This Song...

is EVERYTHING to me right now.... I love every note & lyric of it.

Heavy Rotation ♥

I'm pretty sure I eat, sleep, and breathe music... mostly Raheem Devaughn lol...
But anywho, there are certain songs that I can't go a day without listening to, so I thought I'd share some with you guys from time to time! All week, I've re-discovered my auditory love affair with the song Mr. Incredible, Ms. Unforgettable by Leela James (featuring Raheem Devaughn).... yes, the combination is as amazing as you think. I adore them both, so clearly this song is like an eargasm for me. The first verse (lyrics below) is too sweet for words... Here's a YT link if you've never heard the song! (it's not an actual music video, but you can hear the song). Enjoy.♥

(Raheem) If I could write a letter to your heart,

I'd start by saying that we'll never part, 

And please...say that you'll be mine

Until the end of time.

(Leela) If I were a lock, I'd let you be the key

To unlock all of this love in me,

To unlock all of this ecstasy,

And if you think that I'm worried...

Let your mind be rest assured.

♥

#BigHairDontCare ♥

Because it's mine. And it's Fabulous. And I Love it. x0x0 ♥

Spring Break! ♥

I'm officially on Spring Break...as of this past Thursday evening.

I'm loving it! I plan on doing absolutely nothing...well, besides the few days I have to work, which I won't complain about since this skeezer FINALLY got the ax resigned from her position. Life IS indeed good...
Anywho, since I already took my lil' mini vacation (lol) I'm just maxxin and relaxxin...listening to the new Raheem DeVaughn ,shuffled in with the old, forever-emblazoned-in-my-heart Raheem, of course. I don't know what it is about that man's voice but it does warm, fuzzy, heart-fluttery things to me...and I love it! In the car, at home, wherever! That's called quality music...I know I used this pic in my Valentine's Day post, but I think it's so adorable that it's definitely worth posting again lol :-)
I'm currently working on an essay about how the Black Family is under/misrepresented in the media, and how this under/misrepresentation is effecting upcoming generations, which are coincidentally ALL wrapped up in the media. It's a topic that just kinda came to me, as I was looking at a photograph of this gorgeous, young married couple I know. It's crazy because if one were to rely on the media's representation of Black Love, they'd be led to believe that...well...there is no love. We're just a bunch of unwed, unloved, unloving babymamas/daddies running rampant. There ARE loving relationships among a lot of Black people. There ARE couples who marry, and raise beautiful families, and live the so-called American dream. But again, one would never know that if they relied on the media's representation of our people. So...yeah. I'm excited to write about such a topic. 
x0x0♥

The Price of Fame...♥

I just had to post this link to Kanye's latest blog post... 
I promise, I've loved Kanye's music for so long, and consistently...I miss him! The College Dropout never left my earphones the since the day it was released. It went from the CD player, to the first mp3 player, to the iTunes and the iPod. That, lyrically, is one of my favorite albums. That's just my opinion. Say what you will about him, but the man has words for days....
These gossip sites give him a lot of BS, but when you really sit and read his words, Kanye is probably one of the people (mainstream celebrity-wise) with the most knowledge to offer. I don't think he's crazy, I think he's been through enough ish that he has to sit and just write sometimes. I know the feeling. His mom was his rock. It's funny how the website I saw this link on (which I won't name, because I don't deem them worthy of the shout out) is like soooo many other celeb-based blogs and forms of media. One minute, a person is everyone's favorite. They're on top, and their creative mind is getting this high that they've always dreamed of. The next minute, they're hated, being dissed and criticized by the same people who boosted them up onto the very pedestal they're being knocked off of. The mind and ego are, in my opinion, two of the most fragile components of human beings. Hollywood and the media have seen the birth and death (literally and figuratively) of so many celebrities who, in the end, just wanted to be heard, and accepted, and...well, loved. It's funny how media has the power to do so much good and so much evil. It's also funny how hard it would be for some to decide which is more entertaining: the positive, uplifting messages or those that beat down the very essence of one's being, just to restart and repeat the cycle all over again the next week. I don't think I could afford the price of fame... it costs too much.
x0x0

This...

is what I would want for Valentine's Day... lol if I weren't so desperately in love (insider) Lol. For now, I'll just stick to having his amazing music on repeat 24/7... literally lol. Happy Valentine's Day, lovers and loves! 
x0x0♥ 

My Favorite Love Song. Ever. In Life.♥

I've loved this song since as long as I can remember, and I had to share since I've been ranting about it to any and everyone who will listen. I heard Mya's cover of it, which I adore. You'll definitely recognize the melody from LL Cool J's "Hey Lover" (also, one of my all-time faves)...and though I don't do award shows, I watched Ne-Yo perform this song on the BET awards this year. Love him! I don't care what anyone else says, he did this song justice in my heart! Anyway, for those who choose to listen (or who already know and love the song), hope you enjoy the song as much as I do. I wish it were one of his more popular songs, but it's a #1 hit to me, regardless!! My heart won't let me go without having this song somewhere on my blog. That's how much I adore it!!
x0x0♥


PS: Here is a link to Mya's cover of the song, as well as LL & Boyz II Men's classic 'Hey Lover' ♥

I Don't Ask for Much...♥

The Keys to Pretty Pacino's Heart:
♥ Pink!
♥ Hello Kitty
♥ Pearls
♥ Leopard print
♥ Criminal Minds
♥ Raheem Devaughn
♥ Kisses
♥ Silence of the Lambs & Hannibal
♥ Cats (any kind, wild ones...house ones....stray ones.)
♥ Simply Lemonade
♥ La Familia
♥ And last but definitely not least.

iPonder♥

"We are growing jaded, cynical, tired, and world-weary before our time. We are expecting less and demanding less, and those lower expectations are making us unfulfilled and taking us farther from each other." 

--Hill Harper, The Conversation. 

x0x0♥

ShoPPing=♥♥♥

I think I may be addicted to spending money. I thought I had to work tonight, but I didn't, but I still ended up at the mall (where I work) anyway lol. I bought some cute stuffs... like this cute studded halter, some long lace gloves (LoVE!!!!), and this zebra halter that's clearly been waiting on me to buy it. It was the last one, and it's been in the store for like weeks, and it was my size. In my eyes, Jesus wanted me to buy it! And who am I to go against that??  I also bought these boots the other day, and I should have waited until today since it was employee appreciation weekend (50% off) for Torrid employees, but my anxious self wanted to wear my boots yesterday lol, so oh well... they're so comfy, BTW!

Anyways, I got all that stuff from my store, and afterwards I went across the way to Sephora and I bought some shadow brushes and....*drumroll* the Urban Decay Book of Shadows (vol 2) !! I'm clearly in love...I've worn glasses like my entire life (no, really) up until this past summer, so I'd never bothered to venture into the world of makeup. I didn't think anyone would notice or care about my eye makeup, even if it was hidden behind my fly ass Dolce & Gabbana frames! Sooo what better way to get it poppin' than with Urban Decay? They came highly recommended, so I picked up a set and, as mentioned, fell in love!

x0x0♥

Grrrr.♥

This is pretty much the key to my heart right now. I'm crampy, and cold, and sleepy, and all I want to do is curl up in my bed, watch Silence of the Lambs (yes, it's my favorite movie, regardless of my mood), and wrap up in my blankey since I'm dead set on not using my heat until snow has hit the ground.

One might question why I'm eating Viennetta ice cream if I'm cold...My answer? 'Cause I wanna! Hhmph.

x0x0♥

Spotlight: Raheem DeVaughn♥♥♥♥♥

If you don't know who this man is by now...we'll let it slide for today, because it's Tuesday.
But you really need to get to know him. Or at least his music.
Raheem DeVaughn is amazing.
That is all.

PS: I've had his song "Bulletproof" on repeat for weeks. Love it. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, here it is...

x0x0♥

Girl, Eat that Sandwich...♥

Today in my Women and Gender Studies class, a guest lecturer spoke to us about eating disorders, disordered eating, and self-esteem issues, in both women and men. Mainly women, though, because we’re better it’s a WGST course.
A promo for the Tri Delts' Fat Talk Free campaign stuck out to me, because it’s part of their call to end “Fat Talk” amongst women. Fat Talk is the emphasis we put on ourselves and on others about weight in everyday conversation. Some examples of Fat Talk:

“Honey, do I look FAT in this?”

“Hey, you look great. Have you lost WEIGHT?”

“I’d love to go swimming, but my suit makes me look PUDGY…”

"Ugh, if I could just LOSE 3 POUNDS, I'd be happy."

We could talk for days and days about how the media and society influences body images, especially among women. The reality is that there is no “ideal” weight that every woman needs to strive for, because we’re all made differently. Health is what we should strive for, not an unobtainable weight that we see in (usually) photoshopped magazine ads and on starved models who are “thinner than about 98% of most American women.”
The video is kinda cool. It made me think. Which is the whole point of learning, right? Enjoy!



x0x0♥

Today's Randomness...♥

Soo I just caught Saw VI with my bestie, and I loved it!

These writers are dope. How many other movies can successfully boast 5 sequels?? Most movies start to become whack after a trilogy is completed! I'd gladly watch a Saw movie every year for the rest of my days, if they keep bringing it like this! I still can't look at that lil Billy doll, though. Scares the crap out of me. I don't do clowns, or any variation of them. I can't believe the Jigsaw character made that thing for his baby! I'm grown and that thing gives me the heebie jeebies! Lol.

