Did you miss me? Yeah, Blogger Beta and I haven't been the best of friends so he being a brat, wouldn't let me use "the old version of Blogger". Mean ass. Whatever the case, I still can't post comments cause I really want to talk about Jameil's last post about Jennifer Hudson.
Isn't she bomb!??! OMG, SOOOOOOOOO want to see the movie because of her but....
so don't want to see the movie b/c of BeYawnce who found herself calling herself an actor now. Ummmmm, how bout no? You're an entertainer, I'll give you that. You have an amazing voice and your write really well. Its just unfortunate that your subject matter is a bit trivial/highschoolish but go ahead and impress that MTV/mp3 generation! Anyhoo, especially since Clay Cane's post about Dream or Nightmare (the original girls weren't invited to the premiere) i'm a bit skeptical ANNNNNNNND
I don't like when there's too much hype behind something. The publicity is KILLING me!! Everywhere I turn its Beyonce Beyonce Beyonce!! When was the last time Oprah had someone black on her show? She sure 'nuff had the Dreamgirls cast yesterday!
Did anybody else notice how she played Noni Rose? Did she blatantly skip over her or was that me? let me know something!
Oooh, the real reason for this post (now that I can again) was to talk about my fave accessories. Okay, one isn't my fave but my fave out of things I don't like to wear. What do I not like to wear? Stockings! Pantyhose, hosiery; whatever yu want to call it, I hate them. Until... I got some thigh-highs from Vicky C. Regular sheer black with the lace top. I was ecstatic when I saw my size. If you don't know me, I'm the person who rarely wears boots b/c them shits be baggy around my calves and thighs. (Yes, I have thigh-high boots). So, I got some thigh-high stockings from Victoria's Secrets and I'v never felt better.
Another type of stocking I hate/love are fishnets. Be careful when wearing these. The bigger the diamond, the more vamp you will look. With that said, do not wear your giant holed fishnets to church or work. Another thing to keep in mind with fishnets is that they are the pattern in the outfit. They are the pattern and can play the texture as well. Do not wear a patterned suit with some fishnets. It will also look kind of foolish if you're wearing a wool or tweed suit with fishnets on. Are you cold or not? Pick one. Its always safe to wear your fishnets with a solid suit that's the same color as the stockings and shoes. Now of course, this is kinda goes out the window if you're wearing pants. Do whatever you want in pants. But what's the point of fishnets that are covered?
Next thing. Shoes. Can't get enough of them. You can NEVER have too many shoes! There are too many styles and flavors to choose from! No matter what your style preference (wedge, strappy stiletto, d'orsay pumps, flat; pointy, square, or round toe, etc) get them in patent leather. The shine of patent leather makes whatever color your shoes are, sparkle like gems. Imagine rubies or sapphires on your feet. The black looks like liquid gold (oil) in shoe form. There is no reason for your feet to be boring cause its winter. Ish, there's no reason for your WARDROBE to be boring! I forgot where I saw it but there are these cute button down shirts with puff sleeves and a skinny belt. The belt is patent leather and would go WONDERFULLY with patent leather Sam & Libby ballet flats. I seen it. I want it. In dark pink. Oh yeah, it was a Zeta rocking a bl/white button down with patent leather accessories to boot. Quilted clutch, ballet flats, and a skinny belt in 1920 Blue. So....... go and do the patent leather thing!
12.23.2006
Vegetarian Pasta Dish
So as you may or may not know, I'm home for the rest of the semester. My best friend (Dreezy) came over the other day and we were hungry. Clearly, Miami Subs (something I eat once a week whenever I'm home) was out of the question as was most restaurants (unless you want salad). I was thinking to just make Cream of Wheat but how boring is that? What I did was something both my vegan best friend and I could enjoy.
Ingrediants
8oz of your favorite pasta. (that's about the circumference of a fifty-cent piece)
1/8 cup of olive oil
1/8 cup of minced garlic
1 large tomato, diced
salt, pepper, garlic powder
grated/shredded parmegian (sp) cheese
basil or oregano or fave green herb. Stop it Ace.
Cook the pasta according to package directions.
While salted and olive oiled water is boiling, add olive oil to large frying pan.
When oil is ready (you can tell by flicking some water into the pan. If the oil sizzles, its ready), add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add pepper, tomatoes, garlic powder and herb of choice. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Drain pasta but do not rinse. Add drained pasta to frying pan and toss well. Cover with parm cheese and toss again.
Serve with fresh topping of parm cheese.
Added Bonus
So I cooked this at like, 3am on Tuesday morn. For lunch the next day, I added shrimp. About half a pound of shrimp was deveined and the tails were removed. I cut half of them in half and left the rest whole. Fried them in the pan right before tossing with the pasta as mentioned above.
Enjoy!
Ingrediants
8oz of your favorite pasta. (that's about the circumference of a fifty-cent piece)
1/8 cup of olive oil
1/8 cup of minced garlic
1 large tomato, diced
salt, pepper, garlic powder
grated/shredded parmegian (sp) cheese
basil or oregano or fave green herb. Stop it Ace.
Cook the pasta according to package directions.
While salted and olive oiled water is boiling, add olive oil to large frying pan.
When oil is ready (you can tell by flicking some water into the pan. If the oil sizzles, its ready), add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add pepper, tomatoes, garlic powder and herb of choice. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Drain pasta but do not rinse. Add drained pasta to frying pan and toss well. Cover with parm cheese and toss again.
Serve with fresh topping of parm cheese.
Added Bonus
So I cooked this at like, 3am on Tuesday morn. For lunch the next day, I added shrimp. About half a pound of shrimp was deveined and the tails were removed. I cut half of them in half and left the rest whole. Fried them in the pan right before tossing with the pasta as mentioned above.
Enjoy!
12.21.2006
Jennifer, YOU ARE THE BOMB!!
With the world premiere of the much talked about, highly hyped Dreamgirls movie, I thought now is the time to remind folk of what they won't see. I've never been an American Idol fan so I had no idea who Jennifer Hudson was. I saw her on late night television the other night and was impressed with her. I haven't seen the movie yet, but we already know what she will have to overcome. If you don't, let me help you out. Jennifer Holliday honey, YOU ARE THE BOMB!!!
12.14.2006
Burger Baby
That's me. I've always loved burgers. Of any kind. Senior year in high school I was on the Burger King diet. Not literally. But that was when Jared started his Subway campaign. He ate Subway everyday. I ate a whopper everday. And I was so active with the band (as drum major) that I still lost weight. I wasn't trying, but people would always comment on it. Anywho. I don't eat a burger a day anymore, but I do eat burgers at least once a week, sometimes more because I love them.
Ruby Tuesday's has done some fabulous things with its menu. And most notably, there is a large burger section! Whoo hoo!! When the bf and I went there, I had the alpine swiss burger. Now I will give you the recipe for my personal fave burger that I make and is also healthy!
Jameil's Spinach Turkeyburger
3 cloves of garlic, minced
ground turkey
fresh baby spinach leaves (you can use frozen spinach if you're still scared of fresh)
salt
pepper
oregano
finely chopped onion
Cook the spinach until its just wilted. Cool (i.e. in freezer to quickly shock it) so that its about the same temp as the ground turkey. Wring it out so that's its not dripping wet. Combine all ingredients. Put the finished product on a whole wheat bun and top with a slice of swiss, havarti with dill, or any other cheese of your choice, pickles, mustard, ketchup. This burger is heaven. Ground turkey has a tendency to be dry, but the spinach makes the burger juicy and delicious. AND you get your vegetables! Whoo hoo!!!
Ruby Tuesday's has done some fabulous things with its menu. And most notably, there is a large burger section! Whoo hoo!! When the bf and I went there, I had the alpine swiss burger. Now I will give you the recipe for my personal fave burger that I make and is also healthy!
Jameil's Spinach Turkeyburger
3 cloves of garlic, minced
ground turkey
fresh baby spinach leaves (you can use frozen spinach if you're still scared of fresh)
salt
pepper
oregano
finely chopped onion
Cook the spinach until its just wilted. Cool (i.e. in freezer to quickly shock it) so that its about the same temp as the ground turkey. Wring it out so that's its not dripping wet. Combine all ingredients. Put the finished product on a whole wheat bun and top with a slice of swiss, havarti with dill, or any other cheese of your choice, pickles, mustard, ketchup. This burger is heaven. Ground turkey has a tendency to be dry, but the spinach makes the burger juicy and delicious. AND you get your vegetables! Whoo hoo!!!
12.07.2006
Down with Diets
At a very young age, my mom instilled in me the psychosis that is a dieting. It's counterproductive. You starve yourself half to death and eat food you don't enjoy. Most people don't have the discerning palates they think they do. Ground turkey when seasoned well is delicious. You also have to be cognizant it doesn't get as dark as beef and doesn't have the fat so you will have to add things to it (i.e. salsa/chicken broth/ketchup/worchestershire sauce depending on what you cook) to get the juicyness. It's surprisingly yummy.
We're so used to fried, fast foods that its hard to turn it off. Especially when places like WENDY'S are offering $1 gift certificates to everyone who buys a double melt. Bastard. Two patties, two kinds of chees and I think bacon. Chick-fil-A charges 20 cents extra for a whole wheat bun. McDonald's doesn't even sell baked potatoes! MADNESS!! MADNESS I SAY!! Why do they make it so expensive to eat healthily? Everyone who doesn't have time to cook everyday shouldn't have to spend an arm and a leg to eat well. Its just not right!!
It's also not right to eat rabbit food for 3 weeks and think you'll be able to keep up that madness. Lifestyle changes! I actually kind of hate that phrase because it sounds so easy but its obviously not. The point of this is down with diets. I hate them. Know my least fave? Low carb. IT IS NOT NORMAL TO EAT NOT A SINGLE CARB!! How do you have energy? IT IS NOT NORMAL TO EAT A MILLION PROTEINS!! I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination. The lack of vegetables in my diet is appalling. But huge hunks of meat? Blech. I can't even eat steak. Partially because its so hard to get one cooked properly and also because it's just a hunk of meat on a plate. So caveman. Me eat red meat. No thanks. So here's to never dieting.
We're so used to fried, fast foods that its hard to turn it off. Especially when places like WENDY'S are offering $1 gift certificates to everyone who buys a double melt. Bastard. Two patties, two kinds of chees and I think bacon. Chick-fil-A charges 20 cents extra for a whole wheat bun. McDonald's doesn't even sell baked potatoes! MADNESS!! MADNESS I SAY!! Why do they make it so expensive to eat healthily? Everyone who doesn't have time to cook everyday shouldn't have to spend an arm and a leg to eat well. Its just not right!!
It's also not right to eat rabbit food for 3 weeks and think you'll be able to keep up that madness. Lifestyle changes! I actually kind of hate that phrase because it sounds so easy but its obviously not. The point of this is down with diets. I hate them. Know my least fave? Low carb. IT IS NOT NORMAL TO EAT NOT A SINGLE CARB!! How do you have energy? IT IS NOT NORMAL TO EAT A MILLION PROTEINS!! I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination. The lack of vegetables in my diet is appalling. But huge hunks of meat? Blech. I can't even eat steak. Partially because its so hard to get one cooked properly and also because it's just a hunk of meat on a plate. So caveman. Me eat red meat. No thanks. So here's to never dieting.
12.05.2006
Baby It's Cold Outside
I love that song. So this fall has been a pretty mild one. I hate the cold, but I was still pretty pissed because I bought four new coats that I hadn't been able to wear until yesterday. The first one I got was a black wool 3/4 length from Victoria's Secret. I didn't have a black coat, and I think it is truly a neccesity. Well I had one but I don't like it anymore, so I never wore it. I have two pink pea coats, but no black, so i figured i needed to expand my collection. So while I was ordering the black one I saw a orange pea coat that I loved, so I got that too. Well while at the Target in Hampton I came across this. (FYI, it looks much better on me. Make sure you check out all the larger view of the coat so you can peep the portrait collar.) I had to get it. Got it home and fell in love with the portrait collar. I decided I liked this coat much better than the one from Vicky's, in this case that coat looked better on the chick in the catelogue, in pink. So I sent it back and went back to Target and got the green coat in black. The only thing I hate about the coat is that it has snaps, instead of buttons. Wool is too heavy for snaps. Every time I move the shit comes unsnapped. Don't even think about driving with that coat closed. And then last night I found this beautiful 3/4 length wool winter white Kenneth Cole coat from Macy's (can't find it online). My mommy got it for me for Christmas. She kept trying to tell me it was going to get dirty. Hater! So now I'm prepared for winter. I have an assortment of coats now.
***normally this post would have been all linked up, but I don't have access to Vicky's at work, and I couldn't find the white coat online. Sorry for the lack of visuals.
***normally this post would have been all linked up, but I don't have access to Vicky's at work, and I couldn't find the white coat online. Sorry for the lack of visuals.
11.28.2006
Please Don't Look Like A Whore On Your Wedding Day
As Stace knows, I'm a huge fan of "Whose Wedding is it Anyway." It's a show about wedding planners. I like it better than "A Wedding Story" or "Bridezilla" or any of those other shows. Partially because I'm convinced this show was created so that I did not try to plan my own wedding. I do not have the patience. Yes, I have high standards, but the marriage is more important than the wedding. I do not want to spend $50,000 on my wedding and it only lasts for a 30 minute ceremony and a 3 hour reception (no, we are not staying longer. you're lucky I'll be there that long).
No, I am not planning on getting married anytime soon, I'm just more girly than I like to let on sometimes. Anyway. THE POINT! When you get married, there is to be some sort of air of ladylike behavior if you can't manage to pull of purity. So when you wear a dress that is cut down to here and up to there and slit and slashed and tied and pulled and de-strapped and unstrapped and on and on... YOU ARE RUINING THE POINT!! Look. Here's the deal. You can look like a scuz bucket anytime. Can't you chose this one day to not wear the most low cut dress you can find?
Thanks.
Record Dish Management (or at least me anyway)
No, I am not planning on getting married anytime soon, I'm just more girly than I like to let on sometimes. Anyway. THE POINT! When you get married, there is to be some sort of air of ladylike behavior if you can't manage to pull of purity. So when you wear a dress that is cut down to here and up to there and slit and slashed and tied and pulled and de-strapped and unstrapped and on and on... YOU ARE RUINING THE POINT!! Look. Here's the deal. You can look like a scuz bucket anytime. Can't you chose this one day to not wear the most low cut dress you can find?
Thanks.
Record Dish Management (or at least me anyway)
11.21.2006
Premium Crab Cakes
We hosted happy hour this past Friday, so my contribution was crab cakes. FYI, Lump crab meat is not cheap, so be selective of who you want to use this recipe on. Whoever it is better love the hell out of some crab. Proceed…………..
Premium Crab Cakes
1 lbs. Lump Crab Meat
½ lb. Crab Meat
¼ c chopped parsley
¾ c Ritz Crackers crushed
½ c Mayo
¾ tsp. Dijon Mustard
¾ tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
¾ tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
¾ tsp. Lemon Juice
1 egg
Combine mayo, mustard, old bay, Worcestershire, lemon juice and egg, and whisk together until well incorporate. In a separate bowl (metal or glass bowl) lightly combine crab meats, parsley, and parsley. Pour wet ingredients over crab mixture and lightly combine. Form into cakes, in any desired size. Since this was an appetizer, I used a little melon baller to scoop out. But I think this recipe can yield 6- 5oz crab cakes. To cook, you can bake, broil or fry. I pan fried mine in melted butter, until both sides were brown.
This recipe was bangin especially if you like crab cakes that are more crab than cake. I hate the ones with a lot of bread. I would also suggest serving with some kind of sauce. Mango salsa or something.
I had some leftover from happy hour, so I put them in the freezer and they’ll be making their debut again at the Thanksgiving Happy Hour tomorrow. I may add a little variation this time. I’ll let ya’ll know how it turns out.
Premium Crab Cakes
1 lbs. Lump Crab Meat
½ lb. Crab Meat
¼ c chopped parsley
¾ c Ritz Crackers crushed
½ c Mayo
¾ tsp. Dijon Mustard
¾ tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
¾ tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
¾ tsp. Lemon Juice
1 egg
Combine mayo, mustard, old bay, Worcestershire, lemon juice and egg, and whisk together until well incorporate. In a separate bowl (metal or glass bowl) lightly combine crab meats, parsley, and parsley. Pour wet ingredients over crab mixture and lightly combine. Form into cakes, in any desired size. Since this was an appetizer, I used a little melon baller to scoop out. But I think this recipe can yield 6- 5oz crab cakes. To cook, you can bake, broil or fry. I pan fried mine in melted butter, until both sides were brown.
This recipe was bangin especially if you like crab cakes that are more crab than cake. I hate the ones with a lot of bread. I would also suggest serving with some kind of sauce. Mango salsa or something.
I had some leftover from happy hour, so I put them in the freezer and they’ll be making their debut again at the Thanksgiving Happy Hour tomorrow. I may add a little variation this time. I’ll let ya’ll know how it turns out.
11.17.2006
Mallorca
Daddy Daughter night last night sent us to what many publications call the best European restaurant in Pittsburgh, Mallorca, "offering fine Spanish continental cuisine." The atmosphere was really nice.
