Labels are NOT everything!

Bad and Bougee on a Budget

(Shoutout!! Title idea came from my aunt!)

So, I have never ben that person so caught up on appearances that need everything to have a designer label. I will never understand those who make fun of people for not having designer clothing or accessories. No lie, I can rant on the ridiculousness of it all. Some cant afford it, or can but rather spend that money elsewhere.

Don't go broke trying to keep up with the Jones'...

I believe you can find deals on cute clothes everywhere! Some of the pieces I get complimented on the most come from Walmart, Walgreens, and Family Dollar. Sounds cheap and lame to few, but oh well I still look cute LOL!

Yes, I do have some expensive items that honestly came my way as gifts. If they weren't I bought them as a random well-deserved "treat myself" moment. How much something costs doesn't excite me. IT STRESSES ME!! Like what if something stains, rips, breaks it??? I'd have a little internal crisis over that ruined money. Dramatic but lowkey true!

Anywho... here are a few low budget looks that are extremely comfortable to my body and wallet! Some of these items were less than $10 and others only a couple over at maybe $12!

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS OR PLAY VIDEO!!!

• Dress:  Family Dollar. It was a size XL and I would've gotten a Medium if it was available. It is sleeveless, but the jacket is because I just left church. (Yes, I was shopping as you can see in the background!)
• Jacket:  Goodwill (my mom got 2 for a reason maybe... I'm not complaining)
• Shoes:  My mom's, but she got them at JCPenney (under $20)

• Pants:  Walgreens... I need to get at least 2 more because they are the most comfortable pants EVER! Can dress up or down.

• Top:  Family Dollar, same time I got the dress from above! So comfy and cute! I wish I got the other color too!
• Shorts:  Walmart. Basic blue jean type that you always need. They stretch well around my thighs and such. It comes with a brown belt I will definitely use simply because my waist is much smaller than what I need to fit over... the thickness.

I do love clothes and putting together outfits, but I hardly take full pics or videos soooo... I'm always short on items to include. I will do better from now on though!

Don't forget to comment and subscribe below!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Liar, Liar,

High School... the place of social status, gossip, and DEATH

My Summary:

Every school has the classic lineup right? Of course they do, because what would high school be without it. We know what circles they run in, but do we actually KNOW who they are? Everyone has secrets...

The Brain: Bronwyn
The Beauty: Addy
The Athlete: Cooper
The Criminal: Nate
The Outcast: Simon

All five (5) of these students knew exactly who each other was, by label that is, but one weird incident brings them all together.

They go into detention as five, but only four (4) make it out alive. Simon died that day after school in front of them, yet it wasn't an accident. It was deemed a murder. Each student is claiming innocent, but which one of them is lying?

Simon was more than just an average outcast. He was the creator of Bayview High School's gossip app 'About That', which posted nothing but facts about every student featured. It's no secret Simon ruined lives with his app, and that many wouldn't mind to see him go. Questions remain though...

Which one did it? Was it a pair? Was it the whole group?

They all make perfect suspects, outside of them being the last in the room with Simon. Apparently, he was planning to release a big expose about each 4 of the other students. It effectively would've ruined their lives, so the police are working day and night and pulling no punches. Since they are all seniors, they're ready to be tried as adults.

My thoughts:

This book was a complete page turner to the end! It takes you through all of their different perspectives through the course of this investigation. Some of the supportive cast characters even intrigued me with their reactions, which makes the story even more realistic. Nothing about this was a simpleminded conclusion, because the title of the book is constantly on your mind...

"One of us is lying"

The best way to describe this book is that it's a mix of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Breakfast Club. MUST READ!!!

Catch y'all is the comments and on the next post!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Long Time No See!

For My Girls

Hey y'all, it has been a long time! After my last post I took on a month long commitment that left me utterly drained EVERYDAY! However, that is all over now, so I can let my ideas flourish. So here's to me getting back into the groove of things.

Below I will be sharing images of public figures to represent diversity and positivity ONLY!

