Counting Down My Top Five Summer Adventures – #5 Second Saturday Boat Ride On Buffalo Bayou

Posted on August 23, 2016 by barbiebeauty

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With summer vacation coming to an end, and the entire family gearing up for one of the best school years ever, I have decided to do a recap of my top five summer adventures over the next five days.

During the summer, we generally try to find something new and different to do locally. This year we experienced the Second Saturday Boat Ride on Buffalo Bayou. The tours start at 6:00 PM, and the last ride starts at 8:00 PM. The tour of downtown Houston on the water was approximately twenty five minutes and one of the most relaxing things we did this summer. The tour guide pointed out some of Houston’s well known landmarks, but I’m not sure I heard much of anything she said. The boat could have gone in one full circle five times; she could have sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher and I would not have cared. The ride was so soothing and enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a quick weekend excursion with the family or an inexpensive and casual date, this is a perfect idea. Take a moment to escape from the fast pace of the streets while cruising along the city’s historic waterway.

 

 

 

 

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Social Media Sensation

Posted on June 27, 2016 by barbiebeauty

Social media has transformed us into a delusional group of people. We have allowed our social media “friends” to narrate our lives, determining how we should look, live and lie. While busy trying to prove we are living life to the fullest, individuals can’t even live in the moment. We post our every waking move on social media, and some of us have found a way to post while sleeping. How can you say you are appreciating your vacation or enjoying the party that is “fire” if you spend the entire time snapping and posting pictures?  When did you have time to savor the moment, between picture number 35 and post number 73? Why is letting the world know what you are doing every minute more important than delighting in the hour? Social media has been a great resource for reconnecting, having the opportunity to live vicariously through others and even getting incredible suggestions for things one might be interested in doing. But don’t let it consume you to the point of letting happiness depend on the number of likes. That is why we post right, for the likes? Caution yourself on some of the hazards you are really putting on display when you are constantly advertising your liveliness. Ask yourself a few questions before making the next 998 posts.

  1. “How can I really enjoy myself if I am capturing and reporting an entire event?” Try posting a few pictures at the beginning of an event or during a quiet moment and save the rest for later. Use one of those snappy captions you see so often such as “Last Night’s Shenanigans”, “Late Post” or “About Last Night”, and post all 100 of your remaining pictures AFTER you have had a great time. Broadcasting all of your excitement later doesn’t change the experience.
  2. “What do my posts say about me?” I know, I know, you don’t care, so you say. But if your social media pages define who you are, what does it suggest to others? Are you the party animal? Are you the girl with the big butt and a smile? Are you the fitness guru? If your social media accounts had to stand and speak at your funeral, would you appreciate what they had to say?
  3. “How impersonal have I become because of social media?” Are you inboxing the same friends you would have called three years ago? Have you found yourself losing “real” friends because there is a deeper connection with “cyber” friends? Are you the next “Social Media Sensation”?
  4. “Is this post intimate?” Are all of the people in your posts in agreement with being on display? Do they all have social media accounts? Would your significant other have preferred the picture not be posted? Was it posted on their personal page? Pay attention to what your peers and loved ones are sharing. If posts never mirror your significant other, reconsider posting what might be private and personal moments for them.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat have served a great need. They have allowed us to connect with associates we lost contact with over the years.  Social media has been used to make new acquaintances that have helped enhance our abilities and focus to do great things. They have been used as a platform to advertise business endeavors and upcoming opportunities. However, it has also led many of us to the road of denial through the pretense of perfections; we have started to overlook our flaws and neglect meeting the needs of others. Some situations are still designed to be private. There are things that are intended to be personal and should be handled in a careful and deliberate manner away from social media. Social media is definitely entertaining, but please make sure you are not overstepping boundaries in an effort to become the next “Social Media Sensation”.

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Pride, Vice or Virtue?

Posted on May 9, 2016 by barbiebeauty

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“Pride, one hell of an obstacle to overcome.” – Rudy Franciso

Growing up, I spent all of my free time with my mother. I mimicked so many of her behaviors, I figured there was nothing else I could be in life other than a younger, miniature version of mom. But, as I started to flourish in specific areas of life, I discovered I was more like my dad than one could ever imagine. As a child, I watched my dad become a master of his crafts. Anything he was challenged to do, he was going to make sure he not only completed the task, but excellence and perfection were associated with his work. I never saw him ask for help, he simply got the job done by any means necessary. He took pride in everything he did.

Seeing this, I went through many phases of life thinking, if I put my mind to it, there was nothing I couldn’t do and I didn’t need assistance from anyone. If assigned a task, I just needed to be diligent in getting it done. I would sit in my “box” and work countless hours to prove I was efficient and capable of outperforming the best.

