Fatbellybella didn’t disappoint when she performed at the Palms… her new album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is on HEAVY rotation and my beautiful friends took me out to celebrate a little promotion I got recently. She sang for almost 3 hours! THE perfect gift! She even sang one of my all time favorites…
I have begun volunteering at the Shade Tree and I can’t tell you how much it has changed my perspective on life. The Shade Tree is a shelter for battered women and children which provides temporary and semi-permanent housing. They are also one of very few shelters in the US to take animals as well. The women there are so resilient and pushing forward through times that would ruin many. I teach budgeting, yoga, and job skills each week and I now have a regular group of ladies I meet up with. We talk about their progress and challenges… as well as gossip and laugh! Take the time within your own lives and try to see what you can do for others. If you want to help me with supplies for my classes please donate to the paypal account I have listed or go directly to their website and see what the shelter needs: http://www.theshadetree.org/
Sorry I’ve been gone friends! I have a new job that has been keeping me very busy… but also has brought me lots of happiness! I was working at a respectable brand but I didn’t care for the product and the management team was unfortunately quite amateurish. But as one thing leads to another it motivated me to find a more suitable home and THANK GOD I DID! The product is amazing, the team is lovely, and the management is playful as well as business focused - I find myself looking forward to see what my work day will bring. And TRUST it has been an eternity since that feeling has been in my belly! The universe has truly rewarded me for not settling… Hopefully I’m showing thanks everyday.
Why is she so cute?! Last week was absolutely beautiful and we spent almost every waking moment at the park. Here is my favorite picture from our good times!
I have felt so conflicted about posting regarding this issue because it can be so difficult to hold a rational discussion about eating meat. But I can tell you that while reading this book I made the decision to never EVER eat factory farmed meat or fish ever again. Neither will my family. I can tell you after reading this book, and reading about the horrors in the factory farming industry, you won’t either. I haven’t decided if we will eat meat from a family farm, but we are eating vegetarian and we all feel a lot better. Dairy has been our biggest issue. Cheese, milk… SOUR CREAM are all things we have had difficulty with. But we are a work in progress…
I went to breakfast with Auntie Lynnie and the Lioness was a hot mess. She wouldn’t sit still so I instinctively whipped out my iPhone and put on Yo Gabba Gabba. The Lioness was frozen, glued to her favorite show. At first, I sighed a breath of relief (commence gossiping!!) Then, I became so incredibly upset with myself. Although I had tried everything else before turning on YouTube, I became quite sad that TV made the Lioness so calm. So the TV had to go. Now… we’re only human… We still HAVE a TV and we watch PBS and DVD’s we get from the Library. But we are on somewhat of a cleanse. Apparently NetFlix will be streaming through our Wii in the Spring so until then, we have shut the TV off.
The result has been lovely: the family is listening to music more, we are talking to each other about books we’re reading, we are planning activities outdoors and art projects indoors, we are cooking together, and we are laughing together.
Try it. Trust me.
One of my favorite runway presentations of all time… His use of the chess board is brilliant.
My sister is getting married!!! They are getting married in July at The Solage in Calistoga. I’m so excited to celebrate their union and shake my tail-feather a little! It will be a very small ceremony, with only family in attendance. Did I mention I am the Matron of Honor? (Who thought of such an awful name?!) Wanna know how cool my sister is? I get to wear whatever I want! Any color, length, designer… None of that conformist bullshit. With all do respect some people don’t have the ability to pick out an appropriate yet flattering dress for any event let alone for one that will be photographed to death… But I don’t have that problem. We have been reading magazines and scouring the Internet to see what we can do to make it original, romantic and a little bit of whimsy. Did I mention the Lioness will be the flower girl? Its going to be so much fun I can’t WAIT!!! We are going to drive up and spend half the week in SF and then head over for the festivities. The countdown has begun!
I have felt quite inspired by my favorite chef Rick Bayless these days. With the arrival of my loved ones this holiday season I felt as though I had to make a menu that would make him proud! Since I had to work on Thanksgiving… I figured to seize the day and roast my first turkey! We stayed true to my obsession with Mexican food but stepped it up a notch. Our dinner consisted of this: Adobo Turkey with Red Chili Gravy, Spiced Sweet potatoes, my famous creamed corn and finally Apple Pie with Mexican Brown Sugar. I let the turkey sit almost an hour after taking it out of the oven to keep it moist and I was so glad I did- It was juicy and flavorful and EVERYONE went back for seconds! I may not do everything right in life but I sure can cook!
Sorry its been so long but being gainfully employed an all, its been difficult to manage my time!! As you ALL know I have to make room to cook and workout so I have neglected you all and I beg for your forgiveness!! Auntie B and Nerd Love were both here visiting which made my soul dance! But- here is some documentation of the fun we had: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrapstar/sets/72157623119847107/
