Happy Giving Tuesday, friends! Gifting looks A LOT different this year for me this year as I am choosing to gift very consciously. Not that I didn’t before, however truth of the matter is; I know I tend to look at things much closer when I am personally impacted.
If you’ve been following my journey on Instagram, then you are likely aware that Jesse and I have been struggling with internality for quite some time. Though we are blessed to have Bella, my 10 year old from a previous relationship, we suffered a miscarriage in 2018 and have not been able to get pregnant since. This road we are on has not been easy and sometimes I feel as if it isn’t fair. But one thing I can say is it’s been eye opening and humbling. As two full-time working professionals, we are not lacking in resources when it comes to fertility treatments. Not to say they aren’t ridiculously expensive, because they are! But we can afford it, thankfully. But there are SO many who cannot.
And it wasn’t until I began treatments that I realized how many people out there DO NOT have these resources, which breaks my heart. I cannot bare the thought of someone wanting to be a parent, dealing with fertility issues and not able to afford help. Which is why this Giving Tuesday, I have partnered with Boonsupply and Afterpay to give back in a VERY special way, this Giving Tuesday. I’ve rounded up my favorite items for you to shop and when you shop, 40% of the funds will go to a fundraiser to support The Gift of Parenthood. This nonprofit organization helps bring the joys of parenthood to a fruition for families by gifting them grants to aid them in their fertility journey!
The Gift of Parenthood on Giving Tuesday
Boonsupply Handpicked Items
To me, the thought of helping a family achieve their dreams of having a child is SO rewarding, and really its home for me – especially in my season of infertility. And because it’s the giving season, from now until this Friday 12/4 at 11:59pm EST, if you make a minimum $50 purchase, using my link – you will also get FREE SHIPPING by using code: TTMFREESHIP
Each of the pieces I am sharing below, I picked with my followers in mind! And all the items I am sharing are in a price range of anywhere form $8.00 to $30.00, allowing for a budget to fit all. One of the best parts of this partnership is that Afterpay allows you to give/gift now and buy later. Find a few items you’d like to gift someone but prefer not to spend the full amount now? No problem! When using Afterpay you’re able to shop now (responsibly) now and pay later, interest free!
You all know I am a sucker for inspiration quotes and really items with sentimental value, which bring me to the first item!
I want to say a special thank you to Boonsupply for allowing me to give back with a fundraiser of my choice in such a heartfelt way! And thank you Afterpay for partnering with me as well, AND giving the option to give now and pay later!
This post is sponsored by Johnsonville – however all thoughts, views and opinions are my own, and brought to you in the truest form.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Okay, it’s tomorrow, round the corner is a complete understatement. Though I am not able to be with my family this year, I am still feeling thankful to see another holiday. After this year between the second civil rights movement and the pandemic…I do NOT take for grated how blessed I am to be alive. Since things are a little different this year, we decided to get creative! So my mom is making the turkey, greens & dessert. My sister and I are each making 2 to 3 dishes per household, and then we are putting portions for each of our families in Tupperware and dropping it off on each other porches. Brilliant right?!
We typically always do rice, but it’s usually either jasmine rice or bland white rice. This year, I decided to spice it up a bit, literally. With the help of Johnsonville Italian Sausage, I am making my spin on Thanksgiving Dirty Rice. Now I know you’re thinking, isn’t that recipe typically done with either chicken liver or beef? It is, but like I said I wanted to spice things up a bit this year, with more than just the cajun seasonings.
For reference, as I am cooking for people I used the their mild ground Italian sausage. But if I were cooking this for my household, I would turn the heat up up and use their “hot” sausage for more spice. Unfortunately my sister acts like she is allergic to anything at all that’s spicy…she has baby tastebuds! Anyhow, enough of my family drama, 🙂 let’s dig into this recipe so you can wow your guest!
Thanksgiving Dirty Rice Recipe
INGEDIENTS
1 LB Johnsonville Mild Ground Italian Sausage
2 1/5 Cups Uncle Ben’s White Rice
1/2 Cup Bell Pepper (half of a pepper)
1/2 Cup Celery (4 stalks)
White Onion – 1/2 Cup
4 Garlic Bulbs
2 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
Salt (or salt to taste) – 1/2 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
2 tablespoons of Cajun Seasoning
1 tablespoon Bacon Fat
Olive Oil
2 Bay Leafs
2 Cups Chicken Stock
Fresh Parsley (reserve for garnish)
Step 1:
Mince garlic bulbs and in a large skillet, sauté them and the fresh thyme in olive oil on medium heat until golden brown. Once garlic is done, remove it from the frying pan and set aside for later use. DO NOT discard the oil, you will use to this to brown your sausage.
Step 2:
In same same pan where you sautéed the garlic, add your ground pork and oregano and cajun seasoning. Then brown the ground pork until you no longer see pink. Once done set aside. You will be adding the sausage to your dutch over later.
Step 3:
In a Dutch Oven over medium heat, add your tablespoon of bacon fat (or you can use olive oil), Once melted, add the bell pepper, celery and onion. Cook them until they are softened, about 15-20 mins. Then add your ground pork in, heat these to a simmer and allow the flavors to blend for 20 mins on low.
Step 4:
In another pot, add your chicken stock and uncle ben’s rice and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and allow to boil on high for 1 min exactly, then allow the rice to simmer on low for 20 mins.
Step 5:
Once the rice is done, remove the bay leaves and add rice to the ground pork and vegetable mixture in the dutch oven. Mix well, sprinkle parsley on top and you’re done!
Serving Dirty Rice
Honestly this is a meal that can be served on its own or over a bed of red beans. But for this particular occasion, it will go along with our deep fried turkey, so I rip apart a French bread beget to give the meal a rustic feel. Now, If you’re wanting to include red beans with your meal and want to a cheat method…use Goya’s Dark Red Kidney Beans and heat them as the instructions say. This way you can serve the rice either alongside the beans or over top. I also like to do cornbread with the rice, but when I am short for time, I will purchase a box of Jiffy Cornbread, add extra butter to the batter and serve it up hot!
When I made this my family went nuts, even Bella who is our 10 year old and a picky eater has been begging for me to make it again! Make sure to comment below if you try this recipe out, I’d love to hear how much you enjoyed it AND if you use the spicy or mild sausage 😉
How to make money as an influencer with ShopStyle Collective
So, you want to learn how to make money as a blogger from the comfort of your home? You’ve come to the right place! Thanks to ShopStyle Collective’snewest Standard Program, they are taking the guess work out of monetizing your blog and/or social platform! Thank goodness for that, because when I began blogging 2.5 years ago, I didn’t have a lot of the answers but I did have a TON of questions. I would often times reach out to some of my larger and very successful bloggers friends. And though they took me under their wings and helped me tremendously along the way; they didn’t always have time to answer my questions – understandably so. Fast forward to 2020 – I am so proud to say this year, I’ve made more revenue as a blogger, than I ever have! How you ask? With a good foundation and a supportive team.
