Apple Music 6.30.2015

Do you remember the first time you bought your first piece of equipment from the Apple Store? or maybe you found something online, you bought a gift, you received a gift. I remember receiving a pink ipod about 9 years ago in 2006. I can’t remember what happened to this ipod I ended up buying another one eventually but it became the way for me to escape the world at the time. Sometimes you don’t want to hear certain things, tune out conversations that really aren’t of importance to you, or probably none of your business at all. I think when I received my ipod it was a blessing really. It allowed me to memorize the musicians on my ipods, memorize who the people were, find out about that background. As a daughter of someone who has worked in the radio industry, advertising, and communications industry you learn to appreciate music. As someone who worked at a radio station, record label, and have been to over 20 concerts including live shows and even the Metropolitan opera and probably 15 Broadway shows. I am a person who studied and took classes on Music Appreciation and Music, Art, and Drama. I can tell you who the artist is, the sample they took, I can even tell you the lyrics. I was supposed to be a singer/songwriter, I have a 4 ½ octave range actually and I have never told a soul that little fact about me (surprised you learned something new). I used to sing in the choir and I performed in talent shows as well. I even wrote 30 songs one year starting at the age of 11 or 12 up until I was in college. I still write songs to this day.  So for me music was my escape. I used

My how has apple grown and expanded. 

The original ipod (debuted October 25, 2001) 

The Apple watch debuted April 24, 2015

Ipad debut April 2010

Debuted May 16, 2006 

I actually see the first ipod I ever got I remember having the shuffle I had the one in black, I had the pink one on the right too. But I never had the original though. Now just my little nano. =)

to perform and dance in my living room, I would even perform in my room too. I embrace all types of music from R&B, Blues, Pop, Rock, EDM, Soul, the Oldies, Latin Music, Country. You will be surprised who I know and who some of the artists I still have a lot of respect for too.

So when I heard Apple was going to not only update their music services and allow users to pay $10.99 a month for their services. I was sold. I knew right away this is brilliant. I think its genius because now people will be able to stay up to date with all of the music they have looked forward to buying and listening to as well. The digital age and era I believe is going into the new golden technology age. I think this where we will see what we can do now with music, movies, television, now and just continue to expand. I have to give credit of course to the late Steve Jobs the man behind this amazing fortress of technology. If it weren’t for him we would not be enjoying the fruits of his genius, the amazing ability to give people a chance to enjoy their music with a click of a button instantaneously was an amazing, simple, well-thought and planned idea. I love that he allowed people to have the gift of listening to their music privately, not distracting others, but also it was out of respect to the other people as well.  I think it was brilliant because you have people who have different tastes in music and very eclectic, they may not want to hear a particular brand of music at that moment in time. So to put your headphones in and keep going was a great concept. The ipod can also allow you to freely multi-task,  for example you are having a dinner party, birthday,  work function, or wedding. You can simply download all of that music and put everything on your computer. Have you ever noticed at nightclubs now dee-jays don’t carry crates anymore, or tons of c.d.s. Now all they do is simply carry their laptop and the music is right there for them to play. For you in your spare time, all you have to do is hit play, shuffle, rewind, and you know instantly what you want to play at that time.  So now that you have learned about the ipod and the technology.  So “I-Pod People” Take a look at how our little portable friends have evolved since their debut below. You can also visit a wide range of stores all across the country at a mall, right in your city to see what color, size, and which headphones you want to take your musical device with you too. So for more information on Apple’s products, their watches, their cell phones (I-Phone), the ipod, laptops, ipad, and ipad minis.  You will now have access to Apple music this summer so get ready for those summer pool parties, barbecues, poker parties, and more. On June 30, 2015 the music will be open for you to register online and download. So get ready you can take your ipod along and play the music for you, your friends, and family. Now to learn more about all of these wonderful products, you can simply just click on this website for more information. http://www.apple.com

Last Season of hit television show for BET's "The Game"

