How Cute Are These Boots

I love this commercial. These girls are super cute.

"No more girly dresses" Then the little blonde girl shrieks in the camera, so cute.

Beyoncé - Video Phone

There are no words, but Hot, Hot, Hot.

I am quite surprised by Gaga. She is a versatile artist, not just about the shock and ah!

5th Anniversary Video

We decided not to give each other gifts this year, but I still wanted to do something in celebration. It only took me a night to put it together. I think it is really cute. It is full of inside jokes, so don't be surprised if you don't get it.

FYI, he loved it!

I just agreed to what?!?

I am not the best runner. I enjoy working out and would love to be a runner, but my body is just not made for hitting the pavement. But, my friend who is extremely into triathlons has definitely been pushing for me to join her in her active activities. And, I think I just agreed to join her and a bunch of others for World Run Day this Sunday. She says she is a slow runner, but her slow will probably be a sprint compared to mine.

I just don't want to embarrass myself as the girl weezing as she is run/walking down the mall. But I sure will be proud of myself if I do make it. Here is the map of the run options 1-5. The longest route will totally about 9 miles. You can guess which option I will be taking.

Some people run marathons to prove to themselves that they can stick it out and complete something so challenging, this 3 mile run may be my marathon. A little sad, but we manage expectations in the World O' Me.

Weekend Project

I am in serious need of some weekend craft projects. I am going to be traveling for work next week, but once I get back in town, I am going to start a few craft projects. Thanks Erica at P.S.-I Made This for my first project. Simple and fun. I need my Michael's fix. I have been away too long.

In New Yoooork!

I can't get enough of this song. Alicia is just beautiful.

I'm Just Sizzling

Today is Halloween and also my 5th Anniversary with my boyfriend. And we wanted to start our day by going to see Michael Jackson in "This Is It". It was absolutely the best thing I have seen all year. I miss him so much. Michael was the first love of my life. The love I have in my heart for Michael is something that will never be duplicated. He was the greatest at what he did and what he put in my heart.

There are so many parts in the movie that I have thought about since leaving the theater, but the part we keep talking about is the "sizzling".

During the rehearsal, he was standing at the top of the stage and the video that was playing cued up, but nothing happened. The director, Kenny Ortega, a bit frustrated, got on the mic and said, "that was the cue, is there some confusion." The Michael said, "no, no, I'm sizzling. We will go in a second". The director was like, "how will you know when the video cues." And he said, "I'll just feel it". It was just a moment that really showed how much control he had over everything. He was a genius.

My boyfriend said, it was like looking at a unicorn, like you were seeing something you weren't supposed to be looking at, something you weren't supposed to be able to see. He was just so amazing, so strong. And all I could think of was, my mom is a few years younger than Michael and she has trouble walking up the stairs. But MJ is dancing like he did 25 years ago. He was moving like nothing I had ever seen before. Chris Brown is an amazing dancer, but will NEVER be Michael Jackson. He is the greatest, he will never be forgotten. His energy will live on forever.

I love you Michael.

CFox Bday

I had the most fun I have had in well over a year last night. I joined some friends in surprising my friend CFox for her birthday. We picked her up from her place in a limo full of pink bubbly (one of her friends is a wine distributor, awesome!!) and went to Rosa Mexicana for dinner. Funny enough that is where we spent her last birthday too, but the planners of the evening didn't know that. We then headed over to the monuments and took a nighttime tour. Something I have always wanted to do.

I had no clue that the 4th grade tours also did this at night. I mean, when do they go to sleep. To say we had a few drinks by that point is an understatement. We were not in a state to be around young children. We quickly got kicked out of TWO monuments and over stayed our welcome at Lincoln Memorial. But not before I got these amazing picture, with my NEW phone, of the Lincoln Memorial and a city view from the steps of Lincoln.I love DC. Funny enough, I got in the bed before 11pm and went on the have a very productive Friday at work.

