An Afternoon with CHANEL

November 26, 2010 By 3 Comments

On a Saturday in early November, I met up with Bailey Sessoms and some other fashionistas at my favorite “vintage glamour” store, Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, MD (I like this one better than the other location) for an afternoon with CHANEL.

I was very pleased to arrive for a day of make-up, fashion & lunch to have my place setting personalized with my name! It’s the simple things.

We sat in our designated area while the CHANEL experts told us how to wear “the CHANEL jacket” and classic CHANEL purse, as models walked among us demonstrating as we enjoyed our lunch.

Then, to my surprise — I was selected as the model for the skin care and make-up demonstrations. Lucky me – all new CHANEL colors for the holidays!! (Now, keep in mind, I’m a CHANEL cosmetic junkie – and usually spend $$ with them for every new color season.)  :-)

Here’s me BEFORE:

And here’s me AFTER:

I think that I like the before better. At any rate, God has been extremely good to me! I’ve gone to other sit-down luncheons with CHANEL runway fashion shows at Saks Fifth Avenue. I’ve had dinner at exclusive events (several of them) in Neiman Marcus. And Audrey Hepburn (and I’m a big fan of hers) has nothing on me! I’ve had breakfast at Tiffany’s. The only difference is that I wasn’t outside looking in the store window with my coffee and danish that I bought with me, like she was. I was inside having cappuccinos and croissants with Tiffany & Co.’s corporate executives and other guests while the store was closed to the public.

It’s MIGHTY nice being a woman of style (and the favor of God)!  ;-)

Filed Under: Beauty, Fashion, Style Tagged With: , , , ,

Style & Fashion

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Last night I attended the Fashion Group International’s (DC Chapter) book signing for Robin Givhan, fashion editor of the Washington Post.  Robin’s book is called, “Michelle: Her First Year as First Lady” and it’s a picture book of the First Lady being photographed by the Washington Post throughout the year with some commentary from Robin about Mrs. Obama’s style.

Now, style and fashion are two different things.  Style is innate and fashion is external. Style can evolve, but genuine style doesn’t really change much.  Fashion changes like the time on the clock on the wall.

Robin spoke to this group of fashion conscious men and women who gathered for her book signing at Lord and Taylor’s in Chevy Chase, MD. She talked about Mrs. Obama’s style, as well as former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers’ style and fashion choices. One of the questions that came from the audience was whether Robin thought the recession had anything to do with Mrs. Obama pairing off the rack clothing (J. Crew) with designer apparel. To which, Robin responded that she does believe the economy has played a part in her purchases. However, this has been going on for ages. Who hasn’t paired a t-shirt from Target with a designer suit, or an off the rack suit with  designer shoes and handbag? I believe this cross buying started well before the recession. It’s just those who are stylish, and not just fashionable, have learned to pick a prized item out of unusual places and make it look fabulous.

Robin did however try her best to avoid engaging in salacious gossip when asked if Oscar de la Renta would be doing any designing for the First Lady. She started her response with a big smile on her face and then said, “Well, I heard…!!! Oscar doesn’t feel as though he needs to “audition” to design something for the First Lady when he’s dressed  many previous First Ladies, and from the White House’s perspective, he may design for Mrs. Obama, but there isn’t any urgency”.  Hmmm…..

Well, anyway, I’m going to read through my copy of “Michelle: Her First Year as First Lady” to which Robin signed it:

         “Dear Aleysha – It’s been so long & you’re as stylish as ever!  – Robin Givhan”

It’s nice to be called “as stylish as ever” by the fashion editor of the Washington Post.  :-)

Filed Under: Fashion, Style, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What a Testimony!

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

And He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

I was recently having a conversation with my Mother, and out of no where, I said, “Can you imagine how many rewards Billy Graham will have when he gets to heaven.” We weren’t even talking about Billy Graham, but that statement just came out of my spirit. She looked at me and said, “You’re right.” I went on to say, “Just think of all of the souls that he’s led to Christ. He’s preached in stadiums for decades and whenever he gives the altar call, scores of people just start coming forth!” And then she agreed with me again and said, “We need to get busy.”

Well, later that same week I received an email about a new documentary dvd that would be coming available, “Billy Graham: The Early Years”. And then that following Sunday, who was our guest preacher at my home church? No, not Billy Graham, but his daughter Ann Graham Lotz! I started thinking, “Okay Lord, are You trying to tell me something about Brother Graham?”

So, I started doing my research on him and here’s what I’ve found. Since Billy Graham started his crusade ministry in 1947;

- he’s preached Christianity to live audiences of nearly 215 million people,
- he’s preached in more than 185 countries and territories through various meetings,
- he refused to preach to segregated congregations during the Civil Rights Era,
- he’s spiritually counselled several Presidents of the United States,
- he’s authored 28 faith-based books and so many other accomplishments!

But what’s so mind blowing is that in 2008, Graham’s lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion. 2.2 BILLION SOULS FOR CHRIST! Whether they accepted Christ or not, he’s preached the Gospel to them!

Maybe God hasn’t called you to a worldwide ministry or to the missions field. But He’s called you to do something for Him ~ are you doing it? And if you are busy about your Father’s business, are you doing it with all of your might (with no complaints)?

Today we have the opportunity to work on our testimonies. Just like Enoch, (Brother Graham and so many others), I want to have the testimony that I pleased God.

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;  for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5

Filed Under: Faith, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,
« Older Posts