There is one show I probably should have  put on my blog that I have not written about. I try to always discuss shows, music,  topics that I love, and things you can also relate to as well. I look at my blog as of course it is real life but also a digital scrapbook taking pieces of history and hoping to make history too. Now speaking of history it is Black History Month and one thing I can say this television show will be apart of television history and black history because it has sustained a large amount of time focused on topics that we all can relate to as well. The Game started October 1, 2006 and debuted on the CW Network first. The Game was focused originally a young handsome, rookie football player, Derwin “Ding Dong” Davis (played by Pooch Hall) traveling to San Diego, California with his young beautiful girlfriend (and later wife) who’s attending medical school, Melanie Barnett (played by Tia Mowry-Hardrict). The show has been a hit really showcasing what exactly happens behind the scenes in the “NFL” so to speak. They take stories, relatable, some original and have made a way to identify with their audience too.

At times you think “Did that really happen to an athlete playing the game?”. I think so in some cases we live in of course a large diverse country here in America, and also have people who play sports all over the continents and islands as well. So you have to be open to what is really happening. I think that was one of the things that people who love the show can identify with is we all know someone who can relate to a character on the show. It is hilarious of course, there’s comedy, there’s drama, and its glamorous as well.  Especially once the characters got to meet five members of the cast who were going to change the show’s dynamic completely. 

Enter to “The Game” stage right- Malik Wright (Hosea Chanchez), Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson),  Kelly Pitts (Brittany Daniels), and Jason Pitts (Coby Bell). As soon as they linked together. The show became an instant hit covering topics that raised a lot of discussion. For example, when Tia and Derwin were fighting over Derwin & Janay’s baby?, when Tasha and her two lovers were fighting and vying for her attention, when Jason and Kelly went through their divorce trying to decide if Brittany who she would live with too. Now with the change in cast there is a new dynamic to the show that covers many other topics for example, when the new cast members Lauren London (Kiera), Brandy Norwood (Chardonnay), Tika Sumpter, and Jay Ellis (Blue “The Blueprint”) joined the cast it definitely added a whole other dynamic to the show for the cast.

 It has added more heat I believe and once again raised a lot of topics that everyo

ne can discuss for example: dating someone who is a celebrity while you’re an athlete, dealing with the new girlfriend and the “dreaded ex-wife” and child, or even more serious issues dealing with alcoholism. There were a lot of topics that people often don’t realize were covered it was more than just about the football game but about the characters lives and their experiences too.  So tune into this show that keeps us laughing, talking, and discussing all different topics.  So make sure you stay tuned and look out for the final seasons of “The Game” this year.

Visit http://www.bet.com for more information on the show this year.

The original 2006 cast, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chachez, Brittany Daniels, Coby Bell, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, and Pooch Hall. 

My my have we changed and evolved....honey !!!!New cast, Lauren London , Jay Ellis, Brandy Norwood were added on seasons 6 and 7 during the shows success and come up. 

I included a couple of trailers for you all who haven't seen the show too. 

Chapter closed..."Life of a bridesmaid series: Honeymoons"

Hello everyone!!!!! The bridesmaid series is back. Okay the wedding was absolutely gorgeous my readers. My friends, Marisa & Chris looked amazing on their wedding day and very proud of them. They took a beautiful momentous step into the future we all will never forget it as long as we all know each other. I have a few photos to share along the way. We arrived directly on time at 4p.m. to the wedding ceremony at St. Joseph’s of the Palisades to set up and walk down the aisle. Everything went very well, we had a few funny moments we will look back and bust out laughing I am sure. I survived my four -inch heel silver “Glass slippers”. They are beautiful shoes but truly just for staring, admiring not walking around all day in at all. So now that my friend’s have entered the new stage of their lives. It’s time for Honey Brown Sugar to get back to her life, the next chapter ahead, and my own journey in love, life, my goals, and dreams. Some really great things are in store but before I close the “Life of a bridesmaid series” I wanted to discuss some tips, suggestions, and selections for all of my readers when they decide they want to go away for their honeymoon. Then we will complete the series. It has been amazing going on this journey. It’s a bit bittersweet because now I don’t know my friends as oh that’s her boyfriend now they are officially married and it’s a very beautiful thing.  I am proud of her she followed her heart, she found love, and she listened to her instincts. She didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way. She knew what was best for her and that’s the most inspiring thing to witness and to be apart of as well for not just myself but all of us.

