Today on my lunch break I decided to go buy some work pants. I've been wearing jeans, slacks, and pants that are held up only by the saving grace of a belt. Not to mention my skinny jeans now fashion straight leg or boy-cut jeans. But anyhow, I ran into the most awesome problem ever: all the small pants were still too BIG for me! I was slightly agitated at first because I really have to let go of the leggings...I mean, I could wear them long after they go out of style, but come on. I'm an adult with a real job. Then it hit me, the realization of the fact that I am officially a "skinny mini", a "lepa" as is the term in my native tongue. I was thrilled. I ran through the store searching for size 6, then a 4, then a 2. A size 2...and it fit, a bit tighter than I prefer, but it fit!
What was my plan of action you ask? Simple: in February 2010 I decided that being overweight really is a problem...I even went as far as to call it a sin due to the greed and gluttony that I so easily gave in to. I just no longer desired to be a woman who lacked discipline and self-control, and I could see it in other areas of my life. So I got a trainer and changed my eating habits. I worked out 2 days a week, then 4- 5 days when I picked up momentum. I kept a food journal and counted calories daily. I lost 20 lbs in 4 months and then kept it up on my own. I had to learn to love working out so I could be motivated. And the best motivation is RESULTS. I also get a gym "fee reimbursement", every 6 months, from my job, and I've decided to use it to buy new clothes for my newly svelte physique. I'm glad that I became radical about my health and I'm really grateful for the men and women God put in my life to help me.
Now...I ....must...go...extinguish...the...kryptonite...the evil evil strawberry cheescake. Lol, I still have a ways to go. But glad to have gotten this far. :)
What does it mean to be "thirsty"? How do you know? What does it feel like? How does your body react? I think we often wait until we are completely dehydrated before we even consider drinking water. And contrary to popular belief, sodas and juices have significant amounts of sugar and so they are not sufficient sources of the 8-10oz of water we are to get on a daily basis.
How do you know when you are physically dehydrated? Well you experience fatigue, dry mouth and skin, chills, and a host of other symptoms. But symptoms of severe dehydration can include confusion, dim vision, vomiting, seizures, and muscle spasms.
How do you know when you are spiritually dehydrated?
I was thinking about this earlier today in relation to my own personal relationship with God. I think I can often wait till I am dehydrated, and in my own self-deceit, I am completely unaware of it. I think the symptoms vary, but it will often include some confusion and dim vision, as well as spiritual seizures. Did you know that one of the definitions of "seizure" is an "occurrence, or recurrence of sudden attack from a disease"? In this case, the disease is sin. And each man's "reoccurring" sin is personal and specific to him. How do we overcome this type of dehydration? Maybe a gallon at the bedside? Or as my friend Nick said, "A gospel I.V. drip" ? Perhaps. But inevitably the only way to avoid being dragged away by our own passions and desires is indeed preventative measures. I think Jesus is the answer...and his word provides step by step directions to "prevent dehydration".
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. Jn 7:37-38
Third times a charm. So I went here again this weekend and I went with the women in the young leaders group at my church. All I had this time was a soda, but I love this place. The ambiance is cozy, with wooden tables, newspaper print walls, dim lighting, and one long marble bar counter. And they're all burgers, all the time (and an occasional "other" here and there).
So can I just shout out my friend Rach, who thought it was a Jamaican spot with beef patties, cheese and bun. Ha! Love that girl!
Anyhow, I love the french toast with drunken bananas, peaches, and walnuts. It was totally drenched in blueberry port maple syrup. The challah bread is crisp on the edges and incredibly soft on the inside, the peaches seem to be coated in a light sugar syrup and the walnuts give just the right amount of crunch! Then the fluffy ricotta pancakes simply melt in your mouth, and the raspberry quince sauce has a tangy-sweetness that compliments the ricotta's smooth and creamy after-taste. And can I just say that the havoc burger with its 3 meats and chimichurri sauce is like the 21st century rendition of a barbarian dinner! Just barbaric! Yes! As for you more proper individuals who prefer small bites and knives and forks, go in and try the sliders...always a classic. Bon appetit!
