What are you reading? My April reading list

Have you been keeping up with your reading? Thus far this year, I’ve had my nose in far more books than I read last year, and I’m starting to max out at 7 books a month. Now this means, I’ll read about 52 more books this year than I did last year, which is great!

One of my resolutions was to take more time developing myself and my expertise, SO with that being said here are a few of my reading list recommendations for April.

Cheryl Strayed‘s Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things are at the top of my reading list for April. I’ve been increasingly obsessed with her work and neither of these books have failed to hold my interest.

It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be by Paul Arden

After You by Jojo Moyes

I was rather pissed when I found out about this 2nd book being released. I can blame myself for not staying up to date on her writings, however, I was bombarded by the hardcover of this book in the book store and I was overwhelmed with feelings. A sequel to Me Before You (If you haven’t read it, what the hell are you thinking?) I can’t wait to cuddle up on the couch on a Saturday and read this book.

 

What’s on your reading list? 

Love & Hip Hop ATL | Official Season 5 Super Trailer

VH1 released the super trailer for Love & Hip Hop: ATL and I’ve got two words.

IT’S LIT!!!!

Who are you most interested in seeing this season?

I’m super curious why K. Michelle is back, but this would be a perfect opportunity for her to promote her new Puff Lounge opening soon in Atlanta! I also hope they do NOT wait all season to show Karlie fall out like that because THAT was hilarious! Episode 1 airs April 4th! I’ll be tuned in! Will you?

5 day Juice Cleanse Review

I had the NERVE and audacity to sign myself up (and push myself) to do a 5 day juice cleanse.

If you’re in Atlanta, be sure to check out Twizted Sisters to get information and get on board for your custom detox to spring clean your body for the summer!

Now, in an effort to correct and undo, a year worth of eating terribly and not working out, i decided to do this custom cleanse to kick start getting back on the road to fit. If you remember or have been following me for a while then you know that I dropped like a million pounds last year and you can read about that journey here.

If you’ve also been following me you saw how I spent countless weekends turning up, going on dates, traveling and eating junk food any and whenever I want. But then it hit me around my 26th birthday. I absolutely am NOT taking the best care of my body so, it’s time to get moving and back on track!

I’m sure you guys are wondering what are you even to expect from a juice cleanse? So I’ll answer all the FAQ I got this week.

Are you ONLY drinking juice?

Yes, bih. It’s a detox– so no food! That means only the fresh pressed juice, and a gallon or more of water daily.

Aren’t you starving?

Only on day one. As with everything you are gonna struggle because you’re correcting all the bad habits.

Is the juice good?

Well the fabulous thing about the custom detox is, CONSULTATION! I had the pleasure of telling Courtney all the things I DON’T like, which is practically EVERYTHING, then she made a detox based on the results I wanted to get from the detox. For me, I wanted to trim a little weight and stop feeling so sluggish to actually get some workouts in. (Because for me, as soon as my head is in it– nothing can stop me)

So! Now that that’s out of the way, what can I say about the 5 day juice detox cleanse to help you know what to expect? IT’S LIT.

Day 1:

  
I struggled. Hard. The juice was delicious but I was STARVING. I wanted to eat any and everything and everyone in the office seemed to be eating everything I wanted to eat but couldn’t. I was snappy, angry, and my friends and coworkers said I was a bit more evil than usual. I finished the juice for the day around 5 p.m. so I went to bed early to offset the urge to eat.

Day 2:

  
I was really over it, but I was already a day in so quitting wasn’t an option. My body started flushing the toxins from my body and I started to feel really drained. I drank about 2 gallons of water because I felt so thirsty while flushing the toxins. It was a more humbling day because I came to the realization that food addiction is so very real the way that craving food and not eating it really toyed with my emotions.

Day 3:

  
IT WAS LIT. I literally felt like I was floating on clouds. My body felt light, airy and overall GOOD! Not to mention it was HUMP DAY, which meant I was half way through! My body must have really cleared out my system because I felt AMAZING!

Day 4:

 
I was anxious, less hungry, and starting to see less bloating in my stomach area, and my body overall felt really good. I started creating a plan and focusing on what I would be eating and meal prepping for success the following weeks.

Day 5:

  
I made it! The juice for the day was to boost and reset my metabolism. Wasn’t the most appetizing but I was so happy to have made it all 5 days!

When I woke up Saturday morning my appetite was inexistent. After weighing myself I lost a total of 4.5 pounds! Eager and satisfied with my results I’m looking forward to continuing my lifestyle change, again!

