Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Phew…today has been quite work-filled. After my morning bike ride around downtown, I jumped head-first into my apartment patio project–leveling ground, adding sand, laying concrete stepping stones, adding marble rock, and ruining a perfectly good manicure–all while Ziva played with the leftover sand and my photographer snapped a few candid shots. Stay tuned to VIP home in July to see photos from the process + the final product.

Now, back to today’s blog topic–Throwback Thursday. In celebration of June coming to an end, let’s take a look back at what the VIP was doing this time last year…Oh, it’s hard to believe how much has changed in just a year! Time really does fly when your having fun, enjoying life, and following dreams *wink*

This time last year, the VIP was getting dolled up by the fabulous makeup artist Daphne Rush for the "VIP Signature Curls" photo shoot with Hot Tools and Matrix products.

This time last year, the VIP was getting dolled up by the fabulous makeup artist Daphne Rush for the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot featuring Hot Tools and Matrix products.

(from left to right)
Detra Smith, the VIP, and Daphne Rush before the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot. Oh, Detra did such a fabulous job styling the VIP’s hair–check out the photo below!

To see more photos from the “VIP Signature Curls” photo shoot and learn more about Detra and Daphne, click here.

Also this time last year, the VIP was interviewing R&B singer Gabriel Tajeu. In this photo, the VIP is holding an autographed copy of Gabriel's first album "Finding My Way". Pst....special secret...Gabriel Tajeu is currently recording his next album that will feature the VIP's favorite Gabriel Tajeu song "Southern Skies".

Also this time last year, the VIP was interviewing R&B singer Gabriel Tajeu. In this photo, I am holding my autographed copy of Gabriel’s first album “Finding My Way”. Pst….special secret! Gabriel Tajeu is currently recording his next album that will feature the VIP’s favorite Gabriel Tajeu song, “Southern Skies”. AH! I am so very excited–I cannot wait!

Do y’all remember when Gabriel gave the VIP and VIP viewers a sneak preview of “Southern Skies” during his first VIP interview? Refresh your memory with the video below:

This time last year, the VIP was also interviewing Mississippi-based band The Bonfire Orchestra. Do you remember this fun bunch? Refresh your memory with the interview here and video below:

This time last year, the VIP was also interviewing Mississippi-based band The Bonfire Orchestra. Do y’all remember this fun bunch? Refresh your memory with the interview here and “Meet the Band” in the video below:

Another cool VIP photo shoot from this time last year was the "Concert Wear" series featured on Real Media. Check it out here.

Another cool VIP photo shoot from this time last year was the “Concert Wear” series featured in my Real Media column “The Adventures of the VIP”. Check it out here.

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Over the weekend, I completed my major paint projects–my kitchen and bathroom…Ah, It feels good to see the rooms coated with bright and happy colors rather than dark and gloomy ones. Oh, wait! I still have to paint my front porch floor. *NOTE TO SELF* Paint porch floor.

Tah dah! I lovely yellow kitchen! — Tah dah! A lovely yellow kitchen! Stay tuned for the kitchen reveal for the name of this sunny yellow paint.

A sassy green bathroom with a funky and colorful shower curtain from Target. Love. Love. Love.

I am a messy painter. I am not going to deny it. During the kitchen painting process, I ended up with paint in my hair, all over my hands and legs, and even ruined a perfectly white t-shirt…to be honest, I am not quite sure how it all happened…one moment, I am clean–and the next…I am covered in paint like a five year old. Perhaps, I should not paint anymore…Nope, that would not be a good idea or fun because I still have paint projects left to do. Hmmmm…I know–I will invest in a cute artist smock! Besides, my mom always says it is good to get a little dirty–in a good way, of course*wink*

Now that both the kitchen and bathroom are painted, it is time to start organizing the small spaces–but the problem is I am also a messy organizer. Wait…is it even possible to be messy and organized at the same time? Oh, goodness…I don’t know! That’s why I called in the professional–my mom. She is excellent at cleaning, organizing, and designing spaces to be cute and fun, yet functional and organized. So, today, Mom and I took a little trip to TJMaxx and Target where we spent several hours debating about my specific organizational needs, how to make the spaces functional while sticking to a budget, and…we shopped for a few other random things *wink*

Hm....I wonder what's in the bags? Stay tuned to the blog to find out *wink* P.S. What do y'all think of my precious floor rug for outside? I think it is too precious! — Hm….I wonder what fabulous things are in the bags? Stay tuned to the blog to find out *wink*
P.S. What do y’all think of my darling outdoor rug?

On our shopping trip, we found some spectacular things that are sure to brighten up the space and brighten up my sleepy self as I get dressed in the mornings–I will spare you the horror story of when I accidentally dropped my mascara in the toilet due to my lack of organization in the apartment bathroom. Long story short, mom came to the rescue…and the spaces will begin to look even more functionally fabulous! Thanks, mom, for putting up with my nonsense and helping me out today! I truly appreciate it:)