Sunday, September 29, 2019

5 Things You Need To STOP Today! I AM!


Happy Sunday dolls! I can't remember the last time I posted on a Sunday but here we are, just going with it. I promise I'll get to the good beauty and fashion content soon, for now I feel like chatting. So if you follow me on Instagram you know I took a ME day yesterday. A day where I spend the day doing some self-care inside and outside. Never forget to do the hard inner work while getting the exterior together as well. During that time the following 5 things kept coming up and I've decided I'm giving them up today, NOW, right NOW!



What I'm Wearing:
Jeans: Levi's
Pearl Headband: Amazon


1. Negative Self-Talk
I talked about this in my last post HERE and has been something I'm constantly working on. I think it's easier said than done because we tend to be our own worst critics. Being positive and speaking life into YOU is essential to your happiness. Period. The world is harsh enough without us adding to it. One question I would ask myself is would you tell your closest friend the things you tell yourself. The answer is always an unequivocal NO. I can be a pretty blunt person but I'm not cruel, never cruel. The things I have said to myself have be just downright cruel at times. That iiish stops NOW!

2. Trying To Be Understood by Those Who Are Committed to Misunderstanding You
Are you friends with people that make you think twice about your own character? I don't mean in a constructive, honest, make you better, real but loving way either. I mean in a way that they try to make you out to be a bad person or feel shit about yourself for no reason kind of way. I am the QUEEN of purges ya'll, I will un-cousin, un-friend, un-boyfriend, un-family you real quick! For this reason I don't have many people in my circle that fall into this category, but because I'm so sensitive with energies I'm quick to notice it. Listen, get rid of people you find having to explain your inner character to constantly. That person doesn't understand nor truly wants to understand you. I am human and have moments but if you base a MOMENT I shared with you on my entire character and you've know me for years, then that is YOUR misunderstanding of me as a person and NOT my problem. Just because you do one bad thing doesn't make you a bad person and middle finger to anyone that tries to tell you you are! F them Sis, you know your heart that's all that matters. STOP explaining yourself, PERIOD. 


3. Putting Any Ole Thing in my Body
Ya'll, this one is hard. My diet these days is one of the HARDEST things for me to get ahold of. I mean I eat ALL the things, everything I know I shouldn't but do it anyway. This is something that will simply need to be mind over matter and a true test of discipline but I can do it. My issue is my addiction to sugar (Coca-Cola) and fast food. I mean the stuff doesn't even taste good (except Chick-fil-A, Chick-fil-A is bae!) but for some reason I continue to eat the stuff. I have a beautiful kitchen and all the tools, cookbooks and food so there is no excuse. So what's the plan? Good question…it's simple. Start small and meal prep Mon-Fri and allow the bad stuff on the weekends. I don't want to be too strict and then get into a cycle of beating myself up when I'm not perfect. Nope. Start small, have grace with myself but be prepared. Most of my bad eating habit come from not being prepared with things easily available at home. Because everything needs to be chopped or defrosted I take the quick and cheap route instead. No bueno, do better Naja. I would love to be in a place where I eat mostly organic and eat at home 90% of the time. I'm actually a pretty good cook and don't mind it so I would ideally do that more. My goals are to try new recipes, eat whole foods, actually enjoy vegetables and NEVER pick up a Coca-Cola again. (Seriously, that stuff is the DEVIL!)


