it's all about the details! 

From bow ties down to the stitching on his pants, his attention to detail is impeccable and essential to pulling off his look. Too many people think brands make the clothes, but that's plain crazy talk. You can get a similar look from places like Zara, Top Shop, Urban Outfitters and Express. Comfort and confidence comes with the territory when you look good you feel good and there's nothing anyone can say to make you feel different.

Fact or Crap? A Natural Hair Debate

Sister Scientist,

Fact or Crap?!?!?
1. Sulfate free products are better for natural hair.
2. Parabens found in hair products cause cancer.
3. My porosity level dictates what products to use in my natural hair regimen.

These are just a few of the constant claims Naturalistas all over the world hear as part of their Natural Hair 101 crash course.  You can find these topics on almost every natural hair blog. Even I find myself watching YouTube video after YouTube video, trying to take in all the product recommendations made about what to use and how to use the hundreds of products pushed at us on a daily basis. So, with all that talk, what's real and what's just plain ole' marketing hoopla!?!? While I pride myself in natural styling, I'm no expert in the science that is Black Hair. When it comes to the true biology and chemistry of our hair and the products we've grown to love, most of us are clueless. Don't believe me, just ask Sister Scientist.

Erica Douglas, better known as Sister Scientist, has changed many perceptions about natural hair care after coming from behind the scenes of hair product engineering.  You can now find her speaking publicly about the scientific truth of it all.  Erica is the mastermind developer behind many of the natural hair products we've all probably tested out such as ORS Olive Oil, HAIRepair and Curls Unleashed.  Erica recently left her high profile position at Namaste Laboratories, makers of Organic Root Stimulator (ORS), as Director of Research and Development to travel the world and spread the gospel (hair gospel that is) in search for even more natural ingredients for us curly girls.

Despite her grand achievements: graduating from Standford University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, earning a Best in Black Beauty Award from Essence Magazine for her Curl Boosting Jelly formula and currently a student at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, I was able to catch up with her in Candis and Lisa's basement party: "sHair Tales" one of Evanston Illinois's first product and knowledge exchange parties. 

Want to know if what you've heard about natural hair is fact or crap? Just ask Sister Scientist and 
get the scientific truth behind the rumors!

Shoe-A-Cide

Do you have a pair of over priced, blinged out shoes that you've only worn once because you bought them to build an outfit around? I really don't know what got into me when I bought these shoes, but it's something about your birthday that makes you spend money unnecessarily.  I get some type of 24 hour amnesia, bills, Bill who?

I picked up these beauties on the left from Bakers and the yellow invisible heel platforms from Akira.  When you wear dramatic shoes like these, it's a must that you go basic up top....busy shoes with a busy outfit can be overbearing. It's easier to put together an outfit when you build it around a statement piece wich serves as the main focus.  This doesn't mean I give up on the rest of the outfit, I just make sure the rest of the details are subtle. Yes, you want to look put together but you also want it to look effortles!

A Chi Night Out

"Hi, My name is Kesia King and I'm a Personal Stylist & Hair and Fashion Blogger." Man O Man, I had to practice saying that a couple hundred times in the mirror before I left to make my debut at one of the largest networking events in Chi-City, but believe me I was everything BUT shy!

Tonight I put my fashion foot forward and ultimately decided to leave behind the comfort of corporate jargon and jump into what I thought would be no man's land.  Surprisingly, despite being amongst environmentalist, techies, real estate agents, recruiters and this really cool woman that mixes her love for graphic design with baking, Cake Bite Girl , shockingly almost everyone I talked to had an interest or some type of tie to the fashion industry.

One convo left me very interested in how men approach shopping. Boy did I love the candid nature of these two guys, whom actually entertained my fashion shenanigans! When I asked, how do you determine what you'll wear to work, on a date or just a casual day, the first response was "Whatever's not dirty" Oh Lawd! In my head all I saw was...

 

And then there was Andre....a Financial Servives Professional by day and Chicago DJ by night. It was obvious Andre put some thought into his look.  Rather than come to the event in what I like to call the "work shirt" or button down that comes in a million in one colors, he chose to show some personality while keeping it professional. Gone are the days where every professional has to look, talk and walk alike. Some may argue that one shouldn't choose to stand out amongst the crowd but I tend to believe the quote "your network is your net worth."  Whatever way you can draw positive attention to yourself and expand your circle, the more successful you'll be.  Caring about what you put on to represent yourself is definitely one way to get the job done!

November 'Trep of the Month

If you don't know, now you know! 'Trep is the new "it" term used to describe the entrepreneurs of our generation. Thank God! Because I'm tired of bending my head inches to the screen, squinting my eyes and phonetically sounding out the word, En-tre-pre-ne-ur, damn that "u" and "e" get me every time!

As an aspiring stylist, blogger and business owner I thought it would only make since to acknowledge some of my favorite 'Treps. These aren't just any business owners, these are the best in the game at what they do AND have the nerve to look fly doing it.  My 'Treps don't let the hustle and bustle of owning a small business put a damper on their fashion sense, I'd say it increases their level of detail.

