What to Wear

It’s a no brainer that you should ALWAYS follow the dress code when one is provided. The hostess of the bridal shower I attended made it simple by requesting floral dress. But what happens when one isn’t provided? First, consider the setting. Will the event be inside or outside? Was the invitation semi-formal or informal? In any situation, a casual dress in a pastel color is a great choice. If ever in doubt just simply ask the hostess!

What to Gift

Now here is where things got tricky for me. Originally, I decided to gift the bride an item from the wedding registry as it was listed on the bridal shower invitation. But after talking to my mom and a few other women, I was told the bridal shower gift should specifically be for the bride. Makes sense right? Well pulling something together at the last minute is a headache. I ended up getting a personalized set of Mr. & Mrs. stemless wine glasses from Things Remembered. Then I threw in a few spa time items like lavender castile soap, body scrub, body butter, and a candle. My tip here is to think about the bride. Is her style extravagant or more minimal? Does she have a separate bridal registry? In the end, other people still gifted items from the registry so my first plan would have worked out. But now I know to prepare in advance.

What to Wish

Most events have a guestbook or frame for you to sign. At a bridal shower or wedding, you may get the opportunity to leave more than a simple “congratulations.” Prepare your words! You never want to be caught off-guard if you’re asked to make a statement for a video or to sign a book. The last thing you want to do is hold up the line thinking of what to say. Depending on how well you know the couple will determine what you should wish. Something as simple as “Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness” is quick, simple and sweet!

Remember, a wedding is the start of a new journey for the couple. Whether you go simple or more thoughtful being apart of the moment is what matters most! Have any bridal shower tips? Leave them in a comment below.

The post Attending a Bridal Shower: What You Should Know appeared first on Running Erins.

This weekend, we hosted our first event titled “Hey Sis!: Women Empowerment + Packing Social.” Packing socials are events where a group of people get together to pack items to donate. The bags we packed were given to Goodie Girl Bags, a non-profit organization who delivers them to homeless shelter throughout the DMV. Each bag includes 1 bra, feminine hygiene products like pads & tampons, breast cancer exam cards, and a hand written note for encouragement. In planning our event, we set a goal to pack 150 bags. Little did we know that we set the vision a little too small as we collected over 80 bras before the event.

Both of us have a passion for helping other women so it was important for this event to embody that. Not only in the items we packed for the homeless but by making sure we spoke to the women in the room too. The 2 of us shared a bit of our backgrounds along with one other woman. All with the theme that everyone struggles but it matters how you push past it. Our hope is that we continue to inspire and improve the lives of those around us. Whether it is through a non-profit our hosting other social events like this one. Either way, we know we can make a difference.

Each attendee left the event with a bag of items from our sponsors. We were also able to supply desserts and drinks during the event. My business partner and I are extremely grateful to each and every person who saw our vision and made it come true.

We would like to give a special thanks to all of our sponsors:

Ardell Beauty
Eden BodyWorks
Essentia Water
Jamaican Mango & Lime
This Is L.
OhMazing Food
LiquidJoy Beverages
Sweet Sticky Thing Bakery
Blessed Vessels
Faye Smith Realtor

The post Hey Sis! Packing Social Recap appeared first on Running Erins.

I started seeing a therapist towards the end of March after struggling with a pregnancy loss. On the outside, you couldn’t tell that I was still struggling most days. I was back into my normal routine and trying to leave the house with a smile daily. But I also found myself crying everyday. Sometimes several times a day. Things happened so fast and I didn’t know what to do but fake it til I made it. I knew I was taking on too much emotionally but I couldn’t even bring myself search for a therapist. No matter how much I knew I needed it. Life kept moving and so did I.

While I was at the Brave Summit, I heard a lot about mental health and why it was important. Things I already knew but had yet to apply to myself. I was so used to giving other people advice and helping them work through their problems that I couldn’t see the need to take my own advice. And still, at a time when I needed support, I felt myself still giving the small bit of energy I had to others. But when Amanda Seales said “Therapy is like a gym membership for your brain” it sparked something in me.

