Simply Brittany

It’s Party Time – #UBP13

2013-04-07T09:51:31Z

Hi! I’m Brittany. Many call me Brit. And this is my blog.

I’ve been at this blogging thing since late 2009 and have been through a few blog name changes before I finally decided on sticking with Simply Brittany… and I welcome you to my little place on the blogosphere!

Are you here for the party? Great! Grab a drink. I’ll stick with my glass of infused water since I’m not 21 yet, but I will be in May. Hooray!

I’m a twenty year old entrepreneur. I started my first business in 2011 and launched my 2nd in 2013. Basically, I’m a graphic designer with a crafty side. When I’m not working from home, I’m spending my time helping my single mother raise my 4 siblings (the youngest being 16 months) and creating tutus for little girls.

My blog is simply about my life. It’s very personal to me… so personal that I designed it myself.

I post about my life, my faith and my passions.

I’m a HUGE dreamer. I believe dreams come true and am living proof of it. I believe no dream is too big or too small and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Enjoying your drink? I hope so!

I hope you also enjoyed “meeting” me and I can’t wait to “meet” you!!!

Leave a comment below if you’re new here! Make sure to leave a link to your blog, I’d love to stop by!

Let’s PARTY!!!

Simple & Budget-Friendly Rubber Ducky Baby Shower

2013-03-12T09:32:07Z

My cousin recently welcomed a baby into the world, a month early! So we were in a rush to set up and get the baby shower done. We wanted something simple, cute, and budget friendly… so we went with a rubber ducky baby shower.

I designed the invitations and we shared them virtually to save money. They also took the place of birth announcements.

We got pretty much everything at either Walmart or Dollar Tree, with the exception of the rubber ducks which we ordered from Oriental Trading.

For the centerpieces, we bought small glass bowls and filled them with water that we dyed blue & a rubber ducky. We also spread out blue baby boy mints for a final touch.

For the gift table, we decorated it with a couple of balloons from the Dollar Tree and a lovely banner from A to Zebra Celebrations that we gave to my cousin to hang in the baby’s room. It was perfect!

For drinks, we did lemonade to match the yellow and we served pizza & salad. Easy!

It was a great party, lots of fun, and it didn’t put a huge dent in our wallets.

Linking up with Nancy for Link Party Tuesday!

Believe

2013-03-04T13:20:26Z

Growing up, things weren’t always easy for me and I always felt like I had to prove myself.

To my family, my friends, my teachers, my bosses… everyone.

It was hard. Sometimes, I hated it.

I did 13 years of cheerleading because my mom wanted her cheerleader.

I worked my butt off to get all A’s and graduate at the top of my class because I was expected to be the “smart one.”

And you know what, I hardly ever took into consideration what I wanted.

But once I had graduated from high school, all the dreams and things I had always wanted to do (or at least thought I wanted to do) kinda of slipped away… and the more I think about it, the more I realize I think I let them slip away from my grip on purpose.

Because I was tired of being what everyone else wanted me to be.

And I started on a journey towards accomplishing new dreams and I couldn’t be happier!

When I shared that I wanted to start my own business, the looks I got were scary. I was hit with “you can’t do it” and “good luck with that” over and over again. And now, my little business is on the front page of Google! Organically.

So I need to say one thing…

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF & FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

If I would have kept trying to impress everyone else, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now. I see that now. And I’m grateful for it!

I think sometimes, we have to be let down by others so that we can make ourselves stronger.

Now, anytime tells me “you dream too big” or “you can’t,” I remind myself of how far I have gotten myself.

I remember those who are by my side and believe in me.

The keyword being BELIEVE.

And I’m a little late into the year, 63 days late to be exact, but it’s not too late so I’m officially making BELIEVE my “word of the year.”

Through all trials I face, I’ll remember to believe.

What do you believe?

p.s. Notice anything different around here? I gave the blog a new look for 2013… finally.

Me & My Blog – The Sunday Social

2013-01-13T11:42:08Z

I’m linking up with Ashely & Neely for the first time today for their Sunday Social.

I’m hoping to be more on my blogging game this year & this is a start!

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

My blog’s name is Simply Brittany because it’s a blog simply about me. I started blogging late 2009 as Not Your Average Teen, things have changed since then.

2. Why do you blog?

For myself, it’s that simple. Blogging is my release.

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

I honestly cannot remember, it was a while ago. However, one of the first blogs that I do remember following is Growing Up Blackxican by the lovely Ruby. I still read her blog & love catching up on her family.

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?

Father is one of my favorites. Most of my favorites are those that are deep & personal.

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?

To blog more & engage more! Simple.

6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.

This is a hard one because there is so many amazing blogs I follow, I guess three of my favorites are: Bellaboo Gloss, C.R.A.F.T., and My Little Life.

