A Royal Affair

Posted on 27 May, 2018 by admin

Like the rest of the world I fell in love with Princess Diana many moons ago. And, after The Crown aired in 2016, I found myself quite smitten with the Queen as well. I certainly would not consider myself to be a Royal Watcher. But, I too got caught up in all the fan fare of the Royal wedding. Or should I say I got caught up in the details. The wedding was not political for me as it was so many others. No judgement …. I’m just saying. For me it just had all “the feels”.

Starting with Mom and daughter riding in together to St. George’s Chapel. As a Mom, I can only imagine all the thoughts and emotions that were running through both their heads and their hearts as they made they made their way to the wedding. I totally fell for her Mother too, uniquely herself, well put together, but totally on her own terms, beaming with both pride and joy.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

I think most people loved this classic shot. I was impressed that even with a wedding as iconic as this one, that she (Meghan) was able to let her own personal style shine through. In a world where being over the top seems to often overshadow classic style and simplicity, that was quite a feat.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (9685436as)
Meghan Markle
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Ceremony, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire, UK – 19 May 2018

It’s no secret that I love a good Black and White photo. You can blame my Photographer husband for that. I think it almost automatically changes the status of a stunning picture to a Timeless one. And, in this case, nothing could be more true. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Lastly, absolutely nothing trumps a “Good Entrance” like an “Even Better Exit”. And the Horse Drawn Carriage was just what Fairy Tales are Made Of.

Photo Credit: Getty Images Over the last week or so, I read so much commentary from people who couldn’t relate to all the fuss surrounding the Royal Wedding. Even though I honestly had no intention of watching the wedding or getting caught up in the blitz, I get it. We are constantly bombarded by less than stellar news. And it often seems like Evil Trumps Good. So even if it was just for a few mere seconds, it was nice to see the World focus on Love, and that is it.

Now back to our regularly, scheduled programming.

42 Random Facts at 42

Posted on 27 April, 2018 by admin

42 Random Facts at 42 - Birthday Post

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
I was raised in New Jersey.
I still consider myself a Jersey Girl.
I am a transplanted Georgia Peach, moved here in 2001 and I think I am here to stay.
I am a wife.
I am a Mom of three.
I am a Mimi, because I am not ready to be called Grandma yet.
I have one sister and one brother.
My faith is important to me, and I always trying to learn more and to grow.
I love mangoes.
Watermelon is a close second.
I didn’t start drinking coffee daily until after my third child was born.
I love pretty much all kinds of music, from R & B, to Gospel to Heavy Metal.
I still consider myself a Jersey Girl.
I love both Axl Rose and New Edition.
I love to read. I often read 5 – 6 books in a month, or more.
My favorite movie is Love Jones.
My second favorite movie in Disappearing Acts.
My favorite actor is Larenz Tate.
I am obsessed with all types of organization tools.
My favorite food is pizza, even though it’s not something I can eat anymore.
My dream car is the Porsche Cayenne.
My favorite flowers are tulips.
My favorite makeup brand is MAC.
One of my favorite past times is Sims Free Play.
A second best is Words With Friends.
I spend way too much time on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
I love to decorate and I am currently running out of space to store said decor.
I love really big bags, but I tend to pack them with too much things much to the dismay of my back.
I am a Type 2 Diabetic.
That being said I love sweets and carbs… but can’t eat them the way I wish I could.
I love my family and my friends, but alone time is necessary in my life, even if it is just for 15 minutes each day.
I suffer from frequent and often severe migraines.
I have more pens, planner clips and stationery stickers than anyone person should have.
I still love most of the original Bath and Body Works fragrances, especially Cucumber Melon and Sweet Pea.
I talk to my Mom and my sister 4-5 times a day or more, not to mention how much we text.
Birthdays are a big deal to me.
I can’t believe I’m 42.
I still believe A Different World is the best sitcom ever.
Caramel Macchiato is my favorite Coffee Creamer.
I am a constant work in progress.
If you made it all the way through this list, you’re the real deal!!

Thanks for reading along and celebrating my birthday with me. Here’s to 42!!

All About The Stockings..

