All White Day Party Fun!

Hi Beautiful People,

Life has been good and I've been making it a point to have a social life. Although there are plenty of days where I just want to be lazy, sometimes I have to force myself to put it together and go out. Take last weekend for example...my new hairstylist told me about this white party that was happening on Sunday at the Sheraton. I thought to myself I should go but I don't have anything in my closet that is white that I'm in love with! I'm still not happy about my weight and I'm not comfortable in my own skin.

Sidebar - Yes beautiful people I'm still struggling with this weight loss thing! I'm always trying new things so I will keep you posted.

So Sunday comes around and I'm minding my own business with no intention on going out and my boy Dana texts me a pic of this same All White Party!!! In my mind, I was like maybe this is the Hot Spot for the weekend, I guess I should go. Naturally I panicked, "Oh no I need an Outfit???"

So I had to call my "life line" and tell her my dilemma. My sister Vanessa saved my butt (once again) and picked out a top I could wear from her store www.thickchicboutique.com! Awwww shit, SOLD, that's all I needed. Once the outfit came together I got a boost of confidence! I broke out my Monika Chang braided stilettos and made it happen.

There were soooooo many people at this party. The lobby was crackin' and poolside was where the DJ was spinning on the 1s and 2s. My favorite live band DW3 was performing but you know my "fashionably late ass" missed the performance, SMH. I met my boy Dana up there and hung out with him and some really cool women. Thank goodness there were patio lounge chairs because I was not going to make it in those shoes. As I observed my surroundings I wasn't surprised that the women out numbered the men. Hence my other dilemma. I really didn't see any potential dating candidates except the occasional "Cat Daddy" that tried to Holla (lmao).  So I just drank my wine and grooved to the music. I had a good time regardless because I love day parties! I wish I could tell you something exciting happened but it didn't, LOL.

Fashion Police Violation - I just wish some of these older women knew a little something about how to keep it classy. There were way too many women exposing their breasts at this event. Has no one ever heard of a strapless bra or "pasties"?? I was low key offended. I know a bra might mess up your outfit but there are several different contraptions that man has created to help you camouflage your areola, I'm just saying!

Regardless I had a good time and I was happy to be out the house! Well you know how this works...since a sista didn't get any love at this party I have to keep the party going...elsewhere!

The Adventures of SingleNFabulous Must Go On!

P.S. If you want to see some of my shenanigans up close & personal 

Follow me on Snapchat @ singlenfabla

Smooches!!

Sangria Sunday's with the Girls

Hey Beautiful People,

I’m on my third Blog in 2 weeks !!! Aren’t you proud of me, LOL.  Recently I attended a Bloggers Like Me Lunch Lab Series at the Marmalade Café in El Segundo, CA, that discussed “Leveraging Your Blog into Serious Profit”.

The price of the event was reasonable, the small and intimate cafe was perfect, our lunch was delicious and the presenter Social Media expert Natalie Gouche was EXCELLENT! My attendance allowed me to meet other bloggers that were serious about taking their business to the next level. The lunch lab was from 11am to 2pm and every seat in the room was occupied. The information Natalie blessed us with was PRICELESS!

As I took notes I realized I need to step my game up! I definitely enjoy writing my Blog and sharing my experiences, it’s very different from my “chosen career” and it’s a release for me.  Although all the information Natalie reviewed with us did not necessarily apply to me (as of yet) it was good information I may be able to use in the future or share with others.

Sidebar - My blog really isn't about making money but an outlet for me to talk to “EVERYONE” who can relate to the struggle of being single. Now if you want to pay me to travel or host Singlenfabulous  Co-ed Mixers, or Heart2Heart discussions, WE CAN DEFINITELY talk (code for Negotiate, LOL)!!!

This event allowed me to meet some really successful and sweet ladies that were very encouraging and inspiring!

Yulunda at www.Yimwriteous.com , Josslyn at www.mochasandmiracles.com , Carol www.evolvingyourimage.com , and Lila @curvygirlsncurls , Make sure you check out their pages!

As a result of this event I have been Blogging my little Heart Out!!

