A Pandemic sprinkled with Post-Grad Depression

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The transition from college to the real world hit me like a truck. There were no more “Congratulations” balloons. They were replaced with daunting questions, like “What are you doing next?”, “When are you going to get a job?”, and my favorite “ When are you going to move out of your parent’s house?”

I had no answers, and my future was in limbo. I began to worry about my shaky future, what did it look like if I couldn’t answer those questions? The pandemic certainly didn’t help, because it gave me time to question and to think about every decision I had ever made. I spent half of my nights in tears, and the other half looking up at the ceiling wondering why I even went to college?

It all became too much. I started to hate seeing family members, and old friends. I even started to hate social media, because only on social media I could compare others lives to mine. They were progressing, and I wasn’t. It felt like everyone’s life was moving, while mine was at a standstill. 

I was rejected by the only thing millennials are good at, social media, but not only was I rejected by social media. I was rejected by countless jobs. Due to the pandemic, jobs were not handing out entry level positions. I always had this “go to college, get a job, and get married to prince charming” plan. It was an overwhelming sadness that my plan wasn’t being executed. I was feeling emotions that I didn’t understand, nor could I control. I felt as if I was in the ocean, in the middle of a storm without a lifejacket. I remember telling myself “If I die now it’ll be easier because people will remember me for my past accomplishments, not what I didn’t complete.” 

It was bad. I was not okay. I’m still not okay somedays, but I have come to the conclusion where I am in life, is where I am supposed to be. I cannot rush my timeline. The wonderful job, and Prince Charming will come and it will be even sweeter because I truly had patience.

5 Self-Care Need-To-Know – Forgotten Magic

Autumn Doll Cosmetics

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Seventeen year old Autumn Newberry’s journey to entrepreneurship is a tale filled with “black girl magic” and “women’s empowerment.”  

“I was motivated to start my business because of a personal situation I saw my mom go through,” Newberry says. She says, she witnessed her mother question her worth. “This prompted me to do something that would empower women of all ages,” She says. “Women go through many situations in life such as mental and physical abuse, adultery and molestation. I noticed that one of the first things we ask ourselves is what did I do? Or I’m I good enough? I want to inspire women to have confidence and to be independent,” She says. “I want my cosmetics to make women feel beautiful on the outside and feel powerful on the inside. I believe that if you look good, you feel good.”

While being an entrepreneur, Newberry also has to make sure her homework gets done. “I try to handle everything I need to do for my business when I first get home from school until around 7 pm,”She says. “After then, I focus on studying and home work until around 10 pm,”She says. Newberry says she tries to take care of most of her shipping and preparing orders on Saturdays. “I try to stay active on my business social media accounts but I can be challenging when I have a big test or papers to write,” She says.

Newberry let me know she plans to attend college in the fall with a major in finance or marketing. “I’m hoping to gain more knowledge about business practices that I can use to continue to grow Autumn Doll Cosmetics.” 

Not only does she plan to grow her education but she plans to grow her business. “I have a spring lip gloss line, Breezy, coming out at the end of March,” She says. “I also have begun and researching lip scrubs and moisturizers and eventually I plan to supply lip pencils and eye shadow,” She says. Newberry says her ultimate goal is to own a manufacturing company. 

“I want little black girls to feel good about themselves and to know the sky is the limit,” Newberry says. Her advice for young black girls interested in becoming entrepreneurs, is to find their passion. “Find out what you like to do that does not feel like work,” She says. She says a vision board and research helped her. “I also used the money I made from interning to invest in my business which caused my parents to know that I was serious,” She says. “Thus, they pitched in a little to get me started. My dad paid for me to become a LLC and my mom helped me to design my logo and take pictures for the website,” She says.

Newberry says she wants women in general to accomplish their goals. She says “A little bit of glitz goes a long way!”

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Autumn Newberry

First Post-Grad Job

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Landing any paying job during this pandemic feels like a diamond in the rough, but what if this diamond isn’t your dream job? Then comes the obvious questions, Is this what I should be doing? Is this enough pay for me? Am I settling? After spending four years as an English major, trust me when I say “job” and “career” are synonyms but one does not depend on the other. It’s ok if your first post grad job isn’t related to your degree. 

This first post-grad job might help get your foot into the work world, and make connections, but you shouldn’t stress about it.  It does not determine your success in your future career. 

When you make plans sometimes the universe laughs.  The typical plan we’ve all drawn in our minds is to go to college, then intern, and right after graduation climb to the top of the corporate latter. This is all supposed to be done by the age of 25. While this sounds fantastic, no-one ever does it, except for those lifetime movies. Any many grads, like myself, are proof it never happens. You can’t be so wrapped up in that plan, life happens. Sometimes obstacles and detours interrupt. Sometimes what you might find is the course you actually are going is better.

You should also understand everyone is going through the same struggles. College grads everywhere are having trouble finding a job related to their degree. During this bleak job market, You are not in this alone. 

