The Change...

Hey guys!
It has totally been on my heart to update you guys on my journey. What journey you ask? Well, my journey on the road to freedom, of course! The event that I put together last December was REALLY just the beginning!
To be able to let go of things...accept things...and change things for the betterment of CRYSY, has been a life changing experience to say the least. The things I used to  do, places I used to go, a few of the people I used to associate with...No longer appeal to me! Honey, Crysy used to be in the club 4 nights out of the week! Now..IF I go out, I'm like, "Where's the food?"
Let's go eat or let's go to church! Feed my body or my soul! LOL
Wednesday night was a party night for me. Now, you can catch me at Lakewood!(You're welcome to join me)
At the end of every service at Lakewood church, they say "Give us 1 year of your life, you'll never be the same." Last night, when John Gray said that...I realized IT'S TRUE! Last year this time, I was NOT the person I am. Granted, 2016 was definitely a year of transformation for me, attending Lakewood over the years has definitely changed me.

Oh, and he's NOT done with me yet! (insert praise break)

I've come to realize that, as a result of  a variety of happenings throughout my life, I have subconsciously conditioned myself to think, act and do certain things.
The bitter single woman that used to go IN on the "losers" she met, has been in a relationship for a minute now! Only AFTER, I was able to look at MYSELF and realize, It was ME! 

Stinkin' thinkin' as Pastor Remus Wright says. As the saying goes though, "When you know better, you do better". I'm thankful that I can make adjustments where needed. I'm thankful that God has chosen me to share my journey with you all and inspire you in ways that I've never even imagined. Most of all, I am thankful that I am walking into my purpose and being who God called me to be.

There is a quote that says, "When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you." As I go through this transformation, I've met some awesome people and done some great things. Most of which, I have never imagined myself doing. That is because my mind and heart were in the wrong places!  When I tell you things have worked out for me in ways, I've never even thought of! God has blessed me all of my life, but I look at things differently now that I am more so seeking to do things in God's will.

To be totally honest, changing is NOT easy! But, it's necessary!  Some days I get discouraged and distracted. I've lost friends and don't even know why! I'm not invited to participate in certain business related things. Out with "friends". Things don't work out how I want them to. For whatever reason. Hey, it bothers me, but I can't let any of that get me off track! The enemy uses those things to take your focus off of the bigger picture. I'm exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what I should, with who I should. Seasons change! I just have to be ready when they do!

 I can't give up. I've come too far. Seriously. I'm not supposed to be here. The devil has had it in for me for awhile. God has kept me on more than one occasion, do you hear me!? Like, Held.It.DOWN POP style! LOL

 There are people that probably look at the things I post and say on social media in disbelief...how can SHE post all that stuff about church and God?
Shoot, why NOT me?
If he can do it for me... if he can pull ME out of such a dark place... he can definitely do it for YOU!
The struggle is real, but so is God! Ok!!!??

Until next time,

Walk in faith, live in victory.

-Crysy

The Bel Dam Beauty Box

 Hey ya'll hey!!!

It is definitely Working Woman Wednesday!!! We're going to do it a little different this week! I want to share something new with you from one of my fellow #girlboss !  

When blogger and influencer, Starr Howard initially contacted me to review her "Bel Dam Beauty Box", I was too excited. My 1st official product review as a blogger! I prayed for business increase, new associations and opportunities. Look a GOD!

The Bel Dam Beauty box is a quarterly (produced every quarter of a year/4 months) subscription box, that includes a variety of beauty, fashion, home and lifestyle products....products all from black businesses! How awesome is that!?

The idea of the Bel Dam beauty box was conceived after the creator, Starr completed a life changing mission trip to Haiti. Starr was inspired by her experience and the beauty of the Haitian women.

"Bel Dam", means beautiful lady in Haiti's native language, Creole.

With a variety of other subscription boxes available for purchase, Starr wanted to make products available to black women that catered specifically to their skin tones, hair types and cultural style. Also, in an effort to introduce small black owned business to consumers, the idea of the beauty box came about.

I am honored that I was chosen to sample and review the box and its contents!

It came its a nicely sized and packaged box with its name and web address on it, the gold tissue paper was super cute as well as the pink envelope with business cards and inserts from all included companies.

