BestieTalks

BestieTalks

Wedding Planning Made Easy

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Wedding Planning Made Easy

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. But, with the excitement, most always comes stress, which is why using an all-in-one wedding website can be a lifesaver! Using a wedding website will allow you to organize your addresses, invitations, RSVP’s, and even keep your guests up to date on all the latest details of your BIG day. A wedding website is resourceful on so many levels, but how do you know a good wedding website from a mediocre one? Take a look at their samples and see if their vibe matches yours. Do they have the specific qualities you are looking for in a wedding website? DO they offer products and services that will make your wedding planning easier?

Basic Invite

Basic Invite is an all-in-one wedding website that we highly recommend! They offer free wedding websites that are completely customizable and are mobile-friendly so you can plan on the go. Instantly upload all your wedding details, images and even a map with directions for your guest; it’s as simple as that! Simple, convenient and affordable wedding planning at your fingertips.

Basic Invite is one of the few wedding websites that offers customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. And you can change the color of each element on a card, with over 180 different color options. As a result, the card can be exactly how you want it, even down to the littlest detail. Your wedding should be exactly the way you want it, and Basic Invite can help make your dream day a reality!

Stationary Needs

Not only do they offer great wedding websites but they have you covered with all your announcements and initiations. They offer all of the wedding stationery you need, like save the dates, wedding invitations, enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs, and even matching thank you cards! With over 900 invitation sets and 40 different envelope colors to choose from, you can customize every aspect of your wedding to be exactly what you want. From glamorous to informal wedding invitations, there is something for everyone!

Bonus Features

Basic Invite makes it simple to request your guests’ addresses in just three simple steps. Share a link via social media or email, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing. This feature is amazing because it removes the hassle of gathering addresses.

Basic Invite’s newest collection is Seal & Send wedding invitations. They are an all-in-one wedding invitation with a tear-off RSVP postcard included, and brides absolutely love them! Of course, these are customizable as well. What’s special about Seal & Sends is that guest’s addresses are printed on the front of each invitation so no envelope is necessary!

Wedding Planning Made With YOU in Mind

With all the help from Basic Invite, wedding planning doesn’t have to be so stressful. Everything will look uniformed, classy and be made of the highest quality. You are able to edit everything to your standard and it is always available at your fingertips. Whether you’re newly engaged or are in the middle of planning your big day, Basic Invite is the way to go!

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Gift Guide For The Person Who Has Everything

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Gift Season

Tis the season for giving! But what do you give the person who seems to have everything? This is where we would like to help you out with our gift giving guide. 

Let the Giving Begin!

  • Subscription- A subscription is the type of gift that keeps on giving. Every year, I subscribe to a children’s magazine and have it sent to my niece’s house. I used to love receiving magazines in the mail as a kid and I wanted to keep the tradition going. Now, my nieces absolutely love getting their Highlights, Zoobooks, or National Geographic magazines in the mailbox. There is beauty box subscriptions and even yoga subscriptions! There’s pretty much a subscription box out there for everyone! Allure, Sephora, Buddhibox , etc. I was gifted the Buddhibox for my birthday and it is an amazing subscription. It comes with crystals, candles and all kinds of fabulous goodies! The Allure box is only $15 a month as well! Very affordable!
  • Cheap Hotel Stay- Providing someone with a paid hotel stay gives them an excuse to get out of town and explore another city. One to two nights is plenty as a gift. Groupon and Expedia have great hotel deals and make it easy to give this as a gift without letting the receiver know how much you spent. 
  • Nail, Massage or Day Spa Gift Card– If you know someone who loves getting their nails done or loves a good spa day then this is a great gift option! We both get our nails done religiously and trust us- a nail gift card would make someone totally happy! This could go to a male or female and they would happily pamper themselves.
  • Cookbooks or Cookware– Just about every other person out there is trying some sort of new diet or exploring alternative food options. A new Paleo, Vegan or Keto cookbook could help inspire them! Amazon is great for items like this as well. Simple but useful!
  • Pet Lover Gifts– Do you know someone who is completely obsessed with their animal?! Get creative and have a handmade portrait of them and their pet made on Etsy! There are so many cute and affordable options out there. There are vendors on Etsy who make beautiful artwork that can bring a photograph to life and make it into a piece of artwork! Just snoop your friends social media ( because you know they have their animal on there somewhere ) and send that pic over to the person you pick on Etsy and they will make you a keepsake gift to give this holiday season!
    I had this made of Neecy Girl via Etsy!Happy Gift Giving!

    Happy Gift Giving !

