I dub today MARIUS MONDAY!

For all my frequent readers, you probably noticed a slight makeover on my page, if you are new I am most certain you are utterly and complely amazed and how MARVELOUS Marius Massie of Custom Initiative has been to me. 

First of all he masterfully created my banner.. *go Marius go Marius*
Second his pricing is super reasonable, Im a newby, and this is a hobby... need I say more.
Finally.. this dude is so funny and personable, he's just like a brother!  Well maybe for you single ladies.. who knows!! 0_0 Surely I jest.. hahaha!!

Marius Massie

Getting back to the story...
He was so FANTASTIC and fun and wonderful.. I decided to temporarily change my Music Monday focus to MARIUS Monday!!

Please, please PLEASE go check him out here or here and feel free to email him at marius@custom-initiative.com.  You can find him on facebook as he is a multi-faceted gentlemen. 

Marius you rock, and I LOVE my page!  I am thrilled to work with you again in the future!

Great Face FRIDAY - It's all so NEW!

It's Friay, it's Friday, IT'S FRIDAY!! (insert happy dance here)  I am thrilled and in the best mood for many reasons. 
First of all, I get to sleep in tomorrow, so today officially marks the last day of 5:30am alarm clocks for this week.  Second, also tomorrow, is the MN Fashion Blogger Meet-Up at Cheeky Monkey Deli and I happen to be going with the freshest..... Kasidy from The Fresh Factor, you can view her blog here she is super MARVELOUS!  The most important thing is I BOUGHT ALL NEW MAKEUP....(swoon).

I took a few pics as I was throwing out my used makeup, this is VERY interesting...haha.  I recently did a post on steps to a great face which you can check out here.  I showed all of my makeup on that post, which I did preface on the disclaimer, I actually use my makeup and use it til its gone! For instance...

Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder in Buff Beige

Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder in Buff Beige

Its SO PRETTY... the new one of course.. (wink wink)

Covergirl Simply Powder Foundation in Buff Beige

Covergirl Simply Powder Foundation in Buff Beige

I especially love this powder by Physician's formula, except it always breaks apart near the end of its life cycle, unlike the Cover girl powders, which would be the only downfall.

Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder

New Mascara has to be my ULTIMATE FAVORITE NEW MAKEUP ITEM to buy!!! (yes I really am that excited, haha)

My eyes are one of my favorite things ever as it pertains to my physical attributes, and I am a firm believer in finding your best two.. which I discuss more on a previous post you can read here, so needless to say I was super happy about his one!
My daughter Mayowa wanted to get in on this one... haha.. she's so cute..

Mayowa helping mommy :)  We were aiming for a shot like the pic below... haha!

Revlon Luscious Grow Mascara- notice the clumpy old brush on the left.. makes a world of difference!

 Of course all of this loveliness adds up to this GREAT FACE!

Wardrobe Wednesday - Five after Two!

Hello readers and readettes! 
I had an exciting weekend with a few of my favorite gals, one in particular my sister Stephanie of Graded on a Curve. (she's hott right?!)  We host a monthly get together, Five after Two, with our fashion friends and basically any woman in 'want' of a boost of confidence, fashion tips, or just a fun girls night!  It is sourced out of our local church Passion Church in Maple Grove, MN where there are many groups just like ours that have different interests, ours being Fashion, Faith & Etiquette.  You can see those here.

This month we met up at Nordstrom Rack (LOVE) and we distributed and discussed the following Fashion, Faith & Etiquette tips and had a blast........

We had a fashion challenge, where the attendees chose a picture and shopped for 30 minutes to complete the inspired look.  They recieved a Caribou gift card for their accomplishments!  Unfortunately in all the excitement I didn't get any pics of the inspired outfits they found but I did get, well tried to get pics of the winners.. lol!
Here are some pics and my MARVELOUS FIND!

First my inspiration....

