Lifestyle: Habits

hab·it

ˈhabət/

noun

plural noun: habits

1. 1.

   a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.

   "this can develop into a bad habit"

There are many habits that one can develop. We all have good and bad habits. I won't speak for everyone, but I know that I do. Our daily tasks in life creates the habits that we form. Keeping those great habits breeds success but it takes a lot of discipline, consistency, and hard work. Whether you realize it habits are formed everyday so we should be careful in the tasks that we daunt in consistently (if bad).

 

Each day continue to create habits that will help to become a BETTER YOU! 

If you don't build your own DREAMS.....

   You know the quote that states "If you don't build your own DREAMS, someone will hire you to help build theirs?"

What does this quote mean to you when you read it? Does it make you draw back and think about your own life or are you taking the necessary steps to build your own DREAM?

I walked into work today, the day after CHRISTMAS and as I got out of my car in the cold weather still very tired, I said to myself WHYYY? Why do I have to keep going into someone else's dream job day after day tired, dragging, and feeling like my dreams are just at a stand still.

Many times we push our goals to the side because of doubt and fear. We are afraid of failing and it hinders us from even taking the initiative to get started. Or once we do start then we stop. I remember as a kid I had so many dreams, I always knew that I was designed to be GREAT. But, as I've grown a lot has changed. Each day I battle with what my purpose is and why I'm not living my to my full potential. The potential that I know for a fact is inside of me fighting to come out of it's shell.

Are you feeling the same way? What passions and desires do you have that you are sweeping under the rug?

We live in a world now where there are so many women out here building their dreams and branding themselves that we all can do it. It's going to take a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It will be days that we want to throw in the towel and give up, but we have to remember that the ending will be much greater that our beginning. Let's stop wasting time, Let's knock down the door of fear and procrastination. 2015 will be the year that we see our Dreams Flourish into something that we would have never imagined. You READY B? LET'S GO!

Lipstick: Forbes Billionaires

Happy Hump Day... I'm in a great mood and I hope that you are too, if not Smile Beautiful today is only as amazing as you want it to be.

So Forbes is a website that we are all too familiar with, it gives out financial and business information. Some of our favorite people grace their magazine and make their top lists year after year. Forbes is such an inspiring website for me, I read about others and I mentally take notes on vital sources so that I can apply it to my life. If they can do it, I can do it too! Everything requires hard work and passion, nothing is a get by task. Although some have obtained their currency and title through inheritance they still have to put forth the effort to keep the company afloat.

So 2014 has swept in new BILLIONAIRES *scratches head and thinks of a master plan*

Sandra Ortega net worth is $6.1 Billion and her source is retail, Zara. Now what women doesn't love Zara. It is one of the most popular retail websites and stores that I know of, great quality clothes and prices.


Folorunsho Alakija is Nigeria's first female billionaire who worked in banks, and studied fashion design before her powerful relationships transitioned into the oil company. She is worth $2.5 billion.


Aerin Lauder is a billionaire from her grandmother's cosmetics firm, Estee Lauder. The New York socialite also has her own lifestyle empire as well. She is worth $1.15 billion.


These are only a few whom made the list, but what do you see they all have in common? They are women who are making their mark in this world in their business endeavors. We women have came along way, have accomplished a lot, and our out showing others that anything is possible. Just go for it!!

I am excited about my future success, back to the drawing board I go to finish out my business plans.

With Love, Laughter, and Lipstick XOXO 

Images and Data via Forbes

Let's Talk: School & Reality

Education/ Real Life/ Careers/ Dreams

*Does Shimmy down the hallway at work* It's Friday everyone, the weekend has arrived. So this week I have been extra hard on myself and it has weighed me down so much. I have over thought and evaluated every aspect of my life and it has made me feel powerless at times. Remember I'm human, no sugar coating on here. Everyone has a purpose in life, we are here to fulfill that destiny and I think sometimes people don't realize in the end it's not about you and anyone else but the person who placed you here.

So let's talk about Education and Reality. Everyone knows that no one can ever take your knowledge away from you which is a very powerful thing to have these days. Taking time to learn everything that you can whether it is in a school setting or not equips you for everyday living whether good or bad. You remember the excitement you had when you were about to graduate high school and go on to your on my own college days. Swimming suit shopping and gearing up for beach week and just so happy that you wouldn't have to grace those doors of your high school any longer. But what you didn't expect was that this is where real life really kicked in, this was the beginning of your mold to what ever was in store for you in the upcoming years.

Think about many forms that you fill out it and it always asks you what were your parents highest education level. Have you ever wondered why did they want to know about your parent's education when now it was about your education and what was in front of you. Did you think that they were basing you off of how far your parents went? But in reality whether your parents or you completed a bachelors or doctorates, never finished elementary or even seen the cafeteria of a high school you both could still be very intellectual and very successful in life.

You know one thing I wish I could have really taken grasp on in my younger years? It is to take advantage of the free education that is given to you because college is in no way inexpensive and you would be in total debt unless you are riding on a full scholarship. See I've tried college online and community college etc., but I have placed myself in debt and have yet to finish my degree. I know in my heart that I want to be a psychiatrist and I can't see myself doing anything else unless I mean I can get a gig in fashion or beauty. But Psychiatry sparks my attention, it is the ying to my yang. I can see my name on that door Dr. *****. Helping others become the best that they can be in life, it has always intrigued me in understanding what makes a person go crazy, what triggers their mental into such states and mental health really get's swept under the rug more times than often.

