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Lifestyle
This section of IT’S THE LEWK is dedicated to every day activities. Lifestyle is inspired by our daily life and personal interests. Lifestyle encourages readers to be inspired and motivated by the content displayed on this page.
Countdown to Cuteness: Getting Ready for Baby #2 (Insider)
Hey there! This second pregnancy has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’m grateful to be past a tough first trimester. I’m now in my sixth month and super excited about our new addition to the family. I’ll be sharing quite a bit of baby and pregnancy updates, including a special gender reveal. If you’re as eager as I am to find out who will be joining the Buchanan family and how prep is going for their arrival, keep scrolling for more baby cuteness and beautiful surprises!
The countdown to cuteness continues below.
DISCLAIMER: Just a heads up! Some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of those links, you won’t have to pay extra, but I’ll receive a small commission. Your purchase helps to support the work I do. Thank you!
Getting Ready for Baby Cuteness During the Second Trimester
Similar to my first pregnancy, I’ve been feeling a sudden surge of energy and productivity during this second trimester. It’s been easier to stay healthy and active in the fourth and fifth months by sticking to a balanced diet, getting some exercise, and staying hydrated. Doing this has allowed me to focus on getting ready for the baby in other ways. Some things, like finalizing my birthing plans, arranging maternity leave, and preparing the baby’s older sibling for the new addition require a lot of planning and organization. And setting up the baby’s nursery has been a bit overwhelming, however, it’s an essential part of getting ready for baby #2. Converting my office into a nursery and decluttering the space has been an intense project!
See Related: My Life Lately: The Sequel
Getting the Nursery Ready: Painting Baby’s Room
I’m super excited to share that the nursery is almost 90% decluttered! When I learned I was pregnant, I couldn’t wait to start working on the nursery. After discovering I was having a girl, I picked four adorable paint colors and let my family vote. We all agreed on the color “Lotus Flower” for my little girl’s room. This color was cuteness overload! The only thing I needed to do next was grab the paint and accessories and start painting!
Products Used to Achieve Baby Room Cuteness:
Baby Girl’s Room is Cute and Almost Ready!
Painting the nursery was a super fun family project. It was a wonderful bonding experience and a great way to share our growing excitement about welcoming our baby girl into the family and her new room. It took an entire weekend to paint the nursery. You can watch us paint her room and get everything ready for our baby girl in this cute little video I shared on Instagram to announce her gender. Now that the nursery’s painted, I can focus on decorating her room with furniture, bedding, decor, etc.
Cute Painting Gender Reveal Ideas
If you enjoyed reading this post and learning about how my family and I decided to reveal the gender of our baby, you may also find it helpful to explore other paint gender-reveal ideas. Most gender reveals can be grandiose, awe-inspiring, and elaborate. But if you are looking for something simple and cost-effective, below are a few ideas that make even the smallest gender reveal just as magnificent as those over-the-top special occasions. This compiled list of Gender Reveal Ideas (for painting) is creative, unique, and super cute for anyone preparing for their newborn.
- Paint Photoshoot – Keep it classic and simple with pink or blue handprints on a white shirt during the family photoshoot
- Paint Toss on Canvas – Reveal the gender in a one-of-a-kind way and create a keepsake that can displayed as art in the baby’s nursery
- Umbrella Paint Pour – Grab an unmarked paint can and a see-through umbrella for an epic reveal (super fun activity to do with the baby’s siblings)
- Super Soakers Filled w/ Paint – Fun for clothes or canvases; fill the Soakers up with pink or blue paint and make a splash
- Paint the Nursery – Pick a color of your choice to announce the gender
The Countdown Continues: Preparing for Childbirth
As of this latest life and baby update, things continue to be underway in preparation for my sweet little girl. My focus remains on staying calm, relaxed, and enjoying my pregnancy. I am so grateful to be surrounded by a supportive family. The next update will be what life has been like in the third and final trimester as I inch closer to my due date. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for more pregnancy annoucements and updates!
My Life Lately: The Sequel
It’s been a while since my last review. A long while. An entire year came, dropped many bombs, and left me to deal with its aftermath. The only thing I knew to do, then, was to retreat and revise. Just as I geared up to make my return to product reviews and entertainment blogging after an almost two-year hiatus, my life had a(nother) major bomb getting ready to strike. This is my life lately (maybe even frequently): the sequel.
“Story Still Developing”
The truth is that I continue to have setbacks that cause me to take time away from blogging as frequently as I need to. I was proud and fortunate to have the freedom to focus on my writing, reviews, social media presence, however, I needed to go back to work full-time to be able to continue feeding my passion. After I started managing and getting used to my work-life balance, the plan was (and still is) to pivot to then incorporate my product reviews back into my weekly routine.
Then, May 2024 came and all my plans were put on pause. I found out that one of life’s best products was preparing for a February 2025 release date and I was expected to review it. Such a huge and major opportunity was coming my way and I needed time to dedicate to this product, and this product only. Life has trusted me to handle this kind of product before, so I was ready to accept the responsibility. What would this be like (this time)?
I am still preparing for the launch of this product. A product of love, unity, and joy. Although it won’t be revealed until next year, I am happy to share an update and announce that my family is growing by two feet! Baby Buchanan will arrive February 2025. Myself, family, and friends are still shocked by this exciting news and this life update / story is still developing. We are all very eager to shower our new addition with lots of love.
To my readers, thank you for your patience as this sequel continues. I do plan to return, sooner than you may realize, to continue sharing my reviews and to update you as much as possible with the latest developments in this story. A shift is coming soon.
With Love ❤︎,
Krissy Bri
Tom Ford Bitter Peach Is A Lavishly Delicious Scent
Photo Courtesy: Macys.com 
Photo Courtesy: tomford.com Luxury fragrances are our latest obsession. Listen, whenever we are allowed to try and wear designer perfumes, we are always beaming with glee! Obsessing may be a strong word, but we would never pass up an opportunity to sniff scents and aromas (the good ones). The moment we heard Influenster was sending us Tom Ford Bitter Peach eau de parfum to review, we felt so special! We’ve never shopped with the luxury brand Tom Ford before, so we were eager to wear one of their products.
We’ve also seen some polarizing opinions about the Tom Ford Bitter Peach eau de parfum online, and many other influencers are obsessing over this fragrance too. So let us not wait any longer to share our review of Tom Ford’s explicitly sweet fragrance. Keep scrolling to get all the juicy details on the Tom Ford Bitter Peach eau de parfum.
Thank You, Influenster!
Before we take a bite out of Bitter Peach’s notes, intensity, and market value, we want to sincerely thank Influenster for sending us this complimentary gift. Influenster sent It’s The Lewk this product in exchange for our honest opinion. Our readers should note that the views and opinions expressed in this article reflect our experience after testing the Tom Ford Bitter Peach fragrance. The purpose of this article is to inform interested consumers about products on the market only.
DISCLAIMER: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Related: How To Join Influenster
Tom Ford Bitter Peach: Bright and Sensual
Tom Ford released the Bitter Peach fragrance in 2020 as part of their Private Blend Collection. Although Bitter Peach is not the newest fragrance from the brand on the market, it is ripe and still mentioned as one of the best luxury fragrances released this decade. The scent is “explicitly sweet and dangerously voluptuous“- Tom Ford. “Bitter Peach surges with dark, skin-gripping sensuality. Like a full-flavored peach at its most ripe– the scent is erotic by nature“. Then, there’s the beautifully bright and sleek bottle design of Bitter Peach. It has an exquisitely tinted translucent outer layer with an opaque inner coat. The Bitter Peach bottle also has an appropriate peach-colored hue to its design, complimenting its scent.
Tom Ford Bitter Peach Notes
Top, Middle, and Base Notes
- Peche de Vigne (Peach)
- Sicilian Blood Orange
- Rum
- Davana oil
- Patchouli
- Sandalwood
- Vanilla
- Cognac
- Jasmine
To clarify, Bitter Peach is a noticeable fruity-floral scent. Peche de Vigne and Sicilian Blood Orange, two top notes, are detected within minutes of spraying and are strong openers for this fragrance! Although the peach and orange notes are prominent initially, we wouldn’t say that Bitter Peach has an overbearing aroma. As the scent settles, we notice other middle and base notes, like patchouli, jasmine, and vanilla. Just when you thought you figured out Bitter Peach’s aroma, it reveals other top, middle, and base notes as it lingers and softens.
Longevity and Wear
Tom Ford Bitter Peach gives us summer vibes! This fragrance is perfect for daytime wear in the summer or the fall. For example, the orange, peche de vigne, vanilla, and jasmine oils are very vibrant and colorful, much like the fall/summer seasons. We would also recommend wearing Tom Ford Bitter Peach during a date night. Your date or partner will comment on how delightful you smell that night. Trust us! Lastly, if you plan to wear Tom Ford Bitter Peach, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll never need to spray this fragrance multiple times within the day. Once you put this fragrance on, it lasts throughout the entire day. Bitter Peach is not a scent you will escape.
Polarizing and Lavishly Delicious Bitter Peach
We love everything about Tom Ford Bitter Peach eau de parfum. The scent is cute and an intoxicating women’s fragrance. Bitter Peach makes us feel sensual, sexy, and erotic. It is one of our favorite fragrances that we’ve tested this decade and is a fragrance that will last for years to come (much like its scent). We recommend every woman try Tom Ford Bitter Peach because we feel all women deserve to feel this way, but we believe fruity-floral scent lovers will appreciate it the best!
Don’t forget to sign-up for our newsletter to stay in the loop about new fragrance product reviews, be the first to know about new blog posts, and receive exclusive discount codes and shopping giveaways!
Where To Shop for Bitter Peach
Lastly, you can find Bitter Peach at any of the above major retail stores in-store or online. Prices vary based on the bottle size (10 mL for $80.00, 30 for $250.00, 50 for $390.00, and 100 mL for $570.00).
Best Skincare Gifts for Normal to Dry Skin *Tested*
Shopping for skincare products is not easy for everyone as it may seem. Firstly, dozens of skincare products are on the market with promises to correct and address the same concerns. Additionally, our skin goes through routine changes! A change in skin type or texture can present challenges for shopping for the right skincare products to help identify skincare concerns. Tbh, it’s chaotic. There needs to be an effective method in place to navigate all those skincare products on the market! So, we’ve compiled a guide to a few of our favorite skincare products. These products will make the best skincare gifts for the skincare lover in your life!
(Whether that person is you or someone you may know.)
Why You Should Trust Us: Reasons Why They’re The Best Skincare Gifts
So if you’re asking for a friend, we want to tell you why you can trust us about these products. We got you! The reader should note that the skincare products in this guide work best for normal to dry skin types. This news is great for our readers and girlies who do not have many skincare concerns or goals. Secondly, we believe each item on this list is a great product to add to any beginner or expert skincare routine. Lastly, we’ve sorted through the best honest reviews from verified reviewers, we’ve tested these products ourselves, and we’re confident that skincare lovers will find them beneficial!
DISCLAIMER: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Let’s begin with the best skin care products that anyone can use daily. Cetaphil is a trusted brand by dermatologists and many consumers. Their body lotions and moisturizers provide hydration and nourishment that lasts all day. The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is perfect for the face and body of all skin types (normal, dry, and sensitive).
Price at the time of publishing: $12
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“My skin really likes Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I usually apply right after I bathe/shower and don’t have to worry about reapplying as I would with [some] other lotions/moisturizers, and I consider this [to be] a pretty ‘clean’ skincare product which is a plus. I trust enough to let my whole family use it for this reason, and I would purchase it again.” – Aspiring D, Influenster Reviewer
Chapstick Total Hydration with Sea Minerals
This 3-in-1 lip balm has a botanical-moisturizing complex to help keep lips moisturized for up to 8 hours. Reviewers found their lips feeling nongreasy, soft, and smooth after using this Chapstick with a triple-action formula. Everyone and anyone who has used Chapstick’s products before knows that their products renew and transform dry lips for a radiant and youthful look.
Price at the time of publishing: $7
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I absolutely love this Total Hydration Sea Minerals Moisturizing lip exfoliator, and I use it at night as a moisturizer for my lips. [This] tends to leave my lips soft and hydrated the next morning. I really enjoy this new product.” – Jamie U, Influencer
CosRx Niacinamide 15 Serum
Serums are the best gifts for addressing and treating skin care concerns. CosRx’s Niacinamide 15 Serum rapidly treats mild to severe acne breakouts and dark spots. The serum is light and absorbs fast into the skin, and reviewers noticed a change in appearance within 30 days!
Price at the time of publishing: $25
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I think this is a good everyday serum! I’m a huge fan of niacinamide in my routine and have been for years, as there are spots on my face that are an oil slick if left to their own devices, and I have massive pores in those areas as well. This serum is definitely in the top five niacinamide serums that I have used. I can really tell a difference in the oil production throughout the day on my skin.” – Shelby M, Skincare Enthusiast, Makeup Junkie
CosRx Vitamin C 23 Serum
We believe our readers will no longer be interested in searching for the fountain of youth after using this serum. CosRx’s Vitamin C 23 Serum targets aging, improve skin, and boosts skin radiance. What we love most about the Vitamin C 23 Serum is its 23% pure vitamin c, perfect for reducing wrinkles and enhancing elasticity.
Price at the time of publishing: $25
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I [honestly wasn’t too] sure what to think about this product at first. The consistency also [appears] like a lightweight oil at first, so I was nervous about it leaving my combination skin oily. All [of] my concerns were put to rest when I put the product on my face! While [it] has a strong smell in the bottle, once you put it on your face, you don’t notice a thing.
The formula absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving it looking greasy. After just a few days of using this product, I noticed a big improvement in my skin tone. I have quite a bit of sun damage from years of living in Florida by the beach, and this definitely helped reduce some of the discoloration and fine lines.” – Allyson C., Influenster Reviewer
Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub
We’re all for total body care, so the decision was easy to include this product in our gift guide. Dr. Teal’s brand has many scrubs, oils, and salts that people use to help relax and heal their bodies. Their brand is one of the popular go-tos for relaxation. Dr. Teal’s Shea Sugar Scrub has vitamins like A and E and essential oils to exfoliate and lock in moisture. Our readers should note that a sugar scrub’s recommended use is 1-2 times weekly to avoid over-exfoliating the skin.
Price at the time of publishing: $6
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I recently tried Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. [The combination of] shea butter and sugar crystals creates a gentle yet effective scrub that leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. The added melatonin is a nice touch, and I appreciate the calming benefits it provides.” – Kira A., Influenster Reviewer
Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion
The third moisturizer to make our list is Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion. If you’re trying out Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub (the fourth-best skincare gift in this guide), we recommend pairing the sleep body lotion with it for maximum results. How to use: use the sugar scrub during bathtime. Then, follow up with the sleep body lotion after your bath for additional moisture. Many testers agree that its lightweight formula works to promote better sleeping.
Price at the time of publishing: $5
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I came across Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion at Wal-Mart. Let me tell you this [lotion] is part of my new nightly bath routine. The shea butter smell is not overpowering the essential oil in the lotion. To me, the best part is the melatonin in the lotion. It’s everything you need to relax your body at the end of the night.” – Leesha H., Blogger
Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Cream
So just like all of the other moisturizers on this list, this melanin-rich nourishing cream is designed for dry skin care. What we love most about the Mele brand is that they make skincare products for women of color. We know firsthand about the lack of skincare products on the market that are inclusive to all skin types and how that makes it even harder to find products that work. Mele’s Plump It Up Nourishing Cream is just one of their products that identifies specific needs such as dryness and uneven skin tone in melanin-rich skin.
Price at the time of publishing: $12
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I was excited to try this brand out since this is Black-owned skincare. It isn’t oily and doesn’t give any scent, and I’d definitely recommend it for those with dry skin.” – Fallon B., Influenster Reviewer
Philosophy Pore Minimizing Serum
The Purity Pore Minimizing Serum decreases the appearance of pores instantly. If you’re looking for products that show improvement results quickly, we feel you can’t go wrong with this serum + multitasking moisturizer (more on this soon). We noticed a difference in our skin’s appearance, noting fewer blackheads and clogged pores; within 24 hours of using this serum. We gotta love a product that boasts of purity being made simplistic!
Price at the time of publishing: $39
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I have been using Philosophy products for almost a decade now. Their products never let me down [and] this [one] has done wonders on my skin. As for pore minimizing, I do notice a slight difference when combining with other actives.” – Chelsea W., Content Creator
Philosophy Hope In A Jar Moisturizer
READ FULL REVIEW: Starting the New Year With Hope And A Radiant Glow
We raved about this moisturizer on It’s The Lewk all last year as one of our favorite new products. This product is definitely one of our go-to moisturizers and is used routinely in our skincare regimen. In addition to targeting dehydration, this multitasking moisturizer promotes skin surface cell renewal and boosts radiance. We’ve never experienced a glow like this with any other moisturizer!
Price at the time of publishing: $42
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I’m so pleasantly surprised by this product, mostly because I’m super picky when it comes to face creams, but especially when they promise to be the solution to several skin concerns like this one who says it can improve both fine lines and skin texture while also turning dull, dry skin into glowing well-hydrated skin. My expectations were high, and my skepticism even higher. I found myself cutting out several other products because this truly is a multitasking cream.” – Ine L., Influencer
Rimmel London Wonder Serum
READ FULL REVIEW: A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox
WATCH YOUTUBE REVIEW: Rimmel London Voxbox Unboxing
Enjoy longer, fuller, and revitalized lashes when you use Rimmel London’s serum for eyebrows and lashes. Its gentle, nutrient-rich conditioning formula supports lash and eyebrow growth. This serum is perfect for growing eyebrows and eyelashes for a fuller or thicker appearance.
Price at the time of publishing: $8
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I was genuinely impressed by the results of this easy-to-use lash/brow serum! I had noticeable results with longer, fuller bare lashes and with mascara after just a few weeks of use. The formula is thicker than other lash serums I’ve tried, but I think that’s actually an advantage because it’s less likely to run into your eyes. This product is very affordable and is a great value compared with other popular lash serums on the market. It didn’t cause any irritation, redness, or discomfort to my eyes or the skin around my eyes.” – Gabriela S., Influenster Reviewer
Ouai Hair Mask Is A Miracle For Damaged Hair
Are you someone who is struggling with dry, brittle hair? Have you noticed how difficult it is for your hair to retain moisture and oil in thick coils? Lastly, is your hair unhealthy because of its dryness, split ends, heat, chemical, or color damage? If you responded ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then; I have the perfect solution for you! The time is up for dry, damaged hair! Ouai hair mask is the best solution to repair and heal thick, dry and damaged hair.
DISCLAIMER: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Before we explain how the Ouai hair mask is the best solution for hair damage and dryness (and why you need to use it), let’s discuss how THE LEWK discovered this haircare miracle. I received this product complimentary from Influenster; in exchange for my honest opinion. I have been an Influenster affiliate for a year now, and that means I get to test and review hundreds of products to help consumers make easier shopping decisions. Please check out the other beauty products I’ve reviewed for Influenster in previous blog reviews.
About Ouai Hair Mask
The Ouai (pronounced ‘way’) hair mask is a treatment product for hair that restores and revitalizes natural hair textures. It repairs hair damage, restores moisture and hydration, and prevents breakage. The brand offers two options for this treatment mask for different hair types:
- fine-to-medium textures
- thick hair textures
Each mask targets different hair concerns for all hair textures, but there’s one thing that they both have in common: building shiny, manageable, and healthy hair. You’ll want to use the thick hair treatment masque if your hair concerns and goals are:
- hair damage
- anti-breakage
- frizz control
- moisture retention
If thick hair maintenance isn’t your struggle, then; you’ll need to use the fine-to-medium treatment masque to address your haircare concerns. Ouai’s fine-to-medium treatment masque targets:
- repairing split ends
- hydration
- frizz control
- strengthening fine-to-medium strands
Ouai Hair Mask Ingredients
All of the products from Ouai are cruelty, gluten, paraben, and phthalate free. The fine-to-medium treatment mask contains:
- shea butter
- panthenol
- hydrolyzed keratin
Click the jump for a complete list of ingredients.
Additionally, the Ouai hair masque for thick hair contains:
- shea butter
- lillipe butter
- hydrolyzed keratin
- blend of almond, olive, and macadamia oils
Click the jump for a complete list of ingredients.
