Hey guys!
Madison and I joined a few friends to catch Essence Magazine’s Street Style Block Party in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo this past Sunday. See below for highlights from party. Enjoy! More coverage here.
Peace, Love and Sunshine ~Chels
Hi guys!
Chelsea Coffey here. It’s a crazy awesome feeling to look back and see how much time has passed since my very first New York Fashion Week back in 2007. I know the experience can be a little intimidating, so I wanted to take the time to put together a guide to offer any pearls I’ve picked up along the way. Hopefully they will be of assistance to anyone in need of a little boost in confidence on how to approach things!
For starters, it’s important to understand the dynamic behind the production of events. This year the major New York Fashion Week venues will be at Skylight at Moynihan Station at 360 West 33rd Street and Skylight Clarkson Sq. at 550 Washington Street. For five years the major venue had been at Lincoln Center, and before that, Bryant Park. There are shows happening all around the city, and that leads me to my first point:
1. Be Intentional-
You may not be on the list for any of the shows around the city, but there are plenty of free events to take part in. Refinery29 celebrated their 10th Birthday with their 29 Rooms event, and it was completely free to the public.
Photo: Refinery29.com
Essence Magazine hosted a Street Style Block Party. It was chock full of vendors, fantastic looks, fashion show, the whole nine, all under the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo:
Photo: TheCoffeyBreak.com
2. Be Present, Build Genuine Relationships-
During this time, you’ll most likely meet A LOT of people and it may be tempting to feel the urge to want to bounce from person to person in an effort to not miss out on meeting as many people as possible. My recommendation is simple, be present when you’re with someone and focus your energy on making a sincere connection with the people you genuinely like. Quality over quantity. Always.
3. Trust The Timing of Things-
Serendipity, one of my all-time favorite expressions: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. In other words, trust that whatever is meant to be will be. Everything happens for a reason, embrace that. As far as I’m concerned, the law of attraction is real. Speak those things that you want to see happen into existence, and watch God work. It will take a lot of the pressure off of you to be in the “right place” place at the “right time”. If it’s meant to be, it will come to pass. Focus your energy on enjoying the ride.
Below, Aimee Son of Song of Style. I just loved her look, and stopped to get a picture. Little did I know she’d become one of my favorite style bloggers.
4. Be Ready-
As much as I love the idea of serendipity, one can’t discount preparedness. Take the time to research like CRAZY. If you’re going to take a free spirited approach to life, life my self haha, you can at least make a point to know of as many events, shows and so on as possible. A few years ago, I was at a natural hair event. We were about to leave, and I saw this guy across the room wearing a fabulous two-piece graffiti print outfit. Not only did he happen to be from Houston, but it turns out it was Beyonce’s stylist Ty Hunter! I can honestly say that he is the sweetest person, and he couldn’t have been any nicer. The same can be said of June Ambrose. Only I knew exactly who she was when I saw her, and she greeted me with such a warm reception. I was even fortunate enough to interview the both of them.
In addition to being informed, it’s also smart to have general info cards made. Picture a business card, but personalized and tailored to whatever you would want people to know about you: your social media info, blog/website, contact info and so on. Be as direct as possible, so people know exactly who you are, what you do, and how to best connect.
5. Confidence Is Everything-
At the end of the day, people are people. Social media can make things a little tricky because in a few short years, we’ve gone from meeting people by chance to recognizing a large number of faces due to platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Nonetheless, perception isn’t always reality. Give yourself a pep talk, and push past any apprehensions about approaching someone you’d like to connect with. Be willing to walk up to someone, regardless of who they are, and introduce yourself. You’ll vibe with the ones who were meant to be, and if you’re anything like me, you won’t even remember the ones who weren’t 😉
With June Ambrose
Fashion Week in and of itself is just such a special time. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Own every inch of your being, and go forth with your head held high. There’s no substitute for a beautiful spirit and good energy. We attract what we put out. Hope this was helpful!
Happy Fashion Week!
Peace, Love and Sunshine ~Chelsea
Here’s a head start:
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashioncalendar/fashionweek/
http://nyfw.com/
Hey guys!
Hope everyone’s doing well. Every now and then, Pastor Jeremy Foster introduces a series that I just couldn’t be more excited about. Most recently, Under Pressure and Love, Sex, and Marriage had me taking notes and sharing like crazy. As much as I learned from those two, the newest series, Dream Again, is one that I am especially excited about. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up writing a novel, but in short, the title alone froze me in my tracks.
