Masks and sanitizer are always the two things I’m checking for when leaving the house. I never, ever leave home without either.
But in addition to that, there’s another thing I’ve kept strapped to me as well. It’s the belt bag!
It’s been so convenient since I need to be hands free while in a store. I can stuff my real essentials in there like sanitizer, masks, money and keep it moving!
It matches with everything while still being super stylish and comfy. Putting it around my waist and going out is just easy.
If you’re looking for a unique mask and sanitizer holder, look no further! Cop the Hands Off Belt Bag. 🤷🏽♀️
Let’s be honest…we are all over it! 2020 that is. There’s no need to list the reasons. We all know why. With everything that happened in 2020, who hasn’t heard the chatter of people saying, “They can’t wait for 2021”. And although, I’m in that same boat, I can’t help but to think…how can 2021 better than 2020?!?! If we’ve learned one thing from 2020, it has to be that we now understand that there are soooo many things in life that we can’t control.
Even though we can’t control what goes on in 2021, we can certainly small, simple things we can do to make the most of it.
Here are some ideas…
#1. Create a Vision Board of what you want your 2021 to look like.
#2. Write down what your grateful for in a Gratitude diary.
#3. Learn something new from a sport to new language and/or skill, etc.
#4. Set a list of goals to slay.
#5. Stay prayed up and positive.
#6. Be ready to get outside. Since being outside creates less risk of the virus, find things to do that you can enjoy with those you love. Like a socially distant potluck, movie night in the backyard on blankets, etc.
These simple tasks should help you start your 2021 smoothly. Remember to be safe, wash your hands and wear a damn mask! 😉
Thoughts on how to make the best of 2021?? Drop them in the comments…
Every year, my family comes up with a theme for the holidays. We’ve done African, the 70s, Ugly Christmas Sweater, Glam, the 90s. The list goes on and on. This year we decided on wearing pajamas. This wasn’t the first year we went with this theme. But with everything going on, we decided to make it as comfy and corny as possible. I mean, what’s more comfy than a pair of baggy PJs?! Apparently, we weren’t the only ones that felt this way. By the looks of the pics on social media everyone and their Mama rocked matching PJs for the holidays.
My family followed the Quarantine Christmas trend (candy cane style) and here they are…
By the end of the night!
By the way, why didn’t anyway tell me that toys would soon take over my house?!
Here is my current living room situation. HELP!!
Did anyone else jump on the Christmas pajama trend?? Let me know in the comments…
It wasn’t until the end of my pregnancy that I started to realize how much I let my days go by aimlessly.
During my pregnancy, I spent so much time worrying about my health, the babies health, and COVID-19. Wondering if I’m gonna have a c-section or not, constantly researching every single symptom and reading tons of stories about pregnancies that ended terribly. Towards the end of my last trimester, I started to realize that I spent so much time focusing on bullshit that I didn’t just enjoy the process. Gaining weight, eating everything, feeling the baby move around, basking in the happiness with my husband etc.
During that time, I began replaying the last few years of my life and noticed that I had been just going through the motions for a while. Helping to take care of my sick dad, doing everything my then fiancé wanted me to do (just because I thought it would make him happy), spending weekends at multiple family events when I really wanted to just stay home and watch a damn movie. It was just a lot of doing everything for everyone else. Not spending time with me and making the day count for me.
Thank goodness those days are long gone. I snapped out of it. I really feel like my son helped me get there and he doesn’t even know it. He put perspective and focus in my life.
Soooo, here are some tips that help me to seize the day and make it count. Hope it helps you…
Work off your own schedule. Not anyone else’s.
If you’re asked to do an activity and you don’t want to do it. Don’t. Only fill up your schedule with things you want to do. Not things others want you to do.
Make it your business to be honest with others about your feelings.
Lying just takes a lot of time. And can hurt a lot of feelings. Save yourself some time and keep it real.
Take a few minutes (if not more) to show gratitude for things in your life that you’re grateful for.
You might wake up in the morning and feel grateful for the sun to shine in your bedroom. Take a moment to soak it in and feel that gratitude. I am a night owl, so each night I find myself staring at my baby and husband; soaking in the love and how grateful I am to be blessed with them. It really just feels good.
Make a daily goal list.
Getting things accomplished can always make you feel like you kicked the days’ ass. So, make a list, check it twice, and knock off as many tasks as you can. It can be as small as watching something you have on DVR to creating a budget.
Don’t let others put all of their bullshit on you.
