Have you ever longed to be a wild woman? In so many ways I long to be a wild woman--- a woman who throws caution to the wind and laughs in the face of things others fear. I want to take risks with no fear, guilt, or regret. I'd like to entertain the notion of doing something totally spontaneous before my logical self cautiously convinces me otherwise.
So that, ladies and gentlemen is what I'll BE. I'm going to do whatever feels good in my heart, what resonates with my spirit, and what I know I need to do to thrive. I can't sit here with an idle walk and tied tongue any longer. I have places to go and things to do. I'm gonna do me and I won't regret it.
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a woman of color sees a positive representation of her likeness in the media. At first glance she’s in awe, enamored even. She then begins to study said woman, examining her appearance, calculating her movements, and paying close attention to how she carries herself. She watches how she communicates her thoughts, beliefs, and passions--careful to see how others respond to her presence. Next, she makes note of their similarities. See, this part of the magic is key. While many argue that comparison kills confidence, this form of comparison could very well save a life. This woman begins to see that there are others with qualities like her who are not only surviving, but thriving as well. And that if this woman can make it out here in the world, so can she.
At least that’s what I was thinking to myself when I first saw Janelle Monáe dancing across my TV screen back in 2007.
Happy Monday, loves! Today on the blog, I've created a budget-friendly celebrity inspired look. This look features the beautiful singer, songwriter and VH1 Reality TV Star K. Michelle rocking a sheer-purple lip and plum "blushed" cheeks. Under the jump, I have a list of tried and true beauty favorites along with steps to recreate this look at home with ease.
Ladies, gentlemen, and all of my fellow Tina Turner fans, I have a treat for you today. There's a Tina Turner Tribute coming up on the horizon by way of Harlem, New York, and I wanted to tell you guys all about it!
Tempest Walker and Rankin Street Productions in association with Black Noise Media Present 'Be Tina: A Tina Turner Tribute.'
‘Be Tina’ is a musical stage production created by top producers, directors, and executives that celebrates Tina Turner and her legacy through an array of dance and live musical performances covering some of Tina Turner’s greatest hits including “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Proud Mary,” and “When the Heart Ache is Over.”
‘Be Tina’ features a diverse cast consisting of a five-piece band, three dancers, and Tempest who will star as Tina Turner. This cast will surely get you on your feet and dancing along to some of Tina Turner’s staple classics.
Right before the show's opening on tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, 2015, I was given the opportunity to have a Q&A session with the 'Be Tina' producer and star Tempest Walker.
"Just one of them days... when I wanna be all alone. It's just one of them days... when I gotta be all alone"
How many of ya'll hear this song and immediately twist your neck and belt out the lyrics boisterously? Well I do. I know many women that can relate to this song. In 1995, the diva-in-training Monica shared with R&B music fans all over world what it was like for a woman to have a bad day in her hit single "Don't Take it Personal". Even at the tender age of 14, the maturity in her voice left listeners with an understanding of how to deal with a lady's mood swings.
This morning I felt compelled to share this song with all of my divas (and men who must deal with "diva-tudes"--be it your mother, spouse, sig. other or the like) because-- well I'm having one of those days myself. Yes, already. I'm cranky, in need of coffee, and upset that nothing is fitting right. I know that I can be a train wreck in the morning and a bad word in the afternoon (thanks, Bey), so I have to take responsibility by warning folks. Sometimes I have to tell hubs not to take my actions personally and with a tad bit of space and lots of understanding, I will bounce back in no time. In fact, for the rest of the day, I will be spending time enjoying my space. In the meantime, check out Monica's video for our just one of them days anthem, "Don't Take It Personal".
Ladies, do you ever feel like this? Men, how do you deal with this?
Picture it: Eastern North Carolina, circa 1994 (in my Sophia Petrillo voice). There's a skinny little brown girl twisting her hair up at her grandmother's house and dancing to the Janet Jackson video You Want This, belting the chorus lines out as if she were in concert. She bites her nails as she studies Janet's look, Janet's moves, and the sassy lyrics to Janet's song. She is in awe. She wants to dance like Janet, sing like Janet, look like Janet, and be just as sassy. Now picture that same young girl all grown up and staring at the screen watching her Velvet Rope Tour DVD in that same adoration she did as a child. Yep, you guessed it. That young girl was me.
