These are a few of my favorite things...

Earlier this week we shared a video on IG titled "73 Questions," where I give short answers to 73 questions The questions touch on my favorite things, hopes and fears, style and fashion inspo and more.

If you missed it, you can check it out here. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSE_6PnnN_Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

My assistant decided we should do this as a part of the ongoing Vogue Series. She has the best ideas btw. Anywho, at first I was a little nervous to do it because I know how aloof I can be about favorite movies, and shows and music etc. I don't always place great value on remembering names and lyrics - until I am in the moment. But, as I began answering each question, I was filled with nostalgic memories that ranged from early childhood to just earlier this year.

As I reflected on some of my "favorite things," I figured I would make a blog highlighting some of them and share snippets of how they became my favorite! If it resonates with you in any way, be sure to hit the heart button and leave a comment! Enjoy!

Q: What is your favorite dress from the KISS Collection?

A; BluPrint Midi:

This dress is my fave because it embodies my feminine energy perfectly. The fabric is a lightweight velvet with 4-way stretch and the vibrant hues of midnight blue and orange create perfect visual harmony. Can you see yourself in this number?

Q: What is your favorite piece from the Rebirth Collection?

A: The hand-painted ball gown skirt.

I adore this piece! I envisioned the abstract print for the skirt as I was designing for the collection and before I decided I would paint it myself. Once I sketched this out and added color to it, I realized it would be next to impossible to find this exact fabric so I decided I would try my hand at making the print myself. This is my first attempt at painting on fabric and to say that I am pleased is an understatement! How do you all think I did?

Q: What is one thing you can't live without?

A: Coffee!

Dekalb County Farmer's Market in Atlanta, GA is my preferred coffee vendor. You MUST go if you're ever in the area. (Thank me later)

So, I have a love affair with coffee! I first tasted coffee as a little girl when my Daddy would have me make his cups of "Joe" in the morning. I remember the nutty aroma filling the home as it competed with the smell of fresh pine lingering from the morning dew. I don't remember how I came to be his coffee maker but I remember loving it. I would bound down the stairs and grab his favorite mug then fill it with the liquid gold. (I love the sound of coffee emptying from pot to cup.) He liked it "sweet" but not overly so, so of course I had to taste it to make sure it was "just right". After ensuring it was up to his standards, I would impatiently await his stamp of approval as he took that first sip.

Each time, he would be sure to let me hear him take that first sip and then he'd release a low "mmmm" sound while he proclaiming, "You sure know how to make a cup of coffee!" or "That's the best cup of coffee I ever had right there!" I'm not sure if it was the fact that I got to drink coffee at such a young age (without sneaking) or the fullness of the moment shared with my Dad in the early hours of the morning, but to this day coffee is my favorite part of the day. These days, I require freshly ground coffee with hazelnut cream (my dad's favorite kind) and brown sugar to make me release a low "mmmm" but the sentiment of it all remains.

(Fun fact: I often travel with a portable coffee grinder to recreate this feeling wherever I am).

Q: What is your must have beauty product?

A: Mascara

They say the eyes are the window to the soul and if this is true, I can't have my "window's" looking all shabby now can I? ;) On a serious note though, the eyes do speak for you and they can enhance the overall tone of the face. If my brows are burrowed I will look intimidating. If my eyes are open and bright, I will appear more welcoming. To that same end, my lashes help to bring in the fullness of my eyes and brighten my overall facial demeanor. My long lashes are relatively long and thick but once I add a coat or two of L'oreal Voluminous or Maybelline Mascara, they become otherworldly! (I'm exaggerating a bit but I hope you get the point.) Mascara can open the eyes which in turn opens the face and allows me to quite literally "put my best face forward." Check out the two that I use the most below.

Q: What accessory can you not leave your home without?

A: Earrings

When I was about twenty years old (or so) I remember chatting with my mother as I was getting ready to head out. As I was leaving she was said very casually "You're not going to wear any earrings?" I was a little loss for words as the comment seemed a little random as we weren't previously discussing accessories or anything about my attire. She must have sensed my oblivion because she just grabbed a pair of her earrings and told me to "try these." I put them on and suddenly, the look that I thought was finished, was now complete. She told me that I should always wear earrings even if I don't wear any other accessories because they frame the face and pull the whole outfit together. She wasn't wrong!