This is a big one for me! I’m the person everyone calls when they want to talk. But I can’t let their energy transfer to me. I’ve found a way to dodge it. Sometimes I’m straight up by telling them that I don’t want to hear any bullshit. But if you’re not ready to do that, change your tone to sound uninterested and hopefully they catch the hint. Or just say you have to go. Don’t waste your day worrying about someone else’s crap.
Stick by what you decide.
I had a habit of making a decision. I’d back and forth a million times pondering if I made the right decision. Now, I don’t do anything without giving it some thought. After I’ve done that, I make the decision and move forward with it. No use in wasting your day worrying about if you did the right thing. What’s done is done.
Do what puts a smile on your face.
Do something every day that makes you smile. Watching your favorite show, going for a run, eating something sweet…whatever it is…do it! You will never regret it.
What are some of the things you do to make the day count? Let me know in the comments…
Welcoming a baby into our family has given me all of the feels! Since welcoming my son, I’ve found myself to be more me grateful than ever before. I understand the value in showing gratitude even more and find myself staring at my family in complete awe of what I’ve been blessed with. Needless to say, all of this has made me want to cherish every moment including b the holidays.
Before having a baby, things were so different when it came to the holidays. We may or may not get a Christmas tree. We opened our gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Christmas Eve was a blur because we would be wasted the entire day. Which meant Christmas Day was a late start for us. Let’s just say we have always moved as if we were some kind of irresponsible college students or something.
Now that we’ve made the decision to create some traditions for our family. I couldn’t be more excited! My son has a great set of parents who can’t wait to show him all of the corny, fun, exciting things that life has to offer. But let’s just start with the holidays. Here are some of the new traditions we are starting this holiday season.
Creating a traditional food and drink that we will have each year.
Buying a tree from a Christmas Tree farm.
Putting money to the side each year for his future.
Watching holiday movies snuggled up on the couch on the days leading up to the holiday.
Talking about the years highs and lows as well as what we are grateful for.
Filling up stockings with small gifts. (We never even bought stockings before.)
What type of family traditions do you gave with your family?? Let me know in the comments…
As you know, new pieces are steadily being made for the Fashion Not Fear Collection. And when I say steadily I mean that there are about 2-3 new drops each month. Limited drops (which is why keeping you informed on the new things coming is essential.)
A new piece is currently in the beginning phase. I love the color and lace so much that I had to give you a peek into the latest textile being used.
It’s mint green, lace and will be fantastic! Can’t wait to show the final piece.
Any thoughts on what will be made?? Let me know in the comments…
I’ve been in full on mommy mode since having my first baby about 5 months ago. Changing diapers, breastfeeding, rocking my baby to sleep, and entertaining him ’round the clock. And I couldn’t feel happier. This Mom thing is definitely what I am supposed to be doing.
I received tons of Mommy tips before my son arrived but there are lots of things that I wasn’t told. Here’s some of the ‘ish no one told me.
You will worry about everything. I spend most of the day wondering if he’s okay. From deciphering a cough to examining poop color and making sure his nostrils aren’t blocked. 🤷🏽♀️
Ambidexterityand doing everything with one handis essential. When my baby falls asleep in my arms, I would do anything to not disturb him. I’m left handed and before having him, I couldn’t do anything with my right hand. Not anymore!! I’ve learned to use whatever hand is free at the time. From changing diapers to washing dishes.
Learn how to hold your pee. Like a previously mentioned, disturbing a baby is the worst! Once they fall asleep in a certain position, know that you are stuck in the position you’re in until they wake up. Get ready to hold it for a looooong time!
Get used to living like a zombie. I haven’t had more than 3 hours of sleep at one time since my second trimester. My third trimester left me so uncomfortable that sleeping was a joke. Then after having the baby, the real sleepless nights set in. Either I’m up feeding and changing the baby or I’m up just staring at him all night making sure he’s okay.
Learn how to make up a song and dance at the drop of a hat. The art of distraction is key when taking care of a baby. Singing a song can quickly pivot a baby from crying to laughing. You can make up anything. They don’t care. So, tune up your vocal chords.
There’s much more I was never told but I’m always up for a surprise. So it’s all good! Cheers to all of the Moms and Dads out there making it happen. No matter what!
Is there something you learned when you became a parent that you did know anything about?? Drop it in the comments…
Before the pandemic, I was all about dressing up. I’m talking form-fitting dress, heels and the perfect accessories to match. This was my go-to look all day, everyday.
