Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

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I’ve just finished reading Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and omg, how I wish I would have read this book earlier. What I mean by earlier, I’m referring to the first semester of college, before adulting really set in! Its truly a wonderful read with interesting observations and research to back up  her statements. If someone were to ask me who do I admire, I’d gladly admit its now her!

In the book, she digs deeper into the issues that have stalled the progression of women in leadership roles in the workforce. Throughout the book, she provides personal experiences as well as hard data to to back up her observations that “cuts through the layers of ambiguity and bias surrounding the lives and choices of working women.”

It sounds a lot more boring then it really is but when the author is ranked in Fortunes list of 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, along with Times 100 Most Influential People in the World, its worth taking a chance to read it especially for those who are ambitiously following the myth of “having it all”, yet consistently falling short (yup, I’m talking about myself here). The idea of “having it all” in all aspects of our lives from family to career to personal fulfillment comes from what society enforces women to buy into and also how determential it truly is because of the pressure. In reality, we’re sacrificing one thing over the other and instead of feeling guilty about it, we should accept it and learn to improve what we have more control over. With witty humor and wisdom, she encourages men and women by providing specific steps to combine professional achievement, personal growth and fulfillment.

She’s currently promoting her new book called Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Building Joy. In which she chronicles the pain that followed after losing her husband. She gives helpful guidance to those who’ve lost someone or are going through personal emotional hardships.

Lean In was inspiring in how she lays a foundation for the recent college grad, the career building women and for the women who’s debating between parenthood or workforce.

Thanks for reading everyone, and lets start a conversation! Have you personally read this book, if so what was your favorite part?

With that said, have a blessed day everyone!

 

#OOTD Tumblr Pink

If you don’t know Tumblr, think of it as the teenager to Pinterests mom. Recently, I’ve been spending time on the site & building an inspirational body of images on it. The amount of themes, photographs and designs available on it will have your imagination on fire!

Tumblr pink is a concept I read about in an article posted on fashionista.com (link at the bottom of this post). It highlighted the evolution of this subdued, pastel pink hue that has transformed in our culture from its girly and ultra feminine references to it becoming ultra modern and edgy. It makes sexy appear tough, blurs the lines of masculinity and femininity because each gender can wear the color proudly. The dynamics of this color began when Pantone announced Rose Quartz and Serenity as colors of the year for 2016. This color has been used on many ads, in music videos like Hotline Bling by Drake, in tech like the rose gold iPhone and laptop. It’s encompassed a variety of industries for multiple purposes and it draws consumers when ever present. It’s the “hey, look at me” color of the moment and it seems like it’s just building up stem.

Heres my #ootd that coincides perfectly with the new blossoms popping up everywhere throughout the city,  Pared with a badass leather jacket that has a minimalistic style, draws the attention to the long pink cardigan by Boohoo.com and emphasized by the Joe Fresh oversized scarf. Added with my Sketchers sneakers, my daughter and I are ready to enjoy the cool days ahead!

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I hope this look inspires you and let me know what you think of this #ootd. Have a blessed day y’all!

 

http://fashionista.com/2016/08/tumblr-pink-fashion-color-trend

Birth Story Video x Baby Bella

Finally, I’m getting this done!

Someday in the future, my daughter and I will watch this video together (especially during those inevitable rough patches in our relationship). This is the new way of keeping our own histories within the family. Maybe down the line we’ll have something more holographic and 3 dimensional like in star wars. But for now, its best to master the tools available to us at the moment, Lord only knows how complicated these applications already are!

Lastly, thank you for checking out my video! I look forward to your feedback so leave your comments below, much love and have a blessed day 😘

#allblack Boohoo Jumpsuit

Mama’s got her body back, yass! lol

Well.. maybe not for a few more months. I’m two months postpartum and my body has been slowly getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I’m really excited about the progress but my real challenge is to flatten out my stomach. I’m currently editing a birth story video to post up on my Youtube channel with all kinds of details about what had happened 😱. I’m excited to share it and I’ll have the link to that video in my next blog post.

Before my pregnancy, that was one area of my body that I really struggled to maintain and to tone. My diet was horrible but since I would spend a significant amount of time in the gym, I was content with just maintaining my weight. A lot of my clothes that I had before, either don’t fit me or I just don’t feel comfortable in anymore because of my c-section pooch. I really wanted to get some inexpensive pieces for my closet that (1) were not going to break the bank (2) I could comfortably lounge in the house in (3) and confidently run errands in. I know, I kick myself in the ass sometimes cause I would talk myself out of buying something because of all my requests.