How to Use Ouai Hair Masks
Both mask products work best when applied to freshly cleansed hair. Next, starting from the ends and working into the roots, apply a quarter-size amount of the mask conditioner. Then, comb through with your fingers. Finally, let the mask sit for 5-10 minutes and then rinse with cool water. You can follow up with your favorite leave-in conditioner for added hydration.
Where to Buy These Hair Mask Products
Are you ready for your next hair miracle? It’s time to break up with split ends and do some damage control. Ouai hair masks are here to heal and repair everything your hair has been through in the name of maintenance. These hair treatments want to deliver smooth, shiny, healthy, manageable hair to your natural tresses! Visit your local Target, Ulta, or Sephora store to grab these haircare goodies!
Sign-Up for The LEWK Newsletter and Get 15% Off!
Do you feel that hair damage, breakage, and split ends aren’t your haircare goals or concerns? Check out the posts below for more hair-spiration and haircare products! Moreover, don’t forget to sign-up for our newsletter to stay in the loop about new haircare product reviews, be the first to know about new blog posts, and receive exclusive discount codes and shopping giveaways!
30 Self- Love Affirmations from Beyonce’s Renaissance
Beyoncè Giselle Knowles-Carter is one of the greatest entertainers in the world. We notably recognize her for her vocal ability and contributions to music. She is an inspiration for so many women everywhere, and we can’t get enough of how much joy and happiness she brings to millions of faces. Her music is motivating and uplifting. She makes women feel seen and understood. She encourages women to love and believe in themselves. Renaissance is an album full of self- love affirmations and bad bitch energy. Let’s explore 30 self-love affirmations from the critically acclaimed studio album Renaissance.
Renaissance is about feeling good, releasing stress, and finding joy in life and love. Beyoncè is a forever mood. Beyoncè reminds us that we are all unique, deserving of love, and to embrace love with grace. Above all, the best love is self-love! Her latest album, Renaissance, is her latest effort to lift happiness, boost self-confidence, self- love, and appreciate the minds/bodies/spirits of the modern woman today.
Renaissance Self- Love Affirmations
I’m That Girl
Beyoncè starts Renaissance with a declaration: “I’m that girl.” The intro for this album commands you to recognize who you are and to take up space! It’s the perfect song for chanting and reciting positive statements to affirm that you are the best to do it and don’t forget it.
- “I’m that girl.”
- “From the top of the morning, I shine.”
- “I pull relief in.”
- “These motherfuckers ain’t stopping me.”
Cozy
One of the best things about self-love is appreciating who you are and being comfortable in your skin. Loving yourself means many things, but for this moment, let’s focus on how beautiful you are (inside and out). This song reminds you to be comfortable with how much you love yourself. Might we suggest nobody mess with you, sis?
- “I am confident.”
- “I am lethal.”
- “I am comfortable in my skin.”
- “I love myself, goddamn.”
- “I’m so cozy.”
- “I love me.”
- “I’m a God. I’m a hero.”
- “I’m swaggy, effortlessly.”
Alien Superstar
Alien Superstar is the song to play from the Renaissance album if you’re looking for something that’ll help you express all the bad bitch energy you possess. It encourages you to celebrate your radiant beauty, elegance, and unique ability to stand out from the rest of the world. You are the standard and the bar!
- “I’m one of one. I’m number one. I’m the only one.”
- “No one in this world can think like me.”
- “Bad bitch, I’m the bar. Alien Superstar!”
- “I’m too classy for this world. Forever, I’m that girl.”
- “I’m too classy to be touched. I paid them all in dust.”
- “Baby, I’m unique.”
- “Eyes on me when I perform.”
- “Eyes on I when I put on.”
Break My Soul
If you’ve been under a lot of pressure lately and feel like you’re about to explode, it’s time for you to find a solution for release. The first step is to remain kind to yourself. The second step is to reclaim your time. Next, stand tall and firmly cement your feet in place. Finally, let go of all the stress and forget the rest!
- “Release your wiggle.” (repeat with different actions!)
- “You won’t break my soul.”
- “I’m going to find a new drive.”
- “I’m on a new vibration. I’m going to build my foundation.”
More Confidence and Self- Love Affirmations from Renaissance
Church Girl
Sometimes life forces us to ride rollercoasters with twists, ups, and downs. In times of uncertainty, we usually long to be and break free from those dark spaces. We want nothing more than to put it all behind us and get back to the way things used to be before the chaos. Church Girl is the flame for the ignite to bring life back into women’s bodies and is their safe haven for liberation.
- “I’m going to let go of this body.”
- “I’m going to love on me.”
- “I was born free.”
- “Let it go. Let it out.”
- “I’m finally on the other side.”
- “I finally found the urge to smile.”
Heated
After all the self-work and self-love you’ve poured into yourself, you deserve to show off this new version of yourself to the world! Everyone needs to see your glow and your abundant shine! It’s all about confidence and believing in yourself. *Grabs fan* nothing and no one can tame you!
- “Never met a girl with a mind like this.”
- “My face card never declines.”
- “I want to flaunt it.”
Pure/Honey
Self-love is 100%, pure love. It’s not reliant or dependent on someone else, and you don’t have to wait for someone else to give you what you need. Loving yourself (inside and out) is one of the best gifts to give your mind, body, and spirit. It can take a lifetime to perfect, but repetition is the best technique to apply. Doing this act will make it easier, and soon you’ll be giving self-love effortlessly!
- “It should cost a billion to look this good.”
- “I make it look easy because I got it.”
- “I ain’t never felt a feeling like this.”
Self-Love Affirmations for Success and Abundance
The entire Renaissance album is full of self-love affirmations. Listen to Beyoncè’s latest album on Apple Music to repeat these affirmations along with the songs. Be sure to listen to all 16 tracks to discover more self-love affirmations and other mantras for motivation, inspiration, and manifestation.
Want more affirmations? Check out Powerful Words of Affirmation for Success!
Prada Paradoxe Perfume: The New Fragrance for Women
Photo Credit: prada.com 
Photo Credit: prada.com 
Photo Credit: prada.com 
Photo Credit: prada.com Prada Paradoxe perfume is the latest fragrance by Prada. It is a luxury eau de parfum designed for women to explore and express their paradoxical multi-dimensions. Prada Paradoxe celebrates the woman who is “never the same, always herself“. Absurd as this may sound, I was lucky enough to be one of the first women to wear this fragrance before it became available in department stores in 2022.
(Shoutout to Influenster for sending me this complimentary gift!)
As a result, this post will contain everything I know about Prada’s Prada Paradoxe fragrance. Are you ready? Keep scrolling to get the details:
- fragrance scent
- product contents
- retail value
- my review and what others are saying online
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Prada Paradoxe Perfume: Notes
The first thing you should know about this fragrance is the ingredients that make it smell great! Paradoxe top notes are calabrian bergamot heart, tangerine essence, and pear accord. Its heart (middle) notes are primarily floral: neroli essence, neroli bud essence, Tunisian orange flower, and jasmine sambac. The base notes feature bourbon vanilla, amber accord, and white musk accord. To clarify, this is a floral fragrance. This inviting scent reminds me of a fresh bouquet of flowers.
How To Sign-Up For Influenster and Join the Review Community
Influenster is the #1 go-to app for consumer product reviews and discovery. It is a platform known for showcasing honest reviews from real people in real-time. People love to use Influenster to share their experiences with hundreds of thousands of products!
Did you know that anyone can join the review community for free? First, you’ll need an email address to get started. Then, once you’ve created a profile, start digging into other consumer reviews to discover new products on the Influenster app.
Prada Paradoxe Perfume: Packaging and Contents
In addition to its soft scent, Prada Paradoxe comes in the brand’s signature triangle shape and logo. The fragrance bottle design has a black cap, and the perfume liquid radiates a delicate pink color. Paradoxe is openly unique, iconic, and 100% refillable. That’s right, ladies! If you run out of Prada Paradoxe, you don’t have to worry about buying another bottle. When your bottle is empty, it’s not finished. You can easily unscrew the top and refill when you need to.
A New Fragrance For The Perfume Collection
Moreover, Paradoxe is one of the best scents I’ve ever smelled. It is such a divine and feminine fragrance and takes my breath away. The floral notes are very sensational and the biggest highlight of this perfume. On the other hand, I do realize that floral fragrances can sometimes be a little strong and dominating. However, Prada Paradoxe is a rare exception. It is light, soft, and not overpowering. This fragrance is fresh, softly faint, long-lasting, and worthy of being in your fragrance collection.
Where to Get Paradoxe
Paradoxe is available everywhere online and in stores. The product hit shelves last year, but it is one of the latest fragrance obsessions women can’t seem to get enough of! Here’s a list of all the places where you can shop for the fragrance (online and in-stores):
- Prada (retail value: $30- $142)
- Sephora (retail value: $30- $142)
- Macy’s (retail value: $112- $142)
- Ulta (retail value: $87- $142)
Prices for this perfume vary depending on the bottle size you select.
The details about Prada Paradoxe don’t stop here! If you’d like to know more about the multi-dimensional Paradoxe perfume, you need to sign-up for the product newsletter. The LEWK Digest is our product review guide dedicated to providing in-depth information about the products discussed here on the website! Subscribers will receive weekly beauty, hair, and health product recommendations, special discount codes, and giveaway announcements delivered directly to their inboxes. Click here to join our free community so you won’t miss out on exclusive opportunities!
So what do you think about Prada’s Prada Paradoxe? Let me know in a comment below.
How To Use Influenster: An App Review Guide
Influenster is the #1 go-to app for consumer product reviews and discovery. It is a platform known for showcasing honest reviews from real people in real-time. People love to use Influenster to share their experiences with hundreds of thousands of products. In short, Influenster changed how consumers share reviews and create user-generated content. Additionally, the popular review app underwent a facelift earlier this year and made vital changes to its platform. This post is your guide to navigating the all-new and improved Influenster app! Here you will get a glimpse of how to use Influenster. Let’s learn how the app works, how to leave product reviews, and how to get the surveys that lead to free products. Let’s get started!
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affilate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
How To Sign-Up For Influenster and Join the Review Community
Did you know that anyone can join the review community for free? First, you’ll need an email address to get started. Then, once you’ve created a profile, start digging into other consumer reviews to discover new products on the Influenster app.
Welcome to the Influenster Home Page
After you’ve created your new profile, you will then be able to explore the app in detail. The first tab that you should get acquainted with is the home feed. This page will show any tier progress, daily tasks, and a product discovery feed.
Tier Progress
When you complete certain required activities, you will earn tier points. These points will allow you to unlock higher tiers. The higher you go, the better your chances of getting free samples and qualifying for campaigns.
Daily Tasks
To put it simply, completing tasks earns you tier points. There are a variety of activities that Influenster will ask you to complete. Some examples of activities include:
- writing reviews
- answering questions
- referring friends
- completing profile info
- making suggestions and recommendations
- creating polls for feedback
Feed
Your home feed will have recommended reviews based on your interests. You’ll see all of the top-rated products, participate in polls created by reviewers, share your expertise by responding to consumer questions, and connect with the brands you love.
How to Use Influenster to Search
You can use the search tab to look for specific products on the app. To search, type the name of the product or brand. You can even search for a product by barcode. Additionally, you can use the search bar to discover your friends on the app and follow each other.
Find and Follow Me on Influenster!
Since you discovered the goodness that is Influenster by reading this post, you should definitely check out my reviewer profile. I am an active member of the Influenster community! Click the above image to follow me on Influenster to enjoy awesome, fascinating new products and read my reviews.
How to Get Product Samples
Influenster sends thousands of hand-picked samples to its members every month. If you get chosen for a sampling campaign, it’ll show under the sample tab. Moreover, Influenster selects members for product campaigns based on their interests and responses recorded in surveys. In conclusion, it is absolutely critical to complete those profiles after sign-up!
Influenster Profile Set-Up
Customize your profile by adding an avatar and personal details. An email and home address are crucial for receiving free samples! Connect your new Influenster account to your social media channels to amplify your reviews. Next, review your recent activity, interests, and badges, and invite friends to sign-up directly from your Influenster profile.
The new changes to the app made it easier to navigate Influenster. Influenster absolutely knows how to make shopping easy. The new features make it simple to leave reviews and qualify for free stuff. I can honestly say that shopping is convenient when you use the Influenster app. Check out the new and improved website today to see what I mean, and start digging into those reviews!
Sharing product reviews is a special way to connect and engage with online shoppers just like you! The LEWK Digest is a weekly product guide newsletter for consumers to research buying options.
Subscribers receive exclusive product details on many popular beauty, household, and lifestyle products. They also receive store locations, discount codes, promotions, and special pricing on select products delivered directly to their mailbox for free!
Trendy 4C Hairstyles for Natural Hair
Whether you’re in the beginning stages of transitioning to natural hair or you’ve been natural for some time, you have to admit that styling natural hair is challenging. Learning how to care for your texture is a lot of trial and error. Sometimes natural hairstyles can be a bit of trial and error too. When I stopped getting relaxers and started to transition my relaxed hair to my natural hair, it was hard to find 4c hairstyles I liked. Then, I would meet other Black women with 4C hair, and they would say the same thing (and some still do).
It’s been helpful to see influencers and celebrities with 4C hair embrace their texture and coils in the entertainment world. Since the reemergence of the natural hair movement in the early 2000s, women with 4C hair can see more ways to style and manage their hair. In conclusion, this post has eight classic, trendy 4C hairstyles. Each hairstyle is a beautifully versatile protective hairstyle with low-med maintenance. However, you can apply any natural hairstyle on this list to any hair texture.
Beauty Tip: If you’re really feeling like taking these 4C hairstyles to the next level, try experimenting with color, braiding hair, or clip-ins (extensions).
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Is It Hard to Maintain 4C Hair?
A common myth about 4C hair is that it is non-manageable because of tight coils and hard to keep moisturized. Although styling 4C hair can be challenging, 4C hair is not hard to maintain. The key to 4c hair is to moisturize. The right moisturizer will protect 4C hair from frizziness, shrinkage, breakage, and sluggish hair growth.
Tools For 4C Hair Texture Hairstyles
Every hairstyle will require tools. Here are some popular hair styling tools used when styling 4C hair:
- Edges Brush
- Detangling Brush
- Hard Bristle Brush
- Styling Gel
- Bobby Pins
- Hair or scalp oil
- Leave-in conditioner
- Moisturizer
8 Simple and Easy 4C Hairstyles
1. Flat Twists
The flat twist hairstyle is super trendy and a popular go-to hairstyle for natural hair. To clarify, flat twists consist of two twists done to the scalp. This twist hairstyle is a protective style that eliminates daily maintenance and creates a path to healthier hair. Twists are versatile and worn in just about any method (from twist-outs to updos).
4C Hair Flat Twist Tutorial 2. Mohawk, Fauxhawk
Mohawk hairstyles for natural hair are so much fun! Many naturalistas rely on the mohawk (a*k*a the frohawk) to create trendy updos. This hairstyle gives many opportunities for geometrical parting, adding braiding hair, and accessories. To start, brush the hair upward towards the center of the head or crown.
How-to Mohawk on 4C Hair 3. Halo Braid
Credit: CurlCentric.com The halo braid is a cornrow-style braid that wraps around the head. This plaited protective braid is the halo effect and is a beautifully elegant hairstyle worn casually or in glam. The halo braid has been famously seen before on many high-profile celebrities such as Beyonce, Ciara, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
How-to Tutorial for Halo Braid on 4C Hair 4. Twist Out
Source: @curldaze IG The twist-out hairstyle is one of my favorites. Next to box braids, the twist-out is a regular go-to protective hairstyle. Twists are a popular protective style that can create uniformity throughout natural hair. A twist-out style is a method of unraveling stranded twists. If you are going to recreate this hairstyle, the key to a successful, beautifully curly twist-out is to lock in moisture.
The Perfect 4C Twist-Out Tutorial 5. Afro
An afro hairstyle is perfect for showing off coils and hair texture. The afro first gained its popularity during the Black Panther movement. This hairstyle gets rocked from puffs to curls and tapered designs. Many high-profile celebrities have sported the afro hairstyle in glam and everyday casual aesthetics (Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Marsai Martin, Solange, Lupita Nyong’o, Ebonee Davis).
The Perfect Afro Tutorial for 4C Natural Hair 6. Space Buns
Although I am not too fond of their name, the space buns are fun, festival beauty trendy, and sassy! The space buns hairstyle is two high buns on both sides of the head. Easy and simple. Space Buns on natural 4C hair showcases coils and curls like no other hairstyle that made this list.
Space Buns on 4C Natural Hair 7. High Bun
Credit: @jascmeen IG If you are looking for something similar to the Space Buns hairstyle, you will want to try the High Bun. This classic hairstyle is a part of the “Everyday Essentials” starter pack. The High Bun is the hair sleeked together in a bun that sits at the top of the head. This hairstyle is a beauty favorite for convenience and low maintenance.
High Bun 4C Natural Hair Tutorial Half Up/ Half Down
The half up half-down hairstyle on curly, natural hair is another idea for an everyday casual look. To create this hairstyle, first, gather the top half of the hair into a high bun. Next, leave the back half down. If you want a lot of volume with this hairstyle, clip-ins would really take it to the next level.
Articles Related to Trendy 4C Hairstyles for Natural Hair
Want More 4C Hairstyles?
Subscribe to the product guide newsletter, The LEWK Digest, to get the products mentioned in this post, or learn more about how these products can help promote healthy hair growth and protect 4C hair. The LEWK Digest has reviews from women who have tried out these products and seen results!
7 Makeup Tips and Hacks No Girl Should Live Without
Flawless makeup is the ultimate beauty goal.
It’s easy to unlock this achievement with the help of makeup artists (MUAs) and beauty experts. However, the makeup application process at home is much different. For this reason, it is absolutely impossible to have too many makeup tricks. You should always learn new makeup tips and hacks to enhance the application process. Like, why struggle with lashes or eyebrows when there are so many makeup tips and hacks to make the process easier?
I am not a makeup artist. I am someone who loves and wears makeup often and can share what she knows about makeup. This post contains seven makeup tips and hacks for applying makeup and creating beautiful, flawless makeup at home. Anyone can do these makeup hacks. Keep scrolling to read more about what makeup tips you should not live without. Ever.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Sign up to get product guides to the beauty products mentioned in this post delivered to your inbox. The Lewk Digest is a weekly newsletter for all the products mentioned on It’s The Lewk.
Makeup Tip # 1: Apply Foundation Before Concealer
The “foundation before concealer rule is golden and is the principle. Starting with one layer of foundation will help minimize any redness or discoloration. The goal: is to create flawless makeup. Next, follow up with concealer to cover additional redness, spots, and blemishes.
Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation Buildable/Medium Coverage
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation Medium/Full Coverage
Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25HR Hydration Boost Full Coverage Lightweight Foundation
Makeup Tip #2: Put on lip balm or scrub before applying lipstick
Pucker up and get ready to exfoliate and moisturize those lips! Matte lipsticks are notorious for not gliding on smooth. Try this genius hack to buff away dry skin before applying lipstick. However, if you’re using lip scrubs, do not over-exfoliate! Lip scrubs are to be applied once a week max (anything more and you’ll risk irritation).
Fenty Beauty Universal Lip Luminizer
M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Conditioner
Makeup Tip #3: Look down to apply false lashes
Putting on false lashes is a struggle. However, this simple hack can make any lash application less problematic. The mission: after the lash glue has dried, grab a mirror and hold it downwards to look into it. Then, start the lash application process.
Makeup Tip #4: Use spoolie brushes to tame brows
Whether or not you plan on filling in those eyebrows, you need to get yourself a spoolie brush a*k*a mascara wand to tidy your brows. Spoolie brushes are great for keeping those tiny brow hairs in place. These brushes are inexpensive and easy to buy in bulk.
Disposable Eyelash Mascara Applicator Wand
Makeup Tip #5: Applying lip liner gives the illusion of fuller lips
The ‘fuller lips’ cheat code is activated when applying one of two methods. Method one is filling in your lips with a liner the same shade as your lipstick. Method two is drawing over your natural lip line with lip liner, also known as overlining your lips. Both methods for using lip liner are considered ideal for long-lasting wear and coverage.
