tiabanks

New Look. Who Dis?

Posted on May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 by tiabanks

Hello hello,

Early last week I posted a couple of photos from my first photo shoot of the season and received such a positive response! Now that the weather is getting warmer, It’ll be so much easier to do more shoots

The big question I’ve been getting a lot of is where I got this outfit from. So to answer the question, I bought this outfit from Against All Odds. If you read my first post of the year regarding my goals for the new year, I talked about how I intend to change up my style a little bit and take more risks. This matching windbreaker set is a total switch up for me and more edgy than what I usually wear, BUT IT’S SO DOPE!

The colors are perfect and the fit is comfy. It’s something that I can wear when I’m just out and about but still want to look cute. I wore black boots with the outfit because it works for now. I’m in need of a nice pair of sneakers and I don’t know what to get! Suggestions?

Against All Odds is a great store if you’re on a budget and want clothing that has an urban vibe to it. I’ve always been a fan. One thing I will say is that you may need to go up in size. Their clothing runs small.

Other than that, check out my photos below and tell me what kind of sneakers I should invest in!

Bye!

Delta’s Restaurant

Posted on April 25, 2018 by tiabanks

Hey Hey!

I am doing another review on a fabulous restaurant I visited recently:

Delta’s Restaurant | New Brunswick, NJ | American/Soul food

I was accompanied to Delta’s Restaurant with my step mom and father to celebrate his birthday. I’d heard about Delta’s before and when the opportunity to eat there came about, I hopped on it.

We had reservations for a Sunday afternoon and it was a busy. Unknowingly, we made a reservation on the same Sunday they were having a Spring Social, which is one of their more popular events where they have a DJ that plays hip hop, R&B, and Top 40 music. So basically, the vibe was perfect!

We sat upstairs and I started with some kind of flaming mango martini, which means they lit it on fire. Fancy. For an appetizer, I ordered catfish fingers. They were pieces of cat fish cut up like chicken fingers and fried. T’was my first time having catfish and I truly enjoyed.

My experience was about trying something new and so for my entrée, I had chicken and waffles. The combination always confused me. Am I having breakfast or am I having dinner? However, since the dish is so popular, I tried it. To be honest, it wasn’t my taste. The chicken was fried nice and evenly while the waffles were fluffy and golden. The combination of both foods together really threw me off. So I ate the chicken and took home the waffles to eat for breakfast the next morning. On the other hand, those side dishes though!!!!! You have a choice of two sides. I had the string beans (to be healthy) and the yams (for the culture). So so so good! And the portion sizes were pretty sizable too. Ugh, yum!!

Dessert consisted of warm peach cobbler topped with ice cream, which was pretty good too. I was full by this time so this was one part of the meal that I shared.

Overall, I loved the atmosphere of this place and the fact that there were so many young people there. Delta’s is right next to the Rutgers campus so it probably attracts a lot of the undergrad and graduate students. The DJ was great and played a little Cardi B, which is always appreciated. Here are three heads up tips before you go:

Valet parking is not your only option for parking. However, it is the easiest. There is a parking garage that is a little cheaper or you could park a couple of blocks over and walk.
Check out the website before you go. See if there is an event going on. If there is, it would behoove you to make a reservation so you don’t have to walk into a 45min + wait.
For a casual dinner, going with your family is perfect. For events or brunch, go with your friends.

Here are some foodie pics:

First Flight of 2018

Posted on March 29, 2018March 29, 2018 by tiabanks

Shalom Everyone,

In regards to my first post of the year, “Stepping Into 2018 like…”, I’ve begun to conquer one of the goals I’ve had on my list, which is to travel. Recently, I returned from my first trip of the year and wanted to share some tips and helpful hints that may be useful if you’re traveling anytime soon. Hope you like!

Disclaimer: This is exclusively from my point of view. You may find that that my “myths” are actually your truths. Let me know your opinions in the comments or email me!

So I started my trip by trying to book a flight to Atlanta. We initially planned on flying straight into Orlando, however, ticket prices were not cheap. You know how they say flights are cheapest on Tuesdays 6 weeks before the date of your departure? Well, that was a myth.

Tip 1: If a flight is expensive, it’s just going to be expensive. You might find something that varies by a few dollars, but nothing that is going to be tremendously different if you buy it on a Tuesday six weeks before, a Friday two days before, or Monday the day of.

The flight going to ATL was pretty smooth and that’s coming from someone who hates flying.

