Miss America

Since it is Memorial Day, why not display my American pride.

F21 navy top, H&M khaki pants, red TOMS and American Flag scarf

No one believes I’m American!!! I Courtney confess, I’m African American…that’s all folks!!! There’s a little Native American somewhere in the bloodline BUT ultimately I wear the RED, WHITE and BLUE! lol

I constantly get the question "where are you from?" I always reply "here" and smile. Then the question turns to where are your parents from? I reply "here" and I get a blank look so I go into detail. My Dad was born in CT and my Mom was born in New York. Then the question goes to "where are your grandparents from?" I reply "whelp they are from Virginia and Georgia and so you don't have to ask where the great-grandparents are from, I guess they came over on a slave ship, I'm American!" plain and simple. Most of my friends are West Indian and so are some of my extended fam but this gal here is American and loving it. :-)

An old DKNY denim jacket, F21 American Flag top, silver Banana Republic belt, grey EXPRESS pants and red BC flats from a few years back

Today is a day to give thanks to our U.S. Military for all they have done for all the people living on U.S. soil. 

THANK YOU!!!

Naked Nude Nails

In my previous post I spoke about the Naked Palettes by Urban Decay. Following the natural look trend this post will introduce the nude nail trend. I’m not a big nail polish person. I probably average buying 3 nail polishes a year. I have naturally long finger nails that I keep clear 90% of the time. I swear once I do decide to paint them one breaks…go figure! I get my toes done professionally at the salon all year round. So there really is no need for me to purchase nail polishes BUT since I’ve become a YouTube addict I have hipped myself to some pretty cool nail trends. One that I’m really feeling is the mannequin nails. Below are a few of the shades I tested out to achieve the nude nails look.

Revlon: Charmed, I'm Sure

Revlon: Mauvelous

Sinful Colors: Nirvana

The emphasis of this trend is having your nails being closely matched to your skin tone = mannequin hands. The fingers and nails blend together. The bonus of these nude colors is that they go with any color or style of attire. Spring and summer are usually the time we go for bright and bold colors but have you ever second guessed yourself at the salon saying is this color work appropriate or a little too loud for the workplace. I know I have a time or two. Well with this trend that is out of the question because all the color options would be flesh toned and blend skin to nail, making everything uniform and very clean.  Being a woman of color this is a hard trend to accomplish flawlessly. Many of the colors are a little too light, too peachy or a tad too pink.  I found a few from Relvon, OPI, Essie and MAC colors that work well with our vast range of skin tones. 

Try it out ladies, you just might like it! I personally love it!



Homegoods…the Devil of Décor

The devil almost made me do it! I was thinking of taking a trip to Homegoods. Being that it is Sunday, I will not give into temptation! That being said, I heart that store. There are so many hidden gems just waiting to be found. I confess I can find something in almost any store but I love when I find something unique and one if a kind in Homegoods. I don’t like Marshalls or TJ Maxx (which are under theTJX company along with Homegoods) clothing sections at this moment in my life. I will glance over but I can’t jump in. Idk what happened, when I was a teen I loved taking that trip with my Mom in hopes of a new outfit for the upcoming school week. Although I can’t do the clothes, look in the domestic section and you will find me hunting for that perfect item to match my décor. Below are a few pics of things I’ve purchased over the years that I just “had to have” (my favorite saying lol). 

These baskets don't have a home yet but I will find the perfect spot.

My FAVORITE!!! My Mom purchased a set of pink chairs for me in a Homegoods in GA and shipped them to me on a Greyhound bus and I had to pick them up from the train station here in CT. It was so worth it!

It looks like a purse but it's actually a file folder

"I don't do fashion, I am FASHION" -Coco Chanel

I went with a friend one night, I won’t name names but she knows she’s wrong for allowing me to purchase all that stuff I didn’t need. In true Courtney fashion, that was only a stepping stone. I developed a vision, there was no going back. I branched off the items I purchased at Homegoods and continued to design a room with pieces from Macys, Kohls and Amazon (I heart them too). I’m a Monster!!!

 I can't even expose what's in this tote! It's Crazy full with all my recent "had to have" items from my latest vision!

I will be featuring some of the rooms in my home in a future post so you can see how I’ve decorated and designed my space.

