Black Creatives - Lexington, KY
December 22, 2019
Ciara LeRoy of Pretty Strange Design slid into my DMs one evening and asked if I'd be willing to participate in a photoshoot she was hosting for black creatives who are oft-overlooked in the city (my city/ my hometown) of Lexington. Without hesitation, I replied with an enthusiastic yes and it set into motion what we would be the meeting of minds, ideas, collaborations and unbeknownst to me at the time, the beginning of a movement.
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| Ciara LeRoy - artist and Black Creatives organizer extraordinaire as shot by Amani Nichae of Honey Sage Photo Co |
EVERYTHING about this gathering was black AF. Every creative featured including the photographers, down to the hostess/owner of the event space named Peri Ave which also functions as a space for the NoLi (North Lime) community and city of Lexington at large. All black-owned and black orchestrated.
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| Me pictured with Danielle Meadows-Stinett of Octane Designs and MTG Podcast (co-host), Aisha Nwandu owner of Kentucky Bloggers |
As you know at ANY and EVERY black event there MUST be food. Here is a look at the spread curated by Ciara.
THIS is the type of community I needed when I was 18. This is what I needed to see when I was growing up trying to figure out where my lofty and seemingly odd dreams and aspirations could fit in. I needed to see beautiful, successful, artistic, off-the-beaten-path black people doing things I wanted to do or at the time didn't even know existed.
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| Me in my usual grinning element as shot by Amani Nichae of Honeysage Photo Co. |
Ciara did more than just create a gathering space for some black folk that day, she helped to highlight just a portion of the talented black people that exist, work, thrive, uplift, build, create and contribute to the Lexington community at large. Her goal was to give us visibility in our own city, in a city where the same types of people are usually well represented on the same types of platforms. Lexington is a diverse city and it does a disservice to the people of all colors who have helped to build, grow and contribute positively to our town when we're not acknowledged.
Venue: Peri Ave owned by Maya McCutchen @periavelex (IG)
Organizer: Ciara LeRoy of @prettystrangedesign (IG)
Photographer: Amani Nichae of @honeysagephotoco (IG)
Black creatives (Instagram handles): @csevolutionofstyle @_martibarksdale @porschalynette @what_shayna_say @anonimuss_rose @samanhattanpr @somaisaias @octanedesigns @busticebonez @ky_ambassador @prettystrangedesign @lafetaylor @honeysagephotoco @_forgottenmagic @aishadaobi @geminisrvng @periavelex
Me and #SomebodySon
December 17, 2019
*Originally written 12/17/2019...published 2/11/2020*
As the Universe/God would have it. The man who I was meant to be with hadn't even crossed my path upon writing my September entry. Much has transpired since that post. I subsequently found out some hurtful details about my then-boyfriend and ended things. I had to realize that I want and deserve better and move on to something better that was right around the corner.
As the Universe/God would have it. The man who I was meant to be with hadn't even crossed my path upon writing my September entry. Much has transpired since that post. I subsequently found out some hurtful details about my then-boyfriend and ended things. I had to realize that I want and deserve better and move on to something better that was right around the corner.
I then got hyper in tune with the type of man I had been calling into my life vs the type of man I actually wanted. I set my intentions on the new moon that followed and I literally prayed that I would stop "kissing frogs" so to speak. Thinking, well next year will finally be my time and I would just focus on myself and my goals.
Then, it happened. I met R. He came out of nowhere. I wasn't looking for him to come into my life so soon, but I now know that's exactly how things were meant to be all along. From our first conversation to our first 3-hour phone call to our first date to me never wanting him to leave, I knew something and everything about him was different. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile, I light up when he's around and he does the same. He is positive, he is genuine and he is real. We can talk about any and everything. He loves kids, has his own and wants more. Liam likes him. He came home and met my family for Thanksgiving and fits right in.
Nothing about my relationship with him is forced. While I was overzealous to finally have a man show up for me earlier this year, R does that in word and action. Not only do I know he will do anything for me, but he made his intentions known from day 1. He wanted me to be his and vice versa. Nothing is ever forced, everything has and continues to flow naturally. It's the most natural transition I've ever had from mine to ours. THIS is what I've dreamed about, written about and manifested all this time. He's finally here.
For the first time in my adult life, I can breathe a sigh of relief because the man I asked for and waited for has finally made his way to me. I'm still truly amazed by how wonderfully and divinely things in life work out.
