Here are some of my favorites from this week!

These are my new favorite sunglasses, and they were a steal at $10 after sale and coupon!

I have been super stressed lately with studying, working full-time, family, blogging, and traveling. A colleague recommended Breathe, an app that to guide people of all ages and backgrounds through meditations for mindfulness and compassion. When I feel my stress building, I find a quiet place go through one of the 6 minute exercises, it is AMAZING!

The Supreme court voted in favor of same sex marriage and I watched the coverage waiting for something similar to this funny Key and Peele skit:

• Friday, June 26, 2015
• Friday favorites

Friday Favorites

Here are some of my favorites from this week!

These are my new favorite sunglasses, and they were a steal at $10 after sale and coupon!

I have been super stressed lately with studying, working full-time, family, blogging, and traveling. A colleague recommended Breathe, an app that to guide people of all ages and backgrounds through meditations for mindfulness and compassion. When I feel my stress building, I find a quiet place go through one of the 6 minute exercises, it is AMAZING!

The Supreme court voted in favor of same sex marriage and I watched the coverage waiting for something similar to this funny Key and Peele skit:

Read more

Amandla Stenberg, my Woman Crush Wednesday! This young woman gives me life! I love Amandla, and not just because she played one of my favorite minor  fictional YA-novel characters incredibly well (See Hunger Games). But also because of her thoughtful artistry as illustrated by her vocal comments on the issue of cultural appropriation and her Tumblr blog content.

She is really growing into a unique young woman!

• Wednesday, June 24, 2015
• WCW

WCW: Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg, my Woman Crush Wednesday! This young woman gives me life! I love Amandla, and not just because she played one of my favorite minor  fictional YA-novel characters incredibly well (See Hunger Games). But also because of her thoughtful artistry as illustrated by her vocal comments on the issue of cultural appropriation and her Tumblr blog content.

She is really growing into a unique young woman!

Read more

Sorry guys, I have been missing in action. I have been super busy. Just returned from a long weekend in Boston and I always feel drained after flying from one coast to another. Better late that never, so here are some of my favorite selfies:

Though I do need to loose weight and maintain a healthier body weight percentage, I've grown to accept the skin I am currently in more. As seen by this rare full body selfie.

A pop of color.

After the hate crime that happened in Charleston, SC, I was completed overtaken with emotion and found myself crying in the bathroom at work on multiple occasions. The evening it happened, while all other news outlets were business as usual, a select group of journalists on Twitter where keeping me up to date. This facebook post from Thrusday morning summarized how I felt:

Last night it was disgust and rapid fire tweeting, this morning it's tears. Predominately black churches like the one in Charleston, SC are central figures in the historical narrative of many blacks in America. It's more than a place where you check a religious affiliation box, it's sometimes the first institution that doesn't "other" you. Where people don't look at your skin color and place a load filled with fears and assumptions on your shoulders. Where the way you dress or speak doesn't exclude you from opportunity or possibility. Where your meager bank account or lack of prestigious hobbies doesn't exclude you from belonging. Where young women and men from the poorest communities may sit side by side with judges, political leaders and major thinkers. Where the class barrier is broken and the race burden is left at the door. So yes, today it's tears because I understand what was trampled on in the name of hate. So again, it needs to be said that Black Lives Matter.

• Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Chronic Selfie Disorder: Random Bits From June

Sorry guys, I have been missing in action. I have been super busy. Just returned from a long weekend in Boston and I always feel drained after flying from one coast to another. Better late that never, so here are some of my favorite selfies:

Though I do need to loose weight and maintain a healthier body weight percentage, I've grown to accept the skin I am currently in more. As seen by this rare full body selfie.

A pop of color.

After the hate crime that happened in Charleston, SC, I was completed overtaken with emotion and found myself crying in the bathroom at work on multiple occasions. The evening it happened, while all other news outlets were business as usual, a select group of journalists on Twitter where keeping me up to date. This facebook post from Thrusday morning summarized how I felt:

Last night it was disgust and rapid fire tweeting, this morning it's tears. Predominately black churches like the one in Charleston, SC are central figures in the historical narrative of many blacks in America. It's more than a place where you check a religious affiliation box, it's sometimes the first institution that doesn't "other" you. Where people don't look at your skin color and place a load filled with fears and assumptions on your shoulders. Where the way you dress or speak doesn't exclude you from opportunity or possibility. Where your meager bank account or lack of prestigious hobbies doesn't exclude you from belonging. Where young women and men from the poorest communities may sit side by side with judges, political leaders and major thinkers. Where the class barrier is broken and the race burden is left at the door. So yes, today it's tears because I understand what was trampled on in the name of hate. So again, it needs to be said that Black Lives Matter.

Read more

The Pineapple

• Wednesday, June 17, 2015
• Wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday| Preparing Your Locs for Bed

The Pineapple

Read more

The primary appeal of heels over flats is, in truth, all in our minds. Sometimes, a great heel makes you feel more put together and stylish. We are Beyoncé, performing to the packed stadium of life and even though we are about to dance for 3 hours straight, the costume is incomplete without the fiercest of heels. But there are ways to be both fierce and painless.

