La Morena yep I am going to love the skin I am in and you should too always

I heard this term when I was younger I was about eleven or twelve I have heard it more I was watching some YouTube videos always keeping up with what's going on and being discussed in the media. Colorism came up in the Spanish, Asian, and African American community. I was listening to panel of female's discussion of African American featured on Essence magazine's segment on YouTube and the topic of women of all different complexions and backgrounds. I was listening to the panel one of the young ladies I actually recognized her and I knew her too. She and I worked at Black Enterprise Magazine at the time. So as I am listening I heard the word "Morena" and it took me back to when I was 11 and I was hanging out with one of my old childhood friends, her name was Deniz Perez (Deniz wherever you are love you mama!!!!! lol !!!!) and she was such a cool person to have as a friend growing up.

So as many of you know I grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey from 1997-2011 (I was there from the time I was 10 years old and left when I was 24 years old) so during that time I met a lot of people from all walks of life and grew up with, attended school with, and spent a lot of time in the past. So at the time I needed to get my hair done. It was some occasion at my school and my friend Deniz knew some places around her neighborhood I would be able to go to so I just remember I walked inside the Dominican hair salon, they asked if I was Dominican too because of my complexion (A lot of women get this comparison just handle it with class, smile, say "Nope, I am from the good ole USA I'm Black Boo!)  and I heard the word "La Morena"....I am like "What? what does that mean?" I was so young hearing these foreign Spanish phrases were funny and entertaining she taught me a lot of phrases back then. So I didn't realize wait a minute what does this mean and actually it was a phrase that has been used since the 1960s and 1970s to describe African American women and men (La Morena & La Moreno) so it's not a bad term don't be offended by it but the point I want to make to people is don't ever feel ashamed of your skin tone we come in different shades and I hate to hear people feeling inferior because of their skin color it should always be embraced, you were made by your parents, by God intentionally for a purpose in your lifetime. So embrace your skin color, your nose, your hair, and your roots they come from your ancestors whether it's East Asia, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, wherever your family is from embrace your genes, the things that make you unique and different.

So this Morena says boo I love my Honey Brown Sugar complexion I can look like Caramel and a Chocolate Godiva Bar in the sunlight during the summer time. So to all of my brown skin people I am dedicating "Brown Skin" by India Arie and "Pretty Brown" (Melanin Magic) by Remy Ma ft. Chris Brown. Cherish your melanin and whether you have alabaster skin to ebony brown onyx skin accept it and love it! One body, one soul, one life, one heart, and one shade of skin to own, obtain, and love!!!

“Eligible Bachelors-Educated, Employed, and Looking for real love”

 

The clock is ticking I set a goal for myself I realized I want to settle down. I have wanted this for a long time I thought about it during college but I don’t think I was mature enough in the sense of responsibility back then. I was too young and I just didn’t think I was ready for that full commitment. I was having fun throughout my late teens and twenties. Plus the men I was meeting they were either too young or too much older than me at that time. I dated I believe every woman you need to date a bit before settling down go on multiple dates group dates and solo dates are a must to really get a sense of who they are and who you are too. I truly believe these past 31 years god knew what he was doing when it came to me. He knew I need to shape her a bit more and get her emotionally, spiritually, and mentally ready. I was ready in the sense of taking care of a home, preparing a home, entertaining, cooking. I have been cooking since I was 10 years old so I was already ahead of the game. For me I have been through a lot of personal situations that I needed to go through for myself in order to truly grasp what it would be like when I am completely committed. Also after seeing my friends, my family members get married and engaged. I realized life would be slightly different in some areas but overall it would be the same. It’s just I would have another family to be responsible for, to care for, another family member to account for, another person I would need to look after but this person is going to be the center of my world along with our children too.            

            I have noticed a lot when it comes to successful relationships and unsuccessful relationships that are long-term. The people who are successful they did their homework, they knew who they wanted to be with, they took the time to learn about the family, their friends, and they invested time, commitment, they communicated their feelings, and they wanted to build a family with the person they chose or wanted to marry down the road.

            I realized that what happened with some of the people I dated some of us didn’t do our homework we didn’t really invest, yes we were attracted to each other, we wanted to maybe have kids down the road, but we didn’t invest completely, we weren’t treating each other completely fairly (at least that’s the impression I got from them), we didn’t build. I can honestly tell you a few things that may surprise you…..I have been on dates right but not a date that was really romantic, one where a person invests (it doesn’t have to be expensive) but I mean one where the person really looks out and asks you what you like. I feel like the last date I went on the person just kind of settled for whatever…..they didn’t take the time to invest. We didn’t really make something beautiful or memorable. We went to a chicken and rib spot that’s pretty popular in New York City in Times Square and that was it. I am not complaining but I am just saying when you are dating you are supposed to ask questions. What do you like, then you go with the action here’s a perfect example “Ok he likes Japanese food….he likes comedy….he likes bowling.”  Now while I enjoy all three of those things….then we would compromise “Okay we can go to a Japanese restaurant with really fresh sushi and seafood dishes, we can go to an early comedy club, and go a couple of rounds at the bowling alley” That’s a proper date, you are investing time, you are forced to communicate, and you are getting to know someone it’s not a quick movie (I think movies should be reserved after you have had maybe more than 10 dates). That’s when you both are comfortable with each other. So I realized I need someone who wants to invest their time, commitment, and more. I would do the same thing too.

