Tuesday marks a decade that I’ve been involved in Toastmasters. I have made memories along the way as well as many friends in my Toastmasters travels. I’ve attended countless club officer trainings, also known as TLI, as well as District Conferences. I’ve heard countless keynote speakers, and attended countless breakout sessions where I learned a lot.

My home club will help me celebrate my ten year anniversary with Toastmasters Wednesday night. Our Vice President Education Chuck Dietz has added me to the agenda so that I am able to embellish a little bit on my decade in Toastmasters. Next year that torch will be handed to me and big things are expected of me and will happen.

Part of our normal Toastmasters agenda involves speakers and evaluators. In this upcoming blog, I’ll be giving three facts about my Toastmasters journey and two ways I can improve. I’ll close this blog with a challenge to myself for the new Toastmasters year.

I joined Greensburg Toastmasters on June 1, 2011. Soon after I gave my ice breaker speech. What inspired me to join Toastmasters?

I was still in a dark period in my life after college when I felt the need to get another undergraduate degree to make up for how mediocre (at the time) I felt my college experience went at Slippery Rock; (I’ve long since accepted my time there and felt it was the right place at the right time for me). My reasoning for joining Toastmasters has long since changed since starting the blog.

I also belong to the advanced Toastmasters club, Achievers. This is a club that has a round robin evaluation to go along with the regular evaluation portion of the meeting. I have also served as Club Coach for the McKeesport club. They become Distinguished and led me to get my Distinguished Toastmaster award in September 2019. I am also an unofficial member of the Cranberry High Noon club. So you see, I do make my way around the District.

In January of 2015, I served at event chair for the Winter TLI. What was the inspiration behind me taking on this endeavor?

Beacuse I was looking to complete my High Performance Leadership project requirement. I assembled a great team of workshop presenters, a Toastmaster, and Sergeant at Arms, and a Registration chair. She put together her own team to help get everyone signed up and ready for a great day of learning and growing as a leader in their club. Who inspired me to take on this project?

We had a great District Trio in 2014-15 led by District Governor Melissa McGavick, Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training Josue Batista, and Lieutenant Governor of Marketing Eric Schultz. These three have inspired me to go far in my Toastmasters journey and encouraged me to go after this endeavor.

The club officer training I put together was one of the best ever and it helped me achieve my Leadership Excellence credit. This counted towards my Advanced Leader Silver award (which I received in the summer of 2019) and eventually my Distinguished Toastmaster award that September.

I attended the final District 13 Fall Conference on the final weekend of October 2017. The District and Toastmasters International was phasing out the Fall event in order to focus more on growing clubs. We had a prolific keynote speaker in Reggie Ford and excellent training sessions and contests. It was a bittersweet weekend as we said goodbye to a longtime tradition.

What inspires me to attend these big events? It’s the opportunity to get to meet new people from other districts and learn more from their Toastmasters experience.

The 2013 Fall Conference was great for me because I accepted the award for Select Distinguished District from our past District Director Russell Drake. I served as District Sergeant at Arms from late 2012 until mid-2014 and my delivery was always spot on.

Also, because it’s fun to see your Toastmasters family. The Spring 2019 event was a comeback of sorts for me after I was down for most of the previous year. Getting together and socializing with other Toastmasters on Friday night and having a full day of learning and laughter Saturday made this worthwhile. You always find a great group to sit with at the dinner and celebrate what a great weekend it was.

Those are a few of the cold hard facts about my ten years in Toastmasters. Here’s some of things I can do better in the next year.

I want to be a better example to the club as the incoming Vice President Education. One way I can do that is by planning to give more speeches. Over my ten year Toastmasters journey and throughout life, I’ve spent a lot of time wallowing in self-doubt. That needs to come to an end. I’ve come a long way but I still have room for improvement.

It’s time to get serious about Pathways. I have paths in place but I’ve remained stagnant while others have earned education awards. I need to dust off my paths and work through them.

