The Original Manhattanite is a pop culture blog focused on entertainment, television, music, art, fashion and more, written by pop culture enthusiast, freelance writer, and the queen who wears her New York crown proudly and many hats, Chloe Jewel Riccardo her blog has been published and was created on October 21, 2008 in New York City.
You know who they are the “Dark
Knight”, the black muscle chiseled abs in his black cape, the dark crusader who
flies through the Gotham City dark skies. He speeds down the street in his bat
mobile. Some of you know and have grown up with him to know him as Bruce Wayne.
Others known him as a hero and fighter going against villains like “Poison Ivy”,
“The Penguin, The Riddler, “Two Faced”. He goes against all of these different
characters and at the end of the day once again saves the day. He gives hope to
many of his fans who are inspired by him and they admire him for his courage,
bravery, and see him as a hero. He
always gets the girl and can live to fight another day too.
The
next hero is from the planet of Krypton and he has a blue suit with a red “S”
on his chest. He flies faster than a 747 jet through the sky to rescue and save
the people down below on planet Earth. He gives people hope and he has a strong
determination. He has two jobs by day he is news reporter, Clark Kent and by
night he is “Superman”. This summer get ready for the two superheroes who have
defined generations for years. People dress up as them during Halloween, at
festivals, comic con, birthdays, and many celebrations. You will see your
favorite superheroes a long with the whole cast from the Marvel Comic strip go
against their enemies in the film for Dawn of Justice. It is guaranteed to make
you want to go and even watch on IMAX or even 3-D. Stay tuned and get ready on March
25, 2016-Friday for the next chapter of this saga.
The Dawn of Justice will star Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne ( “Daredevil”,
“Argo”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Gigli”, “Jersey Girl”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Smokin
Aces”, “Gone Girl”. He will star in later on this year “Suicide Squad”, “Live
by the night”, and “The Accountant”. ), the film is also starring Gal Gadot,
Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman, Jesse Eisenberg, Amy Adams will
reprise her role as Lois Lane(one of my favorite characters since she’s a
journalist), Jason Momoa, Jeremy Irons, Ray Fisher, Diane Lane, Laurence
Fishburne. The film is directed by Zack Snyder.
Hello my loves!!!!!! Happy New Year 2016... Oh my goodness I have so much to discuss with all of you this year. This is going to be another big year for me, my loved ones and friends. I am really excited this year to share my journey, the big hot news stories, the fashion trends, and everything with you all. I am all ready I am picking up where I left off but some things are different in Honey Brown Sugar's world....I am working two jobs yes I am some of you know I work at Lord & Taylor but I also have second job at Bob's Discount Furniture. I have met some amazing people who I know have been placed in my life for all wonderful reasons. I just can disclose those with you just yet because I am still learning myself. Honey Brown Sugar is dating yes I am and some new chapters are being opened. Have a new gentlemen to discuss with you so I will keep you posted on that soon. We will see what happens I am going to keep you updated. I have a lot going on and cannot wait to share so much with you in the future.
So this 2016...what can we expect...well you should know it's the year of the Monkey, the new pantone color for fashion is Rose Quartz and Serenity. Two beautiful pastel colors that can paired with corals, mint greens, and will take off in the spring 2016/summer 2016 collection this year. Also some of the biggest movies we have all been waiting for will hit the screens. I am looking forward to a lot and believe me your girl is ready. I am going to be eating plenty of spinach, protein, and working out to stay on point this year for you guys. Cause this is genuinely what I love to do. It's all for you! So let 2016 begin because we have a lot to discuss as always.
The Monkey is ninth of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year-cycle. 2016 is a year of the Monkey. If you're born in a year of the Monkey, you're a Monkey! Find out what that means below.
Lucky days: the 14th and 28th of any Chinese lunar calendar month
Lucky colors: white, blue, gold
Lucky flowers: chrysanthemum, crape-myrtle
Lucky directions: north, northwest, west
Lucky months: Chinese lunar months 8 and 12
The Unlucky Things That "Monkeys" Should Avoid
Unlucky colors: red, pink
Unlucky numbers: 2 and 7
Unlucky directions: south, southeast
Unlucky months: Chinese lunar months 7 and 11
Monkeys' Fortune, Career, Health, and Love Prospects in 2016
Everything points to disaster for Monkeys in this Monkey Year. Those who will be 12, 24, 36, etc., this zodiac year watch out! However, you can turn misfortune to fortune by seeking the blessing of lucky stars.
