It is what it is...and this is what it is.

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for the moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here?
Is she standing in my room?
No she's not, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part
She takes you in with your crying eyes
Then all at once you have to say goodbye
Wondering could you stay my love?
Will you wake up by my side?
No she can't, 'cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

Now do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do i have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Would you get them if i did?
No you won't, 'cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone....

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part

It is what it is...but I'm FIT!

I LOVE this ad, cuz my butt ain't going nowhere...no matter how much I run it's still there. It's fairly tight don't get me wrong but it's back there. LAMO

Happy Birthday Mama!!

We’ve been MIA at the Flirty 40’s for a bit…sorry, but life and the fleeting days of summer and cocktails beckon us all!! One of the lovely things about being fabulous and 40 is that if you are lucky, hopefully you have made a few bucks and the financial stresses you may have felt in your 20’s and 30’s have subsided or at least eased up a bit. I was lucky enough to take my mother on the trip of her choice for her 60th birthday thanks to the few bucks I’ve made as a direct result of the serious bucks my mama dropped on my education. I told her she could pick any location in the contiguous United States (I ain’t ball’ in like Jay Z). My mother’s choice was Savannah and that is exactly where we went! So cheers to being Fabulous and 40 and having a hard working mom whose sacrifices allowed you to make a few bucks so that you could treat her on her 60th B-day! Happy Birthday mama!!

Grown Folks Business

Rooftop dining and DRINKS...that's how I spell SUMMER!

Let Me Transform You!

I recently read a blog post at one of new favorite blogs (OurHealth) about the importance of the proper undergarmets. As summer approaches and we embrace light, flowy fabrics, folks need to also embrace some cardinal rules of fashion!! DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT wear white bikini panties under a thin yellow cotton sundress...WTF!!! If you got a gut, gunt or fuppa...whatever you want to call it, DO NOT wear a clingy or form fitting summer dress without some sort of support undergarmet. Vanessa from OurHEALTH says it best....read on!

By, Vanessa
OurHealth Staff Writer

Every super hero needs a secret weapon. I consider myself a super hero of sorts, in my own everyday life I'm just out there battling the elements trying to be happy, healthy and cute all at the same time. And while I can’t fly, can’t shoot fire from my eyes and can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, I can look flawless in my clothes, thanks in part to my secret weapon – Spanx!

I LOVE Spanx! For those of you not in the know – please bow down and thank me now – Spanx will transform your life. This is not an overstatement. It doesn’t matter what size you are or how much you work out, EVERY woman can benefit from Spanx.

(Unless of course your Halle Berry – looking like this, but Halle Berry is no mere mortal – so I’m not talking about her).

But every other woman, can tighten, tone, shrink and otherwise get their body looking real right, real fast, with this magic little undergarment.

I’ve been rocking Spanx since 2003. I was reading In Style magazine and they were saying that all of the stars in Hollywood wear Spanx under their gowns. I rushed out to Nordstrom and bought the “Power Panties”. The package said they were a “mid thigh shaper, with tummy control.” This sounded like exactly the thing that I needed in my life! The Power Panties quickly became a staple in my wardrobe. I wore them under all of my summer dresses and they immediately sucked in (and held in) all the extra gut, jiggle and wiggle and made me look extra slim and trim.

Over the years Spanx have expanded their offerings and you can now get all sorts of body shapers and undergarments. You know how you’ll be wearing an otherwise cute outfit and then you look in the mirror and see a bulge from the back, or some unsightly panty line? Well Spanx will help you with all of this. Spanx can even help you hide that extra bowl of ice cream you had the night before you have to slip into your cute jersey halter dress – I have tested this specific scenario many times. :-)

A couple of weeks ago I did a post about dressing for your body and this goes right along with that. The right undergarments are critical for putting together a pulled together and seamless look.

Here are some of my favorite offerings from Spanx – get some in your life! (PS – I personally love the Spanx brand for their durability. They last forever and do exactly what they say, but you can now find many brands that offer the same type of support. You don’t have to go with Spanx, but I would suggest that all women have some sort of body shaper in their wardrobe.)

