Unbox & Unwind

One of the toughest mental shifts I’ve had to face in early middle age is realizing that people who have known you your whole life may still not know you, or may only know who you were at one point and never updated their view as you grew. You can love them deeply, share history, share memories, share whole seasons of life and still hear a comment that makes you pause. It might be a sibling, a parent, a close friend or anyone who knows you well. They say something in passing that either dismisses something you value or suggests a version of you that you don’t even recognize (or maybe not recognize anymore). Maybe your sibling gets a new job and jokes, “now I can spend money frivolously like you.” Or you call a friend to celebrate your small business hitting ten thousand in sales and she replies without thinking, “wow, everything always comes so easy for you.” In those moments you’re left standing there unsure how to respond. All you can think is, how does my own sibling not see that I’...

I believe one of the best kinds of success is the kind you can share. As I've started many businesses in the past that have failed, one thing that has always been consistent is my desire to find a way to interweave giving back as a part of what I do. Now that I have started on a new journey (official launch will be November 1, 2025) I want to continue to find ways of giving back and paying it forward. That’s the heart behind something new I’ll be starting — a monthly give-back I call  Shine It Forward . This isn’t a nonprofit or official charity program; it' just a micro direct sales and business owner who wants to give a little joy and support to those who may need it right now. It’s simply my way of taking a portion of what I earn (big or small) each month with my sales and passing it on to someone or a cause that could use a little extra light — whether that’s helping a local family, donating to a community cause, or surprising someone with a small gift to make them smile ...

  On October 16th, I celebrated a new year around the sun and I woke up that day feeling grateful, happy, excited about the season I'm in and ready for new blessings for my new year. As I continue to evolve and become the woman God has created me to be , I am grateful of all the lessons I continue to learn and the wisdom (so far) I've collected. As I look back over the last 44 years, one thing I know for sure....When I was younger, I thought I knew everything and knew absolutely nothing. Now, I know more than I think I do because of what I've learned from the things I didn't know when I was younger (read that until you get it). Here are some of the things I've learned thus far and am still learning more about each day: 1. Change is constant and inevitable. 2. Take your health seriously when you are young and stay on top of it as you grow older. 3. 30 is young. 50 is also young. 4. Being surrounded by people who love and treat you well should be a non-negotiable in y...

I like shiny things and have always liked shiny things. I’m a woman who loves jewelry that sparkles, all types of hair styles, long nails, short nails, glossy lips, and clothes that make me feel good at any size. Some days my personality shines; other days the jewelry does more. Either way, it’s me, and I love it. I’ve also found my people—women who mirror this energy and remind me to embrace who I am while tuning out outside criticism and insecurity. This season of my life truly has given me the renewal of 'self' that I needed and more things that I didn't even know I need.  I’m still figuring it all out (and pivoting along way) but at 43 here's what God has already created paths for and seeds I am (or will be) harvesting in the future: A company that celebrates women and womanhood in many forms A beauty and lifestyle platform that connects women to things that bring them joy and wellness A writing journey that brings fantasy and day dreams onto the page Rebuilding my ...

The seasons are changing, and we’re headed into the cooler months here in the US. With the shift, it’s important to do a health check-up (self and with a licensed provider) to make sure things are working for your good. If something feels off, you can start a plan for healing and renewal and if you're feeling well, staying on top of your body and how it feels is important. A big part of caring for your health is what you do at home and here are a few things I do to stay strong, healthy, and to heal when needed.   Move Your Body   Whether it’s walking, going to the gym, YouTube exercise videos, or dancing one night a week at the local bar or club, move your body. I’ve seen recommendations to move at least three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes, but you should follow the plan you and your licensed medical team develops. Either way, we can all agree that moving your body helps keep joints working properly, muscles strong and your heart pumping.   Don’t Be Afraid of S...

  We’re officially in fall and if you’re like me, you feel all the things: a little sad summer is over (I don’t miss the heat, just the lightness), ready for cooler days without the deep cold, excited for cozy nights of soups and movies, more birthdays to celebrate (including my own), and all the scents and flavors that come with the season. And it’s football season too and fan or not, it can be fun to lean into the rituals  and activities around it. But as the invites come through and the action increases, it’s easy to fill your calendar to its max. And if you’re the nucleus (center) of your home, family or community, everyone else’s schedule can end up running yours. You become the meal planner (“What’s for dinner?”), the stylist (“I need a homecoming dress mom!”), the therapist (“Hey girl, I’m struggling, can we talk?”), the seductress for those spicy nights (you know what I mean), and everything in between (don't get me started on if you're a caregiver, new mom, or startin...

Not too long ago, I shared some thoughts about starting over . I’ve come to truly appreciate how often we as women have the power to stop, shift, and begin again throughout our life. It may not always feel like we have those choices, especially when life is heavy or resources are tight; but even then I’ve learned that the option to “start again” or to pivot is always on the table. It might take some planning, a new strategy, or help from others, but it’s still there.  One thing I’ve always stood on both in life and on social media is this: if you want to start over or be someone different, you can and should do it - unapologetically. But  what if you want to start over so you can be who you used to be? What if you feel stuck or unhappy with who you are now and you want to get back to that girl or woman you used to know? What if you have been unable to start over or begin something new because you just can’t quite be who you used to be? She always did it; but you now, you’re h...

When I turned 40, I experienced something like a rebirth. The way I thought I  should  have felt at 20 - that excitement, confidence, and sense of endless possibility - I finally felt it at 40. It was as if the world had opened wide, and I could truly be and do whatever I wanted. I remember the days leading up to my 40th birthday were heavy - solemn, reflective, even tinged with melancholy and regret. But when I woke up on that morning, I felt something completely different: Gratitude  for another year of life, Joy  knowing I would celebrate intimately with close friends, and Motivation  from the awareness that no day is promised to any of us. That realization pushed me to look at myself with fresh eyes—to believe in myself in the way I should have long before 40. The Result? This Blog and My Permission to Build the Life I Desire Now in my early 40s, I’m leaning into my dream of starting a beauty and lifestyle brand. I’m stepping fully into the woman I once hid ...