Total Read Time: 3 mins 14 secs

I am a big believer in the idea that self-care starts with skincare. I don’t know; I am just at my best when my skin looks and feels good. There’s something powerful about the relationship between self-care and loving myself a little more. For me, that connection often starts with something as simple, yet deeply intentional, as my skincare routine. It might seem like a surface-level task—cleansing, moisturizing, or applying a mask—but it’s so much more than that. Each step represents a moment to connect with myself, honor my body, and remind myself that I am deserving of care and love.

Total Read Time: 2 mins 41 secs

In my October newsletter, I talked about the importance of embracing seasonal wellness and nurturing ourselves this month. As we enter the year's final stretch, I’ve been reflecting on how I want to navigate this time more intentionally. There’s often pressure to finish the year strong, push through deadlines, and chase after year-end goals. I’ve been seeing a lot of challenges on TikTok that promote endlessly working to accomplish goals. While there’s value in setting and achieving goals, I’ve come to realize that this season calls for something different. I’ve learned how much overworking myself over the years has resulted in burnout, and by the time the new year rolls around, I will be unmotivated and too tired to pursue anything of real value.

Total Read Time: 5 mins 43 secs

In the recent episode of my podcast, I discussed the importance of defining one’s personal style. When it comes to personal style, it’s not just about what you wear—it’s about how you show up in the world, how you express your core values, and how you honor your individuality. When I began to focus on intentional living and curating every aspect of my life to align with the most authentic version of myself, I realized how critically important it is to understand and express my personal style if I really want to live intentionally.

Fashion has long been considered an outlet for creativity and self-expression. But for those committed to living with intention, personal style can be much more than a reflection of aesthetic preference—it can become a tool for cultivating authenticity and mindfulness. Fast fashion and fleeting trends dominate today, but using your wardrobe as a form of self-expression rooted in purpose offers a refreshing approach to curating a life that feels both intentional and aligned.

Total Read Time: 3 mins 9 secs

I have been a full-time remote worker since before the pandemic, since about 2018, so I have had a few years to adjust fully. Working from home can be both a blessing and a challenge, especially as a working mom and a toddler who didn’t quite adjust to his daycare experience. Despite its challenges, I have found my groove, and it really helps that my partner is fully remote and can be home with me as well. The flexibility is unmatched, but without structure, it’s easy to feel unproductive or unmotivated. Over the years, I’ve developed some simple yet effective habits that keep me focused and energized throughout my workdays. Here are three key things I do to make the most of working from home.

1. Getting Fully Dressed for the Day

One of the biggest misconceptions about working from home is that you can just roll out of bed and start your day in pajamas. While that’s tempting, I’ve found that getting fully dressed for the day is a game-changer. It’s not just about looking presentable; it’s about signaling to your brain that the day has begun and it’s time to shift into work mode.

Becoming a mother for the first time has been life-changing. Six months into this journey and there are still new things that I am learning about myself. My desires and needs have changed. My perspective of life and the world overall is a lot broader. You'll hear me talk a lot about my motherhood journey because it has shaped so much of who I've become. I am in a new form mentally, spiritually, and physically. As a result, I feel more connected to the woman I am. I feel more evolved, creative, and, most importantly, intentional.

As we delve into embracing change and envisioning our dreams, another journey awaits us—discovering our authentic style. Dressing mindfully for self-expression enables us to align our personal values and beliefs with our outward appearance, creating a harmonious and genuine representation of ourselves.

Your style serves as an extension of who you are, and embracing change opens the doors to exploring and defining your authentic style. In a manner akin to the vision board, mindful dressing becomes an expressive canvas where you paint your unique story, fostering coherence and harmony between your inner essence and your external presentation.

Total Read Time: 4 mins 16 secs

I can't believe that it is officially September. And while I hate to see the Summer months go, I am happy that we're closer to the Autumn and holiday seasons. September 22, 2024, marks the first official day of Autumn, and it is honestly my favorite time of the year. What comes to mind for you when you think of Fall? My first thought is planning and preparing for those seasonal occasions, pumpkin patches, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and everything in between. I also inadvertently transitioned my wardrobe with a heavy focus on thermal textures and flannels, which are go-to essentials during the cooler months.

