Stay Golden Mama

Mommy Monday: The Ultimate Toddler + Mommy Car Kit

September 10, 2018 No Comments

If you are a mom, or anyone who drives, you know that having some sort of car kit makes your life WAY easier. I confess that this article was supposed to be written in July, buuttttt here we are in mid-September. Oops!

I wanted to share my Ultimate Toddler + Mommy Car kit that I made this summer. Dad doesn’t require much, but I added some snacks in for him as well 😉 . These items are great for year-round car riding.

I got my car tote bag from Target for $8 and it was a great investment! I love knowing that when we get in the car, we have everything we need at our disposal. It leaves me less stressed about packing for a trip to Grandma’s house or an afternoon at the park. My goal was to create a kit that would be helpful and easy if my fiancé was out with our daughter and needed something! I feel like I have to pack 100 things just to get out the house, so this a great way to keep every centralized in the car.

I even added a few “Mommy must-haves” that I always keep in the car as well. An extra pair of sunglasses, mints, chapstick and a charger is all I need to survive. Oh… and snacks of course!

Here is a breakdown of my list. Feel free to print it out if you plan on making a car kit!

Hair & Beauty

Grown-ish Braids! Yara Shahidi Inspired Hair Tutorial

September 9, 2018 No Comments

It is no secret, I am a TV junkie. Whether it is reality TV or a teen drama, you can count me in. Naturally, I fell hard for the black-ish spinoff, grown-ish! I loved Zoey (Yara Shahidi) on black-ish and I was so happy when I found out she was getting her own spinoff!

Zoey always had the most gorgeous hairstyles and I was inspired to try one of her cute braided ‘dos. I have NEVER done my own box braids, so I was pretty intimidated to try this style out. I felt like the bigger the braid, the easier it would be to create the style.

This style had 6 braids and I actually did mine with 8 because I could not figure out my parting! Luckily, my darling fiancé was there to help me part the back parts.

Steps to create this style:

Start with blow dried or stretched hair. I did a heat free blowout, so my hair was ready to do!
Section hair in 6-8 triangular sections and secure with black rubber bands and edge control. I did 3 triangles up top, 2 triangles below and sections in between because I did not like the way mine looked with just 6 sections. I also cornrowed my two side sections for some extra flair
Add in the braiding hair to each section (I used 2.5 packs of the Sassy Braiding Hair from Sally Beauty supply. Find the one that matches your blown out or stretched texture)
Add gel + edge control to baby hairs and finesse those lil guys until you feel great.
Follow with mousse on top of braids and coat each braid.
Add in some hair jewelry. I got mine from Amazon an I love them! I reuse them until they break.
Keep maintaining with edge control and mousse throughout the week. Note that it is possible to keep this style in for more than a week, but the braids should be more neat than I made mine!

If you want to see a step-by-step tutorial for this style, please watch the video below! I am having so much fun creating different styles with braiding hair and extensions. I will keep going until I get sick of trying new things lol. Any styles that you would like to see me try?

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=aL9uc_FQbwU

Until next time!

xo,

Simone

Mommy Mondays, Motherhood, Self-Care

Mommy Monday: Making Alone Time A Priority

September 4, 2018 No Comments

Photo credit: Emanja Alleyne (http://www.emanjaalleyne.com/)

Since starting this blog, I wanted to use it as a platform to connect and share my experiences as a mom. I had the idea of creating a regular diary series called Mommy Mondays to discuss all the ups and downs of parenthood. I eventually want to make this a series on YouTube as well! I have not been as consistent as I would like in this arena, but I am ready to make this a weekly thing!

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s dive into this week’s topic: alone time!

Ahhh, the touchy topic of alone time. When we get it, we feel guilty that we are without our kids. When we desperately need it, we feel bad for asking for a few hours to ourselves. It is exhausting!

