Lifestyle blogs giving my random adventures and life lessons as an "NYC Transplant"
The Dahlia Diaries, about lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, business, beauty, travel, books, and art. Each visitor can get ideas on new things to try, relatable life experiences, and a few goodies along the way!
The Dahlia Diaries, about lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, business, beauty, travel, books, and art. Each visitor can get ideas on new things to try, relatable life experiences, and a few goodies along the way!
Latest Blogs
Thrifting Brought Me Back to Denim
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with jeans over the years. It’s been quite difficult to find the right style and fit for me. It wasn’t until I started thrifting at my local Goodwill store when I discovered a haven for jeans that were just for me. AND at a bargain. READ MORE. |
Weathering Storms...What to do?
I think our happy moments aren’t just for that present time, it's to carry with us when storms come. Hold tight to the happy memories; make room for them by leaving behind bad memories, old arguments, and aggravating minutes that ruined your entire day. READ MORE. |
5 Ways to Overcome Writer's BlockStaring at a blank page. The usual routine of writing. You open your journal or computer then find yourself wracking your brain trying to fill the blank page with creative and profound words. Just something that will outdo your last body of work. Nothing comes to mind. Learn how to combat Writer's Block. Read More.
Intimate Portraits | Another iPhone Photography SessionJust me and my iPhone, and a new Tripod toy!
Back at it again with just me and my iPhone. Keeping my modeling chops going during this pandemic, creating visuals that I like on MY terms. Read More. |
A Night FlightI found a new place of peace in the midst of what gives me anxiety. I took an evening flight home and I experienced something like never before. Peace on a Plane. Take off didn’t have me grabbing the armrests like a baby clenching to his mother. I felt fine and enjoyed my window seat, peering out onto the earth where we reside. Read More.
Sky TherapyJust go to the park, sit down, and BREATHE! I forgot about a habit I wrote about over a year ago, “Hudson Inspirations”, where I sat by the river watching boats. There are no thoughts of what do I need to do, how am I getting it done, or why am I doing this again? Just peace. Read More.
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Get Me Out of Here!Chronicles of a Solo Vacation in Puerto Rico. In continuing to “get back to me”, I decided to take a breather. My choices were to take a few days off from work and stay home OR take this show on the road with a solo vacation. Long story short, Puerto Rico won. Read More.
Quarantined & BlessedGreat things are happening for my writing and the Heartbreak Diaries. Here's a few new updates highlighting me as an author and the series!!
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Rediscover Your Zest!Get that fire back to LIVE and stop simply existing! The gloom and doom of 2020 have shifted us. Our minds are no longer finding the newness. Yes, we’ve developed creative ways to cope…but is it enough. Are we waking up happy or just rolling over into the next day because the sun is up? Read More.
4 Things I Learned About Being a Self-Published AuthorImportant details I didn’t think about until the night before I published my book. In learning these lessons of being a self-published author, I thought I’d share the wealth. Some tips you may already know and others you probably wouldn’t think about until it’s time to click the button, PUBLISH. Read More.
A Message: Feel Good FallA New Season that Calls for Refocusing to Continue to Move Forward. Fall time is diving into the harvest. Fall festivals, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and so much more! However, in dabbling into watching the leaves paint beautiful pictures on trees, let's dive into refocusing on ourselves. Read More.
MuseumsRoaming around seeing the beauty in the most simplest objects. Museums and art galleries aren’t the only places where you can get a first-hand look at a masterpiece. Just look around, I mean REALLY LOOK. There are various wanders right in front of you. You have to get out of your mind and focus on what’s around you. Read More.
Celebrating Our AuthorsEric Jerome Dickey
It’s important to take time and pay homage to those who have gone before us. One of my fav authors, Eric Jerome Dickey tells a story like no other. His creative genius has pumped book lovers to dive into his world of love, lust, suspense, mystery and so much more. Read More. 
Thank You Mr. Mercury!My night at an Inspirational Rock-Doc, Bohemian Rhapsody. Usually I’m not excited about movies because I have my Netflix and Hulu, but a movie about Queen. Oh I’m leaving the house for that one! Throughout the movie, I was left with nuggets of inspiration. Bohemian Rhapsody inspires me to keep going and to be the person I was meant to be and for that, I’ll always be grateful to Mr. Mercury.
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Cruel SummerNobody warned me about this New York heatwave!
