Monday, December 31, 2012

Bring it on 2013!


Can you believe another year has passed by us, it seems like yesterday I was celebrating 2012 New Years. As I sit back and reflect on the year 2012, I realized I served much purpose for my life. 2012 was truly my year of blessings, while I had many gains, I also had a few losses including physically and spiritually. Everything I endured this year set me out to be a better women then ever before. I learned the price of life and how the quality of my love, respect, and worthiness is better then the quantity of my friends, clothes, and money.

While, I never usually do new years resolutions, I found it to be very beneficial to add a couple rituals in my daily habit. These are not RESOLUTIONS but habit-changing techniques.

I would first like to stop pre-judging with the men I chose to spend time with. Being picky leaves you lonely. While I don’t have a specific type, I do however know what I like and dislike, at least I thought I did. I only went on 5 dates this year and I kept pulling on loose strings with past relationships. I believe that is stopping me to move to the next chapter in my life. I have no ill feelings with any exes which is why I have not felt the need to cut them loose. Until now, it’s not benefiting me and at the end of the day, we aren’t meant to be. I believe if I truly lose ties with these three guys and actually have a platonic friendship with them, my heart will gain room to let a perfect stranger sweep me off my feet. So for 2013, I want to create all possibilities to open up and fall in love again with someone who respects me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Another thing I would love to accomplish is to create a healthier me. This means getting back on track with my weight loss, taking better care of my hair and also my skin. I want to lose 30 pounds this year, very realistic. Losing the weight slow allows me to go at my own pace and not others. I created a work out routine that could allow me to lose more weight then 30 pounds, but I know I am going to have off days, weeks, maybe months! In a previous post, you saw my hair journey and what I will be doing weekly. As for my skin, I will learn how to keep my blemishes at a minimum as well clearing my dark spots from previous acne spots. The number one key to help creating a healthier me is WATER, I have to learn to love water. During the summer time that was really all I drank, besides the usual drink with friends, but I made it a habit and kept with it.


Blogging has become a second job for me this year, and I love it!  I want to create better quality work with any topic imaginable. I love my blog now, but I have much room for improvement. I would love to find the perfect look for my blog, maybe get a graphic designer to create a layout suitable for my blog’s personality. I will vow to increase the traffic of my blog and try to create better quality pictures. I have a nice high-tech camera but my iphone is always on me and has become my best friend. I will try my best to do better in 2013.

The last thing I would love to have accomplished for 2013 is finding my very first career! I graduate December 2013 with a degree in Public Relations and Political Science and I would love to have a career already set up while I’m in school. I’m in no way of any sort rushing my future because I tend to over think everything and scare myself thinking I wont find a career in my major field. That is why I promise to network even more next year so companies will be delighted to have me as an addition. My internship at the Conventions Visitors Center offered me a job playfully this summer, but they knew I still had one year at Hampton left. Maybe they will have another position ready next year. I do know I will start applying for careers in the summer of 2013 and also Grad school to get my MBA. Its so many things I want to do career-wise and I don’t want any set-backs in my future when I’m ready to do something extraordinary. I’m excited yet scared of what my future holds.

While I sit back and read everything I just wrote it sounds a little like RESOLUTIONS, but I do not want to call them that only because these new moves are ESSENTIAL for my future. I need to do these things in order to live a happy and successful life like I want. I have many goals I would like to accomplish and I believe a lot of the stuff mentioned above is going to get me closer to the women I would love to be.

I hope you all have a happy new year, try to be a better person from the year before and try something you would not usually do. Thanks for following me on my journey and I hope you all are looking forward to the new things I have in stored for 2013.
XOXO

- Ashley

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Im now on BLOGLOVIN and other social networks




Yes, i know, im so late but its better to be late then to never show up right?

Like my Facebook page ISaidIWasAmazing

Also feel free to follow me on instagram as well at HERBOSSYASH

thanks so much!

xoxo

-Ashley 

Take Time to Relax This Christmas (advertisement)

Whether hosting gatherings or attending a busy timetable of events, at times Christmas can be as stressful as it is fun. Decorating your home, shopping for gifts and preparing food can all be pretty stressful experiences, so make sure you enjoy the season to its fullest by putting time aside for yourself and following these top tips…

Feel comfy: Dancing in heels, work functions long into the night and post-work shop dashes in the biting cold can leave your skin and body weary. Make sure you take time out now and then to kick off the stilettos and go make-up free for an evening. One way of ensuring you unwind properly is having the right clothes for the job: amongst party pieces and cute dresses make sure you buy pyjamas, slippers or a shawl for that essential lazy midweek evening.


