Fruit Bearing

I've been putting this off for the longest time. I've been meaning to get back on this blog for ages. It was never my intention to leave writing for this long. It's been way over a year since my last post for True Vine.

I wasn't completely happy with the direction it was starting to take. The reason I started this blog was for it to be a form of diary recording my journey; the things I'm doing, working on, bettering myself, what I love, what needs changing, matters that matter to me, people and things that I'm inspired by and so on. It wasn't becoming that. It was much easier for me to look at things I wanted to purchase and just post that.

The name of this blog, True Vine comes from scripture. In John 15:1-7, Jesus likened himself to a vine and that we, followers are the branches that come from the vine and that we are to bear fruit. Those branches that don't are cut off by the groomer being Yahweh, our father.

John 15:1-7 (King James Version)

¹I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

This scripture has always rung in my head and heart. One of the things that struck me was that Jesus says that we must bear fruit meaning that it's a natural thing to do. Like feeling hungry, or thirsty. Like bowel movement lol... it's supposed to happen! If we don't then we are not doing what we've been created to do naturally. We're in essence going against our nature, we're not functioning correctly and ergo are cut off. I plan to further delve into this scripture in a later post.

This isn't about you thinking that you don't have any gifts or talents which is by the way a big lie. Each one of us have been created out of purpose because Father is a purposeful God. We all each and everyone must make it our daily aim to find out what our purpose is. It's taken me a while but I believe that I know what mine is.

NOTE: one way to identify your God-given purpose is to think about the things that you love to do, the things that you are undeniably passionate about. Ask yourself, 'What would I do even if I didn't get paid for it?'.

The next step for me is walking in that purpose. Now this is where we all differ. Some of us are quick to move, others are slower off the mark. I've been the latter for a while. Mainly down to things like fear and worry and doubt... all of those horribly negative things that can completely cripple you. The word about the vine just reminds me of who I am, of who's I am and what I am supposed to be doing. This is the reason I started the blog, so that I could record my purpose as I lived it mainly for myself.

For the few months that I was blogging, I told no one (but my sister as I discussed it with her before doing it) about the blog. Actually even now not many know about it. I don't tell anyone because as I said it was mainly for me. It was to be cathartic but I also know that I was supposed to share this with others. So that others can see me overcoming the very things that I am afraid of. Doing the things I dream about. Accomplishing my purpose and more importantly realise that they too can do what their heart desires. Things don't just fall out of the sky for me ya know? There are those people that just seem to coast through. They're insanely confident go-getters. For too long, I've kept quiet and sat in the corner and been comfortable being uncomfortable but it's become quite the opposite now - I'm uncomfortable with being comfortable.

So anyone that feels me on this, who knows they're worth more, able to achieve more and want to realise their dreams, let's take this journey together and be fruitful.

I like big bags and I cannot lie

Yes, big is better!  I cannot understand small titchy bags that cannot carry your phone, purse, keys and oyster card without bursting open every few seconds.  It's senseless.  I understand that sometimes you just don't want to be lumbered with a huge bin bag but I firmly believe that space is better than no space.  All but a few of my bags are big, oversized bags.  I recently bought an £8 one from Primark that's so big a couple of my friends could fit into it and I'd still have room!  I remember seeing a LOOK magazine a while back that stupidly and irresponsibly wrote that oversized bags are a must because they make you look skinny!  *KMT* Utter nonsense!  A big bag just makes you look like you've got a big bag that's all.

These ones I found on Karmaloop.com and could be finding their way into my hands!

And I Quote...

"Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

- Anon.

LillANANTA

Anyone that knows me will know that I am a sucker for bags.  To be honest I have a lot of love for accessories.  Some clothing designers may be upset about the amount of emphasis on the accessory but I think it's necessary.  Their not just add-ons but integral parts of the outfit.  You ever seen a good looking man - hair freshly trimmed, got his shape-up, clothes are on point, got the right amount of swag and you look down at his feet and it just ruins the entire picture because the shoes are mashed up or the bag is all wrong, or the fitted is as dirty as Satan's feet...it's not a good look.  Same for the ladies.  Accessories are the finishing touch and the ending of a story is just as important and in some cases more so than the beginning.

What about these for ending some outfit storylines?

The Card Pouch
The Hand Pouch

The Sleeve Pouch

The Party Pouch

The Binder Pouch

Designed by Ananta Sutopo, all Lillananta pieces are made from sumptuous leather and are hand stitched.  They are beautiful, fuss-less, and classic pieces that'll last forever.  I can imagine that these would wear nicely into what my daughter-to-be would cherish as a vintage piece.

Starting at around $35 for the card pouch to $165 for the Sleeve pouch in Gold (different colours have different prices; black and brown cheaper, gold and bronze more expensive).  Check out Lillananta for more.

Be fruitful and happy endings :o) x

And I Quote...

"You're only when you forget you're young."

- Cary Grant in 'Monkey Business'

What's Your Regime?

