Ode to Chanel Iman.

I didn't write a poem or anything but I've always enjoyed reading titles that said "Ode to..." haha. I <3 Chanel Iman. She is hands down one of my favorite models. She's holding it down in high fashion, Victoria's Secret and beyond for black models. Can't wait to be next to her in a picture! (yes I said it)

Reason, Season, Lifetime. You be the judge.

The following is a poem that was given to me a few months ago. Every once in a while it comes to mind and I read it again. It helps me with times when I may not understand someones purpose in my life or their sudden depature. Take time to read and may it help you in the way it has helped me!

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

With Love,
Desarée Franchon

The beauty that lies within

With this title I'm sure you figured this post is going to be some sort of generic explanation as to why what's inside on counts... well you're partially correct lol. I do plan on going into depth.

For those who have known me pre-college they know what I used to look like. Not that I was an ugly child (that's not in my genetic composition) but it took me a while to "come into my own". Guys weren't immediately attracted to me.. but if they took the time to get to know me they would see there was more than meets the eye. It is sad but we live in a world where the way you look and dress play a large part in how people respond to and over-all treat you.

With the shallow guys I dodged at a young age, I learned early on that I wanted someone who would take the time to get to know me for the beautiful person I am within. I knew I had much to offer any man (or boy during that age) who I decided to invest time in.

Now older, wiser, and in touch with my outer beauty as much as the inner I recognize what is more important. Yes it's nice to be pretty and have men stare from time to time but I always think.. one day I will be old and wrinkly. One day I won't have this gym body.. and if a man has based their attraction to me on the physical than there will be nothing to hold him if it may change. The reason I used the picture of Beauty and The Beast (besides the fact that I've been watching the movie everyday for the past week) is because Beauty loved the Beast through his exterior. She fell in love with the man inside, not knowing what he really looked like. Although he was scary, mean, etc. she found the inner beauty he possessed. She didn't date the typical good looking guy that everyone loved (Gaston) because she wanted more. She found exactly what she was looking for in the Beast AND he transformed into a handsome prince in the end (don't count on this happening in real life though haha).

There are many "beautiful" ugly people. Naomi Campbell is drop dead GORGEOUS but she is in the media every few months for having " Another B*tch Moment". Anyone who is worth being in your life will love you for your kindness, good heart, how you make them feel, etc. No matter how nice you may look if your attitude sucks you become harder to be around. People aren't going to come to your funeral because you looked good lol, the come based on the impact you've made in their life. The things that you've done for them, how you've made them feel and for the memories that you've left them with that cannot be replaced.

If you're not on this path, declare today as your pivotal moment. Let your inner being speak volumes as to how amazing you are and what you bring to the world. Smile, say hello to someone you don't know, or help out a stranger. Love makes the world go round! (lol ok I'm done)

Signed with love,
Desarée Franchon

Sessilee Lopez. Love her!

#Shoutout to Sessilee Lopez. One of my FAVORITE models. She puts the "F" in FIERCE. This would be an around the world and back snap according to 'Men on Film' in the 'In Living Color' skit. She makes me want to keep my haircut lol.

Hair: Natural vs. Relaxed.

Today I had a different inspiration... hair. For weeks now I've been trying to figure out what my next style is. I miss long hair and it's versatility but I do love my new cut. I love that I can change my hair and in a moments notice I can unveil a new parallel to my being (that was deep lol). I've been going back and forth about going natural (which is no joke), dying my hair a strawberry blonde/red, or staying black and getting an 18 inch weave. Now this may all seem confusing or a bit much but to those who know me... this is just typical Des.

With all my indecisive ways I have to come to a point where I asked myself... why is my hair so important? Why does my hair affect how I think people perceive and receive me? Most importantly... why do I care what other people think about MY hair?

A huge discussion within the African-American community about relaxed vs. natural hair has been going on for a few years now. I think an African-American woman with natural hair is beautiful. They have taken a big step , especially if they transitioned, to declare that are no long going to subject themselves to chemical processing. My only problem is when women who are natural down talk women who continue relaxing their hair. I think it is a matter of carrying the persona of your choice whether chemically treated or not. I have seen 'tow up' natural hair and 'a hot mess' relaxed hair lol. I am a firm believer there isn't one that is better than the other, its just a matter of preference. A matter of what makes you feel good when you wake up and look in the mirror. A matter of when a few hairs may be out of place but you still feel as flyy as you did the moment you left the hairdressers chair.

I think it all sums up to how you feel about yourself. How good you feel when you've expressed yourself through your appearance. There is no one way to define the way people should look... In that case God would have made us all the same. Represent yourself in the way you feel.. natural, relaxed, maybe even half and half if you can pull it off (I don't recommend it though) lol. Have a great day and continue loving yourself in your own skin!

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011.

Seeing as though I have found a source of inspiration, I knew it was time to write a post! Hello everyone, missed you dearly. A lot has happened since I've last wrote and I'm excited that I have the chance to share it with you all... so without further ado..
2010 has been one of the most challenging yet fufulling years of my life. One year post college graduation has been an experience. I went into the year with hopes of new expriences.. in all aspects. Little did I know that "new experiences" meant getting rid of old things and people.

See.. I am at a place where am I not on speaking terms with many of the people I was close to. I had no plan of this nor did I see it coming, but it happened. My car died on a major highway lol, I switched jobs, and the list continues. Something that I have learned through all of these changes is that God works in mysetrious ways. He aligns all of our cards so that he can assist us to win in this game of life.

Through all the tears and pain, heartache and sorrow.. I have learned that sometimes you have to let go of the old to make room for the new. There are people and things that will constantly make life more complicated than it has to be. Hanging around with individuals who are not motivated, who don't have the same goals and aspirations as you, etc. can make you stagnent. You must surround yourself with likeminded people or the struggle begins. When I say struggle I am refering to the idea of "If you're not influencing them, they are influencing you". There is a tug of war that begins on both ends and chances are the person pulling on the unmotivated side will pull you closer. The whole idea of human nature is the reliance on one another, we need each other to make things happen.

I'm learning now that although I was sad to see friends go.. I've made new ones and I have cleared out space to show the ones who are still around how much I appreciate them even more. I guess what I'm trying to say is appreciate things for what they are... even if it's just temporary. Sometimes God removes good things to make room from Great things. Every minute, hour, day, month and year are designated to teach us a lesson that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. Our job is to embrace them, learn from them, and live to our best ability. Well it has been real everyone... See ya in 2011!!!!!!!