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Road Trip

Hitting the road this weekend to see my mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers and Mother figures everywhere.

You are loved.

Courtesy

Flawless Friday

Happy Birthday to my dearest friend, ZEN.  I'm doing this in a big way because I have forgotten her birthday damn near every year since we've known each other (26 years) and I always promise to do something to help me remember, and here it is-a blog entry.  Isn't she gorgeous?  (She just screamed by the way).

She is a fiercely loyal "front" (sorority speak), a wonderful wife, mother, sister, etc...  ZEN has a wicked sense of humor (key to staying young and young at heart), and she takes enormously good care of those she loves.

She's been around through thick and thin, marriage/divorce, and marriage again, babies, trials, tribulations, and triumphs.  ZEN is so much fun to be around-her laughter is contagious and she's just plain cool.  This southern belle is ever the lady (i'm the catty one).  We've grown up together and I can say she is one of the best friends a girl could ask for and i'm honored she's my friend and i'm her "back". 

I haven't told anyone about this blog except her. I figured if someone found my ramblings, then cool. ZEN "got it", she knew why I needed to do this, and she's been nothing but encouraging and supportive.  Little did she know she ran the risk of being put on blast like this.

Why do I call her ZEN? She is a certified yoga instructor and I mean-she's been all through India and sh*t doing her Namaste thing, gone into the hills to meditate and such, but when she came down...she got her certification, and she's the best there is!  People swear by her.  BTW-the yoga thing is her ACT II and i'm proud she found it.  I can put you in touch if you're looking for the best.  

And finally......she still rocks a bikini and looks damn good doing it!!!

If you see her today-wish her a Happy Birthday and tell her she is loved.

Thanks to MGM for the pics.
TMH-I love you too-but I remember your bday every year!
irret
25-A-84

Obama Style: Wonderful Watercolor

Wasn't my intention to highlight Michelle Obama-Mrs. O does an incredible job of that but, Mrs. Obama has been hitting it out of the park lately and yesterday was no exception.

Her beautiful Thakoon dress was splashed with bright watercolors-perfectly appropriate for the festive holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

Getty Image

 

Huffington Post

Common in Philly

Today.

Trailer/Review

Rae-Ripperton Connection

Corrine Bailey Rae performing Closer reminds me of:





Minnie Ripperton.
She died one month after this performance in July 1979 (below) from breast cancer.
Cut for cut-her last album, Minnie, was incredible and the cover was beautiful.
It didn't quite sink in with me that you COULD really die young until Minnie passed away.
She was 31.

 1947-1979

Anyway, when I mentioned that I could hear Minnie in Corrine to C.T.-my go to guy for all musical insight, he sent me this and it confirmed how good my ear really is (smile)-Minnie was an influence.  Enjoy her. 

Memory Lane:

Cinco de Mayo-Margarita Love

I had the most wonderful margarita over the weekend.  I'm not a margarita drinker, but this was an incredible cocktail.  I also liked that it was a margarita for grown folks-not all blender-ed up and rimmed in sugar, salt, or sugary salt.  I questioned the bartender,  did a bit of research, learned a little something, and got quite tipsy in the process. 

Use a tequila that's 100% agave.  What does that mean?  Dictionary.com:

aga·ve definition

Pronunciation: /ə-ˈgäv-ē/
Function: n
1 cap : a genus of plants (family Agavaceae) that are native to tropical America and to the southwestern United States, have spiny-margined leaves in basal rosettes and tall spikes of flowers, and include some that are cultivated for their fiber or sap or for ornamen  

The bartender used the recipe borrowed from Gaston Martinez, a "brand ambassador" for Milagro Tequila.  I've reprinted his recipe  below for the "World's Freshest Margarita":

Always use fresh lime juice.
Use agave nectar as your sweetener.
Water is a key ingredient in a good margarita-shake well so some of the ice will melt.
Always pour your margarita over fresh ice.

2oz tequila (Gaston suggests Milagro Silver tequila)
1 oz Agave Nectar (Milagro also makes this)
1 oz Lime Juice
Served in a Rocks Glass
Garnished with a Lime Wheel

Tuesday Tease

Josh Duhamel

Came across a Vegas re-run and I was no good.

