Kween...

LOVES TO FEEL GOOD!!!!

I love luxuriating in softness and smell goods. I love good smelling things. I inhale and exhale soothing scents all of the time. Certain smells bring about certain memories. Sometimes I'll have olfactory memories of a thing that is no where to be found. Have you ever been standing in the middle of a stale-smelling situation and all of a sudden a waft of an old lover's aroma waves by your senses? Out of the blue, the smell of the cookies you had when you were a child...tease your nostrils? I love those moments...but, I love to create my OWN moods with the things I love the most...simple things that make me feel good. I love...

The scent of Nivea's Q10 lotion. Besides the clean smell...Nivea's Q10 lotion feels good on my skin. When I can't get hold of my usual...Cetaphil, it does the trick. It runs just shy of $9 for the bigger bottle and under $7 for the smaller one in Wal-Marts. They may run higher in other stores.

 This is my normal moisturizer. I have a moderate case of eczema and because I live here in one of the colder parts of NY...I have to keep my skin hydrated. It doesn't help that my water source is HARD water...so, that means my skin gets help being dried out. Cetaphil runs about $10 in Wal-Mart, and in most other places...just under $14.

I use Miracle Foot for the feet because they help to smooth your feet as well as keep them from experiencing cracking. It's about $10 out of Wal-Mart and a couple of dollars more elsewhere.

 This is a really good soak. It's not fancy with the scents and what not, but for under $3 in most places it's sold, Johnson's foot soap will make your tired, worn feet feel like new again. I also like Carol's Daughter's salt soak. It feels and smells nice, too...but for the inexpensive at-home-spa user...go with the cheaper Johnson's foot soap. It STILL makes ya feel good!

Sometimes I use this sugar scrub made by Dessert by Jessica Simpson. I love the way it softens. This line of products isn't selling new right now, but there are plenty of sites that sell the products for lowered prices. It's a matter of wanting it badly enough and knowing how to research of it. I love it because not only does it replenish my skin's moisture level, but it has a slight taste AND it helps to exfoliate after the summer's tan begins to peel. I don't think they make it anymore...but, here's a link I found to a spot that sells it.

Even though this is massage oil and is meant for just that, I sometimes slather this on and take my time over my arms and legs to make sure that it's absorbed. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sensual Jasmine-Vanilla scent is a wonderful addition to lotion...or even in place of for a night. If you're gonna add it along with another moisturizer, just use small amounts...the scent is strong.

It also has a candle companion that lasts a long time, because the scent is so potent it fills the room in no time. The massage oil is $16...while the candle is $10.50 online.

I wash my hands a lot and that's not including the amount of dishes I wash. SO, I need a good hand lotion. I've tried using my other lotions as hand lotion, but I tried this when my mother gave it to me and I prefer it over the lotions. Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana hand creme not only makes your hands soft...the banana scent smells so wonderful. I smell my hands constantly until the next hand-washing. :)



Aside from the smell goods and feel goods that I use to maintain my beauty...I at times just want to smell something nice and feel laid back. This Nag Champa incense does the trick. I love it. My mother loves it. My mother found this online just today and we're kinda ecstatic because it's expensive in the nature store she gets it from...but, the online store is a lot less. Aren't WE just happy campers! lol


Well that's it for now...I have a lot MORE stuff that I LOVE...but, I won't bore you further. lol  What makes you feel good? What do you LOVE!

 

Assholes and Opinions

LAWD, I've been DYING to use this picture. Chap found it for me and I just wasn't ready to dig into this topic.

My sista Dionne loves to say that..."Assholes are like opinions, everybody has one...so give me your asshole." lol  It's true though. People tend to really dole those out freely and willy nilly, like they're being paid to pontificate. Just because you state a thing, doesn't mean you need counter points. Sometimes, it's as simple as getting something off your chest and relieving some inner tension. Yea, yea, yea..I know. With freedom of speech, comes a hidden price. There are indeed repercussions for everything...even those things that are done with the best of intentions. Having said that...onto the slinging of assholes.

