Marica Mitchell

“Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.” I am here crying watching “Chasing Destiny” after “11:27pm knowing darn well I should be fast asleep. I have gym in the morning but I am so enjoying the show. Is it for the music or is it the meaning behind the music. Life has a way of coming together and I am ready to chase “MY DESTINY”. I feel I keep putting my dreams and aspirations aside because of my fear of failing. I am living in this shell just like a snail and scared to show the world my true potential. I am just NOT DOING ME like God has ordained. I have a passion for Education; especially Mathematics. My heart is on fire when I see the passion for mathematics in my kids’ eyes. Yes, the kids’ I teach. I have passed on this passion to a son who can sit quietly in his room and knock out 50 problems in one shot with no complain. I have seen the light in his eyes when he challenges me on my answer choice and he defends himself. I have already seen the flame burning. I am so chasing my KIDS’ dreams instead of mine. I guess the fear of my kids failing allow me to focus more on them rather than me. I am here planning their future, hoping they stay strong and make me proud. I know it’s ME alone on this journey but I will fight to the end to ensure that they reach for the stars and chase their dreams.My son has a passion for Engineering so I channel his energy into the things he enjoys. I saw that passion during Spring break when he sat quietly and peacefully reading the teacher’s guide for the Vex robotics. I was amazed on how intrigued with the book and the robotics pieces.  My daughter, the strong fighter has shown me that life is all about pushing yourself beyond your limits. My first grader is tracker her reading level and striving to read at a fourth grade level by the end of her first grade year. She knows her exact level and begs her teacher to complete her AR test even when there are NO library days. She even reads her brother’s AR BOOK so that she can challenge herself. This child is no Einstein but she is one black talented girl who rocks. She strives for greatness and I know she is special. She is a reader, writer, dancer, lover of art and all things beautiful. She has so much potential and I know she will make me proud. So my beautiful gift from God my children is my rock. They remind me that I have to strive for greatness too and follow my destiny. They allow me to reflect on where I am and where I want to go. After receiving 3 different confirmations including 2 that knows little about me, I am READY. When a dear friend says “GIRL YOU THE BOMB with this math!”, it means something. When you bring you AP to tears because she hears that you put in a transfer, it’s an awesome feeling that you know you are appreciated. When 99% of YOUR students share how awesome you are because you connect Math to their lives, it’s a feeling you just can’t explain. Hearing that alone lights up my heart. Why worry about failing? Why worry about what people say? Why worry when you can pray? I am ready today, now to chase my destiny. I am Marica and I rock!!!!!! #Faith

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”    – Coco Chanel Making skirts is my all time favorite especially for my daughter Arielle.  She truly loves when I sew for her and every time she sees something that she likes, her first words are “Mommy can you make this?”  It’s amazing how 1 year of sewing already got my daughter hooked on me creating her OWN unique styles and looks. So my daughter wanted to be Minnie for Halloween and picked out her OWN fabric from JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store.  I first wanted to create a RED tulle skirt but when she came across this perfect fabric, she said this is the one mommy.    Amazingly enough, I had a 60% off coupon and I think it cost under $10 for all the fabric and elastic.  I also visited a local trimmings store in Downtown Miami to obtain ribbons for the bows. We used the pattern from Mingo and Grace ( MG2715) Crop Top Skirt Set. I decided after to create a detachable belt using the smaller PULKA dot fabrics.   Hope to create an entire look soon with the actual crop top very soon.  I made an attempt to create the sleeveless version and did a minor mistake with the arm area. Cant wait to create the BLAKE dress from Mingo and Grace for her BIRTHDAY LOOK!!!!  Go check her out and her amazing photos. Thanks for stopping by and HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!! #DIY #Halloween #MickeyMouse

