I'M A SURVIVOR...

Guess what divas, fashionistas, recessionistas and everyone in between?! I survived! I made it through my 30 day fast. I'm so proud of myself...woo-hoo! I didn't think I could do it, but surprisingly I made it! Thanks so much to those who supported me when I had bouts of weakness and thanks to those who attempted to tempt me just to see how serious I was about my fast.

During my fast I learned a lot of things...I learned that I CAN do without shopping, it's not essential to my survival. There are a lot of other things I can do with my money besides shop like, pay bills (LOL), sponsor an underprivileged kid on a field trip, and a host of other things...I also learned that after I put shopping to the side the things I was jonesing for don't seem so important anymore.

In closing, I really encourage all of you to try a fast from something you're allegedly addicted to...it could be shopping, food, weave, accessories...ANYTHING! Give it a try, you'll be amazed at the progress. Let me know if you're going to challenge yourself to a fast...Adaeze, Narshenna, how's it coming? Y'all told me you were going to start a fast from shopping! Keep me posted on your progress.

Ciao!
XOXO



I'M A SURVIVOR...I'M GONNA MAKE IT!
This is ALSO a jump for joy because I'm going
to Chicago this week and I get to make a pit stop
at H&M...love that store...don't worry...I'm not BACK SLIDING!

My theme music...LOL! I <3 DC3

Multi-Colored Nails: Do or Don't?

Everyone is doing it...Lauren Conrad, J. Hudson, and even Kingston (Gwen Stefani's son...which is a whole different story I'm not too sure about...Everyone rides Angelina about Shiloh looking like a boy, but what about Kingston with polished nails looking like a girl? SMH...anyway...digressing...). Multi-colored nails are the IN thing this summer...I even jumped on the bandwagon!

To achieve the look on your own or if you want to instruct your manicurist on how to achieve the look follow the simple tips shown below.

Go for BOLD: mix bright colors. Steer clear of pastels; pastels can appear childish.

Consider Glitter: A shimmery silver or sparkly clear polish will complement any shade from nude to red or blue. Suble glitter is a great way to accent a dark color. If you're really daring try the crackle polish by OPI. I haven't tried it just yet, but I've seen pics and I LOVE it!

Make your neon POP: Pair a neon colored polish with a textured nail polish. The textured color will balance out the neon shade.

Pay Attention to Detail: Let your ring finger or index finger sport the different hue. Be sure to keep your nails short and round so you can maintain a classy look.

Good luck!

Ciao!

My newly polished nails...clearly I took this picture at my desk..
IT'S LUNCH TIME...DON'T JUDGE ME!

MTV Movie Awards...

I'm not really big on movies and I'm definitely NOT a into the MTV Movie Awards (a little too silly for me AND I haven't seen half of the movies nominated), BUT...I LOVE to see the stars on the red carpet. Here are some of my faves and not so faves...enjoy!

Ciao!

Amanda Bynes: Loving the Herve Leger bandage dress,
but I'm not 100% on the shoes. I like the pop of color though...

Ashley Bell: Loving the lady-like look...
very cute and summer chic

Blake Lively: She's been killing the red carpet this season
LOVING the Loubou's...WERK!

Boo Boo Stewart: Aye Boo Boo...lookin mighty dapper!

Cameron Diaz: Cam D...LOVING the casual all black everything look.
PS: Girl, don't let A-Rod talk you into implants...be like Alicia Keys and ride with
what you got!

Chelsea Kane: Loving your look...a little lace with a nude dress...
LOVES IT!

Christian Siriano: I've LOVED you since Project Runway!

Emma Stone: Loving the lace look...
I think lace was pretty popular at the awards

Emma Watson: Girl, you're really growing up...
LOVING the do and the fit...GET IT GIRL!

Leighton Meester: Dancing Queen! Love that dress, girl! YOU BETTA WERK!

Lil Mama: What can I say...hmmm...hmmm...I like your dress...
that's enough...

Lily Collins: LOVES it ALL!

Mila Kunis: Lovin that skirt...JT...you look good too.

Nicki Minaj: I like your outfit in pieces...I like your shoes
I like your bangles...I like your necklace...but not ALL together

Ryan Reynolds: Keep is casual...LOVES it!

Selena Gomez: Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooooohhhh...
You look GOOOD girl...don't hurt the Biebs!

