As someone who works a 9-to-5 job, runs a side hustle from 5-to-10, and also incorporates other various activities into her daily life, you would think that I’d be pretty exhausted all the time. People ask me how I find the minutes and hours in a day to handle both a full time job and my blog while being a social butterfly, and my answer has always been, “I don’t know, I just kind of do it.” Hard work and dedication are probably the two things that play into my ability to accomplish everything on my daily to-do lists. But there is one thing I couldn’t make it all happen without: SLEEP. That’s right. For all you nappers out there, this is your time to shine. Hit that snooze button because we are going back to bed—in a Big Fig Mattress, of course!

Let’s get cozy 
In all seriousness though, a good night’s sleep positions me to be on my A-game the next day, and when I wake up in the morning, I feel refreshed and ready for whatever the day brings. But it wasn’t always like that. Have you ever rolled out of bed after sleeping for what feels like five minutes and your entire day feels off? You miss the train, spill coffee on your brand new silk blouse, your email inbox is off the chain, and then you have to stay late at work because your to-do list just keeps getting longer and longer? That used to be me two years ago. No matter what time I went to bed, what side I slept on, which essential oils I diffused, I never felt well rested in the morning. I woke up with back and neck pain, and what’s worse: my jaw hurt from clenching it all night because I was stressed out. Imagine not having a good night’s sleep night after night after night. It adds up and takes a horrendous toll on your body, and it could be holding you back from your dreams and goals.

Is there a mattress specifically for plus size bodies? 
Like I previously mentioned, it doesn’t matter what sleep sounds you ask Alexa to play at night or which essential oils you diffuse, it really all comes down to the mattress you are sleeping on. When I started mattress shopping, I wasn’t sure which one would work for me. I thought the mattresses that were packaged in a box and expended once you unpackaged them were cool and easy to move up to my apartment, but I soon learned that they weren’t made for my body. Why did I ever think a mattress like that would work for me? As a plus size individual, the “one size fits all” kind of clothing never worked for me, so why would a “one size fits all” mattress give me a great night’s sleep? That’s when I came across Big Fig Mattress, the first mattress built for a bigger figure. Still, I was skeptical, and even as a plus size individual, I didn’t know what a mattress needed to have for it to be perfect for my body type. So I investigated.

What makes a mattress suitable for a bigger figure?  
To figure out how was the Big Fig Mattress was going to be different from all of the rest, I had to analyze the problems I was dealing with while sleeping. I narrowed it down to the fact that my old mattress has a lack of support, the materials of the mattress shifted, and it had a weak foundation. And it was only a couple of years old. So when Big Fig told me their mattress would last 20 years or longer, and had that they had the test results to prove it, I was sold. Additionally, the mattress has features like 1600 pocketed coil springs to support the neck and back, three layers of high-density poly foam for no-sag cushioning, and the mattress has been tufted in 16 places to keep the internal materials from shifting. But my favorite feature of the Big Fig Mattress is the ThermoGel quilted top that keeps me cool throughout the night. Lastly, I had the option of ordering a heavy-duty (and virtually indestructible) bed frame made out of recycled railroad steel, which was uniquely made for the Big Fig Mattress.

Sleep like a girl boss 
Sure enough, the mattress has immensely changed the way I sleep through the night. I no longer wake up with aches and pains in my neck and back, and I can even spring out of bed at 5:30 a.m., if I need to (I used to hit the snooze button until 7 a.m. and then be late for work). I can’t wait to crawl into bed at night, and I often lay and sit on it while I am working because it’s where I feel most comfortable (Yes, my desk feels neglected). Everyone deserves to sleep throughout the night and wake up feeling refreshed and re-energized, and I truly believe that a good night’s sleep is the foundation that every go-getter needs to hustle their heart out and make their dreams a reality. But you don’t have to take my word for it, you can try out the Big Fig Mattress with a 120 night trial to see if it’s the perfect fit for you, too. And right now, Big Fig is having a HUGE Holiday Sale!

Just imagine being around more than 500 women—who all want to better themselves, launch a business, and empower other women—for 12 straight hours. It’s pretty incredible, and as you could probably guess, I am on an all-time high from attending Create & Cultivate‘s conference this past weekend in Chicago.

I wanted to be sure that I dressed the part since I would be around hundreds of other fashionable and unique girl bosses. So I partnered with JCPenney, a main sponsor behind the conference, and a one-stop shopping destination offering a variety of stylish and affordable fashion and home decor merchandise. Yeah, I said home decor—you should have seen their booth at Create and Cultivate, it was essentially the office of my dreams! (See the photo above!)

JCPenney offers a variety of high-quality, stylish pieces for plus size women at great value. I wore this Worthington Stripe Tie Front Jumpsuit, which is priced at only $34.99. I ordered a size 18w, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. Y’all know I love a good, versatile jumpsuit, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was so comfortable, and hugged my curves in all the right places. The stripes and the tie waist were subtle details that created a bold look, and I will definitely be making this jumpsuit a consistent part of my wardrobe.

Now, let’s get into some real talk: Earlier in this post, I said I wanted to “dress the part,” and here is why: In crowds, I can feel anxious and I also compare myself to others especially when I am around women in my same industry or line of work. It’s something I really dislike about myself, but I also know that many women experience this same feeling. I recognized that an event like this, I may be susceptible to feeling insecure. But one way that I move through these insecurities is through fashion. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I turn to clothes as a way to build confidence and channel power and strength during moments of weakness. So it was critical that I wore an outfit that made me feel powerful, beautiful and confident. As soon as I slipped the Worthington Stripe Tie Front Jumpsuit on, I felt a rush of confidence, and I knew that I was ready to take on this conference like the boss babe I was.

I attended panel discussions and keynote speeches around building an audience, the evolving workforce of tomorrow, shattering the glass ceiling, and fearlessly pursuing your passion. It was refreshing to hear so many women share their career paths and the lessons they learned. But seeing the look on their faces and tone of their voices when they spoke about their passions was truly captivating. The emotions conveyed an experienced that really reinvigorated me to approach both my career and side hustle with gusto.

Here are some of the most memorable takeaways I got from attending Create and Cultivate with JCPenney:
– Regarding compensation at work or on a project you are working on for your side hustle: ALWAYS negotiate. Women are grossly underpaid in the corporate world. Research ways to negotiate and ask for that raise! Make sure you backup your request for a raise with salary statistics for your position in your location, as well as a list of accomplishments you have reached while at your company. When ti comes to pricing a project for your side hustle or sending your rates to a potential client, know your worth! If people approach you with special projects or work, they see value in you. If they say they don’t have the budget, negotiate or respectfully decline the opportunity if it’s not worth it for you to extend your services for free!
– Don’t give up! Everyone faces obstacles, not just entrepreneurs developing a new business or product. Assess your obstacle and determine a way that you can adapt and overcome it. Don’t let it stop you in your tracks. The sooner you figure out a plan of attack, the closer you are to achieving your goal! Never let an obstacle derail you!
– Storytelling is everything! As a society, we are so compelled by the stories of others. When trying to  effectively communicate your message, create a story and share your narrative! People love when they can genuinely relate to others.
– ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, AND MOVE THROUGH LIFE BOLDLY AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18w in this Worthington Stripe Tie Front Jumpsuit, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly!