Welcome Friday

 

Well Hello There -

I feel like since I am helping to celebrate Nicole Pharr's Blogiversary, I have gained a bunch of new people that have never been here before - so I would like to introduce myself and welcome all the new readers. So please, don't be a stranger and say hey from time to time.

 

What do I Blog about here?

Simply put - My Life.

I don't have a particular subject or niche, I write it about it all.. after all this is my life, therefore my blog. There could be so many things that happen from day to day or week to week over here.

 

See over there under my picture - it kind of gives you the run down on just SOME of the things that I am into and may write about. For a little bit more information about me, click the ABOUT tab (and all the other tabs for that matter)

 

Just some quick fun facts!

I am a Baltimore Ravens fan!

I am a die-hard fan and not a bandwagon fan because they won the Super Bowl last year. I am a Baltimore girl although I am now residing in the DC Metro area (The DMV as we call it - DC, MD and VA) and I have been a fan since the Cleveland Browns came to Baltimore and were named The Ravens.

 

 

But don't get it twisted - I am not a sore loser or an aggressive fan. I am just a lover of Football and that's my team.

 

I talk about this guy here a lot - his name is Amos. Don't worry he doesn't bite - unless...

well... that's not for here but he is my husband. We are still newlyweds in my book. Been married now 2 years and about 9 months. We are building our lives together creating our own rules as we go along. 

 

I am a Freelance Make Up Artist and I love what I do - I truly love to paint faces and try new products. When I get the chance, I share tips and a few looks on this here Blog:

One thing I am trying to work on is how to capture on camera a false lash tutorial. Usually I take all my pics but it helps to put your lashes on with both hands ...

 

I have a part-time pet named Arista. We call her part-time because she is my sisters Dog who lives in NYC but from time to time she may spend time with my parents in Texas and she lived with my husband and I here for about 18 months.

 

And yes she has her own IG page thanks to my sister.

 

Well, click through the Archives or popular posts-- put your feet up and relax a while.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you enjoyed yourselves - refreshments are in the back.

 

 

I'm too upset

 

 

It is so hard to write my weekend wrap up post because there is so much going in the world and in my life that I can't even believe it.

 

Between being bothered by some crazy person on Facebook who wants to impersonate my mother... to waking up and listening to the play by play of this Manhunt for the Boston Bombers and all the drama that it entails: the fear for the residents of Watertown and just being thankful that the people I knew that were in Boston are not at this time, to today being so gray and gloomy as well as the day where my coworker who passed away last week's funeral being today... its just a lot.

 

Add to that some traumatic news I received on my way to work involving my Best Friend.

Its so deep that I couldn't even type the story right now without crying or being upset.

So I literally have to just calm down and remember all things work together for the good of them who truly love the Lord.

 

I had to pray for peace and peace of mind today.

God knows I would've loved to take matters into my own hands but luckily he'll be the judge and jury on this one.

 

I will say I am thankful that my best friend is alive and ok.

 

Dear God, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

 

... the only Friday letter I have for today.

 

Hope you have a better weekend.

 

 

Life is Filled with Swift Transitions

 

Today, Thank God it's Friday.

Be thankful that you are here to see this Friday.

 

I got to work and found out that two coworkers did not make it to see this Friday. One of my coworkers actually passed away in the building last night a meeting while presenting information on how we partner with the community. He had a heart attack.

He passed away doing what he loved to do.

He wouldn't retire last year like he was supposed to and was waiting until this December to do so.

 

So Today, Thank God it's Friday.

There will come a time where you won't see one.

 

 

Dear Hubby, I love you more then you know. Here's to the best days being ahead of us and not behind us. God continues to open doors for your music to be heard across the nations. He continues to open doors for our family. I celebrate with you on your success. As well as thanks for being the driving force behind us getting more healthy. You have helped me cure my caffeine fix needs with these green smoothies and healthier eating.

 

Dear Mom and Dad, Can't wait to see you soon. Although soon for us is always weeks away. Get some rest while you can.

 

Dear Sister, OMG you and these animated GIFs have me dying laughing. There's one for every occasion apparently.

 

Dear Brother, I owe you a trip to an Orioles game. Let's do that.

