Friday, December 2, 2011

Tis Not the Season

Every year as the holidays start approaching, I insist that I'm only buying for the kids that year (the kids being my three beautiful nieces, handsome nephew and a couple of toddler cousins). Christmas really is a time for them, right? Yes, I know the true meaning of Christmas and yes, I enjoy spending time with everyone, but the focus should really be on the kids I think.

Well, that never happens. I couldn't possibly go a holiday without buying for my dad. He's my favorite person to buy for. And what about the grandparents? They work so hard to hold our families together and we never know how much longer we have with them. What about my siblings? If I see something I want to get for one, that means I have to buy for all three of them. Don't forget my favorite roomie and best friend. She is, after all, an important part of my family.

I decided I should buy for myself this Christmas, but after a very unsuccessful trip to the mall last night, I'm not in the holiday spirit anymore. J. Crew was out of the passport holder I wanted for my stocking, and the iPhone case I wanted was not as cute on my phone as I had imagined. Crate & Barrel is out of a pillow I wanted and the store (and every Crate & Barrel in the country) is also out of the placemats I so desperately desired, and the chargers from Pier One that I purchased now have no cute placemat to be placed on. Additionally, I forgot to order the fur coat I wanted while it was on sale yesterday. What's a girl to do?

Anyway, back to the recipients I should be focusing on. Another Christmas has starting snowballing out of control as my budget is blown. The problem this year is that I have run out of good gift ideas. I'm known as a good gift giver; I put thought into my purchases and presentation. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of good ideas rolling around in my head right now. I'm at a loss at what to get my dad and my grandparents.

If you have any ideas, please help! I sure hope you all are having more luck than I am.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Big Bang



Since my last post, I attended another bachelorette party! It's so much fun to get a chance to celebrate a friend's upcoming marriage with one last hoo-rah, which is exactly what we did for Sarah.

Plans were made for a few girls to make the trip to Atlanta and we would spend the weekend catching up, going out and attending festivals. All of the plans we had didn't exactly come through, but we still had a blast.

Friday evening was exciting because some of us haven't seen each other in months. We had a late dinner where we shared tapas and had a couple of drinks. The bride definitely indulged that night, but it ended up being quite fun in the end.

Day Two was less about festivals and more about resting. We knew we had a big night ahead of us so we took advantage of the Kardashian and Jersey Shore reruns and delighted ourselves in the treats everyone brought to snack on. We finally made it to a late lunch and got to go veil shopping. We were all so excited when Sarah found the veil that she had been imagining in her mind for months. That was certainly a big check off her list.

Saturday was such a celebration, and we did things that bachelorette party attendees should do, which is why I can't share too much from the evening :). We behaved, I promise, but we made sure that Sarah went out with a bang.

Sunday was hard for everyone, as our tired bodies and smoked-filled lungs (not from us, but the smokers that were out and about) struggled to gather our things and tell each other goodbye.

Luckily this was a "see you soon" goodbye, as we get to reunite and watch Sarah marry the man of her dreams in only a couple of short weeks! We couldn't be happier for her and I wish them a lifetime of happiness and love!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Girls Weekend

A couple of weekends ago I attended one of my dear friend’s bachelorette parties in Helen, GA. It wasn’t the typical bachelorette weekend that involved party dresses, night clubs and crazy dares. This was one in which we spent the weekend relaxing in a hot tub, visiting a winery and catching up on what’s going on in everyone’s lives. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t crazy moments.

Helen is a small town in north Georgia known for its German flare. It offers German cuisine, architecture and even attire. This weekend happened to be planned on the first weekend of Oktoberfest, which is a big deal in this town. We enjoyed a parade (but mostly enjoyed the people watching) and good beer.

The weekend would have been rather tame had we not witnessed a couple doing “couple things” in the middle of a crowd, and we even met this guy. It was weird.

The best part about this weekend was that I got to spend time with old friends I hardly get to see, and even make new friendships. I love weekends like this, and wish we didn’t need an excuse like a bachelorette party to make them happen.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

LBD

Four short years ago, my college public speaking professor charged the class to write a speech about something that changed us; something that made us who we are today.

Most people stood in front of the class and spoke of their beautiful grandmothers who battled cancer while having to raise 3 of her grandchildren, brothers who had gone couragously into Afghanistan to fight the war on terror, or their childhood dog and bestfriend who saved them from drowning in their own backyard pond.

As I was sitting in the back of the classroom, I was thinking, "Well, these people have some pretty serious issues that they have lived through." Nonetheless, I was still confident in my topic and felt it may lighten the mood a bit. My "thing" wasn't something that just made me who I am, but something that has made women everywhere, who they are today. Or so I believed (and still do).

I approached the podium with confidence, although my voice was a bit shaky at first. I began to speak, and this is what I said:

Every woman looks great wearing it, and every woman has her own.  It is the default date ensemble when it is one of those “I have nothing to wear” days. In fact, it is so popular, so necessary, and so much an institution in women’s fashion that everyone must know: “Where did the ‘little black dress’ come from?”

