Violet Emporium

So graduation time is here again and it basically brought back memories of when I became a graduate of the University of the West Indies. A...

So graduation time is here again and it basically brought back memories of when I became a graduate of the University of the West Indies. At first I wasn't excited at all to attend the ceremony and wait forever for my name to be called amongst the sea of social science students anticipating their honors. But as the speeches were made and the scrolls handed out, it dawned on me what a milestone this actually was and how extremely proud I was of the person I had become at that moment.

It was during that very ceremony that I began to reflect on the journey from beginning, where every little thing about University life scared me; to the end where I was determined to not let the many hiccups of my final semester stop me. I have no regrets with my overall journey and I'm gonna share Five things I've learnt on my University Journey and how they helped me cope.

1) This journey though stressful can be an amazing one.

I will never say that university is one of the easiest things you will experience but given the chance it can be one that you will grow to love and definitely will remember, the good and the bad. I, for sure, had my fair share of stress the whole four years I was there, from the sleepless nights, to the buckets full of tears, to the loads of assignments that felt impossible, burdened by the overriding thought of giving up and dropping out. But I also remember all the friends I grew to love who shared in the stresses with me, the days of just liming away on the “front line” on the guild lawn just so I can relax, the countless beers limes and fetes I attended and maybe just maybe consumed a lil too much alcohol (sorry mum) and generally all the extracurricular activities that allowed me to meet new people, laugh endlessly and grow an appreciation for being there. So generally just be open to the new opportunity and accept everything coming your way, no regrets allowed.

2) It is OK to change your mind.

Change is inevitable and it is up to you to accept these changes and keep moving or stay stuck in your tracks. At the beginning I thought science was all I knew and that a biochemistry degree was all I could really gain from my alma mater. After a year of failing miserably I was at cross road where I would either drop out of school or change majors. At that age, I was so terribly disappointed in myself and felt like a change in majors would only lead to more failure, so I kinda stuck on the idea of dropping out. But with support from my mum and a few close friends especially my dear friend Shaka, I decided to stick it out and do a degree in Management with Marketing. I had no idea about this field and was terribly afraid of disappointing myself further but 3 years later I’m a graduate with upper second class honors. What more can I say.

3) University is a melting pot. Don't be afraid to meet as many people as you can and make plenty new friends.

I can truly say this is one of the easiest and most exciting ways of meeting new people and experiencing cultures very much different to your own. Just ignore the urge to be shy and reach out to a stranger and you never know, you may make a friend for life. If anything, the people you reach out to have a lot more to worry about than you do, considering they are miles away from their home and everything they know. So why not try to make the experience a little less overwhelming for them. Go to the events, the beer limes, the fetes, the culture nights and introduce yourself. It all starts with a simple hello.

4) It’s an experience that can bring out the biggest changes in you. Don't be afraid to grow with these changes instead of limiting yourself.

Your life will make changes throughout this journey, some big and some small. Embrace change and find ways that it can empower you and allow you to be the best you can be. Even though some changes may be unexpected and hard to accept, there is a high possibility that it can open doors to success. After all Gail Sheehy rightfully says “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow we aren’t really living.”

5) Every day you feel like giving up or dropping out, ending your journey and graduating will be one of the best and most liberating feelings you will ever have.

This whole experience will of course test you. Some tests will be small and easy to overcome and some will drain you and feel impossible. But one thing I can tell you to do, is to keep your eye on the endgame. If you work hard, stay motivated and keep the course nobody can tell you, you don’t deserve that degree. Soon enough you’ll be walking across that stage, shaking the Chancellor’s hand with a huge smile on your face grateful for the whole experience and memories of what it took to get there.

Loads of Love
-V

I just started out my blogging career and I've already been missing in action for about two months or so. Please don't judge me.......

I just started out my blogging career and I've already been missing in action for about two months or so. Please don't judge me......sigh. You know when you make loads of marvelous plans and things just seem to go anyway but the way you want em to? Well that's been the last two months for me. Things have gone left, right,upside down, all around 'cept in the direction I was pointing in. But yuh know what all I can do is be OK with it. All the content I had planned, though not released when I wanted it to be, will hopefully be coming soon enough.

So whats new with me you ask? Nothing really. I finished up a contract I was working on, so I'm currently unemployed and job hunting. I joined a new workout regime that even though it's kicking my butt I'm glad I did and overall I'm spending a lot more time with myself and my thoughts figuring out what's gonna make me happy for the next few years.

In the last few weeks when my job was drawing to a close, loads of thoughts started to become more prominent in my mind. This job though not necessarily related to my field of study or as intellectually stimulating as I would like, just enforced for me, that a daily 9 to 5, in a career that I just didn't enjoy was not going to cut it for me for the next forty years of life. Especially at the rate that people are collapsing.

