This past Sunday, Target launched their Jason Wu for Target line. I went to my local store before getting ready for church service and bought 5 pieces from his line. They were the exact items that I wanted as I previewed the line, waiting for it to launch.

Here’s what I bought -

 Now, add in a few basic staple pieces of clothing, like a black skirt, black pants, jeans, a black cardigan and a denim jacket – and here’s what you get!

A few items, a full wardrobe!

Years ago, when I was studying image consulting, I came across a collection of books entitled Real Chic. I loved the clean and simple wardrobe clusters that the books were known for showing. I can also appreciate InStyle magazine’s similar method of showing entire wardrobes in easy, beautiful pictures. I’ve always wanted to create these sort of fashion collages myself.

Well, I recently found a site called Polyvore that allows me to do just that – and I love it! Here’s my first collection entitled “Saturday Brunch” where I show you entire wardrobes that anyone can duplicate (and these are actual (or very similar) items that are in my closet). 

Enjoy, and stay tuned for more collections from yours truly!

Cinnamon Sticky Bun & Gingerbread Cookie coffees

This past, mid-December, I had invited some of my friends and family over for a Christmas gathering. I affectionately named the event on the invitations, “Christmas, Coffee & Cupcakes”.

To my sheer delight, a couple of weeks before my event, my friends at New England Coffee had asked me to do a product review of their holiday flavors; Cinnamon Sticky Bun and Gingerbread Cookie. So, what’s better than to add a “coffee tasting” to my event for the ladies who’d be coming over?!

Cinnamon Sticky Bun Coffee:

• Very good. I can taste the cinnamon and it’s not too strong.
• I like the cinnamony smooth taste. It would make a good dessert coffee, and would taste good as an iced coffee drink.
• A delicate bouquet of spices. Would make a delicious dessert coffee.                    
  

  Diva Sistah-Friends

• Cinnamon aroma, and flavorful with very little sugar or cream.
• Nice flavor. I would definitely purchase this coffee.

Gingerbread Cookie Coffee:

• Delicious, not too sweet. Very flavorful.
• Absolutely wonderful – smooth flavor. I am a true coffee drinker and I love this coffee.
• Nice, smooth, wonderful taste for the holidays or any time. Love it, love it!!
• Very mild flavor.
• Mild flavor, I enjoyed it.
• Very comforting and delicious. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I really enjoyed this flavor.
  

  Family & Friends enjoying Christmas, Coffee & Cupcakes

   Thank you New England Coffee, for adding some extra “spice” to my 2011 Christmas gathering memories!

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:30 NKJV

 
I’ve said it many times, and I don’t mind saying it again – “God is Faithful to His Word!”

Have you heard the song by Andrae Crouch, featuring Pastor Marvin Winans, Let the Church Say Amen? If not, then please purchase it or request that your local gospel radio station play it. It will be a blessing to you!

Amen, is a little word with a huge meaning. It’s much more than just how you end a prayer, it means it is so, so be it and I’m in agreement with you. And this plain and simply needs to be our response to WHATEVER God has said.

I understand that it’s hard for some people to take God at His Word, because the devil will do everything that he possibly can to get you to not line up with the Word of God. When we are in agreement with God’s Word, we are a tremendous threat to the forces of darkness. We’ll begin to take God at His Word, and stop believing the lies of the devil.

Once your thinking, speaking and believing matches what God has already said – you’ll see the Word become manifested in your own life. And then you’ll have a testimony. And then your testimony might encourage someone else to believe God and then they’ll experience His Word being manifested in their own lives, and then they’ll tell someone. And as the old shampoo commercial goes, “And so on, and so on and so on…”

We must keep reminding ourselves that the Word of God is true and already settled in heaven – it’s NOT going to change. The gospel singer Fred Hammond says it this way in his song, Wait on the Lord, “Don’t give up, the Word is confirmed!”

So, getting back to Andrae Crouch’s song – read the words (and listen below) and just agree with God!

“Make this your response… amen
To whatever He says… amen
From the healing of your body… amen
To the raising of the dead… amen
No matter how you’re feeling… amen
Or how your world is reeling… amen
Battle on through the night… amen
Cause you’re going to win the fight… amen
Even in the valley… amen
Or standing at your red sea… amen
Continue to say… amen
Cause your help is on the way… amen

My God has spoken
I heard Him… let the church  say amen.”

