Lifestyle Archives - Page 10 of 13

#WNJBeauty | 11 Items in my Makeup Bag

October 22, 2015 by Whitney 4 Comments

As I mentioned in this post, I’ve been a beauty/product junkie for years! I love trying new products, but there are a few things I don’t stray from. Those are the Items in My Makeup Bag. I’ve carried a makeup/cosmetic bag since 5th grade, thanks to an unexpected “female incident” that surprised me at 10-years-old. You can read more on that here, but back to my makeup bag goodies. Here are the 11 items you can always find in there.

1. Hand Sanitizer | I’m constantly on the go, which usually means I’m eating on the go. Because of that, and the many nasty germs floating around, I carry a smell good hand sanatizer with me at all times. Before every meal, after every sneeze or blown nose, I whip it out. It’s a must!

2. Gum | I always seem to be talking to someone when I’m out. Keeping my breath fresh is imperative, so a pack of gum can always be found in my makeup bag.

3. Tissue | I have seasonal allergies, EVERY SEASON. So it’s obviously necessary have a pack of tissue on deck. If it’s a bad allergy day beware; I’ll can literally sneeze 100 times in 24-hours. #Fact

4. Vaseline | Lips must stay popping and hands cannot be ashy. I use my mini container as a back up lipgloss and I always base my hands with vaseline before I put on lotion. No ashy lips and hands on my watch!

Roller Lash Mascara (Another Option) // Clinique Foundation (Same) // Milan Lip Gloss ()

5. Lotion | Again, no ashy hands. A nice smelling lotion that keeps those hands silky smooth is the way to go.

6. Visine | Those allergies are NO JOKE. Therefore I carry a Visine with me at all times, just in case my eyes start itching or they turn red from grass, pollen or dust.

7. Facial Spray | My Mom calls me a hotbox, lol. I’m always “glistening” (sweating) while I’m out and I’ve found that the Evian facial spray is a lifesaver! 2 quick spritzes leave me instantly cool and refreshed.

8. Business Card Holder | You never know who you’ll run into, so of course I have my business card holder and cards on hand at all times. Networking never stops.

What every girl should carry in her makeup bag. #wnjbeauty

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Evian Facial Spray (Same) // Lotion/Hand Cream, The Body Shop (Same) //Business Card Holder (Cute Option)

9. Foundation | I’m not a big makeup wearer, but on occasion I do like to put on a light layer of foundation. It smooths my skin, helps evens out my complexion and makes me look a bit more polished when I have somewhere to go.

10. Mascara | A quick mascara application does wonder for the eyes! It’s the perfect way to make those eyes pop and look, well, “on fleek”. Gosh, I hate that term, but it IS necessary to say at times.

11. Nude Lip Gloss | Nude lip gloss is a lifesaver. I don’t wear lipstick that much, but I do like to have a little shine on my lips, especially for an event or date night. A nude lip gloss will give you the instant shine you need and because it’s nude, the color goes with anything!

So tell me, what do you think about the items in my makeup bag? What’s in yours? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and be sure to share you makeup bag must haves with me below! Also, my Personal Style Linkup is still live. Feel free to join the party and add your latest outfit to the linkup. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJHome | Nordstrom Home Decor Must Haves

October 15, 2015 by Whitney 2 Comments

It’s been almost 2 months since hubs and I moved into our new place. Thankfully, the process is coming together wonderfully. I’m happy that the “major things” have been purchased and unpacked. Whew! This move has rekindled my love for home decor, so I’ve been searching for a few last minute odds and ends to complete the moving process. That leads me to sharing 4 Nordstrom Home Decor Must Haves. Yes, Nordstrom. I love the store for clothing, accessories, and now home decor! While some of the items are priced a bit above my budget, I did happen to find 4 affordable must haves for our new abode.

Crosley Record Player, $80 – We’re huge music lovers so we quickly agreed that this record player was the perfect addition to our home. I cannot wait to play old school records while cooking or having the songs playing in the background while we entertain friends and family.

Voluspa Mini Candles, $8 – This Macaron Voluspa candle smells delicious. I ordered one a few months back and said I wasn’t going to burn it until we moved. Now that we’re in our new place, I burn it morning and night in our bathroom. It smells simply divine and it’s the perfect size…and so pretty too!

Jewelry/Trinket Tray, $14 – The first thing I do when I get home from work is take off my jewelry. What better way to store it than in a cute, girly jewelry tray like this one!