If I've ever seen a more beautiful dress...I'd be lying. Vera Wang did a number, as usual. Clinton's dress was a full silk organza ball skirt complete with train. And the rosette-like detailing proved to actually be a raw-edged, laser cut swirl pattern. The skirt flowed from a diagonally draped bodice of silk tulle, and was accented by a swarovski embellished belt. I think it was a simple, yet elegant update on classic. And while I personally adore the birdcage veils, I think Clinton's veil choice perfectly compliments the strapless Wang number to a tee!
US Weekly reports that "for her reception, she changed into a silk tulle Grecian Vera Wang gown with criss-cross back and narrow grosgrain black belt".
Mind you my own cool mom of a mom, watched it on you tube and read that the wedding was reportedly over $5 million.What a wedding!
So I figured since I do not have a shortage of skin pigment, I don't need sunscreen in the summer. Then I read an article about a woman who got skin cancer on one side of her face because that side faced the window in her office. She never used sunscreen because she was an African- American woman and felt that black women don’t get sunburn or skin cancer. After reading that, I decided, its time to get some year-round sunscreen. I opted for SPF 30 winter, spring, and fall, and I recently just bought SPF 100+ for summer and beach protection. No skin cancer here!
The Stats: (From The Skin Cancer Foundation)
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases in two million people are diagnosed annually.
Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
More than 20 Americans die each day from skin cancer, primarily melanoma. One person dies of melanoma every 62 minutes.
The majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are white men over age 50.
First exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk by 75 percent
Asian American and African American melanoma patients have a greater tendency than Caucasians to present with advanced disease at time of diagnosis.
Melanomas in African Americans, Asians, Filipinos, Indonesians, and native Hawaiians most often occur on non-exposed skin with less pigment, with up to 60-75 percent of tumors arising on the palms, soles, mucous membranes and nail regions.
Well if I have to be so careful in the sun, how do I tan? I’m sure you’ve noticed the orange-yellow lizard skin of some older women who tan frequently. Well most people don’t think about it, but tanning is basically voluntary perpetuation of skin cancer. The reason is because Ultra Violet (UV) rays penetrate the skin causing DNA and cell damage, and then melanin (skin pigment) is produced as a response to the damage. This is similar to the formation of scabs after an injury. Increased exposure to UV rays, whether indoor or outdoor, results in age spots, altered skin texture, wrinkling, eye damage, and immune suppression. Long story short, tanning is bad news.
The Solution: Get some Sunscreen. I’ve been hearing different things about sunscreen, like the higher SPF means the amount of time it takes before wearing off, or it doesn’t matter how high the SPF is because its all the same after SPF 30. Well what’s true?
Everyone needs sunscreen, and the best ones are water-resistant, with UVA and UVB protection and minimal of SPF 30. SPF stands for Sun Protecting Factor, and it refers to the product's ability to deflect the sun's burning rays, or UVB. How does it work? Well based on the information from the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology, the SPF rating shows the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. In laymen terms that means, multiply the SPF times the amount of time it takes you to burn. So if you have SPF 30 and it takes you 10 minutes to burn regularly, then 10x30= 300, so it will take 300 minutes to burn in oppose to 10. No SPF provides 100% protection, in fact SPF 15 provides 94%, SPF 30 provides 97%, and SPF 100 provides 99% against harmful UV rays. And even with this protection, all sunscreen breaks down and rubs off with normal wear, sweat, and swimming, so its best to reapply every two hours.
So go ahead and get your sunscreen on, and stay protected all year long!
I went to Paesano's for one of my best friend's birthdays and I got to taste a lot of little things at this place. I went to the gym first so I wouldn't feel guilty for all the rich sauces and fatty fried things I ate. The space is small, but spacious enough for expanding tummies. The calamari was tasty and crunchy, not soggy or heavily breaded like it sometimes is. I hate it when its like that too. Not appetizing. I also tasted some of the fried zucchini, which was a bit salty to me. The Joey's special salad was sooo yummy! I mean I genuinely love salads, but the zucchini and fresh mozzarella really made this bed o' greens worthwhile. I ordered cheese ravioli with meat, in a vodka sauce. The ravioli seemed to be filled with a mixture of ricotta and some other cheese, so you ravioli purists may not approve. I also had some of the birthday girl's veal, it was succulent, but I can't quite remember the name. All of it is relatively inexpensive in my opinion. But go and decide for yourself. Happy eating!