2016 — an Unlucky Year for Monkeys?
2016 is a Monkey year. Monkey years are believed to be an unlucky for people born in a year of the Monkey. A year of one's birth sign is believed to be the most unlucky in the 12-year cycle. “Monkeys” (who take Chinese astrology seriously) are particularly careful about their health, love lives, career, and investments in Monkey years. Read more suggestions on How to Be Lucky in the Year of Your Birth Sign.
So I included some fun facts for any of you who were born around the year of the Monkey or know someone who will be born this year too.I have so much more to share with you all so get ready and buckle up.Get ready cause I think we are in for a lot of fun ahead. As always I have so much more to share with all of you.
We are living now in a golden age
of television for minorities right now. It’s amazing to see lead characters
across the board where everyone can identify with all of these characters on
television.The women we see now are
independent, fierce, well -educated, highly functional, quick thinkers. Let’s
take for example, Olivia Pope, Annaliese Keating, Meredith Grey , and Alex
Parrish who appear on “Scandal”, “How to get away with murder”, “Grey’s
Anatomy” , and “Quantico”.Loretha “Cookie” Lyon played by Taraji P. Henson who
appears on“Empire” and now we even have
a new “Supergirl” for the ages featured on CBS.We are living in age of women where strong
roles exist and there isn’t just the stereotypical role of being a housewife,
raising children, and managing household duties. Women have evolved completely
since the 1950s and now in the second decade of the millennium they are making
a true mark for themselves. I love how now we have roles for all women in
television today.
Now enter the new butt-kicking
heroine of the millennial generation. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for
young women to have someone to aspire and look up to right now. I personally
would love one day to have a little girl of my own. I want her to have positive
role models around her the same way I did. I looked up and still admire women
like Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, so many women from
all over the world I look to for strength and inspiration. You get a sense of
that from this show. To have a show like this for young women today show’s them
that you are truly capable of anything out there. You wonder how does the woman
who has everything balance it all? It takes time, sacrifice, patience, strength
physically, and tolerance. You have to know what you’re willing to give up too.
Enter in Supergirl the series
aired back in October starring Melissa Benoist, Calista Flockhart, and Mehcad
Brooks. The show is featured around a modern day age where Supergirl returns to Earth to give her mission and help save lives.
Look at Supergirl aka Kara Zor El
she has to balance working for a prominent magazine and save the world when
disaster strikes at any second. She has to be a dedicated employee and also
follow through to save the world. Any show that has that powerful message I am 100
percent behind. Just like in real life women figure out a way to time manage
You know I am about girl power so keep up the amazing job CBS
and keep the hit shows coming. For more information on “Supergirl” the comic
series, television show visit these two sites. http://www.cbs.com
and http://www.marvel.com
The final curtain will go down on
American Idol for 2016 there have been 15 seasons since 2002 of American Idol
broadcasted live in homes across the country. The show that paved the way for
many breakout stars who have auditioned. The show originally found in the U.K.
will close the chapter on a huge musical history impact one that has changed
and shaped the way the music industry has handled all of their bands,
musicians, new artists, and more established artists as well. Do you remember
the first time you saw the hit show make it’s debut. Artists like Kelly
Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kelly Pickler, Phillip Phillips, Jordin
Sparks, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, and all of
their runner-up competitors as well as the millions of fans who have waited in
line to audition have graced the audition rooms and stage. We have seen the
show expand, grow from an new infancy and grow into a well- established
brand.The show has found a way to
allow musicians to connect with their fans instantaneously. Not just via social
media but even coming in person to mentor, challenge, assist, and give every
single fan advice, mentoring, and grooming each of them to be ready for the
stage.
I remember the first time hearing a
song by Kelly Clarkson “The trouble with love is…” in the movie “Love Actually”
(2003) and just knowing wow that woman can sing, all she had to do was
audition. I even bought her album,
“Breakaway” which I still have too. I wish I bought all the others but I
promise I have heard all of your music either online or the radio as well. The
next artist who I really have come to love and became a fan of her story is
truly inspirational was Jennifer Hudson , her story touches my heart cause you
see that no matter where a person comes from they can rise to success. No matter what challenges, obstacles,
you can rise above again and again.
