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In another 5 months I will be FORTY!!! **gasp** I honestly can't believe I proudly say such a number out loud but I am looking fwd to it. So much so, that I will be dropping a post every month leading up to the grand entry. It's so funny cuz growing up anything over 30 was considered an "old head" n now the kids call us "auntie's" to symbolize an age group-it's all good tho. With all this age comes a lot of wisdom. With aging comes growth. I sit back observing how the younginz move n chuckle. There is a difference between being grown and adulting. In your 20's you THINK u grown not realizing ur just adulting. I can confidently say I AM GROWN!! I didn't realize how grown I was until my early 30's...ok maybe mid. I can't fully explain the feeling but it's just something magical that flows within u and u can't help but exude the energy without having to say it. I have been admiring those before me who are killing it after 40, I respect my elders lol. The key to growth is being open to random gems our elders drop. You pick up what u will n leave behind what don't want. I totally get it, old folks have old school ways in which we view as outdated-but make no mistake...there is truth to the "circle of life". Within the last decade, I have been unlearning n open to learning various avenues of how I stroll about life. My kids keep me young and having two on different ends of the spectrum gives me an extra set of eyes to also view life. My parenting style isn't traditional n more on the authoritative vs authoritarian style (most us are accustomed to growing up experiencing) and it works for ME. This is another great thing to enjoy as u get older...u care less n less of what others think!! This also includes how YOU parent YO kids!! People will always have an opinion on what u do n how u moving in life whether solicited or volunteered. It's such a habit old folks have n I subconsciously do it myself but guess what...take it or leave it. Heading into my 40's I am more sure of myself n conscious of moves I make knowing my family depends on it. I sit back n observe more n say less. Over these next 5 months I'll be randomly self-evaluating and reflecting on my journey of my overall living n lifestyle. I am at a good place where my success is measured by happiness-what makes me happy...what brings me joy!

Yup...the countdown continues! I have 3 more months til FO'TEE!! EEEK!! I have been gathering a lot of insight of women over 40 because I am curious and interested in how they felt when they hit this milestone. What have they learned and what they'd do differently. As I near the end of my 30's, I will say...my early 30's were a blur. I don't remember too much from my early 30's. I spent 35 waking up on an island while enjoying modern family on a #dragcruise and now here I am lol. I feel grateful to have made it this far and even greater to have my health n mind given the current state we're in. I know the pandemic has put a damper on a lot of plans we've had for this monumental 2020 year but I honestly can't complain! The hiatus I've been forced to take makes me reflect more than ever. My knees randomly crack now if I get up too fast, I swear I felt my teeth shifting one morning-ugh!! There is a beauty in aging that I am feeling as the weeks get closer to the day...I feel there's a shedding that's happening and I can't articulate it into words at the moment but every week a different layer drops. The layers of myself in what I've learned throughout my time on earth n layers of unlearning as veils from my past dropped. There's an art to less is more that's said to be addressed-trust me, I'm on it haha. Y'all know what my next countdown to fo'tee will address....this gawd forsaken dating life **cue horror screeeeam** so stay tuned for next month's series-this shyt is crazy!

