Style Icon of the Week: Talia Joy Castellano

Style Icon of the Week: Talia Joy Castellano

A little less than a month ago, an angel, make up artist, cancer warrior and style icon passed away. 

 I came across Talia Joy on youtube and instantly fell in love with her.  She was so brave and joyful while fighting cancer.  It amazed me that some one so young could be so strong, brave and downright cheerful while enduring painful cancer treatments.  On top of all that she looked fabulous doing it!  Her make up skills were fierce!  This 13 year old girl literally taught some eyeshadow techniques!




 
Here is one of my favorite makeup tutorials by Talia:



You can check out her Youtube channel here:
 
Besides doing some of the best make up tutorials she also gave viewers a peek of what it is like to be so young and battle cancer.  While she was a beauty, what she endured was not.  She unabashedly gave you a glimpse into how she was feeling and what she had to face on a daily basis. However, Talia was infectiously cheerful and you couldn't help but to love her and pray for her healing. 

Since her untimely passing people around the globe are trying to fulfill this little angels bucket list, including petitioning MAC Cosmetics to put out a limited edition of her make up line.  Click here to sign the petition. You can also check the twitter hashtag #TaliasBucketList to follow her family and fans progress of fulfilling her last wishes.

Talia taught us to laugh, love the life we have and look good while doing it.  Talia Joy will be missed and may the little angel rest in peace.

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Style Icon of the Week: My Grandmother

 Style Icon of the Week: My Grandmother

My grandmother passed away last month, so I am dedicating this post to her.

It is very hard to capture the essence of my grandmother.  She was truly an original...I can not think of another person who is/was anything like her.  Born and raised in a rural town in North Carolina, she was the embodiment of a Southern Belle.  However, this Belle traveled the world!  Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Spain were some of the stamps in her passport.  While she was always true to her southern roots, she could entertain with the Queen of England!

I was always in awe of her...how she could be so down to earth, but yet she knew where all the forks, knives and spoons should go on a table setting.  When she cooked, she would arrange everything on your plate as if you were at a five star restaurant.  She had so much class and grace, yet she could tell a dirty joke with the best of 'em.

With her class and grace, she had style.  Even her 80's, she dressed her age, yet always looked modern and fashionable.  Matter of fact, while my mother was going through her belongings after she passed, my mom found a brand new pair of Gucci sunglasses grandma ordered from Saks!  So here's my ode to Rose Marie...may she rest in peace!

If we could all be so lucky to have a shape like this!

I believe this was taken in Nassau, Bahamas~cute dress!

Her home, which she adored

Taken in Accra, Ghana.  I wish I could find the skirt!

She always kept a nice pair of shades

Me, giving her hell as a baby...but we both look cute!

Us in '05

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