2011 goal...ENCOURAGE YOURSELF! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry be-lated Christmas everyone! Its finally New Years Eve...WOW. I can NOT believe it's about to be a new year already. This year has had its hard times..but overall I have ALOT to be thankful for. I launched my first t-shirt line this year, background sang for some of the GREATEST bands and artists in Los Angeles, made some new GREAT friends...AND lost some..(I'm not mad), and last but not least, found out a whole lot of things about myself that I didn't know.

Some of us don't like to admit our faults or insecurities. I can say without a doubt there are some things that I've done that I'm not proud of but what can I do about it now? God has still kept me this far. All that really matters is that I am still standing. All we can do as people is strive to be a better person this upcoming year then what we were last year.

Best advice I can give to you..don't expect too much out of yourself! Don't expect so much out of yourself that you can't achieve your goals! I found myself depressed a few times this year because some things didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. But whose to say we failed? Other people or ourselves? The only person that we should look for for encouragement is guess who...OURSELVES. If we depended on other people for encouragement..we all would have killed ourselves a long time ago.

Moral of this story is....SET REASONABLE GOALS FOR YOURSELF, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF, and last but not least...ENCOURAGE YOURSELF!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

STL Bound!

Howdy! I'm on my way back home to St. Louis, Missouri for the holidays to visit fam. I'm stuck at a Minnesota airport right now because of weather. But hopefully I can get out of here soon! So excited to FINALLY see my family again!

Everyone have a swell day!

J'Approved Latest News

Some of you have been asking ALL YEAR and wondering what's going on with my clothing/t-shirt line.  SO sorry for the delay of things but the line is in HUGE transition at the moment preparing for a relaunch! Yes J'Approved will be RE-LAUNCHED sometime in 2011 with BRAND NEW graphic tees, slogans, accessories, men's and children's line and MORE! I am constantly working on new designs and more concepts that you guys have been asking for and that I KNOW you are going to love!


If you have any questions or concerns about the line you can send me over an email at sales@japproved.com or my personal email at marquetap@gmail.com 


PLEASE DECENT QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS! I only keep it positive over here!

New site updates coming every week! Be on the look out! New EVERYTHING coming soon! J'Approved is about to take this generation by force! Are YOU ready???

Steve Harvey gives me a shout out on stage at BET's Celebration of Gospel!!!

HEY EVERYONE!! I'm SOOOO excited about the news! Well it may not be big to you...but for me...it was so surreal.

I attended  BET's Celebration of Gospel tonight taped in downtown L.A. hosted by the one and only comedian, actor and author Steve Harvey! Everyone that was everyone that I know worked the event so I got free tickets plus got to bring friends!

I wore my "Jesus is My Boo" tank top this evening. My main focus when I go to events like this is to network and to maybe get a pic or two taken in the shirt. Also to pass out business cards.


When I arrived I had to wait in line for at least an hour before they let anyone in. Finally when I got inside I got word that I had nose bleed seats alllll the way at the top. (This defeated my whole purpose). Don't get me wrong I'm a gospel music fanatic, and I came to be blessed...but nose bleeds...?? Foreal? LOL.

Half way through the event (while me and my friends sat at the top half sleep...YES HALF SLEEP..the sound was so horrible at the top we couldn't hear anything and we had NO AIR CONDITIONING UP THERE)...but low and behold GOD SENT AN ANGEL. This random young woman walks up to ME (let me repeat that....ME..) and asks me, "Would you and your party like a closer seat down on the floor??" I looked at her so wide eyed I probably almost scared her. My response, "YES!" with a huge shock on my face. Me and my party gathered our things and was taken down to the 2ND ROW! YES THE 2ND ROW!! Its seems as if my entire mood INSTANTLY changed when I got down to the floor. I looked around me and found myself sitting next to celebrity after celebrity after celebrity....finally..where I belong. Cameras flashing around me and ON me...I felt like I was at home. And yes...ya girl was very aware of EVERY camera. (hehe..don't ask me how I ALWAYS know when a camera is on me..I guess I just get this feeling. Not sure if I learned that while modeling..but..I'm aware of cameras all the time..even in churches. I guess it's a self-conscious thing about NEVER being caught on camera making an ugly face.)


Towards the end of the show between breaks while I was conversing with my godsister, I hear a voice in the microphone..."JESUS IS MY BOO...!" I instantly stop talking and to my surprise it's STEVE HARVEY! LOL! He recognized my shirt out of all the crap that was going on in the crowd. I sat upright in my seat and just smiled because if you know Steve Harvey you know he's a comedian and he will CLOWN YOU TO DEATH. All I could think to myself was "Please don't clown me Steve..please don't clown me like you did that other lady.."...low and behold..he did NOT clown my shirt! He actually gave props to my shirt in front of the ENTIRE AUDIENCE at the Celebration of Gospel! He motioned for EVERYONE to look over at the shirt I had on and all of a sudden all eyes were on me....can we say SURREAL!! "This girl down here has on a shirt that says Jesus is my boo! (he laughs)...Your shirt is hilarious and cute. I tell people Jesus is my daddy all the time..so I ain't mad at you!"......

HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF...and happiness!

My reaction? A HUGE GRIN and a yell..."THAT'S RIGHT STEVE!"

lol!! yaaay!!

It was SO MANY celebs in that room that I could NEVER be forgotten as the girl with the "Jesus is my boo" shirt on.

FIRST POSITIVE PRESS!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Thanks Steve!!

Shirt: J'Approved (http://www.JAPPROVED.com), Belt: Vintage

Shirt: J'Approved (http://www.JAPPROVED.com) Earrings: Los Angeles Artwalk

Be sure to tune it to The Celebration of Gospel that Airs on BET Jan. 30, 2011. Check it out!

(You are sure to see me alot towards the end..they flashed cameras on me alot!) Tune in!

Random Macbook-ing

Earrings: www.STANZINO.com

Earrings: Los Angeles Artwalk

Blouse: Forever 21

Ring: Los Angeles Artwalk or Ebay

I have my days where I don't feel good about myself....ALOT...but MOST of the time....I'm aware of who I am. When you become aware of who you are you gain a confidence that would be so sexy to men..they won't even be able to explain to you themselves why they're so attracted to you.

LADIES...you want a GOOD man?? .....
....BE CONFIDENT! IT WORKS!

Moral of this story is......

LOVE YOURSELF! It truly IS okay!

If you don't love yourself.....WHO WILL??

Don't be conceited but be aware of what God gave you in YOU...and LOVE IT! If God appointed you to STAND OUT...then be OUTSTANDing!

So...we're fancy huh?

Last night was one of my best friend's birthday. I have so much fun with these girls. We had a BALL...yes...I know how to have fun SOBER with no drugs involved. We went to an event downtown where there was great music, dancing, GREAT vibe in the room. Jon B was there along with Stevie Wonder and more!

My Dress: Forever 21, Accessories: www.stanzino.com

Dress & Sequins shoes: Forever 21

I wore my new sequins shoes from Forever 21 along with a silver one sleeve dress. Also from Forever 21.


FUN TIMES!!

Happy Birthday May!

I'M IN LOVE!

....with my new black & silver sequins shoes from Forever 21.....

Shoes: Forever 21

....need I say more?

Leftovers..

Hope you all had a SWELL Thanksgiving! As did I! I didn't go back to St. Louis this year..I stayed here in L.A. and spent it with friends and friends "like fam". 

Currently blogging and eating the rest of my thanksgiving leftovers on this lovely Friday night.

Jacket: Dereon by Beyonce' Knowles

Believe me or not..this is actually how I spend most of my Friday nights. Eating with a macbook in my lap. (hehe).



I'll be home for Christmas!

Randoms

.....

...yes..I think I'm in love....

MY NEW BABY!!

TEARS!! Guess what I got??!!

Dress: Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, Earrings: Los Angeles Artwalk

You guessed it! It's my very first acoustic guitar!! YAAY! A friend of mine surprised me with it for a late birthday gift. What a surprise!

Some of you may not know..but I am also a music LOVER. I background sing for some of the dopest bands and church ministries in L.A. The guitar has always been my favorite instrument for some reason..never knew how to play it. But give me until this time next year! I'm gonna be good!!

ARTWALK findings!

I attended Artwalk again in downtown L.A. for now the third month in a row. I was determined to do one thing when I went back down there....SPEND! Last month I went and almost CRIED at all of the vintage clothes and jewelry I saw for as cheap as $1! And I didn't have ANY cash on me! Here's a few pieces of jewelry I purchased..

This has now SERIOUSLY became my favorite piece of jewelry! (You can also find this on ebay)

This is my FAVORITE instrument that I hope someday I can master at! I would LOVE to play this some day!

And let's not forget the ART at ARTwalk! My godsister purchased this beautiful piece of artwork for me..that now hangs on my wall. Thanks Tay!

Street Style

This is a pic my cousin just sent to me from the summer time. I wore this outfit to the grove...yes...JUST to the grove...but hey...never let your bad days show right?!

Shirt: Vintage, Shorts: Vintage,  Ribbon: Created it myself, Shoes: Random Boutique, Bag: Louis Vuitton

I submitted this pic to Essence magazine for their streetstyle section! Determined to be one of the gals featured in there someday! Essence is one of my favorite magazines along with Black Enterprise. Let's hope to hear back from them soon!

Randoms

More beach lovin' today. Just had to. The weather here is beyond ridiculously nice for this time of year. Hit Venice beach today with a friend....


FUN TIMES!

Yes..I am a true goofball...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

This year I turned 26..and I must say..it has been one heck of an experience for me realizing how quickly my life has passed me by. I came out to Los Angeles alone when I was 20 years old, graduated from College, and never would have imagined I'd be where I am. Even though I have such a high standard for myself and figured I would be a tad bit further in my career by now..I still thank God for ALL he has done for me thus far!


I received SO MUCH love this year! (It seems like when you expect less..more comes to you.)