When sickness tries to attack your body, just tell yourself that the Word of God already says that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our sins, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon Him and by His stripes we are ALREADY healed. God has said it, and I agree with Him, so “AMEN!” (Isaiah 53:5)

When circumstances keep reminding you that you still aren’t walking in your destiny or living your dreams, tell yourself that the Word of God says that if I delight myself in Him, then He WILL give me the desires of my heart! And I’ve decided to agree with God, so, “AMEN!” (Psalm 37:4)

Get into the Word of God so that you’ll know what He’s said – and then agree with Him, and no matter what comes your way, there will already be a scripture that lines up with what you’re going through and you can boldly say to the matter, “God has already spoken about this, here’s what He said ______________, and to Him, I say AMEN!!!”

Every year I seem to have the same Christmas shopping dilemma; what to buy my family members who seem to have everything? I’m sure that many of you have the same issue this year. There’s no need to break the bank to give wonderful, meaningful presents that everyone will love. So, I suggest that you give “experiences” as presents. Here’s what I mean, and these are a few of my favorite things:

Aromatique Boxed Candle

1.  Boxed candles – I LOVE THEM!! I think they’re so elegant and a timeless gift that keeps on giving. You don’t necessarily have to get a holiday fragrance, but a lovely fragrance like vanilla or lemon that can be enjoyed year-round.

Lavender Spa set

2. Lavender Spa set- Bring the spa experience home! The scent of lavender is soooo relaxing, and
it’s unisex, so it can be enjoyed by the whole family! There are a lot of lavenders out there, but L’Occitane gets it right. Check them out for a variety of fabulous spa gift sets to give this year.

CHANEL Nail Polish

AMC Theatres

• 5 Coupons (each for a box of their pancakes, waffles or french toast)

  

  Aunt Jemima Frozen Blueberry Pancakes

• an Aunt Jemima insulated tote bag
• an Aunt Jemima apron
• and the ”Simply Done – Well Done” cookbook by the Food Network’s Chef Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo
  

They have a delicious line-up of products to include oatmeal pancakes (my FAVE!), cinnamon french toast, blueberry waffles, confetti pancakes (for the kids) and so much more! And as their slogan says, “Every batch is made from scratch.”

Here’s how to enter to win!

• Follow me on Twitter (and leave in your comment that you have or already are following me), OR
• Like my Facebook page (and leave in your comment that you have or already like my page),
• And answer this question: We’re going to start the New Year’s off right with having some quality family time. With New Year’s day being on a Sunday, the most popular day for brunch, tell me how would you use your Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast coupons to create a nice brunch for you and your family on January 1st? (Leave your custom menu in your comment.)
• You must enter by 12pm EST on Monday, December 26, 2011.

The winner will be notified and your Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast package will be on its way to you in time for the New Year!

Recently, I received an invitation to a private shopping event at the luxurious Tiffany & Co. in Chevy Chase, MD (just over the Washington, DC line). Tiffany’s, who never has a sale, was launching their new Tiffany Leather Collection, and I was more than happy to come and see their new line, enjoy their celebration and their hor d’ourves.

My sister, Anjela, who’s also on their invitation list, met me at the event after work on a Thursday evening. (She’s also my BFF and ultimate shopping buddy.)

Me and my sister, Anjela

There were wait staff that came around the store to all of the guests, with their yummy hor d’ourves, and bartenders serving wine and champagne throughout the evening. I ended up buying a couple of their patent leather, Tiffany Blue®  coin purses.

I’ve been to other private events at Tiffany & Co., including, yes – breakfast. However, this event was a little different… Maybe it was the petit fours. 

Tiffany's blue box petit fours

Delicious!!

On yesterday evening, I invited over some family members to play a new game that I got at the Blogalicious Conference called Say Anything. I was eager to have a fun “board game” to use to have some good quality family time with my relatives, especially the teen-agers.

So, with pizza & Coca-Cola on a Friday evening — it was game night! And we had a blast – we laughed so hard at times that we were in tears! Say Anything is a game where you pick a card, and select a question to ask the group. They write down their best answers and the judge (or card picker) selects the answer that he/she likes best. We played two rounds, and some of the answers were hysterical — well, after all you can say anything, right?

James was our first winner of round one – he had the orange color, and he won with the top score of 16 points!

