Food Files: Green Smoothie

Mmm, doesn't that just scream yummy!!!!  Whenever I start feeling icky and sluggish, in addition to making sure I'm taking vitamins and exercising, I also tend to jump start things by blending and juicing.  This green smoothie is one of my go-to drinks that's quick to make.  Now, it may look nasty but, it really does taste good.  And, it's chock full of some really healthy stuff!

Keep reading for more pics and health benefits!

I'm Still Here

Wow!!!!!  Talk about falling off the map!  I want to just simply say....


MY BAD!!!!!

My bad for just totally flaking on posting, making videos, and interacting with you all.  Thanks to those who didn't cut me from their following list!  I appreciate it.

Long story short, tendinitis in the ankle can really bring you down!  This injury, an overuse injury that I've been dealing with for several months now, has really done a number on me.  Not being able to exercise/run has killed my mood.  That, coupled with work stuff and just overall life stress has had me in a funky mood!

But, even tho the tendinitis has not completely healed, I am feeling a lot better!  I've stopped wearing the brace (which hurt in my opinion) and I'm finally starting to believe that one day this annoying injury will actually go away (there were some days where I just felt like it would never get better).

So, with this new surge of happiness, I'm finally getting back into the swing of things.  So, even tho this is just an "update/where have you been" post, I wanted to let you know to stay tuned.  I have some things on the horizon (I promise).

Thanks again everyone!

UD Naked Palette FOTD + Video

So, I finally got around to playing with the Urban Decay Naked palette again.  I don't know about you but, I have a habit of buying makeup and forgetting about it after a while.  But, when I finally get around to playing in my stash, I get too excited about the "rediscovery"!  Go figure!  Anyway, here's a neutral look with a bold lip.  Enjoy!

Keep reading for more pictures and a video tutorial! 

Two Strand Twists, 9 Months Post Big Chop (BC)

Hey everyone.  Just a quick update video showing my two strands twists on hair that's 9 months post BC.







Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the content of this post.  Please make sure you follow this blog to stay updated with reviews, swatches, and tutorials.  Until next time, be well.

Zoya Summertime Summer 2011 - Areej

I am in love with this color.  I promise to step out of my pink and purple nail polish zone later...just not today!  Zoya Areej ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is another polish from the Summertime Collection.  For me, this is a nice pink that's bold, but not too obscene.

Keep reading for more pictures!

Purple Smokey Eye FOTD & Video Tutorial

 

Hey everyone.  I'm back with another makeup look.  I wanted to finally take a shot at doing a smokey eye.  I watched so many YouTube videos I finally just said enough already, just do it!  So, here is my purple smokey eye.

Keep reading for more pictures, list of products used, and YouTube video tutorial!

Sugarpill Burning Heart Palette - FOTD + Video

Hey everyone.  Here is a look I did using the Sugarpill Burning Heart palette.  For the record, let me just say how much I love, love, love these Sugarpill products.  When I first swatched them, I couldn't believe how pigmented they were.  I mean, seriously!  It's amazing.  I am definitely looking forward to getting some more of these products.

Keep reading for more pictures and the YouTube video!

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick Orange-Gina

The quest for the perfect orange lipstick continues.  Up next is very popular lip color.  Milani Orange-Gina ($5.49 for 0.13 oz) is described as a golden orange frosted color with high pearl content.  This rich orange lipstick is full of warm, golden shimmer.

Keep reading for more pictures!

Two-Strand Twist n Curl Out

Hey guys.  Just wanted to do a quick post showing you what my hair looks like when I undo the two-strand twist n curl.

Keep reading for more pictures!

Milani I Heart You/Rich Java Eyeshadows (FOTD & Video)

Hey everyone!  I wanted to use some of my Milani Baked eyeshadows in a look.  I decided to pair I Heart You (a beautiful shimmery red) with Rich Java (gorgeous sparkle filled brown).

Keep reading for more pictures!

Maybelline Express Finish Nail Color - Coraliscious

I was really excited for the Maybelline summer nail polish collection.  The colors were all so bright and vibrant that I ended up getting all six polishes!  This post features Maybelline Express Finish Nail Color - Coraliscious ($4.49 for 0.50 oz).  This summer, I am really into corals and oranges.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches!

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipcolour - Volcanic

Well, summer is finally upon us and it looks like orange and corals are the fun and funky colors of the season.  As much as I love how the color orange looks against my brown skin, I didn't own a single orange colored lip product.  That is until now.  L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipcolor Volcanic ($8.95 for 0.13 oz) is a beautiful, rich, orange lipstick belonging to the Corals/Reds L'Oreal products.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

Milani Baked Eyeshadow - I Heart You

I really like red eye shadows.  Milani Baked Eyeshadow - I Heart You ($7.49 for 0.05 oz) is described as a brick red metallic shadow.  I Heart You reminds me of cranberries!  These shadows are designed to be used either wet or dry.  Like I mentioned in previous posts, I prefer to use the Milani Baked shadows in a wet form.

