Leather/Pleather in clothing, makes a comeback every few years or so.  It was big during the warmer months (go figure) and is still on trend going into the Fall 2013 season.  I live for Zara sales and couldn't resist the few (pl)eather pieces they had left, so I splurged a little for my birthday.  Trying to put together oufits in my head.

 

Happy Friday guys!  Today is me and my baby's birthday!  Her FIRST birthday. While we're out celebrating, have fun viewing recap of my first year of motherhood.  It's been such a BLESSED journey.  My video is quite long, so I'm done writing.  Have a GODLY and GLAMOROUS day!.

Recently, I attended a business seminar sponsored by the Urban League. I went for business advice, but instead was met by a very enthusiastic motivational speaker.  It was cool though.  The one thing that I do remember from the half hour, was his statement, "Chase Your Joy."  Now you may think he was speaking generally.  He was actually speaking in terms of finding a new job. He said that we should not just be looking for a new job (while job searching), but we should be looking for what will make us happy and chase that instead.  At the end of July, my job as an Administrative Assistant at a well-known chemical company, ended. While at the job, I was not happy.  It was not what I wanted to do and I knew I was meant for more.  Everything happens for a reason.  I am now home with my daughter, until I find a new job Joy.  I don't have any experience in the field that I would like to go into, but somehow, some way, I'm going to Make It Happen (remember my post from earlier this year).  Also, since being home, I've sarted researching Master's programs. I was this close to actually taking classes this semester, but I felt I was rushing so will take a little more time to research and prayerfully be in university come January! My future degree will take me further into my dream joy/career. I am confident that I will find a new Joy soon!  Once I do, you'll be the first to know.

Have you figured out a way to get great abs, while dancing and OFF the floor?  I have, after finding this young lady's videos.  The video is fun and will get your heart pumping.  C'mon. We all do the little booty dance in the mirror when practicing for the club or our significant other.  Now let's do it to tone up. 

OAN (on another note):  There are no words for her body!

I just learned that embedding is disabled for the video.   Click here to view..

My name is Marsha Gauntlett-Kirby and I'm addicted to accessories.  Ummm, I'm also addicted to shoes, make-up, clothes...the list goes on. This past weekend, I did damage in my local Macy's as well as picked up a few items while in New York.  The items are fabulous and very pocket-friendly.  The total for the three items from Macy's (first three pics) was only $25 (with the use of a coupon).

If you haven't been living uner a fashion rock, then I'm sure you've heard the news of Target's newest collaboration with Phillip Lim.  This collection is particularly sparking my interest due to the addition of handbags, clutches and totes that will also be launching.  I DIE FOR HANDBAGS!

Truth be told, I've never been able to grab anything from these special collections and this time may be no different (last fall's collab with Prabal Gurung, someone was 9 months pregnant and couldn't fit a darn thing).  The launch is on September 15th and I'll be in NYC celebrating my 10th anniversary.  I know you're saying just go to the nearest Tarjay?!  Not a good look on such an important occasion.  However, my birthday is exactly a week before, so maybe I can still use that excuse...lol

Here are a few pieces that I'm feeling.

Here's a recent BrownFace TV video on my initial reaction and response to my new Curlkit subscription. I'm very pleased with my boxes and love the sizes of the products that come within. I do think these boxes will lead one further down the product junkie road! My intention is to give the subscription about 6 months. I love trying new things, but as I stated in the video, I pretty much know what products and lines work well with my hair.  Mama can no longer afford a 'product' habit.  She got formula to buy.

