Birthday Dinner 2019

Today before work, I decided to go with my mom and stepdad for my birthday dinner. They took me out for Chinese food. As it has been a while since I devoured anything Chinese cuisine, I had a blast at the buffet restaurant which is several miles away from my house. 

The buffet is good, but not great nor amazing. Satisfying is probably the best way to describe it. Perhaps I appreciate Chinese food when I don't eat it so much. Tonight, I felt like the food tasted amazing even though it was mediocre. 

With that said, I enjoyed pre-made sushi with cream cheese, cucumber, and avocado garnished with gari ginger and sriracha. Followed by a plate of various fried food favorites including cream cheese wontons, sesame balls, onion rings, fried zucchini, custard, a fried banana, and a Chinese donut. 

Additionally, I enjoyed vegetable lo-mein followed by mochi, green beans, and mushrooms. I am almost certain I ate about three plates of food. And the best part is, I wasn't overly stuffed after leaving the place. 

Afterwards, I decided to go to Burger King and enjoy some ice cream. I recently bought the Impossible Whopper from there and they offered me a book for $1 which offers like 6 items in it for free. I decided to take advantage of the free coupon and get some ice cream. 

Now it is time to go to work. Have a wonderful day! 

Birthday 2019: My boyfriend is amazing

Today is officially my birthday. And what better way to celebrate my birthday than with my incredible boyfriend Sumit. He surprised me today with this cake and rose, dedicating his love for me. 

He pre-ordered this cake for me several days ago which consists of chocolate frosting garnished with gold and topped with a recent photo of me. As an eggless, double-layer cake, the flavor is vanilla and filled with an assortment of fruit and homemade cream. 

It was only one year ago today Sumit surprised me with a similar cake. You can see that cake and read about that here. This year, he decided to do it again. 

Amazing right?

As many of you are already aware, I have been dating Sumit for almost two years now. What attracts me to Sumit is the fact he is intellectually endowed, strikingly handsome, has more drive than NASCAR, and has direction towards life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness rather than the local dive bar and melodrama.

Sumit is a polymath with a real, tried and true niche for success. He is quite possibly the smartest person I have ever met in my life, as he is a realist and visionary. Every time I talk to him, I feel like I am speaking with someone who has lived many centuries. 

When I have a conversation with Sumit, I learn something new. Whether it is about Hinduism, the stock market, the Indian culture, and even life in general - he has taught me so much. In fact, I feel like I can utilize the knowledge he has shared to and for a higher purpose. 

Although he is academically endowed, what I love most about Sumit is the fact that he has such a strong and independent mind and he doesn't care what others think. And in spite of what others say about him, he makes himself a better person and always respects everyone. He doesn't have a hateful bone in his entire body. 

Sumit has taught me many vital lessons about life and has made me really love and appreciate life much more so. And it is this fact alone, that has made me truly grateful to have found him and thankful to have him. 

Thank you Sumit for making my birthday amazing. I love you. I am very happy in my life and I owe it all to you. 

Fenty Beauty introduces Holiday 2019 The Tinsel $how Collection

I have always been a fan of Rihanna's music. She's one of those artists who is very unique. When you hear her music, you know it is her and not another artist. And as much as I love Please Don't Stop The Music, the song Love On The Brain is truly one of my favorite tunes by her. With that being said, I am extremely proud of what she is doing in the beauty industry. What started as an idea became a reality for the world-class superstar when she started Fenty Beauty. 

As a world-renowned beauty brand, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna has officially came out with their newest, latest and greatest holiday collection The Tinsel $how Collection, which features an array of covetable new shades that are destined to bring more love this holiday season. 

For this particular collection, Fenty Beauty will offer the Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Collection which consists of five unique Gloss Bomb shades. These shades include: Fu$$y (a stunning dusty pink shimmer), Pretty Please (a fabulous fuchsia shimmer), Hot Chocolit (a beautiful brown shimmer), Confetti (an outstanding iridescent opal shimmer), and Cheeki (a ravishing red/orange shimmer) which make the perfect gift for virtually every lip gloss lover in your life. And for $42, this is a real steal this holiday season. 

And if the holidays couldn't get any better, they are about to with the new Fenty Beauty Mini Body Lava Body Luminizer in the shade Who Needs Clothes?! which is a gorgeous rose gold shimmer in Travel Size. Not only will this make the best stocking stuffer for every beauty enthusiast on earth, but it is the perfect pick-me-up when traveling this holiday season. And for $25, this looks amazing on every skin tone it touches. 

Additionally as part of The Tinsel $how Collection this holiday season, Fenty Beauty is also offering the Lil Stunna Mini Longwear Fluid Lip Color in the shade Underdawg. As a beautiful burgundy (which is perfect for both Fall and Winter) this little side gift is just $15. The collection also features the Bomb Baby 2 Mini Lip and Face Set for $24 which includes a limited-edition Travel Size version of your favorite highlighter, the Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter in the shade Sandcastle and a new shade of the famous lip gloss, the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer. 