OMG!! Where were u TEN years ago when #PinkFriday dropped? I was just getting into makeup that year and was busy saving lives when I was anticipating this Mac x Nicki Collab. I was working on Thanksgiving n soon as the clock struck midnight...I was ON IT!! I inputed a lucky guess of a code "Pink Friday" and voila-FREE SHIPPING (FYI: I hate paying shipping). This lippie is a good mix of the infamous and Mac's Cult Classics Snob + Pink Nouveau. It's not for the faint of hearts and as a lover of anything pink...I'm proud to have snagged it n have it in the collection. Is it a shade I reached for often? No. But this pink POP allows u to do less as possible on the face. To be honest...as a stand alone shade, it can be intimidating and I wouldn't advise doin so unless u want the chalky freshly dusted wit a powdered donut wit a hint of Tyrone Biggums lips soooo you'd definitely need to doctor it up a tad. My favorite way to make it wearable is to use a brown liner of the sort (Mac Cork/Stripdown/Chestnut) becuz it tones down the pastelness. But for celebrating the anniversary I wanted to keep it PANK!! So I used the combo of.... MAC Shock Value #prolongwear liners which I don't know if they still sell cuz I don't keep up wit the makeup world anymore lol. So yessss this is nostalgic for me to whip this out n for it to be a whole azz decade this lip still wears well and hasn't turned (**eyerolls Tom Ford**) It's limited edition (LE) so sorry for u if u missed the drop or didn't wanna pay over the value to nab it lol n by now I'm sure there are plenty of dupes wit the range of makeup brands that have sprouted since those days-wow!! Ten Years in the game-sheesh!! All my #Mac veterans surely didn't miss this moment 4 life ;)

Currently as it stands we are anxiously awaiting for the announcement of one of the biggest elections in our nations history and I meeeean on edge! Covid numbers goin up higher than a giraffe's azz at a Snoop Dogg concert and although we've gained an hour with daylight savings time, I still need a nap. My body is randomly tied, my appetite fluctuates to full meal or popcorn for dinner. I am balancing working full-time, juggling being a full-time student and oh...I'm a mom! Emotionally and psychologically its a lot for me as an adult to process the state of the world and my household as I teeter between great...ok and diving into a bubble bath with clouds of sage and palo hovering over me. As we promote checking on our strong friends...let's also include these kids. Although I am Team No Coddle with my kids, I also maintain an open communication line with Mason because the younger the kids, the more attention they receive. The older kids get the less we tend to pay attention to them. I have a more liberal style of parenting meaning I allow him more freedoms than other parenting styles and allowing him to make his own decisions-because I know my child. I've been sowing seeds in him since he was little, so I know the responsibilities he's capable of and I teach him there are consequences to choices he makes because I want him to learn, IN LIFE-u can't rely on ur looks n u can't tug on my umbilical cord at ur convenience. With all the stresses I am having, I want to acknowledge his. I talk to Mason to ask him how he's feeling about what's going and his thoughts becuz I am not discounting his emotions during these times becuz of his age. Here are 3 Steps on how i tend to #PandemicParent during these rough times: Step 1: Be There. He is in his room (known as Apt B lol) all the time. I barely see him so i peek into his room throuhghout the day to check on him. Sometimes i'll risk my life n stay in there longer than 5 min (wearing hazmat couture) to initiate conversations that let him express his feelings beyond "how are you" with "what do u think about..." becuz if i ask how he's doin he'll always answer "good". Letting him feel comfy to talk to me about anything makes me feel like I'm doin something right becuz I never talked to my parents so freely as a teen. LET'S BE CLEAR THO...I am not his friend n he's aware of this when I swap to my discipline hat. He even takes accountability to acknowledge when n where he phkd up which I admire n we move forward. He knows I am here for him. Even if I am just lounging in his room watching him play his game, he knows I'm present. I don't take these moments for granted with how fast time moving! Step 2: Showing kindness. The male species grow up in a society where masculinity is celebrated n the gender roles of what they do n provide become thankless jobs. Females grow up with getting spoiled and showered with gifts by default. I am changing the narrative with my boys becuz everyone loves a random gift just becuz and we not waiting on holidays to get em. To perk him up, I surprise him w/a gift card or make his favorite meal. Mason doesn't require much. If i make a #starbucks run I include him n annoy him with kisses n hugs. The little random acts of kindness makes a world of a difference in his mood. Step 3: Give Grace. Look-Mason has not physically been to school since March. His social life (outside them dmn games) took a nosedive. I feel sad for these kids becuz we as humans NEED energies of other humans-it's natural n the virtual shyt ain't the same. It's been groundhogs day everyday n the weeks roll into together to where u don't even realize when a holiday is coming up n there's no need to look forward to the weekends because it's all the same. I stay on top of him when it comes to school so I said given the situation, there's no way to not take advantage of the situation n ace these classes. When I kept getting notifications on missing assignments and low test scores, I needed to get to the bottom of it becuz iiiii ain't understand HOW. It wasn't til after I chatted with him about it I realized, kids have different stressors on different levels than adults have. I know we dismiss them becuz we compare them n hold them lower due to our own experiences **cue kids these days scenarios** but we need to be mindful all age groups are affected by current times. I give him space when I notice mood changes, we go for family walks for fresh air, we plan for TV time (Black-ish n Fear Factor binges are faves) n becuz I understand it may seem "easy" in theory working n goin to school from home, it can be a challenge to stay focused. When them grades dip, I don't scold him but redirect the tone (and take away Xbox n phone) so he can regroup n get back on track. The teachers giving em more than enough leeway with allowing them to makeup work so failure isn't an option! These steps have helped me enhance my parenting with a teen not just for his well-being but my sanity. I pride myself on positive energy and love flowing throughout my home. I am out of the mindset of how I grew up n going with the flow of having my own structure as we go. I am a daily parrot and I've been reciting "wash ur face, brush ur teeth" EVERY MORNING since he was a younger lad. As much as I'd LOVE to see his room clean when I peek in, it's a losing battle but I will take the victory of 3 out of 7 days it IS clean. I thank God for showing me patience to complete these 3 steps above becuz compassion n empathy isn't something parents of an older generation gave us. Hug ur kids, let em know u love em n acknowledge their presence throughout the ordeal we going through too.