Now honeymoon’s are just as important as the wedding especially if the couple has never had a chance to go on vacation together from saving towards their rent, their homes, cars, the wedding, their jobs, and everything else they need. I suggest if you have never been on vacation together as a couple you both should consider each others dreams, desires, wants, and needs as a couple. Think about what you both like for example, do you want to go somewhere romantic, tropical, a deserted area, outdoorsy, secluded, fun, entertaining, historical, a party town, city, country, islands, or maybe somewhere more mysterious and exotic. I believe the couple paying attention to what the both of you enjoy doing together as a couple. I think that’s the most important thing. As I have gotten older and I have done a lot of traveling since I was a child, I know what I want and need out of a vacation. I want something that’s going to attend to my needs. I am learning how important “You get what you pay for” is truly not just a motto but becoming a way of life for me. Sometimes investing is not a bad thing, if you know you will be all right when you come back home. Yes invest and make sure the both of you will get what you want while on your vacation together as newlyweds. So here we go here’s what you should consider.

1.     THE BUDGET- Let’s be smart and have fun, save money ahead of time before you even calculate your headcount for your wedding. So you and your future partner/spouse is ready ahead of time on how much you want to set aside in your savings account.

2.     THE LOCATION-This is  REALLY important people often forget the location is really important because every place you travel to has certain social customs, traditions, holidays, economically it can be different when you are at home and your familiar with everything around you. I stress to my readers, be wise, choose a place where the two of you can be yourselves, and you can have a memorable, enjoyable, and fun experience. These pictures, memories are the ones you will tell your future children, your families and friends about these stories and experiences so keep it to something that is great for the both of you as a couple. I’ll give you an example. If he she’s a outdoorsy person, he/she likes to camp, fish, he/she like’s hunting, hiking, bicycling, campfires, and gorgeous scenery. Take him/her somewhere like Seattle where they have gorgeous mountains. They can go fishing, camping, hiking, and somewhere they will be able to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Another example your lady/man likes warm weather, they enjoy hot spicy, exotic foods, maybe you can take them on a trip to India for example, or somewhere in South America. So you can enjoy the tropical hot desert, the rich exotic foods, and the culture as well, you get what I am saying, compromise and hopefully you will choose somewhere great for you.

3.     THE HOTEL-Now I just learned this lesson myself I have traveled a lot over the last couple of years never ever let them put you on the first floor of the hotel, even if it’s sold out, request to have another room, I highly recommend booking early, checking in as soon as you get to your location immediately, call ahead and let them know you are on your way right away just in case.  Also if two things are wrong in the hotel room pick another one trust me. Pick a hotel where you can really be private, secluded, somewhere that doesn’t have heavy traffic, try to pick a place where you can really enjoy the moment, if there are certain things you don’t like or enjoy mention that to your spouse. Discussing what you truly want and need want for the two of you.  Of course all of my readers who are loyal and keep on reading my blog I have some websites just for you to keep on your bookmarks at home when that next vacation, your honeymoon, next date night, or even an business or another social event is coming up fast.

Some of the best websites I have seen for you who want to spend lavishly and indulge or some of you who are more frugal and economical.

1.     LUXURY LINK-It’s a website that consists of four and five star hotels for you to choose from. Visit http://www.luxurylink.com

2.     FIVE STAR ALLIANCE-I have seen this website and personally one of my favorites. Gorgeous hotels are stunning I cannot wait to truly go on vacation with my “future boo” he and I will be staying at one of these places lol. Visit http://www.fivestaralliance.com

3.     PREFERRED HOTELS-I love this website very happy I found it a few years ago and love the hotels are stunning this is for those willing to step into luxury, high quality, and want to invest on their trip. Visit http://www.preferredhotels.com

4.     Visit http://www.hotels.com the obvious choice right they were extremely helpful to me I definitely suggest that one.

