A Day in the Life

Arlena has really gotten into singing and practices all the time with the mic and the amp we got her. She's actually not bad.....maybe she'll be the next Ambrel!

Amara has been hanging out quite a bit with her cousin Madison. They were really close when they were little and Madison still lived with us. After Gabby married Taj and they all moved out, the girls weren't as close. Madison is a few years older than Amara but now they are close once again.

Even Amara thinks that Arlena has what it takes to be a success in music. Her and Madison went downtown to Red's Famous Diner only to find that my dad was eating there too! Nothing worse than running into your grandfather when you're out trying to have fun!

Donte has been hard at work building new buildings for the new subdivision of PV Heights. Pleaseantview is growing so much and this new area will give new families starting out a place to call home. I am so proud of him!

I've been writing articles for the Daily View on fashion. It's a way to earn a little extra money. Amara will be going off to school soon and I want her to be comfortable there. I'm sure she'll get scholarships, but we want her to have a little something extra to take with her.

I get up early in the mornings so that I can open up my boutiques. Today I'm working at RJ Taylor - Pleasantview. I do all of the stocking myself so I like to get there a little early. I think it's time that I hired a manager for one of the stores. I can't be in two places at once!

Adam is a wonder with the customers. He's very cordial and they just love him. Maybe I should just promote him.......but I really want to hire a manager for my store in LaQuest Beach. This store is still in the beginning stages and I still need to be here right now.

While Adam is sweet and kind to the customers, I take the direct approach. I let them know how wonderful they will look in my clothes, or in this gentleman's case, how wonderful his WIFE will look in my clothes!

He agrees with me and ends up buying 3 outfits for his wife! She's going to look lovely in them I'm sure. I love being able to sell items that I created. And I love seeing people who feel better about themselves because they were able to get a new look from me!

Carl is still giving stunning makeovers upstairs. I would have liked for him to screw this one up though. This raven haired homewrecker is none other than Kendra Louie, the awful woman who broke up my parents marriage. I can't believe she has the gall to step foot in my store! But it's ok, I won't sully my reputation over the likes of her!

Yet another employee quit today. The cashier overheard me talking about promoting Adam and insisted that she should be promoted to general manager. She's just a cashier for goodness sakes! Adam has experience in sales which is important. She actually just up and quit in the middle of our busiest time!

I finished ringing up the customers myself and closed up early. I am so tired of this! Now I have to start interviewing people again. I just had to hire a new stylist not long ago! I'll be glad when I get a crew that I can count on!

Amara is growing up so fast. In a few years she'll be off to college. I'm hoping that she will want to major in business and take over the stores for me. She has a good eye for fashion and I know she would be able to take over for me. I'll have to have a talk with her about it.

After the day I had, I was more than happy to come home and snuggle up in the hottub with Donte. He always knows what to say to make me feel better when things go wrong. Hmmmmmm.......maybe the day wasn't so bad after all.......

* I cheated and gave the cashier a gold badge in cashiering because she was going entirely too slow and it was taking forever for her to upgrade. I mean how hard is it to ring up customers? Anyhow I guess I didn't get to her fast enough with the increase in salary because before I could do it she quit! Poor RJ just can't find good help!

Time Waits for Nothing

Ok, so haven't been keeping up with this as much as I should.....but hey, the life of a fashionista is fast paced and exciting! Lots of things have been happening in the house of McGaw, so here's a little recap:

Yes, this picture is a bit inappropriate, but come on! My husband is hot! Donte is now the head architect at his firm and I'm so proud of him! He's amazingly creative and I'm sure he will have his own firm soon. I don't know where I would be without him and our beautiful girls....

Things in my boutiques have been alittle crazy. I had to fire my stylist at RJ Taylor - Pleasantview. She had the nerve to tell me that she wasn't making enough money! My clothing line has become a household name now and I have always paid my employees a VERY generous salary.......she just got overly confident! Love to see her get work at another boutique now.......I don't have this much trouble out of my models!

It doesn't matter though, because from her dramatic exit came the entrance of one of the best stylists I've ever had. Carl Weaver is a dream! All the customers love him, and he has yet to have one complaint against him.......so good riddance!

Amara is now a teenager.....she's beautiful isn't she? Donte is pulling his hair out worrying over boys........I told him that as pretty as Amara is, it's impossible for her NOT to have dates.....I don't know what he's going to do when Arlena becomes a teenager....he'll be bald by the time they both leave home! Amara is a very smart girl with her head on straight, so I don't worry about her.....well, not too much!

