OPI Shatter Nail Polish Tutorial

When OPI unveiled their shatter nail polish, I could not resist. I could not find a single bottle in my local Ulta store, so I ended up ordering in from Amazon.com. I ended up selecting the Katy Perry Collection. The 5 piece set includes: * OPI Nail Lacquer "TEENAGE DREAM" * OPI Nail Lacquer NOT LIKE THE MOVIES * OPI Nail Lacquer "THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY" * OPI Nail Lacquer BLACK SHATTER * OPI Nail Lacquer "LAST FRIDAY NIGHT" I used a fun technique to get the most interest from the Black Shatter. Watch what I create in the video below!

Operation Sit Down!

I am joining my girl whoissugar in Operation Sit It Down!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUWclCrgigk&feature=relmfu

I need to stop eating all this awful take out! I will watch TV while hungry and end up becoming a consumer of terrible food. The food is NEVER like it appears on the commercial and the workers' attitudes SUCK! I have eaten my last beige tomato. I don't know why because tomatoes are in season right now! I would have been better off eating a sea sponge. And it had mayo when I specifically said NO MAYO! Sitting it down!

Nail Polish
I don't need another bottle of nail polish! I own every color of the rainbow and can shatter and crackle with the best of y'all. I don't care what goes on sale: Sitting it down!

KINDLE
I first got the Kindle and got an iPad from Doteasy. I have the Kindle app for my iPad but I still purchase hard copies of books, especially anything by Terry McMillan. I cannot risk my battery going down in the middle of reading a book. Who ever thought the day would come when reading was battery dependent?!! I do NOT weed my collection. I can't do it.

FABRIC
Fabric is MY addiction. I shopping at Hancock Fabrics. Walking into that store is like paradise. I don't need anything because I have more than enough fabric, novelties, buttons and baubles! I just need to get busy. Now that my favorite show, Project Runway, is back on, I need to get busy! Sitting it down!<
Last year, I was trying to create an End of The Year video for work but my old computer was not burning the DVD. After 2 days of letting it render, I gave up and broke down and purchased a new HP All in One computer. This was before I discovered my new love, Apple Mac! A year later the thing has become a 90 pound paper weight! I have rebooted this joker repeatedly and cannot get it to log on. Look out below. . . Sitting it down!

I've been on summer vacation and I declare I don't know where the time has gone I don't feel like I've accomplished all that I wanted but the time has come. I have to stop staying up late on YouTube and Twitter and Facebook! Sitting it down!

I joined the 30 Day Video Challenge July 1. The challenge was to upload more videos and to re-introduce yourself to new and veteran subscribers. It all started with that Creeper at my window at Walmart. I uploaded about 15 -16 videos and I still have some to edit and upload. The challenge was really good. I finally found a way to create and upload many of the videos I'd been meaning to get done. But it WORE ME OUT! Sitting it down!

I hope you will join us and SIT IT DOWN!!!

It's My Birthday | Sponsorship & YouTube

I started back to work ON my birthday. I have NEVER worked on my birthday. I know I won't get any sympathy from anyone who has ever worked on their birthday but this was new to me! I have never been awake on my birthday before noon and to have to have my summer vacation come to a screeching, grinding halt on my birthday. . . BUMMER!

I did get some nice gifts though. A fellow YouTuber and friend sent me a pre-birthday pin I Love My Hair! I love it!

A co-worker gave me a TJ Maxx/Marshall's gift card. Another YouTuber and friend sent me a Sally's gift card.

I am still on whoissugar's Operation Sit Down challenge but since I received gift cards, I should be ok. I just have to remain focused and not go over the allotted amount. I've been known to spend twice the value of the gift card!

My mom is amazing. She and I were in Target this summer and I wanted to buy some elf products. I picked some up but put them back. Who knew that she was paying attention?! She sent me a variety of elf products and brushes. I am really looking forward to using a set of brushes! I generally either use my fingers or the same brush for everything.




Who says that men don't listen? I was totally shocked to get a new pair of Christian Louboutins. I love the red patent leather. The heels are 100mm (4 inches).

