DECEMBER 2020
2020 has been a year unlike any other. We all got tested and tried and here we are - about to wrap up the year unsure of anything. There have been so many lessons that have brought me to where I am at today. I look back with naivete at the plans I had set for the year that was to be 2020. Oh how God laughs at our plans for he has something bigger, larger, greater than our little plans. In these situations, I always try and ask my self what that moment is trying to teach me. Sometimes I get the answers and sometimes, the answers show up unannounced. I have been receiving unannounced packages lately!
I look back at this year with so much gratitude despite everything that has happened. There are times I really had it with this year. Times where my patience, fortitude, and perseverance was tried and tested. I came across a quote that moments that test you are the ones you need to learn from the most! Whewww…
For one, I started an in depth course at the Fashion Institute of Technology this January. FIT has been my dream school forever. To be taking classes and walking the hallways that Carolina Herrera, Nanette Lepore, Calvin Klein and many others walked on still makes me proud of this journey. I remember calling one of my bestie Fuza this year with my anxiety up the roof. My nerves were all over the place and this was a few days before my birthday and literally a week away before my first day of class. Fuza had gotten back from a business trip in Hamburg and we had been talking about how Covid was in the States. I recall telling her while in Europe that I hope she makes it back on time before the borders closed. Fuza happened to land in New York, I happened to have a few days off so an impromptu Birthday trip was planned, off to Maryland we went. It became a memorable Birthday trip where we (Steph, Fuza, Flo and Val) ended up making visual boards of what we wanted this year to do for us. We laughed, played music, and downed several bottles of wine. I am grateful for lady friendships because this is the same circle of friends that has been with me all through this year.
School started and it’s still ongoing – even amid a pandemic. Virtual classes are my new normal. I also moved out from the Upper Eastside to a charming brownstone apartment in Harlem. Five years since I moved to this city. We are HERE!
Harlem is one of those places that I have always been. I go there for drink, to party, my friends live in Harlem, it was only right. It’s safe to say my love affair with Harlem is on full display on my Instagram stories. I find myself taking long walks and capturing perfectly line brownstones, with potted plants on the steps. Harlem is the home of the Harlem renaissance and if you are familiar with the roaring 20’s. The black cultural Mecca. It birthed the Jazz age, writers, and artists. It’s safe to say, I am home!
I took these pictures with a backdrop that is currently home. A tripod is all I needed and my ever faithful iPhone because social distancing. I love how the paint is aging. It was probably once bright and vibrant but weathered through the years. The way 2020 has done to us. We will be left scared, stained, with remnants of what has happened as part of us this year. Crazy, that I had contemplated shutting down this lil corner of mine on the internets. Oh 2020!
It’s Christmas Eve today. I wish you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy Christmas.
Thank you for being here. I appreciate you!
THE HAMPTONS - PART 2
A couple of months ago, I read the “Gifts of Imperfection” By Brene Brown. I highly recommend it! In the book, one of the guideposts for cultivating a Wholehearted life is being intentional about cultivating time for sleep and play. It’s about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth.
This really resonated with me. I am constantly on the grind with school and work, and saving up time for my creative endeavours. This can lead to a total burnout. In the past, a night out dancing with girlfriends, a fan class, or even hot yoga were my playtime activities. I do not play with my play time. Time to kick it and have fun just for the sake of it. Yes! Even as adults. Reminds me of a Bernard Shaw quote that went like this;
We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing”
This images are giving me all the mood board vibes I need for being care free. As a continuation of the 3 part Hamptons series, from this summer mini vacation.
I spotted a few bikes on a stand that I knew I had to take out and about. Truth be told, I haven’t been on an actual bicycle in year. Unless you are talking about the stationary one in the gym. They said riding a bike is easy but my muscle memory did not kick in on time, I fell, not once, not twice - my muscle memory must have been drinking mimosas at the bar before it showed up! I laughed so hard at myself while trying to grab the bike and hop on again. Gladly, those pictures of the fall were not captured. We needs to curve out time for play. Now more than ever because if there is anything this pandemic has taught us. We need these time just to keep our sanity in check.
