Girl hacks

Hey Lily buds,


Hope everyone has been great, I just want to say my absence doesn't mean I'm ignoring this blog..just busy with life. I miss y'all as always. Today I just want to keep things light and easy because that has been the theme for me all day thus far. We should try to relax as much as we "go hard". Moving right along I come across many women in the most random places that know so little about they're own bodies and the simple and I do mean simple ( most times inexpensive) things to do to keep us going while feeling and looking great! This post will be dedicated to exploring some of my favorites, I'am no beauty expert but I am a woman who knows that nature is truly a girls best friend. Except for PMS that heifer aint got nothing coming from me! BUT I even have a tip to help with that.

* As mentiond previously PMS (bloating, pimples, cramps etc) we anticipate it monthly some of us even dread getting our period. Simple tips: Cut all diary or as much as possible a week or two before you're actual cycle and add pineapple juice to your diet (Muva Badu) recommended this recently but before she did a sister/mother/healer in my community also gave the same advice. Trust me when I tell you it has signficant results!
* Whiter Teeth ( baking soda or coconut oil) seriously though how many of you can go in your cabinets and pull out one or both of these items? Which together will still total under $10 depending on the quantity and brand. I like to alternate with between the two which yielded the best results, a quick caution on using baking soda every day ladies it can eat away at the enamal in your teeth if used too frequently.
* Discolored skin ( baking soda, lemon juice, potato thickly sliced) this is one that I've personally been working with for a few weeks now. Over the years when I didnt know any better I ruined the skin under my arm ( pits) by doing things like shaving, using anti-perspirant deodorant and the biggest mistake was NOT exfoliating. By making a paste of the products mentioned above and using a gentle yet sturdy pumice stone is making a world of difference. Be mindful that after you do this process its important to put some type of moisture back into the area.
* Breakouts ( peroxide 3-3.5%) As soon as you feel a breakout coming on apply using a cotton ball or q-tip doused in hydrogen peroxide to the area, let it stand for a few minutes after follow your normal facial wash routine. Of course moisturize afterwards!

I really hope this information helps someone. So many times we go searching for the the latest product, hottest trend in the stores when we have the tools and ability to heal ourselves. Hold on to that favorite product you have but still give this a try and compare. As always do what's best for you and if you do decide to try any of this out and it begans to irate your skin or body at any point stop immediately. Happy experimenting

XO

Markia

Singled out

Hey Lily Buds,

This crazy Baltimore weather has got us all confused I'm sure. Seriously should we continue wearing boots and coats or can we get away with ballet flats and cut-off denim jackets? ( mother-nature tripping ya'll). One thing I'm pretty certain on is how I'm viewed in this city, state, country as a single black woman. When I say "single" it's not just my relationship status I'm referring to. It also includes my income tax filing status and the fact that I don't have children/family just yet to name a few. The correlation between them all is obviously me. Routinely as a black woman I'm shown a watered down version of consideration from " uncle tom" who thinks I don't pay enough in taxes, to fasfa telling me I never qualify financial assistance because I make too much to be a single woman without kids and finally to my own culture both men and women implying I surely have an issue because I'm 28 without a husband and kids. Now by no means am I saying life is so hard while having a pity party. But I do recognize the systematic structure ( or lack thereof) because its just me. I'd like to bring attention to any woman going through the same, I just want to remind you that we are more than just some tax filing bracket.

We are single because we choose, we're single and that's not code for " try to set me up on horrific blind dates". Just remember you have always been the reward never the consolation prize.

XO,

Markia

Hey Lily Buds,


It's super cold here in Baltimore, this next post will definitely heat things up a bit! As I've mentioned before this blog touches a little of everything. Today I want to discuss the categories and " boxes" in which we and others put us in. Misogyny is something I personally find myself dealing with much more often than I prefer. I like many women are criticized for not covering up enough, speaking out too loudly and for having opinions that don't "go along with the flow". Men fail to realize when you put a woman down you are showing signs of self-hate. Am I not you? And when women do it I promise you it makes my damn skin crawl. Like a cat scratching its paws on a chalk board (although I cant see that ever happening in any class room I'd be in, I would surely object to that joint) but you get my point. Women are many things this includes but not limited too: sexual beings who actually enjoy sex ( maybe even with different partners), gay, mothers, healing vessels and again I say this list can go on for eternity. Save your shame and you're bull ideologies for someone else. I'm trying to live as freely as I can and I want to cultivate this within my personal circle and eventually spread that feeling to women all over.
Now with that out the way here are a few pictures of me getting my "free" on yesterday evening at a friends party: 
Outfit
Body suit: American Apparel
Velvet Leggings: F21.com
Shoes: Lolashoetique.com
Poncho & Army jacket: Thrift finds
Necklace: Gifted from a very stylish classmate

XO,
Markia

It's just hair

Hi my Lily Buds,

Back again with this week's blog post. I hope this post finds you all in good spirits and health. Let's get to to it!!!!