“Erin, how can you preach about better for everyone else but not seek it for yourself?”

While talking to a few girls at BRAVE I learned (or was reminded) about therapyforblackgirls.com, an online directory to help Black women find Black therapists. I knew this was my sign to stop BSing and get the help I needed. Truthfully, I wasn’t ashamed or discouraged about getting help. I just didn’t know where to find it and how comfortable I would be with the person I found. When it comes to doctors and specialist, I am very picky in what I am looking for. I like to have Black, female doctors because they can understand me as a young Black woman. So when looking for a therapist, I wanted a younger Black woman; someone who mirrored me. I felt she would relate to me better. Through the website, I was able to find therapists in my area and review their profiles in one place before making a selection.

Searching for a doctor or therapist can be a stressful process. Therapy For Black Girls took away a lot of the anxiety in the process. The first meeting with my therapist, I cried as soon as I sat down. There was so much weight I was carrying and so much I couldn’t wait to get off of my chest. Of course she couldn’t help me work through all of my problems in one meeting. But I literally felt lighter when I left. I was able to unload some of the things that I had bottled up. I also discovered a few things that I didn’t realize were bothering me.

Benefits of Seeking Mental Healthcare

Before I decided to see a therapist I did try talking to people in my circle. But I couldn’t find the balance between people who acted like nothing happened and those who treated me like I was an inch away from being sent to the nearest psych ward. It was honestly a relief to speak to someone who was outside of my situation and without judgement. Although I was speaking to a mental health professional, I felt very comfortable. I didn’t feel “crazy” or like I was on the edge of self-destruction. I was able to have someone listen to me as I talk and give advice that was valuable. Even though I feel I have a better handle on things now, I’ve still been seeing her consistently because I know healing doesn’t happen overnight. And truthfully, it is an eye opening process.

Mental health is something that we tend to ignore. But we should all take it more seriously. Depression and anxiety are real things that effect us daily. If you run from them you could start to suffer from long term effects like stress and heart attacks. I encourage everyone to see a licensed therapist. Whether you’re dealing with a tramautic event, stressed with work, or looking to learn more about self care. Mental health care should not be a negative thing.

The post Why I Decided to See a Therapist appeared first on Running Erins.

I spent majority of my time in college in a committed, long distance relationship. Once we broke up, I decided to spend time focusing on myself. I was in no rush to date someone else because I had been with that person since I was 16. I didn’t realize that being single for 3 years was something that people would notice and constantly point out. It was like once I graduated, I was expected to date and get married right away. And the older I got, the more family and friends would start to ask questions.

“When are you going to find a boyfriend?”
“Are you talking to someone yet?”
“Are you gay?”

At one point, someone even told me that since I hadn’t found someone in college I was more likely to not get married. I tried to keep from falling into the trap but I started to wonder too. Why haven’t I found someone? Will I get married? If not, will I ever be truly happy alone? But that’s when I remembered I was single by choice! And it is no one’s choice but mine whether I decide to date or not.

It’s Okay to be Single

One of the things I had to realize was that it is okay to be single. Being alone is the best way to learn how to love yourself. Not to say that I treated myself badly or didn’t love myself at all. But I started to realize that I lost myself in my past relationship. I spent a lot of time thinking about what “WE” wanted or what would be best for “US” without putting myself first. You are still young in your 20s. You’re still learning about yourself. What you like and don’t like. What it means to be independent. Searching for your purpose in life. All of this is a lot so adding another person into the mix can be stressful! Not saying that it’s impossible to handle but it is definitely a growing pain to go through. Not to mention I actually was dating. I just hadn’t found someone who I deemed worthy enough to meet my family yet. As I got older, I had less time for people to waste and there’s no point in introducing someone when you have no idea where it’s going. And that’s okay too.

