2009 - I Am Still Fabulicious!

Hello 2009!

Happy New Year! The Diva-at-Large is back! I hope all of you had a wonderful and safe holiday.

I know that it is common practice to make New Year's resolutions, but as a rule I don't. I am the type of person who prefers to set yearly goals. I feel like I have more of a chance of accomplishing them than if I "resolve" to do something. Maybe it is just semantics. But for me, it is much more mental. Last year, I accomplished five out of ten personal goals. I am pleased with the results! It's mine in 2009, so this year my goals include leading a healthier lifestyle, paying off debt, going on vacation, and saving money. Wheww! All this in just 12 months. I would love to hear some of your resolutions or goals, if you will, for 2009. Please post the ones you'd like to share as comments and we can discuss them, no matter how lofty.

Also, this year This Is My Life is going in a new direction so stay tuned for more in your face Diva-At-Large fashion advice and opinions.

Whatever this new year brings you, I know you will be fabulous!

Love Life, Love Fashion!

Goodbye 2008...

Drive My Caddy!

Every year around this time, movie studios release their heavy hitters; the movies that they believe will be Oscar contenders. This past weekend, I took a trip to my local multiplex and saw Sony Pictures first Oscar offering of the season called Cadillac Records. And for all of you wondering - No, I did not cry. It is the story of how the music label Chess Records dramatically began and ended. And it is packed with blues and rock-n-roll hits in between. I find it incredibly interesting how much today's music is so heavily influenced by the music of yesterday. I can probably name most of the recording artists that have sampled music from "back in the day" but that list would be much too long. But just to name a few that immediately come to mind...

Nas sampled Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" for "Bridging the Gap", a collaboration with his jazz musician father.

The Beach Boys "borrowed" the music from Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" for their chart topping classic "Surfin' USA".

Kanye West sampled Etta James' version of "My Funny Valentine" for his masterpiece "Addiction".

"Little Red Rooster" by Howlin Wolf' has been covered by Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, and The Doors among others.

A lot of what we hear today are not only samples but have the underlying sounds of the old music. In this way, music is a lot like fashion. Every style eventually makes a comeback!

I thought the movie was excellent! In my opinion, all the actors did a great job. Who knew Etta James was such a spunky, opinionated, and tortured songstress?! And Muddy Waters was such a mellow playboy. But I have to admit that my favorite perfomance was given by Columbus Short who portrayed Little Walter. He blew me away. His depiction is worth the price of admission. Now hurry on down to the cinema so we can compare notes on who will be picking up that golden statuette in a few months. Enjoy. . .

This Is My Life Episode 10 - REWIND!

Attitude of Gratitude

This year I am remarkably excited about the upcoming holiday season. I am not sure why this year seems to be so rich with possibilities of joy and happiness. Perhaps it is because I will be seeing my favorite niece and nephew. Maybe the idea of spending quality time with family that I have not seen in a long time and some members I have never even met has me feeling giddy! And conceivably it is because the holidays afford me another chance to sample my mother's fantastic cooking! I am pretty sure it is a combination of all of the above. And then some. Sure, this year has been a tough one for many of us. And we could complain and cry about so many things. Yet, here it is another year, another Thanksgiving to celebrate. So when you feel like all the cons outweigh the pros, stop and really think about what is good. It is the simple things like family, friends, shelter, good health, and your mama's cooking that you oftentimes take for granted. Think of where you could be if ... and then be grateful for not being there.

It's time to partay! And this Thanksgiving I am wearing my "attitude of gratitude." It fits just right. Let's all celebrate what is good and great in our lives! There isn't any time to spare. Smile, laugh, eat and be merry! And give thanks for that because that is plenty. . .

Love Life, Love Fashion!

This Is My Life Episode 9