Interviewed by Elaine Welteroth (Editor of Teen Vogue) "This young lady has taken the blog world by storm and no less she has done it remotely from the rural lands of North Carolina." EW : So, how is it that you do exactly what you do? Is there a certain process or method to your madness? CC: I would say yes and no.I am very spontaneous by nature so I just do what I feel, but sometimes it is thought out very carefully.I am a hyper visually stimulated person and my looks and locations are either well though out or not at all.It just happens to always come together perfectly. EW : What about you makes you a Teen Vogue titan and champion of women? CC: Growing up different in a rural town I faced a lot of image issues growing up.My hair was always short, I swear it never grew! I grew up in a very religious household with a Jamaican preacher father, so my wardrobe was only knee and long-length skirts and dresses.I always hated being asked why I always wore skirts because the answer always was "it's against my religion".Which it wasn't.It was my parent's religion;They never asked if I wanted any parts in what I was to believe sprititually.More importantly they didn't ask me about the dress code, because as a kid that was most important.Wearing skirts limited my physical talents because you can't be a track star in a skirt.Trust me, I tried I was running off the bus and my long jean skirt tripped me up and I actually broke my arm. I was always the exception in school.I remember in JROTC in was the only one in the whole county that wore a skirt uniform.I felt restricted by my forced religious dress code and vowed that 'no one would ever tell me what to do or wear again!'.For this reason, I had told my parents I was swearing off marriage.I am pretty sure I told them this with the intention of spite.I eventually married and young; but on my own terms.I remember even telling my in-laws (pre marriage) that 'I don't like nobody telling me what to do!'.Of course I got 'the look' but I got my point across.Dealing with being sheltered, I got older and began to question any and everything.I also suggested the same to my friends.Don't just believe what someone tells you or even the media.Think for yourself and do it because you really want to is my life motto. EW : So you would consider yourself a strong woman? CC : Oh , absolutely! I am an Aries.Yes, I believe in all that astrology stuff.I am a fiery head-strong being who is both optimistic and moody as hell! I am also loyal to no end.Be good to me and I will be good to you.My style has always made me stand out as well as my loud mouth.So I think it made it easy for some to dislike me for no apparent reason [other than being different] while others liked me and wanted to follow my lead, in a way of sorts.I'm also Jamaican, so I am confident in the utmost.I always have confidence in my clothes, style, and how I put them together.I don't see other bloggers or women in general as competition because we are all different in our own unique way.No one dresses like me and has my mind . That is my own personal advantage in this image game.Oops,that's the Jamaican in me coming out. Some of the pieces are sold out so I have listed similar items Shop my look by clicking each piece EW : What is your aim or purpose behind your blog? CC : I just want to create a fun place to talk and empower women through feeling and looking good. I have always believed in the saying that when you look good you feel good.I am a woman and I am black which means I belong to two groups who are many times under and grossly misrepresented.I want to uplift both. When I can, I try to bring awareness to women and black-owned businesses by shopping them and posting about them on my blog. Sometimes people fail to support their local 'girl gang' or 'buy black' because they simply are unaware.I want to be a voice for them.I wanna slay their clothes and "yassssssss" their products.Growing up with 4 siblings I wasn't afforded luxuries like name brands.We thrifted , yard sale'd, and Wal-Mart'd a lot and as a fashion lover and small town kid, I didn't want to look thrifted or cheap so I had to get creative.I would do a lot of DIY and alterations, which I learned to do on my dad's sewing machine. These tricks of the struggle really made me stand out in a good way on top of wearing skirts everyday. I still use the tricks in my current styling even though now I choose to thrift on occasion. I want to let women know it's ok to not look like everybody if you don't want to. There are so many cookie-cutter bloggers out here who all look alike with the exact same 'style' ,'luxe' life, and imagery.It's ingeuine and misleading mostly.I don't want people lusting over things they could never afford or even I could never afford, so I cater to fashion frugality.You don't have to have a fashion editor's budget to look like one, no offense. EW: none taken EW: So is this one of your spontaneous 'snaps' or was this pre-meditated? CC: This one definitely well thought out.I put this look together by mixing up a few items I wore to work last week.I posted the look in my insta-stories on IG and my followers suggested that I post it.I immediately knew I would shoot it at this park.The colors and the backdrop would really compliment my look and give a nice jovial, yet editorial vibe.It was raining and luckily stopped long enough for me to get these pics . My clothes ended up wet, but that is the price for great shots.I also must say the inspiration and meaning behind this shoot was very personal.Here I am at a park , in sneaker heels and a skirt.What a practically impractical thing.This represents my childhood. As all the other kids were wearing whatever and just being kids I was forced to stand out, but tried to make it seemingly work in my own quirky way.I just wanted to be normal, a little.I would have definitely worn this outfit in highschool,glasses and all by the way. You guys, here's the gag...This was a mock interview. I created the mag cover photo with help from my smarty pants hubs, pretty convincing huh? Now wait, wait before you jump on me let me explain. You see, I have been doing this "speaking things into existence" thing and it really works. Don't believe me? Well okay last year I was doing a collaboration with a local business and said to my hubs/photographer "Hey , we should start reaching out to clothing companies and style and shoot their clothes for their site! I'm a model and blogger and