Thursday, 10 December 2015

#SSInBelize



 Thank you Belize for exchanging energy, knowledge, and lessons with the women of Divas Abroad 2015.


Your culture is rich with history.... Your people are full of love!
Being from a Jamaican background - I was especially comfortable! 



I embraced the rain and enjoyed the food… the memories will last forever <3




The Divas Abroad were in Belize as part of a women's empowerment initiative that was quite successful. Diva Girl Inc, Dare to Be a Dandelion, and The Cornerstone Foundation partnered to create a cultural exchange program between women in Canada and women in Belize. Seminar topics were selected in hopes of supporting the Belizean women’s journey through entrepreneurship. 


 The women from Belize in turn taught workshops that showcased services from their new businesses such as sewing, baking, hammock making and how to prepare a local dish from the Garifuna culture.



Instead of breaking down what we did, I would like to share principles that I was reminded of. I hope whoever reads this will make it their mission to live life (or continue living life) with these principles in mind. 

Be Fearless!


In work, in life, in love...  



Climb to the top of that mountain... Invest in your potential and/or great idea... 
Share your talent and never underestimate your capabilities. 



I promise you will feel amazing once you take a chance on yourself!

 
You Never Need A Reason To Help Someone!


This is very straight forward.
Your hand has the power to change someone's dreary situation, make someone smile, lift someone up (physically and spiritually)... 
See how you can be of service to someone today



Everything Is Energy!


In describing energy, a great quote reads: "Your thoughts begin it, your emotion amplifies it, and your action increases its momentum".



Keep your energy positive! Like attracts like! 

  
We Are One People!


After conversing with a group of women from different backgrounds, different ages who live in different countries, and speak different languages; you would be surprised by the amount of similarities that one can identify among the group.  I particularly noticed this after Divas Abroad 15'.




With individual strengths and weaknesses - we have more opportunity as a community to thrive if we collaborate more. 



Listen to more stories so that you can meet more people who share your vision.
#Strength in numbers


Gratitude Is The Attitude! 


Life Is A Blessing. 

Our resources are gifts. Appreciate them! Give thanks.
Cherish all that you have and all who you love. 



This is the perfect opportunity to say thanks again to all of my kind sponsors. Your support means so much and I am glad that you have been a part of this memory. The ladies and I raised a total of $14, 000. So amazing! #Amen


Meet The Divas:

SHE IS: in her 20s, in her 30s, in her 40s, Canadian, Japanese, Scottish, Jamaican, Portuguese, Trinidadian, Mexican, Irish, Colombian,  an entrepreneur, a university student, a mother, a wife, preparing for marriage, someone's significant other, a lover of the lord, spiritually driven, atheist, an extrovert, an introvert and so much more. 



With a heart full of love she unites with others to make further impact on this world we all live in. 

BRIGITTE GRENIER

MELANIE MEADE


DAVIDA GRAGOR
JILL VALENTINE
Founder of Dare To Be A Dandelion

NATALIA JUAREZ
Founder of Lovistics

LAURA FURTADO
 Founder of Diva Girl Inc.

SARAH WEINRAUCH

CARYN PARCHMENT
Owner of Diva Girl Fashion
  
CAITLIN MCLEAN

CHARLENE DIPCHAN

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Sunday, 1 November 2015

"Fit YOUR Fashion"

Photo By: Sid Naidu Photography
TOP - Fabletics
PANTS - Lululemon
SHOES: Nike

What I LOVE about this generation is that we are so fitness focused that even retail clothing stores have taken notice. Stroll through your local shopping mall and stores you would not expect have a designated fitness apparel section at various price points. Based on my lifestyle I enjoy pieces that I are multi-functional - wearable to the gym, to the grocery store, to the movies etc. Comfortable & Cute is also the name of the game. I found some nice pieces at these store and the price points were very reasonable. 

THE GAP






  • Pretty durable fabrics
  • Sports bras have fabulous support


OLD NAVY



Pros
  • Great variety of colors
  • Great graphic tees with positive messages
  • Low price points

Cons
  • The quality of the pants were not that high
  • Depending on the store it may be hard finding sizes 

FOREVER 21





  • Fun colors
  • Price point matches quality

If you are just looking for one or two pieces to last a longer period of time stick to your good ole’ Adidas and NIKE.