I decided to spend my time and money on Boohoo.com, I had heard a lot of positive reviews through friends and some Youtubers. I was skeptical at first but then as I skimmed through the website, I had fallen in love with the items and the prices especially! But I was disappointed at the quality when I finally got my shipment. Some of the leggings were XTRMLY thin and see through and others just didn’t flatter my new body. The fabrics for all my items are soft and stretchy and my favorite item is this black jumpsuit. Simple yet versatile and is under the “little black dress” category which means it can be mixed and matched with different accessories depending your mood.

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Thank you for reading along and checking out my blog. Let me know in the comments below what you thought about this look and what you think of boohoo. Be in the lookout for my next upcoming post for the link to my Youtube video link. Thanks again and have a blessed day!

Airy Natural #MOTD

I’ve got the winter blues…

It’s this time of year again that the New York City whether becomes hella unpredictable and it seems like the season just drags. And drags and drags and drags. With such extreme inconsistencies, I loathe the thought of ever moving away because I do love this city but dame it does the desire creep up on me like a sudden lightning bult to a huracine. Since its a New Yorkers life, one grows to respect (love is long gone) the hustle and bustle.

Being that in other parts of the country, it’s already sunny and beautiful with the coolest breezes to calm the heat, I decided to dab my makeup into a plushy rosie cheek springy look for a au natural vibe than a vavaboomlicious makeup of the day. I’ll save the vavaoomliciousness looks for a later date but for now, I’m lethargic and so much work and artistry shouldn’t go towards the mundane grind.

Along with my bronzer and contour, I added a bit of blush along my temples to my cheekbone. The blush has a magenta/purpley  undertone and if I wasn’t careful, this could have looked like a major 70s disco look. The KISS Falsies has a lightness about each individual hairs that adds just enough volume and length for everyday use.

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These were the tools that I used to create the makeup look. The new item that I tried was the Covergirl truBlend Contour Palette and the blend ability is good except that a little does not go a long way. So to make it really visible, you’ll definitely have to keep on adding layers to make it really pop!

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Lazy Girl Hairstyles

Nothings more special to the busiest person in the world then when that person can look rockin’ and banging without having to spend hours in front of a mirror. Every since giving birth to my baby girl, I’ve been lacking sleep, time and sometimes even motivation. Losing sleep is nothing major since college all nighters was as common as finding McDonalds in seemingly every corner. I know how to create the time, but whats really bothersome is the lack of motivation and that stings more then rubbing salt on a wound. Its definitely not depression or any other mental health issue, its just plain’ol laziness and I hope you can relate to this feeling too!

One action thats been helping me fight off my laziness and that shifts my mindset to become more positive to power through the days (since the fourth trimester feels as real as the belly bump during pregnancy) with my newborn. It involves me doing my hair and since I’m breastfeeding constantly, its essential for me to keep my hair up to avoid it from getting on my daughters face.

Here are three of my favorite go to hairstyles that are quick and easy. All you’ll really need is some hair ties and some hair pins if you feel inspired to recreate these styles during the day for a casual look. To help tame any flyaways or uncontrollable strands, water is your best friend if you finding yourself in a “no-hairspray-available-atm-situation” and if your on the go, that situation is wayyyy to common!

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bed head, work with what you got, half updo

 

 

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the center in command fishtail pony

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the twist cinnamon bun

Thank you for reading along! Let me know which hairstyle you liked the best or which one you may have tried. Have a blessed day 😘

 

The New Normal: Motherhood

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This year couldn’t have started out on a more exciting yet terrifying note. once a major milestones achieved almost always another one soon follows, whether its positive or negative in my life. Sometimes those drastic changes feel almost like a piano falling on your head because it feels unpredictable and unexpected.

Motherhood, something I definitely wasn’t planning for going into 2016. It’s been a mix of many emotions and I don’t just blame it on the soup of extra hormones that charged through my body during pregnancy. I’m officially a mother and what does that mean besides the extra daunting and exciting times that will soon follow from this tremendous life change for my daughter and myself, only time can tell. The best thing I can do is to create a balance of being actively present in the moment, especially for those memorable little moments. While, simultaneously, looking out for what the potential future might hold for myself and what it’ll mean to my new family.

