My dope Photoshoot

I was on Facebook one random night when I got a message from a friend of a friend named Abasi. He asks if I model. I say yes, but I don't do it often. He asks if we could possibly do a shoot together since he's a photographer. Looking at the outdated photo on my business cards and my website, I check his other work out, and I agree. I get to the point. "Set it up, tell me when and where, and I'll make myself available." Surprisingly he gets back to me a few days later. Through our contacts, we put together a team, and a photoshoot was born.

We set the scene at Stir Lounge in NYC. Abasi brings in Jolene Phillips to assist him with photography and lighting. I phoned my friend Dennine Dyer to be my stylist, and she brings her friend Martin as an assistant. My make-up artist was Tracy Pairis. Praise God, she was a hair stylist. (My regular hairdresser chose this week to come down with the flu, sigh.) While playing my iPod's Hotness playlist (which includes "All That I Can Say" by Mary J, "Be Ok" by Chrisette Michelle, "Exposed" by Wayna, "As" by Stevie, and many more), we put together three different looks. I love being doted on and fussed over.



A few of the items used in accentuating my beauty...

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Tracy doing my make-up. She's niiiice with it!
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Finally dressed, with the help of Dennine. Just putting the finishing touches on the first look.

We did two more looks before we wrapped up for the day. Here's a quick video. (Notice the fly eye shadow). :)



Check back next time for the photos! :)

Stay Blessed

When Spring Becomes Mating Season...

Tis the season...It's Spring, and birds are chirping, pollen is flying, and exes are a'calling. Spring seems to be mating season for humans as well as our animal kingdom subjects. If your number has stayed the same, trust that old flames and even old sparks will be looking to re-ignite. Why? Beats the heck out of me! Maybe the warm(er) weather makes people remember good old times, or maybe folk want to make sure they have a boo to take to the annual 4th of July BBQ. So what do you do? Jump back into their arms or raise your arms?

1) Consider WHY they're calling
You two haven't spoken since '94. Where'd this sudden interest come from? Loneliness? Boredom? An excerpt from the season finale of "Scrubs" that reminded them of you? Did you two have a really good time before, and they were just reminiscing? Or are they realizing that they're getting older, need to settle down with SOMEONE, and you're the best candidate from their past? Be cautious when old flames call around the time of their birthdays; they may be going through their little black book looking for someone to wife up since they just turned 30 and have no new prospects for marriage. Or they may be getting pressure from their parents (and/or church congregation) to "find a nice girl/boy" and settle down. "What about ___? She/he was such a sweetheart." Don't let yourself end up just another part of someone's 3 year plan.

2) What was the reason you two lost touch in the first place?
Was there an earnest connection that may have come at the wrong time? Were you seeing someone back then who's now no longer in the picture? Or did he or she have some severe issues (throwing your phone out the window, hemming you up, or offering a wedding ring after the first date)? If there was a reason back then, will it happen again? People change, but some basic things stay the same. Make sure you're not walking right back into the same drama you ran from before.

3) Use Your Present Judgement
You may not be the same person you were 5-10 years ago. What made you compatible then may not work now. For many, dating in high school only really required good conversation and the newest pair of Jordans on your feet. Now, does he still only wear Jordans? Or can he put on a shirt and tie every now and then? Is she employed or still waiting on Prince Charming to take her out the hood? The thing that super-glued you two together may be the rubber that keeps you both apart. Treat this like a new dating prospect. Get to know them NOW without clinging to memories from BACK THEN. Hold them to the same standards you'd put on someone you met a few days ago who's trying to be a part of your life.

4) If You're Going to Proceed, Keep the Past in the Past
If you decide that that old flame could be your Olympic Torch, you are promising that any bad feelings or negative thoughts from your previous encounter will NOT show up in the present. You are forfeiting your right to throwing the reason you separated before in his/her face, making qualitative statements like "you always do that, remember back in 2001...", and you are not allowed to hold the past against them in any way. You are dating them for who they are now. I suggest you clear the air before you start to get serious, and throw all that out the window once and for all.

