hroughout life). So now I'm bout to take a shit in their plate of their favorite food.

That. Is. All.

You ever had a very important person in your life piss on your favorite toy?? No? Well, That has happened to me the other day(and a couple random times t

My mark. Starter Kit review!!

SOOOO... yours truely has become a mark. rep!!! yay!!! (*sb* visit my mark e-boutique!!) They sent me a starter kit and i decided to use the products rather than try to sell them because I have to know about the products before i can try to sell them to somebody else right??? well here goes!!


i didnt cleanse my face before i used the makeup... :-/
MAKEUP
************

"Flip For It: Urban Neutrals"

I think the colors in this compact are GOREGEOUS, but the eye shadow color, Metro, didnt work too well with my skin color. I dont know if my skin is too dark for it, or if i just sucked at putting it on, but i didnt enjoy it. I'll continue to play with it to see what happens. Eye shadow/ eye liner color in Skyline is really nice! its a dark color that can really acheive that smokey eye look FLAWLESSLY!  i like that color alot! The blush/ Cheek color was waaay- WAAAAAYYY- too light for me. its a nice color as well. i think i may just use it as a highlighter rather than a blush.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 -Too light to use as directed. Have to find alternatives.

The flip side of the Urban Neutrals was 2 lip colors and 2 glosses. LOVE LOVE LOVE these colors. They glide on smoothly and are not sticky or thick. They last ALL day, which is a plus for any woman on the go! No cons to this side of the compact at all!!
Overall Rating: 10 out of 10- love it!

"Scanda-Lash Hook Up Mascara"

LOVE IT!!! Its claim is that it makes lashes look longer. does it? YES SIRIE BOB! my lashes look way thicker and longer in just a few wiggles of the wand! its so wonderful. It doesnt clump lashes or go on too thick. and it washes right off. thats the best thing ever for me because with some brands, mascara NEVER *completely* washes off. yaaaay! no more waking up with black smudges on my pillow!
Overall Rating: 9 out of 10- dont rub your eyes too hard. if you do, may have to reapply.

"Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss"

Its cool. its colored in the tube but goes on clear- at least on me. it has lil sparklies that reflect light and isnt over bearing. This, like the Flip For It glosses and lip colors, lasts all day and isnt sticky or thick. I like it. its something you  can definitely use if youre on the go/ in a hurry and dont have time to be precise with a color or a stain.
Overall Rating: 9 out 10- wish there was a more defined color for this gloss. but its still great!

"Get A Tint- Tinted Moisturizer Lotion: Buff/ Natural"

Its GREAT as a moisturizer with SPF 15. but as a tint -on MY skin color- it didnt work too well. it actually made my skin appear lighter rather than tinted. I would use this as a highlighter during colder months when my skin is at its dryest. but like i said- as a moisturizer, it is the bomb!
Overall Rating: 6 out of 10- just didnt match my skin and may be a bit too much for my combination skin during warmer months.





SKINCARE/ CLEANSERS
************************
"Calming Effect- Comforting Milk Cleanser: Banana/ Oat"

Its feels so nice on my skin!! its a non foaming formula, so dont expect suds. it got rid of all the makeup on my face- including the mascara. afterwards my skin felt really soft! i like it!
Overall Rating: 9 out of 10- I dont like the smell too much. Reminds me of glue....

"Go With The Grain Exfoliating Beads"
its sand in a tube... i mixed this in with the Milk cleanser and it was really good. I dont know if i didnt use it long enough or what, but unlike other brands, the exfoliating "beads" didnt dissolve over time. so i had to rinse my face off and use the Milk Cleanser again by itself to make sure i got all the sand off. I truely noticed a difference with my skin after washing tho. so I admit. I like it!

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10- the fact that i felt like had to re-wash my face, i didnt like. but it is still a good product!

"Mist Opportunity- Multitasking Refresher: Kiwi/ Grapefruit"

I really dont know what a "refresher" is exactly so after i washed (and re-washed) my face, i spritzed myself lightly with it. Dont really know what does or supposed to do, but i like how it smells! not too strong of course, but a subtle *something*.

Overall Rating: ? out of 10- what does it do???? lol i'll look it up!

"See Things Clearly- Brightening Moisturizer: Lemon & Orange/ Lotus Flower"

I used this under my eyes because i tend to be dryest in that area. it was cute! after it "dried", or set in, i looked alot more awake. my eyes were brighter and i liked it! it smells good too! I dont know what else to say about this product...

