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One Down and Miles to Go Before I Sleep

January 16, 2016

I survived my last first week of classes! It feels like a big accomplishment. The first week back after a long break is always a little rough for me. I have to get used to having a strict routine again. My calendar has already filled up with assignment deadlines, research meetings, TA duties, and writing sessions.

As overwhelming as this can be, it’s also a bit refreshing. A new semester brings new subjects, new research ideas, new people, and new experiences. There’s this anxious, frenzied energy in the air. People scurry around campus trying to find classes in buildings they’ve never been to before (me on Tuesday). They crack a smile as they run into a friend that they haven’t seen since before break, and try to decide whether they’re going to stay in that stats class that meets on Monday morning at 8. It’s kind of electric.

Fall Fashion Fall Fashion

One thing I’m sure of is this semester will not lack in excitement. It’s only been a few days and I’m already involved in a project to help communicate success stories about meeting healthy food guidelines in federal worksites (right up my alley:).Fall Fashion Fall Fashion

Faux Leather Jacket: JcPenney, Blue & Gray Sweater Top: JcPenney, White Top Underneath: The Limited, Jeans: Target, Shoes: Forever 21, Chain Necklace: Express, Gold Bangle: Old Navy

Besides the excitement brought on by this new semester, there is definitely some anxiety. By May I’ll have to make some big decisions (e.g. settle on my dissertation topic, form my committee, and begin seriously thinking about post-graduation career plans). So let’s just say I’m not in a rush for the semester to end. This weekend I plan to take it easy by doing some light reading and heavy resting. Technically, the honeymoon is already over. My professors have wasted no time in assigning plenty of readings and assignments. I’m going to extend it for a few more days though because once Tuesday comes, it’s a race to the finish.
TGIF!
xo
Chi

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Style

Unfolding the Vision

January 6, 2016

Happy New Year Guys! I hope the first few days of 2016 have been treating you well. So far I’ve spent the new year thinking about that one question we all dread, but seem to get asked more often as we get older – “Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?” It’s crazy how such a deceptively innocent question is so challenging to answer. Part of the reason is because there are so many different directions you can go with it. And to be completely truthful, how you answer depends on who’s asking. I can guarantee your mother isn’t looking for the same answer as a potential employer. I’ve decided that this will be the year that I spend more time developing that five to 10 year vision for myself. This includes everything from the personal to professional. It’s important for me to know exactly what I want out of life, so that I can be intentional in the choices that I make because,

How do you know you’re lost, if you don’t know where you’re going? 
 
ASOS Plaid Coat

There are many things that I don’t have figured out. I mean it’s only day five of the new year, but there are many things that I do know that I want. I’d like to build this blog into a brand and a community where I can connect with people who share my passion for health, style, and beauty. I plan to be a homeowner. I will have started my own consulting firm. I also plan to meet and work with Michelle Obama.

Don’t ask me how – I walk by faith.

I just admire what she does, who she is, and what she represents to the world. She’s a strong, intelligent, charming, and poised black woman, who’s a champion for healthy living. What’s not to love about her. Funny thing is, last August when I gave a presentation at a health communication conference in Atlanta, a young lady who worked for Let’s Move Childcare approached me and asked to feature our program on their website. In my mind, that meant that there was a chance that Michelle Obama read words I wrote! That was all the proof I needed that our paths will cross in due time:)

ASOS Plaid Coat

So that’s part of the vision. The rest is still under construction. Fortunately, I don’t have to have it all figured out to start making intentional choices like saving a set percent of my income, networking, and developing a schedule to put out quality blog posts consistently.

ASOS Plaid Coat

May prosperity, health, and joy be yours for the taking in 2016!

Love & blessings,
xo Chi

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Style

MISSING: My Summer Break!

August 2, 2015

MISSING ALERT:
I’m writing to report my stolen summer break. When I went to sleep in May it was here, but when I woke up this morning it was gone. I’m truly devastated. I had such high hopes for it and now it’s vanished. [*In my Robert Stack voice*] If you have any information about my summer or its last known whereabouts, please contact me at…

All kidding aside (not really!), this has got to be the shortest summer ever. I feel like some one pressed fast forward and it was moving at 4X the normal speed. How is it August already?! I’m still scratching my head on this one.

A part from the sadness there is genuine excitement about the new school year. I’ll be taking some nutrition research courses in the school of public health, a survey methods course, and a course on media law, all of which are going to be incredibly useful when I start my dissertation research.

