The Lazy Scholar Shop: My Works on Display

Hey Scholars,

It has been such a busy time in my life lately.

• I am currently a month and a half into my bachelors degree program.
• I began exploring more artistic ways of expression.
• And I am trying to maintain my sanity since Eli has become very clingy. I'll post about Eli's sudden need to cling to me now that I'm expecting in May, at some other time in the near future.

Overall, I am busy and exhausted, but I really like that I am productive in so many areas of my life right now.

As the title of this post suggests, I am dedicating it to the newest addition to The Lazy Scholar Blog family: The Lazy Scholar Shop on Cafepress.

In my Goals for 2014 post back in January, I listed a lot of ambitious goals for this blog and many other areas of my life. I have been able to achieve a lot of things on my list already. So much so, that I added more goals to it! One of those goals happened to be opening an eCommerce site.

I didn't believe that I would be able to achieve that goal this year, but I have been working so hard in the first quarter of this year, that I decided I was ready to do that now.

My shop is stocked by Cafepress, meaning that all of the merchandise listed there is stocked and shipped by that company. The only inputs I have with the items my shop sells are:

• What designs are available
• Which products I want to make available
• And, which designs are available on which products

Overall, I am satisfied with the items that Cafepress offers in their inventory. I do not currently have the ability to create my own items for sell, which is why collaborating with this site is the best option right now.

Here are some of the designs I am offering in the shop right now:

These design collections represent my pride in being African-American and celebrates the beauty and cultures of people of color (POC). While the design collections are not complete, I have listed the designs I have created so far. I must say, I am satisfied with my work so far.

*Note: Every design I offer is being reproduced in varying skin tones so everyone can have a likeness to themselves and their family dynamic. This is just what I have created so far and have available so far.*

The more I create, the more experience I will gain, and I will be able to create more intricate works of art.

Thank you for reading this post.

Don't forget to tell your friends about this blog and about my The Lazy Scholar Shop on Cafepress.

You can look forward to more designs being posted this year as I evolve more as an artist.

Until Next Time Friends,

Let's Get Down to Business

Hey Scholars,

Some of you may not know this, but earlier this year, along with registering this domain name, I also became self-employed. Yup! I am a small business owner and have the pleasure of filing quarterly and annual taxes. *so much sarcasm* It was a huge financial and personal decision for me, but I have always dreamed of being my own boss and now I am finally living that dream!

My Ideal Work Space
Being a busy Mom and having another little guy due in May, I feel the crunch to find a work schedule that works best for my family dynamic and fits my personal needs. Here are my needs for a successful working environment:

• Convenience - I can begin working as soon as I enter the space; No set up is required. Also, no travel required since I do not drive.
  
• Flexibility - A schedule that can accommodate standing commitments and appointments for my children and myself. I also need the ability to work late at night when I am the most alert and creative.
  
• ADD Friendly - No distracting colors or other stimuli.
  
• Child Friendly - Nothing in the space poses an immediate threat to my children.
  
• Scalability - I can expand my setup to accommodate new technologies, equipment, or furnishings.
  
• Multifunctionalism - Can be used as a home office, business office, and personal retreat.

I do require a lot of special requirements to be able to work, which is why I decided in part that working independently is the best option for myself and my family's needs. I would also like to be the person who makes decisions about my future, not an employer or corporation. I wanted to increase my earning potential by being in control of my workload and which business opportunities I pursue.


What Does This Mean for The Lazy Scholar Blog?

This blog is a labor of love and I put a lot of thought into each post and design concept. I've even taken up learning graphic design and HTML to tweak the layouts and learn how to build new ones! Here is what you can expect in the future from me and this blog:

• More Consistent Posts - I'm working on a set schedule for posting and my goal is to stick to it.
  
• Better Content - Currently, I'm working on becoming a better writer so I can express myself more thoroughly through my posts. I've been taking freelance jobs to gain more experience and I've also been writing in greater quantities a lot more often.
  
• Varied Content - Including more photos in my posts and filming videos for the YouTube channel created especially for this blog are among my top priorities this year. I think videos and photos will help my readers relate to me and also cater to people who like to do more than just read.
  
• eCommerce - This year, I hope to have either an eCommerce page on this site or an ETSY shop fully operational. I want to provide my freelancing services and handmade products. I've been thinking about this for about a year, but I finally feel confident enough to attempt it this year!
  
• Enhanced Layouts - I have been studying HTML and other languages to how to customize this blog. If you've been visiting over the last few months, you'll see that I've changed quite a few things from adding the tabs and social media buttons to creating seasonal layouts. I'd like to continue that and learn even more to add other amazing features to the site. I think slideshows and embedded videos are next on the list!
  
