Motivation Monday: How to Live Your Best Life Now

Recently, I've been reading How to Live Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. To be honest, I haven't read for enjoyment in a such a long time. I truly haven't had made time for it between married life, school, teaching, and so on. But on one particular day, I was being a typical little sister by rummaging through my big sister's books. I came across several books. I quickly narrowed my selections down, and I chose two books with one of the books being How to Live Your Best Life Now.

I actually took this book with me to Hawaii! I figured I could read it on the plane, but once I started reading it, I honestly couldn't put it down. I found myself identifying with a number of areas being discussed in the book. Exactly two weeks later, I only have 3 chapters left out of the 32, and I honestly feel like this book has given me a fresh perspective on my spirituality and daily walk with God. Within the book, they discuss several main areas, which include the following:

1. Enlarge Your Vision

2. Develop a Healthy Self-Image

3. Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words

4. Let Go of the Past

5. Find Strength through Adversity 

6. Live to Give

7. Choose to be Happy

Each of these areas covered things that I have honestly heard at some point and time in my life; some of the areas could easily be termed as "common sense". But honestly, I needed to be reminded of the importance of some of these areas. I also enjoyed how this book highlighted various scriptures that coincided with these areas as well, which really reignited my fire for The Word and intentionally seeking God throughout my daily walk. Now, I find myself searching through the scriptures to deal with everyday issues and concerns as well as just talking to God throughout the day (whether it be a prayer of gratitude or fix it Jesus).

One of my main takeaways from this book was God desires for you to live your best life regardless of any past hurts or afflictions. Therefore, letting go of negative mindsets, enlarging your vision, giving, and enjoying life are essential for prosperity as a Christian (Ephesians 2:7). Ultimately, God wants you to shine so that others can see Him through you. Your life should be a testimony of some of His best works. When we really let go and trust God, He can do things in our lives beyond what we can even conceive. 

Anyways, I can talk all day about this. I just wanted to pass along my excitement for this "new read" of mine and daily walk with God on living my best life now. If you have read this book, please share your thoughts or testimonies. If you are excited and desire to read it, please share that enthusiasm as well. 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken

My Secrets Revealed: My Homemade Moisturizing Cream

Hey Kurlies,

I am finally dishing the goods on my homemade moisturizing cream/mixture. It's super simple. For the most part, I use the same oils and definitely the same cream. I may supplement one or two oils depending on my hair needs, but in the end, my natural hair is moisturized. 

 My recipe includes the following ingredients:

OKAY African Shea Butter

Crisco Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Louana Coconut Oil

Sunny Isle Jojoba Oil

De La Creme Sweet Almond Oil

Now, when I combine these ingredients, I never use exact measurements. I "eyeball" it everytime.

1. First, I start with the shea butter, and I use a substantial amount of this. 

2. Add the olive oil. This is about a teaspoon amount. 

3. Add the coconut oil. I add a large amount of this. The amount of coconut oil is typically more than the Shea butter. Coconut oil has been working really well on my hair as of late so I always include it in this mixture.

4. Jojoba is added next. I literally add a quarter size of this.

5. The last thing I add is the sweet almond oil. I typically add a table spoon of this. I love the way this oil smells. Pure sweetness.

I whip up all the ingredients and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then...Ta-da! I have my mixture. On this day, I placed my hair in large twists and pinned them up. I'll keep these twists in for the week.

My hair is moisturized and protected. This will also cut down my time preparing for school and practicum this week. At night, I'll spray my hair with the aloe/ water mix and then I'll apply my homemade cream to my twists as needed. Simple and easy!! My hubby loves this hairstyle on me, and I get a ton of compliments from others when I wear this style as well. Perfection!

If you have any questions or comments regarding my concoction, please comment below.

Kurlies weigh in: Do you have a DIY mixture you use on your hair? If so, feel free to share. If not, are you thinking about creating one? What would you include in this mixture? 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken

How To Achieve that Bronze, Sunkissed Glow for Brown Skin

Summer time is here, and I have been searching for ways to get that perfect bronze glow. However, finding products for brown skin girls, such as myself, has not been easy. I wanted a naturally sun kissed look for the summer months so I did a little research.

Below are some of my top product recommendations to achieve this look, and most products are budget friendly.

(left to right: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, ELF Sunkissed Glow Bronzer, Nyx Blush, Mary Kay Lipsticks)

Top Products:

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark Deep

If you have not heard of this product, you have officially been under a rock! This is one of my holiest of grails! This product provides an all over natural glow. While it retails as a high end product, the product formulation and the color pay off suit my skin perfectly. Also, my skin is super prone to breakouts so when I find a product that doesn't break me out, honey, I stick to it like glue!

Elf (Eyes Lips Face) Sunkissed Glow Bronzer in a Warm Tan 

This bronzer is most certainly a bargain product. Initially, when I picked it up, I had no idea how I would use, but for $2, I couldn't leave it there. But now, I literally use this products as a highlight on the bridge of my nose, Cupid's bow of my lip, tear ducts of my eye, and as an illuminator on my cheeks! I seriously love this product and just a little goes a long way in providing the perfect shimmer you need. 

NYX Blush in Terra Cotta 

This is a product that has been in my makeup kit for a while, and I suddenly found use for it. I use it as a blush to warm up my cheeks. It is the perfect way to provide subtle warmth. 

Lipsticks

The next two lipsticks are used in conjunction with each other. When I want a nude lip with a little shimmer, these two lipsticks certainly do it for me:

-Mary Kay Lipstick in Shell

-Mary Kay Lipstick in Amber Glow 

As a brown girl, it hasn't been easy finding an affordable (key word here!!!) nude lipstick, but these lipsticks provide that sultry, barely there lip color I want to achieve that compliments this brown skin of mine. Not to mention, these two lipsticks are super moisturizing! 

(All products mentioned above were used to achieve this look)

What are some of your favorite make up products that help you achieve that summer glow? 

 #randommomentsofken

And on another random note.... I have some different ideas for my upcoming blog posts that cover my other areas of interest like healthy eating, exercise, minimalism, spirituality, and yada-yada-yada. But don't worry! I still have plans to do some upcoming posts on hair, makeup, and style. I just wanted to mix it up a little. Stay tuned lovelies!

AND LASTLY, HELLO TO MY NEW SUBBIES! GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE!!!

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken