You can't judge a book by it's cover...

Most people associate me with manners, pearls, and Chanel... I  actually get asked if I wear or own sweats at least twice a week. I know it comes from seeing me in work attire and in my business environment. But, I have many layers, I feel there are times and places for everything, and if I'm in a professional setting, that is what I am....Professional. I actually listen to rap, hip hop, jazz, alternative, folk, country, and pop music. I have an obsession with Mike and Ike's, I have more than one messy dresser drawer, I've been known to dance on tables, I've smoked, and used profane language. 

Making up a persona for someone else is the fantasy you have for them. But, we all have many layers, if all you have is surface stuff, you can end up being very empty. Living life means seeing things from a different perspective. I want to LIVE life, not just exist on this earth. That's why I love Chanel so much, she was born in poverty, given away by her father to an orphanage, became a follies girl ( kinda like a strip tease singer/dancer), she had a sugar daddy take care of her and open her first atelier. Her brand now is associated with tradition, etiquette, and wealth. If that's not the perfect testimony to having layers, I don't know what is...

Just eye's...

I think I speak for most "Artist" as I write this blog entry, we DO not enjoy just doing your eyes!

Picture having your car vacuumed, shampooed, and having all the interior polished as if it was right off the the assembly line. Then, picture the exterior chipped, nicked, dirty, and the tires drug through the mud. It doesn't make much sense does it? Well, that is exactly what you are asking when you want someone who does make up for a living and has a passion for a perfect finished look to "Just do your eyes." Your skin is the foundation or the exterior, and if you think you don't have any blemishes or an uneven skin, you are probably 3yrs old, because that's the last time you went without the environment affecting your skin. So, next time you ask a professional artist to do your make up, let them do what they have worked so hard learning to do!

" It is, what it is"

I have a habit of saying "it is, what it is" when I no longer can effect the change of the outcome of a particular situation. I don't have a problem seeing things to the end, and I give up even if things get hard, but I know how to stop myself before I get obsessive. I think that when we fixate on a certain outcome or thing we want, we are blocking the real outcome, or the ultimate reason for the situation. I have had some pretty disappointing experiences in my life, but I wouldn't change a thing. The journey through the disappointments have created friends I wouldn't have met, ambitions I didn't know I had, and enlightenment that would have not been exposed so early in my lifetime.

I recieve gifts daily!

Nature fuels my soul

New day!

Today is new, I get to start over, in a new way of thinking, and being!
How amazing is that? We all get to choose letting old stuff go, and creating new improved stuff starting today...Thanks for reading,  I woke up feeling new...lol

To the next 39yrs!

My parents celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary today. I think they are the cutest couple, I love the way my dad looks at my mom, and the way he adores her every word. I love the way my mom knows my dad can do anything ( even if he hasn't ever done it before), and it's cute to see them laugh and poke fun at one another. Their later years of marriage have been the coolest to see, because they have begun to date and socialize. I wish them 39 more years of marital bliss....Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Truth...

Toile...

Did you know that Designers use a test garment on a dress form on a live model, to test out the pattern before making the real garment. 

Test garment[edit]

In Australian and British terminology, a "toile" is a version of a garment made by a fashion designer or dressmaker to test a pattern. They are usually made in cheap material, as multiple toiles may be made in the process of perfecting a design. Toiles are commonly called "muslins" in the United States, named for the cheap, unbleached cotton fabric available in different weights.

I have been witness to a designer marking a toile for a client and I have to say, it is beyond amazing, not like going to a store and buying off the rack, it is like watching a artist paint a canvas. 

Leapping forward...

For two days I had two grasshoppers stuck to my window by my station at work. They were alive and roaming around the window all day. I became very curious about the symbolism of the grasshopper and started researching, what I found was truly inspiring. 

Grasshopper Symbology -- The grasshopper is associated with astral travel. They have the ability to leap through time and into space where the true mysteries of life exist. People with this medicine have the wisdom necessary to overcome obstacles efficiently and are able to jump into successful ventures without preparation or planning. When the grasshopper appears to us we are being asked to take a leap of faith and jump forward into a specific area of life without fear. Usually that specific area is one that we have avoided and is often connected to change on a larger scale. This can represent a change in location, relationships, career or just in the way we perceive ourselves.

