• Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Blog
  • Services
CHICLY SOIGNÉ BON VIVEUR

Thirty, Flirty and Thriving: Cherchez La Femme

9/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
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

Picture
0 Comments

The Making of a Boss

9/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.

Picture
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. 
Picture
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!
0 Comments

Not Far From the Singing Oak

9/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I found a spot not far from the Singing Oak, near Big Lake and the Wave of the World in City Park. Once I settled down onto the grass under a huge live oak tree; I began to take in the scenery. There was a cool fresh feeling to the day. That feeling right before the wonderful days of fall. My favorite time of the year by the way. And no, it’s not just because I was born a week before the September Equinox (the beginning of the fall season). However, it is a plus none the less!

I fell in love with fall because of the cool windy weather and the crisp smell of colorful autumn leaves falling from trees. It’s the perfect weather for joy rides with the windows down, the sunroof back, and your favorite beats blaring. The season for counting down to my dearest holiday of the year. Christmas, where you can give until it almost hurts. While on the subject, I absolutely adore giving! And the fact that you can give so freely without people visualizing sucker written across your forehead is weirdly liberating for me… Go figure! It’s free rein when you are in the season of generosity. This is the time of year that marks the most rewarding and joyful of family interaction that is very important to me, where we all come together, plan, cook, and share our cherished experiences from the year passing. Fall, I love you…

I came here, not far from the Singing Oak, so that I could reflect on where I have been and to focus on where I want to go. Reflection is a necessity in life, but it is also an important part of goal setting. First, you have to understand where you have been. Next, you must find out what you have learned. And finally, you need to know what it is you want to take away with you in order to grow in a more radiant, yet fruitful direction. I always reflect before I set any new goal. It helps me to be clear and focused on what is next. There should consistently be a “what’s next” mentality. Where are you trying to go? What goals are you trying to achieve? How can you make those goals happen?

“What’s next?”



Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Protecting What's Within

9/2/2015

0 Comments

 
I die in silence
Beneath the dark fog of lies and deception
They kill me
Not without torture and suffering first
The perception lives underneath teaching me a lesson
To bow and submit
To surrender
Who I am
The truth of me
My intent
I will never be what you need me to be
You can burn me, bruise me and bury me alive
But you will never have my soul
My spirit will always remain free to fly high
And soar

-AMA
Picture
0 Comments
Forward>>

    Alicia M. Burks

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

    RSS Feed

    Categories
    Fashion
    Food & Beverage
    Beauty/Skincare
    Health & Fitness
    Look Book
    Events/Entertainment

    Personal Photography
    Travel/Vacation
    Poems & Writings
    Gift Ideas
    On my Mind

    All
    Beauty/Skincare
    Entertainment
    Fashion
    Food & Beverage
    Gift Ideas
    Health & Fitness
    Look Book
    On My Mind
    Personal Photography
    Poems & Writings
    Spirituality
    Travel/Vacation


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.