Tag: lifestyle

  • Back Like I Never Left

    Back Like I Never Left

    Hey readers! It’s been a while; hasn’t it?

    If you are a long time follower and reader, thanks for waiting. If you are a newbie here, thanks for giving me a few minutes of your time.

    Life has been life-ing. Between working, mother-ing, wife-ing, daughter-ing and everything else; your girl has had her hands full. But I knew that it was time to get back to myself and do other things I love like this blog!

    Not only have a just been dealing with a full plate but I have also been feeling stuck on how to move my business forward. During my hiatus, I was teetering back and forth on how to make changes.

    Should I continue selling handmade pieces? Should I keep the boutique open? Should I completely stop blogging and pursue other passions? Change the name? Change the content?

    I have been thinking a lot about what’s next. And although I don’t have it all figured out, some changes have been made. But change is good, right?

    One big change is that you will no longer see links or products to the boutique. I know that you loved to shop from it but I decided to close it. I enjoyed it too but I just wasn’t seeing the revenue that I expected. When I compared it to all of the work I was doing to keep it going it just didn’t add up. It pained me to close it. But it had to be done. I thought about it long and hard but decided it was time for a serious pivot. On to bigger and better things. More about that when the time is right.

    Another decision I made is to stop offering custom dresses. I’ve had some of the worst experiences in life making custom dresses. I shared one of the experiences on the blog before. Now that I think about it. The last custom customer from hell is what made me go on a hiatus. It wasn’t worth the stress. People wanted everything, made by hand for pennies and thought the dress would somehow magically make them look like Beyonce. I just couldn’t put myself through that hell anymore. My peace is everything to me. No amount of money will allow me to disrupt it again.

    There are still other things I’m figuring out but I’ll be sharing the journey along the way. I don’t feel the need to hide until I come up with my next “thing”. I missed y’all too much for that!

    It feels so good to be back! Don’t worry…you can still expect great content about fashion, style, fitness, life, and all things fearless. But better.

    I just wanted to pop in with a quick update to let you know that I’m still here and now better than ever. You can expect continuous content just like the old days.

    If you missed me too, let me know in the comment!

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • How To Dress For Yoga Class

    How To Dress For Yoga Class

    If you are a yoga enthusiast, and you want to ensure that you look just as good in yoga class as you do when you aren’t working out, but you also want to ensure you are able to stay as comfortable as possible and complete all o the asanas as effectively as possible, you might be wondering what you should wear.

    With that in mind, I’ve put together some quick tips to help you dress right for yoga whether you are a newbie, someone who is undergoing their 200-hour yoga teacher training certification, or a seasoned yoga teacher. You totally can look great and dress to support your yoga practices too, as you will see below.

    Yoga class

    Go for a breathable material

    First and foremost, you will want to ensure that you are comfortable when practicing your downward dog or perfecting your crow pose, and that means you should aim to dress in breathable materials such as bamboo or cotton fashions, which will wick moisture and enable you to feel cool and comfy even if it does get as bt hot and sweaty in the studio.

    Leggings are best

    When it comes to trousers, when you are hitting up the yoga class, you can go for baggy sports pants or leggings. Most women will find that leggings are generally the better choice of the two, not only because they fit the form and do not get in the way, but also because they tend to be more flattering on women of all sizes.

    Yoga class

    Fitted tops

    If you are someone who tends to prefer to working out in baggy t-shirts, you might want to consider when it comes to your yoga outfit. Obviously, baggy tops will ride up and fall over your head when you are doing various yoga poses that force you to stand on your head or turn upside down, which could interfere with your modesty and make it difficult for you to stay calm and hold your poses.

    That is why most women do yoga in a fitted sports bra, crop top, or vest. If that is not your thing, you can buy wraparound yoga tops, which you can tie in place, which will not get in the way as you practice your asanas. These are great for women who want to look a bit more sophisticated at the studio.

    A messy bun

    Putting your hair in a messy bun is not only a quick way to ensure that your hair looks good, but it will also ensure that your locks are safely out of the easy when you are exercising. Yoga often forces you to adopt positions that would otherwise have your hair falling in your eyes or pressing into the back of your head, but with a messy bun worn high on the head, this is no longer an issue.

