Stylin'

My prayers go out to any and everyone affected by the tornados over the weekend. I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to have everything suddenly blown away. I think living in the city makes me take for granted that it’s not likely to happen to me. But I know tornados can and have hit in the city before.

Family time is some of the best time. We grilled at my place yesterday. My Kingman was such a wonderful help yesterday. While my mother, younger sister and I went to the thrift store in the morning, he cleaned the entire apartment and started cooking the food. And never did he complain. Our apartment is quickly becoming the family hang spot. Partly because we have more space than my mom’s place and my Kingman is allergic to my older sister’s cat. A brotha gotta breath, ya dig?

Lately I’ve been entranced with blogs and websites that display everyday street fashion. It’s inspiring and eye opening. Here I was thinking 80’s fashion was NOT gunna make a big come back, but after checking out this blog by Artistic Bling it’s all the rage in Brooklyn. But browsing these sites reminded me of how uninspiring the fashion community is here in Minnesota. While I don’t consider myself a fashion expert, I do take pride in my personal style and how it’s evolved over the years. I’ve found that my style is mostly inspired by the global community as a whole. I don’t have any hard fast rules that go with my fashion sense besides “no tight on tight crime”. Lol. My sister and I coined that term years back. I was browsing Hel Looks over the weekend and kept thinking “ok I’m NOT crazy for loving cardigans and skirts that go past my knees!” That site inspired me to finally purchase some tights (5 pair) so that I could rock my skirts and dresses at work and not break dress code. Ladies have to wear “panty hose” with skirts and dresses at my place of employment. My closet has several dresses that I love but haven’t worn to work because they show too much leg for me to get away with not wearing panty hose.

I stopped wearing panty hose some time in high school because they were so uncomfy and I would always snag them on something. I was such a tom boy, it’s a wonder I ever lost my virginity. Now I’m a bit more of a girly girl and can go a day without a snag. The real trick now is finding tights that properly squeeze over my thighs and butt. I must say, the pair that I’m wearing today have given me no problems at all.

I plan to re-read “The Secret” very soon. As soon as I find the book. A sista friend of mine is reading the book and it’s got me to thinking that I need to get my mind right again. It’s a great book to have around.

Spring has Sprung

While I haven't really MADE a lot of things lately, the creative juices are still flowing in my mind. My heart is really focused on clothing design and construction lately. I keep trying to figure out how to translate my 2D drawings into a 3 dimensional garment. It is, I believe, where the magic of fashion design lies. Peek my first pair of yoga pants. I made the pattern myself. I'm loving that sewing machine.

While all this is going through my head I've found myself more engulfed in fashion and styling itself. What makes an outfit fly? I've believed for some time that 95% of a fly look is the confidence and vibe of the person rocking it.

The colors of spring have inspired me to play with color more this year. I find myself again trying to phase out the color black in my wardrobe. It always finds a way to creep in. I think this is largely due to my dress code at work and the fact that I don't want' my eclectic look to frighten off unsuspecting business owners trying to apply for loans where I work. I figure they are paying me to do this job and appearance has some significance. I'm willing to throw on some slacks and a blazer everyday, but I don't want to give up my total fashion sense. I actually like dressing it up a bit around the office. However, the image I put forth in corporate America is only one layers of my fashion sense and there are times I really grow tired of given THAT layers more lime light. But Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm that's who I have to be.

le sigh

Looking outside my windows is so calming to me. Nature is just so beautiful. I just realized today that we have two maple trees in the front yard. I'm guessing they are two types of maple trees. One of them has reddish leaves up top and basically anywhere the leaves receive direct sunlight. The picture there is from a few weeks ago (Mother's Day) and the tree has since become much fuller and redder at the top. The other maple has typical green leaves. Both are very beautiful and I'm happy to share my living space with them.

The family has also taken advantage of the beautiful weather and gone to the lake a few times. One of the advantages of living in the land of fifty lebbin lakes is that you don't have to go far to reach one.