20PearlsnCurls gave us a link to KeraCare to request samples of their new lines geared towards natural hair. I received my samples but I'm yet to review them. That review is coming up soon.

I love watching Clean House, especially episodes featuring Niecey Nash. One of her favorite quotes is "When a hand is open to give, it's open to receive." What that means to me is that when you open yourself to share/give to others, you will also be on the receiving end of gifts yourself. I received a Genius Kids Tablet to review. (Yay. This is my first big ticket item.) I am going to feature this on my Back To School episode of Technology Tips.

My promise and focus:
I will not accept items to review that I don't believe in. If I wouldn't use it myself, I will not post a YouTube video to promote it. I've always used Oprah as my benchmark. She only gave away books, favorite things, etc. that she loved. Same for me. If I don't feel that it's good, I will not recommend it. Integrity means the world to me and I will keep mine in tact.

Sponsorship and being sent items to review is possible. Companies have changed the way they market their products and often utilize YouTubers to help get the word out. I don't think this opportunity is available for all channels. I think a channel must have credibility and being a YouTube Partner gives that leverage. Companies want to ensure that you have a substantial subscriber base who are consumers. Bottom line: Dollars & Cents.

I will be posting a video soon about my thoughts on sponsorship.

Stay Tuned!

Poochie's Closet - The Best Shopping Experience Online - Period.

Visit her site for more details on sizes and prices. You will find that her prices are very affordable.


http://public.fotki.com/poochie247/shop-poochies-closet/


I may regret sharing my Fashionista with you all because I may not be able to find fly gear when I need it but. . . I want my girl to get her wings and FLY.

I have shopped with Poochie of Poochie's Closet for a very long time. If anybody else is here from Fotki, you already know Poochie. She has fly gear that ranges from Vintage to Modern. She is very professional and customer friendly. Once she knows your style, when she is out shopping, she buys with you in mind. I know this first hand because my closet has several PC pieces that she knew were just my style. I have robbed my piggy bank many times.

I am glad that she is finally back and with some new pieces.

In this video, Poochie is rocking many labels including:

1. Arden B. Brown and Gold sequined dress
2. Bebe One Shoulder Dress
3. Frederick's of Hollywood One Shoulder Dress
4. Lulie' of Cahaba
5. Trina Turk Silk Pants
6. Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap Dress (class and timeless)
7. Elie Tahari
8. Leopard Print Drawstring Pants
9. Blumarine Pink and Green Dress
10. Shomax Vintage Original Sequinned Dress
11. BCBG Max Azria

Picking Up The Glasses

School is kicking my butt! I have not adjusted to waking up early and I am not a morning person! My husband works from home and has the best life. I deal with traffic and other folks' kids all day. Oh well. . .

I took a nap right after work Monday and woke up at 6:32 PM panicking, thinking I'd overslept for work the next day because I thought it was the next morning! Duh. . . it was later the same day. I was exhausted and glad I still had the full night's rest ahead of me.

I have not picked up my prescription eyeglasses yet and decided to stop by Walmart to pick them since I had not been called. The 3 employees were all searching for my glasses. I looked around and thought, "Dang, they are having a sale AFTER I've purchased my frames. $100 off! They'd even changed the decor. Meanwhile, they continued to look for my order by my name, address, phone number and birthday. I did not have my receipt and was slightly fearful that someone had taken my money and at the moment, had no proof.

One of them asked if I had gone to another Walmart location and I assured them I had not because I passionately disliked the other location and would not shop there. I insisted that I'd come back another day with my receipt but they insisted to keep looking. After about 5 more minutes, the lady of the group asked if I had gone to Target's Eyeglass store. . . Ding ding ding! I remembered that I had NOT filled my prescription in Walmart at all but TARGET! Melt into the ground with laughter and embarrassment. But we all had a good laugh and I reminded them I WAS in need of some glasses! I'm sure this will go down as one of their funny moments and mine too. Thank goodness I am not one of those irate people who CLOWN in public. It would have been a total meltdown! LOL.

After watching sdestiny12's pet peeve video, I remembered that I had one more.