We hope that this quick gift guide gave you some inspiration for that person in your life who is tricky to shop for! Gifts are not about the cost but the meaning and thought behind them. These gifts are something that if given to the right person- they will be so thankful! Happy Holidays!!

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5 Ways to Minimize Holiday Stress

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The Most Wonderful or Stressful Time of Year?

December is a month that either you love, hate or tolerate. For some, Christmas is a very stressful time of year. Between all the decorations, food, parties, gifts to buy, traveling and entertaining family and friends and money, it is easy to let stress get the best of you.  We get so caught up in all the things that we feel we “have to do” for Christmas that we forget the meaning of Christmas. What about making it a priority to just enjoy the month of December? Choosing to be happy instead of stressed? We have 5 ways to help you make this Christmas one to remember- not one you want to forget.

5 Ways To Minimize Holiday Stress

  1. Avoid the mall: The mall this time of year is a fucking zoo! People everywhere and parking is a pain in the ass. You’re stressed before you even get into the mall! How about avoiding it altogether? Last year was my first year doing all of my shopping outside of the mall and it was a success! It’s easier than ever to get everything you need online. Amazon, Target, Walmart (free 2-day shipping w/out a membership) are all the obvious choices to find just about anything and everything on your gift list. FashionNova.com is another personal favorite if you are shopping for someone who loves clothes and they ALWAYS have discount codes you can easily find online. H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Wayfair, and Barnes & Noble are all great online shopping options as well! 
  2. Make Time for Yourself: Ok, so you just wrapped 73 gifts and decorated the entire house to look like the North Pole. That deserves a break and some relaxation. Watch your favorite Christmas movie and just CHILL. Make yourself some tea or your favorite cocktail and cuddle up on the couch. Read a book that you have been wanting to finish or take a bubble bath. You don’t need to give every minute of your day to others. You matter too and pampering yourself can be a gift to yourself! Self-care is important! Just remember to slow down and smile 🙂 
  3. Combat Stress With a Workout: Yes, exercise is pretty much our answer to all of our problems. It just makes you happy! Endorphins pumping lead to smiling and reducing stress. It’s a fact. Keep up with your workout routine during the holidays or start a new one if you already don’t have one. Hit up a yoga studio, the gym, go for a run or walk, jump-rope at home etc. Just do something to work your body and release that stress! If you don’t want to pay for a membership you can always do workouts at home following a YouTube channel!
  4. Be okay with Saying “No”: Lots of people want your time during the holiday season and that can be overwhelming. Saying no to some things is completely fine and can help you feel less stress. Spreading yourself too thin is a major cause of stress so try to stay away from doing that. Instead, communicate with people and they should respect your decision. It is a busy time of year so, using your time wisely will help you decrease stress. Weekends can be filled with parties, get-togethers and other events but don’t think you have to be apart of every single one. 
  5. Enjoy this time of year: The Holiday season can be stressful enough. Spending time with family can also be stressful for some people too. Do what makes you happy! That is what it is all about. Start a new tradition, do something with only your immediate family or a small group of friends. Things don’t always have to be so big and bold during the holiday season. If simplicity makes you happy, stick with that. Just enjoy this time of year because it will be over before you know it. 

Have a Merry Christmas

We hope that you found these tips useful and hopefully they inspired you to look at December in a different way. This really is a wonderful time of year and if you take the time to appreciate it you will have more happy memories and less stressful days. Cheers to a stress-free Christmas!

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Interracial Friendships Part One

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Ebony and Ivory 

Recently we were contacted by a writer, Charmin Michelle, from XoNecole.com.  She found us on IG using #ebonyandivory and reached out to see if we were interested in being interviewed about our interracial friendship.  Umm.. OF COURSE WE WERE INTERESTED!

Necole Bitchie = XO Necole

For those that might not be familiar with XoNecole, it used to be called Necole Bitchie and we used to read it TOUGH back in the day. It used to be more of a gossip website and it was an extremely well-composed blog.  We were super bummed when Necole stepped back from blogging and shut down her site. It was one of those sites that you peeped daily. But, now she is back with a new vibe and new grown woman site (that we absolutely love). Getting asked to be featured on XoNecole after all of the years of being a loyal reader of Necole Bitchie, made this an extra special opportunity that we couldn’t pass up.

Click here for quick access to the article!

The Interview

The interview consisted of questions surrounding our interracial friendship, how it has evolved and what we have learned from one another. An all-around glimpse into friendships of black and white women in today’s society. We would love for you to check out what was said on this topic! This article will have a ‘part 2’ that will feature the black friend’s responses to the same questions. We are equally excited about that perspective and will share it when it is released. Please head over to XoNecole by clicking here to check out our feature!

 Can you Relate?!

