Hustle & Motivate -- Girl Gang Series

It’s often said that we meet life long friends in college. The people that you surround yourself with in those pivotal years are the people that help to shape you into the type of adult you’ll be in the ‘real world’. I must say, I met my match with this friendship!

From the beginning of my college years, Lakecia has been in my corner (even taking some of the first photos for Dauntless Muse!). Over time she has become my accountability partner and often reminds me of the promises that I’ve made to myself. She’s the friend that we all go to when looking for the sometimes hard to hear TRUTH but doing so in so much love.  She's comfortable in being the type of friend that we all need in our lives.

Outside of being selfless for friends and family, I’ve always looked up to the way that she’s able to work a room and captivate any audience. Kec has been able to put her mind to any task and make any of the dreams on her list come true… & if they haven’t yet been accomplished, please note that she’s actively working on them. Her drive inspires anyone that she connects with.

This #girlboss has figured out how to use all of these amazing qualities to make her own way and that’s why her story deserves to be heard! This won’t be the last you hear of this Muse!

Top | Jeans | Booties 

Tell me a little bit about yourself; When and where were you born?

On January 10, 1992, I was blessed to come directly from our nation's capital, Washington D.C. Although we were housed in a low-income community, with not many resources, I was happy as can be. My cousins lived in the same neighborhood, I had tons of friends and my parents ensured that I had the best education possible. That's a recipe for greatness. 

What are you currently doing as a career?

Fast forward to being a 27-year-old adult I am happy to say that recipe created a leader in heels. I now have a B.A. in Communication and an M.A. in Organizational Management. My passion has always been to create relationships through social media and guide companies in the right direction while doing it. From there I decided to move into the direction of social media management.

I now live in GA and work for a gaming company as the Digital Support Supervisor, leading their social media and live chat team. Working here has taught me that any position is what you make it. Thankfully, it is pushing me to continue to work in my career of choice. 

What has been your greatest personal accomplishment? 

My greatest accomplishment has been pushing the boundaries of what they thought I would become. Most people in my neighborhood were expected to be just that. I left, did my own thing, and thank them, every chance I get, for everything they taught me. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

My younger self did exactly what she was supposed to do so if I could tell her anything it would be to do everything over the same way! All of those life lessons led me to be an educated woman, living my best life and involved in black love. 

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to become the millionaire next door. I plan to live the fairytale life with a husband and kids. I'll have my own social media marketing and branding company, in which I will leave to one of my kids. 

What makes you happy; What do you do for fun?

Everything that I spoke about is what makes me genuinely happy. Being able to still have amazing friends and family gives me butterflies. I am able to have a mid-day FaceTime chat, shop online (my goodness ASOS takes my $$ every time), travel, and have a girls night out whenever I want, which is all the fun I can ask for.


What impact do you want to leave behind?

I truly hope I can leave an impact on young black kids around the world. I know they hear it already, but they have to know that many thought I would fail and I did the EXACT OPPOSITE. You can literally do whatever your heart desires, because the world is yours. Having this attitude leads me to my fav inspirational quote.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

Who is your fashion inspo?

I don’t really have a style-inspo. Fortunately, I’ve gotten away with piecing items that I like together and it always working out!

What is the soundtrack of your life?

"The jump off" -Lil Kim
Soooo self explanatory

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Follow this girl boss and her journey! 

Instagram - @Lakeciar

xo,

Jas

daunt·less

adjective

showing fearlessness and determination

muse1

noun

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Style -- Summa Summa Time.

So sis, listen...I. am. thick. Like grown women, cornbread-fed thick. The older I've gotten the more my body has changed and while I am in love with my curves sometimes it can be hard to find summer wear that is flattering to my particular body type. With many vacations lined up for the summer months I have been determined to find pieces that are flattering, in style and not at an extreme price point. 

Below are some of the swimsuits and cover-ups that I've personally purchased and can vouch for. As you know from previous post, ya girl is all about a bargain. All of the pieces linked are on websites that have bomb promo codes always. Check em' out! 

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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Before I go! Let me put yall on game with these summer #girlglow essentials. I need not stress enough how important it is to always have your skin protected in these summer rays. Its truly a hot girl summer and we should be well equipped while stepping on any scene. These are a must in my day to day skin routine; keeping my skin moisturized, protected and glowing. 

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

xo,

Jas

daunt·less

adjective

showing fearlessness and determination

muse1

noun

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Style -- Summer Lookbook.

