Pumpkin Picking

So last weekend, I took my kids to Queens County Farm to go pumpkin picking, get on a hay ride, and let them get dirty at the petting zoo, lol :) We had so much fun...I felt like a little kid again! I thought that I would share some pictures from our little trip to the farm!! Enjoy, xoxo Courtney

Once we got back home, i todl the kids that we would go to a art and craft store, which we did! We headed to Michael's (that place has every thing in it). We bought some paint, paint brushes, and all the other things to go along with painting! They ended up painting thier pumpkins all BLACK!! I was so sad, because who wants all black pumpkins in thier house for holloween? Not I...so I had the hubby fix them and paint scary faces. They look soooo much better!! (Sigh)

Here they are:

Assets :)

I am a die hard Kardashian fan, and who doesn't love Kim Kardashian?!? I know I love me some Kim K. The question is, who has the BEST booty, Kim K OR Amber Rose?

My vote is for Kim K. Kim is a short girl like I am, and if your packing some cake back there with no height, then its obvious!

Amber Rose was recently on Hot.97 doing an interview, and they were doing a "ass off" between her and Kim K. Rose said in her interview that she has the better ass, because Kim is short and she is like 5'9 with junk in the trunk. You can read or listen to her full interview at: www.hot97.com

BUT, let us not forget about thee original coke body ladies :)

Puerto Rican sex symbol, Jennifer Lopez

Tennis all-star, Serena Williams

Now this is a whoe lotta ass, lol!!

I think it would go Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, J Lo, and Amber Rose...sorry to the Rose lovers, but she is NOT stacked like that!!

Something Personal...

Hey loves :)

So I know most who come to check out this site are pretty used to me posting about hair, make up and fashion...plus random mom related things. However, this post is something deeper that what I have done before. This is directly related to me, very personal!

I am adopted, this is apart of who I am that makes me so unique. My sister and I were adopted early on, I think I was about 5, and my sister must have been around 4 (we are 15 months apart).

Growing up, my sister and I never really knew that we were adopted. My parents (my adoptive parents) were black (father) and white (mother). Where I grew up in Fairfax, VA it was very diverse, the elementary school that I went to was so mixed, that the race issue between my parents never even crossed my mind! Plus, do kids really see in black and white when you're that little? I sure didnt! I was just happy to be playing with barbie dolls, lol.

So growing up wasn't bad at all. My parents were my parents and that was that. No questions asked. Hoever, prior to finally being adoptedmy our parents, my sister and I were bounced from house to house. I remember this so well. I remember one time, being taken away to this young white woman and her husband. I remember thier house being like a mansion. They were nice, but I only remember staying with them for like a couple of days then we were shipped right back to the foster home that we lives in (my sister and I). I was kind of used to being shuffeled around from place to place, home to home, family to family when I was younger. That's how I know something was kind of different back then.

My father once told me, that I asked him "If we were going to stay here, or leave"? So back then, even at the age that I was...I knew something was different.

Growing up, the fact that I was adopted didn't really hit me until I was in high school, maybe a year or two before then. I had thoughts of "I wonder what my real mom and dad look like", OR "I wonder if I have other siblings other than the one that I know". Questions like those began developing early on. Probably more like pre-teen. You know, when you begin to develop social identity. That was the hardest thing for me, I think. Not knowing who I am and when people would ask me what mix that I am, I would just say black and white, which I knew that much about myself...but it was deeper than that. I began lashing out in middle school...I really wanted to fit in and be like everyone else. I think I was like that because I wanted to feel like I belonged to something or someone, because for so long I was convinced that I wasn't me...as weird as it sounds, I truly didn't want to be me or be the weird adopted girl!

Anyways,I got older and I kind of grew into myself. I let the whole adoption thing go for then, because I was more focused on friends and boyfriends back then anyways. It wasn't until one day my sister and I got a important phone call from my mother who told us to come home quickly...I was thinking what could have happened? When we both arrived back home, both my mother and father were sitting at our dining room table holding a envelope and a letter...I kind of had a clue to what it could have been, but never thought it was what it ended up being...it was a hand written letter from our biological mother "Nicole" to my sister and I. My parents were very cool, they asked us how we wanted to approach this situation, if we wanted to write a paragraph or two back to her with a picture. So both my sister and I tped/hand wrote a paragraph and attached a letter. My mom mailed it off. That was that...

