Interview with Designer Michaele Nunez from Mickaa.com

Hello! Today I wanted to introduce you to Michaele Nunez.  I found this beautiful lady on Instagram and I couldn’t help but notice her glowing skin and inviting smile.  There is so much more of her story to tell, so here we go…

Hi Mickaa!  Thank you for sharing your time with us.  I read your bio and saw that you lived in Haiti until the age of fourteen.  How was your transition to the United States and what was that like for you? 

I came here to United State legally when I was fourteen years of age. My father is an American Citizen so that made the process smooth however, I remember feeling extremely happy but scared at the same time. It was a new world for me, a new language, new types of food, everything was completely different from what I'd always known.  Sometimes I'd cry myself to sleep because I missed home.  It was a challenge to learn English. Gosh! That was difficult. 

How did you become interested in fashion and tell us about your background?

When I was growing up, wearing pants was not allowed by my parents, only dresses and skirt were allowed.  So, I grew up wearing nothing but that. As you can see, most of my outfits are dresses. I feel beautiful and sexy when I wear a beautiful dress, especially if it compliments my body. Lol!  

I moved to New York City when I was 23 and I remembered I used to go to Uptown New York and the women there were dressed beautifully with their heels.  They had beautiful dresses on and I remembered I said to myself...I'm going to be one these women someday.  LOL!

I visited your website and I see that you have your own clothing line.  There are so many lovely pieces and I really love the colors!  In fact, I saw a lot of wonderful resort pieces that would work perfectly for warmer weather.  What influences your designs and how would you describe your line/ personal style?

I am a color girl, everything colorful makes me happy.  I feel so alive when I wear a gorgeous white crop top with a red maxi open front skirt. I love being a sexy sophisticated woman and I am not afraid to show it either.  

My online store speaks so much of my own personal style. My line is conservative with a sexy feel to it, and I love it.

What advice would you give to other people who are thinking about starting their own line?

Don't be afraid to fail, and when you do, start over. 

Okay, your skin is unbelievable…I mean Wow!  How do you get your amazing GLOWING skin and where can we access these magical products?

Oh, my goodness thank you so much. I am a paid brand ambassador for Exuviance, a prestige online skin care company. When I was contacted by the company to represent their brand I was head over heels!  I literally broke down to tears one night thinking…WOW!  Let's just say with Exuviance, I feel more confident with my skin, I have never felt more beautiful. I love all of their products and I don't have a favorite really! 

Check them out here: https://www.instagram.com/exuviance/ 

You are in fantastic shape!  Can you share your diet and fitness secrets with the rest of us?

Aww…how sweet of you. My father and my mother are very petite, especially my dad. Let's just say the entire family is short and small except my two brothers who are 6'1 and 6'2.  My secret really is a 45 minute work out every morning no matter how tired and sleepy I am.  LOL!  I eat healthy and I don’t drink soda, ever. I drink lots of water and eat a lot of yogurt, I mean a lot!

Lastly, my favorite quote on your Instagram says,

“Go where you are celebrated. If they can’t see the real value of you, it’s time for a new start, because you are worthy and you matter.”

Can you tell us why this quote is meaningful to you?

I am that woman who doesn't give up easily.  Before I turn my back away from anything, I give my all, and I fight. And I know when to let go. Trust me, letting go can be very difficult, but I always remind myself that Michaele, “You Matter”, “You Are Precious and Valuable” and "You are worth much more than what you are receiving". That's why this particular quote means a lot to me. It keeps reminding me that:

“I MATTER, AND IF I GO WHERE I WILL BE CELEBRATED, WHY NOT?” 

Where can we find you?

Website:here

Exuviance Skin Care: Exuviance Skin Care

Instagram: uptown_with_mickaa

Thank you so much for sharing your life story and pearls of wisdom with us!  I feel as if there is so much more to your story and I could go on forever asking you a million more questions about your life!  I thoroughly enjoyed reading your interview and your empowering words.  Hopefully, we can meet in person one day!

