Life Gets in the Way…

hello readers,

it’s been about a month since the last time i’ve looked at this blog  – let alone even thought about writing anything.  as the title of this entry states, life has definitely gotten in the way of my writing the way that i’ve wanted to.

i do have good, bad and ugly news to share with you all. first for the good: i found a job, well they actually found me. i’ve been working since the first week of december. the bad is that i don’t have time to do all that i could fit into the days before. the ugly is that, two weeks ago – my cousin was found dead in his garage.

all these  things have contributed to my life not making it easy to communicate via my blog. i hope that thing will change and that i’ll ease into this working life!

oh, congratulations to me – i’ll be moving out into a new place soon – so you’ll definitely see pictures coming soon of paint and wallpaper samples and furniture that i want etc.

look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Back to Black…Friday, That Is…

‘Tis the season to be jolly to get shopping.  Today is the day that most American’s are tucked safely and warmly in their beds after being up at the crack of dawn to get the best deals from electronics, clothes and home decor.

As I type this, I am plotting out my plan for the things that I plan to buy. Unfortunately, since I don’t have my own place right now, I’m relegated to only indulging in shoes, clothes and personal accessories and not the furniture and large electronics as I want.

For those that are looking for furniture, there are too many deals on ottomans, couches and tables at your local Pier 1, Boston Store (Carson Pririe Scott) and West Elm.

For the fashionistas, Nine West is having some blowout deals on boots, accessories and clothing – which is where I’ll be going in addition to a couple of boutiques and other wordly markets.

The damage?

In total today, though I feel like I’ve spent all my little money – I actually did really well only buying things that I either really needed or had been wanting for a while and the price was just too right.

I got the winter coat that I definitely needed, a nice black (kinda) tuxedo vest from Ann Taylor Loft, some black flat leather boots from Nine West and a couple dresses from my favorite boutique Luscious here in Milwaukee.

From this day out – I am going to put myself on a strict shopping diet. I will not be buying anything else for myself until the new year*. Everything that I buy will be strictly for craft making and Christmas gifts.

Anyone reading this, please be sure to remind me of this if we speak and I’m even CONSIDERING going out and about!

TFM

 

* I will be going to buy something for going out for New Year’s Eve @ Luscious – I do have a $50 coupon to use, lol!

Giving Thanks

As the weather gets a bit cooler, most of the leaves on trees are gone and there are numerous commercials on the television speaking about Black Friday deals – we undoubtedly know that Thanksgiving is on the way.

When we think of Thanksgiving, many things come to mind for different people: football, turkey, 4am wake up calls for power shopping and pants with elastic that is forgiving (lol).

For a lot of people, myself included, we must not forget the family and friends that have given us inspiration, kind words and gestures throughout the difficult times and times when you were at your best.

For those friends and family that have stuck by me – you know who you are and I want you to know that I am eternally grateful for your love and friendship!

I hope anyone reading this has a great Thanksgiving Day!

TFM

10 Questions to Ask Your Mother

A couple months ago, while reading my new favorite magazine, Real Simple – I came across this article entitled ” 10 questions to ask your mother.” The questions, although possibly tough to hear, give (I think) a great start for interesting dialogue with the one woman that should know you best.

I sent these questions to my mom a month or so ago and I just received the answers back – I thought I knew what some of her answers would be but I was wowed at some of the things that she candidly shared.

I suggest that you all do this to get to know more about the woman that “carried you for nine months” (c) Cheryl “Pepsii” Riley – you’re bound to get to know her a bit more than you either wanted or thought that you would!!

Here are the questions..

1. What’s the one thing that you would have differently as a Mom?

2. Why did you choose to be with my father? (I really wanted to know the answer to this question, lol)

3. In what ways do you think I’m like you? And not like you?

4. Which one of us kids did you like the best?

5. Is there anything you have always wanted to tell me but never have?

6. Do you think it’s easier or harder to be a mother now than when you were raising our family?

7. Is there anything you regret not having asked your parents?

8. What’s the best thing I can do for you right now?

9. Is there anything that you wish had been different between us – or that you would still like to change?

10. When did you realize you were no longer a child?

I gained so much more respect for my mom after getting this answers back.  I really didn’t know some of the things that she had gone through and as a result of getting her answers it’s definitely opened up our relationship and I have so many more follow up questions that I want/need to ask her because of what she opened up and shared.