Psalm 46:5...

"God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at the break of day."

-Psalm 46:5

I saw these FABULOUS shoes on www.stylepantry.com and I ABSOLUTELY had to share them with you.

Enjoy!

Ciao!

Just Say NO To Shopping: Holiday Edition

Soooo...Memorial Weekend is this weekend...NO! I'm not going to MIAMI (BWAHHHHHH!!!!) NO! I'm not going to HOUSTON (sad face for days). Where will I be you might ask? I'll be in Wichita, KS doing absolutely nothing just the way I like it. As I mentioned in previous blogs this week, this weekend will be the FIRST weekend I do not have anything to do.

Soooo...since I don't have anything to do, I'm going to clean my house and then sit and stare at the wall for a while. If the weather permits I may go outside and enjoy the sun by the pool. I also think I'm going to do a little experimenting in the kitchen...I've got to make some cupcakes and I need to get some practice in on the decorating. i think I'll also take the time to finish some craft projects AND I'll FINALLY take some time to get my basement in order...I'd really like to start spending time down there.

As for this shopping thing...this weekend will be very difficult because EVERY store on Earth is having sales left and right. This will be a real test of my strength. I can DO IT! I THINK I'm almost done with my fast...I need to check the calendar to see where I started. If I started when I think I did, then I'm half way done. YESSSS!!! I think when I finish my fast, I will be some what cured. I mean, after all my 'jonesing' has been reduced to a minimum and there aren't too many things I MUST have. However, after chatting with a friend last night, she reminded me that K-Mart has some really cute threads and for relatively good prices. I guess I'll go 'window shopping' at K-Mart. I'll be sure to not try anything on or touch anything. It seems like as soon as I touch something in the store it ends up in my basket and on the counter.

So ladies, if there's a K-Mart in your area, check them out...they have TONS of FABULOUS maxis and other cute stuff...just for you!

Ciao!



This weekend you can find me in The DUB!

Happy Memorial Day
Shout out to the soldiers who keep me and the country safe on a
day to day basis! I SALUTE and APPRECIATE all that you do.
For more information on Memorial Day visit http://memorialday2011.com/



Dear Halle...

Dear Halle,

I HEART your style...you are FABULOUS, AMAZING, AND BEAUTIFUL...

YOU BETTA WORK!

Signed,

A Fashion Junkie

Check out Halle Berry at the 2011 FiFi Awards looking...#FIERCE!

Fashionable Men of the 2011 NBA Finals

Here's another goodie for the ladies. I'm ALWAYS talking about women's fashion, but what about the fellas? I don't have any male followers that I know of, BUT maybe there's a few guys that secretly read my blog when it posts on FB or maybe they've found me and read the blog anonymously. Guys, no matter how you receive the blog I think I'm going to start doing a lil sumn, sumn for y'all. After all, there are a lot of fashionable guys out there that don't get the credit they deserve. I mean, look at Craig Sager (LOL!) I gave him a shout out...now it's time for me to give a shout out to all the other fashionistos (again, a fashionisto is a boy fashionista...the 'o' makes it masculine...duh?! AGAIN).

In spirit of the 2011 NBA Finals, I picked out a few of the stars looking their best.

Enjoy!

Ciao!

Reppin Texas FIRST is Dirk...
He's not really a fashionisto, but he cleaned up well
for this photo op and he's playing for a Texas team so I had to rep.
GO MAVS!

Another TEXAS player, J. Kidd...lookin nice Mr. Kidd
GO MAVS!

WHAT?! Another TEXAS PLAYER! J. Terry!
He's an AMAZING player and an AWESOME dad.
He coaches his daughter's 7th grade AAU team!
GO MAVS!

King James of the Miami Heat

Loving King James in the military inspired jacket

Mr. Rose, Mr. Rose...LOVIN you in this v-neck number
with the fashionable, yet holy rosary necklace.

MAVS represent...Shawn Marion

Tyson Chandler...LOVIN all the colors in this shirt!
GO MAVS!

Tyson Chandler and our oh-so dapper POTUS!

Alright now Mr. Wade!

Just Say NO To Shopping and Craig Sager's Suits...