Keep reading for more pictures!

Milani Marbleized Baked Eyeshadow Drench In Gold (Review, Photos, & Swatches)

Hey everyone!  I'm back with another post about the Milani eyeshadows.  This review features Milani Marbleized Baked Eyeshadow Drench In Gold ($7.49 for 0.05 oz).  Drench In Gold is a gorgeous gold shadow, containing swirls of shimmer.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches! 

Zoya Summertime Summer 2011 - Kieko

Zoya Kieko Professional Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz) is a creamy purple that has more of a red undertone, resembling a magenta shade!  This is one of the six colors in the Summertime Summer 2011 collection.  Purple is my favorite color so I couldn't pass this up.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches! 

FOTD + YouTube Tutorial - Wet N Wild I Got Good Jeans

Don't you just feel all types of fierce when you've got a good pair of jeans?  I know I do!  Today's face of the day (FOTD) features Wet n Wild's I Got Good Jeans.  This is one of their Color Icon Trios.  I love their trio palettes because they're inexpensive, come in a variety of colors to play with, and are pigmented.

Keep reading for more pictures and a video tutorial for this look!

Nail Grow Out Challenge

I'm on a mission to grow my nails out nicely. It bothers me to look at all of the pretty nail polish I have (and all the others I want) and, when I get all lacquered up, I'm dealing with nails of varying lengths, shapes, etc. So, here's my plan, and challenge to grow my nails out.

Keep reading to see my plan and more pictures!

Milani Metallic Baked Eyeshadow Blue My Mind (Review, Photos, & Swatches)

 Milani Baked Eyeshadow - Blue My Mind

I always get super excited when I learn about a great drugstore find!  Next in my list of drugstore goodies are the Milani Baked Eyeshadows.  I'm a little late in finding this gem but, better late than never!  I've been stalking my local CVS, Target, and Walgreen's stores for this eyeshadows (I think I may have begun to worry some employees by now!).  I've managed to acquire quite a few (ok, more like 10) of both the Metallic and Marbelized Milani Baked Eyeshadows.  Because they're all so fabulous, I'm going to devote separate reviews for each!

This review features Milani Metallic Baked Eyeshadow Blue My Mind ($7.49 for 0.05 oz).  Blue My Mind is a dark, blue shadow with subtle hints of shimmer.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches!

Two Strand Twists n Curl Style, Short Natural Hair

Hey everyone!  I have decided to retire the wig protective stylin'!  My hair has some length, it's starting to get warmer, and I just really missed seeing my hair on a regular basis!  In perusing the hair boards and You Tube videos, I started to see that several people are doing this twist n curl thing.  All of the pictures were cute so I figured, let me try this on my short (4-5 inches all around) natural hair.

I love, love, love how this came out!  It reminds me of my short hair cut back when my hair was relaxed.  What I really love about this is I can rock a cute style, while protecting my hair at the same time.  This requires no extra maintenance at all.  I tie my hair up with a satin scarf at night.  I spray a moisturizer on it daily.  That's it!  The curls hold, the twists stay put!

I think I'll be doing this style for the remainder of the year, at least until I can pull my hair into a full puff.  I'm looking forward to how this will look as my hair gets longer!

Below is a You Tube Video tutorial of the look!

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick - Look At Her (Review, Swatches, Pictures)

 

When the MAC Sheen Supreme Collection was announced, I was excited to learn that these items were permanent.  I'm sure my wallet was pleased as well!  Since they are perm, I am going to take my time with buying these, and only buying the colors that truly work for me.  So far, I've purchased two of the lip colors and I am very pleased with them!

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($14.50 for 0.12oz) Look At Her is a metallic, copper color.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches!

Zoya Intimate Spring 2011 - Gemma

Zoya Gemma Professional Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz) is a pale green polish, with a hint of blue  This is one of the six colors in the Intimate Spring 2011 collection and my first Zoya product.  I wanted to purchase the polishes that I definitely couldn't dupe with my existing stash of lacquers.  Gemma is a color that I have never worn before.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches.

90 Day No Buy Challenge

Jesus take the wheel.  My beauty spending has gotten out of control!  How do you know when you have a slight problem?  When you start accumulating boxed products in random places (purses, gym bags, makeup storage, etc).  I have so many eyeshadow palette refills that still haven't seen the palette!  Yeah, it's like I keep buying and buying, but failing in actually trying and using the products (on a consistent basis).  So, for the next 90 days, I am on a no buy mission.  Sure, I might miss out on some of the makeup collections but really, I have more than enough makeup to keep me busy.  The same goes for hair products.  I seriously doubt some new fab conditioner will be limited edition and disappear forever during this 90 day challenge.

