Liq'd Saturday

Like any and every other Saturday, I lie in bed for hours and around 4pm, get to getting. Yesterday started off a little differently. I didn't want to get up and go. Matter of fact, I was in such a bad mood, I wanted to stay home and feed myself papa jon's pizza. I cancelled plans to meet up with friends at 1st Saturday and chatted with my sister. we both decided we will get married under the radar. i used to wonder why people elope; make 200% sense now.

Anyway, around 6pm I knew I couldn't waste a precious saturday being pissed at family and in-laws so i text Lish to see what she's up to. she was with another teacher who just happened to text me at the same time. they asked what i wanted to do and i said, "The ideal place for me would be a lounge that happens to be a bakery and a bar. I want red velvet cake and red wine. I want dessert and drinks.

Well lo & behold, there is a place just like that. Well, minus the lounge vibe. The Chocolate Room in Park Slope Brooklyn was a bakery with wine (& one beer) pairings!! Are you freaking kidding me?! I can really get cake and wine only? And the cafe setting is perfect for you and a date or your girlfriends?!

I got the flourless chocolate cake with a Spanish port.

Fraser and Niles would be so proud!

The Weekender

my phone was tripping for most of the day. since it was saturday, i didn't really care. Around 10am when it went on the fritz, i said, "Okay, i'll go to ATT when i get up." Yeah, i never got up. I actually went back to sleep and didn't get up till 2 something. Phone was still frozen. Made the biggest and most delicious bowl of cereal (just corn flakes) and got an email my fave colleague (alisha) about a wing fest in brooklyn and hot chocolate fest in man. I SOOOOOO needed to be there! But that would mean getting up and getting dressed...

around 430pm, my a-hole phone was now dead. it committed suicide trying to unfreeze itself. i gchatted with alisha and we decided we're going into the city daggumit! i put on a see-thru shirt with sequined shoulders and made my way calle ocho in the upper west side for sangria and a shared plate of paella that had EVERYTHING in it... the best paella EVAAAAAAR!!! The portion was so huge we couldn't finish it but can i talk about the pulpo appetizer? the best grilled octopus i've ever had. i didn't even know octopus had fatty tissue but it was there and it was awesome; on top of a chickpea puree and a bed of diced smoked chorizo; get in my belly.

before that latin food made sweet, sensual love to my appetite, I was really thinking, "How crazy would i look with a bubble coat over a see-thru shirt? do those things go? isn't that like a coat with matching sandals?" Then I thought to wear the uniglo tank top underneath for an extra layer between me and the elements... didn't look right. Bump it, Hov said "en vogue with your skin out". Now was the time to try out my new NorthFase.

If you think I fell in love with my food, i am ENAMORED with my Upper West Side 700 Face!! YOOOOOOOOO, that is the most amazing piece of clothing I own!!!!! I love it more than my Jordans!!!!!! It was 37 degrees, drizzling snow and BLUSTERY AF when I left at 6pm. Ask me if I was cold...

Not a lick. The only part of me that was cold was the space between my boots and the bottom of my coat. So my knees were cold. Here is this Florida girl wearing a bra and a mesh top and a coat that by the way packs to less than 50% of its size. I don't know what space age technology they use but that coat is balloon light and does the damn thing! I am sooooo the biggest fan of NF!!!

I BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!

you know what hype i don't believe? the uniqlo heat tech. i had on the tights. might as well have left them off.

So after we eat and drink, we make our way to the east side. Park Ave to be exact. The Gansevoort. Rooftop is stuffy and boring, 35+ somethings. I see the Dunk Contest is on and that's the most amazing thing up there . Back down, Alisha's BF is off of work and he escorts us to the Champagne Bar.

I don't know where this has been my whole life but a bar that serves champagne is pure genius!!!! There were $6000 bottles of Cristal in my line of sight. I overheard the manager talking about this is a good time for rose champagne, etc and then he brought over a glass for me and Lish.

Cheers to the MF'in weekend.

slightly emo stace

*exhale*

The first Saturday of the year. So far, I'm loving it. Well, I'd like it even more if I would put away the clothes on my bed but whatever, it's Saturday.