I am frugal to a certain degree-I still indulge in a little splurge here n there becuz well-I deserve. I came across these heels over the summer n swooned instantly just off the image alone but went about my business. As algorithms n big brother would have it, they popped up on my feed again so this time I took it a step further n peeped her profile on IG I said oooh okaaaay these are gorgeous but err uuuh I wasn't quite ready to fully commit to the price just yet. The months continued to roll on n yet this signature heel was in the back of my head n when I took a peek to window shop they were sold out. I was randomly scouring Nordies looking to add my graduation gift to my wishlist. I came across some red bottoms to my liking n put em in my wishlist-then I thought...instead of putting my monies into a popular shoe designer, why not divert these funds to a BLACK WOMAN of a luxury brand. I instantly thought of Keeyahri and even tho my shoes were sold out it wouldn't hurt to get on my wishlist. But as luck would have it...they were BYKE!!! Look at GAWD. So as excited as I was to see them IN STOCK, this would by far be my most expensive gift to self. The most I've ever spent on shoes were about $250 so I knew these splurges would need to be well worth the monies. Although I am set on getting em, I'm still nervous so I peek into my account n find myself doin the infamous Diddy stare down wit my own money: I'm looking at the shoes...#keeyahri shoes looking at me! I'm looking at my bank account, bank acct looking at me but my reason to support her was far greater than the price in itself n that is what made me comfy wit hitting submit n going through wit the sale!! I was soooo excited upon the arrival. I had been swooning for months n although these were intended to be for graduation, I just couldn't chance passing em up n they not being in stock for next Spring. The service was top notch, the private unboxing was magical and I had no buyers remorse in sight. The added touch of the thank you note always warms my heart. It's the simple things for me n the extra mile to show appreciation that makes me happy to have spent my money. They come with a satin shoe bag to store these beauties in and the many inspirations of what I'll wear with these going through my mind. Let me get down to the get down...this is an honest review, not sponsored....Ready... I am sooo in love with these. I originally ordered a size 39 and they didn't fit comfortably. I am a true size 8 but when it comes to pointy toes...I am an 8 1/2 so I should've went with my gut instinct to get a size 40. No fret, I hit Keya up and she sent a return slip to exchange. Shipping was quick too! The 40's fit like a dreeeeam. I don't know about chall but I've never spoken to Steve Madden let alone a Louboutin when I needed to exchange some shoes or had questions on sizing. I am honored to have these in my stash n loved supporting this brand. The bold statement heel is what sold me, the quality in leather is what keeps me! I am learning to be strategic with my monies-well...trying to be these days lol. If you come across any of #luxuryblackowned designers I should be aware of...let me know! Don't be stingy and share. My #WerkCouture has officially been elevated. Definitely check Keeyahri out, I can't wait to see what she comes with next.

