Quarantine and Chill

I never thought a pandemic would be the reason I chose to write again, but here we are on quarantine day 6. It all feels so very surreal. The Coronavirus has affected all aspects of our lives at this point. Thankfully I have the pleasure of being able to work from home because there are so many others that don’t have that option or may even be out of a job because of this health crisis. Our economy is taking a huge hit right now with most businesses closing until further notice. Events and trips have been canceled and everyone is practicing social distancing.

As an introvert, the term social distancing sounded lovely, but days are running into each other and we’ve only been out of the house to go to the grocery store. I still wake up early (I’m not one to sleep in anyway), I’ve been eating everything (this is affecting my #shredforthewedgoals), and I’ve been calling and FaceTimeing friends and family more often now. At random times I’ll google search to see which stores have the essentials in stock like bread, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes or toilet paper. I’m trying not to go crazy with online shopping because at a time like this I should be thinking about saving, right? And not to mention I have a wedding to plan! Yes I’m getting married btw and I still have to post that story as well. I was so happy I was able to take our engagement photos literally the day before going into quarantine.

This is uncharted territory, a time we won’t forget. I’m also learning to live with my fiancé without any breaks in between to go back to my apt for some “me” time. We’ve been good so far. We’ve created our own separate workspaces for each day. We’ve cooked everyday. We eat three meals a day. We do the laundry AND fold the clothes in a timely manner, because what else is there to do? LOL Is this what married life is like?

Each day I try to keep a positive outlook. Managing my news and social media intake has been difficult and I think it’s time to order more loungewear and cute pajamas LOL. Talking to my friends via group chat or Zoom has definitely kept my spirits up. I keep thinking “what is God trying to tell us right now?” “Is my house in order?” “Is this the end?” “Why won’t my parents stay in the house?” “Will this affect my Fall wedding plans?” At the end of the day I just give it to God. I am leaning on Him and praying for global healing.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.” Psalms 34:4-5

I am taking of advantage of the stillness and trying to fully rest. It’s hard not to get anxious but I know who holds the future. While quarantined I’m reflecting on some of my goals:

Stay active. I was really excited about my new gym membership but now gyms are closed. It’s been really hard to stay motivated to work out so I’m trying to push myself to do indoor exercises.

Save money. I know everyone likes to shop when they’re bored but I’m trying to stay disciplined and only buy things that I need or wedding related. :)

Do things I enjoy. Right now we have to get really creative. It’s so easy to just be lazy and watch Netflix all day. Today I couldn’t sleep so I started writing. Each day I’ll try to write something. I also started a new book, The Revisioners. Before the quarantine started I began to declutter my closet and transition more stuff to my fiancé’s place. Now I’m starting to think about ways to redecorate to make it feel more like “our” space. It’s another great way to get my creative juices flowing.

How are you holding up? I would love to hear how you’re keeping it all together.

strength. love. joy.

It's my favorite season and we are now approaching the end of my favorite month. There are 2 more months left in this decade (wow!) and I'm feeling renewed and focused.

I just celebrated my 32nd birthday, and I always like to reflect on lessons learned and new things I've learned about myself this time of year.

Black Women are incredibly strong and connected.

Over the past two years my periods were becoming increasingly painful and heavy. I figured it was normal with my age or the birth control I was taking. It got to the point where I just couldn’t take the pain anymore and I was so embarrassed to even talk about how many tampons I was soaking through.  After an ultrasound, I soon found out I had a fibroid. It wasn’t very big in size, but it was recommended that I get it removed. About 80 percent of black women will develop fibroids over their lifetime and are 2-3 times more likely to develop fibroids relative to white women. A million thoughts ran through my head including - would I still be able to have kids? Although this type of surgery, a hysteroscopic myomectomy, is pretty common I was still very worried. I talked with my mom about it and turns out she also had fibroids, but she didn’t have to get them removed. I finally talked to my friends about it and turns out a few other friends had also experienced issues with fibroids. Why are we so silent about our pain? As Black women we are connected in so many ways; we have to support each other and stop suffering in silence. Earlier this year, I proceeded with the surgery, which was minimally invasive, and I had a quick recovery. My periods started to get better after that. I’ve learned that you should never be afraid to tell your story, and vulnerability will set you free. The strength and endurance of Black women is unbelievable. Nothing can hold us down. We have the power to overcome anything that comes our way, and we don’t have to do it alone.

You will love again.

