20 MUST HAVES for 2020

GOD. There is absolutely NO way that I can make it without HIM. No shame or no apologies. Believe what you want but I’m a Jesus girl. Period. Try Him or ask me more. I’m just saying.

FAMILY. Last year was a year! From the death of my grandfather, to health issues, to settling into marriage (and yet still settling lol), to another transitional leap…I don’t know what I would’ve done without my family (and this includes friends who are like family).

LEGGINGS. Listen, no leggings aren’t pants (they are if you want them to be obviously), but I’ve now established categories of leggings: House Leggings (the ones that may or may not have a hole in the thigh), Workout Leggings (the one’s strong enough to endure friction) and Public Leggings (the ones you wear with a longer sweatshirt or tshirt or under a dress/skirt or however you choose to!). Be careful though. Due to the stretch, it may be a little difficult to monitor weight gain (if that’s your concern). Did I say THANK GOD for leggings?

FAMILY FEUD. This is my favorite game show. Besides the news and a little ratchet tv and Netflix, Family Feud is really the only TV I watch. I actually wouldn’t mind being a guest on the show. Holla at your girl with the plug.

PLANNER. My tried and true. Y’all can have those fancy organizational apps or even the calendars on phones. Give me two planners for the year. One mini leather one for my purse and one fun one with stickers and all the fixings for home. It’s the only way I’ll remember things and since its been a habit for a long time, I generally refer to it daily to honor time commitments or client appointments.

Handmade Tassels by Girly Girl Glamour

WET ‘N WILD LIPSTICK. Megalast. Bare It All. #902C. Alright so it’s not the most sophisticated brand, neither is it vegan, or organic, but it does the job for my everyday, neutral lip. I’m definitely open to suggestions (but only from you who actually KNOW how great it looks on me and can give me a pretty close replica).

TASSEL EARRINGS. Besides my wood earrings that I wear almost everyday, I love tassel earrings. They are fun and can be worn casually or formally. They also work well with my pixie. Speaking of pixie, make sure you grab your collectors “Pixie Babe” mugs or sweatshirts here.

MY INFAMOUS WOOD EARRINGS. These have been with me for a while and I don’t see them going anywhere soon. There was a point when I’d wear them everyday. Now, I wear them about 4 times a week…so they are still up there! LOL

META PHYSICA WELLNESS CENTER. I visit them monthly for an hour long Sauna treatment. Their saunas are infrared and extremely beneficial. They aid in detoxing the body, purifying the skin, injury healing, weight loss, improved circulation, etc. Plus, it just feels good!

Infrared Sauna

Sweat it Out!

At Cairo Coffee in Eastern Market

COFFEE. I quit cold turkey in July. I had to for health reasons. In the last few months, I’ve reintroduced it into my life, but with restrictions. I’d say that I enjoy it twice a week now (if that). Also, I used to drink it black. Now I have to dilute it with oat or almond milk…but all is well. It’s the culture of coffee that I’ll never give up. Those of you who know, KNOW. I’ve recently discovered a few new spots that I love for their coffee AND aesthetics. I have a little surprise coming up for my fellow coffee lovers. Stay tuned. *insert wink*

MOISTURIZER. This includes eye cream! The difference between a dull face and one that is glowing (prior to makeup) is the proper moisturizer (and cleansing and exfoliating…but we’re just talking about moisturizer right now LOL). Obviously this is an important part of skincare, which every woman should be very serious about. I’ll be doing a skincare post very soon because I’ve encountered women who could benefit from the information.

UNLIT CANDLES. I’m not a fan of candles, synthetic scents at that, but I do find them useful (when they aren’t lit). I use them as closet scents and they are refreshing that way. Depending on the scent and the temperature in the house they provide a pleasant scent that isn’t as potent as when lit.

FUNKY EYEGLASS FRAMES. I don’t have a prescription (except for computer use) so I love trying funky frames. I wear them mostly when I don’t wear makeup or to add a little personality to my wardrobe.

FORGIVENESS. Y’all sometimes forgiveness is not taking things personally (depending on the situation). Read. That. Again. Also, forgiveness destroys the root of bitterness and revenge. I’m sure you’ve heard that forgiveness is more for you than the other party. ‘Tis true.

ME. Last year taught me the true meaning of self care. I know that term is used loosely these days, but true self care is giving yourself what you NEED and DESERVE. This means getting to know YOURSELF beyond the surface. This means spending QUALITY time with yourself and doing the work needed to be the best you so that you’re the best to and for the ones you love and encounter daily.

MONIE NATURALS LLC. I absolutely love their Silky Shea Butter soap. It’s extremely healing and comforting, especially for my Winter skin.

VISION. Having vision keeps me focused and my eyes on my goals. I love the idea of a vision board (hey, be our guest this Sunday at the best Vision Board Party this side of Detroit!) because it’s a visual of things that WILL manifest in my life. Having vision is seeing a thing before it happens so when it happens you’re prepared.

Write the Vision

I always keep my prior year planners. I refer to them often to measure goals, accomplishments, and areas to improve.

