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....

HANDS IN THE AIR: FRIENDSHIP

HANDS IN THE AIR *WAVE THEM SIDE TO SIDE**


Over the weekend my friends & I got together for my son's Big birthday party at the Skating Rink. We had lots of fun WATCHING the kids skate, play games, and really enjoy one another. It was pleasant being able to be with my friends and family for an enjoyable day. We all have grown into beautiful women. Nowadays we have so many responsibilities that we don't get together as often. We love to group chat, but sometimes in our busy schedules we don't have much time for that as well.

After the skate party, we all got together for some drinks and laughter. It's an understatement to say how much of a blast we had. I'm the BOSSY friend which my friends make fun of. We all have similarities and we all are different in our own ways. We fuss and fight but in the end, that's what friends are for. One thing I can say is we work our butts off.

Friendship isn't valued like it use to be. People fall out everyday. Not to say that sometimes friendships are just outgrown, but when you can hold tight to the true friends, KEEP THEM BY YOUR SIDE. This circle is over 10 years and I love them dearly. I've lost friends and some days I want to mend those friendships but I push past them and say Oh well! I don't want to be that girl who says I wish I could have told them this or that before it's too late. Enjoy your friends, make time for them, and treat them well.

Lipspiration: Uplift

Around the holidays, many people are down and depressed. A contribution of many factors could be the cause of the feelings. They are away from their loved ones, they have lost loved ones, money situations, and so much more. We see individuals stressed because they aren't able to afford to have many presents under the Christmas tree for their kids, they didn't have any meals to place on their table for Thanksgiving, and they are bringing in the New Year with a pile of bills and debt from last year. It happens year after year.

As I'm writing this post I had to stop and pray and worship GOD. Why? Because so many people are trying to fight a battle when they should just BE STILL. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!!! No matter what the situation feels or seems like, Keep Praying. Break Chains, Destroy Yokes, GOD is on your side!! :)

If you are down right now just know that you are not the one because there are others out there feeling the same way that you are. I just pray that I can Inspire someone today or any day. If you are having any negative thoughts start to speak positive in your life. I am BLESSED, I am here to SERVE a PURPOSE another day, I am SANE, I speak CLARITY and PEACE in my/your LIFE. Just replace those words with betterment. Go around others who are happy and smiling to uplift your spirit. Speak with someone about your thoughts and feelings.

I wish you all AMAZING HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! KNOW THAT YOU ARE WORTHY AND BLESSED NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SITUATION FEELS LIKE AT THE MOMENT!

Lipstick Canvas: Lifestyle Inspiration

I absolutely loved this quote as soon as I seen it. Isn't it crazy how when you are struggling or not in the realm of where you should be, you see how others don't believe in you. They may downplay your motives, kill your dreams or belittle you. You can tell them of your dreams or the actions of your life plans and you see how they brush it off like she will never do it. 

But, as soon as you surpass to a new unexpected level you have people questioning how did you achieve this and that, now they are intimidated by your ambition and hard work. They question your achievements and accomplishments. You know why, because they didn't believe in you in the first place. 

Make sure to surround yourself by people who truly care about you and your life. Many don't want you to succeed and are only there to hear of your downfalls. 

I asked myself the same question after reading this quote. Erica, why are you stuck in the same position and feeling how you are when you the sky isn't even the limit, you can go above and beyond. It's time to change and transition my life. 

This quote speaks directly. Just reflect on it for one moment. It screams my name all over it. 

Photos: IG 

Lipstick & Love Happiness Challenge: Day 1

Well Hello to Day 1 of my #LipstickandLove HAPPINESS Challenge. I created this challenge not even knowing and still not knowing if anyone will even participate or care but it's one that I believe will not only be very beneficial to myself but I want to inspire others as well. 

Happiness is a state of being, it is what we need to practice each and every day so that eventually it can come natural in our life even in discouragement and frustration. Happiness is a fulfilled connection with ourselves and our relationships with others. 