you take pics. We are the perfect team!". He was like "yea" as all hubs do, and we then went about our day. I know this post is long, but please keep reading okay? One day I was on Facebook and came across these really nice snapshots of some high end fashion on the runway. I was like "uuuummm these clothes are nice! Who makes this?! I would looooove to be able to wear some of these pieces, damn!".A few clicks later, I followed them on Facebook, Instagram, and headed to their site. I reached out via Facebook to show them love as they deserved it! I mean the quality of the pieces were phenomenal. As luck (or should I say it was luck?) would have it, the owner reached out to me and thanked me for liking the brand. I was honored and even more honored to know that owner looked like me. A young black business woman with a high fashion line, and she would soon become my mentor. I never asked her for pieces because even though I wanted a piece badly I knew if it was meant for me, I would not have to beg. I was right. During one of the worst disasters to hit the North Carolina, Hurricane Matthew, I received my first piece that would lead into my purpose. She graciously asked me to style the now insta famous Velvet Crush Blazer.I was still flooded in (by major roads)on all sides so I was not even able to return to work yet, but the show had to go on.I headed to one of my fave spots (5 mins from my house) and proceeded to get this slay on the road.The response was phenomenal! A couple of weeks later is where it got really interesting.I got an email from the designer stating her 2017 Spring Line needed to be shot.She loved my lifestyle shoots and blogging AND WANTED ME TO SHOOT HER SPRING 2017 WHAT THE FAAAHHH??!!! So after I passed out and woke up and replied calmly with a 'sure' and it was on.She believed in me and that was all I needed. With no experience, I received her samples straight off the runway on Thursday , styled each piece(with her final approval), and had to find another model to shoot with by...SUNDAY! Did I flinch? Yes! Was it hard? Not really. I was made for this. Keep Scrolling. The model chosen was Taylor Rhorer (aka Tay to me).I have never shot with another model.It's always just me and Tim so that was surprisingly one of the most anxious parts for me.She put that to immdediately and was a breeze to work with, utmost professionalism and posed for her damn life! As for me, I was ok too.*Joanne the Scammer smirk Oh, did I mention the Lord Logan Spring 2017 Collection is now available on the ASOS Marketplace ??? WWWWHHHHHAAAAATTTT???!!!!!!!
See(me) and shop full ss2017 here Shop 2016 collection here As you can see your words are powerful ;and be careful what you put in the universe because you just may get it.I am working with my dream designer and they were the first clients of Ellis Image Consultants! Hopefully from this post you have gathered what I would like the universe to provide next. You might as well log out and never return because I will never have anything this exciting on my site again. I'm lying. I'm just waiting for the universe to keep on providin' chile
13 Comments
3/23/2017 09:20:52 pm
So I love this! And I'm all about speaking things into existence! What you think is what you become I believe that! Congrats on everything!
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3/24/2017 06:46:38 am
Hey hun this is absolutely fantastic, I am a firm believer in speaking into existence what you want and I can tell you that massive things are underway for you. You 've just keep on doing all the amazing things you are currently doing and I know it is not far behind. I know what it is like to grow up in a family where a lot of things were not allowed due to your parents beliefs and morals. I wouldn't say it is at all a bad thing as it helps shape and mould you, plus what self respecting parent would allow their kids walk around with bum shorts and crop tops, I find it grotesque, perhaps maybe I am old fashioned like that haha. And look at you now eh miss fashionista untouchable. Anyway, thank you for sharing such a great insight into what makes you the beautiful soul that you are. keep it up ps this look is everything and a bit extra xxx
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3/24/2017 07:53:55 am
Awesome job lady! You've done the work so it's only right that you be abundantly blessed. I can't wait to see what happens next.
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Ana Disla
3/24/2017 08:40:06 am
This is amazing. Big things are happening and will continue to happen to you and I love you giving us a glimpse into ur old Rob Co days. U inspire me. #TheComeUp
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3/24/2017 12:02:28 pm
This is the best damn vision board I've seen! Begin with the end in mind. Your metamorphosis is beautiful to behold (and read about).
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Alero (forget about Jax for now)
3/24/2017 01:41:24 pm
Oh hun I am so so happy for you, you have a way with words and your passions bursts through in every single post. You deserve this more than anyone. Keep slaying, keep bursting boundaries, keep going, we are with you in every step of the way. God bless hun.
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Kara McIlwain
3/24/2017 07:58:26 pm
So inspirational!! All I can say is you continue to give me inspiration and motivation to continue to run towards my goals! That #BlackGirlMagic is all over you!
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Erica Jacobs
3/24/2017 10:33:19 pm
Continue to inspire!!!
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Lynn Peterson
3/25/2017 09:24:00 am
I could not stop reading it! It was very good Neek Dogg 😘
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3/25/2017 01:52:36 pm
I'm a super believer in speaking only positivity. The things you claim in faith shall come to pass! I love this interview. You're such a stunner both in and out. And I want to look like you- look at that body! Mommy how?!! Lol 😂 congrats babe.
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Alex C
3/27/2017 12:28:43 pm
Loved this, I'm trying to start speaking things into existence and living a positive lifestyle overall. I thought this interview was real but it just gave me a boost of confidence to know that other people think out scenarios of they want to happen...thought I was just crazy
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