Spring Styles 2013

By Fadia Patterson

Get ready to spring into a new season and look great in the latest colors of spring. Patone , just released the latest colors of the season in their annual report . See them right here.  


Some colors that are not on this chart are black and white; which is so easy and affordable, and was all over the runways in Europe and New York’s Spring 2013 Fashion week. My favorite color of the season is Emerald! The emerald is said to bring the wearer, tranquility, reason, and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.

I adapted to my existing wardrobe the pantone colors, trends and styles off the runway in my own unique way. Certain styles/trends such as “Peplum” and a leather jacket are great for the season and any occasion; whether casual or formal. You can still be in style and follow the latest trends on a slim budget! I love shopping at thrift, outlets and wholesale stores. I usually shop at department stores when I’m buying something out of season.

Red Peplum $7.99 (NY & Co.) Black Skirt $14.99 (Target); Shoes $15.00 (Ross); Black Belt-Ross- B/W Jacket –Ross $16.99

Emerald Blazer- $24 (NY&CO); Matching Top & Skirt (Handmade/ African Fabric from Paris); Emerald Necklace $ 12.00 –Target; Shoes- Nine West Outlet $20.00; Purse (personal gift from Italy)

Leather Jacket –Target; Pink Skirt ($6.99)- Target; Orange peplum top- ($14.99) –Forever 21; Scarf (Vintage); Shoes- Guess $29.00-Ross; Orange Handbag (personal Gift)

Our Careers as Our Ministry

By Fadia Patterson

Ever found yourself idolizing someone you know or a celebrity so much so that you wanted to be just like them or have their life? As a young lady pursuing the next level in her broadcast journalism career; I just wanted to take a brief moment to talk about being a fanatic and how it diminishes our faith in God. As I work in the media I see all of the celebrities that are glorified and admired. We see them on reality TV, on magazine covers, on Facebook and other social media sites. Sometimes it's difficult to avoid these "celebrities" who are virtually modern day idols.

"No matter who we are or where we are we need to accept who we are and where we are because it has not taken God by surprise."

Ever since I was a little girl; there were many noble women that I looked up to including Oprah, Kathleen Battle, New York News Anchors; Roz Abrams and Sue Simmons.  These women have blazed amazing trails for women and minorities in Broadcasting. I was in love with the Oprah show; I wanted Kathleen Battle's voice and I wanted to anchor the nightly news like Roz and Sue!

We certainly live in a world that celebrates certain images rather than individual uniqueness.  It's very simple to go off on the tangent and idea that you need to live this person's life and achieve all of the things they have to be successful or happy. And of course, this is so not true!

"Although I admire Oprah, I do not ever wish to have her's or anyone's life because we all were blessed with our own portion."

No matter who we are or where we are we need to accept who we are and where we are  because it has not taken God by surprise. So many times, I hear people say that I wish I had this person's life or are wanting what they believe is making another person happy.  I'm certain that there were many little girls, such as myself who wanted to be the next Oprah; the next hottest star, or the next multi-billionaire. However, have they thought twice about all the trials that came before that celebrity's or entrepreneur's success? Not everything is as easy as it appears. Surely we see the glitz and glam of their celebrity; but not the prayers, tears and low moments.

". .We see the glitz and glam of their celebrity; but not the prayers, tears and low moments."

In my short time on this earth I've realized that you cannot live to be exactly like anyone other than you. You must allow yourself to be the person that Christ created you to be otherwise there is no need for your existence.  Do you realize that you are the apple of God's Eye? You are the head and not the tail. You were created for God's glory and he wants you to blaze a trail in his honor. I heard a Vlogger say it best; "God does not reheat blessings to serve you; he wants to give you something unique and fresh!" His word affirms that very notion;  Isaiah 43:19 says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Indeed God is and will always do a new thing when it comes to all of the blessings in your life. We all have God-given gifts; but are unaware of how to use them. God has his idea for your life, relationships and career that far exceeds anything that you could ever imagine.  This includes our careers!  and our dreams! No matter what field we are in God is using it as our ministry to glorify God with the talents and abilities that he has given. That means that you don't have to be the next multimedia mogul, reality TV star or pop singer! We need not strive to achieve fame for ourselves.  I encourage you to think twice about who you are trying to please with such fame; God or man? God can catapult you to a status that exceeds your own expectations and it will be for his glory; not your own!

