10 Things to do (to ensure you enjoy) this November!

Holidays are never easy. It always seems like we have a ton of things to do and absolutely no time to get them done and that can make it a little harder to enjoy this season. This year….  I’ve compiled a list of things to do in November that I guarantee will not only have you smiling in the moment, but… you’ll look back on them and smile for years to come. Feel free to swap out anything that will make this list more helpful for you, but remember the goal is to find different way to actually enjoy your holiday without having to rush or stress.  

Let’s get started…

10. Schedule a Holiday Photo Shoot with your family.  – With apps like Facebook and Instagram, pictures are so instant we often forget the importance of (family) portraits. This year... #10 on my list suggests we take a moment to incorporate them back into ours lives. And whether you decide on an Autumn or Winter setting, step outside of the box and take your memories outdoors for your 2016 Holiday photos.

9.  Pick out Holiday cards to send to your family and friends. – Share those family photos with a Holiday photo card. People tend to keep cards with photos on them much longer than they do your average Hallmark card, and well, they're just better to look at visually. Oh, and be sure to update your mailing list before sending them out.   

8.  Decide on your Holiday color/theme and purchase your decorations. – If you’re anything like me, one of the best parts of this season is the décor. Need some inspiration? Visit your local Michael’s or Beverly’s craft stores this weekend. 

7. Head up to one of these five places with the family and pick your Holiday tree. – Try something new this holiday season and GO FRESH!  This will be a great experience for your family, especially if you have young kids. And there is nothing like the smell of fresh pine. <3

6.  Volunteer at your local food bank.  – This season is all about being thankful and giving back. What better way to do that than serving those in need? Take your children along also. In a world where everyone is all about self, these type of things will keep them grounded.

5. Host a Friendsgiving “Dessert” Night. – Thanksgiving is usually spent with family, but… what about your friends? Schedule a Friendsgiving Dessert night the weekend before Thanksgiving (or whenever works best in your schedule) and spend an evening laughing, drinking, eating great desserts, and being grateful for the people in your life. Try it Potluck style to cut down on the cost.

4. Let your creative and "not-so-create" juices flow.  – Whether you make your own wrapping paper, knit everyone in your family and scarf and glove set, or put a new spin on an old family recipe, CREATE SOMETHING. 

3.  Decide on your contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. – Yep, that’s right… your contribution! LOL. Bring something more than your appetite to Thanksgiving dinner this year. And if you need an idea… I’ll be posting my Glamourous Spiked Apple Cider recipe in the coming week. Check it out!

2.  Plan and begin a Holiday workout/fitness regimen - It’s no secret that the holidays can add a pound or ten to your waistline, but, it doesn’t have to be that way.  The best way to prevent those pesky pounds is to plan your holiday.  Keep the treats and eats to a minimum. Don’t eat out of the bag, box, or carton. And try eating your meals on a saucer verse a dinner plate for portion control. Greens are always good, of course. Try drinking a glass of warm water with a cinnamon stick in it BEFORE any meal to fill you up faster.  Lastly, be active! You can walk, run, dance and just move (at a decent pace) for 20 minutes each day. If you’re thinking to yourself, “when will I have time to walk, run, dance or just move?” try your lunch break and take your favorite coworker with you.

1.  Attend my Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation event on November 19 at 8PM.  – What!? Lol.  What did you think #1 would be? 😉👌 Tickets are available here! 

I hope you enjoyed my list and more importantly, I hope you find it helpful in creating lasting memories and keeping the holiday stress down. Comment below with your ideas on how to enjoy the holiday and make it as stress-less as possible.  Oh, and if you haven’t already, LIKE my Facebook page! Thanks. 🙏

Happy November Friends!

- GLAM

GLAMvoy presents... Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation!

The wait is over!!!

Join me Saturday, November 19th at 8PM for Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation!

I've created some new games, with even better prizes, and a signature cupcake & cocktail that I can't wait for you to taste. 😉

Get your tickets ASAP! Space is limited.

I hope to see you all there!

GLAMvoy ❤

"What can [we] as Black Men do in order for you to feel more supported and loved?"

There is a video circulating with a young black woman taking a stand against marching or protesting for black men due to their lack of support for black women. I was tagged in a post discussing her video on my personal page and asked what I thought about the context of the video. I was also asked a question I've never before now been asked by a black man. I was asked, "What can [we] as Black Men do in order for you to feel more supported and loved?"

As this was a first, it took me a second to gather my thoughts, and, well... here is my answer.

In order for black men to show black women that he supports/loves her, he must: 

 

1. Stop comparing us to other races and or our mixed-race counterparts. WE ARE WORTHY, and we deserve to be told it and shown it REGULARLY!

2. Stop talking down to us and about us for what you don't understand. BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT BLACK WOMEN.

3. Attempt to understand what we are, who we are, and why we are, rather than ASSuming the answer (by way of what you've heard).

4. Treat us like you'd want a man to treat your grandmother, mother, sister or daughters. THAT ALONE WOULD CHANGE SO MUCH!

5. Step into the role/position that God gave you, and:

     a. BE PRESENT!!!!!!!!

     b. Take responsibility of your seed (use protection) and stop sowing it any and everywhere possible. - STOP LAYING WITH WOMEN YOU CAN'T SEE FOR YOUR LIFE... LONG TERM!

     c. Take accountabilty for your seeds - BE A FATHER TO YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!! Not a part-time father. Not a half-assed father. Not a payment father. A FATHER. The one A LOT of you NEVER had.

     d. Learn to control, and then channel your emotions rather than disregarding them and or pretending they don't exist.

     e. Learn your strength mentally and emotionally, rather than just physically.

     f. Learn to communicate, then educate us (black women) how to speak your language.

6. PROTECT US. - If you see someone disrespecting us (black, white, blue or gold), abusing us, etc. SPEAK UP FOR US! Speak out for us the same way we do for you all.

7. BE WILLING, READY, AND AVAILABLE TO DO THE WORK. Black women, like black men (hell, black people in general) carry a heavy burden but, instead of bailing on the black man (as A LOT of them have us) we take on the task of loving and protecting you. We need those same efforts back ten times over.

8. BE OKAY WITH WHO YOU ARE AND THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE. So often black men aren't confident in who they are, what they like, their placement in society, etc. And because they are worried about how they will be viewed - especially by each other (will he think I'm weak if I.. ?) - they hardly ever reach their fullest potential. Which in turn causes problems in their relationships with women - especially black women - because we look to you for strength and leadership.

9. Give us the honor of marriage. Black men (not all, most) will fight diligently against what and who they know is right for their life - to feel relevant or like "they still got it," - that they'll leave a relationship before committing to it. THAT'S CRAZY! Like, stop being afraid of change. Realize that the amount of women you CAN have doesn't validate who or what you are like the one woman you choose to have in your corner forever. And if someone challenges that theory, make them prove it.

  .. just to name a few.

Nevertheless, I do believe black women - some, not all - are slowly but surely starting to give up on black men (especially the younger generation) for A LOT of the reasons she named. And, in my opinion, it goes waaaaaaay beyond "marching" or "supporting" black men through protest and or due to the high levels of police brutality they experience. I think black women are getting tired of protecting and supporting black men and then being left out there, alone.  However, again, in my opinion, this will do more harm to bringing us together and or rebuilding our communities than good.

 

Your thoughts?