missing YOU

I've neglected you far too long marie&lola and it's come with a huge price but it's only because of the holidays and all the hoopla that comes with it. I promise to be back as soon as the holidays are over. I'm never completely ME if i don't write. It's a part of who I am. So what have I noticed lately??? Well...the wealthy are still wealthy and spending money like they did before, the middle class is almost nonexistent and the poor are...well...still poor. My one wish for Christmas is for America to rebound and be as healthy as She was before. That's the idealism in me and it will never fade no matter what. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays along with tons of peace, joy and harmony. I'm sure that's what this season should be about and however you find it, as long as you find it, is all that matters. I'll be back in full bloom when the holidays end. I promise. So happy holidays! Cheers! And enjoy! I'll leave you with this: think about the happiness that you can give others instead of what you can get from them. Feliz Navidad!

time to pass GO

I've been pretty busy these past few weeks so forgive me, I haven't had much time to update my blog with movies, fashion and literature. I'm trying my hardest to get my thoughts out there before I drift off into never never land so today I figured I'd blog a little about me. What about me is so important you ask? Well, I'm a writer and I sincerely admire that fact about me. It's a hard art to cultivate but as I look back on my old high school journals to my current entries, I'm impressed with the tremendous growth I've accomplished. Life really is all about moving forward so perhaps in 5 years I'll look at this entry and feel even more motivated to finally finish my 3rd (unfinished) novel. I wrote this poem recently and since I've been forced to stretch and bend outside of my normal passive routine, I thought why not. So here it is, Poem 8:15/9:37:

8:15/9:37

DO NOT PASS GO

I keep hearing it

Like a beautiful metaphor

Reminiscent of my childhood demons

Quiet and acquiescent

Yet always

Refusing my right

To grow

My reluctance

Not to pass

Has suffocated

My inner Ángel

At the most inopportune times

Leaving her twisted and torn

Bruised

And forlorn

This unwillingness

To move on

Has transformed

Morphed

And become

My marathon

Mi carrera

Mi lucha

My triathlon

I want to

I need to

I have to

Passing GO

Is all that I know

How

To

Do

DO NOT PASS GO…

It is whispered amongst the shadows

Proudly proclaiming my name

Haunting my dreams

And wrapping its legs around

My fantasies

But like all childhood demons

It’s time I said good-bye

Because

The woman

That stares back at me now

Is finally ready

To

Kiss

The sky…

Genez

Okay, so let's break this down. My first thought when writing this piece was of my childhood memories playing Monopoly. It's everybody's goal to pass GO, collect $200 and perhaps acquire a nice piece of real estate on Boardwalk or Park Place. Throw up some hotels, charge heavily for staying there, live happily ever after and win the game. As children, it's never impossible to become who you want to be but along the way all kinds of detours pop up. Once you venture into the real world, you're told to STOP. Stop dreaming, stop imagining, stop believing and most importantly, stop being YOU. Like Monopoly, you're penalized for wanting anything more than the crappy little places adjacent to Baltic Avenue. But, the little girl inside of me, Genez, wants to break out of those confined boundaries and accomplish something that no one has ever done before. She wants to be a legend but she often becomes paralyzed because of the messages she's collected along the way. Part of me is screaming for freedom, the other part often finds comfort in complacency. Throughout the years this imbalance has been tried and tested by situations where my growth is not only necessary, it is mandatory. This poem is all about fighting against the constraints because, after all, Park Place is obtainable. As the poem ends, it is a stark reminder that anything is possible. After all, "the woman that stares back at me is finally ready to kiss the sky". Enjoy!

Neuva York

I've been missing for a week but it's only because I've been in New York on business. I've had a whirlwind affair with New York since I can remember. Everything about that place pushes me beyond the possibility of accomplishing all of my dreams. It's a city that comes alive every time I visit. I am always pushed to pursue and discover the greatest part of who I am now and who I will soon become. In other words, it's my aphrodisiac. I'm allowed to transform and become inspired ten times over as I walk the streets, rediscover the architecture and experience the beauty of dedication over and over again. There's nothing that I don't love about New York, except maybe the trash, but even then that aspect pales in comparison to what I gain. It's almost magical for me, like fairy tales, and it's a concept that I don't ever want to lose. So, I'm saying all of this to say that although I've been gone for a week, I've learned more than I'd hoped in such a short period. My views have been sharpened and one of the major lessons is the aesthetics of beauty. It is everywhere and it's impossible to gauge, cage or judge. It's one of those things that can be found in everything if you just look around. With that in mind, my intent is to take my recent trip, along with all the information I received, and let it infuse my work, my perceptions and my future. It's the best of both worlds. I plan to let the past fuse with the future and grow beyond my own confined borders. Did I mention I LOVE New York?!