I graduated high school in 2003 and entered a university, to study HDFS. I ended up getting pregnant with my now 6 year old son :) This is what truly started my search to find clues about my past. Kind of a blessing in disguise, I guess. I found out so much from my on going to phone calls. Most people were happy to hear from me, which was warming. I ended up finding all my aunts and uncles, cousins, grand mother, and great-grand mother. As well as reconnecting with my biological mother. Although she has greater issues that I can't really talk with her with out getting angry or annoyed.

All this research, I have found out that my sister and I have 3 more sisters, younger than us. They all must be between the ages of 17-24. Fantasia, Lauren, and Malerie. I am on a mission now to find them. I also found my sister's father who sadly passed awa in 2001. I am trying to connect with her deceased father's sisters and brother...I have names for them all, but no addresses.

I do not know who my father is as of yet, but there is a man who claims to be my father..I have been holding off on doing the DNA test that he sent me months ago, I don't know...I would love to know, but something is scary as to finding out if he is or not...apart of me would like him to be, but then apart of me is kind of scared.

Being adopted is apart of me, but it does not define me. Yes, I am adopted and no I am not the weird person that I used to think I was because of this. Sometimes life gets the best of people and people make mistakes. I am so happy that there is a God up there, because I know that he looked out for my sister and I. I know that if I would have not been adopted my life would be unknown...I truly mean this too. I am grateful every day for Nicold giving birth to my sister and I. I have 2 beautiful kids and a beautiful nephew. Nicole is not my mother, she gave me life. I hold a special place in my heart for her...but I do not hold grudges. CPS taking us in changed my life forever. I was placed in the most warming and loving home that I could ever ask for.

So for those who are reading this, you might have learned something new about me, or those who know me...are getting more personal details. Being adopted and the feelings that come are not easy to deal with. But in most cases, being put up for adoption or CPS stepping in could be th eMOST important thing that has happened in your life. Sure, as you get older who have questions about idenity and struggle with that, as I did. But after becoming pregnant with my son almost 7 years ago, I let it stop defining me. I am adopted, so what!?! I remember I used to hide that fact from people, because most could never understand my situation or what it meant to be adopted.

I will continue to search for our other sisters, as well as my biological father, and my sister's biological fathers side of the family. Once I find out, this will be like closure...

Its just weird to me how somewhere out there, maybe we crossed paths at some point and didn't even know that we were sisters! I am blessed...and all I know is that God is good. Amen :)

FALL is here :)

One of my favorite seasons has made its arrival :) I am super excited about that. I LOVE everything about FALL. From fashion to make up, to fall activities, oh yeah...and football!!

One trend that I have fallen in love with and have tried experimenting with is fall make up. BOLD eyebrows (defined), and deep reds and plums for the lips! I was kind of excited about this new trend because it gives me something new to try out. I tried wearing red lip stick before, but I really hated how it looked on me! Now, don't get me wrong...some people know how to rock a bangin' RED lip, me on the other hand, not so much!! I perfer something more deeper, like a wine type of color on my lip!!

I am definetely on a budget when it comes to make up shopping :( But you have to work with what you got, right? You can be fabulous no matter what kind of budget you're on...you just have to make it work for YOU, and you need to be happy and confidant :)

Alrighty then...with that said, I am going to show a look for the "fall trend" in make up, and post two lip colors that I have bought and like!

BOLD and DEFINED brow with a deep wine color <3

I achieved the brow with MAC's Cork and the lips NYC Lip Stain 16H in "499- Forever Mine Wine"

I wanted to try this lip stain product, it was cheap, so I bought it :) I purchased it from Rite Aide around where I live for about $2.99. You can purchase these products from other drug stores. I am impressed, however the color is not as pigmented as I would want it to be on my lip, so I actually paired this color with ELF'S "Malt Shake", then applied NYC's lip stain on top. The color came out so pretty!! I will have to another review on Elf's "super glossy, lip shine". I loooove thier glosses. :) I want to try out NYC's other lip stains, but I went in only looking for wine, and plum colors. This is a good buy for someone who isnt really into make up like that and want to try something new to test out colors!!

Back to School

The time is approaching...where most kids dread it, and most parents can't wait! It's back to school time =) Yayy!!

My boyfriend and I really stress the importance of school and doing your absolute best that you can. I know our children are young, ages 6 and 3..but we feel that putting a stress on what we expect this early, stays with them for a life-time.

