The BIZZ Plan | Lisa Nicole Bell (@LisaNicoleBell)

I really like these short business testimonials on the Issa Rae business channel.

They have done a few so far and I have learned something new from each one.

Watch this one featuring Lisa Nicole Bell and see what she has to say about

business and confidence.

Much Needed Job and Goal Inspiration

If you are anything like me, you have hoping and wishing and praying for something or someone to breathe life into your career. The exhaustion of not only looking for work but looking for something that won't make you miserable to go to everyday is overwhelming! So I thought that I would share some tips with you from James Rosseau, a Fortune 100 Exec and Christian hip-hop artist/producer, that inspired me.

1. Embrace your passion. Don’t discount your dreams. Return to that childlike fascination you once had and find a way to spend your work and life passionately.

2. Perform to progress versus perfection. Don’t become paralyzed by perfection or the pursuit of it. Instead, perform to progress toward your goals and dreams, celebrating each small step along the way.

3. Promote with purpose. Let people know who you are in a way that is personal and purposeful -- not a slick self-promoter. People recognize and reward those who stand confidently in their strengths authentically and purposefully.

4. Parlay your platform. Your ‘platform’ is the station in life you’ve achieved thus far. It is the sum total of all your efforts in honing your talents and skills. It may not be where you want to be yet, but it’s yours.

5. Put it into action. Keep your eyes and ear open to see when opportunity knocks. Be alert to it and be aware. Take action on the four steps that lead up to this as earnestly and as often as possible.

6. Practice philanthropy. Give. You can never go wrong giving, even when no one hears about it. So many of us have benefited from the gifts of others, and you’ll never know what your small, or even not-so-small, gift might mean to someone in need, be it a coworker, a friend, or even a boss.

Preview: ARDENCY INN's 12 New Pigments

As part of their Fall collection, Ardency Inn is introducing 12 new shades of shadow. All of them include Manuka Honey, ensuring their creaminess. The face of the campaign is Dee Dee Penny from the Dum Dum Girls, and the colors are gorgeous!

 

Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls

 

Copper, Disco, and Heaven

Hell, Orchid, and Peacock

 

Punch, Rose Gold, and Royal

Sunday, Tangerine, and Vintage

 

*Credit: Photo: Hector Perez, Makeup: James Vincent, Art Direction: Tamaryn, Wardrobe: Raquel Medina-CleghornA





Preview: Zoya Fall 2014 Entice and Ignite Collections

For ZOYA's Fall collections, ENTICE and IGNITE, they drew color inspiration from classic wools, textured brocades and metallic accents.

The ENTICE collection includes the colors Nyssa, Claire, Veronica, Margo, Ryan, and Genevieve.

The IGNITE collection incudes the shimmery colors Autumn, India, Teigen, Sansa, Remy, Yuna.

Starting tomorrow, Aug. 12, both collections can be preordered on Zoya.com  for $9 a piece. 

 

The Terrible 29s 3: Desperado Nacho

I went to a networking event recently for professionals and I can’t lie, I went primarily because it was at a Mexican restaurant and I knew that there would be nachos. And there were nachos. Amazing hot chips drenched in white queso. And as I stuffed my face alone in the corner I found myself confused. Instead of seeing networking I saw a lot of folks scoping the scene, seeing what others were working with. And thus is life when you are 29 and over. Always look and smell your best because a trip to the gas station could serve as an impromptu date-a-thon.

At this point, I am scared to RSVP to events. A child’s birthday party could become a hookup hotspot. Folks feel sorry for your if you are almost 30 and single. And as they should: it sucks! The only people who like it are those that just got out of a long, long relationship and want to experience living alone but I assure you, they don’t like it for long.

When you are single, you are at the bottom of everyone’s to-do list after family, work, aerobics and grocery shopping. After your coupled friends take the dog to get a manicure they then say, hey, let me call Sally Single and see what she is up to. Don’t think the call is genuine. They just want to make sure you are not dead.

This is not a fun block to be in, so naturally you want to go out and meet people while at the same time wanting to hide under the bed. Word of advice: don’t go to anyone’s church service if they invite you. It is going to be an ambush. And you will then get to listen to a man tell you why he feels he has to get married tomorrow before God starts hating him. Emmm…romance.

Flippin' Out

The coolest thing about summer, besides the weather and cute dresses, are flip flops! Finally, you can shed the suffocating footwear of winter and show of your toes. During these last days of summer, give your feet a treat with these adorable flip flops from Freewaters.com  They come in all different colors and they even have cute loafers and shoes for men. Below are a few of my favorites from the site.

(from left to right: VEZPA, $40, ROMA, $46, MOLLY, $48)

 



eShakti Love

It was brought to my attention by the good people at eShakti, the amazing online retailer, that August is National Romance Month. So I thought that I would post a few of the dresses from their site that have made me fall in love:)

(from left to right)

Lace trimmed floral print cotton dress, $48.95

Keyhole front colorblock poplin dress, $48.95

Painterly floral cotton bow tied dress, $45.95

(from left to right)

Retro floral print cotton dress, $55.95

Tropical floral print crop top and skirt, $47.95

Pleat waist cotton poplin dress, $59.95

Tropical floral print denim dress, $35.95

Florence dress, $75.95

Heart print cotton dress, $55.95

 

What pieces make your heart flutter? Visit eShakti.com today.