I just realized I haven't had a relaxer since Oct 23. I don't know how i feel about that. I def don't miss it but I don't want to be dependent on intense levels of heat for my hair to be straight. I think what I'm really worried about is finding a nice black salon to re-touch my hair. The last one I went to was all hype and the ones in Man are simply out of my teacher budget. I guess that answers my question: $15 root blow-outs at the Dominican salons till whenever.

I paid all my bills yesterday. Sometimes I hate it but yesterday, it felt so good. I am so blessed to only have an AmEx bill (that was surprisingly low for a post Christmas balance), car note and insurance, and cell phone bill. I thank my dad every.single.day for no student loans. Him and FL Bright Futures.

It was hard for me to come back to NY after spending time with family in NoVA and of course Florida. It was like that first day of school when I was trying to get a job with DC Public schools. I didn't cry this time; I was (luckily) so engrossed in This Side of Paradise, it didn't hit me till later. But I did cry that morning it was -2 degrees. I cried b/c people wouldn't let me off the crowded ass bus and I had to walk an extra block to get to school. I was soooooo sad.

I said I want a big blowout party for the 30th but I don't think I want that anymore. Unless it can be spent in South Florida, (at the Mayfair Resort to be exact), I just want my girls and I to eat at a fabulous restaurant and drink top shelf till our heads fall off. and if Nigella Lawson can be there, i'd be even more excited. I love that thick hoe!
Ugh, it's on a Tuesday. Which means the Sunday before is Mothers' Day which means I won't be able to do anything till the weekend after my birthday, the 11-13th.

*blink*
#wack

Anyway, I want a croissant and a cookie on this fine Saturday. Maybe a stroll thru Central Park... ttyl

Vanity

so this guy I used to talk to back in the FAMU days just asked to be my friend on FB. He's the one who after a while, I couldn't STAND b/c he loved being a light-skinned Alpha who happened to be Catholic. He was starting this up while we were talking and even used some places we'd frequent to promote on the site. I remember putting him on to chocolate martinis on V-Day then all the hoes started jumping on my drink cause they read about it on DGL... *eyeroll* he didn't even give me credit. He was a certified asshole once his lil webpage started to jump-off.

it's changed. well, it has been 5+ years, lol

Anyway, I confirmed request and started looking thru his pics. Yo, he has NOT aged well. Like, he looks OLLLLLLD. Receding hairline, crows feet, poppa belly, et al. Meanwhile, I'm here getting better with age (lmao).

I just wonder if he's looking thru my pictures and saying, "Damn, I messed that up." or "Wow, she looks really good! She's always been cute but now she's simply gorgeous!" or whatever else guys say when they realize the err of their ways, HA!

I'm a mess right now.

Next note, I think I have a really nice clavicle.

Totally random, I know.

But for real, in the pictures that people like of me, I noticed my clavicle frames my head/face quite nicely. I think it's one of those unconscious things about beauty. You know why someone or something is pleasing to the eye, but you can't put your finger on it.

Lastly, I really and truly believe with all my heart, all my girls look amazing. I don't think there's a weak link in my crew. There is no "ugly friend" in my group. Whatever your type, she's here with personality to boot.

So that's my Saturday feel good rant. I'm wearing my sweatpants, went to the salon and now i'm thinking about sushi :-) Life is good (on the weekend).

Random Thoughts

How do bulemics do it? It takes a sad and twisted person to purposefully vomit day in and day out. The once or twice I throw up every other month has me wanting to take my life. More recently (see: 230 and 1000am), I think some funky avocado made its way into my JB roll, no cream cheese. I even went as far as saying, "uh oh, I think I may only like avocado with cilantro and lime cause this is not getting it *nom*" Yeah... my throat still hurts.

