Jem-stone

I got Kiss, I got Jem...but its just me. I like to be different...conventional is so overrated. My sister and I adventured out to Portland, Oregon for #Briqhouse Burlesque performance at a venue called Crush. It was a definite treat! We painted the town black after and between midnight and 3 a.m. I had already hit my 10,000 steps for the day. I was in sooo much pain! I had leg day the morning before I went out. I just started lifting again so I had a point to prove to myself...which apparently I found out after a night of entertainment and dancing, was less 'I am a beast' and more 'sh*t I'm getting old'... The event Burlesque show was beautiful. None of the womens' bodies were what media portrays as perfection but the way they moved celebrated a deep self love. I was inspired. While performing may not necessarily be something that I want to add to my long list of life experiences, I do want to have that level of confidence. Yes, I want to achieve a self love and confidence that is so immense I would be happy to perform practically naked on the stage of life. Give a whole new meaning to #LocStar :)  Thank you for your inspiration ladies!

Jem would have stayed in theaters full term if I'd a stared in it...js

lips: NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo

Kara #5 lashes (my new faves and there only $1) #ShopMissA

 Yes my secret is suppose to be out lmao

My fly sister and me! 

#30 is definitely a different ball game. I have come in to myself so much more. I am striving for improvement always but I am so much more satiated with 'me'! What I need to work on continuously is my confidence and not caring what other people might say or think. 18 years of habit is hard to break and I have only been consistently working on changing my thinking for a few years. Ne*who, please remember if you go out dancing after leg day please have a seat ...1000 of them....then look over because I'm sitting right next to you...

Downtown Portland: This guy had major swag though lmao just posted up on the tree 

My Sister and Me!!!

STAY FLUID,

LQD

Liquid Lips 4 Liquid Black

Ok, granted everyone and their granny has reviewed the liquid matte lippies out there...but it is my turn! There are so many brands out there that have liquid lipsticks it is absolutely ridiculous. However, it is my goal to try all that I can get my hands on. For those of you that know me...lipsticks are my life! I am obsessed with anything lip color! And as I confessed in a previous blog... I have somewhere upwards of 100 lipsticks, glosses, liquid lipsticks, lip crayons etc. I'm not bragging...it's sad really but there's worse addictions...right?

Ever since the Matte lipstick craze started, I have been a total convert. I have BIG lips. It was easy to convert from my old days of hair sticking to my gloss, transferring on to my coffee mugs, reapplying every two hours to practically worry-free color with true staying power and impact. Then, I was introduced to liquid lipsticks in and my world stopped! I was reborn! Kiss-proof, Eat-proof, Life-proof ! Great looking color that lasts through the day. Sold!

Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't run into this concept before. A little over four years ago, my  boyfriend loved the look of my lips with lipstick but hated that it rubbed off on him when we were smooching. I rotated between lipstains (my fave still to this day is Revlon Just Bitten lipstain: Gothic, Midnight Mauve, Crave and Twilight) and the Maybeline 24 hour Color Stay in Downtown Brown. The latter was a two step system that literally stayed all day but the range of colors and finishes weren't excellent for my skin tone.

Now, we have so many options for matte stay all day lippies that it is hard for even me to keep track! The only downside for me is that they tend to be drying but its worth the trade. I have yet to come across a hydrating liquid lipstick but then again, I do need a roof over my head... I have one higher end liquid lipstick my Cailyn #16. I get asked about what I am wearing all the time! It is super comfortable with no transfer and I wear it with a Cyber liner from MAC which I apply first. I got it in my #weareonyx subscription box that #Jackieaina hipped me to last summer. I have never regretted purchasing it and reach for it often.

Cailyn #16 

I've been poppin' bottles lately...ok maybe just tubes of +ℂoℓouℝPop Ultra Mattes liquid lipsticks. I am super impressed by their formula and coverage. They are comfortable, long lasting, transfer-proof and the colors OHHH! I need them all! I have LAX, KAPOW, Dr. M, Mr. Jellies and Creeper. But I need more! Must have more!!!!! I have about 6 more I am trying to get my hands on right now!

