Morning Sunshine

7 something am sunrise

‘Holy is the Lord revealed before my eyes

And my burdened heart can scarcely take it in

As I behold your beauty with unworthy eyes

The only song my soul can find to sing

Is Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah my King’

Woke up extremely early this morning, and by extremely early I mean 6:04am! WOAH! I had prayed the day before for God to take away the unfathomable love I have for sleep and I asked Him to wake me up early so that I can squeeze in some gym time. I haven’t seen the gym in a month or so and I desperately needed to get my mind more active.

We all know 5 seconds of a work out are bound to get us speaking like Gandhi. So here’s my Gandhi.

What a year! Heh? I sat on the bench watching the sun rise and thought of a lot of things. The things I prayed for and actually got to see them happen like Candy in NYC. Isn’t it just like God to pay attention to the smallest of details? If it matters to us it matters to him.

Last year or early this year (trust my mind), I told someone that in the morning I pray to God to help me choose my outfit. She asked me ‘why bother God when there are bigger things to ask Him for?’ I didn’t know how to explain it to her. For me, it’s as simple as God is my friend. I let Him in my closet as much as I let Him in my tears. He is constant with me. I have mind convos with Him. He hears my loud prayers as much as my silent prayers. I am far from perfect hence why I’m so needy for God. If He doesn’t help me choose my #ootd, I might just walk out in a bikini yo, in the middle of the coldest day. I kid you not.

There are so many things I am praying for, impossible in the natural. Sometimes I ask myself why I even try for those things but if there’s something I’ve learnt from the few bible chapters I have read is this; God can’t wait to show off in the lives of those walking in faith. Will you choose to walk blindly in faith and trust Him that in His perfect timing EVERYTHING will work out? Will you choose to see beyond the hopelessness in the present? Will you love others, be generous, and be faithful in the little even when you don’t see any reason to keep going?

I pray we will because I want to live a life that gets people to question, how? Why? And those questions would only have one answer…only Jesus.

November I’m ready for you.

Why I should be your personal shopping buddy

The best compliment I ever did receive was '...your taste is excellent but too pricy' that was my 'mama we made it moment.' I don't consider myself a shopaholic; I honestly don't think I truly enjoy shopping for myself. I'm that girl who absolutely doesn't like trying on clothes in the dressing rooms, I'll take clothes home and if they don't fit, I just scream luuuuuulllllllzzzzz!

I don't like going shopping with other people to get stuff for myself simply because I set goals, a budget, a time frame and I am not flexible hence I would not want to put that version of myself on anyone else. She’s a beast!

But this one thing I do enjoy... Shopping with other people for their own stuff. I'm not going to wait for someone to tell me that I am an expert shopper buddy therefore, let me tell myself for you. I am an expert shopper buddy. I intend to make a profession out of it (adds said profession to my list of other well thought out professions).

I actually don't consider myself fashionable. My personal style is unexceptionable nonetheless I often get it right with other people.

I wrote down a few unbiased benefits of having me as a shopping buddy.

1. I won't make it about myself... It is all you, you, you. 

2. My patience is on a whole other level! When you go shopping, even with your ride or die friend, moods are going to change. 100% guaranteed or your money back. But you know who will constantly be in a good mood? Me! That means that your bad mood won't last long either, and this makes for an enjoyable experience.

3. I'll ask you to try new things, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

4. I am good at squeezing discounts out of people. Tellers always have coupons. You just have to determine the kinder teller.

5. I have walked the streets of SoHo on both the hottest day and the coldest day. You know what that makes me? A SURVIVOR (cue Destiny’s Child). Count yourself blessed if you've never experienced the SoHo trek. You will need a few of us in your life who have survived and lived to tell the tale. That someone could be me. 

6. I remember seeing Macy bags as a child but I didn’t know who this Macy person was. I wanted to meet this great Macy person. Finally, I visited Macy’s in Texas. I thought it was great. Sometimes, I am impressionable (don’t judge me).

Years later, I went to Macy’s New York to get my eyebrows waxed at the brow bar. It was cold, and it was raining people. I was in so much shock! Why would anyone leave their house in freezing temperatures to go shopping? Or were they all having a bad brow day? Long story short, I don't like going to Macy's. I don't like shopping in heavy foot traffic areas but I would like my store to be located in a heavy foot traffic area (there’s a difference).