A vulnerable moment that will replay every year for me around this time is being reminded of Pregnancy and Loss Awareness month. I literally sat on updating my original post: Shyt Nobody Talks About becuz it takes me back to recalling the moment. I am not alone yet nobody openly talks about it. We experience dealing with miscarriages in silence n I don't know if it's from embarrassment, shame or the emotions of loss in itself we don't share. It wasn't until Chrissy Teigen revealed her loss after giving birth where I paused n vastly went back to Oct 2017. For those new here, I'll catch u up to speed really quick; I'm a surrogate yet I'm MOM (feel free to catch up on the story here ). Before my Lil Toot, we were preggers a year prior and while on a normal check up, I learned I dilated early (20 wks) and although I felt no contractions or indications of complications, I had to get an emergency cerclage n placed on bedrest (22 wks). Every week was a milestone at this point but then my water broke (24 wks) and I delivered a one pound baby boy. A baby I didn't want to see becuz I didn't want that to be the last image embedded in my head. A baby I passed on holding becuz I wasn't sure I'd be strong enuff to let go of. We were already informed of the odds after the emergency cerclage so I was prepared for the 50/50 but in the back of my mind-i just knew! I privately prepared myself while trying to squeeze in optimism for my boys. It was tough. A few months after I revealed our loss, I posted a follow up on coping with miscarriages -read here-> divine timing isn't celebrated enuff yet it's to be acknowledged becuz it's what helped me go for my last hoorah. I have no regrets for past indiscretions and how I abused my body. I am openly pro-choice n not ashamed to say I've exercised those rights on numerous occasions. After losing our baby, my spiritual being transformed to where I became a new me. I prepared my body and cleansed my soul to ascend with greater powers. I really felt like through suffering from such a tragedy, it flourished a better me becuz it taught me mindfulness n trusting that when u take that leap of faith-God got chew!! Make no mistake, manifestation is real but putting in the work behind it is necessary. I have been blessed to see confirmation of God's work in our son we made out of love. You can't tell me God ain't real. I value myself different and I vibrate on a level where one can only hope to get to reach through being kept by higher powers. I have a testimony I'll never suppress becuz it's apart of my story. I overcame the anxiety of carrying Toot with tunnel vision-becuz trust I felt like I was tip toeing for a full 38 wks. I also overcame anxiety with paying attention to chats with the universe. There were butterflies that landed on my baby bump, dragon flies hovered around me, a hummingbird that could've literally poked my nose being so close to my face. With each occurrence with nature grew a sense of calmness n sigh of relief. Although my boys were holding their breaths, I knew this last hoorah was different. I am forever grateful for the success of our story-the good and the bad. My heart is full as a mom of TWO. Both my sons wake up smiling, Mason still laughs in his sleep lol n I can contribute that to wellness n worry-free pregnancies. I have such an empathy for women who've suffered from miscarriages. You never know what we as women silently struggle with becuz we are naturally strong n resilient. I am the opposite when my most emotional states happen around full moons n I allow myself to breakdown n feel then I'll meditate n enjoy stillness. For those with similar stories like mine, try to believe in divine timing. We want to be in control of our lives so bad n think that what we plan is concrete but when u let go of that concept n trust in his plan you will unlock a level to unimaginable heights u didn't think of or see coming. All I know iz...I am open to receiving my blessings!

If your socks aren't sequin are u really even wearing em! Ha Ha! I actually am not a lover of socks...the country side of me likes to be barefoot n I feel like my toes don't like to be constricted by way of anything closed toe! I've had these for a while now n they collected dust n got no love as I moved em around every time I'd grab a less snazzy pair. On this day, the spirit hit me to toss em on n go to work. These beauties are from ASOS (circa 2018) n if u click the link it'll show they are SOLD OUT!! But don't fret!! They do this every year lol. They normally restock around holiday season ($13) then remnants linger til after xmas and go on sale for under $10-if your lucky! I wouldn't wait for a sale tho cuz they go quick. I always stalk the site in case they come in a green n blue-ish mermaid shade too. Unfortunately, I can't even give y'all alternatives on where to find em becuz normally u could search around on etsy, amazon n nem but I ain't seen none like deez! If and when I do see them pop up again, I'll remind y'all n toss it in my #IGstories The material is nothin to keep ur feet warm lol, they not even a pantyhose kinda material...more like...cheap pillowcase type vibes. Nonetheless, they're too cute n clearly for fashion purposes so the make of them don't bother me. I don't suggest tossing em in the washing machine unless u wanna *ping ping pop* be plucking sequins out lol. Oh...n don't think u gonna be able to walk around the house in these joints prancing unless u got good healthcare. Rug or rug, carpet or hardwood floors...u WILL go sliding n accidentally do that Tom Cruise glide: Well dmn...now that I think about it...guess I gotta choose to wear these wisely lol. I'll transition some sandals into #Fall2020 with these when I'm feeling extra snazzy...as if I need to get any snazzier lol. The novelty of these socks I do enjoy, the longevity I can't speak on lol. Just don't hesitate to get em when u see em!! I can't wait to see how u style them to ur likings...make sure u tag me #ballsofbeautyblog cuz im nosey n wanna see.

