Collab With NiuSmile Whitening!

Hey Hey! Recently I have been approached with some amazing opportunities to collab with some great brands so I figured I would share them with you all! The most recent collaboration was with NiuSmile, a teeth whitening company that provides a system for whiter teeth in only 10 minutes! If you know me then you know I will try literally any teeth whitening brand however this brand really impressed me as their products contain natural, organic and vegan ingredients. They are also 100% peroxide-free, 100% fluoride free, and contains no harmful chemicals. It doesn't get much better than that! 

Each kit contains NiuSmile's multipatented 5x LED light with built in 10-minute timer, a comfortable fit tray, 3 syringe pens of activated charcoal teeth whitening gel and an instruction sheet. You can purchase this kit on amazon for as low as $29.99! Let me know below in the comments if you decide to try it out! Thanks for reading! 

Peace & Good Vibes

Harmonious Kourt

How To Stay Positive, Even When It's Hard.

 Hey Hey! Here I am with another post! I am trying my hardest to get back on my consistent posting routine and I have a phone full of blog ideas so it's time I share them. Today I wanted to share some insight on something that has been weighing on me for quite sometime and that's how to remain positive even when it feels the hardest. If there's s anyone who knows about this, it's me. If you've been following my blog for a while then you know how I get when I am going through something. RETREAT. RETREAT. RETREAT. I go full hermit mode without a question. Most of the time people don't even know anything is wrong because I am pretty skillful at disengaging and very content with my own company. I'm sure that's the scorpio in me. Anyway, these last two years have been rough for my family and I. For me personally, it has been the lowest I've ever felt. I lost my mother in May 2019 and honestly, part of me went with her. I often tell people that losing her changed me. Life without her has been the hardest thing I've ever had to adjust to. I'm still trying to adjust. So many things in my life she won't be here to witness and so many things I won't be able to have her guidance on. There are times in the past where I thought I was severely depressed until I experienced this loss and realized no, THIS is depression. Not only was I experiencing depression but also cycling grief and if we're being honest, I didn't want help. I'm a psychologist so I didn't feel like anyone could tell me anything I didn't already know. Aside from my sisters and my best friends, I really didn't speak much on how I was truly feeling. I figured what was the point? They couldn't bring my mom back so why waste my time. I was sad and I was angry. It wasn't until Mother's Day rolled around this year and I went to the cemetery to visit with my mother and grandmother that something hit me. As I sat between their tombstones I became overcome with emotion. I was sad and heartbroken yes, but I also became overwhelmed as I remembered all they had done in their lives. My grandmother and mother were phenomenal hardworking women who cared so much about taking care of their family and making sacrifices so we all could have more. When I tell you I can only hope to be even half the women they were, that's an understatement! I miss my mom so so much and when I think of her I am overcome with grief but I am also reminded of who she was and the woman she raised me to be. My mother is my why. She is my daily motivation. I push myself everyday to still make her proud. That included taking care of myself and making the best of this life I've been given. Choosing to live and not just exist. She worked too hard so I could make the most of this life and I refuse to waste it. I also decided that I had to begin to nurture myself in a new way. I was right, I am different and I have changed so I now had to do things differently to be whole and healthy. I had to start making a conscious effort to see things positively and look for the good in each day. When I say I had to dig deep for that! Whew chile! lol But we're here and I'm doing it! We all experience low points from time to time and it is very rare that life is going to go exactly how we planned. We won't be prepared for everything that happens to us (I sure wasn't) and all we can do is try our best to find the positive in every single day and also honor how we feel. It is okay not to be okay and it is important that we all learn to extend ourselves the grace and compassion that we so easily give to others. I am the most private person I know but I am learning in this journey that sharing my pain can potentially be someone else's healing and I am more than okay with that. Thanks so much for reading! 

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmonious Kourt

Self-Care With Kitsch!

Hey Hey! Today’s post is going to be about one of my favorite things to do...self care! Honestly I probably indulge in this a bit too much but is that really a bad thing?! With so much going on in our daily routines with work and the state of the world, it’s easy to forget the importance of taking the time to take care of yourself. I was contacted by the company Kitsch to collaborate and I took this as another opportunity for me to pamper myself. Kitsch is a luxury hair products brand sold in over 27 countries across 20,000 retail locations worldwide. When I browsed their products I fell in love! They were all super cute which made it hard for me to choose what I wanted. I decided on the Kitsch microfiber headband which definitely gave me a reason to amp up my self care and skincare! This item is such a functional piece that anyone could use. Not only that, it also functions as a headband and hair tie together. That was such a plus for me because I often find it difficult keeping my hair out of the way while doing my skincare routine. I am super pleased with this item and so glad Kitsch reached out to collaborate with me! I have definitely enjoyed my headband. What do you guys do for self care? My go-to is definitely a full spa day! Let me know in the comments! To check out more Kitsch products you can visit their website at www.mykitsch.com. Thanks for reading!