It was my first time in ATL and I got to see the town for a couple days before the 5 hour road trip to Orlando. I loved it. The vibe was amazing and it was just cool to see people that looked like me everywhere I went. I could see why it’s a popular destination to move to. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I felt comfort. The only thing that draws me away from making a permanent move is that TRAFFIC. Ugh! The traffic in Atlanta is a problem. If you’re driving somewhere, you have to add on at least 30-40 minutes just for traffic.

After two days, my cousins and I started on our road trip to Orlando, FL. It was about 5 to 6 hours and that leads me into my second tip.

Tip 2: Always have some form of entertainment when on a road trip. Whether it be a full playlist, a good book, or some car games, you will need something to keep you entertained or a 5 hour ride could feel like 8 hours.

Orlando was amazing! And by amazing, I mean hot! We stayed at a resort right outside of Sea World with an amazing discount.

Tip 3: Utilize your family, friends, and networks. We were able to stay at such a beautiful resort in an amazing location because my cousin works for the hotel chain and was able to get the family a substantial discount. If someone has a connection somewhere or to something, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

We gathered down in FL to have a surprise party for our grandmother turning 80 years old. She was definitely surprised to see everyone and had no clue about anything. I hadn’t seen my nana in about 5 years so I was just happy to be there. The rest of the time we spent there was about laying out by the pool, having fun, and celebrating my cousin’s birthday too! We went out to experience the nightlife on the Universal promenade.

Tip 4: If you’re in Orlando and looking for something to do at night with “grown folks”, the Universal Studios walk is awesome. It’s filled with restaurants, bars, and clubs that cater to every type of music genre. You don’t have to pay to get onto the promenade, however, there might be a small cover to get into some of the places depending on the day and time (we didn’t have to pay and it was a Sunday).

After three days in Orlando, we traveled back to ATL and ended our mini vacation with a night at Top Golf. If you haven’t been to Top Golf, I highly recommend trying it out. It’s a great time.

I tried something different this time and put my photos in a video collage. It was my first time putting one together, but I think I did okay.

Hair Today … Gone Tomorrow

Posted on March 5, 2018March 5, 2018 by tiabanks

Hey Hey !

I wanted to give you all an update on my hair journey since the big chop!

So, my hair was growing very nicely, however it was uneven because I don’t do well cutting my OWN hair and couldn’t really see the back. I did my best and it wasn’t too noticeable. I continued to wash and deep condition my hair regularly, braid it up, and wear my wigs, which helped it grow as well.

I knew by December that I needed a trim to get rid of my dead ends and I decided to go all out and get it blown out with a silk press. I took about a month to find a stylist I felt comfortable with and with great recommendations from friends and family, I finally found one and she wasn’t too far from home. Major plus!

It sucked to see how much hair she had to cut after a year of growing it, but I had to remind myself that most of it was dead hair anyway. She also had to even it out on both sides.

Below are some pictures of what my natural hair looked like the last time I washed it before I went to the salon. Then, there are some pics of what it looked like about a week after I got the silk press. It took a week because I couldn’t keep my fingers out of my hair. It was so soft and I could feel my scalp so easily. I honestly didn’t know how soft and silky my hair could feel with a silk press!

It was a great change up and I have decided that I’ll get one once a year. Can’t get it done too often or my hair could break off. Trust me, I asked.

Going forward, the plan is to try some natural styles this summer with my healthier hair while also giving it a break and tucking it under a wig.

Before:

Wash day (Excuse my not so fleeky brows and no makeup)

After:

(Honestly, my relaxed hair was only about an inch or so longer than this )

Healthy Hair is so fun !

Tia

I’m hungry

Posted on January 27, 2018January 27, 2018 by tiabanks

Hi Everyone

I’m the type that loves to eat out at restaurants and diners. I know my favorite places and my favorite things to get on the menu. For my birthday, a friend of mine took me out to eat at a place called Veggie Heaven. I was weary because I didn’t know if that meant there were very few meat options or none at all, so I ate before I went just in case because I’m no vegetarian. Hahahaha.

Needless to say, I was very hesitant to try it but I’m glad I did because it turned out to be really good! I had some general tso chicken, which was actually tofu. This experience got me thinking that I should try to step out of the box when it comes to trying new foods.

Thus, I came up with the idea of trying more local restaurants around my small town. It also helps in supporting small businesses so it’s a win-win situation. Obviously, I’m going to document the journey via my blog and Insta story so stay tuned and check out my first restaurant stop below!

And no, I’m not turning into a food blogger. LOL This is an experience.

