Confessions From A Black Rose

I realized two years ago that I was becoming too old for the VMA's. It might have been the sight of Miley Cyrus gyrating against Robin Thicke's crotch that did the trick. Watching this year made me realize that it was time to throw in the towel.  Most of the winners had me thinking, am I watching the Teen Choice Awards? It is not just the VMA's, mainstream music is quite basic. Gosh, I sound like Azealia Banks. Some people were offended when P!nk said that mainstream music was trash, but she does have a point. Watching a gem like Straight Outta of Compton made me think where is this generation's N.W.A? Music is meant to inspire, heal and make you feel. I know I sound pessimistic, but there is still a lot of great music being made. Unfortunately, it is not being played on Mainstream radio. For instance Tyrese and Jill Scott released amazing records this year that were met with critical acclaim. The chances they would get played on Top 40 radio is slim. I hope t...

I am always striving for excellence and my time in the blogsphere has been no different. In my five years of blogging, I have learnt one of the secrets of a successful blog is being true to yourself. I have also learnt that growth is essential to the craft of writing. I learn the most from studying my peers and today I want to highlight these amazing creative women. I admire their work and I have developed instant crushes( Instagram) on them. Make sure you follow them on Instagram and check out their websites. You will not be disappointed. Carin Olsson Website:  http://parisinfourmonths.com/ Instagram: @parisinfourmonths Linda Lomelino Website:  http://www.callmecupcake.se/ Instagram: @linda_lomelino Nicole Warne Website:  http://garypeppergirl.com/ Instagram: @garypeppergirl Sonya Khegay Website :  http://sonyakhegay.com/ Instagram: @cupofherbaltea Rosie- The Londoner Website:   http://www.thelondoner.me/ Instagram: @rosielondoner Jes...

Disclaimer: I had every intention of posting yesterday but life happened. Here is my post in celebration of International Women's Day. I hope y'all had an incredible day celebrating women. Today is the day we celebrate all the women in our lives. The women who raised us. The women who taught us. The women we love and the women we admire. Today is the celebration our strength, our struggles and our achievements. This entire month I will be paying homage to the incredible women whom grace this planet.  Trust me when I say, over 100 women will be celebrated this month. I have created a list and I am checking it twice. Since today is International Women's Day, here are 31 women( for every day of the month) whom I love. Adele Amy Poehler Angelina Jolie Beyonce Cate Blanchett Ellen DeGeneres Drew Barrymore Ellen Page Emma Stone Emmy Rossum Iggy Azalea Issa Rae Jennifer Lawrence Kate Winslet Kelly Clarkson Kree Harrison Lady Gaga Lauren Conrad ...

Followers of my blog know that I'm loyal viewer of American Idol and a huge fan of season 12 runner-up Kree Harrison. When I am a fan of someone I like to keep up to date on their various activities. I'm not  a stan for anyone, it takes too much energy. Do you really need to know every aspect of their personal life? Do you really have to know what hotel they are staying at? I just want to know when your next film or record is coming out. I was even accused of being a terrible Backstreet Boys fan because I did not know everything about them. Out of the "so called" fans I am the only one that has all of their records and supported them non stop for 16 years. I am not here to talk about my love for Backstreet Boys, that would take a lifetime. I am here to keep you updated on the lovely Ms. Harrison.  I don't really listen to country music but I would buy her album in a heartbeat. Yesterday it was announced that Universal Music Group( Idol's affiliated label) o...

This is a continuation of my previous post . We are down to the final two, Candice and Kree. This has been my dream finale since the Vegas rounds. Candice's voice is like a musical instrument. She plays with it like it's a saxophone. She has great musicality,  her performance of Lovesong and You've Changed are standouts. I never once doubted she would be in the top 2. If she wins on Thursday it will be a well deserved win. I hope she releases a jazz infused album. You do not understand how much I need that album in my life. I hope this is the direction she takes her talent. She is too talented to not be successful. If anyone questions whether she deserves to be in the top 2, they need to have their ears cleaned. Kree is such an interesting story for me. I don't remember her before the Vegas rounds. In my defense her audition never aired, she was not a main focus during the group rounds and I missed her solo performance during Hollywood week. When she was introd...