• Building Community - I am guilty of being a hermit in real life and also on the internet. This year, I want to be more involved in social media. Every account associated with this blog deserves attention from me and I just haven't been doing that. I lurk around other blogs, but rarely comment. This year, that stops. I want mt readers to know that my blog is a safe place to have discussions and that I'll also return the favor and join in sometimes.
  
• Blogging Conferences - I'm not new to attending conferences, having been tech support, a presenter, and an attendee before. I do want to attend a conference or two in the next year related to blogging so I can meet others like myself. Traveling is also awesome and I'd like to take my boys with me.

I have a lot of goals and aspirations for this blog and I know I won't reach them just talking/writing about them. I also know it won't be cheap, but I'm a hard worker and when I'm determined, I can do anything.

Please continue to support The Lazy Scholar Blog and stick around to watch it evolve into something awesome!

~ Until Next Time Friends ~

♥Domonique ♥

Personal Finances & The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Hey There! Lately, I've been immersing myself in personal finance websites and blogs. What I want to accomplish more than anything in the next five years is to become financially independent. I realize that being financially independent means different things to different people, so I've listed below what being financially independent means to me:

Wellness Journey: October 2013

Hello Friends!

As I've previously posted, I've decided to modify my Fitness Journey posts and turn them into Wellness Journey posts. After some major changes in my life, wellness is something that I can focus on right now.

I didn't stick to my fitness routine at all last month. However, I did manage to lose weight because I altered my eating habits. While I didn't cut any calories, I changed the foods I ate and what I drank. I am officially at 185 pounds as of today. If you've been following along with my Wellness Journey on this blog and just on Facebook in general, you know what my highest adult weight was 211 pounds when I was pregnant with Eli in 2012.

One of the main reasons I haven't been able to exercise is because I injured both knees in September. I have been feeling a lot better mentally since then and managed to get in a quick workout at least once a week, but nothing like the training I was doing before.

I've only been able to do standing calf raises, wall push-ups, and a few dumbbell exercises that are very low-impact, but it's better than nothing. The workouts don't take more than 10 minutes to complete, but leave me feeling exhausted afterwards. I'm hoping that I'll get my energy back in the next few weeks with healthier eating and vitamins.

Updates: From Fitness Journey to Wellness Journey

Good Morning Everyone!

As of October 31st, I won't be able to post anymore monthly Fitness Journey: Progress Shots. There is a reason for this and I promise I will explain it in a post soon. If you were looking forward to that content, I am truly sorry to disappoint you. The posts will be resuming in Summer 2014, but for right now I will be focusing on the wellness side of my journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Thank you so much for your support!


Until next time friends: peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~

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Fitness Journey: Progress Shot & New Fitness/Wellness Plan | September 2013

191.0 lbs. - September 2013

I haven't exercised very much in the last four weeks because I've been feeling under the weather, but after taking my progress shots, I am re-motivated. I am going to set a few wellness/fitness goals for myself each week and reward myself when I meet them. If I fail, I will have to give up something I want for the week, like going to the movies or a restaurant. Here is my wellness/fitness routine for the next four weeks: Fitness 1) Yoga for 30 minutes - 3 Days/Weekly 2) Walking - 2 Miles/Weekly 3) Calisthenics  - 3 Days/Weekly 4) Rest - 1 Day/Weekly Wellness 1) Track all meals for accurate caloric intake. 2) Have at least 10g protein and 5g fiber in every meal. 3) Take vitamins every morning. So far this is what I have planned for fitness/wellness. Please leave comments below if you'd like to know more about my lifestyle or stats or if you have questions in general. Also, check the FAQ tab on the top of this blog, I may have answered your question already. Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3 ~ Domo ~ Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter

Fashion for the Fatigued: Style after Eli

 

The start of a new season always makes me happy. I feel like it’s a clean slate and the possibilities for next three months are endless. Of course, I’m exaggerating, but the feeling of newness is definitely in the air and I’m ready to tackle a new project. Myself.

It's been seventeen months since Eli was born and I'm still wearing maternity clothing three sizes too big. I admit I've been a little afraid to buy anything new. My weight has yo-yoed for years forcing me between twelve's and sixteen's and my body is nowhere near toned. But, recently I've managed to follow a fitness routine and I lost a significant amount baby weight. I'm putting my needs on the endless list of responsibilities and making it a personal goal for Fall/Winter 2013 to buy the staples for a new wardrobe.

Blogs, Vlogs, and Lookbooks

 

I've been reading a lot of blogs, scanning magazines, and watching hauls and lookbooks on YouTube for the past few months. Something I noticed right away was that many people were following every trend and trying to incorporate it into their style whether it suited them or not.

Some vloggers, bloggers, beauty gurus, and style icons have a distinct style. Unfortunately, what I’m continuously seeing online and on the street is repetitive styling and ill-fitting clothing for the sake of being trendy. I believe in wearing what you want and feeling confident in what your wear, but at five-three with an inseam of thirty, I also believe in tailored clothing. Whether you're rocking a Gothic Lolita or Bohemian style, clothing tailored to your body can make a ten dollar blouse look like a one-hundred dollar blouse.

