Celebrating mothers and travel…Happy Mother’s Day

I’m not a mom and at this stage in my life, I doubt I will ever wear the title. As an outsider, motherhood seems like one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles that a woman could ever take on in their lifetime. It’s a gift and a blessing to ever be entrusted with such a role. I admire mothers. I admire their strength, courage, resilience, selflessness, and unconditional love. I was lucky enough to have a mother that exemplified those qualities and more. She loved her family without limits and no sacrifice was ever too great. Growing up, she was always the first to wake up and the last to go bed making sure every need was met. I miss her dearly. If this blog seems like I’m rambling, it’s because I am. My words aren’t very fluid today, as this is my first Mother’s Day without her in the “physical” sense. I miss her presence. I miss her making me laugh. But, instead of being sad today, I wanted to immerse myself in things and memories that bring me joy. And one of the things that brings me joy and seeing photographs of moms introducing their children to travel. Leading by example, mothers show their children that all goals are attainable and nothing is impossible. This blog entry is a dedication to mothers around the world, including my very own watching over me. Here’s to mothers giving the world and showing their children world all at the same time. N’joy!

IG: @_froreal (Lani Kai Beach, Hawaii)

IG: @cjettfly (Civitanova Marche, Italy)

IG: @tenickab (Santorini, Greece)

IG: @sofysofi (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico)

IG: @james.blackyc (Jamaica)

IG: @brandichantelle (Costa Rica)

IG: @kiathenialdiva (Utanoi, Vietnam)

IG: @alohagenna (Bali, Indonesia)

IG: @jasminealston (Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah)

IG: @melrwhite (Zemi Beach House, Anguilla)

IG: @larissalmorgan (King Memorial, DC)

IG: @belleandlori (Ghana and Amsterdam)

IG: @thetravellingchild (Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy)

So long 2016: 20 moments in travel that inspired us all

While 2016 may have not been the greatest year for many of us, it certainly was another great year for travel. It’s no secret that Instagram has been my “go to” for travel inspiration. From celebrities to regular people like you and me, your travel experience is incomplete if it wasn’t captured and re-posted on Instagram. From the sandy beaches of the Caribbean to the sandy desert of the United Arab Emirates, Instagram has graced us with some of the most spectacular travel images from women all over the globe. These women represent freedom, empowerment, and embracing the unknown. These women are fearless and live by the creed of “creating the life you deserve.” It was hard to narrow down, but here are 20 travel moments that inspired me the most in 2016:

That time @stripesofjoy sat on that camel fearless and unafraid in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

When @gabunion scaled the Great Wall of China and did it so effortlessly

When @mmikaelajoy showed us how life imitates art in Aruba

When @crissyluv to fine dining to a whole new level in the Maldives

When @_bawsey and the squad held each other down in front of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Chichen Itza in Cancun

When @juliembaby gave us squad roadtrip goals through Texas

When @virginalovers gave us squad goals in the sandy desert of Dubai

When @latoyaluckett showed us how to play your hand and how to play it well

When @ellegee08 showed how to embrace the beauty of the Musee du Love in Paris, solo style

That time @itsrhee60 made us jump for joy at the Taj Mahal

When @ashcaldc served us pretty girl squad goals in Rio De Janerio

That time @oneika showed us how the beauty of living in the now in Monument Valley, Arizona

That one time @beyonce gave us motherhood goals with Blue Ivy in Paris

When @enikobaby gave us bridal squad goals when she became Mrs. Kevin Hart in Punta Cana

When @brienneyvonne made Old Havana look beautiful and new

When @passportprissy repped that AKA in Dubai

When @livinglifetravel inspired us to relax and let go at Volcan del Totumo in Cartagena, Colombia

When @solarkimmy showed is how to take the perfect selfie while swimming in the waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

When @naturally_nakyia broke the internet and gave us natural hair squad goals in Punta Cana

When @janique_jaja let us know the we will never forget losing Prince (Liverpool)

Urbantravelista: 2016 Year in Review

Twenty years from now, if someone ask me about the year 2016 , I won’t know where to begin. This has certainly been a tumultuous year for many. There’s been birth, growth, and a lot of loss. No one was exempt. I mean, we lost Prince. That alone was enough to send many of us over the cliff. But for me, the first half of the year actually started off on a good note. Exactly this time last year, I was scouting my favorite shopping malls and boutiques in search of THE perfect dress to celebrate NYE in Dallas with one of my besties. I brought in the new year surrounded by good friends, good people, and positive energy. We spent the first day of 2016 enjoying a fabulous champagne brunch at a friend’s home. We fellowshipped, prayed, and spoke our goals for 2016. The following day, I boarded my flight back to Chicago feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to smash every goal and intention I set for myself. And things went well in the beginning. They really did. But by July, 2016 turned on me like a rabid pit bull. But such is life, right? Sometimes, a year will give you everything you hope for and more. And other times, it will leave you wondering how you survived it at all. In spite of 2016’s tragedies and having to put some of my adventuring on pause, I did have a few great moments in travel and adventure.

The birth of my brand

In April, I gave birth to my lifestyle/travel blog, Urbantravelista™. I created it as an outlet to share my personal life and travel experiences. I debuted my blog recounting my first international solo vacation experience. BTW, if you missed it, no worries. You can read it here: Solo Travel: Tips for a first time “Urbantravelista” . This is my second run at blogging and it’s the longest I’ve ever stuck with a writing project. Truthfully, running this project and growing Urbantravelista has kept me sane and grounded in the midst of 2016’s insanity. I guess I finally found my niche. I look forward to seeing it’s growth and evolution in the forthcoming year. My goal is to encourage others to create their own fulfilling experiences by embracing the unknown and stepping outside of their comfort zone. I want to inspire others to live their truth (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and to make lemonade in the midst of life challenges…and be fabulous while doing it. Life is imperfect. Therefore, we don’t have to be perfect. But we do have to LIVE.

