What an amazing event I attended Saturday! It was a FREE event for authors or aspiring authors where three self published/published authors shared their journey, successes, failures, and wisdom for about 2 hours. They graciously poured into us and we were overflowing when we left. The authors Angela K. Austin, Laura T. Johnson, and Jae Henderson all have very different methods and I think this is what was so interesting and made for a buffet of information. They also from different backgrounds. All three of these phenomenal authors can be found on Facebook and other links to social media outlets can be found on their page.
The event was held at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. It was my first time in the building (which is an old firehouse and still has the features of one. it was built in 1910), and I was floored with all of the beautiful art created by local artists. We were welcomed in with smiles. I have my eye on several pieces! And one I must have! I also learned they have classes there. Please, if you are from Memphis or in the Memphis, TN area this is would be a place off the grid to visit. It should be listed in things to do and would make a great trip for students.
One wonderful thing about authors and writers when they get together it’s a sharing of information and it is a meeting place. I met two published authors, Phoenix Rayne and Indiana Tuggle. I also met the head of one of Memphis’ well known book club, RARE- Reading and Rapping Experience. You can find all of them on Facebook and also connect via other social media outlets.
Nikki Jade, Phoenix Rayne and Indiana Tuggle bottom photo. Three rising authors. Me in all my turquoise and jade. That is the natural color of my hair. It will be become a darker red by the end of December. The sun lightens it for me in the Spring and summer! Of course I will post this under Fashion Confetti later with details.
I could not have asked for a better way to end my weekend.
Yesterday my daughter and I visited Dixon Gallery and Garden in Memphis, TN. These are a few photos I wanted to share with you of the beauty we encountered. There is no wonder people have weddings here. We saw the exhibit FOLD and toured beautiful paintings and sculptures. Below are photos from FOLD.
Ashley Dean of Dean of Fashion, Woman behind and in front of The Weight is OverGooGoo Atkins Host of WeTV’s GooRU Style WebSeries and host for the night
This is one of my favorite fashion shows in Memphis and if you are “Curvy” you should make your way to Memphis, TN around this time to catch it. I highly recommend the VIP tickets because it was well worth it. The reception, the photo ops, the food! Ashley Dean does a phenomenal job (always has), of putting this show together. Every thing was on point. The host this year was none other than GooGoo Atkins! She was amazing, live, full of fabulous-ness and down to earth! That is what I love the most…down to earth!
Dean of Fashion Info: www.deanoffashion.com Instagram: @deanoffashion and type in #twio for more pics!
GooGoo Atkins Info: Facebook: GooGoo Atkins and Instagram: @theegoogoo
Also, on the runway was Eyani Couture with creations out of this world! I wouldn’t lie to you! So please follow her on Instagram @eyanicouture and you can find her on Facebook as Eyani Couture. She has girls line, Pink Lady Bug Couture so your daughters will be just as fly as you!
Lane Bryant and Rue 21 were also graced the runway.
Now on to the FASHION!
Fashionable Guests in the VIP they were to fly to pass up!
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Now for what I want! My picks! Brace yourself…
This is a skirt!!! I would twirl all day and take it off and put it on and take it off and put it on lol Eyani Couture
Basically I want everything
Vendors were in the house!
Mumsy’s Sweets
IASO Tea and they have Coffee! With the lovely Celebrity Radio Personality Nikki French! It works! Celebrity Stylist GooGoo Atkins let us know she drinks it daily. Follow her on Facebook and get ready for “tea time”…pinky fingers up! As for me I am sold on the coffee!! You know I am a Coffee-holic I’m listening to V101 right now and you can too on iHeart radio.
My girl Latasha M Brown of LMB (Loving Me Better) and Initials Inc. Follow her on Facebook! Initials Inc is awesome! I could get lost in that catalog for days and days!
Bedroom Kandi…I’m going to let you find out on your own! Those candles were smelling so seductive!