I had a glass of sangria, D had Chiraz. These salads w/watercress and assorted greens preceeded our meals. No thanks. I'm not really a fan of side salads. For an appetizer, we had Champignones Rellenos, the stuffed mushrooms.
The list of specials was out of control. It was as long as the regular menu. Can I get a sheet of paper to look at? Because you just rattling off 15 items in a row isn't really working for me. I considered the duck w/an orange sauce, but got the ternera marsala, which is veal marsala with mushrooms. Dad had steak Delmonico. Why was it a 24 oz. steak with gorgonzola on top? HUGE. The biggest steak I'd ever seen. Too much meat. I don't like steak but I was eyeing that one just for a bite.
We also got an after dinner liqueur, complimentary with the meal. It was muy yumm-o. See? I even learned some Spanish there. I liked the food well enough, but I'm not the biggest fan of what i consider over-priced food. I don't think you need to spend $100 on a meal for it to taste good.
I had a glass of sangria, D had Chiraz. These salads w/watercress and assorted greens preceeded our meals. No thanks. I'm not really a fan of side salads. For an appetizer, we had Champignones Rellenos, the stuffed mushrooms.
The list of specials was out of control. It was as long as the regular menu. Can I get a sheet of paper to look at? Because you just rattling off 15 items in a row isn't really working for me. I considered the duck w/an orange sauce, but got the ternera marsala, which is veal marsala with mushrooms. Dad had steak Delmonico. Why was it a 24 oz. steak with gorgonzola on top? HUGE. The biggest steak I'd ever seen. Too much meat. I don't like steak but I was eyeing that one just for a bite.
We also got an after dinner liqueur, complimentary with the meal. It was muy yumm-o. See? I even learned some Spanish there. I liked the food well enough, but I'm not the biggest fan of what i consider over-priced food. I don't think you need to spend $100 on a meal for it to taste good.
Best By Far
He is the "author of nu-classical British soul". Compared to the States' D'Angelo, this guy is awesome. I have the pleasure of having a homie who made a mixtape for me about two months ago. he put TWO of this guy's songs on there and I was enthralled. Not knowing who the person was, I asked if the track was some underground D and thus, Ed introduced me to Omar.
Right now, i'm listening to his 6th album, the Best By Far. Released in 2000 (a great year might I add), this joint is in HEAVY rotation!!! Going for an actual theme (movie soundtrack), the CD is cohesive and full of life. Now when I say 'movie soundtrack' that's exactly what i mean. One track sounds like a Rat Pack track from the 60s in Miami; very 'deco' and another sounds like a blaxploitation funky 70s track with Stuart Zender killing, KILLING the bass and cush! here are the songs and some brief liner notes
SIDEBAR: I am in love with S. Zender. he was the bassist on some early Jamiroquai LPs and when i read the liner notes of Best By Far, I bout died and went to heaven.
1. I Guess- trombone, trumpet, sax, rhodes, guitar, cush, keys, vocals, bass, violin and viola. this is just the instrumentation. the mixing, arranging, and engineering is great
2. Something Real- my FAVORITE track on this album, this is the blaxplo sounding one; real funky with bass, cush, keys, producing and programming done by my British Boo Stu. Mix engineer, Bob Power; a GREAT who's done maaahvelous things with ATCQ to name just one act.
3. Essensual- the 1960's deco sound, sounds like a sexy lounge act in Vegas but definately not cheesy. we have a flute and a trumpet on this track that sell that joint! its sampled from music from an actual motion picture (Built , 1968)
4. Be Thankful- you may have heard or seen this song on t.v. (VH1, VH1 Soul) the version i heard has E. Badu on it but on the LP, its Angie Stone (who he LOVES). you know the lyrics
Though you may not drive
a great big Cadillac
gangster white walls
tv antenna in the back
(etc)
5. Best By Far- an instrumental with the title as the hook. more bob power power. good blasting music on a day home by yourself
6. To the Top- a love song with just as much instrumentation PLUS a cello. *lol*
7. & 8. Goodness & Prologue- more good music, drawing a blank on the sound right now cause honestly, i can't get the 2nd and 3rd tracks out my head!
9. Tell Me- another romantic song with splendiferous harmonies and fantabulous instrumentation
10. Syleste- another one of my favorites, this was the other song put on my mixtape. it really sounds like the theme track for a Bond movie! Burt Bacharach has something to do with it (omar sampled 'say a little prayer by burt for this). If you know Burt, you know that man is a GENIUS!
11., 12., 13. Come On, Emporium, & In the Morning- i honestly haven't gotten to b/c like i said, i'm so in love with the first half of the CD that i want to wear it out and have somthing to listen to next month! But, there's more!
14. Syleste (Lizzard Lounge Mix)- get it lounge music!! love it!!
15. Be Thankful (Solar Energy Remix)- done by Guru and still feat Angie Stone. Bomb ass remix
So while you're sitting here waiting for D'Angelo to
1. lose weight and be sexy again
2. make a new album
3. go on tour with questlove again
check out Omar. Shooot, even if you're not waiting check him out. I will be back with his most recent release, Sing (if you want it) . I got that from the homie too =)
Right now, i'm listening to his 6th album, the Best By Far. Released in 2000 (a great year might I add), this joint is in HEAVY rotation!!! Going for an actual theme (movie soundtrack), the CD is cohesive and full of life. Now when I say 'movie soundtrack' that's exactly what i mean. One track sounds like a Rat Pack track from the 60s in Miami; very 'deco' and another sounds like a blaxploitation funky 70s track with Stuart Zender killing, KILLING the bass and cush! here are the songs and some brief liner notes
SIDEBAR: I am in love with S. Zender. he was the bassist on some early Jamiroquai LPs and when i read the liner notes of Best By Far, I bout died and went to heaven.
1. I Guess- trombone, trumpet, sax, rhodes, guitar, cush, keys, vocals, bass, violin and viola. this is just the instrumentation. the mixing, arranging, and engineering is great
2. Something Real- my FAVORITE track on this album, this is the blaxplo sounding one; real funky with bass, cush, keys, producing and programming done by my British Boo Stu. Mix engineer, Bob Power; a GREAT who's done maaahvelous things with ATCQ to name just one act.
3. Essensual- the 1960's deco sound, sounds like a sexy lounge act in Vegas but definately not cheesy. we have a flute and a trumpet on this track that sell that joint! its sampled from music from an actual motion picture (Built , 1968)
4. Be Thankful- you may have heard or seen this song on t.v. (VH1, VH1 Soul) the version i heard has E. Badu on it but on the LP, its Angie Stone (who he LOVES). you know the lyrics
Though you may not drive
a great big Cadillac
gangster white walls
tv antenna in the back
(etc)
5. Best By Far- an instrumental with the title as the hook. more bob power power. good blasting music on a day home by yourself
6. To the Top- a love song with just as much instrumentation PLUS a cello. *lol*
7. & 8. Goodness & Prologue- more good music, drawing a blank on the sound right now cause honestly, i can't get the 2nd and 3rd tracks out my head!
9. Tell Me- another romantic song with splendiferous harmonies and fantabulous instrumentation
10. Syleste- another one of my favorites, this was the other song put on my mixtape. it really sounds like the theme track for a Bond movie! Burt Bacharach has something to do with it (omar sampled 'say a little prayer by burt for this). If you know Burt, you know that man is a GENIUS!
11., 12., 13. Come On, Emporium, & In the Morning- i honestly haven't gotten to b/c like i said, i'm so in love with the first half of the CD that i want to wear it out and have somthing to listen to next month! But, there's more!
14. Syleste (Lizzard Lounge Mix)- get it lounge music!! love it!!
15. Be Thankful (Solar Energy Remix)- done by Guru and still feat Angie Stone. Bomb ass remix
So while you're sitting here waiting for D'Angelo to
1. lose weight and be sexy again
2. make a new album
3. go on tour with questlove again
check out Omar. Shooot, even if you're not waiting check him out. I will be back with his most recent release, Sing (if you want it) . I got that from the homie too =)
11.16.2006
Thanksgiving
I know there are some bloggers out there not so excited for Thanksgiving this year. I don't really have an opinion about it. Thanksgiving is not my most favorite holiday, meaning I could care less about eating all day long just cuz. I don't like turkey, I really hate for my food to touch, and I don't like having that many choices all at one time. But besides that, I like the meaning of Thanksgiving. I like being around my family and extended family, sharing in the spirit of thanks and giving, and I'm thankful for everything around me.
I want to know what some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods, traditions, and/or memories are, and what are you making this year.
Here are a few of mine:
I'm making my fried chicken.
I hate real turkey, I prefer a stand alone smoked turkey breast.
I love canned cranberry sauce, its soo jiggly, I don't like the one with real berries in it.
I don't like collard greens; I'd rather eat Kale Soup.
Not a huge fan of stuffing/dressing.
I like macaroni and cheese, if its made right.
Don't really sweet potato pie, but I like sweet potatoes.
Love pound cake and gingerbread cookies.
I have a very small family, but a huge extended family. My parents are very warm, and always open their home to anyone who may not be able to travel to their family for the holidays. Thats why my extended family is so big, and it grows every year, because the people that once couldn't go see their family for the holidays have now brought their family along to celebrate with us.
I want to know what some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods, traditions, and/or memories are, and what are you making this year.
Here are a few of mine:
I'm making my fried chicken.
I hate real turkey, I prefer a stand alone smoked turkey breast.
I love canned cranberry sauce, its soo jiggly, I don't like the one with real berries in it.
I don't like collard greens; I'd rather eat Kale Soup.
Not a huge fan of stuffing/dressing.
I like macaroni and cheese, if its made right.
Don't really sweet potato pie, but I like sweet potatoes.
Love pound cake and gingerbread cookies.
I have a very small family, but a huge extended family. My parents are very warm, and always open their home to anyone who may not be able to travel to their family for the holidays. Thats why my extended family is so big, and it grows every year, because the people that once couldn't go see their family for the holidays have now brought their family along to celebrate with us.
11.13.2006
Kingdom Come
a question a blogger asked me
did you get that Kingdom Come yet? I got it.
my reply
i don't like Jay Z. i respect him as an artist SOMETIMES but really, he is not my cup of tea. first of all, he's big re-invented. before he was killed, biggie had plans for a black album. no promotion, nothing. just spitting on tracks and putting it out. of course nobody really knows that but lookie who has a black album... nas called it and i believe it.
i took it personally that he said he retired and therefore sold out of EVERYTHING b/c people thought he was really done when he really wasn't. to me, that's fraud! you know people get arrested for selling plywood at outrageous prices during hurricane season? what's the difference? if people think they are never going to hear from someone again, of course they'd cop what they can! on a lenny kravitz track, he was talking bout, "I'm not rapping, i'm just thinking out loud" boooooo. i don't want to hear your thoughts.
then his combined donation to katrina relief of $1 million dollars with puff.... the both of them could've done MUCH more than that. how much does 40/40 and rocawear bring in???
then as prez of def jam, he did nothing for the roots; all his efforts (i believe) went to his 'out of retirement' release. pass. you signed the roots for attention. okay, okay, "[you're] not a businessman; [you're] a business, man"... and did nothing for your act? i'm so good on you.
i can't support a person like him.
here's what my bestest has to say abt Jigga
new jay z is a rehash of EVERYTHING he's ever done, i'm tired of his bullshit and fake ass president of def jam, where he has done nothing except sign the roots and not promote their album, too busy planning his coming out of retirement party...i used to be a jigga fan, and still respect his talent as an mc, but shouldn't someone who CAN afford to reinvent themselves, do that, ESPECIALLY after a fake ass retirement?...then he goes to Africa and charges 200 dollars for gen admission and 800-1000 for VIP??? WHAT??...shouldn't he be doin these concerts for FREE? and then
some?
my sentiments exactly.
did you get that Kingdom Come yet? I got it.
my reply
i don't like Jay Z. i respect him as an artist SOMETIMES but really, he is not my cup of tea. first of all, he's big re-invented. before he was killed, biggie had plans for a black album. no promotion, nothing. just spitting on tracks and putting it out. of course nobody really knows that but lookie who has a black album... nas called it and i believe it.
i took it personally that he said he retired and therefore sold out of EVERYTHING b/c people thought he was really done when he really wasn't. to me, that's fraud! you know people get arrested for selling plywood at outrageous prices during hurricane season? what's the difference? if people think they are never going to hear from someone again, of course they'd cop what they can! on a lenny kravitz track, he was talking bout, "I'm not rapping, i'm just thinking out loud" boooooo. i don't want to hear your thoughts.
then his combined donation to katrina relief of $1 million dollars with puff.... the both of them could've done MUCH more than that. how much does 40/40 and rocawear bring in???
then as prez of def jam, he did nothing for the roots; all his efforts (i believe) went to his 'out of retirement' release. pass. you signed the roots for attention. okay, okay, "[you're] not a businessman; [you're] a business, man"... and did nothing for your act? i'm so good on you.
i can't support a person like him.
here's what my bestest has to say abt Jigga
new jay z is a rehash of EVERYTHING he's ever done, i'm tired of his bullshit and fake ass president of def jam, where he has done nothing except sign the roots and not promote their album, too busy planning his coming out of retirement party...i used to be a jigga fan, and still respect his talent as an mc, but shouldn't someone who CAN afford to reinvent themselves, do that, ESPECIALLY after a fake ass retirement?...then he goes to Africa and charges 200 dollars for gen admission and 800-1000 for VIP??? WHAT??...shouldn't he be doin these concerts for FREE? and then
some?
my sentiments exactly.
Bailey's Chocolatini
Stace this is for you. I would never order this, I don't really like chocolate like that, unless its a man, so when I saw this at, I thought of you.
Ba.ileys Choc.olatini
Step 1: Drop several ice cubes into a shaker.
Step 2: Pour over 50ml of Ba.ileys, 10ml of Smi.rnoff No.21 Vo.dka and 15ml of Chocolate Liqueur.
Step 3: Shake together.
Step 4: Strain drink into a chilled Martini glass. Each serving contains 12.7 grams of alcohol.
Tips:Garnish your Martini with chocolate shavings or chocolate flake.If you don’t have chocolate then try a sprinkling of cocoa powder or hot chocolate powder.
I think you should put chocolate syrup in there, like all around the glass.
Ba.ileys Choc.olatini
Step 1: Drop several ice cubes into a shaker.
Step 2: Pour over 50ml of Ba.ileys, 10ml of Smi.rnoff No.21 Vo.dka and 15ml of Chocolate Liqueur.
Step 3: Shake together.
Step 4: Strain drink into a chilled Martini glass. Each serving contains 12.7 grams of alcohol.
Tips:Garnish your Martini with chocolate shavings or chocolate flake.If you don’t have chocolate then try a sprinkling of cocoa powder or hot chocolate powder.
I think you should put chocolate syrup in there, like all around the glass.
11.10.2006
The Evolution of Robin Thicke
l is I know I'm late, but I was rebelling until the bloggers finally broke me down. I'm tired of you guys changing my mind all the time. Hmph! And the bf was kind of pissy that I took you guys' word even though he's been trying to convince me to give Robin Thicke a chance for a long time.
1) "Got 2 Be Down" f/Faith Evans. Their voices meld together well. Nice sexy beat makes you want to samba.
2) "Complicated" ehhhh... a little to pop-y for me. Sounds very All4One, Backstreet Boys-ish to me. Obviously a no for me.
3) "Would that Make U Love Me" another nice moderately slow beat that makes you want to do something sexy. Push your body up against someone else's and show out. A song of yearning "if i wasn't who i was/if i wasn't me/would u stand next to me in the street/if i changed my hair/would u then be proud." Its the song everyone has thought if not said aloud.
4) "Lost Without U" Mellow. Makes you think of walking on the beach hand in hand with someone you love. I know that's corny but that's what you can imagine as the video. A spanish dance would go well with this... maybe a slow salsa. There's a mandolin sound in the background. "baby you're the perfect shpae/baby you're the perfect weight/treat me like my birthday/i want it this way/i want it that way/i want it/tell me you don't want me to stop." Ohhh buddy! It's on!! Love this song.
5) "Ask Myself" nice but doesn't really stand out.
6) "All Night Long" f/Lil' Wayne. I must admit I was inclined to like this song just b/c of Weezy. I like his swagger. But the song jumps out of the speakers anyway. It's the sweetly hood love song.
7) "Everything I Can't Have" Cuban big band music is the first thing that comes to mind. I like this too. Mostly the words, but the begging, too. *wink*
8) "Teach You a Lesson" "u were late 2 school/i'm gonna have 2 see u after class/u've been a bad girl/someone's gonna have to teach u a lesson/u've been a baad girl/someone's gonna have to straighten u right out." I'm just gonna have to say it. It's not so much the words, but more they way it's said. There's really no other accurate term for this song than panty dropper. Ahem... moving on...
9) "I Need Love" I've heard this song before. It was called "Crazy Love." Not that great but not horrible.
10) "I Wanna Love You Girl" f/Pharrell. Wasn't this released? Don't really like it. Not that impressed w/Pharrell anymore.
11) "Can U Believe" sweet, ballad-y, with a gospel feel. I like it despite the Justin Timberlake-ish singing on this one.