This weekend, my partner was away on a trip with his guy friends and I got 3 nights of alone time. At first, I was a little overwhelmed that I would be taking on the brunt of the childcare duties with no help. Then I realized that I got 3 nights of solo time! While I love my fiancé dearly, it was nice to get a few nights to myself to watch sappy teen dramas – tell me that you have seen “To All The Boys I’ve Loved”! As I was reflecting during my nights alone, I came up with a few reasons why alone is a huge part of my mom self-care routine.

It brings reflection

I love being alone because it forces me to figure out my next move and also to just enjoy the moment. I cherish the quiet moments where I am not wiping a poopy booty or chasing my toddler in the grass. Being a mom gives me sooo much joy and purpose, but I still have dreams and goals that need focus and attention. I always feel so much more centered and focused after spending a few hours by myself.

Recharges my energy

In the same of reflection, I also crave alone time because it recharges my energy when my batteries are low. I feel currents of energy and when mine is low, I feel it in every aspect of my life. For me, low energy is usually tied to being overworked, too many social commitments and my house being filthy. When I spend time alone to regroup, then I start to feel my energy return and have the motivation to tackle life. It feels like a video game where I am finding extra lives.

Lets me be ME

Lets be honest, being a mom and partner can take a lot of energy. There is a lot of sacrifice and compromise that comes with these roles.

I found being alone is the best way for me to just be myself without any pressure or obligation to act a certain way. Social situations can be very draining because I am 50% introvert and I can’t be “on” for too long without burning out. I feel like I can be my truest self after a solo afternoon or night off without plans.

Makes me be a better mom

I truly believe that in order to be the best mom possible, I need balance in my life. A huge part of that balance is spending time alone and creating an environment of reflection and quiet. I get overwhelmed very easily and I find myself craving moments to myself. I find that I am more attentive and appreciative of the ups and downs of motherhood after I have spent some solo time.

Remember that “self-care is not selfish”. Say it again, for the people in the back! Taking time for yourself does not make you a bad mom or a bad person. In fact, it does the opposite. It helps you keep in touch with your body, mind and spirit by giving yourself time to breathe. Whether alone time is watching bad reality TV (I am looking at you, RHOA), going to your favorite coffee shop, meditating or hitting the gym. I urge you to push the mom-guilt

I also think in order to be the

Nights alone, kid-free afternoons

Reflection is self-care

Recharging precious energy to be the best mom that you can be.

Alone time is crucial for all people, but especially moms. I know there will be a

Hair & Beauty

Mini Sephora Haul: Products to Make Your Makeup Last ALL DAY!

September 2, 2018 No Comments

I know what you are thinking. Summer is almost over. BUT I feel like Seattle has a late summer that bleeds into September, so there are several sweaty weeks ahead of us!

I recently stepped into my local Sephora with a list and a dream. A dream to find products that lasted all day and could stop my combo skin to become a giant oil slick. I also had a gift card to burn from my father-in-law! God bless family that gifts Sephora cards!

I gathered a list of long lasting products that were supposed to last alllll day, baby! Here is what I picked up and my thoughts on each of them. Keep in mind that I have combination to oily skin and my skin is not super sensitive.

Becca Primer Mattifying Primer

I really wanted to like this stuff. I was rooting for you, Becca! I found this primer to be super sticky and hard to apply with certain moisturizers. I used it in the sweltering 109 degree Vegas heat and it held up well! My makeup did not bleed or smudge off. I know soooo many people that love this, but I just couldn’t get over how stiff it felt on my face. I ended up deciding to return this one, but maybe I will revisit it again later.

Urban Decay All Nighter Pollution Spray

Why did it take me so long to add this spray to my collection?? I have no good reason! I also first tried this spray in Vegas and it truly set my makeup all day. I was able to go from meetings to the clurrrbb without my makeup sliding off. It is a bit pricey at around $35, but I try to only use it when I know I have an extra long day or if I feel I will be exceptionally sweaty (aka Tuesdays). We also have had a series of wildfires in WA that have left the air very toxic and polluted, so this purchase came at the perfect time! Definitely a must-have product!

