Posts in lifestyle
5 Picture-Perfect Places to Enjoy Flowers in the DC Area

It's that time of year: Flowers are flourishing and you can capture them at their peak bloom times now in the DC area. Here’s where to go, and when. Which one of these gardens will you be headed to first? Most allow you to enjoy picnics on their grounds and/or take flowers home with you…

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The Decision to Stay: Pre-Organ-Transplant Jitters

My heart started to beat a little faster and tears welled up in my eyes as I typed, "About to receive my new organ transplants at Fairfax Hospital! Just in case, I love you all!", and put the phone down. Never before had I indicated that I was sick publicly, nor had I felt like putting that on my page. Letting everyone know how I felt at that instant was more important than anything…

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5 Emily in Paris Quotes that just make sense

We binge-watched Emily in Paris (Season 1) on Netflix last holiday season and loved how adorably provocative the show was. I couldn’t wait for more. From the fashion-forward outfits to the clever French clap-backs to our American ways, I was thrilled that Season 2 was released just two days before Christmas again this year! Again, we binge-watched the entire season and now I can’t wait until Season 3 is released! Netflix, please don’t…

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Saks Fifth Avenue Launches Holiday Campaign in Support of the Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance

Saks Fifth Avenue today celebrates the launch of its holiday campaign in support of the Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance. The campaign kicks off with the unveiling of Saks Fifth Avenue's iconic holiday window display and ten-story-tall theatrical light show at its New York flagship, featuring a special appearance by former First Lady…

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And Then Came Shang-Chi

In September 1991, my mom, who spoke no English, brought me from China to Illinois to reunite with my father. At five-and-a-half, I was in complete awe of the new experience and “meeting” my father for the first time— and equally oblivious to what this change would mean for my future. Exactly thirty years ago to the month, the dichotomy of what was to be the rest of my life began…

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4 Tips to Boost Confidence Through Clothing

Having clean, fresh-smelling clothing can make all the difference in how one feels. I am LOVING the new Ensueño® complete laundry solution (the new Liquid Laundry Detergent, Scent Booster Dryer Sheets, and Fabric Softener) and can tell that my family is preferring this brand, too. Here are my 4 tips for boosting confidence through clothing…

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5 Beautiful Places to take Photos in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. and its surrounding metropolitan areas have so many locations to take amazing photographs. Whether taking them with your phone or via a professional photographer, here are 5 easy-to-find locations in the DC area that I recommend.

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Fun Outdoor Community Space in Arlington, VA: The Summer House

National Landing transformed the park at 101 12th Street, Arlington VA! Now you'll find colorful, summer-themed displays, and Instagrammable work-from-anywhere essentials like WiFi, standing desks, and more for a completely FREE go-to summer destination.

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5 Tips on How to Keep Your Clothes Looking Their Best

I tried out the new Ensueño® complete laundry solution (the new Ensueño Liquid Laundry Detergent, Ensueño Scent Booster Dryer Sheets, and Ensueño Fabric Softener— #sponsored) and am excited to report back that it’s exactly what I had hoped it to be: effective with wondrous aromas. Ensueño makes my comforters, sheets, towels, and clothing smelling clean and immaculate.

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7 Side Gigs to Make Ends Meet While Recovering From Tough Times

We’ve all been through the wringer the past year, but some people have had it tougher than others. If you’ve lost your job, had health issues, had family problems, or any other major stressor on top of our world turning inside out, recovering can be quite challenging — especially if you are also…

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Tips for Young People Who Want to Prepare for a Stable Financial Future

While it may not be the most exciting topic to explore, money management is something every young person needs to learn about. Research shows that the younger generations have a low rate of financial literacy. This can set them up for future financial disasters, such as ruined credit history or insufficient retirement savings. If you're…

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ADT: Safety while on-the-go, not just for your home

Feeling safe when I'm out and about is my #1 concern-- whether I'm alone or with my daughter, husband, and/or BFFs-- SoSecure helps me to feel safer. SoSecure is a mobile app by ADT Security that helps me discreetly contact ADT so they can call 911 for me if I'm feeling unsafe. This app gives me peace of mind as I'm out and about. When you…

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From Passion to a Successful Career

It isn't uncommon for students to dive headfirst into a degree and then move into a related career without giving much thought to other career paths. That is, not until they have worked for a few years and realized that they aren't really suited to or happy with the job. If this feels too familiar…

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3 Classy Ways to Say "Thank You"

Saying thank-you doesn’t have to be “hard”. Here are 3 classic ways, as a reminder, for you to show someone your appreciation. I’ll share some innovative ideas with you also as well but, for now, here are the three classic ways with variations.

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Getting to How You Want To Feel in 2021

I ask my clients/friends/colleagues to plan in small batches first. On a weekly basis, sit down for about 10 minutes, make a list of what your goals are, re-evaluate them each week, think about what makes you feel the way you want to feel (aka “what makes you come alive”)…

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Yes, You Can Start a Business Without Taking a Leap of Faith

The virtues of entrepreneurship are well-known and oft-extolled. For one thing, you enjoy a great deal of flexibility and control over your day-to-day. For another, you can expect to be continually learning as well as exponentially growing as a person and a professional— and, of course, in profit. But even with all these likely perks, it’s not rare for one to approach the idea of entrepreneurship with a great deal of trepidation. After all, you could…

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The Things You Need to Make Your Transition to Remote Work an Easy and Seamless One

Working from home has been a much-touted way of working since technology has made it possible, and its virtues have only increased in this, the age of social distancing. However, if you’re new to remote work, you may find that it’s also rife with challenges. Fear not, though, as there are ways to make this transition easy for you. Here are the things you should focus on.

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How to Be Anti-Racist

I stand in solidarity with the Black community against racism, hate, and injustice— and I know you do, too. You may have even said to yourself, “…but I’m not racist”. It’s not enough to be "not racist” anymore. We need to be actively anti-racist. As Will Smith so perfectly stated, “Racism isn’t getting worse, it’s getting filmed.” It’s 2020, we’re here, and now we (the people) need to do anything we can to be anti-racist…

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Why We Can't Trust One Another to Do The Right Thing During This Pandemic

Here is a Facebook post I wrote a few days ago. The comments both assured me that others feel the way I feel, as well as made me very afraid for the world. My little microcosm of the world around me proved that, for the most part, we don’t have each other’s backs because we are not on the same page…

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