When Doves Cry

I can't even find the words to describe this week. 

Election week. 

One for the books. 

Still trying to find the words. 

Instead, I will let you into my random thoughts...

1.  I need to call my brothers (my real biological brothers) and tell them to be careful. They are for sure a direct threat to anyone who fears tall, strong, black men. No really. 

2. People are going to take this win and allow it to justify (and expose) the true hate in their hearts. 

3. I'm scared for my children. They are going to grow up in a society where being OPENLY hateful will be tolerated and sometimes celebrated. 

4. How do I teach my children to have a strong sense of self but still be careful with their words because everyone doesn't care for them the way that mama does. 

5. I can't allow this "win" to dictate how I am going to handle myself. I was dope before "the win" (I refuse to type his name) and I'm dope after this win. I refuse to allow this to diminish who God says I am. 

6. God is really in control. 

7. This is really going to empower those cowards who have no souls and already suffer from the God Complex to be even more blatantly bold against minorities.  

8. Why does the Electoral College even exist in 2016?

9. I'm going to miss President Obama and MY First Lady Michele! 

10.  I can't believe Michael Jackson and Prince are really dead! (Still not over Whitney either)  

But most of all...get into this cape t-shirt! I'm allowed to be shallow at a time like this!

Get Shirt Here

Jeans here

Shoes here

(Side note: I have dropped a few pounds since this summer, (24 to be exact) so it was hella hard to do this photo shoot at a yogurt shop!)

Photos by Lacoste Photography

Are Blogs Still Hot in the Streets?

I hadn't really planned on writing about this. 

It kind of just popped in my head. 

Then I thought, why don't I just ask? 

Are you over blogs?

(I realize the irony of that question considering you are reading my blog right now but just go with the flow!) 

Blogging has changed so much since I started about eight years ago. 

It's a great way to make money now. 

I wasn't even thinking about that when I started blogging! 

I regret being behind the cuve ball on that! 

I am now trying to find new ways to monetize what has been my special little corner of the internets but it's hard out here in these streets. 

A lot of blogs have come and gone. 

But what makes you stick around? 

Do you have any die hard blogs that you still can't wait to read every day/week?

Do you think social media such as Instagram and Snapchat are easier to digest than whole blogposts?

Are you over them? 

Tell it! 

Dress here 

Bag is my old favorite, no longer available from Zara

Shoes here

P.S. I am loving mixing silver and gold jewelry together lately

Photography by Lacoste Photography

Patience is NOT My Ministry!

I am literally waiting on some news and a few other things to happen right now. 

Like literally waiting on a specific call to come through that will ultimately affect my life in the next few years. 

But I've been waiting for over a week. 

And it's killing me! 

I'm trying to be all zen and all like "whatever happens is supposed to happen when it is supposed to happen," but really I am screaming inside. 

I also am waiting on the baby boy to walk! 

He turned 1 a few weeks ago and I know he can do it. 

He has taken two steps sporadically but we are still waiting on one solid stride to happen. 

The crazy part is that he can climb a full flight of steps with great ease!

But, I am still waiting nonetheless. 

I am sure there is a great scripture about patience that I could google. 

But I really just want things to happen already!!! 

LOL! 

You can find this ASOS dress here...I have it in 4 colors because I'm obsessed. 

You can't see the shoes but here they are and on sale! 

My necklace is sold out from Zara but here is a really cute one from Forever 21

Bangles here ( I usually buy 3 sets at a time)

Photos by Lacoste Photography

MAMA IS BACK! (Travel Noire)

I celebrated my 5th year wedding anniversary in Cancun! 

Hubby and I stayed at The Finest Playa Mujeres Resort. 

IT. WAS. AMAZING! 

AMAZING. 

It was the chicest, dopest, cleanest, most modern resort I've ever been to. 

(P.S. This was my first time at a resort lol) 

Do yourself and your boo a favor and book a week or weekend there! 