Sephora Cream Stain Matte Lipstick

I have a love-hate relationship with matte liquid lipsticks. Half the time I use them, they dry out my lips or create those gross wear lines. I usually favor cream lipsticks because they can reapplied easily throughout the day. But I was struck by this beautiful color and wanted to get back on the matte train. I am so happy I took a chance on this lipstick.

Born This Way Concealer

This stuff is HEAVY coverage, so it was not the best for my skin in the summer. I find the heavier the concealer or foundation, the harder it is in the summer to keep it on. I think this stuff will be AMAZING for Fall and Winter for a night out or a full-face glam day. I don’t think I would wear it daily because I am worried that it would clog my pores. But, GIRL it truly covers all them flaws!

Fenty Beauty Foundation (color samples)

Everyone has been buzzing about the Fenty Beauty Foundation and I was late to the game! I am super picky about foundation and I actually typically do not wear it. I like to wear it for special occasions and when I want my skin to look especially flawless. I have been blessed with a fairly even skin tone, so I can usually just get by on concealer and powder.

The first time I applied this concealer, I was wowed by the medium to full flawless coverage. It went on extremely smooth and even with my beauty blender. I think my shade was slightly off, but it still blended in very well with my skin. It gave my a very subtle glow that I loved as well. This may be the best foundation that I ever tried! And it comes in SO many shades! I love an inclusive brand that has a wide range of shades.

What are some of your favorite long-lasting products? Let me know if there are any that I should pick up on my next Sephora Run!

Talk soon!

xo,

Simone

Hair & Beauty

The Easiest Sleek & Chic High Pony! High Sleek Ponytail Tutorial

August 31, 2018 No Comments

Drawstring Straight Ponytail Tutorial Blog v2

Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links in this post.

If you are like me, you love long walks down the beauty supply store isles. I was at my local beauty supply (black hair store for the less informed) when I stumbled across a lovely drawstring ponytail.

I have been craving a sleek ponytail look, but I did NOT want to spend the time and energy straightening my hair. Also, the heat damage from straightening is insaneeee. So when I saw this lovely synthetic ponytail, I was jazzed. It was only $10 and looked very close to my hair texture when it is flat ironed.

Unfortunately I can’t find the ponytail online, so here is a similar-ish one from Amazon.

Steps for the perfect high sleek drawstring ponytail:

Blow dry hair or do a heatless blowout with braids or a bun
Slick back hair into a high ponytail, using gel and edge control
Braid ponytail and then pin into bun. The smaller the bun, the better! The less likely it will show.
Comb out the ponytail hair, then attach the combs in the ponytail to the top and bottom of the bun.
Tighten the ponytail cord around the bun
Take a chunk of the ponytail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail
Sculpt those edges and finesse the heck out of them!

Some things I loved about wearing this ponytail:

Took 5 minutes to install/attach to my hair
Super sleek and believable hair
24″ of glam, honey!
Gave me Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj vibes
Perfect wedding guest hair

If you want to see how I made this ponytail come to LIFE, then check out my YouTube tutorial below!

Thanks for stopping by! What style should I try next? I have a natural hair bucket list that I am tackling!! So exciting 🙂

Talk soon,

xo Simone

Hair & Beauty

Best Hair Dryer EVER for Natural Hair! Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Styler Review

August 26, 2018 No Comments

*Disclosure: There are affiliate links included in this post.

I don’t need another hair dryer. I don’t need another hair dryer. I whispered to myself over and over as I added the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer to my Amazon cart. I started reading reviews, as I always do before I purchase anything off of my happy place. And you guys, the reviews and photos swayed me to buy this hair dryer.

Sooo many naturalistas shouted their praise to the rooftops about this thing, so I felt like it was my duty to mankind to give this bad girl a twirl. See what I did there? Heh heh.