Which leads me to talk about today's Adventure... Sangria Sunday’s at the Bonaventure Brewing Company

Now let me give you the deets on my most recent Adventures at Sangria Sunday’s! I first heard about it last summer when it was being held at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills. Well this summer it’s being held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown L.A.  Sangria Sunday’s is hosted by www.InTheMixLA.com and the entertainment consists of live music and a DJ.

 

My good friend Nikki  invited me to go and said she and a few friends were reserving a table. I’ve never been before and it was the perfect weekend to go (I had no plans)! I didn’t know we were still celebrating her birthday and so I had no idea we were going to be about 16 deep, LOL. The picture only shows a few of the successful women I hang out with (wink). A lot more came later and when I tell you these ladies know how to party…they make you want to be everywhere they are!

The champagne was flowing and the music was on point! I should not be in charge of pouring the drank!  Alcohol was everywhere, LOL.

As we got comfortable listening to a rotation of Live Music and the DJ the place gets packed real quick. This event was more popular than I thought, a Good Look with a mature crowd. As I observe the people in the crowd I see an “old flame” . Of course I didn’t expect to see him there but we are cool so I greeted him. He came to support one of his boys and I was there with my girls. The opportunity came later in the day where we had the chance to talk alone for a minute. Honestly, he’s a good guy but I just don’t think I’m the one for him. Yes we do have history and it’s not like we haven’t been down this road before. Unfortunately, at that time, he wasn’t ready to settle down and I was. Now we are both in a different place in our lives and are more mature. Although we are real cool friends, we always have great conversations and the chemistry is there… I feel like neither one of us are willing to invest the time into turning this friendship into more. We’ve made some attempts in the past but then life gets in the way. Maybe it’s not meant to be…??? Ladies & Gentlemen, your opinion and advice are Welcome! Feel free to sound off on what you think I should do ??




Overall I had a good time hanging out with the girls and I highly recommend Sangria Sunday’s for people who just want to get out, have a good time and relax. Did I meet anybody NEW no, but did I enjoy myself Yes and I think that’s all that matters. I know that I’m not always going to meet someone every time I go out so I make sure I have FUN when I do go out!

But what I'm not going to do is give my number to the Man flirting with every woman standing in line at the bathroom. He was a damn fool and had the nerve to follow me to our reserved section! My girl Nikki gave him "the stank eye" and had to let him know "keep your hands where I can see them!" Lmao! I LOVE HER!! Big Sister wasn't havin' it! I guess I’m going to have to keep my Options open (wink).

 

Stay Tuned...The Adventures of SingleNFabulous Must Go On...

 

Smooches!

 

My Standards are NOT too High!

Hi Beautiful People,

Surprise!!! I'm baaaaaack....So Soon....Already!!!! Yes.


My Sisters!! #throwback

 After attending my Bloggers Like Me Lunch Lab Series on Saturday I've regained my Motivation. I've made a personal commitment to devote more time and promotion to my Blog.  Goal #1 post a Blog entry every week! So my Blogs are going to involve more than just my Single Life Shenanigans but also Conversations that make us think about our lives, our standards and what we want from our "future partners". Please feel free to dialogue with me about any and every topic because I'm sure we can all relate in some way, shape or form!

Please forgive me for this long blog post BUT it's REALLY GOOD and from a MAN's Perspective!!!

Thank you to my Facebook Friend Eena who shared this Post on Facebook it was a really good read and helped solidify that I AM NOT CRAZY!!! This is Exactly What I'm Looking For in a Man!

 

APOLOGIES TO ALL MY EX’S!

by Michael Jai White (Actor)

In all my years as a grown man I knew, without a doubt, that women were different than men and required a gang of emotional attention. I came to the resolution that part of a man’s role was to endure women’s emotional neediness by patronizing them much as you would a child: “Yes, Dear, I’m listening”…even though this is some rhetorical BS. ” Of course I miss you… even though I just saw yo ass a little while ago! “I see you’re calling me”… even though I just F*^‪#‎ing talked to you 20 minutes ago! As a man, you have to deal with hand holding, “yes dear,” and freaking cuddling! I endured this for years until my relationships reached their natural demise due to some natural chemistry flaw between us or the woman’s natural chemical imbalance- Yes I said it! I believed ALL WOMEN WERE CRAZY and the only choice a man had was to decide exactly how much crazy he’s willing to deal with to sustain a relationship. It’s crazy to think I, as a man, would ever want to spend every waking moment with a woman, to be all-up-on each other constantly, to talk endlessly about “every-damned-thing” and see each other “every-damned-day!” I was always the spoiled Alpha Male who didn’t have to try as hard and I dealt out advise to my brethren due to my abundant experience with women. I had Alpha Females, “Dime Pieces” with degrees and plenty of them! I pretty much got every woman I wanted, rich or famous and who could argue with my numbers? On every level, I was “The Man!” Agreed? Well take my numbers, “Dime Pieces,” and vast experience and apply it to what I’m about to say- I WAS WRONG ABOUT WOMEN ALL THESE YEARS! My Ex’s were right!