I just can't accept that adulting means you have to be unhappy. I know I'm a person with certain tastes and these tastes will require funding to keep my appetite satiated. So you mean to tell me to live a fruitful, comfortable life and to do the things you enjoy, you must do meaningless tasks that take up wayyyy too many hours of our life span? Nawwww I pretty much refuse. So right now I'm kinda on a path to prove that theory wrong. I don't know where to start or what exactly I'm looking for but yea..... I'll get there. Not saying I'll land the perfect job and be in the perfect situation immediately but here's to hoping that a few months of odd jobs leads to something great!!

So yea I really don't know where I was going with one.....It started out with me just wanting to say HI and that I'm ok! Here's to hoping that you reading this, whoever you are, are ok too and enjoying this life day by day. That's all we really have to do.

Peace, Love and Joy

-V

Learning to love yourself and accepting who you are, for some people, is quite difficult and not something that they j...

Learning to love yourself and accepting who you are, for some people, is quite difficult and not something that they just end up knowing how to do. Especially based on the flaws society has taught us make us less of a person if we possess them.

The way the embodiment of perfection has been marketed, has made people strive for unrealistic standards, as opposed to working towards healthier happier beings. We want what others deem as best and because we are all uniquely made and not designed for uniformity, it takes a strike at our confidence when we are unable to achieve the same results.

I could speak in depth on the issue because I myself have experienced it. I've been labelled as "full figured', "plus sized", "thick", "chubby", "big boned", "fluffy".....a whole host of terms have been used to describe me. But growing up I remember the one most used was FAT.

Yes it did strike a nerve when I was younger and I did want ever so badly to be like everyone else. But now the term doesn't really have the same effect it once did.....cause really and truly ....I am fat. The difference is I've learnt how my body works, what I need to do to make the changes I want to see and how to present myself in a way that I not only feel and look comfortable but CONFIDENT.

Confidence isn't only based on what you wear and being able to pull off an outfit. You need to have the frame of mind to accept the idea of confidence. As the quote above says, it's not needing the acceptance of others to prove you are great and worthwhile. But knowing within yourself that there is no one else out there like you, not everyone will like what you have to offer and that's OK! Tell me why the judgement of an absolute stranger should have any impact on your day to day life......EXACTLY!!! It shouldn't!

I think confidence and body positivity go hand in hand. In that once you start to idealize all bodies are unique and deserving of self love, care and acceptance, confidence becomes a little easier and judgement of self less harsh.

Body positivity is not only reserved for the overweight, but individuals of all sizes. People are never too big or small to struggle with opinions on their image and it basically encourages everyone to be ok with how they look and feel.

Now I'm not saying I have the whole confidence and body positivity thing down pact. In fact I still get antsy and nervous when people stare at me too much and trust that happens quite often in our society. Slowly I'm learning to look in the mirror and instead of picking apart my flaws and hating them, I smile, try to be thankful for a functioning body and compliment what I do like. Essentially they both - the flaws and strengths, make me who I am.....a charismatic, eclectic being, unapologetic-ally made, beautifully unique, culturally concocted......A QUEEN!

So in summation, I implore you to love yourself more! Embrace everything that makes you, you. Never stop treating yourself and working towards making yourself better daily and essentially your confidence will improve.

Loads of Love

-V

Disclaimer: All the images in this post belong to the owner of this blog Vanessa Phillips and are not to be used for advertising or promotional purposes unless approved to do so.

Anyone who knows me knows I rate all the females in my life very highly and believe that they are all QUEENS in their own right. Being a que...

Anyone who knows me knows I rate all the females in my life very highly and believe that they are all QUEENS in their own right. Being a queen doesn't mean you have to carry around a crown and sit on a throne, but it's walking in your truth, embracing your individuality and inspiring people with your power and essence. Janelle Monae's song Electric Lady perfectly sums up to me what being a queen is all about.

Image can say so much about who you are as a person without you having to speak. That's why personal style is sooo important and a Queen knows how to flaunt her style. Like Janelle says in her song "You've got the look the Gods agree they wanna see".

I find there are soooo many Queens or Electric Ladies out there with impeccable style to draw inspiration from. When you're looking for a style switch up, how could you not just look to one of these ladies. So I decided to showcase the Electric Lady Style Series which is centered around style mavens with amazing fashion sense. I'm going to share a few of my favorite outfits worn by them as well as show ways you can achieve similar looks. It only seemed fitting that I launched this series during Women's History Month.

Who better to start the series off, than the woman who defined the Electric Lady.......Janelle Monae.

Janelle is timeless and classic and to many, is seen as a style and beauty icon. The performer is known for her signature red lip, natural pompadour and minimalist approach to fashion using palettes of muted tones with the occasional pop of color. Initially her ensembles consisted of sharp tux and equestrian pieces one would assume would only be suited for men. But gradually she has incorporated more high fashion designer pieces from brands like Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Stella McCartney along with many others, which continually lands her on the best dressed list.

