Aja Nicole

November 18

New Things
Hello! If your coming across this you can see I have not been updating for a while. I am trying a new blog for a while.

Check out . . growthstylenlove.wordpress.com

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September 12

Patricia Field on HSN . . . thoughts?

Ok, ok, I do not have cable so I “watch” HSN while reading. Don’t ask, I just need something on in the background.   So they have been pumping up the fact that Patricia Field has a fashion line for HSN. So I am checking it out to see if it is worth anything. So I do like a few (read 3) pieces. As for the rest . . I am going to say she was designing for the HSN audience. No offense to the ladies who love their “holiday” sweaters and zebra print tunics but most of that stuff looks cheap (quality wise, the style is after the movie outfits, verbatim). So I will show you my favorites because I’m all about the love. You can check o ut the rest here.

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July 17

gaylinrose salon

GalyinRose Salon
25 E Washington
Lower Level
Chicago, IL
312.853.1105

This is another salon that is “family.” This is because Mrs. Galyin Rose came from Van Cleef; so where I have “Uncle” Rahni there is also “Auntie” Galyin. However, I will say that I have only been styled by Stephanie while at Galyin’s salon. Stephanie is great at styling I have seen her work on natural and on relaxed hair. While I was with her I was natural. She did a wonderful comb twist set for me that would last for weeks. I did ruin it though by asking for color and a texturizer in a span of two months (I got one one month and the other literally 4 weeks after).   The color came out great; the texturizer was another story. We unfortunately did not communicate well on what my end goal was and I therefore ended up a little over processed and not styled. This was totally lack of true communication. In the end I still recommend her. I would say be sure to catch her on an off day because if she is busy you can be there for awhile while she tries to juggle customers. As for Gaylin, I love her J! Truly though I have never had her do my hair. She has done my color once and it turned out great. I also like what I have seen her do with her client’s hair. The only other service I have had there is “eyelash application” which I loved and adored! They put on some false eyelashes for me that looked real but lush! It was for a special event and I would get it done all the time if I could. I do not remember the young man who put on the lashes for me but I am sure if you ask there is only one young man doing eyelash applications ;-).

P.S. Take the bus or have a friend drop you off because it will be a miracle from God if you find a parking space near; or be prepared to pay for garage parking.

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June 30

Black Hair Salons in Chicago . . the series

Most salon listings online are definitely the type that have been paid for by the salon. I see the same salons and yet have not seen some of the best. Then the listings are just that no information on price, the bests stylists, nothing. My goal is to correct that.    For everyone not local; I am sorry! The next couple of posts will be on the different hair salons in Chicago. If I can remember the ones I went to in DC I will do those as well.

First up I have my family at Van Cleef
I grew up in this salon (literally been there since it opened) and therefore love everyone there. This place is definitely Gold Coast budget and it is located downtown. The atmosphere is classy and professional without being snotty.

Van Cleef
52 W Huron
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 751-2456

Stylist I can speak on:

Rahni (Uncle Rahni) – Lead Stylist, has styled many celebrities and still does. His specialty is definitely “classic” hair styles. He will get your hair healthy and make you look classy with the signature swoop bang. Think Michelle Obama as far as hair style options with him. (Literally; he styles her hair too)

Heroom - He will definitely have you looking good. He does ok with the health of your hair. No matter what though you will leave the salon looking fabulous.

Karen - Unbeweavable! J She does the tracks and she definitely does them well. I have only had serious weave 3 times in my life. When she did my hair was the best I ever looked with the hair. Plus she knew which hair was the best and how to take care of it. I did go to another stylist for the final cut though.

Lamont – Best blow out ever! He will get you from full fro to silky smooth without the pain some others put you through. If it would stop raining, (and I got some cash) I would go see him today.

Bredetta – Nail service to the stars! She is mobile so you can get your nails done while sitting under the dryer. You have to love that.

There are many more stylists but these are the ones I have been to in the last couple of years. If you have reviews on the salon or more info on more stylists let me know!

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June 11

Ex files: Should we Recycle the old?
For the longest I had a firm belief that one should not go back to an exboyfriend, citing that there was a reason the relationship didn’t work the first time. Now I am starting to waver on my stand. Recently I have multiple ex's telling me that they want to be with me again and what a great person I am. I would love to just bask in the attention but I feel it is ill gotten. Most of these ex's chose someone else or didn't pay me any attention when they had me (one of these ex's did both). They all have the same song of change, but all of them are getting pissy because I am hesitant. Which I feel very entitled to feel, each of these men hurt my lil ole feelings time and time again.  I know it seems that the answer seems simple STAY AWAY, but its not simple when you figure in emotions.  We don't have to touch on how I feel about these guys, I wouldn't wasted so much time with them in the first place if I didn't care deeply. In the end my question is really can men change?  I know I have changed and there are many things that I have grown out of: so should I give the guy the chance to show that maybe they have changed as well?

