Like it, Love it, Live It!

Parting by the Pool - Rumor Boutique Hotel in Vegas!
Dress from Thick Chic Boutique in Inglewood

Hi Beautiful people,

Just checking in as my "Staycation" approaches an end! I have loved every minute of my "stress-free" vacation!

• I've been to the Conga Room on Monday night and enjoyed the comforts of live music!
• I've attended a couple of jazz festivals and had fun listening to more live music in the beautiful sun and relaxing in the park!
• I've laid out by the pool in Corona and Rancho Cucamonga enjoying good company with family, friends and a good drink! I've turned my cafe latte skin tone into cafe mocha, lol (at least in my mind i've gotten darker) I love getting a tan in the summer.
• I spent quality time with my twin sister, younger sister, brother-in-law and niece at the MAGIC Retail Convention Show in Las Vegas and had a great time getting out and enjoying the 102 degree weather and night life!
• The only down side to this vacation is I missed two trips to MIAMI this month. But I am definitely planning on going next year, Mandatory!
• Congratulations and Happy Birthday to my girl Tracy as she will be getting married soon and celebrated her birthday in Miami. Also, Happy Birthday to my girl Tamanika who also had a blast celebrating her birthday in Miami.
• Since I'm giving shout-outs, I can't forget about my girl Gloria (aka Doctor Hudson) for getting her doctorate degree! Of course she had to celebrate big at The Standard downtown and of course I had to be in attendance.
• Last but not Least! I LOVED the SADE Concert! She is a beautiful human being, inside and out and it reflects in her Music!

Sade Live @ Staples Center "Just Beautiful"

Notice that out of all these events I've attended I haven't mentioned any thing about meeting anyone new, WTH!!! Yep I've been out on the town and no such luck. What's a girl to do??? I'm really contemplating moving to another state. A girl friend of mine's (Sam :) stated it's really not that difficult. Finding a place to live isn't hard, it's making sure you can line up job interviews and have a savings account to keep you afloat. I mean really what's stopping me. I love my family and I was born and raised in LA (Cali girl for life), but I'm single with no kids and have met very few men who are willing to entertain the thought of dating. I need to do what's best for me and maybe start Brand New "somewhere else"! But of course everyone knows I'm a "planner" so I'm not going anywhere until I know exactly what I want to do down to the last detail, and of course I will always do what's best for me!

The Standard Hotel - Dr. Gloria, Caroline and Me!  

Sidebar- I almost forgot to mention that another good girl friend of mines attempted to introduce me to a guy I saw in passing a couple months  ago and she totally hooked me up as soon as she saw him again! I spoke with the guy over the phone but had to cut the conversation short due to not being able to hear him well. (I was laid out by the pool with a bunch of cackling tipsy girls and loud music :) However, I thought I made it clear it was okay for him to call me later on that night as I would be available to talk. That was 2 weeks ago, I haven't heard from the brotha since! Lol, I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Ladies and Gents please note - It's not like I haven't been open to meeting guys. As you can see I've done my part in getting out and socializing. If they can't approach me then that's not my problem. And don't get me wrong if I think it's worth it I will definitely approach him or give him an obvious invitation to come "see about me", Lol.

I know deep down that if I just be "patient" the Lord will bless me with a "good man". I just want the Lord to know that I'm just trying to help HIM out! I can't get a man sitting at the house watching Tivo every weekend! And so the Adventures continue.......wish me luck, lol, I have a few more days of vacation left to "Enjoy myself!" Smooches

Long Beach Jazz Festival

Hi Beautiful people,
Sunday morning, bright and early 8am I'm up and getting ready for the festival. Of course I'm hoping to get a good seat across from Crenshaw and Slauson (the infamous walkways that are adjacent to the lagoon). But of course nothing went right before I left the house. Pulling out the garage sis leaves her sunglasses in her car and we go back to get them and we find my big floppy hat is sitting on the trunk of her car, Really! I left the sandwiches and chicken salad in the fridge, had to go back and get them. Too bad I didn't remember I left the tickets behind, had to go back again and get them too. Lord what are we going through this morning, I've never been this absent minded, lol. Good news is we made it to Rainbow Lagoon Park only to stand in line for an hour. Finally got in and ended up on the "sidelines" not our usual spot (south side of Crenshaw) but we made it work. My partners in crime for this Adventure are Keesha and Devona. You know we had to represent in the pic below!