4. Going Out the House Looking Crazy
So we touched on this is THIS post about not having anything to wear. Here's the thing, that's a bold faced lie that ALL women tell ourselves when we have nothing we WANT to wear AT THAT TIME. Closet full of clothes with nothing to wear. Uh hun, sure Sis. Listen, this point isn't even about that. If I'm honest I just fell into a depression and didn't give a F*CK! I simply didn't care that the sweatpants I threw on to run to the store had a hole and 3 stains on them. Or that I haven't put on a stitch of makeup or plucked a single brow in a month at least. Mind you I work from home so this is not uncommon for me. This stops now. Even though I don't work in an office or have anywhere "special" to go I still have to show up for MYSELF everyday! If you wouldn't present this person to your worst enemy or to your boss on Monday morning why present it to yourself on a daily? My goal is to get dressed as if I'm going into the office daily. Dress Code: Elevated casual. I will keep you guys posted on this in future posts. I think it will be fun to do a weekly roundup of my outfits. Not only to keep myself accountable to this goal but as a fashion diary to look back on. I remember when Cupcakes and Cashmere started doing this YEARS ago and I really enjoyed it.


5. Saying NO to Everything That Doesn’t Reside in my SAFE Place.
I rarely say YES to things outside of my comfort zone. Like hardly ever. I realized this is the case in most things as of late. I think this is perfectly acceptable in things you know doesn't align with your vibe, goals, lifestyle etc. But then there are times when you have to step outside your normal and safe comfort zone in order to grow. I once had a guy stop me at a red light (we were both driving) to ask me for my number. He went on to explain that he had just seen me at the local store but he was just leaving the gym and felt unsuitable to approach me. He promised he wasn’t following me and instead took us both being beside each other at this red light as his second chance to ask me out. He politely asked for my number and if he could take me out sometime throwing in the fact that he looks totally different outside of gym clothes. Y’all the light turned green and I panicked. I politely said thank you for the kind gesture but I wasn’t interested and drove off. Doh! 🤦🏾‍♀️ So let me tell you why I regret that moment. I truly believe in what’s meant to be will be and all that Jazz however (comma), -Yes, The comma after however is said out loud. I said NO to that man not because I didn’t want to say YES or I was uninterested. I regret that because the situation and scenario in which he asked me was not one I had experience with or thought to be “ideal”. I’m annoyed at myself because I didn't step outside of my comfort zone and say yes to the awkward proposal. It was not a bad gesture, he didn't hit me with that YO, MA  LET ME HOLLA ATCHU line, he was nice, respectful, complimentary and honest but I had this differently idea of how he "should" have asked me out and said no. In hind sight that was stupid and not even that deep, who knows what that could have led to. I'm ashamed to say I have many stories like that.


So there you have it, 5 things I'm giving up right NOW! What are some things you need to give up? No better time like today to start living how you know you should. 
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Monday, September 23, 2019

Style Update: Am I even a Fashion Blogger anymore?!

So you call yourself a fashion blogger? Then what happened to the fashion posts? Why you don’t take pictures anymore?? 🤔

Ya'll listen, these are the questions I have been asking myself for some time now.  This internal dialogue has been on repeat for me for years honestly. I deemed September my #SelfCareSeptember and sat myself down to answer those ongoing questions. I needed to answer them so I can move forward. The insane part is I've been stuck in the same cycle for far too long. 

So when I truly sat down to ask myself those questions. The answers were simple, I don't take and post fashion pictures anymore because I don't have anything to wear. I don't have anything to wear because I haven't bought anything I feel comfortable in besides sweatpants in ages. I haven't bought anything besides sweatpants because I'm unhappy with my body. BOOM, there it is!! You are unhappy with your weight so you don't shop or put the effort into your appearance the way you used to. This size (she a 16 ya'll) has me feeling like I don't look right in certain clothes. Or shall I say clothes I USED to wear. A new body will require new clothes and perhaps a new style. Certainly a new appreciation for your shape, Naja. 

Then I took this one-on-one conversation a bit further and asked myself how can we work past this and fix it? Then myself said to myself clear as day….."Love me through it and be patient". BOOM, there it is again!! Listen, the easy answer would have been to say "Lose weight" but the truth is I've tried it and then failed and then felt worst and beat myself up even more. At the end of the day ya'll, Naja is tired of fighting with NAJA! It's a battle that will only be won with kindness and patience. Period. So then I said to me was, "What you have the power to do in this moment is CHOOSE to love yourself at any size. You can CHOOSE to work out or NOT workout but either way you need to love yourself the same." 🤯 Now don't get me wrong, I won't take all the credit. People have been telling me this FOREVER, my mom included. But it really doesn't matter coming from anyone but ME. The message hit different when it's from you to you boo. 

