VOTE because Abigail is YOU!

For those with a heart for change,Fellow blogger Gabriella is an advocate member with BASI and am an Outreach Coordinator for More Than Me, an organization that works to lift girls off the street and into school in Liberia, West Africa. 

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We're bringing together 1,000 blogs across the world to make one day - just one day on Nov 30th - a day to spread the word about the dreams of Abigail, one of our students. The occasion is a special on NBC  that we'll be appearing on.  Voting started on Tuesday (Nov 27), so we'd love your help in sharing the word ASAP! This is not for us. This is for a girl who is very real; who is waiting on the other side of the world to hear if she will get the chance to go to school! We're getting lots of exciting buzz around this including people sharing photos on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter with "I am Abigail" written on their foreheads to remind us that any one of us could be Abigail, and it's so easy for us to help.

JOIN US NOW!

[blog or facebook]

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Here is what we'd like you to consider posting:

More Than Me, an education and girls’ empowerment non-profit is gaining notoriety through its guerilla-style marketing, inspiring hundreds of people to write “I am Abigail” on their foreheads and posting the photos on Facebook.

This really begs the question, “Who the heck is Abigail?”

Abigail was an orphan in West Point, Liberia. You may have read her letter in a previous article here on the Huffington Post. At six, she was left with prostitutes. She learned to work the streets in order to get access to drinking water and food. Education was not an option.

Then Abigail met Katie Meyler, the founder of More Than Me, an organization dedicated to getting girls off the streets and into schools. Katie and Abigail became fast friends, and More Than Me has raised the money to put Abigail through school. She is learning to bake, and aspires to one day be a Senator, so she can, in turn, help other girls like her. 

So, why are all these people also “Abigail”?

Abigail could be you. Abigail could be your sister, your niece, your student, or your neighbor. Remember, we live in a global community; there is no “me” without “we”, Abigail is because you are, and you are because Abigail is.

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Join the community. When you’ve done that, help the community grow by spreading our story. And most of all, get inspired.

 

Abigail has a message for all of you:

Dear World,

My name is Abigail.

I'm 13-years-old. I live in West Point, Liberia. I don't know my parents... I was left with prostitutes when I was six-years-old. They took care of me, but life was hard. Often, I didn't have a place to sleep or food to eat. I never went to school. And I would often sleep at a video club so men could find me and then "rent" me for the night. I was abused, both in my mind and body. I didn't feel loved.

When I met the people at More Than Me, my life changed. I have a new home now and food to eat. I'm in school now. I'm happy now. I feel like I have a future now. I feel loved. I've learned how to bake, which helps me earn extra money.

Please help vote for me so I can continue in this new life and stay in school. Your vote is my future. I'll do anything to show you that I'll do my best in school and become something with my life.

Love,

Abigail

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For All People, everywhere...

Take 15 seconds (yes, just 15 seconds) to make the lives of these girls a bit better by doing two very simple and extremely meaningful things:

1. VOTE NOW through Dec. 4 for Abigail and girls like her at voteabigail.org and... then
2. Share it with others
3. Make your OWN “I am Abigail” picture! 

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- Gabriella

BASI Advocate

Member Outreach Coordinator for More Than Me

Happy 1 year Blogaversary!

WOW WOW WOW! 

All I have to say is that I have come so far with this blog.  Now together, let's review one year of my transformation through blogging! I hope you can make it through all this reading without passing out...or falling asleep... >.<

Fashion has become my artistic expression.  Since I danced ballet(and many others) since I was 3, I have always loved the tulle, rhinestones, ribbons, and colors, but blogging has given me an outlet to make fashion my real life scrapbook.  Each piece is like a part of a story- and the story tells the emotion I want to convey.  Fashion is my artistic Expression- not my lust.

Confidence.