To properly understand the atmosphere necessary to produce such a simplistically fabulous necessity for any wardrobe, we must visit the 1920’s. As women shed their long, layered dresses, cut their hair and enjoyed the fast-paced party life, society slowly became more accepting of women showing more of her shoulders, back, and legs. The popular silhouette of the era was very slender and youthful.

It was during the 20's that the legendary fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel first stitched her name into the history of women’s clothing design. In fact, Chanel’s designs are often considered to be the personification of the 20’s style because her work was so fresh, modern, and updated.

During her early work, Chanel designed and introduced the first little black dress to the world. Black was previously considered to be a color reserved for funerals and periods of mourning until it was reintroduced in 1926. Simple and sexy, Chanel’s design was sleeveless and cut just above the knee. She could have never predicted the immediate and lasting love women would have with her simple, chic black dress.

Chanel was quoted saying, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Whether a woman’s little black dress cost $50 or $2,000, her intention is the same: to look effortlessly classic and appropriately sexy in just seconds. While most of us cannot afford to buy Chanel’s breathtakingly beautiful pieces, we can certainly wear our trusty black dresses with the modern, sophisticated attitude she possessed.

The speech feel right into our 3-5 minute allotted time, but nothing but blank stares looked back at me. My professor just sat there writing notes, and never looked me in the eye once I finished. After class, people asked where I got the idea to write about something so frivilous when we had gotten an assignment that seemed so serious. Well, to me, the little black dress is serious. It's my best friend, and just like that boy's dog that saved him from drowning, the little black dress has saved me many times. I made a C on that assignment.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pinterest



Since my last post, I’ve become addicted to Pinterest. That’s right, addicted. I keep it up all day and as I get a chance, I browse through all the wonderful recipes and outfit ideas people have.

My favorite part has probably been the recipes. I always struggle with being too lazy to write a recipe down and started saving them in my email, but this is much more convenient! Most evenings, my roomie and I sit down to decide what to try next. It’s also helped with my grocery list, because I can better plan out everything I will need in the days following.

All of the crafts I want to attempt, clothes I want to try on, and books I want to remember to read are all in one place. This may not be as exciting to other people, but this is an answer to prayers for me! If you need to find me over the next few weeks, you can probably find me stuck on Pinterest.

Monday, August 29, 2011

The Closer

The time I spend with my family is time that is most treasured to me. Losing my great-grandmother in 2006 taught me that life is fleeting. Sure, I had lost loved ones before, but this was the first person that I truly loved, looked up to and had a great desire to make proud.
Her loss showed me that I need to be spending as much time as possible with the people that I love, which is why moving to and staying in Atlanta is a constant internal struggle for me. I've come to the conclusion that I had to move in order to be truly happy and that means that I'm going to miss out on some wonderful bonding moments with my grandparents, all four of which I am very blessed to still have in my life.

I end up going home a fair amount to spend time with everyone, attend the birthday parties and try to make it to the occasional softball game of one of my nieces. However, I really love when my family takes the time to come see me and the world in which I live. The Sunday before last, my Dad brought his parents up to do just that.

It just so happened that a family reunion was happening right outside of Atlanta, so it was the perfect excuse for a visit. Sunday they were occupied with the festivities (or rather my grandmother was occupied by reliving her childhood and telling stories of her precious mother, the aforementioned great-grandmother).

While I worked on Monday, Dad took them to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke. After work, I jetted over to Turner Field to meet them for an evening game against the San Fransisco Giants. I love baseball, mostly because it reminds me of my grandmother, but I still love it.
I ordered copies of this photo for everyone.
The intimidating Brian Wilson walked out just in time to close the game and leave with a win for the Giants, but luckily the Braves pulled through in a dramatic 9th inning that left my grandfather quite entertained.

The game got me thinking about life, in that it starts off great, you make some great hits and you suffer some embarrassing outs. You might even make the occasional home run, but in the end, you hope to walk away with a victory; leaving behind lots of love and memories with the ones you care about the most. That's what my grandparents will one day leave me with; thoughts of sewing mini bean bags on my grandmother's old Singer, fishing in the trecherous swamp with my Grandfather and pretending to not be grossed out by the bugs everywhere because I wanted him to know I was tough enough to hang with the boys, and baseball games where we shared hotdogs and ice cream.

It was such a nice way to spend time together, even if it was for only a short 3.5 hours. It's times like these that I'll never forget.

For a laugh, see this video.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

It's My Party

My birthday has come and gone, and I'm another year older. Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family. It was an important time where the entire family set aside time to get together and celebrate the life of someone we love.

It might be because of my childhood that I still get so excited about birthdays. Every year, I start planning a month in advance. I need to know what I'm going to wear and where I'm going to wear it. Due to not-so-favorable circumstances, I wasn't as excited about my birthday this year. I never found a new dress and I wasn't in the mood to celebrate. But, the day came and it got better...

This year,  I woke up to some pretty nice surprises; my roomie had a glitter banner, card, my favorite sweet treats and an amazing gift laid out for me.



Then she took me to enjoy brunch at West Egg, where I had mimosas and the Westside Pileup (it was delicious and I can't wait to go back).

