Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day with Family & Friends. Here is just a little wisdom I fed myself today via TD Jakes app :) 

Lipstick & Love xoxo 

Fall Fashion : Coats & Boots

This is the season where the ladies are going in the back of their closet to pull forward their fall coats, and scavenging through shoe boxes to showcase their boots to be worn. I am all for a statement jacket and some killer shoes to complete my outfit. Mixing Highs and Lows can be the best thing ever, who says that a woman has to be decked out in labels to look fabulous. Uhn! Uhn! Honey! It's all about the expression of one's style. Remember "Fashion Changes, Style Endures" -Coco Chanel- 

The thigh high Zigi boots have been seen on everyone, it is one of the hottest trends right now along with the Givenchy boots. I like both of these styles because they can be dressed up or down. Wear A T-Shirt and some cut off shorts with the thigh high boots and POW! You are fierce without doing too much. The Givenchy boots gives off a little more class to me, I would definitely pair them with a nice button down and a leather pencil skirt for a dinner night with my girls. The brown boots are from a collection Rihanna released not too long ago with River Island, they remind me of a pair of boots that the Zigi line carry as well. And who can resist a pair of Christian Louboutins, they make a woman feel amazing at first sight. 

To get dappered out in Leather and Fur makes a woman pull out her phone and snap all kinds of selfies and OOTD's before heading out! Faux fur and vegan leather are also options instead of purchasing the real deal. In some states a light jacket such as the leopard trench coat is just right for the weather, and in other areas we need to pull out and layer up to keep warm. Just stay Fashionable and Confident in Yourself! You can Rock it Girl, Go Ahead!! 

What are you loving this Fall Season?? 

Lipstick & Love xoxo 

Details on Items: 

Alice Olivia fur trimmed coat
$1,445 - oxygenboutique.com

French connection coat
usa.frenchconnection.com

Balmain blue fur jacket
mytheresa.com

ZiGiny lace up boots
shopakira.com

Christian Louboutin black ankle boots
christianlouboutin.com

Givenchy suede boots
saksfifthavenue.com

Rihanna For River Island platform boots
openingceremony.us

Masked: When we are a Beautiful Nightmare!

Photo Credit: Ambelav.blogspot.com via google

I decided to display such a beautiful masked picture to tie hand in hand with the post for today. My thoughts for today are that we can be perceived as such a  beautiful person in this world to others but we can be a beautiful nightmare to ourselves. To me it means that we hide ourselves behind a mask, we may look so beautiful on the outside but on the inside we are experiencing a nightmare. 

Think about this. Sometimes you are having the worst day or in the worst situation and it seems like nothing can go right, and instead of a little bit of rain on your parade, it's a pour. But you still have to go about your day as if you are not crying or experiencing turmoil on the inside. Someone asks, "How are you" and the reply is I'm great, or I'm okay but really you just want to begin bawling and spilling your heart out to gain some relief and vent. 

We have learned to mask ourselves, because at times we are afraid to tell someone that my life is not as amazing as you think it is. I'm going through a lot right now and I wish I had someone to just talk too, or to get a hug from and tell me that everything is okay. But out of fear that they may not understand your situation, or they probably won't even care, we mask our emotions, hold everything in and like a shaken soda bottle we don't even realize that eventually we are going to explode. 

The question is when do we realize that we can take off our mask, that we don't have to keep hiding behind our beauty that only one can see from the outside. Sometimes there is someone who is staring at you thinking the same thing, will they listen? I wish they knew what I was going through. 

Today if you are feeling like a Beautiful Nightmare, just as you wipe the makeup off of your face at night before bed. Begin to clean your mask, each layer, each piece at a time. Don't rush yourself, know that the nightmare can only become Beautiful when you allow it to be. We are a masterpiece, and no matter what we feel on the inside we have the opportunity to speak nothing unless it is Positive and Beauty into our life. IT CAN BE DONE!! No matter what YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Lipstick and Love xoxo

Monday Motivation : Thankful

Happy Monday! Today I am THANKFUL. It is a new week, a new day and new beginnings to what your heart desire. Not just this week but everyday we should give Thanks. Since Thanksgiving is approaching, I just wanted to ask you all WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?? It is a time that we get to celebrate with our family, and friends and come together. We have our family in the kitchen, and we are wondering what is on the menu, and will our aunt bring over her special pies? Some of us aren't as happy during these holidays due to not having a close knit family, or missing a loved one that you wish was here with you to celebrate this time. I, myself lost my grandfather one year ago around this time so I have been thinking about it, and my family is not one that always gather around the table and come together, so at times I get down around the holiday season. BUTTTTTTT...... I've took it upon myself to change my mindset this year, and guess what NO MATTER WHAT the circumstance is or what my situation looks like, I'M GOING TO BE THANKFUL.

We all have a lot to be thankful about, just think of the little things in life, We woke up in a warm home, we are able to do the things some are not, and  we have the opportunity to create how we want our day to go, we can smile, and we can turn anything into being positive. Just think of it this way, there is someone out there who wishes for what we may have, who wishes to even get a meal or too see family.It is heartbreaking, and although we may be going through something, we can be in a worst situation.

