In today’s post, I want you–yes you–to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and just day-dream for a minute or two. Let your imagination take you on a journey that perhaps you haven’t traveled along in many years. One thing I love about children, they never forfeit the opportunity to imagine or daydream. They […]
Read More I’m Wishing on a Dream…Hey guys! For a second I thought we weren’t going to have the June edition of Dos and Don’t due to my partner, Shana (who collabs with me for this specific segment of Itoja) being busy and enjoying herself on vacation. But like always she has come through and has yet to let us down. She’s […]
Read More Dos and Don’ts (June Edition)“The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” ~ Malcolm X Just how “woke” are you? The term “being woke” stems from the ideology of being aware and informed from a sociological aspect. […]
Read More How “woke” are you?Back in January I started my journey of letting go. But this letting go was a little different than usual. This letting go required me to face reality and my closet. For a woman this can be dramatic. We all keep things entirely too long. We’ll buy a pair of shoes and wear them once and they will never […]
Read More The Purge by way of Poshmark!Today, I am choosing to share a post from LaWanda’s Red Letter Version blog site. There is a real message here that I believe we all need to hear. Depression doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t skip you based off of your financial or social value. People are people and we all need to do better when […]
Read More The Darkest Side of the Spade — LaWanda’s Red Letter VersionNo need to be bored; try these things on your next cruise.
Read More Try these 10 things on your next cruise!My curated survival kit for college. Any high school graduate would love this!
Read More College Survival Kit!As I carefully sip my Lime Spritzer…… I’m guilty of : Eating in Bed. Staying up too late and then oversleeping. Missing a month of working out. Having 30 bottles of wine (I’m working on my collection). Browsing the internet at work. Being too hard on myself at times. Binge watching TV Shows. Skipping meals. […]
Read More I’m Guilty……..and loving it.In this post we go on a journey though the NMAAHC!
Read More Have you been to the underground?Today we discuss a FB status that was recently on my timeline. What are your thoughts?
Read More Do cheating boyfriends turn into cheating husbands????Every year we take my grandmother to the casino for a ladies weekend trip. My grandmother, my mother, two aunts, my sister, and of course, yours truly: ME! Going to the casino is one of my grandmothers favorite things to do. So we always make sure she gets to enjoy that at least once a […]
Read More WaterworksIn a world of dismay and uncertainty, our mothers are our backbone and strength. They are able to bring us laughter and joy and direction when needed. From the day we are born they’ve nurtured and protected us. Their daily prayers as we’ve traveled to school, with friends, and even as adults have placed permanent […]
Read More Dear MommaCan you believe that we are already 5 months into 2018? Which means it’s time for another edition of “Dos and Don’ts.” Please check out prior months HERE. Also, if you have a “Do or Don’t” that you think we should hear please feel free to send them my way at toja@itoja.com. You never know […]
Read More Dos and Don’ts (May Edition)Just a little something to help you along the way!
Read More My PSA to African AmericansMy birthday giveaway is over and now it’s time to announce the winner!!
Read More And the winner is……It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
Read More Celebrating my birthday with a GIVEAWAY!!I hate when this happens….Thick girl problems!