So with that being said, since my loans have literally kicked my ass and I've made an agreement with Sallie Mae just not too long ago, I can't figure out what to do about school. But I've figured out that this blog is a way of uplifting and inspiring others, helping women like me, showing the unmasked side, and just giving and accepting advice can be my career and goal without the paper and signed initials for now. Being in the humanitarian field and philanthropy is something I crave and I hope to one day achieve.

We see individuals everyday without degrees who are on Forbes, who are running successful businesses on social networks, and who are making a difference in lives all over the world.

So my question is do you think one should always obtain that paper to really work in their dream job? Leave your comments below and let us know.

Who inspires you? I enjoy reading Rob Hill Sr quotes and he inspires me. Kenny Burns is another well rounded man whom inspires and encourages. Myleik of Curlbox is such the business and empowerment god mother. And many others I'm inspired by whom I don't even have to mention it's obvious such as my mother and father who have grounded me and made me into the woman that I am, my loves and my son, my friends and others whom I just see go after what they want in life.

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

images via Google

Money : Saving Instead of Splurging

"Price and Value don't always go hand in hand. You don't always need to spend to get more" -CNN 

A while ago I was the one who needed some advice and tips on my money habits, and I still do but I am getting better.I would splurge on what caught my attention, anything that I thought I needed stating that I should buy the pieces because they may not be at the store when I come back. I would splurge instead of saving first, in terms, "shop until I drop". 

Now by all means if you have it, go for it! Everyone knows what they need to do with their money and accounts. Plus I am not your financial adviser, and honestly I hate numbers and Math but when writing these posts it is like a lesson and advice to myself as well to become better and to help you out with my thoughts. 

Now how can you benefit from saving for what you want instead of Splurging? 

1. You can buy what you want instead of settling for a cheaper dupe or version of the item whether it is clothes, accessories, house decor, or whatever. 

2. You will not spend all of your money going broke trying to splurge, and still have money for other things.

3. You can save enough money for what it is that you want and then splurge on that item, and maybe some.

4. Saving helps ensure money management instead of creating unnecessary debt. 

5. When you splurge you have to make up for your loss of money. The key is to bring in more than you spend. 

Remember priorities first, then everything else thereafter!! You don't have to "keep up with the jones"....

When you save for the items that you would like to purchase you can always get the best. I like to think that Quality is better than Quantity any day. When you invest in quality it will last longer, and you will not have to keep buying the same product again. 

Another tip is to create separate bank accounts, such as two checking accounts plus your savings. Deposit money into one account for bills, and the other as your spending habits money. 

Leave your comments below with any tips or ideas that have helped you with your money management.

LIPSTICK & LOVE, XOXO 

Photo Credit: Google Images 

Chasing Dreams: Paying the Cost for it.

Chasing our Dreams is a distinction of living and not living, our fantasy and our reality. Your dreams only become your reality when you take a step towards making it happen. But dreams can be confused with our true purpose. I believe that your true purpose is something you go to sleep thinking about, wake up too, and can't stop thinking about it. It is what you know so badly you were put on earth to do. It is not your get rich hustle or get known quick scheme. It is merely breathing life into what you love!

You have to pay the cost for your dreams. At times you will not make any money from it, when you first began you may be putting all of your money into your dreams. But showing your passion and perseverance while still working hard without any currency will eventually bring great rewards and benefits. You have to learn to start from something and build from there. It is like being an intern for yourself or for a company that brands what you want to do, and working your way from the bottom to the top.

Sometimes your dreams may require you to leave behind a current job that is stable which brings in your source of income to take care of yourself. Some people are not scared to leave their job and pursue their dreams full time. It may take moving to a state where your dream is known on the forefront and taking a low paying job for now; stable income vs minimum income. This will disrupt your financial stability but it will only disrupt it for a temporary time, just think there are bigger things ahead. Moving away can also mean getting a roommate, but just wait on it.... That penthouse that you have been eyeing is still in position to be yours.

I don't think that Chasing your Dreams only bring about negative effects and situations because in the end when you finally reach that level that you have been working so hard to get too it will leave you fulfilled and happy. Now I can't claim that once you get there it will be all gold and glitter because that would be like saying we never have any bad days. More Work, less Rest. But realizing the reward is far greater than the struggle. And always remember do not let others kill your vision because they don't have one of their own.

~Happy are those who dream and are ready to pay the price to make them come true ~ Leon J. Suenes

Photo Credit: Google Images

HAPPY NEW YEARS 1.1.14

HAPPY NEW YEARS!! The official first day of 2014. I wish you all Good health, happiness, prosperity and abundance. I am excited to see what this year has in store for me and my loved ones. Let's claim betterment and positive progression in all of our endeavors. 

I began creating a vision board. A vision board to me is creating what you want to come into your life, the law of attraction, it is putting the pieces together to complete a puzzle. Your finances, budgets, dreams cars and jobs, vacations, education, life with family and friends and it shows the lifestyle and success you want to have. It is the moments that bring about the pounding of your heart, and swear of your palms knowing that you can have and do what it is that you want. 

I also wrote down some goals in my journal. I don't make resolutions for the new year, because in reality it's another day with a new date. I believe that working on yourself each day is what needs to be done instead of thinking that a new year will change you. "No new person, just better choices that creates a better me". 

I am planning to take Thee Lipstick Canvas to the level I know that it can be on. I am so ready for greatness! 

Last year .2013. was an amazing year. There were challenges, obstacles, let downs, and hardships but there were also unlimited happiness, new endeavors, goals accomplished, and so many lessons taught. 

I've always stated that mediocrity is not for me. God did not ordain me to be average. I can't limit myself because of how others may feel about me, and if it makes them insecure or not. 

Are you ready to be amazing? Well do what needs to be done! 

Lipstick & Love, XoXo 

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

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!