Power Panties


Higher Power


Hide & Seek Strapless Slip


Hide & Seek Slip Suit

Product Junkie Diva

Nothing like celebrating your birthday by indulging just a bit at Sephora ;) The box arrived complete with my complimentary birthday gift. Y'all know I simply can't help myself.

Summer Lounging

I just bought this for myself for Mother's Day...wonderful addition to the backyard. Y'all know I will be lounging ;)

Feel free to bite my patio style and check out the Deluxe Orbit Lounger with Umbrella & Side Table

It's a Marathon...Run Dammit!!!

Finished up my first 1/2 Marathon this weekend, 13.1 miles...GO ME!! During the race I kept telling myself to listen to my body and NOT my brain. Your brain will have you punk out...telling you that you are tired and how this sucks and what the hell were you thinking running 13.1 miles any damn way, and how the chick in front of you is walking so you can walk for a few minutes too. This is why I DON'T listen to my brain, but instead listen to my body. I know I have trained, I know I am strong, so keep it moving sista. None of that walking crap...it's a marathon, your butt is supposed to run!! The Greeks were not walking! Don't get me wrong there are real reasons when a runner may have to slow her pace or walk, but I did not and have never experienced any of them so I had to keep it moving, and that's just what I did. Check out my "Runner's BLING"


Time: 2:26:59
Pace: 11:18
Number of songs played on the Ipod:39
Success: Priceless

Great Tool for Runners

I just wanted to share a quick little runner's tool that I found with my fellow runners out there. You simply plug in the weather conditions: the temperature, wind speed, conditions (sunny, rainy, overcast ect), and how you like to feel when you run (cool, warm, in-between) and this site will tell you what you should wear when you head out for your run. Check it out http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/whattowear/0,7152,s6-240-325-330-0,00.html

Race Stats

NIKKI MINNEAPOLIS MN
Race: Get in Gear 10K (6.2 miles)
Time: 1:04:59
Pace: 10:28

It rained like cats and dogs and can I say for the record that it SUCKED!!! New shoes soaked and muddy and I was chilled to the bone. Thank god my hair was in two-strand twist because if my Fro was out there would have been no way in hell I would have been able to fit that Nike hat on my head...LMAO That damn hat saved my life...it was soaked...water was dripping off the brim during the race. But victory is mine...I did it...1 race down! I stayed on my grind and got through it. The picture above was posted on the Get in Gear site and it does not begin to illustrate the misery that was race day...lol It must have been taken during one of the few moments when the RAIN was reduced to a light drizzle.

Here's a pic of me in the sanctuary of my bathroom as I prepare to head out the door at 7am, the rest of the house is still fast asleep.

GAME ON!

Tomorrow is race day...GAME ON!! I'll be running the Get In Get 10K, which is no big deal. 6.2 miles is a easy run considering I've been training for a 1/2 marathon, the first of which will take place next weekend. Running in a "real race" always make me a little nervous for some reason, so hopefully I will work out the jitters in this 10K before I set my sights on 13.1 miles next weekend.

Dig this...the weather has been lovely all week, but tonight it's supposed to start raining and carry right on through Saturday (race day). Y'all I do NOT run in the rain!! Now if I'm running and it starts to rain that's one thing but to lace-up and head out in the rain to run on purpose is NOT my idea of fun! Now I gonna run the race cuz I paid my money and I'm cheap like that, but dear baby Jesus could you please have a chit chat with mother nature and if y'all could work work a little something out between the hours of 9am and noon it would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I bougth new running shoes yesterday. I would never recommend running a race in brand new shoes, but my last couple of runs left my feet felling poorly. Generally after running 10 plus miles your feet may feel some kinda way, but after taking a look at the inside of my shoes I knew exactly why my dogs were barking. The arch of the shoes was breaking down, or should we say they were broken. There were holes in the inner lining of the shoe where the fabric had worn away, exposing the plastic frame work. Mind you, I only use my running shoes for running...I don't wear them at any other time, so I have been putting some serous miles on those bad boys lately. Anyway, the 10K tomorrow will give me a chance to break them in. This morning I walked 2 miles at a 6% incline at 3.5mph and they felt fine. The 10K will be a nice run for me and the new shoes to become acquainted.

