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2026 – Year of Internal Growth and Flexibility
It is not lost upon me that so many brands I have written about no longer exist. I have witnessed launches, blooms, and quiet foldings across beauty, fashion, and the food scene. Though I started this blog nineteen years ago, I’ve continued to use it as an outlet for lifestyle trends, revenue, and reflection. I’ve grown—so much. My baby dog is 10, my baby boy is 7. How did it all happen so fast?
Watching decades pass alongside new technology and AI, tools that could surely edit this for me, I feel deeply grateful. In the early years, I made it a ritual to recap and summarize all that I saw, did, and ate. From that reflection, I set intentions for what the next year would bring—what I would manifest. It was always about looking backward and forward at the same time, and being immensely grateful for it all.
Everyone has a writing style, and it improves with practice. But I stopped practicing. Not journaling is like not brushing your teeth—it all catches up to you. You forget… yourself. The most important part. The entire point. I am making it a priority to pick up where I left off and hope that the readers who have enjoyed the sponsored posts, all the content from Lulu, will be glad, your girl is back.
Imagine my delight when I rediscovered old photos on Tumblr and Flickr, lo-res videos on Vimeo, and events long forgotten. I’m so glad I habitually wrote, filmed, photographed, and blogged my life. Life zooms by fast, and I had forgotten so much of it—much to my dismay.
Now it’s 2026, and this marks the nineteenth birthday of my first baby: my blog, heydoyou! My online journal. My style guide. My brand book, so to speak. Remember Polyvore? Pinterest? I tried every platform, and pieces of my existence are scattered across the internet. Within that net are moments I lived, laughed through, and even forgot.
Many of you knew me through the blog, connected with me on Facebook, watched my stories on Instagram, and became both online friends and friends IRL. Thank you for tuning in. I know it’s not always exciting, but I try to give you the highlights—with a filter.
So here we are. A current update from the original influencer who grew up right in front of your eyes.
Today is Groundhog Day—sunny and in the 70s. It’s our tenth year in Las Vegas, and I continue to be amazed by what blooms in the desert. Both my husband and I are now in hospitality. After seven years as a stay-at-home mom, two as a substitute teacher, four as a soap maker, I am— for the first time in my life—joining a corporation. I am 41 and starting a whole new chapter and I wonder what’s in store for me. I have been reading and all this reading has just prompt me to write. I forgot how important this is, how writing hugs people when they didn’t realize they needed it. February is the month where it all happens – Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, my engagement, my wedding anniversary. The shortest month, packed in with the most. This reminds me of what Maya Angelou once said. A bird does not sing because it knows the answer, it sings because it has a song.
The Year of the Fire Horse will be about keeping a steady pace, moving forward, and making an impact. New strides. Forward motion.
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Denyce Graves Foundation Appoints Terry Eberhardt as Executive Director, Fortifying Commitment to Equity in Classical Vocal Arts
The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Terry Eberhardt as its new Executive Director, marking a significant stride towards advancing equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts. With a distinguished background in arts education, philanthropy, and community engagement, Eberhardt is poised to lead the foundation in championing the often-overlooked musical voices of the past and fostering the growth of exceptional young artists.
Boasting an illustrious career in arts management, education, and advocacy, Eberhardt brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As the Executive Director, he will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the Foundation, fostering collaborative partnerships, and driving the organization’s vision to reshape the landscape of classical vocal arts.
Denyce Graves-Montgomery, the Emmy® and Grammy® award-winning mezzo-soprano, and Founder and Artistic Director of DGF, warmly welcomes Eberhardt to the team, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Terry Eberhardt as our Executive Director. His leadership in the arts and dedication to community development perfectly align with what we represent. Together, we aim to broaden our impact and enrich lives through the transformative power of the arts.”
Eberhardt’s extensive career includes notable roles such as Music Coordinator at Howard County Public Schools, Associate Artistic Director at Young Artists of America, and CEO of Red Bridge Studios. His commitment to community building, amplifying marginalized voices, and nurturing cultural growth aligns seamlessly with the Foundation’s mission.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Eberhardt stated, “I am honored and excited to lead the Denyce Graves Foundation in its mission; the Foundation’s dedication to inclusivity and social impact deeply resonates with me, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.”
The Denyce Graves Foundation has firmly established itself in supporting emerging artists, advocating for the recognition of hidden musical figures in American history, and leveraging the arts as a catalyst for community progress. With Eberhardt at the helm, the Foundation aims to build a lasting legacy, strengthen pathways of opportunity for all, and amplify the transformative impact of the arts in fostering positive societal change.
About The Denyce Graves Foundation:
As a nonprofit organization anchored at the intersection of social justice, American history, and the arts, DGF seeks to expand the public’s understanding of the rich, multicultural history of classical music by bringing the stories of our nation’s hidden musical figures to light.
This is achieved through collaboration and alliance with renowned chroniclers, presenters and educators in history and culture, including The Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Opera, Library of Congress, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center, as well as with some of America’s elite Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Conservatories, and Schools of Music.