Total Read Time: 6 mins 8 secs

Do you remember the feeling of when you first began to take a hobby seriously? The joy and excitement that your entire spirit feels when you slow down and find the beauty in one or more things you had no idea you’d love so much. That’s how I’ve felt about baking most recently. There’s something profoundly therapeutic about the rhythmic process of baking. The world around me quiets down as I whisk flour, yeast, and other ingredients together. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary where I can escape from the noise and pressures of daily life. I hadn’t expected that a simple hobby like baking would not only become a source of joy but also a catalyst for a significant shift in how I approach life.

Total Read Time: 3 mins 43 secs

I don’t know how you all are feeling, but something about this energy has revitalized me and made me more in tune with my heart's truest desires. I’ve been connecting a little deeper with what feels authentic to me and focusing on ways to elevate my daily life and all that exists within it. Crafting your ideal life this month involves attuning to the energies it presents and embracing their transformative power. Let's explore some ways you can harness the energy to manifest more intentionality in your day-to-day life, a greater sense of stability, and the opportunity to meet your truest self again for what could feel like the first time.

For most of May, we are given the freedom to ground ourselves. This month emphasizes the beauty in our lives and the importance of self-worth. Ask yourself, what nurtures your soul? What connects you back to your truest self? What serves you most and fills you up when you’re feeling your lowest? Find those things, as now is a perfect time to indulge in self-care practices that make you feel secure and valued. Consider a gentle reminder to celebrate your inherent worth, like daily notes or reminders that reiterate your power, inner beauty, and the fact that you, my friend, no matter where you are in life right now, are the sh*t!

Total Read Time: 2 mins 42 secs

Journaling is one of my favorite ways to connect with myself and fully understand my emotions. Journaling has long been celebrated as a great way to foster personal growth, emotional healing, and self-discovery. By committing our thoughts and feelings to paper, we afford ourselves the opportunity to process our emotions from a place of objectivity, empathy, and compassion. This practice not only aids in emotional regulation but also cultivates a deeper understanding of our inner selves, empowering us to navigate life with greater clarity and purpose.

Total Read Time: 4 mins 16 secs

Many of you have asked me to give the rundown on how I manage to do all that I do in a single day and let me just say the amount of multitasking I do is not for the weak. Managing my day-to-day involves a blend of science-backed productivity techniques, intentional planning, and the art of flexibility. The biggest hack to make everything I do happen consistently boils down to having a supportive spouse and village.

While I fully understand that having a partner in life and a supportive village is a privilege, there are ways everyone can benefit from crafting a life rooted in balance and structure to get things done, support in-house or not. There are good days and bad days for me, but the upside to it all is that my life is as complex as it is fulfilling, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Total Read Time: 2 min 55 sec

Our homes are our anchors; they’re the spaces where we spend the bulk of our time but also where we feel the most grounded. At Dvn Oasis, we believe that our homes are our sanctuaries. We believe that when people are in their homes, everything throughout should reflect beauty but also what makes them feel calm and at peace, and creating a living environment you enjoy spending time in requires you to do so mindfully.

When it comes to applying mindful consumption to your home decor and design, there are a few key principles to keep in mind. First, consider the purpose and functionality of each item you bring into your space. Once you determine an item's purpose, you can consider maximizing its functionality. Does it serve a specific function or bring joy to your life?

Total Read Time: 1 min 39 sec

“As you cultivate resilience through perseverance and explore authentic expression through intentionality, you embark on a harmonious journey of personal growth and empowerment.”

We all go through moments in life where we question our purpose and wonder if we're on the right path. It's natural to experience self-doubt throughout life, but your response to that self-doubt makes all the difference. That's where purposeful living and intentional decision-making come into play.

To design a life rooted in intention, start with being honest about what you desire to gain out of life and why—consider your goals, core values, and beliefs.

