The Top Five Items You Need This Fall

Recently, I decided to fill the void in my passion for fashion and got a part-time job with a clothing boutique. I enjoy boutiques because they are quaint, interpersonal, and have an intimate atmosphere. Clothing boutiques give customers a luxury experience, royal treatment, and pristine customer service. The boutique I work at target market is for the mature, sophisticated woman who loves quality clothes and accessories. 

White House Black Market was introduced to me in my 30s. I wanted to change my look, so I stumbled upon this boutique when I lived in South Carolina. Upon relocating back to South Carolina this year, I knew it was time to uplevel my wardrobe, and just like that, WHBM became a part of my life again. 

Here are a couple of Fall pieces I recommend for your everyday wardrobe at White House Black Market :

✨Item 1: Jeans

Every woman needs a quality pair of jeans that sustains the test of time in every season. I think jeans are essential in your wardrobe to dress up or down. Jeans are multifacet throughout any season.

✨Item 2: Rib Dress

Sweater dresses are usually the go to dresses for the fall/winter season however, ribbed dresses are the way to go. This particular sleeveless dress is a staple piece you can wear casually or jazz it up for a night on the town with your favorite accessories.

✨Item 3: Military Blazer

Whether it is a blazer, blue jean jacket or cardigan I believe this is a vital piece to add to your wardrobe. This particular jacket at WHBM has a miltary style design that can be paired with your favorite jeans, casual t-shirt or cami with a pair of ankle boots, flats or heels.

Item 4: Simple Black Boots

✨Whether the boots are ankle length or taller they are a signature piece to add to your fall wardrobe.

Item 5: Accessories

✨Accessories are the glue that pulls your outfit together; whether it is a headpiece/headband, glasses, watch, earrings, necklace, scarf, or purse, they impact bringing your wardrobe together.

Here are some of my favorite posts on fall fashion, body positivity & more:

Fashion Tips For Being Authentically You

Body Postivity: Honoring Your Body

Keys To A Cozy Simple Life

💕Last but not least check out my new book to help you style your inner self with love: 28 Days of Love: A Self-Love Journey

All Things Fall…

Autumn is my favorite season, and you can do so many things to set the ambiance for your Fall season. This is the season where implementing a softer lifestyle is paramount. Also, you can check out my latest post on embracing a softer lifestyle.

So below is a compilation of multiple things you can do for the Autumn season. Let’s get excited about the slowing down, whimsical moments, and falling into coziness.

Fall Movies To Watch

• Mystic Pizza
• Sweet Home Alabama
• Pretty in Pink
• Edward Scissorhands
• The Notebook
• Father of Bride
• The Sounds of Music
• Just Wright
• Pratical Magic
• When Harry Met Sally
• The Bodyguard
• Autumn in New York
• Pretty Woman

Fall Activities/Things To Do

• Collaging
• Collecting leaves and do some craft activities with leaves
• Create a celebratory tradition to usher in Autumn
• Collect your favorite mystery/thrillers/horror books
• Create a playlist…check out mine here https://tinyurl.com/msz5v2kc
• Schedule a family or solo roadtrip to see the fall foilage
• Check out local festivals, concerts and musicals
• Mindful Coloring

Fall Wardrobe (add to your wardrobe for the cozy season)

• Favorite Cozy Sweater
• Cashmere Scarf
• Faux Leather Leggings
• Favorite ankle boots or tall boots
• Wide Leg Jeans
• Sweater Dress

Favorite Fall Magazines

• Bella Grace magazine
• Real Simple
• Veranda
• Better Homes & Gardens

Here are some of my favorite Fall post:

Dwell In the Possiblities

Don’t Get Caught In The Hustle

30 Days of Stillness

7 Ways To Reconnect With Yourself

The End of An Era……

Wow, I can’t believe next week Sunday is my birthday. My 30’s journey has been a beautiful evolution of “self”. I have been able to spend the years of my thirties facing issues of my past, closing the door to my past, making intentional changes to my life and most of all becoming the woman I desire to be.

As a single mom I have endured many hardships and personal setbacks but my 30’s have been my years of reflection, refreshing, starting over again and creating the life I desire.

I have become comfortable in my own skin. I love the woman I have evolved into at this point in my life. However, I know the journey is a continuous process. I am excited about my future ahead.