Whatever area screams tourist central I try to avoid shopping there. Here's why. I don't like crowds because shopping should be tranquil. One shouldn’t have to worry about an untimely heart condition while doing the thing one loves or hates.

I also don't like sale racks. Please understand my personal attitude and opinions do not reflect the attitude and opinion of my bank account. In fact my bank account doesn't support my mental Kardashian lifestyle. Of course my hope and vision is that one day my bank account will catch up with my mind's lifestyle.

I digress…

Due to my strong feelings against crowded shopping, I've managed to find affordable places in quiet neighbourhoods. Here dear shopper, you have the choice to take your time, no dressing room line, sometimes if you’re lucky, you might get offered a cup of coffee or tea or lemonade. Having me for a shopping buddy gets you benefits like noise free, hassle free shopping. 

7. I will never force you to take home something you're uncomfortable with. Remember it's always about you but also I won't let you give up until you find that perfect ‘I hope I run into my ex’ kinda outfit.

8. I have a gentle way of telling you that something doesn't look good without hurting your feelings. I think shopping buddies should always be honest, don’t let your buddy go home with a terrible outfit, of course the method one chooses to deliver the truth is très important. I'll use words like 'honey, how about we try the dress that accentuates your best features.' Forget what's trending; sometimes what's trendy just doesn't work. I once tried on those small denim booty shorts that go so low and I looked like an afternoon stripper called sugar cakes. I slapped myself for even getting that off the rack. So get something that looks so good on you that it automatically becomes fashionable.

9. Am sure you like nice things too. Right? I'm not always buying nice things for obvious reasons but sometimes a girl with a Chanel mind needs something that doesn't look like it came from China town. You can still look like $5000 on a $200 budget. And no I don't mean $200 on a white shirt, let’s not be cray yet! 

10. There's always food or dessert at the end of the shopping day to celebrate your shopping conquest. Who doesn't want dessert?

 I hope those reasons will make you choose me as your shopping buddy. I'm yet to discuss my rate but with all those benefits, it will be well worth it. 

HELLO OCTOBER - SEPTEMBER GRATITUDE LIST

Of course I am going to quote Oprah.

I hope you had the best September month. I had a mostly good one and I know and believe that October is going to be even better for you and I. Feel free to share your gratitude list with me. :-)

My September.

September 1 - I just received a box of flowers sent to me. A BOX people! A BOX! They are so beautiful. So weird, I was thinking of flowers on Monday.

September 2 - Simon Cowell he is literally the funniest person I've never met. Grateful that I have a TV. He is gold.

September 3 - slept in till 9am. YES! 

September 4 - grateful for my Genesis, she sends me the nicest, longest, most encouraging messages EVERY single morning. She's the kind to make you feel like you're the most special person alive.

September 5 - spent the day with my Chel beans. She's such funzies time. You know what I love? I love that she seeks my hand out and holds onto it with such unwavering trust. Grateful for sister time day filled with disapproving eyes from me to her, desserts, laughs and cuddles. I don't even like cuddles but I'll take hers.

September 6 - grateful for my church. Where else would I want to be on a Sunday?

September 7 - grateful...grateful for the Eve and Nico staff... Today was just all sorts of amazing! Most amazing team there is.

September 8 - what would I do without best copy? Or the hardware store? I know every time I walk into their stores, am like a walking 'discount girl'. These guys put up with all my discount requests and always welcoming my sarcasm. They are just the best and am grateful for them. If ever you're on the upper west side do check them out for your shipping, printing and hardware equipment.

September 9 - walking into our house and finding my mama home! I love when she's around, she makes everything extra special. I am my mama's girl.

September 10 - I love my job, I love my staff. Still can't believe am not using my undergrad or graduate degrees to do the job am doing. I'm tempted to return my degrees and ask for a refund and in return, they can drain the knowledge out of my head.

September 11 - today was perfect. In all ways imaginable. I feel, so... (I'm looking for the word) simply put, I feel great. God showed up! Forget Fitz Grant showing up! 

September 12 - grateful that our shop, in its size is capable of being such an attraction on the west side. Blessings on blessings. My cup literally runs over! Anna and Tye am grateful for you two.

September 13 - U.S. open was so much fun!!! 

