Calling all #poetry lovers. Check out this book #giveaway on Instagram!
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJRstWJE6L/?igshid=6s0vzvhxxepc
#blackgirlshine #poetrywriter #writingcommunity #poems #poet
Misplaced Lens Cap
occasionally subtle

Origami Around

if i look back, i am lost
taylor price

oozey mess

Kaledo Art

roma★
Aqua Utopia|海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
todays bird
Cosimo Galluzzi
Game of Thrones Daily
Show & Tell

tannertan36

#extradirty
ojovivo
Peter Solarz
Keni
will byers stan first human second
seen from Kenya
seen from United States

seen from Kenya
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Australia
@aissatoutb
Calling all #poetry lovers. Check out this book #giveaway on Instagram!
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJRstWJE6L/?igshid=6s0vzvhxxepc
#blackgirlshine #poetrywriter #writingcommunity #poems #poet
What are you passionate about?
This is passionfruit, poem #92 of Black Girl Shine. Get a copy here: bit.ly/2UpPiWZ
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#passion #confidence #positivequotes #results #ambition #poetry
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-ubk5JwOY/?igshid=1jesih1i8g0mx
Story Submissions now Open for #BlackGirlShine
Over a year ago I wrote and published, for the first time, a short poetry book, Black Girl Shine, with the intention of highlighting the beautiful Black Kings and Queens that surround, support and inspire me on a daily basis.
The collection of poems also served as a confidence booster from me to me–kind of like a letter to my younger self (hey, you gotta #loveyourself).
Today, the book has more than 1,600 reads in over 10 countries around the world. You can read the book on Wattpad through Dropbox). Black Girl Shine is currently ranked at #107 in short poems, #50 in empathy and #175 in lessons.
Ever since I published my poetry book, I took it upon myself to use the hashtag #BlackGirlShine to celebrate other people’s accomplishments, along with my own. To me, #BlackGirlShine isn’t only a book–it’s a lifestyle and celebration of what can be accomplished as a Black female boss.
With that being said, I’m excited to introduce a tab on my blog for Black girls to share the many untold stories on how they shine, why they shine and/or what makes them a boss.
You can submit on any topic from your hair journey, your trials and tribulations and personal goals to a life lesson, an event that contributed to your growth or career path story–the sky’s the limit!
To submit your story of 400 words or less, you can email me using subject line “#BlackGirlShine Submission” at [email protected]. Feel free to send in a photo or photos to accompany your story, as well as links to your social media or preferred platform.
This is YOUR chance to inspire Black girls around the world.
So, Black girl, go on shine!
xo,
Aissatou
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/aissatou.tb
Follow me on Pinterest: pinterest.ca/aissatoutb
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/aissatoutb
6 Back to School Lifestyle DIYs
I’m sure your social media accounts were all flooded with back to school posts ranging from lunches and hairstyles to supplies and outfits. So, I decided that I would share my six best tips for making your life easier during the school year. Let’s jump right in:
Stay organized, use an agenda!
Staying organized can sometimes be a struggle for students. I personally find that writing tasks down and using calendars can truly help make your day-to-day experience a smooth one. On your first day of school or during orientation, the school or student union usually provides a FREE agenda which even includes school-specific holidays. My advice? Don’t skip out on this one freebie.
2. Get involved, find out what kind of clubs you can join
When you’re in high school, college or university, there are plenty of clubs you can join to participate and make a difference in your community. At the beginning of the semester or during orientation, there will likely be club fairs with information and campus club representatives to guide you in choosing a group that aligns with your values. You can also find more information through your school website on the ‘student life’ tab or student portal. 3. New schedule = new routine
If you’re lucky, you could receive your schedule/timetable prior to your first day of school. When and if you do, make sure to set up a simple routine to plan out your day. The first step is making sure you schedule enough time to sleep! Recently, I’ve been using the Sleep Cycle alarm clock which not only analyzes your sleep, but also wakes you up in your lightest sleep phase–super useful! A healthy routine also includes my next point: food.
4. Meal prep!
Food is life. Make sure you feed both your body AND your mind with the right ingredients to fuel your entire day. What I personally do is meal prep on Sundays. I cook one meal for the first 3 days of the week and another for the last two days, but you can make the same lunch for 5 days or make a different meal each day–totally depends on you! Try out these Vegan recipes or, if you’re into bread with stuff in the middle, check out these delicious sandwiches.
5. Know where to go when you need help
Whether its for physical, sexual, educational, financial or mental health aid, knowing where to go for these services can go a long way. The best thing to do is to speak to your school’s student union, the guidance councilor or even checking your school’s website for more information. In most cases, these services are free for you to use.
