The Game is one of my favorite shows on tv right now. This season started off a bit slow and had me feeling like the writing had Melanie, one of the main characters, turning into this weak, whiny, unfashionable chick...everything that she wasn't the past few seasons. Well, she finally got her swagger back! In the following clip (towards the end) Melanie is like a new person and it's a breath of fresh air for fans of the show. Her clothes got better, her attitude is on an upswing and she has a bounce in her step!
Dec 2, 2008
Dec 1, 2008
Thanksgiving '08
Thanksgiving...not just a time to catch up with family but more importantly a time to make your rounds stuffing your face with tasty treats! 
For me - - greens, ham, sweet potato pie and candied yams hit the spot! I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday overindulging in scrumptious food...only to wake up Sunday morning and realize that I needed to hit the gym. Statistics say that the average person gains 5-10 lbs during the holidays and I'm not trying to join that team. Here are a few tips to not expand your waistline during the holiday season:
1. Try carrying a clutch and a drink when you're at a party. The lack of a free hand will prevent you from picking up any hors d'oeuvres...thus not adding any extra calories from finger foods.
2. Remember that alcohol has a lot of calories..so when you're throwing back the drinks and eating a ton you're more than likely overdoing it. Just an FYI:
*Martini - 69 calories
*Red Wine - 125 calories
*White Wine - 97 calories
*Margarita - 270 calories
*Long Island - 144 calories
Basically, if you can order a martini and sip on that for the night you're doing great...but if a margarita is more your speed then limit yourself to 1 and try to eat healthy. Another smart idea...alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water.
3. Make time for exercise. Try writing your workout schedule on a calendar and sticking to it.
If your company has a workout facility in the building take advantage of that. You can dedicate 2 of your lunch hours during the week to walking or hopping on a bike. I'm also a fan of couples going to the gym together. You can motivate one another and better yet, have someone to shoot cute glances to while you're working up a sweat!
4. This may seem fairly simple, but eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. Too many times people gorge themselves with holiday food like it's the last supper...though completely understood this isn't necessary.
5. If you're going to be out for a while try eating before you leave your house and packing a snack for the road. I have no qualms about walking around with a zip lock bag full of cheerios or fresh fruit. Yes, it's very similar to what you'd feed your toddler...but it works.
6. One of my personal favorites, wear something fitted. You get the benefits of looking great when you walk thru the door but are able to tell when you've eaten enough (i.e. you have to unbutton or unzip something which typically results in a sigh of relief or a huge smile...). This is also a way to monitor your weight gain, if any. I am not a fan of scales since as women our weight fluctuates all the time...but you can tell when certain pants are too tight to pull around your hips or that shirt has a roll or bump that wasn't there before.
7. Limit how much you eat out. Go to the grocery store and actually cook dinner! Not only do you get a great meal but you may have leftovers which will make an even better lunch....and you'll save money. Chances are that whatever you're cooking will be healthier and more filling than anything you could grab while out.
8. Be active! Just because the weather isn't the best doesn't mean you have to stay inside. Winter sports are tons of fun....plan a trip skiing, snowboarding, or just go outside and make some snow angels or ice skate. There are numerous ways to get out and about this holiday season.
For me - - greens, ham, sweet potato pie and candied yams hit the spot! I spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday overindulging in scrumptious food...only to wake up Sunday morning and realize that I needed to hit the gym. Statistics say that the average person gains 5-10 lbs during the holidays and I'm not trying to join that team. Here are a few tips to not expand your waistline during the holiday season:1. Try carrying a clutch and a drink when you're at a party. The lack of a free hand will prevent you from picking up any hors d'oeuvres...thus not adding any extra calories from finger foods.
2. Remember that alcohol has a lot of calories..so when you're throwing back the drinks and eating a ton you're more than likely overdoing it. Just an FYI:*Martini - 69 calories
*Red Wine - 125 calories
*White Wine - 97 calories
*Margarita - 270 calories
*Long Island - 144 calories
Basically, if you can order a martini and sip on that for the night you're doing great...but if a margarita is more your speed then limit yourself to 1 and try to eat healthy. Another smart idea...alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water.
3. Make time for exercise. Try writing your workout schedule on a calendar and sticking to it.
If your company has a workout facility in the building take advantage of that. You can dedicate 2 of your lunch hours during the week to walking or hopping on a bike. I'm also a fan of couples going to the gym together. You can motivate one another and better yet, have someone to shoot cute glances to while you're working up a sweat!4. This may seem fairly simple, but eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. Too many times people gorge themselves with holiday food like it's the last supper...though completely understood this isn't necessary.
