September Seedlings & Successes
hi. so, this is a bonus post:
bc God has been good to me, and I want to disseminate that progressive energy unto you. I’m also in a veryyy chatty mood. and this is the FIRST post to enable comments, so you can chat too! <33 that’s the first success of this post, and I’m sure you’re dyinggg to read all about the others.
so, first of all?
September has always felt like a Thursday. Not in the way that November does, but in new beginning, tomorrow’s Friday kind of way. If that makes any sense at all.
Not in the fireworks-and-confetti way of January, but more like a quiet, internal shift. Or it’s the vibe that if not already set in place, a shift should be occurring sometime in the near future. The air gets a little crisper, and there's a sense of return, of settling in and getting serious.
This September finds me in a similar state of mind—in a transformative period where the goal is to shed what's no longer serving me to make space for the life I'm meant to build.
It's about leaving behind those toxic self-sabotaging habits, like poor personal maintenance, everything down to Doctors and Dental appointments, to quitting smoking & drinking. I’ve learned that these things don't just affect your health; they literally rob you of your beauty and your youth. They become debilitating factors that hinder growth and keep you stuck in a cycle of poor habits. and a known fact is that addiction runs in my family, on both sides - so the irresponsibility of my own life has been trying on my self-esteem. The goal is to stop being a bum, and start becoming the woman I know I can, and will have to be to maintain the woman I want to be.
Some Overarching Themes for me lately are:
Growth, Evolution, and Elapsing Time
Miss Nene Leakes, on stage at the Woman’s Expo. A side quest I took myself on and almost got myself lost at the fucking Nashville Racetrack which is also the fairgrounds??? idk. But this was interesting.
I'm in a period of intense growth and evolution, and it's a complicated process. I'm learning to be okay with the fact that I'm impatient, I'm traumatized, and though more secure than many, insecure. The layers to insecurity are a topic I could totally divulge in, but maybe that’s a theme that deserves its own post… But I'm learning to embrace those parts of myself and understand that they are part of my journey.
I'm evolving.
I am an air sign and it’s about time I'm learning to flow delicately with the ever-changing concept of time. The same way "a New York minute" is different from an "expected response in one business day," I'm realizing that my timeline isn't the same as anyone else's. I'm no longer on a race to get to the finish line, but on a journey to simply enjoy the ride and pick up tools that
September also marks my one-year anniversary of living in Nashville with my boyfriend. Officially marked at September 5th, 2025, Our relationship is a reflection of this season of my life—at times it feels toxic, but it's also loving, comforting, and safe.
We are hungry for success, yet at times starving for progress. For me personally, he’s helped open my mind in ways I wasn’t yet receptive of. I enjoy doing a lot, but I enjoy learning to find the comfort in patience. Sometimes, the experience of being in your 20s is a constant balance of feeling like you’re living well, but simultaneously not living at all. It's the beautifully messy reality of early adulthood in 2025, as a woman experiencing womanhood in all its stagnant and evolutionary glory.
you’re now entering a brain dump of criticism
feel free scroll down to the next bolded header if you’re not into that sorta thing:
but because I’m always in a talkative mood, my next act will be the critique of my accessory aloofness. I almost feel guilty, that I don’t thrift regularly. I’ve never felt, and don’t necessarily feel the guilt of not owning a ton of designer pieces. Considering where I was raised, I dress well. Very chic, feminine, and borderline appropriate for a young woman my age. For context, I totally own Sandals and have multiple pairs of Jordans, but I obviously have a preference for more of a pump or a platform vibe. I am a Makeup Artist, so I obviously require some form of a bag, wallet, or purse on me at all times - because I always have a ton of bitch things I NEED to carry around, all the time.
But then there’s this very negligent side of me. The side that hates earrings, the side that does NOT have, or even attempt to execute a detailed skincare routine… (yes even as a makeup artist). The side that only waxes once, or every 3 months, and shaves her armpits whenever she remembers to… which I rarely do.
Almost the energy of a defiant feminist, or a hairy hippy. I’ve actually never ever shaved my legs or arms, ever. (not because I am taking a stance against anything, I just don’t find it necessary because I don’t grow much).
But! Why not smooth arms? Why not the detailed skincare routine to repair my skin of the toxins and despair I pour into it. WHY NOT BE ON YOUR SHIT? Why slack? Do we even care about ourselves at this point????
While I am learning to have grace with myself, these are my thoughts.
I LITERALLY had better habits at 19, so there’s 0 excuse. Once I breed my offspring, I’m sure I’ll be right back here going through a different phase of ugly? but right now I am kidless, and balls deep in bad habits.
