Make it stick! The cheap way--

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyy!

I know I know. I have been gone for a long long time.  Again. Except this time I am all out of excuses. Seriously. lol. I have no excuse. I have been work, A LOT and trying to get my art business together. OH wait-- for those who don't know. I did decide to finally do something with my art. I hooked up with Society6 and now my original art can be made into pillows, T-shirts, iPhone cases and skins, prints and stationary cards. Its actually pretty cool. The actual name of my business is called The Mental Canvas. Take a look and check it out!! http://society6.com/HarlemGreen

OK. For my first "come back" post I wanted to share a make up something with you guys. I learned it today so I had to share. Before I begin there are two reasons why I did this; to save money and because I needed it. What you ask?? Eye Shadow Primer.

Its really easy. All you need is

1. Vaseline











2. Thick unscented face lotion/moisturizer that's ok to use around/on your eyes

3. Liquid Foundation

4. Small empty container with lid.

5. Something to stir everything with (like a bobby pin)









The process is very simple.
1. In the small container put in lotion and liquid foundation and mix together with your bobby pin. you want to do this in equal parts to start off. If you need it to be darker add more foundation. If you need it lighter add more lotion/moisturizer.

2. Add Vaseline for consistency. Not too much but it also allows for hold and shine.

3. Apply and use eye shadow!! The first swatch is without the primer and the second is with. Makes a complete difference! Same for the eye lids. Have fun! Hope you like.

Please excuse my ratchet eyebrows!! I am trying to let them grow out so I can reshape them. The struggle.

Dear Self.

*sometimes you dont need others to check you, you need to check you. If you could look at yourself from the outside looking in and talk to yourself, what would you say?

Dear Harlem,

This is yourself. The still loud, tall, demanding self. Hopefully the day you decide to look back on this you have grown into someone more amazing, more beautiful and more talented. But I feel its a must to remind you of a few things.

Right now youre not in medical school. THAT IS OK. You have worked damn hard to get where you are. You have made to almost 24 with no children, a biology degree, youve provided for yourself on a level that more people at your age have never even thought about . So medical school will happen. Stop letting others remind you where you arent. And remember where you are. Also, when you do go to medical school you are going to rock that place. Dont worry.

I have to tell you though...youre a little too in love with being in love. Slow down. The one person you thought would never change your world has. And you will love to hate them for it. They would put you through hell and high waters but its love. Its ok to want a love so deep that it makes your heart swell, so deep that the very idea is breath taking. Its ok to want a love that looks at you and realizes that their entire world wouldnt even hold together if you werent in it. To want a love that looks at you and doesnt seen black and white but 20 million awesome shades of grey. Its ok. Just be patient.

Love yourself. Continue to love yourself. The people are watching. They are following and they are watching.

Love,
Harlem.

Where ya Been love?

Hey hey hey!!!

Yes I am a neglector. Lol. I dont know why I stopped blogging. One day I just got too scared to sign into my account. then before I knew it- I wasnt blogging. Maybe it was the invisible pressure. Trying to gain more followers, trying to make sure what I was saying was important enough. Idk. But I missed it so I am back!!

Hopefully you will stick around with me this time around.  I still have no direction with this blog. Its not just about fashion, just about life, or one particular subject. Just whatever I want!! Life is changing for me. I want to be able to look back and remember it all.

Love,
Harlem <3

The feeling of guilt. So strong it can make a person sick. Sick enough the feeling succumbs the entire body, to the point that a complete shut down isn't far from reach. Guilt, it brings paranoia, destruction, hurt, second guessing. Where does this five letter get the nerve of carrying around so much weight with it?

So much with dirtiness, so much foul, such weight, this little word it has. Gah.

I've been on a roll as of late with the whole painting thing. It all started with a sale at Michaels, then next thing you know.... The emotional trail began. It's a crazy feeling being able to sit and just start painting. My world becomes something else, it doesn't have to make sense, it doesn't have to be explained, it's just there.

I just finished this one last night. I'm calling it "Guilty Discretion" I'm curious to know what you think when you look at it. Happy Friday! I'll post more paintings later

Yes, I know the guacamole is extra...

