And She Can Act Too

What's Jack up to? I'm trying to get Jack used to a new dry food and, well, it's not easy. Let me just say Jack has to be pretty hungry to go for it. The first day he was fine, but the second day he was like, um, is this a joke? Sigh, I'm persevering.

So yesterday, well, earlier today since I'm typing this after midnight, I did The Shred workout for the first time with the 15 year old DD.

Yep, I finally took it off the top if the DVD player and popped that baby in. Let me just say, Ouch!

1. It's a shame that level #1 hurts sooo bad. and

2. when will I ever learn to do a proper push up? I mean come on, I'm not 13 anymore. I should have this thing down by now.

That said, I'm continuing on the food theme this week. I was on twitter and it lead me to this video on Gwyneth Paltrow of all people roasting a chicken and the fact that there was a big hoopla over it which was LOL funny of you ask me.

Even more funny was the fact that what led me to the video was a Tweet from NYC Housewife Bethenny saying she:

"is LOL-ing over this whole 'Gwynethgate' I haven't even seen her 'fowl' video..."

I kid you not. Here is the Daily News gossip that she is speaking of. Crazy.

All that said, hey, Gwyneth can cook. I'm not hatin' on her.






Great, now I'm hungry. How about you?

Best,
Kwana

Clean

Just when the whole "organic doesn't mean a hill of beans" study comes out. This book Clean goes and makes the New York Times best seller list. Insert head shake here.

But Dr. Junger really does make a lot of sense. On top of that he's not so bad to look at. Check out this great interview from Obsessed TV with Samantha Ettus. He had me stopped in my tracks. I was like preach to the choir why don't cha?





Now as lots of you know I suffer from migraines and have for years plus allergies which I get 6, yes, 6 stinking shots a week for. I'm pretty much allergic to just about everything in the air and at this point I don't know if the shots are doing a bit of good. Besides that, as my faithful readers know my personality is somewhat that of a constant thinker and worrier so after watching this interview with Dr. Junger you know I'll be picking up his book.

As for practicing The Clean Program? Ummm..... I'm like, Jack with his new diet and making no promises. You all know how much I like to deprive myself. Sigh.

I'll let ya know.

In other book news... My favorite housewife NeNe Leakes has her book Never Make The Same Mistake Twice coming out today. Good luck NeNe!

Best,
Kwana

I Could Have Sat That One Out

This Time magazine cover made me want to sick out my tongue and say nana-nana-na-na to just about every one with their "well meaning" advice.

The article says that exercise does not bring about weight loss, but that exercise may cause people to actually eat more. The more physically active you are the hungrier you will get and the more you will eat. And it's not just about willpower. Whew, good to know it's not just me.

"From a weight-loss perspective, you would have been better off sitting on the sofa knitting. "

Ha! Maybe not entirely accurate, but I love that quote.

Now I'm not saying there's nothing to exercise for a health and toning perspective. As a matter of fact I just got Jillian Michaels' The Shred and I need to hop on it. But I'm under no illusions that it's what's going to get me losing weight. It's the whole mind, body, food connection that will work.

For weight loss it's all calories in vs. calories out. Not how much you kill yourself at the gym. Read the full Time article here. and chime in.

So, what do you think?

best,

Kwana

I'm Not Crying

What's Jack up to? This video shows how Jack is feeling over Nana going back home after hanging with him for the past week. Poor, poor Jack.

I'll be missing Nana too. We had a great time just chilling, playing cards, people watching and trying to keep Jack in line.




Best,
Kwana

Little Dog- Big Trouble

What's Jack up to? Jack's still trying to get used to this limited diet thing. It's not fun or easy. He's very picky about his food and come to find out the food from the vet is super expensive. Yikes!

Jack also got in huge trouble yesterday and had to go on time out for charging out of the house and running across the street to bark at the big sweet old dog that lives there and never bothers anyone. Talk about a Napoleon complex. My dog has one. Grrrr!