1. Accepting of my body.  Since high school I began to really compare myself to the other ballet dancers around me, and I always seemed to see my body shape as flawed.  I know my blog is all about "be-you-tiful," which may give some people the impression that I am 100% confident in my inner and outer beauty, but that is not in any way true.  I believe that I have inner and outer beauty.  I definitely see it in others all the time.  this blog helps me work on seeing it in myself. And so, I try to live it and seek it out, like the daughter of the Lord I aspire to be.  
2. Recognition of my talents.  Positive feedback from this WONDERFUL blogging community has allowed me to push myself to make my far-out visions become realitites.  For example,  the first time I walked into LACI boutique with my new camera and asked the owner if I could do a photoshoot for her boutique.  This first step out has led to me conducting another photoshoot for her, and now I even conduct photoshoots fro couples and families!
3. My influence.   I initially started blogging because I wanted to see if I could produce content people would respond to.  I wanted to see if I could have an impact on people.  Less than a year later I started an international bloggers network to help raise awareness on human trafficking within the blogger community.  Who knew? Not me one year ago!

Friends. I have met amazingly incredible people through blogging! Blogging has introduced me to people I actually relate to on multiple levels, with similar personalities, interests, motivations, and problems.   I have to say, I never thought blogging would bring me a whole new family.  This new family is from Bloggers Against Social Injustice[BASI], which I started with Stephanie in July.  These people bloggers are SUCH an influence on me:

1. Donna... without her, BASI would not be what it is today! I remember when it first started, I would be on Facebook chat with her almost daily, for up to 3 hours, for almost 3 weeks! What would we do in this time? Marketing, planing, decision making... idea creation!  Donna is a workaholic, like me and all the other BASI girls, which may be one reason I relate to her so much.  I feel like she is part of my family, even though there is so much more to learn about her.   I feel like she has such a kind and inquisitive soul, and it is so awe striking to me. 
2. Andrea is such a ball of sunshine and promise.  I met her though BASI, we relate to each other so well, even if she is in Spain.  She is almost like the little sister I never had.  We  think the same, and have the same problems in life.  When I need encouragement, I know that she can support me and motivate me, in the spirit and love that Jesus Christ had shown us first!  I hope to keep contact with this promising young spirit!  She is an unexpected blessing- and it touches my heart so much!
3. Cassandra. This girl is dedication!  She has such a heart for BASI, that when I think of her, I smile, and giggle in joy.  She is filled with such great ideas, and is so academically driven.  I look up to her.  This Singaporian is one that I expect to touch lives in the way that she will drive them to look outside the box to achieve their goals!
4. Dave is actually local!  He is so fun to work with and really helps support me to be a good leader for BASI.  I know that anytime I need an opinion or any assistance at all regarding BASI, I can without a doubt count on him!  His heart to end human trafficking is growing daily, and he helps remind me how important it is to not shift my focus from the heart of the issue!  Freeing the innocent.  It is such a blessing to have a local friend like him, he is definitely a blessing!
5. Tiana is one of the BASI girls who I am starting to become friends with.  I love being there to encourage her, and I love how she is able to encourage me to be a leader and is allowing me to be Christ's love to her!
6. Addy is the only non-BASI blogger that has touched my life. She was actually one of the first bloggers that I befriended! Through twitter, we are able to keep in contact.  She is so encouraging and helps me grow in my relationship with Christ.   She is such a warm gem.  She is already my sister.

But honestly, right now I am struggling because my closest friend locally has moved away, and it's as though I am going through withdrawal.  I don't want to feel needy, but sometimes I feel so lonely, because I am so use to spending time with her.

TREND ALERT: All the people I actually relate to either move away or I move away from. Life of a relocating family's child who relates to others in the same situation. Irony?

Faith.  I would like to say that my blog has been a platform for me to see my faith transform through. But it is more a place for inspiration and motivation of my faith(which I guess is part of my faith).  When I decided to be a faith and fashion blogger, I thought it meant I would see my faith transform through posts and interaction online, but I think my faith is happening more in my life, and I document it afterwards. Actually, I need to start going to church more than only Sundays again- I need it.  I also need one really close friend who I really relate to who has strong faith to help me. 