I decided to start out with dinner at Aja. It's a part of the Here to Serve Restaurant Group, which I love. All of their restaurants are fabulous. I had yet to try this one, but have had an abnormal craving for asian cuisine lately, so I knew this would be perfect.

After dinner, we had plans to visit my go-to bar in Buckhead and then venture to a place that lots of my friends have been, but I had not yet visited. It ended up being a crazy night where we didn't get home until 4:00 a.m., but it was fun and I'm so appreciative to the people that came out to celebrate. It's nice to know that even when I'm not in the mood to party, I have friends near by to make sure I have a good time.

A couple of pics from the evening:

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Happy Traveling

Growing up, my mother's idea of a family vacation involved a rented condo at a beach in Florida so that she could lay on the sand from sun up to sun down. As long as she was frying her skin, she was happy. My father's idea of a family vacation involved a trip to Disney World, where we would ride Dumbo and It's a Small World at the Magic Kingdom, eat at Rainforest Cafe and pick up our yearly Christmas tree ornament in Downtown Disney, and see a laser-water show at Epcot. Every year we did both. Thus, we didn't travel around much.

While in college I had the opportunity to attend conferences in Philadelphia and Detroit. I spent a long weekend in NYC with a friend and went to San Juan, Puerto Rico with my roommates senior year. Since college, I haven't been able to go anywhere (except for Charleston for the lovely Megan's bachelorette party).

Well ladies and gentlemen, I have exciting news. Thanks to work, I will be able to start traveling a bit. I know I won't have much time to take in these cities, but I'm excited to just soak it all in.

Scheduled this year I have 4 trips. The first is in 3 weeks and is in Amelia Island, FL (back to Florida, my second home). In October I get to go to San Diego & Montreal and in November I'll be in Grapevine, TX.

So I turned in my passport application (can't wait to get a cute cover) last week in hopes that lots of traveling is in my future. Someday soon(er than later) I foresee trips that will help me to be a better person. After all, I believe the most exciting thing about traveling to be the opportunity to take in someone else's culture.

Stay tuned for my tales and some pictures!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Countdown Has Begun

"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed " - Carrie Bradshaw

So the blogging has slowed down. Maybe that's because my life has slowed down.

I landed this amazing job and imagined I would be high on life by now, but unfortunately I am all but that. The job turned out to be a bore, but I'm trying to stay positive about it all.

I got a raise, I'm working with an amazing company and there are awesome opportunities ahead. Or at least I hope.

Socially things have slowed down as well. I've been trying to save money, although that hasn't exactly worked out either.

Regardless, my birthday is now 16 days away and I couldn't be more excited. To me, my birthday is the most important day of the year. It is my ultimate goal to eat good food, drink good drinks, go fabulous places with fabulous people and potentially end up doing something that will keep us laughing for years!

I still haven't found a dress (although I have a back up), I still haven't decided on the restaurant for dinner (although I know I want tapas) and I haven't decided where we will pregame (although I have somewhere in mind). I do know that we will be ending up at a dance club in Midtown, so that should be exciting.

If you're fabulous, then you are more than welcome to come! If you are not, then you are more than welcome to read about it in a couple of weeks.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Personality Test

Has anyone ever told you about “the cube?” While sitting on a patio under the beautiful sun and drinking delicious cocktails, one of my crazy friends told me to close my eyes because she wanted to try something. At first I was creeped out. Then she started directing me to picture things and answer questions.

Picture a cube. How big is it? Is it on the ground or in the air? Now picture a ladder. How close is it to the cube? How tall is it? Now flowers. How close are they to the cube? How do they make you feel?

Now picture a horse. Is he moving towards the cube or away? What’s his personality like (I struggled with this one the most because I couldn’t imagine a horse with a personality, except for Mr. Ed of course)? Now you see a storm. How bad is it? Is it moving towards or away from the cube?

Then she proceeded to tell me what my answers meant, and for the most part I agree with the reflection this had on my personality.

My cube was quite large, which corresponds with my self-image and ego, meaning that I am confident and think a lot of myself (I think we all knew this). My cube was on the ground, which means I am grounded and practical.

The ladder was leaning against my cube and represents my life goals. The fact that is was so close to my cube means that I am very focused on my goals right now. It was tall, meaning I have a lot of ambition.

The flower was close to the cube meaning that my friends mean a lot to me. The horse represents my ideal lover, which can explain why I had such difficulty answering questions about him. He had a shiny brown coat; that is all I know. I do like tall, dark and handsome guys.

The storm represents problems in my life. My storm was large, which means I have some issues to work through.

While I didn’t have an “ah ha moment” as Oprah calls it, it was a fun activity. Try it out on a friend and see if it works for you.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

I want to walk in 10" heels. Just once.


"I try to push the silhouette. To change the silhouette is to change
the thinking of how we look."
-Alexander McQueen

I can’t even begin to express how badly I want to experience Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. From my very first fashion merchandising project that focused on his Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear line, I was in love. The exaggerated hips, the admiration of the shoulders – this man was out to change the way we think about ourselves. He had a way of making the female figure look powerful while maintaining strong sensuality.

