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Gorgeous!

"Essence"

Odudu Photography

Fashion and Conceptual Photography

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People say I love you all the time - when they say, ‘take an umbrella, it’s raining,’ or ‘hurry back,’ or even ‘watch out, you’ll break your neck.’ There are hundreds of ways of wording it - you just have to listen for it, my dear.

The Curious Savage (John Patrick)

Love this!

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Makeup by Ivy LaArtista

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"...because when you Love, you are using the greatest power in the Universe."

Moon Goddess via Twitter

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dallastar:

natures art

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"Caterpillar Love: Envision me before I evolve. Chrysalis Love: Encourage me as I evolve. Butterfly Love: Embrace me when I do"

©Ivy LaArtista, 2011

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I LOVE color!!

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I was honored to be the makeup artist for the Ingram Wedding at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  The Creative Soul Photography team captured all the special moments that the love birds shared in the garden.  What a beautiful day!

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"Looking for Love......is like looking for water while standing in the depths of the ocean. You're ALREADY surrounded by what you desire."

©Ivy LaArtista, 2011

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The Princess Problem

As a female in America I grew up being inundated by images, stories, and tales of "happily ever after".  There was common thread in most of the story lines: a female who was lonely, sad, poor, destitute, etc. pining for her prince to come along and rescue her from such misery.  The plot can be found time and time again in Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Ariel, Bell Jasmine, and many more of the classic and modern princess stories. 

It all seems so sweet and innocent.  Tales of "love" and "eternal happiness", but what is the message that is TRULY being conveyed to females from such an early age? Here are some to think about:

You are not a princess or queen until you have a male partner to validate your worth.

There is no reason to attempt personal goals or aspirations, just wait for your prince and he will bring you EVERYTHING you've always wanted

You must be demure, dainty, or exotic to even be considered a princess or acknowledged by a prince

Your life does not truly begin until your prince comes along. 

You are defined by "rescue".  The damsel in distress is always most desirable.

Your love and devotion are not to be earned, you should feel lucky just to be "chosen".

Beauty is EVERYTHING! Without it...happiness is unattainable

Of course there are many other subtle messages, and they have been effortlessly woven into our own real life media coverage.  In the recent obsession with The Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catharine Middleton in England there is a STRONG reminder being sent to women and girls across the world.  Becoming a princess and getting married is a "newsworthy" accomplishment, so important that the ENTIRE world will stop and admire in awe. Never mind the women who achieve economic, political, and social accomplishments DAILY. In 2012, we are still telling women that becoming someone's princess is of utmost importance. 

So amongst the barrage of media and social messages, a woman of independent thought must make a deliberate choice to define HERSELF in spite of external labels.  I personally embrace the fullness of my beauty and feminine power.  I do not apologize for my strength or femininity. They are not antipodal.  They exist within me, one and the SAME.  I do not wait for validation of a man, who is only a human himself.  I am a Queen, crowned so by the King of Kings.  I am fashioned in the perfection of the Creator and external beauty is not a personal definition.  The parameters of my success are not defined by who finds me desirable, and who "awards" me his last name. 

I invite women and girls to join me in a global movement to embrace who we are intrinsically and to resist external definitions. Refuse to be unhappy with your current life and enjoy every moment that is given to you.  Stop waiting for another human to come along and deliver your "happily ever after".  Today is your "PRESENT" celebrate the gift!

"You are worthy of Love, simply because you BREATHE" ~Stephanie Alva, President and Founder of My Life Keys

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"I loved the caterpillar, it was the beginning, I needed the chrysalis, it was the evolution, but I'm READY for the butterfly...it is DESTINY."

IvyLaArtista on Twitter ©Ivy LaArtista, 2010

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