Exodus

There's a movement going on.  People are leaving here in droves and at an alarming rate.  Well, maybe it just seems alarming to me because I'm getting older and, therefore, my "circle of life" is getting smaller and smaller.  But my circle of "living" is not; everyday I look forward to seeing and trying something new and/or exciting... which is why it saddens me when I hear of someone passing by their own hands.

Death, period, is not easy an easy concept to grasp.  To have spoken or seen someone one day and then find out that they're gone the next is pretty surreal.  I just found out on one of the social networks that a girl I went to school with who was in my sister's grade (therefore, two years younger than me) just passed away from cancer.  When you look at her profile picture she looks vibrant and young... and healthy.  She looks like she hadn't aged one year!  Who knew she was battling cancer?  And lost?  A few months before that, another childhood friend I knew from the neighborhood passed away after complications from treatment for the same thing - cancer.  Why are there so many cancers, cancers that I've never even heard of?  Cancers in places and body parts I never knew could be affected...  Last year, a schoolmate of mine died in the hospital after complications from weight loss surgery.  Right before that, another schoolmate, a popular athlete in high school, took his own life after battling depression for years.

It always makes me think that you never know what someone is going through, what's on someone's mind.  You never know what a kind word or at least a smile can do for someone's attitude; you may have saved them a day, a hour, a minute more of life.  A chance to gain a different perspective.  So called "rich" people, people who seemingly have it all - money, fame and all the accoutrements that go along with it -  are jumping off bridges, overdosing on pills or blowing themselves away by gun.  I say so called "rich" people because they were rich according to worldly material standards, but poor in spirit.  There was an emptiness... a hole that was not being filled.  So called "success" did not bring about fulfillment.  Just a reoccurring, gnawing pain.  And it hurt... it hurt so badly that they couldn't stand another day, another hour, another minute...  

I know that suicide has been going on for years and that many have committed the act, but that doesn't make it any less tragic to me.  And death is a constant.  I know.  But death at your own hand just makes me wonder what could have made the difference?  An extra kiss?  An extra hug?  Or maybe just having someone to listen to you even if what you're saying doesn't make any sense?  Or makes too much sense?  Or maybe just being understood... and accepted... and wanted?

Life is not for the weak at heart.  It is HARD.  We all know this.  Heartbreaks, heartaches, rejection,  disappointments... bills!  And not everyone handles things the same way.  The bible tells us that "life and death are in the power of the tongue".  So just keep that in mind the next time you cross paths with someone you may or may not know.  Think before you speak.  Or maybe impart some happiness with just a smile.  You never know whose life you could be resuscitating.

Weekend Warrior

What's everybody doing this weekend?  Me?  I'm not going to do too much.  I think I'm going to take it easy this weekend and continue planning my birthday month's activities (November).  This year is a special year for me so I MUST prepare for a total blowout, ya feel me?

Anywho, this weekend I will be trying to learn Photoshop.  I tooled around with it a little today, but I really need to hunker down and tackle this big boy.  I have it on my computer and have never even used it!  I called my friend to see if he could help walk me through the basics, but - of course - he had no idea...  I'm on my own, y'all.

Oh!  The second part of my shipment from Inglot will be coming today so that's making me giddy.  And I did buy some cherry Jello...  Don't laugh!  I've been fiendin' for some Jello as of recent (don't know why) so I just had to indulge.  Got the Reddi whipped cream, too.  Yes, honey...

The weather has been sucky so I think that's another reason why I'm not going to be buzzing around the city.  I'm perfectly fine keeping my buns at home...  I'll prolly look up some toaster ovens on Target's website; I never really liked the idea of using nor having a microwave.  I mean, I can appreciate it when preparing my pup's food, but other than that I would prefer not to use it.  Zapped food tastes funny, plus I just don't trust it.  (I know I sound like an old bitty, but I can't help it!)  So, I'll be surfing for some old fashioned alternatives.

That's about it.  Nothing exciting.  But I'm just fine with that.

I'm Leaving

I'm leaving and I'm not going to look back.  This time around, I will not have a safety net so I have to keep moving forward.  And that's OK.  Kinda nervous, but OK.  Change is good, but I'm really looking to make a final change, you know?  I really want to set down roots somewhere and the tine is now.