Turn on the box: The weather might be terrible, and the shops on the weekend often resemble a rugby scrum, but one area that always improves at Christmas is TV. Snuggle up on the sofa and take advantage of the specials which will grace our screens in the coming weeks. Fans of reality TV can look forward to Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off, and classic favourites like Call The Midwife, Doctor Who and The Royle Family are also set to air.


At-home treatments: Keen to maintain your beauty schedule for the party season? Salons and beauty parlours can often become booked up during this time of year. Instead, invite the girls around and exchange tips and tools for manicures. Better yet, try a mobile therapist for waxing, eyebrow shaping and hair colouring. If you feel sore after carrying those shopping bags home last night, you could even indulge in a relaxing massage.


Step away from the stove: Those tired of preparing festive fare for family and guests should make time to take a break and opt for convenience. This needn’t mean sacrificing quality or a healthy diet: Waitrose offer a ‘dine in for £10’ deal on many of their high quality and tasty dishes, which are ready in minutes. Their LOVE Life range offers similar convenience and quality and is great for those watching their weight.


Christmas is a fun-filled time of year, but it’s often one of the most intense too. Keep careful track of how much work you are putting into the festivities and balance it with essential downtime to best enjoy the party season.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

"Resort Ready" line at Forever 21

Hey ladies, have you seen the "Resort Edition" that Forever 21 is now offering? They have a lot of nice pieces available, specially made to be chic and sleek!

Not sure if i can wear anything in this line, but i will absolutely go try on some stuff its available in my local Forever 21!

Here is a few of my favorite pieces and to see more you can go to Forever 21!





xoxo

- Ashley

New Years Eve Party Heels

Hello ladies, Happy Holidays! I hope each and every one of you received an amazing Christmas with your friends and loved ones. I realized as I’ve gotten older, Christmas is all about QUALITY over Quantity, I was blessed to receive many of the items on my wish list and I was fortunate to spend the holidays with my family.

Back to business! Everyone knows *Phaedra voice*, I have a thing, almost obsession for heels, even though I don’t wear them everyday, I know I spend majority of my money on some “6 inch killas!”

Anywho, I went to DSW and Macys today to look for a pair of heels I could wear for a New Years Eve party! I have no idea what I’m doing for New Years Eve just yet, but a girl can never be TOO prepared for any unscheduled events!

So, I would like to play a little game! I’m going to post a couple shoes down below and I will also let you know which one I ended up purchasing! I want YOU to tell me what dress will best suit the heels bought! Ok ladies, lets go!

The first pair from DSW were the BEBE “Perlah” pump! These gave me a very western feel as it had the fringe detail on the back! They look great on and they were priced at $99.

The second pair of heels were the Jessica Simpson “Breaking Leather” pump! These peep toe heels caught my eye because of the detailing on the back of the shoe. I’m very scared of spiked shoes, so studs were just enough to give any outfit of mine that “edge” needed.

The last pair I cam across were from Macy, they are the Guess? “Varika” Mary Jane inspired heels. I fell in love with these shoes as soon as I saw them. I loved the height and I don’t have a pair of Mary Jane heels, and I thought it would be nice to add to my collection. The color was also a plus, as well as the price of $39.99.

So ladies, what shoes do you think I picked: the fringe western style, peep toe rocker, or the purple Mary Janes? “cues suspenseful music!”







I picked the last pair, I already own a couple of nude pumps and the purple color really made me think it would go great with any outfit for New Years as well as other occasions!



 _______________________________

Also, my THIGH HIGH boots from JustFab came today. If you follow me on instagram “HERBOSSYASH” you will know the entire BS I went through to get these boots! I first receive them 2 weeks ago in a size 6 instead of a 9, I returned them and they sent me another box…. Only with a whole different pair of boots! So, I returned them again and they came again today perfect! I almost could not fit them over my calf, but they were just right, I love them!

Again ladies, i would love to hear your ideas on the perfect dress for new shoes!

xoxo

-Ashley

Monday, December 24, 2012

View My 2012 Hair Journey


Merry Christmas Eve ladies, so as I was chopping at my hair this morning, I noticed I have going through a lot of changed with my hair throughout the year, some good and some bad.

