Can't slip

Greetings,

Last week I slid by with two posts but I can't keep slippin! I am going to make it a point to post three times a week. I have to stick to my guns *pew pew* Ne who... I am going to take a break from resolutions posting today and talk about a monthly subscription box I truly think is worth it!
We are Onyx curates a monthly subscription box that is geared toward women of color. It cost $25 a month but the value always comes to way over that, December's box had over $82 dollars worth of product. Every month you receive hair and beauty products that celebrate melanin! I would like to point out that celebration of melanin is not degradation of those without.

I have had other subscriptions and found myself only able to use maybe one of the products that come in the box and it just wasn't worth my money. Even if I entered my profile and answered the questionnaires, I would end up with too light colors, styling mousses etc month after month that just seemed like a waste of my coin. I can't always use all the items in the Onyx boxes but more often than not I end up getting more than my moneys worth out of the products that I can use.

This months box had six items but it varies every month between 4 to 6 items.

December's box included:

Iman Cosmetics- Luxury Moisturizing Lipstick- $10 I received Iman Red

Makeup For Ever- Aqua XL Eye Pencil- $9 in Black

Manna Kadar Beauty- Glo Illuminator- $29

Leyla Milani Hait- Miracle Brush- $23

'Tini Beauty- Nail Lacquer- $10.50

And my Bonus gift was Hair Infinity Vitamins sample (value unknown)

I am not going to lie this was not my favorite box that I have received. However there were some stars and the artwork on the box made up for it! I am super excited to try the lipstick, I've never owned or tried any Iman cosmetics and I have a very special love affair with lipstick. I am ashamed to say I have a lipstick addiction and still despite my effort to pare down probably own over 100 lip products....I digress

The eyeliner has me itching to break it out as well. Makeup For Ever is another brand I have not tried or owned before. Who doesn't love a good black eyeliner especially of it doesn't smudge.

Next hit for me is the Manna Kadar illuminator looks intriguing and I haven't heard of this brand before. I  LOVE to glow and I even wear illuminator on my no makeup or light makeup days...This one has pretty pink iridescence that when swatched on my hand didn't leave an ashy cast. This box allows me to try so many brands that I may have never thought to stop and buy or even heard of for that matter. So far my total of product value vs what I paid for the box is $48 vs $25.

The brush, I am using for my son as I have locs and do not brush my hair.  So technically, you can add that to my value vs what I paid calculation:. $71 vs $25.

The hair vitamins only came with a seven day supply so I doubt that is time enough to determine their effectiveness but at least I was introduced to yet another brand. I don't know the value so we are still at $71 value for $25.

Last but not least, is the nail polish. I looked at it and it was a definite giveaway. Mainly because of the color. However, I have found that even when a product doesn't work for me that comes in the box I immediately know someone that I can gift the product to, in this case, I know my boss' daughter Marion would love the hot pink glittery concoction. I wholeheartedly recommend this box and the customer service is excellent! My next box has shipped and it's taken everything in me not to check the spoiler sites to see what it holds. Yet, when I am really honest with myself, I like to be surprised. Once again I am not being paid, compensated or coerced in anyway by We Are Onyx to write this post. They don't even have a referral link (that I know about anyway).

Check um out at www.weareonyx.com

Let me know if you want reviews on the products after I try them. Thanks for listening!!!!
Stay Fluid,

LQD

Mysterious Ways

Hey,

Today marked my return to work. I had been on a short term disability for a month and a half. I work in the restaurant business and believe me that's the equivalent to being away for a year or and a half.  There weer new faces and the veteran employees were acting as if I returned from the dead.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was exactly like riding a bike and I exclaimed that more than twice at work. But let me back it up...

I woke up this morning stressed about whether I would remember my clock in code for work and I didn't want to go back to the job...at all...but my pocket demanded it. The number kept repeating in my head and I just didn't trust it. I woke up got my son off to school and started to clean and prepare for work later that evening and my loc client that I had scheduled at 11. I had plans to go to a local technical college to meet with a entry counselor to enroll for an aesthetic program but my ride canceled. I don't drive. God has been working in my life so greatly...the theme being His plan not mine.
 I've talked about my stress over my son's Christmas (due entirely to money issues I created) and as I continue to give it to God, He continues to provide. I charge $45 for a re-twist but I hadn't seen this client in months and his hair was to put it nicely close to becoming one giant loc. I have been twisting his hair at least a couple years now and he usually waits a good twos/ two and a half months to come back but this was a tad ridiculous! It had been at least 5 months since his last re-twist. I am not judging he is a hard working man who definitely puts his family first and I really enjoy our conversations. He found it in his heart to give me extra! Not to mention my online reselling has been sending notifications to Ship, Ship, Ship! God is so good!!!
After my ride cancel I made plans to go into the office that I am hoping to be in full-time to continue to work on quest for funding (I didn't plan on going in today), I was blessed when I was there as well. We did  not-so-secret-santas...I love it in the office it's such a family environment. I can feel all the love and support that flows through this faith based organization. The kind of environment that I have been seeking and thrive in. I am the only one who doesn't know who has me because everyone blabbed who they had before I got there. I absolutely love working there and that made me dread going to my restaurant job even more. I was going through one of the many government funding options and realized I could have it completed within two weeks. I was elated. I would finally be on the career path I wanted sooner than I thought. I ultimately want to run my own business and with my current position as Executive Assistant, I have a first hand view of everything it takes and not to mention the beautiful (inside and out) owner wants me to take on the role of COO (Chief Operating Officer) very soon so she can return to what she loves doing most (which is being out of the office) We are very complimentary where she lacks I have strength and vice versa.

