A Little [ERYKAH BADU] for a Saturday Night

It's the last Saturday night in September and I could not end my tribute to some of my favorite female artists without including the fabulous Miss Badu!!! So I hope you all will vibe out with me to the song, "Me".

Miss Moon Gets Healthy... and Realizes She HAS Lost Weight!!!

So Picasa has this new feature (Perhaps it's old and I'm just noticing it) that recognizes faces and groups photos together based on the photos. It was in perusing that album containing nothing but my face (a cringe-worthy at times, but fun experience) that it finally dawned on me that yes, Audrey... you've lost weight!!! Pictures don't lie.... unless you use Photoshop! LOL

I remember reading an interview Ricki Lake had given about her weight loss where she said that for years after she had lost the bulk of her weight it was difficult to look at herself in the mirror and not see her former self. I think this will most likely be the case for me as well. Despite all the evidence that proves I've lost weight, it's still a difficult concept to accept for me.

As a matter of fact, I think Ricki and I might be "weight loss twinsies", because her story sounds a lot like me earlier this year. Fingers crossed I'll have similar results!

This month has proven to be a great one for me, as I've returned to my "Get Healthy" routine full throttle, and I am very excited to see if I can reach my goals for the remainder of the year. And this time next year, wouldn't it be great to post a three picture comparison?!?! Yay!!!

DOPE: "Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai" from "Players" (2012)

I'm back with another dope song from a Hindi film I haven't seen yet, but I'm looking forward to! I hope you all will enjoy a more modern item song, with the lyrics courtesy of BollyMeaning.com.



Kyun raaton ko main ab chain se so na sakoon?
Why can't I sleep peacefully in nights?
Kyun aata nahi mujhe din mein bhi chain sukoon?
Why don't I get any peace in the day too..?
Kyun aisa hota hai main khud se hi baatein karoon?
Why does it so happen that I talk to myself?
Kyun tu jo bole koi sune na wo main hi sunoon?
Why do I only listen to what you say and no one else..?

Dil ye bekarar kyun hai?
Why is this heart restless?
Is pe dhun sawaar kyun hai?
Why is it mad about (you)?
Kyun hai ye khumaar kyun hai Tu Bataa..
Why is this intoxication there, tell me..
Tera intezar kyun hai ?
Why am I waiting for you?
Tujh pe aetbaar kyun hai..?
Why do I believe you?
Kyun hai ye khumar kyun hai tu bataa
Why is this intoxication there, tell me..
Kyun bata..
Tell me why..

Ye pyaar hai jo tujhe ho gaya hai
This is love that has happened to you
Na jaane kyun tu is se tha bekhabar
Don't know why you were ignorant from it
Jo aajkal ye tujhe ho raha hai
What is happening to you nowadays-
Nahi aur kuch, pyaar ka hai asar
is nothing but the effect of love..

Dil ye bekarar kyun hai?
Why is this heart restless?
Is pe dhun sawaar kyun hai?
Why is it mad about (you)?
Kyun hai ye khumaar kyun hai Tu Bataa..
Why is this intoxication there, tell me..
Tera intezar kyun hai ?
Why am I waiting for you?
Tujh pe aetbaar kyun hai..?
Why do I believe you?
Kyun hai ye khumar kyun hai tu bataa
Why is this intoxication there, tell me..
Kyun bata..
Tell me why..

Can I just say..... ? LIPS!!!! And to that, may I add....? Love 'em!!!! LOL

Wanna Wanna Wednesdays.... Urban Outfitters' Desert Dance Earrings

:::swoons::: These have my name on them so hard, they should just be called the "Audrey, come and put these on your ears NOW!!!" earrings. LOL

These beauties ($28.00, Urban Outfitters) are made for every outfit. Little black dress?!? Add these for a pop of color. Jeans and a tee shirt?!? Rock these to remind them you're very much a lady. I would wear the heck out of these earrings in all the ways I've mentioned and more. How would you rock these?!?

