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*** Clearly, in addition to turquoise and greens of all kinds, I am really into pink, as well.

jacket- AA in dusty pink
peter pan collar blouse-vintage
black riding pants- AA
lace up booties-jeffrey campbell
RX glasses-shuron




A Piece of Man

I'm not sure how I came to be so strong minded when it comes to this topic at hand but I know one thing, I am UNWAVERING when it comes to dating men with another woman. I don't like to share things that I cherish and most certainly am not sharing my man with another woman. I literally loathe women who do this and even moreso despise men who do it as well because it takes two to tango. Be a better woman and know you deserve a man of your own.



Watch the video below and let me know what you would advise?


Life in the Fab Lane

Check out Kimora speaking of her marriage to Dijimon and being a role model ♥



 

Wig Challenge



As you may know I embarked on my natural hair journey this time last year. I am excited to have reached my 1 year Chemical FREE journey and it doesn't even seem like a full year passed. Boy does time fly when you're having fun! ☺



Pictured above is me today at work. I am sporting my light brown short cut wig and decided to challenge myself with a protective style marathon before it gets too hot here to be wearing this 'hat' as Jason likes to call them lol I'm not quite sure how long I will challenge myself with this task so I don't even want to say a length of time but I do want to put forth an effort to do it for longer than a week. My main reason for doing so is because my length retention is more noticeable when I wear my hair curly and use no or low maintenance styling techniques. Last year I went 6 months wearing my hair curly and was shocked at how well my hair did and grew. When I was seen at work with my 'new' hair all the guys made a huge ordeal about it. I had to break down and tell them my real hair is braided underneath so they would stop crowding around me like a zoo animal full of wows and wonder. smh

The 83rd academy awards

Yesterday was held the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood. And as you can see in the pictures below, all the stars were shining!











Pretty Girls Rock Dresses, LLC

Have you heard about the movement of the Pretty Girl Rock Dress Challenge? 
 
 
 
It starts tomorrow so read below for the deets!
 
The PRETTY GIRLS ROCK “DRESSES” Challenge will start Tuesday, March 1, 2011 and concludes July 1, 2011. 
 
The Pretty Girl Rock Dress Challenge is empowering women everywhere to LOVE themselves inside and out. When you look good, you feel good and the rest is history. So Ladies get out those mani ped kits, do your hair and spray on your favorite perfume cause it's time to shine! 


 
 


Mission:

1. We will rock dresses and heels like our mothers & grandmothers at least THREE (3) times a week.

2. We will reject the impulse to throw on jeans, jogging suits (even the cute kind), & dress slacks.

3. Exchange our revelations and thoughts throughout this challenge. (See Facebook event)

4. Invite a Friend(s), Take Pics, & HAVE FUN.

5. Everyone is WELCOME to participate.

6. Exceptions: Flattering Dress Suits with nice accessories are allowed.

7. If you have a blog share it with your followers and link back to Lipstick Manual.



Let’s bring back:

*GLAMOUR. *GRACE. *CHARM. *FEMININTY. *PRISSYness (is that a word?) and most of all BEAUTY.










Pretty Girls Rock Dresses Spring/Summer 2011 Challenge.  For more information, contact Dearroka Winfrey on Facebook.

Make it Last Forever and ever......

Denzel Washington's Marriage Secret? "Do What She Tells Me"

 

Growing up I never desired to be married. I didn't play dress up with my sister taking turns being the bride and throwing the bouquet to my stuffed animals. To me marriage consisted of arguments, disappointments and a lot of sad moments based on what I saw in my life. Most of my childhood friends grew up in single parent homes and although I did not, they didn't seem to be that much better off. I think a successful marriage results from true unconditional love between two people. You have to like AND love the person you are with in order to make it work. Getting married when you are too young to even know what you want for yourself can lead to divorce just the same as getting married for the sake of pregnancy and wanting to do the right thing. 

