Book Review: #LunchboxChronicles Raising A Conscious Black Boy In America

“It’s amazing that while we may be parents, our children help us fully grow up. While I mold him, he molds me right back in return.” Tai Hall

When I was initially contacted about the book #LunchboxChronicles Raising a Conscious Black Boy in America – I was wondering how this could apply to me…I have daughters. Then it hit me – I have nephews, cousins, and friends with sons. How could I not want to be aware of the problems they face in America every day?

First things first, I must admit, like most people a cover will catch my attention this one was no different. I like that what she chooses to include in her son's lunch box. It's real life things that our babies carry with them every day. You have an apple, banana, water, chips, a noose, a gun, and a bloody badge. It’s unfortunate that this is what life has come to but we really aren’t free.

Secondly, Hall gets cool points for hashtags! We are totally Millennial Moms. We live for a good hashtag and how she turned something so simple as her daily struggle with her son forgetting his lunchbox into a life lesson is amazing.

Without giving too much detail because I want you to read the book. I realized one VERY important thing. We are so much alike. The fears she has of raising her son are the same fears I have with raising my girls. You always wonder if you’re doing it right- even when you have no clue yourself. Our children find us imperfectly perfect and that’s the best we could ever ask for.

 I have laughed and cried with this book. Life has been put into perspective for and I love a book that can do it. We all need to read something that makes us want to do and be better.

I highly recommend you check this book out you won't be disappointed. You can find it here! 

Food for thought: Are you raising self aware children? Do they understand that life really isn't fair? What disscussions are you having around your dinner table?

Connect with the Author - Tai Hall

Instagram: @perfectly.tai

 

About the Author

Tai Hall is a multiple business owner and philanthropist Maryland native who dedicates her life to improving the quality of lives of others. Tai became an International Massage Therapist, best selling author, and owner of the largest underground dispensary in the DMV— THC Legacy established in 2017. She is versed on healing the body, holding a Bachelors in Neuromolecular Biomechanics, a Masters in Healthcare, & has traveled the world perfecting her craft. Spending several years as the team therapist at UMD-CO of Maryland in College Park, she had since moved on to open two successful in-office massage studios

Goodbye 1st Trimester

Baby Bump in full effect!  Swimsuit can be found here! 

Photo by: denise benson photography 

Hi Friends,

I’ve been struggling to write this post…not because I didn’t want to but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to say. Not to mention, I’ve been exhausted…my lower back and hips hurt and I’m not even halfway through yet. I had to come to terms with having another baby. (Totally not a part of the plan) I believe my partner and I both knew we just didn’t want to face the truth but reality would quickly slap us in the face.

I remember that weekend like it was yesterday. I went to brush my teeth and started gagging. He immediately popped out of bed and threatened to go to Walmart to get a pregnancy test. I was completely opposed to the idea because I’d been spotting for days, plus I have PCOS so there was no way I could be pregnant.  When I look back on that moment now...I wish I did allow him to go get the test and I wouldn’t have found out alone…

Instead, I went home but something just didn’t seem right about this drive. My spirit would not settle. I felt so uneasy and kept replaying his comments in my head. Mind you…I was 45 days late but in my defense sprinkles of blood appeared. Something told me to go get a test. What was the worst that could happen? Besides it confirming what we already knew but on the bright side if it was negative I would never have to mention it. Life would return to normal.

I sat on the toilet and peed. (TMI) I set the timer on my phone for 3 minutes and waited but I notice something. The test looked funny it changed colors so fast and I instantly placed my head in my hands because those 3 minutes were not up. These were the LONGEST 3 minutes of my life! I was in complete an utter shock. I just knew this test was wrong. Thank goodness I bought 2. The joke was on me, they were both positive. I video chatted him and he was half asleep. Of course, with all of my theatrics, he was awake QUICKLY. Once he came to, I placed the pregnancy test in front of the camera and he gave this weird, devilish smile that he does often when he comes up with some awesome plan. He was excited! We didn’t speak it was that silence where no one knows what to say but it’s perfect. And because I needed words I broke the silence and asked: “so what are we gonna do?” He laughed and responded, “keep it.” I couldn’t speak. I wasn’t upset or anything…it’s just I have never had this experience before. Finding out I was pregnant in the past has always been so traumatic. This time it was normal…I felt normal.