The Quiet Man | Rt. 46 Dover, NJ | Irish Pub

When pulling up to this restaurant, I noticed they had a menu placed on the outside so you could see what they had before going in. That’s something you see in a more metropolitan city so I was pleasantly surprised because I really appreciate when places do this.

After walking into The Quiet Man, I felt like I was no longer in Dover. Let’s just say the demographics changed completely. This Irish pub was occupied 90% by those who probably had an Irish or European background and I guess it isn’t normal for a black girl and her hispanic friend to walk in for dinner. We did get a few head turns and short stares. But I took my seat with the upmost poise and remained unbothered.

We had potato pancakes as an appetizer. I’m not going to lie to you and I’m not throwing shade but they were not seasoned and that’s all I’m going to say.

For the main course, I chose the special they had going on which was the crab cake, vegetables, scalloped potatoes, and corn on the cob. Everything was very, very good. Nothing was over cooked or under done so that’s a huge plus. The crab cake and the veggies were my fave.

My special also cake with dessert so we shared crème brûleé that had Bailey’s in it. I’d never had crème brûleé before but I don’t think I should’ve started with this one. I had a scoop and wasn’t sold on it, however, I think it’s because the Bailey’s liquor over powered it. So maybe I’ll have to try it again at some point and put the Bailey’s on the side.

The Quiet Man is a little expensive (in my humbly broke opinion) but worth the experience if you’ve never been or if you like Irish food. Our two meals came to $70 and that’s including a tip. I would definitely go back to try a couple other things I saw on the menu.

Here are some pics:

Stepping into 2018 like…

Posted on December 27, 2017December 27, 2017 by tiabanks

Hey!

So 2017 has finally come to an end. For some, this has been a year of new adventures and great energy. For the rest of us, we’re just happy it’s over. However, what we can all agree with is that 2017 is one for the books.

I plan on making changes in 2018, however, I don’t want to use the new year’s clichè: New Year, New Me…..Yawn.

Instead, I am going into the new year with different “practices”, if you will, that will bring good energy, positivity my way and help me achieve the results I desire. Below are Tia’s 2018 #Goals:

Clear Skin. I need my skin to be clear as if the Glo Gawds have rested their hands on my forehead. I’ve been blessed to never have had bad dermatological skin issues and I want my skin to always look its best especially in the winter when our skin tends to be more dry than usual. Lemon water will be my friend all 2018.
Embracing my natural curls. So as most of you know, I did the big chop about a year ago and it has been a big adjustment for me. I still wear wigs for a couple of reasons. One, I like the fact that I can switch it up from long to short hair whenever I please. And two, I want to cover and protect my natural hair so that it can grow faster. This coming year, I want to work on finding natural styles that I like and embracing them some days rather than my wigs.
Make this the year of travel. I love love love to travel and want to do more of it in 2018. This can include traveling on a plane out of the country, or just doing a weekend getaway in another city. Traveling is so important. I have a couple of trips put together already and plan on adding to the list.
Work, work, work, work, work *Rihanna voice*. I am a 24 year old college graduate and am not working at my dream job…yet. It’s frustrating at times because my main source of income comes from working an entry-level retail job. As much as I despise it, I have to remember that it is just a stepping stone and is not going to be forever. However, for right now I have to respect the job and work as much as I can because it pays my bills, allows me to save, and provides me the money to travel. And that’s all.
Loans. This one is a little more personal. I’ve been out here trying to live my best life acting like my loans do not exist, but it’s time to straighten up and start making small payments because even though I cannot see the loan, it unfortunately still exists.
Step up my STYLE game. I have a great sense of style *hairflip*, but I want to change it up a little bit. For example, I tend to rock a lot of neutral colors and I want to add more bold colors to my wardrobe, especially my shoe collection. No more playing it safe.

I intend to keep up these practices for the entire year and not just halfway through February and give up. Send me some words of encouragement! Also, I’d love to hear what some of your goals are for the upcoming year! Comment below!

Tia

My Golden 24th Birthday

Posted on November 30, 2017 by tiabanks

Hi Everyone!!!

A week ago I turned 24 years old. Yes, on November 24th, 1993, a legend was born.

I didn’t plan to do too much this year and wanted to play it low key. The most important thing that I wanted to happen was a photo shoot to celebrate myself. This is my last year being in my early 20’s and I’ve done a lot of reminiscing about how my 20’s have been thus far. These years can be labeled as just trying to figure out life or trying to “adult”. There have been plenty of ups and downs Honestly, most of the time it feels like downs, but I think other people my age can relate to that. Luckily, they say things get better as time goes on (so they say).

