Conceving Success In A Valley

People who desire more and want to be successful dream. And in said dreams they cry from the top of their lungs at the bottom of the lowest valley looking up from their desolate ruin at the glorious pinnacle of a mountain. The destination of where they want to be. And in that dream, they become exhilarated of knowing that that is where they will become successful, where their hard work will flourish and the starting point of all they will accomplish once out of the deep valley.

But they don’t know how to get out. 

The only thing they really know to do is beat themselves up. Tell themselves what they can’t do, why they can’t accomplish it, and why they’re not and never will be good enough. Albeit, If only they knew how to make the best of the valley, that there in all its wake and glory can lie the birth of their success, their accomplishments, their dreams.

They just don’t know how to conceive it. 

But oh I’ll tell you, one births all their accolades, accomplishments and pride from asexual reproduction as it is not needed for more than one person to conceive said success. All it takes is themselves. Just as a child can be conceived any where in the world, as can success. Success does not have to be conceived at the top of the mountain. Once the carrier of success believes the moment is right, and are determined to love and nurture the success, is it conceived.

So I urge all to know, that the top of a mountain is not only where success lies or is birthed. Success is deep in the twists, turns, nooks and crannies of ones dreams. Of the withered and tattered hope that brings one down is the knowledge that something more, something hopeful can be birthed in the wake of all demise.

Be aware of your dreams and where you currently lie. Be it on a mountain, or a valley and become grateful of where you are. Because from there, success can be born. 

5 Benefits of Strawberries

  Strawberries are sweet, juicy, and sometimes tart. Though you can’t deny how good and healthy you feel after you eat them. Afterwards you’re thinking “yeah look at me eating healthy! who needs cheetos?”  I actually think this often.

BUT did you know strawberries are not actually a fruit? They come from a single flower with more than one ovary, making them an aggregate fruit! Real berries are simple fruits coming from one flower with one ovary typically having several seeds! kinda odd right?

anyways.

Strawberries actually pack a punch when it comes to all the good things it can do for your body! you know you hear mostly about oranges, apples and banannas but strawberries are pretty dang great too!

   5 Benefits of Strawberries 

1. Great skin cleansers -strawberry extracts are often used as an ingredent in skin cleansers and face washes
2. Improves complexion – strawberries are effective in removing age spots and freckles. Squeeze the berry and apply juice all over your face with a cotton ball then rinse with water after 10-15 min to get a glowing complexion
3. Boosts Immunity – Strawberries are rich in vitanin C, one bowl can provide you with a single days worth of vitamin C!
4. Helps whiten your teeth – Acid in strawberries help remove teeth stains, tartar and heals gums!
5. Metabolisim booster – strawberries are full of iodine which plays a huge role in the function of the thyroid!
   

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Doesn’t all this make you want to go to the farmers market and pick you a fresh batch? 5 benefits are nothing compared to the hundreds of benefits that are out there!  let me know if this post enlightend you of the benefits of strawberries by liking or commenting below! thanks for reading! 🙂

Chattanooga Art

Recently I visited Chattanooga, TN in the wake of the terrible Chattanooga massacre. While hostility and sadness loomed over Chattanooga like a black cloud I got to take the time to look and appreciate the various forms of art Chattanooga has. In Coolidge Park and the surrounding area, graffiti was plastered on the brick and cement. While you may think graffiti is demeaning and disgraceful (I.E. gang symbols and tagging) this was a different type. A type of art which elements to make was bought in a local home improvement store for 4.99 (spray paint) but the most important element to the art was the mind that created it. The visuals made me think. Think of what motivated the individual to create the work, and what it means to me and could possibly mean to other people. In no way do I condone vandalism but i believe art  definitely shows a freedom of expression and free thinking in various ways. Be it through writing, music, dance or art and I am very appreciative of it.

.Do you think graffiti no matter the meaning is disrespectful? or is there a certain exception for meaningful art?

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Comment below what you think! I’d love to hear from you! All the photos you see below were taken and edited by me!

  

  

Fiore Boutique

Recently, I stumbled upon a boutique near me offering the cutest clothes any girl could wish for! If you live in the Charlotte (NC), Greenville (SC), Kennesaw (GA), Knoxville (TN), Atlanta (GA), Buford (GA) area, then it’s your lucky day as this is the locations you can find Fiore Boutique!

     This weekend Fiore Boutique of Charlotte at Northlake mall is hosting an event for college and high school students! Come in and get styled and get tips on what to wear and what’s hot! I will be helping run the event so if you’d like to meet your fave blogger (me me me!!) come on in and chat! How often do boutiques do things like this? Next to never!

Email me with any questions you may have on the event! I’m so excited to hear from you and maybe even see you! Below are just a few of the great items Fiore has to offer..

  
  
  

Totally cute right? Come in for a visit and fall in love with clothes all over again!