Top 4 Pinterest Life Hacks

 

By Shakira Pipkin 

Some people are drug addicts. Some are addicted to other human beings, but not I.

 I am a die hard, loving fan of Pinterest.

 I’m addicted and I’m not sure that I can live without it. I use the app daily, every chance I get.  It has gotten so bad that if anyone comes to me about a problem, I’ll say look it up on Pinterest or if they want to purchase something that I feel is not worth buying, I’ll say I can make it for you; I learned from Pinterest.

For those of you who don’t know about Pinterest (because clearly you live under a rock) it’s a website/app where you can go to find ideas, tips, and advice on just about anything you can think of and create your own board to organize what you’ve found. SO, as a self-proclaimed Pinterest expert, allow me to share my Top 4 Life Hacks found through Pinterest.

 

Design

For a while, I didn’t know what I was passionate about. My best friend would always ask me if you didn’t work in the pharmacy, what else would you love doing without getting paid for it? It was then that I started a Pinterest account and started searching DIY crafts. Then birthed my first and favorite interest: DIY crafts. It makes decorating your home cheaper because you get to make your own things such as throw pillows, wall art, and even rugs. People are so creative and they bring all their ideas to the Pinterest community with step by step tutorials to achieve the final products.  Throw pillows are expensive and if I can make it myself for $10 cheaper, I’m down to save a coin.

Cooking

I’m not the best cook in the world, but I can follow a recipe to the T! The food recipes help you because it breaks down the recipes in different categories based on what type of food you want to eat, how long you want to be slaving in the kitchen, or I only got $10 for food this week recipes. I normally go for the cheap and quick meals because I’m a cheap person and I don’t want to be in the kitchen all day after working. Easy!

Fashion

You need some better ideas of how to put outfits together, how to store your clothes, or to even do some DIY changes to some outfits, get on Pinterest boo! It gives me ideas on how to wear an outfit, how to put together an outfit, what not to wear, and the latest trends. Believe me when I say that I am not one of those girls that can see a shirt and know exactly how I’m going to rock it. I need/use Pinterest for that. Many of my outfits have been inspired by Pinterest & don’t worry guys, they have fashion for men as well.

Savings

Money, money, money, mo-ney! Money!!

There are some nice people that love to share *free advice* on how to save and make money. (God Bless you all!) When I first stumbled across this, my eyes were wide open! There was this one pin I stumbled across: “How to Trick Yourself into Saving Money”. I said hmm, how can I do that? If you’re a person that uses cash a lot, you basically save all the loose change that you get back from making a transaction and put it a jar. It works. I tried it and it freaking works! I saved over $65 in change within a year’s time.

So, now you guys know that I’m cheap, don’t know how to dress very well without help, and I can cook if you give me the directions. However, if you were to look at my Instagram, you probably wouldn’t guess that about me. (Thanks Pinterest!) Try it out and be patient, I bet you’ll like it. Also follow me on my Pinterest to see the things that I like.

Engaged Couples and Future Brides attend inaugural Wedding U by Dejave

Sunday, March 13th engaged couples, future brides and wedding enthusiasts alike gathered for Wedding U By DeJave, a Bridal Seminar and Tea, presented by Tiffany Webb of Unique Occasions By T. Nicole and Deborah Lockhart of DeJave Extraordinaire. LLC.

Held in Atlanta at the Emory Hotel Conference Center, attendees were able to receive intimate advice and guidance on the ins and outs for planning their dream wedding.

Attendees were able to receive insider tips and knowledge from industry experts and top professionals with guidance on choosing the best photographers, event decor, caterers, destination weddings, creating and staying within their wedding budget, and more!

Photo Courtesy of Lynn PR Mentality

Photo Courtesy of Lynn PR Mentality

Photo Courtesy of Lynn PR Mentality

Episode 5 || My Cup don’t runeth over for you!

 

I’m back from the hiatus from hell! This week is a mailbag episode!
Hear about how I finally coached myself into a leap of faith, How I motivate/pep myself up when I’m feeling down, & how to deal with clingy friends!
Intro Music: Big Beat Azealia Banks

How to Meditate to Cope with Anxiety

By Jay Ballew

I struggle with anxiety*.

*definition: characterized by feelings of worry, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities

It took me twenty-six years to fully understand what this means, and I’m still learning more and more each day. One of the habits that I’ve tried to create for myself to help with controlling my anxiety is meditation.

