Where Have I Been?

Hello beautiful people! I hope everyone is having a peaceful  day so far. I wanted to share why I decided to take a year and a half long break away from blogging. It wasn't something I necessarily planned to do. My mindset had been shifting a lot in other directions that I found myself losing interest in solely blogging about fashion. I knew my heart still remained fixated on serving Christ, but my heart changed when it came to fashion. Don't get me wrong, I still love dressing up, shopping, and sharing my tips on purchasing great quality clothes at a bargain price. My heart changed when it came to who I purchased items from. I found myself researching about companies before purchasing their merchandise and discovering information about mistreatment of employees and the negative impact of fast fashion. I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to spend my hard earned money on brands who didn't think of the greater good let alone think of putting people of diversity on their social media accounts/ websites.  Why would anyone purchase from a company that doesn't find beauty in all people? I lost even more respect for the people and brands that decided to gain followers and profit from the devastating murder of George Floyd. I went months where I didn't spend a dime on anything except store brought food because my views on things changed drastically.

I no longer desire to just buy “things” because they are pretty. Besides just researching a brand, I now look at the fabric of items, and then I make sure I try the item on. If I feel like I'll be able to keep the item in my wardrobe for years to come and it looks great on my frame, I will purchase it. To add, just because I still have a lot of fast fashion items in my closet, that doesn't mean I'm going to go mad and dump all my items out back into the trashcans. I just make sure I'm not currently (and in the future) contributing to purchasing fast fashion or merchandise from unethical companies.

I would love to know your thoughts and where you stand on the content I provided.

As always, stay blessed!

*Bible verse: Proverbs 31:8-9 “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Happy New Year's 2021

We’re finally here! I don't know about you, but I didn't know if I was going to make it to 2021. Last year was such a stressful year that was filled with lots of tears and many uncomfortable times. It's refreshing knowing that we have a new opportunity to put the past year behind us and set our eyes on a new chapter. I don’t know about you all, but I’m excited to see all that God is going to do in our lives this year. Besides 2020 being a bizarre year, it was definitely a humbling and learning year. No one was immune to the devastation of COVID-19, and everyone was affected by the continued acts of senseless murders of innocent black men and women. I'm praying for more unity, love, and happiness for everyone this new year.

Also, I know it's been a long time since I've posted on my blog, but I'm looking forward to reviving all that Christ's has placed on my heart!

Stay blessed,

Love Tatiana

Bible Verse: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."- 2 Corinthians 5:17

2019 Mother- Daughter Annual Trip

Every year, my mother and I take a vacation where we get a hotel, have a spa day, and go shopping. We usually travel down to Charleston because we are so familiar with the city, but this year we wanted to try something different. 

Even though I take trips throughout the year either by myself or with friends, I always have a little extra fun when I travel with my mother. O mother-daughter yearly trip is definitely a tradition we plan to keep even after I get married. 

Polka Dot Blush and White

Top // Jeans // Heels

Hello beautiful people! I hope you are having a great week so far. I can't believe August is here. This summer - I mean this year has flown by so fast. Teaching life will be starting back next week and I'm feeling bittersweet. I'm always excited to begin the school year with a fresh mind, but then I'm sad because I can't be lazy anymore (haha). Overall, I can't believe this school year will be my 3rd year as a 6th grade English teacher. I remember the first day I knew I wanted to be a teacher, which was my second semester of my freshmen year of college. 

Today's bible verse comes from Ecclesiastes 7:1- "A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born". This beautiful verse puts everything in life into perspective. The things we focus on and value speaks volumes about what is really in our hearts and who we are as people. Let's challenge ourselves to be more content with the portion that God has blessed us with. Remember that life could be so much worse, so rejoice in every season.

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

What Have I Been Up To?

Hello beautiful friends! I hope you are having a great summer. My summer has been filled with so many great adventures. I traveled to Florida two times this year for vacation. Then, I went on a cruise to Key West, Fl. and Nassau, Bahamas with my mama. The following week, I went to St. Simon's Island for a family reunion. With friends, I went to local vacation spots. Besides vacationing, I completed two gifted/ talent endorsement courses at Converse College this summer, which will enable me to teach GT classes this coming school year. As for my personal life, there's been a lot going on, but I'll reveal that in due time. 

Today's bible verse comes from Ecclesiastes 7:13- "Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?". This verse goes back to what I wrote in a past post about being content during all seasons. My life may not look the way I envisioned it to look ten years ago, but I am completely blown away with the life God has blessed me with. Ten years ago, I envisioned myself being married with a kid or two, while working some job (I wanted to be a dentist/ ballerina/ flight attendant/ Navy SEAL/ or nanny. haha). I've dated some great guys, but none of them were the right one for me and I for them. The relationships weren't God-led, which is vital. Eight years ago, I prayed to be released from people bondage, and to be blessed with a great group of Christian friends. Before I knew it, I was completely alone for a season. People I thought were my friends were no longer around. There was never a big fight or disagreement. It was more like they were there one day and then they seemed so far away. During a quiet season, God blessed me with a group of Christian friends. The crazy part is that most of us finished at the same university, but never knew each other. Even thinking back to my college career, it didn't go the way I thought it was going to go. Several things I wanted to happen didn't happen. Instead of attending undergrad for four years, I went two years and then left for a year to recuperate from all that was going on. This was a quiet season where I was so angry and pitiful, but it's a season I needed in order to be the person I am today. When I went back to finish what I started, it was as if I was soaring in life with Christ. To put all of this together, I truly believe that blessings come when we choose to be accepting, content, and when we lean on our heavenly father for guidance. During my hardest times, I wasn't perfect and I wasted a lot of time being sad, but God always brought me through at His perfect time.

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

Floral Dress with Bumblebee Yellow

Dress // Heels // Bag

Hello beautiful! For the month of May, I am going to be doing a 31 day spending hiatus or fast from spending. So, that means no more purchasing new shoes, clothes, makeup, jewelry, handbags, or sugary-drinks for 31 days. I did a 31 day spending hiatus back in January and afterwards it felt so rejuvenating to not spend my money on "things". I'll be doing this spending hiatus again because I have so many items in my closet that are not being used. I'm cutting out sugary- drinks as well because I really over did it this month with buying sugary-drinks. It got to the point where I was craving sugary-drinks almost everyday. During my fast from spending, I'm hoping to accomplish a few goals that I set back in December.

Today's bible verse comes from Luke 12:15, "Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Stay blessed,

Tatiana :)

The Wife Between Us- Book Review 2

The Wife Between Us, By Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

I was initially skeptical about reading this novel because of the obvious connotation that comes with the title. I'm glad I pushed past that initial reaction because this is one of the most uniquely written novels I've ever read. I don't even know how to persuade you to read this book without giving away too much from the novel. Overall, the novel is about a woman, an ex-husband, and a fiance. There were so many twist and turns in this novel that I couldn't put this one down, and it was so far from being dull that I was able to finish it in four days.

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*Today's bible verse comes from Psalm 139:13-15, " For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth."

Stay blessed

Tatiana:)