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A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . I've been on a roll this month n looking forward to continuing to show up for myself to recaliberate some consistency wit content. At this point, I can cut the small chatter. Without further ado... Recap of Day 12: Offer help quietly without announcing it. Day 13 Express gratitude to someone who rarely hears it. This challenge is apart of my lifestyle. I love giving flowers and even better to the ones who rarely hear it because they feel invisible or underappreciated. You'd be surprised how stingy we can be by holding back gratitude to avoid "pumpin they head up" and becuz I'm happy n healed within my self, it's not hard for me to recognize a real one when I see it. It's so easy to send an email or text to say thank you, but how about that EXTRA step in picking up the phone to personalize the gesture with your voice so they can hear it with context and emotion. I'll even make an appearance here n there to the IT team or mail room to let them know, they are not forgotten. Teachers. They are underpaid and glorified as babysitters at this point. I've always gotten Mason's teachers gifts for themselves becuz I can't imagine the stress they deal with in a whole class of kids n mini adults to wrangle on one accord. The blue collar workers. I have an inifinity of appreciation for them since my stepdad was one. When I am taking a stroll here n there, when the trash trucks pass me; I'll wave and sometimes stop to say-YOU ARE APPRECIATED. They'll give the biggest smile and go on about our business. It's the ones behind the scenes who absolutely deserve the gratitude. I feel good that passing out the notion has fulfilled their day in some kinda way. Try it. Next time you see the mailman (or woman, I know we keep it gender neutral now), firefighters in the grocery store, policeman at the donut shop (lol, so cliche right), the stocking clerk in the store, old veterans, the line cooks, n the list can go on as you make it. Wow, kindness. Sweet. -Kisha No E poured with care and garnished in love ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . I've been on a roll this month n looking forward to continuing to show up for myself to recaliberate some consistency wit content. At this point, I can cut the small chatter. Without further ado... Recap of Day 11: Write a handwritten note or card. Day 12 Offer help quietly, without announcing it I’m reflecting on the kind of help that doesn’t ask for applause. The offers made quietly. The moments where support is extended without a caption, a group chat update, or a need to be seen doing the right thing. How are you if camera's are watching? I’ve learned that the most meaningful help often works best in silence. When you assist without announcing it like paying it forward, the act stays pure and the intention stays clean. You just see the need and fulfill it-no questions asked. There’s a certain freedom in giving without performance, in allowing kindness to land where it’s needed without tracing it back to you-like a secret superhero. Let this be a reminder that generosity doesn’t need a spotlight to be real. Sometimes the most impactful support is the kind that simply shows up and moves on. — Kisha No E serving warmth quietly, brewed with care and no garnish ☕✨

Fashion should be fun, personal, and a little unexpected There is something undeniably charming about a quirky bag, especially one that feels like it wandered in from a vintage editorial spread and decided to stick around. I've seen this bag come across my feed before and dropped it in the save for later section. Every now n then it would pop up to remind me...I'm waiting!! Enter my latest find: an alligator crossbody bag that looks far more couture than its Amazon origins might suggest. With its glossy texture, structured silhouette, and just the right amount of attitude, it feels like the kind of accessory that does the talking while I slowly sip on a Saturday and people watch. It’s playful without trying too hard, editorial without being precious, and exactly the kind of piece that earns a compliment before the outfit even gets explained. The bag has 3 other color options; I picked brown to stretch per wear and I wanted to maintain the integrity of the look althogether. My 2nd choice would've been green because let's be real...have you ever seen a red or black alligator, lol. Fun fact worthy of fashion trivia: alligators have remained largely unchanged for over 80 million years, making them one of nature’s most timeless icons. Honestly, the longevity feels fitting. There’s something enduring about a statement bag that doesn’t chase trends but quietly outlives them. This crossbody feels like a nod to that kind of staying power. I love the details even down to the eyes. A little bold, a little cheeky, and entirely unapologetic. These are the kind of accessories that reminds me fashion can be fun, a little unexpected, and always a reflection of personal taste over passing moments. Wearing this bag allows me to escape the real world and transport me to a land where life doesn't need to be taken seriously and whether in this realm or another, I'm highly protected. Until next time, I’ll be over here letting this bag do the heavy lifting while I refill my cup. Because style, much like coffee, is best served with intention and a little extra drip. ☕️🐊

