It's officially Pisces season! This Sunday, the 21st - I'm getting ready to celebrate my 35th birthday and I am so excited. I decided to share some of my favorite birthday lifestyle items, but also some new products that you can try on your special day or perhaps someone else! Most of these items can be be found locally, but you can still get wherever you may live. I also have a special gift card giveaway so make sure you check out the full blog. Happy Birthday to me!

PS- I do accept gifts :) $professionalpretty 

What You Will Need:
-Phoenix Spritz Pineapple Coconut Vodka
-Raspberry Juice
-Pink Frosting
-Pink Sprinkles 

Recipe:
Line the Cocktail Rim in Pink Frosting
​Dip in Pink Sprinkles
1 Part Phoenix Spritz Pineapple Coconut Vodka
1 Part Raspberry Juice

Pour into Chilled Glass and Enjoy!

One of my favorite skincare local products can be found at Skin by Brownlee & Co - Sylvia, the owner is a master at what she does and even has developed her own skin product line. Make sure you check her out and see how I keep my skin glowing for my birthday!

Exquisitely Whipped is another amazing local company, the whipped Shea Butter is EVERYTHING. This newest scent Strawberries & Cream is the perfect sweet birthday treat for my skin :) 

Want to know my favorite scent? Especially on my birthday - It's Madison Square Park by Bond which you can find at Saks Fifth Avenue, nationally or locally in downtown Cincinnati. It's a little pricey but hey, you only celebrate your birthday once a year. 

Ya'll already know my love of food trays and platters. It was only right I hit up my favorites for a Birthday Platter. Feast Grazing Platters hooked this Birthday Girl Up! These are great for any occasion. 

I love smoothies, and I love Banana Sun smoothies even more. This amazing smoothie bar is located right near Findlay Market and has the best smoothies for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even dessert. What better way to kick off my birthday than a healthy treat! Make sure you check out Banana Sun and tell them Morgan sent you! 

Want to know how I keep my scalp and skin healthy? Hollywood Beauty Products are always my go to. Whether it is taking care of my glowing skin, under wig scalp care or moisturizing my hands, feet and nails. Check out Hollywood Beauty Products so you can be glowing on your Birthday as well!

I'll talk more about these amazing meals in another Blog, but The Passion Plate helped me great Birthday ready with these delicious and healthy meals! Make sure you check her out!

Dinner at the Khora Restaurant at The Kinley Hotel!
Want to win a dinner for two at the delicious Khora Restaurant? 
​
1. Follow me @morganangeliqueowens and @khorarestaurant on IG
2. Comment on this Blog Post!
3. Winner will be notified next week

Favorite Birthday Drink: La Marca Prosecco
Favorite Store: Saks Fifth Avenue
Favorite Birthday Lip: Nude Lip
Favorite Birthday Lashes: Mac Cosmetics #75
Favorite Birthday Sleepwear: Target
Favorite Birthday Food: Steak, Pasta
Favorite Birthday Meal Prep: The Passion Plate
Favorite Birthday Jewelry: Gold Stackable Bracelets and Rings
Favorite Birthday Handbag: Mini Bags
Favorite Birthday Flowers: Krogers

Valentine’s Day is approaching and this may be good news or bad news depending on your thoughts about the day. As a true Pisces and romantic, I LOVE Valentine’s Day - even if I’m single. For me, this day does not need to be celebrated with a significant other, it's never a bad idea to celebrate and love on yourself, not just on February 14th but everyday. Here are some ideas you can do for yourself or others - it's up to you!

I decided to check myself in for a self-care/self-love stay at the brand new Kinley Hotel in Downtown Cincinnati. Let me tell you this first of all, this hotel is so beautiful. I’ve done several Hotel reviews and this one is definitely one of my top favorite. The hotel itself was clean and Covid-19 prepared with social distancing, hand sanitizer stations everywhere and proper precautions put into place.

I fell in love with the high ceilings inside the room, the huge window overlooking the downtown streets, the modern/chic feel of the room itself and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. You don't just have to have a significant other to treat/pamper yourself at a hotel, this is the perfect self love treat yourself to unwind, relax and love on yourself. 

While at the Kinley hotel I decided to indulge in room service compliments on the restaurant in the hotel, Khora.  Now before you ask, “Did you eat all that yourself?” I SURE DID. This is a perfect time to treat yourself or others to a high quality and delicious meal, something memorable and out the box. Here is what I had:
​
FRIED QUARK
golden beets, bitter greens, Woodland Farms lardo, raw honey vinaigrette - This was so DELICIOUS, light and airy with a great mix of sweet and savory.

