Happy Halloween & Quality

What's Jack up to? Jack and his BFF the DH are both acting way too wild with the rough housing. I think there will be time outs all around in about 2 minutes.



I heart Cole Haan. Well, good quality accessories in general. I'm crazy for them and really think that it's money well spent when you buy quality. Now I know that there are some that don't agree with me but watch while I prove my point here. I don't buy a lot, well, because I don't have money to burn. If I did I'd be swimming in Louis and Gucci. I'd be totally Kimora Lee up in here. Seriously. There would be a problem.


The last piece I got was this bag from Cole Han back in February which I blogged about here. How sad was I when the zipper broke on me the other day. It totally put me in an evil mood. Eeee-vil. Well, I was about to have it repaired at a shoe maker when my friend PVE said try taking it back to the store first which I was considering but not sure of and lazy about the drive.

Long story even longer... I head to the Cole Haan store at the mall and do I know how to pick em? My bag from the winter was a top seller and has been reissued with a swanky new lining. It's no problem that I don't have a receipt. The sweet sales woman checks the computer and pulls me up by name and just gives me brand new bag. She said if they didn't have it she would have sent it out to be repaired for me. It didn't even matter that I have worn this bag practically every singly day since February and it was WORN. Tonight I'm sporting a new bag with a new zipper that works. WHAT?! Holla!




Oh and the new styles at Cole Haan are Droolworthy. I'm in love with this Dome Satchel. De-lish!

Happy Halloween!!

Don't Dream it Be It

Best,

Kwana

Prime Time

What's Jack up to? He's currently driving me batty by relentlessly squeaking the squeaker on his new toy. I have a feeling said toy may get "lost" real soon.

Last week I received the most lovely gift from a blog friend of mine, Brown Girl Gumbo. Life:The America Journey of Barack Obama is a hardcover book filled with amazing photographs and wonderful words chronicling the Senator's journey. I'm so proud to have it grace my coffee table.




Thanks so much Brown Girl! If you want to check out one of the coolest fashion, celeb and beauty blogs ev-ah pop on over there. I know you'll be a hooked as I am.



Did any of you see the Barack-omercil last night? Bold move huh? Hey, it's getting down to the wire. Time to pull out all the stops. Use what you got to get what you need. I love that saying.

Here's a little funny (sort of serious) as we get closer to get you thinking as if you're not already.



Best,
Kwana

P.S. Did anybody see Top Design and Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out shoot the zingers? Ouch. I'd have loved to see Jonathan Adler belt him one. He is too much!

P.P.S.

Shout Out to my friend author Marley Gibson. You all know Mar! From Her Sorority Series and her up coming Ghost Huntress book. Well tonight she and her hubby Mike will be on the premiere episode of MY GHOST STORY on the Biography Channel at 10pm. Check Marley and Mike out. How cool is that!

Focus

What's Jack up to? Jack is hoping for the weather to warm up a bit for longer walks. Could winter really be coming up on us so fast. Brrrr!

Oh boy are my legs burning! So I checked it out and yep, the gym is still there, but I already knew that. Crap.
Only that cute Mel could get me into this mess. Her smooth words and silky charm took me over the edge and actually got me on the Dredmill twice in one week. I'm paying for it now though with Legs O' Fire. I'm following the Couch potato to 5K plan which seems pretty reasonable for a runner hater like me. Let's see if I can actually make it stick. If these legs don't stop burning I don't know.

My mind is twisting in a million different directions right about now with the Dear Teen Twins, DH, the house, housework, my writing, dieting, exercise, finances (or lack thereof) and the election about 2 minutes away. UGH! I find it tough to focus on just one thing. Of course that's the Gemini in me too.

Lists help though and breaking the day off into chunks otherwise it can easily turn into a big lump of nothing.

I find that music helps to get me moving when I really slow down. My music guru, the PIC, introduced me to Van Hunt a while back and he's been fave ever since. Check him out.








What do you think? What are some of your tricks to stay focused?

Best,
Kwana

P.S.

What did you are think of the Not So Real Housewives of The ATL? Was it cool for Kim to diss NeNe? I think not.

Oh and Scroll down if you missed the NJ conference talk.

Smart Women Rule

What's Jack up to? Jack's running in circles right now with his new birthday chew toy. It's already missing and ear. He's going round and round. I'm not sure why, but as long as he's not getting into serious trouble I'm happy.


I had such a good time at the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart In A Book conference. It was a wonderful weekend getaway. No kids, no stress, tons of books. Bliss. And just enough info to not put me on overload.



Like in said in yesterday's post there were so many smart women there and so many writers that I admire such as: Eloisa James who reminded us of the importance of writing from your heart and Lisa Scottoline who gave such a funny and inspirational luncheon speech that she had many of us running to her workshop on how to write a novel right after. I'll admit, I ran.










