Blushblog

In a Sentimental Kind of Mood

I actually wrote this a couple of weeks ago after my aunt passed.  But It's a trip how when you're trying to think of songs, they wont come to you. So I got side tracked and didn't finish.  I know that I didn't put everyone on here, so I'm sorry for whoever I missed.  I didn't want to hold it any longer.

Hello Blushing Ladies

I’ve been in a sentimental kind of mood lately.  I’ve lost 4 people in the past 4 weeks.  Two family members and two friends.  And it’s got me reflecting and appreciating life.  I’ve been blessed with fabulous friends and a huge loving family.  Granted there are times that I just want to pluck some of them.

 

You’ll recall that I recognized a great post that required me to write a note to each of my friends about the first time that I met them.  I thought about actually completing that.  I never finished.  Classic me.  I've been thinking about it even more with the recent deaths and my health issues over the past summer.  I don’t anticipate that my illness will affect my mortality, but it’s definitely altered my life and required me to live a little differently. 

 

There are lots of people who I don’t get to see and talk to as much as I’d like (I know that I always say that, but it's because I mean it).  I never give them grief about calling and coming to see me because I understand how it is. I could do better as well.  But I think about them, although I’m sure they think that they’ve slipped my mind.

 

So instead of writing my friends and family long “I love you, you light up my life” letters (which I still recommend doing at some point), I decided to do it in a way that was more me.  I’m a huge music lover.  I’m one of those people who listens to all the words and almost every song reminds me of a friend or incident.  When I hear old school songs I can still tell you what party I was attending when I did the running man to that particular tune and I can tell you who I had a crush on when every old slow song plays.  I love music! 

 

So I decided to write a laundry list of friends and family and share what song reminds me of them and why.  Some songs are because of incidents and some are because of words.  But every time this song plays, you know that I’m thinking of you.

 

Nadia-Crazy In Love (Beyonce'). She was so sick of this song, she still wants to throw up when it comes on, but I love it.  So of course I turn it up.  Percolator (no idea who it’s by) because as everyone knows, Nadia is the Percolator queen!

 

Kendall- I Don’t Wanna Be a Player (Big Pun) .  Big Pun’s song reminds me of our wonderful senior year of college and our quest to find the perfect senior ball gowns.  Never mind the fact that we skipped class to do it.  How crazy is that.  I can’t believe we passed.  And of course The Point of It All (Anthony Hamilton) which reminds me of your wonderful wedding.

 

Wendy-Shoot Em Up Movies (The Deele)-It reminds me of when we would watch the video on “The Box” and we’d each take turns singing the chorus.  One would say bang, bang, another would say “gotcha”, and you’d say “shoot em up movies”  We were so lame.  But it was fun.

 

G-Peezy-If You Seek Amy (Brittany Spears) because we both love that cd.  Now it's time to get you on the Carrie Underwood bandwagon.  And of course Boyz To Men (New Edition) because of your moment with Johnny Gill at the New Edition concert.   

 

Brown Sugar- Eye of the Tiger because we played this on guitar hero 10 million times as the OBX Chicks in Corolla.  Let’s Chill (Guy) because of our cell phone tribute

 

Cat Lady-Rollin with Kid n Play (Kid n Play).  The only women that I’ve seen do the Kid n Play kick step in stilettos.  Hilarious

 

JJ-Wait, can yours be Percolator too.  I’ve never seen anyone do it with a baby on their hip!

T.Brown Willy - Buddy (De La Soul).  I'm not sure why.  I was probably listening to it at your house or something.  But I think of you everytime I hear that

P Squared- Ice Cream Paint Job.  I can’t remember who it’s by.  Cream on the inside Clean on the outside.  Reminds me of our vacation. Proud Mary (Ike and Tina Turner) because of our reenactment at your birthday party.

 

Mrs Officer-Every Brian McKnight song.  I have no idea why you’re so in love with him, but I can’t hear one song without thinking of you…lol.

 

T. Myles-One More Chance (Biggie).  Reminds me of our nights at the Mirage.  Sneaking in and rushing home to make curfew.  I miss those days and miss you too.

