Believe

" Believe you can experience someone better than the person you once longed for or were with. Believing that there isn't someone else out there better is a lie. Qualities of brains and beauty, emotional and spiritual maturity, confidence and ambition, can be found anywhere in this world. The person you once had or desired isn't the only one on this planet who can move your heart. Speak the love of your life into existence, and believe." - Melvin Davis, excerpt from ALTERcation by Ericka McCracken

I have been reading my sorority sister's book ALTERcation and I can't put it down. This quote stuck out to me in a huge way. Anyone that has gone through a break-up knows that there are two questions that come to mind, if you will ever love again or if there will be someone better? The answer is YES! God always has another. It may be hard to believe when you are still going through the healing process, or have experienced a bunch of failed relationships/situations. But He will lead you to the person that is meant for you.

MDW in MKE

I spent Memorial Day Weekend out in the Mid West in "America's Dairyland" eating tons of good food and cheese. Milwaukee has a great view of Lake Michigan and only an hour away from Chicago. I can't wait to visit again when it's warmer so I can lay out on the beach. I even held a baby alligator. (Yes, there were tropical animals at the bar in the midwest lol.) Here are a few places to try if you are ever in Milwaukee. Safe travels!

xoxo,

Victoria

  • Cafe Benelux - The brunch pork belly banh mi is so good, and the raspberry drop biscuits are huge.
  • Carson's Prime Steaks and Famous Barbecue - Awesome steak and the perfect crab cakes.
  • Wisconsin Cheese Mart - You will be surrounded by every type of cheese you can think of. Heaven!
  • Elsa's on the Park - The golden gate cake: butter rum cake topped with Haagen Dazs Vanilla ice cream.  Delicious!
  • Milwaukee Art Museum - This building's boat-like architecture is beautiful and sits right on the lake.

Big Poppa

Buffalo cheese curds

Cheese shopping

Harley Davidson Museum

Rapa Nui structure at the Milwaukee Public Museum

Is 6 years old still considered a baby for an alligator?

My handsome tour guide

Beauty

You are beautiful.

"Many of us do not take the time to notice and acknowledge how beautiful we are as humans." - Madisyn Taylor

We see beauty all around us but we are so critical ourselves. I'm too skinny, too fat, nose too big, butt too small...it's always something. We are human and imperfect. Sometimes it's hard to live up to society's ideals of beauty but we must begin to truly appreciate our own beauty within and on the outside. Post that selfie and be fabulous! It's not vain to embrace your beauty. There will always be naysayers, so their opinions are irrelevant. I always laugh when I hear someone say "you are beautiful" or "I love your hair" on those days when I am feeling the worst and hating my hair. And so it begins with me. I look in the mirror and I love what I see.

xoxo,

Victoria

Honor

The women in my family are amazing. This past weekend we celebrated a graduation, a birthday, and the wonderful mothers in my family. My sister-cousin Erica, received her 2nd Master's degree and the youngest Jesmaurie celebrated her 5th birthday as we came together surrounded by tons of food, laughter, and the glorious sunshine. It was a great weekend to celebrate life, love, and family and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I am so grateful for the women who raised me, supported me, inspired me, and lifted me up. I honor you.




In a Rage

Last night I couldn't sleep at all. I usually try to keep my opinion to myself, but all I could think about were the images on the news and my social media timelines of the riots less than an hour away in Baltimore. We've been taught that violence and war is not the answer, and there are ways of practicing civil disobedience, but I cannot condemn these riots. Deray McKesson said it best, "Pain manifests in different ways. I don't have to condone it to understand it."

There are several issues here: police brutality, racism, and economic disenfranchisement, and these are issues in every city. My city could be next. There are incessant inequalities in the justice system, employment, education, and housing in the black community which have to change. Millions of dollars are coming into this city but there is a significant amount of black people without jobs and living in poverty. Furthermore, at any moment black men and women are at risk of being killed or injured by the police and treated inhumanely with no mercy. How can we seek peace without first demanding justice? How can we have confidence in a broken system?  How do we rebuild trust between the black community and the police? How can we turn frustration into movement and change? There are so many questions running through my head, and it's really hard for me to wrap my head around why some people don't understand why this revolution is happening and necessary at this point. People are angry, sick, and tired. And sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm praying for peace for ALL parties involved. These events have definitely brought attention to these issues and has opened up dialogue. I'm open to this conversation and what we can do to have a positive impact and a strategy for change and action in the community.

"Baltimore is burning because America is burning with racism, with hate, with violence. Baltimore is burning because far too many of us are on the sidelines doing nothing to affect change, or have become numb as the abnormal has become normal. Baltimore is burning because very few of us are committed to real leadership, to a real agenda with consistent and real political, economic, and cultural strategies for those American communities most under siege, most vulnerable. Policing them to death is not the solution. Putting them in prison is not the solution. And, clearly, ignoring them is not the solution." - Kevin Powell

Milestones

I had a great weekend celebrating milestones with my family and friends. I celebrated my cousin Kristal's 30th birthday. I grew up following this girl around, and I can't believe she's 30! I don't have any sisters so she's basically the big sister I wished for. Time flies...

I also attended my friend Brittny's bridal shower. It was so much fun catching up with my friends that I grew up with.  We've all blossomed into amazing women. Sharing special moments like this remind me that your time and your presence is the most valuable thing you can give. When my friend first asked me months ago to be in her wedding I was surprised and excited at the same time. We don't see each other often, but we stay in touch and support each other when we can. You never know how much you mean to someone. I truly value my friendship with these ladies.