theericak-blog - Tumblr blog

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Can't front, I love a good beat 💋 s/o @_beautybybee #bridallingerie #brookeshareelingerie

[theericak-blog]

I'm so proud of me 😍 It's a very difficult thing to set high expectations for yourself and just when you feel like you fell short of them, that's when the magic happens ✨ #FashionAccordingly was my first triumph ! I appreciate everyone that came out, not only to support me but because they were genuinely excited for what I've been working on. This was just the first step💚 Thank you to @tpgent & beauty @zarinahnadiyah for being apart of this experience and believing in the brand. And special thank you to Ms. Velicia of @msheelboutique for giving me the opportunity 💖 I became who I envisioned myself to be #TheEricaK #FashionAccordingly #IAmMsHeel #MsHeelBoutique #OfficialSpokesmodel #brandmodel #TPGent #ZarinahNadiyah

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I put it on the vision board...plan on paper...& worked for it. #FashionAccordingly is the result. Please join me for conversation, great music & shoes👠 😻 not just for the model or the stylist, but for the teacher, the lawyer and other women (or men for your women) that didn't give up and just want to look good while doing it💁🏼⠀ ⠀ This Sunday June 11 ⠀ 3-6p at Ms Heel Boutique located in Perimeter Mall! ⠀ ⠀ FREE entry with RSVP! Please register at www.THEERICAK.com 💋⠀ ⠀ Can't wait to see you all there !

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Tough act to follow 💅🏽⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #TheEricaK #siswimsearch #TouchDolls⠀ ⠀ #FashionAccordingly #swimsuitmodel #swimsuit #bikini #spokesmodel #commercialmodel #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #styleblogger #promotionalmodel #chic #fashioninspo #styleinspiration #fashionblogger #MarilynsCloset #TheVanity #entrepreneur #London #Milan #Paris #Dubai #Atlanta #Miami #LA #NYC #womensfashion

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Be everywhere #TheEricaK⠀ ⠀ #model #spokesmodel #commercialmodel #lifestyle #Southbeach #inspo #styleblogger #letmerepresentyourbrand #BrandModel #Fashionguidelines #accessories #MarilynsCloset #TheVanity #entrepreneur #flask #rockmyownshit #Milan #Paris #Dubai #Atlanta #Miami #LA #NYC #womensfashion

[theericak-blog]

#TheVanity Tip #4: Leave-In Conditioner

This type of product cuts out the time consuming task of washing/ wetting your hair daily. I personally do not like to wash my hair daily because it strips the hair of its natural oils; and I’ve become fond of how big my curls get as days pass :) If you have color treated hair, its extremely important to make sure your hair stays hydrated and moisturized especially if your color of choice is black or blonde as those are the 2 most damaging dyes. Now I've searched for “curl refreshing” products but oddly enough, those labeled as such turned out to be too thick and sticky (in my opinion). The leave-in conditioner made more sense seeing as how we condition our hair when we wash it plus I was able to use it on the occasion that I did press my hair as well. After a steamy shower I spray the product in abundance all over my curls, taking special care to the middle of my hair where its the shortest and more of a fro with less curls; this process cuts the time down it takes to get ready.

MYTH: going natural doesn't need as much maintenance- this is FALSE. Just because you don't apply heat or chemicals to your hair does not mean that you can just get up and go. While you don't have to spend 30min to an hour on your hair does not mean that you don't have to make sure that your hair is still getting the nutrients it needs to flourish. Not only that, most of us, our hair doesn't keep the same shape after bed. I have one side that loses its curl when I sleep even if I sleep on the other side- the leave-in gives life to the straight and frizzy pieces.