Posted on 13 December, 2017 by admin

Photo Source: Credit: Jose Luis Pelaez The Image Bank Getty Images

There are less than two weeks left before Christmas. If you are lucky enough to be done with your shopping and your decorating, the only thing left to do is to Fill those Stockings!! This just happens to be one of my favorite Christmas Traditions. When it comes to Christmas gifts, my kids normally give us a general idea of what they like. But, the Christmas stocking … let’s just say I have free reign where that is concerned. When my oldest was younger and my pockets were lighter, I stuffed it with things that I knew he LOVED, like Yoo-Hoo’s, mini boxes of his favorite cereals, Candy, and Gum.

As the years went by our Christmas Stockings evolved. So here are some of the things that I use to fill our Christmas Stockings.

For My Son (21):

Dress Socks
Hand Lotion
Hand Sanitizer
Gift Cards
Mini Tissue Packs
Pens
Note Pads
Batteries

For My Teenage Daughter:

Lip Gloss
Hand Lotion
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Wipes
Earrings
Bracelets
Midi Rings*
Funky Pens and Pencils
Sticker Books
Cell Phone Cases
Funky Socks
Winter Hats
Gloves
Dry Erase Markers
Microfiber Cloths

For My Younger Daughter:

Legos (Small Box Sets)
Pencil Top Erasers
Socks
Gloves
Winter Hats
Coloring Books
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Art Supplies
Sketch Books
Fidget Spinners
Hair Barrettes and Hair Bows
Frilly Church Socks
Stockings/Tights
Sunglasses
Sunglasses Case
Dry Erase Markers

Hubby:

- Dress Socks
- Regular Socks
- Phone Cases
- Pens
- Gift Cards
- Mini Liquor Bottles
- Play Station Games
- Car Chargers
- USB Chargers
- Lotion
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hand Wipes
- Mini Tissue Packs
- Razors
- Batteries

Favorite Places to Shop for Stocking Stuffers:

Five and Below
The Dollar Store
Kroger/Publix
Bath and Body Works
Ross
TJmaxx
Marshalls
Home Goods
Brookstones

FUN FACT:

According to the St. Nicholas Center Organization, St. Nicholas aided the poor, especially those girls whose families could not afford to give them dowries, by dropping gold down chimneys or through windows. This money would land in stockings that were hung up to dry. Another story says that the stocking tradition began when children would leave their shoes out filled with hay for Santa Claus’s horse. He then would replace the hay with gifts.

St. Nicholas was reputedly born in the third century in Patara, a place that is now Demre, Turkey. His parents, who raised him as a Christian in what was then a Grecian province, died in an epidemic. Nicholas used what was left of the family fortune to help those less fortunate. He eventually became the Bishop of Myra where he continued his good works. He died on December 6, on what is now known as St. Nicholas Day. Many countries, such as Poland, celebrate this day with gift giving and feasts.

What are some of the things that you use to stuff your Christmas Stockings? I would love to hear about it, in the comment section below.

Reclaiming My Time

Posted on 15 August, 2017 by admin

Reclaiming My Time - August 2017 - stage-presents.com

Unless you somehow managed to stay plugged out while the rest of us are constantly plugged in, then you’ve probably been hearing this phrase a lot lately. Recently, Representative Maxine Waters said this phrase repeatedly during a House Financial Services Committee hearing when confronted by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Of course, my reason for using this phrase is no where as important or noble. The kids are back in school and I am slowly but surely, reclaiming my time. Seemed like the perfect time to do a Currently Post …
Currently - Reclaiming My Time
Thinking … About Working on More Items for the Fall Collection in Our Etsy Store and creating a newsletter for subscribers

Enjoying… Peace and Quiet — the kids are at school

Feeling …. Blah .. lazy and not all that productive today

Wearing… My favorite PJ’s, a messy bun, and my not soo cute specs..

Needing… A manicure and pedicure

Wanting… Apple to hurry up with the iPhone 8Splus

Listening… to Scars by My Brothers and I

Making.. Savory Sweet Potato Mash my latest obsession

Eating… Zucchini and Squash Everything..

Drinking… My Decaf Coffee with Half and Half.. Torani Salted Caramel Sugar Free Syrup and Stevia.