I didn’t really know much about meditation prior to beginning, but I certainly had some preconceived notions about what it meant. In my head, meditation was a path to some magical space with a clear head. This space would entirely calm and allow me to escape the unsettling feelings of anxiety that disrupt my life on a daily basis.

However, I was completely wrong about what meditation entails, but I thought that sharing what meditation means to me may help out someone else with similar problems or misconceptions. Meditation has become an important part of my life.

Here are some tips that will help you to reap the benefits of meditation.

1. Be consistent.

I try and meditate around the same time each morning. For me, it has become an activity that helps me get my day started. Meditation is as much about repetition and practice as any other hobby or activity that you want to master. The more that you meditate, the better equipped you are to extract value from it.This also allows you to see what are the most effective methods for you, and what you like and dislike.

2. Find a comfortable space.

This means being in a room that’s comfortable for me, and even being in a chair that I’m comfortable sitting in. We all have different places that make us feel comfortable, though.

3. Posture is key.

If you’re like me, then you tend to want to slouch down in chairs, but sitting up as straight as possible is very important.

Finally, don’t be deterred!

Meditation is hard! You are not going to master it overnight. Hell, I am certainly still a novice myself.

Go into every session hoping to get the most out of it that you possibly can. Some days your mind will wander more than others. All of this is perfectly fine. Understand that meditation is not a problem solver, but it can become an essential part of your own personal journey.

Media BLACKOUT: Mama, We Mainstream!

By Antonio Moore

As the Oscars approach this Sunday, millions of black people are still collectively rolling their eyes over this year’s controversy where no African-American talent was nominated for the major awards. Now, I could write all about how Hollywood is whitewashed, how shocking it is that diversity is still taking L’s after all these years, and even talk about how we are currently living in a world where Beyoncé is considered a racist, and Donald Trump might be our president (I know, scary). But that’s no fun and personally, I’m tired of the media hype. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with Hollywood, I want to give props to the actors and actresses pushing us forward in the entertainment world, making it so that this year’s fiasco won’t be happening again anytime soon.

 

The United States of Empire

Photo Courtesy of HitShowsToWatch.com

This past fall Empire had everyone’s attention. Whether you’re a fan of the show or an innocent bystander on social media, there was no escaping the Lyon’s ever-growing impact on our society.

From the season premiere right up to the fantastically  “It’s about damn time” Golden Globe speech given from Taraji, what started as a show became a cultural phenomenon.

Empire has sparked news stories, fashion blogs, and more Cookie memes than you could imagine. But the show’s greatest impact was promoting our culture from our people.

Empire’s presence gave it the ability to be authentic. Every verbal jab thrown with copious amounts of shade, every love scene filled with passion and acceptance whether it be gay or straight, and the dance scenes actually made you want to get up and dance, too.

Empire has found a way to create a complete fantasy situation and use that platform to promote relatable characters. Although the show has been snubbed, it’s impact on society has been undeniable. That’s worth more that a trophy.

 

I’m Black-ish and Proud

Photo courtesy of ABC.com

Black-ish is another great example of TV making an impact.

Anthony Anderson wrote, produced, and stars in a comedy about a family being black and successful in a way that everyone can relate to.

The show tackles touchy subjects such as gun control, explores cultural wonders like whether or not black people can really swim, and yes, the ‘N’ word. Black-ish is another unapologetic show that remains authentic in it’s execution. It addresses issues that are relevant to today’s society in a clever way allowing people to have open discussions and even laugh.

Black-ish’s honesty helps people connect over race and tells a story from the perspective of the people who are usually left out of these conversations where they matter most. The show’s increased ratings will surely see it win the accolades it so greatly deserves in due time, but awards or no, the show’s charm alone is an absolute win.

 

How Viola Got Away With Murdering the Emmy’s

Photo Courtesy of HitFix.com

Viola Davis has been a long-standing talent in the industry. The night she made history and won the first Emmy for an African-American lead role, she let everyone know it.

She started the conversation on the lack of recognition for diversity in the upper echelons of Hollywood. It began with her excellent portrayal of a defense attorney who wears her scars openly in a hour-long political mind game written by one of the beautiful minds in modern TV. Shonda Rhimes seeps her characters in backgrounds that instantly wrap your attention to ride the roller coaster in Shondaland for seasons to come.

The performances by Shonda’s starring casts, which also includes Kerry Washington, carry the emotion necessary to pull you in and convince you every Thursday to devote two hours of your time to three powerful women.

It’s performances like these backed by story lines with raw ingenuity that will continue to push black talent forward, making this year’s Oscar’s just another barrier on the verge of being broken.

