Have you been feeling a bit down and just not like your normal self? Now we are still in a global pandemic so thats a thing, but with anything in life the ability to bounce back is critical to your life. I want to share 3 ways a staycation can help you flourish.
Over the past few months, I like so many others have been inside their homes working while the world seems to be crumbling. At first I was so pumped that I would hit all my goals and come out this as this amazing successful woman. However, after the shock wore off, my depression hit me hard.
The fears, pains and trauma from the past that was often escaped by way of shopping or doing something was gone. Going to the office which was another escape as it wore me out was also gone. Being at home alone provided a recipe of being very self-aware. After all the baking and eating one’s weight in homeade chocolate cookies or yellow cake with chocolate frosting, the sobering emotions came forth.
As I’m not new to these feelings I tried doing what I had done in the past, keep myself busy, focus on my goals and workout. This time, however they didn’t provide the relief I was seeking. If anything those things pushed even more feelings to the surface.
While scrolling on the gram, a friend posted her staycation pics and it hit me, I miss the ability to be in pretty places as being around beauty always refreshes me. I popped on to a few hotels in my city as I still have an crazy amount of points to use and booked a hotel.
Now I know not everyone can do this as jobs have been lost, your city may not be the greatest spot but if you can just get out for a bit safely it will do your mind so much good.
Now are the 3 ways a staycation can help you flourish
1. Changing your environment can provide clarity
I always believe that we are capable of re-writing our lives into something that is worthwhile. You can’t expect to change a problem in the same place the problem is being had. A brief change of scenery can help provide so much needed clarity and perspective changes to create change.
Maybe it’s just being inspired by art or a new view that can help you go home and alter your world.
2. Spa time at luxe hotel always boost your energy
I’m a glamour girl and I truly missed having my spa times. Now that things are slow re-opening, I felt it was needed to add some normalcy into my life again. At the top of the stay at home orders, I ordered enough skincare to cover a household of faces.
There is something to be said when going to a hotel that has the deeper soaker tub and just gorgeous decor that adds to my life. Now I was a bit worried about being in a hotel but my friend Lysol and Clorx defintely have helped to make sure things are as clean as possible.
I also got a new goodie from Clean Skin Club which is their cult-like fav Clean Clothes in a smaller size! I love that this is a smaller pack and smaller sized cloth that are perfect to pack for trips. A pack of 25 is only 10.00 which is a great addition for any glamour girls travel bag.
I feel good knowing I’m using a clean towel every time I wash my face. Want to try these, use code “Simone” to get 20% off this order and every order you make.
3. Life is meant to be experienced and enjoyed
If your someone who is very goal-driven sometimes you can get miss out on the little moments. We can be too focused on the end goal. I have missed a lot of moments of just laughing and being in the moment. I have focused on wanting to be at my fitness goal, money goal, and love goal.
Life can change in an instant. You can get a phone call that can rock you to your core. It could be the million dollar call of a deal of the century or it could be the call that someone you loved is no longer here. I encourage to appreciate where you are right now and just taste the sweetness.
Taking a staycation for me allows me to just enjoy a lavish hotel room and just for a moment not think about what isn’t perfect. 2020 has taught me that the next moment isn’t promised. Taking time to refuel mentally and physically will allow me to handle whatever comes my way.
Have you done a staycation lately? If so where did you go and what did you enjoy the most?
The global pandemic has put so much into perspective in my life. One of my goals for a while truly had me be girl gone vegan. A deep goal for me has been to really be mindful of what I consume as you are what you eat! At the top of the stay home orders, I thought going vegan would be optimal. Being a black woman who is plus-size no matter how active I may be at trimming down made me become very conscious of what I consume.
If you scroll on IG for any length of time you will see pretty smoothie bowls chopped up with all sorts of fruits and veggies and vegan meals. You will see pretty little faces saying that going Vegan is the way. I’m one that isn’t swayed easily but with it being a conscious goal of mine I felt it was worth a shot. In life you will nothing is a sure thing and you won’t know until you try.