Kentucky Derby Style

The Kentucky Derby is THE place where you will see the creme de la creme of millinery.   The ladies come from all over for the chance to be the ultimate southern belle in dressed up hats with feathers, flowers, and ribbon.  Everyone (actors, models, athletes) shows up to see the race, but also to be seen.  Especially to be seen.  A look at past and current looks:

 Courtesy 

 Mint Julep is the drink of the Kentucky Derby. 
Cocktail Times says that the drink originated with the Derby in 1938 when it was served in souvenir glasses for 75 cents.  The drink's name first appeared in print in 1803 when it was explained as a "dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning."  The story went that farmers drank a mint julep in the morning, like coffee, to get them going for the day.  Historians also say that the drink's origin traces back to Arabia with a drink called the "julab" made of water and rose petals.  The silver or pewter cup is part of the mint julep's tradition - these materials stay cold longer, and they are frosted before the icy drink is poured into them.

Courtesy

The day started rainy-2010

Reuben Stoddard and his wife-2010

Terrell Owens with the ladies-2010.

Smokey Robinson with his wife, Frances-Classic Look-2010.

Dwayne Wade-Looks Great-2008.

Beyonce-Forgot the Derby's in the spring-Past photo

Ashanti-Young and Fresh.

Erykah Badu-Marches to her own drum.

Kelly Rowland

Star Jones

Lynn Whitfield-2008

Zoe Saldana

Niecey Nash-Wearing It-2007!

Tichina Arnold-My Favorite-2008.

Essence.com

 To see more Derby Style-Click here

R.I.P. Lynn Redgrave

Georgy Girl-Lived by her own lights.

The Happy Hooker-1975

1943-2010

Actor Lynn Redgrave died yesterday of breast cancer.
The lights were dimmed on Broadway.
R.I.P.

Get Togetha Giveaway-I Won!!!

This is right up my 60's-70's Alley isn't it?

In the name of baaaaaad chica’s Get Togetha brings you this rockin larger than life Afro decal sponsored by my design friend Lauren of Ten 23 Designs. Psssh. How sizzling hot is this decal? It’s the perfect decor accessory to give your walls a signature “come hither” look. So you know what to do right? Pay a visit to Lauren’s lovely site and leave a comment in the box for a chance to win. Looking forward to your comments. 

*Comments closed/Winner is Diva Mom/Thanks to all who entered!

Get Togetha (GT),  is a really fresh design-decor-lifestyle blog that I have been loving for a while now.  There's even a little conversation that goes on over there from time to time.  Check out GT and THANK YOU for the wall decal.  It's me to a tee!

Ten 23 Designs create wonderful graphics that adorn decor to enhance any room or event venue.  You'd be surprised at what one of these designs can do to a room.  Check them out and thank you too!

Motown Monday

My first memory of a Motown Song was in 1969,  My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder.

It actually recorded on the Tamla label, the very first label from Motown Corporation.

I remember the girls in our neighborhood would just keep singing over and over:  La la la la la la-La la la la la la......until we finally got past that to learn the words.

Obama Style: White House Correspondents Dinner

Photo:  Reuters

Photo:  Getty Images

Michelle Obama is lovely in a red jersey Prabal Gurung.

  

Her earrings are made of jade and diamonds and her cuff, gold and diamonds.  Both pieces are by Bochic.

Mrs. Obama's date looked pretty good too and he was hilarious last night.  Did you see him?

 Photo:  Getty Images


I love the Obamas. 

Dr, Height Funeral Remarks by President Obama

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

April 29, 2010

Remarks by the President at Funeral Service for Dr. Dorothy Height

Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

10:40 A.M.  EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Please be seated.  Let me begin by saying a word to Dr. Dorothy Height’s sister, Ms. Aldridge.  To some, she was a mentor.  To all, she was a friend.  But to you, she was family, and my family offers yours our sympathy for your loss.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life, and mourn the passing, of Dr. Dorothy Height.  It is fitting that we do so here, in our National Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.  Here, in a place of great honor.  Here, in the House of God.  Surrounded by the love of family and of friends.  The love in this sanctuary is a testament to a life lived righteously; a life that lifted other lives; a life that changed this country for the better over the course of nearly one century here on Earth.

Michelle and I didn’t know Dr. Height as well, or as long, as many of you.  We were reminded during a previous moment in the service, when you have a nephew who’s 88 -- (laughter) -- you’ve lived a full life.  (Applause.)
But we did come to know her in the early days of my campaign.  And we came to love her, as so many loved her.  We came to love her stories.  And we loved her smile.  And we loved those hats -- (laughter) -- that she wore like a crown -- regal.  In the White House, she was a regular.  She came by not once, not twice -- 21 times she stopped by the White House.  (Laughter and applause.)  Took part in our discussions around health care reform in her final months.