A little back story, for those of you that might now know, but on top of being a full-time blogger/influencer, I am a full-time Administrative Assistant to 3 busy Divisional Senior VP’s. I have a beautiful blended family – my daughter Bella and husband Jesse – and we live in Raleigh, North Carolina. Not to mention, a year and a half ago, Jesse and I got married and we have been undergoing fertility treatments so we can grow our little family by one! Or two, you never know! I say all of this because I wanted to give you a little glimpse into my reality. I’m juggling a LOT to say the very least. But I’m also crushing goals and turning my blogging dreams into a reality.
How to make money as an influencer with ShopStyle Collective
It has always been a dream of mine to take my blogging career full-time and have it be my sole job. I am actually in the process of bringing THAT dream to fruition right now…I have a LOT in-store for you guys in 2021! 😉 All of this wouldn’t be possible though, without a strong foundation, resources and a lot of help! A large part of the help has come in the form of the ShopStyle Collective! They have quite literally helped me score campaigns, level up in my content creation and monetize my platform.
But before I dig into HOW their new Standard Program is giving micro & nano influencers the tools to SLAY the influencer marketing world, lets first talk about what affiliate marketing actually is…
What is an Affiliate Marketing Influencer Platform?
Blogging is a job and passion that can be done quite literally from anywhere in the world. And really by anyone who has a laptop and smart phone. But to actually be successful you will need to have the drive to persevere, overcome objection and know that your worth is NOT measured by the number of followers you have. Commonly in the blogging world, people do not feel “important” until they hit 10,000 followers. They also wonder if it is even possible to make an income without those followers, especially with affiliate marketing. It is not only possible it’s happening everyday and thanks to ShopStyle Collective team, how it’s done is no longer a secret.
A large portion of my job as a blogger is, me sharing and recommending products that I love, that I feel my community will too.
This is affiliate marketing. It’s a system where YOU make a commission off of promoting brands and items you love. You are in the most literal sense an influencer. In my opinion, affiliate marketing works best when you really believe in the product that you’re promoting. Personally, I will never promote a product that I have not tried first and whole-heartedly believe that my life is better because of it. When you’re genuine about the products that you’re promoting, it feels effortless – like you’re recommending something awesome to a friend.
I keep my recommendations in one centralized spot on my blog. ShopStyle Collective is the platform I use to power my “Shop My Looks” page, where I share my Daily Outfit Inspo as well as outfit details for my blog and social pages. Having everything in a centralized location, and it being one click; my reader is sent to the retailer’s site to view the linked item. No added step, like having to download apps or anything! Easy peasy!
How Do I Get Started with ShopStyle Collective?
To get started with ShopStyle Collective, you’ll need a a Instagram Business or Creator account with a connected Facebook Business Page. You then can apply to be apart of the ShopStyle Collective if you aren’t already by clicking here. And that is also where you will find a breakdown of their plans, the Standard Program and the Advanced Program.
ShopStyle Collective’s Programs
ShopStyle’s newest program, the Standard Program is tailored toward aspiring influencers and influencers with under 10,000 followers. Their main goal is to give you the tools necessary to not only monetize but to create sharable content and grow your community. They do this through sharing performance reporting, allowing you to get paid for every click you drive AND providing you with strategy updates…amongst many other things. The other program is the Advanced Program, this program gives you everything the Standard Program does, in addition to detailed click data, audience analytics, exclusive commission increases + bonus events, and much more.
Everything we do in like takes hard work and determination, and influencing/blogging is no different. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t ready for the Advanced Program, yet. Instead set a goal for yourself to start with the Standard Program, build your foundation and work towards graduating to the Advanced Program, which you can and WILL do! I’m sure you’re thinking, okay now I’ve got a network of choice, HOW do I actually promote the products I so love? I’ve got you and so does the ShopStyle Collective team.
How do I Promote the Products I love?
When you’re thinking about what kind of products you want to promote, make sure you keep your target audience in mind – what kind of products do you think they will mind meaningful? Which products will help to improve their lives, that you can speak to personally?
Some products you share you community may NOT take a great interest in, other items they may completely love. That is where the importance of reviewing your analytics and coming up with a strategy comes into play. I love the I can easily access my ShopStyle Collective performance reporting from my dashboard and not only see audience analytics but also detailed click data. Meaning I can see what items my community clicked on AND purchased the most. It gives me an idea of what they like vs what they do not. I also make sure to interact with my following and simply ask them be it on my IG feed or in my stories, do you like this product? Would you like to see this content from me? That way I am not taking a stab in the dark.
How do I Create Content Worth Sharing?
So you’ve applied and been accepted into ShopStyle Collective, yay – congrats! Let’s celebrate drinks on me!!
Now post our celebrating 🙂 you’re at the point where you’ve decide to post one of your favorite outfits featuring a pair of Sam Edelman boots that are currently on sale…but you aren’t sure what to say?
The content that you create should work in the following ways:
Introduce yourself to your reader
Introduce your reader to the product
Explain how the product has worked for you and can work for them
Make it easy for readers to purchase the product (i.e., Shop My Looks Page or Link In Bio)
There are a few different ways to promote affiliate products on your blog and social media accounts. You can stick to a single method or use a combination of all of them! Whatever works best for you and your audience.
Create a blog post dedicated to a single product by telling a complete story about your experience with it
Mention products in a “Top 10 Best Products for ____” post
Sponsored (#ad) Instagram post that shows you using the product and talk about it in the caption
Discuss about the product on IG Live! You can give your followers the full run down. And/or partner with someone else who has used the product, to compare experiences for your viewers
How do I Monetize Successfully & Consistently?
The very best advice that I can give to be successful and begin monetizing, is to have a plan and be consistent. There’s a lot that goes into affiliate marketing from using the product, photographing it, writing about it, getting posts up in a timely manner. Keep an organized daily planner that has room for you to leave notes or brainstorm content ideas. By planning out the content you’re going to creat (photoshoot, writing, etc.) it give you a jump start. You can, plan out a few weeks in advance so you know exactly what’s coming and you can hold yourself accountable to following through. Follow through and consistency is key! That’s the only way to make significant money in affiliate marketing. Once you’ve found your own flow, you will literally be making money while you sleep!
Affiliate Marketing Pro Tips
In my 2.5 years of experience with affiliate marketing, I’ve picked up some little tips and tricks:
When blog writing, insert affiliate links as close to the top of the page as possible
Be HONEST! I know you might feel as though you have to give a glowing review every time you post, but your readers will appreciate your honesty. If there’s an aspect of the product that you didn’t like, say so!
Be patient. It will take some time to build your following and land big partners, that’s why you want to start now and build your ShopStyle Collective resume, so to speak 🙂
Take high-quality photos and hire a content writer if you don’t have sharp writing skills.
If you are an aspiring influencer or a current one with under 10k follows and haven’t already, be sure to check out ShopStyle Collective’s newest Standard Program! For my influencers with more than 10K followers, be sure to check out their Advanced Program for how it can work for YOU. You can thank me later! 😉
And of course, as always – If you have any questions about what I’ve discussed here, or affiliate marketing in general, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message in the comment box below. I want to help YOU attain success and financial freedom!
