Lately, I’ve been out a lot—not for personal plans, but for work. Fundraisers, networking events, mentoring events… even galas! Im not going to lie, it felt like I was working all day— at first.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something:

I’ve found the cheat code.

These events aren’t just “extra work.” They’re actually the perfect blend of productivity and enjoyment. It’s the best of both worlds—where professional growth meets good food, great people, and sometimes even an open bar.

What makes it the cheat code? Honestly, it starts with the people. If you’re lucky enough to work with colleagues you genuinely enjoy, those after-hours events can feel more like hanging out with friends than fulfilling a duty. You’re building real relationships while laughing over appetizers and a drink.

And let’s not forget the perks. Free dinner? Yes, please. Open bar? Even better.

But the true bonus? You’re meeting people—inside your organization and beyond it. These casual settings lead to real and meaningful connections. It gives your colleagues and peers a chance to see you in another light— watch you navigate any situation that is thrown your way!

So if you’ve been hesitant about showing up to that next work event, here’s your sign: go. Show up. Engage. It’s not just work—it’s a smart, fun way to build your network, bond with your team, and grow your career.

Because sometimes, the best move you can make… is just going out!

There’s something magical about hearing, “Ohh you smell good.” It’s hands-down my favorite compliment. It’s not just about smelling nice—it’s about being memorable.

My mom told me that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory & that always stuck with me.

It’s why I believe everyone should have a signature fragrance—something that lingers, something that speaks for you before you even say a word. For me, scent is my favorite accessory. No matter what I’m wearing, how I’m feeling, or even if I’m having a bad hair day… I can always smell good.

Right now, my signature fragrance is a mixture of Love, Don’t Be Shy by Kilian, and Black Opium. The real magic happens when I go to The Oil Bar. I get the body wash, scrub, and body butter in a custom blend—it lasts longer, smells stronger, and carries all night long.

Pro-tip: I top it off with Molecule 1- an oil that works with your chemistry and will make any fragrance unique to you!

I’m curious… What’s your go-to fragrance? I’m always looking for something new to add into my rotation! 😁

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m fun to be around. I say that not to brag, but because it’s been said to me more times than I can count. In fact, when people first meet me at work events or networking mixers, they often joke, “You must be the personality hire!”

And for a while… I believed them.

Let’s be honest—my metrics aren’t always the highest on the board. But my likability? Top tier. I connect with people and bring an energy that’s undeniable. That makes an impression long before the numbers do.

And here’s what I’ve realized:

Being fun to be around doesn’t mean I’m not good at my job.

Being likable is part of being a great teammate, collaborator, and dynamic colleague. My soft skills don’t replace my technical ones— they enhance them. A company is not going to keep you around just because you’re a good time; they’ll keep you because you’re effective and people enjoy working with you.

Starting during Covid, I took full advantage when things began opening up again. I became the Yes person attending and volunteering everything I was invited to. This gave me the opportunity to showcase how I get along with all types of personalities and my ability to get folks excited about our company.

Now I know…

Being a “personality hire” isn’t a bad thing—if you can back it up with results.

So now, when people call me that, I smile with pride! I know the value I bring is more than just a vibe—it’s in the relationships I build, the energy I bring to a room, and the impact I make through both my work and my presence.

So whatever your skill is—whether it’s technical, relational, or somewhere in between—make sure you showcase it. You never know who’s watching, listening, or see your unique spark and think, “I want to work with them.”

And if they call you the “personality hire”? Own it. Just make sure your work speaks just as loud as your presence. 💚

Some birthdays are more than a celebration of age—they’re a celebration of impact, of love, and of legacy. My best friend, DuJuan White, turned 44 this year, and I knew I wanted to do something that reflected just how deeply he’s loved by the people around him.

This wasn’t going to be a simple birthday post or a surprise dinner. This year, I reached out to DuJuan’s family, friends, and colleagues with a simple ask:

“Can you share a line or two about why DuJuan is important to you?”

The responses came flooding in—heartfelt messages, funny memories, kind words that painted a picture of a man who makes people feel seen, supported, and celebrated every day.

I wrote each message and tied them to balloons—44 of them, one for each year of his life. Along with the notes, I added some of my favorite pictures of DuJuan through the years. Some were candid, some were hilarious, and all of them were reminders of the joy he brings into the world.

Watching him walk into a room filled with floating memories and love was one of the most moving moments I’ve experienced. You could feel the impact of his life in every message, every photo, every laugh. This was more than a party—it was a tribute.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this surprise and helped make DuJuan’s 44th birthday one he’ll never forget. And to DuJuan—thank you for being the kind of person who makes people want to show up, speak up, and celebrate you in big, balloon-filled ways.

The icing on the cake was watching our son walk!

Happy Birthday, D. You are loved more than you know.

Wow! I can’t believe my baby boy is one year old! We have the best time ever celebrating our baby boy with some of our family and friends! Our boy is so loved. I wanted to share some of the decor that I bought it made. It really brought our special day together.

So… My husband is a football coach so that made this theme easy to chose. So many great things about the decor. I don’t know where to start so I’ll start with this idea. I had to display pictures with our family & friends and baby K.

Now I love cooking for my family, but I wanted to enjoy this party so we opted to have food catered from chipotle and and call it a nacho bar! It was a hit!

Along with the nacho bar, we had a little table area that we called a concession stand that had tons of snacks and our cake and cupcakes.

lastly, I love what we decided to do for party favors and the matching shirts that we wore as a family! To go along with the sports thing, we decided to make custom water bottles for everyone. I designed a logo of sorts for the event and put it on a water bottle and also got matching iron on patches for our shirts!

The biggest hit of the party were the ninja slushy machines. We had two machines going… One had “linebacker lemonade” and “Adult Juice Box”. We couldn’t keep them filled!

Overall, besides having a little extra cake and being completely exhausted, the day was perfect. special shout out to my parents for always supporting us! And for my mom for letting us host it at her house… Clean up is much easier and you don’t have to do it!! 😂