Summer is here! Kind of. I know some people are venturing back outside while some are still being cautious and staying put inside. Whether you’re inside or outside you can still participate in some trending summer trends! Check out these and let me know which ones you are going to try.

Press on Nails
These aren't your grandma or mom's press on's! Press on nails have really stepped their game up.  These are a great way to try out summer nail trends of neon and design without making a big commitment. You also don’t have to go into a nail salon to achieve this look. You can go to your local drugstore or support local nail techs by purchasing custom press on nail sets! The sets featured below are from two local nail tech artist Dearra Hill and Chani Johnson.

Summer Lip

​Bright colors are back on trend. Swap out your usual nude, pink or red and try a bright orange, purple or neon pink. You don’t have to make a huge investment in a new lipstick either, I found some hot summer lipsticks all under $5 at my local drugstore.

Wet n Wild Lip Color, Honolulu Is Calling
OKAY! Online this is only $1.19!! I paid a little more in store I think around $3 dollars, but this is still a great deal. The lipstick comes in a tube and applies that regular tube lipsticks. My lips were moisturized and the color orange was very pigmented but not overpowering. It also removes great too ladies! 

CoverGirl Colorlicious Melting Pout Lipstick, Gel-Ful
This beauty was only $4.99!! I got it on sale in store but it's still only $7.99.  It comes out of a tube with gel like consistency. It is very smooth and easy to apply. My lips felt very moisturized and not dry. I also liked that it was very easy to take off. 

Makeup Great For Your Skin

Summer time means HEAT, so you don’t have to wear as much makeup. Sweating while wearing makeup is not great for our skin so swap out the full coverage foundations for a great tinted moisturizer that has a SPF or an “Clean” Foundation that is lightweight and won’t clog your pores. Everyone should be wearing sunscreen year around and not just during the summer. Sunscreen should even be worn when people are working from home and should be reapplied when out in the sun.
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Organic Acne Safe Foundation: Pure Beauty Glow

What's a better foundation then created by someone who is an expert in skin. This foundation line is created by Pure Beauty Skin Bar. PBSB is a skin care clinic based in Cincinnati, Ohio specializing in the prevention & treatment of acne & hyperpigmentation. This foundation won't clog your pores its available in 17 diverse shades, this long-lasting, weightless mousse foundation goes on smooth to enhance your complexion while letting your skin's natural radiance shine through.

Tinted Moisturizer: Nars Skin Tint SPF 30
This is a lightweight tinted buildable moisturizer/foundation that has a broad spectrum SPF 30 already built in. It helps your skin’s overall condition and will leave your skin looking natural and glowing.

Sparkling Fruit Cocktails

​If you like infused water then you will love these light and refreshing sparkling fruit cocktails. They are super simple to make. These are perfect to put in a pitcher and sit outside to enjoy. The main ingredients are fresh fruit of your choice, fruit juice, prosecco or sparkling water for a non-alcoholic  option, mint, lemon and lime.

For my fruit cocktail I used:

• Pineapple chunks
• Pineapple juice
• Prosecco
• Lime Juice
• Club Soda

What's so great about this is you can't get it wrong, no recipe and all. I added the ingredients over ice and enjoyed!

Which one of these Summer trends are you trying first?

Honestly, this is the longest I’ve been at home in my loft for a very long time. I’ve never spent this much time “living at home” so I never really put much effort in my decor outside of when I had it professionally done a couple years ago. Since then I got a puppy (now 1 years old) and he tore my bathroom up ya’ll! I mean to the bathroom carpets (peeing on it), to pulling on my shower curtain, to basically doing what puppies do and ruining all my nice things.

Now that Ralph is a bit bigger and not as out of control, I decided to spend some time and redo rooms in my loft. Starting with the bathroom, because that’s the smallest project. Decor is not really my ministry and I defer that to the professionals, but with Covid-19, I’ve had to take matters into my own hand. Also if you are looking to redecorate your space, you don’t have to spend a million dollars, during this time I have to budget my coins due to the unknown - I redid this space so far by only spending around $100!
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I started with these six products I found online at Target.
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Floral Towel Black/White - Threshold 
I got both the hand towel and and bath towel. I love the black and white floral prints. These were only $9.99-12.99

Arielle Printed Metallic Shower Curtain
Before this curtain I had a multi colored shower curtain. I decided to go with a chic and more of my personality shower curtain with beautiful gold accents. Do you typically iron shower curtains? LOL I am hoping the creases fall out soon. This is currently on sale for $30! 

4.1" x 4" Artificial Succulent Glass Terrarium Gold - Opalhouse™
How cute is this glass terrarium?! I've never had one and always thought they were so cute and chic. For only $14.99 how could I pass this up.

14oz Lidded Glass Jar Candle Wild Hibiscus Sangria - Floral Collection - Opalhouse™
​This candle smells amazing! If you love candles, definitely check this one out. This made a great addition as well to my bathroom decor.

Lavender & Bergamot Liquidless Reed Diffuser - 3ct - Everspring™
This is my newest obsession, this reed diffuser is oil less - so no mess! It makes my bathroom smell amazing!

