MLK Day with Poverty in Action

On Martin Luther King Junior Day, I ventured down to the state capital to attend a Poverty in Action lobbying event. My boss and I were both supposed to be in attendance. However, she became sick last minute and I had to go it alone. I was nervous as I am not use to attending events by myself. The experience was amazing though! I met a wonderful people, advocated for my legislative concerns, and listened to some compelling speakers. It is amazing to me how little I know about how our political system works and this had definitely solidified my thirst to learn more.

The event was from 9 am to 3:30 pm at a church within walking distance to Washington State's Capital in Olympia, WA. The event was full with people standing and fitting anywhere they could find room. We heard moving stories about living in poverty in WA, the hardship of a non-citizen, Poverty-in Actions legislative priorities, and even heard from a young boy around 9 which for him this was his 6th lobbying event!

We broke off into Districts and with all those people present guess how many were in the District 27 group....two. This is when I met Kristi and as we began to plan what we were going to say to our law makers. I will tell you about the amazing woman named Kristi at a later date. Her story is amazing! The next day I even attended a Senate bill hearing where she spoke for the bill on a panel. The Department of Correction made a presentation of their budget and challenges that they face, as well as, proposed solutions. I got to hear it all! I didn't even know I could do that!

We met with Jake Fey "Mista Fey" according to the name tent on his desk. He listened to our positions on TANF (temporary assistance for needy families ) and on removing certain limitations for people serving time to enter a parenting program.

We also met with Ann Dasch Legislative Assistant to Laurie Jinkins as she was busy. Ann was wonderful and seem to really be listening to what our positions were. I do hope to meet Laurie as she is a Tacoma, WA and Wonder Woman fan.

Laurie's Window Sill 

All in all, I have caught a bug. I am going to learn more about how our political system works, my rights and how to use my voice to impart change and I am going to pass it on! I was able to network with lobbying groups like Civil Action and really let my voice be heard. I encourage all my readers to educate themselves about events like these and let their voice be heard also. Poverty in Action is a great place to get involved if you reside in WA and I am sure there are groups like this in every state. Get Active and thanks for listening!

Stay Fluid,

LQD


*Poverty in Action is "Washington state’s largest anti-poverty organization, committed to building grassroots power to end causes of poverty and create opportunities for everyone to prosper." www.povertyaction.org

Kristi, Jake Fey, and ME

The Event

Shameless Selfie of me at the Event!

Lipstick: Cailyn Extreme Matte Tint  #16

The Capital: Olympia, WA

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

Happy New Year!

Salutations,

This month I am writing my blogs around my resolutions. One of my many resolutions I have is to blog at least 3 times a week! I hope that with this effort my blog will grow and I can reach more people who are interested in my content. It has been hard for me to consistently blog because previously, I let things get in the way of my passions. 2018 will be different! Look forward to hearing from me at least 3 times a week. I am aiming for a Monday. Wednesday, Friday posting schedule but the ultimate goal is just to have at least three of these blogs up.

Coming into this year I actually wrote down my goals. Granted, I didn't do so until the 1st but they were written down none the less. The first goal I want to talk about surrounds sleep. I had some un-amazing relationships in 2017 with people who took advantage of my kindness. I let these individuals take over my room for various reasons. I don't want to get into too much detail but let's just say I developed a habit of sleeping on the couch. I would estimate that I slept on my couch, falling asleep to the T.V about 340 days out of last year. Needless to say, I formed a habit. When I went to return to sleeping in my room I was met by my dear friend anxiety. I thought it would be impossible for me to fall asleep without the T.V on in the background or the familiarity of the couch. However, I stuck to my guns and have been sleeping in my room, in my tiny twin bed the last few nights. I didn't always have a twin btw, I let one of my ex's take my pillow top mattress becaus...well she lived in it. My son still finds me at night and sleeps with me. I do have to say there is a lot more room for us on the bed than the couch. This equates to better sleep because I have not gotten kicked or slapped by him in his sleep since the couch to bed transition. Winning!!!!

I need to talk to my doctor about my sleep patterns. I have been waking up every two and a half to three hours and after five hours I feel as though I could get up and go about my day. I have been making myself lay the eff back down but I don't exceed seven hours and haven't slept straight through the night. I've never claimed to be normal but this doesn't seem right. Also, I want to start reading before bed. I have been off my reading game and I've always had a passion for reading. I'm assuming that this will help eliminate my before bedtime anxiety as well.

