Reflection: Bye Bye 2010 Hello 2011

(picture from yahoo)

 Tomorrow's New Year's Eve! I never thought 2010 would be so memorable. I started my blog, almost partnered with a clothing boutique, traveled outside of the country for the first time, got engaged, got a position working for a GREAT fashion marketing company, connected with people in my past life and met and worked with many new people along the way. 


2010 was a year for rebirth. I symbolized that with my kickin' phoenix tattoo I got in January. I still have formula behind my ears, but I'm ready to grow and flourish into the woman and brand I want to become. 


I don't want to make resolutions; most people that do don't keep them. I want to proclaim this is a new year...heck it's a new decade...so I have new goals. Goal #1: Healthy is wealthy. You only have one body and one mind. You can add or subtract to it, but in the end it's all you got. Take care of yourself. Goal #2: Get Yo Business Right! I love blogging, but I get so caught up with "how everyone else is doing it". I need to do concentrate on me, Ruby, our needs and wants. Goal #3: Time management is key. I heard something last night on the show My Strange Addiction (my new guilty pleasure show), you need to have eight hours for sleep, eight hours for work and eight hours for you. GREAT advice. I need to manage work (both jobs), school, blogging and personal time. 

Here are a few my 2010 highs...

(my phoenix tat, January 2010)

(SOME of my girls and me December 2010)

("I'm on a Boat!"Cabo San Lucas, Mexico May 2010)

(blog post 2010)

 We're just getting started here at the Ruby Leonne camp...so we will see you next year! Be safe and have a great holiday!!

~Janelle

Reflection: Ruby's Family Reunion

Last week was a very weird week, but it wrapped up with an even over the top weekend.

 

I saw my father this weekend; a man I haven't seen in over 16 years. This past April, I found a step sibling on Facebook (gotta love Facebook). Since then I've been on this journey to find a part of myself I've never known before. I've known where to find my father for a while now, I just didn't know if I wanted to open up that can of worms. 

 

A little backstory, when my mother was preggers with me her senior year of high school, she found out there were at least two other woman in her class impregnated by the same man. Yep... my father is the ultimate rolling stone. When I asked him this weekend a count of his biological children, he couldn't give a specific answer. My father was never around when I was a child and I thank him for that. I see other people whose father toyed with their emotions; making promises they never kept. I felt sorry for those people. I rather have nothing to look forward to than to be let down all the time. 

 

When I was 16, one of my father's baby's mama (get that) urged that I reach out to him. I did just for curiosity...I'd never seen him before. I just wanted to know what he was like. I talked to him for 15 minutes on my break at the fast food restaurant I worked at. He said he would call. I never looked for the call, I knew better. He never did.

In April, I stumbled upon a guy who was a friend of someone I had FaceBook friended from high school. The guy looked very familiar; almost like looking into the mirror. He also shared my father's name. My half brother and I are trying to establish a relationship and make sure we keep in touch. (He doesn't live in Indy anymore.) After getting to know him, we found out there are possibly 30 children that share our DNA. 

So back to this weekend...I looked at my father as he stood before me. Just a poor, unhappy and lonely man, still searching from something he never found from all those women or all his kids. That thing he's still searching for is love. I don't excuse him or forgive him...I never felt he owed me an apology. I don't want anything from him. He doesn't have anything I want. He did apologize to me, an apology he still hasn't shared with any of his other children. I pity him. We exchanged numbers. I don't know what I will do with it. We will see what the future holds.

On a lighter note, I did spend the rest of the weekend with my Kir Bear. I love my niece but she's perfect birth control and reminds me why I don't have any kids!

Yeah I overcooked the cookies...

Jay trying to get in on the fun time.

Kay's favorite game right now, Don't Break the Ice. I can't tell you how many times I played it this weekend.

Janelle

LOTD: ASOS Curve Dress

 

One of these days I will stop forgetting my camera at home and stop taking pictures in the office. Today is not that day. I got my ASOS Curve dress a few days ago. I thought I got a camel color, but it wasn't. I'm still in LOVE with this dress. 