 

The interesting thing about every good argument is the shifting percentages of validity on each opposing side, but only one concept will tip the argument past the 51% and expose the unflinching reality of the truth. My new life philosophy is to look forward to being wrong because each time I’m wrong, I learn something that unlocks the door to a concept I struggled to understand. The truth is then revealed and to live in the truth is to live in enlightenment.

 

I am now in a relationship that I never knew was even possible. I’m in love with my best friend who I shower with endless affection, talk to all times of the day and miss the moment I leave her side. I now understand what the women of my past desired from me. They INSTINCTIVELY KNEW that love actually looked this way! Everything from the hand holding to countless daily declarations of love were not only a byproduct of the man’s emotions but it was something easily volunteered by the man who’d truly loved them. I simply didn’t love my Ex’s in the capacity their spirits knew organically needed to be loved. I believe woman nowadays have learned to settle for what’s FAMILIAR to love. In turn, they’ve had to decide how much of a man’s love they can live without to sustain a relationship. As we men are natural leaders in providing security, it is women who are the natural leaders in how to love. They are instinctively born with the barometer to feel when love is real. The behaviors they’ve required from men IS the behavior that is true for love. The crazy lesson for men is that YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH OF A MAN YOU CAN BE UNTIL YOU TRULY LOVE SOMEONE BEYOND YOURSELF. I can say that I am now the very best version of myself and that’s due entirely to my relationship. My perspective is clear, my goals are defined, distractions are nonexistent, my business and personal relationships are stronger than ever. I don’t feel like “The Man,” anymore. I feel like A MAN.

P.S. This post definitely gives me FAITH because although this is Michael Jai White's second marriage he finally found "The One" woman that completes him....and he's only a few years older than me! LOL

People always ask me if my standards are too high? My answer will always be NO. I strongly believe that MEN should set their standards higher!

 

Therefore the Adventures of SingleNFabulous Must Go On!!!

 

Smooches

**I apologize beautiful people but I had to remove the picture of Michael Jai White and his wife to avoid copyright infringement**

To Be or Not to Be Single! My Dilemma

Hey Beautiful People,

So I’ve done nothing special in my social life short of hanging out with my family, going to the Nicki Minaj concert at the BET Experience, Girls Night Out at Dave & Buster’s and going to see Magic Mike XXL. I highly recommend Magic Mike it’s a great Movie, LOL.

Oh and I cut my hair! 

I registered on Match.com but I haven’t broken down to pay the monthly fee that allows me to converse with those who’ve liked my pics, sent a message or have shown any type of interest. Online dating feels forced to me and I don’t feel I should have to pay for it (smh, that’s me being stubborn). But at some point I might succumb to the pressure!

Am I lazy? Possibly.

Am I old fashion and just wish I could meet someone
 “in person” organically? Definitely.

Do I feel there are other things in life more important than dating? Yes, lol.

But ultimately would I like a companion who gets me, loves to hang out with me (& my doggie), travel with me, be adventurous or just relax in front of the TV? Most definitely!

Do I live in my own little “fantasy world” where the relationship I’d like to have is much easier than what they really are? High Probability!

My ultimate goal is “marriage”, but lately when talking to other people about marriage I get mixed reviews. You know how people say you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, until you are deep in it. Well it sounds like you can’t predict what you are signing up for. We as children growing up observe our parent’s, loved ones or close family friends and their relationships and their experiences vary. From what appears to be loving and caring to down right I just don’t like you anymore! Hey life changes and people change.

