VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTGUIDE

Valentine's Day is only FOUR days a way and if you haven't figured out the perfect gift for everyone on your list just yet here a few ideas:

1. Gold Cocktail Shaker, $17 (target.com): Perfect for that girl friend who is a self professed spirits connoisseur.

2. Amber Sceats Allesandra Choker, $279 (ambersceats.com): This choker is the perfect combination of trendy and elegant. I love the combination of the white leather and clear crystals. I see this choker pairing perfect with a deep v plunging neckline.

3. Slip Silk Pillowcase & Sleep Mask, $124 (slipsilkpillowcase.com): The ultimate anti-aging, anti sleep crease, anti bed head combination. Made with the highest grade long fibre mulberry silk and non-toxic dyes.

4. House of CB Veronica Black Lace & Satin Collection, $113 (houseofcb.com): Get multi-use out of this lingerie set by wearing the bralette under a sheer t-shirt or tuxedo jacket.

5. Fuzed 3 Some Chocolate Bar 3-pack, $37 (3somechocolates.com): If you've got a guy on your list who has having a 3-some on his bucket list it would be a pretty hilarious to get him chocolate by 3 Some Chocolates. The 3-Some comes from the 3 different chocolates that you get all in one (White, Milk and Dark). They've been selling quickly so you better hurry!

6. Jack Black Bear Grooming Kit, $35 (getjackblack.com): I don't know about you but it seems as if so many guys have joined #TeamBeard recently. If your Valentine has a beard that needs grooming this set is perfect. It includes a cleanser, a conditioner, an oil and a comb.

7. The Brilliant Colouring Book for Boys, $7 (amazon.com): Whether your little guy is into sports or spacemen, gadgets or goalposts, robots or ninjas, this book has a great variety of designs especially for boys.

8. Puma x Tinycottons Basket Leather Kids Sneakers, $70 (puma.com)

9. Carter's Tassle Beaded Necklace & Bracelet Set, $12 (carters.com)

10. Scunci Hello u Lipgloss Compact, $6 (walmart stores)

11. Treets Traditions Relaxing Chakra Collection, $12-$22 (ulta.com): This line features traditional Asian Coconut oil and rose to nourish and moisturize skin. Free of: SLS, SLES, parabens, silicones, colourants and mineral oils.

12. Back Me Up Mobile Charger, $35 (shopbando.com)

13. Thymes Goldleaf Gardenia Eau de Parfum, $49 (thymes.com): This classic scent highlights gardenia whispers with a backdrop ofgraceful florals, soft amber and sweet praline.

What's on your Valentine's Day Wishlist?

WEEKLY STYLE LUST: SEA BY MONIF C.

WHAT'S GOT ME LUSTING? I am a complete sucker for tribal prints. I love print and color mixing with tribal designs. I also love that this week's lust is a plus sized brand because there is still a huge gap in the fashion world when it comes to cute and trendy items for full figured women. Depending on the sizing and cut of some items I am right on the cusp of regular women's sizing and plus sized clothing. The Havanna Swimsuit pictured here at the right is definitely my fave of this collection. 

WHY SHOULD YOU BE LUSTING? 

- DUH! Tribal prints (haha)

- Trendy cuts like high waist, cut-outs, and asymmetric designs

- Flattering for curvy figures

PURCHASING DEETS:

Price: $80 - $148

Where to Buy: https://monifc.com/swimwear.html

HEY TOUGH STUFF

With everything going on in the world today a girl's gotta protect herself in every sense of the word; especially in a large city. So, how can today's woman protect herself but still be her fabulous self? Why, blinged out pepper spray of course! Check out these cute safety and first aid items from Bling Sting, for the modern woman playin' it safe.

Arm Candy Pepper Spray, $22

First Aid Clutch, $25

Ahh!-Larm Gemstone Personal Alarm, $22

Stunning Gun Stun Gun, $70

Glammer Emergency Escape Hammer, $22

H.T.F.U.Y.V.D.