My trip to NYC was one of the best trips ever. I think mostly cause I went by myself and could do whatever I wanted. Not saying I don't like traveling with people but it seemed to be twice as fun with half the party. Add that to my cool ass vet uncle (Pops' baby brother) who was either at the hospital or making house calls and it was a dream come true. I spent money ONLY on food, got to see a ISHT ton of my dear friends, got my hair did and... got some grey Js. *swooning*

Yeah, back to school is around the corner. Valmart (said like a german) has put out the BTS boxes and I didn't appreciate that. But unlike last year, I'm not pressed or depressed abt what this year will bring. Actually, last year at this time, I was interviewing with DC and putting all my eggs into a DMV basket. This year? Let go and let God. Life is so much more peaceful when you adopt that mantra.

Jameil called me a drunk. Why? Cause I spent my whole Tally trip oohing and ahhhing over baby boys. Former BFFs have sons that are 10 days apart and I LOVE them so much! Lil K is the younger and more serious of the two. He's too cool already and maybe a stubborn handful with his lil Taurus self. Lil P is a charmer! All he does is giggle and babble! He's going to be a handful in a different way with HIS Taurus self!
Regarding their moms, Pops said their strollers are going to bump into eachother at Babies R Us and they will reconcile. Ok, TV ending.

Oh yeah, speaking of babies, the week I reactivated FB (for Jam & Rah's pics), I saw a high school classmate of mine is expecting her own little boy this November.

And since I mentioned Jam and Rah, ima need the new Mrs. W to cough up the post on how to plan a fun and fab wedding in 28 Days. That hoe weren't playing! Her goal achieving prowess is almost scary, y'all...

I am very excited abt my car payments. By paying a small $4 more than asked, I am taking my 60 month term down to 44 months. Oh yeah, I split my automatic payments up to twice a month (coincide with paydays). Seems less painful that way (to me).

Our dog, Koko Lopez has atopic dermatitis. She's itchy and scratchy all day :-( Poor Koko Chanel :-(

It took forever but I was able to pay a ticket, reinstate my license, get new insurance, and renew my tags. This was the first time I've ever had to do them myself! Yeah, the car is mine but Pops did it last year. I felt like such a big deal when it all was finally said and done. Can you imagine driving around with nan notta one part of your driving situation right? Chamillionaire had NOTHING on me... well, unless he had a gun, open container, and some drugs. I wasn't that dirty, sheesh. I'm a teacher guys!

I am going to start practicing my piano again. That and finish reading Zen. Then I will tackle its sequel, Lila. And let's see if I can manage one more trip to NY... I still have to food spots to try!

Alright y'all! TTYL!

Keepin It Real

cause that's just what I do!

So this weekend is my brother's wedding and Drew asked me to send him an e-mail of what to pack. I broke it down by the days and nights we would be there.

Long story short, in one of the days, I said "wear something decent, like a solid polo and either madras or seersucker shorts." He said he planned to wear jean shorts and I inadvertently went in on him.

"Drew, you can wear jean shorts whenever you want. Just not this Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Matter of fact, I'll be nice. You can wear them on the way to NoFla and that's it." He wanted to know why not and I told him, "You can wear a faded tee and jean shorts when you're chilling. But when we're out, no jean shorts.

"Damn, so that's how you see me?"

"Noooooooo...

*damage control on 10*

I just know those are your comfort clothes but I want you to look extra good this weekend. You know I love you in those plaid shorts with your salmon polo..."

*flattery? yes?*

"Hmph."

*

I can't help that I'm brutally honest when it comes to clothes/style/fashion. If I love you dearly, I would want you to look your best, ESPECIALLY if I'm going to be with you. My parents are almost afraid to ask me how they look cause they know I'll keep it real!

I don't know what my mom had on one time but I told her she looked like she was going on date to a laundromat! How and where I got that imagery from is part of the "humor" in my critique but at the end of the day, it's very acute. It's kind of like when I'm on the phone and I hear noise in the background, I'll ask of some random ass situation. "It sounds like you're playing shuffleboard on your counter with a can of ravioli." is still one of my favorite deductions.

You know what, tho? I get it from my momma. I remember I bout DIED the time my dad had on some adidas tear away pants and a polo sport tee and she said "you look like the guy who follows rappers around, go change."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! SHE SAID YOU LOOK LIKE A MALE GROUPIE!

