It's All Just Too Much...

I keep feeling like I should write something about Whitney, not only because I loved her, but because everyone else is paying tribute, so shouldn't I? The thing is, I feel lost. I feel like 2011 started a wave of death and sadness one on top of another. We just keep getting slammed with it, even into 2012 and it doesn't cease to hurt. Losing Whitney Houston hurt.

When I checked into twitter and saw all of the tweets that we had just lost Whitney, I rolled my eyes and thought dear God, twitter kills everyone off. And while that is still true, I could no longer be in denial once reputable news sources started reporting it. My blood ran cold. I started having an anxiety attack. How is this possible? Why is this happening? What's really going on? Most importantly, why do I feel so sad?

I didn't know it at the time, but it turns out that I was feeling the way a lot of other folks were feeling. Was I allowed to feel this sad? I mean, I had never met Whitney Houston a day in my life. Did it make sense that I was feeling as strongly as I was. I had to give myself permission to grieve.

I grieved because I had hope for Whitney, that she would be the come back kid. That she would get better and do better. I was silently waiting in the background for it to happen. I grieved because of Bobbi Kristina. I don't read a lot of tabloids, but I often hear about her doing things that as a mother, makes me quite concerned. How empty and lost she must feel now. Who will guide her? I grieved because of the memories. While so many others were posting their favorite Whitney songs and videos, I couldn't. I couldn't watch them, couldn't listen to them, just couldn't. It was taking me some place I didn't want to go. I grew up listening to Whitney Houston. My mom and I use to stay up on a Friday night and watch a vhs tape we had with nothing but Whitney Houston videos. We would sing Whitney Houston songs to one another. Yeah, I grieved because yet another part of the memory of my mother left this Earth.

It was too much. It is too much. I am ready for this week to be over. I'm ready for the wake and the funeral to be done with. It's too much.

That's all I really have to say about the passing of Whitney Houston. I really did love her. For the part she played in my childhood and for that beautiful voice that could raise goosebumps on my arms.It is evident that she will be missed. I hope everyone keeps her family in their prayers.

~HG

Ahem...

Go Giants! Tis all.

~HG

FOTD: Bright Lips (and Personal Issues)

Hey foxy ladies (and gents)! Usually I doh't do a bright lip because I'm much more confident (and comfortable) with a nude lip. Bright lips make me go to a whole nother level of confident because I have to push through the self-consciousness. Come to think of it, anything that really puts me out there does. Like hats. I love them, but rarely wear them, because they call so much attention to me. Okay, apparently I have issues. Anyway, i hope you like the look. I'mma go now and umm...do some self relfecting...yeah....

[Beauty] Reading IS Fundamental!

Over the past few days I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I got to where I am now and how to move forward. I started reading some old entries here and in my personal diary. I realized that every time I was on fire, every time a fuse inside of me was lit, it was because I was reading. I was constantly being inspired by other people. Somewhere along the line I stopped reading. Literally. I stopped reading blogs, I stopped reading books...the only thing I've been reading are status updates on facebook...yeah...

So yesterday I read as many blog entries as I could and guess what happened? Why of course, I was inspired! I even went to Sephora and played with makeup, then bought 3 polishes. I haven't done that in almost a year! I feel like I'm slowly coming back into myself and who I am.

So, thank you, my fellow bloggers. Thank you for writing and inspiring me; for helping me find ME again.

By the way, here's a pic of my little one. So many of you were reading me while I was preggers and I know I haven't posted a pic in a long time. She's a year old now and totally running things. I love it!

~HG

And We're Back!

I've been MIA like a mofo and I am so sorry. Well, actually I'm not, but I do feel bad for just leaving everyone hanging. I made a commit with this blog and over the past year I've gone back and forth with whether or not I want to honor that commit, for a couple of reasons.First off, I'm a stay at home mom now. That leaves little money to play around with as far as makeup goes. When I post my looks, it probably won't be with the latest products. That's why the last few times that I've done so I didn't list what products I used. Secondly, I took a hiatus from doing makeup. Obviously my biggest priority now is my family and making sure my daughter doesn't become a juvenile deliquent. It has taken me a year plus to try to find some balance in my life. I think the fact that I'm even eeking out this post shows that things are finally coming into synch for me.

Balance.

I've been searching for balance.

I've also spent the last year mourning the lost of my mother. It's a rollercoaster ride. It's a process. It is what it is.

I've also been thinking about branching out and doing events. Not just weddings, but all types of events. That's what really gets me going and I'm just trying to find a way to really make it happen.

I don't know what the future holds for this blog. What I do know is that I can't be boxed in and that's kind of what was happening with this blog. I don't just want to show you all makeup looks. I certainly don't just want to talk about look at my haul! Or look at this collection coming up! Because honestly, it takes a lot these days for makeup to impress me. I think this blog is going to transform and touch on every part of who I am. It won't always be makeup. It won't always be event planning. Some things will be more personal than others, but...we'll see.

Thank you for sticking with me this long. I pray that this is it. That I've finally found my blogging mojo once again.

IIt's Here! The Miss Jessie's Sale

So I'm never one to jump on a new trend or product just because. The same holds true for hair products. However, when a dear friend mentioned that Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment melted into her hair, well, I had to try it! And hot dayum, what do you know, it melted in mine too. I could hear each and every coily strand whisper a "praise Jesus" with every massage I did with the product. So how slowdown do you think I am that Miss Jessie's is having a BOGO sale starting today through 12/31??? Stoked! Like, totally!

That's right, you can buy any Miss Jessie’s product and get one of equal or lesser value fo' free hunty! The sale is on now at Target!

~HG

The Artistry of Linay Franklin

I have been meaning to share this delightful artist with you all for some time. Months ago I saw Linay's designs in a group we are both apart of and absolutely fell in love. She is so talented! To be able to paint a beautiful, natural haired sister on a shirt was something new to me because, well, she PAINTED IT! What an awesome gift to have! I love the attention I get when wearing one of her pieces and it sparks many natural hair conversations. Another thing I love is the thickness of the t-shirt. It's not flimsy or cheap, and I have no problems with it keeping its shape.

Sizes range from S - 4XL and will run you $25 - $60. If you would also like to sport one of these shirts, you can contact Linay at artlovingurl@yahoo.com and you can Like her facebook page here.

~HG