Colourpop Ultra Matte in LAX

Colourpop Ultra Matte in Kapow

Just when I thought bargin liquid lippies didnt get any better I tried @nyxcosmetics soft lip cremes. WHY? WHY? #WHY? WHY? Did they do this to me! It felt like I had nothing on my lips! And the color? Amazing! They didn't last as long on my lips as it is not completely transfer proof but also didn't dry my lips out. I love that trade! Reapplying twice in a 8 hour work day to maintain amazing lips....Sold. My only critique is the shade range lacks daring colors, but still my fave at of the liquid lipsticks I have.

NYX Soft Lip Cremes in Transylvania and Copenhagen

The L.A girl Flat Matte gloss has excellent color! I bought Black Currant and was in love from first stoke with the color. My only down side to this is that it never seemed to dry all the way. I would blot my lips together and still feel a tackiness. I want to try putting powder on my lips first before I throw this one completely under the bus because the color was incredible!

LA Girl Flat Matte Lipstick in Black Current 

Okay I think that is enough reviews for this post!  I am still anxious to try Anastasia and Stila Liquid lipsticks and have a few more in my collection that I didn't include so there will be more liquid action coming your way soon!

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Don't Call it a Come Back...

Hello My Beloved readers,

I'm posting on this gloriously sunny Spring Day to talk about my locs. I am trying a bantu knot style. I have been incorporating more 90's style elements into my look and this touches this category, natural style and afro-centric style elements. But don't call it a come back...90s style elements (whether beauty or fashion) never left in my opinion! I like the result but they turned out more like little buns than knots. I used six locs per knot and didn't need anything to secure them. It was super simple and paired with a naked eye, dark lip and huge hoops, it took me back to the 90s. I will modify them next time though so they will look more like knots!
I love styles like these because they are two in one.When I take the 'knots' down my hair will be have a nice wave. For a lazy girl like me this is wonderful! I will spend time on my make up but I am not big into complicated or time consuming hair styles. I weigh the time it takes to complete with how long the style last. This style gets meets the grade and will now be in my rotation. I will post the wave results soon!

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Lipstick: Mac Haute Couture

Princess Leah lol! 

The Switch

My favorite saying right now is "The struggle is real..." and that is the underlying theme of my life.

I have been told that I have a switch. No, not the switch your Grandma tells you to pick out from the tree in the yard when you've been acting up. My switch is like a light switch. It pertains more to relationships. Especially intimate ones. I can be in love, so in love one minute and the next minute I'm turned off. However, unlike a light switch I don't get turned back on. For example, say I am romantically involved with you and I am in love. I will change my whole life for you and do almost anything for you. One day though, I might wake up and look at you in disgust. Now!Wait! Before you judge or flee in fear...I can't say that these feelings or lack there of are not tied to actual events that occurred in the relationship because they may be. If that is the case, the change in my emotions never happens instantly after an event occurs but occurs in an instant later down the road.For instance, I have stayed with a cheater still desperately in love and it wasn't until months later that i woke up, looked at him and felt nothing. After months of crying and running after this ninja, staying with him and taking care of him in every way, I woke up emotionless and itching to get away. Trembling with dread at the thought of his touch. Now, I am not going to say that I wouldn't be friends with a person that I have 'flipped off' but there is just no going back to that first love I gave. I no longer have 'romantic' love type feelings for them though I may have love for them
Ultimately, I ask the question have I ever really been in love? You have to love yourself first in order to love someone else. So when it comes to me, this question has real meaning. I am in the process of learning to love myself. I also am moving on from settling. Due to my extreme lack of self confidence issues, I often settle for those who like me because I am afraid there will be no one else. I don't think that I deserve my ideal man or even a man who truly treats me well. Thank God for therapy.
Now,
I hope is to apply this principal of a switch on other areas namely my addictions (well at least the more harmful ones). If I could just flip the switch on a few of these horrendous addictions then I believe by the end of this year, I will be able to meet all my goals. I have given up smoking to start and there are two others I must tackle. However, I am only going to hit the switches (lmao) one at a time.

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Happy Easter!!!

Sweeping away 20 something

Though I probably shouldn't put this in print...I am turning 30 soon. The feeling of impending doom is encroaching and the struggle my friend...is real. I am battling constantly over what the hell have I been doing for the past 30 years. Especially with a close scrutiny on my disastrous 20's. The two proudest accomplishments that hail from that decade are my son and my degree...Unfortunately, that list should be longer for 10  years.

