Admire Her!

"The two women exchanged the kind of glance women use when no knife is handy."  ~Ellery Queen

I truly don't understand why women are hateful to one another. It's like everyday is a big competition; who has the better clothes, better hair, who's smarter, skinnier, etc. It's very sad. What's even more upsetting is that it's not just the young and dumb girls who are hateful, it's ADULT WOMEN! Women who should know better than to act in such a way. 

Women, in general, talk about how men make us insecure because they judge us solely on how we look and not for the person we are on the inside. This almost makes me laugh. Why? Because women judge each other more than men do! When men judge women, they are just being shallow. They have some kind of fantasy of the girl they want to be with. When it comes to women, they are just down right trying to be mean and hurtful. For no other reason than they are 1) jealous 2) insecure and 3) childish.

I work at a mall and you won't believe how many dirty looks I get from females daily over nothing! I've even heard a group of girls debating over whether or not my hair is real right behind me like I couldn't hear them! They were just waiting for me to say something smart so they could jump on me! (By the way, YES my hair is very real, I just take very good care of it.) If I'm feeling insecure about myself I am most certainly not going to let the person who is making feel that way know it! By them being rude and obnoxious only lets me know that I have something they want. When you get to be a certain age you realize that there is way too much going on in the world to be focused on petty things.

I may not always be 100% comfortable with who I am, BUT that doesn't mean that I'm going to be mean and make someone else feel bad about themselves. I have no problem whatsoever telling another female that her hair is nice or that I like her shoes etc. If women admired each other more there would be so much more peace! People are so scared of being nice to one another! Why? I shouldn't feel like a jerk because I gave YOU a compliment! If someone compliments you, be thankful, be nice! On the other end, if you see a girl who has great hair, killer shoes, or a handbag to die for...TELL HER...ADMIRE HER!! STOP being mean! :)

My New Favorite Scent!

For my birthday, my good friend Yvonne gave me Sarah Jessica Parkers' latest scent inspired by the movie Sex and the City! I LOVE it! It totally captures the essence of SJP's character in the movie, Carrie Bradshaw!

Merging fragrance and fashion together in a surprising new way!

Top Notes:

Wild Red Strawberries

Italian Mandarin

White Osmanthus

Middle Notes:

Gardenia

Honeysuckle

Mimosa

Bottom Notes:

Rum Flavor

Sandalwood

Creamy Musks

What a loud combination! I am in love with this scent! I guess I have more in common with Carrie Bradshaw than I thought!

More Than Words!

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

-Charles R. Swindoll, American writer and clergyman 

Well said! :)

I'm A Druggie!

OK I do not have a drug problem! When I say druggie I'm referring to beauty products that drugstores carry, mass products. We all know (or may not know) that mass (drugstore) and prestige (department store) products are one in the same! Half of them are made in the same factories, the only difference is the price, brand, and service that you get. When I was younger I bought all of my products from drugstores, if Walgreens or CVS had it, I had it too! As I got older, I became fancy! I only wanted my beauty products to come from department stores! The more they cost the higher the quality...WRONG! It's all the same! So here are a few of my favorites that get me 'right' at a reasonable price!

Lash Stiletto Mascara by Maybelline, +/- $7 (my favorite lengthening mascara)

Skin Brightening Daily Scrub by Aveeno Naturals, $9

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil, $3

Exact Eyelights by CoverGirl, $9

Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss by L'Oreal, $9

Dream Matte Mousse Foundation by Maybelline, $9

My Addiction!

 This is another article I stumbled upon on LA Times about hoarding beauty products. Some of us women (myself included) buy so many products that we don't even notice when some of them are past their expiration. Not getting rid of products because you may "need it one day" is an excuse that even I use to justify me keeping them. This article advises that every season you should throw 4 of your products and buy 5 new ones! Sounds like a plan, DEAL!

Read the full article here!

Hair Myths Revealed!

