Freestyle Fridays: Vertigo....maybe

I could recall in my "hay day" my friends and I were avid season pass holders to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jersey.  We would make it our business to go throughout the summer. Boy, did we get our money's worth.  I'm telling you, we rode all the rides in the park. From, the Batman, Scream Machine, Rolling Thunder (even when it went backwards), the log flume ride  and the Runaway Train. We ate cotton candy, funnel cake, took pictures and watched the dolphin shows. Boy, those were the days. Yes, those days.

  

Well tonight, I went to the Maryland State Fair. Let me tell you, I was one dizzy broad. And guess what... I didn't get on any rides. There were to many people, alot of teenie boppers and spinning rides going every which way. I was dizzy just looking at them.  I guess it's time for the young ones to take the torch because my torch just blew out. Ride on youngsters.

Not dizzy yet, we just got there....lol

Freestyle Fridays: I have no excuse.......

It's been a minute since I posted. More like a month. And I don't have an excuse. Just being lazy... I guess. But since I've been gone, I fell in love with some products for my face, hair and body. Check them out....

For my face, I've been using Walmart's version of Cetaphil, followed by witch hazel on cotton rounds. The witch hazel is gentle on my skin and removes excess make-up and products that didn't wash off with the cleanser.  After I finish, I use Walgreen's Alpha Hydroxy face cream which is amazing.  For $7.99, I must admit that my face seems brighter. The Alpha Hydroxy removes a thin layer of skin which leaves a newer and clearer layer. I'm amazed. I follow that by Walgreen's Sun Screen SPF 55, which is light weight. It doesn't weigh down my skin. I love it and it's cheap.

Since I'm letting my hair grow out just a little bit, I had to find some products to help during this stage.  I love being natural, but I must admit, you have to find products for you hair type. I'm 4c (maybe 4b in some areas), so my hair is really coily. I found some products that work really well for my hair type & texture.  My everyday routine is as follows: mist hair with water, apply a small amount of Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration & Giovanni's leave in conditioner.  Let soak in. Then I seal with Shea butter. Let set.   I then apply IC Fantasisa Gel for color treated hair to palm using circular motions.  Believe it or not, the circulat motions form small curls.. See picture.

See curls pop-up (inside joke with co-worker).

And last, I diagnosed myself with having eczema on one finger. My middle finger to be exact.  It started to spread to index finger recently though.  It would be so inflamed and itchy at times and I needed something to calm it down. It tried cortisone, it helped...a little. But while reading articles on the internet, I knew I needed to try something with oatmeal.  I found a homemade oatmeal soap at Wegmans as well as St. Ives oatmeal and Shea butter. Guess what...no irritation or flares. Love it...

Good Night....Irene

Freestyle Fridays: MIA

I've been M.I.A for a bit. But I can happily report.....(drum role please)... I've been doing thangs (yes, I said- thangs) this summer-on the recreational side that is (I bet you thought I was going to say I gotta man- NOT-yet). I just been trying to keep active this summer so that maybe HE will show up at the places I attend. I guess time will tell.
 So, my friends and I have a group called: "Entertaining Jackson- Entertaining Fabulously while on a $20 budget".  We went back to our favorite spot- 7West Bistro Grille.We had wonderful time and the food was delish.  Since the East Coast has been experiencing a massive heatwave (as Tamar from the Braxton's would say- HOT.ORG), the only down fall with the restaurant it to was HOT.COM. We might as well ate outside because it was the same temperature that is was inside.  But all in all, we had a good time. Can't wait until next months event- Bowling. That should fun. Check out the pics....

The crab cakes and roasted potatoes were off the chain.  Since I don't eat meat, they say the lamb chops were superb. I heart this place minus the air conditioning.

Enjoy good people

Hubby Tag...smh

This too cute and funny.  She had him in the hot seat.

Enjoy

FreeStyle Fridays: What I'm rockin' on my ears.....

I heart earrings. the bigger, the better especially since I'm rockin' a short cut. But I like to get different shapes, colors and textures as well. Here are my newest loves. Check them out.

 I purchased from the beauty supply store for a buck

 Another buck

A gift from my co-worker.