My niece was over yesterday and I happily braided her hair. She's such a beautiful lil girl but she gets in plenty of trouble at school. I've been longing for a daughter of my own for quite some time. And I don't foresee having another baby anytime soon (unfortunately) so I think I'll have to have my niece over more often and pretend I have a daughter.

Old News

I was browsing the old myspace blog and came across a few that made me laugh or reminded me of some things I went through not long ago. I tend to use profanity in that blog. Something about myspace that makes a sista wanna cuss. lol

Reposts:
01 May 2007
Catching up with a rant...
Current mood: irritated
Category: Life

People who minimize MY issues just to make their own seem like thee most important thing in the world drive me batty. Where's the equality man? Being the victim all the time gets real old AND it gets you kicked off of Charm School. Nevaeh anyone?

I scraped my arm on a broken wicker basket this morning RIGHT before leaving out for work. Twas bleeding and all. So I just slapped a band aid on it to catch the body fluids seeping out. So my co worker asks me what happened when she saw my flesh colored band aid. Can anyone guess why she saw a flesh colored band aid on me? I told her what happened then she asks "did you at least clean it?" Uh that's a negative, roger that!

Someone complained that my locs look... well basically not so cute today. And it sorta hurt my feelings cause I was really feeling my locs today. What's with the notion that you have to do all this shit to your hair to make it presentable. I just don't want to put all that energy into my hair on a daily basis. I'm just going to WORK. Those people don't know what's going on with my hair half the time anyways. I didn't let the person know they hurt my feelings. Why bother, cuz they would have found a way to make their feelings more important anyway.

Why can't it ever be about ME?
"HARPO WHAT ABOUT MEEEEE!"

I mean can somebody, anybody pamper me for like a week? one week straight. And not complain and enjoy it like they expect me to do 365/52/7/24?? Seriously, I had an epiphany today. Not only am I a sister, daughter, mother, girlfriend, business services specialist... but I'm also a client, uh, I mean maid. Just call me Hazel. Or chocolate. DARK chocolate is more fitting. And sexy. hehehe


08 May 2007
feepee had a little lamb or "the one who farts with his arm pits"

I had a gyro for lunch. And I'm wondering if lamb counts as red meat. *scratches head* *sniffs fingers* MMMMMM! My head smells like a camp fire. I got this new Aveda shampoo which without reading the bottle I'm tempted to call "black fig oyster" but i'm SURE oyster is not in the name. My scalp and locs smell really good tho. Makes me wanna be like Becky and shampoo everyday. But alas, I'm much more like Bonequesha. Except if my head itches I scratch it. I don't do the pat the head cuz I don't want flaming scalp when I get my touch up tomorrow.
___________________________________________________
My little Prince showed me this new amazing talent that he has. He's extremely proud of himself because he practiced and practiced until he could do it. Many may have thought it could not be done. But he is a genius. Really, he is. He told me a while back he knows everything. And I'm sure he believes that. Don't shoot my child's dreams down. He is all knowing. And now he can fart with his armpits. I can't even do that! AMAZING he is! *sips on fruit smoothie with ground flax seeds*
____________________________________
Why can't I be like the tree and calm you with my leaves? Maybe if I'd just be still.
____________________________________________
UPDATE!!!! I get to keep MOST of my mother of pearly whites! I need a root canal. Possibly two but one is a wisdom tooth. I'm told a root canal on a wisdom tooth is difficult and it was recommended that I just remove it. *gasp* I have to think about that. I like my wisdom teeth, they have all been with me since I was 16.


24 May 2007
A CURSE 'PON BOTH YOUR HOUSES!!!
Current mood: In Pain

My sister says that to me sometimes. Well, she alternates between cursing both my houses and saying "yo mama!". It's ok. She was adopted anyways, so it's no big deal. hahahah!