Sooo for those of you that know me well, you know that I absolutely LOVE sports...I love sports just as much as I love  my weave, my cute new haircut, God, my shoes, bandage dresses, turbans, my Chanel/Gucci/Prada sunglasses, designer handbags, make-up, my family, my dog, my friends and all the other lovable things in my life (Please Note: All of these things were listed in random order...no ranking system  over here).

So because I love sports so much I've been long overdue in giving the NBA's number 1 FASHIONISTO (that's a boy FASHIONISTA...the 'o' makes it masculine...DUH?!), Craig Sager! Craig Sager takes color blocking, pattern mixing and matching to a whole new level. Check out some of Craig's past and present threads. Besides watching the games, I LOVE to watch and see what Craig is wearing for the game. Center court is definitely his main stage to showcase his eclectic fashion sense.

Before I go, I'll update you all on my fasting status. I'm doing quite well considering the circumstances...a certain friend who shall remain nameless, KAYLA YIZAR, keeps tempting me and asking me if I'd like to watch her go shopping...I've reluctantly declined...you will NOT get me down. This weekend Old Navy is having a sale and I'm in dire need of flip flops, not really, but I kinda just want some and I'd also like to see if I could get a few cute graphic tees, but I'm not because I'm holding true to my fast! Another problem that will probably come up this weekend is the fact that it's a holiday weekend and there will be PLENTY of good sales and for the first time in my life I have NOTHING to do this weekend...HALLELUYUR *in my Madea voice*. I think I'm going to catch some rays (yes, black people like to get sun too), relax and enjoy my Monday off.

PS: Please keep the families in Joplin, MO in your prayers AND if you have any gently used items you'd like to donate contact your local American Red Cross...they're taking toiletries, non-perishable items, gently used clothing, etc. The people in that part of the country are devastated and having NOTHING. Be thankful for what you have and tell your family you love them. LOVE YOU ALL!

Ciao Bellas!

XOXO

'What is dis? VELVET?!' Craig is KILLIN EM
with the VELVET!

Craig Sager: posted up like a mailbox.

My heart goes out to all the residents of Joplin, MO and
surrounding areas.

Just Say NO To Fashion...Man, I've Lost Count of The Days...

I'm on Day Whatever of my fast...I've completely lost count of the days. I guess I could go back and look at the blog I started on Day One, but I'm too tired to do it....ahhhh well. The good news is, I'm still going strong. I've had a couple of weak moments here and there, but I am not giving in.

To get over my weak moments, I've tried to coerce different friends to go shopping and let me watch...no one will allow me to watch them shop...#RUDE! Since no one will let me watch them shop, my good friend Teresa, is allowing me to shop for her. She's going on vacation/business trip (I think it's business...probably business...she's all about her business...check out her event planning business, The Special Invite @ www.thespecialinvite.com or you can catch her blogging on http://blog.thespecialinvite.com/) and wants YOURS TRULY to pick out some cute outfits from the Pearlie B. Collection. I'm so excited because this might cure the jones I've been having in my bones. As soon as Teresa picks her items, I'll be sure to post them on the blog and Teresa, girl, make sure you take pics in your FABULOUS PBLB threads so EVERYONE can see. Also, for the rest of you diva/fashionistas/recessionistas that need a little styling assistance don't be afraid to contact me...I can help you out. I can work with what you already have in your closet, your big budget or your limited budget; we can thrift and garage sale until we find whatever you like. Remember, no task is too small or LARGE...I just want to work with you and make you feel like the beautiful diva you are!

Before I go, I'd like to give a shout out to Adaeze Okonkwo, a Pearlie's Fashion Passion follower. Adaeze and I have known each other for years...we used to bang it out on the basketball court...yes, DIVAS play basketball...anyway, Adaeze is a follower of the blog and has decided she too will go on a fast from shopping as soon as she buys some wooden wedges she's been dying to HAVE! (Gotta get that last purchase in before you go cold turkey)! Adaeze is going for the PLUNGE...are YOU willing to take the plunge and fast from shopping? If you are willing to take the PLUNGE, let me know and I'll assist you on your journey...Lord knows it's a hard road to recovery from Retail Addiction.

Until next time my beautiful diva/fashionistas/recessionistas and everything else in between!

Ciao!

Teresa Barrett of Special Invite



Check them out for your next event



Adaeze Okonkwo...thinking about taking
THE PLUNGE and those wooden wedges!