I love them

Freestyle Fridays: Fist pumping to hip hop

I love love love music. But every now and again, I love a good hip hop song with at banging beat. Here's what I'm fist pumping to right now:

~ Hustle Hard-Ace Hood ft. Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
~I'm on one- DJ Khald ft Lil Wayne, Rick Ross & Drake
~Look at me now- Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
~No Hands- Wacko Flako ft. Wale & Roscoe Dash
~All of the lights- Kayne West ft Rihana.
~Miss me- Drake ft/ Lil Wayne

 When I hear these songs in my car, I tell ya, I become someone different for a minute. Then it's back to reality.
"Closed mouths don't get feed on this boulevard" I'm feelin' that line. I'm just sayin' (see, I'm even writing different-lol).

lol...

Freestyle Fridays: Microfiber Cloth- revisited

Microfiber cloth from cleaning section

Microfiber face cloth

I'm at the dollar store and look what I found- the actual microfiber face cloth.  I was using the microfiber cloths found in the cleaning aisle, but this is better. It's still the same thing, but just a smaller version. It still does wonders for the skin.  I use it in conjunction with Olay face products. Love it!!!!

Freestyle Fridays: R.I.P Stink Bug

For those who may not know, I can't stand bugs, rodents, insects etc.... I think I was traumatized as a child.  I would be the one who would be in the house when everyone was in the backyard at a cookout.  I've had my fair share of bug stories growing up, but here is another for you- just today.

So I was in my bed room minding my business when something came fluttering in (moth like) and hit the wall. It was one of those darn stink bugs they've been talking about. So what did I do.... got the heck up and ran. Normally, I don't kill bugs (I've been known to shut the door to the room it's in and sleep in the opposite room until I know it's dead. I slept on the couch for a week until I knew a cricket was dead in my room), but I was going to get this one.

 For those of you who don't know, stink bugs are very hard to kill. They don't die with bug spray (probably because of the hard shell) and if you step on them, they emit a foul odor (hence their name stink bug). Any who, I got the broom and flung it where it landed on my lamp. I then got the bug spray and sprayed the heck out of it. I knew it wouldn't work, but maybe it would of slowed it down and not do so much flying until I can get my plan together.

The bug then landed on the floor underneath my dresser and it was moving slow ( I guess from the spray). As I got closer to it , I noticed it wasn't moving slow because of the spray, but moving slow because it had a dust bunny on it's back.  Yes, a dust bunny.  It was flopping all around trying to get it off, but to no avail. So finally it somehow flopped on it's back, dust bunny and all and went to bug heaven.

I guess dust bunnies are the new bug spray (for stink bugs that is). Don't hate the dust hate the stink bug. That dust came in handy. lol

Enjoy

Freestyle Fridays: Eyecandy

I took the participants in my program at work to see "Thor". While I didn't know what the movie was about, I got a dozy of a surprise.  The movie was fantastic.  Chris Hemsworth, the hunk guy who played Thor.... well, you be the judge.


       



Close your mouth... I know I had to---a few times.

Freestyle Fridays: Let the dieting begin....

I went to the library to browse different books because I want to start a low-carb diet. I came across a book called "The Carb Lover's Diet". I grabbed it and went on my way. 

That night, I glanced through the book and I must admit, I LOVE IT.  Remember, I just glanced.  It's the type of book that to me, you don't have to read page for page to get the gist of it.  The recipes are super easy. Some can be made in the microwave. The food choices are foods that I normally eat.  When I saw that I can eat potato chips and a parfait from Panera (which I love), I was sold.

I'll let you know how it goes. I start on Monday.

Enjoy

Freestyle Fridays: FlowerMart

I heart FlowerMart. FlowerMart is an event that occurs every year in downtown Baltimore City.  Not being from Baltimore, this a tradition that kicks off the Preakness celebration which is the following weekend. You can pick up anything from flowers, to jewelery, to a lemon peppermint stick.

What's a lemon peppermint stick?  It's a treat that everyone drools over. I tried one for the first time at last year's event.  All I can say is that's an interesting taste. Tart but minty.

Look at my fab finds- cuff bracelets which I always wanted.

  Have a wonderful day........

Freestyle Fridays: Have a back up plan

 Help me understand...... I came home from work today and it looked like someone was moving. But to my surprise, the person was evicted. I've never seen this before. I knew people got evicted, but I have never seen the process nor knew that they just put your sbelongings on the street.  Maybe I did see it, but just didn't think it was an eviction, but thought it was stuff for bulk trash day. Call it naive.Whatever.

