A Toast to 2012

Hey all of my Diva’s and Don’s!

Well, 2013 has officially begun, and I’m looking forward to all that the New Year has in store. I’m already planning for a spectacular 2013, but I’d like to take time to reflect on a fabulous 2012. Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that I love to chat. And although the good folks over at Guinness World Records have yet to reward me for it, I still enjoy talking. 🙂 My hubby says that if talking were an art then I’d be the “Van Gogh of Gab”; but with both ears attached of course. 😛 And with that in mind, for the past few years, blogging has been my personal canvas. It’s been my outlet for meeting people, sharing experiences, and doing what I love…talking about any and everything fab.

At the beginning of 2012 I set some lofty goals and aspirations for the years. One of my goals for 2012 was to launch a community for bloggers. A community where fabulous bloggers would have an outlet to network, to connect with other like-minded bloggers, and offer support for one another. Out of this the Blog Fab Fashionistas (BFF’s) was created. I’m so proud of these ladies for their commitment and support to making this community blog-fabulous! I had a chance to take a few of them on our first BFF Glam Getaway a few months ago. We had an amazing time! You can see the highlights from this enchanted excursion HERE. For those who missed out on all of the fun, not to worry. Plans are currently underway for another BFF Glam Getaway for 2013 so be on the lookout. It promises to be bigger and better the second time around! 😉

And speaking of travel (another one of my passions), I was fortunate enough to attend some very haute events around the country. And although I’m aiming for that weekend escape to the Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia, I had a wonderful time at several events stateside in 2012. Let’s see, there was Charleston Fashion Week in Charleston, SC, the Sonsi “Blogger “Be YOU-tiful” Pop-Up Party at Full Figure Fashion Week in NYC, the Houston Fashion Bloggers Meetup in my home city of Houston, Texas, a fabulous stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, and the BFF Glam Getaway in Hilton Head, SC. I absolutely love to travel but nothing beats attending local events around Atlanta like Fashion Uncorked, Curves Fashion Week, and Fro Fashion Week. I also got to host a few events in 2012 such as a Plus Size Fashion Show for the Center for Black Women’s Wellness Expo, a Martini Mixing Contest at Shula’s, and a host of Tweetup events with my BFF ladies! I had such an amazing time at each of them and I look forward to doing it all over again in 2013.

There were also a few unexpected surprises in 2012 like becoming the Simon Mall Style Setter for Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, a Black Friday Holiday Shopping segment on 11 Alive News, and several brand and media partnerships. Oh, I was also spotted on season 5 episode 2 of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. I say “spotted” because although I got a bit of camera time it happened so fast that if you blink really fast for about a minute or so you could see me each time your eyes opened. LOL

Throughout the year I was introduced to some incredible people who are living their dreams each and every day. I had the pleasure of meeting several amazing stylists, makeup artists, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, She-EO’s, and a host of Dazzling Divas! These amazing ladies and gents have all motivated me to enjoy life, follow my passions, continue to live my dreams, and above all inspire others as they have inspired me. My mother always told me I was a dreamer… Well, this is one dream that I don’t want to wake from. 🙂

In closing I would like to thank everyone for supporting Oh! Nikka. The support that I’ve received from my readers, my social media followers, my friends, and my family has been truly appreciated and I am both humbled and grateful. I must say that 2012 has definitely been a series of wonderful experiences and I look forward to all that 2013 has to offer. So, what’s in store for 2013? Well, you will have to stay tuned to see. But, I can say that it will be even more fabulous than before.

So here’s a toast to a fabulous 2012 and an even more spectacular 2013! Cheers!!!