You won't regret it. Seriously. 

It's nowhere near the "strip" where all of the other resorts are in Cancun. 

I wish I had taken pics of everything but I was kinda in "chill mode" the whole time but if you follow me on Snapchat, I'm sure you saw glimpses of it! 

I'm a creature of habit which means we will be going back with the kids. 

I loved it that much that I don't even want to bother looking for a new spot...unless I am doing a paid resort review of course! 

(THESE PICS ARE NOT FROM THE RESORT!) 

But I did wear this oufit at the resort (as seen on Instagram).

I got it from Grass-Fields. 

I had to do the typical alterations like cut off about 2 inches off the bottom and add straps to the top...you know my standard tweeks. 

I felt amazing in this two piece. I'm kinda into matching sets lately, which means I am probably about to overdo it until I hate them. 

But right now, they give me life! 

(I was not paid to write about Finest Playa Mujeres Resort. It was just that dope!) 

Again these pics were not taken at the resort. 

Photos by Lacoste Photography

Find Shoes Here

Here is a cute African Print 2 Piece 

Outfit from Grass-Fields here

Forever 21 bracelets here

Grateful!!

All day the word grateful has been swirling in my spirt. 

So here are some things I am grateful for lately...

NINE WEST Indira Heels found here 

1. I am grateful to celebrate my 5th year wedding anniversary this week! Can you believe it! It's been 5 years! 

2. I am grateful that we will be enjoying a much anticipated anniversary vacation near a beach! 

3. I am grateful that I don't look like what I have been through in the last year, especially the last month! 

4. I am grateful that I serve a God that does not keep a running tab of all the things he has done for me or how many times I have let him down. I would be in trouble if he did. 

5. I am grateful that my little baby boy is about to celebrate his first birthday in a few days!

What are you grateful for?

Set: Grassfields (here) 

Truth Zone: I ordered this two piece set from Grassfields. They specialize in African print modern pieces. You know I'm the queen of alterations so I took it to "my people" to get a few adjustments done. I had to almost re-design the top because I am soooooo top heavy. So my tailor and I decided to rouche the top and make it into a bikini top. Also, I am a shorty and I felt that the print was too overwhelming for my height so I had it turned into a midi skirt to show a little skin. I bought it for my anniversary trip to (Cancun) so it is the perfect piece to bring with me. (My 5 year wedding anniversary is this Saturday:)  Overall, I do enjoy Grassfields for their price points. Nothing a little visit to my favorite tailor can't fix. 

(Don't forget to Pin any of the looks you like from the blog on Pinterest!)

All Good Things

I'm just coming back from The Curvy Con in New York, and I'm still trying to process it all. It was the longest yet the most rewarding business trip.

So, I'm going to skip my musings for a day and just direct you to my Curvy Con/NYC recap on God's Favorite Surprises.

You'll see why it's hard to process it all.

All good things.

Click here!

Dress: ASOS (Of course) Click here
Shoes: Steve Madden (old)
Bag: Zara (sold out)

Sidenote: Please tweet ASOS on my behalf and tell them that they should consider having me as a brand ambassador/social influencer because everything I wear is from them! Click here
#iaintsorry

At Least I Am Consistent...

I had it all planned out. 

I saw this dress and literally screamed TC! 

Do you know TC?

You should. 

Because what are you doing with your life?

Dress: ASOS here
Bag and shoes: Zara (sold out) 

TC from Good Times! 

Remember her?

That's why I bought this dress. 

And then I was going to do a whole post about TC. 

Then I typed in TC from Good Times in Google Search.

And I CAME UP! 

LOL! 

Because I apparently already paid homage to TC. 

Here's proof. 

So no point in writing about TC again because duh. 

I will say that any day that I dress like TC from Good Times. 

It probably was a good day. 

P.S. Shout out to bloggers who in the game back when using a tripod was the only way you could blog! LOL 

Photos by: LaCoste Photography

Stepping Into My Season

 

Someone asked me the other day if I missed teaching.

