MILK & HONEY LAUNCHES ‘PRECIOUS CAMPAIGN’

Non-profit organization and online hub for young women, Milk & Honey are launching their first campaign & event. The ‘I Am Precious Campaign’ launches with a short film that aims to tackle some of the pressures a 21st century woman faces in today’s image conscious society—from low self-esteem, weight issues to self-acceptance.

Passionate about protecting moral values and bringing an awareness of self-value and worth to young women around the globe, The ‘I Am Precious Campaign’ relates to every woman on a personal journey of discovery. The heart behind the campaign is to reinforce that these are issues all women go through and send out a global reminder that despite these things, they are ‘Precious’ and worth far more than rubies…

The ‘I Am Precious Campaign’  short film was directed & written by the June Brothers, featuring ten women from all walks of life, finding their purpose and understanding who and what defines them.

On 22nd June 2013 Milk & Honey will host Precious Conference 2013 in support of the campaign. Held at St. Mary’s Church, Marylebone, the event is aimed at women ages 16-25, and will be a fun-filled day packed with sisterhood, love & empowerment!

With an array of amazing speakers, musicians, workshops & divine girly surprises, Precious Conference 2013 is an all day affair not to be missed! With the likes of Charlie Blythe (The A21 Campaign), JC Villafan, Guvna B (MOBO Award Winning Artist), Daughters of Davis, Philippa Hanna, Miriam Swaffield (Fusion UK) and other leading youth organizations, musicians and much more! Support the cause and our voice in reminding women just how Precious they are…

I Am Precious Because… from Milk & Honey on Vimeo.

 

Precious Conference 2013 from Milk & Honey on Vimeo.

WWW.ITSMILKANDHONEY.COM
WWW.PRECIOUSCONFERENCE.CO.UK
Twitter: @ITSMILKANDHONEY 
 
//Press Release

Here Am I! Send Me!

Send Me

Before you can be sent, you have to be available, willing and ready. The declaration of, “Here am I,” means just that.

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

God is not going to make anyone live for Him or surrender to Him. These are choices. If you’re on the path of resisting God, or if you’ve backslidden and have found yourself running far away from everything and everyone that remind you of holiness, this is your day to make a new choice. Yes, sometimes people in the “church” can hurt; but forgiveness is the will of God. I am a witness that God can and does heal all manner of hurt.

You can change your mind, change your life, and ultimately your destiny.

Send Me

One of the reasons people are hesitant to “be sent” is because they may have to go alone. Your family and friends may not be on the same path as you. For many, this thought can be discouraging. But you must make up in your mind to go where God wants you to go; even if it means going alone.

We sing a song in church that says, “Imma go if I have to go by myself.” If mother, father, sister, brother, neighbor, or friend doesn’t go for Jesus — you go. Follow Christ to the end. Go on. Model Him, girl.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Hate is used here to mean to love less than, forsake or abandon. Jesus is saying, if you don’t love other people less than Him, or are not willing to forsake or abandon them and even your own life, you cannot be His disciple. Why? Because you are to put no one and no thing before Him. Anything placed before Him is idolatry. And yes, dear. This means you cannot love your boyfriend or husband more than Jesus.

Think About It

Are you available, willing and ready to go for Jesus?

 

Knock on Wood Clutches

Often women who are looking for statement pieces go for jewelry. Let’s go another route and turn your style-o-meter up a notch with a clutch—made of wood!

A Little Fashion History

Clutches are vintage accessories that complement modern fashion. Women in the 18th-19th centuries carried small purses called reticules. These reticules were made of fabric, and some are reminiscent of what we call clutches.

So what’s the function of a clutch?

Clutches are a statement of convienence, and are designed for a woman to carry the bare necessities. During the Victorian era, a woman would put rice paper for face blotting, smelling salts and a handkerchief into her recticule. In our modern day, we’d toss our cellphone, a thin wallet with cash/cards, pressed powder/compact mirror, comb, lipstick and keys into a clutch.

Clutches are stylish, too. Once upon a time, clutches and other types of handbags matched the outfit, as they were made of the same fabric as the dress the woman was wearing. We are no longer limited to having everything matchy-matchy. We can have color contrast, and use a variety of prints and fabrics to create a single look.

Wooden clutches are definitely vintage. A clutch made of wood can add texture to any outfit, just like other types of clutches, including brocade, silk, satin, wicker and lucite. While other types of clutches seem more appropriate for evening attire, a wooden clutch would pair well with denim, khaki, and an assortment of daytime or evening wear.