“Friends say you getting thick that’s just happy weight.” -Fabolous

Falling in love is such a roller coaster, and I never thought I would be crazy enough to fall in love again. I enjoy my space and my “me time.”  (Yes - I’m an introvert!) And honestly I was just tired of wasting my time with dating apps and no-good men. The thought of being vulnerable again with someone new was the furthest thing from my mind. But it’s been a little over a year now that I took a chance on love. Me and bae are still going strong! I’m happy, I’m at peace, and I even gained a little happy weight. #thickthighssavelives I’m in a place of comfort where I still have the space to grow and evolve, and still be myself. I actually like having him in my space. LOL! It feels amazing to be in a healthy relationship and loved unconditionally in spite of my flaws. I’m so excited to be on this journey with someone I can truly trust and have fun with.


If you’re doubting you will love again remember that you are worthy and deserve to be loved and Queen Maya Angelou said it best:

Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.
— Maya Angelou

It’s ok to feel joy. 

I mean REALLY bask in joy. 

According to Brene Brown, one of my favorite writers, “…the most vulnerable thing a human being can feel, according to research, isn't negative. It's arguably the most positive emotion you can feel: joy.”

This is surprisingly true. Sometimes when something really good happens in my life, I immediately feel the fragility of it and start thinking of worse-case scenarios. What if something bad happens?  One way I try to combat these feelings is to practice gratitude daily. I just received two new journals, which have been helpful in writing down things that I’m grateful for.  Life is too short to worry about the what-ifs. I want to fully experience joy and live every moment to the fullest.

So how are you feeling?

Are you on track to finish the year strong and accomplish your goals? There's still time left. It's never too late to start something new. Reach out for support if you need it. Let's challenge each other to finish what we've started and to savor every moment.

My Favorite Things

Don't you just love the holidays? Starting with Thanksgiving I love cooking my favorite dishes, stuffing my face, and being surrounded by family. Immediately after Thanksgiving the madness begins as we prepare for Christmas - shopping, decorations, baking, and holiday parties galore!  

This was my first year sending out Christmas cards and it's a tradition I want to do every year! What are some of your holiday traditions? Do you get to open a gift on Christmas Eve? What do you cook for dinner? My mom bakes a VA country ham and I can’t wait to dig in tomorrow.

There are so many things I love about the holidays but these are a few of my favorite things.

  1. Berry red lipstick - My go-to lipsticks are MAC’s Flat Out Fabulous in matte and Sephora's matte liquid lip stain lipsticks. But this time of year I like to try darker shades. I recently visited the Brown Beauty Co-Op and fell in love. This modern beauty space provides a curated selection of natural hair care, skin care and makeup products for women of color. Of course I ran right to the lipstick section. I found a matte liquid lipstick called Sinful by Liquid Courage. It’s similar to the shades I normally buy, but I just love the vibrant color and the lasting coverage.

  2. Statement sweaters - I love a cozy, oversized statement sweater. Practical yet fashionable.

  3. Seasonal drinks - My Starbucks order this time of year is usually a tall Chestnut Praline latte with lots of whip cream. Speaking of cream…I haven't tried making my own eggnog yet, but I love eggnog mixed with a little bourbon.

  4. Christmas music - I start playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. No judgment please! LOL Some of my favorite classic Christmas songs include Donny Hathaway's This Christmas and Kirk Franklin's Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Whenever I hear Let it Snow by Boyz II Men I know the holidays are finally here.  What are some of your favorite holiday tunes?

  5. Christmas movies - There are so many to choose from, but I have to say that Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie. Watching this new Google commercial featuring Macaulay Culkin was so nostalgic.

  6. Entertaining - I love to get dressed up and host parties for my close friends. I decorate and set the table just right. We make our own cocktails, bake cookies, and play games. Last year we made Christmas wreaths and affirmation boards shaped like gifts. 

  7. Gifts - because who doesn't like presents? - I love finding the perfect gifts for my loved ones (and myself!). But there are a couple of people on my list that are difficult to shop for. What are some creative gift ideas for those people that already have everything?

What are your favorite things about the holidays?

Wishing you love, peace, and joy this holiday season!

 

xoxo

Victoria

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Take Me Back to Thailand

I'm getting back into my groove and I have to share my adventures in Thailand. October was truly a month to remember. My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate our birthdays in Thailand. We are both Libras and love to travel. This was our first trip together. Check out our journey below!

We started out our adventure exploring the streets of Bangkok. We ate amazing street food that was super cheap. There were massage parlors on every corner. After 18 hours of travel, we stopped and got the most amazing foot massage.

The next day we took a trip outside of the city and visited the Floating Market. The market is literally floating on water. We jumped in a boat and stopped by different shops. I bought a pair of beautiful pink silk pants. There were so many cute handcrafted items that it was hard to say no to the sellers. 

Annnd I held a snake and a lemur!

As we approached the end of the tour we stopped to grab fresh coconut, and watched the process of making coconut palm sugar. Then we headed to the elephant sanctuary to ride an elephant! It was a bumpy ride, but such a fun experience! Next we stopped to see the Golden Buddha.

