We’re in day 40-something of quarantine, somewhere between Sunday and Saturday and based on the rain outside, it must be April maybe May. We’re all experiencing this storm known as COVID-19 together. Though our experiences with this virus will differ, there is no doubt that this pandemic has been very taxing on our mental health. I put my faith in God, so when the lay-off came… and it did, I didn’t make decisions in fear. I was able to qualify for unemployment and all of my needs are being met. However, it is still stressful because we are still waiting and watching. We’re watching healthcare workers mourn patients lost to this virus; we’re waiting for stimulus checks. We waiting for numbers of recovery and loss along with updates from our local and federal governments. We are waiting for vaccines and treatment plans from doctors and researchers. This wait is filled with erratic, sleep patterns, Netflix binges, new recipes, Zoom meetings, e-learning and of course prayer.

The stresses are different but real; I have family who are essential workers and are fighting this enemy in the Emergency room. Parents are having to re-learn or in some cases learn news subjects so they can teach their kids now students. Families are stressed and feel betrayed by their government because they haven’t received a promised stimulus check because a US citizen married a non-citizen. Individuals are stressed about rent payments, food and toilet paper (I still don’t understand this one) and PPE, the once reserved abbreviations for medical personal, now used in daily conversation and in every COVID19 update. PPE will soon have it’s own entry into Merriam Webster.

But with all of the stresses, there are some silver linings in this pandemic. Personally, I believe that this huge disruption is to get our attention and refocus our energies, which could help with our healing and mental health. Prior to the corona virus, there were individuals who were contemplating a career change; (working 50+ hours a week and unhappy) families were colour coded schedules filled with “good mornings, we’ve gotta go and I love you’s” as we brushed past each other to tackle the next task. People feeling unfulfilled and needing more…needing God but allowed fear, work, sports and excuses to get in the way of making scary but necessary changes. This virus has forced us to face some pre-COVID 19 societal and personal issues but post-COVID 19… there will be so many unanswered questions and issues that will need to be addressed, and we have to be aware and prepared for that. Meaning, we will need therapy, healthy ways of coping with this trauma. We will need a support system from the individual all they way to a global level and of course we will need God.

Now, I know this a bit of a detour for Style by Syraluna but it is what I needed to address.

Stay Safe and lots of Love.

“New Normal” is a phrase that has been repeated  in the media and I’m here to tell you…. There is nothing normal about  COVID 19!  Unemployment is in the millions, schools and businesses are closed, lines for food pantries are miles long, masks are required for a trip to the grocery store and we’ve had to re-teach hand washing…our lives have been completely flipped upside down.

Prior to quarantine,  life was filled with our normal routines.  Students were learning and laughing with their friends in a school building. We were going to work with dreams of “is it the weekend yet.” Our calendars were filled with the day to day appointments and pending plans for Easter, spring and summer breaks. Deposits were already submitted for weddings, graduations, vacations or family reunions. Then the days slowly shifted to the country being on a “stay at home” order. Sports are cancelled, churches and business are closed; students having to finish the academic year online.  Graduations, weddings and all future plans up in the air indefinitely. We are at war with COVID-19 and our only weapons of defense  “social distancing” and washing our hands!

With the uncertainties of COVID-19, our current reality looks like this:

The task of going to the grocery store now requires strategic planning of maintaining  6ft apart, mandatory face masks, Clorox wipes and a mindset that you’re entering a biohazardous zone only to find that the essentials are limited or already sold out.

The concept of working from home dressed in  yoga pants, sweats or in some cases no pants at all was once the ideal work space. The “ideal” now has turned into Zoom meetings with a continuous circus running in the back ground…  dogs barking , cats scaling what ever they can, that one co-worker that has no clue of what’s going on and let’s not forget that one family member who “forgot” that you are in a meeting and walks by doing or saying something questionable i.e someone walking around in underwear.

Parents are now teachers and slapped with the harsh reality that teaching is hard. So parents what ever stress you’re feeling about teaching, multiply that by thirty.  Oh and you’ve realized that those emails about your child’s behavior wasn’t exaggerated. P.S. teachers are not the problem. School systems face the obstacles of finishing the school year online which and left unanswered questions about earned credits, graduations, and the online platform itself.

