BBM''s Blogger Secret Gift Exchange 2010

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!

A few days ago, I was in the kitchen preparing to go to work when these lovely boxes were delivered. 

The funny thing is, as soon as I got the box and looked at the address I knew exactly who had gotten my name in the gift exchange!

Before I go into detail about the giver of my gifts, let me give you all some background information.  Literal Gemini and I go way back.  When I say way back I don't mean ten years, even fifteen, heck we go back to a little nursery school in Glen Dale, Maryland by the name of ABC Early Learning Center.  Yes, that  far back!  She is my oldest and one of my dearest friends!  Through the years our families have moved to different parts of Maryland but we came together in 1998 as Freshman at Howard University, by happenstance.

Get up and WALK!  (Inside joke. Puhaaha!)

I have always admired her tenacity and intelligence.  She has so many qualities that I always wished I had one ounce of.   If I had a little bit of her stick withitness...I might be able to pick a job or career field and be successful at it.  But I digress this is a happy post.  Back to Literal Gem...her name fits her perfectly she is a gem and has a really big heart.  And that is why I love her!

Even though we find ourselves once again separated by distances large and wide, I thank God for the blogging community, it allows me to see her and keep up with her and that is really important to me! 

Okay, okay, okay...I will stop with the sappy trip down memory lane.  I will get on with the gifts! 

So I opened the first box and what did I find!

Exactly what  I wanted!  Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World!  I am out of town but you KNOW as soon as I get back to Nashville I am cracking this baby open and going to WORK!  I have been wanting this since March and for whatever reason did not get it.  Now I have it!  Yay!

I was jumping up and down at this point.  She could have stopped at that, but she didn't!  Because she rocks!

I went on to the next box, and what did I find!!!!  

At this point, I was jumping up and down and screaming.  My husband was looking at me like I was a fool.  He was digging the gifts, especially the gloves.  I was so excited.  I put the gloves on immediately.  Of course I started snapping photos.  Of course.

Hmmmm....can't see the ruffle detailing.  Must take more photos.

 Ahhhh yes!  That's much better!  They are perfect!  But there was more Holiday deliciousness!   A lollipop AND lip gloss!  She knows me so well she didn't get me lipstick...she got me lip gloss because that's all that I wear!  Peppermint! 

I have got to say, this Blogging Secret Gift Giving Diva stuck to the level of fabulousness she exists in on a regular basis...and I am truly thankful for the gifts!  Thanks Gem!  Also thank you BBM for thinking to do this gift exchange, I have seen it done on other blogs and wanted to do one forever! Now I have! 

Wonder when my giftee is going to get and open hers...I forgot to put a card in the box but my name is on it!  Im sure Im the only blogger in the exchange in Tennessee!

P.S. I am home in Maryland and I am so happy to be here!

Cookie Madness

I had a blast of a weekend baking a million cookies for the holidays.  I planned on doing four different types but decided to nix one because I wanted to stick with the classic holiday flavors, to appeal to even the simplest palettes.  Oh but then I threw in game changer!  I will get more into that on a different post!

I went about the cookies the same way I go about looking fabulous when I step out!  I went to Avenue this weekend, and even though they didn't have the boots I wanted, I still scored!

I got these cute shoes for 17.96 and this ruffle clutch for 6.96!  Ruffles are a theme and I feel like I embody the holiday spirit with this plaid top I got from Cato last fall!  I have been looking for a red tartan plaid blouse but haven't found one cute enough!  I'm still looking though!  I also got my hosiery from Avenue...it was 40% off of 5.00.  We plus sized ladies know how hard it is to find good stockings at a reasonable price!  

I'm trying to start modeling like BBM....she is my idol!  I'm also trying to post more OOTD posts like my other idols Literal Gem and Mrs. Hall so be on the look out.  I wear a stupid uniform everyday to work but once I get a new job, hopefully I wont have to!  (Yes I'm still on the hunt.)

Some of my other Avenue purchases over the past week.  (Yes they know me in there, by name!) 

These are the booties Im wearing above!

And these are replacing my favorite brown cowboy boots.  I had to throw the old ones away over the Thanksgiving holiday.  They were literally falling apart!  

