Sunday Reflections

Every day is a day to reflect on things that life has taught you, but I especially like Sundays. There is something about the peaceful spirit that a Sunday afternoon brings to sit and just..reflect.

One of the things I like to tell my girls during workshops is to always be open to new positive experiences. Inspiration to fuel your growth is everywhere, you just have to be open to receive it.

Make a promise to yourself this week to be OPEN, to see the differences outside of your comfort zone. Try a new dish, try a new hang out, do something you wouldn't normally do.

30 Days of Gratitude in September

Hey Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and ready to enjoy this 3 day holiday weekend. Labor Day is generally known as the last holiday of the summer, an end to hot weather, family vacations, summer romances and good times. What are your plans for this weekend? I am looking forward to relaxation and restoring of my mind and spirit. Sunday is September 1st and I have challenged myself to start 30 Days of Gratitude on my facebook page Be Candy Coated. I was inspired by Sophia Nelson during her keynote speech at the Women In the Spotlight's 3rd Annual Brunch. She indicated how doing so left her loving and respecting her life more for what she already has. I thought to myself, I've never taken a span of time to just continuously recognize all that I am grateful for, wow. 2013 has been a year of significant trials for me, but in each trial I came out tremendously blessed with revelations. It's been a year of personal growth and discovery. I have a lot to be thankful for!

Join me on Facebook as I start my journey of truly being thankful in all that I have, starting September 1st through September 30th. Please post your grateful moments too!!

www.facebook.com/BeCandyCoated

Until next time,

Enjoy your day!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

Last Thursday, I lost my cool while mentoring. Those girls were so unruly, I couldn't take it. But it reminded me why mentoring and guidance is so needed in our community. Right now, they have no real role models besides so called entertainers. I am no where near perfect but I accepted the responsibility to help these young ladies do better now so they can become better later. What are you doing to help?

Just a Thought...

A woman would be much better off if she could distinquish the difference between a man that flatters her and a man that compliments her. A man that spends money on her and a man who invests in her. A man that views her as property and a man that views her properly. A man that lusts after her and a man that loves her. A man that believes he is God's gift to women and a man that REMEMBERS a woman was God's gift to man! - Author Unknown

Live, Laugh and Just Be Happy

Are you living or just simply existing?

I was watching one of my favorite movies last night "The Family that Preys" and that question was made towards the end. For some reason last night, it really stuck out in my head. Everyday we tend to get caught up in routines and schedules that most of us are not even aware of. Get up, shut the alarm off, drop the kids off at school/camp, go to work....get off work, pick up the kids, cook dinner, go to bed. I mean I'm sure there are things done in between that, but this seems to be the basic consensus of when asked, "what's your day like on a daily basis", myself included. I feel like I've wasted so many years being afraid to put my feet in the water instead of jumping right in and experiencing life. Always planning and researching, I tend to talk myself out of things before I even do them because of fear by asking who, what, when, why and how, too many times. I'm tired of that now, tired of watching others do exactly what I want to do, Live, Laugh and Just Be Happy. A while back I decided I don't want to simply exist, I want to live life to the fullest. I want to experience all that life has to offer, the good and the bad. I want to accomplish all my goals and cross off the many items I have on my bucket list. One day at a time, I'm doing just that; what I want and living by my own rules, doing what makes me happy. Maybe I'm selfish but so what, I'm finally happy and finally living.

Sitting in the Time Out Chair

Sitting on my sun porch, relaxing and listening to the various music in the background, for the first time in a long time I have no where to go and not expecting to be anywhere. It's a great feeling and the peace of mind that I feel is indescribable. I've been taking a much needed break from CC Bags and focusing more on me, my family and my finances. I was battling a job that I absolutely hated but had to pay the bills so I had to do what I had to do. I'm sure you've all been in a job where you literally had to pray in the parking lot before you went in the door, asking the Lord to hold your tongue so that you don't go off on anyone. Oh, that's just me, oh okay, lol.