Ok so I had that root canal this morning. On the real, I think I would have preferred if he had taken my tooth out. I can't friggin eat! I'm glad I ate a sammich on the way there or i'd be starving right now. But that's not the killer part. Cuz I could handle this involuntary fast if there wasn't anything good to eat. But I just made this bomb fried tilapia and jasmine rice thinking I could just chew on one side of my mouth. I've gotten use to that over the last few weeks. Well the problem is ANY pressure on that root canaled tooth hurts like hellifus. So you know the lil grains of the cornmeal find there way over there. And when I accidentally bit on that junk I bout cried. Partly cuz that fish is some good ishtar and partly cuz the pain made me wanna ball up in a corner with a knife and cut off the right side of my face.

I'd still be sexy tho.

I visited my lil Prince's class for a lil while this morning before heading over to the dentist. After they had breakfast and did there routine trip to the bathroom, one of the lil boys comes up to me and asks me to help him pull his shirt sleeves back down. So I noticed and commented to the lil fella that he had some ashy arms. Well dang, the lil booger actually knew what that meant. So to make him feel better I told him I have ashy arms too and proceeded to expose my ashen flesh. He laughed a little too hard at that one. I don't appreciate that! But I did my deed for the day by comforting a child who was fretting over the dehydrated skin. I should have whipped out some vasaline on him. Show him how it's done. But CLEARLY I did not have any or my skin would not have been in the state that it was in.

06 Jul 2007
Do dat hot dawg got pork in it?

That was the cry of my child the other day when I told him he could not have one. I guess he figured there must be a good reason for me saying know. And lately I've been explaining to him why our family does not eat pork products or drink cows milk and rarely indulge in dairy products as a whole. He thinks he's all edjumacated now because earlier this week while I drove to the gym with him and the nephew in tow, he drops some pork knowledge on the cuz. "pork meat comes from pigs and pigs play in the mud so you shouldn't eat it" Ok so he doesn't quite have the FULL understanding of why pork if off limits for us. But you can't blame the kid for trying to spread the knowledge. Shhhhh! don't tell him that his beloved carrots and broccoli come from the dirt. I need him eating his veggies.
+++++++++++++++++++
Tis truly a small world. When Paris Bennett's mama sings at your cousins funeral and talks about how they use to roll. You realize just how small of a world it is. Big Tiny was such a hilarious guy. And even tho the funeral had me crying and feeling sorrow, I found some comfort knowing that so many people's lives were touched by his presence on this earth. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From this point on I will speak/think/feel affirmations of positivity and Light into my life. Bless UP!

Excuse me while I take a dump- Brain dump

Insomnia is no fun. Stuck here awake with thoughts rolling around in my mind...

Tonight I ran a very warm bath with drops of tea tree oil and some cocoa powder. I lit an incense got naked and relaxed. That bath felt so good. I dosed in and out of lucidity filling my spirit with positive thoughts and energy. This ritual should be performed on a more frequent basis.

Tomorrow I'm up early to get my lil Prince ready for school and stop by the government center to see about this speeding ticket from a couple of weeks ago. My prayer is that a county clerk will show a little mercy and reduce the ticket and be so kind as to keep it from showing up on my record.

After all of that fun I'll be linking up with my sis to help her move. This is a huge transition for her, but I fully support her and I'm proud of the woman she has become and is becoming. She is a big sis I admire, love and enjoy annoying from time to time.

The last few days I've toyed around with this lovely hand dyed cotton yarn I've had for maybe a year now. I can't seem to find the right project for this yarn. I want to make a fly summer crown for myself but I haven't committed to HOW I'm going to construct this crown.

After work today my Kingman and I took the lil Prince to the park to play. The weather was cooperating so I obliged my son's request for outdoor fun. He met another young man there and we sat and watched my lil Prince's impressive social skills. I'm so proud to see him comfortable meeting new people and making friends. I'd like to take credit for his confidence but he is who he is. And he's amazing.

I've put in good workouts upstairs twice this week already. With all the moving tomorrow, that will count as a workout. I may get another in this Saturday for good measure.

Friday evening after work I have plans to braid my mother's hair. Then Saturday she and I are going thrifting! I'm very much looking forward to that!

Fortunately now I'm getting sleeeeepy.....

Good night and God bless all who come across these words!