So anyway, this will be the first time a lot of my family members will be meeting Drew and I want him to look his best! Can you fault me for that? *bats eyelashes*

Birthday Fab

You guys already know I always have something up my sleeve for my birthday... after Easter, May 8th is my favorite holiday

*lol*

Y'all don't front. May 8th tends to be an awesome date! How many college graduations fall on on May 8th? and if it wasn't for May 8th, how else would you honor your mom on Mother's Day?

Okay, my birthday doesn't fall on Mom's Day every year (it will in 2011) but it's always close enough.

So last year, I had a fabulous Friday brunch with my close friends, a jaunt to the beach with the bestests (Kitty, Jam, Drew), and sushi for dinner. Saturday, my favorite day, the fun continued with a music fest in Miami that Drew was playing. VIP, Goose, and the fabulous Jameil and I was good.

Now Sunday was a little downer cause when we got back to WPB, I found out my dog was taken away for attempted caninicide. Russell tried to kill Koko :-( But, since it was Mother's Day, I presented Lyds with her gift and she loved it (upper). Let me find out my mom is a closet Gap groupie! She looks so cute in their jeans and tunics!

Anyway, I'm turning 28 this year. I've been wanting a Living Single 90s party for the longest but Kitty presented me with a better idea: Las Vegas.

!! HELL YEAH !!

We've been trying to go since we were 21. I'm so glad we didn't go back then, I don't think we'd be alive right now. Me and Kitty got into some stuff in Tallahassee so imagine us in Sin City.

Anyway, that's the plan!

Who: Me

What: My 28th Birthday

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

When: May 6 or 7 thru May 9, 2010

Why: Not?

Tentative Plans

- Fly out of south florida thursday night (5/6) or friday morning (5/7) for LAS ($242 round trip)

-Check into the Venetian 5-Star Resort ($189/night divided by at least 4 (maybe more) girls

-Put the Club Hopper Pass to work ($84 for access to 20+ clubs, casinos, parties)

-Eat, drink, and be merry with my girlfriends!

Who's down?!?!?

Mrs. Patti

We've been following her blog for several months and to think, her day of careful and meticulous planning has finally come!! Might I add, from an outsider's point of view, it went off without a hitch!

A blogger shot of Soon to Be Mrs. Patti, her MOH Dani, and MnOH KBrock. See her DIY hair flower?

Remember her talking about this?

and the bouts for the honorable ones are GORGE!

It was so cool to be in attendance to the lovely wedding and to see everything we've been reading about serving it's purpose. Mrs. Patti, you did a WONDERFUL job! Congratulations, girl!!

Paparazzi

They're on the prowl again!!

Adei and her "secret lover" were seen together on vacation!! at a remote beach getaway and thinking no-one would see their photos, the two pose for some fans!

The two wrote their names in the sand! her secret man has a name! Michel is he french?!

Adei's real name!

Stay tuned for more!

Seeing how we were at the beach with his EX girlfriend and one of my good Hampton friends, this post is even funnier! Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear!

Going to the Chapel and she's...

gonna get maaa-aaaaaried!

I've ALWAYS loved that song! I think music from the 60's has a special place in my heart. So sweet and sappy. Doo-woppy and ish...

Anyway, the 1st from the KDY Clique has gotten married!! We all knew it would be her, just glad it wasn't to the one we thought it would be!

Did that make sense??

WE'RE HAPPY SHE MARRIED WHO SHE DID AND NOT WHO WE ALL THOUGHT SHE WOULD!

Me and Jam at the Low Country Boil.

I am all kinds of sick in this pic and since I didn't have my ID, I couldn't even buy medicine if I wanted to. Well, I bought sudaphed but that sudaSUCKED. Clairitin (behind the counter) got me right on together!

The newly married couple!!! I love them!!! so perfect for eachother cause she like 'em BLACK and he likes thick yella girls!!

Awww, me and my boo!!! 3rd floor, holding it down!

You know the Stanky Leg was in full effect. Please peep the ringbearer. It was sooo not a game.