Last February, I was scheduled to see her and other civil rights leaders to discuss the pressing problems of unemployment -- Reverend Sharpton, Ben Jealous of the NAACP, Marc Morial of the National Urban League.  Then we discovered that Washington was about to be blanketed by the worst blizzard in record -- two feet of snow.
So I suggested to one of my aides, we should call   Dr. Height and say we're happy to reschedule the meeting.  Certainly if the others come, she should not feel obliged. True to form, Dr. Height insisted on coming, despite the blizzard, never mind that she was in a wheelchair.  She was not about to let just a bunch of men -- (laughter) -- in this meeting.  (Applause.)  It was only when the car literally could not get to her driveway that she reluctantly decided to stay home.  But she still sent a message -- (laughter) -- about what needed to be done.
And I tell that story partly because it brings a smile to my face, but also because it captures the quiet, dogged, dignified persistence that all of us who loved Dr. Height came to know so well -- an attribute that we understand she learned early on.

Born in the capital of the old Confederacy, brought north by her parents as part of that great migration, Dr. Height was raised in another age, in a different America, beyond the experience of many.  It’s hard to imagine, I think, life in the first decades of that last century when the elderly woman that we knew was only a girl.  Jim Crow ruled the South.  The Klan was on the rise -- a powerful political force.  Lynching was all too often the penalty for the offense of black skin.  Slaves had been freed within living memory, but too often, their children, their grandchildren remained captive, because they were denied justice and denied equality, denied opportunity, denied a chance to pursue their dreams.
The progress that followed -- progress that so many of you helped to achieve, progress that ultimately made it possible for Michelle and me to be here as President and First Lady -- that progress came slowly.  (Applause.)
Progress came from the collective effort of multiple generations of Americans.  From preachers and lawyers, and thinkers and doers, men and women like Dr. Height, who took it upon themselves -- often at great risk -- to change this country for the better.  From men like W.E.B Du Bois and A. Philip Randolph; women like Mary McLeod Bethune and Betty Friedan -- they’re Americans whose names we know.  They are leaders whose legacies we teach.  They are giants who fill our history books.  Well, Dr. Dorothy Height deserves a place in this pantheon.  She, too, deserves a place in our history books.  (Applause.)  She, too, deserves a place of honor in America’s memory.

Look at her body of work.  Desegregating the YWCA.  Laying the groundwork for integration on Wednesdays in Mississippi.  Lending pigs to poor farmers as a sustainable source of income.  Strategizing with civil rights leaders, holding her own, the only woman in the room, Queen Esther to this Moses Generation -- even as she led the National Council of Negro Women with vision and energy -- (applause) -- with vision and energy, vision and class.
But we remember her not solely for all she did during the civil rights movement.  We remember her for all she did over a lifetime, behind the scenes, to broaden the movement’s reach.  To shine a light on stable families and tight-knit communities.  To make us see the drive for civil rights and women’s rights not as a separate struggle, but as part of a larger movement to secure the rights of all humanity, regardless of gender, regardless of race, regardless of ethnicity.

It’s an unambiguous record of righteous work, worthy of remembrance, worthy of recognition.  And yet, one of the ironies is, is that year after year, decade in, decade out, Dr. Height went about her work quietly, without fanfare, without self-promotion.  She never cared about who got the credit.  She didn’t need to see her picture in the papers.  She understood that the movement gathered strength from the bottom up, those unheralded men and women who don't always make it into the history books but who steadily insisted on their dignity, on their manhood and womanhood.  (Applause.)  She wasn’t interested in credit.  What she cared about was the cause.  The cause of justice.  The cause of equality.  The cause of opportunity.  Freedom’s cause.

And that willingness to subsume herself, that humility and that grace, is why we honor Dr. Dorothy Height.  As it is written in the Gospel of Matthew:  “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”  I don’t think the author of the Gospel would mind me rephrasing:  “whoever humbles herself will be exalted.”  (Applause.)

One of my favorite moments with Dr. Height -- this was just a few months ago -- we had decided to put up the Emancipation Proclamation in the Oval Office, and we invited some elders to share reflections of the movement.  And she came and it was a inter-generational event, so we had young children there, as well as elders, and the elders were asked to share stories.  And she talked about attending a dinner in the 1940s at the home of Dr. Benjamin Mays, then president of Morehouse College.  And seated at the table that evening was a 15-year-old student, “a gifted child,” as she described him, filled with a sense of purpose, who was trying to decide whether to enter medicine, or law, or the ministry.