5.     Also visit http://www.excellencegroupluxuryresorts.com beautiful website full of photos of some new foreign, exotic locations for you too. So enjoy everyone I hope this help you all.

I will see all of you very soon of course, have safe and happy travels enjoy with the one your with remember it’s all about the journey and then the destination! =) 

Some photos of the bridesmaids....

We are missing the maid of honor but had to include some of the photos so you guys see it was all worth everything.

One more selfie before we go up and enjoy the wedding we are inside the bridal salon at the Grand Wilshire Hotel.

The bride, Marisa and the groom. 

On our way to the wedding.

The beautiful bride 

Some photos to give you all some ideas when planning your honeymoon,

Taken in Seattle just wanted my visual people to get ideas. 

“Summer is about to heat up even more with these two…Boris and Nicole”

I love these two actors they were on one of my favorite television shows on the Showtime Network series from 2000-2004 they starred together on “Soul Food” the television series as mail courier, sports management agent, Chicago educator, “Damon Carter” and she played an attorney, partner of the fictional “Moore & Freeman” “Teri Joseph” their roles on the show were incredible and really did a lot for young African American males and women. I love how the show portrayed African American families in a positive light and gave them a chance to show more people in a positive light.

  I am talking about none other than Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker-Kodjoe. I love their love story as a couple, you cannot deny their physical and emotional connection on camera. Their love’s story theme: Sometimes you never know where you’re going to meet “that person”. You never know when you will meet person who will be the one to change and add to your life. It can be at work, in a store, down the street, you never know. Now These two met on the set of “Soul Food” in 2000 and have been together in real life since 2004 and married in May of 2005. They have two beautiful children, Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee Kodjoe who is 10 and Nicholas Neruda Kodjoe who will be 9 later on this year.  I love their story because it’s something beautiful about the fact they met on set working, you wanted them to be together in real life. They fought for each other on the television show, “Soul Food”, and its beautiful to see their love displayed in real life. Both of their careers have soared and they have done numerous projects for Nicole, ”Brown Sugar”, “Roscoe Jenkin’s Family, “The Deep End”, she appeared on “Real Husbands of Hollywood”. Currently, Nicole is starring on the television show, “Murder in the First” as Jacqueline Perez since the fall of 2014. Boris on the other hand since “Soul Food” star has surpassed the stratosphere as well he is currently on BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood” with Nelly, Kevin Hart, J Smoove, Nick Cannon, which has been a hilarious hit, he was also recently appeared in the film, Zane’s “Addicted” (2014) along with Sharon Leal.  He will also appear this Fall on “The Last Man on Earth“ The movie was a big hit at the box office for those who read the book as well. So now that these two have conquered and soared in entertainment, modeling industries, television, and philanthropy as well

They have a charity dedicated to their daughter, Sophie who was born was spina bifida which is a spinal defect at birth, called Sophie’s Voice Foundation, which is a charity and website dealing with the topic of infants, children, and families who have been touched and discuss the topic of spina bifida.  She’s doing great now after treatment and medical support now. 

Now on July 6, 2015 The Kodjoes will now host their first talk show together as a couple on FOX Network . I am excited for them because I can only imagine what they will discuss and talk about as well. I wonder will it be romantic, love advice are they going to teach the audience and viewers how to establish a genuine connection between couples, will they discuss current events, their own personal lives, and experiences. Or will they have on different guests displaying their talents and promoting projects. I am very excited to see what they have in mind for their show because as I said everyone knows when these two are together you can spot their chemistry a mile away. Now let me just say Nicole is one of the most beautiful women I have seen her in person, I was doing a press junket for Black Enterprise Magazine back in 2012 I was working then as a production assistant there was a broadway show press junket at the Signature Theater for, the new version of Tennessee Williams, “Cat on a hot tin roof” with Blair Underwood. Nicole was starring as “Blanche” and she was absolutely beautiful in person with a silver dress, and a high bun. I wish I took more photos that was one of my favorite highlights in my job opportunity as a production assistant.