Most importantly, remember to not only work hard, but play hard.
Good luck!
xo,
Aissatou
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/aissatou.tb/
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REVIEW: My visit to The Foggy Goggle in Halifax!
During my recent trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, I had the chance to visit a few restaurants in the area, one of which was The Foggy Goggle. I actually stumbled up on the restaurant via a google search. I saw that their brunch menu was filled with multiple gluten free and Vegan options, so on Tuesday morning, off we (my friend Alyssa and I) went. However, I obviously didn’t read the website properly because brunch was only being served on weekends. So, we stuck with the lunch menu.
I ordered the Bulgogi mushroom burger ($15) on a gluten free bun, with a side of roasted potatoes. It was absolutely amazing! It was the first time I had a burger with mushroom as the main ingredient. The patty was a bit crumbly, but overall stayed put together. I think the pickled red cabbage really elevated the burger and enjoyed the tasted of the tofu mayo. I also loved that the potatoes weren’t fried. I highly recommend this dish as it was super filling.
Normally, I wouldn’t order dessert during lunch, but I was offered a gluten free and dairy free chocolate torte ($7) and couldn’t resist saying no. And I’m glad I went for it because it hit all the right spots in my mouth. The cake had the right density (fudgy, but not brownie fudgy) and the cream melted in your mouth oh so perfectly. Put those two together and it makes for the perfect bite. It’s topped with shaved almonds which is perfect as it adds a texture that contrasts to the cake’s texture. I would consider it a crime if you visited and didn’t end your meal with this cake.
Overall, my meal at this restaurant was great and my server was awesome and super knowledgeable when it came to accommodating my allergies. I definitely plan on coming back–but this time, for brunch!
xo,
Aissatou
Hiatus, my birthday and Halifax shenanigans...
Hi everyone! I'm back from the hiatus no one knew I was taking from the blog/social media. I'm sorry! But at least give me a chance to explain...
HIATUS
I was feeling anxious, overwhelmed and generally not okay. I also felt that my blog wasn't going anywhere and that I was wasting my time and energy writing, editing, experiencing, and all that jazz. So I decided to take a break from social media and blogging for a month. Now I know that I took longer than that, but there's more to the story...
MOVING
I moved to Montreal in June because I got a job with VIA Rail. Planning out my next steps, moving to a new city/province and all, and most of the plan was really hard haha.
When I started at VIA, I didn't have an apartment and was living with family. Then, when I finally got one, I had trouble getting the help I personally needed, on top of going through multiple delays with my appliances and furniture. It all worked out in the end, but I will definitely make a separate post (or video) about my moving experience later.
MY BIRTHDAY
On July 12, I turned 22. It was a tiring day for me as issues arose that really put a damper on my mood since I was already stressed from the moving/transition. However, I focused on the friends and family who wished me positive things and even ended up getting surprised with a cake. I plan on having a little celebration with my friends in August since I miss them so much. And, also I finally feel like partying it up and celebrating myself and our collective accomplishments.
LIFE
Deaths, love, births, weddings, haircuts (yes I chopped it!) and changes in friendships are all part of life. During my time here, it was hard to adapt to such a big change while keeping a healthy balance with everything else (family, friends, blog etc.). So if you add that to the natural miracles/catastrophes of life, it can be difficult to navigate. I'm tired most of the time (for now), but I started establishing a routine by accepting/rejecting things as I see fit, accepting the things I can't change and doing more of the things I love, i.e: reading, writing and aromatherapy.
A TRIP TO HALIFAX
With chaos comes little tidbits of peace and pleasure.
With some of my coworkers, I took a trip to Halifax (22 hours by train, on the Ocean) to help out with an event. The event was not only successful, but I also learned tons about the history/function of our trains and met incredible employees (who went above and beyond when it came to customer service) across the kilometers travelled. Not only that, but I indulged in delicious Vegan foods (shoutout to The Foggy Goggle) and even got to catch up with a college friend.
Left, Vegano pizza from Piatto Pizzeria +Enoteca, right, Decadent flourless chocolate torte from The Foggy Goggle.
That's it for my recap! Be on the lookout for the next few blog posts that will be detailed versions of ALL the meals I ate during my flash trip to Nova Scotia and other exciting snippets of my life.
xo,
Aissatou
One year blog anniversary!
Today marks my blog’s one year anniversary. Happy birthday Desserts & DIYs!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN When I was six years old, I started getting constant abdominal pain and vomiting. These episodes would last between a day and a week and resulted in me being hospitalized hundreds of times. You can read the rest of that story here. Today, I’m 21 and I only truly stopped getting frequently ill about 2 years ago by first drastically changing my diet to a gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian one and second by taking care of my mental health.