I'm so glad I did my homework before going to the movies lol.
Procrastination is a big problem for me, but one of my courses is part in-class, part online so our homework assignment every Monday is to write a blog entry lol. Needless to say, those aren't usually a problem.

I'm watching this week's episode of I Want to Work for Diddy 2 and as much as this show sucks, I have a slight addiction to reality television, so here I am. Poprah...ahh, how the airwaves have missed your curly weave and sweet persona... All I need is my fix of H*es, Strippers, and Slutpuppies For the Love of Ray J and I'm good for the night!

Happy Monday (even though it's pretty much over!)
x0x0♥

OMG!!!♥

Soooo I was just too excited and I had to tell someone...
I'm in love...
With the show Criminal Minds.
It's like amazingness, wrapped up in awesomeness, with a side of "Oh hell yes!!!" Where has this show BEEN all my life??? Shemar Moore, an underlying love story, AND my dream job (Behavior Analyst/Criminal Profiler)??? Don't play!
I think the episode I just watched (which clearly ended half an hour ago, and I'm still raving about it) is my favorite so far!!
Bottom Line: The team was looking for a killer, who they discovered was a cannibal, and during the search party for the most recently kidnapped victim, the cannibal actually FED the volunteers a chili. Main ingredient: the girl they were searching for! OMG. What???
Lol. So I guess I have this little fascination/intrigue with cannibalism.
The Silence of the Lambs has been my favorite movie pretty much forever. Of course, Hannibal Lecter is my favorite movie character of all time. Not because I think cannibalism is cool or anything....I'm just interested in the cannibal. I'd love to study them!!
So again, I say...OMG!
x0x0♥

The Best Love Letter I've Ever Read...♥

The video below pretty much speaks for itself, but for those who just don’t get it, this artist, Jasiri X, is dedicating this piece to Debra Lee, the current CEO of Black Entertainment Television. Jasiri X is ON POINT, if you’re into the whole truth-speaking, consciously lyrical thing. If you aren’t, you need to wake up.
Listen to the track. Support the artist. He embodies what real hip-hop was and still is, no matter how miniscule the mainstream attention is. Here's his YouTube. Google him. Whatever you need to do... You won't regret checking him out!


We spend so much time listening to what we’re TOLD is “hot”, instead of listening to real music and deciding for ourselves. I touched on the issue of conscious hip-hop artists not selling in a previous post, and this is why. It’s hard to hear what’s real in a world run by white corporate men who make their living off of making Black people look like damn fools on a network that’s supposed to uplift us and celebrate our culture. White men who stick a few token Black faces on their payroll but still remain behind the scenes making all the decisions that affect what we see on TV everyday (if you choose to watch the foolishness). I mean honestly, have you ever thought about the limited images of us that are presented on television? We can argue all day long that there are images of white people on TV that are pretty disgusting, but does that correlate with the number of hot-mess images of black people on TV? No. Especially when you can count on one hand the networks that actually represent us as a whole... and the images we put out are the Frankies, Neffies, and such... I know those are supposed to be representative of "real" Black people, but gosh...We could do and be so much more… yet we’re limited to what puts the most money into the pockets of certain people. Unfortunately, modern day shucking and jiving are the cash cow these people are banking on, and even more unfortunate is the fact that we’ve been too brainwashed to even want to see it.  Even the Black faces who have the power to change things seem to be content with these representations of our people, and there you have the above video dedicated to the lovely Ms. Lee.
We’ve bred a whole new generation of kids who don’t see anything past the surface, because that’s all today’s media shows them. Champagne-sipping, booty-shaking, money-tossing niggas, bitches, and hoes.
So who’s to blame? The networks for airing it? The artists for making it? Or the viewers for not knowing any better?…
x0x0♥

Random Lyrics i Love♥

“Shorty paint her face like a clown, but can’t take away the frown found under the makeup.
I asked her what’s her passion, answer was the paper; she sleepin’, they don’t want her to wake up.

Maybe then she realized her own beauty, baby you’re a star, not just the star of some dude’s home movies…”
---Talib Kweli; "Soon the New Day"

x0x0♥

Pink is the New....Yellow? ♥

I was reading this article about PiNk taxis...and I love it!! They're sooo0000ooooo cute! I'm so intrigued, because I've actually never ridden in a cab before lol...A pink one is right up my alley! This makes me wonder, though, do people in places full of taxis (ie, the Big Apple) actually drive? Is there a point in even owning a car? Economically, what’s more practical: buying a car and paying for gas or paying cab fare? Are there like weekly passes and stuff for cabs or do you really have to come out of the pocket everyday? Are cars emphasized as much as they are here in the Midwest? Does a tricked-out ride really matter in the sea of bright yellow vehicles? Lol…random, I know…I don’t think I’d know what to do with myself if I had to hail taxis and all that every day…definitely would be in a state of shock lol. But on a serious note, these Pink Taxis are actually a company in Mexico, but hey, maybe the idea will spread. Their purpose is to provide 1) employment for women, with a female-only driving staff and 2) rides for women who are fed up with flirty, creepy male taxi drivers… I think it’s great. More power to them!

