This where I wished I graduated from

This was taken on my recent trip to NYC. I love this city. It’s busy and diverse. No matter what you want or feel like doing it can be done!! If life would’ve gone the way I planned it when I was a senior in high school, I’d be a fashion designer today! Too bad high school diplomas don’t come with cash so you don’t have to listen to Mom & Dad.

Oh and this is right around the corner from the world-famous Lindy’s, home of the original cheesecake. By the way, you pass thee garden, as in Madison Square Garden on way to the $12.00 slice of cheesecake. Kind of pricey for the Midwest pocket, but worth every single bite.

Oh and ladies guess what, there is a beauty supply store across from Lindy’s that has hair weave  with the rollers in it. Can you believe that!?!?  I actually had a photo of me with it in my daughter’s camera, but she lost it…for a good cause. The Victoria Secret semi-annual sale. We were shopping and have no clue where it is…..stuff happens.

It was a great day of shopping…speed shopping to be exact, but I had fun. Next trip, I know what to expect and what to see. I will be well prepared for the trip.

Madison Square Garden

The Camera Loser and Me

Questions that people asked me….

I have been asked by my YouTube viewers a few things about me. I have been a lil squeamish about answering but thought, what the hell what can it hurt? So here ya go!

1. What is your favorite color?      Purple
2. What camera do you use?           Kodak EasyShare Z1485 IS 14mp ( in pink)
3. Can you show a look using black eyeshadow?   I sure can. I plan to do a Middle East inspired look using black. Till  then checkout my video on Court Room Cuteness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0um_ZaEgBM)
4. How come you don’t use MAC makeup?  I absolutely love MAC, but I am a cougar on a budget and I want everyone to be able to copy my looks. MAC ain’t cheap.
5. How come you use different makeup brands? Again it’s all about the dollars. Plus each brand does different things and I like to buy whats pretty. Variety is the spice of life.
6. What movie editor do you use?   Plain old generic Movie Maker…..lol. It does its thing.
7. Who are your role models?  In no particular order….my Mom and Dad, Kimora Lee Simmons, Tyra Banks, Marlena a.k.a Makeup Geek founder, Vera Wang, my oldest daughter, and anyone who has been married and in love for more than 10yrs.
8. What is your favorite city? Well, I have a few. I love San Diego. The weather is always perfect and there is plenty to do. I also love NYC!!! The weather can be cruel but the diversity and liveliness is real plus for me. Now, my fave city to live was Orange, Ca. I love the family atmosphere, the beach, the weather, and is just a great place to come home to after a night out in L.A.
9. Where would like to live?   I love to try my luck in NYC or even the eastern shores (D.C. area)
10. What is your dream job?    This is easy, a combination of Kimora Lee, Vera Wang, and Bobbi Brown. Although,  trophy wife does come to mind
11. Who is your favorite artist?   Wow, this changes for me but, right now. It’s Adele. Christina Aguillera always remains close.
12. Are you a Mac or a PC?    I’m a PC
13. Name your YouTube Gurus, real fast in no particular order?  Ok here goes…..SongbirdDiva4Life, Muffinismylovers, pinkpornstar, MakeupGeek, MsChanda, Ateeyaa, AllThingsFabulous, JLovesMac, LilMissGrace….uuummmmm. Ok brain locked.
14. What do like about YT?   I like the fact that if you wanna know how to do something it’s on YouTube! People sharing whatever is you wanna know and maybe not wanna know.
15. Name something you could live without?  HHhmmm……my laptop. I’d be lost. Then 2nd comes my camera.
16. What hobbies do you have?  UUmmmm…..I don’t have one. Any suggestions?
17. What is your fave food?  Besides anything chocolate, I love seafood and spicy food.
18. Are those your eyes or contacts?  LOL….they are my eyes, but I need contacts. I’m tired of wearing glasses.
19. What celebrity do people say you look like?  I get Queen Latifah a lot! I’ve also heard Stacey Dash and Vanessa Williams. All beautiful, I’ll take that comparison any day.
20. What would change about your YouTube channel?  Well, I want my own original theme song. I also want to make YouTube partner and I wish I had a more loyal viewers. Shout out to those who’ve subscribed…THANKS A BUNCH!!

Whew! That was a lot of work. If there’s more you wanna know feel free to ask.

Lakota

Race in Your Face panel: Michelle, Micheal, Tyra, Jackie, and Dat

I am a little late with this post, but I wanted to see if the issue or fire of my opinion was going to die within me, but it didn’t so here I am. On Tuesday, Sept.29th Tyra, one of my fave celebs aired a show called Race in Your Face. The show consisted of a panel of people of various nationalities to be available for audience questions regarding their race.