Knowing that we had found our forever in each other, we solidified out love in a ceremony at our home in front of a handful of family and friends. We became husband and wife on December 31, 2019.
Here's to my forever man crush Monday, forever Valentine, best friend, lover and confidant all rolled into one. Here's to the man picked directly from the pages of my Manifestation. From 2019 til forever.
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
2019
31
autism mom
dear future husband
don't kill my vibe
love
my husband will be lit
my marriage will be lit
no negativity bih
self care
single mom
Heart Chakra Open AF
September 23, 2019
I blogged before about self-sabotage and the negative effects it can have on your mentality and your life. Those feelings of unworthiness and flight began to set in for me this weekend. Although I didn't tell my new beau about these things at the time, I had to sit back and process why I was triggered and what I could do about it. To give a more in-depth understanding of how I was feeling, I first have to give you the break down:
1) December 2018: I decided that I was tired of the type of love I had been receiving and knew I deserved more. I signed up for a free challenge/FB group with a relationship with a coach named Crystal Irom. From this free class with Crystal, I eventually signed up for a 6 week paid course called Magnetize Your Match. She gave tips and tricks on how to hone in and be very specific about the type of man you want. We started with inner work on ourselves because you have to be right within or on that path to expect/call in someone of the same caliber. We were very broad about what we wanted in a partner and I made a list of about thirty or so qualities that I wanted in a man. By the end of the course, I had narrowed that down to five things that were non-negotiable for any man that I would enter into a romantic relationship with.
2) January 2019: With my vision board already completed and my intention set for the year, I decided that 2019 would be the year that I met and found my husband. A couple weeks after making this proclamation I met J. From the day of our first date until now we have talked every single day.
Early on I knew that there was something special between us and that he was unlike any man I had ever dated before. He's kind, he's genuine, he's handsome, he cares about me and shows it and I can ask him to do anything and I know that he will at least try to help me out. These are the qualities I truly appreciate about him and I'm so thankful that I manifested him into my life.
3) January 2019- present: Even after months of daily phone calls/texts/Snaps, spending time together, going on dates, cooking together, talking about our lives and our plans, he was hesitant to make the move from being friends to a relationship. We were finally able to have a heart-to-heart about that situation and made our relationship official last week. As someone who has dealt with more than one bad relationship, I understood and still understand his hesitation. It is a very hard recovery process to heal yourself and your heart when someone has done you dirty. But I knew then and know now that he is very special.
So over this past weekend, I began to have doubts. After how highly I've spoken of this man and how I feel about him, I began to wonder if I really wanted to be in a relationship at all. I took things slow with him on purpose and did things differently because I didn't want to get caught up in the wrong things and I wanted to make sure I knew the person that was coming into my life and eventually Liam's life too. He agreed to take things slow and never made it out like it was a problem. So there was never a doubt in my mind about how he felt about me judging by his words and actions. So where was this doubt and fear coming from?
After about a day of reflection, I realized that I'm not so much afraid of rejection or being broken up with. I am afraid of again being the person that heals a man and gets him ready for the next woman. I am afraid of pouring my heart and myself into another man and not receiving that love back. I am afraid of being too vulnerable and open to someone just to have it all fall apart and start from scratch with someone new. Of course, this realization came with a downpour of tears.
At that moment, I fully understood why he was hesitant to be in a relationship in the first place. In his most recent and past experiences, things start off good, progressed fast and furious then things fell apart. He's a giver, a hard worker and puts his all into relationships. In my experience, I see the good and the potential in someone and want to help them to grow and develop because that is my love language. I'm also a giver, I'm loyal and I want a partnership. In 15 or so years of dating and a couple of serious relationships, I have never gotten back as much as I put in. Not even close.
It's truly amazing the depths of the damage that we carry with us. I truly believed that I had sorted through most of my relationship blockages. I now realize that it's something that's going to take more time and I will have to truly do the deeper work to get to where I need to be. Shout out to one of my bffs Myia for being the voice of reason and other side of the coin that I needed to see things differently.
I'm not looking for J to heal me or save me and it's not my intention to be that for him. If anything I hope to show him the same patience, kindness, and care he has shown me through. I'm looking forward to our relationship growing and developing into a lifetime of adventures, becoming a family (adding some members to that family as well), obstacles that we shatter, love, compromise, commitment, and most important choosing to work on these things daily together. Not relying on the other to bring us joy, but cultivating it from within and sharing it with one another.