And many years later, after that gifted child had become a gifted preacher -- I’m sure he had been told to be on his best behavior -- after he led a bus boycott in Montgomery, and inspired a nation with his dreams, he delivered a sermon on what he called “the drum major instinct” -- a sermon that said we all have the desire to be first, we all want to be at the front of the line.

The great test of a life, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, is to harness that instinct; to redirect it towards advancing the greater good; toward changing a community and a country for the better; toward doing the Lord’s work.
I sometimes think Dr. King must have had Dorothy Height in mind when he gave that speech.  For Dorothy Height met the test.  Dorothy Height embodied that instinct.  Dorothy Height was a drum major for justice.  A drum major for equality.  A drum major for freedom.  A drum major for service.  And the lesson she would want us to leave with today -- a lesson she lived out each and every day -- is that we can all be first in service.  We can all be drum majors for a righteous cause.  So let us live out that lesson.  Let us honor her life by changing this country for the better as long as we are blessed to live.  May God bless Dr. Dorothy Height and the union that she made more perfect.  (Applause.)

END
10:54 A.M. EDT

whitehouse.gov 

Flawless Friday

Courtesy

Sade Babyfather

Love the colors on this promotional poster and I'm really feeling this cut.

Tuesday Tease

 

Rapper Common

Starring with Queen Latifah in the romantic comedy "Just Wright" in theaters May 14.

Motown Monday

Ok- back to the blogger profile I guess I might as well fill out.

If I had to name my favorite album, it would be the jewel in Motown's crown:  Songs in the Key of Life. 
Favorite Song:  As.

Released in 1976, the total genius of Stevie Wonder is all through this album, but if you've ever experienced a love so strong you can't even quantify it-Stevie did it for you when he wrote As. Lyrics included below.



"AS"
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all is born is new
Do know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky---ALWAYS
Until the ocean covers every mountain high---ALWAYS
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea---ALWAYS
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always
As today I know I'm living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind Cause I'll be loving you always

Until the day is night and night becomes the day---ALWAYS
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away---ALWAYS
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4---ALWAYS
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Did you know that you're loved by somebody?
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left---ALWAYS
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
I'll be loving you forever
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through---ALWAYS
Until the day that you are me and I am you---AL~~~~~~WA~~
~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky~~~~~AA~~~~
~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~YS~~ALWAYS

We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet you life times that and twice its double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed
so make sure when you say you're in it but not of it
You're not helping to make this earth a place sometimes called Hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
And maybe our children's grandchildren
And their great-great grandchildren will tell
I'll be loving you

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky--Loving you
Until the ocean covers every mountain high--Loving you
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea--Loving you
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream--Be loving you
Until the day is night and night becomes the day--Loving you
Until the trees and seas up, up and fly away--Loving you
Until the day that 8x8x8x8 is 4--Loving you
Until the day that is the day that are no more--Loving you
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left--Be loving you
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself--Loving you
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through--Loving you
Until the day that you are me and I am you--
Now ain't that loving you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Ain't that loving you
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
And I've got to say always
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea~~AL~~~WA~~~AYS
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream-Um AL~~WA~~AYS
Until the day is night and night becomes the day-AL~~~~WA~~AYS
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away-AL~~WA~~~AA~~~~~
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA~~~~~~~AA
Until the day that is the day that are no more-AA~~~~AA~~AA~~~AYS
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left-AL~~~WA~~~A~~~AA
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself-~~AA~~~AA~~~AA~~~AYS
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through-AL~~~WAYS
Until the day that you are me and I am you
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
Until the day that 8x8x8 is 4
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you

Earth Week

I got a bit busy this week and didn't make mention of Earth Day, but I firmly beleive that we all have a responsibility for our "footprints", and need to do (within reason) whatever we can do to help preserve and save the planet for future generations.  So in honor of Earth Day/Week, AND because i'm totally into Motown lately, I give you the master, Marvin Gaye.

The Ecology from his groundbreaking album, What's Going On.

 

Penn Relays

I helped manage a wedding today while the family went to the Penn Relays.  They brought me back a few pictures of what I missed.  My Mini-Me (1) told me that Usain Bolt wasn't human-he's a machine.  He ran the anchor leg in the 4x100 meter relay in 8.79 seconds...WOW!  He got the baton 10 meters behind the others, and at 50 meters he was 10 meters ahead.  I'm sorry I missed it!  My husband is a Penn man, so he was able to fanangle his way on the field and get some up close shots of the Olympian with his teammates, the Mayor, and the Governor (also Penn Men).  Enjoy!