show me the GEMS

I've been diving into the world of fine jewelry this week and I must say it's a fantastic feeling. It's a world of art that I've never given much thought to and although I've always loved jewelry, this is a whole new arena. I must admit that I'm easily fascinated by the means these works of art have been created. So, here's a few of my favorites and hopefully in time I'll have one to pass down as a heirloom or a collector's piece - right along with my Romare Bearden, Monet and Dali. One can ALWAYS dream!

1. Jasmine Necklace by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.

 

2. Bvlgari Allegra Collection

3. Cartier

4. Gucci

5. David Yurman Renaissance Ring

These are my top 5 picks. I could go on and on forever but these are enough to keep me salivating for more!

it's all about CREATING

It's the holidays and for me that means the three F's: family, friends and film. Things have been really hectic these past couple of days and I could really use a little R&R. All of this has led me to dig into my box of tricks and I've come up with The Libertine (2004) staring Johnny Depp and directed by Laurence Dunmore. I haven't watched it yet so I can't really say anything amazingly perceptive about it, but I plan to. I've always liked Johnny Depp since Edward Scissorhands (1990) and I can't wait to settle in and see him go to work. There's something about an actor who goes outside of himself to portray the least admirable roles that impresses me. I find that in Depp because he constantly goes against the grain. He doesn't want to be king, cinema's golden boy or our next beautiful savior. He just wants to act and act he does. So as I settle down to admire everything about this film, no matter how small, I'll also be reminded that loving what you do and doing what you love will be at the top of my holiday list this season. It's time I upped the ante, like Depp, and created a world in which only I could survive in. I hear my own theme music playing in the background...what about you?

UPDATE: After watching The Libertine, I must say that I am once again awed with Johnny Depp's dedication to his character's portrayal. The film begins and ends with a monologue by Depp in which he describes who and what he is, without apologies. He lives recklessly, without much thought of anything other than his own passions for women, alcohol and his undying need to make a mockery of the royal court. What stood out was Dumore's choice of gritty filtering, camera work/editing and the bare minimum of lighting he used to unfold this narrative. It was quite effective and eventually, all I thought about was the symbolic downfall of the Earl of Rochester (Depp) along with the declining English and French monarchy. It is a cautionary tale; full of animalistic sexual innuendos, the objectification of women and the clear disregard of the poor by the wealthy. My favorite line: "Well...do you like me now?" Depp repeats this line over and over again as the movie ends and fades to black. It's almost as if he's questioning whether or not his downfall has made those with a social status less than his feel superior. Ultimately, failure turns upon itself as a redemptive tool and I, for one, could totally relate.

LOCK me down

Cartier Leve Bracelet

My posts have been getting shorter lately because the holiday season is in full gear around my house. Depending on who you ask, that's a good and a bad thing. For a few people, it's great because I've been coming across some of the best deals online. For me, not necessarily so good, because I love jewelry and I fall easily in love with it. Today, my heart did a somersault as I came across the Cartier Leve Bracelet. Created in 1970 and made out of 18K pink gold with diamonds, this beautiful bracelet comes with its own little golden screwdriver that keeps it locked on. Now how awesome is that?! Let's just say I want one...or TWO! Can't you tell that I just love Christmas?

here come MISTER

Self Portrait of Quincy Jones by Photographer Robert Weingarten

I'm watching The Color Purple (1985) through new eyes today. After 25 years, the issues penned by Alice Walker and brought to life by Steven Spielberg are as relevant today as they were in the early 1900's. It's great to come back to a piece of work like this and admire it for all of it's beauty and ardor. This movie is a classic and its evidence that when you love to tell stories - visual or written - it shows in every line, scene and emotion. So...let me get back to watching the movie. I'll be back in a few to break it all down with these brand new eyes of mine.

UNO!

Uno de 50 is one of those shops that you walk in and you don't leave without wanting more and more. The closest shop for me is in Miami, Florida. I can't think of a better reason for a ROAD TRIP! Here are a few of my favorite finds:

I'm a Converse and leather kind of girl...so how could I not LOVE these?!