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

As much as I love La La Anthony's style when at glitzy parties or on the red carpet, I must say with all sincerity, I love her style BEST when she is just on the go! I attribute this to her impeccable cute and casual looks... which as we all know, I'm Miss Cute and Casual!! LOL

When I spotted this outfit of La La recently, I knew immediately that I wanted to not only revamp this look for my plus size fashionistas, but I wanted to transition this look from a sweet summer ensemble to a fabulous fall one. Did I succeed? Let's see! Here's what I came up with:

Blazer: Black Ponte Ruche Sleeve Blazer ($58.50, Torrid)
Jumpsuit: Print Jumpsuit ($79.00, SimplyBe)
Handbag: Deena + Ozzy Tradition Tote ($49.00, Urban Outfitters)
Shoes: Women's Xhilaration® Sonya Flat ($19.99, Target)
Necklace: Rhinestoned Sphere Necklace ($5.80, Forever 21)
Sunnies: The Miss Yvonne Sunglasses ($15.00, Karma Loop)


What say you all? Rock it or knock it?!?

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

" Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
~ Mohandas Gandhi

" Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."
~ Helen Keller

" Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured."
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

I am noticing a change in my life since starting my Creative Visualization Challenge!! I'm getting more responses to my job applications, and I've been on a interview kick since then. I am so happy and excited that that realization of my goal is feeling closer and closer to me.

I know that the object for right now is to keep positive, and let this spirit of optimism take shape into the manifestation of my desires. So I will continue expressing gratitude for the areas in my life that give me joy and happiness. I will continue to visualize my success and celebrate that wonderful feeling as if it's already there. I will continue to live my life with my arms wide open to embrace all the lessons and blessings that come my way!

Today's Music Therapy with Miss Moon song choice is one I recently discovered, and I find it's the perfect song to illustrate the feeling I possess right now. I hope you all will join me in celebrating and expressing joy with "Live Your Life" by Yuna.


Find your light
Don’t hide from what you are
And rise before you fall
And hope for something more
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to

All my life I’ve been looking for something amazing
It’s almost like I’ve been stargazing
The sky is right above me

We were meant for something bigger than this
Don’t ever try to dismiss yourself cause you don’t have to

Find your light
Don’t hide from what you are
And rise before you fall
And hope for something more
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to

All my life my dreams just seemed so far away
And now it’s like they’re here to stay
I hold it close to me

We were meant for something bigger than this
Don’t ever try to dismiss yourself cause you don’t have to

Find your light
Don’t hide from what you are
And rise before you fall
And hope for something more
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to
Live if you really want to
[x2]

A Little [IMANI COPPOLA] for a Saturday Night

It's another Saturday Night, and I've got another song from one of my favorite female artists to share with you. This week's song choice comes from none other than Imani Coppola. This song is one I listen to quite a bit when NYC gets on my last good nerves (I love my home, but it happens)... and I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I do. Here's "Over It"!!! If there's anything in your life you're over, feel free to sing along with me!!

:::drools::: Nicole Richie-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

Happy Friday, everyone!! I am back with another celebrity-inspired look, remixed specifically for us fuller figured fashionistas out there. I love Nicole Richie's style, and I especially love when she rocks something simple (which all of you should know by now, I'm all about!!) and makes it look super-fabulous!!! I decided to revamp this look a bit, and used her lipcolor as inspiration to add a pop of color to the outfit! Here's what I've come up with:

Top: Contrast Sleeve Shirt ($65.00, SimplyBe)

Jeans: Denim Legging ($39.90, eloquii)

Shoes: Lexi Wedge ($29.90, Alloy)

Earrings:  Gem Avenue Nickel Free 10mm Round Garnet Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings ($6.99, One Stop Plus)

DOPE: "Yeh Tara Woh Tara" from "Swades" (2004)

I am back with another fabulous song from a Hindi film I happen to love with a passion. "Swades", is a really emotional and powerful story that I would wholeheartedly recommend everyone take a chance on. Hopefully today's DOPE song will help in encouraging to watch the film. It's a brilliant song that shows us what it is like to have true empathy and tolerance for people different from us. The lyrics with english translations are made possible by BollyWHAT.com.



Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Dekho jise bhii lage pyaara
Whichever one you see looks lovely.
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.

Jagmag taare do taare nau taare sau taare
Shimmering stars, two stars, nine stars, a hundred stars!
Jagmag saare har taara hai sharaara
They glitter as one, but each is a separate spark.
Tumne dekhii hai dhanak to
If you have seen a rainbow,
Bolo ra.ng kitne hai.n
Then tell me how many colors there are in it?
Saat ra.ng kahane ko
There are seven colors to speak of,
Phir bhii sa.ng kitne hai.n
But they're so closely associated;
Samjho sabse pahale to
Just think,
Ra.ng hote akele to
If these colors all dwelt separately,
Indradhanush banta hii nahii.n
How would a rainbow ever form?
Ek naa hum ho paaye to
Likewise, if we couldn't manage to unite
Anyaay se laRne ko
To fight injustice,
Hogii koii janta hii nahii.n
Then our people would not be a nation.
Phir na kahana nirbal hai kyo.n haara
So don't ask why we are so weak and defeated!
Taara taara
Stars, stars;

Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Dekho jise bhii lage pyaara
Whichever one you see looks lovely.
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Jagmag taare do taare nau taare sau taare
Shimmering stars, two stars, nine stars, a hundred stars!
Jagmag saare har taara hai sharaara
They glitter as one, but each is a separate spark.

