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Personal Style | The Start of my Minimal Wardrobe

March 10, 2016 by Whitney 8 Comments

For the longest time, I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a minimal wardrobe. About 2 1/2 years ago I started going through my closet more frequently and figuring out what I really wore often. After doing this I realized that I only wore about 50% of what was in my wardrobe. At this time I was big on thrifting, so the number of thrifted items packed in my closet was astronomical. Well, probably not that bad, but you get the picture.

It was then I realized it was time to cut back on my random thrifting trips and possibly give the whole minimal wardrobe thing a try. Before you read on, here’s my definition of minimalism, which is a combination of two definitions I stumble upon recently from Joshua Becker, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus:

Minimalism – A lifestyle designed to inspire others to live their best lives while owning fewer possessions, as well as a tool that can help you achieve freedom. (i.e. financial freedom, freedom from fear, worry, overwhelm, etc.)

When hubs and I downsized to our new apartment, I already had the idea of a minimalist lifestyle in my mind. I knew I had to research a little more first; I don’t like to jump into things and change my routine without researching. Even after the research phase, I’m all about subtle changes here and there. So the whole downsizing decision kick-started my minimalism quest and I decided to start with my wardrobe. Below are 3 things I’ve realized during the process.

Minimizing your wardrobe should be a gradual and well thought-out process. #wnjstyle

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1. Minimizing your wardrobe doesn’t have to be drastic. | You don’t have to throw out or give away everything you own; it’s not that serious. This decision should work for your lifestyle, period. If your lifestyle calls for more than 9 pieces in your wardrobe, so be it. If you need 21 pieces to create a minimal wardrobe, great! It’s all up to you and no one should dictate how many items you should or should not have in your closet.

2. A minimalist wardrobe saves time AND money. | Deciding to create a minimal wardrobe saves time in the morning when getting dressed, as well as MONEY. Just think about the money you’ll save on clothing, shoes, and accessories when shopping. Deciding to “go minimal” takes time and careful planning, but in doing so you’re sure to have a couple coins left over in your bank account. Can’t beat that!

3. Minimalism doesn’t have to stop with your wardrobe. | If you decided to go this route as far as your wardrobe, why not try a full on minimalist lifestyle? Get rid of the clutter and unnecessary items in your closet, kitchen cabinets, bookshelf, bathroom, etc. Freeing up space in other areas of your home will help you feel more at ease. Once you have that down pat, you can even try the minimalism approach in other areas of your life too!

Creating a minimal wardrobe saves time AND money. #wnjstyle

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Minimal Wardrobe & Lifestyle Reference Links

So tell me, do you have a minimal wardrobe? Have you thought about living a minimalist lifestyle? Let me know!

All in all, I’m on a quest to continue living a God-centered, happy and simple life, while living with less. I’ll be sharing more of my thoughts and changes as I go through this process. If you have any tips, links or suggestions that may help, feel free to send them to me. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJDrives | 2016 Kia Optima Car Review

February 11, 2016 by Whitney 4 Comments

Just before the New Year I had to opportunity to test drive a 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo. Hubs and I aren’t in the market for a new car immediately, however we plan to purchase a new car within the next 2 years. So whenever I have a chance to test drive a vehicle, I’m excited! I’ve become very found of the Kia brand over the past year and after driving the Optima for a week, it’s safe to say that a Kia purchase just might happen in the near future.

I put this car to the test, traveling up and down 95 for meetings and other wok related events, as well as driving my usual routes in and around Howard County. The sleek and sophisticated design caught my eye at first glance and once inside, I was very impressed with the space. The car is compact, but not so small that you don’t feel comfortable. Once I became acclimated with the car, I noticed one thing for sure – this car gets OUT! Now of course I wasn’t speeding recklessly, but the need for speed was met while cursing down 95. Below are a few important features of the 2016 Kia Optima:

– Push Button Start / Smart Key & Trunk

– Dual Front Advance Airbags

– SIRIUSXM Satellite Radio

– USB/Auxiliary Input Jack

– Steering Wheel Controls

– Rear Parking Assistance

– Bluetooth Capabilities

– Navigation System

– 12 Volt Outlet

Again, I’m not usually a fan of compact sport-like cars, but driving this Kia swayed me a bit. I had plenty of room to stretch and felt very safe while driving. Because I’m constantly on-the-go, I’m always pleasantly surprised when there’s a place to charge multiple electronic devices in a vehicle. Hubs and Mom were equally impressed with the features and also loved the chic design and Platinum Graphite color.