But what they don’t tell you is everything you are getting when you make this type of commitment. It is only now as an adult that I am able to observe friends and families marriages (on the outside looking in) and understand what type of commitment, understanding and difficulties they have to endure as a couple. Then when children are involved it makes things even more complicated.

We, as women, are raised to believe we should marry, have children, and take care of the home, etc. Is this old fashion YES but apparently it worked for generations before us.  In today’s society some women have the desire to have a nuclear family and some don’t (to each her own)! Me personally I’d like to have children but that ship may have already sailed. It’s hard enough just to find a compatible partner let alone having kids in this day and age...We must think twice about bringing a child into this world. Our reasoning can not be "selfish", we must think of what our child is going to be subjected to and if we are ready to deal with the challenges that come with it.

There have been several times in my life where I’ve questioned why ‘God’ (for those of you who believe in him or her, lol) hasn’t introduced me to “The One”.  I believe it’s natural to wonder why and I know I should be patient but I’m 40 and I’m not getting any younger. I’m assuming that it’s not my time right now! But then I had a thought….What if I’m just meant to be SINGLE??!!

So I took a minute to reflect on the “benefits” of being Single. I live alone (well technically with my sister),  I come and go as I please, I travel when I want, I don’t have to check-in with anyone, I have the freedom to converse when any guy I want with no obligations, I spend my money on what I want and my life is drama free. So I guess I can’t complain. But even after listing all these things, the one thing I do miss is “companionship”. I love my dog to death but she just can’t fulfill that part of my life.

So I continue to go out and enjoy life and hope that I accidentally run into someone that is made “just for me “.  

If it happens, it happens.

So until then…
the Adventures of Singlenfabulous must go on... Stay Tuned!

Smooches

He's Just Not that Into You

Hi Beautiful People,

My search for love has been on hold as usual. I don't necessarily make it a priority because I haven't had the best of luck in Los Angeles, or ANYWHERE else for that matter. I have a track record of making that initial "connection" with a guy but in the end I always end up "the home girl" but not "the Wife". Is it frustrating...YES! Do I necessarily have control over it...NO!

Or do I?

Why all this contemplation you ask, because I finally got the opportunity to visit the "guy friend" I told you about that I met at the Essence Festival a few years ago. He's the cool white guy in the Air Force who was traveling to different countries (Germany) and well he finally landed in the states. Since neither one of us are going to the Essence Festival this year we agreed I'd come and visit him as soon as my schedule permitted.
Read Backstory Here

So I knew I was traveling to Chicago In May (work trip that ended on a Friday) so I asked him if he'd be okay with me coming to visit the weekend (since he was only a couple of hours away).
He agreed. I was excited about seeing him again and happy that he took the initiative to make plans for us to go to the Dine-In theater to see Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Then 2 days before I'm suppose to go see him I get this email:

Him:
Subject: Heads up
We are going out Saturday night with a couple of chicks I personal train so I told them you are my cousin coming in from California (wink) just role with that so they don't get jealous and my business doesn't get fucked up, lol.

Me:
OMG! Really SMDH

There was more conversation but it wasn't worth me writing. From what I was reading he really thought this plan was OKAY. What was he thinking?????

Is anyone else OFFENDED or is it just me being extra Sensitive???

Initially, my first thought was NOT to go! But I paid for my plane ticket and I didn't want it to go to waste. Lets be clear...I bought my own plane ticket because I didn't want to be obligated to anyone and I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions versus someone having something to hold over my head.

Sidebar - Of course my girl Nikki tells me later that because my flight was on Southwest I could have postponed the flight, rescheduled it for a later date, and changed my destination with "no fees" involved (sad face).

But honestly part of me wanted to "check this fool" and the other part of me wanted to find out what the hell was he thinking??


So I went!

No doubt I went into that weekend "disappointed" because at this point I knew where I stood with him. Don't get me wrong I had no major expectations but I didn't expect to be thrown that curve ball either.

I got there Saturday morning and he picked me up from the airport and took me to breakfast. Of course we talked about that RIDICULOUS plan he put together and I told him "females ask questions...lots of them" and I told him I'm not answering any of them. It would all be on him to explain "how I'm suppose to be his cousin". I'm black, he's white, Really??? He didn't hesitate to cancel the plans. I also explained to him that I didn't have any expectations to do anything "special" that weekend because I'd been in Chicago all week for work and I was really looking forward to just relaxing. So we hung out at his big beautiful house, ate fast food all weekend (because he doesn't cook, lol) and watched movies together.