 Now that I am older, 30 years old to be exact and on the road to marriage this summer I view it quite differently. I think this is mainly because I spent time away from my parents in college, living in another state, to grow and learn who Lipstick Diva was. I dated different types of men, from the college 'nerd', the egomaniac, Mr. NYC thugged out, Mr. GQ fashion fiend to the typical dope boy. These experiences taught me what I like and what I don't care so much for. I developed meaningful friendships with both men and women, traveled, lived with a man, lived on my own, purchased my 1st home and even embarked into entrepreneurship in Interior Design. I'm not saying that I've experienced it all but I have done enough in my lifetime to know that I'm ready for marriage and the man I've chosen (because it takes two) is the one for me. 

 

Previously I posted a picture of Kimora and her hubby Dijimon as the ideal marital unit but my hubby to be mentioned his ideal as Denzel and Pauletta. Above you will see Mr. Sex Symbol Denzel before he had those perfect pearly whites and that sexy swag all the ladies go ga ga over now. A devoted family man -- he’s been married for almost 25 years and has four children. Denzel has been diligent in keeping a low profile throughout his acting career, effectively ensuring that neither he nor his loved ones are ever hounded by the paparazzi.With such a public profile his marriage could have easily gone down the tubes like so many others especially because he is a huge success and there are plenty of groupies that would want to give him a taste of their platinum p*ssy. lol I've heard numerous times from articles written by women that they can't fathom why he is with a woman who looks like Pauletta opposed to one that looks like Sanaa Lathan. How can we assume what this man's type is? Maybe he doesn't like light skinned women, maybe Pauletta knows how to throw down in the bedroom and hook it up in the kitchen. Maybe she is his best friend, his ace boon coon and the one who has his back. She most certainly knows him best and has been there way before the bread came rolling in. I'd say that is reason enough to keep her instead of ditching her for a woman that undoubtedly would want him just for the fortune and fame.  They have a history, a genuine history not sugarcoated and fluffed up by savvy writers for the big screen. When I see pictures of them out and about he is chillin, relaxed clothing and they look happy to be in each others presence. 





They have a family together and I'm sure that has created an even tighter bond between the two. 




So without further adu click the link below to hear from Denzel himself on what makes a successful marriage.

 denzel-washingtons-marriage-secret- 







I don't know about you but I want to make it last forever just like them ;0)








Lace Beautes

Both Scarlett and Mila look gorgeous in their lace gowns. 



















The English origin of the word lace owes something to the French lassis or lacis, but both are connected with the earlier Latin laqueus.Early French laces were also called passements; the name applied to ornamental open work formed of threads of flax, cotton, silk, gold or silver, and occasionally of mohair or aloe fiber, looped or plaited or twisted together by hand: (1) with a needle, when the work is distinctively known as needlepoint lace; (2) with bobbins, pins and a pillow or cushion, when the work is known as pillow lace; and (3) by steam-driven machinery, when imitations of both needlepoint and pillow laces are produced. Lace making implies the production of ornament and fabric concurrently. Without a pattern or design the fabric of lace cannot be made. The publication of patterns for needlepoint and pillow laces dates from about the middle of the 16th century. Before that period lace described such articles as cords and narrow braids of plaited and twisted threads, used not only to fasten shoes sleeves and corsets together, but also in a decorative manner to braid the hair, to wind round hats, and to be sewn as trimmings upon costumes.

Halle at the Oscars



She is just darling in this Marchesa organza and silk ruffle gown. 
It kind of reminds me of mine ;0)
I love her interpretation of glamour, she always looks stunning! 




Awaken Your Potential this Spring









Spring is near and it's time to clean out the cobwebs ladies. This is a time when people put away those heavy turtle necks, wool pants and winter coats to make room for the more desired sandals and floral dresses. They take the time to do marathon laundry, dust and polish their wood, clear out the attic, clear the gutters of Fall leaves and even plant some pretty perennials in front of their newly manicured lawns but what about internal spring cleansing? I'm not just talking health wise but moreso your relationship with yourself and others.