The Iceland Blackout

Also in April, I had the opportunity to join a meet-up experience in Reykjavik. We dubbed this event “The Iceland Blackout” as we collectively represented a group of over 70 black likeminded travelers from all over the world. You can read about it here: Don’t sleep on Iceland . This adventure was special to me, because I had NEVER travelled this far away from home alone. Iceland was a destination that I never fathomed I’d ever visit or even have the desire to visit. Well, I completely underestimated it’s DOPENESS. I basked in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon, rode the Reykjavik bus system by myself, danced with Icelanders in a Reykjavik hip hop club, toured the Golden Circle, felt the chilling magnificence of Gullfoss Waterfall, learned about Icelandic culture, walked the path between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and danced in the middle of nowhere under the Reykjavik stars while chasing the Northern Lights. I’m looking so forward to my return in March of 2017. Stay tuned!

Golfing

When spring opened up, one of my best friends introduced me to the game of golf. It started with drink and appetizer outings at Top Golf. To my surprise, the more I practiced, the more I wanted to experience going out on a real course. So we did just that and after a few outings, I got to be pretty good at it. I do have a long way to go before I become proficient at it, but my performance and interest motivated me enough to invest in a set of clubs of my own.

Being Bobby Brown

He may not be significant to you, but he’s very much important to those of us that grew up during the New Edition era. My mom found out he was in town for a book signing in my neighborhood. Because she was a bigger fan than I was, I braved to two hour wait in line and got an autographed copy of his new book for the both of us. It was a couple of days for before my birthday and he was the first person to give me a hug and wish me Happy Birthday. How cool is that? Thanks Bobby!

TouristInMyTown Summer Challenge

Over the summer, I launched a “TouristInMyTown Summer Challenge” campaign to encourage people to take advantage of the culture and tourism in their own backyard. I promoted this campaign by patronizing the various festivals, events, and tourist attractions in my city and challenging others to do the same in their respective cities. I kicked off the challenge at the Wells Street Art Festival held in historic Old Town. This festival featured over 225 artists from across the continent. Next, I attended the Taste of Randolph, a food and music festival similar to the Taste of Chicago, but on a much smaller scale. As summer progressed, I took the challenge to the south side where I attended house music’s signature summer event, The Chosen Few Old School Picnic. This event is held in Hayes Park and takes place during the Fourth of July holiday. This was my third time in attendance and it gets bigger and better every year. Next, I headed back to the western suburbs and attended Naperville’s Rib Fest. This event is also held during the Fourth of July holiday and expands over four days. My final festival of the summer took place at Lincoln Park’s Hot Dog Fest. I stepped far outside of my comfort zone by trying a hot dog for the first time in 30 years. Yeah I know, pretty groundbreaking. And in between my summer “festivaling”, I reacquainted myself with Oak Street beach, a Chicago attraction I haven’t enjoyed since my childhood. Sunbathing on the beach with my city’s beautiful skyline as the back drop was everything.

Ex-Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn

Saying Goodbye

After experiencing one of the best summers I’ve had in years, travel and adventure came to a screeching halt when I experienced my biggest heartbreak ever, saying goodbye to my beautiful mother. Death is an event that you never see coming. It doesn’t send an invitation for you to prepare or RSVP. It just shows up on your doorstep completely uninvited and gives zero f*cks. My fall and winter itinerary suddenly became replaced by profound grief and sadness. Discovering my “new” normal and picking up the broken pieces of my heart has become my newest adventure. It’s all a very unwelcomed adventure, but still an adventure that most of us will face some day nonetheless. Looking back, I came into 2016 feeling empowered and inspired. Although my year took a tragic turn, I still find joy in the goals I was able to accomplish. I find solace in the positive experiences I was able to create and the possibility of inspiring at least one person to create some positive experiences of their own. I’m not sure what’s in store for 2017, but the only thing that keeps me optimistic is my desire to continue living the way my mother wanted. She lived vicariously through my adventures and I look forward to honoring her memory by creating more awesome experiences in 2017. Sure, it’s dark now, but joy comes in the morning. Let’s hope the sun shines brightly in 2017 with more travel and adventure.

@urbantravelista

Here comes the slay: Bridal party destination goals

Exactly this time 10 years ago, I was preparing for one the most anticipated milestones of a woman’s life: my wedding. August was a pretty big month for weddings. My friends and I were getting married left and right. And based on my Instagram timeline, that pattern appears to still hold true today . In fact, that observation is what inspired this blog post. Lately, I’ve seen so many dope bridal/bachelorette Instagram pics flooding my timeline, that it made me reflect on my own experience 10 years ago. In my heart of hearts, I adore weddings. And contrary to popular belief, I love “LOVE”. I love the notion of finding someone to share your life with through good times and bad and the people you love the most coming together to celebrate it with you. Back then, my friends gave me both an awesome bridal shower and bachelorette party. But unfortunately, I don’t have many photos from those two important events. You see, this was long before iPhones, androids, selfie sticks, and the social media craze that dominates our world today. And one of my biggest regrets from that experience has been not having any pictures of me a my bridal squad to reflect on from the those events. However, the moments of those near and dear to me, coming together to celebrate my new beginning will always be etched in my memory.Hindsight is 20/20. If I could do it all over again, my bridal party and I would grab our passports and do a destination bachelorette party in the Caribbean. We would get into formation and capture dope images like these listed below. Sadly, my marriage didn’t last. But the good news is: I may one day get a second chance to re-create those memories again, if even still exists then. Here’s to making lemonade out of lemons…and here comes the slay!