I've really been mulling over the thought of becoming a New Yorker.  Years ago, I used to live in Los Angeles and I loved it, but driving cross country again just isn't appealing to me.  Been there, done that.  In fact, I really can't think of a place where I'm just dying to go to and live so NYC is kinda leading the pack by default because I have peeps there and I know I would be able to continue my creative pursuits there.  *sigh* But the cost of living... UGH!  And I've been driving for years now and bringing my car to NYC just would not be cost effective; public transpo would have to me my new mode of transport or, rather, old mode because I used to use public transpo for years in Philly and going back to the crowded, sullied netherworld of screeching metal and unapologetic aggression.  This makes me sad.

But I have to make a change in surroundings soon.  Like, yesterday.  I honestly can't think of anywhere else to go.  Maybe Europe?  LOL  No, seriously...  Maybe?  HELP!

Nature's Gate Herbal Poo

Okay, here's another shout out - Nature's Gate Herbal shampoo and Aloe Vera conditioner.  Love this stuff, especially the poo.  It smells just like the name suggests, but it isn't overwhelming or unpleasant.  At least not to me.  And it leaves my hair feeling clean but not stripped.

I use different serums in my hair when styling and, as you may already know, these can leave the hair weighed down as it gets dirty and leave a residue even after washing.  This residue can make hairstyling difficult, leaving hair limp and curls less bouncy.  So I needed a good clarifying shampoo effective enough to rid my hair of the lingering serums, but gentle enough to not strip my hair and leave it dry.  After scouring the counters at my local grocery store I stumbled on this dynamic duo to add to my arsenal and I'm very happy.

The product lathers well and at just $4.99, is very affordable.  The Aloe Vera leaves my hair feeling soft, but I don't use it as much because I LOVE my pomegranate con.  The Fresh one.  Oh, yeah, I went back to that one...

Anywho, I'm often asked what I use on my hair so I think I'll just post my full arsenal of HG (holy grail) products during the next week or so and a rundown of how I do my hair.  Guess it would help if you actually saw my hair as well.  I mean, I could be as bald as an eagle (they're not really bald, though; don't know why they're called that) tellin' you this and that, recommending all these products and can't even make myself look halfway presentable.  But these prods work for me...  And if me sharing could help someone then all the better.

INGLOT - My Experience

Well, my package finally arrived, ten days after the initial order online.  Not great, but not too bad considering I had to wait TWO WEEKS the last time I ordered to get my stash.  Both times were during a sale and things got a little hectic on their end, overwhelmingly so.  I still don't think they realize their presence here in the states and how ravenous we can be when it comes to certain products.  Don't know why they continue to underestimate when they have been plastered all over YouTube and various beauty blogs...?

Anywho, just in case you haven't heard of them, Inglot is a cosmetics company based in Poland that is well known for their potently pigmented eyeshadows, especially their mattes.  They have some brick and mortars in the U.S., including one in NYC, but not many.  Most people stateside order online via their website where all of their products are available for purchase.  This is my third order and I think I got all that I need... for now.

I ordered six shadows and one gel eyeliner in yellow (yes, I'm adventurous!).  The shadows with the "stripes" are their Rainbow shadows where three different shades of the same color are in one shadow.  So basically you get three eyeshadows for the price of one.  Genius!!  With this order I have fully filled all of my palettes and I'm ready to rock and roll!

Palettes w/lids

Palettes w/o lids

I didn't want to make this post extra long, but let me know if you would like a more in-depth overview of the products.  I absolutely love them!  The palettes are not like ordinary palettes as they are rectangular with strong magnets on the corners to keep the acrylic/plastic lids adhered.  LOVE IT!  And the colors are highly pigmented and smooth to blend.

And in all fairness, my last two orders were made during a website sale and - consequently - items took much longer to receive than when I made my very first order with them in which I received my items within five days.  Just FYI.

I will do another post on my Inglot stash as well as some of my other makeup items soon.   Who's amped right now?  ME, that's who!   LOL!

Searching for...

...my childhood.

