This Is My Life - The Series

How you doin'? As the Diva-At-Large, you have journeyed with me over the past year as I have embarked on my first girlfriend vacation and celebrated my mom's 65th birthday. You've joined me as I sat riveted by the whole spectacle of fashion during New York Fashion Week. And you even listened as I took to my soapbox and sounded off on how important it is to be polite and kind to each other and this crazy obsession our culture has with celebrity. So I hope you will tune in when we launch This Is My Life - The Series. Beginning this September 9, each week we will broadcast a new webisode featuring more of my life adventures and observations. You will be able to learn more about me and, in turn, more about how we get down at Sorta Kinda Entrerprises. And it will all be easily accessible through youtube.com. So to borrow a phrase from the cable network Bravo, "Watch What Happens. . ." Here comes DivaTV.

Love Life, Love Fashion!

Livin' In A Dream World

Growing up, I was taught that I should follow my dreams. I learned that money is not the ultimate key to life's happiness, it will always come. But do what you love and if you can make money doing it - even better! A lot of times our dreams, the thing that we really want to do with our lives, can seem somewhat far fetched. Maybe you've gotten negative feedback. Maybe you don't have the money or the time to further your education to do what you love and you feel like giving up. Maybe the pursuit of what you'd love to do scares you to death. But sometimes we have to grab the bull by the horns. Sometimes no matter what people say or how they react, how hard it is, whatever obstacles you face, you just have to do it. In the end, that is the only thing that will make you smile as you lay your head down at night. In my 28 years of knowing Wilbur and his 11 years of pursuing his dream, I have learned what it means to live for what you love. His example has inspired me to pursue what I want most. It certainly isn't easy. Like many dreams, it seems unattainable at times. But Wilbur's drive and continued success has kept me from quitting completely. Please watch below to see some of that well deserved success and how it pays off. And always try to make your dream come true.
www.skwilbur.com

"Excuse me, please."

I've got a good question for all of you! Why is it that people have such a hard time being pleasant? I have heard it said that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. I bet people don't even think about that when they walk out the door everyday. Because if they did, I would not write about it in my Diva Diary. But I am a little vexed! I was raised to be considerate and polite. When sitting next to someone on the crowded 4 subway train, I try always to remember to say excuse me. And when I walk into a room full of people - colleagues in particular - I always greet them. It is only polite. I don't blame my frequent encounters of incivility on the fact that I live in New York City - what some call the "Rude Capitol of USA." People are just generally rude and sometimes I want to scream "Move! Get out the way!" or just "throw them bows" (thank you Ludacris). But on those days when I am disappointed and frustrated with my fellow human and my pleasantries are reciprocated with miserable nastiness, something happens for humankind to redeem itself. A nod of hello or the elevator being held open for me helps me to realize that, yes, there are still people on this earth who have had a "good upbringing." And as a people, we aren't completely hardened by society and life that we cannot apologize for mistakingly bumping into you. So please "put on a happy face" and smile or say excuse me once in a while.

I'm stepping down from my box...

The Dating Game

In December of 2006, I decided to do a little online shopping. . . shopping for a man that is. And it wasn't my first time. But since I hadn't had any luck meeting men at my usual hang out spots, I thought, "Why not?" I first joined eHarmony.com and then tried Match.com. It was a very interesting experience to say the least and I would definitely recommend online shopping, I mean dating, to meet people from different walks of life. You certainly walk away with memorable stories to tell when you're old and grey. I particularly like the story about the man from match.com who bragged to me about his net worth but had missing, rotting teeth! It was a far cry from the million dollar smile one would expect. I've never been one to stress out about dating or finding "the one" but I have thought about it from time to time. I have known for a long while that you cannot be on a constant search - always hoping and praying that Mr./Mrs. Wonderful is thrust into your life. But I have often wondered if there really is a someone for everyone. I've also wondered how often we sabotage our own happiness by settling for the wrong person or setting unrealistic expectations/rules. Oftentimes when we doubt or don't like ourselves, it reflects desperation. But as much as I didn't like it, I was gradually coming to terms with the possibility that I may never find anyone. And that would be okay. I love spending time alone with just me. Sometimes, I am my own best company. And living by myself is wonderful. So by the time I decided to give up on online dating and accept the possibility that I could be an old maid, I found love in a most unexpected yet common place - church. And although it is still a budding romance, I have never felt more free to just let things be what they are. Let the cards fall where they may. And if it doesn't work, so what!? For now, I'm having fun and feeling like my needs are being met. I'll be okay either way...

