Value of Friendship

So it has been a while since I have written anything (SORRY BUT I AM BACK!!!) and a lot has happened. But one thing that I have learned about while on my mini hiatus was the value of friendship. 

Now I would like to think that I have always been the perfect friend....I mean wouldn’t we all? BUT, I haven’t been. I have burned bridges, talked about you, been talked about, spilled tea and tested loyalty...and I was the only one who lost in the end. I found myself trying to be everybody’s friend and pleasing everyone, even when they didn’t mean me any good. I still wanted to make everyone happy. Even if that meant, losing myself, losing trust and ultimately ruining relationships.

I think that everyone goes through a point when they are trying to find themselves where they push people away, gain people who aren’t needed and just are in a whirlwind of friendship mess. To me, this is something that is necessary. This is growth. I was loyal to people who weren’t loyal to me, talked about for being too nice, thrown by the wayside when I said no. It was all due to the fact that I didn’t know what I valued in a friend because I didn’t know what I valued in me.

Now at 33, I realize that I don’t need a huge circle of friends. I don’t need to make everyone smile. I don’t need to please everyone but I do need to value my time and peace. A friendship is a two way street. If one is always giving and the other is always taking....RUN!! This can turn into something very toxic. Now there will be times where one needs more than the other, I get it. It’s called life. But when the scales start to tip and you begin to feel drained....RUN! This is not good for you at all. TRUST ME, I would not tell you about anything that I haven’t been through myself. 

The best thing that I have learned and continue to practice is to check in with your friends from time to time. Make sure that you are being a good friend and that you are receiving what you are giving. It’s always good to just have mini evaluations, its all about growth and self love!! Love yourself so that you can be the best version of you!!

Be Blessed & Love Yourself,

ToriMichelle

“I wish I could paint our love These moments and vibrant hues Love play, turns in to gun play Gun play turns into pillow talk Pillow talk turns into sweet dreams Sweet dreams turns into coffee in the morning” Photographer: @Diordavis MUA: @royal_beautee MODEL: @royal_beautee #selfcare #blackmomskillingit #wcw #slay #blackhistorymonth #janetcollectionhair #vablogger #naturalhair #showlove #nubiancrown #persistence #fashionblogger #darkskin #dmvblogger #makeupformelaningirls #motd #influencerstyle #blackradiance #millionairelifestyle #dmvmakeupartist #darkskinnedbaddie #dmvhairstylist #unbothered #covergirl #beautyblogger #momblogger #baddiemom #momlife #instamood #shakushaku (at Maryland City, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu0kd7bBiLb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u29hxcosokh3

[OUTREACH] Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday August 8th, 2021, (AMNGLOBAL) What do you and your network of friends like to do? Party? Network? Dine at Fine Restaurants? Start Businesses? AMNGLOBAL has limited resources to create and manage our own events but we greatly appreciate those who want to organize and manage an event on our behalf! Please contact AMNGLOBAL founder @caempa at [email protected] to start discussing your ideas – if you would like to make the event open to the public, we will help with publicity. Subscribe to our blog and website . Go www.amnglobal.com or www.amnep.tumblr.com Want to Host an Event but Need an Idea? Try one of these: Movie premieres Indie artist showcases Political campaigns Community outreach Fashion shows Networking events Comedy shows Themed parties Day Parties Nightlife events (with donated entrance fees)See something not on our list ? Ask us www.amnep.tumblr.com/submit

This year it is more important than ever to support small businesses this holiday season. With that being said, I thought I would share some of my favorite small businesses in Virginia and the D.C. area that I hope you’ll support ;) Visit the link in my bio to read more♥️ . . . . . . #smallbusiness #washingtondcshopping #northernvirginia #dcshopping #kindcollaboration #thebloggerunion #bloggerunder5k #dcbloggers #vablogger #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinesssaturday (at Small Business) https://www.instagram.com/p/CICZ3bhsU8U/?igshid=mgznf17n1vei

Lunging into the week like yup, I got this… excited for another week to work, … Lunging into the week like yup, I got this... excited for another week to work, progress, love, help others and enjoy life.