And this bracelet with a mixture of beads, silver and leather...Perfecto!

 And I can't forget the ring...Fabuloso!

What I love about Uno de 50 is the eclectic play of silver with stones, beads and leather. There isn't one wardrobe that these fabulous pieces won't work with. From the boardroom to the clubroom, Uno de 50 is in the mix.

icons who ROCK

I'm settling in for the night and preparing to watch Black Girls Rock on BET. Thus, the inspiration for my list of the top 5 females who have rocked my life and still continue to be great inspirations for me as a writer. Each of these icons is either a writer or an artist, each represent an essential piece of my philosophical make up and all are at the top of their chosen fields. With that being said, here's my top 5:

1. Nikki Giovanni: Poet, Activist, Author and English Professor at Virginia Tech.


2. Veronica Webb: Supermodel, Journalist, Actress, Author.

3. Halle Berry: Actress, Model, 1st African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.


4. Vanessa Williams: Actress, Singer, Model, 1st African American crowned Miss America.

5. Toni Morrison: Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning Author, Humanities Professor at Princeton (r. 2006).

My list could go on and on. 

TIE me on one

I think I'll wear ties with my suits from now on. This look is so ME. I know, I'm late...but I can't think of one person who has effectively pulled this look off. It's seductive, confident, self-assured and a definite staple for my wardrobe. Like Spike Lee...she's gotta have it...so tomorrow, I'm off in search of a few good ties. Wish me luck!

off with their HEADS

Lately I've been drawn to historical films and 18th century Europe. I keep thinking it must have been a great era to live in so I didn't blink twice when I came across Sofia Coppola's version of Marie Antoinette. I grabbed it like it was the last tube of Chanel Coral Love Glossimer (my favorite by the way). And I can't say I wasn't disappointed. Not only does Coppola re-tell the story of France's young 'Queen of Debt', she recreates this epic tragedy in her own authentic view, complete with all of the trappings of representation and tradition. I must admit I love it when that happens. Finding a film based on feminine strength is somewhat scarce these days, even if it eventually leads to total destruction.

Set in 18th century France, Marie Antoinette (2006) is full of nothing but expectations. With repetitious symbolism, lavish costumes, breathtaking mise-en-scenes, great camerawork and a vast array of music, Coppola seamlessly pulls it all together. Antoinette is never a victim. Even as she is imprisoned, she remains impressively stoic and royal. It's an admirable trait and I'm convinced that the pressure to produce a work of art with such a strong voice was as urgent to Coppola as it was to Marie Antoinette during her reign.  In my opinion, she did more than deliver and with her background, it's hard to imagine otherwise.

Praise aside, Marie Antoinette did have its flaws. At times, Kirsten Dunst (Antoinette) appeared too whimsical and too beautiful, almost as if she were lost in an Estee Lauder commercial. There's no denying that greed makes everyone ugly and it would have been nice to see Dunst in shreds and sullied; especially as the Palace of Versailles was being overtaken by an unruly mob. Even with all of it's beauty, the film still scored big with me because it examined the painful price that's paid when illusions create the ruins of a kingdom. As the screen fades to black, I can most certainly hear Marie Antoinette scream one of her most famous lines, "let them eat cake!" Now that...would have made an interesting ending.

plain PLAID

Christian Dior Fall 2010

I really want to try this look of mixing plaids with stripes, or other patterns, and for it to come out completely fabulous. Something tells me not to even dare try it. I'm too short. Too boxy. Too stuck in my ways of a cautious yet trendy fashion fiend. Besides, black is my only friend. It's the one color that has never let me down. But just for once, I'd like to throw caution to the wind and follow the latest fashions that have gone wild. It's this look and this feeling that I'm trying to move towards. And, who knows, the little black dress may be too predictable for another year of festivities. Just don't tell that to Herve Leger or his little black dress. It's so polished and put together that it still gives me the chills.



Herve Leger Fall 2010

 



breaking the MOLD

I keep asking myself why I've never noticed how stellar Kate Winslet is. Maybe I've been living in a cave or perhaps bogged down with thesis papers or simply 'living' life myself. Whatever the reasons, lately I've become a great admirer of hers. She is spectacular in every film I've watched her star in and there's no mistaking that she is legendary. I can't say enough about Winslet that hasn't already been said. She proves time and time again that acting is more than just a job. Great acting is an intrinsic natural force, it's an art form and it's who Kate Winslet is.

