my first haircut

I woke up yesterday inspired to cut and color hair. So I volunteered my sweet and easy to persuade sister into being my first victim.

I found this great website http://www.scissorboy.com/ that gives you instruction video on hair, from colors & cuts to managing your own salon. I was sucked in for about 2 hours and decided to go to Sally's to purchase an all over color & highlight color for my sister.

stacey's all over color

stacey's highlight color

I began this little adventure by highlighting stacey's hair and folding in foil strips, kind of messy but i started to get the hang of it by the last 2 foils. Then while hair was processing I put the all over color on and let it do its thing.

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK TICK TOCK

Hair done and now for the cut. I put all my skills I learned from scissorboy.com to use.

And now for the unveiling of my first hair masterpiece....

My sister is so beautiful inside and out, through and through. I hope she likes it, cause I can't fuse her hair back...yet! i LOVE you stacey!

You never know what you can do unless you try...go try.


kjoy

beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

There's an age old saying that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"... but what if you're your own beholder? I think sometimes when we look at ourselves in a mirror we see things that maybe we didn't ever think was wrong until we compare. comparison kills joy.

I know that I've struggled to see my bodily differences as being beautiful and unique but instead I see them as uniquely flawed. I look in the mirror and compare my flaws as failures to the successes of the "beautiful people" in media or in my own personal circle. I find that when my inner self is strong and I keep God's perspective of His creation (me) as my focus, the weight of my flaws slip away until the dark pit where it belongs.

My good friend caitlin crosby has spent years fighting against the media's skewed eyed view of beauty; so much so she made her debut album all about loving your flawz. It is full of talent, fight, love of people and true beauty. Go get your copy of FLAWZ HERE. I love, love love it!




We're all created different, beautiful in our on unique way. I think when we can embrace our specific and wonderful differences we will find freedom. I love the lyrics from Caitlin's song Freedom.

No, don't put me in a box.
I'm not just like a puzzle piece
I might not fit, I will not bend
No, I'm not the color red
I'm not the girl next door
I clinch my fists, I might stay home instead
Sick and tired of making faces
Nothing more than second places
I'm coming 'round the bend
But I am crawling slowly
When everyone around is rising
Raise your glass to compromising
Tell me now is this what we call freedom
This is freedom, this is freedom
So give me freedom
Give me freedom

Oh freedom, how i love thee.

More love from Caitlin. She has started a site called http://www.loveyourflawz.com/ where you can post yourself in a pic holding a sign saying how you love your freckles, gray hair, or even your cellulite! Its about embracing you for you. Go celebrate you and post a pic!

Lastly, Caitlin's song "Imperfect is the New Perfect" is so true and relevant, we need to hold on to that and make it our mantra. Here is a glimpse of its awesomeness...

Just dry your eyes, you're beautiful
I understand, it's logical
'Cause these images are everywhere
They're make believe, so don't compare
I will not compare
We're every shape and size
You know we're just perfect, just perfect
We love our hips, our thighs
Because they're just perfect, just perfect
I don't fit the mold, I am real
I'm too colorful to conceal
Imperfect is the new perfect
Imperfect is the new perfect

The line "They're make believe so don't compare" makes me want to put this video on our mental stereo and press repeat. Take a look below what I'm talking about...

Wow! Can you even believe!? Gotta love the exposure of truth...things are not what they seem to be.

Its time for us to enhance what we have been given, not destroy it with our mental torture and media driven disillusions. Embrace what we have, give it a beautiful name, You.

Concern your heart with what matters, the inner you. Because when you beautify your inner self your countenance will radiate brighter than any outer thing good or bad you might possess.

Do what ever you can to break free, get healed, be whole...fight for it, its worth it! I'm on the journey with you, better yet God is, you're never alone.

You are beautiful, I just know it!

kjoy

my favorite magazine

WHY DID THEY GET RID OF THIS MAGAZINE???

=

+

they're great alternatives but they are no domino

research, research, research... find a magazine that you love & get inspired!

kjoy

pretty things, make girls feel pretty.

do i even have to say anything?...