Hello Monday!! A new week and I am getting ready for this Sunday's spring event in Williamsburg VA #artonthesquare @williamsburgjuniors and packaging up the last of the sample sale orders tonight. Lots to do with little time. These Axiom earrings will be available this weekend along with a lot more jewels. • • • #visualsgang #herstyle #mondaysbelike #mondayvibes #thatsdarling #cljewels #makerspace #vaartist #jewelrylove #stylemepretty #thesimplethings #thehappynow #thislife #joysoflife #springvibes #makeyousmilestyle #creativeprocess #today #madeinVA #cindyliebel #fromwhereistand #hustlehard #vablogger #thislife #flashesofdelight #whattowear #wearitwell #ohwowyes #springjewels

Another gorgeous dress from @femmeluxefinery 😍 Item was gifted. #femmeluxefinery #femmeluxe #femmegirls #whitedress #littlewhitedress #rucheddress #summerdress #summerstyle#summer2020fashion #summerfashion #virginiafashion #virginiamodel #virginiablogger #virginiafashionblogger #vablogger #vamodel (at Chase City, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBEhbtmpQh9/?igshid=zjd2gbj31lls

Our custom branded screen for @catchingupwithkels @uniquelyknitboutique #eyeObeePhotoBooth ——- . . #dmv #washingtondc #eyeObee #dmveventplanner #dmvphotobooth #birthdayparty #blogger #thedcbloggers #bday #dcblogger #mdblogger #vablogger #eyeObeeBackScreen #birthdayparty #dmvpartyphotobooth #dmvphotoboothrentals #dcphotobooth #bestphotobooth #eyeobeeart https://www.instagram.com/p/B8clngLDe_F/?igshid=1i9vvnxik8u0m

Andrew surprised me with a special trip for my #birthday!🥰 having the best time relaxing and checking in (and out!) at the Cavalier Hotel✨ this velvet bodysuit fits tts and is perfect for any #holiday party and my paper bag jeans are #LTKunder50 and full of elastic for all the big family meals coming up 👌🏼🖤 also linking the comfiest slingbacks with adorable pearl details- you NEED these for the season! easy to walk in and super cute! . . . . . . . . . . Shop your screenshot of this pic with the LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app 📸📲 http://liketk.it/2H3EH #liketkit @liketoknow.it #ootd #bloggerstyle #vablogger #whatiwore #ladiesoflele #classicallychriste #virginia #wineoclock #birthday #style #datenight #velvet (at The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5BUSJhAusu/?igshid=181e2q41ph538

Instant Oatmeal for busy mornings 😌 my life completely changed (for the better) the moment I realized I could put toppings on my oatmeal bowls 🙌🏻
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Strawberries and cream oatmeal (my favorite from quaker) topped with granola, dark chocolate covered raisins from sunmaid and frozen berries 💕

When u wish upon stars ✨✨⭐️✨✨ . . #fashionblogger #style #stylediaries #casualstyle #streetstyle #dcblogger #dcstyle #vablogger #dc fashion #dcblog #acreativedc #lifeandstyle #prettylittleinspo #dcootd #ootd #ootdshare #sheerbodysuits #igdc #lifestyleblogger #contentcreator #instafashion #fashioninfluencer #outfitinspo #black #mylook #mylookfeminin #mdblogger (at Tysons Corner, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIVPsTl-D1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d09xg2lfndq2

Love...Don’t waste your time.

So look, time is precious and if you aren’t ready to invest and get rewarded for your efforts then DO NOT FALL IN LOVE. DO NOT DATE. DO NOT WASTE ANYONE'S TIME. So many people like the idea of “casual dating” but there are very few people, in my opinion, who can handle this task successfully. I think that this is a very sensitive subject but guess who is going to tackle it. Little ol’ me!

Dating without a purpose wastes everyone’s time. A lot of people aren’t honest with themselves so they place themselves in a category and end up catching feelings for someone who isn’t even on the same path, possibly in a whole different book. So when I say, DON’T WASTE MY TIME. DON’T! When I jumped back into the dating world, I knew what I wanted and what I would tolerate. I knew that list was very very short. I tried to meet people in person but that was hard for me to do because I was always running around handling the Single Parent Life (SPL) so I took a leap and jumped online to do some internet dating. LAWD that was a whole experience.