Buu.nd buu.nd milne se banta ek dariya hai
Individual drops, by joining together, make a river.
Buu.nd buu.nd saagar hai varna yeh saagar kya hai
Every drop makes the sea; otherwise what is a sea?
Samjho is paheli ko buu.nd ho akeli to
Understand this puzzle: a drop existing on its own,
Ek buu.nd jaise kuch bhii nahii.n
Just as a drop, isn't anything.
Ham auro.n ko chhoRe to mu.nh sabse hi moRe.n to
Were we to forsake others and turn away from everyone,
Tanha rah na jaaye dekho hum kahii.n
Then we would end up feeling incredibly lonely.
Kyo.n na bane.n milke ham dhaara
Why don't we join together and become a current?
Hmm...taara taara
Star star

Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Dekho jise bhii lage pyaara
Whichever one you see looks lovely.
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Jagmag taare do taare nau taare sau taare
Shimmering stars, two stars, nine stars, a hundred stars!
Jagmag saare har taara hai sharaara
They glitter as one, but each is a separate spark.

Jo kisaan hal sa.mbhaale
The farmer who ploughs the land
Dhartii sona hii ugaaye
Brings forth gold from the earth.
Jo gauwaala gaiyaa paale
The cowherd who tends to the cattle
Duudh kii nadii bahaaye
Is rewarded with a river of milk.
Jo lohaar loha DHaale
The blacksmith who shapes the iron,
Har auzaar DHal jaaye
Every tool of his shines!
MiTTii jo kumhaar uTHaa le
The potter who shapes the clay 
MiTTii pyaala ban jaaye
For him, the clay becomes a pot.
Sab yeh ruup hai mehanat ke
All these are faces of labor,
Kuch karne kii chaahat ke
A desire to do something.
Kisii ka kisii se koii bair nahii.n
No one has enmity with anyone else;
Sab ke ek hii sapne hai.n
All have the same dreams,
Socho to sab apne hai.n
All are the same.
Koii bhii kisiise yahaa.n gair nahii.n
No one is a stranger to another.
Siidhii baat hai samjho yaara
This is a simple matter; understand, my friend.

Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star;
Dekho jise bhii lage pyaara
Whichever one you see looks lovely.
Yeh taara woh taara har taara
This star, that star, every star
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Ye sab saath mein jo hai.n raat mein
When all these gather together in the night,
Toh jagmagaaye aasmaan saara
The whole sky shimmers.
Jagmag taare do taare nau taare sau taare
Shimmering stars, two stars, nine stars, a hundred stars!
Jagmag saare har taara hai sharaara
They glitter as one, but each is a separate spark.

Wanna Wanna Wednesdays... Jeffrey and Paula Print Tunic Dress

I am really in love with this gorgeous Printed Tunic Dress from Jeffrey and Paula ($65.00, SimplyBe). Now that we've reached the very early stages of Autumn, I am all about fall fashion. And for me, this dress was made for some tall boots, black leggings and black moto jacket... which is my idea of a pretty fashionable fall!!

How are you feeling Jeffrey and Paula's Print Tunic Dress?!? How would you rock this item?

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“It is only when you have both divine grace and human endeavor that you can experience bliss, just as you can enjoy the breeze of a fan only when you have both a fan and the electrical energy to operate it.”
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought"
~ Buddha

"And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. "
~ Nelson Mandela

I unfortunately didn't get the job I was super excited about last week, but I am resolute in keeping my Creative Visualization Challenge going, because I know that it's making me see my life and world around me with much more positive eyes. I wanted this week's post to be about how to keep momentum going when there are doubters, haters, or otherwise negative folks all up in your face.

