Confession.  If my house were on fire right now and I only had time to grab three things...I WOULD BE SCREWED.  I'm not worried about televisions and social security cards.  But there are a few things that are near and dear to my heart that I know that I would sit and cry over.  The biggest of those things...MY WARDROBE.

It has taken me years to build my wardrobe.  Hours upon hours of digging around in thrift stores throughout the DC metro area.  Countless three-way mirrors in Ross, Marshall's and TJ Maxx hoping that the pair of jeans that I was sliding on would actually slide above my hips and thighs.  Let's not forget the feeling of total euphoria when you realize that a pair of jeans not only fit like a magic pill, but that they are also affordable and come in several different colors!!! #SCORE!!!!!

Real talk...If I had to decide between my car catching on fire and between the bulk of my wardrobe going up in flames, then I can picture me waving goodbye to that dern Buick.  My wardrobe is an eclectic mix of stuff that can likely NEVER be replaced.  My attachment to clothes is stemmed from the fact that growing up, we didn't have a lot of money.  I would have to borrow clothes from my older sister in order to appear remotely stylish and/or like I had more than 4 outfits.  In retrospect, I feel sorry for my sis.  The extra wear and tear on her clothes wasn't fair or fun for her.  I'll have to apologize to her for that one.

I can distinctly remember the day that I was in Norfolk, VA away from home at a camp for student leaders.  My teacher failed to mention to me that I needed to bring certain articles of clothing for special events that would be happening during the program.  I was able to slip by majority of the week, but on the night of a big banquet, I had no dress and no dress shoes.  This began an all out campaign with myself and a few other girls to find some clothes for me to wear.  Up and down the hallways we searched until we found a girl who was about sizes smaller than me (I have always been a lil thickums, so the idea of even attempting to squeeze into her clothes was both daunting and embarrassing) who had an extra dress and sandals.  The sandals were an entire size too small too.  So there I stood in all my glory in 100 degree weather, walking across a long hot parking lot in a dress that I didn't fit and in shoes that hurt so bad that I had to take them off.

While I was ever grateful to the young lady who helped me, in that moment I made a vow that I would always have enough clothes when I was away from home and that I would always have wardrobe options.  Not to mention that when I returned I had severe first degree burns on the bottoms of my feet from walking across that hot parking lot and was unable to walk properly for 4 days.  NEVER AGAIN I VOWED.  NEVER AGAIN.

While I know that young life memories shouldn't cause adult setbacks, they do.  So I'm stuck with a burning house, no car and a handful of Levi's and thrifted sweaters.  :/  When I think of it that way...maybe I need counseling?

Selfishly Single With Consequences?

Today I sat across the desk from one of my co-workers and almost burst into tears.  In an effort to hold on to a little bit of my dignity, I was able to suck it in and keep my voice from quivering too much.  The topic...decisions and how they may affect my future.

The thing about being selfish in your singleness is that there are always consequences to every decision that you make.  In an attempt to deal with a current problem, I have to consider the long term effects that my decision may have.  Will it make me a less desirable candidate for a mate in the future?  What will a partner say about my situation?

But here is the deal.  You cannot live your life with a future possible in mind.  This is not spades.  You play the cards that you have.  There are no possible books.  Why?  Because you don't have someone sitting across the table from you with their own hand that you are teaming up with.  It's you. The cards that you hold are all that you have and when you are playing against the game of life, we don't deal in possible.  We deal in facts.

With that truth tucked victoriously under my belt, I moved forward with a tough decision that I have to make.  I am a family of one and financially I have to be able to take care of my family of me.

Singles--know this.  You have to do the best with the information that you have.  Pay attention to the future, but don't base wise decisions on whether or not you will be marketable to someone in the future.

Nuff said....

Shorty Wanna Ride Wit Me

As of late, I've been hitting Maryland Avenue right off of H Street in DC at night for bike rides and IT FEELS GREAT.

What I have noticed about bike riding:

#1: I feel fabulous.  The night air blowing through my hair and my legs getting a mini training session is everything that I need.

#2: I've noticed that my posture really sucks.  I know where it all stemmed from (so does my counselor), but sitting on a bike makes me take note of it even more.  I have started sitting higher and walking with my shoulders back more.  BOOBS UP LADIES!

#3: Men like me on bikes.  Nasty huh?  I kinda agree, but I have NEVER GOTTEN SO MANY COMPLIMENTS WHILE BREAKING A SWEAT.  Literally guys, every single time I get shouts from cuties on the street.  "Wow, you look good on a bike!" or "I wish that you would take me bike riding with you!" and my favorite from an old man walking a dog, "Do you know how pretty you look on that bike?". 

So with that, I am looking to invest in ones of these folding bikes that are now available.  They take up very little space and they are super comfy to scoot around town on.  It's officially bike week for me!  Well, minus the motorcycle part....

Take A Whiff....

There is nothing like smelling good in my opinion.  I'm not just talking about soap and water.  I'm talking about a perfume or fragrance that gels with your body chemistry.  Not all fragrances smell the same on the different people.  Once your personal body chemistry gets involved, who knows what a fragrance might turn in to!  That's the beauty of perfume!  

To be fully #SelfishlySingle (hey...you "Marrieds" aren't excluded from this information either) it's important for you to know what fragrance notes you really like.  Try your best to think of a fragrance that you love and that seems to match well with your bod.  Stop for a moment and consider what type of scent that fragrance is.  Do you like scents that are sweet or woody? Is it more masculine or flirty feminine?  Is the fragrance heavy in the floral department?

To give you some help...I'm referring you to an awesome site that has documented the most popular fragrance notes and even lists a few perfumes that belong to that family.  Check out the site: http://theposhpeasant.com/pages/helpfulscentguide.htm

If you thought that I was going to dish on what my favorite fragrances are...YOU WERE WRONG!  LOL!  Once a girl finds her match, she holds it dear to her heart!  This year...try to find your signature scent!  There is nothing better than having multiple people ask "What are you wearing?! You smell SOOOOOO GOOOD!"