How you know you’re growing up

I was sitting on my bed, and something dawned on me. I knew this thought was already true, but It wasn’t until that moment that I acknowledged the thought and came to the ultimate realization that my interests are so much more different than how they used to be. It’s like when you look back on what you used to do and how you used to act and you cringe. Like for me, I remember when I was in middle school I’d at times get so excited about something that I’d want to kiss someone, or stand on my desk and scream.  I thank God I don’t remember every time I did it, but the thought of me now dong it makes me shiver, but back then it was something that was a natural reaction for me.

Now of course, I have found different ways to relish in my excitement.

I put together a fairly universal list of ways to be able to tell you’re maturing or growing up. Some may apply to most and some may not resonate with you. If not, do some introspective thinking and create your own list!

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• When you go into a store (Target, Walmart etc) you go to the clothes or beauty section instead of rushing to the toy isle
• You remember all the embarrassing things you used to do, and vow to change
• You look at children and think ” I remember when I was that young”
• When you’re broke and have no money you make a list of everything you want
• When you get money you look at that list and think if you really need it
• You feel nostalgic when you see a old toy or book
• You start thinking of long term goals instead of short term
• You’d rather be taught to do something than be given things
• Holidays don’t feel like holidays like they used to
• You get stressed out when you think of the future and what you have to accomplish
• You figure out what music you really like
• You read the fine print in advertisements
• You figure out your true role model
• you separate fact from fiction
• You start to think before you speak
• You look up DIY’ing something expensive as an alternative to buying it
• You start looking at your circle of friends and see it getting smaller
• You realize your limits and your barriers
• You weigh out your strengths and weaknesses
• You stick up for your beliefs
• You start thinking of how you want your family life to be when you get older
• You understand your parent sometimes do what they do because they love you

These are the few of many situations to where you know you’re getting older. Comment and share below how you know you’re getting older! Hope you enjoyed!

True Iconic Women

If you’re like me, you’re done and through with two things.. getting on Instagram and seeing those “motivational” photos of celebrities with quotes they never said and the same women of the past praised and praised when other true women are forgotten about. For example Marilyn Monroe was a plus size model and a beautiful woman and she did help integrate whites and blacks and help civil rights, for example Monroe did her part for civil rights by integrating Hollywood’s Mocambo club. The celebrated nightspot didn’t hire black performers until Monroe persuaded the owner to book Ella Fitzgerald for a week, promising in return to sit in the front row and draw paparazzi to the club for each night of the singer’s run. Monroe kept her word, and Fitzgerald never had to play smaller clubs again.

Turning that around, I believe Marilyn Monroe takes the spotlight from other iconic women. Even 80 years later, boys ga-ga over her body and sultriness and how she was renowned sex symbol but women like Diane Sawyer, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Princess Diana are near forgotten. What is it with people where they credit physical attributes over brains and true worth?

Men (and in most cases women) these days don’t respect women who have been “known” amongst other men, and it baffles me how she is so loved by women when she not only was a sex symbol but a mistress to late President John F. Kennedy. How can a woman like this be deemed as iconic? Jane Goodall is an English primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace making differences all around the world but is rarely mentioned but the young adult community.

Jane with Uruhara pant-hooting, 1996.

I believe we, as classy citizens should make a change to this. Lets spread the word of women who are true icons and who have really changed the world instead of a pretty face, or a woman with a nice figure.

Comment below what you think! Do you believe true women like Princess Diana get overshadowed?

Yes, I love the 50’s and 60’s aka the Golden Era. Binge watching episodes of Mad Men on Netflix has only increased my love for the time period I channeled my inner Betty Draper with this outfit I wore Monday. It reminds me so much of the debonair that was rampaging in the Golden era. Classy, elegant and feminine I love that. The string of pearls and oxford tucked into a skirt with nude heels just complete the look.

“Elegance is beauty that never fades”

Pale Pink Oxford: Banana Republic

Silver Braided Belt: JCrew

Pink Statement Bracelet: Jcrew

Gold Disk Bracelet: Claire’s

Nude Heels: Jones Studio

Mint Skirt: Forever 21

Cookie in a Mug

Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of my favorite desserts, but most of the time I don’t have the patience to wait for them to bake and the load of dishes that you’re faced with afterwards would make a grown man cry. So I surfed the internet and found a quick way to enjoy a warm moist cookie in less than 60 seconds! Make this for your family, or yourself right now! It’s so easy! Let me know how you like it!

Arm Candy Tuesday

I am totally In love with my new jewelry! And you’ll NEVER guess how much I got it for and where! 

Seersucker Dress Giveaway Extended!

If you haven’t had a chance to enter the Seersucker giveaway, never fear! now is your chance! so far, there has been 120 entries! but due to the amount of people who have messaged me wanting the giveaway to continue i have decided to prolong it! This time around the giveaway ends June 28th, 2015 so its a 2 week extra period! here again are the basis for the contest!