Tha Gabulous Lyfe

December, it's here! It seems like it's been a long year; (for me) but, I still can't believe December is here! December is one of my favorite months of the year! There's something about December that makes me want to get my life together! Probably because I'm a procrastinator, and because it's the last 31 days of the year to accomplish the goals on my to-do list. This December, instead of feeling anxious to cross out all the things on my list, I decided to just be thankful and be grateful that I'm still here, still standing, still enduring, and made it to see another December. I'm a perfectionist, too. I really could beat myself up for everything that I didn't do; but, to be honest, I really don't care to, neither do I want to devote the energy into that. I really don't have time or want to make time to have an ongoing war with myself in my head because of the things I didn't accomplish. Life goes on. #majorgrowthforme What I hav

Hello, Dolls! I haven't done a work place fashion OOTD in a while, here is my most recent one! I love Fall; mainly because of its beauty, cozy temperatures, and fall treats (pumpkin spice anything + egg nog)! I also love Fall because of Fall fashion!! I love wearing cute, comfortable boots, and I love a fashionable hat to enhance any outfit! In this OOTD, I've paired both of them together to add a chic touch to my look. Outfit deets, and direct links to purchase at the bottom! P.S. The boots were an impressive find! They are $20, surprisingly comfortable, and I got them from Walmart; Rhonda Rawls referred them. Walmart's Time and Tru brand is the epitome of affordable, stylish fashion. Don't sleep on Walmart, dolls! What I'm wearing: -Fedora: The Kyra Danaya Collection -Blazer: Boo Hoo -Necklace: Rainbow Shops -Faux Leather Midi Skirt: Boo Hoo -Faux Snake Skin Booties: Walmart -Lippie: Colourpop Bossy My blog is social! Follow @thagabulously

My Fall reading list is always growing! There's something about Fall that makes me want to curl up with a good book on those extra chilly days when I'm just lounging around, at home. My latest reads are a mixed genre of everything.  Here are my latest cozy reads that are on my #tbrpile (to be read pile). P.S. If you're looking for a good read, chances are your local library has tons of great suggestions! Remember, libraries are now social, check their website; and social media pages for a list of recommended reads. Thank me later. 😃 1. Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson- Genre: Teen Fiction 2. Dare to Lead by Brene' Brown- Genre: Business, Leadership, and Vulnerability 3. Joy Seeker by Shannon Kaiser- Genre: Self Care + Self Improvement 4. The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur- Genre: Poetry 5. Someone We Know by Shari Lapena- Genre: Mystery, Suspense Thriller What's on your Fall reading list? Let me know if you would like for me to do a

Hello, Dolls By now, you've heard me talk about my self care routine. I like to add to the routine so that I don't get bored with it and to make it fun.  Since I love to read, and I also work at a library; reading will always remain in my self care routine. I found a great self care reading challenge from Book Sparks ! Book Sparks is just as passionate about self care as they are about diving into a good book! They have created a reading list that is perfect for reading, and great for anyone who wants to start, reignite, and continue their self care routine. Book Sparks' boasts that this list will help you fall back in love with self care! If you're like me, and you're looking for new, diverse books to read...Book Sparks' list is worth a look. I've looked at the titles of the books, and the one that I plan to read is Joy Seeker: Let Go of What's Holding you back so you can live the Life you were Made For  by Shannon Kaiser. It becomes availabl

Gleam Body Radiance; left: Rose Gold, right: Bronze Gold Hello, Dolls One of my beauty goals for the summer was to be bronzed and glowing. The summer weather had other plans for me, the first few months of summer was so hot and humid that I really didn't feel like wearing any products at all. Now, the temperatures have cooled down, and I'm able to achieve my summer glow! I've had Gleam Body Radiance in my product stash for a while; barely used it. I decided to do something with it. Let me tell ya'll, I was missing out! It's a multi-use product that can be used many ways. Today, I will share two ways that I've been using it. 1. An All Over Body Highlighter- This is probably the most popular way to use Gleam. I use it on my arms (mostly) to give my skin a subtle, beautiful glow! I've also used it on my legs to add some moisture  (Gleam also doubles as a moisturizer) and glow to them. It's great for adding radiance to anywhere you want

Hello, Dolls Here's one of my latest outfits that I've styled. I've wanted to play with color blocking for some time, but, I was intimidated to do it. I was a little intimidated to try the bright, bold colors colors that color blocking is associated with; so, I played it safe, and chose muted colors. I've had this skirt for a while, I just needed the perfect blouse to go with it. I finally found it; it's actually a high-low blouse, I thought it would look better tucked into the skirt. Outfit deets below! What I'm wearing: -Blouse: Rainbow Shops -Necklace: Rainbow Shops -Pearl Tulle Skirt: Ashley Stewart -Shoes: Ashley Stewart

Hello, Dolls I've curated a list of my current, most loved beauty items. My summer beauty routine has been very minimal due to the hot temperatures and humidity; the result is lots of perspiration and melted off makeup for me. I had planned to be bronzed and glowing for summer; now, I'm just hot and bothered! Below are a few products that are getting good use in my beauty product rotation. I'm also sharing a few things that make me happy-July was a very busy month for me- in between the busyness, I was mentally and emotionally down for the entire month. I had my moments of sulking, but, I decided this time to go back to doing the things that made me happy. I started back reading again, I finished so many books and started reading some new ones. I also started my Adult coloring again, I forgot just how soothing coloring is for me. Below I share one book that I'm currently enjoying and a few coloring books that I've been loving! Raw Cocoa Butter I receive

Hello, Dolls I don't know who makes up these national days, but, they can be fun! Today is National Lipstick Day! I wear lipstick every day; but, I thought it would be fun to post the shade that I love currently. Today, I'm wearing Electric Raine  liquid lipstick by Coloured Raine . I love how orange lipstick looks on skin, especially brown skin. It's very becoming. I usually wear this lipstick by itself; but, it also makes a great ombre' lip. To give it an amazing ombre' effect, you can add a deep purple lip liner- and then add orange in the middle- and blend. Or, you can add a red lippie to the perimeter of your lips, and add orange to the center, the results are beautiful! What lipstick are you wearing today?