Although, I still love wearing dresses, I can’t tell you the last time I’ve worn heels (even though I’ve bought new ones) and my accessories are very minimal. It’s so bad these days that I think I’m doing good when I’ve changed out of my night clothes from the night before. To say my style has changed since this whole COVID thing is an understatement.
Here’s how I noticed things have changed…
I’ve been working from home for the past several years. While my fiancé works out of the home. Before the pandemic, even on my lazy days, I’d make sure that I was “cute” before he got in the house this evening. I mean, it was so important for me that he likes what he sees when came home. This is still super important to me but nowadays, my idea of being “cute” when he gets home is brushing my teeth and making sure my oversized shirt has no stains on it. There was a day during the pandemic when I found out all of the effort didn’t matter as much as I thought it did.
I put on a cute dress, light makeup, did a lik’ extra something to my hair. I even put the shoes that I would wear with the outfit by the door so he can capture the entire look. About an hour after he got home, I started to started making dinner. Before I got into it he says, “are you gonna put on something more comfortable?” I reply, “I wanted to look cute for you!” His response was the best;
I’ve been in full quarantine looks ever since. Oversized tees, biking shorts, t-shirt dresses, etc. It’s one of the best compliments he could’ve ever given me.
The lounging, comfy clothes have been fun. But I’ll admit that I can’t wait to put on a sexy dress, heels, and red lipstick to celebrate the re-opening of the city (COVID free, of course). Until then, you’ll find me working at home in my comfy, oversized tees.
What about you? Has the pandemic changed your style? Let me know in the comments…
If you haven’t noticed, Ive been on a hiatus for a lil’ bit over a month now.I’ve missed keeping you all posted so much.I hope that you have missed reading Fashion Not Fear as much as I’ve missed writing it.
Now, that Ive gotten that out of the way.Let’s get to the reason why I’ve been missing in action.Well, because I had my baby boy!!!!He was born about one month ago.And it has been the best time of my life!!
Although…it started out as the scariest time of my life.
You see, I had a c-section scheduled because he was breech.So, I felt comfort in knowing the day and approximate time that he’s supposed to be born.Per my doctors request, I went to the hospital about 1 week before the scheduled date to take a COVID-19 test.Then left, with a long list in my head off all of the things I had to do before he was born.
Unfortunately, that list didn’t last long.
Two days after taking the test, I’m laying in the bed with my fiancé and my water broke.It literally woke me out of my sleep.“My water broke!”I tell him.He jumps out of bed, completely disregards the hospital bag we already packed, and starts running around the room.While I’m standing in the hallway, leaking, he’s looking of clothes, shoes, calling my Mom…this is the first time I’ve seen him shook.But it won’t be the last time.
We finally make it to the hospital sans pants.Yep, I rode all the way to the hospital wearing only a t-shirt while sitting on a towel.So I found myself trying to put on a pair of my fiancé sweatpants quickly before the nurse that was bringing out a wheelchair made it to the car.Not to mention that my mom, nephew, brother, and sister-in-law beat us to the hospital.So,they were there with their cameras out as we pulled up.They were not allowed inside due to COVID-19 so that was the most they could be involved.
After that, things happened so fast or so it seemed.
I was so anxious about the pain to come. Thankfully, I didn’t feel any contractions.The nurses told me that I was having some but I didn’t feel a thing.A couple of hours after we arrived, my doctor came in the room, gave me an exam and said, “Okay, we are going to get you ready for a c-section.”
They walk me into the operating room for an epidural.The last thing I remember before the baby arrived was holding my fiance hand asking, “Am I holding onto your hand too tight?”The next thing I know,I wake up with the baby laying in a bassinet beside me while my fiancé was sleeping on the couch.Once he woke up he gave me all of the ghory details about my surgery and what he saw.He was shook.Yet again.
Im not gonna lie, healing through a c-section has been hard. Simple things like getting up from a chair and picking up the baby has been difficult because Im so independent.But my fiancé has been amazing and very patient.My mother has been a great help, too.
We are just so grateful that he’s here.The pain from surgery, sleepless nights, trying to decode his crying spells, constantly wondering if he’s okay, figuring out breastfeeding…its all worth it!None of it matters when I look at him.I just want to love on him all day. He really is the best thing I’ve ever made!
So, today starts my first day back from maternity leave.Im back to creating content, sewing, building up Blue Labels Boutique and my fashion brand.All of that while being a top notch mother to my son.I know it won’t be easy but nothing ever is and I love a challenge.
Now, without further ado…meet my son, Aayan.
4 Days Old!
Any tips on balancing it all? Let me know in the comments…