So, this post has no real purpose (lol). Except for the fact that I found most of these items pretty hilarious and completely fitting for Valentine's Day (especially if you despise the holiday). 

Dolls Kill Love Stinks Bag, $32 (dollskill.com)

Da Bomb Amaze Balls Mixed Fruit Bath Fizzer, $20 (target.com)

Sugar Baby Sheer Romance Set, $33 (dollskill.com)

Lovability Condoms + Fuck Boy Repellent Set, $15 (lovabilitycondoms.com)

Fuck Boy Repellent Phone Case, $12 (TheDollHouse) 

Kerenika Coco's Heart Faux Fur Choker, $29 (dollskill.com) 

How to Murder Your Life, a Memoir by Cat Marnell, $17 (amazon.com) 

How are you f8&king up your Valentine's Day this year? ha! 

3 STEPS TO YOUR BEST LIPS

It's so hard to believe that the first month of January is coming to a close. Next up, is the month where we not only celebrate Black History but LOVE as well. And, just in time for the lover's holiday I'm sharing with you 3 quick steps to your best lips; so pucker up!

Step 1: Exfoliate:  Just like exfoliation for your face, exfoliating your lips are just as important to get rid of dead, flaky skin and reveal smooth supple lips. M.A.C. Cosmetics recently released their new line of lip scrubs called the Lip Scrubtious Collection and much like any other newly released M.A.C. Collection it is already sold out online. If you still have no luck in your local M.A.C. location try the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish available at Sephora.com. 

Step 2: Hydrate: After you have exfoliated the dead skin cells off of your lips you want to  hydrate and moisturize them. Doing so has been made extremely easy with these patchology Lip Renewal 5-minute Hydrogels. I'll let the magic speak for itself; check out my before, during, and after pics below. A set of 24 will run you about $50. You can also try Masque Bar's Intensive Lip Care Gel Patches, here a set of 4 is around $7. 

Step 3: Plump: Who doesn't want plumper and fuller looking lips? These Violent Lips InstaPlumper patches are very similar to step 2 in that they are both gel patches however this one is made with 6 natural ingredients to deliver an intense plumping experience that is stronger than a plumping lip gloss yet less painful than lip injections. It lasts up to 8 hours. 

NEW YEAR NEW......ME!

Every year beginning on January 1st we start to hear the cliche saying, "New Year, New You" by companies trying to attract your attention for your New Year's Resolutions. Me, I can't tell you what's going to make you feel all shiny and new like a fresh copper penny. But, what I can do is share with you my resolutions and new approach to the year ahead.

In 2017 I am making a conscious effort to concentrate on MYSELF. Call it selfish but I spent so much of 2016 working my ass off for everyone but me and I was miserable. In January of 2016 I accepted a promotion at my job to a Retail Area Manager (yay, right?....WRONG). This new position literally sucked the life out of me. I had no time for anything or anyone else. I was spending less time at home with my children, I had zero time to myself and absolutely no time to put my energy into my business (London Rock Kids). So, at the end of August I accepted a new full time administrative position working way less hours and receiving way more benefits. 

But, I couldn't let my old job get away so easily, so what did I do in true crazy person form? I stayed on as a part-time "seasonal" employee. I probably would still be there part-time had my boss not given me a call to say they couldn't "afford" to keep me on. After I hung up with her I went into immediate panic; after all I was getting used to that extra $600/month income. I started looking into other places I could apply to and even received a call for an interview. And then I took a step back and told myself that this was the sign I needed. It wasn't a part-time job I needed it was more time to put into myself and what I want. That decision to STOP working so hard for other people jump started this "Campaign of ME" that I'm currently on and these items here are just a few things helping me keep ME at the forefront. 