Home State Glass Coasters (Set of 4), $38 – I grew up with a mother who made us use coasters whenever we had something to drink. I’ve continued that rule in our home, lol. I usually thrift my coasters but these unique ones were a splurge I was willing to make. LOVE THEM!

Record Player // Voluspa Candle // Jewelry Tray // State Glass Coasters

So tell me, do you like my affordable Nordstrom home decor picks? Let me know!

Feel free to also let me know where else you shop for affordable home decor items. I have a few more places and items to share with you this year, but I always love hearing/reading your suggestions. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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5 Takeaways from Blogalicious 2015 | P.S. You Should Have Been There

September 19, 2015 by Whitney 12 Comments

Last weekend I was at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront for the 2015 Blogalicious Conference. Believe it or not, I’m still on cloud 9 from meeting all the lovely, kind and helpful fellow bloggers/creatives. The conference, themed Build Your Own Empire (#BYOE15), was once again life changing and re-confirming.

This is my 2nd year attending and of course I had to be in the number. After all the event was held in my hometown, Baltimore! I can go on and on talking about how the meals/snacks were DELICIOUS and plentiful, or how hanging with Vivi, Deanna, Nae, Dionna and our other #DMV BLM Girls was EVERYTHING, but instead I’ll share 5 takeaway from #BYOE15. There’s also a short video below with a few highlights.

1. Live with Intention & Be Consistent. Mattie James, thee Live the Life you Love advocate behind Mattieologie, stressed importance of building a legacy and staying consistent. In life we should all strive to make a living doing what you love, while remaining consistent and intentional about serving others. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mattie session and appreciated her message, which was perfectly tailored for future creative entrepreneurs like myself.

2. Don’t Be Boring. Blogging colorfully is what keeps your readers coming back for more. Ty Alexander, known to most as the lovely Gorgeous in Grey, was on point with her Create Colorful Content session. It was actually the first one I signed up for. Oiginal content, strong headlines, and writing short and to the point content is where it’s at! (That’s something I’m working on, LOL). One thing that stuck out the most was to write something every day. You have to practice your craft daily if you want to become an expert. There’s simply no way around it.

Here’s why you should’ve been at this years @beblogalicious conference! #BYOE15

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3. Pitch, Pray & Do the Work. I’ve followed and watched Nicole Walters, the #MonetizeThyself and “Pitch & Pray” Queen, around the Internet for months. She has grown into an incredible force to be reckoned with! Simply put, the girl knows her stuff. She’s passionate about teaching others how to monetize their lives and the tips she provided were extremely helpful. The main takeaways from her session were (1) act like a business, (2) live in the state of expectancy, and (3) strive to make face-to-face connections with key influencers.

4. Diversify Your Coins. For most people the ultimate goal is to make a living doing something you love, while making coins along the way. But who says there’s only one way to make money? Arsha Jones of Tees in the Trap gave exceptional tips on how to diversify your income. We should all have multiple streams of income. A few things to remember; (1) follow your passion, (2) define and know your audience, and (3) leverage up and collaborate with like-minded influencers in your niche.

5. Strive to be Credible. If you’re not credible and your reputation is questionable, it’s going to be tough to build a reliable brand! Blogging veteran Marie Denee (The Curvy Fashionista) delivered a great message on reputations, relationships, and returns. Building a credible online reputation takes time, but it is possible. Marie reminded us to separate the personal from the professional, build a tribe, and don’t focus on “what’s in it for me” (WIIFM). Lastly, always be willing to give more than you receive.

So tell me, what’s your favorite takeaway mentioned above? Were you able to experience Blogalicious this year? Let me know!

I honestly found myself a bit overwhelmed with all the useful information I received, but it’s a good thing. I needed to immerse myself with all things blog and business related. I’ve been hungry all summer to learn and do more, and this conference was a great indicator that I’m on the right path. If you want to know how a few others felt about the conference check out the detailed recaps from Heart, Print & Style and Bernetta Style; two of my blogger buddies who I enjoyed seeing in Bmore! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJsocial | 5 Amazing Women You Should Follow on Periscope

September 10, 2015 by Whitney 6 Comments

Periscope has become my new thing. I mean it’s great! I love watching scopes every now and then, especially when the topics are about blogging, social media, entrepreneurship and lifestyle. I’m not addicted to periscope, or at least I don’t think I am, but I do watch certain “scopers” on what seems to be a daily basis. As I prepare to head to Blogalicious this weekend, I’m really excited because I’ll get to meet a few of my favorite periscopers/bloggers, as well as sit in their master classes and workshops. That said, here’s Part I of my 5 women to follow on Periscope list. Enjoy!