I know y'all been itching to find out what songs I have currently on repeat. Here are some are my favorite tracks right. Do yourself a favor and listen. 1. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel- #Beautiful Mariah is back with a vengeance. She is going to be snatching wigs this summer. I have been waiting for her to return to this sound since Emancipation of Mimi . 2. Zedd ft. Foxes- Clarity I was able to purchase this tune for free last year on Itunes. When I was at a hookah lounge, I heard this song on the radio for the first time. I fall in love and remembered I owned it. Probably my favorite song on the radio right now. 3. Icona Pop- I Love It I don't care, I love it! 4. Band of Horses- The Funeral This song is one of my favorite songs of all time. I don't think it is a track that is extremely popular which is a shame because it's absolutely beautiful. 5. Melissa Etheridge- I'm the Only One This one is oldie but goodie. This song is sexy, completely b...

When I was a senior in college I wrote a letter to my future daughter  for a class. Even though there were certain topics that I was supposed to address my letter was organic and heartfelt. As I look at the world around me I have no doubt in my mind that I will raise a strong independent female. She will be encourage to be honest, opinionated and a little warrior.  I know that things will never be easy for her but I am confident that I will give her a great foundation to handle all the punches. With each moment I get concerned for the welfare of my unborn son. What kind of man will he be? Will he know that being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness? Will he know that being caring does not make him less of a men? Will he know that sadness is apart of life and it is okay to express that emotion? Will he have no space for hate in his heart? Will he be able to play with dolls without people questioning his sexuality? Will he be a man the brings people up inst...

This post concludes my one month celebration of fabulous women. Please feel free to list any women who have failed to make an appearance on my lists. Erika Linder Helen Mirren Keira Knightley Sandra Bullock Kristen Wiig &  Maya Rudolph Melissa McCarthy Charlize Theron Scarlett Johansson Mandy Moore Kristen Stewart I hate Bella Swan. I think she is the worst female character ever written  but I love Kristen. She has this I don't give a bleep attitude that is quite empowering. She's everything Bella isn't.  Gwen Stefani Lady Gaga Noomi Rapace Christina Ricci Coco Rocha Amanda Seyfried Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Hudson Mariah Carey Lena Dunham Jessica Chastain Alexis Bledel Sophia Bush Emily Blunt Shakira Brit Marling Susan Sarandon Eva Longoria Anne Hathaway Tamera Mowry-Housley Daenerys Targaryen* I am fully aware that she is fictional character but nobody is more bad ass than this que...

Last week I honored seven women who inspire me. This week I am honoring twenty more women who rock. I am going to be celebrating fierce women all month long, so be prepared. Adele  Amy Poehler Angelina Jolie Beyonce Ellen Degeneres Emma Stone Emmy Rossum Issa Rae J.K. Rowling Jennifer Lawrence Kate Winslet Kelly Clarkson Meryl Streep Michelle Rodriguez Mindy Kaling Olivia Wilde P!nk Rebel Wilson Tina Fey Viola Davis

Happy International Women's Day! Let's take some time to celebrate the great women in our lives and the great women in the world. Let us celebrate the women that have overcome hardships, the women that have broken barriers, the women who have loved and inspired us. There has never been a greater time to celebrate these magnificent women. In celebration of International Women's Day, I am revealing part 1 of my Women Who Rock list. The first part of my list are female trailblazers. The women who inspire me with their strength and their guts. They are opinionated, they are fearless and let's be honest-they are fabulous. Make sure to check back for the remainder of the month, to see even more women who rock my word. Michelle Obama Somaly Mam Hilary Clinton Nancy Pelosi Robin Roberts Rachel Maddow Gabby Giffords

In honor of the First Lady "Let's Move" campaign, Jimmy Fallon and Michelle Obama present "The Evolution of Mom's Dancing". I really should be called "The Cutest Thing I Have Ever Seen". I seriously do not know how anyone could dislike this woman.

Over a month ago, I watched the absolutely beautiful My Own Private Idaho . I had a bit of a revelation after watching the film. Which is kind of interesting because it has nothing to do with the themes that were brought up in the film. If you have not watched My Own Private Idaho , I suggest that you check it out. It is hauntingly beautiful and River Phoenix is such a beautiful soul. Anyways, back to the topic of my post. I was thinking about how beautiful Keanu Reeves looked in the movie and how he could seriously get it. Jokingly I said to myself that "he doesn't even need to ask". Then a light bulb went off in my head. What exactly was I insinuating by that remark. Was I suggesting that because he was so attractive he does not need to ask for my permission to have sexual relations with me? After much thought, I realized that was what I was suggesting. As someone who considers themselves to be a feminist, this revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. I was compl...

