7 Years, 2,357 Posts: Happy Anniversary & Good-Bye Ms. Style and Grace!

It's with a very bittersweet sentiment that I write this post, as this will be my last blog post on Ms. Style and Grace. After a few months of thinking, praying, mediating and talking to friends/family about what direction I should go with my blog it finally came to me and I decided (Well God spoke to me) to fill up that empty glass of mine. As this month marks my 7 year Blog Anniversary I figured this would be the perfect time to announce my Blogger retirement *pours out champs on the ground*. It's with great esteem and confidence that I focus on my next chapter with God's permission of course (more on that later). This blog has been my saving grace (literally) and my therapeutic release when it came to life's twists/turns so after 7 years I feel very complete that I've accomplished all that I've wanted to do here. Ironically the the number 7 represents completeness and perfection (both physical and spiritual) and my Angel number is 17 and low and behold we are in Year 2017 so with divine powers beyond me I know that this is the right time to pursue a dear passion of mine.

My Favorite Blog Post/Opportunity: Hosting Let's Talk Live in 2015

This blog has been taken me to places I never imagined (Hosting my own TV segment; Attending Fashion Week; Starting my own Style & Image Consulting business, etc.) and most importantly made me want to be a better person inside/out. I've met some amazing individuals and had a blast sharing some very special moments in my life so this is a very bittersweet good-bye to something that has been a big part of my life. I am nothing without my readers, you guys mean the world to me---the super sweet messages and support over these 7 years means more than you will ever know, Thank you immensely! And to my family and friends who have been there since day 1, you are so appreciated and I promise to not let you down. Of course I couldn't let my last blog post go without a super fabulous photo-shoot that made me feel on top of the world! Spring has officially Sprung in the District of Columbia so I wanted to capture this extreme Glow Up that I've been feeling (Special Thanks to Tabby and Coco for the creative direction/photography). See below:

WHAT I WORE: Over-sized Cotton Shirt by H&M/ Stripe Tie Pants by Mara Hoffman/ White Mules (old) from Target/Blue Pretty Poms Tassel Earrings by Kate Spade

So what's next for Ms. Style and Grace aka Schuntel Alexis? Well I'll give you a big hint and the exclusive of course! I'll be doing a lot of writing cues *Carrie Bradshaw* in a very literal form, the last few weeks I read over all of my blog posts and will be incorporating some of this into literal form. Yes! You've heard that right. I'll be writing my very first book. With mustard seed faith I know that nothing is too big for God. I've already began the creative/brainstorming process so I can't tell you all that I'll be writing about but you won't be disappointed. I'm very anxious to finally pursue something that I've been wanting to do for a few years now. I read a quote the other day that said "They don't serve champagne at pity parties" and it was like light bulb went off in my head. It was reminder that in order for your dreams to come true you had to do your part and work for them, so here I am making my own dreams a reality because I like to drink champagne.  

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Although I won't be posting here anymore, you can definitely stay up-to-date with me on www.schuntel-alexis.com and via Instagram. Again, THANK YOU ALL for you love and support it has truly warmed my heart. And for the very last time I'm bowing out gracefully (tear drop)!

JAMAICA | EVERYTHING IS IRIE AT 31

Everything is truly IRIE at 31

It's back to regular scheduled program as I've returned from my overly anticipated trip Montego Bay, Jamaica. Before my trip I planned a small pre-birthday celebration at Pinstripes in Georgetown, DC where I really got to spend time with my family and friends as we enjoyed an evening of laughs, food and bowling of course. I brought in my actual birthday celebrating my dear friend's wedding and taking in much of God's natural beauty. I'm sun-kissed perfection and feeling extremely irie as the Jamaicans would say (Irie\I ' -ree: is the word in Jamaican Patois that means, "alright". The term can be used to mean 1: powerful and pleasing; 2: excellent, highest; n 3: the state of feeling great). If you know me then you know that I tend to spend my birthdays by the water, it's the Guyanese/Aquarius in me that has to be near a body of water to be fulfilled. There is always a sense of peace and tranquility that I feel when I can just stare in the ocean, traveling to different places fills my cup up especially when I get immersed into the culture. Anyway, here's a few pictures from my birthday last weekend (I'm still celebrating though lol).

Since it was the bowling alley (a fancy one might I add), I opted for comfortable chic. This is the first year I gave up my "team overdressed" requirement for my guests. I wore a cream jogger set by ZARA and my trusty Jimmy Choo "Lance" sandals with my favorite new choker.

I get serious when it comes to birthday cakes. I had a vision and voila it came to life. Simplicity is everything and I'm so happy that Buttercream Bakeshop did my drip cake! The best part is the funfetti cake inside!

First things first, BIRTHDAY SHOOT!

 

 

Birthday Suit from here & here (now on sale)! 

How sweet are the newlyweds and my friend! I came back from the beach and the whole room was filled with balloons and champagne! What a celebration!

Infamous Bob Marley drinks :)

 Get the look here & here |

I'm a lover of nature's beauty so I got to explore another wonder of the world, Jamaica's Blue Lagoon. I've been to Jamaica a few times before but I always make a promise to myself that no matter how many times I visit the same place my experience will be different so while planning this trip I stumbled across the blue lagoon (of course I went to the blue lagoon in Iceland) which blew my mind.

 

Our Captain Ray let me take over the raft for a few. It's harder than it looks!

