#DaphBits

Ahhh, the good ole July has arrived. No apologies to the other months, because this is a natural occurrence. The 7th month of the year also known as the BEST MONTH EVER #BME. This year will be my last year in my twenties and I am starting it off with some tidbits and reflections on the last decade. Today's #daphbit is dedicated to adulthood and paying bills. 

As we get older, material items become futile. The best gift to me this year would be to pay off a credit card, or a simple payment on a bill. Is that too much to ask? Didn't think so. Anyways, stay tuned for more bits from me. Hope you enjoy this month as much as I will, you are always welcomed for the ride.

-Daph 

The Release

this place here is my release
no grammatical corrections or correlations
to the simplicity of words on paper
my current mood is upset
however trying to contain it
in the confines of my cell walls
captivated in a thick bone mass
wrapped in fluid
dressed in skin.
My mind heart won't allow my emotions
to escape and be upset
and cry
and hurt
and simply be sad.
so here I am, once again releasing
these emotions onto this here site
which I call my blog
I can't say I'm trapped, but can I?
emotionally unavailable to anyone
pretending to be strong for everyone
but who's here for me
no it's not a question, simply a mere thought
that no one can really answer
but still. . .
until I can get everything out of my head
I can't be free
I want to surrender
I need to surrender
I must surrender
. . .
To breathe
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe. . .
& Release
-Daphne Eugene

On this 365th Day...

As I sit here reflecting on 2014, I smile with contentment. I remember all the beautiful things that has happened this year and with all the people I was able to share it with. My Instagram has documented everything that has happened. I started the New Year in New York and ended it across the country in California. In between that time I have received a raise, spent 2 weeks in Miami, coordinated my friends wedding, drove to New Orleans for Essence Fest, quit my job, drove across the country, moved to California, surfed (well, more like saw my life flash before my eyes when the wave attacked, ok it hit the shore and I don't know how to swim) and is currently living one of my many dreams by going to culinary school. Whew! That was a lot! and all that by the Grace of God. It wasn't easy, but it was done and well worth it.

So now as 2015 beckons us to move forward, I am charged to continue to pursue my dreams and live each day to the fullest. Without limits, and conquering fears. Below is 15 things, goals, plans, resolutions, whatever people are calling them these days that I hope to accomplish in the New Year:

1. Learn French

2. Learn Spanish

3. Devotion with God Daily

4. Workout at least 3x a week

5. Learn to swim

6. Blog more consistently

7. Be curious

8. Eat Healthier

9. Do 5 5k's

10. Draft of my cookbook

11. Send out Snail Mail

12. Actively say Thank you

13. Less Social Media

14. Volunteer

15. Be more money conscience

Well good folks of this universe, there you have it. My 2015 "15 List" Feel free to keep me accountable. Above all things on this list, if I don't achieve anything else, I do hope and pray that I get and remain at the feet of Jesus, because honestly without Him none of this is possible.

With love and grace,
Happy New Year.......
-Daphne

Divine Beauty on YouTube

Hey Family!

I know, I know, I know, long time no write, but hopefully that will change. I have so much to tell you. So much has happened and I can't wait to tell you. If you follow me on Instagram, them most likely you already know. First, let's start with my YouTube channel, I've had one for a while, but I'm trying to be consistent now. Check out my Vlog below or on YouTube. 

xoxo, Divine

Hello June

Source

Why hello there beautiful. What a past 5 months it has been and I have survived to tell it! It's been a while since I've expressed my thoughts on here and I hope to change that. I know I always come back with some big scheme of things that I want to start doing and yada yada yada. Good thing is tho, is that I keep coming back!

I'm in Miami writing this post and I have so much to update you on. So much to show you! This trip has been my best  trip ever and I needed it so much. Considering we had a HORRIBLE winter in NYC this year, I couldn't wait to get get on the beach and get some well needed vitamin D. This post will be a short one as I just wanted to say hello.

xoxo,
Daphne

God...The Center

*Deep Breath*

Okay, several deep breaths. I've been thrown off course more so than ever for the last couple of months. Many things have happened towards the end of last year and honestly I'm not one to dwell on situations. Saying that, it also means that I am not one to always confront situations, because I rather them be left alone. But of course that's not always wise. I've allowed my world to become greater than God. Allowed it to sour my mood and control my emotions. I've also been denying and covering it up with hurt smiles and angry laughs. Nothing really genuine. I've been walking around as if everything is okay, as if all is well with me. I'm tired. Tired of it all. As soon as I completed that thought, the verse gets pushed in the forefront of my mind "Come to me and I will give you rest". No one but God. No one but Jesus. NO ONE. 

