I'm REALLY Diggin': My Shade of Brown's Pillow Boxes

Seriously, how excited was I when I learned about My Shade of Brown?!?! The Brooklyn-based company delivers beauty samples specifically for women of color to enjoy and try out once a month in their lovely Pillow Boxes!

For a monthly $10 membership fee (You can also purchase a yearly membership for $110), you'll receive 4 or 5 samples of amazing beauty products tailored to women of color. You'll get anything from foundation to nail polish to try out at home! If you love the samples, you have the opportunity to purchase the full-size version from the My Shade of Brown shop, making the site a one stop source to try awesome beauty products before committing to buy... and for every dollar spent you earn loyalty points! How cool is that?!?? I could not wait until I received my first Pillow Box in the mail!!

And I was not in the least bit disappointed by what I received! I was a like a little kid at Christmas!!! Here's what I got to dig into (From left to right):

Georgia by G and Company Rosemary Luxury Skin Wash: If I could drink this stuff, I would.. it smells fantastic!!!

Big Girl Lip Shine in Blossom: I was bowled over by this shade because it was PERFECT for a sweet pouty lip!!

Pooka Pure and Simple Pomegranate Body Butter: I was super excited to see this product, because I am a huge fan of the women behind this brand, The Pookalitas!! after trying it out, the sample went right into my purse for everyday use!

Lamik True Mineral Powder in Warm Chocolate: I've been DYING to try Mineral Powder, so suffice to say I was like "Yes!!" when I pulled this out of my Pillow Box! Warm Chocolate is unfortunately a little too dark for my complexion, but applying it was a breeze, and I was really excited about the smooth and light coverage! I will be definitely purchasing the Warm Caramel, which I think is a bit closer to my skintone.

Yana Cosmetics Foundation No. 10: A little goes a super long way with this foundation, just a few dabs of the sample was enough for full coverage!! Love it!!

Check out My Shade of Brown at http://www.myshadeofbrown.com/ to get their amazing Pillow Boxes sent to your door!

I'm REALLY Diggin': MOO.com's Business Cards

I want to really take Miss Moon's Musings as far as it's willing to go, and I recognize that a HUGE part of getting my bloggy baby noticed is to get out there, stop being such a cloistered wallflower and spread the word as much as possible. I first spotted MOO.com's beautiful cards reading the FANTABULOUS blog, Fashion Nette-work (Shout out to Juanette!!), and was so bowled over by her beautiful cards... I decided to venture forward to their website to see how they can create something as fabulous for me.



Creating my card's design was super easy (I have no idea how to use Photoshop, so my design was created using Picasa and MS Paint (I'm working with what works for me! LOL). It took a couple of tries, but I finally got it where the images were high-resolution and could fit the parameters of the card well.

A few weeks after submitting my order for printing, I received my cards in the mail and was instantly bowled over at the super-cute cases they came in!!!



The Green Uploader Case fits neatly in my purse without getting bent crinkled and otherwise look like poopie when handing them out (SOOO not a good look!). The cards themselves?!?!? Check 'em out!!!


Here are the backs of the cards. I decided to use the design elements from the blog's header. I thought it would be a great way to introduce people to the site, as when they visit from getting the card, they'll (I hope!) recognize the theme!


Here's the front of the card. I decided to keep it simple while still displaying some of the elements for the site on the card!!


I decided to get only 50 cards this time around to see if I'd like them. For $30 these cards are exceptional and I will be upgrading and purchasing new cards again as I need them!!

Would you like to get some MOO.com business cards for yourself?!?!? Be the first to leave a comment and you will win a 20% off coupon code (Many Thanks to Moo.com for providing me with the code to share with a very special reader!!!) Best of Luck everyone!!!

I'm REALLY Diggin': Statement Necklaces that REALLY Say Something!!

This is one trend that I am very very excited about. I love necklaces.... the more unusual and ornate the better!! One of my favorite Ebay acquisitions was a beautiful Bollywood-inspired necklace (that I got for the ridiculously expensive price of $3.00!!!).


(Me in 2007 - wearing the necklace and wearing a severely damaged dyed blow out fro! lol)

I wore this necklace like it was I.D.... it killed with white and classed up a black tee and jeans. I still have the necklace, but it's in need of repair, so it doesn't get out and about much. I think that it's high time I not only get it fixed, but get some friends to keep it company!!!! Here are a few choices (ha!) that I happened to find online...


Multi Feather Necklace in Black ($29.00, Urban Outfitters). Antiqued chain dotted with feather charms for a soft and downy necklace. Would love to rock this one!!