I'm not looking for J to heal me or save me and it's not my intention to be that for him. If anything I hope to show him the same patience, kindness, and care he has shown me through. I'm looking forward to our relationship growing and developing into a lifetime of adventures, becoming a family (adding some members to that family as well), obstacles that we shatter, love, compromise, commitment, and most important choosing to work on these things daily together. Not relying on the other to bring us joy, but cultivating it from within and sharing it with one another.
What is the vision you have for your next relationship? What do you desire in your future partner? If you've already met them, what about them do you love and appreciate?
"God Work Magic In My Life"
September 8, 2019
1) ANYTIME I have ever had a rough patch/challenge ahead/wtf am I going to do type of moment God and the Universe have ALWAYS made a way. Unequivocally and literally always at the time it needs to be.
2) I worry too damn much lol.
So I had to sit out this Fall semester because my school bill was way too high "I had to cuttt iiitt" and y'all know the funds for school come directly out of my pockets...so yeah. I was left with these options:
a) Unenroll from school completely for an undetermined length of time to save money.
b) work 50-leven jobs so I could get the money I needed to not only pay school but continue to pay all my other bills
c) start trappin' or strippin' lmfao.
None of those make sense to me in the grand scheme of my 5-year plan. What's a girl to do? I prayed, cried, prayed, stressed, worried and then finally, relaxed. In doing so, two new opportunities presented themselves in a way that will potentially allow me to be able to pay for school, pay my bills and not have to work all.the.damn.time like I have been doing and continue to do. I can't divulge details just yet, but just know that God/the Universe is outchea workin' y'all.
It's cliche, it's trite, but it is so TRUE: what's meant for you will be for you. I truly don't believe we are set up to fail in life. I believe we have obstacles and challenges to overcome, but in the end do they not make use better? If we rise to the occasion, do they not eventually bring out the best version of ourselves?
It's cliche, it's trite, but it is so TRUE: what's meant for you will be for you. I truly don't believe we are set up to fail in life. I believe we have obstacles and challenges to overcome, but in the end do they not make use better? If we rise to the occasion, do they not eventually bring out the best version of ourselves?
There is magic brewing in the air y'all and it's trickling down to me and can be all of ours for the taking. I keep looking back at my life just one year ago...I was stagnant, just getting out of a relationship that made me miserable, I was busting my ass tryin' to pass my Nursing classes and I was seemingly stuck in a job that not only drained my mental energy but that no longer suited my needs other than a paycheck. I was stuck in a warp of constant mental drain and I was losing touch with myself.
But then it happened, the shift. Doors opened up. I got an additional scholarship and gained a Nurse mentor, I got a new more fulfilling job and everything fell into place. To see my evolution from then to now truly allows me to see all the bullshit was worth it. THIS is a small piece of my continued glow up. I pray often and just ask God to take care of me and Liam, my family and friends and even Luna and to just allow me to walk in my purpose and not only bring something more to the world, but be the best version of myself that I can be.
But then it happened, the shift. Doors opened up. I got an additional scholarship and gained a Nurse mentor, I got a new more fulfilling job and everything fell into place. To see my evolution from then to now truly allows me to see all the bullshit was worth it. THIS is a small piece of my continued glow up. I pray often and just ask God to take care of me and Liam, my family and friends and even Luna and to just allow me to walk in my purpose and not only bring something more to the world, but be the best version of myself that I can be.
I promise y'all that nothing in my life is perfect. I have so many things I'm working on, so many ways that I am trying to do to be better, much work left to do on myself, in my life and for the people I love. But I have heart and I have faith. I have faith that things will always work how they are supposed to and when they are supposed to. I have faith that when I ask I will receive and that I had better have my ass ready lol.
How are you preparing to receive magic/blessings in your life? What can you do to be better prepared to receive them? This week take ONE actionable step towards being receptive to abundance and leave a comment about what you're working on!
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
On Self-sabotage
September 4, 2019
I have had three days in a row off from ALL my jobs and have had some time for deep introspection. I've needed this time for a while and am glad that I took this time for myself. My previous post was about fear and I now have to expound on that reflection and explain the damage that self-sabotage has done in my life.