The Never-ending Trend

Weight loss seems to be the majority of our conversations. It is definitely something to be celebrated when you have someone who has worked so hard to make changes. There are so many feeds dedicated to such things, and especially in these summer months.

What about those who just aren't satisfied though?

Body positivity is something females struggle with everyday (males are not to be excluded from this struggle, but as a female I won't speak for them) but we still try to find that 'comfortable' place. Yeah, there are models and fitness gurus saying to "love your body, and they aren't perfect either", yet it's hard to receive it from women already deemed what 'should' be beautiful or #GOALS.

You're always looking to improve something rather than appreciate what you have. Our body types are all different, so it's unreasonable to think we all will achieve the same 'ideal' shape... well naturally do it at least. We gain, lose, and tone at various rates/places, so love what you have regardless of the next person. No, it wont be an overnight quick fix to be at peace with yourself, but don't hinder the process by comparing yourselves to others. Some bodies are just meant to be thicker, skinnier, or curvier no matter how hard you exercise and diet.

If you don't learn to love your body you'll never be happy with it at any stage of your life. Oh, and lets stop saying we'll be happy once we reach that goal weight! It's your mindset/soul that dictates your happiness. Make sure whatever you're doing with your body image is for you and not based on what 'society' says you should look like, or your friends, family, boyfriend, etc. says either.

You are the only one who lives your life, so make sure you love it!

This topic has been on my mind for a while now, and it was kinda hard to actually sit down and right this out. So, I'm sure it's not perfectly stated, but I hope y'all understand where I'm coming from.

Remember to comment and subscribe below! Also, you can follow me on my Instagram @k_macole and Twitter @TheKMacole (#RatchetMonday: #LHHATL, #BasketballWives is my thing)!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Do You Really Know A Person?

Nothing Is What It Seems

Book Summary: Aeree Cahill has always been an outdoor type of girl and she is thrilled when her husband Mitch surprises her with an adventure getaway into the Green Mountains for their anniversary. Perfect weather, a cozy campsite and four other couples who seem nice enough promise to make this an epic weekend.
When a sniper starts to hunt them down one by one, the majestic backdrop will become a deadly trap. Friends will turn into enemies. In the end, there is only one thing left to do... SURVIVE.

My Summary: Bruh! Trust no one, because they all are shady!!! Okay now that I got that off my chest, literally everyone has a back story with secrets you're supposed to take to the grave. Main girl Aeree endured a tragedy that she never recovered from, so she copes with it in unhealthy ways and becomes consumed in her husband. He is handsome, in charge, and loving. So, when they go on this trip it's meant to be a relaxing getaway; however, once she gets there Aeree isn't feeling it. Intuition is REAL! The couples are split up in groups doing activities when the first bullet hits and kills one of them.

  

Panic ensues and Aeree is equipped for this thanks to her father's military training, but where is Mitch, and why is this happening? Who will survive? Will help come? Is help really help? Can they make it home without this tragedy following them there? Aeree's past comes full circle in this chaos, but this time her father isn't here to help with his team like last time.

Book Summary: On a bitterly cold January evening, Tracy Ellis went for a jog along Chicago's snowy lakefront and disappeared. Her body is discovered days later, her beautiful face bashed in with a rock. Police determine her brutal death to be a mugging gone wrong and drop the matter into their cold case files.

Over a year later, Tracy's sister, Sondra, still can't come to grips with what happened. She throws herself into her work as a documentary filmmaker to try and forget the cruelty of her sister's death. However, a chance encounter with a man from Tracy's past rips the wound open and sends Sondra on a desperate search for answers about the secrets from her sister's life that may have led to her death.

As Sondra struggles to uncover what happened to Tracy, she's launched into a tangled web of deceit and danger that put her on a collision course with life and death...

