Luxury Wooden Watch

1. Beyoncé has taught me that love will make you feel all types of way.  I mean she has been dangerously in love, drunk in love, and crazy in love. That’s some intense ways to be in love if you ask me. I’m just trying to simply be in like with somebody that texts back in a timely manner but those don’t seem half bad…at least according to the songs they don't. 
2. Beyoncé has taught me that moving in silence can make the world stop. She has made whole albums with videos, commentary and a tour to follow without anybody knowing. How sway? HOW?!
3. Beyoncé has taught me that I can name my kids anything I want. My favorite color is purple of Purple Rain might be appropriate when I become rich and my kids don’t have to attend public school.
4. Beyoncé has taught me that shapewear is ok (don’t act like y’all don’t remember the picture where her shapewear was showing)! In the plus community and the whole body positive movement, we get so engrossed when the shapewear debate when honestly it’s a personal choice.
5. Beyoncé has taught me when I get in a relationship, I need to watch Becky with the good hair. 
6. Beyoncé has taught me that sometimes you have to separate yourself from certain people in order to glow up. Y’all can still be cool but being a group might not be the best option. 
7. Beyoncé has taught me that no matter the amount of money, it’s ok to keep hot sauce in my bag, swag.
8. Beyoncé has taught me that looks aren’t everything when looking for a partner. This is no tea nor shade towards Jay-z but let us be honest, he’s no Michael B Jordan.
9. Beyoncé has taught me (which I already knew so I’ll say reinforced that girls can and do run the world. No explanation needed. We are popping and been popping! All my ladies stand up!
10. Lastly, Beyoncé has taught me (which I also already knew so I’ll say reinforced again) that being a strong, black woman is ok. It’s actually better than ok, it’s amazing!

1. Do not try to alter anything that cost a whole bunch of money. Most things that I alter were less than $20 or even thrifted so that if I mess it up I won’t be disappointed. Plus if it’s cheap you can buy two them and if you mess up you have an extra. I may or may not have two of those black dresses.
2. Buy yourself a pack of no-sew tape. This can be found at your local craft store or fabric store. It basically makes hemming things a breeze. All you do is cut the piece of tape you need and iron it to the hem.
3. Before you alter, try to physically set the item up how you want. Sounds crazy, let me explain. I knew that I wanted the dress to be shorter so I laid the dress out and folded the bottom up to the length I wanted it. I then pinned it and tried it on to be sure that wouldn’t be too short.

1. I always start the day listening to, what I like to call, a feel good song. You might not notice it but music can really affect the way that you feel and the mood that you in. Throwing your favorite upbeat song can really make a difference in how you see yourself. Once of my favorite feel good songs is, “Just Fine,” by Auntie Mary J. Blidge. 
2. Sounds cliché but I pray. When I feel down, or I’m not feeling my best I take time to talk to God a little longer. I lay out what’s on my mind and just release it to God. 
3. I forgive those that might have wronged me. When it comes to self-love we often put that responsibility on others when in fact it’s us to have to know how to love ourselves. So when people do me wrong I have to forgive them or I will start to doubt the person that I am. Attacking my own character which is toxic.
4. Lastly, which I have mentioned before, I speak life and truth onto myself. Every morning my mantra that I say in the mirror is: “I am beautiful, I am enough and I am worth it. Those three things cover everything that I need to make it through the day.

I hope these tips were helpful. Let me know what you do to keep your self-love intact and also don’t forget to hit up your local store for those good ol’ Reese’s on February 15^th.

We’ve all heard the oh so popular New Year’s phrase, “New Year, New Me.” People use it as a term of redefining themselves for the New Year. They plan to leave all of their old self in the past and move forward with a new them in the current (maybe, I don’t understand). They become renewed when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st and January 1st , a “new me” enters the world. Recently, I have noticed people taking this same approach to their fashion and style which got me to thinking, “Can New Year, New Me apply to personal style as well?”

Everybody has a personal style profile rather they know it or not. What you wear might not be the most fashion forward but it’s something that caught your eye while shopping and if you look in your closet I’m sure you can find other items just like it. That’s your style. Now you can always change your style if you want to or upgrade if you have a good base and here are 5 ways have:

1. Go through your closet and find your favorite 5 pieces. This will allow you to have a base for
   your style profile. You will be able to see what types of items really catch your eye and what
   you like.
2. Before you go shopping do a little research. Look up the current trends, or find your style idol
   and see if what catches your eye corresponds with your favorite 5 pieces.
3. Go shopping and try on everything that catches your eye. If you like it, pick it up, head to the
   dressing room and try it on. My number one rule to this is be sure that you are making outfits as you go. Once you try it on take pictures. This allows you analyze the look.
4. If you are upgrading your style then you also need to upgrade those undergarments. Don’t be
   out here looking fly on the outside but your bra and undies are broke down. Not a good look sis.
5. If it’s not broke don’t change it. You don’t have to be super trendy if that’s not your thing. You
   don’t have to change your look if you don’t want to do. You don’t have to do anything if it
   doesn’t make you happy. If you like your style then leave it alone.

1. Pray. I don’t know if everybody I follow is saved but I am and I believe in God so the first time I had to do was pray. I prayed for peace, strength, and guidance. I prayed for my co-workers. I prayed for everything.
2. Talk about it. I talked about it with my family. My aunt was actually going through the same situation so talking to her really helped me.
3. Encourage yourself. Every day I reassured myself that I was more than qualified to find another job and I was the best at work I do.
4. Find something that makes you happy and does it. I love to do DIY’s so I decided that I would start some projects I was putting off. I also did what I do best and put together so bomb outfits (hence this blog post). These things relaxed my mind and allowed me to focus on something else.
5. Put in work to fix the situation. If it’s a job, or the year was bad or you lost a loved one. Find a way that you can make the situation better. For me, I had to decide on if I was going to say with the company or not. Then make moves to find a new position. This step can be last because it comes after you have refocused and become okay with the situation.