Past Contestants from American Idol winners
Nick Fradiani the last winner in 2015
Now let’s discuss some of the
judges who have gone from three to four including every celebrity judge known
in many homes. Do you all remember
Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Mariah Carey,Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and
Nicki Minaj have just been some of the judges who have graced the American Idol
stage. All of these people have gone on to mentor and assist every contestant
who has auditioned and entertains their viewers too as well. Some have even
created controversy which increased ratings too. So we
will see what the future will bring with this farewell season but I have a
feeling it’s going to be really huge. Stay tuned and we will see what happens
very soon. For more information I suggest you visit http://www.fox.com, http://www.itunes.com, so you keep up with everything going on this year ahead. Also for a good refresher too. You know just personally there's an artist who I love who has not really been acknowledged too much but he is an incredible songwriter and singer who I would love to see some of the contestants sing his songs and get mentored. Just a suggestion...what about Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. Just someone I would love to see on American Idol. It's a few other people too but I would love to see him as well mentoring. Maybe Faith Hill, Shania Twain, it's a lot of artists who I believe would make good mentors and assist with the contestants.
Thank you to all my readers without all of you I am just a young woman walking around with a backpack and her laptop for nothing. As you know you are what keep me going to keep me writing.This blog as many of you know means so much to me I told you all on it's birthday celebration (Oct. 21st) it is like my firstborn. I have to spend and invest a lot of time, patience, attention, care, love, and make sure it is absolutely perfect in every single detail the way I want it to be. Each and everyone of you helped me achieve my goal for the blog 100,000 plus page views. We did it, I have been working hard coming up with so many topics I want to discuss with you all and believe me they will be great. I am looking forward to 2016 because there's going to be a lot going on and I will of course be on top of a lot using my journalistic and entertainment skills to keep on entertaining and writing about "Honey Brown Sugar's" life too. There is a lot happening since the first day of January so you know I will do my annual review of 2015. I will also discuss some trending and hot topics I am sure many of you want to see too. So let's celebrate 2015 and let's celebrate a wonderful great achievement. I think one of my favorite things I really loved writing was the bridesmaid series I had a blast and it allowed me to keep track of my duties this past summer. I of course love when I get a chance to see an artist, writer, actress, restaurant, or anyone become more popular, more well known, and people are getting great ideas. I hope we can keep that coming and go to 500,000 and more. It will take time but I know we (meaning you continuing to read) and me writing and we will get there all together. Thank you, Muchas Gracias, Molto Grazie, Besos, Bacios, and Many Kisses & Hugs you rock!!!! To the journey ahead. So i am going to dedicate "Happy" by Pharrell to all of you cause that's the best way to describe the feeling.
Sanaa Lathan will star as Tracy Ellison Grant in the film
I am so excited for this movie to
be coming out very soon. I used to read this book probably way too much
actually in high school. I think I discovered “Flyy Girl” by Omar Tyree when I
was 16 years old a great age right. I remember because I was attending
Cathedral High school at the time which is an all -girl Catholic school. I
remember the girls used to pass back and forth all kinds of crazy urban drama
love stories and different books. Some books we probably shouldn’t have been
reading at that age too. I remember seeing the book and becoming so interested
in it. My paternal grandmother, Carlene (God rest her soul) was the one who
bought it for me in Jacksonville. I remember her taking me to Barnes and Noble book
store both of us getting a ride from one of her friends. She didn’t drive
actually and we went then she bought me the book. I remember her on the phone
telling her friends “No, she’s a good girl she likes to read”. Oh my dear
grandmother if you only knew what I was reading back then. I was too young but
it really wasn’t that bad I promise.
