Welcome 2021: Time to Align (& a Giveaway)

{Mug via Mud LOVE}

Exhale.

That's exactly what this Monday feels like to me.

I was over on IG TV this morning with a Happy New Year message explaining a bit more.

Check it out...

Motivation Monday: MLK Jr.

How to Stay Married for 40 Plus Years

{Image via 1982 Creative Studios; bag by my mom: Designs by Lady Bee}

Today my parents celebrate 41 years of marriage. 

Without saying anything directly, they've taught me a lot about what it takes to be successful in marriage just by their actions...

Let's Read

Coming off Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend I've been reflecting on actions I can take to move towards becoming the American citizen I want to be as President Obama challenged us in his recent farewell address. One of these areas I want to improve upon is reading, and today I revisited the talk that Lisa Bloom, the author of Think, gave at S.H.E. Summit in 2014 about the importance of women being informed in our currently dumbed-down world. Sure quick snippet articles here and there help to keep one informed, but what about deep dives into a particular topic or learning from someone's life story? I'm a self-help junkie who reads 99.9% non-fiction, and I recently reconnected with someone who laid down a list of recommended books for me to read. Some of them I had read years ago, but it's been good to revisit them. 

The One Time I Met Tory Burch #CORYANDTORY

As I'm slowly making my way through recapping the whirlwind of events I attended during my 3rd trimester, I'm realizing how epic it really was! I nearly forgot that I met Tory Burch ya'll - crazy right?! Here's how it went down . . . 

About a week before the actual event a fellow Wellesley alum friend who works with U.S. Senator Cory Booker posted this listing on Facebook:

Seeing how soon the date was I thought, "Oh this must be full, but I'll give RSVPing a try anyway!" I logged onto Eventbrite and surprisingly, there were still openings so I signed right up. I mentioned it in passing a few days later to my sister Ariane, and she was a bit annoyed that I hadn't invited her. I let her know it was a NJ-business-centric event and didn't think she would be interested seeing how she's all "Miss Manhattan" and all. She's not really like that (!), but anyway, she was definitely interested. When Ariane tried to sign up it was sold out however a spot opened up last minute and she was able to join me. Hooray for sister power!

Ariane grabs a quick bite - it was so quick, it was blurry! Just keepin' it real!

The "fireside chat" event was held at Liberty House (quick fact: ran by a female entrepreneur!). It was a gorgeous, sun-filled room with an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline - I would've loved to get pictures of the view, but the sun rising over the skyline just wouldn't allow it. Still the spot is definitely etched in my memory as one to visit with Mr. Lovebird. It was my first time there, and it's quite romantic! A networking breakfast was also provided, but with Nia in preschool and drop-off at 8:30 I couldn't get there early enough so Ariane and I grabbed a quick bite and took our seats.  

{Image Credit: Leading Women Entrepreneurs}

In the hour-long chat Tory shared her start-up story: how she requested funds from about 200 potential investors (mostly friends and family) and created a 5-year plan launching in 2004 without a dime spent on traditional media - yes, it can be done!

As a mom, I was especially interested to hear how Tory handles mompreneurship and she explained that it's ALWAYS a struggle, but that family is first. She makes sure she is 100% present when she is with them and takes her sons to school herself daily.

{Image Credit: Leading Women Entrepreneurs}

I was thrilled to hear Tory and Senator Booker share their enthusiasm for social media. I still can't believe how hard some folks diss it, but I'm also a firm believer. Of course there is foolishness on there, but as Senator Booker explained, if you have 200+ followers, you have influence beyond measure. Tory explained how becoming an early adopter of social media helped lead to her success especially without a marketing budget. In fact, she handles her own Instagram and Twitter accounts personally!

The biggest challenges Tory sees when it comes to female entrepreneurship is 1) access to capital and 2) mentorship. Because of this she created the Elizabeth Street Capital initiative (the name was derived from her 1st store location) partnering with Bank of America to provide $10 million towards low cost loans. She encouraged the audience to apply to the program which has basic criteria of a great idea and a sound plan. 

After the event, I knew the attendees would bum rush the front to get pictures and was surprised to see how gracious Tory was to take them. I cautiously made my way to the front with my large belly and a few ladies literally carved a path to Tory for me, and I was able to chat with her quickly and get a quick picture with her and my sister:

I was surprised when Tory asked me the name of the baby (kinda how Dr. Oz did)! I stumbled a moment and explained that my sister didn't even know it yet, and it was still under wraps. 

Overall, the event was a great kick-off for me and my sister as well as we're in the works on a special sister-business project along with our other sister Lauren. It's been a bit of a slow start, but we're confident in the direction we're headed, and it was such an inspiration to be able to hear directly from Tory about how she built her business. It was just the encouragement we needed!

Are you a Tory Burch fan? If you're a mompreneur, who inspires you?
 

10 Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2014

A certain someone woke up just in time to toast then promptly went back to bed!

In nearly 5 years of marriage and motherhood I have to say 2013 was one of my favorite years yet. From our first (FREE!) cruise, to suddenly moving into an amazing apartment, appearing on ABC's The Chew, becoming a brand ambassador 2x over, our trip to Vegas, attending Blogalicious5, winning a ticket to Alt SLC and our exciting baby news it really was an outstanding year.

