Beauty Talk: May 2013 Birchbox & Ipsy Glam Bag Review

It's Battle Of The Boxes time again. Birchbox VS Ipsy.

I received both of my monthly subscriptions last week and saw that they were really influenced by Spring.

If you're interested to see what I got in each box, and how they compete, click below to find out!

OOTD: Black, Leather, With A Pop Of Pink (Rihanna Inspired)

A friend and I went to Ruby Foo's, for dinner, in Times Square on Friday. I knew that we'd be doing lots of laughing, so I wanted to look cute but low-key. Who does that look better that Rihanna herself; she was my style muse for the night.

After some awesome food and drinks, we decided to hang out in the crowd of people that often packs 42nd street. While walking around, we saw a singing Korean choir, Batman, Spiderman, Woody/Buzz Lightyear, and some street art.

Sometimes, I forget how awesome my city can be.

Click "READ MORE" to get the outfit details...

Bye Bye GFC, Hello Bloglovin

This is a short post; I just got the word that Google Friend Connect is going bye bye (late, I know). How sad! Please feel free to switch over to Bloglovin. I've had one for ages but never saw the point since I had GFC. Now, I guess I have to use it!

Click HERE to follow me on Bloglovin

Are there any other platforms any of you Bloggers will start to use?

~Confessor

March Madness: Enerjiee On BET and Ok! Magazine

I know it's well into April, but if you have not "Liked" the Enerjiee Facebook page, I wanted to share two exciting things that happened to my eyewear line, Enerjiee.

First, BET's annual fashion presentation, Rip The Runway aired and I saw the mint Monroe's on a runway for the first time. Bonus? It's also on the Rip The Runway model homepage and look page!

The Oya frames made onto the pages of OK! Magazine in late March/early April. Right under Miley "Twerk Team" Cyrus and Giuseppe Zanotti; that was a surreal moment. Feel free to pick up a copy if it's still available!

What do you all think?

~Confessor

Sunday Inspiration: No Victory Without Struggle

Sunday Inspiration has been gone for a minute but i'm bringing it back for a second.

I graduated college almost 2 years ago and have yet to land a permanent job. I did all the right things; I interned at various places to build a nice resume, won my college thesis competition, and graduated cum laude. If you asked me in June of 2011 if I'd be here today, I would laugh without a care in the world. Fast-forward 7 internships, a temp gig, 1 year, 10 months, and 3 days later and... I'm not laughing.

Now, along the way, there have been many people who have offered me "advice".

• "Why don't you just get a city job?"
• "Just take anything until you find what you're looking for!"
• "You know it's a recession, stop being picky!"
• "Have you applied [insert something completely out of my field here]?"

At first I would get upset with people. I mean, how can you give me such terrible advice?!
Then, I reasoned  these people were giving me the suggestions they deemed best for my life. So instead of being mad, while they talked, I would daydream about unicorns. No, seriously, I would.

After a while, you get to a point where you ask yourself, "What the hell did I do wrong? Is everyone else right? Did I go to college to apply for a city job?" It can really take a toll on you.

Fortunately for me, I have always been a big dreamer and have never been afraid to go after whatever my "it" may be. Coming from a family of immigrants and being first-generation American, the juxtaposition between the two cultures can really teach you the meaning of perseverance.

I saw the above picture when I was deciding to start Enerjiee. I questioned myself because who really starts their own business with virtually no capital, no safety net, and no idea if it will work. After I read the quote, I knew I was on the right path. Nothing great has ever come without struggle. I believe in purpose and timing. If it isn't your purpose and it isn't the right timing, no matter what you do, you will not force the hand of the universe.

We all have our paths to walk, mine happens to be filled with struggle in the beginning. As difficult as it may be, I will not be aligned with mediocrity. I will devote myself to the idea of being GREAT. I will fight for it, I will cry over it, but I will not forget it's my dream. I'll make it happen and I want all of you to do the same. There is no victory without struggle.

What's your dream? How have you/will you make it happen?

~Confessor

Review: Dermablend Professional's Smooth Indulgence Concealer

I got this Dermablend Professional Smooth Indulgence Concealer, in Spice, in my February Brichbox. I gave BB the side eye because with deep/dark skin, you can't just throw concealer (or foundation) on. There's a certain method that goes into the madness of picking these things. I put it on my hands and it made me look ashy so I threw it to the side. After a few days I decided to try to make it work...

Click "Read More" to see if it was a disaster or success....

Article Feature: Sereine Magazine Talks "Enerjiee" With Sherine

Yesterday, my line Enerjiee, and I, were featured on Sereine Magazine as the "Career Woman Monday" feature. This is my first write up so I am beyond excited. Check out some excerpts from the interview and the CLICK HERE to read the full story!

On why I started Enerjiee:

"I was born with a lazy eye and as a kid growing up in Brooklyn; I had a difficult time accepting my “flaw”. I started wearing sunglasses every day after my 2nd surgery in 7th grade and by the time I got to college (3 surgeries later), eyewear was a part of me. The initial concept of Enerjiee was born when I started embellishing eyewear in college (out of boredom) and then I met someone who made it an actual career; I was fascinated! About a year later, I interned for that same designer and realized that I had fallen in love with designing and didn't want to look back. That’s how Enerjiee was born!"

On the piece that describes me and Enerjiee:

"Honestly, it’s the simplest one out of the bunch: Monroe. I have always been the kind of girl who loves classic beauty (Coco Chanel’s one of my favorite designers), but I never liked boring. Ever. Monroe is a mixture of classic and edge; a little bit of “I’m a lady” and a little bit of “f*ck you!” That’s me and that’s Enerjiee *wink*"

On the difficulties of being a new brand on the market:

"the biggest challenge has just been bringing my line to the awareness of others. I want my accessory line to be at the forefront of people’s thoughts when they think of accessory brands. I spend a lot of time just researching designers/boutiques/publications and reaching out. Some respond, a lot don’t, but all you ever really need is that one shot. I believe it’s coming for Enerjiee and it’s coming swiftly. I hope I’m ready."

What do you think about the interview? 

~Confessor