Just checking in...

Just thought I'd check in.  I've been busy because of the holidays and such.  Not to mention, I haven't been feeling well.

Anyway, I've decided to grow my bangs back out already.  I always do this--I'm very wishy-washy when it comes to my hair.  I think I'm bored with wearing my hair straight, and these bangs when curly = no bueno.  They are wayyyy too short. lol

I plan to do some more hair posts soon for all my fellow kinky-curlies.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday Inspiration: The Sartorialist & All the Pretty Birds

My November favorites.

Photos courtesy of The Sartorialist and All the Pretty Birds

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” ~George Santayana

Arden B jacket

J. Crew sweater

F21 shorts

Ebay shoes

Back to curly...

It's amazing how my hair can go from down my back to caressing my shoulders at my whim. Gotta love naturally kinky, curly hair.

Now Playing

Take a listen.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Out and About: Little Five Points

This past weekend, me and friend went out to a really popular area here in Atlanta called Little Five Points to take some photos.  "Little Five" is an area well known not only for it's "eclectic" crowd, but also for it's unique shops.  There are so many small boutiques that sell everything you can think of, and not have to worry about seeing someone else in the same thing a day later.  There is also very good vintage shopping.  Scattered amongst the shops and boutiques are fun little eateries as well.  I like to think of it as the Melrose of Atlanta.

Like I'd mentioned, me and my friend were there to take some photographs of her for a future blog that she is working on.  Seeing that I am (in my own mind) a budding photographer, I was quite honored to be asked to take on this task.   We got a lot of great shots.  I also took a couple shots of the atmosphere of Little Five to share with you all.

American Apparel is the only "chain" store in the area.

What is black & white & red all over?...

F21 aviator shades, street vendor scarf, Arden B. jacket, UO gray jeans, Lulu's shoes

....me on Saturday. :^D  Hope you guys had a great weekend. 

Shop the look:

Leather Jackets by Arden B

Friday Inspiration: Halle Berry Streetstyle

Everybody in the world knows that  Halle Berry (one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood) kills the red carpet on any day of the week, but I don't think many realize how stylish Ms. Berry is when she is just "out and about" doing her thing.  The lady knows how to "work" a boot.  She has awesome streetstyle.  Always casual, comfy and oh so cool.

 

Photos courtesy of TFS & Just Jared

Tiny Flowers

I was on my way to a casual gathering celebrating the wedding (that happened in Puerto Rico a week prior) of a lovely couple that I happen to know. It is such a special thing to see two people make such a serious commitment to each other. The night was filled with great food and even more fun! Congrats again to the Mr. & Mrs. Ananse!


Party Snap!

shirt - thrifted

jeans - F21

boots - Aldo

belt - F21

Longsleeve Tops by Joie

In the Kitch: Shrimp & Lobster Gumbo

Now that the cooler--who am I kidding, I mean COLDER temperatures are among us, it usually inspires me to make more "comfort" kind of foods.  Things like stews, soups, chili, etc., are great for warming us up during the winter months.  Last week, I'd decided to make a gumbo.  There are many variations and types of gumbos that one can make.  I chose to make a gumbo using some frozen lobster that my grandmother-in-law had left at my house from her last visit here.  I decided to use The Neelys "Nana's Chicken Gumbo" recipe that I'd made before and just substitute the chicken with the lobster.  The first time I'd made it exactly as the recipe called for--me and my husband thought that the chicken wasn't all that great, that it would be better to keep it all seafood.  So that's what I did this time around.

Nana's Chicken & Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients:

    * 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    * 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    * 1 celery stalk, chopped
    * 1 yellow onion, chopped
    * 1 green bell pepper, chopped
    * 2 cloves garlic
    * 8 cups chicken stock
    * 1/4 cup ketchup
    * 2 large tomato, diced
    * 1 pound sliced okra
    * 1 cup chopped cooked chicken
    * 1 pound lump crabmeat
    * 1 pound large shrimp
    * 1/2 lemon, juiced
    * Dash hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
    * Dash Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

In a heavy Dutch oven, heat oil. Add the flour and stir and cook until the mixture darkens to a brown color, about the shade of peanut butter. Add the celery, onion, green bell pepper and garlic and saute until tender.

Whisk in chicken stock, add the ketchup, chopped tomato, and okra. Let simmer for 2 1/2 hours. About 10 minutes before serving time add cooked chicken, crabmeat and shrimp and simmer. Add lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire.

If you're not into chopping veggies, this is not the meal for you.

onion * celery * green pepper * okra

tomato * garlic

flour and oil--cook until the color of peanut butter.

added chicken stock, ketchup and all of the veggies

thawed shrimp and lobster meat

toss in the meat and cook for 5 more minutes

Serve over rice.  Voila!

Whomever you serve this to will worship the ground you walk on.

Tips & Mods


- I didn't use crabmeat

- I used lobster instead of chicken.  Feel free to use any variation of seafood as you wish.  The last time I made this, I used chicken, shrimp & scallops.

- Go ahead and use full strength chicken stock.  I'd bought low sodium, no MSG chicken stock and my gumbo was tasting VERY bland.  I ended up adding more seasoning (2 chicken bouillon cubes) so I ended up with the sodium and MSG anyway. lol

- I didn't do this, but next time I will.  Add a little chopped habanero pepper--Bahamians call it goat pepper, Jamaicans call it scotch bonnet.  Whatever the case, gumbo is great if it has a little bit a kick.

- No need to cook it for 2.5 hours.  I think around 2 hours is enough.  Also, put your seafood in at the last 5 MINUTES.  Overcooked shrimp/lobster/scallops becomes rubbery!  Even after you turn off the stove, it will continue to cook some as the gumbo will still be very hot.

- Oh, and I used a bit more ketchup than the recipe called for--just a bit.

Hope you all enjoy!

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune." 

~ Jim Rohn

Big Bang Theory...

I'm sure you all figured out from my last outfit post, that I have bangs (again).  I actually re-cut my previous bangs that were growing out, but also added more hair to them as well.  You want instant youth?  Cut bangs. I've been told a few times already that I look like a teenager.  :^}

“Clouds may come, but clouds must go, and they all have a silver lining. For behind each cloud you know, the sun, or moon, is shining.”

Macy's blazer, True Religion jeans (cut into shorts), Target top, Steve Madden boots.

It's a rainy, chilly day today.  Sometimes I find the rain comforting.


Shop the look:

Sleeveless Tops by Mossimo

“The only paradise is paradise lost.” ~Marcel Proust

Hope all of you had a fun Halloween!  I, on the other hand, didn't dress up or go out.  Why, you ask?  Well, my hubs surprised me with a quick to trip to the Bahamas--Nassau to be exact.  He needed to go for work, and me and baby just tagged along so that we could spend time with family.  My husband is from The Bahamas and all of his family are there.  Anyway, I made it back to Atlanta yesterday evening (Halloween) and I just didn't have the energy to do anything because of a heavy night of partying on Saturday night.  Of course, I will share a few snaps.  Enjoy!

My grandmother-in-law has the most amazing flowers in her yard.

Being silly on the roof of Fort Charlotte.

My favorite Bahamian beer.

Conch salad.  All I can say is yummmmmm....

Beachin'

My little rug rat had so much fun playing in the sand.

Paradise...