People who upload videos with their smoke detector chirping in the background. Ugh! They upload another video, days later, and the smoke detector is still chirping away! Very annoying and not to mention unsafe not having a working smoke detector.

Smoke detector batteries should be changed at least during the "Fall Back" and "Spring Forward" time changes. Fire departments make PSAs about this too. Be safe people. Change your smoke detector batteries.

New Beginnings

Today is my birthday. I normally spend this day sleeping late and and celebrating in a quiet, low key manner. I've never had an official birthday party and I rarely make a big to do about my birthday. Don't get me wrong, I go all out for other people's birthday but I'm very different about my own. I don't require a lot of gifts and noise and people for that matter. I like to reflect on where I am in my life. I'm thankful for the life I was given and the freedom to make choices.

This birthday will be different. It is the first day back to work! Never have I ever WORKED on my birthday but I certainly have never started back to work on my birthday. This confirms to me that school is starting way too soon. The dog days of summer are yet to begin. I remember when I was a kid, school started the week before Labor Day.

But later today, I begin my first day. I am not sure what to expect. But this is a year of new beginnings in many ways. The new answer when someone wants something that I am not able to deliver or have no desire to do, is "I'm sorry but No". I have never been a people pleaser but in my line of work, I deal with a variety of personalities. I'm always in the hot seat and do my best to help all who ask. But today, the game changes.

Dealing with negative people is never my strong suit. I'm such a take it or leave it, that it is hard for me to bite my tongue and keep quiet. There have been times that I have wanted to really lose my cool but I have maintained professionalism and appropriate work behavior.

This is also the first time in 25 years that I am returning to work without Oprah. I have learned so much about myself and life in general from watching Oprah. I hold a special place for Oprah because we are both from rural Mississippi and experienced a Grandmother's Love. When people around me began to say that Oprah was getting too god-like, I refused to argue with them. I've listened to them accuse her of saying that she did not believe in God. I never saw that show and cannot say that she uttered those words. I always appreciated the enlightenment that she shared. As with all things, there is the freedom to choose whether or not you wanted to get on board with it.

Sooner than later, I will begin a new journey. Today is just the beginning.

Television: It's Still A Good Thing!

Part of my TV viewing pleasure is to watch episodes of VH1’s “Behind The Music” and TV One’s “Unsung”.

Last night, I settled in to watch Billy Preston’s Unsung. I was looking forward to it because I like his music and realized that I really didn’t know much about his life.

Unsung fans know how the show tends to take viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I have found myself laughing, crying, celebrating and crying about the outcomes. Last night was no different.

I learned so much about Billy Preston and about life in general. Sometimes it’s just not fair. I learned that Billy Preston was a gifted musician. He had passion for his craft (music) so much that he didn’t care about the business side and was often taken advantage of by people he trusted to manage his business affairs. Billy had some childhood issues that ultimately became baggage too heavy to carry. He was even referred to as a “Genius with Baggage”.

I found myself watching and listening intently to Billy Preston’s story and realizing that the abuse he suffered as a child damaged him for life. The VH1 Behind the Music episodes featuring Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige and Billy Preston (Unsung) had one common thread: Missy, Mary and Billy’s childhood had been tainted by actions of another that either made them feel worthless and filling their emotional suitcases with baggage that would ultimately become too heavy for them to carry. This baggage forced Mary J. and Billy Preston to seek artificial comfort and relief by abusing drugs or alcohol. Mary J. recorded music about the baggage of her life.

I found inspiration watching Missy and Mary’s stories as they showed proof that despite the luggage tossed at you, this journey of life can re-routed and lived successfully without shame and unwanted, outdated luggage.

It saddened my heart to hear that Billy Preston’s last words were “I Can’t”.

I am not a licensed therapist or counselor but I am a person who has lived life and God-willing, I will be 42 next week. I am not here to judge anyone’s life but to encourage you to seek the help you need to unpack those bags and to start living.

Who Makes My Day? YouTube Family and Lisa3876

I am on a 30 Day Video Challenge inspired by Erin of Scandalous Beauty Video #10 is dedicated to my YouTube friends who enjoyed my YouTube Tips video series and my all time favorite teacher, Lisa3876.

