BeautyXchange

Massage Envy is perfect for this, it's convenient and relatively affordable, especially if you're a first-timer to their services. Actually, a couple of weeks ago, two of my girlfriends and I went for massages to kick off the New Year rejuvenated.

I picked up this book last November; prior to purchasing it I had never read a book from John C. Maxwell but this has been the perfect introduction to his writing.


It's essentially a compilation of Maxwell's written work in a daily format filled with inspiration and convential wisdom. Though I must admit it is a bit more centered towards management in an orgnaizational type setting as this is Maxwell's trademark.


However, I have found it insightful and helpful to me as I view life in terms of the organization and myself as the leader trying to steer it in the right direction.




You cannot grow unless you are willing to change. And you will not change unless you change something you do every day.


People who achieve their potential do so because they invest in themselves every day. They take the time to add value to themselves.


Characteristics of a good leader: consistent, courteous, and clear.


The way people see others is a reflection of themselves. If you change yourself and become the kind of person you desire to be, you will begin to view others in a whole new light.


Focus on the journey, not the destination.


Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.


No one becomes rich, unless he enriches another.

When we refrain from giving, with a scarcity mentality, the little we have will become less. When we give generously, with an abundance mentality, what we give away will multiply.


Embrace your failures as blessings in disguise.


Seek first to understand, then to be understood.


Our attitudes determine what we see and how we handle our feelings. These two factors greatly determine our success.


To establish credibility you must make sure that what you say, what you do, and what you say you do are consistent with each other.


Though January is almost over, I would recommend this book while you journey into 2012. I'm sure you will find inspiration in each passage.

Solange has become a style icon in her own right.  What I admire most about her is - she seems to be sensible and simplistic by nature.  Seems like she doesn't try too hard, or try to complicate things.  I enjoyed reading her interview with Vogue Italia, seen below.

source

Name

Solange Knowles.

Personal Style

Evolving, Bold, Unrefined, Expressive.

Place you call home

Brooklyn.

Must have wardrobe items

Vibrant colours and print fabrics. High waisted silhouettes, statement shoes, easy dresses and Doc Martens for rainy days.

Favourite designers

Marni, DVF, Acne, Opening Ceremony, J.Crew, Boxing Kitten.

One item every girl should have?

"I believe every girl should own a pair of chic and comfortable flats."

What is your definition of style?

"The canvas of our individuality. An outlet for expression."

Favourite places to shop?

"I do most of my shopping online with Net A Porter, Shopbop, Theoutnet. When I need the in store experience, Opening Ceremony in New York is always fun."

Fashion Icons?

"Diana Ross, Erykah Badu, the Fela Kuti Queens, my uber glam mother, Chaka Khan, Bjork and the girls on the street in my hood."

Most valuable possessions

"My sanity."

Where do you find inspiration?

"Travelling, diving into other cultures face first. The colours everywhere, the colour palette of shotgun houses in New Orleans, spices in Marrakesh, nail polishes on shelf at my favourite nail shop in Brooklyn. I just left Rwanda and have never seen colours used in such natural and spectacular way in my life. I see colour before I see any other element in design."

Song of the moment?

CJ HILTON Cold Summer.

Beauty Routine

"I am very low maintenance. I think I am lucky when I get to wash my face at night. I occasionally get facials by a miracle worker in Los Angeles named Mirta. However, apparently getting facials is not the way to erase months of carelessness and angry pores. Sleep is vital, happiness is key so I feel the most beautiful with those two elements combined."

Make up Routine

YSL concealer, Rimmel mascara, Rimmel pencil eyeliner, bright lips... Keep it moving

IT Bag?

"I have never really been a bag girl.(Shoes is a whole other monster) but I am currently carrying a Mulberry bag that I love!"

Fondest childhood memory

"Too many good ones to share!"

Relationship status

"Happily Committed. It is not complicated, thank God!"

Personal motto

"I tend to adopt Tamar Braxton's Motto over my OWN.COM."

What does success means to you?

"Defining success on my own terms. First, being a loving and committed mother. I have failed in all things if I have not achieved that. Being an artist that creates to express the needs of my own, and in the process hopefully inspiring others. Having the financial stability to support the lifestyle that makes me feel fulfilled. I know that happiness is a temporary state of mind, success means for me constantly growing, evolving to find that place."

How do you feel about being recognise for your great sense of style?

"I feel completely flattered and also very humbled."

Your wish list for the season?

"I am still on last season wish list! I still need to dive into some of the insane sales of things I drooled over but could not fix myself to buy new things when I have a new house to furnish. There is a pink and orange wool jacket from Bottega Veneta that I am lusting over. A yellow Proenza Skirt I have been trying to get my hands on forever. I am definitely into waiting until I can truly afford the statement pieces I love, that I will wear forever! I still have couture dresses that came out 4 years ago, that have not worn yet. I am definitely not in a rush to wear things because they are the new new. I guess when I will decide to wear those pieces people will be calling them vintage (Laughs)."

What is your opinion about the black representation in the fashion industry?

"I think it is evolving, and that is a beautiful thing! Now when I flip trough magazines I can see just as many beautiful black models in major campaigns as any other race. Unique, striking,beautiful women. I felt so extremely blessed to be Rimmel's first black spokesperson, and to be embraced fully for being exactly who I am. And standing next to Kate Moss, with my Afro bigger than days light. I don't by any means consider myself the most qualified for model material. I think that people tend to respond to what is real. Black women carry that flame with so much ease and confidence. It is being captured and celebrated on all fronts in fashion now. I have friends who are doing greats things, that movement is very real and well deserved!"

5 things you can´t live without?

Water, food, plants, sun and sex.

Projects?

"My blood, sweat, tears and long awaited album, which is being mixed as we speak."

Hope you all had a great holiday and your first week into the new year was filled with anticipation of the areas in your lives that you want to improve.  

"The art of life is constant readjusting to your surroundings." 

-Kazuko Okokaura