I've always been a planner.  I know that sometimes things happen that causes a set back, but you can't wallow in your own pity.  You have think about what your going to do next. So, through an eviction process, a couple of things had to have happen.

- A person hadn't paid rent for a few months
- The complex or landlord takes you to court
-You have  thirty days (if not more) to pay the back rent or vacate premises
-Then they (complex/landlord) lock you out if no payment was made.

So, while all of this is happening, your back up plan should take place. 
-Put belongings in storage (which is way cheaper than rent) or give away
-Seek rental assistance from state agencies, churches or organizations in your community
-Stay with someone (of course offer money) or rent a room or even a shelter if needed, until your back on your feet

Now I say this because the person (s)  was evicted and his/her belongings are now on the lawn in front of the complex. Why would you want some stranger (complex/landlord workers)  go through your belongings?? Belongings that you work hard for over the years to obtain, just because a plan was not in place. I saw another eviction (in my complex) where a women was sitting in her chair on the front lawn just so no one would steal her belongings.

Always have a back up plan. There are going to be bumps in the road  of this journey called life. You might swerve, turn around, jump over or even get a new map in order to find your way.

FreeStyle Fridays: Very Small Bargain Haul (VSBH)

  I love a good deal.  I am a conscious shopper and use coupons to get the best deal. Some people sleep on stores like Dollar General & Family Dollar.  I don't discriminate. I'll shop anywhere. Especially if there's a bargain to obtain. So, here's what I got:

 Airwick Freshmatic Holder- Dollar General- On sale $4.50 (ea) less $4.00 coupon = $.50cents (ea). Score

 Niva Bodywash for men- Walgreens- On sale $3.79 (ea) less $3.00 coupon =$.79 cents (ea) Another Score.

 I love these odor eliminators for the car. My car may not be clean, but I get compliments on the way it smells  These were on sale at Dollar General for 2/$4.00. No coupon (never scene one either). If you want your car to smell good (and for closets) I highly recommend these. I got the lavender & fresh linen as well as the mandarin orange & fresh lemon

 Now, these were on sale at Dollar General for $4.00 less $1.50 (for white container) and $1.00 (blue container) = $2.50 & $3.00 for final sale ($5.00)

Now this thing, Frebreze set & fresh was not on sale (@Dollar General), but I love this little thing. It's small, but packs a nice sent.  This was $2.79. I saw it at Walgreens for $3.79 (way too much). You can find cheaper if you have a coupon or maybe at the flea markets for $2.00. It really smells good. Put in on your night stand by your bed and  you will catch a sniff of something wonderful.  Sometimes when I watch television, I catch a whiff and I have to look around to see where the scent is coming from. Then I say " Oh, that's my frebeze smelling all good".

FreeStyle Fridays: Aries Rock

7West Bistro Birthday gathering

All Aries Women

Me (left), the birthday girl, Jocelyn (right)

My friend Jocelyn, had her 30th birthday (get together) at 7West Bistro in Towson, Maryland. It was a time to celebrate her day as well as the new chapter in her life. We had a blast. She was surrounded by the people who cared and loved her. I wish her the best in all her endeavors as this new journey in her life will begin.

For those who don't know, here are some characteristics of Aries women: We are..........
1. Fiery
2. Energetic
3. Intelligent
4. Independent
5.Trusting.

Don't get it twisted... if you cross us, we are through with you


HAPPY NEW (YEAR LOL) BIRTHDAY JOCELYN.......



Good Night people

FreeStyle Fridays: I'm A W.I.P.

So, this segment is called... FreeStyle Fridays.  I might ramble, vent, post pictures, talk about stuff I like- whatever. So my quick topic... I'm a WIP (work in progress). After my birthday last week, I realized that I  need to make a change. I read a lot of self help type books, but have difficulty putting those words into actions. It's time. I really need to focus on what's going on in apt. 202 and stop worrying about other folk as much. It's called-distraction from what you really need to focus on.  When I went to this empowerment conference a few weeks back, Steve Harvey said that women need to put their gifts to use and stop waiting for these men to fulfill you. Those "gifts" should be your passion in life and  you should be living your life-passionately. So what's my gift.... organizing and putting people together. I love getting people together in a positive environment. Now, I just have to get off my butt and get to organizing.