If I had the money to burn on new trends, I'd be tempted to buy everything, but I happen to be on a tight budget, so I have to choose my clothing more thoughtfully. Most trends I’ve seen don’t become staples and are not long-lasting. Since I tend to keep my clothing five or more years I have to pick pieces that flatter, are good quality, are versatile for many occasions, and affordable. I might have champagne style and beer money, but I grew up learning to thrift, so I know how to find a bargain. I’m sure I can find every piece on my wishlist in my price range.

Finding Style

 

At the ripe old age of twenty-three, I'm finally branching out and dressing in something other than sweats and sneakers. I’m craving a more mature style without sacrificing my individuality and quirks. Although I dabble in Cosplay, dressing in bootcut jeans, a t-shirt with some kind of geek culture reference on it, and sneakers are my “uniform”. I’m ready to change that up and make it more adult.



Lower East Side Chelsea Flat in Black - Payless | Merona Large Tote Handbag in Black - Target

 

This year, after realizing that I had no casual shoes or a bag big enough for both my things and Eli's, I purchased a pair of black, patent flats and a huge cross-body/tote bag. These two items are the beginning of an evolved style.

I can wear the flats with jeans, pants, a skirt or dress, and the bag is black with silver hardware so it goes with everything! Both items were less than forty dollars each and also very good quality. If taken care of properly, I’ll have both for a year or more.

There are so many items I want to add to my closet, so I thought the only appropriate thing to do (since this post is already so wordy) was to make a collage on Polyvore!

Here you go!:

 

All About Ponte by thelazyscholar featuring band rings

Mossimo blue dress / Forever New cap sleeve short dress, $54 / Orla Kiely sleeveless top, $155 / Topshop white cardigan / DKNY shirt / Under Armour moisture wicking shirt / Vero Moda button shirt, $53 / Safiyaa shirt top / Mango coat / Oasis red blazer, $93 / Dorothy Perkins fake leather skirt / Bridal flat / Vans waffle trainer / Monet t-strap pumps / Kate Spade long purse / Jimmy Choo black envelope clutch bag / Marc by Marc Jacobs flower earrings / Lauren Ralph Lauren yellow gold necklace / Astley Clarke cord bracelet, $130 / Band ring / Hive & Honey drop earrings / Kate Spade polish jewelry / Ponte pants

   

Fall 2013 by thelazyscholar featuring ankle length pants

Forever New black skater skirt, $54 / Under Armour moisture wicking t shirt / Topshop cable knit cardigan / Ralph Lauren Blue Label wool cable knit sweater / Wallis sleeveless blouse / The North Face faux jacket / Uniqlo beige trench coat / H&M jeans, $47 / Apt. 9 ankle length pants / Chinti and Parker short mini skirt / Moschino high waisted pencil skirt / Converse trainers, $70 / Flat bridal shoes / Side zipper boots / Boohoo wedge heel shoes / TOMS black flat shoes, $54 / ALDO platform flat / Monet peeptoe pumps / Yves Saint Laurent loop belt

 

 

 

What are you most excited about for Fall/Winter 2013? What do you like/dislike about what I've chosen to be the basics/staples of my new wardrobe?

 

Let me know in the comments below. That rhymes. :)

 

 

Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3

 

~ Domo ~

 

 

 

Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter

Fitness Journey: Progress Shot for August 2013

August 2013 - 189 lbs.

This is the two-piece swimsuit that I recently wore on vacation. Here is a look at my body post-Eli. Obviously, I'm in need of a lot of toning, but with time and dedication I will look healthier.

Every month I'm going to take a progress shot of myself in this swimsuit and post it next to this one.

Follow me on my journey to having a healthier body and body image!

Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~

Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter

Surprise Vacation! - Traveling With A Toddler & Without Trouble

In early August my boyfriend surprised me and our son with a trip to Atlantic City the beach. This also happened to be our first vacation as a family. Neither my boyfriend nor I are drivers, so we took mass transit for the entire 75 mile journey, with a toddler, and luggage in tow. This post is the story of how we managed to stay completely sane despite obvious obstacles.

How We Packed

I knew we were going to be gone for at least three days, including the day of departure, so I decided to use three bags for Eli and I.

I decided my best bet for packing everything efficiently in one bag would be to use my massive, black cross-body tote bag from Target. 

For Eli, I packed two bags, his Winnie the Pooh baby bag from Walmart for clothing and baby essentials (now available on Amazon), and a tiny Spider-Man backpack from CW Price as a carry all for snacks, toys, and swim diapers (similar). I found that packing so many bags was a hassle to carry around because there was no place to store them adequately while traveling. Next time, I'm going to purchase either two carry-on bags (Eli's future bag and my future bag) or use my huge duffle (similar) and my cross-body bag from Target.

