Welcome to the beautiful and fruitful month of September. I'm genuinely so happy and excited to be here, and I hope you are too. I've been looking forward to sharing this dress with you, and I'm thrilled that my very first fashion post this month is about this amazing, colorful Flora Bloom dress.
This dress, which has a beautiful, busy floral design, truly represents how I want this new month to be: fresh and full of life. It's a lovely dress by LoralGal, a size small, and it sits above my knee.
I actually had a little moment with the styling. I initially tried on a pair of busy earrings, and even though my partner told me they looked nice, something felt off. When I took the first photo, I just knew they weren't the right match. I have these pearl earrings that I keep in a box, so I quickly swapped them out, and it made all the difference! The pearl earrings toned down the "noisy" floral pattern on the dress and made the whole look feel well put together, not too cluttered. The design is just so vibrant a mix of red flora on blue, yellow, and pink backgrounds that it needed a simple accessory to let the dress shine.
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I am genuinely happy to welcome everyone to the beautiful and fruitful month of September.
Key Verse: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
Text — Ephesians 2:13-22
If you've ever traveled across a few time zones, you know the feeling. One minute you're buzzing with excitement for your trip, and the next you're a tired, groggy zombie, waking up at 3 a.m. for no reason. That’s jet lag for you. The frustrating result of your body's internal clock being completely thrown off.
On short trips, you can often power through, but when you're crossing multiple time zones, it becomes much harder to adjust. Thankfully, you don’t have to just suffer through it. There are simple, effective strategies you can use to help your body adapt and get back in sync with your destination’s schedule.
I've always been fascinated by the intricacies of the human brain, but my medical knowledge didn't fully prepare me for my friend. She's brilliant and creative but a whirlwind of contradictions. She'll hyperfocus on a new hobby for days, then completely forget our plans from a few hours earlier. Her conversations jump from one topic to the next so fast it feels like a verbal rollercoaster. I’ve often found myself wondering, "Is this just a personality quirk, or is something else at play?" While I had a clinical understanding of ADHD, seeing it manifest in a friend's everyday life was a different experience entirely.
One of the most confusing things I noticed was during our friendly debates. We'd argue about an issue, like health statistics in a particular country, and she would debate while clearly reading from her phone, as if we didn't notice. We were arguing about what we'd already read, but she'd be looking up facts in real-time, often switching to an entirely different, unrelated topic mid-argument. It was so draining, and it always left me feeling dismissed and incredibly frustrated.
I read Shanna Pearson's book, Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women, an educative read. Published in late 2025, this isn't just another textbook; it's a compassionate and practical guide that bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and lived experience. Pearson, a seasoned ADHD coach with a background in psychology, has created a resource that speaks directly to the often-misunderstood presentation of ADHD in women.
The book is an absolute game-changer because it moves beyond the stereotypes of inattentive or hyperactive types and goes into the nuanced, "invisible" symptoms that many women, and even some men, experience. It reframes what we think of as disorganization or flightiness as a result of a neurodivergent brain struggling with executive functions.
Pearson's approach is both validating and empowering. She explains that it’s not a character flaw but rather a neurological difference that can be managed with the right tools. The book provides over 100 practical strategies for everything from managing emotional dysregulation to structuring daily life. To help you understand its core concepts, here's a simplified table illustrating a few key examples from the book.
The Path to Solutions: What I Learned from the Book
Beyond simply validating the "why," Pearson's book provides a powerful "how." She offers a treasure trove of practical, everyday solutions that don't rely on willpower but on working with the ADHD brain's natural wiring. It's like being handed a user's manual for a brilliant but sometimes chaotic operating system.
Another key area the book addresses is the procrastination loop, which is often not about laziness but about a lack of dopamine. Starting a task can feel like climbing a vertical wall. Pearson's solutions focus on generating that crucial motivation.
One of the most confusing things I noticed was during our friendly debates. We'd argue about an issue, like health statistics in a particular country, and she would debate while clearly reading from her phone, as if we didn't notice. We were arguing about what we'd already read, but she'd be looking up facts in real-time, often switching to an entirely different, unrelated topic mid-argument. It was so draining, and it always left me feeling dismissed and incredibly frustrated.
I read Shanna Pearson's book, Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women, an educative read. Published in late 2025, this isn't just another textbook; it's a compassionate and practical guide that bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and lived experience. Pearson, a seasoned ADHD coach with a background in psychology, has created a resource that speaks directly to the often-misunderstood presentation of ADHD in women.
The book is an absolute game-changer because it moves beyond the stereotypes of inattentive or hyperactive types and goes into the nuanced, "invisible" symptoms that many women, and even some men, experience. It reframes what we think of as disorganization or flightiness as a result of a neurodivergent brain struggling with executive functions.
Pearson's approach is both validating and empowering. She explains that it’s not a character flaw but rather a neurological difference that can be managed with the right tools. The book provides over 100 practical strategies for everything from managing emotional dysregulation to structuring daily life. To help you understand its core concepts, here's a simplified table illustrating a few key examples from the book.
| Common Behavior | Underlying ADHD Challenge | Pearson's Practical Tool |
| Forgetting appointments/tasks | Poor working memory and task initiation. | "The Two-Minute Rule": If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately to prevent it from being forgotten. |
| Emotional outbursts or overreactions | Emotional dysregulation. The brain struggles to filter and process intense feelings. | "The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique": A simple mindfulness exercise to quickly anchor yourself in the present and regain control. |
| Chronic disorganization/messiness | Difficulty with long-term planning and sustained attention. | "The 'Clutter-Free' Hotspot": Designate one small area (like a bedside table) to always keep clear, providing a visual cue of control. |
The Path to Solutions: What I Learned from the Book
Beyond simply validating the "why," Pearson's book provides a powerful "how." She offers a treasure trove of practical, everyday solutions that don't rely on willpower but on working with the ADHD brain's natural wiring. It's like being handed a user's manual for a brilliant but sometimes chaotic operating system.