One of my MOST requested recipes of all time! Ya’ll know I’m dramatic but I’m not kidding, it really is! I posted a IG reel about a month ago, with this coffee. And my community went nuts! People have been asking for this recipe non-stop! Can’t say I blame them, it is THAT good. I will even go as far to say it rivaled Starbucks caramel iced coffee…I KNOW but seriously it’s sooo good! And I honestly think what makes it better is knowing I am not going crazy spending at Starbucks.
Now of course, there is always a backstory. Though you didn’t ask, as always – I’m giving you one! 🙂
When the PSL came back to Starbucks, I went a little crazy. Little is an understatement. It was more like a little lot…I went completely nuts. I was at Starbucks almost everyday, several times a day. Ultimately got myself into trouble with the budget. So I did what any resourceful millennial does…I phone a friend or help. LIES, LIES and ALIBI’S! After checking my budget in the YNAB app and my conscious, I decided I would become my own barista. End result? I was able to whip myself up a caramel iced coffee that cured my craving for Starbucks and made my tastebuds sing!
Iced Coffee with Caramel Drizzle Recipe
To make your coffee you’ll need: Cold Brew Coffee or Fresh Coffee (of your choice), Organic Valley Half & Half, Kraft’s Square Caramel Candy, Whipped Cream. I was able to find all items at my local Target.
AND there is always the option to make your own caramel, it’s actually rather easy using brown sugar, half & half and salt. I also add a dash of vanilla. Additional you can make your own whipped cream! Doing this will add on about 15 mins to the overall cooking time. However if you’re in a crunch for time and needing to whip up a quick coffee prior to work, then follow the steps below.
Glory Roze Photography
The 2 key ingredients for this Iced Coffee with Caramel Drizzle Recipe is the Organic Valley Half & Half and Kraft’s Caramel Squares. My husband would say it’s the whipped cream. 🙂
For the actual coffee base you can purchase any Cold Brew Coffee. However I prefer to make my own coffee fresh. So of course I choose to use Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee, but you can honestly use any flavored coffee, as they all pair pretty well with the caramel.
Glory Roze PhotographyGlory Roze Photography
(Pin this blog post for later)
My Coffee Recipe
Prep Time: 10 mins / Cook Time: 5 mins / Total Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
Cold Brew Coffee or Freshly Brewed Coffee, Ice, Organic Valley Half & Half, Kraft’s Square Caramel Candy, Whipped Cream
Instructions:
Step 1:
Brew 6 Cups of Coffee (you will only use 1 cup of coffee per serving) and allow to cool down a bit.
Alternative to Step 1:
If you use Cold Brew, skip this step
Step 2:
Unwrap and place 8 Kraft Caramel Candies in a bowl, and add 1 Table Spoon of water. Warm in the microwave for 20 seconds, then stir and warm for another 20 seconds or until caramel is fully melted
Step 3:
Spoon the melted caramel into your glasses. Spin you glass counter clockwise and spoon the opposite way, so your caramel makes a dripping design. Save some caramel for the end and set aside!
Step 4:
Add ice to your glasses and pour 1/2 cup of Organic Valley Half and Half into each cup
Step 5:
Pour 1 cup of coffee into each of the glasses
Step 6:
Top with whipped cream & drizzle caramel over the top
That’s it, you’ve got your very own Iced Coffee with Caramel Drizzle! Let me know in the comments if you try the recipe out and if you like it.
How Budgeting with YNAB Changed My Relationship with Money
Glory Roze Photography
A huge thank you to, YOU NEED A BUDGET, for sponsoring today’s post.
There’s nothing I love more than pumpkin spice season! And when I say nothing, I mean… NOTHING. I actually have to carve out a little bit of extra space in my budget every time fall rolls around. I already know I’m going to be making more Starbucks trips than should even be allowed.
I’ll admit that things got a little out of hand between myself, PSL frapps, and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew last month. I went a little bit over budget in the coffee category, BUT it’s okay. I’m not sweating it because I use You Need A Budget (YNAB) – an amazing budgeting app that has helped me and my husband take control of our finances!
Now, you guys know that I would never introduce you to anything that I have not already tried. To say that I like this budgeting app is an understatement! I really want to share how YNAB works, what it has done for me, and what it can do for YOU.
I’m very passionate about educating my community – especially the black community – because money has been considered a taboo topic for too long. The only way we’re all going to get better at managing it is if we start having an open conversation about what works.
Learning to Budgeting with YNAB
YNAB was designed to help you do three things: stop living paycheck-to-paycheck, get out of dent, and save money. I’m here to tell you that their design WORKS!!
A few years ago, I was living paycheck-to-paycheck, just making sure my bills were paid, I’d pretty much do whatever I wanted with the leftover funds. Although my method worked for immediate situations, it did not help me plan for the future or any kind of emergency. Now, I wasn’t living paycheck-to-paycheck when I started using YNAB, but that doesn’t mean I was managing my money well. I was still in debt and didn’t have much of a savings to speak of. Today, YNAB has helped me all but reach debt-free status (wow, does that feel good to say!). They also taught me simple, but effective ways to save money. Work smarter, not harder, isn’t that how the saying goes?
YNAB Proven & Award Winning 4 step system for budgeting:
TBD
Give every dollar a job –This kind of like the old school “envelope method” – a system for allocating where your money will be spent before you spend it.
Embrace your expenses – Don’t shy away from expenses that are inevitably coming. Start planning ahead of time for worst case scenarios, major purchases, and events.
Roll with the punches – Be flexible! We never know what is going to happen in the future and that’s okay. If you go over on an area of your budget that has suddenly become high priority, move funds from an area of your budget that is of lower priority this month.
Age your money (HONEY!) –YNAB sets you up so that you are able to literally budget out so well that you are spending money that is leftover from last month’s budget on this month’s bills. Eventually, you will get to a point where you can put an entire paycheck into your savings fund because you’ll have more than one month all budgeted out.
Now let’s talk about budgeting with YNAB as a couple
When you’re married, budgeting only works if both partners are on the same page. The initial process of combining your incomes and deciding how much money you’ll need for each aspect of your budget can be overwhelming, but YNAB makes it SO EASY. There are three ways to budget with YNAB as a couple:
Separate accounts
Joint account
Hybrid
Jesse and I started out with each having an account for our individual finances/expenses. We also had a third account for our joint expenses. Eventually, we found that having a single shared account was easier. This way we were able to handle and we wanted to cover. And more importantly in the event something happened to ether of us; we’d each have access to the account/funds.
With a single account, we won’t have to go through any difficult processes to access the other person’s money. Once we combined the accounts, together we worked out our budget for our regular bills. As well as personal recurring expenses such as: hair, nails, coffee, etc. Finally separate from everything else, we have “play savings” – and money that is just for ourselves!
By guiding us to create personal “play savings,” YNAB taught us that we can’t pester each other about what we’re doing with our money.
Our “play savings” is ours and ours alone to do whatever we want with! This usually means a new video game for Jesse and a new purse for mama. Just as getting your finances organized as a couple is important, I think that it’s absolutely crucial to have date nights with your significant other, no matter how long you’ve been together.