That night we explored Bangkok nightlife. We found a nice a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. It was pretty crowded at first until it started pouring down raining. As the rain stopped we were lucky enough to get a table with the perfect view. We enjoyed the rest of the night listening to music accompanied by sax.

The traffic in Bangkok is insane! So the next day we took the BTS train to the mall and explored more of the city. The metro train system there is very advanced and easy to use. DC Metro should take some notes.

Next up - Phuket! We flew from Bangkok to Phuket which is about a flight. The scenic views in Phuket are so beautiful. Our AirBnB was close to Patong Beach and walking distance from lots of restaurants and bars. Patong is your typical party beach town. We had a great AirBnB host that booked our tours. 

While in Phuket we stopped by the Rawai Fish & Seafood Market and picked out fresh seafood. They also cooked it for us. It was soo good and cheap! I love spicy food but the spices in Thailand are on another level! I definitely had to take a break from ordering spicy food. LOL

We spent most of our time at the beach and took a boat day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. I was too terrified to go snorkeling since I can't swim, but it was a great day of fun in the sun!

We returned to Bangkok for our last night in Thailand, and had a beautiful stay at Hotel Muse. We chilled by the pool and decided to stay in for dinner. 

Visiting Thailand was such an amazing and humbling experience. Every thing was affordable, the people were friendly, and the food was delicious. It was rainy season, but the weather was still great. This was definitely one of my top 5 favorite trips! If you haven't been to Thailand yet - add it to your bucket list. What’s on your travel list for 2019?

What is love?

Today as I was strolling through the aisles of Home Goods picking up more random houseware items that I don’t need, two students approached me. My first thought was, "Please don't ask me to buy or sign up for anything." But they told me they were working on a project and asked me, "How do you define love?" I didn't ask what kind of project it was for, but my first response was, "Wow. You can't define love. There's just no way. There are so many forms of love, so many feelings. " For me, trying to define it would almost diminish its meaning. So then they asked, "Well what do you think about when you think about love?"  So maybe this was a better way to phrase the question. Surprisingly, the first three words that I blurted out were: butterflies, peace, and vulnerability. Of course there are a million other words I could add this to this list, but these were the first three that came to mind at the moment, and they weren't in any type of order. I later thought to myself why these three things? Here's what I came up with.

Butterflies

Remember the first time you fell in love? The very thought of this person gave you this weird but incredible feeling: butterflies. This feeling of nervousness mixed with excitement is so rare. Although I know that some people may think that feeling butterflies is a little cliche or unrealistic nowadays. I still believe in butterflies and genuine soul connections. 

Peace

God is peace. God is love. I think of agape love, the highest form of love, the unconditional, sacrificial love that God shows for us all.  And this verse also comes to mind -- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

In addition to this form of spiritual peace, isn't it amazing when we find peace within ourselves and within our other relationships? There's this sense of peace just from being connected to a particular person. Their calm, positive energy can be contagious. Chaos and anger is something I try to avoid, and can be a sign of an unhealthy relationship. So I try to be mindful of the energy I create and receive. 

As I stay true to my mantra of being intentional, I am at peace with being single.  I'm reclaiming my time! I choose the company I keep wisely and I continue to do the things I love to do. Dating just gets annoying sometimes. But I've learned so much about myself during this phase of my life and I'm still learning. Self-love and discovery is an amazing thing. 

Vulnerability

To love and to be loved comes with an extraordinary amount of vulnerability. Meeting someone that you can be your authentic, complete self around is a wonderful feeling, so I've always been a strong proponent of building relationships deeply rooted in friendship. Our friends sometimes know us better than we know ourselves. These are the people that know our deepest desires, our quirky dance moves, our greatest fears, and all of our uniquely crazy habits.

But sometimes it can be hard to be vulnerable, and to just be our amazing, magical selves. Betrayal, insecurities,  anxiety, fear, etc. can all play a part in keeping people at bay. I’ve met people that didn’t peel back their layers until much later and they were a completely different person from when I first met them. I always like to refer to one of my favorite quotes, by one of my favorite authors as motivation that I deserve love and with that comes vulnerability. 

You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.
— Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

To love and to be loved takes work, and that could involve work on ourselves, not just the other person. 

So as you can see love can get pretty complicated and gives us all sorts of feels. I would never be able to give a concise definition. What words come to mind when you think about love?

And if you haven't been told today already, know that you are loved.  

xoxo

Victoria

You ready?

2018 just pulled up on us like “I’m outside. You ready?” The year flew by! 2017 was a year of celebration: birthdays, babies, love, growth, friendship, sisterhood, new businesses, travel, self-care; anything I could toast to, I was there. In 2018 I want to continue celebrating and I want this to be the year of as Nene says best, “I said what I said.”  Say what you want, do what you feel—unapologetically. Here are a few lessons learned that I’ll take with me into 2018. What have you learned? 

