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CHICLY SOIGNÉ BON VIVEUR

You Are In The Spotlight

2/9/2019

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Maybe I am just a millennial baby or possibly living in nostalgia, but what happened to the once premier shopping destination, Esplanade mall? As teenagers my peers and I would beg our mothers, fathers, older sisters or brothers to take us to the MALL and where I'm from Esplanade Mall, to be exact! LOL.. I have created so many memories there. Yet with all things, nothing remains the same forever. Furthermore, as with life there are ups and downs. Somewhat of a roller coaster ride with extreme highs and lows. On a side note, I have recently been wanting to go to a theme park just to get on a roller coaster, It's been years now! So, what was once a bustling location is now mostly desolate, minus the tumble weeds. With very few retail locations left, I decided to take a stroll down memory lane. It's funny, but I can actually remember what stores were where.
I When "Spotlight for You" first entered the Esplanade Mall back in 2012 a buzz of rumors circulated the community about the possible founder of the retailer, as I am sure it was unbeknownst to the owner. Nevertheless, most patrons imagined that the fashion retailer was a new business. Yet, in 1999 Spotlight started under the name "Spoiled Rotten" as a DBA in the New Orleans Centre mall, located off of Poydras Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is now the site for Champion Square. The rumors were then demystified in that moment of truth. Interestingly, one should never believe everything you hear, do a bit of research and I am positive you will be surprised to know the truth. "Spoiled Rotten" later moved to the Lake Forest Plaza mall in 2000 based in Eastern New Orleans as "Spotlight for Women." Not long after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Spotlight resiliently packed up and moved to the Perimeter mall in Atlanta, Georgia under it's current name "Spotlight for You." This particular location just closed its doors January of this year due to a buy out of the wing it was housed in by a very big retail brand.
With Mardi Gras ball season just beginning, I decided it would be fun to try on a few gowns that are displayed so beautifully in the window at Spotlight. Upon entering, I was greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable associate, who I later found out was the operations manager named Toya. She gather a bit of information from me about my size and what I was shopping for and then helped me pick out a few pieces that she thought I would like. The selections were beautiful and reasonably priced. Plus, they looked absolutely amazing on! Toya informed me the Cary Henderson, the owner, travels to Los Angles personally and hand picks everything that is sold at all locations. To my revelation I learned that there are three other retail sites including two that are also inside of Esplanade mall, "Spotlight for Prom" and "Spotlight for Less." The third store is housed in the Riverwalk Outlet mall at 500 Port of New Orleans next to Steven Madden.  
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I left Spotlight feeling really inspired by their brand's story. With 20 years of legacy, along with many ups and downs, we can all take away from this a drive to keep our faces strongly planted towards the wind and just keep going. It was a pleasure becoming aware of their true brand's success. 
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A Few Links I Love

9/30/2015

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Its been pretty hectic in Louisiana for the past two weeks; jammed packed with my husband being in town, working two jobs, preparing devil eggs for a friend's baby shower, making sure my son is on track, along with  job fairs and job interviews. Whew... I am just catching my breath here, but this only marks the beginning of the journey I am about to take. And I am really excited about it! Hope can be a real game changer. It can override fear and this knowledge is truly a beautiful thing. So many great opportunities can happen when you cancel out fear and replace it with optimism and hope. I am undoubtedly blessed and I am extremely thankful. I have noticed in myself and also in others that we, at most times, try to fit into or live the status quo. However, what is really heartbreaking is the fact that people miss their blessings trying to fit in with the world and the ideas it creates. I have let go of what I think I want in a career in order to accept what the Creator has for me because I trust my God. I have realized, in this moment, that I am more than what I do. 

In good spirit I want to share a few links I love. I hope you enjoy them!

