Author: Crystal

Hi, I'm Crystal! Mother of 1 human, 3 cats, and a glorified housewife to a fantastic man. Let's have fun and enjoy life together!
Mommy Commentary

To the Regretful MAGA Voter: What Do You Want, a Cookie?

“Oops, I voted for a man who tried to overthrow democracy.”Say it with your chest. Oh, you’re shocked now?You’re concerned about democracy, civility, bodily autonomy, public education, the economy, your 401k?You’re just now seeing how bad it is? Wow. Stunning. So brave. Listen, I’m not saying people can’t change. Growth is a beautiful thing. But let’s be clear: some of y’all are out here trying to rebrand yourselves like nothing happened. Like you didn’t throw the country into
Mommy Commentary

Don’t Panic, Just Prime: Back-to-School Deals for Real Life!

Listen, I don’t know who needs to hear this, but school is about to start whether you’re emotionally ready or not. The supply list is looming. The kids suddenly grew two shoe sizes. And somehow, your child now needs five specific folders, a TI-84 calculator, and a new wardrobe with main character energy—all before August. Enter: Prime Day. Now, I’m not here to encourage reckless spending (okay, maybe a little), but some of these deals
Black-owned

✊🏾 Prime Day, But Make It Black-Owned: Deals You Can Feel Good About!

Look, we all know Prime Day is basically capitalism’s Olympics. But this year, instead of spending your coins on random gadgets you’ll forget by August, why not shop with purpose? That means putting your hard-earned dollars into Black-owned brands that are making waves across beauty, home, wellness, and everything in between. Because buying Black isn’t a trend—it’s a mindset. And supporting these brands during Prime Day (and beyond) means helping build generational wealth,
Mommy Commentary

Supporting Diddy Is Morally Bankrupt

Why Turning a Blind Eye to Power and Abuse Isn't Just Problematic—It's Dangerous Let’s just get straight to it. If you're still publicly supporting Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2025, you're not just ignoring the headlines—you’re ignoring the humanity of the women who’ve come forward with devastating stories of abuse, manipulation, and control. And for what? Nostalgia? A club anthem? A false sense of loyalty to a man who built an empire
Mommy Commentary

We Gather, We Grill, We Glow: Fourth of July Recipes for the Culture!

There are cookouts—and then there are legendary cookouts. July 4th is the Super Bowl of backyard grilling, and if you're the one firing up the grill, this is your chance to show up and show out. Whether you're team charcoal or gas, meat-lover or veggie-forward, I’ve got you covered with recipes that bring the fireworks to the table before the sun even sets. Here’s a spread that’ll have your guests waving sparklers in
Mommy Commentary

When ICE Comes Knocking – Know Your Rights!

Photo courtesy of @caliwinter Let’s be honest: ICE doesn’t need sirens or flashing lights to cause terror. Just the mention of their presence is enough to send ripples of fear through immigrant communities—parents skipping work, kids staying home from school, neighbors going silent. But here’s the truth: fear doesn’t have to rule us. Knowledge can. Community can. Preparedness can. If you’re wondering how you can help protect your community from ICE, you’re
Black-owned

Whiskey, Legacy & Black Ownership: A Love Letter in Five Pours

Whiskey, Legacy & Black Ownership: A Love Letter in Five Pours Let’s have a little chat over a glass—something smooth, something with a little burn and a whole lot of story. Today we’re not just talking whiskey. We’re talking lineage. Intention. Power. And yeah, pleasure too. The whiskey game? Historically locked behind closed doors and old money. But times are shifting, and a new wave of Black-owned whiskey brands is not
product reviews

I Purposely Purchased a Replica Bag. Did I Love It?

Under the past several weeks, amidst the unnecessary trade war with China, there has been a flurry of videos that have hit the internet from replica sellers. A replica seller specializes in selling and/or producing a product that is very similar to the name-brand original. Now, a good seller will get you a product that is close to the original with some obvious differences. The stitching may be
Mommy Commentary

It Really is the Windy City: Our Chi-Town Vacay!

So, very recently, Maks and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. It's been so long since we've had a vacation so we (with the help of Bear, of course!) decided to go Chicago for a week! Can I tell you how super fun it was?? It was super cold when we went (we also planned to go during Bear's spring break), so we couldn't really help when we could go.
Mommy Commentary

Help Support Altadena Arts Magnet!

Eaton fire recovery efforts Help Support Altadena Arts Magnet Many families are still in need of your love and support! Click here Hello Everyone! I know it's been a long while for a blog post, but I wanted to share something near and dear to me. As you know, my family are Eaton Fire survivors. While our home was not damaged, Bear's school was in the fire area. His school survived, but we had