This would have been lost in my mind forever had it not been for C.T. who has THE most extensive catalog of music. Thanks for helping me remember this incredible song by Randy Crawford.
An Eclectic Mix
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday Sex in the City 2?
What do you think?
Should I spend my Saturday at the movies-or would I be better off grilling?
Stay or go?
UPDATE-Style No Substance-I Should have passed on this.
UPDATE-Style No Substance-I Should have passed on this.
Friday, May 28, 2010
We're Off!
AP
Heading out for the long weekend. From my family to yours-Have a Safe a Happy Holiday!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Random Foolishness
From my inbox:
GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN
GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN
Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa. Half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally Beautiful!
Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.
Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece, gently aging but still a warm and desirable place to visit.
Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all conquering past.
Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel, has been through war, doesn't make the same mistakes twice, takes care of business.
Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada, self-preserving, but open to meeting new people.
After 70, she becomes Tibet .. Wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages. An adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN
Between 1 and 80, a man is like Iran , ruled by nuts.
THE END.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Commentary: Lamenting the Death of Childhood
Originally saw this at The Savvy Sista and knew it was worth repeating. As a matter of fact, this article should probably be re-blogged, re-tweeted, and re-whatever else you do nowadays. I firmly believe that proper parenting (or lack of it) is a HUGE part of our social problems today. I had a tremendous childhood and every child should be able to have the same. Read on:
Courtesy- Essence
Commentary: Lamenting the Death of Childhood
I have a serious gripe about the childhood experience in the new millennium.
It's absolutely and completely devoid of innocence. In fact, the concept of innocence as a basic right of childhood has disappeared. Whatever happened to the good ol' days when children were allowed to be children? They wore children's clothes. Played children's games. Talked about things children should talk about. And worried about things only children should worry about, like, How am I going to clean my room quick enough to go outside and play? Or, Will Johnny play with me when I get outside? Or, How fast do I have to pedal this bike to make it home before the streetlights come on?
Does anybody else remember these glory days?
Instead, today most parents are dressing their children like mini-adults, in smaller versions of the trashy stuff adults wear. I see little girls in miniskirts, tight jeans, high-heeled shoes and wearing training bras before they have anything to train. I see 4-year-old boys with pierced ears and diamond studs -- sometimes two. Everybody is in a rush for children to grow up.
On any given day in the parenting blogosphere, you'll find someone, somewhere asking if 10 years old is too young to start waxing legs, or some other mommy-angst over eyebrow- or lip-waxing for 8-year-olds. If a child is being teased because of excessive hair growth, then I may understand a parent giving it some consideration (depending on the child's age), but this excessive attention on grooming at such an early age is dangerous. It increases a child's self-consciousness rather than their self-confidence, as far as I'm concerned.
Meanwhile, our conversations, popular music and clothing have oversexualized our children and introduced them to "grown folk" concepts long before they are ready. Then we wonder why 14-year-olds are raping 7-year-olds, and what this world is coming to. My 10- and 6-year-olds barely watch any TV as it is, but when Disney Channel's Hannah Montana started kissing boys and Zack and Cody started "dating," I quickly cut those shows out of the approved rotation.
What's more, when I was growing up, if I wanted to know anything about "grown folks'" conversations, I would have to sneak. And hard. I would have to stay up past my bedtime, sneak down the steps (trying to avoid the creaky spots), squeeze my head in between the banister rails and listen really, really hard. It took serious work and planning in order to hear an adult conversation.
Today, things are just the opposite. Children are in the middle of divorce squabbles, money problems and babymama/babydaddy drama, and they use words they really shouldn't know. Parents don't work to protect a child's right to be innocent. And this is a problem.
When my son was in pre-K at a local Montessori school, a well-respected teacher that I generally admired would make constant joking references to my son's so-called "girlfriend." "Is that your 'girlfriend?' Say goodbye to your 'girlfriend,'" she would say. She thought it was so cute. I took her aside after the third time and let her know that I didn't think it was appropriate to introduce adult concepts like "boyfriends and girlfriends" to a 3-year-old. I told her that we don't use those words in our house, and that I would appreciate it if she would refrain from those types of jokes.
She looked at me like I was from another planet. And I am: the old-school planet. I'm all about preserving a child's right to be a child. My children have never watched BET videos, and they listen to my pre-made kid CDs in the car. Unfortunately, that has made my children misfits in the world, especially when they often don't know the songs, dance moves or popular video games (but they're highly advanced readers, and writing and math whizzes).
When we get children worrying about what's on the outside -- instead of what's on the inside -- at such an early age, we set a dangerous precedent and send a damaging message about what really matters. When parenting young girls and boys, we need to get our focus back on character and not on clothes, personal power or pedicures; on self-worth instead of waxing. And then we will see how truly beautiful our children really are.