I decided to try out an Ariana Grande inspired ponytail, so I felt like it was the perfect time to give this dryer a spin. I blow dried my hair to make it sleek and easy to brush back into a smooth ponytail.

My Honest Review Highlights

Took 15-20 minutes to blow dry my entire hair. It usually takes 45-60 minutes to blow dry it with a normal dryer + comb attachment
This thing gets HOT, but I found that the low setting would have taken a lot longer to blow dry my curls. I have a lot of fine curly hair, and I always dread blow drying my hair because it takes forevaaaa
Very wide brush head, so it can tackle a lot of hair all at once.
It did not get my hair perfectly straight, but did give it a lot of volume and it kept my hair feeling very soft
This is perfect for thick hair, fine hair, curly hair, wavy hair, basically all hairs!
Bottom line: This thing WORKS!

What You Need to Know

The bristles did not get caught in my hair
The handle towards the brush got hot, but if you hold it below that you will not feel any heat
It has a cool, low and hot setting. I used mostly the hot setting and did not feel any heat damage. The cool setting is great for setting styles and taming flyaways

Have you guys tried this hair dryer? Let me know if you have it or are planning on purchasing it below!

xoxo,

Simone

Hair & Beauty

The Best Edge Controls For Fine Natural Curly Hair

August 18, 2018 No Comments

I have a confession to make. I am not a pro at laying my edges/baby hairs. I feel like it is a right of passage for black girls to learn to properly lay their edges. I have struggled with this for a long time!

I can say that I definitely have gotten better at laying these things to the gawds. We still aren’t FKA Twigs level yet though. Give it time though, I will catch up!

I wanted to share a few edge controls that do help get your baby hairs in tip-top laid shape. As mentioned in the title, I have pretty fine curly natural hair, so I have found that gels are the best option to keep my hairs down. If you have thick hair, these could work for you as well, but I can’t guarantee it!

Olive Oil Eco Style Gel

I know, I know. There is a lot of controversy surrounding Eco Style and their reportedly carcinogenic ingredients in their products. I just bought this tub before the report came out about the possibly harmful ingredients, so I will be finishing it.

Am I worried I will get cancer? Honestly I think most of the products we use on a daily basis will give some people cancer. I plan to do my research and move to more organic and natural products soon, but for now this stuff works very well and taming the bbhairs!

Hold: 6/10 (my edges tend to curl up with this stuff after a few hours)

Good for: Laying edges for a few hours and taming ponytails

Gorilla Snot Punk Gel

You guys, this stuff is LIFE! I finally took the plunge a few months ago when I wanted to try something new and MAN. What was I waiting for? I love how this stuff stays in place pretty much all day and gives a really firm hold. Almost crunchy. But I like crunchy, so it’s cool.

Hold: 8/10 (lasts almost all day, but has tendency to flake if you apply too much)

Good for: Taming extra curly curls and a very firm hold

Murray’s Beeswax

This beeswax thing is growing on me. I recently created 2 “fun buns” that were super cute with beeswax and I loved the results! Beeswax naturally repels water, so it can be hard to get it out of your hair. I noticed that it worked well with my fine curly hair and kept my flyaways and curly pieces from popping up.

Hold: 7/10

Good for: Making hair shiny and repelling moisture, smoothing curls

Murray’s Edge Control with Beeswax

Ah yes, the cousin of the Murray’s Beeswax – the elusive Murray’s Edge Control. I like this stuff, but if you put too much on… well you might need to wash your hair. I found that building this product is your best bet. Start small and work your way up!

Hold: 6/10

Good for: Smoothing edges and more of a waxy gel hold

Design Essentials Sleek Edge Control

I love Design Essentials. As a brand, I feel like they have it down pat. I have been using this edge control to touch up my edges and I have been loving the flexible hold. I love using this for my stubborn fine hairs that will not lay down all the way.