I plan on doing several posts this week because I have so much to share.  Im looking feverishly for my camera usb...so that I can upload better pics.  Until then it will be crappy blackberry camera pictures!

Hohoho

I am so glad that I got the opportunity to be a part of BBM's Secret Blogger Gift Exchange! (click link to left for more details)  It was fun shopping for a stranger!  Here is the tissue paper that I wrapped all of her goodies in!

My process in shopping for this already fabulous lady was to stalk her blog.  I went back as far as i possibly could to gauge her style, and there were a few pieces that I thought would be great staples in her already delicious wardrobe!  I know the limit was twenty bucks...but I mean really!   No honestly I was able to stay close to that and that is what made the adventure so much more fun!

Last night I happened to go to Target and I found the cutest bags in the dollar bins!  I wanted to eat them they were so adorable!  So I snatched one up, I knew that my giftee would LOVE it like I did!  I was also sure to get busy tissue paper because I love the look of things that don't go together being put together!

I am really excited to give this gift!  I love giving even more than receiving, I mean that is what the Holiday Season is really all about!  Not only giving gifts but being a gift to others!

Of course I had to add some freshly baked treats to the bag!  Candy cookies!  One is filled with Reese's Pieces and the other with mini M&M's!  I only put two in the bag because I don't know if my Bloggers is watching her sugar intake for the holidays! 

Aha the finished product!  All ready to be mailed out!  My hubby runs the mail room for United Methodist Communications so he will be shipping this baby out today!  If I send it through regular mail it will be en route tomorrow, if I ship it UPS it will not start moving until Monday.  But at least I know it will get there!  UPS it is!

Secret Santa on the move!

Maryland on My Mind

This holiday season, my husband and I will be packing up our holiday cheer and taking it to Maryland!  My whole family lives there and I cannot wait to see everyone! And I cannot wait to see the signs that say Waugh Chapel!  Even though we probably wont even come that way from BWI...we will probably not get on the interstate at all because there is no need to.

Anyways...I am excited!  Can we PLEASE have a blogger get together.  Please please please!  

On another note...

Mr. Misss_E (my hubby and I have planned to have ROBOTS be a subtle theme in our home.  I have been wanting to do this for about a year now.  And I am just determined to make it happen, but robot prints can be a little expensive!  Enter ETSY. I found some really cute and wonderful things and I cannot wait to start working my design plan after the new year!

That's enough of that!  I have been in my pajamas all day, wasting away in front of this computer! I swear there isn't enough time in the day when it comes to perusing blogs and shopping!

Cold Cutie (FACT)

Fact: The blog you are now reading is the best blog you have or will ever read.  (Inspired by Dwight Schrute)

Sunday afternoon, after I finished am online final exam, I looked up to see snow falling.  Now, I live in Nashville and snow is not something I have seen often since moving here in 2005. 

Knowing what I know about this city's reaction to snow, I knew that the kids would be out of school for the next two days.  Which means I would be working one of those days, and be off the other!  Well right now I am enjoying my day off!  I took my fourth of six final exam and now I am waiting for my hubby to get off of work!

Why hello there!  Heeeelllloooooo! Helllllllloooohhh! 

I'm staying healthy by taking plenty of vitamins.  By plenty I mean I eat them like gummy bears.  by the handful.  Don't judge.  They taste delicious! I know you are thinking, "you fool!  you are hurting yourself by taking too many vitamins!"  But really.  Think about that statement. 

If i were to eat all the fruits and vegetables one could possibly ingest in a day...would I be hurting myself.  Eating just one is hurting myself!  I promise you...if you pop five of these babies a day and three or four vitamin C chewables...you will be feeling and looking as good as I do!

On another totally non related issue...I got my Secret Blogger and she is sooo adorable!  I love her sense of style and and her price awareness!  She doesn't know it but we have a lot of the same items of clothing!  I'm not telling who she is yet!  I'm not!  Oh no!

I have a few projects on the horizon for this week:

• Make several different pound cakes and figure out which one is going to be my signature.
• Exercise three times this week.
• Finish shopping, wrapping and sending Secret Santa gift.
• Waste countless hours watching The Wire
• Start working on button earrings.  First up leopard print.
• Get my vitamins nad minerals.
• Share more FACTS with those around me. 