That was one part of my decision to fall back, that job took up 90% of my time, which was mentally and physically draining. The second reason I took a break was, Candy Coated Bags was going in a direction that I wasn't really happy with. I was getting bits of advice and information from all over but instead of making my business grow, I was steady seeing my savings decrease and profit was barely breaking even. Not cool...at all. My hobby and love of purses turned into a road map going in all different directions and I was lost. Not to mention, my family was suffering from the stress from the the job and the chaos from the biz. Something had to be done, I needed to get the essence of me back and a bit of happiness back into my life.

Well, I've since got a new job that I absolutely love, I am once again treated like an adult and not micro managed, aahh, peace at last! *doing the dougie*   I'm working on a new plan for Candy Coated Bags, back to a hobby and expression of me being the Candy Coated woman that I am :). The website is currently being re-worked and re-designed. Unfortunately I don't have a date for the re-launch but trust me you will hear about it when its ready!!! And my kids, where would I be without my babies. I will never sacrifice the precious time I have with them again. The past few months have been filled with awesome moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.

As you can see, I've gave the blog a new look and feel. You'll start seeing more expressions of me in the tag Candy Coated Reflections, my personal side, in my journey to becoming the best that I can be and forever being Candy Coated. Hope you like this post and what's more to come, would love to read your comments!

5 Ways to Pamper Yourself and Relax

I don't know about you but this week has been a long and tiring week. Whew, I'm so glad its over and it's now the weekend!! Here's 5 ways to pamper yourself and relax in less than 10 minutes, enjoy!

• Light your favorite scented candle, shut your bedroom door and enjoy the fragrant peace and quiet
• Give your tired feet a homemade foot scrub consisting of sugar, honey and your favorite body oil (I haven't tried this yet, but interested to see how it works)
• Keep a daily journal that focuses on the positive things in your life
• Take a nice hot and soothing bubble bath, scented with lavender or mint oil
• Make a nice cup of your favorite tea, turn off the phone and computer, then relax with a good book

And there you have it, I'm sure there's a million more quick relaxing remedies to a long week. I would love to hear what your's are!

Quotes that have inspired me...

We all get a little down and discouraged every now and then, it's okay just don't give up on whatever your doing. Keep praying, keep your dreams at the forefront and work harder. Be confident in yourself and what you can bring to the table. Here's a few quotes that I hope will inspire you as they have me.

Whatever the masses are doing, go left of that. Stay aware of what’s hot, but put YOUR spin on it. –Melanie Fiona

You have everything you need to achieve greatness already inside you. –Journee Smollett

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. –Harriet Stowe

Your persistence is your measure of faith in yourself. -Source Unknown

What makes you shine?

Candy Coated Reflections

Enlightenment is the quiet acceptance of what is. I believe the truly enlightened beings are those who refuse to allow themselves to be distressed over things that simply are the way they are.   -Wayne Dyer

Candy Coated Feature: The LOVE Network

Hey Eveyone!

Have you heard about The LOVE Network? Well if you haven't you're in for a special treat. The acronym stands for Living Out Visions Eternally. It's a site where I love to go to connect with other members for advice or just to chat regarding health, wellness, finances, etc. It's certainly not like any other networking site that I have been on, there is a vibe of genuine concern and care among these ladies. I've had the priviledge and honor of getting to know Ms. Shivawn Mitchell, creator of the site. She has created an empowering and inspirational site for women to connect beyond business and entertainment, whose motto is "Don't just have a vision, but live it." I am proud and honored to be apart of the Circle of LOVE. Read our interview below and see why this network is no ordinary network!



Why were you motivated to create the Love Network?


I saw a need for women to have support in every area of their lives. Most networks “communities” focus only on one aspect of life (business or entertainment). But I know we need help in more than just those few areas. I wanted my network to become a wellness center for women. A place where you could get feedback about your business but also get some tips on working out or how to maintain your finances. There is a need for women to get themselves in order so they can turn around and inspire the next generation not just to have a vision but to live it out loud.