Hold: 7/10

Good for: Keeping baby hairs down and adding shine, flexible hold

Curls Passionfruit Control Paste

Oh, Curls. At first I did not like you, but now I love you! I don’t really use this on my edges because it makes them curl up. But I had to give it a shoutout because it works wonders for smoothing back hair for buns and ponies. It also would probably work great for box braids. I will by trying some box braids in the next few weeks, so weeee shall see! Throw up a lil prayer for me, because I have never done them and I am scared!

I hope you enjoyed reading about the best edge controls for fine natural curly hair! If you have a good edge control recommendation, please drop it in the comments!

xoxo

Simone

Hair & Beauty

Bronze, Highlight, Repeat! Best Products for Healthy Summer Glow

August 11, 2018 No Comments

Disclaimer: there were no affiliate links used in this post.

Break out the BBQ, throw on some fun shades and head to the pool, girl! Summer is all about the effortless beauty routines, so I thought it would only be right to share some of my favorite glowy products.

To be honest, I usually wear less makeup in the summertime because sweat gives me that lovely natural glow lol. I have combo/oily skin, so it is tough for me to wear heavy foundations or blushes. It all just melts off, so I usually just opt for a pretty bronzer and a highlight with some mascara and powder. I keep it basic af because my skin WILL break out with too much sweat and makeup.

Here are my top picks to help you give Kim K and Bey a run for their money! Glow baby, glow!

Anastasia Beverly Hills So Hollywood — Such a pretty shade!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator (So Hollywood)

Okay, so this highlighter is a bit of a splurge at $38 BUT I promise that it is worth it. The glow that this highlighter gives me is UNREAL. This was one of my gateway ABH products and I am in love with the high pigmentation and gold sheen that this gives my skin. It is definitely more of a “going out” highlighter because the glow is intense, I still like to pop it on for work every now and then to remind people what time it is.

Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder (Crown on My Canopy)((TBD): https://www.amazon.com/MegaGlo-Highlighting-Powder-Crown-Canopy/dp/B01N6NW88P

Now that we have our luxury product, here is a worthy drugstore dupe. Wet N Wild has really stepped up their game in the last few years and they released this beautiful highlighter a few years ago. It is a STEAL at $5 and I love how it still competes with high-end brands in terms of color pay-off and quality. It is definitely a MUST have for summer!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Dazzled)

I won’t lie to you guys, I received the next few items in my Ipsy bag and I have to say that I am impressed. The Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush is something I have wanted to try for a very long time, but I did not want to cough up the $32 on a full size. Anyways when I saw this in my Ipsy bag, I was beyond jazzed. It gives a nice light rosy flushed look. It gives me a “drinking wine in the afternoon with my girlfriends” type of glow.

IBY Radiant Glow Highlighter (24k Magic)

I honestly had never even heard of IBY, but Ipsy decided to be real sneaky and just slip this little gem into my monthly pouch. The audacity!!! Once I lightly dusted this magical highlighter on my cheeks, I was instantly transported into a gilded world of opulence and glamour. This is a pretty close dupe to the ABH So Hollywood, so I am happy to report that it is only $12! Add that to your cart, baby!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

Okay guys, only one more high-end product! This was another product that I received in my Ipsy bag and I was so happy with the beautiful payoff. This stuff will contour those cheekbones and have you looking like you are Naomi Campbell’s distant cousin. Sometimes I swipe it on casually, but I usually reserve it for a date night or when I just want to feel like a high-maintenance childless person. Also, I had no idea that this was WATERPROOF! Like whaaaaat? Helllooo sweatproof makeup *heart eyes*

HIKARI Bronzer (Flush)

Have you ever met a product that instantly made you look like you had 10 full nights of sleep? Me either. This bronzer/blush quad does come pretty close though! I thought I would NOT be a fun of this stuff, but I completely fell asleep with the bronzy rose color with a hint of sparkle. I was wearing it daily until I dropped it and it died a thousand deaths on my floor. I truly shed a few tears. The good news is that I found it again on Amazon and will be ordering it again shortly!

