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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 Two: Get dressed today just for you. No occasion required. Day Three Take a pause before saying yes. My pause showed up in the form of a bag. The Glam-Aholics Teddy Flap Bag waited patiently through seasons, sales, and sell outs for little ol' me. It taught me that the pause is where discernment lives. I toggled back n forth when it dropped in Feb becuz this is the time of month where I scale back on anything Winter n prep my closet for Spring. It was IN my cart but still paused on completing the purchase n next thing ya know...it was GONE. I took it as if its just not meant to be yet I couldn't stop thinking about it. Even when the restock hit, the thrill was gone n lucky for me, the girlies moved on to summer styles. Throughout the year I'd randomly think about this bag n that's how I knew-the pause lived in the gap before the automatic yes. I was able to let the desire steep the way coffee does when a pod is popped in my nespresso. The purchase was unhurried n intentional by the time Black Friday rolled around. That's pretty much how I tend to shop now n days-well, most of the time. The honesty of doing I really neeeed or highly want **insert impulsive shopping** but the pause is where clarity edits the noise out. I finally said YES and not just the bag held it's shape but my decision itself throughout the year. Reflecting on this story helped me recognize it's not just about the bag. This can be applied to other avenues in life. These kinds of pauses protects your peace (and sometimes wallet, lol) without announcements and allows your yes to mean something again. The result is always sweeter when chosen with care ✨ — Kisha No E brewing patience, pouring intention, and savoring the yes one cup at a time ☕

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 One: Honor one boundary without explanation Day Two Get dressed for you. No occasion required. I know what you're thinkin...this is too easy and I do this allll the time, lol. You are absolutely correct. I've adopted this method years ago and only up'd it during the era of 2020 where others have fallen off due to the pandemic. We got way too comfy working from home and we lost our mojo which turned into an epidemic (I say that loosely and facetiously-but no really). I've been dying on the hill for heaux to get dressed without a reason to the point where I've simply just resorted to showing you better than I can tell you. The results have been in and the grass is so much greener on this side. Now for me, I'm very much a caftan lover. You may even call it a MuuMuu but over here darliiings...it's become a Leisure Gown✨ I mean how much easier can it get to get dressed whether working from home (such as me today) in slippers, running errands (in flats), or casually grabbing lunch or even dinner (w/kittens). Tossing on a Leisure Gown is just IT. — Kisha No E steeped in self expression, best served fully dressed with a fresh cup ☕✨

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, others, and life itself. Some days it looks like honoring a boundary or getting dressed just for you. Other days it’s a handwritten note, a thoughtful check-in, or choosing presence over productivity. No grand gestures required. This is about consistency, not performance. Document it if you wish, but only if it enhances the joy. Love doesn’t need a caption every day. If you're playing catch up (it's never too late to start), the list to follow is here . Day One Honor one boundary without explanation . Mine is the calendar boundary! Sunday is the one appointment I don't loosely pencil in. Long before motherhood gave it a new title, it was my day of rest. I would slow cook dinner and watch Lifetime Movies all day. Now it quietly answers to Family Day while still honoring its original intention. I guard my for slow mornings, robe hours that stretch up to 1100a, and the kind of staying in that lets a home feel fully lived in to take advantage of all the rents I've paid, lol. No matter the weather, you can more than likely find me indoors, pressing pause so I can gently steer the week ahead with to do lists, budgets, and a clear mind before Monday’s tempo resumes. In The Love We Brew challenge, this is my reminder that rest is not a luxury but a practice, one I keep sacred without explanation, because some rituals work best when left undisturbed. — Kisha No E always brewing into the new week one quiet cup at a time ☕

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-EVERYDAY 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. OH!! You don't wanna think too hard? No worries! Neither do I, lol. I've got some ideas you can try in order or create your own (I'd love to know if you do). I'll be referring back to this anchor post to keep me accountable and I'll either stay in formation or mix n mingle 'em up because I'm not forcing it. I'd like for this challenge to craft itself. Now I will be honest, alot of these I already do as apart of my lifestyle. I mean let's be real; Numma 2 & 6 for week one is a no brainer but the difference in the challenge is paying more attention to what has become second nature and of course, sharing wit chall. 28-Day Prompt List Week One: Be Selfish Honor one boundary without explanation. Get dressed today just for you. No occasion required. Take a pause before saying yes. Move your body gently, without tracking or pressure. Write down three things you’re proud of this year. Drink your coffee slowly. No scrolling. Rest without earning it. Week Two: Pouring Out Send a thoughtful message with no expectation of reply. Compliment someone sincerely and specifically. Practice listening without planning your response. Write a handwritten note or card. Offer help quietly, without announcing it. Express gratitude to someone who rarely hears it. Forgive a small thing and release it fully. Week Three: Just Be Support a local business intentionally. Step outside and notice five details you usually miss. Choose presence over productivity for one hour. Create something without sharing it. Revisit a place, song, or ritual you love. Declutter one small space with care. Celebrate something ordinary. Week Four: The Blend Reflect on how love has shown up this month. Choose softness where you’d normally choose control. Say no to one thing that drains you. Say yes to something that lights you up. Extend grace to yourself for something unfinished. Express love in a way that feels natural to you. Name what you want to carry forward. Now I will be honest, alot of these I already do as apart of my lifestyle. I mean let's be real; Numma 2 & 6 for week one is a no brainer but the difference in the challenge is paying more attention to what has become second nature and of course, sharing wit chall. I'm excited...Day One...coming up!

