Black Girls Living Lavishly

There’s something sacred about setting aside time to rest in beauty. I didn’t fully understand that until the year I went yachting in the Seychelles. It was supposed to be a vacation; a reward for pushing through another exhausting season. But what I didn’t know then was that my body was on the edge of collapse. I had been running on empty, performing through burnout, and using every ounce of strength to stay afloat. That trip became my soft landing before I finally took medical leave for my mental health.

There’s a specific kind of healing that happens at sea. The fresh air wraps around you like prayer. The sunlight seeps into your bones until your whole nervous system starts to remember what peace feels like. I spent my days taking long naps on the deck, listening to the sound of waves brushing against the hull, and eating freshly caught tuna prepared right on the yacht. On La Digue, I hiked through lush trails and watched the sun melt into the Indian Ocean, painting the horizon in gold and lavender.

By the end of that trip, I wasn’t magically healed, but I was softer. The memories of that place became a balm I carried with me through my recovery. Every time I closed my eyes and remembered the sea, I found the strength to try again. I’m one day closer to getting back to the Seychelles, my favorite place on earth.

But here’s the truth: Black women shouldn’t have to wait until we’re breaking to rest. Our bodies hold generations of resilience, but also generations of stress. We experience higher rates of inflammation, heart disease, and hypertension; all conditions deeply tied to chronic stress and self-neglect. Healing is not just emotional; it’s biological. Rest isn’t indulgence; it’s prevention.

That’s why I’ve created Rooted: A Winter Sanctuary and Black Elegance Weekend at the Mansion at Noble Lane, set in the beautiful Poconos. These experiences are designed for women like us: women who love luxury, softness, and community, and who are ready to pour back into themselves.

The Mansion is barefoot luxury at its best. You wander down to breakfast in your fluffy robe, sip tea by the fire, and dine on delicate china while laughter fills the air. The rooms are cozy and inviting, the grounds are peaceful, and the energy is pure serenity. It’s the kind of place where you can reconnect with yourself, your purpose, and other Black women who lead with kindness and grace.

Only two rooms remain for Rooted: A Winter Getaway, and I can’t think of a more nourishing way to start the year. Come rest. Come breathe. Come remember what it feels like to be held by beauty so you can return to the world refreshed, rested, and ready to share your light again.