Wishes for 2015

I love the New Year for two reasons: 1) looking forward to new beginnings and memories and 2) it's my birthday celebration (*throws glitter everywhere*). The year 2014 had highs and lows but I wouldn't trade the year for anything! If I had to describe 2014 in one word it would be transparency. I say this because it was definitely a year where a lot of things came to the forefront that I didn't expect but I felt like it needed to happen.From my work- life balance to world issues to personal relationships, I noticed I made some people and things in my life more of a priority than myself. I believe this is one my Achilles Heels because I'm known for always putting myself last on the list but that's changing for 2015, I'm learning to put myself first for a change. I'm responsible for my own happiness, no one else! I'm also responsible for maintaining a sense of peace in my life that can only be experienced through God and so my faith level has increased immensely!

With that said, I've always been a private person but more than ever, I work extra hard to keep it that way because that's apart of living a peaceful life. Social media can easily confuse people into believing they have a right into your life based on what you post but remember folks, don't believe everything you see, hear or read (Journalism 101). We live in a world where perception is everything and a lot of people make assumptions about who you are based on what you do and say so I learned a long time ago to not feed into it. To this day, only a close circle of friends and family will ever know the matters of my heart...period. If you don't know what's going on, than it's safe to KNOW you aren't in that circle! #Sorrynotsorry Plus, I've been burned before with people sharing my business or my dreams with outside people and I didn't appreciate it! There are just somethings that I'm never going to bend on and privacy will always be one.

Also, we've all experienced so much division going on in the world today due to socioeconomic differences, gender/sexuality inequality and racial injustices(there are NOT new subjects) etc. but  more than ever these issues are being brought into the light as they should. Unfortunately, most of these issues are only deemed important when there is lots of bloodshed involved but like the news says, "blood always leads." These recent events have called a lot into question about the fate of our world, our political systems but most of all US. However, I'm confident we can turn all of this around because in the end we all want peace, love and happiness in the end right?

In order to be a better world, we have to be BETTER people! We've got to be held accountable for our actions and we also have to be on the same page for change. This process won't happen overnight but we are all here on assignment (whether you know that or not) so it is time to answer the call! It's exciting to see people from all walks of life fired up for change and I believe it's possible if everyone remains level-headed in the process. We are merely scratching the surface on a lot of these deeply rooted issues folks, but if we are consistent in our message and actions than I do believe change will  happen. Trust the process everyone....

For 2015, I look forward to expanding my territory in all aspects of my life personally, professionally, financially, emotionally and spiritually. Honestly, I do want world peace! It may sound cheesy but we seriously need peace in this world. I'm also looking forward to creating new memories with my sweet friends and family. That's all I really want in life! I feel nothing but great vibes for 2015 and I receive whatever God has for me next year because I know it's all apart of His greater plan for my life.

Happy New Year Everyone! Xo

Happy Holidays!

We hope that everyone has a safe and happy holidays!

See you in the New Year!! Xo

How to Celebrate the Holidays Alone

 

With all the season of giving and cheer in full swing, it might be hard to be "merry" when you're solo this holiday season. Don't get down about it though because there is plenty you can do to still enjoy yourself.

1) Go to holiday parties! Make sure that you mix and mingle at social gatherings. It's possible that you'll meet other singles there who are looking to meet someone like you. Just watch out for that mistletoe :)

2) Enjoy spending time with loved ones and dear friends! You don't have to be alone on the holidays if you don't want to. Make your rounds in visiting those you who care about you the most. As long as there is hot coco, movies and food, you're bound to have a good time! Don't forget to take pictures!

3) Host a Friendsmas! You may not be the only one alone on the holidays so if you have friends or close coworkers who aren't going home for the holidays, why not create some memories with them. Make it fun too! You can have an ugly Christmas sweater party and/or white elephant gift exchange. Bake cookies, drink yummy booze and dine on some delish dishes potluck style and you're sure to have a blast.

4) Travel! Why not travel to an exotic place for a change? Nothing says "me" time like a warm and tropical environment to just decompress from your day to day hustle and bustle. Splurge a bit too! Book an appointment for a mini-makeover, a massage on the beach and enjoy paradise. If not tropical, try Europe! I've always heard one of the best times to travel to Europe is during the winter months.

I hope these ideas lifted your spirits! Xo

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By Dave Smith

Throwback Thursday Jam: Janet Jackson

I am a HUGE Janet Damita Jo Jackson fan and I've been jamming all day to her station on Pandora. Whoo hoo! It just so happens "That's the Way Love Goes" filled my speakers so I just had to make her my throwback Thursday Jam of the Day! She's a BILLIONAIRE BOSS and I love her all day for her sultry voice, creativity, mystery, and sensuality. She's a fearless gem and she can do NO wrong in my book. I love you Mrs. Jackson-Al Mana.

Enjoy Your Relationship Offline

 

With technology ruling most of our lives, it's very easy for it to also interfere with the relationships we have with each other. We've all either seen, witnessed or experienced relationships be torn a part by a split second decision to post our thoughts and emotions for everyone to see. In most cases, we aren't thinking with a clear head when we feel someone has done us wrong in the relationship without even thinking about the repercussions of our actions.

With all of this in mind, I believe the best way (and most healthy way) to have a relationship is to live it offline. Personally, I've always valued being a private person and to those I care about deeply, I value them too much to put all of our information out there (even if it's a break up because at some point in the past we meant something to each other!). In the digital age, we are EXPECTED to share everything that we do every waking second and when you don't, you're ridiculed for it.

