Saturday, December 31, 2011

Beauty Break: Mini Budget Roundup

Right now I'm REALLY feeling the following things:

New York Color Brow & liner pencil duo in dark brown #902 - this little duo (@ Walamart) goes for $1.99 and is now my go-to brow pencil :) happy brows + happy face = happy me! :) I of course only get the brown. Never have tried it as a liner though. It is actually pretty small!


The 3 Colors that have carried me through the last couple of weeks/months of 2011:

Maybelline Colorsensational #845 Nude Glow - apart of their Pearls collection, very shimmer & bronzey. I think this would be great in the Summer as well. Has been my go-to for the past couple of weeks. At Walmart it was around $7



Maybelline Colorsensational #465 Madison Mauve - another AMAZE color. This is a very nice medium purple shade. I pair this with my  MAC lipliner in Magenta. Looks tres magnifique!



Rimmel Lipcolour Mositure Renew #380 Vintage Pink Spf 18 - very light, Spring, mauve kind of color and I'm in love! This would work best for those with cool undertones as it is VERY blue. :) You can pick this up at Walmart or drugstore chains for about $6-7. Cheaper if there is 50% BOGO or clearance going on. I am pictured wearing said color below:

Adios 2011

In the past, I was one to make New Year's resolutions which mostly of course were dissolved within weeks or months of that new year starting. This year is different because my goals going into 2011 will be the same they have been for the past few months & I have already laid the foundation for these goals to come to fruition in 2012!!! They are not resolutions they are life changes in the right direction:

1) getting this compnay on it's feet and geared towards success. I want to take LIAM Artistry serious and I want others to as well

2) Saving money - alotting a specific amount per pay check - say $40/month?

3) investing money - a set amount per month (say $20) to start

4) continuing to invest in myself: health and education. I will continue on my path for ultimate health and I want to continue to grow as a person, woman, mother mentally.

5) figure out a way to become a licensed esthetician before the end of the year

6) work on being more patient with Liam and trying not to get burned out

7) move out of my parents house (again lol)

8) formulate and execute a concrete plan to leave KY and go to where ever else Liam and I are headed in our lives (again!)

9) continue to pursue a career in plus size modeling (more shoots, model development as much as I can)

10) be debt free (with the exception of student loans)

So what about you? Let's not even call them resolutions but what are some things that you are comitted to changing in your life? What will it mean for your life and how do you plan to get there?

Book Review: Black in Latin America by Henry Louis Gates, Jr

This book was awesome and so very enlightening. This is also apart of a documentary series that Gates, Jr. made as well. This study in Latin American culture examines the African remanants/sometimes well hidden communities of Mexico, Peru, DR, Cuba, Hati and Brazil. He seamlessly flows from one country to another including his own thoughts, parralells to race relations in the US and also leaves each area with a newfound respect for the black struggle there and most importantly leaves you with something to think about at each turn.

Gates, Jr meets with notable scholars from each country as well as local townspeople to find out what "being black" means in a particular country, to a particular person and in that particular society. As an African American, Latino or Blacktino, you will never be able to view the ideas of blackess quite the same. I truly am a fan of this book as the underrepresented and little heard of black communities in the Spanish caribbean/south american continent have always interested me. This book made me want to embark on the same type of cultural journey and look at it from an artistic point of view. All of the blacks of these societies have infiltrated their respective countries through song, dance, art, writing and performance. In many cases, this is the only way the African influence/prescence is even recognized. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone interested in social and/or Pan-african/ Latino issues.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

#random: Straight Hair, Don't Care

Decided to share with you guys the first time I have straightened my naturally kinky curls in about 8 months! Finally got some length, shine and body! :)

side view 


back view

Friday, December 23, 2011

" 'Cuz We Like to Partay"

Well finally the weekend is here. Me and the Poopster have had an incredible day thus far. No tantrums, no messes and just in general, got to enjoy the company of his sweet lil' face.