The wooden clutches featured in this set come with respective beautiful embellishments and shapes. Be on-trend with an envelope style clutch, like the Emboya wood clutch; or go glam with silk and leather embossed wooden clutches by designer Rachana Reddy.

Knock on Wood Clutches

Featured in set:

  1. Ornate Armor in Pink by Rachana Reddy
  2. Pyramid Clutch by French Connection
  3. Drama by Rachana Reddy
  4. Criss Cross Clutch by French Connection
  5. Blondie Wood Clutch in Dark Wood – ONE by Malini Murjani
  6. Spot Studded Clutch by French Connection
  7. Wearable Wood Clutch: Emboya

 

 

 

 

Fashion in Color: Timeless Rouge Red

From fashion to beauty, this season’s trending color is a bold, intense red. Red lips dominated the Spring 2013 collections at Prada and Rocha, and bright red dresses lit up the runways for Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior and Diane von Furstenberg. Red can be elegant as it evokes timeless beauty with hints of contemporary passion. Plus, unlike some trendy colors, the right red will continue to look great year after year.

Rouge Red Fashion

1. Pair matte red lipstick with minimal makeup to keep your look modern.

Apply a coat of foundation to your lips to boost lipstick’s staying power, and
then lightly fill in your natural lip shape with a red lip liner. Sweep on your favorite red lipstick, like Wet’n’ Wild’s MegaLast Lip Color in Stoplight Red, and blot. Add a coat of mascara to your lashes and a quick dusting of nude blush to the apples of your cheeks, and you’re ready to go.

2. Steal the show in a rouge dress.

This vibrant color can make you the star of any room you enter, whether it is a prom, date, or night of on the town with the girls. Some retailers, such as Asos and David’s Bridal, allow you to browse dresses by color so you can find the fit that best suits you.

Unbroken, vertical lines makes your body look sleek, so opt for an empire waist and flowing fabrics, like the combination in David’s Bridal’s Flower One Shoulder Mesh Gown to elongate your silhouette. If you want the mid-length, below-the-knee fitted dress that flatters your legs– go for the Asos Lipsy Structured Pencil Dress. Pair with nude shoes to make legs look even longer, or opt for a pair of matching red heels, like Aldo’s Mawusi pumps, to showcase your playful side.

3. Add a pop of color with red accessories.

Red pairs well with staple wardrobe colors like black, white and navy. It
can be worn just as beautifully with silver jewelry as it can with gold.

Punch up a little black dress with a red clutch, like this Gunne Sax by Jessica McClintock from Kohl’s or a Sondra Roberts clutch from Bloomingdale’s. Introduce a crocheted red bead necklace from Target, or Nine West’s Augustina ballet flats to a knee-length denim skirt and a solid color t-shirt for a stylish, casual look. When you need a piece that transitions flawlessly from the work day to the evening look, opt for classic, understated choices, like this gold-tone red epoxy buckle bangle bracelet from Michael Kors.

Heat things up by choosing red this season. Whether you fall in love with red lipstick, a red gown, or the perfect red accessory, you’ll look great and be on-trend.

 • This article was contributed by Tiffany L.

 

Fashion Collage: Shine in Color & Boldness

Sometimes we are not as bold as we should be when it comes to living out this Christian walk of love and faith. Other times, we become intimidated by the world and hold back words to witness to a dying generation that Jesus saves.

The Apostle Paul asked for prayer, that while he was in bonds as an ambassador of Jesus Christ, he might speak boldy…as he should.

  Ephesians 6:19 And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

We should or ought to speak boldly when it comes to God’s Word. There is no reason for us to fear or be ashamed of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whether we work in the realm of fashion, art, music, natural or behavioral sciences, mathematics or a vocational field, we need not shrink back because we are Christians.

I follow Christ. I am a spiritual Jew, as the Scriptures and evidence of the Holy Ghost proclaim that I am. I shine in color and boldness. There is nothing dry, unsaturated, dull or timid about this walk.

 Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

What about you? Are you a shrinking violet or are you shining in color and boldness?

Be bold. Live your life in color and shine on!

Shine in Color & Boldness

Naturally Professional & Changing Cultural Symbols

I spent this evening as a panelist with a very knowledgeable and fine group. Tonight’s event was hosted by the University of Memphis’ National Association of Black Journalists. We discussed being “naturally professional” — the stereotypes of natural hair in the corporate world.