    Dressing for yoga should be more about your comfort than your style, but as you can see, it is perfectly possible to look and feel great in the yoga studio!

    Contributed post

  • Exposing Your Brand At Your Next Live Event

    Exposing Your Brand At Your Next Live Event

    Whether you’re running a blog, launching a business, or trying to get some more attention on an operation you’ve been running for a while, there’s no denying the importance of getting your brand recognized. Sometimes, all you really need is to make sure that the brand gets enough exposure to stick in the minds of people you meet. Trade shows, networking events, sales events, and other conferences can be a great opportunity to do just that. But how do you make sure that you get your brand the attention that it needs?

    Have a branded space

    If you’re renting out any space or have been invited to take up some space, then it’s important that you make good use of it to make a big impression on the people who come to see you. To that end, you should look into how you can add your look to your booth. Sometimes, a basic printed banner and table settings will do just fine. If you have the room, the budget, and the potential to make some very profitable connections, then you can look into setting up some fitting A/V for the event, as well. It’s important that you judge this based on how likely you are to get the attention to justify whatever you invest into your booth space.

    Don’t neglect to give some freebies

    It might sound like a cheap trick and, let’s be honest, it is. However, the reason that people keep investing in and giving out branded swag at events is because of the fact that they work. If you choose your item well, invest in quality, and feature your branding in the right way, you can guarantee that some of your attendees are going to be coming face to face with your brand on a regular basis. It’s best to choose things that have some utility and that attendees might not mind getting more than one of (since it’s truly difficult to choose unique trade show swag.) This can include things like USB pens, mugs, and, increasingly as of late, things like metal water bottles.

    Brand your look

    Aside from branding your space and the items that you might give away, you should also be looking at what you can do to bring some brand power to your own appearance. Aside from wearing appropriate and professional gear for the space, you can quite literally add your brand to what you’re wearing. One of the most versatile and cost-effective ways to do this is to invest in polo shirt embroidery for you and any staff that you might have to attend with you. Not only does it offer brand exposure, but it also sets you and your trade show team as being apart from the other attendees. This is going to make people more likely to come up and talk to you since you look like you’re part of the show, not just another person wandering the space.

    Use your digital platforms

    Digital marketing is always going to play a big part in helping you get your brand out there, even when it comes to making use of a physical event. Event organizers, as well as other attendees, exhibitors, and publications/influencers in the industry, are all going to be promotion-happy leading up to an event on social media. Building buzz around other attendees also builds buzz for the event which benefits them. Aside from taking the opportunity for some organic cross-promotion and highlighting what you’re going to be doing at the show, you should make sure that you’re live-posting during the event, as well. Other attendees are more likely to share your posts as the draw of signal boosting a shared experience can be very powerful, indeed.

    Follow up

    You might think that having made a good impression at your trade show or conference is enough and you can rest easy once you get back home. However, you want to make sure that the experience attached to your brand is as positive as possible and, for that reason, you’re going to want to follow up on the encounters that you had. See if the people that you talk to are willing to swap numbers, emails, socials, or business cards. Don’t be pushy. Those who are interested will do so without needing to be prodded. Once they do, make sure that you follow up with them.

    In simple terms, the better your brand exposure, the more likely you are to experience better brand awareness and recognition, as well. Those two are critical factors for getting more people to take the next step in engaging with your brand.

    Contributed post

  • How I Balance The 3 B’s: Baby, Boo, And Business

    How I Balance The 3 B’s: Baby, Boo, And Business

    Life is a balancing act. No matter what you have going on. Work, family, friends, the pandemic…there’s just so much that we all deal with on a daily basis. Balance is a must. Don’t you think? 🤔

    Life work balance

    Without balance, I don’t know what rock I would be hiding under right now. To be honest. Balancing all of the aspects with my business, my 15 month old son, and my amazing boo hasn’t been easy. But I try to put my best effort towards it everyday.

    Here are some of the tips I use to try to make it all happen…

    Making a schedule

    Create a schedule.