5. If you're going to be out for a while try eating before you leave your house and packing a snack for the road. I have no qualms about walking around with a zip lock bag full of cheerios or fresh fruit. Yes, it's very similar to what you'd feed your toddler...but it works.
6. One of my personal favorites, wear something fitted. You get the benefits of looking great when you walk thru the door but are able to tell when you've eaten enough (i.e. you have to unbutton or unzip something which typically results in a sigh of relief or a huge smile...). This is also a way to monitor your weight gain, if any. I am not a fan of scales since as women our weight fluctuates all the time...but you can tell when certain pants are too tight to pull around your hips or that shirt has a roll or bump that wasn't there before.
7. Limit how much you eat out. Go to the grocery store and actually cook dinner! Not only do you get a great meal but you may have leftovers which will make an even better lunch....and you'll save money. Chances are that whatever you're cooking will be healthier and more filling than anything you could grab while out.8. Be active! Just because the weather isn't the best doesn't mean you have to stay inside. Winter sports are tons of fun....plan a trip skiing, snowboarding, or just go outside and make some snow angels or ice skate. There are numerous ways to get out and about this holiday season.
Nov 26, 2008
Music News
After growing on me over the course of 2 weeks, I bought Beyonce's cd (I am...Sasha Fierce) on Tuesday! Slightly annoyed that she decided to not only have a double disc, but a standard and deluxe version as well, I shelled out the $19.10 (with tax) and bought it. I don't know if I was more excited to get the cd open and start listening or just look at the pics in the cover booklet...
But that's where it stopped. Yes, Beyonce is well, Beyonce. She is sure to put out some hot songs, have a hotter performance and add a few dances for us girls (and some guys on youtube) to do in the club. However, the cd was somewhat disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent cd. I actually like it...I can pretty much play it from start to finish without skipping any tracks...that is until you have to insert the 2nd disc...which wouldn't be as annoying if she had put more than 8 songs on each disc (5 songs for the standard). This whole "Sasha Fierce" thing was the biggest gimmick of 2008. The songs on the Sasha Fierce disc are typical Beyonce...just club songs. I think the whole thing was pointless and feel as if I officially got GOT by buying into the whole thing. On the flip side, I am grateful for the "single ladies" video which spawned countless youtube folks to try their hand at it...not to mention myself (I only bothered learning my favorite parts...and by the time I start doing it in the club I've usually had 1 too many drinks).
Feeling lackluster about my Beyonce experience, it made me think back to August when I bought Solange's CD...I have to say that I think Solange put out a great, if not one of the best, R n B/Funk cd's this year! She, in my opinion, beat out Beyonce for 2008.
In other Beyonce related news, has anyone seen Mama Tina lately? She is the real Sasha Fierce...At 54 years old she seems to be getting better with time! Check out a pic of Tina from the Cadillac Records movie premier earlier this week....In the pic with her is blues icon Etta James...who at 70 is also killing the red carper with her fierce swag! They both are simply stunning...and reiterate the good ol' saying: Black Don't Crack!
But that's where it stopped. Yes, Beyonce is well, Beyonce. She is sure to put out some hot songs, have a hotter performance and add a few dances for us girls (and some guys on youtube) to do in the club. However, the cd was somewhat disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent cd. I actually like it...I can pretty much play it from start to finish without skipping any tracks...that is until you have to insert the 2nd disc...which wouldn't be as annoying if she had put more than 8 songs on each disc (5 songs for the standard). This whole "Sasha Fierce" thing was the biggest gimmick of 2008. The songs on the Sasha Fierce disc are typical Beyonce...just club songs. I think the whole thing was pointless and feel as if I officially got GOT by buying into the whole thing. On the flip side, I am grateful for the "single ladies" video which spawned countless youtube folks to try their hand at it...not to mention myself (I only bothered learning my favorite parts...and by the time I start doing it in the club I've usually had 1 too many drinks).
Feeling lackluster about my Beyonce experience, it made me think back to August when I bought Solange's CD...I have to say that I think Solange put out a great, if not one of the best, R n B/Funk cd's this year! She, in my opinion, beat out Beyonce for 2008.
In other Beyonce related news, has anyone seen Mama Tina lately? She is the real Sasha Fierce...At 54 years old she seems to be getting better with time! Check out a pic of Tina from the Cadillac Records movie premier earlier this week....In the pic with her is blues icon Etta James...who at 70 is also killing the red carper with her fierce swag! They both are simply stunning...and reiterate the good ol' saying: Black Don't Crack!
