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!

Gots To Have It

I have not really been online this summer.  But now that I have more time on my hands I can web window shop.  I spied a few items that  I am in love with...so I'm going to share them with you all!  What have you had your eyes on recently?  Are you still enjoying summer wear or have you set your sights on fall!

I am all about the transition for now. Buying thinks that I can wear now and once the weather cools down.  I own all the staples.  Plenty of cardigans, a jean jacket, boots, tights, and scarves.  Right now I need a new black blazer and some brown riding boots.  

Evans...oh how I have missed thee!  This is fab...the roll up sleeves are the perfect length and the military inspiration is flawless.

Eshakti got this so right.  The pattern and silhouette is divine.

  

Torrid was not really speaking to me because I think they are over priced.  But this shirt is transitional.  I would work well with weather in Nashville because it could be layered under a sweater or vest and blazer.  Loving the mustard color.  Do to my middle I would either wear the belt higher up or eliminate it all together.

Avenue caught my eye with this colorful dress!  This would be wearable from summer into fall.  

I love this look from Avenue as well.  I'm getting this.  

Man I'm exhausted from shopping online.  I didn't find much because I'm rusty.  Give me a little time and I will be back to finding my deals. The main thing is that I am trying to get away from the black I have been wearing all summer and the gray I wore last fall and winter.  I am all about jewel tones, and neutrals.   I will also be picking up some boot cut and wide legged jeans.  I may need a break from the skinny leg phenomenon.

 That's all for now...I'm going to get a pedi.  The hardest decision I have to make this weekend is pink or red polish.  I love my life when it is stress free!

Enjoy your weekend!

Guess Who's Back!

Hey everyone!

I'm back again!  Truth is I haven't had the will or energy to post while I was still having to work Summer Odyssey (H&ll on Earth).  Now that that is over and I'm back to my everyday I will have plenty to say! 

First of all...let me say.  My phone is so crappy.  I have a blackberry that is not even a year old.  The trackball is funny acting AND my camera needs glasses.  I'm not over exaggerating...I'm so serious. 

OK don't believe.  LOOK!

See!  This is what I'm talking about!  Cloudy...like glaucoma!

Anyways.  I brought forth the message at church on Sunday. I was very surprised that I was going to have to do it.  But God blessed my socks off.  So I give Him praise for what He is doing in my life!

Fashion.  What does it means to you?  For me it is really about expression.  Its a way to connect and give others a glimpse of my personality without necessarily saying a word. 

Leopard flats say a lot about a person.  When I am wearing mine I feel invincible.  I feel way more powerful and confident when I wear my leopard flats than I do when I wear some black ones.  A big chunky funky necklace that doesn't match a thing I have on says more than you know.  Its like a silent rebellion.  It rides down the street on my neck screaming at passers by for no reason in particular other than that it is present. 

What statements do your clothes or accessories or style say about you!?