BBB Tutto Italiano Live Photo shoot Feat. Ferrari's, Ducati's, Lamborghini's, Maserati's

On Sunday August 1st, 2010 Bless By Bless will be the featured fashion line at Tutto Italiano. Tutto Italiano is an exciting lawn event showcasing a vast selection of Italian luxury automobiles such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and more. It is a celebration of automobile design and fashion all to benefit the Greater Boston YMCA.

FEATURED BLACK DRESS IS BBB TAMBA "ANGEL" DRESS

www.blessbybless.com

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BMG Model Fancy Tracy Photo Shoot

I had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite models - Tracy Acholonu: so graceful, so elegant and yet poised and powerful.
Tracy is BMG model and she moves like a snake :). This was us having fun behind the scenes of our photo shoot. I used to video of us goofing off as an add for a fashion show I produced for Northshore Mall feat Zara, Nordstrom, Gap, Banana Republic, Cache, Metro Park and more...

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Summer Love Volleball Tournament

This past summer I had so much fun when I decided to hold a charity volleyball tournament to raise funds for two kids who needed money to stay in school in Zimbabwe. I think education is a right we should all have access to because a lack of it breeds such unfortunate situations. I am lucky being born in Zimbabwe that I got to go to school and discover my passions and chase my dreams - thanks to my father for making that happen. Many of my relatives never got that opportunity.

Summer love Volleyball was one of the best events I have done, it was pure fun, pure love and it pushed the Bless By Bless mission and lifestyle of love and giving to a new horizon.

Enjoy!

Love Peace & BBB!

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Behind The Scenes / Power Of Love Photo Shoot

This vid is from my shoot with model Aga - the idea was a to showcase the empowering vision I have for my line. My goal is a brand Bless By Bless as sexy, edgy, empowering and inspiring.

I was rally showcasing my couture shorts in this photo shoot so to being focus on the shorts I simply wrapped a mettallic mesh material on the mode for a bra - what we didn't realize was the strobes made the mesh semi see-through haha! oops! wardrobe malfunction - but here it is anyways!

WATCH THE VIDEO!

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My First

For as long as I can remember I have been working 14 plus hours days every day of the week. At my first job in the design world I used to work 50 + hours and ever since then I have not seen too many days off. Thats was back in 1999 and I have worked relentlessly since then, chasing a dream that sometimes appears uncatchable.

No matter how confident and full of hope we are sometimes doubt will rear it's ugly head and make you feel like giving up. That said here is a favorite by Ruth Gordon

"Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts."

One too many times we face the facts and the facts are usually a sad way of admitting defeat. If you believe in something then don't ever face the facts look at them and walk around them, when you stop to face them you are surrendering.

I haven't given up on my dreams, as a matter of fact I am living some of them already. I dreamt of being a designer, I am one now, dreamt of making a clothing collection, I have one now. Many times our dreams come true and we fail to celebrate, instead we focus on the parts that have not come to be.

It's been three years since I designed my very first T-Shirt, it has been a long hard journey of no sleep, no rest and hard work. I have sold some of my pieces through trunk sales, the website and from my studio but my line was not in stores until yesterday. A tiny ( but very cute) boutique on Newbury Street in Boston called "SooDee" now carries my t-shirts and sweatshirts. Although the full order for the store goes in on the 1st of April I placed a few items there yesterday afternoon.

I was at the boutique today and a girl and her mom walk in to shop, they were very friendly and warm. While her mom was looking at dresses the girl looked at my rack, grabbed a sweat jacket then yells "hey mom! look at this! It's so cute." "Try it on" her mom says. So she tries it on and says "I am getting it! It fits perfect, it was made for me". Now the whole time I was watching and listening from the other end of the store, I was playing fly on the wall haha. I was lucky enough to become friends with the owner of the Boutique so she has been letting me come by and learn the retail side of the fashion business by observing her store before my clothes when in. Now this has been priceless because I having been getting insight on how women shop, what catches their eye and how many times they sometimes come in and out before buying. Every shopper is different but there is a pattern I am learning to the way people shop and I have learnt so much just by playing fly in SooDee. It's crazy because some girls simply just come in to have a good laugh at some creative dresses or coats that they wouldn't wear, no intention of buying just doing a girly thing, it's interesting.

Anyways my point here is i sold my very first piece in an actual store, so today marks a milestone that i will never forget. I remember reading a book about FedeX, the book said that after spending millions buying planes and trucks and starting the business on the first day FedeX started they shipped about 8 packages. Imagine that! God knows how many they ship today. With that in perspective I am very grateful and excited for having officially entered the retail game today.

In life we sometimes look at what did not happen as opposed to what did, we look at what's outside as opposed to whats inside. If it's your birthday and only one person called, shouldn't we be happy and thank that person and rejoice that at least one person remembered. If you car is acting up be glad you have one, fix that hoop up and be happy you come and go as you please.

This is a new chapter in the journey of thousands miles, the journey of a million steps. I feel like I just started today because this is all so new and exciting, weeeeeeee! haha!

