Miami Ink

Ok, I admit it, I'm addicted to the show on TLC called Miami Ink. It's a reality show about a tatoo shop in Miami. I really like everyone in the shop and find it interesting to hear all the stories behind the ink customers come in to have done. There's always a story it seems. I've been moved to tears by some of the stories since a lot of the ink are memorials of some sort.

I really like the only woman in the shop named Kat. She's a very talented artist and she represents!



I really like the owner Ami as well. He's a character and I find him sexy.






But my favorite beyond words is Nunez. His first name is Chris and he's cuban. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a weakness for an olive skinned man with dark features. He's got the most beautiful hazel eyes and he seems to be a really nice guy aside from his gorgeous looks, IMHO. I have a pretty big crush on Nunez these days (sigh).


I just thought I'd share my recent guilty pleasure for the sake of full disclosure. If you watch the show, shout out and let me know who your favs are!

Genes are funny...

Now we know that we are all products of a lot of race mixing, so essentially we're all muts. I know I am just within the past 4 generations of my family. It's always been known that you can come out with some strange combinations in a child based on all the mixes in race and genes in a family tree. Last year in England, an interracial couple had fraternal twins that appeared to be of two different races. The parents are both biracial and products of a white mother and black father and they had these fraternal twins:

Well, now there is a little boy that was born to African American parents. Everything is very normal except his eyes are some of the bluest eyes I've ever seen on an African American person. He's such a cutie and I'm sure he'll stand out in any crowd as he grows up. Isn't he a cutie pie?
Aren't genes a crazy thing? I thought it was pretty interesting.

The weight loss journey...

Ok, you know I said I was going to buckle down and commit to getting some of this weight off this year. Well, I've been on a diet and doing much better than I thought I would. I've never really been able to stick to a diet in the past, so I was skeptical, but cautiously optimistic at the same time.

I don't own a scale at home right now. I guess it's because I never really wanted the discouragement of checking it on a regular basis or that it would say something like the above photo. I knew how much I weighed and that was enough. I've never been one to regularly jump on a scale to check my weight even when I owned one anyway. So, I was fine with getting weighed on my regular doctor visits so when I went on Monday, I was weighed and found out that I've lost 15lbs in the last 3wks (and yes, I was weighed 3wks ago). I was amazed. This is a huge accomplishment for me. Like I said, I've never really been able to stick to a diet long enough to really see any results.

I'm now committing myself to adding exercise to this journey and look forward to seeing an increased result in either weight loss or inches. I have some clothing that I'd like to get into and will let you know when I can actually comfortably fit them. My first goal is to get under 200lbs though and when I do that, you'll hear me scream from my doctors office even if you're on the other side of the country.. lol.

Thanks for all of your encouragement and I'll keep you posted on my results going forward!!!! YAY ME!!!!!! lol

Rhonda's Bday...

My girlfriend Rhonda just had a birthday and I hadn't seen her in such a while that I had to join her at her birthday celebration. It was just some friends getting together for a meal and some laughs and I had a great time.

Happy Birthday Rhonda!!!!!

I've been tagged (womp, womp, womp)...

Daez tagged me, so I'm supposed to share five things my blog readers don't know about me. That's going to be a challenge for me since I think I share a lot of myself in my blog, but I'll try...

1. I'm planning my first trip to the UK this year. London to be exact!

2. I'm addicted to Craigslist (specifically the 'missed connections' classifieds because I find them terribly amusing)!!!

3. I lost my virginity when I was 25. I decided to wait until I was mature and in love and that's exactly what I did. I don't regret a thing and am very happy I waited.

4. I'm just coming to the place in my life where I can see and appreciate my beauty.

5. I'm a chat Queen. I am addicted to chatting online and have spread my addiction to a lot of my friends. I chat while at work with friends and strangers to keep the day interesting.

WTH was Niecy thinking????

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a HUGE fan of Reno 911. I think it's one of the funniest shows out there. If you've never seen the show, watch this clip and I'm sure you'll be convinced...


Well, when I heard they were coming out with a movie, I was excited because I'm sure it will be as funny as the show has been. Neicy is the African American woman in the cast and I love her character. I know that Niecy has a show of her own called 'Clean House' and I really like her.

I was looking at some photos from the premier of the movie and I have to think, what the hell was she thinking????? She's a beautiful, thick black woman, but there are just some things that shouldn't be done. Especially on the 'red' carpet.

What was Niecy thinking?????

You tell me!

We lost another one...

So yet another one of our locked divas in the public eye goes for the big chop! Goapele has cut her locs off. She's a gorgeous woman, so she's still gorgeous, but I just hate that she cut them off.