 

Dear Readers, Do something that makes you happy today. Don't put off anything that will make you smile.

 

 

Friday's Letters ~ Thank You Notes

Well when I saw that flash across my phone for some reason I was SO happy for Jimmy Fallon. Clearly it was being hinted to for weeks but something about the fact that it is now official is exciting. Don't get me wrong, I like Jay Leno - I used to stay up and watch at least his monologue before I went to sleep but if I was really feeling risqué I would stay up and watch Jimmy. I like Jay, but I LOVE Jimmy Fallon. He is freakin hilarious!

I really hope that he doesn't go away from his format just because its "The Tonight Show". I am really hoping that he keeps all of his Late Night antics... one in particular: Thank You Notes.

In honor of Jimmy getting the big promotion, I bring to you my Friday Letters Thank You Notes.

 

Thank You:

Husband

For being a morning person when I am definitely a grump in the morning. Your annoying cheer really gets me going in the morning and then you fall right back asleep. Perhaps you can give me at least one more hour please.

 

Thank You:

BMW

For creating this buggy fit for the spawn of Duchess Kate as an April Fools Joke. Now I seriously want one and you don't make them. Thanks. 

 

Thank You:

Cherry Blossoms from Japan.

You are the gift that keeps on giving in Washington, D.C. and my allergies truly thank you.

 

Thank You:

E.J. Johnson, son of Magic Johnson,

for thinking that you had to "come out".

You were very convincing as a heterosexual male. (read: sarcasm ).  

via

 

Thank You:

Kim Kardashian

For bursting the bubble that every celeb is not cute preggers. Please for the love of God do not come out with a maternity line because I fear that it would truly be a waste.

 

via

 Thank You:

Early Morning Sunlight

For always being the best filter for Instagram! It does the best job covering up how huge the bags under my eyes really are.

 

Hope you have a great weekend!

We have house guests, so I am sure we will make it a fun weekend.

 

 

 

 

Friday? Really?

I think because of the whirlwind I have been in this month with having an event to go to every weekend, I have been really in need of a day where I am not doing a single thing!

Today is THAT day. 

I had a great idea that I would like to clean and do some things around the house, but I am literally enjoying the slow pace of this day. 

Its like quiet time to not have my husband task me with things while he is at work. 

Trust me. He tried it but thankfully, I am feeling really tired and defiant right about now.

So, last night was the first run through of the Easter Production. 

Needless to say that also contributed to my exhaustion. 

We were like a non-stop train of make up once the call time for the cast began. 

The last show is Sunday night so I can do a recap on Monday.

I really think I need some Flintstone Vitamins or something. 

There simply is not enough energy for me to last throughout even a chill day to do anything I want to do. So perhaps that will be the one thing I go do today. 

Either who, 

Dear Hubby, you played so wonderfully last night. And boy were you nervous beforehand but like I told you - you did awesome. You got the ultimate compliment - compliments from the composer himself, Richard Smallwood. 

Dear Body, I think we can benefit from that Up bracelet from Jawbone - lets see if we can convince Amos to get us one of those - I would like to be more conscious of things I can do to get healthy. 

Dear Life, when you slow down, I can get to the grocery store and try some more fun recipes. 

Dear House, Its Spring Cleaning time! Apparently on the day that I was supposed to have off (Monday) my husband would like to plant flowers and seed the grass. Exactly why it may not always be a good thing that you are off on the same day of the week and another reason why I surprised him by taking a day off on a day that he had to work. 

Dear Rachel Ray, Don't you want to just gift me your entire line of products? I'm just saying, I have a nice lovely bright kitchen that you can come add all those colorful products (can you tell thats what I am watching right now?)

Dear Mommy and Daddy, Can't wait to see you Sunday! YAY!

And now... to take full advantage of this day. 

Have a great weekend everybody.

Temptation Friday

Last week, in my Friday's Letters, I wrote something so quickly and continued to pray on it later.

I am beginning to realize that my Friday's Letters are much like prayers because sometimes I put things out there in the atmosphere through my writing, doesn't have to be much to them, and yet God continues to open doors.

First, I posted about wanting to either have my own cosmetic line or become a beauty advisor and distribute a cosmetic line - that my friends is coming true as we speak!