Take care of you,
Alicia


Susan Miller's Astrology Zone I read Susan's forecasts and blog several times a month. I absolutely love her attitude and her spirit. She is so uplifting and motivational! (www.susanmiller.com)

Kayture I found Kristina Bazan by accident. She is the creative mind and founder of the Kayture Fashion Blog. Not only is she beautiful. She is impressively young. I love her work! (www.kayture.com)

Super Vaidosa Camila Coelho is a Brizilian native living in New York who I found on Instagram a few years ago. She blogs about beauty, fashion and fitness. She is truly fun to watch, being that she creates a lot of YouTube videos for her followers! (www.camilacoelho.com)

Studio 404 Angela is a graphic artist who is the editor and designer of Studio 404 and co-owner of a brand strategies studio called Sevenality. The image in this blog post is some of her work! (www.studio-404.com)
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Fall Beauty: Trending

9/23/2015

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I was asked after my last post; "What does the fall beauty & makeup trends have in store for us this season?" So, here they are!

May you be inspired my pretties...

Smooches,
-AMA


Dramatic Liner!

Fresh Face with an occasional Very Glossy or Dewy Complexion  

Fresh Face with Flush Cheeks 

Enhanced Eyelashes 

Bronze, Rose, Gold and Coral Eyeshadows 

Ultra Blended Smokey Eye

Dark Gothic and Red Lips

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Trend Watch: Fall Fashion

9/18/2015

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Trending Now: Fall Fashion

Trending Now: Fall Fashion by aliciama featuring shoulder bags

Pierre Balmain turtle neck dress
forwardforward.com

Forever 21 sleeveless dress
forever21.com

Black party dress
romwe.com

Alexander McQueen white long sleeve shirt
farfetch.com

Black sheer top
$68 - nastygal.com

Asos top
$48 - asos.com

Missguided black turtleneck
missguidedus.com

Tome trench coat
forwardforward.com

H Brand brown cloak
lanecrawford.com

HIDE cropped jacket
asos.com

Topshop pink vest
nordstrom.com

Missguided double breasted woolen coat
missguidedus.com

Mural black cape
nordstrom.com

Re named black trench coat
lulus.com

Vero Moda outerwear
asos.com

Love 21 cape coat
forever21.com

Akira open front jacket
shopakira.com

Black trench coat
romwe.com

Tan jacket
$47 - newlook.com

Bardot mid calf skirt
revolveclothing.com

Re named red midi skirt
$58 - nastygal.com

RHYTHM brown skirt
lulus.com

Knee length skirt
rotita.com

Forever 21 fringe skirt
forever21.com

Tom Ford black suede boots
$1,995 - mytheresa.com

Gianvito Rossi leather ankle booties
lanecrawford.com

Open toe thigh high boots
cicihot.com

Akira fringe bootie
shopakira.com

Qupid short black boots
zooshoo.com

Alexander mcqueen purse
alexandermcqueen.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors shoulder bag
$190 - neimanmarcus.com

Deux Lux shoulder bag
barneyswarehouse.com

Express woven handbag
express.com

Red crossbody
unique-vintage.com

Rag bone wide brim fedora
forwardforward.com

Anna Sui gray shawl
lordandtaylor.com

Ted Baker navy hat
tedbaker.com

Catarzi crown hat
asos.com

Missguided black fedora
missguidedus.com

LullaBellz orange shawl
$28 - silkfred.com

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Thirty, Flirty and Thriving: Cherchez La Femme

9/11/2015

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Picture (image by Derks Works) from hartandhoney.com
Do you know that movie, 13 Going on 30? Yeah! Well, do you remember that part when Jenna exclaims to her mother that she does not want to be thirteen, but she wants to be like those people; while pointing to a picture in Poise magazine? "I want to be thirty, flirty and thriving!" Believe it or not, I think that scene pretty much captures and sums up how I felt when I actually turned thirty.

I think there's this myth surrounding the idea of turning 30, that it's the age when you figure it all out, when you have it all together, and you have the vision with the resources to not just dream, but to act it out. This was not the case for me. However, I have always considered myself to be a late bloomer. Most people see that as a bad thing, but not me. I have learned to master my beautiful flaw. And there's a possibility that it's not a flaw at all, but a divine gift given to me by God upon my birth. I prefer to think of it in this way!

