flash forward : six months from now.

hi friends!

i know it's a minute since a solid update from me, but i've been seriously thinking about what the next move will be for me will be.

while i'm not worried because i've got faith that i will land a job in new york city, chicago or washington d.c., i just need to make sure that i'm adequately prepared to take on the real world. college these last three years has been such a comfortable cushion, and while at times i would find myself stressed out about an upcoming exam or organization event, it will all be much of a memory six months from tomorrow. (may 14th, 2011 kids, it's coming with a swiftness!)

i guess you could say i'm in this trance of transformation -- i've watched how a number of my peers have grown up and matured in the last few years, and it's just astonishing. i know i've grown a lot since stepping foot on this campus three years ago too, and i know that i've got more growing to do. it's hard to believe that i've accomplished certain things, for somtimes i still feel like i'm that 8-year-old girl fresh off the plane from houston, texas. but like the saying goes, "success isn't a destination, it's a journey." and i've learned to rely much on my faith to fully understand why i have reached the point i am at right now.

that's why recently i've been thinking about somewhat changing my blog, but i think for the longest, i've used this as a medium for me to communicate my thoughts and feelings about the world around me. while i need to be more frequent with my posts (which i will be because writing keeps me sane) i also want to push myself to be even better; have more substance in each of my posts. i've acquired so many tools throughout my college career and now it's time for me to put them to good use.

these next six months will be an interesting ride, but i'm ready to have the time of my life. i can't let any confusion, worry or anxiety hold me back from enjoying the rest of my career here at syracuse university.

for my seniors out there: what are your thoughts on what the next six months holds?

☮ and ♥, 

-*csc.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

hi friends!

the daze of sunshyne will be getting a face-lift over the next few weeks - new layout, fresh content & a lot of different goodies.

in the mean time, catch your daily dose of sunshyne on twitter (@cshantelcooper) and tumblr (limizsunshyne.tumblr.com)


thanks for rockin' with me!

☮ and ♥, 

-*csc.

trying to beat this emptiness, but i'm running out of time...

[this is an open letter to any one who may be going through a tough time right now. i just want to encourage you that things will get better and that after the storm, there is always a beautiful sunshine.] <3


my dearest sister,

it seems like when one of us is hurting we all hurt,  and at this particular moment in time it seems that we are all trying to find our way through this dark space.

i can stand as a witness to say that much is demanded of us on a daily basis. from lousy professors to boastful family members to stupid pressures of society, you are pulled in a number of directions and you feel like 24 hours is never enough time to do it all. but as the good word says, "to whom much is given, much is expected" (luke 12:48).

God has blessed you as a woman to be care giving, hard working, and a lover of and for all. you've been blessed to be this fierce, multi-tasking beauty for the world to marvel and while it may not seem like it, you are appreciated.

whatever the problem may be, trust and believe that you and i will get through it together. that's where our friendship have comes into play. we have to support each other no matter what the circumstance, and i want you to know that i've got your back.

you are a strong individual who is able to conquer and face anything. sure, it may take sometime to readjust and gain composure, but once you've taken that time out you have to get back in the game. like free bird lil wayne has stated, "i know the process is so much stress, but it's progress that feels the best", so keep it movin' forward girl.

as i close, i leave you with a line from a movie that was a staple of our childhood:

"you've got troubles, i've got 'em too. there isn't anything i wouldn't do for you. we'll stick together to see it through, cause you've got a friend in me." :-)

☮ and ♥, 

-*csc.

naturalista update:: my first twist out!

happy monday loves!


so i decided to do something a little different after washing my hair last night, and that was twist my hair and let it set over night. and let me telll you, the results were FAB!

after i washed and conditioned my hair (shampoo: elucence moisture benefits shampoo; conditioners: elucence moisture balancing conditioner and rosemary purifying conditioner by carol's daughter) i toweled dried it and added a little bit of cantu shea butter leave-in-conditioner to it. to give my hair shine, i also use coconut milk by organix. 

the finished twists :)

to twist it, i simply just part a small section with my fingers and two-strand twist it, sealing the ends with raw undefined shea butter. easy, right? once i was done (this took about an hour and some change) i just moisturized my scalp with more shea butter and put my silk cap on. 

right after the twist out - so curly!

this morning, i untwisted my hair to find these amazingly bouncy curlies on top of my head! it was simply terrific. again, i moisturized my scalp with shea butter and added the coconut milk to my hair for shine. to add a little pizzaz to my curls, i used a little bit of eco styler gel (the pink kind) and i was on my way. 

the added hair flower for freshness ;)

i loved the results from my twist-out, and i think it's great way to re-define my curls and make them look fuller. yay for natural hair! *lol*


what are some of your favorite styles for your hair, natural or not? 

☮ and ♥, 

-*csc.

Completely Unacceptable...ASSinine if you ask me *smh*

happy friday to you all!

so i woke up with the intention today of writing about my most recent struggle with choosing to go to grad school or to start my career after graduation...that was until i saw this:

yes you are seeing correctly, there is no need to adjust your screens or refresh your browser. this was an ad placed in the friday sports edition of The Daily Orange, an independent student run newspaper at Syracuse University. What's wrong with it you might ask? Well, let me tell you...

dreams are real, all you have to do is believe.

happy fall everyone!

i know it's been a minute in a half since i've posted, but the school year has officially started! meetings, classes, hanging out with friends - it's reminding me how blessed i am to have such a rich college experience like this. over the last few days, i've witnessed so many of my friends have their dreams come to reality and i thought it would only be right to highlight them. it's also allowed me to put in perspective my own dreams and aspirations, and what steps i need to take in order to achieve them. so without further lining, here we go!

first and foremost, my home-girl Aryn Terry was chosen as one of six young women to be Torrid's House of Dreams winners! she has been granted the opportunity to go to LA at the end of October to participate in a number exciting fashion events put on by Torrid. You can check out her blog emBODY beauty, she is such a beautiful spirit...congrats love!

as many of your fashionable people know, last night started glorious Fashion Week in NYC (one of my dreams is to attend, and I will be going in the near future) and i have the privilege of knowing SO many awesome journalism and fashion students and SU alumni who are down there doing their thing. with too many to name, just know that you are totally an inspiration to me and many others who hope to live that dream some day.

and for my final thought, I recently put out there that i have a very achievable goal that i want to reach by my 22nd birthday (january 18th, 2011 my friends) and by putting that out in the atmosphere for the very first time in my life, i'm starting to see it come true. i've become more conscious about the things that i do put in my body and while i do have a slip-up every now and again, i'm really set on becoming the better person that i want to be. my "quest for 22" will be not mainly about slimming down a few dress sizes, but my growth and maturity over the next four months. i'm so excited for what is to come, and i thank God for the opportunity to be able to continue to share my story and learn from those around me.

and i promise, i will do my best to post at least twice a week to keep you all updated. :)

☮ and ♥, 

-*csc.

apparel : the upperclassmen collection

in case you didn't know, the start of classes is just around the corner! (hard to believe right?) but don't fret! i thought that i would be smart to put together a mini-manual of classic looks that we ladies could rock to class on the daily. now that i am an upperclassmen, (shout-out to  the class of 2011, i see you!) i feel that it's important to look the part in addition to walking the walk and talking the talk. below are just a few selections that you can add to your personal collection from target, francesca's collections, modcloth.com and charlotte russe. i know that we college women are on a budget, but some of these pieces can not only last you all season, but even into the winter months. from cute tops to dressy skirts and cardigans, this mini-collection can give you a few ideas for your fall wardrobe. check it out and let me know what you think!