James, our 1st winner!

Then, the winner of the second round, was Miss Tia – who won with 15  points!

Tia, our 2nd winner!

In an era where family members don’t fellowship with each other as much as they did in days gone by, I would highly recommend a good, wholesome board game that will cause much laughter and great memories to last a lifetime! Pull the kids away from the video games and the internet, and make sure the adults put down the Blackberrys and iphones from the office and enjoy your family!

Here you’ll see the crew, my sisters and cousins;

Would you like to win a FREE Say Anything board game? Of course you would!! *And you’ll have your choice of the Say Anything for the Family or the Say Anything Party version (a little bit edgier).

Here’s what to do to enter my contest giveaway:

• Follow @AleyshaProctor on Twitter – and come back and let me know in your comment that you’ve done so; and
• Answer this question; What does a game night at your home with your family mean to you? 

I will select the best answer on Black Friday, November 25th at 12pm EST! And your new game will be on the way to you.

BONUS! You’ll have another chance to win prizes, Northstar Games, the maker of Say Anything, is having a contest on their Facebook page on the week of November 14th! Be sure to LIKE them @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/northstargames.  They’re also on Twitter  @NorthStarGames. THE TOP PRIZE IS AN IPAD!!

Best wishes to you!
Aleysha

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
 Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

We’ve all heard it, and some of us have even said it, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “What good can come of this situation?”

The above scripture tells us that no matter what we’re going through – the good, the bad AND the ugly (ALL things) – God is at work! And not only is He working, but He’s going to make something beautiful out of your troubles and you WILL fulfill His PURPOSE. (He has a plan!)

Let’s look at the story of Joseph. Out of twelve children, he was his father’s favorite son, and his brothers hated him for it. (Read Genesis 37). One day, his older brothers decide that they dislike him so much that they’re going to kill him, until his brother Reuben steps in and says don’t kill him, but put him in a pit. (This doesn’t look good!)

Later, his brothers decide to pull him out of the pit, and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites traders for twenty pieces of silver. The traders, then in turn, sell him to Potiphar as his new servant. Sold twice? This definitely doesn’t look good!

Now, Joseph is a servant in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39), and the Bible says in the second verse, “The Lord was with Joseph”. One day, Potiphar’s wife decides that she wants to be intimate with Joseph and he refuses her and she later tells her husband that Joseph tried to have his way with her. Potiphar becomes very angry and throws Joseph in jail. And notice what verse 21 says, “But the Lord was with Joseph.” What? Even through slavery and now imprisonment, God is still with Joseph? Yes, He was still there, working things out for Joseph’s good, preparing his way.

Now, Joseph is in jail and he interprets the dreams of the chief baker and the chief butler. The chief baker doesn’t have a good interpretation, however, the chief butler does. And Joseph tells him, and I paraphrase, “Don’t forget to hook me up when you get back in good with Pharaoh. Don’t forget ya’ boy!” However, that’s exactly what he does, he forgets Joseph for TWO FULL YEARS! Not good at all.

Now, Pharaoh has a dream that no one can interpret, and the butler suddenly remembers Joseph! Joseph is then presented before Pharaoh and he’s able to tell him what his dream meant. Pharaoh becomes so impressed with him, saying in Genesis 41: 38-40, “I’ve never seen anyone like you, someone who the Spirit of God is in. Nor have I seen anyone who is as wise and discerning as you. I’m placing you in charge of my house and my people. Only I will be above you. I have set you over all of the land of Egypt.”

Joseph is now the #2 man in Egypt, and the same brothers who hated him and sold him into slavery, now had to come to him to get food to eat to survive the famine. And we know how the story ends, he’s reunited with his brothers and his father. Joseph tells his brothers, “You didn’t send me here (through slavery and jail), but God sent me here to save your lives (the twelve tribes of Israel) from this great famine.” (What his brothers meant for evil, God turned it around for his good.)

Joseph was seventeen years old when his brothers sold him into slavery, and it wasn’t until he was thirty years old that he stood before Pharaoh. Yet, during all of his injustices, disappointments and setbacks, the Bible clearly says that God was with him! Knowing how the story of Joseph ended, we can clearly see God orchestrating the events of his life. And that’s exactly what He does for us! He’s working behind the scenes – using our pains and frustrations to get us to the position that He has ordained for us to be in. Why? Because we are called according to His purpose, and that purpose is going to be fulfilled in our lives.

