Whew, 2022 - what a year. With 2020 and 2021 being challenging on a multitude of levels and full of unknowns, I entered this year extremely optimistic, excited for a sense of normalcy and new goals to achieve. While some of that did come to fruition, a lot of it...
On this day four years ago, my day started off as any normal Saturday in January. Little did I know, it would be the day Lipstick & Ink® came to be - a day that would change me forever. Leading up to January 13, 2018, I had experienced an action-packed few...
As I write this on the last day of 2021, I find myself wondering how we’re already here. Another year passed, another on the horizon. I remember my high school Algebra teacher once saying how as we get older, the years seemingly go faster. She wasn’t wrong. I take...
Every NYE, I like to take a moment to reflect on the year, to acknowledge my growth, to accept what didn’t go as planned, and to appreciate the life I am creating. I like to write these in my journal, as well as post them to the blog (as I did in my 2019 and 2018...
BACKSTORY Since starting Lipstick & Ink, I’ve been able to reconnect with my inner writer, the part of me I suppressed for the majority of my 20s. You see, I’ve considered myself a writer since I was able to pick up a pen. And I’ve wanted to be an author ever...
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the power of the pivot. Pivoting can come about from a disruptive event or life change, from a restless feeling that it’s time to change, or from an inspired and committed decision to move in a new direction. Pivoting in a...
“Silence, especially in these times, is deafening.” ~ Vivianne Castillo I didn’t find out about George Floyd’s murder until the night after when I was watching ABC World News Tonight with David Muir. As I was finishing my dinner, I heard the words “I can’t breathe… I...
I saw a quote the other day about how we're all in the same boat when it comes to this pandemic. To know everyone around the globe is in this together during this time is pretty powerful when you think about it. But while we're all in the same boat, I want to call...
On my 31st birthday last September, I was writing in my journal when I noticed a crinkled and stained piece of paper had fallen out. I picked it up and realized it was the bucket list I had written during my early years of college. As I read over my list, I noticed...
The last few days of December has always been a time I genuinely look forward to. After all of the holiday festivities and quality time with family and friends, I typically find myself back at home, able to pause and reflect on the last year. It’s so important to set...