#Fitness Friday Inspiration: Eudoxiee Agnan

Hey loves hope all is well in your world. I was planning on a photo shoot today for Eboni's Style Me Friday but I can't seem to peel myself out of my comfy workout clothes just yet. I instead decided to write a fitness inspiration post. I am currently inspired by the beautiful Eudoxiee, also known as the girlfriend of rapper Ludacris. I came across a fitness picture of her on Instagram; which led me to follow her. I was so impressed and amazed to find after viewing her #tbt pictures that she was born and raised in an African village, a true #startedfromthebottom now we here story.

When I first started seeing her on the blogs with Luda I immediately thought she was his latest pretty groupie but she was actually getting her Masters in Medicine when they met and is currently taking a break I suppose to be a kept woman. I ain't mad at that at all! She also appears to have a naturally curvy body; which is rare in 'black hollywood' and works out to keep healthy. Here are some pictures of her training below.

Even the most dedicated athletes need an inspirational push and I definitely was feeling a bit lax after recovering from being sick a few weeks ago. I worked out today in the neighborhood and restarted my 30 day #squat challenge. I also have been eating a lot cleaner at home for dinner so that will definitely help me reach my goal of being toned. I want to keep the curves, add some muscle tone and feel better overall. Thanks Eudoxiee for being a fitness inspiration for me!


Thanks for stopping by and if you haven't watched the season finale of #Scandal you are in for a treat!! Can't wait until next season!

Have a great weekend ladies,

My Day at the Huetiful Hair Salon in Atlanta

Hey loves what's new? I am SO glad today is Friday sweet baby Jesus! I have had the work week from hell, let's just say that if I don't have to look at Excel for awhile I will be a happy happy gal! I think the weather in Atlanta is supposed to be rather nice so I am looking forward to spending some time outside, maybe go for a hike or a good run, my legs and abs both need some exercise plus it will help me burn off some of this steam from work.

Last weekend I ventured to the Huetiful Hair Salon in Atlanta's Amsterdam Walk to get my hair did! lol I didn't even know they had a salon here until I saw it mentioned on Instagram. I wanted to get my hair pressed but since it has been raining like cat's n dogs lately I decided to go with a twist set instead. I opted for a wash n go look but on a dry twist out. When I walked in the salon I immediately thought it was SO cute! The turquoise wall colors and graphic tiles on the wall were right up my alley. Ya'll know I'm a sucker for good Interior Decor! I was asked to take a seat and relax in their spa like environment whilst sipping on my coffee prepared on their luxe Keurig #winning. I was also treated to some lovely tunes via Pandora, great first impression. My first stylist washed my hair with their amazing shampoo, it felt SO soft after the wash I was pleasantly surprised! You know most shampoo products will leave your hair feeling somewhat stripped but the glycerine in theirs acts like a humectant and moisturized my hair. Next my hair was deep conditioned with the Huetiful Hydrating Conditioning treatment under the awesome Huetiful hair steamer. I have a steamer at home as well but hardly get to use it now that Mr. Phoenix takes up all of my spare time. I need to work steaming into my schedule at least twice a month! After getting rinsed, my hair was then twisted downward by Alicia and dried under the hood dryer for the effect you see here. When I came home my husband said "Did you get your hair done, it looks like how it did when you left!" omg he is hilarious!!!! His idea of 'hair done' is a blow out because that is usually what I get when I go to the salon but he liked the afro twist out look. I think next time I go I would prefer a twist set on wet hair as my curl pattern is so cute and would give a better textured appearance. Otherwise I loved the customer service at the salon, both ladies are super sweet and I wasn't waiting all day to be seen either. I was in and out in 90 mins, I like salons that respect my time :) They were also very knowledgeable about the Huetiful products and I was given a briefing on the products being used during each step.

If you are in the market for a natural hairstyle or even a press/blow out definitely check out the Hueitful Salon in ATL. I was able to see a flatiron styled customer while there and her hair looked great. I think they are also looking to expand to more cities like NYC & LA for instance but this is their flagship salon. You can even book an appointment online, I love how techno savvy this salon is, the lead stylist snapped pictures for Instagram with her cute little ipad mini, definitely a great plus in my opinion!

