Free Christmas Gifts!

It's Christmas Time once again!

I want to just urge people out there not splurge on meaningless gifts. I found myself at MAC the other day purchasing three lipsticks. I then picked up a lipliner which costs just as much as the lipsticks and thought what am I doing? I haven't even paid my cellphone bill this month yet. I put everything down and walked out of the mall.

During the holidays, it's easy to get wrapped up in the spirit of giving however no one expects gifts from you- except for your own children of course. I seen a haul last night of a girl who had over 20 gifts. She went on and on about her MAC products, Bath and Body works candles and fragrances and all her other makeup from Inglot. I thought to myself.. there must be better ways she can spend her money. However I thought about my own makeup shopping habit and how I walked out Sephora with $75 worth of things and only paid ten dollars.

I wanted to let my subscribers in on how they can get free Sephora gift cards! Yes, free!!

OK. If you have an Iphone, download the app 'Viggle'. You get points for watching television. You check into different shows and accumulate points. Once you have a certain number of points, you can get gift cards for Sephora, FootLocker, Chilli's, etc- it changes every month. If you download the app don't forget to friend me!

Happy Holidays

I'm Never Lonely

Yes! Just what the title says. I'm never lonely but I'm alone all the time. Out of a month two weeks or more is spent by myself. I can never be lonely when I have myself. When most girls get older, and no! not 19 years old, I mean 27 or more, you start to really learn about yourself. You know more or less what you want out of life and who you want in it. You know what you bring to the table, what you want in the future, etc. You can never be alone when you have a person who you love, yourself.

What do I do on those days and nights with just me? If I'm not working, I indulge in my hobbies. D.I.Y projects (Do It Yourself) are an addiction. I frequent the dollar store, Michaels, TJ Maxx (my favorite!), Marshalls, etc and put together new decor for my home. I don't watch TV, I wholeheartedly believe television can take up your entire day if you let it. Many Saturdays have been blown in front of the tube and by the end of the night wondering where my day went. I also make money online which if you read my post about at-home jobs you know when I'm bored I can hop on and make money. I'll do other blog posts about places you can go and make money online at a later date.

I'm a coupon lady, I have a book full of coupons I clip daily. I love to find new recipes so when surrounded by more people, I can show off my skills. I love to sip wine and pinterest. Spending time with my dog is always fun and she can cheer me right up. There are countless things I can do by myself and I in fact do them. I hate to hear about all the "lonely" women who are constantly calling their significant others, friends, family. With military spouses it can be like that. I see this more with new spouses, they get depressed, lonely and downright bored with life. You have to make the most out of every minute of your life. Don't spend everyday wishing it was the next, that's no way to spend your youth (we are the oldest we're ever going to be and the youngest we're ever going to be right now).

I learnt this the hard way unfortunately. During our first deployment I would go to work, come back home and try to fall asleep quickly wishing the next day would come fast. The day of him coming home came...and went and another deployment came again. I looked back on being 25 and I have no memories, it was work and sleep waiting on someone to get home. It's sad, even if you do love someone that is no way to live YOUR life. I became determined with the time I spent alone to make strides in connecting with who I was. I excelled at work, made new friends with people whom I would never befriend, cooked more often, took more pictures, researched my family, traveled...by myself! Yes, Josh deployed and I was out too..lol.

I urge my viewers whom are mostly women to find yourself. You can take some of my ideas or do your own. You will never be truly happy unless you are happy with yourself.

Winner is..

The winner of my blog giveaway is.... 2286navy. Yehhh!! I thought hardly anyone would enter my giveaway, seeing as though I didn't advertise it with a video but I was pleased to discover I had lots of entries. I'll do more giveaways soon, I promise.

I'll need the winner to message me with her address so I can send her prize! Thanks for the support everyone!

Stuff Happens and Life Goes On.