So for these two I wish you both the best, I always had a crush on Boris but to see him with this beauty I am very happy for these two. I cannot wait to see your show. It kind of reminds me of this movie I watched a couple of months ago called “Where’s the Love” starring Lamarr Rucker and Denise Boutte. The movie was about a couple who had a talk show and were giving love advice in their relationships. So I would love to see if this will be the same concept. Always loved the idea of a man and woman doing a television series giving advice to couples of all ages and backgrounds. It’s a dream come true to see that displayed. For more information on their talk show, visit http://www.fox.com for more information on the show and check your local listings. You can also find out more information on Sophie’s Voice Foundation visit http://www.sophiesvoicefoundation.org .

Some cute photos of the couple so you know these  two mean business when giving advice on relationships.

Nicole Ari Parker-Kodjoe & Boris Kodjoe with their children, Nicolas & Sophie 

 

The movie I was talking about "Where's the Love" it's a cute film, watch it when you are just relaxing one of these days. The characters story reminds me a lot of Boris and Nicole that's why I think their talk show idea and concept is brilliant! People need it. The movie stars Lamman Rucker & Denise Boutte. 

Inside the World of Honey Brown Sugar: Life of a bridesmaid series

Well we are two weeks away from the big day for my friend’s wedding day, how do I feel excited, peaceful, happy, and accomplish we all did it!!!!!! Oh my goodness now we all can relax. It has been a journey in itself getting to this day let me tell you there are a lot of things you guys don’t know that myself, the bride, and the bridesmaids had to go through that have now become life lessons to all of us. Here’s what you guys missed while I have been busy traveling for the wedding and getting prepared to assist and help the bridal party and bride.  We went to the last fitting and let me tell you I learned a big lesson. Always remember you are paying for a service, you deserve wonderful, great service for all of the money, hard work, effort, ideas, energy, and time you are putting into your wedding. The people who you chose to  do the work for your bridal party gowns and wedding gown better treat you like Santa’s Christmas elves.  We were not treated fairly all of the time, some people were very sweet to us, but it always wasn’t rosey to everyone who truly deserved it (The bride and maid of honor). These are two of the most important people who are apart of the wedding, don’t you dare treat them with any type of disrespect at all. We are requesting your services, now this is not a knock to them, but as an adult, and a woman who knows about good service and business. You have to always remember you have to treat your customers with great service. There was just times where we felt like we are paying you money to make sure we look good, and your earning double of what we paid on the dresses. Why mistreat who’s giving you good service and business. Everything you are doing and what you are putting into the wedding should be given with much deserved respect, quality, appreciation, and deserve to be given everything you have put into that business.  I think for us being young women, the fact its not my wedding, I couldn’t really unleash the beast because this is one of my best friend’s weddings I can’t go in on the sales people. That would make us all look bad, but lucky for us the mother of the bride has an Italian feisty personality that sure enough came in handy for all of us. I am thankful to her, her family, and everyone else helping. It has been a great experience, life lessons, and motivated me to look at some things in my life too. I am very excited and will have so much more in the future to share with you. A lot of great things are happening. Stay tuned as always my readers. Now listen to some music we will probably be partying too. 

           

Me and the beautiful bride to be

The Bridal Party Marcelina,Chloe,Tatiana, Diana, Diamond, and Daniela.

