5 Things I Have Learned From Women Who Lunch Brunch

Posted in Career, Empowerment, Fashion by My Freshman Year of Life

A couple of weeks ago, I attended my second Women Who Lunch Brunch, which took place at Benchmark Restaurant near downtown Brooklyn. Women Who Lunch Brunch is a vibrant online community joined by a group of multifaceted professional women who refused to be boxed in.

Curated by Roodelyne Jean Baptiste, Digital Marketer & Owner of RSocks, this event discussed topics ranging from entrepreneurship, finances to relationship, and also self-love. Honestly there is nothing more that I enjoy in life besides pancakes and mimosa then being surrounded by open-minded individuals with not just dreams but set plans to achieve them. Unlike many brunches that I’ve attended over the past couple of years, this one is by far one of my favorite for a few reasons: everyone is welcoming, they give out hugs, and the attendees are very transparent about their experiences.

Guest speaker Lisa Francoeur Mesa of LinkedIn & owner of Fancyfied dropped some powerful gems during the course of our brunch that definitely helped us shaped our mindset for the upcoming year. The passion in her voice when discussing her lifestyle brand Fancyfied was truly inspiring. The crowd came from diverse background; doctors, professional photographers, designers, and real estate agents who despite their busy schedules are looking to grow and achieve more in their life

Check out these gems Lisa dropped during the bi- annual Women Who Lunch Brunch

Lisa Francoeur Mesa & Roodelyne Jean Baptiste

“People within your network can help or diminish your dreams.”

I can’t stress this enough, you are the sum of the people with whom you spend the most time. As Kanye said, “Too many Urkels on your team, that’s why your wins low.” If you have movers and shakers well trust me, you too will find way to be one as well. However, as Lisa mentioned if your environment is toxic, no matter how long you’ve been friends with them DROP THEM.

“Carve out time to devote to your dream.”

Despite your job, make time for the side thing until it can become your full-time thing. Rome wasn’t build in one day nor will your dreams. We create excuses faster than we create our goals, but if it’s something that you want to achieve make time.

Procrastination: You eat what you kill.

Is procrastination inevitable? No, however, don’t let it cripple you nor your dreams. Lisa’s solution to procrastination is quite simple: “Think about all the things you’ve achieved in your life and use that feeling to keep you going.”

“How you show up anywhere is how you show up everywhere.”

For most of us, we tend to hide our personality when we are at work. However, Lisa mentioned that by being authentic to your values, others will be able to see you shine through. As my mom would say, “The right people will be attracted to you and your essence, so go out there and be you!“

Write down your goals.

What have you done to realize your goal today? Let the reminders and goals you set for yourself haunt you. I know it can sound daunting but don’t let circumstances nor time take away from achieving your purpose in life.

Let me know how you’re planning to wrap up this year’s goals and be on the lookout for the next Women Who Lunch Brunch.

25Feb2017

On The Rise: Lilas Mia

Posted in Beauty, Empowerment, On The Rise by My Freshman Year of Life

When Lilas started her blog Hello I’m Mia fresh out of college she had one goal; to enlighten her readers with the wisdom she’s received along the way and share her experiences through writing and photography. Three years later, keeping this aim in mind, she’s been able to build a successful brand centered on authenticity and transparency. Let’s find out more about Lilas!

Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

My name is Lilas, and I run the blog, “Hello, I’m Mia.” After several years using various platforms and changing my blog name, I finally chose Mia because it was my nickname used only amongst family members and I wanted to treat my readers as close friends.

Where were you 6 months after college?

I graduated with an Environmental Studies degree and fortunately found a job with an amazing environmental non-profit organization that aimed to beautify our neighborhoods and teaches students as well as New Yorkers about our city. I did a lot of outdoor work because of my studies which only increased my appreciation for nature.

How did you first get into blogging?

My blog started as a public online diary about anything you can imagine: heartbreaks, friendships, rants, adulthood, school, careers. I still try and treat it as so to this day. I’ve loved writing although I never imagined to still be doing it nearly a decade later.

