#GirlBoss Review

Hey Lovely People,

After seeing the words #GirlBoss emblazoned across social media since May 2014, I finally got my own copy of Sophia Amoruso's book, and I was so happy that I was able to  read it at last, if you would like to obtain a copy, the book can be purchased here.

For those of who who may not be familiar with Ms. Amoruso, by way of introduction, she is the founder and CEO of the online retail clothing store called NastyGal. She initially launched NastyGal at the age of 22 (in 2006) as an eBay vintage store, and grew the business to the current incarnation as an online retailer of new and vintage clothing and accessories. She grew her business into a $150 million company without borrowing funds- or receiving a large injection of cash from her parents. I kid you not. I was inspired and motivated to learn that she basically became aware that you could sell vintage clothing on eBay after receiving myspace requests from existing vintage eBay sellers, and decided she could do that too. It helped her greatly that she has an appreciation of fashion and styling, and some knowledge of photography-  she was also passionate and invested in creating a good product and doing an excellent job. She didn't have a lot of money to start the store, and has stated in her book that the first thing she sold online was stolen (yes, she admits she used to steal stuff, she also stated she wasn't proud she had done so, and had realized she needed to stop and change course), she bought vintage items at low prices, fixed them up nicely, placed the items on models- or rather styled models in the items- and sold them at a significantly higher price (imagine paying $10 for an item and selling it on eBay for $1000- once the customer is pleased, sounds like good business to me). She states in the book that she kept working hard at what she was doing, and saving her money, and growing her business to the current model.

As I read her story, and learnt that she never attended college, dropped out of community college, shoplifted, changed low paying jobs multiple times, and had poor credit, I started to believe that anyone build the life they want for themselves once they are driven to do so.

Here are a few excerpts from #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso that resonated with me:

• "You will never regret trying to fulfill your dream"
• "Money looks better in the bank than on your feet"
• "Sell things for more than you pay for them, and save more than you spend."
• "We control our thoughts and our thoughts control our lives"
• "The energy you'll expend focusing on someone else's life is better spent working on your own. Just be your own role model."

Once you have the desire to do something, the idea to create something, and the ability to work hard to achieve it- you can achieve it, so I urge you to take that chance today to make your dreams come true, start asking yourself what you can create, so go to your dreams.

XO,

Malika

Ars Longa, vita brevis

When I was seventeen years old I was introduced to a beautiful book of poetry written by Kahlil Gibran, named The Prophet. Reading has been a part of my life since childhood, and perhaps because I did not experience the internet until I was a teenager, my love for books was able to flourish as much as it has. One of my favourite quotes is "Ars longa, vita brevis" translated from Latin into English it means, simply, "Art is long, life is short". I interpret it as a statement that life is finite and short, but art lives on; long after we have ceased to be, art will still be there, touching those who come after us, caressing their souls, uplifting and inspiring them. To me, there is the art that you see , and then the art that you read, and both are powerful. "The Prophet", in which Gibran writes "When love beckons to you follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep"  is  one such work of art that will live on, and continue to inspire generations, and so, it comes as no surprise that a few days ago I found myself re-reading it. Whilst the words were the same, the way that they washed over me, and impacted me were markedly different, for as much as I am the same, I am also different from who I was at the age of seventeen: I'm all grown up now. Time marks us. It gives us a wisdom born of experience, and a greater understanding and appreciation of what love is, as well as who we are, and who we are meant to be. If we are lucky, the passage of time will only make us better. If we are not so lucky- the passage of time will diminish us: may we always be lucky.

In my re-reading of The Prophet, and my mulling over of his words on love it was an especially pleasant diversion to have the pleasure of attending A&A's wedding over the weekend. The ceremony was beautiful, and moving. As much as I was sorely tempted to wear this jumpsuit (click on the link for deets) since the day of the wedding held the promise of being a sun filled day- after two rain filled weeks- I decided to wear a flowy yellow dress.

Dress: French Connection, Shoes: Anne Michelle, Clutch: Old.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

XX
Malika