Date night allows you to enjoy each other’s company, unwind, and treat yourselves to a special experience “just because.” The biggest problem with date night is that it can get EXPENSIVE! Have you been to the movies lately? I mean we’re talking like $70 when all is said and done! As a rule of thumb, Jesse and I set aside a certain amount for date night each month. This way we don’t have to stress about whether or not we can afford a fancy night out. But here’s where it gets good: when we spend date night at home, we roll those unused funds over to our budget to the next month. This is exactly what YNAB means by “age your money!” And because we had a few date nights at home in September, we were able to use our padded budget on our trip to King & Prince Resort!
Shifting the perspective on budgets
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to Kelly, a YNAB teacher (you can watch the IG Live here). In it she reminded me of something that I thought was really powerful. She said, “a budget is not meant to be restrictive, it’s meant to make sure that we’re spending our money on the things that matter to us the most!” I literally was said “oh wow” – it was yet another lightbulb moment for me. Some months, there will be things in your budget that matter more than they do other months, and that’s okay. With YNAB, you’ll easily be able to see all of your money laid out. Then you decide for yourself where and how it will be spent.
If you’re ready to experience financial FREEDOM, you just have to try out YNAB! You can try their budgeting app for FREE for 34-days, no credit card needed. Click here to sign up! Once you’ve signed up, you can also take advantage of their free educational videos, expert advice, and live classes!
Drop me a message after you’ve signed up for YNAB so I can congratulate you!
Okay, I know that everyone’s buzzing about Halloween, but since Miss Coronavirus has cancelled all the big celebrations, I’ve been planning for the other big holiday this month: Amazon Prime Day. Ah, yes. October 13th and 14th… the two days when Amazon Prime members can get a jump on their Christmas shopping. No shame in the treat yo’self game! Just remember the golden rule – if you can’t afford to buy it twice, you probably can’t afford it.
No matter what your plans are for this year’s Amazon Prime extravaganza, I thought I’d clue you in to some of this year’s most highly anticipated deals, along with my personal wish list. You know me – I am always busy, busy, busy and I LOVE a good bargain. Amazon Prime Day just makes it so easy for me to get when I need (and want) in a way that’s affordable and convenient. What could be better? Below I am breaking listing tops sales I am looking forward to as well as breaking down items I currently have in my cart!
Prime Day 2020 Shopping Guide
On top of these finds, I will be sharing a ton over in my Instagram Storiesthroughout the day, so make sure you’re following along.
Quick Overview of Top Sales
I know some of you want things summed up, while others prefer a breakdown of what I am eyeballing. For my quick readers, below is a small list of Noteworthy Sales.
You also may be interested in viewing Amazon’s Top 100-ish Gift Guide if you aren’t sure where to start, this guide items down by product as well as WHO you’re shopping for. Keep reading below for more sales and make sure to check out my Amazon Store Front, where I will also be adding items for the next 2 days to section labeled Amazon Prime Day 2020!
All the kitchenware, please!
I don’t know what it is about kitchenware, but I absolutely love it. Okay, maybe it’s because I’m totally inspired by Chrissy Teigen, but who among us isn’t? Way back in February, Chrissy posted a picture of her insanely organized pantry on Instagram and I was obsessed. So, when I found out that the Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Set is almost HALF OFF for Prime day, I immediately threw it in my cart. I guess this is adulting? Being excited about Tupperware and kitchen storage sets?
Don’t tell my husband, but I’ve also got my eye on some Prime Day drinkware deals… if you asked him, he would say that we have way too much drinkware, but I say that there’s no such thing. I mean, how can I pass up this 20 OUNCE glass tumbler that comes with a reusable straw and bamboo lid? It comes in so many colors and it’s only $13.59 so I might have to get two. What, Bella needs one, too! I’ll take a set of these Iridescent Stainless Steel Straws too – for when I am taking blog photos and need a cute prop for my drinks!
Fashion Finds Galore
As of late, Amazon has truly been one of my go-to’s for 2 things fashion related. Basic essentials and affordable staple pieces for my closet. And since clothing from Amazon’s brands are up to 40% off, I figure I will treat myself and my closet.
They have a fantastic line called Amazon The Drop, where notable influencers create one of a kind pieces to be made on-demand. The Drop also has staple pieces, this Square Neck Bodycon Dress being one of them. It’s simply chic and pairs so well with sneakers is the CUTEST fall look! I plan on pairing it with the Amazon Brand Goodthreads Fringe Wrap Scarf below. Though it is not on sale, it’s definitely one of my fav fashion finds.
As for my essentials, I’ll take t-shirts for Jesse and I both. I LIVE for how soft they are, as does my hubby. And the quality is wonderful as well. Here is one from the Amazon’s Daily Ritual Brand that I’ve been rocking on repeat.
I can’t mention fashion and not mention one of my favorite lines Dress The Population! For Prime Day, dressed from Dress The Population are up to 30% off. Ya’ll! When I said seeing this made me SO happy. My engagement dress is from Dress The Population and is sooo flattering. I am hopeful I will get to some events in 2021. So I have the Alicia Plunging Mix Media Fit and Flare Midi in my cart.
Now let’s chat about Digital deals
Amazon Prime Day is one of the best days to get deals on electronics. This is where I like to adopt a “two for you, one for me” mindset. I pick two items with high price points to give as gifts, and then treat myself to one. The Amazon Echo Show 5 with smart display is half off this year, making it only $44.99! And the Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones are on sale for $149! Definitely going to grab one of each and stash it away for a Christmas gift.
While I’m at it, I think I’ll snag the 32-inch Roku Smart TV for 35% off, thank you very much. My nephew Ethan has been wanting a new TV in his room, this will suit him well. Consider it an early Christmas gift, LOL!
And then for myself? The GOOVI Robot Vacuum is a must. I’ve been eyeballing it, and I think it’s finally time. That way I don’t have to worry about taking time out of my day to clean the floors, behind our Goldendoodle Harley.
Amazon Prime Day Hacks
Prime Day in and of itself is amazing, but there are a few little tricks to take advantage of it to the fullest:
Download the app, enable notifications, and select “watch this deal” for items that aren’t live yet – you’ll get a notification as soon as it is.
Keep an eye on Lightening Deals – Amazon deals that are only available for a very limited time!
Stock your cart NOW.
Enable 1-click ordering.
Take advantage of Amazon Credits – spend at least $10 at an Amazon small business, Amazon Books/Pop Up, or Amazon 4-star and get a $10 Amazon credit.
As I mentioned earlier, Amazon Prime Day will last for 2 whole days! October 13th through the 14th, which means you’ll have a full 48 hours to snag some amazing deals. I will be sharing my top finds on my Amazon Store Front , as well as in my Instagram Stories. So make sure you’re following along.
That’s all I have for you guys…for now! I’d love to hear about the deals that you are most excited about this year. Are you shopping for yourself or getting a head start on Christmas shopping? Let me know in the comment box! Happy shopping!
Weekend Getaway at King & Prince Golf and Beach Resort
These last few months have been busy to say the least. I have had so much going on on a personal front as well as a business front. It’s so weird, how you don’t realize how much you need something until you have it. I honestly didn’t realize how much I needed a vacation mentally and physically. I’ve been working from home since March and it has A LOT to say the least. I also didn’t realize how much my family needed the vacation as well. The happiness that radiated on their faces was EVERYTHING to me, and pushes me to continue to do what I need to make them more than comfortable.
