What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for my life.
I am thankful for my health
I am thankful for my son
I am thankful for my job
I am thankful for my business
I am thankful for my home
I am thankful for my family
I am thankful for the turbulence
I am thankful for my friends
I am thankful for my church
I am thankful for my debts
I am thankful for my shame
I am thankful for the pain
I am thankful for the tears
I am thankful for the laughter
I am thankful for "him"
I am thankful for the grace
I am thankful for assurances
I am thankful for disappointments
I am thankful for supernatural favor
I am thankful for letdowns
I am thankful for the hurt
I am thankful for achievements
I am thankful for dreams
I am thankful for aspirations
I am thankful for wisdom
I am thankful for Knowledge
I am thankful for patience
I am thankful for heartaches
I am thankful for the prayers
I am thankful for haters
I am thankful for snitches
I am thankful for Moochers
I am thankful for gossips
I am thankful for love
I am thankful for lust
I am thankful for Ex friends
I am thankful for crushes
I am thankful for hotties
I am thankful for so much that you don't know, but in all what are you thankful for?

Snippets from my photoshoot...

I tell you it's not easy, I promised pictures from Italy,
Still loading, I just want to give you a taste of the photoshoot we just concluded, it was crazy, hot and sexy, pictures will be up by wednesday.. That's me exhausted from it all. Stay tuned...

Hands down! Italians are the best dressed people in the world.. My trip to Milan..

What's up y'all!!. I know! I know I have no explanations for being missing in action but I've actually been away in Milan, preparing for a photoshoot for my company promos. I tell you running a business is not easy, I want to give a shoutout to anyone who has been able to do that and hold it down cos it's tough.

Well on to the good stuff, I was in Milan all of last week, just got back so with that I greet y'all with a "ciao', and va bene' (which means what's up, or howdy or hello and the other means very good I hope).

I fell in love again with that place but most importantly because I could stand in the middle of Central Milano and gawk at well dressed people all day. Beautiful people, groomed and well put together. Fashion for an italian is a priority, he might not have a home to go to, or ride a bicycle instead of a car (which they actually prefer). But they must, and I repeat must have in- season coats, boots, man bags/briefcase and trenches for the men, and the women, DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON ITALIAN WOMEN! They are a riot...
Case in point, I saw an 86 yrs old woman rocking a Bulgari shades and Burberry trench and this chick was styling effortlessly.









I was also in Sirmeone, Bergamo, Brescia, Mantova, Leone and Carpenedolo. I moved around a lot and had to keep up with a few appointments and business meetings, but its still all good in the neighborhood. I’m back now and I hope y'all are doing okay. Still jetlagged but back to work and looking forward to the photo shoot I am directing for Linany Couture. I will put up more pictures of my trip, until then holla at a sista.

One!

Please pray for my friend....

Hey y'all. I haven't left blogville not at, all just missing in action. Away visiting with one of my closest friends Ms Lyle Dorsey aka -La Consuelos Leilei. My friend Lyle is HIV positive and very ill at the moment. I needed to go spend time with him cause he was dealing with so much and wasn't sure how much longer he had to live. Before I proceed, let me tell you all a little about my friend.

They say every fashionista has a gay moose, well mine is my dear friend Lyle. He is my biggest critique and adviser. Lyle used to be one of the best hair dressers/make up artist you could ever meet in the Northeast, my girl will have you looking like a diva in a minute.

He is also one person who can put you straight, tell it like it is.. Case in point: I just flew into Dallas, where he currently relocated to since he got ill to be near family, rented a car and, checked into a hotel and proceeded to go see him..getting to his apartment I knocked and he rushed out to meet me. first words out of him mouth:

Lyle: Bitch! Where are your bags, tell me they're in the car!!

Me: I'm glad to see you too, they are in the hotel room.