Last January I decided I was going to stop getting relaxers in my hair (for the 2nd time) and start my natural process.  I decided to stop getting relaxers for many reasons:
  1. It always burnt my scalp, no matter how short or long of a period it was in my hair.
  2. It was too expensive, my stylist was charging me 60 dollars, every time I was getting a relaxers.
  3. Sometimes it wouldn’t take, due to my scalp being on FIRE so damn early.

So, I decided to share with you all the different looks and how healthy and not so healthy my hair looked during the year 2012. Enjoy!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Review on e.l.f. Mineral Personal Blend Foundation SPF 15 in Dark


E.L.F says: Create customized mineral based color for a perfect match, year-round! Housed in a unique quad chamber for the perfect mix, the weightless mineral formulation blends seamlessly into skin and contains natural skin protecting SPF 15 and is 100% mineral based with no parabens, preservatives or chemical dyes. Infused with key Vitamin E for rich antioxidants that hydrate and replenish the skin. The inner dial allows you to control the amount of product dispensed so you can create your customized color and keep the powder closed for clean and easy use everytime.

 

Ashley says: This mineral foundation is going to become one of my favorite foundations! I love that the DARK, has four different shades of product, almond, toffee, deep, and dark! So far, I’ve used the toffee and deep and then the dark as a bronzer on the outskirts of my face!  I have very oily skin, especially on my cheeks and nose, so I tend to stay away from liquid products unless it’s a matte formula (Revlon Super Stay). This is my first time using a powder mineral foundation and it kept me oil free for more then 6 hours. I put this on at3 yesterday, went to work at 4, and when I went to the restroom around 7, the foundation was still on and I wasn’t oily! I was very impressed. Great for medium-coverage and your foundation wont look caked on!

 

Pros: different shades for all seasons, a lot of product, natural, and stays on line

Cons: a little difficult to get the turning spool to move, have to shake for a long time to get enough product.

 

Overall I would give this product a 8/10, if they fix the jar applicator they use, I would give it a 10/10





Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Birthday Chronicles


I really should have a monthly blogpsot called the "birthday chronicles" because i swear, im attending a birthday celebration almost every other weekend. 

So I just had another eventful weekend, again it was one of my close friends birthdays and we had to live it up! He insisted that we purchase a table at one of the clubs we all hadnt been to, im so upset that i wasnt able to take any pictures of us in the club, it was just so much MADNESS and CRAZINESS going on lol. However, i was very fortunate to be able to slip on one of my all-black dresses, i havent worn in over 6 months!!! Recently losing 20 pounds, this dress fits every curve and bump real sexy! 

Anyway, we had so much fun and the pictures really do know justice of the amount of absolute care-free FUN we had.

This is just a quick post to see how beautiful my friends looked over the weekend.

Any questions on where you can find any of these outfits, just comment below and I’ll definitely let you know!

XOXO

-Ashley 

Birthday boy in the middle.

 me and the birthday boy 
we werent ready, but this picture is still READY! lol






Thursday, December 13, 2012

Faux Fur Scarves



I have recently become infatuated with faux fur scarves. Not only are they very fashionable but they give any look a very chic and sleek finish. While completing the rest of my Christmas shopping, I stopped in Target and a saw a beautiful brown faux fur scarf for only 20 bucks! For the life of me I wanted to purchase it, but I have a very bad habit of forgetting the rest of the gifts I have to buy, and just ending up buying stuff for myself. Girls, I even kept it in my cart until check out time when I realized the RESPONSIBLE thing to do was to put it back and finish the rest of my shopping.
            Now its 8 hours later, and I still cannot stop thinking about how I would rock this scarf. One look is, I would pair it with my mid-length all black body-con dress by ASOS and have the scarf as the statement piece. Or, I could dress it down by pairing it with my brown rider boots and an all black ensemble. =(, finally giving in and deciding to purchase it, I looked online and they don’t offer it! So now I have to go back to Target and HOPE they still have some in stock by the time I get there.
            Ladies is there anything you’ve seen while shopping for others that you wanted so badly? Did you go on and buy it or decide to wait and get it later?


XOXO
- Ashley  

Saturday, December 08, 2012

GoJane


Before recently, I had never been on the clothing site, GoJane. That was until blogger, CrystalChanel, did a haul video on them. Why didn’t anyone tell me? They sell some amazing stuff at very affordable prices. I feel like I’ve been missing out on this awesome site with a lot of nice pieces. What really surprised me? There were a lot of pieces I’d previously seen at online boutiques from some of my instagram followers. Definitely will be purchasing some items from them in the near future, TODAY!