Are there stereotypes associated with natural hair in the professional work environment? Yes. Some people view natural hair as untidy, or that it reflects rebellion and personality/attitude issues.

Naturally Professional Panel: (l-r) Carrie Conner, Jamie Littlejohn, Pearl Walker-Ali, Jordan Thomas Brock (Photo Courtesy of Carrie Conner)
Carrie Conner & Jamie Littlejohn
Naturally Professional Panel Discussion

 

There was much to discuss and learn. From a sociological and cultural perspective, hair is symbolic. It carries a meaning, whether you like the meaning or not. Can we redefine symbols and change their meanings? Certainly. However, most people are resistant to change, especially when it comes to changing their minds, which rests on their values, beliefs, and ideas.

Beauty Culture

Realistically speaking, it is 2013 and we must confront the issue of what messages our chosen hairstyles and natural textures send to society. Most importantly, we must confront what those messages mean to us on an individual basis. Change happens one person at a time. Only you can choose to change your own mind, and how you see yourself and society. This includes ideas about beauty.

Isn’t that the real issue with conversations about hair ? Ideas about beauty? These are values or standards imposed upon us that we choose to internalize or not. Our society has sold to us its standard of beauty. As a culture, we bought it. That price tag was pretty hefty.

The perspective that I shared tonight was that whether you are natural, have relaxed hair, wear a wig, weave, or whatever; at the end of the day you must love you. If you can only love yourself based on the texture or style of your hair, we need to fix something. When you peel back all the layers, all the superficial stuff, do you love who you are? Do you accept yourself?

I honestly hate “natural” hair being solely applied to people of color, as though other races don’t have natural hair. I also hate the term “ethnic” hair, hair care, and hair styles being applied to people of color. We are not the only ones who have an ethnicity. Everyone has an ethnicity. A shared culture or nationality equals ethnicity.

The Movement

In keeping with the theme, there are many reasons why a person joins the “natural hair movement”. Whatever the reason, I sincerely hope it is a personal choice to open your perspective and just be who you are, and not a cover-up for the symptom of self-esteem issues, whose root has not been dealt with. Yes, someone with natural hair, just like someone with relaxed hair, can STILL have self-esteem issues that are not connected to hair, but to something much deeper.

However, if your personal choice to wear your hair natural boosts your confidence and feelings of self-worth — good for you! Still, be sure that you are you, not matter what you have or what you look like. True beauty radiates from a pure heart.

“Just Say No” to Self-Righteousness

I caution natural ladies to not think of themselves in a self-righteous manner, as though embracing natural hair means you love yourself and God more than a woman who chooses to wear relaxed tresses. Having natural hair does not mean you will avoid damage, split ends, and the like.

I equally caution ladies with relaxed hair to not think of themselves in a self-righteous manner, as though having relaxed hair makes them more polished and sophisticated. Straight hair is not more beautiful than other textures.

The Big Question(s)

Are we truly “not” our hair? We say that: I am not my hair. But do we mean it? Is this conversation just an extension of racism and colorism within our own culture and society in general?

The question of the evening was: Is natural hair professional? Yes. Just like any type and texture of hair, no matter what color you are, your hair is expected to be groomed, especially in the corporate world. If it’s groomed, it’s professional: kinky, curly, wavy, straight, and everything in between. The issue is that mainstream society has not caught on to this realization that your hair texture is not a reflection of your skills, efficiency, intellect and productivity. Through promotion, education and creativity, we can plant this thought: All hair textures —regardless of race and ethnicity— are beautiful.

j-modelmg

 

 

 

Miss Sophisticated Fashion Collage

Sophisticated: knowledgeable and cultured; experienced, intellectually appealing, polished, seasoned, classy, chic, refined, stylish

Elie Saab fashion, vintage glam, brooches, bouquets and the ancient steps of Positano, Italy make up the Miss Sophisticated Fashion Collage.

Squishy Baby College Fashion Set: Pretty in Coral

Today I am featuring a lovely set by Squishy Baby University. College fashion can be modest, too. I believe you’ll agree that SBU’s Pretty in Coral set ignites images of spring.

Pretty In Coral

Office Style #1: Classy & Chic Pencil Skirt

Blazer, pencil skirt, collar shirt. Yes! It’s classy and chic office style.

Spice up a basic black office ensemble with a pop of color. I added a purple heel, briefcase and collar shirt in Office Style #1. This set features a Ted Baker pencil skirt, Jane Norman zip blazer and Jessica Simpson Willette Pump.

Office Style #1