“Let Tomorrow be your second chance to prove that you are better than today and yesterday.” — Ritu Ghatourey Have you ever missed an event, bus or train and was so upset. Then a few hours later, you heard of a tragedy that occurred at the event, on the bus or train. Isn’t that enough to say, Thank You God for a second chance. Well, I think I have been given so many second chances but most importantly a second chance to live. I have had my scary moments in life. I remember having health issues and felt like Heaven wasn’t ready for me yet so I will fight to live. My life has had its ups and downs but the most touching second chance I believe is giving birth to my son. I took the option that was presented to risk my life while carrying a life. Hospitalized 18 times, while being morphined up throughout the pregnancy was enough to know that my HEALTHY son Aiden is my miracle, my angel on earth and I knew I got pregnant for a reason. I have a purpose on earth and giving birth to 2 beautiful children is my purpose to live again..my SECOND chance. My love life has never been an easy road. After getting 2 divorces (yes) to the same person I  married, I didn’t know if I would ever open my heart up to give love a SECOND chance. I became so engraved in my career and kids that when love came my way, I would never give anyone a chance. I was a rock, a hard shell and refuse to give into all the charming words even if it was from the heart. I played hard to get even though at times I merely wanted to crumble and cry. I didn’t want to get hurt again and vowed to remain single and focus on raising my kids.  It was that special conversation that I decided to open my heart and give love a SECOND chance.  Even though I will still proceed with caution, I am ready to love again and to share my life with someone special. God has been working on me and I have really grown in a positive way and have been able to learn to trust. My children often times share their desires for me to find love as they too deserve to see me happy. Most importantly, I have to put God first in every thing that I do because he has given me so many SECOND chances. 2016 I am ready for you with arms wide open.  I plan to LIVE my dreams and enjoy every single moment. I plan to capture and develop the good times and learn and grow from the bad. I PLEDGE to live and enjoy every single day like it is my very last. I plan to be the best me in so many ways and PUSH on daily. Thanking God in advance for another GREAT CHANCE to live and be ME.

What is Love? Is it the number of likes on a picture? Is Love the words that you utter? Is it the material things you have? Is it a connection that you feel? It is amazing what different people may say about LOVE. Each person may have their own perception, but is there a true definition of LOVE.  One may link LOVE towards feeling, material things, a moment, but how can we truly define the experience of LOVE.  I am a sucker for LOVE stories, romantic endings, fairy tales, you name it. I am so much intertwined with finding what really LOVE is and for me, it is the butterfly feelings that I get in my stomach.  It’s that moment of feeling special and and I just don’t want to stop smiling. I have been thinking about the WORD LOVE the last couple of days. I have been really yearning for that tingling FEELING, reminiscing on the moment when I really felt LOVE. I have been wanting to get that butterfly feelings so bad when I think about that SPECIAL person that I LOVE.  Surprisingly it was a moment I reflected about our last SPECIAL NIGHT one afternoon while driving when I heard my favorite Babyface song playing and romantic memories crossing my mind.  I was smiling with tears of joy and saying to myself that I don’t want this feeling to go away.  Can it, will it last forever? Is it LOVE? We may not know when that LOVE spell hits us but I am glad to say when it does you really feel that tingling sensation in your mind, body and soul. When that special one calls, sends a message or simply SAY “I LOVE YOU”, it is that  FEELING you cannot explain. At that moment, we are intertwined with butterflies and special memories. So today, take the time to reflect on what true LOVE is and means to you. Hope you find everlasting LOVE. Be sure to leave a comment on your definition of what L O V E is to you.

“I tell all of you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20 It is so hard being a working mother, worse a SINGLE working mother. It takes faith, patience, strength, determination and guidance to carry SINGLE MOTHERS through our rough days. Many times I felt like giving up, throwing in the towels, but I am reminded of God’s grace, His mercy, His faithfulness and how awesome He is. I am reminded that my bad days is to test my FAITH. With a reflection of the bible verse, Matthew 17 verse 20, I realized how important it is to stay grounded in my FAITH.  I woke up on October 11, at 5:38am crying before my morning meditation and prayer. These tears were tears of joy because I know joy comes in the morning when I am awake. This is a reminder of a NEW DAY, NEW BEGINNINGS, NEW BLESSINGS. I felt so bad going to bed the night before after being a bit over bearing and showing tough love to my son on a Saturday night. I am so determined that my son will not be a statistics as I have seen before my eyes so many single mothers fighting to keep their sons off the streets and out of trouble. I am BLESSED to have children yet a son after being told the chances of having children was 10% due to medical issues. My miracles, my children is a daily reminder of how AWESOME MY GOD is. I almost lost my life carrying him, loosing 50 pounds, unable to walk or eat throughout my pregnancy. My AWESOME God allowed me through and I carried my miracle for 37 weeks and delivered him in 5 minutes. I suffered no complications during delivery after a dreadful pregnancy. My doctor had her team ready as she feared the worse but our FAITH carried us both through the 9 months. My son was delivered a healthy boy within 5 minutes and our FAITH was all WE had. Life has a way of teaching us valuable lessons. We may not know what lesson we are being taught during our time of adversities and troubles. We may not even see any light at the end of the tunnel. We have been taught to have FAITH. How many of us question God? How many of us loose FAITH? I do sometimes and it is during my daily talk with God and reflection of my life I am reminded of HIS faithfulness. So what ever you may be going through today, remember the word FAITH. Cruise on, hold on, because God is faithful and just. He will not leave you nor forsake you. So if you feel like giving up, say a little prayer, press on and hold on to your FAITH. Thanks for reading and feel free to drop a few words of encouragement today for someone who may have lost their FAITH. #Faith #Strength

