In my last post I mentioned the "Fall Mentality". But I feel like I must elaborate on this point. so in this post, I 'll keep it short and sweet.
Since I could remember, I have always loved the autumn and winter months. Many blame it on me being born during the quiet of winter but I just say I've always loved big comfy quilts, warm desserts and some down time to re-evaluate and fix. I mean, think about it! I can never re-evaluate my body come summer time. By that time, I'm already in the mood to show some skin, scaly or not -__-. LOL So when the winter time comes, and I have to keep warm under all those layers, I make sure to give my body a break. I stop shaving (unless I have a boyfriend...which is not often), I make sure I moisturize, extra well, I keep my limbs agile, and I even take the season to do damage control for blotches, blemishes, or future trouble spots.
You see, my fall mentality is adorned with wise decisions, whereas my summer is more like a "throw it to the wind" mentality... so I really can't wait until Fall really is here!!
So I told myself on the 1st of August that I would enjoy this break I was taking from my blog and just relax. But I noticed lately that I was becoming so antsy about getting back into the fall mentality that I didn't realize I NOT having fun! So I've broken my own promise to get back to basics and write down the overflowing thoughts in my head? And why is this?? Well it's because I've been obsessed with food lately. Yes...I said it ...and I am PROUD! I have always been a foodie. And it's because of my constant search to find the balance between healthy and tasty eating.
Many more posts will be appearing in regards to where my life has ...and has NOT been going in the last 3 months of my posting absence. But for now; let's talk food. ^_^
This morning after editing and uploading a video from scratch for the fourth time on youtube, I decided i'd let it go. If the shit ended up crashing and failing again, I'd just have to disappoint the family with various clippings of shots from the event. Because, at this moment, I'm just so fed up. I mean come on!! FOUR TIMES?
...but I digress
Back to cooking...
I've never learned to cook. Yes! I am an American woman, born of Jamaican decent, with no proper training on how to feed myself from the home, care for others physically, OR--for my own temperament--PLEASE a man...v_v'
Nope. My mom has just never been one to teach me how to cook. She doesn't like anyone in her kitchen. So you might say that the few dishes I do know how to make stemmed from rainy days at home alone while mom was assisting in the Operating Room at Kings County Hospital. I won't complain A LOT because truth be told, I knew her reasoning behind it--be it a selfish one--she wanted folks to constantly depend on her...and in her mind, teaching your children to cook was like saying "Thanks mom but I don't need to eat your chicken soup! I can make my own now!"... Can someone say RUDE? But where is the hint of morality??
Doesn't matter. Because of this selfish mentality, my 26 y.o. brother and lil ole' me never learned how to make all the awesome traditional dishes from our roots or even simple American dishes to keep us--i don't know--ALIVE!
As of now, I still can't step foot in the kitchen when she is around because if she is, she'll just grab everything out my hand and make it for me. So lose there. But what I can do it stock up on some recipes. That way I'll be all prepped when the day does come that she's not home and I once again have to kitchen to myself... rain or shine.-___-
I found them on YouTube a few weeks back and fell in love when they came on as an advertisement before one of my natural hair videos started playing. Kin Community is basically a channel geared towards domestic living but of course, in my world, editing is everything! So it's more than cooking or crafting to me! In short it's like a freedom to react anyway you want when in the presence of food and trinkets. And who doesn't like freedom, right??? I even described it to a friend as a vessel "that brings me THAT much closer to my SATC (Sex and the City), success-with-a-white-picke
t-fence and Brooklyn Heights apt type life! HA!"
This channel is just so simple but delicious and it makes me want to clean my bank account buying goodies in the organic markets spread around Brooklyn!
Here's a flavor of why I love this channel! And I hope you guys enjoy it too!
SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
Till next post --With Love, from Brooklyn ~*ForeverCoily*~
"To be happy is to be focused on the present moment"...
The past couple of days haven't been the best and I have a strong feeling it's because I'm dwelling on what I'm afraid of instead of what I am energized about. So in response to this video below from FitLifeTV, I'm going to share the 10 things that I am presently grateful about in my life. But by all means, definitely watch the video first to gain some inspiration. As a human being, are you doing any of these 5 things? View my list down below, then share your own!
10 GOOD THINGS HAPPENING IN MY LIFE
1. I have a faith driven mindset
2. I am supported by family members no matter how small it may be
3. I am getting the opportunity to broaden my horizon
4. I'm reaching out of my comfort zone for success
5. I have a job that allows me to be me
6. I have friends that always give me well rounded observations
7. I'm pursuing my long term goals
8. I'm ALIVE
9. I'm Blessed
10. I love
So... I have no idea what this song is really about, though it sounds quite self explanatory... but it came on and now I'm bopping my head to it like a 22 y.o. in 1995.
Take a listen, loves! I think you'll like it as well!