Makeup Tip #6: Use highlighter for eyeshadow
Highlighter is for accentuating the highest points of your face, and while it is for cheekbones, it is just as useful for the rest of the face (Vogue link). Since the goal is to create flawless makeup, highlighter is what every beauty lover needs in their makeup collection. Apply the highlighter in the inner corner of the eye and brow bone to lift the eyes. Then, have a little fun with other parts of your face. Try this: add highlighter to the bridge of your nose to make it appear thinner.
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
M.A.C Cosmetics Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish
Makeup Tip #7: Use setting sprays/powders for long-lasting makeup
After you finish applying makeup, the last thing you want is for your fresh new face to get messed up before leaving the house. Apply setting spray (or powder if that is your preference) to lock in makeup and avoid smearing. Setting your face with spray or powder prevents caking and creasing. Think of it as if you’ve just finished mixing together all the ingredients for a cake. Now, you’re ready to bake.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
Enjoying these makeup tips and hacks? Check out these similar posts:
18 Things I Learned From Reading Will Smith’s Book
The 18 things I learned about Will from reading his book are what make me thrilled to be a fan forever.
Will Smith is arguably the biggest entertainment superstar in the world. He has starred in over a dozen films, sold millions of records, and is one of Hollywood’s highest-grossing actors. Now Will Smith is writing a book. Will Smith fans everywhere are intrigued and inspired by his constant ability to win.
I am one of them.
If you pull my Will Smith fan card, you will see that I am an active member since 1990. I grew up watching Fresh Prince of Bel-Air & listening to “Summertime”. I forced my mom to take me to the movies summer after summer to see films like Men In Black & Wild Wild West. I even begged her for the Willennium album. I fully commit to my WS membership and have been for decades.
Before I go any further into this post, the reader should note that this post is not about that thing. Yes, the controversial moment of the 2022 Oscars thing. If the reader is looking for my opinion, the reader should note that I did not judge Will Smith for doing that thing. I recently read his memoir book. So that means I may have processed my feelings about that thing differently than others. My feelings about Will Smith did not change after that thing, but they did grow after reading his book.
I love him even more than before. Will (the book) tells the story of his incredible ride through music and film. He enlists Mark Manson (author of Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck) to help tell his story. Will by Will Smith is an instant #1 New York Times bestseller.
Related: GoodReads: Book Recommendation For Your Reading List
Will Smith has not always been confident.
He has always thought of himself as a coward. He grew up afraid of any and everything. He has since learned how to “hide the coward”, but Will Smith would be something he struggles with his entire life. Most of his fear stemmed from being afraid to stand up for his mom when she needed him to.
Will is a master storyteller and will make you believe any story
I would have never believed that a man with such a great work ethic as Will Smith would be into fantasy and make-believe. I guess from a creative standpoint, it totally makes sense. Fantasy allows you to create any character or story in your mind that will do anything you want or need that character to do. Will Smith lived in a fantasy world growing up to protect himself from the things, ideas, and people he feared.
He has an obsession with the TV show Dallas
Now, this is something that I was not expecting to learn about Will Smith from reading his book. What is it about Dallas? (note: I was born nine years after this tv show aired for the first time) Southfork, the Ewings family house, later became an inspiration for the Smiths family house, Her Lake.
Hip-Hop and humor allowed Will to find his voice
Will Smith has heavily relied on comedy throughout his life. Humor is his power. Growing up, he figured that cracking jokes made people happy. That made him feel safe. He began to equate humor with safety. Hip-Hop and humor together made him untouchable. He soon started freestylin’, rhyming, and landing his scorching hot punchlines everywhere in West Philly and beyond.
His parents just didn’t understand
Will Smith started making a buzz as a rapper around Philadelphia, but Will still had to go to school. He was in his senior year in high school when his first song hit the radio airwaves. He would graduate from high school and had promised his mom he would go to college (before he knew where music would take him). Mom was not giving up hope on Will going to college, so he had to make a deal with his parents. He would commit to pursuing music for a year. If that plan did not work? He would be going to a college of moms choice.
Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen managed his rap career
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff were hot like fire in the hip-hop industry. Russell Simmons, founder, and member of Run DMC had heard about them and even toured with the duo. Russell eventually reached out to label management for Will and Jazzy Jeff to see how he could help manage them. The management deal came together when Will and Jeff untangled themselves from a bad contract deal.
Will Smith won the first Grammy ever for a rap category
In 1988, Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff were nominated for a Grammy. It was also the first year that the Grammys would include a category for rap performances. Will and DJ Jazzy Jeff would go on and win the best rap performance for their song, “Parents Just Don’t Understand”, but would miss the actual event. They chose to boycot the Grammys that year after learning that their category would not air.
He always sought the approval of women
Will Smith loves the women. He loves women so much that he dedicates most of his time protecting and providing for them. To some women this is the dream. In his mind, as long as a woman has the necessities of life (plus a little luxury) that she will always be happy. He has since learned that protection and being the provider are not enough for a woman’s approval.
Will went broke after the success of his debut album w/ Jazzy Jeff
Living out your dreams can come with some harsh realities sometimes. Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff fans wanted more of their music, and the label agreed. Smith and Jeff went to work on their follow-up album and barely fulfilled their contractual obligations. I would say that they both got big heads and thought they would be easy to make another hit album. However, a flop album will make you rethink if you are really ready to be a musician for the rest of your life.
Will auditioned for Fresh Prince role @ Quincy Jones’ party
Imagine receiving an invitation to a birthday party, showing up, and finding out that you’re really there to audition for a role. This scenario unfolded in Will Smith’s life in a matter of minutes. He did not have time to prepare and had never acted before. In the end, he decided to take a chance because there was no paralysis through analysis. He took 10 minutes to look over the script and landed his first-ever acting gig.
One of Will’s favorite books to read is The Alchemist.
If you have never heard of this book, The Alchemist, by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, you will after you read this memoir. The book is about a shepherd boy named Santiago who gave up everything in his life to follow his heart to pursue his destiny. Now I have never read this book. However, after reading Will’s summary, I want to check it out. A tale about following your heart to pursue your dreams sounds like something I can relate to.
The world almost did not get to hear “Summertime”
This fact is the biggest shocking revelation while reading Will Smith’s memoir. I have always figured that the story of how Summertime came to be would be one of those where everyone involved in the creative process was just in the studio vibing together. Instead, I learned that Will Smith almost turned down the opportunity to record the song. He had a busy schedule and was in the airport headed to LA when he listened to the track that Jazzy Jeff and other producers had slipped in his bag. If his flight were not for a delayed flight and if he did not pull the disc labeled “Untitled” from his bag, who knows if the world would have ever gotten the chance to hear “Summertime”.
Will really was jealous of Tupac
It was not because of Jada Pinkett Smith. Will Smith was jealous of Tupac because… well… that’s ‘Pac. Tupac was the opposite of Will Smith (when it comes to fear and cowardice). “Tupac had a fearless passion that was intoxicating, a militant morality, and a willingness to fight and die for what he believe was right”. Will hated that he was not “what he was in the world” and he wanted Jada to be able to witness those qualities in him.
Jada wanted to get married; she did not want a ceremony
Now I know that this review centered around Will Smith and his memoir, but Jada Pinkett Smith is a big part of his life. There has always been so much chatter about the Smiths’ marriage. People seem to believe that either party (or both) is miserable in their marriage. The Smiths have been married for more than two decades, and they continue to ride for each other. When it was time for the couple to wed, Jada wanted no one at their wedding and to do a non-traditional ceremony. She wanted to marry in religion and through God, but not by pastors or the government. Gammy Norris played a significant part in getting the Smiths to the altar in a traditional wedding ceremony New Years Eve (1997).
Big Willie Weekend was epic
You had to be there. Will Smith managed to secure the best weekend for movie releases. He tested the “Will Smith Cinematic Success Formula” by releasing several of his films during the biggest summer holiday, the Fourth of July weekend. Reading about the success of his summer blockbuster films just let me know one thing: I was not crazy for begging my mom to let me go to the movies every summer. The hype of the Big Willie Weekend was incredible. (Note: this was during the time when there was no escaping Will Smith, he was everywhere. From radio to tv to the box office.)
Will originally said no to the Muhammad Ali film
Will Smith considers Muhammad Ali the greatest of all time (just like the rest of the world). He did not want to be the dude who ruined the portrayal of Ali’s life and legacy. He refused and turned down the role several times. He said no to management and the producer of the film. His mind was made up. Can you believe that he was set to tell Muhammad Ali no when Ali summoned Smith to visit him? The conversation that took place between Will Smith and Muhammad Ali made him realize that he might be able to pull it off. Yes, he said might pull it off.
Will Smith had 8 movies open at #1 within 6 years
The “Will Smith Cinematic Success Formula” worked to Will’s advantage. He had mastered becoming Hollywood’s most bankable star (according to Reuters). Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, I Robot, Shark Tale, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, and Hancock opened at #1 at the box office, and grossed over 1 billion dollars domestically and over 3.3 billion globally.
Jaden and Willow Smith weren’t forced into the entertainment industry.
There have been lots of rumors all over the internet blaming the Smiths (Will and Jada) for getting them involved in music and film, but the truth is their kids grew up in the industry. They were around it 24/7. They liked it. They asked their dad if they could explore music and film. It would be after they became involved in the industry when Will pushed his kids to follow their hearts and pursue their passions.
Shop the memoir, Will by Will Smith, online everywhere now!
25 Gorgeous Spring Nail Trends for 2022
The season for new beginnings has arrived. Spring is the optimal time for blooming, blossoming, and setting trends. Ladies, get ready to become nail trendsetters this season. Today’s blog post is all about the best nail trends that birthed the most memorable nail art moments of the season so far. If you have been looking for ideas for seasonal nail art inspiration, this post is filled with pretty pastels to lift your spirits. In other words, there is no need to look any further. You will totally spring on one of these gorgeous ideas!
Fresh Trends To Start Over With
Welcome to the fresh, new phase. With spring in the air, it’s time to retire those moody winter nails and replace them with a fresh manicure that’s a bit more cheery and colorful. Let the sunshine in! Whether you’re looking for holiday-specific nail art ideas for Easter or something that captures the general magic of springtime, you’re in the right place. There are a lot of gorgeous new spring nail polish colors to try this season (whether on your own at home or at the salon), and these are 25 ways to wear them.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, in other words, helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Pretty Pastel Spring Nails
It is no surprise that soft and delicate colors are the cutest and most adorable. These pastel nail designs are here to give you inspiration for your next Spring manicure.
- Pastel Perfect
- Bubble Gum Pink Pastel Tip
- Neon Shine
- Pastel Tips
- Soft Pastel Marble Tips
Floral Spring Nails
What is spring without flowers? Of course, many floral nail trends are soaring high this season. It is all about flower power in 2022.
- Pink Garden Nails
- Flower Power
- Blooming Daisies
- Lavender Floral Nails
- Floral Crown Nails
Animal & Nature Spring Nails
During the spring, the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the cold winter months. The earth animals multiply, and the plants are plentiful. These gorgeous nails are the best examples of spirit animals you will ever see!
- Ocean Blue Nails
- White Croc Nails
- Blue Butterflies
- Fluffy Clouds
- Cute Easter Bunny Nails
Abstract Spring Nails
Who doesn’t enjoy creative nails? These nail art designs are strictly for abstract art beauty lovers only. From gorgeous marble nails to simple shapes in beautiful colors, abstract nails are a guaranteed way to make any look pop!
- Simple Line Nails
- Gold Tortoise Nails
- Lucky Green Squiggles
- Super Bloom Abstract Nails
- Blue Marble Nails
Gorgeous and Stunning Spring Nails
These nails are a breath of fresh, spring air! They were so stunning that we could not leave them off this list of gorgeous nail trends in 2022. Obviously, we think you should keep scrolling to see more beautiful spring nails!
- Ice Cream Sundae Nails
- Tye Dye Nails
- Ombre Nails
- Drip Pastel Nails
- Coral Nude Nails
More Gorgeous 2022 Spring Nail Ideas
Pinterest has become my go-to for all my seasonal moods, aesthetics, and inspiration for fun and festive beauty ideas. There are so many spring designs for you to see. If you enjoyed the nail trends in this post, check out some of my favorite Pinterest boards for even more spring nail ideas.
230 Spring Nail Ideas
Need More Seasonal Nail Trends?
You can check out other posts on the blog for nail inspiration for the fall and winter.
First Look: Sally Hansen X Peeps Nail Polish Collection
If you have learned nothing about me yet, you should know that I love nails and all things nail beauty. Today, I went and treated myself to a lovely little spa day. Firstly, I got (what I like to call) “the works” and trust me– I needed to do this weeks ago. Secondly, I got a deluxe pedicure, eyebrow waxing, and a coffin full- set & it was such a beautiful gift to my crazy week. Keep scrolling to get a peep at my nails & get a first look at the new Sally Hansen x Peeps Collection.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, in other words, helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
The Nail Spa Day Went Like This
I took an early morning trip down to my regional Regal Nails & signed in, hoping to see my regular tech. Sadly my #1 pick was not there. However, there was someone available to service me upon arrival & I began with a much-needed & overdue pedicure. It’s astounding how soothing pedicures can be. I don’t get how there are women out here in this world who do not believe that pedicures or the nail salon are not relaxing experiences, but I digress. To sum up my emotions: I literally almost drifted into REM sleep in that pedicure chair! After that, it was time to move on to my nails. Choosing my nail shape certainly was a no-brainer decision. Meanwhile, I just lounged, watched, and waited while the nail tech got ready to start my full set.
The Nail Polish: Sally Hansen x Peeps Collection
It should be noted that it is sometimes hard to settle on a nail polish color, but I came to my spa day prepared. I already had my Sally Hansen’s nail polish from their new collection with their collaboration with Peeps. Therefore, being prepared allowed me to skip a few steps in this process. I received these complimentary products from Influenster for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Sally Hansen is such a household brand. Moreover, I have been wearing Sally Hansen nail polish since I was a little girl– so of course, I was down for testing out this new collection. Thank you, Influenster!
I received two colors to test out:
Immediately, I love the fact that both nail polishes are insta- dri (dries in 60 secs) & are super cute colors just in time for the Spring season and Easter holiday. I brought them to the nail salon and asked the tech to use them to polish my nails. In short, my design was very simple: white nails with a pop of sparkle. It was quick and easy— and they really did dry super fast! I didn’t count the time to see if it was precisely within a minute, but I knew that my freshly painted nails dried quicker than usual.
Take a look at my Sally Hansen x PEEPS nails below:
Wearing Sally Hansen x Peeps nail polish on acrylic nails Do you want to get free products like the Sally Hansen x PEEPS collection from Influenster? Learn more about Influenster, how you can sign-up, and how you start getting free products to review.
Sally Hansen x Peeps
Sally Hansen’s Insta Dri Nail Color is the #1 quick-dry polish in the US & I am here to tell you that it definitely is worth the try. The 3-in-1 formula with a built-in base and topcoat offers shiny, extended wear in a single step, and a contoured brush allows for a perfect application. The Sally Hansen brand has been around for over five decades and has proven to be a reliable resource for all our beauty needs. Although Sally Hansen partnered with PEEPS for this self-made beauty collection, I think you should know that this polish is not edible 😆.
This collaboration came together just in time for Spring celebrations!
The White and Sparkling Wild Berry polishes are not the only colors from this collaboration. Sally Hansen and PEEPS gave us seven pastel nail colors in this collection, and they all remind me of the PEEPS Easter candies.
Get the Sally Hansen x Peeps Product Guide
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In conclusion, I just want to say that I’m happy I got to test the new polishes from Sally Hansen. This was such a fun and relaxing experience. I love being a girl and getting all wrapped up in nails, nail polishes, and nail care. In addition, I am always looking for nail inspiration and art– this collection came right on time! Everyone should add the Sally Hansen x PEEPS nail colors to their Easter baskets this year!
If you are looking for more nail art and inspo, you should check out these posts!
What do you think of the new Sally Hansen x PEEPS nail polish collection? Will you try out any of these nail polishes this Spring? Let me know in a comment below.
How To Outline A Blog Post in 15 Minutes
How long does it take you to write a blog post? This question is one I see bloggers ask each other all of the time. I’ve even googled it out of desperation and curiosity to figure out the answer. It takes a blogger approximately 2-3 hours to write a quality blog post. I started comparing my writing performance to the responses of other bloggers. How to outline a blog post efficiently? Is two hours enough time to brainstorm a blog topic, gather thoughts, and still have enough time to write it?
There are many ways to outline a blog post!
Some bloggers do not take as much time as others to write their blogs. Don’t worry. The last thing you should do is compare yourself to another blogger’s writing schedule. The best advice for figuring out your writing schedule is to create a consistent timetable that works for you.
I would not recommend adopting another bloggers’ writing schedule, but I would recommend learning the strategies that helped them develop the blogging schedule that works for them. This blog post highlights one of the best tools bloggers use to publish quality blog posts — blog outlines.
Blog outlines are simple tools for bloggers to draft, write and organize their ideas for a blog post before publishing.
this guide will cover:
- how to spend less time planning out a blog post
- what to outline for your blog post
- examples of blog outlines
- how to outline your next blog post in 15 mins
How To Spend Less Time Planning Out A Blog Post
If you are spending more than the average amount of time it would take to write a blog post, you are most likely doing this:
- struggling with coming up with topics
- researching while you write
- not passionate about the topic you chose to write about
One thing that will help cut out much of the time you spend writing is to start drafting your blog posts in advance. Developing a blueprint for your blog posts gives you more ideas for what you will be discussing in your post. It can not be easy to juggle all our ideas for one topic & without drafting or jotting them down, we will forget them. Start sketching your blog posts & researching topics thoroughly before committing to writing the post.
Need help brainstorming topics you should write about? Check out this list of 350+ blog topic ideas for any niche!
How To Outline For Your Blog Post
Are you looking for ideas for what to write on your blog post outline? First— you will need a topic. The topic you chose needs to be something you can talk about comfortably and freely. Next, you will need:
- Key subheading content points
- Supporting statements for that subheading
- Affiliate links for any suggestions for readers
- List of keywords and tags for search engine optimization
You can even take it a step further and create a checklist/to-do list for each step in your writing process. To-do lists and checklists for your blog post will help you remember to edit, format, schedule, publish, create pictures, etc. Here is an example of what a blog post outline should look like:
example of a blog post outline A Simple Blog Post Outline
Ready to start outlining your next blog post? I have the perfect blog post template for bloggers planning out their blog posts. I created this template to help with organizing and writing ideas for quality blog posts. The Blog Post Template is a digital pdf that you can download and save to any digital planner or notetaking application. This digital template is designed to help bloggers brainstorm post titles, publish dates, related posts, call-to-action, and key content points. The digital blog post template has checklists and to-do lists to keep bloggers on track with outlining, writing, editing, formatting, and scheduling their blog posts. The template also includes space for tracking tags, links, and keywords.
Click the jump to get your blog post template and start planning your writing content today.
Never have to worry about writing quality blog posts again! To keep your readers engaged, your blog posts have to be cohesive, entertaining, informative, and easy to read. It’s easy to write and have all your thoughts jumbled at once while you’re trying to remember to get all of your ideas out!
Use this Blog Post Planner template to avoid never having to worry about jumbled thoughts, incohesive paragraphs, and sloppy structures ever again! This Blog Post Planner template was designed to help bloggers and writers get their key points across, create blog outlines before writing, and checklists for blogging tasks.
Bloggers should be using outlines when preparing to write quality blog posts. Using an outline before you write helps you create thought-flowing, entertaining posts & cuts down on how much time you would usually spend writing your blog posts. You can easily create an outline for your next blog post in 15 minutes! Outlines are another tool to help you stay consistent with blogging & they will also help with coming up with ideas for additional blog post topics!
Was this helpful? Leave me a comment below.
What Is Seo And Why Is Seo Important For My Website?
Search Engine Optimization is a vital digital marketing tool.
Picture this. You own, manage, and run your own website. Your website is filled with entertaining, informative, and valuable content, but no one is reading it. You’re stressed because you’ve spent so much time, energy, and money invested in your website. However, it’s not thriving due to low or no traffic. You want to know how to increase your website traffic because you are passionate about seeing your business succeed. You landed here because you discovered SEO during your research, and you have no clue how to increase your traffic. You’re also not sure if you really understand how SEO works and how important it is.
SEO consists of many elements. Knowing what they are and how they work is key to understanding why SEO is so important.
Search engine optimization is crucial for your website because it helps make it more visible. This then equates to more traffic, builds brand awareness, and positions you as a trustworthy expert in your niche.
