Nigeria 2008

This is my country. Take it or leave it, but I love it!
See Nigeria and die! (Ok, maybe a tad bit overboard, don't go dying and junk, its just a metaphor;-)

Miami 2005/2007

If money was no object, I would own a condominium by the beach and live in Miami in the winters. I love this place, been twice and counting...

London 2007

Caribbean Carnival 2006

Every year, starting on Jamaica Ave in Brooklyn, is Caribbean Carnival where different islanders wear costumes to represent their island and dance in the streets. Its a sight to behold. I went in 2006, but due to illness, I couldn't make it to the streets. My girlfriends came back bearing gifts and photos.

Hampton VA 2006

And here we have Hampton ,VA. The above 4 photos are of scenic Hampton, the below 2 are of Hampton University. I went in 2007 and although I liked it, Hampton is very quiet and I've heard there is more to see near Old Dominion and Norfolk State.

Staten Island 2008

Memorial Day weekend 2008 we took a ride to Staten Island. Romantic to say the least...well if you can say that about a ride with my sister.

Verrazano Bridge 2008

An evening shot of the beautiful Verrazano Bridge in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Bk all day;)

Brighton 2008

Brighton Beach. Not much to see here, but restaurants, sand and water. However, the water is much cleaner, in fact people actually swim in it.

Washington D.C. 2008

This is Washington D.C. (My sister takes some great photos.)
I was fortunate enough to see fireworks while driving into D.C. over the bridge, and within a bird's eye-view of the monument and the capitol...magical to say the least.

Coney Island 2008

This is my 1st Coney Island trip, during one of my sister's many visits to NYC.
Although the ocean water pales in comparison to the crystal blues of Miami, its ocean nonetheless.

Boston 2008

This is my first trip to Boston. I went with some goofball friends to visit and make homemade pizza. (I had no camera, so while I saw this stuff, a friend took the pics.)

Fashion Faux Pas: Ombre

As Fashion Week comes in and we're caught up trying to catch up with the Spring trends with the fall one coming up behind us, one thing's for sure: Spring is not all about florals and pastels anymore. So put away the mint green chinos and the pink floral sundress...there's a new boss in town: Ombre! Ombre is the artsy craft of color-dying cloths to create a dark to light (or vice versa) effect....think tye-dye but 10 times more chic! Ombre transcends from clothing to purses. Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg and Adam and Eve are all on the Ombre Bandwagon. Even Men's designers are doing Ombre suits for Spring!

But if you're not so sure how to rock Ombre, or not sure you want to splurge on an authentic Ombre piece, then try dual-tone pieces and light tye-dye. Still not feeling risky enough, stay safe and try 2 shades of the same color, wear a light blue top and darker blue skirt and see how you like it. Trust me, it'll be Fab Chic!

Fidelity: Wits, Faith, or Brainpower?

Some women believe it to be true that men are inherently unfaithful. Whether it is true or false, it is necessary to discover whether fidelity is feasible. Most men are known to have occasional flings, girlfriends, boyfriends, and spouses in other locations. And among the successful, yet weak-minded and impressionable, infidelity is contagious.

So how does one protect themselves from attack? Well that my friends is a matter of brainpower and prayer. In my recent travels, I noticed one man's plight to increase his chances at winning this "battle". He was a rather attractive, and successful gentleman in his mid-30's, who happened to be working on a business plan to improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian electricity system. After hours of working on this layout, he took a break. He opened a slide show of family pictures, presumably of his life back in the US, and began studying them intently. He had 3 elementary age boys, , and an astonishingly gorgeous wife, who appeared to be much younger than him. The photos revealed a large brick house in the suburbs and his wife's hair salon. His eyes lit up when a picture of his wife, boiling over with laughter, came onto the screen. He even giggled a bit when photos from a family trip to Disney World graced the screen. The pictures depicted the child-like essence of a family trip. After going through all the pictures in full, he replayed the entire set a second time. When he was done, he slowly repacked his laptop and stowed it away. He pulled out a small book that he had apparently just begun. The book was entitled, "Steps for Being a God-minded Man." An hour later, as I turned to indulge in a little reading, I glanced over and he was preparing to sleep. I reviewed all that I had just seen and it was confirmed; in the battle against infidelity and unfaithfulness the key is: trust, innovation, prayer, and God.

Eat Your Prunes and Listen to Your Elders

In a generation that shows little to no reverence for their peers, the wisdom gained from the older generation is completely nullified. However, I recently rediscovered the wonders of embracing the griot-like capabilities of my elders.