5) Don't Be Afraid to Say, "Hell Nah!"
I recently received a phone call from an ex who I hadn't spoken to in ages who asked if I ever thought about us. I told him no, and realized once he said he thought Andre 3000 was whack, that we could NEVER EVER be together. Realize that if you don't want to go there, you don't have to. You are allowed to have a nice conversation, get all nostalgic and misty-eyed, clear up past misunderstandings, and catch-up a bit. You can even do it over a bite to eat. Why not? It's all in the past. But if the other person wants to try again, feel free to say, "Hell nah!" You are not obligated to try again because of the history you two have. That ship may have sailed its course. The saying goes "Forward ever, backward never." Be honest and upfront. If that's not what you want, don't lead them on into thinking they've got their childhood sweetheart back. Have a good time and keep it moving.

If you really, really don't want to deal with this, you can always change your number.
Verizon always welcomes new customers. :)

Stay Blessed!

44 Random Things....

Every now and then, I get forwarded this lists...I doubt everyone will consider this BLOGWORTHY, but eh, what the heck. I'm cool. I'm interesting. So, here are my 44 random things. Feel free to cut & paste and send to your friends.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
Yes, but only with hot wings.

2. Have you ever been drunk?
Honestly, 2x. The first was an accident. The second...was an accident too. (How was I to know that Cosmos could do that to you? It's PINK!) Needless to say, I don't drink anymore.

3. Do you own a gun?
No. Don't want to be in a position to shoot anyone.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?
Classic...RED!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Nope. I don't worry unless they give me a reason to. Besides, I see a rheumatologist every month. She's like family.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I just wonder what part of the cow do they come from.

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
He-Man and She-Ra's Christmas...or all the claymation movies (Rudolph & the others)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Anything hot (I'm West Indian)

9. Can you do push ups?
Now, like 2. I used to be able to do like 15 when I was younger.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
These long earrings that I wear pretty often.


11. Favorite hobby?
Talking on the phone...other than that, I love reading. I'm a nerd.

12. Do you have A.D.D.?
Depends on what I'm doing, while I'm doing what I'm doing.

13. What's your favorite shoe?
My brown boots from Aldo...or my black & gold Guess pumps. Ooooh, I love shoes.

14. Middle name?
Tekeisha (A lil hood there.)

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
Maybe I should reconsider my opinions of the person I'm on the phone with; What am I doing this week; Why didn't my friend call me back?

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, Redbull Cola, Rice Milk

17. Current worry?
Whether I over-think everything

18. Current hate right now?
People that get upset if you don't follow them on Twitter, but they NEVER update their status. Why would I want to follow you if you have nothing to say?

20. How did you bring in the New Year?
At the T-Pain/Lil Wayne Concert with my sister, Michelle, in Atlanta, GA. Gym Class Heroes and T-Pain killed it.

21. Where would you like to go?
Japan, Spain, and a warm beach with clear, waters.

22. Name three people who will complete this?
Not sure. Don't care.

23. Do you own slippers?
Yep. Yellow with ducks, and when you squeeze the duck on top it quacks. :)

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
Black.

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin Sheets?
I'm more concerned with the mattress.

26. Can you whistle?
Yes

27. Favorite color?
Green

28. Would you be a pirate?
Nope, I'd be a mermaid.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Whatever comes to mind. The tub is my stage!

30. Favorite Girl's Name?
Nia = "Purpose" in Swahili

31. Favorite boy's name?
Don't have one. I'll let my husband choose the name for our son.

32. What's in your pocket right now?
My pajama pants don't have pockets

33. Last thing that made you laugh?
Obama's speech from yesterday. He's hilarious.

34. Best bed sheets as a child?
Rainbow Brite

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child?
I skinned my knee sliding on my make-shift third base on my concrete front yard.

36. Do you love where you live?
Um, I love the people that live here.

37. Who is your loudest friend?
Define "loud;" Define "friend" because none of my friends are loud.

39. How many dogs do you have?
0

40. Does someone have a crush on you?
A few people, but probably not the people I want to have a crush on.

41. What is your favorite book?
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

42. What is your favorite candy?
Fun Dip (dipping a sugar stick in flavored sugar.)

43. Favorite Sports Team?
Not the Knicks. If I stayed a Knicks fan after 1998, I'd have killed myself by now.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral?
"Heaven" by James Hall