King & Prince Golf and Beach Resort Weekend Getaway
I could not be more thankful for the weekend that my family and I had at King & Prince Golf and Beach Resort in St. Simmons Island, Georgia! I mean, first of all, the resort was absolutely GORGEOUS, but I’ll talk more about that in a moment. When I tell you that this vacation could not have come at a better time… girl! Our little blended family – like all of yours – has been together at home all summer long without a single summer vacation plan on the calendar.
Not to mention, my husband and I are starting fertility treatments next week (again) so we can give our Bella a baby brother or sister to love! We’re all so excited, but darn, if we aren’t exhausted. So when King & Prince invited us to come and stay for the weekend, the word “YES!!” rang through our home while we all jumped up and down! “We’re going on vacation!!”
Our Ocean Front View
Photo Courtesy of King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
We were placed in a 4th floor room that had the most gorgeous view of the ocean and the pools, hot tubs and cabanas that are positioned right on the beach. Since we’re on the east coast, we were able to catch the sunrise right from our balcony at about 7:30 each morning. If you know me, you know that I’m an early riser – I’ve always got a to do list a mile long, so I get started early! I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to wake up naturally (no alarm clocks on vacation!), kiss my husband, and watch the sun peek over the Atlantic Ocean.
Speaking of the beach, what good would it be if we just admired from afar? Jesse, Bella, and I had a wonderful time walking up and down the beach, searching for seashells and feeling the cool ocean water wash over our ankles. We all felt completely at peace, enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful views at King & Prince.
Photo Courtesy of The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
B&B (beach & breakfast) (OK… AND dinner)
Right on the resort, there’s a fantastic restaurant, ECHO, where we ate breakfast and dinner. There are options to eat in the dining room, or right out on the beach! The menu pays homage to traditional southern coastal cuisine and features selections from local farms and vendors, with options that change with the seasons!
Not only was the food incredible but the staff! Oh, they were so lovely. Each and every person made sure that my family and I had everything we needed to make our meal absolutely perfect. And let me just say, their Pimento Cheese Hummus, is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
ECHO Restaurant. The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. 201 Arnold Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
A Touch of History
We would be remiss to spend time on St. Simmons Island without learning a bit about the rich history of the small, coastal town.We visited the St. Simmons Lighthouse Museum which houses exhibits from the Civil War. The lighthouse, built in 1872, still serves as a guiding light for ships on the Atlantic! If you know me, you know I am petrified of heights. But I actually went all the way to the top. Yup, I went 129 steps and that’s one way. I think needless to say I was terrified at the top and about had a complete panic attack.
We also paid a visit to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation which is on the National Register of Historic Places and home to 1,500 preserved acres of land and marsh. This portion of the visit definitely a humbling experience. As our tour guide described the conditions the slaves worked it was hard not to cringe at the life our ancestors led. But as a free black woman, it also felt somewhat liberating to stand on that land knowing my ancestor likely would stand in awe of how we live today.
Thank you, King & Prince!
A HUGE thank you to King & Prince Resort and their exemplary staff! This may have been our first time visiting but it will not be our last. From the minute we arrived, we were greeted with such warmth and care. Now that we’re back home, Bella is immersed in her schoolwork, and my husband and I with our own work and fertility treatments, we are so grateful that we had this wonderful weekend to recharge us.
It has been 73 degrees this past week in NC, and let me just tell you guys, I have been in absolute heaven. Though we aren’t officially in the Fall season yet, it certainly feels like it and I couldn’t be more pleased. Fall has always been one of my favorite season! Mainly for the color scheme all of the foliage from the beautiful burnt orange and yellows colored foliage. I love to open my windows and feel a crisp fall breeze come through.
It’s also one of my favorite season because of the food! I am salivating just thinking of all the sweat and salty treats, candy corn pumpkins, apple cider and more. Personally I think the fall (and winter) season is when you find the best food. Comfort food at it’s finest! But comfort food comes in many forms, be it a fall themed snack mix, appetizer or hearty main course meal. I am here for literally ALL of it!
This past weekend Bella had her first sleepover of the fall, so to celebrate I made a fall themed snack mix for the girls to have. It is so dang good, I just had to share! This fall snack mix recipe requires no prep and is made so easily in under 15 minutes and the kids love it! Keep reading for my personal recipe, as well as a few other that are not my own, but hat I love non the less!
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Fall Snack Mix Recipe
Ingredients
2 Cups of Chex Rice Cereal
2 Cups of Snyder’s Mini Pretzles
2 Tbsp of Nutella (this drizzle will be sticky & messy. But if you’d prefer chocolate drizzle that hardens, see the end of the recipe for alternative ingredients/instructions)
1/3 Cup of Brach’s Candy Corn
1/3 Cup of Halloween Cocoa Crip M&Ms
1/4 Cup of Ghirardelli Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/3 Cup of Brach’s Halloween Pumpkin Candy
Instructions:
Step 1:
Pour 2 Cups of Chex Cereal into a medium bowl
I chose my black Rae Dunn bowl, because it reminded me of Fall and halloween.
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 2:
Pour 2 Cups of mini pretzels into that same bowl
The base of your snack mix will be the Rice Chex Mix & Mini Pretzels, as such you want to ensure you have enough of each. You will also notice I am not using a measuring cup. I’ve done this recipe so many times, so I no longer measure the ingredients.
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 3:
Pour 1/3 Cup of Candy Corn
I like to place the candy in a design, to take a picture prior to mixing everything, but it is not necessary.
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 4:
Pour 1/3 Cup of Candy Pumpkins
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 5:
Pour 1/3 Cup of M&Ms into the bowl
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 6:
Pour 1/4 Cup of Chocolate Chips into the bowl
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 7:
Mix your ingredients together and set aside
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 8:
In a separate bowl, spoon in 2 Tablespoons of Nutella then microwave it for for 20-30 seconds.
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
Step 9:
Put Nutella into a ziplock bag and cut the corner tip the ziplock.Then drizzle the Nutella over the snack mix.
Cutting the ziplock is a great trick to do, when you don’t have any pipping bags! The higher up you cut the corner, the thicker your drizzle will be. As a result, for this recipe I made the cut very tiny, to make you make the ziplock into a makeshift one.
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
That’s it, you’re done – end result is a delicious sweet and salty fun fall snack mix recipe! I might’ve snuck a taste before I told my family it as ready…
Photo Cred: Glory Roze Photography
This snack also saves me a ton of time and it’s a real crowd-pleaser. You can easily make this as a to-go snack, I would say minus the Nutella if so, as it can get a little messy. My family prefers the chocolate to be gooey, but if you prefer something that causes a little less mess, I have a trick for you! Instead of drizzling Nutella, you can make chocolate drizzle that will harden once it cools. Simply follow the instructions in the recipe noted here by Food.com for the best results!
As I mentioned before, though isn’t officially Fall yet (September 22nd is the official first day of fall) it is quite literally right around the corner. And that means, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, as well! I enjoy cooking for my family, but they can be an impatient bunch. Because that is the case, I try to keep snacks on hand. Because it’ll be the holidays before I know it, I am sharing some more fall snack mix recipes, I hope you’ll love!
