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Spiritual Wellness | 7 Simple Reasons to be Thankful Everyday

November 25, 2016 by Whitney 2 Comments

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Darrius and I enjoyed our time celebrating the holiday with his family in Delaware and now, we’re back in Maryland gearing up for a quiet and relaxing holiday weekend. But before I start my weekend, I want to leave you with 7 simple things to be thankful for every day.

Related: 5 Ways to Practice Gratitude + 5 Scriptures on Gratefulness

1. Family, friends & loved ones. | When all is said and done, family is all you have. It’s truly a blessing to have people who support, uplift, pray for and even lovingly correct you. Blood relatives, in-laws, friends who have become like family…be thankful for them all, every day.

2. Clean water. | Having clean drinking water is something I’ve taken for granted for years. However this year, thanks to our dear friends Rich & Erika Akwo, I’ve realized how bless we are to have access to clean water. I’m thankful to have clean water to cook with, shower in and to drink. From the water crisis in Flint, Michigan to the water crisis in Cameroon, I have a new found appreciate for something as simple as clean water. For more information on how you can help provide clean water to those in Cameroon, read more here.

No matter what, there is always something to be thankful for. Always. #gratitude

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3. Pets. | Although we don’t have any pets just yet, I have several friends and family members who do. I’ve seen firsthand how having a pet can bring so much joy to one’s home. That’s definitely something to be thankful for!

4. Your gifts & talents. | I’m not sure about you, but there have been times when I’ve taken my gifts and talents for granted. Now that I’m more aware of what they are, I try to use them to inspire and uplift others as often as possible.

7 Simple Reasons to be Thankful Every Day #gratitude

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5. The internet. | Being able to connect with family and friends whenever you want, because of the internet, is definitely something simple to be thankful for. Being able to know what’s going on in the world, thanks to social media, without having to wait for the local news report is priceless!

6. Music. | Music has the power to uplift, comfort, bring people together and do so much more! For that, I am thankful.

7. Your ability to read this post. | Being able to read this post means that you’re alert, capable and above all, it means that you are ALIVE.

So tell me, what are some simple things that you can be thankful for everyday? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and I can’t wait to read your responses. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJInspired | 11 Things You Should do Every Day to Live a Better Life

October 20, 2016 by Whitney 14 Comments

I’m big on having daily routines and adopting positive habits. Doing this has helped make my life better and not to mention, less stressful. Sure, life doesn’t always go the way we plan. But it’s still nice to practice good habits and set routines. It makes the day run so much smoother.

All year I’ve been tweaking my routines and practicing different positive habits. Today, I want to share 11 things you should do every day to live a better life. I’d never tell you to do something that I haven’t done or practiced so yes, I truly strive to do these 11 things on a daily basis.

Related: 11 Ways to Have a Better Day

1. Journal & Express Gratitude | I’ve mentioned this several times, but after my morning prayer and devotions, I journal. Even if I’m short on time, I always make sure to jot down at least 3 things I’m grateful for before starting the day. Doing this puts a smile on my face and definitely puts things into perspective.

2. Feed Your Mind Something Positive | I’m always listening to upbeat and positive songs during the morning hours, but I’ve recently started listening to podcasts and certain audiobooks in the a.m. I’m in the car a lot during the beginning of my work days, so I usually turn on one of my favorite entrepreneurial or lifestyle podcasts.

Related: The Morning Playlist You Need to Have an Amazing Day

4. Drink Water | Before tea, coffee or juice I have a glass or bottle of water. We all know the benefits of drinking water, but I will say that increasing my water intake has done wonders for my skin and energy.

5. Move Your Body | Setting aside the time to go for a 1-mile walk or do a 30-minute workout is everything! Doing those activities is yet another energy booster. Walking is so therapeutic for me. It helps clear my mind and calms my spirit. Working out is a great way to get out any frustrations from the day.

11 Things You Should Do Every Day #selfcare

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6. Read Something | I think it’s SO important to read something, every day. Even if it’s an online article or a short devotional, exercise your mind by reading on daily basis.