Bright Multi McCampbell Multi-Strand Necklace ($25.00, Aldo). I love this necklace... it has a maasai bead-inspired feel to it, and it would be a great way to add a splash of color to a all black ensemble!!


Coral Cluster Statement Necklace ($16.50, Torrid) Add a pop of color and sparkle .. this would kill 'em dead with a tee jeans and blazer!!!!!!!


Gold World Links Necklace ($60.00, UncommonGoods) What better way to show off the fact that you're one with the world?!?!? The world's continents are depicted in gold plated stainless steel silhouettes, connected to each other with small, decorative chain links, suggesting the interconnectedness of the world we all live in. Also available in silver.


Jeweled Necklace ($12.00, Forever 21) Talk about Pretty in Pink!! A tie up necklace that features a grosgrain body, padded fleece circle front with faceted beads, metal finish plates and paisley designs. Comes with a sheer and shiny pouch with satin drawstring to use for storage.


GUESS Crystal Charm Frontal Necklace ($30.00, Macy's) This necklace is perfect for spring!! A double link chain features a variety of charms, including a turquoise and crystal accented butterfly, clear glass teardrops, a black crystal ribbon, turquoise beads, faceted turquoise crystals, and an open-heart logo with channel-set glass pearls. Necklace crafted in silver tone mixed metal and hematite plated mixed metal with imitation rhodium plating.


Joan Boyce "Timeless Tassel" Multistrand Beaded Tassel Necklace ($29.95, HSN) For days when you're feeling very Holly Golightly and need a bit of sophisticated sparkle for your little black dress!!! Six strands of colored glass beads are gathered at the tassel drop. An adjustablewrap-around swirl station swathed in pavé-set, round clear crystals allows you to customize your own look.

Are you wearing Statement Necklaces?!?!? What's your favorite place to score them?!?! Leave a comment and let us know!

I'm REALLY Diggin': The Natural Necklace by Rachel Stewart Jewelry

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the wonderful presents I planned on getting myself for my 33rd birthday. Regrettably, getting sick and ending up in the hospital prevented that from happening.

Instead of beating myself up about not fulfilling a wish to nurture myself to gift myself in celebration of any important year of my life, I decided to purchase a very special Christmas gift to myself. I knew immediately that what I wanted was the Natural Necklace from Rachel Stewart Jewelry.

The necklace (seen above) comes in gold acrylic, silver acrylic or wood. The pendant is 3 inches wide, 1 inch long and the chain comes included with the necklace!! Of course, I selected the silver pendant, which came today, and I've been rocking it ever since!!!



To get your own Natural Necklace, head on over to Rachel Stewart Jewelry's website by clicking here.

I'm REALLY Diggin': Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel Toner

When I wore my hair in braids, I never had a significant skin problem. From the moment I took the braids out in 2006, the hair in my face ushered in a sort of second puberty for me. LOL In the years that have passed since then, I've been trying every type of skin regimen under the sun in the hopes that my skin can be clearer and healthier.

Here's what has always been my problem: my skin is a combination of two extremes - super dry in some places, super oily in other places. Using medicated skincare products dried me out and moisturizing skincare products made me broke out. It's a toughy trying to find a balance, and I think I am closer and closer to finding one, thanks to the newest weapon in my clean face arsenal... Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel Toner.



This alcohol-free formula is light, gentle and smells heavenly!! This coupled with Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser has really improved the over-all appearance of my face, as (I hope) you can see from my picture, taken this weekend... of course it doesn't improve those SCREAMING to be waxed eyebrows, but's that's another tale for another time! LOL



The final tool that I'm searching for is a moisturizer that will not clog my pores and ruin all the work I've done. I am open to suggestions, y'all... what's your must have item for facial care?

I'm REALLY Diggin': Mixed Chicks Shampoo, Leave-In and Deep Conditioner!!

As I'm sure many naturals (or many women!) have done, I've rushed out and purchased products only to be sadly disappointed, and stuck with large bottles of shampoo and conditioner that basically end up becoming VERY EXPENSIVE brush cleaner!

I purchased the Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner last month and have been using it consistently since I blogged about it.



I've heard loads of rave reviews of the Mixed Chick product line from bloggers and YouTube naturals of every hair type (To this day, I have no idea what my hair type is! lol) and I've been curious to see if the products are worth the praise.... but I haven't been wanting to commit to the price for the full size bottles and jars. What's a cynical napstress to do?



In venturing the beauty supply store near my job, I was excited to see they sold sample sizes of Mixed Chicks products, so I snatched up four samples of the Shampoo and the Leave-In Conditioner (I already had a jar of the Deep Conditioner)on Friday, looking forward to washing and nourishing my hair before braiding my hair.

