There’s really not much that I need to say, except Happy Valentine’s Day.

XOXO,

Janique

(The good ol’ days)

Hello Diddy, Dawn, and Kaleena,

I want to first start off by saying I loovveeee “Last Train To Paris.” It is in my regular rotation on my iTouch. My concern really isn’t with you Diddy, it is more so Dawn and Kaleena. Ladies, what’s going on? I love your style about 95% of the time, but right now, these looks I am not feeling. I know you try to switch it up to keep things “fresh” and often change your looks, but I am used to you ladies being more consistent. There is always something that I LOVE about your looks, but these two photos right here, not cutting it. I see where you were going, but you took a left turn somewhere. I look to you ladies for inspiration and I want to be inspired again. Sooo as a concerned fan, I am asking that next time you leave your house, photo shoot, studio, hotel, take a look in the mirror. Thanks!

A concerned fan.

See the reason for this letter after the jump

(Dawn looks good in this photo, I’m worried about Kaleena)

So this is just a quick post to show how a few of my looks from Thanksgiving and the weekend. I spent Thursday at my cousin’s house like I’ve been doing since I was a baby. I wore a cream puff sleeved shirt, winter shorts, burgundy knit vest, brown tights, and brown boots on Thanksgiving. I originally wanted to wear my sweater dress, but I chose not too and went with the shorts instead.

My sister wore a black sweater dress, fishnet tights and black boots.

A few family photos (that’s my mom in the middle, cousin up top, and niece at the bottom)

Friday night my alma mater (Lincoln University) and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine 9 Black Greek Organizations) sponsored a toy/book drive and bowling party. I went just to socialize, see a few familiar faces and my sorors and frat brothers, definitely not to bowl lol. So I wore a black sweater dress, leopard tights, black riding boots, and a teal cardigan to make the dress more casual.

Oh and I did my faux-natural hairstyle and everyone loves it! I only do this hairstyle when I don’t feel like going to the hair salon. It is a little difficult to maintain because my waves/curls drop quickly, but I’ll figure out a way to keep this do with as little maintenance as possible.

I want to wish all of my HGB readers and their families a happy thanksgiving! This is the time to give thanks for family, friends, health, and much more.

I want to especially thank you all for supporting me and my vision for Her Goody Bag. Enjoy this day full of laughs, love, and great food!

-Janique

Today is my 26th birthday. I just thank God for allowing me to see another year! 25 wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, too much hype around this age I guess lol. It wasn’t a terrible age, but I was expecting a lot more to happen that didn’t…oh well.

I’ll be spending most of my day on the road travelling to and from the City of Brotherly Love (Philly). One of my line sisters is getting married today so that’s where I will be. I celebrate with my family and friends another time. So I hope everyone enjoys their weekend, I will be enjoying mine!

*Smooche*

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill 

Yesterday’s service was so inspiring. I know I say that a lot, but it truly was. First we were blessed by the musical talent of the Escobar Brothers from Queens also known as Nuttin’ But Stringz. They finished 3rd on America’s Got Talent a few years ago. That was my 2nd time seeing them live and those brothers are TALENTED!!! Their gift is truly amazing. One of the brother’s (Damien) talked about how he broke his neck last summer and the doctor’s said he would never play violin or speak again, and there he was yesterday standing on stage in front of the CCC congregation at 8:30am blessing us with his musical talent. All I can say is that God is truly amazing.

Pastor Bernard’s message was about determination. It was so powerful! Here are a few of my notes:

• Successful people take risks, in other words, they have faith. Faith is taking a risk with enthusiasm and passions while putting your trust in God.
• Successful people know how to accept failure. Failure is the wound for success. If they fail they keep trying and that takes determination.
• Many of life’s greatest victories are born out of failure. If you fail don’t whine or cry about it. Go back to the drawing board and find a way to accomplish your goals.
• God would rather see the cluttered pages of your trying rather than the blank pages of you giving up. (This is what got me moving)
• If you are afraid of failure and rejection you will  never experience success. You have to get beyond rejection
• There will be mountains (0bstacles) in your way and sometimes God may not move those mountains and so you have to CLIMB your way to the top. The bottom of the mountain or ladder is crowded with people who do not try and are not determined enough to succeed. Be a CLIMBER and start heading to the top.

Wow! I left so inspired! There are many things that I want to accomplish, but I have just been sitting around waiting for an opportunity to fall in my  lap rather than me trying to do something to change my situation. What I learned yesterday is that I need to increase my faith and work. Faith is an action word so I can’t just sit around and expect what I want to happen without putting the work in.

Persistence + Determination = Omnipotence. With persistence and determination you have the power to accomplish all of your hopes, dreams, and desires. Remember: If God be for you, who can be against you? Have faith and be determined. Don’t only wish, hope, and want things to change, but put in the work to make the change.

I hope this inspires someone to move forward.

Independence-noun- freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others

Yesterday was the 4th of July also known as Independence Day. It was the day in which America gained its independence from Great Britain. Yesterday in church we sang a song that’s simply states “I surrender all.” When I think about that song and independence day, I think about all of the things I was set free from. No one is totally free, but we do not have to be in bondage things like pessimism, apathy, selfishness, fear, low self-esteem, etc. We can be set free if we just surrender all of our past hurts, pain, negativity, to God.

Independence is not only for countries, it is for anyone who wants a fresh new start. Whatever is holding you captive and keeping you bound spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, surrender it all. As the saying goes “Let  Go and Let God” then you will experience true freedom.

Hey my lovely HGB readers! I have some great news! I was featured on the Sui Generis Boutique “Her Steeze” Fashion Segment!

Click here to read the post

Thank you to Mrs. Halimah and the Sui Generis Boutique Family. Check out their blog! Sui Generis Boutique

I went shopping with my sister last Friday. She wanted help recreating her look, but of course on a budget. I helped her select a few pieces that were transitional (day and evening) and I also picked up a few things for myself. Here is what I bought:

• Floral Print dress- Forever 21
• Cobalt blue bodycon skirt- Forever21
• Neon print sundress- H&M

We found this cute little accessories shop also. I believe it was called “Live, Love, Laugh” I’m not sure (sorry) but they had a great selection of rings ranging from $2 to about $10. I purchased the following

• Turquoise circle ring
• Turquoise multi shape ring
• Snake ring
• Amethyst, amber, ruby, and emerald geometric shaped ring (my favorite)

Well these really aren’t looks I wore today, but I was having camera issues and I was unable to post any of the following pics until now.

This is me graduation night. I went to this restaurant in the city called Choice (review coming soon) with a few of my friends..

I wore a beige strong shoulder blazer with a white top, statement necklace from Traci Lynn (photos of Traci Lynn Jewelry will be up next week), boy friend jeans from NY & Co., a burgundy vintage clutch, and Aldo platform heels.

I recently did a Spring/Summer must have post on Tie Dye jeans (click here) and I said I would post pics when I wear mine. I wore these memorial day weekend, to a friends bbq.

I wore them with a white tank from Target. I must say that this tank top is the best tank top ever created. They are soft and they are just the right length. They are the perfect fit, I have a bout 4 (I need some more). I wore them with some white flat sandals from ALDO, a silver link chain, and a Taupe bag from NY & Co.

I should start posting these more often huh? I’ll try