Hello to 2018!

Hello to 2018 and hello to you all! This is the first post of the new year and I want to say welcome back to The Visual Aspect. Last year definitely has had its highs and lows but I cannot complain one bit and I am thankful for each one of those experiences. A few of my goals this year is to: create morning/night routine (and stick to them!), gain more knowledge through reading, and grow The Visual Aspect community.

Morning and Night Routines

Honestly, I kinda have the morning routine down. Here’s how it goes…

6 am: Wake up and take out Buckley

6:15 am– I avoid the bed at all cost and go to the kitchen make my lovely morning drink of ACV, lemon juice, and 8oz of water. If that doesn’t wake someone up idk what would…then I turn on the tea kettle and go take a shower.

6:45 am- Once I’m out of the shower and getting ready for work, I usually have Pandora playing Jesus Culture or Bethel radio station…Gotta get my mind right before for the day ya know lol Cannot forget about the tea. I like a nice English breakfast black tea with almond milk 🙂

7:45 am- I’m usually out the door headed to work. Then once I get to work I check all of my social media, etc. I try not to have that be the first thing I see as soon as I get out of bed. It gets to be so draining.

Now for the Night routine….yikes it needs some work, but this is what I have started doing as of this past week. 🙂

First of all, I take Buckley out right before I get ready for bed…no I’d rather not wake up to any surprises.

I make some herbal tea, usually peppermint or green tea with a whole lot of honey. Then head to the bathroom to get my hair, face, and everything else ready for bed.

I take off my makeup with a makeup wipes and then put on a night cream. I like to use Mario Badescu Seaweed night cream because it works really well for combo/oily skin. If I don’t have that or have run out, I use either a moisturizer or tea tree oil.

Then it’s to the hair. I am definitely trying to step it up in this area because I have not done the best job of wrapping up or doing anything with my hair before bed. At the moment I currently have a weave and I do have some leave out of my own hair that I need to take care of. Or else my hair will dry out and break off and leave me without any edges…which is not a cute look for anyone. After a few youtube videos, some jojoba oil, and a headscarf later I feel like I’m on my way to some well-moisturized edges and leave out.

Reading for 30 min(or a chapter from whichever book I am currently reading) before bed. This will be a challenge that I am adding to my routine, but I will explain in a sec.

Then it’s off to my bed to where Buckley will annoyingly move around for the next 20 minutes before we all fall asleep! 🙂

Gaining knowledge through reading

My word for the year is Knowledge. I eventually want to be that person the reads 50 books a year but I’m  gonna start with reading at least 4 this year. Depending on how large the book is maybe I can get more in there. Here is a list of what I have so far that I want to read:

1. Captivating by John & Stasi Eldridge (I’ve already started this one!)
2. Purple Cow by Seth Godin
3. Growth Hacker Marketing  by Ryan Holiday
4. The Hollywood Ten Commandments by DeVon Franklin
5. Ballerina Body by Misty Copeland

That’s all I can think of now, but I will be adding to my list for sure! If you have any books that you’ve read and added value to your life, let me know!

Growing a community

I know growing a community of people happens over a period of time but I want to get o know you all! What would you like to hear from me that’s the most valuable information to you? I don’t want to be blabbing on about myself, but rather The Visual Aspect be a resource for you. 🙂 So tell me what you need and I’ll see what I can deliver for you all.

I am very excited for the year and what new adventures it has to bring! Thank you so much for your support and taking the time to read this. I will see you back here soon!

Best,

DeAnna Rivers

Dress: The Natalie Dress from Turquoise Collective

Jacket: Topshop

Shoes: Steve Madden Austin Boot