 One of my favorite youtube couples are getting a divorce. Yup, sad for the viewers but they (the actual couple) seem to be doing well. All in all it was their relationship, not ours but it was entertaining to watch nonetheless. Unlike TV, Youtube puts on display REAL people who go through REAL problems. I'm sure the cameras are off during those arguments and on during happier moments, which can be why ordinary people think they know your relationship. I don't want to assume or even ask why they're divorce is imminent but you can kinda guess. I already seen her subscriber count deplete which brings me to believe people were only on her channel to see her and her husband and not her children (which is why she made the youtube page!). She doesn't need those people anyway. I wish her and her children all the best in the future and hope to see more videos from her, even if it doesn't involve Jeremy.

Saving money

It has been a CHALLENGE, to say the least, to save money lately! With the economy, moving expenses, living in an expensive city saving money is the furthest from our minds. There are however some things we, and mostly everyone can practice in order to retain more of their money.

1. Eat out as little as you can and yes, eating out does also consist of the occasional coffee or smoothie. I now cook more at home than ever before. With all the recipes on the web  for simple and complex dinners, its fun to cook and it turns out to be much cheaper.

2.Purchase items you will definitely eat within a week. I only buy meats, fish, bread, you name it that I will consume within a week.

3. Eating healthy is expensive! HOWEVER if you 'juice' at home that can constitute as a meal. Many people are on this 'juicing' kick and combine healthy, organic foods in a blender and drink it for breakfast or maybe even lunch. If you can have juice as a substitute for an entire meal that can save you money, especially when you have leftovers for the next day's meal.

4. Eat your leftovers. I come from a home where we ate leftovers for days! I hated it! But now I know how much money it saved. Not to mention time!

5. Coupon. I am starting to clip coupons and it has been saving us money. From September to October we saved $110.00 in groceries!

6. Buy board games or fun at home activities to keep yourself entertained...at home! I love to go out, ask anyone. I'm never at home and when I am, its usually for a reason. I've noticed that whenever I leave my home, I spend money. Whether its to the movies, lounges, getting some ice cream, you name it I spend money. We brought board games such as our favorite Monopoly to entertain ourselves. We usually open up a frozen pizza and make it sorta like a date.

7. Clothing shopping has decreased ten folds and I concentrate that money on more of our vital needs like bills!

8. Get a cheap gym membership! There was a gym which had superior equipment  the personal trainers also trained celebrities and offered exercise classes of every fitness category but it was $30.00 a month, not including tax and signup fees (that was 100 bucks alone). I later found a gym for $100.00 a year! It wasn't the best equipment but lets face it. If you know how and what you want to work out, you won't need world renown gyms, all you'll need is knowledge of routines and endurance.

I'm learning more and more that getting older and wiser isn't fun. Its about growing up and making the best decisions, for yourself and your family. Saving money is vital and I hope people can use some of my tips and apply it to their lives.

Husband/Boyfriend tag

Ooookkkk...we did the husband/boyfriend tag. Yup we did! and the camera cut off the most entertaining part..lol.

I didn't want to edit it, just upload it as is but it was not nearly as long as other husband/boyfriend tags and to me it was so ..so...fast. I asked a question he answered with practically one word. I'd like some of my subscribers to come up with better questions so we can film a husband/bf/fiance tag again. If you have a question, write me on a personal message on youtube and on Friday, this Friday, we'll film it again.

We actually have lots we've never told anyone.

Go Vote!

With the new year approaching, it is imperative we all look upon the future with bright aspirations. We will soon be electing a President and with the election come decisions. If you are old enough, go and vote but do not just vote for someone whom you have not educated yourself on.

I urge all my blog readers and youtube video watchers to do your homework and choose a candidate you have knowledge on. I will not tell you whom I voted for but if you follow me on twitter you know I have a degree in Political Science. I have studied politics for most of my adult life and I know how important a time like this is. This Presidential election is not a shoe-in for any of the candidates.

Even though I couldn't get a word in edgewise..lol.. I made a video urging my subscribers to vote. It is our right, our freedom and our duty.

Giveaway!

Ok, so for awhile I hated giveaway videos because I would never win. The people whom were actually giving things away had so many subscribers I would get lost in the sea of comments. That's why I'm having a giveaway and no I will not announce it on my channel, only on my blog. I don't have that many subscribers and the subscribers I do have have been with me for years. To enter this contest is simple. Write me a personal message through youtube with the words, I'm in! Oh and you have to be subscribed to me..duhh. Simple right! Ok so now for the prize.