Dress: ASOS Curve

Jeggings: Torrid

Boots: Old Navy

~Janelle

...and the WINNER is....

Today is the day to find out who won the Holiday Hands gift basket.

And the winner is....{drumroll please}... LYN!!!

 Lyn email me with your contact information so I can send you the gift basket!

Thanks to everyone that participated. 2011 will be a new year with new giveaways.

~Janelle

LOTD: Old Navy Faux Fur Vest

It is dank and snowy today. Indiana is under a winter storm warning until 1 p.m.. We've already gotten around three inches. We should be getting close to five maybe six inches in some areas. It's cold and nasty...UGH I hate winter. So today I decided to wear something comfortable but fun. I'm trying out my Old Navy faux fur vest I bought a few months ago. I wore it on Halloween, but haven't worn it out yet. I like it!

(Me at the office today)

Vest: Old Navy

Shirt: Old Navy Waffle Shirt

Jeans: Torrid (Source of Wisdom)

Don't forget, tomorrow we pick our winner for the Holiday Hands Christmas Wish List giveaway! Thanks for the entries!

~Janelle

LOTD: Lane Bryant Sweater Dress

Last Thursday, I had a research proposal to present to one of the executive directors of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick for advertising class. We were told to dress up. I figured I would wear something demure but packed a statement.

I bought this sweater dress from Lane Bryant about a month or so ago. I hadn't got to wear it yet. I love it because it's the only sweater dress I've seen that has a little babydoll swing to it. I figured I would just go with some black tights and a statement necklace I got from JCPenney a while back. Not too shabby.

(My fiance' is not a photographer. I pulled him out of bed to take my picture. He was not very happy! LOL)



Dress: Lane Bryant

Tights: Lane Bryant

Shoes: DSW

~Janelle



Holiday Hands Contest: Angie's Christmas Wish List

 We have another wish list to feature today. This list was sent to us from Angie. She is a student from Indiana who considers herself single, sexy and free. Thanks Angie for sending us your list. Here is Angie's Christmas Wish List.

(What Angie sees looking into a mirror. LOL!!)

(What Angie looks like...for real! Ego girl! LOL)

Money
New Coach Bag
New Bedroom Suite
A boyfriend (lol)
A new gym membership w/ clothes
Shoes!!!!
Money

Thanks again Angie! You are in the running to receive our "Holiday Hands" prize pack worth $40. Remember guys, get your wish list emailed to us by December 15th at rubyleonne@gmail.com for your chance to win. Winner will be announced December 17th.

~Janelle

My 2010 Top Song List: Response to MTV's Top 25

MTV is doing a countdown of the top 25 songs from this year, 2010. I wanted to get in on it, so I've tried to tally the hits that made me jam in 2010. I go through phases. Sometimes I listen to retro Steely Dan or vintage Billie Holiday or alternative...really I like a plethora of music. Well, country is a different story. I will listen to country, as long as it's not twangy. This year I was really into Hip Hop and R&B. Here are some of my favorite songs for 2010.

Jay Z's "On to the Next One

MTV ranked this song number eight. It has to be near my number one. This whole CD got me through traffic and random stuff many of times. 

Sade's "Soldier of Love"

When Sade said she was coming out with a new album, BABY I was on it! She still looks gorgeous.

Rihanna's "Rude Boy"

After being in the press for her altercation with ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, Rihanna came out with that break up song...that sucked. But she followed it up with "Rude Boy". Never been a fan...but this is my jam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc

 Janelle Monae's "Tightrope" (video disabled by request)

One of the most underrated artist out here. Love Janelle, not only because she shares my name, but she has broken the boundaries of music today. She's managed by Diddy. Hopefully she doesn't fall in the cracks.

Trey Songz feat. Nikki Minaj "Bottoms Up"

Ultimate club banger! A song about partying and drinking...need I say more.