Money, money, money..... The root of all evil. Ugh. It comes into your life, makes you feel like you're worth something, then leaves you as soon as it realizes you have this baggage called bills. Uuuggghhhhh. Lol

I have known how to balance a checkbook since the age of 11/12, always understood its value and what it could do for me in life. I have been on my own since the day after high school and when I tell you, if I knew what I knew now.... I'd have so much money saved! Although I have gotten better with money since college alone, I LOVE TO EAT.....out. Haha

No dishes, no trash, service.... I mean that's the dream I tell you. However I just downloaded this app called Mint. It connects to your bank account and budgets exactly what you have spent for the month and incoming vs out going. Let me tell you. REALITY CHECK. You would think I was P.diddy out here spending left and right. Granted a lot of what was spent was way past needed, my eating out habits are disgusting... Lets just say over the last 3 1/2 months I have spent almost one months rent eating out!!!! Gross!!!!!!!! I mean I look great but ewwww! Eating out adds up after awhile. So for the next month I am going to try to limit myself to only spending $30.00 at the most to eating out (I'm sorry I love Chipotle way too much to not budget for it).

I am also one of those people who DREAD looking at their bank accounts. Especially after an awesome weekend out, it is like swimming with squirrels, just scary. So as apart of this new budgeting, I will be forcing myself to check my bank account daily. That way I am more aware of what I spend. Hopefully it works.

What do you do to help stay within your budget??

Illegal Beauty

“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.” 

― Banksy, Wall and Piece

Happy early week to everyone! We have made it past Monday and that in itself is a great thing!

While I have been away from the blogging world I have been trying to become better at a few things. One of them being my art. I want to become a better sketcher, be quick and more elegant but defined. So I have been doodling. But while visiting one of my lovely sisters in the interesting city of Baltimore

I noticed a lot of graffiti art, and prints plastered around the city. I love it!! I want to do my own piece on an abandoned building somewhere...I just don't think I'm that good that yet.

Maybe one day...

Missing in Action

I hope everyone has been doing well! I have even away maybe about a month or more. I just needed a break. A long break...blogging didn't seem as fun like when I first began. I began worrying about what people would read, keeping up with other bloggers and trying to gain followers when I know I do not have time to blog everyday. It's called life. Lol. I have one. A pretty hectic, very involved one that doesn't have too much down time. Nonetheless I miss it. So I am back.

I have been trying to catch up on all of your wonderful blogs! Fashion shows, baby craze, nail polish, and reading other perspective on life. I've missed a lot!

I have just joined the iPhone world so as much as I would love to upload pictures to catch you guys up on what's been happening... I have to wait until tomorrow. I don't have many pictures on here yet!

So until then.

Personal Mission Statement

<br />
I will appreciate those who love me, continue to help those who need me, forgive those who hurt me and be mindful of those who left me. <br />
I will remember what made me who I am and continue to rise. <br />
I will use my beliefs and values to guide me,<br />
I will start a medical revolution, <br />
To anyone who stands in my way, I shall pray, remove your right kidney and CRTL ATL DELETE DELETE DELETE. <br />

Lol. That was my mission statement I wrote the beginning of senior year of college. I have issues. Lol. But it does mean a lot to me. <br />
I have been working lots of overtime. So the blog has been neglected a bit because I don't like doing it from my phone but I will be updating myself on your blogs very shortly!! <br />

Meanwhile here is a piece I completed last week. I got the inspiration from an old friend on instagram. She has beautiful features so I incorporated them. Hope ya like! <br />
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I had to Check Myself.

I have been going through a lot lately. I just can't really seem to get my life together. For starts studying for the MCAT and having a full time job and one part time job, while looking for a new job is definitely taking it's course. My lab job ends September 1st and because they are downsizing I can't get a full time position. Its blows. My love life is definitely on the rocks. Major iceberg rocks. Its weird how one person can come in and make you change your entire life plan (Don't worry I still want to be Dr. Green). I found the one I want to marry. Hell I think I am ready to be married. But is life ready for me to be married?

Anyhow. I thought I should take time out to focus know the things I should be grateful for while I feel my life is in shambles. Because its really not that bad.

I am grateful:

1. That I can wake up every day and just breathe. There are a lot who are on life support and can't do it on their own.

2. that I have family who is always there for me no matter what. There are those who have never known what family means, blood or not.

3. That I was raised to be independent and strong. Many do not have the backbone or courage to go after what they want.

4. I can put food in my refrigerator and have the option to throw away leftovers. Many don't even have the option of eating at all and here I am throwing stuff away.