And what resulted is the BEST BRAID OUT I've had in ages!! After washing with the shampoo and
rinsing the deep conditioner (after I had it in my hair for about two hours) out my hair, I mixed the leave-in conditioner with Carol's Daughter Loc Butter. I kept the braids in until this evening and was bowled over when I let them down!



Of course my rule is to give it at least six weeks before I'm officially a fan, but so far, I am really really liking the results!!!

I'm REALLY Diggin': Gorgeous Grey Demin Bootcut Jeans

For the past few weeks, at the bus stop or on the train, I've spotted several full figured women rocking grey denim jeans. So far I have two spottings of grey skinny jeans and three women wearing bootcut jeans.... And can I just say? I want the grey denim bootcut jeans!!! LOL

Cruising the internet, in search of those denim jeans, I've discovered the trend has been popular for quite some time (where have I been?) and that grey denim has been spotted on celebs like Christina "Dirrrty" Aquilera....


and Rihanna....


and Mena Suvari... who is ROCKIN' this look HARD (Let me find out I need to do a "Mena Suvari-style" blog in the future!)


I have a feeling that these are the jeans I am seeing worn in the street (As I could not locate anything similar ANYWHERE):


Not Your Daughter's Jeans Plus Size Grey Denim Jeans ($128.00, Bloomingdale's)

Right now there are two obstacles to buying these jeans:
1 - The Price
2 - The largest size is a 22... I am not!

A reasonable alternative is the Ultimate Bootcut Jeans with Invisible Stretch® by denim 24/7® ($39.99 - $54.99, Roamans)



The jeans come in sizes 12W-32W, and are available in Grey Denim - (check out the swatch online!) Best news of all is that Roamans is currently having a BoGo sale with their denim... Whoo Hoo!!!

I'm REALLY Diggin': "Greatest Weapon Of All Time" By Zo! Featuring Sy Smith

As I rule, I generally do not post music posts back to back (It's just an arbitrary rule I created for myself... for NO particular reason! LOL). Today, I decided to break that rule because I am in LOVE with this song and I couldn't wait until Saturday to share it with y'all as a ".. for a Saturday Night" post!!






And how Afrolicious is Sy Smith?!?!?

Zo!'s debut "SunStorm LP" is scheduled to come out in a few short weeks, but you can download (legally) "The Greatest Weapon of All Time" for free by clicking here.

I'm REALLY Diggin': Djauniversal's Feather Earrings

I love feather earrings... they always remind me of Alice Walker's "The Temple of My Familiar" (One of my top five favorite books!):

"In the old country in South America, Carlotta's grandmother, Zede, had been a seamstress, but really more of a sewing magician. She was the creator of clothing, especially capes, made of feathers. These capes were worn by dancers and musicians and priests at traditional village festivals and had been worn for countless generations." 


While I've always found them striking and simply beautiful... I've admired them a la distance for a very long time, primarily because I didn't believe that they suited me. My face is too round, my double chin is distracting.. blah blah blah.... As I blogged about, the only purchase I made from Shecky's Girls Night Out was a pair of feather and leather earrings that made me stop DEAD in my tracks!! These earrings were beautiful enough for me to shake loose those negative agreements I've made with myself for years and step outside my comfort zone.... not to mention the wonderful energy from the woman selling them... which is one of the reasons I bought 'em!

I was a bit nervous about whether or not I  could rock them... but I felt great wearing them in the long run, and to me.... feeling great is the main part of rockin' something!

Djauniversal has a terrific Etsy shop, full of equally fabulous feathered finds! Here are a couple of my faves:

Silver-n-Gold Leather Feather Chain Series - $45 - Variations on the silver series with gold accents painted into leather. light cream/ gold feather with gold accent chain. double feather with silver accent chain.

Green Leather Feather Chain Series - $45 - Forest green leather earring, w/ blond & green feather detail & silver chain. OR green leather with black chain detail only. Or green leather with single green feather OR with brown and green feather & chain detail.

Take a stroll over to the Djauniversal Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/djauniversal You'll be glad you did!

I'm REALLY Diggin': Solange's Spin-Worthy Dress from Boxing Kitten!!

This dress is so remarkably beautiful!! And Miss Solange is looking fabulous, and so happy! I would love to hear her spin, she needs to bring her skills to NYC!!!



The dress is from Boxing Kitten and it's called Tam Tam (After the Josephine Baker movie, "Princess Tam Tam"... which is dope as hell!)