 

PB-Just Like a Pill (Pink).  I feel like you could’ve sung this over the past year.  But Just Fine (Mary J) is going to be your song going into the new year!

My get up and get at em song right now is Rising Up (The Roots, Chrisette Michelle, and Wale).  There is no way that I can hear this and not start dancing!

That's all I have for now.  I'm so sorry if I missed someone. 

Do you have a song that reminds you of someone?

Have a great Friday Blushing Ladies and a Ghoulish Halloween. Stay tuned for a new look next week.

 

 

Product Endorsement of the Week

Ladies,

Does the change of season leave you longing for warmer weather, blue skies and even bluer waters? When was the last time you treated yourself to a nice vacation?

I suggest you save your pesos and check out  The Excellence Luxury Resort Group and in particular their
Playa Mujeres Luxury Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Here's why:
1. This is an adults only property
2. Its all inclusive
3  Its a beach front resort
4 I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

You are greeted at the door by a staff member with a refreshing wash cloth and a glass of champagne.

The resort offers a wide variety of drinks, restaurants and activity options.  But don't worry...you can also go there and do absolutely nothing! They provide a daily newsletter that lists the days activities along with the drink,alcoholic vs. non alcoholic, of the day...

There are also plenty of nightime activities including a night club and theater and Mexican themed dinner complete with Mariachi band!



The smallest room they offer....however all of their rooms have an open concept two person shower and jacuzzi tub



One of the many pools with swim up bar



One of the many night time options - X Lounge is a beach option.



Two of the daily drink offerings


A member of the Mariachi band..he had lots of personality and could shake his hind parts with the best of them....

There's always time for an after dinner Cohiba Cuban Cigar and Cognac....try saying that three times fast!

If you want to put on your freak-um dress and let your hair down...dont worry ladies..this resort offers up a night club as well...

Special shout out to the "Hat Sisters" from New England...thanks for the compliment on my dress!

And when you're done for the evening you can sleep outside on the balcony..I wouldn't recommend sleeping outside during the day unless you are really looking to tan!

Blushing ladies...remember its important to treat yourself to a get-a-way for you and your girls or that special significant other in your life.

Everybody Loves A Deal & Some Love the BET Hip Hop Awards, but not me.

First let me say that I thought that i'd be blogging about the BET Hip Hop Awards today.  I just couldn't.  I couldn't watch it.  Everytime a performance came on, I couldn't stand to listen to it, so I turned and missed most of the show.  I mean most of the current songs dont have verses.  They have two lines for a verse and the other 4 minutes of the song is the hook being repeated over and over and over again.

It was hilarious to read everyones facebook comments during the show though.  Some of my favorite comments were about how great Ice Cube was (I completely agree and wouldn't mind being his 2nd wife), how cool Snoop still is (by the way, someones daughter though that he was Katt Williams), Gucci man being a part of everyones performance (the author attributed it to the recession and how they had to recycle people) and the fact that Jim Jones looks like he's in need of a flea dip and needs to freshen his cornrows (I mean seriously.  Didnt you know about the show?  Get your hair done or cut it off.  You're too old to look that unkempt). 

I feel like soldier boys mother should walk on stage in the middle of his performance and pulled his pants up.  I hate that I missed Wale.  Gotta give love to our hometown boy!  And I truly love his music.  I caught most of T.I's acceptance speech that Tiny read and liked it.  I saw the Ice Cube montage and that was great as well.  But again, I'm a little partial. 

The commercials are really making me want DJ Hero. I'm already a Guitar Hero and Rock Band fan. 

That's it for the awards.  I think that I'm getting too old for them. 

On to the Savings.  I received this coupon via email yesterday.  It's the Boston Market $1 Real Chicken Meal coupon.  I'm always skeptical about these things because the savings seem to be too big.  So of course, I gave it a go at lunch yesterday and guess what?  It worked!!! I can't believe that they are doing it for so long.  I thought that they'd cut it off earlier than anticipated like another restaurant establishment did with one of their promos but it's still going strong.  So get it in ladies.