In the Spring we should reassess our space, our aura and those in it. We need to create space for the new things we want in our lives as Spring is a time for rebirth, rejuvenation and awakening. We often have so much clutter in our homes, garages and in our auras that there is NO more room for additional occupants. There is no room in our lives for that new car, that new job or that soul mate you desire because there is so much clutter in our lives taking up space and most of these 'things or beings' have NO business being there.





You expect God to bless you with this great man yet you continue holding on to the raggedy ones because you don't want to be alone. Cut him loose and clear out the clutter.





You expect God to bless you with this new job but you don't prepare yourself for it by research and application, instead you come home and jump on Facebook. Adjust your priorities and get to applying for jobs.





You expect God to bless you with abundance and prosperity but you are not grateful for the things that you already own. Donate your time, give away some of your belongings or money to those in need to make room for new things to come.





Be certain that your actions are in direct alignment with the things that you ask for. These are just some principles from the Law of Attraction. What you wish for, what you speak into existence will become your reality. Believe that what you want will be yours. Ask and you shall receive. Now I'm not talking soley material items like your first home or that new Mercedes Benz and I'm most certainly not speaking of coveting thy neighbors possessions (husband or wife) but more like attaining your dreams of success, your dream job, living your best life! In order to do this you have to clear your head of the negativity, those sneaky thoughts saying you can't, won't or shouldn't and replenish your thoughts with positive ones like YES I CAN and I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Ask for your desires, know you are worthy of receiving them and EXPECT them to be delivered.





The Secret is, there really is no secret at all. Believing in yourself is the 1st step....









You either Trust Him or You Don't....

Does going to the strip club count as cheating?


Does communicating with your ex unbeknownst to your spouse count?


Does watching porn count as cheating?


Does getting a happy ending massage count as cheating? lol





http://phoenixmenscounseling.com








The viral age of the internet and social media networking websites has made the lines a bit blurry when it comes to opinions of what constitutes as cheating and this may be giving women even more reasons to worry, as if they didn't have enough before. 


Here in Atlanta the ratio of men to women is like 1:20 or something ridiculous like that. This doesn't make it very easy to be in a relationship, especially with an attractive and desirable man and all the ooglying fem eyes around. It makes it that much harder if the man you are with has a history of cheating, even if only once. Many women will say "If my man ever cheated that would be THE end!" but what if you really put yourself in her shoes? What if this woman is married with children and deeply in love, could you forgive his single act of indiscretion? What if the woman thought they were completely blissful only to find a condom in her partners pocket and it only happened one time? What if the woman found pictorial proof of another female in her man's apartment scantily clad in his boxers but was somehow able to explain it away, would you stay if that were you? How well you value your relationship and how these acts affect your level of trust would determine if you could actually stick through it. 


After indulging in these behaviors, sometimes guys tend to compartmentalize and deny their ramifications. Their minds have a way to compartmentalize those unacceptable behaviors, and push them away. For example, your dating a recent divorcee everything is going great, you are in a monogamous relationship and then find out that he had secret meeting with his ex wife with condom in hand hoping for some action. The man could easily state that nothing ever happened and sweep it under the rug as no big deal because in actuality the condom pack wasn't broken but it is the intention and planned deceit of your partner that delivers the most lethal and heartbreaking blow. We as people use denial as a way to stave off the reality of the effects that it might be having on our life, our relationship or on our significant other.


The hurt, distrust and confusion that cheating, or cheating-like behaviors, cause wives and girlfriends is underestimated by a lot of men. Men don’t think about those effects on their women, and have a hard time developing true empathy for what their wives or girlfriends must be going through. Even if they've forgiven the act of indiscretion is it truly ever forgotten? “How would you feel if your wife did the exact same thing to you?” Behaviors are different from thoughts, and while normal sexual fantasy is left to the minds pleasure, acting on those can cause your relationship a lot of damage. The behaviors are different from the impulses, and this is an important thing to think about when looking at cheating. Sure you see beautiful women all day long and can catch a glimpse of a nice ass or great set of legs but openly accepting another person's flirtation is disrespectful to your partner, especially because YOU know you're committed even when they don't. 


