MAKE ME OVER MONDAYS

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” -Sophia Loren

So its Monday- and its time for SPRING which brings about fresh faces. Over the years I have found an appreciation for the fullness of my face. There were times of insecurity when I didn't appreciate the beauty of my face- from the roundness of my cheeks, my nose, my big eyes and full lips. When I stepped into self- love all of that went away and I found a love for my face. So during MAKE ME OVER MONDAYS- I will feature make up tips, products as well as self-motivation for making over your spirit as well.

Today's product feature is a nude lip- I have searched near and far for a great combo to create a nude lip and after this past week's fashion show where Miss Delmicia Williams of DIVA CREATIONS did a stupidly gorgeous job on my face I felt even more inspired to tackle this trend. Babbbbyyy look at those brows and the contouring of my cheeks- she's DOPE

All my friends know that I swear by Juicy Tubes by Lancome lip gloss for the past 4 years- because its thick and it last. I recently purchased a Juicy Tubes Puree in a Sweet Soy color and layered it atop #550 Sand- a Mineral Power Lipstick by Maybelline to achieve the nude color I was looking for

$16- at any Lancome counter

$6- at any drug store that carries Maybelline

 Then for face- I have recently been using ExfolliKate by Kate Sommerville and it works stupid wonders. The enzymes make my face feel renewed extra clean and I wash day and night. The price is a bit steep considering it came from Neiman Marcus- but I received it as a gift- so a girl won't complain

$65 at Neiman Marcus

So enjoy these products and if you have anything you use, swear by or even hate for that matter- let me know!!

Signed,

Domo " Fashionably Full Faced and Yours" DeVeReaux

OF SOUL & SPIRIT SUNDAYS- FORGIVENESS OF YOURSELF IS KEY

So of course with today being Sunday- I had to reflect over my past week and how I allowed it to affect my soul and spirit and what actions if any were a reflection of Christ and what actions were not and of course like any human I teetered from side to side. But as Christians in God's eyes that's not acceptable. I have spent the past month and a half fasting and focusing on becoming a version of myself. Only to receive the test of self-discipline and although saddened I'm not ashamed to admit that I failed. I allowed my test of anger to push my limits and although I didn't lash out- I still felt a strong rush of emotion to and that is an issue that I deal with daily. I am not ashamed to admit it because I am work in progress and acknowledge where I USED to be and that I am no longer there. I ask that when then life is over God- accepts my works and forgives my ways

We at times will say that "so and so made me upset or they made me this way- but really evaluate that sentence. Who really made you in the first place....GOD...so if man did not make you- then man can not MAKE YOU- shake you or even break you for that matter. So forgive them forgive yourself and move on

I found myself upset at some important people in my life this week but even moreso upset with myself because I allowed their actions or lack there of to take me back to a place that I worked so hard to remove myself from. But I have always prided myself on my inability to become knocked down and stay down- a word I use often called RESILIENCY...and because I possess this- I chose to become a victim of Romans 3:23 which states "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" but in that same breath I also find victory to rise above and to acknowledge when I have fallen and pick myself up with the hands of my Father and move forward. So I'm deciding today to forgive them forgive myself and move on

By far this week was the hardest for me of 2011 and its only March- but as I look back over my life and I think things over- ALL OF MY GOOD DAYS- outweigh my BAD DAYS- and how I could COMPLAIN-*cue Sis.Henry on the organ*..... but I won't because at the end of the day and the beginning of the day when I awaken with breath in my body and movement of my soul and spirit- GOD HAS STILL BEEN TOO GOOD TO ME- so I will forgive them- forgive myself and move on

So like everything else- I will overcome and after talks with trusted loved ones- I learned some valuable life lessons this week.

1. I'M NOT WHERE I WANNA BE BUT I'M ON THE PATH TO WHERE I'M GONNA BE
2. IF THINGS ARE ALWAYS GOING MY WAY THEN THEY CAN'T BE GOING GOD'S WAY
3.FORGIVE THEM FORGIVE MYSELF AND MOVE ON

Meaning God places situations in our lives to prepare us for spiritual warfare and if you aren't experiencing that you aren't experiencing Christ and therefore you are living a life that is not your own selfishly and destructively. But in the God we serve there is forgiveness and the power of healing of all hurt and this week I learned that there are still things that I need to heal from and that cannot be healed from alone.