I am always reading interesting articles that pertain to beauty to occupy my time! I found this article this morning on Yahoo! Shine about hair myths. Various hairstylists and doctors weigh in on the matter. I must say, more than half of them are ones that I have always believed to be true! Here are a few that I thought to be the most interesting!

Myth: Frequent trims make the hair grow faster.
Truth: "Hair grows a half-inch per month, whether you cut it or not," says John Barrett, owner of the John Barrett Salon in New York City. Hair may grow slightly faster in the summer, but that has nothing to do with the stylist's scissors and everything to do with hormones, which do speed growth a little. One thing a trim will do: Eliminate split ends, making hair look better.

Myth: If you pluck out one gray hair, two or three will sprout in its place.
Truth: While this isn't true, plucking out those gray strands is a bad habit. You can damage the roots, causing infection or leaving a scar.


Myth: Coloring your hair causes major damage.
Truth: Products today — both at home and in the salon — are gentle enough not to weaken hair. In fact, some contain extra conditioners that may leave hair more manageable than before. Although it's not necessary, "it can't hurt to consult a professional stylist the first time you do anything permanent to your hair or scalp," Kingsley counsels.

Myth: You can mend split ends with the right products.
Truth: Once they're split, that's it. The only thing you can do then is cut them off. Celebrity stylist Jimmy Paul suggests making split ends less noticeable by applying a product containing silicone or beeswax. It will temporarily seal ends together, making hair softer and more manageable. Try: John Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops and John Barrett Bee Hold.


Read the full article here!

I Went To See A Psychic...

I have never really known what to make of psychics. Are they really real, or is it just a gimmick? How is it possible for someone to know your past, present, and amazingly your future? Living here in Los Angeles, CA there are tons of psychics that roam around the Beverly Center where I work. I have been approached countless times by spiritual readers who sense that I have a very strong energy and that I need to be surrounded by lights and cameras. OK, well tell me something I don't know! Everyone knows I love to sing! I would love to model! I just thought those were just lines they used to boost my ego and that it would make me want to come and see them.

A few weeks ago while I was at work a lady came in. I greeted her and proceeded to help her as I do with every person that comes into the store. Out of nowhere she starts 'reading' me! She started telling me things about my life, things that a complete stranger could not possibly know about you just by reading your aura. I was standing in the middle of the store about to cry! She really knew personal things about me! She told me that she knew that I didn't really believe in psychics but she gave me her card anyway and told me to come and see her.

After that encounter I was somewhat freaked out. I became interested. I kept her card in wallet just in case I wanted to go see her. I talked about it with a few friends and got different responses. Some said I should go just to see what it's like and others said not to because psychics are associated with bad spirits. I just couldn't get it out of my head, so today I went. After that experience, I do believe in psychics! She read so many things abut me that are very true! I was very enlightened! I didn't feel that I picked up anything negative, only positive. Not saying that everyone should go but I'm glad that I got it off of my chest!

Simple, But Meaningful!

I am so not fancy about birthdays, never have been! Needless to say, my day today was very simple:

Woke up to numerous texts, missed calls and voicemails

Cooked myself a nice breakfast

Picked up my house

Got all nice and clean

Went to see a psychic (I will be posting about my experience!)

Treated myself to Yogurtland - French Vanilla topped with cheesecake bite and Oreo cookie crumbs

Went to CVS and bought me a new lip balm from Burt's Bees (I love it!)

 And now I'm home needing a nap! Happy Birthday to me! :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday guys! I love July 25th! To another year of growing wise and becoming my own!

 *I went to the movies last night at The Grove with my friend Yvonne to see Inception! That movie was absolutely amazing! Leonardo Dicaprio is so talented, I LOVE him!*

Hues of You!

I'm a nail polish addict, this isn't even half of my stash!!

O.P.I

Forever 21 Beauty

Essie

China Glaze

SpaRitual

Orly

;)

The Best In Me!