This post discusses the importance of SEO for your website and how to use SEO to rank on search engines. You will have a better understanding of how SEO works and a step closer to increasing traffic to your website.
Quality Content is what Search Engines Look For
Content is the most vital part of Search Engine Optimization. It is what the people will see first when they visit your website. The content you create is what you use to reach and engage with your target audience. You most likely know by now that you should be creating and posting content that readers will find valuable. Quality content varies in many forms for many website creators (blogs, videos, podcasts, e-books) and needs to be shared consistently to rank on search engines. A lot of content = a lot of chances to increase your website’s online visibility.
For example, website pages and posts should have a minimum of 500 words for search engines to crawl the content on your pages. Even then, depending on which SEO expert you’d ask, they would say 500 is considered to be generously low and should really be around 700-800 minimum words. Valuable content is just one key element to increasing traffic with SEO.
Keywords Will Help Search Engines Find Your Content
Your content will also need to feature some keywords to rank higher on search engines. Keywords are words and phrases that consumers use to find what they are looking for online; and that brands can then use to connect with prospects looking for their products and services.
Finding out what keywords you’ll need for search engine optimization is not a simple task. A general rule of thumb is to look for keywords with high search rates (but low competition). Choose short-tail keywords (such as kid), long-tail keywords (such as adolescent children’s books for sale), and local keywords (such as children’s books for sale in Biloxi) to work into your content. Use keywords to optimize your titles, URLs, and the usability of your website. All this work you are doing to optimize your on-page SEO content will be crucial to improving the visibility and traffic of your website.
You Can Create SEO Opportunities Off-Page
Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside of your own website to impact your rankings within search engine results pages (SERPs). Backlink building is a popular tool for establishing off-page search engine optimization. There are many tactics for backlink building. Some of the current best practices include guest blogging, advertising, creating a lot of high-quality content to be shared, and using influencer marketing in your content. You will need to network to start building backlinks to your website. Networking and backlinks are great ways for your target audience to find out about who you are and what you do. Take advantage of collaboration opportunities!
Search Engines Love Websites With Quick Load Times
A responsive and speedy website will make a user-friendly experience for all your mobile and desktop visitors. By increasing the load speed of your website, readers will be able to browse longer, decreasing your website bounce rate. You should find out what your website’s load speed is before you decide to make any changes for search engine optimization. If it ain’t broke, do not fix it!
Word of advice for pages with low load speeds: if your load speed is low, take steps to improve your speed by optimizing high-resolution images, fixing JavaScript issues and excessive HTTP Requests, and bad hosting.
Think about it: you have spent a lot of time putting content on your website. It would be a disappointment if your audience cannot access (or gives up waiting to access) the content because the website/page does not load.
Some things to remember about SEO:
- SEO does not happen overnight
- search engines are not perfect
- You do not have to be an expert to optimize your website content
I recommend researching and using SEO tools to continue learning how to use search engines to increase website traffic and brand awareness. Websites like Moz and Semrush have been extremely helpful for me and my journey to understanding SEO. There are plenty of SEO courses and e-books to help you create a consistent SEO strategy plan for optimizing your content, increasing traffic, and reaching your target audience.
I have been working to understand how SEO works for years, and each time I learn something new about how important it is to rank (and rank higher) on search engines. The more elements of SEO we incorporate into our growth strategies, the more opportunities for increasing brand awareness, visibility, and site traffic.
What do you think about SEO and its importance to organic website traffic? How will you use SEO to help grow your website? What else do you think is important to know about SEO and search engines? What advice would you give someone who wants to rank higher on search engines and increase website traffic?
Leave me a comment below.
GoodReads: Book Recommendation for Your Reading List
Here’s a GoodReads summary and a new book recommendation for your list. 2022 just started, and I’m focused on committing to doing more things. One of my commitments for the year is to read more books; I plan to set aside some time to read at least one book per month. And so far, everything is going well. I’ve got a reading schedule. However, the thing that may slow me down is that I really don’t have a reading list put together. I finished my January book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson. I’ve wanted to read this book for a couple of years but just never dedicated any time to it. What the f*ck was that about? Who does that? I purchased this book two years ago because of all the great reviews I saw online. Moreover, somehow I never managed to read it. Until now.
See Related: 3 Books Recommended For Self-Improvement
Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is a popular GoodReads book recommendation
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck (a New York Times Best-Seller) is a great book about finding the meaning in important things in life, and having values that only you can control. Mark Manson calls the book “a counterintuitive approach to living a good life.” If you are searching for books to add to your reading list, I definitely recommend you check this one out.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
I’m recommending this book to anyone who wants to learn new ways to find value in important things. I’m recommending this book to anyone looking for a better quality of life. The individuals who seek to invite more happiness, positive mindsets, and thoughts will enjoy this book. This book is all about adjusting how we think and view the experiences that happen to us every day. If you are into self-help and self-reflection, you need to be adding this book to your reading list now.
This book review will cover:
- a summary of the book
- my thoughts/ review
- reviews from other people who have read this book
This Book Recommendation has 4 Stars on GoodReads
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is a book that challenges the conventions of self-help by inviting you to say “no” often and encourages you to embrace negative thinking. Sounds crazy af, doesn’t it? The book’s author, Mark Manson, wants readers to learn how to become comfortable with being different and care for something other than adversity. This book tells and reminds us that we must give a f*ck about something, but are we sure that we’re giving a f*ck about the right things or everything?
Choosing not to give a f*ck ain’t easy.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always choosing what to give a f*ck about, and to be honest– there’s no such thing as not giving a f*ck. Not giving a f*ck doesn’t mean being indifferent. What it really means is
- it forces us to get comfortable with being different
- allows us to let go of trivial s*it that shouldn’t be bothering us in the first place
- shows us how to embrace our problems and take responsibility for them
- good values are reality-based, socially constructive, and controllable
The messages in this book are powerful af. For years, I’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. Here comes this book that’s telling me that I’ve got it all wrong. Before, I thought I wanted to be on this journey to becoming a more positive person. However, I’m not so sure now.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is worth reading because it challenges people to take responsibility for their lives unconventionally. When we force ourselves to stay positive at all times, we deny the existence of our life’s problems. When we deny our problems, we rob ourselves of the chance to solve them and generate happiness.
What did I think of the book?
I learned that the desire for more positive experiences is itself a negative experience. The more I seek to understand negative experiences, the less satisfied I become with myself. The pursuit of “mastering” negativity reinforces and highlights what I’m dissatisfied with. I tend to be much harder on myself than before. I give too many fucks (about almost everything). This is why I am uncomfortable with the quality of my life.
Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck helped me realize I need to re-evaluate how I think and process things. I’m now rethinking everything that I value. I’m learning to make better choices when placing value on really important things. I realize that I’m so bad about thinking “everything is a problem” when something terrible happens. Reading this book made me more conscious of finding happiness in problems. I realize that my problems aren’t as unique and special as I make them out to be.
I am thankful for this book allowing me to see things in a new light. It has given me tools to control how I interpret what happens to me and how I choose to respond.
You can check out more reviews for this book to see what others are saying about it online.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck is available to purchase on Amazon.
What books have you been reading so far this year? What books would you suggest for my 2022 reading list? Did you read this book and have a review/thoughts about it?
Leave me a comment below.
12 Classic Pink and Red Lipsticks for Valentine’s Day
Cupid shot me with his bow. I have fallen in love. My love for all things beauty, glamour, and makeup runs deep. I love everything– eyeshadow, foundation, mascara. The truth is I have to say that there’s no beauty product I admire more than gorgeous lipstick. A good lipstick will have you feeling like you’re worth more than just chocolates and roses. A good lipstick can make any outfit pop and appear effortless– especially red or pink lipstick. I have many pink and red lipstick shades that I’ve worn that have ultimately become my favorites and are regulars in my makeup bag year-round (not just on February 14th).
If you’re looking for ideas for your Valentine’s Day (or night) makeup look, the first thing you should know is you can never go wrong with pink or red lips. They are classic colors of beauty. Just listen to Cupid and wear your heart on your lips and not your sleeves this Valentine’s Day with 12 beautiful pink and red lipsticks for any skin tone.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
This guide will cover:
- shades for any skin tone
- my favorite red/ pink lipsticks
- classic red/pink shades
- ideas to complete your Valentine’s Day makeup look
Favorite Classic Pink Lipsticks
Bring out your soft and compassionate side with any shade of pink lipstick. These feminine lipstick colors will definitely have you feeling “pretty in pink” and are perfect for any skin tone.
M.A.C Candy Yum Yum (Pink)
Candy Yum Yum gives a full-face attitude! It’s a super bright Barbie pink color that is perfect for any Valentine’s Day look. Although Candy Yum Yum is a matte finish, it doesn’t dry out your lips and will have you and your date wanting to pucker up all night long.
Fenty Beauty Unlocked Stunna Lip Paint (Pink)
Honestly, any color from the Stunna Lip Paint collection is a must-have. If you haven’t tried the collection yet, this guide will inspire you to check it out. Several shades from the Stunna Lip Paint collection make this list! Unlocked is a vivid pink that you can wear all day. Your lips are guaranteed to be kissable and smooth.
Fenty Beauty Uncuffed Stunna Lip Paint (Pink)
This rosy mauve color is so pretty. Lipsticks from this collection have a soft matte finish– so dry lips are impossible! What makes this pink lipstick a classic is its versatility for every skin tone. It appears pink but can also be a pale, purple-ish color.
M.A.C Flat Out Fabulous (Pink)
Flat Out Fabulous is a beautiful, bright magenta lipstick with a matte finish. It is a super fun color if you are in the mood to feel fabulous on Valentine’s Day. This shade of lipstick comes from M.A.C’s Retro Matte collection (along with Ruby Woo— another shade on this list of classic pink/red lipsticks for Valentine’s Day).
Fenty Beauty Flamingo Acid MatteMoiselle (Pink)
Flamingo Acid is the exception to the rule. It is a lightweight, ultra-slim lipstick that glides on creamy and stays put. I love Flamingo Acid because it defines my lip curves and gives me fuller lips.
Fenty Beauty Fu$$y Gloss Bomb (Pink)
If you are not in the mood for lipstick, you can always go with a shiny gloss on Valentine’s Day. The Fu$$y Gloss Bomb is an ultimate gotta-have-it lip stain. Why? It gives a shine like no other & is super hydrating. Fu$$y is the essential finishing touch to a Glossy Valentine’s Day.
Favorite Classic Red Lipsticks
If you are passionate about red, you can never go wrong with this classic Valentine’s Day color. These fiery lipsticks will make anyone fall in love!
Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink (Red)
This all-new lipstick has become a new favorite in my makeup bag. I recently received this product from Influenster to review, and I fell in love with its smooth, creamy texture. The Satin Ink is a matte lipstick with a shine finish and is non-drying. (Price + Link)
M.A.C Ruby Woo (Red)
I mean… what hasn’t been said about Ruby Woo that needs to be said? We love the woo! It is such a classic lipstick that continues to stand the test of time. It looks perfect on any lip! The Retro Matte Collection from M.A.C truly has some unforgettable shades.
Fenty Beauty Uncensored Stunna Lip Paint (Red)
If you are in the mood for uncensored activities for Valentine’s Day, this lip paint is the perfect addition to the equation. The way the Stunna Lip Paint glides across the lips so smoothly will make this universal red irresistible to you (and anyone else for that matter).
Revlon ColorStay Matte Lite Crayon (Red)
Another new lipstick that just got added to my list of favorites. This crayon is 30% lighter than your average lipstick. I primarily use this as a lip liner, but it does give full coverage.
Fenty Beauty Griselda MatteMoiselle (Red)
If you are into deep, bold colors, then Griselda is the girl for you. This lipstick shade is not as bright as most colors on this list, but it is still a gorgeous shade of lipstick. Griselda is a burgundy red with a matte finish. Fenty Beauty and Sephora no longer carry this lipstick, but here’s a dupe I found online for $19.
M.A.C Sheen Supreme (New Temptation)
My first M.A.C lipstick ever. All hail New Temptation! I love everything about this lipstick. The color is a fire red that leaves the lips shiny like a pretty penny. Unfortunately, M.A.C discontinued New Temptation, so if you were interested in this red lipstick– you will not be able to purchase it. However, if you are really interested in trying it, there’s a dupe you can try out.
There you have it. 12 classic pink and red lipsticks you must check out for Valentine’s Day. These shades are perfect for day or night activities. The desire to wear pink or red has never been louder than on Valentine’s Day.
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- Features and Benefits
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Express your love for beauty this Valentine’s Day with any of these classic lipstick shades. They are all tried and true!
Related: Is The New Celestial Odyssey Holiday Palette Worth Trying?
What are some of your favorite classic or new lipsticks? Have an idea for a shade that should be on the list? Leave me a comment below.
350 Blog Post Ideas For Bloggers Discovering Their Niche
What should I write about on my blog?
Coming up with ideas for blog topics to write about after starting your niche blog can be rough. If you are a current or newbie blogger or someone thinking of starting a blog but not sure where to start, I have a few ideas to help you get started writing quality posts for your blog that your audience will love. This list of blog post ideas is here to supercharge your creativity!
The best blog posts are the ones you can write from personal experience. Writing from personal experience can be instructional, informative, and entertaining for your target audience. For example, business owners and entrepreneurs use creative writing to highlight their brands, products, and services. If you are thinking of starting a blog or changing your blog niche, one of the questions to ask yourself is what experiences or daily activities do you enjoy that your readers will also find value in reading?
So, what are some good blog post ideas for niche bloggers? We will discuss everything you should consider when choosing a niche and share a few blog post ideas for niche blogs today!
This guide will cover:
- what is a niche blog
- types of niche blogs
- popular topics amongst niche blogs
- 350 niche blog post ideas
- examples of niche bloggers
Use these blog topic ideas for inspiration in choosing your niche and writing your next (or first) blog post!
What is a niche blog?
A niche blog is a blog where writers record activities, thoughts, and experiences to use their writing to market a specific topic or category. Niche blogs may appeal to “geographic areas, a specialty industry, ethnic or age groups, or any particular group of people.” Niche bloggers write content inspired by personal interests, daily activities, hobbies, etc. It is an ongoing debate that every blog is a niche blog in some form. However, when it comes to learning how to market a blog, it is different for every niche blogger. Niche bloggers often use their websites to promote and sell products/services, land sponsorship or affiliate programs, and make money writing about personal interests, daily activities, and hobbies.
A niche blog is not a personal blog. Niche bloggers may share personal stories, but the content they create is not always in journal-entry form — the focus here is on the activities and the interests of the writer (with the audience in mind).
How to start a niche blog?
The first step you’ll want to take in starting your blog is research. Research all the different types of niches to get an idea of what you want to be the focus topic of your blog.
What topic will you be comfortable discussing?
There are over 100 popular niches for you to make your decision. Choose one that you are passionate about and comfortable with, and start prepping for blog post ideas! Once you start writing and growing your audience and reach, you get even more ideas to maximize your content.
Social media plays a major role in blogging and increasing your blog’s visibility. If you aren’t using platform tools like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Pinterest to market your blog, you will need to decide how you plan to promote your niche blog.
Example: A Food and Beverage Blogger uses Instagram to post pictures or videos of their foods/drinks and tells their audience to visit their blog for the recipe.
Types of Niche Blogs
Here are 14 popular and profitable blog categories to consider:
- Lifestyle
- Beauty/ Skincare
- Food & Drink
- Holidays
- Organizing/ Planning
- Reviews
- Self-Improvement/ Self-Help
- DIY, Crafting, and Decorating
- Mom/ Parenting
- Family
- Work-From-Home
- Blogging
- Life Coach & Motivation
- Wellness
There’s nothing like having a little inspiration to get you started. Check out some of these amazing niche bloggers below.
Examples of different types of niche blogs
Buckle With Jo: Inspiration Blog
Jody-Ann is an inspirational lifestyle blogger who is passionate about motivating women to live abundantly. She inspires women to conquer new beginnings and create new memories along the way. Jody-Ann and I have collaborated quite a few times in 2021 & her posts continue to inspire women like me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things!
That Lemonade Life: Lifestyle Blog
Sarah is a cozy lifestyle blogger who is a big fan of making life as cozy and comfortable as possible! If you love food, home decor, reading, and more coziness in your life, then you’re in the right spot!
All Day Britney: Mommy Lifestyle Blog
All Day Britney is a safe space for moms who want to prioritize their self-care journey (no matter what that looks like) in order to show up in the best way for themselves and their families. It’s also where Britney shares her favorite Black-owned businesses that have helped me in my own self-care journey.
Coffee till Champagne: Women’s Lifestyle Blog
Coffee till Champagne is all about women! Their vision is to be a no holds barred, judgment-free, “damn, I can’t be the only one”, sanctuary. The conversations on this blog are dedicated to who women are, how they think/feel, and what infuriates them, and sometimes has us saying, “is this my life?”.
Jodetopia: Family Blog
On Jodetopia you’ll find travel adventures, children’s books, and advice for new moms. If you are thinking about starting a family lifestyle blog, Jodetopia has a lot of great content for blog post ideas.
Jupiter & Dann: Food and Family Blog
This lifestyle blog is all about food and family. Jupiter and Dann often cover things our children are interested in, places we’ve visited, and reviews of interesting products. Check out this blog to get ideas for posting food recipes, reviews, and family fun. There’s even a section on Jupiter and Dann where they share ways to learn all about SEO and how to get your blog to rank on search engines.
Good Life Detroit: Lifestyle Blog
GLD is a lifestyle blog created by Jennifer Harma. Good Life Detroit covers topics related to DIY crafts, culture, family life, recipes, things to do in Detroit, and well-being.
The Lifestyle Blogger UK
Becky is a UK lifestyle blogger based in the heart of the Cotswolds. She has a passion for health & fitness, veganism, and sustainability. Becky often writes about these topics. She has been featured on Channel 5 News, Express, Metro, and The Daily Mail.
Plaid + Sugar Blog: DIY & Crafts
Plaid and Sugar is a DIY, lifestyle, and sewing blog with the purpose to aid readers live a more colorful, creative, and fulfilling life. Learn how to make life colorful and fun while on a budget.
With 350 blog post ideas to choose from, finding a few content ideas to write right now should make picking a niche easier 😍. These topic ideas are perfect for any niche blog. Check them out below, and be sure to tag #lewknewtopics if you decide to use them. I want to see your writing and share it with other niche bloggers!
Blog Post Ideas
Lifestyle
- Top 10 things to do in your city or regional area
- Your tips for growing an Instagram account
- A round-up of life hacks
- 5 favorite accessories in your closet and the best way you use them
- Date night ideas
- Your workout routine: how you stay fit
- How to let go of negative thoughts and feelings
- Ways to get better sleep
- Home decor tips for fall/winter/spring/summer
- Top 10 ways you save money
- 10 books to read this year
- 7 apps to download for fun
- Shows worth watching on Netflix/HBO Max/Hulu/Paramount Plus
- Life lessons you learn before your 30’s
- Difficult changes you’ve made in your life
- Morning routine ideas
- Why you decided to start a blog plus your progress
- How you found your purpose in life
- Habits of successful people
- Your favorite hashtags for social media
- Share a personal story to motivate readers
- 7 things that make you happy all the time
- 3 books that you recommend
- List of inspirational quotes
- Party theme ideas
Beauty/ Skincare
- A review of a new product you purchased (foundation, perfume, lipstick)
- Your morning skincare routine
- Your evening skincare routine
- How to apply skincare products
- A round-up of new products for hair/skin/make-up
- Best shades of lipstick for fall/winter/summer/spring season
- How to pick the perfect foundation
- How to make lashes look longer
- The best drugstore dupes
- Simple make-up swaps to save you money
- Hauls (Sephora/Ulta/Fenty Beauty)
- The hottest looks to try this spring/summer/fall/winter
- 5-min, 10-min, 20-min make-up routine tutorials
- The perfect make-up for work/school/date night
- How to determine your skin type
- What’s in my make-up bag?