What are some of your favorite bronzers and highlighters for a stunning summer glow? Drop some below!

Motherhood

Mommy Mondays: Surviving Solo Parenting

July 31, 2018 No Comments

Hi my lovelies! I wanted to start a new series called Mommy Mondays where I discuss some mom topics that are on my mind. I want this place to be a place for all moms to share their feelings without judgment, so please drop a comment if you can relate to my ramblings!

Motherhood (well parenthood in general) can bring soooo many feels. Love, pride, frustration, exhaustion, there are so many levels to this mom game. I want to share my experiences with you all, so we can act like we are drinking a nice crisp glass or pinot grigio and chit chat.

Wellll I wanted to chat about my experience with “solo parenting”. Not to be confused with “single parenting” – Solo parenting is when your spouse or partner is out of town for a period of time and you have to do allllll the things by yourself. Single parents get the real MVP cards because this is how they operate all the freaking time. Minimal help and lots of hats to wear. After “solo parenting” for the weekend, I always have extra perspective and appreciation for single parents who do this every single day.

In everyday life, I am super lucky to have a loving and supportive partner that helps with our daughter. He takes and picks her up from daycare and spends a lot of quality time with her. He has been the “favorite parent” for the last 6 months and I am totally fine with that!

A few weekends ago, my fiancé, Richard, went away for a bachelor party. I was fresh back from being on 4 planes in 10 days, so I was SO happy to be back at home and to spend some time with my baby girl. We had a lot of fun activities planned, but I was low key worried about getting overwhelmed with all of the parenting duties.

Now that my little one is 2, she is in full-force toddler tornado mode. I wanted to share some tips on how to survive being the only parent in the household.

1. Plan activities.

Ladies, call some other ladies with kids and bring your kids over to their house! I scheduled 3 playdates with Gia, so we could get out of the house and so she could run around in bliss with other little rug rats. I made sure to plan enough things to keep us busy without getting overwhelmed with too many commitments.

2. NAP WHEN THE BABY NAPS

I repeat, NAP WHEN THE BABY NAPS. Trust me on this one. Taking care of you is so so important. I used to always power through nap time and attempt to squash my never-ending to-do list. Now I do as much as I can in the mornings (during a little TV break) or at night once Gia goes to bed. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t get the laundry or grocery shopping done. Keep your child alive and make sure you get enough rest!

3. A little TV won’t kill them

Okay this one is controversial due to the whole “less than 30 minutes of TV per day” recommendation by the American Pediatric Association or whatever they are called. Buuuttt there are exceptions for every rule.

I mean don’t know about you, but it is REALLY hard for me entertain a clingy toddler, cook ~~chicken nuggets and fries~~ “well-balanced meal” and clean the house at the same time. Oh, same with you? Glad I am not alone here. Enter in the magical box of puppies AKA the TV. I know TV gets a really bad rep here, BUT hear me out. If your kid watches TV for 20 minutes while you prep dinner or clean up your explosion of a living room, the world will keep on turning. I am a big fan of using it as a distraction.

3. Call the reinforcements

Feeling totally and completely overwhelmed? Have friends or family nearby? Call them and see if you can drop little tornado baby off for a few hours so you can get some shizz done or take a life-altering nap. Your body and spirit will thank you for it.

4. Cut yourself some slack

Solo parenting is hard y’all. You will make it through to the other side. Give yourself a break and don’t be so hard on yourself. I kept feeling bad about feeding my daughter chicken nuggets and fries, but I had to remind myself that I am doing the best I can. She refused to sleep on Saturday night and kept me up from 12:30am-3:30am – nearly causing me to lose my mind. Like I mentioned before, I have the MOST respect for single parents because doing this for a weekend by myself was really hard. I can’t imagine doing it for years and years. So I tip my hat to you ladies (and fellas) that do this on the regular.