The prize will be a homemade shea butter mixture I personally use on my hair and mix together. I use all organic products and it works to keep my hair shiny and strong!

This giveaway ends on November 10th! Good luck!

Curlformers

I have now found a hair miracle, CURLFORMERS. The only place you can purchase them is at Sally's Beauty Supply store and it's not cheap. For a pack of about 40 it will be $70 HOWEVER it will last you forever!

Using curlformers is a great protective style that I would recommend to my transitioners. It's a heat-less way to curl your hair. If you want a lasting hold, I would use gel or mousse before applying the them, this way your style will last you for days. I outline exactly how I did it and how it looked at the end in my video!!

P.S. There's a blooper at the end. Enjoy!

My Acne Story Part Deuce

If you haven't read my acne story, go read it. I previously talked about my struggle with acne but what I didn't touch upon was the after effects of such a painful and scaring ordeal.

It's something I don't share with anyone, not my parents or significant other but I will talk for the first time today. I am emotionally scar'd by my struggle with acne. I still to this day cannot look at someone in the face. My face is something I have learned to hide from others so they won't see my imperfections. In high school I walked with my head down everyday, even to a point one of my good friends said I had low self esteem. I told her I did but I didn't mention why.
To have a new blemish on your face everyday took it's toll on me. I didn't go out with friends at all, I went to school then home. I would constantly cry about my acne, going to the dermatologists so often and not seeing any results was frustrating and gave me a sense of hopelessness.
I look back on it now and I still cry. It's emotionally taxing on a girl who should be living out the best years of her life but instead hides from everyone.
Once I reached college it got alittle better but I had far from clear skin. I took and did anything I could but I was still getting new pimples everyday. However, living in a dorm had me face school peers on a regular basis. I started college in August, by September I had my first boyfriend. I met him also as I was hiding my face but he made me face him. He was the first to call me beautiful and I connect my increase in self esteem to him. He never mentioned my skin, he would look into my eyes and tell me how beautiful I was and that helped me immensely. Later on I discovered he struggled with acne all through high school and it subsided before starting college.
Still.. after even graduating college I had bad skin, I did and tried EVERYTHING to not avail. Now as an adult I have finally found a regime that is working for me. I have to admit BC pills played a small part in clearing up some of my skin. It stopped my reoccurring breakouts and finally gave my face time to heal itself from past breakouts. It was by no means a miracle drug but it helped me. My regime has worked for me for the past 2 years and for all those suffering from acne, try out my regime. As I know from my past experience, not all acne medications/cremes/cleansers work but it can't hurt to try this.

My Favorite Youtubers

For any avid youtube watcher, they know that youtube is like TV. You log on weekly to catch up with your favorite youtubers. Sometimes their videos are good, other times not so good but you consistently watch. I am the same. I log on everyday, probably once a day to see their latest videos. .

I would be lying if I said they were innovative and made creative videos (to where no one has ever thought of reviewing the topics they have- they are probably millions of others who have) but they are entertaining. I see most of them have the same monthly topics "January Favorites", etc but there are only some whom have captivated my attention everytime.


First, there's Nitraab. Love her style, her makeup and most of all her personality. I know what you're thinking.. "Oh she has a white boyfriend" but I'm most interested in her makeup videos. She has a fun life that she documents but her makeup is what keeps me coming back week after week.

Andreaschoice. Wow, what can I say about her? She's funny, beautiful and has gorgeous hair. She seems to be ultra popular on the youtube circuit and I'm sure everyone has seen her videos at least once! I most of all love her videography! It seems crazy but I'm still trying to figure out what she uses to edit because I want it!!

Sobermadnesstv! I first came across these ladies when I watched ICraiz and she mentioned a channel she was starting with her girlfriend. I watched one video and fell over in my chair. These ladies are so funny! They don't act or even sugar coat their lifestyle. They're channel is very upfront and for those not 18 or over, I don't recommend they watch..lol but I love it. They talk about they're relationship, movie reviews, their day to day activities, even sex tricks. I love to watch them and I'm pretty sad they only make videos sporadically but when they're premiere a new video I'm one of the first ones to watch.