This afternoon/evening we are headed out to buy me a new phone (finally!), eat dinner w/ Myia and enjoy a holiday party with a friend I've known since we were 4! :) Needless to say Liam will be making his rounds with the ladies tonight! haha

I am much better than earlier this week and I'm gonna make things happen. No more defeated attitudes...for a while at least lol

I will be posting a few different things this weekend so stay tuned:

Weigh-in: goal was -3lbs, hmmm hope I'm -1 lol
Beauty Break: some new stuff :)
Dating? - it might be that time...
Xmas Cheer (with family photos & all)

Peace & chuleta grease,

Cicely

Monday, December 19, 2011

Passing Me Right On By

I look at some of my friends. There are ones struggling just like me, but doing it. There are ones who have attained success and there are the ones that are almost there. I am still trying my damndest to figure out how to make it, at anything that I am doing and currently the solution to that problem escapes me. I know what I want to do, I just don't know exactly how to do it. I'm feeling kinda lost again. Kentucky is sooooo limited in terms of opportunities. I started applying for jobs in beauty again because that's where the money is and that is TRULY what I want to do.

I'm just discouraged and in this instance my parents are zero help. They keep telling me to wait, wait and more f-in' wait. Weight is what bogged down the wagon as the saying goes. People keep telling me, "oh you're so young, you have time". I'm not that young and I don't have that much time. I have a baby to take care of, my life is no longer my own. I'm almost 2 f-in 4 years old...there is no end in sight. I feel like I have regressed. I'm not achieving anything in my life. My bachelor's degree doesnt mean shit b/c I can't make a career out of it. The jobs I want to work, are not hiring in my area. I can't even afford to move yet because I don't make enough money.

I'm losing steam, patience and my mind during this process. I'm trying to realize my dreams and provide for my son...is this even possible anymore?! Have I dreamed too big, is this where it all ends for me?! Is everything I envisioned just that: a vision? How do I turn this into reality? And I will be thinking about this...

Until again,
Cicely

Friday, December 16, 2011

Blogging w/ a Purpose

I draw inspiration for my blog posts from many places: the news, current happenings in my life, my son, my family, my friends and just whatever else may be out there in the atmosphere. When I began this blog on that fateful day (yeah yeah cliche I know) September 2010, I never anticipated for it to be anything like this! I have gotten really positive and reinforcing feedback and I know that at least for now I can't stop.

That is why for YOUS (yeah alla yous - *in my fake Brooklyn Italian-American accent* lol), I am revamping and going to make this blog better. Awards and all that jazz are great, but the most important thing to me is that my blog is always an honest outlet, an open forum and most importantly that I am helping someone else. Being a mom is a unique experience and being a single mom is one hell of a ride. But through everything, I wouldn't take anything back (ok, I would have chosen a better father for Liam *sigh*).

When I relaunch this blog in a couple of months, I will include the following:
About me (duh!)
The Single Mom (articles, findings, thoughts and opinions that directly affect any single parent or parents in general. I will address the issue of co/absentee parenting and feature things about Liam and his progress and of course pics of me and the kid)
The Aspiring Model (will chronicle the steps on taking towards modeling, agency submissions, contests that I do, pics from photo shoots etc, articles on + size models, opinions etc)
The Entrepeneur - all about my makeup biz and blogging pt - will include classes I take for either business, helpful hints for start ups, "behind the scenes" pics of events/ conferences I attend and more
The Journey: 16 x 25 - will chronicle my weight loss journey to be a fit size 16 by age 25 (about 13.5 months from now).Ideal measurements somewhere in the area of Bust 42.5-44, Waist 35.5-38, Hips 45-48. Will include my weekly weigh in vids, food/fitness info and other health related stuff
The Beauty Break (dedicated to (hair, makeup & fashion): tutorials, products reviews, rants & raves)
The Giveaways - you guessed it! :) All giveaways will be makeup, reading/writing and/or fitness/health related
So I want you guys to know (all 16 of my readers lmao) that I really truly appreciate your comments, your views and your input. I plan to attend a blogging conference next year b/c I want to be better, actually THE BEST blogger that I can be. :)

So you tell me: What can I do to make your reading experience more enjoyable? Let me know honestly. Do you like my lil mini features of Liam? Do you care about what is going on with us?! lol What do you want to see? What should stay? What should go? Now that you're here along this journey with me, I want to keep you guys as interested as possible! lol :)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Snapshots: Liam's Xmas Program - December 9, 2011

I love this boy!