A few years back I got super serious about my health and was able to lose 75 lb over the course of a year and a half. Self-sabotage helped me to gain it all back and then some. It allowed me to crush my personal fitness goals, get back in touch with myself and then lose it all because I wasn't confident in myself or my abilities.
There is no doubt in my mind that I will always be considered "overweight" in the medical community, but even by my own standards, I am currently teetering on the edge of being unhealthy and endangering my life by inviting in a myriad of hereditary health problems. I realized a couple years back that my weight has been my shroud. It has kept me safe and buffered me from whatever my fears were. It has allowed me to know I'm pretty, but maybe not as pretty as some other girls solely based on my body, my weight.
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| totally have the RBF down lol |
If I was somehow given the permission to be the best version of myself in all aspects...what would that mean? It would mean that I would be unstoppable. What would that look like in my life? There would not be a goal I have that I couldn't reach. But I don't need the permission from anyone but myself. Allowing myself to not be in the best shape I can be is a way of self-protection. A way to keep me out of the spotlight, a way to continue to hide. Perhaps it stems from some deep-rooted trauma or maybe I have just conditioned myself to not stand out. Whatever the case may be, I have to overcome it. My life and the trajectory thereof depends on it.
To put the extent of my self-sabotage into perspective. Since February this year, I have had a membership with a personal trainer for group fitness. My plan allows me to go two times a week (originally three times) and I might make it twice a month. Back in June in order to get Liam into the YMCA summer camp, I joined there as well and have been paying a household membership ever since. I have used the gym facility once.
I don't meal prep, I don't schedule these things into my life. Not because I'm lazy per se, but because I know that doing these things will force me to change my habits. Doing these things will force me out of my comfort zone. That's the key. My greatness, your greatness lies outside of our comfort zones. When you have to dig deep and find the strength/courage/drive within yourself is when you step outside of what's comfortable and familiar. When you push yourself to and outside of your self imposed limits is when you thrive. It's at that moment I will be able to (re)lose 85 lb, be the best mother, be a successful entrepreneur, be an amazing nurse and manifest and cultivate all of the good things and blessings into my life.
So today I ask you what are you doing that's keeping you from your goals and from being the best version of yourself?
Most importantly, what the hell are you going to do about it?
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| me judging you whilst you make a decision lol |
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
2019
2nd degree nursing student
31
blackgirlmagic
bougie beauty babe
finesse these finances
living my best life
lpn
nursing school
single moms
On Fear and Failure to Launch
August 31, 2019
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| photo: Kat Wagers Studios |
As of today's date, I am about 2 months into my Nursing career as an LPN. It's kind of crazy! As y'all should know about me by now, I am eternally restless. I am always ready to tackle and complete the next goal in my life. I have not taken the time to even post a well thought out post until now. I feel like a lot of things are becoming more apparent to me the longer I live and learn more about myself. The main thing is that I am supposed to be an entrepreneur.
I have slowly but surely been planting the seeds and preparing myself to head in that direction since I was 18 or 19. I am a lifetime learner who enjoys learning for the sake of learning. As I progress in my career and my life path, it's just obvious. I like control of my schedule and I hate to feel boxed in by work schedules, I enjoy doing many things and I don't like doing the same types of things daily. Most important is the fact that I like to have direct control of my earnings. I feel like my work or lack thereof should directly affect my earnings. That can only fully happen when you work for yourself.
It may explain why I have never been 100% satisfied with any job I've ever had. In that same vein, I make sure to maximize every learning opportunity from any job I have and have had. But now, I think it's finally time to step into my season of true entrepreneurship and being my own boss.
So, I took a personal inventory of some of the things that have blocked me in the past:
1) Fear (of failure, success, who knows?). Fear can be paralyzing and keep you in once place for much too long.
2) Lack of support/feeling of support. I feel like there is only a shortlist of people I can talk to about my business. My family is kind of supportive at a distance, but I have never had anyone in my life be really gung-ho about me starting a business/being an entrepreneur. I don't need anyone's approval, but it's always good to have moral and other support. In that same realm, I know my mom is more of a passive supporter. If I'm running a business and ask her to help me do some things, I know she would.
3) Lack of follow-through. Back in Spring 2016, I decided it was my time. I had a supplier, had invested money in hair to wear and try, a website, twitter account, IG account for my now-defunct Liam Luxe Virgin Hair and NOT a single sale. I kind of gave up and put it on the back burner to finish Nursing school.
