Well hello, 34!!!! On, August 3rd I turned 34 and I am feeling so thankful to see another year! All I really wanted for my birt...
The last 2 years or so God has been dealing with me about speaking up. I’m not shy but I’d much rather keep the peace than learn how to properly advocate for myself. I’m always ready to drop someone or the situation rather than stay and learn to have a healthy conversation. One major lesson I learned in my last position was how to advocate for myself. I wanted to walk away so many times but God made me stay and speak up and watch HIM do the rest!!!
I had to learn that if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you and sometimes change is GOOD! I believe that we must learn the difference between being stretched and being drained. Everything isn’t draining you, some situations were sent to stretch you. The only way we will know the difference is by PRAYER & DISCERNMENT! Too often we are chasing peace that we miss out on opportunities to level UP and be stretched. Nothing ever happens in your comfort zone. There’s always going to be a need for perseverance! Here’s a couple of scriptures that kept me as I learned to speak up and trust the Lord!!!!
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Acts 18:9-10 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Proverbs 31:8 ESV Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
The last 2 years or so God has been dealing with me about speaking up. I’m not shy but I’d much rather keep the peace than learn how to pro...
I’ve worked with some amazing brands, but one brand I am always asked about is Shein.
Here we go...........
1. They are legit! The clothes on the site are the clothes you receive. They are not a scam site. lol! On a scale of 1-10, I would give the quality of Shein’s clothes a 7.
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| Click here for this dress. |
2. Sizing is comparable to a Juniors Plus line......so size up most times! If you are a 14-16 you may need a 2X-3X on their site. I’ve ordered multiple sizes from them. This brings me to point 3.....
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| Short set can be found here. |
3. Read the reviews and the description for EACH item. The sizing is not consistent across the site. This is the most difficult thing about shopping on Shein’s site. But the payoff is major!! You can’t beat the deals and the pieces are a hit!!
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| Click here for shirt dress! |
4. Shipping takes about 5-7 business days. They do offer express shipping but I suggest giving them at least 5 business days.
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| Click here for this dress. |
5. Always use a promo code for their site. Shein typically has amazing deals that are even better with a promo code. Every time I post a look from Shein, I share my promo code, “total20” which is valid for orders over $59!
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| Click here for dress! |
Leave me a comment if you have any questions, I am happy to help!
Although I have received these pieces from Shein for marketing purposes the opinions I share will ALWAYS be honest and my own! I LOVE US FOR REAL!!!
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| Jeans can be found here.....I am wearing a 3X. |
Although I have received these pieces from Shein for marketing purposes the opinions I share will ALWAYS be honest and my own! I LOVE US FOR REAL!!!
I’ve worked with some amazing brands, but one brand I am always asked about is Shein . Are they legit? How’s the shipping? Qua...
I mentioned before that New Orleans was everything I didn't know I needed. Everywhere I turned there were black powerful women walking in love and kindness! It was such a powerful experience. I can't believe it has taken me so long to go and experience Essence Fest and New Orleans. I would suggest that every black woman experiences Essence Fest at least one time in her life! Representation matters, it really does!!
I was able to get in some work and a lot of play. As soon as I touched down in NOLA, I scheduled a photoshoot with an amazing photographer. I was able to get my shoot out of the way the first day and just enjoy the rest of my trip without trying to capture outfit pics for the blog. This was my first time in New Orleans and my goal was to just enjoy it all.... and of course, try some beignets!
I arrived in NOLA on the 4th of July which was so cool to experience the 4th in another city. The views from my hotel were so perfect that we didn't have to go far to see some fireworks.
Thursday I was able to get an exclusive look at the festival! OMG!!!!!! The opportunity to experience the fest before the doors opened to the public was phenomenal. Here's a few pics from Day 2 in NOLA!!!!
My super cute peplum top is from Shein! I ordered a size 3X but could have gotten a 2X for sure in this top. I love the back details with the bows giving me the perfect NOLA spice in my look!
Ths shorts are old and from Forever 21! The shoes are my new fave wedges from Christian Louboutin!