Advocate for yourself.   

If you don’t, then who will? Apply for that job, negotiate your salary, start the business you’ve been dreaming of, buy those shoes, and tell YOUR story.  With everything that's been happening this past year in the news, I've learned that our voices matter, and we deserve to be heard and respected.  Sharing your story can help empower someone else to share theirs. 

Seek help.

Let's face it we can’t be superwoman 24/7. As much as we try to do it all, we still have our shortcomings. And that’s OK. The world won’t end if we take a break or ask for help. Find resources that will support you. Whether it’s a friend or mental health professional, take care of you!   

Do the work.

Now this is something I’ve struggled with lately when it comes to working on things I’m passionate about outside of my 9 to 5. Sometimes it can be really hard to self-motivate. After a long day of work I just want to wind down and relax. But now is the time to grind. I'm really going to push myself to do more of the creative things I enjoy and to write more.  

Support each other.

Nothing makes me happier than supporting my friends' projects and businesses. We inspire each other -- we show up, promote, purchase products and services, give each other advice, cry, laugh, and the list goes on. Listen, when they win, I win and vice versa.

What are your goals for 2018? Write them down and speak those goals into existence, but most importantly, put in the work. 2018 I’m ready for you. #sheready

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xoxo

Victoria

Yamas!

I know it's been a minute since I've posted. Last month I ended up celebrating my 30th birthday throughout the entire month of October, and I didn't want the party to end! I visited Greece, the number one country on my bucket list, and it was the perfect getaway with my girls. Athens was filled with rich history and Santorini was absolutely breathtaking. It felt great to sleep in and eat gelato whenever I wanted. (There's gelato literally on every corner.) The food was great and the wine...ah-mazing. We visited Santos Winery for a tour and tasting, surrounded by a view of the Aegean Sea. We chased the sunset just for the perfect view in Oia. In Athens I had a lovely birthday dinner with my family and friends at Dionysos Zonar's with a perfect view of the Acropolis. I was so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful people.  As I sit and reflect, I still can't believe I'm 30. I pictured myself at a different place by now, but I've learned to accept that this is a journey. Take each day as it comes, and live it like your last. I'm looking forward to the adventures the next 30 plus years will bring.

Yamas!

Victoria

Viva la Cuba

I just made it back from my first international trip of 2017! Havana, Cuba was truly an amazing cultural and humbling experience. Stepping off the plane was almost like stepping back in time with all of the classic old cars sitting outside of the airport waiting to pick up those that just landed to their destinations. I had a bit of a scare waiting for my sis/travel partner Ash to land. After waiting 2 hours for her flight to land I still didn't see her walking through the exit to meet me at the currency exchange. I finally asked someone for help and turns out her flight flew to another terminal which required a taxi to get to. I asked my driver that barely spoke any English (thank God for Google translate) to take me over there. So of course she wasn't there waiting for me. After searching the entire terminal a few times I sat down and took a breath and then I looked up and saw her and my driver walk up to me. He found her! Turns out she had went to the other terminal looking for me. LOL Without phone service or wifi in another country, communicating can be difficult so I'm glad we eventually found each other. So if you're meeting up with people in another country make sure you have a plan B!

After settling in at our Airbnb and meeting our amazing host, Ruben, we grabbed food and explored the streets! On almost every corner you could hear live music so of course we were pulled in to listen and drink mojitos. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The next couple of days were filled with more exploration. We took a tour of the city and stopped at many of the major landmarks. One of my favorite experiences was a cooking class at Cafe Ajiaco in Cojimar. It was so much fun! We were able to walk to the garden where they grew their spices and herbs before they taught us how to cook an authentic Cuban meal. There was so much food I couldn't eat everything. We also learned how to make the perfect mojito. I'll definitely be playing bartender with my new skills in the near future.

We ended our stay with a special 30th birthday dinner for Ash at San Cristobal, which is where the Obamas ate when they visited Havana. The food was amazing and the service was even better. After dessert we tried a Cuban cigar and sampled 15 year old Cuban rum.

This was definitely a trip to remember. Check out pics below from our adventures in Cuba.

xoxo

Victoria

Learning how to cut open a lobster

Learning how to cut open a lobster

Cooking shredded beef

Cooking shredded beef

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Part of our feast

Listening to salsa music

Listening to salsa music

Me and Miss Nora

Me and Miss Nora

Ash's favorite place

Ash's favorite place

Standing outside in Plaza La Vieja

Standing outside in Plaza La Vieja

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Our cool driver Armando

Our cool driver Armando

Selfie with our wonderful waiter at San Cristobal

Selfie with our wonderful waiter at San Cristobal

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Cheers! Sippin 15 year old Cuban rum

Cheers! Sippin 15 year old Cuban rum

Yes we came.

Yes we came.