One day while standing in front of my open freezer, I couldn’t take it anymore. I humped it around the corner to a local outlet store and found a window unit A/C. I’ve seen these things get installed before, no big deal right? Read More. 
People Watching in ManhattanI love to “people watch” when I’m out by myself. For those who don’t know what it is, the name says it all. I like to study various mannerisms, conversations, and create my own scenarios of how two or more people ended up together and where their story will lead. Read More.
The New Normal: Another Subway StoryOh so we’re just gonna act like that didn’t happen!?!
Venturing throughout this city, I have found the most unusual quirks, people, settings, and daily routines. I guess these factors are what makes New York...New York. One common denominator is, people just accept it "as is”. No major complaints or that brave soul to stand up and say "Hey, that's weird. Stop it!" Read More. 
New Year, New M...Welp NevermindEnd of Year Assessment. Say it with me...ACCOUNTABILITY! Every year around this time resolutions, goals, and personal changes take over my mind and spirit. Then six months into the New Year, old habits creeps in. Those New Year declarations become a distant memory and/or an “I’ll do it next year” task. Read More.
Fashion Week GoodiesA quick rundown of my weekend at New York Fashion Week. Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE NYFW. Living in GA I tried to make it up here but since I’m a resident, EVEN BETTER.
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Coffee Shops & ChillThere’s something about a soothing hot beverage that ignites the spirit of the city within me. My desire to try these shops came from my obsession with the series Frasier. Watching Frasier and his brother Niles give comedic and dramatic exchanges over cups of coffee in their regular spot drew me to this place. Read More.
Roses & Shyt.When a Snap Chat Filter Makes You Reflect.
Playing around on SnapChat. (Side Bar: I usually do this when I have my contacts in b/c the facial recognition doesn’t work with these cat eye glasses.) Anywho, I started to think about the actual flower. A Rose. And what makes it grow….in some cases, people use rich soil, seaweed, but what really came to mind, was manure. Read More. |
Just Me and My iPhonePhoto Sessions: Window Series
Being a self-proclaimed professional iPhone photographer, I took the evening to bask in the sunlight. Taking advantage of a beautiful day in Harlem I created my own shoot. Simple, yet sensual…comfy and creative. Read More. 
"Unsubscribe" in Real LifeUnsubscribe to people, places, and things that stress you out and doesn't serve you. You don't have to engage in gossip conversations just to belong. There's no need to listen to "frenemies" put you down because they feel inferior. Don't engage in the small talk that irks your soul.
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Netflix & A Lazy DayMake it a Netflix movie day with these recommendations. I used to look forward to long weekends as a time to book a vacation and hang out with friends on a beach. But now, as my 30s have set in, I’m finding myself truly enjoying the much earned holiday for what it is. Read More.
Favorite Things for SpringMay is here and of course New York didn’t get the memo that the season has changed....hoping one day for good, I’m finding more favs that are a must have for me to get into the Spring Season, while we wait for the weather to catch up. So, here’s my list to continue the #mood of Spring! Read More.
My Favorite ThingsI want to share a few gifts. Sharing is caring right? Everyone has their own list of “must haves”, new discoveries, and trinkets for sentimental reasons. I’d like to expose a few of mine :). Hopefully these will give you new ideas, inspos, or even a confirmation that there’s another addict in your section ;). Ready? Here goes. Read More.
They Found WHAT?!?!Scary Situation While at Work...Leaving the building, there was a bit of madness. Men in suits walking fast-style to elevators and once I reached outside, there was a line of NYPD officers holding rifles in front of the building. Another slew of officers lined up sitting on motorcycles, sniffing dogs and more officers putting up barricades. Read More.
Hit the StageAccomplishment: My first New York Stage Play.
Being part of Precious Metals only amped me up to do more. Although I’ll miss the dynamics of my first NYC stage fam, I’ll always take the lessons and the joy with me. Now I KNOW I was born to do this. I can officially change the title from “Aspiring Actress” to “Actress”. Read More. 
Hotel TourIt wasn’t planned but, here we go…
I was on the hunt. The AMAZING APARTMENT HUNT IN NYC. But once I found my personal space…I had to wait. Wait to move in that is. So where was I going to go? On a Hotel Tour. Read More. 
Catch the SpiritStaying on Task. Going for your Dreams in the NYC.
Enjoy the town but understand that while you're sleeping, out partying, or just getting taken away from the views, there are thousands more who are moving past you to get things done. Experiencing these wanders first-hand, how can you NOT get inspired to want something for yourself? Read More. 