7. Genuinely Compliment Someone | This random act of kindness is something I started doing a few months ago. Genuinely complementing someone can do so much for their confidence. I know how great I feel when others genuinely compliment me, so to return the favor to someone else is the least I can do.

8. Moisturize | I mean, who doesn’t want soft, supple and clear skin? Find a moisturizer that works for your skin type and slather it on, day and night. Don’t forget your neck too!

Related: 5 Things to do at Night to Prepare for Tomorrow

9. Say, “I love you.” | Simply put, life is way too short not to tell those you love that you do. If you don’t already, tell those you love “I love you” every day.

10. Sit in Silence | Most days, when I get home from work, I sit or lay across my bed and close my eyes. I don’t turn on the TV or look at my phone. I just lay or sit in silence for at least 20 minutes. Doing this is a great way to download from the crazy or busy day you’ve just had. It also helps unwind and relax your body in preparation for the evening.

11. Set Intentions for Tomorrow | Don’t wait for tomorrow to plan for tomorrow. Take a few moments each evening to set your intentions for the next day. This small task will help you feel more be prepared and it will leave you less stressed the next morning.

Don’t wait for tomorrow to plan for tomorrow. #wnjinspired

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So tell me, what are some things you do every day to help make your life a little better? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting. I really enjoy sharing inspirational and lifestyle posts with you. It not only helps me continue to strive to live a positive and uplifting life, but I’ve also seen it inspire others to do the same. If you want even more uplifting and inspirational messages, in a more condensed version, keep up with me on social media! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJInspired | 5 Things to do at Night to Prepare for the Next Day

September 29, 2016 by Whitney 17 Comments

If you subscribe to my newsletter you probably remember me saying that this summer was “a wild one”. I can honestly say that I’ve gone through just about every emotion there is over the past 3 months. Despite the wild and craziness of the season, my saving grace has been my evening and morning routines. Having set routines makes navigating through my days so much easier. Therefore, I want to share a few of my “night before” tips with you. Here are 5 things to do at night to prepare for the next day!

1. Clean up your surroundings. | I always tidy up before heading to bed. When everything is in order and in place, I can breathe easier. Plus it helps to know where things are when you’re trying to head out the door in the morning. Spending 5-10 minutes in the morning frantically looking for your car keys or phone, when you’re probably already running late, is no fun – trust me.

2. Make a list. | When I jot down a few reminders for the next day I feel like I’m already 5 steps ahead. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate; a short list of 3 or 4 reminders will do. I often list 3 people I need to email/or call the next day on a post-it and stick it on my computer screen.

3. Pick out your clothes. | This is something I’ve been doing since I was in grade school. My husband does the same thing. Hang your next day outfit in the front of your closet, or even on the outside of your closet door. Place your shoes, jewelry and any other accessory you’ll need on the dresser or somewhere visible. This simple task will save you so much time in the mornings.

5 things to do at night to prepare for the next day. #wnjinspired

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4. Set your alarm. | Thanks to the iPhone iOS 10 upgrade, the ‘Bedtime’ feature reminds me when I need to go to bed in order to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep. Since I’m working on consistently going to bed and waking up at a certain time during the week, this feature is the perfect way to keep me on track.

5. Unplug. | After you’ve set your alarm, put your phone on silent and place it face down on your dresser. Also, turn off the TV or laptop. The worst thing you can do is sleep with those on. The bright light from both is distracting and makes it harder for you to get a good night’s sleep.

So tell me, what things do you do at night to prepare for the next day? Anything I mentioned above? Let me know!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Doing these 5 simple things has really helped me prepare for a productive “next day”. I plan to share my morning and evening routines with you in the near future, but in the meantime feel free to follow me on Snapchat. I often share snippets of my routines over there. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | 7 Signs You Need a Vacation

July 26, 2016 by Whitney 5 Comments

Sooo, where have I been? Let’s just say I had to take a mini mental vacation. I’ve had an extremely active summer so far and while it’s been enjoyable, both mentally and physically it’s been A LOT. So I pressed pause for a bit to get myself back on track. I’ve decided to stop feeling bad for taking little breaks here and there. If I need one, I’m going to take it…period.