Terrance Campbell, freelance graphic artist and owner of Tre' Club Designs, illustrates his creativeness not only in his logo, album and apparel designs but also in his own personal style.  Terrance graduated from Ball State's Graphic Arts Management Program and currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a BOSS when it comes to everything graphic design, print production, typography and photography. If you need more convincing checkout his work: Tre' Club Designs.

Ya boy isn't afraid to remix his style.  This year has been all about patterns: stripes, plaid, camouflage and animal prints to name a few and as you can see he's slaying the fashion game.  So where does Mr. Campbell find these statement pieces you ask? He's digging stores like Urban Outfitters, H&M, Macy's and Pac Sun.

If you dig like iDigg, Terrance's fashion sense or in need of some design work, be sure to follow Mr. Campbell on IG @russell_midwest and follow him on Twitter.

B.O.R.N to Style

One evening, I caught a commercial advertising this new show, B.O.R.N to Style. It didn't strike me as similar to anything I had ever seen. As a loyal, avid watcher of What Not To Wear I thought I 'd never see the day when another show would trump Stacy and Clinton.

Oh my! Your girl was dead wrong! While y'all going crazy, having Scandal parties over the likes of Olivia Pope, I was popping my popcorn and breaking out the bubbly for a colorful group ( I mean that in ever essence of the word) of witty, well versed, stylist that see fashion light years ahead of our time.

Jonathan Bodrick, owner of the Harlem boutique and star of the show inspired me to take styling to the next level.  B.O.R.N is the acronym for borrowed, owned, refurbished, new. Jonathan and his spicy, sassy crew, create unforgettable makeovers for their clients inside and out.

Check out one of my favorite transformations in this B.O.R.N to Style clip:

So what I didn't tell you is that I'm a recovering addict.  The network, FYI recently decided to cancel this show so I have been born-less for just about 3 weeks now.  Twitter went crazy when they realized this feel-good show had been taken off the air.  All I can do is thank God for DVR. I recorded every episode!   Well, Jonathan, JJ and Brandon please believe the next time I'm in New York I will be on 125th St. in Harlem!

Protect with Style

I hate to admit it, but of all the years I've lived on God's green, sunny Earth, I have never spent more than $15 dollars on a pair of sunglasses. I'm a frugal person when it comes to accessories or let me say: items that are "nice to haves." However, after going through and breaking at least 20 pair of cheap sunglasses I realized two things:

1. Sun glasses are actually a must have. The sun does shine pretty much everyday (insert emoticon).  Plus driving with the sun in your eyes is actually a real danger (just ask the guy who rammed  into the back of my car a couple years back and TOTALED it! As you can guess, I'm STILL pissed smh).

2. I keep buying them.  I probably should've realized I should save up for a nice pair sooner but as you might soon find out, I'm pretty stubborn it's the Taurus in me.

So this year, I got with the program and decided to treat myself.  Of course, the subliminal endorsements for Ray Bans took over my consciousness and I decided I had to get a pair. Boy oh boy I see why just about every rapper, r&b/popstar designates a couple seconds on their track to shout out the brand. I purchased the blue acetate Liteforce Classic Wayferer and OMG, they are the biz-ni-eeee! They ran me around $175 BUT worth every penny.

Plus Size or Nah?

Nah!
I won't post statistics often (I was never really great at math) but sometimes numbers speak louder than words. According to businessinsider.com, "the average American woman now wears a size 14." Yes folks, 67 percent of the population wears between a size 16 to 34. Maybe now you see where my "nah" comes from. I don't understand the term "plus size" because if average is "plus" why do we separately categorize this segment of people when they are the majority? Okay, I'm sure you see where I'm going with this lol...let me get off my soapbox!

So, what are you going to do with this information? Yes, you! the full-figured, curvy, voluptuous woman that thinks you can't "look good," "dress up"or put effort into shopping or getting dressed because you are not a size 8 or smaller.  Sorry, if you thought I was going to feel sorry for you or encourage you to wait until you lose weight before embracing your personal style, then you got me all wrong! No matter what size you are you can find beautiful, hip and trendy pieces to wear.  Does it take effort? Absolutely. Time? Of course. Patience? Undoubtly. But it takes all of this when I go shopping and I'm a size 8!

So here's a little motivation and inspiration for you.  Checkout my favorite full figured model, Francesca Jeanette (who just happens to be one of my besties) in the pics below.  You can't tell me she doesn't exude confidence and rock her curvy frame. Visit stores like Ashley Stewart, Torrid and Forever 21 to get similar looks.

Living vs Existing

Don't be that person that just exists in the world. What do I mean by that?  Well, there are some people that just do enough to get by. They wake up every morning, with the same routine, same attitude and purposely fly under the radar. Living means not letting the judgement of others control your life. Let that marinate for a moment.