Recently, I was asked to complete a project. It was something new to me, so I asked, “Exactly, what does this project entail?” At that moment I was told, “We’ll discuss it later, as we get closer to the deadline.” The deadline was quickly approaching and there had yet to be a discussion. By the time communication started flowing, everyone was in an uproar and tempers were flaring. It did not appear that time was on our side. Due to the tight timeline, I was asked if I wanted help. In the midst of my exasperation I said, “No, you weren’t willing to help me when I asked; I’ll figure it out myself!” Well, I spent an entire weekend trying to figure out what needed to be done and the best method to finish the project before arriving to work on Monday. The final outcome was favorable and the team was really appreciative of the work done before hand. It seemed to have made their lives easier when it was time to complete their assigned duties. Because, they saw the effort on my part, they went above and beyond to make sure everything was successful. Although I was pleased with my performance, I was distressed and weary at the conclusion of Part I of the project.

When it was time for Part II of the project I “respectfully and gracefully” bowed out. I didn’t know what Part II consisted of and I didn’t want to find myself backed into another corner. I  went back to my “box” in silence and determined my pride clouded my judgement the first time around and I would not let it happen again. After reflecting on the whole incident, there were some things I needed to be reminded of, again.

  • You are not omniscient and no one actually expects you to know everything.
  • You are surrounded by people for a reason. Use your support system when needed.
  • Don’t make irrational, long-term  decisions based on short-term emotions.
  • Don’t compromise your own integrity simply because you don’t agree with the virtue of others.
  • Don’t let pride lead you to self-destruction.                                                                                Anne Rice stated, “Pride is the parent of destruction; pride eats the mind and the heart and the soul alive.” We were always taught pride was one of the greatest qualities one could have. But, we were never taught the consequences of having too much.DSCF5050_1[1]

 

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Spring Savings

Posted on March 28, 2016 by barbiebeauty

Spring arrived, and in the great state of Texas, the winds blew in with it. Spring is my favorite season of the year and it is the only time of  year I totally revamp my closet. I decide on a new favorite color and I find as many cute pieces in as many shades as I possibly can. With this in mind, I shop with every intent to save while expanding my wardrobe. So, how do you build a new wardrobe on a budget?

  1. Shop your closet and find transitional pieces. My favorite piece to transform is pants. After purchasing wide legged capris a few years ago and feeling like someone’s grandmother when I wore them, I stopped purchasing capris. Now, I cuff my skinny jeans to the desired length and wear my full length jeans as cuffed capris during the spring. I also use jeans that no longer fit in length, or have possibly faded after years of repeatedly being washed and create denim shorts. If the jeans are faded, I will turn them into a pair of distressed, denim shorts (Google DIY distressed shorts). I create dressy, casual shorts from slacks. I cut them and take them to the cleaners for hemming.
  2. Use coupons when shopping and use them appropriately. Many people don’t like to use coupons because they think “couponing'” results in overspending. Use the coupon so that it serves its purpose in saving you money. An example of using a coupon appropriately happened when I went to Penney’s looking for a vest for my son.The vest was $19.99 and the coupon for the week was $10.00 off $25.00 or more. I purchased a tee-shirt (don’t all boys use them) for $5.99 which resulted in my total exceeding the required spending amount. The coupon covered the entire cost of the tee shirt and I was able to get an additional $4.00 off the cost the vest.
  3. Shop resale shops and thrift stores. Years ago, I ran from thrift stores until I thought about the items I donated to Goodwill. I assured myself if I donated in that manner, many others were doing the same. I have found brand new items in resale shops with 75% savings, simply because they are now in the resale shop.
  4. Don’t be afraid to shop those clearance racks! Shop the “End of Season” clearance sales and put your things away for next year. I have a friend that runs from clearance racks. Personally, I don’t mind sifting through items for a good deal. I make sure I am not rushed and have sufficient time to look through items and check for damages before making purchases. My most recent “find of the day” was a skirt from Nordstrom Rack, that is most appropriate for the season, and it only cost me $0.01. (Yes, the numbers are in the correct order and my decimal is in the right place.)
  5. Sign up for rewards programs of the stores you frequent. This will cause an overflow in your emails, but you can start comparing sales. Most stores run the same sales at the same time every year. This way you can determine a good sale for certain stores and you can start to determine if they will run the items at a lower price, at a later date. This gives you an opportunity to save because you now have a timeline of when you are probably going to add selective pieces to your wardrobe. Signing up also allows you to get notifications regarding in store specials or early bird specials.
  6. Shop the outlets and stores like Ross, T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s.  Years ago, they carried items that were defective or one of last year’s hits. That is no longer the case. Many are now carrying the same items the regular store has in stock, at a cheaper price. In most cases, they get the overflow now.
  7.  Consider how often you’re going to wear a piece and if it will  transition for another season. Let that become a determining factor in how much you’re willing to spend for an item. If I’m purchasing sundresses to slip on for grocery store runs, I’m going to pay a very minimal price because it serves a small purpose.
  8. Shop the junior’s section. Many women become wounded when shopping in the junior’s section because they have to purchase a bigger size. Who’s really asking you what size you’re wearing? And, do you have to answer? Yes, I’ll take two sizes up and save for the same product in a different department!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Outfit Details