The Adjustment PeriodLearning to be more patient with myself.
My advice to anyone dealing with a change of location or any type of change, GIVE YOURSELF TIME! It doesn’t all have to work out at one time. Take every step that doesn’t work out as a lesson and come back stronger. It’ll be okay. Read More. 
What's Under the CoatNew York winters can be bone chilling. So what does a southern girl like me do when the need to throw on a good crop top to hang out or go about the day? Layer up. Yes! Crop top season is year round for me. Read More.
No More BirthdaysI’m done counting time. I just want to live and be grateful. Although I had a great day bringing in 32, I want that feeling EVERYDAY. Not just because I’m adding another year to my life. Plus, people put so much effort into an age. Sitting around counting the days and time only makes life go by faster.
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Finding Myself in Art.The Evening I Found My Spirit Animals in an Art Gallery. I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend a VIP Party featuring the amazing works of multimedia artist, Marko Stout. This style of art spoke to me. I felt like a few of these models were my "Spirit Animals" guided by the notion to let go of inhibitions and be YOU. Sexy, edgy, beautiful and COOL. Read More.
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Self-Care ReminderSTOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING! Are you taking care of yourself? Take care of your body, and it’ll take care of you. Here's your reminder to cease everything else and schedule time to take care of YOU! Here are a few ideas to kick-off you Self-Care Routines. Read More.
Time to Reset Starting with You!Snippets from the "7-Day Guide to Forget About Your Heartbreak". This guide breaks down 7-Days of activities to get your mind refocused and help ease the frustrations of a heartbreak. Learn how to get back to YOU! Take care of you by refueling so that you can rejoin the world refreshed. Now go get over the heartbreak! You deserve it! Read More.
Lipstick HolidaySharing the Shade...Lipsticks! I always find out about the National “internet appointed” holidays on the day of and sometimes after. (Usually through a hashtag on IG). Luckily, I caught this one in time to participate and share my favorite lipstick shades on the gram. Read More.
Okay...I Need A TimeoutWhen you’re going 500 miles a minute, you can’t make this a daily habit. To remedy the results of burnout, I have to readjust my time management. I have many things on my plate (not complaining, I LOVE it), but I am in my 30s, and no normal human can function like this without properly resting.
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A Solo ThanksgivingAnd I LOVED every morsel of it! My favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) as it revolves around food was a bit different this year. Since I wasn’t able to get home to GA, I took a “me” day for the occasion. My plan was to cook m own style of Thanksgiving dinner along with enjoying good wine and relaxing. Read More.
Table for One!Oh Yea its just me…I’m cool with that. Eating alone is always deemed as a bad thing. “She doesn’t have friends?” “No man to take her out?” Not even. You just need that time alone. And why wait on someone to schedule you in just to get a meal or a nice drink. Many people stay inside day and night just because they don’t have anyone to accompany them. What’s up with that?!?! Read More.
Hudson InspirationsAs always, NYC never disappoints. Whether I’m uptown or downtown, I get a chance to view the beautiful Hudson River. And across from it, the state of New Jersey. What first started as a walk on the pier with a friend, turned into a constant activity that gave me peace, serenity, and inspiration.
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Places of MeditationJust give me a minute outside of this “New York Minute”! Learning to adjust to it can be overwhelming but the beauty of the city makes it all worth it. While working out the kinks of getting used to NYC, it treats you to places and spaces to catch a breather. Read More.
Random Fun Stuff: Bathroom SelfiesSetup the camera, find a cute wall pose within the 3-10 sec window. One of my fav activities when I hang out is to take a random selfie or setup the auto timer and pose real quick. I usually do this within the confinement of a bathroom so I’m not interrupted or getting weird looks from people passing by. Read More.
Why Am I Here?“I ask myself what am I doing here?...” – Alessia Cara
The Thoughts of Failing. My third night in New York, the fear started to set in. As I laid in bed, in the dark, I kept asking myself, “What am I doing?” “Why am I here?” I came up here with a plan, but…was it a SOLID plan. I felt like failure was waiting right outside of my bedroom door, ready to greet me with his presence. Read More. 
Leg Warmer's FlowI was gifted these leg warmers the year before last for Christmas, and being that I was still in GA, they had a permanent place in my sock drawer. With the dropping temperatures above the Mason-Dixon Line, I needed to make sure the calves would have a more coverage with my leggings. Read More.
Welcome to New York:
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