So if you have children who will be going back to school, sit down with them and talk with them about how important thier education is. With an education, you can go far later on in life. Everything that you do now, will affect you in the future. Let's be real though, kids are kids. Kids still need to have fun. I am a big kid myself, so believe me..I know how to have fun. But when it comes to school (behaving, making good grades, completeing homework), that should always comes first. Then play time =)

My kid's father always tells our oldest (6 years old), that his ONLY job is to do well in school. Oh and to protect his younger sister ;)

With all this said, please..if you're a mommy as I am and you are reading this..if you get anythign out of this, it's the importance to stress how IMPORTANT your child's education is. Work hard means to play hard, right?

Also, I think its great to get children involved in activities outside of school that they have interest in. That builds charachter, emphasizes in team work, sportmanship, and they feel really great about themselves. They make great friends that way too!!

My son has professed a love interest in basketball, so as of now, I have been looking into a fall basketball league to enroll him in. And my little princess...my 3 year old, she LOVES to dance..so I am looking into ballet classes for her. Its all about WORKING HARD and PLAYING HARD!!

Get to know your child and thier interests. Listen to them. Talk with them. Have a GREAT year filled with learning and fun!!

xoxo, Courtney

Pucker Up

Another super quick post! (My din din is cooking on the stove, lol)'

I wanted to share with you 3 of my fave go-to lipsticks. I think I am SUPER boring when it comes to lipstick color. I like simple, nude lips with a hint of pinks, and corals. However, I bought a red color at the beginning of summer just to try something different. And I love :) But when it comes to applying red lipstick (I think) that you have to play it safe with your eye makeup...you can totally come off as a hooker with bright red lips and a face caked on with makeup. Remember..this is ONLY my opinion. But if I apply red lipstick to any look, my make up is always light on the eyes. A defined eyebrow, some blush, and some eye liner should do just the trick :)

Okay, so let's get started, shall we? First up, I will start with the color that I wear most of the time if I am going out for a casual look. It's from MAYBELLLINE, and the color is WARM ME UP. Here is a pic;

I can't say enough about this color! This is by far my absolute fave of all time!! This color is timeless, goes with any look! I like its creamy application texture as well. This is a must to have in your collection, in my opinion :) I bought this from Walgreens, but this is sold everywhere!!

Okay, next up...COVERGIRL's lip stick in KISS BAISER;

This color is a corally, peachy color when its applied (on me at least). It doesn't look like it when its in the tube, but trust me, when applied..its a beautiful summery color! It has a hint of shimmer in it as well. When applied, this texture is not as creamy as Maybelline up above, this kind of glides on your lips nicely. It all depends what kind of texture that you like. Again, this was bought at Walgreens for $5.99. You can find this product almost anywhere that Covergirl is sold :)

Finally, saving the red for last! In love with RIMMEL's Moisture Renew in RED ALERT :) Here is a picture for you, :

This is a true red color! I love to pair red lips with a soft make up look. Defined eye brows, and defined eye with black winged eye liner. I keep the blush very subtle, and this red lip stick polishes the look! I am into the actresses of the late 40's and 50's, very pin up. This color reminds me of that era for some reason! The texture is that of COVERGIRL, slides on satiny smooth on the lips. I think every girl should have some red lipstick in her collection ;)

Okay, that's it for now. Hope you guys enjoy and please go check out these colors and let me know how you like them (if you don't already have those colors)

Peace and Love, xoxo

Living In Sin

It's been awhile since my last posting! SO many things have been going on in my life...but the storm has ended and now the sun has never shined so bright :)

Glad to be back with you guys!! This is going to be a short posting, but I wanted to share one of my new faves for this month. Drum roll please (music playing in back ground):

SINFUL COLORS nail polish! My absolute fave this summer. This brand has amazing color slection at a LOW price, $1.99. I bought a few colors from Walgreens. However, I have ONLY bought this product from Walgreens, so I don't know where else you can find them. I would assume that CVS, Rite Aide, Duane Reede, and possibly Wal Mart carries this product. The above SINFUL COLOR is TIMBLEBERRY. I have that in my own collection. The color is sooo pretty. Its a mix between coral and pink. Delish ;) Some other faves are;

Color: SAVAGE

Color: HAZARD

Color: MINT APPLE