Naughty Monkey Come To Mama

Yes, I am sick...but I love getting packages at work. Today office mail dropped off a tres chic pair of ballet flats. Let me start by saying that I am not a big fan of the ballet flat...though cute, they provide no support and I have always been partial to a bit of a heel on a shoe. But in my quest for the perfect ballet flat I stumbled across these pretties which I will sport in all their uniqueness in the upcoming months. If I was going to buy a pair of flats I wanted something with a big of umph, yet nothing over the top and I think I have achieved that with this shoe from Naughty Monkey...FOR CUTE!

If y'all want to bite my style check out endless.com for this shoe. It comes in a variety of colors and is a steal at only $45.95 including free two day shipping. By the way, they run true to size..happy shoe shopping.

Half Marathon Traning Update

I haven't forgotten that I am supposed to be keeping folks up to date on my 1/2 marathon training schedule. Don't fear I am still on schedule and doing my thing, and have not fallen off the bandwagon!! Here is my April training schedule.

A word to the wise...to get through a 10 mile run, good tunes is a MUST!! I have a new found appreciation for my iPod....a motivating/head banging song can make all the difference!!

Girl Don't Do It!!

To all spouses and significant others...if you feel your husband, wife, partner, soul mate, companion or whatever is up to no good, please have a sit down with that person. Don't go contacting the possible side piece or others miscellaneous folks...you just make yourself look foolish.


Peep this foolishness

Advice To a 20 year-old ME

I will be 40 years old in a few months, and it got me thinking...if I could meet my 20 year old self, what would I tell her...what have I found to be true?? So here it goes, advice to a 20 year-old me.

1. When people show you what kind of person they are the first time, BELIEVE them.
2. Teachers are noble.
3. Nothing better will come along.
4. Stop fighting yourself.
5. Be more vain.
6. You are good enough.
7. Use what you got to get what you want.
8. Know your enemy's from your friends.
9. Keep your good friends close.
10. You are so DAMN SMART.
11. Nothing is better than chocolate.
12. Read read read.
13. Sometimes you gotta fake swagga.
14. Remember, you have already been paid for.
15. Sometimes mama knows best.
16. Credit cards are the work of the devil.
17. Always have your own.
18. Never say what another person will or will not do.
19. No one needs to know EVERYTHING about you.
20. If you are going to be a hoe, please be discreet.
21. When you need to cut folks off, it is better to cut them off at the head.
22. Travel.
23. Don't be afraid to venture out alone.
24. Live in a city with a beautiful skyline.
25. Go with your GUT!
26. Nothing beats a good cocktail.
27. I hope you experience "crown royal on ice."
28. Hold on to yourself (hold-on tight) cuz this is going to hurt like HELL.
29. Always go "home", at least for a visit.
30. Your mama will never tell you wrong.
31. I got big brown eyes and I can see and my eyes don't play tricks on me.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Summer Sun Kissed Skin....It's Just Around the Corner

Summer is just around the corner ladies and gents and it's time to get your skin ready for full exposure! I picked up a few items from Farm House Fresh Goods. Farm House Fresh is known for its Fine Body Scrub after making Oprah's Favorite Things list a few years ago. But I need another body scrub like I need a hole in my head so I passed on the scrub and opted to buy a few other treats I am hoping my skin will love.