Overall Rating: 10 out of 10- very light formula! good job!

"Matte Chance- Mattifying Lotion: Sugar Cane/ Pumpkin Seed"

I think this lotion is to make the skin look more even and prepped for heavy makeup application. Honestly i cant tell you its true job, but i like it. its really light and shine free, unlike other brands of LOTIONS. not too much to say here.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 10- could have went without it. maybe i used it at the wrong time....

OTHER RANDOM COMMENTS

*********************************

"The makeup bag"- CUUUUUTE! with mark's signature colors (brown and pink) this large striped bag is perfect for travel. for purses or handbags, a smaller bag is needed. but it fits everything i mentioned in this review plus has room for more!

"The skincare carrying case" -also cute. all the skincare products (minus the mattifying lotion- sample packet) fit perfectly in this small see thru pink case. very convieniet for travel and to use as a make up case for purses.

"Travel size bruses and case"- so convienient! case included a powder brush, lip brush, flat eye liner brush, conceler brush, and eye shadow brush (all mini sized). love it! can fit into the travel bag perfectly!

THATS ALL I GOT!! PLEASE SIGN UP AND SHOP MY E-BOUTIQUE AT www.mymarkstore.com/apaul. The first 3 customers who sign up AND shop in my online store, will recieve a mark. reward from me! Hope this review helps you on making your purchase decisions. Also join my Facebook Fan Page @ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Cincinnati-OH/Dreas-mark-e-Boutique-Fan-Page/109523665740090 . If you have any questions about MARK RELATED BUSINESS, email me at mark.repAndrea@gmail.com !

Remember to make your mark.

Drea xoxox

Change in my life is a-comin...

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." -Victor Frankl

>smoochez<

Beyond 'Good Enough'

Why have I always been told/ told myself that I'm never good enough?

As a child, I was always told that there was no time for dreams... Dreams were only excuses not to attempt true greatness. I got a little older, and began to belive this "ideal" my family lived by. As I became more obsessed with MY DREAM, my family proved to me they didn't support me. They told me that I wouldn't succeed. They let it be known thay they thought that I would be a failure- like my parents.

Low- freakin- blow.

Having people -seemingly- pray for your failures, is the hardest thing a CHILD can endure. As a young adult trying to find herself, its hard to FIND myself when I've been told forever that I'm not good enough. The psychological impact that has had on me definitely lasted to this day. I'm afraid of succeeding. Silly. I know. But its true.

How can I overcome this psyche I've devloped over time, and follow/chase/hunt and capture my dream? I ALWAYS tell people to go after THEIR dream cuz I know that's where their heart is. "I'm in love with potential." Someone told me that recently. I think it was all I needed. That little push (along with much need hard convo and some introspection) made me realize that I am full of potential. And for SOMEONE ELSE to realize that potential and push it in my face made me want to get off my tush and out of my safety zone and do what it is I've ALWAYS wanted to do. (Thank you.)

Selah.

Random Tidbit thoughts

-i dont belong here.
-i dont feel motivated.
-i dont feel challenged.
-i feel like i could do better than what i am doing.
-i DEFINITELY need a mentor...
-ATL is lookin like a REAL prospect for after graduation relocation.
-People have be undermining my intelligence and worth alot lately.
- why do guys approach me on some kiddy stuff?? "AYE, YO MA!" really???
- feel sorry for ppl... certain ppl at that.


-the time has come for me to awaken and change everything on this list.

Stay Positive and successful!
-xoxo Drea

trick! gimme muh money!!! (lol)

I think I got jipped when I paid for my parking pass.

Parking pass- $105
Tickets I should have paid-$90
Void 1 ticket- -$45
Subtotal- $150
-$5 I left in my car- $145
Lady says I can pay half price for ticket- $122.50
I'm out $22.50 (I think)

Or am I? Had to pay it anyways, right?

what do you represent?

What is the profile of the average minority student in a PWI? Talented 10th or quota standards?
as I'm sitting in my University's Student Union trying to raise money for Haitian relief efforts, I stop trying to flag people down to push money into my team's decorated Timberland box and I spend about 45 minutes "people watching". I notice that my PWI (primarily white institution) was not as diverse as they make it look online or in info packets.
So I'm sitting there watching the hundreds of white/caucasian LOOKING people (there's no way to look at everyone and KNOW their background) and its easy to pick out people and group them into high school cliques... There are the techies, skaters, goths/darkies, populars, artsy types divided into actors, dancers, photographers, graphic designers, and of course the lames.