I have aspirations to be a future workshop presenter at TLI, or education chair at a future conference. The sky’s the limit. Taking my own feedback to heart could help me get there.

I need to become more confident in myself. One example of this self doubt came in January 2015, a few days before our Winter TLI that I was chairing. I worried that I wouldn’t have time to get everything ready on top of everything else going on. But it all worked out and I put together one of the best club officer trainings.

I need to accept a role with grace and not moan about it. The worst that can happen is that I come down with a case of “membertude”. We had an issue in Greensburg with one of our former members contracting a case of “membertude”. It got so bad that it almost cost our Club Coach an opportunity to get his Distinguished Toastmaster award.

So how will I challenge myself in 2021-22? I want to be a better steward of time management with Toastmasters, including my officer role, my job, and life in general. That’s what Toastmasters is for, right? I finally kicked the habit of being bogged down by other people’s drama. However, I want to eliminate any self-doubt I have so that I can perform my role effectively.

In ten years of Toastmasters, I’ve had great meetings and bad. I’ve been in meetings with four people and meetings with 24 people. I wanted to give up some days because things weren’t going good and other days I can’t stop talking about Toastmasters. I’ve attended awesome conferences and spectacular club officer trainings. After ten years, it’s been a good run and I want to continue with it. Looking forward to another great ride in 2021-22.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

“Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.” — Paula Mason aka Mom

I’m grateful for the comments I receive on social media over my outfits and my bag. But no matter how many times one tells me how great I look in that jacket or how much they love my crossbody, what matters is that it makes me happy or that I’m being someone who makes me happy. Don’t base your happiness on other people’s opinions whether good or bad.

Those negative comments you see on your feed or hear from a colleague or total stranger? Take them and use them to lift yourself up. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Last night I pulled up this picture and told myself how great I looked in this cropped jacket, blue polo, black jeans, and my cute Coach bag. That’s all the approval you need sometimes but compliments are nice too.

Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, “I love the person I am.”

June 1 marks ten years that I have been involved in Toastmasters. I joined the Greensburg chapter on that Wednesday night and ever since, my life has changed for the better. I’ve made many friends along the way in my home club and in other clubs as well. I’ve also visited some great clubs in person and virtually. Cranberry High Noon is my most visited club and they’ve made me an unofficial member.

I’ve attended many speech contests and other district events like club officer training and the annual conference (used to be twice a year). I’ve also made my presence felt in other districts as well. I attended an event in District 18 in September of 2019.

I’ve served as a District Leader in the area, as well as in the division. Both Director roles have different requirements but you are representing the District, so be proud. I got my start as a District Sergeant at Arms at the Fall 2012 conference and I really enjoyed that role, getting praise from those in my District, and introducing our Toastmasters, event chairs, and event speakers.

My best Toastmasters memory was from the final in person conference we had pre-COVID in April 2019. A bunch of us gathered in the hotel lobby to hang out. It was on a Friday night and what a beautiful way to end the week. My Toastmasters comeback had just begun as I just completed the run of division contests a few weeks prior. That Saturday night at dinner, I watched my friends from Cranberry High Noon achieve their Distinguished Toastmaster awards and form their “DTM huddle”. That motivated me to complete my requirements (I had two left) for my own Distinguished Toastmaster award.

I received my DTM award at my home club’s open house in October 2019. When I came back to Toastmasters earlier that year, I was more than determined to finish my projects and achieve that coveted award. All I needed to do was conduct a seminar from the Successful Leader series and lead a club to Distinguished as club coach. I had no problem doing either.

What’s the inspo behind me getting my DTM award and why was it important? I wasn’t giving up after eight years of hard work. That would be like dropping out in May of your senior year of high school.

I watched Bob, Kathy, Leslie, and Sarah at the April 2019 conference forming their DTM huddle and that motivated me to finally get mine. That conference weekend was one of the best things to happen to me in 2019 besides getting my DTM, Chase’s return, and the launch of this blog.

