Guess The Color...Revealed

Figured it would be fun to play "Guess the color" cuz y'all know how I roll. I meeeean for a gal who's been subtle to extreme ya just never know wit me. Oh the beauty in the unknown! I've been wanting to try this color for a while now so when Mahogany threw the idea in my head it was a GO!! Yaaaaaaaas....

Now of course I couldn't present a new color without a face :P Plus I was just itching and my hands wouldn't keep still. I've been keeping it subtle lately cuz it's just easier to throw on as little as possible for a natural look. I need to start challenging myself and get back into what I love...COLOR!!! 

totally didn't want my ombre lip to be this way

Drugs of choice for the day:
Nars illuminous (Cardiz) set w/Mac Careblend powder (med dark); Mac Studio  Finish concealer (NW30)
Highlight: Mac soft n gentle & Lust msf (LE-Temp Rising Coll)
Not pictured: Brows-Mac Lingering/Anastasia Brow Wiz (Brunette)
Blush: Mac Gingerly (absolute fave)
Eyes: TF golden peach/UD NP 3; Bobbi Brown black gel liner, Sephora Outrageous mascara, random lashes

Kat Von D liquid hippies have been my absolute fave since they came out. I can't stop collecting em (I wear Bow n Arrow the most) I used Ayesha, Requiem and Mother

Ok Ok Ok...I know y'all like dmnnnn just get to the freakin hair already lol so after all the teasers n what not...without further ado **drumroll**

Top: @hustlevintage (IG)

That was fun right :) Reading folks shout out all these crazy colors lol, I'm like ummm hellooooo I have a 9 to 5 nooooow guys haha!! I know a good 2 people that did guess the right color **tee hee** 

Mahogany gave me gunmetal grey and it's everything I envisioned it would be. She never disappoints. I love seeing older women with grey hair. I call em Silver Foxes lol. I know many older women are dying their hair to run awaaaaay from the grey and I'm dying it to get TO the grey sheesh. I just sit in the chair n let her do her thing, walk out feeling like I'm bout to step on stage-to present an award lol. Don't worry...this shade is merely temporary becuz my staple blonde shade shall return. I will officially be short n blonde ALL summer long. 

 However, while I'm on the subject of makeup....figure I'd share my bloopers n secrets as well. My sister has been doing faces at Delaware State and I've been oh so proud to see her work. Like she is legit good and I'm not saying that cuz she's my sister. One tip I like to suggest is something I learned a few summers ago from an MUA I know locally (TeeJay) and also when I took Beatface Honey/Renny class. When you wanna know the truth about what ur face REALLY looking like...use that flash. Flash don't lie!! It's been plenty of instances where my bathroom light will have me feeling on Fleek but that natural light will have me like EEEK but honeychiiiiild...if u aint ALL the way together the flash will have u looking beat alright....beat the hell up as in do u need a medic :7

 

I use the flash with the light on and off-BUT only for special occasions and if I'm doin somebody else face. It's not something I'd do every single day before I leave out the house but I find it very helpful becuz I can look back on em and see what I need to improve on. I am my worst critic for sure. I already know I need to cover my under eyes (and set) more and need my highlighter mo' popping-FOR ME!!! I've been going light handed on the contour lately but nonetheless...this is what I do!! I study my pics and take notes for next time...U best to use the flash...or get embarrassed by someone else's lol. I know y'all be seeing these chicks unblended...seein where shyt starts n ends **wags finger** I'm trying to get to the point where it's well blended smoothly n seamlessly. I'm always open to more tips n tricks as well...Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Smooches

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Lady Lilac

Once upon a time before I got back into the world of 9 to 5, I had lavender hair and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was so spur of the moment becuz I had all the intentions of just going blonde but Kelly Osbourne popped in my head so I called my stylist Mahogany (at Hairmania) and she said LET'S DO IT!!! Now I will admit I was quite nervous. I had never been super blonde let alone lavender. OMG-purple hair??? EEEEK!!! I just seized the moment n took the leap becuz I didn't wanna die wondering "hmmm what if" (as if when u die u randomly think of all the shyt u should've n could've done but still) plus I had already put it in the atmosphere that I was going to get a 9 to 5 last fall (which came into fruition cuz I claimed it-yes Lord) so I knew it was a now or never moment. #YOLO