Things literally have to change.
There's a fascinating disconnect that arises when we consider the things that "should be" for us—those common trappings of personal style and self-expression. As an Aquarius, I feel this pressure, but also the lack thereof. There’s a part of me that is effortlessly low-maintenance, very rebellious against the tedious and often silly rituals of proving oneself to a society I technically belong to. Yet, there’s also the desire to maintain a certain decorum, to participate in the unspoken visual language of a world that values appearance. This internal tug-of-war bullshit is constant, a push and pull between my inherent feminine nature and the external expectations of a collective. And tbh it’s tiring. But! In spirit of trying to find anything great about the struggle of growing up, and being a modern day woman, what truly inspires me is the act of filling a need, especially when that need is my own. It’s a selfish act that I hope resonates with others, but I've come to a place of peace where I'm okay if it doesn't. This is the same impulse that led me to start wearing things like makeup and jewelry more.
When I first launched my cosmetics and accessories line back in 2020, I reveled in the details—from the meticulous, small decisions to the exhilarating rush of making large purchases. I was disconnected from the beauty world then; I never wore lip gloss and owned only one lipstick I'd bought on a whim. Yet, I was inspired by a girl in high school who, tragically, is no longer with us… but we did share a birthdate actually - Her lips were always pristine and glossed up, a small but powerful detail that really resonated with me. Life led me to a dorm room residency in Oregon, where I filled my own need for lip gloss. I concocted a line that actually sold, shipped, and taught me a valuable lesson in the process: by filling a personal gap, I not only created a product that others wanted but also found myself with an abundance of gloss, and lips that were never dehydrated.
Looking back, this experience taught me that my personal needs can often be a roadmap to my professional purpose. It's an internal alchemy, turning a personal desire into a business venture, a small act of self-care into a foundation for a brand.
Perhaps it’s time to explore that feeling again. The urge to wear more jewelry feels like the same spark—a simple desire that could lead to something far more meaningful, a way to accessorize both my body and my business. I am super inspired by the different styles that are popular today. I love the concept of some jewelry lasting forever, and being adorned with jewels that help take your outfit from just that, to a fucking LOOK. I think pouring into the little things to my insecurity inspired laziness tells me I don’t feel like doing, will really assist me in shifting the energy of my earthbound experience.
Let’s Normalize
Planting the Seeds for a Solid Foundation 🪷
because truth be told?
✨my brand is my garden.✨
And I’ve declared this as my season of planting.
For my brand, @madebydlfce, I'm focusing on building a solid foundation. I am learning my niche as an Artist, finding my stage as an Entrepreneur, and building my village through divinely feminine, protected, and pure energy.
After all, you can't build a skyscraper on shaky ground. I'm leaning into the confidence I've earned—not just from my certification and being a published artist in a magazine, but from the real-world experience and training I gained working at an international makeup counter. I’ve actually been realigned to re-embark on that journey again soon, this time at a freestanding counter - which is just a taste of the content you can expect from me in October.
This is a journey of pulling my confidence off the ground, learning to trust God, and shedding those things that hold me back.
I’ll also clue you in on life lately - besides the mental. The social! I decided to turn my public spam account into the “unofficial” instagram platform for this specific blog forum. And I do post photos of my life there, more often? so I figure I start mentioning some of the things I do here.
cause ultimately, it’s all about…
the Bars and the Balance
Living in Nashville the bar scene is popping, all the time. In any genre or cultural vibe.
this is my friend Devan and I outside of BarTaco. <3 photo creds: coop.
my trusty Capricorn companion, has a strange way of getting me to do things I normally wouldn't. We recently found ourselves on 12th Avenue South, a area of the city I love for its incredible vibes.
I don't typically order birria tacos, nor do I normalize food reviews, but there I was, diving into a plate of them. And the drinks? They get you just tipsy enough that you don’t even notice they don’t serve sour cream, which is a wild omission for a fucking taco joint. Even more shocking, I found myself ordering a beverage that was strictly green, and for the first time in my life, I actually finished my own damn churros. It's a testament to the magic of the place and the company—I guess when you’re with the right people, you can let go of those self-imposed rules and just indulge
It makes me that much more grateful to have companionship, and breath in my lungs to breathe, be alive, and enjoy it.
An Evening of Inspiration:
I am also on the rise to budding a better relationship with my mother. For obvious reasons, this is great news. It’s freeing, it feels like we’re in a new space. Able to communicate, and allow one another the space to disagree… and be okay afterward!