I always enjoy reading everyone’s Currently Posts. Want to join in? I’d love to know what you are currently up to? Share your links in the comment section below.

Friday Favorites – Week 384 – Chalkboard Milk Bottle Candles

Posted on 4 August, 2017 by admin

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The Great Escape – The She-Shed

Posted on 18 April, 2017 by admin

I know I am not alone. I am sure you have imagined what it would be like to have a space that was strictly your own, where you did not have to consider anyone but yourself. Some might say that sounds a little selfish, but indulge me a bit. Can you imagine what it would be like to not have to worry about Scotch Guarded couches or colors that would hide potential spills? And to have a space where you could hear yourself think. I can, that space is referred to as a She-Shed. Some say its origins branch off of the man cave but I think it’s borrowed some from the tiny house craze. Now, I ll be clear, I have no desire to have my family of 5 cramped into 1200 square feet, however delightful But, give me 1200 feet that I can call and all mine, and we are best friends for L-I-F-E.

The more I thought about this, the more I got sucked into what such a space would look and feel like for me. And, I quickly came up with a list of must haves. This space would have to serve as a sanctuary for me, it would need first and foremost, A LOCK on the door. I would want it to be a place where I could relax, but also a place where I would feel most creative. And, so the daydream/planning began. Join me as I think up the Great Escape.

The Great Escape - She-Shed - The Bones

No matter what I am doing, from Christmas decorations to revamping a room in my own home, my starting point is always a Color Scheme. I am one of those people that takes a lot of stock in how certain colors make me feel. So the bones of my she shed would need neutral colors. I find them extremely relaxing, and I also find that they lend to easy changes.

The Great Escape - She-Shed - Accent Colors

Once the bones are in place, I choose my accent colors. If you have been a reader of this blog for a while, you know I have a certain affinity for blues and greens. More on that here. They transport me to the ocean, and I find these colors to be soothing to my spirit. And, with migraines being a constant in my life, anything that lends to those qualities is therapeutic for me.

The Great Escape - She-Shed - Down To Business

Last but not least, I would need to be able to get some work done in this space as well. With everything else being of lighter hues in this space. I would opt for darker furniture in the area designated for work.

So there you have it!! If only this were an option for me, right now. But, for now its just a fantasy. What would your she-shed look for? And, what are your must haves for this space.

Friday Favorites – Week 359 – DIY Die Cut Watercolor Art

Posted on 10 February, 2017 by admin

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Our Visit to the King Center: A Photo Blog

Posted on 30 January, 2017 by admin

Visit to the King Center : Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

Earlier this month, we loaded the kids up in the car and went to visit the King Center. My older daughter had been to the King Center before, but unfortunately she was too little to have really understood exactly what the Civil Rights movement or Dr. King’s dream was about. And so, with blatant racism, and bigotry being displayed everywhere these days, we thought that it was important for us to remind our children of their significant heritage.

As a parent, I always err on the side of caution when it comes to telling my kids the gruesome and graphic details of life/history. My philosophy on that is that they have their whole lives to be adults and to deal with such things. And, I simply don’t want them living in fear. But, as we were walking through the King Museum and I was trying my best to answer all their questions and explain the things we saw. I was reminded that the Civil Rights movement was not just for adults. There were several children on the front lines standing up for what they believed was right. And, it brought me back to the famous quote by George Santayana, “that those who can not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Surprisingly enough, I do not have too much to say about our trip other than to say that it was a humbling and solemn experience. It filled me with both great pride and waves of grief. Pride because of the long journey that our ancestors took on behalf of the very inalienable rights we are supposed to have today. And, grief for those who lost their loved ones in the struggle and continue to do so in the name of upward mobility and dreams yet to be actualized.

Visit to the King Center - A Day On ... Not A Day Off

A Visit to the King Center : Call To Lead

A Visit to the King Center: Signs from Marches

A Visit to the King Center: Freedom March

I'm Black and Beautiful.

I hope that you enjoyed these pictures that my husband took and, if you are ever in the Atlanta area definitely put this on your list of places to see. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. How do you deal with telling your children about things that are unpleasant? Do you sugar coat it, or give it to them straight? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, in the comments below.