MsPreciousMarie!! Not alot of people know about her. She's underground as of right now, like I am, I think..lol. But I know she is about to blow up. I love her makeup! She has an awesome personality and explains how to apply it so well.  She has some really informative videos that I think have been overlooked by those in the beauty community, she is better than 80% of those I see on youtube, especially those overrated youtubers. I would definetely check her out!

There are a ton more but these are my top picks

Weavologists

I came across a video on youtube as I was searching for videos about flat irons. It was of a girl giving a review on a Solia flat iron. I liked her review but then noticed that her hair was all weave. How can one give a review of a flat iron on weaves?

Weaves are in fact (sometimes) human hair but their usually from India or Brazil. I'm sorry but Brazilians and Indians have straighter hair than I do. A flat iron isn't gonna do anything for a weave other than dry it to its natural state.

I want to say to all women out there, weaves are not bad but please don't do reviews of products on weaved hair. You can take weaves off but you cannot take off your own hair. I need products that will be beneficial for my hair type and seeing that girl's video was a joke to me.

Mi Pelo!

As all of you know, I have cut my hair short. This isn't the shortest I've ever had it but it's pretty short compared to how long it use to be. I've been getting some slack on cutting it, some are saying "Why did you cut it?!", "You were my hair inspiration!", etc but it's turning out to be a very good decision for me.

About a year ago I started to texlax. For all that don't know, texlax is a term for relaxing your hair for a shorter period of time, thus the final result ending in the hair retaining some of it's natural texture. After my next trim, I shall have my entire hair tex-laxed. I have been researching this for some time now, actually 5 years, and decided to take the plunge when I learned that I would be moving to a humid climate. My new growth has always been a huge problem for me and in a humid climate I knew my relaxers wouldn't last very long.

I started out with not relaxing my hair for 6 months. No I did not put in a weave or micro braids, I styled as usual but implented more buns and ponytails into my hair regimen. When it finally became too much I texlaxed with Just for Me Texture Softener, which I have found to be just a mild relaxer.(Sidenote: I used Just for Me Relaxer for 10 years from the ages of 12-22).

I tex-lax about twice a year with it and use buns and braid outs to get through the week. When transitioning to tex-laxed hair one must keep in mind that their hair is still chemically relaxed even though sometimes it may feel natural. I blew out my hair for the first time for Thanksgiving and I saw that my hair had more movement, it was softer but not shiner. I have never had shiny hair, only when I flat iron (but I opted not to flat iron for atleast 4 more months). Shiny hair is what I wanted to achieve with a tex-lax but then remembered I am still putting chemicals in my hair and those chemicals are draining the oil from my foliciles.

I will NOT go natural but I do like my tex-laxed hair. I have to admit, I have not been tex-laxing my hair as long as I should and now have semi-natural hair. This month I will try to leave my relaxer in longer, say 12 minutes instead of 7 minutes. I will update this post with pictures later so stay tuned!

Helping People Help Themselves

Tsk Tsk Tsk..SMH.. There is a huge dissemination between what Newt meant by saying this and what he actually stands for... I hope!

My ideologies stand primarily with the democratic party however this election I have been trying to atleast understand the republican party. Their views and constant taunting of Obama for his reformations have been a complete joke, especially when they offer no new ideas but shoot down bills with no alternatives.  I DO agree with one thing so far and one thing only, more working alternatives for people on welfare (not ONLY black people-cause it seems as if he stated all black people were poor, lazy and on welfare, which is extremely offensive).

In 2012, I pledged to do more for my community and by community I mean all those people I touch on a daily basis. Whether it be on the youtube community, facebook community or in my old neighborhood. I will help the unemployed get jobs through efforts in which I will debut in July.

If you are jobless and actively seeking employment, message me and I can help you. No matter what area you're in, I can help you.

I'm gonna buy these glasses!