One of the core concepts is Externalizing Information. For brains that struggle with working memory, keeping everything in your head is a recipe for disaster. This explains why my friend often forgets plans or jumps from one topic to another. The solution is to get it out of your head and into a trusted, external system. Pearson suggests things like:
- "The Brain Dump": Instead of trying to hold on to a dozen different thoughts, a person with ADHD can simply write them all down on a piece of paper or in a note-taking app. This frees up mental space and prevents that overwhelming feeling of having too much to do at once. It's like clearing out your computer's RAM so it can run faster.
- Creating a "Command Center": This is a designated, highly visible spot where all essential items like keys, wallet, and phone live. The idea is to make it impossible to lose them, as there is only one place to look. This might mean a specific hook by the door for keys or a tray for phones, so they don't spend twenty minutes searching for them, wasting time.
- "The Two-Minute Rule": This simple idea is deceptively effective. If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This could be putting a dish in the dishwasher, sending a quick email, or taking out the trash. These small, completed tasks provide a tiny hit of dopamine and build momentum, making it easier to tackle bigger projects.
- "Body Doubling": This is the concept of doing a task alongside someone else to stay focused. For many with ADHD, simply being in the presence of another person who is also working can help them stay on task. This might explain why my friend can't focus alone but can get things done while on the phone with me. It creates a gentle, external sense of accountability that bypasses the internal struggle.
Oh my goodness, I still can’t get over how joyful, grateful, and just plain happy I am about my partner’s birthday! We celebrated yesterday, August 19, and by the grace of God, everything turned out even better than I could have planned.
I asked him a few times what he wanted to do for his birthday, and he kept suggesting something simple, similar to what we did for mine. I really wanted to make this day special for him. So, the day before, I went out in the morning and picked up some blue helium balloons, a card from Card Factory that I later personalized to make it feel even more special, got choclates and some other little big things.
I also made sure to cook one of his favorite meals, party jollof rice. I had planned on using fresh mutton, but when I went to the butcher, they hadn’t cut it yet, and I didn’t have time to wait. I ended up getting fresh beef instead, and it turned out amazing. My partner said it was delicious, and you know what? He was right! I have to say that I rarely make bad meals. I’m just blessed with the gift of cooking tasty food.
I didn't want to wait until midnight to wish him a happy birthday, so I gave him his gifts and sang to him with the candles lit on his chocolate cake. We spent the evening together, enjoying some cold drinks and talking about how excited we were about his birthday road trip.
We had our hearts set on spending the day in nature, but we didn’t decide on a specific location until we were already on our way. At first, we considered the Inner Clyde Nature Reserve, but then I suggested going to Ben A'an. We left around 2:45 p.m., and since it’s a long journey, we knew it was too late for a proper hike. We drove toward the area anyway, but once we got there, we decided to turn around and head to a different spot in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Our map led us to Balloch Castle Country Park, which is part of the Trossachs and has incredible views overlooking Loch Lomond. It was perfect. The park is beautiful and so well-kept. The castle itself is closed to the public, so we just took a few photos of it and continued exploring. We walked through the green fields and eventually found a spot by the loch (river) for our meal. We initially attempted to sit at a wooden table; however, the bees were completely uncooperative. The bees kept perching on us, and I was afraid of getting stung. So we found a quieter spot right by the water, where we ate our food and enjoyed some cake. We took more photos and watched the birds, ducks, and some dogs playing catch with their owners. It was so relaxing and peaceful.
Around 8:45 p.m., we returned, watched a movie, and concluded our day. We had originally thought about dressing up and going to a restaurant with a view, but restaurants here close early. We were also pretty tired, and I’m so happy we decided to just stay in. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful day.
I’ll be sharing more photos from Balloch Castle Country Park on the blog soon, but for now, this is the dress I wore for the day. It’s absolutely beautiful and has this gorgeous blue floral print that gives off the perfect summer vacation vibe. It's long and modest, but the breast area was an issue for me. It was so uncomfortable, and I had to constantly adjust myself to make sure I didn't pop out. If I had a larger chest, it would have been impossible to wear. It's a shame because the dress looked so decent on the website. I’ll be reaching out to the brand Stylewe to give them some feedback. Anyways, they get to read my review.
Use code JAC20 for 20% off.
I did my hair on Saturday, but it is starting to get a little rough, and I know why. I didn't use my usual stylist. The one who did my hair for my birthday makes my styles last so much longer. Still, I love how the photos turned out. The lush greenery in the background gave them an exotic, almost wedding-like feel. I guess I could pass for a wedding guest in this dress, so long as the chest is fixed.
Happy Birthday to My Love
Finally, I want to give a special birthday shoutout to my amazing partner. Thank you for always reminding me to live a Christ-like life, for showing me what true love is, and for loving me just for being me. Every moment we spend together is so satisfying because you don't mind what we're doing, as long as we're doing it together. God bless you, my love. I know the blessings for this new year of your life have already come from heaven, and I pray they have and are already manifesting in our lives. May you make heaven in Jesus' name, amen.
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