Ciara one-two-stepped her way into our lives over two decades ago and she's been giving ever since. I remember wanting to be just like her as I entered high school. She was beautiful, talented and an all-around five-star chick. From her style to the way she just seems so effortless, she was all that I wanted to be. To this day, she is still goals. Ciara once said about style, "I believe a person's style is an expression of who you are - way more than dancing."
In December of 2020, she created The House of LR&C, a fashion house that intersects fashion and philanthropy and that's when my love for the ATLien grew stronger. Ciara stated in a press release:
"Fashion has always been my avenue for creative self-expression, and throughout my journey, I've always been looking for a brand that's a one-stop-shop, from investment pieces to budget-friendly items."
The fact that she is using her platform to create a line that can be a woman's best friend in fashion speaks to why she deserves multiple bouquets of flowers. So we are going to do just that. Ahead, find an assortment of Ciara's most memorable looks which makes up one hell of a style evolution.
2005: 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
At the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, Ciara opted for a black satin suit with black open-toed heels. At this point in the game, the singer was still figuring out how to make her mark on the carpet but it was still very fitting for the year 2005.
2006: 48th Annual Grammy Awards
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Fast forward to 2009, you see Princess Ciara draped in a beautiful and delicate white gown. This was also a monumental night as she won her first Grammy for Best Short-Form Music Video for "Lose Control," featuring Missy Elliott & Fat Man Scoop.
2011: 53rd Annual Grammy Awards
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By 2011, our favorite dancer realized her love for high slits. Ciara wore an Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 dress featuring cutouts and an extra-long train to grace the red carpet.
2012: MTV Movie Awards
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Is it us or do we see Ciara stepping into her grown and sexy bag on this red carpet? She brought the heat to the carpet in a red, hot Balmain dress paired with the nude Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' pointed-toe pumps. It's a timeless look that could be worn in any era.
2014: 56th Annual Grammy Awards
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The year is 2014 and the singer is expecting her first child with rapper, Future. We remember being so excited to see her on the carpet with her adorable bump. The pregnant star stole the show in a custom Emilio Pucci gown and her simplistic beauty made for a perfect ensemble.
2015: American Music Awards
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Reem Acra never looked as good as it did on the R&B beauty during the 2015 AMAs. She was a presenter this night and if we recall, we had just fallen in love with her new relationship with Russell Wilson. They made their pro-BAEte at the White House State Dinner earlier that year and we have been stanning ever since.
2016: Billboard Music Awards
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As the co-host of the 2016 Billboard Awards, Ciara had to bring it. She did so in a metallic chain dress designed by Phillip Plein. The sheath-style dress accentuated every curve and gave a new meaning to the side-boob. These Casadei Blade Sandals were also all the rage back then as strappy sandals had a chokehold on red carpets.
2017: Vanity Fair Oscar After Party
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The Vanity Fair Oscar after-party is one of the biggest nights in Hollywood. All of the biggest and brightest stars gather after the Academy Awards to have a party comparable to a night spent with your favorite people eating In-N-Out burgers and drinking Veuve Clicquot while indulging in deep conversations.
Picture Ciara strutting down the not-so-red carpet in this plush velvet, oxblood Jovani Signature gown that perfectly shows off her burgeoning baby bump. She did that. She and her hubby were welcoming their first child together and this was a perfect way to make memories of a beautiful union.
2018: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports
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Ciara is not like regular moms; she's a cool mom. And this is shown to be facts on the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports carpet where the star rocks a Maison Margiela getup with her baby boy and baby girl in tow. We know Ciara to have a boyish-chic vibe since her introduction to the music scene so this is very on-brand.
2019: MET Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes On Fashion
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This look from 2019's MET Gala will go down in history. The Dundas gown is stunning but this hair defined the moment. Interestingly enough, Peter Dundas was once the creative director of Emilio Pucci, an obvious fave of Ciara's. So when she chose this Dundas frock for the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme, it was serendipitous. Her larger-than-life hair was the winner of the night. Diana Ross had to be proud.
2020: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
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It might be safe to say that the mommy mogul loves showing off her baby bump at the premier Vanity Fair event. Wearing Ralph & Russo, the "Level Up" singer made this sheer sequined number look like the ensemble of angels. It screams ethereal goddess and the styling of her hair brought it all together.
2021: 27th Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Celebration
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Looking heavenly in white, Cici donned a Mônot Spring 2022 gown to ELLE's annual event celebrating the achievements of women in entertainment. This year, like many events, was a comeback from 2020 which means the stars shined super bright in their high-fashion garments. Ciara stunned us all in this Ready To Wear piece by Lebanese designer, Eli Mizrahi, dramatized by a thigh-high slit and "gone with the wind fabulous" cape.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image by Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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