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Happy Fall Allured Loves!!

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Coming fresh off of the premiere & local screening of my limited web series here in New Orleans, I'm still on an amazing high.

On Friday - September 15, 2023 so many of you came out to support me and my team at The Broad Theater...to show love, a genuine interest and excitement to preview what we've all worked so hard on for the past year and a half.

The event was scheduled for 7PM - 10PM and we went well over that due to the overall excitement of the night. In addition, everyone posing and taking photos on the black carpet certainly took up some time. Yet, I'm so grateful that so many of you stayed until the very end. You all engaged in the Q&A panel and stayed until every giveaway winner received their special surprise of home decor gifts from not only my brand, but also from several of the designers and artists featured in my series.

I truly could not have asked for a more successful event and debut screening. All of the hard work, all of the stress, all of the last minute changes and pivots and any worries or fears associated...all took a back seat on the night of my event. Because on that night, everything experienced prior to, leading up to and on the actual day of...

Culminated into it all being worth it!!

This has been such an amazing journey and it continues to be as I now shift to the online debut of all episodes in my series to my

YouTube Channel.

With the title of my show being...

Boutique Shopping Saturdays With Allured By Design

Episodes are scheduled to begin rolling out on

Saturday - September 30th with succeeding episodes following behind every Saturday up until the finale episode. In between each episode, I'll share previews, sneak peeks, photo stills from on set, and loads of behind the scenes footage each week. Most of this will all be shared on my social platforms. As such, I can't stress enough to make sure your following me everywhere. At the bottom of my newsletters, I always link each platform I'm on. Such will be the case for this newsletter as well.

Speaking of newsletters...

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All Photo Stills by Stacy Marks Photography

As many of you already know and for my new email subscribers...

I use my newsletters as a way to go beyond the world of interiors and home decor. And, more of a way to connect with you all if possible on a deeper level by addressing things going on in our world and things that we may all be dealing with in some form or fashion.

My newsletters also serve as an opportunity for me to highlight my hometown and most favorite city in the world, New Orleans...showcasing a mixture of beautiful city exteriors and cultural landmarks.

But most importantly, my newsletters are meant to be a source of light and hope. In these current and uncertain times...

Anything that brings light I believe is always welcome.  

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However, instead of one of my traditional letters...

This newsletter will strictly focus on the joyful blessings of my recent premiere by showing everyone on the black carpet.  

And, rumor has it...there's an accompanying video too. 😉

Without further ado...Press Play!!

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The final two to four weeks leading up to my screening was met with a lot of challenges. But, by the grace of God I was able to power through, retain my focus and make whatever necessary changes and pivots that needed to be made. I share this with you all to say that so many of us get caught into the outcome of what success looks like. Yet, never taking the time to fully contemplate what the "inside" of success looks like.

What kind of minutia is required. Or, what the real behind the scenes of it all looks like. All of the grinding and executing and every little annoyance that comes along with it.

I firmly believe to whom much is given, much is also required. Mercury was in retrograde during the preplanning phase of my premiere. As we all know or for those of us that believe in astrology having a direct affect on our lives and our personalities...

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When Mercury is in retrograde it's common knowledge that technology and communication errors will be experienced. The retrograde period was from August 23rd up until September 15th, the actual night of my screening. When I tell ya'll everyday leading up to my premiere was met with some sort of obstacle I had to maneuver my way through or work around and pivot.

I won't go into all of the specific details, but what I will share is that yes...technology and communication was most certainly being affected amongst other things. In addition, there were some crucial last minute changes that had to be made within the venue that hosted my screening. Changes that ultimately would have affected the failure or success of my event.

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I remember on Wednesday night, two nights ahead of my screening...sitting on the stairs in my home. I sat there very still and just cried and prayed. I was nervous, I was exhausted and I just knew at that point all I could do was lean into God because there was only so much within my control.

I remember asking God to please let the retrograde of Mercury culminate as soon as the clock strikes midnight on the morning of September 15th...so I could at least go onto having a successful event with little to no errors. I had to fully trust and believe that what I was asking would come to pass. I knew mentally and emotionally, I couldn't handle anymore than I was already dealing with. So yeah, I didn't have a choice but to BELIEVE that my screening would be successful. I had to manifest it and think of nothing less than.

Instead of thinking the worst, I had to center myself, quiet down all of the noise going on in my head and focus on a positive outcome, only. And, in return that's exactly what I received. The love and the joy on everyone's faces as they entered the building, took their photos, hugged me, engaged with one another and made their way to their seats was all I could've ever asked for.