What is the mission and goals for the network?

L.o.v.e. will start a movement in women that helps them reshape their beliefs about themselves, their purpose and community. We will utilize the media, forums, networking events, conferences, blogs and other resources to link women to opportunities to promote growth within their lives, business and community. We will also establish a presence with young ladies in order to ensure that a generation isn’t being left behind.

Most women have a burning desire to live their dreams but we usually get stopped somewhere along the way because life happens. We start to focus on not having enough money, children, our appearance and the list can go on. Slowly your dreams and purpose get lost somewhere in the background. It is my goal for every lady that I come in contact with that we obtain balance in these 7 areas. I call them my 7 keys to L.o.v.e.

What makes your site more appealing to women and different from other networking sites?

I don’t believe anything physically on the network makes my site more appealing. I believe what makes “L.o.v.e.” appealing is my heart for women. Once anyone connects with me and the Circle of L.o.v.e. Leaders I have chosen to work with me they know our intent is to draw women in and help change their lives for the better while impacting young ladies and our community at the same time.

Who or what inspires you to keep going when the road ahead is not clear?

My brother inspires me to keep pushing. He’s probably the best silent cheerleader I have. He doesn’t say much but when he does its very meaningful. He always tells me that I can do anything that I desire and that I shouldn’t give up when the tough moments arrive, instead I should keep my eye on the people I am suppose to inspire in life. I think that’s pretty great coming from a 21 year old J

What has been the most rewarding aspect of introducing new members to LOVE and how does that factor into your future plans for the network?

I absolutely L.o.v.e. how the women support each other in their personal and business endeavors. These women don’t know each other from Adam but they support each other through networking, encouragement, prayer, laughter and the list goes on. That makes me smile everytime I think about it. It shows that women can work with each other.

My future plans for the network are to focus more on the women and not the on-line network. I would like to build “chapters” globally so we can make more of an impact in our community and with our mentees (Designing Diamond Girls). I’m starting to see the need of more support for each other beyond the internet and that is my main focus for this year.

In addition we are adding a new site for “L.o.v.e.” http://lovemovement.lefora.com/ check us out starting February 1, 2011. (Make sure you go check it out tomorrow!)

What tips and advice would you give to aspiring females in pursuing their goals and dreams?

Pray for clarity and direction everyday! Have a plan. Write it out so you can see it on paper. Read up on your craft as much as possible. Never think that you have arrived and you know it all be willing to learn from those who are already where you want to be. Finally don’t let yourself or people stop you from pursuing your dreams.

In relation to my blog Be Candy Coated, what is a “Candy-Coated” woman to you?

A candy-coated woman is someone who handles anything that life throws her. She inspires others to stand up for what they believe in. Everything she touches she leaves behind her own signature candy-coated color. A candy-coated woman is defiantly in a class of her own.


Make sure you check out The LOVE Network at www.lovemovenetwork.com , connect with Shivawn on twitter @LadyShiv and also check out her blog that's always full of great features and tips www.livinglovemag.com

What's New, What's Next!

Hey Everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine was certainly Candy Coated, of course. This week starts the new month of February and I am excited about great new posts coming up this week to kick off the month:

• Learn all about The LOVE Network
• Introducing Dr. Faith Abraham, "Living in The Faith Lane"
• New Merchandise coming on Thursday at http://www.candycoatedbags.com/
• Color Therapy: Purple

You don't want to miss this Candy Coated goodness, so make sure you're following the blog so you can stay tuned this week for all the sweet news!

Love In My Handbag

By Dawn Lyons – Guest Post for Candy Coated Bags

My introduction to handbags came from two extraordinary women – my mother and grandmother.