One of my Top 5 Pandemic Purchases have been these Bose Audio Sunglasses . During a random search one day on lockdown, I was thinking how cool it would be to have some smart glasses and BAM!! My dreams were answered-slightly lol. I began researching 'em becuz I'd never heard of 'em before n paused on the price: $200!! Now I am a sunglasses whooooore n never been one to spend a lot of money for some sunnies so I was taken aback-yet still intrigued. I pondered on it for a few wks then said phk it n went for em! I grabbed them from Target to use my red card n soften the blow lol. They come in 2 styles: Alto n Rondo. I chose to go with the Rondo's because the alto's were basic "men in black" lookin. Even tho I was excited to now have these in my possession, I let them sit and marinate (as I do with any big purchase, slight OCD) to make sure I didn't have buyers remorse. Now let me let u in on a secret...**looks around**...come in a little closer...I AM NOT A TECHY!! I am only giving u a basic review-DASSIT!! if u wanna know the specs n velocity of shyt, do ur googles!! Ok so I built myself up to unwrap the box n take em for a spin, they started out with a good 70% of battery power and I connected em to my phone. Easy peasy!! Went out for a walk to test em out and fell in loooooove! The sound quality is typical of the Bose brand but I was surprised with how I could still blast my music in my ear yet still be aware enuff to pay attn to my surroundings. U basically have a personal concert within ur personal space! It took me some getting used to becuz I'd wear 'em inside stores to shop and when I got to the register I'd pull them up to hear or talk to the cashier lol. No worries, there's a button on the side to control everything: pause/play/skip, answer the phone/hang up, and turn the volume up n down (w/slight head turns). Do you NEED these? Yes! Why? Cuz they on sale now lol. They also give the option to change the lenses (sold separately) and they're cool novelties! I knew they'd be practical for me becuz I lost my AirPods (in the house) n they accompany me for my solo retreats aka errand runs. I love wearing shades so sunnies + the convenience of The battery life kinda sucks but isn't a breaker for me becuz im not out all day in them. If I leave on a fresh 100% battery I come back maybe 5 hrs later with 60-70%, from there I keep the remaining charge n go for an hour walk n come back on 40%. Doesn't take long to charge and the set up is pretty easy to connect to streaming services. I also catch myself a tad becuz I wear them indoors on Target n Wegman runs so I'm sure I look like I'm talking to myself while listening to pods and dancing to my own tune with music lol. The charger for it is really short but I also have a backup charger I grabbed from amazon that'll come in handy. I do wish they came with an extra set of lense to swap out but I am fully invested in these-even grabbed a warranty **gasp** Another note: they are waterproof in case u get caught in the rain but don't plan to go scuba diving wit em on thinking they'll hold u up haha. These are definitely amongst the top fun purchases to date n surprisingly stylish which is music to my ears...or in it lol.