Let’s Get Naked!!!

Urban Decay’s Naked Palettes, Naked & Naked 2

These palettes give me life! They are the best palettes to introduce a newbie to make-up as well as experts creating a neutral eye look. They are also great for women that are scared of bright, bold colors. The Naked and Naked 2 palettes provide everyday wearable colors. For all us professional nine to fivers these palettes are a go-to every morning. Keep it simple Monday thru Friday Ladies! You don’t want people looking at you all crazy at work!

The colors in these palettes range from beige and taupe highlight colors, browns and golds for a lid color and grays and blacks for a smoked out outer V. There are also a variety of transition colors. Some colors are matte and some have simmer, which only adds to the range of colors you are getting. They are universally flattering palettes that featuring 12 eye shadows each. These colors create the perfect neutral eye for women of any skin tone. 

IMO at least one of these palettes should be a staple in every woman’s makeup collection. If you only get one palette your skin tone will be the determining factor. I think (imo) lighter skin tones will enjoy the NAKED 2 palette more and darker skin tones will get a kick out of the original NAKED palette. Both can be found at your locate Sephora, Ulta or at www.urbandecay.com . Plus they are great for travel. Trust me I just brought these babies to Savannah with me and that's it. With a few lippies, it worked out perfectly. They are just wonderful is all!   

I wonder if they plan to come out with a NAKED 3??? I know, who really needs another neutral palette; but actually when will you not need a neutral palette???

Let's Play POLO

Drag & Dranks! Girls Night Out!

YESSSSSSS! Tony! He is looking all types of FABULOUS!

My boy and one of the best M.A.C MAs, Roberto

Check Roberto and Tony out at Nordstrom in the Westfarms Mall

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Nicole has lots to smile about

Getting down

Autumn's famous self-portrait with someone else's camera

At least her boyfriend won't be jealous

Ran into a old friend and started chatting it up

The Dynamic Duo, the Benjamin Sisters Tiffany and Shenell

                                                                 We meet a new friend

The reason for this evening out was to see Tony preform. During one of my many visits to the M.A.C counter some friends and I got the talking to Tony and he invited us to come down to the POLO lounge to see him preform in one of the Friday night drag shows. So me being me, I got into party planning mode. Girls Night Out!!! Unfortunately all weren't able to attend but the 5 of us that did had a BALLLLLLLLLL! I asked my peeps what they thought of the night, this is what they said:

Tiffany: "I'm having replays in my mind of last night. I can;t help but to laugh to the point of tears! I had a GREAT time <3 y'all."

Shenell: "Fantabulous! It was an glitter, lipstick wearing, eyelash batting, waist tick tocking, Drag Queenlicious of a celebration. I had a wonderful time."

Nicole: "Last night was pure fabulousness!!! We def have to do it again. Everything was great from the music to the warm welcome from the alternative lifestyle people toward us straight females!!!! Oh yeah and the drag queens were fierce."

Autumn: "Work, Work, Work, and VOGUE!"

Below is the invitation I sent out to my friends:

Invite Reads:

Let’s Play POLO!!!

Drag and Dranks! Girls Night Out!

You have received my texts about going to the POLO lounge this May. Well the date is fast approaching; May 11^th is the chosen date that worked for the majority of you ladies. So start going through your closets or making those online purchases because it’s time to get FIERCE! Let’s be real, we don’t have anything on these Queens but let’s give the good, good effort. LOL.We’re all Goddesses in your own right! Sweet girl, let’s bust out and break all the rules for a night of glitz and glamour.

Next up after the invite was written, what to wear???

I wanted something bright and bold. I think this outfit accomplished both.

A asymmetrical color-blocking dress. Let me tell you, this dress was a steal originally is 29.90. I purchased it on sale for 22.90. I went back to return a shirt I had no business buying and I noticed my dress was an extra 50% off. The customer service rep was nice enough to give me a price adjustment. Your girl got the dress for $12!!! Yes Ma'am!!!

Nine West Peep Toe Pumps

My new mini MARC by Marc Jacobs Hillier hobo  purse

Lips & Tips: M.A.C Morange Lipstick and Lipglass and Revlon L'orange Nail Polish

The beginning of a great spring/summer!