#CoffeeTalk

I apologize for the lack of posts this week, life has been really real lately. I totaled my car and had to find and buy a new one in between being out of town for a wedding and now out of town for work, so bare with me! I know how much you guys love #CoffeeTalk so I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss it.

I love your style so I was wondering if you could help me find some cute beach clothes (maxi dresses, off-the shoulder-tops, maxi skirts or shorts)  that I could wear for my upcoming Jamaica trip in July. (I remember reading your blog post from your Jamaica trip, and it’s getting me even more excited to go lol) 

I loved Jamaica! I’m looking to go back sooner than later. When I shopped for Jamaica I went for islandy vibes in red green and yellow of course, but ended up finding some really cute stuff in neutral colors. If I was going again, here are some items I’d pack –

I am wanting to know which you prefer out of an Apple or a Microsoft computer for school, work, and blogging etc… I have had my laptop since 2009 and will be needing to get a new one soon. I currently have an Apple and I feel it has lasted me a long time; However I am curious to know if there is something just as good at a lower cost?

I had a Macbook while I was in college and loved it. This was way before I had a blog and although I had to purchase Microsoft office since the laptop didn’t come with it, it still provided me with everything I needed to get through school. That laptop eventually got old, but I was working for my current company and they provided me with an HP notebook, which is much less expensive and houses Microsoft Office and the Adobe Suite without any issue. It’s lightweight, quick and was what I used when I first started blogging. I ended up buying another MacBook recently because it works so well for what I need personally with features like AirDrop and iMovie. I could’ve done without the MacBook but I can’t lie and say I don’t love it. It boils down to what you want to spend, because an HP notebook will serve you well and save you several hundred dollars.

You didn’t post as much as you normally do while you were in Chicago this past weekend but you looked so amazing! Please link your outfits.

I’m sorry boo I’ve been worn out for like two weeks, bare with me LOL. I wore this grey lace-up sweatshirt (now on sale) and this pair of denim on the plane. I wore this lace-up gold dress out on Friday night and this asymmetrical dress (sold out in black) to the wedding on Saturday. On Sunday I wore an overalls set and crop top to brunch.

I just switched into the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry from fashion/beauty. I would love to hear your thoughts on PR and Marketing in the AEC world, especially from the perfect of a woman of color. Wish you all the best!

Welcome boo! I live in Houston and while we’re a huge city, AEC is second largest to our oil and gas industry so even if I wanted to do another kind of PR, it would be few and far between. I worked with engineers for years while I was in high school and college so I was familiar with the work and really enjoyed the structure of corporate offices. I interviewed for a few smaller PR boutique firms prior to accepting my current position and while they were cute, they lacked the stability I knew I needed. Not to mention so many PR positions will have you overworked and underpaid. As far as being a woman of color, I’ve been very blessed. I work with mostly older white men and I can say that they are all very respectful and value my work and opinion for the most part. In the three years that I’ve worked for my current company, I can say the only comments that have been made that I’ve had issues with have been from women. I don’t think that me being a woman and a minority makes me the odd (wo)man out. I view it as being a valuable asset to the company and assume they feel the same.

Hi Courtney. May you tell everyone about your skin care routine. Your skin is perfectly clear and glowing. I’ll love to know your top three must have facial products.

About a month ago my skin was being really disrespectful. I normally have a small breakout before my period and it clears quickly, but for the entire month I had tiny bumps forming along my chin and jaw line as well as my cheeks. You can cover the bumps with make-up, but they’re still very visible. A friend who had been seeing an esthetician suggested a few items for me and I can say they changed the texture of my skin. Use a make-up wipe to take your make-up off before washing your face. I was clogging my pores by just washing my face and not removing my make-up. I wash my face with this CeraVe cleansing bar and this Oil of Olay cleansing brush…. because I wasn’t about to splurge on a Clarisonic. I then use this witch hazel as a toner. Any excess make-up that wasn’t removed will show up on the cotton round once I use the witch hazel. After that, I moisturize with the CeraVe moisturizing PM lotion and drop a few drops of this Beneath Your Mask serum. My face looks moist when I go to bed, but by the time I wake up my skin has soaked all of the moisture in. I cleanse the same way in the mornings, except I use this daytime moisturizer with an SPF before putting my make-up on. I use this Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion wash once a week. My skin has honestly never looked better.

Hi Courtney! I really look up to you as you empower women to be the best they can be personally and in a corporate work place. However, sometimes working many hours is stressful. What do you do to strive away from working both your corporate job and your blog/business?

It’s incredibly stressful. Unfortunately I’ve created a life for myself to where if I’m not moving 100 mph, I feel like I’m not doing enough. I feel so obligated to do well at my job, because I truly do enjoy it but I also want to give my brand and business 100%. Every day I have to pick and choose what I’m going to balance. I’m currently in Louisiana for a fishing trip for work that’s an all day thing, so I have to create the time to even do these Coffee Talk questions. At the same time, I have to remind myself that I’m the boss of my brand and business so if I need a day off, I can take it! These days I really just look forward to staying in on a Friday night with wine and being asleep by 11 p.m. I love the thrill of getting things done and don’t have the desire to be away from that feeling for too long.

If I didn’t get to your questions this time around I promise I will next week. I’m ready to go home and sit down somewhere! Send any questions you have to me via email or comment them down below. Have a great weekend babes!