Guest Blog: Are You Really a Success by Fatima Bey

Each week I turn the blog over for a day to a successful woman to highlight a lesson learned. Last week Marny Nesher took on a challenge she never expect to do by taking over the blog for a day. Her message of slow and steady really resonated with many of us. If you want to share your story email me at JoDeeKenney@gmail.com for more information.

This week Abishai business owner Fatima Bey drops her knowledge by asking the question are you really a success. She's an expert seamstress who gives clients more than a perfect fit in clothing. She gives them a warm smile, friendship and wisdom.

Are you successful? We all know that we can fail at times seeking success, but did you know that you can be a successful failure? Wondering what the heck I mean by that? Good! Let me explain.

I think the following example can best explain what I mean. Let’s say you become a famous actor. You’re popular, make movies, and make millions! Many would call you a success because you have fame and wealth. Meanwhile, there’s an unwritten book in you that could have helped millions, but you were too busy chasing money and popularity to get there. With this book, it may have brought speaking engagements, in which you would have used some of the same skills you chose to use as an actor. In this situation, I would call you a successful failure. You succeeded in getting fame and money, but you failed in fulfilling your purpose. Furthermore, as a famous actor, you could be popular today and forgotten about tomorrow. As an author and speaker that helped millions, you could have made the same amount of money, if not more. More importantly, your name would less likely be forgotten!

This above scenario was used to make a point. Your purpose is in you and has been there since childhood. It’s that thing that you just can’t get out of your mind. You used to dream about it as a child. Perhaps somewhere along the way you were told that it could not be done, wasn’t realistic, or to sit down and mind your business. Can I tell you something? Nothing will EVER satisfy you like fulfilling your purpose. 

For some of you reading this, you are already on that journey. You know what you’re meant to do and you are working on it. Let me tell you - you are a rarity and I admire you! For the rest of you, if you do not yet know your purpose, it’s not too late. Make sure you’re not chasing what someone else told you to run after. Discover YOUR purpose and chase YOUR dream! When we are successfully walking in our purpose, there’s a drive and a passion for what we do. Words can’t even explain it. I want to see you successful in your purpose!

I will end this post with questions for YOU to answer:

•    We all were put on this earth and given life for a purpose. What’s yours? 

•    What did you dream of doing as a child? What did you want to change or see changed?

•    Do you work just to pay your bills? Or Have you made a career out of your passion?

•    Are you ready to walk successfully in your purpose?

2014 Color Of The Year: Dazzling Blue

Pantone is out with the 2014 Color of the Year. This year's color is dazzling blue. You have likely been seeing it everywhere in the stores. I have too- and yet I still haven't found the perfect accessory or piece of clothing to add it into my wardrobe just yet. As a person who loves a good jewel tone this is exciting for me.

While blue has been known to be a good corporate/work place color- this shade of blue takes it up a notch and adds a little excitement!

This year Pantone has identified 9 other- more muted colors that it says you will be seeing in stores. To check them out click HERE.

What do you think? Do you like the new color selection?

2013 Color Of The Year

Introducing the Color Of The Year- Emerald. Did you know there was actually a thing? I pay attention to trends because I'm interested in fashion- and yet I never knew how all the fashion designers agree on a color and run with it. I always knew there just happened to be a color they were all using- but to know it's more than just coincidence is enlightening! I kinda want to bookmark their website. Do they all get in a room and conspire to put us all in one color each year?

Apparently Pantone is the world-renowned authority on color. For nearly 50 years they claim to have been inspiring designers. They influence not only fashion- but textiles and furnishings. The designers use the Pantone Color System each year- which consists of 21-hundred colors in cotton or paper format to find "The" color of the year. I'm still envisioning a group of big time designers in a room- rubbing their hands together with a devious grin saying "Ahhhhh greeen, yessss, EMERALDDDD!!" with a cackling laugh.

So, I'm kinda excited about this color. I do love jewel tones and I just happened to buy so me emerald jewelry and strappy pumps recently! BAM- I'm a trendsetter!

What do you think? Do you like emerald for the 2013 Color Of The Year?

Would You Pay This Much For A Purse!?!

 

Please tell me THIS is a joke. The Olsen twins were known for being the cute girl on Full House. Then they made an empire out of their cute, family friendly movies. They took over Walmart by storm and designed a very successful line of children's clothes and now they are making designer handbags. This, however, has crossed the line!

 

You see it right- they have designed a $55-THOUSAND dollar handbag. It's features? Croc skin- and PRESCRIPTION PILLS! Really? Really.

 

No...  I really still think this is a joke- but the article tells us some of the funds will go to UNICEF.  Honestly, I'm not sure there are many people who would buy these bags from a street vendor for $12- let alone $55-thousand from a designer store. They made 12 of them. Good thing it wasn't mass produced.

 

What do you think? Like? Hate?   