New Phone-Palm Pre

I just got a new phone and I looooove it. I am a bit of a techie and learning a new cool phone is probably the funnest things I will do all year. The Palm Pre is definitely a cool phone. It does so much. I am on Sprint and don't want to change over to AT&T to get the iPhone, but I want a phone with apps and one I can do full web browsing on. I think I can even blog directly from it. LOVES IT!

Mrs. O on Glamour

There are very few words for the "amazingness" of this cover. She just takes my breath away. I just imagined her saying, "Why are you so obsessed with me?"

This is the first First Lady to every be on the cover, no surprise there. The woman was just jumping rope and hoola hooping on the White House lawn. I love it.

Mrs. O

I am obviously obsessed with Michelle Obama, she is everything I think a woman should be and everything I want aim to be. So, as one of my many many blogs in my Google Reader, the Mrs. O blog is my favorite. For several months now, I have had this day marked on my calendar, the arrival of the Mrs. O book, Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy. Here is a peek inside:

It contains interviews with several top-tier designers, which Michelle has beautifully worn their pieces. The photography is impeccable.I am picking up my copy immediately. It will be right next to my Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Crafts on my coffee table.

The New Job

I am so happy that I found a good job. The search was absolutely the hardest thing I had ever done. I did have some freelance work and amazing volunteer opportunities. I know I was definitely not the only people having a hard time, but it still takes its toll on you. Reading about other people who were going through very similar situation certainly helped, like These Little Moments.

I would have really loved to work downtown, so I could ride the Metro to work every day, but the position was in the Maryland 'burbs. I miss the Metro. I think it is generally safe, convenient, reliable (as long as you aren't on the Red line), and a great opportunity to zone out every morning reading a trash magazine. But driving again hasn't been completely terrible either. I am going against traffic for majority of my ride and have been making amazing time. On the worst day, it hasn't taken longer than 50 minutes, I can deal with that. In other parts of the country driving for that long is completely normal, but in D.C. Metro is just easier.

There is a lot of work to be done in this position, but I am really excited about it.

Lenny-My Love

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I am completely in love with Lenny Kravitz. Not just because he is a gorgeous specimine of a man. But his music is very important to me. When he didn't tour the U.S. for almost 5 years, I was very sad. Then I got a random email one day and checked his Twitter account, he was coming to DC!!!!! I spent my last few bucks on those tickets.

My friend Christina and I went to the concert and had an absolute blast. He was everything I remember him being. He inspires me in so many ways. Plus, he told this beautiful story about his godmother and how much he loved her, then he brought her out on stage. It was none other than, a legend, Cicely Tyson!!!


Here is a super dark picture of the stage:

Chi-Town: Wedding Time

View from our hotel 

All of our friends are taking to get married. Given that we will be celebrating our 5 year anniversary soon, most of them are wondering when we will join them. We are working on growing our relationship and will make that move when we are good and ready. But, heading to our first out of town wedding together, was certainly an adventure. I love Chicago. I truly believe people from Chicago are all so cool. President and Michelle Obama of course add to that rational, but I originally began feeling that way when I first visited on a work trip 2 years ago. When arrived in Chicago a full day before the wedding and before all of our friends, so we could spend a full day enjoying the city. We haven’t really spent any time together outside of DC, since I started my torture-some job hunt. It was a much needed mini-vacation.

At Gino's East

Our hotel was downtown, just a few blocks from Millennium Park. But our first stop was Gino’s East. The pizza was well worth the wait. I have never been much of a fan of deep dish, but obviously they are famous for it for a reason. The crust was the diamond. I started just eating the crust and dipping it into the sauce. One of those times you wish your stomach was bigger.