A February Edit on Love, Life, and a knowing glance February doesn’t ask for grand gestures. It asks for presence. After the quiet resolve of January; I ain't even gonna lie-them last 31 days felt longer than a CVS receipt. While we joke calling the beginning of the year a trial period, I allowed myself to be aware of how I felt-emotionally, physically and mentally. Thank goodness for being in tune with self. I quickly realized it makes such a difference-to what we nurture, to what we choose daily, to love, not as spectacle, but as practice. This is not about roses on the table or romance on demand. There was nothing sweet about feeling like your in zombie mode that last few weeks. This is about intention with a pulse. How we show up for ourselves, how we care for others, and how we stay in a love affair with the life we’re actively creating. February will be edited to feel something and mean it. January: The Issue in Review January didn’t arrive with declarations. It deliberately unfolded. This month’s posts leaned into reflection over resolution, finding beauty in winter’s weight , joy in curated fashion and beauty finds in Sophilia Co , and grounding in coffee rituals that asked us to slow down rather than escape. Each story worked together as a quiet edit, proof that stillness, when chosen with intention, can be just as stylish as momentum. “This season isn’t about chasing love. It’s about choosing it, daily, with intention.” At the heart of it all was the main attraction-My Birthday of turning 45 . I didn't feel like it should've been framed as a milestone to conquer, but a chapter to fully inhabit. Forty Thrive emerged with clarity and confidence, marking an editorial shift away from chasing trends or timelines and toward living with discernment, voice, and purpose. January wasn’t a warm-up. It was a declaration. A reminder that growth doesn’t need an announcement. Sometimes it arrives softly, well-tailored, and exactly on time. The Most Popular Post of January: Snowfall is My Love Language The Most Slept On Post: Starting Somewhere As we turn the page into February, the theme evolves. Less reflection, more devotion. To love, yes. But also to self, craft, and the quiet confidence that comes from standing firmly in who you are. Forty Five isn’t a number.It ’s an affair with intention and last month got me off to a great start. 💄✨

Details That Deserve Attention in Your Accessory Rotation Some mornings call for a full latte moment. Extra foam. Cinnamon sprinkled on top. Other days, all you need is a good cup of coffee and the right pair of earrings to feel pulled together especially being snowed in and working from home-YES, I still get dressed. A few weeks ago, I was casually scrolling on IG when my algorithms stopped me at a shop that spoke to me and within the first glance at her feed...I was intrigued. For why??? I'm all for accessories that do the talking quietly but these are beyond a whisper, lol. I like to discover the balance of the kind that doesn't overpower the outfit but somehow completes it. Enter Sophilia Co. , a brand that understands the beauty of boldness and proves that sometimes the smallest details brew the strongest impression. “The right earrings are like the first sip of coffee. Sensational, grounding, and instantly jolting.” ✨ The Find Sophilia Co.’s earrings strike that rare balance between playful and design. Lightweight enough for all-day wear, yet constructed with intention, they feel thoughtfully styled rather than trendy-for-now. These are pieces that transition seamlessly from morning meetings to mid-day errand runs and late dinners that start with “just one drink.” These are loud but not fussy. Just confidently designed. ☕ Why They’re Worth a Sip Lightweight comfort that doesn’t pull or distract Clean silhouettes that elevate even the simplest outfit Versatile finishes that pair beautifully with denim, knits, or tailored layers Effortless pricing that feels approachable, not precious (and random sales) They’re the accessory equivalent of your favorite café order with an extra shot of espresso. Familiar, reliable, and guaranteed to give you the boost you need. Also, let me note the customer service was great. She was very responsive and allowed me to do my own special order with a "smaller" version. “Not every statement needs volume. Some simply need intention.” ✨ Styling Notes from the Editor I love these earrings styled with: a sleek topknot or hair behind the ears w/soft makeup oversized sunglasses for SURE crisp white button-downs; dare I say-all black-for some of these or denim to allow the earrings to shine. I would keep it solid n simple! They don’t compete with your look when you balance the form. They complement it. A gentle stir, never a spill. I'm excited to pair the domes with...well...you'll see. 🖋️ Final Pour In a season where everything feels loud and fast fashion comes n goes, Sophilia Co.’s earrings remind me that beauty doesn’t need to shout to be noticed. Sometimes it’s the quiet clink of well crafted art against skin, the subtle glow near your collarbone, the pause between sips where when you turn your head these will follow. Consider this your sign to accessorize with intention and maybe order that second cup. You will definitely see these show up in upcoming Sip Trips. After all, style, like coffee, is best when it’s freshly brewed and enjoyed slowly. ☕✨

