Alopecia Areata gives a new way of looking at hair

It happened all of the sudden. My hair started falling out. After seeing my family doctor and my dermatologist I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata totalis. Meaning I have no hair.  I am bald. I wondered if I was still a mammal.

 Many suffer from Alopecia Areata. It's a hidden disease in a sense covered up by wigs, scarves or hats. Many wear their baldness with great pride. Sometimes others mistakenly  believe that because s someone has no hair, they must have cancer.

Alopeica areata is a autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. Over 6.5 million people in the United States and 146 million worldwide have had or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their life according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

My journey has been one of first shock, then great sadness and loss, hoping my hair would grow back  and now coping.  How do you cope?

As we all know hair defines who we are; the color, the cut, the long and short of it. Commercials for shampoo and conditioner emphasize how a woman's beauty is defined by her hair. Men, too.

So here is some ways I personally coped and hope it will help others.
First one site I would definitely recommend is www.naaf.org- The National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

The NAAF offers lots of information and services on how to cope, cosmetic tips on wigs and makeup and lots of resources to help you and others navigate through this disorder even offering financial assistance.  There are support groups set up throughout the country. Losing your hair doesn't just affect your body, it affects your self-esteem and can lead to depression.

Here to are some tips I can offer you from my own journey.

• Wig buying can be intense and expensive.  I found some very reasonable wigs at www.Paula Young.com because sizing was such an issue for me.
•  Many wigs are made for the average person finding one for a small head(me) or a large head can be quite a challenge. But there are some great wigs out there. Some you may need to take to your hairdresser to trim up the bangs but many will fit perfectly.
• There are many YouTube videos out there to help you.

• At www.GodivasSecretWigs.com I found a headband that truly keeps the wig in place. It's amazing.

• Bandanas are a godsend.  When I am not wearing a wig, I wear a bandana. I have them in every color.

You can search on line for any type of wig in any color  so the beauty of all this is - you don't have to spend hours at the hair salon if you want to change your color. Blonde or Brunette or a feisty Redhead  It's your choice:Short, long, curls  or straight hair any style you want. It's your call.
It took me a long time to realize that I could have fun with this and keep styling even if I didn't have hair.   In a way it frees you up. No need to shave, no need to spend countless dollars and countless hours at the hairdressers.

Yes I miss my hair but with this journey has taught me there is beauty and strength within that goes way beyond outer locks.
So keep styling no matter where life takes you!

Own your look this Fall

Just because the temperatures are making it feel like summer.
Fall is here and its time to check out the new looks.

Plaid, plaid and more plaid. Pantsuits in plaid grays and reds. Pantsuit jackets with shoulder pads.

Velvet leather, glam shiny jackets over skinny jeans, leggings or mid-calf skirts make a comeback this fall.  Keep showing off those shoulders whether you are wearing a sweater or a fitting leather jacket.

Dresses take on a fabulous look combing stripes with flowers, fringe and lace.

This is the year to own your style by mixing textures and patterns.

Ahh.. the colors of fall fashion  have a more subdued feel with tans, maroon, and blacks.  

Keep on Styling

You can contact me at aneborak424@gmail.com

Styling in the rain makes the world brighter

Bing Free Images

Ahh .. rain got you gloomy. Well sometimes you have to create your own sunshine with your rainy day attire.

What about an umbrella that speaks of art or  just a bright yellow reminder that the sun will shine tomorrow.

See-thru ponchos are not the answer when there are so many cool looks to explore.

Raincoats come in slick yellows or edgy black  or any color you choose.  You want to look sharp despite the spitting clouds. It will make you smile as you face the drenching downpours.  You know,  just like wearing  cool clothes to the gym makes you want to exercize ..maybe.

Check out these two awesome looks for those dreary days.

Keeping the feet dry is always a challenge.  In the summer plastic flip flops serve because the rain cools you off.

Rain and the cooler weather it brings can ruin shoes so the next best thing  are Bogs.
They will keep your feet warm and your shoes safe from mud so as you attend those softball or lacrosse games and  cheer on team and feel toasty.

The beauty of  Bogs is that you can get them in different styles to match the raincoat or  to make a statement. They come in sizes for kids and men, too. So check out their site at http://www.bogsfootwear.com/shop/womens-rain-boots.

Keep Styling in Delco!!!

Get ready for the holidays with these Shimmering outfits

Dazzling Collection for the Holidays by Roni Wear.

When Evelyn Roni Williams lost her job in Health Care Systems, she never thought that a skill she learned as a child would become a lucrative designing career.  Her love for fashion, her eye for fabric and her imagination helped her create her line “Roni Wear” and “Threadz 4 the Throne.”

Williams works part-time at the Yeadon library where she processes books and does the

window designs. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving the library held their Black Saturday Extravaganza where she showed off her holiday collection at the fashion show.  The knitted and jersey shimmering pieces included dresses, hats, bags, wool and sweater coats.

“I am late to the game at 57 years old.  I do the designs for the windows and they saw my talent. I am so grateful,” I would bring in pieces at the library and the Library Director, Richard Ashby and Assistant Director; Darlene Walker encouraged me to put this collection together, “said Williams. 