- My daily skincare routine
- Beauty guide for beginners
- 5 beauty essentials you can’t live without
- How to make face masks
- My beauty wishlist for (year)
- A round-up of favorite nail art
- How to find the right SPF for you
- Beauty gift guides
- Host a giveaway
Food & Drink
- A round-up of recipes
- Try a trending Pinterest/TikTok recipe and share the outcome
- How to cook (food) in 5/10/15 minutes
- Review a local restaurant, bar, or bakery
- Create recipes based on a single ingredient
- Share your favorite cookbooks
- Why you started/love cooking
- How to meal plan
- How to organize your kitchen
- Your favorite cocktail recipes
- The best cocktail recipes
- A drink/food pairing guide
- Local winery, distillery, or brewery guide
- “Wine Wednesday”
- Holiday food guides
- 10 ideas/recipes for healthy lunches
- Share your favorite go-to meal
- 5 affordable and tasty celebrity-owned wine brands
- 7 best foods to cook under 30 mins
- A beginner’s guide to cooking/baking
- How to prepare or store foods
- 12 must-have cooking essentials
- School lunch ideas for kids’ lunchboxes
- Healthy snack ideas for kids
- Try-it Tuesday recipes
Holiday
- 15 days of craft ideas for the holiday
- Christmas gift guides for him
- Christmas gift guides for her
- Holiday bucket list ideas
- 10 best tips for traveling during the holidays
- Holiday games for adults
- Ultimate (year) review
- Mistakes I made in (year)
- My new year goals for (year)
- Home decor for the holidays
- DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas
- Best tips to save money around the holidays
- Must-try holiday desserts this season
- Thanksgiving table decoration ideas
- Holiday series: 10-holiday tradition ideas
- Christmas gift guides for small kids
- Holiday destination ideas
- List of new year affirmations
- Best make-up gift ideas
- Write a holiday travel guide for a local city
- Holiday gift guides for mom under $____
- Dollar store decoration ideas
- Fourth of July menu list
- 5 festive drinks for Cinco de Mayo
- Black Friday holiday shopping guide
Organizing/Planning
- How to clean makeup brushes
- How to save money while shopping
- 8 ways you save money
- How do you stay organized?
- Share your daily routine
- Share your favorite planning apps
- 11 ways to manage time/ time-management tips
- Best goal-setting planners
- Your top productivity tips
- Time-saving tips for weekly activities
- Best tips for a great start to the day
- How to set realistic goals
- Habits of successful people
- Tips for spring cleaning
- Make-up/skincare organization hacks
- Best time blocking tips
- How to avoid distractions
- Wedding planning tips
- Baby shower planning tips
- Tips for eating healthy on a budget
- Ways to clean your pantry
- How to clean your garage
- How to pack a suitcase for days/weeks/months
- Minimal packing ideas for traveling
- Cleaning hacks
Reviews
- First-time user reviews
- Book reviews
- How to hands-free control your Apple Watch
- A beginner’s guide to buying (product)
- How to write a helpful review online
- Baby/infant product reviews
- Music reviews
- Beauty product reviews
- 5 things to consider before buying a product on Amazon
- Apple/ Android product review
- 20 trends in home decor you must try
- How to identify legit and honest product reviews
- Jewelry/bags/accessories reviews
- Everything you need to know about (product)
- A round-up of your favorite reviews
- Best cameras on the market for vlogging
- Sports reviews
- How to find the best home furniture deals
- 5 products to buy if you’re a (product/brand) enthusiast
- Why I recommend (product)
- Thoughts about (product) then and now
- Digital product reviews
- Pet product reviews
- How to choose the right cooking pan for better cooking
- 5 tips to consider when buying (topic)
Self-Improvement/Self-Help
- Simple goal setting: how I set 1 goal in 10 mins and changed my life
- How to say no without feeling guilty
- 10 green smoothies to give your brain a boost
- How a positive mindset helped me lose 7lbs in a week
- Gratitude habits that will drastically improve your life
- 7 ways to get out of your comfort zone
- 8 powerful lessons to learn from failure
- The 10- minute solution for getting your thoughts under control
- I stopped worrying about money. You should too. Here’s why.
- How to start your own business with no money
- 7 awesome apps to help you achieve your goals this year
- 15 mind-blowing facts that will make you change your sleep habits
- Why journaling is a quick way to inspire creativity
- How to deal with difficult people and protect your energy
- Quick and easy breakfast/lunch/dinner ideas to boost your immune system
- 10 ways to raise your vibration when you’re feeling low
- 30 ways to boost your self-esteem
- Is low confidence ruining your career?
- A beginner’s guide to meditation
- Can mindfulness ease anxiety?
- How to achieve financial freedom with goal setting
- How to stop procrastinating
- The best self-discipline tips you can follow
- How to recognize negative thinking
- 5 ways to motivate yourself
DIY, Crafting, and Decorating
- Write a craft book review
- Share your favorite DIY projects from other bloggers
- Round-up of previous DIY projects you created recently
- Create a DIY series using one specific product or theme
- 5 must-have craft tools
- DIY home organizers & hacks
- A Valentine’s Day craft tutorial for kids
- DIY tutorial for making wreaths
- Best tips for selling products at craft shows
- How to make DIY candles
- 5 Beginner Tips for Scrapbooking
- How to knit/sew
- 10 Crafts you can make and sell
- Recreate a craft from Pinterest
- 10 Easy crafts for toddlers
- Where to shop for the best craft supplies
- How-to sell crafts on Etsy
- 7 Tips for Online Craft Sellers
- How to make DIY beauty products
- Cricut tips, tricks, and hacks
- Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer craft ideas
- Interview your favorite craft blogger
- Beginner’s Guide to Cricut/Cricut machines
- DIY spa day
- 15 crafts kids will love
Mommy/Parenting
- Healthy eating with and for toddlers
- How to get the baby sleeping through the night
- 3 tasks you accomplish during baby naps
- WFM/ SAHM daily schedule
- List of chores little ones can help out with
- 12 exercise ideas for kids
- How to make self-care a priority as a mom
- Mommy hacks you use on a daily basis
- Fun ideas for family day/ night activities
- Parent/ child date ideas
- Tips on traveling with children
- Pregnancy hacks you wish you knew when you were expecting
- Tips for parents expecting their first/ second/ third child
- Tips for amicable co-parenting
- Wishes that every parent has for their kids
- Toy reviews and why you love them as a parent
- Share your best day as a mom
- Share your worst day as a mom
- How do you get your children to listen to you
- Parenting lessons you learned from your parents
- Tips for raising boys/ girls
- Favorite/ best books for children
- How to teach children manners
- Family bonding ideas
- Important life skills every child should learn
Family
- How to keep kids entertained while you WFH
- How to talk to your teenager
- Meal prep ideas the whole family will enjoy
- Tips on saving for buying/building a house
- How to tell if you’re ready for another child
- Parent date night ideas
- Sibling bonding ideas
- Screen-free activities for families
- Budgeting ideas for large families
- How to talk to your in-laws
- Tips for maintaining a strong marriage after kids
- How to set boundaries in relationships
- Setting 5/10/15 year goals with your spouse
- Tips on how to adopt or foster a child
- Favorite movies to watch as a family
- Share a problem your family is currently facing
- Family-friendly things to do in your local area
- How to set a family budget
- A Beginner’s Guide to meal-prepping
- How fathers can help their partners around the house
- Overnight camping ideas
- Tips for raising kids in multi-generational households
- Benefits of Having a Dog as part of the family
- 10 Benefits of packages from grandma, grandpa, or other loved ones
- Staycation ideas for parents
Work-from-Home
- How to leave your 9-5 job and start working for yourself
- How to avoid online distractions and focus on work
- Your favorite WFH outfits
- Share what your WFH schedule looks like
- Tips for decluttering your home workspace
- Share how you get motivated to work
- How to make money from home
- How to WFM with kids
- Talk about any freelance services from home
- Time-blocking tips
- 3 biggest challenges you struggle with WFM and how to overcome it
- WFH tips from a thought leader
- Interview someone on how they started their business and career
- Beginner’s Guide How to work from home
- Top industries that hire remote workers
- Work for yourself or work for a company?
- Roundup or list of available WFH job boards
- How to create a work/life balance at home
- 7 WFH gifts under $10
- Skills you can quickly learn for a remote career change
- How to become a virtual assistant
- 6 biggest mistakes remote job seekers make
- Simple tasks you can do today to start WFH
- Can you search for remote jobs on Indeed/Glassdoor/LinkedIn?
- Networking tips for remote job seekers
Blogging
- Share 10 bloggers who motivate you
- Gorgeous fonts for bloggers and social media mavens
- Tips for social media
- Favorite blogging groups
- Favorite blogging books + courses
- Writing tips
- Essential blogging tools you can’t blog without
- Tips for guest posting/ blogging
- A round-up of your best posts
- SEO essentials
- Ways to build online relationships with bloggers
- Free social media technology tools to promote your blog
- Favorite hashtags for social media
- What motivated you to start a blog?
- 3 biggest challenges you struggle with as a blogger and how to overcome it
- Best tools for creating blog images
- Interview a blogger and share a success story
- 6 Perks to Blogging & Making Money
- How many hours do you spend running your blog?
- Why you need a blog planner
- Favorite Instagram Lifestyle Bloggers to follow
- What tricks/hacks to use to grow your blog
- How is your blog different from others?
- Blogging Course Reviews
- How to be consistent with blogging
Life Coach/ Motivation
- Collection of inspirational quotes + why you love them
- Personal growth tips + goals
- 5 Ways to motivate yourself
- How to pursue ambition in your life
- How to let go of negative thinking
- 9 things that make you happy all the time
- How do you get inspired?
- Share a personal story to motivate readers
- The best lessons you’ve learned in your life
- 7 Ways to Show Appreciation & Gratitude
- Share tips about self-improvement
- Share a failure and what you learned
- How-to stay calm
- 5 Habits of successful people
- How to stay motivated when things get difficult
- Tips for a stress-free life
- 10 things that make you happy right now
- How to have a winning mindset
- How to unlock your passion
- Mindset blocks you didn’t know were there
- Ways to get out of your comfort zone
- How to turn a weakness into a strength
- 10 Gratitude habits that will drastically improve your life
- 12 things you could do every day to live fearlessly
- 7 Apps to Help you Achieve your goals this year
Wellness
- 15- min workout routine
- Workout routines for (topic)
- How to eat healthy on a budget
- Tips for intermittent fasting
- 5 Ways to live a healthy lifestyle
- Ways to get better sleep
- Beginner’s guide to meditation & mindfulness
- Health and fitness guide for busy entrepreneurs
- 10 healthy foods to eat daily
- Share a fitness challenge that you’re doing
- Everything you need to bring to the gym
- Are multivitamins good for you?
- How to lose belly fat
- How to calculate your BMI
- What you need to know about the keto diet
- The best workouts to do at home
- Beginner’s guide to meal prepping
- Ways to get your steps in
- The best apps for tracking calories
- How much weight can I lose per week?
- A round-up of workout music playlists
- Beginner’s guide to yoga & stretching
- Common myths about dieting
- Review meal box services (Hello Fresh)
- The best workouts for arms/legs/glutes/hamstrings
Related: What is SEO and Why Is Seo Important For My Website?
Which of these 350 blog post ideas will you write about first? Have a blog post idea that should’ve made this list? Share your thoughts in a comment below.
Wash Day Routine For 4c Hair Optimal Hair Growth
Wash days, for me, are all about using the right products for optimal hair growth and hydration. Being a naturalista for eight years has taught me the importance of managing my 4C hair and understanding which products are best for my hair type. If you have ever wondered whether you’re using the best products for your natural hair, you aren’t alone out here. I never imagined I’d be learning how to wash my hair all over again at my big age! In addition, my wash day routine has varied and changed several times throughout my natural hair journey. However, getting my wash day routine to where it is now has made washing my hair less of a nightmare and more of an adventure. The process is all about the products and the routine. As a result, I have developed an effective wash day routine for my 4C Hair.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Wash Day Routine for my 4C Hair
- Scheduling
- Detangling
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Drying Method
- Moisturize & Style
Scheduling
I don’t have a scheduled day for wash days. I used to wash my hair every Saturday. But after hair length and growth, the frequency changed to every 2-3 weeks. So, dedicating time for your hair is just half of this battle. In other words, your wash day schedule is subject to frequent changes and moderation.
Detangling
This step takes about 10-15 minutes. Before beginning to shampoo, I section my hair into four parts. Then, I saturate my hair with a Scalp-Foaming Pre-Cleanse to gently remove any knots, mats, tangles, and product dirt buildup. I never attempt to detangle without saturating my strands first. So now my 4C kinky coils are now ready for the shampooing process.
Shampoo
After I comb and rinse out the Scalp-Foaming Pre-Cleanse with a detangling comb, I use Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo to nourish my tresses. Then, I lather a generous amount of shampoo in my hands, and massage the shampoo down the length of each coil and rinse. Therefore this process takes approximately 10 minutes.
Conditioner
The next step is to gently smooth an Intensive Conditioning Treatment all over my freshly washed tresses. First I gently work it all over my hair with a detangling comb to lock in moisture, and this also helps prevent any hair damage. Then I place a plastic cap over my hair and sit under the dryer for 15 minutes. After rinsing the Intensive Conditioning Treatment, I use a Biotin and Collagen Conditioner for additional hair hydration and rinse after 2-3 minutes.
Drying Method
Next I grab a dry towel to squeeze the excess water dripping from my curls. Occasionally, I prepare my hair for styling while it’s still a little damp. Sometimes I will use a blow dryer to finish drying my wet hair. However whichever method I decide to use takes approximately 3-5 minutes.
Moisturizing and Styling
After drying off my hair, I add a leave-in conditioner and start sectioning my hair for styling. Meanwhile, I use Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil to treat my scalp and take care of any split ends. Then, I use Style and Shine Foaming Mousse to flat twist my hair. Consequently I then go to my favorite protective hairstyle is two jumbo flat twists, with a part right down the middle.
Overall, it takes approximately 60 minutes to complete my wash routine for optimal hair growth and hydration. Consistency and repetition have made this routine become a quicker process.
4C Wash Day Routine Products
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges (Extra Firm Hold)
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Style and Shine Foaming Mousse
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Strength and Shine Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
Mizani Wonder Crown Scalp Foaming Pre-Cleanse
OGX Thick & Full Biotin and Collagen Conditioner
Click to get a product guide to all the products for wash day. The Lewk Digest product guides give details about each product. The Lewk Digest has product reviews, prices, store locations, coupons, and discount codes to make shopping for these products easy. In other words, The Lewk Digest makes shopping easier.
How long does your wash day routine take? What are your wash day secrets and products that you like to use? Let me know what your wash day is like and what products you’re using in the comments!
Starting The New Year With Hope And A Radiant Glow
Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all are doing well and off to a positive start to your year. I am feeling renewed after a much-needed relaxing break during the holidays. The break gave me a chance to rest, sleep in late (if you consider sleeping until 7 am late), catch up, and spend time with my family after not seeing them for most of the year. Honestly, I enjoyed doing nothing but lounging around each day of my break. It was so calming and therapeutic that I did not want it to end. Nonetheless, I can say that it feels great to be back to the basics. I am ready for this new year and all the prosperity and blessings that 2022 will bring!
I am full of hope about what’s to come next for me this year.
As I reflect on 2021, I realize that I spent a lot of time building my brand and not enough time taking care of myself. My two-week break taught me that I am too much of a control freak, I should stop putting expiration dates on everything, and I still struggle with setting unrealistic expectations. No wonder I was burned out by the end of the year. I was putting too much pressure on myself, but I’m grateful I realized it before continuing to carry that energy into 2022. What I needed was a work/life balance. I want to secure the bag and the happiness at the same time.
Although I did not find that balance last year, my goal is to accomplish that this year. I wrote down and set realistic goals, worked out a strategy to execute them, and prayed over each one of them. I have a plan for self-improvement, business growth, gratitude, and I have
new hope in a jar.
Hope In A Jar has given me such a radiant glow this year. I have become more optimistic about the rest of the year and what’s to come. 2022 will be a year filled with abundance, growth, limitless opportunities, and success. I am hopeful that everything is going to be okay. I am optimistic that all my efforts will be fruitful and multiply. Most importantly, I have faith that I will walk in my purpose and fulfill my passions this year.
This radiant revelation started with my hope in a jar.
Hope In A Jar is living with optimism. Hope In A Jar is this smooth-glow multi-tasking moisturizer that helped me renew not only my skin but my tired thought process. It became the first thing that made me feel better about maintaining a healthy work/life balance in 2022. Yep, a moisturizer did that.
What is the radiant Hope In A Jar?
The Lewk Digest is your go-to newsletter to owning your look. The Digest has a product guide to Hope In A Jar ! If you want to try out the product mentioned here on the website, check out The Lewk Digest. These guides are put together to help make shopping easier. Each product guide has
- Features and Benefits
- Honest reviews
- Prices and Store Locations
- Promotions, Discount Codes, and Coupons
I use it only in the mornings after cleaning and treating my skin. It’s soft and smells great. My skin is already showing signs of radiance and clarity. It’s routine maintenance and self-improvement. Hope In A Jar and I get along great. It’s given me what I needed to start again (or to keep going).
2022 is all about hope.
2022 is all about optimism.
2022 is all about renewal.A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox
Christmas came early! I love receiving gifts from Influenster. Thank you Influenster for thinking of me this holiday season. I have been reviewing products for Influenster for all of 2021, and I’ve enjoyed getting the products they send me to test out. I have had the opportunity to try new products that I’ve heard about, products that I wasn’t familiar with, products that I became disappointed with, and products that I, now, refuse to put down. The latest box of goodies that I received from Influenster contains beauty products from Rimmel London.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Rimmel London
Rimmel London is a massive cosmetics brand. I’m sure you’ve heard of or used their beauty products before. Rimmel London products are everywhere (Ulta, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon). This voxbox came just on time because I have needed good drugstore dupes for my favorite name-brand beauty products. So I hope to like the contents of this voxbox.
Rimmel London Voxbox Contents
The first product from the Influenster Rimmel London voxbox is a full-coverage foundation. The 25-hour foundation is also a lightweight foundation that feels soft and smooth after it dries. It promises to make your skin look great! This foundation will stay put from morning to night! I like that this foundation contains sunscreen. It has SPF 20 & is a plus for keeping my skin protected from the harsh winter winds and sun. It retails online for $7- $10 and is in any of your favorite drugstores for purchase.
The second product from the Rimmel London voxbox is a serum that promotes healthy growth for your brows and lashes. The Wonder’Serum is a revitalizing serum infused with nutrient-rich complex of vitamins, proteins, and peptides to promote natural lash growth. This serum is perfect because I am familiar with serums like this one. I’ve been interested in something like this for fuller lashes and brows. Thirdly, I used a similar product and started seeing results within weeks, but I lost it and never replaced it. These types of beauty products will not guarantee instant results! With continued & overtime use, users can expect to see fuller, longer, stronger brows and lashes. Results come after using it for four weeks or 30 days. It retails online for $9 and is in any of your favorite drugstores for purchase.
My Thoughts About the Rimmel London Voxbox
I tried both products from the Influenster Rimmel London voxbox and have strong feelings about each one. #1: wasn’t too fond of the Lasting Finish foundation. It was very smooth and soft on my skin; I forgot that I had makeup on throughout the day. I don’t like that it promotes itself as a full-coverage foundation because it does not give full coverage. However, the Lasting Finish foundation is buildable. I had to do concealing and contouring to get it to cover all of my dark spots and blemishes. I can’t say how I feel about the Rimmel London Wonder’Serum yet. I’ll continue using it before giving my final opinion. However, I believe it will help my lashes and brows grow naturally.
Click the YouTube video below to watch me try out both products and give my honest thoughts on each one!
Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox Unboxing Video Click here if you’re interested in signing up for the Influenster app, and want to start reviewing products for free!
Should I Trademark My Online Business Name?
Your name is your superpower. What you call yourself (personally or professionally) is your unique identifier. Your name, aka your identity, sets you apart from people/ businesses with similar names. Entrepreneurs realize that it takes hard work to establish their brand and create an identity different from their competitors. So, how will you stand out without blending? How will you organically grow your business? As a result, business owners must establish their rights to ensure that their name is one of a kind. Therefore, it is important to trademark your online business name.
Scroll on to learn why you SHOULD trademark your online business name. Learn how to start the trademarking process and resources to help you start trademarking your business or brand today.
So, what is a trademark?