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One Trend I want to rock . .
the abode . .
New Bathroom Update 8/1 *
the fashion . .
Date Wear, Raincoats, & leggins
the lifestyle. .
Wishful dating

Okay so after shifting through Style.com's hot looks for the fall I have decided on some of my favorites. I will definitly rock the Belle Curves style because afterall that is me! I also am intrigued by the Winter Garden style, which consits of large forals with dark backgrounds and feathers. (Feathers being Winter Garden is a strech as far as I am concerned but NEways) So I found this dress I love, love, love. If nothing else I want to copy the shape of the dress but I adore the print as well. I know it is a little "mature" but I figure once heels and my curves are added I should be fine. Do you like it or am I crazy?

Gossip Girls Hamptons Vaycay

So I have been daydreaming of a fab vaycay lately. While I don’t even have the extra cash for gas to drive to Michigan City! No matter in my head today I was in the Hamptons with the cast of Gossip Girl, most importantly with Chuck. Yes, it says sooo much about my taste in men, goodness no wonder I'm single huh ;-). So I decided to show you guys what I would wear. My three looks are first for daytime, then nighttime, then poolside! Let me know what you think!

Now you have to take in consideration that my skin tone is definitely chocolate chip. So I chose the daytime outfit for its contrast and the shoes for the daytime for the "nude" look. My nighttime is simple I adore purple and it is soo in right now so I will enjoy it. Then finally pool side I just love this suit for its slightly vintage shape. Then you have the skirt for a cover-up, no need for a top with that fab suit. Now what is with the visor and the hats you ask? Well two things as cute as sunglasses can be many have suffered from the sunglass tan, and that is not cute. Beyond that my face tends get dark so quick I am always trying to even out by letting the rest of my body tan. Although most of this is on my dream budget the first outfit, minus shoes and bag, are very affordable. Check them out here!

*FYI* I plan on getting more posts up but right now I am playing with the layout of the site. Stay Tuned :-)!

My Inspiration Board

I am definitely not of the “Church of Oprah”, (Church of Christ is my style) but there are valuable things to be learned from some Oprah shows. The one thing I definitely took away was an Inspiration Board. I have actually been a big fan of them since I was a child. In fact my mother told me I once planned my entire wedding out from the dress, to the bridesmaids, rings, flowers, everything. Hey, I am an event planner, it is what I love. But since then I have made my first inspiration board for my personal goals. I have five main ones currently, body like Beyonce, long natural healthy hair, finishing my house, and be like Oprah (my business goal). All I used was a foam poster board, some scrapbook backgrounds, glue, scissors, and clippings form magazines. I plan to use the empty end of the board to place short term goals/reminders up with push pins.

My Beauty Baggage

Ok, so I am not a make up girl in any sense. I have the same eye shadow pack I use if I go out and have it for years! I will be so lost when the pack runs out! However, I am a lip gloss fiend! My lips are too dry to go bare and when I use chapstick (lipchap :-D ) I get a rash :-(. So I have tried many a lip gloss. After trying many brands I have found two favorites. Iman Lip shimmer and MAC Lusterglass. I have both in my purse right now.

I use the Iman in Decadent on a daily basis because it moisturizes, has a slight yummy flavor, and I can control the amount of color I put on. The color is so rich and so beautiful! I love it! I have only found Iman at Ulta so far though I am sure the line has to be in other places as well.

When I am upping the ante I use MAC Lusterglass in Beaux, which come out to be a great shimmery nude on my lips. The Lustglass texture is not a tacky as the Lipglass, which I adore because I don’t want to be that aware that I am wearing it. Just this color and blend in a lip liner and I am ready to go!

As for any other makeup the only other makeup I wear on a regular basis is eye liner. The best is the bobbi brown gel eyeliner pot in black ink. This of course means that you have to master the application with a brush but it is worth it. This stuff is long wear and close to water proof.

Damn Recession . .
Okay so times are hard, REAL HARD. Majority of us are living a lifestyle that is no longer within our means. Most likely because you shell out additional dollars at the pump and at the grocery store every two weeks. So here are some of my favorite websites that you you looking fabulous and while keeping your savings in tact.

Budget Fashionista: She has some great insights. Plus she has a budget sheet that you can fill out to help yourself figure out what you can spend in the stores (look in the special book section). Also, I adore and love the book, it is a must have for sure.

Frugal Fashionsita: This site shows you how to get the exact celebrity look for less.

Cheap JAP: A site I just found that has fabulous tips on how to shop thrifty and look like a million bucks.

Snowballing: This is a popular technique to help get yourself out of debt that many people rave about. I am getting on it myself.

urban sophisticate . . .