You ever meet or talk to someone who has ALL the "right" information? Everything they say is by the book, from a book...or quoted by someone who saw the shit on a book...a long time ago? GEEEZ...you do NOT have to know everything. It is perfectly okay to say "I don't know". It's okay to say..." to each his own". YES...to EACH his OWN! That means (for the slow babies sitting Indian-style on the floor) that each person has a right to see things how they see them. DEAL how they want to deal...or just be who they want. You can drop a seed and water it...but you can't shine the light JUST right. It's not in your control. So, when a person has all of these things that are supposed to go a certain way based on some knowledge learned and their own personal beliefs. Go HEAD with that!

How about the person that said something was one way and when proven to be wrong says, "Oh that's what I said/meant..." NO you didn't! Just admit that you were wrong and knew NOTHING...but you didn't want to look stupid, so you stuck to your guns on something unproven and unresearched, because you'd rather save face. DAMN. It's OKAY. No one knows it ALL. We're all students to this universal university. Sitting in tutelage by someone smarter and wiser. Feeling our way through the dark, turning lights on along the way. We all have frailities. There are things about us all that make us the perfectly imperfect creations we are. It's those weaknesses that put a stamp on our personalities and round us out as individuals. If you know something...fine, pass it on. Righteousness is a virtue of generous nature. You must pass it on to help someone else rise above ignorance, but please don't make the mistake of of believing you behold the answer to it all.

Maybe you need to see this video I love by a Youtuber who tells it straight no chaser!

Random Like a MUG!!

I just realized that at after 8 on this Sunday...I DIDN'T BLOG YET! LAWD. LOL.

This 30 blogs in 30 days is proving to be quite the challenge. I seriously don't know what to say today. I especially am low on energy and productive thought because I am full off of mashed potatoes and corn. My attention span is short too...because...well, I'm watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I love this show...even though I end up a puddle of mush at the end, crying and thanking God for the things I take for granted...it's a no-misser. Something about seeing how they enrich the lives of people struggling. Creating a space where people who for the most part are in service of others...get to have some folks come in and grant a few wishes for THEM.

Oh, I know...I'll post the song that I sang in church when I was a teenager. This song helped me through so many rough times. The days I thought I might not make it...I'd sing this song and remind myself that no matter how alone I felt....God was gonna work it out for me. Tell me what helped you make it. Whether a song, a book, a hobby, a place, a thing...whatever. What has reminded you of your blessings time and again?

For The Good Of Them (Album Version) - Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers

The Truth of Trust

A few weekends ago I had a ball. A friend of a friend who is now my friend, flew in from Detroit. She's been by association a cool person to e-know, but this particular weekend I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance. Diva, as she is known online came through to celebrate her birthday here in NY, so we (myself and our mutual friend) tried to make her feel as welcome as possible.

Between dinners, breakfast, drinks, the MAC store and picture taking...we had fun. What I liked the most was the ability for 3 totally different women with totally different backgrounds/upbringings...to be absolutely drama-free and trusting enough to forge a bond. Not only did I learn a lot about my new friend...I learned about myself as well. Nothing TOO bad *wink*...lol...just a reaffirming of some cool qualities that I wasn't sure about before. YEP...even the kween has stumbled. *gasp...I KNOW right?* No, for real...people tend to get an image of me in their head as the good girl...and though it is majorly true...it's not all I am. I try consciously everyday to be a better me. I try to be forthcoming and genuine in my relationships with others and pride myself on being honorable about intentions and behavior...yet I too, tend to walk a fine line of doing right and wrong. Talking to these two ladies (by the way, their names are Joy & Tracey)...made me realize that growing isn't just about moving forward...but it's about change. It's about transformation based on experience and application which equals wisdom. To have a meeting of the minds with people and know that you're being looked at for the person you are and not what they want you to be is a good feeling...and that feeling is amplified, when typical Internet horror stories are debunked and true friendships are formed over this thing affectionately called cyberspace. That weekend, we TRUSTED each other. Trust can be a hard thing to establish on the Internet.

I have had a few bad experiences. From people pretending to be someone they're not (figuratively and literally), to back-biting, dramatic females who aim to maim my reputation and character (without success)...to a few dating debacles. YET...in the four ACTIVE years of my e-life...I've managed to get WAY more positivity out of this place than not.