That’s all, folks! If you’re new here, leave a link to your blog in the comments, I’ll stop by!

I Once Had A Dream

2013-01-12T09:54:50Z

I once had a dream of becoming a teacher, just like my mom & aunt.

I wanted to change lives through education & learning.

And then, I gave up the whole teacher dream for a new one.

A dream to become a graphic designer & web developer.

I first started designing when I wanted my MySpace profile to be cooler than everyone else’s.

Then, I started designing invitations for my family’s events.

Then, I designed my own blog design for my 1st blog.

I was hooked!

Fast-forward give or take six years and you’ll have where I’m at now.

A graphic designer for worldwide skin care brand, Bellaboo!

The graphic designer for actress Monique Coleman & her show Gimme Mo.

Plus, I’ve had tons of local & small business owner clients.

And I was designing blogs for others.

I made that dream of becoming a graphic designer come true & I’m slowly (but surely) working on becoming a web developer. I’m still a newbie at that stage, but it’s a start.

And I’m still pinching myself every day because I still don’t believe it.

Then, I added on another dream!

To become a social media manager professionally, because I fell in love with the world of social media and everything that came along with it!

I’ve already been working as Bellaboo‘s social media “guru” for over a year.

Monique hired me August of 2012.

I had worked with tons of local, small business owners to build their social media networks.

And I’m starting off 2013 with my very own social media management & graphic design business!!! I decided to name it: Hey Girl Media.

I launched it on January 8, 2013 after deciding I was going for it in July of 2012!

I already have my very first client: Kevel!

And I’m seriously going crazy because I’ve worked so hard to make my dreams come true and watching them happen, living through them, is simply amazing.

I have never felt so proud of myself!

Many told me I would be nothing after I dropped out of college, but look at where I’m at!

And, you know what, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Because this is MY life.

I once had a dream & here I am… making my DREAMS COME TRUE!!

It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

2012-12-06T09:41:36Z

I felt at the top of the world on December 1st. I felt like I had everything in control. My feelings and emotions, my “money problems,” my relationship with God. Five days later, I feel like everything is crazy all over again!

I’m back to feeling like everything that could go wrong has. I feel lost and drained.

I try praying and I can’t find the strength. I try talking and I can’t find the words. I try distracting myself and I can’t find the motivation.

Having a bedroom that’s flooded because of a water leak has me irritated and angry. Mainly because everything I had saved up for Christmas and moving out has been lost to fixing the problem. And there’s still finding a way to get all the water out of my carpet before it starts to become a risk. I feel like my safe haven has been destroyed.

It’s making me lose my mind. It’s hard. That “give up” feeling is flooding my thoughts and it’s hard for me to focus on the positive with so much negativity surrounding me.

I talked to a close friend and she reminded me that sometimes, we just have to hit our low points so that God can lift us back up. So that He can give us the strength we need. And she reminded me that God won’t ever burden us with something we couldn’t handle.

Basically, she told me that it’s okay not to be okay. Because in the end, everything WILL be okay. Everything will turn out just fine.

It’s hard for me to see the silver lining of everything that’s been going on. It’s easier for me to break down and stop fighting. To give up and to give in to the negativity. But if I can get myself to remember that it is okay, that things will turn around, then I remember to be grateful for my problems because they do make me stronger and they make me who I am.

Linking up with Mama Kat today for her Writer’s Workshop. I chose prompt #5: Take a line from a song you love and turn it into the title of your next blog post. Let the content follow.

The song I chose is Who You Are by Jessie J.

My Life is Organized Chaos

2012-11-21T20:26:07Z

When I started my own business, I knew I was taking a bite of something HUGE that I might have a hard time chewing, but when I actually did it… it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

And then I started working for my clients. I started working for my favorite skin care brand. I started working for a celebrity. My days of “I got this” turned into “OMG, I need an assistant!”

Seriously.

When I got my home office, I was super excited! I told myself that it would be my organized place to put my business head on and get the job done! My office was nice, neat, and organized…

… for about five days.

Now, my desk looks a little something like this:

Nice, huh… this is what I call organized chaos. My organized chaos.

Honestly, I could work with it. It’s the only way I can. I write my to-do lists in seven different spiral notebooks. I have three small notepads for my random notes. My life planner never leaves my side. I take crafting breaks.

From the looks of my desk, people probably think I’m just a little crazy! Or a lot crazy.

And lately, this is how my life has felt.

Nothing seems to be in place, but to me everything is exactly where it needs to be.

I think I’ve finally come to a place where I could understand that people may think things are bad for us, but we’re making it work and all is fine.

And that says a lot!

So today, I’m grateful that my life is organized chaos…

Because when my life is organized chaos, I know that everything is going to be just fine.

