Sweatshirts and Pearls

I did it again. Unintentionally, subconsciously comparing myself, my lifestyle, my parenting style to the masses. It's ugly, that scorecard you keep. So why do you have it? How does she get her kid to sit still longer than 10 min without screentime? How did she get her makeup to so flawless? Man, I want to do that. I wish I could be as carefree as he is. How did she get her core strength back post baby? And on and on and on. The comparisons are plenty when life gets difficult. We may think that we are alone or the only ones to have suffered in this way. Truth is, you are not alone. We have all been there. Fact of the matter is, you are where you need to be in this very moment. The trials you endure are building character allowing you to blossom in your strength. Giving you the understanding that He has guided your steps and this is a lesson for this season. This lesson will carry you to and through the next chapter of life. You will be able to share wisdom with your babies abo...

(Dec 2018) 2018 is almost over...what a year?! As I sit here eating my homemade white chocolate covered pretzels, I am reflecting on the Year of Yes and how much my life has changed in 2018. If my Year of Yes has taught me anything, it's that even when the yes is for my good it may still suck to have to say it out loud. I have experienced great joys, great sadness, and contentment this year.  2018 is not ending the way I had expected which is a major plot twist but nevertheless, I prevail in tact, Faith on lock. (Y'all know I still try to plan life and God does what He wants. LOL ) Focusing on the 2018 highs. The Caffeinated Mamas Support Group launched. I set a goal and reached it. Have already started working on a few events for the Caffeinated Mamas' 2019 calendar and can't wait to share and fellowship. Some major collabs happening so be sure to follow us on FB and IG. (@thecaffeinatedmama_) Babybeez celebrated his 2nd Birthday. The #TerrificTw...

Unlike years past, there was nothing planned for my birthday. Literally, I said I will see how I feel in reference to making plans on the Saturday before #CiDay. Who are you? And where is Ciera? You know the one who plans like her life depends on it. She is still around just taking a much needed bird's eye view.  You see this last year has been something special. Running into to thirty full-throttle did something for her well-being. It was exactly the kind of year she wanted. A YEAR OF YES. Last year's mantra was about living with intention, living out loud. It was a drastic change from the normal organize/prepare, plan, contingency plan, and execute.... On one hand, I hired a travel agent, planned and had a contingency for traveling to the Bahamas, and then on the other I literally hopped in a car and rode to Canada just because; and it was a blast. I've had champagne and I danced on the table in my dreams, why not in-real-life? I have never been at that level of spont...

The choices you make ultimately lead to certain moments. It’s the compounding effect for sure. The journey of #ThirtyAndThriving just continues to make me uncomfortable, in a good way. I've said before, and I will say again, you have to go through to grow you. From reading new books that are expanding my thought process to enhancing my circle of influence, I am changing for the better. Life is good. #Babybeez will be two on Saturday and is an active, fearless, happy toddler, with an old soul. I STILL look at him in disbelief at how much he has grown. He has his own personality and an infectious laugh. I absolutely love the way he asks “What are you doing?” It’s so cuuuute! LOL He is still doing smoothie dances and loves reading any and everything. Favorite numbers are currently 2 and 9, letters, 'a,' 'o,' 'y,' and 'b'. His favorite foods are apples, bananas, fruit snacks, crackers, and pasta.  He loves Peppa Pig, Bubble Guppies, Hey Du...

​ I vividly recall on my 27th birthday being super excited about life because I was crushing goals-- Masters in hand and a fulfilling career. Bursting at the seams with joy.  Have you ever been that excited?  This past year, leading up to CiDay30 and even more so the last few months has been full of self-re-discovery-- I am living my hashtag #ThirtyAndThriving.   A few months ago I was in self-evaluation mode and decided that it was time for a few alterations.  I am feeling like I'm 27 again making motivated moves, bursting with excitement for the goals I have set, for the milestones reached, and for the legacy I will leave. Which brings me to this, the word Yes can change your life.   My "Year of Yes" began in Nassau, and to quote my friend Shonda Rhimes [yea, my friend, after reading her book I feel like I know her.],        "Saying yes should feel like the sun".  {Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand ...

The first couple of months of #ThirtyandThriving are off to a great start. I am forever grateful for the middle places, the uncomfortable phases you go through to grow through. You know what I'm talking about. Been there, done that, NEXT! I always say November is the month of transition; and here I am, transitioning to the next thing. What is the next thing? ​ Let's start with reading shall we? Earlier this year, my friend asked what books she should read. Her Masters completed, it's time to read for pleasure and not for class. My fellow coffee writer/creative came through in the clutch and suggested a few good reads. One book in particular, "Year of Yes" x Shonda Rhimes caught my attention. The friend that asked about the books jumped on it. She ordered her copy the following week and ordered me one too. Real girlfriends don't let their friends read or write alone. Quote me on that.   However, th...