All of that takes me to Revolutionary Road (2008), directed by Sam Mendes. Set in 1950's America, Winslet plays the role of the less than cheerful April Wheeler, a housewife who is painfully unfulfilled with her 'ordinary' life. Her husband Frank, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is just as unfulfilled but he plays the game well: the corporate job, the 2 story white house in the right neighborhood and the 2.5 kids. They are living the quintessential 'American Dream' to the outside world. Inside, they are dying to break out of their confined roles. By becoming trapped into who they've never wanted to be, each pay an earth shattering price that changes their lives forever.

What I love about Revolutionary Road is it's underlining theme of expectations: EVERYONE'S. It is the timely tale of what happens to a dream deferred and fortunately, for me, the film doesn't end in the traditional 'happily ever after' Hollywood norm. From the outset, Winslet rides an emotional roller coaster, changing gears with each discovery that threatens to tear her future in two. As the world encroaches and reprimands the Wheelers for wanting more than their current existence, despair and desperation take over, trampling over every thing they've ever wanted to be.

Mendes' use of the camera is so powerful, I felt my own heartstrings being tugged in a few different directions. The aftershocks of an unplanned pregnancy, an illegal abortion and the insightful utterings of a psychiatric patient (John Givings) are each framed so well that their believability is unquestionable. Revolutionary Road is a cautious tale. It gave me more than I could have ever imagined: a reminder that Life is meant to be lived by one's own rules rather than by the design of others.

My favorite lines by Winslett:
It's unrealistic for a man with a fine mind to go on working year after year at a job he can't stand. Coming home to a place he can't stand, to a wife who's equally unable to stand the same things. And you know what the worst part of it is? Our whole existence here is based on this great premise that we're special. That we're superior to the whole thing. But we're not. We're just like everyone else! We bought into the same, ridiculous delusion. That we have to resign from life and settle down the moment we have children. And we've been punishing each other for it.

COLOR!...

Here's a quick little memento of what I can't live without...COLOR! I love Chanel, everything about this label is amazing. It's authentic, vintage, charismatic and alluring. After using the last drop of #461, I figure the next best colors are these:


CHANEL 479

CHANEL 501



CHANEL 347

There's more than enough Fall colors from CHANEL to be conquered this season but these 3 are sure to make you the Belle of every ball!

it's all in the MIX

Affectation

What I like most about the work of graphic artist Marumiyan is his mixture of color, nature and illusion. His attention to detail is so precise, it demands more than just a glance; it requires a long intense stare. Like traditional Japanese advertising, Marumiyan is saying more than a million things - all at once - and it works for me. It's the perfect backdrop to any space designed with a minimalist approach in mind. A design by Marumiyan is guaranteed to keep the spotlight and the conversation flowing.

Toki2

 Marumiyan

it's so VINTAGE

It's been a long day but I will say this...I'm obsessed with vintage clothes or at least trying to find the right ones. I got my pompadour just right today and the right suit would have pulled off my look immaculately. It's a work in process and just like the right pieces, it takes the right eye and more than enough 'free' time. I'm hopeful though (along with my desire for big, unruly hair) and I'm more than sure this look will keep coming back for more of the limelight.



Posh Vintage

  

Chie Mihara



Balenciaga Vintage Clutch





it's all in my HEAD...

This weekend I watched a few films but the one that kept my attention was Nine (2009), directed by critically acclaimed director Rob Marshall. It's a cabaret styled muscial, film and play all rolled into one - with each component deliberately aware of its extension into the other. Simply enough, the film starts off with Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) losing his mojo, his creativity and his passion for an upcoming film that he must direct in a matter of days. Not only has Contini not written a script for what could become his unraveling disaster, he must also contend with the whims of his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his mother (Sophia Loren) and a host of reporters who all remember him more for his 'flops' rather than for his masterpieces.

What I like most about Nine is Marshall's camera work. Instead of getting lost on the beautiful and talented cast, the camera takes its viewers inside the smoldering world of Guido Contini. Contini's brain is the mise-en-scene the majority of the time. It's filled with passion, emotion and childhood nuisances. There are definitely some grey areas, but eventually each reveals a muse who explains why Contini has lost his way through a mixture of camera angles, lighting effects and flashbacks.  