I mentioned before that New Orleans was everything I didn't know I needed. Everywhere I turned there were black powerful women walking ...
Summer 2018 is truly giving me everything I didn't know that I needed.
I decided to go to Essence Festival in New Orleans and whew chile..........I got my whole entire LIFE!!! The last couple of years have been full of work for me between my day job and working on my personal brand. My main focus this summer is self-care and learning what that looks like for me.
Earlier this year I decided to start seeing a therapist and it was one of the best decisions of the year! have never felt more at peace in my life. Interestingly enough this has been on my vision board for 2 years but this was the year I took the leap and I couldn't be happier. My therapist is a Christian which was very important to me when I was seeking counseling.
I am truly reclaiming my time and learning more about myself daily. NOLA was a breath of fresh air for me! I have officially been on this new journey for 30 days now! My word this week is discipline. I am eager to dive into making my own schedule without the demands of a 9-5. I am excited to share more of this journey here on the blog. I am eager to see what God has in store for me for the remainder of 2018!!!!
Now, let's talk about this super cute short set!!!! Most of my vacation wear came from Shein. I am not a huge fan of shorts but this set was too cute for me not to rock it! Although Shein sent me this set....my opinions are my own and are very honest! I love that Shein has trendy pieces that work for curvy women like myself. This set has absolutely no stretch so I had to get a 5X. WHEW CHILE! I am typically a 1x-2x but I read the reviews and requested the 5X.
It was the perfect look to kick off my vacation in NOLA!
Did I mention this set is $20??? Yep!
Click here for the set.
Summer 2018 is truly giving me everything I didn't know that I needed. I decided to go to Essence Festival in New Orleans and w...
What are you believing God for this Quarter? What do you have extreme faith for the next 3 months?
My life has changed drastically, and I couldn’t be more excited and nervous for my future. On June 4th I was let go from my 9-5. To be honest, I was already a bit tired from all of the things that came with working a 9-5. I have served as an Assistant for almost over 13 years. I started corporate at the young age of 20! Tried college a couple of times but I made a decent living working in Corporate, so I stuck with it. I started out as a Receptionist, moved on to an Office Assistant, to Office Manager, to Senior Executive Assistant in my last role. These jobs required so much more than what the job description stated. Support staff is truly the backbone of every single organization created.
But......I WAS TIRED!
I faced many situations in my last position that I legally can’t speak on. The last 3 years of my life I dedicated 40 hours a week to a company. I cried, prayed, and hung on until the end. One huge lesson I’ve learned from this situation is to trust in the LORD! Trusting God and listening to God kept me in perfect peace even when I didn’t understand. The end was sweet.... seriously the end was so SWEET! God showed me that HE is GOD!!!!!! Prayerfully one day I can tell the whole story. I’m not sure what my next chapter looks like. But summer 2018 is mine! I’m not quite ready to be back in a corporate setting so I’ll be praying, creating content and living! This is the first time in my life I will be taking some time to pursue my passion full throttle. {Pray for me saints!!}
Now, let’s get back to the original question! What are you believing God for the 2nd half of 2018? What miracles are you praying for? What do you have extreme faith for in this season? Goals seem to be the buzzword when we enter new seasons, both naturally and spiritually. My prayer is that answering these questions will assist you in developing your goals for Q3!
As for me, I’m praying for miracles in my business, miracles in my finance, and miracles for my relationships, and miracles in my health!! I have faith that God will give me tools to assist people in their journeys to wholeness. I’m praying for the strength and tenacity to execute on the level that God has for me. I’m praying that God keeps me in perfect peace as I wait for my husband to find me. Lbvs! These are just a few of my prayers because the list is lengthy! I will, of course, be using my “Goals and Declarations” workbook to track my progress. Be sure to grab yours for free and if you already have one, it’s the perfect time to pull it out and track your progress. Click here for workbook!
Now, let’s get back to the original question! What are you believing God for the 2nd half of 2018? What miracles are you praying for? What do you have extreme faith for in this season? Goals seem to be the buzzword when we enter new seasons, both naturally and spiritually. My prayer is that answering these questions will assist you in developing your goals for Q3!
