The Gworls Were Outside Playing In Venice And We're Here For It All
Outside is open for much of the world, and we can all celebrate in our masked glories! And although there are some countries that aren't with the tourism at this time, Italy seems to be welcoming any and everybody with arms wide open. Mainly the celebs of the world, who have been taking advantage of their open borders and living it up, Italian-style.
Famously, celebs such as Serena Williams and hubby, and Ciara and Russell Wilson took the trek over to the land of pasta, for their full-on flex baecations.
Now, a few of the ladies are back, all in the name of fashion.
In fact, this past weekend was the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda fashion show in Venice, Italy, and the stars now only showed up and showed out, but it seems that some new friendships were formed in the process. And listen, the gworls came to play, mkay?! Stars such as Ciara, Vanessa Bryant, Megan Thee Stallion, Queen Normani, Doja Cat, and so many more came to represent in their best dressed and it was everything we didn't know we needed.
In a video captioned, "It's Party Time! @dolcegabbana Venice," Ciara can be seen teaching the ladies Italian en route to the show, singing a few jams, and hanging with A-listers alllllll over the place. And because Ciara is the friend we all need in our lives, of course, there was full-on footage of her supporting her bestie, Vanessa Bryant, as Kobe's birthday passed a few days prior.
Diddy a.k.a. 'LOVE' was all love as his three daughters showed that they get it from mama, Kim.
Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
The Combs twins and Chance all walkedslayed the runway as dad looked and cheered his babies on.
"LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Live from Venice"
The rapper, who currently goes by Sean "Love" Combs, took to Instagram to share a few flicks from Venice, Italy, where 14-year-old D'Lila and Jessie walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana. Diddy shares both children with his late ex, Kim Porter, who died nearly three years ago. D'Lila and Jessie's half-sister, 15-year-old Chance Combs, also made an appearance in he best dressed, which she thanked her dad on IG saying:
"Venice has been AMAZING with my family! Thank you daddy for everything and I'm honored to have been a part of Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show. Thank you @dolcegabbana for having us!!! Grazie! #moarmagic."
Queen Normani shut shit down with a hand-painted number that screamed 'Disney Princess'
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The pop star donned a full ball gown from Dolce & Gabbana's spring 2008 ready-to-wear collection, which she flaunted in a series of photos posted to Instagram by her hairstylist, Ashanti Lation. Sis channeled her inner princess in a green gown and full black tulle skirt that sent the people gagging.
She enjoyed the show alongside Megan Thee Stallion, with whom she previously collaborated on the song "Diamonds" from the Birds of Prey soundtrack, and they each shared videos of themselves seated next to each other on their Instagram Stories, with Normani captioning the clip, "My seester."
Saweetie wore hotel slippers and made us love her even more!
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Saweetie mixed high fashion with the hotel slipper trend yesterday during her time in Italy after her appearance at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda runway show. The rapper was seen at the Excelsior Hotel in Venice with an emerald off-the-shoulder satin dress, which she paired with a jewel-encrusted clutch, crystal hairpins, a silver anklet, a custom necklace with her name, and the most comfortable footwear—hotel slippers. It's giving, 'high-fashion, but make it comfortable.'
Sis knows how to keep the people talking. Here for it!
Other celebs such as Aldis Hodge, Doja Cat, PJ Tucker, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana, and more made the weekend a star-studded one for the books. Dolce, himself, topped it all off by saying:
"I've worked in fashion for 43 years and I've never known anything like that. I can't take the emotion."
Us either, Mr. Dolce. Us either.
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
Reset Your Relationship: How To Start 2025 Strong With Your Partner
As the calendar turns and a new year unfolds, many of us are laser-focused on our career goals, fitness resolutions, and vision boards that outline the journey to our best selves. But amidst all the planning and self-improvement, have you made room for another important part of your life? Your relationship.
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Step 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Step 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
Step 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
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Yara Shahidi Shares Her Formula For Manifesting The Career Of Her Dreams
Yara Shahidi is a walking testimony of what it looks like to live out your wildest dreams, and she has managed to do it all in the harsh limelight of Hollywood without selling her soul. From acting and producing to hosting The Optimist Project podcast with SiriusXM to being a full-time college student at Harvard, now graduate, the 24-year-old has built a career that inspires while staying true to her values.
But how does she balance such a demanding yet "well-rounded" life while continuing to manifest new opportunities?
In a recent episode of The School of Greatness podcast with Lewis Howes, Yara opened up about her unique formula that has been instrumental to her success: following her curiosity. When asked how she manifests things in her life, Yara explained to the host, “There are many different ways. For some of the bigger things, it really is kinda getting downloads and moments of like, ‘Oh, I think that’s next.’”
She added, “Chasing curiosity means that my purpose is constantly unfolding in front of me. All I have to do is pay attention.” She described these intuitive “downloads” as waves of excitement or curiosity, deeper than that, as moments that spark her interest and give her clues about what to pursue next.
"Chasing curiosity means that my purpose is constantly unfolding in front of me. All I have to do is pay attention."
“A lot of what I think I’m interested in tackling comes from a wave of curiosity,” she said. “Like, for some reason, this is grabbing my attention, and I really couldn’t tell you why.” For Yara, those seemingly random sparks often turn into something deeper and more meaningful for the Bloom actress. She even recalled her podcast The Optimist Project flourishing as a result of a seed planted in her mind as a result of those waves of curiosity.
Whether it’s exploring new roles in her career or partnerships in the world of fashion and endorsements, her method of following the lead of those curiosities has led to incredible results.
One story Yara shared illustrated the power of curiosity-driven manifestation. Seemingly out of nowhere, she wrote down every endorsement deal she thought of having, not as a goal-oriented thing, but more so just writing down on a whim different brands that came to her head as a result of the sparks she is often led by.
Two years later, she realized she and her team had accomplished every single one. “It truly starts as this vision board,” she explained as she recounted the power of her and her team’s alignment on their curiosities. By letting her curiosity guide her, she’s been able to align those visions with the right opportunities. “What do we see?” she asks herself and her team, emphasizing the importance of shared alignment and intention in calling in the right opportunities for her life.
Curiosity is more than just a passing feeling for Yara, in fact, it’s a practice. From her TED Talk on the subject to her daily approach to life, she’s made it clear that tuning into what sparks joy and excitement is her formula for success. She noted that the curiosities are the true start of it all and the analytics or the “how” of achieving the goal comes later.
For Yara, it’s simple: let curiosity lead and trust the path to reveal itself.
Her journey reminds us that curiosity is often the key to uncovering our true purpose. By paying attention to what excites us, we can create a life that aligns with our values and dreams. As Yara’s story shows, following our curiosity might just be the first step toward manifesting the career and life we’ve always imagined.
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