As a little girl, I spent a lot of time in our car, as my mom would have to drive downtown to pick my dad up from work. Mom would let me look through her purse to help pass the time. Oh, the treasures that were revealed with the slide of a zipper, the pop of a snap or the release of a buckle! My favorite item was mom’s lipstick, held in a perfectly sized, colorful fabric box with pretty stitched designs all around it. A flip of the magnetic flap revealed a mirror that was just long and wide enough to reflect the lips to assist in applying the creamy color. The lipstick case was always easily located alongside Mom’s long, thin wallet, prickly hair brush and near the crackly, clear wrap that held a few Kleenex tissues. Then, there was what I considered the “special” area – a pocket secured behind a smaller zipper. This is where Mom kept a nail file and emery board, so our nails could be kept clean and neat at all times. A small, oval container, purple with a flower design on top held hard, white circles that would clink around inside, which I knew were pieces of medicine that mom would take if she had a headache. More importantly, that special zippered pocket always held a package of gum. Sometimes the flavor was cool peppermint; other times spicy cinnamon. I was often allowed to take out a stick, tear it in half and then peel off the foil wrapping – half for me, half for Mom. I assumed it was the gum that gave Mom’s handbags the slightly sweet scent they always carried inside. 

I remember having handbags to play with but when I turned 12 or 13, I started carrying a handbag with me all the time. A girl needed “things” when she went to a friend’s house, or to the mall!  Plus it was a sign of maturity – “ladies” carried handbags – all the time and everywhere they went. But this took some getting used to and I once forgot my taupe corduroy bag at my grandmother’s house. It closed only with an inside snap button, and also had the important “special” zippered pocket inside.  When I returned to get it, Grams told me she had put some things into the handbag, specifically adding that she did not open the bag, but just slipped some things inside around were the snap held the sides of the handbag together. During the drive home, I found myself going through my own purse. To my delight, Grams had placed inside a few things she believed to be essential items for a lady to carry: a travel-sized perfume, lip gloss, a package of gum and of course, an emery board. Had to keep those nails neat!

I cannot count the number of handbags I have owned since then. With all the different styles, colors and uses, they are both fun and functional. I carry some things that Mom and Grams didn’t – I always have a book to read and a supply of wet wipes. But a few things from those early experiences with handbags have stuck with me. Gum and mints float around the main area of my handbag for quick access. When I reach for them, I often hear the crackling of the travel package of Kleenex. The zippered pocket on the inside always holds at least four items: lip gloss, a travel-sized perfume, an emery board and a pretty purple container with a floral design on the lid. Mom and Grams are both gone, but I carry special memories and their love with me.  Right there in my handbag.

Like A Star

A star that's meant to shine will shine regardless what shade you put around it. It will shine through the darkness despite the obstacles it faces. It will shine despite the shade of its enemies because they are who provide the energy it needs to press on. Its brightness only gets better with each day, each triumph, each victory. We all are stars you see, with a light burning inside. The only one that can hinder that shine is yourself. You see I am a star that's meant to shine...through negativity, adversity and animosity. This. Star. Will. Shine. 

I'm a Black Girl that Rocks!

This past Sunday was an extraordinary day, one filled with emotion, thoughts and pride. Like so many, I went to see Tyler Perry's production of For Colored Girls and I have not been able to get the thought provoking images and dialog out of my mind. That cast was without a doubt some of the most talented and seasoned actresses in the industry. That evening I watched some of the most amazing women of color being recognized for their outstanding work in advancing in our culture on the special Black Girls Rock. From KeKe Palmer to the amazing Ruby Dee, I was inspired, humbled and proud of their work and what they are bringing to the table. KeKe said she tells young girls "I know that I am special and you are too, you just don't know it yet." Ruby Dee said "As human beings, we are supposed to make things better, clear the path for those that come after us...I am not who I am supposed to be, I am still becoming." Then to hear the melodic voices of Kelly Price, Marcia Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi sing the Nina Simone's classic Four Women was just AAAMAAZZING! 

To witness the raw emotion and issues that many of us face or know someone who has in the movie then to see these amazing women doing triumphant things to encourage and motivate our spirits all in one day was emotional and thought provoking. I won't spoil the movie by telling what it's about because I know that many of you have not seen it, but I will say that not only did I identify with pieces of every woman portrayed in the film but I feel so much stronger because I still smile and persevere through all my trials and valleys. And I don't need to wait for anyone to see or tell me that I AM A BLACK GIRL THAT ROCKS!