At this point I was still nervous about work. I dreaded that I would hate being back and that I would make so many mistakes. Wrong! The night was amazing! I didn't make that much money compared to a busy night but my customers where wonderful and I remembered that I am good at my job. One table in-particular was amazing. They where full of compliments about my beauty, service and spirit. I mustered up thank yous because I am working on accepting compliments better. They even went as far as to say that I must know Jesus because I have the glow of one who knows God. I had been praying because I struggle with my religious affiliation. I believe in God but not traditionally and I struggle with Jesus. I've been praying that if Jesus is real in the aspect that my Christian upbringing taught me than to let my heart know it. The jury is still out on this.

All in all, my day turned out to be a loose version of what I originally planned and held almost none of the preconceived negative notions that I wasted time fretting about.  I used to get off work and head straight over to the bar or a grocery store for alcohol. i blamed stress from the job at the time instead of my ragging alcohol. I had no desire to drink, I am beyond tired so I am going to wrap this up (I apologize that this blog is all over the place as well) but I will add that I have plans for tomorrow but I only want God's plans for tomorrow to happen. This won't stop this controlling anxiety-ridden person, who has lists for their lists ,from planning but it does remind me to seek God's will and not my own. Thanks for listening! Blessings!


Stay Fluid,

LQD

Before work...Glow On!!!

Revelation

It has occurred to me that there is no inherent change at 30. While this may not be a news flash to my beloved readers, it was a rude awakening to me. Here I am, ten days into my 30th year and I feel no difference...Well maybe more fatigue and a keener sense of disappointment. I was promised a better sense of self; that once I crossed thirty I would know the woman I am and be more confident in my skin and have more fun in life. 

Since, I have turned 30 I have not once done my make up or styled my hair. I have not coordinated pieces to reflect to the world the "woman I am" through my wardrobe...and I most definitely have not had more fun! I stand in a sheepish awe, somehow I thought I turn 30 and thunder and lighting would crash down, then the clouds would part and my life would be different. My finances would be fixed, my confidence and esteem would peak, I would be the most put together that I'd ever been in my life! Instead I am just unusually tired, not motivated to spend time beautifying myself and in the throws of anticipation as I wait while my Higher Power guides my path and my businesses grow.

What I realize though is there are some major differences between my 20s and what stage has been set for my 30s. I have put drinking behind me. My days of partying and using alcohol to satiate my taste for fun (and for many other reasons...to be honest) are squarely set in my 20s. Also, I am done with excuses, I am accountable for my actions. I will no longer blame what has been done to me or my conditions etc. I am learning to love, forgive and show compassion to myself. I truly believe that I can achieve my dreams and accomplish my goals! Finally, my circle of friends that we're a strong part of my last decade have had no presence in my 30s.

My revelation is that turning 30 wasn't the instant fix I'd hoped for. But, it set the stage for me to transform into the woman I truly am. My priorities have changed and my vision has opened. I am in forward motion.
The only other thing I can say is I do need to build a circle. Making friends is hard but it does make you feel young again. Does she like me? Do I like her? Is she cool? am I cool? Do I wanna be cool? I'm weird and I have trust issues...I have the unrealistic expectation at this age of wanting to be fast friends and sometimes that doesn't sit well with people. With all my childhood relationships severed its hard to go it alone. Yet,  it's better that I stand alone than build my foundation on others (when I did this I took a hard fall). I miss having girlfriends but someday I will again...

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Mrs. Doubtfire

I have some lofty monetary gains goals for this year and as it approaches the half way mark of the year (yes only about 45 more days away), I cringe. Yet, this time I am not going to let Mrs.Doubtfire emerge. I am going to continue to believe and not count out the fact that I a might be a late 'green' bloomer. Usually my depressive, doubtful, self-sabotaging diva Debbie Downer Doubtfire emerges. But no more! I know that I can accomplish my financial goals for this year.
Most of you have heard of the documentary "The Secret'...If you haven't, go watch it...now...it's on NetFlix...I'll wait....I need to focus on the law of attraction and most importantly staying positive. After, I finally gave in to Oprah's and a good friend's recommendation to watch this documentary just a about a month ago, I was completely and utterly shocked. It wasn't nearly as corny as I thought it was going to be. I found a lot of truth in it actually. The more I focused on my goals each day, the more ideas flowed within me to reach them. I started to get on track and I had so many things on my mind I couldn't sleep.
Unfortunately, sleep is necessary for my mental health, so this last couple of weeks I have been a bit off on the whole goal accomplishing thing. I could choose to stay off track (as I normally would) but 2015 is my year and I refuse!!! I sit her on a Saturday, posting on my blog. A blog that I have been trying to post to consistently on for years! Now, I am making strides at doing so. I also running a few of my own businesses and have almost completed my business plan for my non profit. Success is eminent with hard work and positivity.
I am not going to lie...this is where I usually hit my wall. I start doubting that I can accomplish my goals, that I can go above and beyond...I mean what makes me so special? Do I even deserve it? Yet, you know what?!?!? If I don't, my son does and my family members who have always been there for me do!Forgive me, I am working in counseling on self-love but until I actualize that, the love of money is enough to drive me to my success...

Stay Fluid,

LQD

P.S I now am offering a E-newsletter that will help you Stay Fluid: Including but not limited to Money Saving and Growing Tips, Style, Health, Beauty and Resources!!!!