1. Active Cross-Back Jumpsuit, $28 (forever21.com): Activewear has come a long way; there are so many cute and stylish options out. Some pieces actually make you want to work out like this jumpsuit from Forever 21. I'm aiming to shed 30 lbs this year - 5 down, 25 to go. 

2. Theraband CLX Consecutive Loops, $10 (amazon.com ): This resistance band's reinforced loops make standard resistance exercises simpler and more comfortable and deliver new whole body exercises. It also comes with an exclusive APP packed with a library of exercises. 

3/4. The 52 Lists Project and the 52 Lists for Happiness, $10/ea (walmart.com): A fellow mommy blogger friend of mine (@fabulousmomsrock) recently did a blog post about this project and it definitely caught my attention. This undated journal of weekly lists will help you nurture self-expression and self-development. Each seasonal section includes list prompts, with plenty of space to write your own lists, and challenges to help you take action and make your dreams a reality.

5. Glow Bio One-Day-Cleanse, $60 (myglowbio.com): I love that these cleanses are designed to rebuild your digestive system and help you achieve sustainable results without forcing your body into starvation mode. This cleanse has strategically placed fiber to help eliminate toxins and maintain your blood sugar levels.

6. Fitbit Alta, $115 (walmart.com): I received the Fitbit Alta as a Christmas present and it has been keeping me on track to being more active. The one thing I miss about my old job is that I was on my feet all day so my Fitbit Flex was always at 12k plus steps. Now, with a desk job hitting that daily 10K goal is a struggle. But I've been logging my meals and making sure I get up and hit my 250 steps every hour. It's a process but I'm well on my way.

7. Cheer the F&*k Up an Irreverently Positive Adult Coloring Book, $6 (amazon.com): A few months ago I became one of those people that color in an adult coloring book; and I have to say, I'm okay with that. Books like this one make it even more relaxing yet entertaining at the same time with pages that have quotes such as, "Hope your day is f&*king magical" and "Love the Sh&* Out of Yourself".

8. Milly Party Box Clutch,  $295 (amazon.com): This isn't so much about the clutch as it is about the "party". This year I am making more of an effort to get out and do things. Sometimes that means I grab some friends and sometimes that means I go alone. Either way, I'm attending more events, meeting new people, and doing more networking.

What newness are you bringing into the new year?

WEEKLY BEAUTY CRUSH - MERMAID BRUSHES

 

WHY IT'S MY CRUSH: I don't think I really need to say much here. These  brushes are absolutely stunning. Part of what pushes us women to buy what we buy is the functionality of the product and the way the product looks and I'm sure there are plenty of times where the products packaging outweighs the functionality. I have used a Royal & Langnickel brush set before and remember thinking that they were the softest brushes I had ever used. Mix the brands great quality with this overly adorable packaging and I've officially been crushing for three weeks. -_- 

WHY IT SHOULD BE YOUR CRUSH: These dense, ultra-soft brushes apply and blend cream and liquid makeup with minimal absorption, leaving more makeup for application. The unique shapes are designed to fit the contours of your face for optimal blending.

Here's some details about each brush from the Royal & Langnickel Blog:

801: The largest brush of the set is perfect for applying liquid or cream foundation over your entire face. Move the brush in one fluid movement to apply and blend—the dense, ultra-soft vegan hairs apply makeup with minimal absorption, leaving more makeup for application.

802: The perfect size for blush or bronzer application for a stunning glow.

803: Create a flawlessly blended contour under your cheekbones, along your jawline, or at the hairline.

804: The smallest brush is perfect for precisely applying concealer, blending makeup under your eyes, or for contouring your nose or other small areas of the face.

PURCHASING DEETS: 

Product Name: Royal & Langnickel MODA Prismatic Face Perfecting Kit

Product Price: $24.99

Availability: The brand has been advertising a release for the beginning of January so I'm hoping any day now

Where to buy: royalbrush.com and Walmart stores

 What do we think ladies, are these on your Beauty Crush Wish List?