I don't know what it is that bother's me with turning 30. I have always struggled with self esteem but I don't necessarily equate 30 with loss of beauty or being old. I have seen beautiful women of all ages. My body and skin are changing and well maybe the fear stems from the unknown. Most likely its the lack of material things, accomplishments, and guilt of being so far behind in life that I struggle with. The knowledge that I could have done so much more in my 20's is likely what burdens me. However, this reflection only makes me more determined to get it right this decade.

On the bright side, I have really learned a lot of lessons. I have come to know myself and what I want to become. In many ways, I am just getting started. I can now set realistically high goals and achieve them. My struggles and personality faults are definitely obvious to me and that gives me the knowledge to grow. Essentially, I know who I am and who I am going to be. I know this year especially is going to be a turning point for me! My  success is slated for 2015. I am almost excited to turn 30...but I do mean ALMOST.

One of the things that I am doing to highlight my change in age is readdressing my all to massive wardrobe! This is a positive thing (as I am keeping a positive outlook on all things this year)! I am going through my wardrobe piece by piece to see if I can make an outfit that says "me now" with it! If I can't then that item is up for donation or sale. Obviously, I am going to be using my creative juices in order to not have to part with my beloveds; but everything won't make the cut. I was proud of what I put together today! I've had this brocade jacket forever and hadn't worn it but I get to keep it because of what I came up with for an outfit...I hope you enjoy. I encourage you to comment and ask questions!


Stay Fluid,

LQD

I look like Speedy Gonzales!!! 

Lips:

J.CAT Beauty Wonder paint in Much Mucher (Love!)

Flower Power Sparkle

I am in love with pipe cleaner curls! We had a week long romance! This is one of the beautiful examples of how I styled my hair with a hat and with a flower. They were super easy but time consuming to do! I'm rocking "A girl about town" from MAC lipstick with the sparkle hat and I felt sooo casual chic with this hair style plus a button plaid shirt, cuffed relax fit jeans and heels! With the flower I just did lips and lashes but the hair still fab! Its a quickie blog today but I still love ya'll the same! The next post will be a picture of the results if I can find them... Questions! Comments? Please I love them!!!

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Orange Pipe Dreams

It seems that I have been gone longer than I thought! I have been going through it, but I thank GOD that he has pulled me through and got to a place where I can focus on living a great life! I will elaborate more as time but for now lets get on with the post!!!!

A major Spring beauty trend is orange lips! All shades of orange are trendy for spring! My choice?  Revlon lipstick named Coral! Now I had this lipstick before I caught on to the trend (you'd be hard pressed to find a color I don't own!) But now I am just more solidified in its beauty!!! I love the look almost dare I say more than my red lip....For those who dont know I own about 10 red lippies and had to break myself of wearing red lips everyday... That being said, I am so excited for a Spring of orange lips you cant even imagine! It is probably my favorite Spring beauty trend. Other trends I ran across where blue shadows, kohl-rimmed eyes, deep side parts, and neon bright shadows (to name a few). Afraid of orange? FEAR NOT! There is a shade that is flattering to everyone and if you comment below I will help you find your perfect shade!!! Now my only warning is that my Revlon shade does cause my teeth to look a little yellow so ladies stay up on your whitening game!

The next thing that I have to blog about is my pipe cleaner curls!!!! I have done them twice and though slightly time consuming the results are amazing. These pictures are of me before I take them out. I wear them in this style for a few days. When I take them out I have gorgeous ringlets that fall over time but last two weeks! Pipe cleaners are super cheap and can be picked up at the dollar store, Walmart or any craft store! But be sure you get ones that are close to your hair c


olor! My special behind got bright multi-colored ones from the dollar store the first time and well I looked like a clown. If you want to learn how to do pipe cleaner curls comment below or check out chescalocs on you-tube!!!