A few weeks ago when reading the horoscope for Scorpio from the FABULOUS Rob Brezsny (Check out his Free Will Astrology website to have his weekly horoscopes emailed to you), I was struck with what Oprah calls an "Aha! Moment":

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Columnist Sydney J. Harris told the following story. "I walked with a friend to the newsstand the other night, and he bought a paper, thanking the owner politely. The owner, however, did not even acknowledge it. 'A sullen fellow, isn't he?' I commented as we walked away. 'Oh, he's that way every night,' shrugged my friend. 'Then why do you continue being so polite to him?' I asked. And my friend
replied, 'Why should I let him determine how I'm going to act?'" I hope you'll adopt that approach in the coming week, Scorpio. Be your best self even if no one appreciates it or responds. Astrologically speaking, this is prime time to anchor yourself in your highest integrity.

Face it: there are negative ass people in this world. I live in New York City, where it seems the bulk of them have chosen to call home (Not true, I know...but it certainly feels that way sometimes). LOL

In going about your day, you may encounter people who are like Statler and Waldorfs  for your spirit. And while the knee jerk reaction may be to respond with their negativity with some of your own, like my horoscope said, why should you let anyone determine how YOU are going to act? If you're going to bestow power over yourself to anyone in the world, why pick a bunch of Negative Nancies and Gloomy Guses, you know? Pick the folks that inspire you, and motivate you, and make you feel fabulous about yourself... give your energy to them if you want to!

If you are spiritually shining a bit brighter than someone around you, why dim your light to match them? Keep shining, my dear friends, and perhaps it will influence them to fix what's lacking in their own lives to shine a bit brighter too.

The greatest part of my Aha! Moment was that around the time of reading this horoscope, today's song choice for Music Therapy with Miss Moon was on heavy duty rotation over here at Casa di Miss Moon. I would play this song on a loop while job searching, while blogging, while cooking dinner, while washing dishes and I recently went for a 2 hour walk playing only this song. My friends in "the real world" and FaceBook will know that I am totally in love with this song. It's my cell phone ringtone, for goodness sakes! LOL

Out of pure curiosity, I decided to look up the lyrics and English translation to the song, to get a better understanding why the song resonated so much for me. It's a super-catchy song, and the beat is bad-ass... but I really believed there was more to me liking the song than that.

Imagine my delight and surprise when I discovered the song is about reveling in your own personal connection with God, and is an anthem to shine and feel divine love regardless of what you're encountering around you. So (of course) I said to myself, "This song is SOOOO going to be a Music Therapy with Miss Moon post!!" LOL

The lyrics to this song with english translations come courtesy of both Jugny.com and Space to Rant. I hope you all will shine a bit brighter while shaking your groove thing to "Jugni Ji" by Dr. Zeus, featuring Kanika Kapoor and Shortie. (Note on "Jugni": The word literally means 'Female Firefly', in folk music it stands in for the poet-writer who uses Jugni as an innocent observer to make incisive, often humorous, sometimes sad but always touching observations. In spiritual poetry Jugni means the spirit of life, or essence of life.)

Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint

Know she a talking about, jugni ji
Just trying to enthuse about your, jugni ji
The reason why you lose, you got no, jugni ji
So step into my shoes and feel the, jugni ji
Some people they gon' hate you cause of, jugni ji
Try and alleviate you of the, jugni ji
What will elevate you is the, jugni ji
Just kick back and meditate and feel the, jugni ji

Jugni taar khaeein vich thaal
O my creation, share whatever you have
Jugni taar khaeein vich thaal
O my creation, share whatever you have
Chad duniya dey janjaal
Remove yourself from worldly concerns
Jugni taar khaeein vich thaal
O my creation, share whatever you have
Chad duniya dey janjaal
Remove yourself from worldly concerns
Kuch nai nibna bandiya naal
There is nothing that you can get from other human beings that you can take to the after-life
Rakhi saabat sidh amaal
Just keep your actions and intentions pure

Ho pir meraya jugni ji
I have the spirit of my guide
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint

Dum gutkoon, dum gutkoon, dum gutkoon, dum gutkoon…
Everytime I think of you, God, my heart flutters

Ain’t too much to need outside you, jugni ji
If you set it free you find your, jugni ji
Come on, who would you really be without your, jugni ji
Wouldn't be able to see without your, jugni ji
The reasons why you rise is cause of, jugni ji
Always to the sky because of, jugni ji
Just take a look into my eyes and you’ll see, jugni ji
You need to recognise that I got, jugni ji