One exciting development from this summer is figuring out my post graduate career plans. I always knew that I wanted to work in a creative space on several types of health communication projects. Beyond that the picture was hazy. Well it’s becoming much clearer now. A lot of reflection (plus late night planning sessions with my wise big sis:) have helped me realize the unique space that I can occupy in my field. It’s nice being able to go in my second year with this type of direction, and I’m immensely grateful to God for more clarity. I’ll continue to flesh out my ideas and goals, and at some point (don’t know exactly when) I’ll be ready to share them with you.

For the time being, I’ll try to enjoy these last couple of weeks before the semester starts by spending time with family and friends (in style, but of course!) Check out some pics below:

Chambray Top: Topshop, Tweed Shorts: Zara, Leopard Print Loafers: Madewell, Clutch: TJ Maxx, Shades: Forever 21

Here’s to a wonderful week!

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Food Style Travel

School’s Out!

June 25, 2015

And just like that a year goes by. I officially finished my first year on May 1st and it was crazy and intense, but wonderful. This past semester really kicked things in to overdrive with harder classes, more research, and new TA duties, but I held my own and for that I’m proud.

MIA
Fast forward to May 7th and my sister and I were in Miami for a birthday celebration. We were concerned that the weather was going to be crappy due to the forecast but it was perfect (minus the humidity).
We celebrated by going on a private yacht cruise around Biscayne Bay where we got to see multimillion dollar homes. Talk about life goals?!

This house is $20 million. Yeah.

Ended the trip on a sweet note by having a churro milkshake with churro bites for dessert on our last night. Too much excitement to contain. If you ever go to STK, you’ve got to try it.

ATL
A couple weeks later I headed to Atlanta to meet up with some friends for Memorial Day weekend. I ended up driving (not a bright idea) but you live and you learn. You’d think the highlight of my trip would be seeing my friends (which was definitely up there), but it was actually the churro pancakes I had at a restaurant called Radial Cafe.
I’m not sure if I’ve declared it here but I have a severe churro obsession. It’s actually tied with my red velvet obsession which is saying a lot. If the two of them ever got together, I’d be beside myself. Anyway the pancakes were ridiculous. Some of the best I’ve ever had. They were cooked perfectly with a nice crisp on the edges but the insides were still nice and fluffy. I think about them often.

Treated myself to some sparkle:)
After breakfast before getting on the road in Old Fourth Ward.

It’s been back to business since beginning of June (mostly). I’ve been working on turning term papers into manuscripts and doing research. I’ve also had churro ice cream (!!!), met up with some classmates for lunch, and have been plotting a trip to an amusement park (it’s been way too long). I have to remind myself to really enjoy this downtime so I can enter my second year refreshed. I’ve also been working to finish decorating my apartment. I know I’ve been here for close to a year, but I wanted to take my time to find pieces that I truly love. Once I do, I’ll share pictures.

That’s about it! Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer.

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Style

Work Wear Inspiration

August 7, 2014

For the final week of my fellowship I wanted to kick my work looks up a notch. Check them out below and let me know which one’s your fave!

Blazer and Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Modcloth, Shoes: Aldo, Necklace: Target
Top: JcPenney, Trousers & Bracelet: J Crew, Shoes: Aldo, Necklace: Versona
Top: Ralph Lauren (thrifted), Skirt: Madewell, Shoes: Aldo

While one fellowship has officially ended, another has begun. I’ll be sure to post my outfits and style inspiration as a PhD student for going to class, attending research meetings, or when meeting with advisors.

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Food Style

Peace Out Atlanta

July 28, 2014

I went to dinner last night with some friends at a restaurant called Terra Terroir. I had such a great time. You should check them out if you’re in the Atlanta area. In case you’re interested the cami and the shoes are from Forever 21 and the skirt is from Asos:)

You may have noticed it from some of my previous posts, but I’ll be leaving Atlanta soon. Yes, I know I just got here! Things have been a little hectic these past six months but I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve received. I had flirted with the idea of doing a PhD program for a while but I wasn’t sure exactly which programs to apply to (public health or communication) or where I wanted to go. As it turns out, not landing a full time position right after graduation was a huge blessing. It gave me time to think about exactly what should come next. When I finally applied to programs, I tried not to have any expectations about the outcomes. I could not have imagined, however, that things would turn out as incredibly as they did. It just provided extra confirmation that I was staying the course.

As a bit of an aside, I want to stress the importance of taking a chance on yourself. Personally, I have to be willing to try things even if I think my efforts will be unsuccessful. This isn’t because I’m supremely confident that things will work out, it’s because I don’t want to be tormented by the unknown. I have to be willing to see things through even if the odds are stacked against me, which they certainly were. These programs say no far more than they say yes. From the very beginning I prepared myself for the reality of a “no,” but I still forged ahead.  I felt like I would be cheating myself if I did not at least try. No risk, no reward.

Here’s to a fabulous week!

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