Though I have the utmost respect for those fashionistas that slay the real-life runway daily with their 1-Million inch pumps, I kind of hate heels. Not all, just the uncomfortable ones, and wedges are excluded from this dislike (of course). But I don’t think people appreciate the value of an incredibly cute flat or kitten heeled shoe!

I am the queen of the comfy shoe selfie on Instagram. I am so proud of my cute and comfortable shoes. I love the color and style variety of my collection and I love the fact that my shoes are not hindering my mobility. I’ve seen women at work who won’t even go to the water-cooler due to the pain caused by simply walking to the other end of the building in those gorgeous yet painful heels.

Here is a little thought liberation; an outfit can be cute and complete with a shoe of reasonable height and endless comfort! I know, this may be hard for some of you! This may even go against your shopping beliefs. But I am here to tell you that flats and kitten heeled shoes can and should be added to your fashion repertoire. 

I'm here to help you, this is how you wear flats well:

• Always have a wearable pair of black flats. There are three things I always have in active rotation, cute black flats, black slacks and a flattering black dress. You can never go wrong with these. The return on investment is epic on those days where you hate everything you own or you oversleep.
• Don't be afraid of color. Nothing spices up an outfit as simple as a white tee and jeans like a bright shoe. This can changes an outfit from boring to miniature high fashion.
• Buy the right size, the point is high fashion comfort. Flats that are too big or small defeat the point! Be especially careful with pointy toes shoes, they can get tricky when attempting to size.
• Price doesn't matter. I know those who love their $200 Tory Burch flats but I mostly spend less that $30.
• Try oxfords, they can be endlessly trendy and wonderfully comfy!

If you need the altitude because your legs are too short or whatever other reason you’ve convinced yourself of, either choose a shoe with a solid bottom like a wedge (which can be both very tall and incredibly comfy) or find a heel with the right combo of height, cushion and incline.

I on the other hand feel just as fabulous in flats!

• Monday, June 15, 2015
• fashion

Heels vs. Flats

The primary appeal of heels over flats is, in truth, all in our minds. Sometimes, a great heel makes you feel more put together and stylish. We are Beyoncé, performing to the packed stadium of life and even though we are about to dance for 3 hours straight, the costume is incomplete without the fiercest of heels. But there are ways to be both fierce and painless.

Though I have the utmost respect for those fashionistas that slay the real-life runway daily with their 1-Million inch pumps, I kind of hate heels. Not all, just the uncomfortable ones, and wedges are excluded from this dislike (of course). But I don’t think people appreciate the value of an incredibly cute flat or kitten heeled shoe!

I am the queen of the comfy shoe selfie on Instagram. I am so proud of my cute and comfortable shoes. I love the color and style variety of my collection and I love the fact that my shoes are not hindering my mobility. I’ve seen women at work who won’t even go to the water-cooler due to the pain caused by simply walking to the other end of the building in those gorgeous yet painful heels.

Here is a little thought liberation; an outfit can be cute and complete with a shoe of reasonable height and endless comfort! I know, this may be hard for some of you! This may even go against your shopping beliefs. But I am here to tell you that flats and kitten heeled shoes can and should be added to your fashion repertoire. 

I'm here to help you, this is how you wear flats well:

• Always have a wearable pair of black flats. There are three things I always have in active rotation, cute black flats, black slacks and a flattering black dress. You can never go wrong with these. The return on investment is epic on those days where you hate everything you own or you oversleep.
• Don't be afraid of color. Nothing spices up an outfit as simple as a white tee and jeans like a bright shoe. This can changes an outfit from boring to miniature high fashion.
• Buy the right size, the point is high fashion comfort. Flats that are too big or small defeat the point! Be especially careful with pointy toes shoes, they can get tricky when attempting to size.
• Price doesn't matter. I know those who love their $200 Tory Burch flats but I mostly spend less that $30.
• Try oxfords, they can be endlessly trendy and wonderfully comfy!

If you need the altitude because your legs are too short or whatever other reason you’ve convinced yourself of, either choose a shoe with a solid bottom like a wedge (which can be both very tall and incredibly comfy) or find a heel with the right combo of height, cushion and incline.

I on the other hand feel just as fabulous in flats!

Read more

Can selfies improve our physical self-image?  I asked myself this very question after one of those epically great selfies; the kind that makes you look twice and ask “is that me?”

To get briefly technical:

Self-image is how you perceive yourself. A person's self-image is the mental picture, usually resistant to change, that depicts not only details that are potentially available to objective investigation by others (height, weight, hair color, gender, I.Q. score, etc.), but also items that have been learned by that person about himself or herself, either from personal experiences or by internalizing the judgments of others. A simple definition of a person's self-image is their answer to the question "What do you believe people think about you?".

I’ve never considered myself beautiful, my mother was always very critical of me as an adolescent and I internalized a great deal of her words for many years. Boys rarely chased me and a select few really sweet guys wrote me love notes or professed their undying teenage crush status to me, but I viewed those as personality not physically driven. Though I’ve kissed half a dozen boys, I’ve only had two real serious relationships my entire life and they affirmed my attractiveness, but I believed their judgement was biased by love.

