Caught on iPhone in Beverly Hills, California ✨ and guess what’s playing? ‘Pretty Girl Rock’ by Keri Hilson 🎶—taking us all the way back to our Stilettos in the Kitchen inspired founding WordPress blog days. Full circle moment, y’all!
“Okay, you guys. I have to tell you what happened yesterday, because I genuinely have not stopped smiling since. If you've been part of the Gospel Glamour family for a while, you already know there's one woman who has inspired this little corner of the internet from day one. She was there in spirit when we dreamed this whole thing up, and she still is today. That woman is Shanel Cooper Sykes.
For anyone who doesn't know her yet, let me catch you up. Shanel first got people talking with her YouTube videos on the law of attraction. She had this way of talking about vision, belief, and expectation that made you sit up a little straighter and think bigger about your own life. Then came her Facebook page, Inspiration, which honestly exploded. Millions of people scroll past her posts every day and stop, because she has a gift for saying exactly what your heart needed to hear right when you needed to hear it. As believers, we know where every good and perfect gift comes from, and watching her pour encouragement into people on such a massive scale has always pointed us right back to the Giver.
If you follow Shanel, you also know about one of her most fun traditions. She regularly shares trending posts featuring people who spotted her out in public and snapped a picture with her. These posts are pure joy. Real people, real smiles, real moments of connection, all lifted up on her page for the world to see. It's one of the sweetest ways she honors the community that loves her.
Now here's an important little note, because we want to be respectful. If you're ever lucky enough to spot Shanel Cooper Sykes in the wild, please check in with her directly first about her autograph and photo specifications. She's a real person living a real life, and showing honor goes a long way. Ask kindly, follow her lead, and let the moment unfold naturally. Grace looks good on everyone.
Which brings me to yesterday.
We had just wrapped a shoot in the fashion district. You know the vibe. Sunshine, palm trees swaying, gorgeous storefronts, and that tired-but-happy feeling after hours of outfit changes and "okay, one more shot." We were laughing, a little sweaty, and totally ready for iced coffee. And then, out of nowhere, there she was. The one and only Shanel Cooper Sykes.
I'm not even exaggerating when I say time kind of slowed down. You know that surreal feeling when someone you've admired from a screen for years is suddenly standing right in front of you, real and warm and glowing? That was us. My heart was pounding. I think I said "oh my gosh" about fifteen times. And she was every bit as kind and radiant in person as she is online. We got our photo, our smiles were huge, and I walked away feeling like God had just handed us a little wink from heaven. Like, I see you, and I see what you're building.
Because here's the thing. You can't talk about Shanel without talking about her famous book, Stilettos in the Kitchen. And you definitely can't talk about Gospel Glamour without talking about that book either.
The title alone says so much, doesn't it? Stilettos in the Kitchen. It paints a picture of a woman who refuses to choose between being beautiful and being purposeful. She can be polished and put-together while still tending to her home, nurturing her people, and building something meaningful. The stilettos represent confidence, style, and feminine strength. The kitchen represents the heart of the home, the place where love gets poured out in everyday, ordinary ways. Put them together, and you get a woman who is fully herself, no apologies, and no shrinking.
For so long, women have been told we have to pick a lane. Either you care about fashion, or you care about faith. Either you're glamorous, or you're grounded. Either you're ambitious, or you're devoted to your home. Stilettos in the Kitchen says, sweetly but firmly, that you can be all of it. You can love a good heel and a bold lip and still have a heart fully surrendered to God. You can serve with grace and show up with style.
When I read about the woman described in Proverbs 31, I honestly see a stilettos-in-the-kitchen woman. She's clothed in fine linen and purple. She's strong and dignified. She laughs at the days to come. She works with willing hands, takes care of her household, and makes wise decisions. She's not hiding her beauty, and she's not neglecting her calling. She's walking in both, with strength and dignity as her truest outfit.
That is exactly what Gospel Glamour has always been about, and still is. We are proud proponents of biblical femininity. Not a stiff, outdated version of it, and not a watered-down one either. We believe femininity is a gift God designed on purpose. Softness is strength. Nurturing is powerful. Beauty, when it flows from a heart rooted in Christ, becomes a reflection of His creativity and goodness. We get to dress up, show up, and shine, all while keeping our eyes on Him.
And honestly? The idea of Stilettos in the Kitchen is a huge part of why this blog exists at all. When we first launched Gospel Glamour on WordPress, we were dreaming about a space where women could celebrate faith and fashion side by side. A place where talking about your favorite outfit and talking about your quiet time with Jesus didn't feel like two different conversations. Shanel's message gave us the language for what we felt in our hearts. It reminded us that a woman can be glamorous and godly, stylish and servant-hearted, confident and completely surrendered. That spark is still burning in everything we create here.
So yesterday wasn't just a fun celebrity run-in. It felt like a full-circle moment. The woman whose words helped plant the seed for Gospel Glamour was suddenly right there, smiling next to us on a sunny street after a day of doing the very thing her book inspired us to do. I don't take that lightly, and I hope you don't either. God loves to remind us that the dreams He places in our hearts matter to Him.
Before I go, I want to do something really special. Would you pray with me for Shanel?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Shanel Cooper Sykes. Thank You for the way You've used her voice, her words, and her platform to encourage millions of people around the world. We ask that You would bless her abundantly, in her home, in her family, in her health, and in every area of her life. Surround her with Your peace and Your protection. Let her know how deeply loved she is, not just by the people who follow her, but by You, the One who formed her and called her by name.
Lord, we pray that her influence would continue to grow in ways that bring light, hope, and healing to those who need it most. Give her wisdom for every decision and strength for every season. When she feels weary, refresh her. When she feels unseen, remind her that You see every act of kindness she pours out. May every word she writes and every post she shares be filled with Your truth and Your love.
Bless the work of her hands, Father, and let her walk in the fullness of everything You've designed her to be. Let her be a woman clothed in strength and dignity, laughing at the days to come. We thank You for her, we honor her, and we lift her up to You with grateful hearts. In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us, friends. Go put on your favorite heels, pour your heart into the people around you, and let your light shine. We'll see you in the next post.”
-Ryder