Hello, Dolls The warmer weather is finally here! I, like many others, like to travel more when the weather is warmer. I've compiled an updated list of travel essentials that I take with me on trips. I did a post like this three years ago, and some of the items I took were just unnecessary. As I travel more, and as I get older, I use a more minimalist approach to packing. Below you'll find my current travel essentials! White Noise App Little known fact about me, I've been sleeping with the White Noise App for years now. I have insomnia, and the White Noise app plays a variety of relaxing sounds to help you fall asleep faster. I have the app installed on my phone and Ipad, and literally can not sleep without it. My favorite sound is the Stream Water Flowing sound. White Noise also allows you to mix sounds to create a custom sound. On my Ipad (pictured), it mixes Stream Water Flowing and Thunder to create a unique, relaxing mix. Perfume Roller balls Instead

Hello, Dolls Today, I'm sharing my go-to outfit formula that I wear often. I do mix up my work wardrobe a lot; but, I always go back to my go-to...printed pants and a solid top. I try to choose one statement piece (the leopard harem pants) + an everyday basic (solid top), and then I add accessories to complete the look. Sometimes, I'll reverse it and wear a printed top and then solid bottoms. I wear an everyday basic top or pants to keep the statement piece the focal point of attention. Outfit deets below! Top: Forever 21 Harem Pants: Forever 21 Shoes: Cato Fashions Choker: LaVidaRosa What's your go-to outfit? 

I have been shopping from my ever growing makeup and beauty stash, by using products that I've had for a while. Because I'm a product junkie, I don't use the same exact products enough to view it as a fave; the reason being is that I typically have several other products just like it, from different brands. But, I've taken a break from buying products, so that I can save some coins, and use what I already have. Since I started doing this, I've rediscovered some awesome products. Below are some products that I've been using regularly, and loving! I also share one of my favorite authors of the moment. Read on for my thoughts!  Beauty - It's My Raye Raye Eyeshadow Palette - I've had this palette in my collection for a while, didn't start using it until this month when I took it with me on vacation. That's what happens when you have so many eyeshadow palettes, there's always one waiting to be used in the rotation. The Ra

A few months ago, I was introduced to a natural skin care line, eHoneySkin ! eHoneySkin is owned and operated by Erika Clark; the product line was especially developed with women of color in mind. The products are natural, and created to treat skin care concerns while letting your beautiful melanin shine through! I bought three of her products, the Goddess Glow Cleansing scrub,  Rose Water Mist, and the Balancing Facial moisturizer. I used all three products routinely for a month to give my most accurate and honest opinion. Read on for my thoughts! Goddess Glow Cleansing Scrub Description: Natural and Gentle exfoliating cleansing scrub  to get rid of dead skin cells and leave your skin with a refreshing radiant glow. For Normal, Oily, Combination Skin. Price $30 The cleansing scrub acts a cleanser and an exfoliant. You don't need much, just apply it to your face in round circular motions and rinse off. After every cleanser that I use, I immediately notice the

My self care routine is always changing. Part of the routine that stays consistent is affirming myself with positive affirmations; they have really made a difference in my thinking. Some benefits of reciting positive affirmations is that they help you to remain calm, and build & increase confidence. They also help to redirect your mind to think positive. I struggle with negative thinking, overthinking, and anxiety; affirming myself with positive thoughts has helped to correct my thought patterns. Typically, you see people standing in front of a mirror, in the morning, reciting positive affirmations, (that method is completely fine) but, that's not me. I used to do that, but, I find that reciting them when the thought pops up is most helpful, for me. One of my favorite quotes from Iyanla Vanzant is " you are not always in control of what goes into your mind, but only you can determine what stays there ." I find this to be so true, and it gives me hope! I used

Hello, Dolls I'm always stumbling across new and upcoming brands on Instagram. My latest find is accessories by LaVidaRosa Style ! LaVidaRosa Style  is owned by blond-haired bombshell, Pinkie Spann! She has a wide range of jewelry, from earrings (pierced and clip ons) necklaces, and even hair! The styles of jewelry range from trendy, vintage, eclectic, and classic. She recently had a jewelry sale, and I bought several pieces as gifts, and for myself. What I like about LaVidaRosa Style jewelry is that you can find rare pieces that you don't see in an average jewelry store, and her prices are very affordable; a lot of pieces are $5 or less. Scroll on, to find out what I bought! I'm wearing the Black Choker Necklace with Gold Accents ($4) and the Large Triangle earrings.. Earring Haul: My faves are the Hand painted Wooden Africa earrings, Green Tassle, and the Zipper earrings! Necklace Haul: I love beaded necklaces in different colors!  To never miss