On the panel, representing Caucasians was Michelle Collins, columnist and comedian. Micheal Epps representing African Americans who is a comedian.Jackie Guerra representing the Latin community, who is an actress and activist. Finally, representing the Asian community was Dat Fan, also a comedian. (Do you see a pattern)

Well, my burning frustration came when two particular questions were asked.The response was so full of comedy that a teaching moment was lost. Jackie Guerra and Dat Fan both answered all of their questions with comedy, but also educated. I was particularly proud when she (Jackie)was asked, why do Mexicans dress like cowboys. She gave a brief history lesson and then very self assuredly answered,”Mexicans don’t dress like cowboys, cowboys dress like Mexicans”.

Ok, so you want to know what questions got me burning? I’ll start with the one that bothers me the least. A white audience female asked, why do Black men where so much and so large jewelry, “wassup with the bling?” Micheal Epps being the chosen panelist answered, cuz we wanna show we got it like dat? We want everyone to know we able. Don’t misunderstand me, I am also a Mike Epps fan…quit playin’ Day-Day is straight my baby Daddy, but I was sadden that a teaching moment was lost. 

I may be wrong, but my understanding that wearing big chains and lots of bling goes back to slavery. It is done as a remembrance and a tribute to our ancestors who were chained against their will and snatched to a foreign land and treated like animals and property. The bling says, master gave me chains of oppression, degradation, and despair, but I shined ‘em up and they became gold, diamonds, and silver. The treasury of the king that my forefathers were. I the Prince wear them in honor of them. If I am wrong please correct me. Like I said, this was the question or response I should say that bothered me the least.

The question that sparked the answer that peeved me the most was when a white man asked, why do Black mothers discipline their children so loudly? I am so disappointed at the answer that I don’t even remember what was said, but I just knew between Tyra and Mike, they would tell the truth ( where is Micheal Baisden when you need him).

This answer I know is a fact. I know it’s a fact, because my grandmother has often discussed it with me, her name was, MuDear so you know she was tough. African American mothers discipline loudly, because their mothers did it. Their mothers did it, because it was a matter of life and death. If the name Emmet Till means nothing to you then let me explain.

During Jim Crow and Segregation, if your child “misbehaved” in public you’d better be loud enough for all the good white citizens to hear you correct your child so that they knew your “colored behind” knew better. If you didn’t, white men in white sheets would come during the night and take you or your child or both, and beat you, string you up and burn your house while the rest of your family watched as you swung from a tree. Maybe if you were lucky they took your husband and only beat him and burn the house down. Either way, the white men in white sheets were coming. So yelling at your child and swatting the behind right where they stood was a life saving necessary.

To add insult to my injury, Tyra stated several times during the show after a few responses, see somethings have historical meaning. Yes Tyra they do, and you missed two very important ones. Barack maybe President, but he cannot do it alone. The shows topic was wonderful, but important teaching moments were lost.  Honestly, why white people tan and why don’t they use wash clothes aren’t earth shattering or even considered note worthy, nothing for the history books, but yet they got answered.

My whole point, I just had to get it off my chest, because sometimes if you understand a person you can better deal with them. Understanding is the beginning of open communication. Communication brings about resolution. Thanks for reading.

Please checkout the link to the Tyra Show:http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/2009/09/race_in_your_face.php

Also, I intentionally left off quotations where I wasn’t absolutely sure of exact words. I want to be the last one to miss quote someone, but I do remember what was said.

Check your local listings for the Emmy Award winning Tyra Show and check out Mike Epps in his new upcoming movie. Watch your theaters.

Lakota

I decided I wanted something good and different for lunch. I used to order this from a restaurant near my last place of emplyment and thought my taste buds could help me decipher the flavors. It was a sucess and I pigged out! All I needed was a cold glass of ice tea to wash it down. I hope you enjoy this. Leave a comment on how it tasts.

I have tried to fight the urged to go retro. Why you ask? Well, isn’t obvious? When was the last time you saw a African American, Latina, or Native American pinup? For me the answer is NEVER. Also, where I live has a lot to do with it too. You know folks on the right coast aren’t so open minded, free spirited or easy going. They are harsh to criticize too.

Also, there aren’t very many occasions to wear the look. There aren’t car clubs, car shows, and “greaser” events to attend in thee old Midwest/ Northeast coast either. I get lots of feedback when I do something as simple as wear a flower in my hair.  I got spoiled from my days in California. There is plenty of occasions to sport my look and other people dressed like me too.