Lyle: Hotel! You bourgeois bithes kill me, I'm out here fixing your ass a room and you got a hotel, I should slap you in the mouth, scrawny, half dead motherfucker.. You look good, a few extra pounds but you alright by me..is that Balenciaga?.. I hate your ass, come here girl, oh I've missed your bourgeios ass...

That's my friend. We had a lot fun the few days I spent there, he's much better though, still stressed and distressed but he danced and sang for me,mixed me a tape of love songs, we went shopping and got pedicures were he proceeded to curse the Chinese lady out and accuse me being prejudiced against other races right infront of the lady.

I had to leave and head back to New York and he just sat there crying. I have never seen my girl cry but he did and guess the words out of his mouth right after the "crocodile tears"

Lyle: What are using on your face (I'd been breaking out over stress)

Me: Lancome why?

Lyle: You need to get a refund honey, on a scale of 1-10 right now booboo, your face is a 6 and that is not good enough, you need to get into the beauty supply store and get you some ambi, it's all but $2. You need to quit hanging around dem white people with their products.. it aint for you booboo, you're black!! And oh yeah, you been real grouchy since you got here.. I suggest you let someone play around in that "monkey" catch a tail or something. You too young to be this uptight.

Me: Thanks lyle, you are a real inspiration.

Lyle: Bitch! I tell like it is, aint no way around the truth.

He asked me almost every half hour while I was with him to to pray for him, and I do, I really do. I just hate the fact that it's gonna end like this for him. He chose this lifestlye and lived it roughly I must say- He was a Serial dater, a complete flirt and charmer. You can tell from the before and after pictures that he has lost a lot of weight, but he still retains his fabulous personality and run way walk.

Please pray for Lyle, HIV/Aids is real and can happen to anyone.

What happened to Blogville..

What's up y'all. it's been way quiet and a little too quiet in Blogville, where's all the love. Tell me where did it go!!!. I've been pretty busy myself, Getting ready to hit Lagos for xmas for the first time in 10 years. Yes y'all, I haven't spent Xmas in Nigeria in 10 years and I am just so psyched about it. Technically, I'll be working but I'll still be around family and friends, so we'll see how it works out. I hit y'all up with a few more dresses and style Icons, I'm inspired by a lot of people and dresses, maybe I'm getting intouch with my feminine side or inspiration. Oh well, so bloggers, let's meet in Lagos, check on it.. it should be fun.

EMMY DRESSES....

The emmys are my favorite awards for so many reasons. Haute couture is in display and stylists outdo themselves. I picked these dresses, because of the color displays and the fitting in it's entirety. what do you guys think?

Meme from "Moni

Accent: Eastcoast swang, but I speak Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa fluently, so I can flip any accent..
Booze: Don't drink, gets to me and I don't like anything controlling me..
Chore I Hate: washing dishes, my least favorite chore
Dogs/Cats: None, irks my allergies....
Essential electronics: Ipod, blackberry, notebook, camera....
Favourite Perfume: Absolut' by valentino
Gold/Silver: Both
Hometown: Ozara, Imo state
Insomnia: Yes everytime!
Job title: Day husle: Fixed income risk analyst, side but most important hustle: Designer/stylist
Kids: 1 for now and hopefully 3 more!
Living arrangements: Pretty comfortable 3 bedroom, one family house…
Most admired trait: Very hardworking, go getter!
Number of sexual partners: For wetin now?
Overnight hospital stays: Numerous, had really bad asthma growing up.
Phobia: Please don't judge me, short people...
Quote: “As you see me so, I no send you oh! But dat one no mean say I no dey wish you well oh!
Religion: Christianity
Siblings: 7, 3 sis, 3 bros
Time I usually awake: Depends weekdays 7 a.m weekends as late as 5 p.m
Unusual talent: Multi, Multi tasking, like seriously I can do 20 things at d same time and deliver…
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Can’t think of any..
Worst habit: Smoking…
X-rays: Last year after an automobile accident!
Yummy foods I make: Numerous
Zodiac sign: Leo Baby!!

