Silly of Me

Electric Blue Jeans Philthy Ragz
Black and White Tunic Philthy Ragz
Black Cropped Jacket Philthy Ragz
T-Strapped Pumps Sam Edelman 

Did you know that original meaning of silly meant happy or blessed?  Ever since I was a little girl, my family called me silly, my uncle used to tell me that when I walked into the room my personality just had a way of brightening up wherever we were, and made people laugh, when truth be told, I wasn't  trying to!

I was just naturally being me! But little did they know that I was actually in a painful place.  At school daily I used to get teased about my forehead ( as you can see, its pretty bold!) the gap in my teeth and the "weird" way that I dressed. Although all of the kids around me would laugh and tease me saying mean and hateful jokes and I would hate it, but suffer in silence, because I knew no one at home would understand.  I knew they would just say toughen up, it doesn't matter what people say, and just shrug it off, because of course I'd heard that thousands of times, right?!! lol

In hindsight, my soul had its own way of bringing light during any situation,  I didn't understand that I truly had the ability to create my own happiness.  I didn't realize I had this bounce back kind of thing going on at such a young age and my that my "silliness" was my own way of bringing inner peace and  joy,  It  was what helped  me to continue to get up and face challenges every day.  Through challenges that I thought were monumental at the time, I had this kind of skill that we all need to use today, that NO MATTER WHAT,  I AM GOING TO HAPPY!!! I AM GOING TO ALWAYS HAVE  CHALLENGES, BUT I CAN STILL BE HAPPY!!!

To this day people still call me silly, but now I don't mind! Now I hold onto the original meaning of the word, blessed and happy.  I hold in my heart that the very things I thought I would not be able to endure, the teasing  about my look and the way i dressed, are the very backbone to a thriving business today! 

So wherever you are, whatever your doing and whatever you are facing, create your own happiness.....The situation will still be there and  people are still going to talk regardless, but don't let that steal your joy. Stolen Joy equals stolen power. And as my uncle said, shrug it off and keep it pushing, you still got to do what you got to do!!!

"Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple?yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend." - Bits and Pieces

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."  - Martha Washington

xoxoxoxoxoxo

How Big Was your Last Deposit?

Today I had a very long conversation with one of my best girlies in the whole world.

During our conversation, I took my friend to my new work studio and she happily turned around and told me that I had inspired her.  This took me by surprise because I felt the same way but I don’t think she ever knew it! After she left, I began to reminisce about how I met her.  Our relationship began five years ago when she was a customer at my boutique, and the very first time we met we talked for hours and haven’t stopped talking since then... LOLOL!!

Five years ago our first interaction  happened to come at a time when I had just opened my boutique and it was tough!!! I will never forget the three words that she uttered to me, “don’t give up”! I was speechless, asking myself, How did she know? All I could do is shed tears, but some how I felt the tug to keep trying.

As our sister hood strengthened, a  few years later, she challenged me to go beyond the normal way I did things and try something new.  She invited me to participate in a fashion show amongst some top notch designers.  Nervous, but fearless, I did it! The new way of doing things changed my brand forever. Her subtle nudge forced me to step outside of my comfort zone.

Have you ever met that one someone who said that one thing that changed you whole world?  You never know how much taking the time to encourage someone, can change their whole world.  We have to treat relationships like we do our banking; decrease the amount of withdrawals, and increase the deposits!! 

Shirt dress. Philthy Ragz
Shoes JC Penny's
Tube dress. DIY
Sunglasses. Steve Madden
Earrings, Ear Rehab
Bangles, Philthy Ragz

This was the first dress I designed after a nudge of "Gay, you can do it! just try it...."...and this was before the Marc Jacobs dress was premiered!!!

INCREASE YOUR WORTH, 

MAKE THOSE DEPOSITS!!!

Xoxoxoxox

The Retail Therapyst!

Walking on Sunshine

color block tee, Philthy Ragz. electric blue blazer,Philthy Ragz, white maxi with split, Philthy Ragz.