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" -Colossians 3:23

It's natural to want to excel and move forward in our careers; but God will always look at your heart and motives. True promotion ultimately comes from God!  Give God the chance to shape you unique career or ministry! I remember instances where I knew in my mind and heart that I was qualified for a job; but could not get a break or an opportunity to advance. But, God had the final say ultimately; he  has opened many doors for my career that I could have not dreamed of. I have also reset my mind to work to bring him honor. I no longer look at the path another individual's career is going in or their successes because I'm a believer in God's greater plan for my life.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jer. 29:11

You were created by the almighty powerful God! He has a plan for your life and career.  Whatever it is that you do; do it unto God and watch him promote you every step of the way. It does no good to idolize the career, money, fame etc.  and idly worship the heavenly father who is worth far more than all of those worldly things. These worldly things will never bring the true eternal joy and peace that only God could give. They can all be gone in a moment! You can always position yourself to make a living to pay your life's expenses but, God has so much more in store and it is specifically for you. Use your life's work as your ministry to honor him.

Photo Credit: Crosswalk.com

Innocent Bystander

By Fadia Patterson

In the wake of the shooting that took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut. It makes you wonder why do bad things happen to good people? In this case it's fair to say why do bad things happen to innocent people. Young children were shot to death and for what reason. We may never know why? My heart aches for the parents that will have to bury their children in the coming week before christmas. Surely, they never anticipated putting their children in box to regift to their maker; our God and this is heartache that no parent should ever have to endure.

God gained 26 angels yesterday. May the souls of Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47; Mary Sherlach, 56;Lauren Rousseau, 30; Victoria Soto, 27;Emilie Parker, 6; Olivia Engel, 6; Rachel Davino, 29; Anne Marie Murphy, 25; Charlotte Bacon, 6; Daniel Barden, 7; Josephine Gay, 7; Ana Marquez-Greene, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Madeleine Hsu, 6; Catherine Hubbard, 6; Chase Kowalski, 7; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Grace McDonnell, 7; Anne Marie Murphy, 52; Jack Pinto, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; and Allison Wyatt, 6 rest in peace.

In the midst of all of this, God will still show his power through Forgiveness!

He already has placed that in the hear of Emilie Parker's father; Robbie Parker who gave a touching speech in the memory of his daughter. He even extended his condolences to the family of the shooter.

In the conference he simply said; "As we move on from what happened here...what happened to so many people. Let it not turn into something that defines us. But, something that inspires us to be better,to be more compassionate and humble people. Please keep the sentiments of love that we feel for our families and the compassion we feel for others, even for complete strangers. And keep them with us as all times. Not just in times of sorrow and tragedy.....so that we can make everyone everywhere feel safe.

I am empathetic to the fact that in the moments that you have realized that your child will not come home due to a senseless death; it would be difficult to extend love. But this family did in remembrance of their daughter and giving all glory to God for who she was and how she treated others. They were grateful that the light of God shined through her.

Emilie was 6 years old and among 20 other children and 6 staffers that died as an innocent bystander. As her father mentioned she was a sweet young girl who had compassion for her sisters and others.  What a legacy to leave behind in such a short amount of time on this earth. There are so many questions still yet to be answered as to why this happened? Why did this happen to young innocent children or anyone for that matter? Where is God in this cruel circumstance? How is he working here? And why do bad things happen to good people?

The latter question is one that only God can truly answer.