Read More My Thick Girl WoesI’m at a point in my life where I feel like my life is in total chaos. I’m overwhelmed, overworked, and slowly running out of energy. I’m working two jobs, only because I want to, while also preparing to move, planning a wedding, and running here and there. I tend to stay up late trying […]
Read More What are you doing for YOU?In my opinion, one of the worst things that we can do, at any age, is to believe that something will not or cannot happen to us. These “things” either being negative or positive. For example, a person thinking that they will never be pulled over by the police or a person believing they will […]
Read More Delayed but not Denied!When I first learned that the once gangsta rapper was putting out a gospel CD I was one of those people who laughed and ask if this was really real. Someone pinch me please! I honestly didn’t know if I could take the songs on his CD seriously. I mean we were talking about the […]
Read More Snoop Dogg’s Bible of LoveIf I asked you what your superpowers were, what would you say? Would it take you a moment to answer or would the answer to this question come rather quickly to you? For many we have to think about our answer. Or we would name powers that we wish we had instead of powers that we know we […]
Read More Superpowers!Happy Monday! Today, I’m sharing a post from Happy Haute Home. If you love all things house related she is the one to follow. Today she shares a home in Virginia (my neck of the woods) that Martin Lawrence is selling. I didn’t even know he had a home in Virginia. My question here is, […]
Read More Martin Lawrence is Selling Massive Virginia Ranch — Happy Haute HomeI miss the black church. But I don’t miss the drama. I miss the black singing, Spring revivals, choir rehearsals, conventions, and youth meetings. But again, I don’t miss the drama. I miss when the anointing would be so high you could barely get through the announcements. Members shouting, drums beating, tambourines beating against the […]
Read More Take me back, Dear Lord!Most people become engaged between November and February; you know the given Holiday season where couples are with family and friends. Those Holidays being Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day. Then right after Valentine’s day teenagers are fighting to get into a formal dress store to purchase their Winter dance dress and/or Spring prom […]
Read More Bridal/Formal Dress Shopping 101Monday’s sure do come around fast but it’s nothing that we can’t handle, right? I wanted to take a minute to share with you some good news I received yesterday. I received notification that my blog, 5 ways of making the most out of Twitter was being featured on Janice Wald’s Mostly Blogging Inspire Me […]
Read More Watch me Shimmer!Who’s ready for another exciting month of Dos & Don’ts? If you’re not ready, you should probably get ready because its that time again and we’re coming at you full speed! But before we get started, I believe I can officially say, Happy Spring! With that being said, be sure to get those pedicures done before […]
Read More Dos & Don’ts (April Edition)Hey Friends!!! Today’s question is brought to you by whatever streaming service that is out seeking your patronage. Streaming TV seems to be the new “IT” thing to do. I know for me, I was interested in saving money on my cable bill, however, I wasn’t really sure which route to go. I didn’t have […]
Read More Have you cut the cord?For centuries, it was unheard of, that black people would go to a therapy session. Or to see a shrink as some would like to put it. The black communities therapist was the prayer line or going to talk to your pastor about your problems; but what was so wrong about going to see a […]
Read More The Black community needs therapy too!Long gone are the days of AOL Instant Messenger. Can you believe AOL was launched in 1997? I remember having to use dial-up to access the internet and also waiting for my sister to get off the landline telephone so that I could even use the dial-up, which was crazy in itself. This all seem […]
Read More 5 ways to make the most out of TwitterQ: I think I’m addicted to designer labels. From Ferragamo, to Chanel, Tom Ford, Burberry, and Gucci; to name a few. I did manage to go 62 days without shopping or buying clothes, but I recently messed up. My girlfriend said she thinks my addiction stems from not having any kids and that’s how I […]
Read More Q&A: Are you addicted to Labels?Below you will find my Top 5 Mystery Podcast that I think YOU ALL will love. There’s so much drama and suspense detailed in these podcast that I literally could not wait to listen to the next episode. My thoughts and opinions on who did what, when, and where, kept changing. I couldn’t believe that […]
Read More My Top 5 Mystery PodcastHere I am in my late 30’s and suddenly I feel like time is just moving too fast. For years it seemed like I’ve rushed life away. I’ve been a little girl, desperately wanting to be a teenager. Then once I became a teenager my 20’s couldn’t get here soon enough. Now that I’m in […]
Read More The Days of our LivesI’m loving this weeks photo challenge! When asked “what would you rather be doing right now,” …my answer will always be; Traveling! If I could be a little more clearer, I’d rather be traveling on a cruise ship! For me, nothing can top this. It’s the best way to travel, the best way to unwind, […]
