Step back to move forward

 During our last shoot, my photographer and I went back to my old neighborhood in Old Fourth Ward here in Atlanta.  If you're not from Atlanta, or not familiar with that area at all, I'm sure you're familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King.  Well, his childhood home is located in Old Fourth Ward which so happened to be down the street from my house as a kid.  It's funny how when things are the norm to you, it's taken for granted.  Now when I go by, I'm always in disbelief that the house that my kids think is awesome (because Dr. King once lived there), me and my sister would skip by headed to the library without giving it a second thought.

 

 

I wanted to go there and shoot because I wanted to capture how a once poor young girl managed to grow up and beat the hand of cards she was dealt.  I won't go into details with my life's story just yet, but I'll tell you this, where I came from can not compare to where I am today.  And honestly, it's all because deep down, I knew I was destined for better.  Though I'll never take credit for how my life turned out. I know for a fact that God carried me and continues to carry me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going back to that neighborhood lit a fire inside of me.  Lately I've been nervous to move forward with plans I've set because I go back and forth on if it's the right move, or if I'm the one that could pull something like this off.  Last night, I sent out a text message to a group of people just to get their feedback.  I was pleasantly surprised to read what they had to say! They all got it without me elaborating further! That was a sign.  A sign that confirmed that maybe, just maybe, I'm on to something.  So as I look at these images of the now business woman sitting directly across the street from her childhood home... A home that she shared with upwards of 8 people who was barely making it on a welfare check and food stamps, I can say that it is indeed time to move forward in my plans.  I was put here for a purpose.   I will spend the rest of my life "Purposefully Being".

Jeans//Hat- Gap clearance//Top//shoes- clearance//Jewelry//

All images by the fabulous Kaye McCoy!
 

THE BEAUTY IN BEING "UNBOTHERED"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes//Jeans//Sweater(JCP)//Shades(Target)

There was a time when I associated a person not stressing over something or a situation being the equivalence of them not caring about the problem at hand.  I'm an over-thinker at heart, and on any given day, I would run something into the ground with all of my "thinking" on the matter.  But after everything was said and done, nothing changed! Either that, or my over-thinking made the situation worse.  I either caused a bigger problem, or stayed so stuck in the problem that nothing changed except for my blood pressure.  These days, though I still think a lot, I'm much more calmer.  Or at least that's what I'm working towards.  You see, the state of being "unbothered" by something or everything is a pretty good space to be in.  We sometimes stress over things that don't matter enough for us to give a second thought to.  When I say unbothered, it's not me saying I no longer care.  Oh no, it's me saying I don't care enough to give up my happiness or to waste valuable time and energy on. 

 

People will let you down, bad/ugly situations will come and go, but I will not allow those things to control me.  I adopted this mindset a little over a month ago when I was accused of being a weight loss fraud.  It really got to me.  Someone literally reached out to me in a personal message and basically said I wasn't being truthful.  That, along with the many ups and downs I go through with people who were once very close to me pushed me to this point.  Honestly, I owe them a thank you! It feels good to not care so much.  And when I say not care so much, I mean not to give my energy to those who intentionally set out to take it in a hurtful and undeserving way.  So, to me, being "unbothered" is a very very beautiful thing.  Try it!

 

xo,

Lakeitha

 

 

 

 

 all images by the fabulous Kaye McCoy

 

 

White jeans into fall

In the south, white jeans and shoes are to be put away come the day after Labor Day.  To me, that is the craziest thing ever! And why is that the "rule" anyway?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

If you're like me, and love to push against what "they say do",  the easiest way to transition white jeans into the cooler months is to pair them with warmer tones.  Here, I'm wearing leopard pumps (sold out), a nude bag, and a bronzy (skin tone) tank.  And lastly, finishing your outfit with a denim or even leather jacket is always a good thing! Add in a little Wrist Soiree bling and you're all set.   Stay tuned for a few more looks featuring white jeans:)

 

images by the fabulous Kaye McCoy

 

Happy Wednesday, Ladies!

 

Friday Style: something new

 

 

Jeans: New York and Company (I ripped them more), Jacket: thrifted (similar), stripped tank: JCP, Tote: August Ink, Scarf: old, Shoes: Converse. Bracelets: Wrist Soirée

 

 

I'm so excited to start a new series on this blog. You know, my decision to rename my blog Lakeitha Duncan was because I wanted to talk about all aspects of my life instead of just DIY. It's so funny because DIY, is not even big on my list of things I like to do anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still have a passion for decorating (another series that will be starting), but I no longer have the patience for real DIY projects anymore. Instead, I want to focus on inspiring you to build a better wardrobe of your liking, to eat healthy, to live in a beautifully decorated home, and to enjoy life to the fullest.

I had so much fun with this shoot with my new photographer buddy Kaye! Look forward to seeing a lot of great shots of not only fashion, but food as well! I can't wait!!

 

Stay inspired ladies,

Lakeitha

 

Images by Kaye McCoy (@cookayemonster)