Reading of "The Night Before Christmas"

Close up of "King" lol

All the kiddos

Kiddos again

They were singing..except "king" lol

He had had enough! lol

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Someone Should Pay "for these kids"?! GTFOHWTBS

http://youtu.be/bavou_SEj1E

This outrages this shit outta me! A direct quote "somebody needs to pay for all my children". Get the f**k outta here with this bullsh!t. It makes me sick to the bottom of my stomach for a variety of reasons:

1) You are a black woman (even though your simple as doesn't realize it) who the world and especially our white counterparts here in America will look at as representative of ALL black women. I am NOTHING like you.

2) You poor, defenseless, helpless and suffering kids. Wtf did they do to deserve this? It's not their fault you couldn't close up shop and get adequate birth control! That shit is FREE! Raising 15 children on the other hand is NOT!!!!!! STOP, just STOP

3) As a single parent, I am not above asking for help especially in hard economic times, but to feel that somebody owes me?! Hell naw! I work, pay taxes and am a contributing member to this country, no one owes me help for not being able to take care of myself or my child, but I damn sure have every right to seek it!

Uggh! I am so frustrated and disillusioned by this! Don't get me wrong, white women do it too...The difference, they are making money from it and it doesn't skew the way people think about white women. As a black woman, woman of color, blacktina, I know that this is something that will be seen as the norm for us. It's just saddening and sickening...What is your take on this?

#endrant

Week 16 WLJ Weigh-in

Finally reached the 4 month mark and instead of celebrating, had a minor setback. check out my vid!

http://youtu.be/JhjzHpdtIDE

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Mommyssori? lol Formerly Known as Cicelyssori

The above mentioned are names that I joked with one of my bosses about in terms of educating Liam for preschool. I have check out several options in the Central KY area and well...needless to say Preschool of any sort is a whole bunch of f#$%in' money. *sigh* Earlier this year I did read some books on at-home montessori/ home school and also found some blogs and did research online.

While I realize home schooling Liam for preschool would require a LOT of effort on my part, I do believe that Mom and Dad can pitch in and that if traditional preschool does not work out because of money constraints, I am more than willing to do it.

I have a basic groundwork/layout in mind already. The room I am currently typing in "the computer room" would become our class room. We would begin school around the same time as Fayete county and I'd make sure we'd have the same breaks. I would only do school with him about 3 hours per day 4-5 days per week and that would leave enough time for me to go to the gym and still work both jobs.

Subjects to be covered:
Art - this is very important to me
Music - equally important
Environmental Science - I just mean we would explore our backyard and parks, take trips to Children's exploratorium etc
Math - for his age basic counting and understanding the concept of 1 ball and 1 ball means 2 balls, etc.
Reading/writing - that would mostly be a focus on alphabet and sounds
World/social studies - which would include themes broken down on a 3/4 year old level

This is a HUGE undertaking! But I think all of us are up to the challenge! I would do progress reports and keep charts of his successes. :)

Mama's on a mission!
Cicely

Full Steam Ahead: This Weekend

There is alot going on with me this weekend. Well, not just for me, but Liam as well! Because my work week at the library is Mon-Thurs, today is my Friday.

Tomorrow, Friday Dec 9 - I have the custody hearing by phone at the courthouse bright and early at 9:30am. This time it will determine whether I have to waste MORE hard earned money traveling to NYC to deal with this bullshit (i.e. court dates for a trial that will last God knows how long). I'm going to be very firm and VERY real with the judge. In so many words I am going to tell her that I can NOT continue to be the ONLY one making these trips. Until Liam's FOTY (father of the year) can prove he can do his end of the bargain, I guess the only visitation they wil have is via phone and Skype. I am sick and tired LITERALLY of dealing with this shit. I barely (and stress on barely make enough money to survive). If it wasn't for the fact we lived with my parents, I wouldnt. I would have to be on welfare to make up for the $ I don't have or take up another 2 jobs. The next visitations that are in place, if his father does not come HERE to pick him up, I'm not doing it. This has got to end.