Evolution of A News Anchor's Attire

This is a topic us news anchor ladies talk about often. If one tells you they don't- they're lying. We all do want to put our best foot forward. We all want to look current and yet acceptable for viewing for any age. I know it's a fascination for some of our viewers too. I can't tell you how many people ask me if I have a stylist (no) or where I get a piece of clothing(I'm not discriminating and love anything from second hand to high end labels).

Guys don't have to worry about this- they wear a suit. They can get tricky with color selections- but they hit the mark.

When I got into the business 20 years ago- all the women dressed like Diane Sawyer is in this picture- buttoned up, simple colors- nothing flashy. That seems to still be the norm for national nightly news shows. Diane used to be so fashionable when she was on GMA and Katie Couric made that more conservative transformation when she went from AM to PM news. Now that she has her own talk show- she's back to stylish. Go figure.

More and more- the stylish, flashy colors, trendy and yes sexy looks are creeping in to local and national news shows. It makes dressing for work more fun. I do like to pull out my endless selection of costume jewelry.

But where do we draw the line? That's where personal preference creeps in. For me- I don't think I've ever worn a sleeveless outfit on set. I did when I was out at the track this year- but I feel on-location attire falls under a different category. I love wearing sweaters on set. When I'm feeling sassy I will wear a form fitting shirt- but it always has an arm that is at least 3/4 length. Right now my style can be summed up as "conservative, comfortable with a surprise". I do wear skirts a lot and crazy shoes- but you never get to see them because I'm always on set.

With this shift in approach to style we now have more options and more money. Suits are expensive. Norah O'Donnell of CBS This Morning said she used to spend as much as $300 on a suit. Being a local news anchor I can't say I've dropped that much cash- but maybe $200 if I've really liked it. Now we can buy cheap items because they will change with the season.

But is a fashionable/sexy news anchor credible? I found it fascinating in a Washington Post Article that men couldn't remember the news that was read by a woman who wore bold makeup and clingy clothes. Women remembered more- but both said the woman in tight clothing wasn't as credible as one in loose fitting androgynous clothing.

What do you think?

To learn more about this debate- click HERE.

First Lady Election Night Fashion

Photo: Getty Images

It turned out to be restraint instead of extravagance when it came to first lady fashion last night.
She surprised all when she stepped out in a recycled metallic raspberry colored dress by Michael Kors.

It's one she wore for the first time in 2010. She topped it off with a black cardigan and black kitten heels.

Fashion Writer Isabel Wilkinson says "It was an understated, economical choice at the culmination of a campaign that, for the first lady, has been about just that".

Jessica & Justin's First Wedding Pictures

Photo: People.com

People Magazine scooped the competition and won the Justin and Jessica photos from their Italian wedding. You can see Jessica bucked the white wedding gown tradition and chose a beautiful color of pink! Justin went with the traditional black tux- and looked dapper as ever. Are you excited to get this weeks People? I have to admit- I am a little interested to see more from their wedding.

Unretouched Victoria's Secret Photos

Photo: Shine from Yahoo

Does anybody think the photos are not retouched? Victoria's Secret is coming under fire for some unretouched swimsuit pictures of supermodel Doutzen Kroes now that the retouched photos have surfaced on their website.

In an article by Shine on Yahoo the author said: you'll notice that more than just the brightness has been adjusted. In the original image, Kroes has visible skin folds on her stomach and side from the way her body is leaning. You'll also see some wrinkles and bulging under her left shoulder, and frown lines between her eyebrows. We spotted some small scars on her right thigh, along with a few birthmarks on her stomach and cleavage. Not to mention the fact that Kroes is wearing flesh-colored underwear beneath her bikini bottom.

The article also quotes Victoria's Secret Angel Erin Heatherton when she told style blog Fashionista: "We're not selling reality; we're selling a story. It's all about creating this fantasy. And I don't think people should confuse fantasy and reality because no one is perfect—we all know that, and I think people should embrace themselves and not really focus on where people are depicted as perfect and where they're not."

Do you think it's wrong to retouch pictures or is it expected that they're all retouched to some degree?

Plus Size Swim Suit Model

Photo: Steven Chee/Cosmopolitan Australia

Sadly- a size 12 model is considered "Plus Size". Model Robyn Lawyey is set to hit the cover of Cosmopolitan Australia's November issue. I mean seriously- this woman is drop dead gorgeous- no matter what size she is! Are you surprised that this is still news?

Runway Fashion Trend

Photo: Matteo Volta/Imaxtree.com via Elle.com

The spring fashion week has come and gone- and according to Elle magazine- there was one BIG trend. Everything is SUPER SIZED! I'm not so sure how I'll be able to take part in the trend- aside from big jewlery- which I love. Are you likely to join this trend?

Electric City Couture

 

I had to bring my fashion A-game today when interviewing Electric City Couture Producer Corey Aldrich and Model/Actress Heather Riley about their upcoming show. It's exciting how the fashion scene is emerging in Schenectady. This fashion show is featured at the MoHu Festival and has seen success in helping to launch the careers of local Designers and Fashion Models. Click HERE for more information. Click HERE to see the interview.