Weekend Recap

Aaaaaah what a lovely weekend it was eh...This year Halloween fell on a weekend (if u love Geto Boys you'd automatically finish that statement) and the weather was perfect. I would love to one year go to a Halloween Party cuz i think its so fun to see people get creative with playing dress up. 

This bamma Mason was a ninja and thank goodness his costume only cost'd a mere $20 but sheesh...am i the only one who notices how expense costumes cost these days O_o i meeeeean what happened to the $10 boxes that had the plastic mask n table cloth poncho's??? Mason doesn't really even eat candy but he goes along with the trick or treatin then candy be left around for months (after i go thru n "test" all the chocolates of course). I was looking back on his past pics and realizing this month he'll be 9 **sniff** i had to pause after taking a pic cuz i realized...DMN...he's getting tall.

Like..waaaaait how is he catching up to meeeee. Then again i AM shrinking :7 Yet i do remind him no matter how much taller he gets i have no problem stepping up on a ladder to come up n knock his block off if need be. So while Mason was enjoying his night on the town....i on the other hand had a different agenda. See it all started just a few years ago when me and my girl Lez went to Kings Dominion **cue harps and wavy lines to flashback**

Redemption Ride
Back in my fat girl days we went to KD for the whole fright fest and stood in line awaiting the roller coaster ride. As we were in line we ended up on the conversation of being too big to fit into the seats for the rides with laughs n jokes. I seen this chick who's thighs was twice as big as mine finish her ride so i felt slightly confident i'd have no problem. So it's our turn, we hop in the seats and my thighs took up every bit of space in what seemed to be made for thin mints. The harness part that goes over the shoulder didn't wanna fasten wit the belt. I'm lookin over at Lez like AYE...i refuse to do the walk of shame to get OFF the ride but as extended as that belt was it was NOT trying to connect n snap to the harness. My heart was beatin SO hard becuz i was holding up the ride AND they had to re-lift the harness to adjust it to the belt like 3 times. Finally i had to take off my jacket n smoosh my boobs together and take a breath deeper than a Maya Angelou quote to fit inside. It was that moment i was like aaaaaawwww hell naw n pushed me to losing weight.

Fast forward to the present...I was back with Uh-Ven-Gence and ready to take on ALL roller coasters becuz i knew dmn well after losin 100lbs i would just sliiiiide up in there wit ease. Lez has her own journey (sans surgery) and we've both come a long way. It felt like such an accomplishment to be able to confidently get on the ride and laugh hysterically at how it went down before and we had a blast!! Revenge on the rides-CHECK!!!!

Now that Halloween is out the way, let's get ready as now the remaining months will officially fly by and with the holidays upon us it's my favorite time of the year in makeup land:

I'll be doing my latest makeup haul from the last friends n family sale from sephora along with my recommendations on what to go for and what u can pretty much pass on. I've been doin this a loooong time now so i can pretty much pin point the needs from the wants so i'm excited to share my haul. Til then...let's get this week on and poppin :)

Smooches

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The Plum Fairy

I am loving Fall. Like I said it's my favorite season besides Spring. I have yet to swap my summer for fall/winter totes becuz my weekends have just been so booked lately. The new job is coming along lovely and I'm just overall excited looking towards 2016. I've been having an abundance of blessings lately with the change of my attitude of being "open to receiving my blessings" and it's amazing what doors will open when u let go n let God becuz I've grown to learn-don't stress over what u have no control of becuz when u have that faith in THEEE LORD **cue church organs** honeychiiiiiild **raises hands n stomps feet** u have to just KNOW he is an on time God-uh yes he is-and I'm gonna leave it at that before I get to catching the holy ghost at the mere thought of how kept I've been these days, yes indeed.

In celebration of the beginning of Fall 2015, I've envisioned this photoshoot and forced my sissy, Najah bring it to life. When you think of fall (in the makeup world) it's time to bring out ur plums n vampy shades. I'm in love with burgundy's, rusty oranges n shades of red. Since I've been in uniforms for oh so long, I've been enjoying shopping to look the part **sits up straight** and Grey's and Mustard is my current love for clothes. 

I grabbed this dress from Tommy Bahamas Outlet (Tanger Outlets, National Harbor) over the summer because they had a sale for $40 for dresses (mind u the price tag is $200) and it's long n cozy. It's an XL which runs big...or maybe I'm running small **sticks out tongue** but nonetheless I love it, prolly becuz I can be Spanx-less haha!!

 

Ok so lemme pause for the cause and say....my sissy did an excellent job n she definitely takes her photography seriously. She hits angles n gets down n dirty to make sure the light catches me just right. Although u see her skills shine I am lookin at these pics while I'm posting them in awe that the makeup is done by ME!!!! Meeeeee. EEEEK!! like seriously. I have definitely been underestimating myself lately and that's just my own personal struggle I've gone back n forth with. Regardless of praises I get from yall, within myself I'm EXTRA critical. Even going thru these shots I would zoom in to take notes on what to improve on for next time. I think I'm so scared to just take the plunge becuz I want perfection...I'll save this rant for another post tho lol...