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When the skies are grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
So please don't take
My sunshine

Remember that song????……When I was a little girl, I used to love to hum the lyrics.  Little did I know about what sunshine really was? As a young girl, when I thought of sunshine I was over joyous because it meant being able to play hopscotch or ride my bike (only to the corner, granny didn’t play that! Lol) outdoors, wearing my pedal pushers and tying my shirt up in the front thinking I was cute!

Beaded sandals, ALDOS.

As a woman of a certain age, sunshine has such a different interpretation. Sunshine is equated with joy; it has this strange way of dictating our moods, and determining what our day’s accomplishments will be!  In all actuality, sunshine has power!!!  In so many words if we don’t have sunshine, many of us don’t have joy…….If you don’t have joy, you don’t have power,….if you u don't have power, you lack the ability to conquer! There is strength in joy.

Beautiful Los Angeles, sunset.!!!! only in Los Angeles, (in January!!!lol)

When you are joyous, your aura permeates the effervescence of power and productivity and attracts everything positive. In essence, if something or someone takes away your sunshine or your joy, they have taken away your power……   so clear yourself of anything toxic.  Over time it takes away your sunshine….and without joy, you give control away….The sun has set on those days!

 Remember only what you feed is only what’s going to grow…….

.

Basking in the Sunshine,

The Retail Therapyst

xoxoxoxoxoxo

If the Shoe Fits.....

Vintage bag, paired with a pencil skirt, a great look for work, a date or hanging out.  Shoes...karmaloop.com

Don't hesitate to color block. The key to dressing is NOT being totally matchy matchy, but creating an ensemble with colors that blend and have a common color that pulls it all together.....pencil skirt,Philthy Ragz

 Often times I am indirectly previed to some really crazy conversations and get to witness how women react to one another it various situations.  I have seen other women shrink when other beautiful women enter the room and I have seen women get louder to match the “appearance” of another.  Can’t say I have seen it all but I have seen a lot!!  I must say that the thing that drives me most crazy is listening to judgmental women....by  that I mean, women who make a judgment call based on a twenty second shared moment.

No matter whats paired at the top, slouchy sweatshirt, blazer or sheer blouse, leopard mixes and matches with anything to create the perfect day or night time look......

When I was young, I hated the color burgundy!!! As you can see now, its the perfect color  for color blocking with blues, pinks or greens........shoes, Lamb...Leopard jeans, Philthy Ragz Boutique

I have found that women tend to be quite judgmental and harsh, unnecessarily.  We get to whispering and 

chatting about things we are truly unaware of, I too have been guilty of this!  I mean it’s one thing to give an observation or an honest opinion but when it’s hateful and has no foundation and  unwarranted, we have got to stop it!!   All of us are relative to our experiences, and as long as human life exists, we will all be different.  That is a given.  Difference is not man made, it came from the creator. 

Truth be told, nude shoes were thought to be worn by older women back in the day, fast forward..... you should NOT BE caught dead without a pair, when you are unsure of what color shoe to wear, go nude!!!!!!! (shoes, that is)lol!

Wide leg palazzo pants can be  worn with fitted tee, long cardigan or crop  top.............

shoes, BeBe, pants, Philthy Ragz

My wish is that  women take the time to get to know one another, or at least give the other person an opportunity to show and prove. You never know how some one's story can have a direct and positive affect on your life.

I cant tell you if its the comfort, the style or the unique qualities, but right now Jeffrey Campbell shoes are my favorite!!!!!!!

 Lets begin to consider what another individual may have been through prior to your arrival. This requires us to be selfless, but consider this:  she may have just had an argument with her significant other, or her child was just mouthing off or hell! She might have just gotten fired! We will never know until we give another a chance....

I am just saying we have all got to take a moment to consider walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. We don’t know what they have been through or what it took to get them to the moment of your encounter.