What's different this time? I have to do this. I'm not happy with my current financial situation, I'm not happy with the current trajectory of my life and I'm finally ready and willing to put the muscle behind the movement. This is apart of a complete overhaul of my life. Yes, I am still going to get my RN degree and yes I still want to become a Nurse Practitioner. But in 2019 and for a few years now, multiple streams of income has been the name of the game. I need savings, healthy retirement fund and some better financial management. My finances, my health, my education and the way I'm currently progressing through life are not up to the standards I would like them to be. So it's that time again folks, a new season, a time for reinvention and most crucial, a time to become who I've always been meant to be.
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| photo: Kat Wagers Studios |
*Cheers to a new business, a better me and living my best life as Cicely Nurse & Entrepreneur*
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
#IssaNurse
June 29, 2019
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| shirts courtesy of https://www.blacknurseskillingit.com/ |
It became official on June 27, 2019! I'm now Nurse Cicely, LPN! I passed the NCLEX-PN in 85 questions and on the first attempt. I am also completing my first 2 weeks working at my first job as a Nurse in a Dermatology office. I truly enjoy what I'm doing and everything still seems unreal.
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| work attire |
And because y'all KNOW I'm an overachiever, I was accepted into WKU's LPN to RN program and will begin class July 8 and then I'm slated for grad August 2020. Then, I plan to start my MSN program Spring 2021 at my 1st choice Northern Kentucky University or pending wherever I may live/want to live at the time.
It's still so surreal. This degree came through blood, sweat, and tears. I remember being at Dillard's contemplating the direction of my life and finally deciding to finish what I start. I remember a year ago being told I was being to put to part-time at Cos Bar and wondering how in the hell I was going to pay my bills! Remembering that at that point I promised myself I would never work in retail cosmetics full time again and that I was going to finish this damn degree and the next two degrees by any means necessary. Here I stand a year after deciding that my days giving myself full time to jobs that didn't value me were over and I can now get a job almost anywhere.
I try not to downplay the things I have been through because usually when I get THROUGH them and TO the other side I am just so relieved to be done that I don't want to reflect on the shit I dealt with to get there. But it deserves to be recognized and celebrated!
What I Lost:
A crumbling relationship
good credit score (because I didn't work full time for 6 months)
lots of sleep
my social life
time with my son
almost my sanity lol
What I gained:
the ability to work in my dream career
the ability to be the sole financial provider for me and Liam
rebuilding my financial stability and credit
the ability to move/work almost anywhere
a renewed sense of purpose
the reassurance that I truly CAN do anything
the confirmation that I'm on the right path in all areas
more confidence in myself and my abilities
a Nursing license!!! (1/4 hurdles to get to my end goal of being a Nurse practitioner with a DNP)
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| the smile you have when life ain't perfect, but it's worth it |
So it continues...Cicely, RN loading :)
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
Through the Fire...Almost Nurse Cicely
May 2, 2019
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| photo by: Amani Nichae |
These last 16 weeks of my life have been hell! I tried to summarize them in a lighter tone, but there is none! Not a one. Med Surg I & II kicked my ass up and down the classroom. By the time finals came around in both classes, my grade was teetering on the edge of glory. That one last test stood between me and the rest of my life. It was by the grace of God and points for difficulty that I am standing here now.
I can say as of today May 1, 2019, only the NCLEX-PN stands in my way of true Nurse Cicely glory. I can NOT formulate the words to express how relieved, emotional, elated, proud, happy, excited, invigorated I feel.
Life has been tough lately. I recently saw a post on a friend's IG that talked about an episode of Grey's Anatomy where she stressed the importance of having people. We ALL need people, we were not meant to navigate this world alone and that struck a chord within me. While as I single Mom I shoulder the brunt of the work, my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, my friends, Liam's babysitter and so many other people that know and love us HELP. Luckily, since Liam has been in ABA therapy life with Autism has been so much smoother, but it's not always easy. I thank God for all the wonderful people that love and accept Liam just how he is. Despite and maybe because of Autism, he is a quirky, fun, smart, charming ray of light in my life and in the lives of others.
