Hello Lovely!
Here’s my Story…
Let me start at the beginning by going as far back into my memory as my brain would allow. It’s amazing how childhood experiences subconsciously shape and influences the mind. They swim around in the mind’s background and come to fruition in adulthood.
Childhood Background and Influences…
My principal life and style influences came from my mom, grandmother, great-aunt, and from family (see my style story here), who live in the United Kingdom and the United States. My mom used to watch shows like The Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous, the Grammys, the Golden Globe awards, and Miss Universe Pageants religiously. I didn’t show any interest then, but there were times when I had no choice but to watch with my mom. She would soak in every detail with undivided attention, and I wouldn’t dare interrupt her.
In her own life, she emphasized the importance and art of being classy and having good taste in the way she carried herself and the quality items that she bought for the family and our home. She also owned many beauty and fashion catalogs (these were the shopping “websites” of yesteryear). There were catalogs and magazines from Avon, Vogue, Freemans of London, and Chadwick of Boston. I used to flip through the pages and look at all the styles for the season. She often asked me for my opinion on things she wanted to order.
I didn’t remember this until this day; I was looking back at my childhood birthday photos. She always dressed up my brother and me and gave us a custom cake every year. But this time, I looked more carefully at the images, the background, and our home and noticed something. There were beautiful pieces of décor. On a marbled top side table stood a stylish lamp. And what caught my attention was a tall, fluffy pampas grass in a vase in the corner! This realization shook me! We see the same pampas grass in so many modern homes today!
Our home was always clean, neat, and tidy. My mom insisted that this was the way to live. Her mother (who helped raise me) passed this down because her house was always clean. Not one thing was out of order.
As I look at my life, some of these principles have translated into how I live. At that time, I didn’t see the sense of the rigorous procedures for selecting clothing and other home items. I was not impressed with the cleaning and tidying routines she put me through. But now that I’m older, wiser, and living on my own, there are so many benefits that I’m gleaning from these lessons.
Growing Up…
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been creative. I am blessed with skillful hands and a mind that breaks everything down to the last detail. As a young woman, my sense of style started to develop. I had an eye for mixing and matching colors, textures, and shapes in clothing pieces to bring them together.
I also had the desire to make things and people beautiful. This desire was evident in what was, at the time, my dream career: a successful salon and spa owner. I started doing hair at a young age, starting with my dolls, then moving on to my family members when I was about 11. I loved the feeling I got when creating hairstyles or outfits that made them smile and instantly get a mood lift when they looked into the mirror.
Styling pieces came naturally when my mom or dad took me shopping. Even my friends would ask for advice on what colors and styles went together, and it was always my delight to help. One of my more memorable experiences from my State College days is how shocked I was to receive an award on Career day for being the best dressed. I remember exactly what I wore: a black pantsuit with pink pinstripes. The blazer was cinched at the waist, then had a box-pleat, peplum effect, under which I wore a pretty pink blouse and added some heels. Even though I didn’t even know the award existed, I was happy to receive it, but it was so unexpected because all I did was go to the store, choose something I liked, and wear it confidently. I never thought it would materialize into something more.
I’ve always had the desire to make people and things beautiful. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been creative. I am blessed with skillful hands, a mind that breaks everything down to the last detail, and the ability to visualize how the finished product should look. I love the feeling I get when creating looks that make people smile when they look in the mirror.
Tiffany
University…
In 2008 I started university in Trinidad, where I got my degree in Business Education. During those years, I had the opportunity to be a part of the executive leadership of several clubs. These clubs played a considerable role in my personal development. The opportunities allowed me to work on projects and programs alongside other talented people. They challenged me to stretch my talents and creative abilities and bring ideas to life. One such experience resulted in a revolutionary accomplishment where I could take my HIS LUV choir /singing club to the next level. We had concerts, engaged in mission trips, visited other churches, etc. The whole ride was eye-opening and soul-lifting! While I had a crazy busy college life, I took the time to make my dorm room home in my latter years there.
