Tha Gabulous Lyfe

Hi Dolls, Reading is my favorite hobby. It's the perfect mental escape for me. I was able to double my reading goal last year, from 30 books to 60.  Thanks to Goodreads for keeping score of my reading goal! If you’re looking for reading inspiration, here are a few tips that helped me and may inspire you:  Visit your local library: They have endless reading material and a variety of genres that will pique your interest. This is my shameless plug, because I work at a library.   #librariesrock  Join a Book Club: I joined a book club last year. It’s one of the best reading decisions I’ve made. It has exposed me to reading genres and books I wouldn’t have gravitated to on my own.  Kindle Unlimited: If you don’t mind reading eBooks, Kindle Unlimited has an impressive catalog of reading material. Once you subscribe, they’ll send you suggested reads based on your reading history.  Net Galley:  If you're a book reviewer, blogger or librarian, you can join...

Hello, Dolls Lately, my current self care of choice is reading. For me, it's a great mental escape. My worries, anxieties, and fears disappear when I'm reading an intriguing book. I’ve been an avid reader since I was young, but I stopped reading last year.  It's crazy, because last year was the start of the pandemic. I had all the time in the world then, but I read nothing.  A few months ago, a friend encouraged me to read a particular book so we could discuss it; it really rekindled my love for reading, and I’ve been reading ever since. ⁣ ⁣ My goal is to read 20 books by December 31st. I’m on book 9. Having less screen time is helping me accomplish this goal. I’m always surprised at my weekly cellphone usage screen stats when I get the notification.  ⁣ Instead of aimlessly scrolling on my phone, I've started reading. I'm trying to enjoy those free moments of solitude more, instead of scrolling through an app. Some of my days are mentally draining, so I plan a readi...

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...

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...

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...

Reading books is a part of my self care routine. Reading is a way that I mentally escape from life, worries, deadlines, and anxieties, so that I can unplug, regroup, and dive into a good book! I especially love fiction and a good mystery! As of late, I have been enjoying, women's empowerment, self care, and inspirational books. Today, I will do a brief review on one of my latest book discoveries, Dear Sisterfriend: Letters that Inspire, Uplift and light a Fire in Young Women of Color . About the Author(s) Dear Sisterfriend is written by Aisha Herring, Bria Booker, Brittni Oliver, Jennifer Jones, and Tyra Whitson. These five ladies form the women's empowerment organization, The Strength of She, LLC.   The SHE in The Strength of SHE stands for Success, Humility and Empowerment; they are the three core beliefs, along with self care, that the Strength of She focuses on to empower women; particularly women of color. Synopsis Dear Sisterfriend is a collection of pers...

Hello Dolls, 2017 is coming to a rapid close, in just a few days! I've compiled a list of my favorite things that I've been loving all year. Read on, for the details! Fashion 1. Lilly's Kloset- Lilly's Kloset offers some of the most fashion forward clothing and accessories that I've bought within the year. My most trendiest clothing and shoes of 2017 have been purchased from Lilly’s Kloset. I bought the Multi Color Sequins Cardigan that I wrote about on a previous post from there.  Every time I think I’m going to do good and save some money this week, I get an email from her with a discount code. Did I mention I’m on her VIP email list?! 2. I love love love Forever 21 ! I can always get a  trendy, decent outfit for $25 or less, or more when I want to splurge. Their online sales are crazy, I know for at least four months straight, I was driving to the F21 store near me picking up packages that I had sent to the store. They're so addictive! I bo...