12) "Shooter" f/Lil' Wayne. One of my fave songs on the cd. I know I'd heard it before b/c it was on one of Lil Wayne's cds and I loved it then, but the electric guitar in the background, and reggae-inspired beat is fi-yah!!!
13) "Cocaine" another mover. Not sure what he's talking about in this song because he's moaning in my ear and I can't concentrate plus I'm too busy moving. And for some reason, other than "Shooter," this is the only song the lyrics aren't included. I have to think cocaine is a metaphor for love. Some Maxwell-esque background vocals I enjoy.
14) "2 the Sky" Love this song. He lets his voice shine w/o the whiny boy band feel. This song is beautiful.
15) "Lonely World" the whispery sound is back but this is a song about longing and being who you are, fulfiling your dreams.
16) "Angels" wedding song. "you're the only one who knows what i go through/ sometimes u feel it more than me/and i don't know how i ever got by without u/there's nothing like the truth/when you've got nothing left to lose/and every night i thank the universe that i found u." You betta sang Robin Thicke! Lol.
Overall, I like the songs he gets gritty with it. His voice becomes unique when he plays on that. The soft thing has been done and will be done. Heard of Frankie J? Ew. Yeah... don't go that route. Thicke wrote or co-wrote every song except the Pharrell song. That is hot. I also love that I can dance and workout to so many of these songs. I'ma be in the gym gettin it! Hahahaha. When I heard this, I said, he had to have a million black influences. In the liner notes, he thanked for inspiration, Mariah Carey, Mary J, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Jay-Z (LMAO at those 3) and several others but it was like AH-HA!
But his muse... is his wife, Paula Patton. You know her as the lead Sally B. Shelly in "Idlewild." She also posed for the cover art on his first cd. When I heard this cd, I knew he liked Black women. I could just feel it... and there's the line about "your brown skin." Mmm... hmm... get it Robin!
1) "Got 2 Be Down" f/Faith Evans. Their voices meld together well. Nice sexy beat makes you want to samba.
2) "Complicated" ehhhh... a little to pop-y for me. Sounds very All4One, Backstreet Boys-ish to me. Obviously a no for me.
3) "Would that Make U Love Me" another nice moderately slow beat that makes you want to do something sexy. Push your body up against someone else's and show out. A song of yearning "if i wasn't who i was/if i wasn't me/would u stand next to me in the street/if i changed my hair/would u then be proud." Its the song everyone has thought if not said aloud.
4) "Lost Without U" Mellow. Makes you think of walking on the beach hand in hand with someone you love. I know that's corny but that's what you can imagine as the video. A spanish dance would go well with this... maybe a slow salsa. There's a mandolin sound in the background. "baby you're the perfect shpae/baby you're the perfect weight/treat me like my birthday/i want it this way/i want it that way/i want it/tell me you don't want me to stop." Ohhh buddy! It's on!! Love this song.
5) "Ask Myself" nice but doesn't really stand out.
6) "All Night Long" f/Lil' Wayne. I must admit I was inclined to like this song just b/c of Weezy. I like his swagger. But the song jumps out of the speakers anyway. It's the sweetly hood love song.
7) "Everything I Can't Have" Cuban big band music is the first thing that comes to mind. I like this too. Mostly the words, but the begging, too. *wink*
8) "Teach You a Lesson" "u were late 2 school/i'm gonna have 2 see u after class/u've been a bad girl/someone's gonna have to teach u a lesson/u've been a baad girl/someone's gonna have to straighten u right out." I'm just gonna have to say it. It's not so much the words, but more they way it's said. There's really no other accurate term for this song than panty dropper. Ahem... moving on...
9) "I Need Love" I've heard this song before. It was called "Crazy Love." Not that great but not horrible.
10) "I Wanna Love You Girl" f/Pharrell. Wasn't this released? Don't really like it. Not that impressed w/Pharrell anymore.
11) "Can U Believe" sweet, ballad-y, with a gospel feel. I like it despite the Justin Timberlake-ish singing on this one.
12) "Shooter" f/Lil' Wayne. One of my fave songs on the cd. I know I'd heard it before b/c it was on one of Lil Wayne's cds and I loved it then, but the electric guitar in the background, and reggae-inspired beat is fi-yah!!!
13) "Cocaine" another mover. Not sure what he's talking about in this song because he's moaning in my ear and I can't concentrate plus I'm too busy moving. And for some reason, other than "Shooter," this is the only song the lyrics aren't included. I have to think cocaine is a metaphor for love. Some Maxwell-esque background vocals I enjoy.
14) "2 the Sky" Love this song. He lets his voice shine w/o the whiny boy band feel. This song is beautiful.
15) "Lonely World" the whispery sound is back but this is a song about longing and being who you are, fulfiling your dreams.
16) "Angels" wedding song. "you're the only one who knows what i go through/ sometimes u feel it more than me/and i don't know how i ever got by without u/there's nothing like the truth/when you've got nothing left to lose/and every night i thank the universe that i found u." You betta sang Robin Thicke! Lol.
Overall, I like the songs he gets gritty with it. His voice becomes unique when he plays on that. The soft thing has been done and will be done. Heard of Frankie J? Ew. Yeah... don't go that route. Thicke wrote or co-wrote every song except the Pharrell song. That is hot. I also love that I can dance and workout to so many of these songs. I'ma be in the gym gettin it! Hahahaha. When I heard this, I said, he had to have a million black influences. In the liner notes, he thanked for inspiration, Mariah Carey, Mary J, Busta Rhymes, Diddy, Jay-Z (LMAO at those 3) and several others but it was like AH-HA!
But his muse... is his wife, Paula Patton. You know her as the lead Sally B. Shelly in "Idlewild." She also posed for the cover art on his first cd. When I heard this cd, I knew he liked Black women. I could just feel it... and there's the line about "your brown skin." Mmm... hmm... get it Robin!
11.08.2006
3 Blind Moose- Wine Review
I am not a huge wine drinker, and as of lately I'm not a huge drinker period. I'm sure some of you are shocked by that statement, being that I was the resident bartender in college. I was official, license and all. Now I stay pretty basic with my vodka tonic with a splash of lime. Moving on. So as I told you already, I made a chicken saltimbocca with a pasta and scampi sauce. My scampi calls for white wine. I usually don't ever have to make a purchase since my father usually has a stash somewhere. Negative. So I ran to the liquor store on my lunch break. This place had hella wine. How do you know what to look for when your buying wine??? Initially I was thinking, go for the cheap stuff since I don't drink it. But all the great cooks say, only use a good quality wine that you would drink. Blah blah blah. I went for the wine with the cute label and the funny name. There was so many to choose from, but I went with 3 Blind Moose, 2004 California Chardonnay. Well that shit was bangin, and it was only $8.47. Daddy loved it too. That may be my wine of choice now. Next time I'll try the Pinot Grigio.
Bruschetta Tilapia, Yellow Rice and Steamed Broccoli
Healthy, Delicious and Nutritious!
I'm working on getting fly and being healthy... but I love eating out. Plus, its hard for me not to eat out because I work such crazy hours and am usually starving when I leave work. Also once I get home, I get lazy if I don't go immediately to the kitchen. If I sit down to turn on the tv, or read a book, or check blogger and emails and myspace... see? I'll never eat.
Thursdays I go to dinner with my dad. Last Thursday we went to TGI Friday's. When you think of them, you think Jack Daniel's chicken and ribs and shrimp right? I know I do. I decided to try something different, though. Especially since I'd just joined the gym earlier that day. What's the point of working out if you're going to drown that work in a high fat, high calorie diet? None!
So I tried the bruschetta tilapia (flaky, white fish with diced plum tomatoes on top, basil, drizzled with olive oil), steamed broccoli and yellow rice. It was so yummy! And I had so much I ate it for the next two days. Still good two days later. Go Friday's!
I'm working on getting fly and being healthy... but I love eating out. Plus, its hard for me not to eat out because I work such crazy hours and am usually starving when I leave work. Also once I get home, I get lazy if I don't go immediately to the kitchen. If I sit down to turn on the tv, or read a book, or check blogger and emails and myspace... see? I'll never eat.
Thursdays I go to dinner with my dad. Last Thursday we went to TGI Friday's. When you think of them, you think Jack Daniel's chicken and ribs and shrimp right? I know I do. I decided to try something different, though. Especially since I'd just joined the gym earlier that day. What's the point of working out if you're going to drown that work in a high fat, high calorie diet? None!
So I tried the bruschetta tilapia (flaky, white fish with diced plum tomatoes on top, basil, drizzled with olive oil), steamed broccoli and yellow rice. It was so yummy! And I had so much I ate it for the next two days. Still good two days later. Go Friday's!
Chicken Saltimbocca with Farfalle and Scampi Sauce **Revised**
Hey ya'll, I know I know, it's been a minute, but I'm back in the kitchen and on the blog. Things have been crazy, but last night I didn't have gymnastics so I was able to burn in the kitchen. I was so proud of myself too. I usually take forever to make a complete meal, but last night I set a time limit. No longer than 1 hour. Mission Accomplished. My family gets on me because one of Rachel's 30 minute meals always takes me at least and hour and a half. HELLO, she doesn't have to prep her food, so of course it will take 30 minutes. Anyway let's get on to the recipe. As usual I looked up about 5 different recipes, and made up my own. FYI- saltimbocca is Italian for "jumps in the mouth."
Chicken Saltimbocca
Thin sliced chicken
Prosciutto
Shredded Cheese- Italian Blend
Flour- seasoned: garlic powder, salt, pepper, italian seasoning
EVOO ala Rachel Ray
Butter
garlic
sage (couldn't find any at three stores, so I didn't use it.)
Preheat oven to 350.
You can prepare the chicken one of two ways.
Option 1
Salt and pepper the chicken-optional. Dredge with seasoned flour, shake off excess flour. Melt butter and evoo and some garlic in a large skillet on medium heat. Place floured chicken in pan, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan, and place in a casserole dish. ** If you have sage, place on top of chicken now. Sprinkle each piece of chicken with cheese, and a slice of prosciutto to cover both the cheese and the chicken. Put in oven for about 7 minutes.
Option 2
Or you could salt and pepper the chicken, lay flat and sprinkle with cheese, and then cover the cheese with the prosciutto. Roll up chicken and secure with a toothpick. Dredge in seasoned flour. Place in pan with melted butter and olive oil, cook until all sides are completely brown and chicken is cooked all the way through.
Serve with Pasta. I had farfalle (bowties) pasta last night with my scampi sauce.
Butter
EVOO
Garlic
Broth
White Wine- I used "3 Blind Moose" Chardonnay. Pretty bangin. I'll get to that later.
Onion- chopped
Italian seasoning
Farfalle
Vegetable options- frozen or fresh broccoli (blanched) or spinach (sans the ecoli)
Using the same skillet with the chicken drippings, add more butter and evoo to sauté onion and garlic, until translucent. I also added bits of prosciutto. Add broth and wine and italian seasonings, salt and pepper, bring to a simmer. Add veggie and stir, then add cooked pasta, making sure all pasta is covered in sauce. If you like your sauce a little thicker add some Wondra or more butter.
Enjoy!
Chicken Saltimbocca
Thin sliced chicken
Prosciutto
Shredded Cheese- Italian Blend
Flour- seasoned: garlic powder, salt, pepper, italian seasoning
EVOO ala Rachel Ray
Butter
garlic
sage (couldn't find any at three stores, so I didn't use it.)
Preheat oven to 350.
You can prepare the chicken one of two ways.
Option 1
Salt and pepper the chicken-optional. Dredge with seasoned flour, shake off excess flour. Melt butter and evoo and some garlic in a large skillet on medium heat. Place floured chicken in pan, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan, and place in a casserole dish. ** If you have sage, place on top of chicken now. Sprinkle each piece of chicken with cheese, and a slice of prosciutto to cover both the cheese and the chicken. Put in oven for about 7 minutes.
Option 2
Or you could salt and pepper the chicken, lay flat and sprinkle with cheese, and then cover the cheese with the prosciutto. Roll up chicken and secure with a toothpick. Dredge in seasoned flour. Place in pan with melted butter and olive oil, cook until all sides are completely brown and chicken is cooked all the way through.
Serve with Pasta. I had farfalle (bowties) pasta last night with my scampi sauce.
Butter
EVOO
Garlic
Broth
White Wine- I used "3 Blind Moose" Chardonnay. Pretty bangin. I'll get to that later.
Onion- chopped
Italian seasoning
Farfalle
Vegetable options- frozen or fresh broccoli (blanched) or spinach (sans the ecoli)
Using the same skillet with the chicken drippings, add more butter and evoo to sauté onion and garlic, until translucent. I also added bits of prosciutto. Add broth and wine and italian seasonings, salt and pepper, bring to a simmer. Add veggie and stir, then add cooked pasta, making sure all pasta is covered in sauce. If you like your sauce a little thicker add some Wondra or more butter.
Enjoy!
11.03.2006
Stir-Fried Beef and Snow Peas
Ingredients
1 lb beef sliced thinly
2 tbsp soy sauce
5 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp dry sherry
veggie oil
1 onion sliced thinly
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp chopped ginger
1 carrot sliced thinly
1 lb snow peas
8oz can bamboo shoots/bean sprouts, drained
Put the strips of beef in a bowl, add soy and hoisin sauce, dry sherry and stir together. let marinate while you are cooking the vegetables.
I personally added fresh chopped ginger, garlic, salt and pepper to the beef and let it sit for 5 min then addedd the liquid 'gredients and all this was done THE NIGHT BEFORE.
add oil to large non-stick wok. add onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, and snow peas and stir fry for 5 min or until softened.
add beef and marinade to wok and stir-fry for 2-3 min or until tender. add bamboo shoots and stir fry for another minute.
2-3 minutes??? i like my meat well done so it was longer than 3 minutes.
transfer to warm serving dish and serve with cooker rice or noodles.
I bought some chow mein noodles to add a final and authentic touch and ate it with white rice. some wasabi sauce would have set this off as well. happy eating!
1 lb beef sliced thinly
2 tbsp soy sauce
5 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp dry sherry
veggie oil
1 onion sliced thinly
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp chopped ginger
1 carrot sliced thinly
1 lb snow peas
8oz can bamboo shoots/bean sprouts, drained
Put the strips of beef in a bowl, add soy and hoisin sauce, dry sherry and stir together. let marinate while you are cooking the vegetables.
I personally added fresh chopped ginger, garlic, salt and pepper to the beef and let it sit for 5 min then addedd the liquid 'gredients and all this was done THE NIGHT BEFORE.
add oil to large non-stick wok. add onion, garlic, ginger, carrot, and snow peas and stir fry for 5 min or until softened.
add beef and marinade to wok and stir-fry for 2-3 min or until tender. add bamboo shoots and stir fry for another minute.
2-3 minutes??? i like my meat well done so it was longer than 3 minutes.
transfer to warm serving dish and serve with cooker rice or noodles.
I bought some chow mein noodles to add a final and authentic touch and ate it with white rice. some wasabi sauce would have set this off as well. happy eating!
11.02.2006
Enough with the Sweaters Already
I LOVE SWEATERS!! But this must be said. I had to pull this out the Mindspace archives from back when it was All Me, All the Time. This reflects my feelings at that time and does not necessarily apply now though still not toooooo far off. Enjoy.
Its that time of year again. For me its the time of holiday cheer and God-awful ugly sweaters. And you know what I mean. Those sweaters that you see and cringe and wonder if their blind grandma gave it to them. The one even God thinks is awful. And he made the person that made it. Come on people.
Oh yeah, did I neglect to mention that Pittsburgh is the bad fashion capital of the world? I think I forgot to mention that. Yes, Pittsburgh has more fashion don'ts per capita than any other city in the world. Its true. At least I'm convinced that its true. There's the Fashion Institute of Pittsburgh and various other places where people can take classes to learn fashion. It ain't workin. Use your resources people.
Big girls. Now you know I got love for my big girls b/c my mom's a big girl. But I will never stop saying this. When you wear clothes that do not fit, it makes you look bigger. Stop doing it. No one looks good in ill-fitting clothes. Just because you're not a size six doesn't mean you can't be presentable. Please understand that wearing a muu muu or a colored oversized sack cloth makes you look BIGGER. But I digress.
Back to the topic at hand. The sweaters. I was in Panera Bread for no more than 12 minutes today and I saw them EVERYWHERE! I turned in one of those horror movie circles where you can't believe your eyes and whatever you're scared of is suddenly all around you. Or you're in a field and you can't see anyone. You don't know what to do. You scream. AAAAHHH!!
You know the sweaters that I'm talkin about. Those sweaters with no less than 4 colors. Usually in a horizontal pattern. And or with balls and 3-D swirls. I don't want your sweater to reach out and touch me. Or stab me in the eye. That is NOT cool. It hurts. Like a lot. I don't like things in my eye. The monstrosities that they call "fashion sweaters" at those horrid stores where you buy them. The stores that should be called "Hi, I'm a mom and I just don't care anymore."