A trademark is a symbol or word(s) legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. Registering a trademark helps protect a name or brand from intellectual property theft or misuse as a business grows (Forbes). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website is where entrepreneurs can go to begin the trademark application process, search the trademark database, and check the status of a trademark. Filling out the trademark application is an easy beginner’s first step to trademarking your business.
How does a trademark help my business?
It gives you a legal avenue to protect your business or brand from copycats replicating your identity. Trademarking your business name, product, or symbol can protect you from scammers looking to make a profit off of your name. In other words, a trademark establishes your exclusive business owner rights to use your name, symbol, or word(s). Trademarking also helps you run a successful company. You will also be able to use the ® symbol next to a successfully registered trademarked name. Completing your trademark registration will make it much easier to file for trademark registration in other countries.
I have an LLC, sole proprietorship, and DBA business. My brand is already protected.
That’s great that you formed your online business. However, you should still decide to trademark your business or brand. A trademark is different in the sense that:
- Forming an LLC (limited liability company) only protects you from individuals using your business name/symbol in your state. It does not protect you nationally or internationally.
- DBA or doing business as; only protects you from individuals using your business name/symbol in your state. It does not protect you nationally or internationally.
- A copyright will protect original artistic and literary works. Copyrights apply to logos but usually do not apply to names.
How to Trademark Your Business Name
Here’s how you can start trademarking your online business today:
First, remember filling out the application is the initial step. If you do not have the necessary information for your application, an attorney can help you with this step. Next, you should figure out what trademark class you want your business’ name or symbol recognized in before submitting your application. (There are 45 trademark classes, and each trademark class covers a wide range of goods or services.)
Example: If a beauty company with the name “Enchanted” wanted to register this name in the cosmetics trademark class, it could. However, if this company also produced jewelry, it might require an added listing in the jewelry trademark class. Therefore, the beauty company has to file for each trademark class that the business will be listed under.
Additionally, if you want to trademark the same name for multiple classes, it might be a little costly. It costs as low as $250 to file a trademark application. To file for a trademarked name for multiple classes, that’s $250 for each trademark class.
Attorneys Can Trademark Your Online Business Name
Sometimes it is best to talk about things like this with your lawyer or attorney. If you are not sure how to fill out your trademark application, schedule a time to consult with your attorney or lawyer. If you do not have an attorney or lawyer, I have an available online resource for you.
Attorney Kiara Taite is a licensed Mississippi trademark attorney dedicated to protecting your legacy. She provides her trademark services to business owners and entrepreneurs anywhere in the country!
Attorney Taite is an attorney equipped to help you understand why trademarking your online business is key to protecting your brand, filing the trademark application, explaining trademark classes/ fees in greater detail, and getting your business trademarked.
If you are looking for quality legal service in the U.S., then look no further. The Law Office of Kiara Taite’s mission is to ensure that clients are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and quality legal representation required to create, protect, and preserve the legacies they intend to leave behind for their children, loved ones, community, or the culture. Visit the Law Office of Kiara Taite website to learn more about her services, fees, and to schedule a time to consult with her about trademarking your online business today!
Enjoying these trademark tips? Check out these similar posts for online business tips:
25 Gorgeous Winter Nails & Designs
Winter nail season is here.
Winter is coming! Shorter days and cold, dark nights are upon us. In addition, it is dismally cold outside, but it is a cool time for nail trends. Fall nails have much appeal, but just like seasons change, so do current trends.
‘Tis the season for sparkle, shimmer, glitter, and snow! The winter nails are here to sleigh, spread joy, and be the gift that keeps on giving.
Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. However, if you decide to buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Elegant, Classy, Gorgeous Winter Nails
If you are looking for nail inspiration, the nail designs and colors are all about big fun with minimal work this season. Red and green are not the only colors for the holidays! There are a lot of metallics, icy blues, and wintry hues for inspiration. These designs are so fire that your manicures will melt the snow this winter.
All of the nail art and design inspiration is on Pinterest. Click featured images to get tutorials, nail polish names, etc.
Classy winterish nails This is perfect for all the minimalistic ladies out there who like a clean manicure but don’t like crazy designs. Not to mention, this nude nail design will go a long way with many outfits so you don’t need to constantly worry about getting a different color manicure throughout the cold season. Via Selfcarebysum
Glamorous maroon winter nails You can never go wrong with shiny, sparkly nails. If you want to try to recreate this nail design, you’ll need matte maroon polish, glossy maroon polish, and glitter polish.
gorgeous ombre winter nails How gorgeous is this ombre nail design? These nails are perfect for the winter & any winter outfit essentials.
Goregous, Classy White Winter Nails
icy chill winter nails Nothing like a classy white snowflake design! Paint your nails white and add snowflakes on one of them for that seasonal reminder. Via Selfcarebysum
milky white marble nails Nothing looks more pretty and dreamier than some white almond nails. You can paint your nails like this and it will go with almost everything this season. Via Selfcarebysum
opulent glitter winter nails A nail design that can be recreated with minimal work needed to accomplish it! This cute, simple design will cost you a little shimmer and glitter, with a little gloss and a clear coat.
arctic blue winter nails Freezing in the winter and dreading getting out of your blankets? This color happens to describe that exact feeling. Via Selfcarebysum
frost winter wonderland nails This nail art is all about fun and festive vibes. If you’re looking for something icy, this nail art is definitely cool enough for you to try.
metallic frozen winter nails In the midst of grey skies and gloomy days, a new nail design is guaranteed to switch up the mood! To recreate this look and the look below, you will need glitter, grey, and holographic nail polish.
posh frost winter nails In the midst of grey skies and gloomy days, a new nail design is guaranteed to switch up the mood! To recreate this look and the look above, you will need glitter, grey, and holographic nail polish.
green Christmas ornament nails This oval design and art is the perfect choice for holiday nails. You’ll need green, white, and glitter nail polish to recreate this festive look.
red christmas nail art Get crafty with this nail art design while opening your stocking stuffers. Apply a red polish and use your DIY skills to replicate the ribbon and snowflake. Via Selfcarebysum
red sleek stiletto holiday nails Go for this classy red nail design this holiday season for sleek and effortlessly hot nails!
classy black nail art If you’re looking for something simple and natural this winter, try this classy black nail look.
gorgeous christmas ornament nails Here’s another festive Christmas nail design if you’re looking for natural nails this winter season.
basic cozy winter nails Not celebrating Christmas or just want something other than the red and greens? Wear this nail combination to look extra adorable. Via Selfcarebysum
textured grey winter nails Grey has never looked so good! These nails are so gorgeous and will be easy to recreate with stickers and two shades of grey nail polish.
Christmas blue winter nails If you’re feeling blue this season, you’ll want to try this starry night nail art the next time you’re in the salon.
cute grey christmas nails Another holiday nail design for your Christmas spirit! This nail art is a cuteness overload of all of your favorite winter things.
cute peppermint holiday nails Another holiday nail design for your Christmas spirit! This nail art is a cuteness overload of all of your favorite holiday things.
cute oval snowflake nails Here’s another festive Christmas nail design if you’re looking for natural nails this winter season.
glamorous classy winter nails A nail design that can be recreated with minimal work needed to accomplish it! This cute, simple design will cost you a little shimmer and glitter, white polish, and a clear coat.
whimsical holiday nail art If you’re feeling whimsical this season, these unicorn coffin nails could be your next nail design. Gorgeous ombre nail design with glitter and unicorns!
snowflake sweater winter nails If you didn’t get to try this trend out during the fall, you still have a chance! Sweater nails are still trendy for the winter. To recreate this look you’ll need a nude color (or whatever color of your choice) and white polish for the nail art (snowflake, ornament, etc).
These red French tip nails include a silver glitter detail that makes them look even more festive! Via beautifuldawndesigns
25 Gorgeous Spring Nail Trends for 2022
First Look: Sally Hansen X Peeps Nail Polish Collection
25 Gorgeous Winter Nails & Designs
This Is What My Stay-At-Home Mom Schedule Looks Like
I never believed that this would be the life for me. The life of a stay-at-home mom. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the stay-at-home life would be something that I could afford to do or that it would be something that I could get comfortable doing. The pandemic forced me to see that I could create a stay-at-home mom schedule. I literally lost my job and became a stay-at-home mother overnight! Before this, I used to spend most of my time at work. Away from my family. Since 16, I have worked countless jobs for financial stability and security. While all the while, I was missing out on quality bonding time and precious milestones. Then four years into my son’s life, I suddenly became more accessible and available.
So I was at home, all of the time, 24/7.
Related: Social Distancing: Choosing to Self-Care & Keep the Faith
Subsequently, I have been dedicated to a stay-at-home mom schedule that allows me to work from home, start and build my business, complete household chores, and devote time to my husband and son.
The ultimate goal for my stay-at-home mom schedule was to have time to do it all.
Having no extra help made me realize that I needed to follow a schedule that could keep me organized and focused on my priorities: starting a business and being there when my family needed me the most. A flexible stay-at-home mom schedule would become my secret weapon, and it continues to be a routine that brings contentedness and peace. My daily stay-at-home mom schedule works well for me, and I want to share it to help other stay-at-home moms figure out a rhythm to juggling everything at home.
5:15 am
I set my alarm to wake up 45 minutes before Landon gets up. Starting my day earlier allows me to get mentally and physically prepared for my day. I like to use this time for prayer and quick stretching exercises. Then, I will start ironing school uniforms and making Landon’s lunch to take to school. I will use any remaining time to let our family pet, Pablo, outside to use the potty and put food in his bowl.
Early mornings set the tone that I am ready to tackle anything. It also allows me to finish all my tasks at a reasonable ending time. I don’t even sleep in late! To be honest, I can’t sleep past 7 am without feeling unproductive. I like to maximize my time in the mornings by choosing not to waste a single minute.
6:00 am
I wake Landon up and make him breakfast. I’ve got to brag that I do my best gentle parenting in this hour. I want to make sure I am helping my son start his day with some positivity. There’s lots of hugging, smiles, and I love you‘s exchanged during this time. In conclusion, 6 am is one of my proudest hours of the day.
Related: 20 Affirmations for Abundance & Success
6:50 am
It’s time to drop Landon off at school for the day. Morning drop-offs are usually 10-15 minutes long. While we are in line, waiting to make our way to the front, Landon and I will practice repeating daily affirmations. I like to encourage Landon to have a great day, believe in himself, give his best effort, and commit to learning new skills. This type of encouragement is the final preparation before he walks through those school doors to begin his day as a Kindergarten student.
7:15 am
After drop-off, it’s time to get started with work. Before I shift into work mode, I take 20 minutes to eat a light breakfast, let Pablo outside again, and do those things that I might have skipped earlier (prayer, stretching, meditation).
8:00 am
After that, it’s time to dedicate myself to my brand, my business, and evolving as an entrepreneur. From 8 am to 1 pm., I give my all to writing new blog posts, creating YouTube videos, Reels, or TikToks that could help increase awareness about my business, scheduling or creating content, reviewing products, editing, etc.
I maximize my time during these hours because I can complete the bulk of my tasks without any distractions. No one is here to disrupt me or feel like I am not giving them any attention. I am prioritizing my business and my clients. I will schedule all of my consultations, client calls for social media management, and brand strategy between these hours.
1:00 pm
At this point in my day, I realize that I’m either hungry (if I’ve skipped breakfast) or feeling like I need to take a break. I usually make myself some lunch and watch something on tv, catch up on social media, or take a nap. Just because I can’t sleep in late doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to go lay down somewhere in the middle of the day.
1:55 pm
After a much-needed recharge, it’s now time to get Landon from school. School dismisses for each day at 2:55. However, parents of car riders line up an hour early to prepare for dismissal.
In conclusion, sometimes your schedule will have events that throw curveballs in your plans.
Expect this. It’s okay.
For example, waiting to get my child home from school takes an hour out of my day, but I choose to look at this differently. Instead of viewing this as me losing out on time, I will use this time to finish up something that I was working on or do something that I haven’t had the chance to do yet.
Examples of Time Fillers for “Lost Hours”
- creating captions for Instagram posts/ reels
- researching blog topics and ideas
- researching youtube video topics and ideas
- pay a bill online
- watch an episode of a tv series
- digital planning
3:00 pm
I’m back at home and back to full-time mama status. This hour belongs to Landon. He usually has so much to tell me about what happened at school! We also have snacks, do homework, and go outside to play before it gets too late.
4:00 pm
It’s almost time to end my work for the day. I wrap up anything that I didn’t finish that morning. Every day is different. On some days, I can say that I finished my workload by 5 pm, and on other days I can’t. Wrapping up the day helps me understand what I’ve already accomplished for the day, what’s left to do, and where to pick up the next day.
4:30 pm- 5:00 pm
It’s time to start making (or buying) dinner. I’ve never been into meal prep, but perhaps it’s time that I start; because I never know what’s for dinner! Most of my dinner ideas come to me throughout the day. At 5 pm, I am cooking dinner or asking my husband to grab something on his way home.
7:00 pm After everyone has made it home and had dinner, I get a little bit of free time. It is the ultimate hour for relaxation and chill time. I dedicate this hour to doing whatever I want to do.
- conversations with my husband about his day
- bonding time with my husband, Landon, and Pablo
- taking a nice hot shower
- browsing social media
- listening to music
- preparing for the next day (pulling out school uniforms, making lunches, cleaning up)
8:00 pm This is Landon’s wind-down hour. His dad bathes him, and after bath time, we read a 15- minute bedtime story. I appreciate this time to be able to take a break and regroup.
9:00 pm It’s Landon’s bedtime and his parents’ bonding time. Both mom and dad are exhausted by now, but we still make time for each other. We have to because we hardly have any time earlier in the day to make it work.
10:00 pm If I want to get up for my 5:15 am alarm, I need to be in bed no later than 10 pm.
More Tips for Success
- Don’t get wrapped up in exact times! These are the hours that work best for my life at home, and I provided them for structure.
- Find your rhythm and rhyme for your reason. You’re crafting the ideal schedule for your life and goals.
- You can still be productive throughout the day even if you don’t stick to a strict routine.
- Plan around family bonding time. Choose the repeat times throughout the day for consistent, fun times with your loved ones.
- Most importantly, don’t stress on days where following your schedule does not work out.
25 Best Christmas Songs For The Ultimate Holiday Playlist
Siri, play the “Best Christmas Songs” playlist. It is officially Christmas time in the city (we only acknowledge Christmas after Thanksgiving over here). I know that many of you have started prepping for Christmas by decorating and shopping. I don’t fault you for getting a headstart on spreading the holiday cheer! Even though we all choose different times of the year to start celebrating Christmas, there is one certain thing:
There’s something magical in Christmas music!
What could it be? It could be the traditions we create, the nostalgia, and the feelings that come over us whenever we hear our favorite Christmas songs. Hearing the right Christmas song is guaranteed to put anyone (Santa or the Grinch) in a merry mood. So, even if you’ve already started decorating the house, trimming the tree, wrapping presents, or needing to change your bah-hum-bug attitude, I’ve created a list of the Best Christmas Songs of all time.
This list has many traditional and modern songs that you can add to your playlist this year. The songs range from many different genres of music– from gospel, rhythm and blues, and pop. You can definitely expect to find some of your favorites on this list! There is something on here for everyone! Whether you prefer originals or your favorite renditions, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love. As you are putting together your Christmas playlist this year, use this list of the best Christmas songs to help you create the ultimate holiday vibes.
List of Best Christmas Songs
“All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” Christmas Song No Christmas playlist is complete without the best-selling modern-day Christmas song of all time.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Jackson 5
Jackson 5 “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” Christmas Song It’s always wonderful to hear young Michael sing. This rendition by the Jackson 5 will for sure have everyone singing and dancing together.
“You’re a Mean One,” Tyler the Creator
“You’re Mean One” from The Grinch (2018) Christmas Song The Thurl Ravenscroft version is a phenomenal classic, however this modern version from the 2018 remake of The Grinch from Tyler, the Creator is just as great.
“This Christmas,” Chris Brown
“This Christmas” music video from Chris Brown There are so many great versions of “This Christmas”. I’ve got to admit that this Chris Brown remake knows how to get in the holiday spirit! Add this version or your favorite rendition to your playlist and you’ll catch yourself singing along in no time.
“Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt, “Santa Baby” Christmas Song This classic holiday tune is my favorite Eartha Kitt song of all time. If you are needing some ideas for what to include on your Christmas list, play this song for some inspiration 😉
“Let It Snow,” Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight
Boyz II Men music video for “Let It Snow” Christmas Song I’m not making any promises that it’ll snow where you are, but just in case, I’ve got something that will make snow happen right in your living room. Listen to the smooth voices of Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight to make your winter season warmer!
“8 Days of Christmas,” Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child music video for “8 Days of Christmas” A fun spin on the 12 Days of Christmas and guaranteed to make you do a little holiday dance!
“Silent Night,” The Temptations
Silent Night Christmas Song “In my mind” your playlist will never be the same. The Temptations truly sang us into a blissful, peaceful night.
“My Favorite Things,” The Supremes
My Favorite Things Christmas Song Although I love the original from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”, I prefer listening to this rendition by The Supremes.
“Player’s Ball,” Outkast
Official music video of “Player’s Ball” from Outkast The 1994 Outkast album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was heralded by this song as their lead single which was just in time for the holidays. The song imagines a “player’s ball” for pimps and hustlers on Christmas Day.
“Sleigh Ride,” TLC
Official music video for “Sleigh Ride” Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with this fun, holiday classic. You’ll be spreading lots of good cheer with this holiday dance tune.
“What Do the Lonely Do?,” The Emotions
What Do The Lonely Do by The Emotions Christmas time can bring lots of feelings and emotions for everyone. You’re not alone! Whether you’ll be celebrating with family in person or virtually this year, this song will be sure to help you get through your holiday emotions.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” The Temptations
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Song The famous reindeer of all has countless Christmas songs about him, but I’ve got to say that this one is my favorite! This rendition by The Temptations will for sure make you join in on all the reindeer games.
“Silver and Gold,” Kirk Franklin
Silver and Gold Christmas Song Whenever I want to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I always play this beautiful gospel song from Kirk Franklin and the Family. “I’d rather have Jesus, than silver and gold.”
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” Whitney Houston
Audio from “Do You Hear What I Hear” on Youtube Enjoy a holiday tune from the greatest voice of all time! Whitney Houston’s “Do You Hear What I Hear” is a beautiful classic spin on previous renditions of the song.
“Silver Bells,” Johnny Mathis
Silver Bells by Johnny Mathis The unofficial announcement song of the Christmas holiday season.
“Merry Christmas Baby,” Otis Redding
Otis Redding’s’ “Merry Christmas Baby” An American Christmas standard song that has been covered dozens of times. This rendition recorded by Otis Redding in 1968 is sure to be a playlist favorite.
“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire,” Nat King Cole
“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” One of the most famous Christmas songs of all time is also known as “The Christmas Song”.
“Christmas in Hollis,” Run DMC
Music video for “Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC “Christmas in Hollis” is the ultimate holiday song. Wrapped in samples of “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Joy to the World,” and one of the best Christmas gifts ever presented in song.
“O Holy Night,” Mariah Carey
Music video for “O Holy Night” on Youtube A truly iconic performance of “O Holy Night” from the Queen of Christmas.
“Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas,” The O’ Jays
Holidays are most meaningful when they are spent with the ones you love. If you are planning to spend Christmas with family and friends, this song will be a great addition to the playlist.
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” Luther Vandross
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” A soulful rendition of this classic Christmas song by Luther Vandross.
“O Come All Ye Faithful,” Juanita Bynum
Audio of “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Juanita Bynum A rendition of the classic holiday song by gospel singer Juanita Bynum.
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” Brian McKnight
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” track from Brian McKnight Another song for your holiday travels and family gatherings.
“Jingle Bells,” Ella Fitzgerald
Clip of Ella Fitzgerald’s performance of “Jingle Bells” Known as “one of the smoothest voices ever”, Ella Fitzgerald brings a swinging, unique sound to this Christmas classic.
Need More Christmas Songs?
Follow me on Apple Music to listen to my playlists. Be sure to leave me a comment below so that I can follow back 🎄🥳
3 Cute & Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs
I love whenever I make a new cute hairstyle discovery! When I decided to go natural a few years ago, I never thought I would struggle to find protective hairstyles. It has been hard for me to find protective styles for curly, natural hair that I like! Why is it so hard to find cute and easy hairstyles to protect and support my hair’s health and growth? Why is it so hard to find protective styles that will keep edges safe from thinning out?