Stand Confident in Your Singleness

One of the biggest things that helped me combat everyone’s comments was being confident in myself. When you spend time second guessing your choices you start to question more than just why you’re single. Another thing that helped was understanding what standards I had set for myself and why I set them. When it comes to setting standards, everyone may not always agree with your reasoning or find them feasible. But as long as they work REALISTICALLY for you, who can tell you otherwise? Last but not least……I stopped looking! Once you stop focusing on being single and start loving yourself you will flourish and feel amazing. My hair started growing, I started losing weight and my skin was clearing up. I can’t say my booty got bigger because well….it didn’t. #LilBootiesMatter

Now here I am, 5 years after the break up, in a happy relationship. My friends love him. We have fun together. And most importantly, we aren’t worried what others think. Be patient and I’m sure the same will happen for you, if it hasn’t already.

The post It’s Okay to be Single appeared first on Running Erins.

If you don’t travel often I encourage you to do so in 2018. There are plenty of opportunities for you to travel if you search for them. And trust me, I’m quick to find a reason to get up and go! Trips for work, birthdays and even to reunite with friends and family. Going by plane, car or even train. To places I’ve been before and places I’ve never seen. As 2017 comes to an end, I thought it may be nice to do a round up of the places I went this year. Hopefully, it will encourage you to visit somewhere new or revisit an old favorite in 2018.

Related: How to Prepare for a Road Trip

South Beach, Miami

Starting your year off with a trip is very refreshing! You get to unwind after the holidays and escape the cold if you’re headed somewhere warm. For my best friend’s birthday in January, we went down to Miami for a girl’s trip. I’ve been to Florida plenty of times but always with family and never with friends so I was super excited about this trip. My favorite part: the food! We ate at somewhere different everyday and there was nothing that I didn’t like. I tried Thai food for the first time, munched on some conch fritters, and went to The Sugar Factory. We explored the beach, went shopping, and partied it up at our hotel’s hookah bar. Miami is always a great quick getaway when you just need some fun in the sun.

Related: Exploring South Beach

Brooklyn, New York

Where Brooklyn at?! *inserts Milly Rock* While Miami might be a quick plane ride away….New York is a short drive from DC. It’s also one of my favorite places to visit. There is so much to do and so much to see. There are so many events and pop-ups that happen in the city that you’re bond to experience something new. This trip to New York was for Curlfest, an annual natural beauty festival. Curlies and Naturalistas alike come from all over to show up and show out! There’s nothing like being around people who have the same interest as you. From the hairstyles to the freebies, it was definitely a great time! The trip was very quick but still fun nonetheless. Quick trips are the best when you need to clear your mind.

Disney World, Florida

The big kid in me has always loved Disney World. So when I got the chance to go this year with my boyfriend + his family I definitely couldn’t pass it up. I was in high school the last time I went and this time I was pushing 25 but the excitement was still the same. The drive down to Florida was the most intense part. Almost 24 hours in the car because we stopped to visit family along the way but it was definitely worth it. I was grateful that my boyfriend and I chose to fly back though (don’t think I would have survived more time in the car). Disney is one of those places where they have something for everyone. From the adults to the kiddos. The Pandora World of Avatar was my favorite part of all the parks. The lines for it were long of course but so were all the other lines. I definitely recommend planning your days out in advance though. 1 park can take up your whole day so we didn’t even get a chance to hit the pool.

Mall of America, Minnesota

The one great thing about having a full-time job: paid travel! In July, I also got to head to the University of Minnesota for a work conference. I won’t lie….when I originally found out where we were going I WAS NOT excited. What’s in Minnesota? Why not California? But then it hit me that I could visit the largest mall in the US. And the one thing I love besides food is shopping! The only downside about work trips is you have to schedule everything around your schedule. And with an intense conference schedule I was able to visit Mall of America twice but only on short time periods so I didn’t get to see all of it. But it was definitely everything I imagined. All of my favorite stores + some I have never heard of. An amusement park + aquarium if you aren’t really into shopping (pshhh). And a bunch of restaurants. Minnesota definitely wasn’t what I expected. It was pretty cold for July *inserts Lil Yatchy lyrics.* And the transit system is definitely nothing like the one in DC. But I enjoyed myself.