This week, I uploaded 3 YouTube Tips videos. I was actually planning to save them for weekly installments but since I'm still on the Scandalous Beauty 30 Day Video Challenge, I decided to upload the videos early, as a series. The response was so great that I did not want to keep you waiting for the information.

Many of you told me how much you appreciated my videos and how they were helpful to you. That really makes my day.

This is video is dedicated to someone else who makes my day. Lisa from 2createawebsite.com. She is in my other channels box as napturallycurly. Before I knew her as napturallycurly, she was Lisa3876.

http://www.youtube.com/lisa3876
http://www.youtube.com/2createawebsite
http://www.youtube.com/napturallycurly

Many commented that they enjoyed the videos but you didn't have aspirations to become a YouTube partner. Neither did I until I stumbled upon Lisa's YouTube channel and she was her talking about Google Adsense earnings.


What is AdSense?
"AdSense is an advertising program operated by Google. Web site owners can the program to enable text and image advertisements on their sites. These ads are administered by Google and generate revenue on a per-click basis. Google utilizes its search technology to serve ads based on website content, the user's geographical location, and other factors. Those wanting to advertise with Google's targeted ad system may sign up through AdWords."


To be honest, I did not know who or what Google Adsense was. I subscribed to her channel and was amazed and thankful for the information that she freely shared. You know how some people are; they won't share the good tips and real how-to with you because they fear you might advance ahead of them. (((Like crabs in a bucket.))) Well Lisa is not a crab in a bucket. She really shares good information on her channel on how to earn money online.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUcxRmzmB18
website http://www.2createawebsite.com,
blog http://blog.2createawebsite.com
forum, http://www.websitebabble.com/

She was the inspiration for me to open my eyes and to take advantage of legitimate opportunities that are available. The first time that I deposited a Google Adsense check, I knew it was because of the knowledge and education that I gained from her.

She has that Oprah Effect. She is very positive and inspirational and brings out your best.

She is like a navigational system. If you don't know where you're trying to go, she can help you get there. Even if you already know the way to your destination, she is there to remind you that you are on the right path or how to avoid delays.

She does not teach you to imitate her but to be an original and to find your own path to what you're good at and make it work for you to earn money online.

Making this video was very important to me as I'm sure many of us knew people in our community or had teachers in school or college who made a difference in our lives that perhaps, we never took the opportunity to say thank you.

I'm still a WORK IN PROGRESS but this video is my thank you to Lisa3876 from 2createawebsite.com for sharing her knowledge.

Thank you Lisa!

The video is posted below.

Amy Winehouse | How Her Death Impacted My Life

Amy Winehouse's death and the impact on my life.

Just like the rest of the world, I woke up this Saturday morning to find out that Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home. Of course, I did not know her personally but I did enjoy her music. Because I love buying hair products and frequently get called a Product Junkie I really loved the song "Rehab".

People are speculating about the cause of death. When anyone dies, that is always the first thing people ask. I don't know if it's out of sheer nosiness or habit. To me, the cause of death is never as important as the FINALITY of DEATH.

Even at 27 and dead today, Amy Winehouse lived her life. Like it or not, Amy Winehouse lived her life the way she wanted.
She obtained what many people desire:
a career doing what she loved. Amy Winehouse was a celebrity musician with money.

While the media circus is all abuzz about The Death of Amy Winehouse,
what if it were you? Yes You! There would probably
not be a media frenzy unless you died doing something crazy like going on a killing spree and went running from the police in a high speed chase and ending up on the national news. But really, if you died today, what would happen? Your family and friends would start making the arrangements to bury you. You might get a blurb in the local newspaper's obituary section. A celebrity's death, including Amy Winehouse's, makes global news.
But for the everyday average Joe & Josephine, there is not much fanfare.
That does NOT diminish the value of their lives. I've been to many funerals of people who had lived their lives with such service and accomplishment that I left feeling inspired rather than sad.

This brings me to something that I always think about when DEATH occurs:

Are you living the life YOU want to live? Are you doing the things you intended to do? If not, what are you waiting for?

Happy New Year!