Without their help, this is NO WAY I could have done it. There is no way things could be as amazing as they are now. I have an amazing village of people. So many people tell me that I inspire them without knowing that a lot of the time without their encouragement, listening and just rooting for me that I don't always feel like DOING IT! My classmates, coworkers, former coworkers, instructors, clinical instructors, family friends, the man I've been seeing, family, Liam, my closest friends have ALL been pulling for me and pushing me when I didn't know if I had any more in me.
I got so mentally and physically exhausted sometimes. I got overwhelmed. I got frustrated. Nursing school pushed me to the limits and without my tribe, I truly don't know how I would have made it! Here I am still standing.
I did my practicum (final clinical rotation) in the Brain Injury unit of Cardinal Hill which was a complete deviation from what I originally picked, but it really worked out for the best. I got to have a pretty awesome preceptor and meet some wonderful patients and reconnect with some former classmates. So while women's health is still my passion, I certainly learned a lot and have a newfound respect for the nurses and techs in BIU.
I really can't believe the 2nd chapter of my Nursing school journey is coming to a close and it's still surreal to know that May 3, 2019 (about 6 years to the time when I originally started my RN journey) I will be a Nursing school graduate. It's wild.
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| #IssaNurse photo by: Amani Nichae |
2019
31
blackgirlmagic
bougie beauty babe
my husband will be lit
my marriage will be lit
parenting
single moms
treat yo self
weight loss journey
Vibrating Higher - The Art of Leveling Up
February 25, 2019
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| Working from within, glowing from within |
Thanks to Ciara, the phrase "Level Up" is back full force in our daily vernacular and her message couldn't possibly be more timely in my own life. I took a cold, hard look at my 2018 and said "Biiiihhhhhh, you gots ta do better". I have always worked hard towards my goals and even when I have fallen short, I have always been one to find the silver lining in my mishaps.
2018 was a year filled with lots of Ls. The majority of them were personal. At the close of 2018 "I said self, we are going to do things differently. We are going to get our shit together this year and come for everything you've ever dreamt of and more. From now on, it's go-mode towards my wildest dreams"
Leveling up to me means being more positive and optimistic, being the best mom to Liam I can be and also elevating myself to the highest vibration I can. All of these things are something I have to work on daily. At 31, I am finally in a place where I am investing in and working on myself on a regular basis. I want to share with you some of the practices I believe are essential to propelling forward and vibrating on a higher level:
1) EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) - I was introduced to the Tapping Wizard, Brad Yates via a friend back in 2015 via YouTube. I had heard of tapping, but it was never really on my radar. I use it daily to get myself in a positive and receptive mindset. If you don't know what EFT is, it is a technique used to balance your energy system. You literally tap on pressure points in your body with or without repeating mantras that clear blocks and elevate your spiritual vibrations. YouTube Brad Yates. There are many gurus and professionals out there, but I have grown accustomed to Brad and his style and had the chance to see and tap with him live in Cincinnati, OH in October 2018 with my friend Kristin.
2) Workout/Physical activity - there is no better way to look, feel and be better than to work and work out your body. Since being back in organized workouts these past two weeks, I feel so much better. I am not as fatigued and emotionally I feel light and more positive. Those are all wins in my book. I said this semester that I would make the effort to workout to help with my mood, fatigue and memory/retention of material.
3) Personal development - this can take many forms. This can be as simple as reading a book that teaches you about your personality type, taking a course on Psychology, learning how to love better, how to and self-help books, you name it. There is no wrong way to engage in personal development, I strive to learn something new and non-Nursing related daily. My most recent endeavor was to take a 6-week course from relationship coach Crystal Irom called Magnetize Your Match. It was an amazing experience and I got to dive into a lot of deep self-work and truly make some progress towards one of my prominent goals this year: meet my life partner, husband and future father of my kids and Dad to Liam. For more information on that program, click here Crystal Irom Relationship Coach
4) Self-care - I love this topic so much I wrote a guest blog post on it here: SELF LOVE SERIES: TIPS ON SELF CARE. I truly think caring for your self is the crux of being able to be the best version of yourself and also in being able to level up. Being full is important so that you can pour into others.
5) Embrace, indulge and participate in your hobbies. For me, that meant this year choosing to be 1/3 of 2 other amazing women co-hosting a newly founded podcast: #MTG the podcast. It is such an amazing experience and I'm so glad I get to share this with Danielle & Brittany. I also started working out again and I have returned to my blog. I am taking time to do things I love and that makes my spirit happy.