FRENCH ONION DIP
spoonbill caviar, saratoga chips, chive - This dip was so addictive, I already love French Onion Dip but this was an elevated “adult” version that took my love for dip to the next level.

Bucanti Pasta - This is my new favorite pasta. I mean, how can you not love carbs, sauce and cheese!? This pasta was smooth in texture and tasted homemade like something out of my mother’s kitchen.

Make sure you check out Khora: dine in, take out - either way enjoy. 

Self love also incorporates great skin. These products are great to use to get your skin Valentine’s Day ready.

MAC Lip Scrub:
Get those lips soft and kiss ready with this MAC gentle lip scrub. Even if it’s not for Valentine’s Day you want to make sure you exfoliate your lips more in the winter time to avoid chap.
GlamGlow:
This overnight product is a creamy passionfruit night treatment with powerfully gentle skin-exfoliating acids and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid. You’ll wake up to soft skin every morning, all you have to do is apply and sleep.
Suggested Usage:
-Apply a thin layer to clean skin.
-Allow skin-refining acids to work while you sleep.
-Use nightly or as desired.
Kiehl’s Glow Formula
This is one of my favorite products that I am in love with this is a great hydrating moisturizer for day and night. This is a facial moisturizer infused with Pomegranate Extract and Illuminating Minerals for instantly glowing skin.

Do something different and that will make a difference to your health for Valentine’s Day, workout. Now you can roll solo or you can enlist your significant other. Let’s also add in that February is Heart Month and many Women, especially Minority Women suffer from Heart Disease. This is a perfect time to give yourself a gift that will make a lasting impact - whatever better love is that.

I did this for 30 straight days...

Affirmed myself. Gave myself grace. Took better care of me. Worked out more and did it with over 60 of my Curvy Cardio clients with the help of Crunchmaster Crackers and Wise Wellness Guild.
Over the past 30 days we focused on health and wellness to start 2021 off right, and I feel amazing. The “30 Days of Werk Challenge”, powered by Curvy Cardio, premiered in 2015 as a tool to aid women within the inner-city community with facing the challenges of a healthier lifestyle. I am so thankful to have great partners such as Crunchmaster Crackers and Wise Wellness Guild to help me get my community up and moving during this time.

Crunchmaster crackers are a great and healthy snack option if you are trying to get your wellness together. it’s a healthy snack alternative for when I need that “crunch” Who knew a cracker could not only taste good but BE GOOD for you. They are made from simple and wholesome ingredients. If you have been following my journey you know I am constantly looking for ways to improve the way I snack, because who doesn't love snacks right?! During this time, it is so important to make sure your mind, body and soul is fed. I urge you, if you have not tried this crackers, please do so. 

There are also many other ways Crunchmaster crackers can help your journey by offering recipes and other resources of a healthy lifestyle. Please be sure to check more out here and also learn where you can pick some up. 

Would you dedicate 30 straight days on you?

It’s a New Year y'all! That means you’re probably looking to start your year off healthy right, right? Let’s face it, 2021 better treat us better than 2020 did! If anything, I’ve learned that you have to LIVE your life and not take away from it. Especially depriving yourself of your favorite things – good food and pizza!
 
Now, if you know me - you know I LOVE PIZZA! If I could eat it every day, I would - but I always have pizza night at least once a week.
 
Pizza does not have to be associated with a “cheat” meal either. Recently I tried Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza - and it is AMAZING. It’s delicious pizza that just happens to be gluten-free so you can feel better about what you’re eating. Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza is the perfect frozen pizza to stock in your freezer.
 
I’ve had my fair share of frozen pizzas and I can honestly say this one is a winner. Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza is available in traditional Pepperoni - because who doesn’t like Pepperoni!? Or you can roll with the Four Cheese - and who doesn’t like cheese!? Now, I know what you’re thinking - “Morgan, just because it’s Gluten Free doesn’t mean it’s good for my “New Year, New You” diet. Well, check out how you can still incorporate pizza without compromising your New Year’s resolution:
 
1.          Plan Ahead Of time - if you know you want pizza on a Friday night - eat really well during the week.
2.          Don’t Overdo it - I know it may be tempting to eat the ENTIRE pizza, but don’t :)
3.          Add A Side of Green - add a side salad to your pizza experience, typically 2 slices of pizza and a big salad satisfies me and makes me feel less guilty!
4.          Work it Off - Plan to work out earlier in the day before enjoying your pizza - let’s make room for that tasty meal!
5.          Make it Good - If you’re going to enjoy pizza, make sure it is a pizza WORTH enjoying - Freschetta definitely passes the test for me!
 