An Editor’s Note on grief, January pressure, and learning to move gently through the season Winter arrived quietly this year and earlier than I expected last year. Not with snowfall or ceremony, but with a heaviness that drifted in and hovered. It was only when I finally paused that I understood what I had been carrying. I am grieving. The loss of my brothers lingers, and the absence of my grandmother still reshapes the way time moves around me and it puts me in a state of discomfort. Grief is subtle like that. It rarely declares itself. Instead, it settles into the body as fatigue, into the mind as fog, into the heart as a low, constant ache-dmn near undetectable if I'm too busy. January does little to soften it n if nothing else sinks me deeper into it. The new year arrives full of expectation. Resolutions waiting to be written. Loose ends from last year tugging at attention in hopes you'll find the motivation to complete. A quiet urgency to become something new, even when you are still learning how to stand where you are. “Some seasons aren’t meant for rebuilding. They’re meant for holding.” Beneath all the pressure, a quieter question hums. What’s next? I don’t have the answer yet. After just turning 45, I still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up. For now, I move where I can-day by day. I'm getting my steps in on the walking treadmill. Gentle strength (and stretch) through Pilates. Small acts of motion that remind me I am still here, still breathing, still becoming. Not to outrun the sadness, but to sit beside it without being consumed. This season isn’t asking me to perform or transform. It’s asking me to listen. To honor the shift a new year brings without rushing toward clarity. To trust that heaviness, like cold air, eventually lifts. This too shall pass. And when it does, I'll step forward with soft steps, steady pace n deeper grace. If winter has slowed your spirit, let it. I recognize these feelings with getting in the bed early or a random hot bubble bath even if its in the middle of the day. Even the earth rests before it blooms again ☕❄️

Quiet beauty is about subtlety and refinement. It’s not about loud or flashy designs but about colors and styles that speak softly yet leave a lasting impression. Last year, my cousins gave me a great idea to start journaling my monthly nail designs and voila; Nail Files were born. After a hiatus the last few months,I'm freshly BACK!! My inspo for January nails is inspired my focus on balance and harmony to represent my birthday month. Each color in the combo has a role: Navy Blue  adds depth and calmness, evoking the quiet winter nights. Pink , especially soft or muted tones, brings warmth and a gentle touch of femininity. Champagne  introduces a hint of luxury and softness with its warm, golden shimmer. Silver  offers a cool, modern sparkle that complements the other shades without overpowering them. Per usual, my nail stylist, Sharisse brought the vision to life. I go into her shop with nothing in mind and just let the colors hit me throughout the session. Once she asks "what we doin" I brainstorm with her and tell her how I'm feeling. The choice of navy blue, pink, champagne, and silver fits my birthday mood and the weather incorporated perfectly: Navy blue  reflects the grounding element where I wanna refine myself. Black is so strong n cuts more harsh but Navy is the sneaky shade that at a glimspe comes off darker than it seems but when the light hits it just right; it's less intimidating n more wearable than you thought. Pink  is a no brainer for me becuz its my favorite shade (w/red). It keeps me youthful and innocent. This shade reminds me life is what you make it n to not take everything so serious becuz in the end-nobody really cares! Champagne  adds the touch of celebration which is fitting beyond the new year but another birthday I don't take for granted. Silver  mirrors the sparkle I never wanna lose of myself. I'm always down for some shimmer and it tied all the shades together Nails by Sharisse of Salon Couture/Forestville, MD Notice anything different? Yup, I went for the almond shape vs my typical stiletto's. Since I'm starting off with shorter nails, figured I'd try something different and once it grows out, if I don't like it-I can always go back to pointy tips. I have long thin fingers so the shape suits me and being rounded gives me stepford wives, lol. Very happy to kick off not just 2026 but my birthday with a fresh set of nails that represent the tone for the woman I am becoming. Speaking less while my movement talks for me. My style is changing to less loud "here I am" clothes to subtle "there she goes" becuz let's be real...I have nothing to prove and the history of my blog in itself is my resume ✨