So, my co-worker ran into the $15 store, where everything is literally $15, marked down from $30-$100 per piece.Its a steal. From browsing the site, I can say that some things are not quite worth 15 bucks, but the things that are are really fab! I made myself a little shopping cart of seevral goodies and didn't even break $150. Sweet, right! Anyhow, check it out: http://15dollarstore.com/
Jeffrey Campbell packs a dope shoe game. In laymen terms that translates as, “The renowned shoe designer, Jeffrey Campbell, designs some incredible footwear.” I could easily own 12 shoes in his lookbook, without hesitation. (Well if money were no object of course). I ran across a few pieces that in the initial viewing, I was utterly perplexed by, but later on I realized I could totally make it work. They're like "chic chaps". I feel like styling a photoshoot right about now. Anyhow, enjoy the images.
Gimme ma' burgah! That's what BLT Burger brought out of me the other day. They have a variety of burgers on their menu, and since I love to get more bang for my buck, I got the sliders. You can pick from a black burger, bbq pulled pork, buffalo chicken, and crispy cod. Can I just say that if the mini-burgers were that tasty, I can just imagine what the full size burgers taste like. I think one day I just might be a complete burger beast and eat a few sliders for an appetizer, and then a heavy-duty burger for the main course. Why haven't I considered this brilliant idea before? Because I'm a whack. Anyhow, I also had a fabulously rich, creamy, cookie monster milkshake with cookie dough bits, loads of chips ahoy cookies, and whipped cream....mmmm whipped cream. I think next time I will try the twinkie boy milkshake with twinkies and caramel syrup. Do you think I could ask them to fry the twinkies first? Why don't you check it out and ask them...let me know the verdict! Happy eating!
Tue rocks Thai! And for all the food you get (cuz this homegirl can eat!), its surprisingly inexpensive. $10 brunch specials till 4pm. I am the biggest fan of red, white and black decor, so I love the walls here. And the menu has the same "hand-drawn" design as the walls. There's also a cute little sun-roof in the middle for some au naturale sunlight.
As for food, well I generally love Thai food, so its all good in my book. But my favorite here is the massaman curry with the hot and spicy curry sauce, peanuts, veggies, and chicken breast pieces...yummy! However, I come here most often for the pomegranate ginger honey iced tea. Its made with pomegranate tea, sweet honey and real ginger for a nice kick...to the throat! Don't believe me? Go try it!
Again, my awesome co-worker put me on! Jet Blue has a twitter page and they run promotions for super- cheap flights within the U.S. and overseas. Its all part of a marketing strategy to not only stay current and relevant in the travel industry, but to use social networking to their advantage. You can even re-tweet the deals to your friends and on your blog. Well look Jet Blue, its working, I blogged it! With their awesome ads and quirky tag-lines, it seems as if Jet Blue is quickly becoming the new cool.
I love me some Mac and Cheese and red velvet cake (not together though)! On my birthday I went to Cafeteria for the first time, and then I went again in the summer. Its a trendy little restaurant in Chelsea. Its a 2 level space and upstairs the decor is that of an upgraded posh cafeteria, and more like a private lounge downstairs. I especially love the booths and leather seats.
I had a decadently moist red velvet cake. When I first had red velvet, I was repulsed just by the color. I always felt like it would be dry and weird tasting. I was a yellow and chocolate cake girl. Pound cake, angel food, marble, lemon, devil's food...all was a plus, but red velvet: ewww and double ewww. Now red velvet and carrot cake, once my most hated desserts, are total favorites. I think my taste has matured over the years. I also had a nice toasted pecan- crusted salmon, buttermilk fried chicken, waffles, pesto polenta, and rich macaroni and cheese. The mac and cheese comes on a tray in sets of 3, one with cheddar and fontina, another with smoked gouda and bacon, and the last with truffle oil.