We would LOVE your feedback on this topic! Drop us a note and tell us about your interracial friendship stories!  

A picture from our first year of friendship 15+ years ago!
A photo of us from our first year of friendship 15+ years ago!
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Binge-Worthy Streaming

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There’s nothing like finding a new series with a shitload of episodes that you REALLY like. We have listed a variety of binge-worthy streaming options from multiple platforms. Some you might have seen and others you might have never heard of. We intentionally made this a very diverse list so hopefully, you will find a show that will fulfill all of your binge-worthy desires.

Happy streaming!

Netflix Streaming Options

American Horror Story

The Sinner

Schitts Creek

Riverdale

Black Mirror

Gossip Girl

Friends

Bates Motel

Last Chance U

Jailbirds

Orange is the new Black

Portlandia

Jane the Virgin

Insatiable

Elite

YOU

The Carrie Diaries

Planet Earth II

Our Planet

Shameless

The Blacklist

Coraline

1922

BackCountry

Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale

Light as a Feather

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

You’re the Worst

Arrested Development

 One Tree HillThe Secret Life of the American Teenager

Pure

Harlots

Veronica Mars

Showtime

Ray Donovan

The Affair

Shameless

Black Monday

The Chi

Dexter

Smilf

HBO

Eastbound & Down

Insecure

Euphoria

Big Little Lies

Curb your Enthusiasm

The Sopranos

Ballers

FX Networks

Snowfall

American Horror Story

Pose

Mr Inbetween

Atlanta

The Americans

Fargo

The Assassination of Gianni Versace

ABC Network

Blackish

Mixish

Modern Family

Fresh Off the Boat

Shark Tank

Other Basic Tv Network Shows

Survivor

The Unicorn

Law & Order: SVU

First 48

Bates Motel

law and order nbc GIF

Guilty Pleasure Reality Tv

Love After Lockup

Married At First Sight

Untold Stories of HipHop

90 Day Fiance

Growing up Hip-Hop

60 Days In

LIVE PD

We hope you found something new! If your curious about any show and want to know more, feel free to ask us about it in the comments. We will happily take any suggestions too… you know we would love to hear your favorites!

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Cultivating Positivity with Affirmations

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Cultivating Positivity

Cultivating positivity is not as easy as 1..2..3. Some days it can seem hard to find your smile. For whatever reason, our moods take us on wild roller-coaster rides and the lows try to suck us down. Shifting your frame of mind is usually the hardest battle. It’s not the thoughts that get carried away, it’s us paying attention to them. Paying attention is what keeps inner negative thoughts alive. Attention is like adding fuel to that fire. If you stopped paying attention to the negative chatter, it would cease to exist. But, it’s not that easy. Sometimes it’s so simple to hop aboard that negative train and just ride it, with no destination in sight. Knowing, spotting and addressing when this behavior happens, can help you change your state of mind before it changes you.

Affirmations

Affirmations are one of the best ways to take cultivate positivity. Literally filling your mind with a positive saying that you repeat to yourself, leaves no room for negative thoughts to linger. The best part? You can do this ANYWHERE. In your car, in the bathroom, in line at the store, at your desk, in a meeting, riding the elevator, cooking, working out, meditating, watching tv, laying in bed, etc.

You can take any phrase and make it your own personal affirmation. You might even need a few go-to affirmations depending on what kind of day you are experiencing. Either way, find something that resonates with you on a personal level. Something that makes you feel good, smile, and takes away any negativity you might be feeling. Affirmations are usually repeated internally, but it can also be very powerful to hear your words out loud. Do what works best for you!

We are going to share some of our favorite affirmations. Feel free to use them or maybe they will inspire you to cultivate the phrase or phrases that your soul needs!

10 Positive Affirmations

  1. I am strong and I am beautiful. I am enough.
  2.  All things are temporary.
  3. With every breath, I release the anxiety and fear within me.
  4. I am so happy, blessed and grateful for the life I have. 
  5. There are endless opportunities around me.
  6. Their opinions don’t affect me.
  7. I refuse to give up.
  8. Today I choose happiness.  
  9. Good things are coming even if I can’t see them. 
  10. Enjoy the process of becoming. 

The Power of Words

Words are so strong and they have the power to help and heal but also hurt you. That’s why it is important to have positive inner dialect and positive words spread around you. That can be thinking them, writing them down on a sticky note and putting them on a mirror, or even putting a positive saying on your phone’s screen saver. Spoken words are extremely powerful and you have control of the words you use. We challenge you to surround yourself with positive words and notice how that affects your mindset and well being.

We know that affirmations can be very personal, but if you feel so inclined to share one of your favorite affirmations, we would love to hear it!

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