Since, I am commemorating the last year of my 30’s, I am sharing 39 lessons with you I learned during my 30’s journey.

Here are the 39 lessons I learned in my 30’s:
1. Confidence. Confidence is something that starts within & it is something you work on everyday.
2. No validation needed. You are grown,stop asking for permission.
3. No is a complete sentence. Stop explaining yourself.
4. Mind your own business. It never matters what others are doing. Stay focused on your life.
5. No deprivation. Stop depriving yourself of the things you love & desire.
6. Know Your Worth. You have to know your worth to know what you deserve then you will stop giving discounts to people who undermine your quality.
7. Self-care is important. Self-care is about preservation. You have to put it into practice for all areas of your life (mental, emotional, financial, physical & spiritual).
8. Trust God. 
9. Get out your own way.
10. Ask for help.
11. Be gentle with yourself you are doing the best you can.
12. Stop procrastinating.
13. Do it afraid.
14. Get out your comfort zone.
15. Be your own best friend.
16. Speak up. You have a voice use it.
17. Stop chasing. You don’t have to chase a man, friends, people or dreams. All the things meant for you will come at the right time.
18. Travel somewhere new. 
19. Date yourself.
20. Believe in yourself.
21. Do what is best for you.
22. Be unapologetic about your greatness.
22. Set boundaries.
23. Spend time with those that celebrate you not tolerate you.
24. Celebrate yourself.
25. Be patience.
26. Saunter through life.
27. Let things flow.
28. Detach yourself from the outcome.
29. Stop the comparison. When you learn to value your life you will feel no need to compare your life to others.
30. Have faith.
31. Smile often, Laugh more.
32. Have fun. Include more bliss, pleasure & enjoyment in your life.
33. Be ok with not being ok.
34. Be vulnerable.
35. Live life. Don’t just exist live your life alive.
36. Reinvent yourself.
37. Reflect.
38. Pursue your dreams. No matter how old you are you can always pursue the things you desire.
39. Be limitless. Don’t put limitations on your life.

The Antidote (Part 2)

Last month on January 16th, I released my first ever short story series entitled, The Antidote. I am happy to announce that part two is available. If you did not get a chance to download part one  go to this link: https://tinyurl.com/yb72u7om 

Go to this link to get your copy for part two: https://payhip.com/b/Qe4w

 

 

Hygge for the Holidays…..

Slowing down……such a foreign concept to me for several years until I settled down in the south. As a single mom slowing down is a challenge everyday because there is always something to do on the checklist. However, in the last two years I have been challenged to slow down and really embrace the present moment. The present moment is crystallized by focusing on the now. The “now” moments are the moments we can never gain back. If this is true, then why do we rush through one event to the next?

Lately, I have been intrigued with going a lot slower in my everyday life. It has made a big difference in my mindset. Although, the holidays are here I am truly embracing slow motion. In my pursuit of this new lifestyle I have came across the word hygge (hoo-gah) practiced by the Danish culture. This lifestyle is a Danish concept that has been popping up everywhere I go. I can’t remember exactly where I heard it but I have been researching a little deeper about this concept. For a long time there was no formal definition for this word however, more Americans have become aware of this concept.

The holidays is great time to practice this Danish concept especially since Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. I don’t believe in putting concepts in a box so you have the power to rearrange it the way it fits your life. For example, hygge to me is drinking hot cocoa, tea or wine during the winter months, watching a movie, reading a book and spending some quality time with my daughter.

No matter what concept, tradition or non-tradition you practice slowing down and enjoying the moment should be apart of your daily regiment.

Here is a book I am currently reading check it out in Stylicia’s Reads.

Refresh Your Soul….

Every now & then we need something to refresh our soul. So, often the routine of life becomes monotonous. We have to break free to give ourselves a fresh perspective. It is important to open ourselves to something different. For me, art refreshes my mind and helps me to see life in a creative way. What is it you do to refresh your soul? Below are a list of ways you can refresh your soul when you feel complacent.
*Visit your local art galleries
* Explore your local downtown scene.
* Do something different in the middle of the week.
* Meditate
* Book a flight spontaneously.
* Spend some alone time
* Read a book outside your normal genre
* Listen to some music
* Have a stimulating conversation with a stranger
* Plan a road trip

What would you add to this list? Reply in the comment section!