Seriously though i am glad I don't have it in me to give up, I would of never seen this day.
I am glad I never faced the facts: "the economy is so bad no one will pick up your line, you are a new designer you are too much of a risk, your prices are need adjusting, and so on..."

don't face the facts, turn your back on them and just keep trying to do what you initially wanted to do before the facts were a concern.

If you are in Boston visit SooDee for a peak at some Bless By Bless Couture.
293 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.

Here is the first BBB piece sold in a store.



hope! faith! love!

B

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Be Inspired!!!! Bless By Bless Today's News

Its 2009, happy belated new year to everyone.

If you are like me you were super excited to start a new year and leave 2008 behind only to find a 2009 filled with fear of a failing economy, little hope and heavy clouds of fear. I got caught up in all the negativity until I remembered I cannot let society "program" me. I often feel like society/the media programs us using fear, fear of loss, fear of our safety, fear of our health, our financial situation and fear of losing our possessions.

I know most of the things we fear are a reality but we don't need them drilled into the forefront of our minds every morning before we begin our day. Plus I also feel there are just as many important things that are inspiring or that can "program" us with hope so we are better prepared to be pro active and help ourselves.

For example I am looking at CNN.com to see what worlds leading news source would like me to know. So here we go, these are the real homepage headlines judge for yourself:

• 598,000 jobs cut; jobless rate 7.6% ( There is no need to drill these stats in our heads )
• Recession takes toll on parties (I don't think this obvious observation is breaking news)
• 'Crotchety' Etta plans Beyonce beatdown ( really? )
• Papa John's founder: Don't eat too much pizza ( Really? Really?)

So my point here is there are many negative things we only need to be made aware of once,
especially since we cannot do anything about them. The fear instilled in us by us only makes for a worse situation, it only causes more layoffs, more budget cuts and more problems. Reality is something we create for ourselves and for now we are creating a reality where investors are pulling out, companies are downsizing, people have stop spending etc.. When the time comes we are going to start reading headlines that say "Economy back on the rise", "It's finally over!" and then we will all have hope and return to normal thus bringing it back. I don't claim to be an expert or know much about economics but seems to me we are simply told what to do thus creating whatever situation that arises. It's okay to inform us of the harsh realities but where is the articles or news on hope? Wouldn't it be nice if the news was flooded with ideas to help families that lost their homes, help lines for people who lost their jobs, resources for fighting depression caused by the current economic situation and so on???

Anyways today I want to present you with my news for the day, the way I wish society helped us all start our day with the morning news or paper that sets our emotional tone for the day. Here is my three headlines for today.

BLESS BY BLESS DAILY NEWS FEB 6, 2009

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Nelsa Curbelo, Former Nun And Schoolteacher, Takes On Saving Children From Voilence.

With a population nearing 3 million, Guayaquil in Southern Equador is home to more than 200 gangs and 60,000 gang youth. At one point, crime in this neighbourhood included 100 murders a month; now that number is down to 10.

Curbelo helps young people get business loans to start projects that have so far included a pizzeria, a recording studio and the print shop where Angelo works, which produces T-shirts and a hip-hop magazine. All participants agree to renounce crime, and each business must include members from rival gangs. In this way, gang members learn to work together toward common goals. It's an effective strategy.

As the crime rate drops in Guayaquil drops substantially because of Curbelo and Ser Paz’s social efforts, she has this to say:

“Love is the greatest power in the universe. Love is more powerful than violence, more powerful than the atomic bomb. Love has the power to transform lives, to change cities and the whole world. Only love has this deep creative power. I am absolutely sure of it.”

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IN THESE TROUBLED ECONOMIC TIMES WE ALL NEED TO BE LEADERS,
WE ALL NEED TO BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.

Financial problems can cause not only careers to fall apart but more important they drastically affect our families. People are losing their homes, relationships and life savings. Depression is on the rise and yet you look around and there is no mention of any help for all this, just repetitive mention of how bad and worse it gets. There are probably millions of neighbors who are throwing away food that a family a few houses down could use to feed their children.

Here is a video to empower you, to inspire you and to remind you that you have the power to make a difference.



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NO TIME FOR SELF PITY, EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE HAPPY!

We are all guilty of claiming to have nothing, claiming to be so unlucky, justifying our bitterness and anger. Hopefully this video makes you realize how blessed we can be and how no matter what our situation we have the "choice" to be happy and do everything we ever dreamed of.



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So there you have it. Now why aren't our TV's and newspapers filled with stories like the above, stories that can help us deal with out day to day life. Instead we are bombarded with celebrity gossip, news of cats stuck in trees (nothing against cats, love cats, but seriously not in the 9 o'clock news) and a then a bunch of depressing stuff.

Don't be programmed by society, read but ignore ( don't be consumed ) newspapers and tv's, instead find more inspiring things to start you day and help you be a better person and live a beautiful life.

Recommenced reading, beautiful book you should read



















Hope! Faith! Love!

Bless
Designer Bless By Bless Couture
www.blessbybless.com

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Timing is Everything!