So here I am, ready to love again, ready to commit, ready to just give my all. I didn’t think that it would be easy nor did I think that it would come within days, months, or even years but I knew that when God sent the right man along that LOVE was a given. But I had to go through the ones who talked that game, who talked about “oh baby I can see a future with you.’ “Oh you are everything that I dreamed of and I can’t see my life without you.” Let me explain something about me. After my divorce, I found my voice. I am not afraid to say what I want and what I need. So when I met someone, in some of those first conversations, I am asking about wanting more kids, marriage, and long term goals. Now, I am not asking these questions because I want them to happen immediately but I am asking because these are things that I needed to know in order to move forward. I know that some of the answers that I received I wasn’t okay with so I decided to move on. No hard feelings and I was not wasting anybody’s time because after all TIME IS PRECIOUS.

All in all, if you value yourself and your time. Value theirs as well. They didn’t ask to have their emotions played with. So if someone is going to invest in you then be willing to invest in them. Be open to their questions, reap what you sow. So if you are sowing false hopes,  false dreams and false future plans then the fake love and deceit is what you will pluck up. This IS not good for anyone. No one wins in this situation. So just be honest. Guard your feelings and time as if your life depended on it because it does. You cannot just pour out and not be replenished. So please.....if you are going to LOVE, then don’t waste your time.

Be Blessed & Love Yourself,

ToriMichelle

I see you... 😎 . . . #sunglasses #redsunglasses #blogger #spring #springstyle #latina #vablogger #vaisforbloggers #puertoricanblogger (at Hampton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvny-hfFE4f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ztp7uv5mh4w3

Today was pretty awesome! I love events that involve genuine support of women! I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of @girlfriendsintheburbs , speaking on panel for a @girlfriendsintheburbs event, and today I got to vlog behind the scenes for them. One thing they are truly good at is putting together events that not only bring people together but have meaning and are in support of women becoming their best selves. The future is female was quite successful and I’m happy I was in attendance! Check out my stories to see all the fun I was able capture today as we took over @Macy’s in @tysonscorner🙌🏾 My cute Coat is from my bestie boutique btw 😉 @dreamsofvanguardboutique Oh and my hair💁🏽‍♀️ @janetcollection “Gabrielle” #gitb #girlfriendsintheburbs #womansuportingwoman #determination #darkskin #thefutureisfemale #makeupformelaningirls #selfcare #momlife #motd #vablogger #showlove #dcblogger #melaninmom #bossmom #modelmom #millenialmotherhood #influencermom #internationalwomensday #stayathomemom #womenempowerment #influencerlife #momprenuer #whenyouretheboss #tag #woc #dcmodel #bossgyal #melaninmoms #blackhairslayer (at Loudoun County, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu2coVsFB22/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mq8h9w7axq6n

I’ve been starting my day with moments of nothing but me🧖🏾‍♀️Chill, quiet, me time. I pour myself into everything and everyone easily, abruptly and quite effortlessllay at the beginning of the day, meanwhile sometimes it’s tough for me to remember me lol. That’s so bad, but I’ve been changing it back little by little and it starts with my mornings. I treat myself like my own #wcw 💆🏾‍♀️every morning and pamper myself in the quiet while everyone is still sleeping👀Currently looking for new random things to add to my morning routine so I’m taking suggestions 📝cuz I love starting my day this way! . . . . I made this adorable curly wig with @outre_hair “BIG Beautiful Hair” in the curl pattern “twirly”. I looove how I was able to achieve multiple looks because the one pack came with A CLOSURE! I did a video review showing you how I made the wig and giving you a tutorial on how I achieved different looks. Be sure to check it out! . . . . . . . . #melaningirls #curls #bossgal #hairblogger #wigslayer #makeupformelaningirls #beautyblogger #vablogger #dmvmodel #darkskinnedwomen #liz #momswhoblog #protectivestyle #naturalista #hairinspo #dmvinfluencer #melaninrich #humanhairwigs #wigslay #influencerstyle #royalbeautee #thenubiancrown #outre (at Brambleton, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bov-600h_u_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pchbqwepnj6y

" Okay Google, Play SSR Radio Podcast " . 🏎️💨💨💥💥💥 . . . . . #dmvpodcast #podcast #podcasting #baltimorepodcast #blackgirlswhoblog #dmvblogger #lablogger #vablogger #talkradiohost #miamiblogger #blogpost #blogger #baltimoreblogger #blogging #internetradio #1500radio #blog #blogginglife #houstonblogger #letschat #browngirlbloggers #datingromanb #relationships #dating #relationshipblogger #datingblog #drinkspecials #mixandmingle #happyhour #blogginglifestyle (at Seattle, Washington)