Back to Basics (but still fly)

Lately I've been going back to basics in every aspect of my life. I've been at the stove every night, no more grabbing take-out. Too expensive, plus it's just not as good as what I can do. I've been attending church more regularly, Lord knows I need Jesus right about now. I've been cleaning my own house, no more cleaning lady :( I really miss her though. Soon I'm gonna be cleaning out my closet, but I won't be doing my usual of replacing the old with new from a trip to H&M in NYC or a splurge in the Newport News Catalog. Nope, I'll be clearing out trendy stuff and keeping my wardrobe basic.

Basic by no means is frumpy or slack, it is just the essentials needed to still be pulled together without looking dated.

Here's what I'll be wearing all Fall and Winter in keeping with my "back to basics" mentality these days.

These wide leg jeans always look great with a turtleneck or scoop neck. I can wear throw on a wide belt, put on a jacket or just wear plain depending on how dressed up or down I need to be.



and of course, a boot cut pair slacks are always great to balance out my momma's booty, which has somehow shown up on my hind parts.


I'm in Atlanta so, I can wear a sleeveless dress all year round. All I have to do is throw on a blazer or jean jacket and I'm ready for whatever. Boots, pumps,or flats all depend on how I'm feeling that day.



For me these jewelry accessories are necessary to make any basic ensemble look jazzed up.

One huge ring alone on a hand makes a woman on the go look like she has really tried, and that she is super stylish even if she's in a jogging suit.


I will always wear a pair of square earrings, clip-on or stud when I want to show off my classic sensibilities.




I am a cuff and bracelet girl. I always use one with my basic attire. It's pretty easy and effortless for me because I only have about 3 looks to choose from (that is if I don't start digging through my handmade designs)



Finally, I have to do a dangle earring (preferably large and lightweight) because they make anything look like you are a true style maven. I throw them on to go to the supermarket. God, forbid you see an old friend while looking a mess, at least your earring will detract from your unkempt hair.

See here I am last Thanksgiving, sweating, cooking, hosting, but the dangles added a little something to an otherwise haggard appearance. LOL! Well, at least I hope so...

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker was an extraordinary singer and performer of the 1930's. She was well-known for her banana dance. During the time of the Great Depression, she entertained us. She was the first African American to star in a major motion picture. She integrated American concert halls, and made history as a world entertainer. Her style was impeccable, sassy, and aggressively beautiful.








I absolutely love this necklace and these bracelets, Look out for Josephine Baker tribute pieces from me. I am gonna try my hand at designing something she would love to wear!

Beyonce did a tribute dance to Ms. Baker at the end of her video Deja vu , plus she performed wearing Josephine's well-known Banana skirt:







Here are two videos of Josephine Baker dancing her heart out!

Moms Who Do It All (even if they have hired help)

Moms are sooo special. There is no other way to put it. We do so much, bear so much, know so much, we are mini Gods. We are Gods to our children. They may not yet know the God of the Universe; they only know us. They see us doing it all, they copy everything we do, they trusts us even when we are dead wrong. We are the only God they know.

This post is to acknowledge all the moms who give a huge amount of love, work their asses off , remember every little detail of every one of their children, and still remember to brush their teeth wear a little mascara or lipstick. Here are some ladies who do a lot and love a lot because they are moms. I know most of them have an extra set of hands or two or three which most moms don't have, but I am sure even with help they are stretched just as thin as we are because that's what love does.

Here is Jennifer Lopez, she just had twins. However, she still had to go out and run a Triathlon. Yes, I used the word HAD because stuff like that is part of her job, if stars don't do amazing things like that we won't consider them stars anymore, they'll just be "has beens." So the next time you are resentful that you have to keep walking to the printer at your job, think about what she had to do at her job, right after having babies. I'm just saying...it's not as easy as it looks.


Here's Heid Klum, she has a bunch of babies that depend on her. I think three???? She pushed out a baby after one season of Project Runway, and had to hurry and look fabulous for the next season. Not to mention, that Victoria's Secret thing she keeps up. You ladies know after you have had a precious little one, the last thing you want to do is see your snarly personal trainer. This chick had to do it an make it look effortless.

You can probably more relate to me taking my 8-week old baby on an end of the year trip for my 4-year old, but what this lady had to do is not different. It all has to be done because you know "THEY" will not take the excuse, "I just had a baby." You know the "THEYs" that don't think about your situation, they judge it and talk about it...



These two ladies have made it their business to mother the world's children, plus their own (adoptive and Biological). Yes, both Mia and Angelina have shown themselves to be human by getting caught up in cheating scandals. We are not talking about that right now, we we are talking about their willingness to open their hearts as mothers, and shoulder quite a load. Plus, Karma found out about Mia and she paid her dues. That doesn't take away from her mothering and loving of her many children.




Marie Osmond has gone beyond the call of her motherly duties by loving her biological and adoptive children.I think she has something like eight, WOW!!!! We all need more love in this world and I applaud anyone who goes the extra mile to provide love to little ones.