Get my full look: here & here |

I love birthdays and I'm so glad I got the chance to share it somewhere beautiful. I'm extremely blessed to live the life that I do and I can't stop thanking God for all my blessings. As hard as I work I try to celebrate all the milestones in my life and live a life I'm proud of. At 31 I can honestly say that I'm happy with who I am and who I'm becoming, this glow up of mine is bigger than me. I'm surrounded by great people that I admire and cherish, they teach me how to love; be selfless; remain humble; be compassionate; continue to give more than receive; be fearless and most importantly to always let God light my path. Thank you all for the beautiful birthday wishes, cards, gifts and love---I'm humbled by it all!

*bows out gracefully*

30K MAGIC |

Happy February! I love this month for so many reasons...it's black history month, it's LOVE month not just the day, Beyoncé just announced she's having twins, and most importantly it's the month that I was born (special thanks to my amazing foreign parents)! I have so many reasons to celebrate amongst all that is going on in the world I choose to focus on the positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't blogged in a month but I've been pretty busy getting my new year resolutions underway and focusing on all things that will make this year the best one yet. Between praying more frequently, spending much needed time with God, making my health a priority (running on the treadmill only eating salads *cues drake*) and letting go/walking away from anything that has been toxic in my life I have to say I feel GREAT. I'm in the most beautiful space ever, I can't really describe it but there's nothing like having inner peace and happiness. It's only been 1 month into 2017 and I've already seen how magical life could truly be when you step out on faith.

But anyway, with all that said I thought that with this beautiful space I'm in I would share this recent photo-shoot I did with my friend in my apartment. Did I mention that I love my new apartment in the city? The floor to ceiling windows is always a bonus especially since I'm an avid daydreamer (any Aquarius' readers out there?). Check out my 30K Magic Photo-Shoot:

WHAT I WORE: Jet Crystal Bouquet Earrings by Oscar de la Renta/ Black choker by CHO'KD/ Multi Floral Lace Gown by Naeem Kahn/

My friend and I experimented with the gold leaf hair trend that I've been obsessed with since I saw my favorite fashion maven Aureta rock a few months ago. It's so much harder than it looks, I'll be playing this new trend to perfect it even more. Now that I'm a few weeks shy of my 31st birthday which I'll be spending on a beach celebrating my dear friend marry the love of her life (I'm so excited for them), I figured this look would be a perfect representation of my current mood. I'll be back in a few weeks (post birthday) to share all my fashionable moments, etc. Until then let's pray for our country and remember that we weren't built to break.

*bows out gracefully*

BEST MOMENTS OF 2016: A YEAR IN REVIEW...

If I can speak truly and candidly, I'm more than ready for 2017 to be here. My favorite number is 17 and I see it everywhere and it's sort of become like my lucky number. 2016 has been one of the most humbling years of my life---it has not only taught me so much about myself but it's taught me that I must be true to who I am. I've experienced so much this year that it astonishes me how I'm still able to stand with the confidence and strength that I have today. I like to think God keeps giving me these battles because something great is bound to happen, and although disappointments seemed to hit me like a ton of bricks this year STILL I survived and became stronger than ever. I've had some really great moments this year and it has been a pivotal year for me in all my friendships/relationships as well as my career (Thank you God). I began 2016 on a very positive note and I'd like to end it that way, so I took last week to review all my promises I made to myself and reflect on my pages in my vision book to just see how far I've come. Below are the promises I've made this year and I also made some notes as to how I accomplished or what things I still need to work on.    


My Promises to 2016...

1. I promise to keep God first! (Mediate in the morning & began listening to Joyce Meyers podcasts before beginning my day--Thank you BHill)

2. I promise to remember to be honest about what I want, need, feel and who I am. (Maybe I've been a little too honest this year lol. Once I turned 30 it was a wrap!---you live and you learn right?)

3. I promise to always be kind. (Every week I try to do at least 1 thing that is kind for someone else or least make an effort to go out of my way for someone)  

4. I promise to choose wisely. (Deciding to end friendships/relationships and letting go has been some of the wisest choices I've made)

5. I promise to keep an open mind. (Lived life to the fullest)

6. I promise to remember my blessings over my struggles. (As hard as it is at times, I've definitely remembered my blessings)

7. I promise to be the kind of person I would want to meet. (Honestly and Truly have made this my mission this year)

8. I promise to smile more :) (The blessings kept me smiling year!)

9. I promise to walk confidently in the direction of my dreams. (Sometimes it's a struggle but faith has kept me walking in the most confident way)

10. I promise to read more. (Epic fail! My "busy" life did not allow me to get as much reading in)

11. I promise to wear that outfit I was saving, even if it's to go to the grocery store (life is short). (And I definitely did---maybe twice lol)

12. I promise to spend my time wisely. (I had no choice to do this because with such active social calendar all my time was carefully thought out)

13. I promise to write more. (I didn't write a lot but I definitely prayed a lot. Does that count?)

14. I promise to use social media less. (I took much needed time to unplug and plan to do it more in 2017)

15. I promise to remember that I'm human and I'm not perfect. (I tell this to people all the time, I'm not perfect and I don't try to pretend that I have it figured out)

16. I promise to love a little more :) (I gave 2016 a lot of my heart and soul this year, no regrets just lessons learned)

Despite missing the mark on a few promises for 2016, I have to say I had some pretty great moments! Check out some of my BEST MOMENTS OF 2016.

 



"I'm competitive really with myself, HONESTLY....Really my references-- I go back to myself and try to better myself. So I'm really tough on me more so than anyone else. I'm not an competitive person that walks in thinking about other people and how I can compete"- Beyoncé    

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My only promise to 2017 is to keep projecting the best image of myself forward with a firm grip on reality while living everyday to the fullest. Happiest New Year to you all! I hope next year is your break through year and that all your wildest dreams come true.

*bows out gracefully*