Confessions From A Black Rose

It has been a rough year and some change. As you would guess by the title, this blog post is on a light note. It is more of a distraction and a belated Valentine's Day gift.  I hope you enjoy all the eye candy coming your way. Let me know all the men that set your hear aflutter. Keanu Reeves   via GIPHY Timothy Olyphant Idris Elba via GIPHY Colin Firth Godfrey Gao via GIPHY Charlie Hunnam via GIPHY Mahershala Ali via GIPHY Oscar Issac Jason Momoa via GIPHY Jeremy Meeks- Prison Bae Dev Patel via GIPHY Riz Ahmed Mark Ruffalo Brian Tyree Henry/ Lakeith Stanfield via GIPHY Chris Evans Shemar Moore John Cho Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson via GIPHY Michael B. Jordan Morris Chestnut Tom Hardy Theo James via GIPHY Joe Manganiello John Mayer Jeff Goldblum via GIPHY Hugh Jackman Trevor Noah Seth Meyers Kit Harington via GIPHY

We are ten days into a new year. I have a feeling that 2017 will be a better year than the shitstorm known as 2016. There were some amazing things that happened in 2016. Below are a few of my favorite things from the year 2016. Let me know what made 2016 for you. Best Songs:  Lake By An Ocean: Maxwell Good to Love: FKA Twigs Redbone: Childish Gambino I Feel it Coming: The Weeknd Album of the Year: Lemonade: Beyonce Best Pop Records: Glory Days: Little Mix Emotion Side B: Carly Rae Jespen Best R&B Records: A Seat at the Table: Solange Blonde: Frank Ocean Best Country Record: Midwest Farmer's Daughter: Margo Price Best Debut Albums: Mind of Mine: Zayn  This Old Thing: Kree Harrison Best Risk Takers: 24K Magic: Bruno Mars Joanne: Lady Gaga Best Movie Soundtrack: Moana   Best Song (Film Edition): I am Moana (Song of the Ancestors): Moana Try Everything: Zootopia Best TV Shows Atlanta (FX) Stranger Things (Netf...

It was a beautiful July morning and we had our eyes set on heading down to Brighton. I did not know much about Brighton, only that it was a popular destination and Adele had a home there. We caught an early train and arrived to Brighton with tons of hours to kill.   Unfortunately, it was not a warm day to be heading down to the beach. It was incredibly windy, but Brighton was so lovely that I did not mind much. J ust like a postcard Everywhere I turned was picturesque. Tons of trinkets to pick up along the way. We got few items to nibble on since we had missed breakfast. I got myself some hot cocoa to keep myself warm. Lunch time, I decided it was time to try fish and chips. I could not leave England without tasting one of their famous dishes.  It was not quite what I expected, but at least the waiter was hot. Fish n' chips We got to explore the pier and the shore. It would have been enjoyable to take advantage of the water, but it was too cold. ...

Hey y'all, Sorry I have not blogged in awhile. I just started graduate school and I've been a little overwhelmed. I promise I have more of my British adventures to share with you. Until that time here is my favorite song of the moment. This is 11 Blocks by Wrabel. I first heard it on the radio a few weeks ago. Lately, I have been obsessed with it. I really can feel his soul crying out to me. It breaks me heart and I relate to the song on so many levels.

My sister arranged for us to have a little city break. She had purchased tickets for us to go to Bath. We were going to take the bus to Bath and return with the train. We had a short bracket of time to enjoy Bath, since we were going to see an opera that night.  Unfortunately, we were delayed getting to the bus station and missed the first bus out. I received the wrath of my sister since it was my fault. We did manage to get a later bus, but our time in Bath would be shorter.  The bus ride was short and sweet. It was long enough for me to doze off a couple of times and still have time to marvel at the lovely English countryside. Congrats Grads It was a rainy day in Bath. The sun decided to take a sick day. Not the ideal weather for sightseeing nor commencement.   Bath is an unique city. Everywhere you turn the Roman influence is undeniable. Especially when you look at  the architecture of Bath. I am a history buff, so I geeked out when we arrived ...

Upon encouragement of my sister, I attended a screening of When We Were Kings in Brixton. I am happy I went. The film was spectacular and I got to explore Brixton. I went into Brixton Village and Market Row. Not sure why I did not document it. The entire place was a list of places I wanted to eat at. On my way back to the tub, I saw the David Bowie Memorial. It was beautiful.  Brixton's Favorite Son  The next day, I made my way to the Camden Stables Market. It was only a hop and skip from my sister's flat. I was impressed. Amy Winehouse  Everywhere you turned there was an opportunity to get some delicious grub or purchase an unique garment. It was a pleasant day. The sun was shinning and like most days it was a bit nippy. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits.  Food Glorious Food  I flirted with purchasing a burger but I settled on Dutch Pancakes drizzled with Nutella. Should I enter?  I was going to try the bar in the market but...

My flight out of Dublin was at 6:30 in the morning. Which meant I had to wake up at an ungodly hour to make it to the airport. Despite going to the wrong gate, my flight to London was a success.   I arrived around 8 am at London Gatwick Airport. My sister picked me up from the airport and we caught the rail back to London Victoria. From there we took the tube back to her flat.  I rested for a few hours before I braved the rain to go shopping for some essentials( my luggage was still in transit).  First Day in a New City My first full day in London, my sister had  a jam packed day scheduled for us. We started off in Primrose Hill where I got some amazing views of London. We then went to for high tea at Ten Manchester Street Hotel. We feasted on yummy treats( finger sandwiches, scones and an assortment of pastries) and had some Bellini to go along with our tea. After a marvelous tea, we then did the most touristy thing possible. We went to Palace ...