How We Traveled
Since S and I don't drive, we decided the easiest way to travel to the beach would be to take mass transit. I live fairly close to a rail system called the SEPTA Regional Rail service which travels from suburban areas into and beyond downtown Philadelphia. The train is a 10 minute walk from my home and only a 20 minute ride into the city. After taking the train to Market East Station, we then walked to the Greyhound Terminal which is located across the street. Greyhound Terminal services many bus companies including, but not limited to New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit - New Jersey's Mass Transit System), which is what we caught to the beach. We caught Bus 551, which is a direct route from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. The best part about taking mass transit is that we don't have to worry about gas, tolls, getting lost, or parking fees, and the cost of a roundtrip ticket for an adult is only $20 each. Eli travels for free!

Where We Stayed

For our first night in AC, we stayed at the Howard Johnson. The hotel was two very long, but walkable blocks from the Boardwalk/Beach and the staff was very friendly during check-in and check-out. Our room was located on the third floor, had a king bed, shower/tub combo in the bathroom, and overlooked the pool.

What I loved about the hotel was the cleanliness and closeness to everything and the built-in outlets in the lamps! What I didn't like was that there was no microwave nor a refrigerator in the room, there was a wall unit installed near the front door, but no formal closet, the hotel offered no crib in room, and no complimentary breakfast -  all important things when traveling with a toddler.

The second night we stayed at the Best Western Envoy Inn, which was our prefered hotel because we'd stayed there two years ago. This hotel is also located two blocks from the beach and one block away from the Howard Johnson. Our room was located on the third floor, had a king bed as well, shower/tub combo in the bathroom, a formal closet, and most importantly had a microwave and mini fridge. What I loved about this hotel is its proximity to everything, the friendly staff, the cleanliness of the hotel and our room, the hotel offered a rollaway crib, complimentary breakfast and high-speed internet, and it's located right next to a 7 Eleven. What I didn't like was the lack of a pool. How I Unpacked
In each room, I unpacked our belongings so we could feel more at home and settle in.

I put all toiletries and makeup in the bathroom. Emptied the staples of my purse into the side draw and put food items and medicine up high so Eli couldn't get to it.

We even had our own draws in the armoire to store our clothes. 

What We Enjoyed

What we loved most about going to AC was seeing our son feel the sand under his feet and stand in the ocean for the time. 

S and I even managed to visit the stores at Tanger Outlets and eat at the Hard Rock Cafe before heading home! Overall, we had a blast! I can't wait to go again next year. Maybe Eli will be tall enough to ride the attractions on Steel Pier.
Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea <3
~ Domo ~ Tumblr | Facebook | Twitter

Soul Searching Saturday #1: Buying When You Can't Afford To

I love shopping.

I like the thrill of walking around the store with money in my pocket. I like feeling elated when watching the cashier ring up my purchases. I become excited from seeing that total number and knowing I can pay for the items. I like buying things for friends and family, to show them that I am financially able to help or spoil them. I love to buy things I want, taking them home, and showing them off Instagram. And judging by the number of "haul videos" on YouTube, I am not alone.

Everyone I know wants to be accepted by others in some way and sometimes that means putting on an appearance that may not reflect our true selves.

Can you remember the last time you had no negative feelings or felt very little negativity about your lifestyle until you logged on to a social media site? It is here that you see images of "friends" or followers posting the best moments of their lives. It could be a vacation in Paris with family, getting a high score on an exam, or buying a new pair of sneakers. Suddenly, you feel the need to compete or compare yourself to others. You begin to question your own importance based on material items and validation from others.

I was a victim of social media envy. I bought things I couldn't afford to fit in with people I am no longer friends with. I became very unhappy with myself when I tried to please others by listening to music I didn't like, going places I didn't feel comfortable, and I became involved in situations that endangered my future and my job because I needed to be validated by people who cared very little about me.

I am fully recovered now that I have deactivated all of my social media outlets, especially Facebook. And I can say that the people who care about me are still around regardless of what I have and what I can do for them. They never ask me to go out of my comfort zone to please them. I never have to feel like I don't fit in because we don't have the same interests or the same products. These are real friends.

I have also learned that people will love you and care about you, when you love and care about yourself.

So the next time you find yourself only buying something because everyone else has it, remember who those people are that will stick by you when you have nothing. Material possessions are great to lust after, but what about when it all goes away? What do you really have left?

Be true to yourself. Love yourself. And do things for others because you want to make the world a better, more caring place, not for recognition or expectations of return on your invested time or money.

This has been a Soul Searching Saturday post. <3

Peace, love, and green tea <3

~ Domo ~