It should not be this way!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps to keep the lights on! Thank you!
Who doesn’t love cute and easy hairstyles?
Wigs and braids have made styling my curly hair less of a struggle. I love using wigs and braids to switch things up. Wigs are a preferred protective style because they are generally quite simple to wear and don’t require much maintenance. After reading reviews online about different wigs, I decided to try a new style that I’d never heard of before: headband wigs.
Headband wigs work to protect natural hair and edges. As a result, this wig is the answer to all of my haircare prayers! The quality of my natural, curly hair life increased by 100 points after wearing this wig for the first time.
Here’s why…
This wig has been the most manageable and convenient wig I have ever worn. The headband makes it easy to slip on over your natural hair without much maintenance. In addition, the biggest flex here is that no glue is necessary for this wig! It’s my favorite benefit of the wig because I know that my edges and natural hair will be 100% protected. Sometimes I like to take a break from wearing wigs that require a glue application. Therefore this headband wig continues to check off all boxes for convenience, ease, and support!
More About Headband Wigs: Cute and Easy Hairstyles
I got my 22″ Kinky Straight textured headband wig from LuvMe Hair. I chose the kinky straight-textured wig because it matches my hair type and texture (4c). My wig came in a beautifully packaged box that contained:
- Additional headbands and hair accessories
- Iridescent cosmetic bag
- LuvMe Hairclip
- Bobby pins
- Wig Cap
- Wig Care Instructions
- Hair Wrap
- Edges Brush
The wig came with everything that I needed to style it. I put this wig on and styled it in less than 15 minutes! So, let me show you how I did it.
Keep scrolling to reveal the long headband wig and easy hairstyles you can recreate using headbands.
To Achieve Cute and Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs, You’ll Need
- wig cap
- wig w/ clips and headband straps
- extra headbands and accessories for styling
Firstly, I brushed my hair down using curl-enhancing mousse and styling gel for it to stay nice and slick. Next, I used bobby pins to secure the hair in position before placing the wig cap on top. Then, I pulled the detachable straps to the headband apart to put on the 22″ kinky straight textured wig. To get it perfectly adjusted on my crown, I secured the wig using two techniques: the wig clips and reattaching the headband in the back. That’s it! Again, you can do this in under 15 minutes.
Then, I started to play with other ways to style the wig. I just wanted to play around with it to see what I could come up with and what kind of fun looks to create with it. My favorite thing that I love about the wig is that you can switch it up at any time with this headband wig. I can put it all to one side, up into a ponytail, half ponytail, wear it in a bun, or switch out the headbands with the extra ones that I got from LuvMe Hair. In addition to my review, you can watch the video for my hair tutorial for the 22″ Kinky Straight Headband Wig on YouTube for more guidance on how to rock this wig and how you can style it.
Wearing the headband wig with one of the extra headbands that it came with. 
Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the LuvMe Hair headband wig as it is (kinky curly) 
Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the headband wig with a middle part and headband. Wig Hairstyles Are Easy To Achieve!
I honestly love everything about wearing headband wigs as a protective style. It’s perfect for someone like me who loves convenient, cute, and simple hairstyles. I can still look cute while protecting my natural hair and my edges. It is so versatile and gives plenty of inspiration for switching up my hairstyles whenever I want. I’ve finally found the ideal protective style for me.
I believe that the headband wig could help any naturalista looking for protective hairstyle solutions and inspiration. It is not too good to be true, ladies! You can achieve this simple look too!
Watch my LuvMe Hair Headband Wig Tutorial and Review on Youtube What do you think?
Visit luvmehair.com to check out the 22″ kinky straight headband wig and to view other textures from the collection.
I even have a referral code for you to take something off of your purchase once you’ve found the wig for you. Just use offer code KRIS at checkout to get 23% off of your LuvMe Hair wig purchase.
Comment with some of your favorite time-saver protective hairstyles below!
Check out more beauty and haircare posts:
6 Wishes For Kids From Parents
Typically I try to steer clear of giving out unsolicited parenting advice. I rarely share my parenting experience or detail what my parenting journey has been like for me. When my son was born, I made a promise that I would not be one of these moms out here who shares everything. I am someone who enjoys privacy and likes to protect the people that mean the most to me. I believe in keeping some memories sacred and only allowing the people who experienced them to know what those memories are. Moreover, one thing that I believe in when it pertains to parenting is creating special bonds with your children. As I watch him grow, I wish and hope for him to have the world. What other wishes for kids do parents want?
Wishes for kids are plentiful. However, the parent’s job is to love, provide, protect, listen, understand, and teach their kids. There’s no official parenting handbook that teaches or prepares you for the “perfect” way to do any of these things. Parents will always wish the best for their kids. When I found out I was going to be a mother, I vowed that I would do everything to help my son grow, develop, and reach every milestone. I couldn’t be more proud of the little person he has become! As his sixth birthday approaches, I am hopeful that he will continue growing and owning his individuality.
The following wishes for kids are from parents like me. We are the parents that will be there to help our kids navigate in this world.
My six-year old son Landon Wishes For Kids From Parents
Always Count On Me, Don’t Ever Count Me Out
I wish that my son always reaches out to me. I want him to know that I am forever accessible and only one call away. There isn’t a distance that I wouldn’t travel to get to him. One thing about it is mamas make great friends and confidants. I want my son to never feel like he can’t talk to me about something (good or bad). I don’t want him to rule out using the “mama lifeline” in a time of need.
The Gratitude Attitude
Sometimes people take their blessings for granted. I never want my child to miss out on his blessing for not possessing a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude is a catalyst for change in life. My wish is that he thanks God every day for his life and his blessings. I hope that he appreciates and cherishes everything in his life and that he has no room to complain about anything. I want him to practice understanding what it means to be selfless versus selfish.
Be Proud Of You Who Are
I want my child to know that it’s okay to be inspired by others and still be himself. Embracing individuality will help him understand that no one is the same, and everyone is unique. I encourage self-love and self-care. He needs to know I am proud of who he is. Additionally, I would like for him to affirm the type of person he wants to become. Be bold and unapologetic at all times!
Chase Dreams & Passions
As a person who is in the pursuit of making their dreams come true, I can only hope that my son becomes inspired to do the same. No, I do not wish for him to have my dream. My wish is that he finds the courage to pursue his own dreams. I ask that he discovers his passion for something and choose to go after it. Please never allow anyone to convince him that his vision isn’t capable of fulfillment; or that he isn’t deserving of success and happiness. Fairytales can come true, and children should believe in happily ever after. They should always follow their hearts and do what makes them happy.
Forgiveness
Moms are not perfect. Sometimes we make mistakes. I know that whenever I make a mistake, I hope for understanding and a chance to correct my wrongdoing. I never want my child to make a mistake and feel they aren’t allowed to make them. Mistakes happen; it’ll be okay. Disappointment in mistakes made should never lead to grudges. I want my son to learn how to let things/emotions go and accept them. I want him never to fear the words I’m sorry.
We’re all trying!
We are all doing the best that we can.
We are humans who deserve compassion.
Be a Good Person
Kids are naturally kind and sweet. They have to learn how to share, be polite, and engage socially. My son started Kindergarten this year; and has had to adjust how to learn and play in a classroom setting. This type of school environment is key because he needs to experience what it’s like to learn and play with other kids at school, listen to teachers and follow the rules. My wish is that he continues to challenge himself to be patient and kind to others. I want him to learn good versus bad behavior and the consequences for each of them. I want him to never be timid in meeting new friends and expressing his feelings. May he never be a bully, may he never be bullied by someone! Allow people to see the goodness of his nature.
If you are a parent or soon-to-be parent, what wishes would you have for your children?
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Comfort Foods: One Delicious Chocolate Velvet Cake
The holidays have arrived! The 2021 holiday season would like to enter the chat and remind you to start prepping for the busy season. With Thanksgiving being just three weeks away, I have to ask. Have you finalized your holiday plans for the year? What comfort foods will you have this season? Who will be cooking for the holidays? What does your holiday dinner menu look like?
If you aren’t able to answer those questions yet, it’s okay. Don’t panic. You still have a couple of weeks to make and finalize your plans! It doesn’t matter if you are the one doing the cooking, bringing a dish to the work potluck, or family gathering; I have an idea for a recipe that you’ll want to try this year. This Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe will bring something different to any menu and is the perfect addition to your holiday spread. Hopefully, this recipe will make your comfort foods list!
That’s right. If you’re a chocolate lover, you will love this recipe! It’s an alternative to some of your favorite holiday desserts (red velvet or German chocolate). I found this recipe online via the Magnolia Charm Baking Company, and I’ve been thinking about adding it to my Thanksgiving menu. Every year I search for recipes and dinner suggestions to get ideas for my menu theme; this year was no different. Y’all, I believe this will be a sweet conversation piece around the table this year!
Hold on. Before I reveal the recipe…
You should know more about the creators of this recipe!
MCBC is a family-owned cake and dessert boutique. Magnolia Charm’s cakes and desserts are made to order with only the best ingredients and personalized for any special event or occasion. Magnolia Charm’s mission is to create memorable sweets that exceed customer expectations through innovative, high-quality ingredients, event personalization, impeccable service, and flawless presentation.
Delicious, Chocolate Comfort Foods
Click here to reveal MCBC’s Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe. Be sure to download and save it so that you can make this dessert whenever you’d like!
The Magnolia Charm Baking Company is located in the Greater Baltimore area and accepts local custom cake and dessert orders. You can visit the Magnolia Charm website to get more sweet recipes, view their portfolio, and shop their online store. Follow Magnolia Charm on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms for updates and recipes!
I’ve got to know if you will be giving this Chocolate Velvet Cake recipe a try this holiday season? What are some of your must-have desserts?
Leave a comment below!
Celebrating 50: 10 Bonafide Favorites
It’s time to raise our glasses and cheer because it’s a celebration! I am very excited about this accomplishment that I’m getting ready to announce, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with you, my friends, so that we can celebrate together. Its The LEWK is celebrating 50 published blog posts! Subsequently, I’ve officially shared 50 lifestyle blog posts with you, and I could not be any happier and prouder of this achievement. In short, for the past two years, I have shared content on my blog with the intention to help and entertain women and provide valuable advice, tips, information, and solutions.
I must say thank you to you, the readers, for reading and your support! I am grateful for every single comment, read, share, and view. In honor of you, my friends, let’s take a look back at some of your favorite posts on the blog so far.
CONGRATS ON REACHING 50!
We’re celebrating 50 published posts on the site! Will you celebrate with me? Then, help me celebrate by joining the LEWK community by subscribing to the blog. Firstly, enter your email address below to subscribe and become a part of the Members Only community. Then, you will need to confirm your subscription to the blog. Members receive exclusive monthly newsletters, freebies, and discount code offers. In conclusion, members receive special notifications and alerts when new posts become available on the blog.
Celebrating 50: Popular Blog Posts
Building Backdrops for High-Quality Content
This post is an easy how-to guide to building a backdrop to enhance digital images and videos. Backdrops are a cute and fun way to bring aesthetic value to your digital content.
Influenster Product Reviews
If you enjoy product reviews, you’ll love Influenster. Influenster is a product discovery app that allows consumers and influencers to review and discover new products. In addition, this app also sends free products to consumers and influencers to review and post on social media. In short, this post serves as a product review of my first ever Influenster voxbox, the reviewer platform, and how it works.
Self-Care and Stress Management Strategies
If you are looking for suggestions on ways to unwind, manage, and let go of everyday stresses, give this post a read. Most importantly, you will learn how to identify signs of burnout, when to find time to care for yourself, and ways to self-care and feel better in stressful situations.
Reach New People and Make an Income on Instagram
In the world of social media, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms out there. Users post pictures and videos daily for personal enjoyment, exposure, and business opportunities. For example, entrepreneurs and business owners use Instagram to reach their target audience, client, or customer for their business. If you are a business owner/entrepreneur, I recommend making a business or creator account to help you grow your business. There are over 1 billion monthly active users defining their audience.
Life-saving Habits and Practices
The road to self-improvement can be a long journey that requires routine maintenance. Learn how to stop and redirect negative energy, healthily express thoughts and emotions, and give yourself grace.
Manifest and Attract the Life You Want
People use affirmations daily to attract confidence, abundance, love, success, and happiness. To clarify, affirmations are short and powerful statements that people can use to promote positive thinking. They allow us to be in control of our thoughts and shape our realities. Individuals can repeat affirmation statements until they become new beliefs. This blog post will provide insight into what affirmations are, what the laws of attraction mean, and how to incorporate these things together when motivating ourselves through self-care practices.
Create an Income With Affiliate Marketing
Companies are looking to work with content creators daily to reach consumers through sponsored advertising. In addition, many Bloggers and Influencers use sponsored posts to generate more traffic and get link clicks to their website or social media. To sum up, sponsored posts are just one of many ways you can create additional income online and monetize your blog. If you aren’t using sponsored posts as a way to reach bigger audiences, drive website traffic, and increase your engagement on your website or social media, you are missing out!
Discover At-Home Body Waxing Techniques
A product review about Veet’s 3-in-1 at-home waxing kit. I had quite the experience with body waxing and having to do it myself during the pandemic.
How to Set Goals and Get Organized
Here are three great resources to help anyone looking to buckle down and get serious about executing their goals, consistency, and organization.
Discovering Friendships & Sister Circles
This featured post from guest writer BuckleWithJo is about maintaining friendships and sisterhoods. Read about her experience in sister circles and how she made genuine connections, identified red flags in friendship behavior, and stayed clear of the drama.
Celebrate With More Posts!
Thank you for celebrating 50 published posts with me! Are you enjoying reading the content on the site? Then, make sure you visit lifestylewithkris.com every Friday for new blog posts! In the same vein, you can check back daily to catch up on previous posts and reviews.
Please comment on which post has been your favorite to read on Its the LEWK. Let’s celebrate together! I’ll be following everyone who leaves a comment below.
125 Of The Best Fall Hashtags For Instagram 2021
Fall is such a fun and festive season for indoor and outdoor activities. There are many activities to celebrate and enjoy in the Fall. Many people look forward to county or state fairs, festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween fun with their loved ones. Thanksgiving, harvest season, buffalo plaid, cooler weather, etc. Fall is easy, breezy, and beautiful. If you’re planning to participate in the Fall fun this year, statistics show that you’ll definitely post about it. Moreover, you may need some fall hashtags to sum up how you’re feeling (or what you’re doing) this Fall, and I’ve got you covered.
It’s time to take your Instagram posts to the next level. If you are searching for hashtag inspiration then look no further. Firstly, I’ve got 125 Fall Hashtags that are perfect for your Instagram captions.
Secondly, I’ve broken down the list of Fall hashtags for Instagram into different activities and events. This breakdown will certainly make it easier to find hashtags quickly. However, I am recommending these hashtags for nano and micro Instagram accounts.
Accounts with a small following (1000) to large (10,000 +) can use these hashtags to reach more people. All hashtags in this list have about 10,000 – 300,000 people who use them every day on Instagram.
Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
Before I reveal the Fall hashtags, do you need ideas for what to post on Instagram? What good are hashtags if you don’t know what to post? If you are stuck trying to figure out what to post on Instagram, check out 10 Ideas for Creating and Sharing Engaging Content on Social Media to help you with your in-feed posts, stories, and reels.
Types of Fall Instagram Posts
Here are a few of the best ideas to inspire you for your Instagram posts during the Fall:
- cozy-at-home
- Trends: Fall Makeup (Is The NEW Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?)
- More trends: Fall nails (These Pinterest Finds Will Make You Want Ferocious, Stunning Nails This Fall)
- Family Portraits/ Photography
List of Fall Hashtags
Home Decor
#fallcandles #fallhomedecor #fallfavorites #autumndecorations #autumnfoliage #autumnwreath #falldecorating #falldecoratingideas #fallaesthetic #fallcenterpiece #fallflorals #pumpkindecor #pumpkindecorating #halloweendecorating #thanksgivingtable #thanksgivingdecor
Fall Beauty and Fashion
#fallnails🍁🍂 #fallclothes #fallmakeuplook #autumnmakeup #autumntrends #autumnhair #fallfashiontrends #fallfashion2021 #fallfashions #fallfashioninspo #fallstyles #fallhairstyles #fallsweater #falloutfitideas #fallboots #bootweather #falllooks #hoodieweather #scarfweather #autumnstyles #autumnmakeup #cozysweater #falljacket #autumndress #autumnlooks #fallnailart
Fall Activities and Events
#fallactivities #fallharvest #fallwinter2021 #autumnfair #fallroadtrip #falltravel #fallcleanup #fallweddings #cornmaze🌽 #applepickingseason #applepicking🍎 #fallwalks #fallfestivals #autumnwalk #autumnactivities #harvestseason
General Fall Hashtags
#fallthings #fallessentials #fallready #fallinlove #fallmood #fallvibes🍁 #fallvibes🍃🍂 #fallvibes🍂🍁 #fallbucketlist #fallisintheair🍁 #fallismyfavorite #fallismyfavoriteseason #fallismyfavoritecolor #fallishere🍁 #fallisthebest #fallisthebestseason #fallisfinallyhere #ilovefall🍁 #ilovefallmostofall #falldays🍁 #autumnadventures #autumnquotes #autumnfeed #autumnessentials #autumnvibes #fallcolors🍁🍂 #falltime🍁
Family and Love
#fallfamilyphotos #falllove #falllover #falllovers #autumnlover #fallfamilyfun
Fall Weather and Nature
#beautifulfall #beautifulfallday #cozyfall #autumnsunshine #autumntrees #autumnnight #autumnsun #fallleaves🍁🍂 #falltrees #fallsky #fallsunset #fallmornings #autumnleaves🍂 #sunnyfallday #beautifulautumnday #autumnsunset
Food
#thanksgivingfood #thanksgivingmeals #turkeytime #thanksgivingturkey #comfortfoods #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdesserts #fallfoods #fallbaking #falldrinks #fallcocktails #pumpkinpies #pumpkinspicelattes #squashseason #falleats #soupweather
Comment below if you use these hashtags and find them helpful!
Follow me on Instagram at (@krissybri)
Leave me a comment on one of my posts that you’re following me and I’ll follow you back! 🙃
15 Pinterest Nails For Fall
The best thing about the season changing is not the weather or daylight savings! It’s honestly the new vibes and colorful foliage that I look forward to in autumn every year. It’s the fall color scheme that truly gets me going! I like to incorporate fall foliage and earth tone colors in my outfits, makeup, and nails all the time now. Pinterest has become my go-to for all my seasonal moods, aesthetics, and inspiration for fun and festive ideas for beauty and outfit choices. Lately, Pinterest nails have all been all of the nail inspo for the fall season. There are some new colors, shapes, and designs that are trending to be popular this season. LET’S GET INTO THEM!
Don’t ask for my mood, just check my nails. They say it all.
Popular Pinterest Nails: Color
Now, as far as colors go, there’s PLENTY for the girls to choose from; because of this, you may have difficulty picking one you will enjoy. Shades of brown, orange, red, purple, gray, and blue will continue to reign supreme for fall colors. I am in love and invested in the brown color scheme. I love me some chocolate! Caramel and coffee are popular universal colors to have in your palette. My searches on Pinterest have also indicated never rule out shades of white. Why? Cream, ivory, or coconut colors are great for creating nude and natural nail aesthetics. My general advice is to choose colors that will accentuate your personality and capture your vibe.
Popular Pinterest Nails: Shapes and Patterns
Choosing my nail color and design will be easy- Said no one ever
Choosing a nail color is not the only decision you’ll have to make during this process. Patterns and designs are ways that you can create signature nails to match your personality or vibe. It’s all in the details! If you’re looking to spice it up this season, there are certainly some different trends for you to check out. Ombre or duo tone nails (features two colors that are smoothly graduating into each other) are not new but trendy. Plaid nail art is ideal for outfit matching, especially with anything flannel.
Find Pinterest Nails to Recreate
It’s important to remember to pick patterns and designs that your nail technician will be able to replicate. Nail technicians will be creative with abstract, marble, and leopard print designs. If you do not have a regular nail technician, please make sure that your tech can replicate the design you’ve chosen. I use Pinterest to create mood boards to show my nail tech where my nail inspiration came from. Look at the board that I’ve started for fall! It has all sorts of ideas for the season, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
Nails are the #1 thing you can get into shape without exercising
Nail color, design, and art are NOTHING without shape and length. Yes, girl! Your nail’s shape and length are important, too. It’s the first step in nailing the right aesthetic. How long will your nails be? How short would you like them to be? Do you like your nails square or oval? All shapes and lengths can be customized to any preference if you have communicated this with your nail technician.