5. That the person whom I have come to call my best friend, come to love and adore will still come to my rescue even at my most stubborn times. I am going to marry him. Lol 

6. Grateful I have a great education. I know too many people who didn't make it out of high school and still can't read.

7. Grateful to be able to physically and mentally take care of myself. Many people have no clue what that even entails.

8. Grateful to have amazing friends!! I know that even though we don't talk every single day, when we get together it goes down!!!! Many people have too many enemies to ever know a friend.

9. Grateful to have options. Far too many have none.

10. Grateful to have this blog. I can speak my mind whether people read it or not. In many places people dk not have that option. They are killed for having something to say.

What are you grateful for?

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playing with bacon.

These are a few sketches I worked on this week that I thought Id share with you guys. Its been a very long time since I have sketched anything. I usually get in a drawing mood when I am going through things. Its weird. Im sorry for the previous semi depressing blog. I felt the need to write a poem. Ya girl is going THROUGH IT. haha.

The first sketch I call "Despair" actually is my favorite right now. It just explains a lot as far as frustration and anguish. The second I never came up with a name for.

I don't really want to go into detail about exactly what's going on because its more personal than Id like it to be. But lets just put it this way. Love has been lost. Lol. Not dead. Just lost. Its weird spending your every waking moment you're not working or schooling making bacon. Then one day bacon is completely omitted from the world.... Crap. No bacon. What the neck do I do now?!? I don't want to cook turkey!!!

Excuse my retarded analogy. Makes no sense I know. I promise to bring happier blogs.

Hope ya like the sketches!

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Heart Broken.

Unspoken raindrops cloud the cotton pillow case.

Lines of mascara all trying to win a race.

Late nights, early mornings developed by empty cause,

Holes in the engine shatter circuit boards.

Unlevied by the tension, heighten by suspension,
Unspoken rain drops cloud the cotton pillow case.

How do you, why do you, why should you?
Come on stop it.

Oh no,
I think the mascara won,
Eyes burn like they've been blazed by the sun.

Why can't you tell me.
Oh well. The shits done.

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No children=Better life??

What does it mean to be a successful? Does it mean marriage, awesome career and kids? Can you still be considered truly successful if your blood line stops at you? The reason I ask this is because I just read an article on "Why childfree couples have it all."

The article says that we "are taught to have children and that it the ultimate path to parenthood and fulfilment in life is nothing but an assumption. She continues to to blab on in the middle and chooses to end the article with couple who  have no children have it all because "they have the time to devote and space to their relationship." that because they have no children can value each others career and personal goals better.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Granted I do not want children anytime soon but eventually. This does not mean that I won't have a great marriage and career however.

What do you think? Are childfree couples the ones who have it all? 

Check out the story on huffingtonpost.com

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Solitary Confinement...NOT.

Life over the last week has been well... busy. Yet interesting. This whole coming into yourself and knowing who you truly are can get a bit lonely. I mean..really. I just kept finding ways to keep myself busy. So two great things happened to me while I was on this little me venture. I got to spend time with some of my family. We went to the Baltimore Aquarium and saw too many animals and ate a lot.

Then another great surprise happened to me this week. As many of you may or may not know I am originally from San Diego, California. I moved to this "city" my senior year of HS and have been here ever since. One of my longest childhood friends took a road trip to jersey and came down to see me. I missed her so! Its been 7 long years!!!

Because she is just as weird as I like to pretend I am not. lol =)

Until the next we link up! 

Learning to fly solo

There comes a point in life when you realize you have never been alone. At least I haven't..well in all fairness i have always been extremely so I never really had time to think about being alone really. Now with no papers, exams tomorrow, or reason to really be busy other than clean my apartment... I have friends.. But they have lives too. I feel like I need to know what its like to be completely alone. Not fixing  someone. Not trying to help someone else be better.

My goal over the next few months is to figure out exactly who I am, exactly what I believe, what I need. I know what I want. In a heart beat. But what do I truly need?? Only time will tell..

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
― Dolly Parton

Word of the Day

com·pro·mise/ˈkämprəˌmīz/

Noun:	An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.
Verb:	Settle a dispute by mutual concession.
Synonyms:	noun.  agreement - accommodation - settlement - conciliation verb.  come to terms Its either you do or you don't. Sometimes it turns you into a great person sometimes turns you into a biotch. Its all depends. Never the less.. 3 beers, 3 shots, Adele and a bottle of Vodka later.. Heres is what was produced..  click to enlarge..

