This month I’m introducing a new series on the blog compiling a list of my favorite items for the month. This list will include everything from beauty and fashion to lifestyle and parenting products! I’m obsessed with finding and testing new products so why not share my findings with you guys !
I find these list really helpful so hopefully you give something a try ! Let me know if you use or love any of these products. ♥️
*This post does contain affiliate links, which mean I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you if you purchase from my links. Thank you for your support!
ONE: Supergoop City Serum– Yesss Sis WE need sunscreen too! Not only does SPF prevent sun damage that we cannot see, it also prevents your hyper pigmentation (dark spots) from getting darker. SPF has a stigma to be this thick, chalky lotion that is not WOC (Woman of Color) friendly. This SPF is just the opposite, COMPLETELY transparent and super moisturizing + it gives a bomb natural glow !
TWO : Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb– This gloss is definitely worth the hype! This is the first Fenty Beauty product I have tried and I am really impressed. This is perfect for literally all skin tones and is the best everyday gloss. I got the shade Fenty Glow, but I will be picking this up in the Fu$$y shade as well!
THREE: Beringer Pink Moscato– I wouldn’t consider myself a wine connoisseur just yet, but I do love a good cheap wine lol This is really sweet but still has a kick, and for $5 why not give it a try.
FIVE : Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip– I thought all cleansers were created equal, not anymore ! This cleanser leaves my face feeling squeaky clean but also really soft and glowy. After reading the reviews on Sephora apparently the formula changed and people say its only a fraction of quality it once was. To me, it’s great.. but if there’s a formula better than thiss.. Count me ALL the way in..
SIX : Aztec Secret Healing Clay– This mask has been raved about for years and I still love it the same.. Great for a deep cleanse and skin detox! Mix with apple cider vinegar for max results.
SEVEN: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave- In– All my Naturalistas NEED this for your straight hair routine — it’s great for anti-humidity & hold . I used to use this years ago and I just realized again why I love it so much!
This year I am making an effort to only do things that genuinely make me happy and are going to help me reach my goals. Far too often, I feel like we settle for what sounds good right now without really thinking about how it may effect our long-term goals or even influence our happiness.
At the end of last year, I was completely fed up. As a recent college grad, I was experiencing the Post-Grad Depression. I felt unfulfilled in my career, had problems finding a great job that not only aligned with my goals–but paid me what I was worth (MAJOR KEY!), I was LOST! I see sooo many of my college friends and see we are all experiencing the same things! Feeling like we are failing because we don’t fit the cliche’ storyline of how things are supposed to be after graduation.. We are supposed to find a great paying job in our field, get our own place, travel the world, and flex on social media.. lmao.. okay maybe I’m exaggerating but you would be surprised how many people feel that they need to be in a different position in life because of what we see online, TV, or just in society in general. Ask yourself where should you be at this point in your life. Should you have your career job, new car, be married? Now figure out why you should be there? Because someone else is there at your same age, maybe you are pressured by friends and family… if your answer isn’t because of a direct revelation from God or a true realistic goal you had for yourself, you should shift your thinking and refocus your goals! You are not far from where you really want to be.
We all have our own journey and story. So how can I even compare my progress and success against someone else’s successes or failures? It’s IMPOSSIBLE!
After some hard days, and mindful thinking I realized that the “dream” I was chasing wasn’t even my dream at all. I never wanted to work in Corporate America.. 9-5.. I had always dreamed of having my own real estate company , working for myself and creating a business that would not only fulfill me financially, but in every aspect of my life. I’ve always dreamed of a flexible schedule where I can drop my kids off at school, make all their extracurricular activities, maintain a household, and even run my own inspirational blog. When I looked at what I really wanted, then compared it to what I was working so hard to make my reality.. I realized they were two TOTALLY different things.
I allowed fear, other’s perceptions/ opinions, and society to tell me where I should be and how I had to get there. So I did what I thought was best… Quit My Job! Not after some research and real plans of course. I sat down and wrote all the things I wanted in life, the things that are most important to me, and developed a plan to get there. I saved some money and put myself on a realistic schedule. I obtained my real estate license and left my job to pursue my dream.
“BE AS FEARLESS AS THE WOMEN WHOSE STORIES YOU HAVE APPLAUDED.”