Glorious Glitz! She has my money! That’s my shirt at the bottom.You can find her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram @gloriousglitz
Well, loves my feet are up for the rest of the day!
This is what I like about Memphis. You could be aimlessly wondering around Downtown and stumble upon anything! This is what happened to me as I left the Memphis Farmers Market to pick up my weekly vegetables and fruits. My daughter and I decided to drive over to Beale Street. It was blocked off and as soon as I saw the Corvettes I became ecstatic! I love cars and car shows. So, we found a parking space and walked over to the famous Beale Street and snapped away. Here you go car lovers!
Well, I started last weekend off with a trip to Memphis’s Farmers Market and since I was undecided on whether or not to attend the Memphis Book Festival I dressed cute and comfortable to be on the safe side. I got my fresh fruits and veggies (see Memphis Farmers Market Post) and headed down Union. A quick left into the Playhouse on the Square and a parking space magically appeared! I believe I was in sync with the Universe! (Parking spaces in midtown are hard to come by) I waltz in like I know where I am going and what class I am going to sit in but, I don’t know either. With a warm welcome and a quick read of the confused look on my face, I was handed a festival class and activity guide by a lovely volunteer.
I see the class Having It All and the description of balancing being an author and your other endeavors (blogger, running a publishing company, publicist, working professional, etc). I thought to myself “Can I have it all? Will I have to let some things go? I need balance. I don’t know what I am doing. This is the class for me!” I walk in and opt for a seat by the window so I can view the tent of authors I would visit after this class.
ALL of the authors on the panel gave us the unbridled truth about having it all, how they got where they are, where they are trying to go from there. They were very down to earth, practical, spoon feeding us truth serum in the world of Having It All all with pats on the back. You know the kind of hearty pats on the back your mom gives you after you cough from the horrible liquid night time syrup that is sure to make you better by morning.
I met Kima Jones, publicist for Natalie Baszile, the author of Queen Sugar. If you didn’t know, Queen Sugar debuted a few weeks ago as a new night time TV drama on OWN. She was the only woman on the panel and offered sound and sharp advice to women in the audience.
After I floated out of the class, I ran smack dab into a woman here in Memphis I adore. Cheryl Pesce is an angel that handcrafts jewelry with intricate details from precious stones and metals. I follow her on Facebook and Instagram (and you should too!) because she is so inspiring, unique and gifted. She has a story to tell that will light fire under your stilettos or sneakers.
I headed on over to Belly Acres for lunch and walked right into a Junker’s Fair in Overton Square. Belly Acres is in walking distance from Playhouse on the Square along with many other restaurants and bars. It was my first time there and the food was delicious.
I went home, rested and got back out to end my night with the crooning of Eric Roberson and D. Maurice as they made a pit stop in Memphis for a fundraiser of a very special and important non-profit organization here in Memphis; SisterReach. Click here to find out more about this organization and to see how you can help: https://sisterreach.org/about-sr/
My Monday was a push through to a Cocktails and Connections:Building Powerful Relationships hosted by The Brown Experience and Kay Brooks at the Hattiloo Theatre. It was well worth the push through as the panel, once again, delivered sound advice on how to handle the many types of relationships you will encounter as a professional and an entrepreneur. They shared their experiences, honest mistakes, and wisdom. I needed that advice like a fashionista needs a matching clutch to complete her attire. https://www.facebook.com/thebrownexperiencemem/ Like The Brown Experience on Facebook for up and coming events!
I was beat after that but, headed over to a behind the scenes photo shoot with flip flops in tow to relieve my aching feet from those gold heels. The experience of seeing multiple models in front of the camera and how a photographer conducts shoots was priceless. I made some great connections with the owner of iHustle, a Memphis born clothing line. Photos from their fashion show coming soon.
My I am beat but I just saw a cute guy as I walked into my condo face. That gave me brief life to strut in those heels and give a “Heeeeeeeey”. I strutted like Loretta Devine on Waiting to Exhale in the scene with her and Gregory Hines.
Nikki's Confetti Life 