The Real

Normally I only talk about very happy things.  I don't put to much personal stuff on here, but lately I've been feeling all types of down.  I need to share and so here I go.

My month has not been great.  I feel so utterly discouraged.  I lost my job in September. Was laid off.  Have not been able to find another banking job yet.  I have started driving for Uber. But the lost of my banking job sets me back again on my home buying dream.  My children and I are living with my mom; which for some people would be a blessing.  It is in a way but its also hard.  My mom is a hard women.  I love her but truth is truth and she is hard.  I pay the bills she requires me to pay.  I try to keep my children in a way that will not anger her but nothing really seem to help.

My goal was to buy my home next year. I can't see it. I've fallen behind on all my bills.  Then there is always some new expense just popping up.  Life.

I know I'm still blessed.  I just need to figure out a way to feel it all the time.





Okay that's the end of my pity party as my sister would tell me.

Thanks for reading lol

Be Blessed & Smile

Thanks Shopaholics' Suit & Fashion to Figure

Back on November 8, 2014 I attended this great event.

Shopaholics' Suite - Shop The Closets of Your Favorite Local Bloggers!

I met some of the local bloggers I follow and other really great ladies.  It was a great event and I look forward to next years event.  They had great raffles, food, music and of curse great items from our favorite bloggers closets.  I happen to be one of the blessed attendees that won a raffle.  One of the event sponsors was Fashion to Figure. As a sponsor they raffled off two $25 gift cards.  I won one.  I was so excited.

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That's me with one of the young ladies from Fashion to Figure at Bowie Town Center. 

After much consideration because they have such great fashions here is what I brought.

Wool Swing Coat

This coat is so cute.  I was looking for a good flare coat in my size but everything I saw was my budget.  Thanks to Fashion to Figure gift card and budget friendly prices I was able to get this.

The original price was $42.50; with my gift card I paid $17.50.  Can you believe that. Even without the gift card this great coat is very economical. Thanks again Shopaholic's & Fashion to Figure.

Be Blessed & Smile

#TDCLBlogtober14 Day 8 – It’s in the Bag

I miss 3 days of the challenge over the long weekend.  I will try to make it up during the week.  Todays challenge is "What's in your bag?".  This challenges is so funny.  I have some random things in my bag as you will see in a moment.

1. Pens
2. Checkbook
3. Check Tracker/Ledger
4. iPhone cover (iPhone not in it)
5. Pumpkin Coffee Creamer (Incase I go to Starbucks. I bring my flavored cream)
6. Dill Pickle Sunflower Seeds (2 packs)
7.  Various Receipts
8. Notepad my son made me at church for Mother's Day
9. Pack of AAA batteries
10. Empty medicine bottle
11. Lip gloss
12. Various Store cards
13. Keys
14. Wallet
15. Lady products

Ok, that's all that's in the bag today.  What's in your bag?


Be Blessed & Smile

#TDCLBlogtober14 Day 5 – Share your favorite Fall recipe

As you may have noticed I'm doing The DC Ladies Blogtober14 challenge.  Which is very different for me because normally don't blog everyday.  I guess that's why its called a challenge.  Today is share your favorite fall recipe.  This is hard because I don't have one.  I love all the flavors of Fall.  So instead I will share the recipe I found that I'm most excited to try.  This recipe came from RecipeGirl.com.  She has step by step instructions with pictures. RecipeGirl.com
I love it when a recipe includes pictures.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 4 min

Do It Yourself version of Starbuck's delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed, strong coffee
2 tablespoons half & half cream
1 teaspoon granulated white sugar, or more to taste
whipped cream, optional
ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. In a glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes- watch closely and remove it from the microwave when the milk is hot and frothy.
2. Pour the pumpkin milk into a tall mug or glass. Add hot coffee. Pour in the cream. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir, and taste. Add more sugar, if desired.
3. Optional, but oh so good... add whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Serve immediately!

Tips:

*Feel free to lighten up the recipe by using nonfat milk and fat-free half & half. It won't be as rich, but it will still give you that yummy pumpkin latte flavor.
*If you don't have pumpkin pie spice in your collection of spices, make your own! Mix equal parts of cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg- and measure from there.

