January 26, 2012
I realized while talking to someone over the weekend, I have been holding out! I have not been sharing in my nail journey with my blog. I mean I LOVE my nails. Designs are so fun and actually having healthy nails is a task. The ultimate compliment I got was when my nails were plain and someone said, “wow your nails look so healthy!” * cheese *
So here are some nail designs I have done myself over the last year or so. Many of them are inspired by looks I’ve found online. I read and watch tutorials. I also am obsessed with buying nail polish and nail care things. I also practice. As you can see from some of the pics. One thing I wanted to try but never got around to was the tribal nail. Maybe next summer.
Some of my fav designs here. You have the mood changing polish, depending on if you’re body temp is hot or cold it can be pink or purple. That was my most recent birthday. The nails I literally JUST did are the baby doll pink with black matte leopard accent nail. I was inspired by some photos of black and gold matte leopard nails and wanted to try to recreate. Right before those was the terracotta color, which is Zoya Natalie (the pink was Zoya Flora). Zoya is an all natural polish and I stocked up on some great colors due to their buy 2 and only pay shipping sales! #WIN. I love the neon yellow. I did that using a tip from diynails.tumblr.com, which was to apply coat(s) of white underneath the yellow to make it stand out because when I first did it, you couldn’t even see it. It made my nails look like jaundiced yellow “/
In one corner you have my blood splatter design from Halloween. I got that idea from reading www.refinery29.com They have great DIY nail blogs, especially for holidays. I also love the nude with polka dots. The nude is Zoya Shay (FREEE) and that was in November. I did the white with orange polka dots when I went to ATL in May for PhDubb’s graduation. I also love the teal color at the bottom and a similar color is on my nails in the top corner.. the bottom is Mattese Elite, which is exclusive to Ricky’s in NYC. Buy with ME had a sale, spend $20 and get $40 for use at Rickys. I bought 5 bottles of Nail polish. There are some designs I didn’t talk about but if you have questions on them, I will gladly answer. As you can see I am passionate about nails! My coworker swears I’m in the wrong profession.
My nail polish habit is sick. I had more bottles but discarded a few. Last I counted I had about 31 and I bought more after that. That’s not including top coats and base coats.
Nail Care ::
My nails were in pretty bad shape at one point. I didn’t really know to file in one direction only. I would file with damp nails. I would bite. Use my nails as a tool. All the things you shouldn’t do. My friend introduced me to Nailtiques, which is a nail protein and my nails, while not extra long, have grown to be extremely healthy and flexible due to the use of that and better technique. It retails for about $20 bucks a bottle but lasts for at least 1-2 months. Nailtiques can be used as a base and top coat, but when I use it I typically just do it bare nailed and go hard for 2weeks or more depending.
For a base coat, I’ve recently been using the Seche Vite
Ridge filling base coat. I also use their quick dry top coat, which if you google, gets AWESOME reviews. It reallllly is quick dry. That came as a bday gift from the same friend who introduced me to Nailtiques.
Lastly, for cutiles. Essie Disappear Trick. NO trimming. Just 15 second application. push back with orange stick and you’re hands look ah-maz-ing.
I recently watch a Deborah Lippman video on manicures and took away some great tips that I’m working into my routine. I also want to splurge on either some Deborah Lippman or Chanel Polish.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: diy, essie, fashion, mattest elite, nailcare, nails, polish | No Comments »
April 17, 2011
I’m completely obsessed with nail polish and designs these days. Especially ones I might be able to create myself. So, I read a tutorial on http://diynails.tumblr.com on how to do Cheetah Nails .. And decided to try it ..since I’m overly harsh I think my attempt sucked but I have to relax it was my first time and after doing further research, I needed a dipping tool (or toothpick) to make the spots .. I used a Qtip lol.. You live and you learn! Check them out!
I think next time I’m going with a lighter base coat, like tan, with pink cheetah dots and the black outline. For me the green spots are too close in color to the black .. And I was rushing so it smeared. 