“The 60th Anniversary of Iconic Film: “The Seven Year Itch”: June 1, 1955

The Seven Year Itch poster (1955)

Fun, Entertaining, A Classic, “The Seven Year Itch” this film started a pop culture trend for years, the iconic film, “The seven year itch” starring the beautiful, seductive, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Ewell, Evelyn Keyes in the film is about a married husband who is at home while his wife is on vacation with their little boy as he attends camp. His beautiful neighbor “The Girl” played by Marilyn Monroe becomes a distraction to him as he begins to become tested by her while she is staying in the apartment above him. He daydreams of her and also comes to actually meet her getting closer to her and getting to know her as well. The film definitely has plenty of hilarious moments and also many well -known scenes people have seen for years. It is one of Monroe’s best and memorable comedic scenes. The film debuted and premiered on Monroe’s 29^th birthday June 1, 1955 and made it’s way into theaters. Her white cotton halter v-neck dress worn in the film has become an icon along with the film. Worn by many people within the film from Halloween costumes, parties, and within many other films as well. So in honor of what would be Marilyn’s 89^th birthday I wanted to also honor this film as well.

It was shot in New York City right on Lexington Avenue near 53^rd street as well.  This film even started a saying “The 7 year itch” meaning when a man starts to feel overwhelmed, unsatisfied, bored in his marriage. He may begin “The wandering eye” syndrome and start looking at other females. So the film definitely sparked plenty of conversations in households during that time.  The film won 1 Golden Globe along with 3 other nominations BAFTA, Directors Guild of America, and Writers Guild of America for “Best Written American Comedy” awards as well . Definitely one film to remember and has now been around for decades and will continue to be too. I hope you all get a chance to see the film too.  For more information on the film visit http://www.marilynmonroe.com 

Three Divas in Sin City

If there was ever a time I needed to get away, pack my suitcases and go back to “Sin City” this would the time. these three ladies it would be now. Mind you I have never seen these ladies in person live in concert. I was ecstatic when I heard about these three being in Las Vegas for their residencies for the next couple years. You have got three triple threats in Las Vegas now, who do you go see and why?

The woman with the voice of gold, Mariah Carey the butterfly lover who we know her as will be relocating with her twins (Moroccan) “Roc and Roe” (Monroe) and heading over to the West Coast performing all of her hits, “Vision of Love”, “Daydream”, “Honey”, “My All”, “Fantasy”, and all of her 20-plus number one hits. Now I am sure some of you who are Mariah fans will definitely take the trip out to see the glamorous star.  Mariah will give you a show, singing all of her hit records, she’s really in tip top shape physically, and with her vocal ability you better believe she’s ready to get back on stage to belt out all of your favorite tunes. Visit http://www.mariahcarey.com 

The next diva of course needs really no introduction at all but I guess I can give you a refresher right?  She’s a dancer, an actress, business woman with multiple fragrances, a clothing line, spokes woman she’s been a judge on American idol for close to three years. She just won the Billboard Millennium Icon award last year, and she continues to soar in every aspect of her career. I am talking about none other than J-Lo. She is planning in the future to do a residency in Las Vegas, Nevada in the very near future. There hasn’t been an announcement yet of which date she will arrive but she will be taking her place as well to perform there. She will start her residency in Las Vegas in January of 2016 and of course put on a powerful and amazing show. For more information on J-Lo’s residency visit http://www.jenniferlopez.com

Britney Spears performing during her concert in Las Vegas, Nevada  (2015)

            The last woman I have been a fan of since junior high I have never seen her live but for years have always wanted to she started her residency in Las Vegas back in 2013 and will be extending into 2016. I am talking about actress, singer, dancer, VMA winner, Britney Spears. Her shows will include all of her hits during the 1999 pop explosion, all of her hits from her latest album, she just released a song featuring Iggy Azalea called “Pretty Girls”. Talk about genius idea this will take her to a new place with this generation she’s mixing hip-hop again with her pop music.

            Now with music sales still being a challenge because of the conversion to digital down loads, ring tone sales and more. Of course singers still want more of their fans to purchase and honestly buy their music, listening, and taking it for its value. It’s a great time for the music business, and for women in music to entertain their fans and show them how much they have grown and keep their brand out there. So for these strong, multitalented divas it’s going to be hard for their older and new fans to decide who are we going to see in the adult entertainment play land. Who will you see for me it may be all 3. Stay tuned will have more information up shortly.

For more information on Britney’s extended residency in Las Vegas, Nevada visit http://www.britneyspears.com