The Holidays Just Aren’t the Same

2012-11-19T13:57:58Z

When I was younger, the holidays were the best time of the year for me! I didn’t have to get my hopes up for an amazing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years because I knew that I was gonna get one.

But, since I’ve grown older… since my grandma passed away… since my dad left… and since my grandpa moved, it’s all be so different.

And it makes me sad. Extremely sad! Mostly because my siblings will never get what I had.

My mom can try as hard as she can and I’ll help as much as possible, but they’ll just never experience the holidays I’m used to.

When I was younger, Thanksgiving was HUGE! The day before, I’d help my mom, aunt, and grandma make the traditional stuffing. The next day, I’d go to the Thanksgiving parade with my dad and grandpa while everyone else stayed home to cook an amazing dinner. We’d come home and I’d watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade until it was time to eat. There was always the argument I gave my parents over having to sit at the kid’s table, but after I was reminded about pumpkin pie, I was done with that.

That was my Thanksgiving! Now, no one ever wants to help with the stuffing (apparently, it’s “too hard”) or join me for the parade. The parade on TV just isn’t as exciting anymore and now, I’m the one helping cook dinner since it’s just me and my mom and it’s so different.

Don’t even get me started on Christmas…

Christmas in our house used to be so much fun. When I was little, Santa was real!

I believed until I was 12. Taking photos with Santa was a BIG DEAL! My sibs, they could care less. Gbaby stopped believing at age 5. Before, my mom & aunt would stay up all night Christmas Eve and wrap the presents so that we could be surprised Christmas morning with tons of presents under the tree. Now, we wrap weeks before and gifts sit under the tree for a while. Not as fun. We used to drive around the city the week of to see the lights and attended the Holiday Lights Parade (when I wasn’t actually in the parade).

I’ve been dying to do cute things with the kids like crafts and a fun advent calendar, but they just say it’s dumb and boring. Nobody here even wants to help decorate the tree or put up the lights outside. I’m hoping as the baby grows older, I’ll be able to do some of these things with him, like Elf on the Shelf. I hope I can change the holidays for him, to make them more like what I had.

It’s so sad that the holidays aren’t the same. They just feel like any other day now.

I want my traditions back!

Done with the Negativity

2012-11-18T10:30:16Z

First off… who “comes back” to blogging on a Sunday? Like, seriously.

Any who, I’m kind of glad I still have this platform (my own little piece of the internet) to just, you know… rant.

Yeah, yeah… I’ve been around. I’ve been writing over at Bellaboo Gloss. I’ve been on Twitter. And Instagram. But to be 100% honest, I’ve just had no desire to blog. I actually haven’t looked at my blog since about August.

Life got the best of me.

Work got the best of me.

I got the best of me.

For a while now, I’ve been in this place I don’t like. At all. Like I’m in this deep, deep hole with no ladder to get back up to the top.

Sad, huh? I agree.

But last night, I discovered #SheReadsTruth via Diana of Hormonal Imbalances… then I found out we live in the same city. Crazy, right! That’s God working right there.

And after going through some of the devotions, I realized that the reason I’ve been so down is because I’ve let way too much negativity into my life. I’ve let people walk all over me and I’ve let others bring me down at my weakest moments.

I gave up being happy.

But today, I’m done. I’m done with the negativity.

I’m going to take back what is my life and live it how I want to! With me in control and God in charge, leading the way…

You need a positive outlook on life to live a positive life, right?

So starting today… I’m giving the negativity the boot because it’s time for a change.

It’s time for me to be able to smile again. To be happy. To be satisfied and to feel like I’m actually living & not just alive.

Lucky Girl

2012-08-20T16:52:49Z

These past few weeks have been absolutely insane… in a GOOD way! So much has happened that I still can’t wrap my head around it, one bit! It’s all just so crazy and I really feel like such a lucky girl.

For starters, I have had so many doors open for me business wise. I’m super excited! On top of that, I FINALLY got my iPhone and was able to cross that off my Day Zero Project.

But that was just the beginning. After taking on two new (and awesome) clients, a family friend surprised me with this…

Yes! That’s a brand spankin’ new 27″ iMac!!!! I’m still in total shock!! And then, he helped me transform our living room into a home office! So, with the iMac & the office, I was able to cross two more things off my Day Zero Project in the first year… I didn’t think either of those would happen until at least mid-2013. Check out my new office:

Soft pink walls, an awesome desk that we found while storage hunting, the drawing I was gifted of the logo of my business, frames from a friend, and that lovely iMac… all mine. All in my office. It’s so surreal to say that! So crazy!!

I’m seriously so blessed. I’m so grateful and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.

I’m bursting with excitement!!