Gossip, Gossip, Gossip GIRL

I recently read an article in the New York Times newspaper that hypothesized that my peers and I are members of the "Look At Me" generation. Because some of us compete for spots on reality television shows, and many of us promote ourselves on Facebook, and some of us even have dreams of being rich and famous, we are considered more narcissistic than our predecessors. I say, "So what!" What is so bad about being self-aware?


Listen, we are bombarded with images of celebrities who are "the SO fabulous." Everywhere I turn, from the internet and magazine stands to billboards and the sides of buses, I am spoon-fed Access Hollywood-type minutiae of the fantabulous glitterati from La La Land to the Big Apple. I mean, the most intimate details about goddesses like the spicy Victoria Beckham, the sex-girl Sarah Jessica Parker, Emmy award winner Katherine Heigel, and Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria Parker greet me as I wake and kiss me goodnight as I count sheep. And frankly, it is overwhelming.

Don't get me wrong - the aforementioned ladies are fabulous in their own right, but what about us? There is so much focus on the celebrity lifestyle - what they buy, who they marry, what emotional breakdown they are having now, who recently checked themselves into rehab that I believe it is time for all my sister girlfriends and me to reassess this whole notion of celebrity. Why shouldn't we consider ourselves celebrities? Hell, we are fabulous! And that is without the drama and DUIs or Photoshop, personal trainers, and perfect lighting. And maybe we are wearing SKWilbur, Old Navy, or even thrift store frocks, but we are uniquely divine. We are living our lives to the fullest and we love it! We are balancing it all; very nicely thank you, without handlers and private tutors and magazine covers. So please step aside as I take another long look at myself. Hey, looking kinda cute, Ashanti! Yes, we may be the "Look At Me" generation, but in this day and age why is that such a bad thing? I sure don't think it is...

Like A Fashion Week Virgin

A couple of weeks ago I lost my virginity! Not that kind, silly! A diva-at-large never kisses and tells. No, I am talking about the fashion week variety. I had the opportunity to attend two shows during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) for the very first time with my “sorta kinda” famous brother SK Wilbur. For those of you who are not already in-the- know, NYFW transpires twice during the year where fashion designers showcase their line of apparel that will be sold in stores the following season. My brother and I have produced our own shows during NYFW, but the unsanctioned, guerrilla sort that took place on the sidewalk outside the tents in Bryant Park. Check out some of the press coverage we received on skwilbur.com. But back to my story, I was so giddy with excitement once inside that I did not know which way to look first. Between being the object of desire for several photographers from various publications whose names I cannot recall to the amazing bar/lounge area where drinks were on the house to the rush of fashionistas to get to their seats it was all just a little awe-inspiring and FABULOUS!

First, I will tell you about the Gottex show. Gottex is a line of swimwear designed by Gideon Oberson. Elegantly designed for fabulously athletic, lithe bodies, the show featured vibrant purples, greens, black and yellow mixes and flower filled suits and wraps. Reem Acra was the second show I saw on a summery Sunday afternoon. Her eveningwear line consisted of dresses that were long, short, and some vibrantly hued. There were dresses with flowers (which, I guess, is what we will be seeing a lot of this Spring), jewels, and lots of belts; it was colorful – purple, green, red, yellow, black, and white. Both shows were beautiful, but Gottex was my favorite. And it is not because I am the type of girl that gets energized by beautiful swimsuits. But it was Mr. Oberson’s visually stunning finale that caused me and the rest of the fashion crowd to jump to our feet. It featured the two darkest skinned models – both the color of night and donning crew cut hairstyles who were poured into their snow-white bathing suits. As they escorted Mr. Oberson down the runway for his bow, my brother and I both agreed that it was bold for him to choose these women for the finale considering the absence of models of color on so many runways. He also featured a model that was not your typical gaunt-faced and overtly thin standard. She was fresh and healthy looking. I thought his taste in choosing his models was premium.