I'm happy to report that I am at my pre-baby weight!  Actually, I'm a little less.  Currently at 160 pounds, which puts me between a 6 and 8 depending on cut.  My ultimate goal of course, would be to get down to 150 and lose this little baby pouch I got going on in the mid-section.  My tenth anniversary is coming up and I bought my outfit last year while I was pregnant (talk about OPTIMISM).  I still haven't tried it on yet, but that's because I want to make sure I'm at the right size. Anywho, while in the gym working on my anniversary body and catching up on my youtube subscriptions, I came across these two vids that make me want to amp it up a bit (especially my diet).  The first video concentrates more on excercise and the latter more on eating (which is what needs a bit of help).  The exercise vid is mostly what I was doing before having my surgery.  I'm back at it again and saw some new moves that I will incorporate in my routine.  For Shameless Mayas video:I'm not saying that you should eat exactly like her, but I personally found some things in her fridge and pantry that I've been meaning to try.  The one thing I noticed is that you hardly saw any hardcore carbs in her kitchen. I think her video is great for those who don't like to hit the gym.  Please note that diet and excercise do go hand in hand.

As a PCOS'er, carbs are to be limited in my diet, but it is SO hard.  I am hypo-glycemic and carbs sustain me. The thing is to eat the RIGHT type of carbs (if it's white, it aint right). I've also been trying to limit the amount I ingest. Again, starting August 1st, I'm going to take it up a notch.

My heart and mind was really set on composing more posts for this blog, but the last few months have been a bit rough.  Let me still say I am BLESSED, but honestly the events of the past months had me wanting to hide under a rock and stay there forever.  I've had an ovary removed, my baby got sick and wasn't eating, I refinanced my home to lower my mortgage and had to pull the down payment out of the clouds and I'm leaving my job at the end of the month due to irreconcilable differences and to raise my daughter. Oh, last Wednesday, my husband ALSO had surgery on a delicate area of the body (spine).  I mean c'mmmmmon! You know what though...I'm still alive! Still in my right mind! Still praising God for the good and the not-so-good. I declare that the second half of this year will be twenty times better than the first. I claim profound favor from this day forward in every aspect of my life! I'm preparing to walk into my PURPOSE!

Rihanna is launching her second collection with MAC TODAY at 12 noon!  I must say that MAC did a great job of keeping this one a secret.  I've been digging and digging for a release date and just found out, late last week.  My head had been in the Motherhood clouds for the longest and can you imagine that I found out like the day after about the first launch...smh.  Some beauty blogger, hunh?  Anywho, I have errands to run tomorrow, but I will be waiting by the computer before those errands are complete.  If I can get my hands on RiRi Woo, that would be nice, but I think what I really want is RiRi Heaux.  Pray that I can get SOMETHING! If I do, I will be sure to bring you updates and swatches.

Someone went and had herself a little surgery (will reveal more at a later date).  Taking it easy this first week post-op.  Will resume posts shortly. See ya soon!

For the past couple of months, I've been wanting to color my hair.  Whenever I'm going thru creative drama, I take it out on myself externally (e.g. wanting a piercing, cutting or coloring my hair, wanting a tattoo).  What is that about?  I've been thinking about what color I may want for months now and still couldn't decide between red, auburn, blonde, highlights and of course leaving it the natural black that it is.  Below are a few colors that I like.  Keep in mind that although I'm creative, I work in a condervative environment, so some colors wont do.

Any plans to color for the Spring/Summer season?  What color are you going with?

I was planning on updating my FabFit Challenge stats at the end of April.  Today is good though, because I had to go get weighed at my doctor's office.  So, I didn't make my personal goal for the month.  I really wanted to be a certain weight by Mother's Day (my first one - muey EXCITED), but I did lose a few pounds.  I'm going to have to SQUEEZE into my MDO (Mother's Day Outfit). Here goes...


Stats:

Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 165lbs
March's Weight: 170lbs
Current Weight: 167lbs 
Short-term Goal Weight: 160lbs
Long-term Goal Weight: 155lbs

My weight is coming off surely, but quite slowly.  I've cut back quite a bit, but can take it up a notch with lowering the amount of breads/cereals I eat. I try to get to the gym at least four times a week, although last week was a bust due to our first family vacation.  This week was a bust because I'm dealing with a health issue (urgh).  Hopefully, I can resume soon.