I found a forum for my writings...which helped to relieve me of a longtime fear to share my works. I found some of the best friends in the world. I found love. I found my voice...and at the same time...I didn't lose that thing about myself that a lot of people tend to lose interacting online...my humanity. The ladies and I discussed how we have often heard so many people refer to the Internet as nothing but a source of entertainment. That statement used to get on my nerves because regardless of how easily you may turn of your computer (if some of these folks ever do) these are PEOPLE on the other side. You're bound to be affected by something you've read. I have bonded emotionally and spiritually with people I've met and some I haven't...so, I know it to be true. The antiquated thinking, that Internet folks are crazy...is really a false sense of security. You can meet crazy face-to-face and never know it. I met crazy...and he never entered a chat room, social site or barely an email. I've met women, who have as much drama in their lives, if not more OFFLINE than anywhere else. The people online ARE the people offline...just hidden and more anonymous. Drama wearing screen names and danger wearing smiley faces. Remove the computer and you still have threats to your sanity, peace of mind and physical life. More than anything it's about learning how to trust your judgment and remembering that you too are flawed and have layers. No one is ever one thing 100% of the time. We fluctuate between the best of ourselves and the demons we're fighting against...but, what is the best feeling in the world aside from love...is knowing that you've learned enough about life to catch yourself on or offline...making better decisions when inviting people into your life. What is invaluable as an adult...is to know that you've learned to trust YOURSELF. I say it all of the time when speaking on trust, "The person who trusts no one cant be trusted. Someone who trusts no one, doesn't trust their own judgment...and therefore would sacrifice other's feelings and lives in order to protect self."  I stick by that...if you don't believe it...think on the person who betrayed you and ask yourself in retrospect how much that person REALLY opened up to YOU. How many things did you find out AFTER the fact as opposed to being within the relationship. How many times were you openly and/or passively accused of committing betrayals you hadn't...you will see.

That weekend, I met someone new...and it is a standing confirmation of what I've known for two years now...trusting others is as important as trusting yourself. If you don't...you'll miss out on new and exciting adventures that await a person willing to transform by way of life's experiences rather than be crippled by fears. I'd rather trust and be betrayed, than be alone in my fear to trust.

Thanks for the lovely weekend ladies!

What's Their Name Again?

 I SO hate when I get a song or a group in my head that I can't put a name to. UGH! 

It all started today when my friend on Facebook put in her status some lyrics to a Keith Sweat song...and of course I had to sing it in his nasally tone because his whining used to annoy the hell out of me. THAT led to my saying that I also couldn't stand Al B Sure. Now, let's get a little background. Al and I both hail from "Money Earnin' Mt.Vernon" in NY. I remember how everyone was so proud of him and I do remember liking "Night and Day" and dancing to "Off On Your Own" but he too, had a nasally tone that sent me into ear-plugging mode. I also happen to know his oldest son personally as well as his mom. So, I know more than most fans do about Mr. Sure. O_o

BACK to the issue...I decided to take my taunting to the next level and go to Youtube for a video fix. GEEZ LOUISE...the outfits we wore back then. *gagging* He had on acid wash, ripped strategically and then took off his jacket to reveal a short-sleeved mock turtleneck. Where they do that at? LMAO 

Then...BAM!! I saw them. The back up singers...and remembered they tried to "Get off on their own" and make an album. A one hit wonder of course...or else this wouldn't be so damn hard. I remember liking the song, too...but I can't remember the name of IT or THEM. When I googled them...I got NADA basically, except a link for a question asked on answers.com. Someone wanted to know the same thing I did...and the answer led me nowhere. DAMNIT!!!

THEN...I thought about this other song called, "Yeah Yeah Yeah" by a group of little girls that I can't remember either. AND another song that was by a group of kids and all I have to go on is the word "question". I remember thinking when Monica came out...that she looked like the cute little girl with the big voice. I also remember a song I can't find anywhere by a chick named Tenee Williams...who I remember SOLELY on the fact that her first name is my middle name. *_*

Does this happen to you? Do you have MILES of songs that you can't remember the name of or the group they came from? WHAT in the No talent HELL is that about?

SUPER UPDATE IN THE MAKING!! I FOUND the video by Tene Williams!!! Here it is. Do you remember?