I remember just enjoying myself down there
that summer of 2002 reading the book. Now the series will officially become a
film being produced by Lionsgate. I remember never putting the book down I
became in love with the character of Tracy Louise Ellison I know her full
name.Tracy she was born on September 6,
1970 in Germantown, Pennsylvania.She was raised in a two parent home with a
younger brother. I know about her life and how she was this aggressive, feisty,
sassy, stylish teenager growing up in the 1980s way too fast actually and
learning about her neighborhood, boys, the people around her, her community,
and everything at a young age. The book is a coming of age story and takes you
from when Tracy is 6 years old all the way until she is 18 years old entering
college. You will discover her street smarts, how she rose to her success, her
journey as a girl and young woman, her friendships, her relationships, and how
she discovers everything around her to become the true original well kept “Flyy
Girl” she evolves to be in the book. I read the book so much I wanted to become
just like her too. She and I have a lot of things in common we both are
writers, both aspire to be movie stars, we loved the arts, fashion, and so much
more too. I am so glad that he followed up with not only one but two books and
took the time to write a full length series going all the way up until Tracy’s
adulthood life. We discover her rise to fame, her television and film
production dreams, her grown up relationships, how she takes a journey to Los
Angeles, California to live and how she rises to her fame. She goes from
becoming “Philadelphia Home girl”, Tracy Ellison to the movie star “Tracy
Ellison Grant”. Tyree wrote the following two other books that go along with
his series, “Flyy Girl” (1993), “For the love of money” (2000), and “Boss Lady”
(2005).
The movie will star one of my
favorite actresses, the beautiful, multitalented, Sanaa Lathan as the adult
Tracy Ellison. I am sure you have seen Sanaa in a ton of films, she has starred
in “The Best Man”(1999), “Best Man Holiday”(2013), “Love & Basketball”(2000),
“Alien vs Predator”(200, most recently, “The Perfect Guy” (2015), and will star
in 3 films this upcoming year in “The Best Man Wedding” the third installment
of the film in the spring of 2016. I know this film will be really good because
there is too much hilarious moments in these books to capture and bring to life
on screen. There will be nostalgia as well especially for those who grew up in
the 1970s and 1980s. There will be a new generation of fans for millennials who
will love to come and enjoy the book. There will be a ton of young ladies who
will also want to be like her as well.
For more information on the film
and project visit http://www.omartyree.com
and http://www.lionsgate.com . So keep your eyes open I believe it will be out
some time within the year or so. I know he’s going to have some pretty amazing
people on this soundtrack. You have to much to choose from now and believe me I
think “Tracy” would want it to be big right? Go big or go home so we will see
what happens. A very special shout out to the writer, Omar Tyree, the
producers, and future cast. I wish I could be a part of the film in some way. I
would try to make it exactly what the writers would want it to be and envision
as well. It should be a lot of fun and I can only imagine what the costumes
will be like as well.
I kind of wonder if Tracy was real right what
kind of music would she listen to actually. I think she would fit right into
this generation probably would have an amazing decked out social media page and
accounts galore I am sure. So in honor of one of my favorite literary
characters I have to include just a few music selections for her that I would
choose for her if she were a real person.
The whole series together "Flyy Girl" (1993), "For the love of money" (2000), and "Boss Lady" (2005)
So I chose a few choices to describe the character herself and you can have an idea.
I hope you enjoy it I will probably add a lot more but here's just a couple I think would be cool for the "Flyy girl" soundtrack.
I recently went on vacation. I
needed it badly actually to escape New York City for a minute. I also went to
go see an old friend of mine. I am sure many of my readers remember
Handsomeness. I met “Handsomeness” a man who I was really in love with and met
4 years ago back in 2011. I met him at one of my old jobs, Black Enterprise
Magazine. So he knew I have been trying to see him again for a while. I wanted
to spend time with him actually just catch up too. I planned this trip for
about 3-4 months it took me. I even had to rearrange my work schedule, jumped
hoops trying to get everything organized. I thought just once we would go to
dinner and see each other. We would catch up for a minute. Now he knew I was
coming. I was originally supposed to be where he is now in September. He moved
across the country and became a news reporter for Fox News. Now I was extremely
proud of him and knew he could do this too. We even talked about how one day we
were going to be journalists, we wouldn’t be interns anymore, and how we would
go on. Yet when I left I always still had feelings for this person too. Things
about me would remind me of him. Little “signs” that I remembered about him and
certain details. So after a while when I kept seeing “the signs” when you see
the signs more than 100 times all around you, even in different states, clearly
that means you really need to go see this person like now. I didn’t know what
it meant I thought maybe it meant we need to discuss things again, rekindle a
bond or relationship. I had moved on and tried to getting myself more involved
in work, my hobbies, exercising, and everything. I met new people as well and
just kept my options open. Yet I still longed for this person too.