He was an artist in every sense of the word. His collections were about far more than making textiles drape the female body in a flattering way. His shows transcended the clothing itself. He calculated everything: every move the model would make, the light that would shine on the garment, every spec of makeup that was painted on the faces, and every inch of the heel that was placed on the feet (Oh God, the shoes).  Models were no longer humans when they marched his catwalk. They were canvases whose sole purpose was to portray his vision.

Maybe I’m looking for the “McQueen” in things, but I still see the influence that the first line I ever studied has.

The fact is that McQueen’s last few months of life broke our hearts, and his death left us empty. Watching his final collection being shown just a couple of weeks after his passing, something didn’t feel right. While I truly believe it to be his best collection ever, it was spawned from the darkest of his days. You can see the loneliness he must have felt just a few short months after his mother’s passing.


We may not have Lee (as he was known to his closest of friends), but atleast we'll always have The Horn of Plenty, Sarabande, and the ever infamous Dress, No. 13.

I only have a month to make it up to NYC to see the exhibition. Since I have a strong feeling I’m going to miss out on it, I’ll have to settle for this. Should be on my door step in 5 days. If anyone wants to join me for a quick weekend trip to the Met, let me know!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Welcome to Atlanta, Where the Players Play

Lately I’ve been trying to explore this city in which I live. I get so caught up in my routines that sometimes I forget there are hundreds of places to eat; I still haven’t tried here and here. And hundreds of places to shop; like, I want to go here.
So on a recent mission to experience Atlanta as a tourist and a native at the same, I finally made it over to The Vortex. It is a staple in this city and I can’t believe it took me 2 years to try it. I enjoyed a blueberry lager and a burger topped with blue cheese and onions with fried zucchini on the side. It was awesome.

The best part of it all was sitting on the tree-lined sidewalk and enjoying the hustle and bustle of cars in a rush to get somewhere, people walking their dogs, and the view of tall buildings which kept me wondering who works and lives in these places. Coincidently, I have a gathering to attend this Thursday evening that will be at The Vortex, so I can’t wait to go back and try a new burger, and maybe get the sweet potato fries this time.

After lunch, we made our way to Underground Atlanta, also an Atlanta staple. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t stay long. I haven’t been since elementary school and I can’t imagine I will go back anytime soon.

My absolute favorite thing I’ve done lately is go on a ghost tour. Yep, a ghost tour. I wouldn’t consider myself someone who really believes in paranormal activity, but I can get into it at times only because I enjoy a good spook. Under the recommendation of some friends, we ordered tickets to experience Atlanta in a way that hundreds claim they do.

We met at the corner of a hotel that lives in infamy. We walked past churches that now stand where devastating events during the Civil Right Movement took place. And, I think I may have had an experience with a ghost. I know, I know - it sounds insane. But for a non-believer, it all seemed very real. Whether it was just because I was wrapped up in the experience, or because I actually saw this man approaching me just as the lady said I would, it was fun. Regardless of the authenticity of it all, I learned a lot about this city.

I'm going to keep branching out to see what I can get myself into.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

New Dawn, New Day

I officially started my new job on Monday! Honestly, it wasn't very exciting. There was a lot of sitting around and doing absolutely nothing. My new boss took me to lunch, but didn't do a very good job of introducing me to people that first day. Yesterday was a bit better. I met more people (although I honestly only remember, like, one name) and got to walk through the laboratories. There are three laboratories that manage the testing for several genetic mutations. I am working with some smart people!

I typically feel quite confident in my intellect, however there are a lot of words being used around me that I am still having to learn. As intimidating as it all seems at times, I am very excited at the thought that one day I will be able to hold these same conversations with people, and actually know what I'm talking about.

It is a completely different environment from the one I am used to working in. I was so comfortable at my old job, so I'm working to feel comfortable here. I am even reading several
books by Dr. Fran Balkwill. Yes, the children’s books. It helps to be reminded of what adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine are.

My hours are a tad longer and traffic is a bit worse, but I know this is all leading to something good. This position could be what helps to propel me to exactly where I want to be one day.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Science of Success

 “I admit it’s tempting to wish for the perfect boss, or the perfect parent
or the perfect outfit, but maybe the best any of us can do is not quit,
play the hand we’ve been given and accessorize the outfit we’ve got.”
- Carrie Bradshaw

I have been slacking on my writing duties because the biggest news I have to share was not shareable yet. Finally, I can formally announce to everyone that I got a new job!

I have spent the last few months applying, waiting, interviewing, waiting, interviewing again, waiting, negotiating and finally being offered a position that may be the most amazing opportunity to ever present itself to me.

I will be staying in a marketing position but transitioning into a completely different industry- healthcare. This does not come as a surprise to most of my friends, as they are fully aware of my geeky obsession with reading up on the latest and greatest in medicine.

Specifically, I will be working with one of the most respected genetic labs in the country and working with some amazingly intelligent individuals.