The afterparty! This was towards the end of the night. Surprisingly, no pics of me wu-tanging OR the tranny who cut me up on the dance floor. yeah, he did splits at the end of his/her dance. That's all you boo; you got it.

So now of course, the question is, "Who's next?"

Photogs were ON IT!

Uh-Oh. This is why I say no flats after 7pm. Cause they might look like hers. You don't wanna win!!!

The next 3 are my FAVORITE shots from the party!! Those photogs were on it! These looks like some incriminating shots on GMO or FBY!!! LMAO!!!I need some funny captions...

Adei and her secret lover meet on a rooftop and share a passionate hug as he whispers something in her ear.

Adei stands coyly and smiles from ear-to-ear once she hears the good news! Stay tuned to find out what it is!

Adei and her unknown man rock out to their favorite song as he keeps her close! Spies at the event say they never left eachother's side and were in their own world!

OW!!! I love this shot!!!! I think they should play this song at their next party when I come thru...
Yes, shoes!!

FINALLY!

Can you guess why I'm cheesing so hard?? Cause I'm FINALLY here!! I am FINALLY in my new place! I am in a fully and fabulously furnished 1 bedroom condo!

I just took a shower and it felt so good.

I am about to warm up some food I made at S. Lakes and call it a night. Maybe I'll have a chocolate martini to help me sleep better.

Why I Love Saturday

good things happen on the day of my birth :-)

(The pics are in reverse order.)

Mike and his brother, stuntin in red and black

Flat shoes need to stay home after 7pm.

So the WHOLE crew missed the memo? Really white shorts?! You look like you're going shopping on So.Be!! And yellow, where are you going with that GINORMOUS satchel!? I see it's Gu.cci but still...

Me and the host. I wish the person taking the picture got a body shot so you could see my shoes. They were RED HAUTE!

The missed memo crew plus their GROWN homie with her thigh out!

The yellow really killed me. At least the Harvey Legger and turquoise dresses were evening appropro. and look at Kenny looking like Knee-Yo!!

The woman dancing with my brother shot me a look when I wanted to take a picture of just him. so I let her keep dancing with him.

Rooftop pics. The white is blinding.

Rev. "Till Def do us Part" Easley in the pink and black. I don't think men of the cloth had pinstripe cloth in mind.

FAMU Alums about to jump the broom.

Now for some reason, this white tux wedding was MUCH better than the one I went to in April. I guess M. Stewart Weddings (magazine) was right, people remember the reception and entertainment more than the actual wedding. This reception was done well. No caterers were walking around with raggedy t-shirts, handing out bottles of water; I didn't have to throw my own plate away, CHEFS and their staff were on hand for every whim (more champagne, please!), there was an actual cocktail hour followed by a sit down dinner... yeah. I wanted to ride but it was nice. My only qualm was the fake bouquets and bouts. But guess what? That was one cost they didn't have to worry about. And at the end of the day, they are married! Isn't that the goal? This wedding made me think about a lot of things I want and if they are really necessary.

Last Year

I found my own place. Actually, it kind of found me and I've been thinking SUPER DUPER hard about it. I finally gave in, realizing I'm not going to Tally for grad school, I'm not moving to Austin, Texas, and I'm not moving to Fairfax County, VA.

*sigh*

that was so hard to type and see in print

Anyway, a teacher I know from the school I used to work at literally up and moved... like, put a message out on FB she needed a person IMMEDIATELY cause she's moving to NY in 10 days. I responded I wanted to check it out. I was sure I'd LOVE it cause she's a white version of me. Yeah, her place is EVERYTHING my dreams are made of. I'm actually beside myself right now...

Me: Whatchu doin over there?

Me: nothing, just posting on my blog. why are you beside me?

Me: cause we're getting our own place.

Me: oh yeah! August 10th, right?

Me: OMG, that is so soon. Luckily, I only have to bring my clothes cause the place is BEYOND fully furnished.

Yeah, ole girl was trying to get THE fluck out of here. She only took her clothes and her Wii. I have dishes, linens, detergent, I HAVE FREAKING GODIVA CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR IN THE CABINET!