I gave her a cell phone for her birthday. Now we can contact her anytime she's not at home. It made Donte feel alittle better, but not much. God help the first boy she brings home! Donte will probably sit in the living room with a shotgun on his lap!

Little Arlena isn't so little anymore! She's a curious little toddler who we have to keep a constant watch over! Her room is upstairs so she can't get into too much mischief......but that doesn't stop her from trying her best to get into trouble.....but as cute as she is, who can get mad at her?

Today is her birthday! Donte is out back grilling some hotdogs and I'm inside calling over everyone for her party. It seems like the time is just flying by........it makes me kinda sad.....I mean I know they have to grow up some day, but it all seems to be happening way too fast......ugh, that means I'm getting old, huh?

KD announced to all of us that he's going to marry his longtime girlfriend, Zoe Gonzalez. My little brother is getting married....I AM getting old...my only consolation is that Gabby is getting just as old since we're twins!

Mom and Dad are here, of course. Since dad retired, he's made sure that he is here for every birthday the girls have. I think he feels guilty because he wasn't around much when me, Gabby, and KD were growing up. We all understood that his music took him away. I'm just glad that I have him around now.

And here's my birthday girl! I think Arlena is going to grow up to look just like her sister......so that means that Donte really IS going to pull all of his hair out! I'm just so thankful that I have my family. Truthfully, I never really wanted any kids. I was so focused on my career that I thought children would be in the way of me getting my clothing line out there. But I've been able to balance it all and I'm so greatful that I have them!

KD has really taken an interest in his nieces and nephews. I think he's going to be a great dad when he and Zoe have kids. He's really got himself together. We were afraid that mom and dad's separation would make him want to be a playboy all his life......but he met Zoe and fell head over heels in love with her.......

Zoe has been really good for my brother. She seems like a really nice girl. Gabby and me are throwing her a bridal shower. She's new to Pleasantview and hasn't made many friends since she's been here and we don't want her to miss out.....after all, soon she'll be my sister in law!

Angela and her husband and kids and Ambrel also come over. Ambrel has FINALLY stopped fighting her attraction to this guy she met at school. It was really sad to see her struggling so much.......I blame her jerk of a dad.......she's so afraid that she will end up like mom.....but mom and dad got their acts together and everything is fine now.....Ambrel just needs to let go of the past so she can begin her future........I don't know if this guy of hers is the one for her, but he seems to care a great deal about her and they have alot in common.......I'll check him out a bit more at KD's wedding......I'm sure she will bring him along.

Amara and Arlena seem to be getting along so far......you know how sisters can be sometimes.....hell, Gabby and I use to fight all the time.......we've always been so different......but I love my sister as I love myself......I hope Amara and Arlena have the same kind of relationship.....it's off to a good start so far.......

Dad is like a little kid when he gets around his grandchilden. AJ Taylor is just a great guy.......the world loves him because of the music he made, but his family loves him because no matter how famous he became, or how many mistakes he may have made, at the end of the day, he's always the same man.......he's just as goofy as he was when nobody knew his name......

Can you believe the cops come and break up the party? I mean it's not like we were having some wild party! Arlena is just a child! Geez, that gets on my nerves! I hope they don't try to break up the bridal shower........stupid flashlight cops!

New Addition!

Being pregnant sucks! I love my daughter and I love my new baby, but no more kids for me! I just can't take it! I felt like a whale my whole freaking pregnancy! But now the horrible part is over because now I have.....

Little Arlena McGaw, named after her grandmother Arlen. Donte was a bit sad that we had another girl, but he was happy about the new baby. She is so cute! Not cute enough to make me want another one though! Amara is really excited about having a little sister! She really misses Madison and Matthew and the baby is really good for her.

I love my house! It's so beautiful when the sun is just beginning to come up. Today is Saturday and I am a bit exhausted from little Arlena, so Donte is taking Amara our for a daddy/daughter day. I have some stuff to do at my second RJ Taylor shop later and I need some rest!
As they get into the truck, Amara is asking a million questions about what they were going to do. Donte wouldn't tell her, he simply said, "Today is all about Amara and that's all you need to know!"

He decided to take her to Central Park because she loved being outside all the time. They began playing red hands and Amara looks up at Donte and says, "Dad you know I love you right?" That was the first thing he told me when they returned! His could only respond, "Not as much as I love you kid."

He took her to see the human statue which completely freaked her out! She was amazed and frightened at the same time! Donte gave the man a nice tip for his excellent performance.

Donte twirled her around and around. I've told him not to do that because he knows that she gets sick, but he thinks if he does it before she eats then he'll be ok. She's gonna have to throw up on him before he learns his lesson!