In regards to your personal style, you should decide what you want to wear based on what makes you feel good. Never adjust your personal style to make other people feel comfortable. In order to live in life you must express yourself and that should show through how you dress, wear your hair and even how you do your makeup.

Titilayo OWNS her personal style and refuses to just exist!

Plan! Plan! Plan!

Richard Cushing said, “Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” Okay so I have to be honest, I have no idea who Richard Cushing is but he spoke the truth! Now, I totally doubt he said this with fashion on his mind but planning ahead is just as important when choosing an outfit. It takes effort to look good! Beyoncé straight lied to us ladies, she / we do not wake up "like this."

So before you hop in the bed this evening take a peek in your closet and try on a couple looks. Planning ensures you don't wake up in a frenzy, as I notoriously do, and neglect your inner fashionista. Don't let "lack of time" be an excuse as to why you don't dress to impress. Pull your outfits the night before so you step out confident, comfortable and in control! 

I pulled this look the night before hitting Rodeo Dr.

Skirt & Vest: Charlotte Russe

Cowboy boots: Shoedazzle.com

I pulled this flowy sensation look for Easter Sunday '14 to mask my baby bump.

Dress and accessories : Forever 21

Shoes: Clark's

Shop Your Closet

Before you run to the mall to grab an outfit for an occasion or because you're bored with the clothes in your closet, be sure to take inventory first. There are several reasons why it's good to identify what you have before you spend money on more clothes:

1) Avoid buying clothes similar to what you already have. It's crazy how many black dresses, black leggings and dark denim skinny jeans I've found in people's closets!

2) Know what you need before you go shopping. Identify and take pictures of incomplete outfits then jot down what type of item to purchase that will complete the look (i.e. belt, blazer, cardigan or accessories). This will ensure you don't get distracted while shopping and buy pieces that don't go with anything you have.

3) Uncover new outfits. Pair items you don't normally wear together then try them on. You may find three to five new outfits just by taking the time to try on pieces that weren't bought together.

4) Try on old clothes. Trends come in and out of style. Something that you may not have worn in three years may suddenly make a grand return. You also may find that a piece you didn't like before has suddenly grown on you and you finally decide it's time to rock. Or, you find that you can pair an old favorite with a new item in your collection.

Wanna Be

You know, at first I thought being a "wanna be " was a bad thing.  I mean really if you're not the certified real deal then who cares right!? Wrong! Well I'm a wanna be hairstylist, personal stylist and a million other things. Hey, but at least I've been validated. Friends, family and co-workers all seem to think I have a knack at it, so finally I've decided to really give this personal styling thing a go. So far two happy customers and counting.

If you're in the Chicagoland area and looking for assistance with your own personal style from clothing to hair, email me: kesia.king@gmail.com.  I would love to help you find your inner diva! Besides getting your closet revamped, I'll also feature your transformation on my blog, shop thru your closet and create new outfits. If you're up to it we can also hit the mall and put a personal stamp on your collection!

Sometimes we just need a little support from someone with genuine interest, patience and time!

Never Again

Funny how there are certain incidents that occur in our life that we will never forget. One of those times happens to be back when I was in high school.  You know every school has "that guy" that all the girls wish they could date. Well, one Saturday I was being a total bum and totally starving (go figure).

All I wanted to do was go grab a fried fish sandwich from my favorite spot. Now I looked a hot mess, do you hear me, a straight disaster.  My hair needed to be washed, it was dry and my wrap would no longer wrap, it just stuck there limp and lifeless. When the wind blew only a couple strands moved, okay.  It was summer and it was hot, so I had on shorts but my legs looked like I took a dip in baby powder, they were so ashy! Oh yeah and how could I forget I was giving my eyes a rest and had on glasses.  Now there's nothing wrong with glasses but mine of course were coke bottle frames, that tinted when I was outside in the sun, or really any light smh. So uncool, these were the ones my dad decided to get ON MY BEHALF! P.S. Never, ever let your parents go shopping for you, especially your father.

Anyway, I just knew I wouldn't see anyone on this quick run to the restaurant and low and behold within one second of walking through the restaurant doors my heart dropped. "Kesia! Yo waddup girl?" Awww sh*t, was all I could think to myself. Please don't let it be someone I don't care to see right now. Low and behold, it was Him, the guy you only want to see on your BEST days (he shall remain nameless lol). I literally froze, thinking I could wish myself invisible.

He called my name again and there was no hiding.  That was one of the most painful conversations I've had to have in my life! Holding a conversation when you know you look atrocious is NO Bueno! (No good).

This memory serves as the reason why I will never walk out of the house less than decent, ever again. Call me what you want, conceded, insecure or petty but one thing is for sure I cannot be my best me if my physical appearance doesn't match my charm.  We say don't judge a book by its cover but truth be told we can't help it. Your appearance does matter, if we don't take the time to care for ourselves can we really be mad if those around us don't think twice about us?

So before you step out the house, take a quick glance in the mirror and ask yourself, if I saw (fill in the blank) today, would I want to hide or would I speak and then walk away confidently, with an extra pep in my step?!?!