Now, on to what people think matters most: the brand. I’ve done some experimenting with different brands, focusing on those that are made with some kind of oil (coconut, mango, olive, etc.). My results ended up the same, hydration and poppin! One brand that I will say that stands out to me though is the Jamaican Mango & Lime “Pure Naturals” line (not pictured, not yet in stores). This line was created for natural hair and if you have ever used any of the original products you’ll agree that its worth a try. I had the pleasure of being a demonstration model for this line at a previous hair show. The first day after my hair was washed and conditioned with the product line, the only product used was the Pure Naturals leave-in. Amazingly enough, the 3rd day I did not have to apply the product again! My hair was so soft, not dry & brittle which is what usually prompts me to have to condition daily. Overall my goal was to find something that would help get me ready for the day on the fly. The look picture above was easy to manage even after taking my hair out of the “pineapple” protective style. Think I succeeded?

[theericak-blog]

Model, teacher, blogger, fashionista, event specialist = ENTREPRENEUR When I left my job 8 months ago, I left security, stability & consistency. I left because I felt I was treated unfairly but I didn't have a back up plan or anything else lined up. I didn't even leave on faith- I left because I wanted to. For the first few months of my new found "freedom" I was broke, damn near homeless & questioning every move I have ever made that led me to where I was. Now, I was still making moves, they just weren't power moves. After crying to my family and friends about the life I thought I wanted but had no idea how to navigate or make work, I decided to make a change. First it started with my thought process: this [indeed] was the life I wanted (without the struggle) but to do things my way meant I had to. Having a 9-5 gave me the security I needed but I wasn't happy; living life on my terms provided me with happiness but not the stability I needed. I had to figure out how to make being "The Erica K" work for me- mentally, spiritually & financially. So I just prayed. And the prayers I prayed were answered in the form of others. After sitting with a few people from marketing and modeling backgrounds- they each gave me the tools I needed to take that leap and throw myself into my business which was ME. It was a constant struggle to maintain a positive attitude while I myself was still struggling but I took a chance on faith. I could do this. As small as the steps I was making seemed, they were really blueprints for the foundation that I would build my business & stand on. There was so much I wanted to do that the most clear decision was to focus my energy on that which would push me further, i.e., holistic lifestyle that I wanted certification for so I could show others an alternative, answer questions about beauty & hair tips, create the business plan for my nonprofit, network til my words became a sort of script that I would use to share my journey & goals. I had nothing else to do but "create a life". One model's advice: go for it. That included submitting for gigs out of state (I really want to travel) that I would probably have no way to get to (but would a find a way) & even researching the Florida area where I wanted to live and build my life. I literally have nothing holding me back except the funds, which I realized would come as long as I 1. kept pushing & 2. remained faithful. Applying these steps to my life gave me a different outlook and a positive reassurance that everything would eventually work itself out- as it often does. So many others were willing to help me but I definitely had to show them that I was helping myself. Since I changed the way I thought about my life, my execution changed as well. I feel so much more proactive & positive that it's coming across in my work, my spirit & now my pockets. Of course its not where I want to be just yet but we all "reap what we sow". The seeds being planted are just what I needed to grow into the person every one else saw but that I refused to believe was really me. An important lesson I learned was not to ask for it unless I was ready. And although I'm coming out on top I know that that lesson was not learned without difficulty. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be given this task of "creating a life", but now instead of doubt I'm having fun with it ! Before you take that leap, make sure your faith is there to catch you ! 💋

[theericak-blog]

#TheVanity Tip #3: Vitamins

So many of you have been watching my hair journey- from the colors to the style, from orange to green, pressed to natural curls. But the one area I’ve had an issue with is growth. Although I had a good few inches of new growth, it wasn’t apparent during my yearly length check and definitely not noticeable with my shrinkage. Bleaching my hair, I had to be careful about making sure my ends stayed trimmed and my curls stayed hydrated but this didn’t make too much of a difference in my hang time. Today I started a new challenge, HAIR SKIN & NAILS. If anybody pays attention to stages, stage 4 has been a goal of mine for 2 years since I started this natural journey. I look forward to the bounce, thickness and volume that I know these vitamins will provide. Day 1

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#TheEricaK 💋 x @beenbrokebefore

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This ain something that you used to…

#TheEricaK 💋

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Be patient…better is coming

#TheEricaK 💋 x #MarinaRay #comingsoon

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An apple a day🍏... So I'm not really an apple person (especially red ones) but I will occasionally indulge in a green or yellow one with peanut butter 😋. But recently I've begun to eat them more frequently for one reason: fiber. I definitely don't get enough fiber in my diet and it takes a toll on my body in complicated ways. I don't really care for supplements if I can get what I need from fresh foods so I'm challenging myself to eat one apple a day for a 'minimum' of 1 week. I want to be able to feel the changes in the way my body digests and gets rid of the waste that I don't need. Other fruits good in fiber: bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, raspberries as well as veggies- the darker the veggie, the higher the fiber content, whole grains and beans & legumes.