You can find Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza nationwide in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store so make sure you pick a box or two up! Let me know when you do and what flavor(s) you plan on trying. Also, don’t forget to incorporate these great tips on how to maintain your “New Year, New Me” diet. Actually, let’s take out the word DIET and replace it with LIFESTYLE CHANGES - it works for me, it can work for you!

Do minority women get injectables? 🕵🏽‍♀️
 
Absolutely. Does it have to look scary, absolutely not. I’ve decided to dive into this billion-dollar beauty trend and research, learn and see if injectables are for me. With the help of The Christ Med spa and discussed a variety of things such as myths and misconceptions about injectables and fillers. I decided to learn and find out more about Kybella, Botox and Lip Filler. Kybella is a nonsurgical injection used to reduce excess fat beneath the chin. With all the weight loss, eating right, I still had some stubborn chin fat that really bothered me and made me feel self-conscious while taking pictures - which is part of my business. Dr. Gina and Lauren walked me through the whole process and made me feel comfortable and at ease. I decided to go for it.
 
Kybella, depending on the patient takes 1-2 rounds of injectables. The process itself took only 15 minutes, but Lauren made sure to numb the area she was about to inject longer than that. I did not feel a thing. Now, if I say it did not hurt then anyone can do it. I do not like needles and I’m pretty much a scaredy cat with a lot of things - but this was no scary at all. I was anxious at first but they both eased my fears and concerns.
 
I’ve been getting Botox for years for my migraines. I tried everything previously for my migraines; tracked down what triggered them, got prescription medicine (that made me nauseous) and then I saw a commercial for Botox and how it was used for migraines. I asked my father, who is a physician and he told me to try it. I’ve been hooked ever since! Not only does it help with my migraines, but I loved how it smoothed my forehead - double win! Botox can also be used for wrinkles or a natural lift.
 
Spoiler alert: I’ve also been getting lip fillers for a couple years. When I turned 30, I wanted a little bit more “juice” in my lips. I had not gotten lip fillers in close to two years when I saw Dr. Gina and Lauren, and I was a little apprehensive. I wanted my lips to look natural, and not overdone. Like any procedure done with someone the first time your guard is up. However, I decided to trust their opinion, I knew they would not stray me down a “botched” lip filler path. I am so happy I did! They came out AMAZING. Now, if you are wondering the healing process of lip fillers, this is what you need to know. YOU ARE GOING TO SWELL, the first 24-72 hours you are going to regret what you did - your lips are going to swell, but just wait on it. The best time to do this procedure is on a weekend that you don’t have to be seen or you can just relax. I like to keep my lips iced during the first 24 hours so it helps with the swelling and bruising (that will be normal). Also, the less friction for your lips the better. Dr. Gina and Lauren told me to make sure to not use a straw or eat any foods that would make me have to pout my lips.
 
I’m 34 and you don’t have to be in your 60-70’s to try fillers or injectables. There is also no shame in wanting to enhance your natural beauty or maintain it. It does not have to look overdone and it can be natural. In fact, many people that I told I’ve had fillers/injectables one for years - did not believe me. That’s exactly how I like it! It’s for me, to feel good for me - it’s not for everyone and that’s okay. There are so many options for everyone, I would contact these amazing ladies at The Christ Med spa to learn how fillers/injectables can benefit you!
 
Would you try?

Alright ya’ll, only a few days left of 2020 - who else is happy about this!? I think we all can say we have mixed feelings about 2020 - most of us thought it was a year of clarity, and it was. However, I don’t think anyone asked for a pandemic. Nonetheless, if nothing else, Covid has taught us, at least me - that we need to LIVE each day to the fullest. Not only that but TRY NEW THINGS - because why not!? Before the New Year, I’ve put together some ideas on how you can step into 2021 renewed and refreshed! Let me know which of these you are going to try.

Here is a brand new beauty treatment new to the area. I met with Dr. Gina Maccarone at the Christ Medspa and she gave my the 411 about this amazing new machine/technology called The Virtue RF. This machine is comprised of microneedles that do amazing things to your skin such as removing fine lines and wrinkles. It's safe for all skin types and has no downtime. Get this procedure done before or after the New Year and get glowing tight skin for 2021. You can learn more at The Christ Medspa.

Looking for the perfect snack for NYE? Well look no further, this woman owned business, Feast Grazing Platters is exactly what you need. Now ya'll know I love me a good charcuterie board, this steps my homemade one up a million notches. They are loaded with organic and locally sourced meats, cheeses, nuts, fruit, cookies and more! They make custom grazing platters and more. What better special occasion then ringing in the New Year with something fancy :) Make sure you check out Feast Grazing Platters and get your own for NYE and beyond.