Jugni dig payee vich roi
So absorbed was the creation that she stumbled into a ditch
Jugni dig payee vich roi
So absorbed was the creation that she stumbled into a ditch
Othay ro ro kamli hoi
There she wailed relentlessly
Othay ro ro kamli hoi
There she wailed relentlessly
Oddi vaath naye lainda koi
But there was no one who enquired about her
Tey kalmay binna nai mildi toi
Remember, there is no salvation for anyone without remembering your creator

Ho pir meraya jugni ji
I have the spirit of my guide
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint

Ho wanga charha lo kuriyon
Put on your bangles, girls
Ho wanga charha lo kuriyon
Put on your bangles, girls
Ho wanga charha lo kuriyon
Put on your bangles, girls
Meray daata dey darbaar diyan
Those that you get at your Master’s shrine
Ho wanga charha lo kuriyon
Put on your bangles, girls
Meray daata dey darbaar diyan
Those that you get at your Master’s shrine

Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way allah waliyan di jugni ji
The spirit of all the messengers who brought His message to this Earth
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way maula ali wali jugni ji
The spirit of Ali and his followers
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint
Ae way meray pir di jugni ji
The spirit of my saint

A Little [PERSIA WHITE] for a Saturday Night

Happy Saturday, lovely friends!! I'm back with another female artist that I love and admire. This time around, I am sharing a powerful remake of a classic from none other than Persia White!! I hope you all will tune in and enjoy Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" revamped Persia-style!!

:::drools::: Paula Patton-style for Plus Size Fashionistas

Can you believe it's been over a month since my last Plus Size Fashionistas post?!? I'll tell you, having a cracked laptop screen was no fun at all... it was very difficult to manuever to be creative with my posts!! Fortunately I have a new (to me) laptop that I'm having a blast with thus far... and you all get to reap the benefits, because I have recreated Paula Patton's adorable outfit for my full figured friends out there.

Paula's dress is actually from Kova and T Georgina, and can be purchased for a pretty darn reasonable price for readers who have to have it's polkadotted glory! For those of us who need something a bit more suited for our curves, here's my remix of her look:

Dress: SL Fashions Sleeveless Polka-Dot Tie-Neck Plus Size Dress ($69.99, Macy's)
Booties: Yellow Perforated Faux Leather Lace Up Chunky Heel Booties ($23.99, Ami Club Wear)
Clutch: Libutti Clutch ($45.00, Aldo Shoes)
Earrings: Rhinestoned Loop Earrings ($7.80, Forever 21)

DOPE: "Guzarish" from "Ghajini" (2008)

I'm back with another DOPE pick from our friends in India. I talked a bit about "Ghajini" in my Tumblr blog devoted to Hindi Cinema, but I really felt like I had to post about it here, because this song is really and truly, DOPE as hell!!! 

I saw "Memento" (in the movie theatre, as a matter of fact),  I've seen "Ghajini" (I own the DVD) and.... true talk here... I like "Ghajini" WAAAAY better!!! And I hope that "Guzarish" will inspire you to watch this beautiful movie. As always, the lyrics with English translation (courtesy of Music and Lyrics) are provided below.

Tu meri adhoori pyaas pyaas, tu aa gayi mann ko raas raas, ab toh

You are my unquenched thirst, I'm in love with you

ab toh tu aaja paas paas, Hai guzaarish

Please come to me at least now, this is a request.

Hain haal to dil ka tang tang, tu rang ja mere rang rang

The status of my heart is pitiful, let's get you colored in my hues

Bas chalna mere sang sang, Hai guzaarish

Just walk along with me, I request you.

Kehde tu haan toh jindagi, zharano se chhutke hasegi

If you say yes, life will smile at us,

Moti honge moti raaho mein yeah yeah yeah

Our paths will be strewn with pearls, yes.

Shishe ke khwaab leke, raato mein chal raha hu, takara naa jaaun kahin

Taking along dreams made of glass, I'm walking the nights, I hope I don't collide somewhere.

Aasha ki lau hain roshan, phir bhi tufaan kaa darr hain, laun bhuj naa jaye kahin

Light is the flame of hope, yet, I fear the hurricane. I hope the flame doesn't extinguish.

Bas ek haan ki guzaarish, phir hogi khushiyo ki baarish.

Just one request for your approval, then it will rain happiness on us.

Chanda hain aasman hain, aur baadal bhee ghane hain, yeh chanda chhup jaaye naa

There is the moon and the sky, and also the gloomy clouds, I wish the moon doesn't hide itself

Tanhaayi das rahi hain,aur dhadkan badh rahi hain, ek pal bhi chain aaye naa

This loneliness is killing me, and heartbeats are on the rise, my peace is long lost.