My entire life changed after discovering a new type of cuisine. And it was important for me to share that story with the people around me and be an active voice in the health and wellness space as a woman of colour.
MY GOALS
Collab with other bloggers (guest posts, YouTube videos, workshops+)
Transition to a Vegan lifestyle
Start a YouTube channel
Gain more patrons on Patreon
Collab with organizations + small businesses
Gain 1,000 followers on Instagram and Pinterest
Introduce a shop on my site
Post food recipes
Gain over 5,000 views
Inspire as many people as I can
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE AND I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ME ON MY JOURNEY!
xo, Aissatou
Marching into April...
I can’t believe we’re already in April…The good news is, Spring is near! I would say it’s here but let’s face it, most of us are still wearing our winter coats.
I realize that I didn’t schedule a post last Sunday. That’s mainly because I had plans that weekend and to be honest, I didn’t have an idea for a post. I think I’m at that point in my life where I’m not too sure where I’m going with my projects/ambitions and what to do next. That’s a story for another time though.
Before we dive into my weekend, here’s a list of my monthly favourites:
Book: No Control fanfic on Wattpad
Song: Big Shot by Kendrick Lamar ft. Travis Scott
Colour: Yellow
TV show: Jane the Virgin
Movie: A Wrinkle in Time
Food: Vegan tacos
Dessert: Mug cake! (recipe coming soon)
Beauty product: Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater
Fashion item: Long-sleeved dresses
DIY tool: Magnets
SATURDAY It was my friend’s birthday party and I struggled to find her the perfect gift. As an empathetic/creative person, I feel the need to offer gifts with meaning, purpose, happiness and love. Therefore, I analyze the person’s likes/dislikes, passions, lifestyle, job and more to choose a gift. Because I wasn’t feeling inspired, I hit the pause button on her gift.
Our first activity was Archery tag. Can I just say, I find it hard to believe that people from the Stone Age, Egypt and the Shang Dynasty used bows and arrows to fight and hunt (mainly because I kinda sucked haha). We practised on targets for about 20 minutes before heading over to a playground complete with towers, launchpads and hiding spots useful for playing tag. Needless to say, we were all completely sore the next day.
Afterwards, we had dinner at Moxie’s Grill & Bar. Pictured below is their famous white chocolate brownie that I could not eat due to my allergies. However, I had tacos and they were muy delicioso!
SUNDAY As the volunteer social media and PR coordinator for the Guinean Youth Association, I attended an extremely productive executive meeting early afternoon.
Then I went to Yorkdale mall with my cousin to browse, shop and eat.
MONDAY I know this day isn’t a part of the weekend, but I had to list a bonus experience here because it was so much fun. One thing that people don’t know about me is that I’m an avid contest enterer. Yes, I love entering random and fun radio, social, online and magazine contests. And sometimes, I actually get something out of it!
Your girl, won two screening passes to watch Ready Player One in downtown Toronto, courtesy of Exclaim! Magazine.
Ready Player One is a futuristic movie about society, chaos, video games (Easter eggs) and virtual reality. I honestly didn’t expect it to be as cool as it was. But the graphics and music were on point. There were definitely times where I questioned the plot though. For instance, how did the society end in chaos? How did the Oasis become so popular amongst the general population? And how come the police only got involved at the end of the movie? Anyway, you should definitely check it out. Watch the trailer.
That’s it for me! This weekend is a long weekend here in Canada, so I get four days off of work I have a post planned for April 3 because that marks Desserts & DIYs’s one year anniversary.
Other than that, I’m taking a break from everything because I’m starting to feel a little under the weather and anxious.
Nevertheless, have a lovely weekend, xo
Five things I learned from teaching 5-year-olds
As an early childhood educator, I’ve had the chance to not only teach kids but also learn from them. With no further intro needed, dive into this list of five things I learned from teaching five-year-olds at a daycare.
1. Acting on impulse is always a bad idea I find that children have the ability to move from emotion to emotion very quickly BUT always act on impulse. For example, one day, I was in the gym with my class, and another childhood educator, when I spotted child 1 playing hockey by himself. Child 2 saw the puck and tried to grab it. Child 1 hit the kid with the hockey stick. Child 2 cries and hit back. Child 1 cries. In this type of scenario, I always go through basic conflict resolution steps: assess the situation, apologize and find a solution. Ultimately, there’s always something that could’ve been done to prevent the situation in the first place.