Nine is all about redemption in the end. Facing divorce and the biggest failure of his career, Contini is forced to retreat from Life as it comes crashing in on all sides. All of this came too late for my taste and it all seemed rushed and out of sync. The seductive dancing seemed to occupy the majority of the film. But maybe, just maybe, that's how a man's brain really works. Either way, I understand the complexities of Contini, not only as a human being but as a haunted soul as well. Nine gets 4 stars from me. It's definitely worth watching.

HINDSIGHT is 20/20

Lorna Simpson and daughter Zora



I've admired Lorna Simpson since I was introduced to her work in one of my Art classes during undergrad at Clayton State University. Simpson's work instinctively breaks down the anatomy of the black female body (in my examples), labeling each section with a purpose or a reason for existence; similar to the way in which slave owners categorized their slaves for property appraisals. It's a practice that still digs its claws in to the 21st century. Simpson will always be relevant because she questions the necessity of labels by using them to define who we are. If that's not a stroke of genius, then I don't know what is...

ALL the world's a stage...

I was unpacking some boxes this morning and came across a few DVDs that I'd never watched before. One of them was The Reader (2008). Years ago, I read the book by Bernhard Schlink so it's comes as no amazement to me that I'd tossed the DVD in a box with countless other things that didn't quite seem important at the time. I'm not a big fan of watching films after I've read the books. Somehow the two never really seem to compliment each other but this wasn't one of those times. Directer Stephen Daldry nailed the emotion and passion written by Schlink and I, for one, was captivated.

Set is post-WWII Germany, The Reader begins with the taboo love affair of an older woman and her younger lover who abruptly part ways and are reunited years later during a trial for Nazi war crimes. My admiration of Kate Winslet (Hanna Schmitz) grows each time I watch her star in a film. It's not the dialogue this time, it's just her sheer will to express herself that stands out. Add to that the soundtrack by Nico Muhly, its stirring and oftentimes hypnotic rhythm carried the film to heights that only a young broken heart could ever dream of (mine especially). I was smitten...and that's putting it mildly.

I'm a hopeless romantic so The Reader is a keeper this time. I'm sure it won't go back into that box of unnecessary collectibles. It's a visual reminder that love, forbidden or otherwise, often stands the test of time. It is, after all, the story that we all dream of.

FIERCE!



Alexander McQueen    


I love to wear black from head to toe and I haven't been able to get away from it for years. Just glancing through the Fall/Winter collection from Alexander McQueen makes me want to add a few touches of gold to my Winter wardrobe. Gold it is!



Alexander McQueen Angel Faith Boot



Alexander McQueen Studs Leather Jacket



Alexander McQueen Flesh Lace Pump



Alexander McQueen Flesh Lace Knuckle Box Clutch



 Alexander McQueen

From PARIS with love

Sophie Griotto - Londongirl


Right now I'm heavy into illustration so it wasn't unusual for me to almost lose my breath when I came upon the work of French artist, Sophie Griotto. In my head, I could see her work framed on my walls, covering my designer purses, adorning the tshirts that I wear daily. Yes, discovering her work was just that intoxicating. Sophie Griotto is every artist's dream come true because she puts every ounce of who she is into her work. The streets of Europe are there. The strong sense of femininity is there. Her individuality is there. And of course, fashion is there. There is no denying that Griotto loves what she does...it shows.



Paris



Urban Girl



My Beach

Sophie Griotto

a girl's BEST friend

Tiffany Bezet rings stacked (Priced from $3,900)

If, in my wildest of dreams, I were stranded on a deserted island and the Fashion Fairy smiled on me, I'd only ask for one thing: a Tiffany Bezet Yellow Diamond Ring. In fact, I'd ask for a few of them. Since the days of Marilyn Monroe and her unforgettable film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), diamonds have remained at the top of every fashionable girl's wish list. And it's no wonder why: they're timeless, amazingly beautiful and they sparkle at any given angle. With all of that pizazz, what fashionista wouldn't want a glowing spotlight on her every available finger? This season, I'll tightly close my eyes and wish with all of my might for a brand new yellow diamond accessory...even if it's not from Tiffany's...


Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard (Priced from $2,800)



Double Border Ring and Pendant (Priced from $6,000)



Tiffany Yellow Diamond bracelets (Price on Request)