Gigantic Wedding Cake, delicious

We attended the best multi-cultural wedding EVER. She is Catholic Chinese from Chicago and he is Jewish Ukrainian, originally from the Ukraine, but grew up in Rhode Island. It was AWESOME. The mixed their two cultures perfectly. And once the party got started, all of our friends definitely took part. They had a bottle of Remy Martin on each table and it was over from there. I have never danced so much in my life. The quality of dancing was definitely below-par for me, but it was FUN! We stumbled into our hotel around midnight and barely made it to the airport in one piece. It was a great weekend. Plus, the vacation we both needed, especially since I started my new job the next Monday.

One wedding down, 3 more to go by October 2010.

The Wedding Dance is now The Divorce Dance

The You tube phenomenon Wedding Dance, that was copied on The Office for Jim and Pam's wedding, has now been transformed into the Divorce Dance. The couple is headed to divorce court already?!? Loves it.

Here is the Jim and Pam version.

New Craft Hobby

My boyfriend and mom have both called me the "One Hitter Quitter" on many occasions when it comes to my hobbies. I, on the other hand, like to think of myself as a crafter. All of my hobbies fall under that category. Yes, I have bought many "kits" from Michaels, like the mosaic coasters, I made one of the two in the kit, found it to be a great success and moved on. I think of myself as someone who likes to see if I can do something, so I do it, and occasionally move on. BUT, I almost ALWAYS go back to them. I master new craft techniques and then fish it out of my "toolbox" when I want to go back to it.

I bought the Encyclopedia of Crafts by Martha Stewart. It has a ton of bookmark tags marking the many things I want to make eventually. She has an entire chapter on calligraphy. I don't have the greatest handwriting, but think I want to give it a try. I need some other things to focus on right now besides, work and work.

Here is a great example of what I want to do one day from Neither Snow.

My girls

Here was one small moment I shared with my nieces last weekend sitting in my bed. They are so cute in their matching outfits. Izabella-2 1/2 and Danielle-9 months.

Missing In Action

I have been a bit out of touch these last few days. My sister's husband was home on R&R from Afghanistan, so they came to visit me with my lovely nieces. My sister of course forgot to add that my 2 year old niece was recovering from a cold. At 2am, when I was working hard to get the babies back to sleep, I took several coughs directly to my face from Ms. Izabella. So, I have been sleeping and medicating since the minute they left.

But, we did have an amazing weekend together. Pictures coming soon.

Good Hair

Chris Rock was on Oprah yesterday discussing the issue of having "good hair" for Black women. Hair is a very big deal for Black women, probably too much of a big deal, but nonetheless, a big deal. Chris Rock was absolutely hilarious on the show and made some very good points. I have never been so excited about seeing a documentary. LOL! 

Funny, since I am looking to make a change with my hair soon. Maybe I will get some new hair ideas from the movie. Here is a pic of what I was thinking about doing.

A Little Texas in DC

My favorite restaurant in Texas is Chuy's. A cute little Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin (It has now expanded to have chains all over Texas, but the original is in Austin). There whole menu is amazing, but since I was 10 I have only ordered one thing, a "big as yo face" burrito with chicken and Deluxe Tomatillo Sauce. The sauce is what makes it all worth it. It is so delicious. Everything is homemade in the restaurant. There are very few Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas that don't make their own tortillas. And like most Mexican restaurants, you start off with the delicious chips and dip and always request the jalapeno ranch dip with your chips.I love Mexican food and could easily eat it every day. This is the only thing I miss terribly about Texas.

Well, I found a recipe for Deluxe Tomatillo Sauce and am going to give it a try tomorrow. My sister and her family are coming to town tomorrow and I already had plans to make enchiladas, so the sauce will be a fabulous addition. I'll let you know how it goes.

My Theme Song

This is my new theme song. Gotta have faith faith faith!! Plus a little George Michael never hurts. 

Meeting My Literary Hero

This weekend, my boyfriend and I attended the National Book Festival, solely to meet my hero, Judy Blume. She has sold over 80 million books, for children, young adults and adults. She is a genius. During a routine trip to the library during 8th grade, I discovered Forever. I believe I saw it on a banned books list and sought it out.