I must say, I am very proud of the person that I have become. Many people cannot say that about themselves! I may not be proud of the person I was years ago, or of some of the things that I have done in the past, but it's called the past because I'm getting past it. Those things/people/thoughts/actions are no longer of importance in my life. I have a whole new outlook on life! Having respect for others means having respect for yourself. Karma is real, and she isn't a bad person! In fact, if you treat others the way you desire to be treated, Karma will be an absolute angel to you! We have all been 'young' once and chose to do things less than Holy, as long as who you WERE is not who you ARE and you are looking forward and not back, I applaud you!

I try to be as nice as I can be to people, no more bad attitudes (work in progress)

I like to see the good in people

I think/want the best for people in my life more than they will ever know

I am more in touch with who I am (work in progress)

I put my trust in HIM and I am more in touch & faithful with HIM

Below is a song that I believe EVERY person on this earth can relate to! It is called "The Best In Me" by gospel singer Marvin Sapp. He sings:

♫HE saw the best in me, when everyone else around could only see the worst in♫

♫HE's mine and I'm HIS, it doesn't matter what I did, HE only sees me for who I am♫

 At one point or another in our lives, we have been judged, by loved ones or total strangers. No matter what other people see in you HE can, and always will, see the best in you, even when you are at your absolute worst. Remember that! :)

I'm So Bad, Don't Tell!

For reasons I may never know, I ALWAYS get compliments on how great my skin is! (For the record, I get blemishes on both of my cheeks, my skin sometimes has no balance between dry and oily and I have little freckles everywhere!) Honestly, as much as I am trying, I don't take THAT GOOD of care with my skin. Here are some things that I can admit to doing that have a negative effect on your skin:

Falling asleep with my makeup on - BIG NO NO! Sometimes when I get off work I immediately crash thinking "I'm so tired I don't care if I get a pimple" and then when I get one I scream! LOL It only takes 2 minutes to wash your makeup off. Leaving it on over night clogs your pores and pimples can develop. 

(My kind of pantry!)

Eating all of the wrong food (i.e junk food, fast food) - Your diet plays an essential role in the appearance of your skin. I LOVE Cheetos, the Flamin' Hot kind! I've been addicted to them since I was a child, I don't ever see them not being in my life! I also love fast food, cookies, ice cream, and anything else that you can think of! I've tried eating right and it went well for a few months and then I got lazy with the routine. I need a health coach!

Exfoliating more than twice a week - Exfoliate more than twice a week can strip your skin of its natural oils. I exfoliate every other day if not everyday. If I don't my face develops a layer of dirt and small bumps that are not nice. Knowing that too much exfoliating is not good, I make sure I use one that is very light and gentle, such as the Soy Face Exfoliant by Fresh $42,

So the first step to any problem/addiction is admitting it right!? Well the next step is to improve on these things, which I for sure will! I have already gotten better at washing my makeup off every night! :)

Braided Up!

Summer, in my opinion, is NOT the time for bangs! They get sweaty and transfer all kinds of yucky oils to your forehead making it more prone to pimples. Pull your tresses back and add a bit of style with braids! One or two fun braids is one of my favorite summer hairstyles, it never gets old! Here are a few great looks!

Nicole Richie has mastered this look! Love it!

Lashing Out!

If I could only have one beauty product on a stranded island it would be mascara! If I don't have time to fully do my makeup, I AT LEAST put mascara on! I am a huge fan of colored mascaras, they spice up any look!

These are my favorites:

Urban Decay Big Fatty Color Mascara

 

 

Benefit BADgal Color Mascara

Max Factor Vivid Impact Highlighting Mascara

Product Spotlight: Atmosphere Luminous Foundation!

I have such a love/hate relationship with foundations! Either they dry my skin out or they leave my face looking like someone slapped me with a McDonald's hamburger patty! There are VERY FEW foundations that work hand in hand with my skin, so when I find one that does, I become obsessed with it!