So you ask why she left? Her brother's best friend has been crushing on her his whole life. She's always seen him as an older brother but last WMC, they had dinner in South Beach and really hit it off. He told her all that has been on his heart and she said, "Why not? I'm 31 and this is the opportunity of a lifetime." Oh yeah, buddy is a sports agent and has his own firm. Evander Holyfield is one of his clients. Yeah, Kim had a message from Holyfield on her voicemail. They're flying to see him box in So. Africa. Ben took her to Tiffany's and told her to pick anything she wants.

CAN WE SAY DREAM SEQUENCE!?!?!?

but she picks this necklace. you can buy your own silver!!! get something else!

Anyway, she's living the life with someone who adores her and I'm about to do the same... by myself :-)

I'm Back

Sorry for the delay. Two days after my MJJ died, I left town and didn't really have internet handy. Plus, I was trying to stay away cause the coverage of his death was too much. Y'all already know I was done. I almost called of my trip to the A and Mississippi cause I just wanted to mourn and listen to MJ. Rah asked Jam if I was still coming... I ALMOST DIDN'T!!

As you may or may not know, I've been in Jackson, Mississippi for about a week. I got to hang out with Jameil, her mom AND grandmother :-) I had a blast! Just chillin and seeing and eating... so what summer vacation is supposed to be about. and you already know Jameil and I make fun WHEREVER we go...

in Atlanta. (i am in LOVE with my bang!!!)

in Jackson. the heat made a Kate out of me. no swoop.

the infamous pig ear meal
we be grubbin!

me leaving. smiling on the outside :-(


yeah, we eat for fun

Who Wants to Party with Us?!!?

I GUARANTEE IT'LL BE SO MUCH FUN!!

Swag

Surfin
Swag
Clean

Jameil, how my shots do you have of this SAME pose!?!? LMAO!!!

WE HAD FUN!! PARTY IN THE 'SIP, COMING SOON!

small comfort.

this makes me feel better.  i just got it and ADORE it already.  I might wear it to check the mail.

now if only I really had a fab place to wear it...

the Art of Hosting

anything related to the social graces can be an art form.  dining, plating (JOY!), drinking, eating, writing, fashion, etc.

there are some people who take the aformentioned and more and MASTER them.  then there are some people who make you suffer through their bludegeoning of something that should be effortless.

I guess it's only effortless if you have it like that.

"you know who be worried about the wrong thing?"

that's what my brother asks when you're dwelling on the small, insignificant things.  its a, at times rude, wake-up call to what's really good!  we have to ask our mom that sometimes...

Today after church, the graduates had a reception in our parrish hall.  all the prep work and present work that went into it made me not want to ever throw a shindig.  my mom was scowling, cutting her eyes, fussing, worrying, NOT HAVING FUN with it!!!

but then i remembered how fun and effortless Jam and I made my brunch!  Honestly, I haven't had that much fun cooking, reading recipes, mixing, and juicing since the days of Tally when Kitty and I would scour my neighborhood for timberwood and have impromptu barbeques!  and then invite hella people over for no reason except that we cooked!!

The weird thing is that she knows how to be a nice hostess.  She would offer you her whole fridge, find whatever you want and prepare it in a way you never thought of... maybe its being on the inside looking in... maybe i saw the non gracious hostess side of her...  I think Drew got a 2 second flash of her in me right before the brunch guests started arriving... but that's cause he was being touchy-feely Drew when things needed to be done!!

Any hoo, have fun with whatever you do!  and don't "be worry[ing] about the wrong things"!

*shoulder shrug*

blogger isn't doing it for me anymore.

before I totally abandon it, I must send a shout-out to Dani, Shayne, and Jameil for one of the most wonderful birthday parties ever!  I felt like I was back in grade school!!  27 is great so far!

okay, blogger is perkin with the pix...

anyway, y'all are my friends on FB so it doesn't matter!

beast mode

that's what my hair is in.

For picture day?  Grit face, yes?


i really love how black my hair is. i'm never dying it. unless i can get that blue superman gleam...

hair? check.  now if only we can get my skin on board... COME ON 27!!