I am not a socialite but in my head...I'm on the scene! Partying it up, bottles flowing endlessly n mingling wit celebs all while playing coy wit the rappers thinking I'm goin to they afterparty...u know like those Hype William vids from the 90's when everyone was getting money n having a ball. Yea those days with no yawns happening cuz I am not gettin home until the sun rises. **pops daydreaming bubble** Instead I'm currently chillin in my lounge wear couture slowly sippin some Rozay n catching up on my DVR n being on the verge to re-binge #Pose. Yup! Hot Mama aight lol. That's ok though. This life I chose ain't for the faint of hearts nor those who can't sit still. Since I tend to play dress up every now n then, I figured I'd go with a theme: #MiamiNights for some #inspiredlooks These pieces came together over time. Yall know I'm a tad of a collector **tee hee** The skirt is from Asos (on sale a few yrs ago), tank top fresh from Target and the standout which is the blazer comes from my favorite thrifter- Goldenbird Boutique ! Funny cuz when she posted, I let it marinate and didn't think it would be there when I went back. I gave u heaux weeks to snag it n after weeks of pondering n seeing it teased, I said aight...this is meant for me! As a clutch whore, I got this from DSW in the clearance pile a while ago. The nail drip comes from Sharisse at Salon Couture ;) Let me take a moment to give props to my photographer **cue hand clap** who did an amazing job with this session. I caught him at a good time where he was able to take a pause from the gaming world n let his fingers go towards snapping my pics instead of snapping a chat. Give it up for Mason yall **cue audience claps** If u too have a teen son, then you'd know the amount of energy it took to pry them away from a controller n a bowl of oodles n noodles to grab there attention for a certain amount of time. I had to make this quick lol. The only time I'm in Miami is in passing aka connecting flights but I feel my time has passed to fully enjoy the city as I'd like-in my head. I enjoy living vicariously through the younger ones who partying the night away n prancing along the beaches in string bikinis but I am yawning before 10p, I've never been one for crowds annnnd I'm not really a drinker **WHOMP WHOMP** Yes, I am totally "boring" but my attire says differently. My dress code explains how I feel on the inside. It's one of the reasons why I always like color-it just makes me feel vibrant. I had a dream about this outfit. I have been trying to get more comfy with mixing prints and this came out better than I had imagined. I envisioned Miami Nights nightlife with a hint of Cuban flare. If ever I'm able to stay up pass 10pm n visit the city, I'm sure I'd turn up n cha cha my life away. Yes, these heels are comfy too-becuz that's mandatory for my age! If you are scared to leap into the mixing of prints, just use this rule of thumb: Leopard goes with EVERYTHING!! It's like a great neutral. I collect so much I forget I have them in my stash...the forgotten piece would be this gorgeous bag which I snagged on clearance from Nordstrom Rack years ago for I'm sure no more than $20! This is before the neon trend. I got it becuz it's just a shade I didn't have and it's a fun color. It's a cute crossbody saddle like bag for weekend runs. The shirt is thrifted from **whispers** the mens section I snatched from Rag-o-rama (my bestie in ATL enables me to partake) and jeans from Forever 21 and these lovely leopards are BCBG from #myDSW n it just tied the look together for me. Now that I've came up wit some Miami Nights inspired looks...Imma be sure to keep em handy for when I return n do an extended stay to kick it wit my girl Trina so she can show me around n see what's cookin up in Trick Daddy's pot lol. The culture of the city and energy is inspiring and if I create anymore looks it'll be with less clothing AFTER a visit from Dr. Miami haha.

I am so over summer! It's never been my favorite season. Heat n humidity are not my besties! The one good thing about this summer has been less traffic n crowds (I guess depending on the age group lol) but this has been the most chill summer I've had since...well...dmn EVER! My closet is dusty n I've stopped shopping Werk Couture (work clothes) during April. Figured I'd go back down memory lane BC (before covid)...like wow...who knew lol. SN (sidenote): My Quarantine Quronicles is slowly but surely COMING SOON!!

It's the mooooost wonderful tiiiime of the yeeeeaaaar :) I've been a Nordstrom member since 2010 so this is officially my 10th year indulging in their annual Anniversary Sale. It was during a time where I was getting into the makeup world and jumped head first into Bobbi Brown, MAC, NARS and yea...crazy times!! They have so many great deals that I just couldn't pass up. The best part of the good ol' days was getting that infamous Nordstrom Preview Catalog of the upcoming anniversary kid. I would mark it up like kids when they get the Toys R Us book to make a Xmas wishlist. I would add...remove items from my wishlist leading up to the day of early access. A special invite would pop in the mail to shop "before others" **pinky wave** whether it was special hours set for private shopping or where its roped off for exclusive Nordy card members-I am a kid in a candy store!! I've honed in on my strategic approach over the years and this year put it to the ultimate test: STICK TO A BUDGET!! With our DMV area basically not returning into the work office til...oooh 2021, I knew I didn't need to shop for work clothes. I also knew with Mason not returning