As studies have shown, sex is a major factor in cheating and infidelity, but that's not the only thing that drives men to find another set of panties. It is often just the tip of the iceberg and there is always a crack in the foundation of the relationship leading to this act of deceit. It is very important that the couple communicates their feelings with one another on every level so that if there is something lacking it can be addressed. 






What happens if the act of indiscretion has already occurred, you've found the lipstick on the collar, the condom in the pocket or the lingerie receipt on the dresser but you've decided to work it out. Maybe your guy is very charismatic and convinced you to stay with his endearing words or perhaps you've cheated yourself in the past with someone else and are seeing it as karma. Whatever the reason "How do you truly forgive and forget" to move on?


I can tell you from personal experience that forgiving a cheater and trying to forget is a HUGE feat. You'd think as time passes and the trust is re-earned things will go back to normal but the truth is it never really does. You can consciously give them the benefit of the doubt with a proven track record of being trustworthy for days on end but somehow certain instances will make the thoughts of distrust reappear. In the end, if the relationship is valuable enough to savor and rebuild you can always reassure one another with loads of communication. Going to couple's counseling might also help to avoid arguments, especially in instances of marriage, around the distrust or unwavering thoughts of wonder.


When an instance of cheating has occurred it can reek havoc on a relationship. The trust is broken, tears are shed and in some instances the results can be life changing such as exposure to disease, the birth of a child out of wedlock and sheer embarrassment from other's finding out. It is important for the cheater to take full onus of his or her wrong doings and sincerely apologize for their act. 


For instance, don't say "I just got a little head, it was no big deal! or "She was my ex wife so you should understand! or "It was just sex, I don't love her like I love you?" or "I'm only talking to her online, I never see her in person!"


Instead fully take the blame AND the shame that comes with the territory. Then and only then can the mending and healing truly begin. If the cheater blames their partner somehow for their act of distrust chances are they are not sorry for breaking a vow to be loyal, even if you are just dating loyalty is to be honored. Likewise if the person cheated on can not truly and fully forgive their mates indiscretion then chances are there will be no peace or trust from that point onward. In conclusion, if you don't consider the relationship worthy of resolution then end the affair and keep it moving, keeping in mind that not every man cheats.  ;0)




Front Row Seat



When it comes to relationship and marriage one tends to think of the word soul mate. The picture above of Kimora and her new hubby Dijimon embodies my ideal of a working unit where both people are supportive to the other's interests. Your 'soul mate' is the person that God has deemed as 'the one' for you. You adore them with every morsel of your being and can't fathom living life without them. This person has a front row seat in your life, they live with you, breathe your air, share your meals, split your bills, hold your hands and rub your back. They are your biggest fan and support your hopes, dreams and future endeavors BUT what if you have an unsupportive spouse? The needs of a man and woman are quite different and your mate may not know that he is being unsupportive. While men generally feel like they’re being supportive, it’s the kind of support that they offer that might be falling short for some women. 





If you are in a relationship and you feel as though you have an unsupportive spouse perhaps you need to have a discussion as men can not read your mind. Men for the most part want to support their wives or girlfriends, it is in their DNA. Men need specific directions on how to please and support your needs. Perhaps they need a Lipstick Manual ;0) Men are great at solving your problems and in fact when you're speaking with them they are listening to your thoughts seeking a solution to your problem. 





I personally know the difference between a supportive and unsupportive mate and for sure don't want the latter. Sometimes people can become in competition with one another within their own households and start to resent the other's success. Often times one party will either consciously or unknowingly so nit pick and degrade their partners aspirations and dreams in an effort to make themselves feel better. If a person is unhappy with themselves and confused about where they are going in life, they can not possibly find it within their beings to be happy for you.





Listen to Kimora express her love for her husband Dijimon ;0) 





 





Here are some questions to ask yourself to evaluate the level of support in your relationship and determine if you need or want more:





Does he or she validate me enough? 





Do I often feel uplifted and encouraged by my mate?





When you are validated be sure to thank them in appreciation for their kind remarks or pat on the back, this is called positive reinforcement. 





Make a list of things you would like to be supported in and explain their importance to your spouse. 