What do you want your audience to get out of your blog?

I want to keep sharing knowledge and ease people’s minds and hearts through my personal experiences. I’m all about reliability and I want my posts to be open conversations between my readers and I.

You have a way with words, always inspiring others to be their best. How do you stay positive or keep your peace?

Thank you ! My faith has taught and brought me a long way in terms of keeping my peace. Negativity will never be fruitful and can become the biggest impediment to your potential if you allow it (I’ve tried sulking and being a Debby-downer, which are equally exhausting). Staying positive is an acquired discipline, and I’ve learned that in life what you focus on magnifies.

Your skin and hair are always on fleek! Can you share with us your secrets?

Less is more and water is your friend. Your skin, like your hair, needs to breathe ever so often. Become comfortable in your skin, those who matter won’t care for your minor blemishes, and those who do care do not matter.

You’re also a photographer, how does it help your blog?

My hobby in photography has been a blessing to me. In addition to connecting me to other artists, I have been able to incorporate visuals and do more creative projects when drafting content because of this passion.

We all stumble at some point of our lives, was there ever a time where you wanted to give up? What did you learn from it?

Stumbling is a constant visitor in our lives and we have to stay ready. When I decided to get serious with my blog, I was going through the post-grad blues of living away from my best friends (my roommates), being thrown in a whole new environment and “adulting.” Blogging was the safe, familiar zone. My biggest advice for when you feel like you’re in a low phase of your life is to recall the places, people and things that brought you happiness and gave you inspiration. Mine are my siblings and nephews, earl grey tea, finding new music and traveling to a new place. You have to remember to take care of your soul if you don’t feel right within !

Continue reading →

28Nov2016

On The Rise: Personal Style Blogger, Tiffany Battle

Posted in Empowerment, Fashion, Life after. by My Freshman Year of Life

thewerkplacebcbgmetallicpleatedskirt02_final

Tiffany Battle’s bold and unapologetic sense of style has caught the attentions of many. Her striking silhouettes and prints are every girl’s #closetgoals. However, besides inspiring your fashion style, she recently launched a passion project, This Space is Reserved, an uplifting platform helping others push through any negative experience they face and how to overcome them. Let’s find out more about Tiffany and her latest adventure.

Tell us about a little bit about yourself.

I’m Tiffany Battle, the Personal Style Blogger and Online Influencer of The Werk! Place. My background is in Chemical Engineering, and I’ve worked in the industry for over 9 years!

By nature, I’m a very logical and methodical person. Couple that with being able to conquer math and science successfully, engineering seemed like the perfect fit. I struggled throughout my career to find creative outlets within the engineering field, so The Werk! Place was a great option. I started blogging back in 2012 and I haven’t looked back since.

How did you get into the world of fashion blogging?

The Werk! Place was started back in October 2012 after a monumental international birthday trip and a short visit to Paris during Fashion Week. Paris Fashion Week was such a movie! I immediately went to purchase a DLSR camera, bought a domain name, created the site, put on a cute outfit and created my first blog post.

You’ve turned your passion into profit, what are some obstacles you faced in the early stages?

I’m still knee-deep in it! I’m facing obstacles right now in terms of what to prioritize and where to invest money. I’m in the risk taking phase. Everything that I’m doing right now is a toss-up, and I just pray that it works out. That’s the real real.

Tell us about your latest project This Space is Reserved.

I started This Space Is Reserved (thisspaceisreserved.tumblr.com) the week of my 4th Blogiversay. It’s a passion project that celebrates ridding yourself and your life of negative influences. I would see these ‘No Parking’ signs all around the city and they started to become symbols of telling the negativity that it could not park here in my life any longer. I wanted to share that power.

How important was it for you create this platform?

The platform is a very important reminder to take control of your thoughts and your life. Sure, life happens to all of us but it’s how we react to those moments in life that will make the difference. Thoughts become things. The moment that you can start to see the positive in any situation, you’ve won.

I can’t pass a ‘No Parking’ sign without feeling liberated. It’s a gentle reminder to rise above those thoughts and keep on keeping on.