When I wrote in my Friday Crazies Post a letter to Tyler Perry, I meant that thing. Now, I get to tell you a little bit more about what I meant.

First before I get into it - let me just say, I was going to support this film because one of my friends from college, Lance Gross is in it - and I am so proud of how far he has gotten since college and how much Tyler Perry believes in him to continue to give him starring roles.

Between friends I know being in movies and my husbands friends producing music for movies like Confessions of a Shopaholic and the like - we must support to create more opportunites. Another reason why I love movies!

So, please support - if anything, do it for me! The more we support, the more opportunites we get to see our friends and family hit the big screen - I'm just sayin'.

So-

Last Friday we Amos received an invitation inviting him and a guest to a private screening of Tyler Perry's next film to release, Temptation. Sounded like a fun thing to do. As we read the email together at 6am and all kinds of confused, we see that it is in Atlanta - we don't live in Atlanta. Well then we kept scrolling through the email and it says, I would love for you to join me and we can discuss the film afterwards signed, Tyler.

I'm sorry, WHAT?! Tyler is inviting us to Atlanta? How are we going to get there?

Mind you, we have never met him, don't know him and just honored that the invitation has come as a result of connections that he has made in music.

So, time passes through the day, and I text my husband and said "find out if this is real. It really seems like Spam." Of course other questions go through my mind like, who is paying for these flights for this random trip that is supposed to happen in less then 10 days notice?

As he makes the necessary follow up phone calls and emails, turns out that yes indeed - the invitation is legitimate and they are paying all the expenses - thank you Jesus.

Then to sweeten the deal, after we go to the movies to see 21 & over the other night, we leave and Amos says "oh yeah by the way, after the screening we were invited to Tyler Perry's home for a reception following the screening"

Well catch me while I faint in panic! WHAT?!

So as you can imagine over the last week - I have been getting my hair done and emailing and sending picture texts of every outfit I own to my sister in NYC so that she can style me for this thing. She does this on the regular for her job so she has been a great help.

So I can't wait until my weekend recap because I will be recapping my trip among other things.

So now, my letters:

Dear Hubby, I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU- praying that your song is the next single, praying that you get this placement on that Christmas album. Hope that the music for the Easter Production turns out so wonderful. Only you can recreate songs that are fully recorded by a band note for note- your like a one man orchestra. LOL. Here's to a great weekend! Oh BTW, thanks for telling me it was cocktail attire THIS MORNING! when I had been trying on outfits for days and have been asking you for several, what does the attire say?... you in your own fashion this morning said so innocently as I was getting dressed "What's cocktail attire?" I knew then that you were reading the confirmation email without even looking and I could've hit you ( I think I did hit you with my badge one good time) but all I could do is laugh.

Dear Tamar and Vince, been rooting for you since this post - congrats on the pregnancy. I know that you waited until you were in your third trimester to tell the world and thats fine. We knew it all along anyways.

Dear Jessica Simpson, you had no one fooled - I do not believe that you accidentally slipped and told everyone you were having a boy. I watched you on two shows that day and on both shows you happened to slip. First on Ellen receiving only the boy gifts she gave you then oops you said it on Jimmy Kimmel.

Dear Baltimore Ravens, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? its like we win a Super Bowl then there is a Mass Exodus of our players! See what you did Joe!? You better be worth your weight in Gold.

Dear Sean Lowe, really?! you are doing the most - have several seats. You have been on ABC for two years straight. Next thing you know, you'll be a co-anchor on Good Morning America or something. I wonder if Catherine even knew what she was getting herself into.

Dear Pope Francis, welcome. Not that I am Catholic or anything but you were fun to watch come from behind the red curtain - like the end of the Wizard of Oz.

Dear Hair Company, thank you for your interest in me - I know I change my looks often and could do your product some good promo. Let me see - perhaps this will be my next venture.

Dear God, You are AMAZING! Keep doing what you are doing - I am throwing myself out there to the universe so that wherever I may land is what you have for me.

Dear Followers/ Readers, slow and steady you have come to see about me. Lets hit that GFC 200 mark so that I can begin to pour out some of these residual blessings! Thanks Cece, I really don't know what the point of clicking follow will be since they are getting rid of reader. UGH!