Let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. A lot has happened in the last few weeks.

I went on medical leave just before Thanksgiving to have surgery. Not the way I had intended to spend the holiday season but sometimes, you have no option.

Shortly after my surgery, I was received an invitation from YouTube to earn revenue from a video that I posted about using Vaseline on my natural hair. I completed that process and began earning money from that video. Can't quit the day job but the possibilities were encouraging.



I entered a giveaway being hosted by Doteasy and found out on Christmas Day that I had won an iPad! I was totally excited. Of all the prizes, it was probably the one I wanted the most. Of course there was a MacBook Air up for grabs but truthfully, I had just purchased a MacBook Pro a few weeks earlier so winning one would have been gluttonous. But I probably would have given it to my husband so that he could use it for GarageBand.

On the Lunar Eclipse of 2010, December 21, I decided to go ahead and apply for full YouTube partnership. I had just over 1000 subscribers and over 100,000 video views. I was going to wait until I had over 1500 subscribers but something told me to go for it. To my surprise, I found out on December 30, 2010 that I had been accepted as a YouTube Partner!


I have been working to update my personal website so that perhaps I can have to update in one place versus several blogs,a website AND YouTube.

May you all have a prosperous 2011!

I Love Jamie Foxx

I am Jamie Foxx's Greatest Fan. Having been influenced too by the unconditional love of a Grandmother's love, I understand. When he won the Academy Award, I felt compelled to design and create a wall hanging in memory of his Grandmother, Mrs. Estelle M. Talley and his career. I'll post a photo below but I will cut you if you steal it!

Doteasy Domain Registration

I have registered and recommended several domain registrations via doteasy. It has always been a breeze and as long as my desired domain is available, I'm registered in minutes. It only takes a couple of days to make the domain ready to use. And when you are like me, always thinking about the infinite possibilities of the internet, doteasy makes it possible.

Today, it's all about branding. You know, being associated by your niche! As I have reflected over the last few days, I've realized that dotasy has been the driving force behind my concepts. If it were not for my being exposed to doteasy in 2002 to set up the school's website, I would have just logged on to the district's server and updated the site. Plain and simple. But because the Dreamweaver presenter was knowledgeable, he shared with us a web hosting company that offered free web hosting. I had a light bulb moment that has been burning bright ever since. I signed up that evening for my first account, http://www.thecreativelady.com

Here's my process:

I will come up with an idea or concept for a new niche, usually at about 2 AM. Before I check the popular websites like Youtube, I check with doteasy's domain registration feature first because after all, you want all the branding options open! Once the domain has been registered, it's all systems go. Everything else falls into place.

I Love doteasy's domain registration because it is just that: easy!

Why I Love Doteasy!

Doteasy is the only web hosting services I've ever used. I learned of the company back in 2002 when I was "selected" to design my school's web page. I knew nothing about web design. The workshop presenter mentioned a company that offers free website hosting. That night, I purchased my first, of many to come, domain name. It was simple to upload a site in a short period of time. Even as a novice, I used their templates to get started. When I learned to use Adobe Dreamweaver and wanted to add my own styling, Doteasy allowed room for creativity and flexibility.

Sure, it offers cost-free & banner-free services but doteasy can grow with you as you build your site and your traffic grows to the point of needed a premium package. Why not join and stick with a company who offers great products and customer service? I've never used another service and don't plan on going anywhere but up!

Concentrate On You

The artist contacted me and sent me a link to his song. I am loving this! It is my anthem! I need to make it my ring tone!

I'm in the classroom footage shot! No autographs please

WTF Have I Done With My Blog Posts???

WTF

The Doctor Is In: Not!

My life is filled with countless opportunities for me to laugh out loud! This entry will be no different.

I don't know if I've ever established this or not but I was born and raised in rural Mississippi, i.e. The Country, where the living is still good in 2009. I wanna go back. Anyhoo, my roots are still there and I still eat "country food" cold cuts like hog head souse, bologna and liver cheese. Since I'm in Memphis, it is not too hard to find such in Wal-Mart.

