Life Update: On Grief, Change, and New Beginnings

orange flowers in a white vase
Back in Bloom

You know that saying we plan, God laughs? The past 6+ months have never made this more apparent. We make all these plans and the universes comes in and laughs in our face. Life was going really well, and then it started beating my ass. Last October I went to my first concert in over a year. If you know me, you know how much I love music, and going to concerts was one of the things I missed most during the pandemic. I felt happy, and free, and alive. There’s nothing better than being in a room full of people who like the same artist, enjoying the music, and singing at the top of our lungs.

Things felt good, like they were getting back to normal. I was in a good place, personally and professionally. About a week later, my grandmother died. It absolutely destroyed me. Grief is a powerful emotion, and one I’m all too familiar with. I’ve had to bury alot of people I love over the years. My daddy, my grandaddy, friends, and mentors as well. Losing my granny was different. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting my grandmother, then you know she was a force. A Southern matriarch, the epitome of grace and strength. We had made plans for Thanksgiving the week before, then she was gone.

The next several weeks felt like a blur. I was going through the motions, consumed by my grief. Trying to make the best of it. It didn’t get any easier. Those weeks turned into months, and before I knew it what would have been her 81st birthday was here. I dreamed about her that night, and while she didn’t talk in that dream. She found away to let me know that she was okay. I don’t always believe in signs, but I felt that was her way of telling me she didn’t want me to be sad anymore. I took that to heart, and it helped shake me out of what felt like a never ending funk.

Alot has changed in the last few months. I accepted my dream job, I cut some toxic people out of my life. I’ve stopped questioning whether I deserve the good things that are happening and the contentment and lightness I feel. I’m taking more risks. I’m embracing the changes and accepting that it isn’t a fleeting moment. I knew I had to come back here. I missed this space, and I felt guilty for how long I had left it untouched. I won’t make any promises, but I am committed to showing up for you.

If you’ve stuck around this long I appreciate you, and I hope you join me in this season of life.

Kandy’s Corner 2.22.21

Friends we are ( thankfully) finally coming out of a deep freeze. We’ve had some form of ice and snow on the ground here in Louisville for the better part of 2 weeks and frankly, I’m over it. I’ve mentioned this before but I grew up in Memphis, where 40 degrees is about as cold as it gets in winter. A couple of inches of snow will shut the city down. I’ve lived here for over 10 years and I’m still adjusting.

I’ve been watching everything unfold in Texas and the rest of the south with a heavy heart and an empathetic mind. As a southern ex-pat living a little too far North, I never experienced a real winter until I moved here. They don’t have salt trucks or plows in the south. Winter clothes are the same as summer clothes. Back home, I’ve worn t-shirts on Christmas day because it was 75 degrees. I say all this to say it’s hard to prepare for something that literally never happens. I mean would you expect people in LA to have snow plows? I wouldn’t.

I hope if nothing else the events of the past year have taught us all to extend more grace to others as our circumstances can change at a moments notice. Luckily spring is upon us, hopefully sooner rather than later. Here’s some reads to kick off the week after the jump!

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Kandy’s Corner 1.16.21

Stop and smell the roses.

What a week. I feel like I’ve said that alot over the last year. Part of me feels like I’m not fully processing everything that’s happening. Part of me just feels comfortably numb . We’ve normalized this mess we’re in, and as I feel like it’s going to get much worse before it gets better. One thing I have pledged to do is give myself grace, and I hope you do the same. It’s been way too long since we’ve done one of these. I’m hoping I can provide a fun distraction even if its only for a few minutes. Read more after the jump!

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2021: Why I’m Setting Intentions vs. Resolutions

Set yourself up for success in 2021.

2021: * Deep exhale* We made it. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to leave a year in the dust as badly as 2020. Ironically my word for 2020 was “Control” L.O.L. I’ve had ample time to reflect this last year on my needs and goals and what I really want in all aspects of my life. Today I’m sharing my word for the year and why I’m setting intentions instead of goals.

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KANDY’S CORNER 8.9.20

Happy Sunday friends! I’m hoping this week is good to you. It was a little rough for me last week as I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m on the mend. I got some good news, and I also started a re-watch of one of my favorite shows The Vampire Diaries. I’m team Damon BTW.

Just in case you missed it I covered the #NSALE all last week. I’ve got you covered for activewear, loungewear, capsule piece, and beauty! Cardmember access started Aug 4th for Icons, 7th for Ambassador, 10th for Influencer, and 13th for Insider. The sale opens up to everyone on Aug 19th and runs until Aug 30th. Weekend reads after the jump!

This is a really good article on digital blackface. We talk about cultural appropriation, but there isn’t enough said about how the technology and social media have attributed to this.

A love letter from black women to Meg Thee Stallion. We love you sis.

I have no idea if football is happening this fall. Regardless, I will be indulging in all of my favorite game day foods nachos. These chipotle chicken nachos are the perfect game day food.

This jacket is number one on my wishlist for the #NSALE.

This cherry swirl bread is next on my list of baking projects. It’s the perfect breakfast food or mid-afternoon pick me up!

Interesting article on the concept of a “forever home“. I go back in forth on whether home ownership is something I really want, and this is a refreshing perspective.

This is the only hand cream you will ever need.

Accounts of how the coronavirus has impacted 6 different jobless workers on 6 different salaries.

NO BUY JULY: CHALLENGE UPDATE

Hello friends! It’s August so that means the No Buy July challenge is over. I started this challenge a few years ago to curb my spending on beauty products. This year I upped the stakes, and added fashion to the mix. It got off to a rocky start, but I’m happy to report I finished strong. Sharing a few lessons learned after the jump!

I’m no longer using afterpay.

Oh afterpay, you sneaky thing you. It’s quite possibly the best worst invention ever. I use it often, and I realized it makes it too easy for me to justify buying things I would normally deem too expensive or unnecessary . Even though I wasn’t shopping last month I was still paying for a pricey dress through Afterpay. I’ve decided if I can’t afford it or I’m not willing to buy it outright, then I don’t need it.

Delete your shopping apps and unsubscribe from store emails.

You never realize how many emails you get about sales and new items until you’re actively trying not to shop. It can be overwhelming, especially if your getting multiple a day from different stores. Unsubscribing and deleting your apps helps get rid of temptation.

The universe always balances itself out.

Remember those shorts and shirt I bought? Well the shirt didn’t fit and it was a close out item so I couldn’t exchange it. I was sent the wrong shorts and the correct one’s were no longer available. So even though I attempted to stray, the universe had other plans. I’m pretty sure there’s a life lesson somewhere in there about being saved from yourself.

I was more prepared for an emergency

Without putting all my business in the street, I had a sudden drop in income in the middle of the month. It was unexpected, and I’m grateful I hadn’t done any frivolous spending that might have put me in a bind otherwise. You never know what might come up, and I’m glad I was prepared.

All in all, I’m glad I did it. Adding in fashion was harder than I expected and I missed out on a couple of capsule wardrobes I was interested in. That sucked, but I’m grateful I was disciplined enough to stick to my guns. If you did the challenge with me, I hope you’re proud of yourself too! Let me know what you learned in the comments!