I also realized I wanted someone I can wake up to and rely on in tough situations, tricky situations where I need a comforting shoulder, support, or just advice and words. Someone who could be there with me when it’s early in the morning, I am getting dressed for work and let’s say my zipper is hard to reach on my dress, my bracelet I am wearing needs to be snapped, or I need help carrying the groceries because it’s too much. I wanted that moral support I realized it one morning getting ready for work a couple years ago and I got so angry I was like damn, “This is crazy I really need someone to help me with this dress. I think it might be time for me to settle soon.” It’s not about the dress…remind you it’s not about the dress its about the action and having a man who I love who is reliable who would do those small things for me when I don’t have a roommate, friend, or family member around. I thought to myself wait a minute something is happening here…it was like God’s little way of saying you may need someone around you. You might need to settle soon when it happened again recently I realized ok yeah I think it might be time in the very near future.

I want to make this next point very clear I am not asking for a flunkie, or a personal assistant. A flunkie is a “Yes Person” they will do anything and everything for you or someone who you pay to run your errands. That’s not what I am asking for I am asking for that emotional, moral, and spiritual support when let’s say I am at the doctor’s office and I am nervous I need to know you’ve got my back, or if a family situation comes up you will be there for me, or if God forbid I got a flat tire and I am on the highway who’s going to be there aside from Triple A and the tow truck to have my back.

            So I am sure some people wonder well what do you have to offer in a relationship? What can you bring to the table…..well gentlemen I don’t just have a plate of hot food to bring I have a whole buffet. That means I have a lot to offer to the table and to bring to you that will make us both happy and benefit from the relationship too. I am a college educated born African American woman, I grew up in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Jersey City, New Jersey. I have traveled the world, I have seen many things, been exposed to a lot, I don’t smoke (never have never will), never done any type of street drugs, I’m Catholic (I have been baptized twice), I am not a perfect Catholic/Christian but hey I know my faults, my mistakes, and I always pray to make sure that I forgive myself and others too. I am a Democrat as well and I consider myself to be pretty liberal too. So there’s me…see those are things that I believe people don’t discuss before they get married, some people don’t discuss family and your personal traditions, customs, values, what they are against, and what they are for too. These are things that will shape you into becoming  the family you both will be.

            I invested a lot of time being alone, dating, I realized that I may need to be more attentive, more disciplined, more strict, I can be loving, but most of all I needed to make sure I developed and toughened my forgiving skills. There were going to be some days where as a couple we will both be tested and you have to know how to forgive too. How to not badger each other but be uplifting and supportive to one another.

I wonder though where are the real eligible bachelors (I don’t mean the television show I love that show but I am looking for a guy who doesn’t want instant fame unless he may already be famous)….where are those hardworking, loving, grown educated men (ages 29 to 40) who are ready to settle and be committed, I have seen successful long term relationships with couples of every ethnicity and background. I just saw a beautiful African American couple who have three children and have been married for 47 years, Wanda and Marvin Robinson who I saw on http://www.blackbridalbliss.com and it made me so inspired by their love and commitment to each other.  I have seen other long term relationships too my great-grandmother married to her last husband for over 25 years, my other friends were together for longer relationships too so it is possible its all about knowing who the right person is for you and what works for your lifestyle and who you truly are too. Trial and Error works but that can be exhausting too. I think instinct, recommendations can help too and knowing what you like too.
 That I realized that it is possible for anyone to find that love and devotion as long as you know exactly what each of you wants. They made me see that it is possible, stop believing that it’s not but that you have to invest the time, be willing to fight, and no when it really is the right person too. I am not discriminating against any background I have dated Black men, Caribbean men from Jamaica and other parts of the islands, Puerto Rican, Indian American, and I am not opposed to a White Chocolate swirl either. So whatever comes along and however God made him I am hoping that he will be ready, mature, and focused on taking that step as well. 

So for me I want to wait until I graduate from graduate school I am planning to attend and I thought you know what if I am smart, do my “homework” my real homework for my classes and my love relationship homework and discipline, rely on my faith a bit more, then I will get there and after I graduate and settle into work (unless I am already working which I probably will be working already) then I will be completely ready to marry and take that next step with that great eligible bachelor. So where are the "Good Guys or Good men at?"So I dedicate this song to the good men out there who are still looking for their queen. Ne-Yo's new single "Good Man".  I have learned it is a journey and it's one that everyone who has to had to fight for love to go through becoming a great man and a great woman. 

