Making Waves

I’ve been on a handful of interesting first dates. Some were chill and others were sort of eh, but each experience was still an experience. Plus, someone wanting to go out with you is flattering, so the best thing to do if you’re interested in seeing what’s up is to go out on dates and just try to enjoy them. Why not? Different single women, I know or have met, especially Christian women, complain about not being asked out on dates. All of these women are incredible but just may not be being open enough or approachable when there are some chill guys out in the world who would love to spend time with them, and first dates are a good start. Every first date may not blossom into a quality match or even a relationship but again, having the experience at least prepares you for the guy you may end up with for good. Be open (without settling) to who and what’s out there, loosen up, and have a good time. Here’s my bachelorette guide to first dates: Dress Nice.  The way you dress and...

I’m a lady who loves to brunch. And anytime I find a place and space in the city that does brunch well, I’m there. I was able to have some brunch at Honey Tupelo Cafe when a friend visited town for the weekend, and I was pleased with my meal (and their delicious coffee too). I ordered avocado toast and egg whites, and everything was on point. The food was fresh, the customer service was great, and the experience was nice.  If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a cool spot to brunch, check out Honey Tupelo Cafe. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

I read the comments out of curiosity. Almost all of them were good, except for a few unpleasant ones. After I read them, I put my phone down, shrugged, and life went on.  The people commenting about what I wrote didn’t really  know  me. So why should I care what they think? An article I submitted on Thought Catalog went live and the world of social media responded. I believed my article was great. Thought Catalog thought it was great enough to publish and share, and different readers responded to it well, except for a handful of people who felt the need to criticize it and guess what? Life still went on and myself, my confidence, and my love of being a writer remained intact. Such is the life of being a writer. Criticism just comes with the territory. (By the way, if you can, don’t always feel the need to check out the comments section when published…I’m just saying.)  My point is, if you’re making moves, doing great things with your life, an...

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a wine festival, you should go. It’s just a great time. And a chance to meet cool people, taste incredible wine and have a good time. Last month I attended the Pungo Wine Festival and had a blast. The sun was out, the various vendors were cool, and the different selections were impressive. Plus, hearing live music and taking in the different sites of the countryside was nice too! I sampled and purchased a White Wine Sangria by  AmRhein’s Wine Cellars  that was amazing. It was cool, crisp, and absolutely delicious. As I toured other vendors, I ended up leaving with a handful of other options as well. Even if you’re not familiar with wine culture, attending a festival with someone you know who’s into wine would be a great experience and a chance to try something new. Let this be the summer you allow yourself to try new things. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

He’s been a great provider, protector, and partner to my mom and our family, and he’s always been a hard worker and active father to my brother and me. Growing up, I’d watch him work multiple jobs and pursue his goals and dreams all while taking care of us and sacrificing to make sure my mom, brother, and I were well taken care of and able to have everything we needed and more.  I’m talking about my dad.  He’s introduced me to things I’ll never forget like music from artists like DeBarge, Michael Jackson, and John P. Kee. He’s put me on to delicious treats like Chick-O-Sticks, and he’s taught me the importance of pursuing God and keeping Him first in my life.   He’s also taught me a handful of valuable life lessons I continue to be mindful of and actively apply to my own life. And in honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to share some valuable lessons I’ve learned from my dad:  Don’t Reveal Your Whole Hand. My dad has continually taught my brother ...

The moment I stepped foot in Macaron Tart, I was impressed. The sights, smells, colors, and atmosphere felt like a place I needed to be. And the adorable owner (Elena Hocking) who runs the location is just the cutest. I honestly felt like I was able to get a taste of Paris right in the middle of my own city. The pastries are delicious, the macarons are incredible, and the all day brunch option is awesome. Plus, Macaron Tart does high tea, offers cooking classes, and is a great place and space to have some me time, girlfriend dates, and a good time. What I love the most about this particular establishment is that it’s female-owned which is amazing because clearly, the future is female, and it’s a pleasure seeing and supporting extraordinary women in the area who are doing big things.  If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a lovely place to unwind and treat yourself, check out Macaron Tart. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!

You’re going to fail at different things in this life. It’s inevitable, but you’ll learn from those failures and hopefully understand what to do differently next time. A number of the ones you experience will also cause setbacks too, but you can recover from those as well.  There are areas I've failed in and recovered from too.  Something like failing a test can prompt you to buckle down and study harder. A failed project at work can show you what does and doesn’t work so you succeed with the next upcoming assignment. Overspending and getting in debt may prompt you to budget and exercise better self-control. I’ve found that failures and setbacks can be recovered from if you’re willing to change. 3 ways to recover from a setback?  Reflect.  Whenever I’ve had a setback, made a dumb decision (and lived with the consequences), or failed at something, I reflect on what happened and ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” Reflecting prompts introspection, ...

At first, I thought I was trippin’. “Don’t take things so personally” and “You’re just imagining things…” was what I’d been told when I spoke up about experiencing any kind of discrimination or racism. Finding my voice and sharing my truth has been scary sometimes, but with each word written and with each word spoken, I feel as if a weight is being lifted from my chest and that I can truly be me, unapologetically. Yesterday, I met an extraordinary and unapologetically young black woman who opened up to me about her experiences with racism, body shaming, and disrespect, in some of her past places of employment. I could tell she was  real.  She was kind, smart, had a pleasant spirit, and kept things 100 with me in a way I could appreciate and learn from. She explained how she resigned from past workplaces and was sometimes threatened to be terminated after being mishandled and experiencing multiple accounts of racism from some of the staff where she was employed.  ...

Well, when I was dating, every guy had a child/children. I was older and established in my career. I liked the guys I dated, got to know them. I only met the guy’s kids who I wound up marrying. All that to say, you might miss out. I used to say the same thing, “Date no one with kids.” The downside though, the drama that may come with it. You do what works for you…  I had just finished reading the text from one of my mentors. I wanted her insight and advice about dating guys with kids. I’d recently decided to be more open and put myself “out there” in the dating world and I noticed that most of the guys I frequently ran into or were meeting were single dads.  I don’t have kids, and I usually don’t date or entertain the idea of dating guys who do.  I’ve had some valid reservations for not wanting to, after having some awkward and uncomfortable moments even while just being in the talking stage with guys who were single dads. I’ve found that most of the ones I...