Thoro Gem Thursday: 1X for my girls

LIKE WE ALWAYS DO AT THIS TIME....


Hey gems,


It's Thursday which means I feature one or a few thoro (thor·ough) baddies that are doing it. Whether that "it" is in the office, home, entertainment industry or just a bomb ass woman that is leaving her mark on this world.  I love bragging about and acknowledge women because sometime I feel as though there is a lack of appreciate where honor is due. Some of us are taking care of business in and outside of the home. Wives and mothers. Single mothers. Entrepreneurs. Going to school. Working 9 to 5 jobs and even those of us still getting it together to figure out life. You deserve a moment sis. Having said that, sit back, relax, grab something refreshing to sip on and enjoy.


This week's thoro gem .......is YOU!


You don't always feel loved or hell, even seen. You get tired and discouraged. Weary at the ways of the world and angry with the injustice. Life may not be going as planned or going at all. You feel lonely at times or maybe unable to get a moment alone to be with your thoughts and just breathe. Perhaps you feel meh. Unsure how to really feel about anything these days. OR, you feel great! Life is lit right now and you couldn't be more grateful than you are everyday that your eyes open. You have major events to look forward to and you're all around happy. Whatever your current state is, I'm here to tell you to tell you to KEEP GOING SIS!! If you don't have a cheerleader then I'll be that for you. If you're preparing, planning and working...keep going! If you're reassessing, resting, resetting...keep going. You're so beautiful. Your soul is so magnetic for love and abundance. Your life is coming together and whether today, tomorrow and a couple months from now, all will make sense. And if you don't now what to do regarding love, life, career BUT you know how you want to feel(peace, fulfilled, love, etc.). Follow that!


In the meantime, know that you are powerful simply because you're a women. You have a birth canal built in you and its in your nature to nurture all that it around you. You don't feel noticeable but you'll always be felt. You're such a thoro gem!!

Being self-aware & Dodging Bad Vibes

So far, April has been a pretty good month for me. I turned 33 on the 3rd, I'm solidifying the details for my first international vacation this summer, Beyoncé killed Coachella, and I released my first book. All beautiful things. On the other hand, I've had to do a lot self reflecting( which is never easy)and releasing of habits and people; both in real life and social media.


Here's the thing, NOBODY  HAS A PERFECT CHARACTER. We all have flaws and to be a person of great action and mature responses should be all of our goals. I don't like to make accuses for my attitude. I know that I have the tendency to be an asshole because if people know they can turn you, they'll roll you like a pair of dice every time but there has also been times where I've been overly mature about a situation that I clearly wasn't wrong in and kept my mouth shut when I had every right to go TF off. I took a look at the drama I created and how my attitude effectives life and those around me. I asked God to help me change and give me grace for people. So when I started turning my ideas into moves and celebrated life instead of having pity parties, people weren't feeling me and it was painfully apparent. What also became clear was their "brand new" attitude wasn't new at all. What was new was the choice I made for myself. I also realized that those bonds were over what made us miserable. Like the saying goes, misery loves company and I just wasn't fun anymore. That's cool though!


NO MORE one-side friendships. NO MORE revolving Ex's. NO MORE letting my fear stomp out my faith. Living my best life and dodging negative vibrations all 2018!

Thoro Gem Thursday: Selena

This week's #TGT post wraps up the celebration to my fav Aries Ladies and coincidentally there is no better way than to bring the season to a close.





I want to wish a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Heaven to the late Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

"SELENA NO SELENA!" That Mall scene was one of my favorite parts of the movie. And don't get me started on how bad I wish I knew Spanish whenever I hear Como la Flor.

Selena, born April 16th, was a Mexican American singer. Referred to as the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena bridged to gap between Latino and pop music with her music but especially her hit single " I Could Fall In Love". Unfortunately, this gem didn't even have the chance to thoroughly enjoy her cross over but she will always be remembered and celebrated for her success in doing so.





When I think about Selena, I feel as though she truly embodies the Aries spirit. As an innovator, dreamer and being brave and determined as she was, she had proven in her short life span that there was nothing she wasn't going to do.

Rest peacefully Beautiful, you truly were a thoro gem.

Lima beans and White Gardenia

I was coming off my weekend high after much celebration, laugher, and drinking. The book release on Saturday was beautiful but when Sunday night rolled around, I felt my body giving me an ultimatum; either  you're going to rest voluntarily or involuntarily. So come Monday morning, to say I was beat is an understatement. Despite my physically exhaustion I was on cloud nine. I was able to link my blog and PayPal so I can receive orders for my book and babyyyy those orders came in back to back even from people who I don't know. I was overjoyed which is very different than my regular Mondays.