I am very excited about what the future holds and can’t wait to keep you all up-to-date as everything begins to unfold.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Thank you, Mexico

I am not one to party on work nights. I like to be in bed relatively early so that I will be well rested for the next day’s work. However, this year Cinco de Mayo fell on a Thursday and unfortunately, it required over 24 hours of recovery on my part.

Cinco de Mayo is one of the few holidays you can celebrate without having to by gifts. My kind of holiday.

My friends and I jetted over to one of Buckhead’s best Mexican venues right after work to enjoy the block party they had planned. After just one pomegranate margarita, I decided to go for the double fist because the lines for drinks were obscene. This was my first mistake. It didn’t take long to finish those and go back for my next round.

Once other friends began to arrive, I started having more drinks passed my way. After we finished there (without me actually eating any food), we moseyed over to our favorite hangout spot. From this point on, I remember having a blast. However I do not remember all of the photos that were posted on Facebook the following day. Yes, it was that kind of night.

After drinking far too much, some of us managed to make it home. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the gate key for my apartment complex and my phone died. So, I had to crawl under the gate lying flat on my back.

The next morning I went to work with no makeup. Yes, it was that kind of day. Now that I am fully recovered, I can say that I am so glad that I strayed from my elderly ways and went out with my friends. It was a blast.

Love this city :).

Monday, May 9, 2011

Music is what feelings sound like.

“When you're young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun.”
-Carrie Bradshaw

I’ve always thought it would be really cool to have a soundtrack to my life. Like at the perfect moment, a beat just drops with vocals bursting the appropriate lyrics. Not possible, I know, but it sounds cool.
I recently stumbled upon dozens of old cds filled with music from middle and high school. The songs brought back many, many memories. I also realized how completely unsuitable my tunes were for someone of my age.

Music has always been therapeutic for me. Whether it’s hard rock, hip hop, classical, pop- whatever it is, I love it. I love the way the beat gets me moving. One of my favorite things to do is dance.

Most of all, I love the way that I can relate to the lyrics. My friends poke fun at me because I always joke, “This song was written about me.” Of course the song wasn’t really written about me, but I relate to it is such a way that makes me feel that is was. I would assume that would be a compliment to a songwriter who scribbled the words down in hopes that someone out there may relate to the tune.

Music can make you feel sad, mad, happy or confused. No matter the feeling that is invoked, for me, music is mostly just fun.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Friend = Supporter


“They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go,
but friendships never go out of style.” -Carrie Bradshaw

As bitchy as most people believe me to be (which I admittedly am, and it’s something I’m working on), I think my friends would agree that I am very caring as well. I have a passion for taking care of people and from a very early age, own mother often pointed out my “motherly instincts.”

I enjoy being the person that most people in my life turn to when they need help or advice. One thing that people know when coming to me is that while sharing my thoughts, I don’t hesitate to also share my sentiments.

Just as I would hope that my friends are honest in their words with me, I am completely honest with them. However, sometimes it seems that my opinions come across to certain people as an attempt to be controlling or judgmental and that is the last thing I want. I just don’t believe in asking someone’s opinion if you don’t want to hear the truth.

When my friends need me, I’m there. When they need me to give my opinion on an outfit, you can count on my blunt honesty. When they need me to take them to the doctor to take care of a little scare, I do that. When they are crying and just want to hear that everything is going to be okay, I am that person.

Still, I need to learn when my friends don’t need me and when I need to keep my thoughts to myself.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Until The Fat Lady Sings

Like I’ve said before, one of the things I love about the city is that there is always something to do. And last week, I found myself wanting something to do, but with no budget for adventures. Thanks to a friend, I came across a free America’s Got Talent taping at The Fox Theater. I wouldn’t call myself a fan of the show, but I was down to have some free fun. The day of the show, I couldn’t have been less in the mood to go down to Midtown and sit in a 4 hour taping. Once it got going, though, I thought it might not be that bad, and I could slip out before the end and still make it home in time for bedtime.

Some of the acts were terrible, some were okay, and some actually got me off my feet. But towards the end, a large woman appeared on stage. She had bleached blonde hair and was wearing a dress that was far too tight. After a glance at her calf muscles, I thought for sure she was a he.


The audience was laughing before she even opened her mouth; no one was taking the Anna Nicole wannabe very seriously. When she centered herself on the stage, she through her hand up on her hip and cocked the microphone to her lips at a slant.

Howie asked, “Hi there, what’s your name?” And got back, “My name is Ms. Dia Monroe,” in the most ghetto voice possible. She proceeded to interact with the judges in the most hilarious way, the entire audience was laughing. She informed everyone that she was a “ghetto street rapper.”

When the music finally started, everyone was anticipating the most awful sounds to come from her voice, but instead, Ms. Dia Monroe busted out some amazing rhymes. She writes her own music, and was bouncing with the beat. She had me instantly on my feet and I loved every second of it. Truth is, I would pay to see this woman perform. It was amazing.

So, be on the lookout for this one people. I will be watching this season, if only to see how far she goes.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

"Success in the best revenge."