These celeb's stylist did their homework!!

I watched the foolishness called the VMAs on sunday, I was actually supposed to be in VEGAS for the show courtesy of a dear friend, but cancelled cause I was indisposed and I'm sure glad I did.. A lot celebs turned up aight.. while the rest were just blaaahh...I always say get a stylist and it's not because I'm one. In all the hurry, you can make a poor choice that can honestly haunt you for a long time to come. Meanwhile a stylist has all your stats and has days to plan and shop to give you a total transformation for the big day. I'm big on "less is more" it doesn't have to be too much to be a whole lot. And as for Britney spears, I have one word" that child needs Jesus"!

Linany Couture press release

August 30, 2007
Contact: Bobby Taylor
Phone: 204-221-4014
Email: bobby@bobbytaylorpr.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LINANY COUTURE: “Image is everything.”

Image is everything! Nigerian born Brooklyn fashion stylist Linda Anyaegbu, lives by that statement.

It came as no surprise when she emerged with her very brainchild LINANY COUTURE.

Linany couture is a consortium of boutiques, fashion stylists and designers, carrying modern, tailored and ready to wear apparels & accessories, putting a good amount of energy and perfection towards creating the perfect image.

Linany Couture provides shopping and styling services for various things such as Music Video sets, Movie Production sets, Red Carpet Events, Weddings etc.

This stylist to the stars holds nothing back when it comes to fashion.

Some of the services offered by this stylist powerhouse include Individual Profile, Personal Consultation, Shopping and Styling services etc.

Founder and CEO Linda Anyaegbu presents an in depth analysis, appreciation, passion and understanding of current trends, celebrity style and everything fashion.

When asked why she decided to become a stylist, “I love to make people look and feel great. I love to transform the everyday person into a star, working with their budget and preferences. It is my passion and my clients stand out.”

Linany Couture was featured at the HauTe Magazine Launching in New York City. And also to hit the runways in various upcoming fashion shows and events.

Linda is off to a great new start this year with the launch of the Linany Couture line of clothing and accessories, and the opening of two boutiques in Nigeria and in New York City. Please refer to the website for launch dates.

For more information & news on Linany Couture, please visit its newly launched innovative and informative website at www.linanycouture.com

For More information or a personal consultation, please contact Linany Couture at info@linanycouture.com

For Information on Media and Press matters please contact Bobby Taylor Consulting at info@bobbytaylorpr.ca

Casting for female models and Valentino steps down.

My fashion Idol after Karl lagerfield of Chanel of course, Valentino Gravani 75, has stepped down from Valentino fashion group after 45 years.

He will leave Valentino in January of 2008 after designing one line of Couture collection and one more ready to wear line.

London based Permira advisers LLP, Europe's largest private-equity firm is scheduled to conclude it's 2.6 billion euro ($3.5 billion) offer for Valentino fashion group, which also includes Hugo Boss AG, this week( A two for one deal, I say). The designers departure may mean the company will place greater emphasis on the more profitable products such as accesories than on couture under Permira's ownership.

" I would like to leave the party when it's still full", Valentino said in an email statement, referring to the 3 days of festivities held to celebrate his 45th anniversary with guests including Jackie collins, Sienna miller, Mick Jagger and Princess Caroline of Monaco.

Former Gucci designer Alessandra Facchinettti is expected to be asked to create styles for the label after she was seen entering and leaving the company's offices in Milan and Rome.

The Rome based fashion house, Valentino SPA, had 2006 sales of 240 million euros and operates 58 stores directly. it is roughly one-sixth the size of Armani and about nine times smaller than Gucci in terms of sales.

Now to other news, I fired all my female models over the weekend. Actually, the ringleader L caused their demise. I am one of the easiest people to work with, but I am most importantly a business woman and time for me is money.

If I make plans to put your behind on my label and organise clothes for a show or events,please make yourself available. I do not care what beef you have with your boyfriend and why both of you should be in the same show, so no other females hits on him..heifer please!! Your little boyfriend is not that fine...