It's mandatory that we walk down the pathway and unfortunately I did not see very many "potentials". My girls agreed with me that there weren't very many single men available and the ones that were "easy on the eyes" were either with a female or knew they were a hot commodity. What's a girl to do! Shout out to my social worker girl friends who came out to represent and have a good time too!

I enjoyed Kem and Charlie Wilson but no luck at meeting anyone new at the jazz festival. I must check my social calendar and see if there are any upcoming events I need to make an appearance at because I can not continue to let all this sexy go to waste, lmao!

SideBar - why is it men and women have different communication styles? I don't get it. I call a guy to tell him I'm available to hangout over the weekend and I don't get a call. I know things happen but you could give me a courtesy call or text (since we cool like that). I was trying to be considerate but I'm done trying to work around someone else's schedule. I'm going to take a backseat and let you make the next move. Ladies and gentlemen let me know if I'm wrong!

In the mean time, Sade is in concert this weekend at the Staples Center and I'm going to put on my classy but sassy outfit and show em how it's done! The Adventure continues...Smooches!

Matchmaking by my Girlfriends

Hey Beautiful people,

It's Sunday afternoon and I get a text message from one of my girl friends saying she found a "prospect" for me! Now of course my first reaction is that of caution because I don't do blind dates. Let's keep it real, I need to be attracted to you in some way and not knowing what you look like makes that a little difficult. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for a male model because I know that it's not going to be your "looks" that keep me interested. But most of my closest girl friends know that before you play matchmaker you need to know what kind of guy I'd most likely be interested in. Well fortunately, my girl friend (who will remain anonymous because I'm going to need her for future match making purposes, lol) picked a good one! So far we know he's almost 30. I can't ever find a man that's my age! He doesn't have any children, which is a plus, but I don't discriminate against men that do, it just depends on their situation. I also saw a picture of him and he looks like a keeper, translation -he's handsome. So now we have a conversation to see if we have anything in common. Wish me luck!

I love my girl friends because they are as much interested in marrying me off as I am. I'm not getting any younger.
It makes no damn sense why I am single right now!

Update from Essence - Option #2 - I completely forgot about a gentleman I met in New Orleans who happened to be "working" at the W Hotel. Apparently I was the assertive one in this situation. I guess that's what happens when you are on your second alcoholic beverage! ;) I completely forgot I had his business card until I was rummaging through my wallet recently. Of course I couldn't let this one get away so I text him. We've been conversing ever since and I am impressed. A man raised in New Orleans with a degree, career in the hotel industry, one child that he helps raise, close to his family and wants a family of his own! Sounds like a package deal right!

You know I'm going to keep you posted on this adventure as I continue to get to know my "new friends". I maintain my expectations of my male counterparts because I know Mr Right is out there and I refuse to settle! Smooches

Girls…Who Run the World

Hey Beautiful People,

I’m baaaaack. Please understand me when I say I’m Exhausted. When I take a vacation it’s for a REASON! I love getting out and “mixing and mingling” so I can relax and meet new people. I think this is what helps me maintain my sanity. What’s happened since we last spoke…. Well of course I had to re-cooperate from New Orleans ;) That is a highly recommended trip every other year.

