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Happy Birthday To Me

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Hi Pretties,

I know it has been too long since I have shared a blog post! What better day than my birthday to get back in the blogging business. Y’all this 2020 is unforgettable. If I don’t remember anything else in life, it will be this year and how it changed everyone. There is rarely an event or situation that happens that touches everyone, but EVERY continent I believe except Antartica has been touched by this pandemic! But, I am not dwelling on the pandemic. More than anything, I am thankful to live to see another birthday.

So what have I been doing during the pandemic…cooking, cleaning, and shopping…yeah I know y’all have been doing the same thing too!

What I Have Been Doing…

  1. The first thing I purchased was a new cookware set. If I was gonna be cooking up a storm, I needed some cute cookware. This is ceramic and so easy to clean, that was a big selling point for me.
  2. To make my cooking life easier, I ditched my crockpot and I jumped on the Air fryer bandwagon. I have never seen such pretty chicken wings and fries on the gram’. Of course, I bought the accessory kit too. It’s bout to be on and popping in my kitchen!
  3. And, because I just needed my 1000th pair of earrings, I got these cuties in a bold gold. I’m rocking gold accessories all summer! These are super lightweight and come in a bunch of sizes.
  4. I know I’m not going anywhere in particular, but when I do leave the house, I still want to rock stylish sunglasses. These were less than $20 bucks and yep they come in other colors too, including pink!
  5. Ever since I started blogging, I have wanted a ring light. And with so many more indoor photoshoots, it’s a must-have for content creators. I mean are you even a content creator if you don’t have a ring light? IJS…

If I can say anything about this birthday year, it has been the year of learning. I have learned how to tie a head wrap, the basics of tai chi, Zoom “dates”, how to cook two chicken dishes in the crockpot, the basics of SQL, and I am just getting started. Getting older and smarter, you can’t beat that!

How are you celebrating your birthday this year? What have you been doing during the pandemic?? Smooches pretties!

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Who Is Robincharmagne?

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Hello pretties,

It has been some time since I introduced myself. But I did not want to do the “usual suspect” questions – favorite color, dream vacation, etc. I found these quirky questions and thought I would share some known and unknown tidbits about me. I hope you enjoy a peek inside robincharmagne…

  1. You’re wearing perfume, what scent is it?

Euphoria by Calvin Klein, it’s a sexy scent with notes of pomegranate, black violet, and black orchid.

  1. What is your coffee order?

Medium with 3 cream, 3 splenda, shot of hazelnut

  1. Favorite body part?

My eyes…light brown and kinda big and bug-eyed

  1. One thing about me that you wouldn’t know?

I love Western tv shows! Bonanza, Rifle Man, Big Valley, Raw Hide, Gunsmoke

  1. Favorite old movie?

Mildred Pierce with Joan Crawford, original boss babe and the wardrobe for this movie – old Hollywood glam

  1. What is your favorite Netflix show?

My favorite special is The Black Godfather, don’t have a favorite show

  1. What is the craziest thing you have done?

Ziplining in Costa Rica, NEVER again. It was so scary and very, very, high off the ground. Did I mention monkeys. NEVER again

  1. Have you ever failed at anything and what did you learn?

I auditioned to be a Georgia lottery girl, you know calling out the numbers.  Lesson-do it afraid

  1. Who is your celebrity crush?

Will Smith – hope he sees this…I would faint

  1. What social media are you addicted to?

Oh my gosh Instagram – beautiful, creative, and crazy

  1. You are going out with friends, what are you doing!

Brunching at a loud and bouncy spot in The A, looking super cute

  1. What is your go-to hairstyle?

Short and sassy, always works – classic

  1. Who is your favorite musical artist from the 20thcentury?

Whitney Houston, so sorely missed. Favorite song – I Have Nothing

  1. What is your greatest achievement in high school?

Speaking at graduation was quite an honor

  1. Can you describe yourself in just 3 words?

Loyal, smart, funny

  1. Which smartphone do you use, iOS or Android?

Team Android foreva

  1. Who is your favorite stand-up Comedian?

Chris Rock…hope he sees this…I would faint

  1. Which is your favorite holiday movie?

Santa Clause- all 3 back to back to back

  1. Most influential book?

Outside of the Bible, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz  – be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, always do your best

  1. Which one do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi?

Coke of course. Visit the World of Coca-Cola when you’re in The A

Tell me something about you I don’t know?? I’m nosey!

robincharmagne

Restore – Word For The Year

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Hi Pretties,

Happy 2020! We are all excited about this new year and all the goodness to come. As tradition goes at robincharmagne, we have a word for the year – RESTORE!