I chose a bold and boxy blazer, skinny jeans instead of leggings and I did a bootie by via spiga.. my 'winter version' of the outfit to the left.

Second, Stephanie's inspiration...

 Stephanie, right, added a hat, kept the yellow and did a darker denim...greatness.  She is here with one of the winners of the fashion challenge.

Here goes the fun... prepare yourself!

The other winner is looking at her phone trying to dodge pictures... you ladies, haha..
There is actually three people in this pic too by the way! SMH!

still hiding... at least one is smiling

pop ya collar... haha.. silly silly!

someone did some damage, in a good way!

Until next time!

Something to look forward to on an up and coming Wardrobe Wednesday..... my $20 fantasticness! GREEN HOUNDSTOOTH... I couldn't be happier!

Who or where do you find the most style inspiration?  How do you make the look your own?  Do you get together with anyone, or any group of fashion friends to empower and share your success?

Toddler Tuesday - New Adventure!

She is the cutie that is to the immediate right of the African American dance teacher (the teachers right hand side).

I recently took Mayowa out of daycare due to distance and cost, and that was SO HARD. I boo-hooed for a while, and was comforted by the time I was able to spend with my beautiful child. 

I definitely paid attention to her abilities in rhythm and performing in front of people, as her father and I are lead people for our worship team, she rocks out with us at rehearsals.. lol. 

My husband and I decided to put her in to dance.   We chose Dominion Dance Company in Robbinsdale, MN a suburb just NW of Minneapolis.   At the start of class she was sitting and going along with it all... then the clingly cuddler that is my daughter took over!  She was nervous and whiny... I thought OH MY, did I push her into something she is not ready for, is she too scared, I just spent hundreds of dollars on a leotard, shoes, registration, costume fees....... (yeah I know I am that mom!)

The reality is she is three and its her first week, she raved about class afterwards, and talked about going back so I think we (mostly me) will turn out fine!

This pic below is the last few minutes of class after I had to leave the scene in order to make her go with the teacher. :)

Her she has her infamous blanky and her street shoes they so kindly obliged, in letter her wear.

Music Monday - Your My Boy Blu!

Blu, born as Johnson Barnes is this generation's version of Common just a west coast version; in my opinion.  Some others would compare him to Lupe, but almost all posts are deeming Blu as superceding any competition. 

He has an original sound and creative flow.  I LOVE his presense on each track.  The hooks are MARVELOUS and my favorite part.   For the most part he is a clean rapper, his lyrics aren't about hoes money and cars.. which is refreshing, however he does use a few choice 'adult' words.  Still better than A LOT of rappers/ hip hop emcees currently selling out crowds.
He has had many mixtapes and albums come out.  The most well known of the bunch is 'Below the Heavens'.  You can read more on the Hip Hop DX article from 2008, where he was named Rookie of the Year, back in 2007. 

 

For more up to date info check out his myspace and twitter.  For now hit the play buttons below for my two favorite songs of his. 

Great FACE Friday - How did you do that?!

Good Day my followers and fellow bloggers! 
I am loving the winter break I have been on and believe me I am taking it all in!!!!!  My house is sparkling, I have been on lunch dates, lounged around in sweats on the sofa, spent all day on Pinterest and much more and My Face is Great!!

As I stroll about, through the streets of Minneapolis and surrounding Metro Area I am often asked how did you do that?!  First of all I admit, I was born with it... Surely I jest! haha.. I then tell them I do this, that, and the other. 

Well for those of you that have always wondered what it takes to get this great face... pay attention, take notes and put your seat belts on! The faces below were created by the steps to the right of themm; the products and a glimpse of action.

**Disclaimer:  I do not buy expensive makeup, I actually USE my makeup, and my hair was in the middle of drying and on my NERVES throughout these pics.  DON'T judge me!! ***

1. Face using Covergirl. 

First the top liquid powder, next the simply powder evenly distributed over entire face and under chin in order to prevent makeup lines..

