7 Things Sunday- New light- 9.8.24
Hey ya'll Happy Sunday.
I hope your week as been full of getting stuff done, taking care of yourself, and the people in your village. A fire has been lit under me and I am going to get after it! I was watching Camille Viviana IG and I decided I am going to get In the South in gear. I'm not going to wait until " Monday' ( the new year) to push all my ideas out. So as a challenge to myself I said I am going to do at least 1 thing per day for the month of Sept to further it. Do you know what? I started with a list of 8 things that morphed into 17 items, and I only have 2 things that aren't done. I'm going to slow it down for next week, but guys I'm EXCITED.
For this week's newsletter/ blog post I wanted to show you guys some of the AMAZING photography I got done with Abagail Handy at Light + Free Photography. When I tell you working with her was such a WIN. She does beautiful work, she was easy to talk to and she opened my eyes to a new studio, Steadfast Studio. I've linked everyone's stuff so you can check them out.
Just to keep in theme here are my 7 favorite photos from the shoot.
1. I always wanted to write a book, and if I told ya'll the journey of getting here you would definitely give me a HUGE side eye. The book McKinley is holding up is the first book I put out into the world and it highlights some of the most important beings in my life. It also gave an image of family, togetherness and adventure.
There are other books in this photo that I didn’t write like Dogman, which happens to be one of Mae’s favorite series. There’s also another book that speaks about family, whatever family looks like for you.
2. If you'd told me 10 years ago that I actually did this I wouldn’t believe you. Go back 10 years and tell me I have children ?! Yeah mind blown. This picture represents what carving out me time looks like. You can literally create whatever you want. Just give yourself time and education.
3.When I was younger, thanks to cable tv, I could see myself places and even if I didn’t see someone just like me , there was never a thought that I couldn't be in that space. When you think of the South I don’t think black girls/ black women come to most people’s mind. Personally, I don’t like that. I want to be someone’s first thought. Not second. So I decided to take a simple phrase and put it on the forefront of my business. I am / we are hero’s in the South. We have done and do so much. We are the backbone of society, households and education. Black girl in the South
4. These are my three logos, In the South, after my business, Black girl in the South, my attempt to add to our visibility, and Mentally Well, because when you are Mentally Well everything is at your finger tips.
Bubble Gum, Crispy, and Sand. These are the colors of my sweatshirts. Crispy was my first color. Everyone wanted to know why I chose white. If you know me personally I am not a person who can keep my whites clean, but there is no denying a fresh white tee. It’s a feeling and I wanted everyone to take that feeling and add a purpose. I released Bubble gum in February 2024, I just wanted everyone to feel the love. I actually never released this color on my website but brought it to 2 markets and the rest were exclusively for family and close friends. Sand is coming Sept 30th. Sand makes me think of the beach which I LOVE, but also makes me want to get cozy. Imagine yourself in this color with a red lip and some ankle boots. You get the vision ?
5.Guys this picture here … I don’t even think if I wanted to I could make it better it’s just that good.
I am a keeper of things. I need a bag that can handle it all. Remember it’s the details you need to pay attention to.
My favorite pens ink joys, our local newspaper which I have gotten into reading recently, my iPhone which is the life line and my other half JMN, who is the extension of myself. THEN we have my planner, simple, purposeful, and present. 
6. My good friend, Amy Hobbs, at The Little Sweet Shoppe, has been there for every happy or sad event in my life in the last almost 20 years. Her craft is really unmatched. Of course we had to have cookies to celebrate my second shoot.
7. Joy was my word of the year 2 years go and I have learn to lead from it. Everything I touch will be joyful and I hope when you guys interact with me in person or online you feel that. Shout out to my favorite color pictured via the Yeti. Also, my baby Mac was the first Mac I ever bought myself. Lastly, but def the most important, check out my IG feed, my two oldest nieces are pictured. You'll see them all through this business. Intentionallity.
I hope ya'll enjoyed this just as much as I did. If you need more check me out on Youtube @Trappedinthesouth IG @Inthesouth.co & Tiktok @CheapchicMama
Don't be shy, Let's be social
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