The 2016 @Kia Optima is perfect for young professionals and college students! #wnjdrives

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I can definitely see this car being a great option for a young professional on-the-go, or even a college student. The price of this model, including the features mentioned and a few others, is $27,415. With all the driving I did I was surprised that I din’t have to fill up the tank. The Fuel Economy is listed at 32 MPG. Not bad, at all!

So tell me, have you ever driven a 2016 Kia Optima or another Kia model? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading and commenting. If you’re in the market for a new ride I highly suggest you checking out the Optima, or another Kia model. The more I drive these cars the more I understand the high satisfaction rate among many consumers. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

P.S. Don’t forget to link your recent outfit to my Personal Style Linkup, HERE!

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

#WNJSocial | 5 (More) Amazing Women to Follow on Instagram

February 3, 2016 by Whitney 5 Comments

In case you didn’t know, I’m a very visual person. When it comes to how I learn and how I go about growing my business(es), how something looks is very important. In a nutshell, beautiful images, clean and simple design, as well as appealing imagery makes me happy. Because of this, I’m very particular in choosing who to follow on Instagram. If your feed has pretty pictures, inspiring quotes, well designed flat lays and cute kids, I’m all in! Below are 5 (more) amazing women that I follow on Instagram.

1. @WhitneyNicJames | I had to include my account, of course. I’ve actually had quite a few fellow bloggers and followers comment on the style of my feed and content. I’m extremely thankful for the positive feedback. I’ve worked hard to create a certain aesthetic and I continue to challenge myself to post inspiring, stylish and uplifting content regularly.

2. @DaynaBolden | Dayna’s warm spirit and down to earth personality can literally be felt through her images and captions. Dayna executes her mission to inspire women to do all things with Love, Passion & STYLE flawlessly. Her Instagram feed is full of aesthetically pleasing style, lifestyle and product photos, along with the occasional posts of her adorable and ever so stylish baby girl.

3. @Brosiaa | This Arizona based Youtuber and Content Creator has been on my radar for years. I was first inspired to follow because of her minimalist lifestyle but as time went on I started to enjoy her candid, yet visually pleasing, lifestyle Instagram posts as well. Her tips on style, beauty and even fitness are always honest and presented in such a retable way.

You should be following these 5 amazing accounts on Instagram. #wnjsocial

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4. @Styleandpoise | I’ve been following style blogger, Roni, for years. I’m such a fan of her colorful and chic style, but more importantly, she’s so positive and inspiring. Anyone who can inspire me AND look fly while doing it, you’re winning in my book. I also like the fact that Roni’s messaging is the same across all platforms. Trust me, that’s hard to find these days. Take a look for yourself; I’m sure you’ll love her just as much as I do!

5. @IamDionneDean | Dionne captures you right away with her exciting and lively Instagram feed! I thoroughly enjoyed scrolling and double tapping through her fashion-forward images, and I’m constantly inspired by her smart shopping tips and tricks.

So tell me, are you following any of these accounts? Any amazing women on Instagram you think I should check out? Let me know!

Thanks for stopping by today. I plan to share more #WNJSocial posts this year. My love for social media and blogging has grown over the years and I’m excited to share my thoughts, tips and what I’ve learned along the way. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Lifestyle | 5 Things Summer 2015 Taught Me

September 1, 2015 by Whitney 4 Comments

Summer 2015 is winding down and as I said in yesterday’s post, it’s been a GREAT one. Thinking back, so much has happen this summer. I’ve grown in many ways and through it all, I’ve learned so much. Here are 5 things Summer 2015 has taught me.

