Beautiful Soul

Dear Beautiful Soul,

You feel they don't recognize your beauty and efforts deep beyond the surface of the beautiful face you display each and everyday. You have waited time and time again for the okay of others, letting them validate your life, the check mark that states okay  you can move forward with what you want to do. Where does your own confidence lie? One day you're up the next day you're down. Mind on overload, heart overblown. Telling yourself each day that it's okay, just brighten up don't let them see your weakness although you know you have become weaker than before, in reality you may not realize how STRONG you really are.

That luggage of worries that is weighing you down up underneath that no one sees, start letting it drown and drift into the ocean. If it no longer means you any good, if it's not adding to you it is subtracting LET IT GO... They tell you that you're beautiful but most times you don't believe it because all you can see is your flaws. You are so hard on yourself young thing, it's okay you are doing your best STOP IT. Just keep going after what you want. There is ENOUGH in the world for you, so don't think that it will pass you away.

That faith of a mustard seed, are you using it to move those mountains?? Know that sometimes the hardest battles are given to the toughest soldiers. Lace up those boots, throw on your camos and denim and apply your red lipstick... YOU ARE BUILT FOR THIS!!!

There is so much more in store for you, JUST WATCH WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN NEXT!!!

P.S. This is for the woman who is going through anything right now! Just believe in yourself, command whatever you don't want in your life to leave, it can no longer live in you, and go out and conquer all that you have inside of you!!

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Inspiration 101: Yourself

Dear Self,

You've been great, you've made mistakes. Stumbled across obstacles and hardships, and jumped over hurdles and made accomplishments. Throughout everything you have endured, let your passion still burn inside of you. Add fuel to the fire each day to be a better you. I know that you have doubts, and fears but remember those things get you nowhere and only hold you stagnant to the negative thoughts that you penetrate. Everything you need is inside of you, you were equipped and packaged with the full line of favor so when you ever feel like you can't do it, just take a step back, take a deep breath and speak I CAN DO ALL THINGS through CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME... Only time that you began to look back at your past is to see how far you have come. Aren't your proud? Maybe you aren't where you want to be in life, but just wait you can be catapulted far beyond anything you have ever expected. Are you still working on your lifestyle, those dreams and talents you possess. Push yourself, there is no limits. Even if you feel alone know that someone out there is rooting for you. You are beautiful, driven, and I can't wait to see what the world has in store for you. Your friends think you are crazy but amazing, your family knows you too well, and your lover challenges you to be the best because they are your other half to make the whole. So as you go through today, SMILE BEAUTIFUL SOUL... The world awaits you! 

Sincerely,

Yourself.

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Images via Google 

Testing..1..2..3: Natural Hair

Testing, Testing. *Pats Mic* ... So for the past week and a half I have been wearing my natural hair out. I decided that it was time to give my 18", 20", 22" u part wig a break. Haha. I must admit that I am an avid lover of personality pieces but my hair underneath was in dying need of fresh air. Every year I usually cut my hair or try a different style. Since coming from my Cassie inspired shave cut it was time to embrace my natural hair that was growing underneath. 

When I first unleashed the natural last week I can say I wasn't a fan of it at all but it felt good letting my real hair out. I headed over to Sally's and brought some products including Eden's Tea Tree and Peppermint Oil, Eco Styler Gel, Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, and Curls Jelly to began with. I decided to try Bantu knots and immediately loved the style. 

It is amazing to see our natural coils and curls. I must say that I will be a transitioner because there is still permed hair that will need to change over. Growing up with natural hair wasn't anything we looked at as the beauty in a woman of color but now individuals inspire many with their big fros, curly hair, and protective styles such as braids and Havana twists. 

What makes you feel beautiful as a natural, and why did you decide to stop using all those harsh chemicals? I would love to hear your comments below. 

Lipstick & Love, XOXO 

Photo Credit: All photos are owned by me! :) 

Monday Motivation, Our Credit: Becoming Secure and Stable

Happy Monday Lipstick Lovers! It is the start of our December and the ending of our year of 2013. Yesterday I woke up and said it is December 1st, and I need new goals and new challenges to make myself better for this month. I keep a journal of my thoughts, my bills, goals and much more. I try to reflect on what I need to improve or what was accomplished within myself even if it is small or a task rather big.

One thing I will be honest about is that I have not always been great with saving, investing or my finances. And still I am no where near where I could or should be but I have improved myself. I find that writing everything down is very helpful such as when a bill is due and the amount, then going back to mark it off as paid or whatever the case may be. When you organize yourself you can understand what is going on with your finances.

I have been holding on to my credit report for some time, and today I decided to print off a brand spanking new one. Credit is so detrimental to our lifestyle and it affects us tremendously when applying for homes, cars and even minor retail credit cards. The first step to fixing our credit is becoming educated with what everything means and admitting that we can work on it unless you already have that 800 credit score. *Closes eyes and wishes* lol! I have been educating myself on the terms of credit and taking notes for improvement.  Free Credit Report is a helpful site in printing and viewing your score and report. Another helpful tool is going to your bank and speaking with a Financial Adviser which can be beneficial in understanding where to begin and what you are looking at when reading your report.

Isn't it amazing what numbers can do to your life? I want to be able to buy my dream home and dream car, I want to be able to relax after retirement, and send my kids to college, I just would like to be debt free. So my motivation to you & I is that WE HAVE TO BEGIN SOMEWHERE AND LET'S BEGIN by BECOMING STABLE AND SECURE so THAT WE CAN DO WHAT WE ALWAYS WANTED TOO!

Lipstick & Love xoxo

Photo Credit: Google, entertainmentpic.blogspot.com

Sunday Spotlight: Tiarra Monet

Sunday Spotlight is dedicated to the talented, beautiful, and ambitious woman Tiarra Monet. 

She is a hairstylist based in NYC and also a beauty, fashion and hair guru on the popular YouTube (YT: TiarraMonet). Did I mention she can cook? Lol ... 

Tiarra is the example of a hard working young lady that has branded and created a name for herself. She is a spotlight to watch out for! I admire her driven and outgoing personality on her channel and IG page. 

Be sure to check her out! #CrownedbyMonet 

Lipstick & Love xoxo 

Photo Credit: Tiarra Monet Instagram