Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Life Lately...




Hey hey hey Socialites!!!

I can’t even believe that its been well over a year since my last post...in that time so very much has happened in my life...let me give you a quick update:


  • I am STILL in the DIVORCE Process...which has been quite the emotional roller coaster—trying to co-parent and move forward with life in our new normal is what seems to be a never ending process.
  • My newest addition, the “Preemie Princess” was born five weeks early, and turned the big “One” in March.  Though her arrival was rocky and earlier than expected, she has continued to grow and thrive during this past year, and brings our family so much joy!
  • My beautiful oldest Daughter, Miss C has completed her Elementary School Career, and is headed to Middle School!  I have now entered the territory of Mommin’ a Tween, and oh what a ride that has been...more on that later...
  • My handsome only son is headed to the Third Grade in the Fall—and was a Football Phenom during this past year in Flag Football—I can’t wait to see how he fares with Tackle Football as well!
  • After leaving my job as an Executive Director in my hometown, I began Non-Profit Consulting and Leadership Coaching...looking to develop multiple income streams, as I now have to secure the bag all on my own...there will be more on the blog to come regarding my new ventures as well!
Needless to say, this past year has brought with it may challenges, joys, tears, and triumphs...yet I am still here and VERY grateful for all of the love and support that I have received from loved ones during this new journey.  

I have dedicated the later half of this year to designing the life that I truly love..limiting my social media consumption, being fully present in each moment that I spend with my loved ones, and developing myself both personally and professionally.  Stay tuned...it promises to be quite the interesting adventure!!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Chapter 35

HEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY There Socialites!

It's been QUITE A WHILE since we last connected, and believe it or not, I've MISSED YOU (all three of you, LOL)!!!

I ended up taking yet another hiatus from this blog, but felt the need to resume my writing as a creative outlet--free therapy as you will...

SOOOOOOO...It's been a month and a few days since I have celebrated my 35th Born Day.  A true Milestone Birthday, as I have officially reached "Middle Age." I still feel like the 21 year old I once was, just a bit more seasoned, due to my life's experiences.

Alas, THIS IS THIRTY-FIVE for me.  Thirty-four was quite the year--many ups AND downs, and lessons learned.  Since my Birthday is December 30th, I decided to  make my one New Year's Resolution early, and begin living it out on my own special day.  Instead of a long laundry list of things that I want to do more of or get better at, I decided to choose one single word to motivate me all year long.  That word is...
I plan to live this year (and each one that follows) intentionally--which is something that I have not done (in my humble opinion) before.

Year 35 ALSO brings quite a bit of changes and adjustments for my family and I...

First of all, there is going to be a NEW little Socialite joining my family...I am due to deliver a baby girl in April, and my children and I could not be happier about her impending arrival!

Secondly, our family is experiencing yet another HUGE adjustment, as my Husband and I have decided to end our marriage...NOT the easiest thing to go through while being pregnant AND parenting two other little ones, but what's necessary MUST occur.  I may blog about this new journey, and then again I may not...you'll just have to stay tuned...

So, here I am.  35. Soon to have 3 children. Soon to be officially SINGLE.  What's a Socialite to do at this point?  LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE, and ENJOY the ride!!!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

How Do You ORGANIZE???


Heeeeeeeeyyyyyy Socialites!!! 

So, like most of you, I too am a pretty busy lady, juggling home, work, grad school, kids, marriage, community involvement, and a social life.  With that being said, it is IMPERATIVE For me to have a "tool" that helps me to keep organized!  Since Elementary School, I have used some sort of planner to keep track of my activities and such. Admittedly, I get excited about trying out a new planner each year, and had yet to find one that really "stuck" for me...I'd start off using my planner full swing, and then taper off after a few months for whatever reason.--mostly out of bordem with the planner I think...


That is until I purchased my very first  MAMBI (Create 365's Me and My Big Ideas) #happyplanner --the Sugar & Type Classic Planner  







I've only had this planner for about a month (I purchased the July 2016-December 2017 18-moth verson), and I can honestly say that THIS ONE is a keeper!

I LOVE the vertical daily layout, the colors, the quotes BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LOVE all of the ACCESSORIES that are available for planner personalization.  Adding the inspirational quotes, and other reminder stickers actually make me EXCITED to have things to put in my planner AND the bonus is that I write everything down, and keep myself on track!


