bougie beauty babe

On Fear and Failure to Launch

August 31, 2019

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. 
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
read article

Vibrating Higher - The Art of Leveling Up

February 25, 2019

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
read article

Attitude of Gratitude - end of 2018

December 18, 2018

It has been terribly long since I have penned a post. Sorry y'all. Life got in the way! Baaabbbyyyy, when I tell you this semester was one for the books...I mean it kicked my ass and turned me upside down lol.  BUT, "still I rise" lol. Y'all know I love my hyperbolic statements. I passed and now I'm on to my 3rd and FINAL semester of LPN school starting about a month from now on January 14.

When you had one HELL of a semester, but you survived and you out here letting your melanin push through and having expensive skin and living your best life lol.
So many things have transpired this semester and it literally has been a game of survival (mostly mentally). I left a job that I truly enjoyed, but that wasn't fulfilling emotionally nor financially anymore and went back to being FT in the hospital and freelancing in skincare/cosmetics. I left my hospital job in Cynthiana and moved to a larger hospital in Lexington. I have learned so much and it's helping me to truly decide if I want to do OB or Nursery/NICU. 

eating lunch after our last clinical

clinical group 

new job on postpartum and nursery


I was featured as a model in KY Bride Magazine (owwwwwww!). Itwas such an awesome experience. I got to be made up and try pretty dresses on for the day...not mad about it lol. I've been trying to get back into modeling because it's something that I miss. I got to shoot with a really cool chick named Geneva and we got some great shots to update my book :).

The spread. Dresses: Twirl, HMUAs: PinkLouLou, Photo: The Malicotes






photo by GRW Photography

Photo by GRW Photograpy

I also got to be a featured blogger for the Night Market which is a local Lexington initiative to bring a sense of community/neighborhood back to the North Limestone area. I personally know the woman who orchestrates in the 1st Friday of every month and she's so fucking awesome. Shout out to Samantha Johnson (SaManhattanPR), you the SHIT! thank you again for that opportunity. I will do a post on the NOLI Night Market once it resumes again in the Spring! 



Mom also finished her 1st semester of her ADN program successfully! #DontStopGetItGetIt . I'm so incredibly proud of my mama. 'Cuz I know the shit she had to go through to get to where she is and she's fucking amazing. Ain't nobody like my mama. Her resilience and determination is unmatched in my book. So congrats Mama!

Liam is thriving! This has been such a time of growth for him. ABA therapy is helping him grown by leaps and bounds. I'm so incredibly proud of him. I couldn't be happier with how he is doing. He is truly the sunshine of life  :).





I got to go see the Tapping Wizard himself Brad Yates in Cincinnati with Kristin back in October and had a blast! It was a really cool experience. He did it in a workshop style format and there was lots of participation It was awesome to see him in person.


So while this year hasn't all been roses and rainbows, I am truly thankful for growth. It seems like this year lasted 2 years lol and I will honestly be glad to see it gone. I'm awaiting the changes, challenges, surprises and triumphs that 2019 will bring including being a Nursing school grad in May!!! I promise to pen another post BEFORE May lol.

Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe



read article

I Actually Do Blog About Beauty...

March 31, 2017

I'm sure by now y'all are TIREDT (yes with a "t") of hearing about my life lol. I actually made this blog to talk about my life AND beauty, the latter which has yet to be mentioned. As much as I am a no makeup-makeup kinda girl, mixing luxury, mid-range and drugstore brands to achieve a flawless face is a passion of mine! 


So let's talk about skin! You literally HAVE TO start with good skincare/good skin health to take your makeup to the next level. What the hell am I currently using?! Pretty much a host of things:

Cleanser: I usually use Shiseido Pureness cream or liquid or even Clarins, but when I ran out and needed something ASAP (last week), I stumbled upon and decided to try Shea Moisture African Black Soap cleanser. I love most of their hair products and it is 100% natural, paraben free AND black owned. WINNING! So far, so good. My face seems to be less oily, brighter and softer. It is pictured below. You can get it at Walmart, Target, drugstores and from their website directly. I got it for around $7.80.
                                                  Image result for shea moisture african black soap cleanser
Toner: I'm really bad and don't currently use one but I LOVED a mini size I got from Clarins not too long ago as a gift with purchase. It was balancing for Oily/Combo skin. It retails for around $26, but really is worth the buy.