There are actual current options to purchase. that. are. HIDEOUS!! NONSENSE! Don't believe me? Go here. SWEATER VOMIT!! It takes you just as long to look like trash as it does to look presentable. I know because everytime I try not to care, it takes me longer to think... "Is this too ugly for work?" "Does it show too obviously that today I just don't care?" "Am I ruining my rep as 'one of the best dressed people in the building?'" I didn't say that, by the way. It was said to me. So there.
Plus you want to be seen as management material don't you? Maybe not. I keep forgetting that everyone doesn't want to be at the top. Which makes sense. Because then who would do the work? But anyway. For real, you're driving me crazy looking like you just rolled out of bed five minutes ago and didn't even brush your teeth. Please stop.
Its that time of year again. For me its the time of holiday cheer and God-awful ugly sweaters. And you know what I mean. Those sweaters that you see and cringe and wonder if their blind grandma gave it to them. The one even God thinks is awful. And he made the person that made it. Come on people.
Oh yeah, did I neglect to mention that Pittsburgh is the bad fashion capital of the world? I think I forgot to mention that. Yes, Pittsburgh has more fashion don'ts per capita than any other city in the world. Its true. At least I'm convinced that its true. There's the Fashion Institute of Pittsburgh and various other places where people can take classes to learn fashion. It ain't workin. Use your resources people.
Big girls. Now you know I got love for my big girls b/c my mom's a big girl. But I will never stop saying this. When you wear clothes that do not fit, it makes you look bigger. Stop doing it. No one looks good in ill-fitting clothes. Just because you're not a size six doesn't mean you can't be presentable. Please understand that wearing a muu muu or a colored oversized sack cloth makes you look BIGGER. But I digress.
Back to the topic at hand. The sweaters. I was in Panera Bread for no more than 12 minutes today and I saw them EVERYWHERE! I turned in one of those horror movie circles where you can't believe your eyes and whatever you're scared of is suddenly all around you. Or you're in a field and you can't see anyone. You don't know what to do. You scream. AAAAHHH!!
You know the sweaters that I'm talkin about. Those sweaters with no less than 4 colors. Usually in a horizontal pattern. And or with balls and 3-D swirls. I don't want your sweater to reach out and touch me. Or stab me in the eye. That is NOT cool. It hurts. Like a lot. I don't like things in my eye. The monstrosities that they call "fashion sweaters" at those horrid stores where you buy them. The stores that should be called "Hi, I'm a mom and I just don't care anymore."
There are actual current options to purchase. that. are. HIDEOUS!! NONSENSE! Don't believe me? Go here. SWEATER VOMIT!! It takes you just as long to look like trash as it does to look presentable. I know because everytime I try not to care, it takes me longer to think... "Is this too ugly for work?" "Does it show too obviously that today I just don't care?" "Am I ruining my rep as 'one of the best dressed people in the building?'" I didn't say that, by the way. It was said to me. So there.
Plus you want to be seen as management material don't you? Maybe not. I keep forgetting that everyone doesn't want to be at the top. Which makes sense. Because then who would do the work? But anyway. For real, you're driving me crazy looking like you just rolled out of bed five minutes ago and didn't even brush your teeth. Please stop.
Rock with Me
So as we may or may not know, I have a slight obsession with guitar players... especially bass players. Bump that, I have a thing for ALL male muscians! I like to think of myself as a Medici and I plan on being a patron of the arts or at least a muse.
Wait, let me clarify, if you can play an instrument, you get my attention. Don't necessarily want any singers around here. Now singers who play an instrument? Cool. I digress.
So musical inclination is the reason why I tend to like music that's not considered status quo. Like your typical RnB. A producer and a crooner. No musical talent, just a guy on MAYBE a Korg Triton and buddy or chick comes in and lays some vocals down. Then there's Dwele, the Roots, and everyone from 1979 on back who play/ed every single instrument you hear on the track. Of course special interest goes out to today's Prince, Lenny Kravitz, and Martin Luther cause they play the gee-tar.
Now that I've laid the backdrop for yearning for musicianship and not getting it from my typical radio stations, where do I go? From the poppy Maroon 5 on up to the acid jazz, funk infused Jamiroquai, I hear dudes playing their axes and that leads me to the latest CD I bought.
Stadium Arcadium. The Red Hot Chil Peppers (RHCP) are back this year with this double disc 28 track album. I heard it in a sandwich shop two weeks ago and asked the owner, "Is this RHCP?" He said yeah, its their latest and its funky. Indeed it is. I've always like RHCP. Anthony Kiedis' hair has always been a fave of mine (not in this pic) since my Seventeen reading days (I can't believe I used to read that magazine). A couple of months ago, I renewed my interest in Flea when I saw him and Bootsy Collins on the cover of Bass Player magazine. The guys who brought us Give it Away and the remake of the Ohio Players Love Rollercoaster are back with their 9th LP. Check it out below.
So the first CD is Jupiter.
Dani California is a rock tune with a country twang. When the chorus comes on, I see where Creed gets their sound from. RHCP are getting to be old school. They are eligible for the Rock Hall of Fame now.
Snow (Hey Oh) has a little more singing and the bass line is more evident.
I like bass.
It also has more instrumentation with flutes. Like that as well.
Charlie, love it. Its fun! Again, Flea makes me want to do somethings! I feel sexy when this song comes on. John and Flea are getting it!!
Stadium Arcadium is back to the mellow sound. I love the harmony and the background vocals.
Hump de Bump is back to the fun and funk I love RHCP for! The trumpets during the bridge and the bass line during the chorus...then the 'cuss (prounounced 'cush') section goes off with anything that can be struck. I hear a cowbell, spoons and a triangle. Get it Chad!
** doesn't he look like will ferell? or Will playing Dubya?***
She's Only 18 reminds me of something Michael Jackson would sing in his Bad days. Dirty Diana as a matter of fact. Kinda gritty to me.
Slow Cheetah, not a fan of the lone guitar line and vocals. Sounds hollow.
Torture Me, GREAT song to blast when you're rocking out on a Saturday morning! Bass line is solid and bomb; background vocals; trumpets pierce through the furious guitar playing; and the pace varies. Its like a roller coaster, build you up and brings you down to a slow pace only to rise again. Great flow
Strip My Mind reminds me of something Jim Morrison would sing.
***Did you know the Doors didn't have a bass player?***
Especially in Michigan, I don't like. Bass line sounds like something I heard already.
Warlocks seems like a slower Torture Me. Definitely funkier. I like it, I like it a lot.
C'mon Girl has the Teenage Wasteland guitar effect going. Ride with your windows down to this, well at least during the chorus. I like this one too.
Wet Sand is another mellow song. I actually like the lyrics to this one.
I thought the last track (Hey) was Snow but it's not. My ears aren't trained for rock and to some point, it all sounds the same to me. I do think its a bomb way to end CD 1. I will be back with disc 2, Mars. Till then, expand your horizons! Get some funky rock in your life!
Wait, let me clarify, if you can play an instrument, you get my attention. Don't necessarily want any singers around here. Now singers who play an instrument? Cool. I digress.
So musical inclination is the reason why I tend to like music that's not considered status quo. Like your typical RnB. A producer and a crooner. No musical talent, just a guy on MAYBE a Korg Triton and buddy or chick comes in and lays some vocals down. Then there's Dwele, the Roots, and everyone from 1979 on back who play/ed every single instrument you hear on the track. Of course special interest goes out to today's Prince, Lenny Kravitz, and Martin Luther cause they play the gee-tar.
Now that I've laid the backdrop for yearning for musicianship and not getting it from my typical radio stations, where do I go? From the poppy Maroon 5 on up to the acid jazz, funk infused Jamiroquai, I hear dudes playing their axes and that leads me to the latest CD I bought.
Stadium Arcadium. The Red Hot Chil Peppers (RHCP) are back this year with this double disc 28 track album. I heard it in a sandwich shop two weeks ago and asked the owner, "Is this RHCP?" He said yeah, its their latest and its funky. Indeed it is. I've always like RHCP. Anthony Kiedis' hair has always been a fave of mine (not in this pic) since my Seventeen reading days (I can't believe I used to read that magazine). A couple of months ago, I renewed my interest in Flea when I saw him and Bootsy Collins on the cover of Bass Player magazine. The guys who brought us Give it Away and the remake of the Ohio Players Love Rollercoaster are back with their 9th LP. Check it out below.
So the first CD is Jupiter.
Dani California is a rock tune with a country twang. When the chorus comes on, I see where Creed gets their sound from. RHCP are getting to be old school. They are eligible for the Rock Hall of Fame now.
Snow (Hey Oh) has a little more singing and the bass line is more evident.
I like bass.
It also has more instrumentation with flutes. Like that as well.
Charlie, love it. Its fun! Again, Flea makes me want to do somethings! I feel sexy when this song comes on. John and Flea are getting it!!
Stadium Arcadium is back to the mellow sound. I love the harmony and the background vocals.
Hump de Bump is back to the fun and funk I love RHCP for! The trumpets during the bridge and the bass line during the chorus...then the 'cuss (prounounced 'cush') section goes off with anything that can be struck. I hear a cowbell, spoons and a triangle. Get it Chad!
** doesn't he look like will ferell? or Will playing Dubya?***
She's Only 18 reminds me of something Michael Jackson would sing in his Bad days. Dirty Diana as a matter of fact. Kinda gritty to me.
Slow Cheetah, not a fan of the lone guitar line and vocals. Sounds hollow.
Torture Me, GREAT song to blast when you're rocking out on a Saturday morning! Bass line is solid and bomb; background vocals; trumpets pierce through the furious guitar playing; and the pace varies. Its like a roller coaster, build you up and brings you down to a slow pace only to rise again. Great flow
Strip My Mind reminds me of something Jim Morrison would sing.
***Did you know the Doors didn't have a bass player?***
Especially in Michigan, I don't like. Bass line sounds like something I heard already.
Warlocks seems like a slower Torture Me. Definitely funkier. I like it, I like it a lot.
C'mon Girl has the Teenage Wasteland guitar effect going. Ride with your windows down to this, well at least during the chorus. I like this one too.
Wet Sand is another mellow song. I actually like the lyrics to this one.
I thought the last track (Hey) was Snow but it's not. My ears aren't trained for rock and to some point, it all sounds the same to me. I do think its a bomb way to end CD 1. I will be back with disc 2, Mars. Till then, expand your horizons! Get some funky rock in your life!
10.30.2006
For the Fellas
*Don't mix patterns without adult supervision. If you have never done it before without getting strange looks or have always been told not to mix colors and patterns, heed the following.
*When mixing patterns, don't go for two patterns of the same size. You can mix large box plaid with skinny stripes. Don't do fat stripes and large box plaid. It will make you look clownish. Stick to two, or at most three patterns. You come off as pretentious or awful if you get it right or wrong so just leave it alone.
*Do wear pink, but not in your athletic wear.
*Don't wear glitter. I know this is hard for the DC area folk, but this is important. There is nowhere outside of DC you can go with that attire on without getting sideways glances. There is a reason for this.
*Go outside the gray, black, green, blue color palette. Almost everyone looks sexy in some shade of red. I know Stace will cosign on this.
*Accessorize! I don't mean like gold teeth and giant necklaces with cross medallions in cubic zirconia. I mean like a nice grown up watch, a tie, a POCKET SQUARE, CUFFLINKS. MEN! I can't tell you how sexy those two things are. I'm telling you. Women notice these things. If you don't think you can pull of a pocket square without constantly fidgeting with it, then don't. But the cufflinks will get you points.
*Shoes. You're a grown up now. DO buy nice leather shoes you could wear to church or an interview. DON'T feel the need to wear tennis shoes to every club you attend.
*Don't be intimidated by fashion. If colors and patterns scare you, wear your basic neutrals, i.e. gray, brown, black, navy with a pop of color. Red, royal blue, green, purple, pink. Yellow doesn't look very good on many people, and sometimes only in varying shades. Ask a person whose fashion sense you trust to let you know. I can't tell you how great gray looks with all of the aforementioned. If you do nothing else, get you some nice gray slacks.
*Speaking of pants, they shouldn't bag around your ankles. Of course you don't want them to be too short, but there should not be several inches of fabric at the ankles.
I'm sure I'll think of more. This could become a regular feature. Stay tuned.....
*When mixing patterns, don't go for two patterns of the same size. You can mix large box plaid with skinny stripes. Don't do fat stripes and large box plaid. It will make you look clownish. Stick to two, or at most three patterns. You come off as pretentious or awful if you get it right or wrong so just leave it alone.
*Do wear pink, but not in your athletic wear.
*Don't wear glitter. I know this is hard for the DC area folk, but this is important. There is nowhere outside of DC you can go with that attire on without getting sideways glances. There is a reason for this.
*Go outside the gray, black, green, blue color palette. Almost everyone looks sexy in some shade of red. I know Stace will cosign on this.
*Accessorize! I don't mean like gold teeth and giant necklaces with cross medallions in cubic zirconia. I mean like a nice grown up watch, a tie, a POCKET SQUARE, CUFFLINKS. MEN! I can't tell you how sexy those two things are. I'm telling you. Women notice these things. If you don't think you can pull of a pocket square without constantly fidgeting with it, then don't. But the cufflinks will get you points.
*Shoes. You're a grown up now. DO buy nice leather shoes you could wear to church or an interview. DON'T feel the need to wear tennis shoes to every club you attend.
*Don't be intimidated by fashion. If colors and patterns scare you, wear your basic neutrals, i.e. gray, brown, black, navy with a pop of color. Red, royal blue, green, purple, pink. Yellow doesn't look very good on many people, and sometimes only in varying shades. Ask a person whose fashion sense you trust to let you know. I can't tell you how great gray looks with all of the aforementioned. If you do nothing else, get you some nice gray slacks.
*Speaking of pants, they shouldn't bag around your ankles. Of course you don't want them to be too short, but there should not be several inches of fabric at the ankles.
I'm sure I'll think of more. This could become a regular feature. Stay tuned.....
10.28.2006
Bags
I've seen it just enough times to know its about to explode. Get yourself and oversized hobo in the brightest color you can find. Now when I say oversized, I mean the bag should be the size of your TORSO! I kid you not!
I was at Sylvan learning center shadowing a teacher. One of her students was this chic college student from FSU. Student has problems with study skills but not fashion. Clad in a black, long sleeve boat-neck tee and black demin editor pants (i couldn't see her shoes) she had a red scarf tied like my scarf idol Nicole Richie, some oversized black shades (again Nicole), and the fiercest hobo in fire engine red!!!!! it had grommets along the zipper and the thing was HUGE! her moncromatic look was so streamlined and the pop of color from the bag was just enough fashion forward to not be trying too hard to be trendy. (that was a bad ass sentence)
I believe Modern Girl's Guide to Life said that's one way to be trendy w/o breaking the bank on a new wardrobe: update yor accessories.
Next point. Walking to class. a girl is wearing khaki bottoms, brown top and the biggest yellow hobo i've seen. i wanted it sooooo bad!
Last point. I saw a teal humongo hobo. chick was wearing my FAVE neutral combo of khaki and white. (I really HATE that combo. How neutral can you be??) and her color came from the bag. oh yeah, she had a denim vest on. more ick.
Note: i love the GAP, i am an official GAP groupie, I will spend my last dollar at the GAP (no i won't. publix, then the GAP) but please do not wear all their staples at the same time. Neutrals like denim, black, white, khaki, and sometimes gray are meant to be worn with COLOR! gray and pink is one of my FAVE combos! khaki and yellow i love as well as peach. how fire is black, white and magenta? or turquoise? now of course you can do denim with anything but if its with another neutral PLEASE don't forget to throw an actual color in the mix. thank you so much.
Stace
So yeah, go grab an oversized hobo. Ace, i'ma have something for you later. Unless you WANT a ginormous purse and some leopard print pumps...
I was at Sylvan learning center shadowing a teacher. One of her students was this chic college student from FSU. Student has problems with study skills but not fashion. Clad in a black, long sleeve boat-neck tee and black demin editor pants (i couldn't see her shoes) she had a red scarf tied like my scarf idol Nicole Richie, some oversized black shades (again Nicole), and the fiercest hobo in fire engine red!!!!! it had grommets along the zipper and the thing was HUGE! her moncromatic look was so streamlined and the pop of color from the bag was just enough fashion forward to not be trying too hard to be trendy. (that was a bad ass sentence)
I believe Modern Girl's Guide to Life said that's one way to be trendy w/o breaking the bank on a new wardrobe: update yor accessories.
Next point. Walking to class. a girl is wearing khaki bottoms, brown top and the biggest yellow hobo i've seen. i wanted it sooooo bad!
Last point. I saw a teal humongo hobo. chick was wearing my FAVE neutral combo of khaki and white. (I really HATE that combo. How neutral can you be??) and her color came from the bag. oh yeah, she had a denim vest on. more ick.
Note: i love the GAP, i am an official GAP groupie, I will spend my last dollar at the GAP (no i won't. publix, then the GAP) but please do not wear all their staples at the same time. Neutrals like denim, black, white, khaki, and sometimes gray are meant to be worn with COLOR! gray and pink is one of my FAVE combos! khaki and yellow i love as well as peach. how fire is black, white and magenta? or turquoise? now of course you can do denim with anything but if its with another neutral PLEASE don't forget to throw an actual color in the mix. thank you so much.