I had an ah-ha moment in the world building workshop with Jessica Anderson (Hi Jess!) and J.R. Ward (Yep J.R. Ward!) when one really smart attendee asked the question about what was the hardest thing you had to learn or get over. I was shocked when J.R. said it was learning to plot. She used to be a pantser. Hmmm... Thanks J.R. you may have rocked my world.

I have a new saying: "Plot it out B!" I won't fill in the B here, but think Ari from Entourage and you've got it. Said with that type of attitude to really mean it and get to work. And make no mistake this is WORK.







My all time favorite moment came when I got to meet live and in person, Elizabeth Hoyt. The very same author whose Prince series I blogged about last week. Who woulda thunk it! I'm happy to say she was lovely in person and gave an, um, informative workshop called: Sex Scene Viagra. Thanks Elizabeth!










I was also thrilled to end up sitting right next to Katie from Rambling on Romance which got one of my blog awards last week. Small world. This was our first meeting and we hit it off right away.

The conference ended with dinner at Bonefish Grill with old and new friends. So much fun.

Clockwise from top left: Leanna, Sinead, Abby(hiding) , Megan, Me, Maureen, Katie, Stacy and Elizabeth.

Big shout out to the PIC! Thanks for putting up with me. You're the bestest!

Best,

Kwana

pic thanks to NJ website and me

Happy Birthday Jack!

What's Jack up to? Jack is happy and chilling after his birthday party weekend. Well, not really a party, he is a dog after all and I'm not crazy. At least not THAT crazy.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Yep! Wild Jack turned 2 (or is it 14? I just don't get the whole dog years thing) on Saturday. Thanks for adding just a bit more more nuttiness to my already heavily topped sundae of a life, Jack.



I'm back from a fun filled and super inspirational weekend at the New Jersey Romance Writers conference. I'm exhausted, but feel the need to go to the gym and see if my membership is actually still any good thanks to Mel and this cool new blog she's starting called FatChicksRunning. Now I refuse to out myself as a Fat Chick, but really who am I fooling? Like Mel, I'm a woman of a certain age who doesn't want to be a certain size anymore and it's time to do something about that. So I'm off. Hmm... Now which way was that gym?

More on the conference soon. So much to talk about. So many smart women. So much work I need to do. Eek!



Best,
Kwana

Little Ol' Me?

What's Jack up to? Once again he's working my nerves by going for the trash. You may think I'm nuts but I swear Jack knows how to push in the latch that locks the trash. That dog is too freakin' smart for his own good.


So I've gotten an award. Little ol' me. Can you believe it? Elizabeth from Scandalous Women was kind enough to bestow on me the Premio Dardos award. What's that, you ask (I know, I asked the same thing) well, here's the official rundown:


This award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing...that's the general idea.



Here it is, more eloquently, in Portuguese:
O conceito deste prémio passa por reconhecer valores culturais, éticos, literários e pessoais, transmitidos de forma criativa e original nos pedacinhos rabiscados por cada blogueiro que o receba. Ahh pretty!


The rules of this award are as follows: show the image of the award on your blog, link back to the blog that gave the award, and nominate 15 other blogs that you consider deserving the same.

Now 15 seemed liked a lot to me but I put some serious thought into this and here are 15 blogs in random order that I really do j'adore and visit everyday. Shhh! Don't tell the DH. I'm supposed to be writing, ok? Check them out. You'll love them too.


i suwannee


Decorno


Brown Girl Gumbo


Adventures In Renovating A Brooklyn Limestone


Megan Frampton


pve design


confessions of an it girl


lovemomworklife


Kristen Painter


Melissa Francis


A Cup of Jo


High-Heeled Foot In The Door


Ramblings on Romance


Aurea



Best,
Kwana

P.S. I'm off for the New Jersey writers conference with the PIC this weekend yippee!!!

Have a great weekend!

The Real World

What's Jack up to? Jack's enjoying the crisp Fall air. It's fun frolicking in all these crunchy leaves, huh?

It was attitudes all around on America’s Next Top Model. Can someone tell me what is wrong with Marjorie? I’m over her insecurities now and this is coming from me, one of the most neurotic people I know.

But out this week was Joslyn. Once again I don’t agree with the judges AT ALL. I thought Joslyn pulled it out after being sick as all get out. If you ask me (and I know you didn’t) neither she nor Elina should have been in the bottom two. It should have been Marjorie or that McKey who just makes me roll my eyes whenever I see her.

What is up with this mess? I am so getting over this show. Till next week of course!