Good quote right meaning the struggling bachelor all he wants is a good meal and a good woman....hmm?

"On the Run Part Two and Tenth Anniversary of The Carters"

I cannot believe it has been four years already since the Carters set the world on fire with their tour, “On the Run” back in the summer of 2014. I remember I was at work and the news broke on CNN they would be going on tour. I wanted tickets so badly and I worked really hard to make sure I would get them I think the millions of fans who attended around the globe probably almost broke the internet trying to go every ticket website and in person to grab these tickets. Of course they have performed live and had many concerts where they perform live in person too. It is something different though about a joint tour versus a solo tour. The pressure is put on you when you are a solo artist because you are expected to uphold your deal, your contract, and responsible for the crew, management, the band, everyone is accounted for from the first show to the last and final performance of that tour. In their case it’s much different because now they are not just performing solo or combining music. 

On the Run Tour Part Two tour begins July 2018 tickets on sale now!!!!! 

From On the Run Part 1 you can watch and stream the HBO special online too

The Carters

Photo almost broke the internet, Beyonce with twins Rumi & Sir Carter July 2017 first photo of twins

Family Time Beyonce with her husband and her oldest age 6, Blue Ivy 

 

Don't you love these photos too classy this pair this before and after the Grammys 2018

Beyonce and Jay-Z's private wedding in April of 2008 

This is the ultimate throwback I love the timbaland heeled boots on Beyonce lol i might have to get some lol!!! This is 2003 when "Bonnie & Clyde'03" was released on MTV's  Total Request Live in NYC

This is a family act we have seen people combine family members together and perform if there is more than one family member who is musically gifted and can put on an incredible performance. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Beyonce Knowles-Carter can do just that in a two hour and half performance. I saw them live with my father who is a huge Jay-Z fan and loves Beyonce just as much as I do too. Some of you if you go back on my timeline of my posts from 2008-2018 you will see in 2014 I posted photos of me at the concert back watching them at Met Life Stadium. It was an honor this time if I go I will probably go with girlfriends or some other relatives let’s see. I think they all would enjoy the “Venus (Beyonce) vs. Mars (Jay-Z)” match up.

             They have both been in the music industry for over two decades and will be performing hits off of their most recent albums, “4:44” which was released back in June of 2017 after the birth of their two fraternal twin Gemini babies, Rumi and Sir Carter. “Lemonade” which was released in the spring of 2016 in April definitely was one of Beyonce’s most personal albums especially since she first initially became a mother to her oldest child, Blue Ivy.  You hear about their relationships, things they are going through personally as adults in their lives, what’s happening in the media, in politics, in different communities, and many issues, experiences, and obstacles we all face as well. They have a lot to talk about especially now I believe a lot has happened within four years since their last combined tour so expect to hear some incredible music, some new releases too I am sure. It’s perfect timing they are going on tour after Beyonce performs at the already sold out Coachella in California this spring. So this is a great way for the two of them to celebrate their 10^th wedding anniversary the couple who has been together since 2003 when they first performed “Crazy in Love” and “Bonnie & Clyde 03” they have a lot to celebrate, collaborate on, and express since they have gone from relationship to marriage to parenthood to balancing as celebrities, artists, and a couple. They each balance it incredibly well I have seen a few recent interviews from Jay-Z after the birth of his twins there is a maturity, a humility, and a huge amount of respect they both have for each other as people. He doesn’t just respect his wife because they’re married or he is in love with her. He respects her as a musician and an artist. He will only allow her to speak on her behalf if questions or anything is ever mentioned during interviews or press conferences. He will allow Beyonce to speak of her projects and he will speak of his. I respect that there’s an unspoken rule of appreciating each others crafts and knowing that musical inspiration, lyrics, and what they discuss each comes from the both of them. So you see they have grown to become on and support each other on a different level.