My Summary: My mind is still in pieces. Everything is so perfectly intertwined that you really think you know what is happening. WRONG!!! Sondra and Tracy were inseparable sisters, almost like twins. So, when Tracy is found brutally murdered Sondra couldn't accept it. Her sister's life was absolutely perfect. A great job working in journalism and on TV, beautiful, just married, and looking forward to children. Over a year had passed since her sister's murder with no conviction, but it seems like it was yesterday. Tracy's husband Phillip has moved on and remarried, and sent the family a picture of him and his new wife Paula. This, combined with a random run in, spurred Sondra to take her Award-winning documentary skills and investigate the murder. Philip came out of nowhere, and he always struck Sondra as odd. She soon uncovers several new pieces of information that blows the case wide open.

The flipside to this story though, is we are seeing life through the eyes of Paula, Phillip's wife, yet things are severely off. Where did she come from? Why is she like this? Why can't Sondra find Phillip? Who is Phillip really? Who killed Tracy? 

These are real page turners I tell you! Well, scrollers since its an app, but you know that by now. Sally Mason and Bianca Sloane are amazing writers, so much so that it will be after 2AM and you'll realize you have not moved since you started reading. Why, because you HAVE to find out what happened! Very few authors keep me on my toes when it comes to guessing the endings. These two women are phenomenal and show you exactly why this website/app is so great! I'm thinking about hitting y'all with some romance next time to switch it up, so stay tuned in!

Much Love,

Khariah

Summer Pick-up!!!

Shining... or Greasy?

Ulta NYX Cosmetics aisle is my favorite pace to be! It is a cheaper brand with a great quality product, which lasts me a long time! I picked up the following 2 items before my graduation, and I swear I would've been down bad if I didn't!!

Setting Powder

• Price: $10
• Application (1): I used it to "bake: on graduation morning! Center of Forehead, Under eye area, Chin, Under the cheekbone (make the contour pop and last), and possibly a little on my nose somewhere. I put this on after foundation and applying my contour kit. This sat on as I did my eyeshadow, which was in case of any fall out of colors under my eye! I also applied my lashes (which went of perfect, and I was grateful). Brushed the powder away afterwards, and went on with my final touches.
• Why/Performance: I may have done the most, but I wanted to make sure NONE of my makeup started to shift on my face! My makeup stayed just as applied ALL DAY, until I fell asleep for a 3hr nap at like 7pm (I still only had to lightly blot!). That day and the day before were extremely long! The graduates stood outside in the heat for a hour and a half (HOT), and then we had a 4hr long graduation inside! My face was not greasy or sweaty in any pictures!!
• Application (2): Morning of important matters! This time I put a little bit of foundation on (less that usual), and then targeted my main oily areas on my face. Center of forehead, ALL around my nose, and lesser amount on my chin. I let it sit for a few minutes, and then blended it in/away with my flat-end sponge or brush (One of them was closer and I used that). I followed up with the remaining amount of foundation left on my blending sponge, which was minor, and evened out my complexion better.
• Why/Performance: I really get the oil going in that straight line down my face, and wanted to see about just really focusing there. My foundation works really good for me, and I don't need much to achieve the base I'm aiming for. The reason I kind of layered was accidental, but hey it set amazingly! I was in and out of my blazing car and my body definitely felt it and began sweating, but my face held up by staying dry! Super late at night I forgot I even had anything on my face, and when I pat around I found absolutely no greasy areas! 

Matte Liquid Liner

• Price: $7
• Application: Above my upper lid, and accomplished a nice winged look!! Was it even? On this day I made sure I was!!
• Why/Performance: Wore it on graduation day! As you know from above I went through A LOT, yet this liner literally stayed in place until I wiped it off with my dab of Vaseline on my face! I wanted to try it out because other liners tend to take time drying, and they may not even dry completely! This leaves too many minor smudges to check for throughout the day, and some even start to fade. I like my liner PITCH BLACK! Also, I follow NYX Cosmetics on social media and love how they looked on every face presented.

• Total: $14 and some change! Buy 1 get 1 50% off, which is why I love NYX! There is always some type of sale going on! Plus, remember with makeup, after the product has been out a while, the price will drop! This makes way for the new items release(d).  