Janet Jackson will always be my definition of iconic beauty, poise, and sexiness.
This morning I found myself reminiscing about my childhood. Consistently, starting around the age of six and throughout my formative years, I always dreamed of becoming a diva. Not a princess from any of Disney's fairy tales like other girls my age, but a real-life DIVA. Because my own daughter will be turning six soon and is a certified diva-in-training, I've been reminiscing quite a lot lately on what I was like at her age. I've often wondered why she is as poised and classy as she is at such a young age, when most children are concerned with going to the playground and playing tag. Now that I am thinking of how I emulated the way my aunts pouted their lips to apply lipstick in the mirror and crossed my legs at the dinner table just like them, I realize my daughter is only emulating me. Hearing Giving Him Something He Can Feel by En Vogue (which is one of my FAVORITE SONGS) this morning rushed back all the memories of my early inner diva.
I remembered how I used to imagine myself draped in a brilliant, shimmery red "Jessica Rabbit" dress and satin white gloves as I belted out suggestive lyrics heartily from my bedroom mirror at the age of 8. Was there an eager Johnny Gill staring back at me? I can't recall. But my mom's loud command that I "stop being grown" dismissed all my delusions of grandeur each time. Nonetheless, I still pretended to be Terry (or Cindy) from En Vogue when mom wasn't looking and even wrote songs of my own! In light of my early diva experiences, I would like to share this video with you all. Happy viewing!
A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft. ~Patti LaBelle
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a treat for you today. I haven't done a Dose of Diva in quite a while so I decided to start the new year off right with one of my most favorite divas of all time. Fellow Gemini, Ms. Patti LaBelle (the beautiful one in French) is the quintessential diva in my eyes. The way she used to roll her eyes, neck, and say "Miss Thang" was so sassy to me! I loved watching her as I grew up, on television specials and making new music, because she has such a larger-than-life persona. Though I may be a bit younger than the average Patti fan, I am still a die-hard fan, nonetheless. Her voice is so soulful, strong, wide-ranging, and angelic. Her performances were always so full of energy! In fact, have you ever seen Fantasia Barrino kick her heels off during a performance? That's Patti's move! Known for her showboating and showstopping, Miss Patti LaBelle is nothing short of a grand diva, indeed. Check out my favorite hits from Patti.
How many of you watched Black Girls Rock last night? I was able to watch a segment of it and was very happy to see today's diva, Miss Jilly from Philly, perform the "Womanifesto" from her latest album, The Light of the Sun.
For years now, Jill Scott has been gracing us with her sultry voice, soulful songs, and recently, her powerful acting skills. I remember first hearing her on the Roots singles "You Got Me" and "Complexity" wondering who the woman with the captivating voice was. Now several hit singles ("A Long Walk," "Golden," and "Hate on Me" to name a few), albums, movies, a book and a baby later, we have the quintessential diva before us.
She makes me proud to be a woman, as she is not afraid nor ashamed to bear her sensual side. She speaks proudly and with such an unapologetic authority, one can't help but take notice. She embraces her womanly strength and femininity wholeheartedly, and that is why I admire her.
I was gonna wait until next week to give you guys a dose of diva, but then I heard a song by one of my favorite divas as a child just now. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is Miss Whitney Houston. She had one of the most amazing voices I had ever heard. To be quite honest, one of the main reasons I watch The Bodyguard is for the wonderful soundtrack.
Anyways, I was rummaging around for my Preacher's Wife soundtrack, as it is one of my favorite albums. I found it and immediately went to the track titled "Step by Step". After I heard it, I felt so inspired and so eager to press forward, no matter what was going on in my life or mind. That's why I wanted to share it with you guys in hopes that it would inspire one of you, too!
Enjoy!
Where is Whitney these days? Wherever she is and whatever she's doing, I hope she's okay. I miss her and those soulful grooves she used to bless us with.
So that, ladies and gentlemen is what I'll BE. I'm going to do whatever feels good in my heart, what resonates with my spirit, and what I know I need to do to thrive. I can't sit here with an idle walk and tied tongue any longer. I have places to go and things to do. I'm gonna do me and I won't regret it.
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