I still need to find the perfect toothbrush holder, bathroom rug (hopefully Ralph won’t ruin it), trashcan, maybe add something floral in there - and I need to figure out what I want to put in this empty space. Any thoughts? How did I do so far? I realize now I should have taken before pictures, but I was so excited to get rid of the old stuff LOL

Many of you may know my father, but do you know a lot about my mother Marchelle? I was able to participate in a Mother’s Day campaign for Kroger and Influenster and it let me reflect on Mother’s Day during quarantine, I’ve had time to really think about the impact and fullness my mother adds to my life. I get my love of fashion, decor and food all from her.

Growing up in a house full of men (dad and two brothers), my mother and I had a close relationship from the start. My earliest memories of her was watching her get ready to go to an event or Links meeting. Her closet was truly #goals. She did not just have one, but several. The shoe closet however was my favorite. The walls were lined up with shoe boxes with beautiful shoes. In her bathroom I watched her put on her makeup and perfume. I was in complete awe. My mother is truly the most beautiful woman to me, not because of her looks (thank goodness I’m starting to look like her now LOL), but because she is the most kind hearted person from the inside out.

There are many memories that I will alway cherish, but one of my favorites was when I became a member of her chapter of the Links, Incorporated. I had practically grown up watching my mother in action as a Link. The Links is an organization of African American women founded in 1946 that is devoted to strengthening African American communities through fund-raising, education, advocacy, and volunteering. After 33 years I finally got to join an organization that my mother and I could serve in together. It has been a great experience and journey.

Hey ya’ll! I decided to try out some Bliss products and thought I’d do a video for the first time ever! Let me know what you think :)

Step 1:
Cleanse face with Bliss Makeup Melt
-The texture is like jelly but not sticky :) This works much better if you do not wet your face first, apply the melt directly to the skin to get makeup off, make sure you cleanse for twenty seconds or more! Rinse your face and pat dry with a white paper towel. Pro tip: my friend Sylvia taught me that. A white paper towel has less chemicals and colors like hand towels that you don’t want to put on your face. Plus, a white paper towel you simply toss and don’t reuse. Lesser the chance to put more bacteria on your face.
Step 2:
Apply Bliss Mint Chip Mania Mask.
-I am in LOVE with this mask. It smells just has it sounds. It goes on smooth and it smells AMAZING. Since I am trying to get my body together, no mint chip ice cream - so a facial mask it is! When the mask is applied it has a cooling sensation but not overpowering. Allow the mask to sit for 10 minutes. In the video I steamed while having the mask on, you don’t have to be fancy like me and use a steamer however. Now, when you cleanse your face there is an extra bonus with this mask. The “chips” are exfoliates! You are giving your face a double whammy cleanse.
Step 3:
Moisturize with Bliss Drench and Quench
-After pat drying again with a white paper towel, I apply the moisturizer. This moisturizer is a fun blue color but goes on clear. This moisturizer is supposed to last all day long giving extra moisture to the face. Now, if you run a little oily - I would suggest getting a more matte moisturizer for the day. However if you are doing this a night, I think you will be okay.
Interested in trying this 3 step skincare routine? You can find all the products here.

​Tell me how you like it! Get your glow on, sis!

I remember celebrating my very first Cinco De Mayo with my father. He took me to a festival happening in Cincinnati Ohio. I was blown away with all the culture, food and family vibes. If you don’t know my father’s mother was part Mexican, no wonder I am so caliente! :)

Since we are quarantined and I can’t celebrate with my friends and family, I decided to have my very own little “Cinco De May-Mo!” Here is what I did:

Picked up these super cute decorations, dishes and cups from Target you can find them here

Made a super easy taco dip
Ingredients

• 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 8 oz sour cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Taco seasoning
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Olive
• Optional: onion, peppers

Steps:
-Mix cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning (about 3-4 tablespoons) in bowl. I got fancy and mixed it with my electronic hand mixer my mother gave to me
-Spread mix in a square or round pan - I used a 12 X 9 inch pan
-Top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives and any other toppings you wish
-Serve with Chips! (Make sure you refrigerate until ready to serve.)

Enjoyed a delicious tequila cocktail from Hidden Spirits Cocktails
(PS this is a black woman owned liquor brand and this drink was AMAZING).

Hidden Spirits Cocktails is a black woman owned liquor brand and I got to try a bottle of the Strawberry. It’s already mixed with tequila and ready to serve. I loved it! The cocktail was not overpowering, the tequila is subtle and smooth. Unlike most pre-made mixed drinks it tasted as if it was just made in front of me at the bar. Please go check out their brand here

Alright, this was the most low maintenance meal but was SO GOOD. I promise, if I can do this - so can you! So lately, I’ve been keeping it low carb/high protein but it was Friday so I decided to treat myself to some carbs, responsibly. Also, I decided to cook with whatever was in my fridge because my bank account told me to sit down somewhere. Here is what I made and the sauce is only 4 ingredients! (Minus seasoning, gotta have seasoning).