As for me, I’m praying for miracles in my business, miracles in my finance, and miracles for my relationships, and miracles in my health!! I have faith that God will give me tools to assist people in their journeys to wholeness. I’m praying for the strength and tenacity to execute on the level that God has for me. I’m praying that God keeps me in perfect peace as I wait for my husband to find me. Lbvs! These are just a few of my prayers because the list is lengthy! I will, of course, be using my “Goals and Declarations” workbook to track my progress. Be sure to grab yours for free and if you already have one, it’s the perfect time to pull it out and track your progress. Click here for workbook!
Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us...
Cheers to the future and beyond!!!! May the next 6 months blow your mind as you trust Jesus Christ for more and more!
All look details can be found on my Instagram for now. Make sure you're following me! www.instagram.com/totallytot3
All look details can be found on my Instagram for now. Make sure you're following me! www.instagram.com/totallytot3
What are you believing God for this Quarter? What do you have extreme faith for the next 3 months? My life has changed drastical...
Spring 2018 has been eventful to say the least! Here are a few looks served this spring!
These looks are from my latest fave and affordable place, Shein!
I am in love with this wrap dress from Shein! It is the perfect piece for the weather Chicago is having, super hot during the day, with a nice breeze in the evening.
I also love the versatility in this wrap dress! You can catch me this summer wearing it over some shorts or a skirt! Did I mention this is $19??? Cute, comfy, and affordable!
This shirt dress is another versatile piece from Shein! It's giving me festival vibes and can easily be worn with jeans, shorts, or simply as a dress!
Yes, this piece is $18!!!
No need to break the bank on fun pieces this summer.
Lastly, I received these super cute black jeans from Shein! I love love love the details on these jeans and can't wait to wear them! The stretch is amazing but I still had to size up for these.
Looking for fun, easy, and affordable pieces??Check out Shein!!
I received these pieces in exchange for my honest opinion, which is what you will ALWAYS get here on TotallyTot.com!
Spring 2018 has been eventful to say the least! Here are a few looks served this spring! These looks are from my latest fave and affor...
I can't believe that May is here! GEESH!!!! Where has the time gone? April was a bit of an emotional month for me. In the midst of my emotions, I managed to serve some incredible looks that didn't make it to the blog. Sooooooo, on this first day of May, let's see some cool looks served in April!
As soon as I saw this suit, I knew I had to have it! I tried it on and could not believe it wasn't sold out!!! It fits amazing and is now one of my all-time favorites in my closet!
The other look I loved for April was this casual look featuring a super cute top from Gwynnie Bee! I love pairing pencil skirts with flats for a classic chill but polished look.
If you haven't signed up for Gwynnie Bee, click here! Gwynnie Bee is for all sizes now!!! I share my love for Gwynnie Bee here!
As always, I am working on managing life and the blog. Thank you for rocking out with me and reading, subscribing, liking, and all the love! I am super thankful!!!!!
I can't believe that May is here! GEESH!!!! Where has the time gone? April was a bit of an emotional month for me. In the midst of ...
Hello, 2nd Quarter! So much to blog about...so little time! Geesh!!! This post will be quick and to the point......have some GRACE!!! We can so easily be tough on each other in areas that we are gifted in or areas we have mastered. I see it all the time and I often want to chime in and scream HAVE SOME GRACE!!!!!! My goodness!
I believe that the things that come easy for us are very purposeful on God's part. We must learn to take it easy with one another and make our gifts work for us and not against us. The next time you feel the urge to go hard because someone is not as disciplined as you, as creative as you, or doesn't work as hard as you think they should, I encourage to gracefully lead your brothers and sisters into a new thought process.
We don't have to be cruel and mean to encourage greatness in each other. Think about the area that you struggle in the most and extend that grace to the people you feel lead to encourage! I thank GOD for HIS grace towards me!! Thinking of God's hand in my life keeps me HUMBLE and able to extend grace, love, and kindness to the people around me.
This beautiful dress is from Shein!