Ya'll know I'm all about SELF CARE, well let me introduce to a minority owned business called HER Brand. They offer a monthly self care subscription box that provides women with monthly self care gifts such as candles, essential oils, room sprays, bath and body products, journals, planners and other items that provide self care. Taking this box out the mailbox smelled AMAZING too :) You can sign up for a 1-month, 3-month or 6 month subscription. Such as cute and amazing subscription to take care of YOU in 2021. Get yours today!

I just recently cleaned out my closet when I moved and it was very therapeutic. Let’s not step into a New Year with a wardrobe that we haven’t worn in years - it’s time to let it go. In fact, this is the perfect time to reorganize and rethink about a different look moving forward. I understand you may not be able to get purchase a new wardrobe but you can take the clothes you no longer need/make you happy and resell them to stores such as Clothes Mentor. In fact, with the money you make selling, you could even find some great new outfits for less at Clothes Mentor as well. In the picture I’m rocking a complete sport chic look I got at the Hyde Park Clothes Mentor for less than $40! What else is great is, the clothes they don’t buy from you, they offer to donate for you - don’t bring those clothes back home!

Which lippie would you rock?

What if I told you, they are ALL minority women owned lipstick lines? Let's get all of them! These would make awesome stocking stuffers for your friends, family or just yourself. These holiday lip colors are the perfect touch this season.

What I love about all of them is they are great quality, texture and shine. These lippes range in matte's, glosses, lipstick and lipgloss. Whatever type of texture or shine you need, these amazing lip lines have them. This season let's support small owned businesses - they truly need it. In my opinion, and ya'll know I don't play about my lipsticks - all have the same quality, cute packaging like billion dollar brands do. 

So, where can you find these lippies? Click the link below to fulfill all your holiday lip color needs. Make sure you subscribe to their email list and follow them on social media as well.

Let me know which color you get!

​Pinch me, I was able to partner up with Allegiant on their new #WorkStayPlay campaign.   If we have to work from home (which I typically already do) might as well get some fresh air. Allegiant Air has an amazing #WorkStayPlay campaign where you can getaway to Vegas, do your work and play a little bit, all safely!

I must admit, it was just what I needed to refocus and get some much needed ME time in. Vegas has a lot of beautiful scenery that I don’t see much of here in Ohio. If you know me, you know I am not an “outside” girl but look how beautiful the mountains are in Vegas. The weather was a perfect late 60’s just the way I like it.

I think I’ve found the most comfortable bralette ever ladies! You have to try the Maidenform modern comfort pullover wireless bra. It is so lightweight and smooth it makes you feel like you are wearing your own skin. It has a medium support and perfect to wear with your favorite Tee, Sweater or Pullover Dresses.

If you are like me, I don’t really get along well with wired bras for everyday wear. I know some of my more blessed ladies, can’t wear barrettes - so this may not be for you :) But for my ladies who can relate to me - this is far one of my favorites. The bralette stays in place, does not bunch up, and the cups are easy to move around but don’t crumple up (like most bralettes do) I often find myself finding them useless after the cup either falls out or crumples up inside making the bralette impossible to wear unless I want a weird front chest situation (ladies I know you can relate).

I’m wearing the cinnamon nude color but it comes in an array of other colors. I found out about this bra from Influenster and had to try it out for myself. Now, I know right now we are all working from home and not going out as much or at all, some may have even abandoned the notion of wearing a bra at all, but if you do - and you want something that won’t get on your nerves - try this one out! I purchased mine at Macy’s and right now it's on sale - don’t say I never told you anything :)

Over the past 6 months you’ve heard me talk about my wellness journey with Profile by Sanford. It truly has been a blessing, but it has not been easy. Like most things that are worth it, you have to work hard at it. I put so much time and energy into my business - I should also put the same time and energy into myself (mind, body and soul). Profile by Sanford has allowed me to regain my confidence, make me feel better overall and giving me a platform to encourage my own community to follow suit.
 
Often times, we let our health sit on the back burner as well take care of other issues. This Black Friday, I am so excited that Profile by Sanford   is offering a month of food and 2 months of health coaching for FREE. You can’t beat that or let this deal pass you by. Take it from me, don’t keep promising yourself you’ll change your lifestyle around tomorrow or next week -start TODAY. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll start to see the results you’ve been wanting.
 
Every holiday season I make personal goals and wellness is always on the list. Honestly, I got tired of not following through and decided to put in the work and time. Aren’t you?
 
So are you ready to join me? Use this link and sign up today.