How this can apply to your life: Think about all the times someone did you wrong. Now think about your reaction (the thing that only YOU are in control of). There’s no need to be shady or retaliate in any type of way. Other people’s actions remain powerless without your reaction. Let them show who they are to the world and be thankful for the lesson. Because in 2018, we have no time to entertain nonsense. Rise above and keep it moving.
2. Being silly is really fun
Working at a daycare means I get to hear original songs ranging from topics of butts, ice cream and dinosaurs. Sometimes the entire class somehow coordinates the song with a choreography as well (one that would put the High School Musical ‘Status Quo’ lunch scene to shame). It’s always a fun time and I join in whenever I can.
How this can apply to your life: Life is hard and sometimes what you spend the most time on isn’t really your ‘light’ or purpose. Allow yourself to take a break and be silly. Whether that’s cranking up the music and dancing around your room, being loud in public places or organizing a theme party with your closest friends, express yourself in ways you haven’t before. And most importantly–have fun!!
3. You should hug your parents more often
The one thing I always find heartwarming is when the kids run up to their parents and hug them when they are being picked up from daycare. It’s equally satisfying to see when parents are involved with their children and ask about their day.
How this can apply to your life: For those who still have their parents with them or people who love/raised them such as aunts, uncles, coaches and grandmothers, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices, love and strength it took in raising you. A simple thank you, a token of appreciation or going out of your way to make their lives easier will go a long way.
4. Be brave even though you might fail
Kids don’t really have a great radar when it comes to sensing dangerous things (because they haven’t learned what risk is yet). Sometimes, they miscalculate their actions and get hurt. On the other hand, sometimes they don’t bother to take a chance because they’re scared.
How this can apply to your life: Have you ever stopped yourself from raising your hand to ask a question? Standing up for yourself? Negotiating a raise? If you can relate, maybe what’s stopping you from reaching the next level in your career, love life or overall growth is the fear of the unknown/outcome. But in life, you need to take a chance even if the end result isn’t positive or doesn’t go your way. At the end of the day, you’ll be satisfied with yourself just for trying.
5. You should always find time to play
The number one job for kids is playing. Even in school, a place for education, children are allocated a time to play. I strongly believe that if adults did the same, they would feel happier and less stressed.
How this can apply to your life: Similar to the point I made in lesson #2, you need to find time to enjoy life the way you want to. Obviously, this might not be possible every day, but I believe taking time for your personal happy-meter is an essential part of self-care.
Which lesson do you agree with the most and why? Let me know in the comments below!
Also, for those who don’t know, I started a Patreon page and would love your support on there so that I may continue uploading quality content AND adding new things to Desserts & DIYs!
REMINDER: One of the first five Canadian patrons will receive a prize. Read more on that here: https://dessertsanddiys.com/2018/02/28/become-a-patreon-today/
I listen to this song without fail every time I work out. The lyrics are alright, I’m more into the beat–which I believe has great tempo when you’re doing reps or pulses!
Did you know that I'm launching my Patreon page on Wed Feb 28!? Did you know that one of the first 5 patrons will get a chance to win a prize!? Learn more in my blog post: https://t.co/xRD9NYJeXj Complete the polls on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/aissatoutb #Patreon #TorontoBlogger #blogpost #GiveawayAlert
I’m launching a Patreon page!
After nearly a year of blogging, I finally decided to launch a Patreon page! You will be able to pledge on the official launch date: Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 6PM.
What's Patreon? Patreon is a way for me to get paid for creating the blog posts, poetry, recipes and more, that you see here on my blog*. Patrons basically pledge a few bucks per month or per post for the content that I release (depending on the selected tier) and earn rewards. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwvUjAv6pxg&w=560&h=315
*Please note: posts will ALWAYS be available to everyone. Some posts may become exclusive to Patrons and/or be available in advance to them in addition to access to rewards/giveaways.
What are tiers? Tiers are reward levels with different pledge amounts and rewards.
Okay, this sounds cool. What do you need from me? 1. Head over to my Patreon page right now and complete the polls available. This will help me decide what kind of rewards/content you'd like from me.
2. Comment below as well on what kind of content you'd love to see on my blog.
3. Share this post with your family and friends because when I officially launch, Wednesday, February 28, at 6 PM, one of the first five Patrons (in Canada) will receive a gift from yours truly!
What are you waiting for? Check out www.patreon.com/aissatoutb now!
As we all know, Black Panther recently hit theatres and is already doing so well. For the past few weeks, I've been either working out or jamming to this dope tune (songs from the Black Panther album have been available for a while now). I can't wait to watch the movie! Have you seen it yet? Are you going to watch it? Let me know in the comments :)
6 Last Minute DIY gifts for Valentine’s Day
It's that time of the year! Love is in the air and couples everywhere are celebrating with flowers, kisses and chocolate.
