Daring to believe and follow a dream

Disclaimer: This is not a typical post, but more of a note for someone.

If you were to sit down and come up with a single word that drives your thoughts into motion, how could you answer? What truly inspires you to chase your dreams, whether it be working a standard office job, strapping on a red cape to be Superman-or She-Ra, a twelve hour shift at the shopping center or be a stay at home parent?

An answer that comes to mind was recently voiced by a ridiculously gifted and incredibly genuine designer that was part of So You Wanna be a Designer.

Everything.

She said it so casually, almost wistfully, and yet you knew it could never be overturned. Something right in front of you or something so small you would overlook, everything that is out for our eyes to see is inspiring.

This is such an amazing way to think creatively, but even as a non creative, its a wonderful staple for life.

With model for a 'timeless' piece - Courtesy of Kenmore

Latonya Williams has been let go from the show. I was heartbroken, as was everyone around. From day one her drive and determination was so clear and contagious, there was no way, tears were ready to fall. She pushed and pulled from deep within to create pieces that pulled her creativity on all levels and broke past a comfort level of designing only to craft a realization.

She dared to follow, to be what her soul knew all along.

Inspired.

Watching her reaction to the result and then seeing her the next day, this is what makes her a breakout and someone to keep on your radar. It eases the feeling you once thought was heartbreak and turns it into absolute wonder.

She sees the purpose of her gift and wants to share that with people around her. Yes she was part of a contest, but talking with her today she sees.

She already won the contest. It was a contest of getting past GO. For grabbing hold of your hopes and fears, strengths and weaknesses and following the path you know is right.

For now, as she acclimates herself to establishing her fashion line there are no tears to be shed. Life is happening, dreams are being explored and inspiration is ever flowing.

Life and a true calling is beckoning.



I am ever thankful that I have a friend who opened her arms and embraced this show that has become such a part of my Thursday routines I have no clue what will fill that time come the end next week. This friend that extended the designers to her friends and family and that I got an opportunity to see within the past seven weeks what someone is capable of. Fashion is a work of art and that is exactly what I would define the designers that are part of such a raw and cut throat industry. They live, eat and sleep with a needle in their mouth and ideas spewing from their eyes.

Take a moment and be proud of who you are, where you've come from and know you can go anywhere.

Keep an eye out for Elizabeth Smith Fashions and follow Latonya on twitter to see where her journey takes her.

If tears are to be shed its for nothing but excitement and the knowledge of opportunity.

Latonya, you have a heart of gold and are an inspiration to those you have met, and will continue to meet. I told you before and I stand by it. You are falling into greatness that can only be yours. Now is the time. Following you beyond girl because you will make it happen! And I am totally getting one of your dresses the minute it hits Ootra!!

When a conversation changes everything

There are few times when you can walk away from a chance meeting with someone and feel that while words were spoken and thoughts verbalized a door had been opened and you were exposed to everything that had eluded you for so long.

Walking along the streets last night with a group of people, this group that feel universal from this lifetime and the previous, I wound up staggering behind for a few minutes.

Taking in the antibiotics…and feeling the lethargy and that terrible swelling (that could have been from the stilettos!)

The true beauty of stone architecture that crafted several buildings along Michigan Avenue

The chilly night winds blanketed with a hint of the first warmth of spring

..and of course the conversation that changed everything.

While crossing multiple city blocks in search of a restaurant I fell into step with a designer’s husband and am without words this morning to the amount of gratitude this man has bestowed upon. Our conversation began as simple banter about nationalities and ancestral history and wound up to astrological history fueled by hearty laughter and an invitation for wanting more conversations.

As one restaurant to the next had waiting lists longer than the Superbowl ticket hubs I found myself captivated by this man and his story of creating something out of nothing but passion and living a life he once thought was the life to live. Only to have it all change in a single second. The chill of the night didn’t even pass through my sweater as he was telling me about how he and his wife met and the fact that their love is so apparent it could never be questioned. Compassion radiated from his eyes, vibrated from his voice and brought tears to my eyes.

Ambition filled his days and kept his purse padded, he swore against certain parts of life that others embarked on and he struggled or thought was needed. Ultimately he was living a life that was great but like using half of our brain, it was only half. It wasn’t until a chance encounter happened with him did his door open and a lifetime of chances and opportunities he never expected nor dreamed could happen, has happened and continues to happen on a general basis.

Always there for other people regardless of circumstances, I am the last person to ask for help, and will fight until the bitter end to make something work. For months I have secretly been asking for help, for guidance, for something to help ease this engrained fear that is inappropriately out of place. Yesterday and especially last night was everything anyone could ever ask for in terms of a personal present.

Having the opportunity on that stretch of pavement makes everything worth seem worth it. The moves, the juggles, the battles and the struggles. Knowing the group, and now this amazing couple, there is a tranquil pull deep inside that I am beginning to understand that they possess. Something that I posses as well and what has drawn me to them and them to me.

Accomplishments conquer the obstacles because had they not, this would not be a clear day. Last night would not have meant the same thing and everything would still be wrapped tightly in a grey cloud. Today there is new meaning, and that has been said before but it was said under a blind eye. Last night, just taking in everything from a phone call driving into the city, walking with the designer’s husband to dinner with friends had a purpose. There is peace with where today is and that is pretty wonderful.