COVID 19 has really pulled back the societal blind fold and truly exposed the injustices that we’ve known all along, society can’t run without our true heroes…our doctors, nurses, grocery and restaurant workers, truck and delivery drivers and of course our sanitation engineers who are risking their health to provide for others.

This virus has pushed governments into uncharted territory by having to make minute to minute changes to life as new data is being reported. They’re having to write executive orders in the name of safety. People around the world are now left with so many unanswered questions that seemed like they could only come from a sci-fi movie script.

As ugly as this virus is, it has brought out the beauty in a lot of people. Doctors and nurses are coming out of retirement to help; neighbors taking care of each other, drive by birthday celebrations.  Restaurant owners and chefs are making sure that the hospital staff  and other individuals who now find themselves in need are fed.

Celebrities are doing live book readings and concerts to provide a temporary escape of this madness known as COVID-19. People are turning back to  God, families are spending to together and “yes” we are still watching Netflix.

I accept the temporary adjustments that are needed to survive, but I will not accept this “new normal”

 

 

 

 

 

From Facebook to Fox News, we’re being inundated with information about COVID-19  and as we prepare to forage on in uncharted territory, I want to give you a message of encouragement during this time of containment. I encourage you not to panic but to refocus your energy…because stress can do a number on the body …and no doubt this is a very stressful situation.  Maintain true style and grace with a few tips…

• Stay Healthy! Junk food is so tempting but focus on eating  vitamin rich foods especially vitamin C and D, which helps build immunity. Exercise, oxygen rich blood fuels the body. Drink plenty of water and rest. Oh, as you’ve heard…wash your hands!
• Education. If you have children that will be home from school, I encourage you to teach them things that you as a parent want your children to know. Focus on life skills such as money management, organization, time management, cooking, basic car maintence. Take this time to really talk to your children, get to know them and what’s important in their lives.
  • Study: If you’ve been preparing for exams take this extra time to study and focus. Learn that material forwards and backwards.
• Read! That book or magazine that has been sitting on your night stand for the past couple of months, now’s the time to read it.  There are so many adventures to be had in the pages of books.
• Culinary Skills: Improve your cooking skills and  get in the kitchen and start experimenting with recipes or finally try that one dish you’ve been want to cook. Try to replicate your favourite dish from your favourite restaurant.
• Be Creative.Allow those creative juices to flow. You have an idea for a blog, book, fashion design that has been swirling around in your head..now is the time to start breathing life into those ideas.
• Prayer:Take this time to reconnect with God and  focus on what He wants you to learn through all of this and improve  your connection with Him through prayer. As crazy as everything looks; He is still in control.

The most stylish thing that we can do during all of this is be mindful, respectful and helpful to others. This too shall pass.

Much Love,

 

 

 

Colour can have a profound affect on our moods and even give us a peek into our individual personalities and elevate our looks. My signature colour is pink and of course my favourite things in life are you guessed it ….pink. I love peonies, pink flamingos, pink accessories and of course pink outfits.

Pink can represent hope, empowerment, romance and femininity. It also is such a beautiful colour on women, however, I have met some women who feel like that pink is not a good colour for them and I’m writing this post to prove those women wrong. I believe any woman can wear pink and look incredible! As many beautiful women there are in this world, there are as many shades of pink. Pink can give an instant glow to your complexion and an aura of confidence as seen on the following beautiful women who gave me permission to present them in this pretty palatte of pinks!

Just look at my good friend Jaimie who has a gorgeous glow and is a complete head tuner in her hot pink dress.

I can’t mention pinks and not talk about how beautiful Jillian is dressed in monochromatic tones of blush pinks.

Let’s continue with the fabulous looks of Narisa

in her Fuchsia jumpsuit and how it just gives her an instant glow. Shall we proceed with my love of pink? Just look at how candescent my sister Michelle looks in neon coral and she is just beaming with confidence.

I love that pink on women looks soft and delicate yet powerful and confidant. Here are some more examples of what I mean. Look at Samantha, we go way back, 10 plus years: she looks strong and magnificent in mauve while taking on the hardest role there is… being a mom.

I can’t talk about pretty in pinks and not mention my Whole 30 partner Julie who looks fantastic in in flamingo pink. So we see how amazing my favourite colour is?! But how awesome is pink on a red head just look at Brooke looking simply sublime in her salmon pink. Who ever said red heads can’t wear pink lied!