Girl Gone Vegan Fail
April was a wild month to venture into being a vegan as it was in the heat of the pandemic and so many things were just out of stock, but I got creative. I taught myself how to make desserts as I enjoy baking that was amazing and vegan. My expectation was an increase in energy, glowing skin, and weight loss.
Over 3 months I noticed that my energy was lacking and even worst my monthly visitor was the most sinister I have ever had. I literally could not get up in the mornings and the pain left me in fetal for the first day or two. After 3 and 1/2 months, I honored myself and incorporate fish back into my diet.
My energy slowly came back and I felt as though my strength was returning. I know for many a vegan diet can be a great thing. However, know your body and understand that everything isn’t for everybody. Being in tune with my body allowed me to test it out but know when it was time to let it go.
Sipping my green smoothie
Many of the ways one should get their protein such as beans and quinoa are things my body doesn’t accept at all. I loved the experimental phase of being vegan as I tried so many recipes and brands. Now with this phase, it can become costly, as many plants-based brands aren’t for the cheap. However, once you find your staple brands, it balances out.
Now that I have gone back to meat, which comprises fish and poultry, I am thrilled. I have kept my vegetable intake as high as I was as I loved knowing I was getting a diverse nutrient base. I love that I was able to try out so many different recipes which will now be in my arsenal. One site that I stumbled upon for ideas is It doesn’t take like chicken which has a great article on 50 easy vegan recipes.
Sharing my story isn’t to scare or deter but provide another side of the vegan life. Many who share their vegan story share that they have this miracle life change. The benefits are unique for each person, and for every great story, there is a not so grand story.
Do your homework and really understand you’re why behind wanting to go vegan. If you are wanting to save the planet by not consuming animal products, then great go forth. However, if it’s a way to be trendy or appear on the weight-loss bandwagon, I urge you to use your beautiful brain. Often times with diet we have become like sheep unable to think for ourselves.
I don’t regret doing it as it’s been on my goal list for the past 3 years. If you chose to do anything make sure you give it enough vetting time to see if it will work for you. For me cutting meat and dairy were easy. Dairy was never my friend and there are so many exceptional substitutes. Meat was easy as I’m pretty limited on what types I can have.
My experience has made me very picky about the quality of food I consume as I loved how much better I felt going organic for as much as possible. Are you vegan or ever curious about going? Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you.
2020 has been the longest year ever. With everything going on in the world, I wanted to provide 3 self-care ideas for tough days. Headlines are constantly putting people through emotional shock which starts to affect your body and mind. I believe we are all resilient but everyone has a moment where it’s just too much.
Self-care for me was radical a few years ago. Being a black woman, I was groomed to mule for others which was leading me down a path where I would eventually break down and perish. I remember when I first started being assertive about my own needs and care and how so many rebuffed me. I have said in previous posts, there will be some people in your life that are vested in you staying the same as it benefits them.
The more I stood in my power to change my life from changing my diet, working out, being intentional about the content I consumed, or what I spent my money on, I began to add life into my body and soul. As women across the board, we have been conditioned to put the needs of others above our own.
Even if your a mother, you still need to ensure your cup is full in order to properly care for your children. The old saying monkey see, monkey do is very important here as children no matter their sex will mirror you. If you are taking care of yourself your kids see that this is what I should do. It adds confidence to your little girl humans and teaches respect to your boy human.
For those who may be career-driven ladies or just following a different path, I know with every fiber in my being that when you truly devote intentional time into yourself, you can really birth those big dreams and grand experiences. Don’t let a health scare or someone’s passing be the wake up call. Do it solely because you know you deserve it.
3 self-care ideas for tough days
1. Take 20-30 minutes to reflect
I’m not perfect with my meditation. Some days I’m able to get up and get my coffee or tea and get to my meditation time. Other times I get straight to working neglecting the part of me that is needed to get through.