Founded by world-renowned opera star Denyce Graves, DGF celebrates trailblazing musicians, music educators, and composers of color through community engagement programs, concerts and presentations, creation of new works of art, establishment of young artist development training and more, as well as via social and traditional media. The Foundation sets the stage for true representation in American vocal arts by providing opportunities, access and exposure, that all singers need to take ownership of their talent and shape their own fulfilling careers. For more information, visit www.thedenycegravesfoundation.
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Vacation time? Make your vacation unforgettable with a bottle of Loft & Bear Vodka
Warmer temps are on the horizon…whether you prefer something fruity, refreshing or classic, Loft & Bear Vodka is the perfect ingredient for a cocktail to kick off the warm days!
A minority-owned and operated company, Loft & Bear is handcrafted in the heart of South Central, Los Angeles and acclaimed as the “whiskey-drinker’s vodka” by Los Angeles Magazine for its smoothness and rich aroma. The soft mouth-feel and subtle vanilla notes characterized by the soft winter wheat grains are the reason Loft & Bear was named one of six spirits from Southern California for summer sipping by the Los Angeles Times.
The spirits Loft & Bear produces and how it evolves in the beverage alcohol space will continue to be a reflection of their customer’s needs and their drive to innovate. Loft & Bear has a unique opportunity to fill a cultural void; to become the voice of a generation who’s shaping our future; getting more out of life, getting more out of yourself, getting more out of Loft & Bear spirit(s).
Production 4x distilled
exclusively in Downtown Los AngelesGRAIN
Soft Organic Winter Wheat; planted in the fall and harvested mid-summer, low protein, more complex carbs – great for biscuits, cakes, cookies, pastries, pie crusts… and VODKA of course!H2O
100% pure California mountain spring water. Slightly Alkaline. Cocktail Flavors: citrus-based & spirit-forwardNOSE
Full. Sweet vanilla bean & notes of floral.PALATE
Mild. Buttery, smooth, understated mellow wheat notes. Soft with a pleasant herbal flavor.FINISH
Medium. Elegant vanilla creaminess with a whisper of anise.
Origins of Loft & Bear
Loft & Bear is the brainchild of Paul Ryan Elliott, an east coast native and one of few black-owned distillery owners in the country. A graduate of University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Paul Ryan Elliott learned the art of distilling when his family’s construction company fell on hard times. While unemployed and living in Silver Spring, MD [where he’s from], Paul found himself with the decision to go back to school or continue with his distilling hobby. He put his business school hopes aside and invested a few years into diligent business planning. Set out with a strong desire to diversify and innovate within the beverage space, and after having lived in a hostel prior to opening his distillery [just the second distillery in LA since prohibition], it was during the summer of 2014, in a loft in downtown LA, loft & bear artisanal vodka was born, hence the name, loft & bear.Paul continues to work toward fulfilling long-term sustainable success and is encouraged by the opportunity to bring inclusivity and diversity of thought to the beverage alcohol industry. Loft & Bear’s commitment to social awareness is seen in its Distill.Drink.Donate program in which 5% of Loft & Bear profits are donated to PATH, a charity aimed at ending homelessness and providing support for distressed families, veterans affairs, and human services throughout Southern California. -
UNLV Assist. Professior – Dr Javon Johnson
“Black boys in this country cannot afford to play cops and robbers… if we’re always considered the latter.”– Javon Johnson, ‘cuz he’s black’Born from American spoken word poet, writer, and professor, Dr. Javon Johnson’s ‘cuz he’s black’, “Voicemails To My Future Self: Vol 1” brings to life a poem that reveals the struggle he faces in teaching his young, black nephew about the complexities of interacting with the police. Created by Raleigh, NC based video agency Myriad, the poem became a script to this short anthology series which is meant to be a platform for people to tell their unique stories. Myriad, as a part of their Myriad Originals series, set out to not only tell Dr Johnson’s story but also protect it and allow his vision to come forth.“In a lot of ways, voicemails are time capsules. The ways in which voicemails hold on to a certain type of livable past, that isn’t quite dead but might be gone, that’s the power of the medium. How it disturbs time. How it can make 10 years ago feel like this morning,” said Dr. Johnson. “Black folks are rarely afforded childhood in this country and I want them to see it. I want them to grapple with ‘how do we engage in the moment’.”About Javon Johnson:Dr. Javon Johnson is an Assistant Professor and Director of African American & African Diaspora studies and holds an appointment in Gender & Sexuality Studies in the Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He received his Ph.D. in Performance Studies with a certificate in Gender Studies and Cognate in African American Studies from Northwestern University in 2010. A renowned spoken word poet, he is a three-time national poetry slam champion, a four-time national finalist, and has appeared on appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, BET’s Lyric Café, TVOnes Verses & Flow, The Steve Harvey Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, United Shades of America with Kamau Bell on CNN, and co-wrote a documentary titled Crossover, which aired on Showtime, in collaboration with the NBA and Nike.About Myriad Originals:Myriad Originals are emotionally provocative films that inspire action. They are the stories of kindness and conflict, passion and conviction, escape, survival, and belonging, told by the people at the heart of the narratives.
