Another Jasmine's review

Let me just say, I am not paid to endorse anyone or any product. I just happen to love these products and I love supporting people who provide excellent customer service and make excellent products. But not only do I love them, The Supremes loves them and so does T. I placed my annual black Friday order to get some body products and I also tried the protein conditioner. The intense reconstructing hair treatment is wonderful!!! It is super thick and a little tacky. You have to rub it between your hands but it coats really well. You can tell it's just not some watered conditioner. It doesn't leave your hair hard at all but it def does the job.

The next new item I need to rave about is a body product of course!!! She now has massage and after bath oils and whoooo hooo I am in love. I love, love, love body oils. But I hate how oily they can be and the stains they leave on your sheets. Well not with these baby. It glides on your skin but doesn't leave you feeling like an oil slick. They absorb nicely into your body and the scents are amazing and now over-powering. Oh and I discovered a cool trick for them. The first time I used them, was right after I shaved under my arms. I didn't want to apply deodorant but I didn't want to sleep with bare pits to as I massaged the oil into my arms, I put a little in my pits as well. Can I just say wow. My pits didn't feel weird when I woke up the next morning and it was like I didn't even shave the night before. I'm in love!!!! Q

See what had happened was...

Okay so I went crazy on black Friday but I still managed to stay within my budget. Besides Jasmine's I also purchased from Afroveda, Shescentit and I am awaiting a Hairveda shipment. Let's just say I won't be purchasing hair care products for a LONGGGGGG time. I already went through my current stash of hair products and put out a use it up box. That is a box of items that I am close to using up that I have to use first before I use any other products in my stash. So let me tell you what I ordered.

Shescentit is a site by a member of a hair forum, I frequent. I heard good things about her products and decided to give them a try. I wanted to find a replacement for Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme so I ordered 2 jars of Gillian Tearless Hair Butter in chocolate truffle and sugar cookie. I also ordered 2 jars of Seyani Hair butter in pink lemonade and coconut mango for myself. All of the items smell exactly how they sound and the jars are filled to the top. I swiped my hand over some of the butter and it melted to the touch and wasn't greasy. The butters are made with ingredients that are good for your hair such as shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. I will be trying the butter on K's hair tomorrow so I will have a more thorough review.




Another member of the hair forum posted about Afroveda. I had never heard of the site and decided to take a peek. I was impressed by how well put together her site was. I emailed the owner back and forth several times before deciding on the vata hair kit. It came with Sunsilk hair oil (which smells like lemon), Kissi Seed hair lotion, and shea alma whipped butter cream. I got this line specifically for D because her hair is extremely dry. I also got a free sample of Shikakai hair growth elixir. These products don't contain any mineral oil or petroleum and has shea butter, alma oil, castor oil, and aloe vera juice as some of the ingredients.



Not only am I happy with my overall purchase, I must say both transactions were smooth, they shipped in a timely manner, and they were packaged well. I love supporting quality vendors but I am especially proud these 2 businesses are run by fabulous African American women as well. It is nice to have products made by us and catered specifically to the care and proper treatment of my hair without cutting corners and using cheap products. You ladies rock!!!! Q

There are good vendors out there

Jasmine's has done it again!!! As you all know, I love body products. I have a cabinet full of lotions, scrubs, body washes, you name it. A few weeks ago, I was notified of a sale online at Jasmine's and decided to order some items and I fell in love. I took them to work and my coworker ordered some as well. I received another email last week about her black Friday sale offering 30% off. You know I was all over it. I got 3 lotions, 2 for me and one for the girls name Monkey Snacks. Monkey Snacks has a hint of banana and smells so yummy. I can't wait for them to put it on after their baths tonight. I also ordered 2 scrubs and a roll on of lotion. My girl was nice enough to send me a goats milk soap bar to try. I am so excited!!!! Thanks again girlie for the excellent products, and fast shipping. Much love. Q

I got some bags too

We went to El Paso this weekend and I went inside their Ross and went crazy. Here are some of my purchases. I didn't mean to leave the tag on the first one. Just about all of these were on clearance sale too. I am done for awhile. Next up is clothes for my new body!!! Q

This is a Tommy Hilfiger purse


This is a nine west purse.




I love this XO purse because it goes with some boots I just purchased.



This is another Nine West purse.