Christmas Wishes

Christmas is right around the corner.  I am extremely excited because I will be traveling to Maryland to spend a week with my family.  My older brother and his wife has a baby girl in October and my younger sister had a baby girl in November in addition to my one year old nephew!  I miss my family so much and can not wait to see everyone and hug my mom and dad.

Our plane tickets were so expensive my husband and I had to sell blood and organs to pay for them.  LOL Needless to say the gifts  I wanted to buy myself and my husband wont be purchased any time soon.  Either way there are some small things I want that come in under the $20.00 range, which is extremely affordable!

I have been stalking these boots on the Avenues website!  They are only 24.99 and with the promo code AV101170 they are 40% off making them 14.99!   Its such a good price you can rush delivery if need be!  Checkmate!  (Size 9 1/2)

I adore this dress!  It is at The Avenue as well and would go great with some black tights!  If ordering one item you can get 40% off of this little baby and any fashionista would love it! (Size 20)

This would go great under a blazer and the riding boots I'm getting myself from The Avenue.  It would be a great accessory to my Afro!  (2XL)

This is so cute!  Rub knit cardigan! 15.80 as Forever 21 Plus!    The first one is 22 and the second is 24.  I know they are over 20 but someone in my family may be lurking.  Like say...my husband! 

                                           

Pier 1 Imports...isnt this the cutest thing you have ever seen!

      

Max. Brenner or anywhere for that matter, I'm not picky on this one!  I have been dying for a fondue set!

Vegan Cupcake Cookbook.

I am a pescetarian meaning the only meat I eat is fish.  I would like to get into vegan baking though.  I have been eying this book!

  This list isn't complete...but i have to go to work. I will be back to add more to the gift list!

BBM's Secret Blogger Gift Exchange 2010

Hey everyone!  I'm back!  I mean I still have 5 more finals but consider me back in full effect.  I love the holidays and could not bear to not blog during this time!  I have so much to say!  So I will take it one post at a time!

Yours truly has been chosen to participate in BBM's Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2010 and I am super excited!  This is a great way for me to reintroduce myself to the blogosphere after just popping in on occasion.  Myself along with Sixteen Fabulous Fashionistas will be participating in this event!  To get more info on these lovely ladies click the link to the left under my gorgeous new profile picture.

We are supposed to purchase gifts under twenty dollars.  That should not be that difficult, but knowing me it will be.  I love to shop and find wonderful things for the low low.  (Yes I said low low.  Don't try to act like you don't know what I am talking about.)  So this challenge is right up my alley. 

I live within walking distance of Target (I still drive), so I am in there at lease five days a week.  I even get groceries in there.  My bank account is taking a hit but its okay because they have so many things I love!  One of those things is in the twenty dollar range and would be a great gift for a lady who loves to feel super sassy all the way down to her fingertips.  Aren't these gloves just delicious.  I could eat them, but I would rather wear them!  

Now if you have a gift exchange somewhere else, these cloves are a little on the expensive side.  Especially if you are participating in several exchanges.  Target also has a few really cute options for closer to ten dollars.  

  

                  

The great thing about getting these online is that Target offers free shipping on any purchase over $50.00!  I love free shipping!  

Its cold outside and we all need to protect our soft hands and manicured nails! I'm sure any lady would love to open a box and see these babies sitting under the tissue paper! I know I would!  

Its VV Brown Everybody!!!!

VV Brown....a hit over in the UK. How did I miss her. Do yourself and get this CD.

Her she does a cover of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon.  I love her accent and her tone is to die for.



This is one of her hits...Shark in the Water.  One again...love her voice.  Its pure.  Sorry but Robyn Rihanna Fenty barely sounds this good on a track she darn sure wouldn't sound this good in the back of a cab with an acoustic guitar.




Now now now! What would I be if I didnt throw fashion into this mix with VV!!!  







Enjoy!

Janelle Monae talks fashion

I love Janelle Monae...and her style. Class can carry you farther than you would have gone otherwise. Transcend my lovely people. :)

Sesame Street:Song: I Love My Hair

I love this video and I love my hair! Way to go Sesame Street!

STAMP

Heeeellllooooo everyone!  I pray all is well with each and every one!