If I find myself mentally or emotionally spent, I take time to just sit and reflect in the moment. I jot down what I am feeling with no-judgment and allow myself to be heard. Taking time to pray, scribble down things I’m grateful for as it always pivots my perspective. I also allow myself to be human. As a black woman, I’m not superwoman or superhuman. There will be days, weeks, and sometimes months that just suck. I applaud myself for showing up even on those days even if I may have wanted to check out permanently.
Taking time to acknowledge yourself ladies, it’s a gift.
2. Re-fuel yourself by taking a mini-spa night
Before COVID, I kept a quarterly spa treatment schedule. Be it getting my waxing or massage it was a must. I figured out that I needed to have a time where I am poured into physically. Now that we are in this pandemic with no end in sight, I have really made my home as comfortable as possible in order to enjoy spa time inside. I invested in my skincare as it is a way I can do something daily to add to myself.
As of late, I found I needed a change of scenery so I booked a nice hotel for a weekend. Having a staycation if your able can really boost your mood. It may take a bit of planning but just being away from your current place and just basking in the moment is a great way to move past tough days. I am looking forward to taking a spiritual bath in the deep soaker tub and just basking in being alive.
3. Dance, sing, cry
Expressing your feelings is one of the hardest things for some people. We have been trained to suck it up and keep marching. In my research recently for grad school, the mantra for many black people has been a forced resilence. You must fix up and shut up so you can keep getting by. After years of this sort of coping, those emotions don’t leave you.
Stagnant energy will weigh you down and making it hard to bounce back. It will return in a new wig until you address it. I have found being able to just move my body allows me to stay in the moment and center me. Having just 5-10 minutes of this will help me calm down and actually feel things. In my past, I have the tendency to go numb to things but when your swaying to music you can not escape feeling.
For some people being able to sing is a way to move and express. I’m not a singer unless I’m not the car but I do find my mood becomes more at ease when I do sing. Do whatever you need to do in order to release. Honor yourself by allowing the feelings to be felt and then allow them to pass like clouds in the sky.
I hope these 3 self-care ideas for tough days was helpful. If no one has told you lately, your worth the fuss. I say this often as I know sometimes depending on your life path, you may have passively accepted the belief only certain people are worth the work of ensuring their happiness. Well baby, you are very important in this world and you deserve happiness, joy and light.
If you have other ways you handle tough days drop them in the comments!
You probably have seen these cool items on your Insta-feed that I’m goign to share today. I wanetd to provide a Topicals Review The Newest Skincare Brand Must. They launched in early August and has been top of mind.
As a skincare lover, I am providing a Topicals Review, as I think this may help your life. Now I was sent these items as I was included in their Ambassador program, but please know I don’t sugar-coat my thoughts.
Topicals: The Brand
Topicals was created by Olamide and Claudia who meet each other while in college. They created this brand to help pave a new light to skincare as both suffered skin issues as they grew up. How one’s skin looks in a world of IG perfection, can take a toll on your mental health.
As humans we are always comparing ourself to what is hailed as the gold standard, and when we don’t match up to such we begin to knock ourself worth. Once out in the world we try to go to derms hoping for a magical fix only to be break our moisture barriers, cause more scarring and putting us into a deeper pain.
I love that this brand is science- focused and derm approved. Science and skincare are very vital as the Clean Skincare Movement leaves a lot of holes and pain points. Chemicals when used properly can benefit our skin so much.
Now let’s get into these skincare products shall we.
Topicals Review The Newest Skincare Brand Must
Faded
Faded is a magical brightening and cleaning gel that is loaded with amazing ingredients. It retails for 36.00 for a 1.7 oz tube and you can get it within 1-2 weeks pre-order as the kids sold them out in their 1st day of launch, as the young people say, we love to see it!