1. Whitney Nic James (@whitneynicjames) – Of course I had to make the list, lol. I’m not on as much as I’d like to be, but when I am I talk about inspiration, style, marriage and everything in between. It’s really a hodgepodge of topics and a continuation of what I post here on WNJ, as well as on my other social media channels. I plan to do more scoping this fall so be sure to follow!

2. Rochelle Washington (@rosereddpaper) – Rochelle is my kindred spirit/soul sister. Her scopes on branding, creativity and life happenings are such great pick me up’s. Her delivery is honest and real; some would say a bit “in your face”. I’m the kind of girl who can appreciate that delivery, so I love it! Be prepared to be in your feelings, but ready to receive what she’s saying. Rochelle will be honest with you and will challenge you to be and do better, which is so necessary. Her messages come from an honest, since place – always.

3. Mattie James (@mattieologie) – Mattie is another honest and real deliverer of a good message. Like Rochelle, she always comes from a good place. She also comes from a place of gratitude. You can tell in each scope that she’s thankful for her supporters, AKA her Live What You Lovers. Her positive and go-getter attitude is infectious. She scopes about the business of blogging, style, and how to live what you love, while making a #cutecoin while along the way. Her scope is a must listen; tell her I sent you. 😉

5 must follow women on @periscopeco! #wnjsocial

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4. Maya Elious (@MayaElious) – This Atlanta based design and brand strategist is the truth when it comes to branding and making money online. I respect her hustle and admire her work ethic; it’s incredible! Like her sister Mattie, Maya is always willing to share what she knows with her followers. She’s open and transparent about her business struggles and doesn’t mind sharing the in’s and out’s of what it’s really like to be a young entrepreneur. Be sure to follow her on Periscope and while you’re at it, check out her latest income report. If this doesn’t motivate you to go after your passion, not sure what will!

5. Leslie Hendricks Young (@FASHIONdujour) – Leslie is yet another one of my favorite people. I’ve had the pleasure of featuring her on the blog and whenever we get a chance to chat, I walk away feeling great. So of course, I follow this beauty on periscope! She scopes about life and relationships (marriage) and comes from a spiritual angle. I respect her realness and desire to share her Christian beliefs and morals with her followers. In the world we live in, Leslie’s approach and messages are refreshing and indeed necessary.

So tell me, what do you think of my 5 women to follow on Periscope list? Do you follow any of the ladies I mentioned above? Let me know!

I hope you take some time to check out these amazing women. Part II of my list will be published soon. In the meantime, check out these leading ladies and be inspired! As always, thanks for reading and follow all with me on social media as I enjoy the Blogalicious conference this weekend! Be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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#WNJDrives | 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander #DriveMitsubishi

September 9, 2015 by Whitney 3 Comments

For most of the summer I’ve had the pleasure of test driving several different cars. Hubs and I are not in the market for a new car, however we don’t mind test driving for future reference. Also since we were moving this summer, the cars I’ve been able to drive have been spacious enough for us to pack and load up during the move. Last week this cute red 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC Premium was my companion. It was the perfect ride for everyday errands, last minute packing, and a few back and forth rides to D.C.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

At first glace I was smitten with this cute car. Once I opened the doors and saw all the space, I was even more pleased. The last row of seats folds down to make for even more space, which came in very handy when we picked up our new bed-frame! I was also impressed with the sound-system and the Sirius radio capabilities. I went from The Heat to the Heart & Soul stations the entire time the car was in my possession.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander car review, thanks to @mitsucars and @driveshop! #DriveMitsubishi

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Overall I had a good experience while driving the car, but I must be honest and say the car was not as smooth as the others I’ve driven this summer. I felt a lot of the bumps and turns on the highway while commuting. Hubby and little sis both agreed and while it wasn’t bad enough for me to stop driving the car, it was a bit disheartening. However the following additions (available when purchasing the SE S-AWC Premium) made up it for the bumps along the way:

power glass sunroof with tilt and slide function
leather seating surfaces
power driver’s seat with (back) seat pocket
wood grain interior trim panels

So tell me, have you ever driven the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander SE S-AWC Premium? If not, what car do you currently drive? Let me know!