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On top of it all, my parents were present to celebrate with me on my big night. On OUR big night!! I say our because it is the many sacrifices of my parents that provided me with a good life, paid for my private education, and sent me to film school that all came full circle on the night of my premiere. My only hope is that I made them proud. In addition, I hope I made the city of New Orleans proud. I hope I made my Husband proud and any and everyone attached to me.

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Mr. Alton Hickman Sr.

&

Mrs. Athalia Hickman

Without them, there is no me.

I owe all that I am to my parents.

And, I love them dearly.

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As I said before and will continue to say, I could not have asked for a better night. I went home that night and awoke the following morning with my heart so very full and grateful for how amazing the night turned out.

I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and just joy all throughout my being, that as soon as I got home that night...I recorded a personal video from the privacy of my closet just to say thank you to everyone who came out to support me. It's a very raw and candid video. Not one of my professionally edited videos. Just a home recorded video on my iPhone of me sharing my story and my gratitude. To view the video, click here.

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What We’re Up To

Now that my premiere and public screening is over, my attention is shifting to getting ready to roll out all of my episodes on my YouTube Channel. As I mentioned very early in this newsletter, the Pilot Episode will debut on Saturday - September 30, 2023 with succeeding episodes following behind every Saturday up until the finale episode.

Subscribe, Subscribe, Subscribe!!!

If my schedule allows, I may "try" and partner with one of the local boutiques featured in my web series for a Sip & Shop day - where we will stream their particular episode in their store. In addition, invite everyone to come out, meet & greet us, sip wine, shop and socialize as the episode plays in the background. Should this become an actual real thing, I will share more information on my social platforms and with all of my email subscribers once I have more information to share.

Also, I'm currently working on a client project that will likely take me through year's end with the possibility of some final touches going into the New Year. In addition, I'll very soon be shifting my attention to getting my home ready for the holidays. If you're one of my day ones or have been following me for the last few years...You already know my annual holiday transformation within itself is very labor intensive, which is the exact reason I do not offer holiday services.

Every year, I'm asked if I offer Christmas decorating services and my answer is always no. Between the multiple projects I'm always juggling, on top of getting my own home ready for picture and video day of my annual holiday shoot, there is simply no luxury of extra time for me to execute such services for others.

And, to be fully transparent...Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of year. Ya'll know I'm an early Christmas baby with my birthday being December 5th. What I'm not about to do is have nobody annoying or stressing me out during the holiday season behind decking their halls. NO MA'AM or NO SIR!! Ya'll not about to ruin my holidays!! 😂

Trust me when I tell ya'll the stress of ALL of my other projects, including decking the halls in my own home is more than enough for me, lol. Sometimes too much!!!

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What else is going on?

I've completely sold out of all of my tickets for my first ever

(design based) international group trip to Florence, Italy. However, my waiting list is now currently open, should any seats become available. Anyone still interested in participating, can head to my travel page, review the itinerary and then contact my travel partnering company,

EF Go Ahead Tours, to sign up for my waitlist.

SAVE THE DATE

May 2025

Allured By Design®

Presents

Life, Culture & Design Inspiration in the Mediterranean

Waitlist Now Open

Travel Link:  https://www.grouptoursite.com/tours/florence-allured-by-design-2025

Reservation Line: 800.438.7672 

Tour Number: 70164069 

On the Hollywood front...

I believe in my heart the film industry strikes are getting closer and closer to coming to an end, as a tentative three-year deal between the studios and the WGA (Writers Guild of America) was just recently reached. All glory and praises to God. 🙏🏽 While I've been excessively busy all year long with all Allured By Design® related projects...it's also been a challenging year without having the financial support & security of my film contracts. Yet, I have and continue to remain faithful and hopeful that better days are indeed on their way. Better days in the form of financial abundance and so much more.

I came into this year with the spirit of discernment, knowing that 2023 would have a lot of challenges to overcome. Because I felt this so deep in my spirit, my New Year prayer began with four simple words...

"Lord, Lead The Way!"

As much as I was soooo ready to embrace indulging in the fruit of my labor all throughout this year, (and if I were lucky, doing just that ONLY), I also knew that whatever situation became my reality...I needed God to both lead the way and to lead me through it. And, that's exactly what I've been leaning into all year long - allowing God to lead the way.

In addition, also trusting God and his timing with everything,

every step of the way.

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With this year being the year my web series titled

"Boutique Shopping Saturdays With Allured By Design,"

will make its online debut, all of my 2023 newsletters (with the exception to the Christmas newsletter, which is usually always shot in my home, #HousePiazza) will follow suit and highlight a local boutique in the Greater Metropolitan area of New Orleans or on the Northshore side of Lake Pontchartrain.