This box includes:

• A partial coverage head wrap from  Coily Girls head wraps. Super cute and colorful! Although I don't have coily hair, my mom does and she ROCKS it! Sorry, she doesn't like taking pics! I'll try to sneak one and share!


• 

  A "Jamaica Me Crazy"scented soy candle from Soyful Aromas that smells AWESOME!!! It literally had my apartment smelling like a tropical getaway! Get me to some blue water and white sand, please!


• 

  A 3 step skin care shaving set from Camellia Alise. I don't grow a lot of hair on my body. Not even to shave a leg, child. But I did try this system on my little fuzz and my legs were so smooth and soft after! 


• 

  A "Lemongrass"scented soap from Sew Forgiven that I used to wash my face. Had my skin feeling so soft and clean!


• 

  A Strand By Strand hair detangling comb from Zayd's Naturally Natural Hair Studio . I used this on my son, who has naturally coily hair. He doesn't like to comb it because it's usually hard to...but this comb from Zayd's has him combing like he had long straight tresses! LOL


• 

  A pair of stud earrings from Adornments boutique, these earrings were super cute! I'm normally a big(no, huge) earring type of gal but these were small, yet still POPPIN how I like!


• 

  A small exfoliating sponge that I used with my lemongrass soap from Sew Forgiven. I usually don't use sponges BUT... I like this one!


• 

  A statement tee that says  "Joy comes in the morning". I love a good statement tee! It's black and white so you can play with this and dress it up or down with various fun colors! I styled it super cute too. I will definitely share!

This box is much needed in "Our" community! Full of items made especially for us, by US! Most subscription boxes are centered on type one product like makeup, hair, or jewelry(often times full of items WE can't really use)...BUT the variety offered in the Bel Dam Beauty box is awesome! I will say my fav items were the tee and the candle! I cant wait to share with you guys how I styled it! Ladies, make sure you are signed up to receive the next box! You don't wanna miss out! You can sign up here 

You can also purchase from each company individually! I have attached a link to each one. Shop with them and tag me in your pics!

Have a fab hump day!  

XoXo,

Crysy

The Fatherless Daughter

Is there a sale going on today?? Can I get some free food or snacks somewhere??

The fact that I haven't celebrated Father's Day since I was 8 y.o.... That was my mom and I last year living with my grandparents and my family would celebrate my wonderful grandfather. After that, there was no reason to celebrate it! I mean, I still send him cards and call him every year, but it's not the same!

See...my dad was one of those "pop up" dads. He and my mom split when I was a baby, and he's been in and out of my life ever since. He'd send a big box of gifts at Christmas and my birthday, and call every now and then but we have NEVER really had a relationship. That was something I'd always longed for, I wanted to know what it felt like and experience being a "Daddy's girl"! Nope...Just my mom and I.
SN: Thank GOD for her, I don't know where I would be without her.

When we moved back to Houston, I was excited because my dad lived here and I just figured that

we'd have that daddy/daughter relationship I had always wanted....NOT!

He came around when it was convenient, made promises he didn't keep....U know regular deadbeat ish. He did that for a few years after we moved back and one day he just went MIA. I mean nothing, when I was 14 years old until I was in my early 20's! Don't ask me where he went....I concluded that he went back to Africa(where he is from).
During that time, I had a hard time in my relationships with men. Looking for some kind of love and attention, from men. I dealt with some grade-A losers, u hear me!!??! Giving them chance after chance, accepting inconsistency, putting up with unnecessary bs. Just because I was trying to fill THAT void, you know? I wanted love and attention from a man! That went on for my teen years and well into my early 20's. I had a baby at 15 and was a rebellious and promiscuous teen. As I got older, I masked the hurt and pain with being "independent", putting an imaginary wall up, acting hard, crass and overly sarcastic. Back then I had no idea what was going on with me, but now I can look back and see what it was! Thank GOD for self  discovery and acceptance!

So, I'm 20 something... and this man actually contacted my cousin I grew up with, in order to reach me! Go figure!

