#TBT: MY VERY FIRST SPONSORED EVENT AND WHAT IT MEANT

Just two days away from National HIV Testing Day, I am reminded of my very first sponsored event, the success of which totally validated my efforts which continue by the way, to navigate the vast and ever changing social media landscape. It was 6.25.2009. I had only launched my online radio show, Bag Ladies just four months prior.

#TBT: WOULD YOU LET YOUR KIDS TRADE GARBAGE PAIL KIDS TODAY?

Remember these? C'mon, tell the truth, how many do you still have???

#TBT: KOOL-AID!!

It's a wonder my veins don't bleed this stuff as much as my brothers and I drank Kool-Aid growing up. Who needs Mommy?! We could make it ourselves. It was the go-to drink from morning till night. For breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh and snack time too!! It was 24/7.

EVER THOUGHT OF STARTING A BLOG OR NEED SOME TIPS?? WATCH THIS #TBT TO #BLOGGERWEEK ...

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when friend and DC based Photographer/Videographer, Jeff Brooks posted a snippet from this years Blogger Week during which I took to the mic along with fellow Bloggers/Vloggers, Yolanda Renee and Jonna Scott-Blakes. Click here to read the full scoop regarding the event and that which I lent a voice to regarding all things Blogging and building your brand. The dish was fantastic and the audience response even better. But the timing couldn't be more perfect for #TBT. Jeff is gearing up to launch his YouTube channel at youtube.com/photog4naturals, and I was terribly flattered to find that he posted a short and sweet snippet from my panel. Jeff's work is amazing.

#TBT TO THAT TIME WHEN I SLEPT ON THE SIDEWALK ALL IN THE NAME OF SHOPPING

Whilst rummaging through a HUGE bag of product samples from previously aired "Beauty Talk" episodes which is my most popular live on-air segment, I found everything from brand spanking new MAC lipsticks to unopened perfume, cleansers, moisturizers and more! I was doing a bit of spring cleaning and found the bag just this week tucked under my bed. I mean I was swooning over some of this stuff and thinking how could I leave you??? 

Bag O' Goodies

I'm an undercover "beauty junkie." I don't boast about it because I'm not a make up artist or professional but I love beauty products and at one time, I was doing reviews both on and off-air regularly. But what was most nostalgic about happening upon these treasures, was an empty lipstick case battered, bruised and neglected from the debut of Lanvin for HM. I was immediately taken back to my friends and I camping out on the sidewalk overnight on a cold night might I add just for the sake of being able to snag and grab pieces from the collection. And yes, we did have to grab with the quickness because we by far were not the only ones on a mission. Are you a shopaholic too? I scored three lipsticks all of which I still have as per my arsenal and all of which I still wear. You can click HERE for the full post which chronicles my adventure (that it was), and my SCORE! It was major.

And just as an update to that post, that must-have dress, I still have not yet worn but it's mine foreva!!

All in the name of shopping ...I don't know that I would do that again but you only live once, right? To what extremes have you ever gone, in the name of shopping?

The "after." My hand was covered in swatches after sifting through my Bag O' Goodies

Follow me on IG/Twitter and Vine @bagladies.

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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram

#TBT: HOLIDAY EDITION #KMARTTHENNOW

Today kicks off what will be an on-going #TBT series. I and Kmart are taking you on a stroll down memory lane. Wanna go?? I and some Blogger buds are pulling out the old albums, treasure chests and memory boxes and digging for old Holiday pictures. You know the ones in which you and me too were sporting trends (sometimes against our will; Mommy made me), that were not only hot then but also now. You know that every style/trend comes full circle ...

I hit my Mommy up during Thanksgiving and not only was I totally oohing and aahing over never before seen pics of her, my Dad and my Stepdad but also adorable pictures of my Brothers and I. For this edition of #TBT: #KmartThenNow, I chose to show myself in my first ever Holiday pic at barely 3 months old. And get this, the pic per my Mom was actually taken at Kmart back in the day. Upon hitting Kmart.com, I found a similar fit (what is that velvet?!), in a matching color scheme that would be adorable on either of my girls ages 7 and 9. I haven't yet decided which one of them will score.

Left: Me all decked out in Holiday wear. Note the red velvet bottoms / Right: Girl's Velvet Holiday Dress

Can you tell which pic is from then and which is current? I jest. Now the challenge! I and Kmart want you to share your then and now pics too. Find an old Holiday pic of yourself and either post a side by side look of your little one wearing a similar look (most applicable to Mommies) or find a similar look either in store at Kmart or on Kmart.com and share, share, share! Until I say stop! For a chance to win a Kmart gift card just in time for the Holidays. Who couldn't use a few extra dollars this season? So get to digging up those old flicks and get to sharing across all platforms. You can tag me on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies. But whatever you do and to score that giftcard, be sure to attach the hashtag #KmartThenNow.

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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.