I usually don't like a lot of monogram purses but I love this one by Liz Claiborne. Monnie I know you are so proud of me!!! Q

Some more pics of my shoes

So I am keeping a total of 10 pairs of shoes. Here are some up close pics of 7 of them. Q

My latest shopping spree

Yesterday I was on the forum just minding my business. All of a sudden a bunch of women threatened me and told me to click on this thread about nine west shoes being on sale. Then later, those same women barged into my home, put a gun to my head and made me order 7 pairs of shoes!!! I mean they are on sale for $30 each. I have a feeling those women may return tonight and make me order a few more. Jesus take the wheel!!!! Here are the ones I purchased so far. Q








Here is the link: sale

My recent purchases

I needed some new bags. I needed some big enough to carry my bible and all my other stuff but I didn't want it to look grandma-ish. I headed to Ross and struck gold. I am not one of those bag chicks but I have gotten a lot of compliments on my new ones so I guess I chose well. Anyway, here they are. Q

Deal$ and Steal$

It all started yesterday when I went to Target to get some of that pantene hair mask. It was originally $4.84 and the girl accidentally gave me the $2.00 off coupon for it. I had heard great reviews and wanted to try it because I am going to press my hair this weekend. I should have ran back in and got another jar but I will test it out first.

Next I went to a store to get some boots. I got a pair that was originally $60.00 for under $29.00 with tax. They are the shorter boots in the picture below.

Then today I decided to stop by this other shoe store after I went to Sally's (I got the fermodyl 619 for BOGO). I was looking for some tall black boots. I wear a size 11 so I was getting discouraged until I went in the back and noticed a pair I like. I was going to post cursing all the small footed women. It had 3 different prices on it. The original price was $79.99. Then it had $65.00. Then another sign said $45.00. I took them to the register and asked the guy for the price and he said $45.00 and I said I'll take them. I used my debit card and he asked for my i.d. The first one on top was my military one and he said you know we also give a 15% military discount? I was cheesing like a kid in the candy store. I got those boots for less than $42.00 with tax and everything.

Oh and the icing on the cake for me is, I finally finished my taxes and instead of paying we are getting money back. We both are getting half and it is a nice chunk too. Yup and that is what I am going to use for x-mas gifts and the rest I will spend on me. If only you could see how hard I am cheesing right now. Q

Why I love him so much...

This morning I awoke to the most beautiful sight. Thomas was standing in our bedroom and was quietly moving around trying to avoid waking me. I watched him as he opened the drawers to find some socks and then went over to the closet to get some clothes. He closed the door to the bathroom so the sound of water running would not wake me. Then he slowly eased out of our bedroom closing the door behind him. Off he went to make breakfast, wake up the girls, feed them, pick our their clothes, turn on the t.v. and wait for me to wake up so we can all go to church together. To some it might sound strange but for us, it is something that we do every weekend. You see he gives me a break and allows me to sleep in because he knows day in and day out, I am the ones who fix the kids breakfast and lunch. I am the one who picks out and irons there clothes. I am the one who fixes their hair. I am the one that drives them to school and takes care of the conferences, field trips etc. So on the weekends, I don't have to do any of that.

I love my husband because he doesn't subscribe to the roles society tries to place on families. Yes he is the head like he should be but he doesn't ask or expect much. He loves me just as I am. I do some things that others might look at and say "if that was my wife, that wouldn't happen" but for him, that is why he loves me. He allows me to be me because he knows that I love him for him. We have a mutual respect for each other and we are secure in our love for each other. I do things for him that others don't see and wouldn't be able to do like I do and vice versa. Even now when I am nowhere near the size I was when we got married, he still loves me just the same and never makes me feel bad. He acts as if there is absolutely nothing wrong with how I look but still encourages me because he knows I have a goal in mind.

There are times when I want us to do something and he doesn't quite see it but he trusts me enough to support me. What I love the most about him is not what he gives me or what he does for me, I love him because he loves the Lord more than me. I can't remember a day going by I have not seen him studying his bible. He loves the Lord and God is first in his life and I love him all the more because of that. Because I know if he puts God first, he will always do what's right for me and the girls.

This was even more evident to me the other day when we visited our daughter Trey and her daughter at the hospital. I don't know most people let alone me who could forgive and still love someone if they did all the things she has done to us. As we drove home he even said he considered taking her back in but knows he needs to really pray and seek the Lord about it. That touched me because he put his own feelings aside and is willing to do what thus says the Lord. He is not ashamed about his relationship with Christ. He once got offended when someone commended him on being faithful to God because in his eyes, that is how we are supposed to be. I love him because I know Jesus truly lives in him and he strives all the more to be like God.

