Let me be the first to say “Happy 2nd Anniversary Fashionably Idu”. Seems like yesterday when I celebrated my first anniversary with a giveaway. I am celebrating differently this time.
Read on.
Bardot Top and Cropped Flare Pants
All you need is lattes, lipstick and off shoulder tops.
Summer of 2016 will be remembered for changing the sartorial game with the influx and total embrace of cold shoulder clothing. I bet you haven’t been shrugging off this trend. You’ve not only embraced the trend you’ve also made it your new BFF. Me too! (Can I get a ‘Me three’? Yaasss!). For what is a gal without her shoulder baring Summer uniform? Just don’t invest too much of your hard earned $ on them. Much as you love it, it’s only just a trend after all and will be gone soon enough unlike staples. My rule of thumb when I shop is 'Splurge on Staples, Skimp on Trends’. Think high and low. So it’s ‘no can do’ to trends that make huge dents on the wallet. Paired this cute
top with previously styled cropped flare
pants with a volume that makes a every step dramaful, a
boater hat, and Ambertina, my favorite of all the heels I own, this is a perfect after hours look.
Beating Cancer
"Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me"- Psalm 66 V16
I’m also celebrating beating cancer. Yes you read that right. I am 3 years out from being diagnosed with colon cancer. From that fateful afternoon in April of 2013 that I was handed what seemed like a death sentence. After I had prayed until I could pray no more and better believe I can pray. I attended a catholic high school and that’s all we did anyhow. Surrounded by my children, siblings that flew in from all over and my then friend that I thought of as my surrogate sister. I was told I had colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths and is among the top 10 cancers to affect people ages 20 to 49. I became a part of that statistic.
Blogging kept me busy and spared me zero time to think of the cancer while the last words of my friend and colleague Gary Golden that passed of cancer last year, 'God's Got This' kept me going.
After a surgery, blood transfusions, an almost 2 week hospitalization, very frequent checkups that I cannot even begin to describe how scary they were, (my siblings flew in and accompanied me to my checkups and I would sometimes refuse to get out of the car at the hospital for fear of what the doctor /test results would say) very close monitoring, CT scans (just had yet another 2 days ago), lots of blood tests and gosh I hate needles, (so much for being a renowned medical doctor’s daughter), lots of crying, lots of love, lots of everything that I have been through physically and more importantly emotionally, my brilliant oncologist Dr. Bahl now says it’s safe to use the word “cured”.
I say a resounding Amen.
Dear God, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for being with me all the way, for never leaving me, for loving me.
Yes I do have stretch marks on my lower abdomen from having my 4 wonderful kids whom I seriously applaud for walking this kick ass walk with me. Tucked away in between the stretch marks, almost blended in with them is my surgery scar. The constant reminder that I survived, that I beat cancer. You want pictures? I didn’t think so, LOL.
I’ve always been one to celebrate my life, more so now knowing that had God looked away for a split second, I might already be gone to glory. 'Amazing Grace’ and ‘Jerusalem My Destiny’ sung for those are my favorite hymns, and everyone moved on. Head stone might have read ‘Here lies Idu, she loved family, friends, teaching, makeup and clothes. Christian Louboutin shoes were her absolute weakness’. I sob as I write this 'cause heck yeah it’s very emotional although I’m one to cry at the drop of a hat anyhow. Always been that way, will always be that way much as I try to toughen up, LOL.
Presenting: Me!
Me! Yes me, with a new lease on life. Slaying on 'cos that’s what I do. And me as all the inspiration you need on days that challenges rock your life, on days that life throws you big sharp curves. That you’ll emerge from all that, determined as ever to keep living and not just existing. Especially if you have a good heart for that is every darn thing. Silver and gold have I not but I’m blessed with a good heart if I say so myself.
“And her heart was the best, it would always calm the storm for those who were afraid of a little rain”. - R M Drake.
Coming Soon to a Now at a Coffee Table Near You
Fashionably Idu
Vol. 1
A Blook Just For You
I've been working hard on this project and I'm thrilled that it's finally launched. Grab one or two or more (why not), so you can have a hard copy of your favorite looks of me at your fingertips. All 100+ pages of goodness. On your coffee table. To inspire you like you’ve inspired me. It’s available on
here and soon on Amazon and linked at the bottom of this post too. Part of the proceeds will be donated to
Susie's Cause Colon Cancer Foundation. I have partnered up with them for this purpose.
“There is no greater duty or pleasure than that of giving to others” - Samuel Goldwyn
My Outlook
Writing a blog, which is by no means a walk in the park believe me (oops, I went Donald Trump on y'all again), holding down a full time very demanding job and a family while under the care of an oncologist for colon cancer goes to show that limitations are self imposed. So I plan to be and stay unstoppable! To keep living my life to the fullest, taking nothing for granted. For now is all we have.
I am more determined than ever to fulfill my dreams, to stay focused on my journey, at my pace and in my lane, tuning out any and every 'noise'.
You?
“Then she began to breathe, and live, and every moment took her to a place where goodbyes were hard to come by. She was in love, but not in love with someone or something, she was in love with her life. And for the first time, in a long time, everything was inspiring”. - R M Drake
I appreciate your loyal readership immensely. Thank you ever so much. It’s been an awesome journey. I now lift my glass in a toast to me. To many more years of fabulousness.
To Fashionably Idu!
I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. My lil girl is back from her one month visit to Canada. I picked her and my mom up from the airport and one of the first things she asked was 'mom can I go to London with grandma in December?'. I haven't picked up my jaw, hahaha.
Deets
Heels - Christian Louboutin (old)
Boater Hat - Scala (
here)
Thank you for stopping by and keep thinking the purple thoughts, Xo.
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