Sup?

So I've been threatening to come out of web-tirement for a few months now but, life kept getting in the way and we will get to that later!

I was having a really rough morning. I was work-a-cidal meaning I was dying to get home. No shade to my job, it was just difficult returning to work after spending a wonderful weekend with my loved ones plus I was sleepy and hangry. Not to mention, it's been a craptastic week in pop culture. Between shower rod sex, housewives fighting and racist team owners, I needed some good news. And at 8:10 my Lord delivered.

For real, for real, I wept. Real tears when I heard about Beyonce and Jay-Z touring together. For those of you who aren't down with the Carters, follow the ushers and they will show you to the exits to the left, to the left.

 

 If you know me, you know I've been waiting for this since Skippy was a puppy. This is my Super Bowl. These are my Olympics, this is the mother trucking CARTER FAMILY ON TOUR!!!

My friend/co-worker told me the news and my response was too colorful to repost (my momma reads this) but let's just say I lost every ounce of chill the I was blessed with.

 

Y'all just don't know. When the rumors started circulating, I threw some change in my Bey Bank and I am so glad I did! Tickets are on sale tomorrow for Beehive stans like myself and I am throwing all my coins at Queen Bey. And let's face it, they don't need my change, when Blue Ivy is walking around like this:

Point is, I'm over the moon and I'm ready for this concert! I've seen them separately but never together. I thought about posting the tour schedule on here but I don't need no competition when I'm placing my order. Y'all are on ya own!

Until then, just know that I am going to do whatever it takes to get to this show. If you know anyone looking for part time help, a kidney, some lady eggs, just holla at me ok? 

And to quote Nettie Harris from The Color Purple, when it comes to the On The Run Tour: 

Have a BEYutiful day!!

Beast Mode Part 1

Hello Dee-talers! Heads up, I'm writing this on the fly from my phone so we might have a gang of typos and I'm gonna need for you to get past that and focus on the bigger picture here ok?

You ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired? I realized I have been in a physical funk and after losing a good amount of weight and living a healthy lifestyle, I was back on Team Fluffikins.

Sipping wine, eating cookie butter, watching Series 3 of Downton Abbey like it was my job. Man I was up to no good! But who wants to work out??? Why do I have to sweat!? Pass the cookie butter and leave me be!

Then this happened...

Dang Superbowl Halftime Show. Dang Destiny's Child Reunion. Dang Beyonce's  gyrating. And Dang Kelly Rowland's ridiculously cut arms!!

Wake up call!!  I called myself learning the break it down part to End of Time and almost collapsed a lung. Not cool!

 
So fine. I will never be a member of Destiny's Child. I will never wear a python onesie in front of 100 million people, but can I get my lungs to hold enough air to get me through a song please God? Can I live!!??

Ok I'm being dramatic (again) point is its time to get off Team Fluffikins and work my way up to being a starter on Team Fly As A Mugg. I've been easing into things. A class here and there, waling and eating better but it's time to get turnt up!

So today I am attempting to kick start my efforts by doing 4 yes 4 workouts in one day.

Now listen I ain't stupid. This won't be an everyday thing, but I'm looking at it as my Get it Right Inauguration. I Deidre James hereby do solemnly swear to dedicate my time and efforts into being well, fly as a mugg!

So I'm going to keep track of every activity and hopefully I can complete all 4. No skipping ahead alright? Ok let's go!

photo by Level 5 Studio

Workout #1: All Them Mocha Lattes You Gotta Do Pilates
12:15 PM
I went to Level 5 Studios for my very 1st Pilates class.
I met my instructor who was tall blonde  beautiful and very kind. The class had 4 other Pilates Pros and I was the thickest most out of shape newbie in the bunch.

The class was challenging but I felt comfortable in the company of the other class mates. The instructor modified the moves for me, took time to correct my poses and even challenged me to do some advanced moves.
I will say at one point when we were in children's pose. I thought I was going suffocate myself with my breasteses!
At the end of the class, everyone congratulated me on not giving up and I took a bow. I have a loooong way to go before I'm anywhere close to being as good as my classmates, but I still give the experience an A!

Tips: wear light weight breathable clothing, if you're busty, lock those chesticles down and wear a crew neck shirt. No v-necks! Also make sure your feet don't look like a smashed up bag of Fritos. No shoes, no socks, so grease up those ankles!
Invest in a comfy mat. You will spend a lot of time on it and you will sweat!

Work Out #2 Show Me What You're Twerkin With
Confession, I can't dance like I used to. I mean I can dance as in I still know the moves to Janet Jackson videos and I can bust out the routine to Bell Biv Devoe's Poison but umm as far as the dances that are popular today, I'm a straight up old lady. So I googled YouTube video tutorials on some of today's moves like the Dougie, Twerkin, the REAL Harlem Shake and the Cat Daddy.

