Tag: Family

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Hawaii Living: Friday On The Beach In O’ahu Hawaii

img_4265When you get my age Friday nights doesn’t always consist of wearing a freakum dress, 6 inch heels and sweating out the hair on the dance floor.

When living on any island in Hawaii and your over 40’s you will probably catch us sitting on the beach before strutting in a nightclub. Don’t get me wrong if I had family and friends in town then maybe you’ll find me somewhere in Waikiki walking it out.

But for now, my Friday’s consist of me hanging out on the beach at home in Ewa Beach, eating, drinking and enjoying the beautiful turquoise warm water. What I love about our beach is it’s secluded and we have a catering company that comes out on the weekend and sell food, drinks and snacks to the community that live on the beach. This is one of the amenities that sold me on this location. A private beach that I can just walk to. I don’t have to pay to go on the beach, if I wanted to drive a few steps I wouldn’t have to pay to park my car. The weekdays are usually empty so it’s like having the beach to myself. On the weekend I see more traffic but still not what you would see in Waikki. The beach is so big that everyone can just spread out and find a spot and still feel like you’re alone.

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Today I only wanted the fancy grilled cheese sandwich with chips and a Blue Mermaid. I enjoyed the Blue Mermaid before so this time I ordered 2. So, I didn’t have to get my lazy ass up to get another.

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Finally Prince Charming came to join me, his evening right after work consist of going to the gym or running 2 miles around the lagoon. Then he showers and join me on the beach. Not a shabby Friday, right?

Honolulu Hawaii Makeup Artist & Beauty Blogger Brandy Gomez-Duplessis has 22 years of experience in the Beauty & Entertainment industry. Brandy is located on Oahu island in Ewa Beach but you can find her working doing makeup in Waikiki, Waipahu, and Kapolei. Being a top influencer & blogger don’t be surprised to see her writing beauty articles and taking selfies for her 60K followers on Instagram on the beautiful beaches in Honolulu…and YES, there are black people living in Hawaii. 

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Our First Saturday At Home In Hawaii

img_2997It’s a beautiful Saturday morning. I find myself waking up early just listening to the birds, writing beauty articles and enjoying my new life here in Hawaii.

Still can’t believe that I’m calling Hawaii home. The Hawaii locals are all amazing, we have met some really chill peeps and I look forward to meeting more and doing things in the community just like I was doing on the mainland.

Today we were invited to see this young surfer compete at Surf Grom, I think we will go check it out tomorrow in Waikiki. Today I just wanna spend my day on the beach with my son creating some new content and just enjoying my new lifestyle.

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As you know I’m from NOLA so I’m always craving seafood so while we were on theimg_3713 beach we started looking up what seafood joint was near the house and we found a spot called, Da Crawfish and Crabshack. Sounds like my kind of place, so New Orleans. So after we left the beach we washed up and went to Da Crawfish and Crabshack in Kapolei. The owner was so very kind to take us because they stp seating at 8:45pm the hostess said but he came over and said that we could stay, just place our order fast so the cooks can wrap up for the evening. Now that’s what I call GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. Just because of that I will talk about how great this place is to anyone that ask me about a seafood spot. So, let’s talk about this menu of Da Crawfish and Crabshack. Everything sound good, and we decided on Combo 1 and Combo 2. Can I just tell you how impressed I was with the portion and the taste of the Cajun Sauce. My mouth is still watering just thinking about it. Our server Jacob, was excellent. He was on his job making sure we were ok, that ou drinks were filled.

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Da Crawfish and Crabshack Combo 1 consist of; Snow Crab Legs, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Crawfish, Potatoes, and some type of Sausage.

Da Crawfish and Crabshack Combo 2 consist of: Dungeness Crab, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Crawfish, Potatoes, and some type of Sausage.

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It was so much that we had to bring half of our food home to finish it. It was so worth the market price and we definitely plan on returning. So, if ever in Kapolei, Hawaii you have to stop at this restaurant, just call to get the correct hours. I don’t want you to miss out on GREAT SEAFOOD.

 

 

Honolulu Hawaii Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis has 22 years of experience in the Beauty & Entertainment industry. Brandy is located on Oahu island in Ewa Beach but you can find her working doing makeup in Waikiki, Waipahu, and Kapolei. Being a top influencer & blogger don’t be surprised to see her writing beauty articles and taking selfies for her 60K followers on Instagram on the beautiful beaches in Honolulu…and YES, there are black people living in Hawaii. 