Jessica, creator and brains behind the Novice Chef Brand, is literally one of my favorite self taught cooks. I have tried so many of her recipes and they have NEVER failed me! This deliciously fun, fall Chex mix is coated in cinnamon sugar, which is music to my ears. The recipe also calls for tossing it in a butter mixture consisting of brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract; 3 of my favorite ingredients in desserts! Though this mix recipe goes in the over for an hour, it is not a set it and forget it snack mix. You have to stir the snack mix every 15 mins for the full hour it is in the oven. But the crunchier the better! My favorite part of this recipe? Once done and cooled, you add caramel pieces to the mixture and toss. You can try out this recipe click here.
Umm hello Fall, I’m ready for you and this snack! I am a HUGE fan of caramel popcorn the flavors of butter and caramel; always creates a party in my mouth! Personally I think, the caramel corn is the star of this snack mix. Having lived in NC now for 5 years, I still don’t feel completely “at home.” Being born and raised in Connecticut, I miss experiencing all 4 seasons haha. But really there wasn’t one year that I missed the Big E, the 6th largest fair in the nation. There you get everything from baked potatoes to fresh apple cider and donuts. But my favorite thing to eat whenever I went was the fresh caramel popcorn. I think I will be making this snack mix next. You can try out this recipe click here.
I am a huge fan of of salty and sweet snack, incase you didn’t guess, so my love for this snack is a no brainer. This is really a mix and toss recipe and as a working mom and wife, I always appreciate these. It includes: salted peanuts, Reese’s pieces and peanut butter filled pretzels. This is an ideal snack mix for those family memebers and friends who are huge fans of peanut butter. You can try out this recipe click here.
I’d love to know if you end up trying my recipe or any of the other ones I’ve listed. Let me know in the comments section!
As always, you can shop my look below or by going to my Shop My Look page by clicking here.
Today is the day that everyone waits for…the day that Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) finally returns at Starbucks! It is safe to say that by 6:45am, I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte drink in hand. No joke, my husband went to get me one before work. For me, this is the best day next to the first day of fall! In a recent Instagram Post seen here, I asked you all for your favorite coffee recommendations, in response you guys flooded my comments section with over 100 recommendations! Because of all these great recs. I had to share, so I’ve rounded up all of the Starbucks drink recommendations for you guys in one place. If you’d like to see the complete list here.
The struggle is real when it comes to black women’s hair, especially natural hair. With so many hair textures, the styles though are limitless, time needed is sometimes a lot. Wether you have short hair, medium length hair, shoulder length…I think we can all agree, it is literally a constant battle! With every varying hair types and textures, curl patters, density, porosity, and more – sometimes it’s a challenge to find a chic and effortless style. And for those who are natural, protective hairstyles are a must as well. As a mom, who works full time and blogs full time, I am always looking for little life hacks or shortcuts. I like that I can do, giving myself back 5 minutes of my day or 5 hours when it comes to my hair.
Since going natural, I’ve tried to find cute but simple hair styles, that I can do. You the know the hairstyles that leave people wondering how you had time to get to the hairdresser? Or who taught you to do your hair, those styles. Would you believe me if I said YOU could do all these styles. And without breaking bank and most without going to the salon except for once?! Shocked? I was too!
10 Quick Easy Hairstyles For Black Women
Best part, all of these styles can be worn on a girls night out, date night or even to the office. These styles are as versatile as they are quick, some of them are even protective hairstyles! I am here to make life easier for YOU and I, both. 🙂 So I wanted to share my top 10 picks for quick and easy hairstyles, specifically for black women.
Below you will find, my top pics for Quick Easy Hairstyles For Black Women
#1 Wash and Go
Starting the list off is one of my favorite effortlessly chic styles, which is a “wash & go”. This particular style is for my ladies with naturally curly hair. On Monday mornings when I am in a pinch for time, this style is a winner. As it’s name states, you wash your hair, apply your product and go! If you’re not completely pressed for time then you can diffuse your hair to allow for volumous day 1 curls! I use the Dyson Dryer & Diffuser linked here.
My go to products for this style are: Camille Rose Curl Milk & Camille Rose Curl Maker gel. These products are great when it comes to locking in moisture. First separate your hair into 4 sections. Second apply the product directly to the sections of my hair, using the praying hands method. Third, allow to air dry. This is considered a protective style, because it is tension free. I make sure that I don’t resort to this style a lot, as it can cause fairy knots for some hair types. Also this hair style can be done by all ethnicities, not just African-American’s hair.
Style No.: 1 – Wash & Go
#2: Knotless Box Braids
This has really been my go to style for a large portion of my natural hair journey. When Box Braids & Knotless Braids came on the scene, it took the world by storm. Everywhere I turned, there was another influencer and/or star, with these braids! Yet another protective style, if done correctly, box braids…more specifically knotless box braids, can result in healthy hair growth. They’ve definitely given my hair a much needed break, after I did the big chop almost 2 years ago.
Initially I was at a total lost for hairstyles for natural hair, but once I heard of this braided hairstyle, I was SOLD! I never looked back!I’ve had my hair braided at least 8 times since then. It’s also extremely versatile. I wear my hair in a: French braid, top knot, and many more styles. This style WILL protect your hair (if done correctly and not too tight). Unless you know how to do this style yourself, you will need to go to a salon to have this done. I have found my box braids, knotless or not run between $90 – $200, depending upon who is doing them.
You will also need to purchase braiding hair, these are extensions that the stylist will feed into your hair. I use X-Pression’s pre-stretched hair linked here. Additionally I go for the longer hair, as I like my braided hairstyles to come to top of my waist. It gives me a more dramatic look. Kind of like Beyonce’s hair in the Lemonade Video.
Style No.: 2 – Box Braids / Knotless Braids
#3 – Top Knot / Braided Bun
Whoever told you braids couldn’t be chic, lied! They are so versatile, you can do a bun hairstyle and more and it STILL be a protective hairstyle. I was able to pull of braids in a top knot / braided bun while wearing a cashmere sweater and tutu! Ha, take that corporate America! Haha! This is why box braids and knotless braids are so versatile. I wear mine in a lot of different ways! All I do for this style is first, flip my head upside down, using a silk or satin hair tie (prevents breakage and irritation, I’ve linked it here).
Second I put my hair into a high ponytail. Third, I put my pony into 3 sections, then take 1 section of my hair and wrap it around clockwise. I repeat this step on the other 2 sections of my hair. Ta-da, you have yourself a top knot/ braided bun in under 5 mins. I usually either bobby pin the ends to ensure they stay, or put another hair tie around the top knot, then tuck my braids around it, to hide it.
Style No.: 3 – Top Knot / Braided Bun
#4 – Flexi Rod Set
These styles require very little and can literally last you up to 2 weeks if properly cared for! Flexi Rods come in varying sizes, for this particular set, my stylist used medium ones, linked here. This protective hairstyle, can be done at home. It was my first time having it done since going natural, so I wanted someone to do it for me the first time, and also show me how to do it myself.
