FRIDAY FINDS....I FOUND ME

So Im in a happy place right now here in blogland, Ive met some really cool chicks and I consider them friends.  But Im also one to speak my mind and have to explain things and how I got to this place. Blogland is kinda like high school....you have your clicks and some people are very competitive and all that.   I may not have 5,000 followers but the 189 I do have, Im proud they follow my blog because they're interested in what I say or show.

THIS IS ME.....   the 39 year old, mama of 5!    Yes 5...all mine, birthed them all naturally.  This is how I start my day everyday...and my working uniform unless I have to run errands or someone is coming over.

This is my bed..I like pillows...Big Daddy not so much!

Just out of bed...no makeup (dont run..it's okay)

I wash my face and put on cocoa butter and thats it for the day....I blog at my dining room table so that I can see my 1 year old right in the living room playing and I can see the front window to look for my 4 yr olds school bus.

I spend my days blogging, doing product reviews,craigslisting, making jewelry for my new line, and trying to refinish furniture during nap time on my deck.    ( I also try to eat and pee sometime in the day too) Oh and my nutritional choice throughout the day is Diet Pepsi (always)

I love to decorate...I love to create.  I say that Im frequently inspired because Im always changing things around weekly if not daily.   You will rarely be able to go back on a post and see the room the same way.  I dont know what it is but I like being different.  My husband knows to not be surprised anymore...he expects things to be moved when he comes home.  

My porch always has pieces of furniture that Ive purchased from Craigslist or got for FREE either on CL or the side of the road.  No shame in my game.  One man's trash in my treasure!!!!   I'm now known as The Junk Collector...lol  

I promote some of my favorite bloggers, their blogs and their shops because I want to, not for any other reason. I also buy from my fellow bloggers who are Etsians as well....they're are more than enough consumers in the world.  I try to have items in my shop that you dont see in other shops..again I like different!

I get inspiration for other people in the industry but not necessarily bloggers, shop owners, and people who take the time to write a note, drop you an email and really appreciate you, what you do and what you are trying to achieve.

I dont usually host giveaways on my blog because I dont want to force anyone to become my "follower". I have hosted 2 giveaways and 1 was a 2 week long party and I made alot of fellow blogging friends. 

Im on a Mommy Blogging Team for Haddad Brands and so I do FB giveaways on there to give away Nike, Levi's & Jordan product.  

I appeared on The Nate Show as a design dilemma guest...but hope one day to be able to share my creative ideas.  

My husband appeared with me on the show and I love him for that, because it's so not his style.  I wonder what people thought when they saw me.  Then what went through their minds when they saw my husband.....the 6 ft, over 250lbs black man who made Nate look like a 10 year old.  lol

It amazes me how people assume because of the color of my skin that it wouldn't be possible that Im married to a black man.   Just last week while out, another customer was going off about a teacher and called her a ugly fat black bitch.  It took everything in my power not to punch her, but instead I pray for people that ignorant.

I find it a little offensive that I post about a candlestick that I made from a can and get 25 comments, but I do a post on Autism (which my 4yr is diagnosed) and you can here crickets...few to no comments.   Also no comments for the Nate appearance either. lol

I find it annoying that people will create an inaccurate image of themselves to impress bloggers or tell a tale of sorrow because they've heard that when you do that, sympathy will bring you more followers.  Your cheating your reader that way.

I do this because I love to share my ideas.... my friends read it and they say it's the same as having a conversation with me.   So that's all I need, I know that Im doing it right...whether it be 200 or 2000 followers.   Whoever clicks that button is a friend.

So it's been 10 months that Ive been blogging and I now have 2 blogs (1 lifestyle/decorating - 1 fashion/kids, 2 Etsy shops (1 home/vintage, 1 jewelry) and a furniture refinishing business that Im launching publicly as well.  In June of this year it will be 1 year and we will see if we can take it to the next level.

I dream of one day living in South Carolina (hopefully meeting my blogging buddies who live there) and having my own little shop.  Raise my children to be well-rounded people who love and respect EVERYONE and to teach them that it's never to late to live your dream.  I will drive around in my old pick up truck collecting more treasures to share with everyone.