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#TheEricaK 💋

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Week 3 of ‘a blog about running🏃🏼💨❤️’ Discipline. That's one area that I do lack in when it comes to certain aspects of my life. I have goals & I know know the methods I need to employ to make it happen, but it's just the actual execution of said methods that's holding me back. A fitness goal of mine was to have a Victoria Secret model body; as I got older I realized that those measures might be a little extreme seeing as how my body isn't that small anymore. But while I still have a small frame, coming close to it wasn't impossible. I know I need to run and/or workout consistently, eat better consistently, as well make my sure my overall health is in good shape. I have days where I'm on it..then I fall off only to start over again a week later. It's the ever present motivation that's needed to make sure I don't get lax. If I want to be able to sit down and my stomach look the same as when I'm standing, I need to do my damnedest to make sure that's what I'm continuously working towards. The pics on the left are what I look like now...not too bad but not really where I feel comfortable wearing a crop top with regular waist jeans yet (which is the goal); the left is what I want to achieve. The definition is what I'm going for- the main focus being lower abs. Losing an inch of fat would allow my abs to pop to the sight rather than to the touch and snatching my waist just 1in. smaller. ***Everyone's body is different and everyone has something that they want to change, no matter how small. Please do not take my posts as trivial because although I might not fit the bill for losing extra fat, I have body issues as well. Take the inspiration and motivation aspect of it, leave the rest if it doesn't apply***

[theericak-blog]

#TheVanity Tip #2: Secrets in a Bottle: Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil with Rosemary🌿

Castor oil has many uses including a remedy to several ailments (I wouldn't recommend this beauty supply brand for treatments- something more natural and sold in organic markets), aromatherapy & hair. When I first started using it I found that it was what I considered too thick for my hair but I was slightly more relaxed when using it while I soaked. Then something really weird happened. . . After washing my face, I paid attention my eyebrows. There was a patch missing😳, like I had scratched the hair off (and I had been scratching them lately, so who knows) and the rest of the brow was lighter in some places- my hair was slightly thinning. Now I've been blessed with natural arches and demi thick brows so I'm very sensitive and particular about what happens with them. Freaking out because I looked like a leopard, my mom told me about this gem💎 I applied it with a q tip before bed and (because I was on a mission) even during the day. After about a week or so of use, my brows were werewolf status. They had gotten so thick & you couldn't tell that hair had ever been missing! I got so excited because now I had an easy fix should anything go left with my prized possessions- twice at this point. It keeps me from having to use make up to fill them in on the regular. I've also applied it to my lashes before bed because I have a habit of pulling them out unconsciously and the results were same- lashes plentiful and a little curly. I'll probably give it another shot using it in my hair but just starting with the scalp and roots then moving throughout😌

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Week 2 of 'a blog about running 🏃🏼💨❤️' This past week I've noticed a lot of maintenance. Not too much of a difference between this look and where I first started but atleast I didn't regress. So that means I'm in a good place because this is my standard, but that also means that I have to kick it up a notch. Push harder and do a little bit more so that I'm actually able to see more eye catching results. I didn't want to run today, but I'm glad I did because 1. I pushed myself to do an extra lap and did so without passing out and 2. even though bikini season is almost over in real life, in the model world it's about to start taking place, getting ready for spring '17.

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That’s a wrap for phase 1 of #TheEricaKcampaign so glad I finally got it right so now I can progress to the next step. Dreams are taking form ….

Special thank you to #TeamEK for working with me and pushing me to do better on this journey …