(HORRIBLE QUALITY PHOTO..but I had to put this pic up of the adorable ballons my little god-sister brought me! She's so sweet! LOVE YOU TAY!)

Gifts..gifts..and more gifts! WE LOVE GIFTS!!

That night I went out to Hollywood to celebrate my b-day in style. I didn't do much..just hung out with a few close friends. Then went to dinner with a few more friends.

As soon as I tried this dress on my eyes INSTANTLY began to water (hehe) and I KNEW this was the one! I paired it with a pair of black heels of mine, stringed some fabric through & around the shoe to the point everyone thought it was apart of the shoe. I didn''t have the color shoe I wanted so I created it...creative or what? Can you tell I love bright colors??

Taquita and I!
Dress: Random Store in Fox Hills Mall

Me and one of my bff's Kashmeir out to dinner! LOVES her!

Scarf: Thrifted, Shirt: Forever 21, Headband: Forever 21

Happy Birthday to me! FUN TIMES!

Random Makeup...enjoy the skin YOU'RE in!

I get told (ALOT) how beautiful people think my skin is..especially from other makeup artists. It's funny when I walk into a MAC store the things they say to me..."WOW you have such beautiful skin!"...Could be that I'm so obsessed with skin..or the fact that I take gratitude into taking care of my skin. I use a skin regimen every single day. I've been using it now faithfully for about 4 years and I must say it has changed my life...What is my skin regimen you ask....you ready...???




....

PROACTIV!

Yes you guessed it right...I use Proactiv and YES it really works...EVEN ON BLACK GIRLS! lol! People are so shocked when I tell them I use Proactiv...and I can tell them I haven't had a bump on my face in YEARS. Some people says it dries their skin out because the product is so strong. But if you see yourself experiencing that problem..just minimize the use. For instance if you used it twice a day..try using it only once a day. It never hurts to just TRY IT. Although, everyone's skin type is different..I'm pretty sure you would probably love the results.



I LOVE taking care of my skin! And I know it may seem weird but I actually look forward to washing my face everyday. It soothes me...yes..I know..I am weird.

Here's some of my work I've done on my own face...ENJOY!

Randoms

Working hard from home today.......how's everyone else's day going?

T-shirt: Random Boutique, Jeans: Random Boutique

Hope all is SWELL!

ARTWALK!

I attended Artwalk in downtown L.A. for the first time ever...and you guessed it..I am now ADDICTED! I had such an awesome time! Artwalk is an event that is held in downtown L.A. every second Thursday of the month from about 6pm-2am. All of the art galleries are open for display downtown, vendors come to sell, and people like me come to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL art and things surrounded by it! They also sell vintage clothes and jewelry. I had a ball! GREAT place to come hang out with your friends and enjoy a nice night out on the town surrounded by BEAUTIFUL people! I must say I LOVE being around attractive people..especially women. (no homo). I don't know what it is with women that get so intimidated by another beautiful woman. I love it. It makes me feel more beautiful to be surrounded by those like me....#imjustsayin. Who wants to hang out with unattractive, low self-esteem people?? I will never really understand that.

Yes I know this an absolute HORRIBLE quality of a photo but I had to show a pic of me and my girl Khadia (yes the one whose makeup I did in my previous post and said we became friends that day....well here's proof..we really DID become good friends...lol) and my digital camera broke a few months ago so I'm stuck with horrible photos for now.. Here we are at Artwalk. I'm rocking a pair of my favorite Stone Wash Jeans rockin' J'Approved's V-Neck JIMB Tee. We had an absolute GREAT TIME! FUN TIMES!

Shirt: J'Approved (http:www.JAPPROVED.com),  Jeans: Urban Outfitters 

Makeup Gig'n

 Got called at the last minute to do a makeup gig today. I got to beat the face of an up and coming artist with a BEAUTIFUL voice who has had the opportunity to backround sing and tour with r&b singer Mya. She's now doing her own thing. Her name is Khadia Handon..she's sooo cool! You would have thought me and this chick have been girls for years! We instantly hit it off and became great friends! Check out a few pics from the shoot.

Taking a little break while they go shoot. We shot in downtown L.A. I put this lip color together with gloss and white eyeshadow at the last minute. Her manager (my good friend) requested she wear a silver/metallic like color on the lips that I didn't have. But my mind went to work and I created this great color with eyeshadow! Yes..eyeshadow on the lips! You should try it! What do you think of the color? Ladies...anything is possible. You have to do what you have to do.

Here's some shots from the shoot..

Model: Singer Khadia Handon
Makeup by: ME
Photographer: Jose Lovos

Model: Singer Khadia Handon
Makeup by: ME
Photographer: Jose Lovos

Model: Singer Khadia Handon
Makeup by: ME
Photographer: Jose Lovos

Model: Singer Khadia Handon
Makeup by: ME
Photographer: Jose Lovos

Model: Singer Khadia Handon
Makeup by: ME
Photographer: Jose Lovos

Isn't she GORG?! And pics turned out to be awesome. Special thanks to photographer Jose Lovos!