First up I go the Whoopie! White Velvet Shea Butter Cream. Here is a description of the product: This brand new Shea Butter whip is a jarful of joy! Lightly scented with fond memories of white velvet cream and moist layer cake, it is hard to resist as a start to each morning... or a sweet farewell to each day. Inspired by the famous comfort treats -Whoopie Pies. Farmers would find these handmade creamy cake-like delights in their lunchbox and shout "Whoopie!" We hope this every day cream becomes your every day delight, too... The supple butters and Vitamin E packed Jojoba and Soybean oils calm even the severest of dry skin.

Next on the list is Strawberry Smash - Double Moisturizer. This is what they have to say about the product:This jar of double moisturizer is pure decadent fun! The vintage jelly jar with galvantized lid unlocks playful memories and yummy moisturizer you'll love mushing-up. Live Strawberry Cells have been suspended in a nourishing body gel to bring vitamin-packed softness to skin. Be carefree when scooping - the rich sweet cream fragranced body whip blends with the fruit extracts leaving skin soft, dewy and richly fragrant. Includes aloe leaf juice, strawberry fruit extract, shea butter and all the just-picked fun you can muster-up. Includes printed jute tote for gift-giving delight, declaring "Mushed-up stuff is better for you."

OMG...I lied... I did get the Fine Body Scrub. I need to dial back my ordering if I can't keep my products straight...LMAO

Full reviews will follow as soon as I get a chance to use the products. This stuff smells yummy by the way.

NARS Cosmetics at TJ Maxx

I found NARS Cosmetics at TJ Maxx today...GO ME!! They had any eyeshadow palette, a set of 5 lip glosses and a lip gloss duo consisting of Giza and Boogie Nights. I passed on the Giza/Boogie Nights combo because I have it already, but you know I grabbed the eyeshadow palette and the glosses. The palette usually cost 50 bucks and I got it for $30, as for the 5glosses, they run 45 bucks, I got them for $25.



You can also find NARS Cosmetics at Sehpora

And who can leave TJ Maxx without picking up at least one item of clothing. I grabbed this Pucciesque dress. I think it would look great with leggings too. I have to admit there is something jester like about this design...lol but i like the colors. Oh yeah....excuse the mess that is my closet.

The Perfect Foundation

I'm in love with Make Up Forevers Face and Body foundation. For folks looking for a natural looking foundation...this is a winner!! It provides light to medium coverage and is easily buildable. I would say that if you need more than medium coverage this may not be the foundation for you...lets face it, you can only build a foundation to a certain point regardless of how great it is...it will end up looking cakey and funky. Oh yeah...this stuff is water proof...I'm talking going snorkeling water proof...perfect for those warm summer days and nights when you want a light foundation that wont sweat off.

Here is the description of the foundation provided by Sephora:
Face & Body Liquid Makeup
The secret is all in this top-selling formula. This waterproof, ultra-light, water-based gel contains no emulsifiers and provides a totally natural, satin finish. Ideal for normal skin-types as well as for fine lines and large pores. Gives skin a uniform tone without accentuating imperfections. A makeup artist's favorite.

Head to Sephora, pick your color match and have them give you a free sample (usually enough for 1 to 2 applications), or just buy it out right....if you don't like it you can always return it, but I know you will LOVE it! It will set you back $38 bucks, but the perfect foundation and beautiful skin is PRICELESS!!

Half Marathon March Training Schedule

I'm still on track with my 1/2 marathon training. Here is my March training schedule for those of you who give a fuck...LMAO

Happy Birthday Betsy!!!

Another Flirty 40s blog contributor turns 40!!!! Here are a few pics of Betsy's
40th birthday celebration at Honey. It was such a great time and so wonderful to have her back in the Twin Cities to celebrate. Betsy use to be my partner in crime back in the day...LMAO I miss you and 40 never looked so good!!!

Happy Birthday Donna

Today is a fellow Flirty 40's contributors 40th Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Donna. Here are a few pictures from her surprise party on Friday, and a few throwback pictures for 1988/89 taken in good old Comstock Hall at the University of Minnesota. That's right, I have known this woman for more than 1/2 my life...22 years. You are FABULOUS and 40!! Oh Yeah...and she is tan 365 day a year...hee hee