He never said the road would be easy...but yet we must trust and have faith in him. Trust that he is working in our midst. All things are working for God's glory even in this horrific tragedy.  How? You ask: Emilie's death was not in vain! She is one of  the many faces that will impact the world as we live in it. There is no doubt that all of our lives were changed by this event. Her death symbolizes something far greater: that we as a people are in need of a Savior and perhaps her death and others at Sandy Hook Elementary could remind us all of that. Perhaps their deaths could highlight the shame of violence that exists in our society today. Perhaps this tragedy will remind us to check ourselves; to check our souls; to admit that we as a society carry so much spite, hate, and anger in our own hearts; so much so that it manifests itself in our children's lives as they  ultimately bear that burden. They bear the burden of not knowing if they are truly safe as they deserve to be. The events in Newtown; the Aurora theater shootings; the shooting of  Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and all of the slain that were in the "wrong place at the wrong time"; remind us of how we as humans can be so cruel to one another. Sadly,  events like this are not random. They are happening more often and our culture had almost become desensitized --until  we are introduced to and see the faces of 6 and 7 year olds who died from multiple bullets from a killer that they've never met and/or didn't even know they offended.  Then, we undoubtedly ask ourselves; is this the norm now? Is this our reality now? This event has truly crossed the line.

As we saw a grief stricken father describe the final morning he spent with his daughter; We can't deny him any anger that he may have towards the man that murdered his daughter in cold blood and yet he still showed grace and remorse by the will of his Heavenly Father to whom which he paid homage for sending him a daughter that was as compassionate as Emilie.  A trait and gift that "did not come from any parenting of their own" he said but, "from the Heavenly Father himself".

I cannot answer the very question that we ask time and time again: Why do bad things happen to good people?  I will not try to answer such a complicated question because we are all good in God's sight! And we are all innocent bystanders to have witnessed so many tragedies of this life; some personal and some shared with the world. One thing I know for sure is that God is near, and dear to the brokenhearted. Even in the midst of these horrific deaths--he will cause us to stand in awe of Him; ultimately turning this mess into an ultimate message that we can no longer deny.

Source: huffingtonpost.com : Robbie Parker quote and pics
See more updates on the Newtown Shootings via twitter @Fadia_Dame_Tele. Fadia also writes forBeautyFullyBlessed.Wordpress.com 

A Blue Christmas: Holiday Attire for Day & Evening

By Fadia Patterson

Tis the season for Joy, Peace, Love and vamping your holiday style! As we begin a new season and New Year with gatherings at the office, church and the Christmas ball. I gathered some of my favorite pieces to show that you can shop on a budget and still bring in the New Year with style. Curvy Ladies –take notes! I found some great deals on these pieces that you can generally wear all year round.  You don’t have to stick to the seasonal colors of Red, Green, White, Silver and Gold.

Many of you may have to attend Holiday parties while you are at work. So, I thought of a style that was inspired by Jackie-O or Michelle Obama.

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A long Jessica Mclintock, dressy overcoat shown below from Ross Dress For Less ($12.99) over a royal blue sleeveless dress from Dillard’s ($36.00) is appropriate for the day and evening. The accessories are all from Ross: Bracelet ($10.00) and Liz Claiborne Leather Crocodile Purse ($24.00) are both a steal. The Boots are by Steve Madden.

Cocktail Attire from Macy’s ($50.00). This royal blue dress is appropriate for any occasion and is great for a quick change between the office and a late afternoon cocktail party. The purse is from target ($16.99).

And finally, I love the holiday season for all of the fun events and opportunities to wear formal wear. I found this dress deeply discounted on clearance for $109.00. It was initially $358.00. Great Deal Huh? I found it at the White Room Too in East Nashville.

Hope You all are having a safe and happy holiday season! Remember that the true reason for the season is JESUS and above all of your style and holiday attire, your best accessory is your SMILE! Be true to You (BU!) most importantly and show the world that you are Beautifully Blessed by the one True God!