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City Gal...

1/30/2017

Walking down a NYC street... any NYC street is an experience of a lifetime! Im filled with so many emotions, a range of emotion as I sway around the City! I could be filled with anger as someone rudely bumps into me while rushing to whatever destination ahead, or filled with love seeing a couple hand in hand taking a stroll, or inspired watching a local jogger/runner using the very street I use to commute to better his/her health! The stories are endless here! The possibilities are immeasurable! The feeling is... Im a City GaL...

How does NYC make you feel?

Talk to Me...

Photos by Shay Paresh

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London Bridge has Fallen Down

6/28/2016

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It figures my random travels would bring me to the UK during the biggest political vote in Europe since before I was born. As I fasten my seat belt and prepare to make my final texts and calls before take off, I feel a bit of anxiety. Which is odd I'm normally eager and filled with joy, ready to talk to God and ask him to bless the pilots and crew and to ensure each of us on this plane gets to our final destinations. So back to my premature but warranted anxiety, I get not one but two texts from the girls saying they both just got booked and can't make it on the trip.

I then decided to watch 'London has Fallen' because I'd been wanting to see the movie. I figured despite the movie showing the entire city literally burning to the ground, I'd at least see what landmarks to visit. Fast forward to walking through customs-- I look up at the tv's and all are playing CNN's coverage of this vote! Wtf did I just fly into is now the dialog of my inner soul?

London has really fallen is all I can think and damn I have to pee. But like always, God has my back and in fact I walked outside to a sunny 70 degree day in London. Perfect day for outdoor tours and the City was full of color. From the Heathrow Express, to the Tubes to the streets, to the big red tour bus you see in the movies I felt as if I was in New York City. In a Melting pot of locals commuting and tourist taking in a new land. I felt right at home. Everyone speaks English, free wifi almost everywhere, and a centrally located hotel (Park Grand London Kensington) with American outlets, free wifi, great danishes, and half a block from the Tube at Earls Court... What more can an American City girl ask for.

I have died and gone to Harrods!!! Macy's who?... Bloomingdales where?... Now I know why Harrods was Micheal Jackson's and a host of other celebrities favorite department store!!! OMG where do I begin. Lets start with How London has Fallen impacted my weekend in Harrods... I mean in London, lol. The POUND!!! The pound has reached its lowest since 1985 and I am so damn happy I was in Harrods during not only the City's 30 year low but the first weekend of the Summer Sale!!! 40-50% off of designer current season merchandise! I knew Paris was on sale in June and July from my visit there back in March but I had no idea what I was walking into this past weekend. Harrods was a madhouse!!! If you would like to purchase big ticket items for your wardrobe then Summer in Europe is the time to do it! Let me explain how I bought 3 pair of Red Bottoms for 65% off.
Pair 1: £250
Pair 2: £300
Pair 3: £450
+ 20% TAX
= £1200

Christian Louboutin had a 45% of sale section already reflected in the prices listed above, THEN 20% tax refund when you go through customs on your return flight in either cash money or back on your credit card!

Which will bring my final purchase down to.... £960 = $1279.08 plus fees. You know the gov always gets there cut somehow when giving you back that tax refund and they will take larger fee if you choose cash back.

In the end, my girl Kristen did make it to London and we enjoyed a great night out on the town and I broke in my new shoes paired with my new favorite jean jacket by Beth Ditto. Which I also bought on sale at TheCurvyCon last week at the Hey Gorgeous booth!

Thanks for joining me on my Travel Journey to London! Come back next week and learn a little about the Island of Antigua!

Sincerely,

Naimah
Travel Diaries

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Bringing Color to the Court Room!

5/3/2016

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Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Honorable Judge Kalimah Ahmad

On Friday, April 29, 2016, I attended the Swearing-in Ceremony for Kalimah Ahmad who became a Jersey City Municipal Court Judge! This woman continues to break barriers while remaining humble and always works with her community in mind!

I had the pleasure of working for Jersey City Council Woman Kalimah Ahmad when she represented Ward F in 2011 in her office at City Hall and on her Campaign! This woman is always working so I don't know how she finds the time to play basketball with her son, fly to Miami for the opening night of Beyonce's Formation Tour! (Sips Lemonade screw the Tea lol) I love this woman because Kalimah just inspires me to go after whatever I want in this world!

She is a young, curvy, black, Muslim, woman from the projects! There are not many more barriers that could have prevented Kalimah from moving forward in life! But she is a woman that does not believe in excuses, but rather believes in putting God first and then all things are possible!

During our many talks when I would call Kalimah, the attorney, with my countless questions as I navigate the fashion industry, we have talked about Kalimah's curvy girl dilemmas. Mainly about having a hip to wide and a waist too small to be able to walk in the local mall and find something that fits well for the court room! A tailor is a girls best friend... but Congrats to you Kalimah your new daily fashion... your black robe... You are wearing it for all the curvy girls, all the black girls, all the Muslimahs, all women!

Thank you Kalimah

Peace and Blessings to You on this New Journey!