Kaisi ajab dastaan hain, bechainiyaan bas yahaan hai.

This story is so peculiar, only impatience is left here.

Wanna Wanna Wednesdays... Suri's Yellow Tiffin Box

Whenever I watch the Hindi film "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" (which is quite often, I own and love the film), I always walk away from viewing it with two very unique (non-SRK related) cravings:

1) I always have a powerful yen for toast after watching that movie. Those of you who have watched it will know what I mean, that toast Surinder (Shah Rukh Khan's character) eats looks damn good!! Nice and crunchy!! Yummmmm!

2) I always... ALWAYS say to myself, "I want a bright yellow tiffin box like Suri has!!!" after watching the movie.

And since I can't get that exact piece of toast Shah Rukh is eating (Because, yuck.. it would be all moldy and gross by now, don't you think?), the tiffin box seemed like a craving I could (Hopefully) gratify with little difficulty. So I searched the seven seas (of the internet), and even ventured into several Asian markets in NYC in the hopes of getting my hands on one.

Sadly... I couldn't find a tiffin box exactly like Suri's, but I did manage to find one very very similar!!

This Three-tiered, latched tiffin ($21.25, Happy Tiffin) is the perfect "Yellow Suri" color I've been looking for, and you cannot beat the price at all!!! I think that with this little baby, come lunch time I will be singing "Haule Haule" like CRAZY!! LOL

Yummm! Awesome Arugula is AWESOME!!!

Arugula... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1) You contain about eight times the calcium, fives times the vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K, and four times the iron as the same amount of iceberg lettuce, which is really a nice way of saying you KICK iceberg lettuce's tuchus!!!
2) You are also an excellent source of vitamin K, which helps the body absorb calcium, protects against Alzheimer’s disease, and helps maintain cardiovascular and bone health. And seriously, when is that EVER NOT a good thing?!?
3) You are chock full of a myriad of phytonutrients, which protects our bodies from harm. Your health-inspiring phytochemicals cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals, helping keep communication between cells crystal clear.
4) You taste awesome... nuff said!!

Before my neighborhood of Bed-Stuy became gentrified, the only place I could manage to get my hands on some Arugula was a few "make your own" salad bars in Manhattan. So for that reason, I'd like to thank my new neighbors! LOL

Here are a few recipes I've scouted on the internet, all featuring arugula, that will be sure to spice up your meal plans for the week!!

Potato Arugula Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Yummly.com

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs red potato (cubed)
3 tbsps white vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 bunch arugula (- rinsed dried and torn)

Directions:
1 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, and cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
2 Meanwhile, mix vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Drizzle in olive oil, whisking until mixture thickens.
3 Toss potatoes with vinegar and oil mixture and arugula. Serve at room temperature.

Pasta with Arugula and Tomatoes

Recipe Courtesy of SeriousEats.com

Ingredients:

1 pound pasta
3 cups cherry tomatoes (about 1 pound), rinsed
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 pound arugula
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano
salt

Directions:

1. Chop the tomatoes up into half-inch pieces. Pour the olive oil into a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about one minute. Add the chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes until they have softened, about five minutes.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Sprinkle in a few tablespoons of salt. When boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the direction on the box. With about six minutes left in the time, add the arugula to the pot. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, and drain the pasta and arugula.

3. Turn the skillet with the tomatoes back to medium high, and then toss in the pasta and arugula. Stir together, and cook for a minute or so, adding some of the reserved pasta water if it is too dry. Season with extra salt and freshly grated cheese.


Rosemary Chicken with Arugula and White Beans

Recipe Courtesy of RealSimple.com

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, chopped
5 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
4 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
4 cups baby arugula (about 3 ounces)
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, whisk together the vinegar, rosemary, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the mustard, 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the beans, arugula, and onion and toss to combine.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade) and cook until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Serve the chicken with the arugula and beans.

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

" Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same."
 ~ Francesca Reigler

" 'Why aren't you dancing with joy at this very moment?' is the only relevant spiritual question."
 ~ Vilayat Khan

" Make your optimism come true."
 ~ Author Unknown

Happy Monday, Everybody!!! It's week three of our Creative Visualization Challenge, and I've already have seen an improvement!! I have a job interview today that I'm quite excited about!! After not getting any bites in a few weeks, it's awesome to have this opportunity, and I cannot help but think that my improving my attitude is a big cause of this. So I plan on keeping the feel good mojo going, and I hope you all will keep it going with me!