Here are two ladies that I so admire. They are always graceful and poised ladies whenever in the spotlight. The first is Denzel Washington's wife who has done an awesome job shouldering most of the load raising their children. She is a woman who represents her children and husband well.


Next is Angela Bassett. She has two children carried and born by a surrogate mother. She is a perfectly educated and gracious woman who raises her babies while struggling to deliver quality roles in tough industry for women of color.

Life gets in the way of blogging

I am aware that I haven't posted in a few days. I have been contemplating so many many things on my end of the world, and it has gotten in the way of blogging, myspacing, etsying, and other web surfing time-filling whoo-haaa.

I'm pretty sure I am gonna start homeschooling both of my daughters because the school system in GA (private, charter, and public) sucks! We have tried them all, and I come to the conclusion that I can definitely do a better job. Not to mention suddenly I have the time, I am a small business owner and things have slowed to a crawl over here for us. Amazingly enough, there is enough for us! The economy has told me it's time to restructure everything! I have to suspend things over here so I can set myself up to win, just ask John McCain . Anyway, I still have some pretty pictures of some of my work, but if you start hearing from me less it's because I am over here getting my house in order.

Sisterly Love

I spent this evening sharing in sisterly love. First I joined about 15 sisters at my church for a meeting in love. We prayed, shared, and came to a great understanding about our unified purpose as sisters. Next I visited a close sister friend, and talked about any and everything for a few hours. I walked away realizing that today was a day filled with sharing myself with other women, and just how powerful that is in this world. Not only do I have wonderful blood sisters, I have spirit sisters and I have you, blog sisters. We share here on this blog and on each of the blogs, sites, and emails you all have. Thanks my blog sisters for the love. Here are some famous blood and spirit sisters.


Here is Oprah and Gayle. Everyone knows how they feel about each other, and no one can deny their sisterly bond.



These are two sisters who get to work together. I sure I wish I had gone to NYC to see Phylicia act in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" while Debbie directed. I know their momma must be proud.





Of course, here are the Olsen Twins. They support each other in being Billionaires. They became Billionaires by just being sisters, now tell me that's not powerful.



And here are talented singing sisters, the Simpsons and the Emotions (hope you remember them from the 70's)



They've still got it!!!

No, you aren't in the wrong place...

My hubby, the first-time dudelry designer and full-time Advertising and Graphic Designer made me a banner. Never mind that my blog has been up since last December. The cobbler's children blah, blah, blah. And as you can see in the Duderly post, I'm not exactly on my job either.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and there it was in my inbox (Hubby is a night owl, and I always have things from him in my inbox in the morning). I am so happy to have it. As I said before I am a Leo, so he made sure to put an image of me in the banner because he knows I am so full of myself I would pout all day without it I love that kind of thing, hehehe.

A Salute to Virgos

Since the Virgo season is about to end for this year, I wanted to be sure to pay a day of homage to the virgin-like, analytical, neat, critical, brilliant, industrious, meticulous, healthy, diligent queens who are also known as Virgo women. For those of you who don't know I believe strongly in astrological signs as a predictor of personality traits. I have always been very attracted to Virgos because I admire their brilliance. My husband is a Virgo, and before I married him I had a Virgo boyfriend or two, now that's my business get on out of it plus several close Virgo girlfriends. Anyway, enough about me --- I am a Leo, so I tend to make things about me all the time, everywhere I go--oops there I go again.

Back to the Virgos. I admire them and their sense of style and how they walk this earth, so here's an image tribute to famous Virgos. To all you Virgin-like ones out there, I hope you have enjoyed your season.


Here's an image of Beyonce, I know I post about her often. She gives me so much too work with, so I can't help it. I happen to want to be her love her quite a lot, and I can't wait until she's back all over the T.V. and movie screen so I can bite her style .




Here are your classic Virgo beauties, just can't stop loving these ladies. They are timeless. Sophia Loren, Greta Garbo, and Lauren Bacall.








Again, two stunning Virgos, Jada and Claudia. Every time you see them they are flawless.



Even here when Jada is rockin' in her band Wicked Wisdom she is showing us how it's done!

I wanted to be Willona...

Do you remember her? Willona Woods from Good Times. I actually just watched her two nights ago. On that episode, she set Florida straight on trying to get her married off. She said something like "...Florida girl I might be alone, but I am not lonely." Hearing that Willonaism reminded me of my childhood when I dreamed of being her. She would glide into the room in the flyest garments from her downtown boutique. She always attracted the most handsome men, and she was a woman who was wise, secure, and aware of herself. I still admire who she was, I am even smiling while writing this. Good memories.

I even worked in a few boutiques after high school, like Willona. When I was young and single I walked about like Willona, sure of myself and fly. Hey, who am I kidding I still walk around that way, flanked by a loving family.

Anyway, here she is.. enjoy! And don't forget to find the Willona in you and let her shine.