What will I review next? Books, an app, makeup, skin hacks, hair accessories, clothes???? Tune in Friday to find out! And always feel free to drop a comment or subscribe! Also, to confirm the subscription you MUST open the FeedBurner e-mail and hit confirm!!

Much Love,

Khariah

Feeling Brand New!!!!

I Graduated Y'all!!

Soooo.... I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice (grades were poppin' too), but honestly it is a weird feeling! I am proud of myself, yet the feeling won't really sink in until the school year comes back around. I'll be sitting back sippin' my drink and flexing with my degree LOL! Real life I will be working, but I will still fantasize a little!

Any who, we are here today to discuss college in a few key tips! This is for the people reminiscing, still attending, or just about to head in.

1. ALWAYS be true to you! Sounds cliché, but it really is easy to get wrapped up in other people and the glitz and glamour of college. Many drop out or are kicked out, because their grades went down hill! Also, peer pressure is real, so if you don't want to do it, then don't do it. It is not the end of you.
2. BE OPEN to new things! Yes, I jut said be true to you; however, growth isn't some magical thing that just happens to you. You have to be willing to put yourself out there with new people and situations. Oh and it all won't be a beautiful experience, because remember the struggle can breed greatness!
3. RELATIONSHIPS do and don't matter! The connections you build tend to come back on you in either good or bad ways. Those amazing friendships that are truly cherished, can pay you back with a lifetime of support, advice, and possible networking connections! But that person you did wrong could be your only help someday, and they just may leave you out to dry. On the flip side, if someone doesn't like you, there is someone else on campus who will. Now romantic relationships.... they are sweet, but taboo. If you get it right then good for you. Get it wrong and it can become a distraction, emotionally/energy draining, or various heartbreaks. Logically speaking though, you will meet that special someone you create memories with... how that all pans out between y'all, is something I can't speak on. Remember, getting a partner or maintaining one is not the top priority in college, because that degree is only yours to earn!
4. GRADUATE! There is no other feeling like accomplishing such a hard goal. Yes, college is hard because you are hit with many new experiences. You will be happy, sad, angry, excited, tired, joyous, etc. The struggle will get real, but you will come across on the other side stronger! You will be a new person from how you started, and it will be absolutely breathtaking!

Well, if feels good to be back on here with y'all!! Miss me too much you can follow me on IG (@k_macole) and Twitter (@TheKMacole)! Especially Twitter where I live tweet #RatchetMondays (tonight): Love and Hip-Hop ATL and Basketball Wives, because who doesn't want a little nonsense/fake entertainment every once in a while.

Much Love,

Khariah

What Comes First???

Check Yourself!

Hello my lovelies it has been a good while, but I'm still in the last stretch!

Just something that has been on my mind with finals and social media is that, we need to check ourselves! I'm speaking on our health. We stress so much that we assume what we are feeling is just apart of the deal. Heachaches/migraines, cold like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and so on. It is ridiculous what we go through without realizing it, until our body forcefully does it for us (in a shocking manner). Now, I am not about to go all super health guru on you because for 1) you know yourself better than I do, and 2) I am not certified in that manner! So basically, don't blame me LOL!

Anyways... You don't need a certificate to know that when your focus is shot, you need to walk away and take a break. Feeling absolutely no motivation to do anything (could be stress, depression, or anxiety), start by actually giving yourself a moment of solitude to relax; however, go out and do at least one activity to jumpstart yourself back up. Utter exhaustion, take a nap!! Being sleepy isn't a badge of honor, but more so dangerous. Swear my head gets to swimming and my eyesight starts getting shiftier... Yes, it's already touch and go! *Sigh*

Oh and body soreness is no joke, because when you harbor all this tension it is flat-out painful! Go see an affordable spa about a massage; I found a place that offers 20mins for $20. Or have someone with experience, and who you're comfortable with, to massage/pop your back (my back is always my problem area) for you. We only have one body, and to be honest we overwork multiple aspects of it every single day!

Lets drink our water, take naps, and feed ourselves... mind, body, and soul!!

Much Love,

Khariah