REMINDER!!!

Don't forget to check out my site, Phoenix Rising Boutique!  I am currently in the process of bringing my unorganized ladies an earring organizer to hang their favorite earrings on their walls, not only to keep them tangle-free, but to have in view to choose for your chic outfit for the day!  If you haven't seen it, check out my Instagram page!  Also, there is a link on my blog to the right that says 'Visit my Store."  I'll leave the link here to directly take you there!

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika

The Pursuit of Happiness

WOW!  It's  been exactly two weeks since I posted!  *hides head in shame*  I said I was going to do much better, but life happens.  Any who, I am still on the search to finding what makes me happy.  In this attempt, I hope that I can grab something and run with it like I'm trying to win the 400m Olympics!  That is in reference to my high school teammate, Olympian, and the 5th fastest woman in the WORLD, Ms. Francena McCorory!  If you don't know her follow her on Facebook or Instagram @therealmccorory!  I felt that this quote was inspiring and makes me want to purse my passion that much more.  No time is perfect, but at the end of the day there is always TIME!  I hope you all are enjoying your days.  We are fifteen days into the New Year!  What have you done that matters to you?!?

Peace and Happiness!

~Erika~

Phoenix Rising Boutique Giveaway Details!

I am happy proud to announce my first giveaway for Phoenix Rising Boutique!  *YAY!  Cheers & applauds roar the crowd!*  This giveaway is to celebrate the New Year and the new goals that I have in my life.  I actually started my boutique about two months ago and have been really slow to get it going.  I am thankful for those family and friends who have supported me thus far.  I have put a lot of time (and money) into this and I would just like to reap some of the hard work I have been doing so what better way than to do a giveaway!  I would like to thank Jasmine Rose (@JazzyTe007) for supporting me when I reached out to her.  PLEASE go check out her YouTube channel as she is AWESOME!  She talks about fashion, makeup, JIY/DIY's, and most of all community.  She is all about giving back and reaching out to help someone!  Here's a link to her channel and her blog!

Okay, so enough with the intro and into the details about the giveaway!

1. You must "Like" my Facebook page, Phoenix Rising Boutique.  My page is www.facebook.com/shopphoenixrising or just click here!
2. Write one of your New Year's Resolutions in the comment section under the giveaway post!  Please be specific and try to limit your resolution to one specific thing.
3. Name the quote from my blog dated for today (December 29, 2013) along with your comment.

Winner will be selected at random and contacted through Facebook.  Giveaway ends 12/31/2013 at 11:59PM EST.  Winner will be contacted via Facebook on the Phoenix Rising Boutique page.  The winner has 24 hours to respond on the page or forfeit their winnings and another winner will be selected.  Good luck and Happy New Year's!

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika~

Resolutions don't have to be New...

I decided that I want to take more control of what is going on in my life and do more!  I have some many interests that I haven't had the chance to enjoy and I decided that I want to take control and start now.  "It's my life and I'm taking control now!"  I have a lot that I feel I can offer others and I will be starting with training myself and jumping onboard.  I may also be a future YouTuber so look out!  What are your resolutions?  How do you find time to do the things you love versus those things you are "obligated" to do?

Online Store! Phoenix Rising Boutique

So...I've been gone for a while now.  So long to trying to post a blog a day or at least every other day.  UGH!  But anyway, during that time I wasn't blogging, I FINALLY made my online store.  *jumps up and down hysterically*  This is such a hobby of mine and I finally took the opportunity to share it with others.  I have started making homemade earrings to include button earrings and other types of earrings.  I want to add stuff to the collection such as embellished beanies and eventually sell dresses. Here are a few of my pieces that I have created so far....

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On the site they have little names given to them that I thought would spice things up and add some flair.  I am in the process of promoting myself more and hope that I would have the support of friends, family, and others who are just interested in supporting a small business.  I am proud of my work thus far and hope that others are too and are willing to spread the word.  If interested just go here:  Phoenix Rising Online Boutique.  I will continue to add and update as needed.

Also, if you could leave a comment in the comment box to tell me what you look for when shopping online and what do you look for when receiving an item purchased online?  This would help me with connecting with my customers, having good packaging and promote great customer service.

Peace & Happiness!

~Erika

Make your next move your best move....

I have decided that instead of talking about it, I will BE about it.  There are so many thoughts that I have daily and I go back to asking myself "What am I doing wrong?"  And over the weekend I found out what I was doing wrong.  Nothing...absolutely NOTHING!  The reason I'm not where I want to be is because all I do is talk about it.  I'm not about that life!  LOL!  It comes to a point in life where instead of someone else telling you that you you're not about that life, you have to tell yourself!  And that's when you realize that you are making the most important move in your life.  Over the weekend I decided that whatever it was that I wanted to do, I was going to pursue it.  Doesn't matter how tired I am, how late I am, nothing is or will from now on stop me from having more than what I have in life.  I hope that I can touch someone to tell themselves that it's more to life than the day to day of it.  And if you recently made a change and find yourself getting back into a routine, change it again!  It's been over seven months since I made the drastic change of moving out of state and I am finding myself back into a day to day routine.   No, sir.  Not me!  *in my Rozay voice*  I refuse to be caught up in something that makes me stressed, looking for more, and unhappy!  No more!  So stop babying yourself, pull up your big girl drawls and go reach for the dream.  Whether small or big, it's your dream and no one can tell you otherwise.  Stay blessed.

The envious man...

The envious man grows lean at the success of his neighbor.–Horace

I do not like to be envious or jealous of what any one has.  I understand that they hustle, put in hard work, or are just plain ol’ lucky!  I say that just to say that YouTube is really hurting me.  I look at these women on there and I am SO jealous!  Like, you really have that much time AND money to spend on clothes and shoes, while I’m over here trying to budget but DYING to shop.  Shopping is therapy for me…retail therapy and I don’t make my therapy sessions any better by watching women who have the time and money to do so.  I understand that YouTubers get paid to do what they do and some also have sponsors who send them items to review for free.  I wanna be one of the girls!  I love FREE stuff!  (In my best Pops voice from Friday).  Maybe, just maybe, I would be able to review stuff via my blog.  Like I’ve said before I want to start a YouTube channel, I just don’t want to be another one of the millions talking about the same thing (hair, beauty, fashion).  My calling is coming one day….one day….