I'm 23 years old and to be honest I've never bothered about skincare until turning this age.  I was the worst person to ask for skincare advice simply because I adhered to no regime of my own.  I used soap and water on my face.  I never put any kind of lotion or cream on my face either.  All this cleanse, tone, moisturise malarchy went right over my head.  Now I don't know if it's because I'm getting oldER or what but I can not continue my wash and go routine any longer.

Last week I sat up for ages looking for remedies, lotions and potions for oily/combination skin.  At least I believe that's what my skin type is.  I should go to a dermotologist and find out once and for all but I'm sure it's one of the two.  I ended up going for an oil balancing system created by Simple.  I received it just under a week ago and it's fairing well.  They say that you have try any new product for at least a month before you can see any dramatic improvement so we'll see.  I do love the moisturiser (I know look at me!) as it adds no shine at all.  It keeps my skin matte all day, well 12 hours tops I guess which is great.

The real test of how good this product is will be when I get my moody, demanding, short staying but consistent monthly visitor (I don't know how else to put it without just spelling it out!).  My skin breaks out at this time and I absolutely hate spots even more so now because I never used to get them and now mainly only get them at the worst time ever.

So for you girls and guys that suffer from either skin type mentioned above, I'd say check it out.  If you join the site, you get their packages for free.  There's something on there for every one not just us oily types so have a look at www.simple.co.uk

Good Karma

Whilst doing some surfing I came across Karmaloop.com.  I had heard of them before but I thought they were some sort of music site as I watched a few of their interviews online.  I wasn't aware that they also have an online store.  Some bits and bobs I liked the look of...

LeSportsac Lexie tote with laptop sleeve for $120
LeSportsac Lexie tote with laptop sleeve for $120 in black patent, inside view

Obey hooded bomber for $92

Puma Runway Grip bag for $120

Puma Runway LS bag for $110
Supra Vaider trainers for $90

Tripp ripped jeans for $65

Some other bits and bobs currently on sale...

All black mosiac beads sandal on sale for $42.95

Amici Doctor bag on sale for $43.95 in Grey and $32.95 in Red
Disney Couture Fairest of Them All necklace on sale for $38.95
Hype Capucine bag on sale for $73.95 in black and $71.95 in white
Nixon Tribella clear lime watch on sale for $42.95
Sound Girl Ula dress on sale for $59.95

Go to KarmaLoop.com for more.

Obsessed!

I badly want no, I need an iPhone.  I don't usually get this way about things like this unless I know for certain that I will have it in my possession.  I thought that about the iPhone.  I don't really want to go into it too deep but it was so mine that I could feel it at the edge of my finger tips and was snatched away from me so quickly I'm still spinning.  But I declare that by hook or by crook, I will get myself an iPhone 3G.  Mark my words!

That's all.

Carryoncé pron. carry-on-say

I am a Beyoncé fan and I am not ashamed of that.  I find it so strange that I even need to add that perhaps I should be ashamed.  It's astoudning the amount of hate aimed at this woman but I guess like a wise pimp once said, "we all need haters, you need to be thinking of your next move to get more by next year."...well not exactly in those words but point made.

Yes Beyoncé is back with 2 new singles, 'If I Were A Boy' & 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).  One mid-tempo ballad, the other all out dance track.  I first heard 'If I Were A Boy' on B C Jeans myspace page.  Turns out she wrote the song and I guess it's now been given to Beyoncé to sing.  I loved B C Jeans' voice on it.  It's a beautiful song lyrically (which is so extremely important to me) and vocally.  What I am grateful for is the fact that Beyoncé didn't do anything different to the original.  She sung it the exact same way and while some may say it's unoriginal and copied I say if ain't broke don't fix it!  The video is a great accompaniment to the song.  Great concept, very natural and unadorned.

Then 'Single Ladies' turns it up the way Beyoncé is known for.  This uptempo track is being named 'Get Me Bodied' part 2 but I don't completely agree.  When I first heard this I didn't like it.  Something sounded off.  I don't know what it was but it all seemed a bit out of time.  I instantly got Get Me Bodied whereas this had to grow on me but boy has it done that!  I cannot stop listening to it.  I was so excited after seeing the video to 'If I Were A Boy' to see what she and Jake Nava - who directed both new video's and also did Crazy In Love - were going to bring.  But boy did they bring it! (Ha, I'm saying that a lot ain't I?!)  The video is dancing all the way through.  No change of scene, no change of wardrobe, no special effects again totally unadorned.  It's just Bey' and 2 other dancers dancing for 3 minutes plus.  Great choreography too of course done in heels.  I was floored after watching it.

Beyoncé seems to be coming with a more toned down, natural look.  I've noticed that she's loving to wear her hair all back off her face and with noticeably less lace wigs/extensions.  I like the change...what do you think?

Anyways watch the videos and enjoy - there's something for everyone, even the hater ;o)  I'm off to go buy Essence and a leotard!

Be fruitful & dance x