Meaningful Mondays: If You Don't Accept the Truth of Who You Are

Hello! Hope you are off to a great start this week!  I spent the weekend at the annual USC Women's Coference in Los Angeles, CA and had a wonderful time hearing from some of the most inspirational women discussing topics in areas such as: healthcare for women, wellness, education, wealth, leadership, and business.  

One of the highlights from this conference was keynote speaker Dr. Yasmin Davidds, CEO of the Women's Institute of Negotiation.  I saw her last year and she is one of the main reasons I decided to attend this year as well.  What really impressed me about Yasmin was that she gave a powerful speech about her life story and got "real" about her struggles and overcoming adversity, but never lost faith in herself and still flourished in spite of it all.  She is someone I greatly admire and hope to learn more from in the future.

Make it a wonderful week:)

With Love,

Joanna

Explore Colour at The Chanel Beauty House in West Hollywood

The Opening of the Chanel Beauty House

in

West Hollywood, California

#welovecoco

Coco in lights!

#welovecoco

                                       

Did you know that Chanel was A Rebel At Heart?

"I decided who I wanted to be, and that is who I am." 
-Coco Chanel

Me:)

This is the pretty patio in the back of the Chanel Beauty House.

I was on my way to the Chanel Beauty House wearing this royal blue and gold brocade coat from Kensie.

Here is a little preview of the new lipsticks and lip glosses for 2018.

Hello!  I attended the opening of The Chanel Beauty House event a few weeks back in West Hollywood and had a fantastic time exploring the venue.  There is so much to see and do here.  The bathroom is decadent with designer Chanel floor tiles, embroidered Chanel towels, and even a bathtub with pearls!  When I visited, I was able to try on the new collection of lipsticks and lip glosses and take pictures in various designer rooms.  It's more like an interactive museum in Chanel style and definitely a designer experience you won't want to miss!  I would definitely put it on your "Things To Do In Los Angeles" list.  It's so Instagrammable:)

Hope you have a great week:)

With Love,

Joanna 

Meaningful Mondays: Everything You Want

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

To see more of my pics check out my 

Instagram @astylishlovestory 

Interview with Hairdresser, National Educator, and Author Jamie Wiley

Jamie Wiley

Hello! How are you doing? Today I want to shine the spotlight on hairdresser extraordinaire Jamie Wiley.  I found this fabulous woman via Instagram. She liked one of my photos and when I popped back to see her page, I was instantly captivated by her feed.  Now let’s find out a little more about Jamie Wiley…

Hi Jamie! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us.  I must say that I am super impressed with your work!  I scrolled through your entire Instagram feed and enjoyed every second of it.  I think once my readers see your work, they will definitely want to book a flight to Maryland to get a stunning colorful unicorn braid!

HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO BECOME A HAIRSTYLIST AND WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU HAD IN THE HAIR INDUSTRY?
            From a young age I was intrigued by hair and it came easy to me. Doing my own hair for proms and weddings. I didn’t actually consider it to be my profession until I was an adult and serving in the US Army. My mom passed away suddenly in my early 20’s and it put me in a space of reevaluating my own life. I finished my contract and began my journey in the hair industry with passion and drive. I wanted to pursue all aspects of this industry. Session styling, educator, stylist behind the chair, travel and now becoming an author.

WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A NEW CREATIVE IDEA, WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF HAIRSTYLING?

             I draw inspiration from a lot of places but my favorite is from fellow hairdressers. In the past we would look to celebrities to create a trend or new style but now because of social media like Instagram and Pinterest the average hairdresser can create a trend! How exciting is that! I love watching other people who are just as passionate and driven as me. I draw so much inspiration from them!

            My favorite kind of hairstyling is finishing. Taking the hair from its natural dry state to something even more beautiful and interesting with a braid or twist. And really when the hair speaks to you as it molds and shapes. Not forcing it into something that it doesn’t want to do in that moment. When we don’t ‘fight’ with it something really beautiful happens.

