#FightLikeAGirl #WithLoveNae
Recently I interviewed my friend René. She's inspired me so much I thought I would ask her to share her experience with my readers. She's a bold, brilliant and strong individual and I consider it a pleasure knowing her. I asked a few fashion related questions as well as some deeper questions which pertain to her current hardships and I think we can all benefit from her responses. She was diagnosed with breast cancer over 4 years ago and is still fighting the disease today...
Enjoy the read.
-cloz<3
> 1. What does fashion mean to you and how does it fit into your everyday life?
Fashion is everything to me. I use it as an outlet, not only for expression but a way to make my days a little brighter.
> 2. What's your greatest/most memorable 'fashion moment' or moment in general?
This isn't the greatest but it certainly was memorable (apart from wearing head to toe Rocawear in middle school). I went to California one summer and of course you know Cali is different (for lack of a better word) when it comes to fashion. That summer, skinny jeans were just coming out and they were the biggest must-have item for the season on the West Coast. When I got back to Miami, I got a few side eyes and snickers about my outfit (oversized sweater, skinny jeans and flats). When I got back to Cayman, I got even more flak because we were still in flare bottoms/bootcuts and skinny's were considered "old woman jeans". When skinny jeans had finally reached the island, everyone who gave me crap was wearing them. The end.
> 3. Lol! Good answer! So.. Who do you look to for fashion inspiration?
I'm inspired by many different people because my style varies so much, but as far as celebrities, I would definitely have to say Rihanna and Olivia Palermo.
> 4. I love me some Rih Rih too! We all have different methods, what helps you cope with life's stressful moments?
Besides prayer, fashion, music, make-up and blogging.
> 5. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
Ah... That's a tough question. My fear is, if I were to change something, I wouldn't become half the woman that I am and that I know I will be. I really don't know what I'd change.
> 6. What are you most passionate about?
Anything that allows me to be creative really, but mostly fashion and beauty. I've really always been that way and anyone that knows me can attest to that! If I wasn't dressing up in my Mom's clothes and make-up, I was trying to create my own shade of nail polish or buying every new beauty item that came out to "test" it.
> 7. What would you tell people who are facing tough times?
"Tough times don't last, tough people do." Whatever you're going through may seem like a big deal now, but one day you will be able to look back at it. Just keep moving forward.
> 8. What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
Initially, I was devastated. I literally assumed that I was going to die the following week or something. In my mind, my life was over the minute I pieced together the words that came out of the doctor's mouth.
> 9. How long did it take to accept your diagnosis as truth?
It took a long time and a whole lot of fighting with myself and I still have my moments. At one point I had completely accepted that I would succumb to it.
> 10. Where are you today? How would you say you're doing with the situation?
I'm here. I'm still fighting but I'm here. I do the best that I can and I think I'm handling the situation well. Like I said before, I have my moments but I remember where I started and how far I've come. It's too late to give up now.
> 11. Who is your biggest supporter?
I have so many great supporters, it's hard to choose one! :)
> 12. What makes you smile the most?
Memes. Meems. Mimes? (Haaa! Inside joke) - Being around people with good energy. You know that aura?
> 13. Tell us something about yourself that no one knows or would expect.
I'm the biggest introvert you'll ever meet.
> 14. How do you manage to look so radiant everyday? :)
Black Soap, Shea Butter, Coconut/Almond/Castor Oil, Aloe Vera and IMAN Second to None Luminous Foundation (I promise you it's the truth). *laughs* But honestly, I made a promise to myself when I was first diagnosed that no matter how bad I feel on the inside or what I was going through, I wasn't going to look it. Just something that I did for me.
> 15. Last but not least.. What is your relationship like with God. What was it before? How is it now? Elaborate.
Before it was there but I was heading down a lot of wrong paths. Then after my diagnosis, I was drawn back into church and my faith began to grow in so many ways. Believe me, there's no way I could have made it this far... Now, it's still a work in progress.
It was such a pleasure chatting with René. If you want to keep up with her progress and get more inspirational messages from her, you can follow her breast cancer blog #WithLoveNae on Tumblr http://withlovenae.tumblr.com/mystory