1. My family is the best. I’ve known this for years, but I really realized how awesome my family was this summer. We’ve been able to spend a lot of time together through traveling, working together or just hanging out, and it’s been great. I genuinely appreciate their crazy quirky ways (lol), they’re unwavering support, constructive criticism and the love they have (and constantly show) hubs. They treat him like one of their own and seeing that warms my heart. My family has become the (very) few friends I can totally depend on…and I’m OK with that.

5 lessons learned from Summer 2015.

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2. I really LOVE Twitter. I’ve been on Twitter for years, but this summer I’ve really become a twitter fan. There’s SO MUCH great information out there and there’s also a lot of funny, intriguing info too. A twitter feed is like a huge ongoing conversation; one big game of telephone. Once you sift through the “mess” on Twitter, it really is an awesome platform to promote, engage and learn from. Check out this post for more of my thoughts on social media.

3. I (really) can make a living being a blogger & social media consultant. It’s no secret that I’m pretty serious about this blogging thing. And over the past few months, I’ve been serious about helping others understand and use social media properly. I’ve been able to generate income from blogging and social media consulting and it’s been wonderful. I genuinely enjoy creating content and helping others with social media, so to make money while doing both has been nothing but a blessing. Hard work, research and taking your time before diving into a new venture are the key factors that have helped make blogging and social media “a business”.

4. Downsizing really isn’t that bad. In this post I shared that hubs and I were downsizing. This decision was a “gown up” decision and to be honest, I griped about it for months. I just wasn’t feeling the whole live with less thing. But after reconsideration and talks with hubs and my parents, I came to realize that downsizing was indeed a wise decision. Especially since hubs and I are planning to purchase our first home and have our first child in a few years. Now is the perfect time to save and learn to live with less, all while living in an affordable chic downtown-loft like space in one of the best counties in the country, close to my parents. In 2-3 years, we’ll have a nice down payment for the home of our dreams and less financial stress. After all that is the American Dream, right?

5. I love being married. I always knew I wanted to be a wife. I never really thought about my perfect wedding and really didn’t have an idea of when I wanted to be married. I just knew I wanted to be a wife. Being married to my best friend has been sheer joy, especially during summer 2015. It hasn’t been easy nor perfect, but it’s been a fun, uphill ride and I wouldn’t want to travel this road with anyone other than Darrius. This summer has taught us that with God at the head of our relationship, #TeamWest can make it through anything. We’re a solid team; partners ’til the end. He has truly displayed unconditional love all summer long, and I’d like to think I’ve done the same for him. 😉

So tell me, what do you think about my summer lessons? What are somethings you’ve learned during Summer 2015? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and for supporting me throughout the summer. My blog has really grown and I owe you, my readers, a HUGE thank you! I couldn’t have done it without you. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

P.S. Don’t forget to linkup your recent OOTD to my Personal Style Linkup!

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Lifestyle | My Cycle Survival Kit with Kotex

June 19, 2015 by Whitney 6 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CycleSurvival #CollectiveBias

Let’s get a little personal, shall we? Ever since I was 11 years-old I’ve been a woman. Well, in the scientific sense of the word, it’s true. I was the only 5th grader with a purse full of feminine products. At the time, I thought it was the most dreadful thing EVER! As the years went on, preparing and carrying my feminine kit around was no big deal. But when I reached high school, things changed. My periods got worse, much heavier and I had a few embarrassing moments due to, well…”accidents”.

Once I entered my 20’s, it was almost unbearable. After several trips to the doctor, nights of moaning and curling up on the cold floor in a ball, rocking back and forth crying, I found out I suffered from extremely heavy periods and the doctor’s worried I’d have endometrioses. Thankfully, I didn’t and was finally able to get things under control, thanks to finally figuring out the right birth control method for my body. Now, my monthly cycle is a breeze and thanks to U by Kotex Curves® and U by Kotex® Lightdays Liners I don’t fear those accidents anymore!

Now that I’m surviving my cycle, I am beyond thrilled to have my life back. I always carry my feminine survival kit with me once a month; I even have one in my car and one at work. Being a woman is tough sometimes, but it’s also a blessing. When it comes to our time of the month, U by Kotex Curves® and U by Kotex® Lightdays Liners are a must have. Adding them to my survival kit has been a lifesaver. I feel comfortable wearing them and the price (between $5.99 and $7.99) is very reasonable. I feel protected during the days leading up to my cycle, as well as those 2 or 3 days after. They’re lightweight, not bulky, and can fit in your purse with so much ease.