Stace
So yeah, go grab an oversized hobo. Ace, i'ma have something for you later. Unless you WANT a ginormous purse and some leopard print pumps...
10.26.2006
Press Play
So.... I've had this Diddy post in the works for a week since I heard the cd. Of course I relied on AOL Music. I buy nearly nothing w/o hearing it there first. Why buy it when you can preview for free? Even for Diddy who I LOVE! 112 was my favorite group for the longest. Whenever I'm down, I reach for one of their cds. First I love Room 112 (the 2nd album), then 112 (the 1st), then Part III (take a wild guess). Because of my love for 112, when I was in my wild, hilarious stage, I used to tell people I was giving my first born to him and naming another child after him in thanks for 112. This was when I was "in love" with this guy. Our children were to be named Wendell, Wendella, Wendeesha, Wendara, Wendina, Wendy, Joiwynel (in honor of my friends who introed us), and Sean. See what I mean by wild, hilarious phase?
Anyway, when I saw all the guest appearances on this cd, I said, "Wow! Oh yeah! I've gotta do this!" Avant (love), Shawna (ehh), Big Boi (oh yeah! love 'kast), Ciara (yes), Christina (yes), Brandy, Pussycat Doll Nicole long last name, Nas, Cee-lo (Goodie Mo-b!), Mary J, Keyshia Cole (helps me let out my inner ghetto fab), Jamie Foxx, Timbaland, Twista. I mean, oh my! That's a lot of names and most of them are folk I can really get down with! I'm there!
Then I listened. The intro made me giggle. Blatant unwaranted cockiness a la typical Diddy. Its to be expected. "The Future" was out of control! Same vein. Only one of the first 5 songs have features. Diddy. Come on. Bring em already. What are you waiting for? The Pcat Dolls song? Its cool but its actually more intriguing with the video to accompany it.
AOL Music picked "Tell Me" f/X-tina as the best song on the album. Uh... not sure why. They always choose the expected song, though. Come on. Get it together. AOL Music, let ME tell you which song is the best on the cd. I'll drop that hot fiyah knowledge on ya! But you have to pay me.
Moving on. "Diddy Rock" has a hot beat but DON'T SING! PLEASE DON'T SING! Seriously. And don't talk abt your mom. Because it makes me want to make jokes. The blonde hair? Gotta go. The black Donatella Versace look is not sexy. The crazy makeup, gaudy attire. Diddy!! Send your mom to a stylist you know will make her look good. You moved from your shiny suit man! phase and all the baggy attire to never steppin out without looking like you belong on the cover of a magazine!
I digress. On "Diddy Rock" you go on to talk about claming your place... I hope you don't mean as a singer or rapper... You say you can make people feel good.. true. You say "I believe I can do anything..." I hope you mean other than sing, rap or dance. Because if you do, that's probably true. But you should leave those three to the experts. We love you for it Diddy, seriously. And the thanks mid-cd is quite bizarre. While we're on the subject of thanks, can we do away with the current trend to add thanks as the last song? Raheem Devaughn did this, as did Lupe Fiasco and it annoys me! Especially Lupe. His joint was a good 4 minutes long!!!! Hey guys! Can you not? If I want to know, I'll read the liner notes!!!
Now let's get to some of these guest appearances and the rest of the cd. "Special" was absolutely a stolen Mike J beat. Very 80s. At first I wasn't sure I was ready to go that route, techno, electronica, etc. though I know Stace loves it. The more I listened, though, I found myself wiggling in the seat, heading toward the center of my living room to shake it. Wait! Damn me. Lol.
I don't remember the name of the song that had Big Boi and Ciara on it but I knew it would be the joint! Knew it. Wrong. How you have Big Boi AND Ciara on a song and it bores me? Doesn't make me want to get out of my seat? Get outta here Diddy.
"After Love." At the end, he got me when he said, "I just wanna end this conversation on a good note. I love you very much." AWWWWWWW! The bf says that to me all the time! Its so adorable. It also made me say, "Damn you Diddy!!!!" He know good and well I've been rootin for him to get back with JLo. They were my fave couple ever! Loved it. Esp. now that they've left behind the hood-rich clothing and now look chic, you know y'all love each other!!!!! Sigh.
"Thru the Pain" f/Mario Williams (sounded like Mario Winans to me, but that's what AOL Music said)... FAVE SONG. I think b/c there was more Mario than Diddy. No I know. "Thought You Said" f/Brandy I liked also b/c again, very little Diddy. The speeding up at the end? A little too odd for me. I'll pass on that. Thanks.
That was as far as I got. So what did we learn from this. One. Diddy can't do it all. Two. Less Diddy = Better Song. Three. It's time for another cd with you only in the background doing your Diddy thing producing, etc. Three A. It'd be REAALLY great if you'd come out with a cd w/all these fab people everyone wants to hear with all of your great producers WITHOUT YOU ON IT! I'd really love that Diddy. And I'd tell everyone to buy it. I really would. Four. If you like a good laugh and don't mind buying random cds for a giggle, you should buy this cd. If you're looking for some answer to the grand design and what this all means, ya might want to Press Stop.
Anyway, when I saw all the guest appearances on this cd, I said, "Wow! Oh yeah! I've gotta do this!" Avant (love), Shawna (ehh), Big Boi (oh yeah! love 'kast), Ciara (yes), Christina (yes), Brandy, Pussycat Doll Nicole long last name, Nas, Cee-lo (Goodie Mo-b!), Mary J, Keyshia Cole (helps me let out my inner ghetto fab), Jamie Foxx, Timbaland, Twista. I mean, oh my! That's a lot of names and most of them are folk I can really get down with! I'm there!
Then I listened. The intro made me giggle. Blatant unwaranted cockiness a la typical Diddy. Its to be expected. "The Future" was out of control! Same vein. Only one of the first 5 songs have features. Diddy. Come on. Bring em already. What are you waiting for? The Pcat Dolls song? Its cool but its actually more intriguing with the video to accompany it.
AOL Music picked "Tell Me" f/X-tina as the best song on the album. Uh... not sure why. They always choose the expected song, though. Come on. Get it together. AOL Music, let ME tell you which song is the best on the cd. I'll drop that hot fiyah knowledge on ya! But you have to pay me.
Moving on. "Diddy Rock" has a hot beat but DON'T SING! PLEASE DON'T SING! Seriously. And don't talk abt your mom. Because it makes me want to make jokes. The blonde hair? Gotta go. The black Donatella Versace look is not sexy. The crazy makeup, gaudy attire. Diddy!! Send your mom to a stylist you know will make her look good. You moved from your shiny suit man! phase and all the baggy attire to never steppin out without looking like you belong on the cover of a magazine!
I digress. On "Diddy Rock" you go on to talk about claming your place... I hope you don't mean as a singer or rapper... You say you can make people feel good.. true. You say "I believe I can do anything..." I hope you mean other than sing, rap or dance. Because if you do, that's probably true. But you should leave those three to the experts. We love you for it Diddy, seriously. And the thanks mid-cd is quite bizarre. While we're on the subject of thanks, can we do away with the current trend to add thanks as the last song? Raheem Devaughn did this, as did Lupe Fiasco and it annoys me! Especially Lupe. His joint was a good 4 minutes long!!!! Hey guys! Can you not? If I want to know, I'll read the liner notes!!!
Now let's get to some of these guest appearances and the rest of the cd. "Special" was absolutely a stolen Mike J beat. Very 80s. At first I wasn't sure I was ready to go that route, techno, electronica, etc. though I know Stace loves it. The more I listened, though, I found myself wiggling in the seat, heading toward the center of my living room to shake it. Wait! Damn me. Lol.
I don't remember the name of the song that had Big Boi and Ciara on it but I knew it would be the joint! Knew it. Wrong. How you have Big Boi AND Ciara on a song and it bores me? Doesn't make me want to get out of my seat? Get outta here Diddy.
"After Love." At the end, he got me when he said, "I just wanna end this conversation on a good note. I love you very much." AWWWWWWW! The bf says that to me all the time! Its so adorable. It also made me say, "Damn you Diddy!!!!" He know good and well I've been rootin for him to get back with JLo. They were my fave couple ever! Loved it. Esp. now that they've left behind the hood-rich clothing and now look chic, you know y'all love each other!!!!! Sigh.
"Thru the Pain" f/Mario Williams (sounded like Mario Winans to me, but that's what AOL Music said)... FAVE SONG. I think b/c there was more Mario than Diddy. No I know. "Thought You Said" f/Brandy I liked also b/c again, very little Diddy. The speeding up at the end? A little too odd for me. I'll pass on that. Thanks.
That was as far as I got. So what did we learn from this. One. Diddy can't do it all. Two. Less Diddy = Better Song. Three. It's time for another cd with you only in the background doing your Diddy thing producing, etc. Three A. It'd be REAALLY great if you'd come out with a cd w/all these fab people everyone wants to hear with all of your great producers WITHOUT YOU ON IT! I'd really love that Diddy. And I'd tell everyone to buy it. I really would. Four. If you like a good laugh and don't mind buying random cds for a giggle, you should buy this cd. If you're looking for some answer to the grand design and what this all means, ya might want to Press Stop.
memories
I'm at work eating Fruity Pebbles and drinking Hot Chocolate with mini marshmallows and wearing my cowboy boots. I feel like a kid again. I just wish my life was carefree like it used to be.
10.25.2006
Panna Cotta
So on Friday I tried to tell ya'll what I was making this past weekend. It had all kinds of links and definitions, as usual but damn Blogger ate it. Bastard. I put a lot of time into it when I should have been doing some job related verbal ass kickin. Anywho. I made some panna cotta. What is that you say? Its a dessert, and as you already know dessert is my favorite meal. Panna cotta is Italian for cooked cream. You know since I went to Italy I think I know something now, hahah. So here's the Wik's definition. Not a very pretty picture of it, like this one. I was inspired to make this because I saw it on a few cooking shows and in some magazines. So I made mine, it looked similar to the Wik's. If I had a fancier mold it probably would have looked better. I used a tea cup. If I knew how to post pictures I would show ya'll how it came out. So to describe its taste and texture, its an eggless custard, that is kinda dense and really rich, to me it tastes like creme brulee. Its very creamy and can be frozen like ice cream, I think Haggen Daaz has one.
Here's my recipe. I made it up, since I usually will take several different recipes for something and combined them to make my own concoction. I don't remeber the measurements so I'll just make them up. I suggest if you want to make this that you find another recipe.
Panna Cotta
2 c Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 c Milk
1 packet of Gelatin
1/4 c Brown Sugar
1 c White Sugar
1 cap full Lemon Juice
Pour milk over gelatin and set aside to dissolve.
Spray non-stick cooking spray in 8 four ounce ramekins, or whatever type of container you have, i used tea cups.
Pour sugars and heavy cream in a pot over medium heat until it simmers. Stir constantly. Add lemon juice. Remove from heat. Add gelatin/milk mixture, stir until well incorporated. Put back over low heat for a few minutes. Pour into greased remekins. And refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.
Once firm, use a knife to go around the edge to loosen, and then turn the ramekin over on to a plate, remove ramekin. Drizzle with sauce. Sauce recipe below.
Variations: you may add berries, or any types of fruits or flavorings.
Sauce
1/2 c jelly- any flavor ( i used grape, boysenberry, and raspberry)
2 caps lemon juice
1/8 c sugar
Put all ingrediants in a microwave safe dish, stir, then put in microwave for 1 minute or until everything melts.
Drizzle over panna cottas.
Here's my recipe. I made it up, since I usually will take several different recipes for something and combined them to make my own concoction. I don't remeber the measurements so I'll just make them up. I suggest if you want to make this that you find another recipe.
Panna Cotta
2 c Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 c Milk
1 packet of Gelatin
1/4 c Brown Sugar
1 c White Sugar
1 cap full Lemon Juice
Pour milk over gelatin and set aside to dissolve.
Spray non-stick cooking spray in 8 four ounce ramekins, or whatever type of container you have, i used tea cups.
Pour sugars and heavy cream in a pot over medium heat until it simmers. Stir constantly. Add lemon juice. Remove from heat. Add gelatin/milk mixture, stir until well incorporated. Put back over low heat for a few minutes. Pour into greased remekins. And refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.
Once firm, use a knife to go around the edge to loosen, and then turn the ramekin over on to a plate, remove ramekin. Drizzle with sauce. Sauce recipe below.
Variations: you may add berries, or any types of fruits or flavorings.
Sauce
1/2 c jelly- any flavor ( i used grape, boysenberry, and raspberry)
2 caps lemon juice
1/8 c sugar
Put all ingrediants in a microwave safe dish, stir, then put in microwave for 1 minute or until everything melts.
Drizzle over panna cottas.
10.22.2006
Shoes
Get some animal print ones not now, but RIGHT now!! Preferably leopard/cheetah. I never thought I'd be advocating any of the big cats in a fashion sense but I am an accessory lady first. One time when I was sick and missed class, my spanish teacher was like, "where is Stace? You know, the one with all the hats?" Then there are my scarves. I LOVE scarves!! I'm a firm believer that accessories make the outfit. I am the type to wear a white racerback tank, some jeans and the fiercest shoes/purse/belt. Throw in a scarf or hat; sometimes both a la Alicia Keys... and I'm good. Actually, more so the shoes, scarf and purse; I've been slippin in my belt pimpin but I digress.
No I don't.
I was at the hair dresser on Friday morning (gotta get right before school) when I recognized one of the old ladies from my church. Waving, I got a blank look back. Okay...Alzheimer's acting up...I understand. She looked at my feet and looked back at my face. Then the recognition hit her like a ton of bricks. No lie, she exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! Chile, I didn't recognize you without some fancy shoes on! (I had on flip flops...it was 9am). Ms. Jewel proceeded to tell the earlybird salon patrons and the stylists how I have the most wonderful shoe collection. "You didn't think I was looking did you? Especially when you walk up to Communion, that's when I get a good look! After service too!"
Ummm, aren't you supposed to be focused on taking in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? I really digress now.
The leopard print pumps...not mules, not strappy stilettos but PUMPS, have been all over InStyle for the past two or three issues and I am soooo pissed I have no money to cop some RIGHT now before someone at FAM gets a wind of it...
When you get your pumps, they can be peep-toe, they can be platform; peep-toe platform are the rage and, I'll let you get a slingback in. They are especially at their banginest (thx Ashli) when there's a hint of color. Red is the rave and looks good with most animal print (I so don't see it with pony, cow, or giraffe). I still want a knee length, zebra print spring jacket to wear with some red pumps, while carrying a red umbrella, and rocking a red scarf...I don't even like red. Turquoise... I'm seeing a peep-toe leopard print pump trimmed in turq leather and with tiny satin turquoise bows going up the back of the shoe. Oooh, with a khaki pencil skirt and dark chocolate brown boatneck sweater. Of course you'll have your turquoise scarf tied in the best Nicole Richie fashion (or whever accessory floats your boat to bring everything together) . Very 50s chic.
Anyway, its not really a forecast but it is good fashion. I'm setting you free to get some animal print pumps! Go!
P.S. for those of you who read InStyle, I had brocade pumps last fall. Steve Madden looks out for me and I'm looking out for you! Leopard print! Go! Brocade! Go!
No I don't.
I was at the hair dresser on Friday morning (gotta get right before school) when I recognized one of the old ladies from my church. Waving, I got a blank look back. Okay...Alzheimer's acting up...I understand. She looked at my feet and looked back at my face. Then the recognition hit her like a ton of bricks. No lie, she exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! Chile, I didn't recognize you without some fancy shoes on! (I had on flip flops...it was 9am). Ms. Jewel proceeded to tell the earlybird salon patrons and the stylists how I have the most wonderful shoe collection. "You didn't think I was looking did you? Especially when you walk up to Communion, that's when I get a good look! After service too!"
Ummm, aren't you supposed to be focused on taking in the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? I really digress now.
The leopard print pumps...not mules, not strappy stilettos but PUMPS, have been all over InStyle for the past two or three issues and I am soooo pissed I have no money to cop some RIGHT now before someone at FAM gets a wind of it...
When you get your pumps, they can be peep-toe, they can be platform; peep-toe platform are the rage and, I'll let you get a slingback in. They are especially at their banginest (thx Ashli) when there's a hint of color. Red is the rave and looks good with most animal print (I so don't see it with pony, cow, or giraffe). I still want a knee length, zebra print spring jacket to wear with some red pumps, while carrying a red umbrella, and rocking a red scarf...I don't even like red. Turquoise... I'm seeing a peep-toe leopard print pump trimmed in turq leather and with tiny satin turquoise bows going up the back of the shoe. Oooh, with a khaki pencil skirt and dark chocolate brown boatneck sweater. Of course you'll have your turquoise scarf tied in the best Nicole Richie fashion (or whever accessory floats your boat to bring everything together) . Very 50s chic.
Anyway, its not really a forecast but it is good fashion. I'm setting you free to get some animal print pumps! Go!
P.S. for those of you who read InStyle, I had brocade pumps last fall. Steve Madden looks out for me and I'm looking out for you! Leopard print! Go! Brocade! Go!
10.20.2006
Cheese Balls
What ever happened to those Planters cheese balls that came in a blue canister with the yellow top? Those were the banginest cheese puffs ever. Anybody know where to find them, let me know.