Maaaaan that was just sad. I don't think my Lord and Savior wants me to be Twerk Team Captain because I swear on my last jar of cookie butter you will never see me twerking in public. The movements, the sounds, the facial expressions. I quit this workout before I could burn a single calorie. I don't want to dance like this. Didn't break any kind of sweat, but I did break my own heart. That was just sad. I give that an F!!


Ok this post is getting long and I have to get ready for my other work outs. Do I have it in me or will I stay on team Fluffikins?

To be continued...

"O" Happy Day!

Y'all...
You know it's serious when I start with a "y'all." OK, something so major, so epic, so monumental, is happening in less than 30 days and I am about to burst with excitement and joy.


No, I'm not getting married, I'm not moving, but I will fulfill a dream that has been 25 years in the making.




I'm going to see OPRAH!!!!!!!

Her legendary talk show came to an end nearly a year ago and I thought I had missed my opportunity to see Lady O do her thing in front of a live audience.  As promised, she hasn't gone away, but she's started a new chapter on her OWN Network.


On March 26, she's filming an episode of her powerful series Lifeclass at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis with Rev. T.D. Jakes, and I will be in the audience!


Season one of Lifeclass blew my mind. Each night, Oprah revisited the most unforgettable topics from the Oprah Winfrey Show and how those stories, and guests can serve as teachable moments to help you live your best life. 

Last week it was announced that season 2 was in the works and Oprah was taking the show on the road.Tickets were given away at random via an online lottery process and my dear friend and Lifeclassmate, Dewaynia scored a pair! I can't think of anyone I'd rather go with. We have spent countless hours in my room, with notebooks and Kleenex consuming the life lessons and applying them to our personal goals. Now we get a chance to see Professor Oprah in person and together.


So now we play the waiting game. Tickets have been booked, hotel is set. I think Dewaynia has her outfit selected!  I will keep you updated as we receive more details, but for now I hope you will set your DVRs and tune in.

Oh Baby Baby: Britney Spears Femme Fatale Tour

Last night Raleigh, NC had its face rocked off by the awesomeness of Britney Spears and her Femme Fatale Tour. 

If you know me, you know I've been down with Britney since she was a brunette in track pants doing flips at car washes in her Baby One More Time video. My love is true. I even saw that movie Crossroads opening night when it hit theaters.

When Justin Timberlake dissed her in that Cry Me A River video, I defended her. I mean c'mon did she really cheat on him or was JT trying to get some press for his debut album?

Then came the K-Fed years and that God-awful reality show Chaotic. The head shaving, crotch shots, babies, lawsuits, me and Brit-Brit have been through it and not once have a missed a tour. I will travel across state lines and skip a cell phone bill, to support my Britney habit. 

Don't get it twisted, just because I work in radio I'm never guaranteed concert tickets. I had to creep on Craigslist for last minute deals hours before the show and got a pair of tickets in the nosebleed seats and a friend willing to pay for their own ticket (shout out to Kerry!)

Eventually we made it to the concert and not only were our seats horrible, they were so high up, I would have had a hard time enjoying myself  and jamming sitting so close to Jesus in the sky. Luckily we got upgraded to lower level seats right next to the stage! 

My sweet Britney brought it so hard. 90 minutes of up tempo, sometimes cheesy, sexy, fun music. Home girl actually sang y'all! I know she's supposed to sing but let's be real, we don't love Brit for her voice, and her latest stuff if techie auto-tuned jams. But I'm not there for the vocals, I love the beats, the songs, the dancing, the spectacle of it all and I make no apologies. I know she isn't for everyone. There isn't a lot of depth there, but you know sometimes you just want to see pretty people doing pretty things in pretty pink clothes! 

Oh what you want pictures? Boom , I got ya! I caught Britney in all her glory with the camera I snuck inside the arena. Enjoy!

The set list had a great mix of her older hits and the new stuff. I was floored by her performance of "I'm A Slave 4 U." She it all the moves, and it was great seeing her re-create the 2001 hit. Yep, it's been 10 years! 


The crowd was a mix of all types of people. Gay, straight, adults, teens, and the outfits were amazing. Since cameras were illegal I couldn't get as many photos as I wanted but I hope you liked the few I have.  What was the last concert you went to? Did you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Brit Brit? Discuss!

Until next time!
Dee

Dressing Room Project: Carrie On :)

For the last few weeks I've been obsessed with turning my junk room into a chic and stylish dressing room like Carrie Bradshaw's in Sex & the City.

Pretty kick ass right? Well, here is my closet....

A hot mess!