15 miles and Hood ventures

Uggghhh. I am dreading the work week. For starters I ride my bike to work and home. My job is about 5 miles away which isn't that far. Although the hills and excessive cars are a pain in the ass. But between both jobs and all of the doctors appointments I don't get to go the gym classes every single day like I want. I now just ride my bike and go solo work outs. Well I decided to ride my bike to the dentist near my job... let me tell you how it was an extra 4 miles away... not the mile the GPS said.. by car... grrrrrrrr. On top of everything I rode my bike to work. Usually I throw it on the front of the bus and just ride home. Over 15 miles I rode my bike that day guys... UGH!!!!


I started off feeling like this:

Finally got home and I felt like this:

I wore an awesome outfit this weekend and got no pictures! I need a photographer honestly....lol

Anywho. This one tid bit my friend posted on my FB page made me laugh my ass off. I couldnt help it. Brightned up my whole mood. Hope you enjoy! 

The YOLO Movement

I FLIPPING HATE IT!!!! Its the stupidest unjustified crap I have ever heard. I get on Facebook and all I see are peoples status updates saying something stupid and then a huge YOLO at the end of it. WTF is a YOLO?? So I asked...

A good friend of mine says its something that girls use to justify stupid actions they did the night before.. 

Example: and I quote "I just let 10 guys run a train on me. ah well YOLO" I could not stop laughing. But she was right. Guys use it too. Its stupid. 

\

I understand partying like a rockstar, taking chances, living life like its your last... But seriously? 

I just smoked a blunt. I am going to put a pic of it on FB. Yolo

I can't pay my rent but I just stood in line for a $200 pair of sneaker. YOLO

I just slept with my friends dad.. but posted her sucking off some dude on YouTube. Yolo

Get the hell out of here.lol

Hey.. My glass is empty.. But my pockets aren't!

One of my faves Steven and Myself

This weekend was spent laughing it up with a few favorites of mine!! I haven't been out in what seems forever, although I did just go out for graduation. Its just feels different being graduated and actually having a few bucks. I discovered the art of beer... now let me tell you. I HATE BEER. However I found out that I love Woodchuck. Its taste just like apple cider (seriously). And its like $3 a cup on draft!! WIN!!! My mixed drinks are usually $6 bucks a drink. ughhhhh. 

Then there was Shakespeare in the park for free!!! The only thing... it took 3 hours for 2 teenagers to kill themselves... I don't understand. That's a five minute ordeal man. But the actors were great, it was free and I got to spend time with family. =)

Romeo & Juliet

Meanwhile the job is going great. I got my first pay check and I couldn't believe it was mine!! I love having a real job! Now maybe I can get out the small debt I have! lol.

Until next time... Time to go catch up with you all!!

I forgot I was Beautiful.

This weekend I went thrifting.. I realize that a lot of my clothes in my closet were still from freshmen year and were getting too small or I simply over grew them mentally. The green shirt I got for $1.50. It still had the tags on it for $22.50. I had to get it.My favorite ring I am wearing I got in Virginia when I went to visit my family. I love bugs. lol

This weekend I had a mental break down in the middle of freaking Burlington Coat Factory. I cant seem to fit ANY of my jeans anymore. I have always been a size 5-7 and could shop at Wet Seal and Hollister for my jeans. HONEY. WHEN I TELL YOU THAT IS NO MORE...

Its not that I ever wanted to be a size 2. Hell at 145 stacking 6'1 I was all skin and bones and was still a 7.. I always wanted to gain weight.... only for my Beyonce booty. =)

My mom has amazing curves (which she tries to hide) and well..... I am getting them. While this sounds nice, not being able to fit a 7 anymore drove me mad!!  I kept trying on pants.. and the number on them kept going up..and up and up...

I felt like I looked like this....

When in actuality I look like this.. Would you believe me if I told you I was 30 pounds shy of 200?

Well my boyfriend nearly lost his mind in my madness and had to remind me that a size i just a size. I am not out of shape, I am healthy and most of all I am beautiful. Also to remember I am a woman of color....and most of us have curves. Doesn't mean your fat.

So heres to the pressures of society. EFF YOU!! lol. To my Beyonce... Thank you.