Don't Forget the Gloss

Inspiration Turns into Devestation

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:41:18 +0000

I was over my bestie’s house one day when she decided to bring out a canvas and started to paint. As I watched her I felt this awe come over me. She made it look so effortless. I was never one who was really interested in painting but a couple days later I found myself at Michaels looking for a paint set. I thought it could be some good quality time to spend with my daughter but also, I secretly thought I was going to paint this awesome masterpiece that came with such ease. Well…..you be the judge.

I had everything ready to go. Below is the brownstone I found on Google that I wished to draw. I was going to hang the painting up near my vision board. My dream is to one day own a brownstone.

Now for my work of art!

Okay, okay, the painter I am not! However, once I accepted my painting was not going to look like the photo I found , it became less intimidating and very therapeutic.

My daughter on the other hand is a natural! She even mixed her colors like a pro!.

I Got My Swagga Back!

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:57:51 +0000

It has been WAY too long since I last post a blog! I was a tad bit exhausted, a tad bit frazzled, and a tad bit ashamed but I am still here!!! Work was unreal. It lasted way longer than expected but, I must be honest, I also took a month to recoup. My brain was hurting. I hope you are all still here with me. There is more to come so stay tuned. We now have to play catch up!

I was damaged goods! I did not want you guys to see me in this condition. You see what all work and no play does to you!?

Interlude

Don't Forget the Gloss — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:09:54 +0000

Every year after Thanksgiving for about the last eight years I totally shut down to the outside world. I become a robot that stares at a computer for 9 to 11 hours until about mid February. I know I have been MIA. Not because I don’t feel like blogging, but because my job totally consumes me during this time! I get home from work and the last thing I want to do is look at a computer screen. I just want to rest my eyeballs! lol. Today, I was determined to do something besides lay in my bed in a zombie like state. I decided to download a ton of pictures I had on my camera and came across these from my trip to Palm Springs from about a month back….yes, a month…I know. So please, enjoy my interlude with me.

This was our mode of transportation for the weekend. I haven’t rode a bike since I got a car at 16!

The view on our bike ride

The sculptor just left me all alone to mess up his masterpiece! I was terrified by the way.

He was sculpting a gladiator out of alabaster.

2012….Is It Ok To Open My Eyes Now?

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 01:04:35 +0000

Yes, I know it has been awhile since you all heard from me! Let’s just say my job has me overworked and a tad bit underpaid. Lately, I have been going to work, coming home, working some more, and then I sleep and do it all over again the next day. Don’t fret, things will slow back down and I will be back to normal life. I thought I should at least check in to start the new year off right with all of you.

2012 has been…..lets just say I have seen better years. This was an odd year for me. It was definitely my year to learn the power of acceptance….oh how I just love acceptance. I guess in the end you have no choice but to accept things you have no control over. Like 2011, I am just happy to sweep the year under the rug and start fresh and renewed.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 2013 with many blessings, positive experiences and happy endings!

-Don’t Forget the Gloss

Caviar Manicure

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 03:28:37 +0000

I have been wanting to try this nail polish kit for awhile now. Every time I go into Sephora I’m on the look out. Well, I finally went online to Sephora and BAM! There they were…..duh! Not sure why I didn’t do that sooner. So I invited a friend over along my daughter and we had a nail painting session.

I have to say, I LOVE the idea of these nails. They look really cool once complete but they are not practical at all! My nail job was completely gone by the next day. The beads just do not hold up. However, I did come to the conclusion that this kit is good to have. It’s something fun to do to your nails on nights out or for special occasions…..but don’t expect those beads to last too long!

The Perfect Staycation

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 02:44:34 +0000

Hey Ladies and Gents, I learn a lot of things from the experiences of others but the one thing I have taught myself is that we ALL deserve some alone time. Yes, we have the kids, the relationship, work, chores etc…. it goes on and on and on. Sometimes we need to stop and take time out for ourselves. I am one who demands quiet time at some point. I enjoy being alone. I do not constantly need someone around me in order to have a good time. I enjoy the quiet moments where I can read or write or do absolutely nothing. Hey! I work hard, I take care of my responsibilities….I too deserve a day off!! Lately I have been on the run. Going here and there. Sometimes I just want to pause for a moment and disappear from life and come back on Monday ready to do what I gotta do. That is where my staycation comes in. I drop everything. My Daughter is safe at her Dad’s house and it is MY me time.

So I checked myself into the Four Seasons and let them do all the work!

You have to enjoy a bottle of champagne!

I waited for this moment all day! The highlight of my day was definitely my bath! Thank you to Jo Malone for the wonderful bubble bath. I used the 7 Roses and it was amazing!! I literally felt like I was in a bathtub full of fragrant roses!I even went to the bar downstairs alone. Ordered a wine and sat outside and just took in the view. It was so peaceful. Gave me a lot of time to reflect.