[Review] The Shack

The Shack is a riveting, fictional, Christian novel, about a father meeting the Holy Trinity in person after suffering a traumatic loss, and losing all faith.

I’ve got to say, after personally being forced to read this book after my own personal trauma, this book makes you question trauma, spirituality, and the perception that we as people have with interpretation of the Bible across different viewpoints. While this is theological fiction, it’s interesting to see how a lot of the experiences of the main character are true elaborations of every day experiences of every day people and every day interpretations of people who are not wholly religious in the sense of reading scripture, and studying verses, etc.

I first read this book my junior year almost a year after my mother passed so I really was NOT trying to get into the whole “loss” thing in my religion course. So when we read it and dissected it as a class I was just not present ever, if at all.

But as time progressed I was decided to read it again, and recently I gave it another read through, and with each read I uncover something new.

The Shack is from the point of view of Mack, a father, who is living in a horrible dark space after his daughter, Missy, is abducted by a notorious serial killer during a family vacation. Mack feels guilty about the abduction because it happened as he is saving his other two children from drowning in the lake. Though her body was never found, police found evidence in an abandoned shack that proved she was brutally murdered. As he is living in his “Great Sadness” that many would see as depression, he receives a note from God inviting him to return to this shack for time together, and the story begins. 

While William Young covers a wide variety of theological topics relevant to the characters suffering, the most courageous question I feel the book is asking and answering is, “Where is God, in the midst of all your trouble and your trauma and sadness?”.

It’s a question a lot of us struggle with on the daily and though this is a work of fiction, this book really was comforting in allowing my imagination to explore that. If you’re looking for a great read and to really challenge the way you look at how God is there for you in grief, trauma, and hard times, this is DEFINITELY a great book to read.

 

 

How @Curlbox Founder @Myleik Teele is shaping millennial entrepreneurs with her #MyTaughtYou Mentoring Brand

Myleik Teele is a brand GENIUS. Avid Reader. CEO. Business Owner. Mentor in my head. Girl Boss! Bout her BUSINESS. Straight Shooter. Just LOVE HER!

At The Ladies of Business Conference, I had the pleasure of having a 1 x 1 with Myleik to ask her a few minor questions (nothing too pressing, because I sure could have talked to her all night).

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Your My Taught You brand is very transparent- Mentoring to everyone, what made you choose this as your next venture after CurlBox?

Myleik: I probably was doing My Taught You before CurlBox, and I think CurlBox just got so big that it eclipsed what I was doing before, but I was always doing it. I grew up from a very private mother and I used to feel like– the pain is in the secrets. If people think they know things about you or they feel like they can say something to you—it kind of over powers you and I’m just like.. this is who I am, this is what I struggle with- I’m no different than anybody else. You can still succeed after failing. You can succeed and make mistakes, you know what I mean? I felt like as a young woman of color that it was something that was so necessary.

Why did you choose your demographic to be young women of color?

Myleik: Because I felt like growing up I didn’t have that. I grew up in Los Angeles and a lot of the women who helped me get ahead professionally were not black women. They were white women, Jewish women, like people out in Hollywood—those were the people who took a chance on me. So for me, I asked what would happen if we took a chance on each other? We are so afraid to, for a HOST of reasons but it’s kind of like—feeling like I’m so committed to helping young women of color, heal themselves, access themselves, take inventory- so that they can live a full life, because so many of us feel like we aren’t living a full life.

What was one of your biggest entrepreneurial mistakes thus far and how did you bounce back?

Myleik: At the very beginning of my career, I used to—Everything that everybody said hit me so hard, and I used to be so hard. I used to be the “Meek Mill” of this whole thing. Running on twitter and type typing and it’s like “oh my God,” and I was so young! And It’s like you don’t think it’s going to hurt until someone kicks you in the heart and you’re like fuck this—I’m ready to fight anybody. I learned that when people— what people say about you says more about them than it does about you. And once you know that people are speaking from their insecurities, their pain, their whatever you go—girl this ain’t even about me!

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Isn’t she just marvelous? Even in a brief moment – she drops so many gems!

At the conference in her keynote address, Teele explained how she continues to trail blaze in her business, remaining current, innovative and fresh. She also shared key tips to successful networking, and poured words of encouragement into a room full of current and aspiring women entrepreneurs.

Be sure to check out her podcast, an check out some of the #CurlBox and #MyTaughtYou hashtags on Instagram and Twitter!