Your first-post grad job is a learning experience. Still take time to fantasize about your dream job, and do what you love. This is not the end of your journey, in fact, this is just the beginning. 

Starbucks’ Pistachio Latte

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Only a few days into 2021, Starbucks’ announced new additions onto their winter menu. Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew, Earth Cake Pop, Red Velvet loaf, and the Pistachio latte. First on my list to try was the Pistachio latte, and it did not disappoint. I can confidently say this unexpected coffee flavor has stolen my heart. 

The new Starbucks Pistachio Latte has a typical latte base – steamed milk and espresso – with pistachio sauce and a salted brown butter topping.  “features espresso shots paired with pistachio-infused milk, warmed with a cozy hint of orange zest and finished with a sprinkle of salty-sweet pistachio topping,” the company website said. 

The best part of the latte is the brown butter toping. It’s salty, but also sweet.  I was also really impressed that Starbucks actually brought out the pistachio flavor. When Talenti Gelato’s pistachio ice cream first debuted, I was in love with it, and this latte can definitely surpass it in a race. The flavor was nutty, but not too strong. 

This nutty creamy Pistachio latte made me feel as if I was in-front of a fireplace, while snow was falling on my window. It was comforting taste, and I loved it. If you’re not a fan of hot coffee it comes in a Frappuccino form. I would recommend anyone to get it on their next visit to Starbucks, because I’ll definitely be ordering again.

Fraternity Fling

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Tuesday Tales told by Tyra-

One of the most important things about going to a historically black college(hbcu), aside from the education, is the “Greek life”. You hear certain songs, and you know to move because the Greeks are about to stroll. It’s automatically a rule, when you attend a hbcu. The Greeks are treated as if they are superstars, and my campus was no exception. What happens when you involve yourself with one of these “superstars”? 

Kappa Alpha Psi’s are notoriously smooth, and are known for dragging girls’ hearts along with their canes. As, a young sophomore I did not know the importance of Greek life, because I never attended parties. I did know there was a young man, that stood outside of my door everyday giving my unwanted compliments. We soon developed a friendship, and then a relationship. He showered me with affections and gifts. He was a very sweet boyfriend, or so I thought.

Months later, I rekindled a friendship with an old friend from high school. We were gossiping as most females do. “That’s my boyfriend,” I told her proudly. She shook her head in disgust, she couldn’t believe it. She admitted to me, and even showed me pictures of him with his actual “girlfriend.” She let me know this was the girl he took to all of the Greek parties, and it seemed he was very proud of her. 

I understand all Greeks aren’t the same, but that was a bad experience. I never dated anyone in a fraternity again. 

Pimpin’ aint easy

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Tuesday Tales told by Tyra:

Due to the pandemic, we are all exploring new ways to keep ourselves busy. Some of us have found new hobbies, new television shows, and new passions. I personally found, what us millennials call the weird side of YouTube. The urban dictionary describes the weird side of Youtube as “an unoriginal phrase that describes the part of youtube where all the videos/video suggestions are strange, meaningless.” Although, I wouldn’t describe what I found as meaningless, the videos I found were definitely strange. 

“The soft white underbelly” videos by photographer Mark Laita, quickly grabbed my attention. To a journalist, the interviews and portraits of human conditions were easy to get wrapped into. I spent hours watching Laita dig into homelessness, addiction, molestation, and even incest. 

The video that demanded a re-watch, was that of a pimp named “Sharp.” The interview began with Sharp in fancy apparel, that the average man wouldn’t wear to the store. He wore several chains, a silk shirt, and a diamond studded cup. The interview was captivating, because Sharp had such a charismatic personality. As, I looked through the comments I found I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. 50% of the comments were about his loud boisterous personality. The other 50% were people who thought he wasn’t real.

He was most definitely a real person. He had won awards at the “Player’s ball” and even had an instagram(@tha_sharp_one). Pimpin’ was a profession you wouldn’t believe in until you saw it first hand. I know. I use to be a non-believer until one was staring me in the face. 

I honestly thought pimps were roles that were created for movies, for example “hustle and flow.” I thought they only existed in movies, because they certainly didn’t exist in my suburban life. 

I was having a good Saturday night, the first time I met Profit the pimp. A good Saturday night for a college kid in Memphis, looks like putting on your best outfit and going downtown with a group of friends. We were all enjoying our time downtown, when I was approached by a tall, peanut-butter skinned young man. On his left , there was a female with thick glasses clinging to him. The two were in each other’s personal space, and they seemed to be a couple. At the time, I didn’t understand. I was confused if he came with a girlfriend, why was he having conversations with me? Was his girlfriend ok with this? Were they a polyamorous couple?

By the end of the night, after several conversations I was informed that the girl was his “partner” and not his girlfriend. Her name was Nae, and the two lived together. They both seemed very nice, even though there situation was very confusing. He invited me back to their apartment. I declined, because I watch the I.D. channel too much. 