Sidebar - I would have asked him to take me to the grocery store so we could get food for me to cook but I wasn't motivated to do it because that email played over and over again in the back of mind.

Call me "old school" but I'm not putting any extra effort into something that doesn't sit right with me and in the end I'm going to be the one who gets hurt. I'm a realist. My thought process was if you invite me to hangout with you for the weekend, it's all about me and in return you will get 100% of Resheda I'm pulling out all the stops, even if it's just for the weekend but it's MY WEEKEND.

I knew that once my weekend with him was over it was back to REALITY and the other disappointing men I'm already familiar with.

I struggled to write this Blog entry because I was trying to figure out why this situation played itself out the way it did...but honestly I don't know why and I've come to accept the fact that it is what it is!

My Weekend in Review:

*Does he have a girlfriend...Not that I know of
*Can he possibly be sleeping with the women he's supposed to be "working out with"...Absolutely
*Did I expect anything less...Of course not!
*Did I want to hang out with "females" that are complete strangers to me HELL NO! (see asterisk #2)
*Did he Fuck Up my "fantasy" of who I thought he was...Yes he did.
*Do I regret going No
*Did I learn something from it...Definitely!
*Am I bitter against ALL Men...No!

Overall, did I have a good time YES. It was a relaxing vacation away from home and he was good company. Will I see him again probably Not.

Will I continue to be SingleNFabulous OH YEAAAAAH!!!!!

Now that I have a little bit more time to "play" in the summer my next attempt is to try Online Dating, pray for me...LOL!!!

The Adventures of SingleNFabulous Must Go On!!!

Smooches

Our Vintage Glam 40th Birthday Celebration

Hi Beautiful People,

The Best Day of the Year has come and gone and I'm so excited to share it with you.

Remember when I spoke to you in my last Blog "It's My Birthday in 12 Days and I'm on a Mission" and I told you I was extremely stressed out from trying to find a venue to host my birthday party???

Well of course that decision didn't go as planned. My twin sister Keesha was not completely convinced that the Suede Bar and Lounge in The Westin Bonaventure was THE birthday venue for us because it happened to come with a $300 bottle service tab. So she decided she "would take one for the team" and do more research.

Sidebar - We've paid for bottle service at past birthday celebrations and we really haven't been impressed with buying a bottle of liquor with inflated prices when we know we can go get the same bottle out of Costco for way cheaper!!

By this time we only have one week left to pick a venue. It was Friday night and so my sis dragged herself to "Perch" the "Mixing Room" and the J.W. Marriott hotel "Lobby Bar" at downtown L.A. Live, but no such luck! Perch was too small and in her words it wasn't "poppin" enough for the crowd of people we were bringing. The Mixing Room's music wasn't up to par and the Lobby Bar looked like it's purpose was to attract the business casual type. Here we go again...at this point we feel we have no other options and our last resort was Suede Bar & Lounge $$.

Then late that night, I came across an instagram picture of Tisha Campbell performing Live on Friday nights at the Xen Lounge in Studio City. It was perfect! I showed it to Keesha and she said she liked the idea of going to listen to live music instead of getting "turnt up" with a DJ (because we always do that). Since we already had plans to go to the Topanga Canyon Mall on Saturday to look for "birthday shoes" (the birthday outfit was already complete) we agreed to check out Xen Lounge on the way back!

You know me!!! I did my research and got the detailed information I needed off their website.

Live Music details - check,
       Reservations - check,
             Dress Code - check,
Update Facebook Invitation for our Guests - check

Now...Keesha and I knew we wanted to go to dinner for our birthday but didn't know where we should go. So we turned to our younger sister Vanessa (and her husband Q) because they know all the "hot spots" as we consider them the "connoisseurs of good food." Nessa recommended dinner at SUR Restaurant in West Hollywood. I looked up their website and loved everything about it!

I booked our reservation through opentable.com immediately. Keesha made plans to meet some of her closest friends in the Lounge area after dinner. All of my closest friends would meet at Xen Lounge!

The BIG DAY is HERE -

Friday, March 20th -

Keesha and I are finally the BIG 40!!!!