I want to experience true Happiness. At times I'm so overwhelmed with life that I have so many feelings balled up inside and it results in unhappiness. 

Day 1 is dedicated to my son. A talented, amazing, mannerable kid. He's so bright and full of imagination. My child shows unconditional love to me at all times. When I'm down he always lifts me up. He is such a happy camper and I love him. I'm getting happy just thinking about this amazing gift from God. I'm glad to be his parent. 

What are you happy for today? Join me I'm the challenge :) 

Lipstick & Love, 

Xoxo Erica 

It's not that we are Inadequate

DIAGNOSIS: Failure to see things closer than they really are 

COMPLICATIONS: Frustration, Doubt, Fear, Negative Insight, Stress, Anger, Irritable 

INGREDIENTS: The Human Mind & Body 

TREATMENT: Renewing of the Mind:Faith, Prayer

Proper Health: clean eating and exercise 

Love: Give A lot of It

Happiness: Smile like you're in a Pageant  Confidence: Sprinkle some of that glitter from your veins. 

Many times we become frustrated in life only by what the keen eye expose to us, we limit our thinking and only see the current position instead of the mere total vision. It hinders and confuses our mental thoughts. At times we become inedeqate because of our impatience. 

A time or two or three or four in the past few weeks I felt like giving up in so many aspects. I'm such a critical person of myself and I must say others at times that it drains everything from me. My irritability radar and stress level has been at an all time high lately. 

But I ask myself over and over again, Why are you literally killing your positive energy with everything you have in you? 

I end up giving myself a pep speech but my actions still remain the same!! 

What good will that allow me if I'm not changing my thoughts with my habits? Life is tough but we have to realize that we are even tougher. We were designed and built with immaculate strength, with a purpose, and vision and as a masterpiece. 

We watch others and think if they can, I can. Or we say to ourselves how are they doing that; living their dreams, one step away from their true goals but we sometimes don't PROCESS the PROGRESS. 

We have to change our thinking, develop our habits, and chase down all that we want until it can no longer outrun us. 

These past few weeks for me has been a true challenge to my faith and I know that the upcoming weeks may just as well be too but another thing I know is that I'm going to take all I have to reach calamity, peace, and true vision! 

What about you? What challenges are you facing or have overcame? 

Lipstick & Love, Erica.... 

Empower: Who is in your Circle?

Photo Credit: Google Images

Today I was thinking what should I write about that could motivate us or fuel our mind and this topic came to me quickly. Last night I had a group chat with my friends and we talked about great things, motivation, buying homes, and our accomplishments and such. I said to them I look at what I have achieved and the things that I have accomplished and yet the things I still have to do. You know you can either look at the glass half empty or half full, or you can just be grateful that you even have a glass. 

But the main question to this is WHO IS IN YOUR CIRCLE? Your circle consists of the people that you are around, that can add or subtract into your life. Remember the saying birds of a feather flock together? At one point I would say that was not true, you don't have to be like the people you hang around but you know what, the people that you closely associate yourself with can have an impact on your actions and lifestyle just as well as the surroundings you sit in. Keep business minded, positive people in your circle and you are likely to set goals, learn new things to embrace into your future, and reach your highest potential. Keep shallow minded people, gossip, negative thinking, negative acting individuals around and you are likely to drown in your own misery and theirs as well. One message that I keep posted up around me so that I can always reflect back on it is from Colin Powell. Let these words sink in, and you know what before the new year comes go ahead and CLEAN HOUSE! You have no more time for people who can't push you to soar to newer levels, to the TOP we go!! 

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. 

As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are... Friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you will eventually decrease you. 

Consider this: 
Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere... 

With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. 

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." 

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad. 

Note: 
Be not mistaken. This is applicable to family as well as friends. Yes...do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will always be your family no matter what. Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above. 

"In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us. In Adversity We Know Our friends." 
"Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them." 
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters." 

“Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude..".. 

Colin Powell 

Lipstick & 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