2. Primer using Urban Decay. 

Some use a brush I use my finger, again evenly distributed over the entire eyelid.

3. Eyebrows using Covergirl. 

First brush with one end of the eyeliner pencil, next fill in with pencil, careful so its not too dark!

4. Eyebrows using Covergirl.

I use clear mascara to brush them into shape and they are secured for most of the day.

5.  Eyeshadow using Covergirl.

I suggest, and I always do, begin with a flesh tone color, I like shimmer, your choice.  Since this one is slightly darker than my tone, I apply this to the crease and below.

6. Eyeshadow using Maybelline.

 I am HUGE on blending, so of course I can't leave the top half of my eye bare.  This flesh tone is slightly lighter than my tone so I apply this to the crease and above.  I could stop here for a day look and skip ahead to steps 11 and 13.

7.  Color using Maybelline. 

This is typically how I add color to my eyes.  I decided to go with a purple. This purple is the lighter of the two I will use, so it will go in the middle.  I begin in the middle and make my way up.  Using this angled brush I am able to form an arch with the color that lines up with the arch of my eyebrow.

7. Shading with black using Covergirl. 

To shade in for more of a dramatic look I begin at the outside, again using the angled brush making my way up to align with my eyebrow.  This time I allow for a more narrow gap.  This is entirely up to the eye shape and amount of drama you want for your eyes. If I wanted to skip the purple and do this on the nude eye (after steps 5 & 6) I would go from a day look to a night look.

8. Blending using Covergirl & Maybelline. 

Using my brush by Sonia Kushak, I retreat to the flesh tone shadows from steps 5 & 6. 

The slightly darker is used to blend from the corner of my to the middle of the eye, the slightly lighter blending from right at my arch out to the end of my eyebrow.

9. Clean up with Covergirl.

Using the straight edge of the liquid powder, I clean up all excess eyeshadow.  I do a sweep under my eyes as well.

10. Adding depth using Physician's formula and Covergirl.

Using the biggest powder brush I have I use the Physician's formula on my cheeks (accenting my freckles :D) and a smaller powder brush to add the bronzer as a blush which creates a shadow for slimming my face.  I add this to my nose and forehead and under my chin as well.

11.  Eyeliner by Maybelline.

I LOVE eyeliner.  I like it heavy.  You don't have to use as much, but again the more eyeliner the more drama. I start at the beginning of my lashes and make my way out.  I make the line thicker as I go outward. 

12. Mascara by REVLON.
Mascara is something else I LOVE :).  First the grow luscious (all green) followed by the grow luscious plumping.  This gives the depth and length I want.   ALMOST DONE.... :D

13. Finally LIPS by Jordana and Blistex.

Blistex is my favorite lip balm, nothing special about that. :) I like Jordana because is nude and $1.50 at Walgreens.  I would not do a color on my lip with all of this eyeshadow, however skipping the purple, and lighten up on the black, you could pull of a red, coral, or berry. 

GREAT!!!! I'm done and ready to go. 

Your face is Great GIRL! "woo weew" (the hott mama whistle I couldn't do if I tried! haha)

Please comment your favorite steps and or anything you could add or change regarding my current process.  I would love to hear your suggestions!!!

Wadrobe Wednesday - My two FAVORITES!

This Wednesday I decided to take full advantage of December feeling like April :)
I also ventured to mix two of my favorite colors, Navy and Kelly Green.. LOVE! Especially how the colors bring out different features of my face, shape and skin tone.

Navy is totally winter appropriate, while Kelly Green is usually Spring/Summer BUT I decided to mix it in... take a peek!

Blazer: Green- Old Navy | VNeck: Old Navy | Pants: NY& Co | Wedges: Franco Sarto

Cardigan: Heartbreaker | Tank: Gap | Jeans: Arizona

What two colors do you have SOO much of, or happen to be your favorites.. can you put them together and rock it?! I had a blast mixing my two favorites! :)