 

Dear Blog Friends, Thanks so much for your prayers for my family. It was really appreaciated. It was definitely more emotional then I bargained for due to family traditions so your prayers and emails definitely helped distract while I was away.

Dear Faith, YOU ARE AMAZING! To write such a sweet thing -" And there are some people who souls just make you want to be a better person. That's how I feel when I read Adrienne, Maria, Kasey and Jasmine's blogs. Maybe it's the thoughtful comments they leave on my blog that leave me feeling this way but they shine and not everyone can do that via the Internet." I am so touched forreal. I said it a few posts back that I was going to talk about some of my favorite bloggers - trust you already know that you are in the number. We still must eat Sushi together!

Dear Google, I am sick of your changes! How in the world are you going to get rid of Google Reader?! How am I supposed to read all of my faves really quickly and easily. Thanks for nothing!

Make sure that you follow me on Bloglovin' so that you can keep reading through one of my favorite readers, and the mobile app is also nice! You can do so at www.bloglovin.com/hellogmsunshine

Have a great weekend!

The Friday Crazies

So if you will allow me to give you a dose of my weirdness -

• I HAVE to sleep on a certain side of the bed or else I feel completely claustrophobic.

• I also think about distance to safe places in case someone ever breaks into harm us and methods of escape, which are all factors into which side of the bed I sleep on (sorry boo.)

• I work in law enforcement yet I do not like guns. Well, its not that I do not like them - its just that I am from a city that if you draw a weapon you better use it because more then likely they have one and will. You can't cry wolf with a gun in Baltimore and you most certainly can not play chicken on bullets - so I try not to be around them. Blame it on my anger issues throughout my teenage years.

• I can't stand rubbing of my skin - like that soft patting stuff drives me up a wall like fingernails on a chalkboard. Speaking of which, I hate to get my nails buffed. Its like the worst thing to me that I have to bear down and close my eyes. It feels so odd to me.

• I never wore make up in highschool and barely any to my prom and yet now, I love it. Add that to my late bloomer in box.

• I'm 30 and still get carded because far too many people think I am 17 trying to sneak into a R-rated movie with my older boyfriend I guess.

• I can never decide what I want from Starbucks but only drink McDonalds Coffee DAILY and choose between hot or cold versions of it. Do you know they have liquid sugar? - yeah I discovered that - its my cure all to not having to guess how many sugars I want before they serve me bitter coffee- its a fine line.

• I am not very domestic - not out of incapability but sheerly on laziness and lack of a formed habit. Praying that changes when I become responsible for someone younger then myself.

• And even with all of that and then some - Amos takes me and my ball of emotions that can go from 0 to 60 during certain times of the month and laughs at me then laughs with me. We definitely can't take ourselves too seriously.

Perhaps next week - I will share some of his weirdness...

Now, since its Friday - there are letters to be written to my favorite people -

Dear present Sponsor Swappers, I love each of your blogs and I think that I will write up a post next week featuring it so that everyone else can know why I love them.

Dear Readers, you too can swap with me. Just click on the Sponsor page - because swapping won't last forever and I want to spread the sunshine on your awesome blogs as well.

Dear Followers, welcome to the new followers. As I am inching closer to 200 - when we get to that celebratory point I definitely have some goodies that I want to giveaway. I am honestly honored that people read from time to time. I have never done paid sponsorship or giveaways on other sites and the fact that you stumbled here and felt it worthy to return back just to read about the ramblings of my life... I am thankful.

Dear Cosmetic Company, I can not wait to share with my readers who I will be distributing for and can not wait to offer them the opportunity to fall in love with you just as much as I love you! It's really one of my dreams come true.

Dear Tyler Perry, OMG -the new movie Temptation and the invitation to come to the screening in Atlanta?? I mean please Lord let everything pan out so that we can attend. If not, its indeed the thought that counts!

Dear Hubby, the look on your face when I said I wanted to see Oz the Great and Powerful. Priceless.

Dear Mommy, I had so much fun with you - our very own girls day out. I love that as I get older we getting closer. Now, if you could only move back home sometime soon.