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . I've been on a roll this month n looking forward to continuing to show up for myself to recaliberate some consistency wit content. At this point, I can cut the small chatter. Without further ado... Recap of Day 10: Practice listening without planning your response. Day 11 Write a handwritten note or card. This is so funny to me because these challenges are indeed incorporating themselves into my every day life. While in the office earlier, I wrote a handwritten note, lol. I like writing in general. I keep towers of post it's at my desk becuz yes...I still like the old school way of writing. Handwritten notes are more personal. Sure you can do a quick email or teams chat but there's something special to a note someone took time and care to use their energy to do. The note I wrote was a "Get Out Of Jail FREE" card for them to deliver to a plug for VIP assistance so they could use me for reference, lol. I think...I'll do these more often-writing handwritten notes to people just becuz. Learn Cursive to add a signature twist. -Kisha No E stirring less, steeping more, and trusting the flavor to speak ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care Are you still here? We have made it to the 10th day of the month. That means 10 days of consistency thus far in this challenge. I'm proud of myself and I hope you've been enjoying the daily brew of the love. I would hope by now, we get the jist of the series and I no longer need to do the daily blurb to remind you. If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . Recap for Day Nine: Compliment someone sincerely and specifically. Day 10 Practice listening without planning your response. For someone with a Bachelor’s in Communications, I can honestly say this practice is still very much ongoing. Who doesn’t love a good debate? Have you ever been so right, receipts or not, that you've considered a career in law? (I'm still watching Suits on Netflix) Over the last few years, I’ve been shifting from listening to be understood to listening to understand. The difference has been transformative. It’s strengthened my relationships and lifted the quiet pressure of needing to be heard so bad. I’ve learned that being quick to respond isn’t as effective when things can get lost in translation. You so busy cutting 'em off to get your point off you don't even hear the full context. You'll find a lot of times being right doesn’t require a rebuttal at all. Have you ever known you were right in an argument but chose to pick your battles and let it slide anyway? Try it and report back. — Kisha No E less reacting, more listening, and letting the truth finish brewing ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care I would hope by now, we get the jist of the series and I no longer need to do the daily blurb to remind you. If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . Recap for Day Eight: Send a thoughtful message with no expectation of reply. Day Nine Compliment someone sincerely and specifically. Does braving the blistering cold to catch a glimpse of the monks, greeting them with a sincere thank you and a good morning, count as a compliment?! I mean, why not; especially when gratitude is offered without expectation. Luckily for me, this challenge feels familiar. Complimenting others is something I practice daily, whether with people I know, work alongside, or pass briefly in the day. But my favorite is offering kindness to a stranger. There’s something grounding about noticing someone’s presence or their effort and naming it out loud. Those passing moments of small talk or shared air feel like quiet pauses in time. And I’ve learned that when you carry a bit of inner peace, compliments stop feeling like tasks and start feeling like second nature. Before you know it, mindfulness is poured into the day and compassion becomes part of how you move through the world-like the Monk's I encountered as they walk for peace to DC. -Kisha No E A quiet roast of gratitude, served in passing and remembered longer than the sip .