• Thursday, June 11, 2015
• Selfies

Can Selfies Improve Our Self-image

Can selfies improve our physical self-image?  I asked myself this very question after one of those epically great selfies; the kind that makes you look twice and ask “is that me?”

To get briefly technical:

Self-image is how you perceive yourself. A person's self-image is the mental picture, usually resistant to change, that depicts not only details that are potentially available to objective investigation by others (height, weight, hair color, gender, I.Q. score, etc.), but also items that have been learned by that person about himself or herself, either from personal experiences or by internalizing the judgments of others. A simple definition of a person's self-image is their answer to the question "What do you believe people think about you?".

I’ve never considered myself beautiful, my mother was always very critical of me as an adolescent and I internalized a great deal of her words for many years. Boys rarely chased me and a select few really sweet guys wrote me love notes or professed their undying teenage crush status to me, but I viewed those as personality not physically driven. Though I’ve kissed half a dozen boys, I’ve only had two real serious relationships my entire life and they affirmed my attractiveness, but I believed their judgement was biased by love.

Read more

Loving and caring for my skin is not a chore or temporary trend, it's a way of life. I've seen the difference its has made for women in their 40's and older, and I'm trying to age like J-Lo, because arguably, J-Lo at 40 is sexier than Jennifer Lopez at 20 (in all her back up dancer glory)!

Whether you're just creating or even changing your current routine, it's best to keep it simple and commit to things you are willing and able to execute regularly. My routine is simple enough that even oversleeping is not reason enough to skip it.

Here is what I do EVERY morning:

Cleanse- I use a moisturizing probiotic gentle cleanser from Andalou Naturals. It is literally like washing my face with angel tears. It's heavenly and miraculous!

• Wednesday, June 10, 2015
• natural products

5-Minute Morning Routine

Loving and caring for my skin is not a chore or temporary trend, it's a way of life. I've seen the difference its has made for women in their 40's and older, and I'm trying to age like J-Lo, because arguably, J-Lo at 40 is sexier than Jennifer Lopez at 20 (in all her back up dancer glory)!

Whether you're just creating or even changing your current routine, it's best to keep it simple and commit to things you are willing and able to execute regularly. My routine is simple enough that even oversleeping is not reason enough to skip it.

Here is what I do EVERY morning:

Cleanse- I use a moisturizing probiotic gentle cleanser from Andalou Naturals. It is literally like washing my face with angel tears. It's heavenly and miraculous!

Read more

Busy past few days, with many more to come! I was able to capture a few selfies here and there.

• Monday, June 08, 2015
• Selfie

Chronic Selfie Disorder: 1st Week of June

Busy past few days, with many more to come! I was able to capture a few selfies here and there.

Read more

Here are some of my favorite random bits from around the web:

Humor
I love YouTube and make it a habit to watch a dozen or so how-to, fashion and hair videos every week  (I even occasionally post original content). So I can affirm the satirical accuracy of this video!



Fashion

I'm so inspired by The Werk Place's tastefully sheer wedding attire, you might see me in something similar in the months to come...

• Friday, June 05, 2015
• Friday favorites

Friday Favorites

Here are some of my favorite random bits from around the web:

Humor
I love YouTube and make it a habit to watch a dozen or so how-to, fashion and hair videos every week  (I even occasionally post original content). So I can affirm the satirical accuracy of this video!



Fashion

I'm so inspired by The Werk Place's tastefully sheer wedding attire, you might see me in something similar in the months to come...

Read more

Why is toning so important? The right toner can:

• Shrink pores
• Prevent in-grown hairs (because of glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids)
• Moisturize
• Refresh skin (removes dirt and oil so it can be used instead of washing from time to time)
• Add a layer of protection (tightens skin cell gaps preventing additional bad stuff from penetrating skin)
• Balance pH, where soap disturbs pH due to alkaline levels and triggers oil production, toner brings it back to desired levels faster and prevents that dreaded oily skin

Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel is the first product I acquired for my first official skin care regime. Three years later, I still use and love Thayers aloe vera formula because it's alcohol-free, soothing, with truly (not figuratively) natural ingredients.

• Thursday, June 04, 2015
• giveaway

Natural Skin Care: The Magic of Toner

Why is toning so important? The right toner can:

• Shrink pores
• Prevent in-grown hairs (because of glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids)
• Moisturize
• Refresh skin (removes dirt and oil so it can be used instead of washing from time to time)
• Add a layer of protection (tightens skin cell gaps preventing additional bad stuff from penetrating skin)
• Balance pH, where soap disturbs pH due to alkaline levels and triggers oil production, toner brings it back to desired levels faster and prevents that dreaded oily skin

Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel is the first product I acquired for my first official skin care regime. Three years later, I still use and love Thayers aloe vera formula because it's alcohol-free, soothing, with truly (not figuratively) natural ingredients.

Read more