:Sidebar:  No shade but can you believe since the inception of Instagram, I've managed to NEVER activate an account??? I would only consider it for business terms but never for personal reasons.

As a result, I've never been a firm believer of sharing matters of the heart with everybody and honestly, I prefer the less you know about me the better. You've got to save certain aspects of your life for yourself!! When you start sharing information with the world, you give people free access to comment (I'll never understand why people get upset about comments from people when YOU put it out there first) or judge your situation. If you don't want opinions/comments/judgments, don't put your business out there. Also, it also invites people into your relationship that really have no business being apart of it, so again, less is better.

Some may argue that social media gives them a place to "keep it real" because they have nothing to hide and while we all welcome transparency, it leaves some to think about the authenticity or genuineness of your approach. Also, it might come off as opportunity to put on a show for people or humiliate the other person so you just have to tread lightly on your deliverance.

It's okay to be a little selfish in how you share information when it comes to matters of your heart because once you open that door, you're more susceptible to drama when you share it with the world.

Enjoy your privacy people! Privacy = Peace.

Xo

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com/By Tony Stalres

And the 2015 Color of the Year is....

MARSALA!

In case you missed it, Pantone the makers of living fashionably in color, has declared this THE color of 2015. It's a warm color, slightly "seductive" yet classic at the same time. While this color is a cousin of the red family, it has hints of a more warm berry tone if you ask me. Hmmm...the crazy thing is I recently purchased a pair of heels that matches this color without even knowing that this would be THE color. I've never been a fan of the color red but it's not red red (no typo!) so I'm confident I can rock this color.

What do you guys think?

Photo Courtesy of Pantone.com via Flickr.com by Scott Lewis

The “American Dream” Feels more like a Nightmare

I never thought in my twenty-something years of life that I would witness so much division in my own country. This has made me feel all types of emotions: angry, disgusted, sad, and confused. Each day it gets harder to face the world with a smile knowing deep down inside, you’re fearful if this could be the day that you’ll take your last breath.

You wake up in the morning knowing in the back of your mind that there are some people in this world who resent you for the way you look, the color of your skin, the way your dressed, your sexual preference, your religious denomination etc. and each day, you’re supposed to carry on without apology for who you are but it is SO HARD y’all.

Today, I was apprehensive of writing this on my blog because I’d like to think of my blog as light-hearted and safe place to reflect on matters that mean something to me and I find this matter to be extremely personal to me. In particular, I am an educated Black woman who understands how hard it is to live and earn the respect of others in this country. Being Black in America is not easy because in OUR world (yes, there are two worlds), I’m considered to already have three strikes against me: 1) Being educated 2) being Black and 3) being a woman—therefore, I’m not only seen as inferior but I’m threat.

This is because society already had a preconceived future planned for me when my mother birthed me into the world. There was already statistical data and a stereotype placed on me before I could even walk or talk and it’s sad, this still exist today. Today, I feel like the “American Dream” feels more like a never-ending nightmare that I can’t wake up from. Then again, I’m not even sure if people like me were even considered a part of that dream in the first place.

It’s troubling to know that for years the justice systems and law enforcement that was designed to “protect and serve the people” or promote “justice for all” have become corrupt and unstable. How can people like me put their trust in the law when it doesn’t serve ALL people?

You can’t put your trust in mankind because we are all flawed. Instead, I’ve chosen to put my trust in God! He’s the only one that has remained steadfast in His love for ALL people and He is the only one I can lean on times of strife. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve made a commitment to put my faith FIRST and keep my opinions/emotions last. But don’t get it twisted, it’s hard every day to hold your peace but I’m doing the best that I can in this quick sand of turmoil. I have to believe in something and if I can’t always believe in myself every day, then I have to put all my trust in God. He is the only way!

I say all of this to say that we’ve got to band together for change! It’s no excuse that it is 2014 and it feels like we are reliving the 50s and 60s!! We’ve got to do better and it begins with each of us because we are all accountable for how this country operates. If you are a registered voter and a tax payer, you should be actively exercising this right anytime there is a state or local election…period. Everyone seems to come out for the Presidential elections but not enough of us are showing up to local/state polls where it equally matters! And to those who believe that voting isn’t going to change anything, think about running for office in your locality/state! If you don’t like the way something is being done than be the change! We all play a part in this so find your voice and exercise it (peacefully!). Protests and boycotts are great too but the real work happens on the Hill. 

We’ve come this far by faith; let us not grow weary in this fight for equality for all guys.

Stay prayed up people! Xo

Made w/ Code Google Fun!

You never know what Google is going to come up with next but the "Made w/ Code Google" activity is lighting up the way for girls around the nation to enjoy the art of coding! Google takes you step by step to create a "Holiday Lights" tree (as you see above) that will light up with other trees during the Nation's Capital tree lighting ceremony Dec. 4th.

It's more than building a tree GIF. on your own but it's the first step in getting more young girls into coding. There is such a great need to get young girls and women exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (better known as STEM) and Google has been a huge advocate in leading the charge. The fun doesn't stop there either! There are plenty other activities and resources available. This is a super cool effort and I'm here for it! Go Google Go!

Want to make your own tree? Check out "Made w/ Code" Google now to make your own.

Happy coding everyone!

GIF created by yours truly via Google "Made w/ Code"