As you may or may know, Fenty Beauty is 100% Cruelty-Free and does not test on animals. 

The Tinsel $how Collection will be available Friday, October 11 at your nearest Sephora, including Sephora in JCPenney. And will be available on the official website FentyBeauty.com also. 

Spinach Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Some of the greatest pasta dishes I have ever enjoyed are those that I make myself. Lately, I have been relatively unimpressed by restaurants and am left either dissatisfied or disappointed when leaving them. I think it is because I love to cook and find that my food gives them a real run for their money. 

One of my favorite dishes to make is pasta. It's quick, it is easy, and when prepared correctly--tastes incredible. Homemade pasta is the best, as it simply doesn't compare to the pasta you find in the box or bag at your local grocery store. 

Sure, that is convenient and efficient, but it doesn't satisfy a pasta polymath's taste buds by any means at all. And most of what you enjoy is nothing more than just flavor. 

Texture is everything when cooking any kind of pasta and flavor is what brings virtually every dish together. This pasta only incorporates a few ingredients. 

These ingredients are: spinach tagliatelle, spinach, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, cipollini onion, Himalayan salt, black pepper, and fresh water. For good measure, I garnished this dish with a little bit of extra extra extra virgin olive oil. 

And guess what? This pasta is amazing. 

The best part is, this dish is vegan, so it is perfect for those of you that do not consume dairy, eggs, or honey, as it is great for those of you who are plant-based and want to enjoy a wonderful plate of pasta dish right in the comfort of your own home.  

The tragic death of Jyoti Singh Pandey

Jyoti Singh Pandey

Jyoti Singh Pandey was a 23 old woman from New Delhi, India with a big heart and even bigger dreams. However, on a cold December night in 2012 that all came to an end, as Pandey became a victim of one of the most gruesome crimes the country of India has ever seen--gang rape. 

Around 9:30 pm on December 16, 2012 Jyoti Singh Pandey and her friend Awindra Pratap Pandey were walking home after watching the movie Life of Pi in the Saket area of New Delhi, India. Without hesitation, they decided to board a bus. There were a total of 5 men on the bus, with 6 men including the driver and now 7, including Awindra Pandey. 

Shortly after they boarded the bus, Awindra grew incredibly suspicious because the bus started going into an opposite direction and the doors closed immediately after. When Awindra confronted the men with his suspicions they began to taunt him and Jyoti. As the banter continued, the men began to beat Awindra with a rusty iron rod. He was beaten so badly he was knocked completely unconscious. 

In efforts to escape, Jyoti was dragged against her will to the rear end area of the bus. They proceeded to beat her with that same iron rod (which was a rusted wheel jack handle) shortly before raping her. As the bus driver continued to drive, they began to take their perversion to the next level by inserting that same rod into vagina. During this time Awindra tried to fight them after he gained consciousness and they started to beat him until he was knocked out again.

Jyoti Pandey was beaten so badly she was unrecognizable, she was raped to the level that her intestines were hanging out of her body, and tortured so horribly she was put into a coma days after the crime. As she continued to bleed, these savages continued to brag about what they have done before throwing her and her friend Awindra off the bus as it was moving. As both continued to fight for their lives, Jyoti was able to tell the cops some of things that happened to her. 

However, after days of fighting, she underwent a series of surgeries to correct her injuries including removal of her remaining intestine. She suffered a series of complications including pneumonia and stomach infections shortly before she was declared brain dead. And due to her injuries, Jyoti Singh Pandey tragically lost her life on December 29, 2012. 

And 24 hours after the crime was reported, the police were actually able to trace the suspects. They included Ram Singh and his brother Mukesh Singh (the bus driver) from South Delhi, Vinay Sharma and Pawan Gupta from Uttar Pradesh, Ashkay Thakur of New Delhi. Raju Singh, who was a minor at the time of the crime was never fully charged for his part, as he was only 17 when the 2012 Delhi Rape occurred. 

In March of 2014, almost two years since the death of Jyoti Pandey, Ram Singh, Ashkay Thakur, and Vinay Sharma were charged and sentenced to death. Mukesh Singh and Pawan Gupta decided to appeal the decision. Ram Singh, who was described as the worst of the group was found dead of an apparent suicide by hanging; however, theorists believe he was murdered. Both Singh and Gupta lost their appeals.

Raj, the youngest of the perpetrators, who was just 17 years old at the time is now a free man according to sources. He did little to no time at all yet was part of the crime with five other men. There is also speculation that he has changed his name and will be completely free of the crime. 

The question remains: has justice been rightfully served here? And if so, how is this justifed? According to Jyoti Singh Pandey's parents Asha Devi and Badrinath Singh, it has not. "We are still waiting for justice to be served," the couple shared in regards to their daughter's rape and murder. Jyoti's Singh's last words were her pleading and begging her parents to get justice for what happened which is exactly what they will continue to do for the rest of their lives. 