I started with sleep as the first resolution to talk about because getting a good nights sleep is important to all areas of health. It is a basic fundamental thing that I have been taking for granted. It helps you stay young, beautiful, and slim. It's important for brain function and it helps me stay stable. Bipolar people like myself benefit from set schedules and a full nights sleep. When I was drinking I used to be a night owl and now I am perfectly fine with going to bed at 10 pm and definitely way more of a morning person. I am trying to get my ideal schedule down but I seem to be brighter, happier and more productive in the mornings.

I hope your New Year has gotten off to a marvelous start! I would love feedback and questions from you!  And as always,

Stay Fluid,

LQD

So went full Glam to watch the fireworks at the Space Needle. I have on

Kiss lashes: they started with an R and are winged lashes

ELF eyeshadows

Hard Candy loose glitter

*This was my first cut crease and I think it came out great!*

ELF foundation in Coco (black cap and pump)

Wet n Wild eye liner

Ruby Kisses brow powder and gel

Shea Mouisture Bronzer

Tarte Shape Tape Concealor 

Elf highlight powder baked gems

*if you want more details on the look let me know!*

I haven't did pipe cleaner curls and forever. I forgot how cute they are when in the set and when you take them down! *If you want details on that let me know!*

Scarf: H&M

Jacket: Hot Topic Gotham Selina Kyle Jacket

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

Update!!!! Bantu Knot Results and Style Idea!

As promised here is the Bantu Results! They came out more like a wave than a curl but I still love the results! Next time I will do smaller sections for the knots and do them on freshly washed hair.

Ruby Kisses Matte Lipstick in Extreme Coral!

I also came up with this style below. My curls fell because I did not wrap my hair at night (I hardly ever do...bad Angela) so this gave me a cute style to wear the next day while putting some wave back in my hair! I simply parted the section at the crown, wet each section and made five knots. I did pin them in place this time.

Eyes: Elf cosmetics Beauty Book

But that highlight though! 

Leave Comments if you want to know what it is!

The only way I know what you are interested in is if you like, comment, subscribe please! 

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!)

Addictive Tastes

It is been way too long since I have been with you guys and I have a secret to reveal! I have an addictive personality...I want to reveal my addictions to you, my successes, failures, hopes and fears. I've always wanted to help people but honestly this is more for me than it is for you. I hid in shame of what I am, what I have done, might do and might become but no more. My hope is that I will shine a light for someone. I pray that by me writing these truths that someone out there will not feel alone, discouraged or hopeless. That maybe by putting fingers to keys I will save someone from going through what I have gone through. My goal is to be candid about my experiences and my addictions. I do not wish for this post to be a autobiography but just want to let my readers no that this is not just about style or beauty but about life... The clothes I wear and the face that I paint may express what I want to portray to the world but are those depictions accurate or am I just playing dress up?

So anyways...

Lets start light....

The first addiction I will share is make-up but more specifically lipstick. I am completely and ridiculously addicted to lipstick. I don't know when it started actually but I can tell you this its not going anywhere. When I first started wearing lipstick regularly I gravitated toward maroons, fuchsias and of course vampy...namely...Cyber from MAC (the latter by the way is one of three lipsticks I've actually used up and replaced). Three gallons of gas or two and a lipstick from a limited edition launch from Rite Aid? Well, that's just a silly question! Over the course of last year I spent over $1000 dollars at Rite Aid alone and I'd venture to say a good 80% of those purchases were beauty related....that's a fifth of my wages for last year. I don't know what it is but I just had to have my pretties. Doesn't matter finish, color I just had to get my Pokeball out.  I buy in to trend after trend and still trying to be different at the same time which just leads to collecting entire launches of colletions. My addiction only worsened when I discovered red lipstick. First, it was about finding the perfect red for dark skin, then it was about the different undertones of the red lipstick...The nail on the proverbial coffin? Why doesn't Maybeline Red Revival or Revlon Gothic lipstain look bright, beautiful and true red on me as it does on my fair skinned women? What would give me that classic red lip? I tried countless lipsticks different brands and they always turned orange red. For years I would not wear orange-red lipstick because I was so annoyed by the fact that Lady Danger looked so beautifully delicious on my Caucasian counterparts and turned into a orange Fanta on my lips.
My first red love was by Givenchy Illicit Rasberry $36 dollars or about and WAY out of my budget but Zoe Saladana wore it to some ritzy gala somewhere as reported by one of my beauty magazines (an addiction I just recently overcame) and it looked beautifully red on her complexion. It was perfection (for the time) and I loved it. After which I continued to search for truer brighter reds. I wanted nothing to do with the orange reds or brown reds that were forced down brown skinned women's throats. Sometimes I think I am always trying to stand out to be different. I want to prove that I can wear any color lipstick that my skin tone does not limit my options. There it is, the deeper implication... a glance at one of my unfortunately may issues. Needless to say my I have several shades that are the same color even if they are from different brands. Last time I counted I had over 20 red shades alone. I haven't worn close to three quarters of my lipsticks but still I buy more...BTW YOUTUBE your not helping! My YOUTUBE gurus are fellow junkies who lead the way to my best high possible. All in All, it is not a necessarily bad thing to by lipstick. Yet, truthfully my addiction is clear. Imagine if I added up all the money I spent on the lip products I have and put that into a College fund for my five year old son (which he does not have) or a retirement plan for myself (which I do not have)...Oh well, at least I have killer red lips....

