Making Waves

I enjoy a great dessert but having the option to sample multiple desserts? Very cool. And that’s exactly what I got to do when I went to a dessert bazaar in Chesapeake, VA. The event wasn’t what I imagined -- in my mind I envisioned towers of cupcakes and chocolate fountains at every corner 😄 but the bazaar was still chill, and I enjoyed trying different sweets that some of the vendors had at their stations. I also enjoyed leaving with a package of delicious cupcakes made by  Gigi’s Cupcakes . Learn more about them  here . The holidays are a great time to enjoy some sweet treats so if you can, treat yourself. You deserve it. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF! 

He tried to Colin Kaepernick me. While I didn’t land a lucrative Nike deal (like Colin) in the midst of my own challenging season, I did gain some valuable lessons about taking a stand, moving through fear, and the power of God’s hand, His strength, and His will when things happen as a result of standing for what you believe in. If you’ve followed Kaepernick’s story, then you may already know what happened. If not, the short version is that he was essentially shut out by the NFL and still remains unsigned (which is a shame since he’s still young and very talented) because he refused to stand for the national anthem due to his beliefs about wrongdoing towards minorities and the oppression of people of color. That move cost him a lot and made him a bold, respected, and yet controversial figure in the world of sports. Around this time last year, I took a stand of my own too. I stood up to a guy we’ll call Mr. Anonymous. He and I didn’t get along and I’m certain he didn’t like me. He wa...

Think about the area you live at right now. Even if you don’t think it’s much, I guarantee if you take another look you’ll find some hidden treasures there. I know I can in my own hometown. I grew up in a beach area, so I’m abundantly blessed with awesomeness. My city is also filled with museums, fine dining, different people, and different events worth exploring. I’m still planning to travel out of state more and out of the country but for now, I’ve come up with some cool ways and suggestions if you're ever looking to staycation no matter where you are... Utilize social media and Groupon for deals and local events.  Social media apps can be great for revealing local events and fun in your area. And Groupon is a great way to have fun on a budget. You can find different fun things to do as you enjoy your staycation.  Book a hotel stay.  Get away from your own home and stay overnight for a few nights at a hotel. You’ll really feel like you’re getting away and it’ll b...

Believe it or not, there are different people specifically assigned to your life to disrupt, distract, and try to destroy you. There are people who don’t like you. Some who may even hate you. A handful who are probably jealous of you, and others who would enjoy nothing more than to see you defeated, miserable, and unhappy. John 10:10 reads, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The enemies assigned to your life are there to steal your joy and energy, to kill your character and reputation, and to destroy you. I’m a discerning woman, so, more often than not I’ve been able to identify my enemies without hesitation. Some have been former friends or people who pretended to be my friends or acquaintances or co-workers or strangers, and I’ve even had enemies in my own family. Yes, some people who you share the same blood with are capable of being enemies too. And while I’ve had a number of wins against my enemies, I’ve definitely taken some losses and painful blows I haven’...

Watching Michael B. Jordan on screen for over two hours is worth the price of admission.  Creed 2  delivered way beyond my expectations and was a wonderful treat to take in during the Thanksgiving holiday.  Creed  was amazing, but  Creed 2  brings audiences back for more, shows progression in the lives of the films evolving characters, and addresses a painful past for both Rocky and Adonis in a boxing match that will drop jaws for sure: Creed vs. Drago (Ivan Drago’s son). This fight is kind of a big deal… and with good reason. If you’re not familiar with the significance of why, in the fourth installment of the  Rocky  films Ivan Drago was the Russian boxer who tragically killed Adonis’s father, Apollo Creed, in a brutal boxing match. I won’t reveal how everything ends in  Creed 2  but it’s not a film you want to miss. Check out  Creed 2  in theaters now. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!    ...

In the 1996 Cameron Crowe film  Jerry Maguire,  Tom Cruise plays a sports agent who after having an attack of conscience over the way his firm works and manages clients, decides to write a company memo to express the need for more quality and purposeful relationships with the athletes managed. After his memo is released his company fires him (as they don’t share the same sentiments Jerry expresses) later prompting Jerry to build his own sports management company. Along the way one of the employees (who he later falls in love with #spoileralert) from his former firm, joins him on his journey of highs and lows as he manages his one and only client, a football player named Rod Tidwell, and in the process, Jerry begins to learn a lot about life, love, and what it means to establish purposeful relationships in massive ways.  This film is well-known for two lines: You complete me  and  show me the money!  But I gleaned something deeper from the film than t...

Ah, the workplace. It’s where many of us spend much of our waking hours and how we make a living doing whatever it is we do. Some are fortunate to already have their dream career opportunities, while others are working jobs that they’re passing through for a season until they can step fully into their dream careers too. That said, I thought it’d be great to offer some workplace tips for young professionals and anyone else who needs it… Be on time.  If you arrive at your workplace at the time you’re supposed to, you’re already late. If you arrive at your workplace five minutes early, you’re on time. Getting in five minutes early allows you time to settle in and prep your mind and spirit for what the day ahead holds. If you arrive later than that, you risk scrambling and feeling rushed and unsettled. Get in five minutes early to avoid being late.  Mind your social media… and your own business too.  Almost every week I notice that my social media newsfeed is loade...

When I was in middle school, I was invited to have lunch at the black table with the cool black kids. If you’re reading this and thinking,  does she mean black like “black people?”  Yes. That is correct. In the 7 th grade, I learned of a designated table where a select group of my peers sat. This table was located near the back corner of our cafeteria and although I was nerdy, I asked one of my peers about this exclusive location. The peer I asked was a girl I’ll call *Tameka (*name has been changed.) Tameka casually told me who sat where and said, “You can sit over there too.” So, I did. Since I was a black girl who mostly had all white friends and grew up in predominantly white neighborhoods my whole life, I was lowkey hype. I was finally going to sit with people who looked like me, and who would hopefully understand and embrace me as I was. Little did I know that to this day, this would be a common theme that would periodically happen to me in college and even in differe...