To achieve this style, you will need: Flexi Rods, Setting Foam (my go to is Mielle Brazilian Curly Cocktail Curl Mousse). Linked here, is is a step by step video tutorial on how to do it at home, by one of my favorite hair Bloggers Janae Mason.
Style No.: 4 – Flexi Rod Set
#5 – Passion Twist
In this section we are tackling the widely popular, Passion Twist. These are very much like two strand twist. Some people are able to achieve this style at home on their own. I cannot! So I made an appointment with my local beautician BJ aka The Loc Queen, to install this low tension protective style. I was able to wear these twist for 5 weeks. I am also was able to put them into a variety of styles from a high ponytail to French braids. You are also able to choose your length; if you want short hair, medium length hair, even shoulder length hair – it’s yours! I prefer my hair to be long!
Style No.: 5 – Passion Twist
#6 – Faux Locs
Another wildly popular style is Faux Locs. It is a great low tension protective styles that you’ve seen a ton of African American women with as of late. This is not to be confused with a faux hawk. These faux (or fake locs) are actually a great hairstyle for women and men! You get the feel of having authentic locs, without the years of locing your hair. Bj did this style for me as well.
This style is done by taking sections of your hair, braiding them then wrapping the loc hair around your own hair. It is literally one of my favorite styles! And I was able to achieve a ton of different hairstyles including the the “pineapple” hairdo that so many curly girls love to do, with a simple hair tie!
Style No.: 6 – Faux Locs
#7 – Bantu Knots
I have yet to achieve this infamous Bantu Knots, but I love them none the less! Don’t be fooled by the name, they are NOT knots and are very protective to your hair. This style tribal style made up of large or small coiled buns. I honestly feel like this hairstyle is such a conversation starter. From what I know the most important part to this style is the size of the sections of your hair and the twist method. A great thing about this style is once done, I can wear my knots OR once my hair dries, I untwist them to give me a full and wavy mane. You can also do the side braided to give it an edgier look.
Recently, I found my curly hair was FINALLY long enough to do the High Puff hairstyle. I literally did a happy dance you guys, this is a pivotal moment in every curly girls hair journey! Looking at this style you would think that my hair is tied very tightly with a hair tie to keep the back and sides pulled tight. WRONG! This is a true protective style, achieved by using the LCO method, adding water and a gel. All I do is brush my hair in an upward motion and put a very loose silk hair tie (linked here) around my puff. I then pick it a bit to fluff it and I’m done!
Style No.: 8 – High Puff
#9 French Braids
I know some of you are likely scratching your heads saying what, French Braids…what? Yes, French Braids aka Cornrows are a great protective style! These braids are very versatile, you can add in smaller braids, feed in extensions to make them longer, add sections to give them a snazzier look and more! When doing my hair at home; for this style I section my hair into two parts, apply gel and brush my hair back. I then braid my hair and secure it with two (silk) hair ties. Sometimes I will also add hair jewelry! When going to a stylist, all you need to do is sit back and let them work their magic!
Last but certainly not least…a go to for MOST curly hair women is the Flat Twist! Ladies, all I use is gel with a firm hold (my favorite is linked here) & bobbie pins. The flat twist can be done a TON of different ways. I tend to part mine down the middle (like you’re going to do French Braids). And then I twist them along the base of my head, almost mimicking the Milk Maid Braid technique. I lay my edges down for an hour. And that is it!
Find More Hairstyles For Black Women on Pinterest by clicking here to follow my Natural Hair board!
I hope these style will make your hair goals seem more achievable and therefor make your morning a little less hectic! As always, I’d love to hear what you think, comment below and I will make sure to get back to you!
As always, you can shop my look below or by going to my Shop My Look page by clicking here.
Melanin Monday: 5 Black Owned Business to Support & Shop
I am so excited to introduce Melanin Monday to my NBOTS Family! This project is my baby and it hits close to home as I am a black women and content creator. Melanin Monday will occur every Monday on my Instagram & Blog. There will be 4 Seasons (Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring) and every Monday will be a new episode! I wanted to put a fun spin on this so we don’t get bored. First up, black owned businesses!
On these Monday’s unless otherwise noted, I will be sharing a variety of black: Businesses, History, Content Creators, Authors, Colleges and more! In doing this, I hope to keep the conversation surrounding Black Lives Matter, alive. While also helping to educate those who don’t know where to start in their quest to be anti-racist and learn more about the African-American, BIPOC and POC culture. I simply want to amplify melanated voices and essentially celebrate all things black. Which I do every day (typically on and off social media), but I wanted to set aside a special day to celebrate with YOU!
I’m already working on next Monday’s Melanin Monday segment – and cannot wait to share. I will give you a hint, it will feature a female Vlogger, Blogger and melanin entrepreneur! That’s all you get! 🙂 Now for this week, I decided to kick off Season 1, Episode 1 – talking about Black Brands to shop! As a side note: I am starting out with 5 brands, but I do have others I want to highlight, as such this list will be expanded so keep checking back!
Black Owned Business to Support & Shop
1. Galerie.LA
I literally stumbled upon Galerie.LA and I am so glad that I did. This black owned business is owned by Dechel Mckillian – a black celebrity stylist based out of L.A. Her goal is “to bring socially conscious fashion to the masses.” I know – you’re like, umm wow?! The Galerie. LA website gives you options to shop based on your values! The choices range from: Artisan, Eco-Friendly, Recycled, Vegan, Local or Ethical.
To say I am a fan is a completed understatement and disservice to the wealth of emotions, mainly pride I feel that this woman is black! Her offerings range from clothes, home goods, clean beauty, jewelry and more! If you haven’t already, I would highly suggest checking out their site and Instagram page.
First thing that drew me to Riot Swim was the Riot Swim Instagram Page. The models are so imperfectly beautiful, some even having stretch marks but rocking these sexy bathing suits with pride! It just felt real and relatable! I love that, I need that, gotta have that – especially from brands! Riot Swim’s website is comprised of women of all shapes, colors and sizes – to match the plethora of swim suit options they have to offer!
Riot Swim is owned by Monti Landers, a black woman who is as unapologetically black as she is beautiful! Her designs on swim wear are understated and effortlessly beautiful. If you’re looking for a simplistic and beautiful swimsuit to wear in Summer of 2021, since summer in 2020 is likely cancelled – then Riot Swim should be your go to! P.S. Monti is on EVERYONE’S radar, some huge media sources have shared her brand, but I really couldn’t NOT share as well. We needed this!
Let me just start this portion of the post by yelling, literally yelling – I AM PLACING MY ORDER NEXT WEEK! Guys, the pieces that they make are so beautifully colored. And make me well just happy! Estelle Colored Glasses, was founded by former attorney turned entrepreneur Stephanie Summerson Hall but the brand itself was inspired by Stephanie’s grandmother, Estelle. makes glassware. But not just any glass, luxury hand blow glass that are a “mix of jewel tones and soft pastels”.
My two worlds have literally collided and I couldn’t be happier! If you know me, you know I love to wear jeweled tone clothes, but I am also a sucker for pastels! Literally her Instagram Page is a like my favorite place to browse. We can safely add home good to the list now too!