WRAP DRESSES. For always and forever. Period.

UNSUBSCRIBE BUTTON. Literally and Figuratively. This started in 2019, but I’m completing the work in 2020! I unsubscribed to a few magazine subscriptions, food delivery, channels, etc. Because…NO! I wasn’t reading fast enough before the next one came in and let’s face it, the 100 recipes from Blue Apron can be put to use by me paying a visit to the grocery store. Hello!

This can also apply to any practice, event, or expectation that no longer serves you. UNSUBSCRIBE honey!

AFFIRMATIONS. The Bible has many that I recite aloud daily. You are what you SAY. I am very careful these days to only speak LIFE into me and my peeps. I am Healthy. I am Whole. I am Enough. I
Can Do Anything. I am Loved. These are just a few. Some seasons, I have Post-Its in my bathroom (thank God for separate bathrooms, by the way lol), Being Mary Jane style, so that I am affirmed first thing in the morning and first thing before bed.

What are you holding near and dear in 2020? Let’s talk!

The Wrap Dress + 3 ways to style it!

“Wrap dresses for me are like the ultimate display of femininity. There’s nothing more sexy, sweet or confident than a woman in a wrap dress. Period. ”

Wrap dresses are my favorite for several reasons. At the top of my list: they look good on everyBODY! Really! Below, I show three additional ways to rock the wrap dress besides the traditional way.

• Rock your wrap dress as a DUSTER! This is such a great way to add print, movement, texture, or color to a basic outfit. You can also pair your “wrap dress duster” with another dress (sheath or another straight style).

• Rock your wrap dress as a two-piece with a moto vest or jacket. Another way is to piece with a distressed denim jacket to add some funk.

• I’ve even paired my wrap dresses with graphic tees (below), leggings and jeans (I love dresses with jeans!) to add interest to the classic dress!

Come on! Get creative with your classic items in your closet! I dare YOU!!!

Fall Beauty Faves!

Fall is here!

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It’s one of my favorite seasons for sure, but with cooler temperatures come skin changes, duller looking skies, and a slower pace. I have some beauty faves that are part of my self-care routine that I’d like to share that are sure to provide a pick-me-up as well as other benefits. Thank me later when you fall in love with these little pretties also!

Facial Cleanser: Shea Moisture Clarifying Facial Wash & Scrub is wondrous! I use this twice weekly in place of my regular cleanser, followed by toner and moisturizer. I generally use it on Sunday and Wednesday. I discovered it from a Target Beauty Box this past Winter and have never parted. I have combination skin and it works perfectly with my existing skincare regime. The tea tree oil does the job to balance my skin and the tamarind extract provides gentle exfoliation to keep my skin smooth and glowy!

Moisturizer: I discovered Monie Naturals Skincare Green Tea & Vitamin E Facial Moisturizer through a friend on Instagram. This moisturizer is the truth! It doesn’t leave my skin oily like most moisturizers and provides the perfect canvas for makeup application.

Eye Cream: Listen, if you are over 25 and do not use an eye cream, please start! As early as 20s you can start to notice a few little creases, and as subtle as they may be, prevention is key! Now, I don’t believe in the term anti-aging (there is no such thing…), BUT I do believe in preservation! Most people don’t need a targeted eye cream (e.g. for dark circles), so a gentle and moisturizing one will do! My go to is Eve Organics Eye Cream. Due to the delicate skin under your eye, be sure to be gentle and apply with your your ring or baby finger. Secret: I use my eye cream as a lip moisturizer also!

Bright Matte Liquid: In the last few years, I’ve opted for a brighter lip in the fall. I still rock my deeper hues, but I’m not putting my bright lippies away! First of all, Boy Trouble by The Lip Bar is EVERYTHING!!! Secondly, it brightens my skin and my day! This is a brown girl’s dream lip color. TRUST. ME. You’ll also get a good laugh at their shade description.

Liquid Foundation: Clinique Even Better Broad Spectrum (Ginger) has worked for me for years. I had the hardest time color-matching a foundation that allowed my skin to breathe…because that’s important! It’s the perfect neutral brown girl shade and provides light-medium coverage. Clinique does it with this formula! It keeps my skin smooth and flawless without hiding ME. I wear this on Sundays and for occasions when I want a more even tone and a tad more coverage than a pressed powder.

Mineral Dual Foundation: Aveda did right by brown girls a few years ago by adding deeper hues. This is a pressed powder formula (Cream Caramel) but can be worn wet for lighter coverage. I wear this wet when I want a natural look that blurs imperfections. It also provides radiance on a gray, fall day. When I want a more dramatic look, I use this to provide a bit of contour to my liquid foundation.

BONUS: Drink. Your. Water. Babes.

These are just a few of my favorite Fall beauty jewels and as you can tell from the organic photos, I USE THEM generously! LOL. Of course I’m a product junkie, so I’ll probably share a few more for Winter! Stay tuned.

Please share some of your favorite beauty products! I’d love to hear from you!