                                                 Image result for clarins toner for oily skin
Moisturizer: Now here we get complicated lol. Working in retail cosmetics and part time at the Medspa has perks baby! For day time I use Z.O. Glycogent  (retail $70) which is a gentle exfoliator with 10% glycolic and lactic acids (HALLELUJAH!). Best of all it's not harsh and it's not a mechanical exfoliation. I use this daily and then put my Shiseido Ibuki Protective moisturizer with SPF 18 (retail $45). These have been my go-tos for the past 3 weeks and my skin is GLOWING!
#MelaninOnFleek

                              Image result for zo glycogent



Night time moisturizer is a Strivectin cream called Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer (retail $79) . Smooths my face and makes my face and neck super soft and supple come the morning time.
                                       Image result for strivectin night cream

Eye cream: Ah! MY favorite. I use YSL's Youth Liberator eye cream (retail $100)  during the day and sometimes the Dark Circle Corrector (always put this after the eye cream). At night I use YSL's Temps Majeur eye cream (retail $140) which is the bomb.com. It has been my favorite for almost 2 years now.

                                  Image result for ysl youth liberator eye creme 
                                   Image result for ysl temps majeur eye cream

There's my round up y'all! Any products you use from this list? Any suggestions? What are some of your beauty faves?!

Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe 
read article

Living Your Best Life

March 3, 2017

I jokingly use this phrase, but I really mean it. When I see my friends and family out here succeeding and doing great things, I tell them they are "living their best life". I mean living a life so good that you can see the happiness radiating and the joy of life spilling from their pores. True happiness, purposeful living and creating an amazing life,

I realized also that I have been not doing enough of that! I talk to God very casually instead of doing what I call traditional prayer. I talk to God and ask him to show me what he wants me to do, ask him what he has for me and to grant me the patience to wait on it. In 29 years, I can say that His timing has always been right. I truly believe that God can speak to and through us. It is up to us to read and see the signs.

I am way more spiritual than religious. The life lessons and things I believe I have discovered in my spirituality far surpass anything I have experienced in life. I am still trying to decipher sometimes what God wants for me and how I can get to live the life I want and feel I deserve, but I feel confident that I will get there.

But now cha'girl is on some new-new! I'm going to be one of those people I accuse of living their best life. I am literally ALWAYS telling people that they can do things and have the power within them, but I'm not practicing what I preach. So on March 3, 2017, here's to living your best muthafucking life! May you stumble, may you learn, may you fail, may you succeed, but most importantly may you do it on YOUR own terms.

The face you make when you out here comin' for what's yours to get! 


Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
read article

Parenting and Autism

January 2, 2017

selfie circa 2013 :) 

L was officially diagnosed with ASD December 2013, right before I started Nursing school and in the midst of my dad having some serious health issues. I had suspected it and had been spending the previous 18 months trying to get him diagnosed and get the services he needs. I felt like I was constantly battling to get him and help and make sure he didn't fall behind.

I was devastated the first time I realized L might be on the Autism spectrum. I was 100% sure it was caused by something I did or didn't do and was so scared that he would never live a "normal" life. It literally sounds crazy now, but remembering those early days, it is exactly how I felt. I became a Mom at 21 and I know so much more now 7 years later than I did then.

I wanted to give some anectodal advice and some things that were true for me in our Autism journey thus far:

1) get support. Hopefully you have family or a strong support system who can help you emotionally and physically during this time.

2) Educate yourself. Read books on Autism. Research some of your child's symptoms. Think about changing their diet. Think about changing your interaction with your child. There are so many things that we feel helpless over, but upon observing and really tuning into what your kid is telling you, you can learn so much.

3) Cry it out. Let me say it again: CRY.IT.OUT. There were more than a few days where I felt helpless and defeated. On those days I had a good soul cry and then carried on my Bougie Mama duties like a bad ass lol. IT happens, you need to let it happen.

4) Love your child! You son or daughter is NOT Autism (or whatever his/her condition may be) Your son or daughter has a neurgological disorder that will affect him/her for the rest of their lives, BUT they should NOT be defined soley by their disease. L has Autism, but I don't let it define all he is or who he will become.

5) Take care of yourself! In order for you as a mom or dad to be on your A game, you HAVE to take care of yourself. This is particularly hard for special needs parents to do, but it is OH SO necessary. At one point in my life (a point I am actively working on), I was working out and in the gym 4-5 days a week and felt the best I ever have. I was vibrant, happy and was better equipped to tackle the mental and physical stressors of my day!

I'm still new on my journey as a parent and as an Autism Mom, but I hope this post reached you in a positive way and helped a little bit on your own journey! :)

Until again,
Bougie Beauty Babe
read article
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Copyright © Bougie Beauty Babe
Design by Fearne •