So now I'm dedicating the next month to transforming the junk room into a dressing room! A place where I can try on my clothes, apply make up, display my accessories and listen to music without disturbing up my resting place.

One of the benefits of being single and a homeowner, (yep, contrary to what society wants you to believe, they do exist!) I have extra room and total say-so on what those rooms will be used for. I have a den, a guest room, home office and now I'll have my very own dressing room. Oh you fancy huh? :)

It won't be easy but I'm already making progress. Here are some before shots.

 

Old IKEA couch

 Entertainment center with TV/DVR..I really want to keep the DVR and TV but the unit isn't doing much for the room....

 More junk...pilates machine and clothes baskets. I need to utilize that wire storage unit. Right now it just has socks and mittens in it.

 Sweaters, and junk all over the place (and yes I'm watching the Hangover)

So there it is, my inspiration and my current situation. I'm going to chronicle the process here on Dee-tales. I know it won't be easy but I'm determined to make this room work and for under $200.  I'll be back tomorrow with more updates. Wish me luck!

Hu's In The House

I won’t even attempt to be “fair and balanced” with this post. I love, love, love all things related to First Lady Michelle Obama. She’s brilliant, accomplished, has a beautiful family, is in phenomenal shape, and has impeccable taste. Not since Jackie Kennedy have we seen a First Lady with unique and contemporary fashion sense like Michelle Obama.

At the State Dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao, Mrs. Obama was stunning in a dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress was a rich red which represents courage, loyalty, honor, success, and fortune in Chinese culture.

Guests included politicians, Hollywood A-listers, and prominent Chinese-Americans.

 Vera Wang

Anna Wintour

Usually a guest chef is brought in to cook for State dinners, but Chinese delegation requested a “quintessentially American” menu and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford delivered. 

The Menu:

D'Anjou Pear Salad with Farmstead Goat Cheese
Fennel, black walnuts and white balsamic

Poached Maine Lobster, Orange glaze carrots and black trumpet mushrooms
wine--Dumul Chardonnay "Russian River" 2008

Lemon sorbet

Dry aged rib eye with buttermilk crisp onions
Double stuffed potatoes and creamed spinach
wine--Quilceda Creek Cabernet "Columbia Valley" 2005

Old fashioned apple pie with vanilla ice cream
wine-- Poet's Leap Riesling "botrytis" 2008

What do you think of the First Lady's dress?  Who is your pick for the most stylish First Lady?

2011 Golden Globes Recap

I apologize for being late with my Golden Globes recap. The broadcast was pretty uneventful, no major moments, no performances, and no remarkable speeches or upsets. So let's get to the important stuff, the fashion! The good, the men, and the "what the what?' Let's do this!

My pick for best dressed goes to Eva Longoria. I love this dress because I think it is flattering on almost any shape. I adore the cap sleeves, the deep v-neckline, and the classic black dress on the red carpet. Extra credit for the neat up do and minimal jewelry.

Ahh Claire Danes, always classy and so pretty in pink! Again I am a fan of the simple classic look at an awards show. Less is more. In 30 years we will look back on this dress and it will still be considered a stunning look.

Claire picked up a Golden Globe for her role as Temple Grandin produced by HBO.

Glee's Leah Michele in a lovely pink gown. I like everything about this look except the hair. A neater do would have made the dress the focal point. Either do a bold dress with a simple do, or a bold do with a simple dress. Doing both takes away from the overall look.

                              Mila Kunis...nuff said. Perfect, hair, perfect dress. Perfect 10

Glee's Diana Agron

  Halle Berry

Modern Family's Sofia Vergara

Vanessa Williams (how hot is she?)

Glee's Amber Riley

Kelly Osbourne & Julia Stiles

Catherine Zeta-Jones

And now the bad.....

Helena Bonham Carter

Sandra Bullock, bad hair, bad dress. It pains me to put her on this list

Anne Hathaway looks like she took a ride on a disco stick

Seal and Heidi Klum, why?

 Tina Fey

To quote the old man from Coming to America "What is that? Velvet?"

From Mad Men: January Jones and Christina Hendricks. Jones looks too severe, and Hendricks looks cartoon-ish.

And the worst dressed woman at the Golden Globes....

Gabourey Sidibe

Now ladies (and some gents, I don't judge) get ready for some eye candy!

The hotness that is Brad Pitt

Zac Efron aka My Heart

Robert Downey Jr.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Matthew Morrison

Jimmy Fallon

L.L. Cool J

I had to save the best for last.....

 

Blair Underwood aka Sir Chocolate

You know why I like Blair? He's handsome, talented, and seems to be a loyal hubby and father. Nothing hotter than a responsible man in my book!

If you actually care about the awards, check out the list winners and nominees here.