I never got a chance to run the DTM gauntlet in person because of COVID, but I was able to show off my DTM medal 🏅 at the virtual Fall Symposium in September of 2020.

What gives me the inspo to visit other clubs? You see, making your presence elsewhere gives you a look at how other clubs run their meetings. It’s also a great way to meet new people and make new friends. You’re also there to provide support for other members and sometimes can be asked to step up and fill a vacant role. So you see, visiting other clubs in Toastmasters is one thing I enjoy.

A great example of a club that I always visit is the Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters club. I’ve been there multiple times and plan to make more visits there this year. When I launched my blog and showed off my stylish attire (no surprise I was slaying it that day), the club made me feel at home during my visit. Cranberry High Noon has adopted me into their family (just as Paula and her girls have adopted me into theirs).

At Wednesday’s Greensburg club meeting, we held elections for 2021-22 club officers. I expressed interest in the Vice President Education role. What’s the inspo behind me taking on a role that is one of the most important in the club?

It’s a role I’ve had little experience performing. I did it once before in 2012-13. The only officer role I’ve never held is Treasurer 💵 but we have a longtime Toastmaster who does the job well. The VPE position is more imperative now since we’ve switched over to Pathways. This is only my second time performing it, but I am definitely up for the challenge.

You see, I have big things planned for my VPE run next year. That will include putting together a chart to keep track of the progress in the Distinguished Club program. I also plan to encourage our new members to giving more speeches which will help contribute to the cause as well. So you see, what better way to set an example for Greensburg Toastmasters going forward in 2021-22?

In September of 2020, the District held its annual Fall Symposium online. During the awards ceremony, our past District Director gave out awards to three Toastmasters who exemplified The Spirit of Toastmasters. Nate Stephens for his work leading Penn Hills from Extinguished to Distinguished; Tina Kramer for her dedication to the Earlybirds club as their club coach; and myself as the goodwill ambassador to District 13.

At the Winter TLI in December, the three of us teamed up for a panel discussion and answered questions related to Toastmasters. It was all worthwhile and we had a great time dressing up at the Spirits of Toastmasters past, present, and future. Overall, it was a good training and a great day for me because I met some great friends for dinner in Ligonier that night.

My Toastmasters spirit has made a triumphant return despite self-doubt, COVID-19, and my recent health issues. You just can’t keep a good Toastmaster down.

Have a great week everyone. ❤️ you.

On May 15, I celebrated the wedding of my good friends Rob and Sara at the Westmoreland Country Club. The weather couldn’t be any more perfect than it was on that Saturday. It was a day like today for the most part with sunshine and a few clouds.

After a short ceremony, the wedding party got some pictures and we socialized. We then assembled into the ballroom and welcomed the bride and groom and their party. It didn’t take all of us long to reunite.

During the reception, we’re all outside and everyone is having a great time (drinks and all). I’m decked out in my leopard print cardigan and hat, which Paula and Sara have fallen in love with. While getting a picture with Sara and her friends, she asks me what the inspiration was for my outfit and my inspiration for dressing nice.

What’s the inspiration? Three questions I’ll share in tonight’s blog.

What’s my inspiration for the outfit I put together Saturday? (it was absolutely fabulous)

What’s the inspiration behind me dressing nice?

What inspired me to have a sudden interest in the designer brand known as Coach?

First question. When I was deciding what to wear for the wedding Saturday, I realized I don’t have any good clothes and needed to shop ASAP. Amazon to the rescue. I bought a pair of black pants and a black puffy blouse (my female friend wears trousers 🇬🇧 so it’s all good). I paired it with my red leather jacket during the wedding, put on my leopard scarf during dinner, and later on my leopard print cardigan.

My inspiration for my outfit was that leopard is always fun to wear to an event (I have a couple of nice leopard scarves too). It went really good with my black ensemble and it got a lot of attention. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.