“The successful man may profit from his mistakes and try again in different ways.” Author unknown I found myself the last two weeks sulking over life challenges I have no control over.  I was swaddling in my own bitterness and anger and had to snap out of it.  I really needed a mental break and found myself counting down the hours until SPRING BREAK. Often times I am so consumed with work and the kids that I forget about myself.  I don’t want this to happen as I plan to remain “21” forever.  When my kids’ father decided to finally give me a break (first time solo since the year started) by taking the kids for a few days, I WAS IN HEAVEN.  I may get a break from them every now and again but I am still grateful.  Even though I wished upon a star* that he could be MUCH more involved;  knowing that they have a father around once is a while is better than not having one at all. So I needed to get back to regular programming of  MANY DIY projects that were in the works. I wanted to created all the Easter looks for my daughter and a few for me.  I made 2 headbands, 1 skirt, remixed a T, started an amazing white lace skirt, completed a Mommy and Me look and even made  pillow cases for my son’s room.  To top it off, I did a little spring cleaning as well. So today I made this AWESOME top from a MAN’s shirt I picked up at Ross for $9.99. I wasn’t too happy with the outcome of the sleeves but I felt like a million bucks.  I really loved the look.  I fell in love with Mimi G’s top and was so excited to create the look from her tutorial here.  I rocked it with my converse gifted from a special guy with my favorite boyfriend jeans.  Loving the entire look from head to toe. Thanks for stopping by and can’t wait to share the Easter looks that I have been working on this week. #DIY

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” Tori Amos Losing a love one is challenging to accept, especially a parent or a child. My father was my best friend and when he passed away June 25, 2011, a piece of me died inside. His death took a toll on me emotionally and accepting and dealing with him not being around was even worse.  I was a daddy’s girl and my dad and I spoke daily. My faith was all I had and it was through my sewing outlet a year ago that helped. I decided to venture into sewing with a close friend after not sewing for over 25 plus years. We both took a sewing class and were disappointed as we did not complete the garment in 2 days.  I decided that night I was going to create a finish product and I sewed a simple elastic waist skirt for daughter. From that learning experience, I then made several elastic waist skirts until one day I decided to learn how to insert a zipper. My first zipper skirt was wearable and there was NO turning back.  Thus far, I have created clutches, skirts, pillow covers, hair bows, remixed tops and even attempted a top for both myself and my daughter.  I truly enjoy making skirts and have found my niche. I have no intentions to become a designer, but I hope to encourage others to find ways to heal. From this journey, I will start my own Fashion Club at school and plan to launch the school’s first Spring 2016 Runway show.  I am truly excited about this phase of my life and plan to encourage girls to be strong and confident in their skin. Thank you for reading my journey and hope that you find an outlet to heal from the struggles in life that you may be facing. #sewing #Fashion #therapy #ankaraprint #DIY #healing

“Words are powerful. They can create or they can destroy.  So choose your words wisely.” Do you trust the words you see around you?  Do you mediate on the quotes that you see posted on Social Media? Do you read in between the lines? As a sucker for “quotes” and “inspirational words”, I find myself staring, reflecting on the positive words that I see around me. Whether it’s from a fortune cookie, a billboard or the mere frames hanging from a wall, I am in awwww when I read words that truly captivates my eyes. A little less than a year ago, my church decided to create a COFFEE corner with some positive words of inspiration.  This past Sunday, I found myself gazing on these words and reflecting on the first 2 quotes posted above.  I needed a little reassurance after a rough Saturday that everything will be OK.  These words can be a daily reminder that LIFE is so worth living. Don’t take LIFE for granted and remember to share a “few words of encouragement to someone TODAY.” #HealthampBeauty #Quotes #words