....but i will say this....

pretty moms make pretty girls.

go get pretty ladies...it does a woman good.

kjoy

el bano de lochbaum

i started this room finding this amazing mirror at my favorite thrift store in houston
the guild shop

i choose a great rich brown color. less brown-sherwin williams

i built thin shelves and created an art piece with nick knacks

my first curtains (french pleats), recycled commercial mirror that came with house, made a bench from an old piano bench & two small pillows to throw on it.

why should the toilet area go neglected? built thin shelves to house "reading material" and candles.

homemade jewelry holder. old picture w/ great frame, lay cork over picture wrap with your choice material and heavy staple material to picture.

do things afraid or in uncertainty.

kjoy

ps. i apologize for the poor picture quality, i only had my camera phone on me.

what?! summer is over already...

who likes to party? we like to party.

whos we? everybody.

Watch HERE as I guide you through on my Great Day Houston with Debra Duncan segment; how to throw an end of the summer party!

Let’s Go Crazy Kid’s Party



1. Bring back the classics.



Activities: Three legged race, potato sack, limbo, water balloon toss, and winners get a crown or an over-sized lollypop
Drive in classic: create an outdoor theater to end the night watching kid classic flicks. The Parent Trap, Ferris Buller’s Day Off, Indiana Jones, etc. While kids are sprawled on blankets on the grass, hand out bags of popcorn. Take home gifts are fun pinwheels or water balloon kits.

2. Bag it or Box it


Food: get old shoeboxes/ or bags and have them supplied with premade meals with napkins and treats. Can include corn dog, corn, fruit kabobs, etc. and Cotton Candy all wrapped up.
Water station: blow a whistle and say, “Water break!”

3. Say Cheese


Pictures: Create a photo booth. Have kids throughout the day take pictures with friends. Have a trunk full of props, hats and costumes. If you have instant photo printers you can have kids take home pictures as their take away gift. If not, you can have your child bring photos to school which will be a great way to engage with classmates.

Take it Easy: A Light Night in White

1. Keep it simple


You can use curtains, sheets, or painter’s cloth as table linens. Stay with neutral/white as your constant color then add just one color as your wow factor. Let summer fruit be your color inspiration: lemons, watermelon, cherries, grass. Use what you got! Bring your lamps outside for lighting, use your lampshades with candles to create soft lighting. Have easy food that is simple and light so that guest can mingle without having to balance a plate.

2. Create talk


Frame a Map and have guest pin where they traveled with one color and where they hope to travel next summer. Encourage guest to talk about travels.

3. Kick back & relax


Blow up an air mattress and put white sheets and pillows for people to lounge on. Have an old classic film for people to watch and enjoy. Have a wine bar where people can pour themselves (maybe ask guest to bring favorite new summer wine they experienced this year) or have a pitcher of an already made beverage: mojitos or lemondrops—“Just Add Vodka and Shake” bar. It’s good to get people interacting with things. For dessert, a twist on a favorite summer treat-white chocolate ‘smores bar/station near a fire pit.

***Maybe hire a college kid or someone you know that takes decent pictures to go around taking pictures for an hour. An extra 60 bucks is worth it!

whoooaaaaa...party in the u.s.a.

kjoy

5 loves for all seasons

great white tank x5 (you can never have too many)

muted color comfy sweater...Ahh-May-Zing

jeggings-jean leggings

frye boots...nuff said

black fitted blazer

mix & match pieces for a great look night & day. done.

Now go get beautiful!

kjoy

rock and roll bride.

Trying to be the best MOH-to-be ( maid of honor) I flew out to LA to help my beautiful friend kateigh




in her wedding dress discovery. First stop Monique lhuillier: she tried on multiple dresses nothing short of fabulous. But we concluded that cupcake styles are the ones best suited for her petite frame. And with an unanimous vote between the two of us this was the winner!!!:

Can we say ooo lala!!! I love that this gown is two pieces with the top being a edgy corset with the bottom being a A-lined skirt with shredded pieces of silk and satin organza. It has a nice sway about it. Its rockin' awesome. The only problem and i mean only problem is its hefty price tag: $11,000.00+ another reason I need to learn how to sew. ho hum....

Check out more amazing gowns at: http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/


Peace, love and rock & roll...


kjoy

LOVE LOVE LOVE...Its All About Love.

This book The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman has not only helped relationship but also changed lives; but was my inspiration for my segment on Fox.





What is your love language?

Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.



Quality Time
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.



Receiving Gifts
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.



Acts of Service
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.



Physical Touch
This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Take the Test Here

Another great book on relationships is Love & Respect. ummm I think I need to pick up that book again. just sayin'.

For all that need to know my love language is quality time.
kjoy