You know, sometimes I get really sentimental.  Nostalgic even.  I miss a lot of things from when I was a kid (smells, foods, toys, etc.).  For the latter, I sometimes search eBay for my missing familiar.  I've searched for old Barbies, Disney movie albums and other things that I used to own and cherish as a kid.  I don't have much from when I was younger due to moving from my home and it being robbed a few times.  Remember Holly Hobby dolls?  Well, not only did I have the doll, but I also had the lunchbox - it was pink with Holly Hobby on the front, made of hard plastic by the company Thermos.  I had Baby Alive (one of the few dolls I was able to rescue) and Head to Head Football (I was a tomboy).  I had the red Transformer - he was a sports car, but I'm not sure of his name - and the Dungeons and Dragons game (remember that cartoon?).  I had the Mork n' Mindy as well as Cabbage Patch Colorforms, Smurfs Shrinky Dinks and Jamie Summers (Bionic Woman) doll.  And let's not even mention the Barbies I owned.  Gone... well, mostly all of it is gone.  I was able to rescue a few Barbies, Barbie clothes and my Cabbage Patch (the one that smelled like baby powder), but the rest are just a memory.  It really pains me to think that these are lost to me forever...

Well, I was having one of my moments and started searching the Internet and found the very make and model of a dollhouse that my dad bought my sister and me during one of his trips.  Couldn't believe it.  Can't believe the company still exists and still makes the model (in addition to other models).  It brought back soooo many memories for me; how my cousin had to put the wooden model together because my dad lost patience with all the little parts and gluing and such.  And how happy I was to see it assembled.  My sis thought it was cool, but I really LOVED it.

Am I the only one who does this... constantly traveling down and canvassing memory lane trying to recapture a lost childhood memory?  I guess not because of all the adult collectors of toys, but I dunno...

Anywho, guess who will be buying a Tudor style dollhouse in the next year or so?  By then I should have a daughter that I can share the experience with.  Eh, who am I kidding?  Daughter or not, I will be buying this dollhouse.  Another piece of my past recovered.  Well, kind of.

Lactose Intolerant!

Okay, I was in the grocery store the other day and I felt pretty darn good about myself.  My hair was laying just right and I had on a cute pair of shorts and a matching top.  Nothing special, but I just felt good, you know?  If I could whistle, I would have been whistling up and down the aisles.  Well, I moseyed on down the frozen food section and saw something I wanted to take a closer look at.  So I opened to door and bent over to check it out and noticed a man looking at me.  Now I wasn't purposely bending over for his benefit, however, from his angle he had a full view of my rear and everything it entailed.  I thought nothing of it and continued my shopping... but I must admit that I was flattered and tickled that he happened to look my way RIGHT when I absentmindedly stuck my butt in the air.

Anywho, when I got home, still high off the look I got in the store and my over all feeling of "cuteness", I stopped in front of the full-length mirror in the dining room and re-played the events that occurred in the store: I playfully smiled, put my hands on my hips and sashayed around like a little schoolgirl.  Then I bent over at the waist, my back/butt to the mirror and looked over my shoulder... and gasped in horror.  All I saw was lumps and bumps all up and down the back of my legs!  There was no sexy cuteness to flirt and flaunt... just COTTAGE CHEESE for all to behold!!  I quickly stood back up, bewildered and deflated.  THIS is what the man in the store saw, cottage cheese thighs?  This is what I was shoving into his eye space, insulting his view of the frozen vegetables with a sight that would curdle anyone's stomach?  Heck, isn't that what cottage cheese is, some form of curdled dairy?  Something that once used to taste good and be used to build strong bones, but now just looks like a spoiled separated mess?  A mess that most try to dress up nice with fresh fruit to convince themselves that it's not as bad as it looks... but it really is?  UGH!!!  I have cottage cheese thighs and I shoved them into an innocent man's face!  And I can't take that moment back.  Ever!  That's how he'll remember me: "the chick who kinda looked cute until she turned around and oh, boy!  Spoiled milk!"

I'm done!  This is what I've become?! I still shudder when I think about it...  I'm doing leg lifts as we speak!  Squats, here I come... but my first impression has been blown.  Kapooey.  Kaput!  I'll never look at the frozen food aisle the same way again.  NEVER!  Time to reinvent myself STAT!