We create our atmosphere and our attitude. We can create an amazing day by simply waking up and saying to ourselves "Today will be great."  So with this week, take an approach to be thankful for everything. Greet others with a smile, and be nice to anyone who crosses your path because you never know what they may be going through. Extend a good deed!

Lipstick and Love xoxo

Photo Credit: Google

Soulful Sunday: Your Isolation may be your Preparation

Happy Sunday Loves! Today I woke up and said I needed to go to church via web. I logged on to The Potters House website and watched Sarah Jakes Wednesday night message. It was her first time speaking at her father's church and I must say I was blown away. 

So, let's just get into my Soulful Sunday. At times we all feel like we are a mess, in a mess and don't know how to get out of the mess. We try to take control of our situations and think we are super hero enough to fix it on our own. At times we become isolated and feel as if it is our punishment because of the mess we caused. Guess what? Our isolation may just be preparation for us. It is preparing us to become better, preparing us for something bigger than ourselves, bigger than anything we have ever imagined. Stop viewing your isolation as a bad thing. As Sarah stated we soil our minds in this time when we think it is punishment, saying to ourselves " I caused this", and blaming yourself. Know that sometimes we are grounded to focus on our homework. It is a time to focus on you! Believe that whatever you may be going through is only preparing you! Let God Be in Control! It all will work out! Today we are going to Smile, Be Happy, and focus on our Preparation. 

Lipstick & Love xoxo

Photo Credit: sarahjakes.com

Saturday Style: Solange Knowles

Saturday Style is dedicated to the Fashionable Solange Knowles. This woman is fierce beyond words. Her style consists of a love for mixing prints and patterns with her signature hairstyles such as her "Big Natural Hair" or sometimes she rocks a small fro. Solange is the epitome of Jill of all trades. She recently became creative director for Puma. Also under her talented aura you can add Celebrity DJ, and Power Mom as well. Solange fashion is a step out of the box, she definitely dresses to the beat of her own drum and can be an inspiration for us ladies all over the globe. Check out these pictures from her Complex Shoot ( not recent). 

Lipstick and Love xoxo 

Photo Credit: Complex 

Happiness

We all want Happiness in life. The question is who or what do we allow to define our happiness? Sometimes we let others and even challenges and outcomes become superior of our smiles, laughter, and joy. Learning to see the bright side of everything, laughing more than frowning, and enjoying who you are and your life despite any barriers are all helpful keys of happiness. I heard the saying one time of a teacher who asked a child what did he want to be when he grew up, the child simply stated "happy". The teacher spoke and said "You don't understand the assignment, with the child replying back "You don't understand life". I thought this was great! We all are programmed to think of our career and lifestyle as we grow up but not the true feelings of oneself such as being happy and our inner being. I wish you all love and joy !!

Lipstick and Love xoxo 

Fit & Fab

With all the health guru and fitness people we come across nowadays, the new fit and fab talk of the town is working out with Waist Trainers or simply wearing them to achieve that coke bottle figure. I have seen many celebs, and individuals promoting them or showing off their frame captioning the title "What's a Waist" he-he :) While we ladies all want that small waist and to look amazing in our midi dresses and crop tops, question is how great are these corsets and trainers? I've seen some BOMB.COM ladies who stated that the waist trainer is how they achieved that sexy slim figure, but I sometimes wonder did they have work done, do they even need this, or is it all true. Will you or have you tried it yet?

In other news, some women go the other route with exercising regularly and clean eating. Celebrity Fitness Trainers Lana Gem and her mom have been snatching bodies back since releasing their DVD BGWT "Black Girls Workout Too". I, myself have tried this DVD and I must say I seen some results while trying to eat clean and working out to their 45 minute plan. I must say you have to be very dedicated and disciplined, OH and PATIENT (covers eyes) to see the results. What are you exercise tips to get us all in shape? Do you meal prep?? 

Lipstick & Love XOXO 

Business Women

On a typical day, I hop on the internet to look over my favorite fashion blogs and business sites for the newest trends, the fabulous ladies, and the success and entrepreneurship of our young generation. I have been so happy to see that (black) women are rising in being successful leaders and entrepreneurs of their own business. I, myself always wanted to have my own business and while I have tried, I have not stuck with it long enough to see Success because I became discouraged and was impatient to see the results of my hard work.  I am so ready to begin this thing again, and I say it a million times more than 1 but I'm sticking my foot out there and I am going to do this. HelloBeautiful showcased 30 under 30 style and beauty and while looking over it, I was like I HAVE TO DO THIS, I CAN DO THIS!! It gave me motivation and determination. If you look on Instagram daily there are so many women owning boutiques, hair vendors,  jewelry lines, makeup artists, and fashion stylists that are self-made, that are putting in the work to accomplish their dreams. It is AMAZING to me!! 

What are you ready to do that you have been putting off?? Let's get our dreams on the road!! WE CAN DO THIS as black women, as any women of any race that you are!!! I Believe we can!