I was also able to view photographer Nigel Barker (America’s Next Top Model) from my seat at both shows – and oh what a nice view it was! Other famous names at the Reem Acra show were Becky Newton from Ugly Betty and Lisa Edelstein from House. I was also able to make a couple of connections that are resulting in business for SK Wilbur! To have witnessed the media photographers who all stand at the back of each show waiting patiently for it to begin, to see the hoopla over the superstar attendance, to view all the various eclectic and trendy New Yorkers walk in and take their seats to see the shows is both thrilling and overwhelming. I sat wide-eyed for most of the shows, taking in all that I could. To convey what it is like in person is almost unexplainable. I am excited with anticipation about the shows I will get to see in the years to come…

Please click here to visit skwilbur.com.

How The Diva-At-Large Came To Be

This month has been one of reflection because my mom is turning 65 years old on the 30th. Although I wondered what to write about in this latest entry of “This Is My Life,” the answer was crystal clear. My mom has always been a source of inspiration for me. When I was growing into adulthood she shared one of her pearls of wisdom that I carry with me every day. She said, “Ashanti, I am your best friend.” After all, her mom was her best friend. My grandmother Rolene passed from cancer when she was only 64 years old. So this is truly a milestone for us to celebrate.

I was not supposed to be. It was not until my mom was five months pregnant when she discovered that there was a life growing inside of her. And once she found out she was pregnant, she had a migraine for 1 whole month. After all, as the story has been retold countless times, she was fine with her two boys. But here I am! She was 37 years old having a baby. She had retired from the diaper duty and teething and late night feedings part of mothering almost 9 years ago. And now she was getting ready to come out of retirement. Oh my! But she has always said to me that I was a surprise, not a mistake. God wanted me to be here.

Growing up, she showed me what it was to be a strong black American woman. By example, she demonstrated how one successfully maintains a career, cares for her family and manages a household. She practically raised three children on her own – my dad had two full time jobs. At age 2, she had me potty trained so I could attend school. She instructed me at age 6 or 7 that I had to now wash dishes. I remember dutifully taking one of the kitchen chairs, pulling it up to the sink, and standing on it to soap the dishcloth and wash dishes. That was my first “family duty” chore and to this day washing dishes is my favorite household task. At around 8 or 9, I was taught about money management when she made me write out the checks to pay the bills. When I was 14 years old, my dad passed away from cancer and I learned a major lesson in responsibility. Although her job at the time was one that made her wince and gave her migraines, she had to endure for that period. She still had a teenage daughter to raise.

At 17 years old, when I joined the church, I was a little overzealous and had difficulty integrating God’s laws with everyday life. I neglected my family, especially my mom. I betrayed her and treated her poorly. Still as a mother would, she loved me unconditionally. She stayed right by my side regardless of how unhappy she was with me. As a 22 year old, I was involved in a dead-end relationship. When it ended, I am sure she was elated. But throughout the relationship, she was there listening to my drama and voicing her opinion only when she felt it appropriate.

Three years ago this coming January, my mother joined Weight Watchers. Her feeling was that she was turning 64 soon – the same age as my grandmother when she passed – and she wanted to have a long relationship with her granddaughter. So she needed to get healthy. This motivated everyone in her life including her cronies at the YMCA she attends weekly, her fellow church members, and her family. Her decision to get healthy created a domino effect that inspired others to join Weight Watchers and become conscious about what they ate. Proudly, I am also one of those members.

My mother really is my best friend. She is the most amazing woman I know. I think she is the best mom on the face of the earth or in the universe, even! But how many children say that of their mothers? I can only speak from my personal experiences. She is a phenomenal woman who has taught me so much and has always given me all of herself. I am forever grateful to her. My mother is love.