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry. Excuse my typos and other errors “/
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: fashion, nails, random | 1 Comment »
February 8, 2011
The other day or last week me and a friend were having a conversation over Gchat .. and I decided to blog it .. rather than explain it and all that, just check it out::
A: so right, my new co-worker told me that I seem unapproachable. Like when Im walking around and stuff, and I look mean until I start talking to someone and then I look happy and good .. but that she was kind of nervous to talk to me .. .and then she sat with me last week for training and she’s like you know then I really realized ur really nice and funny and stuff
I dont seem unapproachable do i?
is it cuz I’m light skin?
B: lmao. I think its cus your black
A: lol but she’s black too
B: Real talk though, I think part of it has to do with the fact that you/we have this “woman on a mission” look/walk/way about us, that may make us seem unapproachable
that doesnt matter
I’ve had a black person tell me the same thing
A: thats true .. i do have a “woman about my business walk” lol
B: told ya! and your a cutie, so maybe she thought you thought you were “too good” or something
you literally have to go out of your way to say hi to everyone and damn near smile as you walk. lol
A: its true! you have to like be this walking smiling mannequin .. but like who the hell just walks and smiles?
B: heres the kicker though. (I’ve being giving this some thought)What do ppl really think would happen to them if they approached you, especially in the work place??
do they really expect you to give the stereotypical eye roll, head dance attitude?
A: this is true .. like do they expect a sigh and a head nod and for you to keep it moving? I think its a cop out for people being nervous sometimes .. like don’t blame it on me .. just say, “I was new and nervous about my first impressions. ..”or whatever
B: right!!!I can KINDA see guys feeling like they might get shut down
(had a dude that I thought was hella fine at my job tell me that)
but I dont think we run into that problem with older guys (as Ive been approached, even if its just to say hi, by older guys at my job)
women, are a different story though.
A: yeah I agree … men, especially older are diff .. one guy just walks past my office and says hello .. i can’t even remember his name .. just whenver he’s in my building .. women are diff .. which is why I was happy that I started work the same time as another girl so it kinda broke the ice
and almost everyone in my office is under 30 ..
** I might have to blog this ** lol
B: go for it!!!!
its definitely a issue that I think a lot of females face. On the opposite end, do you approach 20 something new black females, at random or not?
A: I always introduce myself to people when t hey start .. and try to make converation, ask where’d they work before .. get a feeel for them
———-
What do you guys think? Has this been something you’ve faced / encountered? Is this real? Why do people judge you off how you walk around?
Posted in Cleo's Rants, eternal reflections | Tags: curiousity, fashion, news, workplace antics | 1 Comment »
December 10, 2010
So .. today over a nice delicious Portuguese BBQ meal me and a coworker had a discussion about women who are scandalous. Some of us often refer to them as “ain’t shit” or “rachet” or just plain “hoes”. You know, women who make eye contact with a man and then blow him in the bathroom of the local VFW (yup women do this). So I said to this person, a wonderful woman, who is awesome. She’s like my auntie. She’s like 38 to my 25 and we just talk and she’s great. But anyway, I said to her you know its women like this who make it so easy for guys to be disrespectful to women. It’s women like this that are the reason that men can so easily not be in relationships, because they can get all the benefits of a relationship with strangers.
I mean men aren’t totally blame free, but if women stopped allowing them to do trifling stuff, who would they do it with? I mean, don’t get me wrong, public sex is HOT .. with my boyfriend!!! Or a guy I’m dating seriously. But I could NEVER make out in the bathroom of a bar with a stranger, I’d at least let him take me back to his hotel room! It’s reality though, why is a guy going to put in all this work (i.e take you to dinner, find out your interests before trying to screw you) if he can get laid without any effort?
So then I came home and was reading on NecoleBitchie this snippet from a Taraji P. Henson interview in Complex Mag. I love love Love Taraji, ever since I first saw her in Baby Boy!” If a woman’s sleeping with this dude one night, another guy the next, no one’s taking her seriously. If you don’t give it up, he doesn’t have that power. We get men’s attention when we close our legs. For me, it’s not a game. I’m seeing what I can put up with. I’m not perfect, but I need to know if I’m going to like you on the days when I don’t want to like you.”