(a snapshot of my MAMBI haul, where I purchased a few stickers---it was Christmas in July)




Happy Planners can be purchased online at: http://www.meandmybigideas.com/
There are videos and a blog with #happyplanner updates to help you on your happy planning journey--I urge you to give The Happy Planner a try, if you are looking for an effective and fun way to plan your day, week, month, and year!







Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Mother's Perspective


Photo Credit: SRG Photography


I've marinated for quite a while about the how/when I might address the issues that are going on in our Country today, in reagards to the relationship and interactions between People of Color and Law Enforcement Officials, that has resulted in numerous deaths throughout the Nation.

There is so much that I could say.  There are so many emotions that I would like to express.  I don't think that I could write a blog post long enough to truly express my  sentiments...I WAS however blessed to share a portion of my sentiments on a National Platform, through my reading performance in the Listen To Your Mother Southwest Michigan 2016 Show.

Listen To Your Mother Southwest Michigan was an invaulable experience for me!  Merely writing my piece pushed me as a writer AND performing it was truly exhilarating! As a bonus, I was able to connect with twelve other phenomenal women and one wonderful man, all of whom blessed the stage with their presence, and their compelling stories!

You can check out a link to our show and further information regarding the performance AND #LTYM Movement here: Listen To Your Mother Southwest Michigan









AND if you are interested in seeing what I had to say...check me out below:

Listen To Your Mother Reading 2016


I'd LOVE your feedback!  Please #like, #comment, #share, #discuss!!!

Friday, November 6, 2015

FRIYAY!!!



I LOVE my NEW position! I am fortunate enough to work in the Community that cultivated me and that I LOVE, impacting lives on a daily basis!  I am ONE MONTH in, and I'm as excited now, as I was on my first day.  I have a GREAT TEAM behind me, and I know that we are going to continue to GROW and do GREAT THINGS as an Agency with me at the helm.

When I think about myself as a Leader, the term "Servant Leader" instantly comes to mind.  I truly desire to EMPOWER those that I work with and for to
I am constantly seeking out inspiration with doing just that...and I have begun to be more intentional with the books that I read.  I started this book last month, and I plan to finish it up before Thanksgiving (I hope I can)...
It's a great read...full of insights from Women Leaders all over the World & I look forward to putting into practice the "nuggets" that I gain from all of these dynamic women.

What Books have you found inspiration from?  COMMENT and let me know!


The "S" on my chest...

I wear MANY HATS...

My Husband calls me WIFE

My Children call me MOMMY

My Parents call me DAUGHTER

My Sister calls me SISTER

My Niece calls me TT

My Sisterfriends call me FRIEND

My Staff call me LEADER

My Professors call me STUDENT

I am MANY things to MANY people...I guess you could say that I'm a "SUPERWOMAN" so to speak...



My "Balancing Act"  has been going pretty well so far...despite the fact that I have SO MUCH on my plate.  There is however, one person that has been neglected as of late, and that's ME...

Through trial and error, I am learning that sometimes, the cape MUST come off, and the "S" has to rest...

I've heard time and time again that "Self-Preservation" is rule number one...and that's where I need to strengthen my focus...I plan to start Yoga/Meditation before the end of the year.  I would also like to integrate Mindfulness practices into my daily living as well. While these things are on my never ending "TO DO" list, I fully intend to CREATE the time to INVEST in my own preservation/care, VERY SOON!

So what is it that YOU do to practice SELF-CARE? Please COMMENT and SHARE with me...who knows, I may just find inspiration from you too!

The Beautiful Struggle...

Hey there Socialites!

 Last (Tuesday) night my Colleagues/SisterFriends and I attended the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's 2015 Annual Meeting at the Miller Auditorium.
That's ME in the red...

Ta-Nehisi Coates was our Keynote Speaker, and he spoke to his experiences as a Black Man coming of age in the United States...he gave us key insights as well as some knowledge and nuggets regarding what we need to do as a Society to address the root causes that have placed us all in the spaces in which we operate today.


I also got a chance to purchase both of his books, and I am over the moon excited to read them in the very near future!  I will also keep you posted on my thoughts once finish each!




What book (s) are you reading right now?  Please COMMENT below to let me know...I'm always looking for new and stimulating reads!