    Everything is on a schedule from the time I read and reply to emails, blogging, sewing, even time with family. For Monday – Friday, at least. I take advantage of my sons nap times and plan my schedule around it. That way, I don’t have to stress about whether or not it will get done. Scheduling is sooo important!

    Vocalize what I want or need.

    On the days that my husband is home from work. I always tell him what I want to do while he’s there. That way he knows what to expect. And if I need him to take the baby, or get clothes out of the dryer…I speak up. Speak up about what you need. It helps to let myself get overwhelmed.

    Prioritize what’s important.

    Daily lists can pile up but I make sure the important stuff is out of the way first. If there is something terribly important, I make sure to handle it as soon as I start my day. Rather it’s getting a newsletter done or creating a blog post, taking my baby to the doctor or making breakfast for my husband. If there is something terribly important, I make sure to handle it as soon as I start my day. Getting something accomplished is better than working on a bunch of different things and not completing any of them.

    Coffee and late nights.

    This one isn’t for everyone. But late nights are when I am the most productive. After I’ve made sure everyone is feed and the house is tidy. Once my husband and baby go to bed, I go to work. Sewing, planning, creating, whatever I can get done. No distractions. I really burn the “midnight oil” as the saying goes. There are nights that I stay up until the wee hours of the morning. But things get done and I wake up not feeling so much pressure about my daily to do list. I know that sleep is needed for good health so I try to limit this to every other day. Or just listen to my body. If I need sleep, I go to bed!

    Plan ahead

    There are some things that will remain the same, so it’s easy to plan for. For instance, my son will need breakfast, lunch, and dinner around the same time. So, I prepare his food before I start my day. Or I know that I’m going to need to post on social media so I grab one of the photos I took earlier in this week, create a caption and hashtags so I can post it quickly at IGs recommended time.

    Take it easy on myself.

    If something doesn’t get done. It just doesn’t and I put it on the to do list for the next day. There was a time when I’d stress if I didn’t get a chance to post something or respond to an email. Now, I’m quite the opposite. Life is too short and it isn’t worth the stress. Plus, I want to soak up every opportunity I have to share with those I love. It’s damn near impossible to do that when you stressed about everything.

    Check-in

    It’s not all about me. My son and husbands’ happiness is just as important a mine (if not more!). So, it’s important that I check in with them to see what they need too. It helps to make sure everyone feels equally important and more important than anything else I have going on. It definitely makes for a happy household.

    Self Care

    Taking time for myself is essential. It could be working out, taking a bath, painting nails, or sipping wine on the patio. Whatever you need to feel good about yourself and feel rejuvenated. You are no good to anyone if you don’t feel good about yourself.

    Hope these help if you are struggling with balance. What tips would you add?? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • How To Get Results From Working Out

    How To Get Results From Working Out

    Exercising is an excellent way to improve your health and boost your mood. You may enjoy working out but aren’t pleased with the results you’re getting today.

    In this case, it’s worth taking the time to figure out what you can be doing differently and better so you’re happy with the outcome. Instead of getting frustrated or quitting, learn more about what’s going to help you take your workouts to the next level and find greater success with your exercise regimen.

    Person jogging

    Mix up Your Routine

    If you want to get results from working out then you must mix up your routine and activities. This way you can work different muscle groups and keep your workouts interesting. You not only need to do cardio and get your heart rate up but it’s also essential that you lift weights and strengthen and tone your muscles. One idea is to look into investing in Hoist functional trainers and setting up equipment in your home so you can work out and lift weights whenever you desire.

    Little girl eating good

    Eat A Healthy Diet

    You may not be seeing the results you want from exercising because of a poor diet. It’s not just about getting more physical activity but also that you eat well. Consume foods that fuel your body and help you burn more fat at the gym. Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and stay away from sugar and carbohydrates that come from white bread, white rice, pastries, sugary sodas, and other highly processed foods. If you’re struggling to eat well then it may help to keep a food journal and record down what you’re putting in your body so you can better monitor it.

