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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

:::drools::: LaLa Anthony-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

Can you believe that November's almost over? Wow this month has flown by! With the holidays rapidly approaching, many of us will be getting dressed up and heading out to parties with friends, families, and for a special holiday date.

I recently spotted LaLa Anthony at a party celebrating her stage debut in "Love, Loss and What I Wore" and I knew that her ensemble would be perfect to rock for a special occasion.


From the lady-like lace dress, to the bows on her pumps, she looks sophisticated, festive, and gorgeous!


This is a look guaranteed to turn heads and I couldn't wait to recreate it. Here's what I came up with:

Dress: Jessica London Shift Dress in Lace ($59.99 - $69.99, One Stop Plus)
Shoes: Journee Collection Women's 'Stefan-7' Ruffle Detail Peep Toe Pumps ($39.49, Overstock.com)
Clutch: Antique Embellished Clutch ($19.80, Forever21)

Cheers to having a wonderful (and fabulous!!) Holiday!!!!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon


Everything you need in life begins with you. It's biological: your body needs oxygen to survive, so you breathe... your body craves rest, so you sleep. And it doesn't stop with our basic bodily functions. LOL

We spend so much of our lives, straining to hang on to just a finger's length grasp of what we want, when there are more effortless ways of getting it.

This is what this week's Music Therapy with Miss Moon is all about. "Love" can represent anything you aspire for, or it can be finding the one that fills your heart with joy. Take the energy out of pulling and fighting and use it to lifting yourself up. Meditate, read, laugh, cry, feel and grow. As you lift yourself up, you'll recognize you won't have to stretch and pull anymore, as you've reached a height where the love (or the job, or the vacation, or the life) that you want is right in front of you.

I hope you all will enjoy "Love Will Find Me" by Little Jackie.



My life thus far has been held together
by band aides and safety pins,
nothin quite fits but I'm still tryin
to squeeze my body into it,
I've been frontin, I've been wantin
someone who fits me effortlessly,
with ease and room to spare,
cause I've endured some wear and tear

with all these meaningless love affairs,
fake smiles and dishonest laughter,
fast forward to the morning after
I'm all dolled up lookin like a disaster

I just wanna wash off the lipstick
take off the stilletos
play my music and get with my own flow
and love will find me eventually
I'm gonna dance with my shadow
I'm goin all out, never forgettin what I'm all about
and love will find me eventually
you just wait and see yeah

I'll just sit here and look real cute
while he buys me drinks I'll look for an escape route
grab my purse and exit through the back door
get in my car put the petal to the floor and
I'll fly home singin out loud
life's too short so get off my cloud,
if I can't be myself
I don't wanna be with nobody else.

I just wanna wash off the lipstick
take off the stilletos
play my music and get with my own flow
and love will find me eventually
I'm gonna dance with my shadow
I'm goin all out, never forgettin what I'm all about
and love will find me eventually
you just wait and see yeah

cause they always just crash and burn
crash and burn, when will I learn

to stop lyin, stop hidin, quit cryin stop tryin

I just wanna wash off the lipstick
take off the stilletos
play my music and get with my own flow
and love will find me eventually
I'm gonna dance with my shadow
I'm goin all out, never forgettin what I'm all about
and love will find me eventually
you just wait and see yeah

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Little [LISA LOEB] for a Saturday Night

Oh man, this song..... only some of you will know where I'm coming from.


To be sixteen years old and to have this song in your life is simply magical. This was a tune I would crank and play on a loop for hours at a time. Even the toughest, most bad-ass, Wu Tang-listening chicks at my high school would crumble to pieces at the opening melody... it has that power over you.

To this day if I happen to catch the video or hear the song playing on the radio, everything stops until its over. It's also one of my favorite songs to sing when I get my karaoke on. Released in 1994, I hope you all will sigh and reminisce with me to "Stay".



Friday, November 25, 2011

Let's Talk Tresses Friday: Natural Hair in the Workplace...


I've been very fortunate when it comes to my working life: I've never encountered a situation where I felt my hair was an issue. And I'm very blessed to have never been told outright that my hair needed to be changed or modified in order to keep my job.

It is shocking to me that there are countless stories of women being made the butt of jokes from their co-workers for having natural hair or even getting fired.

What has been your experiences being natural in the workplace? Share your stories here!


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Miss Moon's Musing About: Gratitude and Giving Thanks...


"Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you."
~ Eileen Caddy

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
~ Kahlil Gibran

Despite all of the challenges that have entered my life in the past couple of weeks, I remain very appreciative and grateful for the lessons and blessings that come with them. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on everything and everyone that has helped make me the woman I am today.

To everyone in my life, to everyone who has yet to present themselves, to everyone who has made me laugh, to everyone who has made me cry, to every single person who reads these words, I say simply...