So it
took almost 2 years to see this person I am not kidding, life got in the way a
lot, family situations occurred, work obligations, trying to make ends meet,
traveling, friend obligations. I had a lot going on and needed to really figure
out when would be the best time to see him. I put a lot of thought and planning
into this too. So I finally have gone to see him this month, and I went
Halloween weekend. I flew down to New Orleans, and planned it for my birthday
week that’s where he is now. So as I said he knew I was coming, I text him my
hotel address, my room number, and he knew where I was too. He even called to
see am I really here. So yes he knew. So I saw him for about 15 minutes on the
1st, we hugged, and talked briefly. He also said call me around 1:30 tomorrow
maybe we will catch up. So I did waited for him actually too….but at the same
time I also met someone new too at a Halloween party at Masquerade night club
the night before I was invited to down the street from my hotel. Here’s the
twist the hotel is right by where I would be staying at anyway. It is funny how
things work out.
So anyway I didn’t see him the next
day but it’s all right. I went out with this new person and we caught up. I
even told him what really happened as well and why I was visiting. He put two
and two together and got it. He asked “Why didn’t you stay with him? You should
be with him right now.” I told him the truth over dinner, “He has family in
town”. He even said “Well it sounds like I am winning…” (more about him later.)
So I even spoke to an old family friend about him too while I was visiting. She
told me tell him the truth he needs to know how you feel. I said I should just
do it. It’s similar to ripping off a painful, tight band aid attached to your
skin. So I just did…I waited until I got to Louis Armstrong International
airport. I got a ride to the airport and went I got through security. I sat
down in a place called Wow Grill and ordered a really delicious chicken
sandwich, French fries, and a drink. I am painting the picture for you and then
I texted him. I wanted to say good-bye to you and also I asked him “Do you know
why I came to New Orleans”…he said “No why?” I said “Because…the truth is I am
still in love with you. I know you are busy and have a lot going on. But I have
been hiding it and you need to know the truth.” He responded a few minutes
later. I didn’t get his response until I fell asleep on the plane, landed to my
connecting flight back to Laguardia in New York. I landed in Houston, Texas and
I got this message from “Handsomeness”, “Wow, Chloe…I want to be honest with
you…I don’t share those same feelings. I think you’re a wonderful person but
you deserve someone who is going to love you back.” My stomach turned a bit, I
noticed the sky getting dark and gray outside too actually. I was hurt, I cried
went to the ladies room and let it out. I dried my eyes fast. I actually
dropped my lip liner in the rest room in the garbage can by accident too (I can
always buy more), I put on some lipstick, and my shades. I just kept moving, I
talked to one of my best friends about it, she actually told me she’s proud I
went. She’s like see you needed closure. I bought a cinnamon bun and milk (comfort food for the soul and heartbroken)
from Cinnabun, and just told myself “You will get through it”. It’s funny my flight was delayed by an hour
too. Once I spoke to my friend about it the sky cleared actually. I read some
magazines, and just focused on the journey ahead. It wasn’t easy…the past
couple of days are hard but because I am moving forward and busy it helps. So I
am just going to say this you may not love me but damn it I love me. I am not
going to allow myself to be upset, frustrated,
I realized my birthday week. I
have too many people in the world who love and care. Who are genuine, real,
honest, and will tell me the truth.My
friends and family can tell me the truth when it hurts my heart sometimes too.
I have to realize that it’s all right, I closed the chapter on this one, and I
have to find that person, remember its 7.5 billion close to 8 billion people on
the planet, the man I am going to end up with soon is just using Map quest to
get to me. I am going to just push through and I am happy we can be friends.
Apart of me thought what if it was a front because he still got up, came to my
hotel, and wanted to see me. He could have chosen differently but the fact it
happened I just have to believe we can be friends, move on, and be cordial. So
that is that and now a new story begins. I hope you will take the moral of this story
away from this blog entry. Even the man/woman you love wants to see you happy.
That’s a beautiful thing if they can wish you well that’s the best gift ever in
life. We both told each other we wish each other the best.That’s the best gift he could give me for me
to be loved by someone who appreciates and deserves me too.
As always my beautiful and handsome
readers I have so much to discuss with you in the future. I will see you very
soon cause we always have a lot to discuss in my crazy world.