Denim Jacket – Old Navy (Deal of the Day $15.00)

Tee Shirt – New York & Company (Regular Price $14.99, with coupon $9.00)

Skirt – Buffalo Exchange and  Resale Shop ($7.50)

Gladiator Sandals – Just In – Harwin Shopping District ($21.00)

Multi-Colored Pumps – Just Fab (Regular Price $39.99-Last Year’s Spring Sale $19.99)

The total of all five pieces cost me under $100.00!!!!!

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Silence Really Is Golden

Posted on March 1, 2016 by barbiebeauty

James 3:2 “We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.”

I am a talker; one that can go on and on and on about almost anything or nothing at all. As a kid, I talked nonstop. I read a lot, so I enjoyed having discussions about my latest book selection, sometimes with people that never took the time to read. So of course, I dominated the conversation. In the presence of my friends and teammates, I would talk about everything from school, to boys, to books, to sports. If you dared to listen, this chic was taking the mic.

Entering my senior year of high school, I started to realize as much as I loved to talk. I would only torture a select few with my endless conversations. And as I continued to grow older, I became conscious of the fact that I only vented my negative thoughts to those I could really trust. I would only release my frustrations among those who would allow me to vent to make me feel better but wouldn’t aid in my moment of misery and/or poor assessment of others.

In the age of social media, people have become bolder with speaking thoughts and giving others a “piece of their mind.” I recently saw a post on Facebook that impacted two families. It was insensitive to the needs of one family and disparaging to the other family. I started to comment, but before doing so I read the comments that had been previously posted. I shared some of the comments with my husband and to say I was disgusted was an understatement. Many people felt their remarks were justified because they were “keeping it real” by speaking the truth. But, what didn’t register was the idea that their truths were slander. They were speaking with the desire to hurt another and destroy someone’s reputation even in truth. I decided there was no need to comment; the best thing to do was press mute instead of assassinating one person’s character to spare another.

Although I didn’t comment, I wondered how could someone be so cruel? I started to think about friends, family and dissect some of their behaviors. I recognized those that shared positive words and showed favorable behaviors all had some of the same characteristics.

Observation #1: Positive people can speak pleasant things about others because they are self satisfied. The optimists have accepted themselves as the individual they were created to be in spite of imperfections and have found ways to grow. The love they have for self allows them to sincerely love others. We don’t hurt those we love, right? Matthew 12:34-35 “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.”

Observation #2: Those that are certain of themselves are honest but speak the truth in love. They are not critical but encouraging, always seeking that “but” moment to transform a negative situation into something positive. For them, every circumstance brings a new opportunity.

Observation #3: Productive people don’t feel the need to speak on every situation. Mark Twain said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Some things are better left unsaid. If your intent is not to open your mouth and spew out something meaningful, maybe it’s better to be quiet.

If you’re a chatter box like me, it’s okay to keep verbalizing your thoughts. Someone might actually need to be uplifted. Just remember to make sure your tongue is connected to your brain! And for those special moments when your mouth and brain are not working on one accord, in that moment, remember that silence really is golden.

 

Outfit Details

Pants (New York & Co.)

Shirt (T.J. Maxx)

Shoes (DSW)

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Will You Be My Valentine?

Posted on February 15, 2016 by barbiebeauty

 

 

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Tomorrow is the 15th, and I’ll still love you.

Valentine’s Day was slowly approaching and the days were running together. Everyday was just another day, pretty much like the one before. My husband comes in and asks, “Are we doing something for Valentine’s Day?” My reply, “What do you mean? We never do anything for Valentine’s Day!!!”

After four years of dating and sixteen years of marriage, Valentine’s Day continues to have little value in our household. As my husband stated, “It is a commercialized holiday that gives a false perception of love.” We agreed that gifts of endearment should be given throughout the year and not on one designated day. Love has no date, and there is no moment like the present to show someone how you truly feel. In no way are we criticizing those who celebrate Valentine’s Day; it’s just something we don’t do.

