Where Are My Virginia Followers???

 

It's time for some fun!! What kind of fun you may ask... well we are having an Artistry Show! This event will include food/drinks, gifts, and a runway show for everyone. You will be able to vote on your favorite model looks and mingle with other guests and Beauty Advisors. I would love to send out an open invitation to you guys. So come on out, bring your family and friends, and enjoy the show! 

In addition I am looking for 3 volunteers to walk the runway!! No experience needed. I will be doing your makeup personally which will show off a Fall/Winter look. All models will receive a door prize from the store for attending as well as a special gift from myself. This will be a contest between all cosmetic counters! If we are the winning team, I will definitely show my appreciation to you guys for being a part of this experience. So if you enjoy makeup, free gifts, and want to try Estee Lauder products, email me if you would like to be a model for this show! 

Details (GUESTS):

Date: October 27th

Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm

Place: MacArthur Center (300 Monticello Ave, Norfolk Va 23510)

Price: FREE

Details (MODELS):

(Same as above except Time)

Time: Will come in between 12pm and 1pm to allow me time to do your makeup before show begins.

Attire: Must wear all black and have hair in ponytail to properly show the makeup.

Interested in attending? Email me at xosimplyellexo@gmail.com and let me know if you would like to be a guest or model. Gifts are given out to only those who are on the guest list. So be sure to contact me so I can put you on the guest list. 

What A Busy Week!

Yesssss! It has been such a busy week for me. I don't know how in the world I got through it and I still have a head full of hair. If you ask me, I should be bald or grey. But I did it and I can finally kick my feet up!

After a 6 day work week consisting of 10 hour days, I feel so rattled and unorganized. I have videos that I have been meaning to upload to Youtube that will be posted shortly. I also have emails that I need to get to from you guys! I also want to thank all of my new subbies/followers from Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and this Blog. You guys and gals are truly my inspiration.

I just wanted to poke my head out of hiding and let you all know Im doing great and there will be some requested videos posted soon! Thank you all for the support.  :)

~Elle

Caged Bird

I dream of having wings in order to fly

Fly out of my cage into the topless blue sky

It traps me within, containing my rage

People pass me by and are amused, there’s no escape

I scream and I cry feeling powerless… a simple captured bird

They may hear my voice but they never interpret my words

I see all the others walking so free

And I tell myself be firm it could some day be me

But a trained bird gets used to its supervised cage

You let it go free… yet it returns the next day

So I go back and forth getting captured in the storm

I have no other place to rest. I have no other place to keep warm

So I may dream… dream of wings to fly away

But its only a way out… its only an escape

So I realize I dont need to be the gorgeous bird with wild wings

Maybe God made me to be strong and spiritually free…

~Elle

Natural Hair Wash Day!

Am I the only one who really loathes wash day?? My hair has a combination of curl patterns and textures which in turn causes it to be easily tangled. To keep the knots and kinks from forming again while I wash and detangle, I have to wash and co-wash in sections. This allows me to cleanse more thoroughly and detangle with as little damage to my hair as possible. 

I have different technique when washing in the shower and washing in the sink. So here is how I go about washing my hair in the shower.

(1) I separate my hair into four sections, pulling each into a ponytail.

(2) I remove one ponytail and begin wetting that section. While adding my conditioner to that section, I began finger detangling and massaging scalp to break up any debris/dirt. 

(3) After finger detangling, I then go through with either my Tangle Teezer or Denman Brush . This is optional. I do not use hair utensils every time I detangle.

(4) Twist this section up and move onto the next one.

(5) After I have detangled each section, I allow the conditioner to sit in my hair as I do the rest of my "business".

(6) After allowing conditioner to sit, I remove one section at a time and rinse with cool water. I add my leave in conditioner and then re-twist to prevent tangling. 

And there you have it! You have any tips on detangling on wash day? Leave comments below.

~Elle

A Promotion!

This year has been such a blessing for me. If you knew me well you would know exactly what Im talking about. It has been rough and full of twists and turns, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and you should grow from those hard times. My family is together and everyone is happy and healthy... what more could I ask for?

Well as previously posted, I just started my new job as a Beauty Advisor for Estee Lauder. It hasn't even been a full month yet and I have already been offered a promotion! I will now be the Counter Manager for my location. Well nothings set in stone yet until it's down on paper. I have a meeting to go over all details which will help me better decide if I want to go that route. 

Previous associates from the counter, who have been there longer, have already shown a new air about themselves since it has been brought to their attention that I would be filling the position. I'm guessing a feeling of "Why didn't I get the promotion since I've been here longer?". So I may have my hands full, but I love a good challenge. 

Have you ever been promoted into a position where you had to manage individuals who you once held the same position with? Was there conflict? Leave comments below.

~Elle

I Smile

Loads of confusion and despair running through my mind and my veins.

Times when Im lost and running in circles, fighting against your reigns.

But each day I rise and part my lips to show you my shine.

Pearly whites dare you to cause trouble, attempting to force them to hide.

I smile when Im angry and even when my face stings from your constant lashing.

I smile when Im bruised and hurt, even when my heart has been given a bashing.