Stay Fluid,

LQD

Christmas Red Ruby Kisses Matte Lipstick in Kiss Red $3 (beauty supply stores)

Scandalous lipstick from NYX Cosmetics Wicked Lippie Collection. $6

Ruby Kisses Matte Lipstick in Plum Wine $3

OCC Lip Tar (my fave blue) $18

I easily have 150+ lipsticks and glosses. I stopped counting because it got depressing...

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

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!)

Something for Nothing!!! Recycling Pays...

Hello All! I am going to go through my empties that I have that I am returning to MAC for their recycle program. For those of you who live in a glam-less cave, the MAC recycle program allows you to bring 6 empties back to recycle and you get a free lipstick! I plan on getting "up the amp", "touch" or "candy yum yum"!!!! I'm so excited!!! I'm absolutely love lipstick more than America loves reality TV!!! I will post pics of which one I chose, once I pick it up.

The first beauty empty I want to talk about is the MAC makeup remover wipes. I will not be purchasing these again. I feel that baby wipes do a very similar job. The product is good for removing makeup but I still felt a strong urge to re-wash my face after and sometimes still had to use eye make-up remover. I have the same results with babywipes and you can guess which ones cheaper!

The next item is MAC fix plus. I liked this product. It is not my favorite make-up setter but works good as a hydrating mist before your treatment product and moisturizer. I do like the recycle program from MAC so I may purchase it again. Honestly, a better before moisturizer hydrater and/or make-up finisher is lavendar water. I get it at Super Supplements already in a spray bottle ready to go (I will post that empty when I run out pretty soon here). Plus the lavendar water is half the price. At the same price point as MAC, Clinque has a Moisture Surge spray that sets make-up, refreshes and is good to use before moisturizers as well. I love this product because it contains Caffeine. It really wakes up the skin!

The MAC concealer is not my favorite it is my second choice! It is a back-up to my Mary Kays concealor (Oprah loves it too.) I only buy MACs concealer if I am mistakingly forgot to order my Mary Kay and there will be a few days before it comes.

The liquid Mineralized foundation was a good product. I just don't really wear foundation. I am a concealor and (sometimes) tinted moisturizer kinda gal! I do want to start wearing a foundation though because ironically the older you get the less foundation you should wear and I want to take advantage of a flawless face before my foundation starts to set in lines (but of course I will never get those...). The only problem I had with this is that I was color-matched in the height of summer so the shade is too dark for my skin now.

OK!!! I do love MAC and I know Ive been hard on them so far. It is only because I think so highly of the brand and expect great things from this medium priced brand! I love, love, love MAC's Skinfinish Mineralized Powder in deep/dark. Its absolutely beautiful it sets make-up and gives you a lit from within glow. I absouletly cannot wait to re-purchase this item!!!!!
Finally, I have the Wonder Woman collection Mascara. NERD ALERT!!! I love Wonder Woman I bought three of the lipglosses and this mascara when the collection came out and would have bought more had they not sold-out in my pined for colors! I also have a lunchbox and watch Justice Leauge...wipe the grin of your face...you have dorky secrets too...I just know it. All in All it was a fantastic mascara (though I could be a little biased because of the packaging) and I would defianetly purchase it again if it was available!!!! Thanks for listening!

Stay Fluid,

LQD