 Okay, lets talk about it! I love, love, love summer and the style that goes along with it. Fun colors, funky prints and little material (hehehe) are my thing. Here's a snapshot and outfit details of a few outfits I've recently posted on the 'gram.   

| Top | Pants | Shoes | 

| Top | Skirt | Sandals |

Enter promo code JASMINE30 to recieve 30% off of your total purchase on http://darlindaisystore.com (this is where I purchased the lace top in picture above!)

| Top | Pants | Sandals |

 | Dress | Heels |

Accessories

| earrings | necklace (similar) | anklet |

xo,

Jas

daunt·less

adjective

showing fearlessness and determination

muse1

noun

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Hustle & Motivate -- Girl Gang Series

Dauntless Muse has been a place for me to connect with girls-girls like myself. I have been blessed & inspired by the leading ladies I am surrounded by every single day. These women have been through the ups and downs of life & have come up on top, while finding happiness in where they are & how they have gotten there. This series is meant to show off us 20-somethings making it happen no matter the circumstances & doing it in style!

--

Over the years, I’ve watched one of these fearless women take on any task like the beast she is as she continuously makes her dreams come true! De’Osha has grown into such an incredible woman while effortlessly doing it with poise & grace.

I got a chance to catch up with this lovely lady. She truly embodies the meaning of what Dauntless Muse stands for!

Tuxedo Collar Jacket | Split Ankle Pant | Bralette | Heels | Earrings

Tell me a little bit about yourself!

Omg this is always tricky for me. What do I say? I’m De’Osha – I read, I write, I grow things. My life’s work is to tell stories and I do that in a variety of way for my career which is a blessing. I believe in hard work and relentless pursue of excellence. I also believe in playing just as hard as I work!

When and where were you born? 

I was born in Atlanta on June 4, 1993! I’m a born and raised Georgia peach but I’m happy to be living in DC for now.

Tell me a little about your childhood.

The older I get, the more I realize what a privileged childhood I had. I grew up with two loving and openly affectionate parents and the perfect big sister. I had the typical middle-class upbringing, but my family was filled with love. We weren’t rich but all of our wants and needs were met. My parents were extremely hard on us at times, but it was out of love. I had a very loving and healthy childhood, which I realize how has made my life easier as an adult. I still face lots of challenges, but I come from a strong foundation and a family of winners.

What are you currently doing as a career? Are you doing what you love? 

I currently work at a public relations agency, Edelman, and it’s a dream come true. I had always wanted to work at Edelman and I was rejected 4 times before I actually got hired at the DC office. (#resilience). I’ve been a student of public relations and storytelling for years, and I’m able to really flex my muscles in this industry. I am doing what I love because I can tell stories all day. I think ultimately, my career will evolve into a different kind of work in storytelling, but for right now this is where I’m supposed to me and I am grateful.

What has been your greatest personal accomplishment?

My greatest personal accomplishment to date has been moving to DC for my dream career. Every day I thank God for this dream come true, because I honestly didn’t think it would happen. I’ve always wanted to live in DC and I knew that my greatest regret in life would be never moving! So, I made it happen. It took a lot of hard work, and it was scary, but I did it my way and on my own terms. I was patient and I got everything I wanted and needed by moving to DC.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Go easy on yourself and stop being so competitive. I have super tunnel vision, once I set my sights on something I don’t stop until it’s mine. I got serious about my career, I think, way too soon and much faster than other people my age. It was like I woke up at 19 overthinking… “Is what I’m doing good for my future? Can this go on my resume? How can I do more? Did I study enough? Can my grades be higher?” which all seem like positive things… but it really gave me this shitty superiority complex. I went too hard, I shut people out, I was a bad friend because I was always looking down on people who I felt weren’t taking their lives seriously enough. My life was the litmus test for how everyone around me should live and that was wrong. Once I graduated and had a job I looked around and realized that none of that mattered. Yea my competitive spirit and willingness to go the extra mile landed me right where I wanted to be but at what cost? I had to do some deep soul searching and pray that crazy competitive spirit out of me and understand that people don’t have to move at my pace.  

What are your plans for the future? Career, love, life?

Career wise, I just want to continue to work hard at whatever I am doing. I do want to write a book and I want to do TV writing. I’m not ashamed (anymore) to say I want to be married and have kids – family is very important to me.  

As for life in general, there are days where I wake up and look to my right to see this huge bookshelf in my bedroom, then I look at my plants and the sun peeking through the window, then I feel the sheets of my bed and my cool satin pillow case and I think… “this is luxury, this is life, this my perfect world.” And then I get up and make coffee and stare out of my floor to ceiling windows and my heart practically leaps out of my chest. I live for that feeling. And I think we can all feel that every day. So, I want my future to be me, waking up happy and content with the tiny luxuries in life.

What makes you happy?

My relationships make me happy. Not just romantic ones, but my friends and family. Love makes me happy. Flowers, reading, my plants sprouting new leaves, when I drink my coffee at the perfect temperature, Twitter and good wine all make me endlessly happy. I’m really into simplicity these days. I try not to wait for something huge to happen to say, “Oh that made me really happy.” Happiness is sometimes just breathing for me.