I had the pleasure of meeting a guy named Eric Sakas a few months ago when I was still attending FIDM. He is the founder of Vapour Organic Beauty. Eric was one of the most down to earth and passionate people I've ever met! He allowed us to play around with some of the products and they are simply amazing! This is a very unique line of products, they are made with certified organic ingredients and pure mineral pigments, this creates an illusion of the products being lighter than air. The Atmosphere Luminous Foundation (my favorite product from the line) glides on with ease and stays put all day long! Vapour Organic Beauty also offers eye, cheek, and lip products of that same great quality!

The Atmosphere Luminous Foundation makes applying the rest of my makeup hassle free! It blends so well with my blush and eye shadows, I LOVE IT! Be sure to check out the website for all of their products and follow their twitter for all of the latest news on the brand!

Good Read: 10 Bad Choices That Ruin Black Women's Lives!

I love reading inspirational and self help books. When I came across a really good book that was published in 1998 by Dr. Grace Cornish-Livingstone called "10 Bad Choices That Ruin Black Women's Lives," I couldn't wait to dive right in! How many of these "bad choices" have I made?! How many have YOU made?!

Bad Choice #1: Sisters Dissin' Sisters

Don't try to get on top by putting your sisters on the bottom

 As a black woman, it is not very hard to see the hatred that black women show towards one another, the looks, the gossiping, and the overall act of putting each other down because of how you look, who you're with, how you dress, etc. We don't have to worry about anyone else hating us because we hate each other! Sad, but VERY true. In what other race of people do you see so much hate against one another? (Don't worry, I'll wait for your answer!) Instead of hating each other, let's embrace and empower one another!

Bad Choice #2: No Money, No Honey

If you want your slice of the American pie, then help bake it

Black women (and women in general) need to stop looking for someone to take care of them. Be a real woman and take care of your own, stop calling men cheap when you yourself can't afford the things you demand of.


 Bad Choice #3: Looking For Mr. Right In All The Wrong Places

The emptiness in your life cannot be filled by the empty promise of someone else's status

Stop looking for the material first, just because he has a degree, nice car, nice apt/condo/house doesn't mean that he is "the one" for you.

Bad Choice #4: Exchanging "Sexual Dealings" For Loving Feelings

Know the real fact before you act

A guy who is good in bed may not be good in a relationship. Dive deeper to find out who that person truly is.

Bad Choice #5: Using your Finance to Maintain His Romance

If he is being "kept," he will eventually leave you in debt

You want to take care of my bookkeeping? No thanks, I'm good! I am NOT taking care of any MAN! Enough said!

Bad Choice #6: Staying On, Although Respect Has Gone

Never leave your life in the hands of fate; take matters into your own hands and get the proper help

Dr. Grace says always choose respect over love. I completely agree! There is no excuse for abuse, and there is no love in a backhand to the face.

Bad Choice #7: Loving the "Married Bachelor"

If you're stealing love on the side, someday you may get left on the outside

I have my own EVERYTHING, why would I want to share a man? What goes around, comes around. The day he leaves his wife you be sure to mark your calendar for the day when he leaves you the very same way he left his wife. 

Bad Choice #8: Emotional Dependency Plus Unplanned Pregnancy

If your love has gone bad, just be true, and don't try to use a baby like crazy glue

This one gets me every time. Who came up with the concept of having a baby to mend a relationship or trapping a guy? This almost makes the situation worse, I would never sacrifice my child having a loving and involved father for a relationship that shouldn't be.

Bad Choice #9: Decent Proposal/Indecent Disposal

If you're looking for a man just to fire your torch, then don't complain if you end getting scorched

 Women say they want a man that will keep them guessing and on the edge...good luck with that. Play all the games you want!

Bad Choice #10: Getting to the Church Before Time

Marriage is like a besieged fortress: those who are the outside want to get in; those who are inside want to get out

Marriage is a life long commitment, take the time to get to know that person before you decide to jump the broom. Don't jump the broom before it's laid out of the before, you just might trip and fall!

So, how many of those bad choices have you made?? I have made none! I think all women should read this book, all the contents are very true. Dr. Grace is a great writer and psychologist and has written dozens of books, including a second part to this one called "10 Good Choices That Empower Black Women's Lives."