Changing Gears

Hey Everyone!


I've been knee deep in developing and growing my online handbag boutique Candy Coated Bags and I've decided to change gears. I've decided to begin designing and making the handbags myself! It has been a process in the making, but I am so excited to share my designs and artistry with you. I'm taking control of the design aspect and truly adding a bit of my personality to the Spring 2011 handbag collection. 


The new Candy Coated Bag will appeal to the everyday fashion forward woman, as it always has before. It will be paired with the spunk and uniqueness that only a Candy Coated woman can represent. I'm going to be a busy woman in the next coming months with samples, photo shoots and networking but I'm up for the challenge! I better start taking my vitamins, I'm going to need them!


In addition, I will be updating the website and blog to cohesively go along with my vision. Being Candy Coated is not all sugar and spice as you might think, it's really hard work, LOL. But I love it and I want you to love it to. Be Candy Coated, XOXO

New Name, same Candy Coated Sweetness!

Hey Everyone!


"What's In Your Handbag?" is now "Be Candy Coated"!!


I changed the name of the blog to go more in line with what the contents of the blog entails. When I started this online journal, it was mainly about my love of handbags, so I chose a name to sort or represent that. Well, the blog has grown into many many segments from fashion to reflections, color therapy to featured designers, etc. The name "What's In Your Handbag?" just didn't seem to hold all that was featured. 


I wanted to rename the blog to signify and tie in my own handbag line Candy Coated Bags and what it means to be and how to become a Candy Coated Woman. 


"Be Candy Coated" will still feature the same colorful sweetness that you're used to, but I think the name just fits a little better!

Hey, did ya miss me?

It's been 2 weeks without a post and I apologize for leaving you out in the cold. Believe me, it hasn't been on purpose, I've been crazy busy. But, I needed to take a few steps back so that I could see exactly where I was headed with everything that's going on. Not only have I finally switched my day job to a more stress free environment, but Candy Coated Bags has become its on entity. My two children have been inundated with homework (yeah, its only October) and I like to be involved so that I know whats going on with them. So needless to say, I had to take a few steps back and get it together!

So here's what I've got coming up:

*Candy Coated Bags is now working on Spring 2011 handbag designs and a new advertising campaign is in the works!

*New posts with featured designers and guest bloggers!

*More contests and giveaways!

So stay tuned and join me on this magical ride of being a business owner, lover of fashion and become Candy Coated along the way!

Join Me at "Pamper Me Pink"

Candy Coated Bags will be participating in this premier event in Upstate NY. I'll be featuring our new fall/winter handbags and clutches!!

Join us, come shop, participate in workshops and support the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester!! 


Sunday, October 17th, 2010

For more information on this event go to www.pampermepinkrochester.com

Happy Labor Day!!

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend so far and are enjoying this last holiday of the summer. I often equate celebrating Labor Day with the official end of summer. Usually the summer season is supposed to be a chance to unwind, enjoy the warm weather, enjoy fun times with family and friends, embark on vacations in beautiful places. No need for schedules and deadlines, summer is a time to be footloose and fancy free.

Now it's back to reality; back to schedules, deadlines and the push to meet those end of year goals.

Most of us continued to work hard, grind harder and get our hustle on through the summer as we either established businesses, maintained or continued to grow them. I will admit, I went of course this summer trying to do all things at once (unwind, vacations, fun times with family and friends, work my day job and maintain Candy Coated Bags) without a schedule. WRONG! I ended up getting burnt out trying to accommodate everyone and everything. LESSON LEARNED! 

I am looking forward to my kids being back in school because it helps to keep me on schedule. The month of September brings a since of calmness to my household and well being. 

Have fun today everyone, sit back and enjoy whatever it is you have planned for it's time to get back on the grind.