Fall is lovely, isn’t it? The crisp air. Beautifully colored leaves and trees. And let’s not forget the endless supply of pumpkin spice everything. What’s strange is that I enjoy a number of pumpkin spiced treats… but I don’t like pumpkin pie. I find it very bland. I’m definitely a sweet potato pie girl for sure. Anyways, in the midst of what’s been a busy season of work and responsibilities, I finally had the chance to visit a local pumpkin patch in my area. My visit was short but pleasant and I definitely enjoyed being outdoors for a while. Now that fall is here, it’s nice to embrace some of the fun activities that come along with it. Make sure you’re setting aside time for some fall fun too. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF! 

I’m a millennial but I don’t fit the stereotypical definition of what some identify as a  millennial.  And I know other millennials who feel the same way about themselves too. Most words and things synonymous with being a millennial are as follows… Entitled. Spoiled. Lazy. Impulsive.  Impatient. Inflexible.  Irresponsible. Job hoppers. Self-absorbed. Selfish. Unfocused. And more…  I’m not entitled.  I used to expect rewards for good behavior.  I no longer expect rewards for good behavior or doing things the right way. Just recently my mother came across a ton of old perfect attendance, honor roll, and participation certificates and awards my brother and I received from the time we were in elementary school through high school, and as a young adult it finally hit me: We got awards for doing things like showing up for school and making good grades. We were supposed to do those things anyway, right? It’s no wonder some millenn...

I’m almost done with all my Christmas shopping. I started a few months ago so that by the time November arrived and ended I’d already be set. I’m a big saver and budgeting is something I’m enjoying learning more about to avoid overspending or even worse, going into unnecessary debt. I love the holidays and I get more excited about giving gifts than receiving them. With the holidays upon us, specifically to the bachelorettes, I wanted to touch bases about smart spending and shopping for holiday gifts.  Holiday shopping for single women can get tricky. Who do you buy for and what is an acceptable amount to set aside or spend? If you’re not careful, things can get expensive, so what's a bachelorette to do? I thought you’d never ask! One of the biggest misconceptions I’ve received as a single woman who makes my own money is that I should be more flexible with my income because the overhead for a couple or a family with children costs more. No shade to couples or kids but I belie...

Bohemian Rhapsody  is amazing, brilliant, and absolutely stunning. I was thoroughly impressed with the film and especially impressed with Rami Malek’s portrayal of Queen’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury. Malek humanizes Freddie Mercury in ways that can connect the audience with a beautiful and talented musician fighting for his dreams, shattering limitations, wrestling with his sexuality, and dealing with the highs and lows of fame. The music was on point, the acting was convincing, and learning more about Queen’s journey, challenges, and triumphs as a legendary band was emotionally gripping, entertaining, and enjoyable to take in. I felt like I was at a live concert while watching the film too. If you’re looking for a great movie to see, add  Bohemian Rhapsody  to your list. You’ll be in for a great treat. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF! 

In the 1999 film  Cruel Intentions  two wicked step-siblings, Kathryn and Sebastian, spend their days living the good life as wealthy and spoiled teenagers in New York City who each find pleasure in manipulating, blackmailing and ruining the lives of different people they’ve dated, befriended, or had issues with. They do this for sport. While both of these teens are dark and twisted, Sebastian is a character I’ve always found intriguing. He was a villain with a conscience. His stepsister? Not so much. At the start of the film, Kathryn recruits her stepbrother to seduce an unsuspecting mentee named Cecile, who Kathryn has taken under her wing and secretly wants to destroy in an effort to get revenge on her ex who dumped her for Cecile. But at the same time, Sebastian presents a plan to seduce their school’s new headmaster’s daughter, Annette, who happens to have strong views and beliefs about chastity. He believes he can make Annette compromise her beliefs. So, Kathryn and S...

Singleness can be amazing! I believe single women are some of the most incredible people on the planet. And it’s my heart’s desire to let all the other single bachelorettes out there know how important, valued, and appreciated they are. I know the upcoming holiday season can be challenging for some singles struggling with whatever season they happen to find themselves in, and I want any of ya’ll reading to know... You don’t have to feel lonely this holiday season. You have  permission  to have fun.  You’re not obligated to see or be around anyone (family or any toxic friends included) who make you feel bad or uncomfortable or stressed. You don’t need to use dating apps to meet guys. Don’t force things. Be pursued. And remember, great dates don’t always make for the best long-term partners or future spouses.   You don’t have to compromise or lower your standards.  You don’t have to engage guys you have zero interest in.  You don’t need to listen to...

  Crisp weather, incredible wine, and chatting up kind strangers made for a great time and weekend at the fall wine festival in Norfolk, Virginia. It was a rainy day, but there was no way I was going to let a little rain stop me from having a great time tasting some amazing wines. I’m no stranger to the wine fest scene, but this go-round couldn’t have come at a better time. There was chill live music, beautiful people, and a great variety of red and white wines to choose from and check out. The different vendors were knowledgeable of their merchandise and had excellent customer service. There was one vendor, in particular, West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery, that had a delicious selection called  New River White . It’s incredible. Learn more about West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery  here . I also ran into a few familiar faces during the festival too and enjoyed learning more about different wines I’d never tried before or was ever open to trying. If you’ve never ...