I think God just sent a friend like this to me.  I always get so excited to make new friends and give them my all, like a sister.  But the world isn't perfect and I have learned to expect less from potential friends.  I suppose it's a means of self-preservation.

--------And Now, 1 Year of Beyoutiful Hope ---------

[Small captions of my milestone posts!]

When she lived here, Jas helped me start my blog, with all my photos and fashion stylings.

This is from my FIRST BLOG POST! I actually made this dress and had my friend Amber to model it for me!

I won the Maurices Mainstreet Model contest, below is a picture from my photo shoot.

I offered to take a photoshoot for LACI Boutique, with new found confidence I gained from blogging!

This was my first fashion blog post! 

Woohie, this was such a hard BLOG POST for me.  I was truly struggling with who I was, and finding people to really relate to.  This is right after Jas moved away I believe. 

Well, with this BLOG POST... it was one of the first times I accepted how I looked and was pleased with it.  I suppose I began to see my "beyouty" as a young woman.  I also found  a new appreciation for my school, which is where this photo shoot took place. 

This photo shoot was one where I saw how much my photography was improving! Also, I realized that Lookbook is not really based on the outfit and photography...because if it was, this photo would have had hundreds of hypes!

This was post the FIRST TIME I solidified my reason to be a fashion blogger.

This POST was the first where I felt like I was completely honest. 

My first post on BASI !

And this was just one of my favorite BLOG POSTS.  I made this skirt, and bloggers actually liked it. 

This POST covered the first event that I attended because I was a blogger, but more importantly, a blogger with a heart for justice! We traveled to Canada for a Freedom Walk with [FREE-THEM].

I just love this photo... and the POST got so much feedback, it shocked me!

This POST covered my second photoshoot for LACI Boutique!

My latest fashion POST... and there are so many more coming. ^_^

It is kinda fun to see the changes in photography, writing style, and formatting over this past year, anyways...

So, after actually looking through many of my blog posts, I have seen how much I have grown.  This year I have found a community where I feel like I belong and people who appreciate me as well as help me grow.  I have really grown artistically, and have become a much better leader, motivator, and have discovered my major flaws that I am currently working on, so I can better live out love to others.  

But I think the number one thing that has come through this blog is my transformation into a young woman of Christ.  There is one blog post which was my turning point.  In this post, I recognized that I am now a young woman... at this point, I saw the little Christine step into the older Christine shoes with acceptance and gratitude.  So even if I like watching Disney channel still, and still want to be a Disney princess, I feel like I am stepping up to a place where I can be more of a mother figure in life, especially to people younger than me.

"I think beautiful and ugly are just judgments. They are just what people think and their opinions. No one is beautiful and no one is ugly. We all have our differences and we should all appreciate them. So I think to be beautiful is just what people think. Everyone is beautiful."

- Bella, Age 11

What is your definition of beyoutiful?

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The Sisterhood Bloggers Award!

Thank you so much to my Bloggers Against Social Injustice strong hold and my sister in Christ, Donna, from A Not So Secret Life for honoring me with yet another award!  I am so glad that I have the opportunity to inspire and share my artistic styling with you through this blog! xoxo

I am so blessed to have met you!

Rules:

• All recipients need to thank the giver
• Post 7 things about yourself
• Pass the award on to 7 other bloggers of their choice and let them know that they have been nominated.
• Include the logo of the award in a post or on your blog

7 Random Things About Me:

1. 1/2 Puertorican + 1/2 Chinese = 1 Christine :D
2. I have danced for 17 years (ballet, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, jazz, swing), and YES- I do dream about dancing <3
3. I just wish I could sing while twirling around everywhere and make everyone smile and feel warmth in their hearts.  Honestly, finding the beauty in and joy in all God created is such a wonderful feeling. 
4. I hate it when people call me weird, it makes me quite sad, even though I smile and laugh a bit when they call it to me. I suppose that is a defense mechanism(self preservation, baby)
5. I could eat SUSHI every day! <3
6. I would love to work on the set of a Disney channel show as a stylist!  This would allow me to be so creative and have so much fun, while being able to influence the fashion style of our younger generation! *dream that will never happen*
7. I am editor-in-cheif (and co-founder) of Bloggers Against Social Injustice ... I can spend up to 2 hours in a day doing things for "BASI"," AND I LOVE IT!  The network of sisters(and now a brother) have brought me not only fellowship, but family that I felt I had been missing.  It's like a small fort of my that was empty has been fulfilled.  And I love that "BASI" is actually touching lives and educating on the dangers and reality of human trafficking! xoxo