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I chose 90 days?  Well, I'm on track for a raise in June, which I should hopefully "see" in July!  But, I'm also hoping that this challenge will help me to foster better spending habits and fiscal responsibility.

So, have you ever done a "no buy" challenge?  What tips do you have to resist the urge to splurge?

Until next time, be well...

FOTD - Wet N Wild I'm Feeling Retro

Hey beautiful people.  Welcome back.

I said I would be doing a FOTD with the Wet N Wild Color Icon trio sets.  Well, here's the first one!

Keep Reading for more pictures!

Wet N Wild Color Icon Trio - Spring/Summer

What's going on beautiful people!  Welcome back!!!

So, after stalking my local Walgreens, I finally managed to hunt down and get all 6 of the new Wet N Wild Color Icon Trio eyeshadow palettes.  I remember seeing Wet N Wild cosmetics in my mother's makeup bag when I was a little girl.  Of course, I don't remember the names of some of the lipsticks and other makeup I used to play "dress up"!  I'm glad to see Wet N Wild is still in the game, and I am really excited about these eyeshadow colors.

Keep reading for more pictures and swatches!

About Me Video Tag

FOTD - Urban Decay Naked

Hey there ladies and gents.  Here is a FOTD I did using my new Urban Decay Naked palette.  This was inspired by a look that Resha (at The Accidental Beauty) did.  A review of the palette will follow shortly.  I wanted to get this FOTD posted first.  Enjoy!

Keep reading for more pictures!

Beyonce Body Challenge - 1st Update

Well, it's March 3rd, the beginning of a new month.  This also means I've completed the first month of the body challenge I'm doing with my girl Vee .  While I'm happy with the loss in weight, I feel like I could have worked out more.  I think I was being too ambitious thinking I could do two fitness programs at the same time.  That, and the fact that I just couldn't seem to get into both of them with the same level of interest.  So, for this 2nd month of the challenge, I think I'm just going to stick with one program (Turbo Fire).  I'm going to focus on more cardio and healthy eating to lose weight.  Then, once I'm satisfied with my weight, I'll switch to more strength training to better tone up.  I have about 20lbs to go, before hitting what I initially deemed as my "body weight" goal.


So, do you have any fitness/health goals?  If so, how are you doing?

Thanks for stopping by.  Be well.

China Glaze Crackle - Review & Pictures

Hey ladies (and gents).  Welcome back!
I'm sorry it took so long to get this review done.  I was able to find the China Glaze Crackle polishes at a Sally's in my area.  Now, it did take a little bit of detective work to hut these down (I had to call a few of the stores before finding one that did have them available).  This was my first experience with the whole "crackle phenomenon".  I must say, I did have to read the directions (that are listed on paper tag wrapped around the polish) because I had no idea what to do.  I was so curious how this stuff worked that, I swatched one of the polishes on a bare nail (not realizing until later that I should have applied some type of "color" underneath to get a better effect!).  Even though I didn't use a color initially, I was amazed at how the polish began to "crackle" on my nail.  Later that evening, I got home and tried out each polish (along with a colored polish).

Keep reading for more pictures!

China Glaze Crackle

Hey, welcome back!

I managed to find a Sally's in my area that had the China Glaze Crackle polishes.  Swatches and more pics will be posted tomorrow.

The Stash :)

One piece here, 3 pieces there, lots of fun everywhere!  Over the years, my purchases (both small and large) have led to the creation of this, my stash. By no means does my stash even begin to compare to some others I've seen but, it was enough to make my husband call me obsessed!

Continue reading for more pics!

Essie Nail Lacquer- Splash of Grenadine

 

Essie - Splash of Grenadine

Even though this polish was a part of the spring 2010 Resort Collection, I still thought it was worth purchasing now (since I'm on my quest to start spring now!)  Splash of Grenadine is classified as a "playful magenta pink".  This color is something I would wear during the spring and summer seasons.

See more photos and swatches!

Natural Hair - The Beginning

Video posted to document my "starting point" on this, my final natural hair journey.

Get It Right, Get It Tight!

I figured, let's wait until after January 1st to start a work out plan! I've had a whole month to get the desire to eat holiday leftovers out of system. I've played around with some new workout programs. And, most importantly, football season is pretty much over! Now it's time to hit the gym (and my basement) hard, as I set out to complete the final half of my goal. My girl Vee over at Pretty Girl Rock is starting out on her Beyonce Body Challenge. Nothing like a partner to help keep you motivated. For my plan, along with starting pictures, keep reading.

Well Hello There :)

They say...

"You're always starting something, but never finishing it before starting something else."

 "That's impossible to do...there's no way you can do that."

"That's just life."

"Some things you'll just have to sacrifice."

I say... "I can do anything I put my mind to."