So I had to let all four of them go, one because the rest of them take instructions from this ringleader and two, I was just tired of the foolishness.

I want to patronise my people and do a lot of ethnic marketing but you have got to be kidding me about our tardy attitudes and lack of discipline in business. if we have a meeting at 5 p.m. Please drag your tired behind there by 4.56 atleast.
That is why white people are progressive, atlease most of them, they are on time!!!..

I will be placing an ad in the papers for a casting call for models, who will be on our label and work for various designers we intend to do work with.
If anyone knows of any models or anyone with potentials, I'm in a forum with designers from project runway and various styists and models on friday so opporunity calls everytime. This business is not easy, but we have to keep keeping on and pushing for the best. Later y'all..

2 cents out.

Haute Fashion Magazine launch and My male models...

Hey y'all... How go dey go?

My life has been crazy busy, since the website went up it's been a lot of work and all, but that's alright, I got into this business to work.

So I dressed four high maintainance models with the prototypes of the high end men's line I intend to debut next year on the linany couture label..Boy was I glad.. We ended up doing the runway at the Haute fashion magazine launch on the roof deck in New York. Pictures are not the best please pardon me, there'll be better ones later..

I was surrounded by hotness but that is not the issue, the issue was getting chicks off my models at the end of the night, one of them is below 21 and I promised his father I'll deliver his son to him safely after the show, So I was the designated driver to 3 grown ass men, in all it was not the easiest task.

You should have seen how shameless some of these girls were, grabbing at them, sreaming "take it off" when they hit the runway,like it was a strip club. In short I became officially embarassed for women that day.

But it was all good though, I am glad people still appreciate good things. My boys are good kids and they get the job done.. The girls who model for my ladies couture line now, that's a different story. I have never seen an obnoxious, self consciuos bunch like those ones, but they are beautiful and very professional when they want to..

I am dressing the founder of "fashion inde", a beautiful South African sister who is has taken over the New York fashion media scene for the launch of the Fashion inde magazine. I will take my female models these time in Ankara couture..pictures will follow..bettere ones too..

Y'all keep praying for me oohh. Well I'm working really hard to debut my line of High end men's wear early next year. The womens ankara couture is ready, but made to order exclusively. The accesories line will come out by the end of this year, and two boutiques will be up and running by december.I will keep y'all in the loop.. That's moi by the way, trying to keep my boys in check.

It's still 2 cents y'all.. Holla @ ur girl..

Linany couture website and all the good stuff!!!

What's up y'all.. I thank everyone who shouted me out on my birthday. That was real special for so many reasons.

I had a blast, I went out everyday of the weekend, which is unacceptable right now cause of my tight schedule, got delivery of a dozen fresh roses and fabulous gifts. Highlight though was when my 5 yrs old said" Happy Birthday mummy, I'll buy you a brand new mercedez with a plate that says '1,2,3 this is my mummy's car"!!. lol! I told him to give me the date of delivery for security reasons, I don't care when he gives it to me, as long as I get it. You can't go making these kind of promises, I don't care how old you are..

But back to the lovely, I would like to debut my company website on this blog, I have to confess I started blogging because of my business, but the "aproko" part of me started My 2 cents". I don't regret it though. it's been a blast, I have met wonderful people, Bobby Taylor, this one's for you ma, Ugo Daniels, you my friend are a man amongst men! I must to find you wife! Sebah Tubman..my sister, your little nephew is still asking after you. I love you guys for real! I appreciate all the love and prayers. The good lord will replenish y'all and light your paths.. it's all love though, we're doing this till the lights go off which aint soon..

I promised freebies to bloggers when I started this and it still holds, you guys keep me going.. I thank y'all and no worry we ar doing it real bigggg....Without further ado, please enter with me to......

http://www.linanycouture.com/

I'm a big kid now!!! Ageless as ever though!!