We have got to take the time to consider someone else’s journey.  You never know what a  "how u doin" (in a Wendy Williams voice) might do for someone else.  Sometimes the load may be so heavy on someone that they are consumed with their own journey they may not realize their aura.  You can break that energy! Smile, compliment or a give a gentle nod............

So like I have heard plenty of old folks say, “if you ain't got nothing good to say, don’t say nothing at all!” ….especially if have haven’t walked a mile in my shoes!!!

(I am sure you get the metaphor, why I chose to post pics of shoes only, right??? I'm just saying..............)

Until you see me again!
The Retail Therapyst  

Aint Nothing but a G Thang

Standing in the midst of the fly and fabulous fashionista sisters...........

Over the weekend I had the pleasurable experience of attending a wonderful yacht party.  From the moment when my husband and I pulled up the excitement was brewing just  seeing all of the attendees fashionable gear, women dashing to put on the last swipe of lipstick and of course the beautiful boat.  I had on my dancing shoes on and was ready to go!!!!  I love a good party!

Marina Del Rey, California, California Yacht Cruise.....

Something about the water, always calming...............

The fabulous birthday girl, 35 and Philthy!!!!, Jumpsuit designed by yours truly for Philthy Ragz....

Guiding the yacht with my 5 inch heels!

I was excited to see the birthday girl, because not only was it her birthday……but because I had the honor of designing her birthday suit!!! lol! I am still in awe when clients approach me to handle such a grand task, because it’s such a huge responsibility.   Earlier I’d asked her why she chose me and she told me that my creativity reminded her, of her mother. She went further and explained that her mother used to make her garments and redesign shoes!

Fabulosity and its finest, wisdom, style and character......

Upon meeting her mother that evening I could see that this woman was still fly and fabulous.  After a few cocktails, great dinner and a little dance floor fun an amazing conversation brewed between us, the hostess mother told me that my craft and style reminded her of her! I was honored! Not only was she fly and talented, she was the mother of a beautiful humble daughter, and also the acclaimed producer Dr. Dre.  She was the producer of greatness!! We all know that you cant be great by yourself....

Getting our groove on..............

Layering with 3/4 fur jacket, or fur vest always adds a touch of glam to any outfit!!!

Black gloves and dark nails add elegance to any party wear...

Vintage long pink pants, fur 3/4 jacket, Philthy Ragz, leopard shoes, Sam Edelman, .... Color blocking with warm or cool colors,pencil skirts or pants, mixing prints... its .the trend  for the season!! 

me, always finding a moment for thought and  tranquility........

Dr. Dre and his beautiful wife Nicole, myself and my husband.......
People always crave celebrity likeliness, when in fact the hunger should be to be  fulfilled with longevity to impact and to leave a mark on the world through the use of your God given gifts..... There is no party you can go to without Dr. Dre's gifts and talents being roared through the speaker!!

As the night continued, he and I had a conversation and I asked him, How do you do it? what’s the key to longevity?  His answer was simple. Think GRAND AND BE DETERMINED. His mother chimed in and also had these words of wisdom…Use your gifts for greatness.  Given his longevity in the entertainment arena, (I’m not sure of the stats, but I know I used to party to his music in high school and I’m ___ years old!!! Lol!) As an entrepreneur,  I was truly inspired by our conversation.

Because of our enlightening conversation and his ever so famous song, Ain’t Nothing but a  G Thang, the G now developed a different, more valuable meaning.  No matter what the G stood for before, for me, it now stands for GREATNESS, GAME CHANGER, GIFTS, GRAND ,GLORIOUS, GALLANT, GRACIOUS, GENEROUS, GRATITUDE, GODLINESS and  GOODNESS!….  Conscientiously and consistently we must remind ourselves  and each other to keep the G things first and foremost in life as we continue to build and grow. As sisters lets encourage each other to let the G thangs be at the forefront of keeping us determined to experience a life of meaningfulness, longevity and success, along side each other.  We were created to live the G words out loud, literally……………don’t be surprised when greatness comes your way because …it AIN'T nothing but a G thang baby…………lol!!