So, here he comes again with this BS.....by this time in life, I'm over it. But now, I have a son and he starts doing the same bs to him! No sir, you will NOT!!! So, I stopped letting him interact with him period. He is still popping in and out, random phone calls, and weird visits. Currently, he's MIA yet again. I don't know if he's dead or alive.
What I DO know is that, I suffered for many years because of the broken relationship with my dad. See, I was broken myself on the inside...which caused me to do a variety of things that I can now see were caused by what I was lacking and seeking to fill that void with. I am grateful that I can now see the error in my ways and do better. I am grateful that I can move forward with my life and be a better mother, daughter and mate.
What I am MOST grateful for is that my MESS is now a MESSAGE and I can hopefully help a young girl that is going through what I went through as a teen/young adult or that young woman van take my story and now realize the error in her ways and do better!

Keep pushing fatherless daughters.... It gets greater, later!!!

XoXo

- Crysy

Fearless!!!!

Man!!!

Let me tell u guys something.....FEAR is a silent killer!! It will kill your hopes, dreams, plans, your overall energy...EVERYTHING!

I have been letting fear rule my life for WAY too long!
What am I afraid of you ask? Just fear in general...fear of the unknown, fear of being broke, rejection(various forms), wasting time/money,fear that my products/inventory wont sell....fear, fear, fear...Ugh...
Some times, fear is ruling and I don't even know it. It's like I conditioned myself to act and think a certain way!
Past experiences can definitely have a long lasting affect on your life....IF YOU ALLOW THEM TO.

Unfortunately fear has had a dramatic affect on my business and personal lives. I wouldn't do certain things, go certain places, create certain things, collaborate on certain projects, or attend events...just because I was AFRAID . This has happened over the course of a few years.

People have been encouraging me and pushing me to be greater for years. You know its great when people see things in you and for you that you don't see yourself?! I am forever grateful for that. But as someone told me, You have to be in a place to receive what God has for you. SO true! I wasn't readyyyyy (Kevin Hart voice)

BUT....At some point I had to tell myself, "GOD has this under control!". Like there is nothing in this world that ANYONE can prevent or take from me. They don't have that power...because anything that is meant for me, will be. Point blank.  Regardless of who I collab with, what event I go to, what products I make or don't...what is meant for Crysy will be! I can't talk faith and not practice it! No way! How will I ever prosper that way? How can I be afraid to be GREAT?

I have been on a quest for a closer relationship with God and I can't proceed if I don't trust him fully.

I recently had the pleasure of going on a Spring break trip to Destin, FL. Totally relaxing and great trip. Anyway, a friend suggested jet skiing.....Uh....jet skiing? Who me?? Was what I was thinking. Going jet skiing is the furthest thing from my mind. Seriously! All these things went thru my mind: "What if I flip over"...."Fall off"....all kinds of things. Just scared for no reason. Fear of the unknown, because I had no idea of what would happen!

BUT GOD....he spoke to me...
And it hit me....GO! Get your ass on that jet ski! For all the things that have held you back...for all the moves you didn't make and things you were scared to do! F^&* Fear!! (excuse my French). So I went. When he speaks, YOU MOVE.
To say that it was the most exhilarating experience would be an understatement!

I literally rode that thing yelling, "F&*% Fear" as loud as I could!

I was alone, in the huge body of water not knowing what would happen next....Just me and GOD...I prayed...I sang(Tasha Cobbs "Fill Me Up" and "Break Every Chain")...I talked to GOD. I have never felt more at peace, to be honest.

As I revved that jet ski up to 7mph...(don't laugh! It seemed to be going pretty fast!) I have never felt more sure about myself ...EVER.

Like all the things that people have been telling me for years finally registered in my OWN mind.

I GOT THIS! Finally!

I felt that I needed this experience. I had to go. Like I couldn't wait for another moment of declaration. This was it. I'm so glad I went though, it was over due!

One night at bible study at The Lighthouse Church, Pastor Keion Henderson made a point that basically said that you can be all over social media posting quotes and scriptures when YOU really need the encouragement. Ya'll know I love a good quote and scripture! But I was more so posting it for myself! I needed the encouragement! Sure I wanted to share, but how can I preach if I need the word??? This day, I had to really encourage myself and trust in God for the outcome. Not to say that I've never trusted in God before....that is a must! There have been plenty of times where I have trusted in God for the outcome of a situation and everything worked out.🙌 But to give something to God and have no control of the process or the outcome.... To not have a backup plan... To be in the unknown with no worries...that was a first! I had no idea what would happen when I got on that jet skii. I just knew God had his hand on me and all would be well. And it was. Because I had no fear.
💋

Before jet skiing

See, I came back in one piece!

Off she goes!