Peace & Good Vibes

Harmonious Kourt

Basic Athleisure OOTD!

 Hey Hey! I'm back with another post and by the title you already know what it's about....CLOTHES! I rarely do any clothing related posts HOWEVER I love my comfy fits! With us being in quarantine and working from home I have been getting so much wear out of my athleisure clothing so I thought I'd show you how I rock my comfy look whether I am staying in or out and about! Hope you enjoy! 

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmonious Kourt 

Clothing Links

Basic Plunge Ribbed Sleeveless Bodysuit

Pocket Detail Jogger

Affirmation: I Am Grateful.

Hey Hey! It's September! Can you believe it?! I feel like I blinked and the summer was gone! I don't know about you all but being in quarantine hasn't been the easiest thing to adjust to. Since March we have been faced with so much information as well as uncertainty regarding the pandemic. Every week has felt different. Then to be Black in America in the midst of a pandemic just feels like another battle in itself. My heart still hurts for my people as the fight is far from over. We have endured so much and more days than not it is difficult to stay positive and optimistic about the future. In an attempt to stay sane and nurture myself so that I can be present for those around me, I have been extremely intentional about practicing healthy habits. One thing that helps me cope with the ways of the world is practicing gratitude. 

Practicing gratitude is something that any of my therapy clients would tell you I suggest to help boost mood and improve your overall outlook on life. Often times when we think of gratitude, it is something that we extend to others as it is very similar to appreciation. While it is definitely great to show others how thankful we are for something they have done for or given us, it is also beneficial to stop and acknowledge all the positive things that come into our lives. In order to begin this practice, you must first understand what it is. 

So what exactly is gratitude? If you use our good friend google you will find a ton of research and definitions. One that has resonated with me over the years is “gratitude is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself and represents a general state of thankfulness and/or appreciation”. Practicing gratitude has many benefits to our lives especially in times of challenge and change. It helps cultivate the habit of focusing on everything we do have rather than anything that we might not. Research in positive psychology has shown that it also does a lot for our brains and mental well-being. Not only that, but the effects can be long-lasting.  People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. With all those benefits, who wouldn't want to give this a try!? 

Here are some super quick tips to help you start your gratitude practice today! 

1. Get a journal or notebook 

2. Dedicate 3-5 days per week that you can make time to journal 

3. Write! Take a few minutes to write down three good things about your day. Your entry doesn't have to be extensive. It can be as simple as a good meal, speaking to a loved one, or getting through a difficult challenge. 

4. In addition to writing down these positive things, I want you to write why you are grateful for them. 

5. Repeat 3-5 days per week 

So just like that you have began your gratitude practice! It's just that easy! With dedication and intention, integrating gratitude practice into your lifestyle will become effortless. 

If you have any specific questions please feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks so much & I hope you enjoy this post! 

Peace & Good Vibes

Harmonious Kourt 

OOTD: The Xuan Collection x Benfang By Tiffany

Hey Hey! Today I decided to do an OOTD featuring a few pieces from a dope clothing company where I have the pleasure of knowing the designer. Benfang is a clothing line based out of Washington, DC with some of the most authentic pieces I’ve seen in a while. From my first purchase I instantly fell in love! I am a smaller frame woman and more times than not when I order online it is rare that the clothing feels like it was meant for me. Not only did the clothing fit me well but it fit and looked amazing on other women of all shapes and dimension as well! I just find that so dope! 

The owner and designer is Tiffany Michelle, a 28 year old from Prince Georges County, Maryland. Tiffany has an eye not only for fashion but originality. To check out her collections head on over to https://benfangbytiffany.com/ 

Thanks for viewing! Don't forget to check out https://benfangbytiffany.com/ to shop her collection! 

Peace & Good Vibes

Harmonious Kourt

Mindfulness & Mimosas!

Hey Hey! How are you? Are you coping well with quarantine? After 3 months on house arrest I have adjusted to staying inside and entertaining myself in many different ways. When everything is closed and going out to the store feels like a full production, you find new creative ways to keep busy and maintain your sanity. Recently I was invited by one of my close friends to join her and my other sister doc for an afternoon of mindfulness and mimosas. All three of us had been carefully quarantining so it was safe for us to see one another after so long. I was super excited and the day turned out to be full of relaxation and recharging. If you know my friend Marissa you'd know that only she has the ability to throw something like this together in less than 24 hours and she did just that! It was so dope!  I had such an amazing time and I wanted to share what we did in case anyone was looking for a creative way to pamper yourself inside.