 

Not a whole lot.
I don't miss the stress. The anxiety attacks. The not feeling like I am not getting support from parents and administrators.

But that doesn't mean I'm not a teacher at heart.

When you pull back all the layers, I'm still a teacher.

A few recent experiences have helped me see that it's just a part of my nature.



I have been going to different schools lately for Career Day on the behalf of my business, God's Favorite Surprises.
I have been conducting Thank You Card etiquette classes.
Because when was the last time you got a thank you card from a kid?
Exactly. 

I'm so H-town. You can find me throwing the H sign in almost every selfie on my phone. LOL! #sophistiratchet

 

 Each time, I go for  Career Day, I think that I'm just going to speak about being an entrepreneur and about the importance of college.

But it never goes down like that.

I seem to always go into "teacher mode."

After 10 minutes of standing in front of kids from kindergarten to 8th grade, they have to actually do something with their hands. (In teacher speak, that means "manipulatives")

That's when the teacher comes out. 

I have to get my teacher voice on to facilitate a Thank You card writing lesson and become a major multi-tasker.

And guess what...I DO miss that.

I miss that part.

Facilitating actual learning.

And maybe I enjoy it a whole lot more because I'm in the classroom on my own terms.

Teaching about something that I am passionate.

Because again, when was the last time you got a handwritten note from a kid saying thank you.

Heck, even from an adult?

Exactly.            

 

 

 

I think this season of my life is all about perspective.

I could scoff at my past profession and run from it like the plague.

Or I can embrace what I loved about it and make it a part of my new life.

It makes my life feel a lot more cohesive if I take that approach.



 

And this way of thinking, is what you call GROWTH.

Give it up for your girl!  

 

(P.S. I almost hate to give a disclaimer. I almost didn't post these pics because of that gut. Black doesn't hide everything. But I bet you know someone who didn't wake up this morning. Yeah. So, I'm good. I was tripping with myself for a hot second.)

 

Hat: Forever 21

Jeans: ASOS here

Body Suit: ASOS here

Shoes: Zara (I picked them up in the store, I don't see them online.)

Bag: Gifted by Juanette from Zara (It's literally my favorite bag, I want to buy a back up) here

 

Photography: Lacoste Photography



The Calm Before The Storm

 

 

This will likely be the last post I do for a few weeks.

I will be actually delivering a few weeks early (which is finnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee by me!)

I'm sure I'll be able to catch you guys up on Instagram and Facebook so make sure you follow me there! (There are also outfits on Instagram that never make it to the blog)

Wish me luck!

I am so ready to be un-pregnant!

 



Skirt: GarnerStyle for Rebdolls

Tank Dress worn as Shirt: H&M

Shoes: Nine West

 

As far as the outfit, I have to shout out Chastity of Garner Style because it is from her limited capsule collection with Rebdolls! When a buddy launches a collection, you find something to buy!

Everything sold out so fast that I was only able to grab this skirt. I hope they restock soon!

I intended to save this for post-pregnancy but I was too impatient...plus it has an ecstatic waist!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

The material is fabulous, the color is vibrant and it has pockets!

It will most certainly be in rotation!

Congratulations Chastity on a job well done!

The Default Dress

 

ASOS dress (sold out)

Rachel Zoe Sandals via Marshall's for $39

Forever 21 Sunnies

 

I've had this dress for over a year.

I tend to throw this on any time there is a daytime semi "dress like you are going somewhere" dress code.

Going to a baby shower?

Throw on this dress.

Going to a barbecue?

Throw on this dress.

Why?

Because it's easy.

It's thin.

And long.

Perfect for the summer.

(P.S.... a little over  a month before I deliver this next and LAST baby:)

 

What is your default dress code?

 

(Have you done something unexpectedly kind for someone? Click here to do it!)

 

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