I know that having locs isn't a lifetime thing for most and I can't even say that I'll be locked for the rest of my life, although I feel like I could, because you never know what you might feel later or what life might bring. I just hate that a lot of 'celebrities' that were sporting locks and so beautifully, have cut them off. To name a few:

Lenny Kravitz
Lauryn Hill
Vanessa Williams (the actress that used to be on Soul Food & Melrose Place)
India Arie
Goapele
Busta Rhymes

I know that this has not affected the growing popularity of locking in the least bit, but I also know that some of these people helped to inspire me because they were rocking their locks proudly and showed me how beautiful they could be. They were in the public eye and easy to see.

I'm not judging them for their decision in any way. I know that it's only hair and it's their decision what they do with it. It just pains me because I think they were setting such a beautiful example for those that might not have any other locked people in their area to see how beautiful being natural is. It just saddens me.

What do you think about this?

Happy Valentine's Day...

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Hope everyone has a day full of love and romance.

Have some fun for all of us single folks out here.. lol

Estrogen Issues

Here are 10 ways to know if you have any 'Estrogen Issues':

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: "How's my driving-call 1- 800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8. You can't believe they don't make a tampon bigger than Super Plus.
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

My first Curly locked style..

I have been compiling an album of locks I admire in my fotki album ever since I decided to lock. I have used this album as inspiration throughout my journey and it's continued to be inspiring.

My dear friend Jamel has been caring for my locs the past couple months and doing a great job. She has wanted to style my hair for a while. Recently, I added this photo to my album:


I haven't been styling my locs so far because most of the styles that I want require more length than I have, but I realized that I had enough length for this style. So I shared the photo with Jamel and she said she'd recreate the look for me. I wasn't sure what to expect since I've never curled my locs. Well to say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. I think they came out better than I thought they would and they compliment and frame my face well. Jamel did a BANG UP job. I had no doubt she could recreate the look, but I wasn't sure I'd love it on myself, but I really do.


So, I thought I'd post some photos of this cute style. I think I'll be styling my locs more often based on these results. This was just the boost I needed.

Thanks Jamel!

Hot Mess 2006

I know that everyone has a bad hair/fashion day every once in a while, but if you're in the public eye, you can't afford to have days like this. I have to nominate the following people for the HOT MESS 2006 awards.

Feel free to let me know what you think and vote for the worst on the list and I'll let you know who's won the ultimate HOT MESS 2006 award!! LMAO

Number 1: Golden Brooks

Why does she look like she should be casted as a ghost in either 'The Ring' or 'The Grudge'????????? I would have run into the event yelling NO PHOTOS PLEASE!!! And correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those deodorant balls in her arm pits?? Ewwww!

Number 2: Countess Vaughn

I'm going to need Countess to stop trying to be sexy!!!!! I watched Celebrity Fit Club and I know she said she had issues with the fact that she's never chosen for the 'sexy' role and that she wanted to be viewed as 'leading lady' material, but really. I'm all for the thick and sexy, and I know that everyone is sexy in their own way, but some things need to remain private and this photo shoot is one of them!

Number 3: Flavor of Love's Hottie (Season 1)

Ok, who told 'Hottie' that opening her eyes like she's just been startled is sexy??? She seems to think it is because this is always how she looks when photographed. And she has aspirations of becoming a singer. Can you imagine her singing a song to you with her eyes wide open like that??? HAHAHAHAHA, OMG! And don't get me started on the wig, ok!

Number 4: Wendy Williams

I think Wendy Williams is a great host and I love to listen to her radio show, but really, why is she trying to look like a white Barbie doll all the time? What's up with the long weaves and the pink lipstick? Someone needs a M.A.C. consultation!! She's not alone in the Barbie venture though... Refer to number 5!

Number 5: P. Diddy's Mother

Another white Barbie wannabe. Who told P. Diddy's mom that she could get away with the long blonde wig and the blue contacts???? PLEASE explain it to me? She always looks like an old prostitute in every photo I see her in and with all the money her son has, I'd think she'd have a stylist by now. Is it just me????? She and Lil Kim have the same style sense and it's just not working ladies. Lil Kim is a whole other blog entry altogether!

Number 6: Serena Williams

I am soooo proud of her recent accomplishment as well as her whole career (along with Venus'), but I would love for her to go natural because her hair always looks a HOT MESS!!! Her mother sports sister locks and I think both Venus and Serena would look gorgeous with locks because this just isn't working!!!!

Number 7: 'Miss' Jay

I only call this man 'Miss' because that's what he's known as. I like watching ANTM despite the fact that both Tyra and Jay get on my nerves. Why do people continue to lie to this man telling him he's fierce and calling him 'Miss' Jay? He isn't a woman and he's NOT fierce. He always looks a (say it with me now) HOT MESS!!!

Number 8: KC or is it Jojo??? lol

Either way, I want him to stop performing and go to REHAB!!!! No one can tell me he doesn't look like a crackhead. And I want to know who's paying to see him live nowadays? Crack has never been so WHACK! Put the pipe & the mic down and go get some help my friend!

Number 9: Vivica Fox

I think Vivica usually looks pretty flawless, but this was not one of those times. If your breast implant is leaking, breaks, or is in need of medical attention for any reason, wearing a dress that puts it on display might not be wise.