When a dirty martini becomes an invite into the carpool

Days have gone by in a massive whirlwind that almost feels like a tornado swept through, swirled around in my flat(causing unnecessary gnats in my already unruly hair) and brushed out. Only there’s still a few high powered winds that seem to want to stick around.

How often do you find yourself sitting in front of a live show. How often do you know someone who the show is based on. And then the ever elusive, how often do you stay up late on a school night god knowing that IBprofen is going to be your best friend in the morning.

Hang over hot mess.

The show was a major success, several of us headed into the city to watch the live syndication and it couldn’t have been more excited. You almost half expected Bob Barker to pop through the silver velvet drapes and present his overly tanned self to the crowd.

In serious need to celebrate, we headed out to a bar down the street and dominated a corner. And by dominated I mean we dominated their vodka supply.

Extra dirty martinis a go go. It was absolute bliss. With the music blaring, excitement pumping we settled on the one thing that can make you forget you were ever hungry. A dirty martini. But I thought that excessive drinking causes the munchies you ask? Oh no, the olives cure those pesky hunger pangs.

While I was finally getting a chance to talk to some friends I hadn’t talked to all night, I got the firm tap on the shoulder. That tap on the shoulder that when you turn to look and see what is going on, you know you should have just ignored it.

Let’s rewind this just a tad. I had all intentions of driving into the city by myself only because I know how I am with going out and am always there to offer rides but am never the first to leave. Try close to the last or somewhere in the middle. I chat, let loose and have fun.

I rode in with a group. Everyone in the group had to work the next day. Now mind you, there are some times when you go out and think good god when did 9pm feel like 2AM?

And vice versa.

But not this night. I had wanted to celebrate with everyone because we had all been talking about it for weeks on end. Because it was going to be outrageously exciting, because this group is outrageously exciting.

I turned and saw the faces of my group and knew, this girl, pointing in the direction of my own chest would be going home with them.

We left early, I was completely beside myself that they didn’t want to stay and celebrate. We had just gotten everyone together and were already slipping out for the night. Royal bummer. Over the weekend I stopped into my friend’s shop to see how she was and how everything turned out and got the whole rundown.

And a big fat holler that I missed everything.

What was meant to be was meant to be, the ride out was pretty fun. There’s another taping this week and it falls on the wretched day that I’d love to forget and a bunch of us are heading back into the city for it. Because of the day it falls on, I requested a triple dirty martini and a date was in order. I’m getting a handful of dates, we’ll see how strong the drink is then.

I’ve recuperated somewhat from this weekend, the rest is a whole other animal of a post that will take more than a few glasses of wine and antibiotics to pump out...

But until then, if you didn’t already catch my last post about not so shameless plugging. I’m up to schenanigans again. Here’s a glimpse of what I got to see on Thursday for my friend’s taping. Its up on Youtube and streaming live via Facebook at 9am CST this morning while she gives out this week’s assignment/competition.



Happy Tuesday

So You Wanna Be a Designer

When a fashion reality show pops up on the television do you find yourself sinking into the couch waiting for the drama and bitchiness to unfold, anticipating what garment is going to be created and expected to turn the heads of everyone around?

This is so exciting I’m about to split at the seams….literally!

My dear friend has been working on a project for some time now and is doing something that many dream about and hope for in the fashion industry. She’s putting her eye for fashion and taste for style on the marks of a major production company and facebook and is launching a reality series…starting tonight.

…insert the not so shameless plug here…

Kenmore live studios and Facebook have teamed up with a one Ootra (plug..plug..plug!!) creative model/designer and created a show similar to Project Runway. It’s the first of its kind on the social media market.



So You Wanna Be a Designer begins an 8 week run tonight. It’s being streamlined live, every Thursday via Facebook. 6 contestants are followed and have to compete in becoming an experienced designer. On an eight week journey, these designers will go through the ups and downs of putting together pieces and shows.

What makes this series different from the other creative reality programs that are out there? Her drive that is for sure and I can’t wait to see her in action. The show revolves around a love of seeing beyond something ordinary and making it extraoardinary. Her concepts are inspiring as is her ability to be nothing but caring and yet remains daring to push the boundaries in creating something that will be incredible, all of this channeled and to be passed down to these lucky contestants. She will be hosting the show but really she will be guiding the contestants through this whole learning experience that could launch their career in a cut throat industry.

A bunch of us are getting spruced in our very best to watch the first taping at the studios tonight in support of our friend and then heading off for some serious celebrations which will be very much in order.

To see what really goes on behind a show of this size is pretty amazing and to see all of the blood, sweat and tears up close and personal. Well, bust out the popcorn because this will be the Thursday night nitro for the next 8 weeks.

Drama. Clothes. Competition.

The perfect equation for fat ass syndrome. Couch beware because an indent is going to happen!

So that’s that for a very simple morning…tonight while you’re automatically checking up on facebook, get off of the status updates and roll over to this link and see what the fuss is all about. So you wanna be a designer kicks off at 7PM CST

(click to enter the live studio, load the app and it should stream automatically)


On twitter, follow along for ongoing updates @KenmoreConnect, @ootragirl Or #sywbad