Fall reminders // grow up & strong and embrace your hue

Hi everyone! 

It's been a while since I've posted - graduate school has been really hectic. I finally had some moments tonight where I intentionally took some time for myself. Over the past two weeks, I have been battling with what type of student I was and who I am now.  In undergrad here at UVA, there was definitely this mentality among college students that you have to forsake so much of yourself for the sake of making  a grade. I now know I am much more than a grade and my major. I now know that I am called to be a student for this season. I am Tonyette and I happen to be a graduate student. BUT, I am not defined by it - I define WHY I am here and WHAT I will do with my degree.

 In 2011, I definitely sacrificed my peace in order to be perfect and I blinked and the season changed. I literally....missed....Fall that year. I don't remember what happened, I just remember being in my thoughts and my world. I don't really remember much about anything, I was in a fog. While I am now able to label what happened to me as depression, I believe my actions and striving kept me from truly taking in the little moments of life. I was incredibly sad that I let my favorite season move past me.

 Although my memory was hazy, I remember one event that gave me a sense of hope and stillness. I attended Trick or Treating on the Lawn and as I watched happy children, dogs, and families, I was reminded of the beauty of human connection and love. I remember snapping photos of the entire lawn and I went back to that photo to remind myself to be still. 

On Friday I attended this event and I reflected on my life journey and growth. I laughed with my amazing classmates and witnessed the beauty of human connection and love. I saw the creativity manifested in the costumes and the love in the eyes of parents as they watched their children. The weather was crisp and cool and I felt the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet. Overall, Friday evening reminded me to be still and cherish the moments.

Fall is such a special season for me. It marks a time when I reflect on the last few weeks before my birthday. The scarves, boots, and tights become my besties. Most of all, the colors of the trees remind me of growth and change.  I find it amazing that trees just grow, they don't possess the means for comparison- they grow up and strong. In the fall, each tree is a different color - red, orange, gold, yellow, brown, burgundy, etc. They grow amongst one another, yet they are vastly different. 

I can't help to think that is the way we should look at the world.  Instead of comparing ourselves to the next person, what if we could grow up and strong and embrace our different hues? What if we happily watched our friends and family flourish as we thrive as well?

Don't allow life's circumstances or personal goals to stop you from seeing what is happening around you. Don't allow yourself to blink another moment without being present. 

May your joy be palpable. 

Trick or Treating on the Lawn 2015

#blacklivesmatter

I've spent the past week trying to really put in words what has occurred on UVA's campus. On March 18, 2015,  Martese Johnson suffered wounds after he was brutally attacked by the ABC law enforcement.  Many of my former classmates, current students and organization's like UVa's Black Student Alliance rallied behind Martese and demanded investigation of this attack. 

I've watched social media posts express outrage, but I've seen many ignore this tragedy and many say "maybe this isn't just a race thing". I've read posts from the social media outlet Yik-Yak and I have been deeply disgusted that people walk around with such deep-seated hatred for people of color. I've watched my little sister, her peers, and friends that are still at UVa feel so alienated. I spent last weekend at UVa grateful that my sister was safe, but wondering what people were thinking as I walked in cafes/stores in the Charlottesville community. Last week, I mourned. I was reminded of the first time I learned about racism. At age 5, I watched  as a close family member was unlawfully treated and spoke harshly too. I tried to understand why my color could make people so angry. 

 Martese's wounds hit hard. 

I've seen so many reactions to the term "black lives matter"  but I want to make this clear, when we chant black lives matter, we are saying that NO ONE should have his/her head bashed on the ground for no reason. We are saying that despite the SAE racist chants that found their way to Duke University's campus last week, WE MATTER. That while people say "this isn't a race thing", we clearly see that we can be targeted for the color of our skin. Please take a look at these cases on all campuses. Because this isn't an isolated event. 

Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Mike Brown. Trayvon Martin. Their lives matter 

Martese's life matters 

No one deserves to have his/her life taken. No one deserves to be chained or jailed for no apparent reason. No one deserves to have racial slurs screamed at his/her face. Black UVa students don't deserve the comments or ignorance on the campus. Take a minute and think why must someone not say this is a "race thing"? 

"If you aren't angry, you aren't paying attention" 

- Tonyette

What's in My Bag

Hi lovely people <3

So happy to be back and I want to do the famous "What's In My Bag?" challenge that I've seen throughout YouTube and Instagram. 

So this is my tote bag that carries a billion things. LOL. When I bought this I was definitely thinking it could carry a lot of books. I LOVE huge bags and I hadn't came across many like this one until I saw this one last summer on blogs, Pinterest, Instagram. It is Madewell (J.Crew's sister store) "Transport Tote".Due to its price, I was definitely reluctant to purchase the bag, but I've saw a lot of great reviews of it. I finally broke down in late October and purchased this baby and I love it. Actually - I am attached to this bag yall. I haven't stopped carrying it since I purchased it. The leather is gorgeous and it's sturdy...beautiful...timeless...a staple piece....amazing. Okay...I am obsessed. 

Positioned on the left side of my bag is my "wallet" lol but it's a clutch.It is the Madewell Medium Pouch Clutch in English Saddle ! I've worn this by itself and it has a cool pocket for change and slots for cards and it's roomy. It's super pretty and it's all leather as well. I've had this since I bought the bag and it's super sturdy.  

I have a crazy love for notebooks and planners (Thanks to Alana and her organizational skills lol and to my  memory which isn't as great as it was in college. I have to write down everything these days smmmh. Signs of age ha). The White planner is by Moleskine and it's apart of the Peanuts tribute collection and Peppermint Patty graces the cover of mines. I purchased this in late December via Ebay for a great price. Alana also has a Moleskine planner that she purchased from Amazon. This is my first one and I love it so far. 

Next to the planner is my journal! I journal everyday and that mint green notebook keeps my thoughts, prayers, and breakthroughs in writing. 

To the right of the journal is my pocket-sized Bible! I purchased it at a Lifeway Christian Store. It is super cute and in the shape of a wallet and you can actually secure it in the front so that it doesn't fall open. 

Next to my Bible, is my iPad Air! I love the iPad and I can throw it in my bag when I don't need my to lug my Mac around the world. FYI - I am not a techno whiz but it definitely takes WAAAY better quality photos. 

I am currently reading Love Does by Bob Goff - one of my friends mentioned that this book changed his life and I love it so far! I will have to do a book review on this one for sure. The book talks about the fact that love is lived out and is an action word. Whew. It's awesome!

Direct your attention the bottom and you will see Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter and my Pacifica  Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange - I looove this set and I bought it with a roll-on perfume at Marshall's for 8 dollars. The lip tint leaves a beautiful creamy color that moisturizes the lip! 

Beside the Lip Tint is the 

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in True Red and I LOVE THIS STUFF. It goes on as a cream and dries matte and it's so rich and it just adds color to all of my outfits. Definitely worth the money for sure!!!

My Lancome Pink Safari Eyeshadow Palette just happened to be in my bag. My mom bought this for me two summers ago and I love it because it has a good balance of neutral tones! 

In the little pink box are NYX Tea Tree Blotting Papers and I purchased this last week at Target for like 2.50 (steeeaaaaaal) and I like them so far

Annnnd of course I have my keys, a Pilot pen (can't leave home without it) and my Kleenex Pocket Tissues touched behind my Eyeshadow palette (because I apparently have year round allergies now and I have to blow my nose smh)

I hope you all enjoy! Please share your bags and items on your social media and definitely let us know by using the hashtag #allbasescovered

xoxo,

Tonyette