Now Back to your regularly scheduled program....

Recipe for Face

Serves: The Kids

Ingredients:

YSL Fall 2015 Couture Palette SOLD OUT ERYWHERE

These are my absolutely TOP FAVES for Fall, even tho I technically wear em all year round but hands down these are what I grab the most:

• Mac Gingerly blush (a must for med-drk complexions)
• Mac Breath of Plum
• Mac Soft n Gentle msf
• Mac Lush msf (LE, Temperature Rising Coll)
• NYX Matte Bronzer (dark tan)
• Cover FX cream contour palette (N Deep)

• Kat Von D "Exorcism"
• OCC Lydia lip tar
• Mac Oyster Girl
• Mac Vino liner (not pictured)     

In conclusion to a day off for Columbus Day, I enjoyed gettin dolled up to take advantage of not just finally having time to blog but a day of rest-period. I'm a homebody at heart but I do enjoy kicking it with the fam n friends when I can. I planned a surprise date for my grandma next weekend to take her to see the play called "Things Your Man Won't Do" in Baltimore. I'm always excited to spend time with my grandma cuz she so crazy n we all know old folks have no filter which I love. Til next time...

Smooches

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Closing out Summer

Summer 2015 it's been a blast!!! I feel like it went by fast but also slow...is that weird? I'd like to feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I've accomplished a goal for a new job-CHECK and a vacation spot on a sandy beach-CHECK! One of my girls got married in Cancun a few wks ago and as much as I'd loooove to turn into a golden bronzed goddess and come back lookin like a freshly birthed golden retriever...me n the sun just don't mesh well :( womp womp!! Too much sun for me no matter what SPF sun blocker i use will give me sun poison **cue BBD song** and the heat alone will have me delirious as well, so to bask in some type of glow I hibernate under the shade n peek out every so often to get enuff of a tan so u KNOW I jetsetted somewhere lol. It's always a great time as my girls get together to laugh n cry over memories and making new ones. Like dmn I've known these bytchez since middle school EEEK!!! Although we don't talk often I'm still there to support when needed. 

this is when I peek out for sun

Summer isn't my favorite season but this year it was really fun becuz I got to shimmy my way into old clothes n shop for new ones. I will be honest...I have not been to bootcamp for a good month now **gasp** With tryin to adjust to this new 9 to 5 schedule and a new learning curve of an earlier bed time along with juggling dinner n homework after school-I'm just tryin to find my groove until I add in bootcamp again. But I can't lie...I've felt reeeeal good indulging (and guilty later) with junk food but it's gotten old to me becuz my taste buds are over it. 

This was soooo good goin down!!

Yeeees Cheesecake Factory is my favorite spot, mmmmm!!! The last time I was there was for cheesecake day where they introduced this year's special Salted Caramel cheesecake!! I'm merely drooling just thinkin of it. Although it's a tad too rich for me to finish in one day (this lasted me all week) it totally bumped out my last year's favorite, Smore's #FatGirlTalk But I have to snap outta this fat girl rut n get my head back in the game becuz my weight has been teetering around that 200 mark and I had finally passed the threshold to 197 but due to laziness n lack of exercise n eating horribly I got back up to like 205 **insert ugly kim k cry face** I can only blame myself so I ain't mad. Why does it have to taste so good bein baaaaad :( I know holidays are starting to roll around and I don't want that to be an excuse that my scale ain't moving so for October I'm gettin back on grind mode. Welp!! So loooong summer and hellooooo Fall. Time to turn the AC off, open them windows to let the cool breeze flow in and I'm ready for cuffin season (with nothin to cuff mind u). Can u believe in 3 months it'll be Christmas. I'm officially ready for snow days especially knowing I'm not essential personnel lol.

Til next year Summer...

Smooches

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Didja Miss Me

Wow! Life really does come at u fast. I have abandoned my blog for quite some time now **looks at date from last post** HOLY CRAP!!! dmn near 5 weeks-EEEK!! I really appreciate the feedback n love from those who take time out to read my blog. I feel so loved :) My last post talkin bout my sleeve was liberating for me so I'm excited to move forward with the struggles iiiiiiiiii have even AFTER weight loss surgery. If your a parent I'm sure ur as excited I am to see kids BACK IN SCHOOL!!! Yaaaaaaaaay!!! Summer flew by and my only begotten son is now in the 3rd grade.

It's so crazy cuz I remember his 1st day in Pre-K **sniff** NO!! I'm not that parent who cries on the first day wit separation anxiety or emotional their no longer babies-oh naw!! I do have moments when I look back at pics n say dmn time waits on nothing. In another 9 years he'll be graduating high school n headed off to SOMEBODY college cuz he definitely gettin up outta here lol. 

I'm gonna be the mom to take a pic every year so I can hold the collage up during graduation lol.