Here is what you need:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 Cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons garlic

1. Boil and set aside bow tie pasta (you can use whatever pasta you have if you want).
2. Melt butter garlic over medium heat
3. Add cream slowing, whisking
4. When it boils turn down and let simmer for 3-5 minutes until thickens
5. Add in seasonings - I like to add a small dash of nutmeg, garlic and herb seasoning and pepper
6. Once thick, add in parmesan cheese and whisk until creamy (If you need to thicken the sauce up more I like to put a little pasta water in there).
7. Toss in bow tie pasta
8. Serve with Shrimp or without! See shrimp recipe below

Let me start by saying, I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL COOK and you know I typically don’t have much time to cook. So anything made easy, I’m on it. Many of you may know me as the crockpot queen but I can also make a mean one pan meal. Right now during quarantine I am focusing a low carb, high protein meal plan (not a diet, lifestyle changes). I am cutting out most meat, although I treated myself to a little bacon, for this meal :) The Lord is still working on me.

My favorite recipe inspiration site is Pinterest! I found this bomb, “Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Bake.” So  I decided to make a Kroger run and pick up all the ingredients I needed. It’s really simple and most things you probably have in your refrigerator already.

Where are my ladies that LOVE to shop!? <Raises Both Hands> Yes you are my people. I fell in love with fashion at a very young age. I like to blame my mother, we shared the house with 3 men, so we had to make up for it with shoes, bags and clothes. My mother has the best walk in closet that you could really live in. Rows of shoes, handbags and clothes that I envied over, until I was old enough to start wearing some pieces. Sadly, not her shoes. She wears a size 7-7.5 and I was cursed with size 9.5-10 feet - God works in mysterious ways. 

Recently I was featured in Cincinnati Magazine in their style section. I was asked about my style and some of my shopping habits. I consider my style all things GIRL BOSS. It ranges from power suits to dresses. 

Make it Fashion but Make it Affordable
Designer clothes don’t make it fashion, you do. I love mixing high and low pieces in my wardrobe. My favorite trend stores are: H&M, Zara, TjMaxx, Pretty Little Things, Asos and Nordstrom Rack. You shouldn’t spend a lot of money on “in trend” pieces because they change often - instead invest in staple pieces from higher ends that will last you season to season. I am guilty of buying a lot of trend clothes and end up having to give a lot of unworn or barely worn clothes away. This is where “Morgan’s Closet” came from :) 

Get A Great Power-suit - try other colors
I love a great two piece suit. It is such a boss babe look! This does not mean you have to stick to black, grey or blue suits - try pastels, neons and jewel tone suits. Asos and Pretty Little Things often have great two piece suit sets ranging in sizes from regular to curvy. They have great stretch, washable and super affordable! 

Shop Offseason for Designer
I LOVE shopping designer pieces around holidays and after seasons. Why, because that is when you can buy staple pieces for a very low cost. Various designers like Saint Laurent & Valentino often have great classic bags that go on sale around that time for 50-75% the original price. Yes, it's a gamble to wait to shop for bags you love, but if you are risk taker - go for it. 

Use Cash Back Rewards
I utilize a site called Ebates, it has hundreds of your favorite online and in store retailers with cash back ranging from 2%-15% cash-back. The service is completely free, all you have to do is click on the website you want to shop at though Ebates and that's it - you get a check in the mail every 3-4 months. To learn more and to start making money use my link to sign up here.

Happy Shopping :) Let me know what you get!

Do you Sleep Pretty?

Ladies, ladies I am LOVING this satin sleep set by Kitsch I’m a bit of a wild sleeper so sometimes my satin scarf or bonnet falls off during the night. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase still protects my hair from getting frizzy and protects my edges :) Also, did you know sleeping on a satin pillowcase is great for your skin as well :)

The Satin Sleep Set includes:
-Satin Sleep Scarf
-Satin Pillowcase
-Satin Sleep Mask
-Satin Scrunchie

Of course I got mine in pink but they have other colors and prints. This sleep set is a DEAL as well, it was only $60!! It’s also at a super affordable price and great for traveling! I look forward using my satin sleep mask next time I travel internationally.
Until then, I’m pretending I’m in the South of France lounging in my hotel room.
Who sleeps in a satin scarf or wants to try a satin sleep set?

Do you like Bloody Mary's? Give it a try!

It’s Fri-yay! Let’s face it, we had a long week not knowing what day is. I’ve missed happy hour with friends, so I decided to pick me up a few ingredients to my favorite cocktail, a Bloody Mary. Now, I know some folks may not like them, but have we really given the Bloody Mary a chance? It’s the perfect drink anytime of the day, I literally ask for a Bloody Mary at both morning and evening events. Plus, it has tomato juice in it, which has vitamin C - did you know that? Every now and then I #treatmyself

Here is the recipe to my favorite drink (and it’s super easy!)

* 1 part vodka of your choice, I made this with Titos Vodka
* 4 parts Bloody Mary mix, my favorite is Zing Zang Mix
*Ice cubes
*Squeeze of fresh lime
*Optional: I like adding celery seed, black pepper, green olives and a pickle :)

You can also jazz up your bloody mary with cheese, meats and really anything you want. I love going to a bar or restaurant who has a bloody mary bar where you can make your own. It's like a drink and meal all in one!

Remember, we may be quarantined but drink safely and only if you are 21 and older.