The early stages of our lives are often riddled with self-neglect; we do not intentionally deprioritize our well-being, but we’re likely still in the stages of life where we’re learning to say no and practicing not putting the world before ourselves. Take the time to prioritize your physical and mental health. Regularly exercise, develop a balanced diet, and get sufficient sleep. The grown woman change at 30 creeps up on you, and these habits will be critical for you when it comes to maintaining well-being.

The best thing I could have ever done for myself was learning to enjoy the simple things that make me feel at peace and well-nurtured, things like spa dates, manicures and pedicures, cooking myself full-course meals, and investing in quality sleepwear and bedding. All these things significantly impact your well-being, and the more you learn to prioritize them, the better off you’ll be.

When we think of growth, it can be scary. When the time comes to take a leap of faith to level up in life, we develop so many self-doubt forms. It’s safe to say who you are in this present moment is an entirely different version from your future self or what I like to define as your highest-self. You will continue to grow. You will continue to shed layers. The journey will be uncomfortable, but it will be worth it in the end.

Trends can be captivating! If you scroll your timeline and see 100 people wearing a certain item, living a certain way, or doing a certain thing, and appearing to be happy, it can be hard not to be curious or even to want these things for yourself. Trends for a lot of people have a distinct way of offering a sense of belonging and a way to connect with others who share similar interests and preferences. A great example of this is the recent viral craze of the Stanley x Target collaboration and the way people acted foolishly over the cups. From viral challenges to fashion crazes, the appeal of being part of something larger than ourselves is undeniable. However, the danger arises when we become so immersed in these trends that we lose sight of our own unique identity.

Motherhood is such a beautiful, transformative journey filled with love, challenges, and self-discovery. It is a profound experience that shapes the course of a woman's life. I get asked a lot of advice about motherhood, and my first key for women contemplating motherhood is to ensure that it is a journey they absolutely want to embark on. Today, there are so many societal expectations, cultural norms, and interpersonal influences that shape our decision-making when it comes to motherhood. I actually love seeing women being honest about the fact that they do not see motherhood in their future. The more honest women are with themselves, the less chance they have of birthing a child they later resent.

Total Read Time: 3 mins 28 secs

I kicked off the month by sharing the importance of simplification, and all month long, I want us to explore how our daily routines and habits support or hinder us in creating our ideal lives. When we think about an optimized and fulfilling life, we often find ourselves conflicted about whether or not it is possible to obtain it because we are confined to the complexities of our daily routines.

When I think about the early stages of my personal growth journey, I know where I want to go and what I want to achieve, but there are so many things I have to let go of to get there. The paradox of choice became overwhelming; too many options led me to experience high levels of decision fatigue, ultimately hindering my personal growth and physically, emotionally, and mentally impacting my well-being.

Today, I want to explore different solutions to help you simplify your daily routine to create a lifestyle that aligns with your deepest desires and highest potential.

Total Read Time: 2 mins 23 secs

I’ve been thinking a lot about the impact of not being our true selves and how it impacts us mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I’ve worked hard to remain in this very healthy space that doesn’t allow me to see others and feel envious. At this stage in life, I can confidently say there isn’t another woman I’d rather be.

Well…

Maybe Morris Chestnut's wife once or twice a week, but there are very obvious reasons as to why that’s a choice of mine, haha!

Over the years, I’ve learned that every experience brings with it fresh perspectives that allow us to see ourselves and our path in life more clearly. While my journey to self-discovery has been continuous, a single truth forever remains: remaining authentic despite societal pressures to conform is the biggest key to living a well-lived life.

Total Read Time: 1 mins 51 secs

This past February, I had the honor of moderating a fireside chat with the remarkable celebrity stylist Bryon Javar during an inspiring event hosted by Banana Republic at their Melrose flagship store. The event was part of the brand’s Black History Month celebrations on the West Coast, designed to honor Black excellence and creative contributions to the fashion industry and beyond. Sharing space with Bryon Javar, whose work as a stylist, creative director, designer, and image maker has influenced so many, was a transformative experience.