So Thomas if you are reading, I know I don't always tell you because we are just like that but I LOVE YOU so much. You are the best husband in the world and I couldn't imagine being married to anyone else. You are the kind of man I pray every woman is blessed to find. You are the true example of a man of God, a husband and, a father. Thank you for always putting God first and me second. Thank you for serving the Lord and loving me like Christ loves the church. Thank you for putting up with me and all my crazy ways, and loving me just the same. Thank you for choosing me as your wife. Thank you for all that you do and just for being you. I am so blessed to have you as my husband and my friend. You encourage me to be better and I love you for it. I love you. I love you. I love you. Q

Money Saving tips

I have decided to pull my posts from another forum and add them to my blog to help others on the road to financial freedom. As many of you know I am very focused when it comes to my finances and have a goal to have our house paid off in 7 years from the date of purchase. Here are some of my tips:

Invest in really good bedding and sleepwear. Here in NM our heat is run on gas which can get expensive. I spend a little extra buying at least 300tc sheets and my kids wear long flannel pajamas. I also have vellux blankets on the beds to keep warm. This allows me to turn the heat down but we are still warm. I also purchased a couple of electric heaters and put them in each room.

Make a list and stick to it when shopping. I plan out my meals for the whole week so when I shop I know exactly what to get so I won't have 3 boxes of lasagna in the cabinet.

Take your lunch to work. Just think about spending around $5 per day or $100 per month on eating out at lunch.

Buy things on sale and save them for gifts. When bath and body works have their clearance sale, I rack up on items. Then as time goes by, I give them as gifts.

Use mypoints. If you need the link shoot me an email and I will refer you. This is something I have been doing for over 4 years now. You get points for reading emails and shopping at merchants. Whenever I buy flowers for someone, I use proflowers which is a mypoints partner and get points. At the end of the year I redeem those points for gift cards and give them as gifts or shop with them to buy gifts.

Write it down. Yes you need to have a good look at your finances. So for a whole week write down what and where you spend your money and then examine it for ways to cut back.

Shop for better credit cards. See if your current card will give you a better rate. If not switch to another and take advantage of those introductory offers. When you get the new card, shred it and pay it off before the period is over.

Also depending on your state, you can adjust the insurance coverage you have on your vehicle. Especially those with older vehicles. Same thing with homeowners insurance. Make sure you are get all the discounts you qualify for.

If you have an adjustable rate mortgage and the rate is set to increase, start looking into refinancing with a fixed-rate or even to another adjustable rate for x amount of years and focus on taking the extra you may save and apply it to principle.

For those of you that own a house, refinancing and doing a debt consilidation is another great option. For one, in most cases the interest you will now pay is tax deductible unlike a credit card. Also you may be saving money and can apply it to paying off the refinanced loan sooner. For instance if you have a mortgage of $150,000 paying $1000 and 3 cards with a balance of $30,000 paying $600 refinance that and now you have everything in one lump of $180,00 but now you are only paying $1300. Take the extra $300 you were paying and add it to your new monthly payment to pay it off sooner. Plus you can now write off the interest you pay on the $180,000.

The following are links regarding budgets:

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/
http://www.personalbudgeting.com/tips/tips.html
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Dire...lc/budget.html
http://www.daveramsey.com/the_truth_..._3457.html.cfm
http://moneycentral.msn.com/smartbuy/home.asp
http://www.foxway.com/?gclid=CP7xwbyZpYkCFQtkYQod1ANaOg
http://financialplan.about.com/cs/bu...dgeting101.htm
http://www.personal-budget-planning-saving-money.com/

It is also important to enjoy and treat yourself every now and then. That way you won't always feel soo stressed and stuck over budgeting and saving. I always put aside a little extra to treat myself. It could be a massage, a manicure, pedicure, or just having a nice dinner. It is a way to reward yourself for staying focused on your goals. Be blessed and take control of your financial future. Q

I hate shopping for footwear

I really do. Yesterday I decided to finally buy some new sneakers. I was way overdue and headed to lady footlocker. My mom, and my cousin Rochelle love shoes. They would put the biggest shoe shopper to shame. They are the types to buy a shoe because it is cute even if it doesn't match anything they have in their wardrobe. Then they will go out and find an outfit just to go with their shoes. But not me. I buy what I need, when I need it and that is it.

I hate shopping for footwear because I have a big foot. Whenever I see a cute shoe in the display size, I get happy. Then when the salesperson brings the same shoe out in my size, it doesn't look so cute. That happened yesterday. I picked out 2 styles and one, they didn't have my size, and the other, did not look so cute. I finally settled on the one in the picture. They are skechers. I needed some cute, white sneakers and these are just right. I walked around the store in them for awhile and picked up a couple of shirts for working out. They were on sale, 5 for $24.99. The shoes were $49.99. When my items were rung up, the total was $74.79. Guess what I paid out of pocket? $0 Because I redeemed my mypoints credits for $85.00 in footlocker gift cards. Three of them was $25 each and the other was $10. So I still have $10.21 left on my gift cards. So inspite of my shoe shopping situation, I left with some cute shoes, comfy shirts, and not a dime of my own money spent. Q