Second question. I’ve always dressed nice. I did so in college. I always managed to look presentable. But it was one night and one person who managed to put this in perspective for me.

The events of 2019 have paved the way for the successes I’m achieving now. Earning my Dinstinguished Toastmaster award, seeing the return of one of my friends who quit that Spring and came back right before Labor Day, and one overnight trip that changed my perspective on fashion. Who’d have thought a cute blonde girl in a pink dress could have an impact on me?

My friends have been supportive of my fashion sense. However, I worry that some might treat me different. I think about how different my family will react. I sometimes doubt myself as well. But for the most part, it’s worked out well. As Mr. Clougherty always says, “Do whatever makes you happy.” As Paula told me yesterday, “Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.” My sis and fashion buddy Sara reminds me that “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Recently, I’ve been buying more stylish clothes like my leopard print cardigan and my mustard colored blazer. I plan on ordering a few more pastel jackets.

Third and final question. Why the interest in Coach?

Back in the summer, I started carrying a bag around at work and when I went out. At first I hid it so no one would make fun of me or look at me differently. Eventually I brought it out more and really no one has said anything. Even one of my managers has shown interest in my purple bag. Even if on Amazon it says it’s for females only, that hasn’t phased me. Like Sara has told me, “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

My interest in Coach came from that same girl who wowed me with that pink sundress a year earlier. Back in September, she’d come to work with her big Coach purse. Eventually, her purse caught my eye along with all the ads I saw on Instagram for Coach. Put two and two together (and the support of my adopted sister and mother) and you have my interest in a designer brand of purse.

I took a trip up to Tanger outlets in February where I purchased some hand lotion from Bath and Body Works, a couple pairs of joggers from Old Navy, and finally what I’ve been waiting for, my Coach. To prep myself for my shopping spree, I window shopped at Kate Spade. I went in very confident and made my purchases. I couldn’t wait to bring it home and take selfies. I got all the attention from Paula and Sara as well as Lisa Sukenik (who loves my crossbody with the red strap). Everyone’s crushing on my crossbody and crushing on my Coach.

Lessons learned from this blog: Be you. Do whatever makes you happy. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful. Lastly, don’t let others shame you. Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. Thank you for everything that you do.

This morning at Cornerstone Ministries, all the ladies got a free coffee from the local cafe Sweet Buzz. Guys would have to pay however. Our worship team made us laugh with some great Mother’s Day humour.

I celebrated my mom with a hanging basket from Bakers Home and Garden Center in Somerset yesterday afternoon and a nice Mother’s Day card this morning. My family isn’t big on celebrations like they used to be everyone has grown up and started families of their own or moved away. We used to all get together on Mother’s Day (we had our traditional picnic every year and took a picture of all the grandkids). Those days are long gone but we will always have the memories to look back on. Even our family reunions have passed us by as our loved ones have moved away or passed on.

Tomorrow would have been Gramma Gaffron’s birthday. She would have been 94 years old. This year marks 15 years since her passing and she is still missed. Gram was very loving, had an amazing laugh, and she was always willing to listen. She loved her family including her 13 grandchildren. Some of my best memories of my Gram include visiting her every Friday night, watching Jeopardy, and getting a subscription to Newsweek before I started college in 2000. She always entertained her family during the holidays with the endless Gaffron Christmas.

This weekend I will be celebrating my friends Rob and Sara. They got married last year but because of COVID could not have a big celebration. They were married at Greensburg Alliance Church and had some wedding pictures taken at Twin Lakes. This year they’re having a big celebration at the Westmoreland Country Club in Export and I’m invited. I talked with Sara on Facebook this week and I’m getting excited for the big day on Saturday. I’m happy to celebrate my little sis/twin/fashion buddy and her marriage to Rob. I’ve become a fan of Jane the Virgin thanks to Sara. We’re planning to attend the Ligonier Night Markets starting in June and a few Greensburg Nigbt Markets.

Here’s to the start of many fun experiences in 2021.

