Go RED: New Years Gel Mani

I have been getting gel mani's giving my nails a break from 15+ years of non-stop acrylic overlays and plastic tips.  I had been really busy the past month and half and hadn't gotten a gel mani. Soooo as I was out pampering myself getting ready to celebrate the 2012 with the hubby and kids, I decided to make one last stop to the nail shop.  I contemplated a color choice, but knew I wanted to be festive.  I had a few silvers and metallics, but the nail tech suggested RED!  I thought about it for a minute and since I tend to be a pushover about that kind of stuff, I said, "sure why not?"  I absolutely loved the vivid and bright RED color.  I felt as if it represented much more than just a festive look. I started thinking about the Go RED campaigns I've participated, the RED dresses I've worn to celebrate, the RED for the sorority Delta Sigma Theta, and those RED high-waist, wide leg pants I am waiting to find.

toodles...

DIY: Painted Clutch

Happy New Year folks!  I am so happy about this project.  Every Christmas holiday I like to find a craft to do with my mother-in-law when she visits for 2 weeks.  I was determined to get this one done.  A few months back my mom sent me a few of her old clutch purses from her DIVA days in the 1970's and 80's.  See her a few pics from those days in my June 2011 blog posting here: Tribute to my Mother! I started re-do's of two of them (one gray and one black), but this one (the black one) far outweighs the other.  I still have some more work to do in the creative department for the gray clutch.  When I am done I will post about it.  As far the black one goes, I was able to capture the process below.  I must give credit to my inspiration for the idea. It came from a blog called Handbag Heaven I stumbled upon.

original clutch-purse from my Mom's 1970s collection

inside of the clutch

taped using painters tape, first layer painted using foam paint brush and glitter paint

first few coats of paint drying

FINISHED with clear sealant and ready for use

toodles...

Happy Kwanzaa (Celebration)

Each and every year we host a Kwanzaa Dinner at work. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday so we weren't going against any policies. To learn more about Kwanzaa and its founder click here http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

I decided to post a few pictures of the decorations that my co-worker put together for the celebration.  My favorite part is when we do the libations which I actually do not have any pictures of. But none the less, I hop you enjoy the few I do post.

Upside down pineapple cake

East African Dish

Injera (East African Dish), Collard Greens, and Liberian Potato Salad (left)

Sambusa (East African Dish)

Thrifted Jewel and Ruben Studdard

This posting is two-fold: one to share with you a necklace and brooch in one that I bought at a local Goodwill store (Roseville or Woodbury).  I fell in love with the abstract details and earth toned colors.  It goes really well with several pieces in my closet.  I usually pair the necklace with this gold bracelet from Francesca's Collection.

Click here and scroll down to see the gold bracelet in a posting I did this summer.
  http://tdrenice.blogspot.com/2011/07/jewels-to-die-forsummer-2011.html#more

~front~

~back~

Secondly, I regret that I missed out on my intended stop to Two Birds Vintage Boutique this weekend, but duty as a mother and volunteer was calling.  On Friday night I had to go to my son's first basketball game as a high schooler and on Saturday, I volunteered and worked the Miss Black Minnesota USA Scholarship Pageant.  Ruben Studdard was the guest artist and boy did he sing.  I was able to capture a few pics from stage left.

Happy Sunday folks!

Another Sunday has come and I decided to take a few outfit pics.  The boots are supposed to be at my knee, but I had slouched them down a little bit during our after-church dinner.  The red wrap served as a light coat for me on this cloudy, chilled day.

boots: mia from macy's (purchased last year)
dress: george from wal-mart (purchased in 2009)
necklace: macy's (purchased in atl)
jacket: guess


toodles...

Ain't nothing going on but the rent!

Just as my title indicates, taken from a 1986 song by Gwen Guthrie, I haven't really been up to much.  Nothing exciting, just the normal hustle and bustle of daily life.  I can't believe that I haven't blogged in a month!  I have, however, been reading other people's blogs.  I decided today that I will join www.PinInterest.com so that I can have a place to store and share things of interest that I find on the world wide web.  The Christmas holidays are coming up and I usually try to find a simple craft to do with my mother-in-law and my kids.  I saw a few in different places online and desperately need to save them without having to clog up the memory on my computer.  PinInterest would be perfect for all of my idea storage needs.

As far as outfit posts go, I haven't taken any good pics and therefore do not have any to share.  I guess I could have always posted a few outfit inspirations, but was too lazy to do so.

I will say that I am excited about attending my very first vintage sale sponsored by "Two Birds Boutique". For those of you who are vintage clothes lovers or looking to add/learn about the vintage look, check them out at http://twobirdsboutique.blogspot.com/2011/11/two-birds-vintage-workshop-sneak-peek.html.


toodles....

Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow

     Monday has come and gone.  I actually made a conscious effort to try and take a few blog pics in my office today playing around with a different camera, Nikon Coolpix S3100 to be exact. 
     I did a rush job on my hair and makeup which is why I tried to fade my pics out.  I really just wanted to capture the bright yellow for such a gloomy, Fall day.  My mother, the fashion icon of the family, ALWAYS made me wear bright colors on gloomy and rainy days when I was a kid.  I despised doing so back then despite the many compliments I received from my teachers and other adults.  
     I do realize, however, that this particular shade of yellow is not exactly in the Fall fashion line up, but hey, it's my blog and I make the rules.  Have a fabulous week folks.

yellow bracelet~Dots

black and yellow shirt~Dots 

Toodles....