When I started my War on Women series I had every intention of including a discussion about rape warfare. At the time I had so many thoughts flooding my brain that I could never find the right words to express them. I am beginning to feel that I still do not have the right words but I am ready to share my opinions with you all. I would have kept this topic for March to coincide with Women's History Month but recent events have made it apparent that today is the perfect time to raise awareness about rape warfare.  According to World Health Organization( WHO) violence against women is the main cause of death and disability for females within the age bracket of 15-44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and general warfare combined. If anyone of you keep updated with global news you know about the mass rapes that are occurring in Democratic Republic of Congo. In the DRC women are 100 times more likely to be raped than women in the United States....

I'm not too sure how I found myself in this position, with only twenty days until a whole new year. It seems that 2012 flew past me. I just remember ringing in the New Year in Florida and now I'm getting ready for a family vacation in Las Vegas. Looking back at what 2012 had to offer  there were so incredible moments this year but along with triumph there was also tragedy. Here are some of the biggest moments in my opinion that defined the year 2012. London Summer Olympics If you have been a long visitor to this blog you are fully aware about my obsession with the London 2012 games. The London Summer Olympics was one of my favorite moments this year. We got to marvel at the wonder of the human body and all that it can do. We got to root for our favorite teams and beam with joy at their victories. It was just an incredible experience and Rio has a lot to live up to. Here are some links to my previous posts about the Olympics  Chariots of Fire: London 201...

Few months ago I posted my first Feminist Wednesday video. Feminist Wednesday is a day I celebrate a female artist who makes me proud to be a female. Today I am celebrating the magnificent P!nk. My word when I think I can't love P!nk anymore than I do, she goes and does this. Can we talk for a minute about her flawless performance at this year's AMA. That is how you perform live folks. Here for your viewing pleasure is the powerful video for her second single off The   Truth about Love.

I want to take the time to discuss last night because there were some historic events that occurred. First of all, Colorado and Washington are the first states to legalize  marijuana for recreational use. Up until a minute ago I thought they just legalized medical marijuana but recreational use is another monster. In those states you can smoke a joint without getting arrested. My mind is blown right now. Guess I don't have to go to Amsterdam to eat a pot brownie now. Second of all, what a great night it was for the fight for marriage equality. This was the first time that same-sex marriage had been on the ballot and won. Maine, Washington and Maryland have approved of marriage equality. There are now nine states where same-sex marriages are recognized by the law. In Minnesota voters did not approve of Amendment 1 that would ban same-sex marriages in the state. It is still not legalized but a constitutional amendment has not ...

There has been a war that has been waging on women for centuries now. It is not something that has been made up for political gain but an actual fact. The war on women is a war to control and suppress the female  mind, body and soul. When a young girl gets shot in the head for being an advocate for female education, you know that this war is alive and well. What did they have to gain by attacking Malala Yousafzai? The only clear message that they are making is that there has never been a more opportune moment to fight for female empowerment than today. Studies show that countries are doing more harm by not increasing women's access to education, health care and decent jobs (UN-Women). There is greater chance of sustainable development and poverty eradication if women are empowered. Now it is time fore some scary statistics. Did you know that 40% of women in developing countries are employed compared to 70% of men. Did you kn...

When I was a preteen there were three musical acts that I was obsessed with:  Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and this lovely lady Billie Piper. I did like Britney Spears as well but I just loved Billie. When I yearn for the good old days, the days listening to Billie always makes me smile. How simple things were in retrospect. One thing to know about me is that I am a loyal fan. I will follow your career no matter where it might lead. For example, I have followed Billie Piper's acting career. So happy that she has found success. Most people don't even know that she was a singer prior to being Rose in Doctor Who.

I was reading a recent article in Glamour Magazine about 25 incredible women and I thought to myself that would be a great blog post, especially with this month being Women's History Month. Here is my list of  25 women whom I l absolutely adore in  no particular order. 1. Coco Rocha 2.K ate Winslet 3.Michelle Obama 4.Lara Stone 5.Viola Davis 6.Jennifer Lawrence 7.Emma Stone 8.Drew Barrymore 9. Chloe Grace Moretz 10.Beyonce 11.Michelle Rodriguez 12.Adele 13.Lady Gaga 14.Christina Ricci 15.Amanda Seyfried 16.Emily Blunt 17.M.I.A 18.Noomi Rapace 19.Sandra Bullock 20.Meryl Streep 21.Rachel Maddow 22.The Women of SNL-(Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Kirsten Wiig, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer) 23. P!nk 24.Mandy Moore 25.Angelina Jolie