Number 10: Who knows who this is...

I don't even know who this is, but she deserves to be included because she's more than qualified to be on this list. What the heck???? The outfit, the hair??? Is she from Baltimore??? lol

Let me know who you think looks like the worst HOT MESS for 2006. I'd love to know!!!

Thick is beautiful...

I have re-embarked on my weight loss journey this year. I attempted to maintain a weight loss regimen last year and by putting others before myself, that fell by the wayside. I was able to lose a small amount of weight and managed to maintain that steady weight for the remainder of the year, but I did not reach the goals I'd set for myself by far. I will however be more diligent in my resolve this year.

Having said that and in the interest of LOVING MYSELF as I am, as well as loving myself enough to change my current reality, I thought I'd post some artwork depicting gorgeous, sexy, and THICK women that make me smile.

I know that although I am heavier than I want to be at the moment, I am still beautiful and sexy, so I thought I'd celebrate that with these photos. I hope that you enjoy them and they make you smile and feel sexy as well, regardless of your size!

Life changes...

If you've read my blog you know that I have had custody of my 3yr old niece for some months now. In honesty, I have had custody of her on and off since she was 2mths old.

I have made the decision to take her back to her mother this weekend. I find that although it's something that needs to be done, I have mixed feelings about it. I have come to the realization that although I've always cared for my niece with the best of intentions for her health and well being, I've managed to enable my sister (her mother) at the same time. I've always taken custody of my niece when my sister was unable to care for her for one reason or another because I have a close bond with my niece and I don't want her to experience unnecessary difficulties and possible trauma in her little life, but the longer I continue to do this, the more comfortable I make my sister's situation. I find that my sister has become accustomed to my niece living with me. She says that she's been doing her best to make the necessary arrangements to take my niece back, but that never happens.

On the other hand, I've been feeling that I'm being taken for granted and possibly taken advantage of. I have done a lot for my sister thru her life struggles and I have never had to lean on her for any assistance and it's just getting old. She is my oldest sister and I think she should have herself together since she will be 40 this year. And despite all the help I've given my sister, she has done a lot of things to hurt me that I wouldn't put up with from a 'friend' and she never seems to truly appreciate the sacrifices I've made to help her and her children. Because of this and other factors, I've decided that some tough love is in order. I have decided that barring a life or death situation, I will not avail myself to help her any longer. I am a single woman and I would like to enjoy my life accordingly. I have lived the life of a single parent long enough and I don't have any children of my own. My sister doesn't support my niece financially when she's with me, so I'm paying for everything including daycare, which is difficult as a single person. I love my niece and I find it difficult to hand her over because I know that her whole life will change and the structure that she's grown accustomed to will be no longer, but at the same time, is it better for her to keep going back and forth?

I have wrestled with the decision of whether or not I should simply gain full custody of my niece and raise her as my own, but after much consideration, I have realized that I am not ready to be a parent right now. And I'm certainly not ready to live the life of a single parent by choice. I will always play the second motherly role that I've always played in my niece's life and will always be there for her, but I can't continue to struggle and suffer because someone else isn't able to handle their responsibilities in life and stand behind the decisions they've made. It was my sister's choice to have five children out of wedlock and now she has to live with those decisions.

I have recently been so tapped out and on the verge of a deep depression that I realized that I've given of myself to the point that there was nothing left for me. I can't continue to live my life this way, so I have decided that I will no longer live my life in that manner. I have to put myself first. I am a giving person and that will never change, but before offering myself blindly to others, I need to consider how it will affect my life and if it's truly a sacrifice I WANT to make as opposed to something I feel obligated to do because I'm putting others feelings before my own. That is one of the reasons I chose the first musical selection on my blog entitled Gills and Tails. It describes a woman that escapes to the sea to leave her problems behind but realizes that it's not where she belongs. She wants to return to her life, but finds that she's grown gills and tails and is unable to. I have identified with this song since the moment I heard it as it was able to express what I was unable to in my own words. I don't want to get to the point where I feel I can't 'return' to myself and give in because I feel helpless.

I NEED to take care of myself.
I NEED to be happy.
I NEED to pursue my life goals.

Tomorrow is not promised and it's time I start living my life with that in mind. I have been putting off the things I want to do for myself, but I can't continue to do that because I'm essentially putting off my life. I haven't been happy and I am the only one that can change this and I will.

I will achieve the goals I've set forth for myself in this year and going forward. I will find that fulfillment and happiness within myself that I've been searching for, I just need to give myself the same affection, attention, and genuine love that I shower on others. This year will be a changing point for me and it starts with steps like these.

Gorgeous Artwork..

I found this piece of artwork on a Myspace friend's page and I just think it's absolutely gorgeous in every way. From the locks to the tatoo on her arm.

Just thought I'd share it with those that read my blog.

Have a good week.. Nat