Makeup Artist Blog: November 2011

Books| Giveaway!

"I want to read a love story," I tweeted about 2 weeks ago. My life is rather...lacking of romance and lately, all I've been reading have been about serial killers and psychopaths. I needed light reading. However, there is a small problem - I don't do chic lit. I am a smart sensible woman and I need to read something that is realistic and speaks to my intellect. Most books of the chic lit genre is so sugary sweet that it leaves me with a toothache. I also wanted to read something that spoke to my race - African American.

Af-Am romance novels are worse than chic lit, laden with urban street drama that is not also far-fetched but steeped in so many stereotypes that it offends me. I don't really need to read about how Daquan, the local druglord woos Destiny, the resident hot girl from her baby daddy. What I wanted to read was about educated black people who are normal and how they fall in love fighting the regular baggage that we all have.

I found a review for A Love Story that gave it rave reviews and so, I bought it for $0.75 on Half. Shipping was $3.98. What I didn't realize is - I had the book on my shelf already. Instead of cancelling, I thought...why not give the new book away? So, there it is folks...my very first giveaway!

A Love Story is about 2 Af-Am folks who grew up together and decide that after 20 yrs of friendship, they wantt to try romance and if you thought dating your best friend would be easier than dating a brand new person, you might be wrong. Read through their funny, sad and very real story of their friendship and their relationship.

To enter, leave a comment with what your favorite genre of literature and what your favorite book is or a book that is on your wish list. Giveaway ends Monday December 5th at 12pm.

Fashion| Girl Crush

I found The Glamourai's blog a looong time ago and then kind of fell off but then I recently found her again and OH EM GEE! She is super cute, chic and such a little jet-setter. I guess when you're a jewelry designer cum fashion stylist, you can go to Milan, Vegas, San Juan and back home to NYC in the same month. I'm totally not jealous... :/

Anyways, check out her style below and her blog: here.

Home| Gray Walls

Here's a little secret about me:

I've lived in my apartment for 6 years and it still looks the same way it did when I moved in. SHAMEFUL! So, I'm on a little journey with my humble abode...remodeling myself in the simple ways that I can. One of the simplest ways to customize your home is to throw some paint on the walls. I vowed to do it one room at a time...starting with my living room. We shall see how that goes.. I was inspired by these gray walls. My apartment is small so I'm thinking a dark gray would make it look smaller but these pics that I found were interesting. Take a look and maybe you will be inspired too.

I'm really digging the dark gray paint with the gray floral wallpaper on the adjacent wall. The contrast with the black and white picture frames and I love thart they used the floral wallpaper in one of the pictures as a frame. Super chic! Source: Apartment Therapy

I love stripes and I love how this was done in a subtle way. Plus, that chrome lamp..LOVE. The big white clock...LOVE. The chrome table with clear and chrome table...LOVE. Super simple and chic.
Source: Real Simple

I like homes that look lived in. The mish mash of print in this picture make it seem like the owners are really cool people...lol. The branch chandelier is awesome and you don't really notice the walls are gray. Its the perfect neutral color. The hardwood floors ties the whole room together so everything doesn't seem to busy although there are a lot of different elements pieced together. Source: Apartment Therapy

This room is dark and mysterious. I like how they have the dark furniture on one side of the room and the light on the other. What type of painting is that?
Source: Apartment Therapy

Once again, gray is the neutral color with pops of red and white.
Source: Real Simple

I know I said I would keep it to living rooms...but I want to have a spa day in this person's bathroom! The gray tile and white accents scream at home spa! Luxurious.
Source: Real Simple

Back on task....I love this living room...everything about it! The glass coffee table, the blue green chandelier, the shape of the chairs, the cozy ottoman. This room has lots of different textures going on. Its just perfect....for my grown up house. I want my apartment to be a bit more functional....but this is pretty to look at.
Source: Real Simple

Word of the Day

I have no idea how long I am going to live but my innermost desire is to LIVE. I want to experience things. Be happy. Be well. Fall in love. I want to do it comfortably and with some style. I want to finesse the shit out of life. - Me

Books| Blinded by Stephen White

I'm not sure if I should call Blindsghted a psychological thriller just because the main protagonist is a psychiatrist but that's what I've been calling it, so why not own it? This is my type of book because it features murder, psychology, detective work and is a true mystery. I liked that there were a few twists but I could still follow along. It kept me engaged during my morning commute yet wasn't too much for my brain to handle in the evening when most of my circuits are fried.
Best of all: I spent $2 on the book! Shout out to the vendor on Fulton St that sells random books for $2. 3 for $5. Anyways....check out this book. Its not life-changing but it is entertaining.

Click HERE to read an excerpt from the book.

Click HERE to buy book...not from the $2 guy but close.

Music| Asher Roth

New track off of Asher Roth's upcoming mixtape Pabst & Jazz. No set date for when it will be released but me likey this song. Listen and download if ya like.