If there is a problem with support, admit that this issue exists and make some time to discuss it amiably. 





In a time when you are seeking support and not receiving it ask yourself "What am I needing in this moment?" and express this to your mate.













Hopefully you can implement some of these tactics to get the support you deserve and need in your relationship. 

DE BODA EL 30 DE ABRIL





Hola a todos¡¡¡¡¡ hoy una amiga que se casa el día 30 de abril y que desde Villarrazo Madrid le estamos ayudando un poquito, me preguntaba si un familiar podría ir vestida de negro, o por el contrario no es muy apropiado acudir a una boda vestida de negro.

Pues bien .... mi consejo ha sido sustituir el color negro (que es más para otro tipo de eventos) por el color azul marino, que tanto me gusta y que sin lugar a dudas es un color muy elegante. Obviamente si el vestido encima es sencillo GENIAL¡¡¡¡¡¡ porque podremos jugar con el tocado y complementos. Si se decide por un vestido con estampado ya sabéis que tendremos que tener mucho cuidado con los complementos .... sino podremos parecer un catálogo.
Vamos a ver diferentes opciones:


El vestido que vemos en la foto de arriba, sin lugar a dudas es un básico de fondo de armario muy socorrido, es obvio que con un buen taconazo en beige a ser posible de charol (como los Gucci que os enseñe de New York), una buena cartera y un tocado original para darle un total look digno de quién lo lleva o incluso un sombrero en la gama de los zapatos, este que me he comprado en Los Tocados de Marieta me vuelve loca y es el que me pondré (yo también estoy invitada) ... ya os enseñaré las fotos.



Los zapatos son de Jimmy Choo que no me pueden gustar más.


Por supuesto un bolero de pelo o un buen chal de seda o gasa, bien ancho y largo que incluso podamos anudar a los brazos nos va a dar el resultado que buscamos.

Como el de abajo de la firma Flamenco, pero en la gama de colores que decidamos, no mezclemos colorinchis.



En la foto de abajo tenemos un diseño maravilloso de Miguel Marinero un genio de la peletería. Mirar la combinación de marrón y fucsia que espectáculo.



La cartera de mano .... tenemos muchas opciones depende de como sea nuestro tocado o sombrero, elegiremos el bolso. Aquí van varias opciones




Esta otra opción también me gusta mucho, aunque dependiendo de la altura, este bajo te puede favorecer tanto como a la modelo o ..... te puede hundir en la miseria..... cuidado¡¡¡¡



yo particularmente con este look me haría un peinado por ejemplo "al agua" depende si os favorece o no . Muchas veces el peinado puede ser tan importante como llevar un buen tocado. Con este diseño lo mejor es un buen zapato, buena cartera, unos guantes cortitos de un color que le de el punto que queremos realzar y un buen peinado ... también el moño (como el del reportaje de Marta Hazas que me encantó).
Podemos aplicar el ejemplo anterior en cuanto a los complementos. Ah¡¡¡¡ y unos buenos pendientes, nosotros en los reportajes muchas veces ponemos pendientes que prácticamente no se aprecian en la foto pero nos dan tanta luz al rostro que es increíble el cambio cuando no los pones y cuando los pones.
El azul marino con los marrones, fucsias, rojos, dorados, plateados, incluso con algún verde chillón van de maravilla. Jamás con los negros.

Y para las más atrevidas, un buen pantalón corte masculino, de talle alto con una buena caída, una blusa en seda ... si el pantalón es azul marino le podemos meter una blusa en fucsia, nude, incluso en blanco roto y una pamela como el ejemplo que pudimos ver en el desfile de la nueva colección de CH que fue todo un espectáculo. Este look de la foto de abajo es mi preferido para la opción que recomendaría al familiar de mi amiga. Un buen zapato con plataforma y LA PAMELA DE LA FOTO. Una cartera de mano y éxito seguro.


Mirar una buena pamela (una que sea original diferente, como esta) lo mucho que puede hacer a nuestro look, es el punto y final al look perfecto para la ocasión.

Favorite looks of February