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Yummm! Awesome After-Thanksgiving Recipes for Your Leftover Turkey...


Thanksgiving is one day away (cue "Tomorrow is Thanksgiving" song, for everyone who attended P.S. 135 in Brooklyn! lol), and all over the globe families will be gathering together to spend time, laugh, watch the game, and eat until they lapse into a food coma. But what do you do after the friends and family have returned home and you have LOADS of turkey left over? There's really only so many turkey sandwiches you actually WANT to eat, really!

Never fear, good peers! I have scoured the internet and have assembled a group of yummy recipes that can be creating using the leftover turkey from the night before.

Curried Turkey Casserole
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, diced small
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk, room temperature
2 teaspoons curry powder
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 1/2 cups broccoli florets (from 1 bunch)
4 cups cooked turkey, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
3 cups day-old bread, diced medium

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium pot, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until slightly softened but not browned, about 7 minutes. Whisk in flour and continue to whisk 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce comes to a simmer. Stir in curry powder and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add broccoli and cook just until beginning to soften, 5 minutes. Stir in cooked turkey. Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square baking dish.

In a small bowl, toss bread with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, melted, until coated. Top turkey mixture with bread and bake until sauce is bubbling and bread is golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Pho
Recipe courtesy of pooks088, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

1 whole cardamom pod
2 whole cloves
1 star anise pod
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 teaspoons coriander seed
1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and smashed
1/2 onion, peeled
1 turkey carcass
8 cups water, or more as needed
1 (16 ounce) package dried flat rice noodles
1/4 cup fish sauce
salt to taste
1 cup shredded leftover cooked turkey
1 tablespoon shredded fresh basil leaves (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1/4 onion, thinly sliced (optional)
1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®), or to taste (optional)

Directions

Toast the cardamom pod, cloves, star anise, fennel, and coriander in a small skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Place the spices onto the center of a 8 inch square piece of cheesecloth. Gather together the edges of the cheesecloth, and tie with kitchen twine to secure. Sear both sides of the ginger and 1/2 onion in the same skillet until lightly charred, about 3 minutes on each side.

Place the turkey carcass, water, sachet, ginger, and onion in a large pot over medium-high eat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 2 hours.

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the rice noodles, and return to a boil. Cook the noodles uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the noodles have cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.

Remove the carcass, sachet, ginger, and onion from the soup. Strain the soup to remove any meat that may have fallen off the bones, if necessary. Season with fish sauce and salt. Divide the rice noodles and turkey meat evenly into 4 large bowls. Scatter the basil, cilantro, and sliced onion on top. Ladle the soup on top. Serve with a wedge of lime and hot sauce.

Crispy Turkey Tostadas
Recipe Courtesy of EatingWell

Ingredients

1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapeños
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cups shredded cooked turkey
8 corn tortillas
Canola or olive oil cooking spray
1 avocado, pitted
1/4 cup prepared salsa
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 375°F.

Bring tomatoes and their juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Add turkey and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Divide the tortillas between 2 large baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until crisped and lightly brown, about 10 minutes
.
Mash avocado in a bowl. Stir in salsa, sour cream and cilantro until combined.

To assemble tostadas, spread each crisped tortilla with some of the avocado mixture. Top with the turkey mixture, lettuce and cheese.

Turkey-Porcini Tetrazzini
Recipe courtesy of Delish

Ingredients

1 package(s) (1-ounce) dried porcini mushrooms
2 1/2 cup(s) large pieces of roast turkey
8 ounce(s) wide egg noodles, cooked
3 tablespoon(s) olive oil
3 tablespoon(s) finely chopped shallots
1 teaspoon(s) chopped thyme leaves
1 pinch(s) cayenne pepper
3 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cup(s) milk
1 tablespoon(s) cognac, quartered
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 cup(s) Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup(s) bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Soak mushrooms according to package directions, reserving 1 1/2 cups liquid. Chop mushrooms, then toss with large pieces of roast turkey and wide egg noodles in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté shallots until softened, about 5 minutes. Add thyme leaves and cayenne pepper and cook until shallots become golden, about 2 more minutes.

Stir in all-purpose flour and cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, cognac, and reserved porcini liquid. Scrape bits from bottom of pan and season with salt. Heat just to boiling, then pour over noodle mixture; toss. Transfer to a baking dish, cover with lightly buttered aluminum foil, and bake for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese with bread crumbs. Remove foil from casserole and sprinkle with cheese mixture. Continue to bake until golden, about 10 minutes.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

:::drools::: Coco Rocha-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

How awesome is Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha?!?! I recently discovered her via America's Next Top Model and was instantly blown away by her unique beauty. Since then, I've spotted her often when surfing the web for fashion inspiration and I'm always diggin' her sense of style and the way she rocks her frocks. So I decided Miss Coco would be an awesome candidate for an outfit remix fluffy sister-style.