10.19.2006
My First Pierogie
So... pierogies are a big deal here in Pittsburgh. They're Polish food. Everyone knows what they are and grew up eating them. Its a pastry pocket filled with mashed potatoes. I didn't describe that well. Ok potato puree.
At the Pirates games, there are pierogie races. There are these people dressed up as giant pierogies and they race from the outfield to home plate along the hometeam side. And you pick which one you want to cheer for. Its hilarious.
So there's a Polish guy I work with (in a European sense, we have the most diverse work room. I work with Portuguese, Slovakian, Croatian, Polish, Italian people and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head) and he brought me some pierogies this week. I was kind of scared because I'd bought some frozen ones. Then everyone told me the frozen ones are gross. So I had my first pierogie, made my a church lady on Tuesday... it was delicious! Cheers to pierogies and to Pittsburgh for having lots of different cuisines and to food network for making me adventurous with food!! YAY!!
Oh yeah... I went to a place called Sharp Edge Bistro with my coworkers last week. I had the Belgian Burger. The description: tender lamb blended with fresh ground beef, minced shallot and crumbled bacon topped with smoked gouda cheese and stone ground mustard sauce. Sounds delicious right? Ehh... it was ok. The burger was a little dry. I love burgers. They're one of my favorite foods. And I love cheeses, too. The cheese, mustard and bacon were all good, it was the burger that was lacking. Quite sad. And here I was poised to go back there again. Oh well. So much for that thought. But its nice to try some Pittsburgh food. We'll be trying a new place once a month for lunch.
At the Pirates games, there are pierogie races. There are these people dressed up as giant pierogies and they race from the outfield to home plate along the hometeam side. And you pick which one you want to cheer for. Its hilarious.
So there's a Polish guy I work with (in a European sense, we have the most diverse work room. I work with Portuguese, Slovakian, Croatian, Polish, Italian people and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head) and he brought me some pierogies this week. I was kind of scared because I'd bought some frozen ones. Then everyone told me the frozen ones are gross. So I had my first pierogie, made my a church lady on Tuesday... it was delicious! Cheers to pierogies and to Pittsburgh for having lots of different cuisines and to food network for making me adventurous with food!! YAY!!
Oh yeah... I went to a place called Sharp Edge Bistro with my coworkers last week. I had the Belgian Burger. The description: tender lamb blended with fresh ground beef, minced shallot and crumbled bacon topped with smoked gouda cheese and stone ground mustard sauce. Sounds delicious right? Ehh... it was ok. The burger was a little dry. I love burgers. They're one of my favorite foods. And I love cheeses, too. The cheese, mustard and bacon were all good, it was the burger that was lacking. Quite sad. And here I was poised to go back there again. Oh well. So much for that thought. But its nice to try some Pittsburgh food. We'll be trying a new place once a month for lunch.
10.18.2006
The Return
Ruben Studdard's latest album. I like it. He was on the TJMS this morn and Tom played snippets of each track. it's not like the first one which was obviously rushed. Ruben explained that American Idol is a beast after the season is over. He had to go on a 55 city tour and was demanded to spit out an LP for the fans of the Velvet Teddybear. I didn't hear the first one but the tracks they released for the airwaves, I was not impressed and borderline pissed.
So they call it The Return and he says its his return to mainstream music. Did you know in between his first LP and The Return, he had a #1 Gospel album? Being from Birmingham, he had to do something for the people he came from. Whatever the case, Ruben's latest is something I think I want...and I usually don't buy into popular music. His voice has matured into a smoother version of what he was before and if you like &/or miss Luther, get this CD. He sounds JUST like him!!!! Of course, he has a Luther track on there; probably my FAVORITE Luther song, If Only for One Night. I kinda get upset when these new Thundercats come and sometimes mess up my classics. So not the case. He DID this song and he did it RIGHT!
The opening track, 'The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)' made my ears perk up and actually listen. I actually said, "uh-oh! let me find out about Ruben!"
Change Me, I don't like too much. It reminds me of that horrible '2004' song. This time, he's whining about something and just lists things in a melodic nature. No thanks.
Make Ya Feel Beautiful is presh as is Our Story. I really like Our Story and Rube said it's one of his favorites on this LP.
The two 'party' tracks on here (Get U Loose and What the Business Is) are reminiscent of Musiq Solchild's Just Listen. Remember in Fall 2000 when that song would come on and everybody just gets a good feeling as they two step with a total stranger? That is the ideal houseparty song! But back to Ruben. Those tracks also remind me of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 'Before I Let You Go' as well. Grab a partner and step!
Now Ruben is a love song artist. His last album's lyrical content drove me up the wall. Although I couldn't hear entire songs, I wasn't turned off by what I heard.
I don't remember the names or characteristics of the other tracks, I was honestly taken by the Luther track and couldn't believe how much like him he sounded. Plus, his personality is amazing. He's amiable and grateful. Love it!
So they call it The Return and he says its his return to mainstream music. Did you know in between his first LP and The Return, he had a #1 Gospel album? Being from Birmingham, he had to do something for the people he came from. Whatever the case, Ruben's latest is something I think I want...and I usually don't buy into popular music. His voice has matured into a smoother version of what he was before and if you like &/or miss Luther, get this CD. He sounds JUST like him!!!! Of course, he has a Luther track on there; probably my FAVORITE Luther song, If Only for One Night. I kinda get upset when these new Thundercats come and sometimes mess up my classics. So not the case. He DID this song and he did it RIGHT!
The opening track, 'The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)' made my ears perk up and actually listen. I actually said, "uh-oh! let me find out about Ruben!"
Change Me, I don't like too much. It reminds me of that horrible '2004' song. This time, he's whining about something and just lists things in a melodic nature. No thanks.
Make Ya Feel Beautiful is presh as is Our Story. I really like Our Story and Rube said it's one of his favorites on this LP.
The two 'party' tracks on here (Get U Loose and What the Business Is) are reminiscent of Musiq Solchild's Just Listen. Remember in Fall 2000 when that song would come on and everybody just gets a good feeling as they two step with a total stranger? That is the ideal houseparty song! But back to Ruben. Those tracks also remind me of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 'Before I Let You Go' as well. Grab a partner and step!
Now Ruben is a love song artist. His last album's lyrical content drove me up the wall. Although I couldn't hear entire songs, I wasn't turned off by what I heard.
I don't remember the names or characteristics of the other tracks, I was honestly taken by the Luther track and couldn't believe how much like him he sounded. Plus, his personality is amazing. He's amiable and grateful. Love it!
10.16.2006
Guess who cooked dinner?
It is I! The menu: meatloaf, haricots verts ((pronounced hair-i-cos vair)), and garlic new potatoes. In simple terms: meatloaf, skinny green beans and little potatoes with the red skins.
meatloaf
ground pork
ground beef
italian bread crumbs
oregano, salt, pepper
one egg (to hold it together)
salsa (for moisture)
diced onion
diced mushrooms
minced garlic
Combine, put in oven for about 25 minutes on 350.
haricots verts
long, skinny green beans
butter
olive oil
minced garlic
salt and pepper
Melt butter in skillet with olive oil. Throw in the green beans. Cover to let them steam with the butter and olive oil. You'll want to turn them a couple of times so they get coated in the butter, olive oil and garlic mixture. This only takes about 5 minutes. You don't want them to be overcooked.
garlic new potatoes
baby red skinned potatoes, quartered or halved (depending on size)
butter
salt and pepper
minced garlic
Boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes, drain, return to hot pot, add butter, salt, pepper and garlic, toss to coat.
**Notes: To finish cooking everything at the same time, chop everything first, combine meat, put meatloaf in oven, then start cooking the potatoes. When you have about five minutes left on the meatloaf, put your beans on, then drain the potatoes and season.
meatloaf
ground pork
ground beef
italian bread crumbs
oregano, salt, pepper
one egg (to hold it together)
salsa (for moisture)
diced onion
diced mushrooms
minced garlic
Combine, put in oven for about 25 minutes on 350.
haricots verts
long, skinny green beans
butter
olive oil
minced garlic
salt and pepper
Melt butter in skillet with olive oil. Throw in the green beans. Cover to let them steam with the butter and olive oil. You'll want to turn them a couple of times so they get coated in the butter, olive oil and garlic mixture. This only takes about 5 minutes. You don't want them to be overcooked.
garlic new potatoes
baby red skinned potatoes, quartered or halved (depending on size)
butter
salt and pepper
minced garlic
Boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes, drain, return to hot pot, add butter, salt, pepper and garlic, toss to coat.
**Notes: To finish cooking everything at the same time, chop everything first, combine meat, put meatloaf in oven, then start cooking the potatoes. When you have about five minutes left on the meatloaf, put your beans on, then drain the potatoes and season.
10.13.2006
Designer Water
As you may or may not know, I don't like water. I don't like to drink it, not too fond of swimming in it (mess up my hair?! Yeah, right) and on and on. However, everytime I go to the hospital, I get an IV because I'm dehydrated. When I was sick, among my list of things to do was, "stay hydrated. drink water and other fluids". I'd ignore the water part and fill up on Gatorade.
So we know how I am about my hair but we don't know how I am about my skin. Its horrible. Well I'm being extremely hard on myself right now but I think its so blotchy, blemish-y, greasy, porous, etc. I mean, I was on benzoyl peroxide before it was over the counter (now its clean and clear persa-gel). When at Hampton, I didn't go to class for a week because of a bad flare up (I later found it was an allergic reaction to something I ate). I cried sooooo hard to my mom one night, "Mommy, I'm so ugly! You should see my skin! *wailing* I don't want to go anywhere!!" She thought maybe it was the was HU's water. I mean, my skin has never been so bad I didn't want to go anywhere! In highschool, I just took my senior pictures a year later so my allergic reaction to Mary Kay would have faded, you know? Whatever the case, I start washing my face with bottled water. Nothing. Still ugly. Pops got me a prescription for doxycycline. An antibiotic that attacks the germs causing my breakouts. On top of that, take some vitamin E caps in addition to your multi-vit. It works for a while but my skin is still acting up!
So what would you do if you have bad skin andn you've tried everything from pro-active to clinique's 3 step, to actual prescription medication, to body shop's tea tree line, to oil of olay to clean and clear to toners and astringents and oil free moisturizers and gel mositurizers and on and on on??? Step your water game up right? I can't. Till I found something pleasing to my eye.
I drink Fiji bottled water. Maybe its a mind thing. I actually feel good when I drink this water and as a result, I drink more. Don't laugh when I say this but the bottle has a palm frond and hibiscus on it! The water looks sooooo clear! Its bottled where this is no air pollution! Its Artesian!!!! No? (hangs head)
Well not only Fiji but S. Pellegrino water...in the green glass bottle. The bottle is only 8oz and way more expensive than anyone's GALLON of water but I like green (sheepish). And its a glass bottle! No?? (hangs head)
Next on my list, Voss. I saw it at somebody's nightclub and wanted it immediately.
I think I'm starting to like this water thing!
So we know how I am about my hair but we don't know how I am about my skin. Its horrible. Well I'm being extremely hard on myself right now but I think its so blotchy, blemish-y, greasy, porous, etc. I mean, I was on benzoyl peroxide before it was over the counter (now its clean and clear persa-gel). When at Hampton, I didn't go to class for a week because of a bad flare up (I later found it was an allergic reaction to something I ate). I cried sooooo hard to my mom one night, "Mommy, I'm so ugly! You should see my skin! *wailing* I don't want to go anywhere!!" She thought maybe it was the was HU's water. I mean, my skin has never been so bad I didn't want to go anywhere! In highschool, I just took my senior pictures a year later so my allergic reaction to Mary Kay would have faded, you know? Whatever the case, I start washing my face with bottled water. Nothing. Still ugly. Pops got me a prescription for doxycycline. An antibiotic that attacks the germs causing my breakouts. On top of that, take some vitamin E caps in addition to your multi-vit. It works for a while but my skin is still acting up!
So what would you do if you have bad skin andn you've tried everything from pro-active to clinique's 3 step, to actual prescription medication, to body shop's tea tree line, to oil of olay to clean and clear to toners and astringents and oil free moisturizers and gel mositurizers and on and on on??? Step your water game up right? I can't. Till I found something pleasing to my eye.
I drink Fiji bottled water. Maybe its a mind thing. I actually feel good when I drink this water and as a result, I drink more. Don't laugh when I say this but the bottle has a palm frond and hibiscus on it! The water looks sooooo clear! Its bottled where this is no air pollution! Its Artesian!!!! No? (hangs head)
Well not only Fiji but S. Pellegrino water...in the green glass bottle. The bottle is only 8oz and way more expensive than anyone's GALLON of water but I like green (sheepish). And its a glass bottle! No?? (hangs head)
Next on my list, Voss. I saw it at somebody's nightclub and wanted it immediately.
I think I'm starting to like this water thing!
Paula's Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole
This is some nasty shit right here. Look at what Paula did. You'll probably stop after reading the ingrediants, maybe you stopped after the title. Some things just shouldn't go together. I'm actually surprised that Paula is still alive, all the butter she uses. As you can see, she doesn't mention how much to use in this recipe, she just says BUTTER. On her new show they made a sculpture of her head made out of butter. Thats just nasty.
Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole
Butter
12 slices white bread
8 large slices deli ham
4 bananas, sliced on the bias
2 cups shredded Cheddar
2 cups crushed potato chips
6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly
ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9 by 13 glass baking dish. Butter both sides of the bread and layer 6 of them into the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping them as necessary but keep them even. Layer the slices of ham on top of the bread and then the bananas, 6 more slices of bread, then the cheese, potato chips, and bacon. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour this over the casserole almost to the top. Bake for 45 minutes until brown and bubbly. Cut into squares and remove with a spatula, like lasagna.
Please note that I have never made this, nor will I ever, unless I am trying to commit suicide. Therefore I do not recommend this recipe.
Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole
Butter
12 slices white bread
8 large slices deli ham
4 bananas, sliced on the bias
2 cups shredded Cheddar
2 cups crushed potato chips
6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly
ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9 by 13 glass baking dish. Butter both sides of the bread and layer 6 of them into the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping them as necessary but keep them even. Layer the slices of ham on top of the bread and then the bananas, 6 more slices of bread, then the cheese, potato chips, and bacon. In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour this over the casserole almost to the top. Bake for 45 minutes until brown and bubbly. Cut into squares and remove with a spatula, like lasagna.
Please note that I have never made this, nor will I ever, unless I am trying to commit suicide. Therefore I do not recommend this recipe.
Gala Menu
So I went to a gala this past weekend. I promised I would show ya'll the menu:
Once we arrived at the museum, we were greeted at the door with an open bar and Hors d'œuvre: hoisin beef skewers (sounded like the guy said poison beef; really just beef on a stick with sauce); Maine lobster salad on a tiny piece of toast (which will now be referred to as a toastet); pecan crusted chicken with a Cajun remoulade (really just a Cajun mayonaise) also on a toastet; goat cheese and granny smith apple on a toastet. Everything was pretty tasty, my favorite was the lobster, and the goat cheese apple thing. Had my two vodka tonics. Guys I’m allergic to vodka. This has been going on for a while now, I just didn’t realize till someone pointed out the symptoms of being allergic to alcohol. Nothing too serious, I just get a stuffy nose every time I drink. Immediately, like within the first two sips. Of course it hasn’t stopped me from drinking.
After the cocktail hour, it was time for dinner. First course is a mixed field green salad, grilled plum tomato with a balsamic vinaigrette and a goat cheese strudel (goat cheese in puff pastry). Second course, filet mignon and grilled halibut, haricot verts (string beans), and mashed potatoes. Potatoes tasted instant. I don’t do instant. For dessert, chocolate ganache with coconut chantilly (really a macaroon embedded in the ganache), with raspberry and mango coulis (fruit puree drizzled all over the plate) and fresh whipped cream, served with truffles, coffee and cordials. I had Bailey's in my coffee. I love love love dessert, and that was the bootiest dessert ever. I really don’t like chocolate, unless it’s a man, and I don’t really get down with coconut. Two thumbs down for that dessert.
All in all the food was alright. Glad it wasn't my $500. Pay me that much and my meal would be off the meat rack.
Once we arrived at the museum, we were greeted at the door with an open bar and Hors d'œuvre: hoisin beef skewers (sounded like the guy said poison beef; really just beef on a stick with sauce); Maine lobster salad on a tiny piece of toast (which will now be referred to as a toastet); pecan crusted chicken with a Cajun remoulade (really just a Cajun mayonaise) also on a toastet; goat cheese and granny smith apple on a toastet. Everything was pretty tasty, my favorite was the lobster, and the goat cheese apple thing. Had my two vodka tonics. Guys I’m allergic to vodka. This has been going on for a while now, I just didn’t realize till someone pointed out the symptoms of being allergic to alcohol. Nothing too serious, I just get a stuffy nose every time I drink. Immediately, like within the first two sips. Of course it hasn’t stopped me from drinking.
