Top Aholics 2012

Hey AA members

I thought I'd look back and make a list of some of my favorite things from 2012.

Some of these items jumped right out at me, and other I had to think about. You'll notice a couple repeat offenders, I am an addict, and also some more recent trends and addictions.

These are in no particular order, but I did organize them (or attempt to) by category.
Click on the links to read/see more about it.

Fashion
Peplum (here and here)
Oxblood (here and here)
Prints (here, here, here, here and here)
Monochromatic outfits (here)
Studs and spikes (here, here, and here)

Studs and spikes have had real staying power these last couple of seasons. And I love it, they really toughen up a look. You can stud pretty much anything, collars, shoes, shorts, you name it. Here's a tutorial on studding shorts.

My most frequent attempts at a monochromatic look usually involved all black, but this winter I want to try all whites and of course other colors, but especially white. This also applies to prints. I've been really into matching prints, like with suits. That's a really easy way to achieve the look too.

Beauty
Vampy lips (here, here and a majority of my OOTD)
Afro/curly hair (here, here and here)
Ombre hair (with or with out colored ends)
Revlon photo ready concealers
Mario Bedsecu Drying Lotion (here, review to come)

I LOVE dark vampy lips. It's become one of my go to looks no matter the occasion. I recently fell in love with Black Cherry by Revlon (see here) and I have a tutorial with it coming soon. Until then here's an ombre vampy lip.

Revlon's photo ready concealers (I'm a color 006) are amazing. This is one of the few concealers that actually match my skin and covers my dark marks and blemishes plus it's really affordable. I use it every time I put on make, or just by itself for a more natural look. I've started using a lighter color for under my eyes when I'm really getting glammed up. MB's drying lotion is amazing I just apply it to a new pimple at night and it has reduced in size by the next day and gone on the 2nd day. LOVE it!

Ombre hair

Other
Instagram (here)
iPad(s) (here)
blogs
2012 election
DIY fashion (anything DIY) (here, here, here and here)

Blogs have been a fabulous source of information and inspiration. I love networking and just meeting new people via blogs and who themselves blog. It is a great form of self expression. Here are some that I frequent (Circle of Squares, BGLH, Dulce Candy, Style Pantry and CurlyNikki, for a full list check out the blogs that I follow here or click on my profile).

This year was the first year I actually followed the election somewhat closely. I watched the debates, read up on the issues etc. I knew who I wanted to win, and who I'd vote for if I could (one day, SOON). Politics became interesting too, albeit stressing at times. But it's good to be informed, especially on the local and state level. Voting is not an every 4 year thing, you have governors, mayors, representatives etc. Make sure you guys are doing your part!

DIYs!! I love them. They are great ways to save money and an outfit. I think I'm more into DIYs now that I started sewing (which helps with some of the projects). But you guys should definitely check out places like YouTube and Pinterest for ideas.
 

Honorable mentions
The Mayans being wrong (Epic Fail)
Crop tops (here)
Stiletto nails
Avengers (the movie)
Glitter

I know I'm not the only one happy that the world didn't end the 21st. But the Mayans were smart, they predicted the world would end, but died before anyone could question them about it. Stiletto nails just look really cool to me, despite not appearing functional or practical, in my opinion. I'd never get them but I enjoy looking at them and seeing different nail design on them.

Hope you guys enjoyed this post, because I enjoyed writing it.
What were some of your favorites this past year? Any of them on this list?
Comment and let me know.

-AF

runnin on E!

E as in excitement, not empty or ecstasy (although that doesn’t sound to bad, not the drug, but the feeling, i don’t do drugs).

I was shopping with my mother today. Had fun and literally bought a truck load of stuff for my room & bathroom. My color scheme is red/burgundy, cream and brown-y-black. Think Parisian/flapper themed posters etc. I haven’t gotten any paintings and knick-knacks to tie in the room, but I will once I’m settled. I’ll probably stray from the theme, just cuz that’s how I am, but that’s ok.

Today is my mother’s birthday she’s in her late 40’s and I baked her a cake. I’m so sweet, just like the cake was mmm. It’s sad that the ONLY baking I did all summer was the night before I left. I LOVE baking. I’m not really a cook, if you give me a recipe I can follow it and it’ll turn out great, but I can’t cook from memory yet. Just a week or two ago my mom taught me how to make stew and jellof rice [Nigerian cuisine] so that I could make it when I got to school. Can you image, I’ve been eating this stuff since I was a baby and I’m JUST now learning to make it. But it’s a good thing I don’t only intend on marrying a Nigerian man, cuz he’ll be sorely mistaken if he thinks I’m the only one going to be cooking.