We continue with Jessica and fellow UMD alumnus looking fetching in fairy tale pink. Now this post wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from yours truly looking smashing in shocking pink.

So raven haired, red, blonde or brunette, from the palest ivory skin to the richest decadent chocolate, our range in colours are truly accented by the various hues of pink. So step outside your black and white world and Think Pink!

Another year is coming to a close and another decade (wow, when did that happen!) filled with personal growth, adventures, opportunity and of course style!

Personal Growth in the form of classes, books and dynamic conversation, in my opinion, is the most stylish thing one can do. And I must admit I’ve added  a lot of style to my life throughout 2019 that has given me greater prespective on my journey of life

Speaking of style, my must have accessory of 2019 has been the “top knot ” headband. I became obsessed when me and my hair lost our battle with the summer humidity and I was looking for ways to make my natural curls have that extra pop…then I acquired the “top knot” headband and now it my necessary accessory in array of colours and of course my signature pink.

My collection includes headbands from Target (pronounced tar-jay in my French accent), J.Crew, Ann Taylor and now Francesca’s. I love that the “top knot” adds that je ne sais quoi to my looks. I can’t talk about trends without talking about my favourite colour…pink and my additions to the wardrobe.

My J.Crew satin flats and my Banana Republic pink coat have been my must haves of this year which I will carry into the next. Another trend that I’ve embraced in 2019 in leather (faux) pants and skirts, I just love  how it brings an edge to my ensembles.

I must confess…the idea of shopping for make-up overwhelms me. That is why I’m so happy that my friend introduced me to

Ipsy, where they send me beauty samples from the classic and popular brands of makeup. I get to try so many beauty products without the stress of endless options and cost.

Live music has always been one of my favourite experiences. This year I heard the sounds of  Boyz II Men, Maurette Brown Clark and mi cantante favorito Alejandro Sanz. Music has a way of transporting you to those great memories of your past and it can be very therapeutic. Laughter is good for the soul received the remedies with the comedic styles of Anjelah Johnson, Trevor Noah and Gary Owen

2019 has been filled with some so much growth, many blessing, opportunities. I’m looking forward to what 2020 has instore.

 

 

It is officially the holiday season, stores are having their black Friday deals and Cyber Monday will bring even more deals.  And yes, I love a good deal as much as the next person but before you click “confirm” for 60% off. Take a moment to consider the gift you will give. Use the following guide to pick a gift that is special and not just a last minute “grab”.

Genuine: I believe that a gift should be genuine. What I mean by this is the gift you give should be unique like the person that is receiving it. For this to happen you need to know the person; learn their favourites: hobbies, foods, and what they’re passionate about. Watching some one receive a gift that is a true reflection of them brings me pure joy.

Intentional :  Be intentional about your gift. If you’re unsure, do some investigation. Learn their likes, what they’ve been looking at online. Do they like to travel? Maybe plan a trip instead of more “stuff.” If you’re really in doubt, just ask! I, personally, am not for surprises because I’m usually left disappointed and I have a gift that I can’t use. Being intentional about a gift could focus on what the recipient needs instead of what “you” want them to have. Take this holiday season to listen and be intentional.

Volunteer:  As much I want to believe the holidays are filled with magical Hallmark moments, the reality is this time of year  is a very difficult time for so many people for various reasons.  Volunteering your time and focusing on the needs of others can really put life into perspective.

 

Experience: Some of the best gifts I’ve been given is the gift of Experiences. I remember when my dad received orders from California to Ohio and we made a surprised  stop to Disneyland. It was so exciting unexpected and fun; my sister and I couldn’t stop talking about it for years. Fulfilling a promise of a trip France with my best friend and sister was an amazing experience. Everyday in the streets of Paris was a day for creating memories. Gifting experiences will always mean so much more than a pile of more stuff. It will bring amazing people in your life and experiences will teach so much more about life.

This Holiday really GIVE.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New!

 

 

 

Daily I express my gratitude but this Thanksgiving I’m truly thankful for love. I’m referring to the love that is patience as we find our own way through our many adventures in this thing called life. The type of love that will tell you about yourself when you’re acting out of character yet encourage you to do better through love. A love that will pray you through a difficult situation. I’m thankful for that love that will celebrate you in your greatest victories. I am thankful for a love that forgives but doesn’t say ” I told you so”

To have such a love, I’m so thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving with LOVE.