The Rambler

Hello to you...I am here about the business of blogging. lol

I SO didn't feel good today. My body craved sleep...so that is what I gave it. Stress is not conducive to maintain health. When your mind is going super fast all of the time and you're juggling your own ideas and worries, and then you compound that with the worries of others...it can be too much. When I say, worries of others I mean mostly that...we tend to allow our relationships with people to become jobs at times instead of the positive human exchange it should be. I thrive on positive vibes and the moment that it becomes breached with aggravation it can soil the connections. When you find that everything EVERYONE does is getting on your nerves, don't assume it's THEM...it may be time for YOU to take a mental break. That's what I did today and yesterday. It may take this weekend as well. I have plans to do it up solo. I'm going to get some $7 Asti, make myself a few cocktails, make some Nacho Mami's Chicken Nachos with a new salsa I'm testing. Click here to see ingredients...and have me a good time by myself. I love my own company...and if you need to be up under folks 24/7 in order to feel like you're living...you STILL ain't living. Part of happiness at your own whim is about being happy regardless of whether there is someone around to make you feel good and be your amen corner. The catch 22 is that you can't be alone ALL of the time...it's just healthy to interact with people. Don't be that person who orders groceries online, works online, goes to school online, parties in chat rooms and considers themselves "worldly" because they know every nook and cranny of the world wide web.

I also don't know WHAT the heck I was thinking when I accepted the challenge to blog EVERYDAY for a month, because truthfully, I am notoriously known for taking long blog breaks. Some of my peeps treat this blogging thing like a job...probably because they make money off of it. I haven't been that dedicated...because MY writer's jones is propelled by something VERY different. I have an artist's spirit. Sometimes my pen and paintbrush drips with promise...and others...it's dried from exhaust. Hell, sometimes an artist's DRY spells are not because there aren't any ideas swimming around in that pool of abstraction...it's because it's deluded so heavily...it's hard to part the fresh from the sea water, if you feel me. Ok, I am SURELY rambling...but I warned you. lol

I'm gonna go drink my chamomile mango tea with lemon and go fiddle around on Facebook...I'm so addicted to "Cafe World"...lol Hopefully soon, my mom will go her turn on Lexolous and I can beat the skivvies off her. *I love you mommyyyyyyy*

Later, Keys aka Kiwi aka Kween ;)

1st In Show!

GUESS WHAT? THEY LOVE ME....THEY REALLY LOVE ME!! lmao

One of my followers the wonderful :::the.kisser::: hooked me up with the scrap award. I guess I be working hard at this joint! LOL I really enjoy her blog and love her style (I'm about to bite it and do a "week in da kween's celly" based on her week in texts). Ok...*grabbing mic* Um...I'd like to thank :::the.kisser::: for this award. I'd like to thank my mom, because well, she's my mom. I'd like to thank ALL of my lovely readers and followers...you're beautiful and you ARE my inspiration to write. I have to thank my girl [fungke][blak][chik] for being my blog model...and my sweetie Mr. Chap for helping me with this wonderful Kaleidoscope you all see before you! Ok...down to business. (they started the music on me)

The honest scrap award rules:

1. Present the award to seven bloggers whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design or who have encouraged you.
2. Tell those seven people that you have given them the Honest Scrap Award.
3. Share ten honest things about yourself.

I nominate: Butterfly Effect she's got a different spin on life, [fungke][blak][chik] my P.I.C., The Intersection of Madness and Reality woo, straight no chaser but funny and WITTY as hell, Chap's Corner he's crazy...in a good way. lol, Curvy Gyrl Chronicles I love her style...the consummate sophisticate, My Downlow Life she's my fix for indulgent reading! And one of my fave places to read what's popping in fashion, tv, movies, life, etc... Mizz Scoop

10 Honest things about me
1. I'm a wordy mofo.
2. I love wonderful clean scents.
3. I love to a fault...such a romantic sap, I am.
4. I have butt envy...lmao...wait, I have no ass. HA!
5. I love to cook and make up new recipes.
6. I l-l-l-looove butterflies.
7. I have a temper that people rarely see.
8. I have memories from as far back as the crib.
9. I make up full songs, sing them and then forget them.
10. I'm kind of a psychic...lol O_o.