An Interview, A Giveaway and a Scandal

Oh fun! Today my interview with Amanda McCabe is up over at the Risky Regencies blog to launch her new book Countess of Scandal as Laurel McKee. She's giving away a copy of her book to a lucky commenter so please stop on by and check out the interview here.

And it just so happens that my review of Countess of Scandal is up on Booksquawk so later you can stop on by there and check that out. You'll see I really enjoyed all the scandal. It was a great read.

Once again. Happy Saturday!

Best,

Kwana

West End Girls

A Little Saturday Music for You. Enjoy.


Best,
Kwana

Chill Baby

What's Jack up to? He's still doing the trash sneak thing and it is starting to get on my last nerves. I refuse to get another trash can or put him back in the basement. So Jack is going to just have to learn. Too bad he's trying to learn me. Humph!

So I realized I never posted a pic of myself in my new glasses. I think it's because I'm not entirely happy with them. They are so big. It took a ton of pictures just to get this semi good one. Now I'd I hate to go to to eyeglass store yet again, but whatever. Who knows? I will try and live by the card that PVE gave me here and Keep Calm and Carry On.

I hope you have a calm weekend planned. Me? Not so much. Vrooom!!!

Best,

Kwana

Visualization

For a while now I’ve been visualizing a revamp of my bedroom. One that includes a bit of paint and a little writing space for me and maybe the dreamy possibility of some shelves for some of my many book and piles. Now I’m not sure how I’ll get that to fit in my small space but I have some ideas.

You see I’ve tried writing in other spaces in my house but my bedroom is my sanctuary and I’m my most creative in there (Stop your thinking right there. This blog is family friendly, well, most days)



So here are a few pics that I have been dreaming on.


Speaking of pretty spaces there is a cool competition going on at Apartment Therapy called the Big Window Challenge and blogger and decornista, Eddie Ross is entered. Today is the last day to cast your vote. You can go here and check out Eddie and the rest of the competition. That gorgeous bag on the chair alone deserves a nod don't ya think?


http://bigwindowchallenge.apartmenttherapy.com/




Have fun and what projects are you visualizing today?

Best,
Kwana

Going Gaga for Fashion

What’s Jack up to? Jack has been sneaky lately with getting into the trash on the DL and stealing my laundry, annoying things like that to let me know Jack’s in the house and be on the lookout.

Ms. That’s Not My Age (you can check out her cool blog here) asked me to talk about Lady Gaga's costumes a bit and I’m more than happy to. Her costumes were super fab. As you can imagine they were over the top and in pure Gaga style. Some swallowed her tiny body whole others barely covered her up and I’m speaking about a fiery red bikini that she danced like mad around on the stage in. A particular fave of mine was a gold number that took me back to a movie a loved Flash Gordon, but once again I’m dating myself. I really need to stop doing that.

All the wild fashions were not on the stage either. I wish I had taken pics of the crowd. There was a guy with a jacket made of lights that I was so glad I wasn’t seated behind. Also quite a few women my age (and size) in unitards (not pretty at all) and the coolest and coldest duo were two guys in loincloths and boots and that was it all except the blue body paint ala Avatar. Very fun.

Best,

Kwana

most photos thanks to Socilaite Life

Oops

So this story is like my worst nightmare since it's so Kwana like. I think I may have said here before that in my fashion days one of my nicknames was "Grace" since I'm such a klutz. Constantly tripping over my own feet and getting all sorts of snickers from the more gracefully inclined fashionistas. I can't tell you how many times my DH has chuckled at my stubbing a toe and gotten his head bitten off for it in the middle of the night. "Hey, who moved that bed?!" "Uh, nobody it's been there for years." "Oh, well, shut it!"

Well, when I heard the story about the poor woman who tripped and fell into this Picasso at the Met tearing it my heart just broke for her. There but for the grace of God go me and all that. Read more about it here.








Best,
Kwana

Playing My Position

What's Jack up to? Jack's doing just fine. Getting into bits of trouble here and there but that's just Jack so what's more to say? Happy Monday!



I made it through the Gaga weekend. Though by DD and her friends did lots of fretting over what they were going to wear I decided to play my position and go as, well, me The 40 Year Old Mother in jeans, an olive draped sweater, and my comfy Uggs. Yes, I said it Uggs. Ga-Ga indeed. But my feet didn't hurt. Lordy I am getting old.

But, I've had my days of dress-up and fun way back in the day. Saturday night I was just there to fade in the background and keep and eye on things, make sure the girls weren't snatched up or anything.


Of course I enjoyed the show while I was trying to fade. I did my share of head bobbing and danced a bit when I could sneaked it in without a dirty look sent my way. I particularly liked the opening act, a glam rock band called Semi Precious Weapons that my DD told me I was too old to like as much as I did. Sigh. Whatever. (insert eye roll here)

Here was my tweet on the subject. I was having fun but am afraid the girls were corrupted:

Lead singer just stripped and changed on stage I'm afraid girls are changed forever same as me with Prince the first time. 6:47 PM Jan 23rd from web

Lady Gaga put in a great show. I have to say I liked her before but really like her even more now. She has so much talent and energy and knows how to use it to her advantage. Am I a little monster? Maybe.




All in all a good time, though I could have done without the drinks being thrown down from me from overhead. I'm wayyyy to old for that crap.