So I went out and did this thing. Actually I opened my laptop and did this thing, me and dressing room mirrors don't get along! 😠 I went shopping, I bought clothes that I thought were cute and were in MY size. Say whaaaattt! I know, I know. #groundbreaking Even better, I actually liked them, felt cute and best of all felt confident. Fashion was back to putting a smile on my face like it used to and I couldn't be happier. I will say that it requires a LOT more patience and looking to find what I like but retailers like Rainbow, Ashley Stewart and Eloquii make it easier to find. I'll do another post on my favorite Plus Size retailers because Rainbow had me shook, but for now just know that she's getting the hang of this thing.

So back to my original question. Are you still a Fashion Blogger?? The answer in short is yes and no. My interest have grown far beyond fashion over here on my little space on the internet and I plan on sharing them all. My first love is still Fashion but Beauty and Home Décor is a close second. I also want to share more lifestyle things as well. This could be everything from what I'm loving at Trader Joe's at the moment, my love for photography and even my mental health or wellness journey. So more lifestyle topics are on the way and technically you can say I'm a Lifestyle Blogger.

In the meantime, to ya'll reading this, please be nice to yourself, seriously. You don't deserve half the crap you routinely give yourself. Be KIND to YOU because she is listening to what you tell her. Have a great and amazing week!

What I'm Wearing:
Blouse: Ashley Stewart in size XL, similar HERE
Jeans: Levi's wedgie fit in size 16
Heels: Rebecca Minkoff Mules, HERE
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Thursday, September 19, 2019

Fall Home Tour 2019 #DiamondDomaine

Hey guys, it's me, the blogger formally known as Naja Diamond. Lol let me stop, no but seriously it's been a while but I'm here to show you a glimpse into my home, #DiamondDomaine. Decorating my home is one of my favorite things to do. My home is my happy place and safe haven and somewhere I spend waaaay too much time in. lol, no seriously someone come get me out this house! I've gotten the itch to just CHANGE IT ALL recently. Like, I want new furniture, rip up carpets, paint walls…..ALL OF THE THINGS! But for now I just decided to add pumpkins, lotssss of pumpkins. LOL, enjoy and stay tuned the next year for all the new changes coming to Diamond Domaine. 

So this year, I have been seeing velvet pumpkins everywhere. And honestly I love the luxx elevated look of them. In the past I've went the Halloween-y décor route but this year I wanted something more simple and classic and less cartoon-y. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Halloween but lately I'm really looking to invest in more timeless, elevated décor. So I set out on the hunt for these gorgeous velvet pumpkins, I was determined yall. I found some at The Christmas Tree store, Target dollar spot and Michael's. Not gonna lie, I want more….like a lot more but this is what my home looks like so far. I will leave links where you can find similar items and I would love to know what some of your fav home décor trends are at the moment?
I purchased this fillable vase for my entryway some time ago and I honestly had no true intention to fill it until this season. I found these mini pumpkins at Michael's and I knew just what to do with them. 
Ya'll I have fallen for the festive scented cleaning supplies! 😩😩 WHO AM I! Hate to admit it but this stuff is BOMB, like real bomb. Mrs. Meyer's Apple Cider scented lines is yummy. It actually works with less harsh chemicals and it smells like Fall in a bottle. 
For my dining area I tried something new with these Marimekko Anniversary edition placemats. Picked these up from Target recently and I couldn't be more smitten. The problem is outside of this time of year they truly don't go with anything else in my house. Lol, anyone else lack complete self control for pretty thangs. I'm still shuffling this setup around hence the mixed matched plates but I like how it's coming along so far.


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