SO ON THIS FRIDAY......I FOUND ME!

Hate it or love it the underdog's on top
And I'm gonna shine homie until my heart stop

Go head' envy me
I'm an MVP
And I ain't goin nowhere so you can get to know me

- 50 cent & The Game lyrics

BFF BREAKDOWN.....NO REALLY I WILL BREAK IT DOWN. LOL

So alot of us in blogland were inspired by Ashley @ http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/ and her BFF post.  It allows the opportunity for us to get to know each other.   So here are a few things you might not know about me your BFF from blogland.

This is me....MJ      B is my other half!

I LOVE TO TYPE IN CAPS......(and will do it often in this post, Im not shouting!)

I hate some of the little rules about online chatting, blogging ex....the caps rule WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL!

When I was 3 I started dancing and dreamed of being in the Nutcracker ballet. ( I quit at 12 when mom moved us)

I hated not growing up with my father.....realize now it was better for me.

I have 6 tattoos all on my back and neck area. (my favorite is above...our monogram)

My mom was a hard worker to provide for us, but didnt do a good job nuturing us.

I LOVE MY CHILDREN MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF


I love knitting/crocheting but dont tell anyone because I feel old ...lol (NOT ANYMORE)

I have told each one of my children that I love them the most but keep it a secret (how do you answer that question, but to say yes to them)

I love pizza, pasta a rice & beans.

All of my tattoos have a specific meaning and Im about to get another patch of them in 2011.

My house is like the United Nations with all of our Nationalities combined (makes us more unique)

I'd love to host a blog giveaway but not because I want to have a million followers....just to give something away.  

My bio-dad (deceased) was not accepting of my relationship and he died while we werent speaking.

I really didnt think I would ever find true love (you always think your in it until its over)

Im very picky about childrens names and middle names matching

I have 5 children......4 girls and 1 boy

I have always had long hair and in 2007 cut it off and now get new short style every 3 months...

Not a fan of having people pay for tutorials.....If you blog to share, then share!

I always wanted to be a designer, but due to a young bad marriage in my previous unhappy life that didnt happen ( Parsons was my school of choice)

Elizabeth Maxson gives me such inspiration and is a wonderful person to talk too (well in my case 2.a.m. email to..lol)

I have a personal note written from Christy Turlington (famous model in the 80-90's) now married to Ed Burns.    I think she is so beautiful and I use to idolize her as a little girl.

My husband is black-caribbean and some people have issues with it (if you do well then I will pray for you)

I love God but dont feel I need to go into a building with a cross on top to speak to him.

Hate...hate...hate to fly but loved flying out to California & stayin with my husband before he left for Iraq.

I think its rude that people assume because a child isnt the same color or doesnt look like the parent that its not their child (believe me Ive been asked.....SO RUDE)

Im  a dog person, not a fan at all of cats and I HATE reptiles and insects.

LAUNCHING A NEW JEWELRY SECTION IN MY ETSY SHOP on January 1st (and im terrified)

I was baptized Catholic, but then chose to be  re-baptized Christian along with my husband.

I have an Etsy shop and love creating things....but deathly afraid of failure.

When Im shocked or surprised I say SHUT UP.....some people dont get it.

Im definately a Jersey girl, but hate living in NJ and want to move to SC or FL in the next 5 years.

I didnt go to college ( I went to cosmetology school instead)

I loved going to the Nate show (he was so sweet and adorable)

Think unpainted toes is ugly....I'd rather chipped than none at all.

Hardly ever spell check...I post then read then edit. lol

When Eddie Ross commented me and followed me on Twitter as I do him  I felt like queen for a day.  He is so talented.

I rearrange the furniture or accessories in my rooms at least 3 times a month (I CANT HELP IT PEOPLE)

Oh and yes, I have the right side of my hair shaved and have been known to rock a mohawk like Pink.




PROBABLY MOST KNOWN FOR BEING A DIET PEPSI ADDICT (no seriously...I get headaches and really cranky if I dont have a glass by noon).

WELL FOLKS I THINK I COULD GO ON FOREVER BUT ......that would leave nothing be to blog about next year!


Go on over and visit Ashley my new bff and all the other ladies who want you to get to know them too.