MENTORS ARE SUCH IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO HAVE IN OUR LIVES.  CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY ABOUT HOW YOU FOUND YOUR FIRST MENTOR AND WHAT QUALITIES YOU FEEL MAKE UP A GOOD MENTOR?

            My first mentor was Renee Herskovitz. I met at an advanced education program in Minneapolis we were both attending. I had paid my way to attend as the salon I was currently at didn’t fund education. She was the manager of a flag ship salon in the Mall of America. She definitely saw something in me before I saw it myself and asked if she could interview me for her salon. I agreed and actually moved salons to mentor under her. She trained with Nelson Gordon who was trained by Vidal Sassoon. She was tough and a lot of my discipline comes from my early years with her.

            A good mentor to me is someone who wants nothing more than to bring their mentee to where they are in the industry and then eventually see them go further than they themselves have come. Pushing this industry to bigger and better things all because of the greats that came before them. I only hope to turn around and share my knowledge with the next generation coming up.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT FEARS YOU HAVE OVERCOME BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND WHAT HAS HELPED GET YOU THROUGH THOSE FEARS?

            My fears have changed drastically through my career. At first I feared things that are small to me now (but where big at the time) like “Will I be liked” “Can I build a clientele” “Can I do this as an Army wife”. Then my fears changed when I lost one of the most important people to me, my mom. My life changed drastically and I no longer cared about innate fears. In her passing I learned perspective. So my fears have evolved, now I fear if I will leave a big enough impact on this industry/universe when I leave. I fear that the people in my classes aren’t learning. I fear stagnation. And I fear that I won’t finish all of my life’s work before my number is called. What I don’t fear anymore is failure because I know failure will actually bring me closer to my personal success through all of the learning.

WHAT BOOK DID YOU AUTHOR AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

            Before I became a hairdresser, I went to school for communications and the first goal I ever wrote down at 14 years old was to write a book someday. My life has come full circle now that I am a hairdresser and publishing my first book.

HAIR BOSS A Hairstylists Guide to Owning Their Career

Is a book that offers years of industry secrets. How to build your clientele quickly and secure the income you’ve always wanted. It is a guide into all avenues of the hair industry. Information all professionals that are killing it wish they had early on in their careers. It launches at the end of the month and you will be able to buy it via Amazon and my book site. Follow my social media for exclusive deals and giveaways! @jamiewileyhair    

AS A PUREOLOGY EDUCATOR, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THAT ROLE? AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW HAIR PROFESSIONALS?

            My favorite part about being an educator with Pureology is traveling to all ends of the country and connecting with the hairstylist behind the chair. When I bring new information or knowledge they didn’t have before and can see their life change is hands down why I do what I do.

            And to all new professionals coming into the game. I would tell you that no matter how long you have been in you can have and be whatever you want to be. If it’s something in your heart make it a priority. Don’t wait a year, five years or twenty years to pursue it. Don’t put yourself in a cage! If you can dream it, it’s already yours!

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

FB: Jamie Wiley Artistry

IG: @jamiewileyhair

Youtube: Jamie Wiley Hair

www.jamiewileyhair.com

Happy International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day To You!

"When women support each other, incredible things happen." -Unknown

 
Thank you to all of the women who have supported me in this journey. You know who you are and it means the world to me.

Meaningful Mondays: If You Want To Know, "Just Ask"

You may think that asking questions is a such a simple idea however, so many of us don't have the courage to use this important communication skill.  We often assume that we know the answers to the questions that have never been asked.  These questions and the conversations that come next are so important.  No problem can be solved, no relationship can be mended, and no common ground can be found unless we ask questions.  Let's try to stay curious about people and ideas, and make an effort to continually learn something new.  Let's try to keep an open heart, an open mind, and listen for everyone's truth.  Let's seek first to understand, then be understood.  If you want to know...Just Ask.  Afterall, it's the best way for us to learn, grow, and move forward together.

With Love,

Joanna