Come on.... who doesn't feel FABULOUS after listening to Deee-Lite? I know that this week's song choice in particular is one that I can play on a loop quite easily, and sing and dance along to. And who knows? Maybe this song will be the celebratory tune I play when I get that awesome job!!! :::Fingers crossed::: In the meantime, I hope you all will enjoy "Two Clouds Above Nine"!!!

Just good things today

Our love's so high

The needle's off the dial

Like a happy tear in your eye

You can't hide the smile

Just good things today

I know I got mine

It's like two clouds above nine

The nth degree of love is in our mind

And we just chose the time

After the rain

I'm on my way to better days

And I must say

No puddle's splash keeps me away

After the rain

Rainbows find my pot of soul

I can't complain

I'm just in from the cold

(Reggae Break)

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Just good things today

Our love's so high

The needle's off the dial

Like a happy tear in your eye

You can't hide the smile

Just good things today

I know I got mine

It's like two clouds above nine

The nth degree of love is in our mind

And we just chose the time

After the rain

I'm on my way to better days

And I must say

No puddle's splash keeps me away

After the rain

Reflections I've seen

Like puddles mixed with gasoline

But I can't complain

After the rain

I'm on my way to better days

Two clouds above nine 

Two clouds above nine 

Two clouds above nine 

Two clouds above nine 

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

Damn... that's my jam

(Reggae Break)

A Little [NENEH CHERRY] for a Saturday Night

Happy Saturday, Everybody!! I'm back with another of my favorite female musicians. Those of you who know me personally know my love and adoration for Neneh Cherry. Her albums sincerely got me through my  teen years! And I've always said this... that as a (sometimes) musician, if I could get away with doing an entire album of Neneh covers, I SO would!! And I would start with tonight's song. I hope you all will enjoy the beautiful and melodious, "Move with Me"!!

DOPE: "Aaja Nachle" from "Aaja Nachle" (2007)

It's time for me to share another great Hindi film clip with all of you wonderful people, and you're in luck today because once again I am sharing a clip featuring the baddest (imho) dancer in the Indian Film Industry... Madhuri Dixit!!! I've heard that she has started a dancing school in India. I swear if she started a school here in New York, I would be one of the first to sign up. I'd kill to dance like that!!

This movie is one I have just recently watched and fell madly in love it! It's a very inspirational film, filled with some terrific item numbers, such as the title song from the movie! As always the lyrics (Courtesy of BollywoodTadka.com) with English translations (courtesy of me pausing and typing from the DVD) are included....

Mera jhumka utha ke laaya yaar ve

The earring in his hand…

Jo gira tha Barielly ke bazaar mein

Was the one I lost in the square…

Main to thumka laga ke sharma gayi

I swayed my hips and shied away

Boli ghoom kar bata de ke main aa gayi

I said, 'Doesn't my ear look bare?" and I had him

Mujhko nacha ke nach le

Come on, come and dance with me

Aaja nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Come on, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Jhanak jhanak jhankaar

A one a two and a three

ho…nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Oh, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Ab to lutaa hai bazaar

Let down your hair, break free.

Sub ko bhula ke nach le

Toss your cares, dance with me

Aaja nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Come on, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Jhanak jhanak jhankaar

A one a two and a three

Ho…nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Oh, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Ab to lutaa hai bazaar

Let down your hair, break free.

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle chhatt pe bula ke nachle

Come dance with me, get on the roofs and dance

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle jhatt se utha ke nachle

Come dance with me, kick off your shoes and dance

ho…

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle chhatt pe bula ke nachle

Come dance with me, get on the roofs and dance

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle jhatt se utha ke nachle

Come dance with me, kick off your shoes and dance

Maine galti kari thi meri nathni padi thi

And then I lost hold, my nosering was gold

Maine galti kari thi meri nathni padi thi

And then I lost hold, my nosering was gold

Ke sone me usko rangaa gayi

To gold I changed my hue

Main rangaa ke atariyaa pe aa gayi

And then I danced on dew

Mauhalle mien kaisi maar-a-maar hai

Now there's a riot in the street

Bole mochi bhi khud ko sonaar hai

I have a hundred lovers on hold

Sabko nacha ke nachle

And they dance to my tune

Aaja nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Come on, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Jhanak jhanak jhankaar

A one a two and a three

Ho…nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Oh, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Ab to lutaa hai bazaar

Let down your hair, break free.