In the beginning phase of our relationship, my boyfriend (at that time) and I had a long distance relationship. We were not able to do the movies, dinner dates and concerts. So, we spent a lot of time talking on the phone. One day, he asked had I checked the mail. Huh, I never check the mail, but that day a package had been delivered for me. In the package was a brown stuffed teddy bear wearing a blue and brown bow tie with an included letter. It was just the beginning of the small tokens that would arrive. During the one and a half years of our long distance relationship, he continued to demonstrate his love for me without the hype of a holiday.

Twenty years later, not much has changed and my husband still delivers. He still finds new ways to express his love.  Someone stated,  “On Valentine’s Day, your significant other should go the extra mile.” What does the “extra mile” look like and why wait? Please don’t wait until a holiday to possibly miss the opportunity to meet a need. Waiting until Valentine’s Day to go the extra mile could be the difference between a relationship lasting and one being damaged and/or destroyed.

My husband and I are still in the “growing” phase of our marriage. Yes, we’re still growing after sixteen years. The best gift we have given to each other is the willingness to listen. Listening helps us understand one’s wants and one’s needs. When he asked if we were celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, I heard him, and I needed to make sure I understood. Fortunately, he was just making sure we were keeping tradition. We spent the day together and even sat down for a very casual lunch together. From there, the day became much like the day before.

 

 

Outfit Details

Red Denim Jeans (JC Penney’s)

Top (Rainbow)

Shoes (Trend Mall)

Hat ( K&G Fashion Superstore)

Posted in Fashion, Lifestyle, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Stop Looking Back!

Posted on February 8, 2016 by barbiebeauty

“One day I just woke up and realized that I can’t touch yesterday. So why the heck was I letting it touch me?” Steve Maraboli

 

“Say girl! Why do you keep looking back? Do you realize every time you look back you are wasting time, and you’re not focused on the goal. Don’t worry about who’s behind you; focus on what’s in front of you. If nobody is in front of you, then your focus should be the finish line,” screamed my track coach during freshman year in high school. Although I hated there seemed to be a need to “bark”, I held on to every profound word because it would somehow apply to life beyond track.

Years later while sitting at a Women’s Conference, the speaker was lifting a message on forgiveness. During the message, she kept reminding us to not let our past impact God’s plan for our lives. She emphasized God had already forgiven us for our mistakes, and it was now time for us to forgive ourselves so we could move on. Although our past had led us to our previous state, we didn’t have to let it determine how far we could go nor should it deter us from reaching our destiny.

It took years to excuse myself for mistakes I had made. Not all mistakes were forgivable in my mind; these choices would cause me to be flawed forever.  Although God had forgiven me, I would silently beat myself down for decisions made in the past.  Then I was reminded by my Father there was absolutely nothing I could ever do to change my past other than to stop living in it.

Once I changed my perspective and used my experiences to grow, things began to look differently. Projects I had ambitions of completing started to fall into place with ordinary effort and maximum belief. My faith started to outweigh my fears; I stopped looking back and starting focusing on what was in front of me. I made a personal decision to do something to get closer to my finish line daily.

If you’re knocking yourself down about yesterday’s mistakes, just remember to make better mistakes tomorrow. I am constantly reminded by an Edwin Cole quote, “You don’t drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.” In this thing called life, you either sink or swim; don’t let your past be an anchor on your future.

 

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Outfit Details

Shorts (Body Shop)

Shirt (Old Navy)

Sweater (Express)

Shoes (Trend Mall)

 

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Channeling My Inner Sandy Dee

Posted on February 1, 2016 by barbiebeauty

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As a young girl, I was engrossed with the movie Grease. The Pink Ladies were the coolest females alive. After watching Grease, I promised myself when I got to high school, rocking leather pants was going to be my “ticket” into the world of popular fashion. Fortunately by high school, I was wise enough to realize 96 pounds in a pair of leather pants was not attractive. As a matter of fact, I ended up being the girl in the oxford shoes.

After reaching adulthood and watching Grease again, I realized there were so many lessons in the movie that were probably overlooked. As youngsters, fans of Grease were focused on how to become cool as well as the sexual behavior in the movie. Everybody in the movie wanted to fit in, and nobody was sure who they were beyond how they had been defined by their peers. During the movie, many of the characters had to do some “soul searching” to find their true identity. “Cool” looked a certain way; guys were either nerds or a nuisance. And, a nuisance wasn’t all that bad. Similar to guys, girls were put into two categories: “good girl” or “bad girl”.

