FBFF: If You're A Fly Gal, Then Get Your Nails Done...

Hello ladies....I'm soooo excited to be the host of today's FBFF Manicure Party.  This weekly forum, initiated by Katy from ModlyChic, brings hundreds of bloggers together via a link system in order to share ideas and opinions about all things Fashion and Beauty (and sometimes blog) related.  If you would like to join or learn more about the group, click here.

Lately, I've noticed that I've become increasingly obsessed with all things 'nail related'. I've always felt as if biweekly manicures and pedicures were an added expense so about a year ago, I began to purchase things that I could use at home to do my own manis. My polish collection is growing larger and larger by the day but by no means does it compare to this collection, which has well over 300 shades of pretty.

Keep in mind that I hadn't toyed with the idea of creating my own nail designs until about two weeks ago when I came up with the idea to host this party. They are in nooooo way picture perfect but it saved me $20 and a 2 hour trip to the nail shop.

Here are the colors that I used:

Revlon 800-PowderPuff/Yellow/IntensePink/BabyPink/BrightOrange

The Revlon was purchased on clearance from Farm Fresh (I got this on 'Double Coupon Wednesday' so it ended up being FREE after the coupon) and the Nail Art colors were purchased from the Dollar Tree.

1. Begin by painting your nails with 2 coats of a white base.

Base Coat-Revlon 800-Powder Puff

 2. Paint each nail with one strip of your choice of Nail Art Laquer-you may use as many color choices as you like (these were purchased from the Dollar Store and they have tons of colors).

Clockwise from Top Left-Bright Orange/Intense Pink/Yellow/Baby Pink

3. Finish your nails off with a top coat and viola!



Finished Nails

 If you could create a name for this mani, what would you call it?

Now it's your turn.

Would you all participate if this were a monthly event?

Post Title from: Work It by Missy Elliott

FBFF: Just Throw It in the Bag...

I have an obsession...with shoes...with clothes...and with purses! I need the big ones too. The ones that you stuff all of your junk into and  then struggle when you get to the cash register at your favorite store to look for the loose change that has found it's way to the tiniest crack at the bottom of the purse. I like clutches too. However, they are oftentimes not big enough to fit everything that I would like them to. They definitely fall into the 'statement pieces' category. They are like an addition to your outfit and I definitely don't wear them as a regular outfit piece. I like to carry too much junk around-just in case I may need something. What about the vintage ones? I've never really been into Coach much but I love the hell out of a classic Dooney and Bourke. There's just something about them that's timeless. The new age ones are too fancy for me. Some things are just better with simplicity.

Marie-Eve over at APrettyNest asked to take a look into my bag on Friday. Actually a ton of us got together over here to share exactly what we had in our bags this weekend.

So here's my favorite vintage Dooney and Bourke

Thrifted Dooney and Bourke



And this is a general idea of what I carry in it

Just general stuff-comb, iPhone, the mini Crown Royal bag that doubles as a change purse, lotion, sanitizer, lip stuff (I love lip stuff), gum, petty cash, ID, fragrance oil, and my blog journal. I carry these items everywhere, no matter the size of the purse. These are my essentials.

What's your favorite type of bag?

And what do you carry in your bag?

You can link up and share 'what's in your bag' here.

Post Title from: Throw it in the Bag by Fabolous

BDIB & FBFF: Can You Handle Me the Way I'm Are?

When I first began blogging, I noticed that I bookmarked everything as a favorite and followed everybody-maybe because I liked someone's outfit or they made a cute craft. Now, as I go through my favorites 7 months later, alot of things have been deleted. I now focus on content and would much rather follow those who share the same passion of thriftiness with me. Those who have a knack for being frugal and can turn one man's junk into their own personal treasures. I admire those who always have something great to talk about (rather than just rambling on about where their 'fit is from), those who are personable, and definitely, absolutely, positively those who communicate and collaborate with their readers.

Katy from ModlyChic wants to talk about labels today for FBFF. So I am fine with divulging that I'm a thrifty chic. Cheap-nah, frugal-hells to the yeah. But never a tightwad because I love giving to good causes. I wear that label, comfortably so. I love shopping for less and seeing the quantity of things that can be purchased for minimal dollars. Being thrifty is a way of life for me because I've never had access to an overwhelmingly large income. I've always had to make do with the little that I do have. Don't get it twisted though-one would think that I was extremely well off, in fact lots of my friends think that I'm really wealthy, but not by a long shot-I just like really nice things and have strategically learned how and when to shop for them at the lowest prices.

