the darlin’ and the not so darlin’

Today the Meditate in Style tee collection is officially open for preorder.

And before I ask you to shop, I want to share the heart behind it.

Because this was never just about creating shirts.

It was about creating something that feels like freedom.

Something women can wear that reminds them they do not need to be perfect to be worthy, beautiful, stylish, peaceful, or enough.

This collection was born from the story behind Not So Darlin’ Tonya.

The word darlin’ is a nod to my roots and to my grandmother Josie, who used to say it all the time. When I hear it now, it feels like comfort. It feels like family. It feels like home.

But for a long time, I thought I needed to be darling.

Polished.
Perfect.
Easygoing.
Pretty at all times.
Pleasing to everyone around me.

I thought being loved meant being impressive.

I thought being accepted meant hiding the messy parts.

I thought confidence meant never letting anyone see me struggle.

I rarely left the house without makeup.

I worried about what people thought.

I worked hard to appear like I had it all together, even when inside I felt far from it.

Then life began to humble me, soften me, and wake me up.

Motherhood changed me.

Moving away from the town I grew up in changed me.

Recovering from an eating disorder changed me.

Finding meditation changed me.

Losing my mama changed me in ways words still can’t fully explain.

And somewhere inside all of those seasons…

Healing happened.

I began to understand that chasing perfection is a full-time job.

One that pays in burnout.

In anxiety.

In comparison.

In self-abandonment.

In exhaustion from trying to maintain an image instead of honoring your truth.

And sometimes… it costs you joy.

So now?

I’m proudly Not So Darlin’.

I am imperfect.

I am healing.

I am emotional.

I am learning.

I am stylish some days, running late other days, and in a baggy tee with messy hair many days.

I am still worthy in all of it.

That truth became the heartbeat of this brand.

And it’s also how Meditate in Style was born.

Because I believe meditation is not just something you do for ten minutes with candles lit and everything quiet.

Meditation is how you meet your life.

It’s how you breathe through hard moments.

How you speak to yourself when you mess up.

How you return to yourself in the middle of chaos.

How you choose peace, even imperfectly.

And style?

Style can be part of that too.

Because what you wear can be a reflection of how you want to feel.

Comfortable.

Confident.

Grounded.

Expressive.

Alive.

You can wear leggings and feel powerful.

You can wear sneakers and feel feminine.

You can throw on a blazer over a graphic tee and remember who you are.

You can choose clothes that support your real life, not just perform for appearances.

You can rest.

You can laugh loudly.

You can start over.

You can be deep and playful.

You can be soft and strong.

You can be spiritual and still love fashion.

You can meditate in style, baby.

That’s what these tees are.

Wearable reminders.

To breathe.

To soften.

To stop taking perfection so seriously.

To remember that real confidence is presence.

To know that your life does not need to look flawless to be beautiful.

And maybe, if I’m honest…

They’re also proof that it’s never too late to honor an old dream.

I’ve always loved style.

Always loved creativity.

Always loved the feeling clothes can give you.

So I guess I can officially add fashion designer to my lifelong dream list now.

Be sure to check out the entire Meditate in Style Collection today! Pre-orders close May 13th.