Now there is a small group of people in their early 20’s who, by some miracle, seem to have everything together and are living their best lives . They have great jobs in great cities, live on their own, and are in solid relationships. Meanwhile, the rest of us are running and bumping into walls while trying to figure out the correct way to “adult”. And that’s okay too because that’s the majority of us.

These are the top 4 things I’ve come to realize in my early 20’s:

Early 20’s is all about finding your first real job, which seems nearly impossible even if you have a degree. The frustration of knowing you spent thousands of dollars on a piece of paper that still hasn’t gotten you a job is so relatable. You never have enough experience and no one wants to give you an opportunity to gain experience. It’s a never ending cycle that is hard to break. Or maybe you found a job but it has nothing to do with your major and you hate it. Either way, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if the tunnel is super long and dark and you still can’t see the light even after you put on your glasses, just believe it’s there.
Exercise is key. You don’t have to be a gym fiend or try to be “swole” but taking care of ourself in our youth is important. We are in our prime! Our metabolisms working at their best right now and we should take advantage of it. This will also make it much easier on our bodies as we age. The other day I was dancing in the mirror as I usually do when I try on an outfit. I dropped it down low and my right knee told me it was a mistake. I hadn’t been to the gym in almost two weeks and that was all the motivation I needed to get back to it. I promised myself that at 50 years old, I want to be able to drop it low and bring it back up with no problem.
You have some friends that might be in very solid and happy relationships while the only emotional connection you have is with the characters from your favorite Netflix show. And I support that. Most guys act the same around this age anyway so there is a good chance that future Bae is still out there playing the field right now. Don’t rush him. He’ll come when he’s ready. Just do you and have fun.

Back to fashion…

Below are some pictures from my birthday shoot and I’m really happy with how they turned out.

I wore a long oversized jean jacket with a belt around the waist in order to give it some shape and paired it with black stockings, ankle boots, and red lipstick. My second outfit was a simple black bodycon dress with stockings, my favorite fur vest, and slip-on sneakers. Choosing to rock stockings for both of these outfits was an idea that I felt gave my outfits a more fall-ish look. I do not wear stockings often, if at all. It’s a style I don’t incorporate into my wardrobe enough.

Fall is Upon Us!

Posted on October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 by tiabanks

Shirt | TJMaxx

Shorts | Thrift Store

Shoes | Macy’s

Shalom everyone,

My latest photo shoot that I finished has been my most successful so far (in my and my photographer’s opinion). The location, lighting, outfit, and positive energy came together to manifest something great.

I was able to shoot two outfits that day, however, I’m only going to speak on one of them for now. The shirt I wore received a lot of compliments and questions about where I got it. Yes, it was yet another TJMaxx find! Just call me a Maxxinista!

I saw this shirt and was slightly hesitant due to how transparent the material was. On the other hand, I knew I didn’t own a shirt like it and I’m grown soooooo….

I paired this top with my strapless bra to cover my goodies and high waisted denim shorts. I found these denim shorts at a PA thrift store a couple of years ago but they were a few sizes too small. Determined, I bought them anyway and motivated myself to get into them and eventually I did so kudos to me.

The boots were a nice fall touch. I can’t tell you I got them for a super cheap price because they weren’t cheap. We’ll just leave it at that.

Back to this shirt though because it was definitely the highlight of the photos. I absolutely adore the detailing and embroidery in it and I can see myself wearing it out and about. Next time, I think I’m going to try a bold lip color with it, like a classic red.

Check out the pics below!

BeYou’Ty by Char

Posted on October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 by tiabanks

Hi Everyone ,

As you all know I went on a road trip to Canada recently. One of the big preparations I had to make was what I would do with my hair during this getaway. Slaying my lace front wig was not an option this time around as I wanted something that didn’t require a lot of daily maintenance.

I opted for convenient, bohemian style, à la mode braids done by Charlene Banks, otherwise known as BeYou’Ty By Char. She is a Californian native who recently moved back to ”The Golden State” after living in New Jersey for a number of years. After working in corporate America for BMW, Charlene decided to quit her job and pursue her passion for styling hair.

“I taught myself how to braid hair when I was 16. Once I got to high school, I was braiding almost every girl’s hair in school”, she stated.

Her signature style includes faux locs but she also does crotchet, braids (of course), as well as eyebrow microblading.

