I hear that skin is In!

          They say that skin is in.  I declare my skin looks amazing during the Spring and Summer..it really does.  Maybe a shade or so darker..but yes amazing...that melanin kicks in overtime!! But lately my skin has been more acne prone and dryer than normal.  Problem is that I don't have a regular skincare routine..even though I should as a sufferer of eczema.  I simply use Olay Body Soap, Black Soap or Neutrogena Face Wash whenever I thought to buy some.  Or every now and then I use Dream Clean from Lush Cosmetics.

My lack of attention to my skin is becoming apparent to me.  My face is taking the biggest hit.  I gotta get it together.  I had this notion that the older you get the better your skin looks..ugh maybe not so much at the moment. I'm hoping my research and a little sampling of the different products out there will put me on the right path.  Even though I love me some concealer and foundation, I don't want to feel like I need them to be comfortable when going out on a daily basis.

Every one should be able to enjoy having even an skin tone and blemish free face.  So on that note I will make sure to incorporate a facial service when I splurge on a spa day as well as face masks and mud masks at home for the time in between. The masks below are ones I picked up from Kohl's and Forever21. 

Tell me your skincare secrets in the comments or via Twitter. I would love to know what works for others!

Are you in charge of Thanksgiving dinner?

Yes, its true..if you're seeing Christmas commercials and receiving Black Friday sales ads, its almost Thanksgiving!  YAY or Not?!

Are you the lucky owner of Thanksgiving dinner this year?  No worries!! It should be pretty easy.
If you're traditional, you can just go purchase your frozen turkey and fixings.  But if you are not there are plenty sites on the internet to use to create your menu.

I have relied on Pinterest many a times for regular meals so no doubt there will be plenty for your festivities.  Find your perfect poultry dish in a flash.  Venture out there and try some duck...or maybe just a dish using duck fat.

I can't wait to dig into to mashed potatoes, candied yams and some 5 flavor macaroni and cheese. Please don't forget your greens.  Here in the south we prefer collards with pork or turkey necks.  Or you could choose a nice cabbage dish.  I recently sauteed in some bacon bits and chopped onions in my cabbage...can you say gooood?!!

Lately I have been seeing links to Tasty.  It's hard to resist the comfort eating with sites like them!

If you're not an online recipe person, break out Grandma's or Auntee's old cookbooks.  Happy Turkey Day!

I plan on preparing some desserts this holiday season. Stay tuned for future posts!

Check out the links below to help prepare your holiday meals!

Tasty on Facebook
Pinterest Thanksgiving Recipes

I thought I was a book snob..

          I somehow convinced myself that I was a "book snob".  Over the years I developed a habit of reading books and series of books by particular authors.  I would rarely sway from that approach unless a friend recommended the book or I had just heard so much about it that I had to see what the fuss was all about.  

Well last Spring Break as I made my last minute Target run for travel sized toiletries and whatever else I thought was worthy of tossing in my card..I happened upon an end cap with a few clearance books.  They were probably purchased online and then returned to the store, because they were marked down under $3 each.  I get uber happy when I can buy books dirt cheap even if I don't plan to read them anytime soon.  I've always been a book hoarder and I'm proud to admit it..(insert shoulder shrug).  

I ended up reading one of the books a few months back and got enrolled in a book club because I mailed in this postcard for some free books.  I'm laughing inside because I should really start reading the fine print. Before I knew it I had read and loved the book and signed up for that darn book club and got 5 more books in the mail.  That book was a Harlequin Romance novel.  

I still haven't read all books that were sent to me.  I have since paid whatever I owe that book club..I don't like a regular memberships because I am such a random reader and I love the library.  But after reading a few of Susan Mallery's books, I am no longer one of those people who says oh I don't like those gushy Harlequin Romance books..because obviously I now do.  I had the notion that I couldn't relate to those books as an African American reader because I have a picture of Fabio on the covers imprinted on my brain..but I can.  (and for those who don't know who Fabio is..Google him..I'm an 80's baby). I will remove my snob hat for now.  I've even gone to my local college library looking for more of Susan's books.  But honestly, the writing was great.  The characters were cute and likable and who doesn't love love? 

