Hairstyle: The Cut Life

I had been contemplating for a few months on my hair. I knew I loved my natural hair that is frequently blown out, but I knew I wanted some extra sass to myself. My first thought was a tapered curly fro. Now mind you I have not had a short cut since my shaved sides a few years ago. 

Well you know what the saying is "When a Woman cuts her hair, she is about to change her life" 

I've been craving change and betterment so I decided to chop my hair off, AGAIN! 

Now the initial style was a doozy to me. So I've been playing around with it a lot. Mind you short hair does require maintenance and upkeep. 

And, I have to get use to it. At first I wanted to drown in tears, thinking what did I just do?! But so far it's growing on me hour after hour... 

You like? What style have you been afraid to try? Or what style did you go for ? Let me know your thoughts ... 

Mommy Mode: J.Cole on Tavis Smiley

I am the Mother of a 9 year old son. He is amazing, talented, and truly a gift in my life. His name is Jhalen (prounounced J-len). As a mother I always have lots of concerns such as am I raising him right, showing him how to be a gentleman and I am on the right path when it comes to his education.

As we all know, knowledge can never be taken away from you. That is a gift you will always have and it can take you places that you have never imagined.

My son loves to read, he loves school but he also is a typical child who gets frustrated with Math, who likes to sometimes talk and play when that is not the lesson at the moment. He attends a school known for excellence and they will do what it takes to make sure that your child excels and works very hard. One thing that is so different from when I attended school is the way that lessons are being taught, it is called common core. The way that my son learns to break down his math equations is totally different from back in my day. Now, imagine trying to be the wing and tutor at home when math isn't your best subject either.....

I'll wait...... LOL!

Also, as a teacher I have seen that students learn subjects in different ways. They may grasp it by visual learning, or maybe by being hands on. But, have you ever realized that sometimes when doing work, you may not be retaining the information but you have mastered how to pass the tests and lessons to get to the next level?

This is what J.Cole spoke of in his latest sit down interview with Tavis Smiley. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Johns University, which is not always common for everyday rappers that we listen to on the radio. But, one thing is that J.Cole always knew he was going to go to college; in 1st grade he would always ask his teacher what his grades were, when they were only stamping Satisfactory and so forth on papers.

One thing, that stuck out to me is that he said he mastered how to take tests, you know cramming the night before and then going into class and blowing it out of the water. But, he felt as if he did not retain a lot of information as a student.

click to SEE THE INTERVIEW HERE...

It was an AHA moment for me. Why? Because I am so hard on my son when he does not do great on a test, and I am so hard on myself when it happens as well. I'm all discombobulated and upset, and asking myself where have I failed at because he didn't get the A+. We, as parents and just as individuals have to learn that ONE BAD or ONE GOOD TEST does not DEFINE how SMART we are, it does not make us DUMBFOUNDED, and it is just material that coincides with the lesson that is being taught. What it can do is help us learn more, or help us in areas where we may need to study.

LET ME KNOW YOUR FULL THOUGHTS about this perception and his interview.

Currently....

Happy Saturday. Just Peeking my head in to let you guys and gals know that I'm still alive. I'm just trying to find my way, make sense of my journey, and feel truly ALIVE without just living. 

I'm working on ME... 

Currently Loading, AGAIN..... 

Talk to you all soon *Kisses* 

Mind Stimulation: New Read/Book.

Hello you beautiful people. It's a rainy day here in North Carolina, and all I want to do is lay in bed, snack, watch good movies and do a little reading. What about you? Well, I'm actually here at work with an overloaded mind and a lot of other stuff but that's besides the point. I won't mope and groan right now.

Let me tell you all about my new read. It may be an old book to you, because I have seen it around before but it's a new read for me. I'm pretty darn excited about it, and so far it has been very valuable and helpful.

It is Suze Orman, The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, & Broke. That sums me up in three words, lol. I'm no where near wealthy so that means I'm still broke.  See, honestly I have not had much experience with being taught the proper and correct protocol when it comes to my finances. I've struggled time and time again with saving and managing money and fail often. But, one thing I know that I hate is having a small balance in my account, living paycheck to paycheck, not understanding proper financial terms and so much more.

I decided to go ahead and pick up the book to see if it could help me with getting my finances in order and if not that help me to better understand what is happening in this money filled world. Dealing with credit is not for the faint hearted so I've decided to buckle up and take this by storm.

I'm excited to know exactly what and how FICO works. Because if you would have asked me that a few days ago, I would have been a deer in the headlights.

What are you reading right now to stimulate your mind???