Grasshoppers can only jump forward....not backward, or sideways. So, when grasshopper shows up he could be reaffirming to you that you are taking the right steps to move forward in your current situation. Or it could be that he is telling you to go ahead and move forward, getting past what is hindering you. This is why grasshopper is the symbol of good luck all over the world. Grasshopper's ability to connect and understand sound vibrations is why he is also a symbol of your inner voice. he could be telling you to trust yours.

I continue to grow and venture in new arenas pretty much every year, I can't wait to see what's next for me!

He lost a arm, but still kept leaping ;-)

Beyond October Hope...

Most people who haven't had anyone affected by breast cancer tend to show support and give monetarily to the cause, but after the month of October, their attention is gone. I was that type of person till one of my dearest aunts lost her battle with breast cancer in 2011. Now wearing a pink ribbon and giving extra money at the cash out counter means something totally different. 

My Aunt Bessie was a style icon in our family, she had the largest collection of shoes and hats I've ever seen ( a whole spare room dedicated to them actually). Her tender smile and knack for knowing what you needed before you did was something we all cherished. I always loved that people told me I looked like her, because I loved looking at her, I was pretty mesmerized actually. So, now when I think of supporting and being active in raising money to help Breast Cancer Awareness month, it's not just wearing pink in October, now I make it my mission to stay active all year round.

Much needed light!

Little known fact about me; Mr. Pettus calls me "Bubbles," because I raise to the top and never stop... in his opinion. But, these past few days my bubbles have gone flat. I have had a few interesting things happen that have left me feeling not so positive. I have pulled it together enough for the world to think I'm fine, so my performance at work has not been affected. This morning I had to have much prayer and meditation to get it together another day... I asked myself, " Is all my effort and drive worth it?

It can be exhausting to want so much for others and myself. Then I received a message from a lovely person I vaguely remember, she allowed me to share it with the public, of course I told her, she not only made my day, she was that light for me today.

Hello this is Belina, and I just wanted you to know you are the reason to me being and esthetician. And showing me how to do a smokey eye down to my first make up brush set that made me an official make up artist and I always think of you every time I do bridal make up as well. I will always think of you as my mentor just wanted to say thank you for being my light when my world was dark I understand what you taught me now love you and hope you have an awesome day.

When you give all you can, never holding back your gift, you allow someone else to grow, Thank you Belina for reaching out to me yesterday, my light is back on!

Celebrating aging!

I know a few people that don't like to tell their age, and when you find out,  the person usually looks younger. I have always been truthful about my age, I feel I've earned every year, and as long as I take care of this vessel and my soul, I think I'll stay on the side of looking and feeling young.

I had a great time celebrating another year of life last week, I thank all the people who took out the time to celebrate with a lovely dinner at Oceanaire. Here are some of the highlights...

Virgo spirit...

I wasn't born into privilege, but my family definitely prepared me for the moments when I had to associate myself with people who were. I have always been able to befriend and align myself with all types of people. I actually honor and pride myself on being so diverse. In my life I have worked for many women of wealth and knowledge, but there is one lady that changed my life. Not only did she expose me to lifestyles fit for Queens she taught me how to negotiate and to be a business women. What is so beyond amazing is that we shared the same zodiac sign, so the things she deemed important where the same level of importance to me. 

Virgo's have two great strengths, The ability to focus their attention, and an uncanny scenes to see what's wrong with a person, a situation or your environment.

The motto is "Perfect is almost good enough."

The weakness : The need for perfection gets in the way of enjoyment.

Sandra Anderson Baccus was born today, she no longer has any use for her earthly body, but I think of her daily and rewind every moment that she and I had together. I loved her critical Virgo traits so much, because they were so familiar. Happy birthday Mrs. B!

TBT...

There are some people that come into your life and there are others that kick the door in and make you fall completely in love, missing my Tisa Wright!

Happy Throw back Thursday!

I love this quote... I think we all need a moment to really feel life, not the punches or the jabs...But the incredible times, like the moment you were conceived and decided to be you, the amazing blueprint of who you are. We all are here to fulfill a purpose. I hope you get to know yours as I have mine. It's been an interesting journey thus far, can't wait to see what the next chapter of my life is about!