My lavender hair days have come and gone but at least I can check it off my bucket list. I did feel like a unicorn of some sorts in public amongst a sea full of "normal" hair women'z. Then again with these bundles flung around I already feel like that without purple hair haha!! So fast forward to today's days n times...I have fallen accustomed to keeping my hair "professional" these days so I only have memories through pics of what once was **cue daydream to reminisce music** Well thank goodness there was a wig I seen in a beauty supply store just waiting on me. The lady said the company sent her the wrong color and nobody wanted to buy it since it's such an unusual color. I was quite surprised becuz now I see all kinds of bright colors from the rainbow being worn. I actually like Teal but seeeee not everybody rocking it right cuz they butchering they heads up off some DIY type shyt or clearly an uneducated stylist. My girl is playing nooooo games when it comes to healthy hair. Even as blonde as I am it's still soft. Y'all ever seen them crunchy dry looking blonde's? Yikes!! Walking round wit they head looking like if u touched it, u dipped ur hands in a box of corn flakes smh. 

My ratchet girl side has been satisfied and it's even better cuz it was on sale lol. Aaaah just another laid back, low key look to wear running errands on the weekends haha. Now y'all know I'm not good with wigs right??? I meeeean after an hour or so I'm ready to whip it off n pet it in my lap :( Laaaawd I don't know how y'all do it or maybe short hair has spoiled me that much but I do like the option of hair today, gone tomorrow. This shade of color isn't for the faint of hearts. You WILL be noticed and acknowledged whether good or bad. If you still feel it's too much...don't worry you can vicariously live thru me. I'll be the sacrificial lamb so you don't have to ;)

Smooches

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Life after WLS

There was once upon a time you would've never seen me in a bathing suit. One becuz I don't swim but also becuz I wasn't comfortable being half naked EEEK!! I actually have a pic in my swimsuit from the first drag cruise that I told Marci should never see the light of day lol. EEeeeeeh I might drop it one day as a before n after but for now that shyt will be locked AWAY!! I don't think I've blogged about my weight loss since revealing HOW and this month will make it 2 years since I've had it. I figure I'd slowly but surely elaborate on what I still struggle with.

I just knew after I got surgery and started bootcamp within my 1st year anniversary I would've made my goal weight of 175. Ummm yea nah!! I am teetering between 195 and 200 easy!! 195 is a good week/month where I eat right and exercise. 200 is when I'm on my fat girl shyt n skipping anything remotely close to bootcamp. When you are on your own journey DO NOT get caught up in comparing urself to others. How someone else loses might not work for u. I know me personally...I can't n shan't even lie to myself thinking I can do whatever particular diet or challenge cuz I don't like restrictions. I can't live the rest of my life eating salads. I'm too loyal to chicken to ever cut out meat and no I'm not giving up sugar!! What works for ME is simply not over eating the wrong things. I can lose weight alone with clean eating. When I wanna kick it up a notch I'll incorporate BC but it's not mandatory for me. I'm in a good space right now and semi-content where I am. I say semi- becuz no I am not where I wanna be but I'm not 290 lbs either. I've always been comfortable in my skin but I am now comfortable with my body. 

It still baffles me and seems unbelievable that I am a smaller size (FYI: 12/14) becuz I've been well over a size 16 for sooooo long. When you lose a great amount of weight-for me-It also mentally adjusts ur brain. When I shop I still go directly to the plus size section becuz my brain is wired to thinkin I'm still plus size. Don't get me wrong...for some brands I do still fall within the plus size chart becuz of my height (or thighs). I literally had a pause n breakdown moment when I went into the dressing room and was able to comfortably get in a size 12 or a medium shirt or even Large sized pants. Dresses can be tricky tho cuz I have lost my boobs, slimming waist yet these dmn thighs remind me I'm stiiiiiiiiill here :7 But yea so I had a moment in the dressing room where I literally shed a tear becuz it feels like just yesterday where I was sucking in my stomach to button a size 18 jeans up or bulging out of an XL shirt that looked like a muscle shirt on me...laaaawd don't make me get the testifying up in here **cue tambourine** but ya get my jist. I've been learning it's so much more to it when losing weight that I never really thought about-mentally!!