It's almost the end of the year and i look back and I have to admit this was one of the toughest years for me as an adult. Many great things happened and l overcame many obstacles through a dedicated persistence. As the past year was ending my goals and dreams were overshadowed by the occasional doubt and second-guessing myself.

However miraculously I overcame all the obstacles and am filled with hope and promise for a successful 2009. Since my birthday in October three very important people all wrote me a card or letter that said "2009 is your year". Those that know me know that l read between the lines and seeing as those three people are barely connected it means thats the universe telling me 2009 will be a year where all my blood and sweat will be rewarded.

The biggest mistiming of the year was Bless By Bless Couture was supposed to be in stores for Christmas but due the economy, delays in production and me being overwhelmed this didn't happen. At first as expected I was down in spirits, I was discouraged, I felt like I had worked hard for this all year only to fail at my goal. I had printed 100 catalogs that were supposed to be mailed to stores, buyers, stylists around the country and I didn't open the box for three weeks, it was too late to catch the holiday shopping season.

As December approached I began to receive phones calls and emails from people asking how they could buy BBB gear for the holidays. The requests were so overwhelming I all of sudden realized that it didn't matter that I had missed the holiday season goal. My mission is to design and create a product that will carry my message of hope, faith and love through the people who purchase it. Apparently I was doing my job because people wanted my clothing regardless, so what more could I ask for? Life is about timing and my time is 2009, that's what I have decided and that is when I will make it my time. As we journey through life we are presented with situations and challenges that sometimes make us feel we have failed and yet when you are able to know our time and place and accept it we realize we are doing just fine.

Every time you cross the street the only reason you make it across without being hit by a car is timing, on most occasions we cross the street seconds away from a serious injury or death, that is just how important timing is. It is important to know when it is time to do, say or act. Going to work is all about time, what time you get there what time you leave determines your pay. I think you would agree with me that life is all timing.

Here is a little story I was told as a kid and it stuck with me, i would like to share it with everybody. There was a man of great faith who lived with his family in a little village. It was him, his wife and their three kids. He was known around town for his dedication to his religion, his kindness and his unwavering belief in God.

One day a storm came and for seven days and nights it rained heavily and the little village, which stood next to a great river, began to flood. The man gathered his family in his living room and they sat on tables for the floor was covered in water and he began praying. 'God please stop these heavy rains and spare me and my family" he prayed with his arms spread towards the heavens. A group of neighbors knocked at his door and they yelled out "Please come with us, they say the rains are getting worse, we are all leaving the village". The man yelled back at them "God will save us! We are not going anywhere!" the neighbors tried a few times and left.

The next morning the man and his family where sitting on the kitchen table for the waters had risen a few more feet. He was repeating his prayer asking God to save him. A group of people in a little boat that was floating by his house yelled through the kitchen window "Come with us we have room for you and your family, we can get you to dry land before the rains get worse'. Again the stubborn man yelled back "Thank you but God will save us! We are not going anywhere!"

Few hours later the man was praying his prayer for help with him and his entire family on the roof, for the waters had risen as he had been warned. A loud noise in the sky drowned his prayers and he looked up, he was sure God had answered his prayers, the calvary is over he thought. To his dismay he looked up only to see a helicopter with a man lowering a rope and yelling for him and his family to climb up to safety. Again the man refused yelling "God will save us! We are not going anywhere!".

The rains continued as warned, the flood rose washing the man and his family off the roof and they all died. Soon the man stood before God and he was furious as he asked God "Why did you forsake me? I spent my entire life worshiping you, serving you and spreading your word. Why didn't you save me, I had faith, I put my trust and family in your hands and you let us die!" God looked at the man and said back to him "It was you that let your family die. You asked me to save you so l sent your neighbors, l sent a boat and l even sent a helicopter. What else did you want me to do?"

The lesson is in life if we understand the timing and the reality of what is given or taken away from us, we will realize we have all the answers right in our hands. People and things come in our lives for a reason and they also leave for a reason and it is important that when they come we accept them at the right time or let them go at the right time.

I am writing about timing because of the many personal things that are currently going on in my life that have forced me to sit down and learn and accept the concept of time so l can better cope and have faith. I recently realized that in love things are perfect when two people realize what they are worth to each other at the same time. So often we find that by the time we really care or love something or someone it has gone and it is too late. Like that man despite all his faith we complicate things and fail to realize that what we need and want is offered to us over and over and yet we look elsewhere to find answers or solutions.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the importance of realizing what we are offered by the universe, by God, by friends, by loved ones and even by enemies. It is important to know miracles when they happen, to know angels when they walk into our lives and also to know evil so we can walk away.

So learn to say the right things at the right time, learn to walk away at the right time, learn to laugh at the right time, learn to thank at the right time and and most of all learn to love at the right time. When you learn to pay attention to the time and importance of what life is giving you, everything becomes so simple and it is then that you can say...

"I love you, I thank you, I appreciate or I am leaving, I deserve better..."

Speaking of time, it's time for me to get back to work so i can catch the UPS man to ship some orders :)

B

www.blessbybless.com
Hope! Faith! Love!

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