Stay Fluid,



LQD

Ablaze

Now, I saw this idea in Instyle mag and thought...its so simple, I've overlooked this outfit in  my closet. The pic of me standing up was taken by my four year old son FYI. He's such a big helper! But back to my outfit...the outfit in Instlye featured jean shorts, a white shirt, and a black blazer. I liked that it was polished and casual. Your footwear can define this outfit. A flat for errand running, a ankle bootie for a lunch date with friends or a high-heel for Happy hour. For my look I added a graphic long sleeve T. The graphic is suppose to be Marylin Monroe. Unfortunately, because of the size of my chest she looks distorted...major oversight on my part. I did not notice it until my sister clowned me when we were out to lunch. Gotta love family... At that point I though, great, Ive been walking around all day with a picasso-esque Marylin shirt. All in all though I like the outfit because it is appropriate for a lot of different occasions and you can pair it with a red lip. I am obssed with lipstick but especially red lips. I have ten...yes ten different red lipcolors. Take that look off your face... The one I am wearing in these pics is my go to red lip and one of my faves! Just so oyu know I only hoard when it comes to makeup, beauty and toiletries.....and I prefer to call it collecting and being prepared. Anywho! Next time I will be wearing a different shirt. Also, summer is ending :( so I will defianetly be switching the shorts out for jeans.

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Blazer- JcPenny

Shorts- Macys

Red Lips- Shiseido Lacquer Rouge RD607

(Love this red!!! Must Try!)

Vest Dressed

Out here in Seattle Area it is beginning to get midly depressing. The eighty-plus bright and sunny weather is giving way to cloudy with a chance of low-seventies. I have hope of sun for coming days but know in my heart that will fade soon. So what else is there to do but break out the layers?!? I belted and vested one of my go to comfy summer dresses and added a scarf. I donned the look with a heeled bootie but a flat would compliment just as well. I hate that you can't see the colors really well but I am working on the lighting/camera situation. The vest is double breasted, navy with a super thin pinstripe and the shoes are a leopard print with a snakeskin texture. It flows trust me ;0.

 Now, my readers know of my vanity so...why the missing head you ask? I have a dome full of perm rods right now. I haven't gone for the curly look on my locs in awhile and am not a big fan of dryers. With a no-makeup face and rollers I look like I should be sporting a moo-moo and drinking my fiber. I digress...I think this outfit is great for running errands and EEEK, transitioning to fall. I would have loved to worn a red lip with a mascara only on the eye and sectioned of a braid on either side to pull back and pin at the back of my head with the rest down but there's always another day Lord willing!

Stay Fluid,

LQD 

Dress: K-mezzy (Kmart)

Vest: Gap (Scored at Goodwill)

Shoes: Macys

Black Weirdo at the Lo-Fi in Seattle, WA!

Have you ever been gone out somewhere and realized you dressed for the wrong occasion? This is what happened to me last Saturday. Wanna hear it? Here it goes! My sister and I get a call about an event in Seattle, WA called Black Weirdo at a place called Lo-Fi and you know what they say if the shoe fits...So for our rare single-moms night out we get ready to mingle. Off top with the description from our close friend we think that this is a big hip-hop club night. She cautioned us to get there early and to be ready to stay late! Getting ready for us is an all day event. To be ready to leave by 10:00pm we have to literally start gettin ready at 5:00pm. Now wait! This is not a high maintianence thing! We have to orchestrate meals for the boys, babysitter, make sure to get a run in, spend QT time with the boys,etc. Well, my sis and I get ready like we are going to the club event of the season. I wore a dress that had a deep-V, short, belted at my smallest part with a wide belt and was fitted but not too snug (Gotta watch the love handles). The top of the dress was printed on the top black, grey, and white snow leopard print and the bottom was black. My going out look is usually overly provactive. This is just until I lose the weight and feel comfortable wearing simple, classic night-out attire that shows off my shape. Right now, I feel if you are looking at legs and chest your eyes are not focused on the middle. My sister freshly twisted my locs that day so they I wore them straight down (which I almost never do). I felt some-sort-of-way about that because of my face shape. However, my full make up featuring a smoky eye made me feel a little better. When we arrived at the event, it had a soulful late sixties/ early seventies vibe. People where literally lighting up...if you know what I mean. The atmosphere and crowd attire was a wonderful mix of bohemian and ecclectic, beautiful bold prints, and naturalist sensations. I was as out of place as the Cupid Shuffle at a Rave. Moral: research before you go to events. Don't just look at the flyer look at the people who said they're going (on facebook) and look at pictures of past events. The event overall was big funky-fun but my outfit choice was all wrong. Lesson Learned!!! I enjoy questions and comments!

Stay Fluid,

LQD