I've been walking around praying scared prayers, timidly coming to the Father. Pushing away what I know I need. For what!? Like some BIG BANG is going happen to simply change the situation 360. Not saying that it can't, because God is God and He does what He pleases. 

" Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrew 4:16

 It's all a process, a season, a "through" that we all have to endure. The thing is with me, is that I know better. I truly do, I've been in that place where I've walked with God hand in hand and His voice is what lead me in the directions. Then what happens is I get in my own way. I get stubborn and tell God, oh I got it, I'll call you when it's that one thing that I can't push. But see, it's all wrong. God is an all inclusive God. He's the first, the last, the in-between, all over God. In being real, I don't think I do it on purpose, but I do let my environment and my situation dictate and remove me from the hands of God at times. Instead of telling my problem that my God is greater than it and that I will overcome it, I skedaddle to a little "me" corner and let it consume me.

I created the image above to remind myself that God is the center of my life. He's the giver of my heartbeat. The one that allows me to wake up every morning with His grace and mercy washing over me EVERY day. It represents that in all those categories that He has precedence. He is there all throughout, not only in the beginning, but also at the end.

At any point when one thing feels like it is weighing you down, try and inspect the position that it is in your life. Is work stressful? Is God at your job? Are you seeking Him in your right now season? Are you praying for God's Will  fro each relationship, your family, each situation? Not only are we seeking, but are we simply getting in His presence? God likes it when we are all up in His face. Jesus being at the center of my life, gives me that balance. Not saying  that some days one thing won't be heavier than the next, but you should always know that when you go back to your center or keep God at the center entering every situation there's that balance. He's that balance that keeps your tongue from ripping your fellow sister or brother into tomorrow. He's that balance that keeps you from going over the edge. Thank God there's no limit with Him. There is only freedom.

I'm grateful for the chance to be able to write this, as it has been somewhat heavy on my heart. I know I haven't been where I needed to be, so I thank God for taking me back every time. Life happens to us everyday, just remember that God is greater and is with us through life happening. So what are we choosing to let happen to us?

With Love and Blessings,
Daphne

Farewell 2013

2013 has indeed been a great year. I prayed in the beginning that I would spend time with my family and I did in all aspects of the word. I've learned so much about myself and I am indeed growing. Thank you 2013.

2014 I look forward to meeting you with love, cheer and lots of laughs. Taking life one day at a time.

xoxo,
Daphne

Merry Christmas 2013

Hoping your Christmas is a Blessed one. Merry Christmas to you All.

-xoxo Daphne

{Church Notes} Growth

Pastor Carl Lentz; Hillsong NYC 

In the spirit of the holidays Pastor Carl has been teaching/preaching a series of "'Tis the season". In continuation of this series, Robert Ferguson preached a sermon 'Tis the season To Grow. This message couldn't have come at a better time in my life. A time where my relationship with my boyfriend has ended. A time where my relationship with Christ is being mended. A time where I have to make decisions in my life concerning me. A time where I need to just grow up. Below are my church notes from yesterdays sermon. Hope this blesses you as much it has me.

Preacher: Robert Ferguson

Sermon Title: 'Tis the Season: To Grow

If you have to be persuaded to move, maybe you are not alive
Living things move; Living things reproduce, the bear fruit
If you have to be persuaded to tell your story maybe you have forgotten that you have been forgiven

All living things grow, we are called to grow

"Tis the season to grow: God has called you to grow"

Luke 7, Mark 4:8 Seeds in good soil grow

Psalm 92:19

What growth looks like
Ephesians 4:15-17

God is the grower
-Growth is Godly
-Growth is effortless
Connected with Christ you just naturally do things like Christ
-Growth is daily
Acts 6:5
-Growth is necessary
Luke 13

3 seeds that do not bear fruit:
1. Fall on the Path-has no understanding, 
2. fall on the rocks-has no roots,
3. falls on thorns - had no focus

1. Know what you have
2. Receive what we can - psalm 92
3. Do what we must

Do you have a real, personable, current relationship with Jesus?

xoxo,

Daph

A Celebration: Madiba

Not everyone can live a life such as his. 

Yet we can celebrate among each other

the life that he has lived for us

for equality

for justice

for our children

and children's children

To Madiba, we celebrate you.