Tank-Donated/Maxi-NY&Co/Vest-WetSeal/Belt&Wedges-Thrifted

I wholeheartedly believe in taking advantage of the things that you have-make those things yours by adding your own flair. For instance-this makeshift colorblocked maxi (my version of today's BDIB-maxi edition) dress was created from a super long (redline clearance) maxi skirt and a (trashed) NY&Co nightie (yes, I said trashed because my auntie had this baby in a bag full of stuff to give away and I gladly accepted it) Cinch a thrifted belt at the waist and voila!

SIDENOTE AND UPDATE:
 I'm participating in an all new 21 Day Challenge hosted by Kayla from FrecklesInApril.  In this challenge, Kayla will give a daily outfit prompt that we must follow. We will blog about each prompt and that will earn us a specific number of points towards some kick ass prizes. The first prompt was to pick one item and remix it 3 times over the course of the challenge so I picked this cutesy denim vest that you see pictured above. You can learn more about the challenge here.

21 Day Challenge-Day 1

Thrifted Belt

I'm encouraged to label myself as this 'type'of 'thrifty blogger' because it's real. That's who I am. No need to create a blog and fabricate me (although some of us do live double lives). In blog and in person, I'm super frugalicious! My mom is always amazed by the amounts of money that I save. My babe has even caught on so now when we go out he always asks me if I have a coupon for anything in particular. Ohhhh and he loooves sending me on grocery shopping missions because he knows that we can eat for weeks off of 20 beans! In fact there are very few things that I will spend lots of money on-I turn my back on full priced-ness!

I will spend lots of my time on things though. On things like reading blogs. I get lots of inspiration from you gals. I get super excited when I find new lovelies to stalk and follow-especially when I find out that they value thriftiness as much as I do. I like being able to relate. Like my buddy Shana at ColorBlind-I'm in love and probably a little too obsessed with her blog, her style, and just her as a person even though I've never ever met her. I feel like I've known her for years because she expresses so much of her personality through this tiny little computer screen. So yeah, that's a good example of something I like to read. I do however, scour some not so relatable blogs-if only to look at their overly expensive outfits and great pics-but rarely do I comment or visit them everyday. All of their comments consist of various ways to say 'your outfit is fly' so why would I add to the monotony? Hell I'm almost certain that they won't return the visit anyway!!! Besides, my whole outfit only cost only a fraction of what they paid for their pinky toenail polish so what could they possibly have to say to me. Like really, who am I kidding!?

Do I find any benefits in labeling myself? Well I attract more people whom are interested in frugality. Great minds think alike and can appreciate that I recklessly swerve in my car when I see a trashed treasure on the side of the street, that I force people into letting me check out their junk before it becomes trash, or even that a majority of my closet is thrifted. And just because I use the terms trash, junk, and/or thrifted that doesn't mean that my things look grungy. See:

Thrifted Wedges

Sometimes labels can ring true, sometimes not! When people first meet me they think I'm a bit of a snob. And I agree. I'm a diva upon first encounter. Many people even think I'm a bitch when they initially meet me. Again, I agree. I'm short, blunt, and standoffish-until you get to really know the real me. The witty, down to earth thrifter who just wants to make you laugh and shower you with bear hugs and compliments. I agree that we don't need labels but it's the way of the world. It's just like a stereotype-oftentimes they are placed on us by others who in fact have not a clue the type of person we really are. I say the only way to really get to know a person is to live with them. You will 9 times out of 10 be surprised by who a person really is.

What about you, what type of person have you been labeled as-by yourself and/or others?

Wanna know how some of your other blogger friends feel about labeling-visit FBFF. Or maybe you need some new inspiration so that you can rock your new maxi in style. Go to PrettyShinySparklys BDIB page.

Ciao!

Post Title From: The Way I Are by Timbaland

Linked Up to:

Bloggers Do It Better

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

FBFF: You, You Make Me Better

I'm a movement by myself. But there are a number things that I find inspiration in.

Why do we need inspiration to just...well, be ourselves? For me, that answer can be stated without reservation, contemplation, or even so much as a second guess. My inspirations are the very things that urge me to push the envelope and take things to the next level. It could be as simple as a homeless person asking me for some spare change that has inspired me to sponsor my very own food drive each year during the holidays. Or it could be as complex as my best friend and I conversing about our love of thrifting which inspired me to create this very blog 6 months ago.