5. Express your appreciation for your partner when they return.

Be sure to give your partner an extra long hug and kiss when they return home. Tell them you missed them, but DON’T get too mushy. You must have the upper hand. Kidding. Tell them they are awesome and please don’t ever leave again. I think it is important for your other half to know they are loved and were missed while they were away.

Have any great tips for “solo parenting” for a weekend or longer? Drop them below for my next adventure being a solo parent!

xo,

Simone

Travel

Vegas Baby! Our First Annual Sister Trip + My First Work Trip

July 22, 2018 No Comments

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored and does not include any affiliate links.

I am not sure if you guys will believe this, but I have never ever had my own hotel room! I know, I know. As someone who has never traveled for work and has devoted the last 2 years of life to changing diapers, working and trying to have a social life – solo travel has not been a huge option.

So when I was recently invited to my first work conference, I was MORE than thrilled that I got my own hotel room at the Wynn in Vegas.

I had the BEST time ever staying in the luxury room with the breathtaking views and perfect A/C. Vegas was hot af and I was sooo happy to come back to this beauty and put my bare feet in the bed. I mean just check out this gorgeous room below. I can’t deal.

I flew in with my team on Friday morning at the CRACK of dawn and got to Vegas around 9:30am. In the airport I managed to rip my sweater all the way up the arm and spill my super overpriced green tea matcha latte all over my suitcase within the same hour. Yay me.

Once I got over my jitters of being on my first work trip, I was able to actually enjoy myself. This trip was special to me because I proved to myself and my team that I belonged and I could do a great job connecting with clients. I felt so happy and thankful to be a part of this conference.

Some highlights of the work portion of my trip:

Sensational beef sliders at La Cave
Dinner and a very cute live show at Lakeside Grill
Crabcake Benedict (without an English Muffin!) at Terrace Point Cafe
The Wynn lobby and all of the excellent service
My amazing black peplum dress that was super comfy and flattering (and under $30!)

We LOVED the gorgeous lobby at the Wynn!

The best part of the trip was learning more about my team and meeting my clients face to face. I also loved wearing cute professional dresses! Shoutout to Amazon for having a ton of selection!!

I fell in love with the Wynn lobby all over again!

After two long and exciting days, ya girl was free to meet up with my sister for our first annual girls trip! We have never been on a trip with just the two of us, so it was SUPER fun to explore Vegas together. It was Alyssa’s first time, but it was actually my third time. We decided to take the budget route and stay at Treasure Island.

Since my last visit, Vegas built a Shake Shack. You already know that we had to try it out! We were Shake Shack virgins and let me tell you… it rocked our worlds! We split the reg burg and the chicken burger. The real winner was the chicken burger. It was sooooo crispy and juicy – I was ready to order another.

We went on to walk the blazing hot Vegas strip (100º weather at 11pm – UGH) and got roped into going to the club. I was not dressed for the club, but I decided to be a team player and go anyways. We went to the Marquee in the Cosmo and it was the opposite of lit. I hate to complain, BUT the DJ was soooo wack! He kept changing the song every 30 seconds. Alas, we survived and eventually made it back to our hotel around 4am. We had to stop for pizza along the way lol.

After a harrowing 2.5 mile trek – I know, what the hell was I thinking!? We finally made it back to Treasure Island. We got a few hours rest, then on to the plane we went!!

Overall, we had so much fun in the short time we spent together and decided this is something we have to do together at LEAST annually. Maybe even twice a year!

I think time away helped me refocus and gain a sense of independence outside of my family life. I have shied away from being a “career woman” in fear that I would lose my identity as a dedicated mother. I learned that I can be both! I want to make a career out of blogging and doing what I love and this trip gave me more motivation to pursue my passions and build the lifestyle that I want.

I encourage you all to travel ALONE if possible. Spend a night or two away from your family, so you have time to miss them! It will give you a new perspective.

Have you ever traveled for work or traveled solo? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, my lovelies!!

xoxo,

Simone

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