Attention Book Banners: There is no faster way to get your child to search out for a book you don't want them to read than by attempting to ban it.

 This book introduced me to so much in life. It is about a girl in the 1970s who is experiencing love for the first time and all the things that go with it, teen pregnancy, drugs, peer pressure... It was the first place I heard about Planned Parenthood and birth control. The love story was the greatest of all. 

I passed the book on to everyone I knew, including my cousins. I have one younger sister and 6 girl cousins. We all grew up together and we are all close in age, stair stepped--one year apart. It quickly became a right of passage for girls in my family. When you hit 8th grade you could read the book. I remember getting a call from a younger cousin begging to read the book before 8th grade. Hilarious, since she could have read it without telling anyone, which is what I would have done. I am a bit of a Judy Blume pusher, I even had my 27 year old roommate read the book a few years ago.


On Saturday, we went directly to the book sales tent on the Mall to buy an additional copy of the book, I had brought along my own personal copy as well. A few years back I had to purchase another copy because the small, hardcopy I had from middle school, which I kept and paid for on the last day of school, had gotten lost in one of my several moves in college. Judy Blume was not scheduled to start signing until 11:30am, but I knew the line would be insane well before that time. So, my boyfriend and I went and stood in line. By the time she started, we were in the third line of six. As the classy and gracious woman she is, she started about 20 minutes early. 

Standing in front of someone who has such an impact on the woman I have become, but have never met was euphoric. The two hours in line was well worth it. And I will continue my own tradition and continue to read the book every summer.


Thank you Judy Blume.

Oprah to the Rescue

Whenever I need a little hope, a little pick-me-up, I watch Oprah's Legend's Ball. That is one of the most influential things I have ever seen on television. There were so many strong Black women who came before me and opened doors. This show just reminds me that I can do anything; anything I work hard for and set my mind to I can achieve. And the Gospel brunch video is so spiritual, so moving, it always makes me feel better. Everyone has those moments when they have worked hard for something and there is nothing else they can do but hope for the best. In those moments when I have to let go and have hope, this clip is always my bright light.

I have the original recording on my Tivo from May 2006 that I transferred onto my computer and pull it up anytime I feel the need.

Fall is Here--Coat Season

Last year, I purchased the perfect winter coat. It is a bold, deep green and I get complimented on it every time I wear it. It is the perfect coat and has been worn with everything I own. And just to make a perfect situation better, I bought it on sale at Banana Republic half-way through the winter season.

As much as I love my green coat, I need another one. Here are a few I love.

J.Crew

I love this look. I want an every day coat with a taste of chic uniqueness. I love the ruffle. As Rachel Zoe would say, "I Die."
And I am not the only one that is in love with this coat.

Steve Madden

I do like the A-line shape of this jacket and I have been dying for a toggle coat with a hood. And bright colors in winter is another must for me. It may be that I grew up in a seasonless place (Texas), but winter does not mean drab to me.

DKNY

This is a great classic knee-length coat. I love gray, even though I just said no dull colors, but I love this classic, chic look.

Mackage
I spotted this neckline last year, I just knew it would be a hit. You can wear it up, fold it down, I love a versatile coat.

Guess
The color is BA-NANAS (another Rachel Zoe soundbite). And my new favorite signature neckline. I also LOVE the A-line body.

True Blood

There is nothing hotter right now than vampires. I am not completely sure of the appeal, but I gave it a try. I have been catching up on Season 1 of True Blood with Netflix. We have HBO, so I am looking forward to watching Season 2 OnDemand.

So far, I am really liking the show. I like how they portray the vampires as an oppressed race of people who are just trying to live their lives, but are being discriminated against. At the same time, they do go around killing people, so I understand people's apprehension toward them. I have always loved Anna Paquin, she is one of my favorite actors. They have VERY attractive male characters in the show. AND, it is a "bit" provocative, but its HBO. If they weren't going to push the envelope it might as well be on TBS.

