Opening Act-Shutting them Down and Up!

Beyonce silenced her critics for lip-syncing the national anthem during the Inauguration by opening her Super Bowl press conference with a live version.

Any Questions?

The Silencer

Obama Style-Inaugural Ball 2013

Mrs. O is wearing Jason Wu once again.  It's a halter-neck ruby chiffon custom gown with velvet details, and Jimmy Choo shoes.  Even though she's spectacular, it would've been nice to give someone else a play this time around.

Just sayin.

Getty Images

The 2nd Inauguration of Barack Obama 2013

Images of the Day

January 20, 2013-Private Swearing In

January 21, 2013-Public Ceremony

Myrlie Evers

One Last Look

I totally love the girls.

God Bless our President

Getty Images

Flawless Friday-Final Results

Mrs. O

Say Grace

I always say grace before I eat.  From now on before I say "Amen", I'm going to visualize Jennifer Hudson, and thank God for helping me make good food choices.  She is inspirational!

Jennifer Hudson

Oscars 2011

I Have a Dream

It seems as though we are moving backwards regarding race relations, and living in a civil society.  We are not free.  On the contrary I think that we are in bondage more than ever.  How could one even consider  entertaining a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on the 47th Anniversary of Dr. King's most famous speech unless the topic is about loving each other?  What's going on today is all about hate mongering and just plain mean spirited.   It's a slap in the face.  It's.........I have no words to convey the anger and sadness I feel right now.  As a country we need to be free from this foolishness.  When those at the rally today are spewing venom, pray.  It changes everything and is your strongest weapon against hate.

I believe that nothing should be about race, but about God's children loving each other the way we love ourselves.  Period.  That would take care of every single problem in this world.  Dare to believe that it's that simple.

WTF is going on?  This is not the dream we signed up for.  Today, I am going to tune out all of the noise, and  I ask that you do too.  If you want to know what should be going on today in DC-remind yourself below.

I've missed being here.

Erika Ward

Does the Damn thing!

Erika Ward, the talented mastermind behind Blu Label Bungalow in Atlanta has left me speechless again and again with her visions of fashion inspired interiors.  I stumbled upon her blog a few months ago and she's been required reading for me ever since.  She had the task of creating a space for an Atlanta couple that would satisfy his masculinity and her femininity.   Here's the concept :

And now a peek at the reveal:

To die for huh?  If you want to see the rest of her genius-head over to Blu Label Bungalow and take a look around her blog.  You'll be inspired by her design sensibility.  I'll be moving soon and no doubt will need someone to bounce my ideas off of.  Thank goodness Erika's available because she does online consults for those of us not in the Atlanta area.  Take my call girl-it's coming.

R.I.P. Lena Horne

1917-2010

Grammy Award Winning Singer, Actor, Activist, Legendary Beauty

Lena Horne

Flawless Friday

She is so stunning-this young lady took my breath away!
Moms everywhere take note-PLEASE.
Use this post to make a point with your daughters while prom shopping this year.
Youthful elegance-it can be done.
Click through to see this beauty.

 
What Prom Gorgeous Looks Like At Age 17

courtesy of Creole in DC

Big Decisions

I've had to make a number of huge, life altering decisions lately. I always wonder if i'm doing the right thing or going down the right path. A person never knows how their decisions will put a chain of events in motion for their good or to their detriment. Any decision doesn't just impact you-it could impact your family, and the community around you also. What do you do when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Flawless Friday

Better late than never C. T., and it doesn't get any better than this.
Love her.

Blue Willow Inspiration

The inspiration.

I came across this image and it immediately brought back the memory of my Great Aunt Margaret.  We called her "Smunk" and don't ask me why.  She was in her fifties when I was born, and as I never knew either of my Grandmothers, Smunk was it-and more.  I grew up in a time when there was extended family around to help out.  There was no such thing as day care centers-we went over to Aunt Margaret's.  She lived in a "colorful" neighborhood; Portner Place in northwest DC (wonder if it's still there)?  The 14th and "U" Streets corridor was a little rough back then, not at all like it is today and I was fascinated but a bit afraid of the neighborhood.  Aunt Margaret didn't blink and therefore, we didn't either.  From the time she got up in the morning, she was always impeccably dressed even to sweep off the front stoop.  Dress, hose, pumps, hair done, the whole nine. 

Anyway, her meals were wonderfully prepared and served on the "Blue Willow" china pattern that I'm sure everyone is familiar with.  My first marriage, I registered for a trendy Mikasa casual china pattern that was out at the time.  The marriage ended-I gave the china away.  Older and wiser the second time around, I bought the Blue Willow.  Some things are meant to last forever-like my memories of the only grandmother I've ever known:  My Great Aunt Margaret McClurkin.

Images via flickr:

Boxed China 

Fridge Magnets

Eggs

Tattoo

Sunday dinner

For No Particular Reason

credit

Maybe just because I have long-black-beautiful-legs that are NOT shod in Louboutin.

BluLabel Bungalow-Custom Moodboard Giveaway

I love beautiful things and Erika Ward, principal designer at BluLabel Bungalow, satisfies my eye candy cravings. She has an incredible design sensibility-first and only so far on my blog roll for beautiful things. BluLabel Bungalow is celebrating reaching 100 followers with a Custom Moodboard giveaway! The moodboard is a e-decorating service that offers inspiration, a design plan, and links to shopping resources. Click the link for details on how to enter, and enjoy Erika's wonderful blog while you're there.