Product claims:
Balances skin tone
Brightens and revives tired skin
Smoothes rough and textured skin
The featured ingredients from the My Topicals website:
1. Tranexamic Acid: prevents melanocyte (pigment cell) activation, initiation of melanogenesis (process that creates excess pigment in dark spots), and additional vascular development (pathogenesis of melasma)
2. Azelaic acid: prevents tyrosine conversion to melanin; scavenges discoloration-causing free radicals in the skin resulting from environmental stress and sun damage
3. Niacinamide: interrupts pigment transfer from melanocytes to the upper layers of the skin where discoloration is visible, scavenges free radicals and helps to reverse oxidative damage, anti-inflammatory, refines pores and excess oil
5. Licorice Root: boasts powerful antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, helps to break down deposits of excess pigment in the skin
6. Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract: anti-inflammatory, powerful antioxidant, helps to accelerate wound healing and collagen production
7. Melatonin: interrupts communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes, limits melanocyte stimulation, scavenges free radicals
My Experience
When these ingredients are formulated togetehr it makes for this amazing formulation that helps the skin heal and fade. Now I have used this product for over a month and haven’t seen any major results of fading yet, however, I do notice with using it 2-3 times a week my skin is brighter and texture is very much going away. This product is for the girls who can’t have harsh acids and want a effective yet gentle way to make the skin more even tone.
I will be doing a review in another month or so in order to give the product time. My expectations of the product for the 1st month was moreso to see if my skin enjoyed the product. One call out, this product has a very medicinal smell. I have to just put it on and focus on the end results as it’s not pleasant. It’s not a synthetic fragrance but just the natural smell.
Like Butter
This truly applies Like Butter without all the calories lol. This is a hydrating mask that is perfect for the girls and boys who are dry, flaky, and itchy. The texture is so amazing without being greasy. She will cost you 32.00 for a 1.7 oz tube and well get to you in 1-2 weeks pre-order.
Product claims:
Restores dry, flaky skin
Helps soothe sensitive and stressed-out skin
Fortifies skin’s damaged moisture barrier
Now on to the ingredients from the My Topicals site:
1. Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, accelerates wound-healing, strengthens the skin’s barrier by improving collagen deposition
2. Madeassoside (Centella Asiatica): accelerates wound healing, fortifies the skin’s barrier through collagen & fibronectin production, anti-inflammatory
3. Colloidal Oatmeal: helps to soothe itch and irritation, anti-inflammatory
4. Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract: antimicrobial (combats bacterial colonization), anti-inflammatory, helps to reduce itch and inflammation
5. Chinese Rhubarb Root: antimicrobial, helps to reduce the number of inflammatory cells in the skin that cause eczema flare-ups
6. Ginseng Root: anti-inflammatory; works to reduce itching and swelling
My Experience
This mask is nothing short of amazing. During this COVID-19 plight, my skin has been very dry and extra. I believe my skincare binge caught up with me and my skin let me know she was not pleased. I love to apply this mask during my many Zoom calls as it’s clear yet after I rinse it off my skin feels so loved and protected.
Unlike her sister Faded, she doesn’t come with a smell that makes you rethink life. In talks with one of the big Skincare IGer’s and he is using this mask as a sleep mask which I believe if your skin is very dry this may work but I prefer to rinse off and complete my skincare routine.
I hope this review was helpful. The best deal is their Duo set which retails for 56.00 as you will get the power of both items. These are great items to have in your skincare stash as they will help your skin without being harsh.
As a Skin Insider, the My Topicals Ambassador I love the focus of the old with the new. I know as someone who is older, I didn’t think I would fit into their mixture as well as most of the crew is 10 years my junior. However, my love for effective yet gentle skincare meshes well.
The focus on normalizing skin that isn’t glass-like is very important as it does take a toll on one’s self-esteem. Getting close to 35, I still have issues with acne and hyperpigmentation, which I have tried so many things over the years to eliminate it. Some worked and some caused even more damage. Be gentle with your skin and your self and you will flourish.
I hope my Topicals Review The Newest Skincare Brand Must was helpful and gives you some insight into how these items work. If your interested in trying the items featured today and want to save a bit of coin use code “ChristianSismone” and get 10% off your 1st order.