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We Moved From The Mainland To Hawaii

img_2882Yes, you read the title correctly. The Gomez-Duplessis is now residing in Honolulu Hawaii on the island of Oahu in Ewa Beach. I know it’s still so surreal to us that we’re here and not on vacation, that we will now be calling Hawaii home.

Everything happened very fast, God gave me the directions and from my bed I was able to set everything up. As you know I have Lupus, RA, Lyme, and Asthma. My lungs has been my biggest challenge the last few years and very swiftly they started shutting down. I was on that damn breathing machine so much was going through my 2 inhalers very fast. Couldn’t leave my house had to stay in one room being isolated from everyone was the worse.

Having double pneumonia and hearing the doctors saying stroke and I’m now on a stretcher, shirt being open and wires placed everywhere was the icing on the cake for me but more for my husband. Hearing him say “WE NEED YOU” and seeing his eyes I knew it was getting bad. Right after he started talking about moving to Arizona.  But nothing bit for him, but he did get a bite from a company that said “we would love to relocate you to Hawaii”. Then it happened, he was offered the position and I was on the computer, doing a lot of virtual house tours, and calling shipping companies for the car and furniture. Then having open house going on and packing like it all happened in 1 month basically.

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We have never been to Hawaii, so we didn’t know what to expect. But God made this transition so easy that I know it was the right move for us. Now, getting here was our only challenge. The weather in NY was horrible so our flight was first delayed for many hours than finally cancelled. It took us 2 days to get to our new home but we made it safe and we now have all 9 of our luggages that was sent to LAX.

I can’t wait to share pictures with you and I think I want to start doing video blogs. I just don’t know how to edit them. So, this is my first video so please don’t be to hard on me. Yes, I will still work doing what what I do best and that’s makeup. I actually start working on June 11th. I did lots of digital interviews and calls last month so life will be back to normal just in PARADISE…ALOHA

Honolulu Hawaii Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis has 22 years of experience in the Beauty & Entertainment industry. Brandy is located on Oahu island in Ewa Beach but you can find her working doing makeup in Waikiki, Waipahu, and Kapolei. Being a top influencer & blogger don’t be surprised to see her writing beauty articles and taking selfies for her 60K followers on Instagram on the beautiful beaches in Honolulu…and YES, there are black people living in Hawaii. 

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A Lit Easter Egg Hunt With My Adult Kids

 

This is how we do it on Easter in the Gomez-Duplessis family. Since they were babies it’s been our family tradition to have a Easter egg hunt in the yard. Now that everyone is of age and this year is our last Easter together in our Connecticut home we decided to add a little libation to this egg hunt. This year concoction was made by my son, I saw Svedka Vodka, and Finlandia Vodka but I’m not sure of his mixture. It was actually DE-LISH!

After the egg hunt we sit at the table, we eat and drink while enjoying each others company.

Then watch a few movies outside. Usually the kids will pick a movie and hubby and I pick one movie. I don’t usually make it for the bonus one. Either I have fallen asleep 😴 💤 or I’m cleaning my kitchen. And it goes a little something like this….

Do you have any fun family traditions on Easter Sunday?

 

 

Hawaii Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis has 22 years of experience in the Beauty & Entertainment industry. Brandy is located on Oahu island in Ewa Beach but you can find her working doing makeup in Kapolei. Being a top influencer & blogger don’t be surprised to see her writing beauty articles and taking selfies for her 60K followers on Instagram on the beautiful beaches in Honolulu…and YES, there are black people living in Hawaii. 

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I Had A Fantastic Thanksgiving In Connecticut With My Family How About You

img_5366Happy Thanksgiving To My Social Media Family! I hope everyone had a fabulous day with your loved ones. I was blessed to have everyone home, mama got her wish and was able to love on them all day.

I started cooking at 10am and by 3pm dinner was served. This year I did something a little different. I figure the kids were old enough to now learn the recipes. I invited them into my kitchen to assist me with preparing the dishes for Thanksgiving.

After dinner and sitting around the table enjoying each other we always get into great conversation about everything. We go deep, I really should tape us for a podcast or something.

So what was your highlight for Thanksgiving? Was it the family time, the food, the mini concerts.