After the cocktail hour, it was time for dinner. First course is a mixed field green salad, grilled plum tomato with a balsamic vinaigrette and a goat cheese strudel (goat cheese in puff pastry). Second course, filet mignon and grilled halibut, haricot verts (string beans), and mashed potatoes. Potatoes tasted instant. I don’t do instant. For dessert, chocolate ganache with coconut chantilly (really a macaroon embedded in the ganache), with raspberry and mango coulis (fruit puree drizzled all over the plate) and fresh whipped cream, served with truffles, coffee and cordials. I had Bailey's in my coffee. I love love love dessert, and that was the bootiest dessert ever. I really don’t like chocolate, unless it’s a man, and I don’t really get down with coconut. Two thumbs down for that dessert.
All in all the food was alright. Glad it wasn't my $500. Pay me that much and my meal would be off the meat rack.
10.12.2006
Chicken and Stuffing Bake
This has become one of my FAVORITE things to eat!!! I repeat, FAVORITE! Total comfort food!
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
I'm a dark meat person and use thighs.
Plus I leave the bone in and the skin on
4 slices of Swiss cheese
provolone girl here
6.8oz pkg of Chicken Helper chicken & stuffing
4oz sliced mushrooms, drained
hot water
2 tbsp of butter or margarine
Heat oven to 375. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with half of your mushrooms, then slices of cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mushrooms and stuffing
I seasoned my chicken with your basic s&p, garlic powder, and thyme before adding the aformentioned ingredients
Mix 1.5 cups of hot water and the seasoning mix; pour over stuffing. Stir 1 cup of hot water and gravy mix with whisk until smooth; pour over mixture in dish. Melt butter; drizzle over mixture.
I added dried parsely to my butter while it was melting on the stove. Stirred it around a bit then drizzled it over the dish.
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
I'm a dark meat person and use thighs.
Plus I leave the bone in and the skin on
4 slices of Swiss cheese
provolone girl here
6.8oz pkg of Chicken Helper chicken & stuffing
4oz sliced mushrooms, drained
hot water
2 tbsp of butter or margarine
Heat oven to 375. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with half of your mushrooms, then slices of cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mushrooms and stuffing
I seasoned my chicken with your basic s&p, garlic powder, and thyme before adding the aformentioned ingredients
Mix 1.5 cups of hot water and the seasoning mix; pour over stuffing. Stir 1 cup of hot water and gravy mix with whisk until smooth; pour over mixture in dish. Melt butter; drizzle over mixture.
I added dried parsely to my butter while it was melting on the stove. Stirred it around a bit then drizzled it over the dish.
Cover and bake 20 min. Uncover and bake 15-20 min longer or until top is golden brown and the juice of the chicken is no longer pink in the thickest parts.
Serve with crisp green salad and buttermilk biscuits for real comfort food and since the oven is still hot, whip up some brownies for dessert. Hmmmmm!
Smoked Salmon Spread
8 oz. bar of cream cheese
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 tsp. horseradish sauce
fresh dill
4 oz. smoked salmon, diced
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients. Serve in a bowl with crusty baguette or crackers.
Simple yet elegant. And yummy (unless you're Ashli, who felt slightly ill at the first word of the title). As seen on "Barefoot Contessa" with Ina Garten. Don't ask me about the name. I don't get it either. She says use Norwegian salmon if you can find it because its drier and slightly less salty.
This episode also included a super strong long island iced tea. I think that drink was created by a 10 year old boy, but if you must...
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 tsp. horseradish sauce
fresh dill
4 oz. smoked salmon, diced
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients. Serve in a bowl with crusty baguette or crackers.
Simple yet elegant. And yummy (unless you're Ashli, who felt slightly ill at the first word of the title). As seen on "Barefoot Contessa" with Ina Garten. Don't ask me about the name. I don't get it either. She says use Norwegian salmon if you can find it because its drier and slightly less salty.
This episode also included a super strong long island iced tea. I think that drink was created by a 10 year old boy, but if you must...
10.10.2006
is this real??? i'm not sure
This is sad, and unfortunately true. You can click on the link at the bottom of the page to read more about these little girls.
What does it mean for Black America that a hate preaching music duo could debut on the Billboard albums chart? This week, the Billboard albums chart's top five is packed with nothing but new releases, with Bakersfield, CA Pop duo Prussian Blue shocking the nation by taking ..4 after selling 91, 000 copies of "End of A Black World" its first week out. The album is also serving as the soundtrack to a remake of one of the most controversial movies in U.S. history "Birth Of A Nation". "End of A Black World" is the third and most successful album for 12 and 13 year old Lamb and Lynx, who have recently relocated to a private compound in Salt Lake City, Utah after their last album gained them national attention and death threats. The girls were lost, especially in December of 2005 when their father was shot twice by an AME Minister. However, their father survived and their career was revived by what seems to be an unfathomable paradigm shift in American values. "It really breaks my heart to see those two girls spewing out that kind of garbage, " said Ted Shaw, civil rights advocate and president of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. "Right now I am more so shocked that an album advocating the extermination of the black race could be so widely received by America, " continued Shaw, who plans to protest the girls' album and call for black artists to boycott Billboard. Jessie Jackson of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition gave the following statement, "White America has spoken. Billboard has spoken. This is only the beginning." The beginning is just what Lynx and Lamb, who have been nurtured on racist beliefs since birth by their mother April, are hoping for. "We hope to bring about change in our people, " said Lamb. "We hope that our album and 'Birth Of A Nation' will show our people exactly what needs to be done to make this country safe and white." When asked about their inspiration for their latest efforts, Lynx gave this response. "I saw white people hating white people. I was afraid that America wanted to be black, " said Lynx. "I saw that funny nigger's show where he made a mockery of the KKK and white people were laughing. This broke my heart." Lynx was speaking of Actor/Comedian Dave Chapelle and his comic sketch depicting a blind, African American, Ku Klux Klan leader who was unaware that he was not white. Dave Chapelle is also believed to be the inspiration of their single, "Funny Nigger, " which describes the gruesome fate of blacks who taunt whites. Dave Chapelle was not available for comment.
Prussian Blue appear to have gone from one of America's dirty little secrets to Pop princesses overnight. The group is now fielding offers from major record labels such as MGM and Geffen. This may be only the beginning.
Track Listing for "End Of A Black World"
1) Dawn of A New White World
2) Birth Of A Nation
3) Purest Soul
4) Tainted Blood
5) Affirmative Blaction
6) Reggin & Ekik
7) The Cleansing (interlude)
8) Short Drop and A Quick Stop
9) Burning Cross
10) N.A.A.C.P. (Niggers Against A Colorless People)
11) Funny Rich Nigger
12) Crack Babies
13) Nigger Lovers
14) No Darkie In Me
15) End Of A Black World
16) Hess' Praye
Also check the link to the abc news story http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id...
What does it mean for Black America that a hate preaching music duo could debut on the Billboard albums chart? This week, the Billboard albums chart's top five is packed with nothing but new releases, with Bakersfield, CA Pop duo Prussian Blue shocking the nation by taking ..4 after selling 91, 000 copies of "End of A Black World" its first week out. The album is also serving as the soundtrack to a remake of one of the most controversial movies in U.S. history "Birth Of A Nation". "End of A Black World" is the third and most successful album for 12 and 13 year old Lamb and Lynx, who have recently relocated to a private compound in Salt Lake City, Utah after their last album gained them national attention and death threats. The girls were lost, especially in December of 2005 when their father was shot twice by an AME Minister. However, their father survived and their career was revived by what seems to be an unfathomable paradigm shift in American values. "It really breaks my heart to see those two girls spewing out that kind of garbage, " said Ted Shaw, civil rights advocate and president of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. "Right now I am more so shocked that an album advocating the extermination of the black race could be so widely received by America, " continued Shaw, who plans to protest the girls' album and call for black artists to boycott Billboard. Jessie Jackson of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition gave the following statement, "White America has spoken. Billboard has spoken. This is only the beginning." The beginning is just what Lynx and Lamb, who have been nurtured on racist beliefs since birth by their mother April, are hoping for. "We hope to bring about change in our people, " said Lamb. "We hope that our album and 'Birth Of A Nation' will show our people exactly what needs to be done to make this country safe and white." When asked about their inspiration for their latest efforts, Lynx gave this response. "I saw white people hating white people. I was afraid that America wanted to be black, " said Lynx. "I saw that funny nigger's show where he made a mockery of the KKK and white people were laughing. This broke my heart." Lynx was speaking of Actor/Comedian Dave Chapelle and his comic sketch depicting a blind, African American, Ku Klux Klan leader who was unaware that he was not white. Dave Chapelle is also believed to be the inspiration of their single, "Funny Nigger, " which describes the gruesome fate of blacks who taunt whites. Dave Chapelle was not available for comment.
Prussian Blue appear to have gone from one of America's dirty little secrets to Pop princesses overnight. The group is now fielding offers from major record labels such as MGM and Geffen. This may be only the beginning.
Track Listing for "End Of A Black World"
1) Dawn of A New White World
2) Birth Of A Nation
3) Purest Soul
4) Tainted Blood
5) Affirmative Blaction
6) Reggin & Ekik
7) The Cleansing (interlude)
8) Short Drop and A Quick Stop
9) Burning Cross
10) N.A.A.C.P. (Niggers Against A Colorless People)
11) Funny Rich Nigger
12) Crack Babies
13) Nigger Lovers
14) No Darkie In Me
15) End Of A Black World
16) Hess' Praye
Also check the link to the abc news story http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id...
ear to the street
why does jay-z have a new single? can he please retire? that's devious! making everybdy think you're retiring so your album and concert sales would be record breaking. i really don't like him for that. i never liked him that much (I did respect though) but now i think he's just plain sneaky.
I haven't watched tv since aug 20 something... not a happy camper cause I feel like I'm missing out on some videos...
Camp Lo's new LP is fire. I missed them. Their off the wall lyrics (think GFK) are refreshing. Remember Luchini? and Sky Box? What are they saying????
Lupe Fiasco is fire. We first heard (in a mass production way) on Late Registration. Eh, not blown away. Cute but nothing serious. About 6 weeks ago, I heard his mix tape, Chi Town Guevara Mix Tape, DJ Envy Presents Lupe Fiasco...enthralled. At the risk of sounding corny, he's "what the game's been missing". A muslim, Lupe doesn't buy into the "foolishness" of liquor and women and other sinful temptations. But, as a person, he does recognize
I had a Geto Boy bop,
a Jay-Z boycott
cause he said that he never prayed to God,
he prayed to Gotti
I'm thinkin', golly,
God guard me from the ungodly
But by my 30th watchin' of
the Streets Is Watching
I was back to give him props again
And that was botherin',
'bout as uncomfortable
as an untouchable touchin' you
The theme songs that niggas hustle to
seem wrong but these songs was comin' true
and it was all becomin' cool
I found a condom on the ground that johns would cum into
and thought what constitutes a prostitute
is the pursuit of profit; then they drop it
The homie in a suit pat her on the butt, then rock it
It seems I was seein' the same scene adopted
prevalent in different things with the witnesses indifferent to stop it
They said don't knock it, mind your business
His business isn't mine and that nigga pimpin' got it
Lupe is BOMB!
I haven't watched tv since aug 20 something... not a happy camper cause I feel like I'm missing out on some videos...
Camp Lo's new LP is fire. I missed them. Their off the wall lyrics (think GFK) are refreshing. Remember Luchini? and Sky Box? What are they saying????
Lupe Fiasco is fire. We first heard (in a mass production way) on Late Registration. Eh, not blown away. Cute but nothing serious. About 6 weeks ago, I heard his mix tape, Chi Town Guevara Mix Tape, DJ Envy Presents Lupe Fiasco...enthralled. At the risk of sounding corny, he's "what the game's been missing". A muslim, Lupe doesn't buy into the "foolishness" of liquor and women and other sinful temptations. But, as a person, he does recognize
I had a Geto Boy bop,
a Jay-Z boycott
cause he said that he never prayed to God,
he prayed to Gotti
I'm thinkin', golly,
God guard me from the ungodly
But by my 30th watchin' of
the Streets Is Watching
I was back to give him props again
And that was botherin',
'bout as uncomfortable
as an untouchable touchin' you
The theme songs that niggas hustle to
seem wrong but these songs was comin' true
and it was all becomin' cool
I found a condom on the ground that johns would cum into
and thought what constitutes a prostitute
is the pursuit of profit; then they drop it
The homie in a suit pat her on the butt, then rock it
It seems I was seein' the same scene adopted
prevalent in different things with the witnesses indifferent to stop it
They said don't knock it, mind your business
His business isn't mine and that nigga pimpin' got it
Lupe is BOMB!
10.09.2006
Rhubarb Chutney with a few tips
Sometimes Rachael Ray uses these fancy terms so you feel cool when you make them. I will not, however be making this one. A chutney is just "a sauce or relish of East Indian origin, often compounded of both sweet and sour ingredients, as fruits and herbs, with spices and other seasoning."
Rache used rhubarb, golden raisins, sugar, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and butter. I'd never seen rhubarb before. It looks scary. Its a bright red stalk with a white center. She diced it and put it in a pot with the other ingredients to make her relish, excuse me, chutney.
When you go to fancy restaurants and you see mango chutney on the menu, now you know what it is. Don't be afraid, but you may want to steer clear of the rhubarb. It looks scary. And my dad says it tastes disgusting no matter how you cook it. I know as a writer on a food blog I should be encouraging you to try new things, but Rache always says you eat with your eyes and nose first which is so true. That means you will not see me eating rhubarb, the aforementioned corned beef hash, or chitlins unless I'm just feeling really crazy one day. Or if Rachael Ray wants to hang out. I'll try anything she cooks for me first hand.
**Two tips from the same show:
1) If you're cooking for someone who doesn't like garlic pieces, but likes the flavor of garlic, here's what you can do. If you're making a salad, rub a clove of garlic along the inside of the bowl. When you toss the salad, it will have the essence of garlic without having large pieces. Also if you're sauteeing (lightly pan frying with butter and/or olive oil) vegetables or making a light sauce, you can put whole garlic cloves in the olive oil to cook up first, then add the rest of your ingredients. Garlic flavor will be infused in the sauce. For quick garlic bread, (I tried this one this morning), rub a whole garlic clove all over the slice of toast, then add softened butter (in the microwave for 15 seconds so you soften, not melt it). Its so yum-o, to quote Rache.
2) When cooking meat, let it sit out for about 5 minutes to knock the chill off a little bit so the meat doesn't get shocked when you put it on the hot grill. The same is true for baking, except you can let the ingredients (eggs, butter, milk/cream) sit out a little longer. Everything will be lighter and fluffier if you let your cold ingredients come to room temperature.
Rache used rhubarb, golden raisins, sugar, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and butter. I'd never seen rhubarb before. It looks scary. Its a bright red stalk with a white center. She diced it and put it in a pot with the other ingredients to make her relish, excuse me, chutney.
When you go to fancy restaurants and you see mango chutney on the menu, now you know what it is. Don't be afraid, but you may want to steer clear of the rhubarb. It looks scary. And my dad says it tastes disgusting no matter how you cook it. I know as a writer on a food blog I should be encouraging you to try new things, but Rache always says you eat with your eyes and nose first which is so true. That means you will not see me eating rhubarb, the aforementioned corned beef hash, or chitlins unless I'm just feeling really crazy one day. Or if Rachael Ray wants to hang out. I'll try anything she cooks for me first hand.
**Two tips from the same show:
1) If you're cooking for someone who doesn't like garlic pieces, but likes the flavor of garlic, here's what you can do. If you're making a salad, rub a clove of garlic along the inside of the bowl. When you toss the salad, it will have the essence of garlic without having large pieces. Also if you're sauteeing (lightly pan frying with butter and/or olive oil) vegetables or making a light sauce, you can put whole garlic cloves in the olive oil to cook up first, then add the rest of your ingredients. Garlic flavor will be infused in the sauce. For quick garlic bread, (I tried this one this morning), rub a whole garlic clove all over the slice of toast, then add softened butter (in the microwave for 15 seconds so you soften, not melt it). Its so yum-o, to quote Rache.
2) When cooking meat, let it sit out for about 5 minutes to knock the chill off a little bit so the meat doesn't get shocked when you put it on the hot grill. The same is true for baking, except you can let the ingredients (eggs, butter, milk/cream) sit out a little longer. Everything will be lighter and fluffier if you let your cold ingredients come to room temperature.
10.08.2006
Brekky, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways..
*Sigh* Just got back from breakfast with daddy. Orange juice, hashbrowns, sausage bacon, 2 scrambled eggs. So yummy. For no reason. None at all. I also love grits, but I'm very picky about them, any sort of potato, omelets. BUT I don't like pancakes or waffles. I can eat A pancake maybe every once in a while. After eating a Belgian waffle in Belgium when I already didn't like waffles and their's were FAR superior to anything I'd ever eaten, I really swore off waffles. I'm not a big sugar girl anyway. I'm a savory sista. NO I DON'T EAT SUGAR IN MY GRITS!! That's some yankee stuff. Oh yeah, I like oatmeal with cinnamon, sugar and raisins in it. Never had Cream of Wheat (also Yankee food). Corned beef hash looks like chunky vomit to me. Never had that either. I do love liver mush! It looks nasty, too but I've been eating it forever and love the taste. Apparently you can't get it many places outside of NC. Definitely not up here in Pgh. This is my ode to brekky. I love you boo!