Well, tell what you think. Wanna know how I did the makeup, check out the vid on the DIY Makeup page.

 

 

 

First of all at the nail shop you are one of several waiting. Meaning, that they’re cranking out the toes so they can count their dough. Yep, they soak you, scrub you, rub you and it 5 dolla for dejine.  The smell is of nail polish, acrylic nail solution, and polish remover. The sound is of nail drills, Asiatic languages, both on the TV and in spoken word, coupled by table talk between clientele and servicer or client to client.  And I promise you, somebody has brought their child with them who either missed a nap or had too much sugar.

At the spa, when you walk in, the waiting room is clear because, everyone has an appointment and they’re being serviced or it isn’t time for them to arrive.  The air smells aromatic. You try and guess the scent but, say forget it because, it just smells relaxing. You know better than to try and guess the zen like music playing. Besides, your feeling the feug shei and you’ve forgotten how early you got up to get there. Kids? Where? Oh you mean the ones the belong to you, I mean me? “Gurl, I left day bad asses wit dey Daddy”. They ain’t allowed in a spa unless they’re being serviced anyway.

The pedicure was heaven. I sat in a massage chair…heated massage chair. This pedicure included soaking in a heated vibrating tub along with the jets. I got massaged from knees to the tip of my toes. The conversation was soft spoken and initiated by me to stay awake. The reflexology (exercising of the joints thru manual manipulation) just topped it off. My ankles, toes and feet felt energized and pain free.

Then out can the cold nail polish remover, to remove some of the massage lotion from my nails, invigorating and sobering. I needed it from all the relaxing. After a lil polish, a lil top coat, and some rhinestones, I have some pretty flashy toes. They scream it’s summer look at me. By the way, the design is part of the service. Smooches to Nina, my spa specialist and major thanks to my hubby for putting her in my path.

My lovely toe nail art

Here's where to reach Nina (pronounced Ny'na)

UPDATED! Nina can only be reached by phone. Her location has changed

Farewell to an Icon

 Sly Airbrush & Design: A Closer Look at an Airbrush Artist to the Stars
Sly Airbrush & Design is on the concourse level of Cleveland’s Tower City. Bright lights arranged along the wall to display art at its urban best: T-shirts, wall hangings, motorcycle helmets, and even a car hood designed in the style of Lord of The Rings.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/589523/sly_airbrush_design_a_closer_look_at.html

I saw the earrings and had to have them. For us gen-Xer’s, big earrings are a throw back and I decided I wanted to go there. Some throw backs you shouldn’t wear a second time around, but accessories usually do work. They freshen up a age appropriate outfit. Like those khakis from express with a tailored shirt and blazer, a pair of throw back hoops work well to keep you from looking too seasoned. {seasoned a polite word for old}

The tops are low cut, which says I still got it, but I plan to wear tank under it which says, but I got some sense too (sense enough to know my boobs are not where I left them). The t-shirt…there was no way I was leaving that! “Will work for Shoes”, is definitely a brief description of me. The trick to wearing a t-shirt is get it a size bigger than you need and to make sure it is a women’s cut. A women’s cut has a curve to it so that it gives you a waist when you wear it. It’s important to have the waist so you don’t look heavier than you are. Besides, curves are in! It took 30 years plus to get that body so show it off and dress it right!

Quick Tips for Teen Shopping

1. Hit the clearance rack first
2. Grab everything in your size whether you like it or not ( a size larger than you need, it’s teen clothes)
3. Try them ALL on
4. Sort by fit and taste (looked good on didn’t look good)
5. Sort the keepers by price, what you wanna spend
6. BUY IT!

Don’t worry too much about quality these are items you just want to freshen up your look with and probably won’t wear next season or even next year because, the styles will change. It just has to look appropriate. Happy shopping!

CougarTV is makeup, fashion, hair, trends, and chatting for those of us who have aged fabulously while making it over “the hill”.  The goal of CougarTV is all about fun and living life to the fullest and being greatful the we finally found out who we are while we still got it. We love our 20 somethings and will always have room for them, because without them then we the cougars, wouldn’t be fabulous.

What is a cougar?

The urban dictionary defines her as older woman, aged 35 and older on the hunt for youger men.(see:http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cougar)

My definition of a cougar is a mature woman, aged 35 or older,  in control of her self and her life. She is no longer prey, but the hunter. Not necessarily in the club, but in all aspects of her life.  She runs her household, has her career underwraps and knows what to do with her boss if she isn’t the boss. Her love life has a whole new meaning now that “she knows what she knows”. She takes care of her other half because, her other half takes care of her. Most importantly, the cougar knows how to take care of  HERSELF!