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New Orleans Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis has 22 years of experience in the Beauty & Entertainment industry. Gomez-Duplessis is a wife and a mother of 2 adult kids. She also has a home in Candlewood Lake in Connecticut. In 2014, Brandy was diagnosed with Lupus, Lyme & RA. She uses her platform to help bring awareness about her health.

 

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Celebrated My Wedding Anniversary This Weekend

img_9075This weekend I celebrated a special day with my hubby and best friend of 21 years. We been together for a long time knowing each other for 29 years.

Starting out long distance while I was in New York and he was in New Orleans. Being on the road working did not hurt us it actually made our relationship so much stronger.

Even now with my health he has been there never saying “I Didn’t Sign Up For This” cuz it’s one thing saying vows for sickness and in health but to actually really mean it is another. If you have never had to care for someone with 3 auto immune diseases, know it’s not easy. At one point he would have to feed me, bath me, dress me, and so much more. Even now we still have some bad days especially during the winter time. He’s been there through it all. So, I can really say, I’m a lucky girl.

It was nice that Michael took the weekend off, if you think I’m a workaholic he’s worst.

So three days of just us was so overdue. No work and no adult kids.

Our stay at The Marriott Stamford was close to home but it was a quick getaway from the house. Of course his staff called him 3-5 times a day but I couldn’t complain and wouldn’t complain.

For lunch we went to Northern Lights Bar and Lounge, a premier spot located in Downtown Stamford. It had a sexiness to it during the day so I’m sure at night it’s a nice spot.

On our wedding day we both wore BVLGARI fragrances so on our anniversary we shower in BVLGARI, we wear BVLGARI lotion and perfume. 21 years its time to replenish for the next decade because we have a few drops left.

For dinner we went to Saltaire Oyster Bar and Fish House in Port Chester, NY.  I love seafood and I can never seem to find that perfect location yet. So we are trying this spot out for the first time.

img_9188The next day we had brunch at Sam’s American Bistro which had a very casual atmosphere and the food style was American. The rest of the day we just relaxed put the phones up, talked about our updated future goals and just watch the sun set while enjoing Rose’ and jumbo boiled shrimp.

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How Do You Spend Your Christmas Eve

Being that my family is from Honduras we celebrated on Christmas Eve. But as I got older I changed it up just a little. So tonight we will eat, drink a lot and open a small gift.

Then on Christmas morning I get up bake cranberry muffins, serve champagne and we open the majority of the gifts. Later I’ll put dinner on but nothing to big, drink, eat dessert and watch 2 movies.

What are you doing for Christmas Eve?

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Happy Thanksgiving To My Friends & Followers

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Another grateful day with my family. I got up around 8:30am to get dress and do hair & makeup on myself. I pour myself a mimosa, turn of my playlist and then I start cooking. At 2pm we were ready to sit down to eat.

This year menu was: Ham, Gumbo, Lamb, Baked Macaroni, Cornbread Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Potato Salad, and a Caramel Pound Cake.

The table theme this year was a glam rustic garden.

 

This is why I work hard….FAMILY

This year table setting was about a glam garden

2 dishes I was proud of was my ham & lamb

Going to watch one movie with the family then rest of the evening is about WORK WORK WORK….being an entrepreneur and owner of a small business never stop. If you ladies are looking for a new liquid lipstick check out Entitled Beauty online store. On Black Friday & Small Business Saturday we will offer FREE shipping. Use the code: ENTITLED

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Power Outage In Connecticut

 

 

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Yesterday the power went out so I didn’t make a big deal about it because we were having a storm up here in Connecticut so I figure the power would be going In & Out all night. Since it was dark out I wasn’t going to go check nada out. This morning as we all headed out to work this is what we were greeted by. Seeing this I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy situation and lord knows it wasn’t. I’m just glad that our tree didn’t hit the neighbors truck.

 

 

 

 

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Featured In This Month “Es Mi Cultura”

esmiculturaIn August I was contacted by Tamika with Es Mi Cultura, a monthly Afro-Latina focused newsletter to be featured in their two year anniversary October issue. So of course I said yes, because I’m always honored when my peers reach out to me.

In September we connected and here is the article for you to read. I hope you take time time to check out the entire newsletter especially if your an Afro-Latina like myself. It’s always good to support and read others who upbringing is very similar to your own. Thanks Tamika!