Over the course of the next few months, Profit spent time showering me with attention and compliments in a process I’ve now come to know as “grooming.” I eventually visited their home with a friend, and it was wild. 

Upon arriving, I knew it was a mistake that I had even come. As soon as I walked in, Nae was already intoxicated and Profit was very aggressive towards her. I sat on the couch, Nae made conversation with me, while profit walked in and out the door. It was like he couldn’t sit still, which left me wondering where was he running off to? 

“If you’re going to be with us, what you need to understand is daddy is like the head, we’re just the body,” Nae in her intoxicated state told my friend. She had even admitted to selling her body, and honestly I was shocked. Before I could question anything about Nae’s revelations a curly-haired baby ran into the apartment with a woman chasing her. Nae quickly told us “She with us too, she’s his baby’s mother.” From Nae’s statement, I was pretty sure the young woman was a prostitute as well. Profit quickly followed yelling at both of them to “get back up to the other apartment.” Nae gave much attitude but both of the girls still complied. 

“I have to go,” My friend blurted out, surprising me. She asked me would I be alright? I nodded, but little did I know what was about to take place. I thought that was as wild as the story could get, but there was so much more. 

Product Review: Victoria Secret’s Honey Sugar Body Scrub

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This is NOT a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% my own.

This year’s Christmas brought warm cookies, peppermint smells, and of course gifts. In the spirit of giving, my parents gifted their only beauty obsessed daughter with a present. This holiday season I was surprised with the new “Honey Body Care” line from Victoria Secret. The “Honey body care” line features honey oil, honey lotion, honey scrub and a honey mask. Victoria Secret claims each item is dermatologist tested, and even made with pure honey. 

“Honey Sugar Nourishing Body Scrub with Honey & Sugar” was the first item from this line I decided to try. I was very eager to try it, and it did not disappoint. The consistency of the scrub was very thick. It was not soupy. The scrub smelled truly good enough to eat. 

It’s especially important to exfoliate if you have dry skin, like myself. “Honey Sugar Nourishing Body Scrub with Honey & Sugar” is a great buy for those with dry skin. It not only exfoliated, it left my skin feeling hydrated for hours.  It left my skin soft. 

This scrub is amazing for skin, but there are minimum cons. First, the scrub is a little messy. Honey is sticky and so is the scrub. The scrub will leave a film on your shower or tub. Not only is the scrub messy, but the scent of the scrub will linger on your body. I personally love the strong smell of honey. I don’t think lasting smell is a con, but other people might. 

After the holiday season, I think we could all use a little something extra in our skin-care routines. I think the “Honey Sugar Nourishing Body Scrub with Honey & Sugar” is worth a try. 

Where’s the New Year’s party at, Memphis?

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Although, Times Square is the ideal place to be on New Years Eve, some of us are stuck in our hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration, but due to the pandemic figuring out where to celebrate is the big question. So in the words of Jagged Edge “Where’s the party at?”

A house party is always a good place to countdown into the New Year. So, check with your closest friends and plan a celebration. You can bring the drinks, and your besties can bring the chips. 

If you have a significant other, you might want something a little more romantic to bring in the New Year. Shelby Farms’ Starry Nights is open on December 31 from 6 pm. – 10 pm. It’s likely they will sell out and have long lines. Remember, to plan ahead and get your tickets ASAP. 

Many restaurants are also open for you and your “boo” on New Year’s Eve. Babulu’s two locations will be open on New Year’s Eve from 11 am to 10 pm for dine-in or takeout. Both of Swanky’s Taco Shop locations will be open from 10 am to 7 pm. Poke Bros are open regular hours. Blind Bear will be open on New Year’s Eve from 10 am to 10 pm.Folks Folly will be open from 5 pm – 10 pm for dine-in or takeout. The Hi Tone will be open with a full menu. River Oaks will host a New Year’s Eve dinner for dine-in (limited reservations) or for curbside pickup.

Many people also bring in the New Year surrounded by family. Children, uncles, and aunts will wrap you in love and set the tone for the next year. Andy B’s bowling alley will be open from noon to 10 pm on New Year’s Eve. Also, Golf & Games will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

However you choose to bring in the New Year, be ready to accept 2021!

Kylie Jenner, the Fobes predicted self-made billionaire, confirmed via twitter that her makeup would be soon available to purchase in Ulta stores. On Thursday, the beauty mogul who only sold her makeup exclusively on the brand’s website for the past three years announced “I’m excited to let you guys know that @kyliecosmetics will be coming to all @ultabeauty stores around the country this holiday. More to come…” 

Britney Norman, a Southaven Missippi Ulta Beauty associate, confirmed this claim to be true. “Yes, Kylie cosmetics are coming to this store this holiday season,” Norman said. “But there are no official release dates.” Sherrick Hammond, A Memphis Tn, Ulta Beauty associate also confirmed this claim. “No one knows the official release date”, Hammond said. Britney Norman also said “that Kylie cosmetics were only coming to select Ulta Beauty stores.”

By: Tyra Bridges