The Shift

2019 continued to be as challenging as prior years with family loss. I know these things happen to everyone but it just seemed like it happened in triples for my family bringing more sadness. How much loss can a family endure? We leaned on each other and struggled through the rest of the year. On top of that feeling unsettled with work and home as well. Nothing felt “right” and I was not motivated to do a whole lot, just a few things that I had previously committed to and couldn’t back out.

But, towards the end of 2019, I began to see signs of restoration in different parts of my life. I think it started with the Paris trip. I just felt better, happier, feeling free to just be happy and to live. And then changes on my job – better assignments, changes in my home – motivated to decorate and organize things, and old opportunities resurfacing – back to teaching. The shift was happening and accepted it and I chose to carry it into the next year. God said He would restore what was lost and I see that happening, slowly but most surely. Of course, my loved ones cannot be restored, but having strong extended family and loyal friends restores feelings of love, protection and support.

I am ready to claim EVERYTHING that was lost because God is a restorative God. What are you claiming?

For encouragement and motivation – Words for the year 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019

robincharmagne

55 Things – Monday Musing

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Happy Monday. This week kicks off my birthday on Saturday. A LOT has changed in 5 years since I celebrated my last milestone birthday – primarily the passing of my Dad, Sister, and Brother and Mom’s illness. I still feel a sense of loss most days, but for the most part, I have adjusted to this new normal that seems totally crazy. And, I am thankful for another birthday!

One thing that hasn’t changed are the lessons I learned in 50 years. Nope, I am not creating a whole list of 55 more lessons, but I am adding 5 more things I have learned in almost 55 years.

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LOL, it has been quite a ride to 55 and I keep learning and growing and being clear about what’s important. Some of it serious like being healthy – physically and mentally and some of it is just plain fun, like wearing white whenever I feel like it! I will see y’all in 5 years with 5 more things I have learned. What have you learned this year that is making a difference for you?

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If We Were Having Coffee -Vol VII

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Hello Pretties,

Sipping on a delicious cup of Panera Light Roast, pretty flavorful but definitely a milder taste. I am so excited to bring back this feature on the blog today. In these super casual blog posts, I share the people, places, and things that have been on my mind lately. If we were having coffee…

  1. I would tell you to watch The Black Godfather, the life of Clarence Avant on Netflix. With a ninth grade education, Mr. Avant was able to influence and connect people from all industries and walks of life. I mean including Presidents – powerful! I cried, I laughed, I cheered. It’s a worth a watch!
  2. I would tell you, there is a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale up ahead! Plaid and Animal prints are popping for the Fall. This is great opportunity to snag new boots, hoping these pink boots are in the sale. And don’t forget to check out the Home department for some home decor steals!
  3. I would tell you I have a slight earring addiction. Currently crushing on acrylic earrings, these, these and these. No matter your size, you can still rock a pair of stylish earrings.
  4. I would tell you about the fun I am having posting positive words on my Instastories…#wordsmatter!! Follow my Instagram here.
  5. I would tell you to start studying these 2020 Presidential candidates. Find which issues they “say” are important to them, e.g, women’s rights, immigration, education, health care, tax reform, etc. This election is critical, we have to make informed choices.

That’s all folks. Planning a quiet weekend, what are y’all up to? Have a good one!

robincharmagne

Candytopia – Let’s Go

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Hello pretties,

Candytopia is coming to Atlanta and I am excited about being invited to the media sneak peek next week. I am not sure what to expect but I have heard Candytopia is colorful, interactive and Instagrammable! Oh and made of candy, yes you read that right candy. I will have a full review after the sneak peek, but until then, here is more on the installations and how to get tickets…

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REBOOT – Word For 2019

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Image:via

Hi pretties,

Another year all fresh and new, don’t you just love it? Whatever happened or did not happen in the prior year does not matter because we can start anew with these 365 days. Some folks just tweak or improve on what they did last year and some people like me are rebooting, yep restarting.