Made in America, Philly

Up until recently I was not a fan of big festivals because of crowds. It all goes back to when I was in college and Chris Brown came to the local mall. Talk about hundreds of screaming girls! It just made me uneasy and uncomfortable so I’ve avoided crowds at all costs. But I could not pass up the chance to go to Made in America, Jay-Z  2-day music festival. It’s held the first weekend in September which is my birthday month; even more reason for me to go! And I’m definitely glad I went. The girls and I had so much fun eating cheesesteaks, having Henny for Breakfast, and people watching at Fat Tuesday’s. Not to mention the lineup was pretty good; it included Cardi B, Migos, 21Savage, J.Cole and Jay-Z himself. We also booked our hotel before tickets even dropped so we were able to stay walking distance from the venue.

Las Vegas, Nevada

If you checked out my post about my trip to Nevada you know I wasn’t there to gamble and party. I actually went for a baby shower. And while the reason was unconventional, I still got to do some of the things Vegas is known for. I won’t say much about this trip in case you have already read about it. But I will say it was a great close out to 2017.

Have you planned any trips for 2018? Let me know in the comments!

The post 2017 Travel Round Up appeared first on Running Erins.

An article from Forbes states that about 40% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions but only about 8% of us achieve them. One of the biggest reasons people don’t complete their resolutions is because they set goals that are wide and unfocused. A new year is a great time to set new goals. But for 2018, let’s set SMART goals and achieve them through action planning.

What is a SMART Goal?

SMART goals can help you focus and be productive when it comes to reaching them. You should not be setting goals that are unrealistic for your lifestyle. For example, saying you want to be CEO of a company with no prior experience. It’s also great if you can keep track of your progress with your goals throughout the year.

Action Planning

Creating an action plan can help you reach your goals faster. An action plan lists out the steps it would take for you to meet those goals. It helps you maintain a timeline to stay on track and keeps the goal in the front of your mind. Vision boards can be a great addition to action planning and goal setting. They help you visualize what achieving your goals would be like. They can also be a daily reminder of your goals depending on where you put it.

One last tip for reaching your New Years Resolution: start now! Find ways to enjoy the changes you are making. If you wish to eat healthier, use Pinterest to plan meals. If you plan to save money, look into apps like Acorn or books by authors like Dave Ramsey. The only thing in the way of your goals is you!

Are you setting a New Years Resolution or goals for 2018? Let me know what they are in the comments!

The post Goal Setting & Action Planning for the New Year appeared first on Running Erins.

Made in America Festival in Philly

Road Trip Tips

1. Make concrete plans or loose plans. No in between.
   One of the hardest things I had to learn about road trips was making the plans. If you aren’t good at staying on task, making concrete plans could be stressful. On the opposite hand, it is also good to make loose plans that. It allows you to go with the flow and see more sights!
2. Be prepared!
   Get gas the day before. Make sure there are no issues with the vehicle. Set your location in your GPS. Plan out the space in the car so everyone can be comfortable. Plan for traffic.
3. Dress comfy.
   I love to be comfortable. You don’t want to be cold or hot when you’re in the car for extended periods of time. You can always change your clothes when you’re at your destination.
4. Pack a positive attitude!
   Who you travel with and why you’re traveling play a big part in your trip. No matter the reason, a positive attitude can take your trip from bad to great. Make a playlist. Bring your favorite snacks. Play car games.

As with any form of travel, your trip is what you make it! Enjoy yourself and make the experience something new. What trips do you plan to take in 2018?

The post How to Prepare for a Road Trip appeared first on Running Erins.