ANGER MANAGEMENT FOR SENSITIVE EXERCISE INSTRUCTORS

I have been on my postpartum weight loss objective since I was cleared by OB a few months ago.  My summer has been filled with walking, 100 meter sprints, running stairs, sweating profusely in Bikram Yoga, and dancing hard as ish to Pitbull's "Calle Ocho" in Zumba.  Most recently, I spent the last 6 weeks swimming and taking aqua kickboxing in an effort to cleanse myself of 20 to 25lbs.  Now, all of this effort could be made quite simple if The Biggest Loser would have a postpartum special.  I mean, I could drop this weight in like 4 weeks.  Why should the morbidly obese have all the fun?  Surely, there are plenty of women trying to lose baby weight and plenty of men trying to lose the sympathy weight they gain during mom's pregnancy to comprise a very interesting cast of characters.  Note to self:  write a letter to NBC ASAP.  

Anyway, aqua kickboxing was cool.  It was not the most grueling class in the world but it helped.  I have lost a couple of pounds, I have toned, and that hip injury I developed during my pregnancy has patched up pretty well.  This, however, could be the result of the laps I swam before every class.  The last day of class was Wednesday.  Before class began that evening, the instructor, who always reminded me of a cross between Cicely Tyson and Billy Blanks, asked me if I signed up for the next session of the class.  I explained that I did not because I like to switch up my routine and decided to signed up for the spinning class for next session.  Her eyes narrowed slightly in that Cicely Tyson kind of way and she said, "Oh, that's good.  I'm sure it is a good class."  I'm pretty sure the Billy Blanks in her wanted to punch me in my face but she chose to be passive aggressive instead.  Very big of her, I think.  But, when I turned around and jumped in the pool, I must have inadvertently committed an act of war because she tried desperately to make me pay for my disloyalty for the rest of the class.  The following dismayed everyone in class...

"Excuse me, you are not in sync with the rest of the class."
"Ummm, do you not have your water weights today?  Can you please borrow some from someone else?
"I said to the right, Miss."
"Are you having a hard time with this combination?"
"Ladies, please hold for a second.  I need to show her this combination again."  (Please note, I was doing the combination better than her.)
"Keep up please."

I just ignored her and kept doing what I was doing.  Her nonsense went on for the duration of the hour long class.  Even the kids from the swim team practicing in the competition pool behind us were looking.  Their little faces clearly read, "Wow, that lady is a loser."  That lady, being me, of course.  Class ended.  As I exited the pool area, one of the lifeguards said, "Rough class, huh?  What did you do to her?"  I told him that I informed her I was taking a different class next session.  He laughed uncontrollably and told another passing lifeguard.  Then they both laughed uncontrollably.  The second lifeguards said, "She got you, shawty."  Then they both walked off to the pool office to share the tale.  

I hope she works out her teacher-student abandonment issues at her next therapy session.

Rae's Journey on the Miss Jessie's Grow Out Challenge

Hey Blushing Ladies

Happy Friday. I'm here with an update on my progress of the Grow Out challenge. Now, while Nadia has been talking about the big chop, I don't have the heart. So I've been letting my relaxer grow out.

In my relaxer days, I didn't mind washing my own hair. I enjoyed going to the hairdresser more, but in case you haven't heard, we're in a recession. So clearly, certain luxuries are limited. I have to start doing my own hair a bit more.

The "relaxer Rae" would just wash it, throw on a little Keracare mousse, wrap it, and let it air dry. I couldn't help but wonder how much elbow grease I'd have to put in without a relaxer. How would my texture change? What would my curl pattern be like? Would it be a tangled mess? How much would I have to do to get it straight when I wanted?

I'll be trying different products over the next few weeks. I'm straightening my hair out this weekend, but i'm excited to let it air-dry with different products to see how my hair reacts to it. My hair is thin and tends to frizz, so that'll be the main issue that i'll have to combat.

Below are pictures of my hair wet. I shampooed with my normal Pantene Smoothing Shampoo/Conditioner. Then I used Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14 in 1 and finished with Wave Nouveau Finishing Lotion. I noticed that the curls defined once I added the Wave Nouveau. Almost instantly. The first picture was before the Wave Nouveau, the second was after.

It looked and felt really moisturized while it was wet, but we'll see how it does once I let it air-dry. I've always been a big fan of Pantene, so i'd like to try their curl shampoo as well.