Source: RecipeGirl.com

#TDLBlogtober Day 4: What is one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?

This would be my top piece of advice.  Your to young to worry so much.  All the things that happen are for a reason.  Stop worrying about what other people think, about why your not more like your sisters or why you look so different then every one else.  God will take care of it all.  Plus you would be surprised how many people like you the way you are.  When you get older people will come up to you on the streets and remember you, not just you name but things about you.  Some you will not ever recognized.  So stop worrying.


I need to tell myself that sometimes even know, but I'm much better at it.


Be Blessed & Smile

Thrift Store Finds

 On my recent trip to the Value Village Thrift Store in Silver Spring, Maryland. I found some great items. I will do OOTD post soon, so you can see how great they are on me.


The first dress is by Gabby Skye. I loved the colors and birds.


I know its hard to see but the second pic is some lace black pants. Perfect for the up coming holiday season.


The last item is a wonderful denim dress.  I'm thinking boots, tights and a bright color scarf.


Those are my finds this go around.  Can't wait to share more with you soon.


Be Blessed & Smile

#TDCLBlogtober14: Day 3 – What Does Fall Look Like to You?

Fall looks like fun fashions in great colors.





It looks like lovely rich colors, crisp air & falling leaves.



It looks like wonderful pumpkin flavors and recipes.


Fall has always been my favorite season.  Fall is warm and cozy.


Be Blessed & Smile.

#TDCLBlogtober14: Day 2 – Fall Bucket List

1.  Make this pie.  I check out this great Southern Cooking Cook book that has a recipe for Caramel pie.







2. Decorate the front of the house for Halloween.  I never do this.  but this year I'm really in the spirit of the fun of Halloween. 









 3. Yep I'm gong back to school.  I start October 20.









4. Go to my hold high school football games.  At least one.  Fall & football just go together.  I love the Baltimore Ravens but tickets to those games are outside my budget.  So, I'm doing the next best thing.  Cheering on the Cardozo Clerks.  Its hard to tell from the picture but Cardozo Clerks & the Baltimore Ravens have the same color Purple.











Be Blessed & Smile

Saturday OOTD

I has taken me forever but I think I finally did it right.  If it comes out really big lol; just laugh with me.  The blazer is from Simply Fashion.  It was on clearance plus %50 off, total price $5.  Yes, just $5.  The pants are from QVC Denim & Co. Original Waist Pants-Spring Jade.

Keep Smiling

No pic for OOTD

I am having the most terrible time trying to post my OOTD from Saturday.  I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.  I know I have not posted anything in like forever but still.  


Anyway I hope everybody life is going great.  I've had some recent struggles but that's normal for my life.  I'm constantly leaning to trust God in all situations. I'm going to keep working on this picture situation.


Keep Smiling & Be Blessed

My New Life

Here I go reinventing myself again.  You know the best thing about being alive is that you always have a chance to start over. 

So here is a quick list of the things I'm doing now:
1. Buying a house. I'm actually in a home buying program. I a year away from buying, but saying "buying a house" sound more encouraging to me.

2. Changing my major & school. I firgured out going to a class was to much stress for me so I'm doing online school.

3. Being a mom to an adult child and my other children. I have to be a different parent to my oldest daughter because she's an adult with her own daughter now.

4. Being a grandmom. I never thought I could love a baby that I didn't give birth to as much as I do. I love my grand daughter and love being a grandmom. Even though 37 is to young to be a Grammie; I have fully embraced it. I go see and spent time with her as often as I can.

Yep, this is my life. Some days it's impossibly hard and I wonder how I will do all this. Then other days I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing.



I'm still smiling.

Be blessed & smile.

Hello World,

Haven't post anything in a long, long time.  So much has and is happening in my would.  Let's see the last time I posted I was unemployed.  Thank God that has changed.  I am employed full time now.  I was living on my own.  I'm know back with mom helping her out for a little while.  She had knee surgery and is recovering well.  The biggest thing is I'm a Grandma.  Big Smile.  I know, I know I'm to young to be a grandma.  My daughter is to young to be a mom (she's 19) but when God blesses you with a new life, you celebrate now matter the situation.  So I'm a Grammie and proud.  He is my little Cupcake.  She is my heart already at just one week old.

Be Blessed & Smile