God knew that a seventeen year old boy wouldn’t be able to handle all of the POWER that He was going to put into his hands down the road! And so He had to take him through some things, so that when He was ready to promote Joseph, he would be wise, matured, fully equipped, and up for the challenge.  He’d know that God promoted him, and no one else! And when God does get ready to promote you, it does NOT take Him long! Just an hour ago Joseph was in jail – an inmate, getting cleaned up to go and see Pharaoh, and now he’s the Governor of all of Egypt! He’s the God who restores!

Joseph never would have stood before Pharaoh and interpreted his dream if he didn’t run into the butler,

•  and he wouldn’t have ran into the butler had he not been in jail with him,
•  and he wouldn’t have gone to jail if Potiphar’s wife didn’t falsely accuse him,
• and he would have been falsely accused by Mrs. Potiphar if he wasn’t their slave,
• and he wouldn’t have been sold into slavery had his brothers not put him in the pit,
• and he wouldn’t have been put in a pit had his brothers not hated him.

Clearly, God was working IN all of these situations.

All things mean just that – all things – the good, the bad and the ugly. Just as God blessed Joseph while he was a servant in Potiphar’s house, and He blessed him while he was in jail, He’ll bless you in the midst of your trials.

And we KNOW that IN ALL THINGS God works for our GOOD! Be encouraged.

This past weekend, right here in my backyard, at the Gaylord National Conference Center & Resort, the ladies of Blogalicious hosted their annual conference. It was my first Blogalicious conference, although I’ve been to other blogging conferences before – however, this one was phenomenal!

Not only did I meet some great women (and a few men) who are very passionate about their blogs, but the conference was totally — BRANDED! Take a look at the pictures and you’ll see what I mean.

Gain's New "Unique" Scents

Gain detergent sure has come a long way! Not only do they have new scents like Apple Mango Tango, Icy Fresh Fizz and Dazzle & Shine, but they also have other products like dryer bars and in-wash scent boosters (which we received full-sizes of) that can make doing the laundry (almost) fun!   

 

 

 

The American Cancer Society's More Birthdays party

The American Cancer Society’s More Birthdays (tm) party was so moving. They sponsored a segment where we heard the story of a cancer survivor. Their slogan is “You can create a world with less cancer and more birthdays”. One of my friends and fellow-bloggers broke down and cried next to me as she shared that her Mother had lost her fight with the disease. Awareness and treatment is crucial! 

 

Pure SWAG!

 

Hmmm.... the signature pink cupcake box!

 Not only did I win a gift card from American Airlines’ Black Atlas, but they also had custom made Georgetown cupcakes at their booth! No need to stand in a line that wraps around the store here. 

Me and Actress & Cover Girl Paula Patton

 The Cover Girl Queen Collection lounge was graced with the presence of their newest “face” — the lovely actress, Ms. Paula Patton!

The Food Network's Aaron "Big Daddy" McCargo, Jr.

 Saturday evening’s dinner was sponsored by Aunt Jemima. We had breakfast for dinner and cooking demonstrations by the Food Network’s Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo, Jr.  It was such a fun evening!

Centerpiece from the Aunt Jemima's dinner

 And look at this beautiful centerpiece that I won from the Aunt Jemima breakfast at dinner event! Lovely, isn’t it?!

Hats off to Justice Fergie and Justice Ny of Beblogalicious for doing such an excellent job!  The 2011 conference was filled with fun, laughter, wisdom, information, AHA moments and friendships. Things money can’t buy.

This evening, on my way home from the office at 6:48pm EST, I spotted a beautiful rainbow in sky on my right side. Then I thought, “I wonder if I can see the other end of the rainbow?” So, I looked to my left — AND I COULD!  But wait! When I looked to my right side again — there were now TWO RAINBOWS in the sky! And the first one grew so BRIGHT and vibrant!

I had to park my car immediately and get out to capture this awesome sight. Whenever I see a rainbow, I also say, “God is faithful.” But TWO RAINBOWS?!!  I’m still awe-struck at the sight.

In Genesis 9:16, God made a promise to Noah that He wouldn’t destroy the earth by water again. Here’s what He said, “The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

He is soooo faithful!!