I don't have much going on.  School is coming along quite well.  Work is...you know work.  I messed up my back, went a week without getting it checked out.  And am currently on my last of three days at home after being ordered by my husband and doctor to stay home and heal.  I would have never stayed home unless I was made to do so!  But I am glad they made me!

On the first morning I woke up to a delightful Strawberry Parfait made with French Vanilla Yo-plait and Maple Pecan Bare Naked Granola...and my medicine.  

 Ignore the Cheerios, this was from another day. 

 

Well I ate, enjoyed and fell into a coma.  I have been sleeping since Tuesday!  I'm not complaining, but my back still hurts.  If it doesn't feel better by Saturday, I will be returning to the doctor's office for a more in depth look into my back aches.

So I just wanted to share this delicious meal with you all, and let you know that real dreams do come true!  Haaahaa!  That was so corny but I wanted to say it so I just slapped it on to the end of that sentence.  

All jokes aside.  

FISH TACOS are the business.  My husband and I have been everywhere trying to find some fish tacos we could STAMP with our "tons of deliciousness" stamp of approval.  I looked online, asked random folks on the street, and search high and low.  Finally I found them!  I mean Nashville is not like most cities, there aren't a million places to find great food in owner operated restaurants. 

But finally, we found it!  We went to The Whiskey Kitchen in the Gulch, I had Salmon, the hubby had fish tacos.  Let me say...STAMP!  They were ridiculously fabulous!  Of course, me being who I am, decided that I could remake them.  So we did!  

Kept it simple.  Beer battered fish that we whipped up ourselves.  Fresh Jalapeño Peppers and Roma tomatoes.  Homemade Cole Slaw and Ranch Dressing.  STAMP!

I am not playing.  If you make these fish tacos you will add your STAMP of approval to them as well!  

Recap:  The Whiskey Kitchen is super delicious...great for Pescetarians.  Fish Tacos are the business when done right. STAMP!  

Say Yes to Tomatoes: No Thanks

Friday after my pedicure I stop into Ross to see what what I could possibly find a reason to spend money on.  I walked around the store and a few things stood out as desirable but one thing in particular caught my eye.  being part of the natural hair community is very important to me.  Besides becoming a Pescatarian, going natural is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  With that said, a lot of people in that community have been talking about this line of natural products called, Yes to Carrots/Cucumbers/Tomatoes. Well Ross has Yes to Tomatoes conditioner for 2.99.  I mean who could pass up 10 dollar conditioner. staring you in the face screaming to the top of its lungs, "I'm 2.99 fool...don't you dare walk out of here without me!"

Needless to say, I bought it.  I went to work and all I could think about was going home to co-wash with Yes to Tomatoes.  Kids were talking to me and telling me stories on the playground but I just could not get this stuff off of my mind!  When I got home I made fish tacos (which I have decided I don't care for unless the fish is grilled Tilapia...Blue Coast Burrito sucks.)...then played a little Move on the PlayStation 3 with my husband.  By the time I worked up a sweat and decided to hop in the shower, the bottle of conditioner was calling my name!  So prepped for my wash.  Upon opening the conditioner no fragrance knocked me down.  I thought, "hmmm it has pleasant aroma but I like the small delightful hint of deliciousness that is tickling my nostrils right now", so I had to give it a mental check plus on the smell and the overall feeling it gave me upon smelling it.

Then I put it on. Slip was excellent, it went on smooth.  I feel my hair getting softer and softer.  Unfortunately, what I didn't feel was my curls popping!  Ugh!  For seriously YTT???  SO you are just going to smell fab but not define my curls.  Hmmm...OK.  This bottle of conditioner will need to be spruced up, I'm not giving it a check because I can't use it alone without anything being added to it and it working effectively.  

Recap:

Love the price (2.99 Ross)

Love the smell (hint of deliciousness)

Love the slip (gave my hair the desired texture)

No curl definition (being that I'm all about my curls this failed me)

Results:

I still suggest it to you all.  My followers are of many different ethnic backgrounds, with many different hair textures.   Give it a try it you want soft manageable hair.  

I prefer my hair to be soft, wild and unmanageable!