With my birthday coming up (August 11th) I’m really looking forward to a much needed weekend getaway. So what are some signs that you too might need a vacation? Well, read ahead to find out the 7 signs you need a vacation.

* See Also: Self-Care & Blogging

1. You’re not sleeping well at night. | If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, it may be time for a vacation. Being stressed makes it harder to fall asleep, even if you’re exhausted. Not sleeping well can also lead to feeling sluggish throughout the day and let’s be honest, that’s not a good feeling.

2. Everything irritates you. | When I’m stressed, little things start to bother me. These things should really be a non-factor, but when your mind is in overdrive you tend to see everything as a big issue. You may find yourself snapping at your loved ones or even yelling at the driver next to you in traffic. These are definite signs that you need a vacation!

7 signs you need a vacation. #selfcare

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3. You’re forgetting important dates/appointment. | Can’t remember a doctor’s appointment? Forgot a someone special’s birthday? Your brain is on overload and you need to take a break. Period.

4. People keep telling you that you need a vacation. | The people we’re around the most tend to notice things about us before we do. If your coworkers, loved ones, and friends are constantly telling you that “you need a vacation”, maybe you should listen. I’m just saying…

5. You catch yourself staring off into space…more than a few times a day. | I’ve been guilty of this, but fortunately for me, I was able to quickly snap out of it. If you’re constantly daydreaming about something other than what you should be focused on, it may be time to check out, pack a bag and head to the beach!

Irritated? Always tired? Lacking motivation? You just might need a vacation. #selfcare

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6. You’re not motivated to workout anymore. | I’ve definitely lost my motivation to work out at one time or another. A short vacation to refocus your priorities may be exactly what you need to get you motivated and back on track to working out!

7. You’re becoming easily distracted. | Becoming easily distracted is definitely a sign that you need to getaway. If you can’t seem to focus on the task at hand, step away from work and treat yourself to a relaxing weekend staycation.

So tell me, do you think you need a vacation? Let me know!

Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway, a simple day of rest, a full-blown 2-week vacation or even a staycation, we all deserve a little break every now and then. Thanks for reading and until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJInspired | 5 Ways to Practice Gratitude + 5 Scriptures on Gratefulness

June 29, 2016 by Whitney 12 Comments

It’s so easy to be grateful when things are going well, but what about when things aren’t so great? Sometimes I have trouble practicing gratitude when things don’t go my way. This practice takes time and it’s continuous hard work. Thankfully I have been doing the work. As a result, this practice has become a little easier for me. While I still struggle from time to time, I can share at least 5 ways to practice gratitude. I’ve also included 5 scriptures on gratefulness that you may find helpful.

11 Scriptures on gratefulness

1. Keep a daily gratitude log. | I’ve been devoting the first 25 minutes of my day to gratitude and prayer. It’s taken me months to make this a habit, but I can’t imagine my mornings any other way. Each morning I write down 3 (different) things I’m grateful for. Taking the time to acknowledge certain things I’m grateful for helps set the tone for my day.

2. Send a handwritten thank you card. | I’ve been a fan of handwritten thank you cards for years. Taking the time to write and mail a thank you card is a simple way to show you care. Never underestimate what a handwritten and sincere note can do; taking that extra step goes a long way.

3. Be present and grateful in the moment. | This is probably the easiest way to practice gratitude, yet the most difficult to do. Why? Because we’re constantly thinking about what’s next. Stop thinking about what’s due two weeks from now or the appointment you have later in evening. Whatever you’re doing, be grateful that you’re alive and well enough to experience the moment. The deadlines, appointments and due dates can wait – be present and take a moment to be grateful.