Up until 6 months ago, I was a generally a very reserved, super private type of person.

Blogging has definitely changed all of that.

Over the past 6 months, I've evolved-not only fashionably but also personally. I've learned to  better appreciate the opinions and  tastes of others. I've taken more chances with fashion and I've definitely shopped more than I've ever shopped in my ENTIRE existence. 

Let's discuss this more with a few question from Katy of ModlyChic (you can link up to her page to see what everyone else thinks too).

Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping? Definitely so. I now lean more towards thrifted, inexpensive items. Vintage pieces that won't ever be seen worn by anyone else. Pieces that can be easily remixed and layered. Pieces that are gorgeous enough for me to keep for a while but inexpensive enough for me to be fine parting with.

**FUN FACT #1: I never knew much about thrifting until I first began reading blogs. Now it's a never ending obsessive hobby of mine.

Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that? I've always dressed differently from my family and friends. Most of my family is very conservative and particular. Blues with blues, reds with reds, so on and so forth. I'm the edgy one, the one who rebels against all fashion rules, the one who mixes patterns, and never matches my colors.

**FUN FACT #2: My friends like to shop my closet when we go out but I secretly hate lending my things out. (It's no longer a secret now, is it?)

What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it? Pink, coral, red. BRIGHT LIPS. I'm black. My lips are full. I don't want to look like a clown. That's all!

**FUN FACT #3: Part of the reason I don't do red lips is because my beau hates it! Does it even matter what he likes!?

Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do? Socks...With sandals. I just purchased some black sparkly anklets from Gap and I'm sure that they will sit in my closet for the all of 8 more months before I get the courage to pull them out.

SOURCE

**FUN FACT #4: I still subconsciously care what people think of me when they see me? Do you?

Toot someone’s horn – which fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices? I absolutely love IAmKhatu. She's AH-DOOR-AH-BAL...and FLYYYY!!!

        

(all images from IAmKhatu)

FUN FACT #5-The very first blogs I read were KarlasCloset and TheDaybook

What does inspiration mean to you and from where do you gain yours?

Post Title from: Make Me Better by Fabolous ft. NeYo

Linked up to:

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

FBFF: I Wanted to Make Something Sweet...

If you've read my 'Bout My Blog' page, then you would know that Fridays are totally RANDOM.

With that being said, I'm doing something different today. Katy from ModlyChic suggested that we share one of our favorite recipes for this week's entry in FBFF.

I'm goin' in....

I love food.

Wait, lemee get this straight. I love well prepared food.

My grandmother makes thee best homemade Sweet Potato Pies-they are soooo good that my aunt and uncles fight over them during Christmas. Mom is a beast in the kitchen-she makes the greatest beef stew when it's cold out. My Auntie makes a banana pudding that is to die for, you hear me! Annnd my Sisah makes some mean fried chicken-she's the designated 'chicken bringer' when the family has holiday potlucks.

That only means one thing.....

You guessed it! I, too, am a mastermind in the kitchen. I like take traditional dishes like spaghetti and add my own flair. I like to marinate my meats with impromptu creations-a dash of Apple Pucker Liqueur here and freshly squeezed orange juice there.

Over the years, I've taken notice that I'm a 'sweet' cook. And I'm not tooting my own horn, it's true.

I like to add sugar, flavored juices, and vanilla extract to any and everything.  

I especially like different kinds of desserts and delectables. It's a wonder how I'm so slim considering how many sweets I eat.

My favorite recipe of all times was introduced to me by my Auntie (yes, the one who makes the banana pudding) by way of Paula Deen (I guess she has a thing for sweets too).

Introducing....dundundadah ----> DRUMROLL

The Gooey Butter Cake.

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE

It tastes like heaven. It's really sweet and extremely rich so please pace yourself.

Above all else, it's the most inexpensive and conveniently accessible dessert you can think of.  It fits perfectly with the mission of my blog-to be THRIFTY!

GENERAL HEALTH WARNING: If you are trying to adhere to a diet-DO NOT-I repeat-DO NOT try this at home!! There are at least 1,000 calories in one serving!

Here's what you need:

Cake:
1 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix (for some fun variation, you may use any flavor cake mix you like-Mmmm strawberry)
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 16-ounce box powdered sugar

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer.  Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.  Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat together. 

Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well.  Spread over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.  Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.

Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy

HOW GOOD DOES THAT SOUND?

I can't wait to link up to FBFF and see what everyone else is making!

Post Title from: Make Something Good by Laura Viers