Sometimes you need to just shut down and then start over. With the unforeseen events of 2018, I did shut down. After my twin brother passed away, I did not do a whole lot of anything, except work and that was because like everyone else, I need to earn a living. Not much shopping, dining, traveling, crafting, sorority, nothing. I did not leave the house very often, nothing interested me and I settled into a deep sadness.

Of course I went to grief counseling which helped tremendously, but I still had anger towards God for taking my brother. I decided He and I needed to have a meeting. In order to hear from God, I think you need to be close to nature, so I visited the mountains of the Arizona desert (travel post coming soon). Beautiful setting to walk each morning while having this important conversation. I cried, I laughed, I yelled, and then I got quiet. I asked why. I wanted to know what is the purpose of so much death and dying in one family? As I looked around I heard God say, that is the circle of life, you live and you die. It is really that simple. I shed the anger and thanked God for each day and said it is time to get back to life.

Image: personal, The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona

After my trip, I was much more accepting of the “whys” of everything and I decided I would start over in 2019. But then a little fear creeped in, until I ran across a series of videos about the life of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, or Coco Chanel as we all know this icon of fashion. Did you know she restarted her fashion house at age 71? And, today, Chanel is still a profitable and sought after brand. If she could do it in her 70’s then so could I. It is never too late for a fresh start.

I am glad to be back in the saddle and doing the things I love, like writing blog posts and I am ready to share more fashion inspiration, home decor ideas, and travel topics. I am excited about 2019 and everything it holds. This reboot is going to be epic!

What is your word for 2019? Have you ever started over?

View Words for 2018 and 2017!

robincharmagne

Who’s That Girl – Monday Musing

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Hey pretties,
Who is that girl? Since it is a new month and my blogging has been all over the place, I thought I would sorta re-introduce myself and share a few tidbits about robincharmagne that are very random and oddball! Here goes…

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Inquiring Minds

1. I love Bentleys, my dream automobile. Whenever I see a Bentley tooling around The A, I try to snap a pic and then wonder if the owner is a famous rapper, a politician, or a blogger who made her dreams come true.
2. I drink mojitos when socializing, but I am not a drinker, does that make sense? Brown liquor is disgusting.
3. I would rock a pair of jeans every single day, matter of fact, I do wear jeans every single day. My uniform – jeans and a cute top.
4. All cookies are welcome in my house, actually if you bring cookies, I will love you forever. Especially oatmeal or graham crackers or vanilla wafers, or…okay any kind is fine.
5. Science fiction is my favorite movie genre, except Star Wars, never liked it. Live long and prosper is more my speed – did you catch that?
6. I work virtually and Podcasts help my day go so much faster without being a distraction. My favorite podcast is The Read – sometimes ratchet, including adult language, but always woke!
7. Room service is my jam, especially for breakfast. Nothing like waking up to a delicious, beautifully plated meal that is delivered and setup so fancy. It is a vacation splurge I include in the budget.
8. I know God created bugs, but really, they are not my friends. The End….of all bugs.
9. A house on the beach is the life, nothing like living near water. One day…

A peek inside the mind of robincharmagne. Thank you for stopping by and tell me something random or odd about you?

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Photo:GDemeritte Photography

MLK and AKA

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Hello pretties,
Celebrating to auspicious occasions today, The birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 110th Founders’ Day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Given the current climate in our country, I thought this quote was most appropriate. I am just wondering how long will it take or what will have to happen before some people speak up??? In the spirit of what Dr. King stood for, serve your community today in whatever capacity you can, just do something to improve your community!

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated celebrates 110 years of service today. The first Greek letter organization for college trained black women, founded January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. AKA women have a long history of service to the communities we serve.

#Facts

Founded: January 15, 1908 at Howard University, Washington, DC
Incorporated: January 29, 1913
Twenty Pearls: Founders and Incorporators
Motto: “By Culture and By Merit”
Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Official publication: Ivy Leaf magazine, first published 1921