Nov 25, 2008
Lust List
Instead of making a list of resolutions - - things that I'd love to do but look better on paper than in real world application...I've decided to make my lust list! These are items that make my mouth water and as most know, lust is so much more fun than giving things up.
*Chanel Drawstring Sequin Bag*
*Yves Saint Laurent Leather and Suede Clutch*
*Versace Mink Clutch*
*Ontisuka Tiger Snow Boots by Asics*
*L.A.M.B. Camden Heel*
*Versace Pale Pink Mink Coat*
*Christian Louboutin Forever Tina Boots*
*Yves Saint Laurent Leather and Suede Clutch*
*Versace Mink Clutch*
*Ontisuka Tiger Snow Boots by Asics*
*L.A.M.B. Camden Heel*
*Versace Pale Pink Mink Coat*
*Christian Louboutin Forever Tina Boots*
Nov 23, 2008
Hello, my name is Scrooge!
It's here...it's officially the holiday season.Not only will I be forced to hear Christmas music in every store I visit from now until mid January...but I'll have to compete with parents and their strollers the size of SUVs in the malls....
there's nothing worse than navigating the aisles of your favorite store only to be stuck behind crowds of slow moving people...all the while your ears are being ransacked with reminders to "have a holly, jolly Christmas."
The snow will begin to fall and actually stick to the ground...managing to stay beautiful for a matter of minutes before buses, trucks, cars, and pedestrians with their dogs distort the lovely white color with shades of black, gray, and sometimes yellow!The temperature will drop to freezing and patches of black ice will attack your vehicle landing you in a ditch on the side of the road...that is if your car hasn't been blocked in by the snow and salt trucks that bogart their way down the streets.
Yes, it's the beginning of the winter holiday season in Chicago and all I can do is think about the last 5 years I spent in Arizona.
There's something refreshing about waking up on Christmas morning to beautiful temps in the 60s, sunshine, palm trees and endless mountain ranges!
As I stare out of the window at gray skies and snow flurries, I find myself very nostalgic about the days I spent in Arizona. It's a gorgeous place and though living there isn't for everyone, I suggest you go and visit...
Shacking Up
I was watching an episode of the Michael Baisden show last night and the topic up for discussion was shacking up. Due to my upbringing I always viewed shacking up in a negative light. As I got older I believed that living together before marriage wasn't wise...playing house, prematurely combining assets blurred the lines to me...what was the point of marriage? At 24, 
I have come to change my view on the topic and after last night's episode I feel even more solidifed in my beliefs.
Living together before marriage, or shacking up, is not only necessary...but an extremely crucial step any couple should consider BEFORE marriage...before an engagement...before deciding to make a life together. You will never know someone until you live with them...or travel with them...spend day to day time with them in varying situations to see how they react. When you live together you get to know someone inside and out...their pros, cons and all the stuff in the middle.
I think you should date for a while, feel comfortable with the person you're with and make sure that you love them and accept them for who they are. Living together isn't going to be some magic wand. It doesn't change habits, traits or problems you have with them. If anything, the constant close proximity can drive a weaker relationship apart.
I have come to change my view on the topic and after last night's episode I feel even more solidifed in my beliefs.Living together before marriage, or shacking up, is not only necessary...but an extremely crucial step any couple should consider BEFORE marriage...before an engagement...before deciding to make a life together. You will never know someone until you live with them...or travel with them...spend day to day time with them in varying situations to see how they react. When you live together you get to know someone inside and out...their pros, cons and all the stuff in the middle.
I think you should date for a while, feel comfortable with the person you're with and make sure that you love them and accept them for who they are. Living together isn't going to be some magic wand. It doesn't change habits, traits or problems you have with them. If anything, the constant close proximity can drive a weaker relationship apart.
Living together is a step to take when a relationship has maxed out in the regular dating stage...when you feel like it could possibly lead to marriage (not like tomorrow...but you're 100% sure you're not wasting your time and this is someone you want to take it further with). I don't think you should live together just to save money (maybe a reason if you're in New York or LA), keep a watchful eye on your significant other (stalking isn't cute) nor should you do it to try and be a control freak and take over their lives.
My biggest issue with the discussion last night was the fact that as black people we tend to cling to religion as a way of validating every action we make or hesitate on. Saying that you don't want to shack up because "the bible says so" while you have 4 kids by 3 different guys isn't valid to me... "I don't believe you...you need more people!"
On top of that there's nothing more beautiful, peaceful and wonderful than living alone! Personal space is fantastic...definitely the business! I find it hard to believe that anyone is excited to give up their personal space...especially for something that doesn't have long term potential.
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