Bonus:  Read my first post :p

My Nominees

Blogs that make me smile and feel inspired:

1.   http://marylovesthat.blogspot.com I love her natural hair and her confidence! such a beautiful girl, I would love to connect and learn more about her style and personality, which is probably as fun as her style! | USA
2. http://sweetaspaprika.blogspot.com Her posts look so classic and delicate! | Romania
3. http://www.jumpintopuddles.com/ This blogger is growing so fast! I remember when she first started blogging, I was among her first 30 followers! I like her hair, and her style is fun! :)  | USA
4. http://www.highfashion-higherpurpose.blogspot.com/ Inspirational all the way, and fun fashion! She is also part of Bloggers Against Social Injustice which you should all join! | USA
5. http://shineonbyandrea.blogspot.com/ This girl makes me smile from ear to ear just thinking about her! She is like my little sister in a way...well, I guess she really is.  She is such support, and is definitely  loving like a daughter of God should! She also is the only blogger I follow that does vlogs.  She is also part of Bloggers Against Social Injustice   | Spain
6. http://backtofive.blogspot.com/ Love this blog because it's as though I am going out to eat with her, going on an adventure with her, or being part of her photoshoot...something about the way she blogs feels so personal.  She is also part of Bloggers Against Social Injustice   | Singapore
7. Bloggers Against Social Injustice :D of course I have to put this here! I am the co-founder!! JOIN IT!

TOMS Shoes: Blake Mycoskie Meet and Greet

So, if you have been following my blog, you should be well aware that an internship with TOMS shoes has been a dream of mine for quite a while!  Past post HERE.  It was such a shocker when I found out that my university was having Blake Mycoskie come to our University as a distinguished speaker!  Blake Mycoskie to me is as Justin bieber is to a teeny-bopper (minus the romantic obsession).

When I learned this, what did i do? I emailed faculty and made personal stops until I found tickets to a reception to meet him.

- VIP Reception Before the Speech -

With my friend Paige! She was a home schooler too.

No Way! Since I was given the reception tickets, I was also given a VIP ticket to sit in the front row(instead of row 300, where one of my friends ended up sitting).  Since I was attending the speech with my Bloggers Against Social Injustice Assistant, Dave, I decided...hey- we should both get good seats.  So I cavorted my way to the lady with the VIP tickets, and asked if by change I could get two really great tickets so we could sit together.  And guess what? I was given 2 FRONT ROW tickets!

So not only was I able to meet Blake during the meet & Greet... meaning shaking his hand, telling him how I aspire to be like him, breathing the same air he was, but I sat in the front row

Not only that but after his speech, he was at a table to give out autographs.  I had him sign my shoe, Paige's book(I forgot mine at home.. it was all annotated and sticky noted and everything too) and he also signed my arm, and Dave's FACE! I also made him a cuff like the ones Bloggers Against Social Injustice uses to fund raise!

Here is where it gets crazy! Then after all the people were done and here was sitting at the table still, I walked up to him. "Hi again, " I said, followed by how much I aspire to be like him.  Then I told him about the Truman scholarship I am applying for(nationwide extremely prestigious scholarship for social justice change agents who want to attend graduate school).  then I asked him if he would be able to "take a peek at it and maybe let me know what he thought of it and look it over and let me know." He said YES!  I told him my email was in the bracelet I had given him.  He said he would look over it on his plane ride home!