So I was feeling absolutely lost without Project Runway last night. LOST. Thank goodness I don’t have long to wait for Top Chef. Whew. I love my Wednesday fix.


But, like an evil little ray of light STYLISTA came on right on time. Watching budding fashionistas trying to make it too Elle mag for stone faced fashion editor Anne Slowey was a nice treat.

It was especially fun watching it with the DD. I swear kids today know nothing about paying your dues. It totally took me back to my days in fashion. MY DD could not believe it when I told her how I was the girl that did the many coffee runs straight out of college before I got to actually design a measly flower, forget an actual garment.

She didn't want to hear it. She was all, “Mom, seriously, I need some new clothes,” throughout the whole show. And I was all, “well you’d better get to running and making me a latte or something. Hop to it girl.” Time to teach her how the real world works.



Best,
Kwana

Political Babies

What's Jack up to? Right now Jack's trying to charm the DD out of some popcorn. Not sure if the puppy dog eyes will work though. She's pretty tough.


I don't have much to say on this hump day so I thought I'd share these funny pics that I found on The Huffington Post of Barack Obama with babies on the campaign trail.
I've added my own captions. Please enjoy my sad attempt at humor.

You know I don't talk nearly as much a Joe Biden.

Could you not do that? You don't know what I've had for lunch.

Before I agree to this picture, I want answers on your economic stimulus package.

Sorry about the diaper, Senator, it's been a long afternoon.

Waa! You are soooo not my Daddy!

Hey, you've got nice eyes.

Hey, are you my Daddy? Cool!

Can a brother get a hug? It's been a tough year.

Ba-rock the Vote!!

Best,

Kwana

I Need A Hero

What’s Jack up to? Jackster is chilling this morning. Having taken his walk with the DH in the chilly 30 something degree air he’s gone back to napping for a bit. That’s quite a life you’ve got there Jack.

I need a hero. No, not that hero. If you ask me we all need that hero. Here’s hoping. Early voting is going on in many states and there are already long lines and problems with machines. Sigh.


But right now I’m talking about a great sexy literary hero to get your mind off all of that and I found some in these historicals by Elizabeth Hoyt. Have you read her Prince series? They are delicious books with the most intriguing, unconventional, heroes you will ever read.


THE RAVEN PRINCE, THE LEOPARD PRINCE and THE SERPENT PRINCE. Yummy.














Sadly, I’m up to the Serpent Prince, the end of the series, but I’ll be going on to read her next, The Legend of the Four Solider Series. Oh, my poor DH, will he ever get me to turn out the lights at a decent hour? I don't think so. Sorry, Love, those book lights just don't do it for me.


Best,
Kwana

Spin Cycle

What's Jack up to? Lovely Jack is trying my last nerve. Getting into the trash and making all sorts of messes. Jack you are working it.

Ever have one of those times when it seems like the easiest tasks are incredibly hard? Where you feel like no matter what you do you're just spinning your wheels?

Right now I'm in what I'd call a Spin Cycle and it's driving me a bit batty. I'm not quite sure how to handle it. I do know from my DD's ballet classes that when you have to do pirouettes the teachers advise you, in order not to get dizzy, to pick a focal point so that with each turn you always come back to that point. That's what I'll try and do.

Pick a focal point and try not to spin out of control. Ahh... motherhood is bliss.



Oh, Happy Monday!



Best,

Kwana

Look Up

What's Jack up to? Jack's been doing his best to get as many dog treats as possible out of me. It's been working. I really have to toughen up so he doesn't get fat. Can't have a chubby Yorkie. He's already the worlds biggest Yorkie. I'd like him to stay fit. So stop being so darned cute and sly Jack.




Look up.
We have a tree on our block between my house and my neighbor's that is a total showoff. It turns earlier than all the other trees, I think so it doesn't have to share the spotlight with the other trees. So what do I go and do to boost the tree's ego further? I take some pics. I just could not resist.



As I'm snapping away a nanny goes by pushing an angelic baby and she says ,"I like your tree." I have the nerve to preen and say, "thank you." Pla-ease, as if I deserve one ounce of the glory.



Have a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to Look up.
Now please excuse me. I've have some leaves to clean up.



Best,

Kwana

The Beast is Loose and Kristen Casts on!

What's Jack up to? Jack's sneaking off to the Dear Twins room to see what he can get into. With the messes they keep their rooms there's lots of trouble to get into there. Oh, Jack.


There's a new hot spot on the web. Ex Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown has launched The Daily Beast an online magazine for all things political, entertainment and well just... current. Give it a look see here. I suspect it's still evolving and will be evolving a lot in the weeks to come.