Online Brands






Kate Hudson Presents: Fabletics


You may have seen their adds floating around on Facebook.
Their website is very user friendly and also allows you to customize outfits based on your style, workout preferences, and size. 

Use my membership below link and get your first activewear OUTFIT for $25



“Oh Canada"



We can’t talk fitness fashion without highlighting these hot Canadian brands.





KARMA ATHLETICS (Vancouver)




"Karma Athletics is creating high performance runway ready athletic apparel for women on the move. For Movement. For yoga, for life"

TITIKA ACTIVE COUTURE (Toronto)


"Titika Active Couture is beyond the studio and beyond basics. It's workout to night out and everything in between. Born and designed in Toronto, CA."


Lastly, #ICYMI, check out this interview I did with #StylanceTV sharing a few more fitness shopping tips that won’t break the bank titled: "Athletic Wear and What Not To Buy"


If the video link is not visible, please click here: https://youtu.be/cH96jxT7UKs


Additional Note:


This November I will be headed to Belize for a volunteer initiative. Through dance, fitness, and culture I have aimed to empower women and now I have an opportunity to do so on a larger scale - BUT FIRST, I would greatly appreciate your help! 



If you haven't a had a chance, I would love your support with my volunteer trip to Belize. Visit http://gofundme.com/SSinBelize to learn more about the amazing initiative my team and I are about to participate in.  Please share the Go Fund Me link or donate if you can… love you lots! <3


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Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Divas Abroad in Belize for 2015



I am so happy to share with you that I will be headed to Belize, Central America with the 2015 Divas Abroad volunteer initiative - but first, I would love your help!


For 10 consecutive days, the Divas Abroad will collectively work to provide classes, workshops and exercises intended to empower women in Belize. This is truly an honour and I look forward to sharing my passion internationally with others while learning so much more in the process.

The experience is NOT to earn profits/revenue - this fund campaign is to cover basic travel and management costs. The purpose of the trip is to empower women; both the women organizing the trip (working together as a collective) and the women we will connect with in Belize. 



How Can You Donate To The Campaign?


Donate Online HERE Through My #GoFundMe Campaign Page.




You are also invited to the Divas Abroad fundraising events:



*Update* Dance In Support of #DivasAbroad15

Friday, October 23rd, 2015
3637 Grand Park Drive



“Vino Y Queso” - A Wine & Cheese Soiree

Saturday, October 17th, 2015
75 East Liberty Street


What Is Divas Abroad?


Divas Abroad is an amazing initiative that allows the opportunity for women to empower women. Two leading women-based communities, DivaGirl  and Sexy & Wealthy in Heels have teamed up with Dare to be a Dandelion, to create a volunteering experience for women in North America, to empower women in another country. 



The program will offer a group trip (in which fundraising initiatives will take place to attempt to cover basic costs), to take place November 13-23rd, 2015. Leaders within our community will work on building initiatives as a board. For 2015, we will be heading to Belize and partnering with the Cornerstone Foundation.



Why Belize?



In Belize, the tradition of women devoting their lives to caring for their home and children results in financial dependence on their partners. The current prevalence of alcohol and drug addiction stresses the unreliability of too many fathers and husbands as sources of support. Even when a woman is a significant participant in a family business, her contribution tends to be undervalued or unrecognized. 



The average village family has eleven children, and the average town family has five. Due to large family sizes, many of the women have inadequate education and vocational skills, as girls often do not attend school. Perhaps most unfortunate is that domestic violence is a taboo subject in Belize. The Divas Abroad workshops will empower and support women in these conditions to be successful entrepreneurs and leaders.




Our Partner Organization: The Cornerstone Foundation




 Cornerstone Foundation is a local organization founded in the town of San Ignacio, district of Cayo, Belize. 

They are a grass roots organization founded on the humanitarian principals of recognizing the specific needs facing their community. Their concerns are for the community and each individual that it encompasses, regardless of his or her condition. 

Cornerstone advocates for children and women's rights. They encourage women in violent situations to seek solutions and empower themselves with skills that enable them to achieve a degree of financial independence.
To find out more:  http://cornerstonefoundationbelize.org  

I thank you in advance for your support – IT MEANS THE WORLD!
Every dollar counts and is appreciated.


Xoxo,
Shakera 

#DivasAbroad15


#FlashbackPhoto - Weekend To End Cancer


The 2014 Walk to End Women’s Cancer






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