Dear Howard University, Happy Charter Day to my Alma Mater!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend -

This weekend will be filled with movies, make up, quick trip to New York and whatever else we can get in to!

Thank God its Friday!

It's Friday, a day that I think every person looks forward to -

Something about embarking on antics and fun for the weekend . Whether it is going to your favorite restaurant or finally getting to see that movie that you have been dying to see, or it could simply be the joy of not having to get up if you don't feel like it because heck! its the weekend bay bee--

I for one, have been looking forward to the weekend for many reasons.

This weekend marks 100 years of the Women's Suffrage March - held on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration in 1913.

This year in D.C. my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta will be marching in the reenactment of the Women's Suffrage March just like they did 100 years ago.

I will be marching with my mother and I am excited to once again be a part of history and be a part of the legacy that my Grand Grandmother started.

So Dear Suffragettes, we prepare again to take over D.C., to march in memory of those who have marched before us. I can not imagine as a woman not having a say and not having a vote in our democracy. Thank you for paving the way.

Dear Nounouche, (sister in love) Happy Early Birthday. So glad to have you come in town this weekend and can't wait to celebrate with you on Sunday.

Dear V, I am so excited for your gender reveal tommorrow.

Dear Arista, looks like once you left living with us you have become famous! You were on The View last year and now looks like you are breaking out in your social media debut. At least we will get to see you more often! I even hear that oscar the weiner dog has been checking you out - watch out now! LOL.

Well, as for me ...

Dear Readers, I have so many things in the works for next week - I have a great new product I am reviewing for you. Sharing more make-up tips as my freelance Make-Up Artist career is about to be in an upswing due to NYC Make Up Show,  Prom Season and other special events kicking off. First up is an Easter Production at the end of the month. I also have an opportunity to become a distributor for a cosmetic line and I am so excited about that as well. I have more day in the life of things brewing. So stick around and say hey!

... oh so close to 200 GFC followers - if you like what you read, please click the follow button and help me spread the word. Also would love to swap buttons with you so feel free to upload one onto my sponsor page. Once I hit 200 we will have a celebratory giveaway!

And to think, I am sitting here super exhausted despite getting enough sleep. I have a busy weekend so there is no rest for the weary.

What you got going for the weekend?

Life is But a Dream: Friday's Letters

There are weeks you dread and then there are weeks like these that you simply look forward to:

This year has been amazing so far and it continues to prove that there is never a dull moment.

Dear D.C., You are a city that I can never grow tired of. When I first came to you in 1999 to attend college, I swore that I would always return home to Baltimore... Slowly, but surely you sucked me right back in and I am ok with that. Once the weather gets warm again, watch out!

Dear Weather, Please get warm again and quick! I can't wait to go Segway riding again with my fam'. It was so much fun last time that I really can not wait! Mind you- today you suck! Its snowing now and hubby will not let me drive to Baltimore to celebrate a birthday with my favorite "Golden Girl" if you don't quit it - so umm please go back to spring.

Dear Partner, its funny because as much as we get done - we manage to have fun and a bunch of laughs as people try to get over on us. It's why we go in the community - to sniff out the lies. Welp until next time... coming to a home visit near you - its our D.C. Parole Diaries. (Lightbulb! I just may have to share with you guys just some of the random things that we do encounter throughout the week.)

Dear Blue Ivy, You aren't the only light skinned baby with a pretty mommy.. here I am in my Life is But a Dream debut also. Check out that coiffed hair mom was rocking in the 80's and my matching bush. I didn't get caramel in color until I was about 2 years old. Go figure. I think thats granny in the corner whose Jherri Curl I was checking out so intensely.

Dear Readers, Did you know that I launched a swap program?? All you have to do is click the sponsor page and upload your button through passionfruit. Its really simple, quick, easy and most of all FREE!

Also, if I reach 200 followers, I will have a giveaway soon to celebrate.

Dear Book I'd Say I write, Can you write yourself? I have so many great ideas that I want to include, but no single train of thought - my book is getting lost in my own head space. One day I will get motivated and be done. Did you know that I wrote about 130 pages of my first book and then quit on it. Ask me where it is now? no clue. smh. I must finish this book.