Williams is not new to fashion. After graduating from Bartram, she left Philadelphia to pursue a career in modeling.  She modeled for Jet and Ebony Magazines. To supplement her income she worked in advertising and in the garment industry learning what she could.

She stayed for a while and then decided to come back to Philadelphia. She and her husband settled in Yeadon raising their daughter, CaeLa Lauren Williams.  CaeLa, a Penn Wood graduate is attending George Mason University on a full athletic scholarship for track but in her spare time she models for Model Management

 Agency (MMA).

“While my daughter was growing up I made children’s clothing. I made prom dresses for family and friends. I found it restrictive. There is a difference between a seamstress and a designer, but you do what you can do to pay the bills.  A few years ago I started Threadz 4 the Throne collection which are robes worn in praise dances at church,” said Williams.

 “I am a member of the Living Waters Church which meets at the Church of the Nazarene in Collingdale. There are lots of entrepreneurs in our congregation.  My Pastor Michael K. Heath really inspired me. He tells us not to sit on our gifts, be independent, stop being fearful and step out on faith,” said Williams.

Williams’ business is taking off.  She has had lots of orders for the Wool coat since the 

.

show.

“I try to price things that I could afford. So it sells for 75 dollars. Other pieces like the hats and handbags go for 25 to 45 dollars. I like using jersey and knits because I want the clothes to be comfortable, “said Williams.

Stepping out on faith and being inspired by  what she sees, Williams is already working on her Spring Collection which she hopes to have together by Mother’s Day.

“When I started working on the holiday collection I found the fabric in storage in my basement. The material inspired me. In a month I had it all together.  Something clicks and I know what I want to create” said Williams.

To contact Roni, you can email her at threadzroni@yahoo.com or call 267-650-0275

Ready for the Fall?

                          Breeze into Fall with these basics

Are you getting ready for the Fall? What essentials would make your life easier to make  this wardrobe transition? It's a crazy time of the year; too hot one day, cool the next

                                   Here are some suggestions:

A classic bag be it a clutch or a shoulder bag.
 Tan or black are great colors to slide
into the next season with .



Add some lacy detail to that tee-shirt  or a shirt with detailed lace on the cuffs, the collar or around the edges.

You can never go wrong with a white tee-shirt or a white blouse. Wrap a shawl around that white blouse or wear it out and add a belt and you are good to go.

High waist jeans with flare are all the rage.  Denim skirts, denim shirts and denim dresses are all the rage

     
Moccasin flats, loafers with a sleek look and laced leather shoes, Booties are all the rage and off course the classic pump.

Motorcycle boots are in too. You don't have to be on a Harley to wear them.




Tailored dresses, double breasted suits and flirty skirts are in.

A simple ruffle on the hemline or lace hemline will give the illusion of gracious movement as you race around town.

  Before you know it it will be time to bundle up so if you see an amazing camel colored coat put it on lay away for  the winter- meantime pull out a luxury cashmere sweater to keep you toasty.

It's beach time... what you must bring with you!

So you are ready for the beach.  Here's a list of have to haves as you head out in that awesome suit you bought.

Sunscreen lotion....can I write that in capital letters:   SUNSCREEN LOTION
Skin cancer is serious you beautiful babes and handsome guys ( yes, men you can get sun cancer too).
                                                     Sunglasses.
You must protect your eyes. Later in life your vision will decrease because your eyes were exposed to too much sunlight.

A hat to keep that sun out of your eyes.

Water, lots and lots of water

Cover ups.  So here you are in that beautiful bikini and you want to get something to eat at that snazzy bar but its cool inside- freezing in fact.  A cover-up or a cotton sweater will work.

Skirts are great too to dine outside in and still look like you are styling.

Flip flops or sandals are a must. Bare feet is not a good idea what if you step on a shell or a rusty nail. A Tetanus shot hurts. Ouch!  You could burn your feet on the hot sand leading to blisters on the bottom of your feet. There goes that great weekend or vacation washed ashore while you suffer the days away.

Bring a great waterproof tote to put everything in. Your cell phone, your lip gloss, your waterproof make-up, the skirt, the sunscreen, the water and the cover-up.

 So off you go.  Have a great time and keep Styling in Delco!

Get ready for the prom

Delaware County Technical School  showed off the prom looks for this season at a recent fashion show. The girls and guys showed off their prom best. Make-up and hairstyles were put together by the Cosmetology class under the direction of teacher, Rachel Moir. The emcee was  Latiaynna Tabb, Community Resource Developer

The Cosmetology students collected  hundreds of  gowns, shoes and accessories along with male attire. Any student from the area was invited to come and pick out a gown or clothes before the show. 

The looks ranged from a Cinderella ballroom gowns, sleek long gowns with sparkle and muted colors to short and sassy numbers.  

The students did all the make-up and hair as well as modeling the final looks. 

" The look for hairstyles are  long loose curls to straight flat ironed hair, the bold lip is in in reds and bright pinks but keep makeup simple." advised  Moir. 

So if you are trying to see how to put it all together take a look at these great styles from future stylists.

Keep Styling in Delco!