Check out her work in the pics below in addition to her Instagram pages and website:

@lovelene @beyoutybychar @be.you.brows

In addition to having clients on the west coast, Charlene does travel back to New Jersey every quarter to cater to her east coast clients as well.

Canada, eh?

Posted on September 5, 2017September 5, 2017 by tiabanks

Im baaaack!

I took a short hiatus because I was up north in Canada. Although I was only there for seven days, it was a trip that required a lot of preparation. Nonetheless, I had a great time being away from home for a week and being a tourist in another country.

My mom and I rented a car and began our journey north. We made our first stop in Elmira, NY for two days to take part in a wine tour. We did a tour with Crush Beer & Wine Tour. They took us to four different wineries where tasted six different wines at each. By the third winery, I felt a little tipsy. It was a lot of wine for one day but well worth the money.

The wineries themselves were really peaceful and beautiful to look at.

The fashion behind it

I wore this olive green romper I got from Macy’s in Herald Square along with a calf length cream lace cover up. That, I bought from TJMaxx. I wanted chic yet comfortable since it was hot and I knew I would be moving around a lot that day. Side note: My mother was inclined to wear that hat. It blew away multiple times.

Our next stop was Niagara Falls.

We were fortunate enough to have a room that had a view of the falls and the Skylon tower. In the two days that we spent here we did a tour that took us throughout all of Niagara and of course we rode the boat that took us super close to the waterfall itself.

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The nightlife in Niagara Falls is actually poppin! It’s great for families and couples. They had a club, loads of bars, and a street filled with arcade games, funhouses, mini golf, etc. Plus, there were plenty of restaurants so you never go hungry.

The Fashion Behind it

Since Niagara was all about sightseeing, I was more inclined to dress comfortably. Plus, I didn’t know what to expect from being on that boat. I wore an Under Armour threadborne tank top, which is known for being super comfy with a cotton feel but dries fast like dri-fit material. I wore that along with black workout pants.

Our final stop was Toronto.

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This is one of my new favorite spots. If their winters weren’t so long and harsh, I would consider moving there. I just really hate winter.

Nonetheless, my mom and I spent all weekend in Toronto. It was a lot of fun and such a great place for young people my age. We had tickets for a hop on hop off bus tour that took you all over Toronto and our tickets were valid for two days. So we took advantage of that visited all these different spots like the distillery district where they are known for making alcohol, Soma, which is known for having “the best chocolate in the world”, The Bata Shoe Museum, Chinatown, The CN Tower, and the center of Younge & Dundas Square. Those are just a few.

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The fashion Behind It

Toronto is like a city and you never know who you might see. I did a lot of walking too so I was going for cute and comfortable. I wore a mix of dresses with sneakers, sandals, and shorts. I just tried to make sure my face had a slight beat.

All in all, I had an amazing time. This vacation was different being that it was more sightseeing and walking rather than relaxing on a beach for a week. But I’m glad my mother chose this place. If you are ever going to Canada, here is some advice:

Drive. Just drive. I contemplated driving the entire time we were planning and I’m so happy we did. It makes life 10X easier, your’e comfortable, and you can stop when you want.
Take advantage of all of the tours. Tours can sometimes seem very cliché and touristy but it was really easy to see each place for the short time we were there. The hop on hop off bus tour was my favorite.
Stop at the Duty Free store on your way back to the states. The prices are really great. I bought a full bottle of mojito flavored Bacardi for $12! They have designer bags and cologne for good prices too as well as last minute souvenirs.
Bring your passport. I heard a lot of back and forth about whether or not to bring my passport in order to cross the border so I brought it just in case. I’m glad I did because that was the first thing the patrol officer asked for when I rolled down my window. I’m sure if I didn’t have it he could have used my license or something else, however, I think using your passport is the simplest way. Also, I had to ask to get my passport stamped because they usually don’t do it. I’m trying to keep my passport tatted.
Try new places and foods. This is what I do if I go to any new place and especially another country. I try to avoid eating at places that I would on a regular basis. Why would I want to eat at Applebees there when I can eat at Applebees here? Yes they might have more native foods on their menu, but I would rather not eat at a franchise at all.
You can pay in American money, Canadian money, or both over there. However, they always give you Canadian change.

Sorry this post was so long! I just had to tell you all so much! Peace and Love :]

	First Flight of 2018 on Stepping into 2018 like…
	tiabanks on Big Chop: 7 Month Update
	OliviaLane photos on Big Chop: 7 Month Update
	tiabanks on Bralette Bliss
	noirerewritten on Bralette Bliss

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