Have a Happy Friday!

Best,

Kwana

Super Lady

On Saturday a pioneer passed away. Naomi Sims died of cancer at the age of 61 in NJ. She is credited as being the first Black Supermodel paving the way for models such as Beverly Johnson, Pat Cleveland and later the likes of Tyra and Naomi Campbell.

Here she is on the cover of Life in 1969.

With agency doors being closed to her (some even telling her straight to her face that her skin was too dark) and not being able to go the traditional route, Naomi blazed her own path by going straight to the photographers to find work.







Naomi left modeling after 5 years to become a successful business woman launching a wig company and beauty business. She also went on write a number of successful books including: How to be a Top Model and All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman.




Naomi led the way, showing how to get it done through adversity. Her star will be missed.





Best,
Kwana

Snack Happy

What's Jack up to? We're still working on getting his special diet together and he's still not all that happy. Just saying.

In honor of diets I ran across this Snickers ad late on Saturday night on the upper east side. Fun! I wonder if those pay phones really work. Hmm...

Best,

Kwana

The Second Half

So I finally finished my handwritten edits on my summer hot mess manuscript. And I'm happy to report the story isn't that much of a hot mess. There's a reason I couldn't let go of it and wanted to go back and edit it again. The main characters. They are relatable and real and I really care about their story of marital un-bliss. So go me! I hope others will too.




That said there is still plenty of work ahead.



Now it's time for the second half of the game where I get up close and personal with my Dell laptop. As if we aren't close enough. So back to the Bat Cave. See you as I come up for air.

Best,

Kwana

Grumpy Puppy

What’s Jack up to? Poor Jack is not happy. After a visit to the vet he’s been put on a restrictive diet in order to see if he has any food allergies to take care of his runny eyes. So on top of shots and giving blood Jack can’t even eat or have the treats he wants. So far it’s not working out too well. Last night I was left with a full bowl of food. I'm hoping being really hungry today will help the food taste better to him. I’ll keep you all updated on a grumpy Jack’s progress.

No worries, Jack I'll try and diet a bit right along with ya. As I'm elbow deep in edits I'll try and cut down on the light and sweet iced coffee at least a bit. A girl needs the proper fuel to work.

I hope you all had a good weekend and have a Sunny Monday.


Best,
Kwana

Bad Writing

Happy Friday!

What's Jack up to? As I write this (late Thursday night) the Jackster is right under me up under my bed snoring lightly. Poor thing, he's worked so hard. Trying to sneak into the trash multiple times, but I was up on my game and thwarted him each time. I'm sure today he'll come for me with extra strength. I'll be ready. I hope.

What is bad writing?

I find it hard to define, but it's something you know when you read it. Now being in a book club the subject of bad writing has become an interesting and lively debate.

For me it's writing that doesn't flow or hold my attention. It's definitely writing that I have to go back and read a few times in order to understand or writing that doesn't ring true and I don't mean in a fantasy way I mean in an authentic way.

I'm very interested in this documentary Bad Writing with George Saunders and David Sedaris.



So how would you describe Bad Writing? This post maybe? Ouch!

Have a great day.

Best,
Kwana

A Hot Mess!

I'm deep in editing mode right now and this project is taking me way longer than I thought and had hoped. I really hope it's not for nothing but I keep holding onto the words that author, Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick told me at Nationals last year, "No writing is wasted writing."

The story is improving. So that means I am improving.

Where that will lead, I don't know. As an artist and being close to my work it's hard to tell exactly where I am on the craft scale compared to other writers. Now I know some may say you shouldn't compare yourself to anyone else, but that's not true. You have to know what's out there and ultimately sell your story against what else is out there. I guess in the end all I can do is be true to myself and the story and do my best which is what I do with each book I write.

Now on the the hot messery...So tonight The Real Housewives of Atlanta are back tonight. I'll be watching. I can't want to see all the crazy antics. Check out the trailer. Big Poppa is still on he scene. SHE by Sheree has some competition and NeNe is still NeNe. Yay! Will you be watching with me?