" Go shawty, it's your birthday, we gonna
party like it's ur birthday, we gonna sip barcadi like it's your birthday"...

Go figure the rest, love me some fiddy though..

Yes y'all I've skipped if you know what I'm talking about. it's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to, one cause I'm all emotional and two cos I have something in my eye lol!

Aint nothing going on but the rent or mortgage in this case,Aside from all the pressure at work, starting and running my own company which I love to bits, cos I 'm doing what I love to do best SHOP!!!

Okay enough about me and back to me again, I have a guy flying into town just to take me out to dinner for my birthday, made reservations in a posh restaurant straight out the zagat survey, your girl don't play! Problem is I'm not feeling dude.Met him at a wedding two years ago, he's been checking for me ever since. Me thinks he's working harder at his game, I just don't want to end the day feeling like I shoulda had a V8.

Got another date, same day different time. A desert only bourgoise lounge. Friend of mine trying to promote himself to boyfie status for the past 5 yrs and won't give up, problem is I'm not that into him too. Another dude, lives in Naija begging to come down for my birthday, friends think he's about to propose, I think he's up to something sneaky, when a guy is too nice and almost a pushover, it's a complete turn off for me. Ofcourse my mother thinks I need deliverance if I don't come home in december to marry dude.

Ever heard the phrase, "wanti wanti no getti getti, getti getti no wanti wanti lol! Heard it from my aunt, funny and ish but very true. Kind of my situation here, doesn't it surprise you that at that very time you are trying to make up your mind about love all sorts and I mean all sorts come your way. I have the head security at my job checking for me!! Can you believe that mess, none of the brokers or MDs asked a sista out, it has to be this goat, talk about:

"Can I holla at you sometime, maybe take you to the theatre or museum, you know whatever you educated ladies do, I look better out of uniform too"

Yeah right Muthaf**ka, I'll hold my breath.

For the purpose of my birthday we'll skip the gory details and concentrate on the lovely. I'm not checking for all these guys not cause there' s something wrong with them, far from it. Believe me when I saw the financial holdings of one of these men, even I wanted to slap myself over the head. But I'll rather smoke garri while I stare into my lover's eyes than feast on filet mignon and be unhappy.
I am dreading the call from my mum, she calls on every birhtday to wish me a happy birthday and go on about how my biological clock is 'stuck' meaning it can't tick anymore cause the batteries died. That my mama sef!, let her leave me abeg, she's been married and madly in love with my dad for 35 years, I wanna be married that long too.

Moving onto good things, I'll debut my company website really soon, I can tell you it is FABULOUS already...I thank God for so much cause I don't know how I do it, I just do it!!

For everyone who took time to shout me out, call and send their love I thank you all, I expect the gifts cos I am registered at jimmy shoes, valentino and Nordstrum. I'm riding till I turn 106 like Brooke Astor in cultured pearls and 5 Inch MANOLO BLAHNIK!!!


2 CENTS OUT!!!

Do not alter your destiny!

Whatever you desire in this lifetime is entirely at your disposal.Our steps are ordained even before we were born, yet as humans we decide on our own accord to change our destiny and our lives.

Monique the comedian did a documentary on Oxygen the other day at a women's maximum penitentiary, that was troubling to say the least. She interviewed some inmates and what was mind boggling is what most of them did to end up behind bars. Their jail terms ranged from life to 6 months. But one particular young lady stood out for me, she was all of 20 yrs old and had 147 yrs to life, She committed multiple murders and will rot in jail. What did she do? She took the lives of people who ridiculed and mocked her, her reason? She comes from a tumultous family background. She cried out for help when she was troubled but none came.

A few of the ladies killed their husbands, fathers, boyfriends for abuse or domestic violence. I always say a man who hits you "can and will kill you"!!. Granted, that is not enough reasons to kill anyone, there are precautions to be taken that were probably ignored.