The hotel we were staying at had been observing ALL the COVID-19 safety measures that have been put in place. A mask is mandatory in New York and folks are not playing around with safety measures. Some restrictions have eased since this July trip. Hope you and your family are staying safe.
Please remember to cultivate that time to play. Take something off your crazy schedule and add in a walk, or a bike ride, or games with your family. Reconnect and find your inner child.
Top and Biker shorts: Fabletics
Head Scarf: Chanel
Sandals: Maasai Markets
Bag: Gifted (Bali)
THE HAMPTONS - PART 1
Summer vacations are something I tend to look forward to. To relax and ease in to the not doing anything work related other than play and veg out. My girl Malinda invited me to a summer trip upstate, a trip to the Hamptons. Who would say no to that! I needed some time away from the city. From the daily routine of life in these covid streets and unwind, albeit for a few days. My body was craving that. The last trip I had taken was earlier in the year in Kenya for my friend’s wedding.
I came back in March and a couple of weeks later, shutdown happened. I had to move apartments and moving amid a pandemic, in New York City is a whole other hurdle, but what needed to be done, was done. I also need to add that I had wrapped up my summer courses and was free to let loose.
We took this trip at the end of July and whewww! It was everything.
The journey started on a calm Friday morning. I was the last one to be picked up in Harlem then Sally and I grabbed food and snacks at whole foods, while Malinda and Suz did the liqor ran. The road trip was full of shrieks of our favorite songs as Malinda had us dancing on the carseats thanks to a Dj Bash mix. My voice was about to disappear as my pitch was on high notes. We arrived at the hamptons and could not wait to unpack, unwind, and getting into the serious business of relaxing
These pictures were taken early in the morning by Malinda, nothing leaves me speechless than watching the sun rise. The calmness of the water, the sand between my toes while the soft waves crushed all around me was pure bliss. To start the new day with enthusiasm puts you in a good mood that carries you through the day.
The pink polka- dress can actually be worn as a top but for beach purposes, it was a cover-up. Our hotel happend to have pink paddle boats which gave an extra needed pop.
Below are images from our day trip upstate captured by my ever faithful iphone. Some of these images were also shared on y instagram stories.
Stopped by for gas.
Exterior views of the hotel
Malinda and Suz relaxing after the 2hr roadtrip
Drinks are ready.
My girl Sally G caught while working on content.
My toes :)
More scenic views.
SUMMER GLOW
I will start off with a disclaimer. The next several posts are all summer posts. I am late with the posts as I have been living. Really living! I understand we are in a pandemic however, I just had this thought that – all is now. Even with this current weird state of life that we are currently in. There was a time I did not have an energy for anything. The world around me felt like it was sinking and I was being caught up in the whirlpool of it. It took prayers, meditation, and being surrounded with loved ones. Gah! What a year!! I feel like we have all said that right?
2020 has been that year!
It’s made us reflect and go within. I started a challenge called 75 Hard challenge almost three weeks ago. And boy isn’t it intense. I will speak more on it on the next post.
I have been recalibrating my shopping patterns this year and realized how much stuff I had. Things I don’t need. I am more aware or perhaps another result of this pandemic of waste.
The fashion industry is the one of the top three pollutants in the world. We are constantly surrounded with so much products. I love all things Fashion but I have realized there should be a better way to consume it. I was having this inner conversations with myself and an opportunity came along.
Rent the Runway approached me to be an ambassador. Rent the Runway is a platform where you can rent designer clothes then return the back once you are done. The concept has really taken off since it’s genesis in 2009. I checked out there website and wow wow! Gems galore including this look I am wearing. It has an open back and cut outs at the front. This dress was everything. I wore it to a friends mural opening in Brooklyn. Here’s the link to my code if you are interested RTRFAM51B9450. My code provides $100 off 2 months of RTR’s 2 Swap plan (That’s $85 per month vs. the regular price of $135/month). Let me know if it’s something you would be interested to try. I appreciate the feedback.
I will pull a few Rent the Runway looks for this Fall as well as show you a closet update for my basics.
A lot has changed, and so have I. 😊
Stay tuned!
ImagesCapturedd by my good friend Sally G. Thanks to her iphone! She is a phenomenal travel blogger with all the tips and tricks when it comes to travel. Please check out her blog!
