Chapter 40 Unfiltered: Reflecting on Life's Journey

My last Comm Moms blog post was on November 6, 2017. Back then, I was running my PR agency, Osei PR, full-time, with Nick as my 6-year-old fashion sidekick. I was navigating new adult friendships formed through a recently launched community that would evolve into an award winning nonprofit—District Motherhued. At that time, life felt busy but fulfilling. And yet, for reasons I can’t fully explain, I stopped blogging. Looking back, I’m so grateful I documented those moments. It’s wild to see how much my life has changed since then.

Turning 40 has been pivotal for me, especially as I reflect on my 14-year journey in PR. I began as a fashion publicist in New York. Living that Devil Wears Prada lifestyle actually deepened my love for the industry. Fashion was always my first love. Over the years, I transitioned to beauty PR—working with cosmetics, skincare, and now haircare. But something is pulling me back to fashion. Clothes are such an innate part of how I express myself, and I miss being immersed in that world. The strategy and storytelling behind fashion PR gave me a different kind of joy (and pain. Because real talk, beauty is easier and pays more).

I’ve spent my recent years crafting messages around beauty products and curl creams, and it's cool, but fashion is tugging at my heartstrings. The closest I can get right now is through fashion blogging and content creation. I’ve hesitated long enough—it's time to consistently create content that reflects who I truly am and have always been. So I decided to breathe new life into this space.

I really should have started fashion blogging back in 2010, during the peak blog era when Karla's Kloset, Marian Kihogo, The Man Repeller, Sea of Shoes, and Bryan Boy were my daily reads. My outfits were tea even back then (IYKYK) and the stories were plentiful. Like that time I visited Kelly Cutrone's showroom and I tweeted that the building was raggedy, and they blocked me within minutes. Or lugging garment bags through a blizzard on the NYMTA during fashion week.

I let imposter syndrome hold me back, waiting for the "perfect time." Fast forward 14 years, and I’m still waiting. But here’s the truth: there’s never a perfect time. Now, as I embrace 40, I realize it’s time to stop waiting, because time is not promised. My sister's recent untimely passing has shown me that.

It’s funny how life comes full circle. When I first launched this blog, I had two boys, and I couldn’t have imagined attending Fashion Week with a daughter by my side. But life has a way of surprising us. Today, I have a five-year-old daughter, Fancy Faye, and I’m blessed to share moments I once only dreamed about. I remember watching June Ambrose take her daughter Summer to Fashion Week and thinking, “That will never be me.” Fast forward to 2024, and I am ready to take the shows with my daughter. 2025 is going to be a fashion ki.

Motherhood has taught me to be present at every stage of my children’s lives. Jaylen, my 23-year-old (that I had when I was 16-years-old), is thriving in Spain, living life unapologetically. He'll probably be the child to retire me, lol. Nick, my first fashion subject, is a true baller, sweet, smart, chill, and on the cusp of his teenage years. And my perfect and sassy daughter, Fancy Faye, is growing up right before my eyes. When I found out I was having a daughter, I knew she was going to be that girl, and she is literally everything I could've prayed for in a daughter. Although I'm pulled in so many directions, my boundaries are set. I want to be there for my kids for every moment that matters.

Motherhood and PR aside, wellness is (for the most part) a constant. I can't wife, mom, work, or lead a team if I'm not well. I'm in my step aerobics era and I love this for me. I've actually been stepping since 2013, but adopted Xtreme Hip Hop Step during the pandemic. XHH has become a lifeline. Xtreme isn’t just a workout; it’s therapy, community, and a source of joy. Every step class frees, challenges, occasionally humbles, and connects me with others, including my beloved #StepSisters. Its become non-negotiable—something I don’t miss because it centers me in ways I never expected. I'm so grateful Xtreme life chose me.

Reflecting over the last 10 years, there's so much I wish I'd pursued, decisions I wish I could take back. But I realize that each chapter has brought its own lessons and gifts. There have been moments of joy, periods of uncertainty, and everything in between. #84babies spiraled as we approached our milestone year (some more than others) because 40 looks different across the board. But overall, I'm incredibly PRoud of my overall progression, and like Aunt Bevy Smith says, "It gets greater later".

As I move into this new decade, I’m embracing clarity, structure, and fearlessness. The next 10 years will be shaped by my choices and actions. No more waiting for the perfect moment or blaming my circumstances (because they're favorable AF). I possess everything I need to succeed at whatever I choose to pursue, and I’m ready to step (pun intended) into what’s next—whether it’s fashion, motherhood, or personal growth. I have the power to make the next decade the best of my life, and I’m committed to doing just that.

So here I am, picking up where I left off seven years ago, but with a different lens—a richer understanding of life’s ebb and flow. I’m excited to share more of my journey, lessons learned, and the unfiltered realities of this season of life.

The woman you see in the next 5 to 10 years will be the result of God's will and my actions. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

Here’s to the next chapter, and all that it will bring.