Right now, GoJane has a sale going on, if you spend $80, you will get $20 off, that’s a great deal. Check them out!









XOXO

-Ashley

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Winter Lips



Hey you guys, this week has already been stressful as heck and its only hump day! I just finished my first media kit in my PR Writing and Production class and it took a lot of hard work and precision to every little detail. I’m so glad I made it perfect and to my liking. I pray that my grade proves that my dedication paid off. 

Anywho, I’m here today to show you a couple of my favorite winter lippies! Winter time is definitely the time to pull out your dark reds, purples, and browns especially on many African American women like myself.  A dark lip really pulls together your ensemble which probably consists of rider boots, pea coast, and a nice thick scarf! Be daring this winter, try a lipstick you never tried before!


Lipsticks in Order

1. M.A.C Cyber
2. M.A.C Media
3. M.A.C Rebel
4. Revlon Violet Frenzy
5. M.A.C. Landerworld
6. Lancome Luxe Mahagony
7. Mary Kay Downtown Brown

These are all the colors without lipliner, just to get a better view of the color!

What do you think, would you try any of these?

XOXO

- Ashley 

Saturday, December 01, 2012

2012 Christmas Guide for Your Loved Ones


If you’re like me, you have a lot of gifts to give this Christmas. I absolutely hate giving out gift cards because its an effortless attempt to make the receiver happy. Even if a gift sucks, I appreciate a person belief that they thought I would enjoy a gift they purchased.

While it is sometimes tricky to guess what others want, I decided to make a really simple guide of general gifts to give to your loved ones this holiday season.

Mother
My mother is one of those people who always say they don’t want anything for Christmas but always ends up getting something she utterly wanted. I believe the perfect gift to give your mother this year is a new purse.  Older women love themselves a new “pocketbook.” My mother is a huge fan of the Coach brand, so I found this bag that would definitely appeal to her. Another nice thing for mothers would be a gift certificate to a spa, yes I said no gift cards, but a certificate for a service is a very different gesture.

Father
The perfect gift for your father would be getting him something with his favorite sports team paraphernalia. My stepdad loves the Redskins, and I don’t know why, but he has an Iphone, so I would definitely purchase  this Redskins Iphone case. Getting him this phone case would make his day, he probably doesn’t even know they have Iphone cases like this lol. If your father doesn’t have an Iphone, perhaps a new watch or wallet will do just fine.


Sister
Victoria’s Secret PINK is one of the greatest thing ever invented. They provide some of the most comfortable loungewear, hoodies, and traveling items. I would definitely get my sister a PINK duffle bag and fill it with nice goodies like lotion, body mist, and make-up. If your sister isn’t into that kind of thing, maybe a nice pair of boots or a classy outfit you would love to see her in would do the job.


Brother
You should already know what I am going to say, if your brothers are anything like my brothers (older), they are into video games. The perfect game, if they don’t already have it would be Call of Duty and NBA 2K12.  They will love you forever and ever if you get this for them for Christmas. TRUST ME!



Best Friend (Male and Female)
I have two best friends, one male and one female. They are both totally different; my male best friend is really into fashion so for Christmas I would get him a couple of fly bow ties and maybe some cuff links for the mast amount of blazers he has stored in his closet. The fashion forward guy would love this gift. For my female best friend I would buy her a jewelry box. This is something people forget they need almost everyday, she has a lot of jewelry that is all over the place, so getting a jewelry box will keep her space more organized and less cluttered.


And Boyfriend 
Last but certainly not least. Getting something for your boo for the holidays will probably be one of the most stressful gifts findings you will have to experience this season. Most guys are so picky or they have everything they really need. But what better gift to give your baby then some nice smelling cologne? You already enjoy to be all up under him, get closer by purchasing a scent that you will love and him too. My favorite colognes right now are Gucci Guilt and Victor & Rolf Spicebomb. These two scents will have you doing whatever your man says with one whiff of how they smell. You definitely will be sleeping in their T-shirts when you aren’t with them. HAHA!


Ok, ladies I hope you enjoyed my Christmas guide for your loved ones! What did you think? Of course, I hope none of the people above take a peak at this list! Be nice not naughty!