Tuesday, June 10, 2008

QOTD: Sean Carter/Sean Bell inspired...



“Fuck the world, why? Cause don’t no one love a Sean Carter, Sean Bell. What’s the difference? Do tell.”
-Jay-Z, "A Billi"

I heard this today and had to share. You’d think with the new Weezy and N.E.R.D. albums dropping today that that’s what I would be talking about but no, of course I’m talking about the new Jay-Z freestyle.

First of all, I love the beat! But the above line really stands out to me because after the Sean Bell verdict I have had a HUGE reality check about race and the legal system in this country. Anyways, I love and respect the fact that Jay put that out there and didn’t let that topic stay unheard in the hip-hop community. The line itself kind of says if it affects one of us, it affects all.

Who said hip hop dead?

QOTD: Inspired by Yours Truly!


"You've got to show up to go up!"

Look your girl here has been doing her best to move on up in the world by starting her own business, go back to school and achieve the many goals that are on her list for 2008.

We've already reached the halfway mark of the year (can you believe it's June already?) and things need to get done! That being said, I've recognized that anything that can make me better (at whatever it is I want to do) I want and NEED to be a part of. Whether it's a class, meeting or even a conference call I am willing and waiting to learn more to get to that next level. I plan on showing up!

I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to get better. To stop learning is to hinder yourself. So people show up to whatever event or lesson you need to, to get yourself where you want to be. Only 5 1/2 months left in the year and we're not getting any younger. I know I'm not.

Let's show up and go up!

Net-A-Porter Sale: Up to 50% off!




So if you're ballin' or just a straight up fashion junkie, then good news: Net-A-Porter.com is having a sale! With up to 50% off you can enjoy dresses, shoes, accessories and much more at a discount price. Like the Marc Jacobs Speckled Striped dress for $138.60 or the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Sunday Dotted dress sitting pretty on sale for $633.00.

Some call that a discount, I call it an overcount. Meaning I would have to count my money over and over again for it to come to the amount of that dress. It's so worth it. The Vivienne Westwood dress is very Carrie. Remember when she donned a Vivienne Westwood pinstripe skirt suit in the "A Vogue Idea" episode?

Classic.

Hello Lover!: Jimmy Choo Electra Patent Sandals


These are one of my ultimate shoe fantasies for this summer! (Hence the term "Hello, lover". I can only say hello and goodbye to these puppies.) These Jimmy Choo Electra Patent Sandals are quite fabulous and on sale at Net-A-Porter for a cool $556.50. Yeah...I'm not sure how many jobs I'm going to have to get but I'm going to do whatever it takes to own these. And soon.

Ooooh, they give me a toothache...they're so sweet!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Must Have: Sam Edelman Gilda Gladiator Sandals


Okay, so I am very into gladiator sandals this summer, clearly they are the hottest trend of the season. I'm very picky though, I try not to follow the crowd and find all shapes, prints and colors!

World, I would like you to meet the Sam Edelman Gilda gladiator sandal. I saw a woman in these the other day and I had to ask her where she got them. They're available at Nordstrom's for $84.95. I was at my local Nordstrom's and couldn't seem to find it but as you can see I spotted them online. (Thank the Lord for Google.) Seriously, these are one of the best shoes I've seen this season, period. I plan on getting these in my inventory immediately.

The Random Dozen: 90's R&B edition

So after some deep thought and consideration and thorough YouTubin', I give you what I call The Random Dozen. As a music lover, I thoroughly go through random songs in my head and even reminisce about videos from time to time and so I decided to share. You're welcome.

12. 112 – ONLY YOU
What is that…satin?


11. BRANDY & MONICA – THE BOY IS MINE

Sorry, Mike and Paul…I prefer the girls’ version.


10. PUFF (Diddy didn’t exist yet) & MASE – BEEN AROUND THE WORLD

And because I love you, I’ve given you the long (9 and a half minute) cinematic version.


9. FOXY BROWN feat. DRU HILL – BIG BAD MAMA

Foxy’s yellow ensemble is my favorite.


