u/AcrobaticRub5938

Hi all,

I'm looking for a recommendation for a fun, but not super expensive, off season beach weekend, no further than 2-3 hours from DC. I was thinking Delaware/Rehoboth and we'd focus on the breweries, restaurants, beach, etc. But would love suggestions. Even for places to stay or Airbnbs you'd highly recommend. This would be for early October.

I know it'll be cold but I love the ocean, even when I just get to look at it.

Please share the details! Did you go to the courthouse and then have reception at the restaurant? Did you have both the ceremony and reception at the restaurant? Was there dancing? How many guests? Even though I'm in my early 30s, I've only been to 4 weddings in my adult life. I've never been to a restaurant wedding so I don't know if I have the best realistic idea of it. Loosely planning, but looking for something for 60 guests.

I thought that Mecca was being extremely disrespectful when talking about Bella. Bella is a beautiful woman. His emphasis and jokes about it was when he saw her ass he got sprung was so dehumanizing. She doesn't even have an ass. It was just so gross to intentionally reduce a Black woman to that (he knew what he was doing), especially one who is so gorgeous. He could have easily said he was hooked as soon as he saw her face or something. I truly dislike him.

I also cannot stand when men only talk about what a woman does for them when listing the reasons they like them. So you like Bella because she can be your therapist? Why didn't you list her traits? Ugh. Just loser behavior.

Also, why is no one asking him *why* he rated the attraction levels the way he did? Why has he never taken accountability for that? Has he ever reassured Bella after that with his words, not just by suddenly being more affectionate and expecting her to reciprocate.

She deserves better. Hate this for her because she seems so kind.

I've always had a lot of bloating. But now at 32, I'm feeling satisfied with my general diet. I also exercise 4x a week (2x a week Orange Theory and 2x strength training). I also walk as much as I can, either out and about since I live in a city and don't have a car or an incline in the treadmill.

All that to say, I'm pretty active and know a lot of advice can include that but I already feel like I have that checked.

The frustrating part is that it's not even "unhealthy" foods that bloat me. It's a wide variety of things - eggs, asparagus, cauliflower, hummus, broccoli, etc etc. I don't feel like taking all these things and more out of my diet!

But I'm so tired of my stomach ballooning very often after eating.

Has anyone found relief with this? Something they do before they eat?

I think there are so many scams and false claims so.id rather hear directly from people who have had success.

Has anyone noticed how all the women this season are very thin? I haven't watched MAFS in years but I feel like there used to be a bit of range. Even on other saying shows where the women are mostly thin, there's still a spectrum. I'm a size 4 and I would feel huge next to all of them. Is this a Seattle thing?

Very cute apartment and neighborhood. Rent is $1,798. Would love to stay here if it weren't for unexpected family obligations. The building is Takoma Central https://www.takomacentral.com/?utm\_source=PayPerClick-GPROP&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=HPN-Takoma-Central-Brand&utm\_term=takoma%20central&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=20872017073&gbraid=0AAAAAqnw84rJZ8sfHo6vuP9bRYgIlz3R2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyuDkuJTilQMVEW1HAR1KkxkWEAAYASAAEgK6ovD\_BwE.

Such a walkable neighborhood - 3 minutes to the metro, Busboys next door and 5 minute walk to a ton of great restaurants and cafes.

I bought a condo a few years ago in my late 20s, and in hindsight, it was a mistake. It was not a smart financial decision. For the first time, I had a salary I only dreamed about and I was newly single so I was itching for a fresh start. I bit off more than I could chew and the mortgage and condo fee ended up being such a burden. Not only that but the money I've spent for HVAC repairs, etc. have also been a burden. I haven't lived in the condo for a couple of years and have been renting it (with the rent still not covering complete costs) but now I may have to move back. I want to sell it so badly but it just wouldn't make sense with the market right now.

When people hear I own in a HCOL city, they get impressed (except for men I date but that's a different story) but I kind of just feel shame and I'm quick to say it wasn't a good decision. It's sad because I was so happy when I first got it and it was such a source of joy for a while. I also make $25k more than I was making when I first bought it but inflation and COL makes it still tight. If I were renting, I would be in such a different financial position.

I was also highly delusional and idealistic 4 years ago when I first bought it and that is not the current me at all. I just thought "things would work out" or that I'd quickly find a new partner and I'd be splitting costs soon anyway. Again, very delusional. My early 30s self wishes I could have sat down with my late 20s self.

Are any other ladies in a similar situation? How do you manage, either practically or in terms of changing your mindset? I'm usually not the person who dwells on past decisions at all but this one has such an effect...

I've had chemical peels sporadically since I was a teenager, so I'm very familiar with them and never had any issues. However, the last time I had one in DC a few years ago, the peel left a dark shade in my face that took monthhsss to resolve. This was from a reputable place in Georgetown and I was shocked that this happened. They gave me free facials and things until it calmed down but it was a terrible experience. I later learned that this can happen when estheticians do not know how to apply properly for darker skin tones.

I've done a VI peel since then and it was great, but this was in a different state. Now that I'm back in DC, I'm looking for recommendations from brown skinned ladies who've had great results. I'm specifically looking to reduce post-acne hyperpigmentation with medium grade peels.

Thanks!

I am getting tired of my shit. I have been trying to go to bed at a reasonable hour literally for about 10 years. But now that I'm in my early 30s, I need it more than ever. I would love to get a good 8 hours, be able to wake up on time instead of hitting snooze and not constantly having rushed mornings and being late to work. I'm tired of feeling tired and low energy all the time, but especially during the afternoons when the slump hits me HARD. I also want to feel the benefits of adequate sleep on my body, health, energy, and temperament.

The biggest barrier is getting started on my getting ready for bed routine. It's very long because I take a shower at night and it is impossible for me to take short showers (I also don't want to and want to enjoy my long showers). But when I think about all the steps of getting ready - taking off my contacts and clothes, showering, drying off, putting on oil and lotion, skincare routine, flossing, brushing my teeth and putting on my pajamas- I get overwhelmed and can't bring myself to just get started. By the time I get home from yoga or the gym, it's already late - like 8pm. I think I would need to start my routine at 9:30pm to be in bed on time. But I feel like that doesn't give me enough time to myself (social media, funny videos, reading articles, reading my book, or watching my show while eating dinner, cleaning up, etc). And because I want to keep enjoying these things, I ignore the clock and procrastinate and don't get started until at least 11pm. And then I fall asleep anywhere from 1am-2am. I honestly don't really understand the time vacuum and exactly why my routine is sooo long. I don't know how to shorten it because each step feels necessary. I'm envious of people who take 10-15 minutes for everything but I just can't. By the time I get out of the bathroom, I'm always shocked by how much time has gone by.

Even the two days I work from home, I still end up doing the same thing.

But I'm sick of it and want the feeling of being consistently well-rested.

For those of you who have had similar struggles but managed to overcome them, please share your tips on what worked for you! I know I'm capable of changing very long-term bad habits that seemed insurmountable (first with working out and more recently with cooking meals regularly). But for some reason, I haven't been able to crack this one.