I am absolutely obsessed with New Orleans. I spent Thanksgiving there the year before Katrina hit and absolutely fell in love with the history of that amazing city. But it wasn't until Benjamin Button that I became completely obsessed with the history of New Orleans. I saw the movie for the first time this summer and bought 4 books on the history of Blacks in New Orleans immediately after. It was one of the only cities in America pre-Civil War, that Blacks could be truly successful. They didn't live completely "normal" lives, of course. But there are many Black families that were business owners, politicians, were accepted into society and that interested me greatly.

I do have one small complaint about the show though, the accents. Well, being from Texas, I am very familiar with the different types of southern accents. Anyone from the south knows that the different accents can be very similar, but you can ALWAYS tell someone from Lousiana, it could never be mistaken for something else. They have a deeper, longer drawl to their speech. It is definitely borderline "not english". They don't even say New Orleans, they say "Nawlins". But the characters on the show appear to have just done what they think a southern accent should sound like. I think they should do a little more work on that and then I will be fully roped in.

Plus, as I have stated before. HELLO! Sookie Stackhouse is the greatest name in the history of television.

Clarity

I do know that all of life's lessons are out there and the answer is present just waiting to be seen. Today, in the gym, I had a moment of clarity and I am not ignoring it.

1. Women no longer need to apologize to anyone for our bodies. They may not be ideal, but it is a work in progress. Make your new goal is health, not size.

2. The best revenge is living a happy life.

3. Stress can take you down (permanently) and it takes waaay too much energy to fight it. So save the drama for the real heavy stuff.

4. Stand for something more than yourself. A life without a mission is no life.

5. I love music. It really does take all my baggage away. It makes everything better for at least three minutes.

Boots Season

The weather is changing and it will soon be fall, boots season. Last year I became completely obsessed with boots, mostly riding boots. I love that they have a flat heel, in DC a necessity for walking to and from the metro, but can still have a fancier appeal. You can wear boots with absolutely anything.

Last year, my boyfriend surprised me with a pair of light brown riding boots for our anniversary that I may or may not have pointed out to him 300 times in Macy's. "Forget the jewelry, can I have a new pair of boots please?"

Here are a few great styles I found online. (Designers: Marc Fisher, Ralph Lauren, Geox)

She May Have Outdone Herself

Every time I think she has shown me all she has, First Lady Michelle Obama pulls out something more stunning than the last. She is amazing. She embodies class and elegance.

I Had the Time of My Life: Patrick Swayze

Pure sadness. When my sister called me last night and shared the news about Patrick Swayze's death, I was in shock, completely silent. I can't remember the first time I saw Dirty Dancing, probably 4th grade. I, of course, had little comprehension of the controversial abortion issues in the movie, but I knew the love story and the dancing was right up my alley. Dirty Dancing has been my favorite movie ever since. Over the last 16 years, I have probably seen the movie 1,000 times. In 2007, I received the 20th anniversary edition of the movie. I know every single dance move in that movie. I remember practicing the "lift scene" in the pool with my cousins.

"Me? I'm scared of everything, I'm scared of what I saw of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life, the way I feel when I'm with you. Dance with me..." --Baby (Frances)

There has been waaaay too much loss this year. I will miss you forever Patrick.

Shopping Time for the Wedding of the Season

Our really close friends in DC are getting married in October in Chicago, so I am trying to find a dress that can be paired with some opaque black tights since it will be cold by then. I have a great coat to wear when we are outside the wedding and I will be sure to bring a pashmina to wrap around my shoulders while in the ceremony and the reception. It is a bit difficult to find a nice, young, chic dress appropriate for a wedding that isn't sleeveless, but I think the wrap will be enough.

Here are two options from J.Crew. I think the yellow one would look fabulous with black tights and I wouldn't have to be too concerned about my (um, sizely) chest being overexposed. I should add, both are at a MAJOR discount. More options to come.

