Curl Envy: NOT QUITE!

Check out these latest pics of Nicki Minaj.  Although I am a fan of the curls, the shape is not really flattering on her; or anyone for that matter.  I'm curious to see what her real hair looks like underneath of the wigs.  It's probably long; that's a lot of protective styling.

Frugalista: L.A.M.B. Pier in Cognat

Guess who just got a pair of L.A.M.B. Pier's for $90?  Me!!!!!!!!  These shoes originally retailed at $395 and I found them in my beloved Loehmann's for $199.99.  Well, I had a 50% off coupon and with my gold card membership I received an additional 10% off.  If you look closely at the pic you can see why they were in Loehmann's; there is some kind of watermark/burn on the inside of the lower heel.  SO WHAT!! They are still full retail on Zappos and they come in black and brown.  I'm glad I only had one choice; I can be so indecisive at times!

Teach me how to Samba!!

I love to dance!  I can whine it up, get my merengue and salsa on with the best, but when it comes to samba, I have two left feet...sigh.  One day I will learn!





This looks like the heel-toe to me; maybe that's why I have so much difficulty...I know too many dancehall moves!

EARGASM: Rihanna "Man Down"

I love this song; I hope she releases it as a single!!!

Movies: Love and Other Drugs

This movie was exactly what I thought it would be; the typical bad boy, excepting the challenge and falling for the one who rejected him, with a twist.  I related to this movie a lot and it paralleled two of my all time favorites Autumn in New York and A Walk to Remember. Anne Hathaway's character reminded me of myself; extremely guarded, free-spirited, a very hard exterior about to crack at any moment.  Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing as well, doing a great job as the "charming salesman". Without sharing too much, I laughed and I cried.  Well, that was probably a little TMI, lol.

Black Friday

For the first time in 5 years, yesterday I did not have to work.  Working in retail for most of my adult life I have started to loathe malls and the entire shopping experience.  I love everything about fashion, but you will rarely find me at the mall or anybody's department store.  I love to shop on-line and at my favorite discount stores: Loehmann's, Gabriel Brother's, Filene's Basement, Century 21, TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Nordstrom's Rack.  Oh and the holy grail: Target's boys section!!!  I sometimes frequent Off Saks and Neiman's Last Call, but A LOT (not all) of the items they sell were made specifically for those stores and were never even in Saks or Neiman's.  There is nothing wrong with that, but psychologically, I want to feel like I'm getting the best deal of my life and I want a real markdown.

So, I went to Loehmann's yesterday in search of some wardrobe staples: black pumps and a new black purse.  I came out with a cute little top, a pair of black pumps and a pair of red pumps.  Those 3 items cost me $58 (Buy one, get second half off + 15% birthday discount + 10% gold member card).  Not bad!  I have about 4 pair of black pumps now:  Church, Interview, Casual, and Dressy.  Now, that I've justified each of their purposes, I no longer want to vomit.  I hate bright red shoes, I'm usually a burgandy or merlot type of girl, but they were just a bonus for those nights when I complain of nothing to wear and the price was excellent!!!

Movies: The Next 3 Days

Yeah, so I go to the movies a lot!  I went to go see this Russell Crowe thriller last week and I enjoyed it.  Though the film was unrealistic and very slow at times, it still delivered.  I love how Liam Neeson was in the movie for less than 5 minutes and made the preview.  I have to watch the French inspiration Pour Elle (Anything for you) for comparison.  I'm sure the French version is better.

"Yeezy taught me"

I don't know about you, but I am a HUGE fan of Kanye West.  Yes, I have all of his albums and mix tapes and I refuse to have a favorite.  Whether or not you dropped out of college, registered late, or graduated on time (like myself), I can't really tell you that this album is better than the rest because my broken heart doesn't pound like an 808.  But, in My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye and I were together forever, lol.  I know, I'm silly!!

Nevertheless, this is a great album and Chris Rock really went in!!!  That's all I'm saying; listen for yourself.

EARGASM: Curren$y ft. BIG K.R.I.T. Skybourne (live)

Curren$y - New Music - More Music Videos

It's my Birthday!!!

Hooka anyone?

Happy Birthday to me!!!  It's just another day, another year.  I haven't done anything big for my birthday in a long time and this year that didn't change, lol.  Oh well, there's always next year! 

Update:  I actually went out Sunday night and had a ball!!!

EARGASM: Stalley "Babblin"

I've been playing this song for months now and saw the video this summer on Youtube! So, you can guess how hype I was when saw it on MTVJams today!! Go Stalley!!

Switch it up!!

 

I love the photos of Alicia Keys in Vogue Italia this month.  I especially enjoy the CHANGE; she is rocked out and glammed up! 

 

 With that said, I'm seriously hair and wardrobe depressed!  I am in need of a serious change and some new shoes!  I'm thinking cut, color, and a shopping spree!! Oh wait, I need a sponsor :(

Product Review: ORS Smooth-n-Hold Pudding

Walgreen's

I purchased this product a couple of months ago, tried it, didn't love it and now I'm trying to use it up.  I love styling products with a cream-gel like texture for my twist-outs/braid outs/bantu knots. So, when I saw the description and looked at the texture, the PJ (product junkie) in me had to give it a try.  I was so thrilled that I forgot to look at the ingredients which is a huge "no-no" for me.  But, I blindly trusted ORS because I've used other products in the past.

