Really happy and honored to share that this month I’m being celebrated by popular daytime program The Real, as one of their Black Girl Trailblazers. Click here to watch!    It’s really a remarkable feeling to get these moments of validation, to remind me of my purpose and my path. I don’t take any of… read all

This post is in partnership with @properties Moving from a place like Miami to Chicago, you get used to the standard reaction. That reaction is “OMG WHY?” Why would we pack up all our belongings and move from somewhere so sunny, warm and studded with Caribbean restaurants and palm trees, to Chicago? Why would we… read all

I’m pretty much at the point where I buy stamps once a year — and that’s in February, just in time for the Black Heritage stamps. I buy a whole sheet and I let go of them slowly. I’ve had (and maybe still have a couple) Maya Angelou, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Sarah Vaughn… the… read all

This post is in partnership with Downy! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the 17 years of Valentine’s Day with my husband, it’s that you don’t need to break the bank to have a sizzling date night. One of our best Valentine’s Days, was back in back in 2009 when we had NO money…. read all

The weather in Chicago is being described as “seasonally cool,” which basically translates to freezing cold with snow and/or ice on the ground so watch out because everything is slippery. If you live in a northern clime, this is the time of year to bundle ALL the way up if you’re heading outdoors. Lucky for… read all

Winter is here and it’s bleak enough as it is. How about some COLOR in our lives? Every winter I try to find a few key pieces that add extra oomph to my wardrobe, items that allow me to be comfortably warm and yet expressive of my aesthetic. Like this look right here, by City… read all

One of the best things about my career is that I get to discover so much that’s new and exciting in the beauty world. I love indie beauty brands so much, and I love seeing up and coming brands flourish in the marketplace! I was so honored to be asked to judge the Indie Business… read all

In many ways, 2017 was a challenging year for me. I know I’m far from alone in that fact but now that I can truly look back on the year that was, I realize the levels of trials and tribulations that surrounded me. Too often in 2017, I let tough times to pull me under…. read all

I partnered with Downy on this post! 12 months of a whole lot has just passed us by. There’s a LOT I want to move on from, so part of my annual new year’s ritual is to CLEAN AND PURGE. That means no dishes in the sink or dishwasher, no trash in the trashcans, fresh… read all

This post was sponsored by Olay, but these experiences are all mine! I’ve been living in Chicago since 2009 and at this point I’ve seen my share of winters. Some have been mild, some have been horrendous. I’ve definitely had my experiences with winter’s specific beauty and personal care issues and come to learn a… read all