How many of us have fallen into one of two categories? How many of us fall victim to conventions to avoid social isolation? In the movie, Sandy Dee chose to remain loyal to her values. Where do your loyalties lie with your values?

In a time where social media defines self worth, are you posting about self love? “I love me if nobody else does” is one example of postings I’ve witnessed. My fear is society needs such statements for personal validation. We can all learn a lesson from Sandy Dee; don’t compromise your values for the purpose of popularity.

Outfit Details

Faux Leather Leggings (Express)

Faux Leather Jacket (JustIn/Harwin Shopping District)

Black Shirt (Old Navy)

Shoes (Gift from my youngest sister)

Posted in About Me, Fashion | Leave a comment

The Providence on Southmore, Inc

Posted on January 25, 2016 by barbiebeauty

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The Providence on Southmore, a non-profit 501c3 organization in Houston, Texas was established with the purpose of assisting students with the intent to attend universities in the city by overcoming the obstacles that block many from completing degree programs.

The Providence on Southmore’s mission is to provide graduating high school students with support to ensure optimal conditions for completing their undergraduate degree programs within five years through: post-secondary planning/placement, degree completion support, internships, mentorships, life-coaching and volunteerships.

On January 30, 2016, The Providence on Southmore will host its third annual “Bowling Strikes for Education” fundraiser. This fundraiser allows families to bowl, dine and network with other groups that support students in high school and beyond.

Volunteers of The Providence on Southmore have also partnered with the team of NRG stadium. Throughout the year, volunteers complete tasks assigned by NRG’s staff which usually consists of working concessions during events such as football games and the rodeo. The Providence on Southmore receives funding for the efforts and attendance of volunteers. The proceeds along with those raised at the bowling event benefit students seeking higher education.

During the Spring of 2015, the first three recipients were awarded scholarships from TPOS. Also the founder, Dr. Karla Brown, partnered with other organizations to provide academic support to students enrolled in grades 9-12.

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of our youth, please visit the website at http://www.theprovidence.org. You can find a listing of events that take place throughout the year and find out what TPOS is doing to make a difference in the community. You can also like their page on Facebook. Have you touched a child today? “Each one, reach one.”

A few pictures from the second annual “Bowling Strikes for Education” fundraiser.

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TPOS volunteers posing for a picture before they head off to duty. #freshestpopcorn #coldestdrinks #cleanestfloor

 

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Switching It Up

Posted on January 11, 2016 by barbiebeauty

Recently while sitting around talking with my sister, I made the statement, “I never wear the same outfit twice.” She looked at me with wide eyes and sat speechless. I’m sure she was wondering how can I say I’m a frugal person, but then make such a statement. From the expression on her face, I knew I needed to explain myself and even show her some examples of my forever evolving wardrobe. I explained to her never wearing the same outfit twice and never wearing the same clothes did not equate to the same thing. I showed her a few outfits and she had to laugh, not realizing she had seen all the outfits and never noticed she was seeing the same garments time and time again. Here are a few of my FAVORITE ways to switch it up.

  1. Shoes are one of the key components for me. I keep a lot of color on my feet. When looking for shoes with color, I usually opt for a multi-colored shoe versus multiple pairs of colored shoes. This allows me to wear the same pair of shoes with a number of outfits. But, regardless of the color, simply changing the shoes can give an outfit a whole new appeal.

  2.  Scarves and tights can also add a pop of color to your gear. I typically buy scarves and tights in bold prints and animal prints to spice up drab colors. Scarves can be worn all year. You can purchase a thinner material for the warmer weather and don’t layer/wrap it as many times as you would during the cooler months. Same thing goes for tights, check out thigh high tights. The material is usually thinner and the colors are, well…slightly wilder.
  3. Jewelry, I don’t do too well with colored, costume jewelry, especially around the neck. Often, I find it to be too bulky for my thin frame. So, I keep silver pieces to add flavor around my neck. And, I will save the bulky pieces for my arm.6158_2_1[1]
  4. Try colored bottoms versus the usual black, blue and gray. Colored bottoms give me lots of variety to pair up with the shirts that make up about 50% of my wardrobe. Colored bottoms can be paired with a black shirt, white shirt, blue jean  shirt and with most animal prints.
  5. I always try to pair my shirts up with a different bottom and vice versa. During the warmer months, I will pull out shirts and challenge myself to pair the shirts up with a new bottom. During the cooler months, I layer. I will add a cardigan over a dress or throw on a vest or a jacket to turn that summer outfit into a fall/winter outfit. And, sometimes I just switch out the jacket.

 

 

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