Every year The African Festival of the arts puts on a amazing mix of fashion, food and live music during the weekend of Labor Day and it holds a special place in my heart as a summertime Chicago staple.
I go to find unique pieces for my closet and I love supporting the local artists from all over. Some of the best items to get at the fest, Art Work ( Mind Blowing) and Accessories ( I always grab earrings).
With foods from all over you can try lots of amazing traditional foods and also some cool new options. I’ve been going to the African Festival of the Arts for years and I always opt for trying something new, that didn’t change this year.
Food gets me excited.My Girl Cherita from Beauty Marked Vintage enjoyed the #AFAchi30Vegan “shrmp”from good2go
Along with seeing the culture, seeing the look and enjoying the #blackgirlmagic and #blackboyjoy energy you can always count on a dope musical lineup.
After the show I can’t stop playing his new song BGM ( Black Girl Magic)
This year had headliners Wale and Rotimi (If you follow my Instagram you know Rotimi and I go together. Just Kidding.🤪
Connect with The African Festival of the arts and head out next year!
Have you ever wondered why people who are successful have confidence around themselves? It’s because they have figured “IT” out. Not the “IT” of getting rich quick or scheming but how to successfully grow their business and also confidently manage all the aspects, number one would be currency, that money, those coins.
Lawyer bae, Ashley Nicole is letting everyone in on the gems she learned to help her grow her business, Mobile General Counsel and lead others the information she has to help you not only manage the business side of creating a business but also being confident in who you are as a person. I had to opportunity to attend the live taping of Ashley Nicole’s podcast and I left with gems for days!
Let’s get into them!
Ashley talking to her parents about how to raise confident Children!
Being there for your children and showing them confidence allows them to understand how much they are worth. (These Gems came from Ashley Nicole’s parents who talked in depth about how confidence plays a big part in raising confident children)
The beautiful clothing from one of the vendors! House of Divahs!
2. Check up on yourself and take care of your mental health! Let’s keep tabs on our mental health concerns and address them. It’s okay sis, you have to take care of you FIRST.
Pretty and Bossed shirt from the Pretty and Bossed Brand! LOOOVed this!
3. Setting Goals and making plans help your business run smoothly which in turn make you confident in your business and hitting each goal you set! This gem was given from Kim Lewis who is the founder of a brand called, Curl Mix! Her story was so amazing!
Myself and the lady of the Hour, Ashley Kirkwood, ESQ.
4. Charmaine J, for Black Ink Chicago, discussed how confidence and honesty plays a huge role in maintaining her relationship with her boyfriend despite all the pressures and criticisms of being on Reality Tv!
PaigesQuinn, unique art!
Ashley gave us information to move forward with and also left us with things to do to complete our “WORK”. In addition, Ashley is also available to help with legal advice, trademark questions etc! When you get a chance check out her Podcast for all of this and more!
Every year I spend Christmas Eve with my grandmother and this year was no different except it was just here and I. Usually it’s my two to other cousins but this year I had my grandmother all to myself!
We usually bake something to eat for the Christmas Festivities but this year I wanted to try a Hot Chocolate bar. Needless to say, it was a hit! I got items from Trader Joes, Dollar Tree, and Marshalls and it was extremely affordable!
Vanilla extract from Marshalls and glass saucers from Dollar Tree.
Cinnamon and, candy canes all from Dollar Tree. In the glass bowls, I crushed up some green candy canes for toppings. I also put honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg in the glass bowls as well. I didn’t do the typical marshmallows because I don’t eat them. (I’m Pescatarian) Mugs from Dollar Tree
Finding a good dress is hard and making sure the fit is right is also important! For me, a Bardot style dress shows off just enough without being too much! I found this cute red dress from River Island and paired it with a fun pearl detailed black pump.
You can always swap out a red dress for another dress in another bold color like yellow, royal blue and add a cool heel to make it stand out!
Here are a few alternative dresses that you can still achieve my look for a very affordable remix. Also, let’s give a shoutout to the beautiful Kenwood Neighborhood for the beautiful background, located in Hyde Park this is one of my favorite places in the city!