I keep wondering if 2014 could be any better, and I actually think it will be (remember what I wrote about the atmosphere of expectancy???).

Here's what I'm excited about in 2014:

1. Attending Alt Summit SLC (SO thankful I secured roommates at the sold-out hotel and this afternoon is when we select brand dinners!)

2.Lil Lovebird starting piano lessons

3. Returning to Puerto Rico to celebrate our 5th anniversary a season ahead of schedule (thanks to Baby Agbai's due date 10 days before our anniversary!); I can't wait to introduce Nia to Puerto Rico!

4. Getting back into public speaking

5. Publishing my co-authored e-book 

6. The arrival of Baby Agbai 2.0

7. Launching a start-up with my sisters

8. (Hopefully!) attending BlogHer - it's the 10th anniversary, and I'm especially inspired by Jenn aka Baby Making Machine who attended with her newborn in 2010 (that's also when I first met her IRL!) 

9. Celebrating 5 years of blogging as Harlem Lovebirds   

10. Returning to Nigeria for the Christmas season (we rescheduled our 2013 trip for this year)

(Revisit my previous lists: 2013 and 2012.)

What are you looking forward to this year?
 



P.S. I'll be back this afternoon answering a few questions about Baby Agbai 2.0!

What's Your Excuse?

Thank you to my Facebook friend Nuree for posting!

Hot at Last!

I'm mad at myself for not getting a pic of Lil Love Bird in the pool this morning during our first seasonal visit so I'm using a "Throwback Thursday" pic above from last July. ARGHHH! She's turned into quite the waterbaby that I was so busy with her that I couldn't snap one. This little girl will straight jump into the pool so I had to be on guard the entire time!

Anyway, now that it's finally heating up here in NYC there's a lot on my mind. I think it calls for a list . . .

• I need to work on my fitness and this post on building a fit booty is definitely an area I need some help with 

• With graduation season upon us, this style is making me wish I was natural when I graduated

• I'm refusing to turn on the AC despite it approaching 90 degrees, but if it gets unbearable I'm totally cranking up the AC tomorrow afternoon when Nia naps and watching the last two episodes of The Bletchley Circle that I missed (yes, I'm a PBS nerd!)

• I have a trip to Newport coming up, and I'm totally inspired by the preview of Serena & Lily's Beach Market on Habitually Chic

• Speaking of trips the beautiful images in this post are the reason why I now need to go to Bali STAT!

• I've just added another profit center that I can't wait to share with you guys and speaking of which this post about preparing for life without a salary is a great piece if you're considering ditching corporate

How is the warm weather inspiring you? (and NO it's not summer, it's still spring - one of my huge pet peeves is people calling it summer already LOL!)

 
 

4 Things That Are Making Me Smile

Happy Tuesday! 

1. This dance video that everyone and their mother is talking about

2. This tongue and cheek piece about How to Have the Best Pregnancy Ever  

3. This weather forecast 

  4. The fact that spring is coming and I can wear cute stuff like this. {Have you heard of Shoxie before? I just found out about it and LOVE it!}

What's making you smile lately?
 
   

Love Birds Visit the MLK, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

We couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to visit the MLK, Jr. Memorial for the first time yesterday. I highly recommend going!

Random, right?!

Practicing saying, "Martin Luther King" (video here!)

 

I Get So Weak in the Knees (Or Why I Heart Home Goods)

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! With all the extra space we'll have soon I decided it would be fun to go with my mom, Grandma Mary and Nia to Home Goods (they've never been!). Home Goods is such a fun store, and I can spend hours there exploring. Although I've never been to the Upper West Side location not far from me, the one in Maryland was spacious and well organized. When I used to live in Boston I only went in the one right outside the city in Natick a couple times, but I don't remember it being as nice as the one I went to not far from my parents' house.

I found some awesome pieces that inspired me as I think about how I want to decorate our new apartment:

These were the first thing that caught my eye when I walked in. I'm thinking lucite lamps on bedroom nightstands or just one in the office/guest bedroom.

This is channeling Cupcakes and Cashmere! I think this would look divine in our bedroom (we have a space between our two windows that this would fit perfectly and would be viewable down our long hallway)

This doll helped us get through the first half of our shopping trip

That long piece would look great above our sage sofa

Love this for the office (and under $50!)

Awww look it's Harlem Love Birds!

Definitely want to find a way/place to incorporate a floor length mirror

We have a little entryway that would fit a bench - love that it has storage (and the nail heads!)

Love this neutral Barca Lounger piece at the base of the bed (and storage) - it had a rip on the other side that wouldn't be visible. The associate said the price was negotiable as a result!

This little hat is how we got through the second half of our shopping trip

This was whimsy!

Nia cried over this  - it'd look wonderful in her bathroom and would go with the existing monkey theme of her nursery

This over the dining table would be so elegant

Another office lamp option of vs. lucite; it's very crafty

Totally lusted over that tray! It'd go great on a coffee table or sitting out on our buffet table.

So of course I didn't get any of these big pieces - it was mostly an inspirational trip, but I did pick up some small kitchen items I had been needing for a while (silicone oven mitts, peeler, grater and a cooling rack - fun, I know!). 

Now back to packing, and I PROMISE my next post will be about Nigeria . . .