I got my degree in Mass Communications in 2014. When I was in school, I took 2 different unpaid internship with magazines. I just knew I would have ease finding a job when I graduated. WRONG! Once I finally landed a stable full-time position it was not in my career field. But it allowed me to get a Master’s degree for free.99! So I decided to get my Master’s in Public Relations Management. But I didn’t have much formal experience with being a “publicist”. Sure I could write the press releases and work events but could I pitch? Could I create a sponsorship deck? Maybe with the help of Google but I needed the experience. Something I could actually put on my resume.

I remember looking for jobs, seeing that people wanted interns with a Bachelor’s degree and thinking “Ew. Why would I do that?” I think part of that came from how bad the job market is for recent graduates. Looking back now, I’m actually extremely grateful for the opportunity the internship provided. Not only did I enjoy what I was doing, I was able focus on something outside of my everyday activities at work . Which brings me to this….here are a few reasons you should take an internship even if you have a degree.

5 Reasons to Take An Internship After Graduating:

1. Test the Waters. You may come out of school and still be unsure which path you want to take. And that is okay! An internship can help you see the day-to-day life of someone in the field. For me, I came out of my internship feeling extremely comfortable and knowing that I still wanted to pursue communications.
2. Gaining Experience. If you know me (or have read previous posts) you know that I am an advocate for learning. Whether it’s in the classroom or in the field, you can always learn something new. Through my internship I was able to learn new skills and even get hands on knowledge with the skills I learned previously. This brings me to my next point….
3. Refresh Your Knowledge. If you’re like me and you ended up in a different career field, chances are you may need to brush up on your skills. Interning helped me get back into swing of communications. It gave me the chance to go into my memory bank to pull out old tricks.
4. Resume Building. Interning is a resume builder. Self explanatory! Those new skills can be added. It can also increase the length of your skills. For example, if you completed one 6-month internship already and you take another 6-month internship. You now have one year of experience.
5. Networking! I’ll be honest and say I did not realize the value of networking when I was in school. I was in a few organizations and I stuck with them. Interning allowed me to meet different people and make connections.

Spring internship season is around the corner. If you’re interested in completing an internship, start searching and putting in applications now! Who knows….you may even be able to land your dream job after interning.

The post 5 Reasons to Take An Internship After Graduating appeared first on Running Erins.

Over the years I have developed a passion for makeup. And by passion I mean if you look at my bank statement you would think Ulta and Sephora are bill collectors. I watch tons of YouTube videos (AaliyahJay, MakeUpShayla & Naturally Sunny are my faves) but I wanted to learn more about this hobby. I had learned lots from YouTube (AaliyahJay’s eyelash tutorial saved my life) but I wanted to make sure that I was comfortable enough to work on other people. Maybe even turn it into a way to earn extra income.

In most states, Maryland included, there is no such thing as a licensed makeup artist (MUA). You can be a licensed esthetician which means you’re skilled in skincare, facials, waxing, etc. But not strictly a makeup artist, which is why most MUAs proclaim that they are self-taught. You can also earn a certificate in makeup artistry and that is what I did to help develop my self-taught skills.

When I told people I was taking a makeup class, their first question was always “Where?” And they always seemed shocked at the answer. Which led me to writing this post because more people should know about the resources in their backyard.

I earned my certificate from Prince George’s Community College. I usually call it the 13th grade when it comes to education but it can be a great source for continuing education courses. You would be amazed at what you can learn at your local community college. Most offer courses in a variety of topics that can help you expand your expertise or find a great side hustle. It also helps that they often cater to the working adult by offering classes on nights and weekends. From hair braiding, photography/videography, or event planning there’s tons of things you can learn.

To earn the makeup artistry certificate, I had to take 2 courses both 4 weeks long. The classes were once a week, 3 hours long, and I went after work which made it convenient. The teacher was contracted meaning that she wasn’t just someone who created the class. She is a working MUA who also teaches for a company outside of the community college. She was able to share her portfolio along with information on what works for her. For example, her bridal contract and how she prepares for her clients.