So I thank God for another opportunity to make things right and even for technology because I was able to USTREAM the word even in my physical and mental anguish

 I dedicate today's blog to my cousin- Danielle- I love you and can't thank you enough for your work through me. I have and will forgive them forgive myself and move on and I can't thank you enough little cousin for the lessons you have taught me

Imagine me
Loving what I see when the mirror looks at me cause I
I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I'm finally happy cause
I imagine me

Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me?
Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord, can you imagine me?
Over what my mama said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again

Imagine me, being free, trusting you totally finally I can...
Imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can...
Imagine meSigned YOURS in Soul and Spirit Christ,

Domo "Please be patient with me- HE'S not thru with me yet" DeVeReaux

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by. Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou are calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

FASHION SICK FRIDAYS: NVIOUS WITH GLENNVIOUS

So last night was the Website Release & Fashion Showcase for NV21- a nouveau vintage & contemporary boutique to the Austin area. Held at Phoenix Nightclub- this showcase was produced by the men of Trifecta (store owner- Glenn Williams) & Butterfly Entertainment headed by Brianna Fleet. With styles meant to meet every modern woman's needs- NV21 promises to fulfill your fashionista needs. The night began with a live performance by the one and only Ashton Isabella also a promoter with The Austin Socialite & then led into a phenomenal presentation of pret a porter featuring some of Austin's most alluring models. Yours truly was featured along with alluring Arika, vivacious Victoria, radiating Rachel, scintillating Cile, make it haute Marianna and adorable Dandelion- all ladies who made the show so much more fun. Make up was beat to perfection by Delmicia Joy Williams- owner of DIVA creations & Tasha Rae and hair was as well with the assistance & creativity of A'mour Davidson. This team of ladies took over the looks and unleashed the look of lavish locks for all to pant and purr over. With the feeling of fashion in the air- none could compare to what you can wear....from NV21

 Dandelion getting all dolled up

 Marianna with curves to kill for

 The BEFORE shot of your girl ;)

 Arika- were you nervous?

 Amour working magic with everyone's hair and only 2 bobby pins- can you say SUPERWOMAN

 Doll Faced Dandelion

 

Our awesome team of stylists- who made us all over

 The Cile- a one name wonder in the making

 My Boo and Brain of Fashion SICK showed up

My boo Ian who is always 100% behind ya girl

 IDK what I was doing?

 The lovely Miss Martin attended too- rocking FASHIONIQUE ONLINE.COM

 fashion sooooooo SICK

 She was soooo sweet to me

 Friends from ELEMENTARY school- what it do Pease Bobcats

 Michael Kors tunic available for purchase at www.nv21online.com

 The Hairstylist Extraordinare and her harem of haute honeys

 Paid an old friend a visit playing at Lucky Lounge with the band VINYL DHARMA

As always Fashionably Yours,

Domo " CHANNELING MY INNER DRAG QUEEN" DeVeReaux

THROWBACK THURSDAYS

Yep today is THROWBACK THURSDAYS dedicated to past fashions and REAL music. Take notice I said REAL MUSIC. Don't get me wrong I will party and dance like the best of them to whatever the latest dance craze is however there is and will always be a place in every person for REAL music. So today I had to take it back to 1994 & 1995

When I was only 9 years old my fave movie was Clueless- so much so that my mommy called me that (damn talk about verbal abuse) jk..hey I just wanted to be Dionne aka the stupidly gorgeous Stacey Dash. It was a time of high knee socks and baby doll shoes because every beauty was in search of a BALDWIN or a BARNEY- if you've seen the movie you get reference. Also every girl wanted a simplistic minimalist 1990's Calvin Klein dress and anything from Fred Segal. Even the lame brain song- ROLLIN' WITH THE HOMIES was a hit.

Cher: I feel like such a heifer. I had two bowls of Special K, 3 pieces of turkey bacon, a handful of popcorn, 5 peanut butter M&M's and like 3 pieces of licorice.

Cher: Do you prefer "fashion victim" or "ensembly challenged"?

Murray: Woman, why don't you be answerin' any of my pages?
Dionne: I hate when you call me woman.
Murray: Where you been all weekend? What's up? You been jeepin' behind my back?
Dionne: Jeepin'? Jeepin'? No. But, speaking of vehicular sex, perhaps you can explain how this cheap K-Mart hair extension got into the backseat of your car.
Murray: I don't know where that came from. That looks like one of your little stringy somethin' or an others you got over here.
Dionne: I do not wear polyester hair, okay? Unlike some people I know like Shawana.
Cher: Dee, I'm outty.
Dionne: Bye.
Murray: Why do you got to go there? Why do you gotta go there? Is it that time of the month again?

R.I.P. to Brittany Murphy!!!!!

NOW....
MOUNT UP....with the smooth voice of Nate Dogg and the even smoother flow of Warren G- I'm going back to 1994.  My oldest sister used to blast this in her grey PONTIAC GRAND AM as we rode in back screamin "FLIP AGEE FLIP" she'd swerve the car side to side and we roared with laughter. In that moment there was nothing more special than to be in the presence of my SUPER-WOMEN- my sisters.

From the Above the Rim Soundtrack- a film with a plethora of fine black men from TUPAC, to Duane Martin and Leon- this is dedicated to the REAL REGULATORS- my cousin Larry, my sister Agee and her best friend, Norma- a true cholo hahaha!!! I LOVED THEM in their blonde finger waves, hot pink lipstick and baggy jeans. Per my big bro- I couldn't forget KARL KANI, HAIR CRIMPS and CROSS COLOURS- damn the loudest clothing next to COOGI to walk the earth

Regulators
we regulate any stealing of his property
and we damn good too
But you can't be any geek off the street,
gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean, earn your keep!
REGULATORS!!! MOUNT UP!