Buns & Bods: Swimwear

The Warmer Seasons are slowly creeping up from around the corner. Most of us are excited because we are over dealing with the snow, the cold weather, and the layers upon layers of clothing. One thing I am not proud of is that I did not put in any work in the Winter for my Summer Body. But I can only blame myself.

For the past few weeks, I have been raving that I am ready to wear my sundresses, shades, and sandals. I mean really, what woman you know that does not like to get all fancy in their sunny fits. And what woman do you know has time to be slathering on uncomfortable undergarments to suck in that belly and lift that booty? Nope, Not I! I plead the fifth! So, I better get started soon.

On a lighter note, let's take a peek at a fancy Swimwear line that I have had my eyes on for a while. It is Draya from VH1 Basketball Wives LA line titled Mint-Swim.





Since I am a mommy, I have to find one where I can cover these tiger marks, lol. Do you feel me? But, if I was ever able to wear a two piece set I am in love with the one above.

Would you splurge on Draya's line? Let me know your thoughts....

Image CC: Mint-Swim

Lipstick Chat | Real Talk

Ever felt like you were ALIVE but you weren't TRULY LIVING? Like you were going through life DAY TO DAY but on the INSIDE you WERE at a STANDSTILL? This life that we live can take us through so many obstacles, hurdles, amazing moments, happy moments and heartaches. Day to Day we take life by what it hands us and what we put out into the Universe.

Its how so many of us feel at times, but we are too afraid to speak out and tell someone. Why? Because one, everyone will not understand. Two, they won't care, and Three, they are going to judge you anyway. 

I'm going to be as transparent as it gets with you all. I'm removing my mask and being in honesty at this moment. The worst thing we can do is have a vision with no direction, a passion with a question of purpose. Taking away this is where I should be at this age, letting that go at this moment. There are many days where I breakdown, where I cry because I have Vision but fear, doubt, anxiety, other's opinions push me down where I question everything. 

I feel like I'm ALIVE but I'm not authentically LIVING. Especially in my career. I've transitioned to being a Medical Instructor, which I honestly can say is not fulfilling to me. I want to work on my passions, my love for beauty, skincare, fashion etc. full-time. I know that isn't how it work. We all START SOMEWHERE. Maybe I'm there because I chose it, and because it's teaching me a valuable lesson on patience, dealing with others, and being of front stage everyday. Maybe GOD is preparing me for a bigger audience that I will speak to in my future and he is saying SHOW ME that you can handle this first. 

Also, being a single parent throws me curve-balls each and everyday. It's amazing to watch my son grow, to see him become his own little self with so much personality is truly a blessing. But raising a son isn't easy. I just hope that I make him proud and teach him the right ways. 

Another thing is that when you are in a relationship. You two become one, or something like that. You change, He Change. It's all suppose to be for the better. It's so great when you can learn from someone else, you can have a partner that has your back no matter what, and someone where you both can genuinely love one another. But the road there isn't easy, because sometimes we can lose sight of who we are. 

One thing I search for everyday is True Bliss and Authentic Happiness and I will not stop until I reach it. I know that everyday will not be Sunshine and Rainbows, but when we learn to dance in the Storm we Get Through....

What your Skin May Be Telling You

Have you realized that your skin may not be breaking out because of all those new products you have tried? Ever heard of Face Mapping? It tells you exactly what is wrong with your skin due everything that is going on inside of  your body. I stumbled across face mapping a while back when I was trying to figure out why my forehead and cheek area was so problematic. 

Again, if you do not know. I have been suffering from acne for a year or so. It is not severe, but I tend to breakout in spurts and it may progress for weeks at a time. For the past three weeks, I have been having a major breakout. I know that is partially due to my birth control contraceptive. Also a lot of it has to deal with stress and a really poor diet. 

I have been eating lots of red meat, lots of fatty foods, snacks, and plenty of cocktails. The cocktails are there for the stressful days at work and home. Eekkk! According to the face map, my digestive system is a huge problem for me. Which I knew this because of regularity (don't judge, TMI). One thing that I do is take supplements. One of my favorite supplements is Acai Berry Cleanse Pills that I purchase from the Vitamin Shoppe. I also love to drink Traditional Medicinals' Organic Smooth Move Tea, and Yogi's Healthy Skin Detox Tea. When I am drinking my tea, and at least trying to clean eat with things such as my Morning Smoothies I see a huge difference in my skin.

This week's goal is to drink LOTS OF WATER, NO SODAS or JUICES unless it is my Green Juice. To cut out ALL red MEAT, and go for fish, chicken, turkey and such. I also want to exercise by walking at least 30 minutes a day. I will also detox my skin this week with my Bentonite Clay Powder and Apple cider vinegar.

What is your skin telling you? Let us know, and tell us some of your favorite tips to keep your skin healthy.