Now I know that may not be feasible for everyone, but really ask yourself what can you be doing to get closer to your goal. Maybe you start your company/ business while you are still working and set a financial goal to meet before you go full-time in your business. Maybe you delete some distracting apps (hint: social media) and use the time you would normally just scroll and look at others’ life/ issues and use that time to research, plan your business, and reach out to people already in the field for advice.
There are so many things we can be doing that will put up one step closer to our dreams and our happiness so why not invest in yourself ! You are SOO worth it. I challenge you to really decide what will make you happy in life, where do you want to be in 5-10 years, and make a plan to get there. Life is too short to just live in the moment and go with the flow. Be mindful of your choices and make a change today. Your future self will thank you !
BTW- I am excited to announce that I am now practicing Real Estate full-time!! I recently obtained my license and will be teaming with my mom (Miranda Taylor) as a real estate team to offer our clients the highest level of specialized service to make the real estate process as streamlined and stress-free as possible. My mom has 30+ years of experience in Real Estate and is a licensed Broker in the State of Georgia, and I am graduate of Georgia State University with a BBA in Real Estate and over 4+ years experience in Commercial Real Estate, Investments, and Luxury Homes. If you are interested in buying or selling a home, please contact us for more information and a FREE consultation. We looking forward to working with you!
This Christmas was definitely one to remember! First off, we’re expecting Baby #2!! Even though, I am in my third trimester, this is the first time I am actually talking about for personal reasons… (that could & may be a whole blog post itself). And secondly, this is our first Christmas as a family in our own place. It was so special to wake up and all be together and start our own traditions as a family. If you have read any of my blog posts, you already know I am super cheesy when it comes to Holidays and all the festivities, so I was too excited.
Excuse the clutter.. this is #MomLife fr
This Christmas we spent time with family and mostly just relaxed, but I did want to share a few photos from our Christmas! And don’t mind Ava she picks and chooses when she wants to cooperate with pictures.. lol
I pray you & your family enjoyed the Holiday season as much as we did!
And be on the lookout for more Pregnancy / Baby Posts ! Leave comments if you have any posts or topic you would like me to discuss.
I absolutely love Fall & Winter, the weather, holidays, family time.. I mean what more could I ask for. I recently made a version of my favorite drink from Starbucks– a Caramel Apple Spice, and it turned out so great , I had to share the recipe with you guys. This version is sooo much easier than the copycat recipes I found online because I use pre-made apple cider and I normally find mines at Wal-Mart or Ingles.
I mentioned this drink in my Winter Pamper Routine -here-.. as the perfect winter drink to set the mood for a boujee pamper day, so be sure to check out that post for all my favorite things.
Leave your favorite Winter drink below & let me know how this turns out for you.
Two years ago I would have never guessed that personal pamper days would be so hard to come by. Back in the day, I used to take a nice bubble bath, with a face mask and some wine probably once a week. Now that I never get to do that, I realize how important pamper days really are.
Pamper/ Self Care days are so critical for staying sane. As I am adjusting to adulthood (graduating and working…), I constantly find myself so burnt out that by the time I go to work, take care of Ava and sit down , it’s time for me to go to bed only to wake up and do it all again. This adjustment has been so hard for me, it’s like there is ALWAYS something that needs to be done or needs a little more attention. BUT without self-care, and time to just unwind you cannot be the best version of yourself. By neglecting pamper time, you are not equipping yourself to best handle everything that needs to be done.
So I am making it my goal, to have a pamper day at least once a week, no baby, no bae, just ME. To recover from a busy and hectic week, to take time to care for my skin and body and sometimes just lay in a dark room. This time is going to be so critical to ensuring that I am enabling myself to be the best version of myself.
So in this post, I am going to describe a perfect pamper day, my go-to products at the moment and some motivation to help you make through another busy week ! (All products are linked, just click the name of the product )
** NOTE: This routine is very EXTRA, lol, but after an extra long day/week .. you DESERVE it.. Trust me , you’ll feel great afterwards.. Thank me later ! 🙂
Be sure to share any tips, products, or your pamper routine in the comments. I love trying new things and hearing what’s working for others.
