blogging – Thee Heart of The Matter

Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Innovator

Posted on August 4, 2020August 4, 2020 by Bree in Spotlight Tuesdays

in·no·va·tor

noun

a person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products.

Deja is a burst of energy and sunshine! We met back in high school during our drama club days and she was always positive and such a joy to be around. We have been laughing together ever since. An advocate, activist, creative, game changer, and beautiful Black Queen. With every cloth diaper she sews, she makes it with love and her customers in mind. She uplifts those around her and is #FUBU to the max, spreading awareness on the beauty that is Black culture. She proudly uses her platform to discuss topics of social justice and promoting eco-friendly baby products. I am truly inspired by her and her business she runs. She’s not only building a legacy, but creating generational wealth for her family too.

Here’s her story:

Tell me a little bit about yourself? How did you meet Bree?

Hey ! I’m Deja, 29 years old, sage burning, fist raising, mother of one little Sunshine Jaylen. I met Bree in high school. She was super sweet with a big smile and I knew we would become friends. We spent 3 years singing, acting, and laughing together at Junipero Serra High School.

What inspired you to start your business? How long has it been up and running?

When I had my son Jaylen at 19 he had really sensitive skin. He experienced frequent baby acne breakouts and really bothersome diaper rashes from disposable diapers. He had one really bad chemical rash and I decided to try out cloth diapers as an alternative. After one full day in cloth diapers, I decided to make the switch. Soon after, I began to make his cloth diapers and received requests to make diapers for other babies. Once I started fulfilling orders, I never stopped sewing.

It turned into a passion, it led to viral posts, and a cloth diaper that disrupted the natural parenting world and brought about change. 9 years later, I am still sewing and using creative activism to promote change in the cloth diapering community.

What is the main focus of your business?

The main focus of my business is Black Centered Designs and Eco Friendly baby products. I combine the two and raise money for organizations that benefit black people while supporting myself and my son.

Continue reading “Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Innovator” →

Pause, Reflect, Create

Posted on July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 by Bree in HOTM, Latest

pause

/pôz/

verb

1. interrupt action or speech briefly.

noun

1. a temporary stop in action or speech.

When’s the last time you truly sat with yourself and took a deep breath in?

When you allowed your natural body clock to awaken you without the aid of an alarm.

When you rolled out of bed and took time for your morning skincare routine, to prepare breakfast, and drink your favorite cup of tea.

Living in the unprecedented times of COVID-19, I’ve gotten the chance to sit with myself and embrace my season of stillness.

For a while I was frustrated because I felt stuck creatively. I saw other bloggers and content creators I admired that “took advantage” of working from home and seized the moment of producing consistent content for their audience. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough to consistently engage with those who follow and read my blog. Writers block is real and I didn’t want to force myself to create for the sake of having ample time and opportunity to do so.

So, I PAUSED.

I shared my frustrations with my cousin who is my writing partner and kindred spirit. She shared that she too, hadn’t felt inspired to create during these times and reassured me that the inspiration will slap me in the face when it’s time lol.

It’s important to PAUSE and REFLECT often especially during a season of stillness.

Here are my 5 Reasons Why You Should Take A Break!

Continue reading “Pause, Reflect, Create” →

Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Encourager

Posted on May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 by Bree in Spotlight Tuesdays

Wyvetta

en·cour·age

/inˈkərij/

verb

give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)

Michelle is such a sweet spirit! From the moment I met her, I knew she was destined for greatness. She always manages to uplift my spirits with her encouraging words of wisdom on her blog. From always keeping it real, spreading love and light, to reminding us of God’s goodness and grace, she is definitely doing work for the Kingdom!

Here’s her story:

Tell me a little bit about yourself? How did you meet Bree?

I’m a young married woman with a sweet baby girl on the way! I have worked in the physical therapy world for about four years now, but ministry and people are my heart. I met Bree at Cal State Dominguez Hills. She was a mentor of mine and I always knew that she had something everyone else didn’t. Come to find, it was the light of Jesus!

What inspired you to start your blog? How long has it been up and running?

What inspired me to start my blog at @allthingsrealtalk was the need to have a safe community where women could find solutions to real life issues. So many times we try to cover things up in our walk of faith and feel embarrassed to be vulnerable about our struggles. I wanted to embrace these issues and provide a source of strength through Gods Word. My page has been up and running for about two years now.

Continue reading “Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Encourager” →

Unplug: Why You Need A Social Media Break

Posted on March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 by Bree in HOTM, TwentySomethin`Struggles

The Lent season has officially begun, and for most of us, we’re scrambling to figure out what to give up or sacrifice this year.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Lent, Lent is a biblical observance in the Christian world. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

During Lent my mom and I typically give up sweets. Most specifically desserts, cookies, cakes, pies, etc. This year I challenged myself to give up not only sweets, but also bread, juice, French fries, and meat. All are my ultimate weakness! I also tossed around the idea of giving up Social Media but concluded that it wouldn’t be beneficial to leave when I’m trying to build my brand with consistent engagement. Instead, I plan to limit my time (Shout out to Apple for creating the Screen Time feature) and stick to ONLY posting for my blog.

Let’s be real: Social media has taken the world by storm!

It’s our source for everything! It’s where we communicate with our friends, we learn about the news and what’s going on in the world, we get sucked into buying products and merchandise from influencers, and of course we get the tea on the latest celebrity gossip. It’s our new normal, a way of life so to speak.

