**Special Note**
The attached audio version of this post has a bit more content as I added commentary to what’s written below. To listen, click here or scroll down and hit play on the SoundCloud player. Heads up, if you have Littles around, I drop an f-bomb at the end of the recording. Unplanned but I stand by it. 😅
Also the audio recording includes a reading of the poem Mother to Son by Langston Hughes. And mentions the following poems:
- Last Night As I was Sleeping by Antonio Machado
- Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
- Ain’t I a Woman? by Sojourner Truth (a speech not a poem but still one of my favorites)
Hey Hey Heeeeey!
Happy New Year! We are only a few days into the new year and there is still a lot going on. There is still a pandemic. There is a still racial injustice and political upheaval. No surprises there yet a new year does give me hope. How about you? Hey, we made it out of 2020. I wish that I could say that about all of us. For those of us that remain, shall we do our very best? Let’s. Whatever that looks like for you.
If you’re very best is getting out of bed every day, go for it with all of your heart. It ain’t always easy to get out of bed. I found myself fantasizing about staying in bed a lot last year (keep in mind that was basically last week).
Know thyself. You know what your very best means to you right this minute. I am cheering you on! ❤️
My last post was all about wishing you a Merry Fitmas and Happy Fit Year. This time around I thought I’d share a few things that I am loving right now:
The Poetry of Ijeoma Umebinyuo
Get you a copy of her book entitled, ‘Questions for Ada‘. Nah, get two and share one with a friend. You’re welcome.
New Skincare Routine, Who Dis?
Well not so new but let’s just say 2020 was about cleanser and sunscreen. That was really all I could handle. It’s a new year Baby and I am ready for some toner and serum! Here’s what I am using daily:
- Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Hydrating Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
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Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner with Witch Hazel, Alpha Hydroxy Acid & Beta Hydroxy Acid
- Dr. Geo Serum – bought in Korea but I am not fussy about serum. I will probably try this Neutrogena serum when this one runs out.
- Black Girl Sunscreen – my fav besides my OG tried and true (discontinued) Neutrogena medium tint sunscreen. I use the BGS SPF 30 but they have just launched a matte version that is SPF 45. Black Girl Sunscreen’s claim to fame is that it’s ultra sheer and has no white residue.Pro tip: wear sunscreen daily, yes even if you’re at your home all day. Oh! I am on the lookout for a blue light skin-protecting sunscreen.
Honorable mentions/Pinch hitters: Welly Face Saver Clear Spot Bandages with Hydrocolloid and Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Face Pads for breakouts. **Clarification from the audio version of this post: The Neutrogena face pads don’t have hydrocolloid but are great for breakouts.
Gratitude Journal & Daily Readers
My friend Heather sent me an interactive birthday package which included a gratitude journal. So now I am writing down 3 things that I am grateful for each day which gives me a boost of energy.
I also have some daily readers sitting on my Kindle that I thought would combine (with the gratitude journal) for daily mental stimulation:
- Maria Shriver’s, I’ve Been Thinking – Reflections, Prayers & Meditations for a Meaningful Life – One of my favs, each day’s passage ends with an uplifting prayer.
- The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You & Influence Those Around You- I bought the paperback and ebook in 2019 and somehow never got through either. There’s some good stuff here so I am excited to have started reading it again with the new year. (I first heard of this book on Jamilah Souffrant’s Instagram.)
- The Daily Stoic – My twin told me about it and it was on sale for $1.99 so I was like why not? It’s not really my cup of tea…Now that I think of it, I will return it. No need to escalate my commitment on this one. I have plenty of books on my TBR (To Be Read) list. UPDATE: I returned it and purchased The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert (NOT a daily reader. LOL)
Top 3 Books I Read/Listened to Lately:
- Hellishly Ever After by Nadine Mutas – I had the pleasure of doing a last pass reading on this book (checking for typos/grammar, etc) after editors and before ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). Nadine Mutas is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors – she excels at writing steamy scenes, funny lines and there is always so much heart in her books. This is the first of a two part series.
- You are Awesome by Neil Pasricha – currently listening – I love his voice and his vibe. I first heard about this book on Vivian Kaye’s Instagram.
- Honey Badger Chronicles by Shelly Laurenston – aaand we’re back to Paranormal Romance! This series has a truly unique set of sisters and it’s really funny. Some of the books are kind of slow paced but I don’t mind cause she has some really hilarious lines.
Nail Polish Baby!
Get on Board by Essie was a shade I could not resist. It’s very 1980’s. It reminds me of this shiny satiny jumpsuit that my Mom had which was not even this color. But still I think of it when I see this electric blue. Damn the 80’s were shiny.
Very close second: A quick dry, shimmering magenta pink from Essie called Mic Drop-It-Low – I got it at Ulta Beauty. Side note, if there’s an Ulta in your neighborhood it might be worth the trip to see the colors in person. If you’re like me you’ll end up with polish you might not otherwise buy.
Close but no cigar: After School Boy Blazer – It was love at first sight but this blue-black shade is mostly black. I have been yearning for a beautiful blue nail polish. I am waiting for Taupe Coat to re-release their blue shade called Joy – I tried to buy it on Black Friday but it sold out with the quickness. Wah! —- SEPTEMBER 2021 UPDATE: Taupe Coat’s Joy was a happy accident so there was no replicating it. Though they are working on another fierce blue. Still on the waiting list. Still buying this new version when it drops!
Best Buys
Peace of Mind! I paid my smart phone bill in advance up until September 2021. Last year, I paid a year in advance and that’s up in March 2021. My bill is between $31-$33 dollars per month. I have a Google Pixel 3 that I paid for in full back in 2019. Paying like this gives me peace of mind. Pandemic or no, I don’t have that bill over my head. And we need our phones more than ever with all sorts of ish popping off. Amazon Prime gets their annual payment. Why not our cell phone bills? Or anything that matters to you that you wanna have access to all year. I’ll add another advance payment in the next few months so that I am paid up till March 2022. I like this phone and plan on staying with Google and upgrading to a Pixel…7? We’ll see which model is out in a year or two when I’m ready for a new phone. Fun fact: I am the only person in my family who is about this Android Liiiiiiiife. I will never own an iPhone. Nope! **Mentioned MateoNewYork in the audio version of this section. They have the most beautiful rings. Also, I accidentally threw away the online course that I mentioned.
MasterClass! I have been eyeing this online course for probably years now. Finally, bought it and I am so happy! So much to learn. I’m only watching things that I am curious about. So far bread baking with Apollonia Poilâne and gardening with Ron Finley have been my favorite lessons.
Okay, that’s what’s going on with me so far this month! What’s going on with you? How ya doing? How ya feel? Let me know in the comments or send me a DM. Let’s chat!
I hope to God this is your best year EVER. Remember to do your very best. And remember that only you know what that is.
Love,
Joddie