502 Amsterdam Ave NE #106  Atlanta, GA 30306
(866) 708-7015

Thanks for stopping by,

ShandART Productions presents LM Illustration

Thank you SO much Shanda for my lovely illustration for Lipstick Manual. I contacted Shanda for a graphic fashion illustration for the blog because she is such a talented artist and knew she would capture what I had envisioned. I originally wanted to use this piece for a banner when the site was under construction but now I'm thinking I will use it in my signature so I can see it everyday, that would be cayuuuute! I haven't formally met Shanda in person but feel as though we are cyber friends, we've been chatting online for at least 2 years now lol We must meet by the way ;) Shanda previously sent me the most beautiful greeting card after we got engaged and I still have it hanging up in my master bedroom. 

Please be sure to visit ShandART on ETSY for a special piece of your own, she also has the cutest tee's, which are so on trend right now. Her work has also been featured on VH1's Single Ladies, Diddy's blog and Essence.com! Shanda also has a website + blog. Keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter and check out her portfolio here.

Heading to Jamaica!

I am so happy to be feeling better and back from the brink of death! Colds are just nasty and fowl stealing all your joy and will to eat for that matter lol In other news, I can't believe it is already May and I'm welcoming it with open arms. Cheers to less rain and more sunny days! Speaking of sunshine and being chipper I finally booked our beach vacation this summer. It was a toss up between the RIU in Negril and the Hilton in Montego Bay. I always get so nervous right before I click the buy button when purchasing a vacation in a foreign place. Trip Advisor is usually my go to when seeking out reviews but there are those people who write extremely dramatic and negative experiences; which throw off all the positive ones you read. I had a panic attack wondering if I picked the right place, no one wants to fly hours and travel miles to not love their new home away from home. I think we will be fine though. We will be staying at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. The Hilton brand is one to be trusted and by the looks of the pictures I love the rooms already! This hotel has a lazy river on site which is one of the reasons I chose this spot. I can see myself with Phoenix slowly drifting around the river and relaxing. Daddy prefers the beach when we are on vacations and this hotel has something for everyone to enjoy. I also read something about a jerk chicken cart that comes around the beach to serve you while you relax. I love jerk chicken, curry goat, roti, plantains hmmm mmm good. They even have saltfish and ackee for breakfast! I can't wait to swim, eat and drink all inclusively! I love all inclusive vacations where you don't have to worry about finding a good restaurant for every meal plus if you want to indulge and blame it on the alcohol it won't cost you a mint to do so.

When it comes to the beach, I was wondering if it would be worth getting Phoenix a bucket and shovel to play with but he may make a mess of it and get sand everywhere it's not supposed to be. I recently picked up the cutest little Finding Nemo swim trunks and shirt for him at Babies R Us. When I showed it to him he squealed in excitement. I love the sounds of joy he makes, it is the cutest thing ever! People always say to cherish every moment while your child is young and I am doing just that! :) Today we had his passport appointment, which he slept through surprisingly. While at the post office there were a bunch of roosters being mailed out and one kept crying or whatever you call it lol it was hilarious because who expects to hear roosters at the USPS. lol I can't lol country living for sure!

I wanted to go to Europe before the year is over too. We are also trying to sell house at the moment so there are a lot of balls to juggle. I can't wait until this sale goes through so I can be done with it. Selling your home while living in it and showing every week is exhausting!



Well enough of my Wednesday rant, if you've made it this far bless you and Happy Wednesday!

Have you been to Jamaica? Did you have an amazing time? Tell me all about it ;)

Sickie Momma

Hey Loves as you can see by the cuteness above I am a sickie momma. I caught this deathly cold from either my sweet little chublette or his larger twin daddy, either way this sucks! I've been feeling sick since Thursday and have lost 3 lbs since then, guess that is what happens when you barely eat huh smh I am feeling a bit better today though but I still sound like there is a frog in my throat. When Phoenix had this cold he was down and out, I felt SO bad for him and gave him lots of TLC but he didn't seem to care that I was sick and bounced up bright and early at 6AM every morning smiling, slapping me in the face and wanting to rise and shine lol I let daddy take one for the team and get up early with him :) yay you rock J lol It is so hard to stay germ free when your kid is in daycare, there always seems to be someone with a running nose. I feel like boiling our bedsheets and wiping every single surface down with bleach, being sick is the worst especially when it is nice outside. May this be the last cold I see for a long time to come.

Do you use any natural get well quick remedies? I am so leery of meds these days after being preggers and not able to ingest pretty much anything. I figure it wasn't good enough for me then so I'm not taking it now.


Linking up for Monday Mingle with The Naptime Review