5 simple ways to practice gratitude. #wnjinspired

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4. Say, “thank you.” | People are not always kind enough to say “thank you”, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say it. I’ve noticed that people often stop and look at me like I’m crazy when I say “thank you.” It’s like for that moment they stopped and realize that people aren’t always so mean and nasty. Don’t allow someone’s sour attitude to rub off on you. Be an example and show them that gratitude isn’t dead.

5. Practice random acts of kindness. | Last month I came up with a list of 12 Random Acts of Kindness for my Fearless Woman Facebook Group. I was inspired to do so after learning about a mission in downtown Baltimore called, Selfless Saturday. Over the past few months, the couple spearheading the program have become friends of Darrius and I. Rich and Erika are on a mission to serve the homeless in the community, in cities around America, every second Saturday of the month by providing them with nutritious cooked food prepared by volunteers. I was inspired to challenge myself and my group to practice random acts of kindness for the month of May. Doing something for a stranger with pure intentions, without expecting anything in return, is the most selfless thing you can do and it’s an excellent way to practice gratitude.

So tell me, what do you think about these 5 ways to practice gratitude? How do you practice gratitude? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and feel free to share your tips or scriptures below. You can even tweet them using the #wnjinspired hashtag; I’d love to see gratitude tips and scriptures go viral! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | Couples Night & Sutter Home Wines

June 20, 2016 by Whitney Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MoscatoMoments #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

This weekend, Darrius and I hosted our first couples night. We invited 3 couples to munch on finger foods, taste an array of Sutter Home wines and play a few games. Why Sutter Home? This family-owned company has been around since 1948 and their blends are always affordable and great to pair with several foods. Sutter Home is truly the perfect wine to bring friends together to make them feel at home.

Our guests felt so at home that our conversations about life, love, politics, and everything in between kept us engaged until the wee hours of the morning. As the evening went on, we enjoyed the following flavors:

Sutter Homes Pink Moscato
Sutter Homes Red Mascato
Sutter Homes Chardonnay

Of the three, the Pink Moscato and Chardonnay were the favorite flavors. The group enjoyed the sweet taste of the Pink Moscato and the crisp, refreshing taste of the Chardonnay. The Red Moscato was sweet as well, but I noticed that our guests heavily requested seconds and thirds of the other flavors.

Of course I had to make something special, so I decided to blend Sutter Homes Pink Moscato with ginger ale, strawberries and crushed ice. Once blended, I created a Pink Moascato & Strawberry Slush. Refreshing, with just the right amount sweet, the drink was a hit! The recipe is simple and takes less than 7 minutes. Check it out:

Pink Moscato & Starberry Slush

Wash off and dice 7-10 strawberries
Measure and pour 1/2 cup of ginger ale
Add diced strawberries into the Nutribullet
Pour ginger ale over strawberries
Add a few spoons of crushed iced
Full the rest of the cup with Sutter Home Pink Moscato
Blend for a few seconds or until fully blended
Pour blended mixture into wine glasses, add strawberry to the side and ENJOY!

(Msg 4 21+) Start your summer off with a glass of your favorite @SutterHome wine!

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So tell me, have you ever tried Sutter Home wines? If so, what’s your favorite flavor? Let me know!

Whenever there’s good food, an amazing playlist and wine, you’re guaranteed to have a great time! Serving the award-winning Sutter Homes wines was perfect for our summer entertaining needs; we’ll definitely be using these flavors for future summer gatherings, for sure. Thanks for reading and happy summer! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | What to Expect this Season

May 2, 2016 by Whitney 7 Comments

It’s been awhile, huh?! Let’s just say the past few months have been extremely b u s y. Despite the business, I’ve been preparing a lot of content to share, as well as putting most of my energy into completing the Fearless Woman I am website. I’ve also used the past few months to spend much needed quality time with my family. As I mentioned in this post, the 1st quarter of the year was all about preparation for me. With the 2nd quarter in full swing, I’m now ready to spring into action and continue sharing and inspiring!