Read More I’d rather be…As you all know I’m always eager to highlight up and coming Entrepreneur’s around the world to my readers. With that being said, this months Entrepreneur Spritzer is all about the new book, TheFace of Expression by Aaron Woodson. If you’re not familiar with my Spritzer you can get caught up HERE!! 5 reason why you most certainly need to […]
Read More 5 reasons to read “The Face of Expression” By Aaron WoodsonA few years ago, I was introduced to a non-fiction book called, The Moth. You can find it HERE. The Moth was a book of short stories that were told in their truest form around the world by individuals in a live group setting. It was called The Moth because every time they would get […]
Read More The Moth: The Traveling SandwichesOnce upon a time (like in 2016), I lived life as the Rich and Famous. Even though it was only for a few hours….I lived it and I LOVED IT!! I could truly be a Hollywood type of girl, living in Beverly Hills…but I would want to be behind the scenes and just living my […]
Read More Beverly Hills: Telling a story via PicturesEverything I do, exist of me being on my phone. From paying bills, to emailing, to social media, shopping….everything. But apparently, I’m a HUGE texter. My cell phone provider sent me an email breaking down my usage for 2017. I was blown away! 80k text? Are you kidding me? That’s over 6k text a month, […]
Read More Apparently, I’m just a text away!?Before we touch on my curls today, let me just say that my hair has been the topic of many discussions. People are constantly asking me where did I get my hair from? What are you mixed with? Honestly, I DO NOT KNOW. But I will find out soon and when I do I will […]
Read More Today, my curls are popping!I received these roses for Valentine’s Day. Of course they were beautiful at first glace. Two weeks later and they were still trying their best to hold on. The water was getting lower and with any flower, the leaves started to turn and die. After a few days of neglect I noticed even more beauty. […]
Read More Beauty is in the Eye of the BeholderWell, well, well! Your favorite blogger is back with your favorite segment of IToja which is the monthly edition of Dos and Don’ts!!! If you need to catch up the previous issues, please catch the 411 HERE for January and HERE for February! All aboard? Lets go! Shana: Don’t pay full price for anything. There […]
Read More Dos and Don’ts (March Edition)Anyone familiar with the English singer/song-writer, Sam Smith and his latest song, Pray? It is a song that I play at least 8 times a day. Usually back to back. I love how he goes from a deep tenor tone to a high falsetto (his voice is magical) as what appears to be a choir […]
Read More Pray by Sam SmithI have a dilemma. We have a dilemma. Over the weekend, a dear friend of mine who lives in Texas was out and about. Like many of us, sometimes it’s just easier to grab food while you’re out. It was convenient so that’s what she did. I’ll just speak for myself and say that I […]
Read More Is meat really killing us?Hello World. Today in Black History, lets talk about the 44th President of the United States of America. Excuse me, the FIRST BLACK President of the United States of America. Barack Obama I remember like it was yesterday, the night he won the election and the day of the inauguration back in 2008. African-Americans really thought that we had […]
Read More From the Southside of Chicago to the White House: OBAMALast night I sat in bed and just scrolled my Twitter timeline and read all the text from students who sent “I love you” text to family and friends. Not because it was Valentine’s Day, but because their school was under attack. They were living in the moment of a mass shooter running through their […]
Read More My heart is in pieces #ParklandYou all know how busy my life is. I’m sure yours is just as busy. So follow me on this quick steak dinner guide to serve up the perfect meal for your special someone for Valentine’s Day this year. It’s even more perfect because this day of love falls on a weekday and no one has time to spend […]
Read More The perfect Valentine’s dinner in 30 min or lessToday’s mood is melancholy. I cry internally over the lost of my uncle frequently but especially today because it’s his birthday. Two years ago today, he laid in a hospital bed with little response. Suffering from pneumonia and lack of oxygen that he would never recover from. A few weeks later he passed away. Sometimes, […]
Read More I’ll always love you! [RIP CLT JR]She is fearless and fierce. She is persuasive and potent. She is unapologetic and unmovable. She’s a mix of old school and new school. She advocates for the unqualified, the poor, and for women’s rights. She is a Trojan for all black people.
Read More Drinking all the “Waters”I promise I want hold you long. I know it’s Super Bowl Sunday and that you have things to do. Yes, I do too! So real quick. I just have this one question. Because in life we celebrate every occasion with food. So today’s question is……. Do you prefer Flats or the Drum when you […]
Read More Super Bowl Sunday: Question of the DayWe’re going to refer to this blog post as a twofer! A two for one type of post! 🙂 Blended families are nothing out of the ordinary these days. In fact, blended families are becoming more and more popular. The key to making any blended family work and the key to life in general is forgiveness. […]
Read More Embracing your blended family & Happy Fathers Day!