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care I would hope by now, we get the jist of the series and I no longer need to do the daily blurb to remind you. If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . Recap for Day Seven: Rest without earning it. Day Eight Send a thoughtful message with no expectation of reply. I randomly thought of a friend. We mainly stay in touch via social media and text messages but something nudged me to call her because she came across my mind and I wanted to give her flowers. Marci has always been innovative and ahead of the game. She sees the trends and gives us a heads up. I don't act on it and watch her plans come to fruition years later like wow...she was right. She recently dropped a new project: Forever begins in cursive . I thought this was a brillant idea when she mentioned it a few months ago so to see she wasted no time on it; I wanted to let her know how inspiring she's been. I didn't expect her to answer my call and was preparing to leave a voicemail-she's so busy, lol. To my surprise-she answered right before the buzzer and we chatted. I say all that to say...whether she answered or not, the sentiments would've remained the same. I love giving my people's their flowers. I love when God gives me that nudge in dropping a name on my heart to acknowledge. Nothing major, nothing elongated-just a simple message to let them know their thought of. Kindness. I'm not one for fan fare by seeking a reply. I just want you to know...I see you. — Kisha No E Grounded in love ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care I would hope by now, we get the jist of the series and I no longer need to do the daily blurb to remind you. If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . Recap for Day Six: Drink your coffee slowly. No scrolling. Day Seven Rest without earning it. On Friday/Saturday's I purposely sleep on the couch. No significant meaning behind it. I've always fully enjoyed ALL of my home since my first apartment. My Great Aunt Louise (no, literally my grandma's sister) slept on the couch (in our 2 bdrm apt) for over ten years when we lived off Southern Ave until we upgraded to a single family home where she finally got her own room. Sometimes I would sleep in the living room with her on the weekends and made a "paddle" (which I later learned in my adult life was called "pallet" which is southern slang for makeshift bed from piles of blankets) by the couch to sleep under her so she could rub my back. So well, I guess there is a significant meaning behind it. I come from a family of strong, independent and ambitious women. I've watched them sacrifice and I've clearly kept the tradition going. It's been such a way of life for me and I've grown to balance it to not get burnt out. This Winter I've been lingering in bed longer than I need to. Not from exhaustion and fatigue. Just becuz well...I can. I love that for me. My body is a magnet to the bed the colder it is outside. Friday night, I decided to sleep in the bed vs the couch. I have no intention of going outside for a Sip Trip this morning. I got coffee at home! What I intend on doing is resting without the interruption of the alarm clock. Resting without having to fix kids breakfast. Resting without having a hard week at work. Resting without stress. Resting without drama. Resting in honor of my mama, my grandma, my great aunt and last but not least-ME. — Kisha No E still warm, never rushed, and always brewed with care ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care I would hope by now, we get the jist of the series and I no longer need to do the daily blurb to remind you. If you are new here...welcome. I've decided to commit to 28 days of small and intentional acts of love. The rules and ideas are here . Recap for Day Five: Move your body gently, without tracking or pressure. Day Six Drink your coffee slowly. No scrolling. Funny how today's challenge has become a way of life for me which started only on the weekends that turned into my Sip Trips. I will say...to elevate the experience-put cha phone down. When I have a coffee date, I'm fully engaged in conversation. But it's when I'm home **cue Stephanie Mills and opening melodies** I think of a resting place. A place where there's peace, quiet and serenity. There is a pocket of time I tend to steal some mornings before work where I become a barista to indulge in before I head off into traffic. As I sit back in my chaise to tell Alexa to play "soulful jazz" I kick my legs up to enjoy the view of my windows to see the sunrise (from inside cuz remember...its cold), I can't help but have such a sense of pride as I think-the life I'm enjoying today is one I could only dream of years ago. I've come a long way and to enjoy just a cup of coffee without having to rush to work-I'm grateful. Removing the distraction of your phone allows you to reflect in real time. I look around n smile. I almost feel guilty of sharing this feeling. I'm not bragging-it's just my life. — Kisha No E pouring gently, sipping slowly, and letting the moment steep ☕✨

Daily, intentional acts of care. February Challenge: The Month of Love (Editor’s Assignment) For 28 days, commit to one  small, intentional act of love daily. Rotate the focus between: Self : a boundary honored, rest taken without guilt, getting dressed just for you. Others : a handwritten note, a thoughtful check-in, generosity without an audience. Life : savoring coffee slowly, supporting local spots, choosing presence over productivity. No grand gestures required. This is about consistency, not performance. Document it if you wish which is what I'll be doing myself-but only if it enhances the joy. Love doesn’t need a caption every day and only you know what you did. I'm challenging myself with plopping it on here to keep me accountable and consistent. Recap Day Four: Move your body gently, without tracking or pressure . Day Five Write down three things you’re proud of this year-so far. Not pandering to trends. I know. This is a road less traveled but I have no desire to follow the masses. Never have. It's the Aquarian in me. The excitement of the unknown. We wanna control everything but how fun is that?! I've learned; take the good with the bad at this point. Yet, there's something quite beautiful in the unknown and its there where I don't leave anything to chance and everything to God. Myself. Do you give yourself enough credit? I'm proud of pushing through when there's a magnetic pull keeping me close in the bed or not relying on motivation but the discipline to be productive having a greater pull to override my winter blues . — Kisha No E fully brewed, well balanced, and finally savoring the blend ☕✨

