Family Reunion

As I mentioned, I had missed them.  Family situations had kept us apart.  But I was happy when the decision was made for me to spend time with them again.  So there I went, in my excitement, I swept up my six nieces and nephews and had them all over for the weekend.  I can't deny that I was overwhelmed!  Six children all at the same time!  But I was overjoyed to see them, to play with them and laugh with them.  They know their auntie loves them, that I am grateful to have them in my life!  Thank you Demetrio, Michael, Tremell, Jade, Anthony and William, I loved having you!

The 2012 Olympics

GASP! DIVAS AND DIVOS!! The 2012 Summer Olympics are WELL underway and this year looks to be amazing. The US has a dream basketball team, gymnastics, swimming, and fabulous black athletes in many categories.  Watching John Orozco and Gabrielle Douglas in gymnastics!  I hope you all are enjoying it and celebrating the triumph for all athletes in having the chance to compete!  #makingdreamshappen.

Ask Marlo

 

Balancing business and personal matters, can be difficult when becoming a public figure.  You want to connect with the people that support you and maintain the relationships with those who were always there.  I have loved the way my followers relate to me, understand me and want to connect with me on a more personal basis.  Many have shared their own difficult stories, thanking me for sharing mine, and finding comfort in knowing they are not alone.  But when I am asked for a meeting or more often financial help, for me the connection then breaks.

Friendships and relationships are not meant to be forced; friendships grow and mature over time, naturally, genuinely.  A connection has to be mutual, both sides wanting it, and both sides patiently building it.  I do understand being in a difficult space in life and needing the comfort of someone who has been there, someone that you may admire.  I understand seeking advice and kind words.

As best I can, I try to provide that.  From time to time, as with my Thanksgiving turkey and Mother's Day giveaway, I do more and try to give more.  But understand, the needs are overwhelming, the requests for help more than what I alone can reciprocate. Friendship, time, and money are limited for everyone.  For each of them, we have to wait and let them happen only when they can...

 

 

Image by Forkparty

Summer Lips

As summer is in full swing, it's important to have a full arsenal, for your lips. The lips are something that men notice and they command attention, whether walking down the street or during conversation.  Lips to perfection!

Here are some of my favorites that help every woman get that PoW look. These are perfect colors for summer and help maintain the lips' moisture as well.

Lip Glass by Mac,

Chanel Glossimer

Dior Brand 224

LaMer lip balm

Flawless!

A week in the life...

I hope all of you enjoyed Independence Day!  I definitely enjoyed the days leading up to it!  Fun times in LA, wild times in Detroit....

Dinner at Mastro's, LA

B & M top, Versace skirt, heels by Louboutin

BET Awards, LA

Dress and heels by Givenchy

 

Party in Detroit with Derek J

Dress by Herve Leger

heels [not pictured], Louboutin.

 

Which of my looks did you guys like best?

 

A Family Story Part III

Money has overshadowed my family.  Money given yesterday is forgotten about today.  There is never an effort by anyone to also help bring money in.  And so we are in a situation where a family of adult men and women finds itself without a single person with a job.  Only that it is my job to take care of everyone.

If you know me, you know how much I love my family, especially my nieces and nephews.  It was always standard and relied on in my family that I would plan and provide for my nieces and nephews' birthdays; that I would provide them with new clothes with every change of the season.  I have always spoiled them, loved them, given them. 

I wonder, when is it okay for me to take care of myself?  When do I get to enjoy the things I work for, the things I have earned?  I am not married, I do not have children, I only have myself and only myself to provide for my needs.  When will everyone feel they have gotten enough from Marlo?  When do I stop having the guilt?  When will they remember how much I have always done?

I miss my nieces and nephews, I feel sad that they sometimes get caught in the middle.  Family is where you should be able to find comfort - I will wait to find mine...Until then, God, my friends and of course fashion will do...

Style Inspiration...

Elizabeth Banks in Elie Saab

 

Joan Smalls in Michael Kors

 

Zoe Saldana

 

 

 

Via Style.com & Getty Images

 

 

Why Glam It Up?

Of course you all know what Foster Care means to me - where I went at age 11, later finding a family that took me in and treated me as their own.  But I may not have talked about those experiences and why it still matters to me now.

It is hard to describe coming into a home with strangers and being a child, innocent, not in charge of yourself, and dependent on people you do not know.  As with me, it sometimes takes time to find the right Foster home.  It was only after the fourth one that I found a true home.  Not everyone takes in a child and is able to treat them as if they are their own.  I was sometimes treated as an outsider, at one home, I was not even allowed a house key.  And since you are often in Foster Care, for a brief period, you may not be taught the life lessons that you will need when you are on your own.

Foster care, can also be the first time that you feel truly loved and cared for - like having my foster mother come to school meetings and being there for me in every part of my life. 

I founded my Glam It Up series because I know what is missing in a young girl's life, when she is not with her own family, and I know how easy it can be to forget to believe in yourself and to dream.  As best I can, I want to try to fill in these gaps and help young girls dream. 

I can tell from all of your kind messages, that your hearts are in this as well and that you share the spirit of Glam It Up.  That too, inspires me...

 

A Family Story, Part II

From r to l: Mike, Ryan, Jasmine & Kiki

I was 11 when I left my mother’s home.  Before then, my older sister  would come check on my little brother and I, making sure we had food.  And when I left, moving between 4 different foster homes until landing at the last one at age 14, it was me who who looked after me, me who did for myself.  

So family, is for me an interesting word.  What is family if it does not offer the protection and nurturing it should?  And who decides what you owe anyone, especially when not anyone feels they owe you?  

At 16, I started working, first fast food - you know what it was, Mickey D's - then retail, even bartending.  I was blessed to meet a gentleman or two along the way, who truly helped me.  But family never took care of Marlo.  And Marlo did take care of family, even at 17 driving to different Foster Homes, visiting my nieces and nephews, always helping them, loving them, taking them out to amusement parks and to have fun.  I did for my mother; she could always count on me, I would always look after her.  Her house is paid for and furnished by me, and she could always count on me to give her money.   

But none of these things brings family together - if anything, it only tears them apart...

My glamorous girls...

Me with Francheska & Francis

Having spent my teenage years in Foster Care, I am very passionate about working with young girls in the system, and offering them support and opportunities they may otherwise not have.  I do this through my Glam It Up Campaign through which some of my Glam It Up girls participated in the ATL Celebrity Kids Fashion Show.  Four young ladies became models for a day to promote empowerment and wellness for children. 

The girls were beautiful and poised and they absolutely shined as they modeled beautiful dresses by designer Jayne Finne, of the Melissa Jayne Boutique.  Thank you Miss Finne, for letting these young ladies sparkle in your pretty dresses!

Thank you, Caitlyn, Francheska, Tamara, Francis, Thakia and all the young ladies for beings such lovely models and doing such a great job!  You give to me more than I could ever give to you...