It made me think about where I am in life and what I’m looking for (or not looking for) but what I hope to find one day and about what I’m willing to accept from a guy right now. And I’ve realized that I am not interested in a solely sexual relationship with anyone (no matter how much I need to get laid) and it sucks because that’s what so many guys are looking for. But I wont settle. Never settle.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: celebrity, fashion, rant, relationships | 1 Comment »
November 16, 2010
Hijacked from Dubb who hijacked it from someone else … OH the wonderful world of blogging!
5 famous people you’d like to meet.
* Warren Buffett
* Steve Jobs
* Janet Jackson
* Toni Morrison
* Kanye West (yeah i said it)
5 books that affected your life.
* the coming of age in Mississippi – Ann Moody
* eat, pray, love – Elizabeth Gilbert
* Why we Can’t Wait – Dr. Martin Luther King
* The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison
* Eyewitness Auschwitz: Three Years in the Gas Chambers – Filip Muller
5 favorite movies.
* grease
* Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
* The Nightmare Before Christmas
* The 5th Element
* Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
5 addictions.
* reading
* shoes
* gourmet jelly beans
* eye liner
* Benihana’s lunch special
5 things that turn you On.
* nice large hands
* well read
* diverse music taste
* intelligent
* a nice smile, generic but true
5 things that turn you completely Off.
* insecurity
* negative attitude
* over confidence (read:cocky)
* compulsive liar
* not stable
5 rules that you live by
* You’re only responsible to yourself, until you have kids
* If you love it, go for it
* Don’t talk about it, be about it!
* troubles don’t last always
* Treat others how you want to be treated
Posted in Cleo's Rants, entertainment, eternal reflections | Tags: change, fashion, random | 1 Comment »
October 28, 2010
I saw this pic over on NecoleBitchie.com and my my MY I love it! I’d be my husband’s canvas for sure !!! Did I say I love it?The lighting is great, her hair, the scenery. I wonder if this was pre, post, or during pregnancy?
Check out Necole’s post for great quotes from Swizz’s twitter and Alicia’s Keys blog about motherhood.
Posted in Randomness | Tags: alicia keys, art, celebrity, fashion | No Comments »
October 27, 2010
One thing I happen to love is nail polish!
I don’t know when it came over me, but I do now. I’ve even taken my own nail polish with me to get manicures. My latest find: O.P.I Only Gold For Me top coat. When I first saw it in Sephora, I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. but then I put a coat on over my electric blue nail polish and LOVED it. I immediately knew I wanted to go home and apply it over O.P.I’s Black Onyx polish I had. The results:
Here they are 2 days later, slightly chipped, but not as chipped as they usually are after 2 days.
I’m sold. I even did my toes to match.
I think this color is going to rock out for the next few weeks. And I NEVER wear red nail polish, but I’m imaginging this over red nails for the office holiday party.
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: beauty, entertainment, fashion, hot, nail polish, nails, o.p.i. | No Comments »
October 22, 2010
I finally did it!! I have a pair of OTK boots that actually fit my legs without suffocating them! Can you say SSCCCOOORREEE!!
Steve Madden Neley Boots, $169.95 (but I got 10% off) woo hoo!!!
- Synthetic upper
- Synthetic sole
- 5 inch heel height
- 1.25 inch platform
- 22.5 inch shaft height
- 11 inch shaft circumference
You know I’m in love right? I’m looking for any and every excuse to wear these boots!!
Posted in Fashion Friday, shoes | Tags: boots, fashion, hot, shoe, shoes, steve madden | 1 Comment »
August 16, 2010
The first thing I did when I saw these shoes in the Kenneth Cole store on Saturday was take a picture and tweet, “I need these in life”.
It’s true. They are essential to a fall/winter wardrobe. If I save hard enough I can afford the $295 price tag … I’m going to hope for a sale. Things are sooo much better on sale!