This week needs to hurry by quick so I can celebrate my friends. I’ll show you my outfit in a fashion blog this week.

Happy Mother’s Day. ❤️ you.

Happy Star Wars Day everyone. May the Fourth Be with You.

Star Wars Day is an informal commemorative day observed annually on May 4 to celebrate George Lucas‘ Star Warsmedia franchise. Observance of the day spread quickly through media and grassroots celebrations since the franchise began in 1977.

The date originated from the pun “May the Fourthbe with you”, a variant of the popular Star Warscatchphrase “May the Force be with you“. Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans across the world have chosen to celebrate the holiday. It has since been embraced by Lucasfilm and parent company Disney as an annual celebration of Star Wars.

The first recorded reference of the phrase being used was on May 4, 1979, the day after Margaret Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”

Fans have celebrated Star Wars in a variety of ways in social media and on television.

Since 2013, The Walt Disney Company has officially observed the holiday with several Star Wars events and festivities at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

My cousin Katie is a Star Wars fan and on tonight’s trivia, I encouraged her to put a few trivia questions from the Dark Side. As for me, I am a fan of original trilogy, not so much the prequels, and I have seen a few of the newer ones. As for the Mandalorian, it is on my upcoming watch list.

May the Fourth be you.

Live long and prosper 🖖.

Closed doors. Unanswered prayers. Blocked roads. All paths in life we must encounter. How we react to them will go a long way in how we deal with life itself.

One example of a closed door was back in 2005 when I graduated college. As quick as I came in I went back out. The gravy train was coming to its final stop, I would be looking for work, and I would be paying back my student loans. Things didn’t work out for me post academia and I gave a lot of thought to going back for a second degree. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the door was closed and I have to be content where I was. When the economy ground to a halt in 2008, that meant Kings would be cutting its hours. I began the process of finding another job. When that door closed, another opened. I’m still there to this very day.

When I couldn’t find work in my field in 2006, not to mention I was turning down work for that perfect ideal job, it felt like doors were closed. Companies wanted a little bit more from me than just a degree. Eventually I was going to have to settle somewhere. That’s where Kings Delmont came in. I applied in August and was immediately called for an interview. I impressed on my first and second interviews and was hired. I started at the end of the month (about six years to the day I started college at Hiram G. Andrews Center)

There’s another unanswered prayer right there. Where I went to school. My lackluster SAT scores meant I wasn’t going to get into a great university. We could have chosen the local community college and I could have gotten college credit and saved money on room and board. We looked at the Hiram G. Andrews Center as well and my mom thought it would be a better fit as I’d still get my education but also have the opportunity to be on my own. Eventually another door would open in the spring of 2001 when I moved on to the local community college there. I attended there while living at HGAC. Yet another door would open in my last year in Johnstown when I applied at Slippery Rock and eventually would get accepted.

But a great example of a blocked road came in 2008. I had plans to apply to another degree program at California University of Pennsylvania. Unhappy with my work situation, I didn’t care what it would take for things to change in my life. I even had the literature ready to go. I sat down at Careerlink with my OVR counselor and she explained to me that there would be too many hurdles to overcome. I still owed debt on Slippery Rock (I eventually paid off my loans in late 2009). I tried applying again in late 2011 before giving up for good. In the Spring of 2013, I finally accepted my educational journey for what it was and realized my time in college was truly worth it.

As my interests have drastically changed in the last few years, I think to myself, “I used to be that person?”. But no matter where you come from, the journey is always worth it.

Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers— Garth Brooks “Unanswered Prayers”.

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. —Lee Ann Womack, “I Hope You Dance.”

Last night marked the end of an era.

After more than thirty years in business, Kings Family Restaurant in Delmont closed its doors for the last time. The next morning, they did not reopen.

A sad day for those who remember a Delmont institution just off Route 66 near the ramp to US 22. There are many memories from those who worked there, myself included. We even started a page called “I Survived Kings Delmont” that highlighted the crazy antics of everyone working there from past years.