Photography Credit: Greg Hindman

During my brief blogging hiatus, I realized that I really enjoy sharing with you. I’ve created this online space and it feels like we’re family. Moving forward, I want you all to feel like you’re sitting around the kitchen table with me when reading my posts. Whether it’s providing tips on how to create your own personal style, sharing some of my favorite beauty products or books, showing you the latest affordable car on the market, or providing a bit of inspiration/motivation to help you through the day, sharing with you, my audience, brings me so much joy.

Plenty of useful style, beauty and inspirational content over on whitneynicjames.com! #wnjblogs

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Sure, there will be sprinkles of sponsored posts here and there, but my main focus is to connect and engage. If you’re signed up to my mailing list, you already know that starting this month I’ll be trying a Monday, Wednesday and Friday posting schedule. There may be weeks I post on a Wednesday or Thursday and there may be days I don’t keep up with the posting schedule at all. Life happens. But for the most part I plan to do my best to stick to the 3-day schedule. No worries; the content will continue to be useful, visually appealing and uplifting. This new schedule will allow the Fearless Woman I am project to flourish and fulfill it’s purpose, while I continue to serve you, my loyal WNJ Readers.

I’ll continue to update and engage daily over on social media. To make my content easier to find and share, I’ll be using the hashtags shown above. Some may look familiar, since I’ve been using a few already. As far as the newsletters, they’ll be arriving in your inboxes on a bi-weekly basis starting September 1st.

So tell me, what are you look forward to seeing on Whitney Nic James this spring and summer? Let me know!

Thank you for keeping up with and supporting the blog thus far – I’m extremely grateful! If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like to read, let me know. I’m here for you, so feel free to contact me anytime! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJDrives | 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited Car Review

March 23, 2016 by Whitney 2 Comments

A few weeks ago my younger sister hosted her 3rd annual charity pageant, Heart of Charity, here in Columbia, MD. I knew the week leading up to, and the week of the event, I’d be running last minute errands. Having the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited came in very handy during that time! The trunk and backseat space alone left plenty of room for the event supplies, donations, food, etc.

As with most hybrids, the engine was extremely quiet. There were times I didn’t even realize the car was on. And the fact that the gas gauge barley moved throughout the week was rather impressive! Driving a car that takes 2.4 gallons per 100 mile isn’t bad, at all! Another plus was being able to take and make calls while driving, thanks to the the Bluetooth Hands-free capabilities. Other features included, but not limed to, are:

– Front, Front Side Impact, Side Curtain & Driver Knee Airbags

– Blind Spot Detection System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

– Heated & Ventilated Front Seats & & Heated Rear Seats

– 5-inch Color Touchscreen Audio Display

– Panoramic Sunroof w/ Tilt Slide

– SiriusXM Satellite Radio

– Rear-view Camera

– First Aid Kit

2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

Of course I had to sync my iPhone to the car upon entering the vehicle. Once that was all squared away I was able to listen to my personal iTunes playlists and favorite podcasts all week. Listed at $35,765.00 the 2016 Hyundai Sonata’s sleek design and hybrid model definitely caters to the young professional or even millennial crowd. I can also see couples, with possibly one child, enjoying this car as well. There’s plenty of room in the back for 2 (or possibly 3) passengers to fit comfortably.

Check out this review on the sleek and smooth 2016 @Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited! #wnjdrives

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Because of the fickle weather I wasn’t able to use the panoramic sunroof as much as I’d hoped. However there was one sunny day during the week where I was finally able to open up the sunroof and let the breeze in. It was lovely. Picture driving down the road, wind in your hair, listening to your favorite song on SiruisXM Radio – perfection!

So tell me, have you ever driven a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid or another model? Let me know!

Thanks for reading! As we wrap up this month I plan to share a few more posts, however once April comes I’ll be back to blogging “on schedule”. I’m looking forward to a new month and a new season here on WNJ. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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* Drive Shop provided me with this vehicle to test drive. All opinions are my own. *

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