My honey was happy – like extremely happy so how could I not be? We decided to keep this little news to ourselves until we found out a due date and if the pregnancy was viable. The appointment came and my little peanut was there! Hearing the heartbeat brought tears to my eyes. I was in complete disbelief – somehow I thought this was all a dream and when we went for the ultrasound that nothing would be there…

I met my doctor and she was as sweet as pie but brutally honest. I’ve always had a dream of giving birth at home in a pool. She chuckled and said, “ain’t gonna happen.” (I’ve had two previous caesareans and the risk are too high.)

Shirt by Momee & Mini Me Boutique

The first trimester has FLOWN by. I’m 14 weeks into this thing and it’s had its ups and down. Many nights I’ve cried unsure if this is really what I wanted at 27 years old with two school-age children. Then I was reminded that there are so many women with my condition (PCOS) that could only dream of this moment and here I am complaining. Life is short but this will be the last one! (tubes will be tied)

My morning sickness has finally calmed down, our 12-week scan went beautifully and outside of my constant back pain I’m okay. I’m counting it all joy!

Any other moms to be out there? Let me know how you're feeling! 

Cannonborough Collective: Bloggers & Creatives Ice Cream Social

Everyone knows you can catch me in Charleston, SC on any given weekend. It’s my home away from home. So I was stoked to see an invite from Liz and Mimi at the Cannonborough Collective for their Bloggers & Creatives Ice Cream Social. I’ve been dying to get to their shop because have you seen their Instagram photos? This place looks like it stepped out of the pages of a magazine! Plus their balloon wall…you really haven’t lived until you get a picture in front of it.

Not to mention, they had Jeni’s Ice Cream – so yummy and they sell it at Publix now! (woo hooo) I decided to let my oldest tag along so that we could enjoy some mother-daughter time.

What I loved most about this place was it’s the perfect location for creatives. They even host workshops there. (How cool is that?)  It’s your one-stop shop for local gifts and balloons. I picked up some soap from Motherland Essentials. They carry jewelry, pillows, paintings, shirts and more! 

Liz & mimi 

Meet The Founders

Mimi Striplin, a College of Charleston graduate, left life in the haberdashery world behind and founded The Tiny Tassel in the summer of 2015. Designing and creating each tassel by hand with hopes of bringing a little joy to Charleston has led her to offer a full line of handmade jewelry and garments made up of bright colors and classic prints which are available at retailers across the country.

Liz Martin created an online shop, The Charleston Weekender, in 2015 to add a little creativity to her life as a speech therapist.  Her line of products quickly emerged into a lifestyle blog intended to inspire Charlestonians to live every day more like it’s the weekend.  She offers products discovered during her travels, as well as some of her own designs/products that are sold at a number of local retailers.

*Bio from their website. 

And if you’re ever in the Downtown Charleston Area make sure you stop by! They are located at 185 A. St. Philip St. Charleston, SC 29403.

All photos provided by Aneris Photography

Cannonborough Collective: https://cannonboroughcollective.com

Ice Cream: https://jenis.com

You even get a #freebie on your way out!

Back to School: It's ALMOST Time

Moms and Dads,

Psst…school will be starting in a month! Are you ready? Some of us are, we can’t wait while others don’t know where to begin. This is a big year in our household. Kaydence is going to 5th grade and Maddy will start Kindergarten!

Wow, I have a 5 and 10 year old…that’s kinda scary but that’s another story for a different day.

I’m going to start shopping ASAP. I HATE crowds and I am not a last minute mama. Most schools have their school supply list out now so start grabbing items!

Mom Tip: Buy extra just because your children have supplies at school does NOT mean they’re bringing them home. I keep a caddy of school supplies ready to go for homework time. Most schools have community pools so there is no need to label your child’s items because there is no guarantee that they will get “that” pack of crayons you bought.

School shopping can get out of hand quickly! Having more than one child doesn’t make it easy so I stay looking out for a deal. I set a budget, I plan to spend no more than $500 to get my girls ready for school. This includes clothing, shoes, and supplies.

How I plan to do this is shop the sales!!! School supplies are out now! Walmart, Target, and Staples all have started stocking their shelves with supplies.

I like going to the outlets to maximize my money. Last year I was able to score the girls 6 pairs of shoes for under $100! (Winning!!!)

via GIPHY

How do you prepare for back to school shopping?

Some of my favorite items to stock up on are crayons, markers, printer paper, glue, and if I find a great deal I’ll grab some extra ink too. My oldest uses the computer about as much as I do, so I like to make sure that she’s ready to print when needed.

Target has Crayola products on sale: spend $25 get a $5 gift card until July 21, 2018.