"When I first moved to New York and I was totally broke, sometimes I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I found it fed me more." – Carrie Bradshaw

Before she wrote a book, before she had her own show, before she appeared on The City… Long before all of this, my infatuation with Kelly Cutrone and her absolutely brilliant mind began. As a rising sophomore, I actually looked into interning with her. But, I decided to hold off on applying until I had more upper level fashion classes under my belt. The very next semester, she appeared on The Hills for the first time.

When I saw her, in all of her black glory, gracing my television screen on a Monday night at 10 p.m., I knew every young fashionista wannabe was going to be emailing her their resume’. So I chickened out and never sent it.

I always knew I admired Cutrone for her hard work, her innate ability to know when something would work or not, and her gutsy “I don’t give a sh*t what you think” attitude. It wasn’t until I read her book, however, that I realized I also admired Cutrone the woman, the mother, the ex-wife, the daughter. She has an amazing ability to trust herself, and not have doubts. In her book she writes:

“…[T]his isn’t a book about how to be a smart businesswoman, because I’m not a smart businesswoman. Frankly, I’m not even that smart. What I am is fearless and intuitive. I’m attuned to the sound of my inner voice, and I’ve been following it blindly for most of my life, without any clear goals.”

If you need a little direction in your life, if you want to know how someone else made decisions early in life, or if you have a passion for fashion and the geniuses that make up the industry, you must read her book! And guess what people; she has a new one coming out in May, ek!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Beauty or the Beast?

“Every once in a while, a girl has to indulge herself.”
-Carrie Bradshaw

Beauty & The Beast is my favorite Disney movie of all time. Belle’s hair is so pretty, and her skin is flawless. I wonder what kind of makeup she uses…?

We all know that I have a slight obsession with shoes (I have purchased 6 pair in the last 2 weeks, see my latest post under the Obsessions tab), but in recent months I’ve become just as attracted to makeup! I had never lived anywhere near a Sephora before moving to Atlanta, but I now believe it to be the holy hub of beauty products! I haven’t totally abandoned Target makeup aisles, but I have some marvelous product fascinations I just can’t live without.

First and foremost, I believe face primer to be the most under-used beauty product in the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but you know what I mean. I have tried a couple of primers from different lines, but actually tend to favor the Sephora Collection “Tricks of the Trade” Perfection Primer. I know people swear by the Smashbox Photo Finish, but that just doesn’t do the job for me.

I have to thank my dear friend Jamie for introducing me to Clinique Airbrush Concealer, without which my most hideous imperfections would be evident to everyone. I had not used Clinique products since middle school and have honestly not stopped by their counters in the department stores in years. However, this little doozy of a product completely wipes away all proof of my blemishes. Topped with a dab or two of Bare Essentials Fairly Light Foundation applied with a concealer brush, this is my savior most days of the year. The two combined are sure to hide any of my faults.

I try to keep my makeup minimalistic (shown above), as I am not fond of the caked on look. But, I do have a few steps involved in getting ready. My every day work look starts with a smear of primer followed by a layer of tinted highlighter to even out my skin tone. Then I apply my favorite concealer combo. Next comes the Bare Essentials Medium Beige Original Foundation and a wisp of bronzer and pink blush. I finish with liner applied to the top lid only, curling the lashes and two coats of mascara. I swear by the Revlon Color Stay eyeliner because it glides on so smoothly, and currently I am using Maybelline’s Falsies mascara. My mascara choice changes frequently, but I usually stick to the cheap stuff, as my budget doesn’t love YSL as much as I do.

When I am getting ready to go out, there are only two differences. Instead of highlighter, I use liquid foundation to create a more finished and airbrushed look. I also apply eyeliner to the bottom lid. That’s it. Simple enough right?

I’m still on a money saving mission, but there are just some corners I’m not willing to cut when it comes to my makeup.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I judge a book by its cover.


“Oh yea, I'm headed for a story book ending.” – Carrie Bradshaw

I love, love, love to read. But I never feel like I have time for it these days. I find myself picking up new books at Barnes & Noble, and then just setting them on a shelf to look pretty. I used to love the days when I could grab a book and spend the day lounging by the pool to read and soak up some rays.

Currently, I’d have to say my favorite book is “If You Have To Cry, Go Outside” by Kelly Cutrone. I could probably write an entire post on what I learned from this book. It’s amazing, really. But aside from the non-fiction stuff, I love a good, filthy novel about some young woman with a great job who goes through men as much as she changes her nail polish.

I don’t personally have some grand job that hundreds of young college girls hope they can land, and I don’t hook up with lots of guys. That may be why I love these books so much. I wish I had the balls to be like the women featured in these books.

Since the sun finally decided to come out in Atlanta last weekend, I found myself running to the pool. I grabbed a book just like old times and have started the infamous “Chasing Harry Winston.” So far, so good.

I’d also like to recommend “Bergdorf Blondes,” “Debutante Divorce,” and “The Accidental Diva.” The first two mentioned are by none other than Plum Sykes, talk about a girl with an amazing career!

Maybe one day my life will be fabulous enough to be exaggerated on in a New York Times best seller. Until then, I’ll just read about everyone else.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Relationship Schmelationship



“Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people
refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.” – Carrie Bradshaw

So, I graduated college and the first thing people now ask me is “When are you getting married?” Well, not anytime soon, seeing as I have no prospects lined up.

