Monthly Archives: June 2020

Postpartum Fashion with Walmart

Dressing a postpartum body is not easy but I’ve found some pieces that look amazing even though my body is changing yet again. I’m still looking for great fabric and the perfect fit and I’ve found it in this black and white animal print dress. I checked out the Scoop section on Walmart’s website and was so happy with the fabric choices, styles and summer fashion. This printed dress was one of my favorites and I’ve put more of my favorites here for you as well. Let me know which ones you fall in love with. 

Sun Protection with Olay Whip SPF 40

This post is sponsored by Olay. Of course, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Trying to make more time for self-care should be a priority but what if we have it wrong at times.  As I get older, more busy with life and a growing family, I’m finally realizing that self care might not always be a long day at the spa day alone. As good as all that sounds, it’s not always feasible. It’s really about how you choose to commit to small things that contribute to your overall well being. I’m realizing that self care can be in the small moments like taking a few extra minutes in a warm shower or using Olay Regenerist Whip moisturizer with SPF 40 sunscreen daily. Using an SPF is one of the ultimate forms of real self-care. 

Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 40 packs a big punch without making your skin feel like its being weighed down with product. The moisturizer is a light formula that goes from a cream to liquid as you apply it.  You can count on fast absorption and a breathable feel. As a woman with a deep skin tone I can tell you that Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 40 does not leave a “gray cast” on your face after you apply it. It  actively hydrates to improve your skin’s elasticity and firms your skin for a lifted look. Olay’s innovative SolaSheer Technology moisturizes and nourishes your skin while protecting it against harmful UVA/UVB rays. It’s non-greasy and 100% oil free. 

So to all of my Color Bees, take the small moments for yourself! They are just as important and the big ones! I can’t wait to see how much you love Olay Regenerist Whip SPF 40

Enjoy! 










Brandy Gueary, maternity photo shoot, color bee

Self Reflection- Black Lives Matter

We know changes need to happen regarding how Black lives are valued in this country. Many people including myself are suggesting that individuals take some time to educate themselves about disparities, their privilege and recognize that it is not enough to just not be racist. We must be actively anti-racist and speak up for Black people in all parts of our daily lives to help correct the systemic barriers that continue to prematurely take Black lives. 

We need to be mindful (being fully present in the moment and aware of what’s going on around you) as we live our lives and follow up mindfulness with self-reflection. Self-reflection is about pausing to take a step back. It can require you to look at yourself from afar in an objective, non-judgmental way to learn about yourself. Focus your attention and energy on what’s happening in your life, in the world around you, choices you make on an ongoing basis, how you’re feeling and how you react in situations. You see, perceive, process, document  and learn from it.

Why you should reflect

Self reflection helps you to establish a starting point. How can you grow and change if you don’t know where you stand. A lot of times we want to establish goals to make change but again, you must know where you are at the moment before goals come into play.

How to get started

Decide how you will approach and practice self-reflection. You can self-reflect in different ways and there’s no perfect way to do so, but it only becomes practice when you do it over and over again. The focus of this reflection is to identify tendencies that you might hold in your mind that can negatively affect how you view and subsequently treat Black people. As an educator, I believe that family (primary care takers) are our first teachers in life. Make no mistake, our families would not have to verbalize racist remarks and actions explicitly to us as a child for us to learn it at home. All children have to do is simply WATCH how you treat Black people. Think facial expressions, body language, etc.

This reflection will be deeply personal for many so I suggest you begin by writing your thoughts in a journal. You can also talk to a mental health professional. I would not suggest you just talk to a “friend” because we humans have a tendency to want to paint ourselves in a more positive light in front of others. Our ego might not allow us to accurately describe our actions and thoughts in a truthful way.

Have a clear goal and use powerful questions to trigger your thinking

Once you have a clear goal (identifying and changing racist behavior in yourself), it’s time to think about questions you can ask yourself. Keep in mind that this exercise is useless if you choose to be dishonest in your responses. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

  • Do I avoid difficult conversations about race?
  • Do I think all people of certain groups are the same?
  • Do I uphold stereotypes about Black people?
  • Do I avoid common situations with Black people? (not getting on elevators with Black people, rushing your children along to avoid conversation/play with Black children, etc.)
  • How have I treated Black people in my younger years?
  • How do I treat black people now?
  • How do I treat people of color? (in general)
  • Am I as kind to Black people as I am to people of other races?
  • Do I make an effort to support black owned businesses? 
  • Am I putting any effort into being anti racist?
  • Do I let the opinion of others in social situations (friends, family, acquaintances) affect how I treat Black people?
  • Was there an opportunity to speak up for a black person that I did not take?
  • How can I contribute more to the Black Lives Matter movement?
  • How did I feel about my honest responses?
  • What did I learn about my biases today?
  • Am I achieving the goals that I’ve set for myself?
  • How have I grown/changed since starting self reflections?
  • Am I living true to myself?

Keep it simple

Start out by adding self reflection to your day in a seamless way. Before dinner, or the last 10 minutes of your lunch time. Spend more time reflecting as you get the hang of it. You have better chances continuing a new habit with manageable steps. 

Do it

What matters is that you do it. Don’t quit! You might find this emotionally overwhelming at first but continue to push on and be consistent.

I hope you find this helpful Color Bees!