In brighter new tomorrow, Liam has his first Christmas program through daycare :). It will be @ 6:30pm and all the different age groups in the daycare center will do their own song and dance. I'm happier than a pig in mud about it and will post a vid, but definitely some pictures :).

Saturday, Dec 10- (12-5) I will be working for Smashbox & I have GOT to get my sales up! I mean REALLY. I'm aiming for $500 (goal is $750). So here's *crossing my fingers* that I can reach my goal.

*5-6:30pm - Liam, Mom & Dad are going to a close family friend's house so that he can do an Xmas craft! Yay! :) I love hanging his stuff on the walls and the fridge! Makes me so proud.

*Library Xmas party @ 6:30pm at our manager Ms. Betty's house! It is sure to be a blast. I can't wait! :)

Sunday Dec 11 - Liam and I will be meeting up with a former teacher of mine and her now 8 year old son and giving him his bday gift and the possibly going to see the Southern Lights display.

Can you say busy?!? :)

Until next time
Cicely

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Chillin' the F#@k out!

Of course, that wasn't the advice I received, but I need to give my self a dose of that every now and again! I talked to a friend of mine and someone I have worked with in the past (photoshoot). Her name is Sam and she runs her own successful makeup services and consultation biz. Talking to her put a lot of things in prospective for me. #1 Right now I don't have to worry about going to beauty school paying thousands of dollars. I can already find employment without doing that as a makeup artist #2 by continuing to freelance and seek out freelance opportunities, I am already doing a great job #3 by promoting my business every chance I get, I will be fine. #4 I can take advantage of pro classes offere by MAC & MUFE & Smashbox and have access to training I want AND get product :)
She is truly an amazing artist and equally great person. Here is her blog:

http://samanthalennon.blogspot.com/

her official website : http://www.samanthalennon.com/
Thanks Sam

<3
Cicely

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

When Mom & Career Come to a Crossroads...

I have had an overload of thoughts and emotions and back and forth about this issue for sometime. Well pretty much since Liam has been born! I am 23, soon to be 24, a single mother working PT & random freelance hours living with her parents with a 2 year old! Sheesh! Life is grand *sarcasm*. I have student loan debt, medical bills to pay off and credit card debt to pay off...WOW! I'm really in pretty deep. The main debate I am having right now is what to do in my career and with my career.

I would REALLY like to go to beauty school to be licensed as a cosmetologist and/esthetician in order to open up some more doors in my budding beauty career. I am currently financially and geographically limited to a few (well 2 opportunities). Option A) I can take a 1,000 hr esthetics course in Louisville (some 70 is miles away) PT for 10-11 months {think gas, time on the road, work and Liam *sigh* overwhelming to say the least} OR Option B) right here in Lexington attend a 1800 hr cosmetology course FT and ONLY work weekends, meaning I'd have to give up my job at the library. If I take Option A, I can begin as soon as January and still work at the library. If I take Option B, the earliest I can begin is May!

Then there comes the prospect of careers in beauty I'd like to do and what actually works out as something that I can do: I'd love to be an Education Artist or Area Trainer. The problem there is I'd be travelling 75-90% of the time and I'd NEVER get to see my son. even for a starting salary of $45,000-50,000/yr, it wouldn't be worth the time I'd miss with him.

Then, what about my MLM company? I am taking the weight loss supplement V3 currently, but don't think I am really interested in selling it as much as I am in getting a discount on the product as an associate. I was introduced to the company Isagenix by a friend of mine and would probably pursue that option. If it worked out, I would actually quit the library sooner and begin beauty school and be able to work on marketing that business and doing my makeup in my cousin's shop! Jeez! So many decisions.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Happy December! Week 15 Weigh-in

I can't believe it's here already! This year has FLOWN by with superhero speed. Posted below is the link to my YT vid. Come check me out & find out just how much progress I've made thus far!!!

http://youtu.be/2GcE3Laz_Lw