10.06.2006
Not cause InStyle said it!
Guys, I've been on this tip for YEARS!!!! If you're going to buy a winter coat or jacket (or anything for that matter), make the print houndstooth! I mean, menswear is always silently smoldering in the fashion world; never quite going out of style (like freaking leopard print...that will NEVER leave!) but this is the season for it!
In this month's GQ, Common, John Legend, and Kanye West from G.O.O.D. Productions (World's Best Dressed Record Label) are seen sporting chevron tweed and houndstooth outerwear. In this month's InStyle, pinstripe, houndstooth, more houndstooth, and tweed are the rave. Basically, think: banker.
That's my forecast (cause I really did call it before InStyle and GQ) for the season!
In this month's GQ, Common, John Legend, and Kanye West from G.O.O.D. Productions (World's Best Dressed Record Label) are seen sporting chevron tweed and houndstooth outerwear. In this month's InStyle, pinstripe, houndstooth, more houndstooth, and tweed are the rave. Basically, think: banker.
That's my forecast (cause I really did call it before InStyle and GQ) for the season!
10.03.2006
Rebel Soul Music
"My music is just soul music, but I attach "rebel" to it because my music is revolutionary. I want you to evolve from your day-to-day thinking that most music being played on the radio doesn't encourage or inspire you to do."
If you watched Dave Chapelle's Block Party, you may or may not have seen him. He was wearing a jacket that was reminiscent of the Jacksons or maybe even EWF back in the day...it was leather and it was teal. he's a bad-ass rocker who has played guitar with the Roots but can carry himself. His name is Martin Luther and like his name sake, he grew up in a strict religious home. Raised on church hymns and rigorous piano lessons, Martin was born a rebel. After hearing Funkadelic, he knew what his mission in life was: rebel music.
A Morehouse Man with a degree in Media Arts accompanied by an Entertainment Law/Marketing concentration, he knows music and he knows the industry. How attractive is that?
This sexy bitch got m -i just found out he posts on Blogger!!!!! DYING!!!! and he posted a comment on my myspace page!!!!!!!!! DYING!!!!!!!!!!! can't concentrate now...what was I saying??? bump it! Martin Luther is the truth. Peep him. NOW! You'll thank me in the morning.
P.S. Martin Luther is just one of many brothers since Prince and Lenny who are tking the guitar by storm. We invented Rock and Roll and we left it to the wayside. Jimi Hendrix will forever be immortalized as the greatest guitarist ever but most of us reading this weren't of that era. George Clinton is still alive and his influence permeates EVERYTHING we listen to. I swear EVERY rapper has sampled P-Funk which is its own musical genre BTW... Bootsie Collins brought forth the importance of the bass guitarist which used to just be the background. For most of us reading this, Prince and Lenny are our guitarists. Not the hugest fan of either, I definitely respect the both of them and love what I do hear by them. Then I got a mix CD with ML on it...and Cody Chesnutt...and Amp Fiddler. Check all these guys out. They're bringing rock and roll back to us.
If you watched Dave Chapelle's Block Party, you may or may not have seen him. He was wearing a jacket that was reminiscent of the Jacksons or maybe even EWF back in the day...it was leather and it was teal. he's a bad-ass rocker who has played guitar with the Roots but can carry himself. His name is Martin Luther and like his name sake, he grew up in a strict religious home. Raised on church hymns and rigorous piano lessons, Martin was born a rebel. After hearing Funkadelic, he knew what his mission in life was: rebel music.
A Morehouse Man with a degree in Media Arts accompanied by an Entertainment Law/Marketing concentration, he knows music and he knows the industry. How attractive is that?
This sexy bitch got m -i just found out he posts on Blogger!!!!! DYING!!!! and he posted a comment on my myspace page!!!!!!!!! DYING!!!!!!!!!!! can't concentrate now...what was I saying??? bump it! Martin Luther is the truth. Peep him. NOW! You'll thank me in the morning.
P.S. Martin Luther is just one of many brothers since Prince and Lenny who are tking the guitar by storm. We invented Rock and Roll and we left it to the wayside. Jimi Hendrix will forever be immortalized as the greatest guitarist ever but most of us reading this weren't of that era. George Clinton is still alive and his influence permeates EVERYTHING we listen to. I swear EVERY rapper has sampled P-Funk which is its own musical genre BTW... Bootsie Collins brought forth the importance of the bass guitarist which used to just be the background. For most of us reading this, Prince and Lenny are our guitarists. Not the hugest fan of either, I definitely respect the both of them and love what I do hear by them. Then I got a mix CD with ML on it...and Cody Chesnutt...and Amp Fiddler. Check all these guys out. They're bringing rock and roll back to us.
caldo verde
Now I am reaching deep down to my Portuguese roots, sharing with you this authentic soup that you will probably find at most Portuguese restaurants: Caldo Verde, which means green broth. This dish is similar to collard greens, but i hate collards, but love me some caldo verde.
2 bunches of kale, cleaned and chopped-cut out stems
linguica sausage or churico- sliced
kielbasa-sliced
1 chopped onion
1/2 jalapeno pepper chopped
1 tbs minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup rice
1 can pink beans
1 packet sazon
2 cans chicken broth
4 cups water
3 potatoes cut in to 1/2 inch chunks
olive oil
2 tsb sofrito
black pepper to taste
adobo seasoning
garlic & onion powder
dash of crushed red pepper flakes
Portuguese bread
Chop all ingredients that need chopping.
In a large pot, drizzle olive oil to cover bottom of a heated pan. Saute onions, jalapeno, and garlic, until translucent. Add sliced sausages, cook 3 minutes. Add sazon, sofrito, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir in rice, making sure to cover with seasoning and oil. Add chicken broth and water, turn heat up high and bring to a boil. Stir in kale, bring back to a boil. Add potatoes. Once potatoes are cooked, add pink beans. Cook for 15 more minutes.
Mrs. A- this is a meal in itself, no need for side dishes. Just Portuguese bread.
Enjoy!!!!
2 bunches of kale, cleaned and chopped-cut out stems
linguica sausage or churico- sliced
kielbasa-sliced
1 chopped onion
1/2 jalapeno pepper chopped
1 tbs minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup rice
1 can pink beans
1 packet sazon
2 cans chicken broth
4 cups water
3 potatoes cut in to 1/2 inch chunks
olive oil
2 tsb sofrito
black pepper to taste
adobo seasoning
garlic & onion powder
dash of crushed red pepper flakes
Portuguese bread
Chop all ingredients that need chopping.
In a large pot, drizzle olive oil to cover bottom of a heated pan. Saute onions, jalapeno, and garlic, until translucent. Add sliced sausages, cook 3 minutes. Add sazon, sofrito, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir in rice, making sure to cover with seasoning and oil. Add chicken broth and water, turn heat up high and bring to a boil. Stir in kale, bring back to a boil. Add potatoes. Once potatoes are cooked, add pink beans. Cook for 15 more minutes.
Mrs. A- this is a meal in itself, no need for side dishes. Just Portuguese bread.
Enjoy!!!!
The New Sound (4/2006)
There was the Philly vibe for a while right? When people started getting tired of commercial r-n-b so they "invented" the term 'neo-soul' for that alternative sound. Jill, the Roots, Musiq Solchild who's just Musiq now...even Jag and the Jazzys got a little airplay. Then you definately remember how Atlanta was ruling the airwaves for what seemed like forever? Between Usher's "Yeah" and D4L's "Laffy Taffy", T.I. and Jeezy, "The Love Below" and "Speakboxx" ATL was the place to be...again. Toni Braxton, TLC, Da Brat..the days of So So Def, LaFace and whoever else was fortunate to be in the A at the right time has been heard and now that that's done, we are on to Texas.
Starting last spring, we heard sprinkles of Slim Thug and Paul Wall. I was fortunate to have a roomate from Texas when I was at the illustrious Hampton University and I heard Lil Flipper before he dropped the '-er'. I heard chopped and screwed Trick before HE even heard it. When people were asking, "Who is Mike Jones?" I was answering. Last summer, I spent time in Texas; even road tripped from Austin to Tally and naturally, I heard all that we are hearing now. Chamillionaire, all that. I actually like Texas music. Its is definately alright with me (in a commercial sense). Of course Destiny's Child was always around but no-one ever really thought of them as a Texas sounding group; R-n-B doesn't have a sound...or does it?
Detroit.
Detroit is where it is AT for music guys! If you are looking for a breath of fresh air, pick up a DET based CD. The production of JD will be missed but TRUST, he will not be forgotten. From real instrumentation to off the wall drum patterns, Detroit has my musical heart. Slum Village got some commercial appeal when "Tainted" came out Fall 2003...and that's when their hook/bridge artist first caught my eye. Dwele. He is it. If you haven't peeped him, please go get his CDs. Naturally, the bestest made me a mix CD with this dude on it bout three and a half years ago and I am JUST now HEARING this dude! You know how you listen to music but you don't really HEAR it? Or maybe you were trying to hear but it wasn't the right time for that piece...yeah.
So after Slum Village and Dwele, who is next? Platinum Pied Pipers. Simply put: Awesome. They are my SHIT!!! I have listened to that CD three times in a row! ?love said he listened to it SEVEN times in a row and made 28 people listen to it, 3 at gunpoint because he is willing to go to jail for Platinum Pied Pipers. I am seriously thinking about buying Mini Me their CD just so they can get that much more support from me.
If you have the choice to listen to great music, check out Dwele and Platinum Pied Pipers. While you're at it, do like Dead Prez said, "Turn off the Radio"
Starting last spring, we heard sprinkles of Slim Thug and Paul Wall. I was fortunate to have a roomate from Texas when I was at the illustrious Hampton University and I heard Lil Flipper before he dropped the '-er'. I heard chopped and screwed Trick before HE even heard it. When people were asking, "Who is Mike Jones?" I was answering. Last summer, I spent time in Texas; even road tripped from Austin to Tally and naturally, I heard all that we are hearing now. Chamillionaire, all that. I actually like Texas music. Its is definately alright with me (in a commercial sense). Of course Destiny's Child was always around but no-one ever really thought of them as a Texas sounding group; R-n-B doesn't have a sound...or does it?
Detroit.
Detroit is where it is AT for music guys! If you are looking for a breath of fresh air, pick up a DET based CD. The production of JD will be missed but TRUST, he will not be forgotten. From real instrumentation to off the wall drum patterns, Detroit has my musical heart. Slum Village got some commercial appeal when "Tainted" came out Fall 2003...and that's when their hook/bridge artist first caught my eye. Dwele. He is it. If you haven't peeped him, please go get his CDs. Naturally, the bestest made me a mix CD with this dude on it bout three and a half years ago and I am JUST now HEARING this dude! You know how you listen to music but you don't really HEAR it? Or maybe you were trying to hear but it wasn't the right time for that piece...yeah.
So after Slum Village and Dwele, who is next? Platinum Pied Pipers. Simply put: Awesome. They are my SHIT!!! I have listened to that CD three times in a row! ?love said he listened to it SEVEN times in a row and made 28 people listen to it, 3 at gunpoint because he is willing to go to jail for Platinum Pied Pipers. I am seriously thinking about buying Mini Me their CD just so they can get that much more support from me.
If you have the choice to listen to great music, check out Dwele and Platinum Pied Pipers. While you're at it, do like Dead Prez said, "Turn off the Radio"
smashli's extra crisy fried chicken -revised
here's an FYI for that ass, if its my own recipe, which this one is, i don't measure so bare with me. i'm just gonna list the grediants. and another fyi, if you like extra crispy fried chicken i have the banginiest fried chicken, i'm a little skeptical about posting, but this is the first thing i ever learned to cook so i feel its a pivotal dish to my foodieism. it seems to get better and better every time i make. as of lately i don't like other people's fried chicken, b/c mine is bomb (i got that from stace). so here we go:
The Grediants:
chicken ( i only like chicken wings so thats what i use)- however many you want
oilcast iron skillet or fry daddybrown paper bags
marinade
eggs- depends on how much chicken you're making
buttermilk-enough to cover all chicken
hot sauce- as much as you'd like
minced garlic
pepper
season salt
garlic powder
onion powder
crispy crunchy coating
flour
1 tsp cornstarch or backing powder
pepperseason saltgarlic powderonion powder
Ok so you have to season and marinate the meat for a couple of hours. Put the clean meat in container that has a cover. So scramble some eggs, pour over the chicken. Shake dry seasonings on top of chicken, add a spoonful of garlic and hot sauce. Pour buttermilk to cover all of the chicken. With gloved hands, combined all grediants thoroughly. Cover container and fridgerate for a couple of hours.
In a brown paper bag, combine flour, cornstarch or baking powder, and dry grediants. Give it a good shimmy.
now its time to coat the chicken, shake off excess marinade before putting in flour mixture. I usually coat 4-5 pieces at a time. Put chicken in the bag make sure the pieces aren't touching to prevent them from sticking to one another and missing out on the flour, and then shake, making sure each piece is coated. Repeat until all chicken is coated well. Then fridgerate for 15 minutes. (This helps the flour stick better). While chicken is in the fridge, heat up oil, make sure there is enough oil in the pan, so that the chicken will be completely covered. Once oil is hot, add chicken to the hot grease, don't let the pieces touch each other. I usually cook my chicken in the fry daddy, and that will cook 8 pieces at a time. Cook until chicken is a deep golden brown, and looks extra crispy and floats. Remove chicken from grease with a slotted spoon, drain grease, then place chicken on brown paper bags or cookie rack, to drain off anymore excess grease. Let cool and serve.
Variations:
Buffalo Wings: heat some hot sauce and butter together, dip wings in mixture, heat in oven.
Crispy BBQ Wings: heat some of you special bbq sauce, dip wings, heat in oven
Try Serving with (requested by Mrs. A):
Mac & Cheese
Rice & Beans
Collards
Mashed Potatoes
anything soul foodish- chitterlings, pig feet, fat back, i dunno
The Grediants:
chicken ( i only like chicken wings so thats what i use)- however many you want
oilcast iron skillet or fry daddybrown paper bags
marinade
eggs- depends on how much chicken you're making
buttermilk-enough to cover all chicken
hot sauce- as much as you'd like
minced garlic
pepper
season salt
garlic powder
onion powder
crispy crunchy coating
flour
1 tsp cornstarch or backing powder
pepperseason saltgarlic powderonion powder
Ok so you have to season and marinate the meat for a couple of hours. Put the clean meat in container that has a cover. So scramble some eggs, pour over the chicken. Shake dry seasonings on top of chicken, add a spoonful of garlic and hot sauce. Pour buttermilk to cover all of the chicken. With gloved hands, combined all grediants thoroughly. Cover container and fridgerate for a couple of hours.
In a brown paper bag, combine flour, cornstarch or baking powder, and dry grediants. Give it a good shimmy.
now its time to coat the chicken, shake off excess marinade before putting in flour mixture. I usually coat 4-5 pieces at a time. Put chicken in the bag make sure the pieces aren't touching to prevent them from sticking to one another and missing out on the flour, and then shake, making sure each piece is coated. Repeat until all chicken is coated well. Then fridgerate for 15 minutes. (This helps the flour stick better). While chicken is in the fridge, heat up oil, make sure there is enough oil in the pan, so that the chicken will be completely covered. Once oil is hot, add chicken to the hot grease, don't let the pieces touch each other. I usually cook my chicken in the fry daddy, and that will cook 8 pieces at a time. Cook until chicken is a deep golden brown, and looks extra crispy and floats. Remove chicken from grease with a slotted spoon, drain grease, then place chicken on brown paper bags or cookie rack, to drain off anymore excess grease. Let cool and serve.
Variations:
Buffalo Wings: heat some hot sauce and butter together, dip wings in mixture, heat in oven.
Crispy BBQ Wings: heat some of you special bbq sauce, dip wings, heat in oven
Try Serving with (requested by Mrs. A):
Mac & Cheese
Rice & Beans
Collards
Mashed Potatoes
anything soul foodish- chitterlings, pig feet, fat back, i dunno
and that's how i became a foodie
i know, i know, i'm way late. but i was super busy, but now i'm here. i'm sure you're all wondering how i became a foodie. good question. i would have to say it all started in college, the late years. ***sidebar- if you were unfamiliar with my alma mater, the illustrious Hampton University. so anywho, i only ate chicken for the longest, and i sure as hell didn't cook. i didn't have a domestic bone in my body until senior year at the illustrious one, when i moved off campus with my girl C. and she's about as non-domestic as they come, so thats when my life changed. it was domestication at its finest, i was actually borderline obsessive compulsive, but thats so not what we're talking about here. its all about food, but i'm getting there. senior year is where my inner housewife was born. all i did when i was out of class, which was by 12 noon daily, i would cook and clean. so i would watch foodtv on my free/stolen cable, and thats where i would get all of my cooking ideas. i was always experimenting with cooking. and thats where my culinary skills blossomed. and the broke hungry college kids were loving it, always interested in being lab rats with my experimenting. it came to a point where we had to stop answering our door at dinner time, b/c someone was always knockin just when we sat down to eat. musta though 10B was the cafe or something. and thats how i became a foodie.