I realized when I posted this on my Facebook page a couple weeks ago, that a lot of my friends/associates don’t have the luxury of asking their mothers these questions because they are no longer living – but I don’t think that this is ONLY limited to a mother. It could be someone that helped to raise you, a step-parent, grandmother or hell even your father!  I just think that it’s a way to get insight into your loved ones mind.

Product Review: Clearasil Pimple Blocker Pen

Despite having pretty clear skin, there are those occasions where a rogue pimple climbs over my defense system and manages to dig roots to sprout a devil spawn.

Gone are the days that I have to simply suffer through the lifespan of a common pimple which, usually ranges anywhere from 2-5 days.  We’ve all had to wait out the redness, drying and overall ugly appearance of a pimple and let’s face it – it’s not pretty.

Clearasil has come to the rescue. I’ve been seeing advertisements for the Pimple Blocker Pen for some time, but haven’t really taken the time to try it because of both not wanting to have another beauty product in my cabinet that I don’t use and most importantly spending the $7.99 on a product that didn’t work.

My lucky day finally came when I was blessed with a $1 coupon for any Clearasil product.  I finally decided to try it with this added incentive – saving money!

Just this past week, while washing my face (I’ve gone back to the oil cleansing method, but that’s another post) and cleaning around my chin area, I noticed a bump coming under the surface of my skin and was giddy when I found that I’d finally be able to use the pen.

After washing and drying my face, I broke the pen free of its packaging and twisted the bottom a couple of times to bring forth the gel-like substance and placed a bit on the affected area.  Since I was going to sleep, I just avoided using moisturizer that evening so that it wouldn’t absorb into it – and went to sleep.

The next day I still could feel the pimple under the skin so I applied it twice more and on the third day all traces of the bump were gone! This product actually worked.

If you, or anyone you know if afflicted with getting pimples every once and a while – please pass on this treasure because it truly works.

Eek!! More Grey

So, this post isn’t me showing more grey clothing and shoes that I’m in love with – but the dreaded grey that most if not all women loathe. Grey hair!

While trying a new style with my hair earlier this evening, bantu knots (for anyone really interested) and finger parting my hair I happened upon a couple roadblocks in my progress.  Here are two photos that I just had to get.

grey hair 1

grey hair 2

So I’m not sure if you can tell, but on the second picture there’s a grey hair and then it turns brownish-orange at the end. I’m pretty sure that that’s due to the henna job that I tried while I still had locks. If that’s not it, then I have no idea where it came from.

Anyway, after finding these two and countless others during this hair experiment – I’ve decided to try henna again to color my hair. So if anyone out there has some tips, color choices or whatnot – please comment and share your ideas with me!

I look forward to hearing from ya soon!

 

anthropologie is going to be the death of me

Anthropologie, as usual, is my main place to go for signature pieces that will last forever in my closet.

They offer the modern, eclectic woman a place to roam free without abandon trying out everything from shirts, skirts and even bedding out sans stuffy salespeople, crappy music and cheaply made items.

Back to the topic at hand. Anthro is the place that I always go to find something unique and totally me – but as of late, they are KILLING the fashion game for me and a couple other ladies that I know. Using Polyvore, I’ve shown just a taste of what I’m itching to buy.

I’m pretty sure that if I had a job at the moment most of these items would already be in my closet – but since I’m still unemployed, I’ll be waiting like normal till they go on sale once or twice and then will gladly purchase and wear.

Until then…a girl can wish, can’t she?

[images above, clockwise from top left: Wind-Rippled Tee $58, Windsor Scoopneck $98, Bespoke Shirtdress $128, Elsa Gloves $78, Dressage Peep-Toes $168,  A Thousand Tiers Dress $188 and Scarlet Blaze Shirtdress $148]