Diddy & Dirty Money "Hello Good Morning"

Diddy's been putting off the release of this album for sometime. From what I've heard so far, it will be in my rotation in 2011. 

Ceelo's "Fuck You" (Come on we're all adults here!)

Ceelo always has gems. This retro based song crossed over to all audiences this year. G-money Paltrow (hee hee) even covered it on "Glee". Plus everyone has been in this situation...universal. I loved you...you dissed me then...now look what you missed. Typical Maury!

Far East Movement "Like a G6"

It took me a while to like this song, but it grew on me. (Almost like that darn Nikki Minaj song, "Your Love".) It's one of those songs that get stuck in your head once you listen to it.

The song of the YEAR! (I don't care what anyone says!)

Antoine Dodson & theguysIhavenoideawhotheyare "Bed Intruder"

How does a news story become a hit song on iTunes? Have a couple of guys put a melody to it and remix it. This song took the world by storm. I sang it non stop for WEEKS. My mother even found herself humming it after I showed her the video. It was infectious like a bad disease, but we loved it.

What was your soundtrack of the year?

~Janelle

Holiday Hands Contest: Julia's Christmas Wish List

  Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

We have another entry to our "Holiday Hands" contest. Julia is from Indiana and a Jane of many trades. Julia is at the helms of Aesthetic Design Style, a company that acts as a liaison between independent fashion designers and retailers. Julia has her own jewelry line called ShaSAM3 and top that off with being an excellent mommy and wife. Julia shares her Christmas wish list with us.

My family's happiness
An angel investor to believe in my business as much as I believe in it and myself (and more :)
Peace on earth - FOR REAL!
And for the fashion mogul I want to become, I would like more Jeffery Campbell in my life - but don't worry my husband won't be upset until he finds all the shoes I hide in the trunk of my car :)

  (Jeffery Campbell's Lita Boot $178 at Urban Outfiters.)

Wishing everyone the best holiday season of all!

Thanks Julia! Remember to email your wish list to rubyleonne@gmail.com by December 15th for a chance to win our "Holiday Hands" gift basket worth $40. The winner will be announced December 17th.

~Janelle

Holiday Hands Contest: Angiee's Christmas List

Season's Greetings everyone! We have another reader to feature in our "Holiday Hands" contest. Angiee is a mommy and a gourmet extraordinaire from Indiana. Angiee is now entered to win our contest worth $40! Here is Angiee's list.

 

What I want for Christmas is:

for things to work out with my new dude (we will cross our fingers for you...wink wink!)

a gift card to Michaels , 

a new otter box cell phone case,

and for my boss (to stop being a royal asshole) to let me work at home soon and to give me my overtime back.

Remember, you have until December 15th email us your Christmas Wish List. Winner will be announced December 17th! Good Luck!

~Janelle 

Holiday Hands Contest: Lyn's Christmas List

Good Merwting to you! Remember that little contest that Ruby is doing? Well, we have our first Christmas Wish List from Lyn. Lyn is a fashion student loving life down in Florida. Thanks Lyn for sending us your list. She is now entered to win our "Holiday Hands" contest; a gift worth $40.

Here's Lyn's Christmas Wish List:

 

I would like a spin around Sephora!

Pink Sugar perfume and hair perfume

Pina Colada body powder

Demeter spray

Mac gloss

Mac loose eye powder

Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf

Clinque Happy

oh yeah...peace on earth.

 

Remember, get your Christmas Wish List emailed to us no later than December 15th to be entered in the drawing.  Drawing will be held on December 17th. Good Luck!

~Janelle

 

 

All I Want For Christmas

Good morning everyone and happy holidays! We have a little contest going on here at the RL camp. We want to know what you want for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just because. Send us your Christmas list (with an optional picture of yourself) and you will be in our drawing to win a holiday hands gift set worth $40. We will feature your Christmas list and picture on our blog. Entries are due by December 15th and the winner will be drawn on December 17th. 

Email us your list at rubyleonne@gmail.com. It's just that simple. Spreading a little holiday cheer.

~Janelle