Are you having a hard time focusing on your short-term goals?

          If you are having a hard time focusing on your short term goals it may be that your life is full of clutter.  You can't properly function when you have lots of little things that are in your way. These little things left unhandled can become big things over time.  Before hibernation time settles in. Lets get going!

It's fall...for me that involves a lot of soup cooking, television watching and nap wanting.  This time of year can quickly derail any short-term goals you have planned for yourself.  I mean lets be realistic here..who doesn't want to curl up with a warm cup of coffee and a good book? I see your virtual hands up. 

Don't fall into the trap.  Wake up each morning and jot down your goals on a note pad (five of them is a good number).  Each day, plan to knock out at least three of those things.  Whatever item/goal that you don't complete rolls over to the next day.  Before you know it, a week has gone by and you are well on your way to a more organized and accomplished you.  These things can be business, life organization or home project related that you have been delaying.

I give this advice as well as I am practicing it myself.  I realize that I receive way too many emails.  I am beginning to unsubscribe from emails that I skim over on a daily.  Also, I've begun deleting ancient emails..Just today I am all the way back to unread or junk emails from 2012.  Knowing better is doing better.  Don't put it off-start today!!

Next up is de-cluttering my papers..I'm on my way to some guilt-free coffee and FICTION!!

What's your favorite "F" word?

                 

                  So it seems that I haven't penned a blog post in a very long time.  I had promised myself that I would do better with adding content and doing so on a regular basis.  Well-you know what happens..life happens.  My full-time job has me extra busy these days.  And my son is in his senior year of high school (insert Mommy tears). If you have children, you should know that preparing a teen for college and adulthood is a full time job also.  College visits, football camps, prep testing, studying etc is in full swing.

                  Even with all of my other responsibilities I feel that I must maintain some sort of focus on my own goals and aspirations.  I finally completed my Associates Degree in May of this year!! Yay me.  Now back to the business of building my FUTURE.  Right about now, that is my favorite "F" word.  I have been menially working on my first fiction novel.  No more excuses.

                On Periscope, Instagram and Facebook (yes I still like Facebook) there are constant reminders of people building their businesses, creating careers for themselves and leaving corporate America.  I've been putting a lot more thought into the decisions I make to prepare myself for my next chapter. Sometimes social media can catapult you towards figuring out your life or it can easily distract you from it.  I like to think I use it for inspiration and motivation.  I stay up at night with ideas for all the things I want to create and do. What are your plans for your future?

Fun weekend finds

all items were purchased on sale.  trying to stay on a budget.  I did pretty good I think.  No major designer brands.  All were local and practical for my lifestyle.

Has text messaging ruined our generation's ability to effectively communicate?

What do you do when you text someone and they don't respond back for hours?  How about those texts that just seem to get lost and you don't even get a response?

I have to admit that I am guilty of both.  Most of the time its non-intentional.

Do you think its rude?  I kinda do, especially if its an open-ended question.  But on the other hand, with so much going on in a day, its understandable to forget to reply.

Or are you one of those people that don't really prefer to text so if that person wants a response from you they will just have to pick up the phone and call..old school style?

I have a really bad habit of texting because something may pop into my head at a time when I am unable to hold a real-live conversation.  I honestly prefer phone calls. They are so much more personal and cuts out any confusion.  And it feels awesome to hear a human voice after emailing and instant messaging most of the work day.  I am trying to understand what makes communicating with co-workers, friends and family so complicated these days.

Texting allows tone, intention and urgency to be misconstrued.  If its super important, I guess you better pick up that phone or else you will be waiting for it.

I have developed a pet peeve for text talking or rather using teen text lingo.  I get irritated when I see an adult constantly using teen text lingo on social networking sites.  I can understand a time or two when you are being sarcastic etc.  But what is going to happen to the English language after all this?  Will the youth even know how to spell real words? Will the adults forget and start spelling and talking like teenagers?