All the makeup looks we created on ourselves so we didn’t have to worry about someone else making us look like a clown. It was a great experience to be in a room full of girls who were also interested in makeup. (Girls who love makeup can sit and talk for days together!) We were able to share information on products we’ve tried, our favorite indie brands, or even our creative processes. We were also able to share tips and tricks to help each other out. At the beginning of each session, the teacher would ask what we were interested in learning as a group that way she could focus on the areas that were difficult for us. There was also time at the end of class to ask questions if you struggled with something. For example, I HATED smokey eyes going into the class (my eyes are already dark like raccoon eyes) but they instructor showed me how to do it in a way that was a little less intimidating for me.

Overall, the class was pretty fun. I’ve been able to practice and take what I learned to apply it to other people, other skin types, and even give recommendation to my friends who aren’t as skilled in makeup. I would recommend continuing education classes to anyone who wants to strengthen their skills or even if you are interested in a new hobby. You should never stop learning and taking a class with an expert may help strengthen your confidence in your skill.

The post Continuing Education Classes appeared first on Running Erins.

I work full-time as a Financial Literacy Coordinator. What does that mean? I counsel students on their student loan repayment options, scam awareness, and general financial wellness topics like budgeting and credit scores & reports. That is not to say that I am in the least bit perfect or have my sh*t together when it comes to these topics. But I am working on it!

One of the biggest questions I get asked by students/alumni is:

“What about Obama’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program?”

My manager likes to call this my “soapbox” because I’m very passionate about this part (partially because I work for the FBI in my mind). But the answer is simple: IT DOES NOT EXIST! What do I mean? Well it’s really simple. The program was never created. Then why do you see ads for it? That’s simple too. Companies understand that students want the easy way out of debt so the prey on students by making them believe in a program that actually doesn’t exist (this is the scam awareness part). If you notice these companies almost never say their name in a commercial but they always list a phone number.

These companies are also reaching out to students through emails, calls, texts, mailed letters, and even through your friends. They try to reach you when you’re the most vulnerable like after you graduate or through a “reliable source.” And that’s not to say your friends or family aren’t trustworthy or are knowingly scamming you. It just means we tend to have our guard down when something comes from someone we consider reliable.

Being that I am a recent-ish graduate (May 2014 was almost 3 years ago…yikes!) I have come in contact with a few of these companies personally as well as on the job. I will give you 2 examples of what I have seen (outside of commercials):

1. I received 2 letters in the mail. Red flag 1: neither one had a company name on it. Red flag 2: they both stated that I owed way more in federal student loan debt than I actually have. Red flag 3: they both stated final notice and came in unmarked envelopes. One even said “Final Notice” very big at the top. Red flag 4: there was a very small disclosure at the bottom that stated that the company was not affiliated with a government agency or lender.
2. Someone I know made a post on Facebook about how a woman helped them save $30,000 on their student loan debt. They encouraged their friends to reach out to the person so that the same can be done for them. The biggest red flag in the post for me was the amount of money saved. Let’s be real….we all know the government wants their money so why would they just forgive $30k without anything in return? The other red flag was that they mentioned Obama’s Student Loan program which, as I said earlier, does not exist. We actually called the company to see what it was about and turns out they’ll reward you if you refer your friends.

So what are the best ways to deal with these companies? Simple: RUN AT ALL COSTS!!! Just kidding. But you should try your best to avoid them. Start by being cautious and never giving out personal information to a company you did not contact. You should also make sure you know your loan information (i.e. who your lender is, how much you owe). If you have questions your lender should be able to help. Another big red flag is if the representative is avoiding your questions. And always be careful because if you have entered into a binding contract with one of these scamming companies you may not be able to reverse it. Last but not least stop trying to take the easy way out. Although it would be AMAZING to have all of your student loans forgiven it is not likely. Look into affordable repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and responsible ways to lower your debt. ‘Tis better to make the payments than to be stuck in a deeper hole of debt!

The post Educating on: Student Loan Scams appeared first on Running Erins.