This grin is not always real but it tries to feed positive energy to you.

Simply contagious, I notice, as you return the favor without a single clue.

There’s a dark storm inside but my eyes read calm flickering candles lights.

Calming you slowly as I listen to your woeful and unfortunate plights.

I smile even when I want to be in a corner and live off that pitiful frown.

Forcing myself to produce happiness and swallow all of my troubles down.

It soon becomes natural and I forget why I was originally so worried.

I float on a cloud and dance in the wind just like light snow flurries.

As the day goes on I no longer have to pretend that all my worries are gone.

It has grown on me, mind has cleared, and I continue to spread the smile along.

A Nice Bottle of Wine

Today was a great day. I got to enjoy the full day of nice weather and one on one time with the hubs! We got to shop, browse the malls and stuff our faces with Chipotle. I was a tad spoiled by the time came around to pick the babies up. I didn't want to share Daddy!

But now it's time to wind down and you already know what that involves! Amongst the ironing of clothes, and packing lunches for the next day comes... yes wine. I thought I would share one of my fave red wines. Usually I love to sip on Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but Menage a Trois has a great red wine that's a mixed blend. It's a combination of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. Has a sweet taste due to the Zinfandel that also takes off the bite of the Merlot. I highly recommend if you are new to red wines! So on that note, CHEERS!

Ever tried this wine? What wines do you enjoy? Leave your comments below.

~Elle

Dear Blog: I Nurture

It seems so long ago that you needed me. But not that long ago. Long enough to miss the connection. But not long enough to forget the emotions. Your bright eyes playing a game with my own. Daring me to blink but forcing me to stare. Fingers tickled my face as you drank until your heart was content. Cheeks moved with purpose as I studied and caught the rhythm. Tracing the features of your face sketching every detail into my brain. Feeding you warmth and memories that I too would hold onto in the passing years. I blister... I shudder in discomfort. But nothing is more important than the in and out... in and out... in and out of your suckle. You needed me. And I needed you more I will admit. The twinkle in your eyes gave me light. The pressure of your grasp drove my motivation. My mind juggled you and my struggles and sometimes something would take me away from our moment. Then the tickle of your tiny fingers brought me back to you. In and out... in and out... in and out again. Our eyes met and they danced together. You took a small piece of my being away but I felt more fulfilled. We would shut the world out and created our own cloud to float on. No one else mattered or existed in that time. Time no longer existed. It was just us... swallowed up in love. If I had nothing else in my being to give you, I gave you my heart and my being. For you I loved... I fought... I shed my selfishness... I surrendered. For you I nurtured. 

~Elle

Breastfeeding is a beautiful connection between mother and child. It holds many benefits for not only the infant, but the mother as well. I was blessed to be able to give my daughter the gift of breastfeeding well over the recommended time frame. I strongly encourage others as well to at least try. My daughter is now 6 and remembers nursing. It's a very special bonding experience that I am happy to have experience. 

10 Random Things You May Not Know About Elle

I was asked to do a facts post about myself so here it goes. Hope you all enjoy and keep the requests coming. 

10 Random facts:

1. I do not drink cow's milk. I can eat food cooked with milk, but other than that... vanilla soy milk for me.

2. I have a phobia of seeing toothpaste anywhere else other than my mouth. If I have to clean it up off the sink, I have to close my eyes and hold my breath. And if I get it on my hand, I have to wash them with soap.

3. I am a mutt! Italian, Jamaican, and Indian runs in my blood. My sperm donor's side is definitely a walking melting pot.

4. Hence fact 3... Me and my father do not have a good relationship. Never have and probably never will. I have come to accepted that.

5. I have 2 daughters. My first I named after my late mother Marie Antoinette. Which the movie coincidentally came out the same year I gave birth to her. Meant to be huh?

6. I cry when I tinkle! Weird? And a tad TMI but hey... you asked for it! Lol

7. I was a victim of rape as a child. I hope to help other's one day on this topic.

8. I use to be a tom boy growing up and beating up on the kids in the neighborhood was my specialty!

9. I have a total of 16 piercings and would like more.

10. I HAVE to sleep on the left side of the bed. The right side is the enemy.

I would love to hear you guys random facts! Whether you have a blog or not... leave them in the comments below.

~Elle

Welcome to My World

I often sit and wonder where my position in this world is. What is my purpose? Am I changing? If so, is it for the better? Or maybe for the worst? Why did yesterday I love this shade of lipstick, but today it's just a tad too pink? Why was reality T.V. my way of ending my night a week ago... yet today it's a sign of pure ignorance where everyones name is "Bitch". I no longer care what "Keisha" is doing to the next and how her man's pockets are supporting her lifestyle that I have nothing to do with.

Today I may want to talk about how my hair floats in the wind and what products gave me that curly head you loved in my youtube video. Tomorrow I may want to chat about why the HELL this lady in front of me is in the express line with a shopping cart full of merchandise when all I want is a bottle of wine! 

Whatever the topic and whatever the mood... this is my world. Documenting my growth and my tears. I just hope you guys have the eyes and ears to take it in. Join me?

~Elle