Kenneth Cole Talk Tough
These feature Kenneth Cole’s 9-2-5 (too much to explain, but its supposed to make them uber comfortable.. Perfect for all day wear). They have a 4″ heel, 1″ platform, and an 8″ shaft.. wait .. wait .. mmm .. I’m drooling just thinking of my winter in these boots. Must Haves!
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: boots, fashion, hot, shoes | 2 Comments »
August 9, 2010
So … it’s been a while since I’ve done a shoe post … and these are THE perfect way to bring back shoes .. I low-key love fall because 1. the weather is awesome when its not raining because its not so humid. I love the brisk air in autumn .. and I LOOVVEE cute boots! In case you need a refresher, some of the MUST have for me in shoes are platform, 4 inch heels, and FUNKY! I love something that’s just a little different, after all shoes can make or break an outfit!
Meet Raphael Young’s Autumn/Winter collection. I don’t know who this Paris based designer is, but I am into it. He has a big fall collection too, but here are my 3 favs.
1. If I could wear thigh highs, these would be MINE. I’m freaking drooling! Platform: CHECK. 4 inch + heel : CHECK … *drool*
2. Me + these boots + straight leg jeans= PERFECTION. I neeeeeeeeeeeedd these .. more than I need to pay rent in September. #imjustsaying.The ONLY thing that could make me LOVE this shoe more would be if it had a rugged sole, almost cleat like .. it’d be wrap from there …
3. Blue? Ya’ll know I love blue (despite the bright pink background). I love this bootie (my 2nd favorite shoe style). I’m looking for a bootie to add to the rotation this winter. These shall do JUSSTTTTTTT fine!
Here is where you can check the rest of the collection online. I have no info on how to purchase or pricing yet, because their website is still on the way. They have an email contact, but I don’t know if I’m ready to take that leap yet into emailing them. But oh my I sure would!
Posted in Fashion Friday, shoes | Tags: fashion, hot, shoe, shoes | 2 Comments »
What are the first words that come to your mind when seeing this:
Mine?
Provocative. Is that a real ass? Art.
This is Anna Halldin-Maule. This is an oil painting done from a photograph she took. Dope. I found her through globa14, you can visit her HERE .
Posted in entertainment | Tags: art, curiousity, fashion, hot, random | No Comments »
July 7, 2010
Lately I’ve been trying lots and lots of new make-up items. And some I’ve loved and some I’ve only barely liked. So here are a few of my New favorite things because why would I tell you about the things I didn’t like? You can find most (if not ALL) of these things at your local Sephora. And definitely sign up for the Sephora Beauty Insider to earn free things. Life’s so much better with free things.
Stila Smudgestick eyeliner in Peacock :: Oh my gooodness this color prevails on all! I wear it and so does my friend of a darker complexion, and it looks good on both of us. A+ Stila. And its $20 bucks at Sephora. I might like this better than Lancome’s Black Lapiz. Maybe ;/It goes great with anything. If you like to keep it casual in neutral color clothing, this will add instant jazz to that outfit. Or if you like neutral eyeshadow shades (I usually wear gold) this is gr
eat to line with.
Nars EyeShadow base :: I never thought of using a base/primer until I got this sample. Even then I debated on using it. But I got tired of days when my eyeshadow would cake into the creases of my eyes. No bueno. This is just a little tiny brush and you swipe the eyelid. (or at least that’s what I did since it didn’t really come with instructions). It gives great long lasting eyeshadow.
Lancome Cils Booster XL+ Clinique Lash Doubling mascara :: I have short thin eyelashes and mascara can help them look thicker. But THIS 
combo gives me LASHES!! Total adoration for this. I’m giving up Maybelline great lash. More $$ but well worth it. I’ve tried many mascara’s but this one takes the cake. I’ve been instructed by Diq to try the Lancome HYPNOSE Drama mascara… but th
is works so well I don’t want to find something better. More money than my old Maybelline, but definitely well worth it.