A violent and abusive relationship is a waste of anyone's lifetime and that of the children who become scarred from it.

Women alter their destiny everyday, even by the most inconsequential decisions we make that come back to bite us in the ass! We keep friends and relationships that drag us back by decades. If there is nothing progressive about that individual please get it together and bounce.

Note:

* if all your girlfriends do is hop around the world collecting and swapping sugar daddies, please change your digits.

*if the people around you, which includes family participates in fraud of any kind, you could go down as an accesory.

I say this to say that, I cried while watching this documentary on Oxygen. Mostly because some of these women were banished for life because of crimes of passion or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In one case, a mother and daughter were in jail for peddling drugs to feed their kids.

I cried because we are all one bad decision away from being locked up. Take for instance, these harmless split second decisions:

* An abusive boyfriend put his hands on you and you swore that's the very last time it'll go down , so you retaliate and whack him upside the head with a pot of hot grits. Well he drops dead!

*A friend invites you out on a shopping expedition, you go to pick up a few accesories from Fendi, and she happens to be using her boyfriend's credit card which happens to belong to Mr Jim Thorton of Copell Texas by way of credit card fraud. You are rounded up by the authorities, dipped in silver handcuffs on your way downtown to get booked.

*What about that boyfriend that's "ballin and bout it".. he's laced in bling and takes good care of you. So he leaves a package at your house after a night of loving. You get a bang on your door at 4 a.m, it's the DEA and FBI. They're looking for your man,he's not there but a search of your apartment turns up drugs. How do you explain that while you go to jail for your ignorance.

I could go on and on, let's just keep our heads clear on daily decision making. Women are the salt of the earth, if we do not participate in the revolution because we are populating state prisons and juvenile homes, then it will happen without us. That will be too bad cause we know the menfolk can't function without us!!

Celibabcy and Self apprecaition.

I decided to become celibate for various reasons, the most important was for the purification of my mind, and a search for the deeper understanding of my person in or out of a relationship.

it was very hard initially, but I have a hang of it now. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those chicks that will turn a dude out! I want to be thrown at the ceiling or through a roof! You get the picture?? Get a guy wanting to drop a 7 carat ring, cry home to his momma, drive by my crib with his lights cut out kind of loving.

Well that was back then, it's good and all for a relationship but it doesn't guarantee a soul mate. it does not give quality to matters of the heart. You get to a point in your life, you want more! That piece of mind that comes from LOYALTY to each other. You want to know that the little things that matter to you from the bills to a gray hair, bothers him as much as it does you.

You want to stay up and TALK about everything from politics, work, family, friends and even the future. You want to LAUGH at each other's stupid jokes and the smallest things but most importantly you want to LOVE and RESPECT each other.

You want a relationship that is not heavy on nonentities, and you are SECURE in each other's presence and absence. No one is guranteed the next day or one more minute but I want to be guaranteed a smile or a hearty laughter anytime I speak or hear from him. I want a RELATIONSHIP that is based on the LOVE OF GOD and the GENUINE search of the knowledge of him.

I want a walk by the beach, gazing at the star and letting our eyes do the talking. I want his eyes to yearn for me completely, I want a soul that WANTS me. A man who is not afraid to cry infront of me, one who will cradle me and wipe my tears for those days I decide to reminisce about life and unfulfilled dreams.

A renaissance man, who is complete mentally and psychologically. One who is secure enough to make a run to duane reade to pick up my toiletries or spend the day with me at Gucci trying on shoes and accesories.

I want some one who is accepting of those days that I'm hormonal and bloated enough to curse him out and bounce...come back minutes later with a tub of butter pecan ice cream like nothing happened. A man who will take me as I am and not worry about being treated like a KING in front of his peers. A man amongst men who when we do decide to do it, will make love to me wholly, completely, not necessarily gently ( need a thug to take out the cobwebs in one shot), a coming together that will climax in thunderous resonance of all we've been waiting and anticpating for.....