Lately I’ve been so inspired by my power as a woman, and the only reason why I have that, is because of her. Without her, there’d be no me - So I truly believe that mentally ironing out my bitterness and parental grievances.. I find less of a drive to want to harbor negativity over literally anything. Im inspired by all the women in my life, especially my friends. My new network in Nashville is honestly one of the most progressive friendship eras I’ve ever been apart of. it’s a time in my life where I know everyone’s journey is unique, but I can also see why and where we’re placed In each other’s lives for a reason. You’ll notice how you dont talk to a friend or family member often but somehow be going through different versions of the same lesson. maybe at drastically different times in one’s lifetime but nevertheless.
New Character & Spoiler Alert: I am actually in my last 2 weeks of employment with L’Occitane
- but my co-worker Katie and I are friends, and fancy an after shift cocktail. A random night this month we went to this cool ass dim spot called the Coral Club. Kinda hidden In sight, but they made me my first ever Martini! So of course I got two even though I don’t prefer savory drinks. <3
The Roster Fragrances Launch
What started as a much-needed girls' night out with my friend Katie at my favorite spot, the White Limozeen, turned into a night of true inspiration and self-discovery. I called off work immediately after seeing the post about Roster Fragrances' rooftop launch party, and I'm so glad I did. The event was everything you'd want from a brand launch.
The Roster team truly created an immersive experience. There was a charming Fragrance Bar, well-crafted brand materials, and even an on-site makeup service. My favorite scent was "The Narcissist," which was also the name of the complimentary cocktail, a detail that made the experience feel incredibly personal. The thoughtful giveaway, paired with the playful bolo-tie and hat stations, solidified the feeling that this was a brand that not only knew its audience but wanted to create a genuinely good time.
As always, the White Limozeen was the perfect host.
If you recall, I had my 23rd birthday brunch there, and I would attend any event they host in a heartbeat. Their staff is consistently more than kind, and their interactive social media presence sets a high standard for how businesses should operate. It’s a testament to how crucial it is to maintain that positive public front, a standard that sadly isn't always upheld, but is always noticed.
+ The Small Detail That Spoke Volumes
While the night was overwhelmingly positive, a few small moments served as powerful reminders. It's funny how, as someone who notices everything, these little details can either make or break a moment. I discovered that cannolis are not my dessert of choice, the fun and engaging distributors from Cowboy Cannolis made the experience a positive one. We hate dark chocolate but, their presence enhanced the scene and vibe of a full-functioning launch event.
On the other hand, a brief interaction with the hat vendor who ran "Get Lit Craft" (?) was a stark reminder of the importance of business etiquette. Not such an enhancing experience to say the least, which is all one could really say because it’s so not THAT deep… But ! After my friend spent over $40 on their merchandise, I kindly asked one of them to take our picture with the event host, because we were mid conversation when this woman just walks up and starts talking to the owner I’m currently interacting with - who did apologize afterward, but that’s not the point.
Girl, this vendor proceeded to step between us, diverting the moment without apology or acknowledgment.. and for prolonged period of time too... As an adult woman who doesn’t know either of them personally, it’s totally fine. We politely excused ourselves and mingled away, but as a customer to be treated with respect - it was a powerful lesson in how even the smallest interactions can completely change a customer's perception, because dismissiveness is an absolute no from me. As a salesperson myself, it was rather offensive because not only did we express genuine admiration and support for her business idea, but it’s also just rude to cut grown people off when they’re having conversation. 😂 so personally I don’t know if it was the social crowd, or me being “sensitive”, but all I know is had she pulled that entitlement stunt before Katie patronized her station, we’d have 100% left $40+ richer.
Despite this one instance, I left the night feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be around so many talented female entrepreneurs in my new city. Lucky her, I am not some big-time event reporter and nobody cares about my opinion but me?
Anyway, enough with the honest critique, the overall feeling of the night was one of empowerment and connection. It was truly a privilege to be surrounded by women building their dreams. In fact, the event and the lessons I took away from it have solidified a personal goal:
I am declaring it now—I will be a part of a women's conference next year. And it's going to happen.
You’re absolutely, guaranteed going to get a Masterclass from me. There’s actually a waitlist form you could fill out to ensure your early access. Sign up Here!
✨and I will be an editorial/commercial mua, who’s work will touch the mass media… UNTIL it’s time to sell me a house or two or 5,000. ✨
Honestly, I have a video I could edit tonight because I had my other Coworker/Friend Bella come over and practice doing my makeup because she has a wedding to support someone for? and the experience lowkey, highly really inspired me to instruct, and really find my place in being a beauty educator alongside the recognition as a PRO Artist. <3 . Lmk what you think, if that’s like totally the dumbest idea ever. 😂
Goodnight <33
