A Styling Opportunity for the Non-Profit Autumn's Dawn

I don't post just a whole lot about my personal life, but today is different.  I have a 20 year old sister whom I adore and love with all of my heart named Autumn Dawn Howard.  She is one of the many blessings I have as far as close relationships go, and I enjoy each and every moment we spend together.  Autumn struggled through much of her junior high and especially high school years.  Not because Autumn wasn't smart or didn't apply herself, Autumn has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder that makes it very hard for one to interact socially with others.  It has similar traits as autism, but many Asperger's children go undetected and are simply classified as "socially awkward."  Autumn was not diagnosed until the age of 16, so she went almost her entire school career without a diagnoses.  This is the reason my parents put together the non-profit organization called Autumn's Dawn.  Autumn's Dawn is an organization dedicated to the development of young adults finishing high school with Autism Spectrum Disorders into a stable independent adult life.  While trying to find options for Autumn after high school, my parents realized that there were not a lot and statistics showed many of these young adults ending up without jobs and without friends.  They were determined this would not happen to my sister and wanted to help other young adults in the same situation.

This is my sweet sister, Autumn

The Autumn's Dawn center officially opened in October 2010 and has been getting organized and prepared to take on clients and begin seminars to help these clients.  One of the center's first clients was a young lady by the name of Linda.  After going through testing and setting up goals for herself, Linda decided it would be necessary for her to revamp her entire wardrobe.  She is normally intimidated by shopping and not sure what to buy or even what style she wanted.  That is where I got to be of service to her.  The Director of Programming, Amy, asked if I would like to join she and Linda for a shopping extravaganza! Would I!?? I was SO excited to be a part of this organization and volunteer to help out in any way I could.  So last Thursday me, Amy, and Linda headed out for a shopping trip to remember! We went to Kohl's and all picked out many different outfits for Linda to try.  She tried on every single piece of clothing we put together, and she even learned how to shop, what she did and didn't like, and she said that she had fun! This was the first time she had gone shopping stress free!
She even let me video some of our adventure with my new Flip.  I put together a little video montage of our outing, and I used music from The Cure since Linda told me she really liked them.
This organization is so near and dear to me, I just had to share it with everyone!! And if you want to read more about Autumn's Dawn or have questions about Aspergers's Syndrome, click HERE.
Here is our video!!



Thank you All!!

XX

I heart Marilyn Always and Forever

It goes without saying, I regard Marilyn Monroe as one of the sexiest, effeminate, luxurious women of all time. I love everything about her from her careless attitude about what the modest population thought of her in the fifties to her bleach blond perfect tousled curls to her blazing red lips.  This was my personal take on her astounding influence on women, fashion, and even the president.

Top vintage, Skirt Zara, bow headband and tights Forever 21 , shoes Aldo, necklace Lipstick Couture (coming August 23rd!) 

They're Here, They're Here!!

Guess what all my ladies!!??  The new TOMS wedges are HERE!! I am so excited, I can hardly stand it.  I am a proud owner of two pairs of TOMS original shoes, and these shoes are not only incredibly comfortable but sassy and charming! Plus, if you buy one pair of the TOMS shoes, one pair of shoes also goes to a child in need, they call it their "One for One" program.  Now they are launching their new design with the summer wedge, and I am calling Nordies as we speak to see if they have received them.  They are available at the TOMS shoes website as well, just click on the word TOMS in this post to link straight to the website and hook up with the new summer wedge.

Shanna in the City

This past weekend my favorite cuz of all time, Shan (that's what I call her), came down to Houston to go see Sex and The City 2 with me and all my lady friends.  We had a blast and we all highly recommend that you go see the movie, if not just for the stunning wardrobe this movie contains! Well, after our night out on the town, Shan decided she was ready for a new look.  She asked me for big, blonde chunky highlights and she didn't care what else I did as long as she looked blazin' when we were all done. So I began painting on my new blank canvas blonde, panel highlights throughout her hair and finished with an all-over warm, chestnut brown to make the blonde panels underneath pop.  I cut just enough long layers into her hair to capture the movement of her new hue.  I wanted to share with you all our final product!
ENJOY!

Autumn's Transformation from High School Graduate to Chic Sophisticate

A couple of weeks ago my dearest, little sister came to me and decided that she needed a whole new look! You see, she was about to be done with high school, and she felt it was time to grow up! (By this she meant she wanted a new hair color, hair style, new clothes, make-up and a pedicure!) Wooh! Well good thing I am her personal stylist and I was up to the challenge. After our consultation yesterday afternoon, Autumn told me she wanted to be three things: Blonde, Grown-Up, and a High School Graduate.  So we started our 3 hour journey with highlights, a new haircut, and a little make-up to spice things up.  I wanted to share our journey with all of you so you can get in on some of the fun we had yesterday!

Autumn received face-framing highlights all over, as well as a new, cropped bob for her summer vacation.  I used just a touch of eye-shadow, mascara and blush.  The rest was Autumn’s pure beauty shining through. I am so proud of her and we had a blast creating her new, sophisticated look as she embarks on her life as a twenty-something!

More Books for your Closet

The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia is an amazing book that will help navigate you to explore all kinds of inspiration when it comes to finding your own style! She even suggests watching some old, classic movies just to see how some of the characters were dressed.  The only reason that I went out and bought the movie Scarface was because she noted that Michelle Pfeiffer was wearing a beautiful, turquoise, silk gown while coming down the see-through elevator to meet her love.  It was a really intense movie for sure, but her dress made the moving well worth watching and the $10 it cost!


So, go ahead and spring for this one to add to The One Hundred by Nina Garcia.  These books will not disappoint!

The September Issue

Vogue magazine is like the bible for all fashionistas and style junkies alike. The biggest issue this magazine has is their September issue. They plan all year for the September issue release. So Vogue magazine decided to make a documentary of how the issue is put together and all of the work that goes into it. It is such an interesting movie and you can even get a closer look at the editor in chief Anna Wintour! You can see what it's like to run a fashion empire! (How do you get that job??!!) So check it out, you will not waste your time, I promise.

The One Hundred

I absolutely love any kind of books that have to do with fashion, style, beauty tips, etc! One day when I was wondering around Barnes & Nobles after a crazy day at beauty school, I picked up this MUST READ BOOK! It is called The One Hundred by Nina Garcia who is currently the fashion editor for Marie Claire magazine. I love love love this book. Basically it is a book to help every woman build their wardrobe full of classic, staple items that will last a lifetime. Keep in mind, building a wardrobe takes time and lots of it. So, don't get overwhelmed thinking you have to go out and buy One Hundred Things all in one weekend!

Click Here for the Ultimate Wardrobe Building Book!

http://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Guide-Pieces-Stylish/dp/0061664618

The Bodysuit is Back!!

So…..I know nobody ever thought that bodysuits would come back around, but guess what!!?? They did!! I just bought an all lace black bodysuit from Forever 21 and it is amazing! American Apparel is also offering a lace bodysuit in black, cream or navy. It can go with anything from destroyed jeans to black slacks for a night out!! Who would have thought the 90210 bodysuit would be kickin again?? So suit up ladies!

Just Click Here to Order!

http://www.americanapparel.com/rsals310.html?cid=30