- Front row for the Speech! -

 Dave came with me. He is a committee member with Bloggers Against Social Justice! 

-After the Speech!-

 Book signing & Toms merchandise for sale.

Signature extravaganza!

This is so much more than what I had thought was possible!

My dream internship with TOMS shoes is something I want more now than ever(and that is a lot!)

What a blessing it was to meet Blake Mycoskie!  I feel blessed, shocked, pushed out of reality... to tell you the truth, this feeling is as good as being a Disney princess. :)

Amen.

Memoirs of a Time

 A time when you can be anything you want to be. 

The beauty of your vision through a lens. 


Imogen Heap has such a fluttery voice.
In regards to this song, any stories to share ladies?

for sale!  Blouse | DIY      Belt | NY&Company      Floral Print Pants | Free People     Heels | Isola

Artistic Expression originates from the soul.  When you have any hint of artistic talent, it can be expressed in many different ways.  Mixing different prints and textures is one way to do this.   This scrapbook-like outfit is like the components of my personality; colorful, not always appearing to be cohesive when apart, mostly structured, loose in different situations, and unique (just like you). ^_^

The first thing I thought when I saw the "film" was: wow, this looks like a mature shoot compared to many of my past shoots.  I guess this is an okay thing.  My favorite picture is when I am walking... I look so determined. In my life, I am usually very goal driven, so  I have trouble relaxing and taking a break which sometimes leads to more stress. Interestingly, my Bible is like my source of calm and peace. Crack your Bible open!

Like a runner after a race,  huge series of breaths of exhaustion are accompanied by satisfaction and relief.  I find comfort when I learn how I am suppose to live my life.  Not sure if that made sense to you.  When I boil it down: the more I try to follow what the Bible teaches, the more good I see happening through me and through others (even if I still make mistakes). I suggest you pop open a Bible and see what you find! The more you read and apply, the more you will learn about yourself, and life.



I am meeting the fonder of TOMS shoes tomorrow!
Blog post to come covering it on Sunday!

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Meant for You

Fierce enough to read it all?

Listen as you scroll down! :)

This week may very well be another colossal turning point in my future! Although,when I truly think about it, it may just be another big leap because my journey is what it wants to become.  I can't even come to the realization that all the opportunities I wish I had are going to be available to me right in my own city this upcoming weekend!  It's not only the future aspect, but the fact that I want this so I can use my talents for others in my future, in the love of Christ.  Now, I may not be the best at many things, but I am good at giving and creating and connecting to women.  I see where I am, what I have done, and the potential I have(God willing)... and I can see movement towards this dream of mine!

My goal, vocation-wise: 
Global Innovation for Social Change

Do you remember that post I did way back when I spoke about my deep desire to procure that TOMS internship? Well, FIRST OF ALL, Blake Mycoskie, the founder is coming to my university to speak to us, and SECOND, after much pursuit, I found the person coordinating a reception for Mycoskie and got my hands on a ticket! Which I have to go to the office of the president of our university to pick up (I know right?).  And during the week there will be speakers, innovation challenges, and other awesome workshops!

Not only that, but there is an amazing Global Innovation Conference is coming to my city at the end of the week!  I just sent out emails to see if any program at my school would cover the conference fee.  The answer was no...but I tried!  By the way, this week my university is calling "Global Entrepreneurship Week"

...and I'm all like:
* throw arms in the air *
* run up onto a picnic table *
* shouting to the campus * 
"... you guys, it's my life, it's happening!"

THANK YOU Lord, you knew I wanted this! I ACCEPT!

Oh those times you ask yourself how these blessings can be meant for you.

Small problems mean nothing compared to blessings you discover to be tapered towards you. Keep your eyes alert, because it's so easy for them to blend in with the fast-pace of life.

When you see an opportunity to be a better you, the only question you should ask yourself is how can I get there.  It always takes work to allocate the resources(funds,support,confidence) but think in the innate gifts you have been given and use them. If it is meant for you, you will be united.

Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13



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Thank you to all who comment- you help keep me going. xoxo