I have mentioned before and will say it again...SIZE UP with Shein! They have some pieces that have worrked so perfect for me but I had to size up. I am a size 14-16 and typically between a 1x-2x. For Shein, most of my pieces have been 2x-3x.
Hello, 2nd Quarter! So much to blog about...so little time! Geesh!!! This post will be quick and to the point......have some GRACE!!! W...
Message to the strong friend!
Have you seen that meme floating around social media, the one that says “Check on your strong friend?”
Well, I am here with a message for the strong friend! I think it's time we take a look at who and what we consider to be strong.
How do we determine who the “strong “ friend really is? I believe that the time is now to redefine what stong looks like. Everyone is battling something that you know nothing about or something that you simply can’t relate to. I am here to tell you that we are all the strong friend. Strength looks different on everyone. Each and every person walking this earth has something we are all trying to overcome with strength and with dignity. Challenges do differ based on your calling in life. But, to indicate that there is a “strong friend” means that someone is indeed a “weak friend." And quite honestly, that just doesn’t sit well with me.
So, I have compiled 3 things that I want the "strong" friend to know. Here we go....
So, I have compiled 3 things that I want the "strong" friend to know. Here we go....
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1. We must understand that it is okay to not be okay. Learn your triggers and have a strategic plan for dealing with your pain. As children, we learn when there is an emergency to call 911. Many of us learn 911 before any other phone numbers. You need a 911 for your emotions. When you are feeling high, low, in between who do you call and what do you say. PLAN FOR THOSE MOMENTS!
2. Your friends can handle YOU!! Divine relationships are very important to me. When you are in a relationship that has been ordained by GOD, you must know that person has the capacity to handle your low moments. Don’t rob your friends of the opportunity of holding you down and praying for you. SPEAK UP and remember it is okay to not be okay.
3. Don’t sit and wait for someone to check on you. Send out an SOS! Say something. Learn to articulate your pain, your hurt, and your disappointments. Sometimes it is hard to speak about it. I totally get it. You can designate an emoji which indicates that all is NOT well in your world. It could be a blue heart, for instance, this emoji could represent as an alert signal for your crew. Tell your friends the emoji and they will know when you send it that you need prayer, dinner, a movie, or simply to be checked on. Another way to alert your friends that you are not okay is word vomit! This one is my personal favorite. I know I have struggled with wanting to shut down and assume that nobody could understand. But, I recognize that is the enemy’s way of keeping me in bondage. So, what do I do….I just SPILL IT!!!! I send texts to my close friends or family disclosing my emotional state. Sometimes it’s just a sentence….I am sad. Sometimes, it’s a paragraph. Either way, I don’t assume that they know unless I tell them.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are times where you may get a random text or call that was just what you needed. Those perfect God curated moments seem to be right on time right? My goal for this post is not to take away from those beautifully supportive moments. My goal is to challenge us all to be more in tune with our own emotional state and how we are handling our emotions. Life happens to the best of us! The fact that you are still living and actually reading this means that you too are the strong friend. I know some of us have experienced more challenges than others, but that’s your story to tell and your testimony to share. BUT…. Don’t isolate yourself as the “strong friend.”
I write this from a place of love. Right now I am about 10 days from what would have been my daughter’s 7th birthday. I am having some moments right now for real yall. The dark cloud of grief is not easy. I have already sent out a couple of SOS messages requesting prayer. I feel a heavy heart trying to creep in. I am making sure that I am listening to things that uplift my spirit. I let the tears fall as they may, but refuse to be taken in by the grief. Writing this right now is therapeutic for me. I am asking all of my strong friends out there to pray for me during this season. I am the strong friend, you are the strong friend. WE ARE EACH OTHER’S STRENGTH AND JESUS CHRIST IS THE GLUE TO IT ALL.
I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR READING.
Keep scrolling for outfit deets!
This entire outfit is from Shein! Some people love them and when they sent me these pieces I was in shock of how cute they were. My only warning is to SIZE UP! Now, if you have made it this far I have a deal for you!
Message to the strong friend! Have you seen that meme floating around social media, the one that says “Check on your strong friend?...