            There was a lot of talk especially about different song lyrics and topics that were thrown around from different people and sources. They each had no problem discussing because let’s face it you’re lucky if you get a chance to hear some celebrities actually want to discuss what’s happening behind closed doors. Some may want to be more traditional and others might find it to be more cathartic and healing too. The two of them as a couple have found a way to use their music as therapy and emotionally healing too for the both of them. You learn a lot when you hear their music. I have seen and heard the growth between the two of them because remember Jay Z’s not the mister playboy Don Juan talking about “Big Pimpin’” and Beyonce’s not singing “Bills, Bills, Bills” or “BugaBoo” now they are in a different time in their lives where they are talking about the grown up stuff the topics that will define you as a human being. Can you handle the media, can you handle the pressure, and can you balance being parents while maintaining composure, class, and cool. I think the two of them have done that and have handled it each with grace without getting too belligerent, aggressive, or even become reclusive. They have found a way to keep their fans entertained, show them love, support, and most of all give us all great music and their gifts. So get ready Beyhive and Jay-Z fans they are going back on tour this summer in July 2018 there first stop is in the UK for  European tour then they are heading to North America !!! Are you ready? I hope so because tickets just went on sale and it’s about to get crazy out there !!!! Visit http://www.beyonce.com, http://www.ticketmaster.com, http://www.livenation.com, and http://www.rocnation.com 

"J-lo new face of Guess Spring/Summer 2018 collection"

Jlo's New Guess Campaign 2018 Spring Collection 

Some of the ladies who have graced Guess over the years since 1981: Drew Barrymore

the legend, model, tv personality, actress, the late, Anna Nicole Smith

Model, Gigi Hadid 

singer, performer, Camila Cabello 

Remember this Jennifer Lopez's first clothing debuted in 2001 when she broke out with her new album, movie, and clothing line, "J-lo" see I told you cute long sailor pants, flared jeans, midriff tops, velour suits. Wore a lot of them back in the day.

You all know I love this woman she’s one of my heroes and continues to reinvent herself over and over again. I bet she may be coming up with something right now as we speak a new perfume fragrance, a new clothing line for women, a new album, a new movie, a phenomenal tour, or bonding with her adorable 10-year-old fraternal twins. I just saw her last summer and would love to see her perform live in person again. There’s something incredible about her because she has style she definitely will always be a trendsetter give her the right look it can be easy breezy like a pair of jeans, a fabulous coat, and heels she will turn the outfit into a staple.

 Whatever this she is doing you know it’s going to be done with pizzazz, sparkle, big, beautiful, and you will of course like what she is doing. So J-lo has joined the very cool, modern, sophisticated, sexy brand, Guess. Guess has been around since 1981 it seems so young doesn’t it…wow we’re only 5 years apart me and Guess. So I didn’t realize how young their brand really is and what they do is pretty incredible. We have seen celebrities and stars grace their million dollar ad campaigns such as Claudia Schiffer, the late, amazing, Anna Nicole Smith, Drew Barrymore, Camila Cabello. “J-lo” exemplifies what the Guess woman is sophisticated, classy, daring, dangerous, and fearless.

In November of 2017 it was announced she would be the new spokeswoman for Guess and would join their campaigns. She released her single, “Amor, Amor, Amor” released off J-lo’s Nuyorican Productions featuring Wisin where she is sporting and wearing a Guess t-shirt to promote their brand was released on November of 2017. J-lo teaming up with Guess was a smart move because their clothing line is youthful, exuberant, and reaches their female and male audiences. I have always been a fan of her clothing I actually started wearing J-lo’s clothing line when I was about 18. I was always a fan of the brand I wanted to audition as one of her models when I was 15 I was too young I think at the time for the business at that point. I would have needed guidance now is probably a different story. So when she released her new clothing line, J-lo was around the same time she released her second debut album, J-Lo, her classic movie, “The Wedding Planner”, and released her junior’s female clothing line. She had some of the flyest and on fleek outfits she had cute little overall short jean dresses, sailor pants,  sailor shirts, and bright colors.

The first purchase I remember making was a pair of white Capri jeans that tied up I probably got them from Macy’s actually which is one of the many department stores who carries the Guess clothing line. I still have a picture with me about 18 on a summer trip to Italy with them I will have a picture up soon. The next purchases over the years were albums, fragrances, coats, and so on. I was learning as a teenager to channel my inner diva back then.

 So my point is when this woman makes a serious business investment she knows how to sell and how to make it successful.  She has a way of connecting to her audience. She has already signed with Kohl’s, Macy’s, and many other department stores carry her clothing line and brand. So now that she joins the ranks of many women who have been apart of this campaign. You will see her face gracing the cover and I am sure she will bring in more business. There’s something about her that holds a kind of power, confidence, and grace to her fans.  She can be a triple threat, businesswoman, clothing designer, perfume fragrance maker, and still just be this regular person, down-to-earth, and has of course incredible drive.

So let’s give it up for the Bronx Bombshell, Ms. Jennifer Lopez on this one you’re killing it again for women of all diverse backgrounds, women with curves, and people who still believe in looking elegant, feminine, and modern. 

For more information on Guess clothing stores, where it is sold worldwide visit http://www.guess.com, and more information on Jlo's own clothing line and upcoming events visit http://www.jenniferlopez.com, http://www.kohls.com/jenniferlopez  Oh you know I had to include a few videos for you all too I put in her single, "Amor, Amor, Amor" along with video of her new campaign.