Tonight I stopped in Wally World (Wal-Mart) and decided to get some liver cheese. As I searched the cold cuts for the delicacy, I did not see it. I asked the stock person, an older gentleman, standing in the section where he was hiding the liver cheese? He looked and said they were out! What? Who else is eating liver cheese but me?!!! Has someone else discovered it's likeness to pate! (I can't find the special characters pate deserves.) He offers me some bologna. I didn't come for bologna! I wanted liver cheese.

The following LOL dialogue actually occurred next:

Stock Clerk: (he turns to face me and says) Sometimes when I eat sweet potato pie. . .

Thoughts In My Head: . . .I sure hope he is not eating liver cheese or bologna with sweet potato pie!

Stock Clerk: it messes up for stomach for a few days and makes me go to the bathroom a lot.

Thoughts In My Head: WTF!

Stock Clerk: What do you think I should do?

Thoughts In My Head: Get Away From Me!

Me to Stock Clerk: Go to the doctor. But if you want some quick relief, drink some ginger ale or mix some water and a teaspoon of flour and drink it. This will settle your stomach. But remember, go to the doctor.

Stock Clerk: I've never heard of that before. Thank you so much.

Me to Stock Clerk: You are welcomed. But remember to seek medical advice. I am not a doctor.

I walked away wondering what made him talk to me. I guess he figured anybody buying liver cheese had to be from the country and probably had an old time remedy for whatever ails you! And he was right!

My grandmother turns 90 in a few days, and has all kinds of natural remedies. I don't know whether to attribute it to our Indian heritage or just being from the country but she could make pain go away. As a teenager, I had severe monthly cramps that would keep me in bed for 2 days. Anybody feel me? Pain! Big Mama would go into the woods behind the house and bring back this stick for me to chew. The first time she brought me this tree branch to chomp, I thought she had flipped out. But I never questioned her and chewed the branch like a deer. The pain went away. I've got to ask her this weekend the name of that tree!

Dang

Last week my dad came up to the 2oth Annual Southern Heritage Classic. Instead of coming to my house, he wanted to meet for brunch at the casino. I have been doing all that I can to avoid unnecessary public places as I try to dodge the Swine Flu/H1N1. The casino is H1N1 waiting to happen.



I agreed to meet him but I really wanted to stay home and work on some creative projects I've been putting on the back burner.



When I arrived at the Horseshoe Casino, I went into the ladies room. I heard voices in the stalls but I hear ladies yapping all the time in the restroom as we use the facilities. No big deal. I came out and as I was washing my hands, my eyes caught of glimpse in the mirror of the stall behind me. There were 2 sets of feet in the stall. A pair of flat nondescript shoes and a pair of Cinderella type glass slippers. Hmmm. . . we women will comfort a friend even if she runs into a stall, so no biggie. But to be honest, at this point, I was curious as heck. I waited and washed my hands through 2 choruses of "Happy Birthday". The stall door opened. Out walks this trashy looking woman with a glass of wine in her hand and another person who was either a hard looking woman or a very very ugly man with a wig on! They went to the sink to wash their hands. Oh my! To kill my theory of a friend comforting a friend in a stall, the trashy woman reached over and smacked the other person on the butt! Well alrighty then. At least they washed their hands.

Brunch was terrible. The food was not good and there was a live bird flying around the buffet. After I saw that, I refused to eat another thing.

I Love B. Scott!

Love B. Scott is my love muffin! He always makes me smile no matter what. I love his positive energy and comedy!

The Wait Is Over! My TV is Back!

Today is not my birthday but it may as well be. I can finally get back to my TV fixations: Project Runway, Top Chef and The Real Housewives of Atlanta! I have not been able to watch much of the other reality TV shows. I had no idea Real Chance of Love was into Season 2. I thought it was probably reruns. I just happened to tune in and saw all new ladies. I could not get into the show. I am now convinced that it's not real. LOL. How many times does two gorgeous men have to search for love? Don't we all love Real's hair? When does America's Next Top Model air?

Let me get my snacks ready: Baked Cheetos, Fudge Stripes Cookies, popcorn and Coca Cola.
I'd better set the DVR too!

Toodles

~tlc