I haven’t vlogged in a really, really long time. Part of that has to do with drastic changes in my lifestyle, the ease of periscope, but more so, I’d say it has to do with the space I’m in. It’s safe to say, that anytime I’m writing over video, it’s because I’m working through some things, and writing always seems to be a solution. I’m a sponge right now, which can be a good thing, but It can also be a bad thing, and my main goal has been to find my center, get organized and move forward with clarity of purpose.
That expression, Dream Again, taps into every area I either hadn’t realized I’d given up on, or didn’t quite know how to articulate:
-Doubts about how I could actually create and support the lifestyle I’ve been believing for. One where I can comfortably work and live from whichever city I please at any point in time.
-Questioning whether or not the man I’ve been believing for could actually exist, and that perhaps if I just maybe lower my standards just a bit. I might find the more “realistic” version of that guy.
-Doubts about my consulting rate. That maybe it would be best to just play it “safe”, build up my clientele, and grow from there.
-Doubts about actually finding a way to be compensated for the work I do with Mia’s Closet, so that I can devote more time to creating unforgettable experiences for our kids.
The list goes on… but all of these doubts amount to settling for less than God’s best.
Today, I hit the reset button. There was verse in particular that stopped me in my tracks:
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
Pastor Jeremy then went on to say, “If God can do more than you can imagine, why aren’t you imagining bigger?”
I’ve heard a constant theme over the last few years, and it makes perfect sense. If a goal/dream/vision is perfectly tangible, why would we need God to convene? More importantly, how would it be a test of our faith?
I am the queen of tangibles. I like to have control. I like to know the plan. I like to be able to choose whether or not to act on the plan haha Which means I’m somewhere along the lines of a militant butterfly, but the key is that I like to know, and for the first time, in a really long time, if ever, I asked God to show me if the dreams I’ve been believing for aren’t the dreams He has for me.
Clarity of purpose is all I’m asking for at this point because, “When your dream is dead, God’s dream can live, and when you’re living for him, it doesn’t matter what’s happening in your life.” -Jeremy Foster.
That’s not to say that my dreams are invalid, but it puts me in position to release the reigns and embrace His calling –wherever that might lead *Easier said than done. Baby steps, right? 🙂
Somehow, I was so caught up, that I started this post fully confident that I had taken the BEST notes. The truth is, I didn’t, and you’d probably just be better off watching the sermon yourself haha
I hope it speaks to you guys just as strongly, if not stronger, than it did to me. Praying for you! We’re on this journey together, and it’s a beautiful thing. Thanks for being along for the ride.
Peace, Love & Sunshine, Chels
Let’s connect?
Instagram: @thecoffeybreak
Twitter: @thecoffeybreak
Facebook: TheCoffeyBreak.com
So true ~ It’s our thoughts… Pastor Jeremy Foster did a series a couple of years ago called Love Sex and Dating, and it was the first time I was introduced to the idea that there’s just some stuff you’ll always have to pray away. Up until that point, I had always assumed/ hoped that if I got close enough to God it would be impossible for things xyz to rear their little heads, but that’s the beauty of this relationship.
Just like any other relationship, you work at it, water it like a garden, take the time examine how things are coming along, celebrate the wins, seek help in times of need… And that’s why I’m finally setting out to push for being more in intentional and in tune with Him. Not the outward kinda way that looks good to friends and fam, but an intimate personal relationship that requires time, dedication and most importantly commitment.
Israel Houghton has a song called Deeper, and the lyrics say something along the lines of ~ God, give us a heart give us your heart give us your heart ~ and break my heart of things that, break Your heart. | I want to see the things He wants me to see, break free of the things He doesn’t want for me, and have the life and peace people are always talking about.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. That’s literally all I want haha Have a great day you guys! Peace, Love & Sunshine ~ Chels
Let’s connect! IG/Twitter: @TheCoffeyBreak
#pathminded #TheCoffeyBreak
Really love them… I’d like to consider myself fairly resilient, but the truth is that I’m sensitive, really sensitive, and after all these years, I’m seeing that there are things that stay with you. Years and years can go by, and yet, there are still those moments when I slip into that hidden vault of whatever offenses, disappointments, hurt feelings, embarrassments tucked away in the recesses of my mind, and sometimes, it’s just enough to trigger a ping reminding me of why those boundaries are there in the first place. It’s ironic, because those same defense mechanisms possibly cheat me out of who knows how many meaningful relationships and experiences..Thankfully, life is a filter. So regardless, I couldn’t be more thankful to the ones who continue to break down those walls and show me how to connect, commit and trust the beauty of relationships. Vulnerability is a powerful thing… Ya, the risk might be higher, but the same can be said for the reward.