The Best Foundations for Oily Skin

When the sebaceous gland produces more sebum (or natural oil we naturally produce) than usual, it creates an oily finish to your skin. Granted the production of the sebaceous gland will make your skin hydrated and healthy, too much will make your skin oily. Oily skin can be caused by an array of things that range from the environment in which you live to the food that you ingest to even your individual anatomy to your DNA background. 

As a woman who deals with oily skin in the Spring and Summer months, I have figured out ways of dealing with this issue. Although a good skincare regimen is vital, what I have discovered are some great foundations that help eliminate and deal with extra oil on the skin. My skin. I have tried quite a few foundations for oily skin. So what are the best?

1. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation I like the texture of this foundation and how it lasts throughout the day. I have personally put this one to the test three times--one while working out, two while visiting Yellowstone National Park, and three one while laying in the sun. This foundation lasts and it doesn't feel dry nor creates any sort of weird oxidizing on your skin.

2. Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Foundation Balm Hydration is extremely vital and important, especially when you have oily skin simply because you don't want to use products that could potential weaken or damage your skin's natural acid mantle. This foundation is not only long-lasting, but provides your skin with moisture and is good for those of you who are looking for something anti-aging too.

3. Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation This virtually lasts through almost everything. I have went swimming while wearing this foundation and it didn't come off. The only thing that took this foundation off was makeup remover followed by my normal, routine skincare regimen. 

4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation When it comes to oily skin, I like this foundation because it's very lightweight and sinks into your skin like a second skin. I have used this foundation for years and still pick it up no matter what season it is. I have combination skin which leans towards the oily side during Spring and Summer. This foundation is fantastic.

5. Ellis Faas Foundation Working a regular 9-to-5 shift can be tiresome. And when you have oily skin, you just want the day to be over. Yet the day seems to be slower. Luckily this foundation exists, as it is clearly one of the best I have worn to the office. Whether dry or oily, this foundation will last through it all. 

6. Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation I used this by accident before going outside and lets just say, it lasted the entire time. It didn't fade nor flake. Although this foundation is anything, but luxury, it is quality and truly proves that some of the greatest foundations can be found at your local drugstore. Nothing is better than an affordable foundation that performs so effortlessly. 

7. Cover FX Power Play Foundation Recently, I discovered my real love for this foundation as I wore this to the gym recently. It is Summer, so my skin is on the oily side of course. After working out for almost two hours I looked in the mirror and realized my foundation was still on my face as if I just applied it. This was the foundation I used. 

8. Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation As one of the world's best makeup artists, Pat McGrath delivers some of the greatest makeup products, with this foundation being one of them. I put this to the test while doing yoga and lets just say, this foundation lasted the entire time. 

9. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful Look 24-Hour Foundation I have tried so many foundations this year, as my skin is combination and leans towards the oily side in the hotter climates. This foundation my friends has lasted through some of my toughest days this year. I have cried in this foundation and it didn't fade. What more can I say? For oily skin this is truly a winner.

10. LORAC POREfection Foundation What I love most about this foundation is the fact that you don't really need a primer and it still works incredibly. And as this is phenomenal for large pores, it is fantastic for those of you with oily skin. I put this to the test when I went to the recent Farmer's Market in 110 degree weather. I was quite stunned and a little shocked to see my foundation still on my face hours after I originally applied it. 


Honorable mentions include: Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation, DermaBlend Professional Cover Creme, Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Lasting Foundation, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Graftobian HD Ultra Glamour Creme Foundation, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

In conclusion, I would just like to say that these are the best foundations I have tried for oily skin. 

Now Playing: Higher Love by Kygo & Whitney Houston 



FTC: All opinions are my own. Not sponsored. Some affiliate links used.

This Labor Day, post a job and search resumes

Monster is one of the best places to post a job online. In fact, this world-renowned job site roams the world wide web to find you only the best potential employees for your open positions.

Because it is one of the best employer-meets-employee websites online, Monster delivers only the most efficient and most effective results by finding you only the most chartered candidates.

Monster gives you the best exposure money can buy by connecting you with successful results. And if time management seems to be an issue, Monster provides you with a systematized solution which is ethical and productive. It is 2019, this internationally known site designed a very unique integrated approach utilizing technology to create instantaneous results.

Packages start at just $249 per month and go up to $1,000. You are billed on a monthly basis in which you can cancel anytime. Offering a powerful email distribution, Monster reaches across an entire network of millions of users and offers a platform that is built for mobile.

Additionally Monster engages with candidates using specific tools implemented into the platform. You can messages candidates directly without any pressure and hassle. Some of the products Monster offers include: job advertising, resume search, employer branding, full service sourcing, HR software and services, and Monster exclusives.

For Labor Day this year, Monster is offering a great special. Only $199 for a 14-day (two weeks) job ad. Amazing right? And if you are a new customer, you can save an additional 25%. Just use code: mktal_15801US_Save25. Plus, if you intend to post a 60+ day monster job ad, you will get $126 off instantly. One job slot, multiple postings and great candidates. What is better? 

Are you an employer looking to hire someone? What are you waiting for? Just click here to get started today.

FTC: Not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some affiliate links used.