For me, Kings Delmont holds a special place in my heart. Here’s three facts about my employment with Kings and three things I wish I’d done better.

It was my first real job out of college in 2006.

I had a great relationship with the higher ups whenever they came to visit. Mom once said in 2006, “Get to know them”. I could have really applied myself and done more with the company. Too bad my attitude soured a few years later.

I promoted Kings at various events as the Frownie. I also did my homework and learned lots about the company. They started in North Versailles, and branched out to Monroeville and Plum before opening restaurants in the South Hills.

Those are the facts about my employment. Here’s what could have improved.

I wish I wouldn’t have let the negative attitude of my other coworkers ruin my view of working there.

I was so obsessed with my education. It’s hard to believe that back then it was a thing for me when my interests have changed so much in the last couple of years. I guess when you get older you do appreciate things more and realize some things weren’t really a great idea anyways.

I would looked at those busy days as an blessing instead of a curse. The yearly Apple 🍏 Festival was one of the busiest weekends of the year. I wished I’d taken more opportunities to shine and be my best.

My dad still has his Frownie T-shirt I got him for Christmas in 2005. The Frownie helped the company when it was introduced to compete with Eat’n Park’s Smiley Cookie. Whereas Eat’n Park was the place for smiles, Kings claimed that they made a mean dessert.

I really wish I’d appreciated my employment more here. Sad how all of the places I’ve previously worked have closed now. Park Diner closing in 2009 was a shock but Eat’n Park made that decision themselves. It was bad times for our economy as well. Reese and Xentel weren’t real jobs to me so no loss there.

However, Kings Delmont closing hurts more. It will always be my first real job out of college.

What a month April was, from losing my uncle to reading about my former place of employment closing its doors. There was the Spring conference and me finally seeing the doctor about my head cyst. Work kicked my ass over the last few weeks and I got away from being fashionable and keeping up with my Instagram friends.

But the month of May will be different. II’m excited to attend the wedding of my friend/little sis/twin/fashion buddy Sara and her husband Rob. They were married last year at Greensburg Alliance Church and had some pictures taken at Twin Lakes. Of course plans for a big wedding were shelved due to Covid, like everything else in 2020. I’m blessed that I got the invitation to attend their wedding on May 15. Sara’s mom Paula told me on Messenger, “You’re family, of course you’ll be there.”

Farmer’s markets start up this month and the day of the wedding is the first one in Ligonier. I’ll head down in the morning and see what it’s all about. The Greensburg Night Market starts on the 27th and I’m going to be there to visit my small business owner friends whom I’ve missed this Spring with being in the hospital and being busy and just not keeping in contact on Instagram.

Of course on Memorial Day weekend, I’ll be doing some traveling like I used to. Maybe that Sunday, I’ll go up to Johnstown and attend church before having lunch and then ending the day walking around my o!d school. Some traditions never die or are never outgrown. Where do I go to church in Johnstown? Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship. It’ll be the highlight of a church tour I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now and I’m looking forward to it. I plan to visit a few big churches in the Pittsburgh area this summer too.

After laying low for April, let’s make it up in May. Lots of good strawberry 🍓 picking coming.

It’s great to be back to blogging. Remember Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo 🌮 and Tuesday May the Fourth be with you.

Happy May Day. ❤️ you.

Everywhere I go, chances are you will see me carrying a bag of some kind. I do so because it’s convenient and it’s also stylish.

I have several bags at my disposal but there’s a chosen few that really stand out in my opinion.

One bag is perfect for the upcoming night markets this summer in Greensburg and Ligonier. One of my totes is a Christmas gift given to me by someone I just met in 2020. One of the bags i take with me when I do a Target run (I hope I didn’t give that one away 😉). But one bag I have is brand new and a real fashion statement.

This tote is perfect for my coffee dates at White Rabbit or Abigail’s Coffeehouse. I take my books in it with me on walks around town (weather permitting). But there’s a story behind this cute tote and my favorite little shop in downtown Greensburg.