On Aging Beautifully, Living Intentionally, and Stepping Into Yourself at 45 Reflections from a woman who finally trusts her timing. By Kisha No E Photography, styling, and reflection by the author 01-26-26 ✨ Turning forty five feels less like a birthday and more like a quiet editorial moment. The kind printed on creamy pages, where the margins breathe and the words finally settle into themselves. This chapter didn’t arrive with fireworks. It came with clarity. With softened mornings, stronger boundaries, and a sense that I no longer need to rush becoming. The stories I’ve shared over the years have traced that evolution. From learning to rest without guilt to choosing progress over perfection. Each post a breadcrumb. Each reflection a return. January 26 carries its own sense of arrival. On this date in 1788, the First Fleet reached Australia, marking a beginning written before certainty could catch up. History has a way of reminding us that most meaningful journeys begin mid-motion. I recognize that now. Growth rarely announces itself. It whispers through repetition, through choosing yourself again and again even when the outcome remains unnamed. “Clarity didn’t change my life overnight. It simply taught me how to stand still without shrinking.” That understanding feels especially fitting today. On January 26, 1927, the first transatlantic radio telephone service connected the United States and the United Kingdom. Voices traveling across oceans. Distance closing through belief and invention. At forty five, I find myself building similar bridges. Between who I was and who I am. Between ambition and peace. Between showing up beautifully and showing up honestly. NOW...lemme give ya what ya came here for-I've spent pretty much ALL of my Sunday crafting today's post. In keepin promises to myself AND saying it out loud so yall can keep me accountable n honest; I have some vids to share **cue deep inhale** This season is not about starting over. It’s about stepping fully in. Style has become less about trends and more about truth. Strength looks quieter now, steadier. And confidence no longer needs confirmation. Forty Thrive is not a declaration of age. It’s an arrival into alignment. A woman grounded enough to pause, bold enough to proceed, and wise enough to trust the pace. **Exhale** So here’s to forty five. To mornings that feel intentional. To lessons that linger kindly. To living well, dressing softly, and choosing joy without explanation. If life insists on adding candles, I’ll keep adding grace. Still curious. Still caffeinated. Still thriving — one beautiful year at a time. Thank you for coming to my Ted Tawk!! Forty Thrive is a celebration of clarity, confidence, and the art of becoming — at every age from here on out as long as I'm allowed ☕💫

Some people celebrate birthdays with candles and noise. I prefer snowfall and silence. The forecast promised snow, but what it delivered was perspective. The last time it snowed in the manner we are anticipating this weekend was...2016 and prior to that we survived Snowmaggedon. This pic isn't from that long ago though, lol. It was a few years ago when we got more than we bargained for. Nonetheless, I love a good snow day. I'm a winter baby n as much as I hate being out in the cold, there's something warm and beautiful seeing the blanket of snow as scenery along the streets and after a while people peek out just to play in the snow. It's not often we get enough to go sledding and build snowmen or even fall into the snow to create snow angels. Confession: I eat the snow! I remember when snow was collected to make ice cream by way of my southern roots, lol. Becuz I can't eat clouds, I've just settled for the next best thing-snow! The best part of a snowfall is just enjoying the scene. The part I hate is having to get dressed and extra layered up to go OUT and enjoy it. Most times I'm gonna gripe about it but becuz the chance doesn't come to us often, I suck it up for fresh air and get one with nature. Notice how the kids are laughing with enchantment. Neighbors are out clearing off their cars and helping each other shovel their way out-to go nowhere. Plow trucks come down and clear the first layer or two and then after an hour...we're back at home to avoid hypothermia. Depiction of ME Snowfalls are more meaningful to me and represent so much. The calm before the storm when I get quiet and unpredictable . The clean slate of snow that covers to change what we see everyday to give a different perspective with fresh eyes as everything surrenders to shades of white. Have you ever paid attention to a handful of snow? Those tiny little ice crystals of snowflakes. How real is God to know each one is different and unique . The snow arrives without any urgency-like me, lol. It drifts down to soften time and forces the world to pause (and panic cuz yall should be ashamed of yallselves at the grocery store). This weekends upcoming snowstorm is right on time for my birthday weekend. I typically do my spa day ON my birthday but decided to move it up to Saturday since its coming Sat night into Sunday. I've got my snacks ready, working on my birthday drop, lounge wear will be in rotation and prepared to adhere to doing a little bit of NOTHING with a hint of solitude and the gentle truth the snowfall teaches. I don't need to ring in my Forty Fif loudly. These are times where changes that need to arrive-like a whisper. The snow will forever honor the kid in me. Anticipating the event n getting a break from school which is now work. It covers yesterday's mess w/ some grace n gives the city an invitation to begin again as it melts giving us a clean slate 🤍❄️✨