Hope you all enjoy,

Domo

" CHORDS...STRINGS..WE BRINGS ...MELODY cuz I'm ROLLING w/ the HOMIES"  DeVeReaux

WHAT TO WEAVE WEDNESDAYS

While noting that my blog is entitled the DeVeReaux Days of Our Lives- I have decided to blog daily about certain applicable topics and therefore Wednesdays will address appropriate dress and hairstyling tips for women whether natural or relaxed- hence the topic above- WHAT TO WEAVE WEDNESDAYS and WHAT TO/NOT TO WEAR WEDNESDAYS to follow suit.

Now lately I have been rocking my weaves and decided at the beginning of the year to try something new when inspired by dare I say ugh Lauren Conrad better known as L.C. on MTV's popular show Laguna Beach and spinoff- The Hills. On the cover of her book- Lauren Conrad style she crest a sleek and sophisticated high French chignon and this is the one and only time I felt the need to "mimic" her style.  Now I love everything French, I mean my name is French, my umm "body art" is in French, I love crepes & any pseudo patisserie I can find including La Madeleine bakery, I wanna live in France & learn French, French Kiss hahahaha ;) and eat FRENCH FRIES ok yes I know French fries aren't really french but you get the idea

 I achieved my style below by blowing my hair out- pulling it into a ponytail atop my head and rolling the hair pieces under and then secured them into abstract places until my desired mold is achieved

As I began to wear this style- I received many complements on it and even recommendations for future styles from a blog follower and mentor to even begin blogging- Mrs. Nicole Cunningham White of Curve Appeal

So check out the looks and tell me what you think ladies- which should I try next:

 Now these looks can be achieved either naturally or with extensions- you have all heard the saying if you CAN'T ACHIEVE IT- WEAVE IT or whatever tickles your fancy however the pins should not be seen and to achieve the full effect- mold as nicely and full as possible. Also note that all colors match- don't be trying to get all creative and avant garde if you work at the bank and make a blonde bun with your black roots- cuz I will mistake you for a skunk and shoot your aspirin

 
Au Revoir Votre A la Mode (that means Goodbye and Fashionably Yours in French ;) ,

Domo " Fabulous in my Fierce French Chignon" DeVeReaux

OPERATION FOCUS: FOOD FASHION FAITH & FITNESS

We are all guilty of making ridiculous new year's resolutions to live better, eat better, do better and rarely do we stick to those. By the 2nd week of January we have all fallen off the wagon and are back to our old heathenistic ways- I can say that because I have definitely been guilty as charged. However in lieu of recent events and looking over my life and how blessed I have been despite the downs and many ups I felt the need to push my limits of self-discipline and embark on a February fast entitled OPERATION FOCUS: FOOD FASHION FITNESS & FAITH. Today marks a month of SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION- WHOO HOO!!!!

I began this journey on February 1st by first deactivating my Facebook account while I went through this process in order to attempt to truly focus on bettering myself. My main 4 focuses were FOOD- which meant eating healthier- cutting out all meats with the except of a few fish dishes on Sunday and eating things only made of natural sugar, low in sodium, high in calcium and cutting out alcohol. This led me on the path to considering becoming a vegetarian. I also began taking multi-vitamins regularly and increasing my work out regimen in order to give my derriere more definition with my famous toothbrush squats by Amber as well as tone up my legs & arms which led to my focus on FITNESS. 

Next there was FASHION in which I am currently working on a new collection of RTW pieces for upcoming shows, a personal photo shoot to highlight my 25th birthday as well as logos, trademarks and business cards for both of my brands. In the next month I have 5 separate Fashion projects that I am very excited about. And lastly my most important focus was FAITH- I worked on praying more regularly, reflecting on past sermons and words that really moved in my spirit and reconnecting with my Father on a personal level. 

I have successfully completed a month of this fast and definitely am NOT where I wanna be but I am well on my way to where I'm GONNA BE. It taught me so much about myself but also about others and how I do not depend on anyone but myself to get where I need to be because I possess an inner strength not to be confused with pride. Others will either get a ticket come along for the ride or get left at the station.

I have to thank all of those friends and even foes who motivated me to complete this process and please continue to hold me accountable for my actions as I hope and strive to make myself not OTHERS proud!!!

Below are just a few items I ate as well as veggie meal options from Whole Foods and Mr. Natural restuarant, shout out to Tracy at Sandella's Flatbread for the awesome 490 calorie veggie flatbread and 450 calorie veggie Panini, Frank's for the veggie meatless hotdog it was amazing!!!!

Focused and Fit,

Domo " GET WITH IT OR GET GONE" DeVeReaux