The couple of years following college have been filled with friends moving on to the next phase in their lives. I’m talking rings and weddings, relocations and home purchases- all in the name of love. It has been such fun getting to be involved in helping my comrades pick out home decorations, bridesmaid dresses, even baby names!

The best part about my friends started to “settle down” (not that they are really settling down) is the fact that they seem to be doing it with great guys, which to me just means more friends! Most recently, one of my dearest friends just moved across the globe to follow her love, literally. She opened her heart and trusted his.

My friends know how absolutely terrified I am of commitment at this point in my life. Talking of relationships leads to talking about marriage, and I’m just not there yet. The truth is I don’t see myself being ready for something like that for a very, very long time.

My friends also know how picky I am. I’m often reminded of how quick I am to shoot someone down because he doesn’t meet a requirement on my mental checklist. The way I look at it, I’m not settling. If I’m going to share such a big part of my life with someone, he better meet some serious criteria. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not searching for some perfect creature, but I do know what I like.

I’ve met plenty of guys. Cute guys. Rich guys. Party guys. Serious guys. Childish guys. I’ve met them all, but I’m not going to settle for any of them unless they give me butterflies. I’ve felt it before and I know I will feel it again, when the time is right.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

If I should die before I wake.


Carrie: “I just got back from a funeral.”
Big: “And you thought of me, I'm flattered.”

Recently I’ve been thinking about all of the things I want to accomplish before I die. I’ve never really thought about creating an official bucket list, but now, I think I should. There are just so many things I want to do and I want to make sure I don’t leave anything out by mistake. This will be an evolving list, but right now my goals include: going on an African safari and riding an elephant, revisiting Washington D.C. and this time touring the White House, skydiving with a friend and catching it on video, and going to Jerusalem to immerse myself in not only the culture, but also the biblical institutions I grew up learning about.

In the midst of thinking of all of these goals, I began thinking about all of the things I haven’t even done in my own city. So, there are a few things I want to do before the end of the year, like visiting the High Museum of Art, going to the World of Coke, and exploring Fernbank Museum. I’ll keep you guys posted on my adventures!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Best Accessory Isn’t Always a Man on Your Arm


“If you are single, there is always one thing you should take out
with you on a Saturday night- your friends.” – Carrie Bradshaw

My favorite thing to do on the weekends? Go out with my girlfriends, of course! I have a great collection of friends that are always down to go out. Doesn’t matter where, doesn’t matter with who; we will just go.

At the beginning of every week, I’m already worried about what I am going to wear that weekend. As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m not the heir to the fortune of Daddy Warbucks and do not have the luxury of charging things on a black card (maybe one day), so the planning is very strategic. It’s based on where I’m going, who I’ll see and whether or not there will be pictures taken. Even with days of planning, the outfit usually isn’t chosen until the moment before I go out that night.

Truth is, my mood for the evening depends heavily on the outfit of choice. I can usually spice up even a bland outfit with a smear of red lipstick, but the outfit still has to feel good. Nonetheless, I usually end up having the time of my life and making memories that are sure to be shared for a long time, or at least shared the next morning when we are all piecing together the events of the night before.

A great night with friends isn’t properly had without dancing, so we go prepared to shake off a few carbs from the sugary drinks we are going to intake. Emphasis on the dancing, because it's a great way to cap off a fun night. I love all kinds of music, as long as it has a beat. And the person with whom I dance has to be able to keep up with that beat!

Inside a cute handbag or clutch, we always take a camera, lipstick and gum. But, the best accessory for a night out is definitely a girlfriend by your side. Sometimes we go with guys we know, sometimes we meet new ones there, and yes, sometimes we may even leave with them. But the real fun is had with the girlfriends, so I never leave them behind.

Friday, February 25, 2011

There’s no place like home. Or is there?


“If you can only have one great love, then the city just may be mine.”
–Carrie Bradshaw

The hardest part about moving to Atlanta was probably the task of building a constellation of peers with whom I would spend my time.  I’ve never had trouble making friends. Everywhere I go, I’m always meeting people and camaraderie was often a quick result. It never once occurred to me that when I moved to Atlanta, I’d be leaving behind all of my great friends. Seriously. I never thought, “Oh, I’m not going to have friends up there.” Sure, I had fellow GSU alumni to keep in contact with, but none that were people I would share my most intimate stories with. 

And so I soon realized that I had to fix that. I began reaching out to people I hadn’t spoken to in quite some time. I started going to new restaurants, going to church, joining professional organizations, etc. The more places I went, the more friends I made. The more friends I made, the happier I became. Sure, there are times when I think back on the great times I had in high school and in college. But the truth is, those times don’t compare with the memories I’m making now.

I relate to people here more. Not always as quickly, because my southern draw tends to make people feel I’m unrelatable. But once we get to talking, they realize how much we have in common. There were plenty of “southern” activities I enjoyed when I lived in South Georgia, but none as fulfilling as those I now enjoy. There is always something to do in this city. There are always parks to walk in, trivia nights to attend, concerts to dance at, restaurants to dine at, festivals to attend, museums to visit.