into the classroom that spared me on some school shopping I'd normally do-even though he doesn't like what iiiiii pick out AS IF I don't have drip. So that left me with grabbing things I "need". Soooo what did I get? Wellllll...since the catalogs have been discontinued, I relied on the preview guide on their site when it dropped and put stuff in my wishlist. I was technically waiting til later but randomly one morning said...hmm...isn't the sale happening? As long as u have a card they not gonna say no so I went on over there first thing Sat am and whatever was on my wishlist halfway went out the door **cue horror scream** because although I do mark my list online, they also have deals in-store that don't show online so it's always best to go inside (for me-and I just prefer the in-store experience)!! Disclaimer: I know during the pandemic the times are a tad rough and people may not be comfy with in-store shopping, I am comfortable with how Nordstrom has been handling their practices since they've reopened. They've been great at taking precautionary measures the best way possible and u get the same quality customer service. The beauty section is where I head to FIRST and is normally a half of my budget. The sets is where I find a lot of value in newly discovered brands I've been eyeballing to try or just to re-up on some of my faves. So lets seeeee....what did I snag... Although I have really been heavy into supporting local black businesses when it comes to candles, I will always grab this set from Diptyque because its a great value. They have em bout twice a year: anniversary sale and holiday season. A full size of these are about $70 (smaller ones for $40) and don't think u gonna wait around for a sale-TUH!! These are luxury candles and even limited editions sell out quicker than u turn around when u hear a sneeze these days! I can light these in the bathroom and it fills up that space and my bedroom. Don't try to take shortcuts and get the scented oval (like I did one time), it's not as potent as the candle itself but good for small closet spaces-still not worth it for the price. I am not a coat person because I go a short distance from the car to the building/destination and I'm not driving with a coat on lol. I skipped a lot of winter attire for the simple fact that I'll be home more often than not. The kids section has good deals for their shoes and Nike clothes. I always stocked up on his joggers and t-shirts. The baby section omgggg...makes me wanna...yea nehmind!! These Uggs feel soooo good. Never been a house slipper lover but for the price...they were irresistible! The ones on the left are sold out, the ones on the right are available but the hot n trendy colors go quick! With all the hand washing going on I did NOT wanna pass up on this deal, L'Occitane hand cream is loooove!! This duo is full size (5.2oz) which is about $30 a piece so no surprise this set is also...SOLD OUT but I've linked the next best thing to luxuriate ur hands keeping them from going crypt keeper on u. Also, to note the lavender foaming bath is DEFINITELY something to try. I've always loved taking baths n this kicks ur tub time into a luxurious spa. It's no longer sold at Nordstroms or Sephora but u can find it at their stand alone stores or online. Lavender is my favorite scent n this is hands down THE BEST lavish lav scent ever. It's rich n creamy n I use it sparingly due to the price but yea...treat cho' self. Nooo surprise this deal was snatched up QUICK from Lancome !! 3 full size mascara's (the white one is a booster to intensify the color) plus one of the best eye removers ( MUFE is my holy grail tho). Although I'm not heavily into makeup anymore, I do wanna keep it simple as possible. I haven't brought myself to get lashes "installed"so mascara it is!! Quick pick me up for those "no makeup" days. I've been a longstanding lover of Lancome so this was a re-up for me. I have a few more that I'll share here n there...won't bore u now lol. The Anniversary sale opens for everyone Aug 19th and the prices go UP Aug 31st. If u hoard nordy notes like me, now's the time to use em...or save em for xmas time. Luckily, I stayed within my budget **cue ramen on the menu for the next 2 paychecks** but I dropped the hammer on my double points day + saved notes so I'll splurge during holiday season (to myself). A lot of the faves or hot items prolly sold out but randomly keep an eye out for restocks. There really wasn't anything within the sale that was a "must have" and if u missed out more than likely it'll roll back around again during the holidays. Treat cho' self to something and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SHOPPING!!!

Y'all...I am soooo excited!! I have revamped my blog-however...I've learned that my old blog won't convert over **cue horror scream** but no fret...it's all good because I'll keep it up for reference and move forward here!! I know we like to wait til shyt gets perfect before we toss it out but for what iiiiiii want....yea nah!! No better time than NOW! Although it's under construction, I will change n rearrange as I go-so there's that. As y'all know these summer classes have been kicking my azz but it's coming to an end this week then I can come up for fresh air a tad n come out to play wit chall. I really appreciate all the encouraging words and motivation with keeping me on track to complete this BA...Wheeeew Class of 2021-thank u jeeeeeezuz!!!! So...subscribe to my email list to keep up wit these new drops-yall know I be random and I like to be spontaneous and send surprise gifts just becuz soooo ya never knoooooow ;)