However, if you're wanting to try something new or shake things up this Valentine's Day, you've come to the right place. I've compiled for you a list of six easy last-minute DIYs to make for your loved one.
1. Things I Love About You in a Jar
This DIY is hands-down the most thoughtful one on the list. Think about the little or big things that you love about your partner, write it down on a piece of paper and pop it in a jar.
2. Bake a Cake! Who doesn't love cake!?
And luckily for you, there's a recipe for it on my blog--you can even go the extra mile and cut it into a heart shape.
3. DIY Fruit Skewers
Using your partner's favourite fruits like pineapple, apple, strawberries, watermelon, honeydew melon etc., and wooden skewers, create a cute (and delicious!) breakfast or snack. More details on how to make it here.
Credit: Style Me Pretty
4. Candy Jar Punnies
Credit: a Pumpkin & a Princess
I love candy. And so will your partner when you gift them this. All you need for this DIY is a jar, your significant other's favourite candy and labels. Download the one pictured above here, customize your own label or buy stick-on labels at a craft/dollar store and handwrite your own pun!
Here some examples:
Hershey Kisses (This is how much I could kiss you) Sweet Tarts (You're my swee-tart) Candy melons (You are one in a melon) Starbursts (You make my heart burst) Skittles (You colour my world) Jelly beans (Thanks for bean there for me)
5. Hanging Heart Flower DIY!
This beautiful DIY was created by A Beautiful Mess. This one will definitely take a bit more handiwork--but is still considered easy to do. Bonus: the flowers will last forever! (spoiler: they're fake)
Credit: A Beautiful Mess
Use the step-by-step guide to make this :)
6. Punny Succulents (I'm a succer for you!)
Tiny plants are really cute. Consider purchasing a longer-lasting plant for your loved one if you dislike fake flowers. If you're too lazy to paint a pot, buy one at a craft/dollar store near you. Then, pot your succulent, download and print these signs and stick them into the pot. Easy peasy!
Credit: Good Housekeeping US
Watch the video or use the guide to assemble these punny plants.
Which DIY is your favourite? Mine is definitely the punny succulents. Either way, let me know your thoughts. See you next Valentine's Day!
Desserts & DIYs has moved!
Hi guys, I recently moved my blog to WordPress. I will be posting the same content on both sites since there are over 7,000 of you BUT I would really appreciate the support on my new site (subscribe by email!) at www.dessertsanddiys.com 🎉 Thanks for the support y'all 💙💙
My visit to Sorelle and Co. in Yorkville
Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit Sorelle and Co. with one of my girlfriends in Yorkville. And boy, was I impressed!
First, it’s such a beautiful and cute space I immediately started taking pictures. Please note that this is their ‘boutique’ location, so I find that it would be perfect for a group of two or three.
Second, and most importantly, everything is GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN, SOY-FREE, NUT-FREE and PRESERVATIVE FREE.
Yes, you read that correctly! It’s basically heaven for people like me who’ve got allergies.
Sorelle offers sweet and savoury dishes. I wasn’t about to pass up on the opportunity to grab an allergy-friendly meal, so I ordered the roasted vegetable panini ($12) while my friend ordered tacos ($13.50). While the hot food was incredibly delicious, I do believe that the tacos were slightly overpriced.
Now for my favourite part--dessert!
Sorelle offers over two dozen types of pastries ranging from muffins and cupcakes to eclairs and tarts. Pricing ranges from $3-7 ($9.25 if you include bread loaves).
I indulged in a brownie ($5.10) and purchased a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate cupcake with orange-flavoured frosting ($5.50 each) to take home with me in the beautiful box below.
The brownie was hard around the edges, but delectably soft and rich in the middle. It did have the right amount of frosting on top, as well as round decorative sprinkles--which I believe the brownie could’ve done without.
I also got the chance to taste the banana bread (good but a little too sweet for banana bread) and the chocolate caramel doughnut (amazing and soft without falling apart!).
It’s important to note that there isn’t any information available at the moment both in-store or online regarding nutrition--which I find intriguing.
But overall, I had an amazing time. The highlight for me was not worrying about whether or not I could consume the food available. I found the food to be a bit pricey (I spent $37.45 taxes and tip included)--however I saw it as a treat and definitely plan on visiting again or ordering a custom cake!
This song is soooooo cute. It’s been on repeat for me for the past 3 weeks at least. I call this genre ‘bubblegum pop’ aka songs designed to make you feel happy, bubbly and get your dance on. What do you think?