Did I already say I love mac and cheese?
Well the one here is one of the best in my book. Un-trusting? Go taste it. Happy Eating!
As Spring draws near, the colors go from bright to dull to dark and I personally am a fan of the neutrals. Therefore, for your viewing pleasure, I have compiled a visually enticing online-boutique displaying some of my favorite handbags this Spring. The designers have spoken. Consumers: "On you Mark...Get Set...Let's Shop!"
Which one is your favorite? Post a comment or link us to some other really awesome bags we may have forgotten.
Theo Hackney, of Theo Courtnay NY, is among one of the incredible phenomenons known as an "Indie Designer." Although you may not yet find his designs in between the pages of your monthly Vogue or at your neighborhood Bergdorf Goodman (yes, everyone has a neighborhood BG, it just may go by the name of "Target"), but he can assure you that he has arrived and his Fall 2008 line is a clear indication of that!
Coming from a fairly stylish family, New York raised Theo Hackney, fell in love with the New York fashion scene at a ripe young age and became inspired by the fashion of the city itself. His story is the quintessential American-story, the celebration of life wrapped in high-living and quality lifestyles. His philosophy: the customer wears the clothes, the clothes don’t wear the customer. We were fortunate enough to score an interview with Theo during the hustle and bustle of NY Fashion Week Fall/Winter 08.
What inspires you and how do you interpret that in the construction of your designs?
As an African American designer, I am inspired by the duality of the world that I live in. The culture that surrounds fashion is almost completely foreign, so I live for the rush of bridging the gap between that culture and my culture.
My inspiration comes from the women around me, the styles and fashion individuality of the different types of women in New York. I aim to create designs that appeal to the diverse Afro, Asian, Latin and European markets, all merged in, yet still relentlessly subtle.
Do you have a muse, and if so, who? My muse is any woman who is at the top of her game and celebrating her life and her style in
her own way.
What other mediums inspire your collection? Architecture definitely, the world around me, as well as military influences because I see your
style of clothing as a part of your daily attire, a uniform so to say. So I look at how the woman
fits the clothes and the clothes fit the woman.
What is your proudest moment in your career, and why? I try not to look back on my career as much, I try to focus more on the here and now because
each moment is a new moment and in order to embrace that experience, you have to live in
the present.
Did you always dream of designing? No, it was a natural evolution. I was always told I had a
great sense of style. I started with corporate retail
management then went on to personal shopping and fashion
styling.
How do you believe fashion has changed since you
started?
Do you still love it as much? Fashion is always changing. Its
about recreating the same thing in a new and innovative
way. I've always loved fashion but I have to battle with focusing on my creativity without
getting engulfed in marketability.
How do you begin your design process? I get inspired by what I see around me, my environment, cultural influences, shoes and
sometimes fabric.
What will your brand be branching off to next? Home design, accessories and shoes.
Do you have any advice for upcoming designers? Do what you love to do and do it well, or don’t do it at all.
Theo Courtnay’s Fall 2008 designer women's wear collection is inspired by the “Luxe Life”, the people who are celebrating their early onset career success. Check him out on www.TheoCourtnayNY.com
For your viewing pleasure, you are forced to look at images that I took with my camera on Christmas Eve in New York City:). I think them lovely, you may beg to differ. But enjoy!
I love the holiday season, but I can't help but place myself in other people's shoes at times. This is a poem inspired by a good friend of mine. I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it.
A Silent Christmas
The sun's rays crept into the corners of his eyes, He raised the back of his hand, Rubbed his eye in so coy a manner, And peered over his pinkie to the door to his bedroom. The door never opened, No laughter filled the hallways, No children ran in pajamas to impede upon his peace, To wake him from his slumber, Only the sun.