Mai toh kamsin kali thi zara tanke chali thi haye…

I was a bud in bloom, I walked in a swoon

Ho…mai toh kamsin kali thi zara tanke chali thi

Oh, I was a bud in bloom, I walked in a swoon

Aage jaake gali mein balkha gaayi

I turned the corner in a dizzy spin

Mui jaane jawaani kab aa gayi

A rush of youth throbbed within

Mere sadke zamaane ki kamayi re

The world's fortune is at my feet

Mujhe deta udhari halwai re

Purse-strings untie in a beat

Sabko nacha ke nachle

Toss your cares, dance with me

Aaja nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Come, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Jhanak jhanak jhankaar

A one a two and a three

Ho…nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Oh... come, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Ab to lutaa hai bazaar

Let down your hair, break free.

Subko bhula ke nach le

Toss your cares, dance with me

Aaja nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Come, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Jhanak jhanak jhankaar

A one a two and a three

Ho…nachle nachle mere yaar tu nach le

Oh... come, dance with me, won't you come dance with me?

Ab to lutaa hai bazaar

Let down your hair, break free.brisk business

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle chhatt pe bula ke nachle

Come dance with me, get on the roofs and dance

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle jhatt se utha ke nachle

Come dance with me, kick off your shoes and dance

ho…

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle chhatt pe bula ke nachle

Come dance with me, get on the roofs and dance

Nachle nachle zara nachle nachle jhatt se utha ke nachle

Come dance with me, kick off your shoes and dance

Wanna Wanna Wednesdays... Boho Gold Earrings from Mademoiselle CafeAuLait's Chic Boutique

It's amazing how your tastes change as you get older. I have never ever been much of a fan of gold jewelry... I've always been Miss Sterling Silver. The fact is the only gold jewelry I own is the two gold bangles that belonged to my Grandmother, and I never take them off.

Lately, I notice myself being more and more attracted to golden tones in jewelry, and today's Wanna Wanna  Wednesday item is a reflection of that. It's from one of my favorite Etsy shops  that I love to stalk1!!

These Boho Gold Earrings ($17.00, MlleCafeAuLait Etsy Shop) features gorgeous textured wooden beads, golden wooded spacer discs, and how awesome is the golden teardrop chain?!? I need these earrings in my life in the worst way!! LOL

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”
~ Oprah Winfrey

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.”
~ Zig Ziglar

It's week two of our Creative Visualization Challenge!! I hope that everyone participating enjoyed and benefited from last week's song choice! I truly believe that our celebrations are very close to us and that moment where we've achieved our goals are well within reach!!

If you are participating, I'd love to hear how it's been going for you. Where did you place your wish in your home and/or personal place? How often did you look at your wish and visualize it's outcome in the past week?

I placed my wish on my headboard so that it could the very first and last thing I could see each day. I had a blast thinking about how I wanted it to look. I'm pretty good on the computer, so I printed out the words and added symbols, confetti and affirmations around the text to really bring the point across.

My Wish: The written words... Not Shah Rukh Khan. (Although... LMAO!)

This week I've selected another feel good melody that should enable us to keep momentum going and to keep the visualizations good and positive in our hearts and spirits. Today's song choice is a disco classic from Chic. I hope you all will keep those positive thoughts flowing into manifestations with "Good Times"!!!


Good times
These are the good times
Leave your cares behind
These are the good times
Good times
These are the good times
Our new state of mind
These are the good times

Happy days are here again
The time is right
For makin' friends
Let's get together
How 'bout a quarter to ten
Come tomorrow
Let's all do it again

Boys will be boys
Better let them have their toys
Girls will be girls
Cute pony tails and curls
Must put an end
To this stress and strife
I think I want to live the sporting life

Good times
These are the good times
Leave your cares behind
These are the good times
Good times
These are the good times
Our new state of mind
These are the good times

A rumor has it that
It's getting late
Time marches on
Just can't wait
The clock keeps turning
Why hesitate
You silly fool
You can't change your fate
Let's cut a rug
A little jive and jitterbug
We want the best
We won't settle for less
Don't be a drag
Participate
Clams on the half shell
And roller-skates
Roller-skates

Good times
These are the good times
Leave your cares behind
These are the good times
Good times
These are the good times
Our new state of mind
These are the good times