I may not have as many friends as I did at one time, but the friends I do have are amazing.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Young Individualist


“I like my money right where I can see it... hanging in my closet.”
-Carrie Bradshaw

The recent move into a new apartment uncovered that I may or may not be a hoarder.  I wouldn’t say that I’m as bad as the crazy people on television, but I found some old Abercrombie denim skirts from high school. You know the ones I’m speaking of, the ones that you had to change into at a friend’s house because if your dad caught you wearing one he would ground you, if he didn’t die of a heart attack first.

So, I went through the rows and rows of clothes and filled up a couple of boxes to donate to Good Will.  As I was forcing myself to place many expensive items into boxes and contemplating what girl may one day be wearing the clothes that I at one time loved, I realized I could be making room for far more fabulous garments.

Since those Abercrombie days, my fashion sense has been drastically altered. I grew up in a town that had JC Penney and Goody’s. Oh, and Wal-Mart. No one in the entire town knew what looked good.

Moving off to college opened my eyes to names and brands I had never heard of.  For the first time, I truly appreciated high fashion and especially haute couture. I picked up a minor in Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design while in college, just so I could learn more about this industry that was hidden from me for many years.

Unfortunately, I can’t afford to shop at Neiman’s. I just walk around and salivate over the immaculate fabrics that drape over the mannequins so beautifully.

Will I ever be able to upgrade from the Individualist department to the Savvy department in Nordstrom? Every time I walk by a $600 cocktail dress that I clearly can’t afford, I honestly think to myself, “This isn’t fair.” But, life isn’t fair. Or at least that what my parents always told me.

The truth is it’s hard to save nowadays, what with having to look cute and all. Maybe one day the cost of clothing won’t be an issue, but for now I’m stuck looking for great finds on Urban Outfitters sale racks and in the BP section (I’m almost embarrassed to admit that).

Monday, February 14, 2011

I want more.


“As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost.
And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda,
buckle up and just keep going.” – Carrie Bradshaw

The transition to Atlanta resident wasn’t a difficult one. You see, I decided a few years ago that a small town just isn’t for me. Not right now anyway. There are pros and cons to city life, but the pros far outweigh the cons.

I was loving this new city and everything it had to offer. To this day, my absolute favorite thing is riding through the streets at night and staring up into the hundreds of lighted windows that scale the tall buildings. It truly is why I love being here.

Still, I find myself wanting more. This city isn’t nearly as large as I once thought. Yes, there are lots of things to do, but other cities have even more to do!

The fact that I don’t have friends living everywhere in America is probably the only thing that keeps me here. I’m not unhappy, but I do often find myself pondering what other places have to offer. If I can survive here, surely I can survive in Chicago. And if I can survive in Chicago, surely I can survive in San Diego. And if I can make it in San Diego, what’s holding me back from Manhattan?

Really and truly, my family is holding me back. Not because they are telling me not to go, but because I still want to be close enough to be a part of their lives. 240 miles is a long way, but it’s still close enough for me to drive home for my neices’ birthday parties.

One thing is for sure, living here has made me appreciate the time I spend with friends and family. I look forward to those weekends in Savannah with the White’s. And Friday morning breakfast at Jerry J’s with my grandparents.

Right now, I’m comfortable where I am. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll be walking down 44th Street to meet some new friends to see one of my favorite shows at the St. James Theatre- wearing Louboutins, of course.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I’ve got my city girl shoes on.


“So many roads. So many detours. So many choices. So many mistakes.”
- Carrie Bradshaw

I’ve lived in Atlanta, GA for 21 months. What started out as being just a summer internship led to a full-time job and has blossomed into what may or may not be a career (gasp)!

I had plans to crash at my uncle’s house for that first summer after college, but with me graduating at the worst possible time ever, that turned into what seemed like forever. The company I work for wasn’t able to pay me what I believed I needed, but now, finally, I got a raise.

First thing I did was call my best friend Jamie, who agreed to find a place with me. The thing was, this needed to happen quickly. I had 18 days to get my own place because my uncle was moving.

While I got the raise, I’m still not making loads of mula, so this hunt to find a new home was going to be hard. I needed something in a safe area and as close to Buckhead as possible. Is that even achievable? Yes, I could have saved some money by living further out, but this is my chance to live close to my favorite hangout spots and be young, right?

With a new lease, a hefty furniture purchase and several trips to Ikea, I’m happy to announce that I am now a resident of North Buckhead. I’m 3.7 miles from my favorite bar, to be exact.

Although I’ve had quite some time to learn my way around this city, I feel as if I’m just starting out. Yes, I’ve been paying my own bills and making adult decisions for a couple of years now, but I actually get to enjoy life as a young adult.

Atlanta may not be the biggest city in the world, but it’s a far cry from Waycross, GA. I’m ready for this. I’m ready to take this in. I’m ready to have a good time. I’m ready to make mistakes. I’ve got my city girl shoes on.