I ended up wrapping my hair and tying it up with a scarf before I went to bed. I blow dried it this morning. It wasn't sticky or flaky or anything. So yay for the products.

I'll try the air dry thing this weekend. We'll see how that goes.

Blushing Ladies Speak:
Have you ever tried either of these products? What'd you think? Can you suggest any?
Written by Rae

Product Endorsement of the Week-Play Date

In my 20s I burned up the streets of DC hopping from Happy Hour to Happy Hour practically every night of the week eating and drinking for as little as possible and managing to get to work on time the next morning. Now that I’m in my early 30s I don’t necessarily care to spend $15 for a Goose and Tonic…when I know the bottle costs $26 at the local liquor store…nor do I feel like jumping through hoops to get inside someone’s night club on a regular basis.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook…I kept reading about this event in Atlanta called Play Date. I looked at the pictures and thought this would be great if it was in DC. I look around the site some more and discover there is a Play Date DC! Eureka…here is a chance for me to revisit the games of my youth – connect four, operation, rock em sock em robots, dominoes, uno, pacman, pole position….simon says, hula hooping….and you get the picture.

For a nominal feel $10-$15 (the same or even less than thecost of admission to/drink at a popular night club) you can go out and meet like-minded people, let your hair down and play all night long! Oh and blushing ladies…sneakers are OK! No more 3hour shoes!!!!

PlayDate attendees range from 20s to 60s and the older folks had a better time than me. I aspire to be like them when I grow older….Shout out to the Silver Fox!!!

So visit www.playdateus.com/ to see if its in your city and the games begin!!!

Written by Brown Sugar

Red Hot Magic

Even though i'm as broke as a joke, i've been window shopping for the fall season. Whereas most people staples are black and maybe navy. My closet is filled with reds and burnt oranges for all 4 seasons. When I saw the below look on Bey, I fell in love with the red all over again. Now I could've done without the extra poof in the front, mainly because my tummy would've sat comfortably in it, but I love the top. It's funny that I always gravitate to party clothes when really, I don't party that much. I guess I'll have to start going out a little more.




Back to my perusing, I'm famous for pairing a cheap dress from DOTS or Rainbow with a not so cheap accessory. Below are some Red Hot things that I came across, that I LOVE. Some are plus sizes and some are not. They are all reasonably priced.

There are five pages of looks. Whether you're headed out for a night on the town or a mall day, i'm sure that you'll come across something that you like.

Feel free to click on the items and window shop with me. BTW, I had a dream about the ring on page five. It begged me to take it home. Who am I to turn it away?





Blushing Ladies Speak:
What are your staples for the fall season? Have you come across any must haves?

Miss Jessie's Grow Out Challenge Update: Does Your Significant Other's Opinion Matter?

The Miss Jessie's Grow Out Challenge is right on time.  I have finally fully committed to transitioning my hair from relaxed to natural.  I have long thought about saying farewell to my relaxer, especially after I have decided to live a more organic lifestyle;  however, I never truly committed to the transition until recently.

I have never been celebrated as a patient person.  By nature and design, I am just the opposite, so I am ever the impulsive, impetuous, impatient Aries who becomes bored very easily.  At times, this temperament has been reflected in my hairstyles.  I have had long hair, mid-lenght hair, short hair, very short hair, black hair, reddish hair, blondish hair and everything in between.  Although it has been quite some time since I have experimented with color, my husband has been entertained by my occasional hair impulsion.  He prefers my short hair to the mid-length look I am rolling with now.  

I guess every man has his limits.  When I vocalized my intent to go natural he said little, however, when I told him I was considering the "Big Chop" (BC) so early in the transition process,  I was met with flat out, eye to eye, stong "no".  This actually surprised me.  He said a short crop is one thing but having a "Meshell Ndegeocello" is something all together different. Now, my intent is not to keep my hair that short but instead of waiting months for my relaxed hair to grow out I was considering just cutting off all the relaxed hair.  If I were single, I would not be thinking twice.  The reality is I am a married woman who must consider her husband's feelings.  If he were the kind of man who always had an opinion about my hair, I would take him less seriously.  Since he has so vehemently bulked at this, I feel I must be sensitive to his feelings.  Though I am eager to see what my natural hair will do, I will wait at least until January for more new growth before I get to chopping.