Ingredients
Aqua (Water) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) , Polyquaternium-11 , Glycerin , Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate , Cetearyl Alcohol , Polysorbate-60 , PEG-150 Stearate , Cetyl Alcohol , Ceteareth-20 , PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin , PEG-40 Stearate , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive) , Simmondsia Chinensis Oil (Jojoba) , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond) , Phenyl Trimethicone , PEG-12 Dimethicone , Oleth-20 , Carbomer , Triethanolamine , DMDM Hydantoin , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Parfum (Fragrance) , Benzyl Benzoate , Citronellol , d-Limonene , Eugenol , Geraniol , Hexyl Cinnamal , Lilial , Linalool , Methyl Ionone , CI 42090 (Blue #1) , CI 19140 (Yellow #5)

I was very disappointed to learn that mineral oil was the 2nd ingredient in this product. Mineral oil is only a big deal to me because I'm a sulfate-free/no-poo type of girl.  However, I refuse to waste my money and I made a promise to myself to use up everything I buy.  So, in order to remove excess build up, I've been incorporating some low sulfates into my regimen every time I use this product.

Overall, I will not repurchase.  I used this product on damp hair and the results were pretty good at first.  The texture is more of a cream than a gel which would lead to believe that it is ultra hydrating, but the hydration only lasts for a day or two.  After that, my hair feels dry and brittle.  It definitely has a light, non-sticky hold factor that is very good for 4th and 5th day hair, but by day 3 my hair is so thirsty, I have to wash it.  When I BC again, I will definitely be using their Lock and Twist Gel instead.

Keri Hilson: Pretty Girl RocK!

Do the Pretty Girl Rock!!

Coco Before Chanel

Okay, this is not the Lifetime movie with my beloved Shirley MacLaine. This is the Audrey Tautou, pay attention because it's in French so read the English subtitle, version. I loved this movie!!!  It really didn't focus on her fashion too much at all, it was about her life leading up to her success.  What I loved most about her is that she was, like me, a tomboy and was very much into androgyny.  People would often tell her to wear heels, corsets, and overall "just be more feminine".  She would take men's suits and construct them into dresses.  So in a room of pretty pinks and powder blues, she was wearing black pinstripes.  It was so comforting to watch the real woman behind the brand.

Eargasm: Miguel "Overload"

I can't wait until his debut. I discovered Miguel a couple of years ago on Youtube and I'm so proud of his success.  I knew that when he released All I want Is You, he would be a problem.  I love this song!

Curl Envy: Esperanza Spalding

Need I say more?

Frugalista: Foundation

Walgreen's

Ok, this is the second post I've made about my cheap foundation.  Even though I love Revlon's Color Stay, I couldn't help but to try Black Radiance's Color Perfect for just $4.99. I bought it in Butterscotch and it is the perfect undertone and shade for me (for winter).  I wanted to test it out for about 2 weeks before I reviewed it and I must say I am impressed.  The texture is very creamy and it dries down to a true matte finish.  I wouldn't recommend this for dry skin types, but it is great for all the combination and oily girls.  I definitely like the color options better than Color Stay, but I can't tell if I like it better overall.  Either way, I have a cheaper option!!

Movies: Unstoppable

For whatever reason, Denzel Washington has received a lot of criticism for his second "train" movie in a year.  Now, although one is a freight train in Pennsylvania and the other a subway in New York people still seem to draw similarities between the to.  Please DO NOT; this is an entirely different movie.  I liked the movie a lot and I'm glad it ended after 1hr and 38 minutes.  I get sick of sitting through half-action packed movies for more than 2 hours.

Curl Envy: Fly Cut

source
 

I seriously love this hair cut. I wish I could see it from different angles because it would definitely be considered. As of late, I haven't really been feeling my hair at all; I'm so annoyed! When I get like this, drastic changes usually occur.

Movies: Due Date

This movie did not disappoint; I expected it to be hilarious and it was!  I have nothing else to say.

Movies: Stone

This movie was horrible; it had a very suspenseful, yet boring plot that led to all the characters having sudden epiphanies.  It also showcased good vs. evil role reversal and temptation.  However, it was so slow and the things I thought were going to happen, did not.  In fact, this is the first time I actually wanted a movie to be predictable.  Even the star-studded cast of Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, and Milla Jovovich didn't do this movie justice.

Movies: For Colored Girls

Today I accompanied my Grandmother and cousin for our weekly $5 matinee date.  Of course, my Grandmother wanted to see For Colored Girls, as did I, but not at 10am on a Friday morning and opening day.  Okay, I'm done complaining! 

Although I have never seen the play; I felt like I was watching it on screen.  Overall, it wasn't a smooth transition from the stage to the big screen.  I want to give a special shout-out to Loretta Devine for being "best in show"; she really captured her character and made a seamless transition from the stage.  Some of the actresses seemed like they were on an episode of Def Poetry Jam; just doing way too much!  Nonetheless the monologues were astounding, but it took me a few seconds longer to decipher all of the poetic metaphors, so in my Grandmother's own words "I need to see this shit again!" Shockingly, I didn't pick up on the colors of the rainbow each character represented until the closing credits and then I remembered that they were wearing those colors during the whole movie, lol.

EARGASM: Natalie Stewart ft. Musiq "Forever"

When I first heard that Floetry parted ways, I knew that the ladies would eventually begin their solo careers.  I was really anticipating Marsha Ambrosius' debut, but I wasn't really feeling her mixtape Sincerely Yours, nor her latest single "I Hope She Cheats on You..." I guess I was just expecting that old Floetry sound.  Well, I happened to be watching VH1 Soul today and saw Natalie's video for her latest single "Forever" featuring Musiq, OMG!  This song is simply amazing and is exactly what I was expecting from Marsha. 

Let the battle begin, so far, I'm team Natalie!!!