HAIR! It' s straight,natural, permed, braided, kinky, curly, colored...which ever way to choose to wear you're hair ladies is your business. This does not define you're queendom, neither does it take away from it. I prefer to wear my hair in its natural state with little to no heat and harsh chemicals. This decision has been a gradual change that took me some time to become fully comfortable with. With any major change it takes some getting used to and I never regretted the decision of shaving all my hair off (went Brittney Spears on them..without the crazy) and never looking at ( perm aka creamy crack) again but I wouldn't be real with you guys if I didn't express my lack of feeling like a "real" woman because of something so trivial as changing my hair. Many times in this society we are praised and or condemned based on appearance alone.

Getting to my point and back to more relevant times there has been many occasions over the last 2 or 3 years where primarily men judged me so harshly and were very critical of my hair. This has happened as recent as today. Now as I grow older I understand this taking pride in yourself and your counterparts won't be accepted by everyone in this life. But when its coming from the mouths of black men and very seldom women the burn stings that much more. What's happened to us is saddening but I refuse to revert back to what is widely accepted just to gain understanding from someone who clearly doesn't understand themselves. Don't use your ignorance of a topic as the reason as to why you dislike something. Now this isn't saying most folks hate my ( bush ,fro, afro) call it what you like its just hair and extension of who I am. For every negative comment I get, I typically get 5 positive ones throughout my day (insert big cheese smile emoji) . Many women want to wear their hair natural but this stigma society has over hair that doesn't involve ( edge control, weave glue, and a flat iron) is a real struggle to overcome.

Loving yourself however you decide to rock ya crown is your God given right. The way you react to others doing the same is all on you. Be "conscious" of that.
Love y'all
XO

Untitled

Hello my Lilly Buds,


I've missed you all tremendously. Please forgive my absence, life really got in the way big time. And I was in love so you know how that goes ( lol). I hope you all have been doing great. Firstly I'd like to present you with the new revamped version of this blog. It will no longer just include my OOTD looks. I want to add more substance and more depth to this blog. So from now on you can expect all topics from sisterhood tips and advice I've been learning to just my real life thoughts and feelings on multiple topics. My life as changed as a woman ( still changing). I guess you can say I'm growing up and my interests are changing too.
BACK to the topic at hand today. Healing in secret. What I mean is many times we have our hearts broken(by boyfriend,friends etc) and bottle that joint in like some kind of precious stone worth keeping. I have been so guilty of this myself but ladies ( because that's who I primarily relate to, not to proclaim men don't hurt either) it's ok if things are not ok. One thing I always say is "women can bond like crazy over a broken heart" we all have our stories. However many times we aren't willing to talk about this, unwilling to purge that heavy load off our backs. I too struggle with this. So just because your heart has taken a beating unlike any other trust that you will be healed. Scream that from the mountain top until you believe it. I say these words to myself and to any other woman having a tough time remembering how damn worthy she is. Don't continue to carry that baggage, it'll give you a  hunch back and than you wont be able to hear heels any longer, and who in the world would ever not want to put a cute pair of  heels on whenever possible??? LOL

Seriously let it go, talk it out, write it out, forgive yourself and move on!

XO
Markia

Rain Ready

Hi my Harlet lilies, 

Today is a dreary damp day in Baltimore. Nonetheless I braved the wet yucky pavement just for you all. Proving rainy days can be effortless with very minimal effort. 

Enjoy XO

Imperfectly Perfect!

Hi my lilies,  

Words can not express how much I've missed you all. I apologize for my absence, school along with what can sometimes be a chaotic personal life kept me away. Along with the season much has changed. I'm now 24-27pds down with this difficult healthier lifestyle. Still the same sassy, sultry ray of sunshine(say that 5 times fast.lol) 

Really did miss yall! Get creative this holiday season& Don't forget to keep spreading love! 

Xo

Ensemble breakdown:

-f21.com-trenchcoat

-(surprisingly) shoe city-long cardigan (i turned into a dress) :)