8. BLACKSTREET feat. DR. DRE & QUEEN PEN – NO DIGGITY

A Backstreet Boys video favorite, apparently.


7. DESTINY’S CHILD – NO, NO, NO (Part II)

Young Beyonce and the crew in some of Mama Tina’s best ensembles.


6. JANET JACKSON feat. MC LYTE – YOU WANT THIS

Favorite song from the Janet album.


5. TIMBALAND & MAGOO – UP JUMPS DA BOOGIE

Awesomeness.


4. JAY-Z – (Always be my) SUNSHINE

Probably Jay and Hype’s worst video. They were doing the most while Foxy was doing the usual.


3. WARREN G feat. NATE DOGG – REGULATE

Had to show the west coast some 90’s love.


2. MASTER P – MAKE ‘EM SAY UHHH
No Limit in full force. And Shaq in the video for no reason at all.


1. BRANDY – I WANNA BE DOWN (remix)

B + MC Lyte, YoYo and Queen Latifah spittin’ hot fire + a young Ray J in the background = priceless.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Sex, Shoes and getting Carried away!



It was everything I wanted and more!

The fashion, the shoes, the friendship...the Cosmos, the drama! OFFICIALLY my favorite movie EVER! It was such a great way to end my birthday with all the girls and I loved every second of it. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor IMMEDIATELY.

Even though it was 2 and a half hours long, it felt like one long episode for the true fans to watch and enjoy. Not one thing I didn't like about it...not ONE.

Okay, I'm done...for now.

Happiness...is it all it's cracked up to be?



Is there ever a good enough reason to compromise your happiness?

Being that it is a few days after my 24th birthday, earlier I stopped and reflected all that I’ve been through. Living in 5 different countries, attending various elementary schools, minor injuries and major mosquito bites, a bee sting, butting heads with two conservative parents, sharing secrets with a free spirited sister, five learning experiences called relationships, remaining television free on weekdays until the age of 18, a stint at Penn State then taking three years off, sporadically living in New York then moving down to the A where it seems like I have started all over again. And after all that reminiscing I’ve realized that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

Regardless of how much money I don’t have, how many people don’t approve and where I’m supposed to be in life, I no longer let any of that affect my contentment. I know there are books on how to obtain it and society has made us believe that it is such a hard notion to acquire but in all actuality, it’s not that hard.

Okay, maybe I’m biased because I’m the happy person. But I realized in my past experiences that my happiness really depends on me, but because I believed it was on someone or something else it was compromised. At the end of the day, there’s never a good enough to compromise your happiness. If you love to dance, someway somehow you should be dancing everyday. If you love to sing, the shower should be your stage and people should be telling you to stop singing so much on a daily basis. I love to write so I will make sure I write a little something everyday (well at least 5 days out of the week) whether it’s a blog post, a song or a journal entry. In this day and age where you can make a billion dollars off of a little idea called Facebook because you liked networking with your friends via PC because computers make you happy – you can’t afford you not do what you love. Well, you can but you may miss out on a big payout.

Of course, like I said before I’m happy so maybe you shouldn’t take it from me. But have a little conversation with yourself, develop a life plan and point out distinctively what makes you happy. What do you enjoy doing? It’s so funny because after working for the man for so long and catering to your family, friends or spouse/significant other’s needs you become lost and ignorant to what really made you happy in the first place. Take some time to figure it all out and trust me it’ll be worth it. If not, just stop worrying about what other people say, don’t psych yourself out if you’re tired, lazy or scared of it and accept happiness for what it is. The things you once thought would thrill you may not be all you ever dreamed of and maybe that one thing you never thought you’d give a chance can give you that peace you’ve needed all along.

In hindsight, maybe happiness isn’t so easy to obtain because as they say you’ve got to go through the rain to get a rainbow. But I’m telling you, once you get through that storm, smooth sailing has never felt so good.

So to answer my own question, there is absolutely no reason good enough to compromise my happiness. Because I wouldn’t trade it for the world.