In My Solitude Boutique Blog

February 15-March 6, 2008

Let's Try Something New!

The Barack Obama campaign is infectious isn't it? His ability to galvanize Americans from all walks of life is simply incredible! When it's time to cast my vote in this historic election, I will walk arm in arm with my father to the polls. I know, it sounds so Ms. Jane Pittman, but I've got to do it because my dad like many people of his generation, never thought an African-American could be elected president in his lifetime.

But, Obama is more than just a black candidate, we finally have a leader who is tapping into a core desire that we all seem to have at this moment in our lives. A deep need for change! Not just in our country, but also within us. The metaphysicists say everyone and everything in our lives is a reflection of who we are and what we've chosen. If that's truly the case, it's not hard to see that it's time to raise the bar...but how?

Well, Eleanor Roosevelt said you should do one thing in your life everyday that scares you. I remember living that way somewhat unknowingly back in the day when I was a reporter. My heart was always pounding with excitement because I had to be "present" with people to get the news and connected to my own voice in order to write a compelling story. When you were "live" on the air it felt like anything could happen in that moment.. as long as it didn't involve the movement of my little bob. And can you believe that necklace? I look like I could play a young Condoleezza Rice in a made for TV movie!

Anyway, I've gotten the same feeling of engagement that I experienced during my reporter years following the Obama campaign on TV. For a long time, I thought it was the rush of working in broadcast news that I missed. But now, after starting In My Solitude and this blog, I know differently. What I longed for was the opportunity to express my voice and creativity in a way that is authentic to who I am now. And we all know authentic work is hard to come by, that's why Barack Obama's choice to run for president is resonating with so many people. He's living his truth and encouraging us to do the same and thereby play our position in the electoral process. By following his dream all the way to the white house, Barack Obama is living an authentic life. I'm sure making the decision to declare himself as a presidential candidate wasn't easy, but he did it any way.

I've learned that I can never get what I want if I'm not willing to live through the fear of not obtaining it. So, I ask you, what first step do you need to take in your life today? It's definitely scary and exhausting to think about every action required to make your dreams come true. But, I think Barack Obama sums it up best in his campaign speeches when he declares, "We are the change we've been seeking."

Abundantly yours,

Evolyn

A Lash That Lasts!
By Ev & Nichole

It's award show time in Los Angeles and I love to see everyone so "glammed" up! This year, I attended the NAACP Image Awards with my friend Nichole. Her show, Our World With Black Enterprise was nominated. It's my third time going and while I always have a lot of fun, my best memories so far are from 2004. That's when I actually won an Image Award and later that night I was laughing so hard with Nichole that my fake lash fell into my champagne glass.

This year, I vowed that there would be no makeup malfunctions on my watch. So, we called our friend Nicholas to stop by the villa to toast Nichole and glam us up for the show. Nicholas Whitehead is a fabulous makeup artist who has worked with many celebs and on fashion shoots with David LaChapelle, Interview and W magazine. He also made the fierce hat he's wearing in the photo, but we'll get to his menswear line down the road. All I can say is that his technique for applying false eyelashes is the "truth" because ours stayed on all night.

Ev: Why do you think my eyelash fell off at the Image Awards?

Nicholas: It was probably too big for your eye and wasn't glued on right. The lash should come close to your inner eye, but not extend further than your natural lash. Most of the time lashes come off from the inside.

Nichole: Why is the glue so hard to work with? It always ends up on my fingers and the fake lash.

Nicholas: When you apply the glue it should be tacky, not watery. Squeeze a little bit out of the tube onto a solid surface. Use a small makeup brush to apply a drop of glue to the inner, outer and middle of lash and then blend.

Ev: Okay, you're getting fancy with the brush. What's the best way to put the lash on?

Nicholas: First of all, not while drinking two glasses of red wine. No wonder your eyelash fell off! You probably forgot the glue. Anyway, you have to apply the fake lash in the corner where your natural lash starts then stick it to your outer eyelid and finally smooth out the middle. If you have to clip them trim the lash from the inner corner a little at a time.

Nichole: Wow! Who knew?

Ev: Thank you Nicholas for making us look fabulous and good luck Nichole!

30 Day Pass:Bag It Or Buy It?
By Derek

As you may recall, 30 days ago I did the unthinkable. I parted with twenty hard earn dollars sot that I could test whether the much Oooh-ed and Ah-ed Oligo 25 Yeux Eye Cooling Stick would eliminate my distracting eye bags. Well it’s Day 31 and my verdict is in! Drum roll please! The Oligo Eye Cooling Stick has left me with Chinese Eyes! Hey wait a second… I’m Chinese, so I’ve always had Chinese eyes! While the Oligo Eye Cooling Stick has softened the skin beneath my eyes and has lightened some of the darkness, it did not eliminate my bags. Sorry folks. If you are looking to lighten the skin beneath your eyes, this product is for you, otherwise, I would pass! I may be twenty dollars poorer but at least I don’t look like Jocelyn Wildenstein.

New At In My Solitude: I've Been Framed
By Evolyn

I love the way a picture can capture a moment, but it takes a great frame to create the perfect mood. Right before this shot was taken I was listening to Kanye West's latest CD. One of my favorite lines from the song Stronger is "Work It, Make It, Do it." So apropos, right? When I saw the picture I realized that I had no frame to reflect my "harder, better, faster" state of mind... so I bought an unfinished wood frame, got out my paint, some nails and washers from the tool chest and made one.

An Amazing Feet
By Evolyn

I love the California sunshine, but living in a warm climate does have its drawbacks. You must keep your pedicure up to par all year round and always carry a little Jane Carter Solution in your purse just to be safe. Why? Because when you least expect it you might find yourself in the home of someone who requires you to remove your shoes. I learned this the hard way when I accompanied a friend to a party a couple of years ago. I nearly had a panic attack when I saw the pile of shoes outside the door. I knew when I left home that I had a hole in my sock and a did-it-myself pedicure, but I threw caution to the wind because it was January.

Fortunately, I remembered the old "pull your sock off with your shoe" trick so no one ever peeped the hole. But, there was nothing I could do about the smushed polish on my big toe. Besides, I had bigger concerns... were my heels going to be so white that I could pass for Ashy Larry's sister from the Chappelle show? Would my skin be so dry that I could scratch the word "gotcha" on the side of my foot? Thankfully, I used my Jane Carter Solution that morning and my heels were hella smooth. The Nourish & Shine creme includes Shea butter, Kokum butter, Illippe butter, Mango butter, Vitamins A, D, & E, pear and grapefruit essential oils. It's a great product for your hair, but I use it everywhere... so I'm never caught out there!

How To Fool Your Bible Study Class
By Derek

There’s no denying that the bible has outsold The Secret, Jackie Collins, Harry Potter and that trashy new Tom Cruise tell-all that I’m dying to get… But how many people can actually claim that they’ve read the "Good Book" from cover to cover? To be completely honest with you, I can’t read through two paragraphs before my mind starts to go over what I need to get at Target. (FYI: Toilet paper, Market Place Pretzels and Lean Pockets) That’s why I was so elated when I stumbled across The 100-Minute Bible abridged by Michael Hinton. It’s literally Cliff Notes on the bible for $7.95! Now anyone who is able to comprehend Perez Hilton can get her wings or at least do a little better when watching Jeopardy.