My job gave me the day off from work for my Birthday and so I started it with getting my hair done by the beautiful @majormusthavs! Unfortunately Keesha had to deal with some drama trying to get her hair done a few days before our birthday, but her new hair stylist Thai saved the day!

I picked up the cake from Torrance Bakery and when I get home our MOM is there to wish us a Happy Birthday. Keesha's busy putting the finishing touches on Vanessa's make-up.  Forty-five minutes later it's my turn, then she completes her own make-up...We were Beat for the GAWDSSSS!!

Our escorts for the evening were our two favorite people "Bruce & Davion". We love these two men to infinity and beyond. They are two of the most loving, passionate, honest and supportive men we know...and love to party with!

4:30pm came and we were ready to GO!! Keesha and I slipped into our "custom made" vintage brocade birthday dresses by Belen @moiselleamoureux. Belen is a Vintage inspired Fashion Designer based in Los Angeles. Due to last minute planning on our part, she took our measurements, picked out the material, made our dresses and delivered them in less than 3 weeks. The results were...FLAWLESS! So of course we took lots of pictures before we left the house (you know this made us late for dinner right...black folks can't never be on time, Lol). Our reservation was for 5:30pm and we knew we'd be stuck in traffic trying to get there...it's L.A.!! Thank goodness the restaurant was cool with us being a little late (it was still early). Dinner was delicious and the drinks were tasty!

 ....We kept the liquor flowing and passed out our XOXO cake pops (El Segundo), while mingling in the Lounge area!!

Keesha had a mini-Clean House reunion with ALL her peeps who haven't been together in one room since they last worked together in 2011! We love them all because they are very much like a second family to us. Once 8:30pm rolled around we had to make moves and keep the party going to our next destination!

Shout out to our contact person JB at Xen Lounge who realized quickly, when he started getting phone calls for reservations, that I had a lot of people coming to celebrate my birthday so he gave Keesha & I the VIP Room and outdoor patio access, so we could keep some of our party guests together. Can you say "Let me #upgrade you!!" 

Lucas was the host for the night and he was real handsome, fun and flirty and attentive in making sure we were well taken care of!

Also, big shout out to @KSDGPhotography for taking photos of our birthday celebration. The pictures turned out GREAT!!

Although All of Our Friends weren't able to attend, we were happy with the friends that were able to come out and celebrate with us!!

Special Thanks to our longtime college friend Erica and her husband Michael for coming to celebrate out special day!! Although we don't get the chance to speak all the time... we always pick up where we left off! Here's to 22 years of friendship.

Although we didn't get to see Tisha Campbell perform (due to health issues) we were thoroughly entertained by the performers who showed up for "Open Mic Night"...you know anything goes when you give someone the microphone!

My boy Dana couldn't stop "clownin" and he had us dying at the table! In that moment I realized I've been friends with him for at least 18 years...down since Day One.

Comedian Cedric The Entertainer just happened to come through that night to relax and enjoy the ambiance and hang out with Duane Martin (co-owner of Xen Lounge).

And of course my beautiful co-workers from the Boys & Girls Club came out to celebrate with me!!

This day was PERFECT!! I was so happy that nothing went wrong!!

We drank, we ate, I danced (smile), we cut the cake!

It was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!

But you know we couldn't stop celebrating on Friday night...We had to keep the party going into the weekend...LAS VEGAS here we come!!!!

Saturday morning we were up at 7am (and not by choice) I think we all know that I am NOT a morning person! With my sister Vanessa riding shot gun and my brother-in-law Q behind the wheel (we had sure Q didn't make any new friends with Highway Patrol (smile), Fortunately we arrived in Vegas safe and sound. The plan was to go shopping but we were so tired it just didn't happen. First stop was Margaritaville we were starving!

Keesha and I had plans to go see Michael Jackson's ONE by Cirque de Soleil Saturday night so we didn't have a whole lot of free time. We checked into the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, changed clothes and went to the show. It was GREAT!! Speakers in our seats, aerial tricks, a pole dancer, trampoline acrobats, etc...all to the beat of Michael Jackson's greatest hits! It was a really cool show.

