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:
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.
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!
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.
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.)
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
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.
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!
As many of you know, my Soror Kamala Harris, (15-A-86), is running for California Attorney General. The primary is only two months away and support is needed right now more than ever. The DC Young Professionals are hosting their very last Young Professionals event for Kamala in DC on Monday, April 26th. Please find the event info below. I hope you will attend and help spread the word if you are in the DMV area!
DC YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR KAMALA HARRIS
Invite You to a Fundraiser Honoring
San Francisco District Attorney & Candidate for California Attorney General
KAMALA D. HARRIS
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
L2 LOUNGE
3315 Cady's Alley NW (between 33rd and 34th off of M St.)
Washington, DC
I can't emphasize enough how critical this race is for the state of California, and for our nation. California has one of the highest rates of recidivism in the entire country. Meanwhile, our corrections budget has grown into the billions of dollars, leaving us with a revolving door that cycles criminals in and out of prison. Our current system is failing, and my aunt Kamala has implemented innovative initiatives that provide new and effective solutions to these massive problems. As she enters her seventh year as San Francisco's District Attorney, the "Smart on Crime" approach Kamala has pioneered continues to serve as a model for the nation to reform our criminal justice system.
Kamala's Back on Track initiative, for example, has achieved nationwide recognition for its successes in taking first-time, low-level, nonviolent drug offenders off the streets, giving them an education, job training and other important life skills, and re-entering them back into productive society. And her fight against school truancy provides hope to children who too often feel that our educational system does not care about them. These are just two examples of the great work my aunt is doing in San Francisco, and models of success she hopes to bring to the state of California.
Please join the DC Young Professionals for Kamala Harris on Monday, April 26th, and support an inspiring candidate in her historic run to become California's first woman and first African-American Attorney General, and the first South Asian Attorney General in the country.
--
MORE ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS
Kamala Harris is currently the District Attorney of San Francisco and a celebrated rising star in the Democratic Party. She was the first female DA elected in San Francisco and is now running to become the first female and first African-American Attorney General in California history. If elected, Kamala will also be the first South Asian Attorney General in the nation.
Kamala was the first elected official in California to publicly endorse President Obama and was the co-chair of his California campaign. In fact, journalist Gwen Ifill said about Kamala on The Late Show with David Letterman: "She's brilliant, she's smart. They call her the 'female Barack Obama.'" Kamala was also featured on Oprah as one of “America's Most Powerful Women" and The New York Times named her one of the 17 women most likely to become the first female president of the United States. Recently, Kamala was recognized by Lifetime Television among Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and other accomplished women, for her commitment to justice. You can watch Lifetime’s “Every Woman Counts” Salute to Kamala Harris here.
The praise and support Kamala has garnered are a result of her outstanding track record as District Attorney. She was recently re-elected to her second term as District Attorney and ran un-opposed for that position. She raised the felony conviction rate in San Francisco to 71%, the highest in over a decade. But she's not just tough on crime, Kamala has completely revolutionized the District Attorney's office by implementing progressive, creative programs that also seek to be "Smart on Crime." In addition to increasing convictions for serious and violent crimes, she has also championed education by using truancy statutes to improve attendance at schools and has pioneered programs to protect and aid the families of victims. She hopes to bring this same progressive approach to the Attorney General's office on issues of prison reform, education, and the environment. Her smart on crime approach was featured on The Today Show. You can watch the interview here.
Kamala will be the progressive, new generation of leadership that California needs. To learn more, please visit www.kamalaharris.org.
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.
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?
It's so good to see Lauryn Hill again after such a long absence. I still have her in my ear. Her album twelve years ago still sounds good to me. It's probably more relevant than what's out here now. I would however offer a small piece of advice before hitting that carpet again-groom your brows baby. It makes all the difference in the world. Here are a few products to consider:
I started this blog as a project of mine because so much ugly was going on around me. In order to stay sane, I needed to force myself to concentrate on what I love-God, my family, and the beauty that's all around me (I just heard Maurice White (Earth.Wind.Fire) in my ear). That being said, I never got into the blogger profiles, etc. that people fill out with a passion however, if I were to enter my favorite movie of all time, it would be courtesy of Motown, Lady Sings the Blues.
I was 11 years old when this movie came out in 1972, and even though there are movies that I enjoy and watch over and over, nobody can top Miss Ross as Lady Day. Her portrayal of the brilliant but tragic Billie Holiday still moves me to this day. My definition of unconditional love comes by way of Billy Dee Williams (I try not to think of Malt Liquor) as Louis McKay. He was so sexy. There was nothing and I mean nothing she could do that he didn't forgive (remember the Piano Man scene) and he loved her flaws and all. I know every single song from the soundtrack, and damn near every word of dialogue. Richard Pryor was wonderful, I mean the whole cast just stays with me to this day. Diana Ross was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category. She lost to Liza Minnelli (Cabaret I think), and I was outraged. This movie is a masterpiece.