What impact do you want to leave behind?

I want to leave behind one hell of a story. I want to show the world that anything is possible but it takes strategic sacrifice and hard work. I didn’t get to where I am without giving up something else in exchange. I also want to continue to hold the door open for others to have incredible opportunities and live the life they image.

What do you do for fun?

I’m a party girl so I love a good night out. I am also a homebody, so I love a good night in. For me fun is all over the spectrum, I can easily have a blast at a plant nursery by myself or hit the town with friends and party until 3am. It truly depends on the day!

Who is your fashion inspo?

This is hard, I’ve learned to really dress for my body, so I always try to do what works and looks good on me while staying current with trends. I don’t know if I really have a fashion inspo or if I just see things I like and try to make them work for me. If I had to pick, Tracee Ellis Ross really inspires me because she’s so true to herself in the way she dresses but is always on point. I like exuding that energy because I hate looking like I tried too hard or like I’m straight off of Instagram. Like I said, I’m really into simplicity these days, and quality. I HATE cheap clothes. I’ve recently been splurging on classic staple pieces and building out my wardrobe.


Favorite inspirational quote. 

“You are your best thing” – Toni Morrison, Beloved

Tell me the soundtrack of your life

Currently it’s ‘I Been On’ from Beyonce’s HOMECOMING album.

Usually, it’s Gravity by John Mayer 

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Follow this girl boss and her journey! 

Instagram - @queende_

xo,

Jas

daunt·less

adjective

showing fearlessness and determination

muse¹

noun

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Style -- Birthday Suit.

This is 25! Priorities include great wine and stylish but comfy outfits! Very into matching sets -- sort of a cheat code and a one stop shop!

Outfit Details:

Floral Print Blazer | Floral Printed Pants | Tank | Shoes | Bag (Similar) 

Schnebly Redland Winery

xoxo

The Evolution of Dauntless Muse

Well.. Hey (lol) Its been awhile.. and there have been so many changes since 2015, when my last blog was posted.  Before I begin this new journey, I figured we should play a game of catch up. Four years seems like such a small amount of time but there have been so many significant changes in my life that have gotten me to this point, writing for the first time out of pure enjoyment since 21 years old.

Where we left off:

The last time I posted on Dauntless Muse (DM) I was a bored college student looking for something to occupy all of my spare time in a small city. During all of the changes that came along with moving to a new state, I found myself looking to inspire people with my sense of fashion. To know me is to know that I have always been into shopping (something that seems like a hereditary trait in my family). I often receive questions on my fashion, the when, where’s and how’s of my style and more importantly finding these things at reasonable prices.  

Creating DM was a place where I could relate to similar girls (or guys) like myself, in college looking for ways to express themselves through looks while ballin’ on a budget.

The in between:

Since then there have been so many moving pieces. I’ve built lifelong friendships, graduated from undergrad, moved back home to South Florida, started graduate school, began my career in Marketing – with a million highs and lows in between. I pointed all of this out to say that in the last four years I’ve changed in too many ways to count, as I am sure we all have.

Where we’re going:

DM was initially birthed to share my fashion and life style tips. However, I let life get in the way of doing something I have a passion for and that’s creating feel good content. Now we’re here, I am just shy of my 25^th birthday with a list of big ideas for this platform. Although life is still happening (very quickly) and I have my hands in several projects I figured it was time to decompress and continue this dauntless journey with all of you! My vision for Dauntless Muse is to connect with my following not only through fashion and lifestyle tips but also life lessons, college advice/stories, and my journey through corporate America. This time I plan to bring some friends along from different backgrounds and experiences to tell their stories and perspectives as well!

Let’s restart this journey of Dauntless Muse and continue to inspire each other!

XO, 

Jas~

P.S.

I couldn't go without dropping some outfit details from one of my recent looks. I've gotten so many question on my Instagram about this one...you'll never believe the price points on these items. Everything is linked!

Outfit Details: 

Top: Crew Kneck Tee

Bottoms: Faux Leather Ankle Pants 
(before you buy online check your local F21; these pants were marked down even more in store -- $8.50 to be exact)

Shoes: Clear Strap Sandal Heel 

  Bag: Vintage Louis V clutch 

Earrings: Flat Gold Hoops

daunt·less

adjective

showing fearlessness and determination

muse¹

noun

a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

Style -- Skies Are Blue.

Always down for a quick and stylish outfit of the day. Jumpers have been my go-to this summer because of how effortless and comfortable they are. Although I found this jumper during a sale I put the link to the designer as well as links to some of my fave pieces with a similar style.

 Outfit Details:

Skies Are Blue Jumper

Gold Platform Sandals

Similar Styles:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

xo