First we started our afternoon by chatting as we enjoyed our mimosa's and other sweet treats. We then started burning some sage and looking through various inspirational books for quotes to assist us in setting intentions for ourselves. I stumbled across two quotes that stuck out to me the most:

1. "Black love is Black Wealth"

2. "I believe that life should be lived so vividly and so intensely that thoughts of another life, or of a longer life, are not necessary"

We were asked to bring yoga mats so next we did yoga practice. If you didn't already know, yoga has a ton of benefits for the mind and body to include improving physical health, mental health and overall well-being.

We then followed up our yoga practice with mindful meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a mental training practice that teaches you to slow down racing thoughts, let go of negativity, and calm both your mind and body. There are many types of mindfulness techniques, but in general, mindfulness meditation involves a breathing practice, mental imagery, awareness of body and mind, and muscle and body relaxation. This was my favorite part of our day because daily meditation has been a huge part of my spiritual practice for the last five years however over the last year I got out of the habit of doing so. This was so rejuvenating for me and the push I needed to help me get back into my routine. 

Overall the entire day was nothing short of amazing! With everything that has been going on in the world it felt great to take some time out to recharge and relax. Let me know below if you decide to do any of the things I mentioned. Thanks for reading!

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmoniuous Kourt

BUY OR BYE?: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Hey Hey! Over the last couple of years I have been a little more open to trying new skincare products and that has allowed me to learn more about my skin as well as what it does and doesn’t like. I’m still guilty of grabbing samples from Sephora and product testing in Ulta so I have tons of things to share! I have been able to find some great products that are now a part of my skincare routine. Keep reading to learn about a product that has become a favorite of mine!

What is the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream?
This is a non-greasy, lightweight moisturizer.

What does it do?
- Provides lasting 24-hour hydration for soft, smooth, healthy-looking skin
- Balances even skin’s driest areas with 2.3X more moisture
- Absorbs into skin easily with an ultra-lightweight texture
- Tested in everyday and extreme environments
- For all skin types, including sensitive skin

How can it be used?
- Can be used day (use with SPF) or night. 
-After cleansing and toning, massage into skin in a circular motion.

What are the key ingredients?
- Glacial Glycoprotein: Deeply hydrates, protects, and prevents water loss from skin. 
- Squalane: Derived from olives, this is known to help strengthen and restore skin’s moisture barrier.

Note: This product is also free of parabens, carbarmide, and T.E.A. 

_______________________________________________________

Pros

- Sold at Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, Nordstrom, Macy’s & Kiehl’s stores 

- Suitable for all skin types

- 24-hour hydration

- Lightweight

- Non-greasy

- Budget friendly as it can be bought in three different sizes

Cons

- Does not include SPF

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Overall I would have to give this product 5 stars! I purchased it in the summer and it kept my combination oily skin hydrated without adding extra oil and grease. I am still using it today and have gone through three bottles! I purchase mine from Ulta as they always have them in stock. This has definitely become a skincare staple for me! Have you used any of the skincare products from Kiehl's? If so, let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!

Peace & Good Vibes

Harmonious Kourt

Image Source: www. esquiresg.com

Random Vlogging: Photoshoot & Wizards Game

Hey Hey! I’m back with another vlog! Click the link below and enjoy! Thanks for stopping by! 

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmonious Kourt

https://youtu.be/OeJxzcZU6sY

Wild

Hey Hey! I recently did a shoot for a close friend of mine to assist her in continuing to build her portfolio. Her goal is to do at least one shoot a month all 2020. I think that is so dope and I’m so happy she asked me to be apart of the shoot. She even let me pick the location! I would like to send a special thank you to Lily, owner of Rewild, who allowed me to shoot at her business. I've walked past her shop numerous times and always wanted to do a shoot there! It truly felt like my natural habitat! I will include all details below! Thanks for reading! 

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmonious Kourt

Photographer: Crystal Johnson of TheOtherCrystal
Location: Rewild Shaw Location

Circa 2017.

Hey Hey! Today I wanted to share something that I love to be apart of! Photography!! Below I have some pics from a shoot I did back in 2017 for Bohn Jsell. This was so much fun and I’m so glad I was finally able to see these thanks to my good friend Crystal. Enjoy! 

Peace & Good Vibes 

Harmonious Kourt 

Clothing: Bohn Jsell
Stylist & Creative Director: Kasha Reavis
Photography: DiAngela Payne