On November 24th,2017 my family and friends came together to surprise me for my 30th birthday! My actual birthday wasn’t until December 7th, but they still managed to get me! EVERYONE knows that I’ve always wanted a surprise party and I never got it. My family didn’t know that I was in the research process of putting it together myself! (When I want something, I do it)
My Mommy!
My sister was the one who got me to the venue by telling me that I was helping her with a photo job and that I needed to dress up? I was like why do I have to dress up if it’s your event? I was lowkey pissed that I really had to dress up. We get to the venue, and all my family and friends were there, and my mom had put this thing altogether! (Mommy is the real MVP) I was shocked, overwhelmed and full of Joy!
Good Times,Good Friends
My bestie traveled to sing happy birthday to me!
My sister who was in charge of getting me to the Venue!Amber and Bri, Amber made this dope frame!Cousin Love!
Mrs. Manning and I!Wobble anyone? lol
This picture looks like I am really doing something! #can’tdance
Besties!Family
My beautiful Aunt and my fave Uncle!Me watching my video made by my amazing best friend and her dad! I was so shocked by all the pictures!
I had the honor of being invited to The Monique Rodriguez Experience launch event, and it let me just say it was another life-changing event experience. I know, I can be dramatic at times, but I’m so SERIOUS! I was invited as an attendee, and I was so excited to listen to all the speakers on the Power Panel. Some of the panelists I knew from social media and networking around Chicago, so it was cool to see everyone again!
The launch was at the Loft Lucia event space in the loop area. It was a beautiful and chic space. The event focused on networking and empowering all attendees, and it did that. Instead of having the usual letting people sit and talk to their friend,s there were activities that encouraged meeting new people, exchanging social media information.
How cute is this packaging? LOVE!
This made everyone get up and get moving. In my experience to drive results, you have to get out of your comfort zone, no matter how hard it is. I meet a lot of great people who are working towards their dreams and have fabulous ideas!
If you are not familiar with Monique Rodriguez, she is the owner of the brand, Mielle Organics and has turned her love for beauty and health into a health-conscious and glam beauty brand. Mielle, hast the cutest brand packaging and presence and the products, are excellent. (Ya girl is a sucker for all things pink)
All the goodies from my gift bag!
After all of the networking activities the power panel started! Right before the panel began, I got introduced to everyone in the Mielle team, and they were all very nice. In that process, I was invited to join the speakers on the Couch for the Power Panel!! I was shocked because I hadn’t done a panel discussion since college and I hadn’t really prepared to speak that day, AND I was getting over a cold and not to mention that all the women on the panel I look up too !(in my head I was freaking out, yall )
Myself and Youtube star and influencer, Vicky Logan
God saw it fit for me at the moment with no preparation to take part in the panel and it ended up being such an excellent experience! I shared my journey on blogging, fashion and how it’s hard to be creative when no one else understands you. All of the questions we were asked dealt with moving forward when things are hard, and when your passion is not ideal. After the panel, we took part in a poll about how people typically view networking events and how it can affect what they get out of events similar to this one.
The snack table full of Glorious donuts!
It was fascinating because a lot of the feedback was talking about how scary it is to put yourself out there and while that is true, you never know when that will work in your favor. Imagine if I hadn’t come to an event or if I would have refused that invitation to participate in the panel? I would have missed out on an essential development of myself and SweetHeartSwan. It all worked together in my favor!
I am so blessed and happy I was able to experience the “Mielle” life and look forward to attending as well as participating in other events that are taking place in the future! If you are able to participate in any of Monique’s and Mielle’s events, please do, you will not be disappointed!
What I Wore:
Shirt: Vintage Shirt from my Grandpa (RIP) Similar
I got a chance to collaborate with my favorite activewear brand, One Love One Tribe again and of course, the pictures came out amazing! I’m so thankful I was able to work with One Love again!
All items are sustainable, reversible, UV Protective and made out of recycled water bottles! How cool is that?
For a limited time use the code: Happy New Year to save some money on your purchase. Check out the pictures from the shoot below and see what my favorite items are from the collection!
Photo by Jeff of PhotoshelterHawaiiPhoto by Jeff of PhotoshelterHawaiiPhoto by Jeff of PhotoshelterHawaiiPhoto by Jeff of PhotoshelterHawaiiPhoto by Jeff of PhotoshelterHawaii