I spotted this photo of Coco at the opening party she hosted for LG Fashion Week in Toronto and I knew instantly that this was the outfit I wanted to recreate. I think it'd be a killer outfit to rock at an informal Holiday Party!!

Who says you can't be red carpet ready in a tee shirt and jeans?!?! Here's what I've come up with:


Jacket: Anna Scholz Feather Jacket ($199.00, Simply Be)
Tank Top: Black Feather Print Beaded Tank Top ($28.50, Torrid)
Jeans: Pleat Pocket Skinny Jeans ($27.80, Forever 21)
Booties: Pirnie Wedge Booties ($39.98, Aldo Shoes)

LMAO You tell 'em, girl!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

A Little [JODECI] for a Saturday Night

Another Saturday night is here, my friends. I hope you all have been enjoying our return to the 90s as much as I have. Tonight's song is one that was a HUGE hit in 1993, and I still think it's as lovely today as it was back then.


I hope you all will enjoy Jodeci's rendition of the beautifully poetic Stevie Wonder song, "Lately"... and if you think about Martin wearing the boots and singing with them ("Jojo..... KC......Devante.....!") like I did, it's okay, too! LOL



Friday, November 18, 2011

Let's Talk Tresses Friday: Touching Your Hair - Hands Off or Have At It?!?!?


There has been a lot of talk lately about natural hair and more importantly, whether or not it's acceptable for strangers to touch it out of curiosity.  Which, if you ask me, is more than a little bananas!


I personally have always been quite curious about breast implants (particularly how they feel in comparison to the real McBoob.).... never in my 34 years of life did that curiosity lead me to grab the chesticles of some poor unsuspecting woman on the street. Why haven't I? Because that would be an invasion of that woman's personal space... and guess what? So is reaching out and touching the hair of someone you don't know.

My philosophy has always been if we're cool and you want to touch my hair? Touch away, especially if I have lint or cigarette ash (it happens!) in it. If I've never laid eyes on you and don't know your name or astrological sign? Hands off, man! Don't ask me, because the answer will be a polite, but firm, "No."


I think that when we make it a racial issue, it makes people become closed to the argument, because they simply don't "get what the big deal is". When you express it as a matter of personal space and in terms of overstepping boundaries, it resonates more for people. Especially women who have been pregnant... because many pregnant women have the same argument when it comes to their tummies.

What are your thoughts on strangers touching your hair? Have you ever encountered a situation where someone reached out to get a good grab? How did you handle it?!? Let's Dish!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

:::drools::: Leopard Print Lovelies for Fall...

I never thought I'd be a woman that loved leopard, but I do. I really, really do. I attribute this love to Reiko of God's Favorite Shoes, I have drooled repeatedly over her leopard-accented ensembles, and inspired by her I purchased my first leopard accessory... a pair of leopard print ballet flats from Lane Bryant that I've worn with everything this fall.

And the timing couldn't be better, as this fall tons of celebrity fashionistas have been spotted this print in big and/or small ways. From Mary Kate Olsen, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, to Rihanna, these ladies have been rockin' leopard print.


Here are some fun and funky items that I'm sure will help bring out the animal in you!

Leopard Knit Blazer ($24.80, Forever 21)

Strapless Leopard Cocktail Dress ($250.00, Jibri)

Stop Staring Black Leopard Trim Off-Shoulder Dress ($149.50, Torrid)

Skinny Leopard Print Haircalf Belt ($32.90, eloquii by the limited)

David & Young Leopard Print Scarf ($18.00, Nordstrom)

Faux Leopard Fur Jacket ($109.00, Simply Be)

Leopard-Print Sweater Tunic ($44.94, Old Navy)

Apt. 9 Leopard Faux-Fur Belted Shopper ($44.80, Kohl's)

Coconuts by Matisse Josie Bootie ($70.99, Zappo's)

Animal Print Kaftan ($54.00, City Chic)

Are you rocking Leopard Print this season? Which of these goodies have caught your eye?

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

D-I-Y Nappturaliciously: Mixtress Magic - Oh Honey! Hot Oil Hair Treatment


I've been dying to try a Honey Hot Oil Hair Treatment in my hair after hearing raves about it throughout the natural hair community. I was a bit skeptical at first, I must admit, but after reading up on the healing properties of honey, I was sold.

Honey is a humectant; it attracts and holds moisture. This makes it a good choice for damaged or dry hair. Incorporating a Honey Hot Oil Treatment can help return the natural shine and will add health to your hair.