A perfect staycation involves room service! I ate in bed and when I was done they came and rolled it out, I closed the blinds, and went back to sleep!!

Date Night With the Parents

Don't Forget the Gloss — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:50:59 +0000

Every time I get to see my parents is a blessing for me. They lift my mood. They give me that love and rejuvenation that my spirit needs to go back out there in this crazy world to do what I have to do. It was such a joy to be able to meet up with them on a week night to enjoy a musician we all listened to as I was growing up. I’ve written about Anita Baker as part of the soundtrack to my life. You can read it here if you like! David Sanborn was another part of that soundtrack. It was so nice to go back down memory lane with my parents while we sat there and listened to him play. I still listen to this guy on a regular basis. He takes me back to my “happy place.” There was nothing better in that moment than hear him play live with the loves of my life right next to me. We should do more date nights Mom & Dad!!

David Sanborn doing his thing!

The Rich Santana Band opened up for David Sanborn. This band was sooooooo good! I need to see them again!

On a whole other topic…..these drums!!! I will dance to the beat of my own blinged out drum someday with a set that looks just like this one!

New Gerber Baby

Don't Forget the Gloss — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:00:32 +0000

After More than 80 years Gerber has a found a new Gerber baby. She will not be replacing the original Gerber baby, but she won the Facebook Gerber baby contest in which she has won a $50,000 prize. Here she is below with the original Gerber baby! The original Gerber baby still looks too cute for words!

Photo credit Amy Sussman/Ap images for Gerber

Although I am very happy for this cute little Gerber baby….mine has been holding it down since 2000. Does my baby not look like a true Gerber baby? Dang! 12 years late and a dollar short!

My New Favorite Restaurant

Don't Forget the Gloss — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 05:20:02 +0000

I love trying new foods and going to restaurants in search of new taste. Last week, I was invited to go to a restaurant called Villetta. It’s this little romantic Italian spot in Santa Monica. From the time I got there until the time I left was pure magic. This is like the real deal Italian people! The waiters were all Italian with the accents to match. The ambiance was amazing and the food! Oh, the food! I have NEVER tasted Italian like this. The staff was so welcoming and hospitable. At the end of the night, I even had the chance to have a drink with the chef (who was straight from Italy and also was a female! I do not know why that excites me so much, I guess it’s because I’m use to seeing male chefs roaming around restaurants). She was so sweet and answered all my random questions about Italy. If you love Italian food like I do, you must go.

Braised octopus with heirloom tomato sugo, chickpeas and mint

Papardelle with pancetta, sage and white wine wild mixed mushrooms sauce/Fettucine ‘alla Bolognese’. It may not look like much from this picture but the flavors that came out of these two dishes were like nothing I ever tasted.

I have my own drink named after me! “Lady Lola”

Independence Is Not Easy But It’s Worth It

Don't Forget the Gloss — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:06:09 +0000

I got pregnant at 19 years old. It was definitely not in my plan at the time. My dream was to go to NYU, live in New York and work in the fashion industry. Well, whats the saying? ‘Life is what happens while you’re making plans.’ My whole life changed once I got pregnant. I had to grow up fast. I had friends going to college having fun, I was working and taking care of a fussy little one. For a long time I just thought, this is the life I’ve been dealt. Deal with it….and I have but within the last few years I have had a personal renaissance. I do not want the ordinary and if I work hard enough I do not have to have it. At the beginning of this year I told myself I was going to hustle.I know big things do not happen just sitting around waiting for them to fall in your lap. I know it takes hard work, determination, and drive. I know that there is more to life than what I am presently faced with. Being a single mother, it is a little extra frustrating. It’s all on me! I get scared at times. The choices I make do not just affect me but they will affect my daughter as well. I grew up in what I feel was the perfect household. I had my mommy and my daddy, they gave us a good life. I always thought that would be the case when I had children. I NEVER thought I would be the single mother doing it all on my own but I have done it. Up to this point I think I am doing a pretty good job. I have learned you have to take the situation you have and you make it beautiful. Be blessed for what you do have. I have a beautiful, funny, chatterbox daughter who drives me crazy but I can’t imagine my life with out that girl! Every now and then I get tired, overwhelmed, frustrated and that is where the video below comes in. I promise I watch this at least twice a month. Just to refresh my energy. Beyonce is one of the people I look up to. Not for her talent….cause I morph into her after a couple of glasses of wine…I got that! lol!! Her drive, her focus and most of all her work ethic is what inspires me to work harder and believe that what I want out of my life is possible. She makes me feel if I work hard enough at the things I want in life for me and my daughter that they will happen for me. Please watch this video. It’s about 22 min long but oh so worth it. Every time you feel like you want to throw up your hands and give up….watch it again! I promise it will inspire you all over again.

” I am learning how to drown out the constant noise that is such an inseparable part of my life. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I only have to follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to the world…..I run my world” – Beyonce

Video courtesy of Vevo/Video credit Beyonce