As always thanks for reading and commenting. I’ll be back with one more car review this month (next week). I have a car being sent for my Blogalicious trip this weekend, so be sure to look out for that recap and car review. Until next time, be blessed and be safe!

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

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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5 Reasons to Attend Blogalicious 2015

August 28, 2015 by Whitney 6 Comments

I’m a people person who enjoys connecting and meeting like minded individuals who are passionate, purposeful and have the desire to generate income by doing what they love. That’s why I saved, planned and attended Blogalicious back in 2013. The conference was held in one of my favorite cities (Atlanta) and was by far one of the best and most confirming weekends I’ve had in a while.

After the conference, I was ready to put what I learned to use. A few months later my blog and business reached a place I’d once dreamed about. I owe a generous portion of my blogging and business success to what I learned (and implemented) at Blogaglious. I’m eager to attend this year and even more eager to do the work after I return. I already know that I’m going to learn so much, connect with several key influencers and spend time with a few of my favorite creative people. Here are 5 reasons you should attend the 2015 Blogalicous Conference this year.

1. You want to visit Baltimore. Granted I’m from this great city, but honestly Baltimore is such an amazing place. There’s good food, good shopping, enjoyable museums to visit, and did I mention good food?? Just come to B-more and thank me later.

2. You want to be great. Who doesn’t want to be GREAT?! The classes and workshops offered at Blogalicious are guaranteed to equip you with what you need to BE GREAT – just be ready to DO THE WORK. And the people conducting these classes and workshops are legit experts in their field. Can’t beat that!

3. You want to learn AND connect with influencers. Like I said before, those conducting the classes, courses and workshops, they know their stuff. Period. The best way to learn is to learn from the best. Blogalicious has that under control!

Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista | Met at 2013 the conference & have the pleasure of being apart of the TCF Team.

5 reasons I’ll be attending @beblogalicious! #BYOE

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4. You want to find a mentor. During this weekend there will be countless opportunities to connect and interact with key influencers. It’s the perfect place to find a mentor, coach or even an accountability partner. Don’t miss out on your opportunity. Be genuine and direct; find your mentor.

5. You want to learn how to make coins. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like making coins/cash/money. If you don’t, this isn’t the place for you. If you’re like me and want to know how to generate income from doing something your passionate and serious about, Blogalicious is the place for you. Again, the key influencers will set you up and provide you with a blueprint so to speak on how to make, keep making and even invest your coins.

So tell me, will you be attending Blogalicious 2015? Have any questions about it? Let me know!

I hope I’ve convinced you to join me in Baltimore this year! If you want to continue being great and have the desire to find/realize your purpose, as well as learn how to make coins, attend Blogalicious. It’s an investment you won’t be sorry you made.

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#WNJDrives | 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Car Review

August 27, 2015 by Whitney 6 Comments

In the midst of a hectic and crazy few days, I’ve been able to ride in style all week in the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. With hubs and I packing to move, this mid-size family car has been the PERFECT companion! We’ve used the car to transport certain items to the our local Goodwill, as well as hauled quite a few bags of unwanted items to the dump. We just started packing up this spacious car with boxes and bags in order to transport a few belongings to the new place. With 3 rows of seats, easily converted to create more cargo space, it’s been a breeze.

Another feature I LOVE is the built in navigation and hands-free capabilities. On our recent overnight trip to D.C. we used the navigation system to get us there. The system alerted us about possible traffic jams and congestion, accidents, as well as detours. The hands-free feature definitely came in handy while driving to work each morning. I’ve been able to listen to my favorite podcasts and my homemade iTunes playlists! That small feature has made my drives to work that much more enjoyable.

The 2015 @Hyundai Santa Fe is the perfect safe and spacious SUV! #DriveHyundai

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Again, the car has plenty of space (driver’s and passengers side) and also came with a panoramic sunroof. This feature allows the warm sunlight and fresh air to seep in while driving. Plus driving around with an open sunroof and Kendrick Lamar blaring from the speakers makes you look and feel really cool, duh! One more thing – I’ve had the car since last Friday and with all the driving I’ve been doing (back and forth to D.C. and Baltimore) I have not stopped at the gas station. The tank is still a little under half full – #WINNING!

So tell me, what features do you look for in a car? Have you ever driven the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe? Let me know!

Looking for a spacious mid-size crossover or SUV? I highly suggest the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. This car has made the list of “possible future cars” for hubby and I. I can see it being perfect for a family on the go, or for a family without children who road-trips often and transports items frequently. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe….XO!

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

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