Come thruuuu Eliza J (nordy rack) Size 14 (she fits kinda small)

I appreciate all the love, support and interest in my story. I paid the info forward to someone who also went to Mexico and to see her progress is amazing. Like wow, I looked at Tai before me who did it in awe n inquired; someone watched my progress did the same and we all made the decision to make it happen. I scroll thru my timeline like dmn we've come a loooong way. Regardless in however you embark on your journey just be realistic and be happy. I get comments like "oh I've only lost 2 lbs this week" and I think we should celebrate small victories. We wanna lose so much, so fast, so soon that when you don't wake up 20 lbs lighter after a day, week or month you feel defeated. I teeter between 195 and 200 becuz I'm not consistent. If I don't exercise and eat right-basically do nothing, I lose nothing. When I'm in grind mode it takes me well over 30 days of consistency n determination for results. Again...thats just me!!

Smooches

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#TueSlay Attn Kmart Shoppers...

I spend my money on a lot of things...clothes ain't one em!! As backwards as it may sound, I'll easily have $200+ of makeup on my face with an outfit for half that lol. I have always been a SALE SHOPPER!!! I don't like cheap LOOKING shoes but I can never skimp on comfort. At my age I appreciate the return of the kitten heels cuz I ain't got nothing to prove mmmm k BUT make no mistakes muva can throw them heels on when y'all need a reminder **snap** and thanx to being 90 lbs lighter I can leave em on longer without my feet getting swollen..now check that **phaedra voice**

A few weeks ago, I stumbled in Kmart for last minute home goods. I was lookin for shower curtains for mason bathroom and came across this Nicki Minaj section. Now I've seen her clothes when they first hit Kmart and wasn't impressed. Mainly cuz it just wasn't my style and quite teeny bopper-ish. I seen this cute little sweat suit get up n tried it on. Actually...with the sizing it took me a few tries :P 

Top: $30; Bottom: $27
Shoes: Asos (Fall 2015)

The good thing about Kmart is...they always got a sale going on whether its BOGO or 15-30% off so trust me...full price I'm not paying $60 for a sweatsuit and I don't even know if that's a good or fair price on sweatsuits in general cuz again...makeup is where my money goes lol. But I grabbed it as a quick weekend errand run outfit n the quilt design with the zipper run made it "cool". 

Mason was my photographer of the day as he huffed n puffed like why mom...just why!! Then I was like for my blog-JUST DO IT!!!! Luckily for him I'm an easy model where it doesn't take long to get THE shot but Ugh...tough finding cooperative photographers these days :7 Although my main source of clothes can come from anywhere from Nordstrom to Ebay, I don't discriminate. I'm open to any and everything that'll drape upon my body oh so effortlessly to bring the name to the forefront cuz let's be real...u gotta wear the clothes, they don't wear you **lip pop**

Smooches

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Spring Break is OVA!!

Aaaah the end of Spring Break for the kiddos and I surprised Mason with a trip to the circus where his classmates were also attending. This was his first trip to the Ringling Brothers Circus. We are normally more Soul Circus-y ones **fist pump** and my dad used to take me to RB's when I was younger so might as well keep up the tradition. He thought we were going to see the monster trucks cuz for some reason he thinks he knows me :7

I don't know if y'all know but from what I heard this is the last year of the elephants as they are set to retire em out and let em live out the rest of their days with family (so they say). They've been accused of abusing animals for years but I wonder how they chose elephants over the tigers cuz I seen how dude was using his whip n I was like hmmm...at any given moment I'm sure these tigers can jump his azz. Now that I'm older I can only imagine the training sessions with these animals to merely entertain us and how are they even picked n plucked from the wild or their native homelands to be shackled and in cha-**quickly reminded of Roots** >:< But I digress...overall the kids were entertained...parents pockets were drained **side eye to the $5 bottle of water** All I could do was THANK GOD i only have ONE child cuz those $20 cups, $15 cotton candy bags and other $20-30 souvenirs would've had my life on PAUSE for a few weeks sheesh!! 

Nonetheless...it's always a great time when I can get my little mini me out the house. He doesn't like to hang wit this old lady too much cuz he's too busy stuck behind a controller playing those stupid Call of Duty games **rolls eyes** I keep telling him he better take advantage of having such a cool mom to hang out wit cuz IM POPPIN **dab**!!! Back in the days he'd be at the door before me ready to roll by my side and now the only way I can bribe him to hang wit me is thru an Xbox gift card -_- But I get it...my baby is growing up and starting to have a life of his own **le sigh** As long as he makes time for me every once in a while I'm good. I make sure I remind him to not take me for granted as most kids do with parents especially moms cuz ya never know when your having that last conversation or last dinner or last laugh with loved ones. Take me in now and enjoooooy the moment.

Smooches

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