One thing I've done with Mason since his very first day of school is start the tradition to get him a "back to school" gift on the 1st day. It's nothing big of course but just a lil something to rev the engine n motivate him for a good school year ahead. It's actually something he now looks forward to and he KNOWS to bring home good grades to keep the gifts coming. For now it's easy for me cuz he dnt want nothing much but a slurpee n xbox gift card but my sisters tease me all the time talkin bout when he gets in HS his gift will be cars-lmaooooo shyyyyyyyyyyt!!! 

Let's seeeee what else should I catch u guys up on....oh yea...I've been in the public safety world for a good 8 years. It's an interesting job to have and I honestly just fell into it and stuck with it becuz the money is pretty dmn good. It was just what I needed with a newborn and over the years it has afforded me vacations, helping loved ones and whatever our hearts desired. I went into the job with the attitude of "its a job" not knowing that I'd grow close to people who I would eventually call family. The fire dept is a close knit unit which I meeeean I guess u would have to be when u literally spend the majority of ur life (12-24 hr days) with em more than ur own family.  Nonetheless, I know ME. I can't fake nor hide how I feel. I've had many self-evaluaing moments to myself where I would go to work thinking "ok now what". Don't get me wrong, the joy in saving lives and entertaining old folks who just call up to talk are rewarding but I was not fulfilled in MY position. With the changes in management and a merge with police, I had my nuff BUT my job search was long n hard because I wasn't ready to take a pay cut. It was easy for me to have that cushion and security blanket of knowing I could take a few extra days of overtime to pay for an upcoming vacation or holiday season rollin around-I was on it!!! I've missed a many of family/friends moments, holiday's and quality time from Mason becuz of my greed to chase a dollar and/or shift schedule. What I had to come to realize IS....money dnt mean shyt when u aint happy! I was not happy yet I still went to work and did my job feeling unappreciated as I observed the difference in how I was treated vs someone less vested. I like to shop at Target, not be one mmmm k n got tired of being the 2Pac amongst the group. I worked with a great group of people where we laugh to keep from crying, motivate and uplift each other. I just knew for ME it was just time to move on elsewhere, just where I didn't know. 

Me as I did my FINAL night at work

It's funny how fast life comes at u and I enjoy the unknown. I had been job searchin for a long time and it wasn't until earlier this year I said I will consider a pay cut within reason. I started shopping with the attitude of 9 to 5 attire and even turned in my uniforms at the current job becuz I already determined to step out on faith and claim it to the heavens above that by Fall 2015 I would no longer be in my current position. I didn't know where I'd be workin, I just knew it wasn't gonna be public safety. It was just something I prayed on n felt in my heart of hearts becuz I wasn't happy. I could no longer be content with where I was becuz of the money. Mason will be 9 this year and he's playing sports and I want to be there. I needed a flexible job to do so. Making the transition to leave was bittersweet for me. I enjoy the luxuries of shopping during the week while everyone is at work, empty movie theatre's during matinees and being off while others work. The downside was working holidays n wknds when everyone is making cookout plans, girls night outs n facetime sessions with Mason cuz he misses me. It was just time for change. I like being challenged and learning new things. I knew I made the right decision for ME. When I gave Mason the exciting news of a new job where I'd be with him every night and no longer needed to be back n forth between his dad's house n mine he had the look of relief followed by a big azz smile. I love the flexibility to see his practices n games and picking him up from school to go home n cook while he's doin homework. I am there now-like all the time there!! To see my baby with the biggest smile becuz im there means the world to me. He recently said to me "mommy are u comin to my game becuz gramnea goes to all the Delaware State games and they win becuz she's good luck for the team so if u come to my games then we will win too" **cue aaaaaah's**

 Although I'm back to the real world on a "normal" schedule, I'm still a homebody. My Friday nights consists of falling asleep by 10p snuggled with this little fella and when he's happy, I'm happy. I am excited where I am now with learning new people, new possibilities and a new career. To anyone who goes to work feeling unfilled, uneasy and just not happy-it's up to you to get outta the rut and do you but be patient becuz it'll happen when it's meant to be and you'll just go with that gut feeling and intuition on what to choose from. I'm learning to adjust and realign becuz to someone else it might appear as a setback becuz we're in a world where it's all about the benjamins. The money loss is merely temporary for me becuz God is good all the time, and he will always make a way. I got plenty of testimonies where I've made $2 out of 15 cents honey...dnt get me started cuz I look back wondering How Sway? How? Then I realize it ain't nobody but the man above who looks out for his peoples. I AM COVERED yes indeed. After going through what I've gone through I've grown to learn one thing u can't put a price on is PEACE OF MIND!!!! (and playin dress up aint never hurt nobody **cue Kid n Play song**)

Shirt: Vince Camuto from Nordy Rack ($10), Skirt: JCPenny ($16), Shoes: Jessica Simpson from Nordy Rack ($30)

Smooches

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