I recognize that leveling up looks different for everyone, but the aforementioned items are what works for me. I don't have everything figured out, but I truly believe when you put your self in the space to grow and allow for mistakes. Thanks so much for sticking with me guys.
Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
2019
30s
31
bad and bougie
beauty at any size
blackgirlmagic
curves
don't kill my vibe
living my best life
motherhood
new year
31 Lessons in 31 Years/31 Thangs About Me
February 1, 2019
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| When you grown. Photo by: Erica Lee Photography (2018)/ MUA: Makeup by Kristin Gray |
My favorite national holiday has circled back around another year: my birthday! I saw a post on ScaryMommy.com that inspired this blog and title. I wanted to share 31 truths I've learned in my 31 trips around the sun and mix in some fun facts about me.
31. I can do bad all by myself.
30. "What you seek is seeking you" - Rumi
29. Nothing happens before it's time. This is such a hard lesson to accept. But as I get older, I am more at ease.
28. Quality ALWAYS outweighs quantity of friends. I have some of the best people in my circle and it is only a select few.
27. "To thine ownself be true" - that sums it up for itself
26. A "no" doesn't mean forever, it just means right now. Be open and receptive to other options and possibilities you weren't considering.
25. Nothing can ever happen if you don't take a chance. The older I get, the more hesitant I have become about making exciting, new, promising decisions. This was not a problem in my youth. I chalk that up to being a single mom in a single income household and bearing the brunt of the responsibility. What I have learned thus far in my womanhood/motherhood journey is that what works for me is usually what will work for Liam. If I can see the benefit for me and us as a family, then that's the green light. My parenting goal in this life is to raise a child/children who don't have to get therapy to recover from childhood trauma and to be present in my children's life.
24. I have a secret desire to own a mini farm lol. I want a cow, about 3 dogs, 2 cats, chickens, a garden and a good size house on about 5 acres. Now, I don't know how to farm or garden, but I'm willing to learn lol.
23. Motherhood for me has been one of THE most stressful, fulfilling and life-changing adventures and aside from having more money, there is absolutely nothing I would change.
22. I used to have constant anxiety about providing for myself and my son, but EVERY TIME things work out for the best. "Won't He do it?!"
21. My favorite color is Cerulean.
20. I was born on a Monday.
19. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk is my absolute favorite foundation (My color is #10 if anyone is feeling gifty lol).
18. I prefer lipgloss to lipstick, but love them both.
17. I am NOT a cat person, but my pound cat (got her from Lexington Human Society) Luna is my pride and joy lol.
16. My mama is one of my favorite people in this world. (That don't mean I don't love my Daddy because I certainly do)
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| photo by Christina Terrano/ HMUA: me |
15. I know with certainty in my heart that I will meet my soulmate/life partner this year. Don't ask me how I know, but I do.
14. I'm intuitive and as I like to joke, ALMOST psychic. I have a way of sensing/feeling things that I usually can't explain. I am an ENFJ personality.
13. Liam was on my short list of baby names and when I saw him for the first time, I knew the name I picked fit perfectly.
12. This is year 10 for me as a single mom. I'm a whole decade deep!
11. I've never been married, but come close...
10. I believe working on yourself is key to getting better in all aspects and to helping those around you.
9. A dream/goal of mine is to have my own talk show a la Oprah meets Ricki Lake with a dash of Cardi B lol
8. Nursing is a 2nd career for me.
7. I'm a candle junkie. I love candles. Check out www.hausofhoodoo.com and www.poshcandleco.com
6. I like to surround myself with positivity and flowers (I often by myself flowers)
5. Outside of childhood, I've only had two good Valentine's Days. But this year that will change (because I'm taking matters into my own hands)
4. I recorded my previous weight loss journey on Youtube...it's still up for you to see lol
3. There are very few people you can rely on in life. The ones you can, be sure to cherish and honor them while you have the chance.
2. Be thankful/grateful every day. A positive mindset and outlook always spawn positive actions in your life. This is NON-negotiable.
1. No love compares to the love you should/need to have for yourself. You have to love you first to love anyone else. That doesn't mean that you won't have your bad days and days of doubt, but you need to know that you are a BAMF all day erryday. Okuurrrrrrr? *Cardi*
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| photo by: Christina Terrano/HMUA: me |
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