On the other hand, social media can become addicting, yielding negative results directly impacting the idea of happiness, and create low sense of self-worth, if you let it! Continue reading “Unplug: Why You Need A Social Media Break” →

Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Influencer

Posted on March 3, 2020March 3, 2020 by Bree in HOTM, Spotlight Tuesdays

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influencer

/ˈinflo͝oənsər/

Noun

one who exerts influence: a person who inspires or guides the actions of others

Chanel is your one-stop shop for all things beauty! From her flawless skin, to makeup tutorials and beauty hacks, sis knows what she’s doing and is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Here’s her story:

Tell me a little bit about yourself? How did you meet Bree?

I have a Masters of Social Work degree and I currently work as a clinical therapist in mental health. I am an R&B and makeup lover. I’m a Pisces, so I’m a very sweet and kindhearted person. People describe me as an introvert with extrovert qualities. I met Bree in college at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and we started to talk more through our mutual friend, Teresa.

What inspired you to start your blog? How long has it been up and running?

I have been watching makeup tutorials on Instagram and YouTube for years and I always so intrigued. Although I liked makeup, I never had the courage to actually post content onto social media, in fear of not being good enough. After talking with many friends and getting the encouragement to finally do so, I posted my first makeup picture on Instagram on August 17, 2018. I learned that I should pride in my work and if only one person liked my content, I would feel accomplished. I posted my first video on Instagram on September 9, 2018 and the love I received was unimaginable. I have been creating content since then and have worked with many makeup and skincare brands.

Continue reading “Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Influencer” →

For Us, By Us: 6 Black Owned Small Businesses To Support This Month

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020 by Bree in HOTM

Happy Blackity Black, Black History Month y’all!

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Since we live in a country that thrives on capitalism, what better way to spend our coin then by supporting those who look like us. Often times, due to pricing or lack of exposure, Black Owned businesses (especially Small BO businesses) often get overlooked. Well, I’m here to tell you that this stops now! As we prepare to wrap up BHM, I wanted to share some small businesses worth looking into.

Continue reading “For Us, By Us: 6 Black Owned Small Businesses To Support This Month” →

Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Messenger

Posted on February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by Bree in Spotlight Tuesdays

mes·sen·ger

/ˈmes(ə)njər/

noun

a person who carries a message or is employed to carry messages.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ; 20. So we are messengers for Christ. God is using us to call people. So we are standing here for Christ and begging people, ‘Come back to God!”

My Godsis, TuNai is about kingdom business! She’s not only a source of inspiration for me, but she is a prayer closet advocate and Christian Blogger. She is a powerhouse in her own right and is all about Faith, Inspiration, and Transformation. Here’s her story: Continue reading “Spotlight Tuesdays Presents: The Messenger” →

5 Benefits of Journaling

Posted on February 3, 2020February 9, 2020 by Bree in Latest

Who remembers when they kept a diary?

It was most likely pink or blue donned with a cute design, stickers, and gel pens were used for added effect.

Dear Diary, was the classic opener.

A book filled with love letters to the cute boy in class, days when you’re mad because your Mom said you couldn’t go outside to play with your friends, or even better, you wrote a full fledge three pages venting about the argument you had with your bestie on the playground.

Little did you know, your diary would quickly become your refuge, a place to escape.

Living in this digital age, most would say that journaling is outdated, gender specific (for girls/women only, most specifically tweens), and just all around a waste of time.

I’m here to dispel the myth and tell you that:

Journaling is for any and everyone who enjoys writing.
Journaling is for self-expression.
Journaling or “expressive writing” is therapeutic and is one of the most beneficial kinds of writing.
Continue reading “5 Benefits of Journaling” →

8 Creative Women You Need To Follow

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 by Bree in HOTM

In Honor of Black HERstory month, I’m highlighting the women in my life who inspire me daily, who keep me on my toes, who pray for me, and ultimately are on the quest to make an impact in this world.

Jacquelyn of Genuinely Jacq

She’s a PR Maven on the rise that keeps it real at all times! She creates amazing and organic content while looking classy and stylish too. What I love most about her content is that she is genuine through and through. She caters to the “Good Girl” in us all, as she debunks the stigma of Good Girl/Good Woman portrayed in media and every day life. She reminds you that it’s okay to strut to the beat of your own drum!

Rosie of @Roseavore

She’s the ultimate Boss Babe. She wears many hats, from writing poetry, to painting beautiful portraits, to community activism, to modeling, to her healing hands in massage therapy – Rosie effortlessly executes whatever she puts her mind to. What I love most about her content is that it’s edgy, screams the message of body positivity, and is informative. As she spearheads her nonprofit, the Compton Artist Alliance, she urges you to tap into your creative and intellectual genius. Continue reading “8 Creative Women You Need To Follow” →

Trusting The Journey

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 by Bree in HOTM

Have you ever had a burning desire in your heart? No matter how hard you tried to ignore it, the gut wrenching feeling wouldn’t leave.

I believe we all have.

I’ve been writing ever since I could remember. From writing daily in my journal at the tender age of 8, to writing short stories, haikus, and poems in middle school, to creating even more elaborate stories that would circulate through classrooms in high school and eventually landed on fan fiction websites, to journaling in high school and beyond, to keeping numerous blogs in my early 20s – writing is my solace. It’s the easiest way for me to communicate my feelings, when I can’t utter the words aloud. It’s my creative outlet.

This blogging journey hasn’t been easy to say the least. I was doing extremely well with being consistent during my recovery from my fifth and final open-heart surgery. It was the spring of 2015 when I launched my blog Thee Heart of The Matter. Back then I didn’t feel the exact pressures that I feel now. Though I was aware of having an audience, gaining followers, and maintaining engagement with my audience … it wasn’t my main concern. Continue reading “Trusting The Journey” →