In the Cafe | Living Outside the Stacks

Mar
7

Fist Bump Friday: Parenting 101! {In the Cafe}

Category: In the Cafe Tags: #FistBumpFriday, Fist Bump Friday, In the Cafe 1 Comment

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know that I like to do a little something called “Fist Bump Friday”, where I encourage my friends to share something that made them happy during the week. Sometimes we get so bogged down with life and the crazy that comes with it that we forget to acknowledge the good things. So I thought it’d be fun if we all shared and celebrated together.

This week I’m happy that my family and I had an open and honest discussion about our emotional and physical needs. As parents, we never really know when or if we’re getting it right but I know that we’ve done the best that we can and I thank God there’s opportunity to do better.

So please, share your good news in the comments below. Remember, it doesn’t have to be big or earth shattering. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.

Mar
5

By Daenel

Rock the Red Pump {In the Cafe}

Category: In the Cafe Tags: HIV/AIDs, In the Cafe, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDs Awareness Day, Rock the Red Pump, The Red Pump Project Leave a Comment

“Change your shoes, change your life…”

Or change someone else’s. On Monday, 10 March, I’ll be rocking my red pumps {or cowboy boots} for a very special cause: The Red Pump Project. The Red Pump Project is an advocacy organization that seeks to raise awareness about women and girls who’re living with or who’ve been affected by HIV/AIDs. In honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDs Awareness Day, bloggers and every day women are being asked to “Rock the Red Pump” to help raise awareness about HIV/AIDs.

I know you may be wondering What does that have to do with me? I used to ask myself that same question. Then I realized it has a lot to do with me. I’m a woman, a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. I’m also an educator. And, if you’re reading this post, chances are you’re one of those thing too. We are in the perfect position to raise awareness about a disease that is affecting women and girls on a daily basis.

Just check out some of the statistics:

HIV/AIDS in the United States:

There are currently 1.1 million adults and adolescents in the United States living with HIV.
Approximately 1 in 6 people (15.8%) who are infected with HIV do not know that they have been infected.
Since 2008, the number of new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States has remained constant around 50,000 per year.
New HIV diagnosis was highest among individuals aged 25–34 years (31%), followed by individuals aged 13-24 years (26%)
Top ten states with the highest rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis are California, New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Women and HIV/AIDS

1 in 139 women will be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at some point within their life.
Every 47 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the U.S.
High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80% of these newly diagnosed infections in women in the US.
From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, almost 86,000 women have died of AIDS and AIDS-related complications.
The largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15–39.
Seven of the 10 states with the highest case rates among women are in the South.

As women, we can make a difference. And as fashionistas, why wouldn’t we want to do it in style? So on Monday, 10 March {my 41st birthday!} I’m asking you to join me and stylish women every where as we #RocktheRedPump.

The Red Pump Project was started by Karyn of The Fabulous Giver and Luvvie of Awesom ely Luvvie. The red pump symbolizes the strength and courage of women who’ve been affected directly and indirectly by HIV/AIDs.
I’m linking up with:

Kimba Likes ~ Wardrobe Wednesday: A chance to show your personal style. Link up on Wednesdays.
Lena B., Actually ~ Passion for Fashion: Anything fashion goes. Link up on Fridays.
Not Dead Yet Style ~ Visible Monday:Share what makes you feel alive. Link up on Mondays.
The Pleated Poppy ~ What I Wore Wednesday: Encouraging ladies everywhere to forgo sweats and yoga pants for fashionable looks. Link up on Wednesdays.
Rachel the Hat ~ Passion for Fashion: Anything fashion goes. Link up on Fridays.

Please, ladies, protect yourselves, get tested, and know your status!

These statistics are from The Center for Disease Control’s website and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Fact Sheets (which cited the CDC). You can get more information about the effect of the epidemic from these sites.

Feb
28

By Daenel

Fist Bump Friday: A Winner! {In the Cafe}

Category: In the Cafe Tags: #FistBumpFriday, Fist Bump Friday, In the Cafe, SmileBrilliant Giveaway Winner 2 Comments

This week, I’m happy to announce a winner for the SmileBrilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light! Congratulations and a fist bump to Nikki!!!

So please, share your good news in the comments below. Remember, it doesn’t have to be big or earth shattering. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.

Disclosure: I received a free SmileBrilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light from SmileBrilliant for the purposes of review. This did not influence my opinion at all.

Feb
21

By Daenel

Fist Bump Friday: Warm Weather Makes Me Happy {In the Cafe}

Category: In the Cafe Tags: #FistBumpFriday, Fist Bump Friday, In the Cafe 4 Comments

This week, I’m happy that we finally had some sun. I don’t know about y’all but I’m so over winter. It’s been cold, icy, gray, and just miserable. So seeing the sun was an unexpected but welcome surprise for us. However, that sun did come with a few surprises, like severe thunderstorm warnings. I’m not complaining though, because it made for some beautiful pictures. Check them out here and here.

Before you leave, please don’t forget to go here to check out my SmileBrilliant Professional Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light giveaway!

So please, share your good news in the comments below. Remember, it doesn’t have to be big or earth shattering. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.

Feb
14

By Daenel