Best,
Kwana

2012

What's Jack up to? Jack's been enjoying peaceful warm days and wild evening with the dear twins. They give him no rest and he gives them none either. So with that I get none. The nights are ...fun?

Not a big one for conspiracy theories, well, maybe a bit but not the scary ones I'm still still crazy drawn to this movie. It's got John Cusack. Win there and it's directed by Roland Emmerich director of Independence Day another win. I saw this trailer during Harry Potter with the Dear Twins and can't get it out of my head. It's wild.




Don't know where I'll be in 2012, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in the IMAX come November.

What movies are you looking forward to?

Oh and it's Real Hot Mess of ATL Countdown time. Are you ready for tomorrow?

Best,
Kwana

Style Maven

I’m going back to my Anthro excursion for today’s post and another book that that I found while there. I mean you can’t help but love that store. You can find a top, skirt, candles, china and fun reading. Genius.

But back to the book, well, books actually. The Little Black Book of Style and One Hundred: A Guide to The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia our favorite tough no love judge from Project Runway and former fashion editor for Elle magazine.

Oh Nina How I miss you! I love how Nina makes the title for One Hundred so forceful using the word 'must'. Go Nina.

The books are beautiful with illustrations by famed illustrator Ruben Toledo, husband of designer Isabelle Toledo.

Here is the blurb from Little Black Book of Style:

Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice—the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion.

And here is the blurb from The One Hundred:

In the wildly popular The Little Black Book of Style, fashion authority Nina Garcia showed women how to think about personal style in an entirely new way. Encouraging readers to creatively assert their style identities, Nina showed women of all ages how to hone and self-edit a distinct fashion voice.
With her style philosophy firmly out in the world, Nina decided to address the most popular question readers consistently ask her: Exactly what are fashion's timeless pieces?
The One Hundred answers this question and provides women with a tangible style map to follow when planning a shopping trip and stocking one's closet. With illustrations from world-renowned fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, The One Hundred contains the 100 items that Nina believes will never go out of style, and that have become absolutely indispensable for any woman reaching for her own eternal fashion look.

What are some of your Wardrobe Must Haves? I'll start: A great pair of jeans, perfect tees, good tailored shirt, classic black pants, ballet flats and LBD (I'm still working on finding the perfect one)

Best,
Kwana

WWAD-What Would Audrey Do?

What's Jack up to? Jack's had a fun filled weekend. A little BBQ and with extra treats thrown in. Also plenty of wildness with the dear twins so now he's ready for some naps and quiet time on this Monday. A little Jack chill time is in order. At least for a bit.

While in Anthro world last week I came across a couple of delightful books that I really want for my go to library and one of them was this little gem: How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life. Hence the title of today’s post WWAD (What Would Audrey Do?)

I’m a huge Audrey fan. Always and admirer of her style and grace. Funny Face is one of my all time favorite movies along with My Fair Lady. I even have a My Fair Lady Barbie done of in that dress from the races. Just to die for and we won’t get into the emotion from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Cat!”

They just don’t make stars like that anymore.

Here’s the synopsis from How to Be Lovely:

On many occasions, she was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey Hepburn, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother and an humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.
More philosophy than biography, How to Be Lovely revisits the many interviews Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood and relationships. Enhanced by rarely seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, How to Be Lovely uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.
While she would have been the last to say so, Audrey Hepburn was an expert in the art of being a woman. How to Be Lovely imparts whatever wisdom and insight she found along the way to the millions who grew up, or will grow up, wanting to be just like her.

Published to coincide with Audrey Hepburn’s would-be seventy-fifth birthday, How to Be Lovely offers a rare glimpse into the woman behind the mystique and the definitive guide to living genuinely with glamour and grace.

Who are some of your favorite stars from the past?

Have a happy Monday!

Best,

Kwana