Sunday "Daybed @ Rehab"

After sleeping in a little because I refused to get up that early, breakfast was by the pool. We thought we were going to be on the Daybed deck but we ended up right by the pool in front of the DJ booth. Can you say "Let me #upgrade you". To get the day started we had a brotha spinning on the 1s and 2s and he had me up and out of my seat groovin to the beat. Then a female, DJ Kitty, got on the stage and she had skillz too. Pool side massages and a little R&B and Hip Hop to keep the party going. The daybed was Keesha's idea and we were so happy she made the reservation.  Food and Drinks were included and the weather was perfect, but that pool temperature was freezing! It really didn't matter because we got in it anyway and we had a Blast!! 7 hours later we retired from the pool as the crowd  changed and became "ratchet" real quick and we knew then it was time to go!

 

A few hours later it was time for a late night dinner at the Grand Lux. We had to make an appearance here since we no longer have one in the Beverly Center. We didn't go out partying that night because the sun wore us out! We also knew that we wanted to go shopping early in the morning, before we headed back to L.A., so we called it a night.

Monday morning breakfast at our #1 spot - Hash House A Go Go...then on to the Outlet and the Mall. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do a whole lot of shopping for clothes because I didn't find anything I really liked but...My birthday present to myself were a new pair of UGGs with Free Swarovski Crystal Customization! #crown #40

Finally we got on the road and made it home to L.A. safe and sound. We had a great relaxing and fun weekend in Las Vegas. Was I ready to go back to work??...uh no...but it was back to the real world!

Sorry for the delay in writing this blog Fab Followers, but as you can see it was really long and as soon as I went back to work I became really busy. Unfortunately, it took me getting sick and being forced to stay at home this weekend that allowed me to sit down and finally put the finishing touches on this blog.

Although I didn't make any love connections during this Birthday Weekend Adventure I'm still hopeful that there's someone out there for me! This is just a great excuse for me to keep going out to meet new people...

So of course, The Adventures of SingleNFabulous must go on!!  Stay Tuned...Smooches!!

It's My Birthday in 12 Days and I'm On a Mission !!!!

Hi Beautiful People!!!

 

So I'm sitting in the hair shop getting my hair done when it hits me, I should be sharing with my Fab Followers all the stress I've been under these past few weeks!! Who would have thought planning my 40th Birthday weekend was going to be such a pain in the butt?!(Smh)

 

First let's start with the fact that my sister and I were on 2 totally different pages from jump! Mind you this discussion started months ago. When we first started talking about what we wanted to do I explained that I wanted to do one big party and at first she was okay with it and was willing to hear me out (or so I thought). So I did my research, ran the numbers then told her the cost...she wasn't impressed.

Sidebar- I'm a planner! I like to do things in advance and anticipate any problems. I'm strategic in my thinking and I have some OCD (obsessive compulsive) tendencies! So I need things to go a certain way. My sister...not so much! She's more of a free spirit and likes to wing it. Lord help me I had no idea what I was in for.

So every time I would bring up our birthday plans she'd hesitate and would make various suggestions, this became very frustrating. At first she was on board with the big party but the cost was excessive...that was my fault (smile) Then all of a sudden she wanted a small party. I looked at her like "that is not an option" the two of us together know too many people.

Next thing you know she says she wants to go to Las Vegas (with or without me)...WTH??

It got to the point where I just knew we were going to have to celebrate our birthdays separately because I was done!
 
Finally my sister comes up with this brilliant idea on how we both can get what we want and celebrate "our" birthday together. She proposed that we go to dinner on Friday then have all our friends party with us Friday night. Then go to Vegas Saturday through Monday. Sounds simple right.....Not so much!!
 
Now this may surprise you...but I'm not the "social butterfly" I use to be when it comes to going out at night. In addition, I typically don't go out on a Friday night so I have no idea what's the "hot spot" to party at. To make things even more difficult, wherever we go it needs to be able to accommodate a large number of people because we are going to have twice as many guests coming to celebrate with us!

So now I'm on a Mission...

For the past 3 Friday nights I've been going out trying to find a place 

to host our 40th Birthday Party!

 

I'm Excited & Exhausted at the same time!!