One afternoon before Christmas, I stopped into Trendy to visit the girls. During my visit, Alisha went into the stockroom to get a gift she had for me. She really had me in mind with this beauty. Back in the Spring, I commented on a picture of a cross stitch that said this very message. Alisha and I found out we had something in common. We both liked Gilmore Girls. I watched the series in 2020 and found my own little Stars Hollow in the small town of Ligonier.

Warmer weather is coming, and that means farmers markets, Shop Hop nights in Latrobe, and other market events in Greensburg and Ligonier. On that Saturday morning trips to pick up produce, why not tote it around in this lovely burlap bag?

I picked this sweet tote bag up at the little gift shop Masterspieces in downtown Latrobe during their Harry Potter event last fall. I haven’t used it much yet but I do plan to attend upcoming Country Market events in Ligonier and night markets in Greensburg this summer. Throw in a Shop Hop night in Latrobe too. I’m also hitting up some farmer’s markets in my little Stars Hollow this spring and summer.

You have to go to your favorite store to get a few things. Why not bring them home in this gorgeous Target tote? I take this with me on every Target run and it does the trick. Of course you can take it with you to the grocery store but admit it, it just isn’t the same anywhere else.

But the best bags of all are the ones I’ve been longing for and just picked up. There’s very stylish, very chic, and it looks perfect on me wherever I go. They’re Coach.

A few weeks ago, I shopped at Tanger outlets and one of the last place I went to before heading home was the Coach outlet. I had been waiting to do this for a while.

I guess you could say my Coach obsession started on Instagram as it always showed up in my sponsors. My coworker also carried around a Coach purse as well. I posted a picture of the tote I was interested in buying and Paula and Sara (my “mom and little sis/twin/fashion buddy) gave me some encouragement.

Of course I’m also worried that people will think I’m weird for carrying around a bag. While 99% could support me on this, there’s always that one percent who will tell me I look foolish with it on. So far I’ve only had one or two haters. My family is even for my Coach bag. I’ve had positive remarks coming from my cousins, encouraging me to be unapologetically me.

The crossbody is cute. I’ll take this a few days a week to work and the city tote on the weekends though I might switch it up and use the tote more. You can wear the crossbody across or on one shoulder. How cute is that red strap? I actually like to wear it on my left side.

A good way to style my crossbody would be with my Old Navy joggers or Skinny/Slim jeans (also from Old Navy and a T-shirt or sweatshirt. With the city tote, I usually style it with a polo or top and my favorite Old Navy jeans and my leopard print cardi.

The crossbody would be perfect to take on picnics to Twin Lakes or Keystone. The city tote is perfect for trips into Greensburg or Ligonier. I rocked the city tote at last Saturday’s Trendy Bunny birthday event and got rave reviews from some of my favorite bloggers whom I finally got to meet in person. My fashion buddy (also my little sis/twin) Sara absolutely loves it and loves the brand. I do believe my family is on board too. Which leaves one little problem.

I need to drop the self doubt and realize that if I love something, that’s all that matters. I love my Old Navy joggers and my tops from teelife and State of Virginia. I love Jane the Virgin and Gossip Girl (thanks Sara and Rob) and have Fuller House on my list. I love my Bath and Body Works lotions and I absolutely love my Coach wallet and purses. I’m more comfortable and confident than I used to be about it because I’m doing me and being unapologetically me.

Be you. The world will adjust.

Embrace Your Style. Explore your beauty💄 👗👠

You’re incredible. Shine bright like a diamond 💎

Keep being the wonderful, beautiful, incredible person that you are.

Be a ray of sunshine 🌞. Bring love ❤️, smiles 😊, fashion 👠 , style 👗, and beauty 💄 to your life and everyone else whom you are.

Finally, if you’re looking for a brand name bag, buy Coach.

Have a great weekend. ❤️ you.