I believe that as women, we’re equipped with an undeniable amount of strength. We deal with and take on so much and we always have to be prepared. So what’s in my Survival Cycle Kit?

1. U by Kotex Curves® and U by Kotex® Lightdays Liners

2. Chocolate (preferably Goobers)

3. Water

4. Fashion Magazines

5. Pain Meds (to cure the stomach, back, and pelvis pain)

So tell me, what’s in your cycle survival kit? Have you tried the new U by Kotex Curves® and U by Kotex® Lightdays Liners? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and if you’re in need of a few items for your Survival Kit, feel free to use my references above! For more Cycle Survival inspiration, check here. Until Monday, be blessed and stay safe…xo!

Lifestyle | 5 Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas

February 11, 2015 by Whitney 7 Comments

Valentine’s Day has always been special to me. Not only is it the national “Day of Love”, but it’s also my mother’s birthday and my parents wedding anniversary! When it comes to me and hubby, we’re always finding new ways to surprise one another on Valentine’s Day. He gets a kick out of my creativity and I absolutely love the way he makes me feel extra special on that day. Throughout the years we’ve done the usual dinner and a movie, double date, and concert. However over the past few years, we’ve enjoyed doing different activities and keeping it budget-friendly. If you’re still trying to figure out what to do for or what to gift your significant other, here are 5 last minute Valentine’s Day ideas!

1. Breakfast & an Early Movie | Find a cute coffee shop in town and enjoy a cozy breakfast. If you really want brownie points, make your honey breakfast. Nothing says “I love you” like a thoughtful breakfast in bed. Afterwards, head to the movie theater, preferably before 12 noon, and enjoy a movie.

* Money Saving Tip: Most movies are cheaper during the morning and early afternoon hours, so an early movie date is perfect if you’re on a tight budget.

2. Relax and Zen Out | Couples massages are everything. Spend the day with your boo at the spa and get the works. Enjoy a hot stone couples massage, add on a facial and while you’re at it take a yoga class! Some health and wellness spas offer massage/yoga class packages; take advantage of that because after all, there’s nothing better than a day of relaxation.

On a tight budget this #ValentinesDay? Do a morning movie date; tickets are less expensive.

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3. Get Active | If you’re into trying new things and you thrive on being active, going to Sky Zone for a morning workout is a wonderful idea! I shared my Sky Zone experience in this post and I must say, it was one of the most exhilarating and challenging workouts I’ve done in years. This idea is perfect for an active and fun-loving couple. Roller skating is another way to have fun and be active. I haven’t been in years, but I think it’d be really cute to hit the rink with hubby for a few hours of skating.

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5 Last Minute AND Budget Friendly #ValentinesDay Ideas!

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4. Plan a Day Trip | I love a good day trip! It’s so fun to pick a place and just GO! It doesn’t have to be something extravagant. A day trip to DC to visit a few free museums is a great idea. Visiting a nearby state, just for a day of lunch and shopping, is also an option. A change of scenery for a few hours is always nice.

5. Dine and Dash | This is not what you think. I want you to pay for your meal, let’s be clear on that. What I’m suggesting is to dine at one restaurant and dash to another for dessert! Be completely spontaneous and decide to eat a 3 course meal at 3 different locations. Decide on one place for appetizers and drinks, dine at another restaurant for dinner, and pick up dessert on the way home! Life is too short not to be random, so live a little and have fun!

So tell me, do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day? Any last minute and budget friendly ideas you’d like to share? Let me know!

I hope that whatever you decided to do this year, you remember that Valentine’s Day is really about expressing your love. You don’t need to spend a fortunate to do so nor do you have to be in a relationship to express your love. Call up your girlfriends and make it a girl’s night. Have dinner with your kids or enjoy a spa day with your Mom. It’s all about showing love and spending a little extra time with those near and dear to you. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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