Once I got home, I tidied up the living and dining room. Lit my new White Gardenia candle from Bath and Body works. Side note, if making love in a field of flowers had a scent, I believed it'd smell like gardenia. I sautéed some raw shrimp with spinach and slow cooked a can of seasoned lima beans( yup, straight outta the can). While dinner was cooking, I poured myself a glass of my homemade sangria and decided to assemble the digital coffee maker I purchased over the weekend. I was getting shit done and felt so accomplished . House clean. Dinner cooked. Feeling like somebody's housewife. LOL

Slightly tipsy from the sangria and full of lima beans, I laid stretched out on the couch tired. By this time the scent of gardenia filled the air putting my mind, body and soul into the realm of relaxation.
Back in the day my mother used to have gardenia scented plug-ins all over the place and I didn't care much for the smell back then. I didn't care much for lima beans either. As matter of fact, I thought they were the most disgusting vegetable known to man. I would preferred a slimy ass piece of okra over lima beans. Now I can't get enough of either. How funny it is that what we use to dismiss can later bring happiness. I thought about the past few days and how it felt good to finally relax from the highs sincerity and the lows that tried kill my vibe. I thought about how blessed am I and how I seem to forget that when dealing with the misery's of life. Whether its circumstances or circumstantial people, I often have to remind myself to be intentionally about my growth and peace of mind. To loosen myself for everything that cuts off my circulation to God and embrace what soothes the soul.

I'm a published authored.
I'm a poet...in my own right. A daughter, sister, friend and god-mother. I'm a women who's aware of her strengths and the areas where growth is needed. I'm not perfect but I'm perfect. I am a grown ass woman that loves lima beans and the smell of gardenias.

Blooming In Enough is NOW AVAILABLE!

So, here’s the thing. I didn’t write “Blooming in Enough” on purpose, meaning, I had no intention on this book coming together the way it did. Most of the poems as well as some of the chapters came from my personal journal so not only is this my work of art but some of it was my life. Emphasis on was.

Initially, I was writing an entirely different story but it turned into this and I believe it’s for divine reasoning. I know far too well what it feels like to lose love for yourself while trying to love someone else. Luckily, I also know what it feels like to be able to pull myself out of toxic situations from people and habits that tried to convince me that I wasn’t beautiful, strong, or worthy be loved properly. While going over some of my old writings I was able to see how far I’ve come and I wanted to share it. It’s a beautiful feeling to be restored and there are so many young girls and women that need to be restored. Of course that doesn’t happen overnight, weeks, or even years but it does happen.

Blooming In Enough, is a lot of our stories. If it’s not yours, than I hope you’re at least entertained. If it is your story, sis, I pray you’re awakened and if it was your story once upon a time then pass on your healing.

I said all of that to announce that YESTERDAY WAS THE BIG DAY and my first book Blooming in Enough is out and available for purchase.  The link in the profile.

Krystal

Thoro Gem Thursday: Jazmine Sullivan, Da Brat , and Dej Lof( Name that girl group)

NO seriously what would you name this group? It's definitely a bad ass combination of boldness, sex appeal, and unique sound.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this week's thoro gems Jazmine Sullivan, Dej Lof and Da Brat.

Dej Loaf, born April 8th, is such a beautiful artist with a unique sound that you never mistake for anyone else. Her music and style makes her sound out. Her song " No Fear" currently has me going all the way up.

Jazmine Sullivan,born on April 9th, has been compared to the late, great Phyllis Hyman because not only does she resemble her in features but her voice is just as powerful. Jazmine's music is so well rounded that one minute you'll find yourself crying your eyes out then the next ready to say "fck this sad shyt...I wanna dance".

Da Brat tat tat tat tat on that azzzz. Da Brat was born on April 14th. She is so gorgeous and is another women that came into the rap game with a new,fresh sound. At one point in her career, she traded in  the baggy clothes and braids for weave and  cleve...and then went right back...slightly. And I don't blame her. Be comfortable in your skin. Either way I'm here for it and her.

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The ladies are Ground-breaking, Beautiful, and Extraordinary in all that put their hands to. Everyone notices these women when they come on the scene.

Dej, Jazmine and Brat, you ladies truly are thoro gems

Thoro Gem Thursday: The Writer, The Poet, The Songbird and The Raptress(s)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this week's thoro gems Maya Angelou, Jill Scott, Billie Holiday, Phara Funeral and Young M.A

Young M.A born April 3rd is a young female rapper reigning from the borough of Brooklyn, NY. Her word play,confidence and delivery makes her a beast. I'm always looking forward to what she has in store.

Maya Angelou, born April 4th was, is and will always be a voice for women. As an activist she stood up the rights of all people but especially women. Her strength, perseverance over past life experiences, and dactylic delivery makes her words and works timeless.

 

Also known as Jilly from Philly, Jill Scott, born on April 4th is the Mama of Neo-Soul. She's also gotten her feet wet in the acting pool in "Baggage Claim" ,"Why Did I Get Married" and the HBO original series " The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency".

Some may not know of this gem just yet but she is one of my favorite battle rappers. Phara Funeral, born April 4th is a rapper from the Bronx,NY. With her word play and aggression , she has most definitely made a name for herself and solidified her spot in battle rap culture as one of the queens of the ring.

Billie Holiday or Lady Day, born on April 7th, was a jazz singer in the 1930s and 1940s. Although she struggled with the abuse of substances and in relationships that eventually effected her career, that does take away from the impact she hold on the culture with the song "Strange Fruit"about the lynching of black people during that time in American history. Her fellow Arian Diana Ross, played Lady Day in the biography Lady Sings the Blues.

Strong, brave, legendary, and authentic, these women have used their words and platforms to bring change and pleasure to the world through art.

Young M.A, Maya Angelou, Jill, Mz Funeral and Lady Day, you queens truly are thoro gems.