The highlights of this event was Martha Munuzzi, James Fortune, and Donnie McClurklin. The other things at this event that happen, but I didn’t see was Shirley Murdock Luncheon, two workshops,  and Chior Contest.

Tickets ranged from $25 – $55 depending on seating. I got the middle seats at $35, and could see everything just fine.

Video Link (LQ):
http://www.zshare.net/videoplayer/player.php?SID=dl028&FID=92732736&FN=TheAtlantaGospelFest2011.wmv.flv&iframewidth=648&iframeheight=415&width=640&height=370&H=92732736f315ef6b
The Good, (The Okay), and The Ugly.

The Good : James was awesome on Friday! Truly awesome stage presence, and singing was on point. Martha livened up the stage, and the audience had a great time with her. The unsigned artist stages (free) were great as well! Some true future stars, great music! Donnie. Was. The. Man! It was funny seeing all these grown women run to the stage to touch his hand. But, he is not famous for nothing. His voice was excellent. He was funny, and engaged the crowd. He invited people from the audience to sing with him, and made them turn up the lights so he could see all of us.

I’d also like to talk about the preacher who was the “host” on saturday. He was very awesome, and did mini-sermons through out that were excellent. He really brought the energy up.  Another favorite of mine was the Mime. He was really exciting to watch, and had a different way of conveying the song that was really entertaining.

The Okay: Tye Tribbet didn’t sing. sighhh But, he did have an awesome, but very short sermon. The talent Friday had its ups and down, and there was alot of cringe-worthy stalling going on. James made up for it, but I felt bad for the people who paid $55, because NO ONE WAS THERE FRIDAY. We all got to move up to fill up the front seats, because it looked like only 150 people were there in what looked like it seated 1,000.

The Ugly:  Completely unorganized. Most scheduled events were late by hours. Mis-communication on what tickets covered. Cash only. CRINGE-WORTHY STALLING. Awards Ceremony was too long. Sponsors mentioned way too much. Nothing directed to the 17-29 year old range. And, I don’t know if it was mis-marketing, timing, or scheduling, but there wasn’t alot of people. There was a Britney concert, and a car show that weekend along with lot of other events.  They kept on saying, “If this was a Beyonce Concert, this place would be filled!” It wasnt our fault that no one was there, so I didn’t see the point of saying that over and over again.

EVENT RATING: 3.8

Overall, I’m glad I went. The good points were soooo good, that it made up for all the other stuff. I’m hoping that each year they get better and better. Can’t wait for next year!

Nail Polish Haul ‘n Swatch! First off let me tell you that I got most of these from blog sales.  I will do a more in depth  post on swapping, and blogs sales probably later next week. I got most of these for $2.00 each (retail 6.99)!

Quick-view (1 star = bad, 5 stars = excellent):

China Glaze Towel Boy Toy – Medium blue with a violet undertones. Visible nail line after 2 coats, dries to satin finish even though appears to be a shimmer in the bottle, okay formula, opaque after 3 coats, and needs top coat.  3 stars

China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Neon highlighter yellow. Needs a coat or two of white underneath to show true color. Nail line still visible after 3 coats without the white.  Dries matte, so needs top coat. Good Formula. 3.6 stars

BarryM Instant Nail Effects in Black Magic – Black Crackle Polish. Great quality, great crackle pattern, great formula, good brush,  and not too expensive. Not much to say! lol 5 stars

China Glaze Sun Worshiper – Neon Orange. In my top ten favorite polishes. * Idea for a future post! * Opaque in 3 coats, great neon formula, great bush, and great quality/ It can get a little streaky after 3 coats so be careful.  4.5 stars

China Glaze Spontaneous – Somewhere between a deep purple and a medium purple. Excellent cream polish formula, and opaque in 1 coat. Dries darker than color in bottle.  4.6 Stars

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy – Mellon Pink. Great neon formula, and is opaque in 2 coats. No need for white base coat. Dries matte, so top coat needed. 4.6 stars

You can get Brand New China Glaze for cheap at http://www.8ty8beauty.com/

And, you can get BarryM from http://www.barrym.com/

Hope I helped you make future purchases!

- Monet

These are lipstick swatches from my entire collection. I regularly go though my makeup, and if I havent used it in a month I swap or sell it. I’m actually contemplating selling/swapping my culture bloom right now! lol But, this is basically the lipsticks that have stood the test of time. I love all of them, and as you can see I love my purples, pinks, and nudes.

We’re going to do a quick review called a quick-view that sum up my thought the lipsticks. Hope this is helpful to you guys! Keep in mind that these MAC and NYX swatches are done on a NW40/NW43 arm.

MAC Show Orchid, Up the Amp, Violetta – Amplified finish.  My favvvve finish! Its lasts over 6+ hours. My most worn lipsticks.

MAC Cute-star, Culture Bloom, Rubia, Polished Up – Lustre finish. I have 2 cute-star; my fave “my lips, but better.” All last about 3 hours on me tho.

MAC Blood Red, Fresh Brew – Best lustres I own, last about 5 hours. Blood red is berry tho, lol.

MAC Candy Yum Yum – Only Matte I own, and its a bit drying. But its deliciously neon, and lasts 6+ hours. Love it!

NYX Power, Femme, Louisiana, B25 – Apply like amplified’s, and overall of good quality.

Products used: WnW Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (pale pink); WnW Wild Shine in Dreamy Poppy (dark pink); Ulta Professional Nail Lacquer in Last Fling, Before the Ring (lilac).

Technique: Applied white base coat to all nails, applied tape around the nails two at a time, dropped polish in small cup with room temperature bottled water,  swirled polish with a pin,  dipped fingers in, removed tape, cleaned off excess polish, repeated until all were nails were done, and then top all nails with top coat.

You-tube user who I learned technique from: http://www.youtube.com/user/SimpleLittlePleasues

I loved her vids, and highly suggest you watch them! When I get a professional rhythm going with this nail art, I will defiantly start posting videos.

My experience:

My first problem was with the type of polishes to use. Some spread properly in the water, some dried weirdly, and some just dropped to the bottom of the cup! I noticed my thicker older polishes didn’t work well as my newer thinner polishes. Also my NYC fast drying polish just effected the water weirdly. After experimenting a while, I picked 3 polishes that worked in the color range I wanted. My next problem was finding the right tool to make the swirl patterns. A few pens later I found a pin works well until I can get an orange stick. Although my patterns were a bit inconsistent, I feel that the overall effect looked good and the rest will come with practice.

Quick review of polishes: ( Out of a Scale of 5 Stars)

Ulta Professional Nail Lacquer in Last Fling, Before the Ring (lilac) 3

Pretty color, takes 3 coats, nice brush, okay formula, chips easily.

WnW Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (pale pink) 3.5

Great pink for the summer, not chalky, okay formula, okay brush, lasts long, takes 2 coats.

WnW Wild Shine in Dreamy Poppy (dark pink) 3.8

Great pink for the summer, okay formula, okay brush, lasts long, takes 1 coat.

I never knew where I’d end up,

Running along, a drop in a cup

But here I am! Doing well,

Some mistakes, yes -

But overall lol, I haven’t fell

Thank God, I say to you

‘Cause without him I knew

No  successes would be possible

I’m safe, healthy, happy – responsible

I cant wait to see what this year brings me

I know my future is bright- I have the key!

——————————————————–

I moved here April 2010, and love it! Thanks to all my family,

friends, supporters, and well-wisher.

-Monet

Earrings are from charlotterusse.com

Hair from Hairwigharlem.com

Lipstick in Violetta available at MAC PRO store

Teal eyeliner is from ulta.com