Now, let me tell you all that my mother is the ultimate fashion diva and at the age of twenty, I was still finding my fashion identity. My mother was very well put together and intentional about her appearance and I wanted to emulate that and so, I took her advice to hear. To this day, you'd be hard pressed to see my mom out in public without a pair of earrings and I have no other reason that I don't leave home without them other than "because mom said so!"

Fun fact: I am now a brand ambassador for jewelry brand Belizza Desires. You can shop their jewelry on IG and online at instagram.com/belizzadesires_official. Use my code 'Diamond21' at checkout to receive up to 75% off their jewelry. Thank me later!

Q: What moment do you wish you could relive from the past year?

A: Riding a bike through the streets of Mexico w/o a care in the world.

The saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words" so I will say less. Just know and understand that in my six weeks of visiting the tranquil jungle paradise that is Tulum, the experience was magical in every way. It is built on Mayan ruins and riding on this sacred land was a spiritually riveting experience for me. The wind was my comfort, my guide and my safety as I wandered the streets. To the unsuspecting individual I was riding without aim. Myself and my spirit guides know differently.

If you're thinking about visiting Tulum and would like to hear more about my time there, follow me on instagram.com/lizdiamant and I'll be happy to share my experience.

Q: What are you cooking today?

A: Zucchini spaghetti with quinoa, brown rice and sweet potato

Since I began my vegetarian journey in February, I have been experimenting with different recipes to avoid the boredom that often accompanies this sort of lifestyle change. This meal was extremely flavorful and hearty and I'd definitely recommend. My only qualm is the zucchini noodles seemed to wilt down quite a bit and I had to get most of my sustenance from the vegetables and sides. All in all though, I would try this recipe again. Click the pic to take you to the recipe that I followed (loosely). If you try it, come back and let me know how you liked it!

Q: What is the most expensive thing you've ever splurged on?

A: A car

The last time I splurged on a car was my 30th birthday. I randomly went and purchased a brand new black Altima fully loaded with heated leather seats and Bose speakers. It was great. The next time I splurge on a car, it will be this black beauty pictured. (swoons) A girl can dream, can't she!?

Q: What's your favorite place you've visited so far?

A: St. Lucia

Although this was shorter than the trip to Mexico, it was magical nonetheless. The main thing I enjoyed about St. Lucia, was the people. The natives are so welcoming and they have similar bone structure as black Americans so I never felt out of place. Welcoming nature aside, the beauty of the island was so breathtaking that I wanted to book my return trip prior to even leaving the island! Additionally, there was always live music playing in the distance and the weather was all but perfect. This horse ride from the mainland to the shore was filled with amazing views, tranquil paths and welcoming terrain. I will definitely travel again to explore the island once COVID restrictions have eased up.

Q: Who was your role model growing up?

A: I didn't have a role model per se, but I do remember feeling inspired seeing someone that looked like me, Oprah, on national TV.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sweeping cleaning the living room - specifically the carpet- and the television was on with the sound off. We used to have to sweep the carpet and then go over it with a vacuum to make triangular designs afterward. Might I add that it is quite difficult to sweep carpet with efficiency,

My arms were growing tired and I leaned up against the broom handle to take rest. From that position, the tv was directly in front of me and for the first time while cleaning I took notice of it. On the screen was a beautiful bright eyed woman with huge hair, a large nose - like mine-. full lips - like mine- and dark brown skin - like mine. She was standing on the stage with a mic in her hand and the audience was fixed on her every move. Almost trance like. The remarkable thing about this picture was that the audience was as white as snow. I remember feeling perplexed, then proud, then hopeful. I believe that was the first time that I could put a clear picture to the emotions that were bottle up inside of me. The emotions that led me to dream and play make believe. That caused me to spend countless hours playing dolls, alone, and acting out scenes from movies that I had never seen. In that moment, I knew that there was life outside of the small town I grew up with surrounded by the small minds of the people I went to school with. In that moment, my emotions leapt with joy as they identified with the truth; I could be anything I wanted to be and could do anything I wanted to do.

Q: If you could have coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be.

A: I couldn't answer this at the time and hadn't planned on answering it, until now. My answer is Oprah Winfrey.

Thank you all for supporting my blog. I am enjoying sharing my thoughts with you! If you liked this content, leave me a message down below and don't forget to heart this.

Also, it doesn't hurt to share! Who knows, maybe Oprah will see this and sit down with me for a freshly ground cup of coffee ;)

Stay #BoldSexyTimeless.