The Internet is all abuzz with opinions for Ms. Brown. You know how those are and how the saying goes. We all have 'em blah, blah, blah. So far I like the bits I see. As for my opinion? Add a bit more fashion I'm there all the way! But so far I like what I see.



This bring up the question: In this millisecond world are monthly mags a dying breed? I hope not. I just hope they can change with the times. Hmm... Change, the buzzword for our time I think.

I'd like to give a shout out to my fellow writer and buddy, the Diva herself, Kristen. She's opened up her own Etsy store: Blondissimo Gems and Jewelry. Don't you love that name? Go and check it out here. Go Kristen. Way to Cast-on!

Sidebar:Buh-Bye to G.C. on Survivor. Why did you come on if you couldn't hang, Dude?

Best,
Kwana

images from The Daily Beast

Is Joe for Real?

This is sticking at me so I have to talk about it?



Do any of you think that Joe The Plumber was a plant sent out there to ask that question of Barack on the campaign trail? After seeing the tape I kinda do.



And can someone tell me why newspapers were there to take his photo while he was watching the debate if he was so surprised to hear his named called so many times? Something doesn't smell right to me. Also he doesn't just look like your average plumber does he's wayyyyy to perfect for words.



Of course I could be totally wrong. I often am. Conspiracy theory moment over. Scroll down for Project runway fun!



best,

Kwana

Project Finito- Spoiler Alert!

Project Finale !

The debate is done Jack is snuggled beside me, I’m yawning, but I can’t sleep without watching Project Runway. So here I go.

Jerell is gone and it’s just the ladies off to Parsons. They each get to present 10 looks so they have to edit out 2.
Time to choose models.
Korto needs girls with hair. Leanne wants Aliens. Huh? And Kenley is bossy. Surprise, surprise.

Tim is walking through. First Kenley. Tim questioning the rope and Kenley is not hearing it. She’s not hearing anything. Tim walks away with THE best expression. Insert eye roll here.

Korto is scared to keep her wedding dress because it was not a winner. I hope she changes it..

Leanne has trouble editing. Too many good looks for her. Some problem to have.
Kenley stops Tim. She changes her mind and follows his advice. Could she be learning?
Korto is making 2 new looks at the last minute. Crazy! I hope crazy like a fox.

Sidebar: Korto is a total vixen going out to discuss makeup? Who's she going to see?

Back in the workroom Leanne and Kenley are talking about each other’s lines behind their backs. Eee Oww.
Quick hair consultation and back to work.
Korto is stressed. Of course.
Leanne’s model come is with a dog that poops in the workroom. Is she trying to say something about the collections?!
Gather round its Tim with the show order and words to make you cry. Nice Tim.
The Designers up at 3:05 am to go to the tents at Bryant Park. Ouch.
More testimonies and tears.

At the tents helpers arrive. Korto takes the help. Kenley says no one touches her garments. I see she’ll be fun to work for.
Almost Showtime and all the old PR faves are there. Are they paid for this?
Leanne has to switch a dress on a model and there are tears. There are always tears.
Everyone’s family is there.

Now it’s Showtime. Heidi is looking elegant. Love that dress. Anyone know who's dress it is?

Tim Gunn is the guest Judge since JLo bailed. Foot Problems. Sure. I've heard things.

Kenley comes out. She colorful and so are her dresses. 80’s meet 50’s pin-up girls. I like the fuchsia and black and the sleek black and the cream with floral.

Korto is next and she is feeling herself.
Love the first look. So sleek. And the new dress. Third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh in white. Awesome. Yellow is gorgeous. Green at the end beautiful. A knockout! Looks for so many women. I could wear this. Love her use of color. And she grabs her daughter to walk with her at the end. A tear from me. Perfect.

look it's Bianca from ANTM!

Next up Leanne. First look is pretty. Like the second. Fourth is pretty and fifth. I still love that wedding gown. I like her craftsmanship but wish for more variety in her palette and variation on the petals.


For me the winner is Korto. Let’s see who does win.

Now to the judges. Hey, Nina is smiling. Oh happy day.
They love Kenley’s painting. But another dress reminds them of a dress that’s out there. She's not winning.

Korto showed her heritage and did not make it into a costume, but some pieces are overworked. She needs to hold back.

Leanne had divine workmanship. They loved all her different pieces. Maybe too many petals. Um, yeah.
Judges deliberate. My heart is beating fast.

The winner is… not Kenley.
It’s… Leanne. I had a feeling it would be her. That’s the way the poll went. She had a lovely collection it just did not excite me with looks for so many real women like Korto’s did. Bummer. I never get the winner I want.

Congratulations Leanne! Fun season. I’m looking forward to Top Chef next month.

Best,
Kwana

P.S. Scroll down to talk politics if you're not over it.