I wanted a beautiful and comfortable space to live and work until I graduated in 2011. While my sense of style at the time was still evolving and blossoming, I felt there was more I could do to make myself feel at home. There were times when instead of buying food, I would take the money that my parents sent to me, to go and purchase décor items for my dorm room, just so that it could be more aesthetically pleasing.
In 2016, I decided to further my studies. This time I decided to go over to China. It was anything but home. I asked where I could buy home goods, then went on my merry way to making my dorm apartment homey. Some were shocked when anyone came by to visit because it was organized like a real home.
“Having an aesthetically pleasing home matters no matter where I go. After dealing with the stresses of the outside world, I want to come home to somewhere soft; somewhere I can breathe and relax. A place that will bring me calm and peace. A place that I don’t have to “get away from” to put my heart and mind at ease. I call this place home.”
Marriage & Family…
When I finished my studies, I moved back home in 2018. At the end of the year, I got engaged to my now husband, Cameron, in 2019. That year (before we got married), we refurbished a house that is now our home. It was one of the best AND most stressful experiences we’ve had, and we were fortunate to go through it together because we learned so much about each other. Our marriage has been a journey of growth! We work together to make things the best they can be in our current season. He’s a medical doctor by profession, and he goes out of his way to ensure we are taken care of.
In November of 2021, I gave birth to our daughter, Ava Milan. This milestone has completely changed my life. Motherhood challenges me to become more organised, proactive and intentional.
Both marriage and parenting make me want to be my best and do my best to leave a purposeful and beautiful legacy. As time goes by, we are making our family traditions to have a safe space with an environment of love and light in our home. We are by no means perfect. We have room for a lot of improvement and growth. God’s grace will guide us into who he wants us to be.
Work…
I have a friend who repeatedly tells me (to this day) that I do not belong behind a desk. Yet, that’s where I ended up after graduating with my first degree. I worked in corporate at a bank for about a year. I loved most of the people I worked with, but the work was different from my cup of tea. After my contract ended, I opted not to renew but set out to look for something different.
I got a job with the government, first in the general service (behind a desk again), then I moved on to higher education, where I am a college lecturer today. Even though every job has challenges, this has been the most fulfilling. My work-life balance is beautiful, allowing me the space to be creative. I love interacting with and training young minds and seeing the fruit of my labor to the tune of seeing my students grow and flourish in their chosen paths. It gives my heart joy. I don’t know what the future holds or where the Lord will guide me, but I’m excited about it. He’s my creator, and where he leads, I will follow.
Now…
These experiences have repeatedly manifested that I have a wide range of interests, skills, and talents. I also enjoy singing, dancing, and listening to audiobooks that teach about home life, finances, and everyday adulting. In addition, learning about new ideas and concepts for personal development gives me life! When it comes to entertainment, I love to eat. Trying new restaurants and food with friends has been my thing for the past few years.
Seeing others blossom and flourish confidently in their gifts is heartwarming and gratifying. I also enjoy putting my twist on cooking healthy meals, discovering beauty tips, and being creative with my style and way of life. On top of that, it joys me to encourage people with ideas and discuss how they can bring them to reality.
Creating this blog will be an exhilarating yet scary journey for me. Sharing my life experiences with you has me shaking in my boots! However, I think sharing what I’m learning with you is more important than how it feels. As a wife, mother, educator, and enthusiast of all things beautiful, I’ll share gems about life, style, home, and family. I share to provide you with the tools to be intentional and purposeful so that you can face similar experiences in life confidently.
This project has been in my heart since I turned 30. I’ve decided to stop thinking and planning, put my dreams to work, and start doing! Enjoy the love and light that I share. I hope that you will pass on this light too! I hope to create some value and inspire you as we blossom & flourish together.
Before you go, I’ll share one of my favourite passages of scripture with you:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11