And last but definitely not least –
Nars Stylo :: I’ve had this for awhile and man, I totally love this as eyeliner. It goes on quick and easy and stays all day. On days I want an EXTRA dramatic eye, I use the Clinique very black pencil as a base liner and lay the Nars stylo over it. BOOM dark eyes that last aaaallllll day, no fade. (Thanks Diq for the tip!!) One day I was at the Nars counter in Nordstrom and the nice young gentleman told me that tip is reversible, after I told him that I think it was time for a new one because it wasn’t going on AS dark. So I promptly went home and flipped it. Got some all over my hands, but who cares, it was just like new!
My friend Diq is like my make-up consultant. She spent many years working for Clinique and is always giving me tips and hints. But if it was up to her my whole makeup/beauty regime would consist of only clinique products. At least she’s brand loyal. I now spend way too much money at Clinique. Macy’s loves me for it though 
If you can’t try ANY of these by way of FREE sample (as I did) I highly recommend you do so! PRONTO
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: fashion, makeup, review, reviews | 2 Comments »
May 28, 2010
FYI: I adore Kanye West.
808′s & Heartbreak no matter what you say is a GREAT album. He is showing some harcore emotions on that LP ..
Anywho, ‘Ye is back with his new track, ‘POWER‘ .. I dig it .. but why would I not? I don’t have a audio player plug-in so you’ll have to head over HERE to Nah’ Right to check it out…
I can’t wait for his new project to come out. I don’t like to listen to each track as the ‘leak” ..I like to wait for the full experience. I know he would ‘Never let me down’ lol..
Word on the street is that Kanye & Amber broke up and he paid her some $$$ for her silence (aka a GAG order). Well, at least he rather pay up now than have his business in the street. I’m just mad that girls are gonna be trying to use that as the new come up. . . (you know its true … every body wants to be the next SuperHead)
Posted in entertainment, Music | Tags: fashion, hot, music, raves | No Comments »
Is this better than a Minx manicure?? Minx mani’s have been all the rage, or so I’ve heard since I’ve never gotten one. But now CND wants to Shellac your nails! That’s right kids, Shellac is no longer just for wood, you can use it on your nails!!
I am all about the home manicure. I used to be the girl who went to the salon and had my nails done every 2-3 weeks with the acrylic crap. But 1. It was costly and 2. it damaged the hell out of my natural nails. (this just goes to show that natural everything is better for the body -like natural hair IMO). But every once in a blue moon I like to go to the salon for a manicure. There’s something about letting them do all the cuticle work thats relaxing.And they massage the hell out of my hands. The only thing is the polish doesn’t last any longer than if I did it myself at home. Bummer.
So anyway, WK forwarded me this article about the Shellac Manicure. This thing sounds pretty cool, its a manicure (non-acrylic) that can last for 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS!! Sounds good, right. Except it cost about $40. o_O
I’m sorry. Opie cost 7.99 and who cares if I have to reapply every night. But it just sounds so cool. I want to try it at least once just to see if it really lasts. CND is the brand who makes the polish, and I can’t say I’ve ever heard of them. I’m more of an Opie & Essie girl. The lady who wrote the article says of the Shellac manicure:
The Shellac manicure is completely unique and revolutionary. Have you ever gotten a manicure and then reached for your keys and ruined it? Have you ever gotten your nails done for an event the next day, and had your manicure chip before the festivities begin? Have you ever painted your nails before bed and woken up with sheet marks in them? Have you ever gotten busted at work for trying to redo your nails? Personally, I can say “yes” to all of these things, which is why I’m completely smitten with Shellac, the manicure that requires no drying time and lasts two weeks with no issues whatsoever.
They also only have about 12 colors right now, and none of them are wow’ing me. Check out the Yahoo! Shine article for pictures of it and the color spectrum!
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: entertainment, fashion, random | 2 Comments »
May 21, 2010
What’s a girls birthday wish list without new shoes. And oh what sweet Versace shoes they are! I saw a pic of Ciara in these babies and knnneewww I needed them in my life.
Look @ that platform. *drools*
Posted in Fashion Friday | Tags: celebrity, fashion, shoe, shoes | 1 Comment »
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