The highlighted boutiques will be ones that are not featured in my upcoming web series, yet just as amazing and fabulous.

However, in this particular newsletter, I'm not highlighting a physical boutique but more of a specialty boutique service. For my web series premiere, my guests were all treated to the delicious charcuterie and hors d'oeuvres of my favorite charcuterie food vendor here in

New Orleans.

That would be none other than Ms. Liz Choto of Graze Dat who is my my go to when it comes to executing an amazing charcuterie spread.

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I literally started working with Liz last year at the start of my crowdfunding campaign and events for my web series. I’ve been hooked ever since. Her displays are not only delicious but sooooo well executed!! I call on Liz for every kind of event there is…from delivering fresh charcuterie boards as gifts to my parents and loved ones on their special days (birthdays & holidays). To having her create a large or small charcuterie table for an event I’m having.

Liz is originally from Zimbabwe and has the sweetest personality. I just love her and can’t recommend her services or her charcuterie boards enough. In addition, she went above and beyond for my screening, as she does pretty much every single time I place an order with her.

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I received multiple inquiries from various people that attended my premiere asking for Liz's information. I happily obliged and would now like to share and encourage all of you to be sure to book Liz for your next event. Or, not just for an event, but also for a holiday gathering, a birthday party, an anniversary, game night, football game day, a corporate meeting or even a personal charcuterie board for just yourself.

Let Liz create an amazing, yet delicious Graze Dat spread for you and your guests.

To view the Graze Dat menus and place your orders, click here.

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As I finally begin bringing this newsletter to a close...

 If you're brand new to my blog or to my email list and would like access to content released prior to you joining the Allured By Design® family...

You can always head to the home page of my website and peruse about, where you'll find all of my video content. To head there, click here.

Also, if you'd like access to previously released newsletters from the beginning up until now, in addition to general information about my web series...you can find it all on my links page by clicking here.

Of course, I'd like to remind you all to make sure you're following me on my social media platforms both Facebook and Instagram where I share daily and seasonal home and lifestyle inspiration. 

I'm also on TikTok & now Threads.

And, just in case you didn't catch it the several times I already mentioned it earlier in this newsletter...please be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel where all episodes of my series will be uploaded.

Ya know because nowadays...I can never not mention it enough. Because somebody, somewhere will message or text me saying they didn't know. Even though I've said it only a million times. But there's always just that one, lol.

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As we all get ready to embrace the cooler temps of the Fall Season, as well as the coziness and warmth of our homes...it is my hope for all of us, most certainly for myself, that as busy and hectic as life can be...

I truly hope we will all have some time to slow down, live and just be in the moment. Time waits for no one and this year alone has dashed by within the blink of an eye. So as time keeps on ticking and as each season change, my goal is to try at the very least relish in the moments I'm able to slow down and simply just be.

Also, as I did in last season's newsletter...I'd like to share a prayer with you all to offer encouragement and uplifting words to anyone going through a tough time. Perhaps you need a small reminder that no matter how difficult life gets, no one can upset the plans God has for all of our lives. Absolutely NO ONE!!

We all have a set time and season that God will allow us to claim victory and to bloom. Hold onto that and believe in that.

AFTER THIS

Today's Scripture:

"After this, Job lived

a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation."

(Job 42:16, NIV)

Today’s Word:

Family, there are forty-two chapters in the book of Job, and all forty-two focus on the difficulties he went through, including the loss of his business, his children, his health, and the accusations of his friends. It seems like this struggle was his whole life, but “after this” Job lived over a hundred and forty good years and experienced great joy with his children and grandchildren.

God is showing us that the trouble is temporary, that it’s not going to last forever. You may be in a difficult time, but that’s not how your story ends. That loss is not going to define you. That sickness is not going to ruin the rest of your life. That person who walked away, that bad break, or the unfair situation is not going to stop your purpose.

God has an “after this” for you. After the trouble, there’s going to be great joy in your life. After the loss, after the sickness, after the legal battle, you’re going to see new friendships, new opportunities and new growth. Your story ends in victory.

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You that nothing and no one can upset Your plans for my life. Thank You that You have an “after this” for difficult seasons and my story doesn’t end there. Help me to declare that You live and are on the throne in the tough times.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Wishing you all an amazing Fall season. Stay encouraged, stay thankful and be blessed. And, of course stay fabulous and allured.

As always, thank ya'll for rocking with me!!

I'm forever grateful and humbled.

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Until next time...

⚜️Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler⚜️

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