Fall At Your Feet!

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Talk about wacky weather! Last week here in Cali the weather reached temperatures as high as 100 degrees and this weekend the weather dropped to about 68 degrees.  One day I'm wearing sandals and flip flops, and the next I'm rocking my boots!  But wait...last night the weather man said it's gonna start heating back up again.  This Cali weather is sooo unpredictable.  So, now that fall is quickly approching, it's time to kick off the season and check out some smart transitional shoe investments. Whether it's a gotta-get-it gray bootie, or a pair of perfect pumps, this seasons trends offer everything a girl needs to elevate her fall shoe game at great prices that are affordable for everone!  When purchasing shoes for less, there are a cople of key tips that you should know.  Check out this great post over at Rouse + Adore under City Guide: LA Fashion District Finds Available Online that will help when buying shoes for less.

Bamboo Yoda / Strappy Ankle Boot

$27.90

Wild Diva Akemi / Cuffed Bootie

$25.90

Paprika Razi-S Round Toe Knee High Boot

$29.90

Wild Diva Tosca-01A Riding Knee High Boot

$27.90

Nicole / Round Toe Pump

$21.20

Bamboo Office / Suede Stiletto Pump

$19.30

Shoes available at Urban Original

In Style shoe trends to look out for this Fall

Biker Boots

How To Rock These don't need to be black, as long as they have buckles or other hardware to project a tough attitude.  Try them in place of flat riding versions with leggins or a short full skirt and tights

Pointy-Toe Heels

How To Rock Compliment the sleek, sophisticated style with tailored seperates, such as cropped pants, wide leg trousers, or a pencil skirt. 

Bright Suedes

How To Rock Select a bright suede to perk up those neutral office basics and add black or grey tights to instantly create a great Fall look.

Fringe and Tassel

How To Rock High heeled and ballet flat options put a feminine spin on the men's classic.  Play this shoe up by combining it with a floral dress and a cardi or skinny cords/jeans and a chunky sweater.

Sunday Morning Blues!

Sunday morning I decided to make blueberry banana waffles and a smile instantly appeared across my face (:  These waffles were absolutely delicious and are healthy believe it or not (lol).   I ran across this Oat Bran Waffle recipe over at Food.Com and I was pleased to find that I had all the ingrdients and didn't have to make a trip to the store.  I'm slowly beggining to change my eating habits and attempting to incorporate more veggies and fresh fruit into my daily in-take.  I've been eating out way to much lately and the madness has got to come to an end!!  (lol)  By the way...I didn't use any syrup and the waffles were bomb!  What a great way to start my Sunday morning right?

• 3/4 cup oat bran
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 2 egg whites

Combine the oat bran, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour baking powder and salt.

Combine the milk, oil, and egg yolk; add to the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form; gently fold into the batter.

Coat a waffle iron with cooking spray, and allow waffle iron to preheat. Spoon 1 1/3 cups batter onto hot waffle iron, spreading batter to edges. Bake until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining batter.

Serve immediately with desired toppings

Who Dat!

As the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, North Carolina native J. Cole is a BEAST!   Similar in style and appearance to rap's newest sensation Drake, J. Cole has a un-deniable gift.  Be on the look out for this dude, he's definitely the next rapper/producer to blow up!  Who Dat Who Dat!
 .

What's Cooking - German Chocolate Brownies

TGIF Divas!  Here's  a super tastey treat that is sure to become and instant hit!  Take a brownie that’s already delicious on it’s own without anything else, then you add brown sugar, cream cheese, coconut and pecans and that perfectly delicious brownie is now transformed into a German Chocolate Brownie!  These are ridiculously easy to make, but BEWARE!! Don't make them "fudgy" or this recipe will NOT work.

German Chocolate Brownies

• 1 pkg brownie mix (19 – 20 ounce size)
• ¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter, cut into smaller pieces
• 4 oz (half of an 8 oz pkg) cream cheese
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Oven to 350. Prepare brownie mix as directed on package for cake like brownies. Pour batter into greased 9x13 inch pan.

Place butter, and cream cheese in small saucepan and cook on medium heat until cream cheese is completely melted. Don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled, it will come together when you add in the remaining ingredients. Stir in the brown sugar and take the mixture off the heat. Add the coconut and pecans and mix well. Mixture will be thick. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture all over the top of brownie batter.

Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. Cool before devouring.

Herbal Remedies for Beautiful Skin

Skin care is a part of our everyday life and facial masks can help us with that. Let's face it, our skin shows signs of aging first. Aging is individual for everyone and depends on many factors such as genetics, lifestyle, general health and work conditions, and climate. All of those factors take their toll on our skin.

Home-made masks for the face are good because it takes just minutes to prepare them, they are cheap and they give wonderful results. Facial masks should be used regularly, at least once a week, for the best results.

Some people choose just few skin care products and stick to them, some people like trying new and different ones. It does not matter as long as it makes you happy.  However, remember that some ingredients may cause allergic reactions. Always do a skin test before using any new beauty product.

Beauty Tip #1

Here's a great beauty tip courtesy of  Mop Top Maven that I've been using and I can honestly say that I can see a difference in my skin, especially with my pores and I can tell my skin is a little brighter.  Mix a tablespoon of honey with 2 teaspoon of lemon juice.  Apply a thin layer on skin, leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.   This will help with facial discoloration and it's a quick way to tighten pores and fade blemishes!  Honey and lemon juice also fades age spots and brightens skin tone.