He listened to the pain-staking quietness, Grieved over the absence of giggles and the scurrying of little feet. He heard nothing, not so much as a peep. No little children anxiously awaiting to unravel gift wrap, No scents of hot apple cider creeping underneath his door, Infusing the house, and his entire being with the aromas of Christmas. No enchanting carols to permeate his ear drums, Nothing, Only silence.
He dare to put the white down comforter back over his head, Dared to look over at the empty space in his queen size bed, Dared to dream of the love of his life laying beside him, Awaking to celebrate such a joyous occasion. But no one lay beside him, No one to stare at and thank God to have another holiday with, No one to gently whisper a "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" to. No reason to slowly climb out of bed so as to not disturb, No one to instruct to go back to sleep, So he could calm the rambunctious imaginary children. No one. Just him,
I am an avid Jane Austen fan. I love the tales of romance, love gone awry, unrequited affections, and the like. I have realized and dare to say that I too am a hopeless, or better yet, a hopeful romantic.
Mansfield Park, like Pride and Prejudice, and unarguably the majority of novels by the famed Jane Austen, focuses on the same story line. A woman of standards and intelligence, enters into high society and is courted by a gentleman of wealth and mundane appearance, and half her status in intellect. However, she inevitably falls in love with an eligible bachelor who is cultured and comparable to her in education yet, ironically still superior in social status. Austen never fails to ensure that the gentleman that her heroine chooses is slightly off-putting in appearance, yet made handsomer and more charming by his love and pursuit of the heroine. In the end, they often fall in love, marry, and live happily ever after.
Mansfield Park is a royal mess in so many words, yet I adore it. The British accents, the exceptional grammar and immensely challenging vocabulary, and the drama, the fabulous drama! One sister marries for wealth, yet leaves her "unagreeable" husband for a charming playboy, another sister rivals for the affections of one such eligible bachelor, the heroine is in love with a childhood sweetheart who happens to fall in love with another woman of high society and the whole thing is a never-ending labyrinth of royal mess.
"I cannot know if he loves me, says Eliza. Well I ask, did he ever gaze on you with admiration, tenderly press your hand, drop an involuntary tear and leave the room abruptly? Never replied she, he's always left the room indeed when his visit has been ended."
I love this line, the complexity of a woman's mind, intertwined with the overwhelming feelings in her heart, forces her to read into things and look for a deeper meaning than most men intend to send off. I too am guilty of this. He loves me, he loves me not and so on and so forth, when in actuality the man in question isn't even thinking of you. How often do we love one who loves another. Its a travesty of genuine human emotion, to say the least. Every woman longs to be romanced, to be courted, to be loved, to be desired, to be fought for, to be chosen by the object of her affections, yet the one who actually follows through is rarely the one that she herself has chosen. Why? C'est la vie, I presume, but why is life so cruel to the heart?
Sir Crawford says, "There is only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved. You're killing me." To which Ms. Price replies, "No man dies of love, but on the stage."
I believe this to be true, on both ends. Love is the only happiness in life. But what you chose to love and give your whole heart to is what defines that happiness. Be it God, the object of your affections, knowledge, wealth, or well-being. Over time, many things fade, but true love is the only thing worth having.
On the other hand, no one dies of love but on the stage. However, when all the world's a stage, an individual will anguish and suffer from disappointment. When this happens, eventually the pain of heartache, can drive them to the point of death--or at least what feels like death.
I, for one, have learned an incredible lesson from Mansfield Park...do not awaken love until it so desires, a theme common to the biblical book of Songs of Songs, and echoed within the pages of Jane Austen's novels. Love, such complexity. But such is life.
My Portfolio: http://www.wix.com/olaitanf/olaitanf......................
"If the world were to end today I would look back and think: What did I do with my time? Did I make an imprint in the mind of some unknowing person? Did I stimulate thought? Did I make the decision to love someone and be a giver? Did I care for all I've been privileged to get and what I'm completely undeserving of? I would hope my answers were yes...and that I lived a 'full' life."
I am Olaitan. And I am a writer :-)
-signed a citizen for the advancement of dialogue between strangers
-010604.jpg)
-010603.jpg)
-010603.jpg)