Kate is Enough

She is so funny! This is the Jimmy Kimmel skit Kathy Griffin was doing dressed as Kate Gosselin poolside. George Takei is playing Jon "Tool of the Year" Gosselin.

I am about halfway through her book now and it gets deep. It is not all fun and games, no ones life ever is. She is so much more real to me now. Of course, I am someone who thinks I know people I see on TV, it is a sickness I know. I just love her even more. I like strong women who really fight long and hard for what they want and deserve. I doubt her family will be too happy about her airing their dirty laundry, but I think she does it in a respectful way. They know how she is. Plus, they went through things just like everyone does. She had a brother who had a serious addiction problem and an "alleged" pedophile. This was very hurtful to their family, but it seems that they all made it through okay.

Her childhood stories are the best though. She talks about the time her and her brother were taking horse riding lessons and the instructor thought she was a boy. She cried, "but I'm a girl, I'm a girl" the entire lesson. I was laughing so hard, I was crying and literally had to put the book down to get it together. She is just so freakin hilarious. I am really excited to finish reading.

Here is the full interview with Jimmy Kimmel. I just can't get enough of her.

Flash Mob Deep in Chi-town

Watching the Oprah premiere on my DVR now. And they did the coolest "flash mob" performance on Michigan Avenue in Chicago with the Black Eye Peas and 20,000 PEOPLE. I love these things. One random person starts dancing and then slowly a few more and eventually everyone in the crowd busts out with this intricate choreography. Just one more reason why I LOVE Chicago.


My favorite flash mob was the one in the train station. A few people start dancing in the middle of the huge and crowded station and people form a circle around the dancers and are looking at them like they are crazy. BUT, the kicker is, 90% of the people in the crowd also start dancing, there were very few people that weren't in on it. I love it.

Also, Jennifer Hudson performed and she looked great for someone who just had a baby. I am so happy for her and her hubby (Punk from I Love New York, he was my fav, but WAY too good for nasty NY).

Kathy Griffin--Hilarious!

 

There are no words for how much I love Kathy Griffin. Kathy dressed like Kate Gosselin is hilarious. (Team Kate, for the record) I have been to see her in concert twice, even dragging along my boyfriend once, which he loved (but won't admit). My "manly-man" boyfriend is a huge fan of inappropriate jokes, so she was actually a great fit for him. She will say anything for a laugh. I love the celeb stuff, I am a celeb gossip crazed woman and her stories are the best. I have an aunt in the movie industry, her movies are pretty well-known and her ex-husband is a very popular director of which she is the executive producer of all his movies. All throughout my childhood, every time she came over, I would hit her with a billion questions about the latest actors she was working with. I wanted all the juice, I can't get enough. 

Now, she has an autobiography, Official Book Club Selection. I am headed to Barnes and Noble for lunch today to grab it. She is all about the publicity, so I am stoked to see all of the coverage she is getting. I remember the episode of her reality show when she met with the publishing executives and they talked about all the shows she wouldn't be able to get on, like the Today show. Of course, most of the shows she should do publicity on she is banned from, but the best they could do with her D-List status is get her on the 4th hour of the Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda, but that was the best they could do. Kind of ironic because she talks about how she is mistaken for Kathy Lee all the time, which is why she is D-List.

So You Think You Can Dance

I am so happy that they are bringing 'So You Think You Can Dance' back for a Fall Season. I hate waiting a whole year for it. It is worse than waiting for Fox to bring back '24' every January. I love this past season's Top 12, they were all amazing. I wish Brandon would have won, but I love them all. This show really represents a true art, so much better than 'American Idol', which I stopped watching years ago. I am a little embarrassed, but I actually voted a few times this season for my fav SYTYCD'er.

Here they are on Ellen, so awesome.

Need a Pick-Me-Up

Whenever I need a pick-me-up, this always does the trick. The song is fabulous, but the side "butt-shot" (about halfway through) doesn't hurt either.