***Pictures courtesy of Tumblr***

27 Years of Hair {My Hair Journey}

My hair has been natural, relaxed, short, colored, shaved, braided and everything else imaginable. Check out the video below to see a snippet of what my hair has gone through for the past 27 years.

Enjoy.

Divine Beauty

The Untitled Title

So, I've been meaning to write and not sure what has been stopping me.  I can't really say it was time, nor can I say lack of topics because I have so much that I want to share with you guys. Then what is it?

I am currently at work, on my lunch break writing this post. I wanted to do an October Recap post which I will eventually get into last night, but that just didn't happen. So because I simply want to write, that's why this post is titled as such.

When I look back over this year, so much has happened and I hope to post about it all in this year so that I can start fresh for the New Year. I want to enjoy where I am at right now and not delve too much in the future. There is so much on my mind right now it's not even funny. One would think that I am scatter brain. Since this is my blog which means my rules, I am totally okay with how this post turns out. So check out a couple of pics below of random moments in my life. Until next time.

xoxo
Divine Beauty

These ladies are AMAZE-BALLS. When you have friends that stick closer than sisters/brothers keep them and cherish them and never ever ever let them go!

I LOVE taking selfies and using filters to enhance them. 

Many of us forget to live in the moment, thus we lose the gift of today. Enjoy where you are and be into what you are doing at that very moment. Lose yourself why dontcha!

Great Start Morning Smoothie

Today is day six of making these morning smoothies and I've gotten into a little routine where that is one of the first things I do in the morning to get me started. After drinking one of these, I honestly feel great! My energy is up, I stay full longer, and I am super productive. Plus it's really good for you. Let's dive into what's in it.

This is an Instagram video making the smoothie, that I created earlier this week.

Enjoy,

Divine

Farewell Summer 2013

This summer was one of THE best summers EVER. Well at least in NY that is. See for yourself.

The HEAT WON!!! Again of course. 

Did Mommy and Me Yog

Went to Jamaica with my Best friend.

Had a picnic with some co-workers on the lawn listening to Classical Music.

Went Rock Climbing

Enjoyed Free Kayaking

Turned 27. 

Middle School Reunion in Jamaica

Went to B's concert

Enjoyed a free gospel concert in Central Park.

Oh....I cut my hair off...just the sides tho :-/

Went to the Beach, yes in NY with my awesome co-worker Christie.

Did a little golfing....kinda sorta

Rode a camel at the Bronx Zoo! So fracking awesome!

Did I tell you I was FIERCE on my 27th Birthday!

Did a cooking class.

Our Resort in Jamaica.

My beautiful friend and her husband in Jamaica.

Went to Haiti with the familia. 

Enjoying some coconut with one of my many cousins in Haiti. 

So yea, I had quite a summer and you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

-Divine

Church Notes: It's All About the Give #noitsnotitsallaboutthetake

Source 

"Giving horrific to Jesus and taking everything good from Him" -Pastor Carl Lentz

God has been and is so good to me, that it would be selfish of me not to share His word. So for my benefit and hopefully yours, I will begin a new series on the blog called "Church Notes"; where I will share my church notes from any and all services that I attend during the week. Today's blog is from Tuesday's night EBS (Exchange Bible Study). There were two messages spoke that night and both were awesome. However, today's post will be about "It's all about the give #hashtag no it's not, it's all about the take". This message was randomly brought to us from our Pastor Carl Lentz who just finished co-officiating a wedding. I hope you receive a word from this message as I did.


First of all, I was on the fence about going, but of course we know that in this life nothing is a coincidence. So after picking up my batter from the 14th Street Sprint store, I headed up to 22nd St and 4 ave where Tuesday's night service was to be held. Honestly, my body was in service, but not my mind or my spirit. I sang the songs, I closed my eyes for prayer and I took notes from the first word. There were so many questions going on in my head: "Should I stay with my job?", "Is D the right one?", "Should I move back to Miami?". I mean my thoughts were shooting a mile a minute. Then Pastor Carl came up and was like, "we're going to take a 5 minute break, then I will preach and take some questions." Nothing in me wanted to leave, I just needed to be around God's presence and anything that would take me there I was going to stay. So 5 minutes later Pastor Carl begin the preach and God was clearly speaking through him to me. Every single question I had was answered, giving me hope and assurance that He has heard my prayers. See for yourself what Pastor meant about "it's really all about the take".