2012 is a year I will never forget, and let me tell you why. I not only made thirty that year, but it was the year of a massive mental breakdown. I was diagnosed with clinical depression in March of 2012, after seeking professional help from a Psychiatrist. Due to that diagnoses, I began being treated with Viibry, an anti-depressant at a 20mg dose. However, I was still experiencing an up and down effect of my mood that led to the dose of the medication being gradually increased over a 9 month period to 40mg. Once the maximum dose was reached I continually experienced a loss of focus and concentration. Vyvanse was then added to my treatment which further led to serious complications of total exhaustion and deep depression. It was my intention at the time to improve my medical condition and succeed in the progression of my Bachelor's degree. These unforeseen events impelled me to retroactively withdraw from Southeastern Louisiana University (the university I was attending) in the fall semester of 2012; then take a semester off (which turned into a year and a half). I call this the year of the FALL. And only the ground was there to catch me. 

In June of 2014 I finally re-enrolled at Southeastern. By this time I had decided to end all medication that had been prescribed to me, including the relationship with my Psychiatrist. Some people asked me why I was wasting my time going back to school, but I knew why I was doing it and I had to finish what I started in order to feel right within. By May of 2015, I was a graduate. Now I'm on a totally new journey. I am not even close to where I think I should be, yet I still have hope that I will reach the highest possibilities of my goals and dreams. To all those turning thirty this year, keep your head high, this is only the beginning!

Take care of you,
Alicia

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The Making of a Boss

9/9/2015

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This art work was done with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish (Rapid Red, Mauve It, Cinna-snap, Gone Gray and Go for Gold). "Nasty Gals do it better" is the Nasty Gal's company slogan. Shown here is a recreation based on a previously held Instagram contest asking fans to show their devotion to the Nasty Gal brand.

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I met her through my favorite fashion magazine in 2012, the November issue of ELLE. She was everything I aspired to be and she was a Millennial (a member from the generation born between 1980 and 2000).  Sophia captivated my inner bad girl, but most of all she captivated my internally inspired boss. I was so exhilarated by her story that I shared it with all my friends. As a consequence, they can quite honestly tell you about my excitement for Sophia Amoruso and her rise to her #GIRLBOSS throne. I shared her story in speeches, presentations and in socializing within my college level courses. And when her book released in May of 2014 I rusted to Barnes and Noble to eagerly purchase my copy of #GIRLBOSS written by the praiseworthy rags to riches queen herself and CEO of Nasty Gal. I guess you can say I was intoxicated by the possibilities that Sophia Amoruso presented to me. After all, ELLE has featured some of the most powerful and up and coming female ambitionist since its conception in 1985, exactly three decades ago, in order to inspire and motivate young women from France all the way to the United States and this feature was no exception. 
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In 2012 , when the article "Talk Dirty to Me" featuring Sophia Amoruso written by Maggie Bullock was published in the November issue of ELLE magazine, her company's reported revenue was at $22.9 million. As of the release of her book in 2014 (above) this figure had more than quadrupled to over $100 million anually. A 23% growth.
I had, just two short month prior to the release of this issue, turned thirty and I was completely lacking passion much like Sophia when she decided to launch Nasty Gal on eBay. A girl that could be good at almost anything, could not seem to stick with any of those things for long because of her lack of passion for them. This is what connected me to the Nasty Gal and I will admit, I was totally amazed! 

To say that she confesses to hating the word "empowerment" is strangely ironic, being that she has empowered me in a subtle way to launch this blog. Sophia, I'm sorry to sound so tampon-y, but it's the truth; without ever having the pleasure to yet wear the Nasty Gal brand you helped me express something inside. I don't have to be a wallflower or skate through life being unnoticed. Armed with my sexy. I'm owning myself!


Read the ELLE magazine article, Talk Dirty to Me, by Maggie Bullock here!
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    Alicia M. Burks

    "I feel absolutely challenged in just being myself, yet building my life on a foundation of excellence."

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