Since having my daughter, I have tried numerous products on her hair in an attempt to find something that complements her textures. Yes, I said textures.  (Much like my sister, my daughter's hair texture varies in the front, middle, and back.)  I know you mom's out there can relate, especially those of you (who, like me) have always gone to the salon and relied on other people to care for your hair and have no particular knowledge of how to care for a child's natural hair.  I have found some hits and misses. Now, that I have committed to the challenge I have been stalking various sites for reviews.  There is a whole world of products out there I knew nothing about.  How exciting!  After watching several youtube demonstrations and reading various and many blogs, I made a dash to Whole Foods and bought the Kinky Curly Curling Custard.  I gave her a bath and a co-wash (cleansed her hair with conditioner only) and applied the Kinky Curly Curling Custard.  When her hair dried, it looked great!!!  I am super and super excited.  The KCCC brought out her natural curl beautifully.  Now she can wear her curly fro without it drying out and looking frizzy.  I can't wait to use this stuff when I transition to my natural hair.

Kinky Curly Curling Custard gets a mega thumbs up from me.  I still want to try the Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo, the Knot Today, and the Tiny Twirls.  I'll keep you posted.

A special shout out to the ladies in the Natural Hair chat on Twitter.  Thanks for the great info.  The group meets on Sunday nights at 10pm on Twitter.  Type #naturalhair in the search bar and you are in.

Blushing Ladies Speak:

Have you experienced a similar reaction from your significant other?  How did you handle it?

 

Weekend Events - New York City

For the city that never sleeps, chilly Fall days and nights mean nothing.  Here are few things to consider if you are in New York City this weekend.

For those who don't mind blushing in public, join that crowd who will gather to watch naked burlesque entertainers read banned books in their birthday suits.

Naked Girls Reading

Madame X

94 West Houston Street

New York, New York  

Friday, October 16th at 8:00pm

In the Halloween spirit?  Then go see this Peter Jackson Horror

Dead-Alive

The Film Society of Lincoln Center

165 W. 65th Street

New York, New York

Friday, October 16th at 9:00pm

Are you a fashion lover?  Then tour two of New Yorks hot fashion districts.  Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking.

Soho & Nolita Shopping Tour

Tour begins at West Broadway between Spring and Prince In Soho

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Two tour times:  11:00am and 12:00pm

Register online at www.allnewyorktours.com or call:  702-233-1627

Family friendly...

Fall Harvest Festival

Highland Park at Jamaica Venue and Elton Street

Saturday, October 16th at 12:00pm

The ladies will make you laugh.

Madame Katie's House of Ladies

The Peoples Improv Theater

154 West 29th

New York, New York

Saturday, October 17th at 11:00pm

For great New York Pizza

Roberta's Pizza

261 Moore Street

Brooklyn, New York

  

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Product of the Week

In honor and support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those fighting the good fight, Blushblog endorses Save The TaTas and all things pink.  

At www.savethetatas.com, you can purchase T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts to show your support for breasts around the world.  A portion of all sales goes to the fight against Breast Cancer.  Men, there are Ts for you too!

     

     

Looking for something a little more subtle...

Needham Lane pink pajamas are $58 at www.needhamlane.com.  10% of every sale goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This White and Warren pink scarf is $150.  50% of all proceeds will be donated to the Women at Risk program.

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Makeup is available at BobbiBrown.com.  The company has pledged $35k to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This bracelet is just one of the jewelry items in Pandora Jewelry Breast Cancer Awareness line.  Pandora has pledged $100k of sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Visit PandoraJewelry.com

Kitchen Aid offers a beautiful pink knife set for $50 at shopkitchenaid.com.  The Susan G. Komen Foundation will benefit from sales.

The Tumi Pouch, Hobo and Jewelry can be found at Tumi.com.  20% of sales go to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

These are just a few things that designers are offering to raise money for a cure for Breast Cancer.  The options are endless so find what you like and support the cure.

Blushing Ladies:

Let us know what else you find.