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It’s so incredible how every women is so completely different and yet the things that resonate with one another are the same things that make us stronger. I’m sure I’m going to have many more lessons and failures as I’m adjusting to this new life change and I hope that you’ll follow along with me in this journey. Thanks for reading && until next time, have a blessed day!

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New Years Love!

“N-now th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger”

Kanye West

Happy New Year && I wish you all much success && blessings for this new year!

As for myself, to say that its going to be the beginning of a new chapter is a complete understatement. In retrospective, 2016 marked the beginning of so many changes, from personal to career to family. The outcome of each experience has become a lesson which are indefinitely engraved in my heart and new attitude.

For most of 2016, I was pregnant! The year wasn’t half way over when I discovered I was going to be expecting my first child, a baby girl. Both of our families were excited when I told them the news. But for a while it didn’t seem real because there was nothing to show for most of my pregnancy until the last few weeks of my second trimester where my belly just popped, seemingly over night.

Currently, I’m 38 weeks pregnant & I’m due after the first week of the new year. Everyones in the waiting game with me and now more then ever I’m more anxious to begin motherhood. The little bit of time that I currently have with myself now, I’m treating it like gold. Reading, writing, editing, learning, planning, goal setting, everything (specially prescribed by my midwife lol).

I’ve been overhauling on baby supplies but also on books. To simply prep myself mentally for the challenges ahead. These two books were highly recommended to me by different peers and mentors.

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&&& with that said, I’ll leave you with a virtual box of roses from the Billion Roses Company thats all over instagram!

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Enjoy & let me know what you think of these books or other book recommendations you might have on the comment below!

Lust’n For Sally LaPointe Pre-Fall 2017

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Favorite looks from the collection

The first time Sally LaPointe was brought to my attention was when the fashion and lifestyle influencer, Daniella of @weworewhat, posted up a deliciously elegant metallic motto leather jacket on her Instagram for a little #fashioninspo. As I decided to skim through Sally LePointes Pre-Fall 2017 collection, which hits stores in June, I noticed a range of styles from simple polished silhouettes to sporty with a touch of athleisure without going over board (hello #minimalism lol). Most of her pieces have trims of fox fur from Finland, albeit, I’m pro faux fur but my goodness, does it look so luxurious as it juxtaposes the easy and comfort of a boxy silk cashmere hoodie.

It immediately answered my need and desire for items that look one of a kind with elements of luxuriousness and casualness, finding this balance could be really tricky, especially with the abundance of designers in the fashion industry. As I was reading through an interview the designer did for Fashionista.com, she describes her line as being “Powerfully feminine. Tough and elegant — again kind of that fine line thing.”

Yes, yes, yes & I couldn’t agree more. Here are some of my favorite complete looks from her collection for Pre-Fall 2017 that I’m currently lusting over. Also, some key pieces that I would love to rework with other items for a cool #ootd for a Brooklyn gal. She’s one designer who I’ll be definitely looking towards as a source of  fashion inspiration for the exciting new year ahead because of her unparalleled eye for design and I hope you will too!

#ootd for Sunday brunch!

#ootd for Sunday brunch!

#ootd for School!

#ootd for School!

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#ootd for Work!

 

Thank you for reading along && let me know what you think about the collection in the comments below. Have a blessed day & Happy New Year lovelies!

Bohemian Seaside Chill

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These boots were a major throwback for me…

#fbf lol circa 2007’ish (?)

These boots were my first major purchase as a teen. I felt so grown and awesome because, at the time, I hadn’t seen many people wearing Moccasins.

At one point, I got really tired of these knee high boots and tucked them nicely away for a long time in a corner of my closet. Lately, the weather has been warm for this holiday season, when it should be well below the 50’s F. Sneakers leave me too exposed to the cool air but winter boots are heavy and hot. I decided to revive these boots since they’re extremely comfortable yet warm, albeit, don’t look it. The fringe is a classic touch of charm without looking over produced. The Forever 21 mini knit dress has a geometric pattern that gives like an overall, fifty shades of blue, bohemian look. I loved how round and perky my belly looked through this dress. Thank goodness for knit & spandex cause maternity clothes looks horrible on my petite body.

Thank you for checking out my blog and checking out this post, let me know what your thoughts are about this #ootd on the comments below! ✌️