I am particularly fond of her colored Stemware, you can customize a set of 6 for $175.00. And before you say that isn’t cheap…it shouldn’t be cheap, it’s handblown – and we would spend it anywhere else. So if you can afford to make the purchase and like her items, get to swipin’ and supportin’. 🙂
Early last year I saw a clip of when the Founder of The Lip Bar, Melissa Butler was turned down by SharkTank – right after being told she was a “colorful cockroach”, on national TV, no less. I cringe every time I thin of that clip – despicable. But I digress! I’m here to inform you (if you’ve been living under a rock 😉 ) that Butler’s glow up has been so real, that it was talked about several times on National TV, Netflix, Essence, Forbes, The Real Daytime TV show and more!
The Lip Bar is a Vegan & Cruelty free cosmetic beauty line, with an array of lipstick, glosses, blush, foundations and eyeshadows. Originally told her lip colors were TOO colorful, Butler soldiered on, to now have a multimillion dollar empire AND be sold at Target! If you’re in the market for some makeup goodie, I would definitely suggest checking out The Lip Bar’s Instagram page for color choices and inspo!
Last but certainly not least, is Brother Vellies! This is one of my favorite black owned businesses. I found out about this brand, from a ton of white influencers/allies who kept sharing the brand’s Instagram page. I cannot believe I wasn’t following, supporting and shopping their merchandise before now!
Brother Vellies is founded by Aurora James, who upon founding in 2013, did so to keep “traditional African design practices, and techniques alive while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs.” They make things big and small, their shoes are drool worthy! But more recently during the pandemic, Brother Vellies has been making (and selling out of) items mugs and fuzzy socks, to brighten up our time working from home. Since finding them, I can say I love everything they stand for. And their products are beautiful…seriously I want these shoes.
I also want to highlight, it would seem, James is a born leader and activist. A few weeks ago she began to use her platform to call on major retailers to stand up and pledge change in the wake of social injustices that were long hidden and finally being revealed. Her request for these brands to commit to a 15% Change, very quickly went from that to a movement in and of it’s own right! I am here for all of it! For more information check the organization’s Instagram Page!
I hope you enjoyed the black owned businesses that I shared!
More importantly I hope you will start shopping and supporting these black owned businesses, and continue to!
We (ALL OF US) still have a lot of work to do. This isn’t a monologue, it HAS to be a dialogue in order for the black community to be able to begin to heal. But I think supporting black business, is a great step in the right direction!
Join me back here next week, for another round of Melanin Monday!
I’m black. I’m an influencer. But how can I ‘influence’ lasting change?
“We are no longer able to change situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
Full Disclosure: This piece was originally written for The Huffington Post, I sent it to the Editor for review, and though he said it was incredibly strong piece and he would love to use it, he had to pass this time. He went on to say that, HP was receiving at least 2,000 pieces a week for review but hoped I could find a home for this piece, as it was VERY strong. So you know what guys, I decided a perfect home would be on my blog, for my readers.
I’m black, and I’m an influencer.
I know I’m an influencer, but until recently I honestly forgot the influence we can really have. During this time of complete unrest and chaos, I find my memory crystal clear and my voice, unwavering and strong. We are living in a time where being black is weaponized. And I am choosing to use my words and my platform, consciously – to dismantle the weapon and release the oppressed race at the target. I’m a black influencer for the people. I am an influencer for humanity. And I am also an influencer for change.
Recently in speaking to my nine year old daughter about Floyd’s death, I asked if she’d seen or heard about the video being circulated. She had heard of it, but hadn’t seen it; I asked her not to watch it. We started discussing racism in America and what it really means to be black in this country. And I will never forget her words to me: “I don’t want to live in a world where it’s easy to be killed simply for the color of my skin. It’s not fair. This is not okay, mama. People who need to speak up aren’t.” This gutted me.
I immediately felt shame because, in that moment, I realized that I was one of those people.
I’m a black influencer, I’ve made it my job to do exactly that – influence. Here I was preaching to her about speaking up for the greater good, persevering through the storm, leading by example, as our ancestors did – and I wasn’t do any of those things. I gulped.
She’s was absolutely right, – the country was on the brink of the second Civil Rights Movement and my voice and backbone I so often exhibited, was by all accounts missing in action. At such a pivotal time in the world, I reused to be on the wrong side, when this was later recored in the history books for our youth. With the blood of my enslaved ancestors running through my veins, I pulled on their strength to push me forward. A fire had been lit inside of me – it was time to burn my way through the oppressors.
Silence was not an option, as there was no denying the injustice and inhumane treatment of an innocent man that occurred in those 8 minutes and 46 seconds as Floyd pled for air, his mother and ultimately, his life. As a mother, I cannot imagine the sort of trauma of knowing that my child screamed out for me in their final moment – and I wasn’t there. Their cries would be a reoccurring nightmare, haunting my dreams, replaying like a broken record until it drove me mad. Trite apologies and orchestrated press conferences are no longer enough to console those hurting.
We can no longer close the door on critical conversations about police brutality, systemic racism, and inequality in America.
Let me preface this next part by saying that I had no intention of becoming a household name. But I did want to ensure the conversation was brought into in every household. As I set off to do my research and figure out how I could make a positive impact, I quickly realized how many voices were staying silent – other influencers, major brands, businesses, public figures, even famous black celebrities. It just wasn’t happening, yet. I was floored.
Early on, there seemed to be a general lack of acknowledgement, of this moment in history. Society also refused to acknowledge what was around us. The world was in complete chaos and a man’s life was taken without regard or need. Also, these companies and brands were silent. It was damming, it was noticed and it signified complicity. Brands have a responsibility to put humanity over profit; public figures – influencers included – have a responsibility to put humanity over reputation; and mankind has a responsibility to put humanity over fear.
Fear should propel us forward in the right direction, in a direction of survival, not paralyze us – we cannot be afraid and not act.
So, I began to speak out, question society’s view on inequality. And if systemic racism had a place in our world, any longer. I knew the Declaration of independence had been written by White men for White women and men. But it seemed like the country no longer fit that mold. With this in mind, I set out and questioned brands who hadn’t spoken up. Asking them what their organization was doing to help cultivate a diverse atmosphere and speak out against racial injustices.
I went further to explain this movement, need the support of these organization to amplify the melanated voices affected daily by these atrocities. Many of these brands are household names, with the ability to reach the masses with the stroke of a pen, airing of a commercial or post to their social media platforms. However, I quickly found that some brands would answer with haste, others not at all.
The more I thought about it, it only made sense to speak out and continue to speak out, and start encouraging my fellow influencers to speak out as well. So, as influencers many of us have strong relationships with major brands, and these brands have come to trust us. I have and will continue encourage my fellow black influencer to reach out to these connections to build connection. So, we must use every facet of our platform to fix every facet of this broken system.
Speaking out – being purposeful, lasting change, ideation, all ears and soaking it all in, to evaluate how I can really make an impact in my space.
I will influence more than your fashion sense. I will question and influence my follower’s ideologies, on which their lives are built. So let us be purposeful in how we move forward. So we can make meaningful lasting change, and change the way the history books record this hellish and historical time. Follow me on Instagram for more updates.
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