Notes From the Coffee Table I'd like to think of the first month as a built-in grace period. A soft landing where reflection for 31 days still counts so these roundups feel earned, not rushed. With that, here’s what held my attention for January. We shall see how these monthly fave's evolve throughout the year but my goal is to share within the first week. Sip Trips January's weekends were booked. Between taking Mason back to start Spring semester, traveling for work, celebrating Toot turning seven, moving my bday spa up due to the snowstorm and finishing the month-FINALLY at home, whew. It's been a whirlwind but nothing a good cup of steamed milk n creamer couldn't fix. When I gave my Nespresso a break, I traded alone time for conversations with barista's. Aaaaah human interactions!! Getchu some. One of my defaults is Misha's Coffee in Old Town (not the one by the water) and even revisited a spot during work travel which confirmed how some habits don't need reinventing. Mugs on rotation, mornings on repeat-it's hard to choose a fave. Toot is also a January Baby but he's a Capricorn In Case You Missed It Forty Thrive: Birthday Reflections Let me show you how to celebrate on a snow day!! My Favorites of the Month Comfort be winning. I just so happen to catch this Skims set on sale at the standalone shop at Tyson's. The pants are too big (2X) but not enough to leave behind and it became my New Years attire that stretched beyond the ball drop. I've been reaching for it more often than not. Now...let's get into the beauty section: Brown Sugar Babe We need to have a real conversation about this brand one day but until we do... I've grown quite a collection since caving into peer pressures of seeing yall post about this brand so much. I took the plunge last November and will do a review...when I get around to it, lol. This made my faves becuz I reach for it ALL the time and been curating all types of combos to pair with perfume with these. It also wears well alone. While it's a fave, I'll later explain why my recent order could be my last. Danessa Myricks Why yall ain't tell me? Yall some raggedy ol' gatekeepers for allowing me to go so long without trying out this brand. The OCD I have is trying a new brand with 2 things. I kept seeing her blurry balm setting spray all over my TL n she sold me on trying it since my makeup routine is simple. I felt like her brand would pair well with my aging skin and less fussy lifestyle. Dior Creme Abricot This jar of nail cream heaven deserves a permanent faves mark on my list. It's an underrated luxury product; prolly since its for nail care but I should probably start an auto ship option the way I refill these. I honestly don't wanna be without it. If your into cuticle care-you NEED this. It's rich n creamy. I thought I previously reviewed it but **looks at clock** I gotta get ready for work in the am n don't have time to search to plug it in. Until next month’s pour. Same table, fresh cup, and a few more notes worth keeping ☕✨

A 28-Day Practice in Intention, Presence, and Care February Challenge: The Month of Love (Editor’s Assignment) For 28 days, commit to one  small, intentional act of love daily. Rotate the focus between: Self : a boundary honored, rest taken without guilt, getting dressed just for you. Others : a handwritten note, a thoughtful check-in, generosity without an audience. Life : savoring coffee slowly, supporting local spots, choosing presence over productivity. No grand gestures required. This is about consistency, not performance. Document it if you wish which is what I'll be doing myself-but only if it enhances the joy. Love doesn’t need a caption every day and only you know what you did. I'm challenging myself with plopping it on here to keep me accountable and consistent. Recap for Day Three: Take a pause before saying yes Day Four Move your body gently, without tracking or pressure. One thing about me, you ain't ever gotta worry bout me being a fitness girlie or gym rat, lol. I might share some pilates n pickleball stills here n there but I know my lane. When I take my evening strolls or walks around the neighborhood, it's at my leisure. As someone who's had weight loss surgery (WLS) in 2014, it's not the cheat code people think it is. In case you're curious: Life of Uh Former Fat Girl -where I share my journey. Fast forward; I was invited by FashionMabe to join a walking challenge with Coach Los earlier this year and that was right up my alley. I was already thinking of dusting my walking treadmill off anyways but this just jumpstarted and confirmed WHY I needed to get off my rump n get the moving. I've been using my walking treadmill which also helps me beat the winter blues. There's many ways you can gently move your body without pressure. This challenge had me getting creative. I'd walk the mall to window shop to get some steps and take time out to try on clothes like I did here in the Nike outlet. I've adopted parking further away on purpose just to add some more. My favorite body moving hack is dancing in the mirror. It's the little things! — Kisha No E no rush, no reps, just a slow brew kind of movement, best enjoyed between sips ☕✨