Honey Hair Conditioner Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup honey
2 to 4 TBS olive oil (depending on hair type, use lesser amount for oily hair)

Directions:
Mix together the olive oil and honey then massage well into your hair until evenly covered.
Cover your head with a shower cap and allow the honey treatment to set for 30 minutes or longer.

Wash & shampoo hair very well and rinse thoroughly.

Check out the fabulous ashiek118's video tutorial on the Honey Hot Oil Hair Treatment for a more in-depth tutorial.



Have you tried a Honey Hair Treatment? Be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts! I will be trying this in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check out the blog for pictures and tales of my experience.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

I'm REALLY Diggin': Sseko Design's Precious Metals Collection


Earlier this year, I blogged about the wonderful women behind Sseko Designs, a company created to help facilitate the young women of Uganda continuing their educations. Shortly after my post, I purchased my first pair of sandals and promptly fell in love with them.

Sseko released their new collection yesterday that I had to share. The Precious Metals Collection, comes available in gold, copper and silver. These straps are sparkly and metallic and perfect for glitzy holiday outfits, and for those of you vacationing to warmer climates during the winter holidays, can you find a perfect way to add a bit of Christmas sparkle to the beach?!?!?


To check out the Precious Metals Collection, and all of the amazing sandals and straps Sseko Designs have to offer, visit their website at http://www.ssekodesigns.com/

Monday, November 14, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

It's a new week, everybody!! This week's song choice for Music Therapy with a powerful one with a simple message: Wake Up and Live.


I hope that the soul-stirring sounds of Bob Marley will motivate you to make today and everyday the best day of your life.



One, two, three, four!

Wake up and live, y'all,
Wake up and live!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live!

Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the ruts, don't you complicate your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality, yeah!

All together now:
Wake up and live (wake up and live, y'all),
Wake up and live (wake up and live),
wake up and wake up and live, yeah! (wake up and live now),
Wake up and (wake up and live) - wake up and live!
Rise ye mighty people, ye-ah!
There's work to be done,
So let's do it-a little by little:
Rise from your sleepless slumber! Yes, yeah! Yes, yeah!
We're more than sand on the seashore,
We're more than numbers.
All together now:
Wake up and live now, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live!
Wake up and live, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live now!
You see, one - one cocoa full a basket,
Whey they use you live big today: tomorrow you buried in-a casket.
One - one cocoa full a basket, yeah, yes!
Whey they use you live big today: tomorrow you bury in-a casket.

W'all together now:
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live! Oh! Yeah-eah!
(Wake up and live!) Uh!
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live!
(Wake up and live) Keep on playin'!
(Wake up and live, y'all) Uh! Yeah! Yeah!
(Wake up and live!)
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!) Break it down!

Come on, man!
How is it feelin' over there?
(Wake up and live now) All right!
(Wake up and live!) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Uh!
Come on, man!
You gotta wake up and live!

Life is one big road with lots of signs, yes!
So when you riding through the ruts, don't you complicate your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts; put your dream to reality, yeah!

W'all together now:
(Wake up and live, y'all)
(Wake up and live!) Wake up and live, yea-eah!
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!)
Wake up and live now!
(Wake up and live) Wo-oh!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live

Saturday, November 12, 2011

A Little [LISA STANSFIELD] for a Saturday Night

Let me tell you about this song right here, which came out May of 1992. I used to sing this song like I meant every single word. You would've thought that my 14 year old self had been through some HEARTBREAK!!! LOL

I recently rediscovered this song as an adult, and I have to admit, I found myself clutching the air (you know that move singers do where they make a fist?) and singing along with Lisa Stansfield's "All woman", just like I did way back when. I hope all the ladies will join me in singing and all the men will give their ladies some exra love this Saturday night.




Friday, November 11, 2011

Let's Talk Tresses Friday: What #naturalhair FAIL Are You Still Regretting?


Many seasoned naturals will agree that finding what works for your particular hair is trial and error... sometimes with an emphasis on the error.


You can read every new book on the subject, and lock yourself away for a week and watch nothing but the best YouTube Vloggers, but if you do something that is NOT good for your hair... you'll know.

I've mentioned my unfortunate DIY dye job in the past, and to this day I still reel over how much damage it (coupled with being very liberal with the blow outs) caused to my hair. It is by far the biggest fail of my natural hair journey, but I'm proud to say that I learned a great deal about my hair from the failure, and my hair has thanked me for listening to the message.




What has been the WORST thing you've done to your hair since going natural? What have you learned from the fail?

Thursday, November 10, 2011

I Heart Her Hair: Elle Varner...


What a breath of fresh air Elle Varner's video "Only Wanna Give It To You" is. Happy, soulful song....luscious, colorful clothes and some kick ass hair.