Four years of reflection before the next pour In my head, I wanted to do four post to reflect on my birthday's as a countdown before my upcoming one in a few days. The last four birthday chapters have unfolded with quiet intention and have been rolling becuz OMG, I'm adding another one **DJ Khaled voice**. Since my 40's kicked off; each year arrived carrying its own emotional temperature. One marked becoming and the courage it takes to trust timing. Another focused on recalibration, naming what no longer fit and learning that release is a form of refinement . There were seasons devoted to rebuilding confidence, redefining success, and honoring growth that rarely announced itself but changed everything. Lordie, I'm 40 These birthday posts became more than tradition. They became checkpoints. Thoughtful pauses to take inventory of who I was with cleaning my mirror, who I was becoming which continues to thrive , and what I was finally ready to leave behind in order to solidify who I am. Forty Won Over time, the tone shifted from searching to settling. Not settling in a lazy way. Contentment . What once centered on figuring things out matured into clarity, boundaries, and a softer sense of certainty. That evolution mirrors the journey from Balls of Beauty to The Dainty Brew . Oooh Forty Tew A rebrand shaped less by aesthetics and more by alignment. Less rush, more rhythm. Less proving, more presence. As I step into Forty Five, this birthday doesn’t feel like a reset. It feels like a continuation. A woman grounded in her knowing, pouring from a place that feels intentional and unforced. I'm smiling at re-reading this so ya know, lol. Forty ThWee If ever you needed a recap of the last four birthday's, click on the pics to take you back to that year where I celebrated the blessings of seeing another trip around the sun as we call it. I hope you can see the years that have "shaped the pour" and see progression with time. If you KNOW me, whether personally or virtually...even at a distance, you can pinpoint the differences. Thank you! Thank you for being apart of my growth. Forty Force So here’s to the years that stretched me, the words that held me steady, and the season ahead. Forty Five is brewing. And if the past four years taught me anything, it’s this: I don’t chase the moment anymore. I sip it n savor whatever taste comes with it-the bitter and sweet ☕✨

Why comparison stalls us and beginning anyway sets us free If you see the previous post, you'd understand how this is sorta a follow up or well-an add on shall I say! It’s easy to walk by sight in the content world. Sight is everywhere. It’s timelines, polished visuals, expensive equipment, and someone else’s momentum moving faster than yours. Before you know it, comparison quietly takes the wheel and convinces you that starting now isn’t enough and your crippled by doing your own race n can quickly find urself engaging in more of theirs than yours. So we wait. We wait for better lighting. A clearer plan. A scenic aesthetic. A more official moment that feels worthy of being seen. We tell ourselves we’ll begin when it all looks right, sounds right, feels right. When the sun comes out. When someone can take our picture. But starting messy is still starting. I’ve watched people around me move from quiet ideas to bold execution . A book finally written AND in production to sell. Candles once poured for personal joy turned into a business. Casual reviews and unboxings of beauty growing into confidence and influence. None of it arrived perfectly packaged. It arrived because they began. And I love seeing it all becuz I was there when the idea was just a convo in passing or a hunch and to see someone chase their dreams without a care of fails is inspiring. I'm like YES...You can do it. WE can do it and off to the races they go. It’s a reminder that faith doesn’t always look like certainty. Sometimes it looks like pressing publish without knowing who’s watching. Like trusting movement more than timing. Like realizing clarity shows up after action, not before it. I’ve been blogging for a loooong time. Long enough to know I’ve been in rooms where opportunities existed. Events where networking was always possible. Moments where, had I taken things more seriously, brand deals and benefits could have followed and easily flowed. But I have no regret, I’m choosing honesty. Because “could have” doesn’t mean “missed forever.” At this point, why not now? Why not honor consistency instead of minimizing it? Why not take the leap with what I have instead of waiting for what I think I need? Make no mistakes-I've been celebrating small wins that lead to big ones. Did yall see my last post where I topped it off with a video **gasp** I had no intention and was gonna wait until I was all dolled up but NOPE!! Gawn back and take a gander. So spontaneous. Walking by sight becomes dangerous when it keeps us frozen. But when we look around and see others running their race, starting imperfectly, choosing courage over comparison, it becomes an invitation. An invitation to begin.To stop waiting.To start somewhere. And maybe that’s faith in this season: believing that beginning, exactly as you are, is already enough ✨