Jazz Fest West in San Dimas. This was my first time going and I had a BLAST! and I wasn’t even drunk! It was a great place to be and it was a big beautiful park. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly, we had good snacks and I was in good company (my twin). It was one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in a long time, just sitting and listening to the music – Leela James, Ledisi, Stevie Wonder, Eric Benet and Boney James. I definitely have to make this an annual event especially since I got a TAN, lol.

Caroline’s All White Birthday Party

Leave it to one of my girl Caroline (bday girl in red) to rent out the Rooftop Pool at the Thompson Hotel, Beverly Hills to throw a birthday party! Great minds think alike! It was a great idea, a great party and a beautiful venue. For once my twin sis was available to go with me as that is my official “partner in crime”. You know we had to represent! Now mind you I was doing some last minute shopping because Resheda has been working like a slave but I think I pulled it off. I need to find some more boutique shops so I can have a “white outfit” on standby (kind of like the little black dress). Every woman should have one! I had one good evening before I had to get back to working Overtime!

I think that my workaholic like hours and what I do for a living may be the reason as to why I am at a disadvantage on the dating scene. Once my work schedule permits I’m going to look into attending a few mixers through BlackNLa or go to a Lock and Key party. I definitely have to look into expanding some of my summer activities. Coming soon…Long Beach Jazz Festival in August…oh lord. I already know what to expect…pure ghettofabulousness! I love my people! There will be a straight fashion show on Crenshaw and Slauson walkways at Lagoon Park Sunday, lmao. See you there!

Still no love connections but every weekend is an Adventure!

Talk to you soon! Smooches

**Sidebar – Please forgive me if I do not respond to your Comments but I’ve been trying to fix this issue and I still haven’t figured out what the problem is but I will keep you posted.

2011 Essence Festival

Hi Beautiful People!

Please believe me when I say that I loved my vacation in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 2011 Essence Festival was a great getaway!  I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t gone before. It is a great experience! Shout out to my girl April for going with me and being a great partner in crime!

We arrived Wednesday evening Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel conveniently located on Canal and Bourbon Street, and of course there was some drama! Uh oh, check-out was set for Saturday evening, WTH? ALL rooms are sold out or oversold! I called the reservation desk and fixed it “quick fast and in a hurry” check out is now on Sunday, room issue cleared up!

Thursday evening, First on the agenda - The W Hotel to mix and mingle at the bar! DJ on the 1’s and 2’s and handsome men everywhere! They were all courteous with plenty of southern hospitality. A sista didn’t have to go into her wallet once to buy a drink! Brotha’s were checking to make sure a lady was comfortable.

Thursday night – the infamous Razoo on Bourbon Street. It’s so hot and sweaty in this joint! Gotta love the attention. Love the house band that was singing all the new R&B hits LIVE! White girl in the house rapping Nicki Minaj – whaaaat? Get em girl.

Friday night – Old School concert hosted by MC Lyte with guests Big Daddy Kane and Dougie Fresh. Waited 2 hours and no performance. Really??? I can’t stand the House of Blues, I will never do “standing room only” ever again!

Concert Saturday night – made it just in time to see my favorite artist Jill Scott. I have to give it to Kanye West he can put on a show until 1:30am. He had an old school mix in the middle to highlight all the 90’s jams we listened to as teens growing up. The sound system in the Superdome was ridiculous!

Unfortunately I did not know about the artists performing Sunday night - Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz and New Edition until after I already purchased my plane ticket. Booo!

I must say, All the food was delicious! So many different places to eat!

Throughout the weekend I met gentlemen from Texas and Alabama, 2 guys from Mississippi and 2 guys from New York. It was Heaven on Earth!

Did I make a love connection? Probably not. Did I meet several nice guys? Yes, I did. Will I venture to another state to visit them? Maybe. But it’s going to take several more telephone calls before I make that type of decision. Did I enjoy myself? Hell yes. Will I be patient for the right one to come along? Yes I will. Do I have any more trips coming up? Not yet, but I have no problem occupying my time with good company and making new friends! Wish me luck!

Thank you to all my followers for all your advice and support!

The Adventures of Single N Fabulous will Continue…Smooches!

Countdown to My Vacation…Essence Festival Baby!

For those of you who know me…you know that “a vacation” is long overdue! I’ve been working my assets off so much that my body aches from head to toe! Sidebar - I accept all full body massages from the male persuasion, sexy and single of course, lmao. Fortunately, I’ve been drinking a glass of wine every day after work to calm my nerves. Moscato does wonders to relieve stress. After making it through a very rough 3 weeks at the job, I’m able to relax this past weekend for a brief moment and prepare for my trip to New Orleans…yaaay!

I went to Staples and they were a rip off. However, Best Buy redeemed my faith in retail as I bought a few things on sale and received some things for free! Found a cute dress at Del Amo Mall and I love the great “steals” at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Only my “better half” - Twin Sis Keesha - knows that I (over) pack at least 2 weeks in advance. I can’t stand not being prepared and I dread forgetting something at home. I also don’t like the pressure of packing at the last minute…I need my beauty sleep, Lol.

So let’s review “The List”:

Plane Tix/Concert Tix/Hotel reservations – Check

Roommates/Best Girlfriends’ In the World - Check

Summer dresses – Check

All BEBE stilettos (my fav shoes) – Check

Sandals (back up shoes ;) - Check

Camera/Flip video – Check

Luggage – Check

Toiletries – Check

Jewelry – Check

Cell phone/Charger – Check

New Hairstyle (finally figured it out!), Lol – Check

Feel free to make suggestions on what you think would make my trip complete ;)

Let the Essence Adventures Begin…….Stay tuned J

Smooches!

Intimidated...Or Not

Hey Beautiful People,

It’s June and Summer is Officially Here! No Scorching Heat yet, but I can’t wait. You know a sista needs a TAN asap J

I’m back to share/discuss the "pattern" I’ve been dealing with every time I go out. Not once but several times I’ve been out attending different events and NO LUCK in meeting anyone!

Let me give you the rundown:

Memorial Day Weekend - I hung out at the Roosevelt Hotel Pool, relaxing in the shade with two cool guys from the Bay area (not my type) but made no connections with anyone.

I went to the UCLA Jazz/Reggae Festival – Jam Day on Sunday – I got lots of sun, had fun with my girlfriends and enjoyed Lupe Fiasco, but no such luck. (P.S. There was a big crowd on this day but a very limited amount of “potentials”, I was sadly disappointed).

Last night, I went to my girlfriend’s Birthday Bash at an Art Gallery – stuntin’ in my haram outfit, decent looking guys but no phone numbers. The one guy I did talk to most of the night was from Seattle, Washington!

What’s a girl gotta do? I really need to be in a room full of handsome eligible bachelors or at a Speed Dating Event because this is Ridiculous!

Is it me? I’ve been told about the “intimidation factor” but I didn’t think this was going to be an issue in meeting other people. Let me rewind, I was told a few years back by a male friend that some men are “intimidated by me” and will not approach me because they assume I am going to “be rude, say no or that I am stuck-up”. Of course I was taken aback by this but what can you do if some assumes these things about you. However, I have a tip for guys - If you observe my body language I am always friendly towards the people I am around, I am very talkative and I love to dance.”  If you are paying attention you will observe all these things which should make you a little more comfortable in approaching me.

For the Record – Some of us LA Women Keep it Real, please stop assuming we are “Hollywood” we are not those fake hoe’s on Basketball Wives, thank you!

In the meantime, I can’t wait for the Essence Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, starting at the end of this month (4^th of July weekend), because then I know that I will be surrounded by an abundance of “Grown men” who will not be intimidated nor have a problem expressing their interest or appreciation of a fabulous Black woman J! Damn, why do I have to go to another STATE to feel the LOVE! Maybe I need to Move?????????

Stay tuned as the Adventures will continue....Smooches