I, like many natural-haired women, believe natural hair can definitely be considered professional. I've never had a problem working in a corporate scene with a fluffy side swept bang and a tailored bun sitting at the base of my nape and quite frankly, many of my corporate bosses have shown their fascination in my ...ethnic do's. I mean, I've even gotten the "wear it in an afro one day" comment once or twice but that's a different story for a different day. Point blank, there has been a triple standard against black women and themselves for some time now.
We ask ourselves questions like:
How will I do my hair for work tomorrow after I leave the gym?
Can I even go to the gym?
Maybe if I....but that's not professional... =/
And because of these struggles between work, exercise, and being true to oneself we've, in an immense way, thrown the one important aspect to the waste side; exercise and health. I can vouch for myself when I say that while interning at a corporate-styled office, I threw out a few good exercise days I knew I needed just so that I could keep my hairstyle. Yes, it did give me that feeling of shame, but in worse light, during that time that I was caring for my hair more, I managed to gain back a week's worth of weight that I had managed to lose some months ago.
Ashamed, I was and it didn't help when I also decided to rationalize it all.
Well maybe if I just eat better, I'll lose weight the same way
Toning can always come later (after this internship)
I have a presentation tomorrow so a good night's sleep and a fierce do is way more important!
Once more, after I ended the stupid rationalizations, I thought back to when I had finally embraced my natural hair. All the good thoughts running through my mind. How I would never have to be that woman worried about her hair while free-styling on the elliptical. How I could always reach for my go-to bun style. How professionalism and exercise would never clash because I knew within myself that professionalism didn't just consist of a hair do but also a demeanor. But now look where I was.... acting like that same stereotype of "I can't sweat out my style"....and becoming unhealthy because of it. And it wasn't just me. I mean, the video below explains it all and so does BGG2WL
Ladies! Long story short, I had to literally find my way back to sanity where it concerned my hair and it's healthiness as well as my body's healthiness. I didn't promise myself I'd never stray off track again but I try to be realistic about my situations on a consistent basis. I don't want to be the next stereotypical black women who is unhealthy and in no shape to get healthy because of something as small as keeping my hair do professional.
Balance is always key. As long as you confess to yourself that you can keep it professional while you work out!
Around October of last year, I took up a new hobby of making my own jewelry. Simply because I knew I'd be broke when Christmas time came and I was trying to find and economic way to give out thoughtful presents. During this time, I came into contact with a craft store known as Beads World. They had all types of trinkets to mess with and a million more items to create with! So I set out on a journey. I promised, I'd make my three closest friends a box of gifts. Each person would get my own rendition of a Fingerless Glove and Earwarmer set I crocheted and it would come with one or two pars of earrings.
Well the former idea was a breeze. While on my crochet frenzy, I made 3 pairs of fingerless gloves and earwarmer sets. You can see the blogpost I did on them here! And then when it came time to make the earrings, I began slow. Now the studs were no problem. I had found a bunch of unwanted buttons at my job the previous week and decided to tamper with them--in the end, creating some awesome button/studd earrings. And then I fooled around with tough wire and realized I could also combine my crochet and newly found jewelry making skills together to form awesomely unique earrings.
However, by the time December came around, I was still in my "tampering stage" all excited about the wonderful discoveries and pieces I had made. Let's not forget, by the time Christmas and my depressing birthday had passed, I was no longer in so much of a "giving" mood. Needless to say, I still had these piece close to me. So I said "what the heck" Ill just keep them for myself ...thus ends my sweet little story.
In the end, only one of my friends (who I am no longer friends with) received my crochet warmer kit, and NO ONE received my handmade earrings. Nope! Instead on days when I'm feeling pretty, I rock 'em to work...and to this day, it still never ceases to amaze me that I did this and that people would stop me on the street to give me compliments on them!! Good ole DIYs ^_^...
I made these pieces playful jewelry. So I know after seeing these pics you may ask if I could make you a pair, and the answer MAY just be yes! However, please keep in mind that I post hyperlinks in my blogs for a reason. These are all projects any guy or girl could do...if their interested enough
...And I say, if they're NOT interested enough, then why even ask ME to make them a pair! Pics (and possibly more hyperlinks {tutorials}) are posted below.
ENJOY! <3
My most recent pair
With them on!
My very first pair of the "crochet style" These flowers are made here!!
With them on!
Some cameo studs
My first pair using Felt reinforcement
My Regal pair!!
Buttons made into studs!
testing out hard wire
Some button studs!
Pearl Button Studs!
Don't believe these can be earrings?
I'm sure you all can do it! Just purchase some buttons, earring posts, stubs and some awesome E6000 glue!
When in doubt, I've always turned to my favorite songstress, Ms. Jilly Scott! And tonight I'm in doubt about all this weight I'd like to loose... give or take 40 l-b's...So to end off this tasteful yet abrupt weekend, here's one of her fantastic songs i've got on rotation in my MIND! lol
Also an awesome welcome into the real flow of Spring!
Enjoy! <3