I want you to nail it this season! Get fall-inspired nails from Pinterest searches if you are in need of some nail art ideas. Pinterest has you covered on the entire look! Piece your new nail art together by choosing from colors, patterns, designs, and shapes that you find on pins and boards. Halloween and Thanksgiving are just a jump, hop, and skip away! Set off your new season with some fun, festive nails.
What is your favorite go-to color or design that you love to wear during fall?
What are some colors or designs that you hope to try this year?
Good Podcasts: SIPMYTHOUGHTS
Good podcasts have been taking over the entertainment world for a few years now, and that reign is far from over. The podcast world continues to see significant upticks in podcasts created. Episodes are uploaded daily and listeners are looking to discover new podcasts to add to their audio library. Tyler Carter, journalist/ media professional, is a talented creative who’s entertaining, and enlightening stories through the audio waves.
His brilliant SipMyThoughts podcast focuses on the storytelling of the Black community that mainstream media often neglects to share with the entire world. This blog post focuses on the creator Tyler Carter, what inspired him to create his awe-inspiring podcast, and how listeners can discover the SipMyThoughts podcast online.
(more…)How To Start YouTube Channels & Earn Money
YouTube is one of the biggest video-based platforms on the entire world wide web. There are more than 37 million YouTube channels out there (2020 latest data)! So many people create YouTube accounts to watch new and trending videos that are uploaded daily by creators and vloggers. YouTube continues to be a popular platform that creators use to grow their brand or business, nurture video content for target audiences, and generate passive income online. If you’ve ever wondered how to start YouTube, this post is for you! YouTube users are subscribing daily to creators who provide relatable and valuable content! I recently developed a YouTube strategy to become more comfortable with creating video-based content and grow my brand. I have always felt that I’ve been ready to join the masses, but I had NO clue what my channel would be. What would I post?!
(more…)Finding Friends: Black Women Sisterhood
Are you aging gracefully into your 30s and 40s but finding it hard to build new friendships or find a group of women that you can genuinely call your sisterhood? Do you get overwhelmed trying to establish genuine friendships and connections with women in your age bracket? Finding friends can definitely be challenging.
You are not alone.
Thank you, Jody-Ann Buckle, for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com!
(more…)6 Best Thrift Store Fashionable Finds
I recently went shopping to find some cute little summer outfits to take pictures in. Thrifting is one of my favorite ways to pick up fashionable threads for less. Whenever I need to search for statement pieces for a photo shoot, something to wear while vacationing, or maybe for a summer event like a barbecue, I can always count on finding unique threads at the thrift store. During my recent shopping experience, I found six creative and trendy looks for the summer. I traveled to three different stores (two Goodwill Stores and one America’s Thrift Store) and found six cute outfits under $20 each! I was impressed that I was able to find clothes that have never been- worn before. Markdowns on items already marked down! I even found a great pair of gently used shoes!
(more…)7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence
In a world that is constantly innovating, challenging and competitive, taking risks is paramount. Taking risks builds confidence and uproots you from your comfort zone. In addition, risk takers are more likely to take a stab at other endeavors that they were once afraid of doing. Let’s explore some good examples of ways to boost your confidence.
Story time. If blogger and author, Jody-Ann, played it safe, she would have allowed her talents to waste instead of publishing her blog and writing her first book in 2017. For way too long, she’s allowed fear to get in the way. Stepping out and doing what she was afraid to do has been liberating.
If fear and doubt are getting in the path of starting your business, publishing your book, or trying something new, here are a few things to tips from Blogger Jody-Ann Buckle that start to boost your confidence and be the first steps you take in getting out of your comfort zone.
Thank you, Jody-Ann Buckle, for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com!
(more…)Powerful Words of Affirmation For Success
Words of affirmation are short and powerful statements that people can use to promote positive thinking. They allow us to be in control of our thoughts and shape our realities. Individuals can repeat affirmation statements until they become new beliefs. I use affirmations to eliminate negative thinking and to help me navigate challenges that will make achieving goals easier, through the law of attraction. This blog post will provide insight into what affirmations are, what the laws of attraction mean, and how to incorporate these things together when motivating ourselves through self-care practices.
Every day, people are using affirmations to attract confidence, abundance, love, success, and happiness. Studies have shown that it is not uncommon for people to increase their happiness through a positive mindset. Plenty of people desire to be more successful in life and have found affirmations help combat negative self-talk and negative mindsets. After I started using affirmations, I found that I have a better outlook on what my purpose is and that I am worthy of attaining success. I’ve learned how to be gentle with myself by becoming more trusting and confident in my abilities to make decisions. Positive affirmations require regular practice to achieve long-term changes in your life.
Related: How Letting Go of Negative Thoughts Changed My Life
Words of Affirmation: The Laws of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is the belief that positive thoughts will yield positive results in your life, career, health, or relationships. There are 3 Laws of Attraction that detail this concept:
- Like Attracts Like
- Removal of Negative Energy
- The Present is Always Perfect
Like Attracts Like is the law that similar things are attracted to one another. Although opposites can often attract, it is the belief that it is more often that like attracts like. What we think about and choose to believe is what we tend to do. People will use affirmations to think and believe positive thoughts to do the work needed to attract positive results.
Removing negative thoughts makes space for positive thoughts! This law of attraction is identified as “nature abhors a vacuum” and is the belief that if we remove negative energy and replace it with positive, we will create a space to attract new things. Ex: Decluttering your closet will allow you to make room for the new clothes that you just purchased
The Present is Always Perfect if you’re looking to use this law to attract the things you want. Amid a challenge, it can be hard to see the good in bad things. It is never too late to change how you choose to respond to negative situations. Implement the use of affirmations whenever there is a desire to complain about something that isn’t going right for you. Look for ways to improve the present moment.
20 Powerful Words of Affirmation to Attract Abundance & Success
Related: Who Else Wants a Free 7-Day Gratitude Journal
Now that you know about affirmations and the 3 laws of attraction, here are 20 affirmation statements that you can use to help you attract abundance, confidence, and success into your life. This list of affirmations that I’ve compiled consists of action statements that I’ve repeated throughout the year. Try saying them in the morning, to start the day or at night, before going to bed. Repeat affirmations daily and regularly (at least 10 times a day). Listen to yourself say each word, focus on them as they are leaving your mouth, and believe them to be true.
I hope that this post helps anyone interested in learning how affirmations work, and how to use them to attract success and happiness in their life. I have always encouraged positive thinking as a form of self-care and I believe it motivates people to meet their goals. What are some positive affirmations that you may say to attract what you want?
Let me know in a comment!
The Secure Guide to Filing With TurboTax
Thank you, TurboTax for sponsoring this post!
Filing taxes is a stressful situation for everyone. Every tax season, American citizens are hopeful and excited about their tax returns. Some look for ways to ensure that they’ll receive as much money back as possible, some are prayerful that they will not have to owe the IRS anything, and some look for tax preparers or financial advisors to help them because they need professional tax advice.
Whether you decide to go to a CPA or financial advisor, or you decide to do your taxes alone, you want to feel comfortable about the decision you make. TurboTax is the best solution for all your tax filing fears! I am an active and current TurboTax user. I have always had an easy, comfortable, and reliable experience with using their software. In conclusion, this post is your secure guide to filing your taxes with TurboTax.
(more…)How to Use Instagram to Grow Your Audience
In the world of social media, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms out there. Users post pictures and videos daily for personal enjoyment, exposure, and business opportunities. For entrepreneurs, it’s important to reach your target audience, client, and/or customer for your business. This post contains everything you need to know about how to use Instagram for business. Anyone can grow an audience on Instagram! There are over 1 billion monthly active users, with accounts, defining their audience.
With The Five C’s Contingency Plan, you will be able to organically grow an online presence. You will be able to use this contingency plan with any Instagram algorithm. This Contingency Plan is a combination of strategies that I use regularly and simultaneously to reach new readers and subscribers to my blog, sell gratitude journals, and land brand partnerships. I used the 5 C’s Contingency Plan and reached over 60,000 accounts, receive over 400 new followers, and increase content interactions within 90 days in Q1.
What is the ‘5 C’s of Contingency Plan’?
- Connect
- Consistency
- Comment
- Commit
- Create
Connect & Network
Connecting with people can and will help you to grow your audience. You should be following more people and engaging in conversation. Get to know the competition, but do not compare too critically! Networking is an easy way to land new opportunities and business deals. Collaborations happen every day on Instagram.
Note: You should NOT be following “overwhelming accounts” that can trigger emotions like imposter syndrome or self-sabotaging doubt.
Consistency Is Key
Post consistently to your feed and Instagram stories. If you are inconsistent with posting, how will you truly be able to cultivate an audience? When will your audience know when or where you post? Everyone’s posting schedule is going to be different. Your posting schedule should be based on the peak days that you receive the most views. Using your insights and metrics, you will be able to figure out what is the best time for you to post your content.
My peak days of the week are Monday through Friday (9 am-9 pm). That’s a twelve-hour window for me to post my images and videos and maximize the views I receive during those times of the day. Although Saturday and Sunday are not the best days for views, according to my insights, I still find the best peak time of the day whenever I’m looking to post on the weekends. Enjoying this post? Check out more Social Media Tips & Tricks
- 125 of the Best Fall Hashtags For Instagram 2021
- 8 Blogger Groups to Help You Master Blogging
- How To Start YouTube Channels & Earn Money
- 10 Creative Post Ideas for Social Media
I’m 100% certain that commenting and liking posts will help you grow your audience on Instagram. After you leave a comment on someone’s post, their followers can see your comment and now have the option to engage with you! This type of banter often leads to clicks on your profile, clicks to the link in your bio, and someone else learning more about you. I hold plenty of conversations with brands in their comments! I’ve also pitched to brands for sponsorship post opportunities via email just through conversations that developed in the comment section.
Note: Pinning comments is good exposure for your business, and can be small examples of CTAs when guiding your clients to make a purchase or subscribe to a newsletter.
Commit to Quality
Commit to sharing quality pictures, videos, and graphics. Use Canva to create your graphics and use photo-editing apps like Lensa for brighter and high-quality pictures. Image quality is important to increasing user engagement and decreasing your bounce rate, which means more traffic and higher rankings! Commit to making content with value! When recording videos, try to find spaces in your home that will make great aesthetic backgrounds. Committing to sharing quality images will help you create content you know your target audience would want to see.
Create The Content They’ll Love
Always remember to create content with value when creating engaging content. When you’re ready to share the content that you’ve created, you’re going to want to create captions that will grab the audience’s attention. OMG, did I just make a scroll-stopping caption? Be sure to also include CTA (call-to-action) statements in your caption and use relevant hashtags. Additionally, if your post contains a product, tag the brand in the post and the caption. Ideally, it would help if you were using one CTA and at least five hashtags per post.
You want to avoid asking your audience to do too many things in one post. Why? Your audience won’t know what you want them to do first and they will do the exact opposite of what you wanted. Lastly, do not use hashtags that are already being used by too many users or will cause your post to be shadowbanned.
Note: Shadowbanning is the practice of blocking a user or their content online from being seen or shared.
There’s no doubt that when (not if) you incorporate the ‘5 C’s of Contingency’ into your social media strategy, you will begin to see an increase in your engagement on Instagram, new clients or customers for your business, new subscriptions to your blog, and more. Using these methods are ways that you will learn to navigate any algorithm and help you grow your audience!
Follow me on Instagram for more tips and strategies.
What do you think about the ‘5 C’s of Contingency’ Plan and how will you use it to grow your online presence on Instagram?
How To Meditate: Checklist and Guided Practice
In 2018, I learned how to meditate effectively due to high-stress levels from working a job that brought me much misery and grief. I had to find a release, an escape, something that allow me to relax and be at ease. When I first started my journey into meditation, I had no clue how to meditate, did not know if it really worked, nor what it all meant. I always heard it explained as “a way to practice mindfulness”. Moreover, I thought that it sounded like an option to explore to relieve stress. After two years of practice, I still continue to meditate and use it to help with stress.
Firstly, my journey introduced me to breath work and guided practice. Secondly, the meditation-guided practice helped me achieve inner peace has made things 100% easier. I share and document my meditation process on social media often and I get lots of questions from others about how should they begin meditation. Lastly, there are many people interested in meditation but feel that they’re not doing it right or have absolutely no clue what they’re doing.
Meditate With Guided Practice
You are NOT alone! You are NOT the master!
Yet.
I can relate to the feeling of being excited to do or learn something new and not knowing where to start. It can lead to an overwhelming feeling and sometimes makes you lose your desire to learn. As a result, I created a Mindful Meditation Checklist to help beginners feel comfortable with learning this new skill. The checklist has the basic tools that you will need to successfully complete one meditation session and will need to be repeated frequently to see results. This checklist is able to hold you accountable when you’re wondering if meditation and mindfulness is affective for you, as it is for me.
Click here to download your free checklist today to begin your first meditation session!
Get Your Free Meditation Checklist
Check out more self-care tips and tricks:
3 Tools For Goal Setting and Excellent Planning
It’s been super important for me to get organized with my ideas and goals because I’ve got all these great, big ideas floating around in my head, but no clear thought on how to execute them. It’s not enough for me to just come up with an idea (nor should it be enough for you). I need to find tools for goal setting and planning. The only way to see the outcomes of these ideas is to plan them out.
What am I doing? How will this work?
My impulsive thinking can sometimes lead to a load of inconsistency in executing these ideas. I get so excited that I rush or skip several steps in the execution process. This is how dreams get deferred and ideas get crushed. When you know better then you’ll do better.
That’s why I am sharing three tools I use to assist me in setting clear and concise goals through planning. Keep scrolling to learn new ways to help you stay organized, plan out ideas, and develop strategies for executing your plan.
Necessary Tools For Goal Setting
Tools for Goal Setting: Gratitude Journaling, Planning, Organizing
Journaling is the #1 source of where my ideas and goals begin. Through self-reflection prompts, I construct a list of 3-5 personal and professional goals I want to accomplish for the week. I also set monthly goals and daily affirmations using a gratitude journal. I find appreciation and gratitude to be instrumental in planning and setting realistic, attainable goals. The Daily Expression Gratitude Journal that I use comes with a “Gratitude Garden” that contains mindful questions and notebook pages for me to jot down my emotions and thoughts. I created it as a way to live with gratitude and appreciation. It’s available online for purchase and on sale for $7 here.
Goal Setting Tool #2: Planner
Having a planner as a tool is necessary because this is where I can sort out goals and figure out how I will meet them by listing small tasks that I can complete. Sunday- Saturday, I fill my planner with productive activities related to my weekly or monthly goals.
Let’s use an Instagram Reel as an example. The objective will be to create an Instagram Reel for the week.
I pick a day during the week that I can research reels to trigger inspiration, days that I can prepare for creation, and then the day that I want to post it. Making a reel does NOT just happen in five minutes! I realize that there may be intricate actions that I will need to take before it can happen. I may need to learn audio (lyrics and dialogue), rehearse dance moves, and sort out a look. Some of the questions I ask myself:
- Where will I film this reel?
- What should I wear?
- What is the tone?
I maximize a lot of my time by using a planner. The mom life is sporadic and chaotic. It’s easy to feel spread thin and busy. Honey, that’s the quickest way to burn out! Using a planner is beneficial to productivity. I’m able to juggle all of my many hats (human, wife, mom, teacher, writer, etc.) and not feel like I’ve completely exhausted all my time. It all gets done through time blocking, sticky notes, affirmation stickers, and lots of colors.
TIP: Use markers and colorful pens to list your tasks in your planner.
Goal Setting Tool #3: Google Calendar
The last tool allows me to schedule my tasks into a digital calendar, and get reminders and alerts when it is time to execute them. Once I learned from other digital content creators about all of the magic that Google Calendar has, I started using it for purposes other than birthdays. I use Google Calendar to
- help me figure out what time I have available to get things done.
- stay on track with time blocking
- celebrate accomplishments
- remember what’s planned for the day
- follow a schedule
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Was this helpful for you? How do you set goals and execute them? What tools do you use to help you execute your goals? How do you hold yourself accountable? Comment your thoughts on this topic below.
Check out more planning and organizing posts like this one:
Which Gingerbread House Kit Is The Best?
I hope the holiday season has brought peace and joy to you and your family. I know that the season has not been ideal for my family and me, but we have managed to create new traditions this year, with a little help from Walmart and their Gingerbread House Kit. Well, more like their brownie kit. I have never made gingerbread houses or men before.
I’m finding new ways to spread Christmas cheer by starting new family traditions. When I saw these holiday baking projects on Pinterest, I was excited to introduce the idea to my family. Next, after they got on board, we chose our family baking project together. Additionally, I asked a few of my followers on social media for their votes on each project and the brownies WON! I picked up our easy-to-use brownie kit from Wal-Mart and brought it home to bring lots of warmth, love, and laughter to our home.
Gingerbread House Kit from Wal- Mart
Great Value Gingerbread Man Brownie Kit, 15.68 oz:
- Makes about 8 brownies
- Includes all of the dry ingredients and decorations needed to make gingerbread man brownies
- Easy to follow instructions provided on the box
- Create delicious, rich brownies that friends and family are sure to love
Contains wheat. May contain traces of milk, eggs, cod, salmon, and coconut.
My son Landon and I enjoyed baking these brownies together. I must admit that I was a little nervous about how “into this” he was going to be. Being a boy mom you never know what you will get when it comes to the things that boys like and dislike to do. I recorded a video of us baking our wonderful gingerbread brownies and you can watch it below. The Gingerbread Brownie Kit from Wal-Mart can be purchased in-store or online and includes a gingerbread cookie cutter, icing, and sprinkles.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for joining us in creating our first mother and son holiday tradition. We are wishing you a jolly Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Be sure to keep following us for more content in 2021!
What holiday traditions did you create this year? What traditions did you manage to keep or modify? How will you be keeping your season bright? Let us know in the comments below.
Check out more baking recipes:
Getting To Know Me: Shocking Secrets Exposed
I’ll admit it. I forget that you all don’t know every little thing about me. I’m as open as I can be, but sometimes I like to keep a little bit of mystery. However, getting to know me is not totally complicated. Getting to know me has everything to do with me feeling free to get personal. Therefore, today’s post is all about ME!
People always seem to make a list of the things that they despise or dislike more than they seem to talk about the things that make them happy! We spend so much time focused on the things that we wish to change; without reflecting on what we love the most. The things that we love the most are what keep us inspired and should help us to see that the things we dislike are minimal compared to the things that bring us joy. In no particular order, I created a list of my best-loved things.
(more…)Spooky Halloween: Here For All The Boos!
Halloween 2020 was super fun and creative. We decided against trick or treating this year, but we still got Landon a costume to wear around the house. I didn’t feel comfortable attending harvest parties, festivals, or haunted houses because we are still practicing social distancing guidelines and rules. COVID is ruining things as we once knew them to be, but I could tell that Landon enjoyed cosplay and trick-or-treating Quarantine Style.
(more…)How To Reduce Stress and Self-Care Everyday
Whenever I neglect to practice personal care, it has an effect on my anxiety and general mood. We all know that stress is not the easiest to manage and it’s easier said than done. How many of you have started one thing that you’ve gotten motivated to do for yourself, but did not stay committed to the journey? Have you ever felt defeated because of stress? Discouraged?
How often is your mood affected by stress? It’s time to change your self-care habits! How to reduce stress? Certainly, you can manage stress. I’ve found that regular practice with these six self-care activities helps to improve how often I tend to personal care, how much I enjoy practicing self-care during each of these acts, and keep me motivated to meet my goals.
It’s almost like I’ve discovered a hidden message all within my mind, body, and soul, and I’m finally finding the courage to crack the codes. Yes, I am a full-time working wife and mother of one. Of course, my life is hectic! Most often, there’s too much on my plate (even though I’m passionate about EVERY thing on my plate). I’m sitting at the table trying to finish all of my food, but truth is, I am overwhelmed. Whenever I get like this, I have to remember to get up and relax. To lower my risks of burnout, anxiety, and depression, I engage in things that I enjoy to rekindle the balance in my life.
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