Then I see one "Black" female. She has on camel Uggs, black leggings, an oversized sweater, a pea coat and Coach purse in hand, and a BAD (defined as "not good") dark brown armpit/mid back length fluffy curly wig thingy. I think to myself "really?"

Next I spot a "Black" male student. I automatically assume he's in a NPHC fraternity because he is clean cut, has on a button down shirt, knee legnth pea coat, dress pants with a belt and nice shoes. He walks with a suttle confidence as he dissapears into the crowd of white faces. As I notice all the white faced young men strolling along I take note of the gross amount of Timberlands, over sized Tees, and baggy jeans. Thinking to myself, I ask, "isn't that the "black" look?" I understand its ignorance on my part to say something like this, but isn't it true?

After a while of sitting here observing and inwardly judging people, my caucasian teammate, Justin, joins me at the table. We exchange greetings and are approached by someone i consciously placed in the "artsy" clique of my mental high school quad. The person drops some coinage into our box and walks away.

The rest of my time sitting at the table in the student union, I pick out a few more "Black" students while trying to guess their level of "Blackatude". This experience brought to questions to mind:

1) Do I need to do a Tyra Show social experiment?
2) Do the African American -scratch that- the Ethnic minorities-scratch that- MINORITIES (Black, African, African American, Indian, West Indian, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islanders, Arabian, physically handicapped, mentally disabled, etc) who are accepted to PWIs the exeption in their homes, communities, cultures? Do they represent a people who were never given a chance to excel and are now being handed a "great" opportunity? Are WE, in our own right, a "Talented 10th" because of our extremely small numbers?

Or are we here to fill quotas? a number? A salary payer?

Ignorance or Self Indentity?

Ever since i was young, my traditional Guyanese family has always talked down "Black" people. As a result, I have shyed away from refering to myself and other Caribbean/ West Indian people as "Black" people. On applications that ask for race or ethnicity information, I ALWAYS check the "OTHER" box and write Caribbean or Guyanese.

I dont refer to myself as being "African- American" or "Black". why? Because in my mind and the minds of my family members, our roots are in Guyana- NOT Africa.

(*SB* Please dont confuse GUYANA with GHANA... i get offended. its like calling a Japanese Chinese.)
I understand the history of the Diaspora- dont get me wrong... I just dont identify with the whole "African- American" title. In my eyes, I am an American-Guyanese or Caribbean/ West Indian individual.

Do you think this is ignorance on my behalf or am i accepting my own view of my self- identity?

Leave the Dramatics for the Actors

Im the type of girl that avoids DRAMA at all costs. I absolutely hate it. but some how, some way it seems to find me.

Im in this class now thats a melting pot of all different types of people. You have your non traditional students, straight outta high school students, black students, white students, hard core rock music lovers, and everything in between. Well, this past month has been a rollercoaster ride for me because im trying to settle into a niche that i dont seem to belong in. Its like tryna put an oval into a circle hole.

bUt anyways... In this clas its like MOST* of the Black/ African American females are straight HOOD. dont get me wrong, Im from the hood, but im not one for tattooing my baby daddy's name smack dab in the middle of my chest, ya feel me? Im very laid back, optimistic, black valley girl type-ah person. Well these females tried to come at me all wreckless and I had to put them in their place- REAL quick. dont talk BS about me behind my back (literally, the seat behind me) and assume you bout to run all over me cuz i dont talk with everyone. im there to get my credentials and get out. im not there to make friends- i got those already. just cuz i articulate my words when speaking with the instructor doesnt mean im weak, or that i think im better than you... blah blah blah. I had to turn around and let chick have it! lol

i simply told her that she doesnt know me or my story and that she needs to stop her ignorant behaviour immediately because its not becoming. and i did it while i was wearing Tims, a hoodie, and bamboo earrings. I may be more educated than more people in this room, but dont undermine my intelligence (or my ghetto girl status for that matter). i can snap my neck and smack my lips with the best of them and have a conversation using words you could only dream of knowing how to pronounce. Lets get it together as Black/ African American/ Minority women and try to uplift each other, NOT pull each other down.

Happy New Year!
Sincerly,
The-Chick-You-Thought-Was-Weak-But-Can-Put-You-In-Your-Place-ASAP
Drea xoxox