Candless! — Okay this is MAJOR key, I mean what says winter and sets the spa-like mood more than candles. I just recently started buying Bath & Body Works candles… and let me just say they are ABSOLUTELY worth the hype. They have the perfect selection for all seasons and they actually give off a scent.. Super cheap candles from TjMaxx and Marshalls are great, but I haven’t had the best luck with them.. My Fav scent right now is Pumpkin Apple.. Do yourself a favor and pick one up!!
Prepare your Bath – Of course you could just run some water and call it a day.. but again we are being very EXTRA.. I like to add my favorite bubble bath, with about a 1/2 cup of Epson salt or bath salt and a couple drops of of coconut oil. Not only does this smell amazing but you skin will feel amazing afterwards.. You could also just add some body oil if you don’t have coconut oil. I use this one all the time.
Caramel Apple Spice OR Wine- Nothing says boujee bath time with a nice chilled glass of wine. My favorite is Stella Rosa, white, red, you name it.. All of them are BOMBTT.. (S/O to Lex for putting me on lol) But if you are not a wine drinker this Caramel Apple Spice drink is definitely for you, and what says Winter more than that.
Bath Time – Now time for the main event , the time we have been prepping for.. Relaxation!! Play some music or just relax in silence (my fav), reminisce on your day/ week and think of how you can make your next week even better. Think about all you have to be grateful for. ENJOY!
Face Mask – There are literally so many masks to chose from, and I am always looking for new ones to try. My favorite at the moment though is the Amazonian Clay Mask, just mix it with a little apple cider and your good to go!
Moisturize – Super Important step, your skin will thank you later. Recently I have been into body oils, I love how it keeps your skin nice and soft and I think it absorbs better than regular lotions. Here are a few of my favs– Walmart Cocoa Body Oil & this Neutrogena one I hear so much about. Another great moisturizer after a bath are body butters, the Body Shop has my all time FAVORITE. the Vitamin E body butter, not to mention the scent is amazing. (Bath & Body Works option)
Skincare- At this point the mask is off. After a couple minutes the tightening sensation is a little to much to handle lol (not that bad) Now I like to wash my face using my Clean & Clear Wash and my Vanity Planet spin brush . I then moisturize with Clinique Moisture Surge (amazing) and spot treat using Mario Badescu drying lotion and after all this… it’s a MUST that I use my favorite facial spray – Mario Badescu Rose water spray..it leaves my skin refreshed and glowy .. (highly recommend)
Hair – Now by this time, Im TIEDD. lol and with natural hair, there is no way I am going to tackle that. This head needs a WHOLE day to itself..and today is NOT the day lol. But if you want you can deep condition your hair at this step or just prep/ wrap it up for bed.. I’ll be doing the latter. BUT if you want to see my favorite deep conditioners for natural hair , check out my blog post all about it HERE.
Netflix & Relax – The best part, relaxing and catching up on some shows. I am always looking for shows (& movies) to binge watch ! Some of me and Willis’ favorites at the moment are Ozark , Luke Cage, What Happened to Monday, & RHOA . (Leave your favorite shows and movies below for me to check out ! )
Sleeep! – Now the REAL best part, lights out.. Hopefully you are feeling nice and relaxed by this time and you can enjoy some good rest! Taking a few hours to pamper yourself is always a good idea.. I hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I did … Good Night <3
This Christmas was so special! It was Ava’s first , and I was determined to capture as many photos as I could. I’m no photographer, but I do love the way these photos came out! I seriously don’t know how photographers do it, to just get these photos took me forever. Trying to get Ava to look at the camera, smile, and not mess up her hair or outfit was quite a task, but I think they show a little more insight in to Ava’s cute little personality !
Holiday Season is finally here, and I must say I am a little too excited! If you are anything like me, then this is your favorite time of year.. sweater weather, fall activities, Christmas movies and activities, spending time with friends and family.. how could you not love it? Every year I always say all the cute festive things I want to do and usually end up doing nothing at all. Continue reading
It has been a dream of mine to start a lifestyle blog for quite some time now, but somehow I could always find a reason to prolong the launch of my blog. The desire for my blog to be perfect on day 1, making sure my photos were pristine and planning how I would drive traffic to my blog clouded my mind and intimidated me, but not anymore. I am ready to follow through on my personal goals and give blogging its fair shot.