(definitely signs that I'm getting old, LOL)

It all started about 2 weeks ago, my destination was Ebanos Crossing in Downtown LA. I receive weekly email blasts from BlackNLA and they have been advertising about a monthly music event called the Sound Edition that features live music at a lounge in downtown L.A. I arrived at about 9pm and had about 30 minutes before the live music started. I bought an alcoholic beverage and then began to survey the place. Their selection of premium drinks was lacking. I'm going to need them to get some flavored Ciroc on the menu....what kind of joint they running without a fully stocked bar?? SMH

BlackNLA had a mixer going on so there was a good crowd of men and women. I liked the lounge set up and they had plenty of seating. As I was observing the scenery I realized I wasn't going to last very long in my heels. I saw there was reserved seating and all the other available seating was full. Then I spotted a lonely seat cushion that I could sit on so I asked the ladies sitting at the table if I could use it. I moved the cushion so I wouldn't be in their way but they were nice enough to invite me to sit with them - Casey, Ivory and Jocelyn. Through conversation I found out it was everyone's first time coming to this event and they were celebrating Casey's birthday that was the following day. The music started and the live band was jammin'. I stayed to hear 3 artists then I was ready to go. 

Sidebar - Stalker Alert! This guy was following me around trying to give me a tour of the club but he was not the promoter!! Wait, What??? When I moved he moved, it wasn't until I sat with the girls that I was safe, Lol. The guys in this place were cool but nothing to write home about.

My Review of this Lounge:

The place was nice but not upscale enough for my party. I planned on dressing up for my birthday and this spot had a more casual and relaxing vibe to it. A good spot to go to with friends (male or female). The music was good but I think the sound system could use a little work. I felt like the band was louder than the performers and drowned them out so I could barely hear them on the microphone singing the lyrics to their song. However, this place has the potential to get better as long as they focus on doing their sound checks before the patrons arrive!

  
Last Friday I went to check out the Sofitel in Beverly Hills at the suggestion of my girl friend Keisha.

I met Jackie, the hostess for the evening and explained what I was trying to do for my birthday. She told me that on Friday nights it was live music by the Latin Kings, but I also had the option of Saturday night and Monday night too. She escorted me to the patio to meet with the promoter Misty who was very nice and gave me a list of the weekend entertainment lineup. I noticed that there weren't very many people in there on a Friday night which was cool and I thought the space and ambiance was great. The inside seating was perfect and I loved the patio outside. The only downfall was the music...I was looking for more of either Jazz, R&B or Hip Hop. I was told that there was jazz music on Monday nights so that might be an option in the future. Unfortunately, this location was a bust and there would be no birthday party shenanigans at the Sofitel. So I headed home!

My frustration has set in people!! I'm not a big fan of going out on Friday nights because I'm at work all day. I actually look forward to coming home to relax, change into some sweats, order take-out food and watch the shows I recorded on my TiVo (smile). So going out every Friday night is not something I look forward to doing...BUT somebodies gotta do it. I refuse to have a party at a venue I know nothing about. As you can see from the research I've done thus far, none of the places have met my expectations. Since I don't like surprises and I don't want to be disappointed...the search continues!!

I was contemplating going to either the Xen Lounge or Hyde Cocktail Lounge on Sunset.

*I questioned going to Xen because it's in Studio City, a little more Hollywood and I'm not sure I can get the space I need for the amount of people I have attending.

*I questioned going to Hyde Cocktail Lounge on Sunset because I read some of the Yelp reviews and the comments were hit and miss. The last thing I need are problems getting in or having to wait when I already have a reservation. Also, I have no idea what kind of music they play. So I put these two places on HOLD for now.

This past Friday was my latest attempt at trying to find a place for this birthday party!

Immediately I met "the promoters" Charles & EJ who were friendly and hilarious. They seemed like cool people so of course they insisted I have my birthday at their lounge. It's small, not a whole lot of people were there on a Friday night and it looks like a spot where me, my twin sis and ALL our guests can literally TAKE OVER!!! And the best part is they had a good DJ playing hip hop music on heavy rotation. Charles introduced me to the General Manager Christina and she was cool too!

 

Now all I have to do is finalize the details of the birthday festivities but...

 

IT LOOKS LIKE I FOUND OUR BIRTHDAY VENUE!!

 

The Adventures of SingleNFabulous'

40th Birthday Party/Weekend

 is going to be a

Glamorous Affair!!

 

 

Stay Tuned...Smooches !!