According to their online store, the dress is $315 and is available in sizes 2-10. I emailed them to inquire if they could make their designs for plus sized fans. I will be sure to email a update if and when I receive a response from them.

In the meantime Nakimuli Inc.'s True Essence Dress is very similar and is available in sizes 1x-3x


UPDATE -  I received the following response from Boxing Kitten:

"Thanks for your interest in Boxing Kitten! We appreciate your suggestion and will take it under advisement. At this time however the largest size we carry is 12. Thanks again!"

Let's hope they consider it. In the meantime, Nakimuli's dress is cheaper and its available in plus sizes!

I'm REALLY Diggin': Janet's New Do'

I was completely bowled over when I spotted pictures of Janet Jackson's new short hair while out and about in London.

Janet is the one celebrity I would never in a thousand years would dare to rock a short 'do, and I do mean rockin' it!!!





Her big beautiful eyes were made for that short hair!! I am really loving this surge of sistah-celebs ditching the weaves for a shorter do'

I'm REALLY Diggin': Avon's ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Dry Ends Serum

So My Mum (Mizz Lennnid) is THE, I repeat THE Avon Queen.... so please feel free to address her formally as Queen Mizz AVON Lennid. LOL

She has so many unopened boxes and bottles of goodies that she could very easily open a small store, or at least a kiosk somewhere and make a grip on the stock she currently has.

About a month ago, I wrote a blog about Winter Hair Regimens and around the same time she was raving about ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Dry Ends Serum from Avon and was suggesting I try it out. I was still in the process of putting together my routine and figured I would try it for a few weeks to see if I like it on my braid outs, which (as I've mentioned before) get very dry at the ends by week's end.

I've been diligently following this routine for about three weeks now and WOW!!! My hair is shinier, healthier and I am actually starting to see just how much my hair has grown in the past few months!

My routine is a simple variation of my normal one, with a few twists. I am thinking of doing a picture tutorial blog to show you what I do with my hair during the course of 7 days and would get to it if there was an interest for it (Let me know!)

For more information on Avon's Advance Techniques Dry Ends Serum, go to http://www.avon.com/1/1/990-advance-techniques-dry-ends-serum.html

I'm REALLY Diggin': OPI's Suzi Skis the Pyrenees

So, for months I have been sporadically searching for a black nail polish that didn't look like vinyl. I like dark hues for the nails... but I am long past my goth years and I really don't want to look like I just came in from the matinée of "New Moon", off to shop at Hot Topic!!

My search ended today when I went to Optima Beauty Supply Store in NYC (Where I also scored my Denman Brushes for cheapie cheap!) and laid my tired peepers on OPI's Suzu Skis the Pyrenees.

OPI Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees is part of OPI's newest collection OPI Coleccion De Espana. This is a professional quality nail polish and is very strong and durable. OPI Nail Polish works wonders on either natural fingernails or acrylic nails.

I was too winter-bear tired to head to the salon for a much-needed mani/pedi & eye-brow waxing tonight.. but tomorrow I will be sure to post pictures of the results.

I'm REALLY Diggin': The New Cree Summer Wallpaper I made

So part of my new job involves assisting customers with their photographs. Which requires a rudimentary knowledge of Paint (which I have) and Picassa (I'm getting there!)... so as a way for me to practice, I created a picture to use as wall paper for my desk at work.

Of course, I couldn't think of a better subject than my IDOL, my SHE-RO, my LIFE LONG role model... Cree Summer!



What do you think? Nothing fancy.. but I like the border I created from the screen capture.

I'm REALLY Diggin': The Fall Movie Explosion

Never have there been such a flux of movies I want to go see. When I was in my twenties, I would go see a movie every weekend. But as I got older, I just found more important things to spend my money on (like bills.. lol). My attitude is usually, "Ehh... I'll wait until it comes on cable(or DVD)". But the last few weeks, I've seen previews for movies that have literally made me turn to Chris and say "We HAVE to go see that!!!!".

So in light of this change, I thought I would share a few of the movies I can't wait to go see:

The Final Destination I saw two out of the four movies in this series in the theater, so I feel it's only fitting to go see the final (side eye - yeah right) installment... especially in Digital 3D!!!

Capitalism: A Love Story: Michael Moore is the man!!! That's all I have to say about that!

Zombieland: I love Horror films.. I love comedies.. and this flick looks like the perfect combination of both.

Good Hair: Did I have to mention I want to see this movie? LMAO

Saw VI: Sure Jigsaw has been dead for oh, two movies! I have resigned myself to finish this series out! LOL

Click here to see the trailer!

Peace (and Pass the Popcorn) from Brooklyn!