On a long bus ride to the DC metropolitan, I met a 74 year old retired civil rights fashion maven with a lot to say. I was instantly drawn to her fine leather pumps, wolford tights, black wool blend skirt, plum colored boat-neck sweater, rounded plum hat, and burnt-orange silk scarf which completed the ensemble. My outfit almost paled in comparison, and you could say I was a tad bit ashamed to be upstaged by this modern day "Coco Chanel".

Nonetheless, I asked her if she was enjoying the scenery and whether she had been visiting family in New York. She told me that her travels took her to New Jersey, and she made a brief stop in Manhattan. Her depiction of the "Empire State" made my eyes light up like a child in a candy store, and my enthusiasm almost had me foaming at the mouth. She spoke of a Manhattan I had yet to see. Upon completing high school, decades ago, she moved to New York City from our nation's capital.


She came in search of the perfect career and found her place in the civil rights field. She raved about marching in D.C. and serving in Vietnam as a secretary. She told me about her niece's quest for her professional niche in this unmerciful world. After 1 year out of the New School with 2 degrees and a plethora of prior experience, she still has yet to find a job. Her words to me were "the world could be a cruel cruel place to those who knew not what they need or quite where they fit in." She enlightened me with some of the best advice I've gotten thus far this year. I almost can't wait to have my next sit down with my own grandmother and prepare to be enlightened by her pearls of wisdom. But if she says anything as good as this, then it has to be true that God must be whispering into the ears of our seasoned veterans. The moral of this story: "Don't just respect your elders, talk to them, they know much more than you give them credit for."

Images:
Alice Walker Blackpages.com
Financialplanninggroup.com

The Brooch: Move Over Kelly Croc Bag!

Nowadays, everyone is trying to express their own individualized approach to 'fashion diversity.' We have brought back every style era from 20's swing, 70’s boho, 80’s retro chic and early 90’s “what were we thinking” fashions. But most of all, we have revived “the belt” from the deep dark abysses of vintage spots and thrift stores everywhere. After being bombarded with skinny belts, wide belts, high-waisted belts, sashes and various fashion do’s and don’ts, I must say it is time for a new leader in fashion,“the brooch.”

The brooch, a simple, yet very intricately detailed pin often in metal or porcelain, is an instant upgrade to any wardrobe. Some of the most gorgeous brooches are made of pearls, crystals, gold, rhinestones, colored glass and rare gems. I’m sure you remember it now, once worn by your grandmother and her friends to mid-afternoon tea party’s, but with many of our beloved designers and top fashion houses becoming a part of the movement, you’ll soon see that these aren’t your grandmother’s brooches!

Louis Vuitton created the most exquisite gold blooming flower brooch available to be pinned on the corner of your favorite jacket or sweater. Feeling a little more adventurous? Tie a colorful scarf over your hair, place this brooch on the side right above your ear and voila, an instant summer upgrade to the flower in your hair look.

Another fabulous addition to you spring wardrobe is this gorgeously colorful leather and metal Prada Bird Brooch. Stick it to the corner of a trendy white handbag for a colorful twist. But if you’re feeling more twisted? Pin it right in the middle of your favorite little red, v-neck dress, for an all eyes on you evening that’s guaranteed to have your date in a trance!

If you’re not looking to spend the upwards of your life-saving on a designer brooch, head over to your neighborhood Target or your most beloved Vintage and Thrift stores and I guarantee you’ll run into some fabulous finds!


Images:
Google search engine
Prada
Louis Vuitton
Amazon.com

Fashion Faux Pas: Spring/Summer Neutrals

Being temporarily stationed in a tropical location does not make color your only outfitting option. When next you think of traveling to the tropics, be it Barbados or Victoria Island, St.Tropez or Trinidad and Tobago, make sure to pack some neutrals and earth tones to give your wardrobe an even balance. Vacationing in tans, burnt orange, greens, browns and even whites are colors for the cool. Literally. Neutral colors don't attract as much heat as their brighter counterparts and so you stay cooler longer.

Fashion houses, Chanel and Gucci have both designed ideal tans, creams and even powder blue pieces in everything from light cotton to linen to keep you cool in the heat of your holiday travels. The best traveling pieces, by far, are still seersuckers or linen shorts and pants with a crisp button down shirt (avoid heavy cotton and some polyester blends) paired with canvas sneakers or sandals. Women can dress it up with a nice beaded turquoise stones set and bejeweled flats.

While men can try seersucker's in a cropped trouser look, which Galliano has made into a hot item this year, and adorn the look with their favorite cologne and watch for jet-setting fun! Whatever your choice, make sure you stay fashionably comfortable.


Images:
Style.com
Iceberg
John Galliano