Monthly Check In

Whats going on everyone!  I am tired and a whole lot of other things...but I'm happy so who cares!

Good news. I am back in school and taking 18 credits while working full time.  Some days I think I have taken on too much, then I am rewarded with a perfect grade on a research paper and all is well and right in my world again.  In case anyone is interested, I am studying Elementary Education and hope to one day go into Administration.

Bad news.  I can't believe I am sharing this but mid- August I was demoted at my job.  It was the most embarrassing thing I have had to go through in awhile.  Honestly, I still don't know what I did wrong because my supervisor NEVER talked to me about it.  The whole year I had the position parents and the principal at my school had no complaints.  After being angry and depressed for awhile (a long while) I decided that obviously this organization isn't it for me. I mean, it is a stop on the path that God has already set in place for me!  So whatever.  I'm over it but I am also over this particular organization and am treating this like the J-O-B that it is.

If I hadn't gotten demoted honestly I wouldn't be back in school right now.  I would have given a lame attempt to get back in again but not really pursued it.  Sooo all that to say...I no longer worry about the things that are happening all around me because my steps are ordered by God.  Manifest destiny.  Yeah.

My natural hair journey is coming along.  Look at my hair!  This is not even my 'fro.  it has grown back and then some since I chopped all of my relaxer off in February.  

Guess what! I finally won a give away!  Yes, yes yall!

Mrs Hall In Training sent me some FABULOUS bangles from her trip to Cancun!  I cannot wait to wear them!  I will be sure to post a pic from whatever I wear them with!  Thanks again Diva!

I WANT THESE TORY BURCH FLATS!

I will settle for these from Target.  I'm going to buy them tomorrow actually.

They have another flat pair...I may get those instead.  We will see...the last pair of leopard kitten heels I had I wore them until they fell apart.  Not an over-exaggeration my husband was my boy-friend and he promised to buy me some more if I threw them away.  He never did.  I was duped...but then maybe not.  I got the husband instead.  : )

Okay I have  talked enough! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Minty Fresh

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I had two trainings this weekend and saw some old friends at what was called "Diva Night".  So I was actually productive!

This post is totally random but I just cracked open a new tube of toothpaste and used it this morning after being STUCK with what was one of the biggest disappointments of the century.  Ok I am over exaggerating but missing the mark does not even being to describe how FAIL this toothpaste we tried was.

So I was at Target or maybe Publix.  I don't know I was somewhere shopping and came across Burt's Bees natural Toothpaste and got super excited.  Me...being the Brand Whore that I am thought it would be a good idea to try it.  I mean I LOVE their chap stick (original not all that other fruity crap) and have been using it for years and years and years.  Why would I stop to think that maybe their toothpaste wouldn't be as great as their chap stick.  Talk about brand loyalty.  Too bad the stuff was awful.  Imagine going through a whole tube of toothpaste feeling like your mouth didn't reach its full potential each and every day!  IMAGINE IT!  I wanted to throw it away but my husband, in an effort to teach me a lesson about always needing to change stuff that doesn't need to be changed, insisted that we finish the tube.

Thank God we squeezed that last bit of hell out of that tube this weekend.  I was able to go back to my soul mate...Tom's of Maine!  I will never forsake Tom's again.  I'm done sampling and am ready to commit permanently.  Period.  Its the best...its the best natural toothpaste I have found.  Sorry Burt's you missed the mark!

Color Coded

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  My life has been a trial in patience.  ::deepsigh:: But its all good.

So Fall is around the corner.  I have been saying that I am NOT wearing black and gray all day every day this year.  I'm determined to add some color to my wardrobe.  DETERMINED.

These colors are on trend for Fall 2010 and they give me goosebumps!  I love them!  And guess what!? Gray is on the list.  I will be wearing my gray pumps and booties this year.  BUT I'm not going over board with it.  I'm so excited.  The golden glow, coral and purple.  The lagoon!  ::doingthehappydance::

What colors are you excited about? Do you even care about the color trends...will you just do your own thing?  One thing I can say is, I am glad to have staple classic pieces that work with any trend! You can't go wrong when you go with your gut!  I love the feelings that getting dressed and knowing I look fab produces!

Anyways!  Have a great week lovelies!