Beauty Tip #2

My second beauty tip is using honey mixed with a mashed avocado to retain moisture in my skin and create a nourishing and moisturizing mask.  I found that my skin became a little dry after using the lemon and honey mask and this helps the skin hold moisture and keeps my face soft and supple.  Avacados are rich with natural oils and are great for the skin.

Honey which is the key ingredient in both of these great beauty tips is a very versatile natural beauty product that is full of nutrients, antioxidants and other anti-aging, skin clarifying and moisturizing ingredients that makes it a must-have.  2 great beauty tips worth trying out!!

We Love Colors!

A major trend for fall are tights that can carry over your open toed shoes from the summer by pairing them with a pair of colored opaque tights. When the cooler weather hits, warm up a dress or skirt with tights and boots. Tights have become very popular because they offer several benefits. (especially for us Full-Figured Divas) They can enhance the legs, make them better sculpted and create a very sexy yet classic look.  I ran across this great website We Love Colors that offers over 51 colors to chose from, and they offer plus sizes from 1x to 4x.  You will definitely find the perfect colored tights, fishnets or other hosiery items to go with any outfit .

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On this day in 2001, the music world lost one of its true visionaries when Aaliyah, who was only 22 years old at the time, died in a plane crash along with eight other passengers after filming her music video "Rock The Boat" in the Bahamas, which just so happens to be my favorite video of hers. Her tragic passing came just as she was releasing her best album in my opinion entitled "Aaliyah", which had come out only a month prior to hear death.  Aaliyah's passing was tragic, and her absence still stings me as well as many others, but her songs and videos will live on forever. 

I Am A 'Kept' Woman

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,

But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,

But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,

But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think that money just isn't enough,

But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc..

(Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!

I'm blessed to be 'kept '

Do you know a 'kept ' woman?

If so...let her know she is 'Kept '

Peace Be With You Throughout Your Day!

What's Cooking - Banana Crumb Muffins

 I stumbled across this delicious recipe by accident over at All Recipes.Com while looking for a recipe for Banana Bread, but once I read the stellar reviews I immediately knew I had to try these Banana Crumb Muffins out.  They recipe is super easy and it only took about 35 minutes to mix ingredients and bake.  When these muffins came out the oven, the smell immediately filled my house and once I tasted them I was in half a mind to just eat them and forget about taking photos (lol). But as you can see, I was able to snap a few shots.  If you like bananas or banana bread like me,  this is definately a recipe worth trying out.   Enjoy!

Banana Crumb Muffins

 (Makes 10 muffins)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tbsp flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tbsp butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

DIY for Less

Headbands really come in handy, especially on those days when you don't feel like doing your hair.  I'm sure many of you have seen these cute little headbands at your favorite boutiques or clothing stores and sometimes they can be a bit pricey.  A couple of days ago I stopped by the beauty supple and I just so happen to see this black flower for .99 cents and thought...hmmm...this would be great for a DIY project.  This headband only cost me a whopping $2.00 to make and if I may say so myself..it looks just as good as the headbands that are much pricier.  Definitely a great piece of hair candy for $2.  And I didn't even have to use any glue.  The flower has a clip and a black rubber band on the back. I just wrapped the rubber band around the headband and WA LA!!!

Black Zipper Rosette Headband $12.00  | Torrid

Feather Braided Headband $ 8.00 | Foever21

2adorn Fascinator with Satin Peony Flower on Velvet Alice Headband | ASOS

$50.55

ASOS Curve

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ASOS CURVE Printed Colourblock Tunic

Was $53.92

NOW $15.17

Gotta have it!  Gotta have it!  Gotta have it!  Over at Curvy Girl Chic is where the above print tunic caught my eye and I immediately dashed over to ASOS.COM to find that the top was on Clearance and marked down from $53.92 to $ 15.17.  ASOS.com, is the UK's largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer around, and this past January they launched a plus size clothing line, ASOS CURVE, which offers a new range of plus-size apparel catering to sizes 20-26 UK (or 18-24 US).  When I found out that the above tunic was marked down, I couldn't type my credit card info fast enough (lol).  I saw several items that I would love to purchase, and they were on CLEARANCE at that, but since this is my first time ordering from ASOS and I'm not familiar with how well their items are made or if their clothing is really true to size, I will wait patiently for my top to arrive and hope for the best before I attempt to make any other purchases.  And might I add that the shipping was absolutely FREE.  I believe they have some type of promo going on right now.  ASOS could definitely be one of my fav online clothing stores.  They have a great selection and their prices are very affordable.  Gotta Love It!

  Be sure to check them out at www.ASOS.COM.

Anyone who personally knows me, knows that I LOVE me some accessories!!! I ran across this super talented San Diego native that has an array of beautifully handcrafted ethnic inspired rings, necklaces, bracelets and hair accessories that are sure to give you a cavity or two. Be sure to check this talented artists collection "Peace Images" out...she definitely has something for everyone!!

On Wax

The Dun Dada

033010

...the date Badu's album dropped. Return of the Ankh.

Favored

Tress Of Life

Spotie x Lapis

To Cairo

Realm Of Consciousness

{Pictures courtesy of Peace Images}

For more info. visit http://www.peaceimages.bigcartel.com/