After swinging her all around, they have a little tickle fight. Donte really is a good dad and we were both worried that Amara would feel left out once she realized how much work goes into a newborn baby as well as a toddler. So we decided to take turns making sure she always had enough attention. Didn't need a crying baby AND a pouting child to deal with!

Amara ran into my brother Kyler Dewayne's girlfriend at the park. Zoe Gonzalez is an amazing woman, and I hope my brother doesn't screw this up! She's very independent which means she won't smother him and she's very nice. He is so determined not to have a marriage like our parents had that he is jeporadizing his chance at happiness. I've had plenty of talks with him but he has that Taylor pride and stubborness!

Amara was super excited about Arlena and that's all she talks about!

"Daddy when can I play with my sister?"

"Amara, she's just a baby. It will be a little while before she's big enough for you to play with honey."

"Awwww.......what am I suppose to do until then? Madison and Matt moved away and now I don't have anyone to play with."

"Matt and Madison just moved across the street, you'll see them all the time. And you have other cousins you can play with, you know. Like CJ and Tyler. It's gonna be fine."

"If you say so daddy."

When they were done with lunch, Amara decided to impress her dad with her somersault skills. I've told that girl time and time again that twirling around on the floor in a dress is not ladylike. You think she listens? NO!

While Donte and Amara were out playing, I was at RJ Taylor taking care of something I didn't want to have to do. I hate firing people, I do, but when they stop doing their job they have to go! This is, after all, a business. One that has my name on it! A little off subject, but how's my hair? I mean I dyed it red for a change and I'm letting it grow out. I've had the same style for a while now and need a change. The bangs are hot huh?

Pierre Dumas did not take being fired well. Pierre....his name is Paul. He thinks Pierre gives him more cred as a stylist.....yeah right. It's just stupid, we all know he isn't french! He was coming to work and not even going upstairs to his chair! People were coming to me complaining about how there was no one there to give them makeovers! I really miss Gabby. She used to work as my stylist in the LaQuest Beach store on her off days, but now that she's married, she doesn't have the time. Maybe I need to bring that up again.....

Ah, the work of a fashionista is never done! I need to get back into organizing my fashion show. I put it off because I was being there for my family but I need to start planning it again. I had models lined up and everything! Well, back to work!

Rochella Jalise: Intro

Hey :).....I'm Rochella Jalise McGaw and this is my life! I'm the designer of RJ Taylor fashions and have 2 boutiques, one in LaQuest Beach and one in Pleasantview. I have a wonderful husband, Donte McGaw, who is a successful architect. We have a beautiful daughter named Amara and we are expecting another! My twin Gabriella Elise recently got married and moved out which made me a little sad. We've been living together all of our lives and it's a bit weird living apart. But she's finally happy and so that makes me happy.

This is my wonderful husband Donte. We met in college and got married after graduation. We eloped and got married on Twikki Island, which was so romantic. He really is a wonderful guy. He has to be to put up with my craziness! My business is booming which keep me pretty busy. Between designing clothes, managing two stores, and raising my daughter, he sometimes gets left out. But he always understands and brings me back down to earth when things get crazy.
This is my daughter Amara. She's a budding little fashionista herself! She's a wonderfully curious little girl who is the apple of her father's eye. She really misses her cousins Matthew and Madison since they moved out, but I'm hoping the new baby will help.

This is my first store that I opened up while I was in college. It helps to have a rockstar father with money! I am very proud to say that it is now a level 10 business. I am now working on getting my second store to level 10. I'm half way there! The chain is called RJ Taylor, of course!

I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant again. I leaped into Donte's arms and kissed him. I was never the one who really wanted a big family. I was always so focused on getting my line out there and well known. Then I had Amara and my priorities changed. And changed for the better. I love my little girl and can't wait until the baby gets here!
This is one of the many ads we have done for my line. That's my cousin, Jayla Hammond, modeling the clothes. Her and her sister Angela Curtin are very successful models who thankfully agreed to pose for my ads. She really is a beautiful girl, isn't she?
We recently threw a party for Amara's birthday. This was before Gabby and her new husband and her kids moved out. Amara really had a blast. The little girl in the purple is Gabby's daughter Madison.





The woman up front is my cousin Angela, the model I mentioned before. That's Donte in the white shirt and my brother Kyler Dewayne Taylor in the blue.


Donte decided he wanted to jump in the pool during the party. Everyone soon followed his lead and we had a pool party. But it's getting a bit late and you know how much pregnancy wears on the body! Stay tuned!