Here is a little Semi Precious Weapons for you if you can deal. ***Warning explicit lyrics.*** Not for the faint of heart. Have fun.





Best,
Kwana

Bad Romance

Here's a hint at my planned evening tonight with some 16 year olds. Wish me luck.



Best,
Kwana

Friday Musings

I can’t believe it’s Friday already. ALREADY!! Yeesh. Slow it down there Nelly!

Oh well. The week has flown and I feel I’ve gotten much of nothing done but have been so busy. Yeah, I’m sure there were a few things thrown in here and there, but for the life of me I can’t place them.

Just for fun I’ll share a pic of the Dear Twins birthday cake from their party last week. I decided to embarrass them once more and use the blog pics on their cake. I think it came out so cute and it was delish too. I still can't believe I have 16 year olds but all the teen drama tells me it is so. Sigh.

In other ramblings... are you watching Project Runway? I am but have the hardest time remembering it’s on Lifetime now. It’s so hard to break a habit. Hey, don’t my hips know it?
I thought Amy, Jay and Anthony rocked it this week and to me Amy made that burlap beautiful.

Best,
Kwana

Before and After

What's Jack up to? He's looking like a new dog after his much needed haircut this weekend and I'd swear he has some extra pep in his step. It must be from lugging all that shaggy hair weight.


It was totally my own fault

And seeing how good he looks now I'm just ashamed (Kwana hangs head...until next time).



Sorry Jackster.
Have you ever just let things (like your poor pet or gasp, your own hair) go?



Best,
Kwana

A Long and Bumpy Road

Today is Knit Wednesday when I get to meet with my knitting group and kick back, laugh, joke, eat and knit a bit so I thought I'd share pics of the turtleneck that I FINALLY finished a little over a week ago. It only took me about a year to get this thing done and you can't really call it a turtleneck since I ran out of yarn before I could properly finish the neck.

Oh well... done is done and I am D.O.N.E.

It looks quite handmade and a bit wonky as anything I seem to finish does, but no matter I'm flowing with it.

Oh and please ignore my lumps and bumps too. Blame it on the yarn. Okay? Hmm..Thanks.

My next project is an attempt at an infinity scarf I won't be trying another sweater for a long while. I just hope this doesn't take an infinity to finish.

Best,

Kwana

P.S. old glasses in the pic. Waaa I miss them.

Framed

What's Jack up to? Jack is feeling quite spry since he's sporting a new and very badly needed haircut which he got for the Dear Twins birthday celebration. Of course he was the main greeter and the life of the party, trying his best to get at snacks and cake. I'll have a pic to show you soon.

So I had to get new glasses. Mine just up a broke on me while I was doing nothing but chopping onions. Must have been chopping too hard, who knows because suddenly the handle was just off and could not be repaired so I had to up and get a new pair. Ugh and I loved those glasses.

Now I'm a huge glasses wearer. I have contacts, but never really feel comfortable with them since I've worn classes since about 3rd grade so I feel they are a part of me.

I drag the DH shopping with me and quickly settle on 3 pair although I'm not quite certain and wish I had maybe 100 more to choose from. My glasses are ready in about an hour and I go home. That evening it's another family celebration out and folks say my new glasses look nice but I'm not convinced. I feel like Henry Kissinger in them. They were lovely D&G frames, black, but I think too masculine for me. I felt I needed to be solving a serious missile crises in those glasses and not hanging on my blog talking to you all. I know, weirdo!

So after bugging my DH till about 2am (he growls) I was back at the eyeglass store the next day to exchange them. Thank goodness for 30 day returns. I got a pair that was very similar but tortoise, Ralph Lauren. The only problem is the orange horse on the side, but I'll get over it I'm sure (I love orange). At least that's what my husband hopes so he can get some sleep.

Best,

Kwana

pics thanks to Daily Candy- glasses from NYC's Fabulous Fanny's

Still Climbing

Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day! Dr. King's actual birthday is January 15th which is my Dear Twins birthday and I always felt such a sense of pride with them having that birthday.

This is such an important and hard fought holiday. For all of us the significance can't be forgotten. On the way to church yesterday while listening to the radio with my son we heard Reverend Al Sharpton say we have to make sure this is a Holiday and not a Hollow day and that makes sense. Kids have to know all that has happened to make this day happen in our country.



I also want to send positive thoughts to my own Pastor and many United Black clergy members as they travel with Rev Al to Haiti to help with relief. It is so wonderful how so many good people from all over the world have come together to help during this awful and devastating time.

Yes, there are those twisted few that are not true Christians (though they claim to be) or those that have dark hearts that want to twist this tragedy for their own media fame, but don't that that outweigh all those who truly care. There are so many from all walks of life, color and religions. And these people should be applauded. Thanks.

Best,
Kwana

Sweet 16

While I was sleeping you grew up, seemingly overnight

While I was blinking you grew older and time just passed me by

I don’t know how this happened that 16 years has passed

It really can’t be true

But the calendar says so, thou my heart it fights and says no
I have to give in and face the truth

Happy Birthday my Dear Babies, I will hold on to that right

To call you my Dear Babies with all of my might

You will always be my Dear Babies

Whether you are 16 or 60

Because you are the dearest things in the word forever and always to me

Love,
Mom