Lets get to a few composites of my favorite Janelle Monae outfits.

My focus was on a few major pieces I've been loving recently. The tasseled or fringed heel, the accordion skirt, the cape and the tailored pant...more specifically the culottes.

Now the cape is a style that can be a little intimidating to pull off. To wear it you must stand tall and confidently with shoulders square, as it gives off an air of regality. Monae was one of the first to adorn the cape dress making it quite the fad. But for those not so willing to take that leap, a split sleeve cape blazer allows you to also give this trend a try without as much effort. Paired with a simple jumpsuit, I find you achieve that sharp classic look with ease. The jewels then give the added glitz and glam needed to pull it all together.

This next outfit steps a little out Janelle's usual color scheme and more plays with the nude palette and colors that compliments it. I also chose to experiment with textures and play around with the variety they can give an outfit. I wanted the accordion skirt to be my focal piece, therefore I chose one by A.L.C. in an eye catching gold. Even though not apparent, it has a sultry side slit which I think adds that sex appeal when occasionally leg is shown. Janelle's outfits usually have clean lines, never masking her silhouette. So a simple cropped, off the shoulder top seemed perfect. I added a pop of color with the fringed Aquazzura sandals. Another fave on my list. Steve Madden also has a dupe to this sandal called Sassey so you can give those a look.

Finally this outfit is a little more on the casual and colorful side. Culottes are a wide leg, knee length trouser, that at first can seem very difficult to pull off. But I love the structure they have and the occasional resemblance to a skirt, never mind the sometimes awkward length. This pant, I would most definitely pair with a heel, for fear of looking stumpy in anything other than.

I hope you enjoyed the launch of this series and it inspires you to shine like the Electric Lady I know you are. Like, comment, subscribe, share and all that other good stuff. Lemme know who else you consider to be an Electric Lady. Thanks for checking the blog out!

Love Always
-V

Disclaimer :
As the owner of this blog, this blog claims no credit for any of the images in this post unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyrighted to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it to appear on this site, please email with link to said image and it will be removed.

So you may be wondering what the hell is Violet Emporium and why are you here.When I first thought of starting this blog I wondered the sa...

So you may be wondering what the hell is Violet Emporium and why are you here.When I first thought of starting this blog I wondered the same thing.What did I want to use this space for and what did I want the readers, if any, to feel. Wait....hold up! First of all lemme introduce myself. I mean it'd be rude if I didn't. My name is Vanessa Phillips.

Lemme explain a lil bit about how I got to this point. I’m a recent graduand from university. As soon as I finished school, the next step naturally to me, was to find a job in my field. But I soon realized after plenty of job applications sent and barely any replies that this process may take longer than I thought. At first I stressed about it, because I was so used to being self-sufficient, having my own money and being able to stand on my own two feet. Plenty time with my thoughts and prayers, helped me to realize that all this frustration and stress I was putting myself through was unnecessary. I wasn’t appreciating the now because I was busy chasing after the future and the success I knew I could have. I decided to slow down, take advantage of all this free time and work on self-development and overall happiness. I tried to start seeing and doing things I hadn’t been able to because I never had the time. I wanted to develop the skills I knew I had and share the outcome along the way. I joined clubs, went to meetings, did events, met people and I can truly say that day by day I’ve been gaining some pretty amazing experiences. I thought to myself, what better way to share the musings of a culturally concocted eclectic than through a lifestyle blog coined VIOLET EMPORIUM. Violet because I fancy all things purple and emporium, the place where you can find a variety thing that embody my being.

Now I know this won’t be easy. I did plenty research, reviewed many blogs and clearly this requires dedication and effort. It actually makes me nervous. I’m literally thinking “what if I can’t keep up with this” “what if it’s boring” “what if no one cares what I have to say”. But like the adage by R.J. Smith says, nothing beat a failure but a try. Who knows? This could turn out to be something GREAT and that’s definitely what I want in my life. Anyway, enough of this ranting and more about content.

I want my readers to be entertained and feel like they have a space they can learn and share as well. Every day is an opportunity for growth and I want you guys to grow along with me. Expect to see me chat about some of my favorite things which include makeup, fashion, diy projects, music, food and hair. I mean who doesn’t love all those things. I’m also going to share some inspirations and life lessons that got me through some of those especially tough times cause believe me life is not all dandelions and it is never my intention to portray it that way. I’m even contemplating sharing bits of my weight loss journey…as slow as it may be lol. All in all, I want it to be that space for you and me, where I’m not afraid to share or be shared with, teach and be taught, enthuse and entertain. So hopefully, we’re in this thing for the long run.

Loads of love and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

-V