But yeah, we shopped till we dropped, mostly from hunger. Then got our nails done. Two of my nails are chipping from all the hard labor that I’ve done since I got home :( [I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS].

Just got off the phone with my bf, and while I was talking to him I googled this light bulb that I need for my lamp. SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I SHOULD PAY $30 FOR A FRICKEN LIGHT BULB! I can buy a whole NEW lamp for that much, GEEZ! If I don’t get a new lamp, I’ll just make my dad pay for the bulb since HE bought me the lamp. MAN!

I’m leaving at 5:30pm and won’t get to the cities till around 8pm…then there’s a party my friends and I want to go to at 11pm…WOW I have no time to do what I need to do.

Anyway I’m going to go start my laundry and trudge through the mess I call a room…

Next post…Top 5 AHOLICs (hopefully, I have the list just have to detail it…to lazy)

-A

Hate is a Strong word [1]

This is a possible title for this series...[till I come up with something a little more clever]


Anyways, despite being an "-aholic" I'm also a regular person how has dislikes. I will be expressing those here. Actually not just dislikes, but pet peeves, annoyances, hates things that disgust me, etc etc.

3. List of 2

2. Chipped nails! GEEZ

1. Having my name called repeatedly

I can't stand it when people only have 2 things on a list [verbal or written]. Come on, finish it off! I might be slightly OCD about that one lol. I just want to add one more thing so it's complete. Think of it this way, you learn your ABC's not your AB's or you count 1,2,3 NOT 1,2.

I hate when I spend time to paint my nails and then I accidentally touch them, OR scrap them OR after they've dried the tips chip off. It's SOOO annoying.

My mother, being the African woman that she is, is incapable of doing any work herself, and for some reason refuses to ask my brother [who are often close in proximity to her] for anything. SO instead she calls me, no matter what I am doing, I AM THE ONE THAT GET CALLED or BOTHERED! Ugh!

What annoys you?


On a happier note my YouTube is working again :), but unfortunately I can't load my latest vblog :(.


-A

Top 5 AHOLICs [1]

Part of this blog will be to share my current OBSESSIONS and ADDICTIONS. Basically things I just can't get enough of, and would like to suggest to you. Be prepared for repeats (hence the addiction, lol).

We shall begin

5) YouTube

4) Nail Polish

3) S'mores PopTarts

2) Twist Outs

1) Basketball shorts

 

For those who have been on YouTube and are aware of it's obvious allure and charm, you understand it's presence on the list. if not, spend an hour on you tube, search anything (I recommend puppies and kittens, or baby laughs lol). You will find you've been on for a while, and though you search originated at point A you'll see that you ended at Z, a completely unrelated topic. Trust me there a videos about EVERYTHING just take the time to watch.

My nails are usually done (acrylics) for the nail shop, but this summer to save money I decided to let them grow out. And the filed part has finally grown out and I've been changing my nail color twice a week or more. I'm OBSESSED, and I never realized I had so many pretty colors. As a child (3 years old) my pinky had been slammed in a car door and the result was a slightly deformed nail (ick, but I've come to accept it, esp since it's barely noticeable, things could be much worse). My nails are currently Spring- Charlotte Russe topped with Bright Sky- Revlon (picture below).

I'm a huge fan of junk foods, unfortunately we don't have many, if any at my house. I'm also a night owl, who doesn't eat to much during the day, so my 11PM or midnight I'm famished. They are my go to snack (right after croissants, YUM!). They're not nutritious, but they are DELISHOUS, lol.

My hair is NATURAL (as in no relaxer, perm, texturizer etc). Not to say I don't use weaves, braids etc, but I don't permanently change the way it grows naturally. So as a result of numerous hours on YouTube (see #5) I've learned various hair styles. This one being a new FAVOITE of mine, a style that I've been rocking for the past week.

I love being comfortable, and seeing as it's the summer time, when laziness and heat rule the day. I find that basketball short are my go to appearal, not to say that I'm fashionably challenged (because I'm not, couldn't be further from the truth). BUT I love them and how they look and feel on me.

So if any of these intrigued you, I DEFINATLY would recommend them, no pressure, and no need to develop an addiction (but I make no promises lol).

  

-A