    Cat listening to music

    Listen to Music

    One reason you may not be seeing results from exercising is that you’re not going hard enough. It’s important that you increase your heart rate and break a sweat during your workouts. Therefore, consider creating a playlist and listening to music that pumps you up and makes you exert more energy and effort. Let music help you get in the zone so you can concentrate and focus on what you’re doing and not allow your mind to wander. Give it a try and notice how your workouts are better and that you burn more calories because you’re energized and motivated.

    Clocking the time

    Dedicate Enough Time

    You might be exercising sometimes but not all the time and skipping workouts here and there. You can get better results from working out by dedicating more and enough time to the activity. Start small and then gradually increase the amount of time you work out each week and day. The more you exercise the more likely it is that you’ll begin to change other poor or bad habits and live a healthier lifestyle in general as well. If you have a busy schedule then maybe break up your workouts and exercise several times throughout the day for shorter periods. Track how much time you’re dedicating to working out and make sure it’s enough to get you results worth talking about.

    Thoughts?? Leave them in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Here’s How This Cover Up Set Saved Me

    Here’s How This Cover Up Set Saved Me

    A couple of weeks ago, the Wild Child Coverup Set dropped. And it has been a hit! I’m so excited about the love this set has received.

    I didn’t see myself getting much use of it this Sumner because I’m not ready to take my baby to the pool. However, my husband convinced me to sit by the pool for an evening drink a few days ago and I agreed. Not knowing that my hair was gonna get splashed like crazy! And if there’s one thing my hair doesn’t like it’s pool or ocean water. It’s an absolute mess once it gets wet.

    Lucky for me, I wore the Wild Child Top over my swimsuit top.

    The hoodie saved my life. No…really!

    Hooded swimsuit coverup
    Chiffon two piece coverup set

    The hoodie is everything! No one knew how much of a mess this hair was when we left. Walking away with baby on the hip and holding my husbands hand. I left as stylish as I came. I’d say it’s worth it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    Thoughts on the coverup set?? Do you want to cover up your hair when leaving the pool or beach? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Here Is Why I Don’t Feel The Need To Make A Big Deal About Black History Month

    Here Is Why I Don’t Feel The Need To Make A Big Deal About Black History Month

    Pictures of black family

    I am a black woman. I have a black family. We educate those who are interested in our culture every chance we get. We celebrate and embrace who we are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Not just during the month of February. It’s just that simple.

    You don’t have to be black to appreciate other cultures. Let’s celebrate and respect eachother all of the time. How does that sound?

    Drop your thoughts in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Small Things That Can Make Your 2021 Better Than 2020

    Small Things That Can Make Your 2021 Better Than 2020

    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.

    Throwing away 2020

    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! 😉

    Wear a damn mask

    Thoughts on how to make the best of 2021?? Drop them in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • 11 Matching Sets When You’re Feeling Matchy Matchy

    11 Matching Sets When You’re Feeling Matchy Matchy

    There are so many good reasons to cop a matching outfit. One of the best reasons that come to mind is that you can break up the set and wear them with different things. This multiples your outfit options like crazy!

    Here are 11 Matching Sets that will give you endless style options to pair with different pieces.

    The Daring Jacket & Skirt Set
    Let’s Chill Set
    No Clue Hoodie & Skirt Set
    Hello Merlot Top & Skirt Set
    Serious Business Top & Skirt Set
    Heroic Top & Heroic Skirt
    Gutsy Top & Gutsy Skirt
    Power Top & Power Skirt
    Hydrant Top & Hydrant Skirt
    Brassy Top & Brassy Skirt
    Boss Lady Blazer & Skort Set

    Let these looks fulfill your need to go matchy matchy…or just when you want to mix it up!

    Let me know your favorites. Drop them in the comments.

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • I Got The Keys, Keys, Keys…I Meant Keychain

    I Got The Keys, Keys, Keys…I Meant Keychain

    Screaming that you’re fearless doesn’t always have to come from your mouth. An accessory can do the trick.

    More like an accessory for your keys. This fearless keychain is the latest addition on our fearless women collection.

    Fearless keychain

    Fearless EST. Birth…does it get any more fearless than that?!

    Accessorize your keys with this keychain. Only $7.50.

    Thoughts on it?? Is this a way you’d show off your fearlessness?? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