When Fear Cripples your Faith

When Fear Cripples your Faith 

Choked up in your lungs

Trying to catch your next breath

Held tight in your heart unrelenting of blood

Gazing into space because

Your pupils blacked out

Decisions, choices, worry

Creeps into your space

Like a thief in the night

Stealing your sanity

That is being held by a piece of thread

Ripped from the shirt off your back

You’re held hostage

To the unknown of the next minute

Trying to exert a simple breath from

Your chest capacity

Yet held in the known

The comfortable

The contentment

When Fear cripples your Faith

It arrest your dreams, hopes, & possibilities

It attempts to fade away the Blessed, Redeemed, and Delivered

It shades and fogs and mystifies perception

It tackles the grace of God, the unmerited favor

That God has over your life

When Fear tries to cripple your Faith

Risk the known fear for the unknown of Faith….. 

-Divine Beauty 

Ayiti Cheri

Source

Hey Loves! So today I am heading to Miami, and then in the morning, my brothers, and I are headed to our beloved Haiti. My eldest brother has been at least twice, while me and my other brother has never been. I am totally psyched out about the trip and I can't wait to share the tons of pictures that I plan on taking with you guys. So while I'm away stuffing my face with goat, chicken, and the likes of original Haitian food, stand by for some updates that I have been working on.

A prochen foi (until next time)
-Divine

Your Name is Higher, Your Name is Greater {Worship}

So yesterday at church, the worship team ushered us in the presence of the Lord with  this song. The title is "Anchor" by Hillsong and it is on the Glorious Ruins (Live) Album. The lyrics are:

I have this hope 

As an anchor for my soul 

Through every storm 

I will hold to You 

With endless love 

All my fear is swept away 

In everything 

I will trust in You 

Chorus: 

There is hope in the promise of the cross 

You gave everything to save the world you love 

And this hope is an anchor to my soul 

Our God will stand 

Unshakable 

Unchanging One 

You who was and is to come 

Your promise sure 

You will not let go 

Repeat Chorus 

Coda: 

Your Name is higher 

Your Name is greater 

All my hope is in you

Your word unfailing 

Your promise unshaken 

All my hope is in you 

As we go about our day remember that our hope is in Jesus Christ. Not a job, not a friend, not a guy, not our parents, but Jesus. I know sometimes we get caught up in life and we feel like we have to take on all the stress and worries on our own, but know that God is our Anchor. He alone holds us grounded. No amount of sin, no amount of stress, no amount of worry can shake God. And as Christ as our foundation we too stand unshakable. 

Happy Monday,

Divine

Friday Feast

1. Buttermilk fried Tilapia with Quinoa & Avocado

2. Buttermilk Fried Tilapia over a bed of Greens

3. Blueberry and Mint infused water

4. Chocolate Cake in a cup baked in a microwave

5. Soft braised Tilapia over Greens & Zucchini

6. Zucchini Fritters

7. Sunny Side up Egg over Tilapia with Broccoli

8. Spinach Omellete

9. Organic Edamame Beans

1. Baked Tilapia with couscous and brussel sprouts

2. Pre Fruits and Veggies for Juicing

3. Fried Tilapia over Spinach

4. Broiled Plantains with Italian sausage over spinach and carrots

5. Tilapia over spinach with polenta

6. Grapefruit, Kale, Carrots, Celery & Pineapple for Juicing

7. Eggplant Lasagna

8. Wheat Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

9. Friday's Finest: Baked Mac & Cheese, broiled sweet plantains, and Fried Jerk Chicken Wings

As anyone can see, I love cooking Tilapia, but I am about to change things up on ya'll. I aim to link every recipe so that you guys can see the process and maybe make it yourself. Until then, lick your screens. :-)

Bon Apetit,

-Divine

Please Hair Me Out

1. Quick Weave using left over hair ~ 1 week

2. Hair Wrapped ~ 2 Days

3. Kinky Twist ~ 2 weeks

4. Marley Twist ~ 1 week

5. Invisible Part/U-Part Wig ~ 1 week

6. Natural Hair

7. Senegalese Twist ~ 4 weeks

8. Mini Braids using kinky hair ~ 3 weeks (appx)

9. Natural Hair

I've been known to switch my hair up at the drop of a dime, literally. These are just a few hairstyles that I've had so far this year. Hair is hair, I've cut it, color it, weaved it , braided it, anything imaginable with it. Sometimes I feel like my hair is the only thing that I can control and plus I love the fact that I can change it. When you get a new hairstyle sometimes you feel like a new person. Like India Aire says "I am not my hair".

See you with the next style,

-Divine