September 14 - I had $0.85 cents and I wanted $1 chips to eat while I wait in line for my pm bus. Wahida (who has been my Indian mental friend for ages) works at a kiosk at port authority. I told her all I had on me was $0.85, she smiled and gave it to me for the sum I had. She then followed her act by saying something remarkable. 

Backstory: Wahida works evening shifts. Most evenings for the past 8 months, I'd pass by her kiosk with a card to buy $1 chips. I'd always apologise profusely for my lack of spare change (a habit my mama dislikes). She'd smile and say it's okay and swipe my card. You'd think I'd learn to keep $1 on me. Right? But I kept at it. Other days I wasn't as hungry, I'd just wave and go straight to my bus gate. We'd never had a full convo but what we have going is great. Today is the first day we had a convo that had more than 6 sentences. I like Wahida. 

September 15 - grateful for all things technology. Let's start with the Internet! Hallelujah 

September 16 - No! Today I just wanted to slap a dozen people! Can I just say if ever you're a small business and want to do Internet advertising etc, this is what you should never do. This one thing only. NEVER USE DEX MEDIA for your advertising. I don't know the man or woman behind them who is capable of making me feel the most violent of feelings but let's just say, I am grateful for all the lessons in life that taught me to show grace and patience. 

September 17 - grateful to God for the opportunities He has created for our business. Sometimes it almost feels unreal that I am part of something bigger than me. It is the most work I have ever done in my life. I love it and all that am learning and experiencing. My cup literally runs over. 

September 18 - laughing... I want to laugh for the rest of my life. My sister asked me to do her makeup. She's going for prom in a few weeks. So home-girls are contouring, are 5 shades different, lips are on. Life was good. THEN she asked me to fill her eyebrows to get them fleeky, which I of course obediently did. It looked like I had plastered caterpillars on her brows! It was the funniest sight ever! Hashtag iscared. I laughed so much, and cried. Legit tears running down my cheeks. That never happens, I never cry while laughing. I didn't want it to ever stop. She looked horrible but It felt SO good to laugh like that. I wish I could laugh like that thrice a week. Anyhow, am grateful for moments like those. 

September 19 - for the people I've met in this city that make it less lonely. Most times I can't believe that I now have legit connections in NYC. There was a time when I didn't know anybody outside of my family. 

September 20 - quiet time. I had the afternoon to myself. I NEEDED it. 

September 21 - Teen Titans... Made my day

September 22 - grateful for medicines and bed

September 23 - three things.

1. having someone make me the best playlist... Good way to end the day. 

2. My uncle spent his whole day at work with me... He said 'can you believe you work in a shop?' And then we laughed. But most importantly he fell in love with what I do.

3. Am grateful that Anna is feeling well. 

September 24 - thankful for friends who send 20 minutes voice notes, I'm never alone.

September 25 - Mindy Kaling, you give me so much happiness. Indeed I will continue to invest my monies in her books.

September 26 - family night at Tao. I so do not deserve my family but hey favour ain't fair. These guys are life itself. Had a good night with loud music and endless food.

September 27 - brunches and walks in Central Park. Also by opening our hearts to understand others we in turn make it possible to be understood. The ducks in Central Park have leg swag for days! (Leg swag: ducks standing on one leg while stretching the other)

September 28 - we've been planning to watch Aladdin for forever but we wanted friendly priced tickets. Today, we got discounted tickets to watch. I CANNOT WAIT! I loves me some Broadway. 

September 29 - I had a terribly frustrating  morning. Later that afternoon at the peak of my hunger, I stood outside a restaurant reading their menu with a basket in my hand. After staring at the menu for over 10 minutes debating if I should faint or roll on the floor (because making a food decision can be so hard at times) this person walks up to me with a smile, gave me a hug and for a second I was so confused. Did he mistake me for those small time TV actresses who you wish well in life? It took me a minute to realise I actually knew this person from last year when he worked at a restaurant opposite the shop. I decided to go in and have a meal and show support at his new job. And then he gave me FREE bottomless tea. Yes I just used bottomless for tea and not mimosas. Grateful for free tea! 

September 30 - Empire... Thank you Lee Daniels. Can we just give a round of applause to people who actually make TV happen. This is a huge deal for so many of us who have no social life. Television is bae.