It's absolutely and completely devoid of innocence. In fact, the concept of innocence as a basic right of childhood has disappeared. Whatever happened to the good ol' days when children were allowed to be children? They wore children's clothes. Played children's games. Talked about things children should talk about. And worried about things only children should worry about, like, How am I going to clean my room quick enough to go outside and play? Or, Will Johnny play with me when I get outside? Or, How fast do I have to pedal this bike to make it home before the streetlights come on?
Does anybody else remember these glory days?
Instead, today most parents are dressing their children like mini-adults, in smaller versions of the trashy stuff adults wear. I see little girls in miniskirts, tight jeans, high-heeled shoes and wearing training bras before they have anything to train. I see 4-year-old boys with pierced ears and diamond studs -- sometimes two. Everybody is in a rush for children to grow up.
On any given day in the parenting blogosphere, you'll find someone, somewhere asking if 10 years old is too young to start waxing legs, or some other mommy-angst over eyebrow- or lip-waxing for 8-year-olds. If a child is being teased because of excessive hair growth, then I may understand a parent giving it some consideration (depending on the child's age), but this excessive attention on grooming at such an early age is dangerous. It increases a child's self-consciousness rather than their self-confidence, as far as I'm concerned.
Meanwhile, our conversations, popular music and clothing have oversexualized our children and introduced them to "grown folk" concepts long before they are ready. Then we wonder why 14-year-olds are raping 7-year-olds, and what this world is coming to. My 10- and 6-year-olds barely watch any TV as it is, but when Disney Channel's Hannah Montana started kissing boys and Zack and Cody started "dating," I quickly cut those shows out of the approved rotation.
What's more, when I was growing up, if I wanted to know anything about "grown folks'" conversations, I would have to sneak. And hard. I would have to stay up past my bedtime, sneak down the steps (trying to avoid the creaky spots), squeeze my head in between the banister rails and listen really, really hard. It took serious work and planning in order to hear an adult conversation.
Today, things are just the opposite. Children are in the middle of divorce squabbles, money problems and babymama/babydaddy drama, and they use words they really shouldn't know. Parents don't work to protect a child's right to be innocent. And this is a problem.
When my son was in pre-K at a local Montessori school, a well-respected teacher that I generally admired would make constant joking references to my son's so-called "girlfriend." "Is that your 'girlfriend?' Say goodbye to your 'girlfriend,'" she would say. She thought it was so cute. I took her aside after the third time and let her know that I didn't think it was appropriate to introduce adult concepts like "boyfriends and girlfriends" to a 3-year-old. I told her that we don't use those words in our house, and that I would appreciate it if she would refrain from those types of jokes.
She looked at me like I was from another planet. And I am: the old-school planet. I'm all about preserving a child's right to be a child. My children have never watched BET videos, and they listen to my pre-made kid CDs in the car. Unfortunately, that has made my children misfits in the world, especially when they often don't know the songs, dance moves or popular video games (but they're highly advanced readers, and writing and math whizzes).
When we get children worrying about what's on the outside -- instead of what's on the inside -- at such an early age, we set a dangerous precedent and send a damaging message about what really matters. When parenting young girls and boys, we need to get our focus back on character and not on clothes, personal power or pedicures; on self-worth instead of waxing. And then we will see how truly beautiful our children really are.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Motown Monday
The year is 1969 and this album marked the beginning of a life long love affair with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. My sister "let me have" Michael because we were closer in age and she "took" Jermaine because he was older and she thought he was finer. We loved it all, the moves, the fashions, the afros, the smiles-I mean I Want You Back first came out on 45 and we loved the flip side just as much as the original single. How cool was it that such a young boy sing so knowingly about the pain of love? It was called Who's Lovin You and it remains one of my favorites.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Flawless Friday
White House State Dinner in honor of Mexican President Felipe
The Decor: Above and Below
The State Dinner Menu
Jicama with Oranges, Grapefruit, and Pineapple
Citrus Vinaigrette
Wine: Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”
Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah
Sesame-Cilantro Cracker
Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole
Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans
Wine: Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”
Chocolate-Cajeta Tart
Toasted Homemade Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream
Wine: Mumm Napa “Carlos Santana Brut” N/V
Citrus Vinaigrette
Wine: Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”
Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah
Sesame-Cilantro Cracker
Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole
Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans
Wine: Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”
Chocolate-Cajeta Tart
Toasted Homemade Marshmallows
Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream
Wine: Mumm Napa “Carlos Santana Brut” N/V
Executed without a hitch.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday Tease
Chris Noth
He and I have been together since Law and Order. We've grown up now and he's still BIG, but on The Good Wife now.
Monday, May 10, 2010
R.I.P. Lena Horne
1917-2010
Grammy Award Winning Singer, Actor, Activist, Legendary Beauty
Lena Horne
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
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.
Flawless Friday
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".
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
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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.
Her beautiful Thakoon dress was splashed with bright watercolors-perfectly appropriate for the festive holiday of Cinco de Mayo.
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.
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:
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:
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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:
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
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, May 4, 2010
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