Today 's Topic: 

"WHAT?! Brought you Here??"

So you all know that Google will tell you what Search Keywords have brought something to your blog space. This week I had some of the most random searches.

Grant it, most times they are usually very legitimate searches of something I know I have written about like "DST Centennial"

However, sometimes I am thinking to myself - "I hope they find what they are looking for... just not here"

Here are 4 WHAT?! Brought you Here Search Words:

1. "men shorter" 

 - nope. no short men here. We already went over that here.

2. "tights under"

 - I don't know what you may looking for,

but I was only talking about them being underneath my ripped jeans here.

3. cutest busty wet babes of 2012

- now really? definitely not a wet babe of 2012

however, had a busty snapfoo that I was trying to avoid here.

4. eating sushi off a woman restaurant

- now I love sushi like the rest of them however, I do not want to eat raw fish off of a woman.

Roses are Red and Pink: Friday's Letters

So, as you know by this post, I didn't know what to expect for Valentine's Day or if I should even expect to celebrate Valentine's Day at all.

Later, hubby revealed to me was that his rationale for thinking it was ok not to celebrate was because Valentine's Day fell on a Thursday.

From the book of wife life, "who cares what day it falls on. You can't pretend it doesn't exist".

Yes, I partly care less about Valentine's Day because its not a real holiday but I am far from a debbie downer saying that the day is stupid and should be ignored.

It really just means that we can move our date night up a day and go date with the rest of the country.

You truly don't have to go overboard. I definitely don't see it as Christmas for lovers.

Either who, I guess hubby said "if you want Valentine's Day, then I will give you Valentine's Day!"

Yesterday morning hubby wanted to take me to work and pick me up and from there I knew he would take me to dinner - because going to eat Sushi is all I asked for.

Well, Thursdays is a day that I spend mostly in the field doing home visits. So I told him I would go to work and be home probably sooner then expected.

I noticed he was irritated but he wouldn't say why.

Well, I took myself to work and was in the field. At the last minute I decided to stop by my office to use the bathroom and then be gone for the day on a Walk/Run for my agency.

Well, luckily I did stop by the office because these flowers were delivered to my office by hubby as a surprise. And boy did he get me! because I kid you not, I thought he didn't even know the address to my office.

Sneaky Sneaky Mr. Hubster!

They were so beautiful. They have a special place on my desk for the next few days - sadly I won't be back in the office until Wednesday so hopefully they are still holding on when I return.

So when I got home it was time for his surprise.

He was in the kitchen warming up his food and washing dishes.

I knew he would have to come back to the microwave so I just stood there in silence ready to surprise him.

And surprise him I did! HA! See that look on his face!

He checked out  skimmed the card and then the goods...

I got him Ted on Blu Ray - He was definitely pleased with that. And I owe him a Ravens edition Sports Illustrated!

So then he took me out to eat Sushi! To make it special, instead of going to the regular places we go - he researched a spot we had never been to so that we could try it together. It was an hour away in Dulles, Virginia. And that was fine by me because I hadn't been out that way in a long time.

Here's my V-day outfit of the day.

Sweater: NY&Co. Shirt: NY&Co. Pants: Forever21+ Shoes: Bakers Jewelry: Forever21

My shoes are black with metallic specks so I figured why not do the same in the tights under my ripped jeans. Peak-a-Boo!

Food was great! Sushi was amazing! YAY!

Then we went to go see Safe Haven -

I didn't know what to expect because The Notebook set the standard for emotional romantic stories but this one was far from it. It was definitely more of a mystery, thriller, romantic love story with a twist at the end that made me love it more. In a romantic mood? Go see this.

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day

and now some brief letters...

Dear Sorors, Brown Bag Lunch today. I'm there.

Dear Hubby, Thanks for everything yesterday and we have a long weekend to hang out so can't wait!

Dear NBA All-Star Game, I was there last year but this year it was just off my radar.. maybe next year.

Dear New Readers, Thanks for hanging with me.

Dear Ashley, Congrats on your pregnancy!

Dear Crystal and Marquis, So happy that the twins are finally here!

Dear Job, Thanks for the Special Achievement Award - much appreciated!

Dear Parents, miss you much!