x0x0♥

How YOU Doin'? ♥

If I could be at home during the 4-5pm block everyday, life would be almost perfect.
Tyra, then Wendy? Girrrrrl....(or boyyyyy, depending on who's reading this) lol. ♥
I absolutely love the Wendy Williams show, and I've read about people criticizing the type of celebrities that appear on her show...smh.
I'll honestly say, I like the fact that she does something different on her show. I can also appreciate her imfamous "no-holds-barred" attitude as far as interviews. I don't think it's as bad as people try to make it! I mean, if I were a celebrity, I'd rather go on a talk show and tell/defend my own business rather than letting tabloids ramble and make things up about me! I didn't hear the Wendy Williams experience too many times, but it's pretty common knowledge that she burned a few bridges back during her days as a radio personality...but she's here now, there's a whole new roster of celebrities out there now, and I love that her show isn't just another tabloid.
There are enough TV shows, tabloids, and paparazzi websites talking about the same 5 people day in and day out. At least Wendy has guests who are up and coming, or on shows and movies that actually require legitimate acting experience! Half the "A-list" celebrities that are in demand right now aren't famous for doing a damn thing beside showing their cookies and being rich! Reality TV has taken over and, although I'll admit that it's my guilty pleasure, I feel pretty bored with these people. The media has given some people WAY more than the 15 minutes of fame they should have received. When I see the Kardashians, Hiltons, and all these random reality-TV White girls who all look the same to me...I just turn the channel/page. Kudos to Wendy, because whether she's booking people she likes, or people she can get when no one else wants to do her show...I love it {Wendy voice}!
x0x0♥

Nappy & Happy! ♥

Sooo I'm HIGHLY anticipating Chris Rock's upcoming documentary Good Hair. Are you??? As a Black woman, I'm so intrigued to see the movie, and it's been long overdue, since hair is such a taboo in our culture. The beauty of Black hair is that so many things can be done with it, and I'd love to see the variation of styles and standpoints this documentary has to offer! It's crazy because so many of us hear debates about whether to be 'Natural' or 'Everything Else', but really healthy hair is the main concern. Or at least, it should be. There are so many things that we can do to our hair, but how many of them are harming our African roots (pun intended)?

 I'm all for style and options and variation, but there is a line that some people should draw for themselves, because going bald (not by choice, but by breakage) all because you wanted to experiment with a hairstyle for a week is NOT a good look... Many people think that the term "Good Hair" only applies to Black people who are mixed with a lil' something (ie.." oh yeah girl, she got a lil' Indian in her family"), or people of entirely other races. Crazy, right? Tell me you've never seen a Black person with nice, healthy looking hair and wondered whether they were completely Black, or whether they were wearing a weave...Lol. Exactly. It's possible for Black people to have healthy hair, whether they sport that hair in braids, dreds, an afro, curls, or straightened. Or even if they're hiding it under a weave! It's all about how you take care of your hair. I was watching the Tyra show when Chris Rock and Nia Long were her guests, and they were there speaking about the Good Hair documentary. Tyra made a good point when she said that many stars and celebrities always wear a weave. So much so that you may not see their natural hair for years. If ever! (Then again, these tabloids can catch you anywhere if you're slippin!) But some people talk about how certain celebrities are probably bald-headed underneath their weaves, but in reality they may have healthier hair than all of us lol! Think about it, they have stylists who know what they're doing, and are trained to keep their natural hair healthy ALL while keeping up with the latest trends in hairstyles so that the celebrity is ready when the cameras start flashing. Their solution? WeAvE! It's the perfect way to be experimental with cuts, colors, and styles, and maintain your own hair at the same time. I think it's brilliant!

Beauty comes in so many shades, shapes, colors, and forms that it's ridiculous to think only certain things define beauty. It's becoming a cliche, but a good one...but True Beauty Comes From Within. Make that your mantra. If you need to, go listen to India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair". It was part of the inspiration for this blog post, and she's one of those artists whose songs make you delve into that inner beauty that society and media don't always promote. So whether you fry it, dye it, blow dry it, wash and go, press and curl, braid it up, gel it up, weave it up....whatever...just make sure that your choices are healthy for your hair in the long run, and if you don't know what you're doing, save up that extra pocket change to visit the stylist every once in awhile! It's more than likely going to be worth it, and many are nice enough to give you tips on how to maintain your hair's health on your own. They know it's a recession and everyone can't come in to get their hurr did every week! LoL!

x0x0♥